Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that when the Sultan heard his daughter's words, he was

saddened and his eyes brimmed with tears, then he sheathed his

sabre and kissed her saying, "O my daughter wherefore[FN#151]

didst thou not tell me what happened on the past night that I

might have guarded thee from this torture and terror which

visited thee a second time? But now 'tis no matter. Rise and cast

out all such care and to-night I will set a watch to ward thee

nor shall any mishap again make thee miserable." Then the Sultan

returned to his palace and straightway bade summon the Grand

Wazir and asked him, as he stood before him in his service, "O

Wazir how dost thou look upon this matter? Haply thy son hath

informed thee of what occurred to him and to my daughter." The

Minister replied, "O King of the Age, I have not seen my son or

yesterday or to-day." Hereat the Sultan told him all that had

afflicted the Princess, adding, " 'tis my desire that thou at

once seek tidings of thy son concerning the facts of the case:

peradventure of her fear my daughter may not be fully aware of

what really befel her; withal I hold all her words to be

truthful." So the Grand Wazir arose and, going forth, bade summon

his son and asked him anent all his lord had told him whether it

be true or untrue. The youth replied, "O my father the Wazir,

Heaven forbid that the Lady Badr al-Budur speak falsely: indeed

all she said was sooth and these two nights proved to us the

evillest of our nights instead of being nights of pleasure and

marriage-joys. But what befel me was the greater evil because,

instead of sleeping abed with my bride, I lay in the wardrobe, a

black hole, frightful, noisome of stench, truly damnable; and my

ribs were bursten with cold." In fine the young man told his

father the whole tale, adding as he ended it, "O dear father

mine, I implore thee to speak with the Sultan that he may set me

free from this marriage. Yes, indeed 'tis a high honour for me to

be the Sultan's son-in-law and especially the love of the

Princess hath gotten hold of my vitals; but I have no strength

left to endure a single night like unto these two last."--And

Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her

permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Fifty-sixth Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that the Wazir, hearing the words of his son, was saddened

and sorrowful exceedingly, for it was his design to advance and

promote his child by making him son-in-law to the Sultan. So he

became thoughtful and perplexed about the affair and the device

whereby to manage it, and it was sore grievous for him to break

off the marriage, it having been a rare enjoyment to him that he

had fallen upon such high good fortune. Accordingly he said,

"Take patience, O my son, until we see what may happen this

night, when we will set watchmen to ward you; nor do thou give up

the exalted distinction which hath fallen to none save to

thyself." Then the Wazir left him and, returning to the sovran,

reported that all told to him by the Lady Badr al-Budur was a

true tale; whereupon Quoth the Sultan, "Since the affair is on

this wise, we require no delay," and he at once ordered all the

rejoicings to cease and the marriage to be broken off. This

caused the folk and the citizen to marvel at the matter,

especially when they saw the Grand Wazir and his son leaving the

palace in pitiable plight for grief and stress of passion; and

the people fell to asking, "What hath happened and what is the

cause of the wedding being made null and void?" Nor did any know

aught of the truth save Alaeddin the lover who claimed the

Princess's hand, and he laughed in his sleeve. But even after the

marriage was dissolved, the Sultan forgot nor even recalled to

mind his promise made to Alaeddin's mother; and the same was the

case with the Grand Wazir, while neither had any inkling of

whence befel them that which had befallen. So Alaeddin patiently

awaited the lapse of the three months after which the Sultan had

pledged himself to give him to wife his daughter; but, as soon as

ever the term came, he sent his mother to the Sultan for the

purpose of requiring him to keep his covenant. So she went to the

palace and when the King appeared in the Divan and saw the old

woman standing before him, he remembered his promise to her

concerning the marriage after a term of three months, and he

turned to the Minister and said "O Wazir, this be the ancient

dame who presented me with the jewels and to whom we pledged our

word that when the three months had elapsed we would summon her

to our presence before all others." So the Minister went forth

and fetched her[FN#152] and when she went in to the Sultan's

presence she saluted him and prayed for his glory and permanence

of prosperity. Hereat the King asked her if she needed aught, and

she answered, "O King of the Age, the three months' term thou

assignedst to me is finished, and this is thy time to marry my

son Alaeddin with thy daughter, the Lady Badr al-Budur." The

Sultan was distraught at this demand, especially when he saw the

old woman's pauper condition, one of the meanest of her kind; and

yet the offering she had brought to him was of the most

magnificent, far beyond his power to pay the price. Accordingly,

he turned to the Grand Wazir and said, "What device is there with

thee? In very sooth I did pass my word, yet meseemeth that they

be pauper folk and not persons of high condition."--And Shahrazad

was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted

say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Fifty-seventh Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that the Grand Wazir who was dying of envy and who was

especially saddened by what had befallen his son, said to

himself, "How shall one like this wed the King's daughter and my

son lose this highmost honour?" Accordingly, he answered his

Sovran speaking privily, "O my lord, 'tis an easy[FN#153] matter

to keep off a poor devil such as this, for he is not worthy that

thy Highness give his daughter to a fellow whom none knoweth what

he may be." "By what means," enquired the Sultan, "shall we put

off the man when I pledged my promise; and the word of the Kings

is their bond?" Replied the Wazir, "O my lord, my rede is that

thou demand of him forty platters made of pure sand-gold[FN#154]

and full of gems (such as the woman brought thee aforetime), with

forty white slave-girls to carry the platters and forty black

eunuch-slaves." The King rejoined, "By Allah, O Wazir, thou hast

spoken to the purpose, seeing that such thing is not possible and

by this way we shall be freed." Then Quoth he to Alaeddin's

mother, "Do thou go and tell thy son that I am a man of my word

even as I plighted it to him, but on condition that he have power

to pay the dower of my daughter; and that which I require of him

is a settlement consisting of two score platters of virgin gold,

all brimming with gems the like of those thou broughtest to me,

and as many white handmaids to carry them and two score black

eunuch-slaves to serve and escort the bearers. An thy son avail

hereto I will marry him with my daughter." Thereupon she returned

home wagging her head and saying in her mind, "Whence can my poor

boy procure these platters and such jewels? And granted that he

return to the Enchanted Treasury and pluck them from the trees

which, however, I hold impossible; yet given that he bring them

whence shall he come by the girls and the blacks?" Nor did she

leave communing with herself till she reached her home, where she

found Alaeddin awaiting her, and she lost no time in saying "O my

son, did I not tell thee never to fancy that thy power would

extend to the Lady Badr al-Budur, and that such a matter is not

possible to folk like ourselves?" "Recount to me the news," Quoth

he; so Quoth she, "O my child, verily the Sultan received me with

all honour according to his custom and, meseemeth his intentions

towards us be friendly. But thine enemy is that accursed Wazir;

for, after I addressed the King in thy name as thou badest me

say, 'In very sooth the promised term is past,' adding ' 'Twere

well an thy Highness would deign issue commandment for the

espousals of thy daughter the Lady Badr al-Budur to my son

Alaeddin he turned to and addressed the Minister who answered

privily, after which the Sultan gave me his reply." Then she

enumerated the King's demands and said, "O my son, he indeed

expecteth of thee an instant reply but I fancy that we have no

answer for him." And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day

and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Fifty-eighth Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that when Alaeddin heard these words he laughed and said, "O

my mother, thou affirmeth that we have no answer and thou deemest

the case difficult exceedingly; but compose thy thoughts and

arise and bring me somewhat we may eat; and, after we have dined,

an the Compassionate be willing, thou shalt see my reply. Also

the Sultan thinketh like thyself that he hath demanded a

prodigious dower in order to divert me from his daughter, whereas

the fact is that he hath required of me a matter far less than I

expected. But do thou fare forth at once and purchase the

provision and leave me to procure thee a reply." So she went out

to fetch her needful from the Bazar and Alaeddin retired to his

chamber and taking the Lamp rubbed it, when forthright appeared

to him its Slave and said, "Ask, O my lord, whatso thou wantest."

The other replied, "I have demanded of the Sultan his daughter to

wife and he hath required of me forty bowls of purest gold each

weighing ten pounds[FN#155] and all to be filled with gems such

as we find in the Gardens of the Hoard; furthermore, that they be

borne on the heads of as many white handmaids, each attended by

her black eunuch-slave, also forty in full rate; so I desire that

thou bring all these into my presence." "Hearkening and obeying,

O my lord," Quoth the Slave and, disappearing for the space of an

hour or so, presently returned bringing the platters and jewels,

handmaids and eunuchs; then, setting them before him the Marid

cried, "This be what thou demandest of me: declare now an thou

want any matter or service other than this." Alaeddin rejoined,

"I have need of naught else; but, an I do, I will summon thee and

let thee know." The Slave now disappeared and, after a little

while, Alaeddin's mother returned home and, on entering the

house, saw the blacks and the handmaids.[FN#156] Hereat she

wondered and exclaimed, "All this proceedeth from the Lamp which

Allah perpetuate to my son!" But ere she doffed her mantilla

Alaeddin said to her, "O my mother, this be thy time before the

Sultan enter his Serraglio-palace;[FN#157] do thou carry to him

what he required and wend thou with it at once, so may he know

that I avail to supply all he wanteth and yet more; also that he

is beguiled by his Grand Wazir and the twain imagined vainly that

they would baffle me." Then he arose forthright and opened the

house-door, when the handmaids and blackamoors paced forth in

pairs, each girl with her eunuch beside her, until they crowded

the quarter, Alaeddin's mother foregoing them. And when the folk

of that ward sighted such mighty fine sight and marvellous

spectacle, all stood at gaze and they considered the forms and

figures of the handmaids marvelling at their beauty and

loveliness, for each and every wore robes inwrought with gold and

studded with jewels, no dress being worth less than a thousand

dinars.[FN#158] They stared as intently at the bowls and albeit

these were covered with pieces of brocade, also orfrayed and

dubbed with precious stones, yet the sheen outshot from them

dulled the shine of sun.--And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn

of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Fifty-ninth Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that the folk and especially the people of the quarter stood

a marvelling at this singular scene. Then Alaeddin's mother

walked forwards and all the handmaids and eunuchs paced behind

her in the best of ordinance and disposition, and the citizens

gathered to gaze at the beauty of the damsels, glorifying God the

Most Great, until the train reached the palace and entered it

accompanied by the tailor's widow. Now when the Aghas and

Chamberlains and Army-officers beheld them, all were seized with

surprise, notably by seeing the handmaids who each and every

would ravish the reason of an anchorite. And albeit the royal

Chamberlains and Officials were men of family, the sons of

Grandees and Emirs, yet they could not but especially wonder at

the costly dresses of the girls and the platters borne upon their

heads; nor could they gaze at them open eyed by reason of the

exceeding brilliance and radiance. Then the Nabobs went in and

reported to the King who forthright bade admit them to the

presence chamber, and Alaeddin's mother went in with them. When

they stood before the Sultan, all saluted him with every sign of

respect and worship and prayed for his glory and prosperity; then

they set down from their heads the bowls at his feet and, having

removed the brocade covers, rested with arms crossed behind them.

The Sultan wondered with exceeding wonder and was distraught by

the beauty of the handmaids and their loveliness which passed

praise; and his wits were wildered when he considered the golden

bowls brimful of gems which captured man's vision, and he was

perplexed at the marvel until he became, like the dumb, unable to

utter a syllable for the excess of his wonder. Also his sense was

stupefied the more when he bethought him that within an hour or so

all these treasures had been collected. Presently he commanded

the slave-girls to enter, with what loads they bore, the dower of

the Princess; and, when they had done his bidding Alaeddin's

mother came forward and said to the Sultan, "O my lord, this be

not much wherewith to honour the Lady Badr al-Budur, for that she

meriteth these things multiplied times manifold." Hereat the

Sovran turned to the Minister and asked, "What sayest thou, O

Wazir? is not he who could produce such wealth in a time so

brief, is he not, I say, worthy to become the Sultan's son-in-law

and take the King's daughter to wife?" Then the Minister

(although he marvelled at these riches even more than did the

Sultan), whose envy was killing him and growing greater hour by

hour, seeing his liege lord satisfied with the moneys and the

dower and yet being unable to fight against fact, made answer, "

'tis not worthy of her." Withal he fell to devising a device

against the King that he might withhold the Lady Badr al-Budur

from Alaeddin and accordingly he continued, "O my liege, the

treasures of the universe all of them are not worth a nail-paring

of thy daughter: indeed thy Highness hath prized these things

overmuch in comparison with her."--And Shahrazad was surprised by

the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Sixtieth Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that when the King heard the words of his Grand Wazir, he

knew that the speech was prompted by excess of envy; so turning

to the mother of Alaeddin he said, "O woman, go to thy son and

tell him that I have accepted of him the dower and stand to my

bargain, and that my daughter be his bride and he my son-in-law:

furthermore, bid him at once make act of presence that I may

become familiar with him: he shall see naught from me save all

honour and consideration, and this night shall be the beginning

of the marriage-festivities. Only, as I said to thee, let him

come to me and tarry not." Thereupon Alaeddin's mother returned

home with the speed of the stormwinds that she might hasten her

utmost to congratulate her son; and she flew with joy at the

thought that her boy was about to become[FN#159] son-in-law to

the Sultan. After her departure the King dismissed the Divan and,

entering the palace of the Princess, bade them bring the bowls

and the handmaids before him and before her, that she also might

inspect them. But when the Lady Badr al-Budur considered the

jewels, she waxed distraught and cried, "Meseemeth that in the

treasuries of the world there be not found one jewel rivalling

these jewels." Then she looked at the handmaids and marvelled at

their beauty and loveliness, and knew that all this came from her

new bridegroom who had sent them in her service. So she was

gladdened, albeit she had been grieved and saddened on account of

her former husband, the Wazir's son, and she rejoiced with

exceeding joy when she gazed upon the damsels and their charms;

nor was her sire, the Sultan, less pleased and inspirited when he

saw his daughter relieved of all her mourning and melancholy and

his own vanished at the sight of her enjoyment. Then he asked

her, "O my daughter, do these things divert thee? Indeed I deem

that this suitor of thine be more suitable to thee than the son

of the Wazir; and right soon (Inshallah!), O my daughter, shalt

thou have fuller joy with him." Such was the case with the King;

but as regards Alaeddin, as soon as he saw his mother entering

the house with face laughing for stress of joy he rejoiced at the

sign of glad tidings and cried, "To Allah alone be lauds!

Perfected is all I desired." Rejoined his mother, "Be gladdened

at my good news, O my son, and hearten thy heart and cool thine

eyes for the winning of thy wish. The Sultan hath accepted thine

offering, I mean the moneys and the dower of the Lady Badr al-

Budur, who is now thine affianced bride; and, this very night, O

my child, is your marriage and thy first visit to her; for the

King, that he might assure me of his word, hath proclaimed to the

world thou art his son-in-law and promised this night to be the

night of going in. But he also said to me, 'Let thy son come

hither forthright that I may become familiar with him and receive

him with all honour and worship.' And now here am I, O my son, at

the end of my labours; happen whatso may happen the rest is upon

thy shoulders." Thereupon Alaeddin arose and kissed his mother's

hand and thanked her, enhancing her kindly service: then he left

her and entering his chamber took the Lamp and rubbed it when, lo

and behold! its Slave appeared and cried, "Adsum! Ask whatso thou

wantest." The young man replied, "'Tis my desire that thou take

me to a Hammam whose like is not in the world; then, fetch me a

dress so costly and kingly that no royalty ever owned its

fellow." The Marid replied, "I hear and I obey," and carried him

to Baths such as were never seen by the Kings of the ChosroŸs,

for the building was all of alabaster and carnelian and it

contained marvellous limnings which captured the sight; and the

great hall[FN#160] was studded with precious stones. Not a soul

was therein but, when Alaeddin entered, one of the Jann in human

shape washed him and bathed[FN#161] him to the best of his

desire.--And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and

ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Sixty-first Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that Alaeddin, after having been washed and bathed, left the

Baths and went into the great hall where he found that his old

dress had been removed and replaced by a suit of the most

precious and princely. Then he was served with sherbets and

ambergris'd coffee[FN#162] and, after drinking, he arose and a

party of black slaves came forwards and clad him in the costliest

of clothing, then perfumed and fumigated him. It is known that

Alaeddin was the son of a tailor, a pauper, yet now would none

deem him to be such; nay, all would say, "This be the greatest

that is of the progeny of the Kings: praise be to Him who

changeth and who is not changed!" Presently came the Jinni and

lifting him up bore him to his home and asked, "O my lord, tell

me hast thou aught of need?" He answered, "Yes, 'tis my desire

that thou bring me eight and forty Mamelukes, of whom two dozen

shall forego me and the rest follow me, the whole number with

their war-chargers and clothing and accoutrements; and all upon

them and their steeds must be of naught save of highest worth and

the costliest, such as may not be found in treasuries of the

Kings. Then fetch me a stallion fit for the riding of the

ChosroŸs and let his furniture, all thereof, be of gold crusted

with the finest gems:[FN#163] fetch me also eight and forty

thousand dinars that each white slave may carry a thousand gold

pieces. 'Tis now my intent to fare to the Sultan, so delay thou

not, for that without all these requisites whereof I bespake thee

I may not visit him. Moreover set before me a dozen slave-girls

unique in beauty and dight with the most magnificent dresses,

that they wend with my mother to the royal palace; and let every

handmaid be robed in raiment that befitteth Queen's wearing." The

Slave replied, "To hear is to obey;" and, disappearing for an

eye-twinkling, brought all he was bidden bring and led by hand a

stallion whose rival was not amongst the Arabian Arabs,[FN#164]

and its saddle cloth was of splendid brocade gold-inwrought.

Thereupon, without stay or delay, Alaeddin sent for his mother

and gave her the garments she should wear and committed to her

charge the twelve slave-girls forming her suite to the palace.

Then he sent one of the Mamelukes, whom the Jinni had brought, to

see if the Sultan had left the Serraglio or not. The white slave

went forth lighter than the lightning and returning in like

haste, said, "O my lord, the Sultan awaiteth thee!" Hereat

Alaeddin arose and took horse, his Mamelukes riding a-van and a-

rear of him, and they were such that all must cry, "Laud to the

Lord who created them and clothed them with such beauty and

loveliness." And they scattered gold amongst the crowd in front

of their master who surpassed them all in comeliness and

seemlihead nor needst thou ask concerning the sons of the Kings,-

-praise be to the Bountiful, the Eternal! All this was of the

virtues of the Wonderful Lamp,[FN#165] which, whoso possessed,

him it gifted with fairest favour and finest figure, with wealth

and with wisdom. The folk admired Alaeddin's liberality and

exceeding generosity and all were distraught seeing his charms

and elegance, his gravity and his good manners, they glorified

the Creator for this noble creation, they blessed him each and

every and, albeit they knew him for the son of Such-an-one, the

tailor, yet no man envied him; nay, all owned that he deserved

his great good fortune.--And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn

of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Sixty-second Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that the people were bewildered at Alaeddin and his

liberality and generosity; and all blessed and prayed for him,

high and low, as he rode palace-wards with the Mamelukes before

and behind him, scattering gold upon the heads of the folk. Now

the Sultan had assembled the Lords of the land and, informing

them of the promise he had passed to Alaeddin, touching the

marriage of his daughter, had bidden them await his approach and

then go forth, one and all, to meet him and greet him. Hereupon

the Emirs and Wazirs, the Chamberlains, the Nabobs and the Army-

officers took their stations expecting him at the palace gate.

Alaeddin would fain have dismounted at the outer entrance; but

one of the Nobles, whom the King had deputed for such duty,

approached him and said, "O my lord, 'tis the Royal Command that

thou enter riding thy steed nor dismount except at the Divan-

door."[FN#166] Then they all forewent him in a body and conducted

him to the appointed place where they crowded about him, these to

hold his stirrup and those supporting him on either side whilst

others took him by the hands and helped him dismount; after which

all the Emirs and Nobles preceded him into the Divan and led him

close up to the royal throne. Thereupon the Sultan came down

forthright from his seat of estate and, forbidding him to buss

the carpet, embraced and kissed and seated him to the

right[FN#167] of and beside himself. Alaeddin did whatso is

suitable, in the case of the Kings, of salutation and offering of

blessings, and said, "O our lord the Sultan, indeed the

generosity of thy Highness demanded that thou deign vouchsafe to

me the hand of thy daughter, the Lady Badr al-Budur, albeit I

undeserve the greatness of such gift, I being but the humblest of

thy slaves. I pray Allah grant thee prosperity and perpetuance;

but in very sooth, O King, my tongue is helpless to thank thee

for the fullness of the favour, passing all measure, which thou

hast bestowed upon me. And I hope of thy Highness that thou wilt

give me a piece of ground fitted for a pavilion which shall besit

thy daughter, the Lady Badr al-Budur." The Sultan was struck with

admiration when he saw Alaeddin in his princely suit and looked

upon him and considered his beauty and loveliness, and noted the

Mamelukes standing to serve him in their comeliness and

seemlihead; and still his marvel grew when the mother of Alaeddin

approached him in costly raiment and sumptuous, clad as though

she were a Queen, and when he gazed upon the twelve handmaids

standing before her with crossed arms and with all worship and

reverence doing her service. He also considered the eloquence of

Alaeddin and his delicacy of speech and he was astounded thereat,

he and all his who were present at the levée. Thereupon fire was

kindled in the Grand Wazir's heart for envy of Alaeddin until he

was like to die: and it was worse when the Sultan, after hearing

the youth's succession of prayers and seeing his high dignity of

demeanour, respectful withal, and his eloquence and elegance of

language, clasped him to his bosom and kissed him and cried,

"Alas, O my son, that I have not enjoyed thy converse before this

day!" And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased

to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Sixty-third Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that when the Sultan beheld Alaeddin after such fashion, he

rejoiced in him with mighty great joy and straightway bade the

music[FN#168] and the bands strike up; then he arose and, taking

the youth led him into the palace where supper had been prepared

and the Eunuchs at once laid the tables. So the Sovran sat down

and seated his son-in-law on his right side and the Wazirs and

high officials and Lords of the land took places each according

to his degree, whereupon the bands played and a mighty fine

marriage-feast was dispread in the palace. The King now applied

himself to making friendship with Alaeddin and conversed with the

youth, who answered him with all courtesy and eloquence, as

though he had been bred in the palaces of the kings or he had

lived with them his daily life. And the more the talk was

prolonged between them, the more did the Sultan's pleasure and

delight increase, hearing his son-in-law's readiness of reply and

his sweet flow of language. But after they had eaten and drunken

and the trays were removed, the King bade summon the Kazis and

witnesses who presently attended and knitted the knot and wrote

out the contract-writ between Alaeddin and the Lady Badr al-

Budur. And presently the bridegroom arose and would have fared

forth, when his father in law withheld him and asked, "Whither

away, O my child? The bride-fêtes have begun and the marriage is

made and the tie is tied and the writ is written." He replied, "O

my lord the King, 'tis my desire to edify, for the Lady Badr al-

Budur, a pavilion befitting her station and high degree, nor can

I visit her before so doing. But, Inshallah! the building shall

be finished within the shortest time, by the utmost endeavor of

thy slave and by the kindly regard of thy Highness, and, although

I do (yes indeed!) long to enjoy the society of the Lady Badr al-

Budur, yet 'tis incumbent on me first to serve her and it

becometh me to set about the work forthright." "Look around thee,

O my son," replied the Sultan, "for what ground thou deemest

suitable to thy design and do thou take all things into thy

hands; but I deem the best for thee will be yonder broad plain

facing my palace; and, if it please thee build thy pavilion

thereupon." "And this," answered Alaeddin "is the sum of my

wishes that I may be nearhand to thy Highness." So saying he

farewelled the King and took horse, with his Mamelukes riding

before him and behind him, and all the world blessed him and

cried, "By Allah he is deserving," until such time as he reached

his home. Then he alighted from his stallion and repairing to his

chamber, rubbed the Lamp and behold, the Slave stood before him

and said, "Ask, O my lord whatso thou wantest;" and Alaeddin

rejoined, "I require thee of a service grave and important which

thou must do for me, and 'tis that thou build me with all urgency

a pavilion fronting the palace of the Sultan; and it must be a

marvel for it shall be provided with every requisite, such as

royal furniture and so forth." The Slave replied, "To hear is to

obey."--And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased

to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Sixty-fourth Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that the Slave evanished and, before the next dawn brake,

returned to Alaeddin and said, "O my lord, the pavilion is

finished to the fullest of thy fancy; and, if thou wouldst

inspect it, arise forthright and fare with me." Accordingly, he

rose up and the Slave carried him in the space of an eye-glance

to the pavilion which, when Alaeddin looked upon it struck him

with surprise at such building, all its stones being of jasper

and alabaster, Sumákí[FN#169] marble and mosaic-work. Then the

Slave led him into the treasury which was full of all manner of

gold and silver and costly gems, not to be counted or computed,

priced or estimated. Thence to another place, where Alaeddin saw

all requisites for the tables, plates and dishes, spoons and

ladles, basins and covers, cups and tasses, the whole of precious

metal: thence to the kitchen, where they found the kitcheners

provided with their needs and cooking batteries, likewise golden

and silvern; thence to a warehouse piled up with chests full-

packed of royal raiment, stuffs that captured the reason, such as

gold-wrought brocades from India and China and kimcobs[FN#170] or

orfrayed cloths; thence to many apartments replete with

appointments which beggar description; thence to the stables

containing coursers whose like was not to be met with amongst the

kings of the universe; and, lastly, they went to the harness-

rooms all hung with housings, costly saddles and other furniture,

everywhere studded with pearls and precious stones. And all this

was the work of one night. Alaeddin was wonder-struck and

astounded by that magnificent display of wealth which not even

the mightiest monarch on earth could produce; and more so to see

his pavilion fully provided with eunuchs and handmaids whose

beauty would seduce a saint. Yet the prime marvel of the pavilion

was an upper kiosque or belvedere of four-and-twenty windows all

made of emeralds and rubies and other gems; [FN#171] and one

window remained unfinished at the requirement of Alaeddin that

the Sultan might prove him impotent to complete it. When the

youth had inspected the whole edifice, he was pleased and

gladdened exceedingly: then, turning to the Slave he said, "I

require of thee still one thing which is yet wanting and whereof

I had forgotten to tell thee." "Ask, O my lord, thy want," Quoth

the Servitor; and Quoth the other, "I demand of thee a carpet of

the primest brocade all gold-inwrought which, when unrolled and

outstretched, shall extend hence to the Sultan's palace in order

that the Lady Badr al-Budur may, when coming hither, pace upon

it[FN#172] and not tread common earth." The Slave departed for a

short while and said on his return, "O my lord verily that which

thou demandest is here." Then he took him and showed him a carpet

which wildered the wits, and it extended from palace to pavilion;

and after this the Servitor bore off Alaeddin and set him down in

his own home. And Shahrazed was surprised by the dawn of day and

ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Sixty-fifth Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine; an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the Age,

that the Slave, after displaying the Carpet to Alaeddin, bore him

home. Now day was brightening so the Sultan rose from his sleep

and throwing open the casement looked out[FN#173] and espied,

opposite his palace, a palatial pavilion ready edified. Thereupon

he fell to rubbing his eyes and opening them their widest and

considering the scene, and he soon was certified that the new

edifice was mighty fine and grand enough to be-wilder the wits.

Moreover, with amazement as great he saw the carpet dispread

between palace and pavilion: like their lord also the royal door-

keepers and the household, one and all, were dazed and amazed at

the spectacle. Meanwhile[FN#174] the Wazir came in and, as he

entered, espied the newly builded pavilion and the carpet,

whereat he also wondered; and, when he went in to the Sultan the

twain fell to talking on this marvellous matter with great

surprise at a sight which distracted the gazer and attracted the

heart. They said finally, "In very truth, of this pavilion we

deem that none of the royalties could build its fellow;" and the

King, turning to the Minister, asked him, "Hast thou seen now

that Alaeddin is worthy to be the husband of the Princess my

daughter? Hast thou looked upon and considered this right royal

building, this magnificence of opulence, which thought of man can

not contain?" But the Wazir in his envy of Alaeddin replied, 'O

King of the Age, indeed this foundation and this building and

this opulence may not be save by means of magic nor can any man

in the world, be he the richest in good or the greatest in

governance, avail to found and finish in a single night such

edifice as this." The Sultan rejoined, "I am surprised to see in

thee how thou dost continually harp on evil opinion of Alaeddin;

but I hold that 'tis caused by thine envy and jealousy. Thou wast

present when I gave him the ground at his own prayer for a place

whereon he might build a pavilion wherein to lodge my daughter,

and I myself favoured him with a site for the same and that too

before thy very face. But however that be, shall one who could

send me as dower for the Princess such store of such stones

whereof the kings never obtained even a few, shall he, I say, be

unable to edify an edifice like this?"--And Shahrazad was

surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Sixty-sixth Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that when the Wazir heard the Sultan's words, he knew that

his lord loved Alaeddin exceedingly; so his envy and malice

increased; only, as he could do nothing against the youth, he sat

silent and impotent to return a reply. But Alaeddin seeing that

it was broad day, and the appointed time had come for his

repairing to the palace (where his wedding was being celebrated

and the Emirs and Wazirs and Grandees were gathered together

about the Sultan to be present at the ceremony), arose and rubbed

the Lamp, and when its Slave appeared and said, O my lord, ask

whatso thou wantest, for I stand before thee and at thy service,"

said he, "I mean forthright to seek the palace, this day being my

wedding-festival and I want thee to supply me with ten thousand

dinars." The Slave evanished for an eye-twinkling and returned

bringing the moneys, when Alaeddin took horse with his Mamelukes

a-van and a-rear and passed on his way, scattering as he went

gold pieces upon the lieges until all were fondly affected

towards him and his dignity was enhanced. But when he drew near

the palace, and the Emirs and Aghas and Army-officers who were

standing to await him noted his approach, they hastened

straightway to the King and gave him the tidings thereof;

whereupon the Sultan rose and met his son-in-law and after

embracing and kissing him, led him still holding his hand into

his own apartment where he sat down and seated him by his right

side. The city was all decorated and music rang through the

palace and the singers sang until the King bade bring the noon-

meal, when the eunuchs and Mamelukes hastened to spread the

tables and trays which are such as are served to the kings. Then

the Sultan and Alaeddin and the Lords of the land and the

Grandees of the realm took their seats and ate and drank until

they were satisfied. And it was a mighty fine wedding in city and

palace and the high nobles all rejoiced therein and the commons

of the kingdom were equally gladdened, while the Governors of

provinces and Nabobs of districts flocked from far regions to

witness Alaeddin's marriage and its processions and festivities.

The Sultan also marvelled in his mind to look at Alaeddin's

mother[FN#175] and recall to mind how she was wont to visit him

in pauper plight, while her son could command all this opulence

and magnificence. And when the spectators, who crowded the royal

palace to enjoy the wedding-feasts, looked upon Alaeddin's

pavilion and the beauties of the building, they were seized with

an immense surprise that so vast an edifice as this could be

reared on high during a single night; and they blessed the youth

and cried, "Allah gladden him! By Allah, he deserveth all this!

Allah bless his days!"--And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn

of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Sixty-seventh Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that when dinner was done, Alaeddin rose and, farewelling

the Sultan, took horse with his Mamelukes and rode to his own

pavilion that he might prepare to receive therein his bride, the

Lady Badr al-Budur. And as he passed, all the folk shouted their

good wishes with one voice and their words were, "Allah gladden

thee! Allah increase thy glory. Allah grant thee length of life!"

while immense crowds of people gathered to swell the marriage

procession and they conducted him to his new home, he showering

gold upon them during the whole time. When he reached his

pavilion, he dismounted and walked in and sat him down on the

divan, whilst his Mamelukes stood before him with arms afolded;

also after a short delay they brought him sherbets and, when

these were drunk, he ordered his white slaves and handmaids and

eunuchs and all who were in the pavilion to make ready for

meeting the Lady Badr al-Budur. Moreover, as soon as mid-

afternoon came and the air had cooled and the great heat of the

sun was abated, the Sultan bade his Army-officers and Emirs and

Wazirs go down into the Maydán plain[FN#176] whither he likewise

rode. And Alaeddin also took horse with his Mamelukes, he

mounting a stallion whose like was not among the steeds of the

Arab al-Arbá,[FN#177] and he showed his horsemanship in the

hippodrome and so played with the Jaríd[FN#178] that none could

withstand him, while his bride sat gazing upon him from the

latticed balcony of her bower and, seeing in him such beauty and

cavalarice, she fell headlong in love of him and was like to fly

for joy. And after they had ringed their horses on the Maydan and

each had displayed whatso he could of horsemanship, Alaeddin

proving himself the best man of all, they rode in a body to the

Sultan's palace and the youth also returned to his own pavilion.

But when it was evening, the Wazirs and Nobles took the

bridegroom and, falling in, escorted him to the royal Hammam

(known as the Sultání), when he was bathed and perfumed. As soon

as he came out he donned a dress more magnificent than the former

and took horse with the Emirs and the soldier-officers riding

before him and forming a grand cort⁄ge, wherein four of the

Wazirs bore naked swords round about him.[FN#179] All the

citizens and the strangers and the troops marched before him in

ordered throng carrying wax-candles and kettle drums and pipes

and other instruments of mirth and merriment, until they

conducted him to his pavilion. Here he alighted and walking in

took his seat and seated the Wazirs and Emirs who had escorted

him, and the Mamelukes brought sherbets and sugared drinks, which

they also passed to the people who had followed in his train. It

was a world of folk whose tale might not be told; withal Alaeddin

bade his Mamelukes stand without the pavilion-doors and shower

gold upon the crowd.--And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of

day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Sixty-eighth Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that when the Sultan returned from the Maydan-plain to his

palace he ordered the household, men as well as women,

straightway to form a cavalcade for his daughter, with all

ceremony, and bear her to her bridegroom's pavilion. So the

nobles and soldier-officers, who had followed and escorted the

bridegroom, at once mounted, and the handmaids and eunuchs went

forth with wax-candles and made a mighty fine procession for the

Lady Badr al-Budur and they paced on preceding her till they

entered the pavilion of Alaeddin whose mother walked beside the

bride. In front of the Princess also fared the wives of the

Wazirs and Emirs, Grandees and Notables, and in attendance on her

were the eight and forty slave-girls presented to her aforetime

by her bridegroom, each hending in hand a huge cierge scented

with camphor and ambergris and set in a candlestick of gem-

studded gold. And reaching Alaeddin's pavilion they led her to

her bower in the upper storey and changed her robes and enthroned

her; then, as soon as the displaying was ended, they accompanied

her to Alaeddin's apartments and presently he paid her the first

visit. Now his mother was with the bride and, when the bridegroom

came up and did off her veil, the ancient dame fell to

considering the beauty of the Princess and her loveliness; and

she looked around at the pavilion which was all litten up by gold

and gems besides the manifold candelabra of precious metals

encrusted with emeralds and jacinths; so she said in her mind,

"Once upon a time I thought the Sultan's palace mighty fine, but

this pavilion is a thing apart; nor do I deem that any of the

greatest Kings of ChosroŸs attained in his day to aught like

thereof; also am I certified that all the world could not build

anything evening it." Nor less did the lady Badr al-Budur fall to

gazing at the pavilion and marvelling for its magnificence. Then

the tables were spread and they all ate and drank and were

gladdened; after which fourscore damsels came before them each

holding in hand an instrument of mirth and merriment; then they

deftly moved their finger tips and touched the strings smiting

them into song, most musical, most melancholy, till they rent the

hearts of the hearers. Hereat the Princess increased in marvel

and Quoth she to herself, "In all my life ne'er heard I songs

like these,''[FN#180] till she forsook food, the better to

listen. And at last Alaeddin poured out for her wine and passed

it to her with his own hand; so great joy and jubilee went round

amongst them and it was a notable night, such an one as Iskander,

Lord of the Two Horns,[FN#181] had never spent in his time. When

they had finished eating and drinking and the tables were removed

from before them, Alaeddin arose and went in to his

bride.[FN#182] As soon as morning morrowed he left his bed and

the treasurer brought him a costly suit and a mighty fine, of the

most sumptuous robes worn by the kings. Then, after drinking

coffee devoured with ambergris, he ordered the horses be saddled

and, mounting with his Mamelukes before and behind him, rode to

the Sultan's palace and on his entering its court the eunuchs

went in and reported his coming to their lord.--And Shahrazad was

surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Sixty-ninth Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

'With love and good will."---It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that when the Sultan heard of Alaeddin's approach, he rose

up forthright to receive him and embraced and kissed him as

though he were his own son: then, seating him on his right, he

blessed and prayed for him, as did the Wazirs and Emirs, the

Lords of the land and the Grandees of the realm. Presently, the

King commanded bring the morning-meal which the attendants served

up and all broke their fast together, and when they had eaten and

drunken their sufficiency and the tables were removed by the

eunuchs, Alaeddin turned to the Sultan and said, "O my lord,

would thy Highness deign honour me this day at dinner, in the

house of the Lady Badr al-Budur thy beloved daughter, and come

accompanied by all thy Ministers and Grandees of the reign?" The

King replied (and he was delighted with his son-in-law), "Thou

art surpassing in liberality, O my son!" Then he gave orders to

all invited and rode forth with them (Alaeddin also riding beside

him) till they reached the pavilion and as he entered it and

considered its construction, its architecture and its stonery,

all jasper and carnelian, his sight was dazed and his wits were

amazed at such grandeur and magnificence of opulence. Then

turning to the Minister he thus addressed him, "What sayest thou?

Tell me hast thou seen in all thy time aught like this amongst

the mightiest of earth's monarchs for the abundance of gold and

gems we are now beholding?" The Grand Wazir replied, "O my lord

the King, this be a feat which cannot be accomplished by might of

monarch amongst Adam's sons; [FN#183] nor could the collected

peoples of the universal world build a palace like unto this;

nay, even builders could not be found to make aught resembling

it, save (as I said to thy Highness) by force of sorcery." These

words certified the King that his Minister spake not except in

envy and jealousy of Alaeddin, and would stablish in the royal

mind that all this splendour was not made of man but by means of

magic and with the aid of the Black Art. So Quoth he to him,

"Suffice thee so much, O Wazir: thou hast none other word to

speak and well I know what cause urgeth thee to say this say."

Then Alaeddin preceded the Sultan till he conducted him to the

upper Kiosque where he saw its skylights, windows and latticed

casements and jalousies wholly made of emeralds and rubies and

other costly gems; whereat his mind was perplexed and his wits

were bewildered and his thoughts were distraught. Presently he

took to strolling round the Kiosque and solacing himself with

these sights which captured the vision, till he chanced to cast a

glance at the window which Alaeddin by design had left unwrought

and not finished like the rest; and, when he noted its lack of

completion, he cried, "Woe and well away for thee, O window,

because of thine imperfection;"[FN#184] and, turning to his

Minister he asked, "Knowest thou the reason of leaving incomplete

this window and its framework?"--And Shahrazad was surprised by

the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Seventieth Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that the Wazir said to the Sultan, "O my lord, I conceive

that the want of finish in this window resulteth from thy

Highness having pushed on Alaeddin's marriage and he lacked the

leisure to complete it." Now at that time, Alaeddin had gone in

to his bride, the Lady Badr al-Budur, to inform her of her

father's presence; and, when he returned, the King asked him, "O

my son what is the reason why the window of this Kiosque was not

made perfect?" "O King of the Age, seeing the suddenness of my

wedding," answered he, "I failed to find artists for finishing

it." Quoth the Sultan, "I have a mind to complete it myself;" and

Quoth Alaeddin, "Allah perpetuate thy glory, O thou the King; so

shall thy memory endure in thy daughter's pavilion." The Sultan

forthright bade summon jewellers and goldsmiths and ordered them

be supplied from the treasury with all their needs of gold and

gems and noble ores; and, when they were gathered together he

commanded them to complete the work still wanting in the Kiosque-

window. Meanwhile the Princess came forth to meet her sire the

Sultan who noticed, as she drew near, her smiling face; so he

embraced her and kissed her, then led her to the pavilion and all

entered in a body. Now this was the time of the noon day meal and

one table had been spread for the Sovran, his daughter and his

son-in-law and a second for the Wazirs, the Lords of the land,

the Grandees of the realm, the Chief Officers of the host, the

Chamberlains and the Nabobs. The King took seat between the

Princess and her husband; and, when he put forth his hand to the

food and tasted it, he was struck with surprise by the flavour of

the dishes and their savoury and sumptuous cooking. Moreover,

there stood before him the fourscore damsels each and every

saying to the full moon, "Rise that I may seat myself in thy

stead!"[FN#185] All held instruments of mirth and merriment and

they tuned the same and deftly moved their finger-tips and smote

the strings into song most musical, most melodious, which

expanded the mourner's heart. Hereby the Sultan was gladdened and

time was good to him and for high enjoyment he exclaimed, "In

very sooth the thing is beyond the compass of King and Kaysar."

Then they fell to eating and drinking; and the cup went round

until they had drunken enough, when sweetmeats and fruits of

sorts and other such edibles were served, the dessert being laid

out in a different salon whither they removed and enjoyed of

these pleasures their sufficiency. Presently the Sultan arose

that he might see if the produce of his jewellers and goldsmiths

favoured that of the pavilion; so he went upstairs to them and

inspected their work and how they had wrought; but he noted a

mighty great difference and his men were far from being able to

make anything like the rest of Alaeddin's pavilion. And Shahrazad

was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted

say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Seventy-first Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that after the King had inspected the work of his jewellers

and goldsmiths, they informed him how all the gems stored in the

Lesser Treasury had been brought to them and used by them but

that the whole had proved insufficient; wherefor he bade open the

Greater Treasury and gave the workmen all they wanted of him.

Moreover he allowed them, an it sufficed not, to take the jewels

wherewith Alaeddin had gifted him. They carried off the whole and

pushed on their labours but they found the gems fail them, albeit

had they not yet finished half the part wanting to the Kiosque-

window. Herewith the King commended them to seize all the

precious stones owned by the Wazirs and Grandees of the realm;

but, although they did his bidding, the supply still fell short

of their requirements. Next morning Alaeddin arose to look at the

jeweller's work and remarked that they had not finished a moiety

of what was wanting to the Kiosque-window: so he at once ordered

them to undo all they had done and restore the jewels to their

owners. Accordingly, they pulled out the precious stones and sent

the Sultan's to the Sultan and the Wazirs' to the Wazirs. Then

the jewellers went to the King and told him of what Alaeddin had

bidden; so he asked them, "What said he to you, and what was his

reason and wherefore was he not content that the window be

finished and why did he undo the work ye wrought?" They answered,

"O our lord, we know not at all, but he bade us deface whatso we

had done." Hereupon the Sultan at once called for his horse, and

mounting, took the way pavilion-wards, when Alaeddin, after

dismissing the goldsmiths and jewellers had retired into his

closet and had rubbed the Lamp. Hereat straightway its Servitor

appeared to him and said, "Ask whatso thou wantest: thy Slave is

between thy hands;" and said Alaeddin, " 'tis my desire that thou

finish the window which was left unfinished." The Marid replied,

"On my head be it and also upon mine eyes!" then he vanished and

after a little while returned saying, "O my lord, verily that

thou commandedst me do is completed." So Alaeddin went upstairs

to the Kiosque and found the whole window in wholly finished

state; and, whilst he was still considering it, behold, a

castrato came in to him and said, "O my lord, the Sultan hath

ridden forth to visit thee and is passing through the pavilion-

gate." So Alaeddin at once went down and received his father-in-

law. And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to

say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Seventy-second Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."---It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that the Sultan, on sighting his son-in-law, cried to him,

"Wherefore, O my child, hast thou wrought on this wise and

sufferedst not the jewellers to complete the Kiosque-window

leaving in the pavilion an unfinished place?" Alaeddin replied "O

King of the Age, I left it not imperfect save for a design of

mine own; nor was I incapable of perfecting it nor could I

purpose that thy Highness should honour me with visiting a

pavilion wherein was aught of deficiency. And, that thou mayest

know I am not unable to make it perfect, let thy Highness deign

walk upstairs with me and see if anything remain to be done

therewith or not." So the Sultan went up with him and, entering

the Kiosque, fell to looking right and left, but he saw no

default at all in any of the windows; nay, he noted that all were

perfect. So he marvelled at the sight and embraced Alaeddin and

kissed him, saying, "O my son, what be this singular feat? Thou

canst work in a single night what in months the jewellers could

not do. By Allah, I deem thou hast nor brother nor rival in this

world." Quoth Alaeddin, "Allah prolong thy life and preserve thee

to perpetuity! thy slave deserveth not this encomium;" and Quoth

the King, "By Allah, O my child, thou meritest all praise for a

feat whereof all the artists of the world were incapable." Then

the Sultan came down and entered the apartments of his daughter

the Lady Badr al-Budur, to take rest beside her, and he saw her

joyous exceedingly at the glory and grandeur wherein she was;

then, after reposing awhile he returned to his palace. Now

Alaeddin was wont every day to thread the city-streets with his

Mamelukes riding a-van and a-rear of him showering rightwards and

leftwards gold upon the folk; and all the world, stranger and

neighbour, far and near, were fulfilled of his love for the

excess of his liberality and generosity. Moreover he increased

the pensions of the poor Religious and the paupers and he would

distribute alms to them with his own hand; by which good deed, he

won high renown throughout the realm and most of the Lords of the

land and Emirs would eat at his table; and men swore not at all

save by his precious life. Nor did he leave faring to the chase

and the Maydan-plain and the riding of horses and playing at

javelin-play[FN#186] in presence of the Sultan; and, whenever the

Lady Badr al-Budur beheld him disporting himself on the backs of

steeds, she loved him much the more, and thought to herself that

Allah had wrought her abundant good by causing to happen whatso

happened with the son of the Wazir and by preserving her

virginity intact for her true bridegroom, Alaeddin.--And

Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her

permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Seventy-third Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales." Whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that Alaeddin won for himself day by day a fairer fame and a

rarer report, while affection for him increased in the hearts of

all the lieges and he waxed greater in the eyes of men. Moreover

it chanced that in those days certain enemies took horse and

attacked the Sultan, who armed and accoutred an army to repel

them and made Alaeddin commander thereof. So he marched with his

men nor ceased marching until he drew near the foe whose forces

were exceeding many; and, presently, when the action began he

bared his brand and charged home upon the enemy. Then battle and

slaughter befel and violent was the hurry-burly, but at last

Alaeddin broke the hostile host and put all to flight, slaying

the best part of them and pillaging their coin and cattle,

property and possessions; and he despoiled them of spoils that

could not be counted nor computed. Then he returned victorious

after a noble victory and entered the capital which had decorated

herself in his honour, of her delight in him; and the Sultan went

forth to meet him and giving him joy embraced him and kissed him;

and throughout the kingdom was held high festival with great joy

and gladness. Presently, the Sovran and his son-in-law repaired

to the pavilion where they were met by the Princess Badr al-Budur

who rejoiced in her husband and, after kissing him between the

eyes, led him to her apartments. After a time the Sultan also

came and they sat down while the slave-girls brought them

sherbets and confections which they ate and drank. Then the

Sultan commanded that the whole kingdom be decorated for the

triumph of his son-in-law and his victory over the invader; and

the subjects and soldiery and all the people knew only Allah in

heaven and Alaeddin on earth; for that their love, won by his

liberality, was increased by his noble horsemanship and his

successful battling for the country and putting to flight the

foe. Such then was the high fortune of Alaeddin; but as regards

the Maghrabi, the Magician, after returning to his native

country, he passed all this space of time in bewailing what he

had borne of toil and travail to win the Lamp and mostly that his

trouble had gone vain and that the morsel when almost touching

his lips had flown from his grasp. He pondered all this and

mourned and reviled Alaeddin for the excess of his rage against

him and at times he would exclaim, "For this bastard's death

underground I am well satisfied and hope only that some time or

other I may obtain the Lamp, seeing how 'tis yet safe." Now one

day of the days he struck a table of sand and dotted down the

figures and carefully considered their consequence; then he

transferred them to paper that he might study them and make sure

of Alaeddin's destruction and the safety of the Lamp preserved

beneath the earth. Presently, he firmly stablished the sequence

of the figures, mothers as well as daughters,[FN#187] but still

he saw not the Lamp. Thereupon rage overrode him and he made

another trial to be assured of Alaeddin's death; but he saw him

not in the Enchanted Treasure. Hereat his wrath still grew, and

it waxed greater when he ascertained that the youth had issued

from underground and was now upon earth's surface alive and

alert: furthermore, that he had become owner of the Lamp, for

which he had himself endured such toil and travail and troubles

as man may not bear save for so great an object. Accordingly

Quoth he to himself, "I have suffered sore pains and penalties

which none else could have endured for the Lamp's sake in order

that other than I may carry it off; and this Accursed hath taken

it without difficulty. And who knoweth an he wot the virtues of

the Lamp, than whose owner none in the world should be

wealthier?" And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and

ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Seventy-fourth Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that the Maghrabi, the Magician, having considered and

ascertained that Alaeddin had escaped from the souterrain and had

gotten the boon of the Lamp, said to himself, "There is no help

but that I work for his destruction." He then struck another

geomantic table and examining the figures saw that the lad had

won for himself unmeasurable riches and had wedded the daughter

of his King; so of his envy and jealousy he was fired with the

flame of wrath; and, rising without let or stay, he equipped

himself and set forth for China-land, where he arrived in due

season. Now when he had reached the King's capital wherein was

Alaeddin, he alighted at one of the Kháns; and, when he had

rested from the weariness of wayfare, he donned his dress and

went down to wander about the streets, where he never passed a

group without hearing them prate about the pavilion and its

grandeur and vaunt the beauty of Alaeddin and his lonesomeness,

his liberality and generosity, his fine manners and his good

morals. Presently he entered an establishment wherein men were

drinking a certain warm beverage;[FN#188] and, going up to one of

those who were loud in their lauds, he said to him, "O fair

youth, who may be the man ye describe and commend?" "Apparently

thou art a foreigner, O man," answered the other, "and thou

comest from a far country; but, even this granted, how happeneth

it thou hast not heard of the Emir Alaeddin whose renown, I

fancy, hath filled the universe and whose pavilion, known by

report to far and near, is one of the Wonders of the World? How,

then, never came to thine ears aught of this or the name of

Alaeddin (whose glory and enjoyment our Lord increase!) and his

fame?" The Moorman replied, "The sum of my wishes is to look upon

this pavilion and, if thou wouldest do me a favour, prithee guide

me thereunto, for I am a foreigner." The man rejoined, "To hear

is to obey;" and, foregoing him pointed out Alaeddin's pavilion,

whereupon the Maroccan fell to considering it and at once

understood that it was the work of the Lamp. So he cried, "Ah!

Ah! needs must I dig a pit for this Accursed, this son of a snip,

who could not earn for himself even an evening meal: and, if the

Fates abet me, I will assuredly destroy his life and send his

mother back to spinning at her wheel, e'en as she was wont

erewhiles to do." So saying, he returned to his caravanserai in a

sore state of grief and melancholy and regret bred by his envy

and hate of Alaeddin.--And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of

day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Seventy-fifth Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that when the Maghrabi, the Magician, reached his

caravanserai, he took his astrological gear[FN#189] and geomantic

table to discover where might be the Lamp; and he found that it

was in the pavilion and not upon Alaeddin's person. So he

rejoiced thereat with joy exceeding and exclaimed, "Now indeed

'twill be an easy task to take the life of this Accursed and I

see my way to getting the Lamp." Then he went to a coppersmith

and said to him, "Do thou make me a set of lamps and take from me

their full price and more; only I would have thee hasten to

finish them." Replied the smith, "Hearing and obeying," and fell

aworking to keep his word; and when they were ready the Moorman

paid him what price he required; then taking them he carried them

to the Khan and set them in a basket. Presently he began

wandering about the highways and market-streets of the capital

crying aloud, "Ho! who will exchange old lamps for new

lamps?''[FN#190] But when the folk heard him cry on this wise,

they derided him and said, "Doubtless this man is Jinn-mad, for

that he goeth about offering new for old;" and a world followed

him and the children of the quarter caught him up from place to

place, laughing at him the while, nor did he forbid them or care

for their maltreatment. And he ceased not strolling about the

streets till he came under Alaeddin's pavilion,[FN#191] where he

shouted with his loudest voice and the boys screamed at him, "A

madman! A madman!" Now Destiny had decreed that the Lady Badr al-

Budur be sitting in her Kiosque whence she heard one crying like

a crier, and the children bawling at him; only she understood not

what was going on; so she gave orders to one of her slave-girls

saying,[FN#192] "Go thou and see who 'tis that crieth and what be

his cry?" The girl fared forth and looked on when she beheld a

man crying, "Ho! who will exchange old lamps for new lamps?" and

the little ones pursuing and laughing at him; and as loudly

laughed the Princess when this strange case was told to her. Now

Alaeddin had carelessly left the Lamp in his pavilion without

hiding it and locking it up in his strong box;[FN#193] and one of

the slave-girls who had seen it said, "O my lady, I think to have

noticed, in the apartment of my lord Alaeddin, an old lamp: so

let us give it in change for a new lamp to this man, and see if

his cry be truth or lie."--And Shahrazad was surprised by the

dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Seventy-sixth Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

'With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that hereupon the Princess said to the slave-girl, 'Bring

the old lamp which thou saidst to have seen in thy lord's

apartment." Now the Lady Badr al-Budur knew naught of the Lamp

and of the specialties thereof which had raised Alaeddin her

spouse to such high degree and grandeur; and her only end and aim

was to understand by experiment the mind of a man who would give

in exchange the new for the old. So the handmaid fared forth and

went up to Alaeddin's apartment and returned with the Lamp to her

lady who, like all the others, knew nothing of the Maghrabi's

cunning tricks and his crafty device. Then the Princess bade an

Aghá of the eunuchry go down and barter the old Lamp for a new

lamp. So he obeyed her bidding and, after taking a new lamp from

the man, he returned and laid it before his lady who looking at

it and seeing that it was brand-new, fell to laughing at the

Moorman's wits. But the Maroccan, when he held the article in

hand and recognised it for the Lamp of the Enchanted

Treasury,[FN#194] at once placed it in his breast-pocket and left

all the other lamps to the folk who were bartering of him. Then

he went forth running till he was clear of the city, when he

walked leisurely over the level grounds and he took patience

until night fell on him in desert ground where was none other but

himself. There he brought out the Lamp when suddenly appeared to

him the Marid who said, "Adsum! thy slave between thy hands is

come: ask of me whatso thou wantest." " 'tis my desire," the

Moorman replied, "that thou upraise from its present place

Alaeddin's pavilion with its inmates and all that be therein, not

forgetting myself, and set it down upon my own land, Africa. Thou

knowest my town and I want the building placed in the gardens

hard by it." The Marid-slave replied, "Hearkening and obedience:

close thine eyes and open thine eyes whenas thou shalt find

thyself together with the pavilion in thine own country." This

was done; and, in an eye-twinkling, the Maroccan and the pavilion

with all therein were transported to the African land. Such then

was the work of the Maghrabi, the Magician; but now let us return

to the Sultan and his son-in-law. It was the custom of the King,

because of his attachment to and his affection for his daughter,

every morning when he had shaken off sleep, to open the latticed

casement and look out therefrom that he might catch sight of her

abode. So that day he arose and did as he was wont.--And

Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her

permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Seventy-seventh Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that when the Sultan drew near the latticed casement of his

palace and looked out at Alaeddin's pavilion he saw naught; nay,

the site was smooth as a well-trodden highway and like unto what

it had been aforetime; and he could find nor edifice nor offices.

So astonishment clothed him as with a garment, and his wits were

wildered and he began to rub his eyes, lest they be dimmed or

darkened, and to gaze intently; but at last he was certified that

no trace of the pavilion remained nor sign of its being; nor wist

he the why and the wherefore of its disappearance. So his

surprise increased and he smote hand upon hand and the tears

trickled down his cheeks over his beard, for that he knew not

what had become of his daughter. Then he sent out officials

forthright and summoned the Grand Wazir who at once attended;

and, seeing him in this piteous plight said, 'Pardon, O King of

the Age, may Allah avert from thee every ill! Wherefore art thou

in such sorrow?" Exclaimed the Sovran, "Methinketh thou wottest

not my case?" and Quoth the Minister, "On no wise. O our lord: by

Allah, I know of it nothing at all." "Then," resumed the Sultan,

" 'tis manifest thou hast not looked this day in the direction of

Alaeddin's pavilion." "True, O my lord," Quoth the Wazir, "it

must still be locked and fast shut;" and Quoth the King,

"Forasmuch as thou hast no inkling of aught,[FN#195] arise and

look out at the window and see Alaeddin's pavilion whereof thou

sayest 'tis locked and fast shut." The Minister obeyed his

bidding but could not see anything, or pavilion or other place;

so with mind and thoughts sore perplexed he returned to his liege

lord who asked him, "Hast now learned the reason of my distress

and noted yon locked-up palace and fast shut?" Answered the

Wazir, "O King of the Age erewhile I represented to thy Highness

that this pavilion and these matters be all magical." Hereat the

Sultan, fired with wrath, cried, "Where be Alaeddin?" and the

Minister replied, "He hath gone a-hunting," when the King

commanded without stay or delay sundry of his Aghas and Army-

officers to go and bring to him his son-in-law chained and with

pinioned elbows. So they fared forth until they found Alaeddin

when they said to him, "O our lord Alaeddin, excuse us nor be

thou wroth with us; for the King hath commanded that we carry

thee before him pinioned and fettered, and we hope pardon from

thee because we are under the royal orders which we cannot

gainsay." Alaeddin, hearing these words, was seized with surprise

and not knowing the reason of this remained tongue-tied for a

time, after which he turned to them and asked, "O assembly, have

you naught of knowledge concerning the motive of the royal

mandate? Well I wot my soul to be innocent and that I never

sinned against king or against kingdom." "O our lord," answered

they, "we have no inkling whatever." So Alaeddin alighted from

his horse and said to them, "Do ye whatso the Sultan bade you do,

for that the King's command is upon the head and the

eyes."[FN#196]--And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day

and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Seventy-eighth Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that the Aghas, having bound Alaeddin in bonds and pinioned

his elbows behind his back, haled him in chains and carried him

into the city. But when the lieges saw him pinioned and ironed,

they understood that the Sultan purposed to strike off his head;

and, forasmuch as he was loved of them exceedingly, all gathered

together and seized their weapons; then, swarming out of their

houses, followed the soldiery to see what was to do. And when the

troops arrived with Alaeddin at the palace, they went in and

informed the Sultan of this, whereat he forthright commanded the

Sworder to cut off the head of his son-in-law. Now as soon as the

subjects were aware of this order, they barricaded the gates and

closed the doors of the palace and sent a message to the King

saying, "At this very moment we will level thine abode over the

heads of all it containeth and over thine own,[FN#197] if the

least hurt or harm befal Alaeddin." So the Wazir went in and

reported to the Sultan, "O King of the Age, thy commandment is

about to seal the roll of our lives; and 'twere more suitable

that thou pardon thy son-in-law lest there chance to us a sore

mischance; for that the lieges do love him far more than they

love us." Now the Sworder had already dispread the carpet of

blood and, having seated Alaeddin thereon, had bandaged his eyes;

moreover he had walked round him several times awaiting the last

orders of his lord, when the King looked out of the window and

saw his subjects, who had suddenly attacked him, swarming up the

walls intending to tear them down. So forthright he bade the

Sworder stay his hand from Alaeddin and commanded the crier fare

forth to the crowd and cry aloud that he had pardoned his son-in-

law and received him back into favour. But when Alaeddin found

himself free and saw the Sultan seated on his throne, he went up

to him and said, "O my lord, inasmuch as thy Highness hath

favoured me throughout my life, so of thy grace now deign let me

know the how and the wherein I have sinned against thee?" "O

traitor," cried the King, "unto this present I knew not any sin of

thine;" then, turning to the Wazir he said, "Take him and make

him look out at the window and after let him tell us where be his

pavilion." And when the royal order was obeyed Alaeddin saw the

place level as a well trodden road, even as it had been ere the

base of the building was laid, nor was there the faintest trace

of edifice. Hereat he was astonished and perplexed knowing not

what had occurred; but, when he returned to the presence, the

King asked him, "What is it thou hast seen? Where is thy pavilion

and where is my daughter, the core of my heart, my only child,

than whom I have none other?" Alaeddin answered "O King of the

Age, I wot naught thereof nor aught of what hath befallen," and

the Sultan rejoined, "Thou must know, O Alaeddin, I have pardoned

thee only that thou go forth and look into this affair and

enquire for me concerning my daughter; nor do thou ever show

thyself in my presence except she be with thee; and, if thou

bring her not, by the life of my head, I will cut off the head of

thee." The other replied, "To hear is to obey: only vouchsafe me

a delay and respite of some forty days; after which, an I produce

her not, strike off my head[FN#198] and do with me whatso thou

wishes"."--And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and

ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Seventy-ninth Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that the Sultan said to Alaeddin, "Verily I have granted

thee thy request, a delay of forty days; but think not thou canst

fly from my hand, for I would bring thee back even if thou wert

above the clouds instead of being only upon earth's surface."

Replied Alaeddin, "O my lord the Sultan, as I said to thy

Highness, an I fail to bring her within the term appointed, I

will present myself for my head to be stricken off." Now when the

folk and the lieges all saw Alaeddin at liberty, they rejoiced

with joy exceeding and were delighted for his release; but the

shame of his treatment and bashfulness before his friends and the

envious exultation of his foes had bowed down Alaeddin's head; so

he went forth a wandering through the city ways and he was

perplexed concerning his case and knew not what had befallen him.

He lingered about the capital for two days, in saddest state,

wotting not what to do in order to find his wife and his

pavilion, and during this time sundry of the folk privily brought

him meat and drink. When the two days were done he left the city

to stray about the waste and open lands outlying the walls,

without a notion as to whither he should wend; and he walked on

aimlessly until the path led him beside a river where, of the

stress of sorrow that overwhelmed him, he abandoned himself to

despair and thought of casting himself into the water. Being,

however, a good Moslem who professed the unity of the God-head,

he feared Allah in his soul; and, standing upon the margin he

prepared to perform the Wuzú-ablution. But as he was baling up

the water in his right hand and rubbing his fingers,[FN#199] it

so chanced that he also rubbed the Ring. Hereat its Marid

appeared and said to him, "Adsum! thy thrall between thy hands is

come: ask of me whatso thou wantest." Seeing the Marid, Alaeddin

rejoiced with exceeding joy and cried,[FN#200] "O Slave, I desire

of thee that thou bring before me my pavilion and therein my

wife, the Lady Badr al-Budur, together with all and everything it

containeth." "O my lord," replied the Marid, " 'tis right hard

upon me that thou demandest a service whereto I may not avail:

this matter dependeth upon the Slave of the Lamp nor dare I even

attempt it." Alaeddin rejoined, "Forasmuch as the matter is

beyond thy competence, I require it not of thee, but at least do

thou take me up and set me down beside my pavilion in what land

soever that may be." The Slave exclaimed, "Hearing and obeying, O

my lord ;" and, uplifting him high in air, with in the space of

an eye-glance set him down beside his pavilion in the land of

Africa and upon a spot facing his wife's apartment. Now this was

at fall of night yet one look enabled him to recognise his home;

whereby his cark and care were cleared away and he recovered

trust in Allah after cutting off all his hope to look upon his

wife once more. Then he fell to pondering the secret and

mysterious favours of the Lord (glorified be His omnipotence!);

and how, after despair had mastered him, the Ring had come to

gladden him and how, when all his hopes were cut off Allah had

deigned bless him with the services of its Slave. So he rejoiced

and his melancholy left him; then, as he had passed four days

without sleep for the excess of his cark and care and sorrow and

stress of thought, he drew near his pavilion and slept under a

tree hard by the building which (as we mentioned) had been set

down amongst the gardens outlying the city of Africa.--And

Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her

permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Eightieth Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that Alaeddin lay that night under a tree beside his

pavilion in all restfulness; but whoso weareth head hard by the

headsman may not sleep o' nights save whenas slumber prevail over

him. He slumbered till Morning showed her face and, when awakened

by the warbling of the small birds, he arose and went down to the

bank of the river which flowed thereby into the city; and here he

again washed hands and face [FN#201] and after finished his Wuzú-

ablution. Then he prayed the dawn-prayer, and when he had ended

his orisons he returned and sat down under the windows of the

Princess's bower. Now the Lady Badr al-Budur, of her exceeding

sorrow for severance from her husband and her sire the Sultan,

and for the great mishap which had happened to her from the

Maghrabi, the Magician, the Accursed, was wont to rise during the

murk preceding dawn and to sit in tears inasmuch as she could not

sleep o' nights, and had forsworn meat and drink. Her favourite

slave-girl would enter her chamber at the hour of prayer-

salutation in order to dress her; and this time, by decree of

Destiny, when she threw open the window to let her lady comfort

and console herself by looking upon the trees and rills, and she

herself peered out of the lattice, she caught sight of her master

sitting below, and informed the Princess of this, saying, "O my

lady! O my lady! here's my lord Alaeddin seated at the foot of

the wall." So her mistress arose hurriedly and gazing from the

casement saw him; and her husband raising his head saw her; so

she saluted him and he saluted her, both being like to fly for

joy. Presently Quoth she, "Up and come in to me by the private

postern, for now the Accursed is not here;" and she gave orders

to the slave-girl who went down and opened for him. Then Alaeddin

passed through it and was met by his wife, when they embraced and

exchanged kisses with all delight until they wept for overjoy.

After this they sat down and Alaeddin said to her, "O my lady,

before all things 'tis my desire to ask thee a question. 'Twas my

wont to place an old copper lamp in such a part of my pavilion,

what became of that same?" When the Princess heard these words

she sighed and cried, "O my dearling, 'twas that very Lamp which

garred us fall into this calamity!" Alaeddin asked her, "How

befel the affair?" and she answered by recounting to him all that

passed, first and last, especially how they had given in exchange

an old lamp for a new lamp, adding, "And next day we hardly saw

one another at dawn before we found ourselves in this land, and

he who deceived us and took the lamp by way of barter informed me

that he had done the deed by might of his magic and by means of

the Lamp; that he is a Moorman from Africa, and that we are now

in his native country."--And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn

of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Eighty-first Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that when the Lady Badr al-Budur ceased speaking, Alaeddin

resumed, "Tell me the intent of this Accursed in thy respect,

also what he sayeth to thee and what be his will of thee?" She

replied, "Every day he cometh to visit me once and no more: he

would woo me to his love and he sueth that I take him to spouse

in lieu of thee and that I forget thee and be consoled for the

loss of thee. And he telleth me that the Sultan my sire hath cut

off my husband's head, adding that thou, the son of pauper

parents, wast by him enriched. And he sootheth me with talk, but

he never seeth aught from me save weeping and wailing; nor hath

he heard from me one sugar-sweet word."[FN#202] Quoth Alaeddin,

"Tell me where he hath placed the Lamp an thou know anything

thereof:" and Quoth she, "He beareth it about on his body alway,

nor is it possible that he leave it for a single hour; moreover

once when he related what I have now recounted to thee, he

brought it out of his breast-pocket and allowed me to look upon

it." When Alaeddin heard these words, he joyed with exceeding joy

and said, "O my lady, do thou lend ear to me. 'Tis my design to

go from thee forthright and to return only after doffing this my

dress; so wonder not when thou see me changed, but direct one of

thy women to stand by the private postern alway and, whenever she

espy me coming, at once to open. And now I will devise a device

whereby to slay this damned loon." Herewith he arose and, issuing

from the pavilion door, walked till he met on the way a Fellah to

whom he said, "O man, take my attire and give me thy garments."

But the peasant refused, so Alaeddin stripped him of his dress

perforce[FN#203] and donned it, leaving to the man his own rich

gear by way of gift. Then he followed the highway leading to the

neighbouring city and entering it went to the Perfumers' Bazar

where he bought of one some rarely potent Bhang, the son of a

minute,[FN#204] paying two dinars for two drachms thereof and he

returned in disguise by the same road till he reached the

pavilion. Here the slave-girl opened to him the private postern

wherethrough he went in to the Lady Badr al-Budur.--And Shahrazad

was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted

say.

When it Was the Five Hundred and Eighty-second Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that when Alaeddin went in disguised to his wife he said,

"Hear me! I desire of thee that thou dress and dight thyself in

thy best and thou cast off all outer show and semblance of care;

also when the Accursed, the Maghrabi, shall visit thee, do thou

receive him with a 'Welcome and fair welcome,' and meet him with

smiling face and invite him to come and sup with thee. Moreover,

let him note that thou hast forgotten Alaeddin thy beloved,

likewise thy father; and that thou hast learned to love him with

exceeding love, displaying to him all manner joy and pleasure.

Then ask him for wine which must be red and pledge him to his

secret in a significant draught; and, when thou hast given him

two to three cups full and hast made him wax careless, then drop

these drops into his cup and fill it up with wine: no sooner

shall he drink of it than he will fall upon his back senseless as

one dead." Hearing these words, the Princess exclaimed," 'Tis

exceedingly sore to me that I do such deed;[FN#205] withal must I

do it that we escape the defilement of this Accursed who tortured

me by severance from thee and from my sire. Lawful and right

therefore is the slaughter of this Accursed." Then Alaeddin ate

and drank with his wife what hindered his hunger; then, rising

without stay or delay, fared forth the pavilion. So the Lady Badr

al-Budur summoned the tirewoman who robed and arrayed her in her

finest raiment and adorned her and perfumed her; and, as she was

thus, behold, the accursed Maghrabi entered. He joyed much seeing

her in such case and yet more when she confronted him, contrary

to her custom, with a laughing face; and his love-longing

increased and his desire to have her. Then she took him and,

seating him beside her, said, "O my dearling, do thou (an thou be

willing) come to me this night and let us sup together.

Sufficient to me hath been my sorrow for, were I to sit mourning

through a thousand years or even two thousand, Alaeddin would not

return to me from the tomb; and I depend upon thy say of

yesterday, to wit, that my sire the Sultan slew him in his stress

of sorrow for severance from me. Nor wonder thou an I have

changed this day from what I was yesterday; and the reason

thereof is I have determined upon taking thee to friend and

playfellow in lieu of and succession to Alaeddin, for that now I

have none other man but thyself. So I hope for thy presence this

night, that we may sup together and we may carouse and drink

somewhat of wine each with other; and especially 'tis my desire

that thou cause me taste the wine of thy natal soil, the African

land, because belike 'tis better than aught of the wine of China

we drink: I have with me some wine but 'tis the growth of my

country and I vehemently wish to taste the wine produced by

thine." And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased

to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Eighty-third Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that when the Maghrabi saw the love lavisht upon him by the

Lady Badr al-Budur, and noted her change from the sorrowful,

melancholy woman she was wont to be, he thought that she had cut

off her hope of Alaeddin and he joyed exceedingly and said to

her, "I hear and obey, O my lady, whatso thou wishest and all

thou biddest. I have at home a jar of our country wine, which I

have carefully kept and stored deep in earth for a space of eight

years; and I will now fare and fill from it our need and will

return to thee in all haste." But the Princess, that she might

wheedle him the more and yet more, replied "O my darling, go not

thou, leaving me alone, but send one of the eunuchs to fill for

us thereof and do thou remain sitting beside me, that I may find

in thee my consolation." He rejoined, "O my lady, none wotteth

where the jar be buried save myself nor will I tarry from thee."

So saying, the Moorman went out and after a short time he brought

back as much wine as they wanted whereupon Quoth the Princess to

him, "Thou hast been at pains and trouble to serve me and I have

suffered for thy sake, O my beloved." Quoth he, "On no wise, O

eyes of me; I hold myself enhonoured by thy service." Then the

Lady Badr al-Budur sat with him at table, and the twain fell to

eating and presently the Princess expressed a wish to drink, when

the handmaid filled her a cup forthright and then crowned another

for the Maroccan. So she drank to his long life and his secret

wishes and he also drank to her life; then the Princess, who was

unique in eloquence and delicacy of speech, fell to making a cup

companion of him and beguiled him by addressing him in the

sweetest terms full of hidden meaning. This was done only that he

might become more madly enamoured of her, but the Maghrabi

thought that it resulted from her true inclination for him; nor

knew that it was a snare set up to slay him. So his longing for

her increased, and he was dying of love for her when he saw her

address him in such tenderness of words and thoughts, and his

head began to swim and all the world seemed as nothing in his

eyes. But when they came to the last of the supper and the wine

had mastered his brains and the Princess saw this in him, she

said, "With us there be a custom throughout our country, but I

know not an it be the usage of yours or not." The Moorman

replied, "And what may that be?" So she said to him, "At the end

of supper each lover in turn taketh the cup of the beloved and

drinketh it off;" and at once she crowned one with wine and bade

the handmaid carry to him her cup wherein the drink was blended

with the Bhang. Now she had taught the slave-girl what to do and

all the handmaids and eunuchs in the pavilion longed for the

Sorcerer's slaughter and in that matter were one with the

Princess. Accordingly the damsel handed him the cup and he, when

he heard her words and saw her drinking from his cup and passing

hers to him noted all that show of love, fancied himself

Iskander, Lord of the Two Horns. Then said she to him, the while

swaying gracefully to either side and putting her hand within his

hand, "O my life, here is thy cup with me and my cup with thee,

and on this wise [FN#206] do lovers drink from each other's

cups." Then she bussed the brim and drained it to the dregs and

again she kissed its lip and offered it to him. Thereat he flew

for joy and meaning to do the like, raised her cup to his mouth

and drank off the whole contents, without considering whether

there was therein aught harmful or not. And forthright he rolled

upon his back in deathlike condition and the cup dropped from his

grasp, whereupon the Lady Badr al-Budur and the slave-girls ran

hurriedly and opened the pavilion door to their lord Alaeddin

who, disguised as a Fellah, entered therein.--And Shahrazad was

surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Eighty-fourth Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that Alaeddin entering his pavilion, went up to the

apartment of his wife, whom he found still sitting at table; and

facing her lay the Maghrabi as one slaughtered; so he at once

drew near to her and kissed her and thanked her for this. Then

rejoicing with joy exceeding he turned to her and said "Do thou

with thy handmaids betake thyself to the inner-rooms and leave me

alone for the present that I may take counsel touching mine

affair." The Princess hesitated not but went away at once, she

and her women; then Alaeddin arose and after locking the door

upon them, walked up to the Moorman and put forth his hand to his

breast-pocket and thence drew the Lamp; after which he unsheathed

his sword and slew the villain.[FN#207] Presently he rubbed the

Lamp and the Marid-slave appeared and said, "Adsum, O my lord,

what is it thou wantest?" "I desire of thee," said Alaeddin,

"that thou take up my pavilion from this country and transport it

to the land of China and there set it down upon the site where it

was whilome, fronting the palace of the Sultan." The Marid

replied, "Hearing and obeying, O my lord.' Then Alaeddin went and

sat down with his wife and throwing his arms round her neck

kissed her and she kissed him, and they sat in converse, what

while the Jinni transported the pavilion and all therein to the

place appointed. Presently Alaeddin bade the handmaids spread the

table before him and he and the Lady Badr al-Budur took seat

thereat and fell to eating and drinking, in all joy and gladness,

till they had their sufficiency when, removing to the chamber of

wine and cup-converse, they sat there and caroused in fair

companionship and each kissed other with all love-liesse. The

time had been long and longsome since they enjoyed aught of

pleasure; so they ceased not doing thus until the wine-sun arose

in their heads and sleep gat hold of them, at which time they

went to their bed in all ease and comfort.[FN#208] Early on the

next morning Alaeddin woke and awoke his wife, and the slave-

girls came in and donned her dress and prepared her and adorned

her whilst her husband arrayed himself in his costliest raiment

and the twain were ready to fly for joy at reunion after parting.

Moreover the Princess was especially joyous and gladsome because

on that day she expected to see her beloved father. Such was the

case of Alaeddin and the Lady Badr al-Budur; but as regards the

Sultan, after he drove away his son-in-law he never ceased to

sorrow for the loss of his daughter; and every hour of every day

he would sit and weep for her as women weep, because she was his

only child and he had none other to take to heart. And as he

shook off sleep, morning after morning, he would hasten to the

window and throw it open and peer in the direction where formerly

stood Alaeddin's pavilion and pour forth tears until his eyes

were dried up and their lids were ulcered. Now on that day he

arose at dawn and, according to his custom, looked out when, lo

and behold! he saw before him an edifice; so he rubbed his eyes

and considered it curiously when he became certified that it was

the pavilion of his son-in-law. So he called for a horse [FN#209]

without let or delay; and as soon as his beast was saddled, he

mounted and made for the place; and Alaeddin, when he saw his

father-in-law approaching, went down and met him half way: then,

taking his hand, aided him to step upstairs to the apartment of

his daughter. And the Princess, being as earnestly desirous to

see her sire, descended and greeted him at the door of the

staircase fronting the ground-floor hall. Thereupon the King

folded her in his arms and kissed her, shedding tears of joy; and

she did likewise till at last Alaeddin led them to the upper

saloon where they took seats and the Sultan fell to asking her

case and what had betided her.--And Shahrazad was surprised by

the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Eighty-fifth Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy,

do tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad

replied, With love and good will."---It hath reached me, O King

of the Age, that the Lady Badr al-Budur began to inform the

Sultan of all which had befallen her, saying, "O my father, I

recovered not life save yesterday when I saw my husband, and he

it was who freed me from the thraldom of that Maghrabi, that

Magician, that Accursed, than whom I believe there be none viler

on the face of earth; and, but for my beloved, I had never

escaped him nor hadst thou seen me during the rest of my days.

But mighty sadness and sorrow gat about me, O my father, not only

for losing thee but also for the loss of a husband, under whose

kindness I shall be all the length of my life, seeing that he

freed me from that fulsome sorcerer." Then the Princess began

repeating to her sire every thing that happened to her, and

relating to him how the Moorman had tricked her in the guise of a

lamp-seller who offered in exchange new for old; how she had

given him the Lamp whose worth she knew not, and how she had

bartered it away only to laugh at the lampman's folly. "And next

morning, O my father," she continued, "we found ourselves and

whatso the pavilion contained in Africa-land, till such time as

my husband came to us and devised a device whereby we escaped:

and, had it not been for Alaeddin's hastening to our aid, the

Accursed was determined to enjoy me perforce." Then she told him

of the Bhang-drops administered in wine to the African and

concluded, "Then my husband returned to me and how I know not,

but we were shifted from Africa land to this place." Alaeddin in

his turn recounted how, finding the wizard dead drunken, he had

sent away his wife and her women from the polluted place into the

inner apartments; how he had taken the Lamp from the Sorcerer's

breast-pocket whereto he was directed by his wife; how he had

slaughtered the villain and, finally how, making use of the Lamp,

he had summoned its Slave and ordered him to transport the

pavilion back to its proper site, ending his tale with, "And, if

thy Highness have any doubt anent my words, arise with me and

look upon the accursed Magician." The King did accordingly and,

having considered the Moorman, bade the carcase be carried away

forthright and burned and its ashes scattered in air. Then he

took to embracing Alaeddin and kissing him said, "Pardon me, O my

son, for that I was about to destroy thy life through the foul

deeds of this damned enchanter, who cast thee into such pit of

peril; and I may be excused, O my child, for what I did by thee,

because I found myself forlorn of my daughter; my only one, who

to me is dearer than my very kingdom. Thou knowest how the hearts

of parents yearn unto their offspring, especially when like

myself they have but one and none other to love." And on this

wise the Sultan took to excusing himself and kissing his son-in-

law.--And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased

to say her permitted say,

When it was the Five Hundred and Eighty-sixth Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that Alaeddin said to the Sultan, "O King of the Time, thou

didst naught to me contrary to Holy Law, and I also sinned not

against thee; but all the trouble came from that Maghrabi, the

impure, the Magician." Thereupon the Sultan bade the city be

decorated and they obeyed him and held high feast and

festivities. He also commanded the crier to cry about the streets

saying, "This day is a mighty great fête, wherein public

rejoicings must be held throughout the realm, for a full month of

thirty days, in honour of the Lady Badr al-Budur and her husband

Alaeddin's return to their home." On this wise befel it with

Alaeddin and the Maghrabi; but withal the King's son-in-law

escaped not wholly from the Accursed, albeit the body had been

burnt and the ashes scattered in air. For the villain had a

brother yet more villainous than himself, and a greater adept in

necromancy, geomancy and astromancy; and, even as the old saw

saith "A bean and 'twas split;"[FN#210] so each one dwelt in his

own quarter of the globe that he might fill it with his sorcery,

his fraud and his treason.[FN#211] Now, one day of the days it

fortuned that the Moorman's brother would learn how it fared with

him, so he brought out his sandboard and dotted it and produced

the figures which, when he had considered and carefully studied

them, gave him to know that the man he sought was dead and housed

in the tomb. So he grieved and was certified of his decease, but

he dotted a second time seeking to learn the manner of the death

and where it had taken place; so he found that the site was the

China-land and that the mode was the foulest of slaughter;

furthermore, that he who did him die was a young man Alaeddin

hight. Seeing this he straightway arose and equipped himself for

wayfare; then he set out and cut across the wilds and woods and

heights for the space of many a month until he reached China and

the capital of the Sultan wherein was the slayer of his brother.

He alighted at the so-called Strangers' Khan and, hiring himself

a cell, took rest therein for a while; then he fared forth and

wandered about the highways that he might discern some path which

would aid him unto the winning of his ill-minded wish, to wit, of

wreaking upon Alaeddin blood-revenge for his brother.[FN#212]

Presently he entered a coffee-house, a fine building which stood

in the market-place and which collected a throng of folk to play,

some at the mankalah,[FN#213] others at the backgammon[FN#214]

and others at the chess and what not else. There he sat down and

listened to those seated beside him and they chanced to be

conversing about an ancient dame and a holy, by name

Fatimah,[FN#215] who dwelt alway at her devotions in a hermitage

without the town, and this she never entered save only two days

each month. They mentioned also that she had performed many

saintly miracles[FN#216] which, when the Maghrabi, the

Necromancer, heard he said in himself, "Now have I found that

which I sought: Inshallah--God willing--by means of this crone

will I win to my wish."--And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn

of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Eighty-seventh Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that the Maghrabi, the Necromancer, went up to the folk who

were talking of the miracles performed by the devout old woman

and said to one of them, "O my uncle, I heard you all chatting

about the prodigies of a certain saintess named Fatimah: who is

she and where may be her abode? "Marvellous!"[FN#217] exclaimed

the man: "How canst thou be in our city and yet never have heard

about the miracles of the Lady Fatimah? Evidently, O thou poor

fellow, thou art a foreigner, since the fastings of this devotee

and her asceticism in worldly matters and the beauties of her

piety never came to thine ears." The Moorman rejoined, "'Tis

true, O my lord: yes, I am a stranger and came to this your city

only yesternight; and I hope thou wilt inform me concerning the

saintly miracles of this virtuous woman and where may be her

wone, for that I have fallen into a calamity, and 'tis my wish to

visit her and crave her prayers, so haply Allah (to whom be

honour and glory!) will, through her blessings, deliver me from

mine evil." Hereat the man recounted to him the marvels of

Fatimah the Devotee and her piety and the beauties of her

worship; then, taking him by the hand went with him without the

city and showed him the way to her abode, a cavern upon a

hillock's head. The Necromancer acknowledged his kindness in many

words and, thanking him for his good offices, returned to his

cell in the caravanserai. Now by the fiat of Fate on the very

next day Fatimah came down to the city, and the Maghrabi, the

Necromancer, happened to leave his hostelry a-morn, when he saw

the folk swarming and crowding; wherefore he went up to discover

what was to do and found the Devotee standing amiddlemost the

throng, and all who suffered from pain or sickness flocked to her

soliciting a blessing and praying for her prayers; and each and

every she touched became whole of his illness.[FN#218] The

Maroccan, the Necromancer, followed her about until she returned

to her antre; then, awaiting till the evening evened, he arose

and repaired to a vintner's store where he drank a cup of wine.

After this he fared forth the city and finding the Devotee's

cavern, entered it and saw her lying prostrate[FN#219] with her

back upon a strip of matting. So he came forward and mounted

upon her belly; then he drew his dagger and shouted at her; and,

when she awoke and opened her eyes, she espied a Moorish man with

an unsheathed poniard sitting upon her middle as though about to

kill her. She was troubled and sore terrified, but he said to

her, "Hearken! an thou cry out or utter a word I will slay thee

at this very moment: arise now and do all I bid thee." Then he

sware to her an oath that if she obeyed his orders, whatever they

might be, he would not do her die. So saying, he rose up from off

her and Fatimah also arose, when he said to her, "Give me thy

gear and take thou my habit ;" whereupon she gave him her

clothing and head-fillets, her face-kerchief and her mantilla.

Then Quoth he, " 'tis also requisite that thou anoint me with

somewhat shall make the colour of my face like unto thine."

Accordingly she went into the inner cavern and, bringing out a

gallipot of ointment, spread somewhat thereof upon her palm and

with it besmeared his face until its hue favoured her own; then

she gave him her staff[FN#220] and, showing him how to walk and

what to do when he entered the city, hung her rosary around his

neck. Lastly she handed to him a mirror and said, "Now look! Thou

differest from me in naught;" and he saw himself Fatimah's

counterpart as though she had never gone or come.[FN#221] But

after obtaining his every object he falsed his oath and asked for

a cord which she brought to him; then he seized her and strangled

her in the cavern; and presently, when she was dead, haled the

corpse outside and threw it into a pit hard by.--And Shahrazad

was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted

say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Eighty-eighth Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that the Maghrabi, after murthering Fatimah, threw her body

into a pit and went back to sleep in her cavern; and, when broke

the day, he rose and repairing to the town took his stand under

the walls of Alaeddin's pavilion. Hereupon flocked the folk about

him, all being certified that he was Fatimah the Devotee and he

fell to doing whatso she was wont to do: he laid hands on these

in pain and recited for those a chapter of the Koran and made

orisons for a third. Presently the thronging of the folk and the

clamouring of the crowd were heard by the Lady Badr al-Budur, who

said to her handmaidens, "Look what is to do and what be the

cause of this turmoil!" Thereupon the Agha of the eunuchry fared

forth to see what might be the matter and presently returning

said, "O my lady, this clamour is caused by the Lady Fatimah, and

if thou be pleased to command, I will bring her to thee; so shalt

thou gain through her a blessing." The Princess answered, "Go

bring her, for since many a day I am always hearing of her

miracles and her virtues, and I do long to see her and get a

blessing by her intervention, for the folk recount her

manifestations in many cases of difficulty." The Agha went forth

and brought in the Maroccan, the Necromancer, habited in

Fatimah's clothing; and, when the wizard stood before the Lady

Badr al-Budur, he began at first sight to bless her with a string

of prayers; nor did any one of those present doubt at all but

that he was the Devotee herself. The Princess arose and salam'd

to him then seating him beside her, said, "O my Lady Fatimah,

'tis my desire that thou abide with me alway, so might I be

blessed through thee, and also learn of thee the paths[FN#222] of

worship and piety and follow thine example making for salvation."

Now all this was a foul deceit of the accursed African and he

designed furthermore to complete his guile, so he continued, "O

my Lady, I am a poor woman and a religious that dwelleth in the

desert; and the like of me deserveth not to abide in the palaces

of the kings." But the Princess replied, "Have no care whatever,

O my Lady Fatimah; I will set apart for thee an apartment of my

pavilion, that thou mayest worship therein and none shall ever

come to trouble thee; also thou shalt avail to worship Allah in

my place better than in thy cavern." The Maroccan rejoined,"

Hearkening and obedience, O my lady; I will not oppose thine

order for that the commands of the children of the kings may not

be gainsaid nor renounced. Only I hope of thee that my eating and

drinking and sitting may be within my own chamber which shall be

kept wholly private; nor do I require or desire the delicacies of

diet, but do thou favour me by sending thy handmaid every day

with a bit of bread and a sup of water;[FN#223] and, when I feel

fain of food, let me eat by myself in my own room." Now the

Accursed hereby purposed to avert the danger of haply raising his

face-kerchief at meal-times, when his intent might be baffled by

his beard and mustachios discovering him to be a man. The

Princess replied, "O my Lady Fatimah, be of good heart; naught

shall happen save what thou wishest. But now arise and let me

show thee the apartment in the palace which I would prepare for

thy sojourn with us."--And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of

day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Eighty-ninth Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that the Lady Badr al-Budur arose and taking the Necromancer

who had disguised himself as the Devotee, ushered him in to the

place which she had kindly promised him for a home and said, "O

my Lady Fatimah, here thou shalt dwell with every comfort about

thee and in all privacy and repose; and the place shall be named

after thy name;" whereupon the Maghrabi acknowledged her kindness

and prayed for her. Then the Princess showed him the jalousies

and the jewelled Kiosque with its four and twenty windows[FN#224]

and said to him, "What thinkest thou, O my Lady Fatimah, of this

marvellous pavilion?" The Moorman replied, "By Allah, O my

daughter, 'tis indeed passing fine and wondrous exceedingly; nor

do I deem that its fellow is to be found in the whole universe;

but alas for the lack of one thing which would enhance its beauty

and decoration !" The Princess asked her, "O my Lady Fatimah,

what lacketh it and what be this thing would add to its

adornment? Tell me thereof, inasmuch as I was wont to believe it

wholly perfect." The Maroccan answered, "O my lady, all it

wanteth is that there be hanging from the middle of the dome the

egg of a fowl called the Rukh;[FN#225] and, were this done, the

pavilion would lack its peer all the world over." The Princess

asked, "What be this bird and where can we find her egg?" and the

Maroccan answered, "O my lady, the Rukh is indeed a giant fowl

which carrieth off camels and elephants in her pounces and flieth

away with them, such is her stature and strength; also this fowl

is mostly found in Mount Káf; and the architect who built this

pavilion is able to bring thee one of her eggs." They then left

such talk as it was the hour for the noon day meal and, when the

handmaid had spread the table, the Lady Badr al-Budur sent down

to invite the Accursed African to eat with her. But he accepted

not and for a reason he would on no wise consent; nay, he rose

and retired to the room which the Princess had assigned to him

and whither the slave-girls carried his dinner. Now when evening

evened, Alaeddin returned from the chase and met his wife who

salam'd to him and he clasped her to his bosom and kissed her.

Presently, looking at her face he saw thereon a shade of sadness

and he noted that contrary to her custom, she did not laugh; so

he asked her, "What hath betided thee, O my dearling? tell me,

hath aught happened to trouble thy thoughts!" "Nothing whatever,"

answered she, "but, O my beloved, I fancied that our pavilion

lacked naught at all; however, O eyes of me, O Alaeddin, were the

dome of the upper story hung with an egg of the fowl called Rukh,

there would be naught like it in the universe." Her husband

rejoined, "And for this trifle thou art saddened when 'tis the

easiest of all matters to me! So cheer thyself; and, whatever

thou wantest, 'tis enough thou inform me thereof, and I will

bring it from the abysses of the earth in the quickest time and

at the earliest hour."--And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn

of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Ninetieth Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that Alaeddin after refreshing the spirits of his Princess

by promising her all she could desire, repaired straight way to

his chamber and taking the Lamp[FN#226] rubbed it, when the Marid

appeared without let or delay saying, "Ask whatso thou wantest."

Said the other, "I desire thee to fetch me an egg of the bird

Rukh and do thou hang it to the dome-crown of this my pavilion."

But when the Marid heard these words, his face waxed fierce and

he shouted with a mighty loud voice and a frightful, and cried,

"O denier of kindly deeds, sufficeth it not for thee that I and

all the Slaves of the Lamp are ever at thy service, but thou must

also require me to bring thee our Liege Lady[FN#227] for thy

pleasure, and hang her up at thy pavilion dome for the enjoyment

of thee and thy wife! Now by Allah, ye deserve, thou and she,

that I reduce you to ashes this very moment and scatter you upon

the air; but, inasmuch as ye twain be ignorant of this matter,

unknowing its inner from its outer significance, I will pardon

you for indeed ye are but innocents. The offence cometh from that

accursed Necromancer, brother to the Maghrabi, the Magician, who

abideth here representing himself to be Fatimah, the Devotee,

after assuming her dress and belongings and murthering her in the

cavern: indeed he came hither seeking to slay thee by way of

blood-revenge for his brother; and 'tis he who taught thy wife to

require this matter of me.''[FN#228] So saying the Marid

evanished. But when Alaeddin heard these words, his wits fled his

head and his joints trembled at the Marid's terrible shout; but

he empowered his purpose and, rising forthright, issued from his

chamber and went into his wife's. There he affected an ache of

head, for that he knew how famous was Fatimah for the art and

mystery of healing all such pains; and, when the Lady Badr al-

Budur saw him sitting hand to head and complaining of unease, she

asked him the cause and he answered, "I know of none other save

that my head acheth exceedingly." Hereupon she straightway bade

summon Fatimah that the Devotee might impose her hand upon his

head;[FN#229] and Alaeddin asked her, "Who may this Fatimah be?"

So she informed him that it was Fatimah the Devotee to whom she

had given a home in the pavilion. Meanwhile the slave-girls had

fared forth and summoned the Maghrabi, and when the Accursed made

act of presence, Alaeddin rose up to him and, acting like one who

knew naught of his purpose, salam'd to him as though he had been

the real Fatimah and, kissing the hem of his sleeve, welcomed him

and entreated him with honour and said, "O my Lady Fatimah, I

hope thou wilt bless me with a boon, for well I wot thy practice

in the healing of pains: I have gotten a mighty ache in my head."

The Moorman, the Accursed, could hardly believe that he heard

such words, this being all that he desired.--And Shahrazad was

surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Five Hundred and Ninety-first Night,

Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do

tell us some of thy pleasant tales," whereupon Shahrazad replied,

"With love and good will."--It hath reached me, O King of the

Age, that the Maghrabi, the Necromancer, habited as Fatimah the

Devotee, came up to Alaeddin that he might place hand upon his

head and heal his ache; so he imposed one hand and, putting forth

the other under his gown, drew a dagger wherewith to slay him.

But Alaeddin watched him and, taking patience till he had wholly

unsheathed the weapon, seized him with a forceful grip; and,

wrenching the dagger from his grasp plunged it deep into his

heart. When the Lady Badr al-Budur saw him do on this wise, she

shrieked and cried out, "What hath this virtuous and holy woman

done that thou hast charged thy neck with the heavy burthen of

her blood shed wrongfully? Hast thou no fear of Allah that thou

killest Fatimah, this saintly woman, whose miracles are far-

famed?" "No," replied Alaeddin "I have not killed Fatimah. I have

slain only Fatimah's slayer, he that is the brother of the

Maghrabi, the Accursed, the Magician, who carried thee off by his

black art and transported my pavilion to the Africa-land; and

this damnable brother of his came to our city and wrought these

wiles, murthering Fatimah and assuming her habit, only that he

might avenge upon me his brother's blood; and he also 'twas who

taught thee to require of me a Rukh's egg, that my death might

result from such requirement. But, an thou doubt my speech, come

forwards and consider the person I have slain." Thereupon

Alaeddin drew aside the Moorman's face-kerchief and the Lady Badr

al-Budur saw the semblance of a man with a full beard that well

nigh covered his features. She at once knew the truth and said to

her husband, "O my beloved, twice have I cast thee into death-

risk!" but he rejoined, "No harm in that, O my lady, by the

blessing of your loving eyes: I accept with all joy all things

thou bringest me." The Princess, hearing these words, hastened to

fold him in her arms and kissed him saying, "O my dearling, all

this is for my love to thee and I knew naught thereof; but indeed

I do not deem lightly of thine affection." So Alaeddin kissed her

and strained her to his breast; and the love between them waxed

but greater. At that moment the Sultan appeared and they told him

all that had happened, showing him the corpse of the Maghrabi,

the Necromancer, when the King commanded the body to be burned

and the ashes scattered on air, even as had befallen the Wizard's

brother. And Alaeddin abode with his wife, the Lady Badr al-

Budur, in all pleasure and joyance of life and thenceforward

escaped every danger; and, after a while, when the Sultan

deceased, his son-in-law was seated upon the throne of the

Kingdom; and he commanded and dealt justice to the lieges so that

all the folk loved him, and he lived with his wife in all solace

and happiness until there came to him the Destroyer of delights

and the Severer of societies.[FN#230] Quoth Dunyazad, "O sister

mine, how rare is thy tale and delectable!" and Quoth Shahrazad,

"And what is this compared with that I could relate to you after

the coming night, an this my lord the King deign leave me on

life?" So Shahryar said to himself, "Indeed I will not slay her

until she tell me the whole tale."