TALE OF HARUN AL-RASHID AND ABDULLAH BIN NAFI’.[131]

Know thou, O King of the Age, that there was in days of yore and in ages

and times long gone before, in the city of Baghdad, the Abode of Peace,

a Caliph Harun al-Rashid hight, and he had cup-companions and

tale-tellers to entertain him by night. Among his equerries was a man

named Abdullah bin Náfi’, who stood high in favour with him and dear to

him, so that he did not forget him a single hour. Now it came to pass,

by the decree of Destiny, that it became manifest to Abdullah how he was

grown of small account with the Caliph, who paid no heed unto him nor,

if he absented himself, did he ask after him, as had been his habit.

This was grievous to Abdullah and he said within himself, “Verily, the

soul of the Commander of the Faithful and his Wazir are changed towards

me and nevermore shall I see in him that cordiality and affection

wherewith he was wont to treat me.” And this was chagrin-full to him and

concern grew upon him, so that he recited these couplets:—

Whoso’s contemned in his home and land ✿ Should, to better his case, in

self-exile hie:

So fly the house where contempt awaits, ✿ Nor on fires of grief for the

parting fry;

Crude Ambergris[132] is but offal where ✿ ’Tis born; but abroad on our

necks shall stye;

And Kohl at home is a kind of stone, ✿ Cast on face of earth and on

roads to lie;

But when borne abroad it wins highest worth ✿ And thrones between eyelid

and ball of eye.

(Quoth the sayer,) Then he could brook this matter no longer; so he went

forth from the dominions of the Prince of True Believers, under pretence

of visiting certain of his kith and kin, and took with him nor servant

nor comrade, neither acquainted any with his intent, but betook himself

to the road and fared deep into the wold and the sand-wastes, unknowing

whither he went. After awhile, he unexpectedly fell in with travellers

who were making the land of Hind and journeyed with them. When he came

thither, he lighted down in a city of that country and housed him in one

of the lodging-houses; and there he abode a while of days, relishing not

food neither solacing himself with sleep; nor was this for lack of

dirhams or dinars, but for that his mind was occupied with musing upon

the shifts of Destiny and bemoaning himself for that the revolving

sphere had turned against him in enmity, and the days had decreed unto

him the disfavour of our lord the Imam.[133] After such fashion he abode

a space of days, and presently he homed him in the land and took to

himself friends and got him many familiars, with whom he addressed

himself to diversion and good cheer. He used also to go a-pleasuring

with his companions and their hearts were solaced by his company and he

entertained them every evening with stories and displays of his manifold

accomplishments[134] and diverted them with delectable verses and told

them abundance of stories and histories. Presently, the report of him

reached King Jamhúr, lord of Kashgar of Hind, who sent in quest of him,

and great was his desire to see him. So Abdullah repaired to his court

and going in to him, kissed ground before him; and Jamhur welcomed him

and treated him with kindness and bade lodge him in the guest-house,

where he abode three days, at the end of which the king sent to him a

chamberlain of his chamberlains and bade bring him to the presence. When

he came before him, he greeted him, and the truchman accosted him,

saying, “Verily, King Jamhur hath heard of thy report, that thou art a

pleasant cup-companion and an eloquent teller of night-tales, and he

would have thee company with him o’ nights and entertain him with that

which thou knowest of histories and pleasant stories and verses.” And he

made answer, “To hear is to obey!” (Quoth Abdullah bin Nafi’,) So I

became his boon-companion and entertained him by night with tales and

talk; and this pleased him with the utmost pleasure and he took me into

favour and bestowed on me robes of honour and set apart for me a

lodging; indeed he was bountiful exceedingly to me and could not brook

to be parted from me a single hour. So I sojourned with him a while of

time and every night I caroused and conversed with him till the most

part of the dark hours was past; and when drowsiness overcame him, he

would rise and betake himself to his sleeping-place, saying to me,

“Forsake not my service and forego not my presence.” And I made answer

with “Hearing and obeying.” Now the king had a son, a nice child, called

the Emir Mohammed, who was winsome of youth and sweet of speech: he had

read books and had perused histories and he loved above all things in

the world the telling and hearing of verses and tales and anecdotes. He

was dear to his father King Jamhur, for that he owned no other son than

he on life, and indeed he had reared him in the lap of love and he was

gifted with exceeding beauty and loveliness, brilliancy and perfect

grace: he had also learnt to play upon the lute and upon all manner

instruments and he was used to converse and company with friends and

brethren. Now it was his wont, when the king arose seeking his

sleeping-chamber, to sit in his place and require me to entertain him

with tales and verses and pleasant anecdotes; and on this wise I abode

with them both a great while in all joyance and delight, and the Prince

still loved me with mighty great love and treated me with the utmost

tenderness. It fortuned one day that the king’s son came to me, after

his sire had withdrawn, and cried, “O Ibn Nafi’!” “At thy service, O my

lord;” “I would have thee tell me a wondrous story and a marvellous

matter, which thou hast never related either to me or to my father

Jamhur.” “O my lord, what story is this that thou desirest of me and of

what kind shall it be of the kinds?” “It mattereth little, so it be a

goodly story, whether it befel of olden tide or in these times.” “O my

lord, I know by rote many stories of various kinds; so which of the

kinds preferrest thou, and wilt thou have a story of mankind or of

Jinn-kind?” “’Tis well! An thou have espied aught with thine eyes and

heard it with thine ears, tell it me.” Then he bethought himself and

said to me, “I conjure thee by my life, tell me a tale of the tales of

the Jinn and that which thou hast heard of them and seen of them!” I

replied, “O my son, indeed thou conjurest me by a mighty conjuration; so

lend an ear to the goodliest of stories, ay, and the strangest of them

and the pleasantest and rarest.” Quoth the Prince, “Say on, for I am

attentive to thy speech;” and quoth I, “Hear then, O my son,

_THE TALE OF THE DAMSEL TOHFAT AL-KULUB AND THE CALIPH HARUN

AL-RASHID_.”

The Viceregent of the Lord of the three Worlds, Harun al-Rashid, had a

boon-companion of the number of his boon-companions, by name Ishak bin

Ibrahim al-Nadim al-Mausili,[135] who was the most accomplished of the

folk of his time in smiting upon the lute; and of the Commander of the

Faithful’s love for him, he set apart for him a palace of the choicest

of his palaces, wherein he was wont to instruct hand-maidens in the arts

of singing and of lute-playing. If any slave-girl became, by his

instruction, clever in the craft, he carried her before the Caliph, who

bade her perform upon the lute; and if she pleased him, he would order

her to the Harim; else would he restore her to Ishak’s palace. One day,

the Commander of the Faithful’s breast was straitened; so he sent after

his Wazir Ja’afar the Barmecide and Ishak the cup-companion and Masrur

the eunuch, the Sworder of his vengeance; and when they came, he changed

his habit and disguised himself, whilst Ja’afar and Ishak and Masrur and

Al-Fazl[136] and Yúnus[137] (who were also present) did the like. Then

he went out, he and they, by the postern, to the Tigris and taking boat

fared on till they came to near Al-Táf,[138] when they landed and walked

till they came to the gate of the high street. Here there met them an

old man, handsome in his hoariness and of a venerable bearing and a

dignified, agreeable of aspect and apparel. He kissed the earth before

Ishak al-Mausili (for that he knew only him of the company, the Caliph

being disguised, and deemed the others certain of his friends), and said

to him, “O my lord, there is presently with me a hand-maid, a lutanist,

never saw eyes the like of her nor the like of her grace, and indeed I

was on my way to pay my respects to thee and give thee to know of her;

but Allah, of His favour, hath spared me the trouble. So now I desire to

show her to thee, and if she take thy fancy, well and good; otherwise I

will sell her.” Quoth Ishak, “Go before me to thy quarters,[139] till I

come to thee and see her.” The old man kissed his hand and went away;

whereupon quoth Al-Rashid to him, “O Ishak, who is yonder man and what

is his want?” The other replied, “O my lord, this is a man Sa’íd the

Slave-dealer hight, and ’tis he that buyeth us maidens and Mamelukes. He

declareth that with him is a fair slave, a lutanist, whom he hath

withheld from sale, for that he could not fairly sell her till he had

passed her before me in review.” Quoth the Caliph, “Let us go to him so

we may see her, by way of solace, and sight what is in the

slave-dealer’s quarters of slave-girls;” and quoth Ishak, “Command

belongeth to Allah and to the Commander of the Faithful.” Then he

forewent them and they followed in his track till they came to the

slave-dealer’s quarters and found a building tall of wall and large of

lodgment, with sleeping-cells and chambers therein, after the number of

the slave-girls, and folk sitting upon the wooden benches. So Ishak

entered, he and his company, and seating themselves in the place of

honour, amused themselves by looking at the hand-maids and Mamelukes and

watching how they were bought and sold, till the vending came to an end,

when some of the folk went away and some remained seated. Then cried the

slave-dealer, “Let none sit with us except whoso purchaseth by the

thousand dinars and upwards.” Accordingly those present withdrew and

there remained none but Al-Rashid and his suite; whereupon the

slave-dealer called the damsel, after he had caused set her a chair of

Fawwák,[140] lined with Grecian brocade, and she was like the sun

shining high in the shimmering sky. When she entered, she saluted and

sitting down, took the lute and smote upon it, after she had touched its

strings and tuned it, so that all present were amazed. Then she sang

thereto these couplets:

Breeze o’ Morn, an thou breathe o’er the loved one’s land, ✿ Deliver my

greeting to all the dear band!

And declare to them still I am pledged to their love ✿ And my longing

excels all that lover unmanned:

O ye who have blighted my heart, ears and eyes, ✿ My passion and ecstasy

grow out of hand;

And torn is my sprite every night with desire, ✿ And nothing of sleep

can my eyelids command.

Ishak exclaimed, “Brava, O damsel! By Allah, this is a fair hour!”

Whereupon she sprang up and kissed his hand, saying, “O my lord, in very

sooth the hands stand still before thy presence and the tongues at thy

sight, and the loquent when confronting thee wax dumb; but thou art the

looser of the veil.”[141] Then she clung to him and cried, “Stand;” so

he stood and said to her, “Who art thou and what is thy need?” She

raised a corner of the veil, and behold she was a damsel as she were the

full moon rising or the leven glancing, with two side-locks of hair

which fell down to her anklets. She kissed his hand and said to him, “O

my lord, know that I have been in these quarters some five months,

during which I have withheld myself from sale till thou shouldst be

present and see me; and yonder slave-dealer also made thy coming a

pretext for not vending me, and forbade me for all I sought of him night

and day that he should cause thee come hither and vouchsafe me thy

company and gar me and thee forgather.” Quoth Ishak, “Tell me what thou

wouldst have;” and quoth she, “I beseech thee, by Allah Almighty, that

thou buy me, so I may be with thee by way of service.” He asked, “Is

that thy desire?” and she answered “Yes.” So Ishak returned to the

slave-dealer and said to him, “Ho thou, Shaykh Sa’id!” Said the old man,

“At thy service, O my lord,” and Ishak continued, “In the corridor is a

chamber and therein wones a damsel pale and wan. What is her price in

dirhams and how much dost thou ask for her?” Quoth the slave-dealer,

“She whom thou mentionest, O my lord, is called Tohfat al-Humaká.”[142]

Ishak asked, “What is the meaning of Al-Humaka?” and the old man

answered, “Her price hath been weighed and paid an hundred times and she

still saith, Show me him who would buy me; and when I show her to him,

she saith, This one I mislike; he hath in him such and such a default.

And in every one who would fain buy her she noteth some defect or other,

so that none careth now to purchase her and none seeketh her, for fear

lest she find some fault in him.” Quoth Ishak, “She seeketh at this

present to sell herself; so go thou to her and inquire of her and see

her price and send her to the palace.” Quoth Sa’id, “O my lord, her

price is an hundred dinars, though, were she free of this paleness that

is upon her face, she would be worth a thousand gold pieces; but wanton

folly and wanness have diminished her value; and behold I will go to her

and consult her of this.” So he betook himself to her and enquired of

her, “Wilt thou be sold to Ishak bin Ibrahim al-Mausili?” She replied,

“Yes,” and he said, “Leave folly, for to whom doth it happen to be in

the house of Ishak the cup-companion?”[143] Thereupon Ishak went forth

the slave-dealer’s quarters and overtook Al-Rashid who had preceded him;

and they ceased not walking till they came to their landing-place, where

they embarked in the boat and fared on to Thaghr al-Khánakah.[144] As

for the slave dealer, he sent the damsel to the house of Ishak al-Nadim,

whose slave-girls took her and carried her to the Hammam. Then each

damsel gave her somewhat of her gear and they decked her with earrings

and bracelets, so that she redoubled in beauty and became as she were

the moon on the night of its full. When Ishak returned home from the

Caliph’s palace, Tohfah rose to him and kissed his hand; and he saw that

which the hand-maids had done with her and thanked them for so doing and

said to them, “Let her home in the house of instruction and bring her

instruments of music, and if she be apt at song teach her; and may Allah

Almighty vouchsafe her health and weal!” So there passed over her three

months, while she homed with him in the house of instruction, and they

brought her the instruments of music. Furthermore, as time went on she

was vouchsafed health and soundness and her beauty waxed many times

brighter than before and her pallor was changed to white and red, so

that she became a seduction to all who saw her. One day, Ishak bade

summon all who were with him of slave-girls from the house of

instruction and carried them up to Al-Rashid’s palace, leaving none in

his house save Tohfah and a cookmaid; for that he thought not of Tohfah,

nor did she come to his memory, and none of the damsels reminded him of

her. When she saw that the house was empty of the slave-girls, she took

the lute (now she was singular in her time for smiting upon the lute,

nor had she her like in the world, no, not Ishak himself, nor any other)

and sang thereto these couplets:—

When soul desireth one that is its mate ✿ It never winneth dear desire

of Fate:

My life for him whose tortures tare my frame, ✿ And dealt me pine he can

alone abate!

He saith (that only _he_ to heal mine ill, ✿ Whose sight is medicine to

my doleful state),

“O scoffer-wight, how long wilt mock my woe ✿ As though did Allah

nothing else create?”

Now Ishak had returned to his house on an occasion that called for him;

and when he entered the vestibule, he heard a sound of singing, the like

whereof he had never heard in the world, for that it was soft as the

breeze and more strengthening than oil[145] of almonds. So the pleasure

of it gat hold of him and delight so seized him, that he fell down

fainting in the vestibule. Tohfah heard the noise of footfalls and

laying the lute from her hand, went out to see what was the matter. She

found her lord Ishak lying aswoon in the entrance; so she took him up

and strained him to her bosom, saying, “I conjure thee in Allah’s name,

O my lord, tell me, hath aught of ill befallen thee?” When he heard her

voice, he recovered from his fainting and asked her, “Who art thou?” She

answered, “I am thy slave-girl Tohfah;” and he said to her, “Art thou

indeed Tohfah?” “Yes,” replied she; and he, “By Allah, I had indeed

forgotten thee and remembered thee not till this moment!” Then he looked

at her and said, “Verily, thy case is altered to other case and thy

wanness is changed to rosiness and thou hast redoubled in beauty and

loveliness. But was it thou who was singing just now?” She was troubled

and affrighted and answered, “Even I, O my lord;” whereupon Ishak seized

upon her hand and carrying her into the house, said to her, “Take the

lute and sing; for never saw I nor heard thy like in smiting upon the

lute; no, not even myself!” Quoth she, “O my lord, thou mockest me. Who

am I that thou shouldst say all this to me? Indeed, this is but of thy

kindness.” Quoth he, “Nay, by Allah, I said but the truth to thee and I

am not of those on whom pretence imposeth. For these three months nature

hath not moved thee to take the lute and sing thereto, and this is

naught save a rare thing and a strange. But all this cometh of strength

in the art and thy self-restraint.” Then he bade her sing; and she said,

“Hearkening and obedience.” So she took the lute and tightening its

strings to the sticking point, smote thereon a number of airs, so that

she confounded Ishak’s wit and for delight he was like to fly. Then she

returned to the first mode and sang thereto these couplets:—

By your ruined stead aye I stand and stay, ✿ Nor shall change or

dwelling depart us tway!

No distance of homestead shall gar me forget ✿ Your love, O friends, but

I yearn alwày:

Ne’er flies your phantom the babes of these eyne ✿ You are moons in

Nighttide’s murkest array:

And with growing passion mine unrest grows ✿ And each morn I find union

dissolved in woes.

When she had made an end of her song and laid down the lute, Ishak

looked fixedly on her, then took her hand and offered to kiss it; but

she snatched it from him and said to him, “Allah, O my lord, do not

that!”[146] Cried he, “Be silent. By Allah, I had said that there was

not in the world the like of me; but now I have found my dinár in the

art but a dánik,[147] for thou art more excellent of skill than I,

beyond comparison or approximation or calculation! This very day will I

carry[148] thee up to the Commander of the Faithful, Harun al-Rashid,

and when his glance lighteth on thee, thou wilt become a Princess of

womankind. So Allah, Allah upon thee, O my lady, whenas thou becomest of

the household of the Prince of True Believers, do not thou forget me!”

She replied, “Allah, O my lord, thou art the root of my fortunes and in

thee is my heart fortified.” Thereat he took her hand and made a

covenant with her of this and she swore to him that she would not forget

him. Then said he to her, “By Allah, thou art the desire of the

Commander of the Faithful! Now take the lute and sing a song which thou

shalt sing to the Caliph, when thou goest in to him.” So she took the

lute and tuning it, improvised these couplets:—

His lover had ruth on his woeful mood ✿ And o’erwept him as still by his

couch he[149] stood:

And garred him drink of his lip-dews and wine[150] ✿ Ere he died and

this food was his latest good.

Ishak stared at her and seizing her hand, said to her, “Know that I am

bound by an oath that, when the singing of a damsel pleaseth me, she

shall not end her song but before the Prince of True Believers. But now

tell me, how came it that thou tarriedst with the slave-dealer five

months and wast not sold to any one, and thou of this skill, especially

when the price set on thee was no great matter?” Hereat she laughed and

answered, “O my lord, my story is a wondrous and my case a marvellous.

Know that I belonged aforetime to a Maghribi merchant, who bought me

when I was three years old, and there were in his house many slave-girls

and eunuchs; but I was the dearest to him of them all. So he kept me

with him and used not to address me otherwise than, ‘O daughterling,’

and indeed to this moment I am a clean maid. Now there was with him a

damsel, a lutanist, and she reared me and taught me the art, even as

thou seest. Then was my master removed to the mercy of Allah

Almighty[151] and his sons divided his monies. I fell to the lot of one

of them; but ’twas only a little while ere he had wasted all his wealth

and there was left him naught of coin. So I gave up the lute, fearing

lest I should fall into the hand of a man who knew not my worth, for

well I wot that needs must my master sell me; and indeed but a few days

passed ere he carried me forth to the quarters of the slave-merchant who

buyeth damsels and displayeth them to the Commander of the Faithful. Now

I desired to learn the art and mystery; so I refused to be sold to other

than thou, until Allah (extolled and exalted be He!) vouchsafed me my

desire of thy presence; whereupon I came out to thee, as soon as I heard

of thy coming, and besought thee to buy me. Thou heartenedst my heart

and boughtest me; and since I entered thy house, O my lord, I have not

taken up the lute till now; but to-day, when I was left private by the

slave-girls, I took it; and my purpose in this was that I might see if

my hand were changed[152] or not. As I was singing, I heard a footfall

in the vestibule; so springing up, I laid the lute from my hand and

going forth to see what was to do, found thee, O my lord, after this

fashion.” Quoth Ishak, “Indeed, this was of thy fair fortune. By Allah,

I know not that which thou knowest in this art!” Then he arose and

opening a chest, brought out therefrom striped clothes[153], netted with

jewels and great pearls and other costly gems and said to her, “In the

name of Allah, don these, O my lady Tohfah.” So she arose and donned

that dress and veiled herself and went up with Ishak to the palace of

the Caliphate, where he made her stand without, whilst he himself went

in to the Prince of True Believers (with whom was Ja’afar the Barmaki)

and kissing the ground before him, said to him, “O Commander of the

Faithful, I have brought thee a damsel, never saw eyes of seer her like

for excellence in singing and touching the lute; and her name is

Tohfah.” Al-Rashid asked “And where be this Tohfah[154] who hath not her

like in the world?” Answered Ishak, “Yonder she standeth, O Commander of

the Faithful;” and he acquainted the Caliph with her case from first to

last. Then said Al-Rashid, “’Tis a marvel to hear thee praise a

slave-girl after this fashion. Admit her that we may look upon her, for

verily the morning may not be hidden.” Accordingly, Ishak bade admit

her; so she entered, and when her eyes fell upon the Prince of True

Believers, she kissed ground before him and said, “The Peace be upon

thee, O Commander of the faithful Fold and Asylum of all who the true

Creed hold and Quickener of justice in the Worlds threefold! Allah make

thy feet tread on safest wise and give thee joy of what He gave thee in

generous guise and make thy harbourage Paradise and Hell-fire that of

thine enemies!” Quoth Al-Rashid, “And on thee be the Peace, O damsel!

Sit.” So she sat down and he bade her sing; whereupon she took the lute

and tightening its strings, played thereon in many modes, so that the

Prince of True Believers and Ja’afar were confounded in sprite and like

to fly for delight. Then she returned to the first mode and improvised

these couplets:—

O mine eyes! I swear by him I adore, ✿ Whom pilgrims seek thronging

Arafát;

An thou call my name on the grave of me, ✿ I’ll reply to thy call tho’

my bones go rot:

I crave none for friend of my heart save thee; ✿ So believe me, for true

are the well-begot.

Al-Rashid considered her comeliness and the goodliness of her singing

and her eloquence and what other qualities she comprised and rejoiced

with joy exceeding; and for the stress of that which overcame him of

delight, he descended from the couch and sitting down with her upon the

floor, said to her, “Thou hast done well, O Tohfah. By Allah, thou art

indeed a choice gift!”[155] Then he turned to Ishak and said to him,

“Thou dealtest not justly, O Ishak, in the description of this damsel,

nor didst thou fairly set forth all that she compriseth of charms and

art; for that, by Allah, she is inconceivably more skilful than thou;

and I know of this craft that which none knoweth save I!” Exclaimed the

Wazir Ja’afar, “By Allah, thou sayst sooth, O my lord, O Commander of

the Faithful. Indeed, she hath done away my wit, hath this damsel.”

Quoth Ishak, “By Allah, O Prince of True Believers, I had said that

there was not on the face of the earth one who knew the art of the lute

like myself; but when I heard her, my skill became nothing worth in mine

eyes.” Then said the Caliph to her, “Repeat thy playing, O Tohfah.” So

she repeated it and he cried to her, “Well done!” Moreover, he said to

Ishak, “Thou hast indeed brought me a marvellous thing, one which is

worth in mine eyes the empire of the world.” Then he turned to Masrur

the eunuch and said to him, “Carry Tohfah to the chamber of honour.”

Accordingly, she went away with the Castrato and the Caliph looked at

her raiment and ornaments and seeing her clad in clothing of choice,

asked Ishak, “O Ishak, whence hath she these robes?” Answered he, “O my

lord, these are somewhat of thy bounties and thy largesse, and they are

a gift to her from me. By Allah, O Commander of the Faithful, the world,

all of it, were little in comparison with her!” Then the Caliph turned

to the Wazir Ja’afar and said to him “Give Ishak fifty thousand dirhams

and a robe of honour of the choicest apparel.” “Hearing and obeying,”

replied Ja’afar and gifted him with that which the Caliph ordered him.

As for Al-Rashid, he was private with Tohfah that night and found her a

pure virgin and rejoiced in her; and she took high rank in his heart, so

that he could not suffer her absence a single hour and committed to her

the keys of the affairs of the realm, for that which he saw in her of

good breeding and fine wit and leal will. He also gave her fifty

slave-girls and two hundred thousand dinars and a quantity of raiment

and ornaments, gems and jewels worth the kingdom of Egypt; and of the

excess of his love for her, he would not entrust her to any of the

hand-maids or eunuchs; but, whenever he went out from her, he locked the

door upon her and took the key with him, against he should return to

her, forbidding the damsels to go in to her, of his fear lest they

should slay her or poison her or practise on her with the knife; and in

this way he abode awhile. One day, as she sang before the Commander of

the Faithful, he was delighted with exceeding delight, so that he

offered to kiss her hand;[156] but she drew it away from him and smote

upon her lute and broke it and wept. Al-Rashid wiped away her tears and

said, “O desire of the heart, what is it maketh thee weep? May Allah not

cause an eye of thine to shed tears?” Said she, “O my lord, what am I

that thou shouldst kiss my hand? Wilt thou have Allah punish me for this

and my term come to an end and my felicity pass away? For this is what

none ever attained unto.” He rejoined, “Well said, O Tohfah. Know that

thy rank in my esteem is high and for that which delighted me of what I

saw in thee, I offered to do this, but I will not return unto the like

thereof; so be of good cheer, with eyes cool and clear, for I have no

desire to other than thyself and will not die but in the love of thee,

and thou to me art queen this day, to the exclusion of all humankind.”

Therewith she fell to kissing his feet; and this her fashion pleased

him, so that his love for her redoubled and he became unable to brook

severance from her a single hour. Now Al-Rashid one day went forth to

the chase and left Tohfah in her pavilion. As she sat perusing a book,

with a candle-branch of gold before her, wherein was a perfumed candle,

behold, a musk-apple fell down before her from the top of the

saloon.[157] So she looked up and beheld the Lady Zubaydah bint

al-Kasim,[158] who saluted her with a salam and acquainted her with

herself, whereupon Tohfah sprang to her feet and said, “O my lady, were

I not of the number of the new,[159] I had daily sought thy service; so

do not thou bereave me of those noble steps.”[160] The Lady Zubaydah

called down blessings upon her and replied, “I knew this of thee; and,

by the life of the Commander of the Faithful, but that it is not of my

wont to go forth of my place, I had come out to do my service to thee.”

Then quoth she to her, “Know, O Tohfah, that the Commander of the

Faithful hath deserted all his concubines and favourites on thine

account, even myself hath he abandoned on this wise, and I am not

content to be as one of the mistresses; yet hath he made me of them and

forsaken me, and I have sought thee, so thou mayst beseech him to come

to me, though it be but once a month, in order that I may not be the

like of the hand-maids and concubines nor take rank with the

slave-girls; and this is my need of thee.” Answered Tohfah, “Hearkening

and obedience! By Allah, O my lady, I would that he might be with thee a

whole month and with me but one night, so thy heart might be heartened,

for that I am one of thy hand-maids and thou in every case art my lady.”

The Princess Zubaydah thanked her for this and taking leave of her,

returned to her palace. When the Caliph came back from the chase and

course, he betook himself to Tohfah’s pavilion and bringing out the key,

opened the lock and went in to her. She rose to receive him and kissed

his hand, and he gathered her to his breast and seated her on his

knee.[161] Then food was brought to them and they ate and washed their

hands; after which she took the lute and sang, till Al-Rashid was moved

to sleep. When aware of this, she ceased singing and told him her

adventure with the Lady Zubaydah, saying, “O Prince of True Believers, I

would have thee favour me with a favour and hearten my heart and accept

my intercession and reject not my supplication, but fare thee forthright

to the Lady Zubaydah.” Now this talk befel after he had stripped himself

naked and she also had doffed her dress; and he said, “Thou shouldst

have named this ere we stripped ourselves naked, I and thou!” But she

answered, saying, “O Commander of the Faithful, I did this not except in

accordance with the saying of the poet in these couplets:—

Of all intercessions can none succeed, ✿ Save whatso Tohfah bint Marján

sue’d:

No intercessor who comes enveiled;[162] ✿ She sues the best who sues

mother-nude.”

When Al-Rashid heard this, her speech pleased him and he strained her to

his bosom. Then he went forth from her and locked the door upon her, as

before; whereupon she took the book and sat perusing it awhile.

Presently, she set it aside and taking the lute, tightened its strings;

and smote thereon, after a wondrous fashion, such as would have moved

inanimate things to dance, and fell to singing marvellous melodies and

chanting these couplets:—

Cease for change to wail, ✿ The world blames who rail;

Bear patient its shafts ✿ That for aye prevail.

How often a joy ✿ Grief-garbed thou shalt hail:

How oft gladding bliss ✿ Shall appear amid bale!

[Illustration]

Then she turned and saw within the chamber an old man, handsome in his

hoariness and stately of semblance, who was dancing in goodly and

winning wise, a dance whose like none might dance. So she sought refuge

with Allah Almighty from Satan the Stoned and said, “I will not give

over what I am about, for whatso the Lord willeth, He fulfilleth.”

Accordingly, she went on singing till the Shaykh came up to her and

kissed ground before her, saying, “Well done, O Highmost of the East and

the West! May the world be not bereaved of thee! By Allah, indeed thou

art perfect of manners and morals, O Tohfat al-Sudúr![163] Dost thou

know me?” Cried she, “Nay, by Allah, but methinks thou art of the Jann.”

Quoth he, “Thou sayst sooth; I am Abú al-Tawáif[164] Iblis, and I come

to thee every night, and with me thy sister Kamariyah, for that she

loveth thee and sweareth not but by thy life; and her pastime is not

pleasant to her, except she come to thee and see thee whilst thou seest

her not. As for me, I approach thee upon an affair, whereby thou shalt

gain and rise to high rank with the kings of the Jann and rule them,

even as thou rulest mankind; and to that end I would have thee come with

me and be present at the festival of my daughter’s wedding and the

circumcision of my son;[165] for that the Jann are agreed upon the

manifestation of thy command.” And she answered, “Bismillah; in the name

of the Lord.”[166] So she gave him the lute and he forewent her, till he

came to the Chapel of Ease,[167] and behold, therein was a door and a

stairway. When Tohfah saw this, her reason fled; but Iblis cheered her

with chat. Then he descended the steps and she followed him to the

bottom of the stair, where she found a passage and they fared on

therein, till they came to a horse standing, ready saddled and bridled

and accoutred. Quoth Iblis, “Bismillah, O my lady Tohfah;” and he held

the stirrup for her. So she mounted and the horse heaved like a wave

under her and putting forth wings soared upwards with her, while the

Shaykh flew by her side; whereat she was affrighted and clung to the

pommel of the saddle;[168] nor was it but an hour ere they came to a

fair green meadow, fresh-flowered as if the soil thereof were a fine

robe, purfled with all manner bright hues. Amiddlemost that mead was a

palace towering high in air, with crenelles of red gold, set with pearls

and gems, and a two-leaved door; and about the gateway were much people

of the chiefs of the Jann, clad in costliest clothing. When they saw the

Shaykh, they all cried out, saying, “The Lady Tohfah is come!” And as

soon as she reached the palace-gate, they pressed forward in a body, and

dismounting her from the horse’s back, carried her into the palace and

fell to kissing her hands. When she entered, she beheld a palace whereof

seers ne’er saw the like; for therein were four halls, one facing other,

and its walls were of gold and its ceilings of silver. It was

high-builded of base, wide of space, and those who descried it would be

posed to describe it. At the upper end of the hall stood a throne of red

gold set with pearls and jewels, up to which led five steps of silver,

and on its right and on its left were many chairs of gold and silver.

Quoth Tohfah, “The Shaykh led me to the estrade and seated me on a chair

of gold beside the throne, and over the daïs was a curtain let down,

gold and silver wrought and broidered with pearls and jewels.” And she

was amazed at that which she beheld in that place and magnified her Lord

(extolled and exalted be He!) and hallowed Him. Then the kings of the

Jann came up to that throne and seated themselves thereon; and they were

in the semblance of Adam’s sons, excepting two of them, who appeared in

the form and aspect of the Jann, each with one eye slit endlong and

jutting horns and projecting tusks.[169] After this there came up a

young lady, fair of favour and seemly of stature, the light of whose

face outshone that of the waxen flambeaux; and about her were other

three women, than whom none fairer abode on face of earth. They saluted

Tohfah with the salam and she rose to them and kissed ground before

them; whereupon they embraced her after returning her greeting[170] and

sat down on the chairs aforesaid. Now the four women who thus accosted

Tohfah were the Princess Kamariyah, daughter of King Al-Shísbán, and her

sisters; and Kamariyah loved Tohfah with exceeding love. So, when she

came up to her, she fell to kissing and embracing her, and Shaykh Iblis

cried, “Fair befal the accolade! Take me between you.” At this Tohfah

laughed and Kamariyah said, “O my sister, I love thee, and doubtless

hearts have their witnesses,[171] for, since I saw thee, I have loved

thee.” Replied Tohfah, “By Allah, hearts have sea-like deeps, and thou,

by Allah, art dear to me and I am thy hand-maid.” Kamariyah thanked her

for this and kissing her once more said, “These be the wives of the

kings of the Jann: greet them with the salam! This is Queen Jamrah,[172]

that is Queen Wakhímah and this other is Queen Sharárah, and they come

not but for thee.” So Tohfah rose to her feet and bussed their hands,

and the three queens kissed her and welcomed her and honoured her with

the utmost honour. Then they brought trays and tables and amongst the

rest a platter of red gold, inlaid with pearls and gems; its raised rims

were of or and emerald, and thereon were graven[173] these couplets:—

To bear provaunt assigned, ✿ By hands noble designed,

For the gen’rous I’m made ✿ Not for niggardly hind!

So eat safe all I hold ✿ And praise God of mankind.

After reading the verses they ate and Tohfah looked at the two kings who

had not changed shape and said to Kamariyah, “O my lady, what be this

feral and that other like unto him? By Allah, mine eye may not suffer

the sight of them.” Kamariyah laughed and answered, “O my sister, that

is my sire Al-Shisban and the other is hight Maymún the Sworder; and of

the arrogance of their souls and their insolence, they consented not to

change their created shapes. Indeed, all whom thou seest here are

naturefashioned like them; but on thine account they have changed

favour, for fear lest thou be disquieted and for the comforting of thy

mind, so thou mightest become familiar with them and be at thine ease.”

Quoth Tohfah, “O my lady, verily I cannot look at them. How frightful is

this Maymun, with his monocular face! Mine eye cannot brook the sight of

him, and indeed I am in affright of him.” Kamariyah laughed at her

speech, and Tohfah continued, “By Allah, O my lady, I cannot fill my eye

with the twain!”[174] Then cried her father Al-Shisban to her, “What be

this laughing?” So she bespoke him in a tongue none understood but they

two and acquainted him with that which Tohfah had said; whereat he

laughed a prodigious loud laugh, as it were the roaring thunder.

Presently they ate and the tables were removed and they washed their

hands; after which Iblis the Accursed came up to Tohfah and said to her,

“O my lady, thou gladdenest the place and enlightenest and embellishest

it with thy presence; but now fain would these kings hear somewhat of

thy singing, for Night hath dispread her pinions for departure and there

abideth of it but a little.” Quoth she, “Hearing and obeying.” So she

took the lute and touching its strings with rare touch, played thereon

after wondrous wise, so that it seemed to those who were present as if

the palace surged like a wave with them for the music. Then she began

singing and chanting these couplets:—

Folk of my faith and oath, Peace with you be! ✿ Quoth ye not I shall

meet you, you meet me?

I’ll chide you softerwise than breeze o’ morn, ✿ Sweeter than spring of

coolest clarity.

I’ faith mine eyelids are with tears chafed sore; ✿ My vitals plain to

you some cure to see.

My friends! Our union to disunion changed ✿ Was aye my fear for ’twas my

certainty.

I’ll plain to Allah of all ills I bore; ✿ For pine and yearning misery

still I dree.

The kings of the Jann were moved to delight by that sweet singing and

seemly speech and thanked Tohfah therefore; and Queen Kamariyah rose to

her and threw her arms round her neck and kissed her between the eyes,

saying, “By Allah, ’tis good, O my sister and coolth of mine eyes and

core of my heart!” Then said she, “I conjure thee by Allah, give us more

of this lovely singing;” and Tohfah answered with “To hear is to obey.”

So she took the lute and playing thereon in a mode different from the

former fashion, sang these couplets:—

I, oft as ever grows the pine of me, ✿ Console my soul with hope thy

sight to see.

Haply shall Allah join our parted lives, ✿ E’en as my fortunes far from

thee cast He!

Then oh! who thrallest me by force of love— ✿ Seizèd by fond affection’s

mastery,

All hardships easy wax when thou art nigh; ✿ And all the far draws near

when near thou be.

Ah! be the Ruthful light to lover fond, ✿ Love-lorn, frame-wasted, ready

Death to dree!

Were hope of seeing thee cut off, my loved; ✿ After thine absence sleep

mine eyes would flee!

I mourn no worldly joyance, my delight ✿ Is but to sight thee while thou

seest my sight.

At this the accursed Iblis was hugely pleased and thrust his finger up

his fundament,[175] whilst Maymun danced and said, “O Tohfat al-Sudur,

soften the sound;[176] for, as pleasure entereth into my heart, it

arresteth my breath and blood.” So she took the lute and altering the

tune, played a third air; then she returned to the first and sang these

couplets:—

The waves of your[177] love o’er my life have rolled; ✿ I sink while I

see you all aid withhold:

You have drowned my vitals in deeps of your love, ✿ Nor can heart and

sprite for your loss be consoled:

Deem not I forget my troth after you: ✿ How forget what Allah decreed of

old?[178]

Love clings to the lover who nights in grief, ✿ And ’plains of unrest

and of woes ensouled.

The kings and all those who were present rejoiced in this with joy

exceeding and the accursed Iblis came up to Tohfah and kissing her hand,

said to her “Verily there abideth but little of the night; so tarry with

us till the morrow, when we will apply ourselves to the wedding[179] and

the circumcision.”[180] Then all the Jann went away, whereupon Tohfah

rose to her feet and Iblis said, “Go ye up with Tohfah to the garden for

the rest of the night.” So Kamariyah took her and went with her into the

garden, which contained all manner birds, nightingale and mocking-bird

and ring-dove and curlew[181] and other than these of all the kinds.

Therein were all manner of fruits: its channels[182] were of gold and

silver and the water thereof, as it broke forth of its conduits, was

like the bellies of fleeing serpents, and indeed it was as it were the

Garden of Eden.[183] When Tohfah beheld this, she called to mind her

lord and wept sore and said, “I beseech Allah the Most High to vouchsafe

me speedy deliverance and return to my palace and to my high estate and

queendom and glory, and reunion with my lord and master Al-Rashid.” Then

she walked about that garden and saw in its midst a dome of white

marble, raised on columns of black teak whereto hung curtains purfled

with pearls and gems. Amiddlemost this pavilion was a fountain, inlaid

with all kinds of jacinths, and thereon a golden statue of a man and

beside it a little door. She opened the door and found herself in a long

corridor: so she followed it and entered a Hammam-bath walled with all

kinds of costly marbles and floored with a mosaic of pearls and jewels.

Therein were four cisterns of alabaster, one facing other, and the

ceiling of the bath was of glass coloured with all varieties of colours,

such as confounded the understanding of those who have insight and

amazed the wit of every wight. Tohfah entered the bath, after she had

doffed her dress, and behold the Hammam-basin was overlaid with gold set

with pearls and red balasses and green emeralds and other jewels: so she

extolled Allah Almighty and hallowed Him for the magnificence of that

which she saw of the appointments of that bath. Then she made her

Wuzu-ablution in that basin and pronouncing the Prohibition,[184] prayed

the dawn-prayer and what else had escaped her of orisons;[185] after

which she went out and walked in that garden among jessamine and

lavender and roses and chamomile and gillyflowers and thyme and violets

and basil royal, till she came to the door of the pavilion aforesaid.

There she sat down, pondering that which would betide Al-Rashid after

her, when he should come to her apartment and find her not; and she

plunged into the sea of her solicitude, till slumber overtook her and

soon she slept. Presently she felt a breath upon her face; whereupon she

awoke and found Queen Kamariyah kissing her, and with her her three

sisters, Queen Jamrah, Queen Wakhímah and Queen Sharárah. So she arose

and kissed their hands and rejoiced in them with the utmost joy and they

ceased not, she and they, to talk and converse, what while she related

to them her history, from the time of her purchase by the Maghrabi to

that of her coming to the quarters of the slave-dealer, where she

besought Ishak al-Nadim to buy her,[186] and how she won union with

Al-Rashid, till the moment when Iblis came to her and brought her to

them. They gave not over talking till the sun declined and yellowed and

the hour of its setting drew near and the day departed, whereupon Tohfah

was urgent in supplication[187] to Allah Almighty, on the occasion of

the sundown-prayer, that he would reunite her with her lord Al-Rashid.

After this, she abode with the four queens, till they arose and entered

the palace, where she found the waxen tapers lit and ranged in

candlesticks of gold and silver, and censing vessels of silver and gold

filled with lign-aloes and ambergris, and there were the kings of the

Jann sitting. So she saluted them with the salam, kissing the earth

before them and doing them service; and they rejoiced in her and in her

sight. Then she ascended the estrade and sat down upon her chair, whilst

King Al-Shisban and King Al-Muzfir[188] and Queen Lúlúah and other kings

of the Jann sat on chairs, and they brought choice tables, spread with

all manner meats befitting royalties. They ate their fill; after which

the tables were removed and they washed their hands and wiped them with

napkins. Then they brought the wine-service and set on tasses and cups

and flagons and beakers of gold and silver and bowls of crystal and

gold; and they poured out the wines and they filled the flagons. Then

Iblis took the bowl and signed to Tohfah to sing: and she said, “To hear

is to obey!” So she hent the lute in hand and tuning it, sang these

couplets:—

Drink wine, O ye lovers, I rede you alwày, ✿ And praise his worth who

loves night and day;

’Mid the myrtle, narcissus and lavender, ✿ And the scented herbs that

bedeck the tray.

So Iblis the Damned drank and said, “Brava, O desire of hearts! But thou

owest me still another aria.” Then he filled the cup and signed to her

to sing. Quoth she, “Hearkening and obedience,” and chanted these

couplets:—

Ye wot, I am whelmed in despair and despight, ✿ Ye dight me blight that

delights your sight:

Your wone is between my unrest and my eyes; ✿ Nor tears to melt you, nor

sighs have might.

How oft shall I sue you for justice, and you ✿ With a pining death my

dear love requite?

But your harshness is duty, your farness near; ✿ Your hate is Union,

your wrath is delight:

Take your fill of reproach as you will: you claim ✿ All my heart, and I

reck not of safety or blame.

All present were delighted and the sitting-chamber was moved like a wave

with mirth, and Iblis said, “Brava, O Tohfat al-Sudur!” Then they left

not liquor-bibbing and rejoicing and making merry and tambourining and

piping till the night waned and the dawn waxed near; and indeed

exceeding delight entered into them. The most of them in mirth was the

Shaykh Iblis, and for the stress of that which befel him of joyance, he

doffed all that was on him of coloured clothes and cast them over

Tohfah, and among the rest a robe broidered with jewels and jacinths,

worth ten thousand dinars. Then he kissed the earth and danced and he

thrust his finger up his fundament and hending his beard in hand, said

to her, “Sing about this beard and endeavour after mirth and pleasance,

and no blame shall betide thee for this.” So she improvised and sang

these couplets:—

Barbe of the olden, the one-eyed goat! ✿ What words shall thy foulness

o’ deed denote?

Be not of our praises so pompous-proud: ✿ Thy worth for a dock-tail

dog’s I wot.

By Allah, to-morrow shall see me drub ✿ Thy nape with a cow-hide[189]

and dust thy coat!

All those present laughed at her mockery of Iblis and wondered at the

wittiness of her visnomy[190] and her readiness in versifying, whilst

the Shaykh himself rejoiced and said to her, “O Tohfat al-Sudur, verily,

the night be gone; so arise and rest thyself ere the day; and to-morrow

there shall be naught save weal.” Then all the kings of the Jinn

departed, together with those who were present of guards; and Tohfah

abode alone, pondering the case of Al-Rashid and bethinking her of how

it went with him after her going, and of what had betided him for her

loss, till the dawn lightened, when she arose and walked about the

palace. Suddenly she saw a handsome door; so she opened it and found

herself in a flower-garden finer than the first—ne’er saw eyes of seer a

fairer than it. When she beheld this garth, she was moved to delight and

she called to mind her lord Al-Rashid and wept with sore weeping and

cried, “I crave of the bounty of Allah Almighty that my return to him

and to my palace and to my home may be nearhand!” Then she walked about

the parterres till she came to a pavilion, high-builded of base and wide

of space, never espied mortal nor heard of a grander than it. So she

entered and found herself in a long corridor, which led to a Hammam

goodlier than that aforetime described, and its cisterns were full of

rose-water mingled with musk. Quoth Tohfah, “Extolled be Allah! Indeed,

this[191] is none other than a mighty great king.” Then she pulled off

her clothes and washed her body and made her Ghusl-ablution of the whole

person[192] and prayed that which was due from her of prayer from the

evening of the previous day.[193] When the sun rose upon the gate of the

garden and she saw the wonders thereof, with that which was therein of

all manner blooms and streams, and heard the voices of its birds, she

marvelled at what she beheld of the rareness of its ordinance and the

beauty of its disposition and sat musing over the case of Al-Rashid and

pondering what was come of him after her. Her tears coursed down her

cheeks and the zephyr blew on her; so she slept and knew no more till

she suddenly felt a breath on her side-face, whereat she awoke in

affright and found Queen Kamariyah kissing her, and she was accompanied

by her sisters, who said, “Rise, for the sun hath set.” So Tohfah arose

and making the Wuzu-ablution, prayed her due of prayers[194] and

accompanied the four queens to the palace, where she saw the wax candles

lighted and the kings sitting. She saluted them with the salam and

seated herself upon her couch; and behold, King Al-Shisban had shifted

his semblance, for all the pride of his soul. Then came up Iblis (whom

Allah damn!) and Tohfah rose to him and kissed his hands. He also kissed

her hand and blessed her and asked, “How deemest thou? Is not this place

pleasant, for all its desertedness and desolation?” Answered she, “None

may be desolate in this place;” and he cried, “Know that this is a site

whose soil no mortal dare tread;” but she rejoined, “I have dared and

trodden it, and this is one of thy many favours.” Then they brought

tables and dishes and viands and fruits and sweetmeats and other

matters, whose description passeth powers of mortal man, and they ate

their sufficiency; after which the tables were removed and the

dessert-trays and platters set on, and they ranged the bottles and

flagons and vessels and phials, together with all manner fruits and

sweet-scented flowers. The first to raise the bowl was Iblis the

Accursed, who said, “O Tohfat al-Sudur, sing over my cup.” So she took

the lute and touching it, carolled these couplets:—

Wake ye, Ho sleepers all! and take your joy ✿ Of Time, and boons he

deignèd to bestow;

Then hail the Wine-bride, drain the wine-ptisane ✿ Which, poured from

flagon, flows with flaming glow:

O Cup-boy, serve the wine, bring round the red[195] ✿ Whose draught

gives all we hope for here below:

What’s worldly pleasure save my lady’s face, ✿ Draughts of pure wine and

song of musico?

So Iblis drained his bowl and, when he had made an end of his draught,

waved his hand to Tohfah; then, throwing off that which was upon him of

clothes, delivered them to her. The suit would have brought ten thousand

dinars and with it was a tray full of jewels worth a mint of money.

Presently he filled again and gave the cup to his son Al-Shisban, who

took it from his hand and kissing it, stood up and sat down again. Now

there was before him a tray of roses; so he said to her, “O Tohfah, sing

thou somewhat upon these roses.” She replied, “Hearkening and

obedience,” and chanted these two couplets:—

It proves my price o’er all the flowers that I ✿ Seek you each year, yet

stay but little stound:

And high my vaunt I’m dyèd by my lord ✿ Whom Allah made the best e’er

trod on ground.[196]

So Al-Shisban drank off the cup in his turn and said, “Brava, O desire

of hearts!” and he bestowed on her that was upon him, to wit, a dress of

cloth-of-pearl, fringed with great unions and rubies and purfled with

precious gems, and a tray wherein were fifty thousand dinars. Then

Maymun the Sworder took the cup and began gazing intently upon Tohfah.

Now there was in his hand a pomegranate-flower and he said to her, “Sing

thou somewhat, O queen of mankind and Jinn-kind upon this

pomegranate-flower; for indeed thou hast dominion over all hearts.”

Quoth she, “To hear is to obey;” and she improvised and sang these

couplets:—

Breathes sweet the zephyr on fair partèrre; ✿ Robing lute in the

flamings that fell from air:

And moaned from the boughs with its cooing rhyme ✿ Voice of ring-doves

plaining their love and care:

The branch dresses in suit of fine sendal green ✿ And in wine-hues

borrowed from bloom Gulnare.[197]

Maymun the Sworder drained his bowl and said to her, “Brava, O

perfection of qualities!” Then he signed to her and was absent awhile,

after which he returned and with him a tray of jewels worth an hundred

thousand ducats, which he gave to Tohfah. Thereupon Kamariyah arose and

bade her slave-girl open the closet behind the Songstress, wherein she

laid all that wealth; and committed the key to her, saying, “Whatso of

riches cometh to thee, lay thou in this closet that is by thy side, and

after the festivities, it shall be borne to thy palace on the heads of

the Jinn.” Tohfah kissed her hand and another king, by name Munír,[198]

took the bowl and filling it, said to her, “O ferly Fair, sing to me

over my bowl somewhat upon the jasmine.” She replied with, “Hearkening

and obedience,” and improvised these couplets:—

’Twere as though the Jasmine (when self she enrobes ✿ On her boughs)

doth display to my wondering eyne;

In sky of green beryl, which Beauty enclothes, ✿ Star-groups like studs

of the silvern mine.

Munir drank off his cup and ordered her eight hundred thousand dinars,

whereat Kamariyah rejoiced and rising to her feet, kissed Tohfah on her

face and said to her, “Be the world never bereaved of thee, O thou who

lordest it over the hearts of Jinn-kind and mankind!” Then she returned

to her place and the Shaykh Iblis arose and danced, till all present

were confounded; after which the Songstress said, “Verily, thou

embellishest my festivities, O thou who commandest men and Jinn and

rejoicest their hearts with thy loveliness and the beauty[199] of thy

faithfulness to thy lord. All that thy hands possess shall be borne to

thee in thy palace and placed at thy service; but now the dawn is

nearhand; so do thou rise and rest thee according to thy custom.” Tohfah

turned and found with her none of the Jinn; so she laid her head on the

floor and slept till she had gotten her repose; after which she arose

and betaking herself to the lakelet, made the Wuzu-ablution and prayed.

Then she sat beside the water awhile and meditated the matter of her

lord Al-Rashid and that which had betided him after her loss and wept

with sore weeping. Presently, she heard a blowing behind her;[200] so

she turned and behold, a Head without a body and with eyes slit endlong:

it was of the bigness of an elephant’s skull and bigger and had a mouth

as it were an oven and projecting canines as they were grapnels, and

hair which trailed upon the ground. So Tohfah cried, “I take refuge with

Allah from Satan the Stoned!” and recited the Two Preventives;[201] what

while the Head drew near her and said, “Peace be with thee, O Princess

of Jinn and men and union-pearl of her age and her time! Allah continue

thee on life, for all the lapsing of the days, and reunite thee with thy

lord the Imam!”[202] She replied, “And upon thee be Peace; O thou whose

like I have not seen among the Jann!” Quoth the Head, “We are a folk who

may not change their favours and we are hight Ghúls: mortals summon us

to their presence, but we cannot present ourselves before them without

leave. As for me, I have gotten leave of the Shaykh Abu al-Tawaif to

appear before thee and I desire of thy favour that thou sing me a song,

so I may go to thy palace and question its Haunters[203] concerning the

plight of thy lord after thee and return to thee; and know, O Tohfat

al-Sudur, that between thee and thy lord be a distance of fifty years’

journey for the _bonâ-fide_ traveller.” She rejoined, “Indeed, thou

grievest me anent him between whom and me is fifty years’ journey;” but

the Head[204] cried to her, “Be of good cheer and of eyes cool and

clear, for the sovrans of the Jann will restore thee to him in less than

the twinkling of an eye.” Quoth she, “I will sing thee an hundred songs,

so thou wilt bring me news of my lord and that which betided him after

me.” And quoth the Head, “Do thou favour me and sing me a song, so I may

go to thy lord and fetch thee tidings of him, for that I desire, before

I go, to hear thy voice, so haply my thirst[205] may be quenched.” So

she took the lute and tuning it, sang these couplets:—

They have marched, yet no empty stead left they: ✿ They are gone, nor

heart grieves me that fled be they:

My heart forebode the bereaval of friends; ✿ Allah ne’er bereave steads

wherefrom sped be they!

Though they hid the stations where led were they, ✿ I’ll follow till

stars fall in disarray!

Ye slumber, but wake shall ne’er fly these lids; ✿ ’Tis I bear what ye

never bore—well-away!

It had irked them not to farewell who fares ✿ With the parting-fires

that my heart waylay.

My friends,[206] your meeting to me is much ✿ But more is the parting

befel us tway:

You’re my heart’s delight, or you present be ✿ Or absent, with you is my

soul for aye!

Thereupon the Head wept exceeding sore and cried, “O my lady, indeed

thou hast solaced my heart, and I have naught but my life; so take it.”

She replied, “Nay, an I but knew that thou wouldst bring me news of my

lord Al-Rashid, ’twere fainer to me than the reign of the world;” and

the Head answered her, “It shall be done as thou desirest.” Then it

disappeared and returning to her at the last of the night, said, “O my

lady, know that I have been to thy palace and have questioned one of its

Haunters of the case of the Commander of the Faithful and that which

befel him after thee; and he said:—When the Prince of True Believers

came to Tohfah’s apartment and found her not and saw no sign of her, he

buffeted his face and head and rent his raiment. Now there was in thy

chamber the Castrato, the chief of thy household, and the Caliph cried

out at him, saying:—Bring me Ja’afar the Barmaki and his father and

brother at this very moment!” The Eunuch went out, bewildered in his wit

for fear of the King, and when he stood in presence of Ja’afar, he said

to him, “Come to the Commander of the Faithful, thou and thy father and

thy brother.” So they arose in haste and betaking themselves to the

presence, said, “O Prince of True Believers what may be the matter?”

Quoth he, There is a matter which passeth description. Know that I

locked the door and taking the key with me, betook myself to my uncle’s

daughter, with whom I lay the night; but, when I arose in the morning

and came and opened the door, I found no sign of Tohfah. Quoth

Ja’afar:—“O Commander of the Faithful have patience, for that the damsel

hath been snatched away, and needs must she return, seeing that she took

the lute with her, and ’tis her own lute. The Jinns have assuredly

carried her off, and we trust in Allah Almighty that she will return.

Cried the Caliph:—This[207] is a thing which may nowise be! And he abode

in her apartment, nor eating nor drinking, while the Barmecides besought

him to fare forth to the folk; and he weepeth and tarrieth on such

fashion till she shall return. This, then, is that which hath betided

him after thee.” When Tohfah heard his words, they were grievous to her

and she wept with sore weeping; whereupon quoth the Head to her, “The

relief of Allah the Most High is nearhand; but now let me hear somewhat

of thy speech.” So she took the lute and sang three songs, weeping the

while. The Head exclaimed, “By Allah, thou hast been bountiful to me,

the Lord be with thee!” Then it disappeared and the season of sundown

came: so she rose and betook herself to her place in the hall; whereupon

behold, the candles sprang up from under the earth and kindled

themselves. Then the kings of the Jann appeared and saluted her and

kissed her hands and she greeted them with the salam. Presently appeared

Kamariyah and her three sisters and saluted Tohfah and sat down;

whereupon the tables were brought and they ate; and when the tables were

removed there came the wine-tray and the drinking-service. So Tohfah

took the lute and one of the three queens filled the cup and signed to

the Songstress. Now she had in her hand a violet, so Tohfah improvised

these couplets:—

I’m clad in a leaf-cloak of green; ✿ In an honour-robe ultramarine:

I’m a wee thing of loveliest mien ✿ But all flowers as my vassals are

seen:

An Rose title her “Morn-pride,” I ween ✿ Nor before me nor after she’s

Queen.

The queen drank off her cup and bestowed on Tohfah a dress of

cloth-of-pearl, fringed with red rubies, worth twenty thousand ducats,

and a tray whereon were ten thousand sequins. All this while Maymun’s

eye was upon her and presently he said to her, “Harkye, Tohfah! Sing to

me.” But Queen Zalzalah cried out at him, and said “Desist,[208] O

Maymun. Thou sufferest not Tohfah to pay heed to us.” Quoth he, “I will

have her sing to me:” and many words passed between them and Queen

Zalzalah cried aloud at him. Then she shook and became like unto the

Jinns and taking in her hand a mace of stone, said to him, “Fie upon

thee! What art thou that thou shouldst bespeak us thus? By Allah, but

for the respect due to kings and my fear of troubling the session and

the festival and the mind of the Shaykh Iblis, I would assuredly beat

the folly out of thy head!” When Maymun heard these her words, he rose,

with the fire shooting from his eyes, and said, “O daughter of Imlák,

what art thou that thou shouldst outrage me with the like of this talk?”

Replied she, “Woe to thee, O dog of the Jinn, knowest thou not thy

place?” So saying, she ran at him, and offered to strike him with the

mace, but the Shaykh Iblis arose and casting his turband on the ground,

cried, “Out on thee, O Maymun! Thou dost always with us on this wise.

Wheresoever thou art present, thou troublest our pleasure! Canst thou

not hold thy peace until thou go forth of the festival and this

bride-feast be accomplished? When the circumcision is at an end and ye

all return to your dwellings, then do as thou willest. Fie upon thee, O

Maymun! Wottest thou not that Imlak is of the chiefs of the Jinn? But

for my good name, thou shouldst have seen what would have betided thee

of humiliation and chastisement; yet on account of the festival none may

speak. Indeed thou exceedest: dost thou not ken that her sister Wakhimah

is doughtier[209] than any of the Jann? Learn to know thyself: hast thou

no regard for thy life?” So Maymun was silent and Iblis turned to Tohfah

and said to her “Sing to the kings of the Jinns this day and to-night

until the morrow, when the boy will be circumcised and each shall return

to his own place.” Accordingly she took the lute and Kamariyah said to

her (now she had a citron in hand), “O my sister, sing to me somewhat on

this citron.” Tohfah replied, “To hear is to obey,” and improvising,

sang these couplets:—

I’m a dome of fine gold and right cunningly dight; ✿ And my sweetness of

youth gladdeth every sight:

My wine is ever the drink of kings ✿ And I’m fittest gift to the

friendliest sprite.

At this Queen Kamariyah rejoiced with joy exceeding and drained her cup,

crying, “Brava! O thou choice Gift of hearts!” Furthermore, she took off

a sleeved robe of blue brocade, fringed with red rubies, and a necklace

of white jewels worth an hundred thousand ducats, and gave them to

Tohfah. Then she passed the cup to her sister Zalzalah, who hent in her

hand herb basil, and she said to Tohfah, “Sing to me somewhat on this

basil.” She replied, “Hearing and obeying,” and improvised and sang

these couplets:—

I’m the Queen of herbs in the séance of wine ✿ And in Heaven Na’ím are

my name and sign:

And the best are promised, in garth of Khuld, ✿ Repose, sweet scents and

the peace divine:[210]

What prizes then with my price shall vie? ✿ What rank even mine, in all

mortals’ eyne?

Thereat Queen Zalzalah rejoiced with joy exceeding and bidding her

treasuress bring a basket, wherein were fifty pairs of bracelets and the

same number of earrings, all of gold, crusted with jewels of price,

whose like nor mankind nor Jinn-kind possessed, and an hundred robes of

vari-coloured brocades and an hundred thousand ducats, gave the whole to

Tohfah. Then she passed the cup to her sister Shararah, who had in her

hand a stalk of narcissus; so she took it from her and turning to the

Songstress, said to her, “O Tohfah, sing to me somewhat on this.” She

replied, “Hearkening and obedience,” and improvised these couplets:—

With the smaragd wand doth my form compare; ✿ ’Mid the finest flowers my

worth’s rarest rare:

My eyes are likened to Beauty’s eyne, ✿ And my gaze is still on the

bright partèrre.

When she had made an end of her song, Shararah was moved to delight

exceeding, and drinking off her cup, said to her, “Brava, O thou choice

Gift of hearts!” Then she ordered her an hundred dresses of brocade and

an hundred thousand ducats and passed the cup to Queen Wakhimah. Now she

had in her hand somewhat of Nu’uman’s bloom, the anemone; so she took

the cup from her sister and turning to the Songstress, said to her, “O

Tohfah, sing to me on this.” Quoth she, “I hear and I obey,” and

improvised these couplets:—

I’m a dye was dyed by the Ruthful’s might; ✿ And all confess me the

goodliest sight:

I began in the dust and the clay, but now ✿ On the cheeks of fair women

I rank by right.

Therewith Wakhimah rejoiced with joy exceeding and drinking off the cup,

ordered her twenty dresses of Roumí brocade and a tray, wherein were

thirty thousand ducats. Then she gave the cup to Queen Shu’á’ah,[211]

Regent of the Fourth Sea, who took it and said, “O my lady Tohfah, sing

to me on the gillyflower.” She replied, “Hearing and obeying,” and

improvised these couplets:—

The time of my presence ne’er draws to a close, ✿ Amid all whose joyance

with mirth o’erflows;

When topers gather to sit at wine ✿ Or in nightly shade or when morning

shows,

I filch from the flagon to fill the bowls ✿ And the crystal cup where

the winebeam glows.

Queen Shu’a’ah rejoiced with joy exceeding and emptying her cup, gave

Tohfah an hundred thousand ducats. Then up sprang Iblis (whom Allah

curse!) and cried, “Verily, the dawn lighteneth;” whereupon the folk

arose and disappeared, all of them, and there abode not one of them save

the Songstress, who went forth to the garden and entering the Hammam

made her Wuzu-ablutions and prayed whatso lacked her of prayers. Then

she sat down and when the sun rose, behold, there came up to her near an

hundred thousand green birds, which filled the branches of the trees

with their multitudes and they warbled in various voices, whilst Tohfah

marvelled at their fashion. Suddenly, appeared eunuchs, bearing a throne

of gold, studded with pearls and gems and jacinths, both white and red,

and having four steps of gold, together with many carpets of sendal and

brocade and Coptic cloth of silk sprigged with gold; and all these they

spread in the centre of the garden and setting up the throne thereon,

perfumed the place with virgin musk, Nadd[212] and ambergris. After

that, there came a queen; never saw eyes a fairer than she nor than her

qualities; she was robed in rich raiment, broidered with pearls and

gems, and on her head was a crown set with various kinds of unions and

jewels. About her were five hundred slave-girls, high-bosomed maids, as

they were moons, screening her, right and left, and she among them like

the moon on the night of its full, for that she was the most worthy of

them in majesty and dignity. She ceased not walking till she came to

Tohfah, whom she found gazing on her in amazement; and when the

Songstress saw her turn to her, she rose to her, standing on her feet,

and saluted her and kissed ground between her hands. The queen rejoiced

in her and putting out her hand to her, drew her to herself and seated

her by her side on the couch; whereupon the Songstress kissed her hands

and the queen said to her, “Know, O Tohfah, that all which thou treadest

of these carpets belongeth not to any of the Jinn, who may never tread

them without thy leave,[213] for that I am the queen of them all and the

Shaykh Abu al-Tawaif Iblis sought my permission to hold festival[214]

and prayed me urgently to be present at the circumcision of his son. So

I despatched to him, in my stead, a slave-girl of my slave-girls,

namely, Shu’á’ah Queen of the Fourth Sea, who is vice-reine of my reign.

When she was present at the wedding and saw thee and heard thy singing,

she sent to me, informing me of thee and setting forth to me thy grace

and amiability and the beauty of thy breeding and thy courtesy.[215] So

I am come to thee, for that which I have heard of thy charms, and hereby

I do thee a mighty great favour in the eyes of all the Jann.”[216]

Thereupon Tohfah arose and kissed the earth and the queen thanked her

for this and bade her sit. So she sat down and the queen called for

food; when they brought a table of gold, inlaid with pearls and jacinths

and jewels and bearing kinds manifold of birds and viands of various

hues, and the queen said, “O Tohfah, in the name of Allah! Let us eat

bread and salt together, I and thou.” Accordingly the Songstress came

forward and ate of those meats and found therein somewhat the like

whereof she had never eaten; no, nor aught more delicious than it, while

the slave-girls stood around the table, as the white compasseth the

black of the eye, and she sat conversing and laughing with the queen.

Then said the lady, “O my sister, a slave-girl told me of thee that thou

saidst:—How loathly is what yonder Jinni Maymun eateth!”[217] Tohfah

replied, “By Allah, O my lady, I have not any eye that can look at

him,[218] and indeed I am fearful of him.” When the queen heard this,

she laughed till she fell backwards and said, “O my sister, by the might

of the graving upon the seal-ring of Solomon, prophet of Allah, I am

queen over all the Jann, and none dare so much as cast on thee a glance

of the eye;” whereat Tohfah kissed her hand. Then the tables were

removed and the twain sat talking. Presently up came the kings of the

Jinn from every side and kissed ground before the queen and stood in her

service; and she thanked them for this, but moved not for one of

them.[219] Then appeared the Shaykh Abu al-Tawáif Iblis (Allah curse

him!) and kissed the earth before her, saying, “O my lady, may I not be

bereft of these steps!”[220] She replied, “O Shaykh Abu al-Tawáif, it

behoveth thee to thank the bounty of the Lady Tohfah, who was the cause

of my coming.” Rejoined he, “Thou sayest sooth,” and kissed ground. Then

the queen fared on towards the palace and there arose and alighted upon

the trees an hundred thousand birds of manifold hues. The Songstress

asked, “How many are these birds;” and Queen Wakhimah answered her,

“Know, O my sister, that this queen is hight Queen al-Shahbá[221] and

that she is queen over all the Jann from East to West. These birds thou

seest are of her host, and unless they appeared in this shape, earth

would not be wide enough for them. Indeed, they came forth with her and

are present with her presence at this circumcision. She will give thee

after the measure of that which hath been given to thee from the first

of the festival to the last thereof;[222] and indeed she honoureth us

all with her presence.” Then the queen entered the palace and sat down

on the couch of the circumcision[223] at the upper end of the hall,

whereupon Tohfah took the lute and pressing it to her breast, touched

its strings suchwise that the wits of all present were bewildered and

Shaykh Iblis cried to her, “O my lady Tohfah, I conjure thee, by the

life of this noble queen, sing for me and praise thyself, and cross me

not.” Quoth she, “To hear is to obey; still, but for thine adjuration, I

had not done this. Say me, doth any praise himself? What manner thing is

this?” Then she improvised these couplets:

In all fêtes I’m Choice Gift[224] to the minstrel-race;

Folk attest my worth, rank and my pride of place,

While Fame, merit and praises with honour engrace.

Her verses pleased the kings of the Jann and they cried, “By Allah, thou

sayst sooth!” Then she rose to her feet, hending lute in hand, and

played and sang, whilst the Jinns and the Shaykh Abu al-Tawáif danced.

Presently the Father of the Tribes came up to her bussing her bosom, and

gave her a Bráhmani[225] carbuncle he had taken from the hidden hoard of

Yáfis bin Núh[226] (on whom be the Peace), and which was worth the reign

of the world; its light was as the sheen of the sun and he said to her,

“Take this and be equitable therewith to the people of the world.”[227]

She kissed his hand and rejoiced in the jewel and said, “By Allah, this

befitteth none save the Commander of the Faithful.” Now Queen Al-Shahba

laughed with delight at the dancing of Iblís and she said to him, “By

Allah, this is a goodly pavane!” He thanked her for this and said to the

Songstress, “O Tohfah, there is not on earth’s face a skilfuller than

Ishak al-Nadim;[228] but thou art more skilful than he. Indeed, I have

been present with him many a time and have shown him positions[229] on

the lute, and there has betided me with him that which betided. Indeed,

the story of my dealings with him is a long one but this is no time to

repeat it; for now I would show thee a shift on the lute, whereby thou

shalt be exalted over all folk.” Quoth she, “Do what seemeth good to

thee.” So he took the lute and played thereon a wondrous playing, with

rare divisions and marvellous modulations, and showed her a passage she

knew not; and this was goodlier to her than all that she had gotten.

Then she took the lute from him and playing thereon, sang and presently

returned to the passage which he had shown her; and he said, “By Allah,

thou singest better than I!” As for Tohfah, it became manifest to her

that her former practice was all of it wrong and that what she had

learnt from the Shaykh Abu al-Tawáif Iblis was the root and foundation

of all perfection in the art and its modes. So she rejoiced in that

which she had won of skill in touching the lute far more than in all

that had fallen to her lot of wealth and honour-robes and kissed the

Master’s hand. Then said Queen Al-Shahba, “By Allah, O Shaykh, my sister

Tohfah is indeed singular among the folk of her time, and I hear that

she singeth upon all sweet-smelling blooms.” Iblis replied, “Yes, O my

lady, and I am in extremest wonderment thereat. But there remaineth

somewhat of sweet-scented flowers, which she hath not besung, such as

myrtle and tuberose and jessamine and the moss-rose and the like.” Then

the Shaykh signed to her to sing somewhat upon the rest of the flowers,

that Queen Al-Shahba might hear, and she said, “Hearing and obeying.” So

she took the lute and played thereon in many modes, then returned to the

first and sang these couplets:—

I’m one of the lover-retinue ✿ Whom long pine and patience have doomèd

rue:

And sufferance of parting from kin and friends ✿ Hath clothed me, O

folk, in this yellow hue:

Then, after the joyance had passed away, ✿ Heart-break, abasement and

cark I knew,

Through the long, long day when the lift is light, ✿ Nor, when night is

murk, my pangs cease pursue:

So, ’twixt fairest hope and unfailing fear, ✿ My bitter tears ever flow

anew.

Thereat Queen Al-Shahba rejoiced with joy exceeding and cried, “Brava, O

queen of delight! No one is able to describe thee. Sing to us on the

Apple.” Quoth Tohfah, “Hearkening and obedience.” Then she recited these

couplets:—

I surpass all forms in my coquetry ✿ For mine inner worth and mine outer

blee;

Tend me noble hands in the sight of all ✿ And slake with pure waters the

thirst of me;

My robe is of sendal, and eke my veil ✿ Is of sunlight the Ruthful hath

bidden be:

When my fair companions are marched afar, ✿ In sorrow fro’ home they are

forced to flee:

But noble hands deign hearten my heart ✿ With beds where I sit in my

high degree;[230]

And where, like full moon at its rise, my light ✿ ’Mid the garden-fruits

thou shalt ever see.

Queen Al-Shahba rejoiced in this with exceeding joy and cried, “Brava!

By Allah, there is none excelleth thee.” Tohfah kissed the ground, then

returned to her place and versified on the Tuberose, saying:—

I’m a marvel-bloom to be worn on head! ✿ Though a stranger among you

fro’ home I fled:

Make use of wine in my company ✿ And flout at Time who in languish sped.

E’en so doth camphor my hue attest, ✿ O my lords, as I stand in my

present stead.

So gar me your gladness when dawneth day, ✿ And to highmost seat in your

homes be I led:

And quaff your cups in all jollity, ✿ And cheer and ease shall ne’er

cease to be.

At this Queen Al-Shahba rejoiced with exceeding joy and cried, “Brava, O

queen of delight! By Allah, I know not how I shall do to give thee thy

due! May the Most High grant us the grace of thy long continuance!” Then

she strained her to her breast and bussed her on the cheek; whereupon

quoth Iblis (on whom be a curse!), “This is a mighty great honour!”

Quoth the queen, “Know that this lady Tohfah is my sister and that her

biddance is my biddance and her forbiddance my forbiddance. So all of

you hearken to her word and render her worshipful obedience.” Therewith

the kings rose in a body and kissed ground before Tohfah, who rejoiced

in this. Moreover, Queen Al-Shahba doffed dress and habited her in a

suit adorned with pearls, jewels and jacinths, worth an hundred thousand

ducats, and wrote for her on a slip of paper[231] a patent appointing

her to be her deputy. So the Songstress rose and kissed ground before

the Queen, who said to her, “Of thy favour, sing to us somewhat

concerning the rest of the sweet-scented flowers and herbs, so I may

hear thy chant and solace myself with witnessing thy skill.” She

replied, “To hear is to obey, O lady mine,” and, taking the lute,

improvised these couplets:—

My hue excelleth all hues in light, ✿ And I would all eyes should enjoy

my sight:

My site is the site of fillets and pearls ✿ Where the fairest brows are

with jasmine dight:

My light’s uprist (and what light it shows!) ✿ Is a silvern zone on the

waist of Night.