AL-MALIK AL-ZAHIR RUKN AL-DIN BIBARS AL-BUNDUKDARI AND THE SIXTEEN
CAPTAINS OF POLICE.[1]
There was once in the climes[2] of Egypt and the city of Cairo, under
the Turks, a king of the valiant kings and the exceeding mighty Soldans,
hight Al-Malik al-Záhir Rukn al-Din Bibars al-Bundukdári,[3] who was
used to storm the Islamite sconces and the strongholds of “The Shore”[4]
and the Nazarene citadels. His Chief of Police in the capital of his
kingdom, was just to the folk, all of them; and Al-Malik al-Zahir
delighted in stories of the common sort and of that which men purposed
in thought; and he loved to see this with his own eyes and to hear their
sayings with his own ears. Now it fortuned that he heard one night from
a certain of his nocturnal reciters[5] that among women are those who
are doughtier than the doughtiest men and prower of prowess, and that
among them are some who will engage in fight singular with the sword and
others who beguile the quickest-witted of Walis and baffle them and
bring down on them all manner of miseries; wherefore said the Soldan, “I
would lief hear this of their legerdemain from one of those who have had
to do with it, so I may hearken unto him and cause him discourse.” And
one of the story-tellers said, “O king, send for the Chief of Police of
this thy city.” Now ’Alam al-Din[6] Sanjar was at that time Wali and he
was a man of experience, in affairs well versed; so the king sent for
him and when he came before him, he discovered to him that which was in
his mind. Quoth Sanjar, “I will do my endeavour for that which our lord
seeketh.” Then he arose and returning to his house, summoned the
Captains of the watch and the Lieutenants of the ward and said to them,
“Know that I purpose to marry my son and make him a bridal banquet, and
I desire that ye assemble, all of you, in one place. I also will be
present, I and my company, and do ye relate that which you have heard of
rare occurrences and that which hath betided you of experiences.” And
the Captains and Runners and Agents of Police answered him, “’Tis well:
Bismillah—in the name of Allah! We will make thee see all this with
thine own eyes and hear it with thine own ears.” Then the Chief of
Police arose and going up to Al-Malik al-Zahir, informed him that the
assembly would meet on such a day at his house; and the Soldan said,
“’Tis well,” and gave him somewhat of coin for his spending-money. When
the appointed day came the Chief of Police set apart for his officers
and constables a saloon, which had latticed casements ranged in order
and giving upon the flower-garden, and Al-Malik al-Zahir came to him,
and he seated himself and the Soldan, in the alcove. Then the tables
were spread for them with food and they ate: and when the bowl went
round amongst them and their souls were gladdened by meat and drink,
they mutually related that which was with them and, revealed their
secrets from concealment. The first to discourse was a man, a Captain of
the Watch, hight Mu’ín al-Din,[7] whose heart was wholly occupied with
the love of fair women; and he said, “Harkye, all ye people of high
degree, I will acquaint you with an extraordinary affair which fortuned
me aforetime.” Then he began to tell: