My father was a wealthy merchant and Allah had vouchsafed him no other child than myself; but I had a cousin, Azizah called, daughter of my paternal uncle and we twain 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.

Aziz and Azizah. 299

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 Aziz and Azizah." So having agreed upon this he betook himself to preparing provision for the wedding feast. Still we did not stop to sleep on the same carpet knowing nothing 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 nothing 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 thereon what was needful, after they had hung its walls with cloth of gold.

Now the folk had agreed to come to us after the Friday prayers; so my father went out and bade them make sweetmeats and sugared dishes, and there remained nothing to do but to draw up the con tract. 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, I donned those habits which were so perfumed that as I went along, there exhaled from them a delicious fragrance scenting 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 I said 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 sweat streamed 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 dispread under me. I was about to take the skirt of my robe and wipe 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 diseased. I seized it in hand and raised my head to see from where it had fallen, when my eyes met the eyes of the lady who owned these gazelles.—

When it was the One Hundred and Thirteenth night

.

Aziz and Azizah. 301

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 the needle,

"His cheek down writes (O fair fall the goodly scribe!) Two lines on table of his face in Rayhan 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 writes on his cheek with ambergris on pearl Two lines, like jet on apple li'en, the goodliest design: Slaughter is in those languid eyne whene'er a glance they deal, And drunkenness in either cheek and not in any wine."

When I read the poetry on the handkerchief the flames of love darted into my heart, and yearning 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 before 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 drops and came up to me, and took off my walking dress and asked me the reason of my absence, saying, "All the folk, Emirs and notables and merchants and others, assembled in our house; and the Kazi and the witnesses were also present at the appointed time. They ate and tarried awhile sitting to await yours appearance for the writing of the contract; and, when they despaired of your presence, they dispersed and went their ways. And indeed," she added, "your father raged with exceeding wrath by reason of this, and swore that he would not celebrate our marriage save during the coming year, for that he has spent on these festivities great store of money." And she ended by asking, "What has befallen you this day to make you delay till now?; and why have you allowed that to happen which happened because of yours absence?" I answered, "O daughter of my uncle, question me not concerning what has 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 within it; and tears ran down her cheeks as she repeated these cinquains,

"Who says that Love at first of free will came, Say him:—You lie! 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 clipt coin we may not clepe! An please you, say there's pleasure in your pain, Find Fortune's playful gambols glad and glad: Or happy blessings in th' unhappy's bane, That joy or grieve with equal might and main:— 'Twixt phrase and antiphrase I'm all a heap! But he, as well, whose days are summer bright, Whom maids ever greet with smiling lips' delight; Whom spicey breezes fan in every site And wins whate'er he wills, that happy people White blooded coward heart should never keep!"

Then she asked me, "What did she say, and what signs did she make to you?" I answered, "She uttered not a word, but put her fore finger 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 sun down, expecting her again to look out of the window; but she did it not; and, when I despaired of her, I rose from my seat and came home. This is my history and I beg you to help me in this my sore calamity." Upon this she raised her face to me and said, "O son of my uncle, if you sought my eye, I would tear it for you from its eyelids, and Of necessity I cannot but aid you to your desire and aid her also to her desire; for she is whelmed in passion for you even as you for her." I asked, "And what is the interpretation of her signs?"; and Azizah answered, "As for the putting her finger in her mouth, it showed that you are to her as her soul to her body and that she would bite into union with you with her wisdom teeth. As for the kerchief, it betokens that her breath of life is bound up in you. As for the placing her two fingers on her bosom between her breasts,

Aziz and Azizah. 303 its explanation is that she says; 'The sight of you may dispel my grief.' For know, O my cousin, that she loves you and she trusts in you. This is my interpretation of her signs and, could I come and go at will, I would bring you 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, whilst she comforted me and said to me, "Be resolute and of good heart and hope for the best!"—

When it was the One Hundred and Fourteenth night

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 awhile. And behold, the wicket 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 raising 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 propt in her hand and her eyelids pouring forth tears; and she was repeating these couplets,

"Woe's me! why should the blamer gar you blaming trow? How be consoled for you that art so tender bough? Bright being! on my vitals do you prey, and drive My heart before platonic passion's force to bow. 'Your Turk like glances havoc deal in core of me, As furbished sword thin ground at curve could never show: You weigh'st 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 your lover's eyne shall pierce you through!' You have, my prince of loveliness! an Overseer, Who wrongs me, and a Groom who beats me down with brow. He foully lies who says all loveliness belonged To Joseph, in your loveliness is many a Joe: I force myself to turn from you, in deadly fright Of spies; and what the force that turns away my sight!"

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When I heard her verse, cark increased and care redoubled on me and I fell down in a corner of our 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 sleeve. Then she asked me what had befallen me, and I described all that had happened to me. She said, "O my cousin, as for her sign to you 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 the mirror and the letting down and raising up and wringing out of the red kerchief, signify, Sit in the dyer's shop till my messenger come to you." When I heard her words fire flamed up in my heart and I exclaimed, "O daughter of my uncle, you say truth in this yours 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 you have but a week to wait; why then this impatience?"

Thereupon she went on cheering 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 colour grew yellow and I lost my good looks; for I had never been in love before nor had I ever savoured the ardour of passion save 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 when ever I awoke, I found her wakeful for my sake with tears running down her cheeks. This did not stop till the five days were 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 fulfil your wish and bring you to your desire of your beloved!" So I went out and did not stop walking on till I came to the upper end of the by street. As it was the Sabbath I found the dyer's shop locked and sat before it, till I heard the call to mid afternoon prayer.

Then the sun yellowed and the Mu'ezzins 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 arose and walked home reeling like a drunken man. When I reached the house, I found my cousin Azizah 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 lass forlorn of kith and kin (Who to Hijazian willow wand and myrtle does incline And who, when meeting caravan, shall with love lowe set light To bivouac fire, and bring for drink her tears of pain and pine) Exceeds not mine for him nor more devotion shows, but he Seeing my heart is wholly his spurns love as sin indign."

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, "O my cousin, Allah grant you enjoyment of that which He has given you! Why did you not pass the night by the side of your beloved and why have you not fulfilled your 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 within it. I looked at her and saw that her forehead was cut open and the blood running,

Aziz And Azizah. 307

When it was the One Hundred and Fifteenth night

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 your desire being fulfilled and yours aim being attained. Of a truth this is a sign of acceptance; for that she stayed away only because she wishes to try you and know if you be patient or not, and sincere in your love for her or otherwise. To morrow, repair to her at the old place and see what sign she makes to you; for indeed your gladness is near and the end of your sadness is at hand." And she went on to comfort me; but my cark and care did not stop to increase on me. Presently, she brought me food which I kicked away with my foot so that the contents of every saucer were scattered in all directions, and I said, "Every lover is a madman; he inclins not to food neither enjoys he sleep." And my cousin Azizah rejoined, "By God, O son of my uncle, these be in very deed the signs of love!" And the tears streamed down her cheeks whenas 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, 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 lo! 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, tie it 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 riven by this state of the case, and by her secret signals, her mysterious secrets and her utter silence; and by that my longing grew more violent and my passion and distraction redoubled on me. So I retraced 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; albeit 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 number nights; indeed I count night after night; Yet lived I long before learnt so sore accompt to see, ah! Dear friend, I compass not what Allah pleased to doom For Layla, nor what Allah destined for me, ah! To other giving her and unto me her love, What loss but Layla's loss would He I ever dree, 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, "O my cousin, tell me what befell you with her this time." I told her all that had passed and she said, "Be patient, for the time of your union is come and you have attained the object of your hopes. As for her signal to you with the mirror which she put in the bag, it said to you, When the sun is set; and the letting down of her hair over her face signified, When night is near and letts fall the blackness of the dark and has starkened the daylight, come here. As for her gesture with the pot of green plants it meant,

When you come, enter the flower garden which is behind the street; and as for her sign with the lamp it denoted, When you enterest the flower garden walk down it and make for the place where you see the lamp shining; and seat yourself beneath it and await me; for the love of you is killing me." When I heard these words from my cousin, I cried out from excess of passion and said, "How long will you promise me and I go to her, but get not my will nor find any true sense in yours interpreting." Upon this she laughed and replied, "It remains for you but to have patience during the rest of this day till the light darken and the night starken and you will enjoy union and accomplish your hopes; and indeed all my words be without leasing." Then she repeated these two couplets,

"Let days their folds and plies deploy, And shun the house that deals annoy! Full oft when joy seems farthest far You nighmost art to hour of joy."

Then she drew near to me and began to comfort me with soothing speech, but dared not bring me anything 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 you with talk till the end of the day and, Almighty Allah willing, as soon as it is night you will be with your beloved." But I paid no heed to her and did not stop looking for the approach of darkness, saying, "O Lord, hasten the coming of the night!" And when 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 your mouth, and when you have won union with your beloved and have taken your will of her and she has granted you your desire, repeat to her this couplet,

'Ho, lovers all! By God say me truth What shall he do when love sore 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 supper tide I went out and did not stop 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 a 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 lamp stood a great candle, burning in a candelabrum of gold. In mid pavilion was a fountain adorned with all kinds of figures; and by its side 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 within it fruits of every kind, figs and pomegranates, grapes and oranges, citrons and shaddocks disposed amongst an infinite variety of sweet scented flowers, such as rose, jasmine, myrtle, 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 Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the One Hundred and Sixteenth night

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, truly Allah has been gracious to you in your love, for that she whom you love loves you, whilst I pass my time in weeping and bewailing my severance from you who blame me and chidest me; but may Allah not punish you 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 God, this is not the scent of one who has enjoyed his lover! So tell me what has befallen you, O my cousin." I told her all that had passed, and she smiled again a smile of reproach and said, "truly, my heart is full of pain; but may he not live who would hurt your heart! Indeed, this woman makes herself inordinately dear and difficult to you, and By God, O son of my uncle, I fear for you from her. Know, O my cousin, that the meaning of the salt is you were drowned in sleep like insipid food, disgustful to the taste; and it is as though she said to you; 'It behoves you be salted lest the stomach eject you; for you professest to be of the lovers noble and true; but sleep is unlawful and to a lover undue; therefore is your love but a lie.'

However, it is her love for you that lies; for she saw you asleep yet aroused you not and were her love for you true, she had indeed awoken you. As for the charcoal, it means 'Allah blacken your face' for you make a lying pretence of love, whereas you are nothing but a child and have no object in life other than eating and drinking and sleeping! Such is the interpretation of her signs, and may Allah Almighty deliver you from her!" When I heard my cousin's words, I beat my hand upon my breast and cried out, "By God, this is the very truth, for I slept and lovers 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 you: else I shall die." As my cousin loved me with very great love,—

When it was the One Hundred and Seventeenth night

As the daughter of my uncle loved me with great love, she replied, "On my head and eyes! But, O my cousin, I repeat what I have told you oftentimes, if I could go in and out at will, I would at once bring you two together and cover you both with my skirt: nor would I do this but hoping to win your favour. God willing, I will do my utmost endeavour to unite you; but hear my words and do my bidding. Go you to the very same place and sit down where you sattest before and at supper tide look you eat not, for eating inducs sleep; and have a care you slumber not, for she will not come to you till a fourth part of the night be passed. And the Almighty avert her mischief from you!"

Now when I heard these words I rejoiced and besought Allah to hasten the night; and, as soon as it was dark, I was minded to go, and my cousin said to me, "When you will have met her, repeat to her the couplet I taught you before, at the time of your leave taking." I replied, "On my head and eyes!" And went out and repaired to the garden, where I found all made ready in the same state as on the previous night, with every requisite of meat and drink, dried fruits, sweet scented flowers and so forth. I went up into the pavilion and smelt the odour of the viands and my spirit lusted after them; but I possessed my soul in patience for a while, till at last I could no longer withstand temptation. So I arose from my seat and went up to the table and, raising its cover, found a dish of fowls, surrounded by four saucers containing four several meats. I ate a mouthful of each kind and as much as I would of the sweetmeats and a piece of meat: then I drank from the saucer a sauce yellowed with saffron and as it pleased me, I supped it up by the spoonful till I was satisfied and my stomach was full.

Upon this, my eyelids drooped; so I took a cushion and set it under my head, saying, "Perhaps I can recline upon it without going to sleep." Then I closed my eyes and slept, nor did I wake till the sun had risen, when I found on my stomach a cube of bone, a single tip cat stick, the stone of a green date and a carob pod. There was no furniture nor anything else in the place, and it was as if there had been nothing there yesterday. So I rose and shaking all these things off me, fared forth in fury; and, going home, found my cousin groaning and versifying with these couplets,

"A wasted body, heart enpierced to core, And tears that down my poor cheeks pour and pour: And lover dure of access; but, but still nothing save what's fair can come from fairest flow'r O cousin mine you fill'st my soul with pain, And from these tears my eyelids ache full sore!"

I chid the daughter of my uncle and abused her, at which she wept; then, wiping away her tears, she came up to me and kissed me and began pressing me to her bosom, whilst I held back from her blaming myself. Then she said to me, "O my cousin, it seems you sleptest again this night?" I replied, "Yes; and when I awoke, I found on my stomach a cube of bone, a single tip cat stick, a stone of a green date and a carob pod, and I know not why she did this." Then I wept and went up to her and said, "Expound to me her meaning in so doing and tell me how shall I act and aid me in my sore strait." She answered, "On my head and eyes! By the single tip cat stick and the cube of bone which she placed upon your stomach she says to you, 'Your body is present but your heart is absent'; and she means, 'Love is not thus: so do not reckon yourself among lovers.' As for the date stone, it is as if she said to you, 'If you were in love your heart would be burning with passion and you would not taste the delight of sleep; for the sweet of love is like a green date which kindls a coal of fire in the vitals.'

As for the carob pod it signifies to you, 'The lover's heart is wearied'; and by that she says, 'Be patient under our separation with the patience of Job.'" When I heard this interpretation, fires darted into my vitals like a dart and grief redoubled upon my heart and I cried out, saying, "Allah decreed sleep to me for my ill fortune." Then I said to her, "O my cousin, by my life, devise me some device by which I may win my will of her!" She wept and answered, "O Aziz, O son of my uncle, truly my heart is full of sad thought which I cannot speak: but go you again to night to the same place and beware you sleep not, and you will surely attain your desire. This is my counsel and peace be with you!" I said, "If Allah please I will not sleep, but will do as you bid me." Then my cousin rose, and brought me food, saying, "Eat now what may suffice you, that nothing may divert your heart." So I ate my fill and, when night came, my cousin rose and bringing me a sumptuous suit of clothes clad me within it. Then she made me swear I would repeat to my lover the verse aforesaid and bade me beware of sleeping. So I left her and repaired to the garden and went up into that same pavilion where I occupied myself in holding my eyelids open with my fingers and nodding my head as the night darkened on me.—

When it was the One Hundred and Eighteenth night

Now when I entered, I fell down at full length and throwing the knife and the dram weight from my hand, I fainted clean away. As soon as I came to myself, I told her what had befallen me and said, "Indeed, I shall never enjoy my desire." But when she saw my tears and my passion, they redoubled her distress on my account, and she cried, "truly, I am helpless! I warned you against sleeping; but you would not hearken to my warning, nor did my words profit you anything." I rejoined, "By God, I conjure you to explain to me the meaning of the knife and the iron dram weight." "By the dram weight," replied my cousin, "she alluds to her right eye, and she swears by it and says, 'By the Lord of all creatures and by my right eye! If you come here again and sleep, I will cut your throat with this very knife.' And indeed I fear for you, O my cousin, from her malice; my heart is full of anguish for you and I cannot speak. Nevertheless, if you can be sure of yourself not to sleep when you returnest to her, return to her and beware of sleeping and you will attain your desire; but if when returning to her you will sleep, as is your wont, she will surely slaughter you." I asked, "What shall I do, O daughter of my uncle: I beg you, By God, to help me in this my calamity." Answered she, "On my head and eyes! If you will hearken to my words and do my bidding, you will have your will." I said,

"I will indeed hearken to your words and do your bidding;" and she said, "When it is time for you to go, I will tell you." Then she pressed me to her bosom and laying me on the bed, shampoo'd my feet, till drowsiness overcame me and I was drowned in sleep; then she took a fan and seated herself at my head with the fan in her hand and she was weeping till her clothes were wet with tears. Now when she saw that I was awake, she wiped away the drops and fetched me some food and set it before me. I refused it, but she said to me, "Did I not tell you that you must do my bidding? Eat!" So I ate and thwarted her not and she proceeded to put the food into my mouth and I to masticate it, till I was full. Then she made me drink jujube sherbet and sugar and washed my hands and dried them with a kerchief; after which she sprinkled me with rose water, and I sat with her awhile in the best of spirits. When the darkness had closed in, she dressed me and said to me, "O son of my uncle, watch through the whole night and sleep not; for she will not come to you this tide till the last of the dark hours and, Allah willing, you will be at one with her this night; but forget not my charge."

Then she wept, and my heart was pained for her by reason of her over much weeping, and I asked, "What is the charge you gave me?" She answered, "When you take leave of her repeat to her the verse before mentioned." So, full of joy I left her and repairing to the garden, went up into the pavilion where, being satiated with food, I sat down and watched till a fourth part of the dark hours was past. That night seemed longsome to me as it were a year: but I remained awake till it was three quarters spent and the cocks crew and I was famished for long watching. Accordingly I went up to the table and ate my fill, whereupon my head grew heavy and I wanted to sleep, when behold, a light appeared making towards me from afar.

I sprang up and washed my hands and mouth and roused myself; and before long she came with ten damsels, in whose midst she was like the full moon among the stars. She was clad in a dress of green satin purfled with red gold, and she was as says the poet,

"She lords it over our hearts in grass green gown, With buttons loose and locks long flowing down. I said, 'What is your name?' she said, 'I'm she, Who burns the lover heart live coals upon.' I made my plaint to her of loving lowe; Laughed she, 'To stone you moanest useless moan!' I said, 'An be of hardest stone your heart, Allah drew sweetest spring from hardest stone.' "

When she saw me she laughed and said, "How is it that you are awake and that sleep overcame you not? since you have watched through the night, I know that you are a lover; for night watching is the mark of lovers displaying brave endurance of their desires." Then she turned to her women and signed to them and they went away from her, whereupon she came up to me and strained me to her breast and kissed me, whilst I kissed her, and she sucked my upper lip whilst I sucked her lower lip. I put my hand to her waist and pressed it and we came not to the ground save at the same moment. Then she undid her petticoat trousers which slipped down to her anklets, and we fell to clasping and embracing and toying and speaking softly and biting and inter twining of legs and going round about the Holy House and the corners of it, till her joints became relaxed for love delight and she swooned away. I entered the sanctuary, and indeed that night was a joy to the sprite and a solace to the sight even as says the poet,

"Sweetest of nights the world can show to me, that night When cups went round and round as fed by ceaseless spring: There utter severance made I 'twixt my eyes and sleep, And joined, re joined my ear drop with the anklet ring."

We lay together in close embrace till the morning when I would have gone away, but she stopped me and said, "Stay till I tell you something"—

When it was the One Hundred and Nineteenth night

So I stayed whilst she unfolded a kerchief and drew out this piece of linen and spread it open before me. I found worked on it these two figures of gazelles and admired it with great admiration. Then I took the piece of linen and went away, joyful, after we had agreed that I should visit her every night in the garden; but in my joy I forgot to repeat to her the verse my cousin had taught me. For when giving me the piece of linen with the gazelles she had said to me, "Keep this carefully, as it is my sister's handiwork." I he asked, "What is your sister's name?"; and she answered, "Her name is Nur al-Huda." When I went to my cousin, I found her lying down; but as soon as she saw me, she rose, with the tears running from her eyes, and came up to me, and kissed me on the breast and said, "Did you do as I enjoined you? and repeat the verse to her?" "I forgot it," replied I; "and nothing drove it out of my mind but these two figured gazelles." And I threw the piece of linen on the floor before her. She rose and sat down again, but was unable to contain herself for impatience, and her eyes ran over with tears, whilst she repeated these two couplets,

"O you who seek parting, softly fare! Let not the Fair delude with cunning art: Fare softly, Fortune's nature is to 'guile, And end of every meeting is to part.

And when she ended her recitation she said, "O my cousin, give me this piece of linen." So I gave it to her and she took it and unfolding it, saw what was within it. When the tryst time came for my going to my lover, the daughter of my uncle said to me, "Go, and peace attend you; and when you are about to leave her, recite to her the verse I taught you long ago and which you did forget." I said, "Tell it me again"; and she repeated it.

Then I went to the garden and entered the pavilion, where I found the young lady awaiting me. When she saw me, she rose and kissed me and made me sit in her lap; and we ate and drank and did our desire as before. In the morning, I repeated to her my cousin's verse which was this,

"Ho, lovers all! By God say me truth What shall he do when Love sore vexes youth?"

When she heard this, her eyes filled with tears and she answered and said,

"Strive he to cure his case, to hide the truth; Patiently humble self and sue for ruth!"

I committed it to memory and returned home rejoicing at having done my cousin's bidding. When I entered the house I found her lying down and my mother at her head weeping over her case; but as soon as I went in to her my mother said to me, "A foul plague on such a cousin! How could you leave the daughter of your uncle ailing and not ask what ailed her?" But when my cousin saw me she raised her head and sat up and asked me, "O Aziz, did you repeat to her the couplet I taught you?" I answered, "Yes, and when she heard it she wept and recited in answer another couplet which I committed to memory." my cousin, said, "Tell it me." I did so; and when she heard it she wept with much weeping and repeated the following verses,

"How shall youth cure the care his life undo'th, And every day his heart in pieces hew'th? In truth he would be patient, but he finds nothing save a heart which love with pains imbu'th."

Then added my cousin, "When you go to her as of wont, repeat to her also these two couplets which you have heard." I replied, "I hear and I obey!" And I went at the wonted time, to the garden, where there passed between my mistress and myself what tongue fails to describe. When I was about to leave her, I repeated to her those two couplets of my cousin's; whereupon the tears streamed from her eyes and she replied,

"If he of patience fail the truth to hide For him no cure save Death my vision view'th!"

I committed them to memory and returned home, and when I went in to my cousin I found her fallen into a fit and my mother sitting at her head. When she heard my voice, she opened her eyes and asked, "O Aziz! Did you repeat the two couplets to her?" whereto I answered, "Yes; but she wept on hearing them and she replied with this couplet beginning, If he of patience fail, to the end." And I repeated it; whereupon my cousin swooned again, and when she came to herself, she recited these two couplets,

"Hearkening, obeying, with my dying mouth I greet who joy of union never allow'th: Fair fall all happy loves, and fair befall The hapless lover dying in his drowth!"

Again when it was night, I repaired to the garden as usual where I found the young lady awaiting me. We sat down and ate and drank, after which we did all we wanted and slept till the morning; and, as I was going away, I repeated to her the saying of my cousin. When she heard the couplet she cried out with a loud cry and was greatly moved and exclaimed, "Awah! Awah! By God, she who spoke these lines is dead!" Then she wept and said to me, "Woe to you! How is she who spoke thus related to you?" I replied, "She is the daughter of my father's brother." "You lie," rejoined she; "By God, were she your cousin, you had borne her the same love as she bore you! It is you who have slain her and may the Almighty kill you as you killedst her! By God, had you told me you had a cousin, I would not have admitted you to my favours!" I said, "truly it was she who interpreted to me the signs you made and it was she who taught me how to come to you and how I should deal with you; and, but for her, I should never have been united to you." She then asked me, "Did your cousin then know of us?"; and I answered, "Yes;" whereupon she exclaimed, "Allah give you sorrow of your youth, even as you have sorrowed her youth!" Then she cried to me, "Go now and see after her." So I went away troubled at heart, and did not stop walking till I reached our street, when I heard sounds of wailing, and asking about it, was answered, "Azizah, we found her dead behind the door." I entered the house, and when my mother saw me, she said, "Her death lies heavy on your neck and may Allah not acquit you of her blood!"—

When it was the One Hundred and Twenties night

Then came my father, and we laid her out and gat ready her bier and buried her; and we had recitations of the whole Koran over her tomb and we abode by her grave three days, after which we returned to our home, and I grieving for her grievously. Then my mother came to me and said, "I would glad know what you did to her, to break her heart for, O my son, I questioned her at all times of the cause of her complaint, but she would tell me nothing nor let me know anything of it. So in God's name, tell me what you have been doing to her that she died." I said, "I did nothing." my mother, said, "Allah avenge her on you! Truly she told me nothing, but kept her secret till she died of her love longings for you; but when she died I was with her and she opened her eyes and said to me; 'O wife of my uncle, may Allah hold your son guiltless of my blood and punish him not for what he has done by me! And now Allah transports me from the house of the world which is perishable to the house of the other world which is eternal.'

I said, 'O my daughter, Allah preserve you and preserve your youth!' And as I questioned her of the cause of her illness, she made me no answer; but she smiled and said, 'O wife of my uncle, bid your son, whenever he would go where he goes every day, repeat these two saws at his going away; 'Faith is fair! Unfaith is foul!' For this is of my tender affection to him, that I am solicitous concerning him during my lifetime and after my death.' Then she gave me somewhat for you and sware me that I would not give it until I see you weeping for her and lamenting her death. The thing is with me; and, when I have seen your case as I have said, I will make it over to you." "Show it me,"

cried I: but she would not. Then I gave myself up to love delights and thought no more of my cousin's death: for my mind was unsettled and Gladly would I have been with my lover the livelong day and night So hardly had I perceived the darkness fall when I betook myself to the garden, where I found the young lady sitting on coals of fire for much impatience. As soon as she was sure that she saw me, she ran to me and throwing her arms about my neck, enquired of the daughter of my uncle. I replied, "truth to say she is dead, and we have caused Zikr litanies and recitations of the Koran to be performed for her; and it is now four nights and this be the fifth since she is gone." When she heard that, she shrieked aloud and wept and said, "Did I not tell you that you have slain her? Had you let me know of her before her death, I would have requited her the kindness she did me, in that she served me and united you to me; for without her we had never foregathered, we twain, and I fear lest some calamity befall you because of your sin against her."

I said, "She acquitted me of offence before she died;" and I repeated to her what my mother had told me. she said, "in God's name! When you returnest to your mother, learn what thing she keeps for you." I rejoined, "My mother also said to me; 'Before the daughter of your uncle died, she laid a charge upon me, saying, Whenever your son would go where he is wont to go, teach him these two saws, 'Faith is fair; Unfaith is foul!'" When my lady heard this she exclaimed, "The mercy of Almighty Allah be upon her! Indeed, she has delivered you from me, for I minded to do you a mischief, but now I will not harm you nor trouble you." I wondered at this and he asked, "What then were you minded to do with me in time past and we two being in bond of love?" Answered she, "You are infatuated with me; for you are young in life and a raw laddie; your heart is void of guile and you weetest not our malice and deceit. Were she yet alive, she would protect you; for she is the cause of your preservation and she has delivered you from destruction. And now I charge you speak not with any woman, neither accost one of our sex, be she young or be she old; and again I say Beware! For you are simple and raw and know not the wiles of women and their malice, and she who interpreted the signs to you is dead.

And indeed I fear for you, lest you fall into some disgrace and find none to deliver you from it, now that the daughter of your uncle is no more."—

When it was the One Hundred and Twenty first night

I asked, "What is it?"; and she answered, "It is that you bring me to her grave, that I may visit her in the tomb in which she is and write some couplets thereon." I rejoined, "To morrow, if Allah please!" I slept with her that night, and she did not stop saying after every hour, "Would you had told me of your cousin before her death!" And I he asked, "What is the meaning of the two saws she taught me? 'Faith is fair! Unfaith is foul!'" But she made no answer. As soon as it was day she rose and, taking a purse of gold pieces, said to me, "Come, show me her tomb, that I may visit it and grave some verses thereon and build a dome over it and commend her to Allah's mercy and bestow these dinars in alms for her soul." I replied, "I hear and I obey!"; and walked on before her, whilst she followed me, giving alms as she went and saying to all upon whom she lavisht bounty, "This is an alms for the soul of Azizah, who kept her counsel till she drank the cup of death and never told the secret of her love." And she did not stop thus to give alms and say, "For Azizah's soul," till the purse was empty and we came to the grave. And when she looked at the tomb, she wept and threw herself on it; then, pulling out a chisel of steel and a light hammer, she graved therewith upon the head stone in fine small characters these couplets,

"I past by a broken tomb amid a garth right sheen, on which seven blooms of Nu'uman glowed with cramoisie I said, 'Who sleeps in this tomb?' answering Earth said,> 'Before a lover Hades tombed bend reverently!' I said, 'May Allah help you, O you slain of love, And grant you home in Heaven and Paradise height to see!' Hapless are lovers all even tombed in their tombs, Where amid living folk the dust weighs heavily! Gladly would I plant a garden blooming round your grave, And water every flower with tear drops flowing free!"

Then she turned away in tears and I with her and returned to the garden where she said to me, "By God! I conjure you never leave me!" "I hear and I obey," replied I. Then I gave myself wholly up to her and paid her frequent visits: she was good and generous to me; and as often as I passed the night with her, she would make much of me and would ask me of the two saws my cousin Azizah told my mother and I would repeat them to her. And matters did not stop to be in this way and I continued for a whole year eating and drinking and enjoying dalliance and wearing change of rich raiment until I grew gross and fat, so that I lost all thought of sorrowing and mourning, and I clean for got my cousin Azizah. And on New Year's day I went to the bath, where I refreshed myself and put on a suit of sumptuous clothes; then coming out I drank a cup of wine and smelt the scent of my new gear which was perfumed with various essences; and my breast was broadened by that, for I knew not the tricks of Fate nor the changing ways of Time. When the hour of night prayer came, I was minded to repair to my lover; but, being the worse for wine, I knew not when going to her where I went, so my drunkenness turned me into a by street called Syndic Street; and the while I walked up that street behold, I caught sight of an old woman faring with a lighted taper in one hand, and in the other a folded letter. —And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the One Hundred and Twenty second night

Now when she saw me she asked, "O my son! Can you read?"; and I answered, of my officiousness, "Yes, old naunty!" Rejoined she, "Then take this letter and read it to me." And when she handed it to me, I took it and unfolding it read it to her and behold it was from an absent man to his friends and lovers whom he greeted; and, when she heard its purport, she rejoiced at the good tidings and blessed me, saying, "Allah dispel yours anxiety, even as you have dispelled mine!" Then she took the letter and walked on. Meanwhile, I was urged by a call of nature and sat down on my heels to make water. When I had ended I stood up and wiped the orifice with a pebble and then, letting down my clothes, I was about to go on their way, when suddenly the old woman came up to me again and, bending down over my hand, kissed it and said, "O my master! The Lord give you joy of your youth! I entreat you to walk with me a few steps as far as that door, for I told them what you did read to me of the letter, and they believe me not; so come with me two steps and read them the letter from behind the door and accept the prayers of a righteous woman."

I enquired, "What is the history of this letter?", and she replied, "O my son, this letter is from my son, who has been absent for a term of ten years. He set out with a stock of merchandise and tarried long in foreign parts, till we lost hope of him and supposed him to be dead. Now after all that delay comes this letter from him, and he has a sister who weeps for him night and day; so I said to her, 'He is well and all right.' But she will not believe me and declares, 'There is no help but you bring me one who will read this letter in my presence, that my heart may be at rest and my mind at ease.' You know, O my son, that all who love are wont to think evil: so be good enough to go with me and read to her this letter, standing behind the curtain, whilst I call his sister to listen within the door, so will you dispel our heed and fulfil our need. truly the Apostle of Allah said,(whom Allah bless and preserve!), 'whoever eases the troubled of one of the troubles of this troublous world, Allah will ease him of an hundred troubles'; and according to another tradition, 'whoever eases his brother of one of the troubles of this troublous world; Allah shall relieve him of seventy and two troubles on the Day of Resurrection.'

And I have betaken myself to you; so disappoint me not." I replied, "I hear and I obey: do you go before me!" So she walked on devancing me and I followed her a little way, till she came to the gate of a large and handsome mansion whose door was plated with copper. I stood behind the door, whilst the old woman cried out in Persian, and before I knew it a damsel ran up with light and nimble step. She had tucked up her trousers to her knees, so that I saw a pair of calves that confounded thinker and sighter, and the maid herself was as says the poet describing her,

"O you who barest leg calf, better to suggest For passion madded amourist better things above! Towards its lover does the bowl go round and run; Cup and cup bearer only drive us daft with love."

Now these legs were like two pillars of alabaster adorned with anklets of gold, in which were set stones of price. And the damsel had tucked up the end of her gown under her arm pit and had rolled up her sleeves to the elbow, so that I could see her white wrists on which were two pairs of bracelets with clasps of great pearls; and round her neck was a collar of costly gems. Her ears were adorned with pendants of pearls and on her head she wore a kerchief of brocade, brand new and broidered with jewels of price. And she had thrust the skirt of her shift into her trousers string being busy with some household business. So when I saw her in this undress, I was confounded at her beauty, for she was like a shining sun. Then she said, with soft, choice speech, never heard I sweeter, "O my mother! Is this he who comes to read the letter?" "It is," replied the old woman; and she put out her hand to me with the letter. Now between her and the door was a distance of about half a rod; so I stretched forth my hand to take the letter from her and thrust head and shoulders within the door, thinking to draw near her and read the letter when, before I knew what her design was, the old woman butted her head against my back and pushed me forwards with the letter in my hand, so that before I could take thought I found myself in the middle of the hall far beyond the vestibule. Then she entered, faster than a flash of blinding leven, and had nothing to do but to shut the door.—

When it was the One Hundred and Twenty third night

So I opened them still giddy for the excess of her embracing and pressing, and saw that the whole saloon was built of the finest marbles and alabasters, and all its furniture was of silk and brocade even to the cushions and mattrasses. within it also were two benches of yellow brass and a couch of red gold, set with pearls and precious stones, befitting none save Kings like yourself. And off the saloon were smaller sitting rooms; and the whole place was redolent of wealth. Then she asked, 'O Aziz, which is liefer to you life or death?" "Life," answered I; and she said, "If life be liefer to you, marry me." I said, "Indeed I should hate to marry the like of you." she said, "If you marry me you will at least be safe from the daughter of Dalilah the Wily One." I asked, "And who be that daughter of the Wily One?" Whereupon she laughed and replied, " 'Tis she who has companied with you this day for a year and four months (may the Almighty destroy and afflict her with one worse than herself!) By God, there lives not a more perfidious than she. How many men has she not slain before you and what deeds has she not done. Nor can I understand how you have been all the time in her company, yet she has not killed you nor done you a mischief."

When I heard her words, I marvelled with exceeding marvel and said, "O my lady, who made you to know her?" She said, "I know her as the age knows its calamities; but now I would glad have you tell me all that has passed between you two, that I may ken the cause of your deliverance from her." So I told her all that had happened between us, including the story of my cousin Azizah. She expressed her pity when she heard of the death, and her eyes ran over with tears and she clapt hand on hand and cried out, "Her youth was lost on Allah's way, and may the Lord bless you for her good works! By God, O Aziz, she who died for you was the cause of your preservation from the daughter of Dalilah the Wily; and, but for her, you had been lost. And now she is dead I fear for you from the Crafty One's perfidy and mischief; but my throat is choking and I cannot speak." I said, "Ay, By God: all this happened even as you say." And she shook her head and cried, "There lives not this day the like of Azizah."

I continued, "And on her death bed she bade me repeat to my lover these two saws, 'Faith is fair! Unfaith is foul!'" When she heard me say this, she exclaimed, "O Aziz, By God, those same words saved you from dying by her hand; and now my heart is at ease for you from her, for she will never kill you; and the daughter of your uncle preserved you during her lifetime and after her death. By God, I have desired you day after day, but could not get at you till this time when I tricked you and outwitted you; for you are a raw youth and know not the wiles of young women nor the deadly guile of old women." Rejoined I, "No, By God!" Then she said to me, "Be of good cheer and eyes clear; the dead has found Allah's grace, and the live shall be in good case. You are a handsome youth and I do not desire you but according to the ordinance of Allah and His Apostle (on whom be salutation and salvation!). Whatever you require of money and stuff, you will have directly without stint, and I will not impose any toil on you, no, never!; for there is with me always bread baked hot and water in pot. All I need of you is that you do with me even as the cock does."

I asked, "And what does the cock?" Upon this she laughed and clapped her hands and fell over on her back for excess of merriment: then she sat up and smiled and said, "O light of my eyes, really do you not know what cock's duty is?" "No, By God!" replied I, and she, "The cock's duty is to eat and drink and tread." I was abashed at her words and asked, "Is that the cock's duty?" "Yes," answered she; "and all I ask of you now is to gird your loins and strengthen your will and futter your best." Then she clapped her hands and cried out, saying, "O my mother, bring forward those who are with you." And behold, in came the old woman accompanied by four lawful witnesses, and carrying a veil of silk. Then she lighted four candles, whilst the witnesses saluted me and sat down; and the girl veiled herself with the veil and deputed one of them to execute the contract on her behalf. So they wrote out the marriage bond and she testified to have received the whole sum settled upon her, both the half in advance and the half in arrears; and that she was indebted to me in the sum of ten thousand dirhams.—

When it was the One Hundred and Twenty fourth night

She lay down on the couch outspread upon her back; and, drawing me on to her breast, heaved a sigh and followed it up with a wriggle by way of being coy. Then she pulled up the shift above her breasts, and when I saw her in this pose, I could not withhold myself from thrusting it into her, after I had sucked her lips, whilst she whimpered and shammed shame and wept when no tears came, and then she said, "O my beloved, do it, and do your best!" Indeed the case reminded me of his saying, who said,

"When I drew up her shift from the roof of her coynte, I found it as strait as my mind and my money So I drove it half way, and she sighed a loud sigh: I said, 'Why this sigh?': 'For the rest of it, honey!'"

And she repeated, "O my beloved, let the finish be made for I am yours handmaid. My life on you, up with it! Give it me, all of it! That I may take it in my hand and thrust it into my very vitals!" And she did not stop to excite me with sobs and sighs and amorous cries in the intervals of kissing and clasping until amid our murmurs of pleasure we attained the supreme delight and the term we had in sight. We slept together till the morning, when I would have gone out; but lo! she came up to me, laughing, and said, "So! So! Think you that going into the Hammam is the same as going out? Do you deem me to be the like of the daughter of Dalilah the Wily One? Beware of such a thought, for you are my husband by contract and according to law. If you be drunken return to your right mind, and know that the house in which you are opens but one day in every year. Go down and look at the great door." So I arose and went down and found the door locked and nailed up and returned and told her of the locking and nailing. "O Aziz," she said, "We have in this house flour, grain, fruits and pomegranates; sugar, meat, sheep, poultry and so forth enough for many years; and the door will not be opened till after the lapse of a whole year and well I weet you will not find yourself without this house till then."

I said, "There is no Majesty, and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great!" "And how can this harm you," rejoined she; "seeing you know cock's duty, whereof I told you?" Then she laughed and I laughed too, and I conformed to what she said and abode with her, doing cock's duty and eating and drinking and futtering for a year of full twelve months, during which time she conceived by me, and I was blessed with a babe by her. On the New Year's day I heard the door opened and behold, men came in with delicacies and flour and sugar. Upon this, I would have gone out but my wife said, "Wait till supper tide and go out even as you came in." So I waited till the hour of night prayer and was about to go forth in fear and trembling, when she stopped me, saying, "By God, I will not let you go until you swear to come back this night before the closing of the door." I agreed to this, and she swore me a solemn oath on Blade and Book, and the oath of divorce to boot, that I would return to her. Then I left her and going straight to the garden, found the door open as usual; where at I was angry and said to myself, "I have been absent this whole year and come here unawares and find the place open as of wont! I wonder is the damsel still here as before? I needs must enter and see before I go to my mother, more by reason that it is now nightfall." So I entered the flower garden,—

END OF VOL. II.

Index