 Section 17, Volume 3 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 Linda Moreau. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3, Section 17. When it was the one hundred and fifty-first night she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the mouse heard the words of the flea she said, If the case be as thou dost relate and describe, then be at thine ease here, for not shall be fall thee save the reign of peace and safety, nor shall ought be tied thee but what shall joy thee, and shall not annoy thee, nor shall it annoy me. I will lavish on thee my affections without stint, and do not thou regret having lost the merchant's blood nor lament for thy subsistence from him, but be content with what sustenance thou canst obtain, for indeed that is safer for thee. And I have heard, O flea, that one of the gnomic poets seeth as follows in these couplets. I have fared content in my solitude with what air befell, and led life of ease on a water-draft in a bite of bread, coarse salt in a gown of tattered frees. A law might, and he be pleased, give me easiest life, but with what so pleased of himself I please. Now when the flea heard these words of the mouse he rejoined, I hearken to thy charge and I submit myself to obey thee, nor have I power to gain say thee till life be fulfilled in this righteous intention, replied the mouse, Pure intention suffice it to sincere affection. So the tie of love arose and was knitted between them twain, and after this the flea used to visit the merchant's bed by night and not exceed his diet, and house himself by day in the hole of the mouse. Now it came to pass one night that the merchant brought home great store of dinars and began to turn them over. When the mouse heard the chink of the coin she put her head out of her hole and fell to gazing at it, till the merchant laid it under his pillow and went to sleep. When she said to the flea, Seeest thou not the proper occasion and the great good fortune? Has thou any device to bring us to our desire of yonder dinars? Quote the flea, Verily it is not good that one strives for ought unless he be able to win his will, because if he lack ability thereto he falleth into what he should avoid, and he attaineth not his wish by reason of his weakness. Albeit he use all power and cunning, like the sparrow which picketh up grain and falleth into the net, and is caught by the fowler. Thou hast no strength to take the dinars and to transport them out of this house, nor have I force sufficient to do this. Either contrary, I could not carry a single docket of them. So what hast thou to do with them? Quote the mouse, I have made me for my house these seventy openings, whence I may go out in my desire, and I have set apart a place strong and safe for things of price, and if thou can contrive to get the merchant out of the house, I do not doubt of success, and so be that fate aid me. Answered the flea, I will engage to get him out of the house for thee. And going to the merchant's bed bit him a fearful bite, such as he had never before felt, then fled to a place of safety where he had no fear of the man. So the merchant awoke and sought for the flea, but finding him not lay down again on his other side. Then the flea bit him a second time more painfully than before. So he lost patience, and leaving his bed went out to lay down on the bench before his door, and slept there and woke not till the morning. Meanwhile the mouse came out and fell to carrying the dinars into her hole, till she left not a single one. And when day dawned the merchant began to suspect the folk, and fancy all manner of fancies. And, continued the fox, know thou a wise and experienced crow with the clear-seeing eyes, that I tell thee this only to the intent that thou mayest reap the recompense of thy kindness to me, even as the mouse reaped the reward of her kindness to the flea, for see how he repaid her and requited her with the goodliest of requitals. Said the crow, it lies with the benefactor to show benevolence or not to show it, nor is it incumbent on us to entreat kindly one who seeketh a connection that entaileth separation from kith and kin. If I show thee favour, who art my foe by kind, I am the cause of cutting myself off from the world, and thou, O fox, art full of wiles and guiles. Now those whose characteristics are craft and cunning must not be trusted upon oath, and whoso is not to be trusted upon oath, in him there is no good faith. The tidings lately reached me of thy treacherous dealing with one of thy comrades, which was a wolf, and how thou didst deceive him until thou leadest him into destruction by thy perfidy and stratagems. And this thou didst after he was of thine own kind, and thou hadst long consorted with him, yet didst thou not spare him, and if thou couldst deal thus with thy fellow, which was of thine own kind, how can I have trust in the truth, and what would be thy dealing with thy foe of other kind than thy kind? Nor can I compare thee and me, but with the sacre in the birds. How so, asked the fox, answered the crow, they relate this tale of the sacre in the birds. There once was a sacre who was a cruel tyrant, and Char Hazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and fifty second night she said, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the crow pursued. They relate that there was once a sacre who was a cruel tyrant in the days of his youth, so that the raveners of the air and the scavengers of the earth feared him, none being safe from his mischief. And many were the haps and mishaps of his tyranny and his violence, for this sacre was ever in the habit of oppressing and injuring all the other birds. As the years passed over him he grew feeble, and his force failed him, so that he was often famished, but his cunning waxed stronger with the waning of his strength, and he redoubled in his endeavor and determined to be present at the general assembly of the birds, that he might eat of their orts and leavings. So in this manner he fed by fraud instead of feeding by fierceness and force. In thou, O Fox, art like this, if thy might fail thee, thy slight fail at thee not. And I doubt not that thy seeking my society is a fraud to get thy food. But I am none of those who fall to thee and put fist into thy fist, for that Allah hath thou shafed force to my wings and caution to my mind, and sharp sight to my eyes, and I know that whoso apeth a stronger than he wearyeth himself and happily cometh to ruin. Wherefore I fear for thee, lest, if thou apest a stronger than thyself, there befall thee what befell the sparrow. Asked the Fox, what befell the sparrow? A law upon thee, tell me his tale. And the crow began to relate the story of the sparrow and the eagle. I have heard that a sparrow was once flitting over a sheepfold, when he looked at it carefully and behold, he saw a great eagle swoop down upon a newly weaned lamb and carry it off in his claws and fly away. Thereupon the sparrow collapsed his wings and said, I will do even as this one did, and he waxed proud in his own conceit and mimicked a greater than he. So he flew down forthright and lighted on the back of a fat ram with a thick fleece, which was become matted by his lying in his dung and stale till it was like woolen felt. As soon as the sparrow pounced upon the sheep's back, he flapped his wings to fly away, but his feet became tangled in the wool and however hard he tried he could not set himself free. While all this was doing the shepherd was looking on, having seen what happened first with the eagle and afterward with the sparrow, so he came up to the wee birdie in a rage and seized him. Then he plucked out his wing feathers and tying his feet with a twine carried him to his children and threw him to them. What is this? asked one of them, and he answered, This is he that aped a greater than himself and came to grief. Now thou, O Fox, art like this, and I would have thee beware of aping a greater than thou, lest thou perish. This is all I have to say to thee. So fair for me in peace. When the fox disparate of the crow's friendship, he turned away groaning for sorrow and gnashing teeth upon teeth in his disappointment. And the crow, hearing the sound of weeping and seeing his grief and profound melancholy, said to him, O Fox, what dole and dole are make thee nash thy canines? answered the Fox. I nash my canines because I find thee a greater rascal than myself. And so, saying, he made off to his house and ceased not to fare until he reached his home. Quote the Sultan. O Shadhazad, how excellent are these thy stories and how delightsome hast thou more of such edifying tales? answered she. They tell this legend concerning the hedgehog and the wood pigeons. A hedgehog once took up his abode by the side of a date palm whereupon roosted a wood pigeon and his wife that had built their nest there and lived a life of ease and enjoyment. So he said to himself, This pigeon pair eateth of the fruit of the date tree, and I have no means of getting at it, but needs must I find some fashion of tricking them. Upon this he dug a hole at the foot of the palm tree, and took up his lodgings there, he and his wife. Moreover he built an oratory beside the hole and went into retreat there, and made a show of devotion and edification and renunciation of the world. The male pigeon saw him praying and worshipping, and his heart was softened toward him for his excess of devoutness. So he said to him, How many years has thou been thus? replied the hedgehog. During the last thirty years. What is thy food? That which falleth from the palm tree. And what is thy clothing? Prickles! And I profit by their roughness. And why hast thou chosen this for place rather than another? I chose it and preferred it to all others that I might guide the airing into the right way, and teach the ignorant. I had fancied thy case, quote the wood pigeon. Other than this, but now I yearn for that which is with thee, quote the hedgehog. I fear lest thy deed contradict thy word, and thou be even as the husband men who, when the seed season came, neglected to so saying, Verily I dread lest the days bring me not to my desire, and by making haste to so I shall only waste my substance. When the harvest time came and he saw the folk earring their crops, he repented him of what he had lost by his tardiness, and he died of chagrin and vexation. Asked the wood pigeon, What then shall I do that I may be freed from the bonds of the world and cut myself loose from all things save the service of my Lord? the hedgehog. Be take thee to preparing for the next world and content thyself with a pittance of provision, quote the pigeon. How can I do this? I that am a bird and unable to go beyond the date tree whereon is my daily bread. And even could I do so? I know of no other place wherein I may wone, quote the hedgehog. Thou canst shake down of the fruit of the date tree what shall suffice thee and thy wife for a year's provont. Then do you take up your abode in a nest under the trunk, that ye may prayerfully seek to be guided in the right way, and then turn thou to what thou hast shaken down and transport it all to thy home and store it up against what time the dates fail. And when the fruits are spent and the delay is lonesome upon you, address thyself to total abstinence. exclaimed the pigeon. Oh, Allah, requite thee with good for the righteous intention wherewith thou hast reminded me of the world to come and hast directed me into the right way. Then he and his wife worked hard at knocking down the dates till nothing was left on the palm tree, whilst the hedgehog finding whereof to eat rejoiced and filled his den with the fruit, storing it up for his subsistence and saying in his mind, When the pigeon and his wife have need of their provision, they will seek it of me and covet what I have, relying upon thy devoutness and abstinence. And from what they have heard of my counsels and admonitions, they will draw near unto me. Then I will make them my prey and eat them, after which I shall have the place and all that drops from the date-tree to suffice me. Presently, having shaken down the fruits, the pigeon and his wife descended from the treetop, and finding that the hedgehog had removed all the dates to his own place, said to him, Oh hedgehog, thou pious preacher and of good counsel, we can find no sign of the dates, and know not on what else we shall feed, replied the hedgehog. Probably the winds have carried them away, but the turning from the provisions to the provider is of the essence of salvation, and he who the mouth corners cleft, the mouth without victual hath never left. And he gave not over improving the occasion to them on this wise, and making a show of piety and cousining them with fine words and false, until they put faith in him and accepted him, and entered his den, and had no suspicion of his deceit. Thereupon he sprang to the door, and gnashed his teeth, and the wood-pigeon, seeing his perfidy manifested, said to him, What hath to-night to do with yester-night? Knowest thou not that there is a helper for the oppressed? Beware of craft and treachery, lest that mishap befall thee which befell the sharpers who plotted against the merchant. What was that? asked the hedgehog, answered the pigeon. I have heard tell this tale of the merchant and the two sharpers. In a city called Sindah there once was a very wealthy merchant, who made ready his camel-loads and equipped himself with goods, and set out with his outfit for such a city, purposing to sell it there. Now he was followed by two sharpers, who had made up into bails what merchandise they could get, and giving out to the merchant that they also were merchants, wended with him by the way. So halting at the first halting-place, they agreed to play him false and take all he had, but at the same time each inwardly plotted foul-play to the other, saying in his mind, If I can cheat my comrade, times will go well with me, and I shall have all these goods for myself. So after planning this perfidy, one of them took food and putting therein poison brought it to his fellow, and the other did the same, and they both ate of the poisoned mess and they both died. Now they had been sitting with the merchant, so when they left him and were long absent from him he sought for tidings of them, and found the twain lying dead, whereby he knew that they were sharpers who had plotted to play him foul, but their foul play had recoiled upon themselves. So the merchant was preserved and took what they had. Then, quote the sultan, Oh, shah-hazad, verily thou hast aroused me to all whereof I was negligent, so continue to edify me with these fables. Quote she, It hath reached me, O king, that men tell this tale of the thief and his monkey. A certain man had a monkey, and that man was a thief who never entered any of the street markets of the city wherein he dwelt, but he made off with great profit. Now it came to pass one day that he saw a man offering for sale worn clothes, and he went calling them in the market, but none bid for them and all to whom he showed them refused to buy of him. Presently the thief who had the monkey saw the man with the ragged clothes set them in a wrapper and sit down to rest for weariness. So he made the ape sport before him to catch his eye, and whilst he was busy gazing at it stole the parcel from him. Then he took the ape and made off to a lonely place where he opened the wrapper, and taking out the old clothes folded them in a piece of costly stuff. This he carried to another bazaar and exposed for sale together with what was therein, making it a condition that it should not be opened, and tempting the folk with the loneness of the price he set on it. A certain man saw the wrapper and its beauty pleased him, so he bought the parcel on these terms and carried it home, doubting not that he had done well. When his wife saw it she asked, What is this? and he answered, It is costly stuff which I have bought at the lowest price, meaning to sell it again and take the profit. Rejoined she, O dupe, would this stuff be sold under its value unless it had been stolen? Thus thou not know that whoso buyeth ought without examining it, falleth into error and becomeeth like unto the weaver? Quote he, And what is the story of the weaver? And, quote she, I have heard this tale of the foolish weaver. There once was in a certain village a weaver who worked hard but could not earn his living saved by overwork. Now a chance that one of the richards of the neighborhood made a marriage feast and invited the folk there too. The weaver also was present and found the guests who wore rich gear, served with delicate veons and made much of by the housemaster for what he saw of their fine clothes. So he said in his mind, If I change this my craft for another craft easier to compass and better considered and more highly paid, I shall amass a great store of money, and I shall buy splendid attire so I may rise in rank and be exalted in men's eyes and become even with these. Presently he beheld one of the mountepanks who was present at the feast, climbing up to the top of a high and towering wall and throwing himself down to the ground and a lighting on his feet, whereupon the weaver said to himself, Needs must I do as this one hath done, for surely I shall not fail of it. So he arose and swarmed upon the wall and casting himself down, broke his neck against the ground and died forthright. Now I tell you this that thou sayest, Get thy living by what thou knowest and thoroughly understandest, lest per adventure greed enter into thee and thou lust after what is not of thy condition." Throughout the woman's husband, not every wise man is saved by his wisdom nor is every fool lost by his folly. I have seen it happen to a skillful charmer, well versed in the ways of serpents to be struck by the fangs of a snake and killed, and others to prevail over serpents who had no skill in them and no knowledge of their ways. And he went, contrary to his wife, and persisted in buying stolen goods below their value till he fell under suspicion and perished, therefore, even as perished the sparrow in the tail of, the sparrow in the peacock. There was, once upon a time, a sparrow that used every day to visit a certain king of the birds and ceased not to wait upon him in the mornings and not to leave him till the evenings, being the first to go in and the last to go out. One day a company of birds chanced to assemble on a high mountain and one of them said to another, Verily we are waxed many, and many are the differences between us, and there is no help for it but we have a king to look into our affairs, so shall we all be at one and our differences will disappear. Thereupon up came that sparrow and counseled them to choose for king the peacock, that is, the prince he used to visit. So they chose the peacock for their king, and he, become their sovereign, bestowed largesse upon them and made the sparrow his secretary and prime minister. Now the sparrow was want by times to quit his assiduous service in the presence of the king and look into matters in general. So one day he absented himself at the usual time, where at the peacock was sore troubled, and while things stood thus he returned, and the peacock said to him, What hath delayed thee, and thou the nearest to me of all my servants and the dearest of all my dependents? replied the sparrow. I have seen a thing which is doubtful to me, and where at I am afrightened? asked the peacock. What was it thou sawest? and the sparrow answered. I saw a man set up a net hard by my nest, pegged down its pegs, strew grain in its midst, and withdraw far off. And I sat watching what he would do when behold, fate and fortune drove thither a crane in his wife, which fell into the midst of the net and began to cry out, whereupon the fowler rose up and took them. This troubled me, and such is the reason for my absence from thee, O king of the age, but never again will I abide in that nest for fear of the net. rejoined the peacock. Depart not thy dwelling, for against fate and lot forethought will avail thee not. And the sparrow obeyed his bidding and said, I will forthwith arm myself with patience and forbear to depart an obedience to the king. So he ceased not taking care of himself, and carrying food to his sovereign who would eat what sufficed him, and after feeding drink his water and dismiss the sparrow. Now one day as he was looking into matters lo and behold, he saw two sparrows fighting on the ground and said in his mind, How can I, who am the king's wazir, look on and see sparrows fighting in my neighborhood? By Allah I must make peace between them! So he flew down to reconcile them, but the fowler cast a net over the whole number and the sparrow happened to be in their very midst. Then the fowler arose and took him and gave him to his comrade, saying, Take care of him, I never saw fatter or finer. But the sparrow said to himself, I have fallen into that which I feared, and none but the peacock inspired me with false confidence. It availed me not to beware of the stroke of fate and fortune, since even he who taketh precaution may never flee from destiny. And how well said the poet in this poetry, What so is not to be shall never become, no wise, and that to be must come to pass. Yea, it shall come to pass at time ordained, and the ignoramus I shall cry, Alas! Whereupon, quote the king, O Shahr Hazad, recount me other of these tales. And, quote she, I will do so during the coming night, if life be granted to me by the king whom Allah bring to honor. And Shahr Hazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Section 17 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. Section 18. Volume 3. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night. Translated by Richard Burton. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. Section 18. When it was the 153rd night, she said, I will relate the tale of Ali bin Baqar and of Shams al-Nahar. It hath reached me, O August King, that in the days of yore, and in times and ages long long before, during the caliphate of Harun al-Rashid. That was the merchant who named his son Abu al-Assam Ali bin Tahir. And the same was of great goods and grace, while his son was fair form and face, and held in favor by all folk. He used to enter the royal palace without asking leave, for all the caliph's concubines and slave girls loved him. And he was wont to be companion with al-Rashid in his cups and recite verses to him and tell him curious tales and with all he sold and bought in the merchant's bazaar. And there he used to sit in the shop of a young youth named Ali bin Baqar, of the sons of the Persian kings, who was form and subform, in symmetrical shape, and perfect of figure, with cheeks as red as roses and joined eyebrows, sweet as speech, laughing lipped, and delighting in mirth and gaiety. Now it chanced one day, as the two sat talking and laughing behold, that came up ten damsels like moons, every one of them complete in beauty and loveliness, and elegance and grace. And among some was a young lady riding on a shemuel, with a saddle of brocade and stirrups of gold. She wore an outer veil of fine silk, and a waist was girdled with a girdle of gold embroidered silk. And she was even as safe as the poet. Silk of her skin, and silk that zoned in waist, sweet voice, words not o'er many, nor too few. Two eyes quoth all of thee, and they became, and worked like wine on hearts they make to rue. O love, I feel, grow greater every night. O solace, doom day bring our interview. And when the Khorje reached Abu al-Hassan's shop, she alighted from her mule, and sitting down on the front board, saluted him, and he returned her salam. When Ali bin Baqar saw her, she ravished his understanding, and he rose to go away, but she said to him, Sit in thy place. Became to thee, and thou ghost away. This is not fair. Replied he, O my lady, by Allah, I flee from what I see. For the tongue of the case saith. She as a son wished tower of high sky, so ease thy heart with cure and patience lend. Thou to her sky height shall fail to fly, nor she from sky height can make descent. When she heard this, she smiled and asked Abu al-Hassan, What is the name of this young man? Who answered, He is a stranger, and she inquired, What country man is he? Where to the merchant replied, He is the descendant of the Persian kings. His name is Ali, son of Baqar, and the stranger deserve a thawner. Rejoin she, when my damsel comes to thee, Come thou at once, to us, and bring him with thee, that we may entertain him in our bold, lest he blame us and say, There is no hospitality in the people of Baghdad. For niggerliness is the worst fault a man can have. Thou hearst what I say to thee, and if thou disobeyed me, Thou wilt incur my displeasure, and I will never again visit thee or salute thee. Both Abu al-Hassan, on my head and my eyes, Allah preserved me from thy displeasure, fair lady. Then she rose and went her way. Such was her case. But as regards Ali bin Baqar, he remained in such a state of bewilderment. Now after an hour, the damsel came to Abu al-Hassan and said to him, Of a truth my lady shams al-Nahar, the favorite of the commander of the faithful, Haroon al-Varshid, bideth thee to her, thee and thy friend, my lord Ali bin Baqar. So he rose and taking Ali with him, followed the girl to the cow's pals. Where she carried them into a chamber and made them sit down. They talked together while, when be cold, trays of food were set before them, and they ate and washed their hands. Then she brought them wine, and they drank deep and merry, after which she bid them rise and carried them into another chamber, vaulted upon four columns, furnished after the goodliest fashion with various kinds of furniture, and adorned with the decorations as it were one of the pavilions of paradise. They were amazed at the verities they saw, and as they were enjoying like a review of these marvels, suddenly came up ten slave girls, like moons, swaying and swimming in beauty's pride, dazzling the sight, and confounding the sprite. And they arranged themselves in two ranks, as if they were of the black-eyed brides of paradise. And after a while, in came ten other damsels, bearing in their hands lutes and diverse instruments of mirth and music. And these, having saluted the two guests, sat down and felt tuning their lute strings. Then they rose and standing before them, played and sang recited verses. And indeed, each one of them was a seduction to the servants of the Lord. Whilst they were thus busied in their entered ten other damsels, like unto them, high-buzzled maids, and of equal age, with black eyes and cheeks like the rose, joined eyebrows and looks longorious, a very fascination to every faithful white, and to all who looked upon them a delight, clad in various kinds of colored silks, with ornaments that amazed the band's intelligence. They took up their station at the door, and there succeeded them yet ten other damsels, even fairer than they, clad in glorious way, so as no tongue can say. And they also stationed themselves by the doorway. Then came in a band of twenty damsels, and among them the lady shams on the higher height, as she were the moon among the stars, swaying from side to side, with luring gait and in beauty's pride. And she was veiled to the middle with the luxuriance of her locks, and clad in a robe of azure blue and a mantilla of silk embroidered with gold and gems of price. And her waist was girded with a zone set with various kinds of precious stones. She see snapped would advance with her graceful and kettish swaying, till she came to the couch that stood at the upper end of the chamber and seated herself thereon. But when Ali bin Makar saw her, he versified, with these verses, source of my nevels truly she elones, of long love longing and my groans and moans, near her I find my soul in melting mood for love of her and wasting of my moans. And finishing his poetry said to Abu Al-Hasan, Hadstow dealt more kindly with me, thou hadst forworn me of these things, ere I came hither, that I might have made up my mind in taking patience to support what hath befallen me. And he wept and groaned and complained. Replied Abu Al-Hasan, O my brother, I meant thee not but good, but I feared to tell thee this, lest such transport should betide thee, as might hinder thee from foregathering with her, and be a stumbling block between thee and her. But be of good cheer and keep thy nines cool and clear, for she to thee inclineth, and to favor thee designeth. As to Ali bin Baqar, what is this young lady's name? Answered Abu Al-Hasan. She is Haith Psalms al-Nahar, one of the favorites of the commander of the faithful, Harun Al-Rashid. And this is the palace of the caliphate. The shams al-Nahar sat gazing upon the charms of Ali bin Baqar, and he upon hers, to both bring growths with love for each other. Presently she commanded the damsels one and all to be seated, each in her rank and place, and all sat on a couch before one of the windows. And she bade them sing, whereupon one of them took up the loot and began caroling. Give thou my message twice, bring clear reply in trice, to thee a prince of beauty with complaint her eyes. My lord is heart-bloodier, and life's most precious spies, give me one kiss and gift, or loan if thou devise. And if thou craves for more, take all that satisfies. Thou don't be sick in distress, leave with health sweet eyed bless. Her singing charmed Ali bin Baqar, and he said to her, sing me more of the like of these verses. So she struck the strings and began to chant these lines. By stressful parting, O beloved one, thou match the eyelids, torment, race to run. O gladness of my sight and dear desire, goal of my wishes, my religion, pity the youth whose eyes are drowned in tears, of lover gone to strut and clean undone. When she had finished her verses, Shamsal Nahar said to another damsel, let us hear something from thee. So she played a lively measure and began these couplets. His looks had made me drunken, not his wine. His grace of gait disgraced, sleep to the design. Dazed me no cup, but cop with curly crop. His gifts overcame me, not the gifts of mine. His winding locks my patience clue unwound, his robe beauties rubbed all wits of mine. When Shamsal Nahar heard this recital from the damsel, she sighed heavily and the song pleased her. Then she made another damsel sing, so she took the loot and began chanting. Face that was soul and having, lamping vies, giftide's fair fountain which began to rise, whose curly side veered righteth writ of love, and each curl concealeth mysteries. Guide beauty, when I met this youth I knew, to his alas loom such gorgeous robe supplies. When she had finished her song, Ali bin Bakar said to the slave maiden nearest him, Sing us somewhat, thou old damsel, so she took up the loot and began singing. Our tri-sing time is all too short for this long-choice cockatry. How long this nay, nay, and wait, wait, this is not old nobility, and now that time gains lend delight, profits of the opportunity. When she ended, an Ali bin Bakar followed up her song with glowing tears, as Shamsal Nahar saw him weeping and groaning and complaining. She burned with love longing and desire, and passion and transport consumed her. So she rose from the cell phone, came to the door of the out-lobe, where Ali met her, and they embraced with the arms around the neck, and fell down fainting in the doorway, whereupon the namsel came to them and carrying them into the out-lobe, sprinkled rose water upon the mold. When they had recovered, they found not Abu Al-Assan, who had hit it themself by the side of a couch. The young lady said, where is Abu Al-Assan? So he showed himself to her from the side of the couch, and she saluted him, saying, I pray Allah to give me the means of requiting thee, O Lord Countess of Men. When she turned to Ali bin Bakar and said to him, O my Lord, passion hath not reached this extreme past with thee, without my feeling the like, but we have nothing to do save to bear patiently what calamity hath befallen us. Replied he, by Allah, O my Lady, union with thee may not contend me, nor leave me the love of thee which hath mastered my heart, but with the leaving of my life. So saying, he wept, and the tears ran down his cheeks, like threaded pearls. And when Shams al-Nahar saw him weep, she wept for his weeping. But Abu Al-Assan exclaimed, By Allah, I wonder at your case, and am confounded at your condition. Of a truth, your affair is amazing, and your chance stazing. What, the sweeping while you are together, then how will it be what time ye are parted and far separated? And he continued, Indeed, this is no tide for weeping and wailing, but a season for meeting and merrymaking. Rejoice, therefore, and take your pleasure and shed no more tears. Then Shams al-Nahar signed to a slave girl, who arose and presently returned with handmaids bearing a table, whose dishes of silver were full of various rich vians. They set the table before the pan, Shams al-Nahar began to eat, and to place tidbits in the mouth of Ali bin Baqar, and they ceased not doing till they were satisfied. When the table was removed and they washed their hands. Then the wading woman fenced censors with all manner of incense, ala wood and amber grease, and mixed scents, and sprinkling packs full of rose water were also brought, and they were fumigated and perfumed. After this, the slaves set on vessels of grave and gold containing all kinds of sherbet, besides fruits fresh and dried, that I can desire and I can delight in. And lastly, one brought a flagon of carnelian full of old wine. Then Shams al-Nahar chose ten handmaids to attend on them, and ten singing women, and dismissing the rest to their apartments, made some of those who remained shook the loot. They did as he made, and one of them began to sing. My soul to him who smiled back my salute, in breast reviving hopes that were no more. The hand of love my secret brought to light, and censors tongue what lies my ribs below. My teardrops ever pressed twixed me and him, as though my teardrops showing love would flow. When she had finished her singing, Shams al-Nahar rose and, filling a goblet, drank it off, then crowned it again and handed it to Ali bin Baqar, and Sharasah had perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 18 of The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3, translated by Richard Burton. Section 19, Volume 3 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 3, Section 19. When it was the 154th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Shams al-Nahar filled a goblet and handed it to Albin Baqar, after which she bade another damsel sing, and she began singing these couplets. My tears thus flowing, rival with my wine, pouring the like of what Phil's cup to bring. By Allah, what I not, and run this iron, we wine or else it is of tears I drink. And when she ended her recitation, Albin Baqar drained his cup and returned it to Shams al-Nahar. She filled it again and gave it to Abul Hassan, who tossed it off. Then she took the loot saying, None shall sing over my cup, say myself, so she screwed up the strings and intoned these verses. The tears run down his cheeks in double row, and in his breast high flameeth lover low. He weeps when near affaring to be far, and whether far or near his tear drops flow. And the words of another, Our life to thee, O cup-boy duty-dye, from parted hair to calves from black to white, soul beemith from thy hands and from thy lips, pleards and full moon through thy collars night, could sooth the cups which made our heads fly round. Are those thine eyes pass round to daze the sight? No wonder lovers hail thee as full moon, waning to them for self-air vaccine bride. Are thou a deity to kill and quicken, pitting this fair for pitting other white? Allah from model of thy form made beauty and the sea first scented with thy sprite. Thou art not of this order of humanity, but angel-length by heaven to man. When Ali bin Bakar and Abu Al-Hasan and those present heard Shamsal Nahar's song, they were like to fly for joy and sported and laughed, but while they were thus enjoying themselves low, up came a damsel, trembling for fear and said, Oh, my lady, the commander of the faithful's eunuchs are at the door, Afif and Masrur and Marjan, and others whom what I not. When they heard this, they were like to die with fright, but Shamsal Nahar laughed and said, Have no fear, then quoth she to the damsel. Keep answering them whilst we remove hence, and she caused the doors of the alcove to be closed upon Ali and Abu Al-Hasan and let down the curtains over the entrance, they being still within, after which she shut the door of the saloon and went out by the preview wicket into the flower garden, where she seated herself on a couch she had there and made one of the damsels knead her feet. Then she dismissed the rest of her women to their rooms, and they the portraits admit those who were at the door were upon Masrur entered. He and his company of twenty withdrawn swords, and when they saluted her, she asked, Wherefore come ye? Where to they answered? The commander of the faithful saluted thee. Indeed, he desolated for want of thy sight. He leteth thee know that this be to him a day of joy and great gladness, and ye wisheth to seal this day and complete his pleasure with thy company at this very hour. So say, will go to him or shall he come to thee? Upon this she rose and kissing the earth replied, I hear and I obey the commandment of the prince of true believers. Then she summoned the women guards of her household and other slave damsels, who lost no time in attending upon her and made a show of obeying the caliph's orders. And I'll bet everything about the place was in readiness, she said to the eunuchs. Go to the commander of the faithful and tell him that I wait him after a little space, that I may make ready for him a place with carpets and other matters. So they returned in haste to the caliph, while Shamsal Nahar doffing her outer gear, repaired to her lover, Albin Bakkar, and drew him to her bosom and bade him far well, whereet he wept sore and said, O my lady, this leave-taking will cause the ruin of my very self and the loss of my very soul. But I pray Allah grant me patience to support the passion, wherewith he hath afflicted me. Replied she, by Allah, none shall suffer perdition save I, for Thou wilt fair forth to the bazaar and consort with those that shall divert thee, and thy life will be sound and thy love hidden for sure. But I shall fall into trouble and tristesse, nor find any to console me, more by token that I have given the caliph a trist, wherein happily great peril shall be tied me by reason of my love for thee and my longing for thee and my grief at being parted from thee. For with what tongue shall I sing, and with what heart shall I present myself before the caliph, and with what speech shall I company the commander of the faithful in his cups, and with what eyes shall I look upon a place where thou art absent, and with what taste shall I drink wine of which thou drinkest not? Quote Abu Al-Hasan, Be not troubled, but take patience, and be not remiss in entertaining the commander of the faithful this night. Neither show him any neglect, but be of good heart. Now at this juncture, behold, up came a damsel who said to Shams Al-Nahar, O my lady, the caliph's pages are come. So she hastily rose to her feet and said to the maid, take Abu Al-Hasan and his friend and carry them to the upper balcony, giving upon the garden, and there leave them till darkness come on. When do thou contrived to carry them forth? Accordingly the girl led them up to the balcony, and, locking the door upon them both, went her away. As they sat looking on the garden, lo, the caliph appeared escorted by nearer hundred eunuchs with drawn swords in hand and girt about with a score of damsels. As they were moons, all clad in the richest of raiment, and on each one's head was a crown set with jewels and rubies, while each carried a lighted flambo. The caliph walked in their midst, they encompassing him about on all sides, and Masrur and Afif and Vasif went before him, and he bore himself with a graceful gait. So Shamsal Nahar and her maidens rose to receive him, and, meeting him at the garden door, kissed crown between his hands, nor did they cease to go before him till they brought him to the couch whereon he sat down. Whilst all the waiting women who were in the garden and the eunuchs stood before him, and there came fair handmaids and concubines holding in hand lighted candles and perfumes and incense and instruments of mirth and music. Then the sovereign bade the singer sit down, each in her place, and Shamsal Nahar came up, and, seating herself on a stool by the side of the caliph's couch, began to converse with him. All this happening whilst Abu al-Hasan and Ali bin Bakar looked on and listened, unseen of the king. Presently the caliph fell to jesting and toying with Shamsal Nahar, and both were in the highest spirits, glad and gay, when he bade them through open the garden pavilion. So they opened the doors and windows, and lighted the tapers till the place shone in the season of darkness even as the day. Then the eunuchs removed dither the wine service, and quoth Abu al-Hasan. I saw drinking vessels and rarities whose like mine eyes never beheld, vases of gold and silver and all manner of noble metals and precious stones, such as no power of description can describe, till indeed it seemed to me I was dreaming for excess of amazement at what I saw. But as for Ali bin Bakar, from the moment Shamsal Nahar left him, he lay strone on the ground for stress of love and desire, and when he revived, he fell to gazing upon these things that had not their like and saying to Abu al-Hasan, O my brother, I fearless the caliph see us or come to know of our case, but the most of my fear is for thee. For myself of a truth I know that I am about to be lost past recourse, and the cause of my destruction is not but love and longing and excess of desire and distraction, and disunion from my beloved after union with her. But I beseech Allah to deliver us from this perilious predicament, and they cease not to look out of the balcony on the caliph who was taking his pleasure till the banquet was spread before him, when he turned to one of the damsels and said to her, O garam, let us hear some of thine enchanting songs, so she took the loot and tuning it began singing. The longing of a bed-wind maid whose folks are far away, who yearns after the willow of the hedges and the bay, whose tears when she on traveller's lights might for their water serve, and eke her passion with its heat their bewak fire pervade. Is not more fierce nor ardent than my longing for my love, who deems that I commit a crime in loving him all way. Now, when Shams Al-Nar heard these verses, she slipped off the stool whereon she sat and fell to the earth fainting, and became insensible to the world around her, upon which the damsels came and lifted her up, and when Ali bin Bakar saw this from the balcony, he also slipped down senseless, and Abu Al-Hasan said, verily fate hath divided love-desire equally upon you twain. As he spoke low, in came the damsel who had led them up to the balcony and said to them, O Abu Al-Hasan, arise thou and thy friend, and come down, for over truth the world has backstraight upon us, and I fear lest our case be discovered, or the Caliph become aware of you. Unless you descend at once, we are dead ones. Quot he, and how shall this youth descend with me, seeing that he hath no strength to rise? Thereupon the damsel began sprinkling rose water on Ali bin Bakar, till he came to his senses, when Abu Al-Hasan lifted him up, and the damsel made him lean upon her. So they went down from the balcony, and walked on a while till the damsel opened a little iron door, and made the two friends pass through it, and they came upon a bench by the Tigris Bank. Thereupon the slave girl clapped her hands, and there came up a man with a little boat, to whom said she, take up these two young men, and land them on the opposite side. So both entered the boat, and as the man rode off with them, and they left the garden behind them. Ali bin Bakar looked back towards the Caliph's palace, and the pavilion and the grounds, and bade them farewell with these two couplets. I offered this weak hand as last farewell, while to a heart-burning fire that hand is guided. Oh, let not this end union, let not this be last provision for long road provided. Thereupon the damsel said to the boatman, make haste with them both, so he plied his oars deftly, the slave girl being still with them. And Sharasad perceived the dawning day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and fifty-fifth night, she said, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the boatman rode them towards the other bank, till they reached it and landed, whereupon she took leave of them, saying, it were my wish not to abandon you, but I can go no farther than this. Then she turned back, whilst Ali bin Bakar lay prostrate on the ground before Abu Al-Hasan, and by no manner a means could he rise. Till his friends said to him, indeed this place is not sure, and I fear lest we lose our lives in this very spot by reason of the lewd fellows who infested and highwaymen and men of lawlessness. Upon this Ali bin Bakar arose and walked a little, but could not continue walking. Now Abu Al-Hasan had friends in that quarter, so he made search for one of them in whom he trusted, and who was of his intimates, and knocked at the door. The man came out quickly, and seeing them, paid them welcome, and brought them into his house, where he seated them and talked with them, and asked them whence they came. Quoth Abu Al-Hasan We came out, but now, being obliged thereto by a person with whom I had dealings, and who hath in his hands dirhams of mine. And it reached me that he designed to flee into foreign parts with my monies, so I fed forth tonight in quest of him, taking with me for company this youth, Ali bin Bakar. But when we came hoping to see the deptor, he hid from us, and we could get no sight of him. Accordingly, we turned back empty-handed, without a doid. But it was irksome to us to return home at this hour of the night, so weeding not wither to go, we came to thee, while knowing thy kindness, and wanted courtesy. Gee are welcome, and well come, answered the host, and studied to do them honor. So the twain abode with him the rest of their night, and as soon as the daylight dawn, they left him and made their way back without aught of delay to the city. When they came to the house of Abu Al-Hasan, he conjured his comrade to enter, so they went in, and lying down on the bed slept awhile. As soon as they awoke, Abu Al-Hasan made his servants spread the house with rich carpets, saying in his mind, Needs must I divert this youth, and distract him from thinking of his affliction, for I know his case better than another. Then he called for water for Ali bin Bakar, who, when it was brought, rose up from his bed and making his ablutions, prayed the obligatory prayers which he had omitted for the past day and night, after which he sat down, and began to solace himself by talking with his friend. When Abu Al-Hasan saw this, he turned to him and said, O my lord, it were fitter for thy case that thou abide with me this night, so thy breast may be broadened and the distress of love longing that is upon thee be dispelled, and thou make merry with us. So happily the fire of thy heart may thus be quenched. Ali replied, O my brother, do what seemeth good to thee, for I may not on any wise escape from what calamity hath befallen me, so act as thou wilt. Accordingly Abu Al-Hasan arose and made his servant summon some of the choicest of his friends, and sent for singers and musicians who came, and meanwhile he made ready meat and drink for them. So they sat eating and drinking and making merry through the rest of the day till nightfall. Then they lit the candles and the cups of friendship and good fellowship went round amongst them, and the time passed pleasantly with them. Presently a singing woman took the loot and began singing. I have been shocked by fortune and shaft of eye, downstruck me and parted from fondest friend. Time has proved him foe, and my patient failed, yet I ever expected it thus would end. When Ali bin Bakar heard her words, he fell to the earth in a swoon and ceased not lying in his fainting fit till daybreak. And Abu Al-Hasan despaired of him, but with the dawning he came to himself and sought to go home, nor could his friend Hindrim for fear of the issue of his affair. So he made his servant bring a she-mule and, mounting Ali thereon, carried him to his lodgings, he and one of his men. When he was safe at home, Abu Al-Hasan thanked Allah for his deliverance from that sore peril and sat a while with him, comforting him. But Ali could not contain himself for the violence of his love and longing. So Abu Al-Hasan rose to take leave of him and returned to his own place. And Sharasad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and fifty-six night she said, It hath reached me, o auspicious king, that when Abu Al-Hasan rose to take leave of him, Ali, son of Bakar, exclaimed, O my brother, leave me not without news. I hear and obey, replied the other. And forthwith went away and, repairing to his shop, opened it and sat there all day, expecting use of Shams al-Nahar. But none came. He passed the night in his own house and, when dawned the day, he walked to Ali bin Bakar's lodging, and went in and found him thrown on his bed with his friends about him and physicians around him, prescribing something or other, and the doctors feeling his pulse. When he saw Abu Al-Hasan enter, he smiled, and the visitor, after saluting him, inquired how he did and sat with him till the fork withdrew. When he said to him, what plight is this? Quoth Ali bin Bakar. It was brooted abroad that I was ill, and my comrades heard the report, and I have no strength to rise and walk, so as to give him the lie who noised abroad my sickness, but continue lying strone here as thou ceased. So my friends came to visit me, say, however, O my brother, has thou seen the slave girl or heard any news of her? He replied, I have not seen her since the day we parted from her on Tigris Bank, and he presently added, O my brother, beware thou of scandal and leave the sweeping. Rejoined Ali, O my brother, indeed I have no control over myself, and he sighed and began reciting, She gives a woman's hand a force that fails the hand of me, and with red dye on wrist she guards my patience fail and flee, and for her hand she fears so sore what shafts her eyes discharge. She is feigned to clothe and guard her hand with mail ring panoply. The leech in ignorance felt my pulse the while to him I cried, Sick is my heart, so quit my hand, which hath no malady. Quoth she to that fair nightly vision favoured me and fled, by Allah picture him nor add nor bait in lease degree. Replied the dream, I leave him though he die of thirst, I cry. Stand off from water-pit and say, Why this persistency rain-tier pearls her Narcissus eyes and rose on cheek-billy. She made my sherbet and the loathe with bits of hail she bit. And when his recital was ended he said, O Abu Al-Hassan, I am smitten with an affliction from which I deem myself in perfect surety, and there is no greater ease for me than death. Replied he, Be patient, haply Allah will heal thee. Then he went out from him and repairing to shop opened it, nor had he sat long when suddenly up came the handmaid who saluted him. He returned her salam and looking at her saw that her heart was palpitating and that she was in sore trouble and showed signs of great affliction. So he said to her, Thou art welcome and welcome. How is it with Shamsal Nahar? She answered, I will presently tell thee, but first let me know how doth Ali bin Bakr. So he told her all that had passed and how his case stood, whereat she grieved and sighed and lamented and marveled at his condition. Then said she, My lady's case is still stranger than this, for when you went away and fired homewards, I turned back, my heart beating hard on your account and hardly crediting your escape. On entering I found her lying prostrate in the pavilion, speaking not nor answering any, whilst the commander of the faithful sat by her not knowing what ailed her and finding none who could make known to him ought of her ailment. She ceased not from her swoon till midnight when she recovered and the prince of the faithful said to her, What harm hath happened to thee, O Shamsal Nahar, and what hath befallen thee this night? Now when she heard the Caliph's words, she kissed his feet and said, Allah, make me thy ransom, O Prince of true believers, verily a sourness of stomat lighted a fire in my body so that I lost my senses for excess of pain, and I know no more of my condition. Asked the Caliph, What has thou eaten today? And she answered, I broke my fast on something I had never tasted before. Then she feigned to be recovered and calling for a something of wine, drank it, and begged the sovereign to resume his diversion. So he sat down again on his couch in the pavilion, and the sitting was resumed. But when she saw me, she asked me how you fared. I told her what I had done with you both and repeated to her the verses which Ali bin Bakr had composed at parting tide, whereet she wept secretly, but presently held her peace. After a while the commander of the faithful ordered a damsel to sing, and she began reciting, Life has no sweet for me, since forth ye fared. Would heaven I wot how fair ye who forsake, where only fit my tears were tears of blood, since you are weeping for mine absence, say. But when my lady heard this verse, she fell back on the sofa in a swoon. And Shara Sahib perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 19 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3, Reading by Laash Rulander. Section 20, Volume 3 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 Laash Rulander. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3, Section 20. When it was the 157th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the slave girl continued to Abu Al-Hassan. But when my lady heard this verse, she fell back on the sofa in a swoon, and seized her hand and sprinkled rose water on her face, till she revived when I said to her, O my lady, expose not thyself and all thy palace containeth. By the life of thy beloved be thou patient. She replied, Can ought before me worse than death, which indeed I seek, for by Allah my ease is therein? Whilst we were thus talking, another damsel sang these words of the poet. Quoth they, may be that patient lend thee ease, Quoth I, since fed he where is patient's place, Convenant he made, twixed me and him to cut, the courts of patience at our last embrace. And as soon as she had finished her verse, Shamsal Nahar swooned away once more, which when the caliph saw, he came to her in haste and commanded the wine to be removed, and each damsel to return to her chamber. He abode with her the rest of the night, and when dawn the day, he sent for chirurgents and leeches and bathed them medicine her, knowing not that her sickness arose from love and longing. I turried with her till I deemed her in a wave of recovery, and this is what kept me from thee. I have now left her with a number of her body-women, who were greatly concerned for her, when she bade me go to you two and bring her news of Ali bin Bakr and return to her with the tidings. When Abul Hassan heard her story, he marveled and said, By Allah I have acquainted thee with his whole case, so now return to thy mistress, and salute her for me, and diligently exhort her to have patience and say to her, Keep thy secret, and tell her that I know all her case, which is indeed hard, and one which calleth for nice conduct. She thanked him, and taking leave of him returned to her mistress. So far concerning her, but as regards Abul Hassan, he ceased not to abide in his shop till the end of the day, when he arose and shut it and locked it, and betaking himself to Ali bin Bakr's house knocked at the door. One of the servants came out and admitted him, and when Ali saw him, he smiled and congratulated himself on his coming, saying, Thou hast desolated me by thine absence this day. For indeed my soul is pledged to thee during the rest of my time. Answered the other, Leave this talk, where thy healing at the price of my hand, I would cut it off ere thou couldst ask me, and could I ransom thee with my life, I had already laid it down for thee. Now this very day Shamsal Nahar's handmaid has been with me, and told me that what hindered her coming here, this was the Caliph's sojourn with her mistress, and she acquainted me with everything which had betided her. And he went on to repeat to him all that the girl had told him of Shamsal Nahar, at which Ali bin Bakr lamented sore and wept and said to him, Allah upon thee o my brother, help me in this affliction, and teach me what course I shall take. Moreover I beg thee of thy grace to bide with me this night, that I may have the solace of thy society. Abu Al-Hasan agreed to this request, replying that he would readily night there, so they talked together till even thy darkened, when Ali bin Bakr groaned aloud and lamented and wept copious tears, reciting these couplets, Thine image in thee's eye, a lip thy name, my heart thy home, how couldst thou disappear? How sore I grieve for life, which comes to end, nor see I boon of union far or near. And these the words of another. She split my cask of courage with eye-swords that sorely smite. She pierced my patient's ring-mail with her shape like cane-spear light. Patched by the musky mole on cheek was to our sight displayed. Comfort set round with amber-greed, light dawning through the night. Her soul was sorrowed, and she bit carnellion-stone with pearls, whose unions in a sugar-tank ever to lurk unite. Restless she sighed and smoked with palm, the snows that clothed her breast. And left a mark thereon, I looked and never beheld such sight. Hence fashioned of her coral-nace with amber-greed for ink. Five lines on crystal-page show breasted cruelly in-dite. O swordsman, armed with trusty steel, I bid you all beware, when she on you bends deadly glance, which fascinates the sprite. And guard thyself, O thou of spare, when as she drawth near, to tilt with slender quivering shape, likes the nut-brown spear. And when Ali Ben-Bakker ended his verse, he cried out with a great cry and fell down in a fit. Abu Al-Hassan thought that his soul had fled his body, and his ease not from his womb till daybreak, when he came to himself and talked with his friend, who continued to sit with him till the forenoon. Then he left him and repaired his shop, and hardly had he opened it, when low the damsel came and stood by his side. As soon as he saw her, she made him a sign of salutation, which he returned, and she delivered to him the greeting message of her mistress, and asked, How doth Ali Ben-Bakker? answered he. O hand-made of good, ask me not of his case, nor what he suffereth for excess of love-longing. He sleepeth not by night, neither resteth he by day. Wakefulness wasteeth him, and care has conquered him, and his condition is a consternation to his friend. Quoth she. My lady saluted thee and him, and she hath written him a letter, for indeed she is in worse case than he, and she entrusted the same to me, saying, Do not return, save with the answer, and do thou obey my bidding. Here now is the letter, so say, Will thou when with me to him that we may get his reply? I hear and obey, answered Abu Al-Hasan, and, locking his shop and taking with him the girl, he went by a way different from that whereby he came, to Ali Ben-Bakker's house, where he left her standing at the door, and walked in. And Shah-Rasad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and fifty-eight night, she said, It hath reached me, O specious king, that Abu Al-Hasan went with the girl to the house of Ali, son of Bakker, where he left her standing at the door, and walked in to his great joy. And Abu Al-Hasan said to him, The reason of my coming is that such an one hath sent his handmaid to thee, with a letter, containing his greeting to thee, and mentioning therein, that the cause of his not coming to thee, was a matter that hath betided him. The girl standeth even now at the door, shall she have leave to enter, and he signed to him that it was Shams al-Nahar's slave girl. Ali understood his signal and answered, Bring her in, and when he saw her, he shook for joy and signed to her. How doth thy lord? Allah grant him health and healing. He is well answered she, and pulling out the letter gave it to him. He took it and kissing it, opened and read it, after which he handed it to Abu Al-Hasan, who found these verses written therein. This messenger shall give my news to thee. Patience, what while my sight thou canst not see, a lover lives in love's insanity, whose eye abide on wake incessantly. I suffer patience pangs in woes that none of men can medicine such my destiny. Keep cool thine eyes, never shall my heart forget, nor without dream of thee one day shall be. Look what befell thy wasted frame, and thence argue what I'm doomed for love to dream. And afterwards without fingers I have written to thee, and without tongue I have spoken to thee. To resume my case, I have an eye where from sleeplessness departeth not, and a heart when sorrowful thoughts stirreth not. It is with me as though health I had never known, nor in sadness ever ceased to wone, nor spent an hour in pleasant place, but it is as if I were made up of pine and of the pain of passion and shagging. Sickness unceasingly troubles, and my journey ever redoubled. Desire still growth, and longing in my heart still growth. I pray allah to hasten our union, and dispel of my mind the confusion. And I would feign thou favour me with some words of thine, that I may cheer my heart in pain and repine. Moreover I would have thee put on patience leaf until allah watch safe relief, and his peace be with thee. When Ali bin Bakr had read this letter, he said in weak accents and feeble voice, with what hand shall I write, and with what tongue shall I make moan and lament? Indeed she added sickness to my sickness, and draweth death upon my death. Then he sat up and taking in hand in case and paper, wrote the following reply. In the name of allah, the compassionate, the compassionate, thy letter hath reached me, O my lady, and hath given ease to a sprite worn out with passion and love longing, and hath brought healing to wounded heart cankered with languishment and sickness. For indeed I am become even aseth the poet. Straighten, bosom, reveres, disbred, slumberless eyelids body wear it, patience cut short, disunion longsumst, reason deranged and heart whose leaf is fled, and know that complaining is unawailing, but it aeth is him whom love longing disordereth, and his separation destroys, and with repeating union I keep myself comforted, and how fine is the saying of the poet who said, Did not in love plight joys and sorrows meet? How would the message of the writ be sweet? When he had made an end of his letter, he handed it to Aval Hassan saying, Read it and give it to the damsel. So he took it and read it, and its words stirred his soul, and its meaning wounded his vitals. Then he committed it to the girl, and when she took it, Ali bin Bakar said to her, Salute thy lady for me, and acquaint her with my love and longing, and how passion is blended with my flesh and my bones, and say to her that in very deed I need a woman who shall snatch me from the sea of destruction, and save me from this dilemma, for over truth fortune oppresses me with her visitudes, and is there any helper to free me from her turpitudes? And he wept, and the damsel wept for his weeping. Then she took leave of him, and went forth, and Aval Hassan went out with her, and furwelled her. So she ganked her gate, and he returned to his shop, which he opened, and sat down there as was his one. And Sharasad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and fifty ninth night, she said, It hath reached me, o auspicious king, that Aval Hassan furwelled the slave girl, and returned to his shop, which he opened, and sat down there according to his custom. But as it tarried, he found his heart oppressed, and his breasts straightened, and he was perplexed about his case, so he ceased not from melancholy the rest of that day and night. And on the morrow he betook himself to Ali bin Bakkar, with whom he sat till the fork withdrew, when he asked him how he did. Ali began to complain of desire, and to discount upon the longing and distraction, which possessed him, and repeated these words of the poet, Men have plained of pining before my time, live and dead by parting been terrified, but such feelings as those which my ribs emure, I have never heard of, nor ever spied. And these of another poet, I have borne for thy love what never bore, for his fair case the daft one height of old, yet I chase not the wildings of old and wild, like case for madness is manyfold. Thereupon quoth Abul Hassan, Never did I see your hero one like unto thee in thy love, when thou sufferest all this transport and sickness and trouble being enamored, of one who returneth thy passion. How would it be with thee, if she whom thou lovest were contrary, and contumelious, and thy case were discovered through her perfidy? And Ali, the son of Bakar, says Abul Hassan, was pleased with my words, and he relied upon them, and he thanked me for what I had said and done. I had a friend, continued Abul Hassan, to whom I discovered my affair and that of Ali, and who knew that we were intimates, but none other than he was acquainted with what was between us. He was wont to come to me and acquire how Ali did, and after a little he began to ask me about the damsel, but I fenced him off, saying, she invited him to her, and there was between him and her as much as can possibly take place, and this is the end of their affair, but I have devised me plan and an idea which I would submit to thee. Asked his friend, and what is that? Answered Abul Hassan, I am a person well known to have much dealing among men and women, and I fear, O my brother, lest the affair of these twain come to light, and this lead to my death, and the seizure of my goods, and the rending of my repute, and that of my family. Wherefore I have resolved to get together my monies, and make ready forthright and repair to the city of Basura, and there abide till I see what cometh of their case, that none may know of me. For love hath lorded over both, and correspondence passeth between them, at this present their go-between and confidant is a slave girl, who hath till now kept their counsel. But I fear, lest happily anxiety get the better of her, and she discover their secret to someone, and the matter, being brooded abroad, might bring me to great grief, and prove the cause of my ruin. For I have no excuse to offer my accusers. Rejoined his friend, thou hast acquainted me with a parlous affair, from the like of which the wise and understanding will shrink with fear. Allah avert from thee the evil thou dreadest, with such dread, and save thee from the consequences thou apprehendest. Assuredly thy wrecking is a right. So Abul Hasan returned to his place, and began ordering his affairs, and preparing for his travel. Nor had three days past ere he made an end of his business, and fared forth Basura wards. His friend came to visit him three days after, but finding him not, asked of him from the neighbors, who answered. He set out for Basura three days ago, for he had dealings with its merchants, and he is gone dither to collect monies from his debtors, but he will soon return. The young man was confounded at the news, and knew not wither to wend, and he said in his mind, Would I had not parted from Abul Hasan? Then he bethought him of some plan, whereby he should gain access to Ali bin Bakkar. So he went to his lodging, and said to one of his servants, Ask thee for me of thy lord that I may go in and salute him. The servant entered and told his master, and presently returning, invited the man to walk in. So he entered, and found Ali bin Bakkar, thrown back on the pillow, and saluted him. Ali returned his greeting, and bid him welcome, whereupon the young man began to excuse himself for having held aloof from him, all that while, and added, O my lord, between Abul Hasan and myself there was close friendship, so that I used to trust him with my secrets, and could not severe myself from him an hour. Now it's so chance that I was absent three day space on certain business, with a company of my friends, and when I came back and went to him, I found his shop locked up, so I asked the neighbours about him, and there he replied, He's gone to Basra, now I know he had no sure friend than thou, so by Allah tell me what thou knowest of him. When Ali bin Bakkar heard this, his colour changed, and he was troubled and answered, I never heard he this day of his departure, and if the case beest thou sayest, weariness is come upon me, and he began repeating, For joys that are no more, I want to weep, while friends and lovers stood by me unscattered, this day when disunited me and them. Fortune I weep, lost loves and friendship shattered. Then he hung his head groundwards, in thought a while, and presently racing it and looking to one of his servants said, Go to Abul Hasan's house, and acquire an intim, whether he be at home or journeying abroad, if they say he's abroad, ask whether he be gone. The servant went out and returning after a while said to his master, When I asked for Abul Hasan, his people told me that he was gone on a journey to Basra, but I saw a damsel standing at the door, who, knowing me by sight, though I knew her not, said to me, Are thou not servant to Ali bin Bakar? Even so answered I, and she rejoined. I bear a message for him from one who is the dearest of all folk to him, so she came with me, and she's now standing at the door. Quoth Ali bin Bakar? Bring her in. The servant went out to her and brought her in, and the man who was with Ali looked at her and found her pretty. Then she advanced to the son of Bakar and saluted him, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Section 20 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3, Read by Losh Rulander. Section 21, Volume 3 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 Losh Rulander. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3, Section 21. When it was the 160th night, she said, It hath reached me, O specious king, that when the slave girl came into Ali bin Bakar, she advanced to him and saluted him and spake with him secretly, and from time to time during the dialogue he exclaimed with an oath and swore that he had not talked and tattled of it. Then she took leave of him and went away. Now Abul Hassan's friend was a jeweler, and when she was gone he found a place for speech and said to Ali bin Bakar, Doubtless and assuredly the Caliph's household have some demand upon thee, or thou hast dealings therewith. Who told thee of this? asked Ali, and the jeweler answered. I know it by John the Damsel, who is Shamsal Nahar's slave girl, for she came to me a while since with a note wherein was written that she wanted a necklace of jewels, and I sent her a costly collar. But when Ali bin Bakar heard this, he was greatly troubled, so that the jeweler feared to see him give up the ghost. Yet after a while he recovered himself and said, O my brother, I conjure thee by Allah to tell me truly how thou knowst her. Replied he. Do not press this question upon me. And Ali rejoined, Indeed I will not turn from thee till thou tell me the whole truth. Quoth the jeweler, I will tell thee all on condition that thou distrust me not, and that my words cause thee no restraint. Nor will I conceal ought from thee by way of secret, but will discover to thee the truth of the affair, provided that thou acquaint me with the true state of thy case and the course of thy sickness. Then he told him all that had passed from the first to last between Abu Al-Hassan and himself, adding, I acted thus only out of friendship for thee and of my desire to serve thee, and assured him that he would keep his secret and venture life and good in his service. So Ali in turn told him his story and added, By Allah, O my brother, not moved me to keep my case secret from thee and from others, but my fearless fork should lift the veils of protection from certain persons. Rejoined the jeweler, And I decide not of foregather with thee, but of the great affection I bear thee, and my seal for thee in every case, and my compassion for thee anguish thy heart endureth from severance. Happily I may be a comforter to thee in the room of my friend, Abu Al-Hassan, during the length of his absence. So be thou of good cheer, and keep thine eyes cool and clear. Thereupon Ali's thanked him and repeated these couplets. And say I, Patient I can bear his fairing. My tears and sighings give my say the lie. How can I hide these tears that coarser down, this plain my cheek for friend to feign to fly? Then he was silent a while, and presently said to the jeweler, Nose thought what secret the girl whispered to me. Answered he, Not I by Allah, O my lord. Quoth Ali. She fancied that I directed Abu Al-Hassan to go to Basra, and that I had devised this device to put a stop to our correspondence and consorting. I swore to her that this was a no-wise soul, but she would not credit me, and went away to her mistress, persisting in her injurious suspicions, for she inclined to Abu Al-Hassan, and gave ear to his word. Answered the young jeweler, O my brother. I understood as much from the girl's manner, but I will win for thee thy wish. In Salah. Rejoined Ali bin Bakr. Who can be with me in this, and how wilt thou do with her, when she shies and flies like a wildling of the world? Cried the jeweler, By Allah, needs must I do my utmost to help thee, and contrived to scrape acquaintance with her, without exposure of mischief? Then he asked leave to depart, and Ali bin Bakr said, O my brother, mind thou keep my counsel, and he looked at him and wept. The jeweler bade him good-bye, and fared forth. And Shah-Rasad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and sixty first night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the jeweler bade him good-bye, and fared forth, not knowing what he should do to win for him his wishes. And he ceased not walking, while over musing the matter, till he spied a letter lying in the road. He took it up, and looked at its direction and superscription. Then read it, and behold, it ran. From the least worthy of lovers, to the most worthy of beloveds. So he opened it, and found these words written therein. A messenger from thee came bringing union hope, but that he aired somehow with me the thought prevailed. So I rejoiced not, rather grew my grief still more, weeding my messenger of wits, and wit had failed. But afterwards, know, O my lord, that I cannot the reason why our correspondence between thee and me has been broken off. But if the cruelty arise from thy part, I will requite it with fidelity, and if thy love have departed, I will remain constant to my love of the parted, for I am with thee even assess the poet. Be proud, I'll crouch, bully, I'll bear, despise, I'll pray, go, I will come, speak, I will hear, bid, I'll obey. As he was reading, lo, up came the slave girl, looking right and left and seeing the paper in the jeweler's hand, said him, O my master, this letter is one I let fall. He made her no answer, but walked on, and she walked behind him till he came to his house, when he entered, and she after him saying, O my master, give me back this letter, for it fell from me. Thereon he turned to her and said, O handmaid of good, fear not neither grieve, for verily Allah the protector loveeth those who protect, but tell me in truthful way thy case, as I am one who keepeth counsel. I conjure thee by an oath not to hide from me ought of thy ladies affairs, for happily Allah shall help me to further her wishes, and make easy by my hand that which is hard. When the slave girl heard these words, she said, O my lord, indeed a secret is not lost whereof thou art the secretest, nor shall any affair come to not for which thou strivest. Know that my heart inclineth to thee, and would interest thee with my tidings, but do thou give me the letter? Then she told him the whole story, adding, Allow us witness to what so I say. Quathi, thou hast spoken truly, for I am acquainted with the root of the matter. Then he told her his tale of Ali bin Bakkar, and how he had learned his state of mind, and related to her all that had passed from first to last, whereet she rejoiced, and they too agreed that she should take the letter, and carry it to Ali, and returned and acquainted the jeweler with all that happened. So he gave her the letter, and she took it and sealed it up as it was before, saying, My mistress, Shamsal Nahar, gave it to me sealed, and when he hath read it and given me its reply, I will bring it to thee. Then she took leave and repaired to Ali bin Bakkar, whom she found waiting, and gave him the letter. He read it and writing a paper by way of reply, gave it to her, and she carried it to the jeweler, who tore us under the seal, and read it and found written therein these two couplets. The messenger, who kept our commerce hid, hath failed and showeth wrath without disguise. Choose one more leel from your many friends, who truth approving disapproves of lies. To proceed verily I have not entered upon perfidy, nor have I abandoned fidelity. I have not used cruelty, neither have I out of leelty. No covenant hath been broken by me, nor hath love-tie been severed by me. I have not parted from penitence, nor have I found ought but misery and ruin after severance. I know nothing of that thou avouchest, nor do I love ought but that which thou lovest. By him who knoweth the secret of hidden things none discover, I have no desire save union with my lover. And my one business is my passion to conceal, albeit with sore sickness I ale. This is the exposition of my case, and now all hail. When the jeweler read this letter and learned its contents, he wept with sore weeping, and the slave girl said to him, leave not this place till I return to thee, for he suspected me of such and such things, in which he is excusable, so it is my desire to bring about a meeting between thee and my mistress, Shamsal Nahar, whosoever I may trick you to it, for the present I left her prostrate awaiting my return with a reply. Then she went away, and the jeweler passed the night with a troubled mind, and when day dawned he prayed his dawn prayer, and sat expecting the girls coming. And behold, she came into him rejoicing with much joy, and he asked her, what knew so damsel? She answered, After leaving thee, I went to my mistress, and gave her the letter written by Ali bin Bakar, and when she read it and understood it, she was troubled and confounded. But I said to her, Oh my lady, have no fear of your affair being frustrated by Abul Hasan's disappearance, for I have found one to take his place, better than he and more of worth, and a good man to keep secrets. Then I told her what was between thyself and Abul Hasan, and how thou cameest by his confidence, and that of Ali bin Bakar, and how that note was dropped, and thou cameest by it. And I also showed her how we arranged matters between me and thee. The jeweler marveled with much wonder when she resumed. And now my mistress would hear what so thou says'd, that she may be sure by thy speech of the covenant between thee and him. So get thee ready to go with me to her forthwith. When the jeweler heard the slave girl's words, he saw that the proposed affair was grave and a great peril to brave. Not likely to be undertaken, or suddenly entered upon. And he said to her, Oh my sister, verily I am of the ordinary and not like unto Abul Hasan, for he being of high rank and a well-known repute, was one to frequent the caliph's household, because of their need of his merchandise. As for me he used to talk with me, and I trembled before him the while. So if thy mistress would speak with me, our meeting must be in some place other than the caliph's palace, and far from the abode of the commander of the faithful. For my common sense will not let me consent to what thou proposes'd. On this wise he refused to go with her, and she went on to say that she would be surety for his safety, adding, Take heart and fear no harm, and pressed him to courage till he consented to accompany her. With all his legs bent and shivered, and his hands quivered, and he exclaimed, Allah forbid that I should go with thee. Indeed I have no strength to do this thing, replied she. Hearten thy heart, if it be hard for thee to go to the caliph's palace, and thou canst not muster up courage to accompany me, I will make her come to thee. So budge not from thy place till I return to thee with her. Then the slave-girl went away and was absent for a while, but a short while after which she returned to the jeweler and said to him, Take thou care that there be with thee none save thyself, neither man-slave nor girl-slave. I have but a negroes, who is in years and who waited on me. So she rose and locked the door between his negroes and the jeweler, and sent his manservants out of the place, after which she fed forth and presently returned, followed by a lady who, entering the house, filled it with a sweet scent of her perfumes. When the jeweler saw her, he sprang up and set her a couch and a cushion, and she sat down while he seated himself before her. She abode a while without speaking till she had rested herself, when she unveiled her face, and it seemed to the jeweler's fancy as if the sun had risen in his home. Then she asked her slave-girl, Is this the man of whom thou spakest to me? Yes, answered she, whereupon the lady turned to the jeweler and said to him, How is it with thee? replied he, Right well, I pray Allah for thy preservation, and that of the commander of the faithful. Quoth she, thou hast moved us to come to thee, and possess thee with what we hold secret? Then she questioned him of his household and family, and he disclosed to her all his circumstance, and his condition, and said to her, I have a house other than this, and I have set it apart for gathering together my friends and brethren, and there is none there save the old negroes, of whom I spoke to thy handmaid. She asked him on what wise he came first to know how the affair began, and the matter of Abu Al-Hassan, and the course of his way faring. Accordingly he told her all he knew, and how he advised the journey. Thereupon she bewailed the loss of Abu Al-Hassan, and said to the jeweler, No, O such a one, that men's souls are active in their lusts, and that men are still men, and that deeds are not done without words, nor is end ever reached without endeavor. Rest is won only by work. And Shah-Rasad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and sixty second night, she said, It hath reached me, O specious king, that Shams Al-Nar thus addressed the jeweler. Rest is gained only by work, and success is gendered only by help of the generous. Now I have acquainted thee with our affair, and it is in thy hand to expose us or to shield us. I say no more, because thy generosity requires not. Thou knows that this my handmaid keepeth my counsel, and therefore occupyeth high place in my favor, and I have selected her to transact my affairs of importance. So let none be worthier in thy sight than she, and acquaint her with thine affair, and be a good chair, for on her account thou art safe from all fear, and there is no place shut upon thee, but she shall open it to thee. She shall bring thee my messages to Ali bin Bakkar, and thou shall be our intermediary. So, saying, she rose scarcely able to rise, and fared forth, the jeweler faring before her to the door of her house, after which he returned and sat down again in his place, having seen of her beauty and heard of her speech what dazzled him, and daced his wit, and having witnessed of her grace and courtesy what bewitched his pride. He sat musing on her perfections till his mind was waxed tranquil, when he called for food and ate enough to keep soul and body together. Then he changed his clothes and went out, and repairing to the house of the youth Ali bin Bakkar, knocked at the door. The servants hastened to admit him, and walked before him till they had brought him to their master, whom he found strone upon his bed. Now, when he saw the jeweler, he said to him, Thou hast tarried long from me, and that hath heep care upon my care. Then he dismissed his servants, and made the doors be shut, after which he said to the jeweler, By Allah, O my brother, I have not closed my eyes since the day I saw thee last, for the slave girl came to me yesterday with a seed-letter from her mistress Shamsal Nahar, and went on to tell him all that had passed with her, adding, By the Lord I am indeed perplexed concerning mine affair, and my patience faileth me. For Abul Hassan was a comforter who chaired me because he knew the slave girl. When the jeweler heard his words, he laughed, and Ali said, Why dost thou laugh at my words, thou on whose coming I congratulated myself, and to whom I looked for provision against the shifts of fortune? Then he sighed and wept and repeated these couplets. Full many laugh at tears they see me shed, who had shed tears and bore they what I bore, None feeleth pity for the afflicted Wu, say one as anxious and in Wu galore. My passion, journeying, sighing, thought, repine, are for me cornered in my heart's deep call. He made a home there which he never quits, yet rare are meetings, not as here to fall, no friend to establish in his place I see, no intimate but only he and he. Now when the jeweler heard these lines and understood their significance, he wept also and told him all that had passed between himself and the slave girl, and her mistress, since he left him. And Ali bin Bakar gave ear to his speech, and at every word he heard, his color shifted from white to red, and his body grew now stronger and then weaker till the tale came to an end when he wept and said, Oh my brother, I am a lost man in any case, would mine end were nigh that I might be at rest from all this, but I beg thee of thy favor to be my helper and comforter in all my affairs, till Allah fulfill what so be his will, and I will not gain say thee with a single word. Quoth the jeweler, Nothing will quench thy fire, save union with her whom thou lovest, and the meeting must be in other than this perilous place. Better it were in a house of mine where the girl and her mistress met me, which place she choose for herself to the intent that ye twain may there meet and complain each to other of what you have suffered from the pangs of love. Quoth Ali bin Bakar, Oh good sir, do as thou wilt, and with Allah be thy reward, and what thou deems disright do it forthright, but be not long in doing it lest I perish of this anguish. So I abode with him, said the jeweler, that night conversing with him till the morning morrowed. And Shah-Rasad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of section 21 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3, Read by Lorsch Rolander