Upsprings from table of his lovely cheek[FN#316] * A growth
like broidery my wonder is:
As ’twere a lamp that burns through night hung up * Beneath
the gloom[FN#317] in chains of ambergris.
And indeed the King loved him with exceeding love, and summoning his
Wazir and Emirs and the Chief Officers of state and Grandees of his
realm, required of them a binding oath that they would make Badr Basim
King over them after his sire; and they sware the oath gladly, for the
sovran was liberal to the lieges, pleasant in parley and a very compend
of goodness, saying naught but that wherein was advantage for the
people. On the morrow Shahriman mounted, with all his troops and Emirs
and Lords, and went forth into the city and returned. When they drew
near the palace, the King dismounted, to wait upon his son who abode on
horseback, and he and all the Emirs and Grandees bore the saddlecloth
of honour before him, each and every of them bearing it in his turn,
till they came to the vestibule of the palace, where the Prince
alighted and his father and the Emirs embraced him and seated him on
the throne of Kingship, whilst they (including his sire) stood before
him. Then Badr Basim judged the people, deposing the unjust and
promoting the just and continued so doing till near upon noon, when he
descended from the throne and went in to his mother, Julnar the
Sea-born, with the crown upon his head, as he were the moon. When she
saw him, with the King standing before him, she rose and kissing him,
gave him joy of the Sultanate and wished him and his sire length of
life and victory over their foes. He sat with her and rested till the
hour of mid-afternoon prayer, when he took horse and repaired, with the
Emirs before him, to the Maydan plain, where he played at arms with his
father and his lords, till night fall, when he returned to the palace,
preceded by all the folk. He rode forth thus every day to the tilting
ground, returning to sit and judge the people and do justice between
carl and churl; and thus he continued doing a whole year, at the end of
which he began to ride out a-hunting and a-chasing and to go round
about in the cities and countries under his rule, proclaiming security
and satisfaction and doing after the fashion of Kings; and he was
unique among the people of his day for glory and valour and just
dealing among the subjects. And it chanced that one day the old King
fell sick and his fluttering heart forebode him of translation to the
Mansion of Eternity. His sickness grew upon him till he was nigh upon
death, when he called his son and commended his mother and subjects to
his care and caused all the Emirs and Grandees once more swear
allegiance to the Prince and assured himself of them by strongest
oaths; after which he lingered a few days and departed to the mercy of
Almighty Allah. His son and widow and all the Emirs and Wazirs and
Lords mourned over him, and they built him a tomb and buried him
therein. They ceased not ceremonially to mourn for him a whole month,
till Salih and his mother and cousins arrived and condoled with their
grieving for the King and said, “O Julnar, though the King be dead, yet
hath he left this noble and peerless youth, and not dead is whoso
leaveth the like of him, the rending lion and the shining moon.”——And
Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted
say.
When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty-fourth Night,
She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Salih brother
of Julnar and her mother and cousins said to her, “Albeit the King be
dead, yet hath he left behind him as successor this noble and peerless
youth, the rending lion and the shining moon.” Thereupon the Grandees
and notables of the Empire went in to King Badr Basim and said to
him, “O King, there is no harm in mourning for the late sovran: but
over-mourning beseemeth none save women; wherefore occupy thou not thy
heart and our hearts with mourning for thy sire; inasmuch as he hath
left thee behind him, and whoso leaveth the like of thee is not dead.”
Then they comforted him and diverted him and lastly carried him to the
bath. When he came out of the Hammam, he donned a rich robe, purfled
with gold and embroidered with jewels and jacinths; and, setting the
royal crown on his head, sat down on his throne of kingship and ordered
the affairs of the folk, doing equal justice between strong and weak,
and exacting from the prince the dues of the pauper; wherefore the
people loved him with exceeding love. Thus he continued doing for a
full year, whilst, every now and then, his kinsfolk of the sea visited
him, and his life was pleasant and his eye was cooled. Now it came to
pass that his uncle Salih went in one night of the nights to Julnar
and saluted her; whereupon she rose and embracing him seated him by
her side and asked him, “O my brother, how art thou and my mother
and my cousins?” He answered, “O my sister, they are well and glad
and in good case, lacking naught save a sight of thy face.” Then she
set somewhat of food before him and he ate, after which talk ensued
between the twain and they spake of King Badr Basim and his beauty
and loveliness, his symmetry and skill in cavalarice and cleverness
and good breeding. Now Badr was propped upon his elbow hard by them;
and, hearing his mother and uncle speak of him, he feigned sleep and
listened to their talk.[FN#318] Presently Salih said to his sister,
“Thy son is now seventeen years old and is unmarried, and I fear lest
mishap befal him and he have no son; wherefore it is my desire to marry
him to a Princess of the princesses of the sea, who shall be a match
for him in beauty and loveliness.” Quoth Julnar, “Name them to me for
I know them all.” So Salih proceeded to enumerate them to her, one by
one, but to each she said, “I like not this one for my son; I will not
marry him but to one who is his equal in beauty and loveliness and wit
and piety and good breeding and magnanimity and dominion and rank and
lineage.”[FN#319] Quoth Salih, “I know none other of the daughters of
the Kings of the sea, for I have numbered to thee more than an hundred
girls and not one of them pleaseth thee: but see, O my sister, whether
thy son be asleep or no.” So she felt Badr and finding on him the signs
of slumber said to Salih, “He is asleep; what hast thou to say and
what is thine object in making sure his sleeping?” Replied he, “O my
sister, know that I have bethought me of a Mermaid of the mermaids who
befitteth thy son; but I fear to name her, lest he be awake and his
heart be taken with her love and maybe we shall be unable to win to
her; so should he and we and the Grandees of the realm be wearied in
vain and trouble betide us through this; for, as saith the poet,
‘Love, at first sight, is a spurt of spray;[FN#320] * But a spreading
sea when it gaineth sway.’”
When she heard these words, she cried, “Tell me the condition of this
girl, and her name for I know all the damsels of the sea, Kings’
daughters and others; and, if I judge her worthy of him, I will demand
her in marriage for him of her father, though I spend on her whatso my
hand possesseth. So recount to me all anent her and fear naught, for my
son sleepeth.” Quoth Salih, “I fear lest he be awake; and the poet
saith,
‘I loved him, soon as his praise I heard; * For ear oft loveth ere eye
survey.’”
But Julnar said, “Speak out and be brief and fear not, O my brother.”
So he said, “By Allah, O my sister, none is worthy of thy son save the
Princess Jauharah, daughter of King Al-Samandal,[FN#321] for that she
is like unto him in beauty and loveliness and brilliancy and
perfection; nor is there found, in sea or on land, a sweeter or
pleasanter of gifts than she; for she is prime in comeliness and
seemlihead of face and symmetrical shape of perfect grace; her cheek is
ruddy dight, her brow flower-white, her teeth gem-bright, her eyes
blackest black and whitest white, her hips of heavy weight, her waist
slight and her favour exquisite. When she turneth she shameth the wild
cattle[FN#322] and the gazelles and when she walketh, she breedeth envy
in the willow branch: when she unveileth her face outshineth sun and
moon and all who look upon her she enslaveth soon: sweet-lipped and
soft-sided indeed is she.” Now when Julnar heard what Salih said, she
replied, “Thou sayest sooth, O my brother! By Allah, I have seen her
many and many a time and she was my companion, when we were little ones;
but now we have no knowledge of each other, for constraint of distance;
nor have I set eyes on her for eighteen years. By Allah, none is worthy
of my son but she!” Now Badr heard all they said and mastered what had
passed, first and last, of these praises bestowed on Jauharah daughter
of King Al-Samandal; so he fell in love with her on hearsay,
pretending sleep the while, wherefore fire was kindled in his heart on
her account full sore and he was drowned in a sea without bottom or
shore.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her
permitted say.
When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty-fifth Night,
She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when King Badr
Basim heard the words of his uncle Salih and his mother Julnar,
praising the daughter of King Al-Samandal, a flame of fire burnt in his
heart full sore and he was drowned in a sea which hath nor bottom nor
shore. Then Salih, looking at his sister, exclaimed, “By Allah, O my
sister, there is no greater fool among the Kings of the sea than her
father nor one more violent of temper than he! So name thou not the
girl to thy son, till we demand her in marriage of her father. If he
favour us with his assent, we will praise Allah Almighty; and if he
refuse us and will not give her to thy son to wife, we will say no more
about it and seek another match.” Answered Julnar, “Right is thy rede;”
and they parleyed no more: but Badr passed the night with a heart on
fire with passion for Princess Jauharah. However he concealed his case
and spake not of her to his mother or his uncle, albeit he was on coals
of fire for love of her. Now when it was morning, the King and his
uncle went to the Hammam-bath and washed, after which they came forth
and drank wine and the servants set food before them, whereof they and
Julnar ate their sufficiency, and washed their hands. Then Salih rose
and said to his nephew and sister, “With your leave, I would fain go to
my mother and my folk for I have been with you some days and their
hearts are troubled with awaiting me.” But Badr Basim said to him,
“Tarry with us this day;” and he consented. Then quoth the King, “Come,
O my uncle, let us go forth to the garden.” So they sallied forth and
promenaded about the pastures and took their solace awhile, after which
King Badr lay down under a shady tree, thinking to rest and sleep; but
he remembered his uncle’s description of the maiden and her beauty and
loveliness and shed railing tears, reciting these two couplets[FN#323],
“Were it said to me while the flame is burning within me, *
And the fire blazing in my heart and bowels,
‘Wouldst thou rather that thou shouldest behold them * Or a
draught of pure water?’—I would answer, ‘Them.’”
Then he sighed and wept and lamented, reciting these verses also,
“Who shall save me from love of a lovely gazelle, * Brighter
browed than the sunshine, my bonnibel!
My heart, erst free from her love, now burns * With fire for
the maid of Al-Samandal.”
When Salih heard what his nephew said, he smote hand upon hand and
said, “There is no god but _the_ God! Mohammed is the Apostle of God and
there is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious,
the Great!” adding, “O my son, heardest thou what passed between me and
thy mother respecting Princess Jauharah?” Replied Badr Basim, “Yes, O
my uncle, and I fell in love with her by hearsay through what I heard
you say. Indeed, my heart cleaveth to her and I cannot live without
her.” Rejoined his uncle, “O King, let us return to thy mother and tell
her how the case standeth and crave her leave that I may take thee with
me and seek the Princess in marriage of her sire; after which we will
farewell her and I and thou will return. Indeed, I fear to take thee
and go without her leave, lest she be wroth with me; and verily the
right would be on her side, for I should be the cause of her separation
from us. Moreover, the city would be left without king and there would
be none to govern the citizens and look to their affairs, so should the
realm be disordered against thee and the kingship depart from thy
hands.” But Badr Basim, hearing these words, cried, “O my uncle, if I
return to my mother and consult her on such matter, she will not suffer
me to do this; wherefore I will not return to my mother nor consult
her.” And he wept before him and presently added, “I will go with thee
and tell her not and after will return.” When Salih heard what his
nephew said, he was confused anent his case and said, “I crave help of
the Almighty in any event.” Then, seeing that Badr Basim was resolved
to go with him, whether his mother would let him or no, he drew from
his finger a seal-ring, whereon were graven certain of the names of
Allah the Most High, and gave it to him, saying, “Put this on thy
finger, and thou shalt be safe from drowning and other perils and from
the mischief of sea beasts and great fishes.” So King Badr Basim took
the ring and set it on his finger. Then they dove into the deep——And
Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted
say.
When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty-sixth Night,
She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Badr Basim and
his uncle, after diving into the deep, fared on till they came to
Salih’s palace, where they found Badr Basim’s grandmother, the mother
of his mother, seated with her kinsfolk and, going in to them, kissed
their hands. When the old Queen saw Badr, she rose to him and embracing
him, kissed him between the eyes and said to him, “A blessed coming,
O my son! How didst thou leave thy mother Julnar?” He replied, “She
is well in health and fortune, and saluteth thee and her uncle’s
daughters.” Then Salih related to his mother what had occurred between
him and his sister and how King Badr Basim had fallen in love with the
Princess Jauharah daughter of Al-Samandal by report and told her the
whole tale from beginning to end adding, “He hath not come save to
demand her in wedlock of her sire;” which when the old Queen heard,
she was wroth against her son with exceeding wrath and sore troubled
and concerned and said, “O Salih, O my son, in very sooth thou diddest
wrong to name the Princess before thy nephew, knowing, as thou dost,
that her father is stupid and violent, little of wit and tyrannical of
temper, grudging his daughter to every suitor; for all the Monarchs
of the Main have sought her hand, but he rejected them all; nay, he
would none of them, saying, ‘Ye are no match for her in beauty or
in loveliness or in aught else.’ Wherefore we fear to demand her in
wedlock of him, lest he reject us, even as he hath rejected others; and
we are a folk of high spirit and should return broken-hearted.” Hearing
these words Salih answered, “O my mother what is to do? For King Badr
Basim saith, ‘There is no help but that I seek her in marriage of her
sire, though I expend my whole kingdom’; and he avoucheth that, an he
take her not to wife, he will die of love for her and longing.” And
Salih continued, “He is handsomer and goodlier than she; his father
was King of all the Persians, whose King he now is, and none is worthy
of Jauharah save Badr Basim. Wherefore I purpose to carry her father
a gift of jacinths and jewels befitting his dignity, and demand her
of him in marriage. An he object to us that he is a King, behold, our
man also is a King and the son of a King; or, if he object to us her
beauty, behold our man is more beautiful than she; or, again, if he
object to us the vastness of his dominion, behold our man’s dominion
is vaster than hers and her father’s and numbereth more troops and
guards, for that his kingdom is greater than that of Al-Samandal.
Needs must I do my endeavour to further the desire of my sister’s son,
though it relieve me of my life; because I was the cause of whatso
hath betided; and, even as I plunged him into the ocean of her love,
so will I go about to marry him to her, and may Almighty Allah help me
thereto!” Rejoined his mother, “Do as thou wilt, but beware of giving
her father rough words, whenas thou speakest with him; for thou knowest
his stupidity and violence and I fear lest he do thee a mischief, for
he knoweth not respect for any.” And Salih answered, “Hearkening and
obedience.” Then he sprang up and taking two bags full of gems such as
rubies and bugles of emerald, noble ores and all manner jewels gave
them to his servants to carry and set out with his nephew for the
palace of Al-Samandal. When they came thither, he sought audience of
the King and being admitted to his presence, kissed ground before him
and saluted him with the goodliest Salam. The King rose to him and
honouring him with the utmost honour, bade him be seated. So he sat
down and presently the King said to him, “A blessed coming: indeed
thou hast desolated us, O Salih! But what bringeth thee to us? Tell
me thine errand that we may fulfil it to thee.” Whereupon Salih arose
and, kissing the ground a second time, said, “O King of the Age, my
errand is to Allah and the magnanimous liege lord and the valiant lion,
the report of whose good qualities the caravans far and near have
dispread and whose renown for benefits and beneficence and clemency and
graciousness and liberality to all climes and countries hath sped.”
Thereupon he opened the two bags and, displaying their contents before
Al-Samandal, said to him, “O King of the Age, haply wilt thou accept
my gift and by showing favour to me heal my heart.”——And Shahrazad
perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty-seventh Night,
She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Salih
offered his gift to the King, saying, “My aim and end is that the
Sovran show favour to me and heal my heart by accepting my present,”
King Al-Samandal asked, “With what object dost thou gift me with this
gift? Tell me thy tale and acquaint me with thy requirement. An its
accomplishment be in my power I will straightway accomplish it to thee
and spare thee toil and trouble; and if I be unable thereunto, Allah
compelleth not any soul aught beyond its power.”[FN#324] So Salih rose
and kissing ground three times, said, “O King of the Age, that which I
desire thou art indeed able to do; it is in thy power and thou art
master thereof; and I impose not on the King a difficulty, nor am I
Jinn-demented, that I should crave of the King a thing whereto he
availeth not; for one of the sages saith, ‘An thou wouldst be complied
with ask that which can be readily supplied’. Wherefore, that of which
I am come in quest, the King (whom Allah preserve!) is able to grant.”
The King replied, “Ask what thou wouldst have, and state thy case and
seek thy need.” Then said Salih,[FN#325] “O King of the Age, know that
I come as a suitor, seeking the unique pearl and the hoarded jewel, the
Princess Jauharah, daughter of our lord the King; wherefore, O King
disappoint thou not thy suitor.” Now when the King heard this, he
laughed till he fell backwards, in mockery of him and said, “O Salih, I
had thought thee a man of worth and a youth of sense, seeking naught
save what was reasonable and speaking not save advisedly. What then
hath befallen thy reason and urged thee to this monstrous matter and
mighty hazard, that thou seekest in marriage daughters of Kings, lords
of cities and climates? Say me, art thou of a rank to aspire to this
great eminence and hath thy wit failed thee to this extreme pass that
thou affrontest me with this demand?” Replied Salih, “Allah amend the
King! I seek her not for myself (albeit, an I did, I am her match and
more than her match, for thou knowest that my father was King of the
Kings of the sea, for all thou art this day our King), but I seek her
for King Badr Basim, lord of the lands of the Persians and son of King
Shahriman, whose puissance thou knowest. An thou object that thou art a
mighty great King, King Badr is a greater; and if thou object thy
daughter’s beauty, King Badr is more beautiful than she and fairer of
form and more excellent of rank and lineage; and he is the champion of
the people of his day. Wherefore, if thou grant my request, O King of
the Age, thou wilt have set the thing in its stead; but, if thou deal
arrogantly with us, thou wilt not use us justly nor travel with us the
‘road which is straight’.[FN#326] Moreover, O King, thou knowest that
the Princess Jauharah, the daughter of our lord the King must needs be
wedded and bedded, for the sage saith, a girl’s lot is either grace of
marriage or the grave.[FN#327] Wherefore, an thou mean to marry her, my
sister’s son is worthier of her than any other man.” Now when King
Al-Samandal heard Salih’s words, he was wroth with exceeding wrath; his
reason well nigh fled and his soul was like to depart his body for
rage, and he cried, “O dog, shall the like of thee dare to bespeak me
thus and name my daughter in the assemblies,[FN#328] saying that the
son of thy sister Julnar is a match for her? Who art thou and who is
this sister of thine and who is her son and who was his father,[FN#329]
that thou durst say to me such say and address me with such address?
What are ye all, in comparison with my daughter, but dogs?” And he
cried out to his pages, saying, “Take yonder gallows-bird’s head!” So
they drew their swords and made for Salih but he fled and for the
palace-gate sped; and reaching the entrance, he found of his cousins
and kinsfolk and servants, more than a thousand horse armed cap-à-pie
in iron and close knitted mail-coats, hending in hand spears and naked
swords glittering white. And these when they saw Salih come running out
of the palace (they having been sent by his mother to his succour),
questioned him and he told them what was to do; whereupon they knew
that the King was a fool and violent-tempered to boot. So they
dismounted and baring their blades, went in to the King Al-Samandal,
whom they found seated upon the throne of his Kingship, unaware of
their coming and enraged against Salih with furious rage; and they
beheld his eunuchs and pages and officers unprepared. When the King saw
them enter, drawn brand in hand, he cried out to his people, saying
“Woe to you! Take me the heads of these hounds!” But ere an hour had
sped Al-Samandal’s party were put to the rout and relied upon flight,
and Salih and his kinsfolk seized upon the King and pinioned him.——And
Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted
say.
When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty-eighth Night,
She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Salih and
his kinsfolk pinioned the King, Princess Jauharah awoke and knew that
her father was a captive and his guards slain. So she fled forth the
palace to a certain island, and climbing up into a high tree, hid
herself in its summit. Now when the two parties came to blows, some of
King Al-Samandal’s pages fled and Badr Basim meeting them, questioned
them of their case and they told him what had happened. But when he
heard that the King was a prisoner, Badr feared for himself and fled,
saying in his heart, “Verily, all this turmoil is on my account and
none is wanted but I.” So he sought safety in flight, security to
sight, knowing not whither he went; but destiny from Eternity
fore-ordained drave him to the very island where the Princess had taken
refuge, and he came to the very tree whereon she sat and threw himself
down, like a dead man, thinking to lie and repose himself and knowing
not there is no rest for the pursued, for none knoweth what Fate hideth
for him in the future. As he lay down, he raised his eyes to the tree
and they met the eyes of the Princess. So he looked at her and seeing
her to be like the moon rising in the East, cried, “Glory to Him who
fashioned yonder perfect form, Him who is the Creator of all things and
who over all things is Almighty! Glory to the Great God, the Maker, the
Shaper and Fashioner! By Allah, if my presentiments be true, this is
Jauharah, daughter of King Al-Samandal! Methinks that, when she heard
of our coming to blows with her father, she fled to this island and,
happening upon this tree, hid herself on its head; but, if this be not
the Princess herself, ’tis one yet goodlier than she.” Then he
bethought himself of her case and said in himself, “I will arise and
lay hands on her and question her of her condition; and, if she be
indeed the she, I will demand her in wedlock of herself and so win my
wish.” So he stood up and said to her, “O end of all desire, who art
thou and who brought thee hither?” She looked at Badr Basim and seeing
him to be as the full moon,[FN#330] when it shineth from under the
black cloud, slender of shape and sweet of smile, answered, “O fair of
fashion, I am Princess Jauharah, daughter of King Al-Samandal, and I
took refuge in this place, because Salih and his host came to blows
with my sire and slew his troops and took him prisoner, with some of
his men, wherefore I fled, fearing for my very life,” presently adding,
“And I weet not what fortune hath done with my father.” When King Badr
Basim heard these words he marvelled with exceeding marvel at this
strange chance, and thought: “Doubtless I have won my wish by the
capture of her sire.” Then he looked at Jauharah and said to her, “Come
down, O my lady; for I am slain for love of thee and thine eyes have
captivated me. On my account and thine are all these broils and
battles; for thou must know that I am King Badr Basim, Lord of the
Persians and Salih is my mother’s brother and he it is who came to thy
sire to demand thee of him in marriage. As for me, I have quitted my
kingdom for thy sake, and our meeting here is the rarest coincidence.
So come down to me and let us twain fare for thy father’s palace, that
I may beseech uncle Salih to release him and I may make thee my lawful
wife.” When Jauharah heard his words, she said in herself, “’Twas on
this miserable gallows-bird’s account, then, that all this hath
befallen and that my father hath fallen prisoner and his chamberlains
and suite have been slain and I have been departed from my palace, a
miserable exile and have fled for refuge to this island. But, an I
devise not against him some device to defend myself from him, he will
possess himself of me and take his will of me; for he is in love and
for aught that he doeth a lover is not blamed.” Then she beguiled him
with winning words and soft speeches, whilst he knew not the perfidy
against him she purposed, and asked him, “O my lord and light of my
eyes, say me, art thou indeed King Badr Basim, son of Queen Julnar?”
And he answered, “Yes, O my lady.”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of
day and ceased saying her permitted say.
When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty-ninth Night,
She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Jauharah,
daughter of King Al-Samandal, asked the youth, “Art thou in very sooth
King Badr Basim, son of Queen Julnar?” And he answered, “Yes, O my
lady!” Then she, “May Allah cut off my father and gar his kingdom cease
from him and heal not his heart neither avert from him strangerhood, if
he could desire a comelier than thou or aught goodlier than these fair
qualities of thine! By Allah, he is of little wit and judgment!”
presently adding, “But, O King of the Age, punish him not for that he
hath done; more by token that an thou love me a span, verily I love
thee a cubit. Indeed, I have fallen into the net of thy love and am
become of the number of thy slain. The love that was with thee hath
transferred itself to me and there is left thereof with thee but a
tithe of that which is with me.” So saying, she came down from the tree
and drawing near him strained him to her bosom and fell to kissing him;
whereat passion and desire for her redoubled on him and doubting not
but she loved him, he trusted in her, and returned her kisses and
caresses. Presently he said to her, “By Allah, O Princess, my uncle
Salih set forth to me not a fortieth part of thy charms; no, nor a
quarter-carat[FN#331] of the four-and-twenty.” Then Jauharah pressed
him to her bosom and pronounced some unintelligible words; then spat on
his face, saying, “Quit this form of man and take shape of bird, the
handsomest of birds, white of robe, with red bill and legs.” Hardly had
she spoken, when King Badr Basim found himself transformed into a bird,
the handsomest of birds, who shook himself and stood looking at her.
Now Jauharah had with her one of her slave-girls, by name
Marsínah[FN#332]; so she called her and said to her, “By Allah, but
that I fear for the life of my father, who is his uncle’s prisoner, I
would kill him! Allah never requite him with good! How unlucky was his
coming to us; for all this trouble is due to his hard-headedness! But
do thou, O slave-girl, bear him to the Thirsty Island and leave him
there to die of thirst.” So Marsinah carried him to the island in
question and would have returned and left him there but she said in
herself, “By Allah, the lord of such beauty and loveliness deserveth
not to die of thirst!” So she went forth from that island and brought
him to another abounding in trees and fruits and rills and, setting him
down there, returned to her mistress and told her, “I have left him on
the Thirsty Island.” Such was the case with Badr Basim; but as regards
King Salih he sought for Jauharah after capturing the King and killing
his folk; but, finding her not, returned to his palace and said to his
mother, “Where is my sister’s son, King Badr Basim?” “By Allah, O my
son,” replied she, “I know nothing of him! For when it reached him that
you and King Al-Samandal had come to blows and that strife and
slaughter had betided between you, he was affrighted and fled.” When
Salih heard this, he grieved for his nephew and said, “O my mother, by
Allah, we have dealt negligently by King Badr and I fear lest he perish
or lest one of King Al-Samandal’s soldiers or his daughter Jauharah
fall in with him. So should we come to shame with his mother and no
good betide us from her, for that I took him without her leave.” Then
he despatched guards and scouts throughout the sea and elsewhere to
seek for Badr; but they could learn no tidings of him; so they returned
and told King Salih, wherefore cark and care redoubled on him and his
breast was straitened for King Badr Basim. So far concerning nephew and
uncle, but as for Julnar the Sea-born, after their departure she abode
in expectation of them, but her son returned not and she heard no
report of him. So when many days of fruitless waiting had gone by, she
arose and going down into the sea, repaired to her mother, who sighting
her rose to her and kissed her and embraced her, as did the Mermaids
her cousins. Then she questioned her mother of King Badr Basim, and she
answered, saying, “O my daughter, of a truth he came hither with his
uncle, who took jacinths and jewels and carrying them to King
Al-Samandal, demanded his daughter in marriage for thy son but he
consented not and was violent against thy brother in words. Now I had
sent Salih nigh upon a thousand horse and a battle befel between him
and King Al-Samandal; but Allah aided thy brother against him, and he
slew his guards and troops and took himself prisoner. Meanwhile,
tidings of this reached thy son, and it would seem as if he feared for
himself; wherefore he fled forth from us, without our will, and
returned not to us, nor have we heard any news of him.” Then Julnar
enquired for King Salih, and his mother said, “He is seated on the
throne of his kingship, in the stead of King Al-Samandal, and hath sent
in all directions to seek thy son and Princess Jauharah.” When Julnar
heard the maternal words, she mourned for her son with sad mourning and
was highly incensed against her brother Salih for that he had taken him
and gone down with him into the sea without her leave; and she said, “O
my mother, I fear for our realm; as I came to thee without letting any
know; and I dread tarrying with thee, lest the state fall into disorder
and the kingdom pass from our hands. Wherefore I deem best to return
and govern the reign till it please Allah to order our son’s affair for
us. But look ye forget him not neither neglect his case; for should he
come to any harm, it would infallibly kill me, since I see not the
world save in him and delight but in his life.” She replied, “With love
and gladness, O my daughter. Ask not what we suffer by reason of his
loss and absence.” Then she sent to seek for her grandson, whilst
Julnar returned to her kingdom, weeping-eyed and heavy-hearted, and
indeed the gladness of the world was straitened upon her.——And Shahrazad
perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
When it was the Seven Hundred and Fiftieth Night,
She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Queen Julnar
returned from her mother to her own realm, her breast was straitened
and she was in ill case. So fared it with her; but as regards King Badr
Basim, after Princess Jauharah had ensorcelled him and had sent him
with her handmaid to the Thirsty Island, saying, “Leave him there to
die of thirst,” and Marsinah had set him down in a green islet, he
abode days and nights in the semblance of a bird eating of its fruits
and drinking of its waters and knowing not whither to go nor how to
fly; till, one day, there came a certain fowler to the island to catch
somewhat wherewithal to get his living. He espied King Badr Basim in
his form of a white-robed bird, with red bill and legs, captivating the
sight and bewildering the thought; and, looking thereat, said in
himself “Verily, yonder is a beautiful bird: never saw I its like in
fairness or form.” So he cast his net over Badr and taking him, carried
him to the town, mentally resolved to sell him for a high price. On his
way one of the townsfolk accosted him and said, “For how much this
fowl, O fowler?” Quoth the fowler, “What wilt thou do with him an thou
buy him?” Answered the other, “I will cut his throat and eat him;”
whereupon said the birder, “Who could have the heart to kill this bird
and eat him? Verily, I mean to present him to our King, who will give
me more than thou wouldest give me and will not kill him, but will
divert himself by gazing upon his beauty and grace, for in all my life,
since I have been a fowler, I never saw his like among land game or
water fowl. The utmost thou wouldst give me for him, however much thou
covet him, would be a dirham, and, by Allah Almighty I will not sell
him!” Then he carried the bird up to the King’s palace and when the
King saw it, its beauty and grace pleased him and the red colour of its
beak and legs. So he sent an eunuch to buy it, who accosted the fowler
and said to him, “Wilt thou sell this bird?” Answered he, “Nay, ’tis a
gift from me to the King.”[FN#333] So the eunuch carried the bird to
the King and told him what the man had said; and he took it and gave
the fowler ten dinars, whereupon he kissed ground and fared forth. Then
the eunuch carried the bird to the palace and placing him in a fine
cage, hung him up after setting meat and drink by him. When the King
came down from the Divan, he said to the eunuch, “Where is the bird?
Bring it to me, that I may look upon it; for, by Allah, ’tis
beautiful!” So the eunuch brought the cage and set it between the hands
of the King, who looked and seeing the food untouched, said, “By Allah,
I wis not what it will eat, that I may nourish it!” Then he called for
food and they laid the tables and the King ate. Now when the bird saw
the flesh and meats and fruits and sweet meats, he ate of all that was
upon the trays before the King, whereat the Sovran and all the
bystanders marvelled and the King said to his attendants, eunuchs and
Mamelukes, “In all my life I never saw a bird eat as doth this bird!”
Then he sent an eunuch to fetch his wife that she might enjoy looking
upon the bird, and he went in to summon her and said, “O my lady, the
King desireth thy presence, that thou mayst divert thyself with the
sight of a bird he hath bought. When we set on the food, it flew down
from its cage and perching on the table, ate of all that was thereon.
So arise, O my lady, and solace thee with the sight for it is goodly of
aspect and is a wonder of the wonders of the age.” Hearing these words
she came in haste; but, when she noted the bird, she veiled her face
and turned to fare away. The King rose up and looking at her, asked,
“Why dost thou veil thy face when there is none in presence save the
women and eunuchs who wait on thee and thy husband?” Answered she, “O
King, this bird is no bird, but a man like thyself.” He rejoined, “Thou
liest, this is too much of a jest. How should he be other than a
bird?”; and she “O King, by Allah, I do not jest with thee nor do I
tell thee aught but the truth; for verily this bird is King Badr Basim,
son of King Shahriman, Lord of the land of the Persians, and his mother
is Julnar the Sea-born.”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and
ceased saying her permitted say.
When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifty-first Night,
She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the
King’s wife said to the King, “Verily, this is no bird but a man like
thyself: he is King Badr Basim son of King Shahriman and his mother is
Julnar the Sea-born,” quoth the King, “And how came he in this shape?”;
and quoth she, “Princess Jauharah, daughter of King Al-Samandal, hath
enchanted him:” and told him all that had passed with King Badr Basim
from first to last.[FN#334] The King marvelled exceedingly at his
wife’s words and conjured her, on his life, to free Badr from his
enchantment (for she was the notablest enchantress of her age), and not
leave him in torment, saying, “May Almighty Allah cut off Jauharah’s
hand, for a foul witch as she is! How little is her faith and how great
her craft and perfidy!” Said the Queen, “Do thou say to him, ‘O Badr
Basim, enter yonder closet!’” So the King bade him enter the closet and
he went in obediently. Then the Queen veiled her face and taking in her
hand a cup of water,[FN#335] entered the closet where she pronounced
over the water certain incomprehensible words ending with, “By the
virtue of these mighty names and holy verses and by the majesty of
Allah Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, the Quickener of the dead
and Appointer of the means of daily bread and the terms determined,
quit this thy form wherein thou art and return to the shape in which
the Lord created thee!” Hardly had she made an end of her words, when
the bird trembled once and became a man; and the King saw before him a
handsome youth, than whom on earth’s face was none goodlier. But when
King Badr Basim found himself thus restored to his own form he cried,
“There is no god but _the_ God and Mohammed is the Apostle of God! Glory
be to the Creator of all creatures and Provider of their provision, and
Ordainer of their life terms preordained!” Then he kissed the King’s
hand and wished him long life, and the King kissed his head and said to
him, “O Badr Basim, tell me thy history from commencement to
conclusion.” So he told him his whole tale, concealing naught; and the
King marvelled thereat and said to him, “O Badr Basim, Allah hath saved
thee from the spell: but what hath thy judgment decided and what
thinkest thou to do?” Replied he, “O King of the Age, I desire thy
bounty that thou equip me a ship with a company of thy servants and all
that is needful; for ’tis long since I have been absent and I dread
lest the kingdom depart from me. And I misdoubt me my mother is dead of
grief for my loss; and this doubt is the stronger for that she knoweth
not what is come of me nor whether I am alive or dead. Wherefore, I
beseech thee, O King, to crown thy favours to me by granting me what I
seek.” The King, after beholding the beauty and grace of Badr Basim and
listening to his sweet speech, said, “I hear and obey.” So he fitted
him out a ship, to which he transported all that was needful and which
he manned with a company of his servants; and Badr Basim set sail in
it, after having taken leave of the King. They sailed over the sea ten
successive days with a favouring wind; but, on the eleventh day, the
ocean became troubled with exceeding trouble, the ship rose and fell
and the sailors were powerless to govern her. So they drifted at the
mercy of the waves, till the craft neared a rock in mid-sea which fell
upon her[FN#336] and broke her up and all on board were drowned, save
King Badr Basim who got astride one of the planks of the vessel, after
having been nigh upon destruction. The plank ceased not to be borne by
the set of the sea, whilst he knew not whither he went and had no means
of directing its motion, as the wind and waves wrought for three whole
days. But on the fourth the plank grounded with him on the sea-shore
where he sighted a white city, as it were a dove passing white, builded
upon a tongue of land that jutted out into the deep and it was goodly
of ordinance, with high towers and lofty walls against which the waves
beat. When Badr Basim saw this, he rejoiced with exceeding joy, for he
was well-nigh dead of hunger and thirst, and dismounting from the
plank, would have gone up the beach to the city; but there came down to
him mules and asses and horses, in number as the sea-sands and fell to
striking at him and staying him from landing. So he swam round to the
back of the city, where he waded to shore and entering the place, found
none therein and marvelled at this, saying, “Would I knew to whom doth
this city belong, wherein is no lord nor any liege, and whence came
these mules and asses and horses that hindered me from landing?” And he
mused over his case. Then he walked on at hazard till he espied an old
man, a grocer.[FN#337] So he saluted him and the other returned his
salam and seeing him to be a handsome young man, said to him, “O youth,
whence comest thou and what brought thee to this city?” Badr told him
his story; at which the old man marvelled and said, “O my son, didst
thou see any on thy way?” He replied, “Indeed, O my father, I wondered
in good sooth to sight a city void of folk.” Quoth the Shaykh, “O my
son, come up into the shop, lest thou perish.” So Badr Basim went up
into the shop and sat down; whereupon the old man set before him
somewhat of food, saying, “O my son, enter the inner shop; glory be to
Him who hath preserved thee from yonder she-Sathanas!” King Badr Basim
was sore affrighted at the grocer’s words; but he ate his fill and
washed his hands; then glanced at his host and said to him, “O my lord,
what is the meaning of these words? Verily thou hast made me fearful of
this city and its folk.” Replied the old man, “Know, O my son, that
this is the City of the Magicians and its Queen is as she were a
she-Satan, a sorceress and a mighty enchantress, passing crafty and
perfidious exceedingly. All thou sawest of horses and mules and asses
were once sons of Adam like thee and me; they were also strangers, for
whoever entereth this city, being a young man like thyself, this
miscreant witch taketh him and hometh him for forty days, after which
she enchanteth him, and he becometh a mule or a horse or an ass, of
those animals thou sawest on the sea-shore.”——And Shahrazad perceived
the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifty-second Night,
She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the old grocer
related to King Badr Basim the history of the enchantress ending with,
“All these people hath she spelled; and, when it was thy intent to land
they feared lest thou be transmewed like themselves; so they counselled
thee by signs that said, ‘Land not,’ of their solicitude for thee,
fearing that haply she should do with thee like as she had done with
them. She possessed herself of this city and seized it from its
citizens by sorcery and her name is Queen Láb, which being interpreted,
meaneth in Arabic ‘Almanac of the Sun.’”[FN#338] When Badr Basim heard
what the old man said, he was affrighted with sore affright and
trembled like reed in wind saying in himself, “Hardly do I feel me free
from the affliction wherein I was by reason of sorcery, when Destiny
casteth me into yet sorrier case!” And he fell amusing over his
condition and that which had betided him. When the Shaykh looked at him
and saw the violence of his terror, he said to him, “O my son, come,
sit at the threshold of the shop and look upon yonder creatures and
upon their dress and complexion and that wherein they are by reason of
gramarye and dread not; for the Queen and all in the city love and
tender me and will not vex my heart or trouble my mind.” So King Badr
Basim came out and sat at the shop-door, looking out upon the folk; and
there passed by him a world of creatures without number. But when the
people saw him, they accosted the grocer and said to him, “O elder, is
this thy captive and thy prey gotten in these days?” The old man
replied, “He is my brother’s son, I heard that his father was dead; so
I sent for him and brought him here that I might quench with him the
fire of my home-sickness.” Quoth they, “Verily, he is a comely youth;
but we fear for him from Queen Lab, lest she turn on thee with
treachery and take him from thee, for she loveth handsome young men.”
Quoth the Shaykh, “The Queen will not gainsay my commandment, for she
loveth and tendereth me; and when she shall know that he is my
brother’s son, she will not molest him or afflict me in him neither
trouble my heart on his account.” Then King Badr Basim abode some
months with the grocer, eating and drinking, and the old man loved him
with exceeding love. One day, as he sat in the shop according to his
custom, behold, there came up a thousand eunuchs, with drawn swords and
clad in various kinds of raiment and girt with jewelled girdles: all
rode Arabian steeds and bore in baldrick Indian blades. They saluted
the grocer, as they passed his shop and were followed by a thousand
damsels like moons, clad in various raiments of silks and satins
fringed with gold and embroidered with jewels of sorts, and spears were
slung to their shoulders. In their midst rode a damsel mounted on a
Rabite mare, saddled with a saddle of gold set with various kinds of
jewels and jacinths; and they reached in a body the Shaykh’s shop. The
damsels saluted him and passed on, till, lo and behold! up came Queen
Lab, in great state, and seeing King Badr Basim sitting in the shop, as
he were the moon at its full, was amazed at his beauty and loveliness
and became passionately enamoured of him, and distraught with desire of
him. So she alighted and sitting down by King Badr Basim said to the
old man, “Whence hadst thou this handsome one?”; and the Shaykh
replied, “He is my brother’s son, and is lately come to me.” Quoth Lab,
“Let him be with me this night, that I may talk with him;” and quoth
the old man, “Wilt thou take him from me and not enchant him?” Said
she, “Yes,” and said he, “Swear to me.” So she sware to him that she
would not do him any hurt or ensorcell him, and bidding bring him a
fine horse, saddled and bridled with a golden bridle and decked with
trappings all of gold set with jewels, gave the old man a thousand
dinars saying, “Use this.”[FN#339] Then she took Badr Basim and carried
him off, as he were the full moon on its fourteenth night, whilst all
the folk, seeing his beauty, were grieved for him and said, “By Allah,
verily, this youth deserveth not to be bewitched by yonder sorceress,
the accursed!” Now King Badr Basim heard all they said, but was silent,
committing his case to Allah Almighty, till they came to——And Shahrazad
perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifty-third Night,
She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that King Badr
Basim ceased not faring with Queen Lab and her suite till they came to
her palace-gate, where the Emirs and eunuchs and Lords of the realm
took foot and she bade the Chamberlains dismiss her Officers and
Grandees, who kissed ground and went away, whilst she entered the
palace with Badr Basim and her eunuchs and women. Here he found a
place, whose like he had never seen at all, for it was builded of gold
and in its midst was a great basin brimfull of water midmost a vast
flower-garden. He looked at the garden and saw it abounding in birds
of various kinds and colours, warbling in all manner tongues and
voices, pleasurable and plaintive. And everywhere he beheld great state
and dominion and said, “Glory be to God, who of His bounty and
long-suffering provideth those who serve other than Himself!” The Queen
sat down at a latticed window overlooking the garden on a couch of
ivory, whereon was a high bed, and King Badr Basim seated himself by
her side. She kissed him and pressing him to her breast, bade her women
bring a tray of food. So they brought a tray of red gold, inlaid with
pearls and jewels and spread with all manner of viands and he and she
ate, till they were satisfied, and washed their hands; after which the
waiting-women set on flagons of gold and silver and glass, together
with all kinds of flowers and dishes of dried fruits. Then the Queen
summoned the singing-women and there came ten maidens, as they were
moons, hending all manner of musical instruments. Queen Lab crowned a
cup and drinking it off, filled another and passed it to King Badr
Basim, who took it and drank; and they ceased not to drink till they
had their sufficiency. Then she bade the damsels sing, and they sang
all manner modes till it seemed to Badr Basim as if the palace danced
with him for joy. His sense was ecstasied and his breast broadened, and
he forgot his strangerhood and said in himself, “Verily, this Queen is
young and beautiful[FN#340] and I will never leave her; for her kingdom
is vaster than my kingdom and she is fairer than Princess Jauharah.” So
he ceased not to drink with her till eventide came, when they lighted
the lamps and waxen candles and diffused censer-perfumes; nor did they
leave drinking, till they were both drunken, and the singing-women sang
the while. Then Queen Lab, being in liquor, rose from her seat and lay
down on a bed and dismissing her women called to Badr Basim to come and
sleep by her side. So he lay with her, in all delight of life till the
morning.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her
permitted say.
When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifty-fourth Night,
She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the Queen
awoke she repaired to the Hammam-bath in the palace, King Badr Basim
being with her, and they bathed and were purified; after which she clad
him in the finest of raiment and called for the service of wine. So the
waiting women brought the drinking-gear and they drank. Presently, the
Queen arose and taking Badr Basim by the hand, sat down with him on
chairs and bade bring food, whereof they ate, and washed their hands.
Then the damsels fetched the drinking gear and fruits and flowers and
confections, and they ceased not to eat and drink,[FN#341] whilst the
singing-girls sang various airs till the evening. They gave not over
eating and drinking and merry-making for a space of forty days, when
the Queen said to him, “O Badr Basim, say me whether is the more
pleasant, this place or the shop of thine uncle the grocer?” He
replied, “By Allah, O Queen, this is the pleasanter, for my uncle is
but a beggarly man, who vendeth pot-herbs.” She laughed at his words
and the twain lay together in the pleasantest of case till the morning,
when King Badr Basim awoke from sleep and found not Queen Lab by his
side, so he said, “Would Heaven I knew where can she have gone!” And
indeed he was troubled at her absence and perplexed about the case, for
she stayed away from him a great while and did not return; so he donned
his dress and went seeking her but not finding her, and he said to
himself, “Haply, she is gone to the flower-garden.” Thereupon he went
out into the garden and came to a running rill beside which he saw a
white she-bird and on the stream-bank a tree full of birds of various
colours, and he stood and watched the birds without their seeing him.
And behold, a black bird flew down upon that white she-bird and fell to
billing her pigeon-fashion, then he leapt on her and trod her three
consecutive times, after which the bird changed and became a woman.
Badr looked at her and lo! it was Queen Lab. So he knew that the black
bird was a man transmewed and that she was enamoured of him and had
transformed herself into a bird, that he might enjoy her; wherefore
jealousy got hold upon him and he was wroth with the Queen because of
the black bird. Then he returned to his place and lay down on the
carpet-bed and after an hour or so she came back to him and fell to
kissing him and jesting with him; but being sore incensed against her
he answered her not a word. She saw what was to do with him and was
assured that he had witnessed what befel her when she was a white bird
and was trodden by the black bird; yet she discovered naught to him but
concealed what ailed her. When he had done her need, he said to her, “O
Queen, I would have thee give me leave to go to my uncle’s shop, for I
long after him and have not seen him these forty days.” She replied,
“Go to him but tarry not from me, for I cannot brook to be parted from
thee, nor can I endure without thee an hour.” He said, “I hear and I
obey,” and mounting, rode to the shop of the Shaykh, the grocer, who
welcomed him and rose to him and embracing him said to him, “How hast
thou fared with yonder idolatress?” He replied, “I was well in health
and happiness till this last night,” and told him what had passed in
the garden with the black bird.[FN#342] Now when the old man heard his
words, he said, “Beware of her, for know that the birds upon the tree
were all young men and strangers, whom she loved and enchanted and
turned into birds. That black bird thou sawest was one of her Mamelukes
whom she loved with exceeding love, till he cast his eyes upon one of
her women, wherefore she changed him into a black bird”;——And Shahrazad
perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifty-fifth Night,
She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Badr
Basim acquainted the old grocer with all the doings of Queen Lab and
what he had seen of her proceedings, the Shaykh gave him to know that
all the birds upon the tree were young men and strangers whom she had
enchanted, and that the black bird was one of her Mamelukes whom she
had transmewed. “And,” continued the Shaykh, “whenas she lusteth after
him she transformeth herself into a she-bird that he may enjoy her, for
she still loveth him with passionate love. When she found that thou
knewest of her case, she plotted evil against thee, for she loveth thee
not wholly. But no harm shall betide thee from her, so long as I
protect thee; therefore fear nothing; for I am a Moslem, by name
Abdallah, and there is none in my day more magical than I; yet do I not
make use of gramarye save upon constraint. Many a time have I put to
naught the sorceries of yonder accursed and delivered folk from her,
and I care not for her, because she can do me no hurt: nay, she feareth
me with exceeding fear, as do all in the city who, like her, are
magicians and serve the fire, not the Omnipotent Sire. So to-morrow,
come thou to me and tell me what she doth with thee; for this very
night she will cast about to destroy thee, and I will tell thee how
thou shalt do with her, that thou mayst save thyself from her malice.”
Then King Badr Basim farewelled the Shaykh and returned to the Queen
whom he found awaiting him. When she saw him, she rose and seating him
and welcoming him brought him meat and drink and the two ate till they
had enough and washed their hands; after which she called for wine and
they drank till the night was well nigh half spent, when she plied him
with cup after cup till he was drunken and lost sense[FN#343] and wit.
When she saw him thus, she said to him, “I conjure thee by Allah and by
whatso thou worshippest, if I ask thee a question wilt thou inform me
rightly and answer me truly?” And he being drunken, answered, “Yes, O
my lady.” Quoth she, “O my lord and light of mine eyes, when thou
awokest last night and foundest me not, thou soughtest me, till thou
sawest me in the garden, under the guise of a white she-bird, and also
thou sawest the black bird leap on me and tread me. Now I will tell the
truth of this matter. That black bird was one of my Mamelukes, whom I
loved with exceeding love; but one day he cast his eyes upon a certain
of my slave-girls, wherefore jealousy gat hold upon me and I
transformed him by my spells into a black bird and her I slew. But now
I cannot endure without him a single hour; so, whenever I lust after
him, I change myself into a she-bird and go to him, that he may leap
me and enjoy me, even as thou hast seen. Art thou not therefore
incensed against me, because of this, albeit by the virtue of Fire and
Light, Shade and Heat, I love thee more than ever and have made thee my
portion of the world?” He answered (being drunken), “Thy conjecture of
the cause of my rage is correct, and it had no reason other than this.”
With this she embraced him and kissed him and made great show of love
to him; then she lay down to sleep and he by her side. Presently about
midnight she rose from the carpet-bed and King Badr Basim was awake;
but he feigned sleep and watched stealthily to see what she would do.
She took out of a red bag a something red, which she planted
a-middlemost the chamber, and it became a stream, running like the sea;
after which she took a handful of barley and strewing it on the ground,
watered it with water from the river; whereupon it became wheat in the
ear, and she gathered it and ground it into flour. Then she set it
aside and returning to bed, lay down by Badr Basim till morning when he
arose and washed his face and asked her leave to visit the Shaykh his
uncle. She gave him permission and he repaired to Abdallah and told him
what had passed. The old man laughed and said, “By Allah, this
miscreant witch plotteth mischief against thee; but reck thou not of
her ever!” Then he gave him a pound of parched corn[FN#344] and said to
him, “Take this with thee and know that, when she seeth it, she will
ask thee, ‘What is this and what wilt thou do with it?’ Do thou answer,
‘Abundance of good things is good’; and eat of it. Then will she bring
forth to thee parched grain of her own and say to thee, ‘Eat of this
Sawík; and do thou feign to her that thou eatest thereof, but eat of
this instead, and beware and have a care lest thou eat of hers even a
grain; for, an thou eat so much as a grain thereof, her spells will
have power over thee and she will enchant thee and say to thee, ‘Leave
this form of a man.’ Whereupon thou wilt quit thine own shape for what
shape she will. But, an thou eat not thereof, her enchantments will be
null and void and no harm will betide thee therefrom; whereat she will
be shamed with shame exceeding and say to thee, ‘I did but jest with
thee!’ Then will she make a show of love and fondness to thee; but this
will all be but hypocrisy in her and craft. And do thou also make a
show of love to her and say to her, ‘O my lady and light of mine eyes,
eat of this parched barley and see how delicious it is.’ And if she eat
thereof, though it be but a grain, take water in thy hand and throw it
in her face, saying, ‘Quit this human form’ (for what form soever thou
wilt have her take). Then leave her and come to me and I will counsel
thee what to do.” So Badr Basim took leave of him and returning to the
palace, went in to the Queen, who said to him, “Welcome and well come
and good cheer to thee!” And she rose and kissed him, saying, “Thou
hast tarried long from me, O my lord.” He replied, “I have been with my
uncle, and he gave me to eat of this Sawik.” Quoth she, “We have better
than that.” Then she laid his parched Sawik in one plate and hers in
another and said to him, “Eat of this, for ’tis better than thine.” So
he feigned to eat of it and when she thought he had done so, she took
water in her hand and sprinkled him therewith, saying, “Quit this form,
O thou gallows-bird, thou miserable, and take that of a mule one-eyed
and foul of favour.” But he changed not; which when she saw, she arose
and went up to him and kissed him between the eyes, saying, “O my
beloved, I did but jest with thee; bear me no malice because of this.”
Quoth he, “O my lady, I bear thee no whit of malice; nay, I am assured
that thou lovest me: but eat of this my parched barley.” So she ate a
mouthful of Abdallah’s Sawik; but no sooner had it settled in her
stomach than she was convulsed; and King Badr Basim took water in his
palm and threw it in her face, saying, “Quit this human form and take
that of a dapple mule.” No sooner had he spoken than she found herself
changed into a she-mule, whereupon the tears rolled down her cheeks and
she fell to rubbing her muzzle against his feet. Then he would have
bridled her, but she would not take the bit; so he left her and, going
to the grocer, told him what had passed. Abdallah brought out for him a
bridle and bade him rein her forthwith. So he took it to the palace,
and when she saw him, she came up to him and he set the bit in her
mouth and mounting her, rode forth to find the Shaykh. But when the old
man saw her, he rose and said to her, “Almighty Allah confound thee, O
accursed woman!” Then quoth he to Badr, “O my son, there is no more
tarrying for thee in this city; so ride her and fare with her whither
thou wilt and beware lest thou commit the bridle[FN#345] to any.” King
Badr thanked him and farewelling him, fared on three days, without
ceasing, till he drew near another city and there met him an old man,
gray-headed and comely, who said to him, “Whence comest thou, O my
son?” Badr replied, “From the city of this witch”; and the old man
said, “Thou art my guest to-night.” He consented and went with him; but
by the way behold, they met an old woman, who wept when she saw the
mule, and said, “There is no god but _the_ God! Verily, this mule
resembleth my son’s she-mule, which is dead, and my heart acheth for
her; so, Allah upon thee, O my lord, do thou sell her to me!” He
replied, “By Allah, O my mother, I cannot sell her.” But she cried,
“Allah upon thee, do not refuse my request, for my son will surely be a
dead man except I buy him this mule.” And she importuned him, till he
exclaimed, “I will not sell her save for a thousand dinars,” saying in
himself, “Whence should this old woman get a thousand gold pieces?”
Thereupon she brought out from her girdle a purse containing a thousand
ducats, which when King Badr Basim saw, he said, “O my mother, I did
but jest with thee; I cannot sell her.” But the old man looked at him
and said, “O my son, in this city none may lie, for whoso lieth they
put to death.” So King Badr Basim lighted down from the mule.——And
Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted
say.
When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifty-sixth Night,
She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Badr
Basim dismounted from and delivered the mule to the old woman, she drew
the bit from her mouth and, taking water in her hand, sprinkled the
mule therewith, saying, “O my daughter, quit this shape for that form
wherein thou wast aforetime!” Upon this she was straightway restored to
her original semblance and the two women embraced and kissed each
other. So King Badr Basim knew that the old woman was Queen Lab’s
mother and that he had been tricked and would have fled; when, lo! the
old woman whistled a loud whistle and her call was obeyed by an Ifrit
as he were a great mountain, whereat Badr was affrighted and stood
still. Then the old woman mounted on the Ifrit’s back, taking her
daughter behind her and King Badr Basim before her, and the Ifrit flew
off with them; nor was it a full hour ere they were in the palace of
Queen Lab, who sat down on the throne of kingship and said to Badr,
“Gallows-bird that thou art, now am I come hither and have attained to
that I desired and soon will I show thee how I will do with thee and
with yonder old man the grocer! How many favours have I shown him! Yet
he doth me frowardness; for thou hast not attained thine end but by
means of him.” Then she took water and sprinkled him therewith, saying,
“Quit the shape wherein thou art for the form of a foul-favoured fowl,
the foulest of all fowls”; and she set him in a cage and cut off from
him meat and drink; but one of her women seeing this cruelty, took
compassion on him and gave him food and water without her knowledge.
One day, the damsel took her mistress at unawares and going forth the
palace, repaired to the old grocer, to whom she told the whole case,
saying, “Queen Lab is minded to make an end of thy brother’s son.” The
Shaykh thanked her and said, “There is no help but that I take the city
from her and make thee Queen thereof in her stead.” Then he whistled a
loud whistle and there came forth to him an Ifrit with four wings, to
whom he said, “Take up this damsel and carry her to the city of Julnar
the Sea-born and her mother Faráshah[FN#346] for they twain are the
most powerful magicians on face of earth.” And he said to the damsel,
“When thou comest thither, tell them that King Badr Basim is Queen
Lab’s captive.” Then the Ifrit took up his load and, flying off with
her, in a little while set her down upon the terrace roof of Queen
Julnar’s palace. So she descended and going in to the Queen, kissed the
earth and told her what had passed to her son, first and last,
whereupon Julnar rose to her and entreated her with honour and thanked
her. Then she let beat the drums in the city and acquainted her lieges
and the lords of her realm with the good news that King Badr Basim was
found; after which she and her mother Farashah and her brother Salih
assembled all the tribes of the Jinn and the troops of the main; for
the Kings of the Jinn obeyed them since the taking of King Al-Samandal.
Presently they all flew up into the air and lighting down on the city
of the sorceress, sacked the town and the palace and slew all the
Unbelievers therein in the twinkling of an eye. Then said Julnar to the
damsel, “Where is my son?” And the slave-girl brought her the cage and
signing to the bird within, cried, “This is thy son.” So Julnar took
him forth of the cage and sprinkled him with water, saying, “Quit this
shape for the form wherein thou wast aforetime;” nor had she made an
end of her speech ere he shook and became a man as before: whereupon
his mother, seeing him restored to human shape, embraced him and he
wept with sore weeping. On like wise did his uncle Salih and his
grandmother and the daughters of his uncle and fell to kissing his
hands and feet. Then Julnar sent for Shaykh Abdallah and thanking him
for his kind dealing with her son, married him to the damsel, whom he
had despatched to her with news of him, and made him King of the city.
Moreover, she summoned those who survived of the citizens (and they
were Moslems), and made them swear fealty to him and take the oath of
loyalty, whereto they replied, “Hearkening and obedience!” Then she and
her company farewelled him and returned to their own capital. The
townsfolk came out to meet them, with drums beating, and decorated the
place three days and held high festival, of the greatness of their joy
for the return of their King Badr Basim. After this Badr said to his
mother, “O my mother, naught remains but that I marry and we be all
united.” She replied, “Right is thy rede, O my son, but wait till we
ask who befitteth thee among the daughters of the Kings.” And his
grandmother Farashah, and the daughters of both his uncles said, “O
Badr Basim, we will help thee to win thy wish forthright.” Then each of
them arose and fared forth questing in the lands, whilst Julnar sent
out her waiting-women on the necks of Ifrits, bidding them leave not a
city nor a King’s palace without noting all the handsome girls that
were therein. But, when King Badr Basim saw the trouble they were
taking in this matter, he said to Julnar, “O my mother, leave this
thing, for none will content me save Jauharah, daughter of King
Al-Samandal; for that she is indeed a jewel,[FN#347] according to her
name.” Replied Julnar, “I know that which thou seekest;” and bade
forthright bring Al-Samandal the King. As soon as he was present, she
sent for Badr Basim and acquainted him with the King’s coming,
whereupon he went in to him. Now when Al-Samandal was aware of his
presence, he rose to him and saluted him and bade him welcome; and King
Badr Basim demanded of him his daughter Jauharah in marriage. Quoth he,
“She is thine handmaid and at thy service and disposition,” and
despatched some of his suite bidding them seek her abode and, after
telling her that her sire was in the hands of King Badr Basim, to bring
her forthright. So they flew up into the air and disappeared and they
returned after a while, with the Princess who, as soon as she saw her
father, went up to him and threw her arms round his neck. Then looking
at her he said, “O my daughter, know that I have given thee in wedlock
to this magnanimous Sovran, and valiant lion King Badr Basim, son of
Queen Julnar the Sea-born, for that he is the goodliest of the folk of
his day and most powerful and the most exalted of them in degree and
the noblest in rank; he befitteth none but thee and thou none but him.”
Answered she, “I may not gainsay thee, O my sire do as thou wilt, for
indeed chagrin and despite are at an end, and I am one of his
handmaids.” So they summoned the Kazi and the witnesses who drew up the
marriage contract between King Badr Basim and the Princess Jauharah,
and the citizens decorated the city and beat the drums of rejoicing,
and they released all who were in the jails, whilst the King clothed
the widows and the orphans and bestowed robes of honour upon the Lords
of the Realm and Emirs and Grandees: and they made bride-feasts and
held high festival night and morn ten days, at the end of which time
they displayed the bride, in nine different dresses, before King Badr
Basim who bestowed an honourable robe upon King Al-Samandal and sent
him back to his country and people and kinsfolk. And they ceased not
from living the most delectable of life and the most solaceful of days,
eating and drinking and enjoying every luxury, till there came to them
the Destroyer of delights and the Sunderer of Societies; and this is
the end of their story[FN#348], may Allah have mercy on them all!
Moreover, O auspicious King, a tale is also told anent