 Section 40, Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and the Night, translated by Sir Richard Burton. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Henrik Marcenkevich. The Book of a Thousand Nights and the Night, Volume 2, Section 40. When it was the one hundred and third night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when king Zau al-Maqan saw that the accursed infidel had struck with javelin his brother Sharkhan, he deemed him dead, and dispatched cavaliers towards him. And the first to reach him were the Wazir Dandan and the emir of the Turks, Bahram, and the emir of the Dalamites, Rustam. They found him falling from his horse, so they stayed with him in his saddle, and returned with him to his brother Zau al-Maqan. Then they gave him in charge to his pages, and went again to do the work of cut and thrust. So the strife redoubled, and the weapons together clashed and ceased, not bait and debate, and not was to be seen but blood flowing and necks bowing. Nor did the swords cease on the nape of men to make play, nor the strife to rage with more and more affray, till the most part of the night was passed away, and the two hosts were a weary of the melee. So they called the truce, and each army returned to its tents, whilst all the infidels repaired to King Aphrodon and kissed the ground before him, and the priests and monks wished him joy of his victory over Sharkhan. Then the king fared for Constantinople, and sat upon the throne of his realm, when King Hardub came to him and said, May the Messiah strengthen thy forearm, and never cease to be thy helper, and hearken to what prayers my pious mother, Zat al-Dawahi, shall pray for thee. Know that the Muslims can make no stay without Sharkhan. Replied Aphrodon, Tomorrow shall end the affair when to fight I fair, I will seek Zau al-Maqan, and slay him, and their armies shall turn tail, and the flight shall avail. Such was the case with the kafirs, but as regards the host of Al-Islam, when Zau al-Maqan returned to his tent, he thought of Nott but his brother, and, going into the pavilion, found him in evil case and sore condition, whereupon he summoned for counsel the Wazir Dandan and Rustam and Bahram. When they entered, they opined to assemble the physicians that they might medicine Sharkhan, and they wept and said, The world will not readily afford his like, and they watched by him all that night, and about the later hours came to them the recluse in tears. When Zau al-Maqan saw him, he rose in honor, and the religious stroked Sharkhan's wound with his hand, chanting somewhat of the Quran and repeating by way of Talisman some of the verses of the compassionate one. And the pretender ceased not to watch over him till dawn, when he came to himself and opening his eyes, moved his tongue in his mouth and spake. At this Zau al-Maqan rejoiced, saying, Of a truth the blessing of the holy man has taken effect on him. And Sharkhan said, Praised be Allah for recovery, indeed I am well at this hour, that a cursed one played me false, and but that I swerved the side lighter than lightning, the throw spear had pierced through my breast. So praised be Allah for saving me, and how is it with the Muslims? Answered Zau al-Maqan, All are weeping for thee. Quoth Sharkhan, I am well and in good case, but where is the holy man? Thou he was sitting by him and said, At thy head. So the Prince turned to him and kissed his hand when he said, O my son, be of good patience, and Allah shall increase thy reward, for the wage is measured by the work. Sharkhan rejoined, pray for me, and he prayed for him. As soon as morning dawned and daybreak and shine and sheen, the Muslims sallied out to the plain and the kafirs made ready to thrust and cut. Then the Islamite host advanced and offered fight with weapons ready-dite, and King Zau al-Maqan and Afridun made to charge one at other. But when Zau al-Maqan fared forth into the field, there came with him the Wazir Dandan and the Chamberlain and Bahram, saying, We will be thy sacrifice. He replied, By the holy house and Zem Zem and the place, I will not be stayed from going forth against these wild asses. And when he rode out into the field, he played with sword and spear till riders marveled and both armies wondered. Then he rushed upon the foe's right wing and of it slew two knights, and in like manner he dealt with the left wing. Presently he stayed his steed in the midst of the field and cried out, Where is Afridun that I may make him taste the cup of disgrace? But when King Hardub saw the case, he conjured Afridun not to attack him, saying, O King, yesterday it was thy turn to fight. It is mine today. I care not for his prowess. So he rushed out towards Zau al-Maqan, brand in hand and under him a stallion like Abjar, which was Antar's charger, and his coat was jet black, even as saith the poet. On the glancing racer, outracing glance, he speeds as though he would collar doom. His steed's black coat is of darkest jet and likeest night in her nightly's gloom, whose ney sounds glad to the hearer's ears, like thunders rolling in thunderous boom. If he race the wind he will lead the way and the lightning flash will behind him loom. Then each rushed upon the opponent, parrying blows and proving the marvelous qualities were stored in him, and they fell to drawing on and withdrawing, till the breasts of the bystanders were straightened and they were weary of waiting for the event. At last Zau al-Maqan cried out his war cry and rushed upon Hardub, King of Caesarea, and struck him a stroke that short head from trunk and slew him on the spot. When the infidels saw this, they charged in a body, compact and united, upon Zau al-Maqan, who met them amid field, and they engaged in hewing and foining till blood ran in rills. Then the Muslims cried out, Allah Akbar, God is most great, and there is no God but the God and invoked salvation for the prophet, the finger of glad tidings, the bearer of bad tidings. And there befell a great fight, but Allah assigned victory to the faithful and defeat to the faithless. The Wazir Dandan shouted, Take your blood revenge for King Omar bin al-Numan and his son Sharqan, and bared his head and cried out to the Turks. Now there were by his side more than twenty thousand horse and all charged with him as men when the faithless found not to save their lives but flight. So they turned tail to fly while the biting sabre wrought its havoc and the Muslims slew of them that day some fifty thousand horse and took more than that number. Much folk also were slain while going in at the gates for the flock was great. Then the Greeks hoved to the doors and swarmed up the walls to await the assault and in fine the Muslim hosts returned to their tents aided to glory and victory and King Zawul Makhan went into his brother whom he found in most joyous case. So he made a prostration of thanks to the bountiful and the exalted and then he came forward and gave Sharqan joy of his recovery. Answered he, Verily we are all under the benediction of this religious, holy and righteous nor would you have been victorious but for his accepted horizons. Indeed all day he remained that prayer to invoke victory on the Muslims and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and fourth night she said, It hath reached me, oh auspicious king, that when Zawul Makhan went into his brother, Sharqan, he found him sitting with the holy man by his side. So he rejoiced and drew near him and gave him joy of his recovery. Answered he, Verily we are all under the benediction of this recluse nor would you have been victorious but for his prayers. Indeed he felt no fear this day and he ceased not supplication for the Muslims. I found strength return to me when I heard your Allah Waqbar for then I knew you to be victorious over your enemies. But now recount to me, oh my brother what befell thee. So he told him all that hath passed between him and they accursed hardub and related how he had slain him and sent him to the malediction of Allah. And Sharqan praised him and thanked him for his prowess. When Zad Adawahi heard tell of her son's death and she still dressed as a devotee, her face waxed yellow and her eyes ran over with railing tears. She kept her counsel, however, and feigned to the Muslims that she was glab and wept for excess of joy. But she said to herself, by the truth of the Messiah there remaineth no prophet of my life if I burn not his heart for his brother, Sharqan, even as he hath burned my heart for King Hardub, the mainstay of Christendom and the hosts of Crossdom. Still she kept her secret and the Wazir Dandan and King Zawul Makhan and their Chamberlain remained sitting with Sharqan though they had dressed and sav'd his wound. After which they gave him medicines and he began to recover strength. Where at? They joyed with exceeding joy and told the troops who congratulated themselves, saying, Tomorrow he will ride with us and do manly dévoire in the siege. Then said Sharqan to them, He hath fought through all this day and are a weary of fight, so it behoveeth that you return to your places and sleep and not sit up. They accepted his counsel and then each went away to his own pavilion and none remained with Sharqan but a few servants and the old woman Zat Aldawahi. He talked with her through part of the night. Then he stretched himself to rest and his servants did likewise and presently sleep overcame them all and they lay like the dead. Such was the case with Sharqan and his men but as regards the old woman she alone abode awake while they slumbered in the tent and looking at Sharqan she presently saw that he was drowned and sleep. Thereupon she sprang to her feet as she were a scald she bear or a speckled snake and drew from her waist cloth a dagger so poisoned that if laid thereon it would have melted a rock. Then she unsheathed the poignard and went up to Sharqan's head and he drew the knife across his throat and severed his weasened and hewed off his head from his body and once more she sprang to her feet and going the round of the sleeping servants she cut off their heads also lest they should awake. Then she left the tent and made for the sultan's pavilion but finding the guards on the alert turned to that of the Wazir Dandan after she found him reading the Quran and when his sight fell upon her he said Welcome to the holy man! Hearing this from the Wazir her heart trembled and she said the reason of my coming hither at this time is that I heard the voice of a saint amongst Allah's saints and them going to him. Then she turned her back but the Wazir said to himself I will follow our devotee this night so he rose and walked after her but when the accursed old woman sensed his footsteps she knew that he was following her whereupon she feared the disgrace of discovery and said in herself unless I serve some trick upon him he will disgrace me so she turned and said to him from afar O thou Wazir! I am going in search of this saint that I may learn who he is and after learning this much I will ask his leave for thee to visit him then I will come back and tell thee for I fear thine accompanying me without having his permission lest he take umbridge at me seeing thee in my society. Now when the Wazir heard these words he was ashamed to answer her so he left her and returned to his tent and would have slept but sleep was not favorable to him and the world seemed heaped upon him presently he rose and went forth from the tent saying in himself I will go to Sharkhan and chat with him till morning but when he entered into Sharkhan's pavilion he found the blood running like an aqueduct and saw the servants lying with their throats cut like beasts for food at this he cried a cry which aroused all who were asleep the folk hastened to him and seeing the blood streaming set up a clamour of weeping and wailing then the noise awoke the sultan who inquired what was the matter and it was said to him Sharkhan thy brother and his servants are murdered so he rose in haste and entered the tent and found the Wazir Dandan shrieking aloud and he saw his brother's body without a head there at he swooned away and all the troops crowded around him weeping and crying out and so remained for a while till he came to himself when he looked at Sharkhan and wept with sore weeping while the Wazir and Rustam and Bahram did the like but the Chamberlain cried and lamented more than the rest and asked leave to absent himself such was his alarm then said Zawal Makhan no ye who did this and how is it I see not the devotee him who the things of this world had put away quoth the Wazir and who should have been the cause of this affliction save that devotee that Satan by Allah my heart abhorred him from the first because I know that all who pretend to be absorbed in practices religious are vile and treacherous and he repeated to the king the tale of how he would have followed the religious but he forbade him whereupon the folk broke out into a tumult of weeping and lamentation and humbled themselves before him who was ever near him who ever answered with prayer supplicating that he would cause the false devotee who denied Allah's testimony to fall into their hands then they laid sharkhan out and buried him in the mountain of foresaid and mourned over his far famed virtues and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say This is section 40 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night Volume 2 Recording by Henry Cam, Houston, Texas, USA Section 41 Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night Translated by Richard Burton This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Ellie The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night Volume 2 Section 41 When it was the 105th night she said It has reached me, O auspicious king that they laid sharkhan out and buried him in the mountain of foresaid and mourned over his far famed virtues Then they looked for the opening of the city gate but it opened not and no sign of men appeared to them on the walls who at the wondered with exceeding wonder But king Zuel Mekhen said By Ella, I will not turn back from them though I sit here for years and years till I take blood revenge from a brother sharkhan and waste Constantinople and kill the king of the Nessarans even if this overcome me and I be addressed from this woeful world Then he bathed be brought out the treasure taken from the monastery of Metruhina and mastered the troops and divided the monies among them and he left not one of them He gave him gifts which contented him Moreover, he assembled in the presence 300 horse of every division and said to them Do you send supplies to your households for I am resolved to abide by this city year after year till I have taken men boat from a brother sharkhan even if I die in this deed And when the army heard these words and had received his gifts of money he replied To hear is to obey The abon is summoned courious and gave them letters and charged them to deliver the same together with the monies to the soldiers' families and inform them that they are always safe and satisfied and acquaint them saying We are encamped before Constantinople and we will either destroy it or die and albeit we be obliged to abide here months and years we will not depart hence till we take it Moreover, he bathed the residentan ride to his sister Nasset El-Samen and said to him Acquaint her with what has befallen us and what be our situation and command my child to her cares instead When I went out to war my wife was near her delivery and by this time she must needs have been brought to bed and if she has given birth to a boy as I have heard say hasten your return and bring me the acceptable news Then he gave them some what of money which they pouched and set out at once and all the people flocked forth to take leave of them and entrust them with the monies and the messages After they had departed Zul-Mekken turned to the Vessia Denden and commanded him to advance with the army against the city walls So the troops pushed forward but found none on the ramparts were at the marvelled while Zul-Mekken was travelled at the case for he deeply mourned the severance from his brother Sherken and he was so perturbed about the traitor the eschetic In this condition they bowed three days without seeing anyone so far concerning the Muslims But as regards the Greeks and the cause of their refusing to fight during these three days the case was this As soon as Settel-Dawahi had slain Sherken she hastened her march and reached the walls of Constantinople where she crawled out in the Greek tank to the guards to throw her down a rope It was day who art thou and was she I am Settel-Dawahi then knew her and let down a court to which she tied herself and they threw her up and when inside the city she went into the king of freedom and said to him What is this I hear from the Muslims They say that my son King Hathab is slain He answered Yes and she shrieked out and wept right grievously and she is not weeping thus till she made a freedom and all who were present weep with her Then she told the king how she had slain Sherken and 30 of his servants were ethy rejoiced and sanked her and kissing her hands exorted her to resignation for the loss of her son said she By the truth of the messiah I will not rest content with killing that dog of the Muslim dogs in blood revenge for my son a king of the kings of age Now there is no help for it but that a worxome girl and contrived a wall whereby to slay the sultan Sewell-Macken and the Vesedenden and the Chamberlain and Rastem and Bahram and 10,000 cavalry of the army of Al-Islam for it shall never be said that my son's head be paid with the blood width of Sherken's head No never Then she told the king a freedom no a king of age that it is my wish to set forth mourning for my son and to cut my girdle and to break the crosses replied a freedom Do what thou desire I will not gain sati in art and if thou prolong thy mourning for many days it were a little thing for though the Muslims resolved to beleaguers years and years they will never win the will of us nor gain art of us out of us safe trouble and weariness Then the accursed one when she had ended with the calamity she had wrought and the ignominious which in herself she had sought took in-case and paper and wrought thereon From Shawahi set Al-Dawahi to the host of the Muslims No ye that they entered your country and tapped by mechanical nobles and at first hand I slew your king Omar bin El-Newman in the midst of his palace Moreover I slew in the affair of the mountain pass and of the cave many of your men and the last a killed were shaken and his servants and the fortune do not stay me and Satan obey me I need must slay me your sultan and the vested end for I am she who came to you in disguise of the recluse and who heaped upon you my devices and deceits therefore and you would be in safety after this fair ye four set once and if you seek your own destruction she is not abiding for the nuns and though ye for a thousand years he shall not do your desire on us and so peace be yours after writing her writ she devoted three days to mourning for king Harthub a writ on the force she called a night and bait him take the letter and make it fast to her shaft and shoot it into the Muslim camp and this was done she entered the church and gave herself up to weeping and wailing for the loss of her son saying to him who took the kinship after him nothing will serve me but I must such was the case with her but as regards what occurred to the Muslim all passed three days in turbulent anxiety and on the force when gazing at the walls behold they saw a night holding a bow and about to shoot an arrow along her side a letter was bound so they waited till he had shot it among them and the sultan baited the vassia danden to take the missive and read it he perused it accordingly and when Seuel Makin heard it his eyes filled with tears and he shrieked for agony at her perfidity and the minister danden said bella my heart shrank from her was the sultan how could this whore play her tricks upon us twice but by the almighty I will not depart hence till I fill her cleft with molten lead and jail her with the jailing of a bird caged then bind her with her own hair and crucify her over the gate of Constantinople and he called to mind his brother and wept an excessive weeping but when Cetaldavahi arrived amongst the infidels and related to them her adventures at length they rejoiced at her safety and at the slaying of Sherken they upon the Muslims addressed themselves again to the siege of the city and the sultan promised his men that if it should be taken he would divide its treasures among them in equal parts but he tried not his tears grieving for his brother till his body was wasted and sick growing sin as a toothpick presently the resident came into him and said be of good cheer and keep thine eyes cool and clear in very soon thy brother died not because his hour was come and there is no prophet in this morning how well says the poet what so is not to be no slight shall bring to pass what is to be without the failure shall become soon the becoming fortune shall be found to be and for his brother shall abide for long and clump therefore do thou leave him wailing and heart and the heart to bear arms he replied O Vessia my heart is heavy for the death of my father and my brother and for our absence from hers and home and my mind is concerned for my subjects thereupon the Vessia and the bystander swept but the sea is not from pushing forward the siege of Constantine Opel for a length of days and they left with the boy and that his sister Nassad el-Saman had named him Ken Macken moreover that the boy be fair to be famous already showing wondrous signs and marvelous tokens and that she had commanded the Olem and the preachers to pray for mother and child from the pulpits and bless them in all ways furthermore that the train were well that the land had enjoyed abundant rains and that his comrade the fireman was established in all prosperity to wait upon him but that he was still ignorant of what had befallen him and she ended with the greeting of peace then was sole Macken to the Vessia denden now is my back strengthened for that I've been blessed with a son whose name is Ken Macken and Shahara Zad perceived the dawn of day insist saying her permitted say when it was the one hundred and six night she said it has reached me oh specious king that when his wife having born him a boy child sole Macken rejoiced with great joy and cried now is my back strengthened for that I've been blessed with a son whose name is Ken Macken and she spoke to the Vessia denden saying I'm minded to leave this morning and order perfections of the Quran from a brother and command alms deeds on his account Quas the Vessia Thai design is good together such of the men at arms is good repeat the Quran and some begin reciting the holy volume rest others gentle litanist containing the names of Allah and thus they did till the morning then sole Macken went up to the grave of his brother Sherken and poured force copious tears and improvised these couplets they bore him bired and all and men's souls who one soul got a door never had a sword before to see much joy born on the bayar which heads of birer's bore are no nor hear the home tea in the dust that stars of heaven earth ever covered over is the tomb dweller hostage of a steed where light and splendor over Thai face shalpur prays to restore his life her words has pledged crypt and confined his shell wept with him all the troops then he came to the grave and threw himself upon it wild with woe and the vessel repeated the words of the poet pain leaving life that's fleed to us the eternal one Tao did the swirled many of door like he has done left as the swirled the house without reproach or blame are made the exchange secure I see this world is only cheat and vanity the man not else must seek but please the truthful one the impure and slaughtered the power of heavenly bliss and with their faithful friends the guide show good live on I beat the last good even with sigh of bitter grief seeing the west in woe for lacking then came forward one who had been of shirken spoon companions in his cups and web till ran in reals the drops and he enumerated the dead man's generous qualities reciting the following pentastics were gone his bounty since the hand is turned to clay and I in misery lie since thoughts taking away see not eyes and filled he with dismay by Allah never too hard we see no spoke of tea I know nor dare my sight to see thy brilliancy save that my teatrop sorist won't have cared me three and if ever on other rest is one of me may yearning draw their reins on a suffer sleep to see when king returned to the vessel to counsel with him concerning the conduct of the campaign on this wise the two past days and nights while Sewell Macon was weighed down with grief and mourning till the last he said I long to hear stories and adventures of kings and tales of lover folk enslaved by love happily Allah may make the solace the twitches on my heart of heavy anxiety and stint and stay tales of kings and people long gone before and stories of folk enslaved by love of your and so forth this thing were easy for I had no other business in the lifetime of thy father who has found mercy then to relate stories and to repeat verses to him this very night I will tell the tale of a lover and his beloved so shall thy breast be broadened when Sewell Macon heard these words from the minister his heart was set upon the twitch had been promised to him and he did nothing but watch for the coming of the night that he might hear what the Vesedenden had to tell of the kings of yore and distracted lovers long gone before and hardly would he believe that night had fallen near he prayed light the wax candles and the lamps and bring all that was needful of meat and drink and perfume gear and what not and when all was in presence he summoned the Vesedenden and the Amius Rustem and Bachram waited till the whole party was seated before him whereupon he turned to the minister and said no, O Vesedenden, that night is come and has let down over as its veil of gloom and with desire that thou tell us those tales which thou promised us replied the Vesedenden wish you and good will and Shahan Rassad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say End of section 41 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and the Night Volume 2 Recording by Ellie May 2009 Section 42 Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night translated by Richard Burton This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Reading by Ian McMillian The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night Volume 2 Section 42 When it was the 107th Night she said It has reached me O auspicious King that when King Zau Al-Makhan summoned the Wazir and the Chamberlain and Rustam and Bahram he turned towards the Minister Dan Land and said No, O Wazir that night has come and has let down over as its veil of gloom and with desire that thou tell us those tales which thou promised us replied the Wazir with love and gladness No, O auspicious King that they reached my ears a relation of a lover and a loved one and of the discourse between them and what befell them of things rare and fair a story such as repeleth care from the heart and dispeleth sorrow like unto that of the patriarch Jacob and it is as follows A Tale of Taj Al-Muluk and the Princess Dunya the lover and the loved There stood in times long gone by behind the mountains of Isbahan a city high as the green city wherein dwelt a king named Sulaiman Shah Now, he was a man of liberality and beneficence of justice and integrity of generosity and sincerity to whom travellers repaired from every country and his name was noised abroad in all regions and cities and he reigned many a year in high worship and prosperity save that he owned neither wives nor children He had a minister who rivaled him in goodness and generosity and it so happened that one day he sent for him and when he came into the presence said to him O my wazir my heart is heavy and my patience is past and my force faileth me for that I have neither wife nor child This is not the way of kings who rule over all men princes and poppers for they rejoice in leaving behind them children and successors whereby are doubled in number and their strength both the prophet whom I'll bless and keep marry ye increase ye and multiply ye that I may boast me of your superiority over the nations on the day of resurrection So, what is thy redo wazir advise me of what course and contrivance be advisable And when the minister heard these words the tears sprang from his eyes and streamed and he replied far be it from me O king of the age that I debate on that which appertaineth to the compassionate one wilt thou have me cast into the fire by the all-powerful kings wrath and hour by the aconcubine rejoined the king no o wazir that when sovereign byeth a female slave he knoweth neither her rank nor her lineage and thus he cannot tell if she be of simple origin that he may abstain from her or of gentle strain that he may be intimate in her companionship So, if he have commerce with her happily she will conceive by him and her son be a hypocrite a man of wrath and a shed of blood Indeed, the like of such woman may be incensed by assault and marshy soil which if one till forever yieldeth only worthless growth and no endurance showeth for it may be that her son will be obnoxious to his lord's anger doing not what he bideth him or abstaining from what he forbideth him Wherefore will I never become the cause of this through the purchase of aconcubine and it is my desire that thou demand for me in marriage the daughter of some one of the kings whose lineage is known and whose loveliness hath renowned If thou can direct me to some maiden of birth and piety of the daughters of Muslim sovereignty I will ask her in marriage and wed her in presence of witnesses so may I grow to me the favour of the lord of all preachers Instead thou as ear O king verily Allah hath fulfilled thy wish and hath brought thee to thy desire Presently adding No, O king it hath come to my knowledge that king Zarshah lord of the white land hath a daughter of surpassing loveliness whose charms talk and tale fail to express She hath not her equal in this age for she is perfect in proportion and symmetry Black eyed as if cold died and long locked we of waste and heavy of hip and when she draweth nigh she seduces and when she turneth her back she slays she ravishes her and view and she looks even as hath of her the poet a thin waist made who shames the willow wand nor sun nor moon can like her rising shine it is as her honeydew of lips were blend with wine and pearls of teeth were bathed in wine her form like heavenly aries graceful slim fair face and ruin dealt by glassing iron her many a dead done man her eyes have slain upon her way of love in ruin lane I live as she is my death I'll say no more but dying without her vain were life with wine Now when that was here had made an end of describing that maiden he said to Salaman Shah it is my consul looking that thou despatched to her father an ambassador seditious experienced and trained in the ways of the world who shall courtiously demand her in marriage for thee of her sire for in good sooth she hath not her equal in the far parts of the world nor in the nearer so shall thou enjoy her lovely face in the way of grace and the lord of glory be content with thy case for it is reported of the prophet whom Allah blessed and preserved that he said there be no monkery in al-Islam at this the king was transported to perfect joy his breast was broadened and lightened care and curses from him and he turned to the wazir and said no thou, O minister that none shall fair about this fair save thou by reason of thy consummate intelligence and good reading wherefore hide thee home and do all thy has to do and get thee ready by tomorrow and depart and demand me in marriage this maiden with whom now hath occupied my heart and thought and return to me but with her replied the wazir I hear and I obey and then he tried to his own horse and be it make ready presents befitting kings of precious stones and things of price and other matters light of load but weighty of worth besides rabbiates feasts and coats of mail such as gave it mail and chests of treasure for which speech hath no measure and the wazir loaded the whole and thought attended by a hundred slave girls with flags and banners flunting over his head the king charged him to return to him after a few days and when he was gone Sulaiman shah lay on poles of fire and gross night and day with desire while the envoy fared on without ceasing through gloom and light spanning fertile field and desert sight till but a days march remained between him and the city here he sat him down on the banks of a river and summoning one of his confidants bade him whence his way to King's Arshad and announce his approach without delay both the messenger I hear and I obey and he rode on in haste to that city and as he was about to enter therein it's so chance that the king who was sitting in one of his pleasantest before the city gate despised him as he was passing the doors and knowing him so the messenger coming forward informed him of the approach of the Wazir of the mighty king Shalaman Shah lord of the green land and of the mountains of Isfahan where at King's Arshad rejoiced and welcomed him then he carried him to his palace and asked him where leaves did thou the Wazir and he answered I left him in early day on the banks of such a river and tomorrow he will reach thee and have mercy upon my parents thereupon King's Arshad commanded one of his Wazir to take the better part of his grantees and chamberlain and the tenants and lords of the land and go out to meet the ambassador in honour of King's Arshad for that his dominion extended over the country such was the case with the Arshad but as regards the Wazir he bowed in his stead till night then set out for the city but when morning dawn and the sun rose upon hill and dawn of a sudden he saw King's Arshad Wazir approaching him with his chamberlain and high lords and chief officers of the kingdom and the two parties joined company at some parasite distance from the city thereupon Wazir made sure of the success of his errand and saluted the escort which ceased to the seventh vestibule a place where none might enter and horseback for it was near to where the king sat so the minister alighted and fared on a foot till they came to a lofty saloon a foot upper end stood a marble couch set with pearls and stones of price and having for legs four elephants tusks upon it was a cover of gems where on sat King Varsha whilst his officers of states stood in attempts before him and when the Wazir went into him he composed his mind and unbounding his tongue displayed the oratory of Wazir and saluted the king in the language of eloquence and Shaharazad perceived the dawn of day of the auspicious king the winner Wazir of King Sulayman Shah entered the presence of King Zarsha he composed his mind and unbounding his tongue displayed the oratory of Wazir and saluted the king in the language of eloquence and improvised these couplets he cometh robed and bending gristfully those aim from thee say to the blamer blame me not for I from love of him will never turn to flee my heart has played me false walk through to him and sleep in love with him up or at he oh heart thought not the soul who loved him subide with him while I desertion drew there's not to join my ears with joyous sound save praise of King Zarsha when one look that look were all sufficiency and if a pious prayer by grief for him shall join all faithfuls in such pious grief folk of his realm if any shirk is right for other hoping growth and faith I see when the Wazir had entered his poetry King Zarsha made him draw near and honoured him with the highest honours on his side smiled in his face and favoured him with a gracious reply they ceased not on this wise till the time of the under meal when the attendance brought forward the tables of food in that saloon and all ate till they were sated after which the tables were removed and those who were in the assembly were through leaving only the chief officers now when the minister saw this he rose to his feet and after complimenting the king and kissing the ground before him spoke as follows O mighty king and dread lord I have travelled hither and have visited thee upon a matter which shall bring the peace profit and prosperity and it is this that I come as ambassador to thee seeking in marriage thy daughter the noble and illustrious near from Salaman Shah a prince famed for justice and integrity sincerity and generosity lord of the green land of the mountains of Isbahan who sendeth thee of presence as door and gifts of press glory ardently desiring to become thy son-in-law but art thou inclined to him as he to thee he then kept silence awaiting reply and when King Zarshah heard these words he sprang to his feet and kissed the ground respectfully before the vassier while the bystanders were confounded at his condescension to the ambassador and their minds were amazed then he praised him who is lord of honour and glory and replied and he's still standing O mighty wazir and illustrious chief hear thou what I say of the truth we are to King Salaman Shah of the number of his subjects and we shall be ennobled by his alliance and we covet it ardently for my daughter is a handmaid to his handmaidens and it is my dearest desire that he may become my stay and my reliable support then he summoned the Kazis and the witnesses he should bear testimony that King Salaman Shah had dispatched his wazir as proxy to conclude the marriage and that King Zarshah joyfully acted and officiated for his daughter so the Kazis concluded the wedding contract and offered a prayers for the happiness and prosperity of the wedded fairs after which the wazir arose and fetching the gifts and rarities and precious things laid them all before the King then Zarshah occupied himself and entered the fitting art of his daughter and honourably entertained the wazir and faceted his subjects all great and small and for two months they held high festival omitting knots that could rejoice heart and eye now when all things needful for the bride were ready the King caused the tents to be carried out and they pitched the camp within sight of the city where they packed the bride's stuffs and chests and get ready the Greek handmaids and Turkish slave girls and provided the princess with great store of precious treasures and costly jewels then he had made for her a litter of red gold inlaid with pearls and stones of price and set apart two mules to carry it a litter which was like one of the chambers of the palace and within which she seen as she were of the loveliest aries and one of the pavilions of paradise and after they had made bales of the treasures and the mullies and had loaded them upon the mules and camels Kings Arshah went forth with her for a distance of three parisams after which he paid for her well to her and the wazir and those with him and returned to his home in gladness and safety thereupon the wazir fairing with the king's daughter pushed on and ceased not at stages over desert ways and himself had perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say when it was the 109th night she said it had reached me O auspicious king that the wazir fared on with the care's daughter and ceased not forcing his stages over desert ways and hissed his best through nights and days till there remained between him and his city but three marches thereupon he sent forward to Kings Arshah one who to come in with the bride, and the king rejoiced thereat, and bestowed on the messenger a dress of honour, and bade his troops march forth in grand procession to meet the princess and to company for due worship and honour, and dawn their richest apparel with banners flying over their heads, and his orders were obeyed. He also commanded to cry throughout the city that neither curtain, dancel nor honoured lading or pine ruptured chrome should fail to fare forth and meet the bride, and so they all went out to greet her and looked grandest of them fide in doing her service, and they agreed to bring her to the king's palace by night, and moreover the chief officers decided to decorate the road and to stand in a spalié of double line, whilst the bride should pass by proceeded by her eunuchs and serving women and clad in the gear her father had given her. So when she made her appearance the troops surrounded her, those of the right wing and those of the left, and the litter ceased not advancing with her till she approached the palace, with no remained any but came forth to gaze upon the princess. Drums were beaten, and spears were brandished, and horns blared, and flags fluttered, and steams pranced for precedence, and scents shed fragrance till they reached the palace gate, and the pages entered with the litter through the haram wicked. The place shone with its splendours and the walls glittered for the glamour of its gear. Now when that came, the eunuchs threw open the doors of the bridal chamber, and stood surrounding the chief entrance, whereupon the bride came forward, and amid her damsels she was like the moon among stars, or a union shining on a string of lesser pearls. And she passed into the bridal closet, where they had set for her a cotch of alabaster inlaid with unions and jewels. As soon as she had taken seat there, the king came into her, and Allah filled his heart with her love, so he abated her maiden head, and ceased from him his struggle and disquiet. He abode with her well by a month, but she had conceived by him the first night, and when the month was ended he went forth and sat on his sofa of state, and dispensed justice to his subjects till the months of repregnancy were accomplished. On the last day of the ninth month, towards daybreak, the queen was seized with the pines of labour, so she sat down on the stool to livery, and Allah made travail easy on her, and she gave birth to a boy child, on whom appeared auspicious signs. When the king heard of this, he joined with exceeding joy, and rewarded the bearer of the good tidings with much treasure, and of his gladness he went into the child and kissed him between the eyes, and wondered at his brilliant loveliness, for in him was approved the saying of the poet, in the towering forts Allah thrown the king, a lion, a star in the skies of rain, at his rising the spear and the throne rejoiced, the gazelle, the ostrich, the man of man. He said not on the paps, for right soon he'll show, that the throne on the war-steeds loins he's gained, and wean him from sucking of milk for soon, a sweeter drink to foes' blood, he'll drain. Then the midwives took the newborn child and cut the navel cord, and darkened his eyelids with coal powder, and named him Taj al-Maluk Karan. He was suckled at the breast of fond indulgence, and was reared in the lap of happy fortune, and thus his days ceased not running, and the years passing by till he reached the age of seven. Thereupon Salaman Shah summoned the doctors and learned of men, and bade them teach his son writing, and science, and bell lettering, and this they continued to do for some years till he had learned what was needful, and when the king saw that he was well grounded in what so he desired, he took him out of the teachers and professors' hands, and engaged for him a skillful master, who taught him cavalrous and nightly exercises till the boy attained the age of fourteen, and when he fared abroad on any occasion, all he saw him were ravaged by his beauty, and made him the subject of verse, and even pious men were seduced by his brilliant loveliness, and Shahar-e-Zah had perceived it all of day, and ceased to say or permitted say. End of Section 42 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Section 43 When it was the one hundred and tenth night, she said, it hath reached me, O specious king, that when Tashal Mualak Karan, son of Salaman Shah, became perfect in writing craft, and excelled all those of his time, his excessive beauty when he fared abroad on any occasion caused all who saw him to be ravaged, and to make him the subject of verse, and even pious men were seduced by his brilliant loveliness, quoth the poet of him, I clipped his form and waxed drunk with his scent, fair branch to whom seafor gave nutriment, nor drunken as one who drinks wine but drunk, with night draught his lips of the honeydew lint. All beauty is shown in the all of him, hence all human hearts he in hand hath hence. My mind by Allah shall never unmind, his love while I wear lives changed till spent. If I live in his love I live, if I die, for pine and longing for blessed I'll cry. When he reached the eighteenth year of his age, tender down sprouted on his side face fresh with youth, from a mole upon one rosy cheek and a second beauty spot like a grain of ambergris adorned the other, and he won the wits and eyes of every wit who looked on him, even as heth the poet. He is caliph of beauty in Joseph's lure, and all lovers fear when they cite his grace. Pause and gaze with me on his cheek thou sight, the caliphate spanner of Sableyew. And aseth another, thy sight hath never seen fairer sight of all things men can in the world aspire. Then yon brown mole that studs his pony cheek of rosy red beneath the jet-black eye. And aseth another, I marvel seeing yon mole that serves his cheeks bright flame, yet burn it not in fire, albeit infidel. I wonder eek to see the autostolic glance, miracle working though it worked by magic spell. How fresh and bright the down that decks his cheek, and yet burst and gull-blooders feed with yon as waters well. And aseth another, I marvel hearing people questioning of the fount of life and in what land is found, I see it sprang from lips of dainty form, sweet, rosy mouth with green mustachio down'd. And wondrous wonder it is when Moses viewed, that fount he rested not from weary round. Now having developed such beauty, when he came to man's estate, his loveliness increased, and it won for him many comrades and intimates, while every one who drew near to him wished that Tash al-Malukkaraan might become sultan after his father's death, and that he himself might be one of his emirs. Then took he passionately to chasing and hunting, which he would hardly leave for a single hour. His father King Solomon Shah would have forbidden him the pursuit, fearing for him the perils of the waste and the wild beasts, but he paid no heed to his warning, boys, and it's so chance that once upon a time he said to his attendants, Take ye ten days food and forage, and when they obeyed his bidding, he set out with his suit for sport and disport. They rode on into the desert, and ceased not riding for days, till they came to place where the ground was green, and they saw in it wild beasts grazing and trees with ripe fruit growing and springs flowing. Quoth Tash al-Malukkaraan to his followers, set up the nets here, and pegged them in a wide ring, and let our trusting place be at the mouth of the fence in such a spot. So they obeyed his words and staked out a wide circle with toys, and there gathered together a mighty matter of all kinds of wild beasts and gazelles, which cried out for fear of the men, and threw themselves for fright in the face of the horses. Then they loosed on to them the hounds and lynxes and hawks, and they shot the quarry down with shafts which pierced their vitals, and by the time they came to the further end of the net ring, they had taken a great number of the wild beasts, and the rest fled. Then Tash al-Malukk dismounted by the waterside, and bade the game be brought before himself, and divided it, after he had set apart the best of the beasts for his father King Solomon Shah, and dispatched the game to him, and some he distributed among the officers of his court. He passed the night in that place, and when morning dawned, there came up a caravan of merchants conveying negro slaves and white servants, and halted by the water and the green ground. When Tash al-Malukk saw them, he said to one of his companions, Bring me news of gendarmen, and question them why they have halted in this place. So the messenger went up to them and addressed them. Tell me who you be, and answer me an answer without delay. Replied they, we are merchants and have halted to rest, for that the next station is distant, and we abide here because we have confidence sinking Solomon Shah and his son Tash al-Malukk, and we know that all who are light in his dominions are in peace and safety. Moreover we have with us precious stuffs which we have brought for the Prince. So the messenger returned and told these news to the King's son, who, hearing the state of the case, and what the merchants had replied, said, If they have brought stuff on my account, I will not enter the city, not depart hence till I see it shown to me. Then he mounted the horse and rode to the caravan, and his Mamaluks followed him till he reached it. Thereupon the merchants rose to receive him and invoked on him divine aid and favour, with continuance of glory and virtues, after which they pitched him a pavilion of red satin embroidered with pearls and jewels, wherein they spread him a kingly divan upon a silk carpet, worked at the upper end with emeralds set in gold. There Tash al-Malukk seated himself, whilst his white servant stood in attendance upon him, and sent to bid the merchants bring out all that they had with them. Accordingly they produced their merchandise, and displayed the whole, and he viewed it and took off it what liked him, paying them the price. Then he looked about him at the caravan, and remounted and was about to ride onwards, when his glance fell on a handsome youth in fair attire, and a comely and shapely make, with flower-white prow and moon-like face, save that his beauty was wasted, and that Delo use had overspread his cheeks by reason of parting from those he loved, and Charasad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and eleventh night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Tash al-Malukk, when he looked about him at the caravan, saw a handsome youth in neat attire, and of shapely make, with flower-like forehead and moon-like face, save that his beauty was wasted, and Delo use had overspread his cheeks by reason of parting from those he loved, and great was his groaning and moaning, and the tears streamed from his eyelids as he repeated these couplets. Long some is absence, care and fear are sore, and ceaseless tears, O friend, mine eyes outpour. Yeah, I furwelled my heart on parting day, and heartless, hopeless now I bide for lore. Force, O my friend, with me, furwelling one, whose words my cure can work, my health restore. Now, when the youth ended his poetry, he wept a while and fell down in a fainting fit, whilst Tash al-Malukk looked at him, and wandered at his case. Then, coming to himself, he stared with distracted air, and versified in these couplets. Beware her glance, I read these disliked wistful weight. None can escape unscathed those eyes shafts glancing flight. In very soothed black eyes, with languorous sleepy look, pierce deeper than white swords, however these may bite. Be not thy senses by her sweets of speech beguiled, whose brooding fever shall ferment in thought and sprite. Soft-sided fair did silk but press upon her skin, to withdraw red blood from it as thou'st thy self can't cite. Cherry is she who charms twig's neck and anglist well, and are what other sensual course me such delight. Then he sobbed a loud sob and swooned away. But when Tash al-Malukk saw him in this case, he was perplexed about his state and went up to him, and as the youth came to his senses, and saw the king's son standing at his head, he sprang to his feet, and kissed the ground between his hands. Tash al-Malukk asked him, Why didst thou not show us thy merchandise? And he answered, O my lord, there is not among my stock worthy of thine august highness. Quoth the prince, Needs must thou show me what thou hast and acquaint me with thy circumstance, for I see thee weeping eyed and heavy-hearted. If thou have been oppressed, we will end thine oppression, and if thou be in debt, we will pay thy debt, for of truth my heart burneth to see thee, since I first set eyes on thee. Then Tash al-Malukk bade the seats be set, and they brought him a chair of ivory and ebony with a network of gold and silk, and spread him a silken rug for his feet. So he sat down on the chair, and bidding the youth seat himself on the rug, said to him, Show me thy stock in trade. The young merchant replied, O my lord, do not name this to me, for my goods be unworthy of thee. Rejoined Tash al-Malukk, it needs must be thus, and bade some other pages fetch the goods. So they brought them in despite of him, and when he saw them, the tears streamed from his eyes, and he wept and sighed and lamented, sobstross in his throat, and he repeated these couplets. By what thine eyelids show of call and cockatry, by what thy shape displays of lissum symmetry, by what thy liplet store of honey-ju and wine, by what thy mind adorns of gracious kindly grieve, to me thy sight dream-visioned, O my hope exceeds, the happiest escape from horriblest injury. Then the youth opened his pales and displayed his merchandise to Tash al-Malukk in detail. Peace by peace, and amongst them he brought out a gown of satin brocaded with gold worth two thousand dinars. When he opened the gown there fell a piece of linen from its folds. As soon as the young merchant saw this, he caught up the piece of linen in haste and hid it under his thigh, and his reason wandered, and he began versifying. When shall be healed of thee this heart that ever buys in woe, then thee the play had stars, more chance of happy meeting-show. Parting and banishment and longing pain of low of love, procrastating and delay these ills my life lay low. Nor union bids me live in joy, nor parting kills by grief, nor travels draws me nearer thee, nor nearer comes thou. Of thee no justice may be had, indeed whilst not of rush, nor gain of grace by sight of thee, nor flight from thee I know. For love of thee all goings forth and coming back are straight, on me and I am puzzle-sore to know where I shall go. Tash'al-Muluk wandered with great wonder at his verse, and could not comprehend the course. But when the youth snatched up the bit of linen and placed it under thigh, he asked him, What is that piece of linen? Oh, my lord answered the merchant, Thou has no concern with this piece. Quoth the king's son, show it me, and quoth the merchant, Oh, my lord, I refuse to show thee my goods on account of this piece of linen, for I cannot let thee look upon it. And Charasad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and twelfth night, she said, It has reached me, O auspicious king, that the yang merchant said to Tash'al-Muluk, I did not refuse to show thee my goods save on this account, for I cannot let thee look upon it, whereupon Tash'al-Muluk retorted, for force I must and will see it, and insisted and became angry. So the youth drew it out from under his thigh, and wept and moaned and redoubled his size and groans, and repeated these verses. Now blame him not, for blame brings only irk and pain. Indeed I spake him sooth, but never his air could gain. May Allah guard my moon, which writheth in the bale, beside our camp, from loose robe like sky-plane. I left him, but had love outshave to leave for me. Some peace in life such leave of him I never had ten. How long he pleaded for my sake on parting moan, while down his cheeks and mine tears ran in railing rain. Allah belie me not the garb of mine excuse, this parting rent, but I will mend that garb again. No couch is easy to my side, nor on such wise. Ought easeeth him when all alone without me lane. Time with ill omen hand hath brought between us two, and made my backsing joys to wane and his to wane. And poured me grief and woe, what time, time feign had crowned. The bale he made me drink, and gave for him to drain. When he endeth if recitation, quoth tash al-muluk, I see thy conduct without consequence. Tell me then why weepest thou at the sight of this rag. When the young merchant heard speak of the peace of linen, he sighed and answered, O my lord, my story is a strange and my case out of range, with regard to this peace of linen, and to her from whom I brought it, and to her whom wrought on it these figures and emblems. Hereupon he spread out the peace of linen, and behold, thereon was the figure of a gazelle wrought in silk, and worked with red gold, and facing it was another gazelle traced in silver with a neck ring of red gold, and three bugles of bristle it upon the ring. When tash al-muluk saw the beauty of these figures, he exclaimed, Glory be to Allah who teaches man that which he knoweth not, and his heart judged to hear the youth story, so he said to him, Tell me thy story with her who own these gazelles, replied the young man, Hear, O my lord, the tale of a sis and a sisam, My father was a wealthy merchant, and Allah had vouchsafed him no other child than myself, but I had a cousin, a sisahis, daughter of my paternal uncle, and wheatwain were brought up in one house, for her father was dead, and before his death he had agreed with my father that I should marry her. So when I reached man's estate and she reached womanhood, they did not separate her from me or me from her, till at last my father spoke to my mother and said, This very year we will draw up the contract of marriage between a sis and a sisam, so having agreed upon this he betook himself to preparing provision for the wedding feast. Still we cease not to sleep on the same carpet, knowing not of the case, albeit she was more thoughtful, more intelligent, and quicker-witted than I. Now when my father had made an end of his preparations, and not remained for him but to write out the contract, and for me but to consummate the marriage with my cousin, he appointed the wedding for a certain Friday, after public prayers, and going round to his intimates among the merchants and others, he acquainted them with that whilst my mother went forth, and invited her women friends, and summoned her kith and kin. When the Friday came, they cleaned the saloon and prepared for the guests, and washed the marble floor. Then they spread tapestry about our house, and set out there on what was needful, after they had hung its walls with cloth of gold. Now the fork had agreed to come to us after the Friday prayers, so my father went out, and made them make sweet meats and sugar dishes, and there remained nothing to do but to draw up the contract. Then my mother sent me to the bath, and sent after me a suit of new clothes of the richest, and when I came out of the hammam, don those habits which were so perfume that as I went along, they exhaled from them a delicious fragrance, sending the wayside. I had designed to repair to the cathedral mosque, when I bethought me of one of my friends, and returned in quest of him, that he might be present at the writing of the contract, and quoth I to myself. This matter will occupy me till near the time of congregational prayer, so I went on and entered a by-street, which I had never before entered, perspiring profusely from the effects of the bath, and the new clothes on my body, and the sweet stream down whilst the scents of my dress were wafted abroad. I therefore sat me at the upper end of the street, resting on a stone bench, after spreading under me an embroidered kerchief I had with me. The heat oppressed me more and more, making my forehead perspire, and the drops trickled along my cheeks, but I could not wipe my face with my kerchief, because it was the spread under me. I was about to take the skirt of my robe, and wiped my cheeks with it, when unexpectedly there fell on me from above a white kerchief, softer to the touch than the morning breeze, and pleasanter to the sight, than healing to the deceased. I held it in hand and raised my head, to see whence it had fallen, when my eyes met the eyes of the lady who owned these casals. And Charasad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 43 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, read by Lars Rolander. Section 44, Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a LibriVox recording, or LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Reading by Lars Rolander The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, Section 44 When it was the 113th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the youth continued to touch al-Muluk. So I raised my head to see whence this perchief had fallen, when my eyes met those of the lady who owned these casals. And lo! she was looking out over wicked in a lattice of brass, and never saw my eyes a fairer than she, and in fine my tongue felleth to describe her beauty. When she got sight of me looking at her, she put her forefinger into her mouth, then joined her middle finger and her witness finger, and laid them on her bosom between her breasts, after which she drew in her head and closed the wicked shudder, and went her ways. Thereupon fire broke out in and was heaped upon my heart, and greater grew my smart. The one sight cost me a thousand size, and I abode perplexed for that I heard no word by her spoken, nor understood the meaning of her token. I looked at the window a second time, but found it shut and waited patiently till sundown, but sensed no sound, and saw no one in view. So when I despaired of seeing her again, I rose from my place, and taking up the hand perchief opened it, when there breathed from it a scent of musk, which caused me so great delight I became as one in paradise. Then I spread it before me, and outropped from it a delicate little scroll, whereupon I opened the paper, which was perfumed with a delicious perfume, and therein were writ these couplets. I sent to him a scroll that bore my plaint of love, writ in fine delicate hand for writing prose man's skill. Then quoth to me, my friend, why is thy writing thus so fine, so thin-drawn, tis to read unsuitable? Quoth I, for that I'm fine-drawn wasted wax thin, thus lovers rich should be, for so love wills his will. And after casting my eyes on the beauty of the kerchief, I saw upon one of its two borders the following couplets worked in with a needle. His cheek down righteth, O fair for the goodly scribe, to lines on table of his face in Raihan hand, O the wild marvel of the moon, when comes he forth, and when he bends, O shame to every willow wand. And on the opposite border, these two couplets were traced. His cheek down righteth on his cheek, with ambergris on pearl, to lines like jet on apple-line, the goodly's design, slaughter is in those languid eye, whenever a glance they deal, and drunkenness in eye the cheek, and not in any wine. When I read the poetry on the handkerchief, the flames of love darted into my heart, and journing and pining redoubled their smart. So I took the kerchief, and the scroll, and went home, knowing no means to win my wish, for that I was incapable of conducting love affairs, and inexperienced in interpreting hints and tokens. Nor did I reach my home ere the night was far spent, and I found the daughter of my uncle sitting in tears. But as soon as she saw me, she wiped away the dropson, came up to me, and took off my walking dress, and asked me to reason of my absence, saying, All the folk, emirs, and note-balls, and merchants, and others assembled in our house, and the kasi, and the witnesses were also present at the appointed time. They ate and tarried awhile, sitting to await thine appearance for the writing of the contract, and when they despaired of thy presence, they dispersed and went their ways. And indeed, she added, thy father raged with exceeding wrath by reason of this, and swore that he would not celebrate our marriage safe during the coming year, for that he hath spent on these festivities great store of money. And she ended by asking, What hath befallen thee this day to make thee delay with him now, and why hast thou allowed that to happen which happened because of thine absence? Answered I, O daughter of my uncle, question me not concerning what hath befallen me. Then I told her all that had passed from beginning to end, and showed her the handkerchief. She took the scroll and read what was written therein, and tears ran down her cheeks, and she repeated these sinquanes. Who saith that love at first of free will came? Say him, Thou lies, love be grief and grame. Yet shall such grame and grief entail no shame. All annals teach us one thing and the same. Good current coin clips coin, we may not creep, and please, thou say there's pleasure in thy pain. Find fortunes playful gambles, glad and feign, or happy blessings in the unhappy Spain, that joy or grief with equal might and main. Twixed phrase and anti-phrase, I'm all a heap, but he, with all who stays, are summer-grite, whom maids ere great with smiling lips delight, whom spicy breezes fan in every sight, and wins whatever he wills that happy white, white-blooded coward heart should never keep. Then she asked me, What said she, and what signs made she to thee? I answered. She uttered not a word, but put her forefinger in her mouth, then joining it to her middle finger, laid both fingers on her bosom, and pointed to the ground. Thereupon she withdrew her head, and shut the wicket, and after that I saw her no more. However, she took my heart with her, so I sat till sundown, expecting her again to look out of the window, but she did not, and, when I despaired of her, I rose from my seat and came home. This is my history, and I beg thee to help me in this my sore calamity. Upon this she raised her face to me and said, O son of mine uncle, if thou sortest my eye, I would hear it for thee from its eyelids, and perforce I cannot but aid thee to thy desire, and aid her also to her desire, for she is wellmed in passion for thee, even as thou for her. Asked I, and what is the interpretation of her signs? And Assisa answered, As for the putting her finger in her mouth, it showed that thou art to her as her soul to her body, and that she would bite into union with thee with her wisdom teeth. As for the kerchief, it betokens that her breath of life is bound up in thee. As for the placing her two fingers on her bosom between her breasts, its explanation is that she said, The sight of thee may dispel my grief, for no, O my cousin, that she loveth thee, and she trusteth in thee. This is my interpretation of her signs, and could I come and go at will, I would bring thee and her together in shortest time, and curtain you both with my skirt. Hearing these words I thanked her, continued the young merchant, for speaking thus and said to myself, I will wait two days, so I abode two days in the house, neither going out nor coming in, neither eating nor drinking, but I laid my head on my cousin's lap, while she comforted me and said to me, Be resolute, and of good heart and hope for the best. And Charasad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and fourteenth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the youth pursued to touch al-Mualuk. And when the two days were past, she said to me, Be of good cheer and clear thine eyes of tears, and take courage to dress thyself, and go to her, according to thy trist. Then she rose and changed my clothes, and perfumed me with incense smoke. So I braced myself up, and heartened my heart, and went out, and walked on till I came to the by-street, where I sat down on the bench a while. And behold, the wicked suddenly opened, and I looked up, and seeing her, fell down in a swoon. When I revived, I called up resolution, and took courage and gazed again at her, and again became insensible to the world around me. Then I came to myself, and looking at her, saw that she held in hand a mirror, and a red kerchief. Now when she caught my glance, she bared her forearms, and opened her five fingers, and smote her breast with palm and digits. And after this she raised her hands, and holding the mirror outside the wicket, she took the red kerchief, and retired into the room with it. But presently returned, and putting out her hand with the kerchief, let it down towards the lane three several times, dipping it, and racing it as often. Then she wrung it out, and folded it in her hands, bending down her head the while, after which she drew it in from the lattice, and shutting the wicket-shutter, went away without a single word. Nay, she left me confounded, and knowing not what signified her signs. I tarried sitting there till supper time, and did not return home till near midnight, and there I found the daughter of my uncle with her cheek-props in her hand, and her eyelids pouring forth tears, and she was repeating these couplets. Woe's me, why should the blamer guard the blaming bow? How be consoled for thee that art so tender bow? Bright being, on my vitals cost thou prey and drive, my heart before platonic passion forced to bow. Thy turk like glances have ock deal in core of me, as furbished sword thin ground at curve could never show. Thou waste me down with weight of care, while I have not strength even to bear my shift, so weakness lays me low. Indeed, I weep blood tears to hear the blamer say, The lashes of thy lover's eye shall pierce thee through. Thou hast my prince of loveliness, an oerseer who fronks me, and a groom who beats me down with bro. He foully lies who says all loveliness belonged, to Joseph in thy loveliness is many a joe. I force myself to turn from thee in deadly fright of spies, and what the force that turns away my sight. When I heard her verse, carc increased and care redoubled on me, and I fell down in a corner of her house, whereupon she arose in haste, and, coming to me, lifted me up and took off my outer clothes, and wiped my face with her sleep. Then she asked me what had befallen me, and I described all that had happened from her. Quoth she, O my cousin, as for her sign to thee, with her palm and five fingers, its interpretation is, return after five days, and the putting forth of her head out of the window, and her gestures with a mirror, and the letting down and racing up and ringing out of the red kerchief signify, sit in the dyer's shop till my messenger come to thee. When I heard her words fire flamed up in my heart, and I exclaimed, O daughter of my uncle, thou sayst sooth in this thine interpretation, for I saw in the street the shop of a Jew dyer. Then I wept, and she said, Be of good cheer and strong heart, of a truth others are occupied with love for years and endure with constancy the ardour of passion, whilst thou hast but a week to wait. Why, then, this impatience? Thereupon she went on sharing me with comfortable talk, and brought me food, so I took a mouthful and tried to eat, but could not. And I abstained from meat and drink, and estranged myself from the solace of sleep, till my colours waxed yellow, and I lost my good looks, for I had never been in love before, nor had I ever savoured the ardour of passion, say this time. So I fell sick, and my cousin also sickened on my account, but she would relate to me by way of consolation, stories of love and lovers every night, till I fell asleep. And whenever I awoke, I found her wakeful for my sake, with tears running down her cheeks. This ceased not till the five days for past, when my cousin rose, and warmed some water, and bathed me with it. Then she dressed me in my best, and said to me, Repair to her, and Allah fulfill thy wish, and bring thee to thy desire of thy beloved. So I went out, and ceased not walking on till I came to the upper end of the by-street. And it was the Sabbath I found the direst rock locked, and sat before it, till I heard the call of the mid-afternoon prayer. Then the sun jellied, and the musins chanted the call to sundown prayer, and the night came. But I saw no sign, nor heard one word, nor knew any news of her. So I feared for my life sitting there alone, and at last I rose, and walked home, reeling like a drunken man. When I reached the house I found my cousin Assisa standing, with one hand grasping a peg driven into the wall, and the other on her breast, and she was sighing and groaning and repeating these couplets. The longing of an Arab bless forlorn of kith and kin, who to hideas in willow wand, and mirthal cloth incline, and who when meeting caravan, shall with lavlu set light, to bewak fire, and bang for conquer tears of pain and pine. Exceeds not mine for him, nor more devotion shows, but he, seeing my heart is folly his spurn's love, as sin in dine. Now when she had finished her verse, she turned to me, and seeing me, wiped away her tears, and my tears with her sleeve. Then she smiled in my face, and said, Oh my cousin, Allah grant thee enjoyment of that which he hath given thee. Why did thou not pass the night by the side of thy beloved, and why hast thou not fulfilled thy desire of her? When I heard her words, I gave her a kick in the breast, and she fell down in the saloon, and her brow struck upon the edge of the raised pavement, and hit against a wooden peg therein. I looked at her, and saw that her forehead was cut open, and the blood running. And Charasad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 44 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Read by Losh Rolander. Section 45, Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night. Translated by Richard Burton. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Reading by Losh Rolander. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, Section 45. When it was the 115th night. She said, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the young merchant continued to touch al-Muluk. Now, when I kicked the daughter of my uncle in the breast, she fell on the edge of the raised pavement in the saloon, and her brow struck upon a wooden peg. Thereby her forehead was cut open, and the blood run down, but she was silent, and did not utter a single sound. Presently she rose up and made some tinder of rags, then staunching with it the bleeding wound bound her forehead with a bandage, after which she wiped up the blood that had fallen on the carpet, and it was as if nothing had been. Presently she came up to me and smiling in my face, said with gentle voice, By Allah, O son of my uncle, I spake not these words to mock at thee or at her, but I was troubled with an ache in my head, and was minded to be blooded, but now thou hast eased my head and lightened my brow, so tell me what hath befallen thee today. Thereupon I told her all that had passed between me and her that day, and she wept as she heard my words and said, O son of my uncle, rejoice at the good tidings of thy desire being fulfilled, and thine aim being attained. Of a truth this is a sign of acceptance, for that she stayed away only because she wishes to try thee, and know if thou be patient or not, and sincere in thy love for her, or otherwise. Tomorrow repair to her at the old place, and see what sign she maketh to thee, for indeed thy gladness is near, and the end of thy sadness is at hand. And she went on to comfort me, but my carc and care ceased not to increase on me. Presently she brought me food which I kicked away with my foot, so that contents of every saucer was scattered in all directions, and I said, Every lover is a madman, he inclineth not to food, neither enjoys his sleep, and my cousin Assisa rejoined, By Allah, O son of my uncle, these be in very deed the signs of love, and the tears streamed down her cheeks, when as she gathered the fragments of the saucers, and wiped up the food, then she took seat and talked to me, whilst I prayed Allah to hasten the dawn. At last when morning arose with its sheen and shine, I went out to seek her, and hastening to her by-street, sat down on that bench, when low the wicket opened and she put out her head laughing. Then she disappeared within and returned with a mirror, a bag and a pot full of green plants, and she held in hand a lamp. The first thing she did was to take the mirror, and putting it into the bag tied up and throw it back into the room. Then she let down her hair over her face, and set the lamp on the pot of flowers during the twinkling of an eye. Then she took up all the things and went away, shutting the window, without saying a word. My heart was driven by the state of the case, and by her secret signals, her mysterious secrets, and her utter silence, and thereby my longing waxed more violent, and my passion and distraction redoubled on me. So I retracted my steps, tearful eyed and heavy-hearted, and returned home, where I found the daughter of my uncle sitting with her face to the wall, for her heart was burning with grief and galling jealousy. I'll bade her affection, forbade her to acquaint me with what she suffered of passion and pining when she saw the excess of my longing and distraction. Then I looked at her and saw on her head two bandages, one on account of the accident to her forehead, and the other over her eye, in consequence of the pain, she endured for stress of weeping, and she was in miserable plight, shedding tears and repeating these couplets. I numbered nights indeed, I count night after night, yet lived I long ere learned to soar account to see ah. Dear friend, I compass not what Allah pleased to doom. For Laila nor what Allah destined for me ah. To other giving her and unto me her love, what loss but Laila's loss would he I ever drear ah. And when she had finished her reciting, she looked towards me and seeing me through her tears, wiped them away, and came up to me hastily, but could not speak for excess of love. So she remained silent for some while, and then said, Oh my cousin, tell me what befell thee with her this time. I told her all that had passed, and she said, Be patient, for the time of thy union is come, and thou hast attained the object of thy hopes. As for her signal to thee with a mirror, which she put in the bag, it said to thee, when the sun is set, and the letting down of her hair over her face signified, when night is near, and let it fall the blackness of the dark, and hath starkened the daylight come hither. As for her gesture with a pot of green plants, it meant, when thou comest enter the flower garden, which is behind the street, and as for her sign with a lamp, it denoted, when thou enters the flower garden, walk down it, and make for the place where thou ceased the lamp shining, and seat thyself beneath it, and await me, for the love of thee is killing me. When I heard these words from my cousin, I cried out from excess of passion, and said, How long wilt thou promise me, and I go to her, but get not my will, nor find any true sense in thine interpreting? Upon this she laughed and replied, It remaineth for thee but to have patience during the rest of this day, till the light darken, and the nights darken, and thou shalt enjoy Junion and accomplish thy hopes, and indeed all my words be without leasing. Then she repeated these two couplets, Let days their faults and plies deploy, and shun the house that deals annoy. Full oft, when joy seems farthest far, Thou night most art to hour of joy. Then she drew near to me, and began to comfort me With soothing speech, but dared not bring me out of food, fearing lest I be angry with her, and hoping I might incline to her. So, when coming to me, she only took off my upper garment, and said to me, Sit, O my cousin, that I may divert thee with talk, till the end of the day, and almighty Allah willing, as soon as it is night, thou shalt be with thy beloved. But I paid no heed to her, and ceased not looking for the approach of darkness, saying, O Lord, hasten the coming of the night, and when the night set in, the daughter of my uncle wept with sore weeping, and gave me a crumb of pure musk, and said to me, O my cousin, put this crumb in thy mouth, and when thou hast won Junion with thy beloved, and hast taken thy will of her, and she hath granted thee thy desire, repeat to her this couplet. Who lovers all by Allah say me sooth, what shall he do when love soar vexes youth? And she kissed me and swore me not to repeat this couplet, till I should be about to leave my lover, and I said, Hearing is obeying. And when it was suppertide I went out, and ceased not walking on, till I came to the flower garden, whose door I found open. So I entered, and seeing a light in the distance, made towards it, and reaching it came to great pavilion, vaulted over with a dome of ivory and ebony, and the lamp hung from the midst of the dome. The floor was spread with silken carpets embroidered in gold and silver, and under the lamps stood a great candle, burning in the candelabrum of gold. In mid pavilion was a fountain adorned with all manner of figures, and by its sides stood a table covered with a silken napkin, and on its edge a great porcelain bottle, full of wine, with a cup of crystal inlaid with gold. Near all these was a large tray of silver covered over, and when I uncovered it I found there in fruits of every kind, figs, and pomegranates, grapes, and oranges, citrons, and shadowks, disposed amongst an infinite variety of sweet scented flowers, such as rose, chasmin, mirkler, eglantine, narcissus, and all sorts of sweet-smelling herbs. I was charmed with the place, and I joyed with exceeding joy, albeit I found not there a living soul, and my grief and anxiety ceased from me. And Charasad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and sixteenth night, she said it had reached me, O auspicious king, that the young merchant continued to touch Almolok. I was charmed with the place, and joyed with great joy, albeit there I found not a living soul of almighty alas creatures, and so nor slave, nor handmaid, to oversee these things, or to watch and ward these properties. So I sat down in the pavilion to await the coming of the beloved of my heart. But the first hour of the night passed by, and the second hour, and the third hour, and still she came not. Then hunger grew sore upon me, for that it was long since I had tasted food by reason of the violence of my love. But when I found the place, even as my cousin had told me, and saw the truth of her interpretation of my beloved's signs, my mind was set at rest, and I felt the pangs of hunger. Moreover, the odor of the vines on the table excited me to eat. So, making sure of attaining my desire, and being famished for food, I went up to the table, and raced the cover, and found in the middle a china dish, containing four chickens reddened with roasting, and seasoned with spices, round the which were four saucers, one containing sweetmeats, another conserver pomegranate seeds, a third almond pastry, and a fourth honey fritters. And the contents of these saucers were part sweet and part sour. So I ate of the fritters and a piece of meat, then went on to the almond cakes, and ate what I could, after which I fell upon the sweetmeats, whereof I swallowed a spoonful or two or three or four, ending with part of a chicken, and a mouthful of something beside. Upon this my stomach became full, and my joints loose, and I waxed too drowsy to keep awake. So I laid my head on a cushion, after having washed my hands, and sleep overcame me. I knew not what happened to me after this, and I awoke not till the sun's heat scorched me, for that I had never once tasted sleep for days past. When I awoke, I found on my stomach a piece of salt and a bit of charcoal. So I stood up and shook my clothes, and turned to look right and left, but could see no one, and discovered that I had been sleeping on the marble pavement, without bedding beneath me. I was perplexed there at, and afflicted with great affliction. The tears ran down my cheeks, and I mourned for myself. Then I returned home, and when I entered, I found my cousin beating her hands on her bosom, and weeping tears like rain-shedding clouds, and she versified with these couplets. Blows from my lover's land a seefer coolly sweet, and with its every breath makes old and love new glow. O safer of the morning hour, come show to us, each lover hath his lot his share of joy and woe. Could I but win one dearest wish? We had embraced. With what embrace and clip abreast from lover's now? I laugh for bids, while bites unseen my cousin's face. All joys the world can give, or hand of time bestow. Would heaven I knew his heart were like this heart of me? Melted by passion-flame, and charged with longing-ow. When she saw me, she rose in haste, and wiped away her tears, and addressed me with her soft speech, saying, O son of my uncle, verily Allah hath been gracious to thee in thy love, for that she whom thou lovest loveth thee, whilst I pass my time in weeping, and bewailing my servants from thee, who blames me and chidest me, but may Allah not punish thee for my sake. Thereupon she smiled in my face a smile of reproach, and caressed me, then taking off my walking clothes, she spread them out and said, By Allah, this is not the scent of one who hath enjoyed his lover, so tell me what hath befallen thee, O my cousin. I told her all that had passed, and she smiled again a smile of reproach, and said, verily my heart is full of pain, but may he not live who would hurt thy heart. Indeed, this woman maketh herself inordinately dear and difficult to thee, and by Allah, O son of my uncle, I fear for thee from her. O my cousin, that the meaning of the salt is thou west drowned in sleep, like incipid food, disgustful to the taste, and it is as though she said to thee, it behovet thou be salted, lest the stomach eject thee, for thou profess to be of the lover's noble and true, but sleep is unlawful, and to a lover undue, therefore is thy love but a lie. However it is her love for thee that lie, for she saw thee asleep, yet aroused thee not, and, where her love for thee true, she had indeed awoken thee. As for the charcoal, it means, Allah blacken thy face, for thou makest a lying presence of love, whereas thou art not but a child, and has no object in life other than eating and drinking and sleeping. Such is the interpretation of her signs, and may Allah almighty deliver thee from her. When I heard my cousin's words, I beat my hand upon my breast and cried out, By Allah, this is the very truth, for I slept and lover's sleep not. Indeed I have sinned against myself, for what could have wrought me more hurt than eating and sleeping. Now what shall I do? Then I wept sore, and said to the daughter of my uncle, Tell me how to act and have pity on me, so may Allah have pity on thee, else I shall die, as my cousin loved me with very great love. And Shah-Rasad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of section 45 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Read by Losh Rolander.