Classic Audiobook Collection - (Volume 9) Arabian Nights - The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night by Anonymous ~ Full Audiobook [folklore]

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Book of the Thousand Night de Night, Volume 9. Night 889. Now when it was the 889th night, she pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Nouraldin heard the voice singing these verses, he said in himself, Verily, this be the Lady Miriam, chanting without hesitation or doubt or suspicion,

Starting point is 00:00:30 of one from without. Would heaven I knew and my thought be true, and if it be indeed she herself or other self? And regrets redoubled upon him, and he bemoaned himself, and recited these couplets. When my blamers saw me beside my love, whom I met in a sight that may open wide, I spake not at meeting a word of reproach, though oft it comforts had heart to chide. the blamer, what means this silence that bars thy making answer that hits his pride? And quoth I, O thou who as fool dost wake, to misdoubt of lovers and love deride. The sign of lover whose love is true, when he meets his beloved, his mum to bide.

Starting point is 00:01:25 And when he had made an end of these verses, the Lady Miriam fetched in case and paper, and wrote therein, After honour, due to the Basmala, May the peace of Allah be upon thee and his mercy and blessings be, I would have thee know that thy slave-girl Miriam saluteeth thee, Who longeth sore for thee? And this is her message to thee. As soon as this letter shall fall into thy hands,

Starting point is 00:01:57 Do thou arise without stay in delay, and apply thyself so that she would have of thee with all diligence, and beware with all wariness of transgressing her commandment and of sleeping. When the first third of night is past, for that hour is the most favourable of times, apply thee only to saddling the two stallions, and fare forth with them both to the Sultan's gate. if any ask thee whither thou wend answer I am going to exercise the steeds and none will hinder thee for the folk of this city trust to the locking of the gates

Starting point is 00:02:40 Then she folded the letter in a silken kerchief and threw it out of the latticed window to Nour al-din who took it and reading it knew it for the handwriting of the lady Miriam and comprehended all its contents. So he kissed the letter, and laid it between his eyes. Then, calling to mind that which had belided him with her of the sweets of lovely S, he poured forth his tears while he recited these couplets. Came your rich to me in the dead of night, and desire for you stirred heart and sprite, and remembered joys we in Union droid, praised the Lord, who placed us in parting plight. As soon as it was dark, Nouraldin busied himself with making ready the stallions, and patiented till the first watch of the night was passed,

Starting point is 00:03:38 when, without a moment delay, Nour al-Din, the lover full of teen, saddled them with saddles of the goodliest, and leading them forth of the stable, locked the door after him, and repaired with them to the city gate. where he sat down to await the coming of the princess. Meanwhile, Miriam returned forth right to her private apartment, where she found the one-eyed wazir seated, elbow-propped upon a cushion stuffed with ostrich down,

Starting point is 00:04:11 but he was ashamed to put forth his hand to her or to bespeak her. When she saw him, she appealed to her lord in heart, saying, "'Alla Huma, oh my God, bring him not to his will of me, nor to me defilement decree after purity.' Then she went up to him, and made a show of fondness for him, and sat down by his side, and coaxed him, saying, "'Oh, my lord, what is this aversion thou displayeth to me?

Starting point is 00:04:45 Is it pride or coquetry on thy part?' But the current byword saith, and the salaam salutation be little in demand the city's salute those who stand so if o my lord thou come not to me neither accost me i will go to thee and accost thee said he to thee belong favour and kindness o queen of the earth in its length and breadth and what am i but one of thy slaves and the least of thy servants Indeed, I was ashamed to intrude upon thine illustrious presence, O unique pearl, And my face is on the earth at thy feet. She rejoined, Leave this talk, and bring us to eat and drink.

Starting point is 00:05:43 Accordingly, he shouted to his eunuchs and women, An order to serve food. And they set before them a tray containing birds of every kind, that war can fly and in nests increase and multiply, such as sand-crowse and quails and pigeon-poults, and lambs and fatted geese and fried poultry, and other dishes of all sorts and colours. The princess put out her hand to the tray, and began to eat and feed the wazir with her fair fingertips, and kiss him on the mouth. They ate till they had enough, and washed their hands.

Starting point is 00:06:23 after which the handmaidens removed the table of food and set on the service of wine. So Princess Miriam filled the cup and drank, and gave to the wazir to drink and served him with assiduous service, so that he was like to fly for joy, and his breast broadened, and he was of the gladdest. When she saw that the wine had gotten the better of his senses, she thrust her hand into her bosom and brought out a pastel of Virgin Cretan Bang, which she had provided against such an hour,

Starting point is 00:07:04 whereof, if an elephant smell a deerum's weight, he would sleep from year to year. She distracted his attention and crumbled the drug into the cup. Then, filling it up, handed it to the wazir, who could hardly credit his senses for delight. so he took it and kissing her hand drank it off but hardly had it settled in his stomach when he fell head foremost to the ground then she rose and filling two great pairs of saddle-bags with what was light of weight and weighty of worth of jewels and jackinths and precious stones together with somewhat of meat and drink donned harness of war and armed herself for a fight. She also took with her, for Nouraldin, what should rejoice him of rich and royal apparel and splendid arms and armour, and should shouldering the bags, for indeed her

Starting point is 00:08:07 strength equaled her valiancy, hastened forth from the new palace to join her lover. On this wise fared it with the Lady Miriam, but as regards Nouraldin, and Charrasard perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Knight 889. Night 890. Now when it was the 890th night, she resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the Lady Miriam left the new palace, she went straightways to meet her lover, for indeed she was as valiant as she was strong.

Starting point is 00:08:55 but nur al-din the distracted the full of teen sat at the city gate hending the horses halters in hand till allah to whom belong majesty and might sent to sleep upon him and he slept glory be to him who sleepeth not now at that time the kings of the islands had spent much treasure in bribing folk to steal the two steeds or one of them and in those days there was a black slave who had been reared in the islands skilled in horse-lifting wherefore the kings of the francs seduced him with wealth galore to steal one of the stallions and promised him if he could avail to lift the two that they would give him a whole island and endure him with a splendid robe of honour he had long gone about the city of france in disguise but succeeded not in taking the horses whilst they were with the king. But, when he gave them in free gift to the wazir, and the monocular one carried them to his own stable, the blackmore thief rejoiced with joy exceeding and made sure of success, saying in himself, "'By the virtue of the Messiah, and the faith which is no liar, I shall certainly steal

Starting point is 00:10:19 the twain of them!' Now he had gone out that very night, intending for the stable to lift them. but as he walked along behold he caught sight of nur al-din lying asleep with the halters in his hands so he went up to the horses and loosing the halters from their heads was about to mount one of them and drive the other before him when suddenly up came the princess miriam carrying on her shoulders the couple of saddle-bags she mistook the black for nur al-din and handed him one pair of bags and handed him one pair of bags which he laid on one of the stallions, after which she gave him the other, and he set it on the second steed, without word said to discover that it was not her lover. Then they mounted and rode out of the gate, in silence, till presently she asked, O my lord, Nur al-Ardin, what aileth thee to be silent, whereupon the black turned to her, and cried angrily, What sayest thou, old damsel. When she heard the slave's barbarous accents, she knew that the speech was not

Starting point is 00:11:32 of Nuraldin. So raising her eyes, she looked at him and saw that he was a black chattel, snub-nosed and wide-mouthed, with nostrils like ewers, whereupon the light in her eyes became night, and she asked him, Who art thou, O shake of the sons of ham? And what among men is thy name. He answered, O daughter of the base, my name is Massoud, the lifter of horses, when folk slumber and sleep. She made him no reply, but straightway bearing her blade, smote him on the nape, and the blade came out, gleaming from his throat tendons, whereupon he fell earthwards, weltering in his blood, and Allah hurried his soul to the fire and abiding-place Dar.

Starting point is 00:12:28 Then she took the other horse by the bridle, and retraced her steps in search of Nuraldin, whom she found lying, asleep and snoring, in the place where she had appointed him to meet her, handing the halters in hand, yet not knowing his fingers from his feet. So she dismounted, and gave him a cuff, whereupon he awoke in affright and said to her,

Starting point is 00:12:52 Oh, my lady, praise be Allah for thy stee, safe coming, said she, rise, and back this steed and hold thy tongue. So he rose, and mounted one of the stallions, whilst she bestrored the other, and they went forth the city, and rode on a while in silence. Then she said to him, did I not bid thee beware of sleeping? Verily he prospereth not who sleepeth. He rejoined. He rejoined. "'Oh, my lady, I slept not but because of the cooling of my heart by reason of thy promise. But what hath happened, O my lady?' So she told him her adventure with the black, first and last, and he said,

Starting point is 00:13:43 "'Praised be Allah for safety!' Then they fared on at full speed, committing their affair to the subtle, the all-wise, and conversing as they went, till they came to the place, where the black lay prostrate in the dust as he were in a freet. And Miriam said to Nur al-Din, dismount, strip him of his clothes, and take his arms. He answered, By allah, O my lady, I dare not dismount, nor approach him.

Starting point is 00:14:18 And indeed he marvelled at the Blackmore's stature, and praised the princess for her deed, wandering the while at her valour and stout-heartedness. They fared on lustily, and ceased not so doing all that night, and halted not, till the day broke with its shine and sheen, and the sun shone bright upon plain and height, when they came to a wide riverine O'Lee,

Starting point is 00:14:44 wherein the gazelles were frisking gracefully. Its surface was clothed with green, and on all sides fruit-trees of every kind were seen. It slopes for flowers like serpent's bellies showed, and birds sang on boughs aloud, and its rills in manifold runnels flowed. And indeed, it was as saith the poet, and saith well, and accomplisheth the hearer's desire. Rosie red waddy, hot with summer glow, where two-fold tale of common growth was piled. In copse we hollied. In copse we halted wherein bent to us branches as bendeth nurse or wheedling child and pure cold water quenching thirst we sipped to cut mate sweeter than old wine and mild

Starting point is 00:15:37 from every side it shut out sheen of sun screen-like but wooed the breeze to cool the wild and pebbles sweet as maidens decked and dight and soft as threaded pearls the touch beguiled and as saith another and when birdies o warble its latlet it gars longing lover to seek it where morning glows for like as to paradise lie its banks with shade and fruitage and fount that flows presently miriam and nur al-din alighted to rest in this wadi and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say End of Knight 890. Section 2 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and the Night Volume 9. This is a Librevox recording. All LibreFox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibreVox.org.

Starting point is 00:16:49 Recording by phone. The Book of the Thousand Nights and the Night Volume 9 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Night eight hundred and ninety-one. When it was the eight hundred and ninety-first night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Princess Miriam and Nur al-Din alighted in that valley, they ate of its fruits and drank of its streams, after turning the stallions loose to pasture. Then they sat talking and recalling their past, and all that have befallen them, and complaining one to other of the pangs of parting and of the hardships suffered for estrangement and love-longing.

Starting point is 00:17:37 As they were thus engaged, behold, there arose in the distance a dust-cloud which spread till it waltged the world, and they heard the neighing of horses and clank of arms and armor. Now, the reason of this was that after the princess had been bestowed in wedlock upon the wazir who had gone into her that night, the king went forth at daybreak to give the couple good morrow, taking with him, after the custom of kings with their daughters, a gift of silken stuffs and scattering gold and silver among the eunuchs and tire women, that they might snatch at and scramble for it. And he fared on, escorted by one of his pages, but when he came to the new palace, he found the wazir prostrate on the carpet, knowing not his head from his heels. So he searched the place right and left for

Starting point is 00:18:32 his daughter, but found her not, whereat he was troubled sore with concerned galore, and his wits forlore. Then he bade bring hot water and virgin vinegar and frankincersensens, and mingling them together, blew the mixture into the wazir's nostrils and shook him, whereupon he cast the bang forth of his stomach, as it were a bit of cheese. He repeated the process, whereupon the minister came to himself, and the king questioned him of his case and that of his daughter. He replied, O mighty king, I have no knowledge of her, save that she poured me out a cup of wine with her own hand, and from that tied to this, I have no recollection of aught, nor know I what is come of her. When the king heard this, the light in his eyes became night, and he drew his scimitar and smote the wazir on the head.

Starting point is 00:19:31 Then the steel came out gleaming from between his grinder teeth. Then, without an instant delay, he called the groom sansices and demanded of them the two stallions. But they said, O king, the two steeds were lost in the night, and together with them are chief, the master of horse. for when we awoke in the morning we found all the doors wide open cried the king By the faith of me And by all wherein my belief

Starting point is 00:20:01 Established uncertainty None but my daughter Had taken the steeds She and the Muslim captive Which used to tend the church And which took her a foretime Indeed I knew him right well And none delivered him from my hand

Starting point is 00:20:17 Save this one-eyed wazir But now he is for quieted his deed. Then the king called his three sons, who were three doughty champions, each of whom could withstand a thousand horse in the field of strife, and the stead were cut and thrust are rife, and bad them mound. So they took horse forthwith, and the king and the flower of his knights and nobles and officers mounted with them, and followed on the trail of the fugitives, till Miriam saw them, when she mounted her charger and baldricked her blade and took her arms. Then she said to Nur al-Din,

Starting point is 00:20:57 How is it with thee, and how is thy heart for fight and strife and fray? Said he, Verily, my steadfastness in battle-van is as the steadfastness of the stake in Bran. And he improvised and said, O Miriam, thy chiding I pray for go. nor drive me to death or injurious blow. How e'er can I hope to bear fray and fight Who quake at the croak of the Corby Crow? I who shiver for fear when I see the mouse,

Starting point is 00:21:31 And for very funk I be piss my clow. I love no foin but the poke in bed, When coin well knoweth my prickle's prow. This is rightful reed, And none other shows, righteous as this in my sight I throw. Now when Miriam heard this speech and the verse he made, she laughed and smilingly said,

Starting point is 00:21:56 O my lord, Nur al-Din, abide in thy place, and I will keep thee from their ill grace, though they be as the sea-sands in number. But mount and ride in rear of me, and if we be defeated and put to flight, beware of falling, for none can overtake thy steed. so saying she turned her lonset towards foe in plain and gave her horse the rain whereupon he darted off under her like the stormy gale or like waters that from straightness of pipes out rail now miriam was the doughtiest of the folk of her time and the unique pearl of her age and tide for her father had taught her whilst she was yet little on steeds to ride and dive deep during the darkness of the night

Starting point is 00:22:45 in the battle time. When the king saw her charging down upon them, he knew her but too well, and turning to his eldest son, said, O Bartot, thou who art surnamed Rass Al-Qilaut, this is assuredly thy sister Miriam, who chargeth upon us, and she seeketh to wage war and fight fray with us. So go thou out to give her battle, and I enjoin thee by the Messiah and the faith which is no liar, and thou get the better of her, kill her not till thou have propounded to her the Nazarene faith, and she returned to her old creed, bring her to me prisoner, but an she refuse, do her die by the foulest death, and make of her the vilest of examples, as well as the accursed witch is with her.

Starting point is 00:23:38 Quoth Bartot, hearkening and obedience. And, rushing out forthright to meet his sister, said to her, O Miriam, Doth not what hath already befallen us on thine account suffice thee, but thou must leave the faith of thy fathers and forefathers, and follow after the faith of the vagrants in the lands, that is to say, the faith of al-Islam. By the virtue of the Messiah, and the faith which is no liar, except thou return to the creed of the kings thy forebears, and walk therein after the goodliest fashion, I will put thee to an ill death and make of thee the most shameful of examples.

Starting point is 00:24:22 But Miriam laughed at his speech and replied, Well away, far be it that the past should present stay, or that he who is dead should again see day. I will make thee drink the sourest of regrets. By Allah, I will not turn back upon the faith of Muhammad's son of Abdullah, who made salvation general, for his is the true faith, nor will I leave the right road, though I drained a cup of ruin. And Sharazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

Starting point is 00:24:58 End of night 891, night 892. When it was the 892nd night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That Miriam exclaimed to her brother, Well away, heaven forfend, That I turn back from the faith of Muhammad Abdullah's son, Who made salvation general. For his is the right road,

Starting point is 00:25:28 Nor will I leave it, Although I drained a cup of ruin. When the accursed Bartot heard this, The light in his eyes became night. The matter was great and grievous to him, and between them there befell a sore fight. The twain swayed to and fro battling throughout the lengths and breadth of the valley, and manfully enduring the stress of combat singular,

Starting point is 00:25:53 whilst all eyes upon them were fixed in admiring surprise. After which they wheeled about and foined and fainted for a long bout, and as often as Bartote opened on his sister Miriam a gate of war, she closed it to and put it to naught of the goodliness of her skill and her art in the use of arms and her cunning of cavalries. Nor ceased they so doing till the dust overhung their heads faultwise and they were hidden from men's eyes, and she ceased not to baffle Bartot and stopped the way upon him, till he was wary and his courage wavered, and his resolution was worsted, and his strength weakened. Whereupon she smote him on the nape, that the sword came out gleaming from his throat tendons, and Allah hurried his soul to the fire, and the abiding place which is dire.

Starting point is 00:26:48 Then Miriam wheeled about in the battle-plane, and the stead were cut and thrust their fain, and championed it and offered battle, crying out and saying, Who is for fighting? Who is for jousting? Let come forth to me today, no weakling, neitherling. I, let none come forth to me, but the champions who the enemies of the faith represent, that I may give them to drink the cup of ignominous punishment. O worshippers of idols, oh miscreants, oh rebellious folk, this day verily shall the faces of the people of the true faith be whitened, and theirs who deny the compassionate be blackened. Now, when the king saw his eldest son slain,

Starting point is 00:27:36 he smote his face and rent his dress and cried out to his second son, saying, O Batris, thou who art surnamed Kara Alsace, Go forth, O my son, in haste, and do battle with thy sister Miriam. Avenge me the death of thy brother Bartot, and bring her to me a prisoner, abject and humiliated. He answered, hearkening and obedience, O my sire, and charging down, drave at his sister,

Starting point is 00:28:06 who met him in mid-career, and they fought he and she a sore fight, yet soarer than the first. Bartus right soon found himself unable to cope with her might, and would have sought safety in flight, but of the greatness of her prowess could not avail unto this slate, for as often as he turned to flee, she drave after him, and still claved him, and pressed him hard, till presently she smote him

Starting point is 00:28:35 with a sword in his throat, that it issued gleaming from his nape, and sent him after his brother. Then she wheeled about in the midfield and plain, where cut and thrust are dealed, crying out, and saying, Where be the knights, where be the braves, where is the one-eyed wazir, the lamter, of the crooked faith, the worthy belies, Lever. Thereupon the king her father cried out with heart in bleeding guys and tear ulcerated eyes, saying, She had slain my second son by the virtue of the Messiah and the faith which is no liar. And he called aloud to his youngest son, saying, O Fasian, surname Sal al-Subian, Go forth, O my son, to do battle with thy sister and take of her the blood-wreak for thy brothers, and fall on her, come what may,

Starting point is 00:29:31 and whether thou gain or thou lose the day, and if thou conquer her, slay her with the foulest slaughter. So he drave out to Miriam, who ran at him with the best of her skill, and charged him with the goodliness of her cleverness, and her courage, and her cunning in fence and cavalries, crying to him,

Starting point is 00:29:52 O accursed, O enemy of Allah and the Muslims, I will assuredly send thee after the, brothers, and woeful is the abiding place of the miscreans. So saying, she unsheathed her sword, and smote him, and cut off his head and arms, and sent him after his brothers, and Allah hurried his soul to the fire, and the abiding place dire. Now, when the knights and riders who rode with her sire saw his three sons slain, who were the doughtiest of the folk of their day, there fell on their heart's terror of the princess Miriam, awe of her overpowered them. They bowed their heads earthwards, and they made sure of ruin and confusion, disgrace and destruction. So, with the

Starting point is 00:30:41 flames of hate blazing in their heart, they turned their backs forthright and addressed themselves to flight. When the king saw his son's slain and on his flying troops cast sight, there fell on him bewilderment and affright, whilst his heart also was a fire for despite. Then quoth he to himself, In very sooth, Princess Miriam hath belittled us, and if I venture myself and go out against her alone,

Starting point is 00:31:10 haply she will gar me succumb, and slay me without Ruth, even as she slew her brothers, and make of me the foulest of examples, for she hath no longer any desire for us, nor have we of her return any hope. wherefore it were the better read that I guard mine honour and return to my capital. So he gave reins to his charger and rode back to his city.

Starting point is 00:31:37 But when he found himself in his palace, fire was loosed in his heart for rage and chagrin at the death of his three gallant sons and the defeat of his troops and the disgrace to his honour. Nor did he abide half an hour ere he summoned his grantees and officers of state, and complained to them of that his daughter Miriam had done with him of the slaughter of her brothers, and all he suffered therefrom of passion and chagrin, and sought advice of them. They all counselled him to write to the vigour of Allah in his earth, the commander of the faithful, Harun al-Rashid, and acquaint him with his circumstance. So he wrote a letter to the caliph, containing, after the usual salutations, the following word,

Starting point is 00:32:25 We have a daughter, Miriam, the girdle-girl height, who had been seduced and debauched from us by a Muslim captive named Nur al-Din Ali, son of the merchant Taj Aldin of Cairo, and he hath taken her by night and went forth with her to his own country, wherefore I beg of the favour of our Lord the commander of the faithful that we write to all the lands of the Muslims to seize her and send her back to us, by a trusty messenger, and Charazot perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Night, 892.

Starting point is 00:33:14 Section 3 of The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9. 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 Mark Ernest. The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Knight, Volume 9, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Knight 893. When it was the 893 Knight, she pursued it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the King of France wrote to the Caliph and Prince of true believers, Harun al-Rashid, a writ humbling himself by asking for his daughter miriam and begging of his favour that he write to all the moslems enjoining her seizure and sending back to him by a trusty messenger of the servants of his highness the commander of the faithful

Starting point is 00:34:15 adding and in requital of your help and adents in this matter we will appoint to you half of the city of rome the great that thou mayst build therein mosques for the moslems and the tribute thereof shall be forwarded to you and after writing this writ by read of his grandees and lords of the land, he folded the scroll, and calling his wazir, whom he had appointed in the stead of the monocular minister, bade him seal it with the seal of the kingdom, and the officers of state also set hands and seals ther too. After which the king bade the wazir, bear the letter to Baghdad, the palace of peace, and hand it into the caliph's own hand, saying, And thou bring her back, thou shalt have of me the fiefs of two emirs, and I will bestow on the a robe of honor with two fold fringes of gold the caliph bade admit him so he went in and kissing ground before him handed to him the letter of the king of france together with rich gifts and rare presents beseeming the commander of the faithful when the caliph read the writ and apprehended its significance he commanded his wazir to write without stay or delay dispatches to all the lands of the moslems setting out the name and favor of princess

Starting point is 00:35:31 Miriam and of Nur al-Den, stating how they had eloped and bidding all who found them, lay hands on them, and send them to the commander of the faithful, and warning them on no wise in that matter to use delay or indifference. So the wazir wrote the letters, and sealing them, dispatched them by couriers to the different governors, who hastened to obey the Caliph's commandment, and addressed themselves to make search in all the lands for persons of such name and favor. on this wise it fared with the governors and their subject but as regards nur al-den and miriam the girdle girl they fared on without delay after defeating the king of france and his force and the protector protected them till they came to the land of syria and entered damascus city now the couriers of the caliph had foregone them thither by a day and the emir of damascus knew that he was commanded to arrest the twain as soon as found that he might send them to the caliph accordingly when they entered the city the secret police accosted them and asked them their names they told them the truth and acquainted them with their adventure and all that had betided them whereupon they knew them for those of whom they were in search and seizing them carried them before the governor of the city

Starting point is 00:36:50 he despatched them to the city of baghdad under escort of his officers who when they came thither craved audience of the caliph which he graciously granted so they came into the presents and kissing-ground before him said o commander of the faithful this is miriam the girdle-girl daughter of the king of france and this is the captive nur al-din son of the merchant talsh al-den of cairo who debauched her from her sire and stealing her from his kingdom and country fled with her to damascus where we found the twain as they entered the city and questioned them they told us the truth of their case so we laid hands on them and brought them before thee the caliph looked at miriam and saw that she was slender and shapely of form and stature the handsomest of the folk of her tide and the unique pearl of her age and her time sweet of speech and fluent of tongue stable of soul and hearty of heart. Thereupon she kissed the ground between his hands, and wished him permanence of glory and prosperity, and circe of evil and enmity. He admired the beauty of her figure, and the sweetness of her voice, and the readiness of her replies, and said to her, "'Art thou Miriam the girdle-girl, daughter of the King of France?' answered she,

Starting point is 00:38:09 "'Yes, O prince of true believers, and priest of those who the unity of Allah receive, and defender of the faith and cousin of the premate of the apostles? Then the Caliph turned to Nur al-Din Ali, and seeing him to be a shapely youth, as he were the shining full moon on 14th night, said to him, and thou, art thou Ali, Nur al-Din, son of the merchant Taj Alden of Cairo?

Starting point is 00:38:34 Said he, yes, O commander of the faithful, and stay of those who for righteousness are careful. Caliph asked, How comeeth it that thou hast taken, this damsel and fled forth with her of her father's kingdom. So Nur al-Din proceeded to relate to the commander of the faithful all his past, first and last, whereat the caliph, was astonied with extreme astonishment, and diverted and exclaimed, How manifold are the sufferings that men suffer.

Starting point is 00:39:04 And Sharazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Night 893. night eight hundred ninety four when it was the eight hundred and ninety-fourth night she resumed it hath reached me o auspicious king that when the caliph harun al-rashid asked nur al-din of his adventure and was told of all that had passed first and last he was astonied with extreme astonishment and exclaimed how manifold are the sufferings that men suffer then he turned to the princess and said to her no o men Miriam, that thy father, the king of France, hath written to me anent thee. What sayest thou? She replied, O vicar of Allah on his earth, and executor of the precepts of his prophet and commands to man's unworth, may he vouchsafe thee eternal prosperity, and ward thee

Starting point is 00:40:02 from evil and enmity. Thou art vice-regent of Allah in his earth, and I have entered thy faith, for that it is the creed which truth and righteousness inspire. I have left the religion of the religion of the earth. miscreants, who make the Messiah a liar, and I am become a true believer in Allah, the bountiful, and in the revelation of his compassionate apostle. I worship Allah, extolled and exalted be he, and acknowledge him to be the one God, and prostrate myself amply before him, and glorify him. And I say before the Caliph, verily I testify that there is no God but the God,

Starting point is 00:40:40 and I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God, whom he sent with, the guidance and the true faith, that he might make it victorious over every other religion, albeit they who assign partners to God, be averse from it. Is it therefore in thy competence, O commander of the faithful, to comply with the letter of the king of the heretics and send me back to the land of the schismatics who deny the faith, and give partners to the all-wise king, who magnify the cross and bow down before idols, and believe in the divinity of Jesus, for all he was only a creature? and thou deal with me thus o vice-regent of allah i will lay hold upon thy skirts on the day of muster before the lord and make my complaint of thee to thy cousin the apostle of allah whom god assain and persevere

Starting point is 00:41:28 on the day when wealth availeth not neither children save one come unto allah whole-hearted answered the caliph o miriam allah forfeen that i should do this ever how can i send back a moslema believer in the one god and in his apostle to that which Allah hath forbidden, and eke his messenger hath forbidden. Quoth she, I testify that there is no God but the God, and that Muhammad is the apostle of God. Rejoined the Caliph, O Miriam, Allah bless and direct thee in the way of righteousness. Since thou art a moslema and a believer in Allah the one, I owe thee a duty of obligation, and it is that I should never transgress against thee, nor forsake thee. thou be lavished unto me on thine account the world full of gold and gems so be of good cheer and eyes clear of tear and be thy breast broadened and thy case not save easy art thou willing that this youth ali of cairo be to thee man and thou to him wife replied mariam o prince of true believers how should i be other than willing to take him to husband seeing that he bought me with his money and hath entreated me with thee the utmost kindness, and, for crown of his good offices, he hath ventured his life for my sake

Starting point is 00:42:48 many times. So the caliph summoned the kazi and the witnesses, and married her to him, assigning her a dowry, and causing the grandees of his realm be present, and the marriage-day was a notable. Then he turned to the wazir of the French king, who was present, and said to him, Hast thou heard her words? How can I send her back to her father, the infidel, seeing that she, is a moslema and a believer in the unity. Be like he will evil entreat her and deal harshly with her, more by token that she hath slain his sons, and I shall bear blame for her on resurrection day.

Starting point is 00:43:25 And indeed quoth the Almighty, Allah will by no means make a way for the infidels over the true believers. So return to thy king and say to him, Turn from this thing, and hope not to come at thy desire thereof. Now this wazir was a zany. he said to the caliph, O commander of the faithful, by the virtue of the Messiah, and of the faith which is no liar, were Miriam forty times of Muslima, and forty times there too, I may not depart from thee without that same Miriam. And if thou send her not back with me of free will, I will hie me to her sire, and cause him dispatch thee and host, wherewith I will come upon you from the landward and the seaward, and the van whereof shall be at your capital city, whilst their rear is yet on the Yuf. and they shall lay waste thy realms. When the Caliph heard these words from the accursed wazir of the king of France,

Starting point is 00:44:20 the light in his face became night, and he was wroth at his speech with exceeding wrath, and said to him, O damned one, O dog of the Nazarens, art thou come to such power that thou durst assail me with the king of the Franks? Then quoth he to his guards, take this accursed and do him die, and he repeated this couplet. this be his recompense who will oppose and thwart his better's will then he commanded to cut off the wazir's head and burn his body but princess miriam cried o commander of the faithful soil not thy sword with the blood of this accursed so saying she bared her brand and smote him and made his head fly from his corpse and he went to the house of ungrace his abode was gahenna and evil is the abiding place the caliph marveled at the for example of her forearm and the strength of her mind, and they carried the dead wazir forth of the pavilion and burnt him. Then the commander of the faithful bestowed upon Nur al-Din a splendid

Starting point is 00:45:22 robe of honor, and assigned to him and her a lodging in his palace. Moreover, he appointed them sold and rations, and commanded to transport to their quarters all they needed of raiment and furniture and vessels of price. They sojourned a while in Baghdad in all delight of life and solace thereof till nur al-den longed for his mother and father so he submitted the matter to the caliph and sought his leave to revisit his native land and visit his kinsfolk and he granted him the permission he sought and calling miriam commended them to each other he also loaded them with costly presence and rarities and bade write letters to the emirs of olima and notables of cairo the god-guarded commending nur al-den and his wife and parents to their care and charging them honor them with the highmost honor. When the news reached Cairo, the merchant Taj Alden joyed at the return of his son, and Nur al-Din's mother likewise rejoiced therein with passing joy. The emirs and the notables of the city went forth to meet him in obedience to

Starting point is 00:46:27 the caliphson junctions, and indeed it was for them a right noteworthy day, wherein foregathered the lover and the beloved, and the seeker attained the sought. Moreover, all the emirs made them bride feasts, each on his own day, and joyed in them with joy exceeding and vied in doing them honor, one the other succeeding. When Nur al-Din, for gathered with his mother and father, they were gladdened in each other with the utmost gladness and care and affliction ceased from them, whilst his parents joyed no less in the Princess Miriam, and honored her with the highmost honor. Every day there came to them presents from all the emirs and great merchants, and they were a new delight in gladness, exceeding the gladness of festival.

Starting point is 00:47:12 Then they ceased not abiding in solace, in pleasance, and good cheer, and abounding prosperity, eating and drinking with mirth and merriment, till there came to them the destroyer of delights, and sunderer of societies, waster of houses, in palace-doms, and peopler of the bellies of the tombs. So they were removed from worldly stead, and became of the number of the dead, and Glory be to the living one who dieth not, and in whose hand are the keys of the seen and the unseen. And a tale was also told by the Emir Sourge Alden, Prefect of Cairo, Anit. The Man of Upper Egypt and His Frankish Wife

Starting point is 00:47:52 We lay one night in the house of a man of Said, or Upper Egypt, and he entertained us and entreated us hospitably. Now he was a very old man, swart with exceeding swarthiness, and he had little children, who were white, of a white dashed with red. So we said to him, hark ye, such, and one, how cometh that these thy children are white, whilst thou thyself art passing swark, and he said, Their mother was a Frankishwoman, whom I took prisoner in the days of Al-Malik al-Nah, after the battle of Hattin, when I was a young man. We asked, and how godest thou her?

Starting point is 00:48:32 And he answered, I had a rare adventure with her. quoth we favour us with it and quoth he with all my heart you must know that i once sowed a crop of flax in these parts and pulled it and scutched it and spent on it five hundred gold pieces after which i would have sold it but could get no more than this therefore and the folk said to me carry it to acre for there thou wilt happily make good gain by it now acre was then in the hands of the francs so i carried my flax thither and sold part of it at six months credit one day as i was selling behold there came up a frankish woman now tis the custom of the women of the franks to go about the market streets with unveiled faces to buy flax for me, and I saw her beauty what dazed my wits. So I sold her somewhat of flax, and was easy with her concerning the price, and she took it and went away. Some days after, she returned and bought somewhat more flax of me, and I was yet easier with her about the price, and she repeated her visits to me, seeing that I was in love with her. Now she was used to walk

Starting point is 00:49:44 in company of an old woman to whom I said, I am sore and enamored of thy mistress, canst thou contrive for me to enjoy her? Quoth she, I will contrive this for thee, but the secret must not go beyond us three, me, thee, and her. And there is no help but that thou be lavish with money to boot. And I answered, saying,

Starting point is 00:50:05 Though my life were the price of her favors, twere no great matter. And Chahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her, permitted say. End of Knight 894. Recording by Mark Ernest. Section 4 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Knight, Volume 9. This is a Librevox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. Recording by Joseph Tabler.

Starting point is 00:50:45 The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Knight. 9 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. When it was the 895th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the old woman said to the man, However the secret must not go beyond us three to wit me, thee, and her, and there is no help but thou be lavish of thy money to boot, he replied, thou my life were the price of her favors, "'ture no great matter. So it was agreed,'

Starting point is 00:51:20 "'continued the man of Upper Egypt, "'that I should pay her fifty dinars, "'and that she should come to me, "'where I procured the money, "'and gave it to the old woman. "'She took it and said, "'Make ready a place for her in thy house, "'and she will come to thee this night.

Starting point is 00:51:37 "'Accordingly I went home, "'and made ready what I could have meat and drink "'and wax candles and sweetmeats. "'Now my house overlooked the sea, "'and twas the season of summer, so I spread the bed on the terrace roof. Presently the Frank woman came, and we ate and drank, and the night fell dark. We lay down under the sky, with the moon shining on us, and fell to watching the shimmering

Starting point is 00:52:00 of the stars in the sea, and I said to myself, art thou not ashamed before Allah, to whom belong might and majesty, and thou a stranger under the heavens, and in presence of the deep waters to disobey him with a Nazarene woman, and merit the torment of fire? Then I said, Oh, my God, I call thee to witness that I abstain from this Christian woman this night, of shamefastness, before thee and fear of thy vengeance. So I slept till the morning, and she arose at peep of day, full of anger, and went away. I walked to my shop, and sat there, and, behold, presently, she passed,

Starting point is 00:52:38 as she were the moon, accompanied by the old woman who was also angry, whereat my heart sank within me, and I said to myself, Who art thou that thou shouldst refrain from yonder damsel? Art thou Sar al-Sakhtar? Or Bishar Barfoot, or Junet of Baghdad, or Fusail Ben-Ijaz. Then I ran after the old woman, and coming up with her, said to her, Bring her to me again, and said she, By the virtue of the Messiah, she will not return to thee, but for an hundred ducats.

Starting point is 00:53:11 Quoth, I will give thee a hundred gold pieces. So I paid her the money. money, and the damsel came to me a second time. But no sooner was she with me, then I returned to my willam way of thinking and abstained from her, and forbore her for the sake of Allah Almighty. Presently she went away, and I walked to my shop, and shortly after the old woman came up in a rage, quoth I to her, bring her to me again, and quoth she, by the virtue of the Messiah, thou shalt never again enjoy her presence with thee, except for five hundred ducats. thou shalt perish in thy pain.

Starting point is 00:53:49 At this I trembled and resolved to spend the whole price of my flax, and therewith ransom my life. But before I could think, I heard the crier proclaiming and saying, Ho, all ye Muslims, the truce which was between us, and you is expired, and we give all of you, Mohammedans, who are here a week from this time to have done with your business, and depart to your own country. Thus her visits were cut off from me, and I betook myself. to getting in the price of the flax which men had bought upon credit, and to bartering what

Starting point is 00:54:22 remained in my hands, for other goods. Then I took with me fair merchandise, and departed Aker, with a soul full of affection, and love-longing for the Frankish woman, who had taken my heart and my coin. So I journeyed till I made Damascus, where I sold the stock in trade, I had bought from Aker at the highest price, because of the cutting off of communication by reason of the term of truce having expired, and Allah extolled and exalted be he, vouchsafed me good gain. Then I fell to trading in captive slave-girls, thinking thus to ease my heart of its pining for the Frankish woman, and in this traffic engaged I abode three years, till there befell between al-Malik, al-Nasir, and the Franks what befell of the action of Hatton and other encounters,

Starting point is 00:55:12 and Allah gave him the victory over them, so that he took all their kings, prisoners, and he opened the coast cities by his leave. Now it fortuneed one day after this, that a man came to me, and sought of me a slave-girl for Al-Malik al-Nasir, having a handsome handmaid, I showed her to him, and he bought her of me,

Starting point is 00:55:33 for an hundred dinars, and gave me ninety thereof, leaving ten still due to me. For that there was no more found in the royal treasury that day, because he had expended all his monies in waging war against the Franks. Accordingly, they took counsel with him, and he said, carry him to the treasury,

Starting point is 00:55:53 where are the captives lodging, and give him his choice among the damsels of the Franks, so he may take one of them for the ten dinars, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the eight hundred and ninety-sixth night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when, as Al-Malik al-Nasir said,

Starting point is 00:56:17 Give him his choice to take one of the girls for the ten dinars that are due to him, They brought me to the captive's lodging, and showed me all who were therein, and I saw amongst them the Frankish damsel with whom I had fallen in love at Acre, and knew her right well. Now she was the wife of one of the cavaliers of the Franks, so I said, Give me this one, and carrying her to my tent, asked her, "'Dest thou know me?' she answered, "'No, and I rejoined, I am thy friend,

Starting point is 00:56:46 the sometimes flax-merchant with whom thou hadst to do at acre, and there be fell between us what befell. Thou tookest money of me, and saidest, thou shalt never again see me but for five hundred dinars, and now thou art become my property for ten ducats.' Quoth she, this is a mystery. Thy faith is the true faith, and I testify that there is no God, but the God and that Muhammad is the messenger of God,

Starting point is 00:57:12 and she made perfect profession of al-Islam. Then I said to myself, By Allah, I will not go in unto her till I have set her free and acquainted the Qazi. So I betook myself to Ibn Shad and told him what had passed, and he married me to her. Then I lay with her that night, and she conceived, after which the troops departed, and we returned to Damascus.

Starting point is 00:57:36 But within a few days there came an envoy from the king of the Franks, to seek the captives and the prisoners, according to the treaty between the kings. So El Malik Al Nisere restored all the men and the women captive, till there remained but the woman who was with me, and the Franks, said, the wife of such an one, the knight is not here. Then they asked after her, and making strict search for her, found that she was with me, whereupon they demanded her of me, and I went in to her sore concerned, and with color changed, and she said to me, what aileth thee, and what aileth thee, and what, But evil assaileth thee. Quoth I,

Starting point is 00:58:11 A messenger has come from the king to take all the captives, and they demand thee of me. Quoth she, have no fear. Bring me to the king, and I know what to say before, and to him. I carried her into the presence of the Sultan al-Malik al-Nasir, who was seated with the envoy of the king of the Franks on his right hand, and I said to him, This is the woman that is with me.

Starting point is 00:58:34 Then quoth the king and the envoy to her, wilt thou go to thy country, or to thy husband, for Allah hath loosed thy bonds, and those of thy fellow captives. Quoth she to the sultan, I am become a moslema, and am great with child, as by my middle ye may see, and the Franks shall have no more profit of me. The envoy asked, whether is dearer to thee this moslem, or thy first husband and knight such an one. And she answered him, even as she had, answered the sultan, then said, the envoy to the Franks with him. Heard ye her words? They replied, yes, and he said to me, take thy wife and

Starting point is 00:59:14 depart with her. So I took her, and went away. But the envoy sent after me in haste, and cried, Her mother gave me a charge for her, saying, My daughter is a captive and naked, and I would have thee carry her this chest. Take it thou, and deliver it to her. Accordingly, I carried the chest home, and gave it to her. She opened it, and found in it all her raiment, as she had left it, and therein I saw the two purses of fifty and hundred dinars, which I had given her, untouched, and tied up with my own tying, wherefore I praised Almighty Allah, these are my children by her, and she is alive to this day, and twas she dress you this food. We marveled at this story, and at that which had befallen him of good fortune, and Allah is

Starting point is 00:59:59 all-knowing. But men also tell a tale, Anant, the ruined man of Baghdad, in his story. slave girl. There was of old time in Baghdad, a man of condition who had inherited from his father abounding affluence. He fell in love with a slave girl, so he bought her, and she loved him as he loved her, and he ceased not to spend on her till all his money was gone and not remained thereof, whereupon he sought a means of getting his livelihood, but availed not to find any. Now this young man had been used in the days of his affluence to, frequent the assemblies of those who were versed in the art of singing, and had thus attained to the utmost excellence therein.

Starting point is 01:00:43 Presently he took counsel with one of his intimates who said to him, Me seems thou canst find no better profession than to sing, thou and thy slave-girl, for on this wise thou wilt get money in plenty, and will eat and drink. But he misliked this, he and the damsel, and she said to him, I have bethought me of a means of relief for thee. He asked, what is it? And she answered, Do thou sell me?

Starting point is 01:01:10 Thus shall we be delivered of this straight, thou and I, and I shall be in affluence, for none will buy the like of me save a man of fortune, and with this I will contrive my return to thee. He carried her to the market, and the first who saw her was Hashimi of Basara, a man of good breeding, fine taste and generosity, who bought her for fifteen hundred dinars.

Starting point is 01:01:34 the young man, the damsel's owner. When I had received the price, I repented me, and wept, I in the damsel, and I sought to cancel the sale, but the purchaser would not consent. So I took the gold in a bag, knowing not whither I would wend. Now my house was desolate of her, and buffeted my face, and wept and wailed, as I had never done before. Then I entered a mosque and shedding tears, till I was stupefied and losing my senses, fell asleep, with the bag of Monday, under my head by way of pillow. Presently, ere I could beware, a man plucked the bag from under my head, and ran off with it at speed.

Starting point is 01:02:14 Whereupon I started up in alarm, and of fright, and would have risen to run after him, but lo! My feet were bound with a rope, and I fell on my face. I took to weeping and buffeting myself, saying, Thou hast parted with thy soul, and thy wealth is lost. and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased, saying her permitted say. End of Night 896 Section 5 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9. This is a Libravox recording.

Starting point is 01:02:55 All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. Recording by Joan Wendell, Burlington, Illinois. a Knights and a Knight, Volume 9 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Knight number 897 When it was the 897th night, she pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the young man continued, So I said to myself, Thou hast parted with thy soul, and thy wealth is lost.

Starting point is 01:03:32 Then of the excess of my chagrin I betook myself to the Tigris, and wrapping my face in my gown, cast myself into the stream. The bystanders saw me and cried, "'For sure, this is because of some great trouble that hath betided him. They cast themselves in after me, and bringing me ashore, questioned me of my case. I told them what had misadventure had befallen me, and they condoled with me. Then an old man of them came to me, and said, thou hast lost thy money, but why goest thou about to lose thy life, and become of the people of the fire? Arise, come with me that I may see thy lodging. I went with him to my house, and he sat with me a while,

Starting point is 01:04:14 till I waxed calmer, and becoming tranquil, I thanked him, and he went away. When he was gone, I was like to kill myself, but bethought me of the future and the fire, so I fared forth my house and fled to one of my friends, and told him what had befallen me. He wept for pity of me, and gave me fifty dinars, saying, take my advice and hide thee from Baghdad forthright, and let this provide thee till thy heart be diverted from the love of her, and thou forget her. Thy forbears were secretaries, and thy handwriting is fine,

Starting point is 01:04:48 and thy breeding right good. Seek out then whom thou wilt of the intendance, and throw thyself on his bounty. Thus haply Allah shall reunite thee with thy slave-girl. I hearken to his words, and indeed my mind was strengthened and I was somewhat comforted, and resolved to betake myself to Wassit, where I had kinfolk. So I went down to the riverside where I saw a ship moored, and the sailors embarking goods and goodly stuffs. I asked them to take me with them and carry me to Wassit, but they replied,

Starting point is 01:05:22 We cannot take thee on such wise, for the ship belongeth to a Hashimi. However, I tempted them with promise of passage money, and they said, We cannot embark thee on this fashion, but, if it must be, doff those fine clothes of thine, and don sailor's gear, and sit with us as thou wert one of us.

Starting point is 01:05:42 I went away, and buying somewhat of sailors' clothes, put them on, after which I bought me also somewhat of provisions for the voyage, and returning to the vessel, which was bound for Basura, embarked with the crew. But ere long, I saw my slave-girl herself come on board, attended by two waiting women, whereupon what was on me of chagrin subsided,

Starting point is 01:06:06 and I said in myself, Now shall I see her and hear her singing till we come to Basara. Soon after uprode the Hashimi with a party of people, and they embarked aboard the ship, which dropped down the river with them. Presently the Hashimi brought out food and ate with the damsel, whilst the rest ate amid ships. Then said he to her, how long long was he, this abstinence from singing and permanence in this wailing and weeping. Thou art not the first that hath been parted from a beloved. Wherefore I knew what she suffered for love of me. Then he hung a curtain before her along the gunwale, and calling those who ate apart, sat down with them without the curtain, and I inquired concerning them, and behold they were

Starting point is 01:06:53 his brethren. He set before them what they needed of wine and dessert, and they ceased not to press the damsel to sing, till she called for the lute, and tuning it, intoned these two couplets. The company left with my love by night, nor forbore to fare with heart's delight, enraged since their camels off-paced a fire, as of gazelwood, in the lover's sprite. Then weeping overpowered her, and she threw down the lute and ceased singing. Whereat the folks were troubled, and I slipped down a swoon. They thought I was possessed, and one of them began reciting exorcisms in my ear. Nor did they cease to comfort her and beseech her to sing,

Starting point is 01:07:38 till she tuned the lute again and chaunted these couplets, Twain. I stood and bewailed, who their loads had bound, and far yode but still in my heart are found. I drew near the ruins and asked of them, and the camp was void and lay waste to the ground. Then she fell down in a fainting fit, and weeping arose among the folk, and I also cried out and fainted away. The sailors were startled by me, and one of the Hashimi's pages said to them,

Starting point is 01:08:10 How came ye to take this madman on board? So they said one to other, As soon as we come to the next village we will set him ashore and rid us of him. When I heard this I was sore troubled, but I heartened and hardened myself, saying in thought, nothing will serve me to deliver myself from their hands, except I make shift to acquaint her with my presence in the ship, so she may prevent my being set ashore. Then we sailed when we came hard by a hamlet, and the skipper said, Come, let us go ashore. Therewith they all landed, save myself, and as evening fell I rose,

Starting point is 01:08:49 and going behind the curtain, took the lute and changed its accord, mowed by mowed, and tuned, it after a fashion of my own that she had learnt of me returned to my place in the ship and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say end of night number eight hundred ninety seven recording by joan windle burlington illinois night number eight hundred ninety eight when it was the eight hundred and ninety eighth night she resumed it hath reached me o auspicious king that the young man continued. I returned to my place in the ship, and presently the whole party came on board again, and the moon shone bright upon river and height. Then said the Hashimi to the damsel,

Starting point is 01:09:40 Allah upon thee, trouble not our joyous lives. So she took the lute, and touching it with her hand, gave a sob that they thought her soul had fled her frame, and said, By Allah, my master and teacher is with us in this ship. Answered the Hashimi, By Allah, were this so, I would not forbid him our conversation. Happly he would lighten thy burden, so we might enjoy thy singing.

Starting point is 01:10:05 But his being on board is far from possible. However, she said, I cannot smite lute string or sing sundry airs I was want to sing whilst my lord is with us. Quoth the Hashimi, let us ask the sailors, and quoth she, do so. He questioned them, saying, have he carried anyone with you? And they answered, no. then i feared lest the inquiry should end there so i laughed and said yes i am her master and taught her where and as i was her lord cried she by allah that is my lord's voice thereupon the pages carried me to the hashimi who knew me at first sight and said to me out on thee what plight is this in which i see thee and what hath brought thee to such condition i related to him all that had befallen me of my affair weeping the while and the damsel made loud wail from behind the curtain

Starting point is 01:10:59 the hashimi wept with sore weeping he and his brethren for pity of me and he said by allah i have not drawn near this damsel nor enjoyed her nor have i even heard her sing till this day i am a man to whom allah hath been ample and I came to Baghdad but to hear singing and seek my allowances of the commander of the faithful. I accomplished both my needments, and being about to return home, said to myself, Let us hear somewhat of the singing of Baghdad. Wherefore I bought the damsel, knowing not that such was the case with you, Twain, and I take Allah to witness that when I reach Basra, I will free her and marry her to thee, and assign you what shall suffice you, and more. but on condition that whenever I have a mind to hear music, a curtain shall be hung for her,

Starting point is 01:11:49 and she shall sing to me from behind it, and thou shalt be of the number of my brethren and boon companions. Hereat I rejoiced, and the Hashimi put his head within the curtain, and said to her, Will that content thee? Whereupon she felt a blessing and thanking him. Then he called a servant to him. Take this young man, and do off his clothes, and robe him in costly raiment, and incense him, and bring him back to us. So the servant did with me, as his masturbate him,

Starting point is 01:12:19 and brought me back to him, and served me with wine, even as the rest of the company. Then the damsel began singing after the goodliest fashion, and chanted these couplets. They blamed me for causing my tears to well, when came my beloved to bid farewell. They ne'er tasted the bidders of parting, nor felt, fire beneath my ribs that flames fierce and fell. none but baffled lover knows aught of love whose heart is lost where he want to dwell the folk rejoiced in her song with exceeding joy and my gladness redoubled so that i took the lute from the damsel and preluding after the most melodious fashion sang these couplets ask if thou need ask the compassionate and the generous donor of high estate for asking the noble honors man and asking the churl entails bane and bait when abasement is not to be scaped by white meet it asking boons of the good and great of grandee to sue ne'er shall vilify man but tis vile on the vile of mankind to wait the company rejoiced in me with joy exceeding and they ceased not from pleasure and delight whilst anon i sang and anon the damsel till we came to one of the landing-places where the vessel moored and all on board disembarked and i with them

Starting point is 01:13:46 now i was drunken with wine and squatted on my hams to make water but drowsiness overcame me and i slept and the passengers returned to the ship which ran down stream without any missing me for that they were also drunken, and continued their voyage until they reached Basara. As for me, I awoke not, till the heat of the sun aroused me, when I rose and looked about me, but saw no one. Now I had given my spending money to the damsel, and had not left. I had also forgotten to ask the Hashimi his name, and where his house was at Basra and his titles. Thus I was confounded, and my joy at meeting the damsel had been but at dream, and I abode in perplexity till there came up a great vessel, wherein I embarked, and she carried me into Basra. Now I knew none there, much less the Hashimi's house, so I accosted a grocer,

Starting point is 01:14:44 and taking of him ink-case and paper, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of night, number 898. Recording by Joan Wendell, Burlington Illinois. Section 6 of the Book of the Thousand Nights in a Night Volume 9. 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 Jordan Coriati. Night 899. When it was the 899th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the Baghdad man who owned the man entered Basora, he was perplexed for not knowing the Hashimi's house. so i accosted said he a grocer and taking of him in case and paper sat down to write he admired my handwriting and seeing my dress stained and soiled question me of my case to which i replied that i was a stranger and poor

Starting point is 01:15:48 Quoth he, wilt thou abide with me and order the accounts of my shop, and I will give thee that food and clothing and half of Durama Day for ordering the accounts of my comps of my shop? And quoth I, tis well, and abode with him and kept his accounts, and ordered his income and expenditure for a month, at the end of which he found his income increased and his disbursements diminished, wherefore he thanked me and made my wage a Durama Day. When the year was out, he proposed to me to marry his daughter and become his partner in the shop. I agreed to this, and went into my wife and applied me to the shop. But I was broken in heart and spirit, and grief was manifest upon me, and the grocer used to drink and invite me there too, but I refrain for melancholy. I abode on this wise two years, till one day, as I sat in the shop, behold, they're passed by a parcel of people with meat and drink,

Starting point is 01:16:36 and I asked the grocer what was the matter. Quoth he, this is the day of the pleasure-makers, when all the musicians and dancers of the town go forth with the young men of fortune, to the banks of the Ebola River and eat and drink among the trees there. The spirit prompted me to solace myself with the sight of this thing, and I said in my mind, happily among these people I may for gather with her I love. So I told the grocer that I had a mind to this, and he said,

Starting point is 01:17:00 Up and go with them, and thou please. He made me ready, meet and drink, and I wait till I came to the river of Ebola, when behold the folk were going away. I also was about to follow, when I escaped the Ra'is of the bark wherein the Hashimi had been with the damsel, and he was going along the river. I cried out to him and his company, who knew me, and took me on board with them and said to me, aren't thou yet alive? And they embraced me and questioned me of my case.

Starting point is 01:17:25 I told them my tale, and they said, Indeed, we thought that drunkenness had got the better of thee, and that thou hast fallen into the water and was drowned. Then I asked them of the damsel, and they answered, When she came to know of thy loss, she rent her raiment and burnt the loot, and fell to buffeting herself, and lamenting, and when we returned with the Hashimi to Basora, we said to, her, leave the sweeping and wailing, quoth she, I will dawn black and make me a tomb beside the house and abide there and repent from singing. We allowed her so to do, and on this wise she abideth to this day. Then they carried me to the Hashimi's house, where I saw the damsel as they had said. When she espied me, she cried out a great cry. Me thought she had died,

Starting point is 01:18:05 and I embraced her with a long embrace. Then said the Hashimi to me, take her, and I said, "'Tis well, but do thou free her, and according to thy promise, marry her to me.' Accordingly he did this, and gave us costly goods and store of raiment and furniture and five hundred dinar, saying, "'This is the amount of that which I propose to allow you every month, but on condition that thou be my cup companion, and that I hear the girl sing when I will.' Furthermore, he assigned us private quarters, and bade transport thither all our need, so when I went to the house I found it filled of furniture and stuffs and carry the damsel thither.

Starting point is 01:18:40 Then I betook myself to the grocer and told him all that had betided me, begging to hold me guiltless for divorcing his daughter, without offence on her part, and I paid her dowry and what else behooved me. I abode with Tashimi in this way two years, and became a man of great wealth, and was restored to the former estate of prosperity wherein I had been at Baghdad. I am the damsel, and indeed Allah the bountiful put an end to our troubles, and loaded us with the gifts of good fortune, and caused our patience to result in the attainment of our desire,

Starting point is 01:19:08 wherefore to him be the praise in this world and the next or two year returning. And among the tales men tell is that of King Jaliyad of Hind and his wazir shimass, followed by the history of King Weir Khan, son of King Jaliyad with his women and wazirs. There was once in days of yore and in ages and times long gone before, in the land of Hind a mighty king, tall of presence and fair of favor and goodly of parts, noble of nature and generous, beneficent to the poor and loving to his lieges in all the people of his name was Jaliad and under his hand were two and seventy kings and in his city's 350 Cazis he had three score in ten wazirs and over every ten of them he set a premier

Starting point is 01:19:50 the chiefest of all his ministers was a man called Chimass who was then two and twenty years old a statesman of pleasant presence and noble nature sweet of speech and ready in reply shrewd in all manner of business skillful withal and sagacious for all his tender age a man of good counsel and fine manners first in all arts and sciences and accomplishments. And the king loved him with exceeding love, and cherished him by reason of his proficiency and eloquence and rhetoric, and the art of government, and for that which Allah had given him of compassion and brooding care with his lieges, for he was a king just in his kingship, and a protector of his peoples, constant and beneficence to great and small, and giving them that which befitted them of good governance and bounty,

Starting point is 01:20:29 and protection and security, and a lightener of their loads and taxes and ties. And indeed he was loving to them each and every, high and low, and treating them with kindness and solicitude, and governing them in such goodly guise as none had done before him. But with all this, Almighty Allah had not blessed him with a child, and this was grievous to him in the people of his reign. It chanced one night, as Jaliad lay in his bed, occupied with anxious thought of the issue of the affair of his kingdom, that sleep overcame him, and he dreamt that he poured water upon the roots of a tree, and Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say.

Starting point is 01:21:06 End of night 899. Night 900. When it was the 900th night, she continued, it hath reached me, oh auspicious king, that the king saw himself and his vision pouring water upon the roots of a tree, about which were many other trees, and lo and behold, there came fire out of this tree, and burnt up every growth which encompassed it, whereupon Jaliad awoke affrightened and trembling,

Starting point is 01:21:31 and calling one of his pages, said to him, go fetch the wazir Shemass in all haste so he betook himself to Shemass and said to him the king calleth for thee forthright because he hath awoke from his sleep and affright and hath sent me to bring thee to him in haste. When Shemas heard this he arose without stay or delay and going to the king found him seated on his bed he prostrated himself before him wishing impermanence of glory and prosperity and said may all not cause thee grieve o king what hath troubled thee this night and what is the cause of thy seeking me thus? in haste. The king bade him be seated, and as soon as he sat down, began telling his tale and said to him, I have dreamt this night a dream which terrified me, and twas that methought I poured water upon the roots of a tree where about were many other trees, and as I was thus engaged, lo and behold, fire issued therefrom and burnt up all the growths that were around it, before I was affrighted, and fear took me. Then I awoke and sent to bid thee to me, because of thy knowledge and skill and interpretation of dreams, and of that which I know of the vastness of thy wisdom,

Starting point is 01:22:34 and the greatness of thine understanding. At this Shemas, the wazir bowed his head groundwards a while, and presently raising it, smiled, so the king said to him, what deemest thou, O Shemas, tell me the truth of the matter, and hide not from me. Answered Shemas, O king, verily Allah Almighty granteth thee thy wish, and cooleth thine eyes, for the matter of this dream presages all good, to wit that the Lord will bless thee with a son, who shall inherit the kingdom from thee after thy long life. But there is somewhat else I desire not to expound at this present, seeing that the time is not favorable for interpretation. The king rejoiced in these words with exceeding joy, and great was his contentment. His trouble departed from him. His mind was at rest,

Starting point is 01:23:16 and he said, If the case be thus of the happy presage of my dream, do thou complete to me its exposition when the fitting time betideth, for that which it behooved not to expound to me now, a behoove that thou expound to me when its time cometh, so my joy may be fulfilled, because I seek naught in this, save the proof of Allah extolled and exalted be he. Now when the wazir Shemar saw that the king was urgent to have the rest of the exposition, he put him off with a pretext. But Jaliad assembled all the astrologers and interpreters of dreams of his realm,

Starting point is 01:23:46 and as soon as they were in the presence related to them his vision, saying, I desire you to tell me the true interpretation of this. Whereupon one of them came forward and craved the king's permission to speak, which, being granted, he said, No, O King, that thy wazir Shemass is no wise unable to interpret this thy dream, but he shrank from troubling thy repose, wherefore he disclosed not unto thee the whole thereof, but, and thou'est a for me to speak,

Starting point is 01:24:11 I will expose to thee that which he concealed from thee. The king replied, Speak without respect for persons, O interpreter, and be truthful in thy speech. The interpreter said, No, then, O king, that there will be born to thee a boy, child, who shall inherit the king, ship from thee after thy long life, but he shall not order himself towards the lieges after thy fashion, nay, he shall transgress thine ordinances and oppress thy subjects, and there shall befall

Starting point is 01:24:37 him what befell the mouse with the cat, and I seek refuge with Almighty Allah. The king asked, But what is the story of the cat and the mouse? And the interpreter answered, may Allah prolong the king's life. They tell the following tale of the mouse and the cat. A Grimalkin, that is to say, a cat, went out one night to a certain garden in search of what she might devour, but found nothing and became weak for the excess of cold and rain that prevailed that night. So she sought for some device whereby to save herself. As she prowled about in search of prey, she espied a nest at the foot of a tree, and drawing near into it, sniffed the rat and purred till she sent it a mouse within and went round about it, seeking to enter and seize the inmate. When the mouse smelt the cat, he turned his back to her and scraped up the earth with his forehand, to stop the nest door against her, whereupon she assumed a weakly voice and said,

Starting point is 01:25:31 Why dost thou thus, O my brother? I come to seek refuge with thee, hoping that thou will take pity on me, and harbour me in thy nest this night, for I am weak because of the greatness of my age and the loss of my strength, and can hardly move. I have ventured into thy garden to-night, and how many a time have I called upon death, that I might be at rest from this pain? behold, here am I at thy door, prostrate for cold and rain, and I beseech thee, by Allah, take of thy charity my hand, and bring me in with thee, and give me shelter in the vestibule of thy nest, for I am a stranger and wretched, and tis said, whoso shelters a stranger and a wretched one in his home, his shelter shall be paradise on the day of doom. And thou, oh, my brother, and behoove thee, to earn eternal reward by succoring me, and suffering me abide with thee this night till the morning, when I will win my way. And Jehazade perceived the dawn of day and seized her permitted day. End of Night 900. Recording by Jordan Coriatti.

Starting point is 01:26:33 Section 7 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9. This is Libravox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Night nine hundred and one. Now when it was the nine hundred first knight, she pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that quoth the cat to the bouse.

Starting point is 01:27:16 So, suffer me to knight with thee this knight, after which, I will wend my way. Hearing these words, the mouse replied, How shall I suffer the end to my nest, Seeing that thou art my natural foe, And thy food is of my flesh. Indeed, I fear lest thou false me, For that is of thy nature,

Starting point is 01:27:41 And there is no faith in thee, And the byword saith, It befitteth not to entrust a lecher with a fair woman, Nor a moneyless man with money, nor fire with fuel. Neither doth it behove me to entrust myself to thee. Antis said,

Starting point is 01:27:59 enmity of kind, as the enemy himself groweth weaker, groweth stronger. The cat-made answer in the faintest voice, as if she were in the most piteous case, saying, What thou advancedest of admonitory instances, is the truth.

Starting point is 01:28:21 and I deny not my offences against thee. But I beseech thee to pardon that which is past of the enmity of kind between me and thee, for tis said, whoso forgiveth a creature like himself, his creature will forgive him his sins. Tis true that while I was thy foe, but here I am a suitor for thy friendship, and they say, And thou wilt have thy foe become thy friend, do with him good. O my brother, I swear to thee by Allah

Starting point is 01:28:58 and make a binding covenant with thee that I will hurt thee never more, and for the best of reasons, to wit, that I have no power thereto. Wherefore place thy trust in Allah, and do good, and accept my oath and covenant. Quoth the mouse, how can I accept the covenant of one between whom and me there is a rooted enmity and whose

Starting point is 01:29:24 want it is to deal treacherously by me? Were the feud between us ought but one of blood, this were light to me. But it is an enmity of kind between souls, and it is said, whoso trusteth himself to his foe is as one who thrusteth a hand into a serpent's mouth. Quoth the cat, full of wrath, My breast is straight, and my soul is faint. Indeed, I am in articulo mortis, And ere long I shall die at thy door, And my blood will be on thy head,

Starting point is 01:30:04 For that thou hadst it in thy power to save me in mine extremity, And this is my last word to thee. herewith the fear of allah almighty overcame the mouse and ruth got hold upon his heart and he said to himself who so would have the succour of allah the most high against his foe let him entreat with him in compassion and kindness show I rely upon the Almighty in this matter, and will deliver this cat from this her straight, and earn the divine reward for her. So he went forth, and dragged into his nest the cat, where she abode till she was rested, and somewhat strengthened and restored, when she began to bewail her weakness and wasted strength and want of gossips.

Starting point is 01:30:56 The mouse entreated her in friendly guise, and comforted her, and busied himself with her service. but she crept along till she got command of the issue of the nest, lest the mouse should escape. So when the nest owner would have gone out after his want, he drew near the cat. Whereupon, she seized him, and taking him in her claws, began to bite him and shake him, and take him in her mouth,

Starting point is 01:31:24 and lift him up, and cast him down, and run after him and crunch him and torture him. The mouse cried out for help, beseeched him. deliverance of Allah, and began to upbraid the cat, saying, Where is the covenant thou madeest with me, and where are the oaths thou swearest to me? Is this my reward from thee? I brought thee into my nest, and trusted myself to thee. But sooth he speaketh that saith, Whoso relieth on his enemy's promise, Desireth not salvation for himself. And again, whoso confideth himself to his foe,

Starting point is 01:31:59 deserveth his own destruction. Yet do I put my trust in my creator, for he will deliver me from thee. Now, as he was in this condition, with the cat about to pounce on him and devour him, behold, up came a huntsman with hunting dogs trained to the chase. One of the hounds passed by the mouth of the nest, and hearing a great scuffling thought that within was a fox tearing somewhat, So he crept into the hole to get at him, and coming upon the cat, seized on her. When she found herself in the dog's clutches, she was forced to take thought and at saving herself, and loosed the mouse alive and whole without wound. Then the hound break her neck, and dragging her forth of the hole, thrust her down dead,

Starting point is 01:32:50 and thus was exemplified the truth of the saying, Who hath compassion shall at the last be compassionated? Whoso oppresseth shall presently be oppressed. This, then, O king, added the interpreter, is what befell the mouse and the cat, and teacheth that none should break faith with those who put trust in him. For whoever doth perfidy in treason, there shall befall him the like of that which befell the cat.

Starting point is 01:33:19 As a man meeteth, so shall it be meted unto him, and he who betaketh himself to good shall gain his eternal reward. but grieve thou not neither let this trouble thee, O king, for that assuredly thy son, after his tyranny and depression, shall return to the goodliness of thy policy. And I would that John-earned man, thy wazir shimass, had concealed from thee naught in that which he expounded unto thee, and this had been well advised of him, for tis said,

Starting point is 01:33:52 Those of the folk who most abound in fear are the amplest of them in knowledge, and the most emulous of good. The king received his interpreter's speech with submission, and gifted him and his fellows with rich gifts. Then dismissing them, he arose, and withdrew to his own apartments, and fell to pondering the issue of his affair. When night came, he went in to one of his women,

Starting point is 01:34:20 who was most in favour with him, and dearest to him of them all, and lay with her, and ere some four months had passed over her, the child stirred in her womb, where-est she rejoiced with joy exceeding, and told the king. Quoth he, My dream said, Suth, by Allah the helper, and he lodged her in the goodliest of lodgings,

Starting point is 01:34:42 and entreated her with all honour, bestowing on her store of rich gifts and manifold boons. Then he sent one of his pages to fetch his wazir Shimas, and as soon as he was in the presence, told the minister what had betided, rejoicing and saying, My dream is come true, and I have won my wish. It may be this burthen will be a man-child,

Starting point is 01:35:07 and inherit the kingdom after me. What sayest thou of this, Oshabas? But he was silent, and made no reply. Whereupon cried the king, What aileth thee that thou rejoicest not in my joy, and returnest me no answer? Doth the thing dislike thee, Oshimass? Hereat, the wazze.

Starting point is 01:35:29 O King, may Allah prolong thy life, What availeth it to sit under the shade of a tree, If there issue fire therefrom? And what is the delight of one who drinketh pure wine If he be choked thereby? And what doth it profit to quench one's thirst with sweet cool water If one be drowned therein? I am Allah's servant and thine, O king.

Starting point is 01:35:59 but there are three things whereof it besitteth not the understanding to speak till they be accomplished to wit the wayfarer till he returned from his way the man who is in fight till he hath overcome his foe and the pregnant woman till she hath cast her burthen and shurazard perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say end of knight nine hundred and one night nine hundred and two now when it was the nine hundred and second knight she resumed it hath reached me o auspicious king that after shimaz had enumerated to the king the three things whereof it besitteth not the understanding to speak save after they are done he continued for know o king that he who speaketh a vault before its accomplishment is like the fakia who had hung over his head the jar of clarified butter what is the story the fakia asked the king and what happened to him answered the wazir o king they tell this tale anent the fakia and his jar of butter a fakia abode once with one of the nobles of a certain town who made him a daily allowance of three scons and and a little clarified butter and honey. Now such butter was dear in those parts, and the devotee laid all that came to him together in a jar he had,

Starting point is 01:37:36 till he filled it and hung it up over his head for safekeeping. One night, as he sat on his bed, staff in hand, he fell amusing upon the butter and the greatness of its price, and he said to himself, Needs must, I sell all this butter I have by me, and buy with the price anew, and take to partner therein a fella fellow,

Starting point is 01:38:00 who hath a ram. The first year she will bear a male-tham, and a female, and the second a female and a male, and these in their turn will bear other males and other females. Nor will they give over-bearing females and males till they become a great matter.

Starting point is 01:38:19 Then will I take my share, and vent thereof what I will. The males I will say, and buy with them bulls and cows, which will also increase and multiply and become many. After which I will purchase such a piece of land and plant a garden therein, and build thereon a mighty fine palace. Moreover, I will get me robes and raiment and slaves, and slave girls, and hold a wedding never was seen the like thereof. I will slaughter cattle and make rich meats and sweetmeats, and confections, and assemble all the musicians and mimes and mounte-a-backs and player-folk,

Starting point is 01:39:02 and after providing flowers and perfumes, and all-manners-sweet herbs, I will bid rich and poor, Fakhirs and Olayma, captains and lords of the land, and whoso asketh for aught, I will cause it to be brought him, and I will make ready all manner of meat and drink, and send out a crier to cry aloud and say, So seek a thought, let him ask and get it. Lastly I will go into my bride, after her unveiling, and enjoy her beauty and loveliness. And I will eat, and drink, and make merry, and say to myself, verily hast thou won thy wish, and will rest from devotion and divine worship.

Starting point is 01:39:48 Then, in due time, my wife will bear me a boy, and I shall rejoice in him, and make banquets in his honour, and rear him daintly, and teach him philosophy and mathematics, and polite letters, so that I shall make his name renowned among men, and glory in him among the assemblies of the learned, and I will bid him to do good, and he shall not gain say me, and I will forbid him from lewdness and iniquity, and exhort him to piety, and the practice of righteousness, and I will bestow on him rich and goodly gifts, and if I see him obsequious in obedience I will redouble my bounties towards him. But, and I see him inclined to disobedience, I will come down on him with this staff.

Starting point is 01:40:38 So saying, he raised his hand to beat his son withal. But the staff hit the jar of butter which overhung his head, and break it, whereupon the shards fell upon him, and the butter ran down upon his head, his rags. and his beard. So his clothes and bed was spoiled, and he became a caution to who so would be cautioned. Wherefore, O king, added the wizier, it behoveth not a man to speak of aught, ere it come to pass. Answered the king, thou sayest sooth, fairfall thee for a wazir. Verily the truth thou speakest, and righteousness thou counsellest. Indeed, thy rank with me is such as thou couldst wish, and thou shalt never cease to be accepted of me.

Starting point is 01:41:28 Thereupon the wazir prostrated himself before the king, and wished him permanence of prosperity, saying, Allah prolong thy days, and thy rank a braise. Know that I conceal from thee naught, nor in private, nor in public aught. Thy pleasure is my pleasure, and thy displeasure my displeasure. There is no joy for me, save in thy joyance, and I cannot sleep. of knights and thou be angered against me for that all of the most high hath vouchsafed me all good through thy bounties to me wherefore i beseech the almighty to guard thee with his angels and to make fair thy reward whenas thou meetest him the king rejoiced in this whereupon shimaz arose and went out before him in due time the king's wife bear a male child and the messengers hastened to bear the glad tidings and to congratulate the Souvran, who rejoiced therein with joy exceeding, and thanked all with

Starting point is 01:42:31 abundant thanks, saying, Alam Dolilat Lord to the Lord, who have thou vouchsafed me as son, after I had despaired, for he is pitiful and ruthless to his servants. Then he wrote to all the legions of the land, acquainting them with the good news, and bidding them to his capital, and great were the rejoicings and festivities in all the realm. Accordingly there came emirs and captains, grandees and sages, Aleema and literati, scientists and philosophers from every quarter to the palace,

Starting point is 01:43:06 and all presenting themselves before the king. Company after company, according to their different degrees, gave him joy, and he bestowed largesse upon them. Then he signed to the seven chief waziers, whose head was Shimas, to speak, each after the measure of his wisdom, upon the matter which concerned him the most. So the grand wazir Shimas began, and sought leave of the king to speak, which, being granted, he spake as follows. Praised be Allah, who brought us into existence

Starting point is 01:43:41 from non-existence, and who favoureth his servants with kings that observe justice and equity, in that wherewith he hath invested them of rule and dominion, and who act righteously with that which he appointed at their hands of provision for their lieges, and most especially our sovereign, by whom he hath quickened the deadness of our land, with that which he hath conferred upon us of bounties, and hath blessed us of his protection with ease of life and tranquillity and fair dealing.

Starting point is 01:44:13 What king ever did with his folk, that which this king hath done with us, in fulfilling our needs, and giving us our dues, and doing us justice, one of another, and in abundant carefulness over us, and redress of our wrongs. Indeed, it is of the favour of Allah to the people that their king be assiduous in ordering their affairs, and in defending them from their foes. For the end of the enemy's intent is to subdue his enemy and hold him in his hand. And many peoples bring their sons as servants and to kings, and they become with them in the stead of slaves, to the intent that they may repel ill-willers from them. As for us, no enemy hath trodden our soil in the days of this our king, by reason of

Starting point is 01:45:06 this passing good fortune and exceeding happiness, that no describer may avail to describe. for indeed it is above and beyond all description. And verily, O king, thou art worthy of this highest happiness, and we are under thy safeguard and in the shadow of thy wings. May Allah make fair thy reward and prolong thy life. Indeed, we have long been diligent in supplication to Allah Almighty that he would vouchsafe an answer to our prayers, and continue thee to us,

Starting point is 01:45:40 and grant thee a virtuous son to be the cooth of thine eyes and now allah extolled and exalted be he hath accepted of us and replied to our petition and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say end of night nine hundred and two section eight of the book of the thousand and a knight, volume nine. 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 the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9, by Anonymous. Translated by Richard Francis Burton.

Starting point is 01:46:43 Knight 903. Now when it was the 903rd night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That Chimus the wazir said to the king, And now Almighty Allah hath accepted of us, And answered our petition, And brought us speedy relief, Even as he did to the fishes in the pond of water.

Starting point is 01:47:09 The king asked, And how is that? And what is this tale? and Chimis answered him, Hero King, the story of the fishes and the crab. In a certain place there was a piece of water, wherein dwelt a number of fishes,

Starting point is 01:47:29 and it befell that the pond dwindled away and shrank and wasted, till there remained barely enough to suffice them, and they were nigh upon death, and said, What will become of us? How shall we contrive? and of whom shall we seek counsel for our deliverance?

Starting point is 01:47:49 Thereupon arose one of them, who's the chiefest in wit and age, and cried, There is nothing will serve us, save that we seek salvation of Allah. But let us consult the crab and ask his advice. So come ye all, and high we himwards, and hear his read, for he is indeed the chiefest and wisest of us all in coming upon the truth. Each and every approved of the fish's advice, and betook themselves in a body to the crab, whom they found squatted in his hole without news or knowledge of their strait.

Starting point is 01:48:27 So they saluted him with this alarm, and said, O our lord, doth not our affair concern thee, who art ruler and the head of us? The crab returned their salutation, replied, And on you be the peace, what aileth you? And what do you want? So they told him their case, and the straight wherein they were in, by reason of the wastage of the water, and that, when it should be dried up, destruction would betide them, adding, wherefore we come to thee, expecting thy counsel, and what may bring us deliverance, for thou art the chiefest, and the most experienced of us. The crab bowed his head a while and said, Doubtless ye lack understanding,

Starting point is 01:49:16 In that ye despair of the mercy of Allah Almighty, And his care for the provision of his creatures, one and all. Know ye not that Allah, extolled and exalted be he, Provideth all his creatures without account, And that he foreordained their daily meat, ere he created aught of creation and appointed to each of his creatures

Starting point is 01:49:41 a fixed term of life and an allotted provision of his divine almighty How then shall we berthen ourselves With concern for a thing Which in his secret purpose is indite Wherefore it is my reed That ye can do not better

Starting point is 01:49:58 Than to seek aid of Allah Almighty And it behoveth each of us To clear his conscience with his law Lord, both in public and private, and pray him to succour us and deliver us from our difficulties. For Allah the Most High, disappointeth not the expectation of those who put their trust in him, and rejecteth not the supplications of those who prefer their suit to him. When we have mended our ways, our affairs will be set up and all will be well with us. and when the winter cometh and our land is deluged by means of a just one's prayer he will not cast down the good he hath built up

Starting point is 01:50:43 so tis my counsel that we take patience and await what Allah shall do with us and death come to us as is wont we shall be at rest and if there befall a sort that calleth for flight we will flee and depart our land whither Allah O will, answered all the fishes with one voice, Thou sayest sooth, O Lord, Allah requite thee for us with weal. Then each returned to his stead, and in a few days the Almighty vouchsafed unto them a violent rain, and the place of the pond was filled fuller than before. On likewise, O king, continued Chimis, we despaired of a child being born to thee, and now that God hath

Starting point is 01:51:33 blessed us, and thee, with this well-omened son, we implore him to render him blessed indeed, and make him the coolth of thine eyes, and a worthy successor to thee, and grant us of him the like of that which he hath granted us of thee, for Almighty Allah disappointeth not those that seek him, and behoveth none to cut off hope of the mercy of God. Then rose the second wazir, and saluting the king with the Salazar, and saluting the king with the alam spake after his greeting was returned, as follows. Verily, a king is not called a king, save he give presents and do justice, and rule with equity, and show munificence, and wisely govern his lieges, maintaining the obligatory laws and apostolic

Starting point is 01:52:23 usages established among them, and justifying them, one against other, and sparing their blood, and warding off hurt from them, and of his qualities should be that he never abiding curious of the poor, and that he succour the highest and lowest of them, and give them each the rights to them due, so that they all bless him, and are obedient to his command. Without doubt, a king who is after this wise of his legions is beloved, and gaineth of this world eminence, and of the next honour and favour with the creator thereof. and we the body politic of thy subjects acknowledge in the o king all the attributes of kingship i have noted even as it is said the best of things is that the king of a people be just and equitable their physician skillful and their teacher experienceful acting according to his knowledge now we enjoy this happiness after we had despaired of the birth of a son to thee to inherit thy kingship

Starting point is 01:53:28 however allah extolled me his name hath not disappointed thine expectation but hath granted thy petition by reason of the goodliness of thy trust in him and thy submission of thine affairs to him then fairfall thy hope there hath betided thee that which betided the crow and the serpent asked the king what was that and the wazir answered hero king the tale of the crow and the the serpent. A crow once dwelt in a tree, he and his wife, in all delight of life, till they came to the time of the hatching of their young, which was the midsummer season, when a serpent issued from its hole and crawled up the tree, wriggling around the branches till it came to the crow's nest, where it coiled itself up and there abode all the days of the summer, whilst the crow was driven away and found no opportunity to clear his home, nor any place wherein to lie. When the days of heat were passed, the serpent went away to its own place,

Starting point is 01:54:38 and quoth the crow to his wife, Let us thank Almighty Allah, who hath preserved us and delivered us from this serpent, albeit we are forbidden from increase this year. Yet the Lord will not cut off our hope, so let us express our gratitude to him, for having vouchsafed as safety and soundness of body. Indeed, we have none other in whom to confide, and if he will, and we live to see the next year, he will give us other young in the stead of those we have missed this year. Next summer, when the hatching season came round, the serpent again sallied forth from its place, and made for the crow's nest. But, as it was coiling up a branch,

Starting point is 01:55:27 a kite swooped down on it and struck claws into its head and tear it, where upon it fell to the ground a swoon, and the ants came out upon it and ate it. So the crow and his wife abode in peace and quiet, and bred a numerous brood, and thanked Anna for their safety and for the young that were born to them.

Starting point is 01:55:51 "'In like manner, O King,' continued the wazir, "'it behoveth us to thank God, "'for that wherewith he hath favoured thee, "'and us, in vouchsafing us this blessed child of good omen, "'after despair and the cutting off of hope. "'May he make fair thy future reward, "'and the issue of thine affair.' "'And Charazade perceived the dawn of day,

Starting point is 01:56:14 "'and ceased to say, her permitted say. "'Eend of night nine hundred and three. night nine hundred and four now when it was the nine hundred and fourth night she continued it hath reached me o auspicious king that when the second wazir had ended with the words allah make fair thy future award and the issue of thine affair the third wazir presently rose and said rejoice o just king in the assurance of present prosperity and future felicity for him whom the denizens of earth the denizens of heaven likewise love and indeed almighty allah hath made affectation to be thy portion and hath established it in the hearts of the people in thy kingdom wherefore to him be thanks and praise from us and from thee so he may deign increase his bounty unto thee and unto us in thee for no o king that man can originate naught but by command of allah the most high and that he is the giver, and all good which befalleth a creature hath its end and issue in him. He alloteth his favours to his creatures, as it liketh him.

Starting point is 01:57:36 To some he giveth gifts galore, while others he doometh barely to win their daily bread. Some he maketh lords and captains, and others recluses, who abstain from the world and aspire but to him. For he it is who saith, I am the harbour with adversity, and the healer with prosperity. I make whole, and I make sick. I enrich, and impoverish, I kill and quicken, In my hand is everything, and unto me all things do tend. Wherefore it behoveth all men to praise him, Now especially thou, O king, art of the fortunate, the pious,

Starting point is 01:58:21 of whom it is said, The happiest of the just is he for whom Allah unites the wheel of this world and of the next world, who is content with that portion which Allah alloteth to him, and who giveth him thanks for that which he hath established.

Starting point is 01:58:40 And indeed he that is rebellious and seeketh other than the dole which God hath decreed unto him, and for him, favoureth the wild ass and the jackal. The king asked, And what is the story of the twain? The wazir answered

Starting point is 01:58:56 Hero king The tale of The wild ass And the jackal A certain jackal Was wont every day To leave his lair And fare forth

Starting point is 01:59:11 Questing his daily bread Now one day As he was in a certain mountain Behold The day was done And he set out to return when he fell in with another jackal who saw him on the tramp, and each began to tell his mate of the quarry he had gotten.

Starting point is 01:59:30 Quoth one of them, The other day I came upon a wild ass, and I was unhungered, for it was three days since I had eaten. So I rejoiced in this, and thanked Almighty Anna for bringing him into my power. Then I'd tear out his heart, and at it, and was full, and returned to my home. That was three days ago, since which time I have found nothing to eat, yet I am still full of meat.

Starting point is 01:59:59 When the other jackal heard his fellow story, he envied his fullness, and said in himself, There is no help but that I eat the heart of a wild ass. So he left feeding for some days, till he became emaciated, and nigh upon death, and bestirred not himself, neither did his endeavour to get food. but lay coiled up in his earth. And while he was thus, behold, one day there came out two hunters, trudging in quest of quarry,

Starting point is 02:00:32 and started a wild ass. They followed on its trail, tracking him all day, till at last one of them shot at him a forked arrow, which pierced his vitals, and reached his heart and killed him in front of the jackal's hole. Then the hunters came up, and finding him dead,

Starting point is 02:00:50 pulled out the shaft from his, his heart, but only the wood came away, and the forked head abode in the ass's belly. So they left him where he lay, expecting that others of the wild beasts would flock to him. But, when it was even-tight, and nothing fell to them, they returned to their abiding places. The jackal, hearing the commotion at the mouth of his home, lay quiet till nightfall. when he came forth of his lair, groaning for weakness and hunger, and seeing the dead ass lying at his door, rejoiced with joy exceeding, till he was like to fly for delight,

Starting point is 02:01:28 and said, Praise'd be anna, who hath won me my wish without toil. Verily I had lost hope of coming at a wild ass, or aught else, and assuredly the Almighty hath sent him to me, and drave him fall to my homestead. Then he sprang on the body, and tearing open its belly, thrust in his head, and with his nose rummaged about its entrails, till he found the heart, and tearing a tit-bit, swallowed it. But as soon as he had so done, the forked head of the arrow stuck deep in his gullet, and he could neither get it down into his belly nor bring it forth of his throttle. So he made sure of his destruction, and said,

Starting point is 02:02:14 Of a truth, it beseemeth not the creature to seek for himself, aught over and above that which Allah hath allotted to him. Had I been content with what he appointed to me, I had not come to this destruction. Wherefore, O king, added the wazir, It becometh man to be content with whatso Allah hath distributed to him, and thank him for his bounties to him, and cast not off hope of his lord. And behold, O king, because of the purity of thy purpose and the fair intent of thy good works,

Starting point is 02:02:49 Allah hath blessed thee with a son, after despair, wherefore we pray the Almighty to vouchsafe him length of days, and abiding happiness, and make him a blessed successor, faithful in the observance of thy covenant after thy long life. then arose the fourth wazir and said verily and the king be a man of understanding a frequenter of the gates of wisdom and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say end of night nine hundred and four section nine of the book of the thousand knights and a night volume nine this is a librovoc's recording all librovoc's recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librevox.org The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9 by Anonymous. Translated by Richard Francis Burton

Starting point is 02:04:00 Knight 905 Now when it was the 915th night she pursued It hath reached me a auspicious king that the fourth wazir arose and said, Verily, and the king be a man of understanding, a frequenter of the gates of wisdom, first in science, government and policy, and eke upright in purpose and just to his subjects,

Starting point is 02:04:30 honouring those to whom honour is due, revering those who are dying of reverence, tempering puissance with using clemency when as it behoveth, and protecting both governors and governed, lightening all burdens for them and bestowing largeness on them, sparing their blood and covering their shame, and keeping his troth with them. Such a king, I say, is worthy of felicity,

Starting point is 02:04:56 both present and future, worldly and worldly, and this is of that which protecteth him from ill will, and helpeth him to the establishing of his kingdom, and the victory over his enemies, and the winning of his wish, together with increase of Allah's bounty to him, and his favouring him for his praise of him and the attainment of his protection. But, and the king be the contrary of this,

Starting point is 02:05:23 he never ceaseth from misfortunes and calamities, he and the people of his realm, for that his oppression embraceth both strange afar and kinsman near, and there cometh to pass with him that which befell the unjust king with the pilgrim prince, King Jolayat asked, and how was that? And the wazir answered, Hero king, the tale of, the unjust king and the pilgrim prince.

Starting point is 02:05:54 There was once in Mauritania land a king who exceeded in his rule, a tyrant, violent and over-severe, who had no respect for the welfare or protection of his lieges, nor of those who entered his realm. and from everyone who came within his kingdom his officers took four-fifths of his monies, leaving him one-fifth and no more. Now Allah Almighty decreed that he should have a son, who was fortunate and God-favoured, and seeing the poms and vanities of this world to be transient as they are unrighteous,

Starting point is 02:06:32 renounced them in his youth, and rejected the world and that which is therein, and fared forth, serving the most high, wandering pilgrim-wise over wolds and wastes, and by-times entering towns and cities. One day he came to his father's capital, and the guards laid hands on him and searched him, but found naught upon him save two gowns, one new and the other old. So they stripped the new one from him, and left him the old, after they had entreated him with contumely and contempt, whereat he complained and said,

Starting point is 02:07:10 Woe to you, O ye oppressors! I am a poor man and a pilgrim, and what shall this gown by any means profit you? Except ye restore it to me, I will go to the king, and make complaint to him of you. They replied, We act thus by the king's command,

Starting point is 02:07:30 so do what seemeth good to thee. accordingly he betook himself to the king's palace and would have entered but the chamberlain denied him admittance and he turned away saying to himself there is nothing for me except to watch till he cometh out and complain to him of my case and that which hath befallen me and whilst he waited behold he heard one of the guards announced the king's fairing forth whereupon he crept up little by little till he stood before the gate. And presently, when the king came out, he threw himself in his way, and after blessing him and wishing him wheel, he made his complaint to him, informing him

Starting point is 02:08:15 how scurvily he had been entreated by the gatekeepers. Lastly, he gave him to know that he was a man of the people of Allah, who had rejected the world, seeking acceptance of Allah, and who went wandering over earth and entering every city and hamlet, whilst all the folk he met gave him arms according to their competence. I entered thy city, continued he, hoping that the folk would deal kindly and graciously with me, as with others of my condition, but thy followers stopped me and stripped me of one of my gowns and loaded me with blows.

Starting point is 02:08:55 Wherefore do thou look into my case, and take me, me by the hand and get me back my gown and I will not abide in thy city an hour." Quoth the unjust king, Who directed thee to enter this city, unknowing the custom of its king? And quoth the pilgrim, Give me back my gown, and do with me what thou wilt. Now when the king heard this, his temper changed for the worse, and he said, O fool, we stripped thee of thy gown, so that thou mightest humble thyself.

Starting point is 02:09:29 to us. But since thou makest this clamour, I will strip thy soul from thee. Then he commanded to cast him into jail, where he began to repent of having answered the king, and reproached himself for not having left him the gown and saved his life. When it was the middle of the night, he rose to his feet and prayed long and prayerfully, saying, O Allah, thou art the righteous judge. Thou knowest my case. and that which hath befallen me with this tyrannical king. And I, thine oppressed servant, beseech thee of the abundance of thy mercy to deliver me from the hand of this unjust ruler, and send down on him thy vengeance.

Starting point is 02:10:16 For thou art not unmindful of the unright of every oppressor. Wherefore, if thou know that he hath wronged me, loose on him thy vengeance this night, and send down on him thy punishment, for thy rule is due. just, and thou art the helper of every mourner, oh thou to whom belong the power and the glory to the end of time. When the jailer heard the prayer of the poor prisoner, he trembled in every limb, and behold, a fire suddenly broke out in the king's palace and consumed it, and all that were therein, even to the door of the prison. And none was spared, but the jailer and the pilgrim. Now when the jailer saw this, he knew that it had not befallen, save because of the pilgrim's prayer, so he loosed him,

Starting point is 02:11:09 and fleeing with him forth of the burning, betook himself, he and the king's son, to another city. So was the unjust king consumed, he and all his city, by reason of his injustice, and he lost the goods both of this world and the next world. As for us, O auspicious King, continued the wuzia, we neither lie down nor rise up without praying for thee, and thanking Allah the most high for his grace in giving thee to us, tranquil in reliance on thy justice and the excellence of thy governance. And so indeed was our care for thy lack of a son to inherit thy kingdom,

Starting point is 02:11:52 fearing less after thee, they're betide us a king unlike thee. But now the Almighty hath bestowed his favours upon us, and done away our concern, and brought us gladness in the birth of this blessed child, wherefore we beseech the Lord to make him a worthy successor to thee, and endow him with glory and felicity enduring and good-abiding. Then rose the fifth wizier, and said,

Starting point is 02:12:24 Blessed be the most high! And Shara Zard perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say, her permitted say. End of night nine hundred and five. Night nine hundred and six. Now when it was the nine hundred sixth night, she resumed, It hath reached me all-spicious king,

Starting point is 02:12:50 that the fifth wazir said, Blessed be the most high, giver of all good gifts, and grace is the most precious. but to continue, we are well assured that Allah favoureth Whoso are thankful to him, and mindful of his faith. And thou, O auspicious king, art far famed for these illustrious virtues, and for justice, and equitable dealing between subject and subject,

Starting point is 02:13:17 and in that which is acceptable to Allah Almighty. By reason of this, hath the Lord exalted thy dignity, and prospered thy days, and bestowed on thee the good gift of this august child, after despair, wherefrom there hath betided us gladness abiding, and joys which may not be cut off. For we before this were in exceeding carc and passing care, because of thy lack of issue, and full of concern bethinking us all of thy justice and gentle dealing with us, and fearful, lest Allah decree death to thee, and there be none to succeed thee and inherit the kingdom after thee.

Starting point is 02:13:59 And so we be divided in our councils, and dissensions arise between us, and there befall us what befell the crows. Ask the king, and what befell the crows? And the wazir answered, saying, Here, O auspicious king, the tale of the crows, and the hawk. There was once, in a certain desert, a spacious waddy, full of rills and trees and fruits, and birds singing the praises of allah the one of all might, creator of day and night,

Starting point is 02:14:38 and among them was a troop of crows which led the happiest of lives. Now they were under the sway and government of a crow, who ruled them with mildness and benignity, so that they were with him in peace and contentment, and by reason of their wisely ordering their affairs, none of the other birds could avail against them. Presently, it chanced that there befell their chief the doom irrevocably appointed to all creatures, and he departed life,

Starting point is 02:15:11 were upon the others mourned for him with sore mourning, and what added to their grief was that they abided not amongst them, like him, one who should fill his place. so they all assembled and took counsel together concerning whom it befitted for his goodness and piety to set over them and when a party of them chose one crow saying it besiemeth that this be king over us while others objected to him and would none of him and thus there arose division and dissension amidst them and the strife of excitement waxed hot between them at last they agreed amongst themselves and consented to sleep the night upon it and that none should go forth at dawn the next day to seek his living but that all must wait till high morning when they should gather together all in one place then said they we will all take flight at once and whichsoever shall saw above the rest in his flying, he shall be accepted of us as ruler,

Starting point is 02:16:17 and be made king over us. The fancy pleased them, so they made covenant together, and did as they had agreed, and took flight all, but each of them deemed himself higher than his fellow. Wherefore quoth this one, I am highest, and that one,

Starting point is 02:16:35 nay, that am I. Then said the lowest of them, look up all of you and whomsoever you find the highest of you let him be your chief so they raised their eyes and seeing the hawk soaring over all of them said each to the other we agreed that which bird soever should be the highest of us we will make king over us and behold the hawk is the highest of us what say ye to him and they all cried out we accept accept of him. Accordingly, they summoned the hawk and said to him, O father of good, we have chosen thee ruler over us, that thou mayst look into our affair. The hawk consented, saying, Inshallah, ye shall win of me abounding wheel. So they rejoiced, and made him their king.

Starting point is 02:17:35 But after a while, he fell to taking a company of them every day, and betaking himself with them afar off to one of the caves, where he struck them down, and eating their eyes and brains through their bodies into the river. And he ceased not doing on this wise, it being his intent to destroy them all, till, seeing their number daily diminishing, the crows flocked to him and said, Oh, our king, we complained to thee, because from the date we made thee sovereign and ruler over us, we are in the sorriest case, and every day a company of us is missing, and we know not the reason of this, more by token that the most part thereof are the high in rank, and of those in attendance on thee.

Starting point is 02:18:24 We must now look after our own safety. Thereupon the hawk waxed wrath with them, and said to them, Verily, ye are the murderers, and ye forestall me with everest, accusation. So saying, he pounced upon them, and tearing to pieces half a score of their chiefs in front of the rest, threatened them, and drave them out sorely cuffed and beaten from before him. Hereat, they repented them of that which they had done, and said, We have known no good since the death of our first king, especially in the deed of this stranger in kind. But we deserve our sufferings.

Starting point is 02:19:07 even had he destroyed us one by one to the last of us, and there is, exemplified in us, the saying of him that saith, whoso submitteth him not to the rule of his own folk, the foe hath dominion over him, of his folly. And now there is nothing for it, but to flee for our lives, else we shall perish. So they took flight, and dispersed it to various places. And we all also, O king, continued the wiser, feared, lest the like of this befall us, and they become ruler over us a king other than thyself. But Allah hath vouchsafed us this boon, and sent us this blessed child. And now we are assured of peace and union, and security and prosperity in our motherland. So lord it be Almighty Allah, and to him be praise and thanks,

Starting point is 02:20:08 and goodly gratitude, and may he bless the King and us all his subjects, and vouchsafe unto us, and him the acme of Felicity, and make his lifetide happy, and his endeavour constant. Then arose the sixth wazir, and said, Allah favour thee with all Felicity, O king, in this world and in the next world. Ferrily the ancients have left us this saying, Whoso prayeth and fasteth, and giveth parents their due, and is just in his rule, meeteth his lord, and he is well pleased with him. Thou hast been set over us, and hast ruled us justly, and thine every step in this have been blessed. wherefore we beseech Allah Almighty to make great thy reward eternal and requite thee thy beneficence. I have heard what this wise man hath said, respecting our fear for the loss of our prosperity,

Starting point is 02:21:19 by reason of the death of the king, or the advent of another who should not be his parallel, and how after him dissensions would be rife among us, and calamity betide from our division, and how it behoved us therefore to be instant in prayer to allah the most high, so happily he might vouchsafe the king a happy son, to inherit the kingdom after him. But, after all, the issue of that which a man desireth of mundane goods, and wherefore he lusteth is unknown to him, and consequently it behoveth a mortal to ask not of his lord a thing whose end he woteth not.

Starting point is 02:21:58 For that happily the hurt of that thing, is nearer to him than its gain and his destruction may be in that which he seeketh and there befall him what befell the serpent charmer his wife and children and the folk of his house and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say end of night nine hundred and six section ten of the book of the thousand knights and a night volume nine This is Libravox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9, by Anonymous. Translated by Richard Francis Burton.

Starting point is 02:23:07 Night 9707 When it was the 907th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That when the sixth wazir said, It behoveth not a man To ask of his lord, Or to whereof he ignoresh the issue,

Starting point is 02:23:27 For that happily the hurt of that thing May be nearer than its gain. His destruction may be in that he seeketh, And there may befall him what befell the serpent charmer, His children, his wife, and his household. The king asked, what was that? And the wazir answered, Here, O king, the tale of the serpent charmer and his wife.

Starting point is 02:23:57 There was once a man, a serpent charmer, who used to train serpents, and this was his trade, and he had a great basket wherein were three snakes. But the people of his house knew this not. Every day he used to go round with them. this panier, around the town gaining his living and that of his family, by showing the snakes. And at even tide, he returned to his house and clapped them back into the panier, privily. This lasted a long while, but it chanced one day, when he came home, as was his want. His wife asked him, saying, What is in this pannier?

Starting point is 02:24:38 And he replied, What wouldest thou with it? Is not provision plentiful with you? be thou content with that which allah hath allotted to thee and ask not of aught else with this the woman held her peace but she said in herself there is no help but that i search this basket and know what is in there so she egged on her children and enjoined them to ask him of the pannier and importune him with their questions till he should tell them what was therein they presently concluded that it contained something to eat and sought every day of their father that he should show them what was therein and he still put them off with pleasant pretenses and forbade them from asking this on such wise they abode awhile the wife and mother still persisting in her quest till they agreed with her that they would neither eat meat nor drain drink with their father till he granted them their prayer and opened the basket to them one night behold the serpent charmer came home with a great plenty of meat and drank and took his seat calling them to eat with him but they refused his company and showed him anger whereupon he began to coax them with fair words saying looky tell me what you would have that i may bring it to you be it meat or drink or raiment

Starting point is 02:26:17 answered they o our father we want nothing of thee but that thou open this pannier that we may see what is therein else we will slay ourselves he rejoined o my children there is nothing good for you therein and indeed the opening of it will be harmful to you hereat they redoubled in rage for all he could say which when he saw he began scold them and threatened them with beating. Except they returned from such condition, but they only increased in anger and persistence in asking, till at last he waxed wrath and took a staff to beat them, and they fled from before him within the house. Now, the basket was present,

Starting point is 02:27:11 and the serpent charmer had not hidden it anywhere, so his wife left him occupied with the children and opened the pannier in haste that she might see what was therein. Thereupon, behold, the serpents came out, and first struck their fangs into her and killed her. Then they hide round the house, and slew all, great and small, who were therein, except the serpent charmer, who left the place, and went his way. If then, O auspicious king, continued the wuzier, now consider this, thou wilt be convinced

Starting point is 02:27:48 that it is not a man to desire aught, save that which God the great refuseth not to him. Nay, he should be content with what he willeth. And thou, O king, for the overflowing of thy wisdom and the excellence of thine understanding,

Starting point is 02:28:05 Allah hath cooled thine eyes with the advent of this, thy son, after despair, and hath comforted thy heart. Wherefore we pray the Almighty to make him of the just successes acceptable to himself and to his subjects. Then rose the seventh wazir, and said,

Starting point is 02:28:27 O king, I know and certify all that my brethren, these ministers wise and learned, have said in thy presence, praising thy justice and the goodness of thy policy, and proving how thou art distinguished in this from all kings other than thyself, wherefore they gave thee the preference over them. Indeed, this be of that which is incumbent on us, O king, and I say, praised be Allah, in that he hath girdened thee with his gifts, and vouchsafe thee of his mercy, the welfare of the realm, and hath succoured thee and ourselves,

Starting point is 02:29:07 on condition that we increase in gratitude to him, and all this know otherwise than by thine existence. What, while thou remainest among us, We fear not oppression, neither dread and right, Nor can any take long-handed advantage of our weakness. And indeed, it is said, the greatest good of a people, Is a just king, And their greatest ill, an unjust king.

Starting point is 02:29:37 And again, better dwell with rending lions than with a tyrannous sultan. So praised me Almighty Allah, With eternal praise, for that he hath blessed us with thy life, and vouchsafe thee, Blessed child, whenas thou wast stricken in years, and hath despair of issue. For the goodliest of the gifts in this world is a virtuous sire, and it is said, Whoso hath no progeny, his life is without result, and he leaveth no memory. As for thee, because of the righteousness of thy justice, and thy pious reliance, on allah the most high thou hast been vouchsafed this happy sun yea this blessed child cometh as a gift from the most high lord to us and to thee for the excellence of thy governance and the goodliness of thy long sufferance

Starting point is 02:30:33 and in this thou hast fared even as fared the spider and the wind asked the king and what is the story of the spider and the wind and Charazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say, her permitted say. End of night nine hundred and seven. Night nine hundred and eight. When it was the nine hundred and eighth night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious, king, that when the king asked, And what is the story of the twain? The wazir answered,

Starting point is 02:31:14 Give ear, O king, to the tale of the spider. and the wind a spider once attached herself to a high gate and retired and span her web there and dwelt therein in peace giving thanks to the almighty who had made this dwelling-place easy to her and had set her in safety from noxious reptiles on this wise she abode a long while giving thanks to allah for her ease and regular supply of daily bread till her creator bethought him to try her and make essay of her gratitude and patience so he sent upon her a strong east wind which carried her away web and all and cast her into the main the waves washed her ashore and she thanked the lord for her safety and began to upbrae the wind, saying, O wind! Why hast thou dealt thus with me, and what good hast thou gotten by bearing me hither

Starting point is 02:32:16 from my abiding place? Where indeed I was in safety, secure in my home on the top of that gate. Replied the wind, saying, O spider, hast thou not learnt that this world is a house of calamities, and say me,

Starting point is 02:32:34 who can boast of lasting happiness that such portion shall be thine. Whatest thou not, that Allah tempteth his creatures in order to learn by trial what may be their powers of patience? How then doth it beset thee to upbraid me,

Starting point is 02:32:53 thou who has been saved by me from the vastly deep? Thy words are true, oh wind! replied the spider, yet not the less do I desire to escape from this stranger land into which thy violence hath cast me. The wind rejoined.

Starting point is 02:33:11 Cease thy blaming, for right soon I will bear thee back, and replace thee in thy place, as thou wast aforetime. So the spider waited patiently till the north-east wind left blowing, and there arose a south-west wind which gently caught her up,

Starting point is 02:33:32 and flew with her towards her dwelling-place. and when she came to her abode she knew it and clung to it. And we, continued the wuzier, beseech Allah, who hath rewarded the king for his singleness at heart, and patience, and hath taken pity on his subjects, and blessed them with his favour, and hath vouchsafed the king, this son, in his old age, after he had despaired of issue, and removed him not from the world till he had blessed him with God. coolth of eyes, and bestowed on him what he hath bestowed of kingship and empire. To vouchsafe unto thy son, that which he hath vouchsafed unto thee,

Starting point is 02:34:16 of dominion and sultanship and glory. Amen. Then said the king, Praise be Allah over all praise, and thanks be to him over all thanks. There is no God but he, the creator of all things. things, by the light of whose signs we know the glory of his greatness, and who giveth kingship and command over his own country to whom he willeth of his servants. He chooseth of them whom so he please to make him his viceroy and vice-regent over his creatures, and commandeth him to just an equitable dealing with them, and the

Starting point is 02:35:00 maintenance of religious laws and practices, and right conduct and constancy in ordering their affairs, to that which is most acceptable to him, and most grateful to them. Whoso doth thus, and obeyeth the commandment of his lord, his desire attaineth, and the orders of his God maintaineth. So providence preserveth him from the perils of the present world, and maketh ample his recompense in the future world, for indeed he neglecteth not the reward of the righteous. And whoso doth otherwise,

Starting point is 02:35:34 than as Allah biddeth him, sinneth mortal sin, and disobeyeth his lord, preferring his mundane to his supramundane wheel. He hath no trace in this world, and in the next no portion, for Allah spareeth not the unjust

Starting point is 02:35:52 of the mischievous, nor doth he neglect any of his servants. These, our wazirs, have seen set forth how, by reason of our just dealing with them and our wise governance of affairs, Allah hath thou shavd saved us and them His grace, for which it behoveth us to thank him because of the great abundance of His mercies. Each of them hath also spoken that wherewith the Almighty inspired him concerning this matter, and they have vied one with another in rendering thanks to the Most High Lord, and praising him for his favours and bounties.

Starting point is 02:36:33 I also render thanks to Allah, for that I am but a slave commanded. My heart is in his hand, and my tongue in his subjection, accepting that which he adjudgetheth to me, and to them. Come what may thereof. Each one of them hath said what passed through his mind on the subject of this boy,

Starting point is 02:36:54 and hath set forth that which was the renewal of divine favour to us. after my years had reached the term when confidence faileth and despair assaileth. So praise it be Allah, who hath saved us from disappointment and from the alternation of rulers like to the alternation of night and day. For verily this was a great boon

Starting point is 02:37:17 both to them and to us, wherefore we praise Almighty Allah, who hath given a ready answer to our prayer and hath blessed us with this boy and set him in high place as to the inheritor of the kingship. And we entreat him of his bounty and clemency, to make him happy in his actions, prone to pious works, so that he may become a king and a sultan,

Starting point is 02:37:43 governing his people with justice and equity, guarding them from perilous error and frowardness of his grace, goodness and generosity. When the king had made an end of his speech, the sages and Olima rose and prostrated themselves before Allah and thanked the king. After which they kissed his hands and departed, each to his own house, while Jaliad withdrew into his palace, where he looked upon the newborn and offered up prayers for him and named him Weird Khan. The boy grew up till he attained the age of twelve, when the king, being minded to have him taught the archer

Starting point is 02:38:29 and sciences, Bad built him a palace and middermost the city, wherein there were three hundred and three score rooms, and lodged him therein. Then he assigned him three wise men of the Alema, and bad them not be lax in teaching him day and night, and looked that there was no kind of learning, but they instruct him therein, so he might become versed in all knowledge. He also commanded them to sit with him one day in each of the rooms by turn, and right on the door thereof that which they had taught him therein of various kinds of law, and report to himself every seven days what so instructions they had imparted to him. so they went into the prince and stinted not from educating him day nor light nor withheld from him aught of that they knew and presently there appeared in him readiness to receive instruction such as none had shown before him every seventh day his governors reported to the king what his son had learnt and mastered whereby jaleed became proficient in goodly learning and fair culture and the elima said to him never saw we one so richly gifted with understanding as is this boy. Allah bless thee in him and give thee joy of his life. When the prince had completed his twelfth year, he knew the better part of every science, and excelled all the elima and sages of his day. Wherefore his governors brought him to his

Starting point is 02:40:03 sire, and said to him, Allah gladden thine eyes, O king, with this auspicious youth, we bring him to thee after he hath learnt all manner knowledge, and there is not one of the learned men of the time, nor a scientist who hath attained to that, whereto he hath attained of science. The king rejoiced in this with joy exceeding, and thanking the Almighty, prostrated himself in gratitude before Allah,

Starting point is 02:40:33 to whom belong majesty and might, saying, Lord beat the Lord for his mercies in time, calculable. Then he called his chief wazir, and said to him, Know, Oshimus, that the governors of my son are come to tell me that he hath mastered every kind of knowledge, and there is nothing but they have instructed him therein, so that he surpasseth in this all who forewent him. What saith thou, Oshimus?

Starting point is 02:41:02 Hereat, the minister prostrated himself before Allah, to whom belong might and majesty, and kissed the king's hand, saying, Loathe is the ruby stone, all be it bedded in the hardest rock on the hill, to do aught but shine as a lamp, and this thy son is such a gem. His tender age hath not hindered him from becoming a sage,

Starting point is 02:41:28 and alhamdalila, praise be Allah, for that which he deigned bestow on him. But to-morrow, I will call an assembly of the flower of the emirs, and men of learning, and examine the prince, and cause him speak forth that which is in him in their presence. In Shala, and Sharaazard perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying, her permitted say. End of, Night 908.

Starting point is 02:42:07 Section 11 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9. This is a Librevox recording. Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9 by Anonymous. Translated by Richard Francis Burton Knight 9909 When it was the 9009th Knight, she pursued,

Starting point is 02:42:44 It hath reached me a auspicious king, that when the King Delayat heard the word of his Wazir Shimas, he commanded the attendants of the keenest witted of the Elima, and the most accomplished of the learned and sages of his dominions, and they all presented themselves, on the morrow, at the door of the palace, who were upon the king bad to admit them, then entered Shimus, and kissed the hands of the prince, who rose and prostrated himself to the minister.

Starting point is 02:43:15 But Shimus said, it behovereth not the lion-welp to prostrate himself to any of the wild beasts, nor besitteth it that light prostrate itself to shade. Quote the prince, when as the lion-welp seeth the leopard, he riseth up to him, and prostrateth himself before him, because of his wisdom. And light prostrateth itself to shade for the purpose of disclosing that which is there within. Quote Shimas, true, O my lord. but I would have thee answer me anent whatso I shall ask thee, by leave of His Highness and his liegis.

Starting point is 02:43:56 And the youth said, and I, with permission of my sire, will answer thee. So she must begin, and said, Tell me, what is the eternal, the absolute, and what are the two manifestations thereof, and whether of the two is the abiding one? Answered the prince, Anna, to whom belong might and majesty, is the eternal, the absolute, for that he is alpha without beginning, and Omega without end. Now his two manifestations are this world and the next, and the abiding one of the two is the world to come. Question

Starting point is 02:44:38 Thou sayest truly And I approve thy reply But I would have thee tell me How knowest thou That one of Allah's manifestations Is this world And the other the world to come I know this

Starting point is 02:44:53 Because this world was created From nothingness And had not its being From any existing thing Wherefore its affair Is referable to the first essence Moreover It is a commodity swift of ceasing

Starting point is 02:45:06 the works whereof call for requital of action, and thus postulates the reproduction of what so passeth away. So the next world is the second manifestation. Question, now inform me how knowest thou that the world to come is the abiding one of the two existences? Because it is the house of requital for deeds done in this world, prepared by the eternal San Circes. question Who are the people of this world Most to be praised for their practice Those who prefer their wheel

Starting point is 02:45:43 In the world to come Before their wheel in this world Question And who is he that prefereth his future To his present welfare He who knoweth That he dwelleth in a perishing house That he was created

Starting point is 02:45:58 But to fade away And that, after fading away He will be called to account and indeed were there in this world one living and abiding forever, he would not prefer it to the next world. Question, can the future life subsist permanently without the present? He who hath no present life hath no future life, and indeed I liken this world and its folk,

Starting point is 02:46:23 and the goal to which they fare with certain workmen, for whom an emir buildeth the narrow house, and lodgeth them therein, commanding each of them to do a certain task, and assigning to him a set term, and appointing one to have a steward over them. Whoso doeth the work appointed unto him, the steward bringeth him forth of that straightness. But whoso doeth it not within the established term, is punished. After a while, beholds, they find honey exuding from the chinks of the house. And when they have eaten thereof, and tasted its sweetness of savour,

Starting point is 02:47:00 they slacken in their ordered task and cast it behind their backs. So they patiently suffer the straightness and distress wherein they are, with what they know of the future punishment, whereto they are fast-wending, and are content, with this worthness and easily won sweetness. And the steward leaveth not to fetch every one of them forth of the house, for ill or good, when his appointed period shall have come. Now we know the world to be a dwelling

Starting point is 02:47:32 Wherein all eyes are dazed And that each of its folk hath his set term And he who findeth the little sweetness that is in the world And busieth himself therewith Is of the number of the lost Since he prefereth the things of this world To the things of the next world But whoso payeth no heed to this poor sweetness

Starting point is 02:47:54 And prefereth the things of the coming world to those of this world is of those who are saved. Question, I have heard what thou sayest of this world, and the next, and I accept thine answer, but I see they are as too placed in authority over man. Needs must he content them both, and they are contrary, one to other. So if the creature set himself to seek his livelihood, it is harmful to his soul in the future, and if he devote himself to the next world, it is hurtful to his body, and there is no way for him of pleasing these two contraries at once.

Starting point is 02:48:34 Indeed, the quest of one's worldly livelihood with pious intent and unlawful wise is a viaticum for the quest of the goods of the world to come. If a man spend a part of his days in seeking his livelihood and his world for the sustenance of his body and devote the rest of his day to seeking the goods of the next world, for the repose of his soul and the warding off of hurt therefrom. And indeed I see this world and the other world as they were two kings, a just and an unjust. Asked Chibas, how so. And the youth began the tale of, the two kings. There were once two kings, a just and an unjust, and this one had a land, abounding in treas. There were once two kings. A just and an unjust,

Starting point is 02:49:22 and this one had a land abounding in trees and fruits and herbs but he let no merchant pass without robbing him of his monies and his merchandise and the traders endured this with patience by reason of their profit from the fatness of the earth in the means of life and its pleasantness more by token that it was renowned for its richness

Starting point is 02:49:45 in precious stones and gems. Now the just king who loved jewels heard of this land, and sent one of his subjects thither, giving him much specie, and bidding him pass with it into the other's realm, and buy jewels therefrom. So he went thither, and, it being told to the unjust king, that a merchant was come to his kingdom with much money to buy jewels withal, he sent for him to the presence, and said to him, Who art thou, and whence comest thou, And who brought thee thither, and what is thy errand? Quoth the merchant,

Starting point is 02:50:23 I am of such and such a region, And the king of that land gave me money, And bad me by therewith jewels from this country, So I obeyed his bidding and came. Cried the unjust king, Out on thee! Knowest thou not of my fashion of dealing with the people of my realm, and how each day I take their monies.

Starting point is 02:50:46 How then comest thou to my country? And behold, thou hast been a sojourner here since such a time. Answered the trader, the money is not mine, not a mite of it. Nay, tis attrusted my hands till I bring its equivalent to its owner. But the king said, I will not let thee take thy livelihood of my land, or go out therefrom, except thou ransomed thyself with this money, all of it. and Shara Zard perceived the dawn of day,

Starting point is 02:51:18 and ceased to say, her permitted say, End of night 909. Night 910. When it was the 910th night, she resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the unjust ruler said to the trader who came to buy jewels from his country, "'Tis not possible for thee to take thy livelihood of my land, except thou ransom thy life with this money. All of it, else shalt thou die. So the man said in himself,

Starting point is 02:51:56 I am fallen between two kings, and I know that the oppression of this ruler embraceth all who abide in his dominions, and if I satisfy him not, I shall lose both life and money, whereof is no doubt, and shall fail of my errand. Whilst on the other hand, if I give him, him all the gold, it will most assuredly prove my ruin with its owner, the other king, wherefore no device will serve me, but I give this one a trifling part thereof, and content him therewith, and avert from myself and from the muddy perdition. Thus shall I get my livelihood of the fatness of this land, till I buy that which I desire of jewels. And, after satisfying the tyrant with gifts, I will take my portion of the prophet,

Starting point is 02:52:44 and returned to the owner of the money with his need, trusting in his justice and indulgence, and unfearing that he will punish me for that which this unjust king taketh of the treasure, especially if it be but a little. Then the trader called down blessings on the tyrant, and said to him, O king, I will ransom myself and this specie, with a small portion thereof, from the time of my entering thy country, to that of my going forth, therefrom. The king agreed to this and left him at peace for a year till he bought all manner jewels with the rest of the money and returned therewith to his master, to whom he made his excuses,

Starting point is 02:53:27 confessing to having saved himself from the unjust king, as before related. The just king accepted his excuse and praised him for his wise device and set him on his right hand in his divan and appointed him in his kingdom and abiding inheritance and a happy life-tide. Now the just king is the similitude of the future world and the untrust king of the present world. The jewels that be in the tyrant's dominions are good deeds and pious works. The merchant is man and the money he hath with him is the provision appointed him of Allah. When I consider this, I know that it behoveth him who seeketh his love. livelihood in this world to leave not a day without seeking the goods of the world to come.

Starting point is 02:54:18 So shall he content this world with that which he gaineth of the fatness of the earth, and satisfy the other world with that which he spendeth of his life in seeking after it? Question, are the spirit and the body alike in reward and retribution? Or is the body as the lustre of lusts and the doer of sinful deeds, and especially affected with punishment. The inclination to lusts and sins may be the cause of earning reward by the withholding of the soul therefrom

Starting point is 02:54:52 and the repenting thereof, but the command is in the hand of him who doth what he will, and things by their contraries are distinguished. The subsistence is necessary to the body, but there is no body without soul, and the purification of the spirit is in making clean the intention in this world and taking thought to that which will profit in the world to come.

Starting point is 02:55:20 Indeed, soul and body are like two horses racing for a wager, or two foster brothers, or two partners in business. By the intent are good deeds distinguished, and thus the body and soul are partners in actions and in reward and retribution, and in this they are like the blind man and the cripple with the overseer of the garden. Asked Chimus, how so, and the prince said, Here a wazir, the tale of, The blind man and the cripple. A blind man and a cripple were travelling companions and used to beg arms in company.

Starting point is 02:56:06 One day they sought admission into the garden of someone of the benevolent and a kind-hearted white, hearing their talk, took compassion on them and carried them into his garden, where he left them after plucking for them some of its produce, and went away, bidging them do no waste nor damage therein. When the fruits became ripe, the cripple said to the blind man, Harky! I see ripe fruits and long for them, but I cannot rise to eat thereof. So go thou, arise, for thou art sound of either leg, and fetch us somewhat that we may eat. Replied the blind,

Starting point is 02:56:45 Fie upon thee! I had no thought of them, but now that thou callest them to my mind, I long to eat of them, and I am impotent unto this, being unable to see them. So how shall we do to get at them? At this moment, behold,

Starting point is 02:57:03 up came the overseer of the garden, who was a man of understanding. And the cripple said to him, Harky, Overseer, I long for somewhat of those fruits, but we are as thou seest. I am a cripple, and my mate here is stone-blind. So what shall we do? Replied the overseer,

Starting point is 02:57:23 Woe to you! Have you forgotten that the Master of the Garden stipulated with you that he should do nothing whereby waste or damage before it? So take warning and abstain from this. But they answered, needs must we get our portion of these fruits that we may eat thereof, so tell us some device whereby we shall contrive this. When the overseer saw that they were not to be turned from their purpose,

Starting point is 02:57:53 he said, This then is my device, O cripple. Let the blind bear thee on his back, and take thee under the tree whose fruit pleaseth thee, so thou mayst pluck what thou canst reach thereof. Accordingly, the blind man took on his back, the cripple, who guided him till he brought him under a tree, and he fell to plucking from it what he would, and tearing at its bows, till he had despoiled it, after which they went round

Starting point is 02:58:22 about and throughout the garden, and wasted it with their hands and feet. Nor did they cease from this fashion till they had stripped all the trees of the garth. Then they returned to their place, and presently up came the master of the garden, who seeing it in this place, who seeing it in this plight was wroth with sore wrath, and coming up to them said, "'Wow to you! What fashion is this? Did I not stipulate with you that ye should do no damage to the garden?' Quoth they, thou knowest that we are powerless to come at any of the fruit, for that one of us is a cripple, and cannot rise, and the other is blind and cannot see that which is before him. So what is our offence?' But the master answered,

Starting point is 02:59:09 said, Think ye I know not, how ye wrought, and how ye have gone about to do waste in my garden? I know, as if I had been with thee, O blind, that thou tookest the cripple picker-back, and he showed thee the way till thou borest him to the trees. Then he punished them with grievous punishment, and thrust them out of the garden. Now, the blind is the similitude of the body, which seeth not, save by the spirit, and the cripple that of the soul, for that it hath no power of motion

Starting point is 02:59:45 but by the body. The garden is the works, for which the creature is rewarded or punished, and the overseer is the reason which bideth to good, and forbiddeth from evil. Thus the body and the soul are partners in reward and retribution.

Starting point is 03:00:04 Question, which of the learned men is most worthy of praise, according to thee. He who is learned in the knowledge of Allah, and whose knowledge profiteth him. Question, and who is this? Uso is intent upon seeking to please his lord and avoid his wrath. Question, and which of them is the most excellent? He who is most learned in the knowledge of Allah. Question, and which is the most experienced of them?

Starting point is 03:00:37 who so in doing according to his knowledge is most constant. Question, and which is the purest hearted of them? He who is most assiduous in preparing for death, and praising the Lord, and least of them in hope. And indeed, he who who penetrateth his soul with the awful ways of death is as one who looketh into a clear mirror, for that he knoweth the truth, and the mirror still increasingly. in clearness and brilliance.

Starting point is 03:01:11 Question, what are the goodliest of treasures? The treasures of heaven. Question, which is the goodliest of the treasures of heaven? The praise of Allah and his magnification. Question, which is the most excellent of the treasures of earth? The practice of kindness. And Sharazad, perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying, were permitted say. End of night 910. Section 12 of the Book

Starting point is 03:01:54 of the Thousand Nights and a Night. Volume 9. This is a Librevox recording. All Liberfax recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. Recording by Andrei Levy, Andrelevy.net, Lisbon, Portugal The Book of the Thousand Nights in a Night, Volume 9, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Knight 911

Starting point is 03:02:28 When it was the 911th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the wazir Shimas asked the king's son, saying, which is the most excellent of the treasures of earth? He answered, the practice of kindness. So the minister pursued, Tell me of three several and different things, Knowledge and judgment and wit,

Starting point is 03:02:58 and of that which unites them. Knowledge cometh of learning, Judgment of experience, and wit of reflection, and they are all established and united in real. reason. Whoso combineeth these three qualities, attaineth perfection, and he who addeth thereto the piety and fear of the Lord is in the right course. Take the case of a man of learning and wisdom, endowed with right judgment, luminous intelligence, and a keen wit and excelling, and tell me, can desire and lust change these his qualities? Yes, for these two passions,

Starting point is 03:03:41 they enter into a man, alter his wisdom and understanding and judgment and wit, and he is like the ossifred, which, for precaution against the hunters, abode in the upper air of the excess of his subtlety. But as he was thus, he saw a fowler set up his nets, and when the toils were firmly staked down, bait them with a bit of meat, which when he beheld, desire and lust thereof, came him, and he forgot that which he had seen of springes, and of the sorry plight of all birds that fell into them. So he swooped down from the welkin, and pouncing upon the piece of meat, was meshed in the same snare, and could not win free. When the fowler came up and saw the ossifred taken in his toils, he marvelled with exceeding marvel and said,

Starting point is 03:04:37 I set up my nets, thinking to take their end pigeons and the like of small fowl, how came this ossifredge to fall into it? It is said that when desire and lust incite a man of understanding to art, he considereth the end thereof, and refraineth from that which they make fair, and represseth with his reason, his lust and concupiscence. For when these passions urge him to art, it behooveth him to make his reason like unto a horseman skilled in horsemanship, who mounting a skittish horse, curbeth him with a sharp bit,

Starting point is 03:05:17 so that he go aright with him and bear him whither he will. As for the ignorant man, who hath neither knowledge nor judgment, while all things are obscure to him, and desire and lust lord it over him, verily he doeth according to his desire and his lust, and is of the number of those that perish, nor is there among men one in worse case than he. When is knowledge profitable, and when availeth reason to ward off the ill effects of desire and lust,

Starting point is 03:05:51 when their possessor useth them in quest of the goods of the next world, for reason and knowledge are altogether profitable, but it befitteth not their owner, to expend them in the quest of the goods of the next world, this world, save in such measure as may be needful for gaining his livelihood and defending himself from its mischief, but to lay them out with a view to futurity. What is most worthy that a man should apply himself thereto, and occupy his heart withal? Good works and pious.

Starting point is 03:06:28 If a man do this, it deferteth him from gaining his living. How then shall he do for his daily bread, wherewith he may not dispense? A man's day is four and twenty hours, and it behooveth him to employ one third thereof in seeking his living, another in prayer and repose, and the other in the pursuits of knowledge, for a reasonable man without knowledge is a barren land, which hath no place for tillage, tree-planting, or grass-growing? Except it be preparerth, for tilleth in plantation, no fruit will profit therein. But if it be tilled and planted, it bringeth forth goodly fruits. So with the man lacking education, there is no profit in him

Starting point is 03:07:16 till knowledge be planted in him. Then doth he bear fruit. What sayest thou of knowledge without understanding? It is as the knowledge of a brute beast, which hath learnt the hours of its floddering, and waking, but hath no reason. Though hast been brief in thine answer, here, Renet, but I accept thy reply, tell me, How shall I guard myself against the sultan, by giving him no way to thee? And how can I but give him way to me,

Starting point is 03:07:52 seeing that he is set in dominion over me, and that the reins of my affair be in his hand? His dominion over thee, lieth in the duties thou oest him, wherefore, and thou give him his due, he hath no farther dominion over thee. What are a wazir's duties to his king? Good counsel and zealous service,

Starting point is 03:08:16 both in public and private, right judgment, the keeping of his secrets, and that he conceal from his lord, not of that whereof he hath a right to be informed, lack of neglect of aught of his need With the gratifying of which he charged him The seeking his approval in every guise

Starting point is 03:08:36 And the avoidance of his anger How should the wazir do with the king? And thou be wazir to the king And wouldst fain become safe from him Let thy hearing and thy speaking to him Surpass his expectation of thee And be thy seeking of thy want from him after the measure of thy rank in his esteem.

Starting point is 03:09:00 And beware, lest thou advance thyself to a dignity Whereof he deemeth thee unworthy, For this would be like presuming against him. So, if thou take advantage of his marvellous, And raise thee to a rank beyond that which he deemeth thy due, Thou wilt be like the hunter, Whose want it was to trap wild beasts for their pelts, And cast away the flesh.

Starting point is 03:09:27 Now a lion used to come to that place and eat of the carrion, and in course of time he made friendship with the hunter, who would throw me to him and wipe his hands on his back whilst the lion wagged his tail. But when the hunter saw his tameness and gentleness and submissiveness to him, he said to himself, Verily this lion humbleth himself to me, and I am master over him, and I see not why I should not mount him and strip off his hide, as with the other wild beasts. So he took courage and sprang on the lion's back, presuming on his mildness and deeming himself sure of him. Which, when the lion saw, he raged with exceeding rage, and raising his fore-paw smote the hunter, that he drove his claws into his vitals, after which he cast him underfoot and tear him in pieces,

Starting point is 03:10:23 and devoured him. By this we may know that it behooth the wazir to bear himself towards the king, according to that which he seeth of his condition, and not presume upon the superiority of his own judgment, lest the king become jealous of him. And Sherazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of night nine hundred and eleven. Knight 912 When it was the 912th night She continued

Starting point is 03:11:00 It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That the youth, the son of King Jaliad, said to Shimas the wazir It behooveth a minister to bear himself towards the monarch According to that which he seeth of his condition And not to presume upon the superiority of his own judgment, lest the king waxed jealous of him. Quoth Shemus, How shall the wazir grace himself in the king's sight?

Starting point is 03:11:29 By the performance of the trust committed to him, and of loyal counsel, and sound judgment, and the execution of his commands. As for what thou sayest of the wazir's duty, to avoid the king's anger, and perform his wishes, and apply himself diligently to the doing of that where if he chargeeth him,

Starting point is 03:11:51 such duty is always incumbent upon him. But how, and the king's whole pleasure be tyranny, and the practice of oppression and exorbitant extortion? And what shall the wazir do if he be afflicted by intercourse with this and just Lord? And he strive to turn him from his lust and his desire, he cannot do this, and if he follow him in his lusts and flatter him with false counsel, he assumeth the weight of responsibility herein, and becometh an enemy to the people.

Starting point is 03:12:25 What say'st thou of this? What thou speakest, O wazir, of his responsibility and sinfulness, ariseseth only in the case of his abetting the king in his wrongdoing. But it behooveth the wazir, when the king taketh counsel with him of the like of this, to show forth to him the way of justice and equity, and warn him against tyranny and approving. and expound to him the principles of righteously governing the lieges, alluring him with the future reward that pertaineth to this, and restraining him with warning of the punishment he

Starting point is 03:13:01 otherwise will incur. If the king inclined to him, and hearken unto his words, his end is gained, and if not there is nothing for it but that he depart from him after court's fashion, because in parting for each of them is ease. What are the duties of the kings to his subjects, and what are the obligations of the lieges to their Lord? They shall do whatso he ordereth them with pure intent, and obey him in that which pleaseth Him, and pleaseth Allah and the Apostle of Allah. And the legions can claim of the Lord that he protect their possessions and gar their women, even as it is their duty to hearken unto him and obey him and expend their lines,

Starting point is 03:13:49 freely in his defence, and give him his lawful due, and praise him fairly for that which he bestoweth upon them of his justice and bounty. Have his subjects any claim upon the king, other than that which thou hast said? Yes, the rights of the subjects from their sovereign are more binding than the liege-lord's claim upon his lieges, for that the breach of his duty towards them is more harmful than that of their duty towards him. because the ruin of the king and the loss of his kingdom and fortune befall not save by the breach of his devour to his subjects wherefore it behooveth him who is invested with the kingship to be assiduous in furthering three things to wit the fostering of the faith the fostering of the subjects and the fostering of government for by the ensuing of these three things his kingdom shall endure

Starting point is 03:14:46 How doth it behoove him to do for his subject's wheel? By giving them their due and maintaining their laws and customs, and employing Olemma and learned men to teach them, and justifying them one of other, and sparing their blood, and defending their goods, and lightening their loads, and strengthening their hosts? What is the minister's claim upon the monarch? None hath a more imperative claim on the king than hath the wazir.

Starting point is 03:15:16 for three reasons firstly because of that which shall befall him from his liege lord in case of error and judgment and because of the great advantage to king in commons in case of sound judgment secondly that folk may know the goodliness of the decree which the wazir holdeth in the king's esteem and therefore look on him with eyes of veneration and respect and submission and thirdly that the wazir seeing this from king and subjects may ward off from them that which they hate and fulfilled to them that which they love i have heard all thou hast said of the attributes of king and wazir and liege and a and approve thereof. But now tell me, what is incumbent in keeping the tongue from lying and folly, and slandering good names, and excess in speech?

Starting point is 03:16:12 It behooveth a man to speak not but good in kindness, and to talk not of that which toucheth him not, to leave detraction, nor carry tale he hath heard from one man to his enemy, neither seek to harm his friend nor his foe with his sultan, and wreck not of any, neither of him from whom he hopeth for good nor of him whom he feareth for mischief save of allah almighty for he indeed is the only one who harmeth and profiteth let him not impute default unto any nor talk ignorantly lest he incur the weight and the sin thereof before allah and earn hate among men for know thou that speech is like an arrow which once shot none can avail to recall Let him also beware of disclosing his secret to one who shall discover it,

Starting point is 03:17:05 lest he fall into mischief by reason of its disclosure, after confidence on its concealment. And let him be more careful to keep his secret from his friend than from his foe, for the keeping a secret with all folk is of the performance of faithful trust. Tell me how a man should bear himself with his family and friends. There is no rest for a son of Adam, save in righteous conduct. He should render to his family that which they deserve, and to his brethren, what so is their due.

Starting point is 03:17:40 What should one render to one's kinsfolk? To parents, submission and soft speech, and affability, and honor, and reverence, to brethren good counsel and readiness to expend money for them, and assistance in their undertakings, and joyance in their joy, and grieving for their grief, and closing of the eyes toward the errors that they may commit. For when they experience this from a man, they requite him with the best of counsel they can command, and expend their lives in his defense, wherefore, and thou know thy brother to be trusty, lavish upon him thy love, and help him in all his affairs.

Starting point is 03:18:24 and Shara Zad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of night 912. Recording by Andri Levy.com.net, Lisbon, Portugal. Section 13 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9. This is a Libervox recording. All Libervox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. Recording by Andreleavy, Andreleavy.net, Lisbon, Portugal.

Starting point is 03:19:11 The Book of the Thousand Nights in a Night, Volume 9, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Knight 913. When it was the 913th night, she pursued. It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the youth, the son and heir of King Jaliad, when questioned by the wazir upon the subjects aforesaid, returned him satisfactory replies. When Shemus resumed, I see that brethren are of two kinds, brethren of trust and brethren of society. As for the first who be friends, there is due to them that which thou hast set forth. But now tell me of the others who be acquaintances.

Starting point is 03:20:01 As for brethren of society, thou gettest of them pleasant and goodly usance, and fair speech, and enjoyable company. So be thou not sparing to them of thy delights, but be lavish to them thereof, like as they are lavish to thee, and render to them that which they render to thee, of affable continence, and an open favour in sweet speech. So shall thy life be pleasant, and thy words be accepted of them. tell me now of the provision decreed by the creator to all creatures hath he allotted to men and beasts each his several provision to the completion of his appointed life-term and if this allotment be thus what maketh him who seeketh his livelihood to incur hardships and travail in the quest of that which he knoweth must come to him if it be decreed to him albeit he incur not the misery of endeavour

Starting point is 03:20:59 and which if it be not decree to him he shall not win though he strive after it with his uttermost striving shall he therefore stint endeavour and in his lord put trust and to his body and his soul give rest indeed we see clearly that to each and every there is a provision distributed and a term prescribed but to all livelihood are a way and means and he who seeketh would get each and every there is a provision distributed and a term prescribed but to all livelihood are a way and means and he who seeketh would get each of his seeking by ceasing to seek. With all there is no help but that he seek his fortune. The seeker is, however, in two cases. Either he gaineth his fortune, or he faileth thereof. In the first case, his pleasure consisteth in two conditions. First, in the having gained his fortune, and secondly in the laudable issue of his quest, and in the other case, his pleasure consisteth first in his readiness to seek his daily bread, secondly in his abstaining from being a burthen to the folk, and thirdly in his freedom from liability to blame.

Starting point is 03:22:09 What sayest thou of the means of seeking one's fortune? A man shall hold lawful that which Allah to whom belong might and majesty alloweth, and unlawful whatso he forbiddeth. Reaching this past the discourse between them came to an end, and Shemus and all the Olemma present rose, and prostrating themselves before the young prince magnified and extolled him, whilst his father pressed him to his bosom, and seating him on the throne of kingship, said, Praise be Allah, who hath blessed me with a son to be the cooleth of mine eyes in my lifetime. Then said the king's son to Shemus, in presence of all the Olam, O sage that art versed in spiritual questions, albeit Allah have vouchsafed to me but scanty knowledge,

Starting point is 03:23:03 yet do I comprehend thine intent in accepting from me what I proffered in answer concerning that whereof thou hast asked me, whether I hit or miss the mark therein, and belike thou forgavest my errors. But now I am minded to question the inenteth thing, whereof my judgment faileth, and whereof my judgment faileth, and where to my capacity is insufficient, and which my tongue availeth not to set forth, for that it is obscure to me, with the obscurity of clear water in a black vessel, wherefore I would have thee expound it to me, so no iota thereof may remain doubtful to the like of me, to whom its obscurity may present itself in the future, even as it hath presented itself to me in the past, since Allah, even as he hath made life to be in lymph, and strength in food, and the cure

Starting point is 03:23:56 of the sick and the skill of the leech, so hath he appointed the healing of the fool to be in the learning of the wise. Give ear, therefore, to my speech. Reply the wazir, O luminous of intelligence and master of causuistical questions, thou whose excellence all the Olemma attest, by reason of the goodlynesses, of thy discretion of things and thy distribution thereof, and the justness of thine answers to the questions I have asked thee, thou knowest that thou canst inquire of me naught, but thou art better able than I to form a just judgment thereon, and expound it truly, for that Allah hath vouchsafed unto thee such wisdom as he hath bestowed on none other of men. But inform me of what thou

Starting point is 03:24:44 wouldst question me, quoth the prince. Tell me, from what did the creator magnified be his al-mite, create the world, albeit there was before it not, and there is not seen in this world, but it is created from something, and the divine creator, extolled and exalted be he, is able to create things from nothing, yet hath his will decreed, for all the perfection of his power and grandeur, that he shall create not, but from something, the wazir replied, As for those whose fashion vessels of potter's clay and other handicraftsmen, who cannot originate one thing save from another thing, they are themselves only created entities,

Starting point is 03:25:35 but as for the creator, who hath wroth the world after his wondrous fashion, and thou wouldst know his power, extolled and exalted be he, of calling things into existence, extend thy thought, and consider the various kinds of created things, and thou wilt find signs and instances, proving the perfection of his puissance, and that he is able to create the ends from the non-ends. Nay, he call things into being after absolute non-existence, for the elements which be the matter of created things were sheer nothingness. I will expound this to thee so thou mayest be in no skepticism thereof,

Starting point is 03:26:17 and the marvel signs of the alternation of night and day shall make this clear to thee. When the light goeth and the night cometh, the day is hidden from us, and we know not the place where it abideth. And when the night passeth away, with its darkness and its terror, the day cometh, and we know not the abiding place of the night. In like matter, when the sun riseth upon us, we know not where it hath laid up its light, and when it setteth, we ignore the abiding place of its setting,

Starting point is 03:26:51 and the examples of this among the works of the Creator, magnified be his name and glorified be his might, abound in what confoundeth the thought of the keenest witted of human beings. Rejoin the prince. O sage, thou hast set before me of the power of the Creator what is incapable of denial, but tell me how he called his creatures into existence, answered Chimas. He created them by the sole power of his one word, which existed before time, and wherewith he created all things, quote the prince,

Starting point is 03:27:30 then Allah be his name magnified and his might glorified, only willed the existence of created things before they came into being? replied Chimus, and of his will he created them with his one word, and but for his speech and that one word the creation had not come into existence. And Shara Zad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say.

Starting point is 03:28:01 End of night nine hundred and thirteen. Night 914 When it was the 914th night, she resumed. It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that after the king's son had asked his sire's wazir the casuistical questions aforesaid, and had received a sufficient answer, She must say to him, Oh, my dear son, there is no man can tell the other, but this I have said,

Starting point is 03:28:34 except he twists the words handed down to us by the holy law and turn the truths thereof from their evident meaning. And such a perversion is there saying that the word hath inherent in positive power, and I take refuge with Allah from such a misbelief. Nay, the meaning of our saying that Allah, to whom belong might and majesty, created the world with his word, is that he, exalted be his name, is one in his name. is one in his essence and his attributes,

Starting point is 03:29:07 and not that his word hath independent power. On the contrary, power is one of the attributes of Allah, even as speech and other attributes of perfection or attributes of Allah, exalted be his dignity and extolled be his empery. Wherefore, he may not be conceived without his word, nor may his word be conceived without him, for with his word Allah extolled be his praise created all his creatures,

Starting point is 03:29:38 and without his word the Lord created not. Indeed, he created all things but by his word of truth, and by truth are we created. Quoth the prince, I comprehend that which thou hast said on the subject of the creator, and from thee I accept this with understanding, but I hear thee say that he created the world by his word of truth. Now, truth is the opposite of falsehood.

Starting point is 03:30:11 Whence then arose falsehood, with its opposition unto truth, and how cometh to be possible that it should be confounded therewith, and become doubtful to human beings, so that they need to distinguish between the twain? And doth the creator, to whom belong might and majesty, Love falsehood or hate it? And thou say he loveth truth, And by it created all things,

Starting point is 03:30:36 And abhorreth falsehood, How came the false which the creator hateeth, To invade the truth which he loveth? Quoth she must. Verily Allah the most high created man all truth, Loving his name and obeying his word. And on this wise man had no need of repentance, till falsehood invaded the truth.

Starting point is 03:31:00 whereby he was created by means of the capability which Allah had placed in him, being the will and the inclination called lust of lucre. When the false invaded the true on this wise, right became confounded with wrong, by reason of the will of man and his capability and greed of gain, which is the voluntary side of him, together with the weakness of human nature. wherefore Allah created penitence for man to turn away from him untruth

Starting point is 03:31:34 and establish him in truth and he created for him also punishment if he should abide in the obscurity of falshood quoth the prince tell me how came untruth to invade truth so as to be confounded therewith and how came man liable to punishment and so stood in need of repentance

Starting point is 03:31:57 replied Shimas. When Allah created man with truth, he made him loving to himself, and there was for him neither repentance nor punishment. But he abode thus till Allah put in him the soul, which is of the perfection of humanity, albeit naturally inclined to lust, which is inherent therein.

Starting point is 03:32:21 From this sprang the growth of untruth and its confusion with truth, wherewith man was created and with the love whereof his nature had been made. And when man came to this pass, he declined from the truth with disobedience, and whoso declines from the truth, falleth into falsehood,

Starting point is 03:32:41 said the prince. Then falsehood invaded truth only by reason of disobedience and transgression? Shimmis replied, Yes, and it is thus because Allah loveth mankind, and of the abyss. abundance of his love to man, he created him having need of himself, that is to say, of the very truth. But oftentimes man lapseth from this by cause of the inclination of the soul to lusts,

Starting point is 03:33:12 and turneth to frowardness, wherefore he falleth into falsehood by the act of disobeying his lord, and thus deservedth punishment, and by putting away from himself falsehood with repentance, and by the returning to the love of the truth, he merited future reward. Quote the prince, Tell me the origin of sin, whilst all mankind trace their being to Adam, and how cometh it that he,

Starting point is 03:33:42 being created of Allah with truth, drew disobedience on himself? Then was his disobedience coupled with repentance after the soul had been set in him, that his issue might be reward or retribution, Indeed we see some men constant in sinfulness, inclining to that which he loveth not, and transgressing in this the original intent and purpose of their creation, which is the love of the truth, and drawing on themselves the wrath of their lord,

Starting point is 03:34:11 whilst we see others constant in seeking the satisfaction of their creator, and obeying him, and meriting mercy and future recompense, what causeth this difference prevailing between them? replied Shemus. The origin of disobedience descending upon mankind is attributable to Iblis, who was the noblest of all that Allah magnified be his name, created of angels and men and gin, and the love of the truth was inherit in him, for he knew not but this.

Starting point is 03:34:46 But when as he saw himself unique in such dignity, there entered into him pride and conceit, Vain glory and arrogance, which revolted from loyalty and obedience to the command of his creator, wherefore Allah made him inferior to all creatures, and cast him out from love, making his abiding place to be in disobedience. So when he knew that Allah glorified be his name, loved not disobedience, and saw Adam, and the case wherein he was of truth and love and obedience to his creator. Envy entered into him, and he devised some device to pervert Adam from the truth,

Starting point is 03:35:32 that he might be a portaker with himself in falsehood. And by this Adam incurred chastisement for this inclining to disobedience, which his foe made fair to him, and his subjection to his lusts, when as he transgressed the charge of his lord by reason of the appearance of falsehood. when the Creator, magnified be the praises of him, and hallowed be the names of him, saw the weakness of man, and the swiftness of his inclining to his enemy and leaving the truth, he appointed to him of his mercy, repentance, that therewith he might arise from the slough of inclination to disobedience, and taking the arms in armour of repentance, overcome therewith his foe Iblis and his hosts, and return to his to the truth wherein he was created. When Iblis saw that Allah magnified be his praise, had appointed him a protracted term,

Starting point is 03:36:32 he hastened to wage war upon man and to beset him with vials, to the intent that he might oust him from the favour of his lord and make him a partaker with himself in the wrath which he and his hosts had incurred. Wherefore Allah extolled be his praises, appointed unto man the capability of penitence, and commanded him to apply himself to the truth and persevere therein, and forbade him from disobedience and frowardness, and revealed to him that he had on the earth an enemy warring against him,

Starting point is 03:37:05 and relaxing not from him night nor day. Thus hath man a right to a future reward if he adhere to the truth, in the love of which his nature was created. but he becometh liable to punishment if the flesh master him and incline him to lusts. And Sharazade perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. End of night 914. Recording by Andrelevy.net, Lisbon, Portugal. Section 14 of the Book of the Thousand Nights in a Night.

Starting point is 03:37:52 Volume 9 a Libervox recording. All Libervox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. Recording by Andre Levy.combe. Andreleavy.net, Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal. The Book of the Thousand Nights in a Nights, Volume 9, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Knight 915. When it was the 900, 15th night, she said. It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the young prince had questioned

Starting point is 03:38:36 Shemus touching disputed points of olden time, and had been duly answered, he presently said, Now tell me, by what power is the creature able to transgress against his creator, seeing that his omnipotence is without bounds, even as thou hast set forth, and that naught can overcome him or depart from his will.

Starting point is 03:39:01 Deemest thou not that he is able to turn his creatures from his disobedience and compel them eternally to hold the truth? Answered Chimus. In very sooth, Almighty Allah, honored be his name, is just and equitable and loving kind to the people of his affection. He created his creatures with justice, and equity, and of the inspiration of his justice, and the overflowing of his mercy, he gave them kingship over themselves, that they should do whatever they might design.

Starting point is 03:39:41 He showeth them the way of righteousness, and bestoweth on them the power and ability of doing what they will of good, and if they do the opposite thereof, they fall into destruction and disobedience. If the Creator, as thou sayest, have granted to mankind power and ability, and they by reason thereof are empowered to do whatso they will, why then doth he not come between them

Starting point is 03:40:13 and that which they desire of wrong and turn them to the right? This is of the greatness of his mercy and the goodliness of his wisdom, for even as, aforetime he showeth wrath to Iblis, and had no mercy on him. Even so he showed Adam mercy, by means of repentance, and accepted of him, after he had been wroth with him. He is indeed mere truth, for he it is who requiteth everyone according to his works, and there is no

Starting point is 03:40:50 creator save Allah who hath power over all things. But tell me, hath he created that which he loveth and that which he loveth not or only that which he loveth he created all things but favoureth only that which he loveth what reckes thou of two things one whereof is pleasing to god and earneth future reward for him who practiseth it and the other offendeth allah and entaileth lawful punishment of upon the doer. Exound to me these two things, and make me to apprehend them that I may speak concerning them. They are good and evil, the two things inherent in the body and in the soul. O wise youth, I see that thou knowest good and evil to be of the works which the soul and the body combined to do. Good is named good, because it is in favour with God, and evil is termed ill, for that in it is his ill-will.

Starting point is 03:42:05 Indeed, it behooveth thee to know Allah, and to please him by the practice of good, for that he hath bidden us to this and forbidden us to do evil. I see these two things, to wit good and evil, to be wrought only by the five senses familiarly known in the body of man, which be the censorium whence proceed speech, hearing, sight, smell, and touch. Now I would have thee tell me whether these five senses were created altogether for good or for evil. Apprehend, O man, the exposition of that whereof thou askest, and it is a manifest proof. So lay it up in thine innermost thought, and take it to thy heart.

Starting point is 03:42:59 And this it is that the Creator, extolled and exalted be he, created man with truth, and impressed him with the love thereof, and there precedeth from it no created thing save by the puissance of the most high, whose trace is in every phenomenon. He, extol we him, and exalt we him,

Starting point is 03:43:24 is not apt, to the ordering of justice and equity and beneficence. And he created man for the love of him, and set in him a soul, wherein the inclination to lusts was innate, and assigned him capability and ableness, and appointed the five senses aforesaid to be to him a means of winning heaven or hell.

Starting point is 03:43:51 How so? In that he created the tongue, for speech, the hands for action, the feet for walking, and the eyes for seeing, and the ears for hearing, and upon each bestow its special power, and incited them to exercise and motion, bidding each of them do not save that which pleaseth him. Now what pleaseth him in speech is truthfulness, and abstaining from its opposite which is falsehood. And what pleaseth him in sight is turning it unto that which he loveth, and leaving the contrary, which is turning it unto that which he hateeth, such as looking unto lusts.

Starting point is 03:44:40 And what pleaseth him in hearing is hearkening to naught but the true, such as admonition, and that which is in Allah's writ, and leaving the contrary, which is listening to that which incurred the anger of Allah. And what pleaseth him in the hands is not hoarding up that which he entrusteth to them, but expending it in such way as shall please him and leaving the contrary, which is avarice, or spending in sinfulness,

Starting point is 03:45:16 that which he hath committed to them. And what pleaseth him in the feat is that they be constant in the pursuit of good, such as the quest of instruction, and leave its contrary, which is the walking in other than the way of Allah. Now respecting the rest of the lusts which man practiseth, they proceed from the body by command of the soul. But the lusts which proceed from the body are of two kinds, the lust of reproduction and the lust of the belly. As for the former, that which pleaseth Allah thereof, is that it be not other than lawful, and he is displeased with it if contrary to his law.

Starting point is 03:46:05 As for the lust of the belly, eating and drinking, what pleaseth Allah thereof is that each take naught, save that which the Almighty hath appointed him, be it little or mickle, and praise the Lord and thank him. And what angereth him thereof is that a man might take that which is not his by right. All precepts other than these are false, and thou knowest that Allah created everything, and delighted only in good, and commandeth each member of the body to do that which he hath made on it incumbent,

Starting point is 03:46:44 for that he is the all-wise, the all-knowing. Was it foreknown unto Allah Almighty Exalted be his power That Adam, by eating of the tree from which he forbade him, And whence befell what Bethel would leave obedience for disobedience? Yes, O sage youth, This was foreknown unto Allah Almighty, er he created Adam, And the proof and manifestation attach thereto

Starting point is 03:47:17 is the warning he gave him against eating of the tree, and his informing him that if he ate of the fruit, he would be disobedient. And this was in the way of justice and equity, lest Adam should have an argument wherewith he might excuse himself against his lord. When therefore he fell into error and calamity, and when disgrace waxed sore upon him and reproach, this passed to him posterity after him. Wherefore Allah sent prophets and apostles,

Starting point is 03:47:55 and gave to them books, and they taught us the divine commandments, and expounded to us what was therein of admonitions and precepts, and made clear to us and manifest the way of righteousness, and explained to us what it behooved us to do and what to leave undone. Now we are endowed with free will, and he who acteth within these lawful limits winneth his wish, and prospereth. While those who so transgresseth these legal bounds, and doeth other than that which

Starting point is 03:48:34 these precepts enjoin, resisteth the Lord, and is ruined in both abodes. This then is the road of good and evil. thou knowest that Allah over all things is omnipotent and created not lusts for us but of his pleasure and voluntary and he bade us use them in the way of lawfulness so they might be to us a good but when we use them in the way of sinfulness

Starting point is 03:49:03 they are to us an evil therefore what of righteous we compass is from Allah Almighty in what of wrong us from ourselves his creatures, not from the Creator. Exalted be he, herefore, with highmost exaltation. And Chowrazad perceived the dawn of day, and cease to say her permitted say. End of night nine hundred and fifteen. Night nine hundred and sixteen.

Starting point is 03:49:39 When it was the nine hundred and sixteenth night, she contained. It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the youth King Jaliat's son had questioned Shemus concerning these subtleties, and had been duly answered, he pursued. That which thou hast expounded to me concerning Allah and his creatures, I understand, but tell me of one matter concerning which my mind is perplexed with extreme wonderment, and that is that I marvel at the sons of Adam, how careless they are, of the life to come, and at their lack of taking thought thereof,

Starting point is 03:50:22 and their love to this world, albeit they know that they must needs leave it and depart from it whilst they are yet young in years. Yes, verily, and that which thou seest of its changefulness and traitorousness with its children, is a sign that, that fortune to the fortunate will not endure, nor to the afflicted affliction, for none of its people

Starting point is 03:50:49 is secure from its changefulness, and even if one have power over it, and be content therewith, yet there is no help but that this estate change and removal hasten unto him. Wherefore man can put no trust therein, nor profit by that which he enjoy us, of its gilding and glitter. And we knowing this will know that the sorriest of men in condition are those who are deluded by this world, and are unmindful of the other world. For that what so of present ease they enjoy

Starting point is 03:51:31 will not even the fear and misery and horrors which will befall them after their removal there from. Thus are we certified That if the creature knew that which will betide him With the coming of death And his severance from that which he enjoyeth of pleasure and delight He would cast away the world And that which is therein

Starting point is 03:51:56 For we are certified that the next life is better for us And more profitable Said the prince O sage Thou hast to spell the darkness that was upon my heart by the light of thy shining lamp, and hast directed me into the right road I must tread on the track of truth, and hast given me a lantern whereby I may see.

Starting point is 03:52:25 Then rose one of the learned men, who were in the presence, and said, When cometh the season of prime, needs must the hair seek the pasture as well as the elephant. And indeed I have heard from you twain such questions and solutions as I never before heard. But now leave that, and let me ask you of somewhat. Tell me, what is the best of the goods of the world? Replied the prince. Health of body, lawful livelihood, and a virtuous son. What is the greater and what is the less?

Starting point is 03:53:08 The greater is that to which a lesser than itself submitteth, and the less that which submiteth to a greater than itself. What are the four things wherein concur all creatures? Men concur in meat and drink, the sweet of sleep, the lust of women, and the agonies of death. What are the three things whose foulness none can do away? Folly, meanness of nature, and lying. What is the best kind of lie, though all kinds are foul? That which averteth harm from its utterer and bringeth gain? What kind of truthfulness is foul, though all kinds be fair?

Starting point is 03:54:03 that of a man glorying in that which he hath, and vaunting himself thereof. What is the foulest of foulnesses, when a man boasteth himself of that which he hath not? Who is the most foolish of men? He who hath no thought, but of what he shall put in his belly. Then said Shemus, O king, verily thou art our king, but we desire that thou assign the kingdom to thy son after thee, and we will be thy servants in legions. So the king exhorted the Olemma and others who were in the presence,

Starting point is 03:54:51 to remember that which they had heard, and do according thereto, and enjoined them to obey his son's commandment, for that he made him his heir apparent, so he should be the success. of the king, his sire. And he took an oath of all the people of his empire, literates and braves, and old men and boys, to mention none other that they would not oppose him in the succession, nor transgress against his commandment. Now when the prince was seventeen years old, the king sickened of a sore sickness and came deny to die. So, being certified that his decease was at hand, he said to the people of his household,

Starting point is 03:55:39 This is disease of death which is upon me. Wherefore do ye summon my son and kith and kin, and gather together the grandees and notables of my empire, so not one of them may remain except he be present. Accordingly, they fared forth and made proclamation to those who were near, and published the summons to those who were afar off, and they all assembled and went in to the king. Then said they to him,

Starting point is 03:56:16 How was it with thee, O king, and how deemest thou for thyself of these thydelours? Quoth Jaliad, Verily this my malady is mortal, And the shaft of death Hath executed that which Allah Almighty decreed against me. This is the last of my days in the world here, And the first of my days in the world hereafter.

Starting point is 03:56:44 Then said he to his son, Draw near unto me. So the youth drew near, Weeping, with weeping, with weeping, so sore that he well nigh drenched the bed, whilst the king's eyes welled tears, and all who were present wept. Quote Jaliad.

Starting point is 03:57:06 Weep not, O my son. I am not the first whom this inevitable betideth. Nay, it is common to all that Allah hath created. But fear thou the Almighty, and do good deeds which shall proceed thee to the place, whether all creatures tend and wend. Obey not thy lusts, but occupy thy soul with lauding the Lord

Starting point is 03:57:34 in thy standing up and thy sitting down, in thy walking and in thy sleeping. Make the truth the aim of thine eyes. This is the last of my speech with thee, and the peace. And Shara Zad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Knight 916.

Starting point is 03:58:05 Recording by Andri Levy.com. Lisbon, Portugal. Section 15 of The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night. Volume 9 This is a Libervox recording. All Libervox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer,

Starting point is 03:58:34 here, please visit Librevox.org. Recording by Andrileavy. Andreleavy.net, Lisbon, Portugal. The Book of the Thousand Nights in a Night, Volume 9, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Knight 917. When it was the 917th night, she pursued. It hath reached me, O auspicious king.

Starting point is 03:59:07 that when King Jaliad charged his son with such injunctions, and made him his heir to succeed him in his reign, the prince said, O dear father mine, thou know'st that I have ever been to the obedient, and thy commandment carrying out, mindful of thine injunctions and thine reproof-seeking, for thou hast been to me the best of fathers.

Starting point is 03:59:32 How then after thy death shall I depart from that which contented thee. And now, having fairly ordered my nurture, thou art about to depart from me, and I have no power to bring thee back to me. But, and I be mindful of thy charge, I shall be blessed therein, and great good fortune shall betide me. Quoth the king, and indeed he was in the last agony of departing life. Dear my son, cleave fast unto ten precepts,

Starting point is 04:00:07 which, if thou hold, Allah shall profit thee herewith in this world and the next world, and they are as follows. Whenest thou art rough, curb thy wrath. When thou art afflicted,

Starting point is 04:00:24 be patient. When thou speakest, be soothful. when thou promises perform, when thou judgest do justice, when thou hast power, be merciful,

Starting point is 04:00:42 deal generously by thy governors and lieutenants, forgive thy foes, be lavish of good offices to thine adversary and stay thy mischief from him. Observe also other ten precepts, wherewith Allah shall profit thee among the people of thy realm, to wit.

Starting point is 04:01:07 When thou dividest, be just, when thou punishest oppress not, when thou engages thyself, fulfill thine engagement, harken to those that give thee loyal counsel, when offenses offer to thee neglected, abstain from contention, enjoin, thy subjects to the observance of the divine laws and of praiseworthy practices. Abate ignorance with a sharp sword. Withhold thy regard from treachery and its untruth. And lastly, do equal justice between the folk, so they may love thee, great and small,

Starting point is 04:01:52 and the wicked and corrupt of them may fear thee. Then he addressed himself to the emirs and Olemma, which were present when he appointed his son to be his successor, saying, Beware ye of transgressing the commandment of your king, and neglecting to hearken to your chief, for therein lieth ruin for your realm, and sundering for your society, and bane for your bodies,

Starting point is 04:02:21 and perdition for your possessions, and your foe would exult over you. Well ye what the covenant, ye made with me, and even thus shall be your covenant with this youth, and the troth which plighteth between you and me shall be also between you and him. Wherefore it behooveth you to give ear unto and obey his commandment, for that in this is the well-being of your conditions. So be ye constant with him, anent that wherein ye were with me, and your estate shall prosper, and your affairs be fair. For behold, he hath the kingship over you, and is the lord of your fortune, and the peace.

Starting point is 04:03:11 Then the death agony seized him, and his tongue was bridled, so he pressed his son to him, and kissed him, and gave thanks unto Allah, after which his hour came, and his soul fared forth. All his subjects and the people of his court mourned and keened over him, and they shrouded him and buried him with pomp and honor and reverence, after which they returned with the prince and clad him in the royal robes and crowned him with his father's crown and put the seal-ring on his finger after seating him on the throne of sovereignty. The young king ordered himself towards them after his father's fashion. of mildness and justice and benevolence.

Starting point is 04:03:59 For a little while, till the world waylaid him, and entangled him in his lusts, whereupon its pleasures made him their prey, and he turned to its guilding and giggas, forsaking the engagements which his father had imposed on him, and casting off his obedience to him, neglecting the affairs of his reign, and treading a road wherein was his own,

Starting point is 04:04:25 The love of women waxed stark in him, and came to such a pass that, whenever he heard tell of the beauty, he would send for her and take her to wife. And after this wise, he collected women more in number than ever had Solomon, David's son, king of the children of Israel. Also, he would shut himself up with the company of them for a month at a time, during which he went not forth, neither inquired of his realm or its rule, nor looked into the grievances of such of his subjects as complained to him, and if they wrote to him, he returned them no reply. Now when they saw this and witnessed his neglect of their affairs and lack of care for their interests and those of the state, they were assured that ere long some calamity would betide them, and this was grievous to them. So they met privily one with other, and took counsel together,

Starting point is 04:05:28 blaming their king, and one of them said to the rest, come, let us go to Shimas, chief of the wazirs, and set forth to him our case, and acquaint him with that wherein we are by reason of this king, so he may admonish him. Else in a little calamity will dawn upon us, for the world hath dazzled the sovereign with its delights and seduced him with its snares. Accordingly they repair Tishimas and said to him, O wise man and prudent, the world hath dazed the king with its delights, and taken him in its toils, so that he turneth unto vanity and worketh for the undoing of the state. Now with the disordering of the state the commons will be corrupted,

Starting point is 04:06:16 and our affairs will run to rule. We see him not for days and months, nor cometh thereforth from him any commandment to us, or to the wazir, or any else. We cannot refer aught of our need to him, and he looketh not to the administration of justice, nor takeeth thought to the condition of any of his subjects and his disregard of them. And behold, we are come to acquaint thee with the truth of things, for that thou art the chiefest and most accomplished of us, and it behooveth not that calamity before the land wherein thou dwellest, seeing that thou art most able of any to amend this king.

Starting point is 04:06:57 Wherefore go thou, and speak with him, happily he will hearken to thy word and return unto the way of Allah. Sohimus arose forthright and repairing to the palace, for gathered with the first page he could find, said to him, "'Fair, my son, I beseech thee askly for me to go in to the king, for I have an affair concerning which I would feign see his face, and acquaint him therewith, and hear what he shall answer me there, and ent. Answer the page. O my lord by Allah, this month past hath he given none leave to come into him, nor have I all

Starting point is 04:07:37 this time looked upon his face. But I will direct thee to one who shall crave admission. for thee. Do thou lay hold of such a blackamore slave that standeth at his head, and bringeth him food from the kitchen? When he cometh forth to go to the kitchen, ask him what seemeth good to thee, for he will do for thee that which thou desirest. So the wazir repaired to the door of the kitchen, and sat there a little while, till up came the black, and would have entered the kitchen, but Shemus caught hold of him and said to him, Dear my son, I would fain stand in presence of the king, and speak with him of somewhat specially concerneth him, so prithee of thy kindness, when he hath ended his undurn meal,

Starting point is 04:08:25 and his temper is at its best, speak for me and give me leave to approach him, so I may bespeak him of that which shall suit him. I hear and obey, answered the plaque, and taking the food carried it to the king, who ate thereof, and his temper was soothed their best. Then said the black to him, Shemus standeth at the door and craveth admission, so he may acquaint thee with matters that especially concern thee. At this the king was alarmed and disquieted, and commanded to admit the minister.

Starting point is 04:09:03 And Sherezad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. End of night nine hundred and seventeen. night 918 when it was the 918th night she resumed it hath reached me o auspicious king that when the king bade the blackamur admit shemas the slave went forth to him and bade him enter whereupon he went in and falling prone before allah kissed the king's hands and blessed him then said the king What hath betided thee, O Shimas, that thou seekest admission unto me? He answered, This long while have I not looked upon the face of my lord the king, And indeed I longed sore for thee,

Starting point is 04:10:01 And now behold, I have seen thy countenance, And come to thee with a word which I would leave say to thee, O king, established in all prosperity. Quote the king, Say what seemeth good to thee, and quoth shimas i would have thee bear in mind o king that allah almighty hath endow thee with learning and wisdom for all the tenderness of thy years such as he never vouchsafed unto any of the kings before thee and hath fulfilled the measure of his bounties to thee with the kingship and he loveth not that thou depart from that wherewith he hath endow thee unto other than it by means of thy disobedience to him wherefore it behooveth thee not to levy war against him with thy hordes but of his injunctions to be mindful and unto his commandments obedient indeed i have seen thee this while past

Starting point is 04:11:00 forget thy sire and his charges, and reject his covenant, and neglect his counsel in words of wisdom, and renounce his justice and good governance, remembering not the bounty of Allah to thee, nor requiting it with gratitude and thanks to him. The king asked, How so, and what is the manner of this? And Shemus answered, The manner of it is that thou neglectest to administer the effect of affairs of the state, and that which Allah hath committed unto thee of the interests of thy lieges, and surrenderest thyself to thy lower nature, in that which it maketh fair to thee of the slight lusts of the world. Verily it is said that the welfare of the state, and of the faith, and of the

Starting point is 04:11:50 folk, is of the things which it behooveth the king to watch, wherefore it is my red, O king, that thou look fairly to the issue of thine affair, for thus wilt thou find the manifest road wherein is salvation, and not except a trifling pleasure and a transient which leadeth to the abyss of destruction, lest there befall thee that which befell the fisherman. The king asked, What was that?

Starting point is 04:12:21 And Shemis answered. There hath reached me this tale of the foolish fisherman, a fisherman went forth to a river for fishing therein as was his wont and when he came thither and walked upon the bridge he saw a great fish and said in himself "'Twill not serve me to abide here, "'but I will follow yonder fish "'wether so it goeth, till I catch it, "'for it will relieve me from fishing "'for days and days.

Starting point is 04:12:50 "'So he did off his clothes "'and plunged into the river after the fish. "'The current bore him along "'till he overtook it and laid hold of it. "'When he turned and found himself far from the bank. "'But albeit he saw what the stream had done with him, "'he would not loose the fish and return, but ventured life and gripping it fast with both hands let his body float with the flow,

Starting point is 04:13:14 which carried him on till it cast him into a whirlpool none might enter and come out therefrom. With this he fell to crying out and saying, Save a drowning man! And there came to him folk of the keepers of the river and said to him, What ailed thee to cast thyself into this great peril? Quoth he, It was I myself who forsook the plain way wherein was salvation,

Starting point is 04:13:40 and gave myself over to concupiscence and perdition. Quoth they, O fellow, why didst thou leave the way of safety, and cast thyself into this destruction, knowing from of all that none may enter herein and be saved? What hindered thee from throwing away what was in thy hand and saving thyself? So hadst thou escaped with thy life,

Starting point is 04:14:04 and not fallen into this perdition whence there is no deliverance, and now not one of us can rescue thee from this thy ruin." Accordingly the man cut off all his hopes of life, and lost that which was in his hand, and for which his flesh had prompted him to venture himself, and died the miserable death. And I tell thee not this parable, O king, added Chimas, but that thou mayst leave this contemptible conduct that diverted thee from thy duties, and look to that which is committed to thee of the rule of thy folk, and the maintenance of the order of thy realm, so that none may see fault in thee.

Starting point is 04:14:46 The king asked, What wouldst thou have me do? And Shemus answered, To-morrow, and thou be well, and in good case, give the folk-leave to come in to thee and look into their affairs, and excuse thyself to them, and promise them of thine own accord, good governance, and prosperity. Quote the king, O Shimas, thou hast spoken sensibly and rightly, and to-morrow, inshallah, I will do that which thou counsellest me. So the wazir went out from him,

Starting point is 04:15:21 and told the lieges all he had said to him, and when morning morrowed, the king came forth of his privacy and bade admit the people, to whom he excused himself, promising them that thenceforth he would deal with them as they wished, wherewith they were content, and departed each to his own dwelling. Then one of the king's wives, who was his best beloved of them and most in honor with him, visited him, and seeing him changed of color and thoughtful over his affairs,

Starting point is 04:15:54 by reason of that which he had heard from his chief wazir, said to him, "'Oh, King, how is it that I see thee troubled in mind?' "'Hast thou ought to complain, no?' answered he. "'No, but my pleasures have distracted me from my duties. What right have I to be thus negligent of my affairs and those of my subjects? If I continue on this wise, soon, very soon the kingdom will pass out of my hand.' She rejoined. I see, O king, that thou hast been duped by the wazirs and ministers,

Starting point is 04:16:34 who wish but to torment and entrap thee, so thou mayst have no joyance of this thy kingship, neither feel ease nor taste delight. Nay, they would have thee consume thy life in warding off trouble from them, till thy days be wasted in travail and weariness, and thou be as one who slayeth himself for the benefit of a night, another, or like the boy and the thieves?" asked the king, how was that?

Starting point is 04:17:03 And she answered. They tell the following tale anent the boy and the thieves. Seven thieves once went out to steal according to their custom and fell in with the boy, poor an orphan to boot, who besought them for somewhat to eat. One of them asked him, will thou go with us old boy and we will feed thee and give thee drink clothe thee and entreat thee kindly and he answered needs must i go with you whither so ye will and ye are as my own kith and kin So they took him and fared on with him, till they came to a garden, and entering went round about therein till they found a walnut-tree laden with ripe fruit, and said to him,

Starting point is 04:17:54 O boy, wilt thou enter this garden with us, and swarm up this tree, and eat of its walnuts thy sufficiency, and throw the rest down to us? He consented and entered with them And Sherazade perceived the dawn of day And ceased saying her permitted say End of Night 918 Section 16 of The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night Volume 9

Starting point is 04:18:42 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 Andrelevi, Andrelevi.net, Lisbon, Portugal. The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Knight 919. When it was the 919th night, she said,

Starting point is 04:19:14 it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the boy consented and entered with the thieves, one of them said to other, Look which is the lightest and smallest of us and make him climb the tree. And they said, None of us is slighter than this boy. So they sent him up into the tree and said to him,

Starting point is 04:19:36 Oh boy, touch not aught of the fruit, lest some one see thee and work thee a mischief. He asked, How then shall I do? And they answered, Sit among the boughs, And shake them one by one with all thy might, So that which is thereon may fall,

Starting point is 04:19:56 And we will pick it up. Then, when thou hast made an end of shaking down the fruit, Come down, and take thy share of that which we have gathered. Accordingly, he began to shake every branch at which he could come, So that the nuts fell, and the thief, leaves pick them up, and ate some, and hid other some till all were full, save the boy, who had eaten naught. As they were thus engaged, behold, up came the owner of the garden, who standing to witness

Starting point is 04:20:31 the spectacle inquired of them. What do ye with this tree? They replied, We have taken naught thereof, but we were passing by, and seeing yonder boy on the tree took him for the owner thereof and besought him to give us to eat of the fruit thereat he fell to shaking one of the branches so that the nuts dropped down and we are not at fault quoth the master to the boy what sayest thou and quoth he these men lie but i will tell thee the truth it is that we all came hither together and they bade me climb the tree and shake its boughs that the nuts might fall down to them, and I obeyed their bidding," said the master, "'Thou hast cast thyself into a sore calamity, but hast thou profited by eating aught of the fruit?' and he said, "'I have eaten naught thereof,' rejoined the owner of the garden.

Starting point is 04:21:36 "'Now know I thy folly and thine ignorance, and that thou hast wrought to ruin thyself and profit, at others then said he to the thieves i have no resort against you so wend your ways but he laid hands on the boy and punished him likewise added the favourite thy wazirs and officers of state would sacrifice thee to their interests and do with thee as did the thieves with the boy answered the king thou sayest sooth and speakest truth and speakest truth I will not go forth to them, nor leave my pleasures. Then he passed the night with his wife in all delight till the morning, when the Grand Wazir arose, and assembling the officers of state, together with those of the lieges who were present with them, repaired with them to the palace gate, congratulating one another and rejoicing.

Starting point is 04:22:38 But the door opened not, nor did the king come forth unto them, nor give them leave to go in to him. So when they despaired of him, they said to Shimas, O excellent wazir and accomplished sage, Seest thou not the behavior of this lad, young of years and little of wit, how he addeth to his offences falsehood. See how he hath broken his promise to us,

Starting point is 04:23:04 and hath not perform that for which he engaged unto us. And this sin, it behooveth thee, join unto his other sense but we beseech thee go into him yet again and discover what is the cause of his holding back and refusal to come forth for we doubt not but that the like of this action cometh of his corrupt nature and indeed he is now hardened to the highest degree accordingly shimus went in to the king and bespake him saying peace be with thee o king how cometh it that i see thee give thyself up to these slight pleasures and neglect the great affair where to it behooveth thee so dolessly apply thyself thou art like unto a man who had a milch camel and coming one day to milk her the goodness of her milk made him neglect to hold fast her halter which when as she felt she hailed herself free and made off into the wold thus the man lost both milk and camel and the longed and the loss that betided him surpassed his gain wherefore o king do thou look unto that wherein is thy welfare and the wheel of thy subjects for even as it behooveth not the man to sit for ever at the kitchen door because of his need unto food so should he not auway company with women by reason of his inclination to them and as a man should eat but as much food as will guard him from the pains of hunger

Starting point is 04:24:36 and drink but what will ward off the pangs of thirst in like manner it behooveth the sensible man to content himself with passing two of the four-and-twenty hours of his day with women and expend the rest in ordering his own affairs and those of his people for to be longer than this in company with women is hurtful both to mind and body seeing that they bid not unto good neither direct thereto wherefore it besitteth not a man to accept from them or word or deed, for indeed it hath reached me, that many men have come to ruin through their women, and amongst others a certain man who perished through conversation with his wife at her command. The king asked, How was that? And Chimis answered, saying, Hear, O king, the tale of the man and his wife.

Starting point is 04:25:28 They relate that a certain man had a wife whom he loved and honoured, giving ear to her speech and doing according to her read. moreover he had a garden which he had newly planted with his own hand and was wont to go thither every day to tend it and water it one day his wife asked him what hast thou planted in thy garden and he answered all thou lovest and desirest and i am assidious intending and watering it quoth she wilt thou not carry me thither and show it to me so i may look upon it and offer thee up a pious prayer for its prosperity, seeing that my orisons are effectual, quoth he. I will well, but have patience with me till the morrow, when I will come and take thee. So early on the ensuing day he carried her to the garden which she entered with her. Now two young men saw them enter from afar, and said two other,

Starting point is 04:26:28 Yonder man is an adulterer, and yonder woman an adulteress, and they have not entered this garden, to commit adultery." Thereupon they followed the couple to see what they would do, and hid themselves in a corner of the garden. The man and his wife, after entering, abode a while therein, and presently he said to her, Pray me the prayer thou didst promise me, and she replied, saying, I will not pray for thee, until thou do away my desire of that which women seek from men, cried he. out on thee o woman hast thou not thy fill of me in the house here i fear scandal specially as thou divertest me from my affairs fearest thou not that some one will see us

Starting point is 04:27:17 quoth she we need have no care for that seeing that we do neither sin nor lewdness and as for the watering of the garden that may wait because thou canst water it when thou wilt and she would take neither excuse nor reason from him but was instant with him in seeking carnal coition so he arose and lay with her which when the young men aforesaid saw they ran upon them and seized them saying we will not let you go for ye are adulterers and except we have carnal knowledge with the woman we will report you to the police answer the man fie upon you this is my wife and i am the master of the garden they paid no heed to him but fell upon the woman who cried out to him for succour saying suffer them not to defile me accordingly he came up to them calling out for help but one of them turned on him and smote him with his dagger and slew him and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say end of night nine hundred and nineteen night nine hundred and twenty when it was the nine hundred and twentieth night she continued it hath reached me o auspicious king that after slaying the husband the two young men returned to the wife and ravished her this i tell thee o king continue the wazir but that thou mayest know that it becometh not men to give ear unto a woman's talk neither obey her in aught nor accept her judgment in counsel beware then lest thou don the dress of ignorance after the robe of knowledge and wisdom and follow perverse reed after knowing that which is righteous and profitable wherefore pursue thou not a paltry pleasure whose trends

Starting point is 04:29:19 is to corruption, and whose inclining is unto sore and uttermost perdition. When the king heard this from Shimas, he said to him, Tomorrow I will come forth to them, and it be the will of Allah the most high. So she must return to the grandees and notables who were present, and told them what the king had said. But this came to the ears of the favorite wife, whereupon she went in to the king and said to him, the subjects of a king should be his slaves but i see o king thou art become a slave to thy subjects because thou standest in awe of them and fearst their mischief

Starting point is 04:30:02 they do but desire to make proof of thine inner man and if they find thee weak they will disdain thee but if they find thee stout and brave they will dread thee on this wise do ill wazirs with their king for that their wiles are many but i will make manifest unto thee the truth of their malice and thou comply with the conditions they demand they will cause thee cease ruling and do their will nor will they leave leading thee on from affair to affair till they cast thee into destruction in thy case will be that as of the merchant and the robbers ask the king how was that and she answered i have heard tell this tale anent the merchant and the robbers There was once a wealthy merchant, who set out for a certain city, proposing to sell merchandise there, and when he came thither he hired a lodging wherein he took up his abode. Now certain robbers saw him. Men want to lie in wait for merchants that they might rob their goods. So they went to his house and sought some device whereby to enter in,

Starting point is 04:31:14 but could find no way thereto, and their captain said, i'll manage you his matter then he went away and donning the dress of a leech threw over his shoulder a bag containing somewhat of medicines after which he set out crying who lacks a doctor and fared on till he came to the merchant's lodging and him sitting eating the noonday dinner so he asked him dost thou need a physician and the trader answered i need naught of the kind but sit thee down and eat with me the thief sat down facing him and began to eat now this merchant was a belle furchette and a robber seeing this said to himself i have found my chance then he turned to his host and said to him tis but right for me to give thee an admonition and after thy kindness to me i cannot hide it from thee i see thee to be a great eater and the cause of this is a disorder in thy stomach wherefore unless thou take speedy measures for thy cure thine affair will end in perdition quoth the merchant my body is sound and my stomach speedy of digestion and though i be a hearty eater yet is there no disease in my body to allah be the praise and the thanks quoth the robber it may appear thus unto thee but i know thou hast a disease incubating in thy vitals and if thou hearken to me thou wilt medicine thyself the merchant asked

Starting point is 04:32:58 and where shall i find him who knoweth my remedy and the robber answered allah is the healer but a physician like myself curest the sick to the best of his power then the other said show me at once my remedy and give me thereof hereupon he gave him a powder wherein was a strong dose of aloes saying use this to-night and he accepted it gratefully when the night came the merchant tasted somewhat of the powder and found it nauseous of gust nevertheless he misdoubted not of it but swallowed it all and therefrom found ease that night next night the thief brought him another powder wherein was yet more aloes and he took it it purged him that night but he bore patiently with this and rejected it not when the robber saw that he gave ear unto his word and put trust in him nor would gainsay him in aught he brought him a deadly drug and gave it to him the merchant swallowed it and no sooner had he done this than that which was in his stomach fell down and his bowels were rent and sunder and by the morrow he was a dead man whereupon the robbers came and took all the merchandise and monies that belonged to him this i tell thee o king added the favourite but that thou mayst not accept one word from these deluders else will there befall thee that whereby thou wilt destroy thyself cry the king thou sayest sooth i will not go forth to them now when the morning morrowed the folk assembled together and repairing to the king's door sat there the most part of the day till they despaired of his coming

Starting point is 04:34:56 forth when they returned to shimas and said to him o sage philosopher and experienced master seest thou not that this ignorant lad doth not but redouble in falser to us verily twere only reasonable and right to take the kingdom from him and give it to another so our affairs may be ordered and our estates maintained but go thou into him a third time and tell him that naught hindereth us from rising against him and taking the kingship from him but his father's goodness to us and that which he required from us of oaths and engagements however to-morrow we will all to the last of us assemble here with our arms and break down the gate of the citadel and if he come forth to us and do that which we wish no harm is yet done else we will go into him and slay him and put the kingdom in the hand of other than he So the wazir she must went in to him and said, O king, that grovelest in thy gusts and thy lusts, What is this thou dost with thyself? Would heaven, I wot who seduce thee thereto?

Starting point is 04:36:12 And it be thou who sinnest against thyself, There hath ceased from thee that which we knew In thee aforetime of integrity and wisdom and eloquence. Could I but learn who hath thus changed thee, and fume thee from wisdom to folly, and from fidelity to iniquity, and from mildness to harshness, and from acceptance of me,

Starting point is 04:36:35 to aversion from me. How cometh it, that I admonish thee thrice, and thou acceptest not mine admonition, and that I counsel thee rightfully, and still thou gainsayest my counsel? Tell me what is this child's play, and who is it that prompteth,

Starting point is 04:36:56 thee thereunto know that the people of thy kingdom have agreed together to come in to thee and slay thee and give thy kingdom to another art able to cope with them all and save thyself from their hands or canst quicken thyself after being killed if indeed thou be potent to do all this though art safe and hast no occasion for my read but in thou have any concern for thy life and thy kingship return to thy sound sense and hold fast thy reign and show forth to the folk the power of thy prowess and persuade the people with thine excuse for they are minded to tear away that which is in thy hand and commit it unto another being resolved upon revolt and rebellion led thereto by that which they know of thy youth and thy self-submission to loveliest and lusts for that stones albeit they lie long under water and thou withdraw them therefrom and smite one upon the other fire will be struck from them now thy lieges are many folk and they have taken counsel together against thee with a design to transfer the kingship from thee to another and accomplish upon thee whatso they desire of thy destruction so shalt thou fair as did the jackals with the wolf And Sharazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of night, 920.

Starting point is 04:38:47 Section 17 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9. This is a Libervox recording. All Libervox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librevox.org. Recording by Andrei Levy, Andrelevy.net, Lisbon, Portugal. The Book of the Thousand Nights in a Night, Volume 9, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Night 921

Starting point is 04:39:20 When it was the 921st night she pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That the wazir Shimas concluded with saying, and they shall accomplish upon thee whatso they desire of thy destruction, so shalt thou fare as fare the jackals with the wolf? Ask the king, how was that? And the wazir answered. They tell the following tale of the jackals and the wolf.

Starting point is 04:39:49 A pack of jackals went out one day to seek food, as they prowled about in quest of this. Behold, they happened upon a dead camel, and said in themselves, verily we have found wherewithal we may live a great while, but we fear lest one of us oppress the other, and the strong bear down the weak with his strength, and so the puny of us perish.

Starting point is 04:40:13 Wherefore it behoveth us seek one who shall judge between us, and appoint unto each his part, so the forceful may not lord it over the feeble, as they consulted together on such subject, suddenly up came a wolf, and one of the jackals said to the others, Right is your reed, let us make this wolf judge between us, for he is the strongest of beasts,

Starting point is 04:40:37 and his father was sultan over us aforetime, so we hope in Allah that he will do justice between us. Accordingly they accosted the wolf, and equating him with what they had resolved concerning him, said, We make thee judge between us, so thou mayest allot unto each of us his day, meal, after the measure of his need, lest the strong of us bear down the weak, and some of us destroy

Starting point is 04:41:04 other of us. The wolf accepted the governance of their affairs, and allotted to each of them what sufficed him that day. But on the morrow he said in his mind, and I divide this camel amongst these weaklings, no part thereof will come to me, save the pittance they will assign to me, and if I eat it alone, they can do me no harm seeing that they are a prey to me and to the people of my house who then is the one to hinder me from taking it all for myself surely tis allah who hath bestowed it on me by way of provision without any obligation to any of them it were best that i keep it for myself and henceforth i will give them naught accordingly next morning when the jackals came to him as was their wont and sought of him their food saying o abu shiron give us our day's prevender he answered saying i have nothing left to give you whereupon they went away in the sorriest plight saying verily allah hath cast us into grievous trouble with this foul traitor who regardeth not allah nor feareth him but we have neither stratagem nor strength on our side

Starting point is 04:42:23 cried. Moreover, one of them said, Happily twas but stress of hunger that moved him to this, so let him eat his fill to-day, and to-morrow we will go to him again. Accordingly on the morrow they again betook themselves to the wolf and said to him, O Father Afore, we gave thee authority over us that thou mightest apportion unto each of us his days meet, and do the weak justice against the strong of us, and that when this provant is finished, thou shouldst do thine endeavor to get us other, and so we be always under thy watch and ward. Now hunger is hard upon us, for that we have not eaten these two days,

Starting point is 04:43:10 so do thou give us our day's ration, and thou shalt be free to dispose of all that Remaindeth as thou wilt. But the wolf returned them no answer, and redoubled in his hardness of heart, And when they strive to turn him from his purpose, he would not be turned. Then said one of the jackals to the rest, Nothing will serve us but that we go to the lion, And cast ourselves on his protection, and assign unto him the camel. If he vouchsafe us aught thereof, t'l be of his favour, and if not

Starting point is 04:43:46 he is worthier of it than this scurvy rascal. So they betook themselves to the lion, and acquainted him with that which had betided them from the wolf, saying, We are thy slaves, and come to thee imploring thy protection, so thou mayest deliver us from this wolf, and we will be thy thralls. When the lion heard their story he was jealous for Almighty Allah, and went with them in quest of the wolf, who, seeing him approach, addressed himself to flight.

Starting point is 04:44:20 But the lion ran after him, and seizing him, rent him in pieces, and restore their prey to the jackals. This showeth, added Chimas, that it fitheth no king to neglect the affairs of his subjects. Wherefore, do thou hearken to my reed, and give credit to the words which I say to thee, quoth the king, I will hearken to thee, and to-morrow, inshallah, I will go forth to them. Accordingly, Shimas went from him, and returning to the folk, told them that the king had accepted his advice, and promised to come out onto them on the morrow. But when the favorite heard this saying reported of Shemus, and was certified that needs must the king go forth to his subjects, Sheba took herself to him in haste, and said to him,

Starting point is 04:45:09 How great is my wonder at thy submissiveness and thine obedience to thy slaves? Knowest thou not that these wazirs are thy thralls? Why then dost thou exalt them to this highmost pitch of importance, that they imagined them it was they gave thee this kingship, and advance thee to this rank, and that it is they who confer favors on thee, albeit they have no power to do thee the least damage? Indeed, tis not the thou who oweest submission to them, but on the contrary they owe it to thee, and it is their duty to carry out thine orders. How cometh it, then, that thou art so mightily affrightened at them? It is said, unless thy heart be like iron, thou art not fit to be a sovereign.

Starting point is 04:46:01 But thy mildness hath deluded these men, so that they presume upon thee and cast off their allegiance, although it behooved that they be constrained unto thy obedience and enforced to thy submission. Therefore, and thou hasten to accept their words, and leave them as they now are, and vouchsafe

Starting point is 04:46:22 to them the least thing against thy will, they will weigh heavily upon thee, and require other concessions of thee, and this will become their habit. But an thou hearken to me, thou wilt not advance any one of them to power,

Starting point is 04:46:38 Either wilt thou accept his word, nor encourage him to presume upon thee. Else wilt thou fare with them, as did the shepherd with the rogue. Ask the king, how was that? And she answered. They relate this adventure of the shepherd and the rogue. There was once a shepherd who fed a flock of sheep in the wood, and kept over them straight watch. One night there came to him a rogue, thinking to steal some of

Starting point is 04:47:08 his charges, and finding him assiduous in guarding them, sleeping not by night nor neglecting them by day, prowled about him all the livelong night, but could plunder nothing from him. So when he was weary of striving, he betook himself to another part of the waste, and, trapping a lion, skinned him and stuffed his hide with bruised straw, after which he set it up on a high place in the desert, where the shepherd might see it and be assured thereof. Then he accosted the shepherd and said to him, Yonder lion hath sent me to demand his supper of these sheep. And the shepherd asked, where is the lion?

Starting point is 04:47:51 And the rogue answered, Lift thine eyes, there it standeth. So the shepherd raised his eyes, and, seeing the semblance, deemed it a very lion, and was very much affrightened. And Sherazade perceived the dawn of day And ceased to say her permitted say End of night 921 Night 922 When it was the 922nd night

Starting point is 04:48:22 She resumed It hath reached me, O auspicious king That when the shepherd saw the semblance of the lion He deemed it a very lion And was affrighted with the sorrest fright trembling for dread, so he said to the thief, O my brother, take what thou wilt, I will not gain say thee. Accordingly the rogue took what he would of the sheep,

Starting point is 04:48:46 and redoubled in greed by reason of the excess of the shepherd's fear. Accordingly every little while he would hide to him and terrify him, saying, The lion hath heed of this, and requireeth that, and his intent is to do thus, and thus, and take his sufficiency of the sheep, and he stinted not to do thus with him, till he had wasted the most part of his flock. This, O king, added the favourite,

Starting point is 04:49:14 I tell thee only that thou suffer not the grandees of thy realm to be deluded by thy mildness and easiness of temper, and presume on thee, and in right read their death were better than that they deal thus with thee. Quoth the king, i accept this thy counsel and will not hearken to their admonition neither will i go out unto them on the morrow the wazirs and officers of state and heads of the people assembled and taking each with him his weapon repair to the palace of the king so they might break in upon him and slay him and seat another in his stead when they came to the door they require the doorkeeper to open to them but he might break in upon him and slay him and seat another in his stead when they came to the door-keeper to open to them but he

Starting point is 04:50:02 refused, whereupon they sent to fetch fire, wherewith to burn down the doors and enter. The door-keeper, hearing what they said, went into the king in haste, and told him that the folk were gathered together at the gate, adding, they required me to open to them, but I refused, and they have sent to fetch fire to burn down the doors withal, so they may come into thee and slay thee. What dost thou bid me do? Quoth the king and himself, Verily, I am fallen into uttermost perdition. Then he sent for the favourite, and as soon as she came, said to her, Indeed, she must never told me aught, but I found it true,

Starting point is 04:50:44 and now great and small are come purposing to slay me and thee, and because the door-keeper would not open to them they have sent to fetch fire, to burn the doors withal, so will the house be burnt, and we therein? What dost thou counsel me to do?' She replied, "'No harms shall betide thee, Nor let thine affair affright thee. This is a time when the simple rise against their kings.'

Starting point is 04:51:12 Quoth he, "'What dost thou counsel me to do, and how shall I act in this affair?' Quoth she, "'My reed is that thou fillet thy head And feign thyself sick, Then send for the wazir shimas, who will come and see the plight wherein thou art.

Starting point is 04:51:32 And do thou say to him, Verily I propose to go forth to the folk this day, But this malady hindered me. So go thou out to them, and acquaint them with my condition, And tell them that to-morrow I will fare forth without fail to them, And do their need, and look into their affairs, So they may be reassured and their rage may subside. Then do thou summon ten?

Starting point is 04:51:58 of thy father's slaves, stalwart men of strength and prowess, to whom thou canst entrust thyself, hearing to thy hast, and complying with thy commandment, surely keeping thy secret and leath to thy love, and charge them on the morrow, to stand at thy head, and bid them suffer none of the folk to enter, save one by one, and all who enter do thou say, Seize them and do them die. And they agree with thee upon this. Tomorrow set up thy throne in the divan and open thy doors. When the folks see that thou hast opened to them, their minds will be set at ease, and they will come to thee with a whole heart, and seek admission to thee. Then do thou admit them, one after one, even as I said to thee, and work with them thy will. But it behooveth thee, begin by slaying,

Starting point is 04:52:56 Shimas, their chief and leader, for he is the Grand Wazir and head of the matter. Therefore do him die first, and after put all the rest to death, one after other, and spare none whom thou knowest to have broken with thee his covenant, and in like way slaughter all whose violence thou fearest, and thou deal thus with them, there will be left them no power to make head against thee. so shalt thou be at rest from them with full repose, and shalt enjoy thy kingship and peace, and do what so thou wilt,

Starting point is 04:53:35 and know that there is no device that will profit thee more than this. Quote the king, Verily this thy counsel is just, and that which thou biddest me is to the point, and I will assuredly do as thou directest. So he called for a fillet, and bound his head therewith and shamed sickness. Then he sent for the Grand Wazir and said to him,

Starting point is 04:54:01 O Shemus, thou knowest that I love thee, and hearken to the counsel of thee, and thou art to me as brother and father both in one. Also thou knowest that I do all thou biddest me, and indeed thou biddest me go forth to the lieges, and sit to judge between them. Now I was assured that this was right read on thy part, and proposed to go forth to them yesterday, but this sickness assailed me, and I cannot sit up.

Starting point is 04:54:29 It hath reached me that the folk are incensed at my failure to come forth to them, and are minded of their mischief to do with me that which is unmeat, for that they know not what ailment aileth me. So go thou forth to them, and acquaint them with my cause and the condition I am in, and excuse me to them,

Starting point is 04:54:49 for I am obedient to their bidding, and will do as they desire. Wherefore order this affair, and engage thyself for me, herefore, even as thou hast been a loyal counsellor to me and to my sire before me, and it is of thy want to make peace between the people. Tomorrow, inshallah, I will without fail come forth to them, and, peradventure my sickness will cease for me this night, by the blessing of the purest intent and the good I propose them in my heart.

Starting point is 04:55:20 So she must prostrated. himself to Allah, and called down blessings on the king, and kissed his hand, rejoicing at this. Then he went forth to the folk and told them what he had heard from the king, and forbade them from that which they had a mind to do, acquainting them with what excused the king for his absence, and informing them that he had promised to come forth to them on the morrow, and deal with them according to their desires, whereupon they dispersed, and high them to their houses. And Sherazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Night 922.

Starting point is 04:56:02 Recording by Andri Levy.combe.net, Lisbon, Portugal. Section 18 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9. This is a Libervox recording. All Libervox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. Recording by Andreleavy, Andreleavy.net, Lisbon, Portugal. The Book of the Thousand Nights in a Night, Volume 9, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Knight 923.

Starting point is 04:56:55 When it was the 923rd night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Shemus went from the presence to the ringleaders of the commons and said to them, Tomorrow the sovereign will come forth to you and will deal with you as ye desire. So they hide them to their homes. On such wise fared it with them. But as regards the monarch, he summoned ten slaves of gigantic stature, men of hard hearts and prow of prowess,

Starting point is 04:57:27 whom he had chosen from amongst his father's bodyguards, and said to them, Ye know the favor, esteem, and high rank ye held with my sire, and all the bounties, benefits, and honors he bestowed on you, and I will advance you to yet higher dignity with me than this. Now I will tell you the reason thereof, and ye are under safeguard of Allah from me. But first I will ask you somewhat,

Starting point is 04:57:56 wherein, if ye do my desire, obeying me in that which I shall bid you and conceal my secret from all men, ye shall have of me largesest and favour surpassing expectation. But above all things, obedience, the ten thralls answered him with one mouth, and in sequent words, saying, What so thou biddest us, O our liege, that we will do? Nor will we depart in aught from thy commandment, for thou art our lord and master.

Starting point is 04:58:30 Quoth the king, Allah allot you will. Now will I tell you the reason Why I have chosen you out For increase of honour with me. Ye know how liberally my father dealt with the folk of his realm And the oath he took from them on behalf of me And how they promised him

Starting point is 04:58:48 That they would break faith with me Nor gainsay the bidding of me. And ye saw how they did yesterday, whenest they gathered all together about me, and would have slain me. Now I am minded to do with them somewhat, and tis this. For that I have considered their action of yesterday, and see that naught will restrain them from its like, save exemplary chastisement.

Starting point is 04:59:13 Wherefore I perforce charge you privily, to do to death whom I shall point out to you, to the intent that I may ward off mischief and calamity for my realm by slaying their leaders in cheats, and the manner thereof shall be on this wise. Tomorrow I will sit on this seat in this chamber, and give them admission to me one by one, coming in at one door and going out at another, and do ye all ten stand before me, and be attentive to my signs, and whoso entereth singly, take him and drag him into yonder chamber and kill him, and hide his corpse.

Starting point is 04:59:53 The slaves answered, We hearken to thy haste, and obey thy order. Whereupon he gave them gifts, and dismissed them for the night. On the morrow he summoned the thralls, and bade set up the royal seat. Then he donned his kingly robes, and taking the book of law-cases in his hands, posted the ten slaves before him, and commanded to open the doors. So they opened the doors, and the herald proclaimed aloud, saying, Whoso hath authority, let him come to the king's carpet.

Starting point is 05:00:29 Whereupon up came the wazirs and prefects and chamberlains and stood each in his rank. Then the king bade admit them one after one, and the first to enter was Chimus, according to the custom of the Grand Wazir. But no longer had he presented himself before the king, and ere he could beware the ten slaves gathes, about him, and dragging him into the adjoining chamber, dispatched him. On the likewise, did they with the rest of the wazirs and Olemma and notables, slaying them one after other, till they made a clean finish. Then the king called the headsmen,

Starting point is 05:01:12 and bade them ply sword upon all who remained of the folk of valor and stower, so they fell on them and left none whom they knew for a man of metal, but they slew him, sparing only the proletaires and the refuse of the people. These they drove away, and they returned each to his folk, whilst the king secluded himself in his pleasures and surrendered his soul to its lusts, working tyranny, oppression, and violence, until he outraced all the men of evil who had forrun him. Now this king's dominion was a mind of gold and silver and jacents and jewels, and the neighboring rulers one and all envied him this empire, and looked for calamity to betide him.

Starting point is 05:02:00 Moreover, one of them, the king of Outer Hind, said in himself, I have gotten my desire of resting the realm from the hand of yonder silly lad, by reason of that which hath betided of his slaughter of the chiefs of his state, and of all men of valor in metal that were in his country. This is my occasion to snatch away That which is in his hand Seeing he is young in years And hath no knowledge of war

Starting point is 05:02:29 Nor judgment thereto Nor is there any left to counsel him aright or succour him Wherefore this very day will I open on him The door of mischief by writing him a writ Wherein I will flight him And reproach him with that which he hath done And see what he will reply So he indicted him a letter to the following effect.

Starting point is 05:02:53 In the name of Allah the compassionate, And after I have heard tell of that which thou hast done With thy wazirs and Olemma and men of valiancy, And that wherein to thou hast cast thyself of calamity, So that there is neither power nor strength left in thee To repel whoso shall assail thee, More by token than thou thou. transgressest and orderest thyself tyrannously and profligately.

Starting point is 05:03:24 Now Allah hath assuredly given me the conquering of thee, and the mastery over thee, and into my hand hath delivered thee. Wherefore do thou give ear to my word, and obey the commandment of me, and build me an impregnable castle, emittalmost the sea, and thou cannot do this, depart thy realm and where, with thy life go flee, for I will send unto thee from the farthest ends of Hind, twelve hordes of horse, each twelve thousand fighting men strong, who shall enter thy land and spoil thy goods, and slay thy men and carry thy women into captivity.

Starting point is 05:04:07 Moreover I will make my wazir, Badya, captain over them, and bid him lay straight siege to thy capital till the master he be. and I have bidden the bearer of this letter that he tarry with thee but days three. So, and thou do my demand, thou shalt be saved. Else will I send that which I have said unto thee. Then he sealed the scroll and gave it to a messenger, who journeyed with it till he came to the capital of Weird Khan, and delivered it to him.

Starting point is 05:04:41 When the king read it, his strength failed him. His breast waxed straight, and he made sure of destruction, having none to whom he might resort for aid or advice. Presently he rose and went in to his favourite wife, who seeing him changed of colour, said to him, What mattereth thee, O king? Quoth he, This day I am no king, but slave to the king. And he opened the letter and read it to her, whereupon she fell to weeping and wailing and rending her arraignment. Then he asked her, "'Hast thou ought of reed or resource in this grievous strait?' But she answered,

Starting point is 05:05:23 "'Women have no resource in time of war, nor have women any strength or ought of counsel. "'Tis men alone who in like of this affair have force and discourse and resource.' When the king heard her words, there befell him the utmost regret and repentance and remorse, for that he had transgressed against his wazirs and officers and lords of his land. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. End of night nine hundred and twenty-three.

Starting point is 05:06:03 Night nine hundred and twenty-four. When it was the nine-twenty-fourth night, she continued. It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when King Weird-Con her, heard the words of his favorite wife, there befell him the utmost regret and repentance, for having transgressed against and slain his wazirs and the cheats of his state. And he would that he had died ere there came to him the like of these shameful tidings. Then he said to his women, Verily there hath betided me from you that which befell the franklin and the tortoises.

Starting point is 05:06:41 Ask they, what was that? And he answered. Men tell this tale of the franklin and the tortoises. It is said that sundry tortoises dwelt once in a certain island, abounding in trees and fruiterers and rills, and it fortunate one day that a franklin, passing over the island, was overcome with the fiery heat and fatigue, and being in grievous suffering stayed his flight therein.

Starting point is 05:07:11 Presently, looking about for a cool place, he espied the resort of the tortoises and alighted down near their home. Now they were then abroad foraging for food, and when they returned from their feeding places to their dwelling, they found the franklin there. His beauty pleased them, and Allah made him lovely in their eyes, so that they exclaimed,

Starting point is 05:07:37 Suban Allah, extolling their creator, and loved the franklin with exceeding love and rejoiced in him, saying one to other, for sure this is of the goodliest of the birds. And all began to caress him and entreat him with kindness. When he saw that they looked on him with eyes of affection, he inclined to them and companioned with them and took up his abode with them, flying away in the morning, whether he would,

Starting point is 05:08:07 and returning at even tide to pass the night by side of them. On this wise he continued a long while, until the tortoises, seeing that his daily absence from them, desolated them, and finding that they never saw him save by night, for at dawn he still took flight in haste, and they knew not what came of him, for all that their love grew to him. Said each to other, Indeed we love this Franklin, and he has become our true friend,

Starting point is 05:08:37 and we cannot bear parting from him. So how shall we devise some device, tending to make him abide with us always, for he flyeth away at dawn, and is absent from us all day, and we see him not save by night. Quoth one of them, be easy, oh, my sisters,

Starting point is 05:08:56 I will bring him not to leave us for the turn of an eye. And quote the rest, saying, And thou do this, we will all be thy thralls. So when the Frankolin came back from his feeding place and sat down amongst them,

Starting point is 05:09:11 that wily tortoise drew near unto him, and called down blessings on him, giving him joy of his safe return, and saying, O my lord, know that Allah hath vouchsafe thee our love, and hath in like manner set in thy heart the love of us, whereby thou art become to us a familiar friend and a comrade in this desert. Now the goodliest of times for those who love one another is when they are united, and the sorest of calamities for them, are absence and severance, but thou departest from us that peep of day, and returnest not to us till sundown, wherefore there betideth us extreme desolation. Indeed, this is exceedingly grievous to us, and we abide in sore longing for such reason.

Starting point is 05:10:04 De Franklin replied, "'Indeed, I love you also, and yearn for you yet more than you can yearn for me, nor is it easy for me to leave you. But my hand hath no help for this, seeing that I am of foul with wings, and may not wone with you always, because that is not of my nature.

Starting point is 05:10:24 For a bird being a winged creature may not remain still, save it be for the sake of sleep, bo-nights. But as soon as it is day he flyeth away and seeketh his morning meal in what place soever pleaseth him, answered the tortoise. Sooth thou speakest. Nevertheless, he who hath wings, hath no repose at most seasons, for that the good he geteth is not a fourth part of what ill betideth him, and the highmost aims of the creature are repose and ease of life. now allah hath bred between us and thee love and fellowship and we fear for thee lest some of thine enemies catch thee and thou perish and we be denied the sight of thy counten

Starting point is 05:11:14 rejoined the franklin true but what reed hast thou or resource for my case quoth the tortoise my advice is that thou pluck out thy wing feathers wherewith thou speedest thy flight and tarry with us in tranquillity, eating of our meat and drinking of our drink in this pasturage, that aboundeth in trees rife with fruits yellow-ripe, and we will sojourn, we and thou, in this fruitful stead, and enjoy the company of one another. The franklin inclined to her speech, seeking ease for himself, and plucked out his wing-feathers, one by one, in accordance with the reed approved of by the tortoise. Then he took up his abode with them, and contented himself with the little ease and transient pleasure he enjoyed.

Starting point is 05:12:11 Presently up came a weasel, and, glancing at the franklin, saw that his wings were plucked, so that he could not fly, whereat he rejoiced with joy exceeding and said to himself, Verily yonder Franklin is fat of flesh and scant of feather. So he went up to him and seized him, whereupon the franklin called out to the tortoises for help. But when they saw the weasel hend him, they drew apart from him and huddled together,

Starting point is 05:12:43 choked with weeping for him, for they witnessed how the beast tortured him. Quote the franklin, "'Is there aught with you but weeping?' and quoth they oh our brother we have neither force nor resource nor any course against a weasel at this the franklin was grieved and cutting off all his hopes of life said to them the fault is not yours but mine own fault in that i hearkened to you and plucked out my wing feathers wherewith i used to fly indeed i deserve destruction for having obeyed you and i blame you not in aught "'Unlikwise,' continued the king, "'I do not blame you, O women, but I blame and reproach myself,

Starting point is 05:13:29 "'for that I remembered not that ye were the cause of the transgression of our father, Adam, "'by reason whereof he was cast out from the Garden of Eden, "'and for that I forgot ye are the root of all evil, "'and harken to you in my ignorance, lack of sense, and weakness of judgment, "'and slew my wazirs and governors of my state, who were my loyal advisors in all mine actions, and my glory and my strength against whosoever troubled me. But at this time find I not one to replace them,

Starting point is 05:14:03 nor see I any who shall stand me in their stead, and I fall into utter perdition. And Sharazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of night nine hundred and twenty-four. Recording by Andre Levy. Andrelevy.net, Lisbon, Portugal. Section 19 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9.

Starting point is 05:14:48 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 Andrelevy, Andreleavy.net, Lisbon, Portugal. The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Knight, Volume 9, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Knight 925. When it was the 925th night she pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the king blamed himself, saying, "'Twas I that hearken to you in my ignorance, and slew my wazirs,

Starting point is 05:15:36 so that now I find none to stand in their stead, and unless Allah succour me with one of sound judgment, who shall guide me to that wherein is my deliverance, I am fallen into utter perdition. Then he arose and withdrew into his bed-chamber, bemoaning his wazirs and wise men, and saying, Would heaven those lions were with me at this time, though but for an hour,

Starting point is 05:16:04 so I might excuse myself unto them, and look on them and bemoan to them my case, and the travail that hath betided me after them. And he abode all his day, sunken in the sea of kark and care, neither eating nor drinking. But as soon as the night fell dark, he arose, and changing his raiment,

Starting point is 05:16:30 donned old clothes, and disguised himself, and went forth at a venture to walk about the city, so happily he might hear from any some word of comfort. As he wandered about the main streets, behold, he chanced upon two boys, who had sought her retired seat by a wall, and he observed that they were equal in age,

Starting point is 05:16:50 or about twelve years old. As they talked together, he drew near them, whereas he might hear, and apprehend what they said, unseen to them, and heard one say to the other. listen o my brother to what my sire told me yesternight of the calamity which hath betided him in the withering of his crops before their time by reason of the rarity of rain and the sore sorrow that has fallen on this city quoth the other wottest thou not the cause of this affliction and quoth the first no and if thou canst pray tell it me rejoined the other yes i wot it and will tell it thee know that i have heard from one of my father's friends that our king slew his wazirs and grandees not for aught of offence done of them but only by reason of his love for women and inclination to them

Starting point is 05:17:47 for that his ministers forbade him from this and he would not be forbidden and commanded to do them die in obedience of his wives then he slew shemus my sire who was his wazir and the rizier of his father before him and his wife's he slew shemus my sire who was his wazir and the rizier of his father before him the chief of his counsel, but right soon thou shalt see how Allah will do with him by reason of his sins against them, and how he shall avenge them of him. The other boy asked, What can Allah do now that they are dead? And his fellow answered, Know that the king of Outer Hind maketh light of our monarch, and hath sent him a letter berating him, and saying to him, build me a castle A middlemost the sea Or I will send unto thee Badiah

Starting point is 05:18:34 My wazir With twelve hordes of horse Each twelve thousand strong To seize upon thy kingdom And slay thy men And carry thee and thy women Into captivity And he hath given him

Starting point is 05:18:49 Three days time to answer After the receipt of that missive Now thou must know O my brother That this king of outer hind is a masterful tyrant, a man of might and prowess in fight, and in his realm are much people. So unless our king makeshift to fend him off for himself, he will fall into perdition, whilst the king of Hind, after slaying our sovereign, will seize on our possessions and massacre

Starting point is 05:19:19 our men and make prize of our women. When the king heard this their talk, his agitation increased, and he inclined to the boy, saying, "'Surely this boy is a wizard, and that he is acquainted with this thing without learning it from me, for the letter is in my keeping, and the secret also, and none hath knowledge of such matter but myself. How then knoweth this boy of it?

Starting point is 05:19:48 I will resort to him and talk with him, and I pray Allah that our deliverance may be at his hand.' Whereupon the king approached the boy softly, and said to him, O thou, dear boy, what is this thou sayest of our king, that he did ill of the evilest in slaying his wazirs and the chiefs of his state? Indeed he sinned against himself and his subjects, and thou art right in that which thou sayest. But tell me, O my son, whence knowest thou that the king of outer hin hath written him a letter, berating him and bespeaking him with the grievous speech whereof thou tellest.

Starting point is 05:20:26 The boy replied, O brother, I know this from the sand Wherewith I take comte of night and day And from the saying of the ancients No mystery from Allah is hidden For the sons of Adam have in them A spiritual virtue Which discovereth to them the darkest secrets

Starting point is 05:20:45 Answered Weir-Kahn True, O my son, but Whence Lurnest thou geomancy And thou young of years Quoth the boy my father taught it me and quote the king is thy father alive or dead he is dead replied the boy then weird con asked is there any resource or device for our king whereby to ward off from himself and his kingdom this sore calamity and the boy answered saying it befitteth not that i speak with thee of this but and the king'st of this but and the king's send for me and ask me how he shall do to baffle his foe and get free of his snares, I will acquaint him with that wherein, by the power of Allah Almighty, shall be his salvation.

Starting point is 05:21:38 Rejoined Weirred Khan, and who shall tell the king of this that he may send for thee and invite thee to him? The boy retorted. I hear that he seeketh men of experience and good counsel, so I will go up with them to him, and tell him that wherein shall be his welfare and the warding off of this affliction from him. But, and he neglect the pressing matter, and busy himself with his loveliest among his women, and I go to him of my own accord, designing to acquaint him with the means of deliverance, he will assuredly give orders to slay me, even as he slew those his wazirs,

Starting point is 05:22:19 and my courtesy to him will be the cause of my destruction. wherefore the folk will think slightly of me and belittle my wit and i shall be of those of whom it is said he whose science excelleth his sense perisheth by his ignorance when the king heard the boy's words he was assured of his sagacity and the excellence of his merit was manifest and he was certified that deliverance would betide him and his subjects at the boy's hands So presently he resumed the colloquy and asked him, Whence art thou, and where is thy home? And the boy answered, This is the wall of our house. The king took note of the place, and farewelling the boy,

Starting point is 05:23:08 returned to his palace in high spirits. There he changed his clothes and called for meat and wine, forbidding his women from him. And he ate and drank, and returned thanks to Allah the mon. most high, and besought him of succour and deliverance, and he craved his pardon and forgiveness for that which he had done with his wazirs and dilemma, and turned to him with sincere repentance, imposing on himself many a prayer and long fasting by way of disciplined vow.

Starting point is 05:23:41 On the morrow he called one of his confidential eunuchs, and describing to him the boy's home, bade him repair thither and bring him to his presence with all gentleness. accordingly the slave sought out the boy and said to him the king summoneth thee that good may betide thee from him and that he may ask thee a question then shalt thou return safe and sound to thy dwelling ask the boy what is the king's need of me that he biddeth me to him on this wise and the eunuch answered my lord's occasion with thee is question and answer a thousand times hearkening and a thousand times obeying the commandment of the king replied the boy and accompanied the slave to the palace when he came into the presence he prostrated himself before allah and after salamming called down blessings on the king who returned his salutation and bade him be seated and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say end of night nine hundred 925. Night 926.

Starting point is 05:25:01 When it was the 926th night, she resumed. It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the boy appeared before the king and saluted him with the salaam, Wirt Khan returned his salutation and bade him be seated. So he sat down, and the king asked him, Knowest thou who talked with thee yester night? Answered the boy. Yes. And the king said, And where is he?

Starting point is 05:25:31 Tis he who speaketh with me at this present, said the boy. Rejoined the king. Thou sayest sooth, O friend. And Bade set him a chair beside his own, whereon he made him sit and called for a meet and drink. Then they talked a while, and the king said, Oh, thou the wazir in our talk yesterday night, thou toldest me that thou hadst a device whereby thou couldst defend us from the malice of the king of Hind.

Starting point is 05:26:01 What is this contrivance, and how shall we manoeuvre to ward off his mischief from us? Tell me that I may make thee chief of those who speak with me in the realm, and choose thee to be my grand wazir, and do according to thy judgment in all thou counselest me, and assign thee a splendid honorarium. Answer the boy, O king, keep him. thy honorarium to thyself, and seek counsel in policy of thy women, who directed thee to slay my father, Shemus, and the rest of the wazirs. When the king heard this he was ashamed, and sighed, and said, O thou, dear boy, was Shemis indeed thy sire?

Starting point is 05:26:42 The boy replied, Shemis was indeed my sire, and I am in truth his son. Whereupon the king bowed his head, whilst the tears, from his eyes, and he craved pardon of Allah. Then said he, O boy, indeed I did this of my ignorance and the evil counsel of the women. Poor great indeed is their malice. But I beseech thee to forgive me,

Starting point is 05:27:11 and I will set thee in thy father's stead and make thy rank higher than his rank. Moreover, and thou do away from us this retribution sent down from heaven, I will deck thy neck with a collar of gold, and mount thee on the goodliest of steeds, and bid the crier make proclamation before thee, saying, This is the leaf boy, the wazir, who sitteth in the second seat after the king. And touching what thou sayest of the women, I have it in mind to do vengeance on them at such time as Almighty Allah shall will it, but tell me now what thou hast with thee of counsel and contrivance,

Starting point is 05:27:54 that my heart may be content, quoth the boy, swear to me an oath, that thou wilt not gain say me in what so I shall say to thee, and that I from that which I fear shall be safe. And quote the king, This is the covenant of Allah between me and thee, that I will not go from thy word, and that thou shalt be my church,

Starting point is 05:28:19 chief counsellor, and whatsoever thou biddest me, that will I do, and the Almighty Lord is witness betwixt us twain, whatso I say. Therewith the boy's breast waxed broad, and the field of speech was open to him wide, and he said, O king, my read to thee is that thou await the expiration of the delay appointed to thee for answering the courier of the king of Hind, and when he cometh before thee, seeking their reply, do thou put him off to another day? With this he will excuse himself to thee, on the ground of his master having appointed him certain fixed days, and importune for an answer. But do thou rebut him and defer him to another day, without specifying what day it be? Then will he go forth from thee, an angered,

Starting point is 05:29:13 and betake himself into the midst of the city, and speak openly among the folk, saying, O people of the city, I am a courier of the king of Outer Hind, who is a monarch of great puissance and of determination such as softeneth iron. He sent me with a letter to the king of this city, appointing to me certain days, saying, and thou be not with me by the time appointed, my vengeance shall fall on thee. Now behold, I went in to the king of this city, and gave him the missive, which when he had read, he sought of me a delay of three days, after which he would return me and answer to the letter, and I agreed to this of courtesy and consideration for him. When the three days were passed, I went to seek the reply of him,

Starting point is 05:30:01 but he delayed me to another day, and now I have no patience to wait longer, so I am about to return to my lord the king of Outer Hind, and acquaint him with that which hath befallen me, and ye, O folk, are witnesses between me and him. All this will be reported to thee, and do thou send for him, and speak him gently, and say to him, O thou who seekest thine own ruin, what hath moved thee to blame us among our subjects?

Starting point is 05:30:30 Verily thou deservest present death at our hands, but the ancients say, clemency is of the attributes of nobility. Know that our delay in answering arose not from him, helplessness on our part, but from our much business and lack of leisure to look into thine affair, and write a reply to thy king. Then call for the scroll, and read it again, and laugh loud and long, and say to the courier, hast thou a letter other than this? If so, we will write an answer to that also. He will say, I have none other than this letter, and do thou repeat

Starting point is 05:31:09 thy question to him a second time, and a third time, and he will reply, I have none other at all. Then say to him, Verily this thy king is utterly witless, and that he writeth us the like of this writ, seeking to arouse our wrath against him, so that we shall go forth to him with our forces and domineer over his dominions, and capture his kingdom. But we will not punish him this time for his unmanorly manners, as shown in this letter, because he is, and he is, and he is, and is wanting in wit and feeble of foresight, and it beseemeth not our dignity that we first warn him not to repeat the like of these childish extravagances, and if he risk his life by returning to the like of this, he will deserve speedy destruction. Indeed, methinks this king of thine, who sent thee

Starting point is 05:31:58 on such errand, must be an ignorant fool, taking no thought to the issue of things, and having no wazir of sense and good counsel with whom he may advise. Were he a man of mind, He had taken counsel with O'Aizier, or sending us the like of this laughable letter. But he shall have a reply similar to his script, and surpassing it, for I will give it to one of the boys of the school to answer. Then send for me, and when I come to the presence, bid me read the letter and reply thereto.

Starting point is 05:32:30 When the king heard the boy's speech, his breast broadened, and he approved his proposal and his device delighted him. So he conferred gifts upon him. him, and installing him in his father's office, sent him away rejoicing. And as soon as expired the three days of delay which he had appointed, the courier presented himself, and going in to the king demanded the answer. But he put him off to another day, whereupon he went to the end of the carpet-room and spack with unseemly speech, even as the boy

Starting point is 05:33:02 had first said. Then he betook himself to the bazaar and cried, O people of this city, I am a courier of the King of Outer Hind, and came with a message to your monarch, who still putteth me off from a reply. Now the term is past which my master limited to me, and your king hath no excuse, and ye are witnesses unto this. When these words reach the king, he sent for that courier, and said to him, O thou that seeketh thine own ruin, art thou not thou. not the bearer of a letter from king to king, between whom are secrets, and how cometh it that thou goest forth among the folk, and publishest king's secrets to the vulgar? Verily, thou meritest

Starting point is 05:33:51 retribution from us. But this we will forbear, for the sake of returning an answer by thee to this fool of a king of thine, and it befitteth not that any return to him reply but the least of the boys of the school. Then he sent for the was your son, who came, and, prostrating himself before Allah, offered up prayers for the king's lasting glory and long life, whereupon Wyrd con threw him the letter, saying, Read that letter, and write me an acknowledgment thereof in haste. The boy took the letter and read it, smiled, then he laughed, then he laughed aloud, and asked the king, Didst thou send for me to answer this letter?

Starting point is 05:34:35 Yes, answered Wirt-Con. And the boy said, O King, The thought thou hadst sent for me On some grave occasion. Indeed, a lesser than I had answered this letter, But tis thine to command, O puissant potentate. Quoth the King,

Starting point is 05:34:50 Write the reply forthright, On account of the courier, For that he is appointed a term, And we have delayed him another day, Quoth the King, With the readiest hearkening and obedience, And pulling out paper in ink-case, wrote as follows.

Starting point is 05:35:05 and Sharazade perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. End of night 926. Recording by Andrelevy.combe.net, Lisbon, Portugal. Section 20 of the Book of the Thousand Nights in a Night, Volume 9. This is a Libervox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. Recording by Andreleavy.

Starting point is 05:35:47 Andreleavy.net, Lisbon, Portugal. The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Night 927. When it was the 927th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That when the boy took the letter and read it, He forthright pulled out in case and paper,

Starting point is 05:36:16 And wrote as follows. In the name of Allah the compassionateing, the compassionate, Peace be upon him who hath gotten pardon and deliverance And the mercy of the merciful. But after, O thou who pretendest thyself a mighty king, An art but a king in word and not indeed, We give thee to know that thy letter hath reached us, and we have read it, and have taken note of that which is therein of absurdities

Starting point is 05:36:44 and peregrine extravagances, whereby we are certified of thine ignorance and ill-will to us. Verily thou hast put out thy hand to that were unto thou canst never reach, and, but we have compassion on the lost creatures and the lieges, we had not held back from thee. As for thy messenger, he went forth to the market. streets, and published the news of thy letter to great and small, whereby he merited retaliation from us. But we spared him and remitted his offence, of pity for him, seeing that he is excusable with thee, and not for aught of respect to thyself. As for that, or of thou makest mention in thy letter of the slaying of my wazirs and a lemma and grandees, this is the truth,

Starting point is 05:37:34 and this I did for a reason that arose with me. And I slew not one man of learning, But there are with me a thousand of his kind, Wiser than he, and cleverer, and wittierer. Nor is there with me a child, but is filled with knowledge, And I have in the stead of each of the slain, Of those who surpass in his kind, what is beyond count. Each man of my troops also can cope with an ord of thine,

Starting point is 05:38:03 whilst, as for monies, I have a manufactory that may, maketh every day a thousand pounds of silver besides gold, and precious stones are with me as pebbles. And as for the people of my possessions, I cannot set forth to thee their goodliness and abundance of means. How darest thou, therefore, presume upon us, and say to us, build me a castle amiddlemost the main. Verily this is a marvellous thing, and doubtless it ariseth from the slightness of thy wisdom. for hath thou ought of sense thou hadst inquired of the beatings of the billows and the waftings of the winds but wall it off from the waves and the surges of the sea and still the winds and we will build thee the castle Now as for thy pretension that thou wilt vanquish me, Allah forfend that such thing should befall, and the like of thee should lord it over us and conquer our realm. Nay, the Almighty hath given me

Starting point is 05:39:08 the victory over thee, for that thou hast transgressed against me, and reveled without due cause. No, therefore, that thou hast merited retribution from the Lord and from me, but I fear a Allah in respect of thee and thy subjects, and will not take horse against thee except after warning. Wherefore, and thou also fear Allah, hasten to send me this year's tribute, else will I not turn from my design to ride forth against thee with a thousand thousand and a hundred thousand fighting men, all furious giants on elephants, and I will range them round about my wazir, and bid him besiege thee three years, in lieu of the three days delay thou appointedest to thy messenger,

Starting point is 05:40:00 and I will make myself master of thy dominion, except that I will slay none, save thyself alone, and take captive therefrom none but thy herim. Then the boy drew his own portrait in the margin of the letter, and wrote thereunder the words, this answer was written by the least of the boys of the school. After this he sealed it and handed it to the king, who gave it to the courier, and the man, after taking it and kissing the king's hand,

Starting point is 05:40:31 went forth from him thanking Allah and the sovereign for his royal clemency to him, and marvelling at the boy's intelligence. He arrived at the court of the king, his master, on the third day after the expiration of the term appointed to him, and found that he had, had called a meeting of his counsel, by reason of the failure of the courier to return at the time appointed. So he went in to the king, and, prostrating himself before him, gave him the letter. The king took it, and questioned him of the cause of his tarrying, and how it was with King Weir Khan. So he told him all he had seen with his own eyes, and heard with his own ears.

Starting point is 05:41:11 Whereat the king's wit was confounded, and he said, out on thee. What tale is this thou tellest me of the like of this king? Answer the courier, O mighty monarch, here am I in thy presence, but open the letter and read it, and the truth of my speech will be manifest to thee. So the king opened the letter and read it, and seeing the semblance of the boy who had written it, made sure of the loss of his kingdom and was perplexed and meant the end of his affair. Then turning to his, His wazirs and grandees he acquainted them with what had occurred, and read to them the letter, whereat they were affrighted with the sorest affright, and sought to soothe the king's terror with words

Starting point is 05:41:58 that were only from the tongue, whilst their hearts were torn piecemeal with palpitations of alarm. But Badiah, the chief wazir, presently said, Know, O king, that there is no profit in that which my brother wazirs have proffered, and it is my read that thou write this king a writ, and excuse thyself to him therein, saying, I love thee, and love thy father before thee, and sent thee not this letter by the courier, except only to prove thee, and try thy constancy, and see what was in thee of valiance, and thy proficiency in matters of practic, and skill in enigmas, and that wherewith thou art and doubt of all perfections. So we pray, Almighty Allah, to bless thee and thy

Starting point is 05:42:44 kingdom and strengthen the defenses of thy capital and add to thy dominion, since thou art mindful of thyself, and manages to accomplish every need of thy subjects. And send it to him by another courier. Exclaim the king. By Allah of all might, tis a marvel of marvels that this man should be a mighty king and ready for war, after his slaughter of all the wise men of his kingdom and his counselors, and the captains of his host, and that his realm should be populous and prosper after this, and there should issue therefrom this prodigious power.

Starting point is 05:43:21 But the marvellousest of all is that the little ones of its schools should return the like of this answer for its king. Verily, of the vileness of my greed I have kindled this fire upon myself and lieges, and I know not how I shall quench it, save by taking the advice of this my wazir. accordingly he got ready a costly present, with eunuchs and slaves manifold, and wrote the following reply, In the name of Allah the compassionateing the compassionate to proceed, O glorious king, weird Khan, son of my dear brother Jaliad, May the Lord have mercy on thee and continue thee. Thine answer to our letter hath reached us, and we have read it, and apprehended its contents, therein that which gladdeneth us, and this is the utmost of that which we sought of Allah for thee.

Starting point is 05:44:18 So we beseech him to exalt thy dignity, and establish the pillars of thy state, and give thee the victory over thy foes, and those who propose thee forwardness. Know, O king, that thy father was my brother, and that there were between us in his lifetime pacts and covenants, and never saw he from me aught save weal, nor ever saw I from him, other than good. And when he deceased, and thou tookest seat upon the throne of his kingship, there betided us the utmost joy and gladness. But when the news reached us of that which thou didest with thy wazirs and the notables of thy state, we feared, lest the report of thee should come to the ears of some king other than ourselves, and we should presume against thee, for that we

Starting point is 05:45:06 deem thee negligent of thine affairs and of the maintenance of thy defences, and neglectful of the interests of thy kingdom. So we let right unto thee what should arouse thy spirit. But when we saw that thou returnedest us the like of this reply, our heart was set at ease for thee, may Allah give the enjoyment of thy kingdom, and establish thee in thy dignity, and so peace be with thee. Then he dispatched the letter and the presence to Weird Khan with an escort of a hundred horse. And Sharazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of night nine hundred and twenty-seven. Night nine hundred and twenty-eight.

Starting point is 05:45:57 When it was the nine-twenty-eighth night, she continued. It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the monarch of Outer Hind, after making ready his presence, dispatched them to King Weird Khan with an escort of a hundred horse, who fared on till they came to his court, and saluting him, presented letter and gifts. The king read the writ, and lodged the leader of the escort in a befitting place, entreating him with honour and accepting the presence he presented. So the news of this was brooded abroad among the folk, and the king rejoiced therein with joy exceeding. Then he sent for the boy the son of Shimmus, and the captain,

Starting point is 05:46:36 of the hundred horse. And entreating the young wazir with honor gave him the letter to read, whilst he himself blamed the king's conduct to the captain, who kissed his hands and made his excuses to him, offering up prayers for the continuance of his life and the permanence of his prosperity. The king thanked him for this, and bestowed upon him honors and largesse, and gave to all his men what befitted them, and made ready presents to send by them, and made the boy, wazir indict an answer to their king's letter. So the boy wrote a reply, wherein after an address beautiful exceedingly, he touched briefly on the question of reconciliation,

Starting point is 05:47:17 and praised the good breeding of the envoy and of his mounted men, and showed it, when duly finished, to the king who said to him, Read it, O thou, dear boy, that we may know what is written therein. So the boy read the letter in the presence of the hundred horse, and the king in all present marveled at its own. ordinance of style and sense. Then the king sealed the letter, and delivering it to the captain of the hundred horse, dismissed him with some of his own troops, to escort him as far as the frontier of his country. The captain returned, confounded in mind at that which he had seen of the boy's knowledge,

Starting point is 05:47:53 and thanking Allah for the speedy accomplishment of his errand and the acceptance of peace, to the king of Outer Hind. Then going in to the presence, he delivered the presence and handed to him the letter, telling him what he had seen and heard, whereat the king rejoiced with joy exceeding, and rendered lords to his lord the most high, and honour the captain commending his care and zeal, and advancing him in rank. And from that hour he woned in peace and tranquillity in all happiness.

Starting point is 05:48:24 As for King Weirt Khan, he returned to the paths of righteousness, abandoning his evil ways, and repenting to Allah with sincere penitence, and he gave up womanizing all menacing all, altogether, and applied himself wholly to the ordering of the affairs of his realm and the governance of his people in the fear of Allah. Furthermore, he made the son of Shemis wazir in his father's stead, and the chief after himself

Starting point is 05:48:50 in his realm, and keeper of his secrets, and bade decorate his capital for seven days, and likewise the other cities of his kingdom. At this the subjects rejoiced, and fear and alarm ceased from them, and they were glad in the prospect of justice and equity, an instant in prayer for the king and for the minister, who from him and them had done away this trouble. Then said the king to the wazir, What is thy read for the assuring of the state and the prospering of the people, and the return of the realm to what's a four-time state as regards captains and counsellors?

Starting point is 05:49:26 Answered the boy, O king of highest state, in my judgment it behooveth before all, that thou begin by rending out from the court. thy heart the root of wickedness, and leave thy debauchery and tyranny and addiction to women, for, and thou return to the root of transgression, the second backsliding will be worse than the first. The king asked, And what is the root of sinfulness, that it behooth me to root out from my heart? And was answered by the wazir little of years but great of wit. O king, The root of wickedness is subjection to the desire of women, and inclining to them, and following their counsel and contrivance. For the love of them changeth the soundest wit, and corrupteth the most upright nature,

Starting point is 05:50:20 and manifest proofs bear witness to my saying, wherein, and thou meditate them, and follow their actions and consequences with eyes intent, thou wilt find a loyal counsellor against thy own soul, and will stand in no need whatever of my read. Look then, thou occupy not thy heart with the thought of womankind, and do away the trace of them from thy mind, for that Allah the most high hath forbidden excessive use of them by the mouth of his prophet Moses, so that quoth a certain wise king to his son.

Starting point is 05:50:57 Oh, my son, when thou succeedest to the king, kingdom after me, frequent not women overmuch, lest thy heart be let astray and thy judgment be corrupted, for that overmuch commerce with them leadeth to love of them, and love of them to corruption of judgment. And the proof of this is what befell our Lord Solomon, son of David, peace be upon the twain of them, whom Allah specially endowed with knowledge and wisdom and supreme dominion, nor vouchsafety to any one of the king's his predecessors the like of that which he gave him, and women were the cause of his father's offending. The examples of this are many, O king, and I do but make mention of Solomon to thee,

Starting point is 05:51:41 for that thou knowest that to none was given such dominion as that with which he was invested, so that all the kings of the earth obeyed him. No then, O king, that the love of women is the root of all evil, none of them hath any judgment. Wherefore it behooveth a man use them according to his need, and not inclined to them with utter inclination, for that will cast him into corruption and perdition.

Starting point is 05:52:09 And thou hearken to my words, all thine affairs will prosper. But, and thou neglect them, thou wilt repent, when its repentance will not profit thee. Answer the king, Verily I have left my will of you. inclination to women. And Sherazade perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

Starting point is 05:52:36 End of night, 928. Recording by Andrelevy.net. Lisbon, Portugal. Section 21 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and the Night, Volume 9. This is a Librevox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. for more information or to volunteer please visit libevox.org to book of the thousand knights and a night volume nine by anonymous translated by richard francis burton knight nine hundred twenty nine when it was the nine hundred and twenty ninth she pursued it has reached me almighty monarch that king word can said to his wazir indeed i have had been a mighty wad king

Starting point is 05:53:31 i have left my wisdom inclination to women and have altogether renounced my infatuation for them but how shall i do to punish them in retaliation of their misdeeds for the slaying of thy sire shimas was of their malice and not of my own will and i know not what ailed my reason that i consented with their proposal to slay him then he cried ah me and groaned and lamented saying well away and alas for the loss of my wazir and his just judgment and admirable administration and for the loss of his like of the wazirs and heads of the state and of the goodliness of their upcouncils and sagacious o king quoth the boy minister know that the fault not with women alone, for that they are like unto a pleasing stock and trade, where to the lusts of the lookers on incline. To whosoever lusts and buyeth, they sell it, but whose buyeth not, none forceth him to buy, so that the fault is of him who buyeth, especially if he know the harmfulness of that merchandise. Now I warn thee, as did my sire before me, but thou acceptest not to his counsel. Answered the king, O wazir, indeed I have fixed this fault upon myself, even as thou hast said, and I have no excuse, except divine for ordainment. Rejoin the wazir, O king, now that Almighty Allah has created us,

Starting point is 05:55:28 and endowed us with capability and appointed to us free will and choice. So if we will, we do, and if we will, we do not. The Lord commanded us not to do harm, lest sin attached to us. Wherefore, it befittest us to take count of what so is right to do, for that the Almighty bideth us not but good in all, cases and forbid us only from evil but what we do we do of our own design be it fair or faulty quoth the king thou sayest thuth and indeed my fault arose from my surrendering myself to my lusts i'll bide often and often my better self warned me from this and thy sire shimmers also warned at me from this and thy sire shimmers also warned at me often often often often and often, but my lusts overcame my wits.

Starting point is 05:56:34 Hast thou then with thee, Oth that may withhold me, from again committing this error, and whereby my reason may be victorious over the desires of my soul? Quoth the wazir, yes, I can tell thee what will restrain thee from relapsing into this fault. And it is that thou doft, the garment of ignorance and done that of understanding, and disobey thy passions, and obey thy lord, and revert to the policy of the just king thy sire, and fulfill thy duties to Allah the Most High, and to thy people, and apply thyself to the defense of thy faith, and the promotion of thy subjects.

Starting point is 05:57:28 welfare and rule thyself aright and forbear the slaughter of thy people and look to the end of things and severed thyself from tyranny and oppression and arrogance and rudeness and practice justice equity and humility and bow before the bidding of the almighty and apply thyself to gentle dealing with those of his creatures over whom he set thee, and be assiduous as it beseteth thee in fulfilling their prayers unto thee. And thou be constant herein, may thy days be serene, and may Allah of his mercy pardon thee, and make thee loved and feared of all who look on thee. So shall thy foes be brought to naught, for the omnipot. shall rout their hosts, and thou shalt have acceptance with him and of his creatures be dreaded and to them indeed. Quoth the king, Indeed, thou hast quickened my vitals and illumined my heart with thy sweet speech,

Starting point is 05:58:49 and hast opened the eyes of my clear seeing after blindness, and I am resolved to do what so, thou hast set forth to me with the help of the almighty live in my former case of lust and sinfulness and bringing force my soul from endurance vile to deliverance and from fear to safety so it behoves thee to be joyful heriot and contented for that i am become to thee as a son more remain more of age and thou to me as a dear father, despite thy tenderness of ears, and it has become incumbent on me to do mine outmost endeavour, and all thou command'st me. Wherefore, I thank the bounty of Allah and thy bounty, because he has vouchsafe at me, by thee, fair fortune, and goodly guidance, and just judgment to ward off my carque and care and the security of my liege has been brought about by thy hand through the excellence of thy knowledge and the goodliness of thy contrivance and thou from this hour shall be the counsellor of my kingdom

Starting point is 06:00:17 and equal to myself in all but sifting upon the throne and what so thou dost shall be law to me and none shall disobey thy word young in years thou thou be for that thou art old in wit and knowledge so i thank Allah who jane it grant thee to me that thou mayst guide me into the way of salvation and out of the crooked path of perdition quoth the wazir o auspicious king know that no merit is due to me for giving thee the loyal counsel for that to succour thy deed and word is one of the things which is incumbent on me, seeing that I am but a plant of thy bounty, and not I alone, but one before me was overwhelmed with thy beneficence, so that we are both like partakers in thy honours and favours, and how shall we not acknowledge this? Moreover, thou O king are our shepherd and ruler, and he who wardeth off from us our foes, and to whom are committed our protection and our guardian, constant in endeavor for our safety. Indeed, though we lavished our lives in thy service, yet should we not fulfill that which is incumbent on us of gratitude to thee, But we supplicate Allah Almighty, who has sat thee over us, and made thee our ruler,

Starting point is 06:01:59 and beseech him vouchsafe thee long life and success in all thine enterprises, and not to make trial of thee with afflictions in thy time, but bring thee to thy desire, and make thee to reverence it till the day of thy death, and lengthen thine arms in generosity, so thou mayst have commanded over every wise man and subdue every wicked man, and all the wise and brave be found with thee and thy rome. Know the ignorant and cowardly,

Starting point is 06:02:36 we plucked out from thy reign, and we pray him to withhold from thy people, scarcity and calamity, and so among them, the seed of love, and friendship and cause them to enjoy of this world its prosperity and of the next felicity of his grace and bounty and hidden mercies amen footnote one hundred eighty two arab ming of which the herbri form is amen from the root amnum stability constancy in both tongues it is a particle of affirmation or consent. It is true. So be it, the Hebrew has also a mana, which means

Starting point is 06:03:30 verily, truly, end of footnote. For he is over all things, omnipotent, and there is not difficult unto him. To him all things stand. When the king heard the wazir's prayer, he was mightly rejoiced and inclined it to him with his whole heart, saying, now, O wazir, thou art to me in lieu of brother and son and father, and not but death shall divide me from thee. All that my hand possess, thou shalt have the disposal of, and if I have no child to succeed me, thou shalt sit on my throne in my stead, for thou art the or worthiest of all the folk of my Rome, and thou will invest thee with my kingship, in the presence of the grandees of my state, and appoint thee my hair apparent to inherit the kingdom after me. Inshallah, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted save.

Starting point is 06:04:43 end of night nine hundred twenty nine nine hundred thirty when it was the nine hundred and thirtieth night she resumed it has reached me o auspicious king that king weird can said to the son of shimus the willam wali presently i will name thee my successor and make thee my hair upland and i will call the grandees of mine empire empire to witness the ritual then he summoned his secretary and bade him right to all the lords of his land convoking them at his court and caused proclamation to be made in his city to all the townsfolk great and small between every one of the emirs and governors and chamberlains and other officers and dignitaries to his presence as well as the olima and literati learned in the He held to boot a grand divan and made a banquet. Never was its like scene anywhere, and thereto he bade all the folk high and low, so they assembled and abode in merry making, eating and drinking a month's space. After each the king clothed the whole of his household and the poor of his kingdom, and bestowed on the men of knowledge abandoned largesse.

Starting point is 06:06:12 then he chose out the number of the olema and wise men who were known to the son of shimus and caused them going to him bade him choose out of them six that he might make them wazirs under commandment of the boy accordingly he selected six of the oldest of them in years and the best in wits and fullest of lore and the quickest of memory and judgment and presented them to the king who clad them in wazirial habit saying here become my ministers under the commandment of this my grand wazir the son of shimus whatsoever he says to you or bidest you to do you shall never and in no wise depart from it albeit he is the youngest of you in years for he is the eldest of you in intellect and intelligence then he seated them upon chairs adorned with gold after the usage of wazirs and appointed to them stipends and allowances. Within them choose out such of the notables of the kingdom and officers of the troops present at the banquet, as were updates for the service of the state, that he might fake them captains of tens and captains of hundreds and captains of thousands, and appoint to them dignities and

Starting point is 06:07:40 defend and assign them provision after the manner of grandees this they did with entire diligence and he bade them also hansel all who were present with large gifts and dismissed them each to his country with honor and renown he also charged his governors to rule the people with justice and enjoined them to be tender to the poor as well as to the rich and bade succour them from the treasury according to their several degrees so the wazirs we should him permanence of glory and continuance of life and he commanded to decorate the city three days in gratitude to allah almighty for mercies vouchsafed to him such was the case with the king and his wazir ibnin shimus in the ordinance of his kingdom through his emirs and governors but as regards to favorite women wives concubines and others who by their malice and perfidy had brought about the slaughter of the wazirs and had well-nigh ruined the room as soon as the court was dissolved and all the people had deported each to his own place after their affairs had been set in order the king summoned his boy minister the son of shimus and the other six wazirs and taking them apart privately said to them know o wazirs that i have been a wanderer from the right way drowned in ignorance opposed to admonition a breaker of facts and promises and a gainsayer of good counsellors and the cause of all this was my being fooled by these women and the wiles whereby they beset me and the gloating lure of their speech whereby they seduced me to sin and my acceptance of this for that i deemed the words of them true and loyal counsel by reason of their sweetness and softness but lo and behold they were deadly poison

Starting point is 06:10:10 and now I am certified that they sought but to ruin and destroy me. Wherefore they deserve punishment and retribution from me, for justice sake, that I may make then a warning, to whoso will be warned. And what say your just judgments? An end, doing them to die? Answered the boy wazir. almighty king i have already told thee that women are not alone to blame but that the fault is shared between them and the men who hearken to them however they deserve punishment and requital for two reasons firstly for the fulfilment of thy word because thou art supreme king and secondly by reason of their presumption against thee

Starting point is 06:11:08 and they're seducing thee and their meddling with that which concerns them not and whereof it befittest them not even to speak wherefore they have right well deserved death yea let that which has befallen them suffoled them them and do thou henceforth reduce them to servants state but it is thine to command in this and in order than this then one of the wazirs seconded the council of ibn shimus but another of them prostrated himself before the king and said to him allah prolonged the king's life and thou be indeed resolved to do with them that which shall call their death do with them as i shall say to thee asked word come and what is that and wazir answered to her best that thou bid some of thy female slaves carry the women who played thee foes to the apartment wherein befell the slaughter of thy wazirs and wise men and imprison them there and bid that they be provided with a little meat and drink enough to keep life in their bodies let them never be suffered to go forth of that place and whenever one of them dies let her abide among them as she is till they die all even to the last of them this is the least of their desert because they were the cause of this great avail ay and the origin of all the troubles and calamities that have befallen in our time so shall there be verified in them the saying of the sayer who so digest his brother pit shall surely himself fall into it

Starting point is 06:13:14 albeit of long safety he had benefit the king accepted the vizier's counsel and sending for four stalwart female slaves committed the offending women to them bidding them bear them into the place of slaughter and imprison them there and allow them every day a little coarse food and a little troubled water they did with them as he bade wherefore the women mourned with sore mourning repenting them of that which they had done and lamenting with grievous lamentation thus allah gave them their reward of objection in this world and prepared for them torment in the world to come nor did they cease to abide in that murky and noisome place whilst every day one or other of them died till they all perished even to the last of them footnote one hundred eighty three to us this seems a case of hard times for the unhappy women but eastern's then believe it and still believe in the divinity which does hedge in a king in his reigning by the grace of god and in his being the vice-regent of allah upon earth briefly in the old faith of loyalty which great and successful republics are fast making obsolete in the west and nowhere faster than in england end of footnote and the report of this event was brewed abroad in all lands and countries this is the end of the end of this event was brewed abroad in all lands and countries

Starting point is 06:15:11 this is the end of the story of the king and his wazirs and subjects and praise be to allah who causes peoples to pass away and quickness the bones that wrought in decay him who alone is worthy to be glorified and magnified away and hallowed forever an eye and amongst the tales they tell is why is one of abu kirr the dyer and abyssir the barber there dwelt once in alexandria city two men of whom one was a dyer by name abuquer and the other a barber abyssir footnote one hundred eighty four abysir is a manifest corruption of the old egyptian the basiris of our classics and it gives a name to sundry villages in modern egypt where it is usually pronounced basheer abuquer literally the father of pitch is also corrupted to abuquire bay and the townlet now marks the sight of jolly old canopus the chosen land of egyptian of the bochery and a footnote and they were neighbours in the market street where their shops stood side by side the dire was a swindler and a liar an exceedingly wicked wad as if indeed his head temples were a hun out of a boulder rock or fashioned of the threshold of a jewish synagogue nor was he ashamed of any shameful work he wrote amongst the folk it was his wont

Starting point is 06:17:13 when any brought him cloths for staining first to require of him payment under pretence of buying thy stuffs therewith so the customer would give him the wage in advance and when when he would give him the wage in advance and when his ways and the dyer would spend all he received on meat and drink after which he would sell the cloth itself as soon as ever its owner turned his back and waste its worth in eating and drinking and what not else for he ate not but of the dentist and most delicate viands nor drank but of the best of that at which thus away the width of a man. And when the owner of the cloth came to him, he would say to him, Return to me tomorrow before sunrise, and I shall find thy staff died, so the customer would go away, saying to himself.

Starting point is 06:18:18 One day is near another day, and return next day at the appointed time, when the dire would say to him, come to-morrow yesterday i was not at work for i had with me guests and was occupied with doing what their wants required till they went but to-morrow before sunrise come and take thy cloth died so he would fare forth and return on the third day when abu-kir would say to him indeed yesterday i was excusable for my wife was brought to bed in the night and all day i was busy with many-fold matters but to-morrow without fail come and take thy cloth died when the man came again at the appointed time he would put him off with some other pretence it matter little what and would swear to him shahrazad received the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted saying and of night nine hundred thirty

Starting point is 06:19:42 section twenty two of the book of a thousand nights and a night volume nine this is a libravox recording all libervox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit livervox.org recording by michel fry baton rouge louisiana the book of a thousand nights in a night volume nine by anonymous translated by richard francis burton when it was the nine hundred and thirty-first night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that every time the owner of an article came to the dire he would put him off with any pretext and would swear to him nor would he cease to promise and swear to him nor would he cease to promise and swear to him to him as often as he came till the customer lost patience and said how often wilt thou say to me to-morrow give me my stuff i will not have it died whereupon the dire would make answer but allah o my brother i am abashed at thee but i must tell the truth and may allah harm all who harm folk in their goods the other would exclaim tell me what had happened and abu curr would reply as for thy stuff i died the same on matchless wise and hung it on the drying-rope but it was stolen and i know not who stole it if the owner of the stuff were of the kindly he would say allah will compensate me and if he were of the ill-conditioned he would haunt him with exposure and insult but would get nothing of him though he had complained of him to the judge he ceased not doing thus till his report was noised abroad among the folk and each used to warn other again against Abu Kerr, who became a byword amongst them. So they all held aloof from him, and none would be entrapped by him, save those who were ignorant of his character.

Starting point is 06:21:40 But for all this, he failed not daily to suffer insult and exposure from Allah's creatures. By reason of this, his trade became slack, and he used to go to the shop of his neighbor, the barber, Abu Sir, and sit there, facing the diary and with his eyes on the door. whenever he espied anyone who knew him not standing at the diary door with a piece of stuff in his hand he would leave the barber's booth and go up to him saying what seekest thou o thou and the man would reply take and dye me this thing so the diar would ask what color wilt thou have it for with all his knavish tricks his hand was in all manner of dyes but he was never true to any one wherefore poverty had gotten the better of him then he would take him the stuff and say, give me my wage in advance, and come tomorrow and take the stuff. So the stranger would advance him the money and wend his way, whereupon Abu Kerr would carry the cloth to the market street and sell it, and with its price, buy meat and vegetables and tobacco, and fruit and whatnot else he needed. But whenever he saw anyone who had given him stuff to die standing at the door of his shop,

Starting point is 06:22:53 he would not come forth to him, or even show himself to him. On this wise he abode years and years, till it fortunate one day that he received cloth to die from a man of wrath, and sold it and spent the proceeds. The owner came to him every day, but found him not in his shop, for whenever he espied anyone who had claim against him,

Starting point is 06:23:14 he would flee from him into the shop of the barber Abu Sir. At last, that angry man finding, that he was not to be seen, and growing very weary of such work, repaired to the kazi, and bringing one of his sergeants to the shop, nailed up the door, in presence of a number of Muslims, and sealed it, for that he saw therein knot, but some broken pans of earthenware, to stand him instead of his stuff. After which the sergeant took the key, saying to the neighbors, tell him to bring back this man's cloth, then come to me and take his shop-key, and went his way, he and the man then said abu sir to abu cur what ill business is this whoever bringeth thee aught thou lozeth it for him what hath become of this angry man's stuff answered the dire o my neighbour twas stolen from me prodigious exclaimed the barber whenever any one giveth thee a thief steal it from thee art thou then the meeting-place of every rogue upon town but i doubt me thou

Starting point is 06:24:19 liest so tell me the truth replied abu cur oh my neighbor none hath stolen aught from me asked abu sir what then dost thou do with the people's property and the dyer answered whenever any one giveth me ought to die i sell it and spend the price quoth abu sir is this permitted thee of allah and quoth abu cur i do this only out of poverty because business is slack with me and i am poor and have nothing. And he went on to complain to him of the dullness of his trade, and his lack of means. Abou Sir, in like manner, lamented the little prophet of his own calling, saying, I am master of my craft, and have not my equal in this city, but no one cometh to me to be polled, because I am a pauper, and I loathe this art and mystery, oh, my brother. Abou Kerr replied, and I loathe my own craft, by reason of its slackness, but, oh, my brother, what call is therefore abiding in this town? Let us depart from it, I and thou, and solace ourselves in the lands of mankind, carrying in our hands our crafts, which are in demand all the world over, so shall we breathe

Starting point is 06:25:34 the air and rest from this grievous trouble. And he ceased not to commend travel to Abru-sur, till the barber became wishful to set out, so they agreed upon their route, and, and shahrazad perceived the dawn of the day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the nine hundred and thirty-second night she continued it hath reached me o auspicious king that abu cur ceased not his praises of wayfaring to abu sir till the barber became wishful to depart so they agreed upon their route at which decision abu cur rejoiced and improvised these lines leave thy home for abroad and woods strides on high and travel whence benefits fivefold rise the soothing of sorrow and winning of bread knowledge manners and commerce with good men and wise and they say that in travel are travail and care and disunion of friends and much hardship that tries yet to generous youth death is better than life in the house of contempt betwixt haters and spies when they agreed to travel together Abu Kerr said to Abu Sir, Oh, my neighbor, we are become brethren, and there is no difference between us. So it behooth us to recite the Fotiah, that he of us who gets work shall of his gain feed him who is out of work.

Starting point is 06:27:02 And whatever is left, we will lay in a chest, and when we return to Alexandria, we will divide it fairly and equally. So be it, replied Abu Sir, and they repeated the opening chapter. of the Koran on this understanding. Then Abusur locked up his shop and gave the key to its owner, whilst Abu Kerr left his door locked and sealed, and let the key lie with the Kaziz sergeant,

Starting point is 06:27:28 after which they took their baggage and embarked on the morrow in a galleon upon the Salt Sea. They set sail the same day, and fortune attended them, for of Abusur's great good luck, there was not a barber in the ship, albeit it carried an hundred,

Starting point is 06:27:44 men besides captain and crew so when they loose the sails the barber said to the dire oh my brother this is the sea and we shall need meat and drink we have but little provant with us and happily the voyage will be long upon us wherefore me thinks i will shoulder my budget and pass among the passengers and maybe someone will say to me come hither o barber and shave me and i will shave him for a scone or a silver bit or a draught of water so shall we profit by this i and thou too there's no harm in that replied the diar and lay down his head and slept whilst the barber took his gear and watered tass and throwing over his shoulder a rag to service napkin because he was poor passed among the passengers quoth one of them ho master come and shave me so he shaved him and the man gave him a half durham whereupon quoth abu sir oh my brother i have no use for this bit hath thou given me a scone to are more blessed to me in this sea for i have a ship-mate and we are short on provision so he gave him a loaf and a slice of cheese and filled him a tass with sweet water the barber carried all this to abu cur and said eat the bread and cheese and drink the water accordingly he ate and drank whilst abusa again took up his shaving gear and tas in hand and rag on shoulder and went round about the deck among the passengers one man he shaved for two scones and another for a bit lock of cheese and he was in demand because there was no other barber on board also he bargained with every one who said to him ho master shave me for two scones for two two loaves and a half Durham, and they gave him whatever he sought, so that by sundown he had collected thirty loaves and thirty silvers with store of cheese and olives and botargos, and besides these he got from the passengers whatever he asked for, and was soon in possession of things galore.

Starting point is 06:29:49 Amongst the rest he shaved the captain, to whom he complained of his lack of victual for the voyage, and the skipper said to him, thou art welcome to bring thy comrade every night, and suck with me, and have no care for that so long as he sail with us then he returned to the dyer whom he found asleep so he roused him and when abu cur awoke he saw at his head an abundance of bread and cheese and olives and butargoes and said when scottest thou all this from the bounty of allah almighty replied abu sir then abu cur would have fallen to but the barber said to him eat not of this so my brother but leave it to serve us another time for know that i shave the captain and complained to him of our lack of ritual whereupon quoth he welcome to thee bring thy comrade and sup both of ye with me every night and this night we sup with him for the first time but abu cur replied my head goeth round with sea-sickness and i cannot rise from my stead so let me sup off these things and fare thou alone to the captain abu sir replied there is no harm in that and sat looking at the other as he ate and saw him hew off gobbets as the quarry men heweth stone from the hill quarries and gulped them down with the gulp of an elephant who hath not eaten for days bolting another mouthful ere he had swallowed the previous one and glaring the while at that which was before him with a glowering gesture of a ghoul and blowing as blowing as bloweth the hungry bull over his beans and bruised straw presently up came

Starting point is 06:31:30 a sailor and said to the barber, O craftsman, the captain bideth thee come to supper, and bring thy comrade. Quoth the barber to the dyer, wilt thou come with us? But quoth he, I can't walk. So the barber went by himself, and found the captain sitting before a tray, whereon were a score or more of dishes, and all the company were awaiting him and his mate. When the captain saw him, he asked, where is thy friend? And Abusar answered, O my lord, he is seasick, said the skipper, that will do him no harm, his sickness will soon pass off. But do thou carry him his supper, and come back, for we tarry for thee. Then he set apart a porringer of kebabs, and putting therein some of each dish,

Starting point is 06:32:18 till there was enough for ten, gave it to Abbas, sir, saying, Take this to thy chum. He took it and carried it to the dyer, whom he found grinding away with his dog-teeth, at the food which was before him as he were a camel and heaping mouthful on mouthful in his hurry quoth abu sir did i not say to thee eat naught of this indeed the captain is a kindly man see what he hath sent thee for that i told him thou wast seasick give it here cried the dire so the barber gave him the platter and he snatched it from him and fell upon the food ravening for it and resembling a grinning dog or a raised aging lion or a rue pouncing on a pigeon or one well-nigh dead for hunger who seeing meat falls ravenously to eat then abu sir left him and going back to the captain supped and enjoyed himself and drank coffee with him after which he returned to abu cur and found that he had eaten all that was in the porringer and thrown it aside empty and shaharasad perceived the dawn of day and seized saying her permitted say. End of night 931 and 932.

Starting point is 06:33:43 Section 23 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9. 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 Michelle Frye, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in October 2018. the book of a thousand knights in a night volume nine by anonymous translated by richard francis burton when it was the nine hundred and thirty-third night shahrazad pursued it hath reached me o auspicious king that when abu sir returned to abu cur he saw that he had eaten all that was in the porringer and had thrown it aside empty so he took it up and gave it to one of the captain's servant then went back to abu kirk and slept till morning on the morrow he continued to shave and all he got by way of meat and drink he gave to his shipmate who ate and drank and sat still rising knots save to do what none could do for him and every night the barber brought him a full porringer from the captain's table they fared thus twenty days until the galleon cast anchor in the harbor of a city whereupon they took leave of the skipper and landing entered the town

Starting point is 06:35:05 and hired them a closet in the con. Abu Sur furnished it and buying a cooking pot and a pletter of spoons and what else they needed, fetched meat and cooked it. But Abu Kerr fell asleep the moment he entered the caravan-serreya and awoke not till Abu Sur roused him and set a tray of food before him. When he awoke he ate in saying to Abu Sir,

Starting point is 06:35:27 blame me not for I am giddy, fell asleep again. Thus he did forty days, whilst every day, the barber took his gear, and making the round of the city, wrought for that which fell to his lot, and returning, found the dire asleep, and roused him. The moment he awoke he fell ravenously upon the food, eating as one who cannot have his fill, nor be satisfied, after which he went asleep again. On this wise he passed other forty days, and whenever the barber said to him, sit up and be comfortable, and go forth and take an airing in the city, for tis a gay place,

Starting point is 06:36:05 and a pleasant and hath not its equal among the cities he would reply blame me not for i am giddy abu sir cared not to hurt his feelings nor give him hard words but on the forty-first day he himself felt sick and could not go abroad so he engaged the porter of the khan to serve them both and he did the needful for them and brought them meat and drink whilst abu kur would do nothing but eat and sleep the man ceased not to wait upon them on this wise for four days, at the end of which time the barber's malady redoubled upon him till he lost his senses for stress of sickness, and Abu Kerr, feeling the sharp pangs of hunger, arose and sought in his comrade's clothes, where he found a thousand silver bits. He took them, and shutting the door of the closet upon Abu Sur, fared forth without telling any, and a doorkeeper was then at market, and thus saw him not go out. presently Abu Kerb took himself to the bazaar and clad himself in costly clothes at a price of five hundred half-durums then he proceeded to walk about the streets and divert himself by viewing the city which he found to be one whose like was not among cities but he noted that all the citizens were clad in clothes of white and blue without other colour presently he came to a dyer's and seeing naught but blue in his shop pulled out to him a kerchief and said

Starting point is 06:37:33 oh master take this and dye it and win thy wage quoth the dyer the cost of dying this will be twenty dirhams and quoth abu cur in our country we dye it for two then go and die it in your own country as for me my price is twenty dirhams and i will not bait a little thereof what colour will doubt die it i will dye it blue but i wanted dyed red i know not how to dye red then dye it green i know not how to dye green yellow nor yet yellow thereupon abu cur went on to name the different tints to him one after other till the dyer said we are here in this city forty master dyers not one more nor one less and when one of us dieth we teach his son the craft if he leave no son we abide lacking one and if he leave two sons we teach one of them the craft and if he die we teach his brother this our craft is strictly ordered and we know how to die but blue and no other tent whatsoever then said abu cur know that i too am a dire and what how to die all colours and i would have thee take me into thy service on hire and i will teach thee everything of my art so thou mayest glory therein over all the company of diars but the diar answered we never admit a stranger into our craft asked abu cur and what if i open a diary for myself where to the other answered we will not suffer thee to do that on any wise whereupon he left him and going to a second dire made him the like proposal but he returned him the same answer as the first and he ceased not to go from one to other till he had made the round of the whole forty masters but they would not accept him either to master or apprentice. Then he repaired to the sheikh of the dyers and told him what had passed,

Starting point is 06:39:30 and he said, We admit no strangers into our craft. Hereupon Abu Kerr became exceedingly rough, and going up to the king of that city made complaint to him saying, Oh, king of the age, I am a stranger and a dyer by trade. And he told him what so had passed between himself and the dyers of the town, adding, I can die various kinds of red,

Starting point is 06:39:52 such as rose color and Jujibel color, and various kinds of green, such as grass green and pistachio green, and olive and parrot's wing, and various kinds of black, such as coal black and and various shades of yellow, such as orange and lemon color, and went on to name to him the rest of the colors. Then he said, Oh, king of the age, all the dyers in the city cannot turn out of hand any one of these taints for they know not how to die aught but blue yet will they not admit me amongst them either to master or apprentice answer the king thou sayest sooth for that matter but i will open to thee a diary and give thee capital and have thou no care anet them for whoso offerth to do thee let or hindrance i will hang him over his shop-door then he sent for builders and said to them Go round about the city with this master dire, and whatsoever place pleaseth him, be it shop or con or what not, turn out its occupier, and build him a diary after his wish. Whatso he bideth you that do ye and oppose him not in aught.

Starting point is 06:41:07 And he clad him in a handsome suit, and gave him two white slaves to serve him, and a horse with housings of brocade, and a thousand dinars, saying, expend this upon thyself against the building be completed accordingly abu cur donned the dress and mounted the horse became as he were an emir moreover the king assigned him a house and bade furnish it so they furnished it for him and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the nine hundred and thirty-fourth night she resumed it hath reached me O auspicious king, that the king assigned a house to Abu Kerr and bade furnish it, and he took up his abode therein. On the morrow he mounted and rode through the city, whilst the architects went before him, and he looked about him till he saw a place which pleased him and said, This stead is seemly, whereupon they turned out the owner and carried him to the king,

Starting point is 06:42:09 who gave him as a price of his holding, what contented him and more. Then the builders felt to work whilst abu cur said to them build thus and thus and do this and that till they built him a diary that had not its like whereupon he presented himself before the king and informed him that they had done building the diary and that they're needed but the price of the dye-stuffs and gear to set it going quoth the king take these four thousand dinars to thy capital and let me see the first fruits of thy diary so he took the money and went to the market where finding dye-stuff's plentiful and well-nigh worthless he bought all he needed of materials for dye and the king sent him five hundred pieces of stuff which he set himself to dye of all colours and then he spread them before the door of his diary when the folk passed by the shop they saw a wonder sight whose like they had never in their lives seen. So they crowded about the entrance, enjoying the spectacle, and questioning the dyer, and saying, Oh, master, what are the names of these colors?

Starting point is 06:43:18 Quoth he, this is red, and that yellow, and the other green, and so on, naming the rest of the colors. And they fell to bringing him long cloth, and saying to him, dye it for us like this and that, and take what hire thou seekest. when he had made an end of dying the king's stuff he took them and went up with them to the divan and when the king saw them he rejoiced in them and bestowed abundant bounty on the dyer furthermore all the troops brought him stuffs saying die for us thus and thus and he died for them to their liking and they threw him gold and silver after this his fame spread abroad and his shop was called the sultan's diary good came into him at a

Starting point is 06:44:03 door and none of the other diars could say a word to him but they used to come to him kissing his hands and excusing themselves to him for past aference they had offered him and saying take us to thine apprentices but he would none of them for he had become the owner of black slaves and handmaids and had a massed store of wealth on this wise fared it with abu cur but as regards abu sir After the closet door had been locked on him, and his money had been stolen, he abode prostrate and unconscious for three successive days, at the end of which the concierge of the Khan, chancing to look at the door, observed that it was locked and bethought himself that he had not seen and heard aught of the two companions for some time.

Starting point is 06:44:55 So he said in his mind, Happily they have made off without paying rent. Or perhaps they are dead, or what is to do with them. And he waited till sunset when he went up to the door and heard the barber groaning within. He saw the key in the lock,

Starting point is 06:45:12 so he opened the door and entered, found Abusur lying, groaning, and said to him, No harm to thee. Where is thy friend? replied Abu Sir. By Allah, I came to my senses only this day and called out, but none answered my call. Allah upon thee, oh my brother, look for the purse under my head,

Starting point is 06:45:32 and take from it five and a half deems, and buy me somewhat nourishing, for I am sore and hungered. The porter put out his hand, and, taking the purse, found it empty, and said to the barber, The purse is empty, there is nothing in it. Whereupon Abu Sir knew that Abu Kerr had taken that which was therein, and had fled, and he asked the porter, hast thou not seen, my friend? Answered the doorkeeper, I have not seen him these three days, and indeed me thought you had departed thou and he and the barber cried not so but he coveted my money and took it and fled seeing me sick then he fell a weeping and a wailing but the doorkeeper said to him no harm shall befall thee and allah will requite him his deed so he went away and cooked him some broth whereof he ladled out a plateful and brought it to him nor did he cease to tend him and maintain him with his own monies for two months

Starting point is 06:46:32 space, when the barber sweated and the Almighty made him whole of his sickness. Then he stood up and said to the porter, And ever the most high Lord enable me, I will surely requite thee thy kindness to me, but none requiteeth save the lord

Starting point is 06:46:48 of his bounty. Answered the porter, Praise be he for thy recovery. I dealt not thus with thee, but of desire for the face of Allah the bountiful. Then the barber went forth of the Khan and threaded the market streets of the town till destiny brought him to the bazaar wherein was abu cur's diary and he saw the very

Starting point is 06:47:09 coloured before the shop and a jostle of folk crowding to look upon them so he questioned one of the townsmen and asked him what place is this and how cometh it that i see the folk crowding together where to the man answered saying this is the sultan's diary which he set up for a foreigner abu kur height and whenever he dieth new stuff we all flock to him and divert ourselves by gazing upon his handiwork for we have no dyers in our land who know how to stain with these colours and indeed there befell him with the diars who are in the city that which befell and he went on to tell him all that had passed between abu cur and the master diars and how he had complained of them to the sultan who took him by the hand and built him that diary and gave him this and that brief he to him all that had occurred. At this the barber rejoiced and said to himself, Praise be Allah who hath prospered him, so that he is become a master of his craft. And the man is excusable, for, of a surety, he hath been diverted from thee by his work, and hath forgotten thee. But thou actest kindly by him, and entreatest him generously,

Starting point is 06:48:25 what time he was out of work. So when he seeeth thee, he will rejoice in thee, and entreat thee generously, even as thou entreatest him. According, he made for the door of the diary, and saw Abu Kerr seated on a high mattress, spread upon a bench beside the doorway, clad in royal apparel, and attended by four Blackamore slaves, and four white mamelukes all robed in the richest of raiment. Moreover, he saw the workmen, ten negro slaves standing at work, for when Abu Kerr bought them he taught them the craft of dying, and he himself sat amongst his cushions, as he were a grand wazir or a mighty monarch, putting his hand to naught, but only saying to the men, do this and do that.

Starting point is 06:49:11 So the barber went up to him and stood before him, deeming he would rejoice in him when he saw him, and salute him, and entreat him with honor, and make much of him. But when I fell upon I, the dyer said to him, oh, scoundrel, how many a time have I been, bidden thee stand not at the door of the workshop hast thou a mind to disgrace me with the folk thief that thou art seize him so the blackamores ran at him and laid hold of him and the dyer rose up from his seat and said throw him accordingly they threw him down and abu-car took a stick and dealt him a hundred strokes on the back after which they turned him over and he beat him one hundred blows on his belly then he said to him oh scounder "'Wurderal, O villain, if ever again I see thee standing at the door of this diary, I will forthwith send thee to the king, and he will commit thee to the chief of police that he may strike thy neck. Be gone, may Allah not bless thee.'

Starting point is 06:50:16 So Abu Sir departed from him, broken-hearted by reason of the beating and shame that had betided him, whilst the bystanders asked Abu Kerr, "'What hath this man done?' he answered. the fellow is a thief who stealeth the stuffs of folk and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say end of night nine thirty four section twenty four of the book of the thousand knights and a night volume nine this is a libervox recording all livervox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit livervox dot org recording by Michelle Frye, Baton Rouge, Louisiana in November 2018. The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. When it was the 935th night, Shahrazad said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Abu Kerr beat Abu Sir and thrust him forth,

Starting point is 06:51:33 he said to those present, He is a thief who stealeth the stuffs of folk. He hath robbed me of my cloth, how many a time. And I still said in myself, Allah forgive him. He is a poor man, and I cared not to deal roughly with him, so I used to give my customers the worth of their goods and forbid him gently. But he would not be forbidden, and if he come again, I will send him to the king,

Starting point is 06:51:58 who will put him to death and rid the people of his mischief. and the bystanders fell to abusing the barber after his back was turned. Such was the behavior of Abu Kerr, but as regards Abu Sir, he returned to the Khan where he sat pondering, that which the dyer had done by him, and he remained seated until the burning of the beating subsided, when he went out and walked among the markets of the city. Presently he bethought him to go to the Amam bath, so he said to one of the townsfolk oh my brother which is the way to the baths quote the man and what manner of thing may the baths be and quoth abu sir tis a place where people wash themselves and do away with their dirt and defilements and it is of the best of the good things of this world

Starting point is 06:52:50 replied the townsman get thee to the sea but the barber rejoined i want the hammam baths cried the other we know not what matters of thing is the hamam for we all resort to the sea even the king when he would wash betaketh himself to the sea when abu sir was assured that there was no bath in the city and that the folk knew not the baths nor the fashion thereof he betook himself to the king's divan and kissing ground between his hands called down blessings on him and said i am a stranger and a bath-man by trade and i entered the city and thought to go to the hammam but found not one herein how cometh a city of this comely quality to lack a hammam seeing that the bath is of the highest of the delights of this world quoth the king what manner of thing is the hamam so abu sir proceeded to set forth to him the quality of the bath saying thy capital will not be a perfect city till there be a hammam therein welcome to thee said the king and clad him in a dress that had not its like and gave him a horse and two blackamore slaves presently adding four handmaids and as many white mamelukes he also appointed him a furnished house and honoured him yet more abundantly than he had honoured the dire after this he sent builders with him saying to them build him a hammam in what place so ever shall please him so he took this them and went with them through the midst of the city till he saw a stead that suited him he pointed it out to the builders and they set to work whilst he directed them and they wrought till they built him a hammam that had not its like then he bade them paint it and they painted it rarely so that it was a delight to the beholders after which abu sir went up to the king and told him that they had made an end of building and decorating the hamam adding there lacketh not save the furniture the king gave him ten thousand dinars wherewith he furnished the bath and ranged the napkins on the ropes and all who passed by the door stared at it and their mind confounded at its decorations so the people crowded to this spectacle whose like they had never in their lives seen and solaced themselves by staring at it and saying what is this thing to which abu sir replied this

Starting point is 06:55:23 is a hammam and they marveled thereat then he heated water and set the bath a-working and he made a jetting fountain in the great basin which ravished the wit of all who saw it of the people of the city furthermore he sought of the king ten mamelukes not yet come to manhood and he gave him ten boys like moons whereupon abu sir proceeded to shampoo them saying do in this wise with the then he burnt perfumes and sent out a crier to cry aloud in the city saying o creatures of allah get ye to the baths which be called the sultan's haman so the lieges came thither and abuser bade the slave boys wash their bodies the folk went down into the tank and coming forth seated themselves on the raised pavement whilst the boys shampooed them even as abuser had taught them and they continued to enter the hammam and do their need therein gratis and go out without paying for the space of three days. On the fourth day, the barber invited the king, who took horse with his grandees and rode to the baths, where he put off his clothes and entered. Then Abusur came into him and rubbed his body with the bag gloves, peeling from his skin dirt rolls like lampwicks and showing them to the king, who rejoiced therein, and clapping his hand upon his limbs, heard them ring again for very smoothness and

Starting point is 06:56:59 cleanliness, after which thorough washing, Abusur mingled rose-water with the water of the tank, and the king went down therein. When he came forth, his body was refreshed, and he felt a lightness and liveliness, such as he had never known in his life. Then the barber made him sit on the Dan's and the boys proceeded to shampoo him whilst the censors fumed with the finest ling aloes. Then said the king, Oh, master, is this the hammam? And Abu Sir said, yes. Quoth the king, as my head liveth, my city is not become a city indeed, but by this bath,

Starting point is 06:57:39 presently adding, But what pay takest thou for each person? Quoth Abu Sir, that which thou biddest will I take. whereupon the king cried take a thousand gold pieces for everyone who washeth in thy hammam abu sir however said pardon o king of the age all men are not alike but there are amongst them rich and poor and if i take of each a thousand dinars the hamam will stand empty for the poor man cannot pay this price asked the king how then wilt thou do for the price and the barber answered i will leave it to their generosity each who can afford aught shall pay that which his soul grudgeth not to give and we will take from every man after the measure of his means on this wise will the folk come to us and he who is wealthy shall give according to his station and he who is wealthless shall give what he can afford under such condition the hamam will still be at work and prosper exceedingly but a thousand dinars is a monarch's gift and not every man can avail to this The lords of the realm confirmed Abu Sir's words, saying, This is the truth, O king of the age. Thinkest thou that all folks are likened to thee, O glorious king?

Starting point is 06:58:57 The king replied, Ye say sooth, But this man is a stranger and poor, And tis incumbent on us to deal generously with him. For that he hath made in our city this hamam, Who's like we have never in our lives seen, And without which our city were not adorned, nor hath gotten. importance, wherefore, and we favor him with increase of fee, it will not be much. But the grandees said, and thou wilt to girden him be generous with thine own monies,

Starting point is 06:59:28 and let the king's bounty be extended to the poor by means of the low price of the hamam. So the lieges may bless thee, but as for the thousand dinars, we are the lords of thy land, yet do our souls grudge to pay it, and how then should the poor be pleased to afford it? Quoth the king, O my grandees, for this time let each of you give him a hundred dinars and a mameluke, a slave girl, and a blackamore, and quoth they, tis well, we will give it. But after today, whoso entereth shall give him only what he can afford without grudging. No harm in that, said the king, and they gave him a thousand gold pieces and three chattels.

Starting point is 07:00:10 Now the number of the nobles who were washed with the king that day was four hundred souls. and shahrazad perceived the dawn of the day and ceased saying her permitted say when it was the nine hundred and thirty-sixth night she continued it hath reached me o auspicious king that the number of the nobles who were washed with the king that day were four hundred souls so that the total of that which they gave him was forty thousand dinars besides four hundred mamalukes and a like number of negroes and slave girls. Moreover, the king gave him ten thousand dinars, besides ten white slaves, and ten handmaidens, and a like number of blackamores, whereupon coming forward, Abusir kissed the ground before him, and said, O auspicious sovereign, Lord of justice, what place will contain me all these women and slaves? Quoth the king, O weak a wit, I bade not my nobles deal thus with thee, but that we might gather together unto thee wealth galore, for may be thou wilt

Starting point is 07:01:19 bethink thee of thy country and family, and repine for them, and be minded to return to thy motherland. So shalt thou take from our country much of money to maintain thyself withal, what while thou liveest in thine own country. And quoth, Abusur, O, king of the age, Allah advance thee, these white slaves and women and negroes befit only kings and hadst thou ordered me ready money it were more profitable to me than this army for they must eat and drink and dress and whatever betideth me of wealth it will not suffice for their support the king laughed and said by allah thou speakest sooth they are indeed a mighty host and thou hast not the wherewithal to maintain them but wilt thou sell them to me for an hundred dinars ahead said Abu Sir, I sell them to thee at that price. So the king sent to his treasurer for the coin, and he brought it and gave Abusur the whole of the price without abatement, and in full tale,

Starting point is 07:02:24 after which the king restored the slaves to their owners, saying, let each of you who knoweth his slaves take them, for they are a gift from me to you. So they obeyed his bidding and took each what belonged to him, whilst Abu Sir said to the, the king. Allah, ease thee, O king of the age, even as thou hast eased me of these ghouls, whose bellies none may fill save for Allah. The king laughed and said he spake sooth, then taking the grandees of his room from the hamam, returned to his palace. But the barber passed the night in counting out

Starting point is 07:03:01 his gold and laying it up in bags and sealing them, and he had with him twenty black slaves, and a like number of mamelukes and four slave girls to serve him. Now when morning morrowed, he opened the hammam and sent out a crier, saying, Whoso entereth the bath, said washeth, shall give that which he can afford, and which his generosity requires him to give. Then he seated himself by the pay chest, and customers flocked in upon him, each putting down that which was easy to him, nor had even tied evened, the chest was full of the good gifts of Allah the most high.

Starting point is 07:03:42 Presently, the queen desired to go to the hamam, and when this came to Abu Sir's knowledge, he divided the day on her account into two parts, appointing that between dawn and noon to men, and that between midday and sundown to women. As soon as the queen came, he stationed a handmaid behind the pay chest, for he had taught four slave girls the service of the hamam,

Starting point is 07:04:06 so that they were become expert bathwomen and tire women. When the queen entered, this pleased her, and her breast waxed broad, and she laid down a thousand dinars. Thus his report was noised abroad in the city, and all who entered the bath he entreated with honour, were they rich or poor, good came in upon him at every door,

Starting point is 07:04:29 and he made acquaintance with the royal guards, and got him friends and intimates. The king himself used to, come to him one day in every week leaving with him a thousand dinars and the other days were for rich and poor alike and he was wont to deal courteously with the folk and use them with the utmost respect it chanced that the king's sea-captain came in to him one day in the bath so abu sir did off his dress and going in with him proceeded to shampoo him and entreated him with exceeding courtesy when he came forth he made him sherbert and coffee and when he would have given him somewhat he swore that he would not accept from him ought so the captain was under obligation to him by reason of his exceeding kindness and courtesy and was perplexed how to requite the bathman his generous dealing. Thus fared it with Abu Sir.

Starting point is 07:05:29 But as regards Abu Kerr, hearing all the people recounting wonders of the baths, and saying, verily, this Hamam is the paradise of this world, Inshallah, O such and one, thou shalt go with us tomorrow to this delightful bath, he said to himself. Needs must I fare like the rest of the world. and see this bath that hath taken folks wits so he donned his richest dress and mounting a she-mule and bidding the attendants of four white slaves and four blacks walking before and behind him he rode to the hammam when he alighted at the door he smelt the scent of burning aloes wood and found people going in and out and the benches full of great and small so he entered the vestibule and saw abu sir who rose to him and rejoiced in him, but the dyer said to him, Is this the way of well-born men?

Starting point is 07:06:27 I have opened me a diary, and am become master dyer of the city, and acquainted with the king, and have risen to prosperity and authority, yet camest thou not to me, nor askest of me, nor saidest, where is my comrade? For my part, I sought thee in vain,

Starting point is 07:06:45 and sent my slaves and servants to make search for thee in all the con, and other places, but they knew not whether thou hadst gone, nor could anyone give me tidings of thee. Said Abu Sir, did I not come to thee, and didst thou not make me out a thief and bastinado, and dishonour me before the world? At this, Abu Kerr made a show of concern, and asked, What manner of talk is this? Was it thou whom I beat? And Abu Sir answered, yes, twas I. whereupon abu cur swore to him a thousand oaths that he knew him not and said there was a fellow like thee that used to come every day and steal people's stuff and i took thee for him and he went on to pretend penitence beating hand upon hand and saying there is no majesty and there is no might save in allah the glorious the great indeed we have sinned against thee but would that thou hadst discovered thyself to me and said

Starting point is 07:07:50 I am such an one. Indeed the fault is with thee, for that thou madeest not thyself known unto me, more especially seeing that I was distracted for such business, replied Abu Sir. Allah pardon me, O my comrade, this was for ordained in the secret purpose and reparation is with Allah. Enter and put off thy clothes and bathe at thy knees. Said the dyer, I conjure thee by Allah, O my brother, forgive me. and said Abu Sir, Allah acquit thee of blame and forgive thee. Indeed, this thing was decreed to me from all eternity. And then asked Abu Kerr, whence gotest thou this high degree? And answered Abu Sir, He who prospered thee prospered me, for I went up to the king and described to him the fashion of the Hamam, and he bade me build one.

Starting point is 07:08:46 And the dire said, Even as thou art be known of the king. so also am I and Scheherazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say End of Knights 935 and 36 Section 25 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night Volume 9

Starting point is 07:09:16 This is a Libervox recording All Librefox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. Recording by Michelle Fry, Baton Rouge, Louisiana in November 2018. The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. When it was the 937th night, Shahrazad pursued, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Abu Kerr and Abu Sir were exchanging reproof and excuse, the dire said to him, Even as thou art be known of the king, so also am I.

Starting point is 07:10:03 And, inshallah, God willing, I will make him love and favor thee more than ever. For my sake he knoweth not that thou art my comrade, but I will acquaint him of this and commend thee to him. but abu sir said there needeth no commendation for he who moveth man's heart to love still liveth and indeed the king and all his court affect me and have given me this and that and he told him the whole tale and said to him put off thy clothes behind the chest and enter the hamam and i will go in with thee and rub thee down with the glove so he daft his dress and abu sir entering the bath with him soaped him and he gloved him and then dressed him and busied himself with his service till he came forth when he brought him dinner and sherbet's whilst all the folk marvelled at the honour he did him then abu cur would have given him somewhat but he swore that he would not accept aught from him and said to him shame on such doings thou art my comrade and there is no difference between us then abu cur observed by allah o my comrade this is a mighty fine haam of thine but there lacketh somewhat in its ordinance asked abu sir and what is that and abu cur answered it is the depilatory to wit the paste compounded of yellow arsenic and quick lime which removeth the hair with comfort do thou prepare it and next time the king cometh presented to him teaching him how he shall cause the hair to fall off by such means and he will love thee with exceeding love and honour thee Quoth Abu Sir, thou speakest sooth, and inshallah I will at once make it. Then Abu Ker left him and mounted his mule, and going to the king, said to him,

Starting point is 07:11:57 I have a warning to give thee, O king of the age. And what is thy warning? asked the king. And Abu Kerr answered, I hear that thou hast built a hammam. Quoth the king, yes, there came to me a stranger, and I built the baths for him, even as I builded the diary for thee. And indeed, tis a mighty fine ha-mah and an ornament to my city. And he went on to describe to him the virtues of the bath. Quoth the dyer, hast thou entered therein?

Starting point is 07:12:27 And quoth the king, yes. Thereupon cried the Abu Kerr. Alhamdolaya, praised be God, who save thee from the mischief of yonder villain and foe of the faith. I mean the bath-keeper. The king inquired, and what of him and abu kirk replied no o king of the age that end thou enter the haman again after this day thou will surely perish how so said the king and the dyer said this bath-keeper is thy foe and the foe of the faith and he induced thee not to establish this bath but because he designed therein to poison thee he hath made for thee somewhat and he will present it to thee when thou enterest the haman saying This is a drug which, if one apply to his parts below the waist, will remove the hair with comfort.

Starting point is 07:13:19 Now it is no drug, but a drastic drag and a deadly poison. For the Sultan of the Christians hath promised this obscene fellow to release to him his wife and children, and he will kill thee. For they are prisoners in the hands of that Sultan. I myself was captain with him in their land, but I opened a diary and died for them various colors, so that they conciliated the king's heart to me, and he bade me ask a boon of him. I sought of him freedom, and he set me at liberty, whereupon I made my way to this city, and seeing yonder man in the hamam, said to him, How didst thou affect thine escape, and win free with thy wife and children?

Starting point is 07:14:03 Quoth he, we ceased not to be in captivity, I and my wife and children, till one day the king of the Nazarenes held a court whereat I was present, among a number of others, and as I stood amongst the folk, I heard them open out on the kings, and name them one after another, till they came to the name of the king of this city, whereupon the king of the Christians cried out, alas, and said, none vexeth me in the world, but the king of such a city. Whosoever will contrive me his slaughter, I will give him all he shall ask. So I went up to him and said, And I compass thee for his slaughter, will they, set me free, me and my wife and my children? And the king replied, yes, and I will give thee to boot

Starting point is 07:14:50 what so thou shalt desire. So we agreed upon this, and he sent me in a galleon to this city, where I presented myself to the king, and he built me this hammam. Now, therefore, I have not to do, but to slay him, and return to the king of the Nazarenes, that I may redeem my children and my wife and ask a boon of him quoth i and how wilt thou go about to kill him and quoth he by the simplest of all devices for i have compounded him somewhat wherein is poison so when he cometh to the bath i shall say to him take this paste and anoint therewith thy parts below the waste for it will cause the hair to drop off so he will take it and apply it to himself and the poison will work in him a and a night till it reacheth his heart and destroyeth him, and meanwhile I shall have made off, and none will know that it was I who slew him. When I heard this, added Abu Kerr, I feared for thee my benefactor, wherefore I have told thee of what is doing. As soon as the king heard the Dyer's story, he was wroth with exceeding wrath and said to him,

Starting point is 07:16:06 keep this secret. Then he resolved to visit the hamam that he might dispel doubt by supplying certainty, and when he entered, Abusur doffed his dress, and betaking himself as of want to the service of the king, proceeded to glove him, after which he said to him, O king of the age, I have made a drug which assisteth in plucking out the lower hair. Cried the king, bring it to me. So the barber brought it to him, and the king, finding it nauseous of smell, was assured that it was poison, wherefore he was incensed and called out his guards, saying, Seize him!

Starting point is 07:16:47 Accordingly they seized him, and the king donned his dress and returned to his palace, boiling with fury, whilst none knew the cause of his indignation, for, of the excess of his wrath he had acquainted no one therewith, and none dared ask him. then he repaired to the audience chamber and causing abu sir to be brought before him with his elbows pinioned sent for his sea-captain and said to him take this villain and set him in a sack with two quintiles of lime unslacked and tie its mouth over his head then lay him in a cock-boat and row out with him in front of my palace where thou wilt see me sitting at the lattice do thou say to me shall i cast him in and if i answer cast him, throw the sack into the sea, so the quicklime may be slaked on him to the intent, that he shall die, drowned, and burnt. Harkening and obeying, quoth the captain, and taking Abu Sir from the presence, carried him to an island, facing the king's palace, where he said to him,

Starting point is 07:17:53 Ho, thou, I once visited thy Hamam, and thou entreatest me with honour, and accomplished all my needs, and I had great pleasure of thee. Moreover thou swearest that thou wouldst take no pay of me, and I love thee with a great love. So tell me how the case standeth between thee and the king, and what abominable deed thou hast done with him that he is wroth with thee, and hath commanded me that thou shouldst die this foul death.

Starting point is 07:18:20 Answered Abusur, I have done nothing, nor wreat I of any crime I have committed against him, which merited this. and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the nine hundred and thirty eighth night and resumed it hath reached me o auspicious king that when the sea-captain asked abu sir the cause of the king's wrath with him he replied by allah o my brother i have committed no crime against him which merited this rejoined the captain verily thou wast high in rank with the king such as none ever won before thee and all who are prosperous are envied haply some one was jealous of thy good fortune and threw out certain hints concerning thee to the king by reason whereof he is become enraged against thee with rage so violent but be of good cheer no harm shall befall thee for even as thou entreatest me generously without acquaintanceship between me and thee so now i will deliver thee but and if i release thee thou must abide with me on this island till some galleons sail from our city to thy native land when i will send thee thither therein abu sir kissed his hand and thanked him for that after which the captain fetched the quick lime and set it in a sack together with a great stone the size of a man saying i put my trust in allah

Starting point is 07:19:52 then he gave the barber a net saying cast this net into the sea so haply thou mayst take somewhat of fish for i am bound to supply the king's kitchen with fish every day but to-day i have been distracted from fishing by this calamity which hath befallen thee and i fear lest the cook's boys come to me in quest of fish and find none so and thou take aught they will find it and thou wilt veil my face whilst i go and play off my practice in front of the palace and fain to cast thee into the sea answered abu sir i will fish the wise go thou and god help thee so the captain set the sack in the boat and paddled till he came under the palace where he saw the king seated at the lattice and said to him o king of the age shall i cast him in cast him cried the king and signed to him with his hand when lo and behold something flashed like leaven and fell into the sea now that which had fallen into the water was the king's seal-ring and the same was enchanted in such way that when the king was wroth with any one and was minded to slay him he had but to sign to him with his right hand whereon was the signet ring and therefore issued a flash of lightning which smote the object and thereupon his head fell from between his shoulders and the troops obeyed him not nor did he overcome the men of might save by means of the ring so when it dropped from his finger he concealed the matter and kept silence for that day dared not say my ring is fallen into the sea for fear of the troops lest they rise against him and slay him on this wise it befell the king but as regards abuser after the captain had left him on the island he took the net and casting it into the sea

Starting point is 07:21:47 presently drew it up full of fish nor did he cease to throw it and pull it up full till there was a great mound of fish before him so he said in himself by allah his long while i have not eaten and chose himself a large fat fish saying when the captain cometh back i will bid him fry it for me so i may dine on it then he cut its throat with a knife he had with him but the knife stuck in its gills and there he saw the king's signet ring for the fish had swallowed it and destiny had driven it to that island where it had fallen into the net he took the ring and drew it on his little finger not knowing its peculiar properties presently up came two of the cook's boys in quest of fish and seeing abu sir said to him o man whither is the captain gone i know not said he and signed to them with his right hand when behold the heads of both underlings dropped from between their shoulders at this abu sir was amazed and said would i wot who slew them and their case was grievous to him and he was still pondering it when the captain'ser who sawed him and their case was grievous to him and he was still pondering it when the captain suddenly returned, and seeing the mound of fishes and two men lying dead, and the seal ring on Abusar's finger, said to him, O my brother, move not thy hand, whereon is the signet ring, else thou wilt kill me. Abusur wondered at this speech, and kept his hand motionless, whereupon the captain came up to him and said, Who slew these two men?

Starting point is 07:23:23 By Allah, O my brother, I want not. Thou saith sooth, but tell me whence hadst thou that ring, I found it in the fish's gills. True, said the captain, for I saw it fall flashing from the king's palace and disappear in the sea, what time he signed towards thee, saying, cast him in. So I cast the sack into the water, and it was then that the ring slipped from his finger, and fell into the sea, where this fish swallowed it, and Allah drave it to thee, so that thou maids did thy prey, for this ring was thy lot, but canest thou, thou, its property said abu sir i knew not that it had any properties peculiar to it and the captain said learn then that the king's troops obey him not save for fear of this signet ring because it is spelled and when he was wroth with any one and had a mind to kill him he would sign at him therewith and his head would drop from between his shoulders for there issued a flash of lightning from the ring and its ray smote the object of his wrath who died forthright who died forthright

Starting point is 07:24:29 right at this abusser rejoiced with exceeding joy and said to the captain carry me back to the city and he said that will i now that i no longer fear for thee from the king for wert thou to sign at him with thy hand purposing to kill him his head would fall down between thy hands and if thou be minded to slay him and all his host thou mayst slay them without let or hindrance so saying he embarked him in the boat and bore him back to the city. And Scheherazade perceived the dawn of the day and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Knights 937 and 938. Section 26 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9. This is a Librevox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librevox.orgs. recording by michel fry batonrooge louisiana in november two thousand nights in a night volume nine by anonymous translated by richard francis burton when it was the nine hundred and thirty ninth night shahrazad said it hath reached me o auspicious king that when the captain embarked with abu sir he bore him back to the seahaerzad said it hath reached me o auspicious king that when the captain embarked with abu sir he bore him back to the city so abu sir landed and going up to the palace entered the council chamber where he found the king seated facing his officers in sore cork and care by reason of the seal-ring and daring not tell any of his folk anent its loss when he saw abu sir he said to him did we not cast thee into the sea how hast thou contrived to come forth of it abusur replied o king of the age when as thou badest throw me into the sea thy captain carrie

Starting point is 07:26:32 me to an island and asked me of the cause of thy wrath against me saying what hast thou done with the king that he should decree thy death i answered by allah i know not that i have wrought him any wrong quoth he thou wast high in rank with the king and haply some one envied thee and threw out certain hints concerning thee to him so that he is become incensed against thee but when i visited thee in the hamam thou entreatest me honorably and i will requite thee thy hospitality to me by setting thee free and sending thee back to thine own land then he set a great stone in the sack in my stead and cast it into the sea but when thou signest to him to throw me in thy seal-ring dropped from thy finger into the main and a fish swallowed it now i was on the island a fishing and this fish came up in the net with the others whereupon i took it it, intending to broil it, but when I opened its belly, I found the signet ring therein, so I took it and put it on my finger. Presently up came two of the servants of the kitchen, questing fish, and I signed to them with my hand, knowing not the property of the seal ring, and their heads fell off.

Starting point is 07:27:53 Then the captain came back, and, seeing the ring on my finger, acquainted me with its spell, and behold, I have brought it back to thee, for that thou dealt his cut. kindly with me, and entreatest me with the utmost honour, nor is that which thou hast done me of kindness lost upon me. Here is thy ring, take it. But an I have done with thee ought deserving of death, tell me my crime, and slay me, and thou shalt be absolved of sin in shedding my blood. So saying, he pulled the ring from his finger, and gave it to the king, who, seeing Abusur's noble conduct, took the ring and put it on. and felt life returned to him afresh.

Starting point is 07:28:35 Then he rose to his feet, and embracing the barber, said, O man, thou art indeed of the flower of the well-born. Blame me not, but forgive me the wrong I have done thee. Had any but thou gotten a hold of this ring, he had never restored it to me, answered Abu Sir, O king of the age, and thou wouldst have me forgive thee, tell me what was my fault which drew down thine anger upon me, so that thou commandest to do me die. rejoined the king by allah tis clear to me that thou art free and guiltless in all things of offence since thou hast done this good deed only the dire denounced thee to me in such and such words and he told him all that abu cur had said

Starting point is 07:29:21 abusa replied by allah o king of the age i know no king of the nazarenes nor during my days have ever journeyed to a christian country nor did it ever come into my mind to kill thee but this dire was my comrade and neighbor in the city of alexandria where life was straightened upon us therefore we departed thence to seek our fortunes by reason of the narrowness of our means at home after we had recited the opening chapter of the koran together pledging ourselves that he who got work should feed him who lacked work and there befell me with him such and such things then he went on to relate to the king all that had betided him with abu cur the dyer how he had robbed him of his dear arms and had left him alone and sick in the con closet and how the doorkeeper had fed him of his own monies till allah recovered him of his sickness when he went forth and walked about the city with his budget as was his wont till he espied the diary about which folk were crowding and so he looked at the door and seeing abu-kur seated on the bench there went in to salute him whereupon he accused him of being a thief and beat him a grievous beating brief he told him his whole tale from first to last and added o king of the age twas he who counselled me to make the depilatory and presented to thee saying the hammam is perfect in all things but it lacketh this and know o king of the age that this drug is harmless and we use it in our land where it is one of the requisites of the bath but i had forgotten it so when the dio visited the hamam i entreated him with honour and he reminded him me of it and enjoined me to make it forthwith but do thou send after the porter of such a con and the workman of the diary and question them all of that which i have told thee

Starting point is 07:31:19 accordingly the king sent for them and questioned them one and all and they acquainted him with the truth of the matter then he summoned the dyer saying bring him barefooted bareheaded and with elbow's pinion now he was sitting in his house rejoicing in abuser's death but ere he could beware the king's guards rushed in upon him and cuffed him on the nape after which they bound him and bore him into the presence where he saw abuser seated by the king's side and the door-keeper of the khan and workmen of the diary standing before him quoth the door-keeper to him is know this thy comrade whom thou robest of his silvers and leftest with me sick in the closet doing such and such by him and the workman said to him is not this he whom thou bedest a seize and beat therewith abukur's baseness was made manifest to the king and he was certified that he merited torture yet soarer than the torments of munkar and nakir so he said to his guards take him and parade him about the city and the markets and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say end of night nine thirty nine when it was the nine hundred and fortyth night she continued it hath reached me o auspicious king that when the king heard the words spoken by the doorkeeper of the caravanserea and the workman of the diary he was certified of the vileness of abu cur so he upbraided him with flout and fleer, and said to his guards, take him and parade him about the city and the market streets,

Starting point is 07:33:14 then set him in a sack, and cast him into the sea. Whereupon quoth Abu Sir, O, king of the age, accept my intercession for him, for I pardon him of all he hath done with me. But quoth the king, and thou pardon him against all his offenses against thee, I cannot pardon him his offenses against me, and he cried out, saying take him so they took him and paraded him about the city after which they set him in a sack with quick lime and cast him into the sea and he died drowned and burnt then said the king to the barber o abu sir ask of me what thou wilt and it shall be given thee and he answered saying i ask of thee to send me back to my own country for i care no longer to tarry here then the king gifted him great store of gifts over and above that which he had whileum bestowed on him and amongst the rest a galleon freighted with goods and the crew of this galleon were mamelukes so he gave him these also after offering to make him his wazir where to the barber consented not presently he farewelled the king and set sail in his own ship manned by his own crew nor did he cast anchor till he reached alexandria and made for his own king and made for his own ship and made for his own crew nor did he cast anchor till he reached alexandria and made

Starting point is 07:34:38 fast to the shore there then he landed and one of his mamelukes seeing a sack on the beach said to abu sir o my lord there is a great heavy sack on the sea-shore with the mouth tied up and i know not what therein so abu sir came up and opening the sack found therein the remains of abu-kir which the sea had borne thither he took it forth and burying it near alexandria built over the grave a place of visit and endowed with mortimaine writing over the door these couplets man is known among me as his deeds attest which make noble origin manifest back bite not lest other men bite thy back who saith aught the same shall to him be addressed shun in modest words and indecent speech when thou speakest in earnest or eaten in jest we bear with the dog which beheld haves itself but the lion is chained lest he prove a pest and the desert carcasses swim the main while union pearls on the sandbank rest no sparrow would hustle the sparrow hawk were it not by folly and weakness pressed a sky is written on page of air who doth kindly of kindness shall have the best ware of gathering sugar from bitter gourd twill prove to its origin like in taste. After this, Abu Sur abode a while, till Allah took him to himself, and they buried him hard by the tomb of his comrade, Abu Kerr, wherefore that place was called Abu Kerr and

Starting point is 07:36:23 Abusur, but it is now known as Abu Kerr only. This then is that which hath reached us of their history, and glory be to him who endureth forever and I, and by whose will interchange the night and the day. And of the stories they tell is one an end, Abdullah the fisherman, and Abdullah the Murman. There once was a fisherman named Abdullah, who had a large family, to which nine children and their mother, so was he poor, very poor, owning not save his net. Every day he used to go to the sea of fishing and if he caught little he sold it and spent the price on his children after the measure of that which allah vouchsafed him of provision but if he caught much he would cook a good mess of meat and buy fruit and spend without stint till nothing was left him saying to himself the daily bread of

Starting point is 07:37:21 tomorrow will come tomorrow presently his wife gave birth to another child making a total of ten and it chanced that day that he had nothing at all. So she said to him, Oh, my master, see and get me somewhat wherewithal, I may sustain myself. Quoth he, I am going, under favour of Almighty Allah, this day seawards to fish on the luck of this newborn child, that we may see its fair fortune,

Starting point is 07:37:49 and quoth she, put thy trust in Allah. So he took his net and went down to the seashore, where he cast it on the luck of the little, one, saying, oh my God, make his living of ease, not of unease, and abundant, not scant. Then he waited a while, and drew in the net, which came up full of rubbish and sand and pebbles and weeds, and he saw therein no sign of fish, neither mussel nor little. He cast it again and waited, then drew it in, but found no catch at all, and threw it a third and a fourth and a fifth time, still not a single fish came up.

Starting point is 07:38:26 so he removed to another place beseeching his daily bread of allah almighty and thus he kept working till the end of the day but caught not so much as a minnow whereat he fell a marveling in himself and said self-commuting hath allah then created this new-born child without lot of provision this may never never be he who slitteth the corners of the lips hath pledged himself for its provision because almighty allah is the bountiful the provisers so saying he shouldered his net and turned him homeward broken-spirited and heavy at heart about his family for that he had left them without food more by token that his wife was in the straw as he continued trudging along and saying in himself how shall i do and what shall i say to the children to-night he came to a baker's oven and saw a crowd about it for the season was one of dearth and in those days food was scant with the folk, so people were proffering the baker money, but he paid no heed to any of them, by reason of the dense crowd. The fishermen stood looking and snuffing the smell of the hot bread, and indeed his soul longed for it, by reason of his hunger, till the baker caught sight of him and cried out to him, come hither, O fisherman. So he went up to him, and the baker said, dost thou want bread?

Starting point is 07:39:55 But he was silent, Quoth the baker, speak out and be not ashamed, for Allah is bountiful, and thou have no silver, I will give thee bread, and have patience with thee till we'll betide thee. And quoth the fisherman, Buy Allah, O master, I have indeed no money, but give me bread enough for my family,

Starting point is 07:40:17 and I will leave thee this net in pond till the morrow. Rejoined the baker, nay my poor fellow this net is thy shop and the door of thy daily subsistence so an thou pawn it wherewithal wilt thou fish tell me how much will suffice thee and replied the fisherman ten half durham's worth so he gave him ten nuffs worth of bread and ten in silver saying take these ten nuffs and cook thyself a mess of meat therewith so wilt thou owe me twenty for which bring me fish to-morrow but an thou catch nothing again come and take thy bread and thy ten nuffs and i will have patience with thee till better luck betide thee and shahrazide perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say and this ends the nine hundred and 40th night. Knight 941 When it was the 941 night, she pursued,

Starting point is 07:41:56 It had reached me, O auspicious king, That the baker said to the fisherman, Take what so thou needest, and I will have patience with thee, Till better luck betide thee, After the which thou shalt bring me fish for all thou oest me. Said the fisherman, Almighty Allah reward thee, and requite thee for me with all good.

Starting point is 07:42:19 Then he took the bread and the coins, and went away, glad at heart, and, buying what he could, returned to his wife whom he found sitting up, soothing the children, who were weeping for hunger, and saying to them, At once your father will be here with what ye may eat.

Starting point is 07:42:39 So he set the bread before them, and they ate, whilst he told his wife what had befallen him, and she said, Allah is bountiful. On the morrow, he shouldered his net and went forth of his house, saying,

Starting point is 07:42:54 I beseech thee, O Lord, to vouch save me this day, that which shall right in my face with the baker. When he came to the seashore, he proceeded to cast his net and pull it in,

Starting point is 07:43:08 but there came up no fish therein, and he ceased not to toil thus till end the day, but he caught nothing. Then he said, set out homewards in great concern, and the way to his house lay past the baker's oven. So he said to himself, How shall I go home? But I will hasten my pace that the baker may not see me. When he reached the shop, he saw a crowd about it, and walked the faster, being ashamed to face his creditor.

Starting point is 07:43:39 But the baker raised his eyes to him and cried out to him, saying, Ho, fishermen, come and take thy bread in spending money, me seems thou forgettest. Quoth Abdullah, by Allah I had not forgotten, but I was ashamed to face thee, because I have caught no fish to stay. And quoth the baker, be not ashamed, said I not to thee at thy leisure, till better luck betide thee. Then he gave him the bread and the ten noose, and he returned and told his wife, who said, Allah is bountiful, Better luck shall yet betide thee,

Starting point is 07:44:21 and thou shalt give the baker his due, Inchallah. He ceased not doing on this wise forty days, betaking himself daily to the sea, from the rising of the sun to the going down thereof, and returning home without fish. And still he took bread and spending money of the baker, who never once named the fish to him, nor neglected him, nor kept him waiting like the folk,

Starting point is 07:44:47 but gave him the bread and the ten half-durums without delay. Whenever the fisherman said to him, O my brother, reckon with me, he would say, be off, this is no time for reckoning. Wait till better luck betide thee, and then I will reckon with thee. And the fisherman would bless him and go away thanking him. On the one and forthy a day,

Starting point is 07:45:12 he said to his wife, I have a mind to tear up the net and be quit of this life. She asked, Why wilt thou do this? And he answered, Me seems there is an end of my getting my daily bread from the waters. How long shall this last? By Allah, I burn with shame before the baker,

Starting point is 07:45:34 and I will go no more to the sea, so I may not pass by his oven, for I have none other way home, and every time I pass he calleth me and giveth me the bread and the ten silvers. How much longer shall I run in debt to him? The wife replied, Alhamdulillah, lauded be the Lord, the most high, who hath inclined his heart to thee,

Starting point is 07:45:59 so that he giveth thee our daily bread. What dislikeest thou in this? And the husband rejoined, I owe him now a mighty great sum of durhands, and there is no doubt but that he will demand his due. Has he vexed thee with words? No, on the contrary, he still refuses to reckon with me, saying, wait till better luck betide thee.

Starting point is 07:46:26 If he press thee, say to him, wait till there come the good luck for which we hope, thou and I. And when will the good luck come that we hope for? Allah is bountiful. sooth thou speakest so saying he shouldered his net and went down to the sea-side praying o lord provide thou me do but with one fish that i may give it to the baker and he cast his net into the sea and pulling it in found it heavy so he tugged of it till he was tired with sore travail but when he got it ashore he found in it a dead donkey swollen and stinking Whereat his senses sickened, and he freed it from the net, saying, There is no majesty, and there is no might, save in Allah, the glorious, the great.

Starting point is 07:47:20 Indeed, I can no more. I say to that wife of mine, There is no more provision for me in the waters. Let me leave this craft. And still she answereth me, Allah is bountiful. Good will presently betide to thee. Is this dead a'st the good be tied to thee? whereof she speaketh, and he grieved with the soarest grief. Then he turned to another place, so he might remove from the stench of the dead donkey, and cast his net there, and waited a full hour.

Starting point is 07:47:53 Then he drew it in, and found it heavy. Thereupon quoth he, Goent, we are hauling up all the dead donkeys in the sea and ridding it of its rubbish. However, he gave not overtugging at the net, till blood came. came from the palms of his hands, and when he got it ashore, he saw a man in it, and took him for one of the Ifreds of the Lord Solomon, whom he was warned to imprison in cuckarids of grass, and cast him into the main, believing that the vessel had burst for length of years, and that the Ifrit had come forth and fallen into the net, wherefore he fled from him, crying out and saying,

Starting point is 07:48:35 mercy, mercy, O Eiffrit of Solomon. But the Adamite called out to him from within the net and said, Come hither, O fisherman, and flee not from me, for I am human like thyself. Release me, so thou mayst get a recompense for me of Allah. When as he heard Gays'h words, the fisherman took heart and coming up to him, said to him, art thou not an effraith of the gin? And replied the other, No, I am immortal and a believer in Allah and his apostle.

Starting point is 07:49:13 Asked the fisherman, Who threw thee into the sea? And the other answered, I am of the children of the sea and was going about therein, when thou castest the net over me. We are people who obey Allah's commandments and show loving kindness and to the creatures of the Almighty,

Starting point is 07:49:33 and but that I fear and dread to be of the disobedient, I had torn thy net, but I accept that which the Lord hath decreed to me, wherefore by setting me free, thou becomeest my owner, and I thy captive. Wilt thou then set me free for the love of Almighty Allah, and make a covenant with me and become my comrade? I will come to thee every day in this place,

Starting point is 07:49:59 and do thou come to me and bring me a gift of the fruits of the land? For with you are grapes and figs and watermelons and peaches and pomegranates and so forth, and all thou bringest me will be acceptable unto me. Moreover, with us are coral and pearls and pricillites and emerales and rubies and other gems, and I will fill thee the basket wherein thou bringest me the fruit, with precious stones of the jewels of the sea. What say'st thou to this, oh my brother? Forth the fisherman, be the opening chapter of the Quran between thee and me upon this. So they recite together the Vothija, and the fisherman loosed the merman from the net and asked him, What is thy name?

Starting point is 07:50:48 He replied, My name is Abdullah of the sea, and if thou come hither and see me not, call out and say, where art thou, O Abdullah, O Mormon? And I will be with thee. And Charazot perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of night 941. Night 942. When it was the 942nd night,

Starting point is 07:51:20 she resumed, It hath reached me, or auspicious king, That Abdullah of the sea thus enjoined the other, and thou come hither and see me not, call out and say, Where art thou, O Abdullah, O Merman? And I will be with thee forthwith. But thou, what is thy name? Quoth the fisherman, my name also is Abdullah.

Starting point is 07:51:44 And quoth the other, Thou art Abdullah of the land, and I am Abdullah of the sea, but tarry here till I go and fetch thee a present. And the fisherman repented him. of having released him and said to himself, How know I that he will come back to me? Indeed, he beguiled me so that I loosed him, and now he will laugh at me.

Starting point is 07:52:09 Had I kept him, I might have made a show of him for the diversion of the city folk, and taken silver from all men, and gone with him to the houses of the great. And he repented him of having set him free, and said, Thou hast let thy prey from thy hand away, But as he was thus bemoaning his folly in releasing the prisoner,

Starting point is 07:52:31 Behold, Abdullah the Merman, returned to him, with both hands full of pearls and coral and smiracts and rubies and other gems, and said to him, Take these, O my brother, and excuse me, had I a fish-basket, I would have filled it for thee. Abdullah the fisherman rejoiced and took the jewels from the merman, who said to him, every day come hither before sun runs, and farewelling him went down into the sea,

Starting point is 07:53:03 whilst the other returned to the city, rejoicing, and stayed not walking till he came to the baker's oven, and said to him, O my brother, good luck has come to us at last, so do thou reckon with me? Answered the baker, there needeth no reckoning, and thou have aught given me, and if thou have not naught, take thy bread in spending money, and be gone, against weal betide thee. Rejoined the fisherman, O my friend, indeed, weil hath betided me of Allah's bounty, and I owe thee much money, but take this. So saying, he took for him a handful of the pearls and coral and rubies and other jewels he had with him, the handful being about half of the whole, and gave them to the baker, saying,

Starting point is 07:53:54 give me some ready money to spend this day till I sell these jewels. So the baker gave him all the money he had in hand and all the bread in his basket, and rejoiced in the jewels, saying, I am thy slave and thy servant. Then he set all the bread on his head, and following the fisherman home, gave it to his wife and children, after which he repaired to the market and brought meat and greens and all manner fruit. Moreover, he left his oven and abode with Abdullah all that day, busying himself in his service and fulfilling all his affairs.

Starting point is 07:54:33 Said the fisherman, O my brother, thou wariest thyself. And the baker replied, This is my duty, for I am become thy servant, and thou hast overwhelmed me with thy booms. Rejoined the fisherman, tis thou who was my benefactor in the days of dearth and distrust. and the baker passed that night with him, enjoying good cheer, and became a faithful friend to him. Then the fisherman told his wife what had befallen him with the merman, whereat she rejoiced and said, Keep thy secret, lest the government come down upon thee. But he said, though I keep my secret from all men, yet will I not hide it from the baker. On the morrow, he rose betimes, and, shoddering about,

Starting point is 07:55:23 which he had filled in the evening with all manner fruits, repaired before sunrise to the seashore, and setting down the crate on the water edge, called out, Where art thou, O Abdullah, O Merman? He answered, Here am I at thy service, and came forth to him. The fisherman gave him the fruit, and he took it, and plunging into the sea with it, was absent a full hour, after which he came up with the fish. basket full of all kinds of gems and jewels. The fisherman set it on his head and went away, and when he came to the oven, the baker said to him, O my lord, I have baked thee forty buns and have

Starting point is 07:56:08 sent him to thy house, and now I will bake some firsts, and as soon as all is done, I will bring it to thy house and go and fetch thee greens and meat. Abdullah handed to him three handfuls of jewels out of the fish. basket, and going home, set it down there. Then he took a gem of price of each sort, and going to the Jewel Bazar, stopped at the syndic's shop, and said to him, buy these precious stones of me. Show them to me, said the sheik. So he showed them to him, and the jeweller said, Has thou ought beside these? And Abdullah replied, I have a basketful at home. The syndic asked,

Starting point is 07:56:52 And where is thine house? And the fisherman answered, In such a quarter, whereupon the sheikh took the jewels from him And said to his followers, Lay hold of him, For he is the thief who stole the jewelry of the queen, The wife of our sultan.

Starting point is 07:57:10 And he bad beat him, So they bastinadoed him and pinioned him, After which the syndic and all the people of the jewel market arose And set out for the palace saying, We have caught the thief. Quoth one, None robbed such a one, but this villain.

Starting point is 07:57:28 And quoth another, T'was none but he stole all that was in such a one's house. And some said this, another said that. All this while he was silent, and spake not a word, nor returned the reply, till they brought him before the king, to whom said the syndic, O king of the age, when the queen

Starting point is 07:57:50 necklace was stolen, thou sent us to acquaint us of the theft, requiring of us the discovery of the culprit. Wherefore I strove beyond the rest of the folk, and have taken the thief for thee, Here he stand it before thee, and if these be the jewels we have recovered from him. Thereupon the king said to the chief eunuch, Carry these jewels for the queen to see, and say to her, Are these thy property thou hast lost? So the eunuch took the jewels and went in with them to the queen, who, seeing their luster, marveled at them and sent to the king to say, I have found my necklace in my own place, and these jewels are not my property.

Starting point is 07:58:37 Nay, they are finer than those of my necklace, so oppress not the man. And Charrazade perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Night 942 Section 28 of The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9 This is a Libravox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org.

Starting point is 07:59:14 Recording by Mark Ernest The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, volume nine, by Anonymous. translated by Richard Francis Burton. Knight 943. When it was the 943rd night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the king's wife sent to the king to say, These are not my property, nay, these gems are finer than those of my necklace.

Starting point is 07:59:44 So oppress not this man, but, if he will sell them, buy them for thy daughter, um al-soud, that we may set them in a necklace for her. When the eunuch returned and told the king what the queen said, he damned the syndic of the jewelers, him and his company, with the damnation of Ad and Thamud, and they said to him, O king of the age, we knew this man for a poor fisherman, and deemed such things too much for him,

Starting point is 08:00:11 so we supposed that he had stolen them. cried the king, O ye filthy villains, begrudge ye a true believer good fortune? why did ye not make due inquiry of him haply allah almighty hath vouchsafed him these things from a source whereupon he reckoned not why did ye make him out a thief and disgrace him amongst the folk begone and may allah never bless you so they went out affrighted and the king said to abdallah o man allah bless thee in all he hath bestowed on thee no harm shall befall thee but tell me truly whence godest thou these jewels from I am a king, yet I have not the like of them. The fisherman replied, O king of the age, I have a fish-basket full of them at home, and the case is thus and thus. Then he told him of his friendship with the merman, adding, We have made a covenant together, that I shall bring him every

Starting point is 08:01:07 day a basket full of fruit, and then he shall fill me the basket with these jewels. Quoth the king, Oh man, this is thy lucky lot, but wealth needeth rank. I will defend thee, for the present against men's domineering. But happily I shall be deposed or die in another rule in my stead, and he shall slay thee because of his love of the goods of this world and his covetousness. So I am minded to marry thee to my daughter, and make thee my wazir, and bequeath thee the kingdom after me, so none may hanker for thy riches when I am gone. Then said he, high with this men to the Haman. So they bore him to the baths and bathed his body, enrobed him in royal raiment, after which they brought him back to the king,

Starting point is 08:01:55 and he made him his wazir, and sent to his house couriers and the soldiers of his guard and all the wives of the notables, who clad his wife and children in kingly costume, and mounting the woman in a horse litter, with the little child in her lap, walked before her to the palace, escorted by the troops and couriers and officers. They also brought her elder children into the king, who made much of them, taking them in his lap and seating them by his side, for they were nine children male, and the king had no son and heir, nor had he been blessed with any child, save this one daughter, Um al-Udhaid Haidt. Meanwhile, the queen entreated Abdullah's wife with honor and bestowed favors on her and made her wazaris to her.

Starting point is 08:02:39 Then the king bade draw up the marriage contract between his daughter and Abdullah of the land, who assigned to her, as her dower, all the gems and precious stones in his possession, and they opened the gates of festival. The king commanded by proclamation to decorate the city in honor of his daughter's wedding. Then Abdullah went in unto the princess and abated her maidenhead. Next morning the king looked out of the lattice and saw Abdullah carrying on his head a fish crate full of fruit. So he called to him,

Starting point is 08:03:11 What hast thou there, O my son-in-law, and whither when thou, thou. The fisherman replied, to my friend, Abdullah the Merman. And the king said, O, my son-in-law, this is no time to go to thy comrade. Quoth Abdullah, indeed, I fear to break trist with him, lest he reckon me a liar and say, The things of the world have diverted thee from me. And quoth the king, thou speakest sooth. Go to thy friend, and God help thee. So he walked through the city on his way to his companion, and, as he went, he heard the folk who knew him say, There goeth the king's son-in-law to exchange fruit for gems, whilst those who knew him not said,

Starting point is 08:03:52 Ho, fellow, how much a pound, come sell to me. And he answered, saying, wait till I come back to thee, for that he would not hurt the feelings of any man. Then he fared on till he came to the seashore and for-gathered with his friend Abdullah the merman, to whom he delivered the fruit, receiving gems in return. He ceased not doing thus till one day, as he passed by the baker's oven, he found it closed, and so he did ten days, during which time the oven remained shut, and he saw nothing of the baker. So he said to himself, this is a strange thing. Would I what whither the baker went? Then he inquired of his neighbor, saying, Oh, my brother, where is thy neighbor the baker, and what hath Allah done with him? And the

Starting point is 08:04:37 other responded o my lord he is sick and cometh not forth of his house where is his house asked abdallah and the other answered in such a quarter so he fared thither and inquired of him but when he knocked at the door the baker looked out of window and seeing his friend the fisherman full basket on head came down and opened the door to him abdulla entered and throwing himself on the baker embraced him and wept saying how dost thou o my friend every day i pass by thine oven and see it unopened so i ask thy neighbour who told me that thou wast sick therefore i inquired for thy house that i might see thee answered the baker allah requite thee for me with all good nothing aileth me but it reached me that the king had taken thee for that certain of the folk had lied against thee and accused thee of being a robber wherefore i feared and shut shop and hid myself true said abdallah and told him all that had befallen him with the king and the shak of the jeweller's bazaar adding moreover the king hath given me his daughter to wife and made me his wazir and after a pause so do thou take what is in this fish-basket to thy share and fear naught then he left him after having done away with him his affright and returned with the empty crate to the king who said to him o my son-in-law twould seem thou hast not for-gathered with thy friend the merman to-day replied abdallah i went to him but that which he gave me i gave to my gossip the baker to whom i owe kindness who may be this baker asked the king and the fisherman answered he is a benevolent man who did with me thus and thus in the days of my poverty and never neglected me a single day nor hurt my feelings quoth the king what is his name and quoth the fisherman his name is abdallah the baker and my name is abdallah of the land and that of my friend the merman abdala of the sea rejoined the king and my name also is abdallah and the servants of allah are all brethren

Starting point is 08:06:46 so send and fetch thy friend the baker that i may make him wazir of the left so he sent for the baker who speedily came to the presence and the king invested him with the wazirial uniform and made him wazir of the left making abdallah of the land his wazir of the right and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say end of night nine hundred and forty-three night nine hundred and four when it was the nine hundred and forty-fourth night she continued it hath reached me o auspicious king that the king made his son-in-law abdallah of the land wazir of the right and abdallah the baker wazir of the left in such condition the fisherman abode a whole year every day carrying for the merman the crate full of fruit and receiving it back full of jewels and when fruit failed from the gardens he carried him raisins and almonds and almonds and filberts and walnuts and figs and so forth and all that he brought for him the merman accepted and returned him the fish-basket full of jewels according to his custom now it chanced one day that he carried him the crate full of dry fruits as was his wont and his friend took them from him then they set down to converse abdallah the fisherman on the beach and abdallah the merman in the water near the shore and discoursed and the talk went round between them till it fell upon the subject of sepulchus. Whereat quoth the merman, O my brother, they say that the prophet, whom Allah assain and save, is buried with you on the land. Knowest thou his tomb?

Starting point is 08:08:30 Abdullah replied, Yes, it lieth in a city called Yathrib. Asked the merman, and do the people of the land visit it? Yes, answered the fisherman, and the other said, I give you joy, O people of the land, of visiting that noble prophet and compassionate, which whoso visiteth merited his intercession. Hast thou made such visitation, oh, my brother? Replied the fisherman, No, for I was poor, and had not the necessary sum to spend by the way.

Starting point is 08:09:01 Nor have I been in easy case, but since I knew thee, and thou bestowedest on me this good fortune. But such visitation behoveth me, after I have pilgrimed to the Holy House of Allah, and not withholdeth me therefrom but my love to thee, because I cannot leave thee for one day. Rejoined the Merman, And dost thou set the love of me before the visitation of the tomb of Muhammad,

Starting point is 08:09:26 whom Allah assain and save, who shall intercede for thee on the day of review before Allah, and shall save thee from the fire, and through whose intercession thou shalt enter paradise? And dost thou, for the love of the world, neglect to visit the tomb of thy prophet Muhammad whom God bless and preserve? Replied Abdullah, no, by Allah, I set the visitation of the prophet's tomb above all else,

Starting point is 08:09:51 and I crave thy leave to pray before it this year. The Merman rejoined, I grant thee leave, on condition that when thou shalt stand by his sepulchre, thou salute him for me with thee salam. Furthermore, I have a trust to give thee. So come thou with me into the sea. that I may carry thee to my city, and entertain thee in my house, and give thee a deposit, which when thou takest thy station by the prophet's tomb, do thou lay thereon, saying,

Starting point is 08:10:21 O apostle of Allah, Abdullah the Merman saluted thee, and sendeth thee this present, imploring thine intercession to save him from the fire. Said the fisherman, O my brother, thou wast created in the water, and water is thy abiding place, and doth thee no hurt. but if thou shouldst come forth to the land would any harm betide thee the merman replied yes my body would dry up and the breezes of the land would blow upon me and i should die rejoined the fisherman and i in like manner was created on the land and the land is my abiding place but an i went down into the sea the water would enter my belly and choke me and i should die retorted the other have no fear for that for i will bring thee an ointment wherewith when thou hast anointed thy body the water will do thee no hurt though thou shits to pass the lave of thy life going about in the great deep and thou shalt lie down and rise up in the sea and naught shall harm thee quoth the fisherman and the fish-men and the case by thus well and good but bring me the ointman so that i may make trial of it and quoth the merman so be it then taking the fish-basket disappeared in the depths

Starting point is 08:11:37 he was absent awhile and presently returned with an unguint as it were the fat of beef yellow as gold and sweet of savor asked the fisherman what is this o my brother and answered the merman tis the liver fat of a kind of fish called the dand which is the biggest of all fishes and the fiercest of our foes his bulk is greater than that of any beast of the land and were he to meet a camel or an elephant he would swallow it at a single mouthful abdallah inquired o my brother what doth this baleful beast and the merman replied he eateth of the beasts of the sea hast thou not heard the saying like the fishes of the sea forcible eateth feeble true but have you many of these dandans in the sea yes there be many of them with us none can tell their tale save almighty allah verily i fear lest if i go down with thee into the deep a creature of this kind fall in with me and devour me have no fear when he seeth thee he will know thee for a son of adam and will fear thee and flee he dreadeth none in the sea as he dreadeth a son of adam for that an he eateth a man he dieth forthright because human fat is a dead poison to this kind of creature nor do we collect its liver speck save by means of a man when he falleth into the sea and is drowned for that his semblance becometh changed and oft times his flesh is torn so the dan dan dan eateth him deeming him the same of the denizens of the deep and dieth then we light upon our enemy dead and take the speck of his liver and grease ourselves so that we can overwander the mane in safety also wherever there is a of Adam, though there be in that place, and hundred or two hundred or a thousand or more of these

Starting point is 08:13:28 beasts, all die forthright and they but hear him, and Sharazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Knight 944. Recording by Mark Ernest. Section 29 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9. This is the Librivox recording. All Librivox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org.

Starting point is 08:14:05 The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Knight 945 When it was the 945th night, she pursued. It has reached me, O. O. Sperty-Five. king, that Abdullah of the sea said to Abdullah of the land. And if a thousand or more of this kind hear an Adamite cry a single cry, forthright all die, nor has one of them power to remove from his place. So, whenever a son of Adam falleth into the sea, we take him and anoint him with

Starting point is 08:14:50 this fat, and go round about the depths with him. and whenever we see a dandan or two or three or more, we bid him cry out, and they all die forthright for his ones crying. Quoth the fisherman, I put my trust in Allah, and, doffing his clothes, buried them in a hole which he dug in the beach, after which he rubbed his body from head to heels with that ointment. Then he descended into the water, and, diving,

Starting point is 08:15:24 opened his eyes and the brine did him no hurt. So he walked right and left, and if he would, he rose to the sea-face, and if he would he sank to the base. And he beheld the water, as it were, a tent over his head, yet it brought him no hurt. Then said the murmun to him, What seest thou, O my brother? And said he, O my brother, I see not say of weal, and indeed thou spakeest truth in that which thou said to me, for the water does me no hurt,

Starting point is 08:16:00 quoth the merman, follow me. So he followed him, and they ceased not faring on, from place to place, whilst Abdullah discovered before him, and on his right and left mountains of water, and solaced himself, by gazing thereon, anon the various sorts of fish, some great and some small, which disported themselves in the main. Some of them favored buffaloes, others oxen and others dogs, and yet others human beings. But all to which they drew near fled, whence they saw the fisherman, who said to the merman, O my brother, how is it that I see all the fish to which we draw near flee from

Starting point is 08:16:46 us afar? said the other, Because they fear thee for all things that Allah has made fear the son of Adam. The fisherman ceased not to divert himself with the marvel through the deep, till they came to a high mountain and fared on beside it. Suddenly he heard a mighty loud cry and turning, saw some black thing, the bigness of a camel or bigger, coming down upon him from the liquid mountain and crying out. So he asked his friend, what is this, O my brother. And the murmur answered, This is the Dandan. He cometh in search of me, seeking to devour me, so cry out at him. O my brother, ear he has reached us. Else he will snatch me up

Starting point is 08:17:35 and devour me. Accordingly, Abdullah cried out at the beast, and behold, it fell down dead, which when he saw he said, glorified be the perfection of God and his praise. I smote it not with the sword nor knife. How cometh it that? For all the vastness of the creature's bulk It could not bear my cry but died. Replied the merman, Marvell not, for, by Allah, oh my brother,

Starting point is 08:18:05 were there a thousand or two thousand of these creatures, yet could they not endure the cry of a son of Adam. Then they walked on, till they made a city, whose inhabitants the fisherman sought to be all women. there being no male among them so he said to his companion o my brother what city is this and what are these women this is the city of women for its inhabitants are of the women of the sea are there any males amongst them no then how do they conceive and bear young without males the king of the sea banishes them hither and they conceive not neither bear children all the women of the sea with whom he is wroth he send us to this city and they cannot leave it for should one of them come forth therefrom any of the beasts of the sea that saw her would eat her but in other cities of the main there are both males and females Thereupon asked the fishermen,

Starting point is 08:19:13 Are there than other cities than this in the sea? And the merman answered, there are many. Quills the fishermen, And is there a sultan over you in the sea? Yes, quoth the merman. Then said Abdullah, O my brother, I have indeed seen many marvels in the main.

Starting point is 08:19:33 But the merman said, And what hast thou seen of its marvels? Has do not heard the saying? The marvels of the sea are more manifold than the marvels of the land. True, rejoined the fisherman, and fell to gazing upon those women, whom he saw with faces like moons and hair like woman's hair, but their hands and feet were in their middle, and they had tails like fishes' tails. Now when the merman had shown him the people of the city, he carried him forth therefrom and forewalked him to another city. which he found full of folk, both males and females, formed like the women aforesaid and having tails.

Starting point is 08:20:18 But there was neither selling nor buying amongst them, as with the people of the land, nor were they closed, but went all naked and with their same uncovered. Said Abdullah, O my brother, I see males and females alike with their shame exposed. And the other said, this is because the folk of the sea have no clothes. Asked the fishermen, and how do they, when they marry? The murmur answered, They do not marry, but everyone who takes a liking to a female does his will on her. Quos Abdullah,

Starting point is 08:20:55 This is unlawful. Why does he not ask her in marriage, endower her, and make her a wedding festival and marry her, in accordance with that which is pleasing to Allah and his Apostle? And quoth the other, We are not all of one religion, Some of us are Muslims, believers in the unity, Others Nazarenes, and what not else,

Starting point is 08:21:18 And each merrieth in accordance with the ordinances of his creed, But those of us who marry are mostly Muslims. The fisherman continued, You are naked and have neither buying nor selling among you, Of what then is your wife's dowry? Do you give them jewels and precious? stones? The Merman rejoined. Gems with us are only stones without worth, but upon the Muslim who is minded to

Starting point is 08:21:46 marry is that impose a dowry of a certain number of fishes of various kinds that he must catch, a thousand or two thousand, more or less, according to the agreement between himself and the bride's father. As soon as he brings us the amount required, the families of the bride and bridegroom assemble. and eat the marriage banquet, after which they bring him in to his bride, and he catches fish and feedeth her. Or, if he be unable, she catches fish and feedeth him. Inquired the fisherman, and how if a woman commit adultery? And the other replied,

Starting point is 08:22:27 If a woman be convicted of this case, they banish her to the city of woman, and if she be with child by her gallant, they leave her, till she be delivered. Then, if she gave birth to a girl, they banish her with her, calling her Aldauteus, daughter of Adulterus, and she abideth a maid till she die. But if the woman give birth to a male child, they carry it to the Sultan of the Sea, who putest it to death. Abdullah marveled at this, and the mer-man carried him to another city, and thence to another and yet another, till he had diverted him with the sight of eighty cities, and he saw the people

Starting point is 08:23:10 of each city unlike those of every other. Then said he to the Merman, O my brother, are there yet other cities in the main? Where to said the other, and what has those seen of the cities of the sea, and its wondrous spectacles? By the virtue of the noble prophet, the Benning, the compassionate, where are I? to show thee every day a thousand cities for a thousand years, and in each city a thousand marvels, I should not have shown thee one carrot of the four-and-twenty carrots of the cities of the sea and its miracles.

Starting point is 08:23:49 I have but shown thee our own province and country, nothing more. The fisherman thus resumed, O my brother, since this is the case, what I have seen suffices me, for I am a weary of eating fish, and these four-square days I have been in thy company, though hast fed me, morning and night, upon nothing but raw fish, neither broiled nor boiled. And what is broiled or boiled? We broil fish with fire, and boil it in water, and rest it in various ways, and make many dishes of it.

Starting point is 08:24:26 And how should we come by fire in the sea? we know not broiled nor boiled nor aught else of the kind. We also fry it in olive oil and oil of sesame. How should be come by olive oil and oil of sesame in the sea? Wearily we know nothing of that thou namest. True, but O my brother, though has shown me many cities, yet has thou not shown me thine own city. As for mine own city, we passed it a little,

Starting point is 08:24:59 long way, for it is near the land once we came, and I left it and came with thee hither, thinking only to divert thee, with the sight of the greater cities of the sea. That which I have seen of them suffices me, and now I would have thee show me thine own city. So be it, answered Abdullah of the sea, and returning on his traces carried him back thither, and said to him, This is my city. Abdullah of the land looked and saw a city, small by comparison with those he had seen. Then he entered with his comrade of the deep, and they fared on till they came to a cave.

Starting point is 08:25:42 Quoth the Merman, This is my house, and all the houses in the city are like this, caverns, great and small in the mountains, as are also those of every other city of the sea. For whoso is minded to make him a house, must repair to. to the king and say to him, I wish to make me a house in such a place, whereupon the king sends with him a band of the fish called peckers, which have beaks that crumble the hardest rock, appointing for their wage a certain quantum of fish. They betake themselves to the mountain, chosen by the intended owner, and therein pierce the house, whilst the owner catches fish for

Starting point is 08:26:26 them and feedeth them till the cave is finished. when they went their ways and the house-owner takes up his abode therein on such wise do all the people of the sea they traffic not one with other nor serve each other save by means of fish and their food is fish and they themselves are a kind of fish then he said to him enter so abdula entered and the merman cried out saying ho daughter mine when behold There came to him a damsel, with a face like the ronger of the moon, and hair, long, hips heavy, eyes black-edged and waist slender. But she was naked and had a tail. When she saw Abdullah of the land, he said her sire, O my father, what is this no tale, though has brought with thee? He replied,

Starting point is 08:27:24 O my daughter, this is my friend of the land, from whom I used to bring thee the fruits of the ground. Come hither and salute him with the salam. So she came forward and saluted the fisherman with loquent tongue and eloquent speech, and her father said to her, bring meat for our guest, by whose visit a blessing has betided us. Whereupon she brought him two great fishes, each the bigness of a lamb, and the merman said to him, eat. So he ate for stress of hunger despite himself, because he was tired of eating fish, and they had not else save fish. Before long, in came the Merman's wife, who was beautiful of form and favor, and was her two children, each having in his hand a young fish, which he crunched as a man would

Starting point is 08:28:18 crunch a cucumber. When she saw the fisherman with her husband, she said, What is this new tale? and she and her sons and their sister came up to him and fell to examining the back parts of Abdallah of the land and saying, Yeah, by Allah, he is tailless, and they laughed at him. So he said to the merman, O my brother, Has thou brought me hither to make me a boot and a laughing-stock for thy children and thy consort.

Starting point is 08:28:49 And Shachrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. end of knight nine hundred and forty five night nine hundred and forty six when it was the nine hundred and forty-six night she resumed it has reached me o auspicious king that abdula of the land said to abdula of the sea o my brother has thou brought me hither to make me a butt and a laughing-stalk for thy children and their consort cried the merman pardon o my brother those who have no tales are rare among us, and whenever one such is found, the Sultan takes him to make fun of him, and he abideth a marvel amongst us, and all who see him laugh at him. But oh my brother excuse these young children and this woman, for they lack wits. Then he cried out to his family, saying, silence.

Starting point is 08:29:49 So they were afraid and held their peace, whilst he went on to soothe Abdullah's mind. presently, as they were talking, behold, in came some ten merman, tall and strong and stout, and said to him, O Abdullah, it has reached the king, that thou hast with thee a no-tale of the no-tales of the earth. Answered the merman, yes, and this is he, but he is not of us nor of the children of the sea. He is my friend of the land, and has come to me as a guest. and our purpose to carry him back to the land. Quoth they,

Starting point is 08:30:30 We cannot depart but with him. So, and thou, have ought to say, arise and come with him before the king. And whatsoever thou would say to us, say though that same to the king. Then quoth the murmur to the fisherman. O my brother, my excuse is manifest, and we may not disobey the king, but go thou with me to him, and I will do my best to deliver thee from him, ins Allah. Fear not, for he deemeth thee of the children of the sea,

Starting point is 08:31:03 but when he sees thee, he will known thee to be of the children of the land, and he will surely entreat thee, honourably, and restore thee to the land. And Abdullah of the land replied, Designed to decide, I will trust in Allah and went with thee. So he took him and carried him

Starting point is 08:31:24 to the king, who, when he saw him, laughed at him and said, Welcome to the no tale. And all who were about the king began to laugh at him and say, Yeah, by Allah, he is tailless. Then Abdullah of the sea came forward, and acquainted the king with the fisherman's case, saying, This man is the children of the land, and he is my comrade and cannot live amongst us,

Starting point is 08:31:52 for that he loveth not the eating of fish, except it be fried or boiled, wherefore I desire that though give me leave to restore him to the land. Where to the king replied, since the case is so and he cannot live among us, I give the leave to restore him to his place, after due entertainment, presently adding, Bring him the guest meal. though they brought him fish of various kinds and colors and he ate, in obedience to the royal behest, after which the king said to him,

Starting point is 08:32:31 Ask a boon of me, quoth he, I ask of thee that thou give me jewels, and the king said, Carry him to the jewel-house, and let him choose that whereof he has need. So his friend carried him to the jewel-house, and he picked out what so he had. he would, after which the merman brought him back to his own city, and pulling out a purse, said to him,

Starting point is 08:32:57 Take this deposit and lay it on a tomb of the prophet, whom Allah save an assigne, and he took it, knowing not what was therein. Then the merman went forth with him, to bring him back to land, and by the way he heard singing and merry-making, and saw a table spread with fish and folk eating and singing, and holding mightly high festival. So Abdullah of the land said to his friend, What aileth these people to rejoice us? Is there a wedding among them?

Starting point is 08:33:33 Replied Abdullah of the sea, nay, one of them is dead. Asked the fisherman, Then do ye, when one dies amongst you, rejoice for him and sing and feast? And the murmur answered, Yes, and ye of the land, what do ye? Quoth Abdullah of the land. When one dieth amongst us, we weep and keen for him, and the woman beat their faces and rend the bosoms of their raiment, in token of mourning for the dead.

Starting point is 08:34:05 But Abdullah the Merman stared at him with wide eyes and said to him, Give me the deposit. So he gave it to him. Then he set him ashore and said to him, I have broken off our companionship and our enmity. Wherefore from this day forward thou shalt no more see me, nor I see thee? cried the fisherman. Why sayest thou this? And the other said, Are you not, O folk of the land, a deposit of Allah?

Starting point is 08:34:36 Yes. Why then, asked the murmur, is it grievous to you, that Allah should take back his deposit and wherefore we be over it? How can I entrust thee with a deposit for the prophet, whom Allah save and assain? Think that, when a child is born to you, you rejoice in it. Albeit the Almighty set as the soul therein as a deposit, and yet, when he taketh it again, it is grievous to you, and ye weep and mourn. Since it is hard for thee to give up the deposit of Allah,

Starting point is 08:35:12 how shall it be easy to thee to give up the deposit of the prophet? Therefore we need not your companionship. Saying thus he left him and disappeared in the sea. Thereupon Abdullah of the land donned his dress and taking the jewels, went up to the king, who met him lovingly and rejoiced at his return, saying, How dost thou, o my son-in-law, and what is the cause of thine absence, from me this while. So he told him the tale

Starting point is 08:35:46 and acquainted him with that which he had seen of marbles in the sea, whereas the king wandered. Then he told him what Abdullah the merman had said, and the king replied. Indeed, it was thou, was at fault, to tell him this.

Starting point is 08:36:05 Nevertheless, he continued for some time to go down to the shore and call upon Abdullah of the sea, but he answered him not, nor came to him. So at last he gave up all hope of him an abode, he and the king his father-in-law, and the families of them both in the happiest of case, and the practice of righteous ways, till there came to them the destroyer of delights, and the severer of societies, and they died all. Wherefore, glory be, to the living,

Starting point is 08:36:38 who doth not, whose is the empire of the sea, and the sea, and the unseen, who over all things is omnipotient, and is gracious to his servants, and know their every intern. And amongst the tales they tell is one an end, Harun al-Rashid and Abu Hassan, the merchment of Oman. The Caliph Harun al-Rashid was one night wakeful exceedingly, so he called Masrur and said to him as soon as he came, Fetch me Jaafar in hate. Accordingly, he went out and returned with the wazir, to whom said the Caliph.

Starting point is 08:37:20 O Jafar, wakefulness, has mastered me this night, and forbidst sleep from me. What shall drive it away from me? Replied Jafar. O commander of the faithful, the wise say, looking on a mirror, entering the Hammambath, and harkening unto song, banish care and shaghan. grin. He rejoined, O Jafar, I have done all this, but it has brought me naught of relief, and I swear by my pious forebears, unless thou contrive that which shall abate from me this insomnia, I will smite thy neck. Quoth Jafar, O commander of the faithful, will thou do that which I shall

Starting point is 08:38:07 counsel thee? Whereupon quoth the Caliph, and what is that thou counselleth? He replied, It is that though take boat with us And drop down Tickory's river With the tide To a place called Karn al-Sirat So happily we may hear

Starting point is 08:38:26 What we never heard or see What we never saw For it is said The solace of care Is in one of three things That a man see what he never before saw Or hear what he never yet heard Or tread on earth

Starting point is 08:38:42 He erst has never trodden. It may be this shall be the means of remedying thy restlessness, O commander of the faithful in Salach. There, on either side of the river, our windows and balconies one facing other, and it may be we shall hear or see, from one of these somewhat wherewith our hearts may be heartened. Jafar's counsel pleased the Caliph, so he rose from his place, and taking with him the vizier and his brother al-Fazl and isaac the boon companion and abu novas and abu dahlav and masrur this order and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say end of night nine hundred and forty-six section thirty of the book of the thousand knights and a night volume nine this is a librax recording

Starting point is 08:39:49 All Librivox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org. The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Night 947, when it was the 947th night. She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the Caliph arose from his seat with Jafar and the rest of the party, all entered the wardrobe where they donned merchant's gear. Then they went down to the Tigris, and embarking in a gilded boat, dropped down with the stream till they came to the place they sought, when they heard the voice of a damsel, singing to the lute and chanting these couplets. to him when the wine-cup is near i declare while in coppice loud shrillith and trilleth hussur how long this repining from joy is in delight wake up for this life is a borrowed ware take the cup from the hand of the friend who is dear with languishing eyelids and languorous hair

Starting point is 08:41:14 i sowed on his cheek a fresh rose which amid his side locks the fruit of the granado tree bear thou wouldest deem that the place where he tear his fair cheek were ashes while cheeks hues incendiary were quoth the blamer forget him but where is my excuse when his side face is growing the downiest hair When the Caliph heard this, he said, O Jafar, how goodly is that voice? And the vizier replied, O our lord, never smote my hearing or sweeter or goodlier than they singing. But good, my lord, hearing from behind a wall is only half hearing. How would it be, and we heard it from behind a curtain? Quoth the Caliph, come, O Jafar. Let us play the parasites with the muir.

Starting point is 08:42:14 master of this house, and haply we shall look upon the songstress, face to face. And quote, Jafar, I hear and I obey, so they landed and sought admittance. When behold, there came out to them a young man, fair of favor, sweet of speech and fluent of tongue, who said to them, welcome and welcome, O lords that honor me with your presence, enter in all comfort and convenience. So they went in, and he with them, to a saloon with four faces, whose ceiling was decorated with gold and its walls adorned with ultramarine. At its upper end was a dance, whereon stood a goodly row of seats and thereon sat an hundred damsels like moons. The housemaster cried out to them, and they came down from their seats. Then he turned to just a judge.

Starting point is 08:43:10 of her and said to him, O my lord, I know not the honourable of you from the more honourable. Bismillah, deign he, that is the highest in rank among you, favour me by taking the head of the room, and let his brethren sit each in his several stead. So they sat down, each according to his degree, whilst Masrur abode standing before them in their service, and the host asked them. Oh, my guests, with your leave, shall I set somewhat of food before you? And they answered, yes. Hearing this, he bade his handmaids bring food,

Starting point is 08:43:52 whereupon four damsels with girded wastes placed in front of them a table, whereon were rare meats of that which flyeth and walketh earth, and swameth seas, sand grouse and quails, and chickens and pigeons. and written on the raised edge of the tray were verses such as sorted with the entertainment so they ate till they had enough and washed their hands after which said the young man o my lords if you have any want let us know it that we may have the owner of satisfying it they replied tis well we came not to thy dwelling save for the sake of a voice we heard from behind the wall of thy house, and we would fain hear it again, and know her to whom it belongeth. So, and thou deem right to vouchsafe us this favour, it will be of the generosity of thy nature, and after we will return whence we came."

Starting point is 08:44:54 Quote the host, Ye are welcome, and turning to a black slave-girl, said to her, Fetch me thy mistress, Such an one. So she went away and returning with a chair of chinaware, cushioned with brocade, set her down. Then withdrew again and presently returned with the damsel as she was the moon on the night of its full, who sat down on the chair. Then the black girl gave her a bag of satin. Wherefrom she brought out a loot, inlaid with gems and jacinths and furnished with pegs of gold.

Starting point is 08:45:31 And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Knight 947. Night 948, when it was the 948th night. She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the damsel came forward, she took her seat upon the chair and brought out from its case a lute and behold. It was inlaid with gems and jacinths and furnished with pegs of gold. Then she tuned its strings even as seth the poet of her and her loot in these lines. She sits it in lap like a mother fond, and she strikes the strings that can make it speak.

Starting point is 08:46:18 And near smithed her right and injurious touch, but her left repairs of her right the wreck. Then she strained the lute to her bosom, bending over it as mother bendeth over babe, and swept the strings which complained, as child to mother complaineth, after which she played upon it and began improvising these couplets. And time, my lover restore me, I'll blame him fain, saying, pass, oh my dear, the bowl and in passing drain, the wine which had never mixed with the heart of man, but he passes to joy from annoy and to pleasure from pain then zaffir arose to his task of sustaining the cup dearest ear see full moon that in hand the star hath tain how oft i talked through the night when its rounded loon shed on darkness of tigris bank a beamy rain and when luna sank in the west twas as though she dave over the length of the water waste, a gilded glave. When she had made an end of her verse, she wept with sore weeping,

Starting point is 08:47:33 and all, who were in the place, wept aloud, till they were well-nigh dead. Nor was there one of them, but took leave of his wits, and rent his raiment, and beat his face, for the goodliness of her singing. Then said Al-Rashid, this damsel song verily denoteth, that she is a lover departed from her beloved. Quoth her master, she hath lost father and mother. But quoth the caliph, this is not the weeping of one who hath lost mother and father, but the yearning of one who hath lost him she loveth, and he was delighted with her singing, and said to Isaac, by Allah, never saw I her like. And Isaac said, O my lord, indeed I marvel at her with utterest marvel, and am beside myself for delight.

Starting point is 08:48:27 Now, Al-Rashid, with all this tinted, not to look upon the housemaster and note his charms, and the daintiness of his fashion. But he saw on his face a pallor as he would die. So he turned to him and said, Ho! Youth! And the other said, Add some, at thy service. Oh, my lord, the Caliph asked, knowest thou who we are? And he answered, no, quote Jafar, wilt thou that I tell thee the names of each of us? And quoth the young man, yes, when the vizier said, this is the commander of the faithful, descendant of the uncle of the prince of the apostles, and named to him the others of the company. And after which, quote, al-Rachid, I wish that thou acquaintance.

Starting point is 08:49:20 me with the cause of the paleness of thy face, whether it be acquired or natural from thy birth-tide. Quote he, O Prince of true believers, my case is wondrous and my affair marvellous, were it graven with gravers, on the eye-corner, it were a warner to whoso will be warned. the Caliph, tell it to me, happily thy healing may be at my hand, said the young man, O commander of the faithful, lend me thine ears, and give me thy whole mind, and he, come, tell it me, for thou makest me long to hear it. So the young man began, know then, O prince of true believers, that I am a merchant of

Starting point is 08:50:05 the merchants of the sea, and come from Oman City, where my sire was a trader and a very wealthy trader having thirty ships trafficking upon the main, whose yearly hire was thirty thousand dinars, and he was a generous man, and had taught me writing an all wear of a white hat need. When his last hour drew nearer, he called me to him, and gave me the customary charge. Then Almighty Allah took him and admitted him to his mercy, and may he continue the commander of the faithful on life. Now my late father had partners trading with his coin and voyaging on the ocean. So one day, as I sat in my house with a company of merchants,

Starting point is 08:50:51 a certain of my servants came in to me and said, O my lord, there is at the door a man who craveth admittance to thee. I gave leave and he came in, bearing on his head a something covered. He set it down and uncovered it, and behold, It was a box wherein were fruits out of season, and herbs conserved in salt and fresh, such as are not found in our land. I thanked him and gifted him with an hundred dinars, and he went away grateful. Then I divided these things amongst my friends, and guests who were present, and asked them

Starting point is 08:51:29 whence they came. Quoth they. They come from Basora, and praised them, and went on to portray the beauties of Burr. and all agreed that there was not in the world goodlier than Baghdad and its people. Then they fell to describing Baghdad and the fine manners of its folk, and the excellence of its air and the beauty of its ordinance, till my soul longed for it and all my hopes claved to looking upon it. So I arose, and selling my houses and lands, ships and slaves, Negroes and handmaids, I got together my good to wit a thousand thousand dinar.

Starting point is 08:52:08 besides gems and dwells wherewith I freighted a vessel and setting out a therein with the whole of the property voiced a while then I hired a bark and embarking therein with all my monies sailed up the river some days till we arrived at Baghdad I inquired where the merchants abode and what part was pleasantest for domicile and was answered the Kirk quarter so I went thither and hiring a house in a thorough called the Street of Saffron, transported all my goods to it, and took up my lodging therein for some time. At last one day which was a Friday, I sallied forth to Solace myself taking with me somewhat

Starting point is 08:52:52 of coin. I went first to a cathedral mosque called the Mask of Mansour, where the Friday service was held. And when we had made an end of congregational prayers, I fared forth with the folk to a place height, Kern Al-Sirat, where I saw a tall and goodly mansion with a balcony overlooking the riverbank and pierced with a lattice window. So I betook myself thither with a company of folk and sighted there an old man sitting, handsomely clad and exhaling perfumes. His beard forked upon his breast in two waves like silver wire, and about him were four

Starting point is 08:53:34 damsels and five pages. So I said to one of the folk, What is the name of this old man and what is his business? And the man said, His name is Tohir Ibn Al-Aloha, and he is a keeper of girls. All who go into him eat and drink and look upon fair faces, Quoth I,

Starting point is 08:53:55 By Allah, this long while have I wandered about in search of something like this. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say, End of Knight 948. End of Section 30. Section 31 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9. This is a Libri-Wox recording. All Libri-Wox recordings are in the public domain.

Starting point is 08:54:29 For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libri-Wox.org. The Book of the Thousand-A-Night, Volume 9, by our non-on-on-on-on-A-Night. Translated by Richard Francis Burton. When it was the 949th night, She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That the young merchant cried. By Allah, this long while I have gone about in search of something like this.

Starting point is 08:55:03 So I went up to the Sheikh, O commander of the faithful, and saluting him, said to him, O my lord, I need somewhat of thee. He replied, What is thy need? And I rejoined. Tis my desire to be thy guest to-night. He said, with all my heart, but, oh, my son, with me are many damsels, some whose night is ten dinars, some forty, and others more.

Starting point is 08:55:36 Choose which thou wilt have. quote I I choose her whose night is ten dinars and I weighed out to him 300 dinars the price of a month whereupon he committed me to a page

Starting point is 08:55:51 who carried me to a hamam within the house and served me with goodly service when I came out of the bath he brought me to a chamber and knocked at the door whereupon out came a handmaid to whom said he take thy guest

Starting point is 08:56:07 She met me with welcome and cordiality, laughing and rejoicing, and brought me into a mighty fine room decorated with gold. I considered her and saw her like the moon on the night of its fullness, having an attendance on her two damsels as they were constellations. She made me sit and seating herself by my side, sighing to her slave girls, who sat before us a tray covered with dishes of various kinds of meats, pullets, and quails. and sand grouse and pigeons. So we ate our sufficiency, and never in my life ate I ought more delicious than this food. When we had eaten, she bade, remove the tray, and set on the service of wine and flowers, sweetmeats and fruits,

Starting point is 08:56:55 and I abode with her a month in such case. At the end of that time, I repaired to the bath. Then, going to the old man, I said to him, O my lord, I want her whose knight is twenty dinars. Weigh down the gold, said he. So I fetched money and weighed out to him six hundred dinars for a month's higher. Whereupon he called a page and said to him, Take thy lord here.

Starting point is 08:57:23 Accordingly, he carried me to the hammam, and thence to the door of a chamber, whereat he knocked and there came out a handmaid, to whom court he. Take thy guest. She received me with the goodliest reception, and I found in attendance on her four slave-girls, whom she commanded to bring food. So they fetched a tray spread with all manner meats, and I ate.

Starting point is 08:57:49 When I had made an end of eating, and the tray had been removed, she took the loot and sang there to these couplets. O waftings of musk from the Weberland! bear a message from me which my longings have planned. My troth is pledged to their place of yours, and to friends there biding a noble band, and wherein dwells she whom all lovers love and would hand, but she cometh to no man's hand. I abode with her a month after which I returned to the sheikh and said to him, I want the forty-dinner one.

Starting point is 08:58:28 Without the money, said he. So I weighed out to him twelve hundred dinars. The men shall hire, and abode with her one month as it were one day. For what I saw of the comeliness of her semblance and the goodliness of her converse. After this I went to the sheikh one evening and heard a great noise and loud voices. So I asked him, What is to do? and he answered saying this is the night of our remarkableest knights when all souls embark on the river and divert themselves by gazing one upon other hast thou a mind to go up to the roof and solace thyself by looking at the folk yes answered i and went up to the terrace roof whence i could see a gathering of people with flambeau and crescents

Starting point is 08:59:26 and great mirth and merriment then i went up to the end of the roof and beheld there behind a goodly curtain a little chamber in whose mist stood a couch of juniper wood plaited with shimmering gold and covered with a handsome carpet on this sat a lovely young lady confounding all beholders with her beauty and comeliness and symmetry and perfect grace and by her side a youth whose hand was on her neck and he was kissing her and she kissing him. When I saw them, O Prince of true believers, I could not contain myself, nor knew where I was. So dazed and dazzled was I by her beauty. But when I came down, I questioned the damsel with whom I was and described the young lady to her.

Starting point is 09:00:17 What will thou with her? asked she and I, she had taken my wit. o abu al has'san hast thou a mind to her ay by allah for she hath captivated my heart and soul this is the daughter of tahir ibn allah she is our mistress and we are all her handmaids but knowest thou o abu al hasan what be the price of her night and her day no five hundred in ours for she is she is is a regret to the heart of kings. By Allah, I will spend all I have on this damsel. So saying I lay, heart sore for desire, through the live-long night till the morning, when I repaired to the Hamam and presently donned a suit of the richest royal raiment and

Starting point is 09:01:12 betaking myself to Ibn Allah, said to him, O my lord, I want her, whose night is five hundred dinars. Quote he, weigh down the money. So I weighed out to him fifteen thousand dinars for a month higher and he took them and said to the page, carry him to thy mistress, such an one. Accordingly he took me and carried me to an apartment, then which my eyes never saw, a goodlier on the earth's face, and there I found the young lady seated. When I saw her, O Commander of the Faithful, my reason was confounded with her beauty, for she was like the full moon on its fourteenth night. And Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

Starting point is 09:02:03 End of night 949. Night 950. When it was the 950th night. She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the young man continued to to describe before the Prince of true believers the young lady's characteristics, saying, She was like the full moon on her fourteenth night, a model of grace and symmetry and loveliness. Her speech shamed the tones of the lute, and it was as it was she whom the poet meant

Starting point is 09:02:37 in these verses. She cried while played in her sight desire, and night overhung her with blackest blea. O night, shall thy mark bring me nearer a chum to tumble and furture this coente of me? And she smote that part with her palm and side. Soar's eyes and a weeping continued she. As the toothpick beautifies teeth, in so, must prickle to coente as a tooth-stick be. O Muslims, is never a stand to your tools to assist a woman's necessity. at rose up standing beneath its clothes my yard as crying at thee at thee and i loosed her trouser string startling her who art thou and i said a reply to thy plea and began to stroke her with a wrist thick yard

Starting point is 09:03:32 hurting hindered cheeks by its potency and she cried as i rose after courses three sooth thy gree the stroke and i suit thy gree the stroke and i suit thy gree and how excellent is is the saying of another. A fair one to idolaters, if she, her face should show, they'd leave their idols and her face for only Lord would know. If in the eastward she appeared unto a monk for sure, he'd seize from turning to the west, and to the east bend low, and if into the briny sea one day she chanced to spit, assuredly, the salt seas floods, straight fresh and sweet would grow, and that of another. I looked at her one look, and that dazed me.

Starting point is 09:04:24 Such rarest gifts of mind and form to see, when doubt inspired her that I loved her, and upon her cheeks the doubt showed showily. I saluted her and she said to me, welcome and welcome, and fair welcome, and taking me by the hand, O Prince of true believers, made me sit down by her side, whereupon, of the access of my desire, I fell a weeping for fear of severance and pouring forth the tears of the eye, recited by these two couplets. I love the nights of parting, though I joy not in the same. Time haply may exchange them for the boons of Union Day.

Starting point is 09:05:10 And the days that bring Union I unlove for a single thought, seeing everything in life lacking steadfastness of stay. Then she strive to solace me with soft, sweet speech, but I was drowned in the deeps of passion, fearing even in union the pangs of disunion, for access of longing and ecstasy of passion, and I bethought me of the loy of absence and estrangement, and repeated these two couplets. I thought of estrangement in her embrace, and my eyes rained tears red as Andam wood. So I wiped the drops on that long white neck, for camphor is wont to stay, flow of blood. Then she bade bring food and there came four damsels, high-bosomed girls and virginal,

Starting point is 09:06:02 who set before us food and fruits and confections and flowers and wine, such as befit none save kings. So, O commander of the faithful, we ate and sat over our wine, compassed about with blooms and herbs of sweet savour, in a chamber suitable only for kings. Presently, one of her maids brought a silken bag, which she opened, and taking their out a loot, laid it in her lap and smote its drinks, whereat it complained as child complaineth to mother, and she sang these two couplets. Drink not pure wine except from hand of slender youth. Like wine for daintiness, and like him, ache the wine.

Starting point is 09:06:51 For wine no joyance brings to him who drains the cup, save bring the cup boy cheek as fair and fain and fine. So I abode with her, O commander of the faithful, month after month in similar guise, all my money was spent. Wherefore I began to bethink me of separation as I sat with her one day and my tears railed down upon my cheeks

Starting point is 09:07:16 like rills, and I became not knowing night from light. Quoth she, Why dost thou weep? And quoth I, O light of mine eyes, I weep because of her parting. She asked,

Starting point is 09:07:33 And what shall part me and thee, O my lord? And I answered, By allah, O my lady, from the day I came to thee, thy father had taken of me for every night five hundred dinars, and now I have nothing left. Right, sooth fast is the saw. Penury maketh strangehood at home, and money maketh a home in strangehood. And indeed the poet speaks truth when he saith.

Starting point is 09:08:00 Lack of good is exile to man at home, and money shall house him wherever he roam. She replied, know that it is my father's custom, whenever a merchant abideth with him, and had spent all his capital, to entertain him three days. Then doth he put him out, and he may return to us nevermore. But keep thou thy secret, and conceal thy case, and I will so contrive that thou shalt abide with me till such time as Allah will. For indeed, there is in my heart a great life. for thee. Thou must know that all my father's money is under my hand, and he woteth

Starting point is 09:08:44 not, its full tale. So every morning I will give thee a purse of five hundred dinars, which do thou offer to my sire, saying, henceforth I will pay thee only day by day. He will hand the sum to me, and I will give it to thee again, and we will abide thus till such time as may please Allah. Thereupon I thanked her and kissed her hand, and on this wise, O Prince of true believers, I abode with her a whole year, till it chanced on a certain day that she beat one of her handmaids grievously, and the slave-girl said, By Allah, I will assuredly torture thy heart, even as thou hast tortured me.

Starting point is 09:09:29 So she went to the girl's father and exposed to him all that had passed. and last, which when Tahir Ibn Allah heard, he arose forthright and coming in to me, as I sat with his daughter, said, Ho! Such an one, and I said, at thy service, quote he, Tis our want, when a merchant grow poor with us, to give him hospitality three days, but thou hast had a year with us, eating and drinking and doing what thou would. Then he turned to his pages, and cried to them. Pull off his clothes. They did as he bade them and gave me ten dirhams and an old suit worth five silvers. After which he said to me, Go forth, I will not beat thee nor abuse thee. But went thy ways, and if thou tarry in this town, thy blood be upon thy own head.

Starting point is 09:10:26 So I went forth, O commander of the faithful, in my own despite, knowing not whither too high, for I had fallen on my heart with all the trouble in the world, and I was occupied with sad thought and doubt. Then I bethought me of the wealth which I had brought from Oman, and said in myself, I came hither with a thousand thousand dinars, part price of thirty ships, and have made away with it all in the house of yonder ill-omened man, and now I go forth from him, bare and broken-hearted. But there is no majesty. and there is no might save in Allah, the glorious, the great.

Starting point is 09:11:08 Then I abode three days in Baghdad without tasting meat or drink, and on the fourth day seeing a ship bound for Basura, I took passage in her of the owner, and when we reached our port, I landed and went into the bazaar, being sore and hungered. Presently a man saw me, a grocer, whom I had known aforetime, and coming up to me embraced me, for he had been my friend and my father's friend before me. Then he questioned me of my case, seeing me clad in those tattered clothes,

Starting point is 09:11:44 so I told him all that had befallen me. And he said, by Allah, this is not the act of a sensible man, but after this that had befallen thee, what doest thou purpose to do? Quoth I, I know not what I shall do, and quote he. will thou abide with me and write my outgo and income and thou shalt have two dirhams a day over and above thy food and drink i agreed to this and abode with him o prince of true believers selling and buying till i had gotten an hundred dinars when i hired me an upper chamber by the river-side so happily a ship should come up with merchandise that i might buy goods with the dinars and go back with them to baghdad Now it fortunate that one day there came ships with merchandise, and all the merchants resorted to them to buy.

Starting point is 09:12:41 And I went with them on board, when behold, there came two men out of the hold, and setting themselves chairs on the deck, sat down thereon. The merchants addressed themselves to the twain with intent to buy, and the man said to one of the crew, bring the carpet. He brought the carpet and spread it. And another came with a pair of saddle-bags, whence he took a budget and emptied it on the carpet. And our sights were dazzled with that which issued their form of pearls and corals and jessence and carlinians and other jewels of all sorts and colors.

Starting point is 09:13:22 And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. of Knight, 950, end of Section 31. Section 32 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9. This is a Libervox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. Recording by Andre Levy, Andrelevy.net, Lisbon, Portugal. The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Knight 951 When it was the 951st night, she said,

Starting point is 09:14:19 It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the young merchant, after recounting to the caliph the matter of the bag and its containing jewels of all sorts, continued. Presently, O Commander of the Faith, said one of the men on the chairs, O company of merchants, we will sell but this today, by way of spending money, for that we are weary. So the merchants fell to bidding one against other for the jewels, and bid till the price reached four hundred dinars. Then said to me the owner of the bag, for he was an old acquaintance of mine, and when he saw me, he came down to me and saluted me. Why dost thou not speak, and bid like the rest of the merchants?

Starting point is 09:15:06 I said, O my lord, by Allah, the shifts of fortune have run against me, and I have lost my wealth, and have only a hundred dinars left in the world, quoth he, O Amani, after this vast wealth, can only a hundred dinars remain to thee? and I was abashed before him, and my eyes filled with tears, whereupon he looked at me, and indeed my case was grievous to him. So he said to the merchants, bear witness against me that I have sold all that is in this bag of various gems and precious stones, to this man, for a hundred gold pieces, albeit I know them to be worth so many, thousand dinars, and this is a present from me to him.

Starting point is 09:16:02 Then he gave me the saddle-bag and the carpet, with all the jewels that were thereon, for which I thanked him, and each and every of the merchants present praised him. Presently I carried all this to the jewel market, and sat there to sell and buy. Now among the precious stones was a round amulet of the hand-o'-house. of the hand-yields, handiwork of the masters, weighing half a pound. It was red of the brightest, a carnelian on both whose sides were graven characters, like the tracks of ants. But I knew not its worth. I sold and bought a whole year, at the end of which I took the amulet and said, This hath been with me some while, and I know not what it is, nor what may be its value.

Starting point is 09:16:56 so i gave it to the broker who took it and went round with it and returned saying none of the merchants will give me more than ten dirams for it quoth i i will not sell it at that price and he threw it in my face and went away another day i again offered it for sale and its price reached fifteen durams whereupon i took it from the broker in anger and threw it back into the tray But a few days after, as I sat in my shop, there came up to me a man who bore the traces of travel, and saluting me said, By the leave I will turn over what thou hast of wares, said I, tis well. And indeed, O commander of the faithful, I was still wroth by reason of the lack of demand for the talisman, so the man fell to turning over my wares, but took not thereof save the amulet, which when he saw, he kissed his hand and cried, praise be Allah. Then said he to me, O my lord, wilt thou sell this? And I replied, yes, being still angry,

Starting point is 09:18:13 Quoth he, what is its price? And I asked, how much wilt thou give? He answered, twenty dinars. So I thought he was making mock of me, and exclaim. exclaimed, When thy ways. But he resumed, I will give thee fifty dinars for it. I made him no answer, and he continued, a thousand dinars. But I was silent, declining to reply, whilst he laughed at my silence and said, Why dost thou not return me an answer? Hi thee home, repeated I, and was like to quarrel with him. But he bid thousand after thousand. and I still made him no reply till he said, "'Wilt thou sell it for twenty thousand dinars?'

Starting point is 09:19:04 I still thought he was mocking me, but the people gathered about me and all of them said, "'Sell to him, and if he buy not, we will all up and at him and drop him and thrust him forth the city.' "'So quoth I to him, "'wilt thou buy, or dost thou jest?' And quoth he, wilt thou sell or dost thou joke? I said, I will sell if thou wilt buy.

Starting point is 09:19:33 Then he said, I will buy it for thirty thousand dinars. Take them and make the bargain. So I cried to the bystanders. Bear witness against him, adding to him, but on condition that thou acquaint me with the virtues and profit of this amulet for which thou payest all this money. He answered, close the bargain, and I will tell thee this. I rejoined.

Starting point is 09:20:04 I sell it to thee, and he retorted, Allah be witness of that which thou sayest in testimony. Then he brought out the gold, and giving it to me took the amulet, and set it in his bosom, after which he turned to me and asked, Are thou content? answered I, yes, and he said to the people, Bear witness against him that he hath closed the bargain and touch the price, thirty thousand dinars.

Starting point is 09:20:35 Then he turned to me and said, Harky, my poor fellow, hath thou held back from selling, by Allah I would have bidden thee up to a hundred thousand dinars, nay, even to a thousand thousand. When I heard these words, O commander of the faith, faithful, the blood fled my face, and from that day there overcame it this pallor thou seest. Then said I to him, Tell me the reason of this, and what is the use of this amulet? And he answered, saying,

Starting point is 09:21:11 Know that the king of Hind hath a daughter, never was seen a thing fairer than she, and she is possessed with a falling sickness. So the king summoned the scribes and men of science and divines, but none of them could relieve her of this. Now I was present in the assembly, so I said to him, O king, I know a man called Sadanula the Babylonian, than whom there is not on the face of the earth

Starting point is 09:21:42 one more masterly in these matters, and if thou see fit to send me to him do so, said he. Go to him, and quote I, Bring me a piece of Cornelian. Accordingly, he gave me a great piece of Carnilian, and a hundred thousand dinars, and a present, which I took, and with which I betook myself to the land of Babel.

Starting point is 09:22:10 Then I sought out the Sheikh, and when he was shown to me, I delivered to him the money and the present which he accepted, and sending for a lapidary bade him fashion the Cornelian into this amulet. Then he abode seven months in observation of the stars till he chose out an auspicious time for engraving it, when he engraved upon it these talismanic characters which thou seest,

Starting point is 09:22:39 and I took it and returned with it to the king. And Sharazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of night 951. Night 952. When it was the 952nd night, she continued. It hath reached me a auspicious king, that the young man said to the commander of the faithful.

Starting point is 09:23:12 So after the sheikh had spoken, I took this talisman and returned with it to the king. Now the princess was bound with four chains, and every night a slave-girl lay with her, and was found in the morning with her throat cut. The king took the amulet and laid it upon his daughter, who was straightaway made whole. At this he rejoiced with exceeding joy,

Starting point is 09:23:41 and invested me with a vest of honor and gave alms of much money, and he caused set the amulet in the princess's necklace. It chanced one day that she embarked with her women in a ship and went for a sail on the sea. Presently one of her maids put out her hand to her to sport with her, and the necklace break asunder and fell into the waves. From that hour the possessor of the princess returned to her, wherefore great grief betided the king,

Starting point is 09:24:16 and he gave me much money, saying, Go thou to Sheikh Sadunala and let him make her another amulet in lieu of that which is lost. I journeyed to Babel, but found the old man dead, whereupon I returned and told the king, who sent me and ten others to go round about in all countries, so happily we might find a remedy for her, and now Allah hath caused me happen on it with thee. Saying these words, he took from me the amulet, O commander of the faithful, and went his ways.

Starting point is 09:24:52 Such then is the cause of the waneness of my complexion. As for me, I repaired to Baghdad, carrying all my wealth with me, and took up my abode in the lodgings where I lived with Olm. On the morrow, as soon as it was light, I donned my dress and betook myself to the house of Tair ibn Al-Ala. that happily I might see her whom I loved, for the love of her had never ceased to increase upon my heart. But when I came to his home, I saw the balcony broken down and a lattice builded up. So I stood a while, pondering my case in the shifts of time, till there came up a serving man, and I questioned him, saying,

Starting point is 09:25:40 What hath God done with Tai'id Ibn Allah? He answered, O my brother, He hath repented to Almighty Allah, Quoth I, What was the cause of his repentance? And quoth he, Oh, my brother,

Starting point is 09:25:57 In such a year there came to him a merchant, By name Abu al-San, the Omani, Who abode with his daughter a while, Till his wealth was all spent, When the old man turned him out broken-hearted, Now the girl loved him with exceeding love, and when she was parted from him, she sickened of a sore sickness and came nigh upon death. As soon as her father knew how it was with her, he sent after and sought for Abu al-A-San through the lands, pledging himself to bestow upon whoso should produce him a hundred thousand dinars.

Starting point is 09:26:41 But none could find him, nor could find him, nor could find him. come on any trace of him, and she is now hard upon death, Quoth I, and how is it with her sire? And quote the servant, He hath sold all his girls, For grief of that which hath befallen him, And hath repented to Almighty Allah. Then asked I,

Starting point is 09:27:07 What wouldst thou say to him, Who should direct thee to Abu al-Assan, the Omani? And he answered, "'Allah upon thee, oh, my brother, that thou do this, and quicken my poverty and the poverty of my parents.' I rejoiced. Go to her father and say to him,

Starting point is 09:27:27 thou owest me the reward for good news, for that Abu al-Assan the Omani standeth at the door. With this he set off trotting, as he were a mule loosed from the mill, and presently came back, accompanied by Sheikh Tair himself, who no sooner saw me than he returned to his house and gave the man a hundred thousand dinars, which he took and went away blessing me. Then the old man came up and embraced me and wept, saying, Oh, my lord, where hast thou been absent all this while?

Starting point is 09:28:03 Indeed my daughter hath been killed by reason of her separation from thee, but come with me into the house. So we entered, and he prostrated himself in gratitude to the Almighty, saying, Praise be Allah who hath reunited us with thee. Then he went in to his daughter and said to her, The Lord hath healed thee of the sickness, and said she, O Papa, I shall never be whole of my sickness, save I look upon the face of Abu al-Assan, Quoth he, and thou wilt eat a morsel and go to the

Starting point is 09:28:40 the Hamam, I will bring thee in company with him, asked she. Is it true that thou sayest? And he answered, by the great God, tis true, she rejoined. By Allah, if I look upon his face, I shall have no need of eating. Then said he to his page, bring in thy lord. Thereupon I entered, and when she saw me, O prince of time, true believers. She fell down in a swoon, and presently coming to herself, recited this couplet. Yea, Allah hath joined the parted twain, when no thought they thought e'er to meet again.

Starting point is 09:29:26 Then she sat upright and said, By Allah, O my lord, I had not deemed to see thy face evermore, save it were in a dream. So she embraced me and wept and said, O Abu al-A-Lah, son, now I will eat and drink. The old man her sire rejoiced to hear these words, and they brought her meat and drink, and we ate and drank, old commander of the faithful. After this I abode with them a while till she was restored to her former beauty, when her father sent for the kazi and the witnesses, and bade right out the marriage contract between her and me,

Starting point is 09:30:05 and made a mighty great bride-feast, and she is my wife, this day, and this is my son by her. So saying, he went away and returned with a boy of rare beauty and symmetry of form and favor to whom said he, kissed the ground before the commander of the faithful. He kissed ground before the Caliph, who marveled at his beauty and glorified his creator, after which Al-Rashid departed, he and his company, saying, O Jaffar Verily, this is none other than a marvelous thing, never saw I nor heard I aught more wondrous. When he was seated in the palace of the caliphate, he cried, O Masrur, who replied, Here I am, O my lord. Then said he, Bring the year's tribute of Basura and Baghdad and Khorasan,

Starting point is 09:31:02 and set it in this recess. Accordingly he laid the three tributes together, and they were a vast sum of money, whose tale none might tell save Allah. Then the Caliph bade draw a curtain before the recess, and said to Ja'afar, Fetch me Abu al-Asan, replied Ja'afar. I hear and obey. And going forth, returned presently with the Omani, who kissed ground before the Caliph, fearing lest he had sent for him because of some fault that he had committed when he was with him in his house. Then said Al-Rashid, Harki, Omani, and he replied,

Starting point is 09:31:47 Atsum, O Prince of true believers, May Allah ever bestow his favours upon thee. Quoth the Caliph, Draw back yonder curtain. Thereupon Abu Al-Asan drew back the curtain from the recess and was confounded and perplexed, at the mass of money he saw there, said Al-Rashid, O Abu al-Assan, whether is the more this money,

Starting point is 09:32:16 or that thou didst lose by the amulet. And he answered, This is many times the greater, O commander of the fateful, quoth the Caliph, bear witness all ye who are present, that I give this money to this young man. So Abu al-A-San, kissed ground, and was abashed and wept before the Caliph for excessive joy.

Starting point is 09:32:43 Now when he wept, the tears ran down from his eyelids upon his cheeks, and the blood returned to its place, and his face became like the moon on the night of its fullness. Whereupon, quoth the Caliph, There is no God but the God. Glory be to him who decreateth change upon change, and is himself. the everlasting, who changeth not. Saying these words he bade fetch a mirror, and showed Abu al-Asan his face therein, which when he saw he prostrated himself in gratitude to the most high lord. Then the Caliph bade transport the money to Abu al-A-San's house,

Starting point is 09:33:26 and charged the young man not to absent himself from him, so he might enjoy his company as a cup companion. accordingly he paid him frequent visits till Al-Rashid departed to the mercy of Almighty Allah and glory be to him who dieth not the Lord of the Seen and the Unseen and among many tales they tell is one touching Ibrahim and Jamila Al-Kashib, Wazir of Egypt

Starting point is 09:33:57 had a son named Ibrahim than whom there was none goodlier and of his fear for him he suffered him not to go forth, save to the Friday prayers. One day, as the youth was returning from the mosque, he came upon an old man, with whom were many books. So he lighted down from his horse, and seating himself beside him, began to turn over the tomes and examine them. In one of them he espied the semblance of a woman which all but spoke, never was seen on the earth's face one more beautiful. And as this captivated his reason and confounded his wit,

Starting point is 09:34:40 he said to the old man, Oh, Sheikh, sell me this picture. The bookseller kissed ground between his hands and said, Oh, my lord, tis thine without price. Ibrahim gave him a hundred dinars, and taking the book in which was the picture, fell to gazing upon it and weeping night and day, abstaining from meat and drink and sleep.

Starting point is 09:35:03 Then said he in his mind, and I ask the bookseller of the painter of this picture, happily he will tell me, and if the original be living I will seek access to her. But if it be only a picture, I will leave doting upon it and plague myself no more for a thing which hath no real existence. And Sherazade perceive the don't.

Starting point is 09:35:29 of day and ceased saying her permitted say. End of night 952. Recording by Andrelevy. Andreleavy.net. Lisbon, Portugal. Section 33 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night. Volume 9 This is a Libervox recording.

Starting point is 09:36:04 All Libervox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, here, please visit librivox.org. Recording by Andrei Levy, Andrelevy.net, Lisbon, Portugal. The Book of the Thousand Nights in a Night, Volume 9, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton,

Starting point is 09:36:29 Knight 953. When it was the 953rd night, she pursued. It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the youth Ibrahim said in his mind, and I ask the bookseller of the painter of this picture, happily he will tell me, and if it be only a picture, I will leave doting upon it

Starting point is 09:36:53 and plague myself no more for a thing which hath no real existence. So on the next Friday he betook himself to the bookseller, who sprang up to receive him and said to him, O uncle, tell me who painted this picture. He replied, O my lord, man of the people of Baghdad painted it, by name Abu al-Kasim al-Sandalani, who dwelleth in a quarter called Al-Kark, but I know not of whom it is the portraiture. So Ibrahim left him without acquainting any of his households with his case,

Starting point is 09:37:33 and returned to the palace after praying the Friday prayers. Then he took a bag, and filling it with gold and gems to the value of thirty thousand dinars, waited till the morning, when he went out without telling any, and presently overtook a caravan. Here he saw a Badawi, and asked him, Oh, uncle, what distances between me and Baghdad? And the other answered, Oh, my son, where art thou, and where is Baghdad? Verily, between thee and it is two months.

Starting point is 09:38:07 journey. Quoth Ibrahim, O nuncle, and thou wilt guide me to Baghdad, I will give thee an hundred dinars, and this mare under me that is worth other thousand gold pieces, and quoth the Badawi. Allah be witness of what we say, thou shalt not lodge this night but with me. So Ibrahim agreed to this, and passed the night with him. At break of dawn the Badawi took him and fared on with him in haste by a near road, his greed for the mayor and the promised good. Nor did they leave wayfaring till they came to the walls of Baghdad, when said the wildling, praised be Allah for safety, O my lord, this is Baghdad.

Starting point is 09:38:51 Whereat Ibrahim rejoiced with exceeding joy and alighting from the mayor gave her to the desert man together with the hundred dinars. Then he took the bag, and entering the city, walked on, inquiring for the quarter Al-Kark and the station of the merchants, till destiny drave him to a byway, wherein were ten houses, five fronting five, and at the farther end was a two-leave door with a silver ring. By the gate stood two benches of marble, spread with the finest carpets,

Starting point is 09:39:27 and on one of them sat a man of handsome aspect and reverend, clad in sumptuous clothing and attended by five mamelukes like moons. When the young Ibrahim saw the street, he knew it by the description the bookseller had given him, so he salam to the man who returned his salutation and bidding him welcome made him sit down and asked him of his case. Quoth I am a stranger man and desire of thy favor that thou look me out a house, in this street where I may take up my abode. With this the other cried out, saying, Ho, Gazala!

Starting point is 09:40:09 And there came forth to him a slave-girl who said, At thy service, my lord, said her master, Take some servants, and fear ye all and every to such a house, and clean it and furnish it with whatso is needful for this handsome youth. So she went forth and did his bidding, whilst the old man took the youth, and showed him the house, and he said, Oh, my lord, how much may be the rent of this house?

Starting point is 09:40:38 The other answered, oh, bright of face, I will take no rent of thee, whilst thou abidest therein. Ibrahim thanked him for this, and the old man called another slave-girl, whereupon there came forth to him, a damsel like the son, to whom he said, Bring Chess. So she brought it, and one of the servants sent the country,

Starting point is 09:41:00 cloth. Whereupon said the Sheikh to Ibrahim, Will thou play with me? And he answered, yes. So they played several games, and Ibrahim beat him, when his adversary exclaimed, Well done, O youth, thou art indeed perfect in qualities. By Allah, there is not one in Baghdad can beat me, and yet thou hast beaten me. Now when they had made ready the house and furnished it with all that was needful, the old man delivered the keys to Ibrahim and said to him,

Starting point is 09:41:37 O my lord, wilt thou not enter my place and eat of my bread? He assented, and walking in with him, found it a handsome house, and goodly decorated, with gold and full of all manner pictures, and furniture galore and other things, such as tongue faileth to set out. The old man welcomed him, and called for food, whereupon they brought a table of the make of Sana of all yaman,

Starting point is 09:42:07 and spread it with all manner rare viands, than which there was not costlier nor more delicious. So Ibrahim ate his sufficiency, after which he washed his hands and proceeded to inspect the house and furniture. Presently he turned to look for the leather bag, but found it not, and said in himself, There is no majesty And there is no might save in Allah The glorious, the great I have eaten a morsel Worth a deram or two

Starting point is 09:42:37 And have lost a bag wherein Is thirty thousand dinars worth But I seek aid of Allah And he was silent And could not speak And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day And ceased to say her permitted say End of night

Starting point is 09:42:56 953 Knight 954 When it was the 954th night she resumed It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That when the youth Ibrahim saw that his bag was lost, He was silent and could not speak for the greatness of his trouble. Presently his host brought the chess and said to him, Will thou play with me?

Starting point is 09:43:25 And he said, Yes. So they played. and the old man beat him. Ibrahim cried, Well done, and left playing, and rose, upon which his host asked him,

Starting point is 09:43:39 What aileth thee, O youth? Whereto he answered, I want the bag. Thereupon the Sheikh rose, and brought it out to him, saying, Here it is, O my lord. Will thou now return to playing with me?

Starting point is 09:43:53 Yes, replied Ibrahim. Accordingly they played, and the young man beat him. Quoth the Sheikh, When thy thought was occupied with the bag, I beat thee, but now I have brought it back to thee, thou beatest me.

Starting point is 09:44:11 But tell me, O my youth, what countryman art thou? Quoth I am from Egypt, and quote the oldster, and what is the cause of thy coming to Baghdad? Whereupon Ibrahim brought out portrait and said to him, "'No, my uncle, that I am the son of Al-Kasib, wazir of Egypt,

Starting point is 09:44:35 and I saw with a bookseller this picture which bewildered my wit. I asked him, who painted it, and he said, He who wrought it is a man, Abu al-Kasim al-Sandalani, who dwelleth in a street called the Street of Saffron in the Kark quarter of Baghdad. so I took with me somewhat of money, and came hither alone, none knowing of my case, and I desire of the fullness of thy favour that thou direct me to Abu al-Kasim, so I may ask him of the cause of his painting this picture, and whose portrait it is, and whatsoever he desireth of me I will give him that same, said his host.

Starting point is 09:45:22 By Allah, O my son, I am Abu al-Kasim al-Sandalani. and this is a prodigious thing how fate hath thus driven thee to me Now when Ibrahim heard these words He rose to him and embraced him And kissed his head and hands saying Allah upon thee

Starting point is 09:45:43 Tell me whose portrait it is The other replied I hear and I obey And rising opened a closet And brought out a number of books wherein he had painted the same picture Then said he No, oh my son,

Starting point is 09:46:02 that the original of this portrait is my cousin, the daughter of my father's brother, whose name is Abu al-Ais. He dwelleth in Basura, of which city her father is governor, and her name is Jamila the beautiful. There is not on the face of the earth a fairer than she, but she is averse from men

Starting point is 09:46:26 and cannot hear the word man pronounced in her presence. Now I once repaired to my uncle, to the intent that he should marry me to her, and was lavish of wealth to him, but he would not consent thereto. And when his daughter knew of this, she was indignant and sent to me to say, amongst other things,

Starting point is 09:46:49 and thou have wit tarry not in this town, else wilt thou perish, and thy sin shall be on thy known neck, for she is a virago of virigos. Accordingly I left Basara broken-hearted, and lime this likeness of her in books, and scatter them abroad in various lands, so happily they might fall into the hands

Starting point is 09:47:13 of a comely youth like thyself, and he contrive access to her, and peradventure she might fall in love with him, proposing to take a promise of him, that when he should have possession of her, he would show her to me, though I look but for a moment from afar off. When Ibrahim, son of al-Kasib, heard these words, he bowed his head a while in thought, and Al-Sandalani said to him, Oh, my son, I have not seen in Baghdad a fairer than thou,

Starting point is 09:47:49 and seems that when she seeth thee, she will love thee. art thou willing therefore in case thou be united with her and get possession of her to show her to me if i look but for a moment from afar ibrahim replied yes and the painter rejoined this being so tarry with me till thou set out and the youth retorted i cannot tarry longer for my heart with love of her is all a fire Have patience three days, said the Sheikh, till I fit thee out a ship, wherein thou mayest fare to Basara. Accordingly he waited whilst the old man equipped him a craft, and stored therein all that he needed of meat and drink and so forth. When the three days were passed, he said to Ibrahim, Make thee ready for the voyage, for I have prepared thee a packet-boat furnished with all thou requir'st. the craft is my property and the seamen are of my servants in the vessel is what will suffice thee till thy return and i have charged the crew to serve thee till thou come back in safety

Starting point is 09:49:06 thereupon ibrahim farewelled his host and embarking sail down the river till he came to basra where he pulled out a hundred dinars for the sailors but they said we have gotten our hire of our lord however he replied take this by way of largesse and I will not acquaint him therewith so they took it and blessed him then the youth landed and entering the town asked where do the merchant's lodge and was answered in a khan called the khan of hamadan so he walked to the market wherein stood the khan and all eyes were fixed upon him and men's sight was attractive acted to him by reason of his exceeding beauty and loveliness. He entered the caravan-serai, with one of the sailors in his company, and asking for the porter was directed to an aged man of reverend aspect. He saluted him, and the doorkeeper returned his greeting, after which Ibrahim said to him, O uncle, hast thou a nice chamber, he replied,

Starting point is 09:50:18 Yes. And taking him and the sailor, opened to the mahansom room decorated with gold and said, O youth, this chamber befitteth thee. Ibrahim pulled out two dinars and gave them to him, saying, Take these to key money. And the porter took them and blessed him. Then the youth, Ibrahim, sent the sailor back to the ship,

Starting point is 09:50:40 and entered the room, where the doorkeeper abode with him and served him, saying, O my lord, thy coming hath brought us joy. Ibrahim gave him a dinar and said, buy his hair with bread and meat and sweet meats and wine. Accordingly the doorkeeper went to the market, and buying ten dirams worth of victual, brought it back to Ibrahim and gave him the other ten derams. But he cried to him, spend them on thyself,

Starting point is 09:51:11 whereat the porter rejoiced with passing joy. Then he ate a scone with a little kitchen, and gave the rest to the concierge, adding, Carry this to the people of thy household. The porter carried it to his family and said to them, "'He thinks there is not on the face of the earth a more generous "'than the young man who has come to lodge with us this day, "'nor yet a pleasanter than he.

Starting point is 09:51:34 "'And he abide with us, we shall grow rich.' "'Then he returned to Ibrahim and found him weeping. "'So he sat down and began to rub his feet and kiss them, saying, "'Oh, my lord, wherefore weepest thou? "'May Allah not make thee weep. said Ibrahim, O uncle, I have a mind to drink with thee this night, and the porter replied, hearing and obeying. So he gave him five dinars and said,

Starting point is 09:52:05 Buy us fresh fruit and wine, and presently added another five, saying, With these buy also for us dessert and flowers, and five fat fowls, and bring me a lute. The doorkeeper went out, and buying what he had ordered, said to his wife, Strain this wine, and cook us this food, and look thou dress it daintly, for this young man overwhelmeth us with his bounties.

Starting point is 09:52:34 She did, as he bade her, to the utmost of desire, and he took the victuals and carried them to Ibrahim, son of the sultan. And Shara'azade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Night 954 Recording by Andrelevy.comet Lisbon, Portugal Section 34 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night

Starting point is 09:53:10 Volume 9 This is a Librevox recording All Libervox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer Please visitlibrovox.org Recording by Andre Levy Andreleavy.net, Lisbon, Portugal. The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9, by Anonymous,

Starting point is 09:53:37 translated by Richard Francis Burton. Knight 955. When it was the 95th night she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That then they ate and drank and made merry, And Ibrahim wept, and repeated the following, verses, O my friend, and I rendered my life, my sprite, my wealth, and whatever the world can unite. Nay, the eternal garden and paradise, for an hour of union, my heart would buy it.

Starting point is 09:54:18 Then he sobbed a great sob and fell down a swoon. The porter sighed, and when he came to himself, he said to him, O my lord, what is it going? stars thee weep, and who is she to whom thou eludest in these verses? Indeed, she cannot be but as dust to thy feet. But Ibrahim arose, and for all reply brought out a parcel of the richest raiment that women wear, and said to him, Take this to thy harim. So he carried it to his wife, and she returned with him to the young man's lodging, and behold, she found him weeping, quoth the doorkeeper to him. Verily thou breakest our hearts. Tell us what fair one thou desirest, and she shall be not save thy handmaid, quoth he, O uncle, know that I am the son

Starting point is 09:55:18 of al-Kasib, wazir of Egypt, and I am enamored of Jamila, daughter of Abu Ali's the governor. exclaimed the porter's wife. Allah, Allah, O my brother, leave this talk, lest any hear of us and we perish. Verily there is not on earth's face a more masterful than she, nor may any name to her the word man, for she is of births from men. Wherefore, O my son, turn from her to other than her?

Starting point is 09:55:51 Now when Ibrahim heard this, he wept with sore weeping, and the doorkeeper said to him, I have nothing save my life, but that I will risk for thy love, and find thee a means of winning thy will. Then the twain went out from him, and on the morrow he betook himself to the Haman, and donned a suit of royal raiment, after which he returned to his lodging, when behold the porter and his wife came in to him and said, know, O my lord, that there is a humpback tailor here who soweth for the lady Jamila. Go thou to him, and acquaint him with thy case. Happily he will show thee the way of attaining thy name.

Starting point is 09:56:38 So the youth Ibrahim arose, and betaking himself to the shop of the humpback tailor, went in to him and found with him ten mamelukes as they were moons. He saluted them with the salaam, and they returned his greeting and made him welcome, and made him sit down. And indeed they rejoiced in him, and were amazed at his charms and loveliness, especially the hunchback, who was confounded at his beauty of form and favor. Presently he said to the gobo, I desire that thou sow me up my pocket, and the tailor took a needleful of silk and sewed up his pocket, which he had torn purposely,

Starting point is 09:57:21 whereupon Ibrahim gave him five dinars and returned to his lodging. Quote the tailor, What thing have I done for this youth that he should give me five gold pieces? And he passed the night, pondering his beauty and generosity. And when morning morrowed,

Starting point is 09:57:42 Ibrahim repaired to the shop and saluted the tailor, who returned his salaam and welcomed him and made much of him. Then he sat down and said to the hunchback, O uncle, sew up my pocket for I have rent it again, replied the tailor, on my head and eyes, oh, my son, and soed it up, whereupon Ibrahim gave him ten ducats,

Starting point is 09:58:07 and he took them amazed at his beauty and generosity. Then said he, by Allah, O youth, for this conduct of thy needs must be a touch, cause. This is no matter of sewing up a pocket. But tell me the truth of thy case. And thou be in love with one of these boys, by Allah, there is not among them a comelier than thou, for they are each and every as the dust at thy feet, and behold, they are all thy slaves in at thy command. Or if it be other than this, tell me, replied Ibrahim. O uncle, this is. is no place for talk, for my cases wondrous and my affair marvellous,

Starting point is 09:58:53 rejoined the tailor, and it be so, come with me to a place apart. So saying he rose up in haste, and took the youth by the hand, and carrying him into a chamber behind the shop, said, Now tell me thy tale, O youth. Accordingly Ibrahim related his story first and last to the tailor, who was amazed at his speech, and cried, O youth fear Allah for thyself, Indeed, she of whom thou speakest, is a virago, and averse from men.

Starting point is 09:59:28 Wherefore, O my brother, do thou guard thy tongue, else thou wilt destroy thyself? When Ibrahim heard the hunchback's words, he wept with sore weeping, and clinging to the tailor's skirts, said, Help me, O my uncle, or I am a dead man, for I have left my kingdom

Starting point is 09:59:49 and the kingdom of my father and grandfather and am become a stranger in lands and lonely nor can I endure without her When the tailor saw how it was with him He pitied him and said O my son I have but my life And that I will venture for thy love For thou makest my heartache

Starting point is 10:00:12 But by tomorrow I will contrive thee somewhat where by thy heart shall be solaced. Ibrahim blessed him, and returned to the Khan, told the doorkeeper what the hunchback had said, and he answered, Indeed, he hath dealt kindly with thee. Next morning the youth donned his richest dress, and taking a purse of gold,

Starting point is 10:00:37 repaired to the gobou, and saluted him. Then he sat down and said, O uncle, keep thy word with me. quoth the hunchback. Arise forthright, and take thee three fat fowls and three ounces of sugar-candy, and two small jugs which do thou fill with wine, also a cup. Lay all these in a budget, and tomorrow, after the morning prayers, take boat with them, saying to the boatmen,

Starting point is 10:01:09 I would have thee row me down the river below Basra, and he say to thee, I cannot go farther than a pallasang, do thou answer as thou wilt. But when he shall have come so far, lure him on with money to carry thee farther. And the first flower garden thou wilt descry after this will be that of the Lady Jamila.

Starting point is 10:01:36 Go up to the gate as soon as thou espoused it, and there thou wilt see two high, steps, carpeted with brocade, and seated thereon a Quasimodo like me. Do thou complain to him of thy case, and crave his favour? Belike, he will have compassion of thy condition, and bring thee to the sight of her, though but for a moment from afar. This is all I can do for thee, and unless he be moved to pity for thee, we be dead men, I am thou. this then is my read and the matter rests with the Almighty quoth I I seek aid of Allah what so he willeth becometh and there is no majesty and there is no

Starting point is 10:02:24 might save in Allah then he left the hunchback tailor and returned to his lodging where taking the things his advisor had named he laid them in a bag on the morrow as soon as it was day he went down to Tigris Bank, where he found a boatman asleep. So he awoke him, and giving him ten sequins, bade him row him down the river below Basra. Quoth the man, O my lord, it must be on condition that I go no farther than a parasang, for if I pass that distance by a span, I am a lost man, and thou too. And quoth Ibrahim, be it as thou wilt. Thereupon he took him and dropped down the river with him till he drew near the flower-garden

Starting point is 10:03:10 Where he said to him O my son I can go no farther For if I pass this limit We are both dead men Hereat Ibrahim pulled out other ten dinars And gave them to him saying Take this spending money And better thy cause therewithal

Starting point is 10:03:28 The boatman was ashamed To refuse him And fared on with him crying I commit the affair to Allah the Almighty. And Sherazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of night 955. Night 956.

Starting point is 10:03:55 When it was the 956th night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the youth Ibrahim gave the boatman other ten dinars, the man took them saying, I commit the affair to Allah the Almighty, and fared on with him downstream. When they came to the flower garden, the youth sprang out of the boat in his joy, a spring of a spears cast from the land, and cast himself down, whilst the boatman turned and fled. Then Ibrahim fared forward, and found all as it had been described by the gobo.

Starting point is 10:04:34 He also saw the garden gate open, and in the porch a couch of ivory. whereon sat a humpbacked man of pleasant presents, clad in gold-laced clothes, and handing in hand a silver and mace plated with gold. So he hastened up to him, and, seizing his hand, kissed it, whereupon asked the hunchback, Who art thou, and whence comest thou? And who brought thee hither, O my son?

Starting point is 10:05:02 And indeed, when the man saw Ibrahim Kaseeb's son, he was amazed at his beauty. He answered, O Uncle, I am an ignorant lad and a stranger, and he wept. The hunchback had pity on him, and taking him up on the couch, wiped away his tears, and said to him, No harm shall come to thee, and thou be in debt, may Allah settle thy debt. And if thou be in fear, may Allah appease thy fear, replied Ibrahim, O O O Allah, uncle, I am neither in fear, nor am I in debt, but have money in plenting, thanks to Allah. Rejoined the other.

Starting point is 10:05:47 Then, O my son, what is thy need, that thou ventures thyself and thy loveliness to a place wherein is destruction? So he told him his story, and disclosed to him his case, whereupon the man bowed his head earthwards a while, then said to him, Was he who directed thee to me the humpback tailor? Yes, answered Ibrahim. And the keeper said, This is my brother, and he is a blessed man, presently adding,

Starting point is 10:06:22 But, my son, had not affection for thee sunk into my heart, and had I not taken compassion on thee, verily thou wert lost, thou and my brother and the doorkeeper of the Khan and his wife, for know that this flower-garden hath not its like on the face of the earth, and that it is called the garden of the wild heifer, nor hath any entered in it in all my life long, save the Sultan and myself and its mistress Jamila.

Starting point is 10:06:57 And I have dwelt here twenty years, and never yet saw any else's ever yet. attained to this stead. Every forty days the Lady Jamila cometh hither in a bark, and landeth in the midst of her women under a canopy of satin, whose skirts ten damsels hold up with hooks of gold whilst she entereth, and I see nothing of her. Nonetheless I have but my life, and I will risk it for the sake of thee. Herewith Ibrahim kissed his hand, and the keeper said to him, Sit by me till I devise somewhat for thee.

Starting point is 10:07:39 Then he took him by the hand And carried him into the flower-garden, which when he saw he deemed it Eden, for therein were trees intertwining, and palms high towering, and waters welling, and birds with various voices carolling. Presently the keeper brought him to a domed pavilion

Starting point is 10:08:02 and said to him, This is where the lady Jamila sitteth. So he examined it, and found it of the rarest of pleasances, full of all manner paintings in gold and Lappice-Lazuli. It had four doors, where two men mounted by five steps, and in its centre was a cistern of water,

Starting point is 10:08:24 to which led down steps of gold, all set with precious stones. The middlewards, the basin, was a fountain of gold, with figures large and small, and water jetting in jurbs from their mouths. And when, by reason of the issuing forth of the water, they attuned themselves to various tones, it seemed to the hearer as though he were in Eden. Round the pavilion ran a channel of water, turning a Persian wheel whose buckets were silver and covered with brocade. To the left of the pavilion was a lattice of silver,

Starting point is 10:09:00 giving upon a green park wherein were all manner wild cattle and gazelles and hair, and on the right hand was another lattice, overlooking a meadow full of birds of all sorts, warbling in various voices and bewildering the hearer's wits. Seeing all this the youth was delighted, and sat down in the doorway by the gardener, who said to him, How seemeth to thee my garden?

Starting point is 10:09:29 Quoth Ibrahim. Tis the paradise of the world. Whereat the gardener laughed. Then he rose and was absent a while, and presently returned with a tray full of fowls and quails and other dainties, including sweetmeats of sugar, which he set before Ibrahim, saying,

Starting point is 10:09:48 Eat thy sufficiency. So he ate his fill, Whereat the keeper rejoiced, And cried by Allah, This is the fashion of kings and son of kings. Then said he, O Ibrahim, what hast thou in yonder bag? Accordingly he opened it before him, and the keeper said, Carry it with thee, twill serve thee when the lady Jamila cometh,

Starting point is 10:10:14 for when once she is come, I shall not be able to bring thee food. Then he rose, and taking the youth by the hand, brought him to a place fronting the pavilion, where he made him an arbor among the tree. and said to him, Get thee up there. And when she cometh, thou wilt see her,

Starting point is 10:10:35 and she will not see thee. This is the best I can do for thee, and on Allah be our dependence. Whenest she singeth, drink thou to her singing, and whenest she departeth, thou shalt return in safety whence thou camest, inshallah.

Starting point is 10:10:56 Ibrahim thanked him and would have kissed his hand, but he forbade him. Then the youth laid the bag in the arbor, and the keeper said to him, O Ibrahim, walk about, and take thy pleasure in the garth, and eat of its fruits, for thy mistress's coming is appointed to be to-morrow. So he solaced himself in the garden, and ate of its fruits, after which he knighted with the keeper. And when morning morrowed, and showed its sheen and shone, he prayed the dawn prayer, and presently the keeper came to him with a pale face, and said to him, Rise, O my son, and go up into the arbor, for the slave-girls are come to order the place, and she cometh after them.

Starting point is 10:11:43 And Sherezat perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of night, 956. Recording by Andre Levy Andreleavy.net, Lisbon, Portugal. Section 35 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Nights, volume nine. This is a Libravox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org.

Starting point is 10:12:25 Recording by Andrelevi, andrelevi.net, Lisbon, Portugal. The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, volume nine, by Anonymous. Translated by Richard Francis Burton. Knight 957. When it was the 957th night she pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the keeper came to Ibrahim Kassib's son in the garden, he said to him, Rise, O my son, and go up into the arbor, for the slave-girls are come to order the place, and she cometh after them. So beware, lest, let's beware, lest, thou spit, or sneeze, or blow thy nose, else we are dead men, I and thou. Whereupon Ibrahim rose, and went up into his nest, whilst the keeper fared forth, saying,

Starting point is 10:13:24 Allah grant thee safety, O my son. Presently behold, up came four slave-girls, whose like none ever saw, and entering the pavilion, doff their outer dresses, and washed it. Then they sprinkled it with rose-water, and incensed it with ambigree and aloes-wood, and spread it with brocade. After these came fifty other damsels, with instruments of music, and amongst them Jamila, within a canopy of red brocade whose skirts the handmaidens bore up with hooks of gold till she had entered the pavilion, so that Ibrahim saw not of her, nor of her reigning.

Starting point is 10:14:09 So he said to himself, By Allah, all my travail is lost, but needs must I wait to see how the case will be. Then the damsels brought meat and drink, and they ate and drank and washed their hands, after which they set her a royal chair, and she sat down, and all played on instruments of music, and with ravishing voices incomparably sang. Presently outran an old woman, Edwena, and clapped hands and danced, whilst the girls pulled her about till the curtain was lifted, and forth came Jamila laughing. Ibrahim gazed at her and saw that she was clad in costly robes and ornaments, and on her head was a crown set with pearls and gems. About her long fair neck She wore a necklace of unions

Starting point is 10:15:05 And her waist was clasped With a girdle of Chrysolite bugles With tassels of rubies and pearls The damsels kissed ground Before her And when I considered her Quoth Ibrahim I took leave of my senses

Starting point is 10:15:23 And wit And I was dazed And my thought was confounded For amazement at the sight of loveliness whose like is not on the face of the earth. So I fell into a swoon, and coming to myself, weeping-eyed, recited these two couplets.

Starting point is 10:15:42 I see thee and close not mine eyes, for fear lest their lids prevent me beholdingly, an eye gazed with mine every glance, these I never could sight all the loveliness molding thee. Then, said the old Karamanah to the girls, let ten of you arise and dance and sing and ibrahim when looking at them said in himself i wish the lady jemila would dance when the handmaidens had made an end of their purvein they gathered round the princess and said to her o my lady we long for thee to dance amongst us so the measure of our joy may be fulfilled for never saw we a more delicious day than this quoth ibrahim to himself doubtless the gates of heaven are open, and Allah hath granted my prayer. Then the damsels bust her feet and

Starting point is 10:16:38 said to her, By Allah, we never saw thee broadened of breast as to-day. Nor did they cease exciting her, till she doffed her outer dress, and stood in a shift of cloth of gold, broidered with various jewels, showing breasts which stood out like pomegranates, and unveiling a face, as it were the moon on the night of fullness. Then she began to dance, and Ibrahim beheld motions he had never in his life seen their like, for she showed such wondrous skill and marvelous invention, that she made men forget the dancing of bubbles in wine-cups, and called to mind the inclining of the turbines from head-tops, even as saith of her the poet, a dancer whose form is like branch of Ban, flies my soul well nigh as his steps I greet. While he dances, no foot stands still,

Starting point is 10:17:37 and meseems that the fire of my heart is beneath his feet. And as quoth another, A dancer whose figure is like a willow branch, my soul almost quitteth me at the sight of her movements. No foot can remain stationary at her dancing, as she as though the fire of my heart were beneath her feet. Quoth Ibrahim, as I gazed upon her, she chanced to look up, and caught sight of me, whereupon her face change, and she said to her women, Sing ye till I come back to you. Then, taking up a knife half a cubit long, she made towards me, crying, there is no majesty, and there is no might save in Allah the glorious the great. Now when I saw this I well nigh lost my wits, but whence she drew, drew near me and face met face. The knife dropped from her hands, and she exclaimed, Glory to him who changeth man's hearts. Then said she to me, O youth, be of good cheer, for thou art safe from what thou dost fear. Whereupon I fell to weeping, and she to wiping away my tears with her hand, and saying, O youth, tell me who thou art, and what,

Starting point is 10:18:58 brought thee hither. I kissed the ground before her, and seized her skirt, and she said, No harm shall come to thee, for by Allah no male hath ever filled mine eyes but thyself. Tell me then who thou art. So I recited to her my story from first to last, whereat she marveled and said to me, O my lord, I conjure thee by Allah, tell me if thou be Ibrahim bin al-Kasib, I replied, Yes,

Starting point is 10:19:34 And she threw herself upon me, saying, O my lord, t'was thou madest me averse from men, For when I heard that there was in the land of Egypt a youth, That whom there was none more beautiful on earth's face, I fell in love with thee by report, and my heart became enamourne of thee, for that which reached me of thy passing calmliness, so that I was in respect of thee, even as saith the poet, mine ear, for went mine eye in loving him, for ear shall love before the eye at times. So praised be Allah who hath shown thy face But by the Almighty had it been other than thou

Starting point is 10:20:20 I had crucify the keeper of the garden And the porter of the Khan and the tailor And him who had recourse to them And presently she added But how shall I contrive for somewhat thou mayest eat Without the knowledge of my women? Quoth I, With me is somewhat we may eat and drink

Starting point is 10:20:39 and I opened the bag before her. She took a fowl and began to morsel me and I to morsel her, which when I saw it seemed to me that this was a dream. Then I brought out wine and we drank, what while the damsels sang on, nor did they leave to do thus from morn to noon when she rose and said, Go now, and get thee a boat,

Starting point is 10:21:06 and await me in such a place till I come to thee, for I have no patience left to Brooke Severance. I replied, O my lady, I have with me a ship of my own whose crew are in my hire, and they await me. Rejoined she, this is as we would have it, and returning to her women,

Starting point is 10:21:30 and Sherazade perceive the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of night 957. Night 958 When it was the 958th night She resumed It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That when the lady Jamila returned to her women

Starting point is 10:21:56 She said to them, Come, let us go back to our palace. They replied, Why should we return now, Seeing that we used to abide here three days? Quoth she, I feel an exceeding oppression in myself as though I were sick, and I fear lest this increase upon me.

Starting point is 10:22:16 So they answered, Owee here and obey, and, donning their walking-dresses, went down to the river-bank, and embarked in a boat. Whereupon behold, the keeper of the garden came up to Ibrahim, and said to him, knowing not what had happened, O, Ibrahim, thou hast not had the luck to enjoy the sight of her, and I fear lest she have seen thee, for tis her. want to tarry here three days, replied Ibrahim. She saw me not, nor eye her, for she came not forth of the pavilion. Rejoined the keeper.

Starting point is 10:22:54 True, oh, my son, for had she seen thee, we were both dead men. But abide with me till she come again next week, and thou shalt see her and take thy fill of looking at her, replied the prince. Oh, my lord, I have with me money, and fear for it. I also left men behind me, and I dread lest they take advantage of my absence. He retorted, O, my son, tis grievous to me to part with thee, and he embraced and farewelled him. Then Ibrahim returned to the Khan where he lodged, and, foregathering with the doorkeeper,

Starting point is 10:23:32 took of him all his property, and the porter said, Good news, inshallah. But Ibrahim said, I have found no way to my want, and now I am minded to return to my people. Whereupon the porter wept, then taking up his baggage, he carried them to the ship and obeyed him adieu. Ibrahim repaired to the palace which Jabila had appointed him, and awaited her there till it grew dark, when behold she came up, disguised as a bully-boy, with rounded beard and waist bound with a girdle. In one hand she held a bow and arrows, and in the other a bared blade, and she asked him, Areth thou Ibrahim, son of al-Kasib, lord of Egypt? He I am, answered the prince, and she said,

Starting point is 10:24:26 What never do well art thou who comes to the botch the daughters of kings? Come, speak with the Sultan. Therewith, quoth I am, I fell down in a swoon, and the sailors, died in their skins for fear. But when she saw what had betided me, she pulled off her beard, and throwing down her sword, ungirdled her waist whereupon I knew her for the Lady Jamila, and said to her, by Allah thou hast rent my heart and sunder, adding to the boatman, hastened the vessel's speed. So they shook out the sail, and putting off, fared on with all diligence. Nor was it many days ere we made Baghdad, where suddenly we saw a ship lying by the riverbank. When her sailors saw us, they cried out to her crew, saying,

Starting point is 10:25:19 Oh, such a one and such a one, we give you joy of your safety. Then they drave their ship against our craft, and I looked, and in the other boat beheld Abu al-Kasim al-Sandalani, who when he saw us exclaimed, This is what I sought. go ye in God's keeping, as for me I have a need to be satisfied. Then he turned to me and said, Praise'd be Allah for safety. Hast thou accomplished thine errand?

Starting point is 10:25:49 I replied, yes. Now Abu al-Kassim had a flambeau before him, so he brought it near our boat, and when Jamila saw him, she was troubled and her colour changed. But when he saw her, he said, said, Fair ye in Allah's safety, I am bound to Basra on business for the Sultan, but the gift is for him who is present. Then he brought out a box of sweetmeats, wherein was bang, and threw it into our boat.

Starting point is 10:26:25 Whereupon quoth I to Jamila, O cooleth of mine eyes, eat of this. But she wept and said, O Ibrahim, watchest thou who that is? and said I, Yes, tis such an one, replied she, He is my first cousin, son of my father's brother, who sought me aforetime in marriage of my sire,

Starting point is 10:26:48 but I would not accept of him, and now he is gone to Basra, and most like he will tell my father of us. I rejoined, O my lady, he will not reach Basra till we are at Mosul. But we knew not what lurked for us in the secret purpose.

Starting point is 10:27:07 Then, continued I ate of the sweetmeat, but hardly had it reached my stomach when I smote the ground with my head and lay there till near dawn when I sneezed and the bang issued from my nostrils. With this I opened mine eyes and found myself naked and cast out among ruins. So I buffeted my face and said in myself,

Starting point is 10:27:33 doubtless this is a trick al-Sandallani hath played me. But I knew not whether I should wend, for I had upon me not save my bag-trowsers. However, I rose and walked on a little, till I suddenly espy the chief of police coming towards me, with a posse of men with swords and targes, whereat I took fright, and seeing a ruined humum, hid myself there. Presently my foot stumbled upon something,

Starting point is 10:28:01 so I put my hand to it, and it became befelled with blood. I wiped my hand upon my bag trousers, unknowing what had befouled it, and put it out a second time. When it fell upon a corpse whose head came up in my hand, I threw it down, saying, There is no majesty, and there is no might in Allah, the glorious the great. And I took refuge in one of the corner cabinets of the Hammam. Presently the Wali stopped at the bath door and said,

Starting point is 10:28:34 Enter this place and search. So ten of them entered with cressets, an eye of my fear retired behind a wall, and looking upon the corpse, saw it to be that of a young lady with a face like the full moon, and her head lay on one side and her body, clad in costly raiment on the other. When I saw this my heart fluttered with a fright.

Starting point is 10:28:58 Then the chief of police entered and said, Search the corners of the bath. So they entered the palace wherein I was, And one of them, seeing me, came up handing in hand a knife half a cubit long. When he drew near me, he cried, Glory be to God the creator of this fair face, O youth, whence art thou? Then he took me by the hand and said,

Starting point is 10:29:21 O youth, why slewest thou this woman? Said I. By Allah I slew her not, nor what I who slew her, and I entered not this place but in fear of you. And I told him my case, adding Allah upon thee, do me no wrong, for I am in concern for myself. Then he took me and carried me to the wally, who, seeing the marks of blood on my hand, said,

Starting point is 10:29:45 This needeth no proof, strike off his head. And Shara'azade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of night nine hundred and fifty-eight. Recording by Andre Levy.net, Lisbon, Portugal. Section 36 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9. This is a Librivox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org.

Starting point is 10:30:27 The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Knight 959 When it was the 959th night She said It has reached me, oh auspicious king, that Ibrahim continued, Then they carried me before the wally,

Starting point is 10:30:51 And he, seeing the blood stains on my hand, cried, These needeth no proof, strike off his head. Now, hearing these words, I wept with sore weep in the tears streaming from my eyes, And recited these two couplets. We trod the steps that for ours were writ And whose steps are written He needs must tread

Starting point is 10:31:11 And whose death is decreed in one land to be His ne'er shall perish in other stead Then I sobbed a single sob And fell as soon And the headman's heart Was moved to Ruth for me And he exclaimed By Allah, this is no murderous face

Starting point is 10:31:29 But the chief said Smite his neck So they seated me on the the rug of blood and bound my eyes, after which the sword drew his sword and asking leave of the wallie, was about to strike off my head, whilst I cried out. Alas, my strangerhood, when lo and behold, I heard a noise of horse coming up, and a voice calling aloud, leave him, stay thy hand of sword. Now there was for these a wondrous reason and a marvelous cause, and it was thus, Al-Hazib wazir of Egypt

Starting point is 10:32:01 had sent his head chamberlain to the Caliph Harun al-Rashid with presents and a letter saying My son has been missing this year past And I hear that he is in Baghdad Wherefore I crave of the bounty Or the Vice Regent of Allah That he makes search for tidings of him

Starting point is 10:32:18 And do his endeavour to find him And send him back to me with the chamberlain When the Caliph read the missive He commanded the chief of the police To search out the truth of the matter and he ceased not to inquire after Ibrahim, till it was told him that he was at Basara, whereupon he informed the Caliph, who wrote a letter to the viceroy, and giving it to the Chamberlain of Egypt, bade him repair to Basara,

Starting point is 10:32:42 and take with him a company of the wazir's followers. So, of his eagerness to find the son of his lord, the chamberlain set out forthright, and happened by the way upon Ibrahim, as he stood on the rug of blood. When the wallace saw the chamberlain He recognized him And alighted to him And as he asked What young man is that

Starting point is 10:33:02 And what is his case The chief told him how the matter was And the chamberlain said And indeed he knew him not For the son of the sultan Verily these young man Has not the face of one who murdereth And he bade lose his bones

Starting point is 10:33:17 So they loosed him And the chamberlain said Bring him to me And they brought him But the officer knew him not his beauty being all gone for the horrors he had endured. Then the Chamberlain said to him, O youth, tell me thy case, and how cometh this slain woman with thee?

Starting point is 10:33:36 Ibrahim looked at him, and knowing him, said to him, woe to thee, does thou not know me? Am I not, Abraham, son of thy lord? Happily thou art come in quest of me. With this, the Chamberlain conceded him straightly, and knowing him right well through himself at his feet, which when the wall is saw his colour changed, and the Chamberlain cried to him,

Starting point is 10:33:59 Thigh upon thee, O tyrant. Was it thine intent to slay the son of my master Al-Hasib wazir of Egypt? The chief of police kissed his coat, saying, Oh, my lord, how should I know him? We found him in this plight, and saw the girl lying slain by his side. Rejoined the Chamberlain. Out on thee, thou are not fit for the office.

Starting point is 10:34:23 This is a led of fifteen. and he hath not slain a sparrow. So how should he be a murderer? Why didst thou not have patience with him and question him of his case? Then the chamberlain and the wally cried to the men, make search for the young lady's murderer. So they re-entered the bath

Starting point is 10:34:40 and finding him brought him to the chief of police, who carried him to the caliph and acquainted him with that which had occurred. Al-Rashid bade slay in the slayer and sending for Ibrahim smiled in his, his face and said to him, Tell me thy tale and that which hath betided thee. So he recounted to him his story from first to last,

Starting point is 10:35:03 and it was grievous to the Caliph, who called Masrur, his sordor, and said to him, go straightway and fall upon the house of Abu al-Kasim, Al-Sandalani, and bring me him and the young lady. The eunuch went forth at once, and breaking to the house, found Jamila bound with her own hair, and nigh upon death. So he loosened her and taking the painter, carried them both to the Caliph, who marvelled at Jamila's beauty.

Starting point is 10:35:30 Then he turned to Al-Sandalani and said, Take him and cut off his hands, wherewith he beat this young lady. Then crucify him and deliver his monies and possessions to Ibrahim. They did his beating, and as they were thus, behold, in came Abu Al-Lay's governor of Basara. The Lady Jamila's father, seeking aid of the Caliph against Ibrahim bin al-Kazibyiby. wazir of Egypt and complaining to him that the youth had taken his daughter. Quoth al-Rashid, He hath been the means of delivering her from torture and slaughter. Then he sent for Ibrahim, and when he came, he said to Abu Aliis, wilt thou not accept of this young man,

Starting point is 10:36:13 son of the southern of Egypt, as husband of thy daughter? replied Abu al-Ais. I hear and I obey Allah and thee, O commander of the faithful. But upon the capital, Salif summoned the Kazi and the witness and married the young lady to Ibrahim. Furthermore, he gave him all Al-Sandalandin's wealth and equipped him for his return to his own country, where he abode with Jamila in the utmost of bliss and the most perfect of happiness, till there came to them the destroyer of the lights and the sunderer of societies, and glory be to the living who dieth not. They also relate, O auspicious king, a tale, an aunt Abu al-Hassan of Khorasan.

Starting point is 10:36:54 The Caliph al-Mutazid Bilah was a high-spirited prince and a noble-minded lord. He had in Baghdad six hundred wazirs and of the affairs of the folk not was hidden from him. He went forth one day he and Ibn Hamdun to divert himself with observing his lieges and hearing the latest news of the people. And being overtaken with the hits of noonday, they turned aside from the main thoroughfare into a little by street at the upper end, whereof they saw a hand, whereof they saw a hand, some unhigh-builted mansion, discoursing of its owner with the tongue of praise. They sat down at the gate to take rest, and presently out came two eunuchs, as they were moons

Starting point is 10:37:34 on their fourteenth night. Quoth one of them to his fellow, would heaven some guests would seek admission this day, my master will not eat, but with guests, and we are come to this hour, and I have not yet seen a soul. The Caliph marveled at their speech and said, this is a proof of the housemaster's liberality. There is no help but that we go in to him and note his generosity, and this shall be a means of favor betiding him from us.

Starting point is 10:38:03 So he said to the eunuch, Ask leave of thy lord for the admission of a company of strangers, for in those days it was the Caliph's want when as he was minded to observe his subjects, to disguise himself in merchant's garb. The eunuch went in and told his master who rejoiced and rising came out to them in person. He was fair of favour and fine of form,

Starting point is 10:38:26 and he appeared clad in a tunic of silk and a gold-laced mantle, and he dripped with scented waters and wore in his hand a signet ring of rubies. When he saw them, he said to them, Well, come, and welcome to the lords who favour us with the utmost of favour by their coming, so they entered the house and found it such as would make a man forget family and fatherland, for it was like a piece of paradise. And Shah Razad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

Starting point is 10:38:59 End of night, 959. Night 960 When it was the 960th night, she continued, It had reached me, O auspicious king, that when the Caliph entered the mansion, he and the man with him,

Starting point is 10:39:17 they saw it to be such as would make one forget family and fatherland, for it was like a piece of paradise. Within it was a flower garden full of all kinds of trees, confounding sight and its dwelling places were furnished with costly furniture. They sat down and the Caliph fell to gazing at the house and the household gear. Quoth I looked at the Caliph and saw his countenance change, and being wont to know from his face whether he was amused or unangered, said to myself, I wonder what hath vexed him.

Starting point is 10:39:55 Then they brought a golden basin, and we washed our hands, after which they spread a silken cloth and set there on a table of ratan. When the covers were taken off the dishes, we saw that in meats rare as the blooms of prime in the season of their utmost scarcity, two-fold and single, and the host said, bismillah, oh my lords, by Allah, hunger priggath me, so favour me by eating of this food, as is the fashion of the noble. Thereupon he began tearing fauls apart and laying them before us, laughing the while and repeating verses and telling stories, and talking gaily with pleasant sayings, such assorted with the entertainment. We ate and drank, then removed to another room,

Starting point is 10:40:39 which confounded beholders with its beauty, and which wreaked, with exquisite perfumes. Here they brought us a tray of fruits, freshly gathered, and sweetmeats the finest flavored, whereas our joys increased and our care ceased. But with all the Caliph, continued Ibn Habdun, ceased not to wear a frowning face, and smiled not at that which gladden, old souls. Albeit it was his want to love mirth and merriment, and the putting away of cares, and I knew that he was no envious wit and oppressor. So I said to myself, Would heaven I knew what is the cause of his moroseness

Starting point is 10:41:18 And why we cannot dissipate his ill-humour? Presently they brought the tray of wine Which friends doth cojoin, And clarified drots in flagons of gold and crystal and silver, And the host smote with a ratan wand On the door of the inner chamber, Whereupon behold, it opened, And out came three damsels,

Starting point is 10:41:38 High-busoned virginity with faces like the sun at the fourth hour of the day, one a luteist, another a harpist, and the third a dancer artist. Then he sat before us dried fruits and confections, and drew between us and the damsels a curtain of brocade with tassals of silk and rings of gold. The caliph paid no heed to all these, but said to the host, who knew not who was in his company, Are thou one noble? Said he, No, my lord, I am but a man of the sons of the sons of the men of the sons of of the Mertains and am known among the folk as Abu al-Hassan Ali, son of Ahmad of Khorasan.

Starting point is 10:42:19 Quoth the Caliph, does now know me, O men? And quoth he, by Allah, my lord, I have no knowledge of either of your owners. Then said I to him, O men, this is the commander of the faithful Al-Mutazid Bilah, grandson of Al-Mutawakil Al-A. whereupon he rose and kissed the ground before the Caliph, trembling for fear of him, and said, O prince of true believers, I conjure thee, by the virtue of thy pious forbearers, and thou have seen in me any shortcomings or lack of good manners in thy presence, do thou forgive me?

Starting point is 10:42:59 Reply the Caliph, As for that which thou hast done with us of honoring and hospitality, nothing could have exceeded it, and as for that wherewith I have to reproach thee here, and thou tell me the truth, respecting it, and it commend itself to my sense, thy shall be saved from me. But, and thou tell me not the truth, I will take thee with manifest proof, and punish thee with such punishment as never yet punished any. Quoth the men, Allah forbid that I tell thee a lie! But what is it that thou reproaches to me, O commander of the faithful? Quoth the king. Quoth the king. Quoth the king.

Starting point is 10:43:39 Caliph. Since I enter thy mention and looked upon its grandeur, I have noted the furniture and vessels therein, nay, even thy clothes, and behold, when all of them is the name of my grandfather, Al-Mutawakil al-Ala. Answered Abu al-Hassan, yes, O commander of the faithful, the Almighty Protective, truth is thy in inner garb, and sincerity is thine outer garment, and none may speak otherwise than truly in thy presence. The Caliph bade him be seated and said, Tell us. So he began.

Starting point is 10:44:16 No, O commander of the faithful, that my father belonged to the markets of the money-changers and druggists and line drapers, and had in each bazaar a shop and an agent and all kinds of goods. Moreover, behind the money-changers shop he had an apartment, where he might be private, appointing the shop for buying and selling. His wealth was beyond count And to his riches there was none amount But he had no child other than myself

Starting point is 10:44:45 And he loved me and was tenderly feign of me When his last hour was at hand He called me to him and commended my mother to my care And charged me to fear Almighty Allah Then he died May Allah have mercy upon him and continue The prince of true believers on life And I gave myself up to pleasure

Starting point is 10:45:06 And eating and drinking and took to myself comrades and intimates. My mother used to forbid me from these and to blame me for it, but I would not hear a word from her till my money was all gone, when I sold my lands and houses and not was left me, save the mansion wherein I now dwell, and it was a goodly steed, O commander of the faithful. So I said to my mother, I wish to sell the house.

Starting point is 10:45:31 But she said, O my son, and thou sell it, thou will be dishonoured, and would have no place wherein to take shelter. Quoth I, "'It is worth five thousand dinars, and with one thousand of its price I will buy me "'an other house and trade with the rest.' "'Quoth she, will thou sell it to me at that price?' "'And I replied, yes, whereupon she went to a coffer, and opening it, took out a porcelain vessel "'wherein were five thousand dinars. When I saw this, missimmed the house was all of gold, And she said to me,

Starting point is 10:46:07 O my son, think not that this is of thy father's good. By Allah, my son, it was of my own father's money, and I have treasured it up against a time of need. For, in thy father's day, I was a wealthy woman, and had no need of it. I took the money from her, or prince of true believers, and fell again to feasting and carousing and merry-making with my friends, and heeding my mother's words and ammonitions, till the five thousand dinars came to an end.

Starting point is 10:46:38 When I said to her, I wish to sell the house, said she, O my son, I forbade thee from selling it before, of my knowledge that thou hadst the need of it, so how will thou sell it a second time? Quoth I, Be not longsome of speech with me,

Starting point is 10:46:55 for I must and will sell it. And quoth she, then sell it to me for fifteen thousand dinars, on condition that I take charge of thine affairs. So I sold her the house at that price and gave up my affairs into her charge, whereupon she sought out the agents of my father and gave each of them a thousand dinars,

Starting point is 10:47:17 keeping the rest in her own hands and ordering the outgo and the income. Moreover, she gave me money to trade with all and said to me, sit down in thy father's shop. So I did her bidding, O commander of the faithful, and took up my abode in the church,

Starting point is 10:47:33 chamber behind the shop in the market of the money-changers. And my friends came and bought of me, and I sold to them, whereby I made good cheap, and my wealth increased. When my mother saw me in this fair way, she discovered to me that which she had treasured up of jewels and precious stones, pearls and gold, and I bought back my houses and lands that I had squandered, and my wealth became great as before. I abode thus for some time. I abode thus for some time. and the factors of my father came to me and I gave them stocking trade and I built me a second chamber behind the shop. One day, as I sat there, according to my custom or prince of true believers,

Starting point is 10:48:18 there came up to me a damsel, never saw I as a fairer than she of favour, and said, Is this the private shop of Abu al-Hassan Ali Ibn al-Ahemad al-Korassani? Answered I, yes, and she asked, where is he? He am I, said I. And indeed my wit was dazed at the excess of her loveliness. She sat down and said to me, Be thy page weigh me out three hundred dinars.

Starting point is 10:48:50 Accordingly, I bade him give her that sum, and he weighed it out to her, and she took it, and went away, leaving me stupefied. Quoth my men to me. Does thou know her? and quoth I, No, by Allah. He asked,

Starting point is 10:49:08 Then why did thou bid me give her the money? And I answered, By Allah, I knew not what I said, Of my amazement at her beauty and loveliness. Then he rose and followed her, Without my knowledge, But presently returned weeping And with the mark of a blow in his face.

Starting point is 10:49:26 I inquired of him what a ail him, And he replied, I followed the damsel to see whither she went, but when she was aware of me, she turned and dealt me this blow, and all by knocked out my eye. After this, a month passed without her coming, O commander of the faithful, and I abode bewildered for love of her. But at the end of this time, she suddenly appeared again and saluted me, where Reata was like to fly for joy. She asked me how I did, and said to me, Happily thou saidst to thyself, what manner of trick.

Starting point is 10:50:02 is this, who hath taken my money and made off? Answered I, By Allah, my lady, my money and my life are all thy very own. With this, she unveiled herself and sat down to rest with the trinkets and ornaments playing over her face and bosom. Presently she said to me, weigh me out three hundred dinars. Harkening and obedience, answered I,

Starting point is 10:50:27 and weighed out to her the money. She took it, and went away. And I said to my servant, follow her. So he followed her, but returned dumbstruck, and some time passed without my seeing her. But as I was sitting one day, behold, she came up to me, and after talking a while, said to me, weigh me out five hundred dinars, for I have need of them. I would have said to her, why should I give thee my money? But my love in men's hindered me from utterance. For, O Prince of true believers, whenever I saw her, I trembled in every joint, and my color pale, and I forgot what I would have said, and became even as saith the poet,

Starting point is 10:51:10 this not but these, when a sudden I see her, Mam chance I bid not a word can say her. So I weighed out for her the five hundred eucats, and she took them and went away. whereupon I arose and followed her myself till she came to the jewel bazaar where she stopped at a man's shop and took of him a necklace then she turned and seeing me said pay him five hundred dinars for me

Starting point is 10:51:40 when the jeweller saw me he rose to me and made much of me and I said to him give her the necklace and set down the price to me he replied I hear and obey and she took it and went away

Starting point is 10:51:58 and Shah Rassad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say End of night 960 Section 37 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night volume 9 This is LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer Please visit LibriVox.org

Starting point is 10:52:27 The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night Volume 9 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Knight, 961. When it was the 961st night, she pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Abu Hassan, the Khorasani, thus pursued his tale. So I said to the jeweller, give her the necklace, and set down the price to me.

Starting point is 10:53:01 Then she took it and went away. but I followed her till she came to the Tigris and boarded a boat there whereupon I signed with my hand to the ground as who would say I kiss it before thee She went off laughing And I stood watching her till I saw her land And enter a palace

Starting point is 10:53:20 Which when I considered I knew it for the palace of the Caliph Al-Mutawakil So I turned back O commander of the faithful With all the cares in the world fallen on my heart, for she had of me three thousand in hours, and I said to myself, she hath taken my wealth and ravished my wheat, and peradventure I shall lose my life for her love.

Starting point is 10:53:45 Then I returned home and told my mother all that had befallen me, and she said, O my son, beware how thou have to do with her after this, or thou art lost. When I went to my shop, my factor in the drug market, a very old man, came to me and said, O my lord, how is it that I see thee changed in case and showing marks of Chagrin? Tell me, what aileth thee? So I told him all that had befallen me with her, and he said, O my son, this is indeed one of the handmaidens of the palace of the commander of the faithful, and happily she is the Caliph's favorite concubine. So do thou reckon the money as spent for the sake of Almighty Allah, and occupy thyself no more with her.

Starting point is 10:54:35 And she come again, beware, lest she have to do with thee, and tell me of these, that I may devise thee some device, lest perdition betide thee. Then he fared forth, and left me with a flame of fire in my heart. At the end of the month, behold, she came again, and I rejoice in her with exceeding joy. quoth she What ailed thee to follow me? Unquoth I Excess of passion

Starting point is 10:55:05 That is in my heart urged me to these And I wept before her She wept for Ruth of me and said By Allah there is not in thy heart Ought of love longing But in my heart is more Yet how shall I do By Allah I have no resource

Starting point is 10:55:23 Save to see thee thus once A month Then she gave me a bill, saying, Carry this to such an one of such a trade Who is my agent, And take off him what is named therein. But I replied, I have no need of money,

Starting point is 10:55:40 Be my wealth and my life thy sacrifice. Quoth she, I will right soon contrive thee a means of access to me, Whatever trouble it cost me. Then she farewelled me and fared forth, Whilst I repair to the old, druggist and told him what had passed. He went with me to the palace of Al-Mutawakil, which I knew for that which the damsel had entered, but the sheikh was at last for a device.

Starting point is 10:56:09 Presently he espied a tailor sitting with his apprentices at work in his shop, opposite the lattice, giving upon the river bank, and said to me, "'Yonder is one by whom thou shod wind thy wish. But first tear thy pocket, and go to him and bid him sue it up. When he hath done this, give him ten dinars. I hear and obey, answered I, and taking with me two pieces of Greek brocade, went to the tailor, and bade him make of them four suits, two with long-sleeved coats, and two without. When he had finished cutting them out and sewing them, I gave him to his hire much more than of want, and he put out his hand to me with the clothes, but I said,

Starting point is 10:56:56 Take them to thyself and for those who are with thee. And I fell to sitting with him and sitting long. I also bespoke of him other clothes and said to him, Hang them out in front of thy shop, so the folk may see them and buy them. He did as I bade him, and whoso came forth of the Caliph's palace, and ought to the clothes pleased him.

Starting point is 10:57:19 I made him a present thereof, even to the doorkeeper. One day of the day is the tailor said to me, O my son, I would have thee tell me the truth of thy case, for thou hast bespoken of me a hundred costly suits, each worth a mint of money, and hast given most of them to the folk. This is no merchant's fashion, for a merchant calleth an account of every dear man, and what can be the sum of thy capital that thou givest these gifts, and what thy gain every year?

Starting point is 10:57:51 tell me the truth of thy case that I may assist thee to thy desire Presently adding I conjure thee by Allah tell me Are thou not in love Yes replied I And he said With whom? Quoth I

Starting point is 10:58:10 With one of the handmaids of the Caliph's palace And quoth he Allah put them to shame How long shall they seduce the folk Knowest thou her name? said I, no, and said he, Describe her to me. So I described her to him, and he cried,

Starting point is 10:58:31 Out on it, this is the luteist of the Caliph al-Mutawakil, and his pet concubine, but she hath amamiluk, and do thou make friends with him, it may be he shall become the means of thy having access to her. Now, as we were talking, behold, outwalk the servant in question from the palace, as he were a moon on the fourteenth night, and seeing that I had before me the clothes which the tailor had made me,

Starting point is 10:58:57 and they were of brocade of all colours, he began to look at them and examined them. Then he came up to me and I rose and saluted him. He asked, Who are thou? And I answered, I am a man of the merchant. Quoth he,

Starting point is 10:59:12 wilt thou sell these clothes? And quoth I, yes. So he chose out five of them and said to me, how much these five, said I, They are a present to thee from me, in earnest of friendship between me and thee. At this he rejoiced, and I went home, and fetching a suit embroidered with jewels and jacinths,

Starting point is 10:59:33 worth three thousand dinars, returned their wreath and gave it to him. He accepted it, and carrying me into a room within the palace, said to me, What is thy name among the merchant? said I. I am a man of them. he continued verily i misdoubt me of thine affair i asked why so and he answered because thou hast bestowed on me a costly gift and won my heart therewith and i make certain that thou art abu al has assan of khorazan the shroff

Starting point is 11:00:08 with these i fell a weeping o prince of true believers and he said to me why dost thou weep by allah she for whom thou weepest is yet more longingly in love with thee than thou with her. And indeed her case with thee is notorious among all palace women, but what wouldst thou have? Quoth I, I would have thee succour me in my calamity. So he appointed me for the morrow, and I returned home. As soon as I rose next morning, I betook myself to him and waited in his chamber till he came in and said to me, know that yesterday night, when after having made an end of her service by the Caliph, she returned to her apartment. I related to her all that had passed between me and thee, and she is minded to foregather with thee. So stay with me till the end of the day.

Starting point is 11:01:00 Accordingly, I stayed with him till dark. When the Mamiluk brought me a shirt of gold in woven stuff and a suit of the Caliph's apparel, and clothing me therein incensed me, and I became like. the commander of the faithful. Then he brought me to a gallery with rows of rooms on either side and said to me, these are the lodgings of the chief of the slave girls, and when thou passest along the gallery, do thou lay at each door a beam, for it is the custom of the Caliph to do this every night. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say.

Starting point is 11:01:41 End of night 961. Night 962. When it was the 9602nd night, she resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the Mameluk said to Abu Hassan, when thou passest along the gallery,

Starting point is 11:02:02 sat down at each door, a bin, for tis the custom of the Caliph so to do, till thou come to the second passage on thy rind hand, when thou wilt see a door with a marble threshold. Touch it with thy hand, or, and thou wilt, count the doors which are so many, and enter the one whose marks are thus and thus. There thy mistress will see thee, and take thee in with her. As for thy coming forth, verily Allah will make it easy for me, though I carry thee out in a chest. Then he left me and returned, whilst I went on, counting the doors and laying at each abean. When I had reached the middle of the

Starting point is 11:02:41 gallery, I heard a great clatter and saw the light of flambeau coming towards me. As the light drawn near me, I looked at it, and behold, the Caliph himself came surrounded by the slave girls carrying waxen lights, and I heard one of the women say to another, Oh, my sister, have we two caliphs? Verily, the Caliph whose perfumes and essences I smelt, hath already passed by my room, and he hath laid the bean at my door as his wont, and now I see the light of his flambeau, and here he cometh with them, replied the other. Indeed, this is a wondrous thing,

Starting point is 11:03:16 for disguised himself in the caliph's habit none would dare. Then the light drew near me whilst I trembled in every limb, and up came an eunuch, crying out to the concubines, and saying, Hither! Whereupon they turned aside to one of the chambers and entered. Then they came out again. and walked on till they came to the chamber of my mistress, and I heard the Caliph say, Whose chamber is this?

Starting point is 11:03:41 They answered. This is the chamber of Shajarat al-Lur. And he said, call her. So they called her, and she came out and kissed the feet of the Caliph who said to her, Will thou drink to-night? Quoth she, but for thy presence and the looking on thine auspicious countenance, I would not drink, for I inclined not to wine this night. then quoth the commander of the faithful to the eunuch bid the treasurer give her such necklace and he commanded to enter her chamber so the waxen lights entered before him and he followed them into the apartment

Starting point is 11:04:19 and at the same moment behold there came up adamsel the luster of whose face outshone that of the flambeau in her hand and drawing near she said who is this then she laid hold of me and carrying me into one of the chamber said to me who are thou? I kissed the ground before her, saying, I implore thee by Allah, my lady, spare my blood and have ruth on me, and commend thyself unto Allah by saving my life. And I wept for fear of death. Quoth she, doubtless thou art robber, and quoth I. No, by Allah, I am no robber. Seiz thou on me the signs of thieves? Said she, tell me the truth of thy case, and I will put thee in safety. so I said I am a silly lover

Starting point is 11:05:05 and an ignorant whom passion and my folly have moved to do as thou seest so that I am falling into this law of this pond thereat cried she abide here till I come back to thee and going forth she presently returned

Starting point is 11:05:21 with some of her handmaids clothes wherein she clad me and bade me follow her so I followed her till she came to her and commanded me to enter I went in and she led me to a couch Whereon was a mighty fine carpet And said, Sit down here, no harm shall befall thee.

Starting point is 11:05:41 Are thou not Abu al-Hassan, Ali, the Khorasani, the Shroff? I answered yes, And she rejoined, Allah spare thy blood, given thou speak truth. And thou be a robber, thou art lost, More by token than thou art dressed in the Caliph's habit And incensed with his sense. But, and thou be indeed Abu al-Hassan, thou art safe, and no hurt shall happen to thee,

Starting point is 11:06:08 for that thou are the friend of Shajarat al-Dur, who is my sister, and ceaseth never to name thee, and tell us how she took of thee money, yet wasn't thou not chagrined, and how thou didst follow her to the river-bank, and madest sign as thou would kiss the earth in her honour, and her heart is yet more aflame for thee than is dying for her. But how came'st thou hither? Was it by her order, or without it? She hath indeed impaired thy life.

Starting point is 11:06:38 But what seekest thou in this assignation with her? I replied, by Allah, my lady. Tis I who have impaired my own life, and my aim in foregathering with her is but to look on her and hear her pretty speech, she said. Thou hast spoken well, and I added, O my lady, Allah is my witness. when I declare that my soul prompteth me to no offence against her honour,

Starting point is 11:07:05 cried she, in this intent may Allah deliver thee, indeed compassion for thee hath got and hold upon my heart. Then she called her handmaid and said to her, Go to Shajarat Al-Lur and say to her, thy sister saluteth thee, and bideth thee to her, so favour her by coming to her this night, according to thy custom, for her breast is straightened. The slave-girl went out, and presently returned,

Starting point is 11:07:30 told her mistress that Shah Jarat al-Dur said, May Allah bless me with thy long life and make me thy ransom. By Allah, hath thou bidden me to other than this, I had not hesitated, but the caliph's migraine constraineth me, and thou knowest my rank with him. But the other said to her damsel, returned to her and say, needs must thou come to my mistress upon a private matter between thee and her.

Starting point is 11:07:56 So the girl went out again and presently returned with the damsel, whose face shone like the full moon. Her sister met her and embraced her. Then said she, Oh, Abu al-Hassan, come forth to her and kiss her hands. Now I was in a closet within the apartment, so I walked out, O commander of the faithful.

Starting point is 11:08:18 And when my mistress saw me, she threw herself upon me and strained me to her bosom saying, How comest thou in the Caliph's clothes and his ornaments and perfumes, tell me what hath befallen thee so i related to her all that had befallen me and what i had suffered for a fright and so forth and she said grievous to me is what thou hast endured for my sake and praised be allah who hath caused the issue to be safety and the fulfilment of safety is in thy entering my lodging and that of my sister then she carried me to her own apartment saying to her sister i have covenant with him that i will not be united to him unlawfully. But, as he hath risked himself and incurred these perils, I will be earth for his treading and dust to his sandals. And Shah Razad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of night, 962. Section 38 of the book of the

Starting point is 11:09:25 Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9. This is a Librivox recording. All Librivox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit visit Librivox.org. The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, volume nine, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Knight 963 When it was the 963rd Knight, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that quothed the damsel to her sister.

Starting point is 11:09:59 I have covenanted with him that I will not be united to him unlawfully, but, as he hath risked himself and incurred his perils, I will be earth for his treading and dust to his sandals, replied her sister. In this intent may Allah deliver him, and my mistress rejoined. Soon shall thou see how I will do, so I may lawfully foregather with him, and there is no help but that I lavish my heart's blood to devise these.

Starting point is 11:10:30 Now, as we were in talk, behold, we heard a great noise, and turning saw the caliph making for her chamber, so engrossed was he by the thought of her, whereupon she took me, O prince of true believers, and hid me in a sotterrain, and shut down the trap-door upon me. Then she went out to meet the caliph, who entered and sat down whilst she stood between his hands to serve him,

Starting point is 11:10:54 and commanded to bring wine. Now the caliph loved a damsel named Banja, who was the mother of al-Mutaz Bilah. but they had fallen out and parted, and in the pride of her beauty and loveliness, she would not make peace with him, nor would Al-Mutawakil, for the dignity of the caliphate and the kingship,

Starting point is 11:11:14 make peace with her, neither humble himself to her, albeit his heart was aflame with passion for her, but sought to solace his mind from her with her mates, among the slave girls, and with going in to them in their chambers. Now he love, Shaharat al-Durr's sing. So she bade her sing, when she took the lute and tuning the strings, sang these verses.

Starting point is 11:11:38 The world tricks I admire betwixt me and her. How, as parted, the world would to me incline. I shun thee, till said they, he knows not love. I sought thee, till said they, no patience is mine. Then, O love of her, add to my longing each night, And O solace thy comforts the doomsday assigned, Soft as silk is her touch and her low sweet voice, Twix o'er much and o'er little a draweth the line.

Starting point is 11:12:14 And ye whereof Allah said be ye, And they became to men's wit like the working of wine. When the Caliph heard these verses, He was pleasureed with exceeding pleasure, And I also, O commander of the faithful, was pleasured in my hiding place, and but for the bounty of Almighty Allah I had cried out And we had been disgraced

Starting point is 11:12:36 Then she sung also these couplets I embrace him Yet after him yearns my soul for his love But can ought than embrace Binaire I kiss his lips to assuage my love But each kiss guards it glow with more flaming fire It is as though my vitals

Starting point is 11:12:57 I thirst and quenched Till I see two souls mixed in one entire. The Caliph was delighted and said, O Shaharat al-Dur, ask a boon of me. She replied, O commander of the faithful, I ask thee my freedom for the sake of the reward thou wilt obtain therein.

Starting point is 11:13:20 Quoth he, thou art free for the love of Allah, whereupon she kissed ground before him. He resumed, Take the lute and sing me somewhat on the stupt. subject of my slave girl, of whom I am enamoured with warmest love. The folk seek my pleasure and I seek hers. So she took the lute and sung these two couplets. My charmer who spellest my piety, on all accounts I will have thee, have thee,

Starting point is 11:13:52 or by humble suits which beceithes love, or by force more fitting my sovereignty. The Caliph admired his verses and said, Now take up thy lute and sing me a song, Setting out my case with three damsels, Who hold the reins of my heart, And make rest depart, And they are thyself, And that willful one,

Starting point is 11:14:15 And another I will not name, Who hath not her like? So she took the lute, And playing a lively measure, Sang these couplets. Three lovely girls hold my bridal rain, And in highest stead my heart over rain, I have none to obey amid all mankind, but obeying them I but win this dame.

Starting point is 11:14:39 This is done through the kingship of love, whereby the best of my kingship they made their gain. The Caliph marveled with exceeding marvel at the aptness of these verses to this case, and his delight inclined him to reconciliation with the recocetron damsel. So he went forth and made for her chamber with her, a slave girl preceded him, and announced to her the coming of the caliph. She advanced to meet him and kissed the ground before him. Then she kissed his feet, and he was reconciled to her,

Starting point is 11:15:14 and she was reconciled to him. Such was the case with the caliph, but as regards Shasarat al-Lur, she came to me rejoicing and said, I am become a free woman by thy blessed coming. Surely Allah will help me in that which I shall contrive, so I may foregather with thee in lawful way. And I said, Alhamdolilah.

Starting point is 11:15:39 Now, as we were talking, behold, Hermaluk Eunuch entered, and we related to him that which had passed, when he said, Praise be Allah, who hath made the affair to end well, and we implored the Almighty to crown his favours with thy safe-faring forth the palace. Presently appeared my mistress sister, whose name was Fatir. and shajarat al-dur said to her o my sister how shall we do to bring him out of the palace in safety for indeed allah hath vouchsafed me manhishin and the blessing of his coming i am become a free woman Quote, Fatir, I see nothing for it, but to dress him in woman's gear. So she brought me a suit of women's clothes and clad me therein, and I went out forthwith,

Starting point is 11:16:30 O commander of the faithful, but when I came to the midst of the palace, behold, I found the caliph seated there, with the eunuchs in attendance upon him. When he saw me, he misdoubted of me with exceeding doubt, and said to his suit, hasten and bring me under handmaiden who is faring forth. So they brought me back to him and raised the veil from my face, which when he saw he knew me and questioned me of my case. I told him the whole truth, hiding not. And when he heard my story, he pondered my case a while without stay or delay,

Starting point is 11:17:06 and going into Shaharat Aldur's chamber, said to her, How couldst thou prefer before me, one of the sons of the merchant. She kissed ground between his hands and told him her tale from first to last, in accordance with the truth. And he, hearing it, had compassion upon her and his heart relented to her,

Starting point is 11:17:29 and he excused her by reason of love and its circumstances. Then he went away, and her eunuch came in to her and said, Be of good cheer, for when thy lover was set before the caliph, he questioned him, and he told him that which thou toldest him word by word. Presently the Caliph returned, and calling me before him, said to me, What made thee there to violate the palace of the Caliphate? I replied, O commander of the fatal, it was my ignorance and passion and my confidence in thy clemency and generosity that drove me to this.

Starting point is 11:18:07 And I wept and kissed the ground before him. then said he, I pardon you both, and bade me be seated. So I sat down, and he sent for Kazi Ahmad Ibn Abiduad, and married me to her. Then he commanded to make over all that was hers to me,

Starting point is 11:18:27 and they displayed her to me in her lodging. After three days I went forth and transported all her goods and gear to my own house. So, everything thou hast seen, O commander of the faithful in my house and whereof thou misdoubtest, is of her marriage equipage. After this, she said to me one day,

Starting point is 11:18:49 Know that al-Mutawakil is a generous man, and I fear, lest he remember us with ill mind, or that some one of the envios remind him of us. Wherefore I purpose to do somewhat that may ensure us against this, quoth I, and what is that? And quoth she, I mean to ask his leave to go the people, pilgrimage and repent of singing. I replied, Right is this reader thou readest. But as we were

Starting point is 11:19:18 talking, behold, in came a messenger from the caliph to seek her, for that al-Mutawaki loved her singing. So she went with the officer and did her service to the caliph who said to her, Sever not thyself from us. And she answered, I hear and I obey. Now it changed one day after this, she went to him, he having sent for her as was his want, but before I knew she came back with her raiment rent, and her eyes full of tears. At this I was alarmed, misdouting me, that he had commanded to seize upon us, and said, verily, we are alas, and unto him shall we return. Is al-Mutawakil wrath with us? She replied, where is Almutawakil? Indeed, Al-Mutawakil's rule is ended and his trace is blotted out,

Starting point is 11:20:13 cried I, tell me what has happened, and she, he was seated behind the curtain drinking with Al-Fath bin Kakan and Sadaka when his son Al-Muntasir fell upon him with a company of the Turks and slew him, and merriment was turned to misery and joy to weeping and wailing for annoy. So I fled, I and the slave girl, and Allah saved us. When I heard these, O commander of the faithful, I arose forthright and went downstream to Basara, where the news reached me of the falling out of war between Al-Muntasir and Al-Mustache, Pili-I-Lah.

Starting point is 11:20:54 Wherefore I was affrighted and transported my wife and all my wealth to Basara. This then is my tale, O prince of true believers, nor have I added to or taken from it a single syllable. So all that thou seest in my house bearing the name of thy grandfather, Al-Mutawakil, is of his bounty to us, and the fount of our fortune is from thy noble sources. For indeed, he are a people of munificence and a mine of beneficence. The Caliph marveled at his story, and rejoiced therein with joy exceeding, and Abu al-Hassan brought forth to him the lady and the children she had born.

Starting point is 11:21:33 him, and they kissed ground before the Caliph who wandered at their beauty. Then he called for in case and paper, and wrote Abu al-Hassan a patent of exemption from taxes on his lands and houses for twenty years. Moreover, he rejoiced in him and made him his cap companion, till the world parted them, and they took up their abode in the tombs, after having dwelt under the palace domes. And glory be to Allah, the king merciful of doom. And they also tell a tale concerning Kamar al-Zaman and a jeweller's wife

Starting point is 11:22:08 There was once in time of old A merchant height Abd al-Rachmon whom Allah had blessed with a son and a daughter And for their much beauty and loveliness He named the girl Kaobab al-Saba And the boy Kamar al-Zaman When he saw what Allah had vouchsafed the twain

Starting point is 11:22:26 Of beauty and loveliness Brilliency and symmetry He feared for them the evil eyes of the spires, and the gibbing tongues of the jealous, and the craft of the crafty, and the wiles of the wicked, and shut them up from the folk in a mansion for the space of fourteen years, during which time none saw them save their parents and the slave girl who served them. Now their father could recite the Quran, even as alas sent it down, and also did his wife, wherefore the mother taught her daughter to read and recite it, and the father his son,

Starting point is 11:22:59 till both had gotten it by heart. Moreover, the twain learned from their parents, writing and reckoning, and all manner of knowledge and polite letters, and needed no master. When Camar al-Zaman came to years of manhood, the wife said to her husband, How long will thou keep thy son,

Starting point is 11:23:18 Camar al-Zalman sequestered from the eyes of the folk? Is he a girl or a boy? He answered, a boy. Rejoined she, And he be a boy, why dost thou not carry him to the bazaar, and sit him in thy shop, that he may know the folk and they know him, in the intent that it may become notorious among men, that he is thy son, and do thou teach him to sell and to buy? Peradventure somewhat may be folly, so shall the folk know him

Starting point is 11:23:46 for thy son, and he shall lay his hand on thy livings. But, and thou die, as the case now is, and he say to the folk, I am the son of the merchant Abd al-rahaman? verily they will not believe him but will cry we have never seen thee and we knew not that he had a son wherefore the government will cease thy goods and thy son will be despoiled in like manner the girl i mean to make her known among the folk so may be some one of her own condition may ask her in marriage and we will wed her to him and rejoice in her quoth he i did thus of my fear for them from the eyes of the folk And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of night, 963. Night nine hundred and sixty-four. When it was the nine hundred and sixty-fourth night, she continued,

Starting point is 11:24:49 It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the merchant's wife spake to him in such wise, he replied, I did thus of my fear for them, from the eyes of the folk, and because I love them both, and love is jealous exceedingly, and well saith he who spoke these verses. Of my sight I am jealous for thee of me, of thyself, of thy steed, of thy destiny, though I shrine thee in eyes by the craze of me,

Starting point is 11:25:15 in such nearness e'erke I should never see, though thou wert by my side all the days of me, till doomsday I ne'er had enough of thee. Said his wife, Put thy trust in Allah, for no harm betideth him whom he protect and carry him with thee this very day to the shop. Then he cladded a boy in the costliest clothes, and he became a seduction to all who on him cast sight

Starting point is 11:25:43 and an affliction to the heart of each lover wide. His father took him and carried him to the market, whilst all who saw him were ravished with him, and accosted him, kissing his hand and saluting him with the salam. Quoth one, indeed, the son hath reason in such a place and blazeth in the bazaar. And another, the rising place of the full moon is in such a quarter. And a third, the new moon of the festival hath appeared to the creatures of Allah.

Starting point is 11:26:15 And they went on to allude to the boy in talk and called down blessings upon him. But his father scalded the folk for following his son to gaze upon him because he was abashed at their talk. But he could not hinder one of them from talking. So he fell to abusing the bull. boy's mother and cursing her because she had been the cause of his bringing him out, and as he gazed about, he still saw the folk crowding upon him, behind and before. Then he walked on till he reached his shop, and opening it, sat down and seated his son before him, after which he

Starting point is 11:26:50 again looked out and found the thoroughfare blocked with people for all the passers-by, going and coming, stopped before the shop, to stare at the beautiful race and could not leave him, and all the men and women crowded in knots about him, applying to themselves the words of him who said, Thou maddest beauty to spoil men's sprite, and saidst, O my servants, fear my reprove, but lovely thou lovest, O loveliness, how then shall thy servants refrain from love? When the merchant Abde al-Rachman saw that folk thus crowding about him and standing in rose, both women and men, to fix eyes upon his son, he was so.

Starting point is 11:27:32 sore ashamed and confounded, and knew not what to do. But presently there came up from the end of the bazaar, a man of the wandering dervishes, clad in haircloth, the garb of the pious servants of Allah, and seeing Kamara al-Zaman sitting there as he were a branch of bin springing from a mound of saffron, poured forth copious tears, and recited these two couplets. A wand uprising from a sand in all, Like full moon shining bright as shin I saw, And said, What is thy name? Replied he, Lala.

Starting point is 11:28:08 What? asked I, Lely? And he answered, La La. Then the dervish fell to walking, Now drawing near and now moving away, And wiping his grey hairs with his right hand, While the heart of the crowd was cloven asunder for all of him. When he looked upon the boy, his eyes were dazzled, and his wit confounded, and exemplified in him was the saying of the poet,

Starting point is 11:28:35 While that fair-faced boy abode in the place, moon of breakfast fate, he lit by his face. Lo there came a shake with leisurely pace, a reverend trusting to Allah's grace, and aesthetic signals his gate displayed. He had studied love both by day and night, and had special knowledge of wrong and right, both for lead and less he repined his sprite and his form like toothpick was lean and slight

Starting point is 11:29:01 and old bones with faded skin were overlaid. In such arts our Sheikh was an azami with a catamite ever in company in the love of woman Platonist he but in either versed to the full degree and Zainab to him

Starting point is 11:29:19 was the same as Zaid distraught by the fair he adored the fair or spring camp wailed bewept ruins bare. Dry branched our heads deemed him for stress of care, which the morning breeze swayed here and there, for only the stone is all hardness made. In the Lord of Love he was wondrous wise,

Starting point is 11:29:40 and wide awake with all-seeing eyes, it's rough and it's smooth he had tried and tries, and hugged buck and doe in the self-same guise, and with grey beard and beardless alike, he played. then he came up to the boy and gave him a root of sweet basil whereupon his father put forth his hand to his pouch and brought out for him some small matter of silver saying take thy portion o dervish and went thy ways he took the dirmas but sat down on the mazory bench alongside the shop and opposite the boy and fell to gazing upon him and heaving sigh upon sigh whilst his tears flowed like springs founting the folk began to look at him and remark upon him some saying o dervishes are lewd fellows and other some verily this dervish's heart is set on fire for love of this lad now when abd rahman saw this case he arrozen said to the boy come o my son let us lock up the shop and hires home for it bootheth not to sell and buy this day and may almighty allah requite thy mother that which he hath done with us for she was the cause of all this then said

Starting point is 11:30:54 he, O dervish, rise, that I may shut my shop. So the dervish rose, and the merchant shut his shop, and taking his son, walked away. The dervish and the folk follow them, till they reached their place, when the boy went in and his father, turning to the dervish, said to him, What wouldst thou, o dervish, and why do I see thee weep? He replied, O my lord, I would fame be thy guest this night, for the guest is the guest of almighty Allah. Quoth the merchant. welcome to the guest of God enter O Derbysh

Starting point is 11:31:27 Anshahrazat perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say End of night 964 Section 39 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night volume 9 This is a LibriVox recording

Starting point is 11:31:49 All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer Please visit LibriVox.org The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night Volume 9 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Knight 965 When it was the 965th night, she pursued,

Starting point is 11:32:12 It hath reached me auspicious king, that when the merchant, the father of Kamar al-Zaman, heard the saying of the dervish, I am Allah's guest, he replied, Welcome to the guest of God, enter o dervish. But he said to himself, and the beggar be enamured of the boy and sue him for sin, needs must I slay him this very night and bury him secretly, but, and there be no lewdness in him, the guest shall eat his portion.

Starting point is 11:32:42 Then he brought him into a saloon, where he left him with Kamara al-Zalman, after he had said privately to the lad, O my son, sit thou beside the dervish when I am gone out, and sport with him, and provoke him to lovely him, and if he is sick of thee lewdness, I who will be watching you from the window overlooking the saloon, will come down to him and kill him.

Starting point is 11:33:07 So, as soon as Kamara Azaman was alone in the room with the dervish, he sat down by his side, and the old man began to look upon him and sigh and weep. Whenever the lad bespeak him, he answered him kindly, trembling the while, and would turn to him, groaning and crying, and thus he did till supper was brought in, when he fell to eating, with his eyes on a boy, but refrain not from shedding tears.

Starting point is 11:33:34 When a fourth part of the night was passed, and talk was ended and sleep-tide came, Abd al-Rachma said to the lead, O my son, apply thyself to the service of thine uncle the dervish, and gainsaying him not, and would have gone out, but the dervish cried to him, O my lord, carry thy son with thee or sleep with us. Answer the merchant, nay, my son shall lie with thee. Happily thy soul may desire somewhat, and he will look to thy want and wait upon thee. Then he went out, leaving them both together, and sat down in an adjoining room which had

Starting point is 11:34:12 a window giving upon the saloon. Such was the case with the merchant, but as for the lad, as soon as his sire had left them, He came up to the dervish And began to provoke him And offer himself to him Whereupon he waxed wrath and said What talk is this, O my son? I take refuge with Allah from Satan

Starting point is 11:34:33 The stoned O my lord, indeed this is a denial Of thee which pleaseth thee not A vaunt from me, O my son So saying The dervish arose and sat down at a distance But the boy followed him and threw himself Upon him saying

Starting point is 11:34:48 Why O dervish will thou deny thyself? of the joys of my possession, and I, with a heart that loveth thee. Hereupon the dervish anger redoubled, and he said, And thou refrain not from me, I will summon thy sire and tell him of thy doings. Quoth the lad, My father knoweth my turn for this, and it may not be that he will hinder me, so heal thou my heart. Why dost thou hold off for me? Do I not please thee? answered the dervish by allow my son i will not do this do i be hewining pieces with sharp edges towards and he repeated the saying of the poet indeed my heart loves all the lovely boys as girls nor am i slow to such delight but though i sight them every night and mourn i'm nether of lot folk nor rancher white then he shed tears and said arise open the door that i may wend my way for i will lie no longer in this lodging. Therewith he rose to his feet, but the boy caught hold of him,

Starting point is 11:35:54 saying, Look at the fairness of my face, and the cremorsy of my cheeks, and the softness of my sides, and the lusciousness of my lips. Moreover, he discovered to him calves that would shame wine and cap-carrier, and gazed on him with fixed glance that would baffle the enchanter and enchantment, for he was passing of loveliness and full of blundishment, even as saith of him one of the poets who sang, I can't forget him, since he rose and showed with fair design those calves of legs whose pearly shine make light in nightly gloom, wonder not, and my flesh apprise,

Starting point is 11:36:32 as though it were judgment day when every shank shall be bared be, and that is day of doom. Then the boy displayed to him in his bosom, saying, Look at my breasts which be goodlier than the breasts of maids, and my lip dues are sweeter than sugar candy. So quit scruple and asceticism and cast off devoutness and abstinence, and take thy feel of my possession and enjoy my loveliness. Fear not, for thou art safe from hurt,

Starting point is 11:37:02 and leave this habitude, for tis a bad habit. And he went on to discover him his hidden beauties, striving to turn the reins of his reason with his bendings in graceful guise, guys whilst the dervish turned away his face and said, I seek refuge in Allah, have some shame on my son. This is a forbidden thing I deem and I will not do it. No, not even in dream. The boy pressed upon him, but the dervish got free from him and turning towards Mecca

Starting point is 11:37:34 addressed himself to his devotions. Now, when the boy saw him praying, he left him till he had prayed a two-bow prayer and saluted, when he would have accosted. him again. But the dervish again he repeated the intent and prayed a second two-bow prayer, and thus he did a third and a fourth and a fifth time, quote the lead. What prayers are these? Are thou minded to take flight upon the clouds? Thou lettest sleep our delight, whilst thou thou passest the whole night in the prayer-nish? So saying, he threw himself upon the dervish and kissed him between the eyes, but the sheikh said,

Starting point is 11:38:10 O my son put Satan away from thine estate And take upon thee obedience of the compassionate Quoth the other And thou do not with me That which I desire I will call my sire and say to him The dervish is minded to do lewdness with me Whereupon he will come into thee

Starting point is 11:38:30 And beat thee till thy bones be broken upon thy flesh All this while Abd Rahman was watching with his eyes And hearkening with his ears and he was certified that there was no forwardness in the dervish, and he said to himself, were he a lewd fellow, he had not stood out against all this importunity.

Starting point is 11:38:50 The boy continued to beguile the dervish, and every time he expressed purpose of prayer, he interrupted him, till at last he waxed wrath with passing wrath, and was rough with him and beat him. Kamara and Zaman wept, and his father came in, and having wiped away his tears and comforted him,

Starting point is 11:39:08 said to the dervich, O my brother, since thou are in such case, why didst thou weep and sigh when thou sawest my son? Say me, is there a reason for these? He replied, there is, and Abra Arrachma pursued. When I saw thee weep at his sight, I deemed evil of thee and bade the boy do with thee thus, that I might try thee, purposing in myself, if I saw thee sue him for sin to come upon thee and kill thee. But when I saw what thou didst, I knew thee for one of those who are virtues to the end. Now, Allah upon thee, tell me the cause of thy weeping. The dervish sighed and said, O my lord, chafe not a closed wound.

Starting point is 11:39:52 But the merchant said, There is no help but thou tell me, and the other began. Know thou that I am a dervish wander in the lands and the countries, and take warning by the display of the creator of night and day. It changed that one Friday I entered the city of Basorah in the Undurn and Shah Razad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say

Starting point is 11:40:16 her permitted say End of night 965 Night 966 When it was the 966th night she resumed It hath reached me O auspicious king that the dervish said to the merchant Know then that I

Starting point is 11:40:39 a wandering mendicant chanced one day to enter the city of Basara in the Andern And saw the shops open and full of all manner of wares and meat and drink But the place was deserted And therein was neither man or woman Or girl nor boy

Starting point is 11:40:55 Nor in the markets and the main streets Was there a dog or cat Nor sounded sound nor friend was found I marvelled at this end And said to myself I wonder whither the people of the city Be gone with their cats and dogs, and what hath Allah done with them. Now I was an hangar, so I took hot bread from a baker's

Starting point is 11:41:16 oven, and going into the shop of an oilman, spread the bread with a clarified butter, and honey, and ate. Then I entered the shop of a sherbet cellar, and drank what I would. After which, seeing a coffee shop open, I went in and found the pots on the fire, full of coffee. But there was no one there. So I drank my fill and said, Verily, this is a wondrous thing. It's seemeth as though death had stricken the people of this city, and they had all died this very hour, or as if they had taken fright at something which befell them and fled, without having time to shut their shops. Now, while sponding this matter, lo, I heard a sound of a band of drums beating, whereat

Starting point is 11:41:58 I was afraid and hid myself for a while. Then, looking out through a crevice, I saw damsels, like moons, come walking through the market, two by two, with uncovered heads and faces displayed. They were in forty pairs, thus numbering four score and in their midst a young lady, riding on a horse that could hardly move his legs for that which was upon it of silver trappings and golden and jewelled housings. Her face was wholly unveiled, and she was adorned with the costliest ornaments, and clad in the richest of raiment, and about her neck she wore a collar of gems, and on her bosom were necklaces of gold. Her wrists were clasped with bracelets, which sparkled like stars,

Starting point is 11:42:42 and her ankles with bangers of gold set with precious stones. The slave girls walked before her and behind, and on her right and left and in front of her was a damsel bearing in Baldrick, a great sword, with grip of emerald and tassals of jewel encrusted gold. When that young lady came to where I lay hid, she pulled up her horse and said, Oh, themselves, I hear a noise of somewhat within yonder shop, so do ye search it, lest happily there be one hidden there, with intent to enjoy a look at us whilst we have our faces unveiled. So they searched the shop opposite the coffee-house wherein I lay hid,

Starting point is 11:43:23 whilst I abode in terror, and presently I saw them come forth with a man, and they said to her, "'Oh, our lady, we found the men there, and here he is before thee,' quoth she to the damsel with a sword, smite his neck. So she went up to him and struck off his head. Then, leaving the dead men lying on the ground, they passed on. When I saw these, I was affrighted, but my heart was taken with love of the young lady. After an hour or so, the people reappeared, and everyone who had a shop entered it,

Starting point is 11:43:58 whilst the folk began to come and go about the bazaars and gather around the slain man, staring at him as a curiosity. Then I crept forth from my hiding place by stealth, and none took note of me, but love of that lady had gotten possession of my heart, and I began to inquire of her privately. None, however, gave me news of her, so I left Basara with vital's yearning for her love. And when I came upon these thy son, I saw him to be the likest of all creatures, to the young lady. Wherefore he reminded me of her, and his sight revived the fire of passion

Starting point is 11:44:34 in me and kindle anew in my heart the flames of love-longing and distraction. And such is the cause of my shedding tears. Then he wept with sore weeping till he could no more, and said, O my lord, I conjure thee by Allah, open the door to me so I may gang my gate. Accordingly, Abd al-Rachman opened the door, and he went forth. Thus fared it with him. But as regards Kamara al-Zaman, when he heard the dervish story, his heart was taken with love of the lady and passion get the mastery of him, and raised in him longing and destruction.

Starting point is 11:45:12 So, on the morrow, he said to his sire, All the sons of the merchants wonder about the world to attain their desire. Not is there one of them but his father provideth for him a stock in trade, wherewith all he may travel and traffic for gain. Why then, O my father, dost thou not outfit me with merchandise, so I may fare with it, and find my luck? He replied, O my son, such merchants lack money, so they send their sons to foreign parts for the sake of profit and pecuniary gain and provision of the goods of the world. But I have monies in plenty, nor do I covet more. Why then should I exile thee?

Starting point is 11:45:52 Indeed, I cannot brook to be parted from thee an hour, more especially as thou art unique in beauty and loveliness and perfect grace, and I fear for thee. But Kamar al-Zaman said, O my father, nothing will serve but thou must furnish me with merchandise, wherewithal to travel, else I will fly from thee at unawares, though without money or merchandise. So, and thou wish to solace my heart, make ready for me a stocking trade, that I may travel and amuse myself by viewing the countries of men.

Starting point is 11:46:26 abd al-rachma seeing his son an amourd of travel acquainted his wife with thee saying verily thy son would have me provide him with goods so he may fare therewith to far regions albate travellis quoth she what is there to displease thee in this such is the want of the sons of the merchants and they all vie one with other in glorifying globe trotting and gain quoth he most of the merchants are poor and sick growth of good, but I have wealth galoah, she replied, more of a good thing hurteth not, and, if thou comply not with his wish, I will furnish him with goods of my own monies. Quoth Abd al-Rahman. I fear strangerhood for him, in as much as travel is the worst of trouble. But she said, There is no harm in strangerhood for him, when it leadeth to gaining good, and, if we consent not, our son will go away, and we shall seek him and not find him, and be dishonoured among the folk.

Starting point is 11:47:31 The merchant accepted his wife's counsel, and provided his son with merchandise to the value of ninety thousand gold pieces, whilst his mother gave him a purse containing forty bezo stones, jewels of price, the least of the value of one of which was five hundred yucats, saying, O my son, be careful of this jewelry, for it will be of service to Thereupon Kamara al-Zaman took the jewels and set out for Basura. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Night 966. Section 40 of the Book of the Thousand Night and a Night, Volume 9.

Starting point is 11:48:25 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Knight, Volume 9, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Night 967 When it was the 967th night, she said, It hath reached me o auspicious king, that Kamar al-Zaman took the jewels, and set out for Basara after he had laid them in a belt,

Starting point is 11:48:58 which he buckled about his waist, and he stayed not till there remained aught, but he stayed not, till there remained aught, a day's journey between that city and himself. When the Arabs came out upon him and stripped him naked and slew his men and servants, but he laid himself down among the slain and wallowed in their blood, so that the wildlings took him for dead and left him without even turning him over and made off with their booty. When the Arabs had gone their ways, Kamar al-Zaman arose, having not left but the jewels in his girdle and fared on nor ceased faring till he came to Basira. It chanced that his entry was

Starting point is 11:49:37 on a Friday and the town was void of folk, even as the dervish had informed him. He found the market streets deserted and the shops wide open and full of goods, so he ate and drunk and looked about him. Presently he heard a band of drums beating and hid himself in a shop, till the slave girls came up, when he looked at them, and, seeing the young lading riding amongst them, love and longing overcame him, and desire and distraction overpowered him, so that he had no force to stand. After a while, the people reappeared, and the bazaars filled, whereupon he went to the market, and repairing to the jeweller, and pulling out one of his forty gems, sold it for a thousand dinars, wherewith he returned to his place and passed the night there.

Starting point is 11:50:26 And when morning morrowed, he changed his clothes and going to the Haman came forth as he were the full moon. So he sold other four stones for four thousand dinars and sountered solacing himself about the main streets of Basra, cladding the costliest of clothes, till he came to a market where he saw a barber's shop. So he went into the barber who shaved his head and clapping up an acquaintance with him said to him, Oh my father, I am a stranger in this parts, and yesterday I entered this city and found it void of folk, nor was there in it any living soul, men or a genie.

Starting point is 11:51:05 Then I saw a troop of slave girls, and amongst them a young lady riding in state, and he went on to tell him all he had seen. Said the barber, Oh, my son, hast thou told any but me of these? And he said, no. the other rejoined. Then, O my son, beware thou mention this before any but me, for all folk cannot keep us secret, and thou are but a little lad, and I fear lest the talk

Starting point is 11:51:31 travel from men to men, till it reach those whom it concerneth, and they slay thee, for know, O my son, that these thou hast seen, none ever seen, nor new in other than this city. As for the people of Basara, they are dying of these annoy, for ever, Every Friday for noon they shut up the dogs and cats to hinder them from going about the market streets, and all the people of the city entered the cathedral mosques where they locked the doors on them, and not one of them can pass about the bazaar, not even look out of casement, nor knoweth any the cause of this calamity. But, oh my son, tonight I will question my wife concerning the reason thereof, for she is a midwife, and entereth the houses of the notables and knoweth all the city news.

Starting point is 11:52:19 So, Ishala do thou come to me tomorrow, and I will tell thee what she shall have told me. With this, Kamar al-Zaman pulled out a handful of golden, said to him, O my father, take this golden, give it to thy wife, for she has become my mother. Then he gave him a second handful, saying, Take this for thyself, whereupon quoth the barber. Oh, my son, sit thou in thy place, till I go to my wife and ask her, and bring the news of the true state of the case. Souls saying he left him in the shop and going home,

Starting point is 11:52:52 acquainted his wife with the young man's case, saying, I would have thee tell me the truth of this city business, so I may report it to this young merchant, for he hath set his heart on witting the reason why men and beasts are forbidden, the market streets every Friday forenoon, and methinks he is a lover, for he is open-handed and liberal,

Starting point is 11:53:13 and if we tell him what he would throw, We shall get great good of him, quothed she. Go back and say to him, come, speak with thy mother, my wife, who sendeth her salaam to thee, and says to thee, thy wish is one. Accordingly he returned to the shop, where he found Kamar al-Zaman sitting awaiting him, and repeated him the very words spoken by his spouse. Then he carried him into her, and she welcomed him and bade him sit down. Whereupon he pulled out an hundred eucats and gave them to her, saying,

Starting point is 11:53:46 O my mother, tell me who this young lady may be. Said she, No, oh my son, there came a gem to the Sultan of Basura from the king of Hind, and he was minded to have it pierced. So he summoned all the jewelers in a body and said to them, I wish you to drill me this jewel. Whoso pierceth it, I will give him whatsoever he shall ask.

Starting point is 11:54:13 But if he break it, I will cut off. his head. At this they were afraid and said, O king of the age, a jewel is soon spoiled, and there are few who can pierce them without injury, for most of them have a flaw. So do not thou impose upon us a task to which we are unable, for our hands cannot avail to drill this jewel. However, our sheikh is more experienced than we. Ask the king, and who is your sheikh?

Starting point is 11:54:42 And they answered, Master obeyed, he is more versed than we, in this art and hath wealth galore and of skilled great store. Therefore do thou send for him to the presence and bid him pierce thee this jewel. Accordingly, the king sent for obeyed, and bade him pierced the jewel, imposing on him the condition aforesaid. He took it and pierced it to the liking of the king who said to him, Ask a boon of me, O master, and said he, O king of the age, allow me delay till to-morrow. Now, the reason of these was that he wished to take counsel with his wife, who is the young lady thou sawest riding in procession, for he loveth her with exceeding love, and of the greatness of his affection for her, he doth not without consulting her,

Starting point is 11:55:30 wherefore he put off asking till the morrow. When he went home, he said to her, I have pierced the king a jewel, and he hath granted me a boon, which I deferred asking till tomorrow, that I might consult thee. Now, what dost thou wish that I may ask it? Quoth she, we have riches such as fires may not consume, but, and thou love me, ask of the king to make proclamation in the streets of Basra, till all the town's folks saw every Friday enter the mosques two hours before the hour of prayer, so none may abide in the town, at all great or small, except they be in the mosques or in the houses, and the doors be locked upon them. and that every shop of the town be left open.

Starting point is 11:56:14 Then will I ride with my slave-women through the heart of the city, and none shall look on me from window or lattice. And everyone whom I find abroad, I will kill. So he went into the king and begged of him this boon, which he granted him and caused proclamation to be made amongst the Basarites. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say, her permitted say.

Starting point is 11:56:39 End of Knight 967 Night 968 When it was the 968 She continued It hath reached me O auspicious king

Starting point is 11:56:58 That when the jeweller begged his boon The king bade proclamation be made amongst the Basarites But the people objected that they feared for their goods From the cats and dogs Therefore he commanded to shut the animals up till the folk should come forth from the Friday prayers. So the jewelless wife fell to selling forth every Friday, two hours before the time of congregational prayer,

Starting point is 11:57:23 and riding in state through the city with her women. During which time none dareth pass through the marketplace, nor look out of casement or lattice. This then is what thou wouldest know, and I have told thee who she is. But, O my son, was it thy desire only to have news of her, her, or hast thou a mind to meet her? answered he, O my mother, tis my wish to far gather

Starting point is 11:57:50 with her, quoth she, tell me, what valuables thou hast with thee? And quoth he, O my mother, I would have with me precious stones of four sorts, the first worth five hundred dinars each, the second seven hundred, the third, eight hundred and a fourth a thousand dukats. She asked Are thou willing to spend four of these? And he answered I am ready to spend all of them She rejoined

Starting point is 11:58:21 Then arise, oh my son And go straight to thy lodging And take a bezel gem of those worth 500 seconds With which do thou repair to the jewel market And ask for the shop of master Obeyed, the shake of the jewelers Go thither

Starting point is 11:58:37 And thou will find him seated in his shop cladding rich clothes with workmen under his hand. Salute him and sit down on the front shelf of his shop. Then pull out the jewel and give it to him, saying, O master, take this stone and fashion it into a seal ring for me with gold, make it not large, a miscall in way and no more. But let the fashion of it be thy fairest. Then give him twenty dinars and to each of his prentices a dinner.

Starting point is 11:59:06 Sit with him a while and talk with him, and if a beggar approach thee, show thy generosity by giving him a dinar, to the intent that he may affect thee, and after these, leave him and return to thy place. Past the night there, and next morning, take a hundred dinars and bring them, and give them to thy father the barber, for he is poor. Quoth Kamara al-Zaman, be it so, and returning to his caravan serai, took a jewel worth five hundred gold pieces, and went with it to the jewel bazaar. There, he inquired for the shop of Master obeyed,

Starting point is 11:59:41 Sheikh of the Jewelers, and they directed him there too. So he went thither and saw the Sheikh, a man of austere aspect and robed in sumptuous raiment with four journeymen under his hand. He addressed him with, Peace be upon you, and the jeweller returned his greeting and welcoming him, made him sit down. Then he brought out the jewel and said, O Master, I wish thee to make me this jewel into a seat. ring with gold. Let it be the way of a miscall and no more, but fashion it excellently.

Starting point is 12:00:15 Then he pulled out twenty dinars and gave them to him, saying, this is the fee for the chasing, and the prize of the ring shall remain. And he gave each of the apprentices a gold piece, wherefore they loved him, and so did Master obeyed. Then he sat talking with the jeweller, and whenever a beggar came up to him, he gave him a gold piece, and they all marvel that his generosity. Now, Master obeyed, had tools at home, like those he had in the shop, and whenever he was minded to do any unusual piece of work, it was his custom to carry it home and do it there, that his journeymen might not learn the secrets of his wonderful workmanship. His wife used to sit before him, and when she was sitting thus and he looking upon her,

Starting point is 12:01:02 he would fashion all manner of marvellous rotten trinkets, such as were fit for none but king. So he went home and sat down to mould the ring with admirable workmanship. When his wife saw him thus engaged, she asked him, What wilt thou do with this basal gem? And he answered, I mean to make it into a ring with gold, for it is worth five hundred dinars. She inquired, for whom? And he answered,

Starting point is 12:01:28 For a young merchant who is fair of face with eyes that wound with desire and cheeks that strike fire, and mouth like the seal of Suleiman, and cheeks like the bloom of nunnon, and lips red as coraline, and neck like the antelopes long and fine. His complexion is white, dashed with red, and he is well-bred, pleasant and generous, and thus does and thus. And he went on to describe to her now his beauty and his loveliness, and then his perfection and bounty, and ceased not to want his charms and the generosity of his disposition, till he had made her in love with him, for there is no sillier cuckled than he who vaunted to his wife

Starting point is 12:02:10 another man's handsome looks, and usual liberality in money matters. So, when desire rose high in her, she said to him, is aught of my charms found in him? Said he, he hath all thy beauties, and he is thy counterpart in qualities. Meseemeth his age is even as thine, and but that I fear to hurt thy feelings, I would say that he is a thousand times handsomer than thou art. She was silent, yet the fire of fondness was kindled in her heart, and the jeweller ceased not to talk with her and to set out Camar Al-Zaman's charms before her, till he had made an end of moulding the ring.

Starting point is 12:02:51 When he gave it to her and she put it on her finger, which it fitted exactly, quoth she. O my lord, my heart loveth this ring, and I long for it to be mine, and I will not take it from my finger. Quoth he, have patience, the owner of it is generous, and I will seek to buy it of him, and if he will sell it, I will bring it to thee, or if he have another such stone, I will buy it, and fashioned it for thee into a ring like this. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying, her permitted say.

Starting point is 12:03:26 End of night, 968. The Book of the Thousand a Night and a Night, Volume 9. 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 Mark Ernest. The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton.

Starting point is 12:04:04 Night 9669. when it was the nine hundred and sixty-ninth night she pursued it hath reached me o auspicious king that the jeweller said to his wife have patience the owner of it is generous and i will seek to buy it of him and if he will sell it i will bring it to thee or if he have another such stone i will buy it and fashion it for thee into a ring like this on this wise it fared with the jeweller and his, his wife. But as regards Kamar al-Zaman, he passed the night in his lodging, and on the morrow he took an hundred dinars and carried them to the old woman,

Starting point is 12:04:47 the barber's wife. Saying to her, Except these gold pieces, and she replied, give them to thy father. So he gave them to the barber, and she asked, Hast thou done as I bade thee? He answered, yes.

Starting point is 12:05:03 And she said, Go now to the sheik, the jeweler and if he give thee the ring put it on the tip of thy finger and pull it off in haste and say to him o master thou hast made a mistake the ring is too tight he will say o merchant shall i break it and mould it again larger and do thou say it booteth not to break it and fashion it anew take it and give it to one of thy slave women then pull out another stone worth seven hundred dinars and say to him take this stone and set it for me for tis handsomer than the other give him thirty dinars and to each of the prentices too saying these gold pieces are for the chasing and the price of the ring shall remain then return to thy lodging for the night and on the morrow bring me two hundred ducats and i will complete thee the rest of the device so the youth went to the jeweller who welcomed him and made him sit down in his shop and he asked him hast thou done my need yes answered obeyed and brought out to him the seal-ring whereupon he set it on his finger-tip and pulling it off in haste cried thou hast made a mistake o master and threw it to him saying tis too straight for my finger asked the jeweller o merchant shall i make it larger but he answered not so take it as a gift and give it to one of thy slave-girls its worth is trifling some five hundred dinars so it booteth not to fashion it over again then he brought out to him another stone worth seven hundred sequins and said to him set this for me tis a finer gem moreover he gave him thirty dinars and to each of his workmen too quoth obeyed

Starting point is 12:06:50 oh my lord we will take the price of the ring when we have made it but kamar al zaman said this is for the chasing and the price of the ring remains over so saying he went away leaving the jeweler and his men amazed at the excess of the excess of his generosity presently the jeweler returned to his wife and said o halmah never did i set eyes on a more generous than this young man and as for thee thy luck is good for he hath given me the ring without price saying give it to one of thy slave-women and he told her what had passed adding methinks this youth is none of the sons of the merchants but that he is of the sons of the kings and sultans now the more he praised him the more she waxed in love-longing passion and distraction for him so she took the ring and put it on her finger whilst the jeweller made another one a little larger than the first when he had finished moulding it she put it on her finger under the first and said look o my lord how well the two rings show on my finger i wish they were both mine said he patience it may be i shall buy thee this second one then he lay that night and on the morrow he took the ring and went to his shop as for kamar al-zaman as soon as it was day he repaired to the barber's wife and gave her two hundred dinars quoth she go to the jeweller and when he giveth thee the ring put it on thy finger and pull it off again in haste saying thou hast made a mistake o master this ring is too large a master like thee when the like of me cometh to him with a piece of work it behoveth him to take right measure and if thou hadst measured my finger thou hadst not erred then pull out another stone worth a thousand dinars and say to him take this and set it and give this ring to one of thy slave women give him forty ducats and to each of his journeyman three saying this is for the chasing and for the cost of the ring that shall remain and see what he will say then bring three hundred dinars and give them to thy father the barber that he may mend his fortune withal for he is a poor man

Starting point is 12:09:03 answered kamar al-zaman i hear and obey and betook himself to the jeweller who welcomed him and making him sit down gave him the ring he took it and put it on his finger then pull it off in haste and haste a master like thee when the like of me bringeth him a piece of work to take his measure hadst thou measured my finger thou hadst not erred but take it and give it to one of thy slave-women then he brought out to him a stone worth a thousand sequins, and said to him, Take this and set it in a signet ring for me after the measure of my finger. Quoth obeyed, Thou hast spoken sooth and art in the right, and took his measure, whereupon he pulled out forty gold pieces, and gave them to him, saying,

Starting point is 12:09:51 Take these for the chasing, and the price of the ring shall remain. cried the jeweler, Oh, my lord, how much higher have we taken of thee? Verily thy bounty to us is great. no harm replied kamar alzaman and set talking with him a while and giving a dinar to every beggar who passed by the shop then he left him and went away whilst the jeweller returned home and said to his wife how generous is this young merchant never did i set eyes on a more open-handed or a comelier than he no nor a sweeter of speech and he went on to recount to her his charms and generosity and was loud in his praise cried she o thou lacked tact since thou noticed these qualities in him and indeed he hath given thee two seal-rings of price it behoveth thee to invite him and make him an entertainment and entreat him lovingly when he seeth that thou affectest him and cometh to our place we shall surely get great good of him and if thou grudge him the banquet do thou bid him and i will entertain him of my monies

Starting point is 12:10:59 quoth he dost thou know me to be niggardly that thou sayest this say and quoth she thou art no niggard but thou lackest tact invite him this very night and come not without him and he refuse conjure him by the divorce oath and be persistent with him on my head and eyes answered he and moulded the ring till he had finished it after which he passed the night and went forth on the morrow to his shop and sat there on this wise it was with him but as for kamar alzaman he took three hundred dinars and carrying them to the old wife gave them to her for the barber her husband said she most like he will invite thee to his house this day and if he do this and thou pass the night there tell me in the morning what befalleth thee and bring with thee four hundred dinars and give them to thy father answered he hearing and obeying and as often as he ran out of money he would sell some of his stones so he repaired to the jeweller who rose to him and received him with open arms greeted him heartily and clapped up companionship with him then he gave him the ring and he found it after the measure of his finger and said to the jeweller allah bless thee o prince of artists the setting is comfortable but the stone is not to my liking and charizade perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say end of night nine hundred and sixty nine night nine hundred and seventy when it was the nine hundred and seventieth night she resumed it hath reached me o auspicious king that kamar al zaman said to the jeweller the setting is comfortable to my wishes but the stone is not to my liking i have a handsomer than this so take the seal-ring and give it to one of thy slave-women then he gave him a fourth stone and an hundred dinars saying take thy hire and excuse the trouble we have given thee

Starting point is 12:13:04 obeyed replied o merchant all the trouble thou hast given us thou hast requited us and hast overwhelmed us with thy great bounties and indeed my heart is taken with love of thee and i cannot brook parting from thee so allah upon thee be thou my guest this night and heal my heart he rejoined so be it but needs must i go to my con that i may give a charge to my domestics and tell them that i shall sleep abroad to-night so they may not expect me where dost thou lodge asked the jeweller and he answered in such a con quoth obeyed i will come for thee there and quoth the other tis well so the jeweller repaired to the con before sundown fearing lest his wife should be an angered with him if he returned home without his guest and carrying kamar al zaman to his house seated him in a saloon that had not its match hallima saw him as he entered and was ravished with him they talked till supper was served when they ate and drank after which appeared coffee and sherbet's and the jeweller ceased not to entertain him with talk till even tide when they prayed the obligatory prayers then entered a handmaid with two cups of night-drink which when they had drunk drowsiness overcame them and they slept presently in came the jeweller's wife and seeing them asleep looked upon Kamar al-Zamon's face, and her wit was confounded at his beauty, said she, How can he sleep who loveth the fair? And turning him over on his back, set a straddle upon his breast.

Starting point is 12:14:44 Then, in the mania of her passion for him, she reined down kisses on his cheeks, till she left a mark upon them, and they became exceeding red, and his cheek-bones shone, and she sucked his lips, till the blood ran out into her mouth. but with all this her fire was not quenched nor her thirst all swaged she ceased not to kiss and clip him entwined leg with leg till the forebrow of morn grew white and the dawn broke forth in light when she put in his pocket four cockles and went away then she sent her maid with something like snuff which she applied to their nostrils and they sneezed and awoke when the slave-girl said o my lords prayer is a duty so rise ye and pray the dawn prayer and she brought them basin and ewer quoth kaman al zamar o master tis late and we have overslept ourselves and quoth the jeweller o my friend verily the air of this room is heavy for whenever i sleep in it this happens to me rejoined kamar al zaman true and proceeded to make the wuzu ablution but when he put the water to his face his cheeks and lips burned him cried he prodigious if the air of the room be heavy and we have been drowned in sleep what aileth my cheeks and lips that they burn me and he said to the jeweller o master my cheeks and lips burned me

Starting point is 12:16:13 the other replied i guess this cometh of the mosquito bites strange said kamar alzaman hath this thing happened to thee replied obeyed no but whenever i have by me a guest like thee he complaineth in the morning of the mosquito bites and this happeneth only when he is like thee beardless if he be bearded the mosquitoes sting him not and not hindereth them from me but my beard it seems mosquitoes love not bearded mint rejoined kamar al-zaman true then the maid brought them early breakfast and they broke their fast and went out kamar al-zaman betook himself to the old woman who exclaimed when she saw him i see the marks of joyance on thy face tell me what thou hast seen said he i have seen nothing only i supped with the house-master in a saloon and prayed the night prayer after which we fell asleep and woke not till morning she laughed and said what be these marks on thy cheeks and lips he answered twas the mosquitoes of the saloon that did this with me and she rejoined tis well but did the same thing betide the house-master he retorted nay but he told me that the mosquitoes of that saloon molest not bearded men but sting those only who have no hair on face and that whenever he hath forguest one who is beardless the stranger awaketh complaining of the mosquito bites whereas and he have a beard there befalleth him not of this said she sooth thou speakest but say me sawest thou ought save this and he answered i found four cockles in my pocket. Quoth she, show them to me. So he gave them to her, and she laughed, and said,

Starting point is 12:18:07 Thy mistress laid these in thy pocket. He asked, how so? And she answered, tis as if she said to thee in the language of signs, and thou wert in love, thou wits to not sleep, for a lover sleepeth not, but thou hast not ceased to be a child, and fit for nothing but to play with these cockles. so what drave thee to fall in love with the fair now she came to thee by night and finding thee asleep scored thy cheeks with her kisses and left thee this sign but that will not suffice her of thee and she will certainly send her husband to invite thee again to-night so when thou goest home with him hasten not to fall asleep and on the morrow bring me five hundred dinars and come and acquaint me with what hath passed and i will perfect for thee the device answered he i hear and obey and went back to the con thus it befell him but as regards the jeweler's wife she said to her husband is the guest gone answered he yes but o hallamah the mosquitoes plagued him last night and scarified his cheeks and lips and indeed i was abashed before him she rejoined this is the want of the mosquitoes of our saloon for they love none save the beardless but do thou invite him again to-night so he repaired to the con where the youth abode and bidding him carried him to his house where they ate and drank and prayed the night prayer in the saloon after which the slave-garet where they ate and drank and prayed the night-pair in the saloon after which the slave-garet

Starting point is 12:19:39 girl entered and gave each of them a cup of night drink and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say end of night nine hundred and seventy recording by mark ernest section forty two of the book of the thousand knights and a night volume nine 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 Mark Ernest The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Knight 971 When it was the 971st night, she said,

Starting point is 12:20:36 It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the slave girl went into the twain And gave each of them a cup of night drink, and they drank and fell asleep. Presently in came Halema and said, Oh, good for nothing, how canst thou sleep and call thyself a lover?

Starting point is 12:20:52 A lover sleepeth not. Then she mounted on his breast and ceased not to come down upon him with kisses and caresses, biting and sucking his lips and so forth, till the morning when she put in his pocket a knife and sent her handmaid to arouse them. And when the youth awoke,

Starting point is 12:21:10 his cheeks were on fire, for excess of redness, and his lips like coral for dent of sucking and kissing quoth the jeweller did the mosquitoes plague thee last night and quoth the other nay for he now knew the conceit and left complaining then he felt the knife in his pocket and was silent but when he had broken his fast and drunk coffee he left the jeweller and going to the con took five hundred dinars of gold and carried them to the old woman to whom he related what had passed saying i slept despite myself and when i woke at dawn i found nothing but a knife in my pocket exclaimed the old trot may allah protect thee from her this next night for she saith to thee by this sign and thou sleep again i will cut thy throat thou wilt once more be bidden to the jeweller's house to-night and if thou sleep she will slay thee said he what is to be done and said she tell me what thou ateest and drinkest before for sleeping quoth he we supped as was our wont and prayed the night prayer after which there came in to us a maid who gave each of us a cup of night drink which when i had drunk i fell asleep and awoke not till the morning quoth the old woman the mischief is in the cup so when the maid giveth it to thee take it from her but drink not and wait till the master of the house hath drunken and fallen asleep then say to her give me a draught of water and she will go fetch thee the gugglet

Starting point is 12:22:43 then do thou empty the cup behind the pillow and lie down and feign sleep so when she cometh back with the gugglet she will deem that thou hast fallen asleep after having drunk off the cup and will leave thee and presently the case will appear to thee but beware of disobeying my bidding answered he i hear and i obey and return to the con meanwhile the jeweller's wife said to her husband a guest's due honor is three knights entertainment so do thou invite him a third time whereupon he betook himself to the youth and inviting him carried him home and set down with him in the saloon when they had supped and prayed the night prayer behold in came the handmaid and gave each of them a cup her master drank and fell asleep but kamar al-zaman forbore to drink whereupon quoth the maid wilt thou not drink o my lord answered he i am a thirst bring me the gugglet accordingly she went to fetch it and he emptied the cup behind the pillow and lay down when the slave-girl returned she saw him lying down and going to her mistress said he hath drunk off the cup and fallen asleep whereupon quoth halema to herself verily his death is better than his life then taking a sharp knife she went in to him saying three times and thou notst not the sign o fool so now i will rip up thy maul when he saw her making for him knife in hand he opened his eyes and rose laughing whereupon said she twas not of thine own wit that thou camest at the meaning of the sign but by the help of some wily cheat so tell me whence thou hadst this knowledge from an old woman replied he between whom and me befell such and such and he told her all that had passed quoth she to-morrow go thou forth from us and seek her and say hast thou any further device in store

Starting point is 12:24:42 and if she answer i have do thou rejoin then do thy best that i may enjoy her publicly but if she say i have no means of doing that and this is the last of my devices put her away from thy thought and to-morrow night my husband will come to thee and invite thee do thou come with him and tell me and i will consider what remaineth to be done answered he there is no harm in that then he spent the rest of the night with her in embracing and clipping plying the particle of copulation in concert and joining the conjunctive with the conjoined whilst her husband was a cast-out in a nation of construction and they ceased not to be thus till morning when she said to him tis not a knight of thee that will content me nor a day no nor yet a month nor a year but it's my intent to abide with thee the rest of my life wait however till i play my husband a trick which would baffle the keenest witted and win for us our wishes i will cause doubt to enter into him so that he shall divorce me whereupon i will marry thee and go with thee to thine own country i will also transport all his monies and hordes to thy lodging and will contrive thee to ruin of his dwelling-place and the blotting out of his traces but do thou hearken to my speech and obey me in that i shall say to thee and gainsay me not he replied i hear and i obey in me there is none opposition then said she go to the con and when my husband cometh to thee and inviteeth thee say to him o my brother a son of adam is apt to be burdensome and when his visits grow over-frequent both generous and niggered loathe him how then shall i go with thee every night and lie i and thee on the saloon

Starting point is 12:26:30 and thou wax not chagrined with me thy harem will bear me grudge for that i hinder thee from thine therefore if thou have a mind to my company take me a house beside thine own and we will abide thus now i sitting with thee till the time of sleep and now with me thou then i will go to my place and thou to thy harem and this will be a better read than that i hinder thee from thy harem every night then will he come to me and take counsel with me and i will advise him to turn out our neighbor for the house wherein he liveth is our house and he renteth it of us and once thou art in the house allah will make easy to us the rest of our scheme and presently she added go now and do as i bid thee answered he i hear and obey whereupon she left him and went away whilst he lay down and feigned to be asleep presently the handmaid came and aroused him and when the jeweller awoke he said to his guest o merchant have the mosquitoes worried thee he replied no and obeyed said be like thou art grown used to them then they broke their fast and drank coffee after which they fared forth to their affairs and kamar al-zaman betook himself to the old crone and related to her what had passed and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say end of night nine hundred and seventy one night nine hundred and seventy two when it was the nine hundred and seven seventy-second night she continued it hath reached me o auspicious king that when camar al-zaman betook himself to the old crone he related to her what had passed saying she spake to me this and that and i answered her thus and thus now say me hast thou any farther device for bringing me to enjoy her publicly quoth she o my son here endeth my contrivance and now i am at the term of my devices upon this he left her and returned to the con where as even-tied evened, the jeweler came to him and invited him.

Starting point is 12:28:35 He said, I cannot go with thee, asked the merchant. Why so? I love thee, and cannot brook separation from thee. Allah upon thee come with me. The other replied, And it be thy wish to continue our comradeship and keep up the friendship betwixt thee and me, take me a house by the side of thine own, and when thou wilt, thou shalt pass the evening with me, and I with thee, but, as soon as the time of sleep cometh, each of us shall hie him to his own home and lie there. Quoth obeyed, I have a house adjoining mine, which is my own property. So go thou with me to-night, and to-morrow I will have the house untenanted for thee. Accordingly he went with him, and they supped and prayed the night-prayer, after which the jeweler drank the cup of drugged

Starting point is 12:29:22 liquor and fell asleep. But in Kamar al-Zamon's cup there was no trick, so he was, he drink it and slept not. Then came the jeweler's wife and sat chatting with him through the dark hours whilst her husband lay like a corpse. When he awoke in the morning as of want, he sent for his tenant and said to him, O man, quit me the house, for I have need of it. On my head and eyes, answered the other, and voided the house to him, whereupon Kamar al-Zaman took up his abode therein, and transported thither all his baggage. The jeweler passed that evening with him, then went to his own house. on the next day his wife sent for a cunning builder and bribed him with money to make her an underground way from her chamber to kamar al-zaman's house with a trap-door under the earth so before the youth was where she came into him with two bags of money and he said to her whence comest thou she showed him the tunnel and said to him take these two bags of his money then she set with him the twain toying and tumbling together till the morning when she said wait for me till i go

Starting point is 12:30:28 to him and wake him so he may go to his shop and i return to thee he sat expecting her whilst she went away and awoke her husband who made the wuzoo ablution and prayed and went to his shop as soon as he was gone she took four bags and carrying them through the suitorin to kamar said to him store these up then she sat with him awhile after which she retired to her home and he betook himself to the bazaar when he returned at sundown he found in his house house ten purses and jewels and much besides presently the jeweler came to him and carried him to his own house where they passed the evening in the saloon till the handmaid came in according to custom and brought them the drink her master drank and fell asleep whilst nought betided kamar al-zaman for that his cup was wholesome and there was no trick therein them came halema who set down a toying with him whilst the slave-girl transported the jeweller's goods to kamar al-zaman's house by the secret passage thus they did till morning when the handmaid awoke her lord and gave them to drink coffee after which they went each his own way on the third day the wife brought out to him a knife of her husbands which had been chased and wrought with his own hand and which he priced at five hundred dinars but there was no knife like it and because of the eagerness with which folk sought it of him he had laid it up in a chest and could not bring himself to sell it to any one in creation quoth she take this knife and set it in thy waist shawl and go to my husband and sit with him then pull out the knife and say to him o master look at this knife i bought to-day and tell me if i have the worst or the best of the bargain he will know it but will be ashamed to say to thee this is my knife so he will ask thee whence didst thou buy it and for how much and do thou make answer i saw two leventines disputing and one said to the other where hast thou been quoth his companion i have been with my mistress and whenever i foregather with her she giveth me ten dirhams but this day she said to me my hand is empty of silver for thee to-day but take this knife of my husbands so i took it and intend to sell it

Starting point is 12:32:41 the knife pleased me and hearing his tale i said to him wilt thou sell it to me when he replied bye so i got it of him for three hundred gold pieces and i wonder whether it was cheap or dear and note what he will say to thee, then talk with him a while, and rise, and come back to me in haste. Thou wilt find me awaiting thee at the tunnel mouth, and do thou give me the knife? Replied Kamar al-Zaman, I hear and I obey, and taking the knife, set it in his waist-shall. Then he went to the shop of the jeweler who saluted him with the salam, and welcomed him and made him sit down. He spied the knife in his waist-chall, at which he wondered and said to himself, that is my knife. Who can have conveyed it to this merchant? And he fell amusing, and saying in his mind,

Starting point is 12:33:30 I wonder, and it be my knife or a knife like it? Presently Kamar al-Zaman pulled it out and said to him, Hark ye, master, take this knife and look at it. Obey took it and knew it right well, but was ashamed to say, this is my knife. And Sharazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Night 972. Recording by Mark Ernest.

Starting point is 12:34:06 Section 43 of The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9. 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 Mark Ernest. The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9, by Anonymous, Translated by Richard Francis Burton. Knight 973

Starting point is 12:34:37 When it was the 973rd Night, she pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the jeweler took the knife from Kamar al-Zaman, he knew it, but was a shame to say this is my knife. So he asked, where dost thou buy it? Kamar al-Zaman answered as Halema had charged him, and the jeweler said the knife was cheap at that price for it is worth five hundred dinars but fire flamed in his heart and his hands were tied from working at his craft

Starting point is 12:35:08 kumar al-zaman continued to talk with him whilst he was drowned in the sea of solicitudes and for fifty words wherewith the youth bespoke him he answered him but one for his heart ate and his frame was racked and his thoughts were troubled and he was even as saith the poet i have no words though full folk would have me talk and who bespeak me find me thought waylaid plunged in the care sees undiscovered deaths nor aught of difference see twixt man and maid when kamar alzaman saw his case thus changed he said to him be like thou art busy at this present and leaving him returned in hottest hast hast hast hast haste haste to his own house where he found halema standing at the passage-door awaiting him quoth she hast thou done as i bade thee and quoth he yes she asked what said he to thee and he answered he told me that the knife was cheap at that price for that it was worth five hundred dinars but i could see that he was troubled so i left him and know not what befell him after that cried she give me the knife and wreck thou not of him then she took the knife and restoring it to its place set down now after kamar al-zaman's departure fire flamed in the jeweller's heart and suspicion was sore upon him and he said to himself needs must i get up and go look for the knife and cut down doubt with certainty so he rose and repaired to his house and went into his wife snorting like a dragon and she said to him what mattereth thee O my lord? He asked, Where is my knife? And she answered,

Starting point is 12:36:50 In the chest, and smote hand upon breast, saying, Oh, my grief, be like thou hast to fallen out with someone, and art come to fetch the knife to smite him withal. Said he, give me the knife, let me see it. But said she, Not till thou swear to me that thou wilt not smite anyone therewith. So he swore this to her, And she opened the chest, and brought out to him the knife,

Starting point is 12:37:14 and he fell to turning it over, saying, Verily, this is a wondrous thing. Then quoth he to her, Take it and lay it back in its place. And she, tell me the meaning of all this, he answered. I saw with our friend a knife like this, and told her all that had passed between himself and the youth, adding, but when I saw it in the chest, my suspicion ended in certainty,

Starting point is 12:37:41 said she, happily thou misdoubtest of me and deemdestest that I was the Levantine's mistress and had given him the knife. He replied, Yes, I had my doubts of this. But when I saw the knife, suspicion was lifted from my heart. Rejoined she, O man, there is now no good in thee. And he fell to excusing himself to her, till he appeased her, after which he fared forth and returned to his shop. Next day she gave Kamar al-Zaman her husband's watch, which he had made with his own hand, and whereof none had the like, saying, Go to his shop, and sit by his side, and say to him,

Starting point is 12:38:22 I saw again to-day him whom I saw yesterday. He had a watch in his hand, and said to me, wilt I buy this watch? Quoth I, whence hadst thou it, and quoth he, I was with my mistress, and she gave me this watch. So I bought it of him for eight and fifty-five, gold pieces. Look at it. Is it cheap at that price or dear? Note what he shall say to thee, then return to me in haste, and give me the watch. So Kamar al-Zaman repaired to the jeweler,

Starting point is 12:38:52 and did with him as she had charged him. When obeyed saw the watch, he said, This is worth seven hundred ducats, and suspicion entered into him. Then the youth left him, and returning to the wife, gave her back the watch. Presently her husband suddenly came in snorting, and said to her, Where is my watch? Said she, here it is, and he cried, Give it to me. So she brought it to him, and he exclaimed,

Starting point is 12:39:18 There is no majesty, and there is no might, save in Allah the glorious, the great. And she too exclaimed, Oh man, there is something the matter with thee. Tell me what it is. He replied, What shall I say? Fairly, I am bewildered by these chances,

Starting point is 12:39:34 and he recited these couplets. Although the merciful be doubtless, with me yet i am sore bewildered for new griefs have compassed me about or ere i knew it i have endured till patience self became impatient of my patience i have endured waiting till heaven fulfil my destiny i have endured till yin endurance owned how i bore up with her a thing more bitter than bitter aloes yet though a bitterer thing is not than is that drug it were more bitter to me should patience leave me unsustained then said he to his wife o woman i saw with the merchant our friend first my knife which i knew for that its fashion was a device of my own wit nor doth its like exist and he told me of it a story that troubled the heart so i came back and found it at home again to-day i see him with the watch whose fashion also is of my own device nor is there the fellow of it in basara and of this also he told me a story that satin by heart. Whereof I am bewildered in my wit, and know not what is to come to me. Quoth she, The purport of thy speech is that thou suspectedest me of being the friend of that merchant and his layman, and eke of giving him thy good, so thou camst to question me, and make proof of my

Starting point is 12:40:57 perfidy, and had I not shown thee the knife and the watch, thou hadst been certified of my treason. but since, O man, thou deemest me this ill deem, henceforth I will never again break with thee bread, nor drain with thee drink, for I loat thee with the loathing of prohibition. So he gentled her, and excused himself till he had appeased her and returned, repenting him of having bespoken her thus to his shop where he set. And Sharazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Knight 973. Night 974.

Starting point is 12:41:38 When it was the 974th night, she resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That when the jeweller quitted his wife, He repented having bespoken her thus, And, returning to his shop, He set there in disquiet, sore, and anxiety galore, Between belief and unbelief. About even-tide, he went home alone,

Starting point is 12:42:00 not bringing kamar al-zaman with him whereupon quoth his wife where is the merchant and quoth he in his lodgings she asked is the friendship between thee and him grown cold and he answered by allah i have taken a dislike to him because of that which hath betided me from him quoth she go fetch him to please me so he arose and went in to kamar al-zaman in his house where he saw his own goods strewn about and knew them At this sight fire was kindled in his heart, and he fell a sign. Quoth the youth, How is it that I see thee melancholy? Obeyed was ashamed to say, Here are my goods in thy house, Who brought them hither?

Starting point is 12:42:43 So he replied only, Evaxation hath betided me, But come thou with me to my house, That we may solace ourselves there. The other rejoined, Let me be in my place, I will not go with thee. But the jeweler conjured him to come,

Starting point is 12:42:58 and took him to his house, where they supped and passed the evening together. Kamar al-Zaman talking with the jeweler, who was drowned in the sea of solicitude, and for a hundred words, wherewith the guest bespoke him, answered him only one word. Presently the handmaid brought them two cups of drink,

Starting point is 12:43:16 as usual, and they drank, whereupon the jeweler fell asleep, but the youth abode on wake, because his cup was not drugged. Then came Halema, and said to her lover, how deemest thou of yonder cornunted, who is drunken in his heedlessness, and wreateth not the wiles of women. There is no help for it, but that I cozen him into divorcing me. Tomorrow I will disguise myself as a slave-girl, and walk after thee to his shop, where do thou say to him,

Starting point is 12:43:46 O master, I went to-day into the Khan of Alyosherja, where I saw this damsel and bought her for a thousand dinars. look at her for me and tell me whether she was cheap at that price or dear then uncover to him my face and breasts and show all of me to him after which do thou carry me back to thy house once i will go to my chamber by the secret passage so i may see the issue of our affair with him then the twain passed the night in mirth and merriment converse and good cheer dalliance and delight till dawn when she returned to her own place and sent the handmaid to arouse her lawful lord and her lover accordingly they arose and prayed the dawn prayer and break their fast and drink coffee after which obeyed repaired to his shop and kamar al-zaman betook himself to his own house presently in came halema to him by the tunnel in the guise of a slave-girl and indeed she was by birth a slave girl. Then he went out and she walked behind him till he came to the jeweller's shop and saluting him, sat down and said, Oh master, I went into the Khan of Al-Yashirja today to look about me and saw this damsel in the broker's hands. She pleased me, so I bought her for a thousand dinars, and I would have the look upon her and see if she be cheap at that price or no. So saying,

Starting point is 12:45:08 he uncovered her face and the jeweler saw her to be his own wife, clad in her cost-womened, his clois' clothes, tricked out in her finest trinkets, and cold and henna'd, even as she was wont to adorn herself before him in the house. He knew, with full knowledge, her face and dress and trinkets, for those he had wrought with his own hand, and he saw on her fingers the seal-rings he had newly made for Kamar al-Zaman, whereby he was certified with entire assurance that she was indeed his very wife. So he asked her, what is thy name, O slave-girl? And she answered, Halima, naming to him her own name. Whereat he was amazed, and said to the youth, For how much didst thou buy her? He replied, for a thousand in ours. And the jeweler rejoined,

Starting point is 12:45:54 Thou hast gotten her for gratis, for her rings and clothes and trinkets are worth more than that, said Kamar al-Zamon, May Allah rejoice thee with good news. Since she pleaseth thee, I will carry her to my house, and obeyed said, Do thy will. So he took her off to his house. So he took her off to his house, whence she passed through the secret passage to her own apartment and sat there meanwhile fire-flamed in the jeweller's heart and he said to himself i will go to see my wife if she be at home this slave-girl must be her counterpart and glory be to him who alone hath no counterpart but if she be not at home tis she herself without a doubt then he set off running and coming to his house found his wife sitting in the same clothes and ornaments he had seen upon her in the shop whereupon he beat hand upon hand saying there is no majesty and there is no might save in allah the glorious the great o man asked she art thou mad or what aileth thee tis not thy want to do thus and needs must it be that something hath befallen thee answered he if thou wilt have me tell thee be not vexed quoth she say on so he said our friend of the merchant hath bought a slave whose shape is as thy shape, and her height as thy height. Moreover, her name is even as thy name, and her apparel is the like of thine apparel. Brief, she resembleth thee in all her attributes, and on her fingers are seal-rings like thy seal-rings, and her trinkets are as thy trinkets.

Starting point is 12:47:32 So, when he displayed her to me, methought it was thyself, and I was perplexed concerning my case. Would we had never seen this merchant nor accompanied with him, and would he had never left his own country, and we had not known him, for he hath troubled my life which before was serene, causing ill-feeling to succeed good faith, and making doubt to enter into my heart? Said she, look in my face. Be like I am she who was with him, and he is my lover,

Starting point is 12:48:02 and I disguised myself as a slave-girl, and agreed with him that he should display me to thee, so he might lay a snare for thee? He replied, What words are these? Indeed, I never suspected that thou wouldst do the like of this deed. Now this jeweler was unversed in the wiles of women, and knew not how they deal with men,

Starting point is 12:48:23 nor had he heard the saying of him who said, A heart bore thee off in chase of the fair, as fled youth and came age with his hoary hair. Layla troubles me and love joys are far, and rival and risks bring us kark and care, and wouldst ask me of woman behold i am in physic of womankind wise and where when grisleth man's head and his monies fail his lot in their love is a poor affair nor that of another gainsay women he obeyeth allabest who saith them nay and he prospers not who giveth them his bridle rein to sway for they'll hinder him from winning to perfection in his gifts though a thousand years he study seeking after wisdom's way and a third women satan's are made for woe of man to allah i fly from such satanesses whom they lure by their love he to grief shall come and lose bliss of world and the faith that blesses

Starting point is 12:49:26 said she here am i sitting in my chamber so go thou to him forthright and knock at the door and contrive to go into him quickly and thou see the damsel with him tis a slave-girl of his is who resembleth me, and glory be to him who hath no resemblance. But an thou seen no slave-girl with him, then am I myself, she whom thou sawest with him in the shop, and thine ill thought of me will be established. True, answered obeyed, and went out leaving her, whereupon she passed through the hidden passage, and seating herself by a Kamar al-Zaman, told him what had passed, saying, Open the door quickly, and show me to him. Now, as they were talking, behold, there came a knocking at the door.

Starting point is 12:50:10 Quoth Kamar al-Zamon, Who is at the door? And quoth the jeweler, I, thy friend, thou displayedest to me thy slave-girl in the bazaar, and I rejoiced for thee in her, but my joy in her was not completed. So open the door and let me look at her again. Rejoined he, so be it. And opened the door to him whereupon he saw his wife sitting by him.

Starting point is 12:50:34 She rose and kissed their hands, and he looked at her. Then she talked with him a while, and he saw her not to be distinguished from his wife and ought, and said, Allah createth whatso he will. Then he went away more disheartened than before, and returned to his own house, where he saw his wife sitting, for she had foregone him thither by the suitorain, and Sharazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Knight 974. Recording by Mark Ernest.

Starting point is 12:51:14 Section 44 of The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 9. 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 Mark Ernest. The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Nighter. night volume nine by anonymous translated by richard francis burton knight nine hundred and seventy five when it was the nine hundred and seventy-fifth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that the young lady forewent her spouse by the suitoraine as he fared through the door and set down in her upper chamber so as soon as he entered she asked him what hast thou seen and he answered i found her with her

Starting point is 12:52:06 master, and she resembleth thee. Then said she, off to thy shop, and let this suffice thee of a noble suspicion, and never again deem ill of me, said he, so be it, accord me pardon for what is past, and she, Allah grant thee grace. Whereupon he kissed her right and left, and went back to his shop. Then she again betook herself to Kamar al-Zaman through the underground passage, with four bags of money, and said to him, Equip thyself at once for the road, and be ready to carry off the money without delay, against I devise for thee the device I have in mind.

Starting point is 12:52:44 So he went out and purchased mules, and loaded them, and made ready a travelling litter. He also bought Mamalukes and Unix, and sending, without let or hindrance, the whole without the city, returned to Halema, and said to her, I have made an end of my affairs. Quoth she, and I on her,

Starting point is 12:53:02 my side am ready for i have transported to thy house all the rest of his monies and treasures and have left him nor little nor much whereof he may avail himself all this is of my love for thee o dearling of my heart for i would sacrifice my husband to thee a thousand times but now it behoveth thou go to him and farewell him saying i purpose to depart after three days and am come to bid thee adieu so do thou reckon what i owe thee for the hire of the house that I may send it to thee and acquit my conscience. Note his reply and return to me, and tell me, for I can no more. I have done my best by cozening him, to anger him with me and cause him to put me away, but I find him none the less infatuated with me. So nothing will serve us but to depart to thine own country. And quoth he, O rare, and but Swevens prove true.

Starting point is 12:53:55 Then he went to the jeweller's shop, and sitting down by him, said to him, O master, I set out for my home in three days, and am come to farewell thee. So I would have thee reckon, want I owe thee for the hire of the house, that I may pay it to thee and acquit my conscience. Answered, What talk is this? Verily, tis I who am indebted to thee. By Allah I will take nothing from thee for the rent of the house, for thou hast brought down blessings upon us. However, thou desolatedest me by thy departure,

Starting point is 12:54:27 and but that it is forbidden to me i would certainly oppose thee and hinder thee from returning to thy country and kinsfolk then he took leave of me whilst they both wept with sore weeping and the jeweller went with him and when they entered kamar al-zaman's house there they found halema who stood before them and served them but when obeyed returned home he found her sitting there nor did he cease to see her thus in each house in turn for the space of three days when she said to kamar al-zaman now have i transported to thee all that he hath of monies and hordes and carpets and things of price and there remaineth with him naught save the slave-girl who used to come in to you with the night-drink but i cannot part with her for that she is my kinswoman and she is dear to me as a confidant so i will beat her and be wroth with her and when my spout cometh home i will say to him i can no longer put up with this slave-girl nor stay in the house with her so take her and sell her accordingly he will sell her and do thou by her that we may carry her with us answered he no harm in that so she beat the girl and when the jeweller came in he found her weeping and asked her why she wept quoth she my mistress hath beaten me he then went into his wife and said to her what hath that a cursed girl done that thou hast beaten her she replied o man i have but one word to say to thee and tis that i can no longer bear the sight of the this girl, so take her and sell her, or else divorce me. Quoth he, I will sell her that I may not cross thee in aught. And when he went out to go to the shop, he took her and passed with her by

Starting point is 12:56:09 Kamar al-Zaman. No sooner had he gone out than his wife slipped through the underground passage to Kamar al-Zaman, who placed her in the litter before the sheikh, her husband reached him. When the jeweler came up and the lover saw the slave-girl with him, he asked him, what girl is this and the other answered tis my slave-girl who used to serve us with the night drink she hath disobeyed her mistress who is wroth with her and hath bidden me sell her quoth the youth and her mistress have taken an aversion to her there is for her no abiding with her but sell her to me that i may smell your scent in her and i will make her handmaid to my slave hallemaw good answered obeyed take her asked kamar alzaman what is her price but the jeweler said, I will take nothing from thee, for thou hast been bountiful to us. So he accepted her from him, and said, Halema, kissed thy lord's hand. Accordingly, she came out from the litter, and kissing Obeyed's hand, remounted, whilst he looked

Starting point is 12:57:11 hard at her. Then said Kamar al-Zaman, acc commend thee to Allah, O master obeyed, acquit my conscience of responsibility, answered the jeweler, Allah acquit thee, and carry thee safe to thy family. then he bade him farewell and went to his shop weeping and indeed it was grievous to him to part from kamar al-zaman for that he had been friend and friendship hath its debtorship yet he rejoiced in the dispelling of the doubts which had befallen him anent his wife since the young man was now gone and his suspicions had not been established such was his case but as regards kamar al-zaman the young lady said to him and thou wish for safety travel with me by other than the wanted way. And Shara'azade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of night, 975. Night 976. When it was the 976th night, she continued,

Starting point is 12:58:14 It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Halema said to Kumar al-Zaman, And thou wish for safety, travel with me by other than the wanted way. he replied hearing and obeying and taking a road other than that used by folk fared on without ceasing from region to region till he reached the confines of egypt land and sent his sire a letter by a runner now his father the merchant abd al-raman was sitting in the market among the merchants with his heart on fire for separation from his son because no news of the youth had reached him since the day of his departure and while he was in such case the runner came up and cried o my lords which of you is called the merchant abd al-raman they said what wouldst thou of him and he said i have a letter for him from his son kamar al-zaman whom i left at el arash at this abd al-Raman rejoiced and his breast was broadened and the merchants rejoiced for him and gave him joy of his son's safety then he opened the letter and read as follows from kamar al-zaman to the merchant abd al-Raman and after peace be upon thee and upon all the merchants and ye ask it concerning us to allah be the praise and the thanks indeed we have sold and bought and gained and are come back in health and wealth and wheel whereupon abd al-raman opened the door of rejoicing and made banquets and gave feasts and entertainments galore sending for instruments of music and addressing himself to festivities after rarest fashion

Starting point is 12:59:50 when kamar al-zaman came to al shalhaya his father and all the merchants went forth to meet him and abd al-raman embraced him and strained him to his bosom and sobbed till he swooned away when he came to himself he said o tis a boon day o my son whereon the omnipotent protector hath reunited us with thee and he repeated the words of the bard the return of the friend is the best of all boons and the joy cup circles o mourns and noons so well come welcome fair welcome to thee the light of the time and the moon o full moons then for excess of joy he poured forth a flood of tears from his eyes eyes, and he recited also these two couplets. The moon all the times show unveiled light, and his journey done at our door doth alight. His locks as the knights of his absence are black, and the sun abstains from his collars white. Then the merchants came up to him, and saluting him, saw with him many loads and servants, and a traveling litter enclosed in a spacious circle.

Starting point is 13:00:58 So they took him and carried him home, and when Halema came forth from the litter, his father held her a seduction to all who beheld her. So they opened her an upper chamber, as it were a treasure from which the talismans had been loosed, and when his mother saw her, she was ravished with her, and deemed her a queen of the wives of the kings. So she rejoiced in her and questioned her, and she answered, I am wife to thy son, and the mother rejoined, Since he is wedded to thee, we must make thee a splendid marriage feast, that we may rejoice in thee and in my son.

Starting point is 13:01:34 All this wise it befell her. But as regards the merchant Abd al-Raman, when the folk had dispersed and each had winded his way, he for gathered with his son and said to him, O my son, what is the slave-girl thou hast brought with thee, and for how much didst thou buy her? Kamara al-Zaman said, Oh, my father, she is no slave-girl,

Starting point is 13:01:55 but to she who was the cause of my going abroad. Asked Kessire, how so? and he answered, "'To she whom the dervish described to us the night he lay with us, for indeed my hopes clave to her from that moment, and I sought not to travel save on account of her. The Arabs came out upon me by the way, and stripped me and took my money and goods,

Starting point is 13:02:18 so that I entered Basira alone, and there befell me there such and such things, and he went on to relate to his parent all that had befallen him from commencement to conclusion. now when he had made an end of his story his father said to him oh my son and after all this didst thou marry her no but i have promised her marriage is it thine intent to marry her and thou bid me marry her i will do so otherwise i will not marry her thereupon quoth his father and thou marry her i am quit of thee in this world and in the next and i shall be incensed against thee with sore indignation how canst thou wed her seeing that she hath dealt thus with her husband. For even as she did with her spouse for thy sake,

Starting point is 13:03:03 so will she do the like with thee for another's sake, because she is a traitor, and in a traitor there is no trusting. Wherefore and thou disobey me, I shall be wroth with thee. But, and thou give ear to my word, I will seek thee out a girl handsomer than she, who shall be pure and pious, and marry thee to her, though I spend all my substance upon her, and I will make thee a wedding without,

Starting point is 13:03:28 equal, and will glory in thee and in her. For tis better that folk should say, Such and one hath married such in one's daughter, than that they say he hath wedded a slave-girl Sands birth or worth. And he went on to persuade his son to give up marrying her, by citing in support of his say, proofs, stories, examples, verses, and moral instances, till Kamar-Zamon exclaimed, O my father, since the case is thus, tis not right and proper that I marry her, and when his father heard him speak on such wise he kissed him between the eyes saying thou art my very son and as i live o my son i will assuredly marry thee to a girl who hath not her equal then the merchant set obeyed's wife and her handmaid in a chamber high up in the house and before locking the door upon the twain he appointed a black slave girl to carry them their meat and drink and he said to hallemae ye shall abide imprisoned in this chamber thou and thy maid, till I find one who will buy you, when I will sell you to him. And ye resist,

Starting point is 13:04:34 I will slay ye both, for thou art a traitress, and there is no good in thee. Answered she, Do thy will, I deserve all thou canst to do with me. Then he locked the door upon them, and gave his harem a charge respecting them, saying, Let no one go up to them, nor speak with them save the black slave girl, who shall give them their meat and drink through the casement of the upper chamber. So she abode with her maid, weeping and repenting her of that which she had done with her spouse. Meanwhile, Abd al-Raman sent out the marriage brokers to look out a maid of birth and worth for his son, and the women ceased not to make search, and as often as they saw one girl they heard of a fairer than she, till they came to the house of the Sheikh al-Islam, and saw his

Starting point is 13:05:22 daughter. In her they found a virgin whose equal was not in Cairo for beauty and loveliness, symmetry and perfect grace, and she was a thousandfold handsomer than the wife of obeyed. So they told Ab al-Raman of her, and he and the notables repaired to her father and sought her in wedlock of him. Then they wrote out the marriage contract and made her a splendid wedding, after which Ab al-Raman gave bride feasts and held open house forty days. On the first day he, invited the doctors of the law, and they held a splendid nativity, and on the morrow he invited all the merchants, and so on during the rest of the forty days, making a banquet every day to one or other class of folk, till he had bidden all the Olima and emirs and Antience and magistrates,

Starting point is 13:06:10 whilst the kettle drums were drummed, and the pipes were piped, and the merchants set to greet the guests, with his son by his side, that he might solace himself by gazing on the folk, as they ate from the trays. Each night Ab al-Raman illuminated the street and the quarter with lamps, and there came every one of the mimes and jugglers and mount banks

Starting point is 13:06:31 and played all men or play, and indeed it was a peerless wedding. On the last day he invited the fakirs, the poor and the needy, far and near, and they flocked in troops and ate, whilst the merchant set, with his son by his side. And among the paupers,

Starting point is 13:06:47 behold, entered Sheikh obeyed the jeweler, and he was naked and weary and bare on his face the marks of wayfar. When Kamar al-Zaman saw him, he knew him and said to his sire, Look, O my father, at yonder poor man who is but now come in by the door. So he looked and saw him clad in worn clothes, and on him a patched gown worth two dirhams. His face was yellow, and he was covered with dust, and was, as he were, an off-cast of the pilgrims.

Starting point is 13:07:15 He was groaning as groaneth a sick man in need, walking with a tottering gate and swaying now to the right and then to the left, and in him was realized his saying, who said, Lack gold abaseth man, and doth his worth away, even as the setting sun that pales with ended day, he passeth amongst the folk and fain would hide his head, and when alone he weeps with tears that never stay. Absent, none taketh he to him or his concern,

Starting point is 13:07:44 present he hath no part in life or pleasant's eye. by Allah, when as men with poverty are cursed, but strangers midst their kin and countrymen are they, and the saying of another, The poor man fares by everything opposed, On him to shut the door, earth ne'er shall fail. Thou seest men abhor him sands a sin, And foes he finds, though none the calls can tell.

Starting point is 13:08:09 The very dogs, when sighting wealthy man, Fawn at his feet and wag the flattering tale. yet, and some day a pauper loon they sight All at him bark And Nashing's fangs assail. And how well quoth a third, If generous youth be blessed with luck and wealth, Displeasures fly his path and perils fleet, His enviers pimp for him and perisite wise,

Starting point is 13:08:35 In without trist his mistress haste to meet. When loud he farts, they say, How well he sings! And when he fizzles cry, they, oh, how sweet! and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say end of night nine hundred and seventy six recording by mark ernest section forty five of the book of the thousand nights and a night volume nine this is a librivox recording all librivox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit librivox dot org recording by Mark Ernest. The book of the Thousand Nights and the Night, Volume 9 by Anonymous,

Starting point is 13:09:27 translated by Richard Francis Burton. Knight 977. When it was the 977th night, she pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when his son said to Abdel Rahman, look at yonder pauper, he asked, Oh, my son, who is this? And Kumar Al-Zaman answered,

Starting point is 13:09:48 this is master obeyed the jeweler, husband of the woman who is imprisoned with us. Quoth abd al-Raman, is this he of whom thou toldest me? And quoth his son, yes, and indeed I wot him right well. Now the manner of Obed's coming thither was on this wise.

Starting point is 13:10:07 When he had farewelled Kamar al-Zaman, he went to his shop, and thence going home, laid his hand on the door, whereupon it opened, and he entered, and found neither his wife nor the slave-girl, but saw the house in sorriest plight, quoting in mute speech his saying who said,

Starting point is 13:10:24 The chambers were like a beehive well stocked. When their bees quitted it, they became empty. When he saw the house void, he turned right and left, and presently went round about the place, like a madman, but came upon no one. Then he opened the door of his treasure closet, but found therein not of his money nor his hordes. Whereupon he recovered from the intoxication of fancy, and shook off his infatuation and knew that it was his wife herself who had turned the tables upon him and outwitted him with her wiles he wept for that which had befallen him but kept his affair secret so none of his foes might exult over him nor any of his friends be troubled knowing that If he disclosed his secret, it would bring him naught, but dishonor and contumly talk from the folk. Wherefore he said in himself, Obeyed, hide that which hath betided thee of affliction and ruination. It behoveth thee to do in accordance with his saying, who said,

Starting point is 13:11:22 If a man's breast with bane he hides be straightened, the breast that tells its hidden bale is straighter still. Then he locked up his house, and, making for his shop, gave it in charge of one of his apprentice, to whom said he my friend the young merchant hath invited me to accompany him to cairo for solacing ourselves with the side of the city and swareth that he will not march except he carry us with him me and my wife so o my son i make thee my steward in the shop and if the king asked for me say thou to him he is gone with his harem to the holy house of allah then he sold some of his effects and bought camels and mules and mamelukes together with a slave-girl and placing her in a litter set out from Basira after ten days. His friends farewelled him, and none doubted but that he had taken his wife and gone on the pilgrimage, and the folk rejoiced in this, for that Allah had delivered them from being shut up in the mosques and houses every Friday. Quoth some of them, Allah grant he may never return to Basara, so we may no more be boxed up in the mosques and houses every Friday,

Starting point is 13:12:31 for that this usage had caused the people of Basra exceeding victims. Coth another methinks he will not return from this journey by reason of the much praying of the people of Basara against him And yet another and he returned will not be but in reversed case So the folk rejoiced with exceeding joy in the jeweler's departure after they had been in mighty great chakrin and even their cats and dogs were comforted When Friday came round however the crier proclaimed as usual that the people should repair to the mosques two hours before prayer time and or else hide themselves in their houses, together with their cats and dogs, whereat their breasts were straightened, and they assembled in general assembly, and betaking themselves to the king's divan, stood between his hands, and said,

Starting point is 13:13:18 O king of the age, the jeweler hath taken his harem, and departed on the pilgrimage to the holy house of Allah. So the cause of our restrains hath ceased to be, and why therefore are we now shut up? Quoth the king, how came this traitor to depart without telling me? but when he cometh back from his journey all will not be save well so go ye to your shops and sell and buy for this vexation is removed from you thus far concerning the king and the bassarites but as for the jeweller he fared on ten days journey and as he drew near baghdad there befell him that which had befallen kamar al-zaman before his entering basra for the arabs came out upon him and stripped him and took all he had and he escaped only by feigning himself dead as soon as they were gone he rose and fared on naked as he was till he came to a village where allah inclined to him the hearts of certain kindly folk who covered his shame with some old clothes and he asked his way begging from town to town till he reached the city of cairo the god-guarded there burning with hunger he went about alms seeking in the market streets till one of the town's folk said to him o poor man off with thee to the house of the wedding festival and eat and drink for today there is open table for paupers and strangers quoth he i know not the way thither and quoth the other follow me and i will show it to thee he followed him till he brought him to the house of abd al-rahman and said to him

Starting point is 13:14:50 this is the house of the wedding enter and fear not for there is no doorkeeper at the door of the festival accordingly he entered and kamar al-zaman knew him and told his sire who said o my son leave him at this present be like he is at hungered, so let him eat his sufficiency and recover himself, and after we will sin for him. So they waited till Obeyed had eaten his fill and washed his hands, and drunk coffee and sherbits of sugar-flavored with musk and ambergris, and was about to go out, when Abd al-Raman sent after him a page who said to him, come, O stranger, and speak with the merchant Ab-Av-Raman. Who is he? asked Obeid, and the man answered, he is the master of the feast. Thereupon the jeweller turned back, thinking that he meant to give him a gift, and coming up to

Starting point is 13:15:37 Abd al-Raman saw his friend Kamar al-Zaman, and went nigh to lose his senses for shame before him. But Kamar al-Zaman rose to him, and embracing him, saluted him with the salaam, and they both wept with sore weeping. Then he seated him by his side, and Abd al-Raman said to his son, O destitute of good taste, this is no way to receive friends, send him first to the Hamam, and dispatch after him a suit of clothes of the choicest, worth a thousand dinars. Accordingly, they carried him to the bath, where they washed his body and clad him in a costly suit, and he became, as he were, consul of the merchants. Meanwhile, the bystanders questioned Kamar al-Zaman of him, saying, Who is this, and whence to knowest thou him? Quoth he, this is my friend, who lodged me in his

Starting point is 13:16:26 house, and to whom I am indebted for favors without number, for that he entreated me with exceeding kindness. He is a man of competence and condition, and by trade a jeweler, in which craft he hath no equal. The king of Basra loveth him dearly, and holdeth him in high honor, and his word is law with him. And he went on to enlarge before them on his praises, saying, verily he did with me thus and thus, and I have shame of him, and know not how to requite him his generous dealing with me. Nor did he leave to extol him, till his worth was magnified to the bystanders, and he became venerable in their eyes. So they said,

Starting point is 13:17:04 We will all do to him his due, and honor him for thy sake. But we would fain know the reason why he hath departed his native land and the cause of his coming hither and what Allah hath done with him, that he is reduced to this plight. Replied Kamar al-Zamon,

Starting point is 13:17:21 O folk, marvel not, for a son of Adam is still subject to fate and fortune, and what while he abideth in this world he is not safe from calamities. Indeed he spake truly, who said these couplets, The world tears man to shreds, So be thou not, Of those whom lure of rank and title draws,

Starting point is 13:17:40 Nay, whereof slips and turn from sin aside, And kin that bane and bail are worldly laws, How oft high fortune falls by least mishap, And all things bear inbred of change a cause. Know that I entered Basra in yet iller case And worse distress than this man, for that he entered Cairo with his shame hidden by rags, but I indeed came into his town with my nakedness uncovered,

Starting point is 13:18:07 one hand behind and another before, and none availed me but Allah and this dear man. Now the reason of this was that the Arabs stripped me and took my camels and mules and loads and slaughtered my pages and serving men, but I lay down among the slain and they thought that I was dead, so they went away and left me. Then I arose and walked on,

Starting point is 13:18:28 mother naked till i came to basra where this man met me and clothed me and lodged me in his house he also furnished me with money and all i have brought back with me i owe to none save to allah's goodness and his goodness when i departed he gave me great store of wealth and i returned to the city of my birth with a heart at ease i left him in competence and condition and happily there hath befallen him some bale of the bane's of time that hath forced him to quit his kinsful and there happened to him by the way the like of what happened to me there is nothing strange in this but now it behoveth me to requite him his noble dealing with me and do according to the saying of him who saith o who praisest time with the fairest appraise knowest thou what time hath made and unmade what thou dost at least be it kindly done for with pay he pays shall man be repaid as they were talking and telling the tale behold up came obeyed as he were counsel of the merchants whereupon they all rose to salute him and seated him in the place of honor then said kamar al-zaman to him o my friend verily thy day is blessed and fortunate there is no need to relate to me a thing that befell me before thee if the arabs have stripped thee and robbed thee of thy wealth verily our money is the ransom of our bodies so let not thy soul be troubled for i entered thy city naked and thou ploethest me and entreatedest me generously, and I owe thee many a kindness, but I will requite thee. And Sharazod perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Knight 977. Recording by Mark Ernest.

Starting point is 13:20:23 Section 46 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and the Night, Volume 9. This is a Libre Fox recording. All Lubrevox recordings are in the public domain. or to volunteer, please visit Lieberfox.org. Recording by phone. The Book of the Thousand Nights and the Night, Volume 9 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Night 978.

Starting point is 13:20:49 When it was the 978th night, she resumed, It had reached me, O auspicious king, that Kamar al-Zaman said to Master Obai the jeweller, Verily, I entered thy city naked, and thy closest me, and I owe thee many a kindness, but I will requite thee, and do with thee, even as thou didst with me, nay, more, so be of good cheer, and eyes clear of tear. And he went on to soothe him, and hinder him from speech, lest he should name his wife and what she had done with him, nor did he cease to ply him with saws and moral instances, and verses and conceits in stories and legends, and console him, till the jeweller saw his drift and took the hint, and kept silence concerning the power. Diverting himself with the tales and rare anecdotes he heard and repeating in himself these lines On the brow of the world it's a writ and thereupon thou look

Starting point is 13:21:43 Its contents will compel thy nice tears of blood to rain For the world never handed to humans a cup with its right But what left it compelled them a beaker of ruin to drain Then Khmer al-Zaman and his father took abide and carrying him into the saloon of the harim shut themselves up with him. And Abdu al-Ghaman said to him, We did not hinder thee from speaking before the folk, but for fear of dishonour to thee and to us.

Starting point is 13:22:12 But now we are private, so tell me all that hath passed between thee and thy wife and my son. So he told him all from beginning to end, and when he had made an end of his story, Abj al-Graham asked him, Was the fault with my son or with thy wife? He answered, by Allah thy son was not to blame, for men must needs lust after women, and this the bounding duty of women to defend themselves from men. So the sin lieth with my wife, who played me false, and did with me these deeds. Then Abt Agraman arose, and taking his son aside, said to him, O my son, we have proved his wife and know her to be a traitorous, and now I mean to prove him, and see if he be a man of honour and manliness, or a whittle.

Starting point is 13:23:00 How so? asked Kamar Al-Zaman, and Abt Araman answered, I mean to urge him to make peace with his wife, and if he consent thereto and forgive her, I will smite him with a sword, and slay him and kill her after, her and her maid, for there is no good in the life of a cuckold and a queen. But if he turned from her with aversion, I will marry him to thy sister, and give him more of wealth than that thou tookest from him. Then he went back to abide and said to him, O master, verily, the commerce of women, requireeth patience and magnanimity,

Starting point is 13:23:38 and whoso loved them hath need a fortitude, for that they ordered themselves viper-wise towards men, and evilly entreat them, by reason of their superiority over them in beauty and loveliness, wherefore they magnify themselves and belittle men. This is notably the case when their husbands show them affection, for then they requite them with hauteur and coquetry and harsh dealing of all kinds. But if a man be wroth whenever he seeeth in his wife, ought that offendeth him, there can be no fellowship between them,

Starting point is 13:24:09 nor can any hid it off with them who is not magnanimous and long-suffering. And unless a man bear with his wife and requite her foul doing with forgiveness, he shall get no good of her conversation. Indeed, it hath been said of them, were they in the sky, the necks of men would incly them words, and he who hath power and pardoneth, his reward is with Allah. Now this woman is thy wife and thy companion, and she had long consorted with thee, wherefore it behoved that thou entreat her with indulgence which in fellowship is of the essentials of success.

Starting point is 13:24:44 Furthermore, women fail in wit and faith, and if she have sinned, she repented, and, inshallah, she will not again return to that which she weilom did. so tis my read that thou make peace with her, and I will restore thee more than the good she took, and if it pleased thee to abide with me, thou art welcome, thou and she, and ye shall see naught but what shall joy you both, but, and thou seek to, return to thine own land, for that which followed out between a man and his wife is manifold, and it behovest thee to be indulgent and not take the way of the violent. Said the jeweller, O my lord, and where is it,

Starting point is 13:25:23 is my wife and said abd alamann she is in that upper chamber go up to her and be easy with her for my sake and trouble her not for when my son brought her hither he would have married her but i forbade him from her and shut her up in yonder room and locked the door upon her saying in myself happily her husband will come and i will hand her over to him safe for she is fair a favour and when a woman is like unto this one it may not be that her husband will let her go. What I counted on is come about, and praise be Allah Almighty, for thy reunion with thy wife. As for my son, I have sought him another woman in marriage, and have married him to her. These banquets and rejoicings are for his wedding, and to-night I bring him to his bride. So here is the key of the chamber where thy wife is. Take it, and open the door, and go into her, and her handmaid, and be bosom with her. There shall be brought you, meet and drink, and thou shalt not come down from her till thou have had thy fill of her.

Starting point is 13:26:27 cried obeyed, May Allah requite thee for me with all good, oh my lord, and taking the key, went up, rejoice him. The other thought his words had pleased him, and that he consented thereto, so he took the sword, and following him unseen, stood to a spy which should happen between him and his wife. This is how it fared with the merchant Abd al-Aman,

Starting point is 13:26:48 but as for the jeweller, when he came to the chamber door, he heard his wife weeping with his wife, sore weeping, for that Camar Elzaman had married another than her, and the handmaid saying to her, O my lady, how often have I warned thee, and said, thou would get no good of this youth, so do thou leave his company, but thou heeds not my words, and spoiltest thy husband of all his goods, and gaveest them to him, after the which thou forsooketh thy place of thine fondness and infatuation for him, and cameest with him to this country, and now he has cast thee out from his

Starting point is 13:27:23 thought and married another, and have made the issue of thy foolish fancy for him to be Durence vile. cried Halima, be silent, oh, accursed, though he be married to another, yet some day needs must I occur to his thought. I cannot forget the nights I have spent in his company, and in any case I console myself with his saying, who said, O my lords, shall he to your mind occur, who recurs to you only sons or their mate? Grand heaven, you ne'er shall forget his state, who for state if you forgot own estate? It cannot be, but he will bethink him of my affect and converse, and ask for me, wherefore I will not turn from loving him, nor change from passion for him, though I perish in prison, for he is my love

Starting point is 13:28:11 and my leech, and my reliance is on him, that he will yet return to me, and deal fondly with me. When the jeweller heard his wife's words, he went in to her and said to her, O traitoress, thy hope in him is as the hope of Iblis in heaven. All these vices were in thee, and I knew not thereof. For had I beenware of one single vice, I had not kept thee with me an hour. But now I am certified of this and thee. It behoveth me to do thee die, although they put me to death for thee, O traitorous! And he clutched her with both hands, and repeated these two cup-lits.

Starting point is 13:28:48 O fair ones forth ye cast my faithful love! with sin, nor had ye ought regard for right. How long I fondly clung to you, But now, my love is loathing, and I hate your sight. Then he pressed hardly upon her windpipe and break her neck, Whereupon her handmaid cried out, Alas, my mistress! said he, O Harlot, tis thou who are to blame for all this,

Starting point is 13:29:16 For that thy newest this evil inclination to be in her and toldest me not. then he seized upon her and strangled her all this happened while abd a raman stood brand in hand behind the door espying with his eyes and hearing with his ears now when obite the jeweller had done this apprehension came upon him and he feared the issue of his affair and said to himself as soon as the merchant learneth that i have killed them in his house he will surely slay me yet i beseech allah that he appointed the taking of my life to be while i am in the true belief and he abode bewildered about his case and knew not what to do but as he was thus behold in came abd al-a-man from his lurking-place without the door and said to him no harm shall befall thee for indeed thou deserve a safety see this sword in my hand twas in my mind to slay thee hadst thou made peace with her and restored her to favour and i would also have slain her and the maid but since thou hast done this deed welcome to thee and again welcome, and I will reward thee by marrying thee to my daughter, Kamar al-Zaman's sister. Then he carried him down and sent for the woman who washed the dead, whereupon it was brutated abroad that Kamar al-Zaman had brought with him two slave-girls from Basura, and that both had deceased. So the people began to condole with him, saying, may thy head live, and may Allah

Starting point is 13:30:45 compensate thee, and they washed and shrouded them and buried them, and none knew the truth of the matter. Then Abt Al-Ghaman sent for the Shaikh al-Islam and all the notables and said, O Shaik, draw up the contract of marriage between my daughter, Kaqab al-Salab al-Salah, and Master Obai, the jeweller, and set down that her dowry hath been paid to me in full. So he wrote out the contract, and Abt Al-Gaman gave the company to drink of sherbets, and they made one wedding festival for the two brides, the daughter of Shaikh al-Islam, and Kamar al-Zaman's sister, and Parade. them in one litter and one in the same night, after which they carried Comar al-Zaman and

Starting point is 13:31:26 Obite in procession together and brought them in to their brides. When the jeweller went in to Alpd al-Roman's daughter, he found her handsomer than Halima and a thousandfold lovelier. So he took her maidenhead, and on the morrow he went to the Haman with Comar al-Zaman. Then he abode with them a while in pleasance and joints, after which he began to yearn for his native land. So he went in to abd al-Ghaman and said to him, O uncle, I longed from my own country, for I have there estates and effects which are left in charge of one of my prentices, and I am minded to journey thither that I may sell my properties and return to thee, so wilt thou give me leave to go to my country for that purpose? answered the merchant, O my son, I give thee leave to do this, and there be no fault

Starting point is 13:32:15 in thee or blame to thee for these words, for love of motherland is a part of religion. and he who hath not in his own country hath none in other folk's country but haply and thou depart without thy wife when thou art once come to thy native place it may seem good to thee to settle there and thou wilt be perplexed between returning to thy wife and sojourning in thine own home so it were the writer read that thou carry thy wife with thee and after and thou desire to return to us return and welcome to you both for we are folk who know not divorce and and no woman of us married twice, nor do we lightly discard a man. Quoth obeyed, Uncle, I fear me thy daughter will not consent to journey with me to my own country. Replied Abd al-A-A-Man, O my son, we have no women amongst us who gainsay their spouses,

Starting point is 13:33:09 nor know we a wife who is wrothed with our man. The jeweller cried, Allah bless you and your women, and going into his wife, said to her, I am minded to go to my country, what sayest thou? Quoth she, Indeed, my sire hath the ordering of me, whilst I was a maid, and when I married the ordering all passed into the hands of my lord and master,

Starting point is 13:33:33 nor will I gainsay him. Quoth obeyed, Allah bless thee and thy father, and have mercy on the womb that bear thee, and the loins that begat thee. Then he cut his thongs and applied himself to making ready for his journey. his father-in-law gave him much good and they took leave each of other after which tile jeweller and his wife journeyed on without ceasing till they reached basura where his kinsmen and comrades came out to meet him doubting not but that he had been in el some rejoiced at his return whilst others were fixed and the folk said to one another now will he straighten us again every friday as before and we shall be shut up in the mosques and houses even to our cats and their daughters and their daughters

Starting point is 13:34:18 On such wise it fared with him, but as regards the king of Basura, when he heard of his return, he was wroth with him, and sending for him, abraded him and said to him, Why didst thou depart, without letting me know of thy departure? Was I unable to give thee somewhat, wherewith thou mightest have succoured theirself in thy pilgrimage to the holy house of Allah? replied the jeweller pardon oh my lord by allah i went not on the pilgrimage but there have befallen me such and such things then he told him all that had befallen him with his wife and with abd al-gaman of cairo and how the merchant had given him his daughter to wife ending with these words and i have brought her to basura said the king by the lord did i not fear allah the most high i would slay thee and marry this noble lady after thy death, though I spent on her mince of money, because she befitted none but kings. But Allah hath appointed her of thy portion, and may he bless thee in her. So look thou use her well. Then he bestowed large es on the jeweller, who went out from before him, and they both with his wife five years, after which he was admitted to the mercy of the Almighty. Presently the king sought his widow in wedlock, but she refused, saying,

Starting point is 13:35:38 O King, never among my kindred was a woman who married again after her husband's death, wherefore I will never take another husband, nor will I marry thee, no, do thou kill me. Then he sent to her one who said, Dost thou seek to go to thy native land? And she answered, And thou do good, thou shalt be requited therewith. So he collected for her all the jeweller's wealth and added unto her of his own, after the measure of his degree. lastly he sent her with one of his viziers a man famous for goodness and piety and an escort of five hundred horse who journeyed with her till they brought her to her father and in his home she abode without marrying again till she died and they died all

Starting point is 13:36:23 so if this woman would not consent to replace her dead husband with a sultan how shall she be compared with one who replaced her husband whilst he was yet alive with a youth of unknown extraction and condition and a youth of unknown extraction and condition and a sultan and a sultan and a woman who shall she be compared with one who replaced her husband whilst he was yet alive with a youth of an especially when this was in lewd carriage and not by way of lawful marriage. So he who deemeth all women alike, there is no remedy for the disease of his insanity. And glory be to him to whom belongeth the empire of the seen and the unseen, and he is the living who dieth not. And among the tales they tell, O auspicious king, is one of Abdullah bin Fasil and his brothers. The Caliph Harun al-Rashid was one day examining

Starting point is 13:37:07 the tributes of his various provinces and vice-royalties, when he observed that the contributions of all the countries and regions had come into the treasury, except that of Basura, which had not arrived that year. So he held a divan because of this, and said, hither to me with the wazir Ja'afar, and when they brought him into the presence he thus bespoke him, the tributes of all the provinces have come into the treasury, save that of Basura, no part whereof hath arrived. Ja'afar replied, O commander of the faithful, Be like there hath befallen, the governor of Basra,

Starting point is 13:37:42 something that hath diverted him from sending the tribute. Quoth the Caliph, The time of the coming of the tribute was twenty days ago. What then can be his excuse for that, in this time, he hath neither sent it nor sent to show cause

Starting point is 13:37:57 for not doing so. And quote the minister, O commander of the faithful, if it pleased thee, we will send him a messenger. rejoined a caliph, sent him Abu Ishaq al-Mozili, the boon companion, and ja'afar, hearkening and obedience to Allah and to thee, O prince of true believers!

Starting point is 13:38:19 Then he returned to his house, and summoning Abu Ishaq, wrote him a royal writ and said to him, Go to Abdullah bin Fazil, vice-roy of Basura, and see what hath diverted him from sending the tribute. If it be ready, do thy receive it from him in full, and bring it to me in haste for the caliph had examined the tributes of the provinces and findeth that they are all come in except that of basura but and thou see that it is not ready and he make an excuse to thee bring him back with thee that he may report his excuse to the caliph with his own tongue answered abu isaq i hear a dioeubay and taking with him five thousand horse of jaafar's host set out for basura now when abdulah bin fazil heard of his approach he went out to meet him with his troops and led him into the city and carried him to his palace was the escort in camp without the city walls where he appointed to them all whereof they stood in need so abu ishaq entered the audience chamber and sitting down on the throne seated the governor beside him

Starting point is 13:39:23 himself, whilst the notables sat round him, according to their several degrees, after salutation with the Salam Abdullah bin Fazil said to him, O my lord, is there for thy coming to us any cause? And said Abu Ishaq, yes, I come to seek the tribute, for the Caliph inquireth of it, and the time of his coming is gone by. Rejoined Abdullah bin Fazil, O my lord, with heaven thou hadst not worried thyself, nor taken upon thyself, the hardships of the journey. for the tribute is ready in full tale and complete, and I purpose to dispatch it tomorrow.

Starting point is 13:40:00 But since thou art come, I will entrust it to thee, after I have entertained thee three days, and on the fourth day I will set the tribute between thine hands, but it behoved us now to offer thee a present, in part acquittal, of thy kindness, and the goodness of the commander of the faithful. There is no harm in that, said Abu Ishach. So Abdullah bin Fasil dismissed the divan, carrying him into a saloon that had not its match, they had set a tray of food before him and his companions. They ate and drank and made merry and enjoyed themselves, after which the tray was

Starting point is 13:40:35 removed and there came coffee and sherbets. They sat conversing till a third part of the night was passed, when they spread for Abu Ishak bedding on an ivory couch inlaid with gold-glittering genie. So he lay down, and the viceroy lay down beside him on another couch, but wakefulness possessed Abu Ishaq, and he fell to meditating on the meters of prosody and poetical composition, for that he was one of the primest of the Caliph's boon companions, and he had a mighty fine forearm in producing verses and pleasant stories, nor did he leave to lie awake improvising poetry till half the night was past. Presently, behold, Abdullah bin Fasil arose, and, girding his middle,

Starting point is 13:41:16 opened a locker, whence he brought out a whip, then, taking a lighted wax and taper, he went forth by, the door of the saloon. And Chorazot perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of night nine hundred and seventy-eight. Section 47 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and the Night, Volume 9. This is a Librefox recording. All Librefox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit Librefox.org. Recording by phone. The Book of the Thousand Nights and the Night, Volume 9 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton.

Starting point is 13:42:04 Night 979 When it was the 979th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Abdullah bin Fazil went forth by the door of the saloon, deeming Abu Ishaq asleep, the Caliph's Cup companion, seeing this, marvelled and said, in himself, Whither wended Abdullah bin Fasil with that whip? Perhaps he is minded to punish somebody, but needs must I follow him, and see what he will do this night. So he arose and went out after him softly, very softly, that he might not be seen, and presently,

Starting point is 13:42:45 saw him open a closet and take thence a tray containing four dishes of meat and bread, and a a glit of water. Then he went on, carrying the tray, and secretly followed by Abu Ishak, till he came to another saloon and entered, whilst the cup companion stood behind the door, and, looking through the chink, saw a spacious saloon furnished with the richest furniture, and having in its midst a couch of ivory, plated with gold-glittering sheenie, to which two dogs were made fast with chains of gold. Then Abdullah set down the tray in a corner, and, tucking up its sleeves, loose the first dog, which began to struggle in his hands, and put its muzzle to the floor, as it would kiss the ground before him, whining the while in a weak voice.

Starting point is 13:43:33 Abdullah tied its paws behind its back, and throwing it on the ground, drew forth the whip, and beat it with a painful beating and a pitiless. The dog struggled, but could not get free, and Abdullah ceased not to beat it with the same whip till it left groaning and lay without a, consciousness. Then he took it, and tied it up in its place, and unbinding the second dog, did with him as he had done with the first, after which he pulled out a kerchief and fell to wiping away their tears and comforting them, saying, bear me not malice, for by Allah, this is not of my will, nor is it easy to me, but it may be Allah will grant you relief in this straight and issue from your affliction. And he prayed for the twain what while Abu is

Starting point is 13:44:20 the cup companion stood hearkening with his ears and espying with his eyes, and indeed he marvelled at his case. Then Abdullah brought the dogs a tray of food, and fell to morseling them with his own hand, till they had enough, when he wiped their muzzles, and, lifting up the gouglet, gave them to drink, after which he took up the tray, gouglet, and candle, and made for the door. But Abu Ischak forewent him, and making his way back to his couch, lay down. so that he saw him not, neither knew that he had walked behind him and watched him. Then the governor replaced the tray and the gouglet in the closet, and, returning to the saloon, opened the locker, and laid the whip in its place, after which he doffed his clothes and lay down.

Starting point is 13:45:08 But Abu Ishak passed the rest of that night pondering this affair, neither did sleep visit him for excess of wonderment, and he ceased not to say in himself, I wonder what can be the meaning of this, nor did he leave wondering till daybreak, when they arose and prayed dawn prayer. Then they set the breakfast before them, and they ate and drank coffee, after which they went out to the divan. Now Abu Ishak's thought was occupied with this mystery all day long, but he concealed the matter in question not Abdullah thereof.

Starting point is 13:45:42 Next night he again followed the governor, and saw him do with two dogs as on the previous night, first beating them and then making his peace with them, and giving them to eat and to drink, and so also he did the third night. On the fourth day he brought the tribute to Abu Ishak, who took it and departed, without opening the matter to him. He fared on, without ceasing, till he came to Baghdad, where he delivered the tribute to the Caliph, who questioned him of the cause of its delay. Replied he, O commander of the faithful, I found that the governor of Basirai, had made ready the tribute and was about to dispatch it, and I delayed a day it would have met me on the road. But, O Prince of True Believers, I had a wondrous adventure with Abdullah bin Fasil.

Starting point is 13:46:30 Never in my life saw I its like. And what was it, O Abu Ishaq? asked the Caliph. So he replied, I saw such and such, and brief, acquainted him with that which the governor had done with the two dogs, adding, after such fashion, I saw him do three successive nights, first beating the dogs, then making his peace with them, and comforting them, and giving them to eat and drink, I watching him, and he seeing me not. Asked the Caliph, didst thou question him of the cause of this? And the other answered, No, as thy head liveth, O commander of the faithful. Then said Al-Rashit, O Abu Ishaq, I command thee to return. turn to Basura, and bring me Abdullah bin Fazil and the two dogs. Quoth he, O commander of the faithful, excuse me from this, for indeed Abdullah entertained me with exceedingly hospitable entertainment,

Starting point is 13:47:30 and I became ware of this case with chance undesigned and acquainted thee therewith. So how can I go back to him and bring him to thee? Fairly, if I return to him, I shall find me no face for shame of him. wherefore tweremeet that thou sent him another than myself, with a letter under thine own hand, and he shall bring him to thee, him and the two dogs. But, quote the Caliph, if I send him other than thyself, peradventure he will deny the whole affair and say, I've no dogs, but if I send thee and thou say to him, I saw them with mine own eyes, he will not be able to deny that. Wherefore nothing will serve but that thou go and fetch

Starting point is 13:48:13 him and the two dogs, otherwise I will surely slay thee. And Charazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of night nine hundred and seventy-nine. Night nine hundred and eighty. When it was the nine hundred and eighty-th night, she continued, It had reached me, O auspicious king, But the Caliph Harun al-Rashid said to Abu Ishach, nothing will serve but that thou go and fetch him and the two dogs otherwise i will surely slay thee abu ishap replied hearing and obeying o commander of the faithful allah is our aidance and good is the agent

Starting point is 13:48:56 he spake sooth who said man's wrong is from the tongue and tis i who sinned against myself in telling thee but write me a royal rescript and i will go to him and bring him back to thee so the caliph gave him an autograph and he took it and repaired to basraah seeing him come in the governor said allah forfend us from the mischief of thy return o abu ischak how come at it i see thee return in haste peradventure the tribute is deficient and the caliph will not accept it answered abu ishaq o emir abdula my return is not on account of the deficiency of the tribute for tis full measure and the caliph accepted it but i hope that thou wilt excuse me for that i have failed in my duty as thy guest and indeed this lapse of mine was decreed of allah almighty abdulah inquired and what may be the lapse and he replied know that when i was with thee i followed thee three following night and saw thee rise at midnight and beat the dogs and return, whereat I marvelled, but was ashamed to question thee thereof. When I came back to Baghdad, I told the Caliph of thine affair, casually and without design, whereupon he charged me to return to thee,

Starting point is 13:50:16 and here is a letter under his hand. Had I known that the affair would lead to this, I had not told him, but destiny foreordained thus. And he went on to excuse himself to him, whereupon said Abdullah, Since thou hast told him this, I will bear out their report with him, lest he deemed thee a liar,

Starting point is 13:50:36 for thou art my friend. Whereat other than thou, I had denied the affair and given him the lie. But now I will go with thee, and carry the two dogs with me, though this be to me ruined rife and the ending of my term of life. Rejoined the other,

Starting point is 13:50:52 Allah will veil thee, even as thou hast veiled my face with the Galif. Then Abdullah took a present, besieming the commander of the faithful, and mounting the dogs with him, each on a camel, bound with chains of gold, journeyed with Abu Ashab to Baghdad, where he went in to the Caliph and kissed ground before him. He dained bid him sit, so he sat down and brought the two dogs before Al Rashid, who said to him, What be these dogs, O Emir Abdullah! Whereupon they fell to kissing the floor between his hands and wagging their tails, and weeping, as if complaining to him.

Starting point is 13:51:30 The Caliph marveled at this, and said to the governor, Tell me the history of these two dogs, and the reason of thy beating them and after and treating them with honour. He replied, O vicar of Allah, these be no dogs, but two young men, endowed with beauty and seemliness, symmetry and shapeliness, and they are my brothers, and the sons of my father and mother. Ask the Caliph,

Starting point is 13:51:55 how is it that they were men and are become dogs and he answered and thou give me leave o prince of true believers i will acquaint thee with the truth of the circumstance said al-rashid tell me and wear of leasing for tis of the fashion of the hypocrites and look thou tell the truth for that is the arc of safety and the mark of virtuous men rejoined abdulah no then o vice-regent of wallai when I tell thee the story of these dogs, they will both bear witness against me. And I speak sooth, they will certify it, and if I lie, they will give me the lie. Cry to Caliph, these are of the dogs. They cannot speak nor answer, so how can they testify for thee or against thee? But Abdullah said to them, O my brothers, if I speak a lying word, do ye lift your heads and stare with your eyes.

Starting point is 13:52:53 but if I say sooth, hang down your heads and lower your eyes. Then said he to the Caliph, No, O commander of the faithful, that we are three brothers by one mother and the same father. Our sire's name was Fazil, and he was so named because his mother bare two sons at one birth, one of whom died forthright, and the other twin remained alive,

Starting point is 13:53:17 therefore his sire named him Fazil, the remainder. His father brought him up and reared him well, till he grew to manhood when he married him to our mother and died. Our mother conceived a first time and bare this my first brother, whom our sire named Mansour. Then she conceived again and bared this my second brother, whom he named Nossir, after which she conceived a third time and bare me, whom he named Abdullah. My father reared us all three till we came to man's estate, when he died, leaving us a house and a shop full of coloured stuffs of all kinds, Indian and Greek and Khorasani and what not, besides 60,000 dinars.

Starting point is 13:54:00 We washed him and buried him to the ruth of his lord, after which we built him a splendid monument, and let pray for him prayers for the deliverance of his soul from the fire and held perlactions of the Quran, and gave alms on his behalf till the forty days were passed. when they called together the merchant and nobles of the folk, and made them a sumptuous entertainment. As soon as they had eaten, I said to them, O merchants, fairly, this world is ephemeral, but the next world is eternal, and extolled be the perfection of him who endureth always after his creatures have passed away. Know ye why I have called you together this blessed day?

Starting point is 13:54:42 And they answered, extolled be Allah sole sient of the hidden things quoth I my father died leaving much of money and I fear lest any have a claim against him for a dead or a pledge or what not else and I desire to discharge my father's obligations towards the folk so whoso hath any demand on him let him say he oweeth me so and so and I will satisfy it to him that I may acquit the responsibility of my sire Their merchants replied, O Abdullah, fairly the goods of this world stand not instead of those in the world to come, and we are no thoughtful folk, but all of us know the lawful from the unlawful, and fear Almighty Allah, and abstain from devouring the substance of the orphan. him. We know that thy father, Allah have mercy on him, still let his money lie with the folk, nor did he suffer any man's claim on him to go unquitted, and we have ever heard him declare, I am fearful of the people's substance. He used always to say in his prayers, O my God, thou art my stay and my hope, let me not die while on debt. And it was of his want

Starting point is 13:55:56 that if he owed anyone ought, he would pay it to him, without being pressed, and if any owed him ought, he would not done him, but would say to him, at thy leisure. If his debtor were poor, he would release him from his liability, and acquit him of responsibility, and if he were not poor and died in his debt, he would say, Allah forgive him what he owed me, and we all testify that he owed no man ought. quoth I, may Allah bless you. Then I turned to these my brothers and said, Our father owed no man ought, And had left us much money and stuffs Besides the house and the shop. Now we are three, and each of us is entitled to one third part. So shall we agree to waive division

Starting point is 13:56:44 And won co-partners in our wealth And eat together and drink together, Or shall we apportion the stuffs and the money And take each his part? said they we will divide them and take each his share then abdulah turned to the two dogs and said to them did it happen thus o my brothers and they bowed their heads and lowered their eyes as to say yes abdulah continued i called in a departitor from the kazi's court o prince of true believers and he distributed among us the money and the stuffs and all our father had left allotting the house and shop to me in exchange for a part of the coin and clothes to which i was entitled we were content with this so the house and shop fell to my share whilst my brothers took their portion in money and stuffs i opened the shop and stocking it with my stuffs bought others with the money apportion to me over and above the house and shop till the place was full and i sat selling and buying as for my brothers they purchased stuffs and hiring a ship set out on a voyage to the far abodes of folk. Quoth I, Allah ate them both, as for me, my livelihood is ready to my hand, and peace is

Starting point is 13:58:01 priceless. I abode thus a whole year, during which time Allah opened the door of fortune to me, and I gained great gains till I became possessed of the like of that which our father had left us. One day, as I sat in my shop, with two four peluses on me, one of Sable and the other of Miniver, for it was the season of winter and the time of the excessive cold behold there came up to me my two brothers each clad in a ragged shirt and nothing more and their lips were white with cold and they were shivering when i saw them in this plight it was grievous to me and i mourned for them And Chara Zad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. End of night 980. Section 48 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and the Night Volume 9. This is a Libre Fox recording.

Starting point is 13:59:01 All Libre Fox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librevox.org. Recording by phone. The Book of the Thousand Nights and the Night, Volume 9, by Anonymous. translated by Richard Francis Burton. Night 981 When it was the 981st night, she pursued, It had reached me, O auspicious king, that Abdullah bin Fasil continued to the Caliph.

Starting point is 13:59:32 When I saw them in this plight, it was grievous to me, and I mourned for them, and my reason flet my head. So I rose and embraced them, and wept over their condition. Then I put on one of them the police of six. sable, and on the other the fur coat of maniver, and, carrying them to the hammam, sent thither for each of them a suit of apparel, such as be fitted a merchant worth a thousand. When they had washed and donned each his suit, I carried them to my house, where, seeing them well-nigh famished, I set a tray of food before them, and ate with them, caressing them and comforting them. Then he again turned to the two dogs, and said to them,

Starting point is 14:00:13 was this so, oh my brothers, and they bent their heads and lowered their eyes. So Abdullah continued, When they had eaten, O Vikar of Allah, quoth I to them, What hath befallen you, and where are your goods? And quoth they, We fared up the river till we came to a city called Kufa, where we sold for ten dinars the piece of stuff that had cost half a decat, and that which cost us a dukot for twenty.

Starting point is 14:00:41 So we profited greatly and bought persons. version stuffs at the rate of ten sequins per piece of silk worth forty in Basura. Thence we removed to a city called Al-Qargue, where we sold and bought a maid-gain galore and amassed a wealth-grade store. And they went on to set forth to me the places and profits. So I said to them, since you had such good luck and lot, how come at it that I see you return naked? They sighed and answered, Oh, our brother, someone must have evil eyes. us, and in travel there is no trusting. When we had gotten together these monies and goods, we freighted a ship therewith and set sail, intending for Basara. We fared on three days,

Starting point is 14:01:25 and on the fourth day we saw the sea rise and fall and roar and foam and swell and dash, whilst the waves clashed together with a crash, striking out sparks like fire in the darks. The winds blew contrary for us, and our craft struck upon the point of a bill-projected rock, where it break up and plunged us into the river, and all we had with us was lost in the waters. We abode struggling on the surface a day and the night, till Allah sent us another ship, whose crew picked us up,

Starting point is 14:01:54 and we begged our way from town to town, suffering mighty sore hardships, and selling our body-clothes piecemeal to buy us food till we drew near Basura, nor did we make the city till we had drained the draught of a thousand miseries. But had we come safely off with that, which was by us, we had brought back riches that might be evened with those of the king, but this was foreordained to us of Allah.

Starting point is 14:02:20 I said, O my brothers, let not your hearts be grieved, for wealth is the ransom of bodies and safety is property. Since Allah hath written you of the saved, this is the end of desire, for want and wealth are but as it were illusions of dreams, and God gifted is he who said, if a man from destruction can save his head, let him hold his wealth as a slice of nail. I continued, Oh, my brothers, we will suppose that our sire died today and left us all this wealth that is with me,

Starting point is 14:02:53 for I am right willing to share it with you equally. So I fetched the departitor from the Caziz court and brought out to him all my money, which he distributed into three equal parts, and we each took one. Then said I to them, O my brothers, Allah blesseth a man in his daily bread if he be in his own country, so let each of you open him a shop and sit therein to get his living,

Starting point is 14:03:18 and he to whom ought is ordained in the secret purpose needs must he get it. Accordingly, I helped each of them to open a shop and fill it for him with goods, saying to them, Sell and buy, and keep your monies, and spend naught thereof, for all you need of meat and drink and so forth I will furnish to you. I continued to entreat them generously, and they fell to selling and buying by day, and returning at even-tight to my house where they lay the night, nor would I suffer them to expend odd of their own substance.

Starting point is 14:03:50 But whenever I sat talking with them, they would praise travel, and proclaim its pleasures and vaunt the gains they had made therein, and they ceased not to urge me to accompany them in travelling over foreign parts. Then he said to the dogs, was this so, oh my brothers, and they said to the dogs, and they They again bowed their heads and lowered their eyes in confirmation of his words. He continued, On such wise, O Vicar of Allah, they continued to urge me and tempt me to travel

Starting point is 14:04:19 by vaunting the great gains and profit to be obtained thereby till I said to them, Needs must I fare with you for your sake. Then I entered into a contract of partnership with them, and we chartered a ship, and packing up all manner of precious stuffs and merchandise of every kind, freighted it therewith. after which we embarked in it all we needed, and setting sail from Basura, launched out into the dashing sea, swollen with clashing surge wherein to whoso entereth is lone and lorn, and whence whoso cometh forth is as a babe newborn.

Starting point is 14:04:54 We ceased not sailing on till we came to a city of the cities, where we sold and bought and made great cheap. thence we went on to another place and we ceased not to pass from land to land in port to port selling and buying and profiting till we had gotten us great wealth and much advantage presently we came to a mountain where the captain cast anchor and said to us o passengers go ye ashore ye shall be saved from this day and make search it may be ye shall find water all landed aye amongst the crown and dispersed about the island in search of water. As for me, I climbed to the top of the mountain, and whilst I went along, lo and behold, I saw a white snake fleeing and followed by a black dragon, foul of favour and frightful of form, hotly pursuing her. Presently he overtook her, and clipping her, seizing her by the head and wound his tale about her tail, whereupon she cried out, and I knew that he proposed to rape her. So I was moved to Ruth for her, and taking up a lump of granite, five, and

Starting point is 14:06:00 pounds or more in weight, hurled it at the dragon. It smote him on the head, and crushed it, and ere I knew, the white snake changed and became a young girl bright with beauty and loveliness, and brilliancy and perfect grace, as you were the shining full moon, who came up to me, and, kissing my hands, said to me, Allah veiled thee with two-fold veils, one from shame in this world, and the other from the flame in the world to come on the day of the great upstanding, the day when neither wealth nor children shall avail save to him who shall come to allah with a sound heart and presently she continued o mortal thou hast saved my honour and i am indebted thee for kindness wherefore it behoveth me to requite thee so saying she signed with her hand to the earth which opened and she descended therein too then it closed up again over her and by this i knew that she was of the gin as for the dragon fire was kindled in him and consumed him and he became ashes.

Starting point is 14:07:04 I marvelled at this and returned to my comrades, whom I acquainted with whatsoever I had seen, and we passed the night in the island. On the morrow the captain weighed anchor and spread the sails and coiled the ropes, and we sailed till the shore faded from our gaze. We fared on twenty days without seeing our land or bird till our water came to an end and quothed the rise to us. Oh folk, our fresh water is spent!

Starting point is 14:07:30 Quoth we, Let us make for land Happily we shall find water But he exclaimed By Allah I have lost my way And I know not what course Will bring me to the seaboard Thereupon betided us sore chagrin

Starting point is 14:07:45 And we wept and besought Almighty Allah to guide us into the right course We passed that night in the sorriest case But God gifted is he who said How many a night have I spent in woes that would grizzle the suckling babe with fear, but morrowed not mourn ere to meet there came, aiden's from Allah, and victory near.

Starting point is 14:08:08 But when the day arose in its sheen and shone, we caught sight of a high mountain and rejoiced therein. When we came to its skirts, the captain said to us, O folk, go ashore and seek for water, so we all landed and sought water but found none, whereat we were sore afflicted because we were suffering for want of it. As for me, I climbed up to the mountain-top, and on the other side thereof I saw a spacious circle distant from us in our journey or more. Presently I called my companions, and as soon as they all rejoined me, said to them,

Starting point is 14:08:42 Look at yonder Basin behind this mountain, for I see therein a city high of base and a strong corner place girt with scones and rampartree, pasturich and Lee, and doubtless it wanted not water in good things. So high we thither, and fetch-drinked their own. from, and buy what we need of provisions, meat and fruit, and return. But they said, We fear lest the city folk be kafirs ascribing to Allah partners and enemies of the faith, and lay hand on us and take us captive, or else slay us, so should we cause the loss of our own lives, having cast ourselves into destruction and evil empress. Indeed, the proud and presumptuous are never praiseworthy, for that they ever fare in danger of calamities, even as said

Starting point is 14:09:27 of such a one a certain poet. Long as earth is earth, long as sky is sky. The o'er proud is blamed, though from risk he fly. So we will not expose ourselves to peril. I replied, O folk, I have no authority over you, so I will take my brothers and go to yonder city. But my brother said to me, they also fear this thing and will not go with thee. Quoth I, as for me, I, as for me, I am resolved to go thither, and I put my trust in Allah, and accept whatsoever he shall decree to me. Do ye therefore await me, whilst I went thither, and return to you, Twain? And Chara Zan perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of night 981.

Starting point is 14:10:18 Night 982 When it was the 982nd night, she resumed, it hath reached me, oh, auspicious, king that Abdullah said, Do ye twain await me whilst I went thither and returned to you? So I left them, and walked on till I came to the gate of the place, and saw it a city of building wondrous

Starting point is 14:10:39 and projection marvellous, that boulevards high-towering and towers strong-builded and palaces high-sawring. Its portals were of Chinese iron, verily gilded, and graven on such wise as confounded the wit. I entered the gateway and saw there a stone bench, whereon sat a man,

Starting point is 14:10:57 bearing on his forearm the chain of brass, Bertu hung fourteen keys, so I knew him to be the porter of the city, and that it had fourteen gates. I drew near him, and said to him, Peace be with thee, but he returned not my salaam, and I saluted him a second and a third time,

Starting point is 14:11:15 but he made me no reply. Then I laid my hand on his shoulder, and said to him, Ho thou, why dost thou not return my salaam? Are thou asleep, or deaf, or other than a Muslim, that thou refrainest from exchanging the salutation. But he answered me not, neither stirred,

Starting point is 14:11:32 so I considered him and saw that he was stone. Quoth I, Verily in admirable matter, this is a stone rotten in the semblance of a son of Adam and wanting in naught save speech. Then I left him and entering the city, beheld a man standing in the road, so I went up to him and scrutinized him and found him stone.

Starting point is 14:11:54 Presently, as I walked down the broadways, and saw that this was everywhere the case. I met an old woman bearing on her head a bundle of clothes ready for washing. So I went up to her, and examining her, saw that she was stone, and the bundle of clothes on her head was stone also. Then I fared for the market, where I saw an oilman with a scale set up, and fronted by various kinds of wares, such as cheese and so forth, all of stone. Moreover, I saw all manner of tradesmen seated in their shops,

Starting point is 14:12:24 and men and women and children, some standing and some sitting, but they were all stone, and the stuffs were like spider's webs. I amused myself with looking upon them, and as often as I laid hold upon a piece of stuff, it powdered in my hands like dust this bread. Presently I saw some chests, and opening one of them, found it full of gold in bags, so I laid hold upon the bags, but they crumbled away in my grasp whilst the gold abode unchanged. I carried off of it, what I could carry, and said to myself, Where my brothers with me, they might take of this gold their fill,

Starting point is 14:13:00 and possess themselves of these hordes which have no owner. Then I entered another shop, and found her in more than this, but could bear away no more than I had born. I left this market, and went on to another, and thence to another and another, much enjoying the sight of all manner of creatures of various kinds, all several stones, even to the dogs and the cats, till I came to the goldsmith's bazaar, where I saw men sitting in their shops, with their stock and trade about them, some in their hands, and others in crates of wicker work. When I saw this, O Commander of the Faithful, I threw down the gold, and loaded myself with goldsmith's wear as much as I could carry. Then I went on to the jewel market, and saw there the jewelers seated in their shops, each with a tray before him, full of all sorts of precious stones, just scints and diamonds and emeralds and blast ruby.

Starting point is 14:13:52 and so forth, but all the shopkeepers were stones, whereupon I threw away the goldsmith's wear and carried off as many jewels as I could carry, regretting that my brothers were not with me, so that I might take what they would of those costly gems. Then I left the jewel market, and went on till I came to a great door, quaintly gilded and decorated after the fairest fashion, within which were wooden benches, and in the porch sent eunuchs and bodyguards, horsemen and footmen and officers of police each and every one robed in the richest of Raymond, but they were all stones. I touched one of them, and his clothes crumbled away from his body like cobwebs. Then I passed through the door and saw a palace without equal for its building and the goodliness

Starting point is 14:14:36 of the works that were there in. Here I found an audience chamber, full of grandees and wazirs and officers and emirs, seated upon chairs, and every one of them stone. Moreover, I saw a throne of red gold, crusted with pearls and gems, and seated thereon, a son of Adam, arrayed in the most sumptuous raiment, and bearing on his head a Chos Rand crown,

Starting point is 14:15:00 diadamed with the finest stones that shed a light like the light of day, but when I came up to him, I found him stone. Then I went on to the gate of the Haram, and entering, found myself in the queen's presence chamber, wherein I saw a throne of red gold, inlaid with pearls and gems,

Starting point is 14:15:18 and the queen seated thereon. On her head she wore a crown diademed with finest jewels, and round about her were women like moons, seated upon chairs and clad in the most sumptuous clothing of all colours. There also the eunuchery, with their hands upon their breasts, were standing in the attitude of service, and indeed this whole confounded the beholder's wits with what was therein of quaint gilding and rare painting and curious carving and fine furniture. There hung the most brilliant lustres of limpid crystal, and in every globe of the crystal was in a unique jewel, whose price money might not fulfill. So I threw down that which was with me, O Prince of true believers, and felt the taking of these jewels what I could carry,

Starting point is 14:16:04 bewildered as to what I should bear away and what I should leave, for indeed I saw the place as it were a treasure of the treasures of the city. Presently I espied a wicked standing open, and within it a staircase. So I entered a place, so I entered, and mounting forty steps, heard a human voice reciting the Quran in a low tone. I walked towards that sound till I came to the main door hung with the silken curtain, laced with wires of gold whereon were strung pearls and coral and rubies, and cut emeralds which gave forth a light like the light of stars. The voice came from behind the curtain, so I raised it and discovered a gilded door

Starting point is 14:16:42 whose beauty amazed the mind. I passed through the door and found myself in a sluice. a loon as it were a hoard upon earth's surface, and therein a girl, as she were the sun shining fullest chine in a zenith of sky serene. She was robed in the costliest of Raymond, and decked with ornaments the most precious that could be, and withal she was of passing beauty and loveliness, a model of symmetry and seamliness, of elegance and perfect grace, with waist slender and hips heavy and dewy lips such as heel the sick, and eyelids lovely in their languor, as it For she, of whom the sayer spake when he said,

Starting point is 14:17:21 My best salam to what that robe in robes of symmetry, and what to that blooming garth of cheek and guards of rosy blee, It seems as though the pliads depend upon her brow, And other lights of night, in knots upon her breast we see. Did she but don a garment weft of roses softest leaf, The leaf of rose would draw her blood when plucked that fruit from tree, and did she crash in ocean's face next morn would see a change, too sweeter than the honeycomb of what was briny sea,

Starting point is 14:17:54 and did she deign her favours grant to grey-beard staff imprompt, he'd wake and rent the lion's limbs for might and valiancy. Then Abdullah continued, O Prince of True Believers, as soon as I saw that girl I fell passionately in love with her, and going straight up to her, found her seated on a high count, reciting by heart and in grateful memory the book of Allah to whom belong honour and glory.

Starting point is 14:18:22 Her voice was like the harmony of the gates of heaven, when Rizwan openeth them, and the words came from her lips like a shower of gems, whilst her face was with beauty dyed, bright and blossom white, even as set the poet of a similar sight. O thou who gladdenest man by speech and rarest quality, grow longing and repine for thee and grow beyond degree. in thee two things consume and melt devotories of love the dulcet song of david joined with joseph's brilliancy when i heard her voice of melody reciting the sublime koran my heart quoted from her killing glances peace a word from my compassionating lord but i stammered in my speech and could not say the salaam salutation aright for my mind and sight were confounded and i was become as said the bard love-longing urge me not except to trip in speech are free nor save to shed my blood i pass the campman's boundary i ne'er will hear a word from those who love to rail but i will testify to love of him with every word of me

Starting point is 14:19:32 then i hardened myself against the horrors of repine and said to her peace be with thee o noble lady and treasured jewel allah grant endurance to the foundation of thy fortune and embrace the pillars of thy glory rare, said she, And on thee from me be peace and salutation and high honour, O Abdullah, O son of Fazil, Welcome and welcome, and fair welcome to thee, O dear darling mine, and coals of mine I. Rejoined I, O my lady, whence what is thou my name, and who art thou, and what case befell the people of this city, that they are become stones? I would have to tell me the truth of matter, for indeed I am admiring at this city and its citizens, and that I have found none alive therein save thyself. So Allah upon thee, tell me the cause of all this, according to the truth.

Starting point is 14:20:28 Quoth she, sit, O Abdullah, and Inchallah, I will talk with thee and acquaint thee in full with the facts of my case and of this place and its people, and there is no majesty, and there is no might save in Allah the glorious the great. So I sat me down by her side, and she said to me, No, O Abdullah, may Allah have mercy on thee, that I am the daughter of the king of this city, and that it is my sire whom thou sawst seated on the high stead in the divan, and those who are round about him were the lords of his land and the guards of his empery. He was a king of exceeding prowess and had under his hand a thousand thousand and sixty thousand troopers. The number of the emirs of his empire was four and twenty thousand, all of them

Starting point is 14:21:15 governors and dignitaries. He was obeyed by a thousand cities, beside towns, hamlets and villages, and sconces and citadels, and the emirs of the world Arabs under his hand were a thousand in number, each commanding twenty thousand horse. Moreover, he had monies and treasures and precious stones and jewels and things of price, such as I never saw, nor of which ear ever heard. And Charazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of night nine hundred and eighty-two. Section 49 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and the Night, Volume 9.

Starting point is 14:22:01 This is a Libre-Fox recording. All Libre-Fox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibreFox.org. Recording by phone. and the knight, volume 9, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Night 983 When it was the 983rd night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the princess, daughter to the king of the stone city,

Starting point is 14:22:34 thus continued. Verily, O Abdullah, my father had monies and hordes such as I never saw, and of which ear never heard. He used to the bell kings and due to death champions, and braves in battle, and in the field of fight, so that the conquerors feared him, and the Cozrans humbled themselves to him. For all this, he was a miscreant in creed ascribing to Allah partnership and adoring idols, instead of the Lord of worship, and all his troops were of images feign in lieu of the all-knowing sovereign. One day of the days as he sat on the throne of his kingship, compassed about with the grandees of his realm,

Starting point is 14:23:15 suddenly there came into him a personage whose face illumined the whole divan with its light. My father looked at him and saw him clad in a garb of green, tall of stature and with hands that reached beneath his knees. He was of reverent aspect and awesome and the light shone from his face. Said he to my sire, O rebel, O idolater, How long wilt thou take pride in worship

Starting point is 14:23:42 idols and abandoning the service of the all-knowing king? Say, I testify that there is no God but the God and that Muhammad is his servant and his messenger, and embrace all Islam, thou and thy tribe, and put away from you the worship of idols, for they neither suffice man's need nor intercede. None is worshipful save Allah alone, who raised up the heavens without columns

Starting point is 14:24:10 and spread out the earths like carpets in mercy to his creatures. Quoth my father, Who art thou, O man, who rejectest the worship of idols that thou sayest thus? Fearest thou not that the idols will be wroth with thee? He replied, The idols are stones, their anger cannot prejudice me, nor their favor profit me. So do thou set in my presence thine idol, which thou adorest, and bid all thy folk bring each his image,

Starting point is 14:24:41 and when they are all present, do ye pray them to be wroth with me, and I will pray my lord to be wroth with them, and ye shall descry the difference between the anger of the creature and that of the creator. For your idols ye fashion them yourselves, and the satans clad themselves therewith as with clothing, and they it is who speak to you from within the bellies of the images, for your idols are made, and the maker is my God to whom naught is impossible. and the true appear to you, do ye follow it, and if the false appear to you, do ye leave it? cried they, Give us proof of thy God, that we may see it.

Starting point is 14:25:23 And quoth he, Give me proof of your gods! So the king bad every one who worshipped his lord in image form to bring it, and all the armies brought their idols to the divan. Thus fared it with them, but as for me, I was sitting behind a curtain, once I could look upon my father's divan, and I had an idol of emerald whose bigness was as the bigness of a son of Adam. My father demanded it, so I sent it to the divan, where they set it down beside that of my sire,

Starting point is 14:25:54 which was of jacinth, whilst the wazir's idol was of diamond. As for those of the grandees and notables, somewhere of ballast ruby and some of Cornelian, others of coral or comerin aloeswood, and yet others of ebony or silver or gold, and each had his own idol, after the measure of his competence, whilst the idols of the common soldiers and of the people were some of granite, some of wood, some of pottery, and some of mud, and all were various hues, yellows and red, green, black, and white. Then said the personage to my sire, pray your idol and these idols to be wroth with me. So they aligned the idols in a divan, setting my father's idol on a chair of gold at the upper end with mine by its side,

Starting point is 14:26:44 and ranking the others each according to the condition of him who owned it and worshipped it. Then my father arose, and prostrating himself to his own idol, said to it, O my God, thou art a bountful lord, nor is there any among the idols a greater than thyself. Thou knowest that this person cometh to me, attacking thy divinity and making more, of thee. Yea, he avoucheth that he hath a god stronger than thou, and ordereth us, leave adorning thee, and adore his God. So be thou wrath with him, O my God. And he went on to supplicate the idol, but the idol returned him no reply, neither bespoke him with odd of speech. Whereupon quoth he, O my God, this is not of thy want, for thou used to answer me when I addressed thee. How comeeth it that I

Starting point is 14:27:38 see thee silent and speaking not, Are thou unheeding or asleep? Awake, succour me and speak to me! And he shook it with his hand, But it spake not neither stirred from its stead. Thereupon quoth the personage. What aileth thine idol that it speaketh not? And quoth the king,

Starting point is 14:28:00 Methinks he is absent-minded or asleep. Exclaimed the other, O enemy of Allah, How canst thou worship? a God that speaketh not, nor avail it unto aught, and not worship my God, who to prayers deigns assent, and who is ever present and never absent, neither unheeding nor sleeping, whom conjecture may not wean, who seeth and is not seen, and who over all things to reen, is omnipotent.

Starting point is 14:28:29 Thy God is powerless, and cannot guard itself from harm, and indeed a stone Satan had clothed himself therewith, as with a coat of that he might debauch thee and delude thee. But now hath its devil departed. So do thou worship Allah, and testify that there is no God but he, and that none is worshipful, nor worship worth but himself.

Starting point is 14:28:53 Neither is there any good but his good. As for this thy God, it cannot ward off hurt from it. So how shall it ward off harm from thee? See with thine own eyes its impotence. So saying, he went up to the idol and dealt it a cuff on the neck that had fell to the ground, whereupon the king waxed wrath and cried to the bystanders,

Starting point is 14:29:16 this forate atheist had smitten my God, slay him, so they would have risen to smite him, but none of them could stir from his place. Then he propounded to them al-Islam, but they refused to become Muslims, and he said, I will show you the wrath of my lord. Quoth day, Let us see it. So he spread out his hands and said, O my God and my Lord,

Starting point is 14:29:43 thou art my stay and my hope. Answer thou my prayer against these lewd folk who eat of thy good and worship other gods. O thou the truth, O thou of all might, O creator of day and night, I beseech thee to turn these people into stones, for thou art the prescient, nor is aught impossible to thee, and thou over all things are omnipotent.

Starting point is 14:30:10 And Allah transformed the people of this city into stones, but as for me, when I saw the manifest proof of his deity, I submitted myself to him, and was saved from that which befell the rest. Then the personage drew near me, and said, Felicity was foreordained of Allah to thee, and in this a purpose had he. and he went on to instruct me, and I took unto him the oath and covenant. I was then seven years of age, and am now thirty years old. Then I said to him, O my lord, all that is in the city, and all its citizens are become stones

Starting point is 14:30:48 by thine effectual prayer, and I am saved, for that I embraced all Islam at thy hands, wherefore thou art become my sheikh, so do thou tell me thy name, and succour me with thy security and provide me with provision whereon I may subsist. Quothi, my name is Abu al-Abus al-Au al-Qaiza, and he planted me a pomegranate tree, which forthright grew up and foliage, flowered and fruited, and bare one pomegranate, whereupon quoth he, eat of that wherewith Allah de Almighty provided thee, and worship him with the worship which is his due. Then he taught me the tenets of all Islam and the canons of prayer and the way of worship,

Starting point is 14:31:35 together with the recital of the Quran, and I have now worshipped Allah in this place three and twenty years. Each day the tree yieldeth me a pomegranate which I eat, and it susteneth me from tide to tide. And every Friday, Al-Qizir, on whom be peace, cometh to me, and tis he who acquainted me with thy name, and gave me the glad tidings of thy soon coming hither, saying to me, When he shall come to thee, and treat him with honour, and obey his bidding, and gainsay him not, but be thou to him wife, and he shall be to thee man, and went with him, whither so he will. So, when I saw thee, I knew thee, and such is the story of this city, and of all its people, and the peace.

Starting point is 14:32:22 Then she showed me the pomegranate tree, whereon was one granado, which she took, and eating one half there of herself, gave me the other to eat, and never did I taste old sweeter or more savory or more satisfying than that pomegranate. After this, I said to her, Are thou content, even as the sheikh Al-Gazir charged thee, to be my wife and take me to mate? and are thou ready to go with me to my own country and abide with me in the city of Basara? She replied, Yes, inshallah, and it please Almighty Allah, I hearken to thy word and obey thy hast without gainsaying. Then I made a binding covenant with her, and she carried me into her father's treasury, whence we took what we could carry, and going forth that city, walked on till we came to my brothers, whom I found searching for her.

Starting point is 14:33:19 me. They asked, where hast thou been? Indeed thou hast tarried long from us, and our hearts were troubled for thee. And the captain of the ship said to me, O merchant Abdullah, the wind had been fair for us this great while, and thou hast hindered us from setting sail. And I answered, there is no harm in that, off-time slow is sure, and my absence hath wroughtest naught but advantage, for indeed there hath betided me therein the attainment of our hopes and God gifted is he who said, I weep not, when as to a land I fare, in quest of good what I shall there obtain, or gain I fare with sole desire to seek, or loss that seeketh me when I seek gain. Then said I to them, see what had fallen to me in this mine absence,

Starting point is 14:34:14 and displayed to them all that was with me of treasures, and told them what I had beheld in the city of stone, adding, Had ye hearken to me and gone with me, ye had gotten of these things great gain. And Charazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of night nine hundred and eighty-three. Night nine hundred and eighty-four.

Starting point is 14:34:42 When it was the nine hundred and eighty-fourth night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Abdullah bin Fasil said to his shipmates and to his two brothers, Had ye gone with me, ye had gotten of these things great gain. But they said, by Allah, had we gone, we had not dared to go into the king of the city. Then I said to my brothers, no harm shall befall you, for that which I have will suffice us all, and this is our lot.

Starting point is 14:35:13 So I divided my booty into four parts according to our number, and gave one to each of my brothers and to the captain, taking the forth for myself, setting aside somewhat for the servants and sailors, who rejoiced and blessed me, and all were content with what I gave them, save my brothers who changed countenance and rolled their eyes. I perceived that lust of lucre had gotten hold of them both, so I said to them, O my brothers, me think of what I have given you doth not satisfy you, but we are brothers, and there is no difference.

Starting point is 14:35:47 between us. My good and yours are one and the same thing, and if I die, none will inherit of me but you, and I went on to soothe them. Then I bore the princess on board the galleon, and lodged her in the cabin, where I sent her somewhat to eat, and we sat talking, I and my brothers, said they, O our brother, what wilt thou do with that damsel of surpassing beauty? And I replied, I mean to contract marriage with her As soon as I reach Basira And make a splendid wedding And go into her there

Starting point is 14:36:22 Exclaimed one of them O my brother, fairly This young lady excels in beauty and loveliness And the love of her is fallen on my heart Therefore I desire that thou give her to me And I will espouse her And the other cried I too desire this

Starting point is 14:36:40 Give her to me that I may espouse her "'Oh, my brothers,' answered I, "'Indeed, she took of me an oath and the covenant "'that I would marry her myself, "'so if I give her to one of you, "'I shall be false to my oath "'and to the covenant between me and her, "'and happily she will be broken-hearted,

Starting point is 14:37:00 "'for she came not with me, "'but on condition that I marry her. "'So how can I wed her two other than myself? "'As for you're both loving her, "'I love her more than you, Twain, "'for she is my treasure-trub, and as for my giving her to one of you, that is a thing which may not be. But if we reach Basura in safety, I will look you out two girls of the best of the damsels of Basira,

Starting point is 14:37:24 and demand them for you in marriage, and pay the dower of my own monies, and make one wedding, and we will all three go into our brides on the same night. But leave ye this damsel, for she is of my portion. They held their peace, and I thought they were content with that which I had said, Then we fared onwards for Basura, and every day I sent her meat and drink, but she came not forth of the cabin whilst they slept between my brothers on deck. We sailed thus forty days till we sighted Basura City and rejoiced that we were come near it. Now I trusted in my brothers and was at my ease with them, for none knoweth the hidden future save Allah the most high, so I lay down to sleep that night, but as I abode drowned in slumber, I saw that. suddenly found myself caught up by these my brothers, one seizing me by the legs and the other by

Starting point is 14:38:18 the arms, for they had taken counsel together to drown me in the sea for the sake of the damsel. When I saw myself in their hands, I said to them, O my brothers, why do ye this with me? And they replied, ill-bred that thou art, wilt thou barter our affection for a girl? We will cast thee into the sea because of this. So saying, they threw me over. overboard. Here Abdullah turned to the dogs and said to them, Is this that I have said true, oh, my brothers, or not? And they bowed their heads and fell awining, as if confirming his speech, whereat the Caliph wondered. Then Abdullah resumed, O commander of the faithful, when they threw me into the sea, I sank to the bottom,

Starting point is 14:39:05 but the water bore me up again to the surface, and before I could think, behold a great bird, the bigness of a man, swooped down upon me and snatching me up, flew up with me into upper air. I fainted, and when I opened my eyes, I found myself in a strong-pillared place, a high-builted palace, adorned with magnificent paintings and pendants of gems of all shapes and hues. Therein were damsels standing with their hands crossed over their breasts, and behold in their midst was a lady seated on a throne of red gold, set with purgues, said with pearls and gems and clad in apparel whereon no mortal might open his eyes, for the lustre of the jewels wherewith they were decked. About her waist she wore a girdle of jewels

Starting point is 14:39:52 no money could pay their worth, and on her head a three-fold tiara, dazing thought and wit and dazzling heart inside. Then the bird which had carried me thither shook and became a young lady bright a sun-raying light. I fixed my eyes on her, and behold, it was she whom I had seen, in snake form on the mountain, and had rescued from the dragon which had bound his tail around her. Then said to her the lady who sat upon the throne, Why hast thou brought hither this mortal?

Starting point is 14:40:24 And she replied, Oh, my mother, this is he who was the means of failing my honour among the maidens of the gen. Then quoth she to me, knowest thou who I am? And quoth I, No, said she, I am she who was on such a mountain

Starting point is 14:40:42 where the black dragon stray with me and would have forced my honour, but thou slewest him. And I said, I saw but a white snake with the dragon. She rejoined, "'Tis I who was the white snake, but I am the daughter of the red king,

Starting point is 14:40:59 sovereign of the Jan, and my name is Saida.' She who said it there is my mother, and her name is Muburka, wife of the Red King. The black dragon who attacked me and would have done away my honour was wazir to the black king, Darfold by name, and he was foul of favour. It chanced that he saw me and fell in love with me, so he sought me in marriage of my sire who sent to him to say, Who art thou, O scum of wazirs, that thou shouldst wed with king's daughters?

Starting point is 14:41:33 whereupon he was wroth and swear an oath that he would assuredly do away my honour despite my father then he fell to tracking my steps and following me whithersoever i went designing to ravish me wherefore there we fell between him and my parent mighty fierce wars and bloody jars but my sire could not prevail against him for that he was fierce as fraudful and as often as my father pressed hard upon him and seemed like to conquer he would not escape from him till my sire was at his wits' end. Every day I was forced to take new form and cue, for as often as I assumed the shape, he would assume its contrary, and to whatsoever land I fled, he would snuff my fragrance and follow me thither, so that I suffered sore affliction of him. At last I took the form of a snake, and betook myself to the mountain where thou sawest me, whereupon he changed himself to a dragon and pursued me, till I felt, into his hands, when he strove with me, and I struggled with him, till he wearied me and mounted me,

Starting point is 14:42:39 meaning to have his lustful will of me, but thou camest and smoteest him with the stone and slewest him. Then I returned to my own shape and showed myself to thee, saying, I am indebted to thee, for a service such as is not lost, save with the son of adultery. So, when I saw thy brothers do with thee this treachery, and throw thee, thee into the sea, I hasten to thee and saved thee from destruction, and now honour is due to thee for my mother and father. Then she said to the queen, O my mother, do thou honour him, as deserved he who saved my virtue. So the queen said to me, welcome, O mortal, indeed thou hast done us a kindly deed which merited honour. Presently she ordered me a treasure suit, worth a mint of money, and store of

Starting point is 14:43:33 of gems and precious stones, and said, Take him and carry him in to the king. Accordingly, they carried me into the king in his divan, where I found him seated on his throne, with his merits and guards before him. And when I saw him, my sight was blent for that which was upon him of jewels, but when he saw me, he rose to his feet, and all his officers rose also, to do him worship.

Starting point is 14:44:00 Then he saluted me and welcomed me, and entreated me with the utmost honour, and gave me of that which was with him of good things, after which he said to some of his followers, take him and carry him back to my daughter, that she may restore him to the place whence she brought him. So they carried me back to the Lady Saida, who took me up and flew away with me and my treasures. On this wise fared it with me and the princes, but as regards the captain of the galleon, he was aroused by the splash of my fall when my brothers cast me into the sea, and said, What is that which hath fallen overboard?

Starting point is 14:44:39 Whereupon my brothers fell to weeping and beating of breasts and replied, Alas, for our brother's loss, he thought to do his need over the ship's side and fell into the water. Then they laid their hands on my good, but there befell dispute between them because of the damsel, each saying, none shall have her but I, and they abode jangling and wrangling each with other, and remembered not their brother nor his drowning, and their mourning for him ceased. As they were thus, behold Saida alighted with me in the midst of the galleon, and Sharazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say.

Starting point is 14:45:20 End of Night 900 and 84 Section 50 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and the Nine. Volume 9. This is a Librevox recording. All Librefox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librevox.org. Recording by phone. The Book of the Thousand Nights and the Night, Volume 9, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Night 985 When it was the 985th night, she pursued, It Hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Abdullah bin Fasil continued.

Starting point is 14:46:07 As they were thus, behold, Saida alighted with me in the midst of the galleon, and when my brother saw me, they embraced me and rejoiced in me, saying, O our brother, how hast thou fared in that which befell thee? Indeed our hearts have been occupied with thee. Quoth Saida, had ye any heart yearnings for him, or had ye loved him, he had not cast him into the sea, but choose ye now what death ye will die. Then she seized on them and would have slain them,

Starting point is 14:46:39 but they cried out, saying, In thy safeguard, oh, our brother! Thereupon I interceded, and said to her, I claim of thine honour not to kill my brothers. Quoth she, There was no help but that I slay them, for they are traitors, but I ceased not to speak her fair and conciliate her, till she said,

Starting point is 14:47:00 to content thee, I will not kill them, but I will enchant them. So saying, she brought out a cup, and filling it with sea water, pronounced over it, words that might not be understood, then saying, Quit this human shape for the shape of a dog. She sprinkled them with water, and immediately they were transmute into dogs, as thou seest them, O Vicar of Allah, whereupon he turned to the dogs and said to them, have I spoken the truth, oh my brothers, and they bowed their heads, as they would say,

Starting point is 14:47:34 thou hast spoken sooth. At this, he continued, then she said to those who were in the galleon, Know ye that Abdullah bin Fazil here present is become my brother, and I shall visit him once or twice every day. So whoso of you crosseth him, or gainsayeth his bidding, or doth him hurt with hand or tongue, I will do with him even as I have done with these two traitors and bespell him to a dog, and he shall end his days in that form, nor shall he find deliverance. And they all said to her, O our lady, we are his slaves and his servants every one of us, and will not disobey him in aught. Moreover, she said to me,

Starting point is 14:48:17 When thou comest to Basura, examine all thy property, and if there lack aught thereof, tell me and I will bring it to thee, in whose hands and in what place whoever it may be, and will change him who took it into a dog. When thou hast magazine thy goods, clap a collar of wood on the neck of each of these two traitors, and tie them to the leg of a couch, and shut them up by themselves. Moreover, every night, at midnight, do thou go down to them and beat each of them about till he swoon away, and if thou suffer a single night to pass without beating them, I will come to thee and drub thee a sound drubbing, after which I will drub them. And I answered, To hear is to obey. Then said she, tie them up with ropes till thou come to Basura.

Starting point is 14:49:08 So I tied a rope about each dog's neck and lashed them to the mast, and she went her way. On the morrow we entered Basura, and the merchants came out to meet me and saluted me, and no one of them inquired about my brothers. But they looked at the dogs and said to me, "'Ho, such and such, what would thou do with these two dogs thou hast brought with thee?' Quoth I, I reared them on this voyage, and have brought them home with me. And they laughed at them, knowing not that they were my brothers. When I reached my house, I put the twain in the closet and busied myself all that night

Starting point is 14:49:45 with the unpacking and disposition of the bales of stuffs and jewels. Moreover, the merchants were with me being minded to offer me the salam, wherefore I was occupied with them and forgot to beat dogs or chain them up. Then, without doing them ought of hurt, I lay down to sleep, but suddenly and unexpectedly there came to me the Red King's daughter Saeeda, and said to me, Did I not bid thee clap chains on their necks and give each of them a bout of beating? So saying, she seized me, and pulling out a whip,

Starting point is 14:50:18 flogged me till I fainted away, after which she went to the place where my brothers were, and with the same scourge beat them both till they came nigh upon death. Then said she to me, beat each of them a like bout every night, and if thou let a night pass without doing this, I will beat thee. And I replied, O my lady, tomorrow I will put chains on their necks, and next night I will beat them, nor will I leave them one night unbeaten. and she charged me strictly to beat them and disappeared. When the morning morrowed, it being no light matter for me to put a fetter of iron on their necks,

Starting point is 14:50:57 I went to a goldsmith and bad him made them collars and chains of gold. He did this and I put the collars on their necks and chained them up as she bade me, and next time I beat them both in mine own despite. This befell in the caliphate of Almadi, third of the sons of al-Abaas, and I commended myself to him by sending him presents, so he invested me with the government and made me viceroy of Basura. On this wise I abode some time, and after a while I said to myself, Happily her wrath is grown cool, and left him a night unbeaten, whereupon she came to me and beat me about, whose burning I shall never forget long as I live. So from that time to this,

Starting point is 14:51:40 I have never left them a single night unbeaten during the reign of Ali. Madi, and when he deceased and thou cameest to the succession, thou sent this to me, confirming me in the government of Basura. These twelve years past have I beaten them every night in my own despite, and after I have beaten them, I excuse myself to them, and comfort them, and give them to eat and drink, and they have remained shut up, nor did any of the creatures of Allah know of them, till thou sentest to me Abu Ishach the boon companion, on account of the tribute, and he discovered my secret, and returning to thee, acquainted thee therewith.

Starting point is 14:52:18 Then thou sentest him back to fetch me and them, so I answered with, hearkening and obedience, and brought them before thee, whereupon thou questioneth me, and I told thee the truth of the case, and this is my history. The Caliph marvelled at the case of the two dogs, and said to Abdullah,

Starting point is 14:52:37 hast thou at this present forgiven thy two brothers the wrong they did thee, yea or nay? He replied, O my lord, may Allah forgive them and acquit them of responsibility in this world and the next. Indeed, tis I who stand in need of their forgiveness, for that these twelve years passed I have beaten them a grievous bout every night. Rejoined to Caliph, O Abdullah, Inchallah, I will endeavor for their release and that they may become men again, as they were before,

Starting point is 14:53:07 and I will make peace between thee and them. So shall you live the rest of your lives as brothers, loving ones, one another, and like as thou hast forgiven them, so shall they forgive thee. But now, take them and go down with them to thy lodging, and this night beat them not, and to-morrow there shall be not save wheel. Quoth Abdullah, O my lord, as thy head livid, if I leave them one night unbeaten, Saida will come to me and beat me, and I have no body to brook beating. Quoth the Galif, fear not, for I will give thee a writing under my head. hand, and she come to thee, do thou give her the paper, and if, when she has read it,

Starting point is 14:53:49 she spare thee, the favour will be hers. But if she obey not my bidding, commit thy business to Allah, and let her beat thee about, and suppose that thou hast forgotten to beat them for one night, and that she beateth thee because of that. And if it all fall out thus, and she thwart me, as sure as I am commander of the fateful, I will be even with her. Then he wrote her a letter on a piece of paper, two fingers broad, and sealing it with his signet ring, gave it to Abdullah, saying, O Abdullah, if Saida come, say to her, the Caliph, king of mankind, has commanded me to leave beating them, and had written me this letter for thee, and he saluted thee with the salam, then give her the warrant and fear no harm, after which he exacted of him an oath and a solemn pledge

Starting point is 14:54:40 that he would not beat them. So Abdullah took the dog, and carried them to his lodging, saying to himself, I wonder what the Caliph will do with the daughter of the sovereign of the Jin if she cross him and trounce me tonight. But I will bear with a bout of beating for once and leave my brothers at rest this night, though for their sake I suffered torture. Then he bethought himself a while, and his reason said to him,

Starting point is 14:55:06 did not the Caliph rely on some great support he had never forbidden me from beating them? So he entered his lodging and doffed the cause of his, colors from the dog's necks, saying, I put my trust in Allah, and fell to comforting them, and saying, no harm shall befall you. For the Caliph, fifth of the sons of al-Abaas, hath pledged himself for your deliverance, and I have forgiven you. And it please Allah the most high, the time is come, and ye shall be delivered this blessed night. So rejoice ye in the prospect of peace and gladness. When they heard these words, they fell to whining. with the whining of dogs, and Charazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say.

Starting point is 14:55:51 End of night nine hundred and eighty-five. Night nine hundred and eighty-six. When it was the nine hundred and eighty-sixth night, she resumed, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Abdullah bin Fasil said to his brothers, rejoice ye in the prospect of comfort and gladness, and when they heard his words, they fell to whining with the waning with the words, and the waning, whining of dogs and rubbed their jowls against his feet, as if blessing him and humbling themselves before him. He mourned over them and took the stroking their backs till suppertime, and when they set on the trays, he bade the dogs sit. So they sat down and ate with him from the tray, whilst his officers stood gaping and marvelling at his eating with dogs, and all said,

Starting point is 14:56:39 is he mad or are his wits gone wrong, how can the viceroy of Basir, he who is greater than a wazir, eat with dogs? Knoweth he not that the dog is unclean? And they stared at the dogs, as they ate with him as servants eat with their lords, knowing not that they were his brothers,

Starting point is 14:56:58 nor that they ceased staring at them till they had made an end of eating, when Abdullah washed his hands, and the dogs also put out their paws and washed. whereupon all who were present began to laugh at them and to marvel, saying, One to other, Never in our lives saw we dogs eat and wash their paws after eating. Then the dogs sat down on the divans beside Abdullah, nor dared any ask him of this, and thus the case lasted till midnight when he dismissed the attendance,

Starting point is 14:57:29 and lay down to sleep and the dogs with him, each on a couch, whereupon the servants said to one another, verily he hath lain down to sleep and the two dogs are lying with him. Quoth another, Since he hath eaten with the dogs from the same tray, there was no harm in their sleeping with him, and this is not save the fashion of madmen. Moreover, they ate not anything of the food which remained in the tray, saying, tis unclean. Such was their case, but as for Abdullah, eerie could think the earth clave asunder and out rose Sida, who said, said to him, O Abdullah, why hast thou not beaten them this night, and why hast thou undone the

Starting point is 14:58:11 colours from their necks? Has thou acted on this wise perversely, and in mockery of my commandment? But I will at once beat thee and spell thee into a dog like them. He replied, O my lady, I conjure thee by the graving upon the steel ring of Solomon Davidson, on the twain be peace, have patience with me to tell thee my cause, and after do with me what thou wilt thou wilt. Quoth she, say on, and quoth he, The reason of my not punishing them is only this. The king of mankind, the commander of the faithful, the Caliph Harun al-Rashid, ordered me not to beat them this night, and took of me oaths and covenants to that effect, and he saluted thee with a salaam and hath committed to me

Starting point is 14:58:57 a mandate under his own hand, which he bade me give thee. So I obeyed his order, for to obey the commander of the faithful is obligatory, and here is the mandate. Take it and read it, and after, work thy will. She replied, hither with it, so he gave her the letter, and she opened it, and read as follows. In the name of Allah, the compassionating, the compassionate, from the king of mankind, Harun al-Rashid, to the daughter of the Red King Saida. But, after, verily, this man had forgiven his brothers and had waived his claim against them, and we have enjoined them to reconciliation. Now, when reconciliation ruleth, retribution is remitted, and if you of the Jin contradict us in our commandments, we will contrary you in yours, and traverse your ordinances.

Starting point is 14:59:50 But, and ye obey our bidding, and further our orders, we will indeed do the like with yours. Wherefore I bid thee hurt them no hurt, and if thou believe in Allah, and if thou believe in Allah, and And in his apostle, it behovet thee to obey and us to command. So, and thou spare them, I will requite thee with that where to my lord shall enable me, and the token of obedience is that thou remove thine enchantment from these two men, so they may become before me tomorrow, free. But, and thou release them not, I will release them in thy despite, by the aid of Almighty Allah.

Starting point is 15:00:26 When she had read the letter, she said, O Abdullah, I will do not till I go to my sire and show him the mandate of the monarch of mankind and return to thee with the answer in haste. So saying, she signed with her hand to the earth, which clave open and she disappeared therein, whilst Abdullah's heart was like to fly for joy, and he said,

Starting point is 15:00:49 Allah advanced the commander of the faithful. As for Saida, she went into her father, and, acquainting him with that which had passed, gave him the Caliph's letter, which he kissed and laid on his head. Then he read it, and understanding its contents, said, O my daughter, ferali, the ordinance of the monarch of mankind obligeth us, and his commandments are effectual over us, nor can we disobey them. So go thou, and release the two men forthwith, and say to them,

Starting point is 15:01:20 ye are freed by the intercession of the monarch of mankind. For should he be wroth with us, he would destroy us, to the last of us, so do not thou impose on us that which we are unable. Quoth she, O my father, if the monarch of mankind were wrothed with us, what could he do with us? And quoth her sire, He hath power over us for several reasons. In the first place, he is a man and hath thus pre-eminence over us. Secondly, he is the vicar of Allah, and thirdly he is constant in praying the dawn prayer of two boughs. therefore were all the tribes of the Jin assembled together against him from the seven worlds they could do him no hurt. But he, should he be wroth with us, would pray the dawn-prayer of two boughs and cry out upon us one cry

Starting point is 15:02:12 when we should all present ourselves before him obediently and be before him as sheep before the butcher. If he would, he could command us to quit our abiding places for a desert country wherein we might not endure to sojourn, and if he desired to destroy us, he would bid us destroy ourselves, whereupon we should destroy one another. Wherefore, we may not disobey his bidding, for if we did this, he would consume us with fire, nor could we flee from before him to any asylum. Thus is it with every true believer who is persistent in praying the dawn prayer of two boughs, his commandment is effectual over us. So be not thou the means of our destruction,

Starting point is 15:02:56 because of two mortals, but go forthright and release them, ere the anger of the commander of the faithful fall upon us. So she returned to Abdullah and acquainted him with her father's words, saying, Kiss for us the hands of the prince of true believers, and seek his approval for us. Then she brought out the tassi, and filling it with water, conjured over it,

Starting point is 15:03:20 and uttered words which might not be understood, after which she sprinkled the dogs with the water, saying, quit the form of dogs and return to the shape of men, whereupon they became men as before, and the spell of the enchantment was loosed from them. Quoth they, I testify that there is no God but the God, and I testify that Muhammad is the Apostle of God.

Starting point is 15:03:44 Then they fell on their brother's feet and hands, kissing them and beseeching his forgiveness, but he said, Do ye forgive me? And they both repented with sincere repentance, saying, Fairly, the damned devil lured us and covetized the ludotus,

Starting point is 15:04:01 but our Lord hath requitted us after our deserts, and forgiveness is of the signs of the noble. And they went on to supplicate their brother, and weep and profess repentance for that which had befallen him from them. Then quoth he to them, what did ye with my wife,

Starting point is 15:04:18 whom I brought from the city of stone. Quoth day, when Satan tempted us and we cast thee into the sea, there arose strife between us, each saying, I will have her to wife. Now, when she heard these words and beheld our contention, she knew that we had thrown thee into the sea. So she came up from the cabin and said to us,

Starting point is 15:04:41 Contend not because of me, for I will not belong to either of you. My husband is gone into the sea, and I will follow him. so saying she cast herself overboard and died exclaimed Abdullah in very sooth she died a martyr but there is no majesty and there is no might save in Allah the glorious the great then he wept for her with sore weeping and said to his brothers it was not well of you to do this deed and bereave me of my wife they answered indeed we have sinned but our lord hath acquitted us our misdeed and this was a thing which Allah decreed unto us, ere he created us, and he accepted their excuse, but Saida said to him, have they done all these things to thee,

Starting point is 15:05:30 and wilt thou forgive them? He replied, O my sister, whoso hath power and spareeth, for Allah's reward he prepareth. Then said she, Be on thy guard against them, for they are traitors,

Starting point is 15:05:44 and farewled him and fared forth. And Sharazaz. perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. End of night, 986. Section 51 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and the Night, Volume 9. This is a Librefox recording. All LibreFox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit LibreFox.org.

Starting point is 15:06:17 Recording by phone. The Book of the Thousand Nights and the Night, Volume 9, by Anonymous. translated by Richard Francis Burton. Night 987 When it was the 987th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Abdullah, when Saida warned him and blessed him and went her ways, passed the rest of the night with his brothers, and on the morrow he sent them to the hammam and clad each of them on his coming forth in a suit worth a hoard of money.

Starting point is 15:06:51 Then he called for the tray of food, and they said it before him, and he ate, he and his brothers. When his attendant saw the twain and knew them for his brothers, they saluted them, and said to him, O, our Lord, Allah give thee joy of thy reunion with thy dear brothers, where have they been this while? He replied, it was they whom ye saw in the guise of dogs, praise be to Allah, who hath delivered them from prison and grievous torment. Then he carried them to the divan of the caliph and kissing ground before Al-Rashy. wished him continuance of honour and fortune, and surcees of evil and enmity. Quoth the Caliph, welcome, O Emir Abdullah, tell me what hath befallen thee.

Starting point is 15:07:36 And quote he, O commander of the faithful, whose power Allah increase, when I carried my brothers home to my lodging, my heart was at rest concerning them, because thou hadst pledged thyself to their release, and I said in myself, kings fail not to attain aught for which they strain, inasmuch as the divine favour aided them. So I took off the collars from their necks, putting my trust in Allah, and ate with them from the same tray, which when my sweet saw, they made light of my wit and said to each other, He is surely mad! How can the governor of Basura, who is greater than the wazir, eat with dogs? Then they threw away what was in the tray, saying,

Starting point is 15:08:19 we will not eat the dog's orts. And they went on to befool my reason, whilst I heard their words, but returned them no reply because of their unknowing that the dogs were my brothers. When the hour of sleep came, I sent him away and addressed myself to sleep. But ere I was where, the earth clave in sunder, and out came Saida, the Red King's daughter, and raged against me, with eyes like fire. And he went on to relate to the Caliph all what had passed between him and her and her and how she had transmute his brothers from canine to human form, adding,

Starting point is 15:08:54 And here they are before thee, O commander of the fateful. The caliph looked at them, and seeing two young men like moons, said, Allah requite thee for me with good, O Abdullah, for that thou hast acquainted me with an advantage I knew not. Henceforth, inshallah, I will never leave to pray these two bow horizons before the breaking of the dawn, watch while I live. Then he reproved Abdullah's brothers for their past transgressions against him, and they excused themselves before the Caliph, who said, Join hands and forgive one another, and Allah pardon what is past. Upon which he turned to Abdullah and said to him,

Starting point is 15:09:37 O Abdullah, make thy brothers thine assistance, and be careful of them. Then he charged them to be obedient to their brother, and bade them to return to Basura, after he had bestowed on them abundant largesse. So they went down from the Caliph's divan, whilst he rejoiced and disadvantage he had obtained by the action aforesaid, to wit, persistence in praying two inclinations before dawn, and exclaimed, He spake truth who said, The misfortune of one tribe fortuneth another tribe. On this wise befell it to them from the Caliph, but as regards Abdullah, he left Baghdad carrying with him his brothers in all honor and dignity and increase of quality, and fared on till they drew near Basura, when the notables and chief men of the place came out to meet them, and after decorating the city, brought them thereinto, with the procession which had not its match,

Starting point is 15:10:30 and all the folk shouted out blessings on Abdullah, as he scattered amongst them silver and gold. None, however, took heed to his brothers, wherefore jealousy and envy entered their hearts, for all he entreated them tenderly as one tendered an ophthalmic eye, but the more he cherished them, the more they redoubled in hatred and envy of him, and indeed it is said on the subject, I'd win good will of every one, but whoso envies me, will not be won on any wise and make mine office hard, how gain the degree of envy is white who coveted my good,

Starting point is 15:11:07 when naught will satisfy him save to see my good go marred. Then he gave each a concubine that had not her like, and eunuchs and servants and slaves white and black, of each kind forty. He also gave each of them fifty steeds, all thoroughbreds, and they got them guards and followers, and he assigned to them revenues, and appointed them sold in stipends, and made them his assistants, saying to them, Oh, my brothers, I and you are equal, and there is no distinction between me and you twain. And Sharazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say, her permitted say.

Starting point is 15:11:46 End of night 987. Night 988 When it was the 988 night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Abdullah assigned stipends to his brothers and made them his assistance, saying, O my brothers, I and you are equal, and there is no distinction between me and you, Twain,

Starting point is 15:12:12 and after Allah and the Caliph, the commandment is mine and yours. so rule you at basura in my absence and in my presence and your commandment shall be effectual but look that ye fear allah in your ordinances and beware of oppression which if it endure depopulateth and apply yourself to justice for justice if it be prolonged people's land oppress not the true believers or they will curse you and ill report of you will reach the caliph wherefore dishonour will betide both me and you go not therefore about to violence any but whatsoever ye greed for of the goods of the folk take it from my goods over and above that whereof ye have need for tis not unknown to you what is handed down in the koran of prohibition verses on the subject of oppression and allah gifted is he who said these couplets oppression ambusheth in spright of man whom naught withholdeth save the lack of might the sage shall ne'er apply his wits to aught until befitting time direct his sight the tongue of wisdom wowneth in the heart and in his mouth the tongue of foolish white who at occasion's call lacks power to rise is slain by feeblest who would glut his spite a man may hide his blood and breed but aye his deeds on darkest hiddens cast a light

Starting point is 15:13:40 whites of ill strain with ancestry as vile have lips which never speak one word aright and who committeth case to hands of fool in folly proveth self as fond and light and who his secret tells the folk at large shall rouse his foes to work him worse despite suffice the generous what regards his lot nor meddles he with odd regards him not and he went on to admonish his brothers and bid them to equity and forbid them from tyranny doubting not but they would love him the better for his boon of good counsel and he relied upon them and honoured them with the utmost honour but notwithstanding all his generosity to them they only waxed in envy and hatred of him till one day the two being together alone croeth nasser to mansur o my brother how long shall we be mere subjects of her brother abdula and he in this estate of lordship and worship. After being a merchant, he's become an emir, and from being little he has grown great. But we, we grow not great, nor is there ought of respect or degree left us.

Starting point is 15:14:51 For behold, he laugheth at us and maketh us his assistance. What is the meaning of this? Is it not that we are his servants and under his subjection? But long as he abideth in good case, our rank will never be raised, nor shall we be odd of repute, wherefore we shall not fulfill our wish, except we slay him and win to his wealth, nor will it be possible to get his gear save after his death. So when we have slain him, we shall become lords and will take all that is in his treasuries

Starting point is 15:15:25 of gems and things of price, and divide them between us. Then we will send to Caliph a present and demand of him the government of Cufa, and thou shall be governor of Cufa and I of Basura. Thus each of us shall have formal estate and condition, but we shall never affect this, except we put him out of the world. Answered Mansour, thou sayest sooth, but how shall we do to kill him? Quoth Nassir, we will make an entertainment in the house of one of us, and invite him there too, and serve him with the uttermost service.

Starting point is 15:16:01 Then we will sit through the night with him in talk, and tell him tales and jests, and rare stories, till his heart. melteth with sitting up when we will spread him a bed that he may lie down to sleep when he is asleep we will kneel upon him and throttle him and throw him into the river and on the morrow we will say his sister the genia came to him as he sat chatting with us and said to him oh thou scum of mankind who art thou that thou shouldst complain of me to the commander of the faithful deemest thou that we dread him as he is a king so we too are king kings and if he meant not his manners in our regard we will do him die by the foulest of deaths but meantime i will slay thee that we may see what the hand of the prince of true believers availeth to do so saying she caught him up and claved the earth and disappeared with him which when we saw we swooned away then we revived and we reck not what is become of him and saying this we will send to the caliph and tell him the case and he will invest us with the government in his room. After a while we will send him a sumptuous present and seek of him the government of Kufa, and one of us shall abide in Basara and the other in Kufa. So shall the land be

Starting point is 15:17:20 pleasant to us, and we will be down upon the true believers and win our wishes. And quoth Mansour, thou counsellest well, oh my brother, and they agreed upon the murder. So Nassir made an entertainment, and said to Abdullah, O my brother, fairly I am thy brother, and I would have thee heart in my heart, thou and my brother Mansour, and each of my banquet in my house, so I may boast of thee, and that it may be said, The emir Abdullah hath eaten of his brother Nassir's guest meal,

Starting point is 15:17:53 when my heart will be solaced by this best of boons. Abdullah replied, So be it, O my brother, there is no distinction between me and thee, and thy house is my house. But since thou inviteest me, none refuseth to hospitality save the churl. Then he turned to Mansour and said to him, Willth thou go with me to thy brother Nasir's house, and we will eat of his feast and heal his heart?

Starting point is 15:18:21 Replied Mansour, As thy head liveth, O my brother, I will not go with thee, unless thou swear to me that, after thou comest forth of brother Nasir's house, thou wilt enter my house and eat of my banquet. Is Nasir thy brother, and am not I thy brother? So, even as thou heartenest his heart, do thou hearten mine. Answered Abdullah, there is no harm in that, with love and gladly gree. When I come out of Nassir's house, I will enter thine, for thou art my brother even as he. So he kissed his hand,

Starting point is 15:18:58 and going forth of the divan, made ready his feast. On the morrow, Abdullah took horse and repaired, with his brother Mansour and the company of his officers, to Nassir's house, where they sat down, he and Mansour and his many. Then Nassir said the trays before them and welcomed them, so they ate and drank and sat in mirth and merriment, after which the trays and the platters were removed and they washed their hands. They passed the day in feasting and wine-drinking and diversion and delight till nightfall, when they supped and prayed the sundown prayers and the night orisons, after which they sat conversing and carousing, when Nassir and Mansour fell to telling stories whilst Abdullaharkened. Now they three were alone in the pavilion,

Starting point is 15:19:45 the rest of the company being in another place, and they ceased not to tell quips and tales and rare adventures and anecdotes, till Abdullah's heart was dissolved within him for watching and sleep overcame him. And Charazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Knight 988. Section 52 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and the Night, Volume 9. This is a Lubrevox recording. All Lubrefox recordings are in the public domain.

Starting point is 15:20:24 For more information or to volunteer, please visit Lubervovox. recording their phone. The Book of the Thousand Nights and the Night, Volume 9 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Night 989th When it was the 989th night, she pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Abdullah was awaried with watching and wanted to sleep,

Starting point is 15:20:54 they also lay beside him on another couch, and waited till he was drowned in slidious. lumber, and when they were certified thereof, they arose and knelt upon him. Whereupon he awoke, and seeing them kneeling on his breast, said to them, What is this, oh my brothers? cried they, We are no brothers of dine, nor do we know thee unmannery that thou art. Thy death is become better than thy life. Then they gripped him by the throat, and throttled him, till he lost his senses and abode without motion, so that they deemed him dead. Now the wherein they were overlooked the river, so they cast him into the water, but when he fell,

Starting point is 15:21:34 Allah sent to his aid a dolphin, who was accustomed to come under that pavilion, because the kitchen had a window that gave upon the stream, and as often as they slaughtered any beast there, it was their want to throw the refuse into the river, and the dolphin came and picked it up from the surface of the water, wherefore he ever resorted to the place. That day they had cast out much awful, a reason of the banquet, so the dolphin ate more than of want and gained strength. Here on the splash of Abdullah's fall, he hastened to the spot, where he saw a son of Adam, and Allah guided him so that he took the man on his back, and crossing the current made with him for the other bank, where he cast his berth in ashore. Now the place where the dolphin cast up

Starting point is 15:22:18 Abdullah was a well-beaten highway, and presently up came a caravan, and finding him lying on the river bank said, Here is a drowned man whom the river has cast up, and the travellers gathered around to gaze at the corpse. The sheikh of the caravan was a man of worth, skilled in all sciences and versed in the mystery of medicine, and withal sound of judgment. So he said to them,

Starting point is 15:22:43 O folk, what is the news? They answered, Here is a drowned man. Whereupon he went up to Abdullah, in examining him, said to them, O folk, there is life yet in this young man, who is a person of condition, and of the sons of great, bred in honour and fortune, and inshallah there is still hope of him. Then he took him, and clothing him in dry clothes, warmed him before the fire, after which he nursed him and tended him three days march till he revived, but he was passing feeble by reason of the shock, and the chief of the caravan proceeded to medicine him with such simples as he knew, what while they ceased not fair in, on till they had travelled thirty days' journey from Basura and came to a city in the land of the Persians, by name Abjup.

Starting point is 15:23:30 Here they alighted at a Khan, and spread Abdullah abed, where he lay groaning all night and troubling the folk with his groans, and when morning morrowed, the conchairs of the Khan came to the chief of the caravan, and said to him, What is this sick man thou hast with thee? Fairly he disturbeth us. Quoth the chief, I found him, by the way, on the chief. I found him, by the way, on the chief. the riverbank and while night drowned, and I have tended him but to no effect, for he recovereth not, said the porter, show him to the Shaika Rajjeeha. Who is this religious? asked the chief of the caravan, and the doorkeeper answered, There is with us a holy woman, a clean maid and a comely, called Radjija, to whom they present

Starting point is 15:24:15 whoso hath any ailment, and he passeth a single night in their house, and awaketh on the morrow, whole and ailing nothing. Quote the chief, direct me to her. Quote the porter, take up thy sick man. So he took up Abdullah and the doorkeeper forewent him till he came to a hermitage, where he saw folk entering with many an ex-photo offering and other folk coming forth rejoicing.

Starting point is 15:24:41 The porter went in till he came to the curtain, and said, Permission, O Shaika Rajija, take this sick man, said she, bring him within the curtain, and the porter said to Abdullah, enter. So he entered, and looking upon the holy woman, saw her to be his wife, whom we had brought from the city of stone, and when he knew her, she also knew him, and saluted him, and he returned her salaam.

Starting point is 15:25:07 Then said he, who brought thee hither? And she answered, When I saw that their brothers had cast thee away, and were contending concerning me, I threw myself into the sea. but my Shaikh al-Qazir Abu al-Abbos took me up and brought me to this hermitage, where he gave me leave to heal the sick and bade cry in the city, Ouso hath any ailment, let him repair to the sheikar rajah. And he also said to me, Terry in this hermitage till the time betide,

Starting point is 15:25:36 and the husband shall come to thee here. So all the sick used to flock to me, and I rubbed them and shampooed them, and they awoke on the morrow, whole and sound, whereby the report of me became noise abroad among the folk, and they brought me votive gifts, so that I have with me abundant wealth, and now I live here in high honor and worship,

Starting point is 15:25:57 and all the people of these parts seek my prayers. Then she rubbed him, and by the ordinance of Allah the most high, he became whole. Now Al-Gazir used to come to her every Friday night, and a chance that the day of Abdullah's coming was a Thursday. Accordingly, when the night darkened, he and she sat after a supper of the richest meets, awaiting the coming of Al-Qazir,

Starting point is 15:26:20 who made his appearance anon, and carrying them forth of the hermitage, set them down in Abdullah's palace at Basura, where he left them and went his way. As soon as it was they, Abdullah examined the palace and knew it for his own. Then, hearing the folk clamouring without, he looked forth of the lattice

Starting point is 15:26:37 and saw his brothers crucified, each on his own cross. Now, the reason of this was as ensued. when they had thrown him into the tigris the twain arose on the morrow weeping and saying our brother the jinia hath carried off our brother then they made ready a present and sent it to the caliph acquainting him with these tidings and suing from him the government of basra he sent for them and questioned them and they told him the false tale we are recounted whereupon he was exceeding wrath so that night he prayed a two-bow prayer before daybreak as of his wont and called upon the tribes of the jinn who came before him subjectwise and he questioned them of abdhulah when they swear to him that none of them had done him aught of hurt and said we know not what is become of him then came saida daughter of the red king and acquainted the caliph with the truth of abdulah's case and he dismissed the jinn on the morrow he subjected nassir and mansur to the bastinado till they confess one against other whereupon the caliph was enraged with them and cried carry them to basura and crucify them there before abdulah's palace such was their case but as regards abdulah when he saw his brothers crucified he commanded to bury them then took course and repairing to baghdad acquainted the caliph with that which his brothers had done with him from first to last and told him how he had recovered his wife

Starting point is 15:28:07 whereat al-rashid marvelled and summoning the kazi and the witnesses they draw up the marriage contract between abdulah and the damsel whom he had brought from the city of stone so he went into her and won't with her at basura till there came to them the destroyer of the lights and the severer of societies and extolled be the perfection of the living who dieth not moreover o auspicious king i have heard a tale an end marroof the cobbler and his wife There dwelt once upon a time in the God-Guarded city of Cairo, a cobbler who lived by patching old shoes. His name was Mara Ruth, and he had a wife called Fatima, whom the folk had nicknamed the Dung, for that she was a horrid, worthless wretch, scanty of shame and mickle of mischief. She ruled her spouse and abused him, and he feared her malice and dreaded her misdoings, for that he was a sensible man, but poor conditioned. when he earned much he spent it on her and when he gained little she revenged herself on his body that night leaving him no peace and making his night black as her book for she was even as of one like her said the poet

Starting point is 15:29:20 how many-fold nights have i passed with my wife in the saddest plight with all misery rife with heaven when i first went into her with a cup of cold poison i'd taken her life one day she said to him o ma'arouf i wish thee to bring me this night a vermicelli cake dressed with bees honey he replied so allah almighty aid me to its price i will bring it thee by allah i have no durham's to-day but our lord will make things easy rejoined she and charizot perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say end of night nine hundred and eighty-nine End of The Book of the Thousand Nights Undernight, Volume 9 by Anonymous.

Classic Audiobook Collection - (Volume 9) Arabian Nights - The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night by Anonymous ~ Full Audiobook [folklore]

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