 Chapter 31 of The Arabian Night's Entertainments 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 Floyd Wilde The Arabian Night's Entertainments by Andrew Lang Chapter 31 Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp There once lived a poor tailor who had a son called Aladdin, a careless, idle boy who would do nothing but play all day long in the streets with little idle boys like himself. This so grieved the father that he died. Yet, in spite of his mother's tears and prayers, Aladdin did not mend his ways. One day, when he was playing in the streets as usual, a stranger asked him his age, and if he were not the son of Mustafa the tailor. I am, sir, replied Aladdin, but he died a long while ago. On this the stranger, who was a famous African magician, fell on his neck and kissed him, saying, I am your uncle, and knew you from your likeness to my brother. Go to your mother and tell her I am coming. Aladdin ran home and told his mother of his newly found uncle. Indeed, child, she said, your father had a brother, but I always thought he was dead. However, she prepared supper and bid Aladdin seek his uncle, who came laden with wine and fruit. He presently fell down and kissed a place where Mustafa used to sit, bidding Aladdin's mother not to be surprised at not having seen him before, as he had been forty years out of the country. He then turned to Aladdin and asked him his trade. At which the boy hung his head while his mother burst into tears. On learning that Aladdin was idle and would learn no trade, he offered to take a shop for him and stock it with merchandise. Next day he bought Aladdin a fine suit of clothes and took him all over the city showing him the sights and brought him home at nightfall to his mother, who was overjoyed to see her son so fine. Next day the magician led Aladdin into some beautiful gardens a long way outside the city gates. They sat down by a fountain and the magician pulled a cake from his girdle, which he divided between them. They then journeyed onwards till they almost reached the mountains. Aladdin was so tired that he begged to go back, but the magician beguiled him with pleasant stories and led him on in spite of himself. At last they came to two mountains divided by a narrow valley. We will go no farther, said the false uncle. I will show you something wonderful. Only do you gather up sticks while I kindle a fire. When it was lit the magician threw on it a powder he had about him, at the same time saying some magical words. The earth trembled a little and opened in front of them, disclosing a square flat stone with a brass ring in the middle to raise it by. Aladdin tried to run away, but the magician caught him and gave him a blow that knocked him down. What have I done, uncle? he said piteously, whereupon the magician said more kindly, Fear nothing but obey me. Beneath the stone lies a treasure which is to be yours and no one else may touch it, so you must do exactly as I tell you. At the word treasure Aladdin forgot his fears and grasped the ring as he was told saying the names of his father and grandfather. The stone came up quite easily and some steps appeared. Go down, said the magician. At the foot of those steps you will find an open door leading into three large halls. Tuck up your gown and go through them without touching anything or you will die instantly. These halls lead into a garden of fine fruit trees. Walk on till you come to a niche in a terrace where stands a lighted lamp. Pour out the oil it contains and bring it to me. He drew a ring from his finger and gave it to Aladdin, bidding him prosper. Aladdin found everything as the magician had said, gathered some fruit off the trees and, having got the lamp, arrived at the mouth of the cave. The magician cried out in a great hurry. Make haste and give me the lamp. This Aladdin refused to do until he was out of the cave. The magician flew into a terrible passion and, throwing some more powder on the fire, he said something and the stone rolled back into its place. The magician left Persia forever, which plainly showed that he was no uncle of Aladdin's, but a cunning magician who had read in his magic books of a wonderful lamp, which would make him the most powerful man in the world. Though he alone knew where to find it, he could only receive it from the hand of another. He had picked out the foolish Aladdin for this purpose, intending to get the lamp and kill him afterwards. For two days Aladdin remained in the dark, crying and lamenting. At last he clasped his hands in prayer and, in so doing, rubbed the ring, which the magician had forgotten to take from him. Immediately an enormous and frightful genie rose out of the earth, saying, What wouldest thou with me? I am the slave of the ring and will obey thee in all things. Aladdin fearlessly replied, Deliver me from this place, whereupon the earth opened and he found himself outside. As soon as his eyes could bear the light he went home, but fainted on the threshold. When he came to himself he told his mother what had passed and showed her the lamp and the fruits he had gathered in the garden, which were in reality precious stones. He then asked for some food. A last child, she said, I have nothing in the house, but I have spun a little cotton and will go and sell it. Aladdin bade her keep her cotton, for he would sell the lamp instead, as it was very dirty she began to rub it, that it might fetch a higher price. Instantly a hideous genie appeared and asked what she would have. She fainted away, but Aladdin, snatching the lamp, said boldly, fetch me something to eat. The genie returned with a silver bowl, twelve silver plates containing rich meats, two silver cups, and two bottles of wine. Aladdin's mother, when she came to herself, said, Whence comes this splendid feast? Asked not, but eat, replied Aladdin. So they sat at breakfast till it was dinnertime, and Aladdin told his mother about the lamp. She begged him to sell it and have nothing to do with devils. No, said Aladdin, since Chance has made us aware of its virtues, we will use it and the ring likewise, which I shall always wear on my finger. When they had eaten all the genie had brought, Aladdin sold one of the silver plates, and so on till none were left. He then had recourse to the genie, who gave him another set of plates, and thus they lived for many years. One day Aladdin heard, an order from the Sultan proclaimed that everyone was to stay at home and close his shutters while the princess, his daughter, went to and from the bath. Aladdin was seized by a desire to see her face, which was very difficult as she always went veiled. He hid himself behind the door of the bath and peeped through a chink. The princess lifted her veil as she went in, and looked so beautiful that Aladdin fell in love with her at first sight. He went home so changed that his mother was frightened. He told her that he loved the princess so deeply that he could not live without her and meant to ask her in marriage of her father. His mother, on hearing this, burst out laughing, but Aladdin at last prevailed upon her to go before the Sultan and carry his request. She fetched a napkin and laid in it the magic fruits from the enchanted garden, which sparkled and shone like the most beautiful jewels. She took these with her to please the Sultan and set out, trusting in the lamp. The Grand Vizier and the Lords of Council had just gone in as she entered the hall and placed herself in front of the Sultan. He, however, took no notice of her. She went every day for a week and stood in the same place. When the Council broke up on the sixth day, the Sultan said to his Vizier, I see a certain woman in the audience chamber every day carrying something in a napkin. Call her next time that I may find out what she wants. Next day, at a sign from the Vizier, she went up to the foot of the throne and remained kneeling till the Sultan said to her, Rise, good woman, and tell me what you want. She hesitated, so the Sultan sent away all but the Vizier and bade her speak freely, promising to forgive her beforehand for anything she might say. She then told him of her son's violent love for the Princess. I prayed him to forget her, she said, but in vain he threatened to do some desperate deed if I refuse to go and ask your Majesty for the hand of the Princess. Now I pray you to forgive not me alone, but my son Aladdin. The Sultan asked her kindly what she had in the napkin, whereupon she unfolded the jewels and presented them. He was thunderstruck and turning to the Vizier said, What sayest thou? ought I not to bestow the Princess on one who values her at such a price? The Vizier, who wanted her for his own son, begged the Sultan to withhold her for three months in the course of which he hoped his son would contrive to make him a richer present. The Sultan granted this and told Aladdin's mother that, though he consented to the marriage, she must not appear before him again for three months. Aladdin waited patiently for nearly three months, but after two had elapsed his mother going into the city to buy oil found everyone rejoicing and asked what was going on. Do you not know, was the answer, that the son of the Grand Vizier is to marry the Sultan's daughter tonight? Breathless, she ran and told Aladdin, who was overwhelmed at first, but presently besought him of the lamp. He rubbed it and the genie appeared saying, What is thy will? Aladdin replied, The Sultan as thou knowest has broken his promise to me, and the Vizier's son is to have the princess. My command is that tonight you bring hither the bride and bridegroom. Master, I obey, said the genie. Aladdin then went to his chamber, where sure enough at midnight the genie transported the bed containing the Vizier's son and the princess. Take this new married man, he said, and put him outside in the cold and return at daybreak, whereupon the genie took the Vizier's son out of bed, leaving Aladdin with the princess. Fear nothing, Aladdin said to her. You are my wife, promised to me by your unjust father, and no harm shall come to you. The princess was too frightened to speak and passed the most miserable night of her life, while Aladdin laid down beside her and slept soundly. At the appointed hour the genie fetched in the shivering bridegroom, laid him in his place and transported the bed back to the palace. Presently the sultan came to wish his daughter good morning. The unhappy Vizier's son jumped up and hid himself, while the princess would not say a word and was very sorrowful. The sultan sent her mother to her, who said, How comes it, child, that you will not speak to your father? What has happened? The princess sighed deeply and at last told her mother how, during the night, the bed had been carried into some strange house and what had passed there. Her mother did not believe her in the least, but bade her rise and consider it an idle dream. The following night exactly the same thing happened, and the next morning, on the princess's refusing to speak, the sultan threatened to cut off her head. She then confessed all, bidding him ask the Vizier's son if it were not so. The sultan told the Vizier to ask his son, who owned the truth, adding that, dearly as he loved the princess, he had rather died than go through another such fearful night and wished to be separated from her. His wish was granted and there was an end of feasting and rejoicing. When the three months were over, Aladdin sent his mother to remind the sultan of his promise. She stood in the same place as before and the sultan, who had forgotten Aladdin, at once remembered him and sent for her. On seeing her poverty the sultan felt less inclined than ever to keep his word and asked the Vizier's advice, who counted him to set so high a value on the princess that no man living could come up to it. The sultan then turned to Aladdin's mother, saying, Good woman, a sultan must remember his promises and I will remember mine. But your son must first send me forty basins of gold, brimful of jewels, carried by forty black slaves, led by as many white ones, splendidly dressed. Tell him that I await his answer. The mother of Aladdin bowed low and went home thinking all was lost. She gave Aladdin the message, adding, He may wait long enough for your answer. Not so long, mother, as you think, her son replied. I would do a great deal more than that for the princess. He summoned the genie and in a few moments the eighty slaves arrived and filled up the small house and garden. Aladdin made them set out to the palace two and two, followed by his mother. They were so richly dressed with such splendid jewels in their girdles that everyone crowded to see them and the basins of gold they carried on their heads. They entered the palace and, after kneeling before the sultan, stood in a half-circle round the throne with their arms crossed while Aladdin's mother presented them to the sultan. He hesitated no longer but said, Good woman, return and tell your son that I await for him with open arms. She lost no time in telling Aladdin bidding him make haste, but Aladdin first called the genie. I want a scented bath, he said, a richly embroidered habit, a horse surpassing the sultans and twenty slaves to attend me. Besides this, six slaves, beautifully dressed, to wait on my mother and, lastly, ten thousand pieces of gold in ten purses. No sooner said than done, Aladdin mounted his horse and passed through the streets, the slaves stirring gold as they went. Those who had played with him in his childhood knew him not. He had grown so handsome. When the sultan saw him, he came down from his throne, embraced him and led him into a hall where a feast was spread, intending to marry him but Aladdin refused, saying, I must build a palace fit for her and took his leave. Once home, he said to the genie, build me a palace of the finest marble set with jasper, a gate and other precious stones. In the middle, you shall build me a large hall with a dome. It's four walls of massy gold and silver, each side having six windows, whose lattices, all except one, which is to be left unfinished, must be set with diamonds and rubies. There must be stables and horses and grooms and slaves. Go and see about it. The palace was finished by the next day and the genie carried him there and showed him all his orders faithfully carried out, even to the laying of a velvet carpet from Aladdin's palace to the sultans. Aladdin's mother then dressed herself carefully and walked to the palace with her slaves while he followed her on horseback. The sultans sent musicians with trumpets and cymbals to meet them so that the air resounded with music and cheers. She was taken to the princess who saluted her and treated her with great honor. At night the princess said goodbye to her father and set out on the carpet for Aladdin's palace with his mother at her side and followed by the hundred slaves. She was charmed at the sight of Aladdin who ran to receive her. Princess, he said, blame your beauty for my boldness if I have displeased you. She told him that, having seen him, she willingly obeyed her father in this matter. After the wedding had taken place Aladdin led her into the hall where a feast was spread and she slept with him, after which they danced till midnight. Next day Aladdin invited the sultan to see the palace on entering the hall with the four and twenty windows with their rubies, diamonds and emeralds he cried. It is a world's wonder. There is only one thing that surprises me. Was it by accident that one window was left unfinished? No, sir, by design, returned Aladdin. I wished your majesty to have the glory of finishing this palace. The sultan was pleased and sent for the best jewelers in the city. He showed them the unfinished window and made them fit it up like the others. Sir, replied the spokesman, we cannot find jewels enough. The sultan had his own fetched, which they soon used, but to no purpose, for in a month's time the work was not half done. Aladdin, knowing that their task was vain, bade them undo their work and carried the jewels back and the genie finished the window at his command. The sultan was surprised to receive his jewels again and visited Aladdin who showed him the window finished. The sultan embraced him, with his vizier meanwhile hinting that it was the work of enchantment. Aladdin had won the hearts of the people by his gentle bearing. He was made captain of the sultan's armies and won several battles for him, but remained modest and courteous as before and lived thus in peace and content for several years. But far away in Africa the magician remembered Aladdin and by his magic arts discovered that Aladdin, instead of perishing miserably in the cave, and had married a princess with whom he was living in great honour and wealth. He knew that the poor tailor's son could only have accomplished this by means of the lamp, and travelled night and day till he reached the capital of China, bent on Aladdin's ruin. As he passed through the town he heard people talking everywhere about a marvellous palace. Forgive my ignorance, he asked. What is this palace you speak of? Have you not heard of Prince Aladdin's palace? Was the reply? The greatest wonder of the world? I will direct you if you have a mind to see it. The magician thanked him who spoke and having seen the palace knew that it had been raised by the genie of the lamp and became half mad with rage. He determined to get hold of the lamp and again plunged Aladdin into the deepest poverty. Unluckily Aladdin had gone hunting for eight days which gave the magician plenty of time. He bought a dozen copper lamps, put them into a basket and went to the palace crying New lamps for the old followed by a jeering crowd. The princess, sitting in the hall of four and twenty windows sent a slave to find out what the noise was about, who came back laughing so that the princess scolded her. Madame, replied the slave who can help laughing to see an old fool offering to exchange fine new lamps for old ones. Another slave hearing this said there's an old one on the cornice there which he can have. Now this was the magic lamp which Aladdin had left there as he could not take it out hunting with him. The princess, not knowing its value laughingly bade the slave take it and make the exchange. She went and said to the magician give me a new lamp for this. He snatched it and bade the slave take her choice amid the jeers of the crowd. Little he carried but left off crying his lamps and went out of the city gates to a lonely place where he remained till nightfall. When he pulled out the lamp and rubbed it the genie appeared and at the magician's command carried him together with the palace and the princess in it to a lonely place in Africa. Next morning the sultan looked out of the window towards Aladdin's palace and rubbed his eyes for it was gone. He sent for the vizier and asked what had become of the palace. The vizier looked out too and was lost in astonishment. He again put it down to enchantment and this time the sultan believed him and sent thirty men on horseback to fetch Aladdin and chains. They met him riding home bound him and forced him to go with them on foot. The people however who loved him followed, armed to see that he came to no harm. He was carried before the sultan who ordered the executioner to cut off his head. The executioner made Aladdin kneel down bandage his eyes and raised his scimitar to strike. At that instant the vizier who saw that the crowd had forced their way into the courtyard and were skilling the walls to rescue Aladdin called to the executioner to stay his hand. The people indeed looked so threatening that the sultan gave way and ordered Aladdin to be unbound and pardon him in the sight of the crowd. Aladdin now begged to know what he had done. False wretch said the sultan, come hither and showed him from the window the place where his palace had stood. Aladdin was so amazed that he could not say a word. Where is my palace and my daughter demanded the sultan? For the first I am not so deeply concerned but my daughter I must have and you must find her or lose your head. Aladdin begged for forty days in which to find her promising if he failed to return and suffer death at the sultan's pleasure. His prayer was granted and he went forth sadly from the sultan's presence. For three days he wandered about like a madman asking everyone what had become of his palace but they only laughed and pitied him. He came to the banks of a river and knelt down to say his prayers without throwing himself in. And so doing he rubbed a magic ring he still wore. The genie he had seen in the cave appeared and asked his will. Save my life genie said the Aladdin and bring my palace back. That is not in my power said the genie. I am only the slave of the ring. You must ask the slave of the lamp. Even so said Aladdin but thou canst take me to the palace and set me down under my dear wife's window. He at once found himself in Africa under the window of the princess and fell asleep out of sheer weariness. He was awakened by the singing of the birds and his heart was lighter. He saw plainly that all his misfortunes were owing to the loss of the lamp and vainly wondered who had robbed him of it. That morning the princess rose earlier than she had done since she had been carried into Africa by the magician whose company she was forced to endure once a day. However, treated him so harshly that he dared not live there altogether. As she was dressing, one of her women looked out and saw Aladdin. The princess ran and opened the window and at the noise she made Aladdin looked up. She called to him to come to her and great was the joy of these lovers at seeing each other again. After he had kissed her Aladdin said, I beg of you princess, in God's name before we speak of anything else for your own sake and mine tell me what has become of an old lamp I left on the cornice in the hall of four and twenty windows when I went to hunting. I'll ask, she said, I am the innocent cause of our sorrows and told him of the exchange of the lamp. Now I know, quite Aladdin that we have to thank the African magician for this. Where is the lamp? He carries it about with him, said the princess. I know, for he pulled it out of his breast to show me. He wishes me to break my faith with you and marry him, saying that you were beheaded by my father's command. He is forever speaking ill of you but I only reply by my tears. If I persist, I doubt not that he will use violence. Aladdin comforted her and left her for a while. He changed clothes with the first person he met in the town and having bought a certain powder from the princess who let him in by a little side door. Put on your most beautiful dress, he said to her, and received the magician with smiles leading him to believe that you have forgotten me. Invite him to sup with you and say you wish to taste the wine of his country. He will go for some and while he is gone I will tell you what to do. She listened carefully to Aladdin and when he left her arrayed herself gaily for the first time since she left China. She looked so beautiful, so brutal and a headdress of diamonds. And seeing in a glass that she looked more beautiful than ever received the magician, saying to his great amazement I have made up my mind that Aladdin is dead and that all my tears will not bring him back to me so I am resolved to mourn no more and have therefore invited you to sup with me. But I am tired of the wines of China and would feign taste those of Africa. The magician flew to his cellar and put the powder Aladdin had given her in her cup. When he returned she asked him to drink her health in the wine of Africa handing him her cup in exchange for his as a sign she was reconciled to him. Before drinking the magician made her a speech in praise of her beauty but the princess cut him short saying let me drink first and you shall say what you will afterwards. She set her cup to her lips and kept it there the magician drained his to the dregs and fell back lifeless the princess then opened the door to Aladdin and flung her arms around his neck but Aladdin put her away bidding her to leave him as he had more to do he then went to the dead magician took the lamp out of his vest and bade the genie carry the palace and all in it back to China this was done and the princess in her chamber only felt two little shocks and little thought she was at home again the sultan who was sitting in his closet mourning for his lost daughter happened to look up and rubbed his eyes for there stood the palace as before he hastened thither and Aladdin received him in the hall of four and twenty windows with the princess at his side Aladdin told him what had happened and showed him the dead body of the magician that he might believe a ten days feast was proclaimed and it seemed as if Aladdin might now live the rest of his life in peace but it was not to be the African magician had a younger brother who was, if possible more wicked and more cunning than himself he traveled to China to avenge his brother's death and went to visit a pious woman called Fatima thinking she might be of use to him he entered her cell and clapped a dagger to her breast telling her to rise and do his bidding for the pain of death he changed clothes with her colored his face like hers put on her veil and murdered her that she might tell no tales then he went towards the palace of Aladdin and all the people thinking he was the holy woman gathered round him kissing his hands and begging his blessing when he got to the palace there was such a noise going on round him that the princess bade her slave look out the window and ask what was the matter the slave said it was the holy woman curing people by her touch of their ailments where upon the princess who had long desired to see Fatima sent for her on coming to the princess the magician offered up a prayer for her health and prosperity when he had done the princess made him sit by her and begged him to stay with her always the false Fatima who wished for nothing better consented but kept his veil down for fear of discovery the princess showed him the hall and asked him what he thought of it it is truly beautiful said the false Fatima in my mind it wants but one thing and what is that said the princess if only a rock's egg replied he were hung up from the middle of the stone it would be the wonder of the world after this the princess could think of nothing but a rock's egg and when Aladdin returned from hunting he found her in a very ill humor he begged to know what was amiss and she told him that all her pleasure in the hall was spoiled for the want of a rock's egg hanging from the dome it that is all replied Aladdin you shall soon be happy he left her and rubbed the lamp and when the genie appeared commended him to bring a rock's egg the genie gave such a loud and terrible shriek that the hall shook wretch he cried is it not enough that I have done everything for you but you must command me to bring my master and hang him up in the midst of this dome you and your wife and your palace deserve to be burnt to ashes but this request does not come from you but from the brother of the African magician whom you destroyed he is now in your palace disguised as the holy woman whom he murdered he it was who put this wish into your wife's head take care of yourself for he means to kill you so saying the genie disappeared Aladdin went back to the princess saying his head ached and requesting that the holy Fatima should be fetched to lay her hands on it but when the magician came near Aladdin seizing his dagger pierced him to the heart what have you done? cried the princess you have killed the holy woman not so replied Aladdin but a wicked magician and told her of how she had been deceived after this Aladdin and his wife lived in peace he succeeded the sultan when he died and reigned for many years leaving behind him a long line of kings End of Chapter 31 Recording by Floyd Wild knewitmake.org.nz Chapter 32 of the Arabian Nights Entertainment this is a LibriVox recording while LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Valerie the Arabian Nights Entertainment by Andrew Lang Chapter 32 the Adventures of Haroun Al-Rashad Caliph of Baghdad the Caliph Haroun Al-Rashad that in his palace wondering if there was anything left in the world that could possibly give him a few hours amusement when Jafar the Grand Vizier his old and true friend suddenly appeared before him bowing low he waited as was his duty till his master spoke but Haroun Al-Rashad merely turned his head and looked at him and sank back into his former weary posture now Jafar had something of importance to say to the Caliph and had no intention of being put off so with another low bow in front of the throne he began to speak commander of the faithful said he I have taken on myself to remind your highness that you have undertaken secretly to observe for yourself the manner in which justice is done and order is kept throughout the city this is the day you have set apart to devote to this object and perhaps in fulfilling this duty you may find some distraction from the melancholy to which as I see to my sorrow you are a prey you are right return the Caliph I had forgotten all about it go and change your coat and I will change mine a few moments later they both re-entered the hall disguised as foreign merchants and passed through a secret door out into the open country here they turned towards the Euphrates and crossing the river in a small boat walked through that part of the town which lay along the further bank without seeing anything to call for their interference with the peace and good order of the city the Caliph and his vizier made it their way to a bridge which led straight back to the palace and had already crossed it when they were stopped by an old and blind man who begged for alms the Caliph gave him a piece of money and was passing on but the blind man seized his hand and held him fast charitable person he said whoever you may be grant me yet another prayer strike me I beg of you one blow I have deserved it richly and even a more severe penalty the Caliph much surprised at this request replied gently my good man that which you ask is impossible of what use would my alms be if I treated you so ill as he spoke he tried to loosen the grasp of the blind beggar my lord answered the man pardon my boldness and my persistence take back your money and give me the blow which I crave I have sworn a solemn oath that I will receive nothing without receiving chastisement and if you knew all you would feel that the punishment is not a tenth of what I deserve moved by these words and perhaps still more by the fact that he had other business to attend to the Caliph yielded and struck him lightly on the shoulder then he continued his road followed by the blessing of the blind man when they were out of earshot he said to the vizier there must be something very odd to make that man act so I should like to find out what is the reason go back to him tell him who I am and order him to come without fail to the palace tomorrow after the hour of evening prayer so the grand vizier went back to the bridge gave the blind beggar first a piece of money and then a blow delivered the caliph's message and rejoined his master they passed on towards the palace but walking through a square they came upon a crowd watching a young and well-dressed man who was urging a horse at full speed round the open space using at the same time his spurs and whips so unmercifully that the animal was all covered with foam and blood the caliph astonished at this proceeding inquired of a passerby what it all meant but no one could tell him anything except that every day at the same hour the same thing took place still wondering he passed on and for the moment he had to content himself of telling the vizier to command the horseman also to appear before him at the same time as the blind man the next day after evening prayer the caliph entered the hall and was followed by the vizier bringing with him the two men of whom we have spoken and a third with whom we have nothing to do they all bowed themselves low before the throne and then the caliph bathed them rise and asked the blind man his name baba abdallah your highness he said baba abdallah returned the caliph your way of asking alms yesterday seemed to me so strange that I almost commanded you then and there to seize from causing such a public scandal but I have sent for you to inquire what was your motive in making such a curious vow when I know the reason I shall be able to judge whether you can be permitted to continue to practice it for I cannot help thinking that it sets a very bad example to others tell me therefore the whole truth and conceal nothing these words troubled the heart of baba abdallah who prostrated himself at the feet of the caliph then rising he answered commander of the faithful I crave your pardon humbly for my persistence in beseeching your hideness to do an action which appears on the face of it to be without any meaning no doubt in the eyes of men it has none but I look on it as a slight expiation for a fearful sin of what I have been guilty and if your highness will deign to listen to my tale you will see that no punishment could atone for the crime End of Chapter 32 Recorded by Valerie and Washington DC Chapter 33 of Arabian Nights Entertainments This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Arabian Nights Entertainments by Andrew Lang Chapter 33 The Story of the Blind Baba Abdallah Commander of the Faithful in Baghdad and was left in orphan while I was yet a very young man for my parents died within a few days of each other I had inherited from them a small fortune which I worked hard night and day to increase till at last I found myself the owner of 80 camels these I hired out to traveling merchants whom I frequently accompanied on their various journeys and always returned with large profits One day I was coming back from Balsora wither I had taken a supply of goods intended for India and halted at noon in a lonely place which promised rich pasture for my camels I was resting in the shade under a tree when a dervish going on foot towards Balsora sat down by my side and I inquired whence he had come and to what place he was going we soon made friends and after we had asked each other the usual questions we produced the food we had with us and satisfied our hunger while we were eating the dervish happened to mention that in a spot only a little way off from where we were sitting there was hidden a treasure so great that if my 80 camels were loaded till they could carry no more the hiding place would seem as full as if it had never been touched at this news I became filled with joy and greed I flung my arms around the neck of the dervish exclaiming good dervish I see plainly that the riches of this world are nothing to you therefore of what use is the knowledge of this treasure to you alone and on foot you could carry away a mere handful but tell me where it is and I will load my 80 camels with it and give you one of them as a token of my gratitude certainly my offer does not sound very magnificent but it was great to me for at his words a wave of covetousness had swept over my heart and I almost felt as if the 79 camels that were left were nothing in comparison the dervish saw quite well what was passing in my mind but he did not show what he thought of my proposal my brother he answered quietly you know as well as I do behaving unjustly it was open to me to keep my secret and to reserve the treasure for myself but the fact that I have told you of its existence shows that I had confidence in you and that I had hoped to earn your gratitude forever by making your fortune as well as mine but before I reveal to you the secret of the treasure you must swear that after we have loaded the camels with as much as they can carry you have to me and let us go our own ways I think you will see that this is fair for if you present me with 40 camels I on my side will give you the means of buying a thousand more I could not of course deny that what the dervish said was perfectly reasonable but in spite of that the thought that the dervish would be as rich as I was unbearable to me still there was no use in discussing the matter except his conditions were bewailed to the end of my life the loss of immense wealth so I collected my camels and we set out together under the guidance of the dervish after walking some time we reached what looked like a valley but with such a narrow entrance that my camels could only pass one by one the little valley or open space was shut up by two mountains whose sides were formed of straight cliffs which no human being could climb when we were exactly between these mountains the dervish stopped make your camels lie down in this open space he said so that we can easily load them then we will go to the treasure I did what I was bid and rejoined the dervish whom I found trying to kindle a fire out of some dry wood as soon as it was a light he threw on it a handful of perfumes and pronounced a few words that I could not understand and immediately a thick column of smoke rose high into the air he separated the smoke into two columns and then I saw a rock which stood like a pillar between the two mountains slowly open and a splendid palace appear within but commander of the faithful the love of gold had taken such possession of my heart that I could not even stop to examine the riches but fell upon the first pile of gold within my reach and began to heap it into a sack that I had brought with me the dervish likewise set to work but I soon noticed that he confined himself to collecting precious stones and I thought I should be wise to follow his example at length the camels were loaded with as much as they could carry and nothing remained but to seal up the treasure and go our ways before however this was done the dervish went up to a great golden vase beautifully chased and took from it a small wooden box which he hid in the bosom of his dress merely saying that it contained a special kind of ointment then he once more kindled the fire threw on the perfume and murmured the unknown spell and the rock closed and stood whole as before the next thing was to divide the camels and to charge them with the treasure after which we each took command of our own and marched out of the valley till we reached the place in the high road where the roots diverged and then we parted the dervish going towards Balsora and I to Baghdad we embraced each other tenderly and I poured out my gratitude for the honor he had done me in singling me out for this great wealth and having said a hearty farewell we turned our backs and hastened after our camels I hardly come up with mine when the demon of envy filled my soul what does a dervish want with riches like that? I said to myself, he alone has the secret of the treasure and can always get as much as he wants and I halted my camels by the roadside and ran back after him I was a quick runner and it did not take me very long to come up with him my brother I exclaimed as soon as I could speak the moment of our leave taking a reflection occurred to me which is perhaps new to you you are a dervish by profession and live a very quiet life only caring to do good and careless of things of this world you do not realize the burden that you lay upon yourself when you gather into your hands such a great wealth besides the fact that no one who is not accustomed to camels from his birth can ever manage the stubborn beasts if you are wise you will not encumber yourself with more than 30 and you will find those trouble enough you are right replied the dervish who understood me quite well but did not wish to fight over the matter I confess I had not thought about it choose any 10 you like and drive them before you I selected 10 of the best camels and we proceeded along the road to rejoin those I had left behind I had got what I wanted but I had found the dervish so easy to deal with that I rather regretted I had not asked for 10 more I looked back he had only gone a few paces and I called after him my brother I said I am unwilling to part from you without pointing out what I think you scarcely grasp that large experience of camel driving is necessary to anyone who intends to keep together a troop of 30 in your own interest I feel sure you would be much happier if you entrusted 10 more of them to me for with my practice it is all one to me if I take 2 or 100 as before the dervish made no difficulties and I drove off my 10 camels in triumph only leaving him with 20 for his share I had now 60 and anyone might have imagined that I should be content but commander of the faithful there is a proverb that says the more one has the more one wants so it was with me I could not rest as long as one solitary camel remained to the dervish and returning to him I redoubled my prayers and embraces and promises of eternal gratitude till the last 20 were in my hands make good use of them my brother said the holy man my brother riches sometimes have wings if we keep them for ourselves and the poor are at our gates expressly that we may help them my eyes were so blinded by gold that I paid no heed to his wise counsel and only looked about for something else to grasp suddenly I remembered the little box of ointment that the dervish had hidden and which most likely contained a treasure more precious than all the rest giving him one last embrace I observed accidentally what are you going to do with the little box of ointment it seems hardly worth taking with you you might as well let me have it and really a dervish who was given up the world has no need of ointment oh if he had only refused my request but then supposing he had I should have gotten possession of it by force so great was the madness that had laid hold upon me however far from refusing it the dervish at once held it out saying gracefully take it my friend and if there is anything else I can do to make you happy you must let me know directly the box was in my hands I wrenched off the cover as you are so kind I said tell me I pray you what are the virtues of this ointment they are most curious and interesting replied the dervish if you apply a little of it to your left eye you will behold in an instant all the treasures hidden in the bowels of the earth but beware lest you touch your right eye with it or your sight will be destroyed forever his words excited my curiosity to the highest pitch make trial on me I implore you I cried holding out the box to the dervish you will know how to do it better than I I am burning with impatience the dervish took the box I had extended to him and bidding me shut my left eye touched it gently with the ointment when I opened it again I saw spread out as it were before me treasures of every kind and without number but as all this time I had been obliged to keep my right eye closed which was very fatiguing I begged the dervish to apply the ointment to that eye also if you insist upon it I will do it answered the dervish but you must remember what I told you just now that if it touches your right eye you will become blind on the spot unluckily in spite of my having proved the truth of the dervish's words in so many instances I was firmly convinced that he was now keeping concealed for me some hidden and precious virtue of the ointment so I turned a deaf ear to all he said my brother he replied smiling I see you are joking it is not natural that the same ointment should have two such exactly opposite effects it is true all the same answered the dervish and it would be well for you if you believed my word but I would not believe and dazzled by the greed of avarice I thought that if one eye should show me riches the other might teach me how to get possession and I continued to press the dervish to anoint my right eye but this he resolutely declined to do after having conferred such benefits on you said he I am loath indeed to work you such evil think what it is to be blind and do not force me to do what you will repent as long as you live it was of no use my brother I said firmly pray say no more but do what I ask I honestly responded to my wishes up to this time do not spoil my recollection of you for a thing of such little consequence let what will happen I take it on my own head and will never reproach you since you are determined upon it he answered with a sigh there is no use talking and taking the ointment he laid some on my right eye which was tight shut when I tried to open it I was as blind as you see me now miserable dervish I shrieked so it is true after all into what a bottomless pit has my lust after gold plunged me ah now that my eyes are closed they are really opened I know that all my sufferings are caused by myself alone but good brother you who are so kind and charitable and know the secrets of such vast learning have you nothing that will give me back my sight unhappy man replied the dervish it is not my fault that this has befallen you but it is a just chastisement the blindness of your heart has wrought the blindness of your body yes I have secrets that you have seen in the short time that we have known each other but I have none that will give you back your sight you have proved yourself unworthy of the riches that were given you that have passed into my hands whence they will flow into the hands of others less greedy and ungrateful than you the dervish said no more and left me speechless with shame and confusion and so wretched that I stood rooted to the spot while he collected the 80 camels and proceeded on his way to balsora it was in vain that I entreated him not to leave me but at least to take me within reach of the first passing caravan he was deaf to my prayers and cries and I should have soon been dead of hunger and misery if some merchants had not come along to track the following day and kindly brought me back to Baghdad from a rich man I had in one moment become a beggar and up to this time I have lived solely on the alms that have been bestowed on me but in order to expiate the sin of avarice which was my undoing I oblige each passerby to give me a blow this commander of the faithful is my story when the blind man had ended the caliph addressed him Baba Abdallah truly your sin is great but you have suffered enough henceforth repent in private for I will see that enough money is giving you day by day for all your wants at these words Baba Abdallah flung himself at the caliph's feet and prayed that honour and happiness might be his portion forever End of Chapter 33 The caliph Haroon al-Rashid was much pleased with the tale of the blind man and the dervish and when it was finished he turned to the young man who had ill treated his horse and inquired his name also the young man replied that he was called Siddi Noman Siddi Noman observed the caliph I have seen horses broken all my life long and have even broken them myself but I have never seen any horse broken in such a barbarous manner as by you yesterday everyone who looked on was indignant and blamed you loudly as for myself I was so angry that I was very nearly disclosing who I was and putting a stop to it at once still you have knocked the air of a cruel man and I would gladly believe that you did not act in this way without some reason as I am told that it was not the first time and indeed that every day you are to be seen flogging and spurring your horse I wish to come to the bottom of the matter but tell me the whole truth and conceal nothing Siddi Noman changed color as he heard these words and his manner grew confused but he saw plainly that there was no help for it so he prostrated himself before the throne of the caliph and tried to obey his throat and he remained silent the caliph accustomed though he was to instant obedience guessed something of what was passing in the young man's mind and sought to put him at his ease Siddi Noman he said do not think of me as the caliph but merely as a friend who would like to hear your story if there is anything in it that you are afraid may offend me take courage for I pardon you beforehand speak then openly and without fear as to one who knows and loves you pre-assured by the kindness of the caliph Siddi Noman at length began his tale commander of the faithful said he dazzled though I am by the cluster of your highness's presence I will do my best to satisfy your wishes I am by no means perfect but I am not naturally cruel neither do I take pleasure in breaking the law I admit that the treatment of my horse is calculated to give your highness a bad opinion of me and to set an evil example to others yet I have not chastised it without reason and I hope that I shall be judged more worthy of pity than punishment commander of the faithful I will not trouble to describe my birth it is not of sufficient distinction to deserve your highness's attention my ancestors were careful people and I inherited enough money to enable me to live comfortably though without show having therefore a maritalist fortune the only thing wanting to my happiness was a wife who would return my affection but this blessing I was not destined to get from the very day after my marriage my bride began to try my patience in every way that was most hard to bear now I have seen that the customs of our land obliges to marry without even beholding the person with whom we are to pass our lives a man has of course no right to complain as long as his wife is not absolutely repulsive or is not positively deformed and whatever defects her body may have pleasant ways and good behaviour will go far to remedy the first time I saw my wife unveiled and when she had been brought to my house with the usual ceremonies I was enchanted to find that I had not been deceived in regard to the account that had been given me of her beauty I began my married life in high spirits and the best hopes of happiness the following day a grand dinner was served to us but as my wife did not appear I ordered a servant to call her still she did not come and I waited impatiently for some time at last she entered the room and she took our places at the table and plates of rice were set before us I ate mine as was natural and with a spoon but great was my surprise to notice that my wife instead of doing the same drew from her pocket a little case from which she selected a long pin and by the help of the spin conveyed her rice grain by grain to her mouth Amina I exclaimed in astonishment is that the way you eat rice at home and did you do it because your appetite was so small or did you wish to count the grain more than a certain number if it was from economy and your anxious to teach me not to be wasteful you have no course for alarm we shall never ruin ourselves in that way our fortune is large enough for all our needs therefore dear Amina do not seek to check yourself but eat as much as you desire as I do in reply to my affectionate words I expected a cheerful answer yet Amina said nothing at all but continued to pick her rices before only at longer and longer intervals and instead of trying the other dishes all she did was to put every now and then a crumb of bread into her mouth that would not have made a meal for a spiral I felt provoked by her obstinacy and to excuse her to myself as far as I could I suggested that perhaps she had never been used to eat in the company of men and that her family had taught her that she ought to behave prudently and discreetly in the presence of her husband likewise that she might either have dined already or intend to do so in her own apartments so I took no further notice and when I had finished left the room secretly much vexed at her strange conduct the same thing occurred at supper and although all through the next day whenever we age together it was quite clear that no woman could live upon two or three breadcrumbs and a few grains of rice and I determined to find out how and when she got food I pretended not to pay attention to anything she did in the hope that little by little she would get accustomed to me and become more friendly but I soon saw that my expectations were quite vain one night I was lying with my eyes closed and to all appearance sound asleep when Amna arose softly and dressed herself without making the slightest sound I could not imagine what she was going to do and as my curiosity was great I made up my mind to follow her when she was fully dressed she stared quietly from the room the instant she had let the curtain fall behind her I flung a garment on my shoulders and a pair of slippers on my feet looking for my lattice which opened into the court I saw her in the act of passing through the street door which she carefully left open with bright moonlight so I easily managed to keep her in sight till she ended her cemetery not far from the house there I hid myself under the shadow of the wall and crushed down cautiously and hardly was I concealed when I saw my wife approaching in company with a guru one of those demons which, as your highness is aware wonder about the country making their lairs in deserted buildings and springing out upon unwary travelers whose flesh to eat if no light being ghosted away then they'd retake themselves to cemeteries and feed upon dead bodies I was nearly struck down with horror on seeing my wife with this hideous female guru they passed by me without noticing me began to dig up a corpse which had been buried that day and then sat down on the edge of the grave to enjoy their frightful repast talking quietly and cheerfully all the while though I was too far off to hear what they said when they finished they threw back the body and peaked back the earth on it I made no effort to disturb them and returned quickly to the house when I took care to leave the door open as I had previously found it then I got back into bed and pretended to sleep soundly a short time after Amna entered as quietly as she'd gone out she undressed and stole into bed congratulating herself apparently on the cleverness with which she had managed her expedition as many guests after such a scene it was long before I could close my eyes on the first sound which called the faithful to prayer I put on my clothes and went to the mosque but even prayer did not restore peace to my troubled spirit and I could not face my wife until I had made up my mind what future course I would pursue in regard to her I therefore spent the morning roaming about from one garden to another turning over various plans for compelling my wife to give up a horrible phase I thought of using the violence to make her submit but felt reluctant to be kind to her besides I had an instinct that gently means have the best chance of success so a little soon I turned towards home which I reached about the hour of dinner as soon as I appeared Amna ordered dinner to be served and we sat down together as usual she persisted in only picking a few grains of rice and I resolved to speak to her at once of what lay so heavily in my heart Amna I said as quietly as possible we must have guessed the surprise I felt when the day after our marriage did you decline to eat anything but a few more sorts of rice and altogether behave in such a manner that most husbands would have been deeply wounded however I had patience with you and only tried to tempt your appetite by the choices dishes I could invent and still Amna it seems to me that there be some among them as sweet to the taste as the flesh of her corpse I had no sooner uttered these words than Amna who instantly understood that I had followed her to the graveyard was seized with the passion beyond any that I had ever witnessed her face became purple her eyes looked as if they were they could start from her head and she possibly foamed with rage I watched her with terror wondering what would happen next but little thinking what would be the end of her fury she seized a vessel of water that stood at hand and plunging her hand in it murmurs and words I failed to catch my magic wretch received the reward of your prying and become a dog the words were not out of her mouth when without feeling conscious that any change was passing over me I suddenly knew that I had ceased to be a man and the greatness the shock and surprise for I had no idea that Amna was a magician I never dreamed of running away and stood rooted to the spot while Amna blasted as they began to beat me indeed her blows were so heavy that it killed me at once however they succeeded in rousing me for my stupor and I dashed into the courtyard followed closely by Amna who made frantic dives at me which I was not quick enough to dodge at last she got tired of pursuing me or else a new trick entered into her head which would give me speedy and painful death she opened the gate leading into the street intended to crush me as I passed through dog though I was I saw through her design the presence of mine by the greatness of the danger I timed my movements so well that I could try to rush through and only the nip of my tail received a squeeze as she banged the gate I was safe but my tail hurt me horribly and I yipped in how so loud all along the streets that the other boys came and attacked me which made matters no better in order to avoid them I took refuge in a cook shop where tongues and sheeps head were sold gave me great kindness and drove away the other dogs that were still at my heels while I crept into the darkest corner but though I was safe for the moment I was not destined to remain long and under his protection while he was one of those who ruled all dogs to be enthroned and let all the washing in the world would hardly purify you from their contact so after my enemies had gone to seek other prey he tried to lure me from my corner in order to force me into the street but I refused to come out of my hole at the night in sleep which I sorely needed out of the pain inflicted only by Adna I have no wish to weary your highness by dwelling on the sad thoughts which accompanied my change of shape but it may interest you to hear that the next morning my host went out early to do his marketing and returned laden with the sheeps heads and tongues and trotters that formed his stock and trade for the day the smell of meat attracted various hundred dogs in the neighborhood and they gathered around this door for some bits I stood out of my corner and stood with them in spite of his objection to dogs as unclean animals my protector was a kind hearted man and knowing I had eaten nothing since yesterday he threw me bigger and better bits than those which fell to the share of the other dogs or to no purpose when I had finished I tried to go back into the shop but this he would not allow and stood so firmly at the entrance with a stout stick that I was forced and seek some other home a few paces further on was a baker shop which seemed to have a gay and merry man for a master at that moment who was having his breakfast and though I gave no signs of hunger he had once threw me a piece of bread before gobbling it up as most dogs are in the habit of doing I bowed my head and wagged my tail in token of thanks and he understood and smiled pleasantly I really did not want the bread at all but felt it would be ungracious to refuse in order that he might see that I only did it out of politeness he understood this also and seemed quite willing to let me stay in his shop so I sat down with my face to the door to show that I only asked his protection this he gave me and indeed encouraged me to come into the house itself giving me a corner where I might sleep without being in anybody's way the kindness he'd on me by this excellent man was far greater than I had ever expected he was always affectionate in his manner of treating me and I shared his breakfast dinner and supper while on my side I gave him all the gratitude and attachment to which he had the right I sat with my eyes fixed on him and he never left the house without having me at his heels and if I ever happened that when he was preparing to go out I was asleep and did not notice he would call Rufus Rufus that was the name he gave me some weeks passed in this way a woman came in to buy bread in paying for it she laid down several pieces of money one of which was bad the baker perceived this in decline to take it demanding another in its place the woman for her part refused to take it back declaring it was perfectly good but the baker would have nothing to do with it it's really such a bad imitation he exclaimed at last but even my dog would not be taken in here Rufus Rufus and hearing his voice I jumped on to the counter I could throw down the money before me and said find out if there is a bad coin I looked at each and turn and then laid my paw on the false one glancing at the same time at my master so as to point it out the baker who had of course been only in joke was exceedingly surprised at my cleverness and the women who had at last convinced that the man spoke the truth would use another piece of money in its place when she had gone my master was so pleased he told all the neighbors what I had done and made a great deal more of it than there really was the name is very naturally declined to believe his story and tried me several times with all the bad money they could collect together but I never failed to stand the test triumphantly soon the shop was filled for morning till night with people who on the pretence of buying bread came to see if I was as clever as I was reported to be the baker drove a roaring trade and admitted that I was worth my weight and gold to him of course there were plenty who envied him his large custom and many was the pitfall set for me so that he never dared to let me out of his sight one day a woman who had not been in the shop before came to ask for bread like the rest as usual I was lying on the counter and she threw down six coins before me one of which was false I detected it at once and put my paw on it looking as if I did so at the woman yes she said nodding her head you're quite right that is the one she stood gazing at me attentively for some time then paid for the bread and left the room making a sign for me to follow her secretly now my thoughts were always running on some means of shaking off the spell later me and noticing the way in which this woman had looked at me the idea entered my head that perhaps you might have guessed what had happened and in this I was not deceived however I let her go on a little way and merely stood at the door watching her she turned and seen that I was quite still she again beckoned to me the baker all this while was busy with his oven and had forgotten all about me so I stole out softly and ran after the woman when we came to a house which was some distance off she opened the door and then said to me come in come in you will never be sorry that you followed me when I had entered she fastened the door and took me into a large room where a beautiful girl was working at a piece of embroidery my daughter explained my guide I have brought you the famous dog belonging to the baker which can tell good money from bad you know that when I first heard of him I told you I was sure he must be a really a man changing your dog by magic today I went to the bakers to prove for myself the truth is a story and persuaded the dog to follow me here now what do you say your right mother replied the girl and rising she dipped her hand into a vessel of water and sprinkling it over me she said if you were born a dog remain dog but if you were born man by virtue of this water resume with a proper form in one moment the spell was broken the dog's shape vanished as if it had never been and it was a man who stood before her overcome with gratitude at my deliverance I flung myself at her feet and kissed the hem of her garment how can I thank you for your goodness towards a stranger and for what you've done henceforth I'm your slave deal with me as you will then in order to explain how I came to be changed your dog I told her my whole story and finished with rendering the mother the thanks due to her the happiness she had brought to me said the man returned the daughter say no more about the obligation you are under to us the knowledge pain of service to you is ample payment let us speak of Amna your wife with whom I was acquainted before her marriage I was aware that she was a magician and she knew too that I had studied the same art under the same mistress we met often going to the same bath but we did not like each other and never sought to become friends as to what concerns you it is not enough to have broken your spell she must be punished for her wickedness remain for a moment with my mother I beg she added hastily I will return shortly left alone with the mother I again express the gratitude I felt to her as well as to her daughter my daughter she answered is as you see as accomplished a magician is Amna herself you would be astonished at the amount of good she does by her knowledge that is why I have never interfered otherwise I would have put a stop to it long ago as she spoke her daughter entered with a small bottle in her hand sitting on my she said the books I have just consulted tell me that Amna is not home at present but she could and should return at any moment I have likewise found out by their means that she pretends before the servants great amnesty in this as to your absence she has circulated the story that while at dinner with her you remember some important business that had to be done at once and left the house without shutting the door by this means a dog had strayed in which was forced to get rid of by stick go home then without delay and await Amna's return in your room when she comes in go down to meet her and in her surprise she will try to run away then have this bottle ready and dash the water it contains over her saying boldly receive the reward of your crimes this is all I have to tell you everything happened exactly as the young magician had foretold I had not been in my house many minutes before Amna returned and as she approached I stepped in front of her with the water in my hand she gave one loud cry and turned to the door but it was too late I had already dashed the water in her face and spoken the magical Amna disappeared and in her place stood the horse she saw me beating yesterday that commander of the faithful is my story and may I venture to hope that now you have heard the reason of my conduct your highness will not think this wicked woman too harshly treated said the no man replied the caliph your story is indeed a strange one and there is no excuse to be offered for your wife but without condemning your treatment of her I wish you to reflect how much you must have suffered from being changed into an animal and I hope you will let that punishment be enough I do not order you to insist upon the young magician finding the means to restore because I know that once women such as she begin to work evil they never leave off and I should only bring down on your head a vengeance far worse than the one you have undergone already end of chapter 34 recording by Naila B. Ansari Karachi Pakistan the story of Ali Koliya merchant of Baghdad in the reign of Harun al-Rashid there lived in Baghdad a merchant named Ali Koja who having neither wife nor child contended himself with the modest profits produced by his trade he had spent some years quite happily in the house his father had left him when three nights running he dreamed that an old man had appeared to him and reproached him for having neglected the duty of a good Muslim in delaying so long his pilgrimage to Mecca Ali Koja was much troubled by this dream as he was unwilling to give up his shop and lose all his customers he had shut his eyes for some time to the necessity of performing this pilgrimage and tried to atone to his conscience by an extra number of good works but the dream seemed to him a direct warning and he resolved to put the journey off no longer the first thing he did was to sell his furniture and the wares he had in his shop only reserving to himself such goods as he might trade with on the road the shop itself he sold also and easily found a tenant for his private house the only matter which he could not settle satisfactorily was the safe custody of a thousand pieces of gold which he wished to leave behind him after some thought Ali Koja hit upon a plan which seemed a safe one he took a large vase placing the money in the bottom of it filled up the rest with olives after corking the vase tightly down he carried it to one of his friends a merchant like himself and said to him my brother you have probably heard that I am staffing with a caravan in a few days from Mecca I have come to ask whether you would do me the favor to keep this vase of olives for me till I come back the merchant replied readily look this is the key to my shop put it and put the vase wherever you like I promise that you shall find it in the same place on your return a few days later Ali Koja mounted the camel that he had laden with merchandise joined the caravan and arrived in due time at Mecca like the other pilgrims he visited the sacred mosque and after all his religious duties were performed he set out his goods to the best advantage hoping to gain some customers among the passersby soon two merchants stopped before the pile and when they had turned it over one said to the other if this man was wise he would take these things to Cairo where he would get a much better price than he is likely to do here Ali Koja heard the words and lost no time in following the advice he packed up his wares and instead of returning to Baghdad joined a caravan that was going to Cairo the results of the journey gladdened his heart everything almost directly and bought a stock of Egyptian curiosities which he intended to sell at Damascus but as the caravan with which he would have to travel would not be starting for another six weeks he took the advantage of the delay to visit the pyramids and some of the cities along the banks of the Nile now the attractions of Damascus so fascinated the worthy Ali that he could hardly tear himself away but at length he remembered that he had a home in Baghdad meaning to return by way of Aleppo and after he had crossed the Euphrates to follow the course of the Tigris but when he had reached Muzul Ali had made such friends with some of the Persian merchants that they persuaded him to accompany them to their native land and even as far as India so it came to pass that seven years had slipped by since he had left Baghdad during all that time the friend with whom he had left the face of olives had never once thought of him or of it in fact it was only a month before Ali Koja's actual return that the affair came into his head at all owing to his wife's remarking one day that it was a long time since she had eaten any olives and would like some that reminds me said the husband that before Ali Koja went to Mecca seven years ago he left a face of olives in my care but really by this time he must be dead and there is no reason that we cannot eat the olives if we like give me a light and I will fetch them and see how they taste my husband answered the wife beware I pray of doing anything so base supposing seven years have passed without news of Ali Koja he need not be dead for all that and may come back any day how shameful it would be to have to confess that you betrayed your trust and broke the seal of the base pay no attention to my idle words I really have no desire for olives now and probably after all this time they are no good I have a presentiment that Ali Koja will return and what will he think of you give it up I entreat the merchant however refused to listen to her advice sensible though it was he took a light and a dish and went into his shop if you will be so obstinate said his wife I cannot help it but do not blame me if it turns out ill when the merchant opened the vase he found the top most olives were rotten and in order to see if the under ones were in better condition he shook some out into the dish as they fell out a few of the gold pieces fell out too the sight of the money roused all the merchants greed he looked into the vase and saw that all the bottom was filled with gold he then replaced the olives and returned to his wife my wife he said as he entered the room they were quite right the olives were rotten and I have recorked the vase so well that Ali Koja will never know that it has been touched you would have done better to believe me replied the wife I trust that no harm will come of it these words made no more impression on the merchant than the others had done and he spent the whole night in wondering how he could manage to keep the gold if Ali Koja should come back and claim his vase very early the next morning he went out and bought fresh new olives he then threw away the old ones took out the gold and hid it and filled up the vase with the olives he had bought this done he recorked the vase and put it in the same place where it had been left by Ali Koja a month later Ali Koja re-entered Baghdad and as his house was still let he went to an inn and the following day set out to see his friend the merchant who received him with open arms and many expressions of surprise after a few moments given to inquiries Ali Koja begged the merchant to hand him over the vase that he had taken care of for so long oh certainly said he I am only glad that I could be of use to you in the matter here is the key to my shop you will find the vase in the place where you put it Ali Koja fetched his vase and carried it to his room at the inn where he opened it he thrust on his hand but could feel no money but still was persuaded that it must be there so he got some plates and vessels from his traveling kit and emptied out the olives to no purpose the gold was not there the poor man was dumb with horror then lifting up his hands he exclaimed can my old friend really have committed such a crime in great haste he went back to the house of the merchant my friend he cried you will be astonished to see me again but I can find nowhere in this vase a thousand pieces of gold that I placed in the bottom under the olives perhaps you may have taken alone of them for your business purposes if that is so you are most welcome I will only ask that you give me a receipt and that you pay the money at your leisure the merchant who had expected something of the sort had his reply already Ali Koja he said when you brought me the vase of olives did I ever touch it I gave you the key of my shop and you put it yourself where you liked and did you not find it exactly in the same spot and in the same state if you placed any gold in it it must be there still I know nothing about that you only told me there were olives you can believe me or not but I have not laid a finger on the vase Ali Koja still tried every means to persuade the merchant to admit the truth I love peace he said and shall deeply regret having to resort to harsh measures think of your reputation I shall be in despair if you obliged me to call in the aid of the law Ali Koja answered the merchant you allow that it was a vase of olives you placed in my charge you fetched it and removed it yourself and now you tell me it contained a thousand pieces of gold and that I must restore them to you did you ever say anything about them before why I did not even know that the vase had olives in it you never showed them to me I wonder that you have not demanded pearls or diamonds retire I pray you lest a crowd should gather in front of my shop by this time not only the casual passers by but also the neighboring merchants were standing around listening to the dispute and trying every now and then to smooth matters between them but at the merchant's last words Ali Koja resolved to lay the cause of the quarrel before them and told them the whole story they heard him to the end inquire to the merchant what he had to say the accused man admitted that he had kept Ali Koja's vase in his shop but he denied having touched it and swore that as to what it contained he only knew what Ali Koja had told him and called them all to witness the insult that had been put upon him you have brought it on yourself said Ali Koja taking him by the arm and as you appeal to the law the law you shall have let us see if you will dare to repeat your story before the Qadi now as a good Muslim the merchant was forbidden to refuse this choice of a judge so he accepted the test and said to Ali Koja very well I should like nothing better and we shall soon see which of us is in the right so the two men presented themselves before the Qadi and Ali Koja again repeated his tale the Qadi asked what witnesses he had Ali Koja replied that he had not taken this precaution he considered the man his friend and up to this time had always found him honest the merchant on his side stuck to his story and offered to swear solemnly that not only had he never stolen the thousand gold pieces but that he did not even know they were there the Qadi allowed him to take the oath and pronounced him innocent Ali Koja furious at having to suffer such a loss protested against the verdict declaring that he would appeal to the caliph Harun al-Rashid himself but the Qadi paid no attention to his threats and was quite satisfied that he had done what was right judgment being given the merchant returned home triumphant and Ali Koja went back to his inn to draw up a petition to the caliph the next morning he placed himself on the road along which the caliph must pass after midday prayer and stretched out his petition to the officer who walked before the caliph whose duty it was to collect such things and on entering the palace to hand them to his master their Harun al-Rashid studied them carefully knowing this custom Ali Koja followed the caliph into the public hall of the palace and waited the result after some time the officer appeared and told him that the caliph had read his petition and had appointed an hour the next morning to give him audience he then inquired the merchant's address so that he might be summoned to attend also that very evening the caliph with his Grand Vizier Gfr and Mizrur, chief of the eunuchs all three disguised as was their habit went out to take a stroll through the town going down one street the caliph's attention was attracted by a noise and looking through a door which opened into a court he perceived 10 or 12 children playing in the moonlight he hid himself in a dark corner and watched them the caliph's play at being the caliph said the brightest and quickest of them all I will be the caliph bring before me Ali Koja and the merchant who robbed him of the thousand pieces of gold the boy's words recalled to the caliph the petition that he had read that morning and he waited with interest to see what the children would do the proposal was hailed with joy by the other children who had heard a great deal of talk about the matter and they quickly settled the part each one was to play he took a seat gravely and an officer introduced first Ali Koja the plaintiff and then the merchant who was the defendant Ali Koja made a low bow and pleaded his cause point by point concluding by imploring the caliph not to inflict on him such a heavy loss the caliph having heard his case turned to the merchant and inquired why he had not repaid Ali Koja the sum in question the false merchant repeated the reasons that the real merchant had given to the qadi of Baghdad and also offered to swear that he told the truth stop a moment said the little qadi before we come to oaths I should like to examine the vase with the olives Ali Koja he added have you got the vase with you and finding he had not the qadi continued go and get it and bring it to me so Ali Koja disappeared for an instant and then pretended to lay a vase at the feet of the qadi declaring it was his vase which he had given to the accused for safe custody and in order to be quite correct the qadi asked the merchant if he recognized it as the same vase by his silence the merchant admitted the fact and the qadi then commanded to have the vase opened Ali Koja made a movement as if he was taking off the lid and the little qadi on his part made a pretense appearing into the vase what beautiful olives he said I should like to taste one and pretended to put one in his mouth he added they are really excellent but he went on it seems to me odd that olives 7 years old should be as good as that send for some dealers in olives and let us hear what they say two children were presented to him as olive merchants and the qadi addressed them tell me how long can olives be kept so as to be pleasant eating my lord replied the merchants however much the qadi here is taken to preserve them they never last beyond the third year they lose both taste and color and are only fit to be thrown away if it is so answered the little qadi examine this face and tell me how long the olives have been in it the olive merchants pretended to examine the olives and taste them then reported to the qadi that they were fresh and good you are mistaken said he Ali Koja declares he put them in that vase 7 years ago my lord returned the olive merchants we can assure you that the olives are those of the present year and if you consult all the merchants in Baghdad you will not find one to give a contrary opinion the accused merchant opened his mouth as if to protest but the qadi gave him no time be silent he said you are a thief take him away and hang him so the game ended the children clapping their hands in applause and leading the criminal away to be hanged Harun al-Rashid was lost in astonishment at the wisdom of the child who had given so wise a verdict on the case that he himself was to hear on the morrow is there any other verdict possible he asked the Grand Vizier who was as much impressed as himself I can imagine no better judgment if the circumstances are really such as we have heard replied the Grand Vizier it seems to me your highness could only follow the example of this boy with a lot of reasoning and also in your conclusions then take careful note of this house said the caliph and bring me the boy tomorrow so that the affair may be tried by him in my presence summon also the qadi to learn his duty from the mouth of a child then Ali kojib bring his face of olives and see that two dealers in olives are present so saying the caliph returned to the palace the next morning early the Grand Vizier went back to the house they had seen the children play and asked for the mistress and her children three boys appeared and the Grand Vizier inquired which had represented the qadi in their game the previous evening the eldest and tallest changing color confessed that it was he and to his mother's great alarm the Grand Vizier said that he had strict orders to bring him into the presence of the caliph does he want to take my son from me cried the poor woman but the Grand Vizier hastened to calm her that she would have the boy again in an hour and she would be quite satisfied when she knew the reason of the summons so she dressed the boy in his best clothes and the two left the house when the Grand Vizier presented the child to the caliph he was a little odd and confused and the caliph proceeded to explain why he had sent for him approached my son he said kindly I think it was you who judged the case of Ali kojib and the merchant last night I overheard you by chance and was very pleased with the way you conducted it today you will see the real Ali kojib and the real merchant seat yourself at once next to me the caliph being seated on his throne with the boy next to him the parties to the suit were ushered in one by one they prostrated themselves and touched the carpet at the foot of the throne with their foreheads when they rose up the caliph said now speak this child will give you justice and if more should be wanted I will see to it myself Ali kojib and the merchant pleaded one after another but when the merchant offered to swear the same oath that he had taken before the Kadi he was stalked by the child who said that before this was done he must first see the vase of olives at these words Ali kojib presented the vase to the caliph and uncovered it the caliph took one of the olives tasted it and ordered the expert merchants to do the same they pronounced the olives good and fresh that year the boy informed them that Ali kojib declared it was seven years since he placed them in the vase to which they returned the same answer as the children had done the accused merchant saw by this time that his condemnation was certain and tried to allege something in his defense the boy had too much sense to order him to be hanged and looked at the caliph saying commander of the faithful this is not a game now it is for your highness to condemn him to death not for me convinced that the man was a thief bade them take him away and hang him which was done but not before he had confessed his guilt and the place in which he had hidden Ali kojib's money the caliph ordered the Kadi to learn how to deal justice from the mouth of a child and sent the boy home with a purse containing a hundred pieces of gold as a mark of his favor End of Chapter 35 Chapter 36 of the Arabian Night's Entertainment Chapter 36 The Enchanted Horse Part 1 It was the Feast of the New Year the oldest and most splendid of all the feasts in the Kingdom of Persia and the day had been spent by the king in the city of Shiraz the city of Shiraz the city of Shiraz the city of Shiraz the city of Shiraz the city of Shiraz the city of Shiraz the city of Shiraz the city of Shiraz taking part in the magnificent spectacles prepared by his subjects to do honor to the festival the sun was setting and the monarch was about to give his court the signal to retire when suddenly an Indian appeared before his throne leading a horse richly harnessed and looking in every respect exactly like a real one Sire said he prostrated himself as he spoke and made my appearance so late before your highness I can confidently assure you that none of the wonders you have seen during the day can be compared to this horse if you will deign to cast your eyes upon him I see nothing in it replied the king except a clever imitation of a real one and any skilled workman might do as much Sire returned the Indian it is not of his outward form that I would speak but of the use that I can make of him I have only to mount him and to wish myself in some special place and no matter how distant it may be in a very few moments I shall find myself there it is this Sire that makes the horse so marvelous and if your highness will allow me you can prove it for yourself the king of Persia who was interested in everything out of the common and had never before come across a horse with such qualities bade the Indian mount the animal to do in an instant the man had vaulted on his back and inquired where the monarch wished to send him do you see that mountain as the king pointing to a huge mass that towered into the sky about three leagues from Shiraz go and bring me the leaf of a palm that grows at the foot the words were hardly out of the king's mouth when the Indian turned a screw placed in the horse's neck close to the saddle and the animal bounded like lightning up into the air soon beyond the sight even of the sharpest eyes in a quarter of an hour the Indian was seen returning bearing in his hand the palm and guiding his horse to the foot of the throne he dismounted and laid the leaf before the king now the monarch had no sooner proved the astonishing speed of which the horse was capable than he longed to possess it himself and indeed so sure was he that the Indian would be quite ready to sell it that he looked upon it as his own already I never guessed from his mere outside how valuable an animal he was he remarked to the Indian and I am grateful to you for having shown me my error said he if you will sell it name your own price Sire replied the Indian I never doubted that a sovereign so wise and accomplished as your highness would do justice to my horse when he once knew its power and I even went so far as to think it probable that you might wish to possess it and lately as I prize it I will yield it up to your highness on one condition the horse was not constructed by me but was given me by the inventor in exchange for my only daughter who made me take a solemn oath that I would never part with it except for some object of equal value name anything you like cried the monarch interrupting him my kingdom is large and filled with fair cities you have only to choose which you would prefer to become its ruler to the end of your life Sire answered the Indian to whom the proposal did not seem nearly so generous as it appeared to the king I am most grateful to your highness for your princely offer and beseech you not to be offended with me if I say that I can only deliver up my horse in exchange for the hand of the princess your daughter a shout of laughter burst from the courtiers as they heard these words and Prince Farouz Shah the heir apparent was filled with anger at the Indians presumption that it would not cost him much to part with the princess in order to gain such a delightful toy and while he was hesitating as to his answer the prince broke in Sire he said it is not possible that you can doubt for an instant what reply you should give to such an insolent bargain consider what you owe to yourself and to the blood of your ancestors my son replied the king you speak nobly but you do not realize either the value of the horse I reject the proposal of the Indian he will only make the same to some other monarch and I should be filled with despair at the thought that anyone but myself should own this seventh wonder of the world of course I do not say that I shall accept his conditions and perhaps he may be brought to reason but meanwhile I should like you to examine the horse and with the owner's permission to make trial of its powers the Indian who had overheard the king's speech thought that he saw in it of yielding to his proposal so he joyfully agreed to the monarch's wishes and came forward to help the prince to mount the horse and show him how to guide it but before he had finished the young man turned the screw and was soon out of sight they waited some time expecting that every moment he might be seen returning in the distance but at length the Indian grew frightened and prostrating himself before the throne he said to the king and he noticed that the prince in his impatience did not allow me to tell him what it was necessary to do in order to return to the place from which he started I implore you not to punish me for what was not my fault and not to visit on me any misfortune that may occur but why cried the king in a burst of fear and anger why did you not call him back when you saw him disappearing before I recovered my speech but we must hope that he will perceive and turn a second screw which will have the effect of bringing the horse back to earth but supposing he does answered the king what is to hinder the horse from descending straight into the sea or dashing him to pieces on the rocks have no fears your highness said the Indian the horse has the gift of passing overseas and of carrying his rider well your head shall answer for it returned the monarch and if in three months he is not safe back with me or at any rate does not send me news of his safety your life shall pay the penalty so saying he ordered his guards to seize the Indian and throw him into prison meanwhile prince Farooz Shah had gone gaily up into the air and for the space of an hour continued to ascend higher and higher till the very mountains were not distinguishable from the plains and he began to think it was time to come down and took for granted that in order to do this it was only needful to turn the screw the reverse way but to his surprise and horror he found that turn as he might he did not make the smallest impression he then remembered that he had never waited to ask how he was to get back to earth again and understood the danger in which he stood luckily he did not lose his head and set about examining the horse's neck with great care till at last to his intense joy he discovered a tiny little peg much smaller than the other close to the right ear this he turned and found himself dropping to the earth though more slowly than he had left it it was now dark and as the prince could see nothing he was obliged not without some feeling of disquiet to allow the horse to direct his own course and midnight was already passed before prince Farooz Shah again touched the ground faint and weary from his long ride and from the fact that he had eaten nothing since early morning the first thing he did on dismounting was to try to find out where he was and as far as he could discover in the thick darkness he found himself on the terraced roof of a huge palace with a ballastrid of marble running round in one corner of the terrace stood a small door opening onto a staircase which led down into the palace I have hesitated before exploring further but not so the prince I am doing no harm he said and whoever the owner may be he will not touch me when he sees I am unarmed and in dread of making a false step he went cautiously down the staircase on a landing he noticed an open door beyond which was a faintly lighted hall before entering the prince paused and listened but he heard nothing except the sound of men snoring the light of a lantern suspended from the roof he perceived a row of black guard sleeping each with a naked sword lying by him and he understood that the hall must form the anti-room to the chamber of some queen or princess standing quite still Prince Farouz Shah looked about him till his eyes grew accustomed to the gloom and he noticed a bright light shining through a curtain in one corner he then made his way softly towards it the wine aside its folds passed into a magnificent chamber full of sleeping women all lying on low couches except one who was on a sofa and this one he knew must be the princess gently stealing up to the side of her bed he looked at her and saw that she was more beautiful than any woman he had ever beheld but fascinated though he was he was well aware of the danger of his position as one cry of surprise would awake the guards and cause his certain death so sinking quietly on his knees he took hold of the sleeve of the princess and drew her arm lightly towards him the princess opened her eyes and seen before her a handsome well-dressed man she remained speechless with astonishment this favorable moment was seized by the prince who bowing low while he knelt thus addressed her you behold madame a prince in distress son to the king of Persia who owing to an adventure so strange that you will scarcely believe it finds himself here a suppliant for your protection but yesterday I was in my father's court engaged in the celebration of our most solemn festival today I am in an unknown land in danger of my life now the princess whose mercy prince Farouz Shah implored was the eldest daughter of the king of Bengal who was enjoying rest and change in the palace her father had built her at a little distance from the capital she listened kindly to what he had to say and then answered prince be not uneasy hospitality and humanity are practiced as widely in Bengal as they are in Persia the protection you ask will be given you by all you have my word for it and as the prince was about to thank her for her goodness she added quickly however great may be my curiosity to learn by what means you have traveled here so speedily I know that you must be faint for want of food so I shall give orders to my women to take you to one of my chambers where you will be provided with supper and left to repose by this time the princess's attendants were all awake and listening to the conversation at a sign from their mistress they rose dressed themselves hastily and snatching up some of the tapers which lighted the room conducted the prince to a large and lofty room where two of the number prepared his bed and the rest went down to the kitchen from which they soon returned with all sorts of dishes then showing him cupboards filled with dresses and linen they quitted the room during their absence the princess of Bengal who had been greatly struck by the beauty of the prince tried in vain to go to sleep again it was of no use she felt brought awake and when her women entered the room she inquired eagerly if the prince had all he wanted and what they thought of him madame they replied it is of course impossible for us to tell what impression this young man has made on you for ourselves we think you would be fortunate if the king your father should allow you to marry anyone so amiable certainly there is no one in the court of Bengal who can be compared with him these flattering observations were by no means displeasing to the princess but as she did not wish to betray her own feelings she merely said you are all a set of chatterboxes go back to bed and let me sleep when she dressed the following morning her maids noticed that contrary to her usual habit the princess was very particular about her toilette and insisted on her hair being dressed two or three times over for she said to herself if my appearance was not displeasing to the prince when he saw me in the condition I was how much more will he be struck with me with all my charms then she placed in her hair the largest and most brilliant diamond she could find within necklace bracelets and girdle all of precious stones and over her shoulders her ladies put a robe of the richest stuff in all the indies that no one was allowed to wear except members of the royal family when she was fully dressed according to her wishes she sent to know if the prince of Persia was awake and ready to receive her as she sent herself before him when the princess's messenger entered his room Prince Varusha was in the act of leaving it to inquire if he might be allowed to pay his homage to her mistress but on hearing the princess's wishes he at once gave way her will is my law he said I am only here to obey her orders in a few moments the princess herself appeared and after the usual compliments had passed between them the princess sat down on a sofa and began to explain to the prince her reasons for not giving him an audience in her own apartments had I done so she said we might have been interrupted at any hour by the chief of the eunuchs who has the right to enter whenever it pleases him whereas this is forbidden ground I am all impatient to learn the wonderful accident which has procured the pleasure of your arrival and that is why I have come to you here where no one can intrude upon us begin then I entreat you without delay so the prince began at the beginning and told all the story of the festival of Nedruz held yearly in Persia and of the splendid spectacles celebrated in its honor but when he came to the enchanted horse the princess declared that she could never have imagined anything half so surprising well then continued the prince you can easily understand how the king my father who has a passion for all curious things was seized with a violent desire to possess this horse and ask the Indian what some he would take for it the man's answer was absolutely absurd as you will agree when I tell you that it was nothing less than the hand of the princess my sister but though all the bystanders laughed and mocked and I was beside myself with rage I saw to my despair that my father could not make up his mind to treat the insolent proposal as it deserved I tried to argue with him but in vain he only begged me to examine the horse with a view as I quite understood of making me more sensible of its value to please my father I mounted the horse and without waiting for any instructions from the Indian turned the peg as I had seen him do in an instant I was soaring upwards much quicker than an arrow could fly and I felt as if I must be getting so near the sky that I should soon hit my head against it I could see nothing beneath me and for some time was so confused that I did not even know in what direction I was traveling at last when it was growing dark I found another screw and on turning it the horse began slowly to sink towards the earth I was forced to trust a chance and to see what fate had in store and it was already past midnight when I found myself on the roof of this palace I crept down the little staircase and made directly for a light which I perceived through the door I peeped cautiously in and saw as you will guess the eunuchs lying asleep on the floor I knew the risks I ran but my need was so great that I paid no attention to them and stole safely past your guards to the curtain which concealed your doorway the rest princess you know and it only remains for me to thank you for the kindness you have shown me and to assure you of my gratitude by the law of nations I am already your slave and I have only my heart that is my own to offer you but what am I saying my own alas madame it was yours from the first moment I beheld you the air with which he said these words could have left no doubt on the mind of the princess as to the effect of her charms and the blush which mounted to her face only increased her beauty Prince returned she as soon as her confusion permitted her to speak you have given me the greatest pleasure I have followed you closely in all your adventures and though you are positively sitting before me I even trembled at your danger in the upper regions of the air let me say what a debt I owe to the chance that has led you to my house you could have entered none which would have given you a warmer welcome as to your being a slave of course that is merely a joke and my reception must itself have assured you that you are as free here as at your father's court as to your heart continued she in tones of encouragement I am quite sure that must have been disposed of long ago to some princess who is well worthy of it and I could not think of being the cause of your unfaithfulness to her Prince Farouz Shah was about to protest that there was no lady with any prior claims but he was stopped by the entrance of one of the princesses attendants who announced that dinner was served and after all neither was sorry for the reception dinner was laid in a magnificent apartment and the table was covered with delicious fruits while during the repast richly dressed girls sang softly and sweetly to stringed instruments after the prince and princess had finished they passed into a small room hung with blue and gold looking out into a garden stocked with flowers and arbiters trees quite different from any that were to be found in Persia princess till now I had always believed that Persia could boast finer palaces and more lovely gardens than any kingdom upon earth but my eyes have been opened and I begin to pursue that wherever there is a great king he will surround himself with buildings worthy of him Prince replied the princess of Bengal I have no idea what a Persia palace is like so I am unable to make comparisons I do not wish to depreciate my own palace but I can assure you that it is very poor beside that of the king my father as you will agree when you have been there to greet him as I hope you will shortly do now the princess hope that by bringing about a meeting between the prince and her father the king would be so struck with the young man's distinguished air and fine manners that he would offer him his daughter to wife but the reply of the prince of Persia to her suggestion was not quite what she wished madame he said by taking advantage of your proposal to visit the palace of the king of Bengal I should satisfy not merely my curiosity but also the sentiments of respect with which I regard him but princess I am persuaded that you will feel with me that I cannot possibly present myself before so great a sovereign without the attendance suitable to my rank he would think me an adventurer if that is all she answered you can get as many presents here as you please there are plenty of Persian merchants and as for money my treasury is always open to you take what you please Prince Farooz Shah guessed what prompted so much kindness on the part of the princess and was much touched by it still his passion which increased every moment did not make him forget his duty so he replied without hesitation I do not know princess how to express my gratitude for your obliging offer I would accept it once if it were not for the recollection of all the uneasiness the king my father must be suffering on my account I should be unworthy indeed of all the love he showers upon me if I did not return to him at the first possible moment for while I am enjoying the society of the most amiable of all princesses he is I am quite convinced plunged in the deepest grief having lost all hope of seeing me again I am sure you will understand my position and will feel that to remain away one instant longer than necessary would not only be ungrateful on my part but perhaps even a crime for how do I know if my absence may not break his heart but continued the prince having obeyed the voice of my conscience I shall count the moments when with your gracious permission I may present myself before the king of Bengal not as a wanderer but as a prince to implore the favor of your hand my father has always informed me that in my marriage I shall be left quite free but I am persuaded that I have only to describe your generosity for my wishes to become his own the princess of Bengal was too reasonable not to accept the explanation offered by Prince Farooz Shah but she was much disturbed at his intention of departing at once for she feared that no sooner had he left her than the impression she had made on him would fade away so she made one more effort to keep him and after assuring him that she entirely approved of his anxiety to see his father begged him to give her a day or two more of his company End of Chapter 36