IT is related that there was a Badawi man who had a wife and he dwelt under a tent of hair in the desert where, as is the fashion of Arabs, he used to shift from site to site for the purpose of pasturing his camels. Now the woman was of exceeding beauty and comeliness and perfection,

The Simpleton Husband. 89 and she had a friend (also a Badawi man) who at all times would come to her and have his wicked will of her, after which he would go on their way. But one day of the days her lover visited her and said, "Walláhi, 'tis not possible but that what time we sleep together, I and you, we make merry with your husband looking on."

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 King permits me to survive?"

Now when it was the next night and that was

The Five Hundred and Fifty 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 man which was the friend of the Badawi's wife said to her, "Walláhi, 'tis not possible but that when we make merry, I and you, your husband shall look upon us." she said, "Why should we suffer at such time of our enjoyment either my husband or any people to be present?" and he said, "This must needs be, and unless you consent I will take to me a mistress other than yourself."

Then she said, "How shall we enjoy ourselves with my husband looking on? This is a matter which may not be managed." Hereupon the woman sat down and took thought of her affair and how she should do for an hour or so, and presently she arose and dug her In the very middle of the tent a hole which would contain a man, in which she concealed her lover. Now, close by the tent was a tall sycamore tree, and as the noodle her husband was returning from the wild the woman said to him, "Ho you, Such an one! Climb up this tree and bring me from it a something of figs that we may eat them." He said, " 'Tis well;" and arising he swarmed up the tree trunk, when she signed to her lover who came out and mounted and fell to riding upon her. But her mate considered her and cried aloud, "What is this, O whore: does a man cavalcade you before me and the while I am looking at you?"

Then he came down from the tree in haste, but he saw no one, for as soon as the lover had finished his business the good wife thrust him into the hole In the very middle of the tent and covered him with a mat. When the husband went inside to the booth and met his wife he found no stranger with her so she said to him, "O man, you have sinned against me, saying, 'truly, some one is riding you'; and you have slandered me by falsely charging me with folly." he said, "By God I saw you with my own eyes;" but she said, "Do you sit here the while I have a look." Hereupon she arose and swarmed up the trunk and sat upon one of the branches, and as she peered at her spouse she shrieked aloud crying, "O man, do you have some regard for yours honour. Why do in this way and lie down and allow a man to ride you, and at this moment he works his will on you." Said her husband, "Beside me there is neither man nor boy." And she said, "Here I am looking at you from the top of this tree." he said, "O woman, this place must be haunted, so let us remove hence;" and she said, "Why change our place? rather let us remain within it." Hereupon the Caliph said to Manjab, "By God, truly, this woman was an adulteress;" and the youth replied, "Amongst womankind indeed are many more whorish than this. But of that soon; and now do you hear from me and learn of me this marvellous tale anent:

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