 Section 1, Volume 3 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a LibriVox recording. Our LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Barbara Clements. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3, Section 1. When it was the one hundred and twenty-fifth night, Charizade continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Aziz pursued to Taj al-Maluk. Then I entered the flower garden and made for the pavilion, where I found the daughter of Delilah the Wiley one, sitting with head on knee and hand to cheek. Her color was changed and her eyes were sunken, but when she saw me she exclaimed, Praise be Allah for thy safety, and she was minded to rise but fell down for joy. I was abashed before her and hung my head. Presently, however, I went up to her and kissed her and asked, How newest thou that I should come to thee this very night? She answered, I knew it not. By Allah, this whole year past I have not tasted the taste of sleep, but have watched through every night expecting me, and such has been my case since the day thou winced out from me, and I gave thee the new suit of clothes, and thou promised me to go to the Hamama and to come back. And so I sat awaiting thee that night and a second night and a third night, but thou came snot till after so great a delay, and I ever expecting thy coming, for this is lovers way, and now I would have thee tell me what had been the cause of thine absence from me this past year long. So I told her, and when she knew that I was married her color waxed yellow, and I added, I have come to thee this night, but I must leave thee before day. Quote she, doth it not suffice her that she tricked thee into marrying her and kept thee prisoner with her a whole year? But she must also make thee swear by the oath of divorce that wilt return to her on the same night before morning and not allow thee to divert thyself with thy mother or me, nor suffer thee to pass one night with either of us away from her? How then must it be with one from whom thou hast been absent a full year? And I knew thee before she did, but Allah have mercy on thy cousin Aziza, for there befell her what never befell any, and she bore what none other ever bore, and she died by thy ill usage, yet was she who protected thee against me. Indeed, I thought thou didst love me, so I let thee take thine own way, else had I not suffered thee to go safe in a sound skin, when I had it in my power to clap thee in jail, and even to slay thee. Then she wept with sore weeping, and waxed wroth and shuddered in my face with skin bristling, and looked at me with furious eyes. When I saw her in this case I was terrified at her, and my side muscles trembled and crivered, for she was like a dreadful shigol, an ogres in ire, and I like a bean over the fire. Then she said, Thou art of no use to me, now thou art married and hast a child, nor art thou any longer fit for my company. I care only for bachelors and not for married men. These prophetess nothing thou hast sold me for yonder stinking armful, but by Allah I will make the whore's heart ache for thee, and thou shalt not live either for me or for her. Then she cried a loud cry, and ere I could think up came the slave girls and threw me to the ground, and when I was helpless under their hands. She rose, and taking a knife said, I will cut thy throat as they slaughter he goats, and that will be less than thy dessert, for thy doings to me and the daughter of thy uncle before me. When I looked to my life and found myself at the mercy of her slave-women, I saw my cheeks dust-soiled, and saw her sharpen the knife I made sure of death, and Sharazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and twenty-sixth night, she said it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the wazir dandan thus continued his tale to Zau al-Makhan. Then quote the youth Aziz to Taj al-Maluk, Now when I found my life at the mercy of her slave-women, with my cheeks dust-soiled, and I saw her sharpen the knife, I made sure of death and cried out to her for mercy. But she only redoubled in ferocity and ordered the slave girls to pinion my hands behind me, which they did, and throwing me on my back she seated herself on my middle and held down my head. Then two of them came up and squatted on my shin bones, whilst other two grasped my hands and arms, and she summoned a third pair and bade them beat me. So they beat me till I fainted and my voice failed. When I revived I said to myself, To her easier and better for me to have my gullet slit than to be beaten on this wise, and I remembered the words of my cousin and how she used to say to me, Allah keep thee from her mischief, and I shrieked and wept to my voice failed, and I remained without power to breathe or to move. Then she again wetted the knife and said to the slave girls, Uncover him. Upon this the Lord inspired me to repeat to her the two phrases my cousin had taught me and had bequeathed to me, and I said, O my lady, dost thou not know that faith is fair, unfaith is foul? When she heard this she cried out and said, Allah pity thee Aziza and give thee Paradise in exchange for thy wasted youth. By Allah of a truth she served thee in her lifetime and after her death and now she hath saved thee alive out of my hands with these two saws. Nevertheless I cannot by any means leave thee thus, but needs must I set my mark on thee to spite yonder brazen faced peace who hath kept thee from me. Thereupon she called out to the slave women and bade them bind my feet with cords, then said to them take seat on him. They did her bidding upon which she arose and fetched a pan of copper and hung it over the brazier and poured into it oil of sesame in which she fried cheese. Then she came up to me and I still insensible and unfastening my bag trousers tied a cord round my testicles and giving it to two of her women bade them trawl at it. They did so and I swooned away and was for an excessive pain in a world other than this. Then she came with a razor of steel and cut off my member masculine so that I remained like a woman after which she seared the wound with the boiling and rubbed it with a powder and I the while unconscious. Now when I came to myself the blood had stopped so she bade the slave girls unbind me and made me drink a cup of wine. Then said she to me, go now to her whom thou hast married and who grudged me a single night and the mercy of Allah beyond thy cousin Aziza who saved thy life and never told her secret love. Indeed hath thou not repeated those words to me I had surely slit thy weasand. Go forth this instant to whom thou wilt for I needed not of thee save what I have just cut off and now I have no part in thee nor have I any further want of thee or care for thee. So be gone about thy business and rub thy head and implore mercy for the daughter of thine uncle. Thereupon she kicked me with her foot and I rose, hardly able to walk and I went little by little till I came to the door of our house. I saw it was open so I threw myself within it and fell down in a fading fit. Whereupon my wife came out and lifting me up carried me into the saloon and assured herself that I had become like a woman. Then I fell into a sleep and a deep sleep and when I woke I found myself thrown down at the garden gate and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and twenty-seventh night she said it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the wazir dandan pursued to king Zal Al-Makhan. The youth Aziz thus continued his story to Taj Al-Maluk. When I awoke and found myself thrown down at the garden gate I rose groaning for pain and misery and made my way to our home and entering I came upon my mother weeping for me and saying, Would I knew all my son and what land thou art? So I drew near and threw myself upon her and when she looked at me and felt me she knew that I was ill for my face was colored black and tan. Then I thought of my cousin or all the kind offices she had been want to do me and I learned when too late that she had truly loved me. So I wept for her and my mother wept also. Presently she said to me O my son, thy sire is dead at this my fury against fate redoubled I cried till I fell into a fit. When I came to myself I looked at the place where my cousin Aziza had been used to sit and shed tears anew till I all but fainted once more for excess of weeping and I ceased not to cry and sob and wail till midnight when my mother said to me thy father hath been dead these ten days I shall never think of anyone but my cousin Aziza replied I and indeed I deserve all that hath befallen me for that I neglected her who loved me but loved so dear asked she what hath befallen thee so I told her all that hath happened and she wept awhile then she rose and set some matter of meat and drink before me I ate a little and drank after which I repeated my story to her and told her the whole occurrence whereupon she exclaimed praise be Allah that she did but this to thee and for bore to slaughter thee then she nursed me and medicine me till I regained my health and when my recovery was complete she said to me oh my son I will now bring out to thee that which thy cousin committed to me in trust for thee for it is thine she swore me not to give it to thee till I should see thee recalling her to mind and weeping over her her connections severed from other than herself and I know that these conditions are fulfilled in thee so she arose and opening a chest took out this piece of linen with the figures of gazelles worked thereon which I had given to Aziza in time past and taking it I found written therein these couplets lady of beauty say who taught thee hard and harsh design to slay with longing loves excess this hapless lover thine and thou feignest remember me beyond our parting day Allah will know that thee and thee my memory never shall thine thou blamest me with bitter speech yet sweetest tis to me will generous be and day in one day to show of love a sign I had not reckoned love contain so much of pine and pain and soul distress until I came for thee to pain and pine never my heart knew weariness until that eve I fell in love with thee and prostrate fell before those glancing on my very foes have mercy on my case and moan therefore but thou o heart of Indian steel all mercy does decline no never will I be consoled by Allah and I die nor yet forget the love of thee though life in ruins lie when I read these couplets I wept with sore weeping and buffeted my face that I unfolded the scroll and there fell from it another paper I opened it and behold I found written therein no o son of my uncle that I quit thee of my blood and I beseech Allah to make a chord between me and her whom thou lovest not befall thee through the daughter of Delilah the Wiley return thou not to her neither resort to any other woman and patiently bear thine affliction for were not thy faded life hide a long life thou hadst perish long ago but praise be Allah who hath appointed my death day before thine my peace be upon thee preserve this cloth with the gazelles and let it not leave thee for it was my companion when thou was absent from me and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say when it was the 128th night she said it hath reached me O auspicious king that the Wazir Dandan pursued to King Zawul Al-Makhan and the youth as ease continued to Taj Al-Maluk so I read what my cousin had written and the charge to me which was preserve this cloth with the gazelles and let it not leave thee for it was my companion when thou wasst absent from me and Allah upon thee if thou chance to fall in with her who worked these gazelles hold aloof from her and do not let her approach thee nor marry her and if thou happen not on her and find no way to her look thou consort not with any of her sex know that she who wrought these gazelles worketh every year a gazelle cloth and dispatcheth it to far countries that her report and the beauty of her broodry which none in the world can match may be brooded abroad as for thy beloved the daughter of Delilah the Wiley this cloth came to her hand and she used to ensnare folk with it showing it to them and saying I have a sister who wrought this but she lied and so say Allah rend her veil this is my parting council and I have not charged thee with this charge but because I know that after my death the world will be straightened on thee and happily by reason of this thou wilt leave thy native land and wander in foreign parts and hearing of her who wrought these figures mayest be minded to foregather with her then wilt thou remember me when the memory shall not avail thee nor wilt thou know my worth till after my death and lastly learn that she who wrought the gazelles is the daughter of the king of the camp for islands and a lady of the noblest now when I had read that scroll and understood what was written therein I fell again to weeping and my mother wept because I wept and I ceased not to gaze upon it and to shed tears till nightfall I abode in this condition a whole year at the end of which the merchants with whom I am in this kafila prepared to set out from my native town and my mother counseled me to equip myself and journey with them so happily I might be consoled and my sorrow be dispelled saying take comfort and put away from me this morning and travel for a year or two or three to the caravan return when perhaps thy breast may be broadened and thy heart hardened and she ceased not to persuade me with enduring words till I provided myself with merchandise and set out with the caravan but all the time of my wayfaring my tears have never dried no never and at every halting place where we halt I open this piece of linen and look on these gazelles and call to mine my cousin Aziza and weep for her as thou has seen for indeed she loved me with theorist love and died oppressed by my unlove I did her not but ill and she did me not but good when these merchants return from their journey I shall return with them by which time I shall have been absent a whole year yet hath my sorrow waxed greater and my grief and affliction were but increased by my visit to the islands of Kampfer and the castle of Crystal now these islands are seven in number and are ruled by a king by name Charaman who hath a daughter called Dunya and I was told that it was she who wrought these gazelles and that this piece in my possession was of her embroidery when I knew this my yearning redoubled and I burnt with the slow fire of pining and was drowned in the sea of sad thought I wept over myself for that I was become even as a woman without manly tool like other men and there was no help for it from the day of my quitting the Kampfer Islands I have been tearful-eyed and heavy-hearted and such hath been my case for a long while and I know not whether it will be given to me to return to my native land and die beside my mother or not for I am sick from eating too much of the world there upon the young merchant wept and groaned and complained and gazed upon the gazelles whilst the tears rolled down his cheeks and streams and he repeated these two couplets joy needs shall come a prattle again to prattle needs cease thy blame I was commove to rattle in time quoth he quoth I to's marvelous who shall ensure my life o cold of tattle and he repeated also these well allawweeds that since our severance day I've wept till forced to ask of tears alone patience the blamer cries thou'lt have her yet quoth I o' blame her where may patience one then said he this o king is my tale hath thou ever heard one stranger sotage al malook marveled with great marvel at the young merchant's story and fire dodged into his entrails on hearing the name of the lady Danya and her loveliness and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say end of section one of the book a thousand nights and a night volume three section two volume three of the book of a thousand nights and a night translated by Richard Burton this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the book of a thousand nights and a night volume three section two when it was the one hundred and twenty ninth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that the wazir dandan continued to saw al makin now when taj al malook heard the story of the young merchant he marveled with great marvel and fire darted into his entrails during the name of the lady Danya who as he knew had embroidered the gazelles and his love and longing hourly grew so he said to the youth by Allah that hath befallen thee whose like never befell any save thyself but thou hast the life term appointed which thou must fulfill and now it would feign ask of the a question and what is it he wilt thou tell me how he saw us the young lady who wrought these gazelles then he, oh my lord I got access to her by a slight and it was this when I entered her city with the caravan I went forth and wandered about the garfs till I came to a flower garden abounding in trees whose keeper was a venerable old man the shakes stricken in years I addressed him saying oh ancient sir whose may be this garden and he replied the king's daughter, the lady Danya we are now beneath her palace and when she is minded to amuse herself she openeth the private wicket and walketh in the garden and smells the fragrance of the flowers so I said to him favor me by allowing me to sit in this garden till she come happily may I enjoy a side of her as she passes the shake answered there can be no harm in that there upon I gave him a deerm or so and said to him buy us something to eat he took the money gladly and opened the door and entering himself admitted me into the garden where we strolled and ceased not strolling till we reached a pleasant spot in which he made me sit down and await his going and his returning then he brought me a somewhat of fruit and leaving me disappeared for an hour but after a while he returned to me bringing a roasted lamb of which we ate till we had eaten enough my heart yearning the while for a side of the lady presently as we sat the postern opened and the keeper said to me rise and hide thee I did so and behold a black eunuch put his head out through the garden wicket and asked oh shake is there anyone with thee no answered he and the eunuch said shut the garden gate so the keeper shut the gate and low the lady dunya came in by the private door when I saw her he thought the moon had risen above the horizon and was shining I looked at her a full hour and longed for her as one of thirst's longest for water after a while she was through and shut the door whereupon I left the garden and sought my lodging knowing that I could not get at her and that I was no man for her more especially as I was become like a woman having no manly tool moreover she was king's daughter and I but a merchant man so how could I have access to the lack of her or to any other woman when these my companions made ready for the road I also made preparation and set out with them so we journeyed toward the city so we arrived to the place where we met with thee thou askest me and I have answered and these are my adventures and peace be with thee now when Taj al-Mulik heard that account fires rage in his bosom and his heart and thought were occupied love for the lady dunya and passion and longing were sore upon him then he rose and mounted horse and taking his ease with him returned to his father's capital where he settled him in a separate house and supplied him with all he needed in the way of meat and drink and dress then he returned him and returned to his palace and with tears trickling down his cheeks for hearing often times standeth instead of seeing and knowing and he ceased not to be in the state till his father came in to him and finding him one faced lean of limb and tearful eyed knew that something had occurred to chagrin him equate me with thy case and tell me what hath befallen thee that thy color is changed and thy body is wasted so he told him all that had passed and what tale he had turned of his ease in the account of the princess dunya and how he had fallen in love with her on hearsay without having set eyes on her quote his sire oh my son, she is the daughter of a king whose land is far from ours so put away this thought and go in thy mother's palace and Shaharazad perceived the dawn of day and seized her permitted say when it was the one hundred and thirtieth day she said it has reached me, oh auspicious king that the wazir dandan continued to zaal makin and the father of Taj al-Muluk spake to him on this wise oh son, her father is a king whose land is far from ours so put away this thought and go into thy mother's palace where are five hundred maidens like moons in which soever of them pleaseth thee take her or else we will seek for thee in marriage some one of the king's daughters fairer than the lady dunya answered Taj al-Muluk oh father, I desire none other for she it is who wrought the gazelles which I saw and there is no help but that it will have her else I will flee into the world and waste and I will slay myself for her sake then said his father have patience with me till I send to her sire and demand her in marriage and win thee thy wish as I did for myself with thy mother happily Allah will bring me to thy desire and if her parent will not consent I will make his kingdom quake under with an army whose rear shall be with me waltzed its van shall be upon him then he sent for the youth disease and asked him oh my son, tell me dost thou know the way to the camphor islands he answered yes and the king said, I desire of thee that thou fare with my wazir sither reply disease I hear and obey a king of the age whereupon the king summoned his minister and said to him, devise me some device whereby my son's affair may be rightly managed and fare thou forth to the camphor islands and demand of their king his daughter in marriage for my son, Taj al-Muluk the wazir replied hearkening an obedience then Taj al-Muluk returned to his dwelling place and his love and longing redoubled and the delay seemed endless to him and when the night darkened around him he wept inside and complained and repeated this poetry dark falls the night my tears unaided rail and fierces flames of love my heart assail ask thou the knights of me and they shall tell and I find ought to do but weep in wail night long awake I watch the stars that while pour down my cheeks the tears like dropping hail and lorn I'm grown with none to aid for kith and kin the love lost lover fail and when he had ended his reciting he swooned away and did not recover his senses till the morning at which time there came to him one of his father's eunuchs and standing at his head summoned him to the king's presence so he went with him and to his father seeing that his paler had increased exhorted him to patience and promised him union with her he loved disease in the wazir and supplied them with presence and they set out and fared on day and night till they drew near the aisles of campfire where they halted on the banks of the stream and the minister dispatched a message to acquaint the king of his arrival the messenger hurried forward and did not been gone more than an hour before they saw the king's chamberlains and amirs advancing towards them to meet them at Parisang's distance from the city and escort them into the royal presence they laid their gifts before the king and became his guest for three days and on the fourth day the wazir rose and in going to the king stood between his hands and acquainted him with the object which reduced his visit whereat he was perplexed for an answer and as much as his daughter misliked men and disliked marriage so he bowed his head ground words a while then raised it and calling one of his eunuchs said to him go to thy mistress the lady dunya and repeat to her what thou hast heard and the purport of this wazir's coming so the eunuch went forth and returning after a time said to the king oh king of the age when I went into the lady dunya and told her what I had heard she was wroth with exceeding wrath and rose at me with a staff designing to break my head so I fled from her and she said to me if my father forced me to wed him whosoever I wed will slay then said her sire to the wazir and aziz ye have heard ye know all so let your king wot of it and give him my salutations and say that my daughter misliked men and disliked marriage and shaharizad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the 131st night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that king shahariman thus addressed the wazir and aziz so loot your king for me of what ye have heard namely that my daughter misliked marriage so they turned away unsuccessful and she was not fairing until they rejoined the king and told him what had passed whereupon he commanded the chief officers to summon the troops and get them ready for marching and campaigning but the wazir said to him oh my liege lord do not thus the king is not at fault because when his daughter learned our business if my father forced me to wed whomsoever I wed I will slay and myself after him so the refusal cometh from her when the king heard his ministers word he feared vertaj al mulik and said verily if I make war on the king of camphor islands and carry off his daughter she will kill herself and it will avail me not then he told his son how the case stood who hearing it said oh my father I cannot live without her so I will go to her and contrive to get at her even though I die in the attempt and this only will I do in nothing else asked his father how wilt thou go to her and he answered I will go in the guise of a merchant then said the king if thou need must go and there is no help for it take with thee the wazir and aziz then he brought out money from his treasuries and made ready for his son to the value of a hundred thousand dinars the two had settled upon this action and when the dark hours came Taj al mulik and aziz went to aziz's lodging and there passed that night and the prince was heart smitten taking no pleasure in food or in sleep for melancholy was heavy upon him and he was agitated with longing for his beloved so he besought the creator that he would vouch safe to unite with her and he wept and groaned and wailed and began versifying union the sovereign's ended shall I see some day then shall my tears this love mourn lots of me portray while night all care forgets I only minded thee and thou dost jar me wait while all forgot for lay and when his improvising came to an end he wept with sore weeping for that he remembered his cousin and they both seized not to shed tears till morning dawn where upon Taj al mulik rose and went to farewell his mother in traveling dress she asked him of his case and he repeated the story to her so she gave him fifty thousand gold pieces and bait him adieu and as he fared forth she put up prayers for his safety and for his union with his lover and his friends then he betook himself to his father and asked to leave to depart the king granted him permission and presenting him with the other fifty thousand dinars bait set a patent for him without the city and they pitched a pavilion where in the travelers abode two days then all set out on their journey now Taj al mulik delighted in the company of Aziz and said to him oh my brother henceforth I can never part from thee replied Aziz I am of like mind and feign I would die under thy feet but oh my brother my heart is concerned for my mother when we shall have one our wish so the prince there will be not save what as well now the wazir continued charging Taj al mulik to be patient while Aziz entertained him every evening with talk and recited poetry to him and diverted him with histories and anecdotes and so they fared on diligently night and day for two whole months till the way became tedious to Taj al mulik and the fire of desire redoubled on him and he broke out the road is lonesome grow my grief in need while on my breast love fires forever feed go of my hopes sole object of my wish by him who molded man from drop of seed I bear such loads of longing for thy love dearest as weight of all mountains exceed oh lady of my world love does me die and no breath of light is left for life to plead but for the union hope that lends me strength my weary limbs were weak this way to speed when he had finished his verses he wept and Aziz wept with him from a wounded heart till the minister was moved to pity by their tears and said oh my lord be of good cheer and keep thine eyes clear of tears there will be not save what is well quote Taj al mulik oh wazir indeed I am weary of the length of the way tell me how far we are yet distant from the city quote Aziz but a little way remaineth to us then they continued their journey cutting across river veils and plains words and stony wastes till one night as Taj al mulik was sleeping he dreamt that his beloved was with him and that he had embraced her and pressed her to his bosom and he woke quivering shivering with pain delirious with emotion and improvised these verses dear friend my tears I flow these cheeks down with a longsum plane in pine my sorrows crown I plain like keening woman child bear fit and his night falls like widowed dove I groan and blown the breeze from land where thou cost wone I find o'er sunburnt earth sweet coolness blown peace be with thee my love while zephyr breeze and kush it flies and turtle makes her moan and when he had ended his versifying the wazir came to him and said rejoice this is a good sign so be of good cheer and keep thine eyes cool and clear for thou shalt surely compass thy desire and disease also came to him and exhorted him to patience and applied himself to divert him talking with him and telling him tales so they pressed on marching day and night, other two months till there appeared to them one day at sunrise some white thing in the distance and Taj al-Malik said to the disease what is yonder whiteness he replied, oh my lord yonder is the castle of crystal that is the city thou seekest at this the prince rejoiced and they ceased not faring forward till they drew near the city and as they approached it, Taj al-Malik joyed with exceeding joy and his care ceased from him they entered in traitor guise the king's son being habited as a merchant of importance and repaired to great Khan known as the merchants lodging close Taj al-Malik to his eve is this the resort of the merchants and quothee, yes to the Khan wherein I lodged before so they alighted there making their baggage camels kneel and loaded them and stored their goods in the warehouses they abode four days for rest when the wazir advised that they should hire a large house to this they assented and they found them a spacious house fitted up for festivities where they took up their abode and the wazir and the disease to devise some device for Taj al-Malik who remained in a state of perplexity not knowing what to do now the minister could think of nothing but that he should set up as a merchant on change and in the market of fine stuffs so he turned to the prince and his companion and said to them no ye that if we tarry here on this wise assuredly we shall not win our wish nor attain our aim but if something occurred to me whereby, if Allah please find our advantage replied Taj al-Malik and the disease do what seemeth good to thee indeed there is a blessing on the grey beard more specially on those who, like thyself are conversant with the conduct of affairs so tell us what occurred to thy mind rejoice the wazir it is my counsel that we hire the shop and the stuffed bazaar where thou mayst sit to sell and buy everyone great and small hath need of silk and stuffs and other cloths so if thou patiently abide in my shop fine affairs will prosper inshallah more by token as thou art comely of aspect make, however, a zease thy factor and set him within the shop to hand thee the pieces of cloth and stuffs when Taj al-Malik heard these words he said this reed is right and the right pleasant wrecking so he took out a handsome suit of merchant's weed and, putting it on, set out for the bazaar followed by his servants to one of whom he had given a thousand dinars wear with to fit up the shop they ceased not walking till they came to the stuffed market and when the merchants saw Taj al-Malik's beauty and grace they were confounded and went about saying of a truth where his wand hath opened the gates of paradise and left him unguarded so that this youth of passing comeliness hath come forth and others, peradventure, this is the truth and others, peradventure this is one of the angels now when they went in among the traders they asked for the shop of the overseer of the market and the merchants directed them there too so they delayed not to repair the thither and to salute him and he and those who were with him rose to them and seated them and made much of them because of the wazir whom they sought to be a man in years and a reverend aspect and viewing the use of zease and Taj al-Malik in his company they said to one another doubtless our shake is the father of these two youths then quote the wazir who among you is the overseer of the market this is he replied they and behold he came forward and the wazir observed him narrowly and sought him to be an old man of grave and dignified carriage with eunuchs and servants and black slaves the syndic greeted them with the greeting of friends and was lavish in his attentions to them then he seated them by his side and asked them have ye any business which we may have the happiness of transacting the minister answered yes I am an old man, stricken in years and have with me these two youths with whom I have traveled through every town and country entering no great city without tearing their full year that they might take their pleasure in viewing it and coming to know its citizens now I have visited your town here for a while so I want the handsome shop in the best situation wherein I may establish them that they may traffic and learn to buy and sell and give and take once they divert themselves with the sight of the place and become familiar with the usages of its people quote the overseer there is no harm in that and looking at the two youths it was delighted with them and affected them with warm affection now he was a great concierge to the princess referring the love of boys to that of girls and inclining to the sour rather than the sweet of love so he said to himself this indeed is fine game glory be to him who created and fashioned them out of vile water and rising stood before them like a servant to do them honour then he went out and made ready for them a shop which was in the very midst of the exchange nor was there any larger or better in the bazaar which he created and fitted with shelves of ivory and ebony wood after this he delivered the keys to the wazir who was dressed as an old merchant saying take them oh my lord and allo make it a blessed and abiding place to thy two sons the minister took the keys and the three returning to the con where they had elided made the servants transport to the shop all their goods and stuffs and Shaharizad perceived the dawn of day end of section two of the book of a thousand nights in a night volume three recording by Chelsea Baker section three, volume three of the book of a thousand nights in a night translated by Richard Burton this is the LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the book of a thousand nights in a night volume three, section three when it was the one hundred and thirty second night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that when the wazir took the shop keys he went accompanied by Taj al-Mulik and diseased to the con and they bade the servants transport to the shop all their goods and stuffs and valuables of which they had great store worth treasures of money and when all this was duly done they went to the shop and ordered their stock and trade and slept there that night as soon as morning morrowed the wazir took the two young men to the hamam bath where they washed them clean and then donned rich dresses and centred themselves with essences and enjoyed themselves to the utmost now each of the use was passing fair to look upon and in the bath they were even as seth to the poet luck to the rubber who's deft hand O-R-D's a frame begotten twix the lymph in light he shows the thomaturgy of his craft and gathers musk in the form of camphor died after bathing they left and when the overseer heard that they had gone to the hamam he sat down to await the twain and presently they came up to him like two gazelles their cheeks were ridden by the bath and their eyes were darker than ever their faces shone and they were as two lustrous moons or two branches fruit laden now when he saw them he rose forthright and said to them oh my sons may your bath profit you always where a pantage all milk repride with the sweetest of speech I'll be bountiful to thee oh my father why didst thou not come with us and bathe in our company then they both bent over his right hand and kissed it and walked before him to the shop to entreat him honorably and show the respect for him for that he was chief of the merchants and the market and he had done them kindness when he saw their hips quivering as they moved desire and longing redoubled on him and he puffed and snorted and devoured them with his eyes where he could not contain himself repeating the while these two couplets here the heart reads a chapter of devotion pure nor reads dispute of heaven and worship partner take no wonder tis he trembles walking nis such weight how much of movement that revolving spear must make I saw two charmers treading humble earth two I must love and tread they on mine eyes when they heard this they conjured him to enter the bath with them a second time he could hardly believe his ears and hastening thither went in with them the wazir had not yet left the bath so when he heard of the overseers coming he came out and meeting him in the middle of the bath hall and invited him to enter he refused there a pantage all milk taking him by the hand walked on one side and aziz by the other and carried him into a cabinet and that impure old man submitted to them whilst his emotion increased on him he would have refused albeit this was what he desired but the minister said to him there thy sons let them wash thee in cleansing Allah preserve them to thee exclaim the overseer by Allah your coming and the coming of those with you bring down blessing and good luck upon our city then he repeated these two couplets thou cameest and green grew the hills anew and sweetest wound to the bride groomed through while a loud cried earth and our earth borns too hail and welcome who comeest with grace to undo they thanked him for this and tajjal milk ceased not to wash him and to pour water over him and he thought his soul in paradise when they had made an end of his service he blessed them and sat by the side of the wazir talking but gazing the while on the use presently the servants brought them towels and they dried themselves and donned their dress then they went out and the minister turned to the syndic and said to him oh my lord verily the bath is paradise of this world replied the overseer Allah vows safe to thee such paradise and health to thy sons and guard them from the evil eye do ye remember that the eloquent have said in praise of the bath quoth tajjal milk I will repeat for thee a pair of couplets and he recited the life of the bath is the joy of man's life save that time is short for us there to bide the heaven where irksome it were to stay the hell delightful at entering tide when he ended his recital and I also remember two couplets in praise of the bath the overseer said let me hear them so he repeated the following a house where flowers from stones of granite grow seen at its best when hot with loving lows thou deemst it hell but here forsooth is heaven and some like suns and moons within it show and when he had ended his recital his verses pleased the overseer and he wondered at his words and savored their grace and fecundancy by Allah he possessed both beauty and eloquence but now listen to me you twain and he began chanting and recited in the song the following verses a joy of hell in heaven whose tormentry and quickens frame and soul with a lively gree a marvel so delightsome house to view and most when neath it kindled fires I see so drawn of bliss to visitors with all pools on them pour down tears unceasingly then his eyesight roamed and browsed on the gardens of their beauty and he repeated these two couplets I went to the house of the keeper man he was out but others to smile began I entered his heaven and then his hell and I said bless Malik and bless Rizwan when they heard these verses they were charmed and the overseer invited them to his house but they declined and returned to their own place to rest from the great heat of the bath so they took their ease there and ate and drank and passed that night in perfect solace and satisfaction till morning dawn when they arose from sleep and making their lesser ablution prayed the dawn prayer and drank the morning draught as soon as the sun had risen and the shops and markets opened they arose and were going forth from their place to the bazaar opened in their shop and the divins had already furnished after the handsome fashion and had spread with prayer rugs and silk and carpets and had placed on the divins a pair of mattresses each worth a hundred dinars on every mattress they had disposed a rug of skin fit for a king and edged with a fringe of gold in the middle most the shops stood a third seat still richer even as the place required then Tajal Malik sat down on one divin and disease on another on that in the center and the servants stood before them the city people soon heard of them and crowded about them so that they sold some of their goods and not a few of their stuffs for Tajal Malik's beauty and loveliness had become the talk of the town thus they passed a trifle of time and every day the people flocked to them and pressed upon them more and more till the wazir after extorting Tajal Malik to keep his secret commended him to the care of his ease alone and cast about for some contrivance which might profit them meanwhile the two young men sat talking and Tajal Malik said to his ease happily someone will come from the lady Dania so he ceased not expecting this chance days and nights but his heart was troubled and he knew neither sleep nor rest for desire had got the mastery of him and loving longing were sore upon him so that he renounced the solace of sleep and abstained from meat and drink yet ceased he not to be like the moon on the night of fullness now one day he sat in the shop behold there came up an ancient woman and Shaharizad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the one hundred and thirty third night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that the wazir dandan continued to saw Almakin now one day as Tajal Malik sat in his shop behold there appeared an ancient woman who came up to him followed by two slave girls she ceased not advancing till she stood before the shop of Tajal Malik and observing his symmetry and beauty and loveliness marvelled at his charms and sweated in her petticoat trousers exclaiming glory to him who created the out of vile water and made the attemptation to all beholders and she fixed her eyes on him and said this is not a mortal he is none other than an angel with extra-spec then she drew near and saluted him more upon he returned her salute and rose to his feet to receive her and smiled in her face all this by a hint from his ease after which he made her sit down by his side and fan her with a fan till she was rested and refreshed then she turned to Tajal Malik and said oh my son although our perfect and bodily gifts and spiritual graces were applied and voiced the sweetest and in tone of the pleasantest by Allah oh my mistress I was never in this land during my life till this time nor do I abide here saved by way of diversion rejoin she may the grantor grant thee all honour and prosperity and what stuffs hast thou brought with thee show me something passing fine for the beautyess should bring nothing but what is beautiful when he heard her words his heart fluttered and he knew their inter-meaning but Aziz made a sign to him and he replied I have everything thou canst desire and especially I have goods that be set none but kings and kings daughters so tell me what stuff thou wantest and for whom that I may show thee what will be fitting for him this he said that he might learn the meaning of her words and she rejoined I want to stuff fit for the princess Dania the daughter of King Shariman no one the prince heard the name of his beloved he joyed with great joy and said to Aziz give me a parcel so Aziz brought it and opened it before Tajal Mullah who said to the old woman select what will suit her for these goods are to be found only with me she chose stuffs worth a thousand dinars and asked how much is this and she ceased not the while to talk with him and rub what was inside her thighs with her hand answered Tajal Mullah shall I haggle with the like of thee about this paltry price praised be Allah who hath acquainted me with thee the old woman rejoined all his name be upon thee I commend thy beautiful face to the protection of the lord of the daybreak beautiful face an eloquent speech happy she who lieth in thy bosom and can clap as thy waist in her arms and enjoy thy youth especially if she be beautiful and lovely like thyself at this Tajal Mullah laughed till he fell in his back and said to himself O thou who fulfillest desires by means of pimping old women they are the true fulfillers of desire then she asked O my son what is thy name and he answered my name is Tajal Mullah the crown of kings quote she this is indeed a name of kings and kings sons and thou art clad in merchants' clothes quote the Z's for the love of his parents and family bore him and for the value they set on him they named him thus replied the old woman thou sayest sooth allow garji both from the evil eye and the envious though hearts be broken by your charms then she took the stuffs and went her way but she was amazed at his beauty and stature and symmetry and she ceased not going till she found the lady dunya and said to her O my mistress I have brought thee some handsome stuffs quote the princess show me that same and the old woman O apple of my eye here it is turn it over and examine it now when the princess looked at it she was amazed and said O my nurse this is indeed handsome stuff I have never seen it's like in our city O my lady replied the old nurse it would seem as if Rizwan had left the gates of paradise open in his carelessness and as if the youth who sold me this stuff had come bodily out of heaven I would he might sleep this night with thee and might lie between thy breasts he hath come to thy city with these precious stuffs for amusement's sake and he is a temptation to all who set eyes on him the princess laughed at her words and said I'll let afflict the O pernicious old hag thou dotest and there is no sense left in thee presently she resumed give me the stuff that I may look at it anew so she gave it to her and she took it again and saw that its size was small and its value great it pleased her for she had never in her life seen it's like and she exclaimed by Allah this is a handsome stuff answered the old woman O my lady by Allah if thou sawest the owner for the handsomest man on the face of the earth didst thou ask him if he had any need that he might tell us and we might satisfy it but the nurse shook her head and said the lord keep thy sagacity by Allah he hath a want may thy skill not fail thee what is any man free from wants rejoined the princess go back to him and salute him and say to him our land and town are honored by thy visit and if thou hast any need we will fulfill it to thee on our head and eyes so the old woman at once returned to Taj al-Mulik and when he saw her his heart jumped for joy and gladness and he rose to his feet before her and taking her hand seated her by his side as soon as she was rested she told him what princess Dania had said and he on hearing it joyed with exceeding joy his breast dilated to the full gladness injured his heart and he said to himself verily I have my need then he asked the old woman happily that we'll take her a message for me and bring me her answer and she answered I hear Danube so he said to Aziz bring me an ink case and paper and a brazen pen and when Aziz brought him what he sought he hinted the pen in hand and wrote these lines of poetry to thee of fondest hope of grief that severance on my soul colafelé sayeth its first line within my heart is oh! its second love and longing on me pray its third my patience waste is fades my life its fourth not shall my pain and pine allay its fifth when shall my eyes enjoy thy sight when shall dawn our meeting day and lastly by way of subscription he wrote these words this litter is from the captive of captivation prisoned in the hold of long a expectation where from is no emancipation but in anticipation and intercourse and in unification after absence and separation for from the severance of friends he loatheth so feign he suffered love pangs and pining pain then his tears rushed out and he indicted these two couplets I write thee love the while my tears pour down nor cease they ever pouring thick and fleet yet I despair not of my God whose grace happily some day will grant us twain to meet then he folded the letter and sealed it with his singlet ring and gave it to the old woman saying carry it to the lady Dania quoth she to obey whereupon he gave her a thousand dinars and said to her oh my mother accept this gift for me as a token of my affection she took both from him and blessed him and went her way and never stinted walking till she went into the lady Dania no one the princess saw her she said to her oh my nurse what is it he asketh of need that we may fulfill his wish to him replied the old woman this letter by me and I know not what is in it and handed it to her then the princess took the letter and read it and when she understood it she exclaimed whence cometh and wither goeth this merchant man that he durst addressed such a letter to me and she slapped her face saying whence are we that we should come to shop keeping oh wow wow by the Lord but that I fear almighty Allah I had slain him yeah I had crucified him over his shop door asked the old woman what is in this letter to vex thy heart and move thy wrath on this wise doth it contain a complainter of oppression or demand for the price of the stuff answered the princess woe to thee there is none of this in it not but words of love and endearment this is all through thee otherwise whence should this Satan know me rejoined the old woman oh my lady thou sittest in thy high palace and none may have access to thee no not even the birds of the air Allah keep thee and keep thy youth from blame and reproach thou needest not care for the barking of dogs for thou art a princess the daughter of a king be not wroth with me that I brought thee this letter knowing not what was in it but I opine that thou sent him an answer and threaten him with death and forbid this foolish talk surely he will abstain and not dare do the like again quote the lady dunya I fear that if I write to him he will desire me the more the old woman returned when he heareth thy threats and the promise of punishment he will desist from his persistence she cried here with the encase in paper and brazen pen and when they brought them she wrote these couplets oh thou for who thy wakeful night wouldst claim my love to boon for what of pining thou must feel in tribulation dost thou fond fool and proud of sprite seek meaning with the moon say did man ever win his wish to take in his arms the moon I counsel thee from soul cast out the wish that dwells therein and cut that short which threatens thee with sore risk over soon and to such talk thou dare return I bid thee to expect from me such awful penalty as suiteth I swear by him who moulded man from gout of clotted blood who lit the sun to shine by day and lit for night the moon and thou return to mention that thou spakest in thy pride upon a cross of tree for boon I'll have thee crucified then she folded the letter and handing it to the old woman said give him this and say him cease from this talk harkening in obedience replied she, in taking the letter with joy returned to her own house where she passed the night and when morning dawn she betook herself to the shop of Taj al-Mulik whom she found expecting her when he saw her he was ready to fly for delight and when she came up to him he stood to her on his feet and seated her by his side then she brought out the letter saying read what is in this adding but I coaxed her and jested with her till I made her laugh and she had pity on thee and she hath returned thee an answer he thanked her for her kindness and bay disease give her a thousand gold pieces then he perused the letter and understanding it felt a weeping so sore that the old woman's heart was moved to wrath for him and his friends were grevious to her presently she asked him oh my son what is there in this letter to make thee weep answered he she hath threatened me with death and crucifixion and she verbited me to write to her but if I write not my death were better than my life so take thou my answer to the letter and let her work her will rejoined the old woman by the life of thy youth needs must I risk my existence for thee that I may bring thee to thy desire and help thee to win what thou hast at heart and Taj al-Mulik said whatever thou dost I will work quite thee for it and do thou wait in the scales of thy judgment for thou art experienced in managing matters and skilled in reading the chapters of the book of intrigue all hard matters to thee are easy doings and a law can bring about everything then he took a sheet of paper and wrote thereon these improvised couplets yesterday my love was slaughter menaced me but sweet were slaughter and death foreordained yes death is sweet for lover doomed to bear long life rejected injured and constrained by Allah dying to visit friendless friend by thrall am I and like a thrall I'm chained mercy a lady mine for loving thee my whole soul should be assain then he sighed heavy sighs and wept till the old woman wept also and presently taking the letter she said to him be of good cheer and cool thy eyes and clear for needs must I bring thee to thy wish and Shahar-Azad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say end of section three of the book of a thousand nights in a night volume three recording by Chelsea Baker section four volume three of the book of a thousand nights in a night translated by Richard Burton this is a LibriVox recording our LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the book of a thousand nights in a night volume three section four when it was the 134th night she said it hath reached me oh auspicious king that when Taj al-Mulik wept the old woman said to him be of good cheer and cool eyes and clear for needs must I bring thee to thy wish then she rose and left him on coals of fire and returned to Princess Dunya whom she found still showing on her changed face rage at Taj al-Mulik's letter she gave her his second letter wore at her wrath redoubled and she said did I not say he would desire us the more replied the old woman what thing is this dog that he should aspire to thee quote the princess go back to him and tell him that if you write me after this I will cut off his head quote the nurse write these words in a letter and I will take it to him so that his fear may be the greater she took a sheet of paper and wrote there on these couplets oh thou whose past and bygone risks regardless with uncare thou who to win my meeting prize dust over slowly fare in pride of spirit think as thou to win the star of Sulla albeit thou not reach the moon which shines through upper air how dares thou expect to win my favors hope to clip upon a lover's burning breast my lance like shape and rare leave this thy purpose my wrath come down on thee some day a day of wrath shall turn the partings of thy hair then she folded the letter and gave it to the old woman who took it and repaired to Taj al-Mulit when he saw her he rose to his feet and exclaimed may Allah never bereave me of the blessing of thy coming quote she take the answer to thy letter he took it and reading it wept with sore weeping and said I long for someone to slay me at this moment and send me to my rest for indeed death were easier to me than this my state then he took ink case and pen and paper and wrote a letter containing these two couplets oh hope of me pursue me not with rigor and disdain dine thou to visit lover white and love of thee is drowned deem not a life so deeply wronged I longer will endure my soul for severance from my friend divorce his famine sound lastly he folded the letter and handed it to the old woman saying be not angry with me though I have worried thee to no purpose and he bated Zee's give her the other thousand ducats saying oh my mother needs must this letter result in perfect union or utter severance replied she oh my son by Allah I desire not but thy will and it is my object that she be thine for indeed thou art the shining moon is she the rising sun if I do not bring thee together there is no profit in my existence and I have lived my life till I have reached the age of 90 years in the practice of while and intrigue so how should I fail to unite two lovers though in defiance of right and law then she took leave of him having comforted his heart and ceased not walking till she went to the lady dania now she had hidden the letter in her hair so when she sat down by the princess she rubbed her head and said maybe thou wilt untwist my hair knot for it is the time since I went to the homam the king's daughter bared her arms to the elbows and, letting down the old woman's locks began to lose the knot of back hair when out dropped the letter and the lady dania seeing it asked what is this paper quote the nurse as I sat in the merchant shop this paper must have stuck to me give it to me that I may return it to him possibly it contained some account whereof he hath need the princess opened it and read it and when she understood it she cried out this is one of thy manifold tricks and hath thou not reared me I would lay violent hands on thee this moment verily Allah hath inflicted me with this merchant but all that hath befallen me with him is on thy head I know not from what country this one can have come no man but he would venture to a front with me thus and I fear lest this my case get abroad more by token as it concerneth one who is neither my kin nor of my peers rejoin the old woman none would dare speak of this for fear of thy wrath and for awe of thy sire so there can be no harm in sending him an answer quote the princess oh my nurse verily this one is a perfect satan hope durst he use such language to me and not dread the sultan's rage indeed I am perplexed about his case if I ordered him to be put to death it were unjust and if I leave him alive his boldness will increase quote the old woman come write him a letter and maybe he will desist in dread so she called for paper and ink case and pen and wrote these couplets thy folly drives thee on the long I chid writing in verse how long shall I forbid for all forbiddle thou persistest more and my soul grace it is to keep it hid then hide thy love nor ever dare reveal for in thou speak of thee I'll soon be rid if to thy silly speech thou turn anew raven shall croak for thee the world amid and death shall come and beat thee down ere long put out of sight and bury neath an earthen lid thy folk fawn fool thou'dt leave for thee to mourn and threw their lives to sorrow all forlorn then she folded the letter and committed it to the old woman who took it and returning to Taj al-Mulik gave it to him when he read it he knew that the princess was hard-hearted and that he should not win access to her so he complained of his case to the wazir and besought his council quote the minister know thou that not will profit thee save that thou write to her and invoke the retribution of heaven upon her and quote the prince oh my brother, oh waziz do thou write to her as if my tongue spake according to thy knowledge so waziz took a paper and wrote these couplets by the five shakes oh lord I pray deliver me let her for whom I suffer bear like misery thou knowest how I fry and flaming low of love while she I love hath not a roof or clemency how long shall I despite my pain her feeling spare how long shall she wreck tyranny or weakling me and pains of never ceasing death I grieve oh lord dine aid and on other helping hand I see how feign would I forget her and forget her love but how forget when love jarred patience death to dre though thou who hinders love to joy fair meeting tide say art thou safe from time and fortunes jealousy art thou not glad and blessed with happy life while I from folk and country for thy love and doomed to flee veneziz folded the letter and gave it to tajal mulek who read it and was pleased with it so he handed it to the old woman who took it and went in with it to princess dania but when she read it and mastered the meaning thereof she was enraged with great rage and said all that hath befallen may cometh by means of this ill omen old woman then she cried out to the damsels in unix saying seize this old hag and said trick dress and beat her with your slippers so they came down upon her till she swooned away and when she came to herself the princess said to her by the lord old wicked woman did I not fear almighty Allah I would slay thee and then quotes she to them beat her again and they did so till she feinted a second time whereupon she'd bade them drag her forth and throw her outside the palace door so they dragged her along her face and threw her down before the gate but as soon as she revived she got up from the ground and walking and sitting by turns made her way home there she passed the night till morning when she arose and went to Taj al-Mulik and told them all that had occurred he was distressed at this grievous news and said oh my mother hard indeed to us is that which hath befallen thee but all things are according to fate in mans lot replied she be of good cheer and keep thine eyes cool and clear for I will not give over striving till I have brought thee and her together and made thee enjoy this wanton who hath burned my skin with beading asked the prince tell me what caused her to hate men and the old woman answered it arose from what she saw in a dream and what was the stream twas this one night as she lay asleep she saw a phowler spread his net upon the ground and scattered wheat grain around it then he sat down hard and not a bird in the neighborhood to his toils amongst the rest she beheld a pair of pigeons male and female in which she was watching the net behold the male bird's foot caught in the meshes and he began to struggle where upon all the other birds took fright and flew away but presently his mate came back and hovered over him then alighted on the toils unobserved by the phowler and fell to pecking with her beak and pulling at the mesh in which the male bird's foot was tangled till she released the toes and they flew away together then the phowler came up mended his net and seated himself a far off after an hour or so the birds flew back and the female pigeon was caught in the net where upon all the other birds took fright and scurried away and the male pigeon fled with the rest and did not return to his mate but the phowler came up and took the female pigeon and cut her throat the princess awoke troubled by her dream and said all males are like this pigeon worthless creatures and men in general lack grace and goodness to women when the old woman had ended her story the prince said to her oh my mother I desire to have one look at her though it be my death so do thou contrive me some contrivance for seeing her she replied know that she hath under her palace windows a garden wherein she taketh her pleasure and thither she resorted once and every month by the private door after ten days the time of her thus going forth to divert herself will arrive so when she is about to visit the garden I will come and tell thee that thou mayst go thither and meet her and look thou leave not the garden for happily and she see thy beauty and loveliness her heart will be taken with love of thee and love is the most potent means of union he said I hear and obey where upon he and his ease rose and left the shop and, taking the old woman with them showed her the palace where they lodged then said Tajalma looked to his ease oh my brother the shop now having fulfilled my purpose of it so I give it to thee with all that is left in it for thou hast come abroad with me and hast left thy native land for my sake his ease accepted his gift and then they sat conversing while the prince questioned him of the strange adventures which had befallen him and his companion acquainted him with the particulars thereof presently they went to the wazir and, reporting to him Tajalma looks purpose, asked him what is there to be done let us go to the garden, answered he so each and every donned riches clothes and went forth followed by three white slaves to the garden which they found thick with thickets and railing its rails and when they saw the keeper sitting at the gate they solidated him with a solemn and he returned their salute then the wazir gave him a hundred gold pieces saying, pray thee take this small sum and fetch us somewhat to eat for we are strangers and I have with me these two lads the gardener took the sequence and said to them and turn amuse yourself in the garden for it is all yours and sit down till I bring you what food you require so he went to the market while the wazir and Tajalma and his ease entered the garden and shortly after leaving for the bazaar the gardener returned with a roasted lamb and cotton white bread which he placed before them and they ate and drank then upon he served up sweetmeats and they ate of them and washed their hands and sat talking to the keeper tell me about this garden is it thine or does thou rent it the shake replied it does not belong to me but to our king's daughter the princess Dunya what be thy monthly wages asked the wazir and he answered one day near and no more then the minister looked round about the garden and seeing in its midst a pavilion tall and grand but old and disused said to the keeper I am minded to do here a good work by which thou shalt remember me and replied the other oh my lord what is the good work thou wouldst do take these 300 diners rejoin the wazir when the keeper had heard speak of the gold he said oh my lord what so thou wilt do so the wazir gave him the monies saying inshallah we will make a good work in this place then they left him and returned to their lodging where they passed the night and when it was the next day the minister sent for a plaster and a painter and a skillful goldsmith and furnishing them all the tools they wanted carried them to the garden where he bade them whitewash the walls of the pavilion and decorated it with various kinds of paintings moreover he sent for golden map as wazuli and said to the painter figure me on the wall at the upper end of this hall a manfowler with his net spread and birds falling into them and a female pigeon entangled in the meshes by her bail and when the painter had finished the picture on the side the wazir said figure me on the other side a similar figure and represent the she pigeon alone in the snare and the fowler seizing her and setting the knife to her neck and draw on the third side wall a great raptor clutching the male pigeon her mate and digging talons into him the artist at his bidding and when he and the others had finished the designs they received their hire and went away then the wazir and his companions took leave of the gardener and returned to their place where they sat down to converse and talzhan malik said to waziz oh my brother, recite me some verses perchance it may broaden my breast and dispel my dolers and quench the fire flaming in my heart so waziz chanted with sweet modulation these couplets whatever they say of grief to lovers came I weakling I can single-handed claim and seek thou watering spot for my streaming eyes for thuds that thirst would quench however it flame or wouldest view what ruin love has wrought with ruthless hands than see this wasted frame and his eyes ran over with tears and he repeated these couplets also who loves not swan neck and gazelle like eyes yet claims to know life's joys I say he lies and love is mystery none avail to learn save he who loveth and pure loving wise all in my heart nor lighten of this love nor rob the wakefulness these eyelids prize and he changed the mode of song and sang these couplets Ibn Sina in his canon cloth opine lover's best cures founded Mary's song in meeting lover of a like degree dessert and garden wine draughts long and strong I choose another who of thee might cure while force and fortune aided well and long but ah I learned love's mortal ill wherein Ibn Sina's recipe is fond and wrong after hearing them to the end Tajul Malik was pleased with his verses and wondered at his eloquence and the excellence of his recitation saying indeed thou hast done away with somewhat of my sorrow then quoth it was there of a truth there occurred to those of old what astoundeth those who hear it told quoth the prince, if thou canst recall out of this kind prely let us hear thy subtle lines and keep up the talk so the minister chanted in modulated song these couplets indeed I deem thy favors might be bought by gifts of golden things that joy the sprite and ignorantly thought the light of love when can thy love lie low the highest most might until I saw thee choosing one that one all favor, crowned with all delight then what I thou by spite can snare be won and underwing my head I hid from sight and in this nest of passion made my womb wherein I nestle morning noon and night so far concerning them but as regards the old woman she remained shut up from the world in her house till it befell that the king's daughter was taken with a desire to divert herself in the garden now she had never been want to do so save in company with her nurse accordingly she sent for her and made friends with her and soothed her sorrow saying I wish to go forth to the garden that I may divert myself with the sight of its trees and fruits and broaden my breast with the scent of its flowers replied the old woman I hear and obey the first I would go to my house and soon I will be with thee the princess rejoined go home but be not long absent from me so the old woman left her and preparing to Taj al-Mulik said to him get thee ready and don thy richest dress and go to the garden and find out the gardener and salute him and then hide thyself therein to hear is to obey answered he and she agreed with him upon a signal after which she returned to the lady Damia as soon as she was gone the Wazirnaziz rose and robed Taj al-Mulik in a splendid suit of royal rainmen worth five thousand dinars and gird his middle with a girdle of gold set with gyms and precious metals then they repaired to the garden he heard the gate the keeper who as soon as he saw the prince sprang to his feet and received him with all respect and reverence and opened the new gate said enter and take thy pleasure in looking at the garden now the gardener knew not that the king's daughter was to visit that place that day but when Taj al-Mulik had been a little while there he heard a hubbub and air he could think out issued the eunuchs and damsels by the private wicket the gardener seeing this came up to the prince informed him of her approach and said to him my lord what is to be done the princess Dunya the king's daughter is here replied the prince fear not no harm shall be folly for I will hide me somewhere about the garden so the keeper exhorted him to the utmost prudence and went away presently the princess entered the garden with her damsels and with the old woman he said to herself if these eunuchs stay with us we shall not attain our end so quoth she to the king's daughter oh my lady I have somewhat to tell thee shall ease thy heart quoth the princess say what thou hast to say oh my lady rejoin the old woman thou hast no need of these eunuchs at a time like the present nor wilt thou be able to divert thyself at thine ease wilt's they are with us so send them away and the lady Dunya replied thou speakest sooth accordingly she dismissed them and presently began to walk about wilt's Taj al-Mulik looked upon her and she knew it not and every time he gazed at her he fainted by reason of her passing charms the old woman drew her by converse till they reached the pavilion which the wazir had been decorated when the princess entered and cast a glance around and perceived a picture of the birds the phalar in the pigeon whereupon she cried exalted be Allah this is the very counterfeit presentment of what I saw in my dream she continued to gaze at the figures of the birds admiring the work and presently she said oh my nurse, I have been once a blame and hate men but look now at the phalar who has slaughtered the she-bird who set free her mate who was minded to return to her and ate her to escape when the bird of prey met him and tore him to pieces now the old woman feigned ignorance to her and ceased not to occupy her in converse till they drew near the place where Taj al-Mulik lay hidden thereupon she signaled to him to come out and walk under the windows of the pavilion as the Lady Dunya stood looking from the casement behold, her glance fell that way and she saw him and nothing his beauty of face and form said to the old woman oh my nurse, once cometh yonder handsome youth replied the old woman I know nothing of him save that I think he must be some great king's son for he attaineth comeliness and excess and extreme loveliness and the Lady Dunya fell in love with him to distraction, the spells which bound her were loosed and her reason was overcome by his beauty and grace and his fine stature and proportions strongly excited her desire as sexual so she said oh my nurse, this is indeed a handsome youth and the old woman replied thou sayest sooth my lady and signaled to Taj al-Mulik to go home and thou desire and longing flamed in him and he was distraught for love yet he went away and took leave of the gardener and returned to his place obeying the old woman and not daring to cross her when he told the wazirnazis that she had signaled him to depart they exhorted him to patience saying did not the ancient dame know that there was an object to be gained by thy departure she had not signaled thee to return home such was the case with Taj al-Mulik the wazirnazis but as regards the king's daughter the Lady Dunya, desire and passion redoubled upon her she was overcome with love and longing and said to her nurse I know not how I shall manage a meeting with this youth but through thee, exclaimed the old woman I take refuge with Allah from Satan the stone thou who art averse from men how come it then that thou art thus afflicted with hope and fear of this young man yet, by Allah none is worthy of thy youth but he quote the Lady Dunya O my nurse, further my cause and help me to foregather with him and thou shalt have of me a thousand dinaires and a dress of honour worth as much more but if thou aid me not to come at him I am a dead woman in every sooth replied the ancient dame go thy palace and leave me to diverse means for bringing you twain together I will throw away my life to content you both so the Lady Dunya returned to her palace an old woman we took herself to Taj al-Mulik who, when he saw her rose to receive her and entreated her with respect and reverence making her sit by his side then she said the trick heth succeeded and told him all that had passed between herself and the princess he asked her when is our meeting to be and she answered, tomorrow so he gave her a thousand dinaires an address of like value and she took them and stent not walking till she returned to her mistress who said to her O my nurse, what news of the beloved replied she I have learnt where he live it and I will bring him to thee tomorrow at this the princess was glad and gave her a thousand dinaires and took them and returned to her own place where she passed the night till morning then she went to Taj al-Mulik and dressing him in woman's clothes said to him, follow me and sway from side to side as thou steppest and hasten not thy pace nor take heed of any who speaketh to thee and after thus charging him she went out and the prince followed her in woman's attire and she continued to charge and encourage him by the way that he might not be afraid nor ceased walking till they came to the palace gate the prince after her and she led him on passing through doors and vestibules so they had passed seven doors as they approached the seventh she said to him, harken thy heart and when I call out to thee and say O damsel pass on, do not slacken thy pace but advance as if about to run when thou art in the festival look till thy left and thou wilt see a saloon of doors count five doors and enter the sixth for therein is thy desire as Taj al-Mulik where they wilt thou go and she answered no where shall I go except that perhaps I may drop behind thee and the chief eunuch may detain me to chat with him she walked on and he behind her till she reached the door where the chief eunuch was stationed and he seeing Taj al-Mulik with her dressed as a slave girl said to the old woman what business hath this girl with thee replied she this is the slave of whom the lady Dania hath heard that she is skilled in different kinds of work and she hath a mind to buy her rejoin the eunuch I know neither slave girls nor anyone else and none shall enter here without my searching according to the king's commands and Shahar-Azad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say end of section four of the book of a thousand nights in a night volume three recording by Chelsea Baker section five volume three of the book of a thousand nights in a night translated by Richard Burton this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Filippo Joaquin the book of a thousand nights in a night volume three section five when it was the one hundred and thirty fifth night she said it hath reached me a auspicious king that the chamberlain eunuch cried to the old woman I know neither slave girl nor anyone else and none shall enter here without my searching him according to the king's commands then quote she feigned to be angry I thought thee a man of sense and good breathing but if thou be changed I will let the princess know of it and tell her how thou hindrest her and she cried out to Taj al-Mulu saying pass on o damsel so he passed on into the vestibule as she bad him whilst the eunuch was silent and said no more the prince counted five doors and entered the sixth where he found the princess dunya standing and awaiting him as soon as she saw him she knew him and clasped him to her breast and he clasped her to his bosom presently the old woman came in to them having made a pretext to dismiss the princess' slave girls for fear of this grace and the lady dunya said to her be thou our doorkeeper so she and Taj al-Mulu abode alone together and she is not kissing and embracing and twining leg with leg when they drew near she left him and shut in the door upon him passed into another chamber where she sat down as was her want whilst her slave women came in to her and she attended to their affairs and conversed with them then she said to them go forth from me now for I wish to amuse myself in privacy so they withdrew and she betook herself to Taj al-Muluq and the old woman brought them food of which they ate and returned to Amoros Dalians till dawn then the door was locked upon him as on the day before and they seized knot to do thus for a whole month this is how it fared with Taj al-Muluq and the lady dunya but as regards the wazir and aziz when they found that the prince had gone to the palace of the king's daughter and there delayed all the while they concluded that he would never return from it and that he was lost forever and aziz said to the wazir oh my father what shall we do he replied oh my son this is a difficult matter and except we return to his sire and tell him so they made ready at once and forthright set out for the green land and the country of the two columns and sought Sulayman Shah's capital and they traversed the valley's night and day till they went into the king and acquainted him with what had befallen his son and how from the time he entered the princess's palace they had heard no news of him at this the king was at though the day of doom had dawn for him and regret was sore upon him and he proclaimed a holy war throughout his realm after which he sent forth his host without the town and pitched tents for them and took up his abode in his pavilion whilst the levies came from all parts of the kingdom for the subjects loved him and one of his great justice and beneficence then he marched with an army walling the horizon and departed in quest of his son thus far concerning them but as regard Tajal Muluk and the Lady Dunia the two remained as they were half a years time whilst every day they redoubled in mutual affection and love and longing and passion and desire so pressed upon Tajal Muluk that at last he opened his mind and said to her no, O beloved of my heart and vitals that the longer I abide with thee the more love and longing and passion and desire increase in me for that I have not yet fulfilled the whole of my wish asked she what then would thou have the whole light of my eyes and fruit of my vitals if thou desire art beside kissing and embracing an entwining of legs with legs do what pleases thee for by Allah no partner hath any part in us but he answered it is not that I wish I would feign acquaint thee with my true story know then that I am no merchant I am a king the son of a king and my father's name is the supreme king Sulaiman Shah who sent his wazir ambassador to thy father to demand thee in marriage for me but when the news came to thee thou wouldst not consent then he told her his past from first to last nor is there any avail in the twice tall tale and he added and now I wish to return to my father that he may send an ambassador to thy sire to demand thee in wedlock for me so we may be at ease when she heard these words she joyed with great joy because it suited with her own wishes and they passed the night on this understanding but it so befell by the decree of destiny that sleep overcame them that night above all nights and they remained till the sun had risen now at this hour King Shahriman was sitting on his cushion of a state with his emirs and grandees before him when the syndic of the goldsmith presented himself between his hands carrying a large blocks and he advanced and opening it in the presence of the king brought out there from a casket of fine work with a hundred thousand dinners for that which was therein of precious stones rubies and emeralds beyond the competence of any sovereign on earth to procure when the king saw this he marveled at its beauty and turning to the chief eunuch with with whom the old woman had had to do said to him Okafur take this casket and wend with it to the princess dunya the castrato took the casket and repairing to the apartment of the king's daughter found the door shut and the old woman lying asleep on the threshold whereupon said he what sleeping at this hour when the old woman heard the eunuch's voice she started from sleep and was terrified and said to him wait till I fetch the key then she went forth and fled for her life such was her case but as regards the epesin he seeing her alarm lifted the door off its hinge pins and entering found the lady dunya with her arms round the neck and both fast asleep at this sight he was confounded and was preparing to return to the king when the princess awoke and seeing him was terrified and changed color and waxed pale and said to him Okafur veil thou what Allah hath veiled but he replied I cannot conceal hot from the king and locking the door on them return to shariman who asked him has thou given the casket to the princess answer the eunuch take the casket here it is for I cannot conceal hot from thee know that I found a handsome young man by the side of the princess and they too asleep in one bed and in mutual embrace the king commanded them to be brought into the presence and said to them what manner of thing is this and being violently enraged seized the dagger and was about to strike Taj al-Muluk with it when the lady dunya threw herself upon him and said to her father slay me before thou slayest him the king reviled her and commanded her to be taken back to her chamber he turned to Taj al-Muluk and said to him woe to thee whence art thou who is thy father and what hath emboldened thee to debouch my daughter replied the prince know o king that if thou put me to death thou art a lost man and thou and all in thy dominion will repent the deed called the king Taj al-Muluk know that I am the son of king Sulayman Shah and year thou knowest it he will be upon thee with his horse and foot when king Shariman heard these words he would have deferred killing Taj al-Muluk and would rather have put him in prison till he should look into the truth of his words but the wazir said to him o king of the age the opinion that thou make haste to slay this gallows bird who dares debouch the daughters of kings so the king cried to the headsman strike off his head for he is a traitor accordingly the headsman took him and bound him fast and raised his hand to the emirs signing to consult them at first and a second signal thereby to gain time in this matter but the king cried in anger to him how long will thou consult the others if thou consult them again I will strike off thine own head so the headsman raised his hand till the hair of his armpit showed and was about to smite his neck and Sharazad perceived the dawn of day and seized to say her permitted say when it was the 136th night she said it hath reached me o aspecious king that the headsman raised his hand to smite off his head when behold loud cries arose and the folk closed their shops whereupon the king said to the headsman wait a while and dispatched one to learn the news the messenger feared forth and presently returned and reported I saw an army like the dashing sea and its clashing surge and their horses curbed till earth trembled with the tram and I know no more of them when the king heard this he was confounded and feared for his realm lest it should be torn from him so he turned to his minister and said have not any of our army gone forth to meet this army but here he had done speaking his chamberlains entered with messengers from the king who was approaching and amongst them there was here who had accompanied Taj al-Muluk they began by saluting the king who rose to receive them and bed them drone here whereupon the minister came forward from amongst them and stood before him and said know that he who had come down upon thy realm is no king like unto the kings of yore and the sultans that went before and who is he asked the shariman and the wazir answered he is the lord of justice and loyalty the brute of whose magnanimity the caravans have blazed abroad the sultan, suliaman shah, lord of the green land and the two columns and the mountains of hispan he who loveth justice and equity and hateeth oppression and iniquity and he saith to thee that his son is with thee and in thy city his son his heart's very core and the fruit of his loins and if he find him in safety his aim is won and thou shalt have thanks and praise but if he have been lost from thy realm or if aught of evil have befallen him look thou for ruin and the wasting of thy reign for this thy city shall become a world wherein the raven shall croak thus have I done my errand to thee and peace be with thee now when king shariman heard from the messenger these words his heart was troubled and he feared for his kingdom so he cried out for his grandees and ministers chamberlains and lieutenants and when they appeared he saith to them go to you, go down and search for the youth now the prince was still under the headsman's hand but he was changed by the fright he had undergone presently there was ear chancing to glance around so the prince on the rug of blood and recognized him so he arose and threw himself upon him and so did the other envoys then they proceeded to lose his bonds and they kissed his hands and feet whereupon Taj al-Muluk opened his eyes and recognizing his father's was here and his friend Aziz fell down affainting for excess of delight in them when king shariman made sure that the coming of this army was indeed because of this youth he was confounded and feared with great fear so he went up to Taj al-Muluk and kissing his head said to him oh my son be not wroth with me neither blame the sinner for his sin but have compassion on my gray hairs and waste not my realm whereupon Taj al-Muluk drew near on to him and kissing his hand no harm shall come to thee for indeed thou art to me as my father but look that not before my beloved the lady dunya rejoin the king oh my lord fear not for her not but joy shall be tied her he went on to excuse himself and made his peace with Suryaman Shah's was here to whom he promised much money if he would conceal from the king what he had seen then he bade his chief officers take the prince with them and repair to the haman and clothe him in one of the best of his own suits and bring him back speedily so they obeyed his bidding and bore him to the bath and clad him in the clothes which king shariman had set apart for him and brought him back to the presence chamber when he entered the king rose to receive him and made all his grandees stand in attendance on him then Taj al-Muluk sat down to converse with his father's was here and with Aziz and he acquainted them with what had befallen him after which they said to him during that delay we return to thy father and gave him to know that thou didst enter the palace of the princess and didst not return therefrom and thy case seemed doubtful to us but when thy sire heard of this he mustered his forces then we came to this land and indeed our coming had brought to thee relief in extreme case and to us great joy quote he good fortune had attended your every action first and last while this was doing king shariman went into his daughter princess dunya and found her wailing and weeping for Taj al-Muluk moreover she had taken a sword and fixed the hilt to the ground and has set the point to the middle of her heart between her breasts and over the blade saying needs must I slay myself and not survive my beloved when her father entered and saw her in this case he cried out to her saying oh princess of kings daughters hold thy hand and have roof on thy sire and the folk of thy realm then he came up to her and continued let it not be your father for thy sake and he told her the whole tale that her lover was a son of king Suryaman Shah and sought her to wife and he added the marriage waited only for thy consent there at she smiled and said did I not tell thee that he was a son of the sultan by Allah there is no help for it I am crucified thee on a bit of wood worth two pieces of silver replied the king oh my daughter have mercy on me so Allah have mercy on thee rejoined she up with you and make haste and go bring him to me without delay quote the king on my head and eyes beat her and going in hastily to Taj al-Muluk repeated her words in his ear so he arose and accompanied the king to the princess and when she caught sight of her lover she took hold of him and embraced him in her father's presence and hung upon him and kissed him saying thou hast desolated me by thine absence then she turned to her father and said so as thou ever any that could do hurt to the like of this beautiful being who is moreover a king the son of a king and of the free born guarded against ignoble deets there upon king Shahriman went out shutting door on them with his own hand and he returned to the wazir and to the other envoys of Suryaman Shah and bade them inform their king that his son was in health and gladness and enjoying all delight of life with his beloved so they returned to king Suryaman and acquainted him with this where upon king Shahriman ordered larges of money and vivers to the troops of king Suryaman Shah and when they had conveyed all he had commanded he bade be brought out 100 coarsers and 100 dromedaries and 100 white slaves and 100 concubines and 100 black slaves and 100 female slaves all of which he forwarded to the king as a present then he took horse with his grandees and chief officers and rode out of the city in the direction of the king's camp as soon as sultan Suryaman Shah knew of his approach he rose and advanced many paces to meet him now the wazir and aziz had told him all the tidings where at he rejoiced and cried praise be to Allah who have granted the dearest wish of my son then king Suryaman in his arms and seated him beside himself on the royal couch where they conversed a while and had pleasure in each other's conversation presently food was set before them and they ate till they were satisfied and sweet meats and dried fruits were brought and they enjoyed their dessert and after a while came to them the Tajal Muluk richly dressed and adorned and when his father saw him he stood up and embraced him and kissed him then all who were sitting rose to do him honor and the two kings seated him between them and they sat conversing a while after which quothed king Suryaman Shah to king Shariman I desire to have the marriage contract between my son and thy daughter drawn up in the presence of witnesses that the wedding may be made public even as is the custom of kings I hear and I obey quoth king Suryaman and thereon summoned the Qazi and the witnesses who came and brought out the marriage contract between Tajal Muluk and the Lady Dunya then they gave Bakshish money and sweetmeats and lavished incense and essences and indeed it was a day of joy and gladness and all the grandees and soldiers rejoiced therein then king Shariman proceeded to dower and equip his daughter and Tajal Muluk said to his sire of a truth these young men as is is of the generous and has done me a notable service have him born weariness with me and he has traveled with me and has brought me to my desire he seized never to show sufferance with me and exhort me to patience till I accomplished my intent now he had abided with us two whole years and he cut off from his native land so now I purposed to equip him with merchandise that he may depart hence with a light heart for his country is near hand replied his father right is thy read so they made ready and hundred loads of the richest stuffs and the most costly and Tajal Muluk presented them with great store of money to Aziz and farewelled him saying oh my brother and my true friend take these loads and accept them from me by way of gift and token of affection and go in peace to thine own country Aziz accepted the presents and kissing the ground between the hands of the prince and his father bad them adieu over Tajal Muluk mounted and accompanied him three miles on his homeward way as a proof of amity after which Aziz conjured him to turn back saying by Allah oh my master wear it not for my mother I never would part from thee but good my lord leave me not without news of thee replied Tajal Muluk so be it then the prince returned to the city and Aziz journeyed on till he came to his native town and he entered it and seized not faring till he went in to his mother and found that she had built him a monument in the midst of the house and used to visit it continually when he entered he saw her with hair disheveled and he spread over the tomb weeping and repeating these lines indeed I am strong to bear whatever befall but weak to bear such partings dire mischance what heart and strangement of the friend can bear what strength withstand assault of severance then sobs burns from her breast and she recited also these couplets what's this I pass by tombs and fondly greet my friends lost homes but send they no reply for save each friend reply how can I make when pledged to clay and pond to stones I lie earth has consumed my charms and I forget that I love for kiss and kin poor banished I while she was thus behold as this came into her and when she saw him she fell down fainting for very joy he sprinkled water on her face till she revived and rising took him in her arms and strained him to her breast whilst he in like manner embraced her then he greeted her and greeted him and she asked the reason of his long absence whereupon he told her all that had befallen him from first to last and informed her how Taj al-Muluk had given him a hundred loads of monies and stuffs at this she rejoiced and as is abode with his mother in his native town weeping for what mishaps he greeted him with the daughter of Dilala the wily one even her who had castrated him such was the case with Aziz but as regards Taj al-Muluk he went in on to his beloved Princess Duniya and abated her maiden head then King Shariman proceeded to equip his daughter for her journey with her husband and father-in-law and bad bring them profound and presence and rarities so they loaded their beasts and sat forth whilst King Shariman escorted them by way of farewell three days journey on their way till King Shah Suryaman conjured him to return so he took leave of them and turned back and Taj al-Muluk and his wife and father fared forward night and day with their troops till they drew near their capital as soon as the news of their coming spread abroad the folk decorated for them the city and Sharazad perceived the dawn of day and seized saying her permitted say end of section 5 of the book of a thousand nights and a night recorded by Filippo Joaquin