with The Son Of King Al-'Abbas.

There was once, long ago and in ages and times long gone before, in the city of Baghdad, the House of Peace, a king mighty of estate, lord of understanding and beneficence and generosity and munificence, and he was strong of sultanate and endowed with might and majesty and magnificence. His name was Ins bin Kays bin Rabí' al-Shaybání, and when he took horse, there rode about him riders from the farthest parts of the two Iraks. Almighty Allah decreed that he should take to wife a woman called, 'Afífah, daughter of Asad al-Sundúsí, who was endowed with beauty and loveliness and brightness and perfect grace and symmetry of shape and stature; her face was like the crescent moon and she had eyes as they were gazelle's eyes and an aquiline nose like Luna's cymb. She had learned cavalarice and the use of arms and had mastered the sciences of the Arabs; eke she had gotten by heart all the dragomanish tongues and indeed she was a ravishment to mankind. She abode with Ins bin Kays twelve years, during which time he was not blessed with children by her; so his breast was straitened by reason of the failure of lineage, and he besought his Lord to vouchsafe him a son. Accordingly the queen conceived, by permission of Allah Almighty; and when the days of her pregnancy were accomplished, she gave birth to a maid child, than whom never saw eyes fairer, for that her face was as it were a pearl pure bright or a lamp raying light or a candle gilt with gold

King Ins Bin Kays and his Daughter. 139 or a full moon breaking cloudy fold, extolled be He who her from vile water dressed and made her to the beholders a delight! When her father saw her in this fashion of loveliness, his reason fled for joy, and when she grew up, he taught her writing and belles lettres and philosophy and all manner of tongues. So she excelled the folk of her time and surpassed her peers; and the sons of the kings heard of her and all of them longed to look upon her. The first who sought her to wife was King Nabhán of Mosul, who came to her with a great company, bringing an hundred she camels, laden with musk and lign aloes and ambergris and five score loaded with camphor and jewels and other hundred laden with silver monies and yet other hundred loaded with raiment of silken stuffs, sendal and brocade, besides an hundred slave girls and a century of choice steeds of swift and generous breeds, completely housed and accoutred, as they were brides; and all this he had laid before her father, demanding her of him in wedlock. Now King Ins bin Kays had bound himself by an oath that he would not marry his daughter save to him whom she should choose; so, when King Nabhan sought her in marriage, her father went in to her and consulted her concerning his affair. She consented not and he repeated to Nabhan that which she said, whereupon he departed from him.

After this came King Bahrám, lord of the White Island, with treasures richer than the first; but she accepted not of him and he returned disappointed; nor did the kings cease coming to her sire, on her account, one after other, from the farthest of the lands and the climes, each glorying in bringing more than those who forewent him; but she heeded not any one of them. Presently, Al-'Abbás, son of King Al-'Azíz, lord of the land of Al-Yaman and Zabídún and Meccah (which Allah increase in honour and brightness and beauty!) heard of her; and he was of the great ones of Meccah and Al-Hijáz and was a youth without hair on his side face. So he presented himself one day in his sire's assembly, whereupon the folk made way for him and the king seated him on a chair of red gold, crusted with pearls and gems. The Prince sat, with his head bowed groundwards, and spoke not to any: by which his father knew that his breast was straitened and bade the cup companions and men of wit relate marvellous histories, such as beseem the sessions of kings; nor was there one of them but spoke forth the goodliest of that which was with him; but Al-'Abbás still abode with his head bowed down.

Then the king bade his sitting companions withdraw, and when the chamber was private, he looked at his son and said to him, "By God, you cheerest me with your coming in to me and chagrinest me for that you payest no heed to any of the familiars nor of the cup companions. What is the cause of this?" Answered the Prince, "O my papa, I have heard tell that in the land of Al-Irák is a woman of the daughters of the kings, and her father is called King Ins bin Kays, lord of Baghdad; she is famed for beauty and loveliness and brightness and perfect grace, and indeed many of the kings have sought her in marriage; but her soul consented not unto any one of them. Why my thought prompts me to travel herwards, for that my heart cleavs to her, and I beseech you suffer me to go to her." His sire replied, "O my son, you know that I have none other than yourself of children and you are the coolth of my eyes and the fruit of my vitals; nay, I cannot brook to be parted from you a single hour and I purpose to seat you on the throne of the kingship and espouse you to one of the daughters of the kings, who shall be fairer than she."

Al-Abbas gave ear to his father's word and dared not gainsay him; Why he abode with him awhile, whilst the love fire raged in his vitals. Then the king took counsel with himself to build his son a Hammam and adorn it with various paintings, so he might display it to him and divert him with the sight of it, to the intent that his body might be solaced by that and that the accident of travel might cease from him and he be turned from his purpose of removal from his parents. Presently, he addressed himself to the building of the bath and assembling architects and artisans from all his cities and citadels and islands, assigned them a foundation site and marked out its boundaries. Then the workmen occupied themselves with the building of the Hammam and the ordinance and adornment of its cabinets and roofs. They used paints and precious minerals of all kinds, according to the contrast of their colours, red and green and blue and yellow and what not else of all kinds tints; and each artisan wrought at his craft and each painter at his art, whilst the rest of the folk busied themselves with transporting there vari coloured stones.

King Ins Bin Kays and his Daughter. 141

One day, as the Master painter wrought at his work, there came in to him a poor man, who looked long upon him and observed his mystery; whereupon the artist to him said, "Know you anything of painting?" the stranger said, "Yes;" so he gave him tools and paints and said to him, "Limn for us a rare semblance." Accordingly the pauper stranger entered one of the bath chambers and drew on its walls a double border, which he adorned on both sides, after a fashion than which eyes never saw a fairer. Moreover, In the very middle of the chamber he limned a picture to which there lacked but the breath, and it was the portraiture of Máriyah, daughter to the king of Baghdad. Then, when he had finished the portrait, he went his way and told none of what he had done, nor knew any people the chambers and doors of the bath and the adornment and ordinance of it. Presently, the chief artisan came to the palace and sought audience of the king who bade admit him. So he entered and kissing the earth, saluted him with a salam beseeming Sultans and said, "O king of the time and lord of the age and the tide, may prosperity endure to you and acceptance and eke your degree over all the kings both morning and evening exalted be! The work of the bath is accomplished, by the king's fair fortune and the purity of his purpose, and indeed, we have done all that behoved us and there remains but that which behoves the king."

Al-Aziz ordered him a costly robe of honour and expended monies galore, giving unto each who had wroughten after the measure of his work. Then he assembled in the Hammam all the Lords of his realm, Emirs and Wazirs and Chamberlains and Nabobs, and the chief officers of his kingdom and household, and sending for his son Al-Abbas, said to him, "O my son, I have builded you a bath, in which you may take your pleasance; so enter that you may see it and divert yourself by gazing upon it and viewing the beauty of its ordinance and decoration." "With love and gladness," replied the Prince and entered the bath, he and the king and the folk about them, so they might divert themselves with viewing that which the workmen's hands had worked. Al-Abbas went in and passed from place to place and chamber to chamber, till he came to the room aforesaid and espied the portrait of Mariyah, whereupon he fell down in a fainting fit and the workmen went to his father and said to him, "Your son Al-Abbas has swooned away." So the king came and finding his son cast down, seated himself at his head and bathed his face with rose water.

After awhile he revived and the king said to him, "I seek refuge with Allah for you, O my son! What accident has befallen you?" The Prince replied, "O my father, I did but look on that picture and it bequeathed me a thousand qualms and there befell me that which you beholdest." Therewith the king bade fetch the Master painter, and when he stood before him, he said to him, "Tell me of that portrait and what girl is this of the daughters of the kings; else I will take your head." Said the painter, "By God, O king, I limned it not, neither know I who she is; but there came to me a poor man and looked hard at me. So I asked him, Know you the art of painting? and he answered, Yes. Whereupon I gave him the gear and said to him, Limn for us a rare semblance. Accordingly he painted that portrait and went away and I know him not neither have I ever set eyes on him save that day." Hearing this, the king ordered all his officers to go round about in the thoroughfares and colleges and to bring before him all strangers they found there.

So they went forth and brought him much people, amongst whom was the pauper who had painted the portrait. When they came into the presence, the Sultan bade the crier make public proclamation that whoever wrought the portrait should discover himself and have whatever he wished. Thereupon the poor man came forward and kissing the ground before the king, said to him, ", I am he who limned that likeness." Al-Aziz said, "And know you who she is?" and the other said, "Yes, this is the portrait of Mariyah, daughter of the king of Baghdad." The king ordered him a robe of honour and a slave girl and he went his way. Then said Al-Abbas, "O my papa, give me leave to seek her, so I may look upon her: else shall I farewell the world, withouten fail." The king his father wept and answered, "O my son, I builded you a Hammam, that it might turn you from leaving me, and behold, it has been the cause of your going forth; but the behest of Allah is a determinate decree." Then he wept again and Al-Abbas said to him,

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"Fear not for me, for you know my prowess and puissance in returning answers in the assemblies of the land and my good breeding and accomplishments together with my skill in rhetoric; and indeed for him whose father you are and whom you have reared and bred and in whom you have united praiseworthy qualities, the repute whereof has traversed the East and the West, you need not fear anything, more especially as I purpose but to seek pleasuring and return to you, If it be the will of Allah Almighty." the king said, "Whom will you take with you of attendants and what of monies?" Replied Al-Abbas, "O my papa, I have no need of horses or camels or weapons, for I purpose not warfare, and I will have none go forth with me save my page 'Amir and no more." Now as he and his father were thus engaged in talk, in came his mother and caught hold of him; and he said to her, "in God's name, let me gang my gait and strive not to divert me from what purpose I have purposed, for needs must I go." She replied, "O my son, if it must be so and there be no help for it, swear to me that you will not be absent from me more than a year."

And he sware to her. Then he entered his father's treasuries and took from it what he would of jewels and jacinths and everything weighty of worth and light of load: he also bade his servant Amir saddle him two steeds and the like for himself, and whenas the night beset his back, he rose from his couch and mounting his horse, set out for Baghdad, he and Amir, whilst the page knew not where he intended. He gave not over going and the journey was joyous to him, till they came to a goodly land, abounding in birds and wild beasts, whereupon Al-Abbas started a gazelle and shot it with a shaft. Then he dismounted and cutting its throat, said to his servant, "Alight you and skin it and carry it to the water." Amir answered him with "I hear and I obey" and going down to the water, built a fire and broiled the gazelle's flesh. Then they ate their fill and drank of the water, after which they mounted again and fared on with diligent faring, and Amir still unknowing where Al-Abbas was minded to go. So he said to him, "O my lord, I conjure you By God of All might, will you not tell me where you intendest?" Al-Abbas looked at him and in reply improvised these couplets,

"In my vitals are fires of desire and repine; And nothing I reply when they flare on high: Baghdad wards I hie me on life and death work, Loving one who distorts my right judgment awry: A swift camel under me shortcuts the wold And deem it a cloud all who nearhand espy: O 'Ámir make haste after model of her Who would heal my ill and Love's cup drain dry: For the leven of love burns the vitals of me; So with me seek my tribe and stint all reply."

When Amir heard his lord's verses, he knew that he was a slave of love and that she whom he loved abode in Baghdad. Then they fared on night and day, traversing plain and stony way, till they sighted Baghdad and lighted down in its environs and there lay their night. When they arose in the morning, they removed to the bank of the Tigris where they encamped and sojourned a second day and a third. As they abode thus on the fourth day, behold, a company of folk giving their beasts the rein and crying aloud and saying, "Quick! Quick! Haste to our rescue, Ho you the King!" Therewith the King's chamberlains and officers accosted them and said, "What is behind you and what has happened you?" they said, "Bring us before the King." So they carried them to Ins bin Kays; and when they saw him, they said to him, "O king, unless you succour us, we are dead men; for that we are a folk of the Bans Shaybán, who have taken up our abode in the parts of Bassorah, and Hodhayfah the wild Arab has come down on us with his steeds and his men and has slain our horsemen and carried off our women and children; nor was one saved of the tribe but he who fled; Why we crave help first By God Almighty, then by your life." When the king heard their speech, he bade the crier proclaim in the highways of the city that the troops should busk them to march and that the horsemen should mount and the footmen fare forth; nor was it but the twinkling of the eye before the kettle drums beat and the trumpets blared; and scarce was the forenoon of the day

King Ins Bin Kays and his Daughter. 145 passed when the city was blocked with horse and foot. Presently, the king reviewed them and behold, they were four and twenty thousand in number, cavalry and infantry. He bade them go forth to the enemy and gave the command of them to Sa'ad ibn al-Wákidí, a doughty cavalier and a dauntless champion; so the horsemen set out and fared on along the Tigris bank. Al-Abbas, son of King Al-Aziz, looked at them and saw the flags flaunting and the standards stirring and heard the kettle drums beating; so he bade his page saddle him a blood steed and look to the surcingles and bring him his harness of war, for indeed horsemanship was rooted in his heart. Amir said, "And indeed I saw Al-Abbas, his eyes grew red and the hair of his hands on end." So he mounted his charger, whilst Amir also bestrode a destrier, and they went forth with the commando and fared on two days. On the third day, after the hour of the mid afternoon prayer, they came in sight of the foe and the two armies met and the two ranks joined in fight. The strife raged amain and sore was the strain, whilst the dust rose in clouds and hung in vaulted shrouds, so that all eyes were blinded; and they did not stop from the battle till the night overtook them, when the two hosts drew off from the mellay and passed the night, perplexed concerning themselves. When Allah caused the morning to morrow, the two hosts were aligned in line and their thousands fixed their eyne and the troops stood looking one at other. Then sallied forth Al-Háris ibn Sa'ad between the two lines and played with his lance and cried out and improvised these couplets,

"You are in every way this day our prey; And ever we prayed your sight to see: The Ruthful draw you Hodhayfah wards To the Brave, the Lion who sways the free: Say, amid you's a man who would heal his ills, With whose lust of battle shrewd blows agree? Then By God meet me who come to you And whoever is wronged shall the wronger be."

Thereupon there sallied forth to him Zuhayr bin Habíb, and they wheeled about and wiled a while, then they exchanged strokes. Al-Haris forewent his foe in smiting and stretched him weltering in his gore; whereupon Hodhayfah cried out to him, "Gifted of Allah are you, O Haris! Call out another of them." So he cried aloud, "I say, who be a champion?" But they of Baghdad held back from him; and when it appeared to Al-Haris that consternation was amongst them, he charged down upon them and overrolled the first of them upon the last of them and slew of them twelve men. Then the evening caught him and the Baghdadis began addressing themselves to flight. No sooner had the morning morrowed than they found themselves reduced to a fourth part of their number and there was not one of them had dismounted from his horse. Why they made sure of destruction and Hodhayfah rushed out between the two lines (now he was reckoned good for a thousand knights) and cried out, "Harkye, my masters of Baghdad! Let none come forth to me but your Emir, so I may talk with him and he with me; and he shall meet me in combat singular and I will meet him, and may he who is clear of offence come off safe."

Then he repeated his words and said, "How is it I see your Emir refuse me a reply?" But Sa'ad, the Emir of the army of Baghdad, answered him not, and indeed his teeth chattered in his mouth, when he heard him summon him to the duello. Now when Al-Abbas heard Hodhayfah's challenge and saw Sa'ad in this case, he came up to the Emir and asked him, "Will you suffer me to answer him and I will be your substitute in replying him and in monomachy with him and will make my life your sacrifice?" Sa'ad looked at him and seeing knighthood shining from between his eyes, said to him, "O youth, by the virtue of Mustafá the Chosen Prophet (whom Allah save and assain), tell me who you are and from where you come to bring us victory." the Prince said, "This is no place for questioning;" and Said Sa'ad to him, "O Knight, up and at Hodhayfah! Yet, if his Satan prove too strong for you, afflict not yourself on your youth." Al-Abbas cried, "Allah is He of whom help

King Ins Bin Kays and his Daughter. 147 is to be sought;" and, taking his arms, fortified his purpose and went down into the field, as he were a fort of the forts or a mountain's contrefort. Thereupon Hodhayfah cried out to him, saying, "Haste you not, O youth! Who are you of the folk?" He replied, "I am Sa'ad ibn al-Wakidi, commander of the host of King Ins, and but for your pride in challenging me, I had not come forth to you; for you are no peer for me to front nor as my equal do you count nor can you bear my brunt. Why get you ready for the last march seeing that there abides but a little of your life." When Hodhayfah heard this speech, he threw himself backwards, as if in mockery of him, at which Al-Abbas was wroth and called out to him, saying, "O Hodhayfah, guard yourself against me." Then he rushed upon him, as he were a swooper of the Jinn, and Hodhayfah met him and they wheeled about a long while. Presently, Al-Abbas cried out at Hodhayfah a cry which astounded him and struck him a stroke, saying, "Take this from the hand of a brave who fears not the like of you."

Hodhayfah met the sabre sway with his shield, thinking to ward it off from him; but the blade " shore the target in sunder and descending upon his shoulder, came forth gleaming from the tendons of his throat and severed his arm at the armpit; whereupon he fell down, wallowing in his blood, and Al-Abbas turned upon his host; not had the sun departed the dome of the welkin before Hodhayfah's army was in full flight before Al-Abbas and the saddles were empty of men. Sa'ad said, "By the virtue of Mustafa the Chosen Prophet, whom Allah save and assain, I saw Al-Abbas with the blood upon his saddle pads, in clots like camels' livers, smiting with the sword right and left, till he scattered them abroad in every gorge and wold; and when he went him back to the camp, the men of Baghdad were fearful of him." But as soon as they saw this victory which had happened them over their foes, they turned back and gathering together the weapons and treasures and horses of those they had slain, returned to Baghdad, victorious, and all by the knightly valour of Al-Abbas. As for Sa'ad, he foregathered with his lord, and they fared on in company till they came to the place where Al-Abbas had taken horse, whereupon the Prince dismounted from his charger and Sa'ad said to him, "O youth, Why alightest you in other than your place? Indeed, your rights be incumbent upon us and upon our Sultan; so go you with us to the dwellings, that we may ransom you with our souls."

Replied Al-Abbas, "O Emir Sa'ad, from this place I took horse with you and in this is my lodging. So, in God's name, mention not me to the king, but make as if you had never seen me because I am a stranger in the land." So saying, he turned away from him and Sa'ad fared on to his palace, where he found all the courtiers in attendance on the king and recounting to him that which had happened them with Al-Abbas. the king said, "Where is he?" and they said, "He is with the Emir Sa'ad." So, when the Emir entered, the king looked, but found none with him; and Sa'ad, seeing at a glance that he longed to look upon the youth, cried out to him, saying, "Allah prolong the king's days! Indeed, he refuses to present himself before you, without order or leave." Asked the king, "O Sa'ad, from where comes this man?" and the Emir answered, "O my lord, I know not; but he is a youth fair of favour, amiable of aspect, accomplished in address, ready of repartee, and valour shins from between his eyes." the king said, "O Sa'ad, fetch him to me, for indeed you describest to me at full length a mighty matter."

And he answered, saying, "By God, O my lord, had you but seen our case with Hodhayfah, when he challenged me to the field of fight and the stead of cut and thrust and I held back from doing battle with him! Then, as I thought to go forth to him, behold, a knight gave loose to his bridle rein and called out to me, saying, 'O Sa'ad, will you suffer me to be your substitute in waging war with him and I will ransom you with myself?' And I, said, 'By God, O youth, from where come you?' and He said, 'This be no time for your questions, while Hodhayfah stands awaiting you.' " Thereupon he repeated to the king all that had passed between himself and Al-Abbas from beginning to end; at which cried Ins bin Kays, "Bring him to me in haste, so we may learn his tidings and question him

King Ins Bin Kays and his Daughter. 149 of his case." " 'Tis well," replied Sa'ad, and going forth of the king's presence, repaired to his own house, where he doffed his war harness and took rest for himself. in this way fared it with the Emir Sa'ad, but as regards Al-Abbas, when he dismounted from his destrier, he doffed his war gear and reposed himself awhile; after which he brought out a body dress of Venetian silk and a gown of green damask and donning them, bound about his head a turband of Damietta stuff and zoned his waist with a kerchief. Then he went out a walking in the highways of Baghdad and fared on till he came to the bazar of the traders. There he found a merchant, with chess before him; so the Prince stood watching him, and presently the other looked up at him and asked him, "O youth, what will you bet upon the game?" He answered, "Be it yours to decide." Said the merchant, "Then be it an hundred dinars," and Al-Abbas consented to him; whereupon he said, "Produce the money, O youth, so the game may be fairly stablished." Accordingly Al-Abbas brought out a satin purse, in which were a thousand dinars, and laid down an hundred dinars from it on the edge of the carpet, whilst the merchant produced the like, and indeed his reason fled for joy when he saw the gold in possession of Al-Abbas. The folk flocked about them, to divert themselves with watching the play, and they called the bystanders to witness the wager and after the stakes were duly staked, the twain fell a playing. Al-Abbas forebore the merchant, so he might lead him on, and dallied with him a full hour; and the merchant won and took of him the hundred dinars.

Then said the Prince, "Will you play another partie?" and the other said, "O youth, I will not play again, save for a thousand dinars." the youth said, "whatever you stakest, I will match your stake with its like." So the merchant brought out a thousand dinars and the Prince covered them with other thousand. Then the game began, but Al-Abbas was not long with him before he beat him in the house of the elephant, nor did he cease to do thus till he had beaten him four times and won of him four thousand dinars. This was all the merchant had of money; so he said, "O youth, I will play you another game for the shop." Now the value of the shop was four thousand dinars; so they played and Al-Abbas beat him and won his shop, with whatever was within it; upon which the other arose, shaking his clothes, and said to him, "Up, O youth, and take your shop." Accordingly Al-Abbas arose and repairing to the shop, took possession of it, after which he returned to the place where he had left his servant 'Amir, and found there the Emir Sa'ad, who was come to bid him to the presence of the king. The Prince consented to this and accompanied him till they came before King Ins bin Kays, whereupon he kissed the ground and saluted him and exaggerated the salutation.

So the king asked him, "from where come you, O youth, and where go you?" and he answered, "I come from Al-Yaman." Then said the king, "Have you a need we may fulfil to you; for indeed you have strong claims to our favour after that which you did in the matter of Hodhayfah and his folk." And he commanded to cast over him a mantle of Egyptian satin, worth an hundred dinars. He also bade his treasurer give him a thousand dinars and said to him, "O youth, take this in part of that which you deservest of us; and if you prolong your sojourn with us, we will give you slaves and servants." Al-Abbas kissed ground and said, "O king, Allah grant you abiding weal, I deserve not all this." Then he put his hand to his pouch and pulling out two caskets of gold, in each of which were rubies whose value none could estimate, gave them to the king, saying, "O king, Allah cause your welfare to endure, I conjure you by that which the Almighty has vouchsafed you, heal my heart by accepting these two caskets, even as I have accepted your present." So the king accepted the two caskets and Al-Abbas took his leave and went away to the bazar.

Now when the merchants saw him, they accosted him and said, "O youth, will you not open your shop?" As they were addressing him, up came a woman, having with her a boy bare of head, and stood looking at Al-Abbas, till he turned to her, when she said to him, "O youth, I conjure you By God, look at this boy and have ruth on him, for that his father has forgotten his skull cap in the shop he lost to you; so, If you see fit to give it him, your reward be with Allah! For indeed the child makes our hearts ache with his excessive weeping, and the Lord be witness

King Ins Bin Kays and his Daughter. 151 for us that, had they left us anything wherewith to buy him a cap in its stead, we had not sought it of you." Replied Al-Abbas, "O adornment of womankind, indeed, you bespeakest me with your fair speech and supplicatest me with your goodly words! But bring me your husband." So she went and fetched the merchant, whilst a crowd collected to see what Al-Abbas would do. When the man came, he returned him the gold he had won of him, art and part, and delivered him the keys of the shop, saying, "Requite us with your pious prayers." Therewith the woman came up to him and kissed his feet, and in like fashion did the merchant her husband: and all who were present blessed him, and there was no talk but of Al-Abbas. Thus fared it with him; but as for the merchant, he bought him a head of sheep and slaughtering it, roasted it and dressed birds and other meats of various kinds and colours and purchased dessert and sweetmeats and fresh fruits; then he repaired to Al-Abbas and conjured him to accept of his hospitality and visit his home and eat of his provisions. The Prince consented to his wishes and went with him till they came to his house, when the merchant bade him enter: so Al-Abbas went in and saw a goodly house, in which was a handsome saloon, with a vaulted ceiling.

When he entered the saloon, he found that the merchant had made ready food and dessert and perfumes, such as may not be described; and indeed he had adorned the table with sweet scented flowers and sprinkled musk and rose water upon the food; and he had smeared the saloon walls with ambergris and had burned aloes wood within it and Nadd. Presently, Al-Abbas looked out of the window of the saloon and saw by its side a house of goodly ordinance, tall of base and wide of space, with rooms manifold and two upper stories crowning the whole; but within it was no sign of inhabitants. So he said to the merchant, "truly, you exaggeratest in doing us honour; but, By God, I will not eat of your meat until you tell me what has caused the voidance of that house." He said, "O my lord, that was Al-Ghitrif's house and he passed away to the mercy of the Almighty and left no heir save myself; whereupon the mansion became mine, and By God, If you have a mind to sojourn in Baghdad, take up yours abode in this house, by which you may be in my neighbourhood; for that truly my heart inclins unto you with affection and I would have you never absent from my eyes, so I may still have my fill of you and hearken to your speech."

Al-Abbas thanked him and said to him, "By God, you are indeed friendly in your converse and you exaggeratest in your discourse, and needs must I sojourn in Baghdad. As for the house, if it please you to lodge me, I will abide within it; so accept of me its price." Therewith he put hand to his pouch and bringing out from it three hundred dinars, gave them to the merchant, who said in himself, "Unless I take his dirhams, he will not darken my doors." So he pocketed the monies and sold him the mansion, taking witnesses against himself of the sale. Then he arose and set food before Al-Abbas and they sat down to his good things; after which he brought him dessert and sweetmeats whereof they ate their sufficiency, and when the tables were removed they washed their hands with musked rose water and willow water. Then the merchant brought Al-Abbas a napkin scented with the smoke of aloes wood, on which he wiped his right hand, and said to him, "O my lord, the house is become your house; so bid your page transport there the horses and arms and stuffs." The Prince did this and the merchant rejoiced in his neighbourhood and left him not night nor day, so that Al-Abbas said to him, "By the Lord, we distract you from your livelihood."

He replied, "in God's name, O my lord, name not to me anything of this, or you will break my heart, for the best of traffic are you and the best of livelihood." So there befell straight friendship between them and all ceremony was laid aside. Meanwhile the king said to his Wazir, "How shall we do in the matter of that youth, the Yamáni, on whom we thought to confer gifts, but he has gifted us with tenfold our largesse and more, and we know not If he be a sojourner with us or not?" Then he went into the Harim and gave the rubies to his wife Afifah, who asked him, "What is the worth of these with you and with other of the kings?" he said, "They are not to be found save with the greatest of sovrans nor can any price them

King Ins Bin Kays and his Daughter. 153 with monies." she said, "from where gottest you them?" So he recounted to her the story of Al-Abbas from beginning to end, and she said, "By God, the claims of honour are imperative on us and the King has fallen short of his devoir; for that we have not seen him bid the youth to his assembly, nor has he seated him on his left hand." When the king heard his wife's words, it was as if he had been asleep and awoke; so he went forth the Harim and bade kill poultry and dress meats of every kind and colour. Moreover, he assembled all his courtiers and let bring sweetmeats and dessert and all that beseems the tables of kings. Then he adorned his palace and despatched after Al-Abbas a man of the chief officers of his household, who found him coming forth of the Hammam, clad in a jerkin of fine goats' hair and over it a Baghdádi scarf; his waist was girt with a Rustaki kerchief and on his head he wore a light turband of Damietta stuff. The messenger wished him joy of the bath and exaggerated in doing him honour: then he said to him, "The king bids you in weal." "I hear and I obey," Said Al-Abbas and accompanied the officer to the king's palace.

Now Afifah and her daughter Mariyah were behind the curtain, both looking at him; and when he came before the sovran he saluted him and greeted him with the greeting of kings, whilst all present gazed at him and at his beauty and loveliness and perfect grace. The king seated him at the head of the table; and when Afifah saw him and considered him straitly, she said, "By the virtue of Mohammed, prince of the Apostles, this youth is of the sons of the kings and comes not to these parts save for some noble purpose!" Then she looked at Mariyah and saw that her favour was changed, and indeed her eye balls were as dead in her face and she turned not her gaze from Al-Abbas a twinkling of the eyes, for that the love of him had sunk deep into her heart. When the queen saw what had befallen her daughter, she feared for her from reproach concerning Al-Abbas; so she shut the casement wicket that the Princess might not look upon him any more. Now there was a pavilion set apart for Mariyah, and within it were boudoirs and bowers, balconies and lattices, and she had with her a nurse, who served her as is the fashion with the daughters of the Kings.

When the banquet was ended and the folk had dispersed, the King said to Al-Abbas, "I would glad have you abide with me and I will buy you a mansion, so Perhaps we may requite you for your high services; and indeed imperative upon us is your due and magnified in our eyes is your work; and truly we have fallen short of your deserts in the matter of distance." When the youth heard the king's speech, he rose and sat down and kissing ground, returned thanks for his bounty and said, "I am the King's thrall, wheresoever I may be, and under his eye." Then he told him the tale of the merchant and the manner of the buying of the house, and the king said, "In very truth I would glad have had you in my neighbourhood and by side of me." Presently, Al-Abbas took leave of the king and went away to his own house. Now it chanced that he passed under the palace of Mariyah, the king's daughter, and she was sitting at a casement. He happened to look round and his eyes met those of the Princess, whereupon his wit departed and he was ready to swoon away, whilst his colour changed, and he said, "truly, we are Allah's and unto Him are we returning!"

But he feared for himself lest severance happen him; so he concealed his secret and discovered not his case to any of the creatures of Allah Almighty. When he reached his quarters, his page Amir said to him, "I seek refuge for you with Allah, O my lord, from change of colour! Has there happened you a pain from the Lord of All might or anything of vexation? In good truth, sickness has an end and patience does away trouble." But the Prince returned him no answer. Then he brought out ink case and paper and wrote these couplets: —

I cry (and mine's a frame that pines alwáy), A mind which fires of passion ever waylay; And eyeballs never tasting sweets of sleep; Yet Fortune spare its cause I ever pray!

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While from world perfidy and parting I Like Bishr am with Hind, that well loved may; — Yea, grown a bye word 'mid the folk but aye Spend life unwinning wish or night or day. "All say, wots she my love when her I spied At the high lattice shedding sunlike ray?" Her glances, keener than the brand when bared Cleave soul of man nor ever 'scapes her prey: I looked on her in lattice pierced aloft When bare her cheat of veil that slipped away; And shot me thence a shaft my liver pierced When thrall to care and dire despair I lay Knowst you, O Fawn o' the palace, how for you I fared from farness over the lands astray? Then read my writ, dear friends, and show some ruth To people who wones black faced, distraught, sans stay!

And when he ended inditing, he folded up the letter. Now the merchant's wife aforesaid, who was the nurse of the king's daughter, was watching him from a window, unknown of him, and when she saw him writing and reciting, she knew that some rare tale attached to him; so she went in to him and said, "Peace be with you, O afflicted people, who acquaintest not leach with your plight! Truly, you exposest your life to grievous blight. I conjure you by the virtue of Him who has afflicted you and with the constraint of love liking has stricken you, that you acquaint me with yours affair and disclose to me the truth of your secret; for that indeed I have heard from you verses which trouble the mind and melt the body." Accordingly he acquainted her with his case and enjoined her to secrecy, whereof she consented, saying, "What shall be the recompense of whoever goes with your letter and brings you its reply?" He bowed his head for shame before her and was silent; and she said to him, "Raise your head and give me your writ": so he gave her the letter and she seized it and carrying it to the Princess, said to her, "Take this epistle and give me its answer."

Now the dearest of all things to Mariyah was the recitation of poesy and verses and linked rhymes and the twanging of lute strings, and she was versed in all tongues; Why she took the writ and opening it, read that which was within it and understood its purport. Then she threw it to the ground and cried, "O nurse, I have no answer to make to this letter." the nurse said, "Indeed, this is weakness in you and a reproach to you, for that the people of the world have heard of you and commend you for keenness of wit and understanding; so do you return him an answer, such as shall trick his heart and tire his soul." she said, "O nurse, who may be the man who presums upon me with this correspondence? Perhaps 'tis the stranger youth who gave my father the rubies." The woman said, "It is himself," and Mariyah said, "I will answer his letter in such fashion that you will not bring me other than it." Cried the nurse, "So be it." Thereupon the Princess called for ink case and paper and wrote these couplets:

You are bold in the copy you sent! May be 'Twill increase the dule foreign people must dree! You have spied me with glance that bequeaths you woe Ah! far is your hope, a mere foreigner's plea! Who are you, poor freke, that would win my love Wi' your verse? What seeks yours insanity? If you hope for my favours and greed therefor; Where find you a leach for such foolish grace? Then rhyme linking leave and fool like be not Hanged to Cross at the doorway of ignomy! Deem not that to you I incline, O youth! 'Mid the Sons of the Path is no place for me. You are homeless waif in the wide wide world; So return you home where they keen for you: Leave verse spouting, O you who a wold do wone, Or minstrel shall name you in lay and glee: How many a friend who would meet his love Is baulked when the goal is right clear to see! So begone and never grieve for what can not win Albe time be near, yet your grasp 'twill flee. Now such is my say and the tale I'd tell; So master my meaning and — fare you well!

When Mariyah had made an end of her verses, she folded the letter and delivered it to the nurse, who seized it and went with it to Al-Abbas. When she gave it to him, he took it and breaking it open, read it and comprehended its contents; and when he reached the end of it, he swooned away. After awhile, he came to himself and cried, "Praise be to Allah who has caused

King Ins Bin Kays and his Daughter. 157 her return a reply to my writ! Can you carry her another missive, and with Allah Almighty be your requital?" She said, "And what shall letters profit you, seeing that such is her reply;" but he said, "perhaps, she may yet be softened." Then he took ink case and paper and wrote these couplets: —

Reached me the writ and what within it did write, from where grew my pain and bane and blight: I read the marvel lines made grow my love And wore my body out till slightest slight. Would Heaven you know the whole I bear for love Of you, with vitals clean for you undone! And all I do t' outdrive you from my thought 'Vails nothing and 'gainst th' obsession loses might: Could for your lover feel 'twould ease his soul; even your dear Phantom would his sprite delight! Then on my weakness lay not coyness load Nor in such breach of troth be traitor people: And, weet you well, for this your land I fared Hoping to 'joy the union boon directly: How many a stony wold for this I spanned; How oft I waked when men kept watch o'night! To fare fro' another land for sight of you Love bade, while length of way forbade my sprite: So by His name who molt my frame, have ruth, And quench the flames your love in me did light: You fillest, arrayed with glory's robes and rays, Heaven's stars with joy and Luna with despight. Then who dare chide or blame me for my love Of one that can all Beauty's boons unite?

When Al-Abbas had made an end of his verses, he folded the letter and delivering it to the nurse, charged her keep the secret. So she took it and carrying it to Mariyah, gave it to her. The Princess broke it open and read it and apprehended its purport; then she cried, "By God, O nurse, my heart is chagrined with exceeding chagrin, never knew I a sorer, because of this correspondence and of these verses." And the nurse made answer to her, "O my lady, you are in your dwelling and your palace and your heart is void of care; so return to him a reply and reck not." Accordingly, the Princess called for ink case and paper and wrote these couplets: —

Ho you who would vaunt you of cark and care; How many love molts: tryst craving be there? An have wandered the wold in the murks of night Bound afar and anear on the tracks to fare, And to eyne have forbidden the sweets of sleep, Borne by Devils and Marids to dangerous lair; And beggest my boons, O in tribe land homed And to urge your wish and desire would dare; Now, woo Patience fair, If you bear in mind What The Ruthful promised to patient prayer! How many a king for my sake has vied, Craving love and in marriage with me to pair. Al-Nabhán sent, when a wooing me, Camels baled with musk and Nadd scenting air. They brought camphor in boxes and like of it Of pearls and rubies that countless were; Brought pregnant lasses and negro lads, Blood steeds and arms and gear rich and rare; Brought us raiment of silk and of sendal sheen, And came courting us but no bride he bare: Nor could win his wish, for I 'bode content To part with far parting and love forswear; So for me greed not, O you stranger people Lest you come to ruin and dire despair!

When she had made an end of her verses, she folded the letter and delivered it to the nurse, who took it and carried it to Al-Abbas. He broke it open and read it and comprehended its contents; then took ink case and paper and wrote these improvised couplets:

You have told me the tale of the Kings, and of them Each was rending lion, a furious foe: And you stolest the wits of me, all of them And shotst me with shaft of your magic bow: You have boasted of slaves and of steeds and wealth; And of beauteous lasses never man did know; How presents in mighty store did spurn, And disdainedst lovers both high and low: Then I followed their tracks in desire for you, With nothing save my scimitar keen of blow; Nor slaves nor camels that run have I; Nor slave girls the litters enveil, ah, no!

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But grant me union and soon will sight My trenchant blade with the foeman's woe; Will see the horsemen engird Baghdad Like clouds that wall the whole world below, Obeying behests which to them I deal And hearing the words to the foes I throw. An of negro chattels ten thousand head Would have, or Kings who be proud and prow, Or chargers led for you day by day And virgin girls high of bosom, lo! Al-Yaman land my command does bear And my biting blade to my foes I show. I have left this all for the sake of you, Left Aziz and my kinsmen for ever mo'e; And made Al-Irák making way to you Under nightly murks over rocks arow; When the couriers brought me account of you Your beauty, perfection, and sunny glow, Then I sent you verses whose very sound Burns the heart of shame with a fiery throe; Yet the world with falsehood has falsed me, Though Fortune was never so false as you, Who dubbest me stranger and homeless one A witless fool and a slave girl's son!

Then he folded the letter and committed it to the nurse and gave her five hundred dinars, saying, "Accept this from me, for By God you have indeed wearied yourself between us." She replied, "By God, O my lord, my aim is to bring about forgathering between you, though I lose that which my right hand possesses." And he said, "May the Lord of All might requite you with good!" Then she carried the letter to Mariyah and said to her, "Take this letter; Perhaps it may be the end of the correspondence." So she took it and breaking it open, read it, and when she had made an end of it, she turned to the nurse and said to her, "This one foists lies upon me and asserts unto me that he has cities and horsemen and footmen at his command and submitting to his allegiance; and he wishes of me that which he shall not win; for you know, O nurse, that kings' sons have sought me in marriage, with presents and rarities; but I have paid no heed unto anything of this; how, then, shall I accept of this fellow, who is the ignoramus of his time and possesses nothing save two caskets of rubies, which he gave to my sire, and indeed he has taken up his abode in the house of Al-Ghitrif and abides without silver or gold? Why, in God's name, O nurse, return to him and cut off his hope of me." Accordingly the nurse rejoined Al-Abbas, without letter or answer; and when she came in to him, he looked at her and saw that she was troubled, and he noted the marks of anger on her face;

so he said to her, "What is this plight?" she said, "I cannot set forth to you that which Mariyah said; for indeed she charged me return to you without writ or reply." he said, "O nurse of kings, I would have you carry her this letter and return not to her without it." Then he took ink case and paper and wrote these couplets: —

My secret now to men is known though hidden well and true By me: enough is that I have of love and love of you: I left familiars, friends, and kin to weep the loss of me With floods of tears which like the tide aye flowed and flowed anew: Then, left my home myself I bore to Baghdad town one day, When parting drave me there his pride and cruelty to rue: I have indeed drained all the bowl whose draught repression was Handed by friend who bitter gourd within it for drinking threw. And, oft as strove I to enjoin the ways of troth and faith, So often on refusal's path he left my soul to sue. Indeed my body molten is with care I'm doomed dree; And yet I hoped relenting and to win some grace, my due. But wrong and rigour grew on me and changed to worse my case; And love has left me weeping eyed for woes that aye pursue. How long must I keep watch for you throughout the nightly gloom? How many a path of pining pace and garb of grief endue? And you, what while you joy your sleep, your restful pleasant sleep, Reck nothing of sorrow and of shame that to your friend accrue: For wakefulness I watched the stars before the peep o' day, Praying that union with my dear in bliss my soul imbrue; Indeed the throes of long desire laid waste my frame and I Rise every morn in weaker plight with hopes ever fewer few: "Be not" (I say) "so hard of heart!" for did you only deign In phantom guise to visit me 'twere joy enough to view. But when you saw my writ you grudged to me the smallest boon And cast adown the flag of faith though well my troth you knew; Nor anything of answer you vouchsafe, albe you know full well The words within it address the heart and pierce the spirit through. You deemed yourself all too secure for changes of the days And of the far and near alike you ever careless grew. Had you (dear maid) been doomed like me to woes, forsure had felt The lowe of love and Lazá hell which paring does enmew; Yet soon will suffer torments such as those from you I bear And storm of palpitation pangs in vitals yours shall brew: Yea, you will taste the bitter smack of charges false and foul, And public make the privacy best hid from meddling crew;

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And he you love shall approve him hard of heart and soul And heedless of the shifts of Time your very life undo. Then hear the fond Salam I send and wish you every day 'While sways spray and sparkls star all good your life ensue!

When Al-Abbas had made an end of his verses, he folded the scroll and gave it to the nurse, who took it and carried it to Mariyah. When she came into the Princess's presence, she saluted her; but Mariyah returned not her salutation and she said, "O my lady, how hard is your heart that you grudgest to return the salam! Accept this letter, because 'tis the last that shall come to you from him." Mariyah said, "Take my warning and never again enter my palace, or 'twill be the cause of your destruction; for I am certified that you intend my disgrace. So get you gone from me." And she bade beat the nurse who went forth fleeing from her presence, changed of colour and 'wildered of wits, and gave not over going till she came to the house of Al-Abbas. When the Prince saw her in this plight, he became like a sleeper awakened and cried to her, "What has befallen you? Acquaint me with your case." She replied, "in God's name, nevermore send me to Mariyah, and do you protect me, so the Lord protect you from the fires of Gehenna!" Then she related to him that which had happened her with Mariyah which when Al-Abbas heard, there took him the pride and high spirit of the generous and this was grievous to him. The love of Mariyah fled forth of his heart and he said to the nurse, "How much had you of Mariyah every month?" she said, "Ten dinars" and he said, "Be not concerned."

Then he put hand to pouch and bringing out two hundred ducats, gave them to her and said, "Take this wage for a whole year and turn not again to serve anyone of the folk. When the year shall have passed away, I will give you a two years' wage, for that you have wearied yourself with us and on account of the cutting off the tie which bound you to Mariyah." Also he gifted her with a complete suit of clothes and raising his head to her said, "When you told me that which Mariyah had done with you, Allah uprooted the love of her from out my heart, and never again will she occur to my thought; so extolled be He who turns hearts and eyes! 'Twas she who was the cause of my coming out from Al-Yaman, and now the time is past for which I engaged with my folk and I fear lest my father levy his forces and ride forth in quest of me, for that he has no child other than myself nor can he brook to be parted from me; and in like way 'tis with my mother." When the nurse heard his words, she asked him, "O my lord, and which of the kings is your sire?"

He answered, saying, "My father is Al-Aziz, lord of Al-Yaman, and Nubia and the Islands of the Banu Kahtán, and the Two Sanctuaries (Allah of All might have them in His keeping!), and whenever he takes horse, there ride with him an hundred and twenty and four thousand horsemen, each and every smiters with the sword, besides attendants and servants and followers, all of whom give ear to my word and obey my bidding." Asked the nurse, "Why, then, O my lord, did you conceal the secret of your rank and lineage and passedst yourself off for a foreigner and a wayfarer? Alas for our disgrace before you by reason of our shortcoming in rendering you your due! What shall be our excuse with you, and you of the sons of the kings?" But he rejoined, "By God, you have not fallen short! Indeed, 'tis incumbent on me to requite you, what while I live, though from you I be far distant." Then he called his man Amir and said to him, "Saddle the steeds." When the nurse heard his words and indeed she saw that Amir brought him the horses and they were resolved upon departure, the tears ran down upon her cheeks and she said to him, "By God, your separation is saddening to me, O coolth of the eye!"

Then she said, "Where is the goal of yours intent, so we may know your news and solace ourselves with your report?" he said, "I go hence to visit 'Akíl, the son of my paternal uncle, for that he has his sojourn in the camp of Kundah bin Hishám, and these twenty years have I not seen him nor has he seen me; so I purpose to repair to him and discover his news and return. Then will I go hence to Al-Yaman, God willing!" So saying, he took leave of the nurse and her husband and set out, intending for 'Akíl, the son of his father's brother. Now there was between Baghdad and 'Akil's abiding place forty days' journey; so Al-Abbas settled himself on the back of his steed and his servant Amir mounted also and they fared forth on their way. Presently, Al-Abbas turned right and left and recited these couplets,

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"I'm the singular knight and my peers I slay! I lay low the foe and his whole array: I fare me to visit my friend Al-Akíl, And in safety and Allah lauds shorten the way; And roll up the width of the wold while still. Hears 'Amir my word or in earnest or play. I spring with the spring of a lynx or a pard Upon whoever dars our course to stay; O'erthrow him in ruin and abject shame, Make him drain the death cup in fatal fray. My lance is long with its steely blade; A brand keen grided, thin edged I sway: With a stroke If it fell on a towering hill Of the hardest stone, this would cleave in tway: I lead no troops, nor seek aid save God's, The creating Lord (to whom laud alway!) On Whom I rely in adventures all And Who pardons lâches of freeman and thrall."

Then they fell a faring night and day, and as they went, behold, they sighted a camp of the camps of the Arabs. So Al-Abbas enquired of it and was told that it was the camp of the Banu Zohrah. Now there were around them herds and flocks, such as filled the earth, and they were enemies to Al-Akil, the cousin of Al-Abbas, upon whom they made daily raids and took his cattle, Why he used to pay them tribute every year because he lacked power to cope with them. When Al-Abbas came to the skirts of the camp, he dismounted from his destrier and his servant Amir also dismounted; and they set down the provisions and ate their sufficiency and rested an hour of the day. Then said the Prince to his page, "Fetch water from the well and give the horses to drink and draw up a supply for us in your bag, by way of provision for the road." So Amir took the water skin and made for the well; but, when he came there, behold, two young men slaves were leading gazelles, and when they saw him, they said to him, "where go you, O youth, and of which of the Arabs are you?" he said, "Harkye, lads, fill me my waterskin, for that I am a stranger astray and a farer of the way, and I have a comrade who awaits me." the thralls said, "You are no wayfarer, but a spy from Al-Akil's camp."

Then they took him and carried him to their king Zuhayr bin Shabíb; and when he came before him, he said to him, "Of which of the Arabs are you?" Amir said, "I am a wayfarer." So Zuhayr said, "from where come you and where go you?" and Amir replied, "I am on my way to Al-Akíl." When he named Al-Akil, those who were present were excited; but Zuhayr signed to them with his eyes and asked him, "What is yours errand with Al-Akíl?" and he answered, "We would glad see him, my friend and I." As soon as Zuhayr heard his words, he bade smite his neck; but his Wazir said to him, "Slay him not, till his friend be present." So he commanded the two slaves to fetch his friend; whereupon they repaired to Al-Abbas and called to him, saying, "O youth, answer the summons of King Zuhayr." He enquired, "What would the king with me?" and they replied, "We know not." he said, "Who gave the king news of me?" and they said, "We went to draw water, and found a man by the well. So we questioned him of his case, but he would not acquaint us therewith, Why we carried him willy nilly to King Zuhayr, who asked him of his adventure and he told him that he was going to Al-Akíl.

Now Al-Akíl is the king's enemy and he intends to betake himself to his camp and make prize of his offspring, and cut off his traces." Al-Abbas said, "And what has Al-Akil done with King Zuhayr?" They replied, "He engaged for himself that he would bring the King every year a thousand dinars and a thousand she camels, besides a thousand head of thoroughbred steeds and two hundred black slaves and fifty hand maids; but it has reached the king that Al-Akíl purposes to give nothing of this; Why he is minded to go to him. So hasten you with us, before the King be wroth with you and with us." Then said Al-Abbas to them, "O youths, sit by my weapons and my stallion till I return." But they said, "By God, you prolongest discourse with that which beseems not of words! Make haste, or we will go with your head, for indeed the King purposes to slay you and to slay your comrade and take that

King Ins Bin Kays and his Daughter. 165 which is with you." When the Prince heard this, his skin bristled with rage and he cried out at them with a cry which made them tremble. Then he sprang upon his horse and settling himself in the saddle, galloped till he came to the King's assembly, when he shouted at the top of his voice, saying, "To horse, O horsemen!" And couched his spear at the pavilion in which was Zuhayr. Now there were about the King a thousand smiters with the sword; but Al-Abbas charged home upon them and dispersed them from around him; and there abode none in the tent save Zuhayr and his Wazir. Then Al-Abbas came up to the door of the tent in which were four and twenty golden doves; so he took them, after he had tumbled them down with the end of his lance. Then he called out saying, "Ho, Zuhayr! Does it not suffice you that you have abated Al-Akil's repute, but you are minded to abate that of those who sojourn round about him? Know you not that he is of the lieutenants of Kundah bin Hisham of the Banu Shayban, a man renowned for prowess? Indeed, greed of his gain has entered into you and envy of him has gotten the mastery of you. Does it not suffice you that you have orphaned his children and slain his men? By the virtue of Mustafa, the Chosen Prophet, I will make you drain the cup of death!"

So saying, he bared his brand and smiting Zuhayr on his shoulder blade caused the steel issue gleaming from his throat tendons; then he smote the Wazir and clove his crown asunder. As he was thus, behold, Amir called out to him and said, "O my lord, come help me, or I be a dead man!" So Al-Abbas went up to him guided by his voice, and found him cast down on his back and chained with four chains to four pickets of iron. He loosed his bonds and said to him, "Go in front of me, O Amir." So he fared on before him a little, and presently they looked, and, behold, horsemen were making to Zuhayr's succour, and they numbered twelve thousand riders led by Sahl bin Ka'ab bestriding a coal black steed. He charged upon Amir, who fled from him, then upon Al-Abbas, who said, "O Amir, hold fast to my horse and guard my back." The page did as he bade him, whereupon Al-Abbas cried out at the folk and falling upon them, overthrew their braves and slew of them some two thousand riders, whilst not one of them knew what was to do nor with whom he fought.

Then said one of them to other, "truly, the King is slain; so with whom do we wage war? Indeed you flee from him; but 'twere better you enter under his banners, or not one of you will be saved." Thereupon all dismounted and doffing that which was upon them of war gear, came before Al-Abbas and proffered him allegiance and sued for his protection. So he withheld his brand from them and bade them gather together the spoils. Then he took the riches and the slaves and the camels, and they all became his subjects and his retainers, to the number (according to that which is reported) of fifty thousand horses. Furthermore, the folk heard of him and flocked to him from all sides; whereupon he divided the loot amongst them and gave largesse and dwelt thus three days, and there came gifts to him. After this he bade march for Al-Akil's abiding place; so they fared on six days and on the seventh they sighted the camp. Al-Abbas bade his man Amir precede him and give Al-Akil the good news of his cousin's coming; so he rode on to the camp and, going in to Al-Akil, acquainted him with the glad tidings of Zuhayr's slaughter and the conquest of his clan. Al-Akil rejoiced in the coming of Al-Abbas and the slaughter of his enemy and all in his camp rejoiced also and cast robes of honour upon Amir; while Al-Akil bade go forth to meet Al-Abbas, and commanded that none, great or small, freeman or slave, should tarry behind.

So they did his bidding and going forth all, met Al-Abbas at three parasangs' distance from the camp; and when they met him, they dismounted from their horses and Al-Akil and he embraced and clapped palm to palm. Then rejoicing in the coming of Al-Abbas and the killing of their foeman, they returned to the camp, where tents were pitched for the new comers and skin rugs spread and game slain and beasts slaughtered and royal guest meals spread; and in this way they abode twenty days in the enjoyment of all delight of life. in this way fared it with Al-Abbas and his cousin Al-Akil; but as regards King Al-Aziz, when his son left him, he was desolated for him with exceeding desolation, both he and his mother; and when tidings of him tarried long and the tryst time passed without his returning, the king caused public proclamation

King Ins Bin Kays and his Daughter. 167 to be made, commanding all his troops to get ready to mount and ride forth in quest of his son Al-Abbas, at the end of three days, after which no cause of hindrance or excuse would be admitted to any. So on the fourth day, the king bade muster the troops who numbered four and twenty thousand horse, besides servants and followers. Accordingly, they reared the standards and the kettle drums beat the general and the king set out with his power intending for Baghdad; nor did he cease to press forward with all diligence, till he came within half a day's journey of the city, when he bade his army encamp on the Green Meadow. There they pitched the tents, till the lowland was straitened with them, and set up for the king a pavilion of green brocade, purfled with pearls and precious stones. When Al-Aziz had sat awhile, he summoned the Mamelukes of his son Al-Abbas, and they were five and twenty in number besides ten slave girls, as they were moons, five of whom the king had brought with him and other five he had left with the prince's mother.

When the Mamelukes came before him, he cast over each and every of them a mantle of green brocade and bade them mount similar horses of one and the same fashion and enter Baghdad and ask after their lord Al-Abbas. So they rode into the city and passed through the market streets and there remained in Baghdad nor old man nor boy but came forth to gaze on them and divert himself with the sight of their beauty and loveliness and the seemliness of their semblance and the goodliness of their garments and horses, for all were even as moons. They gave not over going till they came to the palace, where they halted, and the king looked at them and seeing their beauty and the brilliancy of their apparel and the brightness of their faces said, "Would Heaven I knew of which of the tribes these are!" And he bade the Eunuch bring him news of them. The castrato went out to them and questioned them of their case, whereto they replied, "Return to your lord and enquire of him concerning Prince Al-Abbas, If he have come unto him, for that he left his sire King Al-Aziz a full told year ago, and indeed longing for him troubls the King and he has levied a division of his army and his guards and is come forth in quest of his son, so Perhaps he may light upon tidings of him." the Eunuch said, "Is there amongst you a brother of his or a son?" and they said, "Nay, By God, but we are all his Mamelukes and the purchased of his money, and his sire Al-Aziz has sent us to make enquiry of him. Do you go to your lord and question him of the Prince and return to us with that which he shall answer you."

Asked the Eunuch, "And where is King Al-Aziz?" and they answered, "He is encamped in the Green Meadow.'' The Eunuch returned and told the king, who said, "Indeed we have been unduly negligent with regard to Al-Abbas. What shall be our excuse with the King? By God, my soul suggested to me that the youth was of the sons of the kings!" His wife, the Lady Afifah, saw him lamenting for his neglect of Al-Abbas, and said to him, "O King, what is it you regrettest with this mighty regret?" he said, "You know the stranger youth, who gifted us with the rubies?" she said, "Assuredly;" and he, "that youths, who have halted in the palace court, are his Mamelukes, and his father, King Al-Aziz, lord of Al-Yaman, has pitched his camp on the Green Meadow; for he is come with his army to seek him, and the number of his troops is four and twenty thousand horsemen." Then he went out from her, and when she heard his words, she wept sore for him and had compassion on his case and sent after him, counselling him to summon the Mamelukes and lodge them in the palace and entertain them. The king hearkened to her advice and despatching the Eunuch for the Mamelukes, assigned unto them a lodging and said to them, "Have patience, till the King give you tidings of your lord Al-Abbas."

When they heard his words, their eyes ran over with a rush of tears, of their mighty longing for the sight of their lord. Then the King bade the Queen enter the private chamber opening upon the throne room and let down the curtain before the door, so she might see and not be seen. She did this and he summoned them to his presence; and, when they stood before him, they kissed ground to do him honour, and showed forth their courtly breeding and magnified his dignity. He ordered them to sit, but they refused, till he conjured them by their lord Al-Abbas: accordingly they sat down and he bade set before them food of various kinds and fruits and sweetmeats. Now within the Lady Afifah's palace was a souterrain communicating with the pavilion of the Princess Mariyah: so the Queen sent after her

King Ins Bin Kays and his Daughter. 169 and she came to her, whereupon she made her stand behind the curtain and gave her to know that Al-Abbas was son to the King of Al-Yaman and that these were his Mamelukes: she also told her that the Prince's father had levied his troops and was come with his army in quest of him and that he had pitched his camp on the Green Meadow and had despatched these Mamelukes to make enquiry of their lord. Then Mariyah abode looking upon them and upon their beauty and loveliness and the goodliness of their raiment, till they had eaten their fill of food and the tables were removed; whereupon the King recounted to them the story of Al-Abbas and they took leave of him and went their ways. So fortuned it with the Mamelukes; but as for the Princess Mariyah, when she returned to her palace, she bethought herself concerning the affair of Al-Abbas, repenting her of what she had done; and the love of him took root in her heart. And, when the night darkened upon her, she dismissed all her women and bringing out the letters, to wit, those which Al-Abbas had written her, fell to reading them and weeping. She did not leave weeping her night long, and when she arose in the morning, she called a damsel of her slave girls, Shafíkah by name, and said to her, "O damsel, I purpose to discover to you my affair and I charge you keep my secret, which is that you betake yourself to the house of the nurse, who used to serve me, and fetch her to me, for that I have grave need of her."

Accordingly, Shafikah went out and repairing to the nurse's house, entered and found her clad in clothing other and richer than what she had whilome been wont to wear. So she saluted her and he asked, "from where had you this dress, than which there is no goodlier?" Answered the nurse, "O Shafikah, you think that I have seen no good save of your mistress; but, By God, had I endeavoured for her destruction, I had acted righteously, seeing that she did with me what she did and bade the Eunuch beat me, without offence by me offered: so tell her that he, on whose behalf I bestirred myself with her, has made me independent of her and her humours, for he has habited me in this habit and given me two hundred and fifty dinars and promised me the like every year and charged me to serve none of the folk." Shafikah said, "My mistress has a need for you; so come you with me and I will engage to restore you to your dwelling in safety and satisfaction." But the nurse said, "Indeed her palace is become unlawful and forbidden to me and never again will I enter within it, for that Allah (extolled and exalted be He!) of His favour and bounty has rendered me independent of her."

Presently, Shafikah returned to her mistress and acquainted her with the nurse's words and that in which she was of prosperity; whereupon Mariyah confessed her unmannerly dealing with her and repented when repentance profited her not; and she abode in that her case days and nights, whilst the fire of longing flamed in her heart. in this way happened it to her; but as regards Al-Abbas, he tarried with his cousin Al-Akil twenty days, after which he made ready for the journey to Baghdad and bidding bring the booty he had taken from King Zuhayr, divided it between himself and his cousin. Then he sent out a marching Baghdad wards and when he came within two days' journey of the city, he summoned his servant Amir and said to him, "Mount your charger and forego me with the caravan and the cattle." So Amir took horse and fared on till he came to Baghdad, and the season of his entering was the first of the day; nor was there in the city little child or old greybeard but came forth to divert himself with gazing on those flocks and herds and upon the beauty of those slave girls; and their wits were wildered at what they saw. Soon afterwards the news reached the king that the young man Al-Abbas, who had gone forth from him, was come back with booty and rarities and black slaves and a conquering host and had taken up his sojourn without the city, whilst his servant Amir was presently come to Baghdad, so he might get ready for his lord dwelling places in which he should take up his abode.

When the King heard these tidings of Amir, he sent for him and caused bring him before him; and when he entered his presence, he kissed the ground and saluted with the salam and showed his fine breeding and greeted him with the goodliest of greetings. The King bade him raise his head and, this done, questioned him of his lord Al-Abbas; whereupon he acquainted him with his adventures and told him that which had happened him with King Zuhayr and of the army that was become at his command and of the spoil he had secured. He also gave him to know that Al-Abbas was to arrive on the morrow, and with him more than fifty thousand cavaliers, obedient to his orders. When the king heard his words, he bade decorate Baghdad

King Ins Bin Kays and his Daughter. 171 and commanded the citizens to equip themselves with the richest of their apparel, in honour of the coming of Al-Abbas. Furthermore, he sent to give King Al-Aziz the glad tidings of his son's return and informed him of all which he had heard from the Prince's servant. When the news reached King Al-Aziz, he joyed with exceeding joy in the approach of his son and At once took horse, he and all his host, while the trumpets blared and the musicians played, so that the earth quaked and Baghdad also trembled, and it was a notable day. When Mariyah beheld all this, she repented in all possible penitence of that which she had done against Al-Abbas and the fires of desire raged in her vitals. Meanwhile, the troops sallied forth of Baghdad and went out to meet those of Al-Abbas, who had halted in a garth called the Green Island. When he espied the approaching host, he strained his sight and, seeing horsemen coming and troops and footmen he knew not, said to those about him, "Among that troops are flags and banners of various kinds; but, as for the great green standard that you see, 'tis the standard of my sire, the which is reserved to him and never displayed save over his head, and thus I know that he himself is come out in quest of me."

And he was certified of this, he and his troops. So he fared on towards them and when he drew near them, he knew them and they knew him; whereupon they lighted down from their horses and saluting him, gave him joy of his safety and the folk flocked to him. When he came to his father, they embraced and each greeted other a long time, whilst neither of them could utter a word, for the greatness of that which happened them of joy in reunion. Then Al-Abbas bade the folk take horse; so they mounted and his Mamelukes surrounded him and they entered Baghdad on the most splendid wise and in the highest honour and glory. Now the wife of the shopkeeper, that is, the nurse, came out, with the rest of those who flocked forth, to divert herself with gazing upon the show, and when she saw Al-Abbas and beheld his beauty and the beauty of his host and that which he had brought back with him of herds and slave girls, Mamelukes and negroes, she improvised and recited these couplets,

"Al-Abbás from the side of Akil is come; Caravans and steeds he has plundered:

Yea; horses he brought of pure blood, whose necks Ring with collars like anklets wher'er they are led, With domed hoofs they pour torrent like, As they prance through dust on the level stead: And bestriding their saddles come men of war, Whose fingers play on the kettle drum's head: And couched are their lances that bear the points Keen grided, which fill every soul with dread: Who wí' them would fence draws down his death For one deadly lunge soon shall do him dead: Charge, comrades, charge you and give me joy, Saying, 'Welcome to you, O our dear comrade!' And who joys at his meeting shall 'joy delight Of large gifts when he from his steed shall 'light."

When the troops entered Baghdad, each of them alighted in his tent, whilst Al-Abbas encamped apart on a place near the Tigris and issued orders to slaughter for the soldiers, each day, that which should suffice them of oxen and sheep and to bake them bread and spread the tables: so the folk did not stop to come to him and eat of his banquet. Furthermore, all the country people flocked to him with presents and rarities and he requited them many times the like of their gifts, so that the lands were filled with his renown and the fame of him was bruited abroad among the habitants of wold and town. Then, as soon as he rode to the house he had bought, the shopkeeper and his wife came to him and gave him joy of his safety; whereupon he ordered them three head of swift steeds and thoroughbred and ten dromedaries and an hundred head of sheep and clad them both in costly robes of honour. Presently, he chose out ten slave girls and ten negro slaves and fifty mares and the like number of she camels and three hundred of sheep, together with twenty ounces of musk and as many of camphor, and sent all this to the King of Baghdad. When the present came to Ins bin Kays, his wit fled for joy and he was perplexed wherewith to requite him. Al-Abbas also gave gifts and largesse and bestowed robes of honour upon noble and simple, each after the measure of his degree, save only Mariyah; for to her indeed he sent nothing. This was grievous to the Princess and it irked her sore that he should not remember her; so she called her slave girl Shafikah and said to her, "Hie you to Al-Abbas and salute him and say to him, 'What hinders you from sending my lady Mariyah her part of your booty?' " So Shafikah betook herself to him and when she came to his door, the chamberlains refused her admission, until they should have got for her leave

King Ins Bin Kays and his Daughter. 173 and permission. When she entered, Al-Abbas knew her and knew that she had something of speech with him; so he dismissed his Mamelukes and he asked, "What is yours errand, O hand maid of good?" Answered she, "O my lord, I am a slave girl of the Princess Mariyah, who kisses your hands and offers her salutation to you. Indeed, she rejoics in your safety and blams you for that you break her heart, alone of all the folk, because your largesse embracs great and small, yet have you not remembered her with anything of your plunder, as if you had hardened your heart against her." he said, "Extolled be He who turns hearts! By God, my vitals were consumed with the love of her; and, of my longing after her I came forth to her from my mother land and left my people and my home and my wealth, and it was with her that began the hard heartedness and the cruelty. nevertheless, for all this, I bear her no malice and there is no help but that I send her somewhat by which she may remember me; for that I sojourn in her country but a few days, after which I set out for the land of Al-Yaman."

Then he called for a chest and thence bringing out a necklace of Greek workmanship, worth a thousand dinars, wrapped it in a mantle of Greek silk, set with pearls and gems and purfled with red gold, and joined thereto a couple of caskets containing musk and ambergris. He also put off upon the girl a mantle of Greek silk, striped with gold, in which were divers figures and portraitures depictured, never saw eyes its like. Therewithal the girl's wit fled for joy and she went forth from his presence and returned to her mistress. When she came in to her, she acquainted her with that which she had seen of Al-Abbas and that which was with him of servants and attendants and set out to her the loftiness of his station and gave her that which was with her. Mariyah opened the mantle, and when she saw that necklace (and indeed the place was illumined with the lustre of it), she looked at her slave girl and said to her, "By God, O Shafikah, one look at him were dearer to me than all that my hand possesses! Oh, would Heaven I knew what I shall do, when Baghdad is empty of him and I hear of him no news!" Then she wept and calling for ink case and paper and pen of brass, wrote these couplets:

Longsome my sorrows are; my liver's fired with ecstasy; And severance shaft has shot me through from where sorest pangs I dree: And however could my soul forget the love I bear to you? You wards my will Of necessity returns nor passion sets me free:

I 'prison all desires I feel for fear of spies thereon Yet tears that streak my cheek betray for every eye to see. No place of rest or joy I find to bring me life delight; No wine tastes well, nor viands please however savoury: Ah me! to whom shall I complain of case and seek its cure Save unto you whose Phantom deigns to show me sight of you? Then name me not or chide for anything I did in passion stress, With vitals gone and frame consumed by yearning malady! Secret I keep the fire of love which aye for severance burns; Sworn slave to Love who robs my rest and wakes me cruelly: And ceases not my thought to gaze upon your ghost by night, Which falsing comes and he I love still, still unlovs me. Would Heaven you wist the blight that I for you are doomed to bear For love of you, which tortures me with parting agony! Then read between the lines I wrote, and mark and learn their sense For such my tale, and Destiny made me an outcast be: Learn eke the circumstance of Love and lover's woe nor deign Divulge its mysteries to men nor grudge its secrecy.

Then she folded the scroll and giving it to her slave girl, bade her bear it to Al-Abbas and bring back his reply. So Shafikah took the letter and carried it to the Prince, after the doorkeeper had sought leave of him to admit her. When she came in to him, she found with him five damsels, as they were moons, clad in rich raiment and ornaments; and when he saw her, he said to her, "What is your need, O hand maid of good?" Presently, she put out her hand to him with the writ, after she had kissed it, and he bade one of his slave girls receive it from her. Then he took it from the girl and breaking the seal, read it and comprehended its contents; whereupon he cried, "truly, we be Allah's and unto Him we shall return!" And calling for ink case and paper, wrote these improvised couplets:

I wonder seeing how your love to me Inclined, while I in heart from love declined: Eke were you wont to say in verseful writ, "Son of the Road no road to me shall find! How oft kings flocked to me with mighty men And bales on back of Bukhti beast they bind: And noble steeds of purest blood and all They bore of choicest boons to me consigned;

King Ins Bin Kays and his Daughter. 175

Yet won no favour!" Then came I to woo And the long tale o' love I had designed, I glad set forth in writ of mine, with words Like strings of pearls in goodly line aligned: — Set forth my sev'rance, griefs, tyrannic wrongs, And ill device ill suiting lover kind. How oft love claimant, craving secrecy, How oft have lovers 'plained as sore they pined, How many a brimming bitter cup I've quaffed, And wept my woes when speech was vain as wind! And you: — "Be patient, 'tis your bestest course And choicest medicine for mortal mind!" Then unto patience worthy praise cleave you; Easy of issue and be gladly resigned: Nor hope you anything of me lest ill alloy Or anything of dross affect my blood refined: Such is my speech. Read, mark, and learn my say! To what you think never I'll tread the way.

Then he folded the scroll and sealing it, entrusted it to the damsel, who took it and bore it to her mistress. When the Princess read the letter and mastered its meaning, she said, "It seems to me he recalls bygones to me." Then she called for pens, ink, and paper, and wrote these couplets:

Love you did show me till I learnt its woe Then to the growth of grief did severance show: I banisht joys of slumber after you And even my pillow garred my wake to grow. How long in parting shall I pine with pain While severance spies through night watch every throe? I've left my kingly couch and self withdrew from it, and taught my eyelids sleep t'unknow: 'Twas you did teach me what I never can bear: Then did you waste my frame with parting blow. By oath I swear you, blame and chide me not: Be kind to mourner Love has stricken low! For parting rigours drive him nearer still To narrow home, before clad in shroud for clo': Have ruth on me, since Love laid waste my frame, 'Mid thralls enrolled me and lit fires that flame.

Mariyah rolled up the letter and gave it to Shafikah, bidding her bear it to Al-Abbas. Accordingly she took it and going with it to his door, proceeded to enter; but the chamberlains and serving men forbade her, till they had obtained her leave from the Prince. When she went into him, she found him sitting in the midst of the five damsels before mentioned, whom his father had brought for him; so she gave him the letter and he tare it open and read it. Then he bade one of the damsels, whose name was Khafífah and who came from the land of China, tune her lute and sing anent separation. Thereupon she came forward and tuning her lute, played thereon in four and twenty modes: after which she returned to the first and sang these couplets,

"Our friends, when leaving us on parting day, Drave us in wolds of severance grief to stray: When bound the camels' litters bearing them, And cries of drivers urged them on the way, Outrusht my tears, despair gat hold of me And sleep betrayed my eyes to wake a prey. The day they went I wept, but showed no ruth The severance spy and flared the flames alwáy: Alas for lowe o' Love that fires me still! Alack for pine that melts my heart away! To whom shall I complain of care, when you Art gone, nor glad a pillow head I lay? And day by day Love's ardours grow on me, And far's the tent that holds my fondest may: O Breeze o' Heaven, bear for me a charge (Nor traitor like my troth in love betray!), Whene'er you breathest over the loved one's land Greet him with choice salam fro' me, I pray: Dust him with musk and powdered ambergris While time endures! Such is my wish for aye."

When the damsel had made an end of her song, Al-Abbas swooned away and they sprinkled on him musked rose water, till he recovered from his fainting fit, when he called another damsel (now there was on her of linen and raiment and ornaments that which undos description, and she was a model of beauty and brightness and loveliness and symmetry and perfect grace, such as shamed the crescent moon, and she was a Turkish girl from the land of the Roum and her name was Háfizah) and said to her, "O Hafizah, close yours eyes and tune your lute and sing to us upon the days of severance." She answered him, "I hear and I obey" and taking the lute, tightened its strings and cried out from her head, in a plaintive voice, and sang these couplets,

King Ins Bin Kays and his Daughter. 177

"My friends! tears flow in painful mockery, And sick my heart from parting agony: My frame is wasted and my vitals wrung And love fires grow and eyes set tear floods free: And when the fire burns high beneath my ribs With tears I quench it as sad day I see. Love left me wasted, baffled, pain begone, Sore frighted, butt to spying enemy: When I recal sweet union wi' their loves I chase dear sleep from the sick frame o' me. Long as our parting lasts the rival joys And spies with fearful prudence gain their grace, I fear me for my sickly, langourous frame Lest dread of parting slay me incont'nently."

When Hafizah had ended her song, Al-Abbas cried to her, "Brava! Truly, you quickenest hearts from griefs." Then he called another maiden of the daughters of Daylam by name Marjánah, and said to her, "O Marjanah, sing to me upon the days of parting." She said, "Hearing and obeying," and recited these couplets,

" 'Cleave to fair Patience! Patience 'genders weal': Such is the counsel to us all sages deal: How oft I plained the lowe of grief and love Mid passions cast my soul in sore unheal. How oft I waked and drained the bitter cup And watched the stars, nor sleep my eyes would seal! Enough it were an deal you grace to me In writ a morn and garred no hope to feel. But Thoughts which probed its depths would sear my heart And start from eye brows streams that ever steal: Nor cease I suffering baleful doom and nights Wakeful, and heart by sorrows rent piece meal: But Allah purged my soul from love of you When all knew secrets cared I not reveal. I march to morrow from your country and Perhaps you'll speed me nor fear anything unweal; And, when in person you be far from us, Would heaven we knew who shall your news reveal. Who kens if home will ever us two contain In dearest life with union nothing can stain!"

When Marjanah had made an end of her song, the Prince said to her, "Brava, O damsel! Indeed, you say a thing which had occurred to my mind and my tongue was near to speaking it." Then he signed to the fourth damsel, who was a Cairene, by name Sitt al-Husn, and bade her tune her lute and sing to him upon the same theme. So the Lady of Beauty tuned her lute and sang these couplets,

"Patience is blest for weal comes after woe And all things stated time and ordinance show; Haps the Sultan, bight Fortune, prove unjust Shifting the times, and man excuse shall know: Bitter ensus sweet in law of change And after crookedness things straightest grow. Then guard yours honour, nor to any save The noble knowledge of the hid bestow: These be vicissitudes the Lord commands Poor men endure, the sinner and the low."

When Al-Abbas heard her make an end of her verses, they pleased him and he said to her, "Brava, O Sitt al-Husn! Indeed, you have done away with anxiety from my heart and have banished the things which had occurred to my thought." Then he sighed and signing to the fifth damsel, who was from the land of the Persians and whose name was Marzíyah (now she was the fairest of them all and the sweetest of speech and she was like unto a lustrous star, a model of beauty and loveliness and perfection and brightness and justness of shape and symmetric grace and had a face like the new moon and eyes as they were gazelle's eyes) and said to her, "O Marzíyah, come forward and tune your lute and sing to us on the same theme, for indeed we are resolved upon faring to the land of Al-Yaman." Now this maiden had met many of the monarchs and had foregathered with the great; so she tuned her lute and sang these couplets,

"Friend of my heart why leave you lone and desolate these eyne? Fair union of our lots never failed this sitting stead of mine! And ah! who dwellest singly in the heart and sprite of me, (Be I your ransom!) desolate for loss of friend I pine! By God! O you richest form in charms and loveliness, Give alms to lover who can show of patience not a sign! Alms of what past between us tway (which never will I divulge) Of privacy between us tway that man shall never divine: Grant me approval of my lord by which t' o'erwhelm the foe And let my straitness pass away and doubtful thoughts malign: Approof of you (an gained the meed) for me high rank shall gain And show me robed in richest weed to eyes of envy glad."

When she had ended her song, all who were in the assembly wept for the daintiness of her delivery and the sweetness of her speech and Al-Abbas

King Ins Bin Kays and his Daughter. 179 said to her, "Brava, O Marzíyah! Indeed, you bewilderest the wits with the beauty of your verse and the polish of your speech." All this while Shafikah abode gazing about her, and when she beheld the slave girls of Al-Abbas and considered the charms of their clothing and the subtlety of their senses and the delicacy of their delivery her reason flew from her head. Then she sought leave of Al-Abbas and returning to her mistress Mariyah, sans letter or reply, acquainted her with what she had espied of the damsels and described to her the condition in which he was of honour and delight, majesty, venerance and loftiness of rank. Lastly, she enlarged upon what she had seen of the slave girls and their case and that which they had said and how they had incited Al-Abbas anent returning to his own country by the recitation of songs to the sound of the strings. When the Princess heard this her slave girl's report, she wept and wailed and was like to leave the world. Then she took to her pillow and said, "O Shafikah, I will inform you of a something which is not hidden from Allah the Most High, and 'tis that you watch over me till the Almighty decree the accomplishment of His destiny, and when my days are ended, take you the necklace and the mantle with which Al-Abbas gifted me and return them to him. I deem not he will survive me, and if the Lord of All might determine against him and his days come to an end, do you give one charge to shroud us and entomb us both in one tomb."

Then her case changed and her colour grew wan; and when Shafikah saw her mistress in this plight, she repaired to her mother and told her that the lady Mariyah refused meat and drink. Asked the Queen, "Since when has this befallen her?" and Shafikah answered, "Since yesterday's date;" at which the mother was confounded and betaking herself to her daughter, that she might inquire into her case, lo and behold! found her as one dying. So she sat down at her head and Mariyah opened her eyes and seeing her mother sitting by her, sat up for shame before her. The Queen questioned her of her case and she said, "I entered the Hammam and it stupefied me and prostrated me and left in my head an exceeding pain; but I trust in Allah Almighty that it will cease." When her mother went out from her, Mariyah took to chiding the damsel for that which she had done and said to her, "truly, death were dearer to me than this; so discover you not my affair to any and I charge you return not to the like of this fashion." Then she fainted and lay swooning for a whole hour, and when she came to herself, she saw Shafikah weeping over her; whereupon she pluckt the necklace from her neck and the mantle from her body and said to the damsel, "Lay them in a damask napkin and bear them to Al-Abbas and acquaint him with that in which I am for the stress of severance and the strain of forbiddance."

So Shafikah took them and carried them to Al-Abbas, whom she found in readiness to depart, being about to take horse for Al-Yaman. She went in to him and gave him the napkin and that which was within it, and when he opened it and saw what it contained, namely, the mantle and the necklace, his chagrin was excessive and his eyes turned in his head and his rage shot out of them. When Shafikah saw that which happened him, she came forward and said to him, "O bountiful lord, truly my mistress returns not the mantle and the necklace for despite; but she is about to quit the world and you have the best right to them." he asked, "And what is the cause of this?" and Shafikah answered, "You know. By God, never among the Arabs nor the Ajams nor among the sons of the kings saw I a harder of heart than you! Can it be a slight matter to you that you troublest Mariyah's life and causest her to mourn for herself and quit the world for the sake of your youth? You were the cause of her acquaintance with you and now she departs this life on yours account, she whose like Allah Almighty has not created among the daughters of the kings."

When Al-Abbas heard from the damsel these words, his heart burned for Mariyah and her case was not light to him, so he said to Shafikah, "Can you bring me in company with her; so Perhaps I may discover her concern and allay whatever ails her?" She said, "Yes, I can do that, and yours will be the bounty and the favour." So he arose and followed her, and she preceded him, till they came to the palace. Then she opened and locked behind them four and twenty doors and made them fast with padlocks; and when he came to Mariyah, he found her as she were the downing sun, strown upon

King Ins Bin Kays and his Daughter. 181 a Tiff rug of perfumed leather, surrounded by cushions stuffed with ostrich down, and not a limb of her quivered. When her maid saw her in this state, she offered to cry out; but Al-Abbas said to her, "Do it not, but have patience till we discover her affair; and if Allah (be He extolled and exalted!) have decreed her death, wait till you have opened the doors to me and I have gone forth. Then do what seems good to you." So saying, he went up to the Princess and laying his hand upon her bosom, found her heart fluttering like a doveling and the life yet hanging to her breast So he placed his hand on her cheek, at which she opened her eyes and beckoning to her maid, said to her by signs, "Who is this that treads my carpet and transgresses against me?" "O my lady," cried Shafikah, "this is Prince Al-Abbas, for whose sake you forsake the world." When Mariyah heard speak of Al-Abbas, she raised her hand from under the coverlet and laying it upon his neck, inhaled awhile his scent. Then she sat up and her complexion returned to her and they abode talking till a third part of the night was past. Presently, the Princess turned to her handmaid and bade her fetch them something of food, sweetmeats, and fruits, fresh and dry.

So Shafikah brought what she desired and they ate and drank and abode in this way without lewdness, till night went and light came. Then said Al-Abbas, "Indeed, the morn breaks. Shall I hie to my sire and bid him go to your father and seek you of him in wedlock for me, in accordance with the book of Allah Almighty and the practice of His Apostle (whom may He save and assain!) so we may not enter into transgression?" And Mariyah answered, saying, "By God, 'tis well counselled of you!" So he went away to his lodging and nothing befell between them; and when the day lightened, she recited these couplets,

"O friends, morn breeze with Morn draws on amain: A Voice bespeaks us, gladding us with 'plain. Up to the convent where our friend we'll sight And wine more subtile than the dust we'll drain;

on which our friend spent all the coin he owned And made the nursling in his cloak contain; And, when we oped the jar, light opalline Struck down the singers in its search waylain. From all sides flocking came the convent monks Crying at top o' voices, 'Welcome glad!' And we carousing sat, and cups went round, Till rose the Venus star over Eastern plain. No shame in drinking wine, which means good cheer And love and promise of prophetic strain! Ho you, the Morn, our union sundering, These joyous hours to fine you do constrain. Show grace to us until our pleasures end, And latest drop of joy fro' friends we gain: You have affection candid and sincere And Love and Joy are best of Faiths for men."

Such was the case with Mariyah; but as regards Al-Abbas, he betook himself to his father's camp, which was pitched on the Green Meadow, by the Tigris side, and none might thread his way between the tents, for the dense network of the tent ropes. When the Prince reached the first of the pavilions, the guards and servants came out to meet him from all sides and walked in his service till he drew near the sitting place of his sire, who knew of his approach. So he issued forth his marquee and coming to meet his son, kissed him and made much of him. Then they returned together to the royal pavilion and when they had seated themselves within it and the guards had taken up their station in attendance on them, the King said to Al-Abbas, "O my son, get ready yours affair, so we may go to our own land, for that the subjects in our absence are become as they were sheep lacking shepherd." Al-Abbas looked at his father and wept till he fainted, and when he recovered from his fit, he improvised and recited these couplets,

"I embraced him, and straight I waxt drunk wi' the smell Of a fresh young branch wont in wealth to dwell. Yea, drunken, but not by the wine; nay, 'twas By draughts from his lips that like wine cups well: For Beauty wrote on his cheek's fair page 'Oh, his charms! take refuge fro' danger fell!"

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My eyes, be easy, since him you saw; Nor mote nor blearness with you shall mell: In him Beauty shows fro' first to fine And binds on hearts bonds unfrangible: If you kohl yourself with his cheek of light You'll find but jasper and or in stelle: The chiders came to reproach me when For him longing and pining my heart befell: But I fear not, I end not, I turn me not From his life, let tell tale his tale even tell: By God, forgetting never crossed my thought While by life tie bound, or when ends my spell: If I live I will live in his love, If I die Of love and longing, I'll cry, "Tis well!' "

Now when Al-Abbas had ended his verses, his father said to him, "I seek refuge for you with Allah, O my son! Have you any want you are powerless to win, so I may endeavour for you within it and lavish my treasures in its quest." Cried Al-Abbas, "O my papa, I have, indeed, an urgent need, on whose account I came forth of my motherland and left my people and my home and affronted perils and horrors and became an exile, and I trust in Allah that it may be accomplished by your magnanimous endeavour." the King, said, 'And what is your want?" and Al-Abbas said, "I would have you go and ask for me to wife Mariyah, daughter of the King of Baghdad, for that my heart is distracted with love of her." Then he recounted to his father his adventure from beginning to end. When the King heard this from his son, he rose to his feet and calling for his charger of parade, took horse with four and twenty Emirs of the chief officers of his empire. Then he betook himself to the palace of the King of Baghdad who, when he saw him coming, bade his chamberlains open the doors to them and going down himself to meet them, received him with all honour and hospitality and carried him and his into the palace; then causing make ready for them carpets and cushions, sat down upon his golden throne and seated the guest by his side upon a chair of gold, framed in juniper wood set with pearls and jewels. Presently, he bade bring sweetmeats and confections and scents and commanded to slaughter four and twenty head of sheep and the like of oxen and make ready geese and chickens and pigeons stuffed and boiled, and spread the tables; nor was it long before the meats were served up in vessels of gold and silver.

So they ate their sufficiency and when they had eaten their fill, the tables were removed and the wine service set on and the cups and flagons ranged in ranks, whilst the Mamelukes and the fair slave girls sat down, with zones of gold about their waists, studded with all manner pearls, diamonds, emeralds, rubies and other jewels. Moreover, the king bade fetch the musicians; so there presented themselves before him twenty damsels with lutes and psalteries and viols, and smote upon instruments of music playing and performing on such wise that they moved the assembly to delight. Then said Al-Aziz to the King of Baghdad, "I would glad speak a word to you; but do you not exclude from us those who are present. If you consent unto my wish yours is ours and on you shall be whatever is on us; and we will be to you a mighty forearm against all unfriends and foes." Ins bin Kays said, "Say what you will, O King, for indeed you excellest in speech and in whatever you say do hit the mark." So Al-Aziz said to him, "I desire that you marry your daughter Mariyah to my son Al-Abbas, for you know what he has of beauty and loveliness, brightness and perfect grace and his frequentation of the valiant and his constancy in the stead of cut and thrust."

Said Ins bin Kays, "By God, O King, of my love for Mariyah, I have appointed her mistress of her own hand; accordingly, whomsoever she chooses of the folk, to him will I wed her." Then he arose to his feet and going in to his daughter, found her mother with her; so he set out to them the case and Mariyah said, "O my papa, my wish follows your word and my will ensus your will; so whatever you chooses, I am obedient to you and under your dominion." Therewith the King knew that Mariyah inclined to Al-Abbas; he therefore returned directly to King Al-Aziz and said to him, "May Allah amend the King! Truly, the wish is won and there is no opposition to that you commandest." Al-Aziz said, "By God's leave are wishes won. How think you, O King, of fetching Al-Abbas

King Ins Bin Kays and his Daughter. 185 and documenting the marriage contract between Mariyah and him?" and Ins bin Kays said, "Yours be the counsel." So Al-Aziz sent after his son and acquainted him with that which had passed; whereupon Al-Abbas called for four and twenty mules and ten horses and as many camels and loaded the mules with fathom long pieces of silk and rugs of leather and boxes of camphor and musk and the camels and horses with chests of gold and silver. Eke, he took the richest of the stuffs and wrapping them in wrappers of gold purfled silk, laid them on the heads of porters, and they fared on with the treasures till they reached the King of Baghdad's palace, whereupon all who were present dismounted in honour of Al-Abbas and escorting him in a body to the presence of Ins bin Kays, displayed to the King all that they had with them of things of price. The King bade carry all this into the store rooms of the Harim and sent for the Kazis and the witnesses, who wrote out the contract and married Mariyah to Al-Abbas, whereupon the Prince commanded slaughter one thousand head of sheep and five hundred buffaloes.

So they spread the bride feast and bade thereto all the tribes of the Arabs, men of tents and men of towns, and the banquet continued for the space of ten days. Then Al-Abbas went into Mariyah in a commendable and auspicious hour and lay with her and found her a pearl unthridden and a goodly filly no rider had ridden; Why he rejoiced and was glad and made merry, and care and sorrow ceased from him and his life was pleasant and trouble departed and he did not stop abiding with her in most joyful case and in the most easeful of life, till seven days were past, when King Al-Aziz resolved to set out and return to his realm and bade his son seek leave of his father in law to depart with his wife to his own country. So Al-Abbas spoke of this to King Ins, who granted him the permission he sought; whereupon he chose out, a red camel, taller and more valuable than the rest of the camels, and loading it with apparel and ornaments, mounted Mariyah in a litter thereon. Then they spread the ensigns and the standards, whilst kettle drums beat and the trumpets blared, and set out upon the homewards way.

The King of Baghdad rode forth with them and companied them three days' journey on their route, after which he farewelled them and returned with his troops to Baghdad. As for King Al-Aziz and his son, they fared on night and day and gave not over going till there remained but three days' journey between them and Al-Yaman, when they despatched three men of the couriers to the Prince's mother to report that they were bringing with them Mariyah, the King's daughter of Baghdad, and returning safe and laden with spoil. When the Queen mother heard this, her wit took wings for joy and she adorned the slave girls of Al-Abbas after the finest fashion. Now he had ten hand maids, as they were moons, whereof his father had carried five with him to Baghdad, as has erst been set forth, and the remaining five abode with his mother. When the dromedary posts came, they were certified of the approach of Al-Abbas, and when the sun easted and their flags were seen flaunting, the Prince's mother came out to meet her son; nor on that day was there great or small, boy or greybeard, but went forth to greet the king.

Then the kettle drums of glad tidings beat and they entered in the utmost of pomp and the extreme of magnificence; so that the tribes and the towns people heard of them and brought them the richest of gifts and the rarest of presents and the Prince's mother rejoiced with joy exceeding. They butchered beasts and spread mighty bride feasts for the people and kindled fires, that it might be visible afar to townsman and tribesman that this was the house

King Ins Bin Kays and his Daughter. 187 of hospitality and the stead of the wedding festival, to the intent that, if any passed them by, it should be of his own sin against himself. So the folk came to them from all districts and quarters and in this way they abode days and months. Presently, the Prince's mother bade fetch the five slave girls to that assembly; whereupon they came and the ten damsels met. The queen seated five of them on her son's right hand and the other five on his left and the folk gathered about them. Then she bade the five who had remained with her speak forth something of poesy, so they might entertain therewith the seance and that Al-Abbas might rejoice at that. Now she had clad them in the costliest of clothes and adorned them with trinkets and ornaments and moulded work of gold and silver and collars of gold, wrought with pearls and gems. So they paced forward, with harps and lutes and zithers and recorders and other instruments of music before them, and one of them, a damsel who came from the land of China and whose name was Bá'úthah, advanced and screwed up the strings of her lute. Then she cried out from the top of her head and recited these couplets,

"Indeed your land returned, when you returned, To whilom light which overgrew its gloom: Green grew the land that was afore dust brown. And fruits that failed again showed riping bloom: And clouds rained treasures after rain had lacked, And plenty poured from earth's re opening womb. Then ceased the woes, my lords, that garred us weep, With tears like dragons' blood, our severance doom, Whose length, By God, made me yearn and pine, Would Heaven, O lady mine, I were your groom!"

When she had ended her song, all who were present were delighted and Al-Abbas rejoiced in this. Then he bade the second damsel sing somewhat on the same theme. So she came forward and tightening the strings of her harp, which was of balass ruby, raised her voice in a plaintive air and improvised these couplets,

"Brought the Courier glad news of our absentees, To please us through those who had wrought us unease:

Cried I, 'My life ransom you, messenger man, You have kept your faith and your boons are these.' An the nightlets of union in you we joyed When fared you nothing would our grief appease; You sware that folk would to folk be true, And you kept your oaths as good faith decrees. To you made I oath true lover am I Heaven guard me when sworn from all perjuries: I fared to meet you and loud I cried, 'Aha, fair welcome when come you please!' And I joyed to meet you and when you came, Deckt all the dwelling with tapestries, And death in your absence to us was dressed, But your presence brings us life and light."

When she had made an end of her verse, Al-Abbas bade the third damsel (who came from Samarkand of Ajam land and whose name was Rummánah) sing, and she answered, "I hear and I obey." Then she took the zither and crying out from the midst of her head, recited and sang these couplets,

"My watering mouth declares your myrtle cheek my food to be And cull my lips your side face rose, who lily art to me! And twixt the dune and down there shows the fairest flower that blooms Whose fruitage is granado's fruit with all granado's blee. Forget my lids of eyne their sleep for magic eyes of him; nothing since he fared but drowsy charms and languorous air I see. He shot me down with shaft of glance from bow of eyebrow sped: What Chamberlain betwixt his eyes garred all my pleasure flee?

King Ins Bin Kays and his Daughter. 189

Perhaps shall heart of me seduce his heart by weakness' force even as his own seductive grace garred me love ailment dree. For an by him forgotten be our pact and covenant I have a King who never will forget my memory. His sides bemock the bending charms of waving Tamarisk, And in his beauty pride he walks as drunk with coquetry: His feet and legs be feather light whene'er he deigns to run And say, did any ride the wind except 'twere Solomon?"

Therewith Al-Abbas smiled and her verses pleased him. Then he bade the fourth damsel come forward and sing (now she was from the Sundown land and her name was Balakhshá); so she came forward and taking the lute and the zither, tuned the strings and smote them in many modes; then she returned to the first and improvising, sang these couplets,

"When to the seance all for pleasure went Your lamping eyes illumined its every side; While playing round us over the wine full bowl Those necklace pearls old wine with pleasure plied, Till wits the wisest drunken by her grace Betrayed for joyance secrets sages hide; And, seen the cup, we bade it circle round While sun and moon spread radiance side and wide. We raised for lover veil of love Of necessity And came glad tidings which new joys applied: Loud sang the camel guide; won was our wish Nor was the secret by the spy espied: And, when my days were blest by union bliss And to all parting Time was aid denied, Each 'bode with other, clear of meddling spy Nor feared we hate of foe or neighbour pride. The sky was bright, friends came and severance fared And Love in union rained boons multiplied: Saying, 'Fulfil fair union, all are gone Rivals and fears lest shaming foe deride:'

Friends now conjoined are: wrong passed away And meeting cup goes round and joys abide: On you be Allah's Peace with every boon Till end the dooming years and time and tide."

When Balakhshá had ended her verse, all present were moved to delight and Al-Abbas said to her, "Brava, O damsel!" Then he bade the fifth damsel come forward and sing (now she was from the land of Syria and her name was Rayhánah; she was passing of voice and when she appeared in an assembly, all eyes were fixed upon her), so she came forward and taking the viol (for she was used to play upon all instruments) recited and sang these couplets,

"Your me wards coming I hail to sight; Your look is a joy driving woe from sprite: With you love is blest, pure and white of soul; Life's sweet and my planet grows green and bright: By God, you wards my pine never ceased And your like is rare and right worthy bight. Ask my eyes an ever since the day you went They tasted sleep, looked on lover people: My heart by the parting day was broke And my wasted body betrays my plight: Could my blamers see in what grief am I, They had wept in wonder my loss, my blight! They had joined me in shedding torrential tears And like me a morn had shown thin and slight: How long for your love shall your lover bear This weight over much for the hill's strong height? By God what then for your sake was doomed To my heart, a heart by its woes turned white! An showed I the fires that aye flare in me, They had 'flamed Eastern world and earth's Western site. But after this is my love fulfilled With joy and gladness and mere delight; And the Lord who scattered has brought us back For who does good shall of good never lack."

When King Al-Aziz heard the damsel's song, both words and verses pleased him and he said to Al-Abbas, "O my son, truly long versifying has tired these damsels, and indeed they make us yearn after the houses and the homesteads with the beauty of their songs. These five have adorned our meeting with the charm of their melodies and have done well in that which they have said before those who are present; so we counsel you to free them for the love of Allah Almighty." Al-Abbas said, "There is no command but your command;" and he enfranchised the ten damsels in the assembly;

King Ins Bin Kays and his Daughter. 191 whereupon they kissed the hands of the King and his son and prostrated themselves in thanksgiving to the Lord of All might. Then they put off that which was upon them of ornaments and laying aside the lutes and other instruments of music, kept to their houses like modest women and veiled, and fared not forth. As for King Al-Aziz, he lived after this seven years and was removed to the mercy of Almighty Allah; when his son Al-Abbas bore him forth to burial as beseems kings and let make for him perlections and professional recitations of the Koran. He kept up the mourning for his father during four successive weeks, and when a full told month had elapsed he sat down on the throne of the kingship and judged and did justice and distributed silver and gold. He also loosed all who were in the jails and abolished grievances and customs dues and righted the oppressed of the oppressor; so the subjects prayed for him and loved him and invoked on him endurance of glory and continuance of kingship and length of life and eternity of prosperity and happiness. The troops submitted to him, and the hosts from all parts of the kingdom, and there came to him presents from each and every land: the kings obeyed him and many were his warriors and his grandees, and his subjects lived with him the most easeful of lives and the most delightsome. Meanwhile, he did not stop, he and his beloved, Queen Mariyah, in the most enjoyable of life and the pleasantest, and he was vouchsafed by her children; and indeed there befell friendship and affection between them and the longer their companionship was prolonged, the more their love grew, so that they became unable to endure each from other a single hour, save the time of his going forth to the Divan, when he would return to her in the liveliest that might be of longing. And in this way they abode in all solace of life and satisfaction till there came to them the Destroyer of delights and the Severer of societies. So extolled be the Eternal whose sway endurs for ever and aye, who never unheeds neither dies nor sleeps! This is all that has come down to us of their tale, and so the Peace!