The folk flocked about them, to divert themselves with watching

the play, and they called the bystanders to witness of the wager

and fell a-playing. El Abbas forbore the merchant, so he might

lead him on, and procrastinated with him awhile; and the merchant

won and took of him the hundred dinars. Then said the prince,

"Wilt thou play another game?" And the other answered, "O youth,

I will not play again, except it be for a thousand dinars." Quoth

the prince, "Whatsoever thou stakest, I will match thy stake with

the like thereof." So the merchant brought out a thousand dinars

and the prince covered them with other thousand. Then they fell

a-playing, but El Abbas was not long with him ere he beat him in

the square of the elephant,[FN#77] nor did he leave to do thus

till he had beaten him four times and won of him four thousand

dinars.

This was all the merchant's good; so he said, "O youth, I will

play thee another game for the shop." Now the value of the shop

was four thousand dinars; so they played and El Abbas beat him

and won his shop, with that which was therein; whereupon the

other arose, shaking his clothes, and said to him, "Up, O youth,

and take thy shop." So El Abbas arose and repairing to the shop,

took possession thereof, after which he returned to [the place

where he had left] his servant [Aamir] and found there the Amir

Saad, who was come to bid him to the presence of the king. El

Abbas consented to this and accompanied him till they came before

King Ins ben Cais, whereupon he kissed the earth and saluted him

and exceeded[FN#78] in the salutation. Quoth the king to him,

"Whence comest thou, O youth?" and he answered, "I come from

Yemen."

Then said the king, "Hast thou a need we may accomplish unto

thee? For indeed we are exceeding beholden to thee for that which

thou didst in the matter of Hudheifeh and his folk." And he let

cast over him a mantle of Egyptian satin, worth an hundred

dinars. Moreover, he bade his treasurer give him a thousand

dinars and said to him, "O youth, take this in part of that which

thou deserves! of us; and if thou prolong thy sojourn with us, we

will give thee slaves and servants." El Abbas kissed the earth

and said, "O king, may grant thee abiding prosperity, I deserve

not all this." Then he put his hand to his poke and pulling out

two caskets of gold, in each of which were rubies, whose value

none could tell, gave them to the king, saying, "O king, God

cause thy prosperity to endure, I conjure thee by that which God

hath vouchsafed thee, heal my heart by accepting these two

caskets, even as I have accepted thy present." So the king

accepted the two caskets and El Abbas took his leave and went

away to the bazaar.

When the merchants saw him, they accosted him and said, "O youth,

wilt thou not open thy shop?" As they were bespeaking him, up

came a woman, having with her a boy, bareheaded, and [stood]

looking at El Abbas, till he turned to her, when she said to him,

"O youth, I conjure thee by Allah, look at this boy and have pity

on him, for that his father hath forgotten his cap in the shop

[he lost to thee]; so if thou will well to give it to him, thy

reward be with God! For indeed the child maketh our hearts ache

with his much weeping, and God be witness for us that, were there

left us aught wherewithal to buy him a cap in its stead, we had

not sought it of thee." "O adornment of womankind," replied El

Abbas, "indeed, thou bespeakest me with thy fair speech and

supplicatest me with thy goodly words ...But bring me thy

husband." So she went and fetched the merchant, whilst the folk

assembled to see what El Abbas would do. When the man came, he

returned him the gold he had won of him, all and part, and

delivered him the keys of the shop, saying, "Requite us with thy

pious prayers."Therewithal the woman came up to him and kissed

his feet, and on like wise did the merchant her husband; and all

who were present blessed him, and there was no talk but of El

Abbas.

As for the merchant, he bought him a sheep and slaughtering it,

roasted it and dressed birds and [other] meats of various kinds

and colours and bought dessert and sweetmeats and fresh fruits.

Then he repaired to El Abbas and conjured him to accept of his

hospitality and enter his house and eat of his victual. The

prince consented to his wishes and went with him till they came

to his house, when the merchant bade him enter. So El Abbas

entered and saw a goodly house, wherein was a handsome saloon,

with a vaulted estrade. When he entered the saloon, he found that

the merchant had made ready food and dessert and perfumes, such

as overpass description; and indeed he had adorned the table with

sweet-scented flowers and sprinkled musk and rose-water upon the

food. Moreover, he had smeared the walls of the saloon with

ambergris and set [the smoke of burning] aloes-wood abroach

therein.

Presently, El Abbas looked out of the window of the saloon and

saw thereby a house of goodly ordinance, lofty of building and

abounding in chambers, with two upper stories; but therein was no

sign of inhabitants. So he said to the merchant, "Indeed, thou

exceedest in doing us honour; but, by Allah, I will not eat of

thy victual till thou tell me what is the reason of the emptiness

of yonder house." "O my lord," answered the other, "that was El

Ghitrif's house and he was admitted to the mercy of God[FN#79]

and left none other heir than myself; so it became mine, and by

Allah, if thou hast a mind to sojourn in Baghdad, do thou take up

thine abode in this house, so thou mayst be in my neighbourhood;

for that indeed my heart inclineth unto thee with love and I

would have thee never absent from my sight, so I may still have

my fill of thee and hearken to thy speech." El Abbas thanked him

and said to him, "Indeed, thou art friendly in thy speech and

exceedest [in courtesy] in thy discourse, and needs must I

sojourn in Baghdad. As for the house, if it like thee, I will

abide therein; so take of me its price."

So saying, he put his hand to his poke and bringing out therefrom

three hundred dinars, gave them to the merchant, who said in

himself, "Except I take the money, he will not abide in the

house." So he pouched the money and sold him the house, taking

the folk to witness against himself of the sale. Then he arose

and set food before El Abbas and they ate of the good things

which he had provided; after which he brought him dessert and

sweetmeats. They ate thereof till they had enough, when the

tables were removed and they washed their hands with rose-water

and willow-flower-water. Then the merchant brought El Abbas a

napkin perfumed with the fragrant smoke of aloes-wood, on which

he wiped his hand,[FN#80] and said to him, "O my lord, the house

is become thy house; so bid thy servant transport thither the

horses and arms and stuffs." El Abbas did this and the merchant

rejoiced in his neighbourhood and left him not night nor day, so

that the prince said to him, "By Allah, I distract thee from thy

livelihood." "God on thee, O my lord," replied the merchant,

"name not to me aught of this, or thou wilt break my heart, for

the best of traffic is thy company and thou art the best of

livelihood." So there befell strait friendship between them and

ceremony was laid aside from between them.

Meanwhile the king said to his vizier, "How shall we do in the

matter of yonder youth, the Yemani, on whom we thought to confer

largesse, but he hath largessed us with tenfold [our gift] and

more, and we know not if he be a sojourner with us or no?" Then

he went into the harem and gave the rubies to his wife Afifeh,

who said to him, "What is the worth of these with thee and with

[other] the kings?" And he answered, "They are not to be found

save with the greatest of kings and none may avail to price them

with money." Quoth she, "Whence gottest thou them?" So he

recounted to her the story of El Abbas from first to last, and

she said, "By Allah, the claims of honour are imperative on us

and the king hath fallen short of his due; for that we have not

seen him bid him to his assembly, nor hath he seated him on his

left hand."

[When the king heard his wife's words], it was as if he had been

asleep and awoke; so he went forth of the harem and bade

slaughter fowls and dress meats of all kinds and colours.

Moreover, he assembled all his retainers and let bring sweetmeats

and dessert and all that beseemeth unto kings' tables. Then he

adorned his palace and despatched after El Abbas a man of the

chief officers of his household, who found him coming forth of

the bath, clad in a doublet of fine goats' hair and over it a

Baghdadi scarf; his waist was girt with a Rustec[FN#81] kerchief

and on his head he wore a light turban of Damietta make.

The messenger wished him joy of the bath and exceeded in doing

him worship. Then he said to him, "The king biddeth thee in

weal."[FN#82] "Hearkening and obedience," answered El Abbas and

accompanied the messenger to the king's palace.

Now Afifeh and her daughter Mariyeh were behind the curtain,

looking at him; and when he came before the king, he saluted him

and greeted him with the greeting of kings, whilst all who were

present stared at him and at his beauty and grace and perfection.

The king seated him at the head of the table; and when Afifeh saw

him and straitly considered him, she said, "By the virtue of

Mohammed, prince of the Apostles, this youth is of the sons of

the kings and cometh not to these parts but for some high

purpose!" Then she looked at Mariyeh and saw that her face was

changed, and indeed her eyes were dead in her face and she turned

not her gaze from El Abbas a glance of the eyes, for that the

love of him had gotten hold upon her heart. When the queen saw

what had befallen her daughter, she feared for her from reproach

concerning El Abbas; so she shut the wicket of the lattice and

suffered her not to look upon him more. Now there was a pavilion

set apart for Mariyeh, and therein were privy chambers and

balconies and lattices, and she had with her a nurse, who served

her, after the fashion of kings' daughters.

When the banquet was ended and the folk had dispersed, the king

said to El Abbas, "I would fain have thee [abide] with me and I

will buy thee a house, so haply we may requite thee the high

services for which we are beholden to thee; for indeed thy due is

imperative [upon us] and thy worth is magnified in our eyes; and

indeed we have fallen short of thy due in the matter of

distance."[FN#83] When the prince heard the king's speech, he

rose and sat down[FN#84] and kissing the earth, returned thanks

for his bounty and said, "I am the king's servant, wheresoever I

may be, and under his eye." Then he recounted to him the story of

the merchant and the manner of the buying of the house, and the

king said, "Indeed, I would fain have had thee with me and in my

neighbourhood."

Then El Abbas took leave of the king and went away to his own

house. Now it befell that he passed under the palace of Mariyeh

the king's daughter, and she was sitting at a window. He chanced

to look round and his eyes met those of the princess, whereupon

his wit departed and he was like to swoon away, whilst his colour

changed and he said, "Verily, we are God's and to Him we return!"

But he feared for himself lest estrangement betide him; so he

concealed his secret and discovered not his case to any of the

creatures of God the Most High. When he reached his house, his

servant Aamir said to him, "O my lord, I seek refuge for thee

with God from change of colour! Hath there betided thee a pain

from God the Most High or hath aught of vexation befallen thee?

Verily, sickness hath an end and patience doth away vexation."

But the prince returned him no answer. Then he brought out

inkhorn [and pen] and paper and wrote the following verses:

Quoth I (and mine a body is of passion all forslain, Ay, and a

heart that's all athirst for love and longing pain

And eye that knoweth not the sweet of sleep; yet she, who caused

My dole, may Fortune's perfidies for aye from her abstain!

Yea, for the perfidies of Fate and sev'rance I'm become Even as

was Bishr[FN#85] of old time with Hind,[FN#86] a fearful

swain;

A talking-stock among the folk for ever I abide; Life and the

days pass by, yet ne'er my wishes I attain),

"Knoweth my loved one when I see her at the lattice high Shine as

the sun that flameth forth in heaven's blue demesne?"

Her eye is sharper than a sword; the soul with ecstasy It takes

and longing leaves behind, that nothing may assain.

As at the casement high she sat, her charms I might espy, For

from her cheeks the envious veil that hid them she had

ta'en.

She shot at me a shaft that reached my heart and I became The

bond- man of despair, worn out with effort all in vain.

Fawn of the palace, knowst thou not that I, to look on thee, The

world have traversed, far and wide, o'er many a hill and

plain?

Read then my writ and pity thou the blackness of my fate, Sick,

love- distraught, without a friend to whom I may complain.

Now the merchant's wife aforesaid, who was the nurse of the

king's daughter, was watching him from a window, unknown of him,

and [when she heard his verses], she knew that there hung some

rare story by him; so she went in to him and said, "Peace be on

thee, O afflicted one, who acquaintest not physician with thy

case! Verily, thou exposest thyself unto grievous peril! I

conjure thee by the virtue of Him who hath afflicted thee and

stricken thee with the constraint of love-liking, that thou

acquaint me with thine affair and discover to me the truth of thy

secret; for that indeed I have heard from thee verses that

trouble the wit and dissolve the body." So he acquainted her with

his case and enjoined her to secrecy, whereof she consented unto

him, saying, "What shall be the recompense of whoso goeth with

thy letter and bringeth thee an answer thereto?" He bowed his

head for shamefastness before her [and was silent]; and she said

to him, "Raise thy head and give me thy letter." So he gave her

the letter and she took it and carrying it to the princess, said

to her, "Read this letter and give me the answer thereto."

Now the liefest of all things to Mariyeh was the recitation of

poems and verses and linked rhymes and the twanging [of the

strings of the lute], and she was versed in all tongues; so she

took the letter and opening it, read that which was therein and

apprehended its purport. Then she cast it on the ground and said,

"O nurse, I have no answer to make to this letter." Quoth the

nurse, "Indeed, this is weakness in thee and a reproach unto

thee, for that the people of the world have heard of thee and

still praise thee for keenness of wit and apprehension; so do

thou return him an answer, such as shall delude his heart and

weary his soul." "O nurse," rejoined the princess, "who is this

that presumeth upon me with this letter? Belike he is the

stranger youth who gave my father the rubies." "It is himself,"

answered the woman, and Mariyeh said, "I will answer his letter

on such a wise that thou shalt not bring me other than it [from

him]." Quoth the nurse, "So be it." So the princess called for

inkhorn and paper and wrote the following verses:

O'erbold art thou in that to me, a stranger, thou hast sent These

verses; 'twill but add to thee unease and miscontent.

Now God forbid thou shouldst attain thy wishes! What care I If

thou have looked on me a look that caused thee languishment?

Who art thou, wretch, that thou shouldst hope to win me? With thy

rhymes What wouldst of me? Thy reason, sure, with passion is

forspent.

If to my favours thou aspire and covet me, good lack! What leach

such madness can assain or what medicament?

Leave rhyming, madman that thou art, lest, bound upon the cross,

Thou thy presumption in the stead of abjectness repent.

Deem not, O youth, that I to thee incline; indeed, no part Have I

in those who walk the ways, the children of the tent.[FN#87]

In the wide world no house thou hast, a homeless wanderer thou:

To thine own place thou shall be borne, an object for

lament.[FN#88]

Forbear thy verse-making, O thou that harbourest in the camp,

Lest to the gleemen thou become a name of wonderment.

How many a lover, who aspires to union with his love, For all his

hopes seem near, is baulked of that whereon he's bent!

Then get thee gone nor covet that which thou shall ne'er obtain;

So shall it be, although the time seem near and the event.

Thus unto thee have I set forth my case; consider well My words,

so thou mayst guided be aright by their intent.

When she had made an end of her verses, she folded the letter and

delivered it to the nurse, who took it and went with it to El

Abbas. When she gave it to him, he took it and breaking it open,

read it and apprehended its purport; and when he came to the end

of it, he swooned away. After awhile, he came to himself and

said, "Praised be God who hath caused her return an answer to my

letter! Canst thou carry her another letter, and with God the

Most High be thy requital?" Quoth she, "And what shall letters

profit thee, seeing she answereth on this wise?" But he said,

"Belike, she may yet be softened." Then he took inkhorn and paper

and wrote the following verses:

Thy letter reached me; when the words thou wrot'st therein I

read, My longing waxed and pain and woe redoubled on my

head.

Yea, wonder-words I read therein, my trouble that increased And

caused emaciation wear my body to a shred.

Would God thou knewst what I endure for love of thee and how My

vitals for thy cruelty are all forspent and dead!

Fain, fain would I forget thy love. Alack, my heart denies To be

consoled, and 'gainst thy wrath nought standeth me in stead.

An thou'dst vouchsafe to favour me,'twould lighten my despair,

Though but in dreams thine image 'twere that visited my bed.

Persist not on my weakliness with thy disdain nor be Treason and

breach of love its troth to thee attributed;

For know that hither have I fared and come to this thy land, By

hopes of union with thee and near fruition led.

How oft I've waked, whilst over me my comrades kept the watch!

How many a stony waste I've crossed, how many a desert

dread!

From mine own land, to visit thee, I came at love's command, For

all the distance did forbid,'twixt me and thee that spread.

Wherefore, by Him who letteth waste my frame, have ruth on me And

quench my yearning and the fires by passion in me fed.

In glory's raiment clad, by thee the stars of heaven are shamed

And in amaze the full moon stares to see thy goodlihead.

All charms, indeed, thou dost comprise; so who shall vie with

thee And who shall blame me if for love of such a fair I'm

sped?

When he had made an end of his verses, he folded the letter and

delivering it to the nurse, charged her keep the secret. So she

took it and carrying it to Mariyeh, gave it to her. The princess

broke it open and read it and apprehended its purport. Then said

she, "By Allah, O nurse, my heart is burdened with an exceeding

chagrin, never knew I a dourer, because of this correspondence

and of these verses." And the muse made answer to her, saying, "O

my lady, thou art in thy dwelling and thy place and thy heart is

void of care; so return him an answer and reck thou not"

Accordingly, the princess called for inkhorn and paper and wrote

the following verses:

Thou that the dupe of yearning art, how many a melting wight In

waiting for the unkept tryst doth watch the weary night!

If in night's blackness thou hast plunged into the desert's heart

And hast denied thine eyes the taste of sleep and its

delight,

If near and far thy toiling feet have trod the ways and thou

Devils and Marids hast ensued nor wouldst be led aright,

And dar'dst, O dweller in the tents, to lift thine eyes to me,

Hoping by stress to win of me the amorous delight,

Get thee to patience fair, if thou remember thee of that Whose

issues (quoth the Merciful) are ever benedight.[FN#89]

How many a king for my sweet sake with other kings hath vied,

Still craving union with me and suing for my sight!

Whenas En Nebhan strove to win my grace, himself to me With

camel- loads he did commend of musk and camphor white,

And aloes-wood, to boot, he brought and caskets full of pearls

And priceless rubies and the like of costly gems and bright;

Yea, and black slaves he proffered me and slave-girls big with

child And steeds of price, with splendid arms and trappings

rich bedight.

Raiment of silk and sendal, too, he brought to us for gift, And

me in marriage sought therewith; yet, all his pains despite,

Of me he got not what he sought and brideless did return, For

that estrangement and disdain were pleasing in my sight.

Wherefore, O stranger, dare thou not approach me with desire,

Lest ruin quick and pitiless thy hardihood requite.

When she had made an end of her verses, she folded the letter and

delivered it to the nurse, who took it and carried it to El

Abbas. He broke it open and read it and apprehended its purport;

then took inkhorn and paper and wrote the following verses:

Indeed, thou'st told the tale of kings and men of might, Each one

a lion fierce, impetuous in the fight,

Whose wits (like mine, alack!) thou stalest and whose hearts With

shafts from out thine eyes bewitching thou didst smite.

Yea, and how slaves and steeds and good and virgin girls Were

proffered thee to gift, thou hast not failed to cite,

How presents in great store thou didst refuse and eke The givers,

great and small, with flouting didst requite.

Then came I after them, desiring thee, with me No second save my

sword, my falchion keen and bright.

No slaves with me have I nor camels swift of foot, Nor

slave-girls have I brought in curtained litters dight.

Yet, an thou wilt vouchsafe thy favours unto me, My sabre thou

shalt see the foemen put to flight;

Ay, and around Baghdad the horsemen shalt behold, Like clouds

that wall the world, full many a doughty knight,

All hearkening to my word, obeying my command, In whatsoever

thing is pleasing to my sight.

If slaves thou fain wouldst have by thousands every day Or,

kneeling at thy feet, see kings of mickle might,

And horses eke wouldst have led to thee day by day And girls,

high- breasted maids, and damsels black and white,

Lo under my command the land of Yemen is And trenchant is my

sword against the foe in fight.

Whenas the couriers came with news of thee, how fair Thou wast

and sweet and how thy visage shone with light,

All, all, for thy sweet sake, I left; ay, I forsook Aziz, my

sire, and those akin to me that hight

And unto Irak fared, my way to thee to make, And crossed the

stony wastes i' the darkness of the night.

Then sent I speech to thee in verses such as burn The heart;

reproach therein was none nor yet unright;

Yet with perfidiousness (sure Fortune's self as thou Ne'er so

perfidious was) my love thou didst requite

And deemedst me a waif, a homeless good-for-nought, A

slave-begotten brat, a wanton, witless wight.

Then he folded the letter and committed it to the nurse and gave

her five hundred dinars, saying, "Accept this from me, for that

indeed thou hast wearied thyself between us." "By Allah, O my

lord," answered she, "my desire is to bring about union between

you, though I lose that which my right hand possesseth." And he

said, "May God the Most High requite thee with good!" Then she

carried the letter to Mariyeh and said to her, "Take this letter;

belike it may be the end of the correspondence." So she took it

and breaking it open, read it, and when she had made an end of

it, she turned to the nurse and said to her, "This fellow putteth

off lies upon me and avoucheth unto me that he hath cities and

horsemen and footmen at his command and submitting to his

allegiance; and he seeketh of me that which he shall not obtain;

for thou knowest, O nurse, that kings' sons have sought me in

marriage, with presents and rarities; but I have paid no heed

unto aught of this; so how shall I accept of this fellow, who is

the fool[FN#90] of his time and possesseth nought but two caskets

of rubies, which he gave to my father, and indeed he hath taken

up his abode in the house of El Ghitrif and abideth without

silver or gold? Wherefore, I conjure thee by Allah, O nurse,

return to him and cut off his hope of me."

Accordingly the nurse returned to El Abbas, without letter or

answer; and when she came in to him, he saw that she was troubled

and noted the marks of chagrin on her face; so he said to her,

"What is this plight?" Quoth she, "I cannot set out to thee that

which Mariyeh said; for indeed she charged me return to thee

without letter or answer." "O nurse of kings," rejoined El Abbas,

"I would have thee carry her this letter and return not to her

without it." Then he took inkhorn and paper and wrote the

following verses:

My secret is disclosed, the which I strove to hide; Of thee and

of thy love enough have I abyed.

My kinsmen and my friends for thee I did forsake And left them

weeping tears that poured as 'twere a tide.

Yea, to Baghdad I came, where rigour gave me chase And I was

overthrown of cruelty and pride.

Repression's draught, by cups, from the beloved's hand I've

quaffed; with colocynth for wine she hath me plied.

Oft as I strove to make her keep the troth of love, Unto

concealment's ways still would she turn aside.

My body is dissolved with sufferance in vain; Relenting, ay, and

grace I hoped should yet betide;

But rigour still hath waxed on me and changed my case And love

hath left me bound, afflicted, weeping-eyed.

How long shall I anights distracted be for love Of thee? How long

th' assaults of grief and woes abide?

Thou, thou enjoy'st repose and comfortable sleep, Nor of the

mis'ries reckst by which my heart is wried.

I watch the stars for wake and pray that the belov'd May yet to

me relent and bid my tears be dried.

The pains of long desire have wasted me away; Estrangement and

disdain my body sore have tried.

"Be thou not hard of heart," quoth I. Had ye but deigned To visit

me in dreams, I had been satisfied.

But when ye saw my writ, the standard ye o'erthrew Of faith, your

favours grudged and aught of grace denied.

Nay, though ye read therein discourse that sure should speak To

heart and soul, no word thereunto ye replied,

But deemed yourself secure from every changing chance Nor recked

the ebb and flow of Fortune's treacherous tide.

Were my affliction thine, love's anguish hadst thou dreed And in

the flaming hell of long estrangement sighed.

Yet shall thou suffer that which I from thee have borne And with

love's woes thy heart shall yet be mortified.

The bitterness of false accusing shall thou taste And eke the

thing reveal that thou art fain to hide;

Yea, he thou lov'st shall be hard-hearted, recking not Of

fortune's turns or fate's caprices, in his pride.

Wherewith farewell, quoth I, and peace be on thee aye, What while

the branches bend, what while the stars abide.

When he had made an end of his verses, he folded the letter and

gave it to the nurse, who took it and carried it to Mariyeh. When

she came into the princess's presence, she saluted her; but

Mariyeh returned not her salutation and she said, "O my lady, how

hard is thy heart that thou grudgest to return the salutation!

Take this letter, for that it is the last of that which shall

come to thee from him." Quoth Mariyeh, "Take my warning and never

again enter my palace, or it will be the cause of thy

destruction; for I am certified that thou purposest my dishonour.

So get thee gone from me." And she commanded to beat the nurse;

whereupon the latter went forth fleeing from her presence,

changed of colour and absent of wits, and gave not over going

till she came to the house of El Abbas.

When the prince saw her in this plight, he was as a sleeper

awakened and said to her, "What hath befallen thee? Set out to me

thy case." "God on thee," answered she, "nevermore send me to

Mariyeh, and do thou protect me, so may God protect thee from the

fires of hell!" Then she related to him that which had bedded her

with Mariyeh; which when he heard, there took him the

shamefastness of the generous and this was grievous unto him. The

love of Mariyeh fled forth of his heart and he said to the nurse,

"How much hadst thou of Mariyeh every month?" "Ten dinars,"

answered she, and he said, "Be not concerned." Then he put his

hand to his poke and bringing out two hundred dinars, gave them

to her and said, "Take this for a whole year's wage and turn not

again to serve any one. When the year is out, I will give thee

two years' wage, for that thou hast wearied thyself with us and

on account of the cutting off of thy dependence upon Mariyeh."

Moreover, he gave her a complete suit of clothes and raising his

head to her, said, "When thou toldest me that which Mariyeh had

done with thee, God rooted out the love of her from my heart, and

never again will she occur to my mind; so extolled be the

perfection of Him who turneth hearts and eyes! It was she who was

the cause of my coming out from Yemen, and now the time is past

for which I engaged with my people and I fear lest my father levy

his troops and come forth in quest of me, for that he hath no

child other than myself and cannot brook to be parted from me;

and on like wise is it with my mother." When the nurse heard his

words, she said to him, "O my lord, and which of the kings is thy

father?" "My father is El Aziz, lord of Yemen and Nubia and the

Islands[FN#91] of the Benou Kehtan and the Two Noble

Sanctuaries[FN#92] (God the Most High have them in His

keeping!)," answered El Abbas; "and whenas he taketh horse, there

mount with him an hundred and twenty and four thousand horsemen,

all smiters with the sword, let alone attendants and servants and

followers, all of whom give ear unto my word and obey my

commandment." "Why, then, O my lord," asked the nurse, "didst

thou conceal the secret of thy rank and lineage and passedst

thyself off for a wayfarer? Alas for our disgrace before thee by

reason of our shortcoming in rendering thee thy due! What shall

be our excuse with thee, and thou of the sons of the kings?" But

he rejoined, "By Allah, thou hast not fallen short! Nay, it is

incumbent on me to requite thee, what while I live, though I be

far distant from thee."

Then he called his servant Aamir and said to him, "Saddle the

horses." When the nurse heard his words and indeed [she saw that]

Aamir brought him the horses and they were resolved upon

departure, the tears ran down upon her cheeks and she said to

him, "By Allah, thy separation is grievous to me, O solace of the

eye!" Then said she, "Where is the goal of thine intent, so we

may know thy news and solace ourselves with thy report?" Quoth

he, "I go hence to visit Akil, the son of my father's brother,

for that he hath his sojourn in the camp of Kundeh ben Hisham,

and these twenty years have I not seen him nor he me; wherefore I

purpose to repair to him and discover his news and return hither.

Then will I go hence to Yemen, if it be the will of God the Most

High."

So saying, he took leave of the woman and her husband and set

out, intending for Akil, his father's brother's son. Now there

was between Baghdad and Akil's abiding-place forty days' journey;

so El Abbas settled himself on the back of his courser and his

servant Aamir mounted also and they fared forth on their way.

Presently, El Abbas turned right and left and recited the

following verses:

I am the champion-slayer, the warrior without peer; My foes I

slay, destroying the hosts, when I appear.

Tow'rds El Akil my journey I take; to visit him, The wastes in

praise and safety I traverse, without fear,

And all the desert spaces devour, whilst to my rede, Or if in

sport or earnest,[FN#93] still Aamir giveth ear.

Who letteth us or hind'reth our way, I spring on him, As

springeth lynx or panther upon the frighted deer;

With ruin I o'erwhelm him and abjectness and woe And cause him

quaff the goblet of death and distance drear.

Well-ground my polished sword is and thin and keen of edge And

trenchant, eke, for smiting and long my steel-barbed spear.

So fell and fierce my stroke is, if on a mountain high It lit,

though all of granite, right through its midst 'twould

shear.

Nor troops have I nor henchmen nor one to lend me aid Save God,

to whom, my Maker, my voice in praise I rear.

'Tis He who pardoneth errors alike to slave and free; On Him is

my reliance in good and evil cheer.

Then they fell to journeying night and day, and as they went,

behold, they sighted a camp of the camps of the Arabs. So El

Abbas enquired thereof and was told that it was the camp of the

Benou Zuhreh. Now there were around them sheep and cattle, such

as filled the earth, and they were enemies to El Akil, the cousin

of El Abbas, upon whom they still made raids and took his cattle;

wherefore he used to pay them tribute every year, for that he

availed not to cope with them. When El Abbas came near the camp,

he dismounted from his courser and his servant Aamir also

dismounted; and they set down the victual and ate their

sufficiency and rested awhile of the day. Then said the prince to

Aamir, "Fetch water and give the horses to drink and draw water

for us in thy water-bag, by way of provision for the road."

So Aamir took the water-skin and made for the water; but, when he

came to the well, behold, two young men with gazelles, and when

they saw him, they said to him, "Whither wilt thou, O youth, and

of which of the Arabs art thou?" "Harkye, lads," answered he,

"fill me my water-skin, for that I am a stranger man and a

wayfarer and I have a comrade who awaiteth me." Quoth they, "Thou

art no wayfarer, but a spy from El Akil's camp." Then they took

him and carried him to [their king] Zuheir ben Shebib; and when

he came before him, he said to him, "Of which of the Arabs art

thou?" Quoth Aamir, "I am a wayfarer." And Zuheir said, "Whence

comest thou and whither wilt thou?" "I am on my way to Akil,"

answered Aamir. When he named Akil, those who were present were

agitated; but Zuheir signed to them with his eyes and said to

him, "What is thine errand with Akil?" Quoth he, "We would fain

see him, my friend and I."

When Zuheir heard his words, he bade smite off his head; but his

Vizier said to him, "Slay him not, till his friend be present."

So he commanded the two slaves to fetch his friend; whereupon

they repaired to El Abbas and called to him, saying, "O youth,

answer the summons of King Zuheir." "What would the king with

me?" asked he, and they answered, "We know not." Quoth he, "Who

gave the king news of me?" "We went to draw water," answered

they, "and found a man by the water. So we questioned him of his

case, but he would not acquaint us therewith; wherefore we

carried him perforce to King Zuheir, who questioned him of his

case and he told him that he was going to Akil. Now Akil is the

king's enemy and he purposeth to betake himself to his camp and

make prize of his offspring and cut off his traces." "And what,"

asked El Abbas, "hath Akil done with King Zuheir?" And they

replied, "He engaged for himself that he would bring the king

every year a thousand dinars and a thousand she-camels, besides a

thousand head of thoroughbred horses and two hundred black slaves

and fifty slave-girls; but it hath reached the king that Akil

purposeth to give nought of this; wherefore he is minded to go to

him. So hasten thou with us, ere the king be wroth with thee and

with us."

Then said El Abbas to them, "O youths, sit by my arms and my

horse till I return." But they answered, saying, "By Allah, thou

prolongest discourse with that which beseemeth not of words! Make

haste, or we will go with thy head, for indeed the king purposeth

to slay thee and to slay thy comrade and take that which is with

you." When the prince heard this, his skin quaked and he cried

out at them with a cry that made them tremble. Then he sprang

upon his horse and settling himself in the saddle, galloped till

he came to the king's assembly, when he cried out at the top of

his voice, saying ["To horse,] cavaliers!" And levelled his spear

at the pavilion wherein was Zuheir. Now there were about him a

thousand smiters with the sword; but El Abbas fell in upon them

and dispersed them from around him, and there abode none in the

tent save Zuheir and his vizier.

Then came up El Abbas to the door of the tent, and therein were

four-and-twenty golden doves; so he took them, after he had

beaten them down with the end of his lance. Then he called out,

saying, "Harkye, Zuheir! Doth it not suffice thee that thou hast

quelled El Akil's repute, but thou art minded to quell that of

those who sojourn round about him? Knowest thou not that he is of

the lieutenants of Kundeh ben [Hisham of the Benou] Sheiban, a

man renowned for prowess? Indeed, covetise of him hath entered

into thee and jealousy of him hath gotten possession of thee.

Doth it not suffice thee that thou hast orphaned his

children[FN#94] and slain his men? By the virtue of the Chosen

Prophet, I will make thee drink the cup of death!" So saying, he

drew his sword and smiting Zuheir on his shoulder, caused the

steel issue, gleaming, from the tendons of his throat. Then he

smote the vizier and clove his head in sunder.

As he was thus, behold, Aamir called out to him and said, "O my

lord, come to my help, or I am a dead man!" So El Abbas went up

to him and found him cast down on his back and chained with four

chains to four pickets of iron. He loosed his bonds and said to

him, "Go before me, O Aamir." So he fared on before him a little,

and presently they looked, and behold, horsemen making to

Zuheir's succour, to wit, twelve thousand cavaliers, with Sehl

ben Kaab in their van, mounted upon a jet-black steed. He charged

upon Aamir, who fled from him, then upon El Abbas, who said, "O

Aamir, cleave fast to my horse and guard my back." Aamir did as

he bade him, whereupon El Abbas cried out at the folk and falling

upon them, overthrew their braves and slew of them nigh two

thousand cavaliers, whilst not one of them knew what was to do

nor with whom he fought. Then said one of them to other, "Verily,

the king is slain; so with whom do we wage war? Indeed ye flee

from him; so do ye enter under his banners, or not one of you

will be saved."

Thereupon they all dismounted and putting off that which was upon

them of harness of war, came before El Abbas and tendered him

allegiance and sued for his protection. So he held his hand from

them and bade them gather together the spoils. Then he took the

riches and the slaves and the camels, and they all became his

liege-men and his retainers, to the number (according to that

which is said) of fifty thousand horse. Moreover, the folk heard

of him and flocked to him from all sides; whereupon he divided

[the spoil amongst them] and gave gifts and abode thus three

days, and there came presents to him. Then he bade set out for

Akil's abiding-place; so they fared on six days and on the

seventh day they came in sight of the camp. El Abbas bade his man

Aamir forego him and give Akil the glad news of his cousin's

coming. So he rode on to the camp and going in to Akil, gave him

the glad news of Zuheir's slaughter and the conquest of his

tribe.

Akil rejoiced in the coming of El Abbas and the slaughter of his

enemy and all in his camp rejoiced also and cast dresses of

honour upon Aamir. Moreover, Akil bade go forth to meet El Abbas,

and commanded that none, great or small, freeman or slave, should

tarry behind. So they did his bidding and going forth all, met El

Abbas at three parasangs' distance from the camp. When they met

him, they all dismounted from their horses and Akil and he

embraced and clapped hands.[FN#95] Then they returned, rejoicing

in the coming of El Abbas and the slaughter of their enemy, to

the camp, where tents were pitched for the new-comers and carpets

spread and game killed and beasts slaughtered and royal

guest-meals spread; and on this wise they abode twenty days, in

the enjoyment of all delight and solace of life.

To return to King El Aziz. When his son El Abbas left him, he was

desolated for him with an exceeding desolation, he and his

mother; and when tidings of him tarried long and the appointed

time passed [and the prince returned not], the king caused public

proclamation to be made, commanding all his troops to make ready

to mount and go forth in quest of his son El Abbas at the end of

three days, after which time no cause of hindrance nor excuse

should be admitted unto any. So on the fourth day, the king bade

number the troops, and behold, they were four-and-twenty thousand

horse, besides servants and followers. Accordingly, they reared

the standards and the drums beat to departure and the king set

out [with his army], intending for Baghdad; nor did he cease to

fare on with all diligence, till he came within half a day's

journey of the city and bade his troops encamp in [a place there

called] the Green Meadow. So they pitched the tents there, till

the country was straitened with them, and set up for the king a

pavilion of green brocade, broidered with pearls and jewels.

When El Aziz had sat awhile, he summoned the mamelukes of his son

El Abbas, and they were five-and-twenty in number, besides half a

score slave-girls, as they were moons, five of whom the king had

brought with him and other five he had left with the prince's

mother. When the mamelukes came before him, he cast over each of

them a mantle of green brocade and bade them mount like horses of

one and the same fashion and enter Baghdad and enquire concerning

their lord El Abbas. So they entered the city and passed through

the [streets and] markets, and there abode in Baghdad nor old man

nor boy but came forth to gaze on them and divert himself with

the sight of their beauty and grace and the goodliness of their

aspect and of their clothes and horses, for that they were even

as moons. They gave not over going till they came to the royal

palace, where they halted, and the king looked at them and seeing

their beauty and the goodliness of their apparel and the

brightness of their faces, said, "Would I knew of which of the

tribes these are!" And he bade the eunuch bring him news of them.

So he went out to them and questioned them of their case,

whereupon, "Return to thy lord," answered they, "and question him

of Prince El Abbas, if he have come unto him, for that he left

his father King El Aziz a full-told year agone, and indeed

longing for him troubleth the king and he hath levied a part of

his army and his guards and is come forth in quest of his son, so

haply he may light upon tidings of him." Quoth the eunuch, "Is

there amongst you a brother of his or a son?" "Nay, by Allah!"

answered they. "But we are all his mamelukes and the boughten of

his money, and his father El Aziz hath despatched us to make

enquiry of him. So go thou to thy lord and question him of the

prince and return to us with that which he shall answer you."

"And where is King El Aziz?" asked the eunuch; and they replied,

"He is encamped in the Green Meadow."[FN#96]

The eunuch returned and told the king, who said, "Indeed, we have

been neglectful with regard to El Abbas. What shall be our excuse

with the king? By Allah, my soul misdoubted me that the youth was

of the sons of the kings!" The Lady Afifeh, his wife, saw him

lamenting for [his usage of] El Abbas and said to him, "O king,

what is it thou regrettest with this exceeding regret?" Quoth he,

"Thou knowest the stranger youth, who gave us the rubies?"

"Assuredly," answered she; and he said, "Yonder youths, who have

halted in the palace court, are his mamelukes, and his father

King El Aziz, lord of Yemen, hath pitched his camp in the Green

Meadow; for he is come with his army to seek him, and the number

of his troops is [four-and-] twenty thousand men." [Then he went

out from her], and when she heard his words, she wept sore for

him and had compassion on his case and sent after him,

counselling him to send for the mamelukes and lodge them [in the

palace] and entertain them.

The king gave ear to her counsel and despatching the eunuch for

the mamelukes, assigned them a lodging and said to them, "Have

patience, till the king give you tidings of your lord El Abbas."

When they heard his words, their eyes ran over with plenteous

tears, of their much longing for the sight of their lord. Then

the king bade the queen enter the privy chamber[FN#97] and let

down the curtain[FN#98] [before the door thereof]. So she did

this and he summoned them to his presence. When they stood before

him, they kissed the earth, to do him worship, and showed forth

their breeding[FN#99] and magnified his dignity. He bade them

sit, but they refused, till he conjured them by their lord El

Abbas. So they sat down and he caused set before them food of

various kinds and fruits and sweetmeats. Now within the Lady

Afifeh's palace was an underground way communicating with the

palace of the princess Mariyeh. So the queen sent after her and

she came to her, whereupon she made her stand behind the curtain

and gave her to know that El Abbas was the king's son of Yemen

and that these were his mamelukes. Moreover, she told her that

the prince's father had levied his troops and was come with his

army in quest of him and that he had pitched his camp in the

Green Meadow and despatched these mamelukes to make enquiry of

their lord. So Mariyeh abode looking upon them and upon their

beauty and grace and the goodliness of their apparel, till they

had eaten their fill of food and the tables were removed;

whereupon the king recounted to them the story of El Abbas and

they took leave of him and went away.

As for the princess Mariyeh, when she returned to her palace, she

bethought herself concerning the affair of El Abbas, repenting

her of that which she had done, and the love of him took root in

her heart. So, when the night darkened upon her, she dismissed

all her women and bringing out the letters, to wit, those which

El Abbas had written, fell to reading them and weeping. She gave

not over weeping her night long, and when she arose in the

morning, she called a damsel of her slave-girls, Shefikeh by

name, and said to her, "O damsel, I purpose to discover to thee

mine affair, and I charge thee keep my secret; to wit, I would

have thee betake thyself to the house of the nurse, who used to

serve me, and fetch her to me, for that I have grave occasion for

her."

Accordingly, Shefikeh went out and repairing to the nurse's

house, found her clad in apparel other[FN#100] than that which

she had been wont to wear aforetime. So she saluted her and said

to her, "Whence hadst thou this dress, than which there is no

goodlier?" "O Shefikeh," answered the nurse, "thou deemest that I

have gotten[FN#101] no good save of thy mistress; but, by Allah,

had I endeavoured for her destruction, I had done [that which was

my right], for that she did with me what thou knowest[FN#102] and

bade the eunuch beat me, without offence of me committed;

wherefore do thou tell her that he, on whose behalf I bestirred

myself with her, hath made me quit of her and her humours, for

that he hath clad me in this habit and given me two hundred and

fifty dinars and promised me the like thereof every year and

charged me serve none of the folk."

Quoth Shefikeh, "My mistress hath occasion for thee; so come thou

with me and I will engage to restore thee to thy dwelling in weal

and safety." But the nurse answered, saying, "Indeed, her palace

is become forbidden[FN#103] to me and never again will I enter

therein, for that God (extolled be His perfection and exalted be

He!) of His favour and bounty hath rendered me independent of

her." So Shefikeh returned to her mistress and acquainted her

with the nurse's words and that wherein she was of affluence;

whereupon Mariyeh confessed the unseemliness of her dealing with

her and repented, whenas repentance profited her not; and she

abode in that her case days and nights, whilst the fire of

longing flamed in her heart.

Meanwhile, El Abbas abode with his cousin Akil twenty days, after

which he made ready for the journey to Baghdad and letting bring

the booty he had gotten of King Zuheir, divided it between

himself and his cousin. Then he set out for Baghdad, and when he

came within two days' journey of the city, he called his servant

Aamir and bade him mount his charger and forego him with the

baggage-train and the cattle. So Aamir [took horse and] fared on

till he came to Baghdad, and the season of his entering was the

first of the day; nor was there little child or hoary old man in

the city but came forth to divert himself with gazing on those

flocks and herds and upon the goodliness of those slave-girls,

and their wits were amazed at what they saw. Presently the news

reached the king that the young man El Abbas, who had gone forth

from him, was come back with herds and rarities and slaves and a

mighty host and had taken up his sojourn without the city, whilst

his servant Aamir was presently come to Baghdad, so he might make

ready dwelling- places for his lord, wherein he should take up

his abode.

When the king heard these tidings of Aamir, he sent for him and

let bring him before him; and when he entered his presence, he

kissed the earth and saluted and showed forth his breeding and

greeted him with the goodliest of compliments. The king bade him

raise his head and questioned him of his lord El Abbas; whereupon

he acquainted him with his tidings and told him that which had

betided him with King Zuheir and of the army that was become at

his commandment and of the spoil that he had gotten. Moreover, he

gave him to know that El Abbas was coming on the morrow, and with

him more than fifty thousand cavaliers, obedient to his

commandment. When the king heard his speech, he bade decorate

Baghdad and commanded [the inhabitants] to equip themselves with

the richest of their apparel, in honour of the coming of El

Abbas. Moreover, he sent to give King El Aziz the glad tidings of

his son's return and acquainted him with that which he had heard

from the prince's servant.

When the news reached El Aziz, he rejoiced with an exceeding joy

in the coming of his son and straightway took horse, he and all

his army, what while the trumpets sounded and the musicians

played, that the earth quaked and Baghdad also trembled, and it

was a notable day. When Mariyeh beheld all this, she repented

with the uttermost of repentance of that which she had wroughten

against El Abbas his due and the fires still raged in her vitals.

Meanwhile, the troops[FN#104] sallied forth of Baghdad and went

out to meet those of El Abbas, who had halted in a meadow called

the Green Island. When he espied the approaching host, he knew

not what they were; so he strained his sight and seeing horsemen

coming and troops and footmen, said to those about him, "Among

yonder troops are ensigns and banners of various kinds; but, as

for the great green standard that ye see, it is the standard of

my father, the which is reserved [unto him and never displayed

save] over his head, and [by this] I know that he himself is come

out in quest of me." And he was certified of this, he and his

troops.

[So he fared on towards them] and when he drew near unto them, he

knew them and they knew him; whereupon they lighted down from

their horses and saluting him, gave him joy of his safety and the

folk flocked to him. When he came to his father, they embraced

and greeted each other a long time, whilst neither of them

availed unto speech, for the greatness of that which betided them

of joy in reunion. Then El Abbas bade the folk mount; so they

mounted and his mamelukes surrounded him and they entered Baghdad

on the most magnificent wise and in the highest worship and

glory.

The wife of the shopkeeper, to wit, the nurse, came out, with the

rest of those who came out, to divert herself with gazing upon

the show, and when she saw El Abbas and beheld his beauty and the

goodliness of his army and that which he had brought back with

him of herds and slaves and slave-girls and mamelukes, she

improvised and recited the following verses:

El Abbas from Akil his stead is come again; Prize hath he made of

steeds and many a baggage-train;

Yea, horses hath he brought, full fair of shape and hue, Whose

collars, anklet-like, ring to the bridle-rein.

Taper of hoofs and straight of stature, in the dust They prance,

as like a flood they pour across the plain;

And on their saddles perched are warriors richly clad, That with

their hands do smite on kettle-drums amain.

Couched are their limber spears, right long and lithe of point,

Keen- ground and polished sheer, amazing wit and brain.

Who dares with them to cope draws death upon himself; Yea, of the

deadly lance incontinent he's slain.

Come, then, companions mine, rejoice with me and say, "All hail

to thee, O friend, and welcome fair and fain!"

For whoso doth rejoice in meeting him shall have Largesse and

gifts galore at his dismounting gain.

When the troops entered Baghdad, each of them alighted in his

pavilion, whilst El Abbas encamped apart in a place near the

Tigris and commanded to slaughter for the troops, each day, that

which should suffice them of oxen and sheep and bake them bread

and spread the tables. So the folk ceased not to come to him and

eat of his banquet. Moreover, all the people of the country came

to him with presents and rarities and he requited them many times

the like of their gifts, so that the lands were filled with his

tidings and the report of him was bruited abroad among the folk

of the deserts and the cities.

Then, when he rode to his house that he had bought, the

shopkeeper and his wife came to him and gave him joy of his

safety; whereupon he ordered them three swift thoroughbred horses

and ten dromedaries and an hundred head of sheep and clad them

both in sumptuous dresses of honour. Then he chose out ten

slave-girls and ten black slaves and fifty horses and the like

number of she- camels and three hundred head of sheep, together

with twenty ounces of musk and as many of camphor, and sent all

this to the King of Baghdad. When this came to Ins ben Cais, his

wit fled for joy and he was perplexed wherewithal to requite him.

Moreover, El Abbas gave gifts and largesse and bestowed dresses

of honour upon great and small, each after the measure of his

station, save only Mariyeh; for unto her he sent nothing.

This was grievous to the princess and it irked her sore that he

should not remember her; so she called her slave- girl Shefikeh

and said to her, "Go to El Abbas and salute him and say to him,

'What hindereth thee from sending my lady Mariyeh her part of thy

booty?'" So Shefikeh betook herself to him and when she came to

his door, the chamberlains refused her admission, until they

should have gotten her leave and permission. When she entered, El

Abbas knew her and knew that she had somewhat of speech [with

him]; so he dismissed his mamelukes and said to her, "What is

thine errand, O handmaid of good?" "O my lord," answered she, "I

am a slave-girl of the Princess Mariyeh, who kisseth thy hands

and commendeth her salutation to thee. Indeed, she rejoiceth in

thy safety and reproacheth thee for that thou breakest her heart,

alone of all the folk, for that thy largesse embraceth great and

small, yet hast thou not remembered her with aught of thy booty.

Indeed, it is as if thou hadst hardened thy heart against her."

Quoth he, "Extolled be the perfection of him who turneth hearts!

By Allah, my vitals were consumed with the love of her

[aforetime] and of my longing after her, I came forth to her from

my native land and left my people and my home and my wealth, and

it was with her that began the hardheartedness and the cruelty.

Nevertheless, for all this, I bear her no malice and needs must I

send her somewhat whereby she may remember me; for that I abide

in her land but a few days, after which I set out for the land of

Yemen."

Then he called for a chest and bringing out thence a necklace of

Greek handiwork, worth a thousand dinars, wrapped it in a mantle

of green silk, set with pearls and jewels and inwrought with red

gold, and joined thereto two caskets of musk and ambergris.

Moreover, he put off upon the girl a mantle of Greek silk,

striped with gold, wherein were divers figures and semblants

depictured, never saw eyes its like. Therewithal the girl's wit

fled for joy and she went forth from his presence and returned to

her mistress. When she came in to her, she acquainted her with

that which she had seen of El Abbas and that which was with him

of servants and attendants and [set out to her] the loftiness of

his station and gave her that which was with her.

Mariyeh opened the mantle, and when she saw that necklace, and

indeed the place was illumined with the lustre thereof, she

looked at her slave-girl and said to her, "By Allah, O Shefikeh,

one look at him were liefer to me than all that my hand

possesseth! Would I knew what I shall do, whenas Baghdad is empty

of him and I hear no tidings of him!" Then she wept and calling

for inkhorn* and paper and pen of brass, wrote the following

verses:

Still do I yearn, whilst passion's fire flames in my liver aye;

For parting's shafts have smitten me and done my strength

away.

Oft for thy love as I would be consoled, my yearning turns

To-thee- ward still and my desires my reason still gainsay.

My transports I conceal for fear of those thereon that spy; Yet

down my cheeks the tears course still and still my case

bewray.

No rest is there for me, no life wherein I may delight, Nor

pleasant meat nor drink avails to please me, night or day.

To whom save thee shall I complain, of whom relief implore, Whose

image came to visit me, what while in dreams I lay?

Reproach me not for what I did, but be thou kind to one Who's

sick of body and whose heart is wasted all away.

The fire of love-longing I hide; severance consumeth me, A thrall

of care, for long desire to wakefulness a prey.

Midmost the watches of the night I see thee, in a dream; A lying

dream, for he I love my love doth not repay.

Would God thou knewest that for love of thee which I endure! It

hath indeed brought down on me estrangement and dismay.

Read thou my writ and apprehend its purport, for my case This is

and fate hath stricken me with sorrows past allay.

Know, then, the woes that have befall'n a lover, neither grudge

Her secret to conceal, but keep her counsel still, I pray.

Then she folded the letter and giving it to her slave-girl, bade

her carry it to El Abbas and bring back his answer thereto.

Accordingly, Shefikeh took the letter and carried it to the

prince, after the doorkeeper had sought leave of him to admit

her. When she came in to him, she found with him five damsels, as

they were moons, clad in [rich] apparel and ornaments; and when

he saw her, he said to her, "What is thine occasion, O handmaid

of good?" So she put out her hand to him with the letter, after

she had kissed it, and he bade one of his slave-girls receive it

from her. Then he took it from the girl and breaking it open,

read it and apprehended its purport; whereupon "We are God's and

to Him we return!" exclaimed he and calling for ink- horn and

paper, wrote the following verses:

I marvel for that to my love I see thee now incline, What time my

heart, indeed, is fain to turn away from thine.

Whilere, the verses that I made it was thy wont to flout, Saying,

"No passer by the way[FN#105] hath part in me or mine.

How many a king to me hath come, of troops and guards ensued, And

Bactrian camels brought with him, in many a laden line,

And dromedaries, too, of price and goodly steeds and swift Of

many a noble breed, yet found no favour in my eyne!"

Then, after them came I to thee and union did entreat And unto

thee set forth at length my case and my design;

Yea, all my passion and desire and love-longing in verse, As

pearls in goodly order strung it were, I did enshrine.

Yet thou repaidst me with constraint, rigour and perfidy, To

which no lover might himself on any wise resign.

How many a bidder unto love, a secret-craving wight, How many a

swain, complaining, saith of destiny malign,

"How many a cup with bitterness o'erflowing have I quaffed! I

make my moan of woes, whereat it boots not to repine."

Quoth thou, "The goodliest of things is patience and its use: Its

practice still mankind doth guide to all that's fair and

fine."

Wherefore fair patience look thou use, for sure 'tis

praiseworthy; Yea, and its issues evermore are blessed and

benign;

And hope thou not for aught from me, who reck not with a folk To

mix, who may with abjectness infect my royal line.

This is my saying; apprehend its purport, then, and know I may in

no wise yield consent to that thou dost opine.

Then he folded the letter and sealing it, delivered it to the

damsel, who took it and carried it to her mistress. When the

princess read the letter and apprehended its contents, she said,

"Meseemeth he recalleth to me that which I did aforetime." Then

she called for inkhorn and paper and wrote the following verses:

Me, till I stricken was therewith, to love thou didst excite, And

with estrangement now, alas! heap'st sorrows on my spright.

The sweet of slumber after thee I have forsworn; indeed The loss

of thee hath smitten me with trouble and affright.

How long shall I, in weariness, for this estrangement pine, What

while the spies of severance[FN#106] do watch me all the

night?

My royal couch have I forsworn, sequestering myself From all, and

have mine eyes forbid the taste of sleep's delight.

Thou taught'st me what I cannot bear; afflicted sore am I; Yea,

thou hast wasted me away with rigour and despite.

Yet, I conjure thee, blame me not for passion and desire, Me whom

estrangement long hath brought to sick and sorry plight.

Sore, sore doth rigour me beset, its onslaughts bring me near

Unto the straitness of the grave, ere in the shroud I'm

dight.

So be thou kind to me, for love my body wasteth sore, The thrall

of passion I'm become its fires consume me quite.

Mariyeh folded the letter and gave it to Shefikeh, bidding her

carry it to El Abbas. So she took it and going with it to his

door, would have entered; but the chamberlains and serving-men

forbade her, till they had gotten her leave from the prince. When

she went in to him, she found him sitting in the midst of the

five damsels aforesaid, whom his father had brought him. So she

gave him the letter and he took it and read it. Then he bade one

of the damsels, whose name was Khefifeh and who came from the

land of China, tune her lute and sing upon the subject of

separation. So she came forward and tuning the lute, played

thereon in four-and-twenty modes; after which she returned to the

first mode and sang the following verses:

Upon the parting day our loves from us did fare And left us to

endure estrangement and despair.

Whenas the burdens all were bounden on and shrill The

camel-leader's call rang out across the air,

Fast flowed my tears; despair gat hold upon my soul And needs

mine eyelids must the sweet of sleep forbear.

I wept, but those who spied to part us had no ruth On me nor on

the fires that in my vitals flare.

Woe's me for one who burns for love and longing pain! Alas for

the regrets my heart that rend and tear!

To whom shall I complain of what is in my soul, Now thou art gone

and I my pillow must forswear?

The flames of long desire wax on me day by day And far away are

pitched the tent-poles of my fair.

O breeze of heaven, from me a charge I prithee take And do not

thou betray the troth of my despair;

Whenas thou passest by the dwellings of my love, Greet him for me

with peace, a greeting debonair,

And scatter musk on him and ambergris, so long As time endures;

for this is all my wish and care.

When the damsel had made an end of her song, El Abbas swooned

away and they sprinkled on him rose-water, mingled with musk,

till he came to himself, when he called another damsel (now there

was on her of linen and clothes and ornaments that which

beggareth description, and she was endowed with brightness and

loveliness and symmetry and perfection, such as shamed the

crescent moon, and she was a Turkish girl from the land of the

Greeks and her name was Hafizeh) and said to her, "O Hafizeh,

close thine eyes and tune thy lute and sing to us upon the days

of separation." She answered him with "Hearkening and obedience"

and taking the lute, tuned its strings and cried out from her

head,[FN#107] in a plaintive voice, and sang the following

verses:

O friends, the tears flow ever, in mockery of my pain; My heart

is sick for sev'rance and love-longing in vain.

All wasted is my body and bowels tortured sore; Love's fire on me

still waxeth, mine eyes with tears still rain.

Whenas the fire of passion flamed in my breast, with tears, Upon

the day of wailing, to quench it I was fain.

Desire hath left me wasted, afflicted, sore afraid, For the spy

knows the secret whereof I do complain.

When I recall the season of love-delight with them, The sweet of

sleep forsakes me, my body wastes amain.

Those who our parting plotted our sev'rance still delights; The

spies, for fearful prudence, their wish of us attain.

I fear me for my body from sickness and unrest, Lest of the fear

of sev'rance it be betrayed and slain.

When Hafizeh had made an end of her song, El Abbas said to her,

"Well done! Indeed, thou quickenest hearts from sorrows." Then he

called another damsel of the daughters of the Medes, by name

Merjaneh, and said to her, "O Merjaneh, sing to me upon the days

of separation." "Hearkening and obedience," answered she and

improvising, sang the following verses:

"Fair patience practise, for thereon still followeth content." So

runs the rede 'mongst all that dwell in city or in tent.

How oft of dole have I made moan for love and longing pain, What

while my body for desire in mortal peril went!

How oft I've waked, how many a cup of sorrow have I drained,

Watching the stars of night go by, for sleepless

languishment!

It had sufficed me, had thy grace with verses come to me; My

expectation still on thee in the foredawns was bent.

Then was my heart by that which caused my agitation seared, And

from mine eyelids still the tears poured down without

relent.

Yea, nevermore I ceased from that wherewith I stricken was; My

night with wakefulness was filled, my heart with dreariment.

But now hath Allah from my heart blotted the love of thee, After

for constancy I'd grown a name of wonderment.

Hence on the morrow forth I fare and leave your land behind; So

take your leave of us nor fear mishap or ill event.

Whenas in body ye from us are far removed, would God I knew who

shall to us himself with news of you present!

And who can tell if ever house shall us together bring In union

of life serene and undisturbed content?

When Merjaneh had made an end of her song, the prince said to

her, "Well done, O damsel! Indeed, thou sayest a thing that had

occurred to my mind and my tongue was like to speak it." Then he

signed to the fourth damsel, who was a Cairene, by name Sitt el

Husn, and bade her tune her lute and sing to him upon the [same]

subject. So she tuned her lute and sang the following verses:

Fair patience use, for ease still followeth after stress And all

things have their time and ordinance no less.

Though Fortune whiles to thee belike may be unjust, Her seasons

change and man's excused if he transgress.

In her revolving scheme, to bitter sweetness still Succeeds and

things become straight, after crookedness.

Thine honour, therefore, guard and eke thy secret keep, Nor save

to one free-born and true thy case confess.

The Lord's alternatives are these, wherewith He's wont The needy

wretch to ply and those in sore duresse.

When El Abbas heard her verses, they pleased him and he said to

her, "Well done, O Sitt el Husn! Indeed, thou hast done away

trouble from my heart and [banished] the things that had occurred

to my mind." Then he heaved a sigh and signing to the fifth

damsel, who was from the land of the Persians and whose name was

Merziyeh (now she was the fairest of them all and the sweetest of

speech and she was like unto a splendid star, endowed with beauty

and loveliness and brightness and perfection and justness of

shape and symmetry and had a face like the new moon and eyes as

they were gazelle's eyes) and said to her, "O Merziyeh, come

forward and tune thy lute and sing to us on the [same] subject,

for indeed we are resolved upon departure to the land of Yemen."

Now this damsel had met many kings and had consorted with the

great; so she tuned her lute and sang the following verses:

May the place of my session ne'er lack thee I Oh, why, My heart's

love, hast thou saddened my mind and mine eye?[FN#108]

By thy ransom,[FN#109] who dwellest alone in my heart, In despair

for the loss of the loved one am I.

So, by Allah, O richest of all men in charms, Vouchsafe to a

lover, who's bankrupt well-nigh

Of patience, thy whilom endearments again, That I never to any

divulged, nor deny

The approof of my lord, so my stress and unease I may ban and

mine enemies' malice defy,

Thine approof which shall clothe me in noblest attire And my rank

in the eyes of the people raise high.

When she had made an end of her song, all who were in the

assembly wept for the daintiness of her speech and the sweetness

of her voice and El Abbas said to her, "Well done, O Merziyeh I

Indeed, thou confoundest the wits with the goodliness of thy

verses and the elegance of thy speech." All this while Shefikeh

abode gazing upon her, and when she beheld El Abbas his

slave-girls and considered the goodliness of their apparel and

the nimbleness of their wits and the elegance of their speech,

her reason was confounded. Then she sought leave of El Abbas and

returning to her mistress Mariyeh, without letter or answer,

acquainted her with his case and that wherein he was of puissance

and delight and majesty and venerance and loftiness of rank.

Moreover, she told her what she had seen of the slave-girls and

their circumstance and that which they had said and how they had

made El Abbas desireful of returning to his own country by the

recitation of verses to the sound of the strings.

When the princess heard this her slave-girl's report, she wept

and lamented and was like to depart the world. Then she clave to

her pillow and said, "O Shefikeh, I will instruct thee of

somewhat that is not hidden from God the Most High, and it is

that thou watch over me till God the Most High decree the

accomplishment of His commandment, and when my days are ended,

take thou the necklace and the mantle that El Abbas gave me and

return them to him. Indeed, I deem not he will live after me, and

if God the Most High decree against him and his days come to an

end, do thou give one charge to shroud us and bury us both in one

grave."

Then her case changed and her colour paled; and when Shefikeh saw

her mistress in this plight, she repaired to her mother and told

her that the lady Mariyeh refused meat and drink. "Since when

hath this befallen her?" asked the queen, and Shefikeh answered,

"Since yesterday;" whereat the queen was confounded and betaking

herself to her daughter, that she might enquire into her case,

found her as one dead. So she sat down at her head and Mariyeh

opened her eyes and seeing her mother sitting by her, sat up for

shamefastness before her. The queen questioned her of her case

and she said, "I entered the bath and it stupefied me and

weakened me and left an exceeding pain in my head; but I trust in

God the Most High that it will cease."

When her mother went out from her, Mariyeh fell to chiding the

damsel for that which she had done and said to her, "Verily,

death were leifer to me than this; so look thou discover not my

affair to any and I charge thee return not to the like of this

fashion." Then she swooned away and lay awhile without life, and

when she came to herself, she saw Shefikeh weeping over her;

whereupon she took the necklace from her neck and the mantle from

her body and said to the damsel, "Lay them in a napkin of damask

and carry them to El Abbas and acquaint him with that wherein I

am for the persistence of estrangement and the effects of

forbiddance." So Shefikeh took them and carried them to El Abbas,

whom she found in act to depart, for that he was about to take

horse for Yemen. She went in to him and gave him the napkin and

that which was therein, and when he opened it and saw what it

contained, to wit, the mantle and the necklace, his vexation was

excessive and his eyes were distorted, [so that the whites

thereof appeared] and his rage was manifest in them.

When Shefikeh saw that which betided him, she came forward and

said to him, "O bountiful lord, indeed my mistress returneth not

the mantle and the necklace despitefully; but she is about to

depart the world and thou hast the best right to them." "And what

is the cause of this?" asked he. Quoth Shefikeh, "Thou knowest.

By Allah, never among the Arabs nor the barbarians nor among the

sons of the kings saw I a harder of heart than thou! Is it a

light matter to thee that thou troublest Mariyeh's life and

causest her mourn for herself and depart the world on account

of[FN#110] thy youth? Indeed, thou wast the cause of her

acquaintance with thee and now she departeth the world on thine

account, she whose like God the Most High hath not created among

the daughters of the kings."

When El Abbas heard these words from the damsel, his heart irked

him for Mariyeh and her case was grievous to him; so he said to

Shefikeh, "Canst thou avail to bring me in company with her, so

haply I may discover her affair and allay that which aileth her?"

"Yes," answered the damsel, "I can do that, and thine will be the

bounty and the favour." So he arose and followed her, and she

forewent him, till they came to the palace. Then she [opened and]

locked behind them four-and-twenty doors and made them fast with

bolts; and when he came to Mariyeh, he found her as she were the

setting sun, cast down upon a rug of Taifi leather,[FN#111] among

cushions stuffed with ostrich down, and not a limb of her

quivered. When her maid saw her in this plight, she offered to

cry out; but El Abbas said to her, "Do it not, but have patience

till we discover her affair; and if God the Most High have

decreed the ending of her days, wait till thou have opened the

doors to me and I have gone forth. Then do what seemeth good to

thee."

So saying, he went up to the princess and laying his hand upon

her heart, found it fluttering like a doveling and the life yet

clinging to[FN#112] her bosom. So he laid his hand upon her

cheek, whereupon she opened her eyes and beckoning to her maid,

signed to her, as who should say, "Who is this that treadeth my

carpet and transgresseth against me?"[FN#113] "O my lady,"

answered Shefikeh, "this is Prince El Abbas, for whose sake thou

departest the world." When Mariyeh heard speak of El Abbas, she

raised her hand from under the coverlet and laying it upon his

neck, inhaled his odour awhile. Then she sat up and her colour

returned to her and they sat talking till a third part of the

night was past.

Presently, the princess turned to her maid and bade her fetch

them somewhat of food and sweetmeats and dessert and fruits. So

Shefikeh brought what she desired and they ate and drank [and

abode on this wise] without lewdness, till the night departed and

the day came. Then said El Abbas, "Indeed, the day is come. Shall

I go to my father and bid him go to thy father and seek thee of

him in marriage for me, in accordance with the Book of God the

Most High and the Institutes of His Apostle (whom may He bless

and keep!) so we may not enter into transgression?" And Mariyeh

answered, saying, "By Allah, it is well counselled of thee!" So

he went away to his lodging and nought befell between them; and

when the day lightened, she improvised and recited the following

verses:

O friends, the East wind waxes, the morning draweth near; A

plaintive voice[FN#114] bespeaks me and I rejoice to hear.

Up, to our comrade's convent, that we may visit him And drink of

wine more subtle than dust;[FN#115] our trusty fere

Hath spent thereon his substance, withouten stint; indeed, In his

own cloak he wrapped it, he tendered it so dear.[FN#116]

Whenas its jar was opened, the singers prostrate fell In worship

of its brightness, it shone so wonder-clear.

The priests from all the convent came flocking onto it: With

cries of joy and welcome their voices they did rear.

We spent the night in passing the cup, my mates and I, Till in

the Eastward heaven the day-star did appear.

No sin is there in drinking of wine, for it affords All that's

foretold[FN#117] of union and love and happy cheer.

O morn, our loves that sunder'st, a sweet and easeful life Thou

dost for me prohibit, with thy regard austere.

Be gracious, so our gladness may be fulfilled with wine And we of

our beloved have easance, without fear.

The best of all religions your love is, for in you Are love and

life made easeful, untroubled and sincere.

Meanwhile, El Abbas betook himself to his father's camp, which

was pitched in the Green Meadow, by the side of the Tigris, and

none might make his way between the tents, for the much

interlacement of the tent-ropes. When the prince reached the

first of the tents, the guards and servants came out to meet him

from all sides and escorted him till he drew near the

sitting-place of his father, who knew of his coming. So he issued

forth of his pavilion and coming to meet his son, kissed him and

made much of him. Then they returned together to the royal

pavilion and when they had seated themselves and the guards had

taken up their station in attendance on them, the king said to El

Abbas, "O my son, make ready thine affair, so we may go to our

own land, for that the folk in our absence are become as they

were sheep without a shepherd." El Abbas looked at his father and

wept till he swooned away, and when he recovered from his swoon,

he improvised and recited the following verses:

I clipped her[FN#118] in mine arms and straight grew drunken with

the scent Of a fresh branch that had been reared in

affluence and content.

'Twas not of wine that I had drunk; her mouth's sweet honeyed

dews It was intoxicated me with bliss and ravishment.

Upon the table of her cheek beauty hath writ, "Alack, Her charms!

'Twere well thou refuge sought'st with God

incontinent."[FN#119]

Since thou hast looked on her, mine eye, be easy, for by God Nor

mote nor ailment needst thou fear nor evil accident.

Beauty her appanage is grown in its entirety, And for this cause

all hearts must bow to her arbitrament.

If with her cheek and lustre thou thyself adorn,[FN#120] thou'lt

find But chrysolites and gold, with nought of baser metal

blent.

When love-longing for her sweet sake I took upon myself, The

railers flocked to me anon, on blame and chiding bent;

But on no wise was I affrayed nor turned from love of her; So let

the railer rave of her henceforth his heart's content.

By God, forgetfulness of her shall never cross my mind, What

while I wear the bonds of life nor when of death they're

rent

An if I live, in love of her I'll live, and if I die Of love and

longing for her sight, O rare! O excellent!

When El Abbas had made an end of his verses, his father said to

him, "I seek refuge for thee with God, O my son! Hast thou any

want unto which thou availest not, so I may endeavour for thee

therein and lavish my treasures in quest thereof?" "O father

mine," answered El Abbas, "I have, indeed, an urgent want, on

account whereof I came forth of my native land and left my people

and my home and exposed myself to perils and stresses and became

an exile from my country, and I trust in God that it may be

accomplished by thine august endeavour." "And what is thy want?"

asked the king. Quoth El Abbas, "I would have thee go and demand

me in marriage Mariyeh, daughter of the King of Baghdad, for that

my heart is distraught with love of her." And he recounted to his

father his story from first to last.

When the king heard this from his son, he rose to his feet and

calling for his charger of state, took horse with four-and-twenty

amirs of the chief officers of his empire. Then he betook himself

to the palace of the King of Baghdad, who, when he saw him

coming, bade his chamberlains open the doors to him and going

down himself to meet him, received him with all worship and

hospitality and entreated him with the utmost honour. Moreover,

he carried him [and his suite] into the palace and causing make

ready for them carpets and cushions, sat down upon a chair of

gold, with traverses of juniper- wood, set with pearls and

jewels. Then he bade bring sweetmeats and confections and

odoriferous flowers and commanded to slaughter four-and-twenty

head of sheep and the like of oxen and make ready geese and

fowls, stuffed and roasted, and pigeons and spread the tables;

nor was it long before the meats were set on in dishes of gold

and silver. So they ate till they had enough and when they had

eaten their fill, the tables were removed and the wine-service

set on and the cups and flagons ranged in order, whilst the

mamelukes and the fair slave- girls sat down, with girdles of

gold about their middles, inlaid with all manner pearls and

diamonds and emeralds and rubies and other jewels. Moreover, the

king bade fetch the musicians; so there presented themselves

before him a score of damsels, with lutes and psalteries and

rebecks, and smote upon instruments of music, on such wise that

they moved the assembly to delight.

Then said El Aziz to the King of Baghdad, "I would fain speak a

word to thee; but do thou not exclude from us those who are

present. If thou consent unto my wish, that which is ours shall

be thine and that which is incumbent on thee shall be incumbent

on us,[FN#121] and we will be to thee a mighty aid against all

enemies and opposites." Quoth Ins ben Cais, "Say what thou wilt,

O King, for indeed thou excellest in speech and attainest [the

mark] in that which them sayest" So El Aziz said to him," I

desire that thou give thy daughter Mariyeh in marriage to my son

El Abbas, for thou knowest that wherewithal he is gifted of

beauty and loveliness and brightness and perfection and how he

beareth himself in the frequentation of the valiant and his

constancy in the stead of smiting and thrusting." "By Allah, O

king," answered Ins ben Cais, "of my love for Mariyeh, I have

appointed her disposal to be in her own hand; wherefore,

whomsoever she chooseth of the folk, I will marry her to him."

Then he arose and going in to his daughter, found her mother with

her; so he set out to them the case and Mariyeh said, "O father

mine, my wish is subject unto[FN#122] thy commandment and my will

ensueth thy will; so whatsoever thou choosest, I am still

obedient unto thee and under thy dominion." Therewithal the King

knew that Mariyeh inclined unto El Abbas; so he returned

forthright to King El Aziz and said to him, "May God amend the

King! Verily, the occasion is accomplished and there is no

opposition unto that which thou commandest" Quoth El Aziz, "By

God's leave are occasions accomplished. How deemest thou, O King,

of fetching El Abbas and drawing up the contract of marriage

between Mariyeh and him?" And Ins ben Cais answered, saying,

"Thine be it to decide."

So El Aziz sent after his son and acquainted him with that which

had passed; whereupon El Abbas called for four-and-twenty males

and half a score horses [and as many camels] and loaded the mules

with pieces of silk and rags of leather and boxes of camphor and

musk and the camels [and horses] with chests of gold and silver.

Moreover, he took the richest of the stuffs and wrapping them in

pieces of gold-striped silk, laid them on the heads of porters,

and they fared on with the treasures till they reached the King

of Baghdad's palace, whereupon all who were present dismounted in

honour of El Abbas and escorting him to the presence of King Ins

ben Cais, displayed unto the latter all that they had with them

of things of price. The king bade carry all this into the harem

and sent for the Cadis and the witnesses, who drew up the

contract and married Mariyeh to Prince El Abbas, whereupon the

latter commanded to [slaughter] a thousand head of sheep and five

hundred buffaloes. So they made the bride-feast and bade thereto

all the tribes of the Arabs, Bedouins and townsfolk, and the

tables abode spread for the space of ten days.

Then El Abbas went in to Mariyeh in a happy and praiseworthy

hour[FN#123] and found her an unpierced pearl and a goodly filly

that had never been mounted; wherefore he rejoiced and was glad

and made merry, and care and sorrow ceased from him and his life

was pleasant and trouble departed and he abode with her in the

gladsomest of case and in the most easeful of life, till seven

days were past, when King El Aziz determined to set out and

return to his kingdom and bade his son seek leave of his

father-in-law to depart with his wife to his own country. [So El

Abbas bespoke King Ins of this] and he granted him the leave he

sought; whereupon he chose out a red camel, taller[FN#124] than

the [other] camels, and mounting Mariyeh in a litter thereon,

loaded it with apparel and ornaments.

Then they spread the ensigns and the standards, whilst the drums

beat and the trumpets sounded, and set out upon the homeward

journey. The King of Baghdad rode forth with them and brought

them three days' journey on their way, after which he took leave

of them and returned with his troops to Baghdad. As for King El

Aziz and his son, they fared on night and day and gave not over

going till there abode but three days' journey between them and

Yemen, when they despatched three men of the couriers to the

prince's mother [to acquaint her with their return], safe and

laden with spoil, bringing with them Mariyeh, the king's daughter

of Baghdad. When the queen-mother heard this, her wit fled for

joy and she adorned El Abbas his slave-girls after the goodliest

fashion. Now he had ten slave-girls, as they were moons, whereof

his father had carried five with him to Baghdad, as hath

aforetime been set out, and other five abode with his mother.

When the dromedary-posts[FN#125] came, they were certified of the

approach of El Abbas, and when the sun rose and their standards

appeared, the prince's mother came out to meet her son; nor was

there great or small, old man or infant, but went forth that day

to meet the king.

The drums of glad tidings beat and they entered in the utmost of

worship and magnificence. Moreover, the tribes heard of them and

the people of the towns and brought them the richest of presents

and the costliest of rarities and the prince's mother rejoiced

with an exceeding joy. Then they slaughtered beasts and made

mighty bride-feasts to the people and kindled fires, that it

might be visible afar to townsman [and Bedouin] that this was the

house of the guest-meal and the wedding, festival, to the intent

that, if any passed them by, [without partaking of their

hospitality], it should be of his own fault[FN#126] So the folk

came to them from all parts and quarters and on this wise they

abode days and months.

Then the prince's mother bade fetch the five slave-girls to that

assembly; whereupon they came and the ten damsels foregathered.

The queen seated five of them on her son's right hand and other

five on his left and the folk assembled about them. Then she bade

the five who had remained with her speak forth somewhat of verse,

so they might entertain therewith the assembly and that El Abbas

might rejoice therein. Now she had clad them in the richest of

raiment and adorned them with trinkets and ornaments and

wroughten work of gold and silver and collars of gold, set with

pearls and jewels. So they came forward, with harps and lutes and

psalteries and recorders and other instruments of music before

them, and one of them, a damsel who came from the land of China

and whose name was Baoutheh, advanced and tightened the strings

of her lute. Then she cried out from the top of her head[FN#127]

and improvising, sang the following verses:

Unto its pristine lustre your land returned and more, Whenas ye

came, dispelling the gloom that whiles it wore.

Our stead, that late was desert, grew green and eke our trees,

That barren were, grew loaded with ripened fruits galore.

Yea, to the earth that languished for lack of rain, the clouds

Were bounteous; so it flourished and plenteous harvests

bore;

And troubles, too, forsook us, who tears like dragons' blood, O

lordings, for your absence had wept at every pore.

Indeed, your long estrangement hath caused my bowels yearn. Would

God I were a servant in waiting at your door!

When she had made an end of her song, all who were present were

moved to delight and El Abbas rejoiced in this. Then he bade the

second damsel sing somewhat on the like subject. So she came

forward and tuning the strings of her harp, which was of balass

ruby,[FN#128] warbled a plaintive air and improvising, sang the

following verses;

The absent ones' harbinger came us unto With tidings of those

who[FN#129] had caused us to rue.

"My soul be thy ransom,"quoth I,"for thy grace! Indeed, to the

oath that thou swor'st thou wast true."

On the dear nights of union, in you was our joy, But afflicted

were we since ye bade us adieu.

You swore you'd be faithful to us and our love, And true to your

oath and your troth-plight were you;

And I to you swore that a lover I was; God forbid that with

treason mine oath I ensue!

Yea, "Welcome! Fair welcome to those who draw near!" I called out

aloud, as to meet you I flew.

The dwellings, indeed, one and all, I adorned, Bewildered and

dazed with delight at your view;

For death in your absence to us was decreed; But, when ye came

back, we were quickened anew.

When she had made an end of her verses, El Abbas bade the third

damsel, who came from Samarcand of the Persians and whose name

was Rummaneh, sing, and she answered with "Hearkening and

obedience." Then she took the psaltery and crying out from the

midst of her bead[FN#130] improvised and sang the following

verses:

My watering lips, that cull the rose of thy soft cheek, declare

My basil,[FN#131] lily mine, to be the myrtles of thy hair.

Sandhill[FN#132] and down[FN#133] betwixt there blooms a yellow

willow-flower,[FN#134] Pomegranate-blossoms[FN#135] and for

fruits pomegranates[FN#136] that doth bear.

His eyelids' sorcery from mine eyes hath banished sleep; since he

From me departed, nought see I except a drowsy fair.[FN#137]

He shot me with the shafts of looks launched from an

eyebrow's[FN#138] bow; A chamberlain[FN#139] betwixt his

eyes hath driven me to despair.

My heart belike shall his infect with softness, even as me His

body with disease infects, of its seductive air.

Yet, if with him forgotten be the troth-plight of our loves, I

have a king who of his grace will not forget me e'er.

His sides the tamarisk's slenderness deride, so lithe they are,

Whence for conceit in his own charms still drunken doth he

fare.

Whenas he runs, his feet still show like wings,[FN#140] and for

the wind When was a rider found, except King Solomon it

were?[FN#141]

Therewithal El Abbas smiled and her verses pleased him. Then he

bade the fourth damsel come forward and sing. Now she was from

the land of Morocco and her name was Belekhsha. So she came

forward and taking the lute and the psaltery, tightened the

strings thereof and smote thereon in many modes; then returned to

the first mode and improvising, sang the following verses:

When in the sitting-chamber we for merry-making sate, With thine

eyes' radiance the place thou didst illuminate

And pliedst us with cups of wine, whilst from the necklace

pearls[FN#142] A strange intoxicating bliss withal did

circulate,

Whose subtleness might well infect the understanding folk; And

secrets didst thou, in thy cheer, to us communicate.

Whenas we saw the cup, forthright we signed to past it round And

sun and moon unto our eyes shone sparkling from it straight.

The curtain of delight, perforce, we've lifted through the

friend,[FN#143] For tidings of great joy, indeed, there came

to us of late.

The camel-leader singing came with the belov'd; our wish

Accomplished was and we were quit of all the railers' prate.

When clear'd my sky was by the sweet of our foregathering And not

a helper there remained to disuniting Fate,

I shut myself up with my love; no spy betwixt us was; We feared

no enemies' despite, no envious neighbour's hate.

Life with our loves was grown serene, estrangement was at end:

Our dear ones all delight of love vouchsafed to us elate,

Saying, "Thy fill of union take; no spy is there on us, Whom we

should fear, nor yet reproach our gladness may abate."

Our loves are joined and cruelty at last is done away; Ay, and

the cup of love-delight 'twixt us doth circulate.

Upon yon be the peace of God! May all prosperity, For what's

decreed of years and lives, upon you ever wait!

When Belekhsha had made an end of her verses, all present were

moved to delight and El Abbas said to her, "Well done, O damsel!"

Then he bade the fifth damsel come forward and sing. Now she was

from the land of Syria and her name was Rihaneh; she was

surpassing of voice and when she appeared in an assembly, all

eyes were fixed upon her. So she came forward and taking the

rebeck (for that she was used to play upon [all manner]

instruments) improvised and sang the following verses:

Your coming to-me-ward, indeed, with "Welcome! fair welcome!" I

hail. Your sight to me gladness doth bring and banisheth

sorrow and bale;

For love with your presence grows sweet, untroubled and life is

serene And the star of our fortune burns bright, that clouds

in your absence did veil.

Yea, by Allah, my longing for you ne'er waneth nor passetb away;

For your like among creatures is rare and sought for in

mountain and vale.

Ask mine eyes whether slumber hath lit on their lids since the

hour of your loss Or if aye on a lover they've looked. Nay,

an ye believe not their tale,

My heart, since the leave-taking day afflicted, will tell of my

case, And my body, for love and desire grown wasted and

feeble and frail.

Could they who reproach me but see my sufferings, their hearts

would relent; They'd marvel, indeed, at my case and the loss

of my loved ones bewail.

Yea, they'd join me in pouring forth tears and help me my woes to

lament, And like unto me they'd become all wasted and

tortured and pale.

How long did the heart for thy love that languished with longing

endure A burden of passion, 'neath which e'en mountains

might totter and fail!

By Allah, what sorrows and woes to my soul for thy sake were

decreed! My heart is grown hoar, ere eld's snows have left

on my tresses their trail.

The fires in my vitals that rage if I did but discover to view,

Their ardour the world to consume, from the East to the

West, might avail.

But now unto me of my loves accomplished are joyance and cheer

And those whom I cherish my soul with the wine of

contentment regale.

Our Lord, after sev'rance, with them hath conjoined us, for he

who doth good Shall ne'er disappointed abide and kindnesses

kindness entail.

When King El Aziz heard the damsel's song, her speech and her

verses pleased him and he said to El Abbas, "O my son, verily,

these damsels are weary with long versifying, and indeed they

make us yearn after the dwellings and the homesteads with the

goodliness of their songs. Indeed, these five have adorned our

assembly with the excellence of their melodies and have done well

in that which they have said before those who are present;

wherefore we counsel thee to enfranchise them for the love of God

the Most High." Quoth El Abbas, "There is no commandment but thy

commandment;" and he enfranchised the ten damsels in the

assembly; whereupon they kissed the hands of the king and his son

and prostrated themselves in thanksgiving to God the Most High.

Then they put off that which was upon them of ornaments and

laying aside the lutes [and other] instruments of music, clave to

their houses, veiled, and went not forth.[FN#144]

As for King El Aziz, he lived after this seven years and was

admitted to the mercy of God the Most High; whereupon his son El

Abbas carried him forth to burial on such wise as beseemeth unto

kings and let make recitations and readings of the Koran, in

whole or in part, over his tomb. He kept up the mourning for his

father a full-told month, at the end of which time he sat down on

the throne of the kingship and judged and did justice and

distributed silver and gold. Moreover, he loosed all who were in

the prisons and abolished grievances and customs dues and did the

oppressed justice of the oppressor; wherefore the people prayed

for him and loved him and invoked on him endurance of glory and

kingship and length of continuance [on life] and eternity of

prosperity and happiness. Moreover, the troops submitted to him

and the hosts from all parts of the kingdom, and there came to

him presents from all the lands. The kings obeyed him and many

were his troops and his grandees, and his subjects lived with him

the most easeful and prosperous of lives.

Meanwhile, he ceased not, he and his beloved, Queen Mariyeh, in

the most delightsome of life and the pleasantest thereof, and he

was vouchsafed by her children; and indeed there befell

friendship and love between them and the longer their

companionship was prolonged, the more their love waxed, so that

they became unable to endure from each other a single hour, save

the time of his going forth to the Divan, when he would return to

her in the utterest that might be of longing. Aud on this wise

they abode in all solace and delight of life, till there came to

them the Destroyer of Delights and the Sunderer of Companies. So

extolled be the perfection of Him whose kingdom endureth for

ever, who is never heedless neither dieth nor sleepeth! This is

all that hath come down to us of their story, and so peace [be on

you!]