She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the Chamberlain
Eunuch cried to the old woman, "I know neither slave girl nor anyone
else; and none shall enter here without my searching him according to
the King's commands." Then quoth she, feigning to be angry, "I thought
thee a man of sense and good breeding; but, if thou be changed, I will
let the Princess know of it and tell her how thou hinderest her slave
girl;" and she cried out to Taj al-Muluk, saying, "Pass on, O damsel!"
So he passed on into the vestibule as she bade him, whilst the Eunuch
was silent and said no more. The Prince counted five doors and entered
the sixth where he found the Princess Dunya standing and awaiting him.
As soon as she saw him, she knew him and clasped him to her breast, and
he clasped her to his bosom. Presently the old woman came in to them,
having made a pretext to dismiss the Princess's slave girls for fear of
disgrace; and the Lady Dunya said to her, "Be thou our door keeper!" So
she and Taj al- Muluk abode alone together and ceased not kissing and
embracing and twining leg with leg till dawn.[FN#46] When day drew
near, she left him and, shutting the door upon him, passed into another
chamber, where she sat down as was her wont, whilst her slave women
came in to her, and she attended to their affairs and conversed with
them. Then she said to them, "Go forth from me now, for I wish to
amuse myself in privacy." So they withdrew and she betook herself to
Taj al-Muluk, and the old woman brought them food, of which they ate
and returned to amorous dalliance till dawn. Then the door was locked
upon him as on the day before; and they ceased not to do thus for a
whole month. This is how it fared with Taj al-Muluk and the Lady
Dunya; but as regards the Wazir and Aziz when they found that the
Prince had gone to the Palace of the King's daughter and there delayed
all the while, they concluded that he would never return from it and
that he was lost for ever; and Aziz said to the Wazir, "O my father,
what shall we do?" He replied, "O my son, this is a difficult matter,
and except we return to his sire and tell him, he will blame us
therefor." So they made ready at once and forthright set out for the
Green Land and the Country of the Two Columns, and sought Sulayman
Shah's capital. And they traversed the valleys night and day till they
went in to the King, and acquainted him with what had befallen his son
and how from the time he entered the Princess's Palace they had heard
no news of him. At this the King was as though the Day of Doom had
dawned for him and regret was sore upon him, and he proclaimed a Holy
War[FN#47] throughout his realm. After which he sent forth his host
without the town and pitched tents for them and took up his abode in
his pavilion, whilst the levies came from all parts of the kingdom; for
his subjects loved him by reason of his great justice and beneficence.
Then he marched with an army walling the horizon, and departed in quest
of his son. Thus far concerning them; but as regards Taj al-Muluk and
the Lady Dunya the two remained as they were half a year's time, whilst
every day they redoubled in mutual affection; and love and longing and
passion and desire so pressed upon Taj al Muluk, that at last he opened
his mind and said to her, "Know, O beloved of my heart and vitals, that
the longer I abide with thee, the more love and longing and passion and
desire increase on me, for that I have not yet fulfilled the whole of
my wish." Asked she, "What then wouldst thou have, O light of my eyes
and fruit of my vitals? If thou desire aught beside kissing and
embracing and entwining of legs with legs, do what pleaseth thee; for,
by Allah, no partner hath any part in us."[FN#48] But he answered "It
is not that I wish: I would fain acquaint thee with my true story.
Know, then, that I am no merchant, nay, I am a King the son of a King,
and my father's name is the supreme King Sulayman Shah, who sent his
Wazir ambassador to thy father, to demand thee in marriage for me, but
when the news came to thee thou wouldst not consent." Then he told her
his past from first to last, nor is there any avail in a twice told
tale, and he added, "And now I wish to return to my father, that he may
send an ambassador to thy sire, to demand thee in wedlock for me, so we
may be at ease." When she heard these words, she joyed with great joy
because it suited with her own wishes, and they passed the night on
this understanding. But it so befel by the decree of Destiny that
sleep overcame them that night above all nights and they remained till
the sun had risen. Now at this hour, King Shahriman was sitting on his
cushion of estate, with his Emirs and Grandees before him, when the
Syndic of the goldsmiths presented himself between his hands, carrying
a large box. And he advanced and opening it in presence of the King,
brought out therefrom a casket of fine work worth an hundred thousand
diners, for that which was therein of precious stones, rubies and
emeralds beyond the competence of any sovereign on earth to procure.
When the King saw this, he marvelled at its beauty; and, turning to the
Chief Eunuch (him with whom the old woman had had to do), said to him,
"O Kafur,[FN#49] take this casket and wend with it to the Princess
Dunya." The Castrato took the casket and repairing to the apartment of
the King's daughter found the door shut and the old woman lying asleep
on the threshold; whereupon said he, "What! sleeping at this hour?"
When the old woman heard the Eunuch's voice she started from sleep and
was terrified and said to him, "Wait till I fetch the key." Then she
went forth and fled for her life. Such was her case; but as regards
the Epicene he, seeing her alarm, lifted the door off its hinge
pins,[FN#50] and entering found the Lady Dunya with her arms round the
neck of Taj al-Muluk and both fast asleep. At this sight he was
confounded and was preparing to return to the King, when the Princess
awoke, and seeing him, was terrified and changed colour and waxed pale,
and said to him, "O Kafur, veil thou what Allah hath veiled!"[FN#51]
But he replied, "I cannot conceal aught from the King"; and, locking
the door on them, returned to Shahriman, who asked him, "Hast thou
given the casket to the Princess?" Answered the Eunuch, "Take the
casket, here it is for I cannot conceal aught from thee. Know that I
found a handsome young man by the side of the Princess and they two
asleep in one bed and in mutual embrace." The King commanded them to be
brought into the presence and said to them, "What manner of thing is
this?" and, being violently enraged, seized a dagger and was about to
strike Taj al-Muluk with it, when the Lady Dunya threw herself upon him
and said to her father, "Slay me before thou slayest him." The King
reviled her and commended her to be taken back to her chamber: then he
turned to Taj al-Muluk and said to him, "Woe to thee! whence art thou?
Who is thy father and what hath emboldened thee to debauch my
daughter?" Replied the Prince, "Know, O King, that if thou put me to
death, thou art a lost man, and thou and all in thy dominions will
repent the deed." Quoth the King, "How so?"; and quoth Taj al-Muluk
"Know that I am the son of King Sulayman Shah, and ere thou knowest it,
he will be upon thee with his horse and foot." When King Shahriman
heard these words he would have deferred killing Taj al-Muluk and would
rather have put him in prison, till he should look into the truth of
his words; but his Wazir said to him, "O King of the Age, it is my
opinion that thou make haste to slay this gallows bird who dares
debauch the daughters of Kings." So the King cried to the headsman,
"Strike off his head; for he is a traitor." Accordingly, the herdsman
took him and bound him fast and raised his hand to the Emirs, signing
to consult them, a first and a second signal, thinking thereby to gain
time in this matter;[FN#52] but the King cried in anger to him, "How
long wilt thou consult others? If thou consult them again I will
strike off thine own head.;' So the headsman raised his hand till the
hair of his armpit showed' and was about to smite his neck,—And
Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted
say.
When it was the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Night,
She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the headsman
raised his hand to smite off his head when behold, loud cries arose and
the folk closed their shops; whereupon the King said to the headsman,
"Wait awhile," and despatched one to learn the news. The messenger
fared forth and presently returned and reported, "I saw an army like
the dashing sea with its clashing surge: and their horses curvetting
till earth trembleth with the tramp; and I know no more of them." When
the King heard this, he was confounded and feared for his realm lest it
should be torn from him; so he turned to his Minister and said, "Have
not any of our army gone forth to meet this army?" But ere he had done
speaking, his Chamberlains entered with messengers from the King who
was approaching, and amongst them the Wazir who had accompanied Taj
al-Muluk. They began by saluting the King, who rose to receive them
and bade them draw near, and asked the cause of their coming; whereupon
the Minister came forward from amongst them and stood before him and
said "Know that he who hath come down upon thy realm is no King like
unto the Kings of yore and the Sultans that went before." "And who is
he?" asked Shahriman, and the Wazir answered, "He is the Lord of
justice and loyalty, the bruit of whose magnanimity the caravans have
blazed abroad, the Sultan Sulayman Shah, Lord of the Green Land and the
Two Columns and the Mountains of Ispahan; he who loveth justice and
equity, and hateth oppression and iniquity. And he saith to thee that
his son is with thee and in thy city; his son, his heart's very core
and the fruit of his loins, and if he find him in safety, his aim is
won and thou shalt have thanks and praise; but if he have been lost
from thy realm or if aught of evil have befallen him, look thou for
ruin and the wasting of thy reign! for this thy city shall become a
wold wherein the raven shall croak. Thus have I done my errand to thee
and peace be with thee!" Now when King Shahriman heard from the
messenger these words, his heart was troubled and he feared for his
kingdom: so he cried out for his Grandees and Ministers, Chamberlains
and Lieutenants; and, when they appeared, he said to them, "Woe to you!
Go down and search for the youth." Now the Prince was still under the
headsman's hands, but he was changed by the fright he had undergone.
Presently, the Wazir, chancing to glance around, saw the Prince on the
rug of blood and recognised him; so he arose and threw himself upon
him, and so did the other envoys. Then they proceeded to loose his
bonds and they kissed his hands and feet, whereupon Taj al-Muluk opened
his eyes and, recognising his father's Wazir and his friend Aziz, fell
down a fainting for excess of delight in them. When King Shahriman
made sure that the coming of this army was indeed because of this
youth, he was confounded and feared with great fear; so he went up to
Taj al- Muluk and, kissing his head, said to him, "O my son, be not
wroth with me, neither blame the sinner for his sin; but have
compassion on my grey hairs, and waste not my realm." Whereupon Taj
al-Muluk drew near unto him and kissing his hand, replied, "No harm
shall come to thee, for indeed thou art to me as my father; but look
that nought befal my beloved, the Lady Dunya!" Rejoined the King, "O my
lord! fear not for her; naught but joy shall betide her;" and he went
on to excuse himself and made his peace with Sulayman Shah's Wazir to
whom he promised much money, if he would conceal from the King what he
had seen. Then he bade his Chief Officers take the Prince with them
and repair to the Hammam and clothe him in one of the best of his own
suits and bring him back speedily. So they obeyed his bidding and bore
him to the bath and clad him in the clothes which King Shahriman had
set apart for him; and brought him back to the presence chamber. When
he entered the King rose to receive him and made all his Grandees stand
in attendance on him. Then Taj al-Muluk sat down to converse with his
father's Wazir and with Aziz, and he acquainted them with what had
befallen him; after which they said to him, "During that delay we
returned to thy father and gave him to know that thou didst enter the
palace of the Princess and didst not return therefrom, and thy case
seemed doubtful to us. But when thy sire heard of this he mustered his
forces; then we came to this land and indeed our coming hath brought to
thee relief in extreme case and to us great joy." Quoth he, "Good
fortune hath attended your every action, first and last." While this
was doing King Shahriman went in to his daughter Princess Dunya, and
found her wailing and weeping for Taj al-Muluk. Moreover, she had taken
a sword and fixed the hilt in the ground and had set the point to the
middle of her heart between her breasts; and she bent over the blade
saying, "Needs must I slay myself and not survive my beloved." When her
father entered and saw her in this case, he cried out to her, saying,
"O Princess of kings' daughters, hold thy hand and have ruth on thy
sire and the folk of thy realm!" Then he came up to her and continued,
"Let it not be that an ill thing befal thy father for thy sake!" And he
told her the whole tale that her lover was the son of King Sulayman
Shah and sought her to wife and he added, "The marriage waiteth only
for thy consent." Thereat she smiled and said, "Did I not tell thee
that he was the son of a Sultan? By Allah, there is no help for it but
that I let him crucify thee on a bit of wood worth two pieces of
silver!" Replied the King, "O my daughter, have mercy on me, so Allah
have mercy on thee!" Rejoined she, "Up with you and make haste and go
bring him to me without delay." Quoth the King, "On my head and eyes be
it!"; and he left her and, going in hastily to Taj al-Muluk, repeated
her words in his ear.[FN#53] So he arose and accompanied the King to
the Princess, and when she caught sight of her lover, she took hold of
him and embraced him in her father's presence and hung upon him and
kissed him, saying, "Thou hast desolated me by thine absence!" Then she
turned to her father and said, "Sawest thou ever any that could do hurt
to the like of this beautiful being, who is moreover a King, the son of
a King and of the free born,[FN#54] guarded against ignoble deeds?"
There upon King Shahriman went out shutting the door on them with his
own hand; and he returned to the Wazir and to the other envoys of
Sulayman Shah and bade them inform their King that his son was in
health and gladness and enjoying all delight of life with his beloved.
So they returned to King Sulayman and acquainted him with this;
whereupon King Shahriman ordered largesse of money and vivers to the
troops of King Sulayman Shah; and, when they had conveyed all he had
commanded, he bade be brought out an hundred coursers and an hundred
dromedaries and an hundred white slaves and an hundred concubines and
an hundred black slaves and an hundred female slaves; all of which he
forwarded to the King as a present. Then he took horse, with his
Grandees and Chief Officers, and rode out of the city in the direction
of the King's camp. As soon as Sultan Sulayman Shah knew of his
approach, he rose and advanced many paces to meet him. Now the Wazir
and Aziz had told him all the tidings, whereat he rejoiced and cried,
"Praise be to Allah who hath granted the dearest wish of my son!" Then
King Sulayman took King Shahriman in his arms and seated him beside
himself on the royal couch, where they conversed awhile and had
pleasure in each other's conversation. Presently food was set before
them, and they ate till they were satisfied; and sweetmeats and dried
fruits were brought, and they enjoyed their dessert. And after a while
came to them Taj al-Muluk, richly dressed and adorned, and when his
father saw him, he stood up and embraced him and kissed him. Then all
who were sitting rose to do him honour; and the two Kings seated him
between them and they sat conversing a while, after which quoth King
Sulayman Shah to King Shahriman, "I desire to have the marriage
contract between my son and thy daughter drawn up in the presence of
witnesses, that the wedding may be made public, even as is the custom
of Kings." "I hear and I obey," quoth King Shahriman and thereon
summoned the Kazi and the witnesses, who came and wrote out the
marriage contract between Taj al-Muluk and the Lady Dunya. Then they
gave bakhshish[FN#55] of money and sweetmeats; and lavished incense and
essences; and indeed it was a day of joy and gladness and all the
grandees and soldiers rejoiced therein. Then King Shahriman proceeded
to dower and equip his daughter; and Taj al-Muluk said to his sire, "Of
a truth, this young man Aziz is of the generous and hath done me a
notable service, having borne weariness with me; and he hath travelled
with me and hath brought me to my desire. He ceased never to show
sufferance with me and exhort me to patience till I accomplished my
intent; and now he hath abided with us two whole years, and he cut off
from his native land. So now I purpose to equip him with merchandise,
that he may depart hence with a light heart; for his country is
nearhand." Replied his father, "Right is thy rede;" so they made ready
an hundred loads of the richest stuffs and the most costly, and Taj
al-Muluk presented them with great store of money to Aziz, and
farewelled him, saying, "O my brother and my true friend! take these
loads and accept them from me by way of gift and token of affection,
and go in peace to thine own country." Aziz accepted the presents and
kissing the ground between the hands of the Prince and his father bade
them adieu. Moreover, Taj al-Muluk mounted and accompanied him three
miles on his homeward way as a proof of amity, after which Aziz
conjured him to turn back, saying, "By Allah, O my master, were it not
for my mother, I never would part from thee! But, good my lord! leave
me not without news of thee." Replied Taj al-Muluk, "So be it!" Then
the Prince returned to the city and Aziz journeyed on till he came to
his native town; and he entered it and ceased not faring till he went
in to his mother and found that she had built him a monument in the
midst of the house and used to visit it continually. When he entered,
he saw her with hair dishevelled and dispread over the tomb, weeping
and repeating these lines,
"Indeed I'm strong to bear whate'er befal; *
But weak to bear such parting's dire mischance:
What heart estrangement of the friend can bear? *
What strength withstand assault of severance?"
Then sobs burst from her breast, and she recited also these couplets,
"What's this? I pass by tombs, and fondly greet *
My friends' last homes, but send they no reply:
For saith each friend, 'Reply how can I make *
When pledged to clay and pawned to stones I lie?
Earth has consumed my charms and I forget *
Thy love, from kith and kin poor banisht I.' "
While she was thus, behold, Aziz came in to her and when she saw him,
she fell down, fainting for very joy. He sprinkled water on her face
till she revived and rising, took him in her arms and strained him to
her breast, whilst he in like manner embraced her. Then he greeted her
and she greeted him, and she asked the reason of his long absence,
whereupon he told her all that had befallen him from first to last and
informed her how Taj al-Muluk had given him an hundred loads of monies
and stuffs. At this she rejoiced, and Aziz abode with his mother in
his native town, weeping for what mishaps had happened to him with the
daughter of Dalilah the Wily One, even her who had castrated[FN#56]
him. Such was the case with Aziz; but as regards Taj al-Muluk he went
in unto his beloved, the Princess Dunya, and abated her maidenhead.
Then King Shahriman proceeded to equip his daughter for her journey
with her husband and father in law, and bade bring them provaunt and
presents and rarities. So they loaded their beasts and set forth,
whilst King Shahriman escorted them, by way of farewell, three days'
journey on their way, till King Shah Sulayman conjured him to return.
So he took leave of them and turned back, and Taj al-Muluk and his wife
and father fared for wards night and day, with their troops, till they
drew near their capital. As soon as the news of their coming spread
abroad, the folk decorated for them the city,—And Shahrazad perceived
the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
When it was the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Night,
She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Shah
Sulayman drew near his capital, the folk decorated the city for him and
for his son. So they entered in state and the King, sitting on his
throne with his son by his side, gave alms and largesse and loosed all
who were in his jails. Then he held a second bridal for his son, and
the sound of the singing women and players upon instruments was never
silent for a whole month, and the tire women stinted not to adorn the
Lady Dunya and display her in various dresses; and she tired not of the
displaying nor did the women weary of gazing on her. Then Taj
al-Muluk, after having foregathered awhile with his father and mother,
took up his sojourn with his wife, and they abode in all joyance of
life and in fairest fortune, till there came to them the Destroyer of
all delights.[FN#57] Now when the Wazir Dandan had ended the tale of
Taj al-Muluk and the Lady Dunya, Zau al-Makan said to him, "Of a truth,
it is the like of thee who lighten the mourner's heart and who deserve
to be the boon companions of Kings and to guide their policy in the
right way." All this befel and they were still besieging
Constantinople, where they lay four whole years, till they yearned
after their native land; and the troops murmured, being weary of vigil
and besieging and the endurance of fray and foray by night and by day.
Then King Zau al-Makan summoned Rustam and Bahram and Tarkash, and when
they were in presence bespoke them thus, "Know that we have lain here
all these years and we have not won to our wish; nay, we have but
gained increase of care and concern; for indeed we came, thinking to
take our man bote for King Omar bin al-Nu'uman and in so doing my
brother Sharrkan was slain; so is our sorrow grown to sorrows twain and
our affliction to afflictions twain. All this came of the old woman
Zat al-Dawahi, for it was she who slew the Sultan in his kingdom and
carried off his wife, the Queen Sophia; nor did this suffice her, but
she must put another cheat on us and cut the throat of my brother
Sharrkan and indeed I have bound myself and sworn by the solemnest
oaths that there is no help but I take blood wit from her. What say
ye? Ponder my address and answer me." Then they bowed their heads and
answered, "It is for the Wazir Dandan to opine." So the Minister came
forward and said, "Know O King of the Age! it booteth us nought to
tarry here; and 'tis my counsel that we strike camp and return to our
own country, there to abide for a certain time and after that we should
return for a razzia upon the worshippers of idols." Replied the King,
"This rede is right, for indeed the folk weary for a sight of their
families, and I am an other who is also troubled with yearning after my
son Kanmakan and my brother 's daughter Kuzia Fakan, for she is in
Damascus and I know not how is her case." When the troops heard this
report, they rejoiced and blessed the Wazir Dandan. Then the King bade
the crier call the retreat after three days. They fell to preparing
for the march, and, on the fourth day, they beat the big drums and
unfurled the banners and the army set forth, the Wazir Danden in the
van and the King riding in the mid battle, with the Grand Chamberlain
by his side; and all journeyed without ceasing, night and day, till
they reached Baghdad city. The folk rejoiced in their return, and care
and fear ceased from them whilst the stay at homes met the absentees
and each Emir betook him to his own house. As for Zau al-Makan he
marched up to the Palace and went in to his son Kanmakan, who had now
reached the age of seven; and who used to go down to the weapon plain
and ride. As soon as the King was rested of his journey, he entered
the Hammam with his son, and returning, seated himself on his sofa of
state, whilst the Wazir Dandan took up his station before him and the
Emirs and Lords of the realm presented themselves and stood in
attendance upon him. Then Zau al-Makan called for his comrade, the
Fireman, who had befriended him in his wanderings; and, when he came
into presence, the King rose to do him honour and seated him by his
side. Now he had acquainted the Wazir with all the kindness and good
turns which the Stoker had done him; and he found that the wight had
waxed fat and burly with rest and good fare, so that his neck was like
an elephant's throat and his face like a dolphin's belly. Moreover, he
was grown dull of wit, for that he had never stirred from his place; so
at first he knew not the King by his aspect. But Zau al-Makan came up
to him smiling in his face, and greeted him after the friendliest
fashion, saying, "How soon hast thou forgotten me?" With this the
Fireman roused himself and, looking steadfastly at Zau al-Makan, made
sure that he knew him; whereupon he sprang hastily to his feet and
exclaimed, "O my friend, who hath made thee Sultan?" Then Zau al- Makan
laughed at him and the Wazir, coming up to him expounded the whole
story to him and said, "In good sooth he was thy brother and thy
friend; and now he is King of the land and needs must thou get great
good of him. So I charge thee, if he say, 'Ask a boon of me,' ask not
but for some great thing; for thou art very dear to him." Quoth the
Fireman, "I fear lest, if I ask of him aught, he may not choose to give
it or may not be able to grant it." Quoth the Wazir, "Have no care;
whatsoever thou askest he will give thee." Rejoined the Stoker, "By
Allah, I must at once ask of him a thing that is in my thought: every
night I dream of it and implore Almighty Allah to vouchsafe it to me."
Said the Wazir, "Take heart; by Allah, if thou ask of him the
government of Damascus, in place of his brother, he would surely give
it thee and make thee Governor." With this the Stoker rose to is feet
and Zau al-Makan signed to him to sit; but he refused, saying, "Allah
forfend! The days are gone by of my sitting in thy presence.' Answered
the Sultan, "Not so, they endure even now. Thou west in very deed the
cause that I am at present alive and, by Allah, whatever thing most
desired thou requirest of me, I will give that same to thee. But ask
thou first of Allah, and then of me!" He said, "O my lord, I fear"
"Fear not," quoth the Sultan He continued, "I fear to ask aught and
that thou shouldst refuse it to me and it is only" At this the King
laughed and replied, "If thou require of me the half of my kingdom I
would share it with thee: so ask what thou wilt and leave talking."
Repeated the Fireman "I fear" "Don't fear," quoth the King. He went
on, "I fear lest I ask a thing and thou be not able to grant it." Upon
this the Sultan waxed wroth and cried, "Ask what thou wilt." Then said
he, "I ask, first of Allah and then of thee, that thou write me a
patent of Syndicate over all the Firemen of the baths in the Holy City,
Jerusalem." The Sultan and all present laughed and Zau al-Makan said,
"Ask something more than this." He replied, "O my lord, said I not I
feared that thou wouldst not choose to give me what I should ask or
that thou be not able to grant it?" Therewith the Wazir signed him with
his foot once and twice and thrice, and every time he began, "I ask of
thee" Quoth the Sultan, "Ask and be speedy." So he said, "I ask thee to
make me Chief of the Scavengers in the Holy City of Jerusalem, or in.
Damascus town." Then all those who were present fell on their backs
with laughter and the Wazir beat him; whereupon he turned to the
Minister and said to him, "What art thou that thou shouldest beat me?
'Tis no fault of mine: didst thou not thyself bid me ask some important
thing?" And he added, "Let me go to my own land." With this, the Sultan
knew that he was jesting and took patience with him awhile; then turned
to him and said, "O my brother, ask of me some important thing,
befitting our dignity." So the Stoker said, "O King of the Age, I ask
first of Allah and then of thee, that thou make me Viceroy of Damascus
in the place of thy brother;" and the King replied, "Allah granteth
thee this." Thereupon the Fireman kissed ground before him and he bade
set him a chair in his rank and vested him with a viceroy's habit.
Then he wrote him a patent and sealed it with his own seal, and said to
the Wazir Dandan, "None shall go with him but thou; and when thou
makest the return journey, do thou bring with thee my brother's
daughter, Kuzia Fakan." "Hearken ing and obedience," answered the
Minister; and, taking the Fire man, went down with him and made ready
for the march. Then the King appointed for the Stoker servants and
suite, and gave him a new litter and a princely equipage and said to
the Emirs, "Whoso loveth me, let him honour this man and offer him a
handsome present." So each and every of the Emirs brought him his gift
according to his competence; and the King named him Zibl Khán,[FN#58]
and conferred on him the honourable surname of al- Mujáhid.[FN#59] As
soon as the gear was ready, he went up with the Wazir Dandan to the
King, that he might take leave of him and ask his permission to depart.
The King rose to him and embraced him, and charged him to do justice
between his subjects and bade him make ready for fight against the
Infidels after two years. Then they took leave of each other and the
King,[FN#60] the Fighter for the Faith highs Zibl Khan, having been
again exhorted by Zau al-Makan to deal fairly with his subjects, set
out on his journey, after the Emirs had brought him Mamelukes and
eunuchs, even to five thousand in number, who rode after him. The
Grand Chamberlain also took horse, as did Bahram, captain of the
Daylamites, and Rustam, captain of the Persians, and Tarkash, captain
of the Arabs, who attended to do him service; and they ceased not
riding with him three days' journey by way of honour. Then, taking
their leave of him, they returned to Baghdad and the Sultan Zibl Khan
and the Wazir Dandan fared on, with their suite and troops, till they
drew near Damascus. Now news was come, upon the wings of birds, to the
notables of Damascus, that King Zau al-Makan had made Sultan over
Damascus a King named Zibl Khan and surnamed Al-Mujahid; so when he
reached the city he found it dressed in his honour and everyone in the
place came out to gaze on him. The new Sultan entered Damascus in a
splendid progress and went up to the citadel, where he sat down upon
his chair of state, whilst the Wazir Dandan stood in attendance on him,
to acquaint him with the ranks of the Emirs and their stations. Then
the Grandees came in to him and kissed hands and called down blessings
on him. The new King, Zibl Khan, received them graciously and bestowed
on them dresses of honour and various presents and bounties; after
which he opened the treasuries and gave largesse to the troops, great
and small. Then he governed and did justice and proceeded to equip the
Lady Kuzia Fakan, daughter of King Sharrkan, appointing her a litter of
silken stuff. Moreover he furnished the Wazir Dandan equally well for
the return journey and offered him a gift of coin but he refused,
saying, "Thou art near the time appointed by the King, and haply thou
wilt have need of money, or after this we may send to seek of thee
funds for the Holy War or what not." Now when the Wazir was ready to
march, Sultan al-Mujahid mounted to bid the Minister farewell and
brought Kuzia Fakan to him, and made her enter the litter and sent with
her ten damsels to do her service. Thereupon they set forward, whilst
King "Fighter for the Faith" returned to his government that he might
order affairs and get ready his munitions of war, awaiting such time as
King Zau al- Makan should send a requisition to him. Such was the case
with Sultan Zibl Khan, but as regards the Wazir Dandan, he ceased not
faring forward and finishing off the stages, in company with Kuzia
Fakan till they came to Ruhbah[FN#61] after a month's travel and thence
pushed on, till he drew near Baghdad. Then he sent to announce his
arrival to King Zau al-Makan who, when he heard this, took horse and
rode out to meet him. The Wazir Dandan would have dismounted, but the
King conjured him not to do so and urged his steed till he came up to
his side. Then he questioned him of Zibl Khan highs Al-Mujahid,
whereto the Wazir replied that he was well and that he had brought with
him Kuzia Fakan the daughter of his brother. At this the King rejoiced
and said to Dandan, "Down with thee and rest thee from the fatigue of
the journey for three days, after which come to me again." Replied the
Wazir "With joy and gratitude," and betook himself to his own house,
whilst the King rode up to his Palace and went in to his brother's
daughter, Kuzia Fakan, a girl of eight years old. When he saw her, he
rejoiced in her and sorrowed for her sire; then he bade make for her
clothes and gave her splendid jewelry and ornaments, and ordered she be
lodged with his son Kanmakan in one place. So they both grew up the
brightest of the people of their time and the bravest; but Kuzia Fakan
became a maiden of good sense and understanding and knowledge of the
issues of events, whilst Kanmakan approved him a generous youth and
freehanded, taking no care in the issue of aught. And so they
continued till each of them attained the age of twelve. Now Kuzia Fakan
used to ride a horseback and fare forth with her cousin into the open
plain and push forward and range at large with him in the word; and
they both learnt to smite with swords and spike with spears. But when
they had reached the age of twelve, King Zau al-Makan, having completed
his preparations and provisions and munitions for Holy War, summoned
the Wazir Dandan and said to him, "Know that I have set mind on a
thing, which I will discover to thee, and I want shine opinion thereon;
so do thou with speed return me a reply." Asked the Wazir, "What is
that, O King of the Age?"; and the other answered, "I am resolved to
make my son Kanmakan Sultan and rejoice in him in my lifetime and do
battle before him till death overtake me. What reckest thou of this?"
The Wazir kissed the ground before the King and replied, "Know, O King
and Sultan mine, Lord of the Age and the time! that which is in thy
mind is indeed good, save that it is now no tide to carry it out, for
two reasons; the first, that thy son Kanmakan is yet of tender years;
and the second, that it often befalleth him who maketh his son King in
his life time, to live but a little while thereafterward.[FN#62] And
this is my reply." Rejoined the King, "Know, O Wazir that we will make
the Grand Chamberlain guardian over him, for he is now one of the
family and he married my sister, so that he is to me as a brother."
Quoth the Wazir, "Do what seemeth good to thee: we have only to obey
thine orders." Then the King sent for the Grand Chamberlain whom they
brought into the presence together with the Lords of the realm and he
said to them, "Ye know that this my son Kanmakan is the first cavalier
of the age, and that he hath no peer in striking with the sword and
lunging with the lance; and now I appoint him to be Sultan over you and
I make the Grand Chamberlain, his uncle, guardian over him." Replied
the Chamberlain, "I am but a tree which thy bounty hath planted"; and
Zau al-Makan said, "O Chamberlain, verily this my son Kanmakan and my
niece Kuzia Fakan are brothers' children; so I hereby marry her to him
and I call those present to witness thereof." Then he made over to his
son such treasures as no tongue can describe, and going in to his
sister, Nuzhat al-Zaman, told her what he had done, whereat she was a
glad woman and said, "Verily the twain are my children: Allah preserve
thee to them and keep thy life for them many a year!" Replied he, "O my
sister, I have accomplished in this world all my heart desired and I
have no fear for my son! yet it were well thou have an eye on him, and
an eye on his mother." And he charged the Chamberlain and Nuzhat
al-Zaman with the care of his son and niece and wife, and this he
continued to do nights and days till he fell sick and deemed surely
that he was about to drink the cup of death; so he took to his bed,
whilst the Chamberlain busied himself with ordering the folk and realm.
At the end of the year, the King summoned his son Kanmakan and the
Wazir Dandan and said, "O my son, after my death this Wazir is thy
sire; for know that I am about to leave this house of life transitory
for the house of eternity. And indeed I have fulfilled my will of this
world; yet there remaineth in my heart one regret which may Allah
dispel through and by thy hands." Asked his son, "What regret is that,
O my father?" Answered Zau al-Makan, "O my son, the sole regret of me
is that I die without having avenged thy grandfather, Omar bin
al-Nu'uman, and thine uncle, Sharrkan, on an old woman whom they call
Zat al-Dawahi; but, if Allah grant thee aid, sleep not till thou take
thy wreak on her, and so wipe out the shame we have suffered at the
Infidel's hands; and beware of the old hag's wile and do what the Wazir
Dandan shall advise thee; because he from old time hath been the pillar
of our realm." And his son assented to what he said. Then the King's
eyes ran over with tears and his sickness redoubled on him; whereupon
his brother in law, the Chamberlain took charge over the country and,
being a capable man, he judged and bade and forbade for the whole of
that year, while Zau al-Makan was occupied with his malady. And his
sickness was sore upon him for four years, during which the Chief
Chamberlain sat in his stead and gave full satisfaction to the commons
and the nobles; and all the country blessed his rule. Such was the case
with Zau al-Makan and the Chamberlain, but as regards the King's son,
he busied himself only with riding and lunging with lance and shooting
with shaft, and thus also did the daughter of his uncle, Kuzia Fakan;
for he and she were wont to fare forth at the first of the day and
return at nightfall, when she would go in to her mother, and he would
go in to his mother whom he ever found sitting in tears by the head of
his father's couch. Then he would tend his father all night long till
daybreak, when he would go forth again with his cousin according to
their wont. Now Zau al-Makan's pains and sufferings were lonesome upon
him and he wept and began versifying with these couplets,
"Gone is my strength, told is my tale of days *
And, lookye! I am left as thou dost see:
In honour's day most honoured wont to be, *
And win the race from all my company
Would Heaven before my death I might behold *
My son in seat of empire sit for me
And rush upon his foes, to take his wreak *
With sway of sword and lance lunged gallantly:
In this world and the next I am undone, *
Except the Lord vouchsafe me clemency."
When he had ended repeating these verses, he laid his head on his
pillow and closed his eyes and slept. Then saw he in his sleep one who
said to him, "Rejoice, for thy son shall fill the lands with justest
sway; and he shall rule them and him shall the lieges obey."; Then he
awoke from his dream gladdened by the good tidings he had seen, and
after a few days, Death smote him, and because of his dying great grief
fell on the people of Baghdad, and simple and gentle mourned for him.
But Time passed over him, as though he had never been[FN#63] and
Kanmakan's estate was changed; for the people of Baghdad set him aside
and put him and his family in a place apart. Now when his mother saw
this, she fell into the sorriest of plights and said, "There is no help
but that I go to the Grand Chamberlain, and I must hope for the aidance
of the Subtle, the All-Wise!" Then she rose from her place and betook
herself to the house of the Chamberlain who was now become Sultan, and
she found him sitting upon his carpet. So she went in to his wife,
Nuzhat al-Zaman, and wept with sore weeping and said unto her, "Verily
the dead hath no friend! May Allah never bring you to want as long as
your age and the years endure, and may you cease not to rule justly
over rich and poor. Thine ears have heard and thine eyes have seen all
that was ours of kingship and honour and dignity and wealth and fair
fortune of life and condition; and now Time hath turned upon us, and
fate and the world have betrayed us and wrought in hostile way with us,
wherefore I come to thee craving thy favours, I from whom favours were
craved: for when a man dieth, women and maidens are brought to
despisal." And she repeated these couplets,
"Suffice thee Death such marvels can enhance, *
And severed lives make lasting severance:
Man's days are marvels, and their stations are *
But water-pits[FN#64] of misery and mischance.
Naught wrings my heart save loss of noble friends, *
Girt round by rings of hard, harsh circumstance."
When Nuzhat al-Zaman heard these words, she remembered her brother, Zau
al-Makan, and his son Kanmakan, and, making her draw near to her and
showing her honour, she said, "Verily at this moment, by Allah, I am
grown rich and thou art poor; now by the Lord! we did not cease to
seek thee out, but we feared to wound thy heart lest thou shouldest
fancy our gifts to thee an alms gift. Withal, whatso weal we now enjoy
is from thee and thy husband; so our house is thy house and our place
thy place, and thine is all our wealth and what goods we have belong to
thee." Then she robed her in sumptuous robes and set apart for her a
place in the Palace adjoining her own; and they abode therein, she and
her son, in all delight of life. And Nuzhat al-Zaman clothed him also
in Kings' raiment and gave to them both especial handmaids for their
service. After a little, she related to her husband the sad case of
the widow of her brother, Zau al-Makan, whereat his eyes filled with
tears and he said, "Wouldest thou see the world after thee, look thou
upon the world after other than thyself. Then entreat her honourably
and enrich her poverty."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and
ceased to say her permitted say.
When It was the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Night,
She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Nuzhat
Al-Zaman related to her husband the sad case of the widow of her
brother, Zau al-Makan, the Chamberlain said, "Entreat her honourably
and enrich her poverty." Thus far concerning Nuzhat al-Zaman and her
consort and the relict of Zau al-Makan; but as regards Kanmakan and his
cousin Kuzia Fakan, they grew up and flourished till they waxed like
unto two fruit-laden boughs or two shining moons; and they reached the
age of fifteen. And she was indeed the fairest of maids who are
modestly veiled, lovely faced with smooth cheeks graced, and slender
waist on heavy hips based; and her shape was the shaft's thin line and
her lips were sweeter than old wine and the nectar of her mouth as it
were the fountain Salsabíl[FN#65]; even as saith the poet in these two
couplets describing one like her,
"As though ptisane of wine on her lips honey dew *
Dropt from the ripened grapes her mouth in clusters grew
And, when her frame thou doublest, and low bends her vine, *
Praise her Creator's might no creature ever knew."
Of a truth Allah had united in her every charm: her shape would shame
the branch of waving tree and the rose before her cheeks craved lenity;
and the honey dew of her lips of wine made jeer, however old and clear,
and she gladdened heart and beholder with joyous cheer, even as saith
of her the poet,
"Goodly of gifts is she, and charm those perfect eyes, *
With lashes shaming Kohl and all the fair ones Kohl'd[FN#66]
And from those eyne the glances pierce the lover's heart, *
Like sword in Mír al-Muminína Ali's hold."
And (the relator continueth) as for Kanmakan, he became unique in
loveliness and excelling in perfection no less; none could even him in
qualities as in seemliness and the sheen of velour between his eyes was
espied, testifying for him while against him it never testified. The
hardest hearts inclined to his side; his eyelids bore lashes black as
by Kohl; and he was of surpassing worth in body and soul. And when the
down of lips and cheeks began to sprout bards and poets sang for him
far and near,
"Appeared not my excuse till hair had clothed his cheek, *
And gloom o'ercrept that side-face (sight to stagger!)
A fawn, when eyes would batten on his charms, *
Each glance deals thrust like point of Khanjar-dagger."
And saith another,
"His lovers' souls have drawn upon his cheek *
An ant that perfected its rosy light:
I marvel at such martyrs Lazá-pent *
Who yet with greeny robes of Heaven are dight.''[FN#67]
Now it chanced one holiday, that Kuzia Fakan fared forth to make
festival with certain kindred of the court, and she went surrounded by
her handmaids. And indeed beauty encompassed her, the roses of her
cheeks dealt envy to their mole; from out her smiling lips levee
flashed white, gleaming like the chamomile[FN#68]; and Kanmakan began
to turn about her and devour her with his sight, for she was the moon
of resplendent light. Then he took heart and giving his tongue a start
began to improvise,
"When shall the disappointed heart be healed of severance, *
And lips of Union smile at ceasing of our hard mischance?
Would Heaven I knew shall come some night, and with it surely
bring * Meeting with friend who like myself endureth
sufferance."[FN#69]
When Kuzia Fakan heard these couplets, she showed vexation and
disapproval and, putting on a haughty and angry air, said to him, "Dost
thou name me in thy verse, to shame me amongst folk? By Allah, if thou
turn not from this talk, I will assuredly complain of thee to the Grand
Chamberlain, Sultan of Khorasan and Baghdad and lord of justice and
equity; that disgrace and punishment may befal thee!" Kanmakan made no
reply for anger but he returned to Baghdad; and Kuzia Fakan also
returned to her palace and complained of her cousin to her mother, who
said to her, "O my daughter, haply he meant thee no harm, and is he
aught but an orphan? Withal, he said nought of reproach to thee; so
beware thou tell none of this, lest perchance it come to e Sultan's
ears and he cut short his life and blot out his name and make it even
as yesterday, whose memory hath passed away." However, Kanmakan's love
for Kuzia Fakan spread abroad in Baghdad, so that the women talked of
it. Moreover, his breast became straitened and his patience waned and
he knew not what to do, yet he could not hide his condition from the
world. Then longed he to give vent to the pangs he endured, by reason
of the lowe of separation; but he feared her rebuke and her wrath; so
he began improvising,
"Now is my dread to incur reproaches, which *
Disturb her temper and her mind obscure,
Patient I'll bear them; e'en as generous youth his case to
cure.'' * Beareth the burn of brand his case to
cure."[FN#70]
And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted
say.
When it was the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Night,
She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the Grand
Chamberlain became Sultan they named him King Sásán; and after he had
assumed the throne he governed the people in righteous way. Now as he
was giving audience one day, Kanmakan's verses came to his knowledge.
Thereupon he repented him of the past and going in to his wife Nuzhat
al-Zaman, said to her, "Verily, to join Halfah grass and fire,[FN#71]
is the greatest of risks, and man may not be trusted with woman, so
long as eye glanceth and eyelid quivereth. Now thy brother's son,
Kanmakan, is come to man's estate and it behoveth us to forbid him
access to the rooms where anklets trinkle, and it is yet more needful
to forbid thy daughter the company of men, for the like of her should
be kept in the Harim." Replied she, "Thou sayest sooth, O wise King!"
Next day came Kanmakan according to his wont; and, going in to his aunt
saluted her. She returned his salutation and said to him, "O my son!
I have some what to say to thee which I would fain leave unsaid; yet I
must tell it thee despite my inclination." Quoth he, "Speak;" and quoth
she, Know then that thy sire the Chamberlain, the father of Kuzia
Fakan, hath heard of the verses thou madest anent her, and hath ordered
that she be kept in the Harim and out of thy reach; if therefore, O my
son, thou want anything from us, I will send it to thee from behind the
door; and thou shalt not look upon Kuzia Fakan nor shalt thou return
hither from this day forth." When he heard this he arose and withdrew
with out speaking a single word; and, betaking himself to his mother
related what his aunt had said. She observed, "This all cometh of
thine overtalking. Thou knowest that the news of thy passion for Kuzia
Fakan is noised abroad and the tattle hath spread everywhere how thou
eatest their food and thereafter thou courtest their daughter."
Rejoined he, "And who should have her but I? She is the daughter of my
father's brother and I have the best of rights to her." Retorted his
mother, "These are idle words. Be silent, lest haply thy talk come to
King Sasan's ears and it prove the cause of thy losing her and the
reason of thy ruin and increase of thine affliction. They have not sent
us any supper to-night and we shall die an hungered; and were we in any
land but this, we were already dead of famine or of shame for begging
our bread." When Kanmakan heard these words from his mother, his
regrets redoubled; his eyes ran over with tears and he complained and
began improvising,
"Minish this blame I ever bear from you: *
My heart loves her to whom all love is due:
Ask not from me of patience jot or little, *
Divorce of Patience by God's House! I rue:
What blamers preach of patience I unheed; *
Here am I, love path firmly to pursue!
Indeed they bar me access to my love, *
Here am I by God's ruth no ill I sue!
Good sooth my bones, whenas they hear thy name, *
Quail as birds quailed when Nisus o'er them flew:[FN#72]
Ah! say to them who blame my love that I *
Will love that face fair cousin till I die."
And when he had ended his verses he said to his mother, "I have no
longer a place in my aunt's house nor among these people, but I will go
forth from the palace and abide in the corners of the city." So he and
his mother left the court; and, having sought an abode in the
neighbourhood of the poorer sort, there settled; but she used to go
from time to time to King Sasan's palace and thence take daily bread
for herself and her son. As this went on Kuzia Fakan took her aside
one day and said to her, "Alas, O my naunty, how is it with thy son?"
Replied she, "O my daughter, sooth to say, he is tearful-eyed and heavy
hearted, being fallen into the net of thy love." And she repeated to
her the couplets he had made; whereupon Kuzia Fakan wept and said, "By
Allah! I rebuked him not for his words, nor for ill-will to him, but
because I feared for him the malice of foes. Indeed my passion for him
is double that he feeleth for me; my tongue may not describe my
yearning for him; and were it not for the extravagant wilfulness of his
words and the wanderings of his wit, my father had not cut off from him
favours that besit, nor had decreed unto him exclusion and prohibition
as fit. However, man's days bring nought but change, and patience in
all case is most becoming: peradventure He who ordained our severance
will vouchsafe us reunion!" And she began versifying in these two
couplets,
"O son of mine uncle! same sorrow I bear, *
And suffer the like of thy cark and thy care
Yet hide I from man what I suffer for pine; *
Hide it too, and such secret to man never bare!"
When his mother heard this from her, she thanked her and blessed her:
then she left her and acquainted her son with what she had said;
whereupon his desire for her increased and he took heart, being eased
of his despair and the turmoil of his love and care. And he said, "By
Allah, I desire none but her!"; and he began improvising,
"Leave this blame, I will list to no flout of my foe! *
I divulged a secret was told me to keep:
He is lost to my sight for whose union I yearn, *
And I watch all the while he can slumber and sleep."
So the days and nights went by whilst Kanmakan lay tossing upon coals
of fire,[FN#73] till he reached the age of seventeen; and his beauty
had waxt perfect and his wits were at their brightest. One night, as he
lay awake, he communed with himself and said, "Why should I keep
silence till I waste away and see not my lover? Fault have I none save
poverty; so, by Allah, I am resolved to remove me from this region and
wander over the wild and the word; for my position in this city is a
torture and I have no friend nor lover therein to comfort me; wherefore
I am determined to distract myself by absence from my native land till
I die and take my rest after this shame and tribulation." And he began
to improvise and recited these couplets,
"Albeit my vitals quiver 'neath this ban; *
Before the foe myself I'll ne'er unman!
So pardon me, my vitals are a writ *
Whose superscription are my tears that ran:
Heigh ho! my cousin seemeth Houri may *
Come down to earth by reason of Rizwan:
'Scapes not the dreadful sword lunge of her look *
Who dares the glancing of those eyne to scan:
O'er Allah's wide spread world I'll roam and roam, *
And from such exile win what bread I can
Yes, o'er broad earth I'll roam and save my soul, *
All but her absence bear ing like a man
With gladsome heart I'll haunt the field of fight, *
And meet the bravest Brave in battle van!"
So Kanmakan fared forth from the palace barefoot and he walked in a
short sleeved gown, wearing on his head a skull cap of felt[FN#74]
seven years old and carrying a scone three days stale, and in the deep
glooms of night betook himself to the portal of al-Arij of Baghdad.
Here he waited for the gate being opened and when it was opened, he was
the first to pass through it; and he went out at random and wandered
about the wastes night and day. When the dark hours came, his mother
sought him but found him not; whereupon the world waxt strait upon her
for all that it was great and wide, and she took no delight in aught of
weal it supplied. She looked for him a first day and a second day and
a third day till ten days were past, but no news of him reached her.
Then her breast became contracted and she shrieked and shrilled,
saying, "O my son! O my darling! thou hast revived my regrets.
Sufficed not what I endured, but thou must depart from my home? After
thee I care not for food nor joy in sleep, and naught but tears and
mourning are left me. O my son, from what land shall I call thee? And
what town hath given thee refuge?" Then her sobs burst out, and she
began repeating these couplets,
"Well learnt we, since you left, our grief and sorrow to
sustain, * While bows of severance shot their shafts in
many a railing rain:
They left me, after girthing on their selles of corduwayne *
To fight the very pangs of death while spanned they sandy
plain:
Mysterious through the nightly gloom there came the moan of
dove; * A ring dove, and replied I, 'Cease thy plaint, how
durst complain?'
If, by my life, her heart, like mine, were full of pain and
pine * She had not decks her neck with ring nor sole with
ruddy stain.[FN#75]
Fled is mine own familiar friend, bequeathing me a store *
Of parting pang and absence ache to suffer evermore."
Then she abstained from food and drink and gave herself up to excessive
tear shedding and lamentation. Her grief became public property far
and wide and all the people of the town and country side wept with her
and cried, "Where is thine eye, O Zau al- Makan?" And they bewailed the
rigours of Time, saying, "Would Heaven we knew what hath befallen
Kanmakan that he fled his native town, and chased himself from the
place where his father used to fill all in hungry case and do justice
and grace?" And his mother redoubled her weeping and wailing till the
news of Kanmakan's departure came to King Sasan.—And Shahrazad
perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
When it was the One Hundred and Fortieth Night,
She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that came to King
Sasan the tidings of the departure of Kanmakan, through the Chief Emirs
who said to him, "Verily he is the son of our Sovran and the seed of
King Omar bin al-Nu'uman and it hath reached us that he hath exiled
himself from the land." When King Sasan heard these words, he was wroth
with them and ordered one of them to be hanged by way of silencing him,
whereat the fear of him fell upon the hearts of all the other Grandees
and they dared not speak one word. Then he called to mind all the
kindness that Zau al-Makan had done him, and how he had charged him
with the care of his son; wherefore he grieved for Kanmakan and said,
"Needs must I have search made for him in all countries." So he
summoned Tarkash and bade him choose an hundred horse and wend with
them in quest of the Prince. Accordingly he went out and was absent
ten days, after which he returned and said, "I can learn no tidings of
him and have hit on no trace of him, nor can any tell me aught of him."
Upon this King Sasan repented him of that which he had done by the
Prince; whilst his mother abode in unrest continual nor would patience
come at her call: and thus passed over her twenty days in heaviness
all. This is how it fared with these; but as regards Kanmakan, when he
left Baghdad, he went forth perplexed about his case and knowing not
whither he should go: so he fared on alone through the desert for three
days and saw neither footman nor horseman; withal, his sleep fled and
his wakefulness redoubled, for he pined after his people and his
homestead. He ate of the herbs of the earth and drank of its flowing
waters and siesta'd under its trees at hours of noontide heats, till he
turned from that road to another way and, following it other three
days, came on the fourth to a land of green leas, dyed with the hues of
plants and trees and with sloping valley sides made to please,
abounding with the fruits of the earth. It had drunken of the cups of
the cloud, to the sound of thunders rolling loud and the song of the
turtle-dove gently sough'd, till its hill slopes were brightly verdant
and its fields were sweetly fragrant. Then Kanmakan recalled his
father's city Baghdad, and for excess of emotion he broke out into
verse,
"I roam, and roaming hope I to return; *
Yet of returning see not how or when:
I went for love of one I could not win, *
Nor way of 'scaping ills that pressed could ken."
When he ended his recital he wept, but presently he wiped away his
tears and ate of the fruits of the earth enough for his present need.
Then he made the Wuzu-ablution and prayed the ordained prayers which he
had neglected all this time; and he sat resting in that place through
the livelong day. When night came he slept and ceased not sleeping
till midnight, when he awoke and heard a human voice declaiming these
couplets,
"What's life to me, unless I see the pearly sheen *
Of teeth I love, and sight that glorious mien?
Pray for her Bishops who in convents reign, *
Vying to bow before that heavenly queen.
And Death is lighter than the loved one's wrath, *
Whose phantom haunts me seen in every scene:
O joy of cup companions, when they meet, *
And loved and lover o'er each other lean!
E'en more in time of spring, the lord of flowers, *
When fragrant is the world with bloom and green:
Drainer of vine-juice! up wi' thee, for now *
Earth is a Heaven where sweet waters flow.[FN#76]"
When Kanmakan heard these distichs his sorrows surged up; his tears ran
down his cheeks like freshets and flames of fire darted into his heart.
So he rose to see who it was that spake these words, but saw none for
the thickness of the gloom; whereupon passion increased on him and he
was frightened and restlessness possessed him. He descended from his
place to the sole of the valley and walked along the banks of the
stream, till he heard the same voice sighing heavy sighs and reciting
these couplets,
"Tho' 'tis thy wont to hide thy love perforce, *
Yet weep on day of parting and divorce!
Twixt me and my dear love were plighted vows; *
Pledge of reunion, fonder intercourse:
With joy inspires my heart and deals it rest *
Zephyr, whose coolness doth desire enforce.
O Sa'adá,[FN#77] thinks of me that anklet wearer? *
Or parting broke she troth without remorse?
And say! shall nights foregather us, and we *
Of suffered hardships tell in soft discourse?
Quoth she, 'Thou'rt daft for us and fey'; quoth I, *
' 'Sain thee! how many a friend hast turned to corse!'
If taste mine eyes sweet sleep while she's away, *
Allah with loss of her these eyne accurse.
O wounds in vitals mine! for cure they lack *
Union and dewy lips' sweet theriack."[FN#78]
When Kanmakan heard this verse again spoken by the same voice yet saw
no one, he knew that the speaker was a lover like unto himself,
debarred from union with her who loved him; and he said to himself,
"'Twere fitting that this man should lay his head to my head and become
my comrade in this my strangerhood."[FN#79] Then he hailed the speaker
and cried out to him, saying, "O thou who farest in sombrest night,
draw near to me and tell me thy tale haply thou shalt find me one who
will succour thee in thy sufferings." And when the owner of the voice
heard these words, he cried out, "O thou that respondest to my
complaint and wouldest hear my history, who art thou amongst the
knights? Art thou human or Jinni? Answer me speedily ere thy death
draw near for I have wandered in this desert some twenty days and have
seen no one nor heard any voice but thy voice." At these words Kanmakan
said to himself, "This one's case is like my case, for I, even I, have
wandered twenty days, nor during my wayfare have I seen man or heard
voice:" and he added, "I will make him no answer till day arise." So he
was silent, and the voice again called out to him, saying, "O thou that
callest, if thou be of the Jinn fare in peace and, if thou be man, stay
awhile till the day break stark and the night flee with the dark." The
speaker abode in his place and Kanmakan did likewise and the twain in
reciting verses never failed, and wept tears that railed till the light
of day began loom and the night departed with its gloom. Then Kanmakan
looked at the other and found him to be of the Badawi Arabs, a youth in
the flower of his age; clad in worn clothes and bearing in baldrick a
rusty sword which he kept sheathed, and the signs of love longing were
apparent on him. He went up to him and accosted him and saluted him,
and the Badawi returned the salute and greeted him with courteous
wishes for his long life, but somewhat despised him, seeing his tender
years and his condition, which was that of a pauper. So he said to
him, "O youth, of what tribe art thou and to whom art thou kin among
the Arabs; and what is thy history that thou goest by night, after the
fashion of knights? Indeed thou spakest to me in the dark words such
as are spoken of none but doughty cavaliers and lion- like warriors;
and now I hold thy life in hand. But I have compassion on thee by
reason of thy green years; so I will make thee my companion and thou
shalt go with me, to do me service." When Kanmakan heard him speak
these unseemly words, after showing him such skill in verse, he knew
that he despised him and would presume with him; therefore he answered
him with soft and well- chosen speech, saying, "O Chief of the Arabs,
leave my tenderness of age and tell me why thou wanderest by night in
the desert reciting verses. Thou talkest, I see, of my serving thee;
who then art thou and what moved thee to talk this wise?" Answered he,
"Hark ye, boy! I am Sabbáh, son of Rammáh bin Humám.[FN#80] My people
are of the Arabs of Syria and I have a cousin, Najmah highs, who to all
that look on her brings delight. And when my father died I was brought
up in the house of his brother, the father of Najmah; but as soon I
grew up and my uncle's daughter became a woman, they secluded her from
me and me from her, seeing that I was poor and without money in pouch.
Then the Chiefs of the Arabs and the heads of the tribes rebuked her
sire, and he was abashed before them and consented to give me my
cousin, but upon condition that I should bring him as her dower fifty
head of horses and fifty dromedaries which travel ten days[FN#81]
without a halt and fifty camels laden with wheat and a like number
laden with barley, together with ten black slaves and ten handmaids.
Thus the weight he set upon me was beyond my power to bear; for he
exacted more than the marriage settlement as by law established. So
here am I, travelling from Syria to Irak, and I have passed twenty days
with out seeing other than thyself; yet I mean to go to Baghdad that I
may ascertain what merchant men of wealth and importance start thence.
Then will I fare forth in their track and loot their goods, and I will
slay their escort and drive off their camels with their loads. But
what manner of man art thou?" Replied Kanmakan, "Thy case is like unto
my case, save that my evil is more grievous than thine ill; for my
cousin is a King's daughter and the dowry of which thou hast spoken
would not content her people, nor would they be satisfied with the like
of that from me." Quoth Sabbah, "Surely thou art a fool or thy wits for
excess of passion are gathering wool! How can thy cousin be a King's
daughter? Thou hast no sign of royal rank on thee, for thou art but a
mendicant." Re joined Kanmakan, "O Chief of the Arabs, let not this my
case seem strange to thee; for what happened, happened;[FN#82] and if
thou desire proof of me, I am Kanmakan, son of King Zau al-Makan, son
of King Omar bin al-Nu'uman Lord of Baghdad and the realm Khorasan; and
Fortune banned me with her tyrant ban, for my father died and my
Sultanate was taken by King Sasan. So I fled forth from Baghdad
secretly, lest I be seen of any man, and have wandered twenty days
without any but thyself to scan. So now I have discovered to thee my
case, and my story is as thy story and my need as thy need." When
Sabbab heard this, he cried out, "O my joy, I have attained my desire!
I will have no loot this day but thy self; for since thou art of the
seed of Kings and hast come out in beggar's garb, there is no help but
thy people will seek thee; and, if they find thee in any one's power,
they will ransom thee with monies galore. So show me thy back, O my
lad, and walk before me." Answered Kanmakan, "O brother of the Arabs,
act not on this wise, for my people will not buy me with silver nor
with gold, not even with a copper dirham; and I am a poor man, having
with me neither much nor little, so cease then to be upon this track
and take me to thy comrade. Fare we forth for the land of Irak and
wander over the world, so haply we may win dower and marriage portion,
and we may seek and enjoy our cousins' kisses and embraces when we come
back." Hearing this, Sabbah waxed angry; his arrogance and fury
redoubled and he said, "Woe to thee! Dost thou bandy words with me, O
vilest of dogs that be? Turn thee thy back, or I will come down on thee
with clack!" Kanmakan smiled and answered, "Why should I turn my back
for thee? Is there no justice in thee? Dost thou not fear to bring
blame upon the Arab men by driving a man like myself captive, in shame
and disdain, before thou hast proved him on the plain, to know if he be
a warrior or of cowardly strain?" Upon this Sabbah laughed and replied,
"By Allah, a wonder! Thou art a boy in years told, but in talk thou
art old. These words should come from none but a champion doughty and
bold: what wantest thou of justice?" Quoth Kanmakan, "If thou wilt have
me thy captive, to wend with thee and serve thee, throw down thine arms
and put off thine outer gear and come on and wrestle with me; and
whichever of us throw his opponent shall have his will of him and make
him his boy." Then Sabbah laughed and said, "I think this waste of
breath de noteth the nearness of thy death." Then he arose and threw
down his weapon and, tucking up his skirt, drew near unto Kanmakan who
also drew near and they gripped each other. But the Badawi found that
the other had the better of him and weighed him down as the quintal
downweighs the diner; and he looked at his legs firmly planted on the
ground, and saw that they were as two minarets[FN#83] strongly based,
or two tent-poles in earth encased, or two mountains which may not he
displaced. So he acknowledged himself to be a failure and repented of
having come to wrestle with him, saying in himself, "Would I had slain
him with my weapon!" Then Kanmakan took hold of him and mastering him,
shook him till the Badawi thought his bowels would burst in his belly,
and he broke out, "Hold thy hand, O boy!" He heeded not his words, but
shook him again and, lifting him from the ground, made with him towards
the stream, that he might throw him therein: where upon the Badawi
roared out, saying, "O thou valiant man, what wilt thou do with
me?"[FN#84] Quoth he, "I mean to throw thee into this stream: it will
bear thee to the Tigris. The Tigris will bring thee to the river Isa
and the Isa will carry thee to the Euphrates, and the Euphrates will
land thee in shine own country; so thy tribe shall see thee and know
thy manly cheer and how thy passion be sincere." Then Sabbah cried
aloud and said, "O Champion of the desert lair, do not with me what
deed the wicked dare but let me go, by the life of thy cousin, the
jewel of the fair!" Hearing this, Kanmakan set him on the ground, but
when he found him self at liberty, he ran to his sword and targe and
taking them up stood plotting in himself treachery and sudden assault
on his adversary.[FN#85] The Prince kenned his intent in his eye and
said to him, "I con what is in thy heart, now thou hast hold of thy
sword and thy targe. Thou hast neither length of hand nor trick of
wrestling, but thou thinkest that, wert thou on thy mare and couldst
wheel about the plain, and ply me with thy skene, I had long ago been
slain. But I will give thee thy requite, so there may be left in thy
heart no despite; now give me the targe and fall on me with thy
whinger; either thou shalt kill me or I shall kill thee." "Here it is,"
answered Sabbah and, throwing him the targe, bared his brand and rushed
at him sword in hand; Kanmakan hent the buckler in his right and began
to fend himself with it, whilst Sabbah struck at him, saying at each
stroke, "This is the finishing blow!" But it fell harmless enow, for
Kanmakan took all on his buckler and it was waste work, though he did
not reply lacking the wherewithal to strike and Sabbah ceased not to
smite at him with his sabre, till his arm was weary. When his opponent
saw this, he rushed upon him and, hugging him in his arms, shook him
and threw him to the ground. Then he turned him over on his face and
pinioned his elbows behind him with the baldrick of his sword, and
began to drag him by the feet and to make for the river. Thereupon
cried Sabbah, "What wilt thou do with me, O youth, and cavalier of the
age and brave of the plain where battles rage?" Answered he, "Did I not
tell thee that it was my intent to send thee by the river to thy kin
and to thy tribe, that thy heart be not troubled for them nor their
hearts be troubled for thee, and lest thou miss thy cousin's
bride-feast!" At this Sabbah shrieked aloud and wept and screaming
said, "Do not thus, O champion of the time's braves! Let me go and
make me one of thy slaves!" And he wept and wailed and began reciting
these verses,
"I'm estranged fro' my folk and estrangement's long: *
Shall I die amid strangers? Ah, would that I kenned!
I die, nor my kinsman shall know where I'm slain, *
Die in exile nor see the dear face of my friend!"
Thereupon Kanmakan had compassion on him and said, "Make with me a
covenant true and swear me an oath to be a comrade as due and to bear
me company wheresoever I may go." "'Tis well," replied Sabbah and swore
accordingly. Then Kanmakan loosed him and he rose and would have
kissed the Prince's hand; but he forbade him that. Then the Badawi
opened his scrip and, taking out three barley scones, laid them before
Kanmakan and they both sat down on the bank of the stream to
eat.[FN#86] When they had done eating together, they made the lesser
ablution and prayed; after which they sat talking of what had befallen
each of them from his people and from the shifts of Time. Presently
said Kanmakan, "Whither dost thou now intend?" Replied Sabbah, "I
purpose to repair to Baghdad, thy native town, and abide there, until
Allah vouchsafe me the marriage portion." Rejoined the other, "Up then
and to the road! I tarry here." So the Badawi farewelled him and took
the way for Baghdad, whilst Kanmakan remained behind, saying to
himself, "O my soul, with what face shall I return pauper- poor? Now
by Allah, I will not go back empty handed and, if the Almighty please,
I will assuredly work my deliverance." Then he went to the stream and
made the Wuzu-washing and when prostrating he laid his brow in the dust
and prayed to the Lord, saying, "O Allah! Thou who sendest down the
dew, and feedest the worm that homes in the stone, I beseech Thee
vouchsafe me my livelihood of Thine Omnipotence and the Grace of Thy
benevolence!" Then he pronounced the salutation which closes prayer;
yet every road appeared closed to him. And while he sat turning right
and left, behold, he espied a horseman making towards him with bent
back and reins slack. He sat up right and after a time reached the
Prince; and the stranger was at the last gasp and made sure of death,
for he was grievously wounded when he came up; the tears streamed down
his cheeks like water from the mouths of skins, and he said to
Kanmakan, "O Chief of the Arabs, take me to thy friendship as long as I
live, for thou wilt not find my like; and give me a little water though
the drinking of water be harmful to one wounded, especially whilst the
blood is flowing and the life with it. And if I live, I will give thee
what shall heal thy penury and thy poverty: and if I die, mayst thou be
blessed for thy good intent." Now under that horseman was a stallion,
so noble a Rabite[FN#87] the tongue fails to describe him; and as
Kanmakan looked at his legs like marble shafts, he was seized with a
longing and said to himself, "Verily the like of this stallion[FN#88]
is not to be found in our time." Then he helped the rider to alight and
entreated him in friendly guise and gave him a little water to swallow;
after which he waited till he had taken rest and addressed him, saying,
"Who hath dealt thus with thee?" Quoth the rider, "I will tell thee the
truth of the case. I am a horse thief and I have busied myself with
lifting and snatching horses all my life, night and day, and my name is
Ghassan, the plague of every stable and stallion. I heard tell of this
horse, that he was in the land of Roum, with King Afridun, where they
had named him Al-Katúl and surnamed him Al Majnún.[FN#89] So I
journeyed to Constantinople for his sake and watched my opportunity and
whilst I was thus waiting, there came out an old woman, one highly
honoured among the Greeks, and whose word with them is law, by name Zat
al-Dawahi, a past mistress in all manner of trickery. She had with her
this steed and ten slaves, no more, to attend on her and the horse; and
she was bound for Baghdad and Khorasan, there to seek King Sasan and to
sue for peace and pardon from ban. So I went out in their track,
longing to get at the horse,[FN#90] and ceased not to follow them, but
was unable to come by the stallion, because of the strict guard kept by
the slaves, till they reached this country and I feared lest they enter
the city of Baghdad. As I was casting about to steal the stallion lo!
a great cloud of dust arose on them and walled the horizon. Presently
it opened and disclosed fifty horsemen, gathered together to waylay
merchants on the highway, and their captain, by name Kahrdash, was a
lion in daring and dash; a furious lion who layeth knights flat as
carpets in battle-crash."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and
ceased to say her permitted say.
When it was the One Hundred and Forty-first Night,
She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the wounded rider
spake thus to Kanmakan, "Then came out the same Kahrdash, and fell on
the old woman and her men and bore down upon them bashing them, nor was
it long before they bound her and the ten slaves and bore off their
captives and the horse, rejoicing. When I saw this, I said to myself,
'My pains were in vain nor did I attain my gain.' However, I waited to
see how the affair would fare, and when the old woman found herself in
bonds, she wept and said to the captain, Kahrdash, 'O thou doughty
Champion and furious Knight, what wilt thou do with an old woman and
slaves, now that thou hast thy will of the horse?' And she beguiled him
with soft words and she sware that she would send him horses and
cattle, till he released her and her slaves. Then he went his way, he
and his comrades, and I followed them till they reached this country;
and I watched them, till at last I found an opportunity of stealing the
horse, whereupon I mounted him and, drawing a whip from my wallet,
struck him with it. When the robbers heard this, they came out on me
and surrounded me on all sides and shot arrows and cast spears at me,
whilst I stuck fast on his back and he fended me with hoofs and
forehand,[FN#91] till at last he bolted out with me from amongst them
like unerring shaft or shooting star. But in the stress and stowre I
got sundry grievous wounds and sore; and, since that time, I have
passed on his back three days without tasting food or sleeping aught,
so that my strength is down brought and the world is become to me as
naught. But thou hast dealt kindly with me and hast shown ruth on me;
and I see thee naked stark and sorrow hath set on thee its mark, yet
are signs of wealth and gentle breeding manifest on thee. So tell me,
what and whence art thou and whither art thou bound?" Answered the
Prince, "My name is Kanmakan, son of Zau al-Makan, son of King Omar bin
al-Nu'uman. When my father died and an orphan lot was my fate, a base
man seized the throne and became King over small and great." Then he
told him all his past from first to last; and the horse thief said to
him for he pitied him, "By Allah, thou art one of high degree and
exceeding nobility, and thou shalt surely attain estate sublime and
become the first cavalier of thy time. If thou can lift me on horseback
and mount thee behind me and bring me to my own land, thou shalt have
honour in this world and a reward on the day of band calling to
band,[FN#92] for I have no strength left to steady myself; and if this
be my last day, the steed is thine alway, for thou art worthier of him
than any other." Quoth Kanmakan, By Allah, if I could carry thee on my
shoulders or share my days with thee, I would do this deed without the
steed! For I am of a breed that loveth to do good and to succour those
in need; and one kindly action in Almighty Allah's honour averteth
seventy calamities from its doer. So make ready to set out and put thy
trust in the Subtle, the All- Wise." And he would have lifted him on to
the horse and fared forward trusting in Allah Aider of those who seek
aid, but the horse thief said, "Wait for me awhile. Then he closed his
eyes and opening his hands, said I testify that there is no god but the
God, and I testify that Mohammed is the Apostle of God!" And he added,
"O glorious One, pardon me my mortal sin, for none can pardon mortal
sins save the Immortal!" And he made ready for death and recited these
couplets,
"I have wronged mankind, and have ranged like wind *
O'er the world, and in wine-cups my life has past:
I've swum torrent course to bear off the horse; *
And my guiles high places on plain have cast.
Much I've tried to win and o'er much my sin, *
And Katul of my winnings is most and last:
I had hoped of this steed to gain wish and need, *
But vain was the end of this journey vast.
I have stolen through life, and my death in strife *
Was doomed by the Lord who doth all forecast
And I've toiled these toils to their fatal end *
For an orphan, a pauper sans kith or friend!"