I And my sisters and my mother are not natives of this city but of a capital in the land Al-Irák where my father was Sovran having troops and guards, Wazirs and Eunuch chamberlains; and my mother was the fairest woman of her time so much that her beauty was a proverb throughout each and every region. Now it chanced that when I and my sisters were but infants, our father would set out to hunt and course and slay beasts of raven and take his pleasure in the gardens without the city. So he sent for his Wazir and appointed and constituted him Viceregent in his stead with full authority to command and be gracious to his subjects: then he got him ready and marched forth and the Viceroy entered upon his office. But it happened that it was the hot season and my mother betook herself to the terrace roof of the palace in order to smell the air and sniff up the breeze. At that very hour, by the decree of the Decreer, the Wazir was sitting in the Kiosk or roofed balcony hanging to his upper mansion and holding in hand a mirror; and, as he looked within it, he saw the reflection of my mother, a glance of eyes which bequeathed him a thousand sighs. He was directly distracted by her beauty

The Three Sisters and Their Mother. 85 and loveliness and fell sick and took to his pillow. Presently, a confidential nurse came in and feeling his pulse, which showed no malady, said to him, "No harm for you! You will soon be well nor ever suffer from anything of sorrow." he said, "O my nurse, can you keep a secret?" and she said, "I can." Then he told her all the love he had conceived for my mother and she replied, "This be a light affair nor has it anything of hindrance: I will manage for you such matter and I will soon unite you with her." Thereupon he packed up for her some of the most sumptuous dresses in his treasury and said, "Hie you to her and say, 'The Wazir has sent these to you by way of love token and his desire is either that you come to him and converse, he and you, for a couple of hours, or that he be allowed to visit you.'" The nurse replied with "I hear and I obey," and fared forth and found my mother (and we little ones were before her) all unknowing anything of that business. So the old woman saluted her and brought forwards the dresses, and my mother arose and opening the bundle beheld sumptuous raiment and, amongst other valuables, a necklace of precious stones. So she said to the nurse, "This is indeed ornamental gear, especially the collar;" and said the nurse, "O my lady, these are from your slave the Wazir by way of love token, for he dots on you with extreme desire and his only wish is to forgather with you and converse, he and you, for a couple of hours, either in his own place or in yours where he will come."

Now when my mother heard these words from the nurse she arose and drew a scimitar which lay close by and of her angry hastiness made the old woman's head fall from her body and bade her slave girls pick up the pieces and cast them into the common privy of the palace. So they did her bidding and wiped away the blood. Now the Wazir abode expecting his nurse to return to him but she returned not; so next day he despatched another handmaid who went to my mother and said to her, "O my lady, our lord the Wazir sent you a present of dress by his nurse; but she has not come back to him." Hereupon my mother bade her Eunuchs take the slave and strangle her, then cast the corpse into the same house of easement where they had thrown the nurse. They did her bidding; but she said in her mind, "Perhaps the Wazir will return from the road of unright:" and she kept his conduct a secret. He however fell every day to sending slave girls with the same message and my mother to slaying each and every, nor deigned show him any signs of yielding. But she, O our lord the Sultan, still kept her secret and did not acquaint our father therewith, always saying to herself, "Perhaps the Wazir will return to the road of right." And behold my father presently came back from hunting and sporting and pleasuring, when the Lords of the land met him and salam'd to him, and amongst them appeared the Minister whose case was changed. Now some years after this,our sire resolved upon a Pilgrimage to the Holy House of Meccah—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and fell silent and ceased saying her permitted say. Then her sister Dunyazad said, "How sweet and tasteful is your tale, O sister mine, and enjoyable and delectable." She said, "And where is this compared with what I would relate to you on the coming night an the sovran suffer me to survive?"

Now when it was the next night and that was

The Three hundred and Sixty seventh Night

DUNYAZAD said to her, "in God's name, O my sister, If you be other than sleepy, finish for us your tale that we may cut short the watching of this our latter night." She replied, "With love and good will!" It has reached me,the director, the right guiding, lord of the counsel which is benefiting and of deeds fair seeming and worthy celebrating, that the youngest sister continued to the Sultan: So our sire,resolved upon a Pilgrimage to the Holy House of Meccah and stablished the same Wazir Viceregent in his stead to deal commandment and break off and carry out. So he said in his heart, "Now have I won my will of the Sultan's Harem." So the King gat him ready and fared forth to Allah's Holy House after committing us to the charge of his Minister. But when he had been gone ten days, and the Wazir knew that he must be far from the city where he had left behind him me and my sisters and my mother, behold, an Eunuch of the Minister's came in to us and kissed ground before the Queen and said to her, "in God's name, O my lady, pity my lord the Wazir, for his heart is melted by your love and his wits wander and his right mind; and he is now

The Three Sisters and Their Mother. 87 become as one annihilated. So do you have ruth upon him and revive his heart and restore his health."

Now when my mother heard these words, she bade her Eunuchs seize that Castrato and carry him from the room to the middle of the Divan court and there slay him; but she did so without divulging her reasons. They obeyed her bidding; and when the Lords of the land and others saw the body of a man slain by the eunuchry of the palace, they informed the Wazir, saying, "What hateful business is this which has befallen after the Sultan's departure?" He asked, "What is to do?" and they told him that his Castrato had been slain by a party of the palace eunuchry. Thereupon he said to them, "In your hand abides testimony of this whenas the Sultan shall return and you shall bear witness to it." But, O King, the Wazir's passion for our mother grew cool after the deaths of the nurse and the slave girls and the eunuch; and she also held her peace and spoke not a word there anent. in this way time passed and he sat in the stead of my sire till the Sultan's return drew near when the Minister dreaded lest our father, learning his ill deeds, should do him die.

So he devised a device and wrote a letter to the King saying, "After salutation be it known to you that your Harem has sent to me, not only once but five several times during yours absence, soliciting of me a foul action, to which I refused consent and replied, By God, however much she may wish to betray my Sovran, I by the Almighty will not turn traitor; for that I was left by you guardian of the realm after your departure." He added words upon words; then he sealed the scroll and gave it to a running courier with orders to hurry along the road. The messenger took it and fared with it to the Sultan's camp when distant eight days' journey from the capital; and, finding him seated in his pavilion, delivered the writ. He took it and opened it and read it and when he understood its secret significance, his face changed, his eyes turned backwards and he bade his tents be struck for departure. So they fared by forced marches till between him and his capital remained only two stations. He then summoned two Chamberlains with orders to forego him to the city and take my mother and us three girls a day's distance from it and there put us to death. Accordingly, they led us four to the open country purposing to kill us, and my mother knew not what intent was in their minds until they reached the appointed spot.

Now the Queen had in times past heaped alms deeds and largesse upon the two Chamberlains, so they held the case to be a grievous and said each to other, "By God we cannot slaughter them; no, never!" Then they told my mother of the letter which the Wazir had written to our father saying such and such, upon which she exclaimed, "He has lied, By God, the arch traitor; and nothing happened save so and so." Then she related to them all she had done with the exactest truth. The men said, "truth you have spoken;" then arising without delay they snared a gazelle and slaughtered it and filled with its blood four flasks; after which they broiled some of the flesh over the embers and gave it to my mother that we might satisfy our hunger. Presently, they farewelled us saying, "We give you in charge of Him who never disappointed those committed to His care;" and, lastly, they went their ways leaving us alone in the wild and the wold. So we fell to eating the desert grasses and drinking of the remnants of the rain, and we walked awhile and rested awhile without finding any city or inhabited region; and we grew tired,when suddenly we came upon a spot on a hill flank abounding in vari coloured herbs and fair fountains. Here we abode ten days and behold, a caravan drew near us and encamped close by us, but they did not sight us for that we hid ourselves from their view until night fell.

Then I went to them and asked of sundry eunuchs and ascertained that there was a city at the distance of two days' march from us; so I returned and informed my mother who rejoiced at the good tidings. As soon as it was morn the caravan marched off, so we four arose and walked all that day through at a leisurely pace, and a second day and so forth; until, on the afternoon of the fifth, a city rose before our sight fulfilling all our desires and we exclaimed, "praise be to God, laud be to the Lord who has empowered us to reach it." We did not stop faring till sunset when we entered it and we found it a potent capital. Such was our case and that of our mother; but as regards our sire the Sultan, as he drew near his home after the return journey from the Hajj, the Lords of the land and the Chiefs of the city flocked out to meet him, and the town folk followed

The Three Sisters and Their Mother. 89 one another like men riding on pillions to salute him, and the poor and the mesquin congratulated him on his safety and at last the Wazir made his appearance. The Sultan desired to be private with the Minister Then her sister Dunyazad said, "How sweet is your story, O sister mine, and how enjoyable and delectable!" She said, "And where is this compared with what I would relate to you on the coming night if the Sovran permits me to survive?"

Now when it was the next night and that was

The Three hundred and Sixty eighth Night

DUNYAZAD said to her, "in God's name, O my sister, If you be other than sleepy, finish for us your tale that we may cut short the watching of this our latter night!" She replied, "With love and good will!" It has reached me,the director, the right guiding, lord of the counsel which is benefiting and of deeds fair seeming and worthy celebrating, that the King desired to be private with the Minister and when they were left alone he said, "O Wazir, how was it between you and that Harim of mine?" Said the other, ", she sent to me not only once but five several times and I refrained from her and whatever eunuch she despatched I slew, saying, Perhaps she may cease so doing and abandon her evil intent. But she did not repent, so I feared for yours honour and sent to acquaint you with the matter." The Sultan bowed his head groundwards for a while, then raising it he bade summon the two Chamberlains whom he had sent to slay his wife and three children. On their appearing he asked them, "What have you done in fulfilling my commandment?" They answered, "We did that which you bade be done," and showed him the four flasks they had filled with the blood and said, "This be their blood, a flask full from each." The Sultan seized them in hand and mused over what had taken place between him and his wife of love and affection and union; so he wept with bitter weeping and fell down in a fainting fit. After an hour or so he recovered and turning to the Wazir said, "Tell me, have you spoken truth?" and the other replied,

"Yes, I have." Then the Sultan addressed the two Chamberlains and asked them, "Have you put to death my daughters with their mother?" But they remained silent nor made anything of answer or address. So he exclaimed, "What is on your minds that you speak not?" They rejoined, "By God,the honest man cannot tell an untruth for that lying and leasing are the characteristics of hypocrites and traitors." When the Wazir heard the Chamberlains' speech his colour yellowed, his frame was disordered and a trembling seized his limbs, and the King turned to him and noted that these symptoms had been caused by the words of the two officials. So he continued to them, "What mean you, O Chamberlains, by your saying that lies and leasing are the characteristics of hypocrites and traitors? Can it be that you have not put them to death? And as you claim to be true men either you have killed them and you speak thus or you are liars. Now by Him who has set me upon the necks of His subjects, if you declare not to me the truth I will do you both die by the foulest of deaths." They rejoined, "By God,whenas you bade us take them and slay them, we obeyed your bidding and they knew not nor could they divine what was to be until we arrived with them at the middlemost and broadest of the desert; and when we informed them of what had been done by the Wazir, your Harem exclaimed, 'There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great. truly we are Allah's and unto Him are we returning. But an you kill us you will kill us wrongfully and you know not wherefor. By the Lord, this Wazir has foully lied and has accused us falsely before the Almighty.'

So we said to her,'Inform us of what really took place,' and said the mother of the Princesses, 'Thus and thus it happened.' Then she fell to telling us the whole tale from beginning to end of the nurse who was sent to her and the handmaids and the Eunuch." Hereupon the Sultan cried, "And you, have you slain them or not?" and the Chamberlains replied, "By God,whenas the loyalty of your Harem was made manifest to us we snared a gazelle and cut its throat and filled these four flasks with its blood; after which we broiled some of the flesh upon the embers and offered it to your Harem and her children saying to them, 'We give you in charge to Him who never disappoints those committed to His care,' and we added, 'Your truth shall save you.'

The Three Sisters and Their Mother. 91

Lastly we left them in the midmost of the waste and we returned here." When the Sultan heard these words he turned to the Wazir and exclaimed, "You have estranged from me my wife and my children;" but the Minister uttered not a word nor made any address and trembled in every limb like one afflicted with an ague. And when the King saw the truth of the Chamberlains and the treachery of the Minister he bade fuel be collected and set on fire and they did his bidding. Then he commanded them to truss up the Wazir, hand tied to foot, and bind him Of necessity upon a catapult and cast him into the middle of the fiery pyre which made his bones melt before his flesh. Lastly he ordered his palace to be pillaged, his good to be spoiled and the women of his Harem to be sold for slaves. After this he said to the Chamberlains, "You must know the spot in which you left the Queen and Princesses;" and they said, ", we know it well; but when we abandoned them and returned home they were in the midst of the wolds and the wilds nor can we say what befell them or whether they be now alive or dead." in this way fared it with them; but as regards us three maidens and our mother, when we entered the city—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and fell silent and ceased saying her permitted say. Then her sister Dunyazad said, "How sweet and tasteful is your tale, O sister mine, and enjoyable and delectable?" She said, "And where is this compared with what I would relate to you on the coming night if the Sovran permits me to survive?"

Now when it was the next night and that was

The Three hundred and Sixty ninth Night

DUNYAZAD said to her, "in God's name, O my sister, If you be other than sleepy, finish for us your tale that we may cut short the watching of this our latter night!" She replied, "With love and good will!" It has reached me,the director, the right guiding, lord of the counsel which is benefiting and of deeds fair seeming and worthy celebrating, that the youngest sister he continuedr tale: So when we three maidens and our mother entered the city about sunset I the youngest said to them, "We be three Princesses and a Queen mother: so we cannot show ourselves in this our condition and needs must we lodge us in a Khan: also 'tis my advice that we should do best by donning boys' dress." All agreeing hereto we did accordingly and, entering a Caravanserai, hired us a retired chamber in one of the wings. Now every day we three fared forth to service and at eventide we forgathered and took what sufficed us of sustenance; but our semblance had changed with the travails of travel and all who looked at us would say, These be lads. In this plight we passed the space of a year full told till, one day of the days, we three fared forth to our chares, as was our wont, and behold, a young man met us upon the way and turning to me asked, "O lad, will you serve in my house?"

I said, "O my uncle, I must ask advice," and he said, "O my lad, crave counsel of your mother and come and serve in our home." He then looked at my sisters and enquired, "Be these your comrades, O lad?" and I replied, "No, they are my brothers." So we three went to our mother in the Khan and said to her, "This young man wishes to hire the youngest of us for service," and she said, "No harm in that." Thereupon the youth arose and taking me by the hand guided me to his home and led me in to his mother and his wife, and when the ancient dame saw me, her heart was opened to me. Presently, the young man to his parent said, "I have brought the lad to serve in our house and he has two brothers and his mother dwelling with them. "she said, "May it be fortunate to you, O my son. " So I tarried there serving them till sunset and when the evening meal was eaten, they gave me a dish of meat and three large bannocks of clean bread. These I took and carried to my mother whom I found sitting with my sisters and I set before them the meat and bread; but when my parent saw this she wept with sore weeping and cried, "Time has overlooked us; erst we gave food to the folk and now the folk send us food." And cried I, "Marvel not at the works of the Creator; for truly Allah has ordered for us this and for others that and the world endurs not

The Three Sisters and Their Mother. 93 for any one;" and I did not stop soothing my mother's heart till it grew clear of trouble and we ate and praised Almighty Allah. Now every day I went forth to serve at the young man's house and at eventide bore to my mother and sisters their sufficiency of food for supper, breakfast and dinner; and when the youth brought eatables of any kind for me I would distribute it to the family. And he looked well after our wants and at times he would supply clothing for me and for the youths, my sisters, and for my parent; so that all hearts in our lodgings were full of affection for him. At last his mother said, "What need is there for the lad to go forth from us every eventide and pass the night with his people? Let him lie in our home and every day about afternoon time carry the evening meal to his mother and brothers and then return to us and keep me company." I replied, "O my lady, let me consult my mother, to whom I will fare directly and acquaint her herewith." But my parent objected saying, "O my daughter, we fear lest you be discovered, and they find you out to be a girl."

I replied, "Our Lord will veil our secret;" and she rejoined, "Then do you obey them." So I lay with the young man's mother nor did any divine that I was a maid, albeit from the time when I entered into that youth's service my strength and comeliness had increased. At last, one night of the nights, I went after supper to sleep at my employer's and the young man's mother chanced to glance in my direction when she saw my loosed hair which gleamed and glistened many coloured as a peacock's robe. Next morning I arose and gathering up my locks donned the Tákiyah and proceeded, as usual, to do service about the house never suspecting that the mother had taken notice of my hair. Presently, she said to her son, " 'Tis my wish that you buy me a few rose blossoms which be fresh." He asked, "To make conserve?" and she answered, "No." Then he enquired; "Why want you roses?" and she replied, "By God, O my son, I wish therewith to try this our servant whom I suspect to be a girl and no boy; and under him in bed I would strew rose leaves, for If they be found wilted in the morning he is a lad, and if they remain as they were he is a lass."

So he fared forth and presently returned to his mother with the rose blossoms; and, when the sleeping hour came, she went and placed them in my bed. I slept well and in the morning when I arose she came to me and found that the petals had not changed for the worse; nay, they had gained lustre. So she made sure that I was a girl. Then her sister Dunyazad said, "How sweet is your story, O sister mine, and how enjoyable and delectable!" She said, "And where is this compared with what I would relate to you on the coming night if the Sovran permits me to survive?"

Now when it was the next night and that was

The Three hundred and Seventies Night

DUNYAZAD said to her, "in God's name, O my sister, If you be other than sleepy, finish for us your tale that we may cut short the watching of this our latter night!" She replied, "With love and good will!" It has reached me,the director, the right guiding, lord of the counsel which is benefiting and of deeds fair seeming and worthy celebrating, that the damsel continued: So the young man's mother made certain that her servant lad was a virgin lass. But she concealed her secret from her son and was kind to me and showed me respect and, of the goodness of her heart, sent me back early to my mother and sisters. Now one day of the days the youth came home about noon as was his wont; and he found me with sleeves tucked up to the elbows engaged in washing a bundle of shirts and turbands; and I was careless of myself so he drew near me and noted my cheeks that flushed rosy red and eyes which were as those of the thirsty gazelle and my scorpion locks hanging adown my side face. This took place in summertide; and when he saw me thus his wits were distraught and his sound senses were as nothing and his judgment was in default: so he went in to his parent and said to her, "O my mother, indeed this servant is no boy, but a maiden girl and my wish is that you discover for me her case and make manifest to me her condition and marry me to her, for that my heart is fulfilled of her love."

The Three Sisters and Their Mother. 95

Now by the decree of the Decreer I was privily listening to all they said of me; so presently I arose, after washing the clothes and what else they had given me; but my state was changed by their talk and I knew and felt certified that the youth and his mother had recognised me for a girl. I continued in this way till eventide when I took the food and returned to my family and they all ate till they had eaten enough, when I told them my adventure and my conviction. So my mother said to me, "What remains for us now to do?" and i said, "O my mother, let us arise, we three, before night shall set in and go forth before they lock the Khan upon us; and if the door keeper ask us anything let us answer, 'We are faring to spend the night in the house of the youth where our son is serving.'" My mother replied, "Right indeed is your advice." Accordingly, all four of us went forth at the same time and when the porter asked, "This is night tide and where may you be going?" we answered, "We have been invited by the young man whom our son serves for he makes a Septena festival and a bridal feast: so we purpose to night with him and return a morn." he said, "There is no harm in that."

So we issued out and turned aside and sought the waste lands, the Veiler veiling us, and we did not stop walking till the day brake and we were sore a wearied. Then we sat for rest till the rise of sun and when it shone we four sprang up and strave with our journey throughout the first day and the second and the third until the seventh. (Now all this was related to Mohammed the Sultan of Cairo and his Wazir by the youngest Princess and they abode wondering at her words.) On the seventh day we reached this city and here we housed ourselves; but to this hour we have no news of our sire after the Minister was burnt nor do we know If he be whole or dead. Yet we yearn for him: so do you, of yours abundant favour,and your perfect beneficence, send a messenger to seek tidings of him and to acquaint him with our case, when he will send to fetch us. Here she ceased speaking and the Monarch and Minister both wondered at her words and exclaimed, "Exalted be He who decres to His servants severance and reunion." Then the Sultan of Cairo arose without delay and wrote letters to the King of Al-Irák, the father of the damsels, telling him that he had taken them under his safeguard, them and their mother, and gave the writ to the Shaykh of the Cossids and appointed for it a running courier and sent him forth with it to the desert.

After this the King took the three maidens and their mother and carried them to his Palace where he set apart for them an apartment and he appointed for them what sufficed of appointments. Now, as for the Cossid who fared forth with the letter, he did not stop spanning the waste for the space of two months until he made the city of the bereaved King of Al-Irák, and when he asked for the royal whereabouts they pointed out to him a pleasure garden. So he repaired there and went in to him, kissed ground before him, offered his services, prayed for him and lastly handed to him the letter. The King took it and brake the seal and opened the scroll; but when he read it and comprehended its contents, he rose up and shrieked a loud shriek and fell to the floor in a fainting fit. So the high officials flocked around him and raised him from the ground, and when he recovered after an hour or so they questioned him concerning the cause of this. He then related to them the adventures of his wife and children; how they were still in the bonds of life whole and hearty; and directly he ordered a ship to be got ready for them and stored within it gifts and presents for him who had been the guardian of his Queen and her daughters.

But he knew not what lurked for them in the future. So the ship sailed away, all on board seeking the desired city, and she reached it without delay, the winds blowing light and fair. Then she fired the cannon of safe arrival and the Sultan sent forth to enquire concerning her,—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and fell silent and ceased saying her permitted say. Then her sister Dunyazad said, "How sweet and tasteful is your tale, O sister mine, and enjoyable and delectable!" She said, "And where is this compared with what I would relate to you on the coming night if the Sovran permits me to survive?"

Now when it was the next night and that was

The Three Sisters and Their Mother. 97

The Three hundred and Seventy first Night

DUNYAZAD said to her, "in God's name, O my sister, If you be other than sleepy, finish for us your tale that we may cut short the watching of this our latter night!" She replied, "With love and good will!" It has reached me,the director, the right guiding, lord of the counsel which is benefiting and of deeds fair seeming and worthy celebrating, that the Sultan made enquiries concerning that ship, when behold! the Rais came forth from her to the land and accosting the King handed to him the letter and acquainted him with the arrival of the gifts and presents. Whereupon he bade all on board her come ashore and be received in the guest house for a space of three days until the traces of travel should disappear from them. After that time the Sultan gat ready whatever became his high degree of offerings evening those despatched to him by the father of the damsels and stowed them in the vessel, where he also embarked as much of victual and provisions as might suffice for all the voyagers. On the fourth day after sunset the damsels and their mother were borne on board and likewise went the master after they had taken leave of the King and had salam'd to him and prayed for his preservation.

Now in early morning the breeze blew free and fair so they loosed sail and made for the back of the sea and voyaged safely for the first day and the second. But on the third about mid afternoon a furious gale came out against them; by which the sails were torn to tatters and the masts fell overboard; so the crew made certain of death, and the ship did not stop to be tossed upwards and to settle down without mast or sail till midnight, all the folk lamenting one to other, as did the maidens and their mother, till the wreck was driven upon an island and there went to pieces. Then he whose life term was short died directly and he whose life term was long survived; and some bestrode planks and others butts and others again bulks of timber by which all were separated each from other. Now the mother and two of the daughters clomb upon planks they chanced find and sought their safety; but the youngest of the maidens, who had mounted a keg, and who knew nothing of her mother and sisters, was carried up and cast down by the waves for the space of five days till she landed upon an extensive sea board where she found a sufficiency to eat and drink. She sat down upon the shore for an hour of time until she had taken rest and her heart was calmed and her fear had flown and she had recovered her spirits: then she rose and paced the sands, all unknowing where she should go, and whenever she came upon anything of herbs she would eat of them. This lasted through the first day and the second till the forenoon of the third, when lo and behold! a Knight advanced towards her, falcon on fist and followed by a greyhound. For three days he had been wandering about the waste questing game either of birds or of beasts, but he happened not upon either when he chanced to meet the maiden, and seeing her said in his mind, "By God, that damsel is my quarry this very day."

So he drew near her and salam'd to her and she returned his salute; whereupon he asked of her condition and she informed him of what had happened her; and his heart was softened towards her and taking her up on his horse's crupper he turned him homewards. Now of this youngest sister (Said Shahrazad) there is much to say, and we will say it when the tale shall require the telling. But as regards the second Princess, she did not stop floating on the plank for the space of eight days, until she was borne by the set of the sea close under the walls of a city; but she was like one drunken with wine when she crawled up the shore and her raiment was in rags and her colour had wanned for excess of affright. However, she walked onwards at a slow pace till she reached the city and came upon a house of low stone walls. So she went in and there finding an ancient dame sitting and spinning yarn, she gave her good evening and the other returned it adding, "Who are you, O my daughter, and from where come you?" She answered, "O my aunt, I'm fallen from the skies and have been met by the earth: you need not question me of anything, for my heart is clean molten by the fire of grief. If you take me in for love and kindness 'tis well and if not I will again fare forth on my wanderings."

When the old woman heard these words she compassioned the maiden and her heart felt tender towards her, and she cried, "Welcome to you, O my daughter, sit you down!" Accordingly she sat her down beside her hostess and the two fell to spinning yarn by which to gain their daily bread: and the old dame rejoiced in her and said, "She shall take the place of my daughter." Now of this second Princess (Said Shahrazad) there is much to say

The Three Sisters and Their Mother. 99 and we will say it when the tale shall require the telling. But as regards the eldest sister, she did not stop clinging to the plank and floating over the sea till the sixth day passed, and on the seventh she was cast upon a stead where lay gardens distant from the town six miles. So she walked into them and seeing fruit close clustering she took of it and ate and donned the cast off dress of a man she found nearhand. Then she kept on faring till she entered the town and here she fell to wandering about the Bazars till she came to the shop of a Kunáfah maker who was cooking his vermicelli; and he, seeing a fair youth in man's habit, said to her, "O younker, will you be my servant!" "O my uncle," she said, "I will well;" so he settled her wage each day a quarter farthing, not including her diet. Now in that town were some fifteen shops in which Kunafah was made. She abode with the confectioner the first day and the second and the third to the full number of ten, when the traces of travel left her and fear departed from her heart, and her favour and complexion were changed for the better and she became even as the moon, nor could any guess that the lad was a lass.

Now it was the practice of that man to buy every day half a quartern of flour and use it for making his vermicelli; but when the so seeming youth came to him he would lay in each morning three quarterns; and the townsfolk heard of this change and fell to saying, "We will never dine without the Kunafah of the confectioner who has in his house the youth." This is what befell the eldest Princess of whom (Said Shahrazad) there is much to say and we will say it when the tale shall require the telling. But as regards the Queen mother, Then her sister Dunyazad said, "How sweet is your story, O sister mine, and how enjoyable and delectable!" She said, "And where is this compared with what I would relate to you on the coming night if the Sovran permits me to survive?"

Now when it was the next night and that was

The Three hundred and Seventy second Night

DUNYAZAD said to her, "in God's name, O my sister, If you be other than sleepy, finish for us your tale that we may cut short the watching of this our latter night!" She replied, "With love and good will!" It has reached me,the director, the right guiding, lord of the counsel which is benefiting and of deeds fair seeming and worthy celebrating, that as regards the mother of the maidens, when the ship broke up under them and she bestrode the bulk of timber, she came upon the Rais in his boat manned by three of the men; so he took her on board and they did not stop paddling for a space of three days when they sighted a lofty island which fulfilled their desire, and its summit towered high in air. So they made for it till they drew near it and landed on a low side shore where they abandoned their boat; and they did not stop walking through the rest of that day and those that followed till one day of the days behold, a dust cloud suddenly appeared to them spireing up to the skies. They fared for it and after a while it lifted, showing beneath it a host with swords glancing and lance heads' gleams lancing and war steeds dancing and prancing, and these were ridden by men like unto eagles and the host was under the hands of a Sultan around whom ensigns and banners were flying.

And when this King saw the Rais and the sailors and the woman following, he wheeled his charger themwards to learn what tidings they brought and rode up to the strangers and questioned them; and the castaways informed them that their ship had broken up under them. Now the cause of this host's taking the field was that the King of Al-Irak, the father of the three maidens, after he appointed the ship and saw her set out, felt uneasy at heart, presaging evil, and feared with sore fear the shifts of Time. So he went forth, he and his high Officials and his host, and marched adown the longshore till, by decree of the Decreer, he suddenly and all unexpectedly came upon his Queen who was under charge of the ship's captain. Presently, seeing the cavalcade and its ensigns the Rais went forward and recognising the King hastened up to him and kissed his stirrup and his feet. The Sultan turned towards him and knew him; so he asked him of his state and the Rais answered by relating all that had befallen him. Thereupon the King commanded his power to alight in that place and they The Three Sisters and Their Mother. 101 did so and set up their tents and pavilions.

Then the Sultan took seat in his Shámiyánah and bade them bring his Queen and they brought her, and when eye met eye the pair greeted each other fondly and the father asked concerning her three children. She declared that she had no tidings of them after the shipwreck and she knew not whether they were dead or alive. at this the King wept with sore weeping and exclaimed, "truly we are Allah's and unto Him we are returning!" After which he gave orders to march from that place upon his capital. Accordingly they did not stop faring for a space of four days till they reached the city and he entered his citadel palace. But every time and every hour he was engrossed in pondering the affair of the three Princesses and kept saying, "Would heaven I know are they drowned or did they escape the sea; and, if they were saved, Oh, that I knew whether they were scattered or abode in company one with other and whatever else may have happened them!" And he did not stop brooding over the issue of things and kept addressing himself in speech; and neither meat was pleasant to him nor drink. Such were his case and adventure; but as regards the youngest sister whenas she was met by the Knight and seated upon the crupper of his steed, he did not stop riding with her till he reached his city and went into his citadel palace.

Now the Knight was the son of a Sultan who had lately deceased, but a usurper had seized the reins of rule in his stead and Time had proved a tyrant to the youth, who had therefore addicted himself to hunting and sporting. Now by the decree of the Decreer he had ridden forth to the chase where he met the Princess and took her up behind him, and at the end of the ride, when he returned to his mother, he was becharmed by her charms; so he gave her in charge to his parent and honoured her with the highmost possible honour and felt for her a growing fondness even as felt she for him. And when the girl had tarried with them a month full told she increased in beauty and loveliness and symmetrical stature and perfect grace; then, the heart of the youth was fulfilled with love of her and on like wise was the soul of the damsel who, in her new affection, forgot her mother and her sisters. But from the moment that maiden entered his Palace the fortunes of the young Knight amended and the world grew propitious to him nor less did the hearts of the subjects incline to him;

so they held a meeting and said, "There shall be over us no Sovran and no Sultan save the son of our late King; and he who at this present rules us has neither great wealth nor just claim to the sovereignty." Now all this benefit which accrued to the young King was by the auspicious coming of the Princess. Presently, the case was agreed upon by all the citizens of the capital that on the morning of the next day they would make him ruler and depose the usurper.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and fell silent and ceased saying her permitted say. Then her sister Dunyazad said, "How sweet and tasteful is your tale, O sister mine, and enjoyable and delectable!" She said, "And where is this compared with what I would relate to you on the coming night if the Sovran permits me to survive?"

Now when it was the next night and that was

The Three hundred and Seventy third Night

Dunyazad said to her, "In God's name, O my sister, If you be other than sleepy, finish for us your tale that we may cut short the watching of this our latter night!" She replied, "With love and good will!" It has reached me,the director, the right guiding, lord of the counsel which is benefiting and of deeds fair seeming and worthy celebrating, that the citizens in early morning held a meeting at which were present the Lords of the land and the high Officials, and they went in to the usurping Sultan determined to remove and depose him. But he refused and forswore consent, saying, "By God, such thing may not be except after battle and slaughter." Accordingly they fared forth and acquainted the young King who held the matter grievous and was overridden by cark and care: however he said to them, "If there must Of necessity be fighting and killing, I have treasures sufficient to levy a host." So saying he went away and disappeared; but presently he brought them the moneys which they distributed to the troops. Then they repaired to the Maydán, the field of fight outside the city, and on like guise the usurping Sultan rode out with all his power. And when the two opposing hosts were ranged in their forces, each right ready for the fray, the usurper and his men charged home upon the young King and either side engaged in fierce combat and sore slaughter befell. But the usurper had the better of the battle and purposed to seize the young King amidst his many

The Three Sisters and Their Mother. 103 when, lo and behold! appeared a Knight backing a coal black mare; and he was armed cap a pie in a coat of mail, and he carried a spear and a mace. With these he bore down upon the usurper and shore off his right forearm so that he fell from his destrier, and the Knight seeing this struck him a second stroke with the sword and parted head from body. When his army saw the usurper fall, all sought safety in flight and sauve qui peut; but the army of the young King came up with them and caused the scimitar to fall upon them so that were saved of them only those to whom length of life was foreordained. Hereupon the victors lost no time in gathering the spoils and the horses together; but the young King stood gazing at the Knight and considering his prowess; yet he failed to recognise him and after an hour or so the stranger disappeared leaving the conqueror sorely chafed and vexed for that he knew him not and had failed to forgather with him. After this the young King returned from the battle field with his band playing behind him and he entered the seat of his power, and was raised by the subjects to the station of his sire. Those who had escaped the slaughter dispersed in all directions and sought safety in flight and the partizans who had enthroned the young King thronged around him and gave him joy as also did the general of the city, whose rejoicings were increased by that.

Now the coming of the aforesaid Knight was a wondrous matter. When the rightful King made ready for battle the Princess feared for his life and, being skilled in the practice of every weapon, she escaped the notice of the Queen dowager and after donning her war garb and battle gear she went forth to the stable and saddled her a mare and mounted her and pushed in between the two armies. And as soon as she saw the usurper charge down upon the young King as one determined to shed his life's blood, she forestalled him and attacked him and tore out the life from between his ribs. Then she returned to her apartment nor did any know of the deed she had done. Presently, when it was eventide the young King entered the Palace after securing his succession to royalty; but he was still chafed and vexed for that he knew not the Knight. His mother met him and gave him joy of his safety and his accession to the Sultanate, whereto he made reply, "Ah! O my mother, my length of days was from the hand of a horseman who suddenly appearing joined us in our hardest stress and aided me in my straitest need and saved me from Death." she said, "O my son, have you recognised him?" and he said, " 'Twas my best desire to discover him and to stablish him as my Wazir, but this I failed to do."

Now when the Princess heard these words she laughed and rejoiced and still laughing said, "To whoever will make you acquainted with him what will you give?" and he said, "Do you know him?" So she replied, "I know him not" and he rejoined, "Then what is the meaning of these your words?" when she answered him in these prosaic rhymes:

"O my lord, may I prove your sacrifice Nor exult at your sorrows yours enemies! Could unease and disease by others be borne The slave should bear load on his lord that lies: I'll carry whatever makes you complain And be my body the first that dies.

When he heard these words he again asked, "Do you know him?" and she answered, "He? truly we know him not;" and repeated the saying to him a second time: as well he by no means understood her. So she said, "How can you administer the Sultanate and yet fail to comprehend my simple words? For indeed I have made the case clear to you." Hereupon he fathomed the secret of the saying and flew to her in his joy and clasped her to his bosom and kissed her upon the cheeks. But his mother turned to him and said, "O my son, do not in this way, for everything has its time and season;"

Then her sister Dunyazad said, "How sweet is your story, O sister mine, and how enjoyable and delectable!" She said, "And where is this compared with what I would relate to you on the coming night if the Sovran permits me to survive?"

Now when it was the next night and that was

The Three hundred and Seventy fourth Night

Dunyazad said to her, "In God's name, O my sister, If you be other than sleepy, afinish for us your tale that we may cut short the watching of this

The Three Sisters and Their Mother. 105 our latter night!" She replied, "With love and good will!" It has reached me,the director, the right guiding, lord of the counsel which is benefiting and of deeds fair seeming and worthy celebrating, that the Sultan's mother said, "O my son, everything has its time and season; and whoever hurries a matter before opportunity befit shall be punished with the loss of it." But he replied, "By God, O my mother, your suspicion be misplaced: I acted thus only on my gratitude to her, for assuredly she is the Knight who came to my aidance and who saved me from death." And his mother excused him. They passed that night in converse and next day at noontide the King sought the Divan in order to issue his commandments; but when the assembly filled the room and became as a garden of bloom the Lords of the land said to him, ", 'twere not suitable that you become Sultan except you take to you a wife; and praise be to God—laud to the Lord who has set you on the necks of His servants and who has restored the realm to you as successor of your sire. There is no help but that you marry." he said, "To hear is to consent;" then he arose without delay and went in to his mother and related to her what had happened. she said, "O my son, do what becomes you and Allah prosper your affairs!"

He said to her, "O my mother, retire you with the maiden and persuade her to marriage for I want none other and I love not anything save herself," and she said, "With joy and gladness." So he went from her and she arose and was private with the damsel when she addressed her, "O my lady, the King desires to wed you and he wants none other and he seeks not anything save you." But the Princess hearing this exclaimed, "How shall I marry, I who have lost my kith and kin and my dear ones and am driven from my country and my birth place? This were a proceeding opposed to propriety! But if it need must be and I have the fortune to forgather with my mother and sisters and father, then and then only it shall take place." The mother replied, "Why this delay, O my daughter? The Lords of the land have stood up against the King in the matter of marriage, and in the absence of espousals we fear for his deposition. Now maidens be many and their relations long to see each damsel wedded to my son and become a Queen in virtue of her husband's degree: but he wants none other and loves nothing save yourself. Accordingly, If you would take compassion on him and protect him by your consent from the insistence of the Grandees, deign accept him to mate."

Nor did the Sultan's mother cease to speak soothing words to the maiden and to gentle her with soft language until her mind was made up and she gave consent. Upon this they began to prepare for the ceremony directly, and summoned the Kazi and witnesses who duly knotted the knot of wedlock and by eventide the glad tidings of the espousals were bruited abroad. The King bade spread bride feasts and banqueting tables and invited his high Officials and the Grandees of the kingdom and he went in to the maiden that very night and the rejoicings grew in gladness and all sorrows ceased to deal sadness. Then he proclaimed through the capital and all the burghs that the subjects should decorate the streets with rare tapestries and multiform in honour of the Sultanate. Accordingly, they adorned the thoroughfares in the city and its suburbs for forty days and the rejoicings increased when the King fed the widows and the Fakirs and the mesquin and scattered gold and robed and gifted and largessed till all the days of decoration were gone by. in this way the sky of his estate grew clear by the loyalty of the subjects and he gave orders to deal justice after the fashion of the older Sultans, to wit, the Chosroes and the Caesars; and this condition endured for three years, during which Almighty Allah blessed him by the Princess with two men children as they were moons. Such was the case with the youngest Princess; but as regards the cadette, the second sister,—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and fell silent and ceased saying her permitted say. Then her sister Dunyazad said, "How sweet and tasteful is your tale, O sister mine, and enjoyable and delectable!" She said, "And where is this compared with what I would relate to you on the coming night if the Sovran permits me to survive?"

Now when it was the next night and that was

The Three hundred and Seventy fifth Night

Dunyazad said to her, "In God's name, O my sister, If you be other than sleepy, finish for us your tale that we may cut short the watching of this our latter night!" She replied, "With love and good will!" It has reached me,the director, the right guiding, lord of the counsel

The Three Sisters and Their Mother. 107 which is benefiting and of deeds fair seeming and worthy celebrating, that as regards the case of the cadette, the second damsel, when she was adopted to daughter by the ancient dame she fell to spinning with her and living by the work of their hands. Now there chanced to govern that city a Báshá who had sickened with a sore sickness till he was near unto death; and the wise men and leaches had compounded for him of medicines a mighty matter which, however, availed him nothing. At last the tidings came to the ears of the Princess who lived with the old woman and she said to her, "O my mother, I desire to prepare a tasse of broth and do you bear it to the Basha and let him drink of it; Perhaps will Almighty Allah vouchsafe him a cure by which we shall gain some good." Said the other, "O my daughter, and how shall I obtain admittance and who shall set the broth before him?" The maiden replied, "O my mother, at the Gate of Allah Almighty!" And the dame rejoined, "Do you whatever you willest." So the damsel arose and cooked a tasse of broth and mingled with it sundry hot spices such as pimento and she had certain leaflets taken from the so called

Wind tree, whereof she inserted a small portion deftly mingling the ingredients. Then the old woman took it and set forth and walked till she reached the Basha's mansion where the servants and eunuchs met her and he asked of what was with her. She answered, "This is a tasse of broth which I have brought for the Basha that he drink of it as much as he may fancy; Perhaps Almighty Allah shall vouchsafe healing to him." They went in and reported that to the Basha who exclaimed, "Bring her to me here." Accordingly, they led her within and she offered to him the tasse of broth, whereupon he rose and sat upright and removed the cover from the cup which sent forth a pleasant savour: so he took it and sipped of it a spoonful and a second and a third, when his heart opened to her and he drank of it till he could no more. Now this was in the forenoon and after finishing the soup he gave the old woman a something of dinars which she took and returned therewith to the damsel rejoicing, and handed to her the gold pieces. But the Basha immediately after drinking the broth felt drowsy and he slept a restful sleep till mid afternoon and when he awoke health had returned to his frame beginning from the time he drank.

So he asked after the ancient dame and sent her word to prepare for him another tasse of broth like the first; but they told him that none knew her dwelling place. Now when the old woman returned home the maiden he asked whether the broth had pleased the Basha or not; and she said that it was very much to his liking; so the girl got ready a second portion but without all the stronger ingredients of the first. Then she gave it to the dame who took it and went forth with it and whilst the Basha was asking for her behold, up she came and the servants took her and led her in to the Governor. On seeing her he rose and sat upright and called for other food and when it was brought he ate his sufficiency, albeit for a length of time he could neither rise nor walk. But from the hour he drank all the broth he sniffed the scent of health and he could move about as he moved when hale and hearty. So he asked the old dame saying, "Did you cook this broth?" and she answered, "O my lord, my daughter made it and sent me with it to you." He exclaimed, "By God this maiden cannot be your daughter, O old woman; and she can be nothing save the daughter of Kings. But bid her every day at morning tide cook me a tasse

The Three Sisters and Their Mother. 109 of the same broth." The other replied, "I hear and I obey," and returned home with this message to the damsel who did as the Basha bade the first day and the second to the seventh day. And the Basha grew stronger every day and when the week was ended he took horse and rode to his pleasure garden. He increased continually in force and vigour till, one day of the days, he sent for the dame and questioned her concerning the damsel who lived with her; so she acquainted him with her case and what there was in her of beauty and loveliness and perfect grace. Thereupon the Basha fell in love with the girl by hearsay and without eye seeing: Then her sister Dunyazad said, "How sweet is your story, O sister mine, and how enjoyable and delectable!" She said, "And where is this compared with what I would relate to you on the coming night if the Sovran permits me to survive?"

Now when it was the next night and that was

The Three hundred and Seventy sixth Night

Dunyazad said to her, "In God's name, O my sister, If you be other than sleepy, finish for us your tale that we may cut short the watching of this our latter night!" She replied, "With love and good will!" It has reached me,the director, the right guiding, lord of the counsel which is benefiting and of deeds fair seeming and worthy celebrating, that the Basha fell in love with the girl by hearsay and without eye seeing: so he changed his habit and donning a dress of Darwaysh cut left his mansion and threaded the streets passing from house to house until he reached that of the old woman. He then knocked at the entrance and she came behind it and asked, "Who's at the door?" "A Darwaysh and a stranger," answered he, "who knows no man in this town and who is sore anhungered." Now the ancient dame was by nature niggardly and she had gladly put him off, but the damsel said to her, "Turn him not away," and quoting "Honour to the foreigner is a duty," said, "So do you let him in." She admitted him and seated him when the maiden brought him a something of food and stood before him in his service. He ate one time and ten times he gazed at the girl until he had eaten his sufficiency when he washed his hands and rising left the house and went his ways. But his heart flamed with love of the Princess and he was deeply enamoured of her and he did not stop walking until he reached his mansion from where he sent for the old woman.

And when they brought her, he produced a mint of money and a sumptuous dress in which he requested and prayed her to attire the damsel: then the old woman took it and returned to her protegee, saying to herself, "By God, if the girl accept the Basha and marry him she will prove sensible as fortunate; but If she be not content so to do I will turn her out of my door." When she went in she gave her the dress and bade her don it, but the damsel refused till the old woman coaxed her and persuaded her to try it on. Now when the dame left the Basha, he privily assumed a woman's habit and followed in her footsteps; and at last he entered the house close behind her and beheld the Princess in the sumptuous dress. Then the fire of his desire flamed higher in his heart and he lacked patience to part from her, so he returned to his mansion with mind preoccupied and vitals yearning. there he summoned the old woman and he asked to demand the girl in marriage and was instant with her and cried, "No help but this must be."

Accordingly she returned home and acquainted the girl with what had taken place adding, "O my daughter, truly the Basha loves you and his wish is to wed you: he has been a benefactor to us, and you will never meet his like; for that he is deeply enamoured of you and the byword says, 'Reward of lover is return of love.' " And the ancient dame did not stop gentling her and plying her with friendly words till she was soothed and gave consent. Then she returned to the Basha and informed him of her success, so he joyed with exceeding joy, and without delay bade slaughter beeves and prepare bridal feasts and spread banquets whereto he invited the notables of his government: after which he summoned the Kazi who tied the knot and he went in to her that night. And of the abundance of his love he fared not forth from her till seven days had sped; and he did not stop to cohabit with her for a span of five years during which Allah vouchsafed to him a man child by her and two daughters. Such was the case with the cadette Princess; but as regards the eldest sister, when she entered the city in youth's attire she was accosted by the Kunáfah baker and was hired for a daily wage of a Mídí of silver besides her meat and drink in his house. Now 'twas the practice of that man every day to buy

The Three Sisters and Their Mother. 111 half a quartern of flour and of it make his vermicelli; but when the so seeming youth came to him he would buy and work up three quarterns; and all the folk who bought Kunafah of him would flock to his shop with the view of gazing upon the beauty and loveliness of the Youth and said, "Exalted be He who created and perfected what He wrought in the creation of this young man!" Now by the decree of the Decreer the baker's shop faced the lattice windows of the Sultan's Palace and one day of the days the King's daughter chanced to look out at the window and she saw the Youth standing with sleeves tucked up from arms which shone like ingots of silver. at this the Princess fell in love with the Youth,—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and fell silent and ceased saying her permitted say. Then her sister Dunyazad said, "How sweet and tasteful is your tale, O sister mine, and enjoyable and delectable!" She said, "And where is this compared with what I would relate to you on the coming night if the Sovran permits me to survive?"

Now when it was the next night and that was

The Three hundred and Seventy seventh Night

Dunyazad said to her, "In God's name, O my sister, If you be other than sleepy finish for us your tale that we may cut short the watching of this our latter night!" She replied, "With love and good will!" It has reached me,the director, the right guiding, lord of the counsel which is benefiting and of deeds fair seeming and worthy celebrating, that when the Sultan's daughter looked out at the window she fell in love with the youth, and she knew not how to act that she might forgather with him: so desire afflicted her and extreme fondness and presently she took to her pillow all for her affection to that young man. Thereupon her nurse went in to her and found her lying upon the carpet bed a moaning and a groaning "Ah!" So she exclaimed, "Your safety from all whereof you have to complain!" Then she took her hand and felt her pulse but could find in it no symptoms of sickness bodily, whereupon she said, "O my lady, you have no unease save what eyesight has brought you." She replied, "O my mother, do you keep sacred my secret, and if your hand can reach so far as to bring me my desire, please do so;" and the nurse rejoined, "O my lady, like me who can keep a secret? therefore confide to me your longing and Allah vouchsafe you your dearest hope."

Said the Princess, "O my mother, my heart is lost to the young man who works in the vermicelli baker's shop and if I fail to be united with him I shall die of grief." The nurse replied, "By God, O my lady, he is the fairest of his age and indeed I lately passed by him as his sleeves were tucked up above his forearms and he ravished my wits: I longed to accost him but shame overcame me in presence of those who were round him, some buying Kunafah and others gazing on his beauty and loveliness, his symmetric stature and his perfect grace. But I, O my lady, will do you a service and cause you forgather with him before long." Herewith the heart of the Princess was solaced and she promised the nurse all good. Then the old woman left her and fell to devising how she should act in order to bring about a meeting between her and the youth or carry him into the Palace. So she went to the baker's shop and bringing out an Ashrafi said to him, "Take, O Master, this gold piece and make me a platter of vermicelli meet for the best and send it for me by this Youth who shall bring it to my home that be near hand: I cannot carry it myself." the baker in his mind said, "By God, good pay is this gold piece and a Kunafah is worth ten silverlings; so all the rest is pure profit."

And he replied, "On my head and eyes be it, O my lady;" and taking the Ashrafi made her a plate of vermicelli and bade his servant bear it to her house. So he took it up and accompanied the nurse till she reached the Princess's palace when she went in and seated the Youth in an out of the way closet. Then she repaired to her nursling and said, "Rise up, O my lady, for I have brought you your desire." The Princess sprang to her feet in hurry and flurry and fared till she came to the closet; then, going in she found the Youth who had set down the Kunafah and who was standing in expectation of the nurse's return that he and she might go homewards. And suddenly the Sultan's daughter came in and bade the Youth

The Three Sisters and Their Mother. 113 be seated beside her, and when he took seat she clasped him to her bosom of her longing for him and fell to kissing him on the cheeks and mouth ever believing him to be a male masculant, till her hot desire for him was quenched. Then she gave to him two golden dinars and said to him, "O my lord and coolth of my eyes, do you come here every day that we may take our pleasure, I and you." He said, "I hear and I obey," and went forth from her hardly believing in his safety, for he had learnt that she was the Sultan's daughter, and he walked till he reached the shop of his employer to whom he gave the twenty dinars. Now when the baker saw the gold, affright and terror entered his heart and he asked his servant from where the money came; and, when told of the adventure, his horror and dismay increased and he said to himself, "An this case of ours continue, either the Sultan will hear that this youth practises upon his daughter, or she will prove in the family way and 'twill end in our deaths and the ruin of our country. The lad must quit this evil path."

Thereupon he said to the Youth "From this time forwards do you cease faring forth thereto," at which the other said, "I may not prevent myself from going and I dread death If I go not." So the man cried, "Do whatever may seem good to you." Accordingly, the Princess in male attire fell to going every morning and meeting the Sultan's daughter, till one day of the days she went in and the twain sat down and laughed and enjoyed themselves, when lo and behold! the King entered. And as soon as he espied the youth and saw him seated beside his daughter, he commanded him be arrested and they arrested him; Then her sister Dunyazad said, "How sweet is your story, O sister mine, and how enjoyable and delectable!" She said, "And where is this compared with what I would relate to you on the coming night if the Sovran permits me to survive?"

Now when it was the next night and that was

The Three hundred and Seventy eighth Night

Dunyazad said to her, "In God's name, O my sister, If you be other than sleepy, finish for us your tale that we may cut short the watching of this our latter night!" She replied, "With love and good will!" It has reached me,the director, the right guiding, lord of the counsel which is benefiting and of deeds fair seeming and worthy celebrating, that when the Sultan entered and saw the youth sitting beside his daughter he commanded him to be arrested and they arrested him; they also seized the Princess and bound her forearms to her sides with straitest bonds. Then the King summoned the Linkman and bade him smite off both their heads: so he took them and went down with them to the place of execution. But when the tidings reached the Kunáfáni he shut up shop without hesitation and delay and fled. Presently, the Sultan said in his mind, "Gladly would I question the Youth touching his object in entering here, and ask him who conducted him to my daughter and how he won access to her." Accordingly he sent to bring back the twain and imprisoned them till night fall: then he went in to his Harem and caused his daughter's person to be examined, and when they inspected her she proved to be a pure maid. This made the King marvel, for he supposed that the Youth must have undone her maidenhead; so he sent for him to the presence, and when he came he considered him and found him fairer even than his daughter; nay, far exceeding her in beauty and loveliness.

So he cried, "By God this be a wondrous business! Truly my daughter has excuse for loving this Youth nor to my judgment cloth she even him in charms: not the less this affair is a shame to us, and the foulest of stains and needs must the twain be done to death tomorrow morning!" Herewith he commanded the jailer to take the Youth and to keep him beside him and he shut up the girl with her nurse. The jailer immediately led his charge to the jail; but it so happened that its portal was low; and, when the Youth was ordered to pass through it, he bent his brow downwards for easier entrance, when his turband struck against the lintel and fell from his head. The jailer turned to look at him, and behold, his hair was braided and the plaits being loosed gleamed like an ingot of gold. He felt assured that the youth was a maiden so he returned to the King in all haste and hurry and

The Three Sisters and Their Mother. 115 cried, "Pardon, O our lord the Sultan!" "Allah pardon us and you;" replied the King, and the man rejoined, ", that Youth is no boy; nay, he be a virgin girl." the Sultan said, "What say you?" and the other said, "By the truth of Him who made you ruler of the necks of His worshippers,truly this is a maiden." So he bade the prison keeper bring her and set her in his presence and he returned with her right soon, but now she paced daintily as the gazelle and veiled her face, because she saw that the jailer had discovered her sex. The King then commanded them carry her to the Harem where he followed her and presently, having summoned his daughter, he questioned her concerning the cause of her union with the so seeming Youth. Herewith she related all that had happened with perfect truth: he also put questions to the Princess in man's habit, but she stood abashed before him and was dumb, unable to utter a single word. As soon as it was morning, the Sultan asked of the place where the Youth had dwelt and they told him that he lodged with a Kunáfah baker, and the King bade fetch the man, when they reported that he had fled. However, the Sultan was instant in finding him, so they went forth and sought him for two days when they secured him and set him between the royal hands. He enquired into the Youth's case and the other replied, "By God,between me and him were no questionings and I know not from where may be his origin."

The Monarch rejoined, "O man, you have my plighted word for safety, so continue your business as before and now gang your gait." Then he turned to the maiden and repeated his enquiries, when she made answer saying, "O my lord, my tale is wondrous and my adventures marvellous." "And what may they be?" he asked. Then her sister Dunyazad said, "How sweet and tasteful is your tale, O sister mine, and enjoyable and delectable!" She said, "And where is this compared with what I would relate to you on the coming night if the Sovran permits me to survive?"

Now when it was the next night and that was

The Three hundred and Seventy ninth Night

Dunyazad said to her, "In God's name, O my sister, If you be other than sleepy, finish for us your tale that we may cut short the watching of this our latter night!" She replied, "With love and good will!" It has reached me,the director, the right guiding, lord of the counsel which is benefiting and of deeds fair seeming and worthy celebrating, that the Princess said to the Sultan, "In very truth my tale is passing strange," and he besought her to recount it. So she began to disclose the whole of her history and the adventures which had befallen her and her sisters and their mother; especially of the shipwreck in middle most ocean and of her coming to land; after which she told the affair of the Wazir burnt by her sire, that traitor who had separated children from father and, brief, all that had happened them from beginning to end. Hearing her soft speech and her strange story the Sultan marvelled and his heart inclined herwards; then he gave her in charge to the Palace women and conferred upon her favours and benefits. But when he looked upon her beauty and loveliness, her brilliancy and perfect grace he fell deeply in love with her, and his daughter hearing the accidents which had happened to the Princess's father cried, "By God, the story of this damsel should be chronicled in a book, that it become the talk of posterity and be quoted as an instance of the omnipotence of Allah Almighty; for He it is who parts and scatters and reunits."

So saying she took her and carried her to her own apartment where she entreated her honourably; and the maiden, after she had spent a month in the Palace, showed charms grown two fold and even more. At last one day of the days, as she sat beside the King's daughter in her chamber about eventide, when the sun was hot after a sultry summer day and her cheeks had flushed rosy red, behold, the Sultan entered passing through the room on his way to the Harem and his glance undesignedly fell upon the Princess who was in home gear, and he looked a look of eyes that cost him a thousand sighs. So he was astounded and stood motionless knowing not whether to go or to come; and when his daughter sighted him in such plight she went up to him and said, "What has happened you and brought you to this condition?" he said, "By God, this girl has stolen my senses from my soul: I am fondly enamoured of her and if you aid me not by asking her in marriage and I fail to wed her 'twill make my wits go clean bewildered." Thereupon the King's daughter returned

The Three Sisters and Their Mother. 117 to the damsel and drawing near her said, "O my lady and light of my eyes, indeed my father has seen you in your deshabille and he has hung all his hopes upon you, so do not you contrary my words nor the counsel I am about to offer you." "And what may that be, O my lady?" she asked, and the other answered, "My wish is to marry you to my sire and you be to him wife and he be to you man." But when the maiden heard these words she wept with bitter weeping till she sobbed aloud and cried, "Time has mastered us and decreed separation: I know nothing of my mother and sisters and father, If they be dead or on life, and whether they were drowned or came to ground; then how should I enjoy a bridal fete when they may be in mortal sadness and sorrow?" But the other did not stop to soothe her and array fair words against her and show her fondly friendship till her soul consented to wedlock. Presently, the other brought out to her what habit befitted the occasion still comforting her heart with pleasant converse, after which she carried the tidings to her sire.

So he sent directly to summon his Lords of the reign and Grandees of the realm and the knot was tied between them twain; and, going in unto her that night, he found her a hoard wherefrom the spell had freshly been dispelled; and of his longing for her and his desire to her he abode with her two se'nnights never going forth from her or by night or by day. at this the dignitaries of his empire were sore vexed for that their Sultan ceased to appear at the Divan and deal commandment between man and man, and his daughter went in and acquainted him therewith. He asked how long he had absented himself and she answered saying, "Know you how long you have tarried in the Palace?" whereto he replied, "Nay." "Fourteen whole days," she cried, whereupon he exclaimed, "By God, O my daughter, I thought to myself that I had spent with her two days and no more." And his daughter wondered to hear his words. Such was the case of the cadette Princess; but as regards the King, the father of the damsel, when he forgathered with the mother of his three daughters and she told him of the shipwreck and the loss of her children he determined to travel in search of the three damsels, he and the Wazir habited as Darwayshes.—And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and fell silent and ceased to say her permitted say. Then her sister Dunyazad said, "How sweet is your story, O sister mine, and how enjoyable and delectable!" She said, "And where is this compared with what I would relate to you on the coming night if the Sovran permits me to survive?"

Now when it was the next night and that was

The Three hundred and Eighties Night

Dunyazad said to her, "In God's name, O my sister, If you be other than sleepy, finish for us your tale that we may cut short the watching of this our latter night!" She replied, "With love and good will!" It has reached me,the director, the right guiding, lord of the counsel which is benefiting and of deeds fair seeming and worthy celebrating, that the Sultan resolved to travel in search of his children (the three damsels) he and his Wazir habited as Darwayshes. So leaving the government in charge of his wife he went forth and the twain in their search first visited the cities on the seaboard beginning with the nearest; but they knew not what was concealed from them in the world of the future, They did not stop travelling for the space of a month till they came to a city whose Sultan had a place called Al-Dijlah whereupon he had built a Palace. The Darwayshes made for it and found the King sitting in his Kiosque accompanied by two little lads, the elder eight years old and the second six. They drew near to him and saluting him offered their services and blessed him, wishing him length of life as is the fashion when addressing royalties; and he returned their greetings and made them draw near and showed them kindness; also, when it was eventide he bade his men serve them with something of food. On the next day the King fared forth to Tigris bank and sat in his Kiosque together with the two boys. Now the Darwayshes had hired them a cell in the Khan from where it was their daily wont to issue forth and wander about the city asking for what they sought; and this day they again came to the place in which sat the Sultan

The Three Sisters and Their Mother. 119 and they marvelled at the fair ordinance of the Palace. They continued to visit it every day till one day of the days the two went out, according to their custom, and when entering the Palace one of the King's children, which was the younger, came up to them and fell to considering them as if he had forgotten his own existence. This continued till the Darwayshes retired to their cell in the caravanserai where the boy followed them to carry out the Secret Purpose existing in the All knowledge of Allah. And when the two sat down the Sultan's son went in to them and fell to gazing upon them and solacing himself with the sight, when the elder Darwaysh clasped him to his bosom and fell to kissing his cheeks, marvelling at his semblance and at his beauty; and the boy in his turn forgot his father and his mother and took to the old man. Now whenas night fell the Sultan retired homewards fancying that his boy had foregone him to his mother while the Sultánah fancied that her child was with his father, and this endured till such time as the King had entered the Harem. But only the elder child was found there so the Sultan asked, "Where is the second boy?" and the Queen answered, "Day by day you take them with you to Tigris bank and you bring them back; but today only the elder has returned."

Thereupon they sought him but found him not and the mother buffeted her face in grief for her child and the father lost his right senses. Then the high Officials fared forth to search for their King's son and sought him from early night to the dawn of day, but not finding him they deemed that he had been drowned in Tigris water. So they summoned all the fishermen and divers and caused them to drag the river for a space of four days. All this time and the boy abode with the Darwayshes, who kept saying to him, "Go to your father and your mother;" but he would not obey them and he would sit with the Fakirs upon whom all his thoughts were fixed while theirs were fixed upon him. This lasted till the fifth day when the door keeper unsummoned entered the cell and found the Sultan's son sitting with the old men; so he went out hurriedly and repairing to the King cried, "O my Sovran, your boy is with those Darwayshes who were wont daily to visit you."

Now when the Sultan heard the porter's words, he called aloud to his Eunuchs and Chamberlains and gave them his orders; when they ran a race, as it were, till they entered upon the holy men and carried them from their cell together with the boy and set all four before the Sultan. The King exclaimed, "truly these Darwayshes must be spies and their object was to carry off my boy;" so he took up his child and clasped him to his bosom and kissed him again and again of his yearning fondness to him, and presently he sent him to his mother who was well near frantic. Then he committed the two Fakirs (with commands to decapitate them) to the Linkman who took them and bound their hands and bared their heads and fell to crying, "This be his reward and the least of awards who turns traitor and kidnapps the sons of the Kings;" and as he cried all the citizens great and small flocked to the spectacle. But when the boy heard the proclamation, he went forth in haste till he stood before the elder Darwaysh who was still kneeling upon the rug of blood and threw himself upon him at full length till the Grandees of his father forcibly removed him.

Then the executioner stepped forward purposing to strike the necks of the two old men and he raised his sword hand till the dark hue of his arm pit showed and he would have dealt the blow when the boy again made for the elder Fakir and threw himself upon him not only once but twice and thrice, preventing the Sworder's stroke and abode clinging to the old man. The Sultan cried, "This Darwaysh is a Sorcerer:" but when the tidings reached the Sultanah, the boy's mother, she exclaimed, "O King, needs must this Darwaysh have a strange tale to tell, for the boy is wholly absorbed in him. So it is not possible to slay him in this way till you summon him to the presence and question him: I also will listen to him behind the curtain and thus none shall hear him save our two selves." The King did her bidding and commanded the old man to be brought: so they took him from under the sword and set him before the King Then her sister Dunyazad, said,

The Three Sisters and Their Mother. 121

"How sweet and tasteful is your tale, O sister mine, and enjoyable and delectable!" She said, "And where is this compared with what I would relate to you on the coming night if the Sovran permits me to survive?"

Now when it was the next night and that was

The Three hundred and Eighty first Night

Dunyazad said to her, "In God's name, O my sister, If you be other than sleepy, finish for us your tale that we may cut short the watching of this our latter night!" She replied, "With love and good will!" It has reached me,the director, the right guiding, lord of the counsel which is benefiting and of deeds fair seeming and worthy celebrating, that at the King's bidding they took up the Fakir who was still kneeling under the glaive and set him before the King who bade him be seated. And when he sat him down the Sultan commanded all who were in the presence of Eunuchs and Chamberlains to withdraw, and they withdrew leaving the Sovran with the old religious. But the second Darwaysh still knelt in his bonds under the sword of the Sworder who, standing over against his head, kept looking for the royal signal to strike. Then cried the King, "O Mendicant, what drove you to take my son, the core of my heart?" He replied, "By God, O King, I took him not for my own pleasure; but he would not go from me and I threatened him, as well he showed no fear till this destiny descended upon us."

Now when the Sultan heard these words his heart softened to the old man and he pitied him while the Sultanah who sat behind the curtain fell to weeping aloud. Presently, the King said, "O Darwaysh, relate to us your history, for needs must it be a singular;" but the old man began to shed tears and said, ", I have a marvellous adventure which were it graven with needle gravers upon the eye corners were a warning to whoever would be warned." The Sultan was surprised and replied, "What then may be your history, O Mendicant?" and the other rejoined, ", I will recount it to you." Accordingly he told him of his kingship and the Wazir tempting his wife and of her slaying the nurse, the slave girls, and the Eunuch; but when he came to this point the Sultanah ran out in haste and hurry from behind the curtain and rushing up to the Darwaysh threw herself upon his bosom. The King seeing this marvelled and in a fury of jealousy clapped hand to hilt crying to the Fakir, "This be most unseemly behaviour!" But the Queen replied, "Hold your hand, By God, he is my father and I am his loving daughter;" and she wept and laughed alternately all of the excess of her joy. at this the King wondered and bade release the second religious and exclaimed, "truth he spoke who said

Allah joins the parted when think the twain With firmest thought never to meet again."

Then the Sultanah began recounting to him the history of her sire and specially what befell him from his Wazir; and he, when he heard her words, felt assured of their truth. Presently, he bade them change the habits of her father and of his Wazir and dress them with the dress of Kings; and he set apart for them an apartment and allotted to them rations of meat and drink; so extolled be He who disunits and reunits! Now the Sultanah in question was the youngest daughter of the old King who had been met by the Knight when out hunting, the same that owed all his fair fortunes to her auspicious coming. Accordingly the father was assured of having found the lost one and was delighted to note her high degree; but after tarrying with her for a time he asked permission of his son in law to set out in quest of her two sisters and he supplicated Almighty Allah to reunite him with the other twain as with this first one. Thereupon the Sultan said, "It may not be save that I accompany you, for otherwise Perhaps some mishap of the world may happen to you." Then the three sat down in council debating what they should do and in fine they agreed to travel, taking with them some of the Lords of the land and Chamberlains and Nabobs. They made ready and after three days they marched out of the city, Then her sister Dunyazad said, "How sweet is your story, O sister mine, and how enjoyable and delectable!" She said, "And where is this compared with what I would relate to you on the coming night if the Sovran permits me to survive?"

Now when it was the next night and that was

The Three Sisters and Their Mother. 123

The Three hundred and Eighty second Night

Dunyazad said to her, "In God's name, O my sister, If you be other than sleepy, finish for us your tale that we may cut short the watching of this our latter night!" She replied, "With love and good will!" It has reached me,the director, the right guiding, lord of the counsel which is benefiting and of deeds fair seeming and worthy celebrating, that the old King marched forth the city accompanied by his son in law and his Wazir after the Sultan had supplied his own place by a Vice regent who would carry out his commandments. Then they turned to travelling in quest of the two lost daughters and did not stop their journey for a space of twenty days, when they drew near a city lofty of base, and, finding a spacious camping plain, thereon pitched their tents. The time was set of sun, so the cooks applied themselves to getting ready the evening meal and when supper was served up all ate what sufficed them, and it was but little because of the travails of travel, and they nighted in that site until morn was high. Now the ruler of that city was a Sultan mighty of might, potent of power and exceeding in energy; and he was surprised to hear a Chamberlain report to him saying, ", after an eventless night early this morning we found outside your capital tents and pavilions with standards and banners planted over against them and all this after the fashion of the Kings."

The Sovran replied, "There is no help but that to these creations of Allah some requirement is here: however, we will learn their tidings." So he took horse with his Grandees and made for the ensigns and colours, and drawing near he noted gravity and majesty in the array and eunuchs and followers and serving men standing ready to do duty. Then he dismounted and walked till he approached the bystanders whom he greeted with the salam. They salam'd in return and received him with most honourable reception and highmost respect till they had introduced him into the royal Shahmiyánah; when the two Kings rose to him and welcomed him and he wished them long life in such language as is spoken by Royalties; and all sat down to converse one with other. Now the Lord of the city had warned his people before he fared forth that dinner must be prepared; so when it was mid forenoon the Farrásh folk spread the tables with trays of food and the guests came forward, one and all, and enjoyed their meal and were gladdened. Then the dishes were carried away for the servants and talk went round till sunset, at which time the King again ordered food to be brought and all supped till they had their sufficiency.

But the Sultan kept wondering in his mind and saying, "Would Heaven I know the cause of these two Kings coming to us!" And when night fell the strangers prayed him to return home and to revisit them next morning. So he farewelled them and fared forth. This lasted three days, during which time he honoured them with all honour, and on the fourth he got ready for them a banquet and invited them to his Palace. They mounted and repaired there when he set before them food; and as soon as they had fed, the trays were removed and coffee and confections and sherbets were served up and they sat talking and enjoying themselves till supper tide when they sought permission to hie campwards. But the Sultan of the city sware them to pass the night with him; so they returned to their session till the father of the damsels said, "Let each of us tell a tale that our waking hours may be the more pleasant." "Yes," they replied and all agreed in wishing that the Sultan of the city would begin. Now by the decree of the Decreer the lattice window of the Queen opened upon the place of session and she could see them and hear every word they said. He began, "By God I have to relate an adventure which befell me and 'tis one of the wonders of our time." they said, "And what may it be?"

Then her sister Dunyazad said, "How sweet and tasteful is your tale, O sister mine, and enjoyable and delectable!" She said, "And where is this compared with what I would relate to you on the coming night if the Sovran permits me to survive?"

Now when it was the next night and that was

The Three hundred and Eighty third Night

Dunyazad said to her, "In God's name, O my sister, If you be other than sleepy, finish for us your tale that we may cut short the watching of this our latter night!" She replied, "With love and good will!" It has reached me,the director, the right guiding, lord of the counsel which is benefiting and of deeds fair seeming and worthy celebrating,

The Three Sisters and Their Mother. 125 that the Sultan of the city said:— In such a year I had a malady which none availed to medicine until at last an old woman came to me bearing a tasse of broth which when I drank caused health return to me. So I bade her bring me a cupful every day and I drank it till, after a time, I chanced to ask her who made that broth and she answered that it was her daughter. And one day I assumed a disguise and went to the ancient dame's house and there saw the girl who was a model of beauty and loveliness, brilliancy, symmetric stature and perfect grace, and seeing her I lost my heart to her, and he asked to wife. She answered, "How can I wed; I separated from my sisters and parents and all unknowing what has become of them?"

Now when the father of the damsels heard these words, tears rolled down his cheeks in rills and he remembered his two lost girls and wept and moaned and complained, the Sultan looking on in astonishment the while; and when he went to his Queen he found her lying in a fainting fit. Hereupon he cried out her name and seated her and she on coming to exclaimed, "By God, he who wept before you is my very father: by Him who created me I have no doubt of it!" So the Sultan went down to his father in law and led him up to the Harem and the daughter rose and met him and they threw their arms round each other's necks, and fondly greeted each other. After this the old King passed the night relating to her what had befallen him while she recounted to him whatever has happened her, from beginning to end, whereupon their rejoicings increased and the father thanked Almighty Allah for having found two of his three children. The old King and his sons in law and his Wazir did not stop to enjoy themselves in the city, eating and drinking and making merry for a space of two days when the father asked aidance of his daughters' husbands to seek his third child that the general joy might be perfected. This request they granted and resolved to journey with him; so they made their preparations for travel and issued forth the city together with sundry Lords of the land and high Dignitaries, all taking with them what was required of rations.

Then travelling together in a body they faced the march. This was their case; but as regards the third daughter (she who in man's attire had served the Kunáfah baker), after being married to the Sultan his love for her and desire to her only increased and she cohabited with him for a length of time. But one day of the days she called to mind her parents and her kith and kin and her native country, so she wept with sorest weeping till she swooned away and when she recovered she rose without delay and taking two suits of Mameluke's habits patiently awaited the fall of night. Presently, she donned one of the dresses and went down to the stables where, finding all the grooms asleep, she saddled her a stallion of the noblest strain and clinging to the near side mounted him. Then, having supplicated the veiling of the Veiler, she fared under cover of the glooms for her own land, all unweeting the way, and when night gave place to day she saw herself amidst mountains and sands; nor did she know what she should do. However she found on a hill flank some remnants of the late rain which she drank; then, loosing the girths of her horse she gave him also to drink and she was about to take her rest in that place when, lo and behold! a lion big of bulk and mighty of might drew near her and he was lashing his tail and roaring thunderously. Then her sister Dunyazad said, "How sweet is your story, O sister mine, and how enjoyable and delectable!" She said, "And where is this compared with what I would relate to you on the coming night, if the Sovran permits me to survive?"

Now when it was the next night and that was

The Three hundred and Eighty fourth Night

Dunyazad said to her, "In God's name, O my sister, If you be other than sleepy, finish for us your tale that we may cut short the watching of this our latter night!" She replied, "With love and good will!" It has reached me,the director, the right guiding, lord of the counsel which is benefiting and of deeds fair seeming and worthy celebrating, that when the lion advanced to spring upon the Princess who was habited as a Mameluke, and rushed to rend her in pieces, she, seeing her imminent peril, sprang up in haste and bared her blade and met him brand in hand saying,

The Three Sisters and Their Mother. 127

"Or he will slay me or I slay him." But as she was hearty of heart she advanced till the two met and fell to fight and struck each at other, but the lion grew furious and gnashed his tusks, now retreating and now circuiting around her and then returning to front his foe purposing to claw her, when she heartened her heart and without giving ground she swayed her sabre with all the force of her forearm and struck the beast between the eyes and the blade came out gleaming between his thighs and he sank on earth life forlore and weltering in his gore. Presently, she wiped her scimitar and returned it to its sheath; then, drawing a whittle she came up to the carcass intending to skin it for her own use, when behold, there towered from afar two dust clouds, one from the right and the other from the left, at which she withdrew from flaying the lion's fell and applied herself to looking out. Now by the decree of the Decreer the first dust cloud approaching her was that raised by the host of her father and his sons in law who, when they drew near all stood to gaze upon her and consider her, saying in wonderment one to other, "How can this white slave (and he a mere lad) have slain this lion single handed? Walláhi, had that beast charged down upon us he had scattered us far and wide, and Perhaps he had torn one of us to pieces. By God, this matter is marvellous!"

But the Mameluke looked mainly at the old King whom he knew to be his sire for his heart went forth to him. Meanwhile the second dust cloud approached until those beneath it met the others who had foregone them, and behold, under it was the husband of the disguised Princess and his many. Now the cause of this King marching forth and coming there was this. When he entered the Palace intending for the Harem, he found not his Queen, and he fared forth to seek her and presently by the decree of the Decreer the two hosts met at the place where the lion had been killed. The Sultan gazed upon the Mameluke and marvelled at his slaying the monster and said to himself, "Now were this white slave my I would share with him my good and stablish him in my kingdom." Herewith the Mameluke came forward and flayed the lion of his fell and gutted him; then, lighting a fire he roasted something of his flesh until it was sufficiently cooked all gazing upon him the while and marvelling at the heartiness of his heart. And when the meat was ready, he carved it and setting it upon a Sufrah of leather said to all present, "Bismillah, eat, in the name of Allah, what Fate has given to you!"

Thereupon all came forward and fell to eating of the lion's flesh except the Princess's husband who was not pleased to join them and said, "By God, I will not eat of this food until I learn the case of this youth." Now the Princess had recognised her spouse from the moment of his coming, but she was concealed from him by her Mameluke's clothing; and he disappeared time after time then returned to gaze upon the white slave, eyeing now his eyes now his sides and now the turn of his neck and saying privily in his mind, "Laud to the Lord who created and fashioned him! By God this Mameluke is the counterpart of my wife in eyes and nose, and all his form and features are made like like unto hers. So extolled be He who has none similar and no equal!" He was drowned in this thought but all the rest ate till they had eaten enough; then they sat down to pass the rest of their day and their night in that stead. When it was dawn each and every craved leave to depart upon his own business; but the Princess's husband asked permission to wander in quest of her while the old King, the father of the damsels, determined to go forth with his two sons in law and find the third and last of his lost daughters.

Then the Mameluke said to them, "O my lords, sit we down, I and you, for the rest of the day in this place and tomorrow I will travel with you." Now the Princess for the length of her wanderings (which began too when she was a little one) had forgotten the semblance of her sire; but when she looked upon the old King her heart yearned unto him and she fell to talking with him, while he on his part whenever he gazed at her felt a like longing and sought speech of her. So the first who consented to the Mameluke's proposal was the sire whose desire was nothing save to sit beside her; then the rest also agreed to pass the day reposing in that place, for that it was a pleasant mead and a spacious, garnished with green grass and bright with bourgeon and blossom. So they took seat there till sundown when each brought out what victual he had and all ate their full and then fell to conversing; and presently said the Princess, "O my lords, let each of you tell us a tale which he deems strange." Her father broke in saying, "truly this counsel be right and the first

The Three Sisters and Their Mother. 129 to recount will be I, for indeed my is a rare adventure." Then he began his history telling them that he was born a King and that such and such things had befallen him and so forth until the end of his tale; and the Princess hearing his words was certified that he was her sire. So presently she said, "And I too have a strange history."

Then her sister Dunyazad said, "How sweet and tasteful is your tale, O sister mine, and enjoyable and delectable!" She said, "And where is this compared with what I would relate to you on the coming night if the Sovran permits me to survive?"

Now when it was the next night and that was

The Three hundred and Eighty fifth Night

Dunyazad said to her, "In God's name, O my sister, If you be other than sleepy, finish for us your tale that we may cut short the watching of this our latter night!" She replied, "With love and good will!" It has reached me,the director, the right guiding, lord of the counsel which is benefiting and of deeds fair seeming and worthy celebrating, that the Princess in Mameluke's habit said, "And I too have a strange history." Then she fell to relating all that had happened her from the very beginning to that which has before been described; and when her father heard it he felt assured that she was his daughter. So he arose and threw himself upon her and embraced her and after he veiled her face with a kerchief was with him, and her husband exclaimed, "Would to Heaven that I also could forgather with my wife." she said, "God willing, and that soon," and she inclined to him after kindly fashion and said to herself, "Indeed this be my true husband." Herewith all resolved to march from that stead and they departed, the Princess's spouse still unknowing that she was his wife; and they did not stop faring till they entered the Sultan's city and all made for the Palace.

Then the Princess slipped privily into the Harem without the knowledge of her mate and changed her semblance, when her father said to her husband, "Hie you to the women's apartment: Perhaps Allah may show to you your wife." So he went in and found her sitting in her own apartment and he marvelled as he espied her and drew near her and threw his arms round her neck of his fond love to her and he asked concerning her absence. Thereupon she told him the truth saying, "I went forth seeking my sire and habited in a Mameluke's habit and 'twas I slew the lion and roasted his flesh over the fire, but you would not eat of it." At these words the Sultan rejoiced and his rejoicings increased and all were in the highmost of joy and jolliment; he and her father with the two other sons in law, and this endured for a long while. But at last all deemed it suitable to revisit their countries and capitals and each farewelled his friends and the whole party returned safe and sound to their own homes. Now when it was the next night and that was

The Three hundred and Eighty sixth Night

Shahrazad began to relate