Badr Basim Of Persia.

There was once long ago and in ages and times long gone before, in Ajam land, a King Shahrimán called, whose abiding place was Khorásán. He owned an hundred concubines, but by none of them had he been blessed

Julnar the Sea Born and Her Son. 265 with boon of child, male or female, all the days of his life. One day, among the days, he bethought him of this and fell lamenting for that the most part of his existence was past and he had not been vouchsafed a son, to inherit the kingdom after him, even as he had inherited it from his fathers and forebears; by reason whereof there happened him sore cark and care and chagrin exceeding. As he sat thus one of his Mamelukes came in to him and said, "O my lord, at the door is a slave girl with her merchant, and fairer than she eye has never seen." the King said, "here to me with merchant and maid!"; and both came in to him. Now when Shahriman beheld the girl, he saw that she was like a Rudaynian lance, and she was wrapped in a veil of gold purfled silk. The merchant uncovered her face, whereupon the place was illumined by her beauty and her seven tresses hung down to her anklets like horses' tails. She had Nature kohl'd eyes, heavy hips and thighs and waist of slenderest guise; her sight healed all maladies and quenched the fire of sighs, for she was even as the poet cries,

I love her madly for she is perfect fair, Complete in gravity and gracious way; Nor overtall nor overshort, the while Too full for trousers are those hips that sway: Her shape is midmost 'twixt over small and tall; Nor long to blame nor little to gainsay O'erfall her anklets tresses black as night Yet in her face resplends eternal day."

The King seeing her marvelled at her beauty and loveliness, her symmetry and perfect grace and said to the merchant, "O Shaykh, how much for this maiden?" Replied the merchant, "O my lord, I bought her for two thousand dinars of the merchant who owned her before myself, since when I have travelled with her three years and she has cost me, up to the time of my coming here, other three thousand gold pieces; but she is a gift from me to you." The King robed him with a splendid robe of honour and ordered him ten thousand ducats, whereupon he kissed his hands, thanking him for his bounty and beneficence, and went his ways. Then the King committed the damsel to the tire women, saying, "Amend you the case of this maiden and adorn her and furnish her a bower and set her within it." And he bade his chamberlains carry her everything she needed and shut all the doors upon her. Now his capital in which he dwelt, was called the White City and was seated on the sea shore; so they lodged her in a chamber, whose latticed casements overlooked the main. —

When it was the Seven Hundred and Thirty ninth night

Then he looked at the damsel and saw her surpassing beauty and loveliness and symmetry and perfect grace, with a face like the rondure of the moon at its full or the sun shining in the sheeny sky. So he marvelled at her charms of favour and figure and he praised Allah the Creator (magnified be His might!), after which he walked up to her and sat him down by her side; then he pressed her to his bosom and seating her on his thighs, sucked the dew of her lips, which he found sweeter than honey. Presently, he called for trays spread with richest viands of all kinds and ate and fed her by mouthfuls, till she had enough; yet she spoke not one word. The King began to talk to her and he asked of her name; but she abode still silent and uttered not a syllable nor made him any answer, neither ceased to hang down her head groundwards; and it was but the excess of her beauty and loveliness and the amorous grace that saved her

Julnar the Sea Born and Her Son. 267 from the royal wrath. he said to himself, "Glory be to God, the Creator of this girl! How charming she is, save that she speaks not! But perfection belongs only to Allah the Most High." And he asked the slave girls whether she had spoken, and they said, "From the time of her coming until now, she has not uttered a word nor have we heard her address us." Then he summoned some of his women and concubines and bade them sing to her and make merry with her, so Perhaps she might speak. Accordingly they played before her all manner instruments of music and sports and what not and sang, till the whole company was moved to mirth, except the damsel, who looked at them in silence, but neither laughed nor spoke. The King's breast was straitened; thereupon he dismissed the women and abode alone with that damsel: after which he doffed his clothes and disrobing her with his own hand, looked upon her body and saw it as it were a silvern ingot. So he loved her with exceeding love and falling upon her, took her maidenhead and found her a pure virgin; at which he rejoiced with excessive joy and said in himself, "By God, 'tis a wonder that a girl so fair of form and face should have been left by the merchants a clean maid as she is!"

Then he devoted himself altogether to her, heeding none other and forsaking all his concubines and favourites, and tarried with her a whole year as it were a single day. Still she spoke not till, one morning he said to her (and indeed the love of her and longing grew upon him), "O desire of souls, truly passion for you is great with me, and I have forsaken for your sake all my slave girls and concubines and women and favourites and I have made you my portion of the world and had patience with you a whole year; and now I beseech Almighty Allah, of His favour, to soften your heart to me, so you may speak to me. Or, If you be dumb, tell me by a sign, that I may give up hope of your speech. I pray the Lord (extolled be He!) to vouchsafe me by you a son child, who shall inherit the kingdom after me; for I am old and lone and have none to be my heir. Why, in God's name, If you love me, return me a reply." The damsel bowed her head awhile in thought, and presently raising it, smiled in his face; at which it seemed to him as if lightning filled the chamber.

Then she said, "O magnanimous liege lord, and valorous lion, Allah has answered your prayer, for I am with child by you and the time of my delivery is near at hand, though I know not if the unborn babe be male or female. But, had I not conceived by you, I had not spoken to you one word." When the King heard her speech, his face shone with joy and gladness and he kissed her head and hands for excess of delight, saying, "praise be to God laud to Lord who has vouchsafed me the things I desired!; first, your speech, and secondly, your tidings that you are with child by me." Then he rose up and went forth from her and, seating himself on the throne of his kingship, in an ecstasy of happiness, bade his Wazir distribute to the poor and needy and widows and others an hundred thousand dinars, by way of thank offering to Allah Most High and alms on his own account. The Minister did as bidden by the King who, returning to the damsel, sat with her and embraced and pressed her to his breast, saying, "O my lady, my queen, whose slave I am, please what was the cause of this your silence? You have been with me a whole year, night and day, waking and sleeping, yet have not spoken to me till this day."

She replied, "Hearken,and know that I am a wretched exile, broken hearted and far parted from my mother and my family and my brother." When the King heard her words, he knew her desire and said, "As for your saying that you are wretched, there is for such speech no ground, given that my kingdom and good and all I possess are at your service and I also am become your bondman; but, as for your saying, 'I am parted from my mother and brother and family', tell me where they are and I will send and fetch them to you." There upon she answered, "Know, then,that I am called Julnar the Sea born and that my father was of the Kings of the Main.

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He died and left us his reign, but while we were yet unsettled, behold, one of the other Kings arose against us and took the realm from our hands. I have a brother called Salih, and my mother also is a woman of the sea; but I fell out with my brother 'The Pious' and swore that I would throw myself into the hands of a man of the folk of the land. So I came forth of the sea and sat down on the edge of an island in the moonshine, where a passer by found me and, carrying me to his house, besought me of love liesse; but I smote him on the head, so that he all but died; whereupon he carried me forth and sold me to the merchant from whom you had me, and this was a good man and a virtuous; pious, loyal and generous. Were it not that your heart loved me and that you promotedest me over all your concubines, I had not remained with you a single hour, but had cast myself from this window into the sea and gone to my mother and family; but I was ashamed to fare themwards, being with child by you; for they would have deemed evilly of me and would not have credited me, even although I swore to them, If I told them that a King had bought me with his gold and made me his portion of the world and preferred me over all his wives and every thing that his right hand possessed. This then is my story and the Peace!" —

When it was the Seven Hundred and Forties night

she replied, "O my lord, the time of my delivery is at hand and my family needs must be present, that they may tend me; for the women of the land know not the manner of child bearing of the women of the sea, nor do the daughters of the ocean know the manner of the daughters of the earth; and when my people come, I shall be reconciled to them and they will be reconciled to me." the King said, "How do the people of the sea walk within it, without being wetted?"; and She said, ", we walk in the waters with our eyes open, as do you on the ground, by the blessing of the names graven upon the seal ring of Solomon David son (on whom be peace!). But, O King, when my kith and kin come, I will tell them how you bought me with your gold, and have entreated me with kindness and benevolence. It behoves that you confirm my words to them and that they witness yours estate with their own eyes and they learn that you are a King, son of a King." He rejoined, "O my lady, do what seems good to you and what pleases you; and I will consent to you in all you would do."

The damsel continued, "Yes, we walk in the sea and see what is within it and behold the sun, moon, stars and sky, as it were on the surface of earth; and this irks us nothing. Know also that there be many peoples in the main and various forms and creatures of all kinds that are on the land, and that all that is on the land compared with that which is in the main is but a very small matter." And the King marvelled at her words. Then she pulled out from her bosom two bits of Comorin lign aloes and, kindling fire in a chafing dish, chose something of them and threw it in, then she whistled a loud whistle and spoke words none understood. Thereupon arose a great smoke and she said to the King, who was looking on, "O my lord, arise and hide yourself in a closet, that I may show you my brother and mother and family, whilst they see you not; for I design to bring them here, and you will presently espy a wondrous thing and will marvel at the several creatures and strange shapes which Almighty Allah has created." So he arose without delay and entering a closet, fell a watching what she should do. She he continuedr fumigations and conjurations till the sea foamed and frothed turbid and there rose from it a handsome young man of a bright favour, as he were the moon at its full, with brow flower white, cheeks of ruddy light and teeth like the marguerite. He was the like of all creatures to his sister and the tongue of the case spoke in his praise these two couplets,

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The full moon grows perfect once a month But your face each day we see perfected. And the full moon dwells in single sign, But to you all hearts be a dwelling stead."

After him there came forth of the sea an ancient dame with hair speckled gray and five maidens, as they were moons, bearing a likeness to the damsel called Julnar. The King looked upon them as they all walked upon the face of the water, till they drew near the window and saw Julnar, whereupon they knew her and went in to her. She rose to them and met them with joy and gladness, and they embraced her and wept with sore weeping. Then they said to her, "O Julnar, how could you leave us four years, and we unknowing of yours abiding place? By God the world has been straitened upon us for stress of severance from you, and we have had no delight of food or drink; no, not for one day, but have wept with sore weeping night and day for the excess of our longing after you!" Then she fell to kissing the hands of the youth her brother and her mother and cousins, and they sat with her awhile, questioning her of her case and of what had happened her, as well as of her present estate. "Know," she replied, "that, when I left you, I issued from the sea and sat down on the shore of an island, where a man found me and sold me to a merchant, who brought me to this city and sold me for ten thousand dinars to the King of the country, who entreated me with honour and forsook all his concubines and women and favourites for my sake and was distracted by me from all he had and all that was in his city." her brother said, "Praised be Allah, who has reunited us with you! But now, O my sister, 'tis my purpose that you arise and go with us to our country and people."

When the King heard these words, his wits fled him for fear lest the damsel accept her brother's words and he himself avail not to stay her, albeit he loved her passionately, and he became distracted with fear of losing her. But Julnar answered, "By God, O my brother, the mortal who bought me is lord of this city and he is a mighty King and a wise man, good and generous with extreme generosity. Moreover, he is a personage of great worth and wealth and has neither son nor daughter. He has entreated me with honour and done me all manner of favour and kindness; nor, from the day of his buying me to this time have I heard from him an ill word to hurt my heart; but he has never ceased to use me courteously; doing nothing save with my counsel, and I am in the best of case with him and in the perfection of fair fortune. Furthermore, were I to leave him, he would perish; for he cannot endure to be parted from me an hour; and if I left him, I also should die, for the excess of the love I bear him, by reason of his great goodness to me during the time of my sojourn with him; for, were my father alive, my estate with him would not be like my estate with this great and glorious and powerful potentate. And truly, you see me with child by him and praise be to Allah, who has made me a daughter of the Kings of the sea, and my husband the mightiest of the Kings of the land, and Allah, in very truth, he has compensated me for whatever I lost." —

When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty first night

Now when her brother and the daughters of her uncle heard this her speech, their eyes were cooled by that and they said, "O Julnar, you know your value with us and you know the affection we bear you and you are certified that you are to us the dearest of all creatures and you are assured that we seek but ease for you, without travail or trouble. Why, If you be in unease, arise and go with us to our land and our folk; but, If you be at yours ease here, in honour and happiness, this is our wish and our will; for we desire nothing save your welfare in any case." She said, "By God, I am here in the utmost ease and solace and honour and grace!" When the King heard what she said, he joyed with a heart set at rest and thanked her silently for this; the love of her redoubled on him and entered his heart core and he knew that she loved him as he loved her and that she desired to abide with him, that she might see his child by her. Then Julnar bade her women lay the tables and set on all sorts of viands, which had been cooked in kitchen under her own eyes, and fruits and sweetmeats,

Julnar the Sea Born and Her Son. 273 whereof she ate, she and her kinsfolk. But, presently, they said to her, "O Julnar, your lord is a stranger to us, and we have entered his house, without his leave or weeting. You have extolled to us his excellence and eke you have set before us of his victual whereof we have eaten; yet have we not companied with him nor seen him, neither has he seen us nor come to our presence and eaten with us, so there might be between us bread and salt." And they all left eating and were wroth with her, and fire issued from their mouths, as from cressets; which when the King saw, his wits fled for excess of fear of them. But Julnar arose and soothed them and going to the closet where was the King her lord, said to him, "O my lord, have you seen and heard how I praised you and extolled you to my people and have you noted what they said to me of their desire to carry me away with them?" He said, "I both heard and saw: May the Almighty abundantly requite you for me! By God, I knew not the full measure of your fondness until this blessed hour, and now I doubt not of your love to me!"

She said, "O my lord, is the reward of kindness anything but kindness? truly, you have dealt generously with me and have entreated me with worship and I have seen that you love me with the utmost love, and you have done me all manner of honour and kindness and preferred me above all you love and desire. So how should my heart be content to leave you and depart from you, and how should I do thus after all your goodness to me? But now I desire of your courtesy that you come and salute my family, so you may see them and they you and pure love and friendship may be between you; for know,that my brother and mother and cousins love you with exceeding love, by reason of my praises of you to them, and they say, 'We will not depart from you nor go to our homes till we have foregathered with the King and saluted him.' For indeed they desire to see you and make acquaintance with you." The King replied, 'I hear and I obey, for this is my very own wish." So saying, he rose and went in to them and saluted them with the goodliest salutation; and they sprang up to him and received him with the utmost worship, after which he sat down in the palace and ate with them; and he entertained them thus for the space of thirty days. Then, being desirous of returning home, they took leave of the King and Queen and departed with due permission to their own land, after he had done them all possible honour. Awhile after this, Julnar completed the days of her pregnancy and the time of her delivery being come, she bore a boy, as he were the moon at its full; at which the utmost joy happened the King, for that he had never in his life been vouchsafed son or daughter. So they held high festival and decorated the city seven days, in the extreme of joy and jollity: and on the seventh day came Queen Julnar's mother, Farashah called, and brother and cousins, whenas they knew of her delivery. —And Shahrazad perceived the light of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty second night

So they named him Badr Básim, and all agreed upon this name. Then they showed the child to his uncle Salih, who took him in his arms and arising began to walk about the chamber with him in all directions right and left. Presently, he carried him forth of the palace and going down to the salt sea, fared on with him, till he was hidden from the King's sight. Now when Shahriman saw him take his son and disappear with him in the depth of the sea, he gave the child up for lost and fell to weeping and wailing; but Julnar said to him, ", fear not, neither grieve for your son, for I love my child. more than you and he is with my brother; so reck you not of the sea neither fear for him drowning. Had my brother known that anything of harm would happen the little one, he had not done this deed; and he will presently bring you your son safe, God willing If it please the Almighty." Nor was an hour past before the sea became turbid and troubled and King Salih came forth and flew from the sea till he came up to them with the child lying quiet and showing a face like the moon on the night of fulness. Then, looking at the King he said, "Perhaps you fearedst harm for your son, whenas I plunged into the sea with him?" Replied the father, "Yes, O my lord, I did indeed fear for him and thought he would never be saved from it." Rejoined Salih,

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"O King of the land, we pencilled his eyes with an eye powder we know of and recited over him the names graven upon the seal ring of Solomon David son (on whom be the Peace!), for this is what we use to do with children newly born among us, and now you needst not fear for him drowning or suffocation in all the oceans of the world, if he should go down into them; for, even as you walk on the land, so walk we in the sea." Then he pulled out of his pocket a casket, graven and sealed and, breaking open the seals, emptied it; whereupon there fell from it strings of all kinds jacinths and other jewels, besides three hundred bugles of emerald and other three hundred hollow gems, as big as ostrich eggs, whose light dimmed that of sun and moon. Salih said, ", these jewels and jacinths are a present from me to you. We never yet brought you a gift, for that we knew not Julnar's abiding place neither had we of her any tidings or trace; but now that we see you to be united with her and we are all become one thing, we have brought you this present; and every little while we will bring you the like of it, God willing! For that these jewels and jacinths are more plentiful with us than pebbles on the beach and we know the good and the bad of them and their whereabouts and the way to them, and they are easy to us."

When the King saw the jewels, his wits were bewildered and his sense was astounded and he said, "By God, one single gem of these jewels is worth my realm!" Then he thanked for his bounty Salih the Sea born and, looking towards Queen Julnar said, "I am abashed before your brother, for that he has dealt munificently by me and bestowed on me this splendid gift, which the folk of the land were unable to present." So she thanked her brother for his deed and he said, ", you have the prior claim on us and it behoves us to thank you, for you have entreated our sister with kindness and we have entered your dwelling and eaten of your victual; and the poet says,

'Had I wept before she did in my passion for Saada, I had healed my soul before repentance came. But she wept before I did: her tears drew mine; and I said, The merit belongs to the precedent.'"

"And" (resumed Salih the Pious) "if we stood on our faces in your service,a thousand years, yet had we not the might to requite you, and this were but a scantling of your due." The King thanked him with heartiest thanks and the Merman and Merwomen abode with him forty days' space, at the end of which Salih arose and kissed the ground before his brother in law, who asked, "What want you, O Salih?" He answered, ", indeed you have done us overabundant favours, and we crave of your bounties that you deal charitably with us and grant us permission to depart; for we yearn after our people and country and kinsfolk and our homes; so will we never forsake your service nor that of my sister and my nephew; and By God,'tis not pleasant to my heart to part from you; but how shall we do, seeing that we have been reared in the sea and that the sojourn of the shore likes us not?" When the King heard these words he rose to his feet and farewelled Salih the Sea born and his mother and his cousins, and all wept together, because of parting and presently they said to him, "soon we will be with you again, nor will we forsake you, but will visit you every few days." Then they flew off and descending into the sea, disappeared from sight. —

When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty third night

Upsprings from table of his lovely cheek

A growth like broidery my wonder is: As 'twere a lamp that burns through night hung up Beneath the gloom in chains of ambergris.

And indeed the King loved him with exceeding love, and summoning his Wazir and Emirs and the Chief Officers of state and Grandees of his realm, required of them a binding oath that they would make Badr Basim King over them after his sire; and they sware the oath gladly, for the sovran was liberal to the subjects, pleasant in parley and a very compend of goodness, saying nothing but that in which was advantage for the people. On the morrow Shahriman mounted, with all his troops and Emirs and Lords, and went forth into the city and returned. When they drew near the palace, the King dismounted, to wait upon his son who abode on horseback, and he and all the Emirs and Grandees bore the saddle cloth of honour before him, each and every of them bearing it in his turn, till they came to the vestibule of the palace, where the Prince alighted and his father and the Emirs embraced him and seated him on the throne of Kingship, whilst they (including his sire) stood before him. Then Badr Basim judged the people, deposing the unjust and promoting the just and continued so doing till near upon noon, when he descended from the throne and went in to his mother, Julnar the Sea born, with the crown upon his head, as he were the moon. When she saw him, with the King standing before him, she rose and kissing him, gave him joy of the Sultanate and wished him and his sire length of life and victory over their foes. He sat with her and rested till the hour of mid afternoon prayer, when he took horse and repaired, with the Emirs before him,.

to the Maydán plain, where he played at arms with his father and his lords, till night fall, when he returned to the palace, preceded by all the folk. He rode forth thus every day to the tilting ground, returning to sit and judge the people and do justice between carl and churl; and thus he continued doing a whole year, at the end of which he began to ride out a hunting and a chasing and to go round about in the cities and countries under his rule, proclaiming security and satisfaction and doing after the fashion of Kings; and he was unique among the people of his day for glory and valour and just dealing among the subjects. And it chanced that one day the old King fell sick and his fluttering heart forebode him of translation to the Mansion of Eternity. His sickness grew upon him till he was almost death, when he called his son and commended his mother and subjects to his care and caused all the Emirs and Grandees once more swear allegiance to the Prince and assured himself of them by strongest oaths; after which he lingered a few days and departed to the mercy of Almighty Allah. His son and widow and all the Emirs and Wazirs and Lords mourned over him, and they built him a tomb and buried him within it. They did not stop ceremonially to mourn for him a whole month, till Salih and his mother and cousins arrived and condoled with their grieving for the King and said, "O Julnar, though the King be dead, yet has he left this noble and peerless youth, and not dead is whoever leavs the like of him, the rending lion and the shining moon." —

When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty fourth night

She pursued, Salih brother of Julnar and her mother and cousins said to her, "Albeit the King be dead, yet has he left behind him as successor this noble and peerless youth, the rending lion and the shining moon." Thereupon the Grandees and notables of the Empire went in to King Badr Basim and said to him, "O King, there is no harm in mourning for the late sovran: but over mourning beseems none save women; Why occupy you not your heart and our hearts with mourning for your sire, given that he has left you behind him, and whoever leavs the like of you is not dead." Then they comforted him and diverted him and lastly carried him to the bath.

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When he came out of the Hammam, he donned a rich robe, purfled with gold and embroidered with jewels and jacinths; and, setting the royal crown on his head, sat down on his throne of kingship and ordered the affairs of the folk, doing equal justice between strong and weak, and exacting from the prince the dues of the pauper; Why the people loved him with exceeding love. Thus he continued doing for a full year, whilst, every now and then, his kinsfolk of the sea visited him, and his life was pleasant and his eye was cooled. Now it came to pass that his uncle Salih went in one night of the nights to Julnar and saluted her; whereupon she rose and embracing him seated him by her side and asked him, "O my brother, how are you and my mother and my cousins?" He answered, "O my sister, they are well and glad and in good case, lacking nothing save a sight of your face." Then she set something of food before him and he ate, after which talk ensued between the twain and they spoke of King Badr Basim and his beauty and loveliness, his symmetry and skill in cavalarice and cleverness and good breeding.

Now Badr was propped upon his elbow close by them; and, hearing his mother and uncle speak of him, he feigned sleep and listened to their talk. Presently, Salih said to his sister, "Your son is now seventeen years old and is unmarried, and I fear lest mishap befall him and he have no son; Why it is my desire to marry him to a Princess of the princesses of the sea, who shall be a match for him in beauty and loveliness." Julnar said, "Name them to me for I know them all." So Salih proceeded to enumerate them to her, one by one, but to each she said, "I like not this one for my son; I will not marry him but to one who is his equal in beauty and loveliness and wit and piety and good breeding and magnanimity and dominion and rank and lineage." Salih said, "I know none other of the daughters of the Kings of the sea, for I have numbered to you more than an hundred girls and not one of them pleases you: but see, O my sister, whether your son be asleep or no." So she felt Badr and finding on him the signs of slumber said to Salih, "He is asleep; what have you to say and what is yours object in making sure his sleeping?" he replied, "O my sister, know that I have bethought me of a Mermaid of the mermaids who befits your son; but I fear to name her, lest he be awake and his heart be taken with her love and maybe we shall be unable to win to her; so should he and we and the Grandees of the realm be wearied in vain and trouble happen us through this; for, as says the poet,

'Love, at first sight, is a spurt of spray; But a spreading sea when it gains sway.'

When she heard these words, she cried, "Tell me the condition of this girl, and her name for I know all the damsels of the sea, Kings' daughters and others; and, if I judge her worthy of him, I will demand her in marriage for him of her father, though I spend on her whatever my hand possesses. So recount to me all anent her and fear nothing, for my son sleeps." Salih said, "I fear lest he be awake; and the poet says,

'I loved him, soon as his praise I heard; For ear oft loves before eye survey.' "

But Julnar said, "Speak out and be brief and fear not, O my brother." So he said, "By God, O my sister, none is worthy of your son save the Princess Jauharah, daughter of King Al-Samandal, for that she is like unto him in beauty and loveliness and brilliancy and perfection; nor is there found, in sea or on land, a sweeter or pleasanter of gifts than she; for she is prime in comeliness and seemlihead of face and symmetrical shape of perfect grace; her cheek is ruddy dressed, her brow flower white, her teeth gem bright, her eyes blackest black and whitest white, her hips of heavy weight, her waist slight and her favour exquisite. When she turns she shams the wild cattle and the gazelles and when she walks, she breeds envy in the willow branch: when she unveils her face outshins sun and moon and all who look upon her she enslavs soon: sweet lipped and soft sided indeed is she."

Now when Julnar heard what Salih said, she replied,

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"You say truth, O my brother! By God, I have seen her many and many a time and she was my companion, when we were little ones; but now we have no knowledge of each other, for constraint of distance; nor have I set eyes on her for eighteen years. By God, none is worthy of my son but she!" Now Badr heard all they said and mastered what had passed, first and last, of these praises bestowed on Jauharah daughter of King al-Samandal; so he fell in love with her on hearsay, pretending sleep the while, Why fire was kindled in his heart on her account full sore and he was drowned in a sea without bottom or shore. —

When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty fifth night

Answered Julnar, "Right is your advice;" and they parleyed no more: but Badr passed the night with a heart on fire with passion for Princess Jauharah. However he concealed his case and spoke not of her to his mother or his uncle, albeit he was on coals of fire for love of her. Now when it was morning, the King and his uncle went to the Hammam bath and washed, after which they came forth and drank wine and the servants set food before them, whereof they and Julnar ate their sufficiency, and washed their hands. Then Salih rose and said to his nephew and sister, "With your leave, I would glad go to my mother and my folk for I have been with you some days and their hearts are troubled with awaiting me." But Badr Basim said to him, "Tarry with us this day;" and he consented. Then the King said, "Come, O my uncle, let us go forth to the garden." So they sallied forth and promenaded about the pastures and took their solace awhile, after which King Badr lay down under a shady tree, thinking to rest and sleep; but he remembered his uncle's description of the maiden and her beauty and loveliness and shed railing tears, reciting these two couplets,

"Were it said to me while the flame is burning within me, And the fire blazing in my heart and bowels, 'Would you rather that you should behold them Or a draught of pure water?' I would answer, 'Them.' "

Then he sighed and wept and lamented, reciting these verses also,

"Who shall save me from love of a lovely gazelle, Brighter browed than the sunshine, my bonnibel! My heart erst free from her love, now burns With fire for the maid of Al-Samandal."

When Salih heard what his nephew said, he smote hand upon hand and said, "There is no god but the God! Mohammed is the Apostle of God and there is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great!" Adding, "O my son, heard you what passed between me and your mother respecting Princess Jauharah?" Replied Badr Basim, "Yes, O my uncle, and I fell in love with her by hearsay through what I heard you say. Indeed, my heart cleavs to her and I cannot live without her." Rejoined his uncle, "O King, let us return to your mother and tell her how the case stands and crave her leave that I may take you with me and seek the Princess in marriage of her sire; after which we will farewell her and I and you will return. Indeed, I fear to take you and go without her leave, lest she be wroth with me; and truly the right would be on her side, for I should be the cause of her separation from us. Moreover, the city would be left without king and there would be none to govern the citizens and look to their affairs; so should the realm be disordered against you and the kingship depart from your hands." But Badr Basim, hearing these words, cried, "O my uncle, if I return to my mother and consult her on such matter, she will not suffer me to do this; Why I will not return to my mother nor consult her."

Julnar the Sea Born and Her Son. 283

And he wept before him and presently added, "I will go with you and tell her not and after will return." When Salih heard what his nephew said, he was confused anent his case and said, "I crave help of the Almighty in any event." Then, seeing that Badr Basim was resolved to go with him, whether his mother would let him or no, he drew from his finger a seal ring, on which were graven certain of the names of Allah the Most High, and gave it to him, saying, "Put this on your finger, and you will be safe from drowning and other perils and from the mischief of sea beasts and great fishes." So King Badr Basim took the ring and set it on his finger. Then they dove into the deep—

When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty sixth night

He replied, "She is well in health and fortune, and saluts you and her uncle's daughters." Then Salih related to his mother what had occurred between him and his sister and how King Badr Basim had fallen in love with the Princess Jauharah daughter of Al-Samandal by report and told her the whole tale from beginning to end adding, "He has not come save to demand her in wedlock of her sire;" which when the old Queen heard, she was wroth against her son with exceeding wrath and sore troubled and concerned and said, "O Salih, O my son, in very truth you did wrong to name the Princess before your nephew, knowing, as you do, that her father is stupid and violent, little of wit and tyrannical of temper, grudging his daughter to every suitor; for all the Monarchs of the Main have sought her hand, but he rejected them all; nay, he would none of them, saying, 'You are no match for her in beauty or in loveliness or in anything else.' Why we fear to demand her in wedlock of him, lest he reject us, even as be has rejected others; and we are a folk of high spirit and should return broken hearted."

Hearing these words Salih answered, "O my mother, what is to do? For King Badr Basim says, 'There is no help but that I seek her in marriage of her sire, though I expend my whole kingdom'; and he avouches that, If he take her not to wife, he will die of love for her and longing." And Salih continued, "He is handsomer and goodlier than she; his father was King of all the Persians, whose King he now is, and none is worthy of Jauharah save Badr Basim. Why I purpose to carry her father a gift of jacinths and jewels befitting his dignity, and demand her of him in marriage. If he object to us that he is a King, behold, our man also is a King and the son of a King; or, if he object to us her beauty, behold our man is more beautiful than she; or, again, if he object to us the vastness of his dominion, behold our man's dominion is vaster than hers and her father's and numbers more troops and guards, for that his kingdom is greater than that of al-Samandal. Needs must I do my endeavour to further the desire of my sister's son, though it relieve me of my life; because I was the cause of whatever has happened; and, even as I plunged him into the ocean of her love, so will I go about to marry him to her, and may Almighty Allah help me thereto!"

Rejoined his mother, "Do as you will, but beware of giving her father rough words, whenas you speak with him; for you know his stupidity and violence and I fear lest he do you a mischief, for he knows not respect for any." And Salih answered, "I hear and I obey." Then he sprang up and taking two bags full of gems such as rubies and bugles of emerald, noble ores and all manner jewels gave them to his servants to carry and set out with his nephew for the palace of Al-Samandal. When they came there, he sought audience of the King and being admitted to his presence, kissed ground before him and saluted him with the goodliest Salam. The King rose to him and honouring him with the utmost honour, bade him be seated. So he sat down and presently the King said to him, "A blessed coming: indeed you have desolated us, O Salih! But what brings you to us? Tell me yours errand that we may fulfil it to you." Whereupon Salih arose and, kissing the ground a second time said, ", my errand is to Allah and the magnanimous liege lord and the valiant lion, the report of whose good qualities the caravans far and near have dispread and whose renown for benefits and beneficence and

Julnar the Sea Born and Her Son. 285 clemency and graciousness and liberality to all climes and countries has sped." Thereupon he opened the two bags and, displaying their contents before al-Samandal, said to him, ", Perhaps will you accept my gift and by showing favour to me heal my heart." —

When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty seventh night

King al-Samandal asked, "With what object do you gift me with this gift? Tell me your tale and acquaint me with your requirement. An its accomplishment be in my power I will At once accomplish it to you and spare you toil and trouble; and if I be unable to it, Allah compells not any soul anything beyond its power." So Salih rose and kissing ground three times said, ", that which I desire you are indeed able to do; it is in your power and you are master of it; and I impose not on the King a difficulty, nor am I Jinn demented, that I should crave of the King a thing whereto he avails not; for one of the sages says, 'If you would be complied with ask that which can be readily supplied'. Why, that of which I am come in quest, the King (whom Allah preserve!) is able to grant." The King replied, "Ask what you would have, and state your case and seek your need." Then said Salih, ", know that I come as a suitor, seeking the unique pearl and the hoarded jewel, the Princess Jauharah, daughter of our lord the King; Why, O King disappoint you not your suitor."

Now when the King heard this, he laughed till he fell backwards, in mockery of him and said, "O Salih, I had thought you a man of worth and a youth of sense, seeking nothing save what was reasonable and speaking not save advisedly. What then has befallen your reason and urged you to this monstrous matter and mighty hazard, that you seek in marriage daughters of Kings, lords of cities and climates? Say me, are you of a rank to aspire to this great eminence and has your wit failed you to this extreme pass that you affrontest me with this demand?" Replied Salih, "Allah amend the King! I seek her not for myself (albeit, If I did, I am her match and more than her match, for you know that my father was King of the Kings of the sea, for all you are this day our King), but I seek her for King Badr Basim, lord of the lands of the Persians and son of King Shahriman, whose puissance you know. If you object that you are a mighty great King, King Badr is a greater; and if you object your daughter's beauty, King Badr is more beautiful than she and fairer of form and more excellent of rank and lineage; and he is the champion of the people of his day. Why, if you grant my request, you will have set the thing in its stead; but, if you deal arrogantly with us, you will not use us justly nor travel with us the 'road which is straght'. Moreover, O King, you know that the Princess Jauharah, the daughter of our lord the King, must needs be wedded and bedded, for the sage says, a girl's lot is either grace of marriage or the grave. Why, If you mean to marry her, my sister's son is worthier of her than any other man."

Now when King al-Samandal heard Salih's words, he was wroth with exceeding wrath; his reason well near fled and his soul was like to depart his body for rage, and he cried, "O dog, shall the like of you dare to bespeak me thus and name my daughter in the assemblies, saying that the son of your sister Julnar is a match for her? Who are you and who is this sister of yours and who is her son and who was his father, that you durst say to me such say and address me with such address? What are you all, in comparison with my daughter, but dogs?" And he cried out to his pages, saying, "Take that gallows bird's head!" So they drew their swords and made for Salih, but he fled and for the palace gate sped; and reaching the entrance, he found of his cousins and kinsfolk and servants, more than a thousand horse armed cap a pie in iron and close knitted mail coats,

Julnar the Sea Born and Her Son. 287 hending in hand spears and naked swords glittering white. And these when they saw Salih come running out of the palace (they having been sent by his mother to his succour), questioned him and he told them what was to do; whereupon they knew that the King was a fool and violent tempered to boot. So they dismounted and baring their blades, went in to the King al-Samandal, whom they found seated upon the throne of his Kingship, unaware of their coming and enraged against Salih with furious rage; and they beheld his eunuchs and pages and officers unprepared. When the King saw them enter, drawn brand in hand, he cried out to his people, saying "Woe to you! Take me the heads of these hounds!" But before an hour had sped al-Samandal's party were put to the route and relied upon flight, and Salih and his kinsfolk seized upon the King and pinioned him. —

When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty eighth night

She pursued, when Salih and his kinsfolk pinioned the King, Princess Jauharah awoke and knew that her father was a captive and his guards slain. So she fled forth the palace to a certain island, and climbing up into a high tree, hid herself in its summit. Now when the two parties came to blows, some of King al-Samandal's pages fled and Badr Basim meeting them, questioned them of their case and they told him what had happened. But when he heard that the King was a prisoner, Badr feared for himself and fled, saying in his heart, "truly, all this turmoil is on my account and none is wanted but I." So he sought safety in flight, security to sight, knowing not where he went; but destiny from Eternity fore ordained drave him to the very island where the Princess had taken refuge, and he came to the very tree on which she sat and threw himself down, like a dead man, thinking to lie and repose himself and knowing not there is no rest for the pursued, for none knows what Fate hides for him in the future. As he lay down, he raised his eyes to the tree and they met the eyes of the Princess.

So he looked at her and seeing her to be like the moon rising in the East, cried, "Glory to Him who fashioned that perfect form, Him who is the Creator of all things and who over all things is Almighty! Glory to the Great God, the Maker, the Shaper and Fashioner! By God, if my presentiments be true, this is Jauharah, daughter of King Al-Samandal! I think that, when she heard of our coming to blows with her father, she fled to this island and, happening upon this tree, hid herself on its head; but, if this be not the Princess herself, 'tis one yet goodlier than she." Then he bethought himself of her case and said in himself, "I will arise and lay hands on her and question her of her condition; and, if she be indeed the she, I will demand her in wedlock of herself and so win my wish." So he stood up and said to her, "O end of all desire, who are you and who brought you here?" She looked at Badr Basim and seeing him to be as the full moon, when it shins from under the black cloud, slender of shape and sweet of smile, answered, "O fair of fashion, I am Princess Jauharah, daughter of King al-Samandal, and I took refuge in this place, because Salih and his host came to blows with my sire and slew his troops and took him prisoner, with some of his men; Why I fled, fearing for my very life," presently adding, "And I weet not what fortune has done with my father."

When King Badr Basim heard these words he marvelled with exceeding marvel at this strange chance, and thought: "Doubtless I have won my wish by the capture of her sire." Then he looked at Jauharah and said to her, "Come down, O my lady; for I am slain for love of you and yours eyes have captivated me. On my account and yours are all these broils and battles; for you must know that I am King Badr Basim, Lord of the Persians and Salih is my mother's brother and he it is who came to your sire to demand you of him in marriage. As for me, I have quitted my kingdom for your sake, and our meeting here is the rarest coincidence. So come down to me and let us twain fare for your father's palace, that I may beseech uncle Salih to release him and I may make you my lawful wife." When Jauharah heard his words, she said in herself, "'Twas on this miserable gallows bird's account, then, that all this has befallen and that my father has fallen prisoner and his chamberlains and suite have been slain and I have been departed from my palace, a miserable exile and have fled for refuge to this island. But, If I devise not against him some device to defend myself from him, he will possess himself of me and take his will

Julnar the Sea Born and Her Son. 289 of me; for he is in love and for anything that he does a lover is not blamed." Then she beguiled him with winning words and soft speeches, whilst he knew not the perfidy against him she purposed, and asked him, "O my lord and light of my eyes, say me, are you indeed King Badr Basim, son of Queen Julnar?" And he answered, "Yes, O my lady." —

When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty ninth night

And he answered, "Yes, O my lady!" Then she, "May Allah cut off my father and gar his kingdom cease from him and heal not his heart neither avert from him strangerhood, if he could desire a comelier than you or anything goodlier than these fair qualities of yours! By God, he is of little wit and judgment!" Presently, adding, "But,punish him not for that he has done; more by token that If you love me a span, truly I love you a cubit. Indeed, I have fallen into the net of your love and am become of the number of your slain. The love that was with you has transferred itself to me and there is left of it with you but a tithe of that which is with me." So saying, she came down from the tree and drawing near him strained him to her bosom and fell to kissing him; at which passion and desire for her redoubled on him and doubting not but she loved him, he trusted in her, and returned her kisses and caresses. Presently, he said to her, "By God, O Princess, my uncle Salih set forth to me not a forties part of your charms; no, nor a quarter carat of the four and twenty."

Then Jauharah pressed him to her bosom and pronounced some unintelligible words; then spat on his face, saying, "Quit this form of man and take shape of bird, the handsomest of birds, white of robe, with red bill and legs." Hardly had she spoken, when King Badr Basim found himself transformed into a bird, the handsomest of birds, who shook himself and stood looking at her. Now Jauharah had with her one of her slave girls, by name Marsinah; so she called her and said to her, "By God, but that I fear for the life of my father, who is his uncle's prisoner, I would kill him! Allah never requite him with good! How unlucky was his coming to us; for all this trouble is due to his hard headedness! But do you, O slave girl, bear him to the Thirsty Island and leave him there to die of thirst." So Marsinah carried him to the island in question and would have returned and left him there; but she said in herself, "By God, the lord of such beauty and loveliness deserves not to die of thirst!" So she went forth from that island and brought him to another abounding in trees and fruits and rills and, setting him down there, returned to her mistress and told her, "I have left him on the Thirsty Island."

Such was the case with Badr Basim; but as regards King Salih, he sought for Jauharah after capturing the King and killing his folk; but, finding her not, returned to his palace and said to his mother, "Where is my sister's son, King Badr Basim?" "By God, O my son," she replied, "I know nothing of him! For when it reached him that you and King al-Samandal had come to blows and that strife and slaughter had happened between you, he was afrighted and fled." When Salih heard this, he grieved for his nephew and said, "O my mother, By God, we have dealt negligently by King Badr and I fear lest he perish or lest one of King Al-Samandal's soldiers or his daughter Jauharah fall in with him. So should we come to shame with his mother and no good happen us from her, for that I took him without her leave." Then he despatched guards and scouts throughout the sea and elsewhere to seek for Badr; but they could learn no tidings of him; so they returned and told King Salih, Why cark and care redoubled on him and his breast was straitened for King Badr Basim. So far concerning nephew and uncle, but as for Julnar the Sea born, after their departure she abode in expectation of them, but her son returned not and she heard no report of him. So when many days of fruitless waiting had gone by, she arose and going down into the sea, repaired to her mother, who sighting her rose to her and kissed her and embraced her, as did the Mermaids her cousins.

Julnar the Sea Born and Her Son. 291

Then she questioned her mother of King Badr Basim, and she answered, saying, O my daughter, of a truth he came here with his uncle, who took jacinths and jewels and carrying them to King Al-Samandal, demanded his daughter in marriage for your son; but he consented not and was violent against your brother in words. Now I had sent Salih almost a thousand horse and a battle befell between him and King al-Samandal; but Allah aided your brother against him, and he slew his guards and troops and took himself prisoner. Meanwhile, tidings of this reached your son, and it would seem as if he feared for himself; Why he fled forth from us, without our will, and returned not to us, nor have we heard any news of him." Then Julnar enquired for King Salih, and his mother said, "He is seated on the throne of his kingship, in the stead of King al-Samandal, and has sent in all directions to seek your son and Princess Jauharah." When Julnar heard the maternal words, she mourned for her son with sad mourning and was highly incensed against her brother Salih for that he had taken him and gone down with him into the sea without her leave; and she said, "O my mother, I fear for our realm; as I came to you without letting any know; and I dread tarrying with you, lest the state fall into disorder and the kingdom pass from our hands. Why I deem best to return and govern the reign till it please Allah to order our son's affair for us. But look you forget him not neither neglect his case; for should he come to any harm, it would infallibly kill me, since I see not the world save in him and delight but in his life." She replied, "With love and gladness, O my daughter. Ask not what we suffer by reason of his loss and absence." Then she sent to seek for her grandson, whilst Julnar returned to her kingdom, weeping eyed and heavy hearted, and indeed the gladness of the world was straitened upon her. —

When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifties night

and Marsinah had set him down in a green islet, he abode days and nights in the semblance of a bird eating of its fruits and drinking of its waters and knowing not where to go nor how to fly; till, one day, there came a certain fowler to the island to catch somewhat wherewithal to get his living. He espied King Badr Basim in his form of a white robed bird, with red bill and legs, captivating the sight and bewildering the thought; and, looking at that, said in himself, "truly, that is a beautiful bird: never saw I its like in fairness or form." So he cast his net over Badr and taking him, carried him to the town, mentally resolved to sell him for a high price. On his way one of the townsfolk accosted him and said, "For how much this fowl, O fowler?" the fowler said, "What will you do with him If you buy him?" Answered the other, "I will cut his throat and eat him;" whereupon said the birder, "Who could have the heart to kill this bird and eat him? truly, I mean to present him to our King, who will give me more than you would give me and will not kill him, but will divert him self by gazing upon his beauty and grace, for in all my life, since I have been a fowler, I never saw his like among land game or water fowl. The utmost you would give me for him, however much you covet him, would be a dirham, and, By God Almighty, I will not sell him!"

Then he carried the bird up to the King's palace and when the King saw it, its beauty and grace pleased him and the red colour of its beak and legs. So he sent an eunuch to buy it, who accosted the fowler and said to him, "Will you sell this bird?" Answered he, "Nay, 'tis a gift from me to the King." So the eunuch carried the bird to the King and told him what the man had said; and he took it and gave the fowler ten dinars, whereupon he kissed ground and fared forth. Then the eunuch carried the bird to the palace and placing him in a fine cage, hung him up after setting meat and drink by him. When the King came down from the Divan, he said to the eunuch, "Where is the bird? Bring it to me, that I may look upon it; for, By God, 'tis beautiful!" So the eunuch brought the cage and set it between the hands of the King, who looked and seeing the food untouched said, "By God, I wis not what it will eat, that I may nourish it!"

Julnar the Sea Born and Her Son. 293

Then he called for food and they laid the tables and the King ate. Now when the bird saw the flesh and meats and fruits and sweet meats, he ate of all that was upon the trays before the King, at which the Sovran and all the bystanders marvelled and the King said to his attendants, eunuchs and Mamelukes, "In all my life I never saw a bird eat as does this bird!" Then he sent an eunuch to fetch his wife that she might enjoy looking upon the bird, and he went in to summon her and said, "O my lady, the King desires your presence, that you may divert yourself with the sight of a bird he has bought. When we set on the food, it flew down from its cage and perching on the table, ate of all that was thereon. So arise, O my lady, and solace you with the sight for it is goodly of aspect and is a wonder of the wonders of the age." Hearing these words she came in haste; but, when she noted the bird, she veiled her face and turned to fare away. The King rose up and looking at her, asked, "Why do you veil your face when there is none in presence save the women and eunuchs who wait on you and your husband?" Answered she, "O King, this bird is no bird, but a man like yourself." He rejoined, "You lie, this is too much of a jest. How should he be other than a bird?"; and she "O King, By God, I do not jest with you nor do I tell you anything but the truth; for truly this bird is King Badr Basim, son of King Shahriman, Lord of the land of the Persians, and his mother is Julnar the Sea born." —

When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifty first night

the King said, "And how came he in this shape?"; and She said, "Princess Jauharah, daughter of King al-Samandal, has enchanted him:" and told him all that had passed with King Badr Basim from beginning to end. The King marvelled exceedingly at his wife's words and conjured her, on his life, to free Badr from his enchantment (for she was the notablest enchantress of her age), and not leave him in torment, saying,

"May Almighty Allah cut off Jauharah's hand, for a foul witch as she is! How little is her faith and how great her craft and perfidy!" Said the Queen, "Do you say to him, 'O Badr Basim, enter that closet!' " So the King bade him enter the closet and he went in obediently. Then the Queen veiled her face and taking in her hand a cup of water, entered the closet where she pronounced over the water certain incomprehensible words ending with, "By the virtue of these mighty names and holy verses and by the majesty of Allah Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, the Quickener of the dead and Appointer of the means of daily bread and the terms determined, quit this your form in which you are and return to the shape in which the Lord created you!" Hardly had she made an end of her words, when the bird trembled once and became a man; and the King saw before him a handsome youth, than whom on earth's face was none goodlier. But when King Badr Basim found himself thus restored to his own form he cried, "There is no god but the God and Mohammed is the Apostle of God! Glory be to the Creator of all creatures and Provider of their provision, and Ordainer of their life terms preordained!"

Then he kissed the King's hand and wished him long life, and the King kissed his head and said to him, "O Badr Basim, tell me your history from commencement to conclusion." So he told him his whole tale, concealing nothing; and the King marvelled at that and said to him, "O Badr Basim, Allah has saved you from the spell: but what has your judgment decided and what think you to do?" he replied, ", I desire your bounty that you equip me a ship with a company of your servants and all that is needful; for 'tis long since I have been absent and I dread lest the kingdom depart from me. And I misdoubt me my mother is dead of grief for my loss; and this doubt is the stronger for that she knows not what is come of me nor whether I am alive or dead. Why, I beseech you, O King, to crown your favours to me by granting me what I seek." The King, after beholding the beauty and grace of Badr Basim and listening to his sweet speech said, "I hear and obey." So he fitted him out a ship, to which he transported all that was needful and which he manned with a company

Julnar the Sea Born and Her Son. 295 of his servants; and Badr Basim set sail in it, after having taken leave of the King. They sailed over the sea ten successive days with a favouring wind; but, on the eleventh day, the ocean became troubled with exceeding trouble, the ship rose and fell and the sailors were powerless to govern her. So they drifted at the mercy of the waves, till the craft neared a rock in mid sea which fell upon her and broke her up and all on board were drowned, save King Badr Basim who got astride one of the planks of the vessel, after having been almost destruction. The plank did not stop to be borne by the set of the sea, whilst he knew not where he went and had no means of directing its motion, as the wind and waves wrought for three whole days. But on the fourth the plank grounded with him on the sea shore where he sighted a white city, as it were a dove passing white, builded upon a tongue of land that jutted out into the deep and it was goodly of ordinance, with high towers and lofty walls against which the waves beat.

When Badr Basim saw this, he rejoiced with exceeding joy, for he was well near dead of hunger and thirst, and dismounting from the plank, would have gone up the beach to the city; but there came down to him mules and asses and horses, in number as the sea sands and fell to striking at him and staying him from landing. So he swam round to the back of the city, where he waded to shore and entering the place, found none within it and marvelled at this, saying, "Would I knew to whom does this city belong, in which is no lord nor any liege, and from where came these mules and asses and horses that hindered me from landing." And he mused over his case. Then he walked on at hazard till he espied an old man, a grocer. So he saluted him and the other returned his salam and seeing him to be a handsome young man, said to him, "O youth, from where come you and what brought you to this city?" Badr told him his story; at which the old man marvelled and said, "O my son, did you see any on your way?"

He replied, "Indeed, O my father, I wondered in good truth to sight a city void of folk." the Shaykh said, "O my son, come up into the shop, lest you perish." So Badr Basim went up into the shop and sat down; whereupon the old man set before him something of food, saying, "O my son, enter the inner shop; glory be to Him who has preserved you from that she Sathanas!" King Badr Basim was sore affrighted at the grocer's words; but he ate his fill and washed his hands; then glanced at his host and said to him, "O my lord, what is the meaning of these words? truly you have made me fearful of this city and its folk." Replied the old man, "Know, O my son, that this is the City of the Magicians and its Queen is as she were a she Satan, a sorceress and a mighty enchantress, passing crafty and perfidious exceedingly. All you saw of horses and mules and asses were once sons of Adam like you and me; they were also strangers, for whoever enters this city, being a young man like yourself, this miscreant witch takes him and homs him for forty days, after which she enchants him, and he becomes a mule or a horse or an ass, of those animals you saw on the sea shore." —

When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifty second night

She pursued, the old grocer related to King Badr Basim the history of the enchantress ending with, "All these people has she spelled; and, when it was your intent to land they feared lest you be transmewed like them selves; so they counselled you by signs that said, 'Land not,' of their solicitude for you, fearing that Perhaps she should do with you like as she had done with them. She possessed herself of this city and seized it from its citizens by sorcery and her name is Queen Láb, which being interpreted, means in Arabic 'Almanac of the Sun.' " When Badr Basim heard what the old man said, he was affrighted with sore affright and trembled like reed in wind saying in himself, "Hardly do I feel me free from the affliction in which I was by reason of sorcery, when Destiny casts me into yet sorrier case!" And he fell a musing over his

Julnar the Sea Born and Her Son. 297 condition and that which had happened him. When the Shaykh looked at him and saw the violence of his terror, he said to him, "O my son, come, sit at the threshold of the shop and look upon that creatures and upon their dress and complexion and that in which they are by reason of gramarye and dread not; for the Queen and all in the city love and tender me and will not vex my heart or trouble my mind." So King Badr Basim came out and sat at the shop door, looking out upon the folk; and there passed by him a world of creatures without number. But when the people saw him, they accosted the grocer and said to him, "O elder, is this your captive and your prey gotten in these days?" The old man replied, "He is my brother's son, I heard that his father was dead; so I sent for him and brought him here that I might quench with him the fire of my home sickness." They said, "truly, he is a comely youth; but we fear for him from Queen Lab, lest she turn on you with treachery and take him from you, for she loves handsome young men." the Shaykh said, "The Queen will not gainsay my commandment, for she loves and tenders me; and when she shall know that he is my brother's son, she will not molest him or afflict me in him neither trouble my heart on his account."

Then King Badr Basim abode some months with the grocer, eating and drinking, and the old man loved him with exceeding love. One day, as he sat in the shop according to his custom, behold, there came up a thousand eunuchs, with drawn swords and clad in various kinds of raiment and girt with jewelled girdles: all rode Arabian steeds and bore in baldrick Indian blades. They saluted the grocer, as they passed his shop and were followed by a thousand damsels like moons, clad in various raiments of silks and satins fringed with gold and embroidered with jewels of sorts, and spears were slung to their shoulders. In their midst rode a damsel mounted on a Rabite mare, saddled with a saddle of gold set with various kinds of jewels and jacinths; and they reached in a body the Shaykh's shop. The damsels saluted him and passed on, till, lo and behold! up came Queen Lab, in great state, and seeing King Badr Basim sitting in the shop, as he were the moon at its full, was amazed at his beauty and loveliness and became passionately enamoured of him, and distraught with desire of him. So she alighted and sitting down by King Badr Basim said to the old man, "from where had you this handsome one?"; and the Shaykh replied, "He is my brother's son, and is lately come to me."

Lab said, "Let him be with me this night, that I may talk with him;" and the old man said, "Will you take him from me and not enchant him?" She said, "Yes," and he said, "Swear to me." So she sware to him that she would not do him any hurt or ensorcell him, and bidding bring him a fine horse, saddled and bridled with a golden bridle and decked with trappings all of gold set with jewels, gave the old man a thousand dinars, saying, "Use this." Then she took Badr Basim and carried him off, as he were the full moon on its fourteenth night, whilst all the folk, seeing his beauty, were grieved for him and said, "By God, truly, this youth deserves not to be bewitched by that sorceress, the accursed!" Now King Badr Basim heard all they said, but was silent, committing his case to Allah Almighty, till they came to—

When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifty third night

The Queen sat down at a latticed window overlooking the garden on a couch of ivory, on which was a high bed, and King Badr Basim seated himself by her side. She kissed him and pressing him to her breast, bade her women bring a tray of food. So they brought a tray of red gold, inlaid with pearls and jewels and spread with all kinds of viands and he and she ate, till they

Julnar the Sea Born and Her Son. 299 were satisfied, and washed their hands; after which the waiting women set on flagons of gold and silver and glass, together with all kinds of flowers and dishes of dried fruits. Then the Queen summoned the singing women and there came ten maidens, as they were moons, hending all manner of musical instruments. Queen Lab crowned a cup and drinking it off, filled another and passed it to King Badr Basim, who took and drank; and they did not stop to drink till they had their sufficiency. Then she bade the damsels sing, and they sang all manner modes till it seemed to Badr Basim as if the palace danced with him for joy. His sense was ecstasied and his breast broadened, and he forgot his strangerhood and said in himself, "truly, this Queen is young and beautifull and I will never leave her; for her kingdom is vaster than my kingdom and she is fairer than Princess Jauharah." So he did not stop to drink with her till even tide came, when they lighted the lamps and waxen candles and diffused censer perfumes; nor did they leave drinking, till they were both drunken, and the singing women sang the while. Then Queen Lab, being in liquor, rose from her seat and lay down on a bed and dismissing her women called to Badr Basim to come and sleep by her side. So he lay with her, in all delight of life till the morning. —

When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifty fourth night

He replied, "By God, O Queen, this is the pleasanter, for my uncle is but a beggarly man, who vends pot herbs." She laughed at his words and the twain lay together in the pleasantest of case till the morning, when King Badr Basim awoke from sleep and found not Queen Lab by his side, so he said, "Would Heaven I knew where can she have gone!" And indeed he was troubled at her absence and perplexed about the case, for she stayed away from him a great while and did not return; so he donned his dress and went seeking her but not finding her, and he said to himself, "Perhaps, she is gone to the flower garden." Thereupon he went out into the garden and came to a running rill beside which he saw a white she bird and on the stream bank a tree full of birds of various colours, and he stood and watched the birds without their seeing him. And behold, a black bird flew down upon that white she bird and fell to billing her pigeon fashion, then he leapt on her and trod her three consecutive times, after which the bird changed and became a woman. Badr looked at her and lo! it was Queen Lab.

So he knew that the black bird was a man transmewed and that she was enamoured of him and had transformed herself into a bird, that he might enjoy her; Why jealousy got hold upon him and he was wroth with the Queen because of the black bird. Then he returned to his place and lay down on the carpet bed and after an hour or so she came back to him and fell to kissing him and jesting with him; but being sore incensed against her he answered her not a word. She saw what was to do with him and was assured that he had witnessed what befell her when she was a white bird and was trodden by the black bird; yet she discovered nothing to him but concealed what ailed her. When he had done her need, he said to her, "O Queen, I would have you give me leave to go to my uncle's shop, for I long after him and have not seen him these forty days."

Julnar the Sea Born and Her Son. 301

She replied, "Go to him but tarry not from me, for I cannot brook to be parted from you, nor can I endure without you an hour." He said, "I hear and I obey," and mounting, rode to the shop of the Shaykh, the grocer, who welcomed him and rose to him and embracing him said to him, "How have you fared with that idolatress?" He replied, "I was well in health and happiness till this last night," and told him what had passed in the garden with the black bird. Now when the old man heard his words, he said, "Beware of her, for know that the birds upon the tree were all young men and strangers, whom she loved and enchanted and turned into birds. That black bird you saw was one of her Mamelukes whom she loved with exceeding love, till he cast his eyes upon one of her women, Why she changed him into a black bird"; —

When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifty fifth night

continued the Shaykh, "whenas she lusts after him she transforms herself into a she bird that he may enjoy her, for she still loves him with passionate love. When she found that you knew of her case, she plotted evil against you, for she loves you not wholly. But no harm shall happen you from her, so long as I protect you; therefore fear nothing; for I am a Moslem, by name Abdallah, and there is none in my day more magical than I; yet do I not make use of gramarye save upon constraint. Many a time have I put to nothing the sorceries of that accursed and delivered folk from her, and I care not for her, because she can do me no hurt: nay, she fears me with exceeding fear, as do all in the city who, like her, are magicians and serve the fire, not the Omnipotent Sire. So to morrow, come you to me and tell me what she does with you;

for this very night she will cast about to destroy you, and I will tell you how you will do with her, that you may save yourself from her malice." Then King Badr Basim farewelled the Shaykh and returned to the Queen whom he found awaiting him. When she saw him, she rose and seating him and welcoming him brought him meat and drink and the two ate till they had enough and washed their hands; after which she called for wine and they drank till the night was well near half spent, when she plied him with cup after cup till he was drunken and lost sense and wit. When she saw him thus, she said to him, "I conjure you By God and by whatever you worshippest, if I ask you a question will you inform me rightly and answer me truly?" And he being drunken, answered, "Yes, O my lady." She said, "O my lord and light of my eyes, when you awokest last night and found me not, you sought me, till you saw me in the garden, under the guise of a white she bird, and also you saw the black bird leap on me and tread me.

Now I will tell the truth of this matter. That black bird was one of my Mamelukes, whom I loved with exceeding love; but one day he cast his eyes upon a certain of my slave girls, Why jealousy gat hold upon me and I transformed him by my spells into a black bird and her I slew. But now I cannot endure without him a single hour; so, whenever I lust after him. I change myself into a she bird and go to him, that he may leap me and enjoy me, even as you have seen. Are you not therefore incensed against me, because of this, albeit, by the virtue of Fire and Light, Shade and Heat, I love you more than ever and have made you my portion of the world?" He answered (being drunken), "Your conjecture of the cause of my rage is correct, and it had no reason other than this." With this she embraced him and kissed him and made great show of love to him; then she lay down to sleep and he by her side. Presently, about midnight she rose from the carpet bed and King Badr Basim was awake, but he feigned sleep and watched stealthily to see what she would do. She took out of a red bag a something red, which she planted a middlemost the chamber, and it became a stream, running like the sea; after which she took a handful of barley and strewing it on the ground, watered it with water from the river; whereupon it became

Julnar the Sea Born and Her Son. 303 wheat in the ear, and she gathered it and ground it into flour. Then she set it aside and returning to bed, lay down by Badr Basim till morning when he arose and washed his face and he asked leave to visit the Shaykh his uncle. She gave him permission and he repaired to Abdallah and told him what had passed. The old man laughed and said, "By God, this miscreant witch plotts mischief against you; but reck you not of her ever!" Then he gave him a pound of parched corn and said to him, "Take this with you and know that, when she sees it, she will ask you, 'What is this and what will you do with it?' Do you answer 'Abundance of good things is good'; and eat of it. Then will she bring forth to you parched grain of her own and say to you, 'Eat of this Sawík'; and do you feign to her that you eat of it, but eat of this instead, and beware and have a care lest you eat of hers even a grain; for, If you eat so much as a grain of it, her spells will have power over you and she will enchant you and say to you, 'Leave this form of a man.'

Whereupon you will quit yours own shape for what shape she will. But, If you eat not of it, her enchantments will be null and void and no harm will happen you from it; at which she will be shamed with shame exceeding and say to you, 'I did but jest with you!' Then will she make a show of love and fondness to you; but this will all be but hypocrisy in her and craft. And do you also make a show of love to her and say to her, 'O my lady and light of my eyes, eat of this parched barley and see how delicious it is.' And if she eat of it, though it be but a grain, take water in your hand and throw it in her face, saying, 'Quit this human form' (for what form soever you will have her take). Then leave her and come to me and I will counsel you what to do." So Badr Basim took leave of him and returning to the palace, went in to the Queen, who said to him, "Welcome and well come and good cheer to you!" And she rose and kissed him, saying, "You have tarried long from me, O my lord."

He replied, "I have been with my uncle, and he gave me to eat of this Sawik." She said, "We have better than that." Then she laid his parched Sawík in one plate and hers in another and said to him, "Eat of this, for 'tis better than yours." So he feigned to eat of it and when she thought he had done so, she took water in her hand and sprinkled him therewith, saying, "Quit this form, O you gallows bird, you miserable, and take that of a mule one eyed and foul of favour." But he changed not; which when she saw, she arose and went up to him and kissed him between the eyes, saying, "O my beloved, I did but jest with you; bear me no malice because of this." He said, "O my lady, I bear you no whit of malice; nay, I am assured that you love me: but eat of this my parched barley." So she ate a mouthful of Abdallah's Sawik; but no sooner had it settled in her stomach than she was convulsed; and King Badr Basim took water in his palm and threw it in her face, saying, "Quit this human form and take that of a dapple mule."

No sooner had he spoken than she found herself changed into a she mule, whereupon the tears rolled down her cheeks and she fell to rubbing her muzzle against his feet. Then he would have bridled her, but she would not take the bit; so he left her and, going to the grocer, told him what had passed. Abdallah brought out for him a bridle and bade him rein her immediately. So he took it to the palace, and when she saw him, she came up to him and he set the bit in her mouth and mounting her, rode forth to find the Shaykh. But when the old man saw her, he rose and said to her, "Almighty Allah confound you, O accursed woman!" Then he said to Badr, "O my son, there is no more tarrying for you in this city; so ride her and fare with her where you will and beware lest you commit the bridle to any." King Badr thanked him and farewelling him, fared on three days, without ceasing, till he drew near another city and there met him an old man, gray headed and comely, who said to him, "from where come you, O my son?" Badr replied, "From the city of this witch"; and the old man said, "You are my guest to night." He consented and went with him; but by the way behold, they met an old woman, who wept when she saw the mule,

Julnar the Sea Born and Her Son. 305 and said, "There is no god but the God! Truly, this mule resembls my son's she mule, which is dead, and my heart aches for her; so, in God's name, O my lord, do you sell her to me!" He replied, "By God, O my mother, I cannot sell her." But she cried, "in God's name, do not refuse my request, for my son will surely be a dead man except I buy him this mule." And she importuned him, till he exclaimed, "I will not sell her save for a thousand dinars," saying in himself, "from where should this old woman get a thousand gold pieces?" Thereupon she brought out from her girdle a purse containing a thousand ducats, which when King Badr Basim saw, he said, "O my mother, I did but jest with you; I cannot sell her." But the old man looked at him and said, "O my son, in this city none may lie, for whoever lies they put to death." So King Badr Basim lighted down from the mule. —

When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifty sixth night

She pursued, when Badr Basim dismounted from and delivered the mule to the old woman, she drew the bit from her mouth and, taking water in her hand, sprinkled the mule therewith, saying, "O my daughter, quit this shape for that form in which you were aforetime!" Upon this she was At once restored to her original semblance and the two women embraced and kissed each other. So King Badr Basim knew that the old woman was Queen Lab's mother and that he had been tricked and would have fled; when, lo! the old woman whistled a loud whistle and her call was obeyed by an Ifrit as he were a great mountain, at which Badr was affrighted and stood still. Then the old woman mounted on the Ifrit's back, taking her daughter behind her and King Badr Basim before her, and the Ifrit flew off with them; nor was it a full hour before they were in the palace of Queen Lab, who sat down on the throne of kingship and said to Badr, "Gallows bird that you are, now am I come here and have attained to that I desired and soon will I show you how I will do with you and with that old man the grocer! How many favours have I shown him! Yet he does me frowardness; for you have not attained yours end but by means of him." Then she took water and sprinkled him therewith, saying,

"Quit the shape in which you are for the form of a foul favoured fowl, the foulest of all fowls"; and she set him in a cage and cut off from him meat and drink; but one of her women seeing this cruelty, took compassion on him and gave him food and water without her knowledge. One day, the damsel took her mistress at unawares and going forth the palace, repaired to the old grocer, to whom she told the whole case, saying, "Queen Lab is minded to make an end of your brother's son." The Shaykh thanked her and said, "There is no help but that I take the city from her and make you Queen of it in her stead." Then he whistled a loud whistle and there came forth to him an Ifrit with four wings, to whom he said, "Take up this damsel and carry her to the city of Julnar the Sea born and her mother Faráshah for they twain are the most powerful magicians on face of earth." And he said to the damsel, "When you come there, tell them that King Badr Basim is Queen Lab's captive." Then the Ifrit took up his load and, flying off with her, in a little while set her down upon the terrace roof of Queen Julnar's palace.

So she descended and going in to the Queen, kissed the earth and told her what had passed to her son, first and last, whereupon Julnar rose to her and entreated her with honour and thanked her. Then she let beat the drums in the city and acquainted her subjects and the lords of her realm with the good news that King Badr Basim was found; after which she and her mother Farashah and her brother Salih assembled all the tribes of the Jinn and the troops of the main; for the Kings of the Jinn obeyed them since the taking of King Al-Samandal. Presently, they all flew up into the air and lighting down on the city of the sorceress, sacked the town and the palace and slew all the Unbelievers within it in the twinkling of an eye. Then said Julnar to the damsel, "Where is my son?" And the slave girl brought her the cage and signing to the bird within, cried, "This is your son." So Julnar took him forth of the cage and sprinkled him with water, saying, "Quit this shape for the form in which you were aforetime;" nor had she made an end of her speech before he shook and became a man as before: whereupon his mother, seeing him restored to human shape, embraced him and he wept with sore weeping. On like wise did his uncle Salih and his grandmother

Julnar the Sea Born and Her Son. 307 and the daughters of his uncle and fell to kissing his hands and feet. Then Julnar sent for Shaykh Abdallah and thanking him for his kind dealing with her son, married him to the damsel, whom he had despatched to her with news of him, and made him King of the city. Moreover, she summoned those who survived of the citizens (and they were Moslems), and made them swear fealty to him and take the oath of loyalty, whereto they replied, "I hear and I obey!" Then she and her company farewelled him and returned to their own capital. The townsfolk came out to meet them, with drums beating, and decorated the place three days and held high festival, of the greatness of their joy for the return of their King Badr Basim. After this Badr said to his mother, "O my mother, nothing remains but that I marry and we be all united." She replied, "Right is your advice, O my son, but wait till we ask who befits you among the daughters of the Kings." And his grand mother Farashah, and the daughters of both his uncles said, "O Badr Basim, we will help you to win your wish directly."

Then each of them arose and fared forth questing in the lands, whilst Julnar sent out her waiting women on the necks of Ifrits, bidding them leave not a city nor a King's palace without noting all the handsome girls that were within it. But, when King Badr Basim saw the trouble they were taking in this matter, he said to Julnar, "O my mother, leave this thing, for none will content me save Jauharah, daughter of King al-Samandal; for that she is indeed a jewel, according to her name." Replied Julnar, "I know that which you seek;" and bade directly bring al-Samandal the King. As soon as he was present, she sent for Badr Basim and acquainted him with the King's coming, whereupon he went in to him. Now when al-Samandal was aware of his presence, he rose to him and saluted him and bade him welcome; and King Badr Basim demanded of him his daughter Jauharah in marriage. He said, "She is yours handmaid and at your service and disposition," and despatched some of his suite bidding them seek her abode and, after telling her that her sire was in the hands of King Badr Basim, to bring her directly.

So they flew up into the air and disappeared and they returned after a while, with the Princess who, as soon as she saw her father, went up to him and threw her arms round his neck. Then looking at her he said, "O my daughter, know that I have given you in wedlock to this magnanimous Sovran, and valiant lion King Badr Basim, son of Queen Julnar the Sea born, for that he is the goodliest of the folk of his day and most powerful and the most exalted of them in degree and the noblest in rank; he befits none but you and you none but him." Answered she, "I may not gainsay you, O my sire; do as you will, for indeed chagrin and despite are at an end, and I am one of his handmaids." So they summoned the Kazi and the witnesses who drew up the marriage contract between King Badr Basim and the Princess Jauharah, and the citizens decorated the city and beat the drums of rejoicing, and they released all who were in the jails, whilst the King clothed the widows and the orphans and bestowed robes of honour upon the Lords of the Realm and Emirs and Grandees: and they made bride feasts and held high festival night and morn ten days, at the end of which time they displayed the bride, in nine different dresses, before King Badr Basim who bestowed an honourable robe upon King Al-Samandal and sent him back to his country and people and kinsfolk. And they did not stop from living the most delectable of life and the most solaceful of days, eating and drinking and enjoying every luxury, till there came to them the Destroyer of delights and the Sunderer of Societies; and this is the end of their story, may Allah have mercy on them all! Moreover,a tale is also told anent