Once upon a time there was a man, who was sword bearer to one of the Kings, and he loved a damsel of the common sort. One day, he sent his page to her with a message, as of wont between them, and the lad sat down with her and toyed with her. She inclined to him and pressed him to her breast and groped him and kissed him whereupon he sought carnal connection of her and she consented; but, as the two were thus, lo! the youth's master knocked at the door. So she pushed the page through a trap door into an underground chamber there and opened the door to his lord, who entered holding sword in hand and sat down upon her bed. Then she came up to him and sported and toyed with him, kissing him and pressing him to her bosom, and he took her and lay with her. Presently, her husband knocked at the door and the gallant he asked, "Who is that?"; whereto she answered, "My husband." he said, "How shall I do?" she said, "Draw your sword and stand in the vestibule and abuse me and revile me; and when my husband comes in to you, do you go forth and go your ways."

He did as she bade him; and, when the husband entered, he saw the King's sword bearer standing with naked brand in hand, abusing and threatening his wife; but, when the lover saw him, he was ashamed and sheathing his scimitar, went forth the house. Said the man to his wife, "What means this?"; and she replied, "O man, how blessed is the hour of your coming! You have saved a True Believer from slaughter, and it happed in this way. I was on the house terrace, spinning, when behold, there came up to me a youth, distracted and panting for fear of death, fleeing from that man, who followed upon him as hard as he could with his drawn sword. The young man fell down before me, and kissed my hands and feet, saying, "O Protector, of your mercy, save me from him who would slay me wrongously!" So I hid him in that underground chamber of ours and presently in came that man to me, naked brand in hand, demanding the youth. But I denied him to him, where upon he fell to abusing and threatening me as you saw. And praised be Allah who sent you to me, for I was distraught and had none to deliver me!" "Well have you done, O woman!" answered the husband. "Your reward is with Allah the Almighty, and may He abundantly requite your good deed!"

Then he went to the trap door and called to the page, saying, "Come forth and fear not; no harm shall befall you." So he came out, trembling for fear, and the husband said, "Be of good cheer: none shall hurt you;" condoling with him on what had befallen him; whilst the page called down blessings on his head. Then they both went forth, nor was that Cornuto nor was the page aware of that which the woman had contrived. "This, then, O King," said the Wazir, "is one of the tricks of women; so beware lest you rely upon their words." The King was persuaded and turned from putting his son to death; but, on the third day, the favourite came in to him and, kissing the ground before him, cried, "O King, do me justice on your son and be not turned from your purpose by your Ministers' prate, for there is no good in wicked Wazirs, and be not as the King of Baghdad, who relied on the word of a certain wicked counsellor of his." he said, "And how was that?" she said, "There has been told me, O auspicious and well advised King, a tale of