 Section 29 of the Arabian Nights Entertainment Volume 1. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Zappo. The Arabian Nights Entertainment Volume 1. By Anonymous, translated by Dr Jonathan Scott. Section 29. The Story of Nur Adin Ali and Boudir Adin Hosun. Commander of the Faithful. There was formerly a Sultan of Egypt, a strict observer of justice, gracious, merciful and liberal, and his valour made him terrible to his neighbours. He loved the poor and protected the learned whom he advanced to the highest dignities. This Sultan had a vizier who was prudent, wise, sagacious and well-versed in all sciences. This minister had two sons who in everything followed his footsteps. The eldest was called Shumse Adin Mahmud and the younger Nur Adin Ali. The latter was endowed with all the good qualities that man could possess. The vizier, their father, being dead, the Sultan caused them both to put on the robes of a vizier. I am as sorry, said he, as you are for the loss of your father, and because I know you live together and love one another cordially, I will bestow his dignity upon you conjointly. Go and imitate your father's conduct. The two new viziers humbly thanked the Sultan and retired to make due preparation for their father's interment. They did not go abroad for a month, after which they repaired to court and attended their duties. When the Sultan hunted, one of the brothers accompanied him and this honour they had by turn. One evening, as they were conversing together after a cheerful meal, the next day being the elder brother's turn to hunt with the Sultan, he said to his younger brother, since neither of us is yet married, and we live so affectionately together, let us both wed the same day, sisters out of some family that may suit our equality. What do you think of this plan? Brother, answered the other vizier, there cannot be a better thought, for my part I will agree to anything you approve. But this is not all, said the elder. My fancy carries me farther. Suppose both our wives should conceive the first night of our marriage and should happen to be brought to bed on one day, yours of a son and mine of a daughter, we will give them to each other in marriage. Nay, said Nur-Ad-Din aloud, I must acknowledge that this prospect is admirable, such a marriage will perfect our union, and I willingly consent to it. But then, brother, said he father, if this marriage should happen, would you expect that my son should settle a jointier on your daughter? There is no difficulty in that, replied the other, for I am persuaded that besides the usual articles of the marriage contract you will not fail to promise in his name at least three thousand sequins, three landed estates, and three slaves. No, said the younger, I will not consent to that. Are we not brethren and equal in title and dignity? Do not you and I know what is just? The male being nobler than the female, it is your part to give a large dowry with your daughter. By what I perceive, you are a man that would have your business done at another's charge. Although Nur-Ad-Din spoke these words in jest, his brother, being of a hasty temper, was offended and falling into a passion, said, a mischief upon your son since you prefer him before my daughter. I wonder you had so much confidence as to believe him worthy of her. You must needs have lost your judgment to think you are my equal and say we are colleagues. I would have you to know that since you are so vain I would not marry my daughter to your son though you would give him more than you are worth. This pleasant quarrel between two brothers about the marriage of their children before they were born went so far that Shumsi-Ad-Din concluded by threatening, were I not tomorrow, said he, to attend the Sultan, I would treat you as you deserve. But at my return I will make you sensible that it does not become a younger brother to speak so insolently to his elder as you have done to me. Upon this he retired to his apartment in Anga. Shumsi-Ad-Din, rising early next morning, attended the Sultan who went to hunt near the pyramids. As for Nur-Ad-Din, he was very uneasy all night and supposing it would not be possible to live longer with a brother who had treated him with so much haughtiness. He provided a stout mule, furnished himself with money and jewels and, having told his people that he was going on a private journey for two or three days, departed. When out of Cairo, he rode by way of the desert towards Arabia. But his mule happening to Tyre was forced to continue his journey on foot A courier who was going to Busara by good fortune overtaking him took him up behind him. As soon as the courier reached that city, Nur-Ad-Din alighted and returned him thanks for his kindness. As he went about to seek for a lodging, he saw a person of quality with a numerous retinue to whom all the people showed the greatest respect and stood still till he had passed. This personage was Grand Vizir to the Sultan of Busara, who was passing through the city to see that the inhabitants kept good order and discipline. This minister, casting his eyes by chance on Nur-Ad-Din Ali, perceiving something extraordinary in his aspect, looked very attentively upon him and, as he saw him in a traveller's habit, stopped his train, asked him who he was and from whence he came. Sir, said Nur-Ad-Din, I am an Egyptian born at Cairo and have left my country because of the unkindness of a near relation, resolved to travel through the world and rather to die than return home. The Grand Vizir, who was a good natured man, after hearing these words said to him, Son, beware, do not pursue your design. You are not sensible of the hardships you must endure. Follow me, I may perhaps make you forget the misfortunes which have forced you to leave your own country. Nur-Ad-Din followed the Grand Vizir, who soon discovered his good qualities and conceived for him so great an affection that one day he said to him in private, My son, I am as you see so far gone in years that it is not probable I shall live much longer. Heaven has bestowed on me only one daughter who is as beautiful as you are handsome and now fit for marriage. Several nobles of the highest rank at this court have sought her for their sons, but I would not grant their request. I have an affection for you and think you so worthy to be received into my family that, preferring you before all those who have demanded her, I am ready to accept you for my son-in-law. If you like the proposal, I will acquaint the Sultan, my master, that I have adopted you by this marriage and entreat him to grant you the reversion of my dignity of Grand Vizir in the Kingdom of Bussara. In the meantime, nothing being more requisite for me than ease in my old age, I will not only put you in possession of great part of my estate, but leave the administration of public affairs to your management. When the Grand Vizir had concluded this kind and generous proposal, Nur-Ad-Din fell at his feet and expressing himself in terms that demonstrated his joy and gratitude, assured him that he was at his command in every way. Upon this, the Vizir sent for his chief domestics, ordered them to adorn the great hall of his palace and prepare a splendid feast. He afterwards sent to invite the nobility of the court and city to honour him with their company. And when they were all met, Nur-Ad-Din having made known his quality, he said to the noblemen present, for he thought it proper to speak thus on purpose to satisfy those to whom he had refused his alliance. I am now, my lords, to discover a circumstance which hitherto I have kept to secret. I have a brother who is Grand Vizir to the Sultan of Egypt. This brother has but one son whom he would not marry in the court of Egypt, but sent him hither to wed my daughter in order that both branches of our family may be united. His son whom I knew to be my nephew as soon as I saw him is the young man I now present to you as my son-in-law. I hope you will do me the honour to be present at his wedding which I am resolved to celebrate this day. The noblemen who could not be offended at his preferring his nephew to the great matches that had been proposed, allowed that he had very good reason for his choice, were willing to be witnesses to the ceremony and wished that God might prolong his days to enjoy the satisfaction of the happy match. The lords met at the Vizir of Busora's palace, having testified their satisfaction at the marriage of his daughter with Nur-Ad-Din Ali, sat down to a magnificent repast which notaries came in with a marriage contract and the chief lords signed it. And when the company had departed, the Grand Vizir ordered his servants to have everything in readiness for Nur-Ad-Din Ali to bathe. He had fine new linen and rich vestments provided for him in the greatest profusion. Having bathed and dressed, he was perfumed with the most odouriferous essences and went to compliment the Vizir, his father-in-law, who was exceedingly pleased with his noble demeanour, having made him sit down. My son said he, You have declared to me who you are and the office you held at the court of Egypt. You have also told me of a difference betwixt you and your brother which occasions you to leave your country. I desire you to make me your entire confident and to acquaint me with the cause of your quarrel. For now you have no reason either to doubt my affection or to conceal anything from me." Nur-Ad-Din informed him of every circumstance of the quarrel, at which the Vizir burst out into a fit of laughter and said, This is one of the strangest occurrences I ever heard. Is it possible, my son, that your quarrel should rise so high about an imaginary marriage? I am sorry you fell out with your elder brother upon such a frivolous matter. But he was also wronging being angry at what you only spoke ingest. And I ought to thank heaven for that difference which has procured me such a son-in-law. But, continued the Vizir, It is late and time for you to retire. Go to your bride, my son. She expects you. Tomorrow I will present you to the Sultan and hope he will receive you in such a manner as shall satisfy us both. Nur-Ad-Din Ali took leave of his father-in-law and retired to his bridal apartment. It is remarkable that Shumse-Ad-Din Mahmud happened also to marry at Cairo the very same day that this marriage was solemnized at Busura, the particulars of which are as follow. After Nur-Ad-Din Ali left Cairo with an intention never to return, his elder brother, who was hunting with the Sultan of Egypt, was absent for a month. For the Sultan being fond of the chase continued it often for so longer period. At his return, Shumse-Ad-Din was much surprised when he understood that under pretense of taking a short journey his brother departed from Cairo on a mule the same day as the Sultan and had never appeared since. It vexed him so much the more because he did not doubt but the harsh words he had used had occasioned his flight. He sent a messenger in search of him who went to Damascus and as far as Aleppo but Nur-Ad-Din was then at Busura. When the courier returned and brought no news of him Shumse-Ad-Din intended to make further inquiry after him in other parts but in the meantime matched with the daughter of one of the greatest lords in Cairo upon the same day in which his brother married the daughter of the Grand Vizier of Busura. At the end of nine months the wife of Shumse-Ad-Din was brought to bed of a daughter at Cairo and on the same day the lady of Nur-Ad-Din was delivered of a son at Busura who was called Bodir-Ad-Din Husun. The Grand Vizier of Busura justified his joy for the birth of his grandson by gifts and public entertainments and to show his son-in-law the great esteem he had for him. He went to the palace and most humbly besought the Sultan to grant Nur-Ad-Din Ali his office that he might have the comfort before his death to see his son-in-law made Grand Vizier in his stead. The Sultan who had conceived a distinguished regard for Nur-Ad-Din when the Vizier had presented him upon his marriage and had ever since heard everybody speak well of him readily granted his father-in-law's request and caused Nur-Ad-Din immediately to be invested with the robe and insignia of the Vizarut such as state-drums, standards and writing apparatus of gold richly enameled and set with jewels. The next day when the father saw his son-in-law preside in council as he himself had done and perform all the offices of Grand Vizier his joy was complete. Nur-Ad-Din Ali conducted himself with that dignity and propriety which showed him to have been used to state affairs and engaged the approbation of the Sultan and reverence and affection of the people. The old Vizier of Bussara died about four years afterwards with great satisfaction seeing a branch of his family that promised so fair to support its future consequence and respectability. Nur-Ad-Din Ali performed his last duty to him with all possible love and gratitude and as soon as his son Boudir-Ad-Din Husun had attained the age of seven years provided him an excellent tutor who taught him such things as became his birth. The child had a ready wit and a genius capable of receiving all the good instructions that could be given. After Boudir-Ad-Din had been two years under the tuition of his master who taught him perfectly to read he learns the Koran by heart. His father put him afterwards to other tutors whom his mind was cultivated to such a degree that when he was twelve years of age he had no more occasion for them and then as his physiognomy promised wonders he was admired by all who saw him. In the two his father had kept him to study but now he introduced him to the Sultan who received him graciously. The people who saw him in the streets were charmed with his demeanour and gave him a thousand blessings. His father proposing to render him capable of supplying his place accustomed him to business of the greatest moment on purpose to qualify him at times. In short he omitted nothing to advance a son he loved so well but as he began to enjoy the fruits of his labour he was suddenly seized by a violent fit of sickness and finding himself past recovery disposed himself to die a good Muslim. In that last and precious moment he forgot not his son but called for him and said My son you see this world is transitory there is nothing durable but in that to which I shall speedily go you must therefore from henceforth begin to fit yourself for this change as I have done you must prepare for it without murmuring so as to have no trouble of conscience for not having acted the part of a really honest man as for your religion you are sufficiently instructed in it by what you have learned from your tutors and your own study and as to what belongs to an upright man I will give you some instructions of which I hope you will make good use as it is a necessary thing to know oneself and you cannot come to that knowledge without you first understand who I am I shall now inform you I am a native of Egypt my father your grandfather was first minister to the Sultan of that kingdom I had myself the honour to be vizier to that Sultan and so has my brother your uncle who I suppose is yet alive his name is Shumse Addeen Mahmud I was obliged to leave him and come into this country where I have raised myself to the high dignity I now enjoy but you will understand all these matters more fully by a manuscript that I shall give you at the same time Nur Addeen Ali gave to his son a memorandum book saying take and read it at your leisure you will find among other things the day of my marriage and that of your birth these are circumstances which perhaps you may hereafter have occasion to know therefore you must keep it very carefully Boudir Addeen Husun being sincerely afflicted to see his father in this condition and sensibly touched with his discourse could not but weep when he received the memorandum book and promised at the same time never to part with it that very moment Nur Addeen fainted so that it was thought he would have expired but he came to himself again and spoke as follows my son the first instruction I give you is not to make yourself familiar with all sorts of people the way to live happy is to keep your mind to yourself and not to tell your thoughts too easily secondly not to do violence to anybody whatever for in that case you will draw everybody's hatred upon you you ought to consider the world as a creditor to whom you owe moderation, compassion and forbearance thirdly not to say a word when you are reproached for as the proverb says he that keeps silence is out of danger and in this case particularly you ought to practice it you also know what one of our poets says upon this subject that silence is the ornament and safeguard of life that our speech ought not to be like a storm of hail that spoils all never did any man yet repent of having spoken too little whereas many have been sorry that they spoke so much fourthly to drink no wine for that is the source of all vices fifthly to be frugal in your way of living if you do not squander your estate it will maintain you in time of necessity I do not mean you should be either profuse or niggardly for though you have little if you husband it well and lay it out on proper occasions you will have many friends but if on the contrary you have great riches and make but a bad use of them all the world will forsake you and leave you to yourself in short the virtuous Noor Addeen continued till the last aspiration of his breath to give good advice to his son and when he was dead he was magnificently interred Noor Addeen was buried with all the honours due to his rank Boudir Addeen Hosun of Busura for so he was called because born in that city was with grief for the death of his father that instead of a month's time to mourn according to custom he kept himself shut up in tears and solitude about two months without seeing anybody or so much as going abroad to pay his duty to his sovereign the sultan being displeased at his neglect and looking upon it as a slight suffered his passion to prevail and in his anger called for the new Grand Vizier for he had created another on the death of Noor Addeen commanded him to go to the house of the deceased and seize upon it with all his other houses lands and effects without leaving anything for Boudir Addeen Hosun and to confine his person the new Grand Vizier accompanied by his officers went immediately to execute his commission but one of Boudir Addeen Hosun's slaves happening accidentally to come into the crowd no sooner understood the Vizier's errand that he ran before to give his master warning he found him sitting in the vestibule of his house as melancholy as if his father had been but newly dead he fell down at his feet out of breath and after he had kissed the hem of his garment cried out, my lord, save yourself immediately the unfortunate youth lifting up his head exclaimed what news does thou bring? my lord said he there is no time to be lost the Sultan is incensed against you has sent to confiscate your estates and to seize your person the words of this faithful and affectionate slave occasioned Boudir Addeen Hosun great alarm may not I have so much time said he as to take some money and jewels along with me no sir replied the slave the Grand Vizier will be here this moment be gone immediately save yourself the unhappy youth rose hastily from his sofa put his feet in his sandals and after he had covered his head with the skirt of his vest that his face might not be known fled without knowing what way to go to avoid the impending danger he ran without stopping till he came to the public burying ground and as it was growing dark resolved to pass that night in his father's tomb it was a large edifice covered by a dome which Nour Addeen Ali as is common with the Muslims had erected for his sepulcher on the way Boudir Addeen met a Jew who was a banker and merchant and was returning from a place where his affairs had called him to the city the Jew knowing Boudir Addeen stopped and saluted him very courteously Isaac the Jew after he had paid his respects to Boudir Addeen Hosun by kissing his hand said my lord dare I be so bold as to ask whether you are going at this time of night alone and so much trouble has anything disquieted you yes said Boudir Addeen a while ago I was asleep and my father appeared to me in a dream looking very fiercely upon me as if much displeased I started out of my sleep in alarm and came out immediately to go and pray upon his tomb my lord said the Jew who did not know the true reason why Boudir Addeen had left the town your father of happy memory and my good lord had store of merchandise in several vessels which are yet at sea and belong to you I beg the favour of you to grant me the refusal of them before any other merchant I am able to pay down ready money for all the goods that are in your ships and to begin if you will give me those that happen to come in the first that arrives in safety I will pay you down in part of payment a thousand sequins and drawing out a bag from under his vest he showed it him sealed up with one seal Boudir Addeen Hosun being banished from home and dispossessed of all that he had in the world looked on this proposal of the Jew as a favour from heaven and therefore accepted it with joy my lord said the Jew then you sell me for a thousand sequins the lading of the first of your ships that shall arrive in port yes answered Boudir Addeen I sell it to you for a thousand sequins it is done upon this the Jew delivered him the bag of a thousand sequins and offered to count them but Boudir Addeen said he would trust his word since it is so my lord said he be pleased to favour me with a small note of the bargain we have made as he spoke he pulled the inkhorn from his girdle and taking a small read out of it neatly cut for writing presented it to him with a piece of paper Boudir Addeen Hosun wrote these words this writing is to testify that Boudir Addeen Hosun of Bussera has sold to Isaac the Jew for the sum of one thousand sequins received in hand the lading of the first of his ships that shall arrive in this port this note he delivered to the Jew after having stamped it with his seal and then took his leave of him while Isaac pursued his journey to the city Boudir Addeen made the best of his way to his father's tomb when he came to it he prostrated himself to the ground and with his eyes full of tears deplored his miserable condition alas said he unfortunate Boudir Addeen what will become of thee whither canst thou fly for refuge against the unjust prince who persecutes thee was it not enough to be afflicted by the death of so dear a father must fortune needs add new misfortunes to just complaints he continued a long time in this posture but at last rose up and leaning his head upon his father's tombstone his sorrows returned more violently than before so that he sighed and mourned till overcome with heaviness he sunk upon the floor and dropped asleep he had not slept long when a genie who had retired to the cemetery during the day and was intending according to his custom to range about the world at night entered the sepulchre and finding Boudir Addeen lying on his back was surprised at his beauty when the genie had attentively considered Boudir Addeen Hosun he said to himself to judge of this creature by his beauty he would seem to be an angel of the terrestrial paradise whom God has sent to put the world in a flame by his charms at last after he had satisfied himself with looking at him he took a flight into the air where meeting by chance with a peary they saluted one another after which he said to her pray descend with me into the cemetery where I dwell and I will show you a beauty worthy of your admiration the peary consented and both descended in an instant they came into the tomb look said the genie showing her Boudir Addeen Hosun did you ever see a youth more beautiful the peary having attentively observed Boudir Addeen replied I must confess that he is a very handsome man but I am just come from seeing an object at Cairo more admirable than this and if you will hear me I will relate her unhappy fate you will very much oblige me answered the genie must know then said the peary that the Sultan of Egypt has a visir Shumse Addeen Mahmud who has a daughter most beautiful and accomplished the Sultan having heard of this young lady's beauty sent the other day for her father and said I understand you have a daughter to marry I would have her for my bride will not you consent the visir who did not expect this proposal was troubled and instead of accepting it joyfully which another in his place would certainly have done he answered the Sultan may it please your majesty I am not worthy of the honour you would confer upon me and I most humbly beseech you to pardon me I do not accede to your request you know I had a brother who had the honour as well as myself to be one of your visirs we had some difference together which was the cause of his leaving me suddenly since that time I have had no account of him till within these four days that I heard he died at Bussara being grand visir to the Sultan of that kingdom he has left a son and there having been an agreement between us to match our children together I am persuaded he intended that match when he died and being desirous to fulfil the promise on my part I conjure your majesty to grant me permission the Sultan of Egypt provoked at this denial of his visir said to him in anger which he could not restrain is this the way in which you require my condescension in stooping so low as to desire your alliance I know how to avenge your presumption in daring to prefer another to me and I swear that your daughter shall be married to the most contemptible and ugly of my slaves having thus spoken he angrily commanded the visir to quit his presence the visir retired to his palace full of confusion and overwhelmed in despair this very day the Sultan sent for one of his grooms who is humpbacked, big-bellied, crook-legged and as ugly as a hobgoblin and after having commanded the visir to marry his daughter to this ghastly slave he caused the contract to be made and signed by witnesses in his own presence the preparations for this fantastical wedding are all ready and this very moment all the slaves belonging to the lords of the court of Egypt are waiting at the door of the bath with a flambor in his hand for the crook-backed groom who is bathing to go along with them to his bride who is already dressed to receive him and when I departed from Cairo the ladies met for that purpose were going to conduct her in her nuptial attire to the hall where she is to receive her humpbacked bridegroom and is this minute expecting him I have seen her and do assure you that no person can behold her without admiration when the peary left off speaking the genie said to her whatever you think or say I cannot be persuaded that the girl's beauty exceeds that of this young man I will not dispute it with you answered the peary for I must confess he deserves to be married to that charming creature whom they design for humpback and I think it were a deed worthy of us to obstruct the Sultan of Egypt's injustice and put this young gentleman in the room of the slave you are in the right answered the genie I am extremely obliged to you for so good a thought let us deceive him I consent to your revenge upon the Sultan of Egypt let us comfort a distressed father and make his daughter as happy as she thinks herself miserable I will do my utmost endeavours to make this project succeed and I am persuaded you will not be backward I will be at the pains to carry him to Cairo before he awakes and afterwards leave it to your care to carry him elsewhere when we have accomplished our design the peary and the genie having thus concerted what they had to do the genie lifted up Boudir ad-Din Hosun gently and with an inconceivable swiftness conveyed him through the air and set him down at the door of a building next to the bath whence humpback was to come with a train of slaves that waited for him Boudir ad-Din awoke and was naturally alarmed at finding himself in the middle of a city he knew not he was going to cry out but the genie touched him gently on the shoulder or bade him to speak he then put a torch in his hand saying go and mix with the crowd at the door of the bath follow them till you come into a hall where they are going to celebrate a marriage the bridegroom is a humpbacked fellow and by that you will easily know him put yourself at the right hand as you go in open the purse of sequins you have in your bosom distribute them among the musicians and dancers as they go along and when you are got into the hall give money also to the female slaves you see about the bride but every time you put your hand in your purse be sure to take out a whole handful and do not spare them observe to do everything exactly as I have desired you be not afraid of any person and leave the rest to a superior power who will order matters as he thinks fit Boudire Adin being well instructed in all that he was to do advanced towards the door of the bath the first thing he did was to light his torch at that of a slave and then mixing among them as if he belonged to some noblemen of Cairo he marched along as they did and followed humpback who came out of the bath and mounted a horse from the sultan's own stable Boudire Adin coming near to the musicians and men and women dancers who went just before the bridegroom pulled out time after time whole handfuls of sequins which he distributed among them and as he thus gave his money with an unparalleled grace and engaging mea all who received it fixed their eyes upon him and after they had a full view of his face they found him so handsome that they could not withdraw their attention End of section 29 Recording by Zappel Section 30 of the Arabian Knights Entertainment Volume 1 This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Jonathan Feldman The Arabian Knights Entertainment Volume 1 by Anonymous translated by Dr Jonathan Scott Section 30 At last they came to the gates of the Vizier who little thought his nephew was so near The doorkeepers, to prevent any disorder they took all the slaves that carried torches and would not admit them Boudir Adzine was likewise refused but the musicians who had free entrance stood still and protested they would not go in if they hindered him from accompanying them He is not one of the slaves, said they Look upon him and you will soon be satisfied He is certainly a young stranger who is curious to see the ceremonies observed at marriages in this city and saying thus they put him in the midst of them and carried him with them in spite of the porters They took his torch out of his hand gave it to the first they met and having brought him into the hall placed him at the right hand of the hump-backed bridegroom who sat near the Vizier's daughter on a throne most richly adorned She appeared very lovely but in her face there was nothing to be seen but vexation and grief The cause of this was easily to be guessed when she had by her side a bridegroom so very deformed and so unworthy of her love The nuptial seat was in the midst of an astride The ladies of the Amir's, Vizier's, those of the Sultan's bedchamber and several other ladies of the court and city were placed on each side, a little lower everyone according to her rank and richly dressed holding a large wax taper in her hands When they saw Boudira, Dean Hussein they all fixed their eyes upon him and admiring his shape, his behaviour and the beauty of his face they could not forbear looking upon him When he was seated everyone in death-death seats came near to him to have a full view of his face and all found themselves moved with love and admiration The disparity between Boudira, Dean Hussein and the hump-backed groom who made such a contemptible figure occasioned great murmuring among the company in so much that the ladies cried out We must give our bride to this handsome young gentleman and not to this ugly hump-back Nor did they rest here but uttered implications against the Sultan who, abusing his absolute power would unite ugliness and beauty together They also mocked the bridegroom so as to put him out of countenance so the great satisfaction of the spectators whose shouts for some time put a stop to the concert of music in the hall At last the musicians began again and the women who had dressed the bride surrounded her Each time that the bride retired to change her dress she, on her return, passed by hump-back without giving him one look and went towards Boudira, Dean before whom she presented herself in her new attire On this occasion Boudira, Dean according to the instructions given him by the genie failed not to put his hands in his purse and pulled out handfuls of sequins which he distributed among the women that followed the bride Nor did he forget the players and dancers but also threw money to them It was pleasant to see how they pushed one another to gather it up They shooed themselves thankful for his liberality When the ceremony of changing habits was passed the music ceased and the company retired The bride repaired to the nuptial chamber with her attendance followed to undress her and none remained in the hall but the hump-back groom, Boudira, Dean and some of the domestics Hump-back, who was enraged at Boudira, Dean suspecting him to be his rival gave him a cross-look and said And thou? What does thou wait for? Why hath thou not gone as well as the rest? Depart Boudira, Dean, having no pretense to stay withdrew not knowing what to do with himself but before he got out of the vestibule the genie and the parry met him and stopped him Where the rite going? said the parry Stay! Hump-back is not in the hall Return and introduce yourself into the bride's chamber As soon as you are alone with her tell her boldly that you are her husband that the sultan's intention was only to make sport with the groom In the meantime we will take care that the hump-back shall not return and let nothing hinder your passing the night with your bride for she is yours and not his While the parry thus encouraged Boudira, Dean and instructed him how he should behave himself Hump-back had really gone out of the room for a moment The genie went to him in the shape of a monstrous cat mewing at the most fearful rite Hump-back called to the cat He clapped his hands to drive her away but instead of retreating she stood upon her hind-a-feet staring with eyes like fire looking fiercely at him mewing louder than she did at first and increasing in size until she was as large as an ass At this site Hump-back would have cried out for help but his fear was so great that he stood gaping and could not utter one word that he might have no time to recover the genie changed himself immediately into a large buffalo and in this stripe called to him with a voice that redoubled his fear Thou hump-backed villain At these words the affrighted groom cast himself upon the ground and covering his face with his vest that he might not see this dreadful beast Sovereign Prince of Buffaloes said he What is it you want of me? Woe be to thee, replied the genie Hast thou the presumption to venture to marry my mistress? O my Lord said Hump-back I pray you to pardon me if I am guilty it is through ignorance I did not know that this lady had a buffalo to her sweetheart Command me in anything you please I give you my oath that I am ready to obey you By death, replied the genie if thou goest out from hence or speakest a word till the sun rises I will crush thy head to pieces I warn thee to obey for if thou hast the impudence to return it shall cost thee thy life When the genie had done speaking he transformed himself into the shape of a man till Hump-back by the legs and after having set him against the wall with his head downwards If thou stirre, said he before the sun rise as I have told thee already I will take thee by the heels again and dash thy head in a thousand pieces against the wall to return to Bouddhy-Ideen Prompted by the genie and the presence of the peri he returned to the hall from whence he slipped into the bride chamber where he sat down expecting the success of his adventure After a while the bride arrived conducted by an old matron who came no farther than the door without looking in to see whether it were Hump-back or another that was there and then retired The beautiful bride was agreeably surprised to find instead of Hump-back a handsome youth who gracefully addressed her What, my dear friend! said she By your being here at this time of night you must be my husband's comrade No, madam, said Bouddhy-Ideen I am of another quality than that ugly Hump-back But, said she, you do not consider that you speak degradingly of my husband He, your husband, replied he Can you retain those thoughts so long? Be convinced of your mistake for so much beauty must never be sacrificed to the most contemptible of mankind It is I that am the happy mortal for whom it is reserved The sultan had a mind to make himself marry by putting this trick upon the Vizier, your father but he chose me to be your real husband You might have observed how the ladies, the musicians, the dancers, your women and all the servants of your family were pleased with this comedy We have sent Hump-back to his stable again At this discourse the Vizier's daughter was more like one dead than alive when she came into the bride chamber put on a gay heir which made her so handsome that Bouddhy-Ideen was charmed with her graces I did not expect, said she to meet with so pleasing a surprise and I had condemned myself to live unhappy all my days but my good fortune is so much the greater that I possess in you a man worthy of my tenderest affection Bouddhy-Ideen overjoyed to see himself possessor of so many charms retired with his bride and laid his vestia aside with the bag that he had from the Jew which, notwithstanding all the money he had dispersed was still full Towards morning while the two lovers were asleep the genie, who had met again with a parry said, it is time to finish off what we have so successfully carried on Let us not be overtaken by daylight which will soon appear Go you and bring off the young man again without awaking him The parry went into the bed chamber where the two lovers were fast asleep took up Bouddhy-Ideen in his under vest and drawers and in company with the genie with wonderful swiftness fled away with him to the gates of Damascus in Syria where they arrived just at the time when the officers of the mosques appointed for that end were calling the people to prayers at break of day The parry laid Bouddhy-Ideen softly on the ground close by the gate and departed with the genie The gate of the city being opened and many people assembled they were surprised to see a youth lying in his shirt and drawers upon the ground One said, he has been hard put to it to get away from his mistress that he could not get time to put on his clothes Look, said another, how people expose themselves Sure enough he has spent most part of the night in drinking with his friends until he has got drunk and then perhaps having occasion to go out instead of returning is come this length and not having his senses about him was overtaken with sleep Others were of another opinion but nobody could guess what had been the real occasion of his coming thither A small puff of wind happened to blow at this time uncovered his breast which was whiter than snow Everyone being struck with admiration at the fineness of his complexion they spoke so loud that they awakened him His surprise was as great as theirs when he found himself at the gate of a city where he had never been before and encompassed by a crowd of people gazing at him Inform me, said he, for God's sake where I am and what you would have One of the crowd spoke to him saying young man, the gates of the city were just now opened and as we came out we found you lying here in this condition have you lain here all night and do not you know that you are at one of the gates of Damascus at one of the gates of Damascus answered Boudir Adin surely you mock me when I lay down to sleep last night I was at Cairo when he had said this some of the people moved with compassion for him exclaimed it is a pity that such a handsome young man should have lost his senses and so went away My son, said an old man to him you know not what you say how is it possible that you being this morning at Damascus could be last night at Cairo it is true, said Boudir Adin and I swear to you that I was all day yesterday at Besora he had no sooner said this then all the people fell into a fit of laughter and cried out he's a fool, he's a madman there were some however that pitied him because of his youth and one among the company said to him my son, you must certainly be crazed you do not consider what you say is it possible that a man could be yesterday at Besora at the same night at Cairo and this morning at Damascus surely you are asleep still come, rouse up your spirits what I say, answered Boudir Adin your son, is so true the last night I was married in the city of Cairo all those who laughed before could not forbear again at this declaration recollect yourself, said the same person who spoke before you must have dreamt all this and the fancy still possesses your brain I am sensible of what I say, answered the young man pray, can you tell me how it was possible for me to go in a dream to Cairo where I am very certain I was in person where my bride was seven times brought before me each time dressed in a different habit and where I saw an ugly humpbacked fellow to whom they intended to give her besides I want to know what has become of my vest my turban and the bag of sequins I had at Cairo though he assured them that all these things were matters of fact yet they could not forbear to laugh at him which put him in such confusion that he knew not what to think of all these adventures after Boudir Adin or son had confidently affirmed all that he said to be true he rose up to go into the town and everyone who followed him called out a madman, a fool upon this some looked out at their windows some came to their doors and others joined with those that were about him calling out as they did a madman but not knowing for what in this perplexity the affrighted young man happened to come before a pastry cook's shop and went into it to avoid the rabble this pastry cook had formally been captained to a troop of Arabian robbers who plundered the caravans and though he was become a citizen of Damascus where he behaved himself to everyone's satisfaction yet he was dreaded by all who knew him wherefore as soon as he came out to the rabble who followed Boudir Adin they dispersed the pastry cook asked him who he was and what brought him dither Boudir Adin told him all not concealing his birth nor the death of his father the Grand Vizier he afterwards gave him an account of why he had left Bessora how after he had fallen asleep the night following upon his father's tomb he found himself when he awoke at Cairo where he had married a lady and at last in what amazement he was when he found himself at Damascus without being able to penetrate into all those wonderful adventures your history is one of the most surprising said the pastry cook but if you will follow my advice you will let no man know those matters you have revealed to me but patiently wait till heaven thinks fit to put an end to your misfortunes you shall be welcome to stay with me till then and as I have no children I will own you for my son if you consent after you are so adopted you may freely walk the city without being exposed any more to the insults of the rabble though this adoption was below the son of a Grand Vizier Boudir Adin was glad to accept of the pastry cook's proposal judging it the best thing he could do considering his circumstances the cook clothed him, called for witnesses and went before a notary where he acknowledged him for his son after this Boudir Adin lived with him under the name of her son and learned the pastry trade while this passed at Damascus the daughter of Shumsa Adin awoke and finding Boudir Adin had gone supposed he had risen softly for fear of disturbing her but would soon return as she was in expectation of him her father the Vizier who was vexed at the affront put upon him by the sultan came and knocked at her chamber door to bewail her sad destiny he called her by her name and she knowing him by his voice immediately got up and opened the door she kissed his hand and received him with so much pleasure in her countenance that she surprised the Vizier who expected to find her drowned in tears and as much aggrieved as himself unhappy wretch he said in a passion do you appear before me thus after the hideous sacrifice you have just consummated can you see me with so much satisfaction the new bride seeing her father angry at her pleasant countenance said to him for God's sake sir do not reproach me wrongfully I am not the humpback fellow whom I abhor more than death it is not that monster I have married everybody laughed him to scorn and put him so out of countenance that he was forced to run away and hide himself to make room for a noble youth who is my real husband what fable do you tell me said Shamsa Adin roughly what did not crook back lie with you tonight no sir said she it was the youth I mentioned large eyes and black eyebrows at these words the Vizier lost all his patience and exclaimed in anger ah wicked woman you will make me distracted it is you father said she that put me out of my senses by your incredulity so it is not true replied the Vizier that humpback let us talk no more of humpback said she a curse upon humpback father I assure you once more that I did not bed with him but with my dear spouse whom I believe is not far off Shamsa Adin went out to seek him but instead of seeing Boudir Adin was surprised to find humpback with his head on the ground and his heels uppermost as the genie had set him against the wall what is the meaning of this said he who placed you thus crookback knowing it to be the Vizier father said alas alas it is you then that would marry me to the mistress of a genie in the form of a buffalo Shamsa Adin mumble mood when he heard humpback speak thus thought he was raving bait him to move and stand upon his legs I will take care how I stir said humpback unless the sun be risen no sir that when I came last night to your palace suddenly a black cat appeared to me in an instant grew as big as a buffalo I have not forgotten what he enjoined me therefore you may depart and leave me here the Vizier instead of going away took him by the heels and made him stand up when humpback ran off without looking behind him and coming to the palace presented himself to the sultan who laughed heartily when he informed how the genie had served him Shamsa Adin returned to his daughter's chamber more astonished than before my abused daughter said he can you give me no father light in this miraculous affair sir replied she I can give you no other account than I have done already here are my husband's clothes which he put off last night perhaps you might find something among them that may solve your doubt she then shoot him but dear Adin's turban which he examines narrowly on all sides saying I should take this to be a Vizier's turban if it were not made after the Basura fashion but perceiving something to be sewn between the stuff and the lining he called for scissors and having unripped it found the paper which knew Adin Ali had given to his son upon his deathbed and which Boudir Adin Hussan had sewn into his turban for security Shamsa Adin having opened the paper knew his brother's hand and found this superscription for my son Boudir Adin Hussan before he could make any reflections upon it his daughter delivered in the bag that lay under the garments which he likewise opened and found it full of sequins for notwithstanding all the liberality of Boudir Adin it was still kept full by the genie and the parry he read the following words upon the note in the bag a thousand sequins belonging to Isaac the Jew and these lines underneath which the Jew had written delivered to my Lord Boudir Adin Hussan for the cargo of the first of those ships that formerly belonged to the noble Vizier his father of blessed memory sold to me upon its arrival in this place he had scarcely read these words when he groaned heavily and fainted away the Vizier Shamsa Adin being recovered from his fit by the aid of his daughter and the women she called to her assistance daughter said he do not alarm yourself of this accident occasioned by what is scarcely credible your bridegroom is your cousin the son of my beloved and deceased brother the thousand sequins in the bag reminds me of a quarrel I had with him and is without the dowry he gives you God be praised for all things and particularly for this miraculous adventure which demonstrates his almighty power then looking again upon his brother's writing he kissed it several times shedding abundance of tears he looked over the book from beginning to end in it he found the date of his brother's arrival at Basora of his marriage and of the date of birth of his son and when he compared them with the day of his own marriage and the birth of his daughter at Cairo he wondered at the exact coincidence which appeared in every circumstance the happy discovery put him into such a transport of joy that he took the book with a ticket of the bag and showed them to the sultan who pardoned what was past and was so much pleased with the relation of this adventure that he caused it with all its circumstances to be put in writing for the information of posterity meanwhile the vizier Shumsa Adin could not comprehend the reason why his nephew did not appear he expected him every moment and was impatient to receive him to his arms after he had waited seven days in vain he searched through all Cairo but could procure no intelligence of him which threw him into great perplexity this is the strangest occurrence, said he that had ever happened in order to certify it he thought fit to draw up in writing with his own hands and accounts of the manner which the bedchamber was furnished with the other circumstances he likewise made the turban, the bag and the rest of Boudira Adin's raiment into a bundle and locked them up after some days were passed the vizier's daughter perceived herself pregnant and after nine months was brought to bed of a son a nurse was provided for the child besides other women and slaves to wait upon him and his grandfather called him Agib when young Agib had attained the age of seven the vizier, instead of teaching him to read at home put him to school with a master who was in great esteem and two slaves were ordered to wait upon him Agib used to play with his school fellows and as they were all inferior to him in rank they shoot him great respect according to the example of their master who many times would pass by faults in him that he would correct in his other pupils this indulgence spoiled Agib he became proud and insolent and would have his playfellows bear all from him and would submit to nothing from them but be master everywhere and if any took the liberty to thwart him he would call them a thousand names and many times beat them in short all the scholars grew weary of his insolence and complained of him to their master he answered that they must have patience but when he saw that Agib grew still more and more overbearing and occasioned him much trouble children, said he to his scholars I find Agib is a little insolent gentleman I will show you how to mortify him so that he shall never torment you anymore nay, I believe it will make him leave the school when he comes again tomorrow place yourselves around him and let one of you call out come, let us play on condition that everyone who desires to play shall tell his own name and the names of his father and mother they who refuse shall be esteemed bastards and not be suffered to play in our company next day when they were gathered together they failed not to follow their master's instruction they placed themselves around Agib and one of them called out let us begin a play but on condition that he who cannot tell his own name and that of his father and mother shall not play at all they all cried out and so did Agib we consent then, he that spoke first asked everyone the question and all fulfilled the condition except Agib who answered my name is Agib my mother is called the lady of beauty and my father Shumsil Adin Mahmud Vasya to the Sultan at these words all the children cried out Agib, what do you say? that is not the name of your father but your grandfather a curse on you said he in a passion what? dare you say that the Vasya is not my father no, no cried they with great laughter he is your grandfather and you shall not play with us nay, we will take care how we come into your company having spoken thus they all left him scoffing him laughing among themselves which mortified Agib so much that he wept the schoolmaster who was near and heard all that passed came up and speaking to Agib said Agib do not you know that the Vasya is not your father but your grandfather and the father of your mother the lady of beauty we know not the name of your father any more than you do we only know that the Sultan was going to marry your mother to one of his grooms but a genie lay with her this is hard upon you but all to teach you to treat your school fellows with less haughtiness Agib being netled at this ran hastily out of the school he went directly sobbing to his mother's chamber who being alarmed to see him thus grieved asked for the reason he could not answer for tears so great was his mortification and it was long yeah he could speak plain enough to repeat what had been said to him and had occasioned his sorrow when he came to himself mother said he for the love of God be pleased to tell me who is my father my son she replied Shamsa Adin Mahmud who every day caresses you kindly is your father you do not tell me truth returned Agib he is your father and none of mine but whose son am I at this question the lady of beauty calling to mind her wedding night which had been succeeded by a long widowhood began to shed tears repining bitterly at the loss of so handsome a husband as Boudira Adin whilst the lady of beauty and Agib were both weeping the vizier entered who demanded the reason of their sorrow the lady told him the shame Agib had undergone at school which so much affected the vizier that he joined his tears with theirs and judging from this that the misfortune which had happened to his daughter was the common discourse of the town he was mortified to the quick being thus afflicted he went to the sultan's palace and falling prostrate at his feet most humbly entreated permission to make a journey in search of his nephew Boudira Adin Husan for he could not bear any longer that the people of the city should believe a genie had disgraced his daughter the sultan was much concerned at the vizier's affliction approved his resolution and gave him leave to travel he caused a passport also to be written for him requesting in the strongest terms all kings and princes in whose dominions Boudira Adin might sojourn to grant that the vizier might conduct him to Cairo Shumsa Adin, not knowing how to express his gratitude to the sultan fell down before him a second time while the floods of tears he shed bore sufficient testimony to his feelings at last having wished the sultan all manner of prosperity he took his leave and returned to his house where he disposed everything for his journey and the preparations were carried on with so much diligence that in four days after he left the city accompanied with his daughter the lady of beauty and his grandson Agib they travelled 19 days without intermission but on the 20th arriving at a pleasant mead a small distance from the gate of Damascus he visited and pitched their tents upon the banks of a river which fertilizes the vicinity and runs through the town one of the pleasantest in Syria once the capital of the caliphs and celebrated for its elegant buildings the politeness of its inhabitants and the abundance of its conveniences the vizier declared he would stay in that pleasant place two days and pursue his journey on the third in the meantime he gave his retinue leave to go to Damascus and almost all of them made use of it some of them influenced by curiosity to see a city they had heard so much of and others by the opportunity of vending the Egyptian goods they had brought with them or buying stuffs and the rarities of the country the beautiful lady desiring her son Agib might share in the satisfaction of viewing that celebrated city ordered the black eunuch who acted in quality of his governor to conduct him dither Agib in magnificent apparel went with the eunuch who had a large cane in his hand they had no sooner entered the city than Agib, fair and glorious as the day attracted the eyes of the people some got out of their houses to gain a near and narrower view of him others put their heads out of the windows and those who passed along the street were not satisfied in stopping to look upon him but kept pace with him to prolong the pleasure of the agreeable sight in fine there was not a person that did not admire him and bestow a thousand benedictions on the father and mother that had given being to so fine a child by chance the eunuch and he passed by the ship of Boudir ad-Din Husan and there the crowd was so great that they were forced to halt the pastry cook who had adopted Boudir ad-Din Husan that died some years before and left him his shop and all his property and he conducted the pastry trade so dexterously that he had gained great reputation in Damascus Boudir ad-Din seeing so great a crowd before his door who were gazing so attentively upon Agib and the black eunuch stepped out to see them himself having cast his eyes upon Agib Boudir ad-Din found himself moved he knew not how nor for what reason he was not struck like the people with the brilliant beauty of the boy another cause unknown to him gave rise to the uneasiness and emotion he felt it was the force of blood that wrought in this tender father who, lying aside his business, made up to Agib and with an engaging air said to him my little lord, who hast won my salt be so kind as to come into my shop and eat a bit of such fare as I have that I may have the pleasure of admiring you at my ease these words he pronounced with such tenderness the tears trickled from his eyes little Agib was moved when he saw his emotion and turning to the eunuch said this honest man speaks in such an affectionate manner that I cannot avoid complying with his request let us step into his house and taste his pastry it would be a fine thing truly, replied the slave to see the son of Avizia go into a pastry cook's shop to eat do not imagine that I will suffer any such thing alas, my lord, cried Badira Deen it is cruelty to trust the conduct of you in the hands of a person who treats you so harshly then, applying himself to the eunuch my good friend, continued he pray, do not hinder this young lord from granting me the favour I ask do not put such mortification upon me rather, do me the honour to walk in along with him and by so doing you will let the world know that though the outside is brown like a chestnut your inside is as white do you know? continued he that I am master of the secret to make you white instead of being black as you are this set the eunuch a laughing and then he asked what the secret was I will tell you, replied Badira Deen who repeated some verses in praise of black eunuchs implying that it was by their ministry that the honour of princes and all great men was secured the eunuch was so charmed with these verses that without further hesitation he suffered a give to go into the shop and went in with him himself Badira Deen Husan was so overjoyed at having obtained what he had so passionately desired and, falling again to the work he had discontinued I was making, said he, cream tarts and you must, with submission, eat of them I am persuaded you will find them good for my own mother who made them incomparably well taught me and the people send to buy them of me from all quarters of town this said he took a cream tart out of the oven and after stirring upon it some pomegranate kernels and sugar set it before a give who found it very delicious another was served up to the eunuch and he gave the same judgement end of section 30 section 31 of the Arabian Knights Entertainment volume 1 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Lars Rolander the Arabian Knights Entertainment volume 1 by Anonymous translated by Dr Jonathan Scott section 31 the story of Noor Adin Ali and Budhir Adin Hussan part C while they were both eating Budhir Adin viewed Ajib very attentively and after looking upon him again and again it came into his mind that possibly he might have such a son by his charming wife from whom he had been so soon and so cruelly separated and the very thought drew tears from his eyes he intended to have put some questions to little Ajib about his journey to Damascus but the child had no time to gratify his curiosity for the eunuch pressing him to return to his grandfather's tent took him away as soon as he had done eating Budhir Adin Hussan not contended with looking after him shut up his shop immediately and followed him Budhir Adin Hussan ran after Ajib and the eunuch and overtook them before they had reached the gate of the city the eunuch perceiving he followed them was extremely surprised you impertinent fellow said he with an angry tone what do you want my dear friend replied Budhir Adin do not trouble yourself I have a little business out of town and I must needs go and look after it this answer however did not at all satisfy the eunuch whom turning to Ajib said this is all owing to you I foresaw that I should repent on my complacence you would needs go into the man's shop it was not wisely done in me to give you leave perhaps replied Ajib he has real business out of town and the road is free to everybody while this pass they kept walking together without looking behind them till they came near the Visir's tent upon which they turned about to see if Budhir Adin followed them Ajib perceiving he was within two paces of him reddened and whitened alternately according to the different emotions that affected him he was afraid the Grand Visir his grandfather should come to know he had been in the pastry shop and had eaten there in this street he took up a large stone that lay at his foot and throwing it at Budhir Adin hit him in the forehead and wounded him so that his face was covered with blood the eunuch gave Budhir Adin to understand he had no reason to complain of a mischance that he had merited and brought upon himself Budhir Adin turned towards the city staunching the blood of the wounded with his apron which he had not put off I was a fool said he within himself for leaving my house to take so much pains about this brat for doubtless he would never have used me after this manner if he had not thought I had some ill-design against him when he got home he had his wound dressed and softened the sense of his mischance by the reflection that there was an infinite number of people upon the earth who were yet more unfortunate than he Budhir Adin kept on the pace to trade at Damascus and his uncle Shumsi Adin Mahmud went from thence three days after his arrival he went by way of Emos, Hanach and Khalib then crossed the Euphrates and after passing through Mardin, Musul, Sinjar, Diyarbakir and several other towns arrived at last at Busseram immediately after his arrival he decided audience of the Sultan who was no sooner informed of his quality than he admitted him to his presence received him very favorably and inquired the occasion of his journey to Busseram Sair replied the Visir I come to know what has become of the son of my brother who has had the honor to serve your majesty nor Adin Ali said the Sultan has been long dead as for his son all I can tell you of him is that he disappeared suddenly about two months after his father's death and nobody has seen him since notwithstanding all the inquiry I order to be made but his mother who is the daughter of one of my Visirs is still alive Shumsi Adin Mahmud decided leave of the Sultan to take her to Egypt and having obtained permission without waiting till the next day inquired after a place of abode and at that very hour went to her house accompanied with his daughter and his grandson the widow of nor Adin Ali resided still in the same place where her husband had lived it was stately fabric adorned with marble pillars but Shumsi Adin did not stop to view it at his entry he kissed the gate and the piece of marble upon which his brother's name was written in letters of gold he asked to speak with his sister-in-law and was told by her servants that she was in a small building covered by a dome to which they directed in the middle of the very spacious court this tender mother used to spend the greatest part of the day and night in that room which she had built as a representation of the tomb of her son Boudir Adin Husson whom she is supposed to be dead after so long an absence she was pouring tears over his memorial when Shumsi Adin entering found her buried in the deepest affliction he made his compliment and after beseeching her to suspend her tears and sighs informed her he had the honour to be her brother-in-law and acquainted her with the reason of his journey from Cairo to Busseram Shumsi Adin Mahmud after acquainting his sister-in-law with all that had passed to Cairo on his daughter's wedding night and informing her of the surprise occasioned by the discovery of the paper sewed up in Boudir Adin's turban presented to her Ajib and the beautiful lady the widow of Noradin who had still continued sitting like a woman dejected and weaned from the affairs of this world no sooner understood by his discourse that her dear son whom she lamented so bitterly might still be alive then she arose and repeatedly embraced the beautiful lady and her grandchild Ajib and perceiving in the youth the features of Boudir Adin drops tears different from what she had been so long accustomed to shed she could not forebear kissing the youth who for his part received her embraces with all the demonstrations of joy he was capable of showing sister said Shumsi Adin it is time to dry your tears and suppress your sighs you must think of going with us to Egypt the Sultan of Bousra gives me leave to carry you thither and I doubt not you will consent I am in hopes we shall at last find out your son my nephew and if we do the history of him, of you, of my own daughter and of my own adventures will deserve to be committed to writing and transmitted to posterity the widow of Noradin heard this proposal with pleasure and ordered preparations to be made for her departure while they were making Shumsi Adin decide a second audience and after taking leave of the Sultan who dismissed him with ample marks of respect and gave him a considerable present for himself and another of great value for the Sultan of Egypt he set out from Bousra once more for the city of Damascus when he arrived in the neighborhood of Damascus he ordered his tents to be pitched without the gate at which he designed to enter the city and gave out he would tarry there three days to give his suit rest and buy up curiosities to present to the Sultan of Egypt while he was employed in selecting the finest stuffs which the principal merchants had brought to his tents Adi begged the black eunuch his governor to carry him through the city in order to see what he had not had leisure to view before and to inquire what was become of the pastry cook whom he had wounded the eunuch complying with this request went along with him towards the city after leave obtained of the beautiful lady his mother they entered Damascus by the Paradise Gate which lay next to the tents of the Visir they walked through the great squares and the public places where the richest goods were sold and took a view of the superb mosque at the hour of prayer between noon and sunset when they passed by the shop of buddhir ad-din Husan whom they still found employed in making cream tarts I salute you sir said Ajib do you know me? do you remember you ever saw me before? buddhir ad-din hearing these words fixed his eyes upon him and recognizing him such was the surprising effect of paternal love felt the same emotion as when he saw him first he was confused and instead of making any answer continued a long time without uttering a word at length recovering himself my lord said he be so kind as to come once more with your governor into my house and taste a cream tart I beg your lordships pardon for the trouble I gave you in following you out of town I was at that time not myself I did not know what I did you drew me after you after the violence of the attraction was so soft that I could not withstand it Ajib astonished at what buddhir ad-din said, replied there is an excess in the kindness you express and unless you engaged under oath not to follow me when I go from hence I will not enter your house if you give me your promise and prove a man of your word I will visit you again tomorrow since the viscer, my grandfather is still employed in buying up rarities for a present to the sultan of Egypt my lord, replied buddhir ad-din I will do whatever you would have me this said, Ajib and the eunuch went into the shop presently, after buddhir ad-din sat before the cream tart that was full as good as what they had eaten before come, said Ajib, sit down by me and eat with us buddhir ad-din sat down and attempted to embrace Ajib as a testimony of the joy he conceived upon sitting by him but Ajib pushed him away desiring him not to be too familiar buddhir ad-din obeyed and repeated some extemporary verses in praise of Ajib he did not eat but made it his business to serve his guests when they had done he brought them water to wash and a very white napkin to wipe their hands then he filled a large china cup with sherbet and put snow into it and offering it to Ajib this said he is sherbet of roses and I am sure you never tasted better Ajib having drank of it with pleasure buddhir ad-din took the cup from him and presented it to the eunuch who drank it all off at once in fine Ajib and his governor having fared well returned thanks to the pastry cook for their good entertainment and moved homewards it being then late when they arrived at the tents of Shumse Ad-din Mahmud Ajib's grandmother received him with transports of joy her son ran always in her mind and in embracing Ajib the remembrance of him drew tears from her eyes ah my child said she my joy would be perfect if I had the pleasure of embracing your father as I now embrace you she made Ajib sit by her and put several questions to him relating to the walk he had been taking with the eunuch and when he complained of being hungry she gave him a piece of cream tart which she had made for herself and was indeed very good she likewise gave some to the eunuch Ajib no sooner touched the piece of cream tart that had been set before him then he pretended he did not like it and left it uncut and Shubani which was the eunuch's name did the same the widow of Noradin Ali absurd with regret that her grandson did not like the tart what said she does my child thus despise the work of my hands be it known to you no one in the world can make such besides myself and your father whom I taught my good mother replied Ajib give me leave to tell you if you do not know how to make better there is a pastry cook in this town that outdoes you we were at his shop and ate of one much better than yours on hearing this the grandmother frowning upon the eunuch's head how now Shubani was the care of my grandchild committed to you to carry him to eat at pastry shops like a beggar madam replied the eunuch it is true we did stop a little while and talked with the pastry cook but we did not eat with him pardon me said Ajib we went into his shop and there ate a cream tart upon this the lady more incensed against the eunuch than before rose in a passion from the table and running to the tent of Shumsi Adin informed him of the eunuch's crime and that in such terms has tended more to inflame the viscer than to dispose him to excuse it the viscer who was naturally passionate did not fail on this occasion to display his anger he went forthwith to his sister-in-law's tent and said to the eunuch wretch have you the impudence to abuse the trust I repose in you Shubani though sufficiently convicted by Ajib's testimony denied the fact still but the child persisting in what he had affirmed grandfather said he I can assure you we not only ate but that so very heartily that we have no occasion for supper besides the pastry cook treated us also with a great bowl of sherbet well cried Shumsi Adin after all this will you continue to deny that you entered the pastry cook's house and ate there Shubani had still the impudence to swear it was not true then you are a liar said the viscer I believe my grandchild but after all if you can eat up this cream tart I shall be persuaded you have truth on your side though Shubani had crammed himself up to the throat before he agreed to stand that test and accordingly took a piece of tart but his stomach rising against it he was obliged to spit it out of his mouth yet he still pursued the lie and pretended he had overeaten himself the day before and had not recovered his appetite the viscer irritated with all the eunuch's frivolous presences and convinced of his guilt ordered him to be soundly bastinadoed in undergoing this punishment the poor wretch shrieked out aloud and at last confessed the truth I own cried he that we did eat a cream tart at the pastry cook's and that it was much better than that upon the table the widow of noradine thought it was out of spite to her and with a desire to mortify her that Shubani commended the pastry cook's tart and accordingly said I cannot believe the cook's tarts are better than mine I'm resolved to satisfy myself upon that head where does he live? go immediately and buy me one of his tarts the eunuch repaired to buddhir adine's shop and said let me have one of your cream tarts one of our ladies wants to taste them buddhir adine chose one of the best and gave it to the eunuch Shubani returned speedily to the tents gave the tart to noradine's widow who snatching it greedily broke a piece off but no sooner put it to her mouth than she cried out and swung away the viscer was extremely surprised at the accident he threw water upon her face and was very active in recovering her as soon as she came to herself my god cried she it must needs be my son my dear buddhir adine who made this tart when the viscer shumse adine heard his sister in law say that the maker of the tart brought by the eunuch must needs be her son he was overjoyed but reflecting that his joy might prove groundless and the conjecture of noradine's widow befalls madam said do you think there may not be a pastry cook in the world who knows how to make cream tarts as well as your son I own replied she there may be pastry cooks that can make as good tarts as he but as I make them in a peculiar manner and only my son was let into the secret it must absolutely be he that made this come my brother added she in a transport let us call up mirth and joy we have at last found what we have been so long looking for madam said the viscer answer I entreat you to moderate your impatience for we shall quickly know the truth all we have to do is to bring the pastry cook hither and then you and my daughter will readily distinguish whether he be your son or not but you must both be concealed so as to have a view of buddhir adine while he cannot see you for I would not have our interview and mutual discovery happen at Damascus my design is to delay the discovery till we return to Cairo this said he left the ladies in their tent and retired to his own where he called for 50 of his men and said to them take each of you a stick in your hands and follow Shobani who will conduct you to a pastry cook in this city you arrive there break and dash in pieces all you find in the shop if he demand the reason of your outrage only ask him in return if it was not he that made the cream tart that was brought from his house if he answer in the affirmative cease his person fetter him and bring him along with you but take care you do not beat him nor do him the least harm go and lose no time the viscer's orders were immediately executed the detachment conducted by the black eunuch went with expedition to buddhir adine's house broke in pieces the plates, kettles, copper pans and all the other movables and utensils they met with and inundated the sherbet shop with cream and comfits buddhir adine astonished at the sight said with a pitiful tone pray good people why do you serve me so what is the matter what have I done was it not you said they that sold this eunuch the cream tart yes replied he I am the man and who says anything against it I defy anyone to make a better instead of giving him an answer they continue to break all around them and the albany self was not spared in the meantime the neighbours took the alarm and surprised to see fifty armed men committing such a disorder asked the reason of such violence and buddhir adine said once more to the rioters pray tell me what crime have I committed to deserve this usage was it not you reply they that made the cream tart your soul to the eunuch yes yes it was I replied he I maintain it is a good one I do not deserve this treatment however without listening to him they seized his person and snatching the cloth of his turban tied his hands with it behind his back and after dragging him by force out of his shop marched off the mob gathering from compassion to buddhir adine took his part but officers from the governor of the city dispersed the people and favoured the carrying off of buddhir adine for shumsa adine mahmud had in the meantime gone to the governor's house to acquaint him with the order he had given and to demand the interposition of force to favour the execution and the governor who commanded all Syria in the name of the sultan of Egypt was unwilling to refuse anything to his master's viscer it was in vain for buddhir adine to ask those who carried him off what fault had been found with the screen tart they gave him no answer in short they conducted him to the tents and made him wait there till shumsa adine returned from the governor of Damascus upon the viscer's return the pretended culprit was brought before him my lord said buddhir adine with tears in his eyes pray do me the favour to let me know I have displeased you why you wretch exclaimed the viscer was it not you that made the cream tart you sent me I own I am the man replied buddhir adine but pray what crime is that I will punish you according to your desserts said shumsa adine it will cost you your life for sending me such a sorry tart exclaimed buddhir adine is it a capital crime to make a bad cream tart yes said the viscer and you are to expect no other usage from me while this interview lasted the ladies who were concealed behind curtains saw buddhir adine and recognised him notwithstanding he had been so long absent they were so transported with joy that they swooned away all they recovered would feign have run up and fallen upon his neck but the promise they had made to the viscer of not discovering themselves restrained the tender emotions of love and of nature shumsa adine having resolved to set out that night ordered the tents to be struck and the necessary preparations to be made for his journey he ordered buddhir adine to be secured in a sort of a cage and laid on a camel the viscer and his retinue began their march and travelled the rest of that night and all the next day without stopping in the evening they halted and buddhir adine was taken out of his cage in order to be served with the necessary refreshments but still carefully kept at a distance from his mother and his wife and during the whole expedition which lasted 20 days was served in the same manner when they arrived at Cairo they encamped in the neighbourhood of the city shumsa adine called for buddhir adine and gave orders in his presence to prepare a steak alas said buddhir adine what do you mean to do with a steak? why? to impale you replied shumsa adine and then to have you carried through all the quarters of the town that the people may have the spectacle of a worthless pastry cook who makes cream tarts without pepper this said buddhir adine cried out so ludicrously that shumsa adine could hardly keep his countenance alas said he must I suffer a death cruel as it is ignominous for not putting pepper in a cream tart how said buddhir adine must I be rifled must I be imprisoned in his chest and at last impaled and all for not putting pepper in a cream tart are these the actions of muslimans or persons who make a profession of property justice and good works with these words he shed tears and then renewing his complain no continued he never was a man used so unjustly nor so severely is it possible they should be capable of taking a man's life for not putting pepper in a cream tart cursed be all cream tarts as well as the hour in which I was born would to God I had died that minute the disconsulate buddhir adine did not seize his lamentations and when the stake was brought cried out bitterly at the horrid site heaven said he can you suffer me to die an ignominious and painful death and all this for what crime not for robbery or murder or renouncing my religion but for not putting pepper in a cream tart night being then pretty far advanced the visir ordered buddhir adine to be conveyed again to his cage saying to him stay there till tomorrow the day shall not elapse before I give orders for your death the chest or cage then was carried away and laid upon the camel that had brought it from Damascus at the same time all the other camels were loaded again and the visir mounting his horse ordered the camel that carried his nephew to march before him and entered the city with all his suit after passing through several streets where no one appeared he arrived at his palace where he ordered the chest to be taken down but not opened till father orders while his retinue were unleading the other camels he took buddhir adine's mother and his daughter aside and addressed himself to the latter God be praised said he my child for this happy occasion of meeting your cousin and your husband you remember of course what order your chamber was in on your wedding night go and put all things as they were then placed and if your memory do not serve you I can aid it by a written account which I caused to be taken upon that occasion the beautiful lady went joyfully to execute her father's orders and he at the same time commanded the hall to be adorned as when buddhir adine hussan was there with the sultan of Egypt's hunchbacked groom as he went over his manuscript his domestics placed every movable in the described order the throne was not forgotten nor the lighted wax candles when everything was arranged in the hall the vizier went into his daughter's chamber and put in their due place buddhir adine's apparel with a purse of sequins this done he said to the beautiful lady undress yourself my child and go to bed as soon as buddhir adine enters your room complain of his being from you so long and tell him that when you awoke you were astonished you did not find him by you press him to come to bed again and tomorrow morning you will divert your mother in law and me by giving us an account of your interview this said he went from his daughter's apartment and left her to undress herself and go to bed shunse adine mahmud ordered all his domestics to depart the hall accepting two or three whom he decided to remain these he commanded to go and take buddhir adine out of the cage to strip him to his under vest and drawers to conduct him in that condition to the hall to leave him there alone and shut the door upon him buddhir adine though overwhelmed with grief was asleep so soundly that the vicious domestics had taken him out of the chest and stripped him before he awoke and they carried him so suddenly into the hall that they did not give him time to see where he was when he found himself alone in the hall he looked round him and the objects he beheld recalling to his memory the circumstances of his marrying he perceived with astonishment that it was the place where he had seen the sultan's groom of the stables his surprise was still the greater when approaching softly the door of a chamber which he found open he spied his own raiments where he remembered to have left them on his wedding night my god said he rubbing his eyes am I asleep or awake the beautiful lady who in the meantime was diverting herself with his astonishment opened the curtains of her bed suddenly and bending her head forward my dear lord said she with a soft tender air what do you do at the door you have been out of bed a long time I was strangely surprised when I awoke in not finding you by me buddhir adine was enraptured he entered the room but reverting to all that had passed during a ten years interval and not being able to persuade himself that it could all have happened in the compass of one night he went to the place where his vestments lay with a purse of sequins and after examining them very carefully exclaimed by Allah these are mysteries which I can by no means comprehend the lady was pleased to see his confusion said once more my lord what do you wait for he stepped towards the bed and said to her is it long since I left you the question answered she surprises me did not you rise from me but now surely your mind is deranged madam replied buddhir adine I do assure you my thoughts are not very composed I remember indeed to have been with you but I remember at the same time that I have since lived ten years at Damascus now if I was actually in bed with you this night I cannot have been from you so long these two points are inconsistent pray tell me what I am to think whether my marriage with you is an illusion or whether my absence from you is only a dream yes my lord cried she doubtless you were lightheaded when you thought you were at Damascus upon this buddhir adine laughed heartily and said what a comical fancy is this I assure you madam this dream of mine will be very pleasant to you do but imagine if you please that I was at the gate of Damascus in my shirt and drawers as I am here now that I enter the town with the halo of a mob who followed and insulted me that I fled to a pastry cook who adopted me taught me his trade and left me all he had when he died that after his death I kept a shop in fine I had an infinity of other adventures too tedious to recount and all I can say is that it was well that I evoke for they were going to impale me and for what tried the lady feigning astonishment would they have used you so cruelly surely you must have committed some enormous crime not the least replied buddhir adine it was for nothing but a mere trifle the most ridiculous thing you can imagine all the crime I was charged with was selling a cream tart that had no pepper in it as for that matter said the beautiful lady laughing heartily I must say they did you great injustice ah replied he that was not all for this cursed cream tart was everything in my shop I broke into pieces myself bound and fettered and flying into a chest where I lay so close that me thinks I am there still but thanks be to God all was a dream buddhir adine was not easy all night he awoke from time to time and put the question to himself whether he dreamt or was awake he distrusted his felicity and to be sure whether it was true or not he looked round the room I am not mistaken said he this is the same chamber where I entered instead of the hunchbacked groom of the stables and I am now in bed with the fair lady designed for him daylight which then appeared had not yet dispelled his uneasiness when the vizier shumsi adine his uncle knocked at the door and at the same time went in to bid him good morrow buddhir adine was extremely surprised to see a man he knew so well and who now appeared with a different air from that which he pronounced the terrible sentence of death against him ah! cried buddhir adine it was you who condemned me so unjustly to a kind of death the thoughts of which make me shudder and all for a cream tart without pepper the vizier fell a laughing and to put him out of suspense somehow by the ministry of a genie for hunchback's relation made him suspect the adventure he had been at his palace and had married his daughter instead of the sultan's groom of the stables then he acquainted him that he had discovered him to be his nephew by the memorandum of his father and pursuant to that discovery had gone from Cairo to Bhusra to inquest of him my dear nephew added he embracing him with every expression of tenderness I ask your pardon for all I have made you undergo since I discovered you I resolved to bring you to my palace before I told you your happiness which ought now to be so much the dearer to you as it has cost you so much perplexity and distress to atone for all your afflictions comfort yourself with the joy of being in the company of those who ought to be dearest to you while you are dressing yourself I will go and acquaint your mother who is beyond measure impatient to see you and will likewise bring to you your son whom you saw at Damascus and for whom without knowing him you showed so much affection no words can adequately express the joy of buddhiradeen when he saw his mother and his son they embraced and showed all the transports that love and tenderness could inspire the mother spoke to buddhiradeen in the most moving terms she mentioned the grief she had felt for his long absence and the tears she had shed litter Ajib instead of flying his father's embraces as at Damascus received them with all the marks of pleasure and buddhiradeen Huson divided between two objects so worthy of his love thought he could not give sufficient testimonies of his affection while this passed the viscer was gone to the palace to give the Sultan an account of the happy success of his travels and the Sultan was so moved with the recital of the story that he ordered it to be taken down in writing and carefully preserved among the archives of the kingdom after Shumsi Adin's return to his palace he sat down with his family and all the household passed the day in festivity and mirth the viscer Jaffir having thus concluded the story of buddhiradeen told the caliph that this was what he had to relate to his majesty the caliph found the story so surprising that without father's hesitation he granted his slave Rian's pardon and to console the young man for the grief of having unhappily depraved himself of a woman whom he had loved so tenderly married him to one of his slaves bestowed liberal gifts upon him and maintained him till he died End of Section 31 of the Arabian Nights Entertainment's Volume 1 by Anonymous, translated by Dr Jonathan Scott Read by Lars Rolander