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Title( The Thousand and One Nights, Vol. I.
)o!!only )alled the rabian Nights* Entertain!ents
uthor( nony!ous
Editor( Ed"ard +tanley Poole
Illustrator( ,illia! -ar#ey
Translator( Ed"ard ,illia! 'ane
Other( +tanley 'ane&Poole
.elease /ate( No#e!ber 0, 1232 4EBook 5061278
'anguage( English
)haracter set encoding( 9T:&;
<<< +T.T O: T-I+ P.O=E)T G9TENBE.G EBOO> T-E T-O9+N/ N/ ONE NIG-T+ <<<
Produced by =onathan Ingra!, Turgut /incer and the Online
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Transcriber's note:
There are two levels of notes (footnotes) in this book: The first level is called Notes by the author and
are referred from the main body of text as [C_n where C is the Cha!ter number and n the number of
the note related to this cha!ter" The second level conists of re#ular footnotes referred from the Notes of
the author and are numbered the usual way"
$n the %T&' file Notes and footnotes are numbered without cha!ter numbers"
THE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS
COMMONLY CALLED THE
ARABIAN NIGHTS' ENTERTAINMENTS
TRANSLATED FROM THE ARABIC, WITH COPIOUS NOTES, BY
EDWARD WILLIAM LANE
EDITED BY HIS NEPHEW EDWARD STANLEY POOLE
FROM A COPY ANNOTATED BY THE TRANSLATOR
WITH A PREFACE BY STANLEY LANE-POOLE AND
ILLUSTRATIONS FROM THE DESIGNS OF WILLIAM HARVEY
A NEW IMPRESSION IN THREE VOLUMES
VOL. I
LONDON
CHATTO & WINDUS
1912
LONDON:
PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED.
DUE STREET, STAMFORD STREET, S.E., AND GREAT WINDMILL STREET, W.
v
ADVERTISEMENT.
The !resent edition is an exact re!roduction of that edited by my father( with my #reat)uncle's final
corrections( and !ublished by &r" *ohn &urray in +,-." /everal re!rints of that edition have testified to
the continued !o!ularity of the work( and the necessity for the !resent issue shows that an ac0uaintance
of nearly half a century has not yet wearied the !ublic of the standard translation of the Thousand and
One Nights" The secret of &r" 'ane's success is to be found !artly in the instinctive sym!athy for the
s!irit of the 1ast( which enabled him faithfully to re!roduce the characteristic tone of the ori#inal( and
!artly in the rich store of illustrations of oriental life and thou#ht contained in his Notes" $n the various
chea! versions( based u!on 2alland's 3rench !ara!hrase( the 1astern tone and local colour is wholly
wantin#4 and the !eculiarities of life and manners( which contrast so markedly with those of the 5est(
are left unnoted and unex!lained" /uch versions may serve in an inade0uate de#ree to make the
6rabian Ni#hts known to those who care only for the bare stories4 but educated readers( who are
ca!able of somethin# more than the mere en7oyment of the romance( and desire to understand the
character and habits of the actors and the s!ectators( find in &r" 'ane's translation( and in his only( a
com!lete satisfaction of their want" $t is not merely a scholar's edition( thou#h no oriental student can
afford to be without it4 but beyond this narrow circle it has ever a!!ealed to the wide audience that
cares to know the famous books of the world in their most !erfect and faithful reflections"
vi
The actual moment is an o!!ortune one for the rea!!earance of the work" 1#y!t 7ust now holds a
foremost !lace in the eyes of the world( and it is of 1#y!t that the Thousand and One Nights have most
to tell" $ndian or 8ersian as many of the tales are in their ori#in( their settin# is almost !urely 1#y!tian4
and thou#h the !lace may be nominally 9a#hdad or $ndia( or even furthest China( it is in medi:val
Cairo( in the days of the &emlooks( that the scene of the 6rabian Ni#hts is really laid" The !eo!le
described are not %indoos or Chinese( but 6rabs and 1#y!tians as they lived and moved in the fifteenth
century( when some of the beautiful mos0ues and tombs( that still make Cairo the deli#ht of artists(
were bein# built( and the devastatin# hand of the ;ttoman Turk had not yet been laid on the land of the
8haraohs" 3or a minute !icture of 6rabian society as it was in the &iddle 6#es( the Thousand and One
Nights have no rival( and it is &r" 'ane's a!!reciation of this !icture( and the wealth of illustration
lavished u!on it in his Notes( that render his edition the most com!lete commentary we !ossess on
&uslim life and manners( reli#ion and literature( and make it an indis!ensable su!!lement to his
famous Account of the Manners and Customs of the Modern Egyptians" The !oetry of 1astern life is
ra!idly fadin# away under the effacin# touch of 1uro!ean civilisation4 the characteristic society in
which an %aroon)1r)<asheed( an 6boo)Nuwas( a =afoor( a /aladin( or a =a>t)9ey( revelled and 7ested
and con0uered( is fast becomin# matter of history rather than of ex!erience( a field for the anti0uary
instead of the traveller4 and it is well that we can reconstruct it in the !a#es of the Thousand and One
Nights( whose com!iler saw it when it was still almost in its 2olden 8rime( and in the Modern
Egyptians( whose author knew it when it still !reserved the romantic character which has charmed and
fascinated readers of every a#e and condition"
/tanley 'ane)8oole"
The ?ay of Tell)el)=ebeer( +,,@"
vii
THE EDITOR'S PREFACE.
6 new edition of this work havin# been re0uired( &r" 'ane was re0uested to undertake the correction of
the !ress" 9ut severe literary labours allowin# him no leisure for this ob7ect( he named me( as his !u!il
in the study of 6rabic( familiar with his writin#s( and for many years resident with him in Cairo( to fill(
in some measure( his !lace" $ have undertaken this duty with #reat diffidence( from a sense of my own
deficiencies and his extensive knowled#e4 but $ have felt that $ could at least insure the correctness of
the text( and a scru!ulous adherence to his wishes" The !resent edition is !rinted( without any
variations of my own (exce!t those which are marked as such( and have been submitted to &r" 'ane)(
from a co!y of the first and com!lete edition(viii with corrections and additions made by &r" 'ane(
from time to time( since its first !ublication" These( however( from the accuracy with which the
translation was made( and the fulness of the Notes( are not very numerous" The same reasons have also
caused my own notes to be few: $ believe that my Ancle's notes are com!lete in themselves4 and that $
have sometimes erred( even in the rare exce!tions $ have made( on the side of unnecessary addition"
6n edition of any book not su!erintended by the author is sometimes re#arded with distrust" $ would
therefore assure the reader that in this instance he may de!end even on the !unctuation4 the whole
havin# been laboriously collated with &r" 'ane's annotated co!y( notwithstandin# the #reat delay
which this !rocess has occasioned in the !rintin# of the work"
$ have called this a complete edition( to distin#uish it from two others which have been !ublished
without &r" 'ane's notes or his method of writin# oriental words( and with other variations from the
standard edition" The !ublic a!!reciation of these notes( and of the advanta#e of correctly)written
forei#n words( is( $ conceive( !roved by the call for the !resent edition" ;n the sub7ect of the mode of
writin# oriental words in 1uro!ean characters( $ need say little( for the controversy has well ni#h died
out" The !resent #eneration does not re#ard anti0uated blunders as Bthe familiar names of childhood(B
but rather strives to attain accuracy in all thin#s4 and those few who still clin# to B&ahometB or
B&ahomedB should consistently exhume the for#otten B&ahoundB of the Crusades"
The translator's views res!ectin# the ori#in and literary history of BThe Thousand and ;ne Ni#htsB will
be found fully ex!ressed in the <eview at the end of the third volume" $n his ori#inal !reface( he stated(
BThe remarks which $ here submit to the reader( bein# written when only one)third of the work to
which they !rinci!ally relate is !rinted( must unavoidably be more defective than they would be if
reserved until a later !eriod" ?urin# the !ro#ress of the !ublication $ may be enabled to form clearer
and more com!lete views of the several sub7ects which mi#ht with !ro!riety beix fully discussed at the
head of my translation( and $ think it better( therefore( to a!!end at the close of the work many
observations which $ ori#inally intended to !refix to the first volume"B %e has therefore wished me to
remodel the !reface( transferrin# all !ortions relatin# to the sub7ects in 0uestion to the <eview(
retainin# whatever may more !ro!erly stand at the commencement of the work( and addin# any matter
of my own"
The ob7ect with which the translation was made is best ex!ressed in the words of &r" 'ane's !reface"
B&y undertakin# to translate anew the Tales of 'The Thousand and ;ne Ni#hts' im!lies an unfavourable
o!inion of the version which has so lon# amused us4 but $ must ex!ress my ob7ections with res!ect to
the latter in !lain terms( and this $ shall do by means of a few words on the version of 2alland( from
which it is derived4 for to him alone its chief faults are to be attributed" $ am somewhat reluctant to
make this remark( because several !ersons( and amon# them some of hi#h and deserved re!utation as
6rabic scholars( have !ronounced an o!inion that his version is an improvement u!on the ori#inal" That
'The Thousand and ;ne Ni#hts' may be #reatly im!roved( $ most readily admit4 but as confidently do $
assert that 2alland has excessively perverted the work" %is ac0uaintance with 6rab manners and
customs was insufficient to !reserve him always from errors of the #rossest descri!tion( and by the
style of his version he has #iven to the whole a false character( thus sacrificin#( in a #reat measure(
what is most valuable in the ori#inal work(C$ mean its minute accuracy with res!ect to those
!eculiarities which distin#uish the 6rabs from every other nation( not only of the 5est( but also of the
1ast" ?eceived by the va#ue nature of 2alland's version( travellers in 8ersia( Turkey( and $ndia( have
often fancied that the 6rabian Tales describe the !articular manners of the natives of those countries4
but no one who has read them in the ori#inal lan#ua#e( havin# an intimate ac0uaintance with the 6rabs(
can be of this o!inion: it is in 6rabian countries( and es!ecially in 1#y!t( that we see the !eo!le( the
dresses( and the buildin#s( which it describesx in almost every case( even when the scene is laid in
8ersia( in $ndia( or in China"
BConvinced of the truth of this assertion( $ consider myself !ossessed of the chief 0ualifications for the
!ro!er accom!lishment of my !resent undertakin#( from my havin# lived several years in Cairo(
associatin# almost exclusively with 6rabs( s!eakin# their lan#ua#e( conformin# to their #eneral habits
with the most scru!ulous exactitude( and received into their society on terms of !erfect e0uality" /ince
the downfall of the 6rab 1m!ire of 9a#hdDd( Cairo has been the chief of 6rabian cities: its &emlook
/ulEDns( introduced into 1#y!t in their youth( naturally ado!ted( to a #reat de#ree( the manners of its
native inhabitants( which the ';smDnlee Turks in later days have but little altered" Cairo is the city in
which 6rabian manners now exist in the most refined state4 and such $ believe to have been the case
when the !resent work was com!osed"B
&r" 'ane's first two visits to 1#y!t were made when( for the last time( 6rab manners and customs as
they existed in the a#e of the 6rabian Ni#hts could be studied4 and his translation was written very
shortly after his second return to 1n#land" Thou#h some of the tales maybe $ndian or 8ersian in ori#in(
in their !resent state they exhibit a !icture of the manners( modes of thou#ht( and lan#ua#e( of the court
and times of the &emlook /ulEDns of 1#y!t( which nearly resembled in these !oints those of the
=haleefehs of 9a#hdDd( or the #reat 6rab 1m!ire" ?e /acy and Fon %ammer( the two celebrated
orientalists who differed widely in o!inion as to the ori#in of the book( a#reed that the tales in which
the =haleefeh %Droon 1r)<asheed is introduced (the best( with few exce!tions( in the collection) are
1#y!tian in character" 9ut since the B&odern 1#y!tiansB were described by &r" 'ane( all thin#s in the
1ast have chan#ed( and every day witnesses the decay of some old custom( to be followed by a bastard
1uro!ean imitation" ?urin# &ohammad '6lee's rule( all traces of the state and circumstance of the
&emlook court #radually !assed away" 1uro!ean dress has dis!laced oriental costume( cloth of #old(
and dresses ofxi honour4 1uro!ean architecture elbows the 0uaint beauty of the old 6rab ca!ital4 and
the cavalcade of fifty horsemen around a #randee is succeeded by an 1n#lish carria#e that !rofanes the
0uiet streets of the city( and fri#htens away both '1freets and their memory" &r" 'ane saw the last of
Cairo in its inte#rity4 and he has not overstated his 0ualifications( as author of the B&odern 1#y!tians(B
for the task of translatin# the 6rabian Ni#hts"
;f the co!y from which this translation was made( and the method observed in its execution( $ may
a#ain 0uote the !reface to the first edition" &r" 'ane says(C
B$ have taken as my #eneral standard of the ori#inal text the Cairo edition lately !rinted4 it bein# #reatly
su!erior to the other !rinted editions( and !robably to every manuscri!t co!y"+ $t a!!ears to a#ree
almost exactly with the celebrated &/" of Fon %ammer( than which no co!y more co!ious( $ believe(
exists4 and contains all the tales in the old version exce!t those which( as Fon %ammer says( 2alland
a!!ears to have taken from other works( 6rabic( 8ersian( and Turkish( in the <oyal 'ibrary of 8aris"
The manuscri!t from which it was !rinted was carefully collated and corrected by a very learned man(
the sheykh '6bd)1r)<aGmDn 1H)Iaftee 1sh)/harJDwee( who also su!erintended the !ro#ress of the
work throu#h the !ress" 9ut in addition to the value conferred u!on it by the corrections of this sheykh(
the co!y from which the whole of my translation is made( exce!t in a few xiiinstances( !ossesses an
advanta#e which( $ believe( renders it incom!arably su!erior to any other now existin#: it has been
a#ain revised and corrected( and illustrated with numerous manuscri!t notes( by a !erson whom $ think
$ may safely !ronounce the first !hilolo#ist of the first 6rab colle#e of the !resent day( the sheykh
&oGammad '1iyDd 1E)KanEDwee( or( more !ro!erly( 1E)KanditDee" %is notes are chiefly !hilolo#ical(
and ex!lanatory of words which do not belon# to the classical lan#ua#e4 and many of them are of very
#reat assistance to me4 thou#h most of them $ find unnecessary( from the knowled#e of the modern
6rabic which $ have ac0uired durin# my intercourse with the !eo!le who s!eak it" %is corrections of
the text are numerous4 and as they would interest very few !ersons( $ have mentioned but few of them
in the notes to my translation( notwithstandin# a stron# tem!tation that $ felt to do otherwise in order
that 6rabic scholars mi#ht be assisted to 7ud#e of the fidelity of my version by com!arin# it with the
text of the Cairo edition"@ To the !ieces of !oetry which are inters!ersed throu#hout the work he has
!aid es!ecial attention4 not only correctin# the errors which he found in them( but also always addin#
the vowel)!oints( and #enerally( commentaries or ex!lanations" Thus $ have shewn that $ am very
#reatly indebted to him for his learned labours" $ should( however( add( that $ have ventured to differ
from him in inter!retin# a few words4 havin# found more a!!ro!riate meanin#s assi#ned to them by
6rabs in !arts not visited by him( or such meanin#s #iven in !rinted dictionaries with which he is
unac0uainted4 and $ have also corrected a few errors which have esca!ed his notice"L 5ithout the
valuable xiiiaid which he has afforded me( $ would not have attem!ted the translation4 nor with it
would $ have done so were it not for the advanta#e that $ derive from my havin# lived amon# 6rabs"
No translator can always be certain that( from twenty or more si#nifications which are borne by one
6rabic word( he has selected that which his author intended to convey4 but( circumstanced as $ am( $
have the satisfaction of feelin# confident that $ have never #iven( to a word or !hrase in this work( a
meanin# which is inconsistent with its !resentin# faithful !ictures of 6rab life and manners"
B$ have thou#ht it ri#ht to omit such tales( anecdotes( Mc"( as are com!aratively uninterestin# or on any
account ob7ectionable" $n other words( $ insert nothin# that $ deem #reatly inferior in interest to the tales
in the old version" Certain !assa#es which( in the ori#inal work( are of an ob7ectionable nature( $ have
sli#htly varied4 but in doin# this( $ have been !articularly careful to render them so as to be !erfectly
a#reeable with 6rab manners and customs" $t was ori#inally my intention to omit almost the whole of
the !oetry( thinkin# that the loss of measure and rhyme( and the im!ossibility of !reservin# the
exam!les of !aronomasia and some other fi#ures with which they abound( would render translations of
them #enerally intolerable to the reader: but afterwards $ reflected that the character of the work would
be thus #reatly altered4 and its value( as illustratin# 6rab manners and feelin#s( much diminished" $
therefore determined to !reserve a considerable number of select !ieces( chosen either for their relative
merits or because re0uired by the context" The number of those com!rised in the first volume of my
translation is nearly half of the number contained in the corres!ondin# !ortion of the ori#inal work4 but
in several cases $ have omitted one or more verses of a !iece as unsuitable( or for some other reason4
and in a few instances $ have #iven only the first verse or the first cou!let" These !ieces of !oetry are
not in #eneral to be re#arded as the com!ositions of the author or authors of the work: theyxiv a!!ear
to be mostly borrowed from others( and many of them are taken from the works of celebrated !oets"C
To avoid the tedious interru!tions which occur in the ori#inal at the close of each Ni#ht( $ have divided
the translation into cha!ters( each of which consists of one tale( or of two or more tales connected one
with another( and have merely mentioned the Ni#ht with which each cha!ter commences( and that with
which it terminates"
BThe ori#inal work bein# desi#ned solely for the entertainment of 6rabs( $ add co!ious notes to the
translation( to render it more intelli#ible and a#reeable to the 1n#lish reader" These are entirely my
own( exce!t in those cases when $ have stated otherwise4N and my #eneral ob7ect in them has been to
#ive such illustrations as may satisfy the #eneral reader( without obli#in# him to consult other works" $n
many of them $ endeavour to shew( by extracts from esteemed 6rabic histories and scientific and other
writin#s( chiefly drawn from &//" in my !ossession( as well as by assertions and anecdotes that $ have
heard( and conduct that $ have witnessed( durin# my intercourse with 6rabs( that the most extrava#ant
relations in this work are not in #eneral re#arded( even by the educated classes of that !eo!le( as of an
incredible nature" This is a !oint which $ deem of much im!ortance to set the work in its !ro!er li#ht
before my countrymen" $ have resided in a land where #enii are still firmly believed to obey the
summons of the ma#ician or the owner of a talisman( and to act in occurrences of every day4 and $ have
listened to stories of their deeds related as facts by !ersons of the hi#hest res!ectability( and by some
who would not condescend to read the tales of 'The Thousand and ;ne Ni#hts(' merely because they are
fictions( and not written in the usual !olished style of literary com!ositions"B
$ have already mentioned that the literary history of BThe Thousand and ;ne Ni#htsB is discussed in
&r" 'ane's <eview xva!!ended to this translation" $n the course of my 6rabic studies( and more
es!ecially since $ have been occu!ied in editin# the !resent work( $ have endeavoured to form an
unbiassed 7ud#ment on this difficult 0uestion4 and all my researches have confirmed me in a#reein#
with the o!inions there ex!ressed" Fon %ammer was inclined to lay too much stress on the su!!osed
8ersian or $ndian ori#in of these Tales4 while ?e /acy( on the other hand( re7ected the belief in any
connection between the old work and the more modern4 contendin# that the latter was an inde!endent
!roduction" The discovery( however( of a !assa#e in an 6rabic author( by Fon %ammer( since the
!ublication of ?e /acy's 1ssay and &r" 'ane's 8reface( has !laced the matter beyond a doubt4 and
scholars are now a#reed( notwithstandin# ?e /acy's !leasant sarcasm( and the wei#ht of his #reat
name( that BThe Thousand Ni#htsB formed in some measure the !rototy!e of BThe Thousand and ;ne
Ni#hts"B ;n the other hand( ?e /acy's keen a!!reciation of the modern (and chiefly 1#y!tian( or 6rab()
character of the book( in its !resent form( must be fully reco#nised( and was indeed thus acknowled#ed
by Fon %ammer himself" The manners( dresses( and modes of thou#ht( !ortrayed by it are 6rab
throu#hout( even in the stories which are !robably retained from the 8ersian or $ndian ori#inal( of
which that of the &a#ic %orse is the best exam!le in this translation" 9esides those relatin# to the court
and adventures of %Droon 1r)<asheed( which( as $ have before remarked( are curiously 1#y!tian( many
others a!!ear to have been remodelled( if not actually com!osed( in 1#y!t" $t is not less true that these
tales are #enerally the best in the collection( if those of the /lave =Dfoor( of '6OeeO and '6OeeOeh( and
of 1s)/indibDd( be exce!ted4 for these certainly are inferior to none" The more collo0uial and familiar
stories !oint to the same ori#in4 such as that of '6lD)ed)?een 6bu)sh)/hDmDt (which is !ervaded by
1#y!tian characteristics in !hraseolo#y and in other res!ects)( that of 6boo)Ieer and 6boo)Peer( and
that of &aQroof" The stories founded mainly on 8ersian or $ndian ori#inals a!!ear to bexvi those in
which su!ernatural bein#s !lay the most cons!icuous !arts4 and( as &r" 'ane remarks( these are
#enerally deficient in verses( althou#h the converse does not hold #ood of the former class" The
anecdotes are mostly historical: many of them are( in the Notes( identified with similar ones in other
6rabic works4 and almost all are of 6rab ori#in"
The evidences of a late date scattered throu#h the book may be additions of co!yists and reciters4 but
considered with reference to its #eneral character( they have a certain wei#ht that cannot be overlooked:
this is carefully stated in the <eview"
&r" 'ane's ar#uments in favour of the collective BThousand and ;ne Ni#htsB bein# an individual work(
and not one of many similar collections( seem to me to be conclusive: not the least im!ortant of these is
the fact that no similar collection is known to exist( nor is mentioned by any 6rab author( with the sole
exce!tion of the old BThousand Ni#hts(B which $ believe he has demonstrated to be the !rototy!e( in a
remote de#ree( of the BThousand and ;ne"B To cite the words of the 8reface on the 0uestion of the
ori#inal of the work as it is known to usCB$ have shewn it to be my o!inion that all the com!lete
co!ies of 'The Thousand and ;ne Ni#hts' now known are in the main derived( thou#h not immediately(
from one ori#inal4 and $ hold the same o!inion with res!ect to every fra#ment containin# the
commencement of the work4B Bnot re#ardin# the work as wholly ori#inal( nor as the first of its kind4 for
many of the tales which it contains are doubtless of different and early ori#ins4 and $ think that its
#eneral !lan is !robably borrowed from a much older !roduction( bearin# the same title of 'The
Thousand and ;ne Ni#hts(' [or 'The Thousand Ni#hts(' a translation of a 8ersian work havin# a
corres!ondin# title( namely '%eODr 6fsDneh"'""" ;ne thin# is certainCthat 'The Thousand and ;ne
Ni#hts(' [or 'The Thousand Ni#hts(' translated from the 8ersian was much older than the work now
known by that title( and also extremely different from the latter"B
5hen these facts are considered in reference to each other( thexvii date assi#ned( in the <eview( to the
com!osition of the work cannot reasonably be re#arded as far from the truth" $t is in 1#y!t( and
es!ecially in the &emlook court( that we must look to find the !eo!le( the manners( and the habits of
thou#ht( of BThe 6rabian Ni#hts4B while the style of the lan#ua#e in which they are written is that
which we mi#ht ex!ect from an 1#y!tian of those times( who( unskilled in the classical 6rabic( yet
endeavourin# to imitate it( was doubtless more #enerally intelli#ible then than he is now to the modern
1#y!tians" This assum!tion of the old lan#ua#e( $ may remark( is( and always has been( characteristic
of all learned 6rabs( be they 1#y!tians or natives of other 6rabian countries (for such 1#y!t truly is)4
but no other instance exists of a work of fiction in which the attem!t fails so sin#ularly in affectin# the
classical( or retainin# the modern ton#ue4 while all other 6rabic tales are certainly com!osed in either
the one or the other" The modern 1#y!tian romances are mostly written in the collo0uial dialect of
every)day life4 but those which are of older date are not modernized( as some have su!!osed( a#ainst all
reason( BThe Thousand and ;ne Ni#htsB to be: such an alteration would be without a !arallel in 6rabic
literature( as &r" 'ane !roves in the <eview in a way to relieve me of the necessity of further alludin#
here to this !articular 0uestion" BThe Thousand and ;ne Ni#htsB exhibit a style which would be
unfamiliar to the audience of the reciter of romances( without attainin# to the classical diction: and the
conclusion is forced on us that the work exhibits the lan#ua#e of a by)#one #eneration( which (takin#
into consideration the other indications of its a#e and country)( is( it can scarcely be dis!uted( that of
the later !eriod of the &emlook rulers of 1#y!t( before the Turkish con0uest of that country" $n the
words of &r" 'ane's 8reface:CB&ost of the tales which it contains are doubtless of an older origin( and
many of them founded u!on very old traditions and le#ends4 but all these traditions or le#ends were
evidently remodelled so as to become !ictures of the state of manners which existed amon# the 6rabs(
and es!ecially amon# those of 1#y!t( at the !eriod here mentioned4xviii and $ think that the com!oser
of the work( or each of the com!osers( if one commenced and another com!leted it( was an 1#y!tian"B
9ut a more !o!ular sub7ect than its obscure ori#in is the literary merit of this work" The rare fascination
of these old 6rab stories( their su!ernatural romance( excessive love( 0uaint !hiloso!hy( and #rotes0ue
humour( have( since the days of 2alland( secured to them more readers than any other !rofane work"
The translation of 2alland( with all its lameness( !uerility( and indecency( #ained for them a hold which
has never been relaxed4 and it only re0uired the a!!earance of a scholarlike and readable translation(
freed from these defects( to make them #enerally acce!ted in 1n#lish families" The fashion of travellin#
in the 1ast has not a little added to the desire for a standard and annotated edition of a work uni0ue(
even in those lands of #enii and adventure( in its remarkable !ortrayal of 1astern character( life( and(
when closely translated( idiom" The humour of the book( now broad( now subtle( (who does not deli#ht
in =Dfoor and his Bhalf lieRB) renders the comic stories #enerally su!erior to the romantic4 but the
!athos !erha!s excels every other beauty" The story of /hems)en)NahDr is remarkable for this
characteristic4 and that of '6OeeO and '6OeeOeh (first !ublished in this translation)( sur!asses in delicate
tenderness any 6rab tale with which we are ac0uainted"
;f the critical value of &r" 'ane's translation $ ou#ht scarcely to s!eak" Set $ may observe that students
of 6rabic make it a text)book in readin# the ori#inal4 while the 1n#lish reader not uncommonly for#ets
that it is a translation( and detects not the literal accuracy of its renderin# of an unfamiliar( or unknown(
lan#ua#e"
$ have adverted to the system ado!ted in transcribin# forei#n words( and $ now conclude these
!reliminary remarks (intended only to render the learned <eview easier of !erusal to the #eneral reader(
and to smooth his first ste!s in a stran#e land)( by 0uotin#( with some sli#ht im!rovements by &r"
'ane( the ex!lanation of that system #iven in the !reface to the first edition"xix
B$n writin# 6rabic and other ;riental words in the !resent work( $ have em!loyed a system con#enial
with our lan#ua#e( and of the most sim!le kind4 and to this system $ adhere in every case( for the sake
of uniformity as well as truth"- /ome !ersons have ob7ected to my writin# in this manner a few
familiar words which are found in our dictionaries4 but they will excuse me for remarkin# that #eneral
usa#e is not alto#ether accordant with their o!inion" 6lmost every author( $ believe( now writes '=oran('
or '=urDn(' and '8asha(' or '8acha(' for our dictionary)words '6lcoran' and '9ashaw4' and most of our best
authors on 6rabian %istory( of late( have written '=halif' for 'Cali!h"' $n a work relatin# to a !eo!le who
!ronounce the 6rabic w as v( $ should write 'FeOeer' for the 6rabic word '5eOeer4' but to do so when the
sub7ect is 6rabian( $ consider inex!edient: and in this o!inion $ am u!held by a #reat ma7ority of
literary and other friends whom $ have consulted on the sub7ect( in the !ro!ortion of five to one" $ may
add that ?r" *ohnson has written in his ?ictionary( 'FiOier [!ro!erly Wazir4' and if we ex!ress the
6rabic vowels by their Italian e0uivalents( it is !ro!erly '5aOTr' or '5eOTr"'CThe system which $ here
em!loy re0uires but little ex!lanation4 the #eneral reader may be directed to !ronounce
a as in our word 'be##ar:'U V as in 'there:'
D as in 'father:'W ee as in 'bee:'
e as in 'bed:' ei as our word 'eye:'
xxey as in 'they:' oo as in 'boot:'
i as in 'bid:' ow as in 'down:'
o as in 'obey' (short): and
X as in 'bone:' u as in 'bull"'
The letter y is to be !ronounced as in 'you' and 'lawyer:' never as in 'by"'
6n apostrophe( when immediately !recedin# or followin# a vowel( $ em!loy to denote the !lace of a
letter which has no e0uivalent in our al!habet4 it has a #uttural sound like that which is heard in the
bleatin# of shee!: Q (with a dot beneath) re!resents the same sound at the end of a syllable( when it is
more forcibly !ronounced"
1ach of the consonants distin#uished by a dot beneath has a !eculiarly hard sound"
%avin# avoided as much as !ossible makin# use of accents( $ must re0uest the reader to bear in mind
that a sin#le vowel( when not marked with an accent( is always short4 and that a double vowel or
di!hthon# at the end of a word( when not so marked( is not accented ('5elee(' for instance( bein#
!ronounced '5Y'lee'): also( that the acute accent does not always denote the !rinci!al or only em!hasis
('%Droon' bein# !ronounced '%DroXn')4 that a vowel with a #rave accent (only occurrin# at the end of a
word)( is not em!hasiOed( thou#h it is lon#4 and that dh( #h( kh( sh( and th( when not divided by a
hy!hen( re!resent( each( a sin#le 6rabic letter"B,
$ have only to add one more extract from &r" 'ane's 8reface"
B&any of the en#ravin#s which are so numerously inters!ersed in this work will considerably assist to
ex!lain both the Text and xxithe Notes4 and to insure their accuracy( to the utmost of my ability( $ have
su!!lied the artist with modern dresses( and with other re0uisite materials" Thus he has been enabled to
make his desi#ns a#ree more nearly with the costumes Mc" of the times which the tales #enerally
illustrate than they would if he trusted alone to the im!erfect descri!tions which $ have found in 6rabic
works". 1xce!t in a few cases( when $ had #iven him such directions as $ deemed necessary( his
ori#inal desi#ns have been submitted to me4 and in su##estin# any corrections( $ have( as much as
!ossible( avoided fetterin# his ima#ination( which needs no eulo#y from me" %e has ac0uired a #eneral
notion of 6rabian architecture from the #reat work of &ur!hy on the 6rabian remains in /!ain( and
from the s!lendid and accurate work on the 6lhambra by &essrs" 2oury and *ones4 and throu#h the
kindness of my friend &r" %ay( of 'in!lum( he has been allowed to make a similar use of a very
accurate and very beautiful collection of drawin#s of a #reat number of the finest s!ecimens of 6rabian
architecture in and around Cairo( executed by &" 8ascal Coste( and now the !ro!erty of &r" %ay"+Z %e
has also consulted a number of ;riental drawin#s( and various other sources" &y acknowled#ments to
other !ersons $ have ex!ressed in several of the Notes"
BThe !ortion which is com!rised in the first volume of this translation( terminates with !art of the
hundred and thirty)seventh Ni#ht: it is therefore necessary to remark(Cfirst( that there is less to omit in
the early !art of the ori#inal work than in the later:Csecondly( that the Nights in the early !art are
xxii#enerally much longer than in the subse0uent !ortion4 the first hundred Ni#hts (without the
$ntroduction) com!risin# @+L !a#es in the Cairo edition of the ori#inal work4 the second hundred( +N.
!a#es4 the third( +ZW4 the fourth( +ZU4 the fifth( .N:++Cthirdly( that a similar observation a!!lies to the
Notes which are inserted in my translation4 those a!!ended to the early tales bein# necessarily much
more co!ious than the others"B
+ Two other !rinted editions were also used by &r" 'aneCthat of the first two hundred Ni#hts( !rinted
at Calcutta( and in conse0uence of the loss( by shi!wreck( of nearly the whole im!ression of the first
volume( never com!leted4 and that of 9reslau" The former differs much( in matter and manner( from
any other known co!y4 the latter( which was edited to the close of the seven hundred and third ni#ht by
8rofessor %abicht( and com!leted by 8rofessor 3leischer( is far inferior to all the others" ;ne other
edition has a!!eared in the 6rabic( that of Calcutta( or Bthe Calcutta edition of the com!lete work"B $t
was brou#ht from Cairo( and is a!!arently (thou#h not immediately) from the same ori#inal as the
9oolDJ edition" $ have continually referred to it for various readin#s( without findin# any one of
im!ortance" 6nd here $ must animadvert on the !ractice of 2erman orientalists of wastin# their own
time and their readers' !atience in collectin# such various readin#s of a work like BThe Thousand and
;ne Ni#htsB as must necessarily be the result of the carelessness or the i#norance of co!yists and
reciters" The habit is unfortunately ado!ted by some 1n#lishmen( who seem to ima#ine that all that is
2erman is therefore learned"C1d"
@ B$ must here state( that !eculiar 0ualifications are re0uired to enable a !erson to 7ud#e of the fidelity
of my translation" The ori#inal work contains many words not com!rised in any !rinted dictionary( and
a #reat number of words used in senses which no such dictionary #ives: in cases of both these kinds( $
am #uided either by the ex!lanations of the sheykh &oGammad '1iyDd( or by my havin# been lon# in
the habit of notin# down new words durin# conversation with 6rabs( and in the !erusal of works in
which they are ex!lained"B
L B6s $ ho!e that the co!y which he has rendered so valuable may be of #reat utility to many students
of the 6rabic lan#ua#e when $ have ceased to !rofit by it( $ may mention here( that the few corrections(
and some ex!lanations( which $ have inserted u!on the mar#ins of !a#es will be easily distin#uished
from those of the sheykh &oGammad '1iyDd by the difference of our handwritin#s"B
N B5hen $ mention 'my sheykh' in the notes( the sheykh &oGammad '1iyDd is the !erson to whom $
allude" $n several instances( when he has #iven brief ex!lanations of words( !hrases( customs( Mc"( with
which $ was !reviously ac0uainted( $ have not thou#ht it necessary to name him as my authority in
notes which $ have inserted( thou#h $ have sometimes done so"B
- B1n#lish writers #enerally ex!ress the 6rabic vowels and di!hthon#s by their nearest Italian
e0uivalents" This mode is very well suited for those who know( and for those who do not care for( the
correct !ronunciation of the words so transcribed4 but for others $ think it ob7ectionable" ;ur lan#ua#e
is alto#ether much more suitable to the !ur!ose of ex!ressin# the sounds of 6rabic than the $talian"
9esides( $ believe it is the custom of every other 1uro!ean nation( in transcribin# ;riental words( to
em!loy a system con#enial with its own lan#ua#e" $n a former work( $ made use of a double h to
ex!ress a very stron# 6rabic as!irate (as others had done before me)( and the word '%hD##' or '%hD77'
was !ointed out by a critic as one remarkably uncouth: Fon %ammer( in a review of that work( writes
the same word (and very !ro!erly as a 2erman writer) '%adschdsch"'B
U B/trictly s!eakin#( it has a sound between that of a in 'bad' and that of u in 'bud4' sometimes
a!!roximatin# more to the former4 and sometimes to the latter"B
W B$ts sound( however( often a!!roximates to that of a in 'ball"'B
, B?h is !ronounced as th in 'that:' #h re!resents a #uttural sound like that !roduced in #ar#lin#: kh
re!resents a #uttural sound like that which is !roduced in ex!ellin# saliva from the throat( and
a!!roachin# nearer to the sound of G (a very stron# as!irate) than to that of k: sh is !ronounced as in
'shall:' and th( as in 'thin"'B
. B1s)/uyooEee( in his '[osn el)&oGD\arah(' after 0uotin# a descri!tion of certain dresses( says( '6s to
their dresses of honour( and those of the 5eOeers and others of similar rank( $ have struck out the
descri!tion of them from the words of $bn)3a\l)6llah4 for they are com!osed of silk and #old( which is
forbidden by the law( and $ have obli#ed myself not to mention in this book any thin# of which $ should
be 0uestioned in the world to come( if it be the will of 2od"'C$ have never seen any 6rabic work with
drawin#s of costumes4 but 8ersian drawin#s are often useful in ex!lainin# 6rab dresses"B
+Z These drawin#s( with some few exce!tions( have now been !ublished( from co!ies in the !ossession
of &" Coste"
++ BThe substance of the first five cha!ters in my translation( endin# with !art of the thirty)second
Ni#ht( occu!ies a hundred and sixty)ei#ht Ni#hts in the edition of 9reslau"B
xxiii
CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

8621
$ntroduction
+
Notes
+-
C%68T1< $"
/tory of the &erchant and the *innee
L,
/tory of the 3irst /heykh and the 2aOelle
N@
/tory of the /econd /heykh and the two 9lack %ounds
NU
/tory of the Third /heykh and the &ule
-Z
Notes
-L
C%68T1< $$"
/tory of the 3isherman
U.
/tory of =in# SoonDn and the /a#e ?oobDn
W-
/tory of the %usband and the 8arrot
W.
/tory of the 1nvious 5eOeer and the 8rince and the 2hooleh
,+
Continuation of the /tory of =in# SoonDn and the /a#e ?oobDn
,L
Continuation of the /tory of the 3isherman
,U
/tory of the Soun# =in# of the 9lack $slands
.N
Notes
+ZN
C%68T1< $$$"
/tory of the 8orter and the 'adies of 9a#hdDd( and of the Three <oyal &endicants( Mc"
+@Z
xxiv
/tory of the 3irst <oyal &endicant
+LN
/tory of the /econd <oyal &endicant
+NZ
/tory of the 1nvier and the 1nvied +N.
Continuation of the /tory of the /econd <oyal &endicant
+-+
/tory of the Third <oyal &endicant
+UZ
Continuation of the /tory of the 'adies of 9a#hdDd( Mc"
+WL
/tory of the 3irst of the Three 'adies of 9a#hdDd
+WL
/tory of the /econd of the Three 'adies of 9a#hdDd
+,+
Conclusion of the /tory of the 'adies of 9a#hdDd( Mc"
+,W
Notes
+.Z
C%68T1< $F"
/tory of the Three 6!!les( Mc"
@@@
/tory of Noor)ed)?een and his /on( and of /hems)ed)?een and his ?au#hter
@LZ
C%68T1< F"
/tory of the %um!back
@.+
/tory told by the Christian 9roker
@.W
/tory told by the /ulEDn's /teward
L+Z
/tory told by the *ewish 8hysician
L@Z
/tory told by the Tailor
L@,
The 9arber's /tory of %imself
LN@
The 9arber's /tory of his 3irst 9rother
LNN
The 9arber's /tory of his /econd 9rother
LN,
The 9arber's /tory of his Third 9rother
L-+
The 9arber's /tory of his 3ourth 9rother
L--
The 9arber's /tory of his 3ifth 9rother L-.
The 9arber's /tory of his /ixth 9rother
LU.
Conclusion of the /tory told by the Tailor
LWN
Conclusion of the /tory of the %um!back
LWN
Notes
LWW
C%68T1< F$"
/tory of Noor)ed)?een and 1nees)el)*elees
L.Z
Notes
NLZ
C%68T1< F$$"
xxv/tory of 2hDnim the /on of 1iyoob( the ?istracted /lave of 'ove
NLU
/tory of the /lave =Dfoor
NNZ
Continuation of the /tory of 2hDnim
NN-
Notes
NUL
C%68T1< F$$$"
/tory of TD7)el)&ulook and the 'ady ?uny]
NU.
/tory of '6OeeO and '6OeeOeh
N,Z
Continuation of the /tory of TD7)el)&ulook and the 'ady ?uny]
-+@
Notes
-NN
xxvi
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS IN VOLUME I.
1n#raver's
Names
8a#e
;rnamental Title"C6t the foot is the Title in 6rabic
*ackson"
%ead)!iece to 8reface"CThe Fase is formed of the 6rabic words si#nifyin# B$n
the name of 2od( the Com!assionate( the &ercifulB (always !laced at the head of
a &uslim work)( written doubly( and contrarily
&ary Clint vii
Tail)!iece to 8reface
'andells xxii
%ead)!iece to Table of Contents
'andells xxiii
Tail)!iece to Table of Contents
5illiamson xxv
%ead)!iece to 'ist of $llustrations
'andells xxvi
/hahriyDr #oin# out to hunt( and ;rnamental 9order
*ackson +
The 5eOeer !resentin# the letter to /hDh)^emDn
;" /mith L
/hDh)^emDn( after havin# killed his 5ife
;" /mith N
&eetin# of /hahriyDr and /hDh)^emDn
;" /mith -
/hahriyDr's return from the Chase
2ray U
2arden of /hahriyDr's 8alace
Thom!son W
'1freet and 'ady
T" 5illiams ,
xxviiThe 5eOeer and his two ?au#hters
;" /mith ++
The 6ss at 8lou#h
'andells +@
The ?o# and the Cock
'andells +L
/hahriyDr unveilin# /hahraODd
Thom!son +N
%ead)!iece to Notes to $ntroduction"CThe 6rabic inscri!tion is the sub7ect of the
first !ara#ra!h of the first Note 'andells +-
Tail)!iece to Notes to $ntroduction"C&ornin#
'andells LW
%ead)!iece to Cha!ter $"C/hahraODd narratin# her /tories
&iss 5illiams L,
&erchant and *innee /" 5illiams L.
&eetin# of the &erchant and the /heykh with the 2aOelle
;" /mith N+
<eturn of the *innee
;" /mith N@
Transformation of the Concubine into a Cow
Thom!son NL
The %erdsman introducin# his ?au#hter to the /heykh
9enneworth N-
The /econd /heykh receivin# his !oor 9rother
2ray NW
The /econd /heykh findin# the &aiden on the /ea)shore
2ray N,
The /econd /heykh saved from drownin#
'inton N.
The /econd /heykh and the two 9lack %ounds
2ray -Z
Tail)!iece to Cha!ter $"CThe *innee listenin# to the Tales of the /heykhs 3" 5"
9ranston
-+
%ead)!iece to Notes to Cha!ter $"CThe &erchant eatin# in the 2arden
'andells -@
Tail)!iece to Notes to Cha!ter $" &ason
*ackson
U,
%ead)!iece to Cha!ter $$"CThe 3isherman"C&otto( B/mall thin#s stir u! #reatB
*ackson U.
The '1freet liberated from the 9ottle
;rrin /mith W+
The 3isherman enclosin# the '1freet in the 9ottle
2reen WN
=in# SoonDn !layin# at 2off
'andells WU
?oobDn in his ?ress of %onour
Thom!son W,
The $ntelli#ent 8arrot
2ray W.
The 8rince &eetin# the 2hooleh
'andells ,@
?oobDn and the 1xecutioner
2ray ,N
The ?eath of =in# SoonDn
Thom!son ,U
The 3ish of 3our Colours
2ray ,,
The 3isherman shewin# the 3ish to the /ulEDn
Thom!son ,.
The Cook)maid dressin# the 3ish
=irchner .Z
The 9lack 8alace
'andells .@
The /ulEDn discoverin# the Soun# =in# of the 9lack $slands
;rrin /mith .N
The Soun# =in# on his 9ed( attended by Two &aids
T" 5illiams .-
The 9lack /lave wounded by the Soun# =in#
2ray .W
The Pubbeh( or Tomb
&iss 5illiams +ZZ
The /ulEDn killin# the 1nchantress
/" 5illiams +Z+
Tail)!iece to Cha!ter $$"CThe *ourney home
'andells +ZL
%ead)!iece to Notes to Cha!ter $$"CThe 3isherman and the dead 6ss
'andells +ZN
%ead)!iece to Cha!ter $$$"CThe 8orter( Mc"CThe &otto is the $nscri!tion u!on
the ?oor( in =oofee Characters
&ason
*ackson
+@Z
The 8orter !leadin# with the Three 'adies
/mith +@L
The 8orter and 'adies carousin#
T" 5illiams +@N
The Three <oyal &endicants
Fasey +@U
The Concert of the &endicants
/mith +@W
The 'adies !re!arin# to whi! the 9itches
2ray +@.
The 8ortress faintin#
T" 5illiams +LZ
xxviiiThe 8orter seiOed
2ray +L@
3irst 8rince (afterwards a &endicant) leadin# the 'ady to the Tomb
/mith +L-
/econd 8rince (afterwards a &endicant) meetin# the <obbers
2reen +NZ
/econd 8rince as a 5ood)cutter
T" 5illiams +N@
/econd 8rince discoverin# the Tra!)door 'andells +NL
/econd 8rince ascendin# the /te!s
'andells +N-
/econd 8rince carried off by the '1freet
Thom!son +NU
/econd 8rince be##in# his life of the '1freet
Thom!son +N,
The 1nvied /heykh and the *inn in the 5ell
T" 5illiams +-Z
/econd 8rince transformed into an 6!e
/" 5illiams +-@
The 6!e reco#nised by the 8rincess
2ray +--
The Combat with the 'ion (%ead)!iece) /" 5illiams(
*un"
+-U
Transformations 5ri#ht M
3olkard
+-U
?itto 5ri#ht M
3olkard
+-W
?isenchantment of the 6!e
/mith +-,
The &ountain of 'oadstone
5him!er +U@
The 8rince thrown ashore
&" *ackson +UL
?eath of the South in the Cave
2reen +UU
2arden
&" *ackson +W+
3irst 'ady reco#nisin# her /isters
2reen +WN
The 8rince in the ;ratory
/mith +WW
3irst 'ady after killin# the /er!ent
'andells +,Z
9DODr( or &arket)/treet
&" *ackson +,N
;ld 5oman intercedin# for the /econd 'ady
Thom!son +,U
8alace
2reen +,.
%ead)!iece to Notes to Cha!ter $$$"CThe 8orter
*" *ackson +.Z
8ersian %ar!s
'andells @Z-
Tail)!iece to Notes to Cha!ter $$$"
T" 5illiams @@+
%ead)!iece to Cha!ter $F"C3isherman drawin# his Nets
Thom!son @@@
The Soun# &an !resentin# the 6!!les to his 5ife
3" 9ranston @@U
The 5eOeer findin# the 6!!le
2reen @@.
The 8yramids
*" *ackson @L@
The &ule of Noor)ed)?een
'andells @LL
Noor)ed)?een after the 9ath
&" *ackson @L-
The ;ld 5eOeer instructin# his 2randchild
Thom!son @L,
Noor)ed)?een and his /on
'inton @N+
9edr)ed)?een at his 3ather's Tomb
*" *ackson @NL
The '1freet( attended by the *inneeyeh( carryin# off 9edr)ed)?een
Thom!son @N-
Transformations 5ri#ht M
3olkard
@N,
?itto 5ri#ht M
3olkard
@N.
9edr)ed)?een and his 9ride 5ri#ht M
3olkard
@N.
2ate of ?amascus
&" *ackson @-+
The 5eOeer /hems)ed)?een recoverin# from a /woon
/lader @--
The /chool
2ray @-W
?amascus
/mith @UZ
The 5idow of Noor)ed)?een kissin# the feet of his 9rother
T" 5illiams @UL
9edr)ed)?een waitin# u!on his /on and the 1unuch
2reen @U-
9edr)ed)?een bound
/mith @UW
9edr)ed)?een's !er!lexity
*" *ackson @WZ
%ead)!iece to Notes to Cha!ter $F"CThe ;ld 3isherman
&iss 5illiams @WL
Tail)!iece to Notes to Cha!ter $F" 5ri#ht M
3olkard
@.Z
xxix%ead)!iece to Cha!ter F"CThe %um!back( Mc"
T" 5illiams @.+
The %um!back ?ead 5ri#ht M
3olkard
@.U
9Db en)NaHr (from a /ketch by &r" 1"5" 'ane)( Mc"
*" *ackson @.W
&oney)Chan#er and /crivener( Mc" 5ri#ht M
3olkard
LZZ
/aloon
Thom!son LZL
$nterior of 9Db ^uweyleh (from a /ketch by &" Coste)
'andells LZU
%ead)!iece to the /tory told by the /ulEDn's /teward
'andells L+Z
6rrival of the 'ady on the &ule
&" *ackson L+L
&os0ue on the 9ank of the Ti#ris
*" *ackson L+-
?is!layin# of the 9ride
Thom!son L+W
8ortrait of the *ew
/lader L+.
%ead)!iece to the /tory told by the *ewish 8hysician
/mith L@Z
6le!!o
/mith L@@
The 6rrest
2ray L@-
The 'ady confessin# her Crime
2ray L@W
%ead)!iece to the /tory told by the Tailor
/mith L@,
Soun# &an sittin# on a &aHEabah
/mith LLZ
The 9arber and the Soun# &an
'andells LL@
The 9arber and /ervants with ?ishes
'andells LLU
The 9arber rendin# his Clothes
*" *ackson LL.
8ortrait of the 9arber
Fasey LN+
%ead)!iece to the 9arber's /tory of %imself
*" *ackson LN@
%ead)!iece to the 9arber's /tory of his 3irst 9rother"CThe &otto( B%ow
different is to)ni#ht from yesterday_B 'andells LNN
Tail)!iece to the same
5illiamson LNW
%ead)!iece to the 9arber's /tory of his /econd 9rother
T" 5illiams LN,
%ead)!iece to the 9arber's /tory of his Third 9rother
/" 5illiams L-+
Tail)!iece to the same
*ennin#s L-N
%ead)!iece to the 9arber's /tory of his 3ourth 9rother
*ackson L--
Tail)!iece to the same
2ray L-,
%ead)!iece to the 9arber's /tory of his 3ifth 9rother"CThe &otto( BThe emulous
desire of increase em!loyeth you until ye visit the #raves"B (Pur)Dn( ch" cii" vv" +
and @")
*ackson L-.
The <everie of the 9arber's 3ifth 9rother
Thom!son LUZ
?itto
/" 5illiams LU+
?itto
T" 5illiams LU@
?itto
2ray LUL
The <esult
'ee LUL
The /econd &isfortune of the 9arber's 3ifth 9rother
Thom!son LUU
Tail)!iece to the 9arber's /tory of his 3ifth 9rother
5illiamson LU,
%ead)!iece to the 9arber's /tory of his /ixth 9rother
'andells LU.
The 9arber's /ixth 9rother taken by 9edawees
2reen LWL
Tail)!iece to the /tory of the %um!back /lader LWU
%ead)!iece to Notes to Cha!ter F"
'andells LWW
Tail)!iece to Notes to Cha!ter F"
Fasey L,.
%ead)!iece to Cha!ter F$"
/mith L.Z
Noor)ed)?een embracin# the /lave
Thom!son L.N
The 3uneral of the 5eOeer 1l)3a\l 5ri#ht M
3olkard
L.W
The 5eOeer 1l)&o'een in the /lave)&arket
*" *ackson NZ@
1l)&o'een in his 6basement &iss %"
Clarke
NZN
The 'ane leadin# to BThe 2arden of ?eli#htB
2reen NZ,
9ower in BThe 2arden of ?eli#htB
T" 5illiams N+Z
xxx1nees)el)*elees offerin# the 5ine 5ri#ht M
3olkard
N+@
The =haleefeh and the 5eOeer in the Tree
/" 5illiams N+-
=ereem( the 3isherman
*ennin#s N+,
1nees)el)*elees !layin# on the 'ute
/" 5illiams N@+
1nees)el)*elees and the =haleefeh and *aQfar
/lader N@W
Tail)!iece to Cha!ter F$"
9astin N@.
%ead)!iece to Notes to Cha!ter F$"
'andells NLZ
Tail)!iece to Notes to Cha!ter F$"
9ranston NL-
%ead)!iece to Cha!ter F$$"
'andells NLU
2hDnim in the 8alm)tree
/mith NL.
The &erchant meetin# his 3amily
*ackson NNL
Poot)el)Puloob awakin#
2ray NNU
8retended Tomb of Poot)el)Puloob
5illiamson N-+
2hDnim sick in a &os0ue
&" *ackson N--
2hDnim's &other and /ister as 9e##ars 5ri#ht M
3olkard
N-.
Tail)!iece to Cha!ter F$$"
'andells NU@
%ead)!iece to Notes to Cha!ter F$$"C?amascus
'andells NUL
Tail)!iece to Notes to Cha!ter F$$"CThe ?ecision
&" *ackson NU,
%ead)!iece to Cha!ter F$$$"C/uleymDn /hDh and his 5eOeer
*" *ackson NU.
^ahr /hDh on his Throne
Fasey NWL
The Troo!s of /uleymDn /hDh meetin# his 9ride 5ri#ht M
3olkard
NW-
TD7)el)&ulook huntin#
2reen NWW
?escent of the %andkerchief
/" 5illiams N,@
'6OeeO and '6OeeOeh
/lader N,-
The &aJ'ad
;" /mith N.Z
'6OeeO returned with the =nife and ?irhem
'andells N.-
'6OeeOeh wee!in# over the ?esi#n of the 2aOelles
/lader N.W
'6OeeOeh dead
'andells N..
'6OeeO and his &istress at the 2rave of '6OeeOeh
5illiamson -Z@
The future 5ife of '6OeeO
*ennin#s -Z-
The 8unishment of '6OeeO
2ray -Z,
The 'ady ?uny]
Thom!son -+@
%alt on the *ourney
5him!er -+N
TD7)el)&ulook receivin# the ;ld 5oman
Fasey -+.
The 'ady ?uny] writin#
%arriet Clarke -@L
The 'ady ?uny] untwistin# the ;ld 5oman's %air
T" 5illiams -@U
The ;ld 5oman beaten by 3emale /laves
/" 5illiams -@,
$llustrations of the /trata#em in the 'ady ?unyD's 2arden
'andells -L@
TD7)el)&ulook and the 'ady ?uny]
'andells -L-
/cene on the 6rrival of the Troo!s of /uleymDn /hDh
5him!er -L,
The %orses sent to /uleymDn /hDh
2ray -N+
Tail)!iece to Cha!ter F$$$" 5ri#ht M
3olkard
-NL
%ead)!iece to Notes to Cha!ter F$$$"
'andells -NN
Tail)!iece to Notes to Cha!ter F$$$"
2reen ---
+

$NT<;?ACT$;N
CCC
In the name of God the Compassionate the Merciful!+
8raise be to 2od( the 9eneficent =in#( the Creator of the universe( who hath raised the heavens without
!illars( and s!read out the earth as a bed4@ and blessin# and !eace be on the lord of a!ostles( our lord
and our master &oGammad( and his 3amily4 blessin# and !eace( endurin# and constant( unto the day of
7ud#ment"
To !roceed:CThe lives of former #enerations are a lesson to !osterity4 that a man may review the
remarkable events@ which have ha!!ened to others( and be admonished4 and may consider the history
of !eo!le of !recedin# a#es( and of all that hath befallen them( and be restrained" 1xtolled be the
!erfection of %im who hath thus ordained the history of former #enerations to be a lesson to those
which follow" /uch are the Tales of a Thousand and ;ne Ni#hts( with their romantic stories and their
fables"
$t is related (but 2od alone is all)knowin#(L as well as all)wise( and almi#hty( and all)bountiful() that
there was( in ancient times( a =in#N of the countries of $ndia and China( !ossessin# numerous troo!s(
and #uards( and servants( and domestic de!endents: and he had two sons4 one of whom was a man of
mature a#e4 and the other( a youth" 9oth of these !rinces were brave horsemen4 but es!ecially the elder(
who inherited the kin#dom of his father4 and #overned his sub7ects with such 7ustice that the inhabitants
of his country and whole em!ire loved him" %e was called =in# /hahriyDr:- his youn#er brother was
named /hDh)^emDn(U and was =in# of /amarJand"W The administration of their #overnments was
conducted with rectitude( each of them rulin# over his sub7ects with 7ustice durin# a !eriod of twenty
years with the utmost en7oyment and ha!!iness" 6fter this !eriod( the elder =in# felt a stron# desire to
see his brother( and ordered his 5eOeer, to re!air to him and brin# him"
%avin# taken the advice of the 5eOeer on this sub7ect(. he immediately #ave orders to !re!are
handsome !resents( such as horses adorned with #old and costly 7ewels( and memlooks( and beautiful
vir#ins( and ex!ensive stuffs"+Z %e then wrote a letter to his brother( ex!ressive of his #reat desire to
see him4++ and havin# sealed it( and #iven it to the 5eOeer( to#ether with the !resents above
mentioned( he ordered the minister to strain his nerves( and tuck u! his skirts( and use all ex!edition in
returnin#" The 5eOeer answered( without delay( $ hear and obey4 and forthwith !re!ared for the
7ourney: he !acked his ba##a#e( removed the burdens( and made ready all his !rovisions within three
days4 and on the fourth day( he took leave of the =in# /hahriyDr( and went forth towards the deserts and
wastes" %e !roceeded ni#ht and day4 and each of the kin#s under the authority of =in# /hahriyDr by
whose residence he !assed came forth to meet him(+@ with costly !resents( and #ifts of #old and silver(
and entertained him three days4+L after which( on the fourth day( he accom!anied him one day's
7ourney( and took leave of him" Thus he continued on his way until he drew near to the city of
/amarJand( when he sent forward a messen#er to inform =in# /hDh)^emDn ofL his a!!roach" The
messen#er entered the city( in0uired the way to the !alace( and( introducin# himself to the =in#( kissed
the #round before him(+N and ac0uainted him with the a!!roach of his brother's 5eOeer4 u!on which
/hDh)^emDn ordered the chief officers of his court( and the #reat men of his kin#dom( to #o forth a
day's 7ourney to meet him4 and they did so4 and when they met him( they welcomed him( and walked
by his stirru!s until they returned to the city" The 5eOeer then !resented himself before the =in# /hDh)
^emDn( #reeted him with a !rayer for the divine assistance in his favour( kissed the #round before him(
and informed him of his brother's desire to see him4 after which he handed to him the letter" The =in#
took it( read it( and understood its contents4+- and answered by ex!ressin# his readiness to obey the
commands of his brother" 9ut( said he (addressin# the 5eOeer)( $ will not #o until $ have entertained
thee three days" 6ccordin#ly( he lod#ed him in a !alace befittin# his rank( accommodated his troo!s in
tents( and a!!ointed them all thin#s re0uisite in the way of food and drink: and so they remained three
days" ;n the fourth day( he e0ui!!ed himself forN the 7ourney( made ready his ba##a#e( and collected
to#ether costly !resents suitable to his brother's di#nity"
These !re!arations bein# com!leted( he sent forth his tents and camels and mules and servants and
#uards( a!!ointed his 5eOeer to be #overnor of the country durin# his absence( and set out towards his
brother's dominions" 6t midni#ht(+U however( he remembered that he had left in his !alace an article
which he should have brou#ht with him4 and havin# returned to the !alace to fetch it( he there beheld
his wife slee!in# in his bed( and attended by a male ne#ro slave( who had fallen aslee! by her side" ;n
beholdin# this scene( the world became black before his eyes4 and he said within himself( $f this is the
case when $ have not de!arted from the city( what will be the conduct of this vile woman while $ am
so7ournin# with my brotherR %e then drew his sword( and slew them both in the bed: after which he
immediately returned( #ave orders for de!arture( and 7ourneyed to his brother's ca!ital"
/hahriyDr( re7oicin# at the tidin#s of his a!!roach( went forth to meet him( saluted him( and welcomed
him with the utmost deli#ht" %e then ordered that the city should be decorated on the occasion(+W and
sat down to entertain his brother with cheerful conversation: but the mind of =in# /hDh)^emDn was
distracted by reflections u!on the conduct of his wife4 excessive #rief took !ossession of him4 and his
countenance became sallow4 and his frame( emaciated" %is brother observed his altered condition( and(
ima#inin# that it was occasioned by his absence from his dominions( abstained from troublin# him or-
askin# res!ectin# the cause( until after the la!se of some days( when at len#th he said to him( ; my
brother( $ !erceive that thy body is emaciated( and thy countenance is become sallow" %e answered( ;
brother( $ have an internal sore:Cand he informed him not of the conduct of his wife which he had
witnessed" /hahriyDr then said( $ wish that thou wouldest #o out with me on a huntin# excursion4
!erha!s thy mind mi#ht so be diverted:Cbut he declined4 and /hahriyDr went alone to the chase"+,
Now there were some windows in the =in#'s !alace commandin# a view of his #arden4 and while his
brother was lookin# out from one of these( a door of the !alace was o!ened( and there came forth from
it twenty females and twenty male black slaves4 and the =in#'s wife( who was distin#uished by
extraordinary beauty and ele#ance(+. accom!anied them to a fountain( where they all disrobed
themselves( and sat down to#ether" The =in#'s wife then called out( ; &es'ood_@Z and immediately a
black slave came to her( and embraced her4 she doin# the like" /o also did the other slaves and the
women4 and all of them continued revellin# to#ether until the close of the day" 5hen /hDh)^emDn
beheld this s!ectacle( he said within himself( 9y 6llah_ my affliction is li#hter than this_ %is vexation
and #rief were alleviated( and he no lon#er abstained from sufficient food and drink"
5hen his brother returned from his excursion( and they hadU saluted each other( and =in# /hahriyDr
observed his brother /hDh)^emDn( that his colour had returned( that his face had recovered the flush of
health( and that he ate with a!!etite( after his late abstinence( he was sur!rised( and said( ; my brother(
when $ saw thee last( thy countenance was sallow( and now thy colour hath returned to thee: ac0uaint
me with thy state"C6s to the chan#e of my natural com!lexion( answered /hDh)^emDn( $ will inform
thee of its cause4 but excuse my ex!lainin# to thee the return of my colour"C3irst( said /hahriyDr(
relate to me the cause of the chan#e of thy !ro!er com!lexion( and of thy weakness: let me hear it"C
=now then( ; my brother( he answered( that when thou sentest thy 5eOeer to me to invite me to thy
!resence( $ !re!ared myself for the 7ourney( and when $ had #one forth from the city( $ remembered that
$ had left behind me the 7ewel that $ have #iven thee4 $ therefore returned to my !alace for it( and there $
found my wife slee!in# in my bed( and attended by a black male slave4 and $ killed them both( and
came to thee: but my mind was occu!ied by reflections u!on this affair( and this was the cause of the
chan#e of my com!lexion( and of my weakness: now( as to the return of my colour( excuse my
informin# thee of its cause"C9ut when his brother heard these words( he said( $ con7ure thee by 6llah
that thou ac0uaint me with the cause of the return of thy colour:Cso he re!eated to him all that he had
seen" $ would see this( said /hahriyDr( with my own eye"CThen( said /hDh)^emDn( #ive out that thou
art #oin# a#ain to the chase( and conceal thyself here with me( and thou shalt witness this conduct( and
obtain ocular !roof of it"
/hahriyDr( u!on this( immediately announced that it was his intention to make another excursion" The
troo!s went out of the cityW with the tents( and the =in# followed them4 and after he had re!osed
awhile in the cam!( he said to his servants( 'et no one come in to me:Cand he dis#uised himself( and
returned to his brother in the !alace( and sat in one of the windows overlookin# the #arden4 and when
he had been there a short time( the women and their mistress entered the #arden with the black slaves(
and did as his brother had described( continuin# so until the hour of the afternoon)!rayer"
5hen =in# /hahriyDr beheld this occurrence( reason fled from his head( and he said to his brother
/hDh)^emDn( 6rise( and let us travel whither we !lease( and renounce the re#al state( until we see
whether such a calamity as this have befallen any other !erson like unto us4 and if not( our death will be
!referable to our life" %is brother a#reed to his !ro!osal( and they went out from a !rivate door of the
!alace( and 7ourneyed continually( days and ni#hts( until they arrived at a tree in the midst of a meadow(
by a s!rin# of water( on the shore of the sea" They drank of this s!rin#( and sat down to rest4 and when
the day had a little advanced( the sea became troubled, before them( and there arose from it a black
!illar( ascendin# towards the sky( and a!!roachin# the meadow" /truck with fear at the si#ht( they
climbed u! into the tree( which was lofty4 and thence they #aOed to see what this mi#ht be: and behold(
it was a *innee(@+ of #i#antic stature( broad)fronted and bulky( bearin# on his head a chest"@@ %e
landed( and came to the tree into which the two =in#s had climbed( and( havin# seated himself beneath
it( o!ened the chest( and took out of it another box( which he also o!ened4 and there came forth from it
a youn# woman( fair and beautiful( like the shinin# sun" 5hen the *innee cast his eyes u!on her( he
said( ; lady of noble race( whom $ carried off on thy weddin#)ni#ht( $ have a desire to slee! a little:C
and he !laced his head u!on her knee( and sle!t" The damsel then. raised her head towards the tree( and
saw there the two =in#s4 u!on which she removed the head of the *innee from her knee( and( havin#
!laced it on the #round( stood under the tree( and made si#ns to the two =in#s( as thou#h she would
say( Come down( and fear not this '1freet"@L They answered her( 5e con7ure thee by 6llah that thou
excuse us in this matter" 9ut she said( $ con7ure you by the same that ye come down4 and if ye do not( $
will rouse this '1freet( and he shall !ut you to a cruel death" /o( bein# afraid( they came down to her4
and( after they had remained with her as lon# as she re0uired( she took from her !ocket a !urse( and
drew out from this a strin#( u!on which were ninety)ei#ht seal)rin#s4@N and she said to them( =now ye
what are theseR They answered( 5e know not"CThe owners of these rin#s( said she( have( all of them(
been admitted to converse with me( like as ye have( unknown to this foolish '1freet4 therefore( #ive me
your two rin#s(@- ye brothers" /o they #ave her their two rin#s from their fin#ers4 and she then said to
them( This '1freet carried me off on my weddin#)ni#ht( and !ut me in the box( and !laced the box in
the chest( and affixed to the chest seven locks( and de!osited me( thus im!risoned( in the bottom of the
roarin# sea( beneath the dashin# waves4 not knowin# that( when one of our sex desires to accom!lish
any ob7ect( nothin# can !revent her" $n accordance with this( says one of the !oets:C
Never trust in women4 nor rely u!on their vows4 3or their !leasure and dis!leasure de!end u!on their
!assions" They offer a false affection4 for !erfidy lurks within their clothin#" 9y the tale of Soosuf@U be
admonished( and #uard a#ainst their strata#ems" ?ost thou not consider that $blees e7ected 6dam by
means of womanR
6nd another !oet says:C
6bstain from censure4 for it will stren#then the censured( and increase desire into violent !assion" $f $
suffer such !assion( my case is but the same as that of many a man before me: 3or #reatly indeed to be
wondered at is he who hath ke!t himself safe from women's artifice"@W
5hen the two =in#s heard these words from her li!s( they were struck with the utmost astonishment(
and said( one to the other( $f this is an '1freet( and a #reater calamity hath ha!!ened unto him than that
which hath befallen us( this is a circumstance that should console us:Cand immediately they de!arted(
and returned to the city"
6s soon as they had entered the !alace( /hahriyDr caused his wife to be beheaded( and in like manner
the women and black slaves4+Z and thenceforth he made it his re#ular custom( every time that he took a
vir#in to his bed( to kill her at the ex!iration of the ni#ht" Thus he continued to do durin# a !eriod of
three years4 and the !eo!le raised an outcry a#ainst him( and fled with their dau#hters( and there
remained not a vir#in in the city of a sufficient a#e for marria#e"@, /uch was the case when the =in#
ordered the 5eOeer to brin# him a vir#in accordin# to his custom4 and the 5eOeer went forth and
searched( and found none4 and he went back to his house enra#ed and vexed( fearin# what the =in#
mi#ht do to him"
Now the 5eOeer had two dau#hters4 the elder of whom was named /hahraODd4 and the youn#er(
?unyDODd" The former had read various books of histories( and the lives of !recedin# kin#s( and stories
of !ast #enerations: it is asserted that she had collected to#ether a thousand books of histories( relatin#
to !recedin# #enerations and kin#s( and works of the !oets: and she said to her father on this occasion(
5hy do $ see thee thus chan#ed( and o!!ressed with solicitude and sorrowsR $t has been said by one of
the !oets:C
Tell him who is o!!ressed with anxiety( that anxiety will not last: 6s ha!!iness !asseth away( so
!asseth away anxiety"
5hen the 5eOeer heard these words from his dau#hter( he related to her all that had ha!!ened to him
with re#ard to the =in#: u!on which she said( 9y 6llah( ; my father( #ive me in marria#e to this =in#:
either $ shall die( and be a ransom for one of the dau#hters of the &uslims( or $ shall live( and be the
cause of their deliverance from him"@.C$ con7ure thee by 6llah( exclaimed he( that thou ex!ose not
thyself to such !eril:Cbut she said( $t must be so" Then( said he( $ fear for thee that the same will befall
thee that ha!!ened in the case of the ass and the bull and the husbandman"C6nd what( she asked( was
that( ; my father"
=now( ; my dau#hter( said the 5eOeer( that there was a certain merchant( who !ossessed wealth and
cattle( and had a wife and children4 and 2od( whose name be exalted( had also endowed him with the
knowled#e of the lan#ua#es of beasts and birds"LZ The abode of this merchant was in the country4 and
he had( in his house( an ass and a bull"L+ 5hen the bull came to the !lace where the ass was tied( he
found it swe!t and s!rinkled4L@ in his man#er were sifted barley and sifted cut straw(LL and the ass was
lyin# at his ease4 his master bein# accustomed only to ride him occasionally( when business re0uired(
and soon to return: and it ha!!ened( one++ day( that the merchant overheard the bull sayin# to the ass(
&ay thy food benefit thee_LN $ am o!!ressed with fati#ue( while thou art en7oyin# re!ose: thou eatest
sifted barley( and men serve thee4 and it is only occasionally that thy master rides thee( and returns4
while $ am continually em!loyed in !lou#hin#( and turnin# the mill"L-CThe ass answered(LU 5hen
thou #oest out to the field( and they !lace the yoke u!on thy neck( lie down( and do not rise a#ain( even
if they beat thee4 or( if thou rise( lie down a second time4 and when they take thee back( and !lace the
beans before thee( eat them not( as thou#h thou wert sick: abstain from eatin# and drinkin# a day( or
two days( or three4 and so shalt thou find rest from trouble and labour"C6ccordin#ly( when the driver
came to the bull with his fodder( he ate scarcely any of it4 and on the morrow( when the driver came
a#ain to take him to !lou#h( he found him a!!arently 0uite infirm: so the merchant said( Take the ass(
and make him draw the !lou#h in his stead all the day" The man did so4 and when the ass returned at the
close of the day( the bull thanked him for the+@ favour he had conferred u!on him by relievin# him of
his trouble on that day4 but the ass returned him no answer( for he re!ented most #rievously" ;n the
next day( the !lou#hman came a#ain( and took the ass( and !lou#hed with him till evenin#4 and the ass
returned with his neck flayed by the yoke( and reduced to an extreme state of weakness4 and the bull
looked u!on him( and thanked and !raised him" The ass exclaimed( $ was livin# at ease( and nou#ht but
my meddlin# hath in7ured me_ Then said he to the bull( =now that $ am one who would #ive thee #ood
advice: $ heard our master say( $f the bull rise not from his !lace( take him to the butcher( that he may
kill him( and make a naEQLW of his skin:C$ am therefore in fear for thee( and so $ have #iven thee
advice4 and !eace be on thee_C5hen the bull heard these words of the ass( he thanked him( and said(
To)morrow $ will #o with alacrity:Cso he ate the whole of his fodder( and even licked the man#er"C
Their master( meanwhile( was listenin# to their conversation"
;n the followin# mornin#( the merchant and his wife went to the bull's crib( and sat down there4 and
the driver came( and took out the bull4 and when the bull saw his master( he shook his tail( and showed
his alacrity by sounds and actions( boundin# about in such a manner that the merchant lau#hed until he
fell backwards" %is wife( in sur!rise( asked him( 6t what dost thou lau#hR %e answered( 6t a thin# that
$ have heard and seen4 but $ cannot reveal it4 for if $ did( $ should die" /he said( Thou must inform me of
the cause of thy lau#hter( even if thou die"C$ cannot reveal it( said he: the fear of death !revents me"C
Thou lau#hedst only at me( she said4 and she ceased not to ur#e and im!ortune him until he was 0uite
overcome and distracted" /o he called to#ether his children( and sent for the PD\eeL, and witnesses(
that he mi#ht make his will( and reveal the secret to her( and die: for he loved her excessively( since she
was the dau#hter of his !aternal uncle( and the mother of his children( and he had lived with her to the
a#e of a hundred and twenty years"L. %avin# assembled her family and his nei#hbours( he related to
them his story( and told them that as soon as he revealed his secret he must die4 u!on which every one
!resent said to her( 5e con7ure thee by 6llah that thou #ive u! this affair( and let not thy husband(+L
and the father of thy children( die" 9ut she said( $ will not desist until he tell me( thou#h he die for it" /o
they ceased to solicit her4 and the merchant left them( and went to the stable to !erform the ablution(
and then to return( and tell them the secret( and die"NZ
Now he had a cock( with fifty hens under him( and he had also a do#4 and he heard the do# call to the
cock( and re!roach him( sayin#( 6rt thou ha!!y when our master is #oin# to dieR The cock asked( %ow
soRCand the do# related to him the story4 u!on which the cock exclaimed( 9y 6llah_ our master has
little sense: I have fifty wives4 and $ !lease this( and !rovoke that4 while he has but one wife( and cannot
mana#e this affair with her: why does he not take some twi#s of the mulberry)tree( and enter her
chamber( and beat her until she dies or re!entsR /he would never( after that( ask him a 0uestion
res!ectin# anythin#"C6nd when the merchant heard the words of the cock( as he addressed the do#( he
recovered his reason( and made u! his mind to beat her"CNow( said the 5eOeer to his dau#hter
/hahraODd( !erha!s $ may do to thee as the merchant did to his wife" /he asked( 6nd what did heR %e
answered( %e entered her chamber( after he had cut off some twi#s of the mulberry)tree( and hidden
them there4 and then said to her( Come into the chamber( that $ may tell thee the secret while no one
sees me( and then die:Cand when she had entered( he locked the chamber)door u!on her( and beat her
until she became almost senseless and cried out( $ re!ent:Cand she kissed his hands and his feet( and
re!ented( and went out with him4 and all the com!any( and her own family( re7oiced4 and they lived
to#ether in the ha!!iest manner until death"
5hen the 5eOeer's dau#hter heard the words of her father( she said to him( $t must be as $ have
re0uested" /o he arrayed her( and went to the =in# /hahriyDr" Now she had #iven directions to her
youn# sister( sayin# to her( 5hen $ have #one to the =in#( $ will send to re0uest thee to come4 and
when thou comest to me( and seest a convenient time( do thou say to me( ; my sister( relate to me some
stran#e story to be#uile our wakin# hour:N+Cand $ will relate to thee a story that shall( if it be the will
of 2od( be the means of !rocurin# deliverance"
%er father( the 5eOeer( then took her to the =in#( who( when+N he saw him( was re7oiced( and said(
%ast thou brou#ht me what $ desiredR %e answered( Ses" 5hen the =in#( therefore( introduced himself
to her( she we!t4 and he said to her( 5hat aileth theeR /he answered( ; =in#( $ have a youn# sister( and
$ wish to take leave of her" /o the =in# sent to her4 and she came to her sister( and embraced her( and
sat near the foot of the bed4 and after she had waited for a !ro!er o!!ortunity( she said( 9y 6llah_ ; my
sister( relate to us a story to be#uile the wakin# hour of our ni#ht" &ost willin#ly( answered /hahraODd(
if this virtuous =in# !ermit me" 6nd the =in#( hearin# these words( and bein# restless( was !leased
with the idea of listenin# to the story4 and thus( on the first ni#ht of the thousand and one( /hahraODd
commenced her recitations"
+-
NOTES TO THE INTRODUCTION.
Note +"COn the Initial "hrase and on the Mohammadan #eligion and $a%s! $t is a universal custom
of the &uslims to write this !hrase at the commencement of every book( whatever may be the sub7ect(
and to !ronounce it on commencin# every lawful act of any im!ortance" This they do in imitation of
the Pur)Dn (every cha!ter of which( exce!tin# one( is thus !refaced)( and in accordance with a !rece!t
of their 8ro!het" The words which $ translate BCom!assionateB and B&ercifulB are both derived from
the same root( and have nearly the same meanin#: the one bein# of a form which is #enerally used to
ex!ress an accidental or occasional !assion or sensation4 the other( to denote a constant 0uality: but the
most learned of the 'Alam] (or !rofessors of reli#ion and law( Mc") inter!ret the former as si#nifyin#
B&erciful in #reat thin#s4B and the latter( B&erciful in small thin#s"B /ale has erred in renderin# them(
con7unctly( B&ost merciful"B
$n the books of the &uslims( the first words( after the above !hrase( almost always consist (as in the
work before us) of some form of !raise and thanks#ivin# to 2od for his !ower and #oodness( followed
by an invocation of blessin# on the 8ro!het4 and in #eneral( when the author is not very concise in these
ex!ressions( he conveys in them some allusion to the sub7ect of his book" 3or instance( if he write on
marria#e( he will commence his work with some such form as this (after the !hrase first mentioned)
CB8raise be to 2od( who hath created the human race( and made them males and females(B Mc"
The exordium of the !resent work( showin# the duty im!osed u!on a &uslim by his reli#ion( even on
the occasion of his commencin# the com!osition or com!ilation of a series of fictions( su##ests to me
the necessity of insertin# a brief !refatory notice of the fundamental !oints of his faith( and the
!rinci!al laws of the ritual and moral( the civil( and the criminal code4 leavin# more full ex!lanations of
!articular !oints to be #iven when occasions shall re0uire such illustrations"
The confession of the &uslim's faith is briefly made in these words:CBThere is no deity but 2od:
&oGammad is 2od's 6!ostle:BCwhich im!ly a belief and observance of everythin# that &oGammad
tau#ht to be the word or will of 2od" $n the o!inion of those who are commonly called orthodox( and
termed B/unneesB (the only class whom we have to consider4 for they are /unnee tenets and 6rab
manners which are described in this work in almost every case( wherever the scene is laid)( the
&ohammadan code is founded u!on the Pur)Dn( the Traditions of the 8ro!het( the concordance of his
!rinci!al early disci!les( and the decisions which have been framed from analo#y or com!arison" This
class consists of four sects( [anafees( /hDfe'ees( &Dlikees( and [ambelees4 so called after the names of
their res!ective founders" The other sects(+U who are called B/hiya'eesB (an a!!ellation !articularly
#iven to the 8ersian sect( but also used to desi#nate #enerally all who are not /unnees)( are re#arded by
their o!!onents in #eneral nearly in the same li#ht as those who do not !rofess 1l)$slDm (or the
&ohammadan faith)4 that is( as destined to eternal or severe !unishment"
The &ohammadan faith embraces the followin# !oints:
+" 9elief in 2od( who is without be#innin# or end( the sole Creator and 'ord of the universe( havin#
absolute !ower( and knowled#e( and #lory( and !erfection"
@" 9elief in his 6n#els( who are im!eccable bein#s( created of li#ht4 and 2enii (*inn)( who are !eccable(
created of smokeless fire" The ?evils( whose chief is $blees( or /atan( are evil 2enii"
L" 9elief in his /cri!tures( which are his uncreated word( revealed to his !ro!hets" ;f these there now
exist( but held to be #reatly corru!ted( the 8entateuch of &oses( the 8salms of ?avid( and the 2os!els
of *esus Christ4 and( in an uncorru!ted and incorru!tible state( the Pur)Dn( which is held to have
abro#ated( and to sur!ass in excellence( all !recedin# revelations"
N" 9elief in his 8ro!hets and 6!ostles4+@ the most distin#uished of whom are 6dam( Noah( 6braham(
&oses( *esus( and &oGammad" *esus is held to be more excellent than any of those who !receded him4
to have been born of a vir#in( and to be the &essiah( and the word of 2od( and a /!irit !roceedin# from
%im( but not !artakin# of his essence( and not to be called the /on of 2od" &oGammad is held to be
more excellent than all4 the last and #reatest of !ro!hets and a!ostles4 the most excellent of the
creatures of 2od"
-" 9elief in the #eneral resurrection and 7ud#ment( and in future rewards and !unishments( chiefly of a
cor!oreal nature: that the !unishments will be eternal to all but wicked &ohammadans4 and that none
but &ohammadans will enter into a state of ha!!iness"
U" 9elief in 2od's !redestination of all events( both #ood and evil"
The !rinci!al <itual and &oral 'aws are on the followin# sub7ects( of which the first four are the most
im!ortant"
+" 8rayer (eH)HalDh( commonly !ronounced eH)Halah)( includin# !re!aratory !urifications" There are
!artial or total washin#s to be !erformed on !articular occasions which need not be mentioned" The
ablution which is more es!ecially !re!aratory to !rayer (and which is called wu\oX) consists in
washin# the hands( mouth( nostrils( face( arms (as hi#h as the elbow( the ri#ht first)( each three times4
and then the u!!er !art of the head( the beard( ears( neck( and feet( each once" This is done with runnin#
water( or from a very lar#e tank( or from a lake( or the sea"C8rayers are re0uired to be !erformed five
times in the course of every day4 between daybreak and sunrise( between noon and the 'aHr (which latter
!eriod is about mid)time between noon and ni#htfall)( between the 'aHr and sunset( between sunset and
the 'esh` (or the !eriod when the darkness of ni#ht commences)( and at( or after( the 'esh`" The
commencement of each of these !eriods is announced by a chant (called adDn)( re!eated by a crier
(muaddin) from the mDd'neh( or menaret( of each mos0ue4 and it is more meritorious to commence the
!rayer then than at a later time" ;n each of these occasions( the &uslim has to !erform certain !rayers
held to be ordained by 2od( and others ordained by the 8ro!het4 each kind consistin# of two( three( or
four Brek'ahs4B which term si#nifies the re!etition of a set form of words( chiefly from the Pur)Dn( and
e7aculations of B2od is most 2reat_B Mc"( accom!anied by !articular !ostures4 !art of the words bein#
re!eated in an erect !osture4 !art( sittin#4 and !art( in other !ostures: an inclination of the head and
body( followed by two !rostrations( distin#uishin# each rek'ah" These !rayers may in some cases be
abrid#ed( and in others entirely omitted" ;ther !rayers must be !erformed on !articular occasions" +"
;n 3riday( the &ohammadan /abbath" These are con#re#ational !rayers( and are similar to those of
other +Wdays( with additional !rayers and exhortations by a minister( who is called $mDm( or =haEeeb"
@" ;n two #rand annual festivals" L" ;n the ni#hts of <ama\Dn( the month of abstinence" N" ;n the
occasion of an ecli!se of the sun or moon" -" 3or rain" U" 8reviously to the commencement of battle" W"
$n !il#rima#e" ," 6t funerals"
@" 6lms)#ivin#" 6n alms( called BOekDh(B commonly !ronounced BOekah(B is re0uired by law to be
#iven annually( to the !oor( of camels( oxen (bulls and cows)( and buffaloes( shee! and #oats( horses
and mules and asses( and #old and silver (whether in money or in vessels( ornaments( Mc")( !rovided
the !ro!erty be of a certain amount( as five camels( thirty oxen( forty shee!( five horses( two hundred
dirhems( or twenty deenDrs" The !ro!ortion is #enerally one)fortieth( which is to be !aid in kind( or in
money( or other e0uivalent"
L" 3astin# (eH)HiyDm)" The &uslim must abstain from eatin# and drinkin#( and from every indul#ence
of the senses( every day durin# the month of <ama\Dn( from the first a!!earance of daybreak until
sunset( unless !hysically inca!acitated"C;n the first day of the followin# month( a festival( called the
&inor 3estival( is observed with !ublic !rayer( and with #eneral re7oicin#( which continues three days"
N" 8il#rima#e (el)Ga77)" $t is incumbent on the &uslim( if able( to !erform( at least once in his life( the
!il#rima#e to &ekkeh and &ount '6rafDt" The !rinci!al ceremonies of the !il#rima#e are com!leted on
the .th of the month of ^u)l)[e77eh: on the followin# day( which is the first of the 2reat 3estival( on the
return from '6rafDt to &ekkeh( the !il#rims who are able to do so !erform a sacrifice( and every other
&uslim who can is re0uired to do the same: !art of the meat of the victim he should eat( and the rest he
should #ive to the !oor" This festival is observed otherwise in a similar manner to the minor one( above
mentioned4 and lasts three or four days"
The less im!ortant ritual and moral laws may here be briefly mentioned in a sin#le !ara#ra!h"C;ne of
these is circumcision( which is not absolutely obli#atory"CThe distinctions of clean and unclean meats
are nearly the same in the &ohammedan as in the &osaic code" Camels' flesh is an exce!tion4 bein#
lawful to the &uslim" /wine's flesh( and blood( are es!ecially condemned4 and a !articular mode of
slau#hterin# animals for food is en7oined( accom!anied by the re!etition of the name of 2od"C5ine
and all inebriatin# li0uors are strictly forbidden"C/o also are #amin# and usury"C&usic is
condemned4 but most &uslims take #reat deli#ht in hearin# it"C$ma#es and !ictures re!resentin#
livin# creatures are contrary to law"CCharity( !robity in all transactions( veracity (exce!tin# in a few
cases)( and modesty( are virtues indis!ensable"CCleanliness in !erson( and decent attire( are
!articularly re0uired" Clothes of silk( and ornaments of #old or silver( are forbidden to men( but
allowed to women: this !rece!t( however( is often disre#arded"CAtensils of #old and silver are also
condemned: yet they are used by many &uslims"CThe manners of &uslims in society are sub7ect to
!articular laws or rules( with res!ect to salutations( Mc"
;f the Civil 'aws( the followin# notices will at !resent suffice"C6 man may have four wives at the
same time( and( accordin# to common o!inion( as many concubine slaves as he !leases"C%e may
divorce a wife twice( and each time take her back a#ain4 but if he divorce her a third time( or by a tri!le
sentence( he cannot make her his wife a#ain unless by her own consent( and by a new contract( and
after another man has consummated a marria#e with her( and divorced her"CThe children by a wife
and those by a concubine slave inherit e0ually( if the latter be acknowled#ed by the father" /ons inherit
e0ually: so also do dau#hters4 but the share of a dau#hter is half that of a son" ;ne)ei#hth is the share of
the wife or wives of the deceased if he have left issue( and one)fourth if he have left no issue" 6
husband inherits one)fourth of his wife's !ro!erty if she have left issue( and one)half if she have left no
issue" The debts and le#acies of the deceased must be first !aid" 6 man may leave one)third of his
!ro!erty in any way he !leases"C5hen a concubine slave has borne a child to her master( she becomes
entitled to freedom on his death"CThere are !articular laws relatin# to commerce" Asury and
mono!oly are es!ecially condemned"
+, ;f the Criminal 'aws( a few only need here be mentioned" &urder is !unishable by death( or by a
fine to be !aid to the family of the deceased( if they !refer it"CTheft( if the !ro!erty stolen amount to a
0uarter of a deenDr( is to be !unished by cuttin# off the ri#ht hand( exce!t under certain circumstances"
C6dultery( if attested by four eye)witnesses( is !unishable by death (stonin#): fornication( by a
hundred stri!es( and banishment for a year"C?runkenness is !unished with ei#hty stri!es"C6!ostasy(
!ersevered in( by death"
Note @COn the Ara&ian 'ystem of Cosmography! The words translated Bas a bedB would be literally
rendered Band the bed4B but the si#nification is that which $ have ex!ressed" (/ee the Pur)Dn( ch"
lxxviii" v" U4 and( with res!ect to what is before said of the heavens( idem( ch" xiii" v" @"+L) These( and
the !recedin# words( commencin# with Bthe 9eneficent =in#(B $ have introduced (in the !lace of Bthe
'ord of all creaturesB) from the Calcutta edition of the first two hundred ni#hts( as affordin# me an
o!!ortunity to ex!lain here the 6rabian system of Cosmo#ra!hy( with which the reader of this work
cannot be too early ac0uainted"
5hen we call to mind how far the 6rabs sur!assed their #reat master( 6ristotle( in natural and
ex!erimental !hiloso!hy( and remember that their brilliant discoveries constituted an im!ortant link
between those of the illustrious 2reek and of our e0ually illustrious countryman( <o#er 9acon( their
!o!ular system of cosmo#ra!hy becomes an interestin# sub7ect for our consideration"
6ccordin# to the common o!inion of the 6rabs (an o!inion sanctioned by the Pur)Dn( and by assertions
of their 8ro!het( which almost all &uslims take in their literal sense)( there are /even %eavens( one
above another( and /even 1arths( one beneath another4 the earth which we inhabit bein# the hi#hest of
the latter( and next below the lowest heaven" The u!!er surface of each heaven( and that of each earth(
are believed to be nearly !lane( and are #enerally su!!osed to be circular4 and are said to be five
hundred years' 7ourney in width" This is also said to be the measure of the de!th or thickness of each
heaven and each earth( and of the distance between each heaven or earth and that next above or below
it" Thus is ex!lained a !assa#e of the Pur)Dn( (ch" lxv" last verse)( in which it is said( that 2od hath
created seven heavens and as many earths( or stories of the earth( in accordance with traditions from the
8ro!het"+NCThis notion of the seven heavens a!!ears to have been taken from the Bseven s!heres4B the
first of which is that of the &oon4 the second( of &ercury4 the third( of Fenus4 the fourth( of the /un4
the fifth( of &ars4 the sixth( of *u!iter4 and the seventh( of /aturn4 each of which orbs was su!!osed to
revolve round the earth in its !ro!er s!here" /o also the idea of the seven earths seems to have been
taken from the division of the earth into seven climates4 a division which has been ado!ted by several
6rab #eo#ra!hers"C9ut to return to the o!inions of the reli#ious and the vul#ar"
Traditions differ res!ectin# the fa&ric of the seven heavens" $n the most credible account( accordin# to a
celebrated historian( the first is described as formed of emerald4 the second( of white silver4 the third( of
lar#e white !earls4 the fourth( of ruby4 the fifth( of red #old4 the sixth( of yellow 7acinth4 and the
seventh( of shinin# li#ht"+-
+./ome assert 8aradise to be in the seventh heaven4 and( indeed( $ have found this to be the #eneral
o!inion of my &uslim friends: but the author above 0uoted !roceeds to describe( next above the
seventh heaven( seven seas of li#ht4 then( an undefined number of veils( or se!arations( of different
substances( seven of each kind4 and then( 8aradise( which consists of seven sta#es( one above another4
the first (?Dr el)*elDl( or the &ansion of 2lory)( of white !earls4 the second (?Dr es)/elDm( or the
&ansion of 8eace)( of ruby4 the third (*ennet el)&a)w]( or the 2arden of <est)( of #reen chrysolite4 the
fourth (*ennet el)=huld( or the 2arden of 1ternity)( of #reen+U coral4 the fifth (*ennet en)Na'eem( or the
2arden of ?eli#ht)( of white silver4 the sixth (*ennet el)3irdXs( or the 2arden of 8aradise)( of red #old4
and the seventh (*ennet '6dn( or the 2arden of 8er!etual 6bode( orCof 1den)( of lar#e !earls4 this
overlookin# all the former( and cano!ied by the Throne( or rather 1m!yrean( of the Com!assionate
('6rsh 1r)<aGmDn)( i! e! of 2od"CThese several re#ions of 8aradise are described in some traditions as
formin# so many de#rees( or sta#es( ascended by ste!s"
Thou#h the o!inion before mentioned res!ectin# the form of the earth which we inhabit is that
#enerally maintained by the 6rabs( there have been( and still are( many !hiloso!hical men amon# this
!eo!le who have ar#ued that it is a #lobe( because( as 1l)PaOweenee says( an ecli!se of the moon has
been observed to ha!!en at different hours of the ni#ht in eastern and western countries" Thus we find
8tolemy's measurement of the earth 0uoted and ex!lained by $bn)1l)5ardee:CThe circumference of
the earth is @N(ZZZ miles( or ,(ZZZ lea#ues4 the lea#ue bein# three miles4 the mile( L(ZZZ royal cubits4
the cubit( three s!ans4 the s!an( twelve di#its4 the di#it( five barley)corns !laced side by side4 and the
width of the barley)corn( six mule's)hairs" 1l)&aJreeOee also( amon# the more intelli#ent 6rabs(
describes+W the #lobular form of the earth( and its arctic and antarctic re#ions( with their day of six
months( and ni#ht of six months( and their froOen waters( Mc"
3or ourselves( however( it is necessary that we retain in our minds the o!inions first stated( with re#ard
to the form and dimensions of our earth4 a#reein# with those &uslims who allow not !hiloso!hy to
trench u!on revelation or sacred traditions" $t is written( say they( that 2od hath Bs!read out the
earth(B+, Bas a bed(B+. and Bas a car!et4B@Z and what is round or #lobular cannot be said to be s!read
out( nor com!ared to a bed( or a car!et" $t is therefore decided to be an almost !lane ex!anse" The
continents and islands of the earth are believed by the 6rabs (as they were by the 2reeks in the a#e of
%omer and %esiod) to be surrounded by Bthe Circumambient ;cean(B Bel)9aGr el)&oGeeE4B and this
ocean is described as bounded by a chain of mountains called =Df( which encircle the whole as a rin#(
and confine and stren#then the entire fabric" 5ith res!ect to the extent of the earth( our faith must at
least admit the assertion of the 8ro!het( that its width (as well as its de!th or thickness) is e0ual to five
hundred years' 7ourney: allottin# the s!ace of two hundred to the sea( two hundred to uninhabited
desert( ei#hty to the country of SD7oo7 and &D7oo7 (or 2o# and &a#o#)( and the rest to the remainin#
creatures:@+ nay( vast as these limits are( we must rather extend than contract them( unless we su!!ose
some of the heroes of this work to travel by circuitous routes" 6nother tradition will suit us better(
wherein it is said( that the inhabited !ortion of the earth is( with res!ect to the rest( as a tent in the midst
of a desert"@@ 9ut even accordin# to the former assertion( it will be remarked( that the countries now
commonly known to the 6rabs (from the western extremity of 6frica to the eastern limits of $ndia( and
from the southern confines of 6byssinia to those of <ussia() occu!y a com!aratively insi#nificant
!ortion of this @Zex!anse" They are situated in the middle4 &ekkeh( accordin# to some(Cor *erusalem(
accordin# to others(Cbein# exactly in the centre" 6d7acent to the tract occu!ied by these countries are
other lands and seas( !artially known to the 6rabs" ;n the north)west( with res!ect to the central !oint(
lies the country of the Christians( or 3ranks( com!risin# the !rinci!al 1uro!ean nations4 on the north(
the country of SD7oo7 and &D7oo7( before mentioned( occu!yin#( in the ma!s of the 6rabs( lar#e tracts
of 6sia and 1uro!e4 on the north)east( central 6sia4 on the east( 1H)Ieen (or China)4 on the south)east(
the sea( or seas( of 1l)%ind (or $ndia)( and 1O)^in7 (or /outhern 1thio!ia)( the waves of which (or of
the former of which) min#le with those of the sea of 1H)Ieen( beyond4 on the south( the country of the
^in74 on the south)west( the country of the /oodDn( or 9lacks: on the west is a !ortion of the
Circumambient ;cean( which surrounds all the countries and seas already mentioned( as well as
immense unknown re#ions ad7oinin# the former( and innumerable islands inters!ersed in the latter"
These terr( incognit( are the scenes of some of the #reatest wonders described in the !resent work4
and are mostly !eo!led with *inn( or 2enii" ;n the &oGeeE( or Circumambient ;cean( is the '6rsh
$blees( or Throne of $blees: in a ma! accom!anyin# my co!y of the work of $bn)1l)5ardee( a lar#e
yellow tract is marked with this name( ad7oinin# /outhern 6frica" The western !ortion of the &oGeeE is
often called Bthe /ea of ?arknessB (9aGr eb)culumDt( or(Ceb)culmeh)" Ander this name (and the
synonymous a!!ellation of el)9aGr el)&ublim) the 6tlantic ;cean is described by the author 7ust
mentioned4 thou#h( in the introduction to his work( he says that the /ea of ?arkness surrounds the
&oGeeE" The former may be considered either as the western or the more remote !ortion of the latter" $n
the dark re#ions (1b)culumDt( from which( !erha!s( the above)mentioned !ortion of the &oGeeE takes
its name)(@L in the south)west 0uarter of the earth( accordin# to the same author( is the 3ountain of
'ife( of which 1l)=hi\r drank( and by virtue of which he still lives( and will live till the day of
7ud#ment" This mysterious !erson( whom the vul#ar and some others re#ard as a !ro!het( and identify
with $lyDs (1lias( or 1li7ah)( and whom some confound with /t" 2eor#e( was( accordin# to the more
a!!roved o!inion of the learned( a 7ust man( or saint( the 5eOeer and counsellor of the first ^u)l)
Parneyn( who was a universal con0ueror( but an e0ually doubtful !ersona#e( contem!orary with the
!atriarch $brDheem( or 6braham" 1l)=hi\r is said to a!!ear fre0uently to &uslims in !er!lexity( and to
be #enerally clad in #reen #arments4 whence( accordin# to some( his name" The 8ro!het $lyDs (or 1lias)
is also related to have drunk of the 3ountain of 'ife" ?urin# the day)time( it is said( 1l)=hi\r wanders
u!on the seas( and directs voya#ers who #o astray4 while $lyDs !erambulates the mountains or deserts(
and directs !ersons who chance to be led astray by the 2hools:@N but at ni#ht( they meet to#ether( and
#uard the ram!art of SD7oo7 and &D7oo7(@- to !revent these !eo!le from makin# irru!tions u!on their
nei#hbours" 9oth( however( are #enerally believed by the modern &uslims to assist !ious !ersons in
distress in various circumstances( whether travellin# by land or by water"CThe mountains of PDf(
which bound the Circumambient ;cean( and form a circular barrier round the whole of our earth( are
described by inter!reters of the Pur)Dn as com!osed of #reen chrysolite( like the #reen tint of the sky"@U
$t is the colour of these mountains( said the 8ro!het( that im!arts a #reenish hue to the sky"@W $t is said(
in a tradition( that beyond these mountains are other countries4 one of #old( seventy of silver( and seven
of musk( all inhabited by an#els( and each country ten thousand years' 7ourney in len#th( and the same
in breadth"@, /ome say that @+beyond it are creatures unknown to any but 2od:@. but the #eneral
o!inion is( that the mountains of PDf terminate our earth( and that no one knows what is beyond them"
They are the chief abode of the *inn( or 2enii"C/uch is a concise account of the earth which we
inhabit( accordin# to the notions of the 6rabs"
5e must now describe what is &eneath our earth"C$t has already been said( that this is the first( or
hi#hest( of seven earths( which are all of e0ual width and thickness( and at e0ual distances a!art" 1ach
of these earths has occu!ants" The occu!ants of the first are men( #enii( brutes( Mc": the second is
occu!ied by the suffocatin# wind that destroyed the infidel tribe of 'dd: the third( by the stones of
*ahennem (or %ell)( mentioned in the Pur)Dn( in these words( Bthe fuel of which is men and stones:BLZ
the fourth( by the sul!hur of *ahennem: the fifth( by its ser!ents: the sixth( by its scor!ions( in colour
and siOe like black mules( and with tails like s!ears: the seventh( by $blees and his troo!s"L+ 5hether
these several earths are believed to be connected with each other by any means( and if so( how( we are
not ex!ressly informed4 but( that they are su!!osed to be so is evident" 5ith res!ect to our earth in
!articular( as some think( it is said that it is su!!orted by a rock( with which the mountains of PDf
communicate by means of veins or roots4 and that( when 2od desires to effect an earth0uake at a
certain !lace( %e commands the mountain [or rock to a#itate the vein that is connected with that
!lace"L@C9ut there is another account( describin# our earth as u!held by certain successive su!!orts of
inconceivable ma#nitude( which are under the seventh earth4 leavin# us to infer that the seven earths
are in some manner connected to#ether" This account( as inserted in the work of one of the writers
above 0uoted( is as follows:CThe earth [under which a!!ellation are here understood the seven earths
was( it is said( ori#inally unstable4 Btherefore 2od created an an#el of immense siOe and of the utmost
stren#th( and ordered him to #o beneath it( [i!e! beneath the lowest earth( and !lace it on his shoulders4
and his hands extended beyond the east and west( and #ras!ed the extremities of the earth [or( as related
in $bn)1l)5ardee( the seven earths( and held it [or them" 9ut there was no su!!ort for his feet: so 2od
created a rock of ruby( in which were seven thousand !erforations4 and from each of these !erforations
issued a sea( the siOe of which none knoweth but 2od( whose name be exalted: then %e ordered this
rock to stand under the feet of the an#el" 9ut there was no su!!ort for the rock: wherefore 2od created
a hu#e bull( with four thousand eyes( and the same number of ears( noses( mouths( ton#ues( and feet4
between every two of which was a distance of five hundred years' 7ourney: and 2od( whose name be
exalted( ordered this bull to #o beneath the rock: and he bore it on his back and his horns" The name of
this bull is =uyoot]"LL 9ut there was no su!!ort for the bull: therefore 2od( whose name be exalted(
created an enormous fish( that no one could look u!on( on account of its vast siOe( and the flashin# of
its eyes and their #reatness4 for it is said that if all the seas were !laced in one of its nostrils( they would
a!!ear like a #rain of mustard)seed in the midst of a desert: and 2od( whose name be exalted(
commanded the fish to be a su!!ort to the feet of the bull"LN The name of this fish in 9ahamoot" %e
!laced( as its su!!ort( water4 and under the water( darkness: and the knowled#e of mankind @@fails as to
what is under the darkness"BL-C6nother o!inion is( that the [seventh earth is u!on water4 the water(
u!on the rock4 the rock( on the back of the bull4 the bull( on a bed of sand4 the sand( on the fish4 the
fish( u!on a still( suffocatin# wind4 the wind( on a veil of darkness4 the darkness( on a mist4 and what is
beneath the mist is unknown"LU
$t is #enerally believed( that( under the lowest earth( and beneath seas of darkness of which the number
is unknown( is %ell( which consists of seven sta#es( one beneath another" The first of these( accordin#
to the #eneral o!inion( is destined for the rece!tion of wicked &ohammadans4 the second( for the
Christians4 the third( for the *ews4 the fourth( for the /abians4 the fifth( for the &a#ians4 the sixth( for
the $dolaters4 the seventh( by #eneral consent( for the %y!ocrites" B*ahennemB is the #eneral name for
%ell( and the !articular name for its first sta#e" The situation of %ell has been a sub7ect of dis!ute4
some !lace it in the seventh earth4 and some have doubted whether it be above or below the earth
which %e inhabit"
6t the consummation of all thin#s( 2od( we are told( will take the whole earth in his [left hand( and the
heavens will be rolled to#ether in his ri#ht hand4LW and the earth will be chan#ed into another earth4
and the heavens [into other heavens4L, and %ell will be brou#ht ni#h [to the tribunal of 2od"L.
Note L" The !hrase B2od is all)knowin#(B or Bsur!assin# in knowled#e(B or( as some say( sim!ly
Bknowin#(B is #enerally used by an 6rab writer when he relates anythin# for the truth of which he
cannot vouch4 and &uslims often use it in conversation( in similar cases( unless when they are utterin#
intentional falsehoods( which most of them are in the fre0uent habit of doin#" $t is worthy of remark(
that( thou#h falsehood is !ermitted by their reli#ion in some cases( their doctors of reli#ion and law
#enerally condemn all works of fiction (even thou#h desi#ned to convey useful instruction)( exce!tin#
mere fables( or a!olo#ues of a hi#h class"
Note N" $n my usual standard)co!y of the ori#inal work( as also in that from which the old translation
was made( and in the edition of 9reslau( this !rince is called a kin# of the dynasty of /DsDn4 but as he is
not so desi#nated in the Calcutta edition of the first two hundred ni#hts( $ have here omitted( in my
translation( what would render the whole work full of anachronisms"
Note -" /hahriyDr is a 8ersian word( si#nifyin# B3riend of the City"B The name of the elder =in# is thus
written in the Calcutta edition above mentioned: in the edition of Cairo (which $ #enerally follow) it is
written /hahrabDO( by errors in diacritical marks4 and in that of 9reslau( /hahrabDn"
Note U" This name( /hDh)^emDn( is a com!ound of 8ersian and 6rabic( and si#nifies B=in# of the 6#e"B
9y the omission of a diacritical !oint( in the Cairo edition( it is written /hDh)<emDn"
Note W" $n the Calcutta edition before mentioned( the elder brother is called =in# of /amarJand4 and
the youn#er( =in# of China"
Note ,"COn the title and office of 5eOeer" 5eOeer is an 6rabic word( and is !ronounced by the 6rabs
as $ have written it4 but the Turks and 8ersians !ronounce the first letter F" There are three o!inions
res!ectin# the etymolo#y of this word" /ome derive it from BwiOrB (a burden)4 because the 5eOeer
bears the burdens of the =in#: others( from BweOerB (a refu#e)4 because the =in# has recourse to the
counsels of his 5eOeer( and his knowled#e and !rudence: others( a#ain( from BaOrB (back( or
@Lstren#th)4 because the =in# is stren#thened by his 5eOeer as the human frame is by the back"NZ
The !ro!er and chief duties of a 5eOeer are ex!lained by the above( and by a sayin# of the 8ro!het:
CB5hosoever is in authority over &uslims( if 2od would !ros!er him( %e #iveth him a virtuous
5eOeer( who( when he for#etteth his duty( remindeth him( and when he remembereth( assisteth him: but
if %e would do otherwise( %e #iveth him an evil 5eOeer( who( when he for#etteth( doth not remind
him( and when he remembereth( doth not assist him"BN+
The !ost of 5eOeer was the hi#hest that was held by an officer of the !en4 and the !erson who occu!ied
it was !ro!erly the next to the /ulEDn: but the Turkish /ulEDns of 1#y!t made the office of ND>b (or
Ficeroy) to have the !re)eminence" Ander them( the !ost of 5eOeer was sometimes occu!ied by an
officer of the sword( and sometimes by an officer of the !en4 and( in both cases( the 5eOeer was also
called Bthe IDGeb"B The /ulEDn 9arJooJ so de#raded this office( by intrustin# its most im!ortant
functions to other ministers( that the 5eOeer became( in reality( the =in#'s !urveyor( and little else4
receivin# the indirect taxes( and em!loyin# them in the !urchase of !rovisions for the royal kitchen"N@
$t is even said( that he was usually chosen( by the Turkish /ulEDns of 1#y!t( from amon# the Co!ts (or
Christian 1#y!tians)4 because the administration of the taxes had( from time immemorial( been
committed to !ersons of that race"NL This( it would seem( was the case about the time of the /ulEDn
9arJooJ" 9ut in the !resent work( we are to understand the office of 5eOeer as bein# what it was in
earlier times(Cthat of 8rime &inister4 thou#h we are not hence to infer that the editions of the Tales of
a Thousand and ;ne Ni#hts known to us were written at a !eriod anterior to that of the &emlook
/ulEDns of 1#y!t and /yria4 for( in the time of these monarchs( the de#radation of the office was
commonly known to be a recent innovation( and it may have been of no very lon# continuance"
Note ." The !ara#ra!h to which this note relates is from the Calcutta edition of the first two hundred
Ni#hts"
Note +Z"COn "resents! The custom of #ivin# !resents on the occasion of !ayin# a visit( or !reviously(
which is of such hi#h anti0uity as to be mentioned in the book of 2enesis(NN has continued to !revail in
the 1ast to this day" 8resents of !rovisions of some kind( wax candles( Mc"( are sent to a !erson about to
celebrate any festivity( by those who are to be his #uests: but after !ayin# a mere visit of ceremony( and
on some other occasions( only money is commonly #iven to the servants of the !erson visited" $n either
case( the latter is ex!ected to return the com!liment on a similar occasion by !resents of e0ual value"
To re7ect a !resent #enerally #ives #reat offence4 bein# re#arded as an insult to him who has offered it"
5hen a !erson arrives from a forei#n country( he #enerally brin#s some articles of the !roduce or
merchandise of that country as !resents to his friends" Thus( !il#rims returnin# from the holy !laces
brin# water of ^emOem( dust from the 8ro!het's tomb( Mc"( for this !ur!ose"C%orses( and male and
female slaves( are seldom #iven but by kin#s or #reat men" ;f the condition of slaves in &ohammadan
countries( an account will be #iven hereafter"
Note ++"COn the $etters of Muslims! The letters of &uslims are distin#uished by several !eculiarities
dictated by the rules of !oliteness" The !a!er is thick( white( and hi#hly !olished: sometimes it is
ornamented with flowers of #old4 and the ed#es are always cut strai#ht with scissors" The u!!er half is
#enerally left blank: and the writin# never occu!ies any !ortion of the second side" 6 notion of the
usual style of letters will be conveyed by several exam!les in this work" The name of the !erson to
@Nwhom the letter is addressed( when the writer is an inferior or an e0ual( and even in some other
cases( commonly occurs in the first sentence( !receded by several titles of honour4 and is often written
a little above the line to which it a!ertains4 the s!ace beneath it in that line bein# left blank: sometimes
it is written in letters of #old( or red ink" 6 kin#( writin# to a sub7ect( or a #reat man to a de!endent(
usually !laces his name and seal at the head of his letter" The seal is the im!ression of a si#net
(#enerally a rin#( worn on the little fin#er of the ri#ht hand)( u!on which is en#raved the name of the
!erson( commonly accom!anied by the words B%is [i!e! 2od's servant(B or some other words
ex!ressive of trust in 2od( Mc" $ts im!ression is considered more valid than the si#n)manual( and is
indis!ensable to #ive authenticity to the letter" $t is made by dabbin# some ink u!on the surface of the
si#net( and !ressin# this u!on the !a!er: the !lace which is to be stam!ed bein# first moistened( by
touchin# the ton#ue with a fin#er of the ri#ht hand( and then #ently rubbin# the !art with that fin#er" 6
!erson writin# to a su!erior( or to an e0ual( or even an inferior to whom he wishes to shew res!ect(
si#ns his name at the bottom of his letter( next the left side or corner( and !laces the seal immediately to
the ri#ht of this: but if he !articularly desire to testify his humility( he !laces it beneath his name( or
even !artly over the lower ed#e of the !a!er( which conse0uently does not receive the whole of the
im!ression" The letter is #enerally folded twice( in the direction of the writin#( and enclosed in a cover
of !a!er( u!on which is written the address( in some such form as this:CB$t shall arrive( if it be the will
of 2od( whose name be exalted( at such a !lace( and be delivered into the hand of our honoured friend(
Mc"( such a one( whom 2od !reserve"B /ometimes it is !laced in a small ba#( or !urse( of silk
embroidered with #old"
Note +@" The custom of sendin# forth a de!utation to meet and welcome an a!!roachin# ambassador(
or other #reat man( is still observed in 1astern countries4 and the rank of the !ersons thus em!loyed
conveys to him some intimation of the manner in which he is to be received at the court: he therefore
looks forward to this ceremony with a de#ree of anxiety" 6 humorous illustration of its im!ortance in
the eye of an ;riental ambassador( is #iven in BThe 6dventures of %a77i 9aba in 1n#land"B
Note +L"COn )ospitality! The hos!itable custom here mentioned is observed by &uslims in
com!liance with a !rece!t of their 8ro!het" B5hoever(B said he( Bbelieves in 2od and the day of
resurrection must res!ect his #uest4 and the time of bein# kind to him is one day and one ni#ht4 and the
!eriod of entertainin# him is three days4 and after that( if he does it lon#er( he benefits him more4 but it
is not ri#ht for a #uest to stay in the house of the host so lon# as to incommode him"B %e even allowed
the Bri#ht of a #uestB to be taken by force from such as would not offer it"N- The followin#
observations( res!ectin# the treatment of #uests by the 9edawees( !resent an interestin# commentary
u!on the former !rece!t( and u!on our text:CB/tran#ers who have not any friend or ac0uaintance in
the cam!( ali#ht at the first tent that !resents itself: whether the owner be at home or not( the wife or
dau#hter immediately s!reads a car!et( and !re!ares breakfast or dinner" $f the stran#er's business
re0uires a !rotracted stay( as( for instance( if he wishes to cross the ?esert under the !rotection of the
tribe( the host( after a la!se of three days and four hours from the time of his arrival( asks whether he
means to honour him any lon#er with his com!any" $f the stran#er declares his intention of !rolon#in#
his visit( it is ex!ected that he should assist his host in domestic matters( fetchin# water( milkin# the
camel( feedin# the horse( Mc" /hould he even decline this( he may remain4 but will be censured by all
the 6rabs of the cam!: he may( however( #o to some other tent of the neOel [or encam!ment( and
declare himself there a #uest" Thus( every third or fourth day he @-may chan#e hosts( until his business
is finished( or he has reached his !lace of destination"BNU
Note +N"COn different modes of O&eisance! Farious different modes of obeisance are !ractised by the
&uslims" 6mon# these( the followin# are the more common or more remarkable: they differ in the
de#ree of res!ect that they indicate( nearly in the order in which $ shall mention them4 the last bein# the
most res!ectful:C+" 8lacin# the ri#ht hand u!on the breast"C@" Touchin# the li!s and the forehead or
turban (or the forehead or turban only) with the ri#ht hand"CL" ?oin# the same( but sli#htly inclinin#
the head durin# that action"CN" The same as the !recedin#( but inclinin# the body also"C-" 6s above(
but !reviously touchin# the #round with the ri#ht hand"CU" =issin# the hand of the !erson to whom
the obeisance is !aid"CW" =issin# his sleeve"C," =issin# the skirt of his clothin#"C." =issin# his feet"
C+Z" =issin# the car!et or #round before him"CThe first five modes are often accom!anied by the
salutation of B8eace be on you_B to which the re!ly is( B;n you be !eace( and the mercy of 2od( and his
blessin#s_B The sixth mode is observed by servants or !u!ils to masters( by the wife to the husband( and
by children to their father( and sometimes to the mother" $t is also an act of homa#e !aid to the a#ed by
the youn#4 or to learned or reli#ious men by the less instructed or less devout" The last mode is seldom
observed but to kin#s4 and in 6rabian countries it is now very uncommon"
Note +-" $t mi#ht seem unnecessary to say( that a =in# understood what he read( were it not ex!lained
that the style of 6rabic e!istolary com!ositions( like that of the literature in #eneral( differs
considerably from that of common conversation"
Note +U" The !arty travelled chiefly by ni#ht( on account of the heat of the day"
Note +W"COn the occasional *ecorations of Eastern Cities! ;n various occasions of re7oicin# in the
!alace of the kin# or #overnor( the inhabitants of an 1astern city are commanded to decorate their
houses( and the tradesmen( in !articular( to adorn their sho!s( by sus!endin# shawls( brocades( rich
dresses( women's ornaments( and all kinds of costly articles of merchandise4 lam!s and fla#s are
attached to cords drawn across the streets( which are often cano!ied over4 and when sufficient notice
has been #iven( the sho!s( and the doors( Mc"( of !rivate houses( are !ainted with #ay colours"C
Towards the close of the year +,LN( the !eo!le of Cairo were ordered to decorate their houses and
sho!s !reviously to the arrival of $brDheem 9Dsh]( after his victorious cam!ai#ns in /yria and 6sia
&inor" They ornamented the lower !arts of their houses with whitewash and red ochre( #enerally in
broad( alternate( horiOontal stri!es4 that is( one course of stone white( and the next red4 but the only kind
of oil)!aint that they could !rocure in lar#e 0uantities was blue( the colour of mournin#4 so that they
were obli#ed to use this as the #round u!on which to !aint flowers and other ornamental devices on
their sho!s4 but they re#arded this as !ortendin# a !estilence4 and the awful !la#ue of the followin#
s!rin# confirmed them in their su!erstitious notions"
Note +," 6s the notes to this introductory !ortion are es!ecially numerous( and the chase is here but
cursorily alluded to( $ shall reserve an account of the mode of huntin# to be #iven on a future occasion"
Note +."COn the opinions of the Ara&s respecting +emale ,eauty! The reader should have some idea
of the 0ualifications or charms which the 6rabs in #eneral consider re0uisite to the !erfection of female
beauty4 for erroneous fancies on this sub7ect would much detract from the interest of the !resent work"
%e must not ima#ine that excessive fatness is one of these characteristics4 thou#h it is said to be
esteemed a chief essential to beauty throu#hout the #reater !art of Northern 6frica: on the contrary( the
maiden whose loveliness ins!ires the most im!assioned ex!ressions in 6rabic !oetry and !rose is
celebrated for her slender fi#ure: she is like the cane amon# !lants( and @Uis ele#ant as a twi# of the
oriental willow"NW %er face is like the full moon( !resentin# the stron#est contrast to the colour of her
hair( which (to !reserve the nature of the simile 7ust em!loyed() is of the dee!est hue of ni#ht( and
descends to the middle of her back" 6 rosy blush overs!reads the centre of each cheek4 and a mole is
considered an additional charm" The 6rabs( indeed( are !articularly extrava#ant in their admiration of
this natural beauty)s!ot4 which( accordin# to its !lace( is com!ared to a #lobule of amber#ris u!on a
dish of alabaster or u!on the surface of a ruby"N, The eyes of the 6rab beauty are intensely black( lar#e(
and lon#4 of the form of an almond: they are full of brilliancy4 but this is softened by a lid sli#htly
de!ressed( and by lon# silken lashes( #ivin# a tender and lan#uid ex!ression( which is full of
enchantment( and scarcely to be im!roved by the adventitious aid of the black border of koGl4 for this
the lovely maiden adds rather for the sake of fashion than necessity4 havin#( what the 6rabs term(
natural koGl" The eyebrows are thin and arched4 the forehead is wide( and fair as ivory4 the nose(
strai#ht4 the mouth( small4 the li!s are of a brilliant red4 and the teeth( Blike !earls set in coral"B The
forms of the bosom are com!ared to two !ome#ranates4 the waist is slender4 the hi!s are wide and
lar#e4 the feet and hands( small4 the fin#ers( ta!erin#( and their extremities dyed with the dee! oran#e)
red tint im!arted by the leaves of the Genn]"N. The !erson in whom these charms are combined
exhibits a lively ima#e of Bthe rosy)fin#ered 6urora:B her lover knows neither ni#ht nor slee! in her
!resence( and the constellations of heaven are no lon#er seen by him when she a!!roaches" The most
bewitchin# a#e is between fourteen and seventeen years4 for then the forms of womanhood are
#enerally develo!ed in their #reatest beauty4 but many a maiden in her twelfth year !ossesses charms
sufficient to fascinate every youth or man who beholds her"
The reader may !erha!s desire a more minute analysis of 6rabian beauty" The followin# is the most
com!lete that $ can offer him"CB3our thin#s in a woman should be &lac-4 the hair of the head( the
eyebrows( the eyelashes( and the dark !art of the eyes: four %hite4 the com!lexion of the skin( the white
of the eyes( the teeth( and the le#s: four red4 the ton#ue( the li!s( the middle of the cheeks( and the
#ums: four round4 the head( the neck( the fore)arms( and the ankles: four long4 the back( the fin#ers( the
arms( and the le#s:-Z four %ide4 the forehead( the eyes( the bosom( and the hi!s: four fine4 the
eyebrows( the nose( the li!s( and the fin#ers: four thic-4 the lower !art of the back( the thi#hs( the calves
of the le#s( and the knees: four small4 the ears( the breasts( the hands( and the feet"B-+
Note @Z" &es'ood is a common !ro!er name of men( and si#nifies Bha!!y(B or Bmade ha!!y"B
Note @+"COn the *inn( or Genii! The fre0uent mention of 2enii in this work( and the erroneous
accounts that have been #iven of these fabulous bein#s by various 1uro!ean writers( have induced me
to examine the statements res!ectin# them in several 6rabic works4 and $ shall here offer the result of
my investi#ation( with a !revious account of the 6n#els"
The &uslims( in #eneral( believe in three different s!ecies of created intelli#ent bein#s4 namely(
6n#els( who are created of li#ht4 2enii( who are created of fire4 and &en( created of earth" The first
s!ecies are called B&elDikehB (sin#" B&elekB)4 the second( B*innB or B2innB (sin#" B*inneeB or
B2inneeB)4 the third( B$nsB (sin#" @WB$nseeB)" /ome hold that the ?evils (/heyEDns) are of a s!ecies
distinct from 6n#els and *inn4 but the more !revailin# o!inion( and that which rests on the hi#hest
authority( is( that they are rebellious *inn"
B$t is believed(B says 1l)PaOweenee( Bthat the 6n#els are of a sim!le substance( endowed with life( and
s!eech( and reason4 and that the difference between them and the *inn and /heyEDns is a difference of
s!ecies" =now(B he adds( Bthat the 6n#els are sanctified from carnal desire and the disturbance of
an#er: they disobey not 2od in what %e hath commanded them( but do what they are commanded"
Their food is the celebratin# of his #lory4 their drink( the !roclaimin# of his holiness4 their
conversation( the commemoration of 2od( whose name be exalted4 their !leasure( his worshi!: they are
created in different forms( and with different !owers"B /ome are described as havin# the forms of
brutes" 3our of them are 6rchan#els4 *ebraeel or *ibreel (or 2abriel)( the an#el of revelations4 &eekaeel
or &eekDl (or &ichael)( the !atron of the $sraelites4 '6Oraeel( the an#el of death4 and $srDfeel( the an#el
of the trum!et( which he is to sound twice( or as some say thrice( at the end of the world: one blast will
kill all livin# creatures (himself included): another( forty years after( (he bein# raised a#ain for this
!ur!ose( with *ebraeel and &eekaeel)( will raise the dead" These 6rchan#els are also called 6!ostolic
6n#els" They are inferior in di#nity to human !ro!hets and a!ostles( thou#h su!erior to the rest of the
human race: the an#elic nature is held to be inferior to the human nature( because all the 6n#els were
commanded to !rostrate themselves before 6dam" 1very believer is attended by two #uardian and
recordin# an#els4 one of whom writes his #ood actions4 the other( his evil actions: or( accordin# to
some( the number of these an#els is five( or sixty( or a hundred and sixty" There are also two 6n#els
called &unkar (vul#" NDkir) and Nekeer( who examine all the dead( and torture the wicked( in their
#raves"
The s!ecies of *inn is said to have been created some thousands of years before 6dam" 6ccordin# to a
tradition from the 8ro!het( this s!ecies consists of five orders or classes4 namely( *Dnn (who are the
least !owerful of all)( *inn( /heyEDns (or ?evils)( '1freets( and &Drids" The last( it is added( are the most
!owerful4 and the *Dnn are transformed *inn4 like as certain a!es and swine were transformed men"-@C
$t must( however( be remarked here( that the terms *inn and *Dnn are #enerally used indiscriminately( as
names of the whole s!ecies (includin# the other orders above mentioned)( whether #ood or bad4 and
that the former term is the more common" 6lso( that B/heyEDnB is commonly used to si#nify any evil
*innee" 6n '1freet is a !owerful evil *innee:-L a &Drid( an evil *innee of the most !owerful class" The
*inn (but #enerally s!eakin#( evil ones) are called by the 8ersians B?eevs(B the most !owerful evil *inn(
BNarahsB (which si#nifies Bmales(B thou#h they are said to be males and females)4 the #ood *inn(
B8erees4B thou#h this term is commonly a!!lied to females"
$n a tradition from the 8ro!het( it is said( BThe *Dnn were created of a smokeless fire"B-N The word
which si#nifies Ba smokeless fireB has been misunderstood by some as meanin# Bthe flame of fire:B 1l)
*Xharee (in the IeGDG) renders it ri#htly4 and says that of this fire was the /heyEDn ($blees) created" B1l)
*DnnB is sometimes used as a name for $blees4 as in the followin# verse of the Pur)Dn:CB6nd the *Dnn
[the father of the *inn4 i! e! $blees we had created before [i! e! before the creation of 6dam of the fire
of the samoom [i! e! of fire without smoke"B-- B*DnnB also si#nifies Ba ser!ent4B as in other !assa#es of
the Pur)Dn4-U and is used in the same book as synonymous with B*inn"B-W $n the last sense it is
#enerally believed to be used in the tradition 0uoted in the commencement of this !ara#ra!h" There are
several @,a!!arently contradictory traditions from the 8ro!het which are reconciled by what has been
above stated: in one( it is said( that $blees was the father of all the *Dnn and /heyEDns4-, *Dnn bein# here
synonymous with *inn: in another( that *Dnn was the father of all the *inn4-. here( *Dnn bein# used as a
name of $blees"
B$t is held(B says 1l)PaOweenee( Bthat the *inn are aerial animals( with trans!arent bodies( which can
assume various forms" 8eo!le differ in o!inion res!ectin# these bein#s: some consider the *inn and
/heyEDns as unruly men4 but these !ersons are of the &oQteOileh [a sect of &uslim freethinkers: and
some hold( that 2od( whose name be exalted( created the 6n#els of the li#ht of fire( and the *inn of its
flame [but this is at variance with the #eneral o!inion( and the /heytDns of its smoke [which is also at
variance with the common o!inion4 and that [all these kinds of bein#s are [usually invisibleUZ to
men( but that they assume what forms they !lease( and when their form becomes condensed they are
visible"BCThis last remark illustrates several descri!tions of *innees in this work4 where the form of
the monster is at first undefined( or like an enormous !illar( and then #radually assumes a human sha!e
and less #i#antic siOe" The !articular forms of brutes( re!tiles( Mc"( in which the *inn most fre0uently
a!!ear will be mentioned hereafter"
$t is said that 2od created the *Dnn [or *inn two thousand years before 6dam [or( accordin# to some
writers( much earlier4 and that there are believers and infidels and every sect amon# them( as amon#
men"U+C/ome say that a !ro!het( named Soosuf( was sent to the *inn: others( that they had only
!reachers( or admonishers: others( a#ain( that seventy a!ostles were sent( before &oGammad( to *inn
and men con7ointly"U@ $t is commonly believed that the !readamite *inn were #overned by forty (or(
accordin# to some( seventy)two) kin#s( to each of whom the 6rab writers #ive the name of /uleymDn
(or /olomon)4 and that they derive their a!!ellation from the last of these( who was called *Dnn $bn)
*Dnn( and who( some say( built the 8yramids of 1#y!t" The followin# account of the !readamite *inn is
#iven by 1l)PaOweenee"CB$t is related in histories( that a race of *inn( in ancient times( before the
creation of 6dam( inhabited the earth( and covered it( the land and the sea( and the !lains and the
mountains4 and the favours of 2od were multi!lied u!on them( and they had #overnment( and
!ro!hecy( and reli#ion( and law4 but they trans#ressed and offended( and o!!osed their !ro!hets( and
made wickedness to abound in the earth4 whereu!on 2od( whose name be exalted( sent a#ainst them an
army of 6n#els( who took !ossession of the earth( and drove away the *inn to the re#ions of the islands(
and made many of them !risoners4 and of those who were made !risoners was '6ODOeel [afterwards
called $blees( from his despair4 and a slau#hter was made amon# them" 6t that time( '6ODOeel was
youn#: he #rew u! amon# the 6n#els [and !robably for that reason was called one of them( and
became learned in their knowled#e( and assumed the #overnment of them4 and his days were !rolon#ed
until he became their chief4 and thus it continued for a lon# time( until the affair between him and
6dam ha!!ened( as 2od( whose name be exalted( hath said( '5hen we said unto the 6n#els( 5orshi!UL
ye 6dam( and [all worshi!!ed exce!t $blees( [who was [one of the *inn"'BUN
B$blees(B we are told by another authority( Bwas sent as a #overnor u!on the earth( and 7ud#ed amon#
the *inn a thousand years( after which he ascended into heaven( and remained em!loyed in worshi!
until the creation of 6dam"BU- The name of $blees was ori#inally( accordin# to some( '6ODOeel (as
before mentioned)4 and accordin# to others( 1l)[Drith: his !atronymic is 6boo)&urrah( or 6bu)l)
2himr"UUC$t is dis!uted whether @.he was of the 6n#els or of the *inn" There are three o!inions on
this !oint"C+" That he was of the 6n#els( from a tradition from $bn)'6bbDs"C@" That he was of the
/heyEDns (or evil *inn)4 as it is said in the Pur)Dn( Bexce!t $blees( [who was [one of the *inn:B this was
the o!inion of 1l)[asan 1l)9aHree( and is that commonly held"CL" That he was neither of the 6n#els
nor of the *inn4 but created alone( of fire"C$bn)'6bbDs founds his o!inion on the same text from which
1l)[asan 1l)9aHree derives his: B5hen we said unto the 6n#els( 5orshi! ye 6dam( and [all
worshi!!ed exce!t $blees( [who was [one of the *innB (before 0uoted): which he ex!lains by sayin#(
that the most noble and honourable amon# the 6n#els are called Bthe *inn(B because they are veiled
from the eyes of the other 6n#els on account of their su!eriority4 and that $blees was one of these *inn"
%e adds( that he had the #overnment of the lowest heaven and of the earth( and was called the KDoos
(literally( 8eacock) of the 6n#els4 and that there was not a s!ot in the lowest heaven but he had
!rostrated himself u!on it: but when the *inn rebelled u!on the earth( 2od sent a troo! of 6n#els who
drove them to the islands and mountains4 and $blees bein# elated with !ride( and refusin# to !rostrate
himself before 6dam( 2od transformed him into a /heyEDn"C9ut this reasonin# is o!!osed by other
verses( in which $blees is re!resented as sayin#( BThou hast created me of fire( and hast created him
[6dam of earth"BUW $t is therefore ar#ued( B$f he were created ori#inally of fire( how was he created of
li#htR for the 6n#els were [all created of li#ht"BU,CThe former verse may be ex!lained by the
tradition( that $blees( havin# been taken ca!tive( was exalted amon# the 6n#els4 or !erha!s there is an
elli!sis after the word B6n#els4B for it mi#ht be inferred that the command #iven to the 6n#els was also
(and . fortiori) to be obeyed by the *inn"
6ccordin# to a tradition( $blees and all the /heyEDns are distin#uished from the other *inn by a lon#er
existence" BThe /heyEDns(B it is added( Bare the children of $blees( and die not but with him: whereas the
[other *inn die before him4BU. thou#h they may live many centuries" 9ut this is not alto#ether
accordant with the !o!ular belief: $blees and many other evil *inn are to survive mankind4 but they are
to die before the #eneral resurrection4 as also even the 6n#els4 the last of whom will be the 6n#el of
?eath( '6Oraeel: yet not all the evil *inn are to live thus lon#: many of them are killed by shootin# stars(
hurled at them from heaven4 wherefore( the 6rabs( when they see a shootin# star (shihDb)( often
exclaim( B&ay 2od transfix the enemy of the faith_BC&any also are killed by other *inn4 and some(
even by men" The fire of which the *innee is created circulates in his veins( in !lace of blood: therefore(
when he receives a mortal wound( this fire( issuin# from his veins( #enerally consumes him to ashes"C
The *inn( it has been already shown( are !eccable" They also eat and drink( and !ro!a#ate their s!ecies(
sometimes in con7unction with human bein#s4 in which latter case( the offs!rin# !artakes of the nature
of both !arents" $n all these res!ects they differ from the 6n#els" 6mon# the evil *inn are distin#uished
the five sons of their chief( $blees4 namely( Teer( who brin#s about calamities( losses( and in7uries4 1l)
6Qwar( who encoura#es debauchery4 /XE( who su##ests lies4 ?Dsim( who causes hatred between man
and wife4 and ^elemboor( who !resides over !laces of traffic"WZ
The most common forms and habitations or !laces of resort of the *inn must now be described"
The followin# traditions from the 8ro!het are the most to the !ur!ose that $ have seen"CThe *inn are
of various sha!es4 havin# the forms of ser!ents( scor!ions( lions( wolves( 7ackals( Mc"W+CThe *inn are
of three kinds4 one on the land4 one in the sea4 and one in the air"W@ The *inn consist of forty troo!s4
each troo! consistin# of six hundred thousand"WLCThe *inn are of three kinds4 one have win#s( and
fly4 another LZare snakes( and do#s4 and the third move about from !lace to !lace like men"WNC
?omestic snakes are asserted to be *inn on the same authority"W-
The 8ro!het ordered his followers to kill ser!ents and scor!ions if they intruded at !rayers4 but on other
occasions( he seems to have re0uired first to admonish them to de!art( and then( if they remained( to
kill them" The ?octors( however( differ in o!inion whether all kinds of snakes or ser!ents should be
admonished first4 or whether any should4 for the 8ro!het( say they( took a covenant of the *inn
[!robably after the above)mentioned command( that they should not enter the houses of the faithful:
therefore( it is ar#ued( if they enter( they break their covenant( and it becomes lawful to kill them
without !revious admonishment" Set it is related that 'disheh( the 8ro!het's wife( havin# killed a
ser!ent in her chamber( was alarmed by a dream( and( fearin# that it mi#ht have been a &uslim *innee(
as it did not enter her chamber when she was undressed( #ave in alms( as an ex!iation( twelve thousand
dirhems (about eLZZ)( the !rice of the blood of a &uslim"WU
The *inn are said to a!!ear to mankind most commonly in the sha!es of ser!ents( do#s( cats( or human
bein#s" $n the last case( they are sometimes of the stature of men( and sometimes of a siOe enormously
#i#antic" $f #ood( they are #enerally res!lendently handsome: if evil( horribly hideous" They become
invisible at !leasure (by a ra!id extension or rarefaction of the !articles which com!ose them)( or
suddenly disa!!ear in the earth or air( or throu#h a solid wall" &any &uslims in the !resent day !rofess
to have seen and held intercourse with them"
The ^Xba'ah( which is a whirlwind that raises the sand or dust in the form of a !illar of !rodi#ious
hei#ht( often seen swee!in# across the deserts and fields( is believed to be caused by the fli#ht of an
evil *innee" To defend themselves from a *innee thus Bridin# in the whirlwind(B the 6rabs often
exclaim( B$ron_ $ron_B ([adeed_ [adeed_)( or( B$ron_ thou unlucky_B ([adeed_ yD mashoom_)( as the
*inn are su!!osed to have a #reat dread of that metal: or they exclaim( B2od is most #reat_B (6llDhu
akbar_)"WW 6 similar su!erstition !revails with res!ect to the water)s!out at sea( as the reader may have
discovered from the first instance of the descri!tion of a *innee in the !resent work( which occasions
this note to be here inserted"
$t is believed that the chief abode of the *inn is in the &ountains of PDf( which are su!!osed (as
mentioned on a former occasion) to encom!ass the whole of our earth" 9ut they are also believed to
!ervade the solid body of our earth( and the firmament4 and to choose( as their !rinci!al !laces of
resort( or of occasional abode( baths( wells( the latrina( ovens( ruined houses( market)!laces( the
7unctures of roads( the sea( and rivers" The 6rabs( therefore( when they !our water( Mc"( on the #round(
or enter a bath( or let down a bucket into a well( or visit the latrina( and on various other occasions( say(
B8ermission_B or B8ermission( ye blessed_B (?estoor_ or( ?estoor yD mubDrakeen_B)"W,CThe evil
s!irits (or evil *inn)( it is said( had liberty to enter any of the seven heavens till the birth of *esus( when
they were excluded from three of them4 on the birth of &oGammad( they were forbidden the other
four"W. They continue( however( to ascend to the confines of the lowest heaven( and there listenin# to
the conversation of the 6n#els res!ectin# thin#s decreed by 2od( obtain knowled#e of futurity( which
they sometimes im!art to men( who( by means of talismans( or certain invocations( make them to serve
the !ur!oses of ma#ical !erformances" To this !articular sub7ect it will be necessary to revert"C5hat
the 8ro!het said of $blees( in the followin# tradition( a!!lies also to the evil *inn over whom he
!resides:C%is chief abode [amon# men is the bath4 his chief !laces of resort are the markets( and the
7unctures of roads4 his food is whatever is killed without the name of 2od bein# !ronounced over it4 his
drink( whatever is intoxicatin#4 his muaddin( the miOmDr (a L+musical !i!e4 i! e! any musical
instrument)4 his JurDn( !oetry4 his written character( the marks made in #eomancy4,Z his s!eech(
falsehood4 his snares are women",+
That !articular *innees !resided over !articular !laces( was an o!inion of the early 6rabs" $t is said in
the Pur)Dn( B6nd there were certain men who sou#ht refu#e with certain of the *inn"B,@ $n the
Commentary of the *elDleyn( $ find the followin# remark on these words:CB5hen they halted( on their
7ourney( in a !lace of fear( each man said( '$ seek refu#e with the lord of this !lace( from the mischief of
his foolish ones_'B $n illustration of this( $ may insert the followin# tradition( translated from 1l)
PaOweenee:CB$t is related by a certain narrator of traditions( that he descended into a valley( with his
shee!( and a wolf carried off a ewe from amon# them4 and he arose( and raised his voice( and cried( ';
inhabitant of the valley_' whereu!on he heard a voice sayin#( '; wolf( restore to him his shee!_' and the
wolf came with the ewe( and left her( and de!arted"BCThe same o!inion is held by the modern 6rabs(
thou#h !robably they do not use such an invocation"C6 similar su!erstition( a relic of ancient
1#y!tian credulity( still !revails amon# the !eo!le of Cairo" $t is believed that each 0uarter of this city
has its !eculiar #uardian)#enius( or 6#athod:mon( which has the form of a ser!ent",L
$t has already been mentioned that some of the *inn are &uslims4 and others( infidels" The #ood *inn
ac0uit themselves of the im!erative duties of reli#ion4 namely( !rayers( alms)#ivin#( fastin# durin# the
month of <ama\Dn( and !il#rima#e to &ekkeh and &ount '6rafDt: but in the !erformance of these
duties they are #enerally invisible to human bein#s" /ome exam!les of the mode in which #ood *inn
!ay the alms re0uired of them by the law( $ have #iven in a former work",N
;f the services and in7uries done by *inn to men( some account must be #iven"
$t has been stated( that( by means of talismans( or certain invocations( men are said to obtain the
services of *inn4 and the manner in which the latter are enabled to assist ma#icians( by im!artin# to
them the knowled#e of future events( has been ex!lained" No man ever obtained such absolute !ower
over the *inn as /uleymDn( $bn)?Dood (/olomon( the /on of ?avid)" This he did by virtue of a most
wonderful talisman( which is said to have come down to him from heaven" $t was a seal)rin#( u!on
which was en#raved Bthe most #reat nameB of 2od4 and was !artly com!osed of brass( and !artly of
iron" 5ith the brass he stam!ed his written commands to the #ood *inn4 with the iron (for a reason
before mentioned)( those to the evil *inn( or ?evils" ;ver both orders he had unlimited !ower4 as well
as over the birds and the winds(,- and( as is #enerally said( the wild beasts" %is 5eOeer( 6Haf the son of
9arkhiy]( is also said to have been ac0uainted with Bthe most #reat name(B by utterin# which( the
#reatest miracles may be !erformed4 even that of raisin# the dead" 9y virtue of this name( en#raved on
his rin#( /uleymDn com!elled the *inn to assist in buildin# the Tem!le of *erusalem( and in various
other works" &any of the evil *inn he converted to the true faith4 and many others of this class( who
remained obstinate in infidelity( he confined in !risons" %e is said to have been monarch of the whole
earth" %ence( !erha!s( the name of /uleymDn is #iven to the universal monarchs of the !readamite *inn4
unless the story of his own universal dominion ori#inated from confoundin# him with those kin#s of
the *inn"
The in7uries related to have been inflicted u!on human bein#s by evil *inn are of various kinds" *innees
are said to have often carried off beautiful women( whom they have forcibly ke!t as their wives or
concubines" $ have mentioned in a former work( that malicious or disturbed *innees are asserted often
to station themselves on the roofs( L@or at the windows( of houses( and to throw down bricks and stones
on !ersons !assin# by",U 5hen they take !ossession of an uninhabited house( they seldom fail to
!ersecute terribly any !erson who #oes to reside in it" They are also very a!t to !ilfer !rovisions( Mc"
&any learned and devout !ersons( to secure their !ro!erty from such de!redations( re!eat the words B$n
the name of 2od( the Com!assionate( the &erciful_B on lockin# the doors of their houses( rooms( or
closets( and on coverin# the bread)basket( or anythin# containin# food",W ?urin# the month of
<ama\Dn( the evil *inn are believed to be confined in !rison4 and therefore( on the last ni#ht of that
month( with the same view( women sometimes re!eat the words above mentioned( and s!rinkle salt
u!on the floors of the a!artments of their houses",,
To com!lete this sketch of 6rabian mytholo#y( an account must be added of several creatures #enerally
believed to be of inferior orders of the *inn"
;ne of these is the 2hool( which is commonly re#arded as a kind of /heytDn( or evil *innee( that eats
men4 and is also described by some as a *innee or an enchanter who assumes various forms" The
2hools are said to a!!ear in the forms of various animals( and of human bein#s( and in many
monstrous sha!es4 to haunt burial)#rounds and other se0uestered s!ots4 to feed u!on dead human
bodies4 and to kill and devour any human creature who has the misfortune to fall in their way: whence
the term B2hoolB is a!!lied to any cannibal" 6n o!inion 0uoted by a celebrated author( res!ectin# the
2hool( is( that it is a demoniacal animal( which !asses a solitary existence in the deserts( resemblin#
both man and brute4 that it a!!ears to a !erson travellin# alone in the ni#ht and in solitary !laces( and(
bein# su!!osed by him to be itself a traveller( lures him out of his way",. 6nother o!inion stated by
him is this: that( when the /heytDns attem!t to hear words by stealth [from the confines of the lowest
heaven( they are struck by shootin# stars4 and some are burnt4 some( fallin# into a sea( or rather a lar#e
river (baGr)( become converted into crocodiles4 and some( fallin# u!on the land( become 2hools" The
same author adds the followin# tradition:CBThe 2hool is any *innee that is o!!osed to travels(
assumin# various forms and a!!earances4B.Z and affirms that several of the Com!anions of the 8ro!het
saw 2hools in their travels4 and that ';mar( amon# them( saw a 2hool while on a 7ourney to /yria(
before 1l)$slDm( and struck it with his sword"C$t a!!ears that B2hoolB is( !ro!erly s!eakin#( a name
only #iven to a female demon of the kind above described: the male is called BPuErub"B.+ $t is said that
these bein#s( and the 2haddDr( or 2harrDr( and other similar creatures which will !resently be
mentioned( are the offs!rin# of $blees and of a wife whom 2od created for him of the fire of the
/amoom (which here si#nifies( as in an instance before mentioned( Ba smokeless fireB)4 and that they
s!ran# from an e##".@ The female 2hool( it is added( a!!ears to men in the deserts( in various forms(
converses with them( and sometimes !rostitutes herself to them".L
The /eQlDh( or /aQlDh( is another demoniacal creature( described by some [or rather( by most authors
as of the *inn" $t is said that it is mostly found in forests( and that when it ca!tures a man( it makes him
dance( and !lays with him as the cat !lays with the mouse" 6 man of $HfahDn asserted that many bein#s
of this kind abounded in his country4 that sometimes the wolf would hunt one of them by ni#ht( and
devour it( and that( when it had seiOed it( the /eQlDh would cry out( BCome to my hel!( for the wolf
devoureth me_B or it would cry( B5ho will liberate meR $ have a hundred deenDrs( and he shall receive
them_B but the !eo!le knowin# that it was the cry of the /eQlDh( no one would liberate it4 and so the
wolf would eat it".NC6n island in the sea of 1H)Ieen (or China) is called Bthe $sland of the /eQlDh(B by
6rab #eo#ra!hers( from its bein# said to be inhabited by the demons so named: they are described as
LLcreatures of hideous forms( su!!osed to be /heyEDns( the offs!rin# of human bein#s and *inn( who
eat men"B.-
The 2haddDr( or 2harrDr (for its name is written differently in two different &//" in my !ossession)( is
another creature of a similar nature( described as bein# found in the borders of 1l)Semen( and
sometimes in TihDmeh( and in the u!!er !arts of 1#y!t" $t is said that it entices a man to it( and either
tortures him in a manner not to be described( or merely terrifies him( and leaves him".U
The ?elhDn is also a demoniacal bein#( inhabitin# the islands of the seas( havin# the form of a man(
and ridin# on an ostrich" $t eats the flesh of men whom the sea casts on the shore from wrecks" /ome
say that a ?elhDn once attacked a shi! in the sea( and desired to take the crew4 but they contended with
it4 whereu!on it uttered a cry which caused them to fall u!on their faces( and it took them".WC$n my
&/" of $bn)1l)5ardee( $ find the name written B?ahlDn"B %e mentions an island called by this name( in
the /ea of ';mDn4 and describes its inhabitants as cannibal /heyEDns( like men in form( and ridin# on
birds resemblin# ostriches"
The /hiJJ is another demoniacal creature( havin# the form of half a human bein# (like a man divided
lon#itudinally)4 and it is believed that the NesnDs is the offs!rin# of a /hiJJ and of a human bein#" The
/hiJJ a!!ears to travellers4 and it was a demon of this kind who killed( and was killed by( '6lJamah(
the son of IafwDn( the son of Ameiyeh4 of whom it is well known that he was killed by a *innee" /o
says 1l)PaOweenee"
The NesnDs (above mentioned) is described as resemblin# half a human bein#4 havin# half a head( half
a body( one arm( and one le#( with which it ho!s with much a#ility4 as bein# found in the woods of 1l)
Semen( and bein# endowed with s!eech: Bbut 2od(B it is added( Bis all)knowin#"B., $t is said that it is
found in [a\ramXt as well as 1l)Semen4 and that one was brou#ht alive to 1l)&utawekkil: it
resembled a man in form( exce!tin# that it had but half a face( which was in its breast( and a tail like
that of a shee!" The !eo!le of [a\ramXt( it is added( eat it4 and its flesh is sweet" $t is only #enerated in
their country" 6 man who went there asserted that he saw a ca!tured NesnDs( which cried out for mercy(
con7urin# him by 2od and by himself".. 6 race of !eo!le whose head is in the breast is described as
inhabitin# an island called *Dbeh (su!!osed to be *ava)( in the /ea of 1l)%ind( or $ndia"+ZZ 6 kind of
NesnDs is also described as inhabitin# the $sland of <D>7( in the /ea of 1H)Ieen( or China( and havin#
win#s like those of the bat"+Z+
The %Dtif is a bein# that is heard( but not seen4 and is often mentioned by 6rab writers" $t is #enerally
the communicator of some intelli#ence in the way of advice( or direction( or warnin#"
%ere terminatin# this lon# note( $ must be# the reader to remark( that the su!erstitious fancies which it
describes are !revalent amon# all classes of the 6rabs( and the &uslims in #eneral( learned as well as
vul#ar" $ have com!rised in it much matter not necessary to illustrate the introductory !ortion of this
work( in order to avoid fre0uent recurrence to the same sub7ect" 6nother a!olo#y for its len#th may also
be offered:Cits im!ortance as confutin# /chle#el's o!inion( that the fre0uent mention of 2enii is more
consistent with $ndian than with 6rab notions"
Note @@" This chest is described in some co!ies as formed of #lass"
Note @L" The term B'1freetB has been ex!lained above( in Note @+"
Note @N" &ost of the co!ies of the ori#inal( it a!!ears( make the number of rin#s ninety)ei#ht4
therefore( $ have substituted this( as less extraordinary( for five hundred and seventy( which is the
number mentioned in the Cairo edition"
LN
Note @-" 6lmost every &uslim who can afford it has a seal)rin#( for a reason shewn in a former note
(No" ++)"+Z@
Note @U" 3or the story of Soosuf and ^eleekha (or *ose!h and the wife of 8oti!har)( see the Pur)Dn( ch"
xii"
Note @W"COn the %ic-edness of Women! The wickedness of women is a sub7ect u!on which the
stron#er sex amon# the 6rabs( with an affected feelin# of su!erior virtue( often dwell in common
conversation" That women are deficient in 7ud#ment or #ood sense is held as a fact not to be dis!uted
even by themselves( as it rests on an assertion of the 8ro!het4 but that they !ossess a su!erior de#ree of
cunnin# is !ronounced e0ually certain and notorious" Their #eneral de!ravity is !ronounced to be much
#reater than that of men" B$ stood(B said the 8ro!het( Bat the #ate of 8aradise4 and lo( most of its inmates
were the !oor: and $ stood at the #ate of %ell4 and lo( most of its inmates were women"B+ZL $n allusion
to women( the =haleefeh ';mar said( BConsult them( and do the contrary of what they advise"B 9ut this
is not to be done merely for the sake of o!!osin# them4 nor when other advice can be had" B$t is
desirable for a man(B says a learned $mDm( Bbefore he enters u!on any im!ortant undertakin#( to
consult ten intelli#ent !ersons amon# his !articular friends4 or( if he have not more than five such
friends( let him consult each of them twice4 or( if he have not more than one friend( he should consult
him ten times( at ten different visits: if he have not one to consult( let him return to his wife( and consult
her4 and whatever she advises him to do( let him do the contrary: so shall he !roceed ri#htly in his
affair( and attain his ob7ect"B+ZN 6 truly virtuous wife is( of course( exce!ted in this rule: such a !erson
is as much res!ected by &uslims as she is (at least( accordin# to their own account) rarely met with by
them" 5hen woman was created( the ?evil( we are told( was deli#hted( and said( BThou art half of my
host( and thou art the de!ository of my secret( and thou art my arrow( with which $ shoot( and miss
not"B+Z- 5hat are termed by us affairs of #allantry were very common amon# the 8a#an 6rabs( and are
scarcely less so amon# their &uslim !osterity" They are( however( unfre0uent amon# most tribes of
9edawees( and amon# the descendants of those tribes not lon# settled as cultivators" $ remember bein#
roused from the 0uiet that $ #enerally en7oyed in an ancient tomb in which $ resided at Thebes( by the
cries of a youn# woman in the nei#hbourhood( whom an 6rab was severely beatin# for an im!udent
!ro!osal that she had made to him"
Note @,"COn the cruelty ascri&ed to /hahriyDr" $ wish that $ could accuse the author of inventin#( in
this case( an incident of an incredible nature( and entirely un!aralleled4 but( alas( acts of e0ual cruelty
are recorded of 6rab !rinces: traits of benevolence( and crimes of the blackest hue( are related in their
histories( sometimes L-in the same !a#e" $ have not read of any case exactly resemblin# that to which
this note relates4 but the followin# anecdote will shew( that if conduct still more atrocious had been
described in the latter( it mi#ht have been founded on fact" B$n the year of the 3li#ht N@L( the =haleefeh
of 1#y!t( 1b)cDhir( the son of 1l)[Dkim( collected to#ether all the female slaves that were in the
!alace( and said to them( '6ssemble to#ether( and $ will make a day of !leasure for you( such as hath
not before been seen in 1#y!t"' %e ordered( also( that every !erson who had a female slave should brin#
her( and that none of them should come but with her ornaments of 7ewels and #old" They did so4 and
there was not a sin#le one that did not come" %e then !laced them in a chamber( and( callin# some
masons( made them build u! the door of the chamber u!on them( and so they all died" This ha!!ened
on 3riday (the &ohammadan /abbath() the Uth of /howwDl" The number of them was two thousand six
hundred and sixty female slaves" 6fter they had remained six months( he hea!ed li#hted combustibles
u!on them( and burned them( to#ether with their clothes and ornaments" &ay 2od [says the narrator
shew no mercy to him_B+ZU
Note @." $ here deviate a little from my ori#inal( in which /hahraODd is made to say( B1ither $ shall live(
or $ shall be a ransom for the dau#hters of the &uslims( and the cause of their deliverance from him"B
A!on this( the sheykh &oGammed '1iyDd has remarked in a mar#inal note( B$t would seem that she had
contrived some strata#em to !revent his marryin# a#ain if he determined to kill her: otherwise( the
mere killin# her would not be a means of rescuin# the other maidens"B
Note LZ"COn the $anguage of ,irds /c! $t is commonly believed by the &uslims (learned and
unlearned)( that all kinds of birds( and many (if not all) beasts( have a lan#ua#e by which they
communicate their thou#hts to each other4 and we are told in the Pur)Dn(+ZW that /uleymDn (or
/olomon) was tau#ht the lan#ua#e of birds"+Z, $ thou#ht that $ could boast of an accom!lishment very
rare in Christian countries( in havin# learned( in 1#y!t( somewhat of this lan#ua#e4 for instance( that
the common cry of the !i#eon is B6llDh_ 6llDh_B (B2od_ 2od_B)4 that of the rin#dove( B=eerem_
TowwDb_B (B9ountiful_ 8ro!itious_BCan e7aculation addressed to 2od)4 that of the common dove(
B5aGGidoo rabbakumu)lleOee khalaJakum( ye#hfir)lakum Oembakum_B (B6ssert the unity of your 'ord
who created you( so will %e for#ive you your sin_B) but $ afterwards found that several s!ecimens of
this lan#ua#e were #iven by 1O)^amakhsheree( and had been !ublished in 1uro!e: see B6lcoranus
&arraccii(B !" -++" The cock cries( BAOkuru)llDha( yD #hDfiloon_B (BCommemorate 2od( ; ye
ne#li#ent_B): the JaE] (a kind of #rouse)(+Z. B&en seket selim_B (B%e who is silent is safe_B)" The latter(
however( would do better if it did itself attend to the maxim it utters4 for its cry( which( to the
uninstructed in the lan#ua#e of birds( sounds merely( BJaE]_ JaE]_B as its own name( tells where it is to
be found by the s!ortsman( and thus causes its own destruction" %ence the !roverbCB&ore veracious
than the JaE]"B
Note L+" $n the houses of !ersons of the middle classes in 6rabian countries( there is #enerally an
a!artment on the #round)floor fitted u! as a stable for a horse( mule( or ass( or for two or more such
animals4 and the cattle of the farmer( if not very numerous( are usually lod#ed durin# the ni#ht in
similar 0uarters( or in an o!en court enclosed within( or immediately ad7acent to( his house"
Note L@" $t is a common custom in the 1ast to s!rinkle the #round( durin# the summer( in order to cool
the air"
Note LL" Cut straw is the usual fodder of asses and other beasts of burden in 1#y!t and other countries
of the 1ast"
LU
Note LN" The !hrase with which the bull commences his address to the ass( is one dictated by an
indis!ensable rule of &uslim !oliteness( which re0uires that these or some similar words should be
uttered by a !erson whenever he sees another with food before him( and does not !artake of it" $f this
were not done( it would be feared that the food had been !oisoned( or rendered of no avail( by an
envious eye"
Note L-" The !easants in the 1ast use a hand)mill for #rindin# their corn" The lar#er mills used for this
and other !ur!oses are turned by cattle"
Note LU" $n the Calcutta edition of the first two hundred ni#hts( the ass is made to 0uote verses to the
bull" %ast thou not( he asks him( heard the !oet say:C
$ occu!y myself every day and ni#ht in anxious service of him in whose !ros!erity $ have no
en7oyment4 'ike the bleacher who blackens his face in the sun( while he watches the whitenin# of the
clothes of others"
Note LW" $ read BnaE'an(B as in the Calcutta edition of the first two hundred ni#hts( instead of BkiEa'anB in
the Cairo edition" The naEQ is a lar#e round !iece of leather( which( s!read u!on the #round( serves as a
table for dinner( Mc" $t is !articularly convenient( and therefore much used( in travellin#" 6round the
ed#e is a runnin# strin#( which( bein# drawn( converts it into a ba# to hold what is left of the food"
Note L,"COn the office of PD\ee" The PD\ee is a 7ud#e( or minister of 7ustice( who !asses sentence in
all cases of law( reli#ious( moral( civil( and criminal" This he #enerally does( in the !resent day( in
accordance with the decision of a &uftee( or doctor of the law" $n small towns and villa#es( he is often
em!loyed to draw u! written contracts of various kinds"
Note L." The famous /aQdee attained the a#e here mentioned4 but instances of e0ual lon#evity( amon#
the ;rientals( are rare"++Z
Note NZ" To !erform the ablution !re!aratory to !rayer in the ex!ectation of almost immediate death( is
a su!erero#atory act which( $ believe( is seldom observed"
Note N+" 9oth reli#ion and climate make the &uslim an early riser" $t is his duty to !erform the first of
the five daily !rayers at( or soon after( daybreak4 and he #enerally awakes before this !eriod" 5hile
/hahriyDr( therefore( was waitin# for the dawn of day to ac0uit himself of this duty( in accordance with
the common custom of &ohammadan kin#s( /hahraODd amused him by the recitation of her tales" That
he should be described as thus strict with re#ard to reli#ious exercises( when about to #ive orders for
the murder of his innocent wife( needs not excite our sur!rise: such conduct is consistent with the
character of many &uslims" $n the year +,LN( when $ was residin# in Cairo( a 2eneral in the service of
&oGammad '6lee hired a lar#e !arty of men to !erform a recital of the Pur)Dn( in his house in that city(
and then went u! into his Gareem( and stran#led his wife( in conse0uence of a re!ort which accused her
of incontinence" The reli#ious ceremony was desi#ned as !re!aratory to this act( thou#h the !unishment
of the woman was contrary to the law( since her husband neither !roduced four witnesses of the
im!uted crime( nor allowed her to clear herself of the char#e by her own oath" 6nother case of
dili#ence in the !erformance of a reli#ious duty( accom!anied by the contem!lation of murder( but
murder on a lar#er scale( occurred in the same city shortly after" /uleymDn d#h]( the /ilDGdDr( bein#
occu!ied in directin# the buildin# of a !ublic fountain( as a work of charity to !lace to the account of a
deceased brother( desired to extend the ori#inal !lan of the structure4 and to do this( it LWwas necessary
that he should !urchase two houses ad7oinin# the !lot in which the foundations had been laid: but the
owners of these houses refused to sell them( and he therefore em!loyed a number of workmen to
undermine them by ni#ht( and cause them to fall u!on their inhabitants" %is scheme( however( but
!artially succeeded( and no lives were sacrificed" This man was notorious for cruelty( but he was a
!erson of !leasin# and venerable countenance( and en#a#in# manners: whenever $ chanced to meet
him( $ received from him a most #racious salutation" %e died before $ 0uitted 1#y!t"
+@ 6n 6!ostle is distin#uished from a mere 8ro!het by his havin# a &oo- revealed to him"
+L $n 0uotin# the Pur)Dn( $ distin#uish the verses in accordance with the numbers in 3lue#el's excellent
edition of the ori#inal text: Nto 'i!si: +,LN" These numbers a#ree (exce!tin# in a few cases( where a
disa#reement was found absolutely necessary) with those in %inckelmann's edition( which is that most
commonly 0uoted by the learned" $ am sorry to see that &arracci's numbers have been ado!ted in a late
edition of /ale's translation( and that the distinction between the words of the text and the ex!lanatory
inter!olations has there been ne#lected" $ts utility to 6rabic scholars( and its #eneral fidelity( have been
thus #reatly lessened4 and it a!!ears to me very desirable that it should be su!erseded as soon as
!ossible by another edition"
+N &oGammad's answers to '6bd)6llah $bn)/elDm( 0uoted by $bn)1l)5ardee (&/" in my !ossession)4
and &ek)Gool( 0uoted by the same author( and &ishkDt el)&aHDbeeh( vol" ii" !!" U-@ and U-L"
+- $bn)1sh)/heGneh (&/" in my !ossession)"
+U $n another &/" of the same author in my !ossession( Byellow"B
+W $n his B=hiEaEB (&/" in my !ossession)"
+, Pur)Dn( ch" xiii" v" L( and several other !laces"
+. $dem( ch" ii" v" @Z( and ch" lxxviii" v" U"
@Z $dem( ch" lxxi" v" +,"
@+ &ek)Gool( 0uoted by $bn)1l)5ardee"
@@ 5ahb $bn)&unebbih( 0uoted by 1l)&aJreeOee( is his B=hiEaE"B
@L $bn)1l)5ardee( however( says that its name is derived from its terrors and difficulties"
@N These are monsters who will be described in a subse0uent note"
@- %istory of 1l)=hi\r in the B&ir)Dt eO)^emDnB (&/" in my !ossession)( a #reat history( whose author
died in the year of the 3li#ht U-U"
@U 1l)PaOweenee (&/" in my !ossession)"
@W &oGammad's answers to '6bd)6llah $bn)/elDm( 0uoted by $bn)1l)5ardee"
@, $bid"
@. 1l)PaOweenee"
LZ Pur)Dn( ch" ii" v" @@( and ch" lxvi" v" U"
L+ &ir)Dt eO)^emDn"
L@ Tradition from the 8ro!het( recorded by $bn)'6bbDs( and 0uoted by $bn)1l)5ardee4 and by 1l)$s)
GDJee( in describin# an earth0uake that ha!!ened in his life)time"C;n the sub7ect of earth0uakes( see
also the next foot)note"
LL $n $bn)1sh)/heGneh( B=uyoothDn:B the ortho#ra!hy of this word is doubtful( as the vowel)!oints are
not written" 6s the tradition is related in $bn)1l)5ardee( this bull takes a breath twice in the course of
every day (or twenty)four hours)4 when he exhales( the sea flows4 and when he inhales( it ebbs" 9ut it
must not be ima#ined that none of the 6rabs have any notion of the true theory of the tides: the more
learned amon# them ex!lain this !henomenon by the influence of the moon"C&any of the 6rabs
attribute earth0uakes to the shakin# of this bull"
LN $n $bn)1l)5ardee( a 0uantity of sand is introduced between the bull and the fish"
L- 1d)?emeeree( on the authority of 5alib $bn)&unebbih( 0uoted by 1l)$s)GDJce( loco laudato"
LU $bn)1l)5ardee"
LW Pur)Dn( ch" xxxix" v" UW"
L, $dem( ch" xiv" v" N."
L. $dem( ch" lxxxix" v" @N"
NZ =haleel 1b)cDhiree( in ?e /acy's Chrestomathie 6rabe( @nde ed" tome ii" !!" +Z and ++ of 6r" text"
N+ $bid"
N@ 1l)&aJreeOee( 0uoted by ?e /acy( u&i supra( !!" -,)U@"
NL $bn)=haldoon( in the same( !!" +U, and +U."
NN Ch" xxxii" v" +L"
N- &ishJDt el)&aHDbeeG( vol" ii" !" L@."
NU 9urckhardt's BNotes on the 9edouins and 5ahDbys(B ,vo ed" vol" i" !!" +W, and +W."
NW This tree is called( in 6rabic( BbDnB and BkhilDfB or BkhalDf"B
N, The 6nacreon of 8ersia affected to !riOe the mole u!on the cheek of his beloved above the cities of
/amarJand and 9ukhDra"
N. 'awsonia inermis"
-Z $n another analysis of the same kind( it is said that four should be short4 the hands( the feet( the
ton#ue( and the teeth4 but this is meta!horically s!eakin#4 the meanin# is( that these members should be
ke!t within their !ro!er bounds" (=itDb el)';nwDn fee &ekDid en)NiswDn" &/" in my !ossession")
-+ 6n unnamed author 0uoted by 1l)$s)GDJee( in his account of the '6bbDsee =haleefeh 1l)
&utawekkil"
-@ &ir)Dt eO)^emDn" /ee also( Pur)Dn( ch" v" v" U-"
-L The term B'1freetB is sometimes im!ro!erly a!!lied to a good *innee [and also( in 1#y!t( to the
#host of a dead !erson" /ee B&odern 1#y!tians(B vol" +" ch" x" 1d""
-N &ir)Dt eO)^emDn"
-- Ch" xv" v" @W4 and Commentary of the *elDleyn" 6lso( Pur)Dn( ch" lv" v" +N"
-U Ch" xxvii" v" +Z and ch" xxviii" v" L+4 and Commentary of the *elDleyn"
-W Ch" lv" vv" L. and WN4 and same Commentary"
-, '1krimeh( from $bn)'6bbDs( in the &ir)Dt eO)^emDn"
-. &u7Dhid( from the same( ibid"
UZ %ence the a!!ellations of B*innB and B*Dnn"B
U+ Tradition from the 8ro!het( in the &ir)Dt eO)^emDn"
U@ &ir)Dt eO)^emDn"
UL The worshi! here s!oken of is !rostration( as an act of obeisance to a su!erior bein#"
UN Pur)Dn( ch" xviii" v" N,"
U- 1E)Kabaree( 0uoted in the &ir)Dt eO)^emDn"
UU &ir)Dt eO)^emDn"
UW Ch" vii" v" ++4 and cha!" xxxviii" v" WW"
U, &ir)Dt eO)^emDn"
U. 1l)[asan 1l)9aHree( in the &ir)Dt eO)^emDn"C&y inter!olation of the word BotherB is re0uired by
his o!inion before stated"
WZ &u7Dhid( 0uoted by 1l)PaOweenee"
W+ The same( from $bn)'6bbDs( in the &ir)Dt eO)^emDn"
W@ 1l)[asan 1l)9aHree( ibid"
WL '1krimeh( from $bn)'6bbDs( ibid"
WN &ishkDt el)&aHDbeeG( vol" ii" !" L+N"
W- $bid" vol" ii" !!" L++ and L+@"
WU &ir)Dt eO)^emDn"
WW B&odern 1#y!tians(B vol" i" ch" x"
W, $bid"
W. /ale( in a note on cha!" xv" of the Pur)Dn"
,Z /o $ translate the word BkhaEE4B but in a work by 1s)/uyootee( (a &/" in my !ossession( entitled
BNuOhet el)&utafmmil wa)&urshid el)&utafhhil(B section W() $ find( in its !lace( the word Bweshm(B or
Btattooin#4B and there are some other sli#ht variations and omissions in this tradition as there 0uoted"
,+ 1l)PaOweenee"
,@ Ch" lxxii" v U"
,L B&odern 1#y!tians(B vol" i" ch" x"
,N $dem( vol" ii" ch" xi"
,- Pur)Dn( ch" xxvii" v" +W4 and ch" xxxviii" v" L-"
,U B&odern 1#y!tians(B vol" i" ch" x"
,W $bid"
,, $bid"
,. 1l)PaOweenee"
.Z 1l)*DGeb ('6mr $bn)9aGr)"
.+ IeGDG and PDmoos"
.@ Tradition for the 5hab $bn)&unebbih( 0uoted in the account of the early 6rabs in the &ir)Dt eO)
^emDn"
.L $bid"
.N 1l)PaOweenee"
.- $bn)1l)5ardee"
.U 1l)PaOweenee( and &ir)Dt eO)^emDn"
.W 1l)PaOweenee"
., 1l)PaOweenee( in the khDtimeh of his work"
.. &ir)Dt eO)^emDn"
+ZZ $bn)1l)5ardee"
+Z+ $dem"
+Z@ $n a #reat collection of $ndian tales( the B=athD /arit /D#ara(B is a story which may have been the
ori#inal of that to which this note refers" BTwo youn# 9rahmans travellin# are beni#hted in a forest( and
take u! their lod#in# in a tree near a lake" 1arly in the ni#ht a number of !eo!le come from the water(
and havin# made !re!aration for an entertainment( retire4 a Saksha( a #enie( then comes out of the lake
with his two wives( and s!ends the ni#ht there: when he and one of his wives are aslee!( the other(
seein# the youths( invites them to a!!roach her( and to encoura#e them( shews them a hundred rin#s
received from former #allants( notwithstandin# her husband's !recautions( who kee!s her locked u! in
a chest at the bottom of the lake" The %indu story)teller is more moral than the 6rab" The youths re7ect
her advances4 she wakes the #enie( who is #oin# to !ut them to death( but the rin#s are !roduced in
evidence a#ainst the unfaithful wife( and she is turned away with the loss of her nose" The story is
re!eated in the next section with some variation4 the lady has ninety and nine rin#s( and is about to
com!lete the hundredth( when her husband( who is here a Na#a( a snake)#od( wakes( and consumes the
#uilty !air with fire from his mouth"BC9ritish and 3orei#n <eview( No" xxi" !a#e @UU"
+ZL =itDb el)';nwDn fee &ekDid en)NiswDn: a work on the strate#ems of women (&/" in my
!ossession)"
+ZN 1l)$mDm 1l)*ara'ee( in his book entitled B/hir'at el)$slDm(B ibid"
+Z- NuOhet el)&utafmmil wa)&urshid el)&utafhhil( section @"
+ZU 1s)/uyooEee( %istory of 1#y!t( account of the stran#e events that have ha!!ened in 1#y!t durin#
the time of 1l)$slDm"
+ZW Ch" xxvii" v" +U"
+Z, &anEiJ eE)Eeyr"
+Z. ;f the family "teroclid(" (8r" 9on") 1d"
++Z $bn)'6rab)/hDh( however( has #iven an account of a man called the sheykh 1l)';ryDn( an inhabitant
of /amarJand( and a devotee( who was said to have attained the a#e of L-Z [lunar years [or nearly LNZ
solar years( and yet !reserved an erect stature( a comely a!!earance( and such stren#th that it seemed
as if he had not attained to mature years" The old men of the !lace asserted that they remembered him
to have had the same a!!earance when they were children( and that their fathers and #randfathers had
said the same"C%istory of Teemoor( !" NWZ( Calcutta edition"
L,
CHAPTER I.
COMMENCING WITH THE FIRST NIGHT, AND ENDING WITH PART OF THE THIRD.
THE STORY OF THE MERCHANT AND THE !INNEE.
$t has been related to me( ; ha!!y =in#( said /hahraODd( that there was a certain merchant who had
#reat wealth( and traded extensively with surroundin# countries4 and one day he mounted his horse( and
7ourneyed to a nei#hbourin# country to collect what was due to him( and( the heat o!!ressin# him( he
sat under a tree( in a #arden(+ and !ut his hand into his saddle)ba#(@ and ate a morsel of bread and a
date which were amon# his !rovisions" %avin# eaten the date( he threw aside the stone(L and
immediately there a!!eared before him an '1freet( of enormous hei#ht( who( holdin# a drawn sword in
his hand( a!!roached him( and said( <ise( that $ may kill thee( as thou hast killed my son" The merchant
asked him( %ow have $ killed thy sonR %e answered( 5hen thou atest the date( and threwest aside the
stone( it struck my son u!on the chest(N and( as fate had decreed a#ainst him( he instantly died"-
L.The merchant( on hearin# these words(U exclaimed( Ferily to 2od we belon#( and verily to %im we
must return_ There is no stren#th nor !ower but in 2od( the %i#h( the 2reat_ $f $ killed him( $ did it not
intentionally( but without knowin# it4 and $ trust in thee that thou wilt !ardon me"CThe *innee
answered( Thy death is indis!ensable( as thou hast killed my son:Cand so sayin#( he dra##ed him( and
threw him on the #round( and raised his arm to strike him with the sword" The merchant( u!on this(
we!t bitterly( and said to the *innee( $ commit my affair unto 2od( for no one can avoidNZ what %e hath
decreed:Cand he continued his lamentation( re!eatin# the followin# verses:C
Time consists of two days4 this( bri#ht4 and that( #loomy: and life( of two moieties4 this( safe4 and that(
fearful" /ay to him who hath taunted us on account of misfortunes( ?oth fortune o!!ose any but the
eminentR ?ost thou not observe that cor!ses float u!on the sea( while the !recious !earls remain in its
furthest de!thsR 5hen the hands of time !lay with us( misfortune is im!arted to us by its !rotracted
kiss" $n the heaven are stars that cannot be numbered4 but none is ecli!sed save the sun and the moon"
%ow many #reen and dry trees are on the earth4 but none is assailed with stones save that which beareth
fruit_ Thou thou#htest well of the days when they went well with thee( and fearedst not the evil that
destiny was brin#in#"
C5hen he had finished recitin# these verses( the *innee said to him( /!are thy words( for thy death is
unavoidable"
Then said the merchant( =now( ; '1freet( that $ have debts to !ay( and $ have much !ro!erty( and
children( and a wife( and $ have !led#es also in my !ossession: let me( therefore( #o back to my house(
and #ive to every one his due( and then $ will return to thee: $ bind myself by a vow and covenant that $
will return to thee( and thou shalt do what thou wilt4 and 2od is witness of what $ say"CA!on this( the
*innee acce!ted his covenant( and liberated him4 #rantin# him a res!ite until the ex!iration of the year"
The merchant( therefore( returned to his town( accom!lished all that was u!on his mind to do( !aid
every one what he owed him( and informed his wife and children of the event which had befallen him4
u!on hearin# which( they and all his family and women we!t" %e a!!ointed a #uardian over his
children( and remained with his family until the end of the year4 when he took his #rave)clothes under
his arm(W bade farewell to his household and nei#hbours( and all his relations( and went forth( in s!ite
of himself4 his family raisin# cries of lamentation( and shriekin#",
%e !roceeded until he arrived at the #arden before mentioned4 and it was the first day of the new year4
and as he sat( wee!in# for the calamity which he ex!ected soon to befall him( a sheykh(. advanced in
years( a!!roached him( leadin# a #aOelle with a chain attached to its neck" This sheykh saluted the
merchant( wishin# him a lon# life( and said to him( 5hat is the reason of thy sittin# alone in this !lace(
seein# that it is a resort of the *innR The merchant thereforeN+ informed him of what had befallen him
with the '1freet( and of the cause of his sittin# there4 at which the sheykh( the owner of the #aOelle( was
astonished( and said( 9y 6llah( ; my brother( thy faithfulness is #reat( and thy story is wonderful_ if it
were en#raved u!on the intellect( it would be a lesson to him who would be admonished_C6nd he sat
down by his side( and said( 9y 6llah( ; my brother( $ will not 0uit this !lace until $ see what will
ha!!en unto thee with this '1freet" /o he sat down( and conversed with him" 6nd the merchant became
almost senseless4 fear entered him( and terror( and violent #rief( and excessive anxiety" 6nd as the
owner of the #aOelle sat by his side( lo( a second sheykh a!!roached them( with two black hounds( and
in0uired of them( after salutin# them( the reason of their sittin# in that !lace( seein# that it was a resort
of the *Dnn:+Z and they told him the story from be#innin# to end" 6nd he had hardly sat down when
there a!!roached them a third sheykh( with a da!!le mule4 and he asked them the same 0uestion( which
was answered in the same manner"
$mmediately after( the dust was a#itated( and became an enormous revolvin# !illar( a!!roachin# them
from the midst of the desert4 and this dust subsided( and behold( the *innee( with a drawn sword in his
hand4 his eyes castin# forth s!arks of fire" %e came to them( and dra##ed from them the merchant( and
said to him( <ise( that $ may kill thee( as thou killedst my son( the vital s!irit of my heart" 6nd the
merchant wailed and we!t4 and the three sheykhs also manifested their sorrow by wee!in# and cryin#
aloud and wailin#: but the first sheykh( who was the owner of the #aOelle( recoverin# his self)
!ossession( kissed the hand of the '1freet( and said to him( ; thou *innee( and crown of the kin#s of the
*Dnn( if $ relate to thee the story of myself and this #aOelle( and thou find it to be wonderful( and more
so than the adventure of this merchant( wilt thou #ive u! to me a thirdN@ of thy claim to his bloodR %e
answered( Ses( ; sheykh4 if thou relate to me the story( and $ find it to be as thou hast said( $ will #ive
u! to thee a third of my claim to his blood"
THE STORY OF THE FIRST SHEYH AND THE GA"ELLE.
Then said the sheykh( =now( ; '1freet( that this #aOelle is the dau#hter of my !aternal uncle(++ and she
is of my flesh and my blood" $ took her as my wife when she was youn#(+@ and lived with her about
thirty years4 but $ was not blessed with a child by her4 so $ took to me a concubine slave(+L and by her $
was blessed with a male child( like the risin# full moon( with beautiful eyes( and delicately)sha!ed
eyebrows( and !erfectly)formed limbs4 and he #rew u! by little and little until he attained the a#e of
fifteen years" 6t this !eriod( $ unex!ectedly had occasion to 7ourney to a certain city( and went thither
with a #reat stock of merchandise"
Now my cousin(+N this #aOelle( had studied enchantment and divination from her early years4 and
durin# my absence( she transformed the youth above mentioned into a calf4 and his mother( intoNL a
cow4+- and committed them to the care of the herdsman: and when $ returned( after a lon# time( from
my 7ourney( $ asked after my son and his mother( and she said( Thy slave is dead( and thy son hath fled(
and $ know not whither he is #one" 6fter hearin# this( $ remained for the s!ace of a year with mournin#
heart and wee!in# eye( until the 3estival of the /acrifice4+U when $ sent to the herdsman( and ordered
him to choose for me a fat cow4 and he brou#ht me one( and it was my concubine( whom this #aOelle
had enchanted" $ tucked u! my skirts and sleeves( and took the knife+W in my hand( and !re!ared
myself to slau#hter her4 u!on which she moaned and cried so violently that $ left her( and ordered the
herdsman to kill and skin her: and he did so( but found in her neither fat nor flesh( nor anythin# but skin
and bone4 and $ re!ented of slau#hterin# her( when re!entance was of no avail" $ therefore #ave her to
the herdsman( and said to him( 9rin# me a fat calf: and he brou#ht me my son( who was transformed
into a calf" 6nd when the calf saw me( he broke his ro!e( and came to me( and fawned u!on me( and
wailed and cried( so that $ was moved with !ity for him4 and $ said to the herdsman( 9rin# me a cow(
and let thisC
%ere /hahraODd !erceived the li#ht of mornin#( and discontinued the recitation with which she had
been allowed thus far to !roceed" %er sister said to her( %ow excellent is thy story_ and how !retty_ and
how !leasant_ and how sweet_Cbut she answered( 5hat is this in com!arison with that which $ will
relate to thee in the next ni#ht( if $ live( and the =in# s!are me_ 6nd the =in# said( 9y 6llah( $ will not
kill her until $ hear the remainder of her story" Thus they !leasantly !assed the ni#ht until the mornin#(
when the =in# went forth to his hall of 7ud#ment( and the 5eOeer went thither with the #rave)clothes
under his arm: and the =in#NN #ave 7ud#ment( and invested and dis!laced( until the close of the day(
without informin# the 5eOeer of that which had ha!!ened4 and the minister was #reatly astonished"
The court was then dissolved4 and the =in# returned to the !rivacy of his !alace"
[;n the second and each succeedin# ni#ht( /hahraODd continued so to interest =in# /hahriyDr by her
stories as to induce him to defer !uttin# her to death( in ex!ectation that her fund of amusin# tales
would soon be exhausted4 and as this is ex!ressed in the ori#inal work in nearly the same words at the
close of every ni#ht( such re!etitions will in the !resent translation be omitted"+,
5hen the sheykh( continued /hahraODd( observed the tears of the calf( his heart sym!athiOed with him(
and he said to the herdsman( 'et this calf remain with the cattle"C&eanwhile( the *innee wondered at
this stran#e story4 and the owner of the #aOelle thus !roceeded"
; lord of the kin#s of the *Dnn( while this ha!!ened( my cousin( this #aOelle( looked on( and said(
/lau#hter this calf4 for he is fat: but $ could not do it4 so $ ordered the herdsman to take him back4 and
he took him and went away" 6nd as $ was sittin#( on the followin# day( he came to me( and said( ; my
master( $ have to tell thee somethin# that thou wilt be re7oiced to hear4 and a reward is due to me for
brin#in# #ood news"+. $ answered( 5ell:Cand he said( ; merchant( $ have a dau#hter who learned
enchantment in her youth from an old woman in our family4 and yesterday( when thou #avest me the
calf( $ took him to her( and she looked at him( and covered her face( and we!t( and then lau#hed( and
said( ; my father( hath my condition become so de#raded in thy o!inion that thou brin#est before me
stran#e menR@ZC5here( said $( are any stran#e menR and wherefore didst thou wee! and lau#hR /he
answered( This calf that is with thee is the son of our master( the merchant( and the wife of our master
hath enchanted both him and his mother4 and this was the reason of my lau#hter4 but as to the reason of
my wee!in#( it was on account of his mother( because his father had slau#htered her"C6nd $ was
excessively astonished at this4 and scarcely was $ certain that the li#ht of mornin# had a!!eared when $
hastened to inform thee"
5hen $ heard( ; *innee( the words of the herdsman( $ went forth with him( intoxicated without wine(
from the excessive 7oy and ha!!iness that $ received( and arrived at his house( where his dau#hter
welcomed me( and kissed my hand4 and the calf came to me( and fawned u!on me" 6nd $ said to the
herdsman's dau#hter( $s that true which thou hast said res!ectin# this calfR /he answered( Ses( ; myN-
master4 he is verily thy son( and the vital s!irit of thy heart"C; maiden( said $( if thou wilt restore him(
all the cattle and other !ro!erty of mine that thy father hath under his care shall be thine" A!on this( she
smiled( and said( ; my master( $ have no desire for the !ro!erty unless on two conditions: the first is(
that thou shalt marry me to him4 and the second( that $ shall enchant her who enchanted him( and so
restrain her4 otherwise( $ shall not be secure from her artifice" ;n hearin#( ; *innee( these her words( $
said( 6nd thou shalt have all the !ro!erty that is under the care of thy father besides4 and as to my
cousin( even her blood shall be lawful to thee" /o( when she heard this( she took a cu!( and filled it with
water( and re!eated a s!ell over it( and s!rinkled with it the calf( sayin# to him( $f 2od created thee a
calf( remain in this form( and be not chan#ed4 but if thou be enchanted( return to thy ori#inal form( by
!ermission of 2od( whose name be exalted_Cu!on which he shook( and became a man4 and $ threw
myself u!on him( and said( $ con7ure thee by 6llah that thou relate to me all that my cousin did to thee
and to thy mother"NU /o he related to me all that had ha!!ened to them both4 and $ said to him( ; my
son( 2od hath #iven thee one to liberate thee( and to aven#e thee:Cand $ married to him( ; *innee( the
herdsman's dau#hter4 after which( she transformed my cousin into this #aOelle" 6nd as $ ha!!ened to
!ass this way( $ saw this merchant( and asked him what had ha!!ened to him4 and when he had
informed me( $ sat down to see the result"CThis is my story" The *innee said( This is a wonderful tale4
and $ #ive u! to thee a third of my claim to his blood"
The second sheykh( the owner of the two hounds( then advanced( and said to the *innee( $f $ relate to
thee the story of myself and these hounds( and thou find it to be in like manner wonderful( wilt thou
remit to me( also( a third of thy claim to the blood of this merchantR The *innee answered( Ses"
THE STORY OF THE SECOND SHEYH AND THE TWO BLAC HOUNDS.
Then said the sheykh( =now( ; lord of the kin#s of the *Dnn( that these two hounds are my brothers"
&y father died( and left to us three thousand !ieces of #old4@+ and $ o!ened a sho!@@ to sell and buy"
9ut one of my brothers made a 7ourney( with a stock of merchandise( and was absent from us for the
s!ace of a year with the caravans4 after which( he returned destitute" $ said to him( ?id $ not advise thee
to abstain from travellin#R 9ut he we!t( and said( ; my brother( 2od( to whom be ascribed all mi#ht
and #lory( decreed this event4 and there is no lon#er any !rofit in these words: $ have nothin# left" /o $
took him u! into the sho!( and then went with him to the bath( and clad him in a costly suit of my own
clothin#4 after which( we sat down to#ether to eat4 and $ said to him( ; my brother( $ will calculate the
#ain of my sho! durin# the year( and divide it( exclusive of the !rinci!al( between me and thee"
6ccordin#ly( $ made the calculation( and found my #ain to amount to two thousand !ieces of #old4 and
$ !raised 2od( to whom be ascribed all mi#ht and #lory( and re7oiced exceedin#ly( and divided the #ain
in two e0ual !arts between myself and him"C&y other brother then set forth on a 7ourney4 and after a
year( returned in the like condition4 and $ did unto him as $ had done to the former"
6fter this( when we had lived to#ether for some time( my brothers a#ain wished to travel( and were
desirous that $ should accom!anyNW them4 but $ would not" 5hat( said $( have ye #ained in your travels(
that $ should ex!ect to #ainR They im!ortuned me4 but $ would not com!ly with their re0uest4 and we
remained sellin# and buyin# in our sho!s a whole year" /till( however( they !ersevered in !ro!osin#
that we should travel( and $ still refused( until after the la!se of six entire years( when at last $
consented( and said to them( ; my brothers( let us calculate what !ro!erty we !ossess" 5e did so( and
found it to be six thousand !ieces of #old: and $ then said to them( 5e will bury half of it in the earth(
that it may be of service to us if any misfortune befall us( in which case each of us shall take a thousand
!ieces( with which to traffic"@L 1xcellent is thy advice( said they" /o $ took the money and divided it
into two e0ual !ortions( and buried three thousand !ieces of #old4 and of the other half( $ #ave to each
of them a thousand !ieces" 5e then !re!ared merchandise( and hired a shi!( and embarked our #oods(
and !roceeded on our voya#e for the s!ace of a whole month( at the ex!iration of which we arrived at a
city( where we sold our merchandise4 and for every !iece of #old we #ained ten"
N,
6nd when we were about to set sail a#ain( we found( on the shore of the sea( a maiden clad in tattered
#arments( who kissed my hand( and said to me( ; my master( art thou !ossessed of charity and
kindnessR $f so( $ will re0uite thee for them" $ answered( Ses( $ have those 0ualities( thou#h thou re0uite
me not" Then said she( ; my master( acce!t me as thy wife( and take me to thy country4 for $ #ive
myself to thee:@N act kindly towards me4 for $ am one who re0uires to be treated with kindness and
charity( and who will re0uite thee for so doin#4 and let not my !resent condition at all deceive thee"
5hen $ heard these words( my heart was moved with tenderness towards her( in order to the
accom!lishment of a !ur!ose of 2od( to whom be ascribed all mi#ht and #lory4 and $ took her( and
clothed her( and furnished for her a !lace in the shi! in a handsome manner( and re#arded her with kind
and res!ectful attention"
5e then set sail4 and $ became most cordially attached to my wife( so that( on her account( $ ne#lected
the society of my brothers( who( in conse0uence( became 7ealous of me( and likewise envied me my
wealth( and the abundance of my merchandise4 castin# the eyes of covetousness u!on the whole of the
!ro!erty" They therefore consulted to#ether to kill me( and take my wealth4 sayin#( 'et us kill our
brother( and all the !ro!erty shall be ours:Cand the devil made these actions to seem fair in their eyes4
so they came to me while $ was slee!in# by the side of my wife( and took both of us u!( and threw us
into the sea" 9ut as soon as my wife awoke( she shook herself( and became transformed into a
*inneeyeh"@- /he immediately bore me away( and !laced me u!on an island( and( for a while(
disa!!eared" $n the mornin#( however( she returned( and said to me( $ am thy wife( who carried thee(
and rescued thee from death( by !ermission of 2od( whose name be exalted" =now that $ am a
*inneeyeh: $ saw thee( and my heart loved thee for the sake of 2od4 for $ am a believer in 2od and his
6!ostle( 2od bless and save him_@U $ came to thee in the condition in which thou sawest me( and thou
didst marry me4 and see( $ have rescued thee from drownin#" 9ut $ am incensed a#ainst thy brothers(
and $ must kill them"C5hen $N. heard her tale( $ was astonished( and thanked her for what she had
done4C9ut( said $( as to the destruction of my brothers( it is not what $ desire" $ then related to her all
that had ha!!ened between myself and them from first to last4 and when she had heard it( she said( $
will( this next ni#ht( fly to them( and sink their shi!( and destroy them" 9ut $ said( $ con7ure thee by
6llah that thou do it not4 for the author of the !roverb saith( ; thou benefactor of him who hath done
evil( the action that he hath done is sufficient for him:@WCbesides( they are at all events my brothers"
/he still( however( said( They must be killed4Cand $ continued to !ro!itiate her towards them: and at
last she lifted me u!( and soared throu#h the air( and !laced me on the roof of my house"@,
%avin# o!ened the doors( $ du# u! what $ had hidden in the earth4 and after $ had saluted my
nei#hbours( and bou#ht merchandise( $ o!ened my sho!" 6nd in the followin# ni#ht( when $ entered my
house( $ found these two do#s tied u! in it4 and as soon as they saw me( they came to me( and we!t( and
clun# to me4 but $ knew not what had ha!!ened until immediately my wife a!!eared before-Z me( and
said( These are thy brothers" 6nd who( said $( hath done this unto themR /he answered( $ sent to my
sister and she did it4 and they shall not be restored until after the la!se of ten years" 6nd $ was now on
my way to her( that she mi#ht restore them( as they have been in this state ten years( when $ saw this
man( and( bein# informed of what had befallen him( $ determined not to 0uit the !lace until $ should
have seen what would ha!!en between thee and him"CThis is my story"CFerily( said the *innee( it is a
wonderful tale4 and $ #ive u! to thee a third of the claim that $ had to his blood on account of his
offence"
A!on this( the third sheykh( the owner of the mule( said to the *innee(@. 6s to me( break not my heart if
$ relate to thee nothin# more than this:C
THE STORY OF THE THIRD SHEYH AND THE MULE.
The mule that thou seest was my wife: she became enamoured of a black slave4 and when $ discovered
her with him( she took a mu# of water( and( havin# uttered a s!ell over it( s!rinkled me( and
transformed me into a do#" $n this state( $ ran to the sho! of a butcher( whose dau#hter saw me( and(
bein# skilled in enchantment( restored me to my ori#inal form( and instructed me to enchant my wife in
the manner thou beholdest"C6nd now $ ho!e that thou wilt remit to me also a third of the merchant's
offence" ?ivinely was he #ifted who said(
/ow #ood( even on an unworthy soil4 for it will not be lost wherever it is sown"
5hen the sheykh had thus finished his story( the *innee shook-+ with deli#ht( and remitted the
remainin# third of his claim to the merchant's blood" The merchant then a!!roached the sheykhs( and
thanked them( and they con#ratulated him on his safety4 and each went his way"
9ut this( said /hahraODd( is not more wonderful than the story of the fisherman" The =in# asked her(
6nd what is the story of the fishermanR 6nd she related it as follows:C
-@
NOTES TO CHAPTER FIRST.
Note +" The words Bin a #ardenB are omitted in my ori#inal4 but they are re0uired by the se0uel" $ may
here remark( that( in future( when $ find triflin# insertions of this kind to be re0uisite in my translation(
$ shall not deem it necessary to mention them in a note"
Note @" 6n 1astern traveller often makes a lon# 7ourney with no other encumbrance than a well)filled
!air of saddle)ba#s: in one ba# he !uts his !rovisions4 and in the other( such articles of clothin# as he
may re0uire in addition to those in which he sets out( includin# a s!are shirt( and !erha!s no other clean
linen: for he is as indifferent with re#ard to this comfort as he is careful res!ectin# his personal
cleanliness"
Note L" 8erha!s no reader of this work will re0uire to be told that the date has not a shell" $ only make
this remark on account of an error in the old translation"C6s dates are very nutritious( and are
!reserved by bein# merely dried in the sun( they are an excellent article of !rovision for travellers"
Note N" The merchant was cul!ably careless: before throwin# aside the date)stone with sufficient force
to kill a *innee who ha!!ened to be near him (thou#h at the time invisible)( he should have asked
!ermission by the exclamation B?estoor_B as ex!lained in a note a!!ended to the $ntroduction"
Note -"COn +ate and *estiny! The belief in fate and destiny (Bel)Ja\] wa)l)JadarB) exercises a most
!owerful influence u!on the actions and character of the &uslims4 and it is therefore hi#hly im!ortant
that the reader of the !resent work should be ac0uainted with the notions which these !eo!le entertain
res!ectin# such matters of faith" $ use two words (!erha!s the best that our lan#ua#e affords) to ex!ress
corres!ondin# 6rabic terms( which some !ersons re#ard as synonymous( but others distin#uish by
different shades of meanin#" ;n what $ consider the best authority( the word which $ render BfateB
res!ects the decrees of 2od in a #eneral sense4 while that which $ translate BdestinyB relates to the
!articular a!!lications of those decrees" $n such senses these terms are here to be understood when
se!arately em!loyed"
&any &uslims hold that fate is( in some res!ects( absolute and unchan#eable4 in others( admittin# of
alteration4 and almost all of them act( in many of the affairs of life( as if this were their belief" $n the
former case( it is called Bel)Ja\] el)&oGkam:B in the latter( Bel)Ja\] el)&ubramB (which term( without
the ex!lanation here #iven(-L mi#ht be re#arded as exactly synonymous with the former)" %ence( the
8ro!het( it is said( !rayed to be !reserved from the latter( as knowin# that it mi#ht be chan#ed4 and in
allusion to this chan#eable fate( 2od( we are told( says( B2od will cancel what %e !leaseth( and
confirm4B+++ while( on the contrary( the fate which is termed B&oGkamB is a!!ointed BdestinyB decreed
by 2od"++@
&any doctors have ar#ued( that destiny res!ects only the final state of a certain !ortion of men
(believers and unbelievers)4 and that( in #eneral( man is endowed with free will( which he should
exercise accordin# to the laws of 2od and his own conscience and 7ud#ment( !rayin# to 2od for a
blessin# on his endeavours( or im!lorin# the intercession of the 8ro!het( or of any of the saints( in his
favour( and !ro!itiatin# them by offerin# alms or sacrifices in their names4 relyin# u!on 2od for the
result( which he may then( and then only( attribute to fate or destiny" They hold( therefore( that it is
criminal to attem!t resistance to the will when its dictates are conformable with the laws of 2od and
our natural consciences and !rudence( and so !assively to await the fulfilment of 2od's decrees"CThe
doctrine of the Pur)Dn and the Traditions res!ectin# the decrees of 2od( or fate and destiny( a!!ears(
however( to be( that they are alto#ether absolute and unchan#eable(Cwritten( in the be#innin# of the
creation( on the B8reserved Tablet(B in heaven4 that 2od hath !redestined every event and action( evil as
well as #ood4 at the same time commandin# and a!!rovin# #ood( and forbiddin# and hatin# evil4 and
that the Bcancellin#B mentioned in the !recedin# !ara#ra!h relates (as the context seems to shew) to the
abro#ation of former scri!tures( or revelations4 not of fate" 9ut still it must be held that %e hath not
!redestined the %ill4 thou#h %e sometimes inclines it to #ood( and the ?evil sometimes inclines it to
evil" $t is asked( then( $f we have the !ower to will( but not the !ower to !erform otherwise than as 2od
hath !redetermined( how can we be re#arded as res!onsible bein#sR The answer to this is( that our
actions are 7ud#ed #ood or evil accordin# to our intentions( if we have faith: #ood actions or intentions(
it should be added( only increase( and do not cause( our ha!!iness( if we are believers4 and evil actions
or intentions only increase our misery if we are unbelievers or irreli#ious: for the &uslim holds that he
is to be admitted into heaven only by the mercy of 2od( on account of his faith4 and to be rewarded in
!ro!ortion to his #ood works"
The 8ro!het's assertions on the sub7ect of 2od's decrees are considered of the hi#hest im!ortance as
ex!lanatory of the Pur)Dn"CB5hatever is in the universe(B said he( Bis by the order of 2od"BCB2od
hath !re)ordained five thin#s on his servants4 the duration of life( their actions( their dwellin#)!laces(
their travels( and their !ortions"BCBThere is not one amon# you whose sittin#)!lace is not written by
2od( whether in the fire or in !aradise"B++LC/ome of the Com!anions of the 8ro!het( on hearin# the
last)0uoted sayin#( asked him( B; 8ro!het( since 2od hath a!!ointed our !laces( may we confide in
this( and abandon our reli#ious and moral dutiesRB %e answered( BNo: because the ha!!y will do #ood
works( and those who are of the miserable will do bad works"BCThe followin# of his sayin#s further
illustrate this sub7ect"CB5hen 2od hath ordered a creature to die in any !articular !lace( %e causeth
his wants to direct him to that !lace"BC6 Com!anion asked( B; 8ro!het of 2od( inform me res!ectin#
charms( and the medicines which $ swallow( and shields which $ make use of for !rotection( whether
they !revent any of the orders of 2od"B &oGammad answered( BThese also are by the order of
2od"B++N BThere is a medicine for every !ain: then( when the medicine reaches the !ain( it is cured by
the order of 2od"B++-C5hen a &uslim( therefore( feels an inclination to make use of medicine for the
cure of a disease( he should do so( in the ho!e of its bein# !redestined that he shall be so cured"
;n the !redestination of diseases( $ find the followin# curious 0uotation and remark -Nin a manuscri!t
work( by 1s)/uyooEee( in my !ossession"CB1l)[aleemee says( 'Communicable or conta#ious diseases
are six: small)!ox( measles( itch or scab( foul breath or !utridity( melancholy( and !estilential maladies4
and diseases en#endered are also six: le!rosy( hectic( e!ile!sy( #out( ele!hantiasis( and !hthisis"' 9ut
this does not contradict the sayin# of the 8ro!het( 'There is no transition of diseases by conta#ion or
infection( nor any omen that brin#s evil:' for the transition here meant is one occasioned by the disease
itself4 whereas the effect is of 2od( who causes !estilence to s!read when there is intercourse with the
diseased"B++UC6 9edawee asked the 8ro!het( B5hat is the condition of camels which stay in the
desertsR verily( you mi#ht say( they are deer( in health and in cleanness of skin4 then they mix with
man#y camels( and they become man#y also"B &oGammad said( B5hat made the first camel
man#yRB++W
Notwithstandin#( however( the ar#uments which have been here adduced( and many others that mi#ht
be added( declarin# or im!lyin# the unchan#eable nature of all 2od's decrees( $ have found it to be the
o!inion of my own &uslim friends( that 2od may be induced( by su!!lication( to chan#e certain of his
decrees4 at least( those re#ardin# de#rees of ha!!iness or misery in this world and the next4 and that
such is the #eneral o!inion( a!!ears from a form of !rayer which is re!eated in the mos0ues on the eve
of the middle (or fifteenth day) of the month of /haQbDn4 when it is believed that such !ortions of 2od's
decrees as constitute the destinies of all livin# creatures for the ensuin# year( are confirmed and fixed"
$n this !rayer it is said( B; 2od( if Thou hast recorded me in thine abode( u!on 'the ;ri#inal of the
9ook' [the 8reserved Tablet( miserable( or unfortunate( or scanted in my sustenance( cancel( ; 2od( of
thy #oodness( my misery( and misfortune( and scanty allowance of sustenance( and confirm me( in thine
abode( u!on the ;ri#inal of the 9ook( as ha!!y( and !rovided for( and directed to #ood(B Mc"++,
The 6rabs in #eneral constantly have recourse both to charms and medicines( not only for the cure( but
also for the !revention of diseases" They have( indeed( a stran#e !assion for medicine( which shows
that they do not consider fate as alto#ether unconditional" Nothin# can exceed the earnestness with
which they often !ress a 1uro!ean traveller for a dose4 and the more violent the remedy( the better are
they !leased" The followin# case will serve as an exam!le:CThree donkey)drivers( conveyin# the
lu##a#e of two 9ritish travellers from 9oolDJ to Cairo( o!ened a bottle which they observed in a
basket( and findin# it to contain( as they had sus!ected( brandy( em!tied it down their throats: but he
who had the last( on turnin# u! the bottle( #ot the tail of a scor!ion into his mouth4 and( lookin#
throu#h the bottle( to his #reat horror( saw that it contained a number of these re!tiles( with tarantulas(
vi!ers( and beetles" Thinkin# that they had !oisoned themselves( but not likin# to rely u!on fate( they
!ersuaded a man to come to me for medicine" %e introduced the sub7ect by sayin#( B; 1fendee( do an
act of kindness: there are three men !oisoned4 in your mercy #ive them medicine( and save their lives:B
and then he related the whole affair( without concealin# the theft" $ re!lied( that they did not deserve
medicine4 but he ur#ed that( by #ivin# it( $ should obtain an immense reward" BSes(B said $4 B'he who
saveth a soul alive shall be as if he had saved the lives of all mankind"'B++. $ said this to try the feelin#
of the a!!licant( who( ex!ressin# admiration of my knowled#e( ur#ed me to be 0uick( lest the men
should die4 thus showin# himself to be no unconditional fatalist" $ #ave him three stron# doses of tartar
emetic4 and he soon came back to thank me( sayin# that the medicine was most admirable( for the men
had hardly swallowed it( when they almost vomited their hearts and livers( and everythin# else in their
bodies"
3rom a distrust in faith( some &uslims even shut themselves u! durin# the !revalence of !la#ue4 but
this !ractice is #enerally condemned" 6 /yrian friend of mine( who did --so( nearly had his door
broken o!en by his nei#hbours" 6nother of my friends( one of the most distin#uished of the 'Alam](
confessed to me his conviction of the lawfulness of 0uarantine( and ar#ued well in favour of it4 but said
that he dared not o!enly avow such an o!inion" BThe 6!ostle of 2od(B said he( B2od bless and save
him_ hath commanded that we should not enter a city where there is !estilence( nor #o out from it" 5hy
did he say( '1nter it notR'Cbecause( by so doin#( we should ex!ose ourselves to the disease" 5hy did he
say( '2o not out from itR'Cbecause( by so doin#( we should carry the disease to others" The 8ro!het
was tenderly considerate of our welfare: but the !resent &uslims in #eneral are like bulls [brute beasts4
and they hold the meanin# of this command to be( 2o not into a city where there is !estilence( because
this would be rashness4 and #o not out from it( because this would be distrustin# 2od's !ower to save
you from it"B
&any of the vul#ar and i#norant amon# modern &uslims( believe that the unchan#eable destinies of
every man are written u!on his head( in what are termed the sutures of the skull"
Note U" The !ara#ra!h thus commencin#( and the verses com!rised in it( are translated from the
Calcutta edition of the first two hundred ni#hts"
Note W" $t is a common custom for a &uslim( on a military ex!edition( or durin# a lon# 7ourney(
es!ecially in the desert( to carry his #rave)linen with him4 for he is extremely careful that he may be
buried accordin# to the law"+@Z $t seems to be im!lied in our tale( that the merchant ho!ed that the
*innee( or some !assin# traveller( would wash( shroud( and bury him"
Note ," $t is thus that the 6rab women #enerally do on the occasion of a funeral"
Note ."COn the title of /heykh" B/heykhB is an a!!ellation which literally si#nifies Ban elder(B or Ban
a#ed !erson(B and in this sense it is here used4 but it is also commonly em!loyed as synonymous with
our a!!ellation of B&ister4B and !articularly a!!lied to a learned man( or a re!uted saint" $n every case(
it is a title of res!ect( and never #iven to any but a &uslim"
Note +Z" B*DnnB is here used as synonymous with B*inn"B
Note ++" 6 cousin (the dau#hter of a !aternal uncle) is often chosen as a wife( on account of the tie of
blood( which is likely to attach her more stron#ly to her husband4 or on account of an affection
conceived in early years" The various customs relatin# to marria#e( $ shall describe on a future
occasion"
Note +@" 6 bride is called youn#( by the 6rabs( when she is about twelve years of a#e" $n the Calcutta
edition of the first two hundred ni#hts( the wife in this tale is said to have been of this a#e when she
was first married"
Note +L"COn 'laves! 6 slave( amon# &uslims( is either a !erson taken ca!tive in war( or carried off by
force( and bein# at the time of ca!ture an infidel4 or the offs!rin# of a female slave by another slave( or
by any man who is not her owner( or by her owner( if he does not acknowled#e himself to be the father:
but the offs!rin# of a male slave by a free woman is free" 6 !erson who embraces the &ohammadan
faith after havin# been made a slave( does not by this act become free( unless he flees from a forei#n
infidel master to a &uslim country( and there becomes a &ohammadan" 6 !erson cannot have as a
slave one whom he acknowled#es to be within the !rohibited de#rees of marria#e"+@+CThe slaves of
the 6rabs are mostly from 6byssinia and the Ne#ro countries: a few( mostly in the houses of wealthy
individuals( are from 2eor#ia and Circassia"
/laves have no civil liberty4 but are entirely under the authority of their owners( -Uwhatever may be the
reli#ion( sex( or a#e( of the latter4 and can !ossess no !ro!erty( unless by the owner's !ermission" The
owner is entire master( while he !leases( of the !erson and #oods of his slave4 and of the offs!rin# of
his female slave( which( if be#otten by him or !resumed to be so( he may reco#nise as his own
le#itimate child( or not: the child( if reco#nised by him( en7oys the same !rivile#es as the offs!rin# of a
free wife4 and if not reco#nised by him( is his slave" The master may even kill his own slave with
im!unity for any offence4 and he incurs but a sli#ht !unishment (as im!risonment for a !eriod at the
discretion of the 7ud#e) if he kills him wantonly" %e may #ive away or sell his slaves( exce!tin# in
some cases which will be mentioned4 and may marry them to whom he will( but not se!arate them
when married" 6 slave( however( accordin# to most of the doctors( cannot have more than two wives at
the same time" Anemanci!ated slaves( at the death of their master( become the !ro!erty of his heirs4
and when an emanci!ated slave dies( leavin# no male descendants or collateral relations( the former
master is the heir4 or( if he be dead( his heirs inherit the slave's !ro!erty" 6s a slave en7oys less
advanta#es than a free !erson( the law( in some cases( ordains that his !unishment for an offence shall
be half of that to which the free is liable to the same offence( or even less than half: if it be a fine( or
!ecuniary com!ensation( it must be !aid by the owner( to the amount( if necessary( of the value of the
slave( or the slave must be #iven in com!ensation"
The owner( but not the !art)owner( may cohabit with any of his female slaves who is a &ohammadan( a
Christian( or a *ewess( if he has not married her to another man4 but not with two or more who are
sisters( or who are related to each other in any of the de#rees which would !revent their both bein# his
wives at the same time if they were free: after havin# so lived with one( he must entirely relin0uish
such intercourse with her before he can do the same with another who is so related to her" %e cannot
have this intercourse with a !a#an slave" 6 Christian or *ew may have slaves( but not en7oy the
!rivile#e above mentioned with one who is a &ohammadan" The master must wait a certain !eriod
(#enerally from a month to three months) after the ac0uisition of a female slave( before he can have
such intercourse with her" $f he find any fault in her within three days( he is usually allowed to return
her"
5hen a man( from bein# the husband( becomes the master( of a slave( the marria#e is dissolved( and he
cannot continue to live with her but as her master( en7oyin#( however( all a master's !rivile#es4 unless
he emanci!ates her4 in which case he may a#ain take her as his wife with her consent" $n like manner(
when a woman( from bein# the wife( becomes the !ossessor( of a slave( the marria#e is dissolved( and
cannot be renewed unless she emanci!ates him( and he consents to the re)union"
Com!lete and immediate emanci!ation is sometimes #ranted to a slave #ratuitously( or for a future
!ecuniary com!ensation" $t is conferred by means of a written document( or by a verbal declaration
(ex!ressed in the words( BThou art free(B or some similar !hrase) in the !resence of two witnesses( or
by returnin# the certificate of sale obtained from the former owner" 3uture emanci!ation is sometimes
covenanted to be #ranted on the fulfilment of certain conditions4 and more fre0uently( to be conferred
on the occasion of the owner's death" $n the latter case( the owner cannot sell the slave to whom he has
made this !romise: and( as he cannot alienate by will more than one)third of the whole !ro!erty that he
leaves( the law ordains that( if the value of the said slave exceeds that !ortion( the slave must obtain and
!ay the additional sum" 5hen a female slave has borne a child to her master( and he acknowled#es the
child to be his own( he cannot sell this slave( and she becomes free on his death"
6byssinian and white female slaves are ke!t by many men of the middle and hi#her classes( and often
instead of wives( as re0uirin# less ex!ense( and bein# more subservient4 but they are #enerally indul#ed
with the same luxuries as free ladies4 their vanity is #ratified by costly dresses and ornaments( and they
rank hi#h above free servants4 as do also the male slaves" Those called 6byssinians a!!ear to be a
mixed race between ne#roes and whites4 and are from the territories of the 2allas" They are-W mostly
kidna!!ed and sold by their own countrymen" The ne#ro female slaves( as few of them have
considerable !ersonal attractions (which is not the case with the 6byssinians( many of whom are very
beautiful)( are usually em!loyed only in cookin#( and other menial offices" The female slaves of the
hi#her classes are often instructed in !lain needlework and embroidery( and sometimes in music and
dancin#" 3ormerly( many of them !ossessed sufficient literary accom!lishments to 0uote lar#ely from
esteemed !oems( or even to com!ose extem!orary verses( which they would often accom!any with the
lute" The condition of many concubine slaves is ha!!y4 and that of many( 0uite the contrary" These( and
all other slaves of either sex( are #enerally treated with kindness4 but at first they are usually
im!ortuned( and not unfre0uently used with much harshness( to induce them to embrace the
&ohammadan faith4 which almost all of them do" Their services are commonly li#ht: the usual office of
the male white slave( who is called Bmemlook(B is that of a !a#e( or a military #uard" 1unuchs are
em!loyed as #uardians of the women4 but only in the houses of men of hi#h rank( or of #reat wealth: on
account of the im!ortant and confidential office which they fill( they are #enerally treated in !ublic
with es!ecial consideration" $ used to remark( in Cairo( that few !ersons saluted me with a more
di#nified and conse0uential air than these !itiable but self)conceited bein#s" &ost of them are
6byssinians or Ne#roes" $ndeed( the slaves in #eneral take too much advanta#e of the countenance of
their masters( es!ecially when they belon# to men in !ower" The master is bound to afford his slaves
!ro!er food and clothin#( or to let them work for their own su!!ort( or to sell( #ive away( or liberate
them" $t is( however( considered dis#raceful for him to sell a slave who has been lon# in his !ossession4
and it seldom ha!!ens that a master emanci!ates a female slave( without marryin# her to some man
able to su!!ort her( or otherwise !rovidin# for her"
The 8ro!het stron#ly en7oined the duty of kindness to slaves" B3eed your memlooks(B said he( Bwith
food of that which ye eat( and clothe them with such clothin# as ye wear4 and command them not to do
that which they are unable"B+@@CThese !rece!ts are #enerally attended to( either entirely or in a #reat
de#ree" /ome other sayin#s of the 8ro!het on this sub7ect well deserve to be mentioned4 as the
followin#:CB%e who beats his slave without fault( or sla!s him on the face( his atonement for this is
freein# him"BCB6 man who behaves ill to his slave will not enter into !aradise"BCB5hoever is the
cause of se!aration between mother and child( by sellin# or #ivin#( 2od will se!arate him from his
friends on the day of resurrection"BCB5hen a slave wishes well to his master( and worshi!s 2od well(
for him are double rewards"B+@LC$t is related of ';thmDn( Bthat he twisted the ear of a memlook
belon#in# to him( on account of disobedience( and afterwards( re!entin# of it( ordered him to twist his
ear in like manner: but he would not" ';thmDn ur#ed him( and the memlook advanced( and be#an to
wrin# it by little and little" %e said to him( '5rin# it hard4 for $ cannot endure the !unishment of the day
of 7ud#ment [on account of this act"' The memlook answered( '; my master( the day that thou fearest( $
also fear"'BCB$t is related also of ^eyn)el)'dbideen( that he had a memlook who seiOed a shee!( and
broke its le#4 and he said to him( '5hy didst thou thisR' %e answered( 'To !rovoke thee to an#er"' '6nd
$(' said he( 'will !rovoke to an#er him who tau#ht thee4 and he is $blees: #o( and be free( for the sake of
2od"'B+@NC&any similar anecdotes mi#ht be added4 but the #eneral assertions of travellers in the 1ast
are more satisfactory evidence in favour of the humane conduct of most &uslims to their slaves"
$t sometimes ha!!ens( thou#h rarely( that free #irls are sold as slaves"+@- 6 remarkable instance is
related in the B&ir)Dt eO)^emDn"B+@UC3DEimeh( surnamed 2hareeb( a slave of the =haleefeh 1l)
&oQtaHim( the son of %Droon( was a !oetess( accom!lished in sin#in# and calli#ra!hy( and extremely
beautiful" %er mother was an or!han4 and
-,
*aQfar( the famous 5eOeer of %Droon 1r)<asheed( took her as his wife4 but his father( SaGy](
re!roached him for marryin# a woman whose father and mother were unknown( and he therefore
removed her from his own residence to a nei#hbourin# house( where he fre0uently visited her4 and she
bore him a dau#hter( the above)mentioned 2hareeb( and died" *aQfar committed her infant to the care of
a Christian woman( to nurse4 and( on the overthrow of his family( this woman sold her youn# char#e as
a slave" 1l)1meen( the successor of 1r)<asheed( bou#ht her of a man named /umbul( but never !aid
her !rice4 and when he was killed( she returned to her former master4 but on the arrival of 1l)&a)moon
at 9a#hdDd( she was described to him( and he com!elled /umbul to sell her to him" This /umbul loved
her so !assionately( that he died of #rief at her loss" ;n the death of 1l)&a)moon( his successor( 1l)
&oQtaHim( bou#ht her for a hundred thousand dirhems( and emanci!ated her" The historian adds( that
she com!osed several well)known airs and verses"
Note +N" 6n 6rab who is married to his cousin #enerally calls her by this a!!ellation rather than that of
wife( as the tie of blood is( to him( in every res!ect( stron#er than that of matrimony"
Note +-"COn Magic! The 6rabs and other &ohammadans en7oy a remarkable advanta#e over us in the
com!osition of works of fiction: in the invention of incidents which %e should re#ard as absurd in the
extreme( they cannot be accused by their countrymen of exceedin# the bounds of !robability" 6 case
similar to that here described was related to me as a fact( in Cairo" 6 !erson in that city( $ was told( was
suddenly sur!rised by the disa!!earance of his brother( and by findin#( in his !lace( an ass: but this
animal increased his astonishment( and that of every !erson who beheld him( by manifestin# a sa#acity
sin#ularly o!!osed to the !roverbial dulness of the #enerality of his s!ecies" Set( stran#e as it may
seem( it was not ima#ined that this brute was the lost man in a transformed state( till( one day( an old
woman( seein# him( 0uickly covered her face( and declared the fact" /he discovered this by her
knowled#e of ma#ic4 and( by her skill in this art( she a#reed to restore the enchanted !erson to his
!ro!er sha!e" %avin# collected a number of herbs( she boiled them in a lar#e vessel4 and when the
decoction had cooled( she took the vessel( and( mutterin# a certain s!ell( threw its contents over the
animal( endeavourin# to do so in such a manner that every !art of it should be wetted" 1very !art of it
%as wetted( exce!tin# one hind)foot4 and( accordin#ly( it was restored to the ori#inal human form( with
the exce!tion of one foot( which remained like that of an ass"
6n im!licit belief in ma#ic is entertained by almost all &uslims4 and he( amon# them( who denies its
truth( they re#ard as a freethinker( or an infidel" /ome are of o!inion that it ceased on the mission of
&oGammad4 but these are com!aratively few" &any of the most learned &uslims( to the !resent a#e(
have dee!ly studied it4 and a much #reater number of !ersons of inferior education (!articularly school)
masters) have( more or less( devoted their time and talents to the !ursuit of this knowled#e" <ecourse is
had to it for the discovery of hidden treasures( for alchymical !ur!oses( for the ac0uisition of the
knowled#e of futurity( to !rocure offs!rin#( to obtain the affection of a beloved ob7ect( to effect cures(
to #uard a#ainst the influence of the evil eye( to afflict or kill an enemy or a rival( and to attain various
other ob7ects of desire"
There are two descri!tions of ma#ic4 one is s!iritual( and re#arded by all but freethinkers as true4 the
other( natural( and denounced by the more reli#ious and enli#htened as dece!tive"
$" /!iritual ma#ic( which is termed Ber)<ooGDneeB (vul#o B<owGDneeB)( chiefly de!ends u!on the
virtues of certain names of 2od( and !assa#es from the Pur)Dn( and the a#ency of 6n#els and *inn( or
2enii" $t is of two kinds: %i#h and 'ow (B'$lweeB and B/ufleeB)( or ?ivine and /atanic (B<aGmDnee(B i!
e! relatin# to Bthe Com!assionateB [who is 2od( and B/heyEDneeB)"-.
+" ?ivine ma#ic is re#arded as a sublime science( and is studied only by #ood men( and !ractised only
for #ood !ur!oses" 8erfection in this branch of ma#ic consists in the knowled#e of Bthe most #reat
nameB of 2od (Bel)$sm el 6QbamB)4 but this knowled#e is im!arted to none but the !eculiar favourites
of %eaven" 9y virtue of this name( which was en#raved on his seal)rin#( /uleymDn (or /olomon)
sub7ected to his dominion the *inn and the birds and the winds( as mentioned in a former note" 9y
!ronouncin# it( his minister dHaf( also( trans!orted( in an instant( to the !resence of his soverei#n( in
*erusalem( the throne of the gueen of /heba"+@W 9ut this was a small miracle to effect by such means4
for( by utterin# this name( a man may even raise the dead" ;ther names of the ?eity( commonly known(
are believed to have !articular efficacies when uttered or written4 as also are the names of the 8ro!het4
and 6n#els and #ood *inn are said to be rendered subservient to the !ur!oses of divine ma#ic by means
of certain invocations" ;f such names and invocations( to#ether with words unintelli#ible to the
uninitiated in this science( !assa#es from the Pur)Dn( mysterious combinations of numbers( and
!eculiar dia#rams and fi#ures( are chiefly com!osed written charms em!loyed for #ood !ur!oses"
1nchantment( when used for benevolent !ur!oses( is re#arded by the vul#ar as a branch of lawful or
divine ma#ic4 but not so by the learned4 and the same remark a!!lies to the science of divination"
@" /atanic ma#ic( as its name im!lies( is a science de!endin# on the a#ency of the ?evil and the inferior
evil *inn( whose services are obtained by means similar to those which !ro!itiate( or render subservient(
the #ood *inn" $t is condemned by the 8ro!het and all #ood &uslims( and only !ractised for bad
!ur!oses"C1nchantment( which is termed Bes)/eGr(B is almost universally acknowled#ed to be a
branch of satanic ma#ic4 but some few !ersons assert (a#reeably with several tales in this work)( that it
may be( and by some has been( studied with #ood intentions( and !ractised by the aid of #ood *inn4
conse0uently( that there is such a science as good enchantment( which is to be re#arded as a branch of
divine or la%ful ma#ic" The metamor!hoses are said to be #enerally effected by means of s!ells( or
invocations to *inn( accom!anied by the s!rinklin# of water or dust( Mc"( on the ob7ect to be
transformed" 8ersons are said to be enchanted in various ways: some( !aralyOed( or even de!rived of
life4 others( affected with irresistible !assion for certain ob7ects4 others( a#ain( rendered demoniacs4 and
some( transformed into brutes( birds( Mc" The evil eye is believed to enchant in a very !owerful and
distressin# manner" This was acknowled#ed even by the 8ro!het"+@, ?iseases and death are often
attributed to its influence" 6mulets( which are mostly written charms( of the kind above described( are
worn by many &uslims with the view of counteractin#( or !reservin# from( enchantment4 and for the
same !ur!ose( many ridiculous ceremonies are !ractised"C?ivination( which is termed Bel)=ihDneh(B
is !ronounced( on the hi#hest authority( to be a branch of satanic ma#ic4 thou#h not believed to be so
by all &uslims" 6ccordin# to an assertion of the 8ro!het( what a fortune)teller says may sometimes be
true4 because one of the *inn steals away the truth( and carries it to the ma#ician's ear: for the 6n#els
come down to the re#ion next the earth (the lowest heaven)( and mention the works that have been !re)
ordained in heaven4 and the ?evils (or evil *inn) listen to what the 6n#els say( and hear the orders
!redestined in heaven( and carry them to the fortune)tellers" $t is on such occasions that shootin#)stars
are hurled at the ?evils"+@. $t is said that Bthe diviner obtains the services of the /heyEDn by ma#ic arts(
and by names [invoked( and by the burnin# of !erfumes( and he informs him of secret thin#s: for the
?evils( before the mission of the 6!ostle of 2od(B it is added( Bused to ascend to heaven( and hear
words by stealth"B+LZ That the evil *inn are believed still to ascend sufficiently near to the lowest
heaven to hear the conversation of the 6n#els( and so to assist ma#icians( a!!ears from the former
0uotation( and is asserted by all &uslims" The discovery of hidden treasures( before UZalluded to( is one
of the ob7ects for which divination is most studied"CThe mode of divination called Bharb el)&endelB
is by some su!!osed to be effected by the aid of evil *inn4 but the more enli#htened of the &uslims
re#ard it as a branch of natural ma#ic" /ome curious !erformances of this kind( by means of a fluid
mirror of ink( have been described in my B6ccount of the &anners and Customs of the &odern
1#y!tians(B and in No" ++W of the Bguarterly <eview"B+L+
There are certain modes of divination which cannot !ro!erly be classed under the head of s!iritual
ma#ic( but re0uire a !lace between the account of this science and that of natural ma#ic"CThe most
im!ortant of these branches of =ihDneh is 6strolo#y( which is called B'$lm en)Nu7oom"B This is studied
by many &uslims in the !resent day4 and its !rofessors are often em!loyed by the 6rabs to determine a
fortunate !eriod for layin# the foundation of a buildin#( commencin# a 7ourney( Mc"4 but more
fre0uently by the 8ersians and Turks" The 8ro!het !ronounced astrolo#y to be a branch of ma#ic"+L@C
6nother branch of =ihDneh is 2eomancy( called Bharb er)<aml4B a mode of divination from certain
marks made on sand (whence its a!!ellation)( or on !a!er4 and said to be chiefly founded on astrolo#y"
CThe science called BeO)^i7r(B or Bel)'1yDfeh(B is a third branch of =ihDneh4 bein# divination or
au#uration chiefly from the motions and !ositions( or !ostures( of birds( or of #aOelles and other beasts
of the chase" Thus( what was termed a B/DneG(B that is( such an animal standin# or !assin# with its ri#ht
side towards the s!ectator( was esteemed amon# the 6rabs as of #ood omen4 and a B9DreG(B or an
animal of this kind with its left side towards the s!ectator( was held as inaus!icious"+LLCB1l)PiyDfeh(B
under which term are included Chiromancy and its kindred sciences( is a fourth branch of =ihDneh"
CB1tiTefD)ul(B or the takin# an omen( !articularly a #ood one( from a name or words accidentally
heard or seen( or chosen from a book( belon#s to the same science" The takin# a BfDl(B or omen( from
the Pur)Dn is #enerally held to be lawful"CFarious triflin# events are considered as ominous" 3or
instance( a /ulEDn 0uittin# his !alace with his troo!s( a standard ha!!ened to strike a Bthureiy]B (a
cluster of lam!s( so called from resemblin# the 8leiades)( and broke them: he drew from this an evil
omen( and would have relin0uished the ex!edition4 but one of his chief officers said to him( B; our
lord( thy standards have reached the 8leiades4BCand( bein# relieved by this remark( he !roceeded( and
returned victorious"+LNCThe inter!retation of dreams( BTaQbeer el)&enDmDt(B must also be classed
amon# the branches of this science" 6ccordin# to the 8ro!het( it is the only branch of divination worthy
of de!endance" B2ood dreams(B said he( Bare one of the !arts of !ro!hecy(B and Bnothin# else of
!ro!hecy remains"B B2ood dreams are from 2od4 and false dreams( from the ?evil"B B5hen any one of
you has a bad dream( s!it three times over your left shoulder( and seek !rotection with 2od from the
?evil thrice4 and turn from the side on which the dream was( to the other"B+L- This rule is observed by
many &uslims" ?reams are #enerally so fully relied u!on by them as to be sometimes the means of
decidin# contested !oints in history and science" The si#ht( in a dream( of anythin# #reen or white( or
of water( is considered aus!icious4 anythin# black or red( or fire( inaus!icious"CThe distinction of
fortunate and unfortunate days should also here be mentioned" Thursday and 3riday( es!ecially the
latter( are considered fortunate4 &onday and 5ednesday( doubtful4 /unday( Tuesday( and /aturday(
es!ecially the last( unfortunate" $t is said that there are seven evil days in every [lunar month4 namely(
the third( on which PDbeel (or Cain) killed %Dbeel (6bel)4 the fifth( on which 2od cast down 6dam
from !aradise( and afflicted the !eo!le of Soonus (*onas)( and on which Soosuf (or *ose!h) was cast
into the well4 the thirteenth( on which 2od took away the wealth of 1iyoob (or *ob)( and afflicted him(
U+and took away the kin#dom from /uleymDn (or /olomon)( and on which the *ews killed the
!ro!hets4 the sixteenth( on which 2od exterminated and buried the !eo!le of 'ooE (or 'ot)( and
transformed three hundred Christians into swine( and *ews into a!es( and on which the *ews sawed
asunder ^ekereey] (or ^achariah)4 the twenty)first( on which 8haraoh was born( and on which he was
drowned( and on which his nation was afflicted with the !la#ues4 the twenty)fourth( on which
Numrood+LU (or Nimrod) killed seventy women( and cast 1l)=haleel (or 6braham) into the fire( and
on which was slau#htered the camel of IDleG4 and the twenty)fifth( on which the suffocatin# wind was
sent u!on the !eo!le of %ood"+LW
$$" Natural ma#ic( which is called Bes)/eemiy](B is re#arded by most !ersons of the more enli#htened
classes of &uslims as alto#ether a dece!tive art( no more worthy of res!ect than le#erdemain4 but it
seems to be nearly allied to enchantment4 for it is said to effect( in a!!earance( the most wonderful
transformations( and to cause the most extraordinary visions4 affectin# the senses and ima#ination in a
manner similar to o!ium" This and other dru#s are su!!osed( by some !ersons( to be the chief means by
which such illusions are caused4 and !erfumes( which are #enerally burnt in these !erformances( may
o!erate in a similar manner" 6s such thin#s are em!loyed in !erformances of the kind called Bharb el)
&endel(B before mentioned( these feats are re#arded by many as effected by natural ma#ic(
notwithstandin# what has been said above res!ectin# the services of evil *inn bein# !rocured by means
of !erfumes"C6lchymy (Bel)=eemiy]B) is a branch of natural ma#ic" $t is studied by many &uslims of
the !resent day( and by some of considerable talents and attainments"
The most celebrated of the ma#icians who have #ained notoriety in 1#y!t durin# the course of the last
hundred years( was the sheykh 6Gmad IDdoomeh( who flourished somewhat more than sixty years a#o
C$ write in +,LW" /everal !ersons of Cairo( men of intelli#ence and of #ood education( have related to
me various most marvellous stories of his !erformances( on the authority of eye)witnesses whom they
considered veracious4 but a more credible account of this ma#ician $ have found in the work of an
excellent historian of &odern 1#y!t" This author mentions the sheykh IDdoomeh as an a#ed man( of
venerable a!!earance( who derived his ori#in from the town of /emennood( in the ?elta( and who
ac0uired a very #reat and extensive celebrity for his attainments in s!iritual and natural ma#ic( and for
holdin# converse( face to face( with *inn( and causin# them to a!!ear to other !ersons( even to the
blind( as men ac0uainted with him informed the historian" %is contem!oraries( says this writer(
entertained various o!inions res!ectin# him4 but( amon# them( a famous #rammarian and #eneral
scholar( the sheykh [asan 1l)=afrDwee( re#arded him as a first)rate saint( who !erformed evident
miracles4 this learned man !ronouncin# as such the effects of Bhis le#erdemain and natural ma#ic"B %is
fame he describes as havin# increased until he was induced to try an unlucky ex!eriment" 6 &emlook
chief( Soosuf 9ey( saw some ma#ic characters written on the body of one of his female slaves( and(
exas!erated by 7ealousy( commanded her( with a threat of instant death( to tell him who had done this"
/he confessed that a woman had taken her to the sheykh IDdoomeh( and that he had written this charm
to attract to her the 9ey's love" A!on hearin# this( he instantly sent some attendants to seiOe the
ma#ician( and to !ut him to death( and throw him into the Nile4 which was done"+L, 9ut the manner in
which the seiOure was made( as related to me by one of my friends( deserves to be mentioned" /everal
!ersons( one after another( endeavoured to lay hold u!on him4 but every arm that was stretched forth
for this !ur!ose was instantly !aralyOed( throu#h a s!ell muttered by the ma#ician4 until a man behind
him thrust a #a# into his mouth( and so sto!!ed his enchantments"
;f the stories related to me of IDdoomeh's miracles( the followin# will serve as a U@s!ecimen:C$n
order to #ive one of his friends a treat( he took him to the distance of about half an hour's walk into the
desert on the north of Cairo4 here they both sat down( u!on the !ebbly and sandy !lain( and( the
ma#ician havin# uttered a s!ell( they suddenly found themselves in the midst of a #arden( like one of
the #ardens of !aradise( aboundin# with flowers and fruit)trees of every kind( s!rin#in# u! from a soil
clothed with verdure brilliant as the emerald( and irri#ated by numerous streamlets of the clearest
water" 6 re!ast of the most delicious viands and fruits and wines was s!read before them by invisible
hands4 and they both ate to satiety( takin# co!ious drau#hts of the various wines" 6t len#th( the
ma#ician's #uest sank into a dee! slee!4 and when he awoke( he found himself a#ain in the !ebbly and
sandy !lain( with IDdoomeh still by his side"CThe reader will !robably attribute this vision to a dose
of o!ium or some similar dru#4 and such $ su!!ose to have been the means em!loyed4 for $ cannot
doubt the inte#rity of the narrator( thou#h he would not admit such an ex!lanation4 re#ardin# the whole
as an affair of ma#ic( effected by the o!eration of *inn( like similar relations in the !resent work"
$t may be remarked that most of the enchantments described in this work are said to be !erformed by
%omen4 and re!uted %itches a!!ear to have been much more numerous in all countries than %izards"
This fact the &uslims readily ex!lain by a sayin# of their 8ro!het:CThat women are deficient in sense
and reli#ion:Cwhence they ar#ue that they are more inclined than men to !ractise what is unlawful"
Note +U"COn the T%o Grand +estivals! The &uslims observe two #rand '1eds( or 3estivals( in every
year" The first of these immediately follows <ama\Dn( the month of abstinence( and lasts three days: it
is called the &inor 3estival" The other( which is called the 2reat 3estival( commences on the tenth of
^u)l)[e77eh( the day when the !il#rims( haltin# on their return from &ount '6rafDt to &ekkeh( in the
Falley of &in` (vul#arly called &un])( !erform their sacrifice: the observance of this festival also
continues three days( or four"
1arly in the first mornin#( on each of these festivals( the &uslim is re0uired to !erform a lustration of
his whole !erson( as on the mornin#s of 3riday4 and on the first mornin# of the &inor 3estival( he
should break his fast with a few dates or some other li#ht food4 but on the 2reat 3estival( he abstains
from food until he has ac0uitted himself of the reli#ious duties now to be mentioned" /oon after
sunrise( on the first day of each festival( the men( dressed in new or in their best clothes( re!air to the
mos0ue( or to a !articular !lace a!!ointed for the !erformance of the !rayers of the '1ed" ;n #oin#
thither( they should re!eat( fre0uently( B2od is most #reat_BCthis( on the &inor 3estival( they should
do inaudibly: on the other( aloud" The con#re#ation( havin# assembled( re!eat the !rayers of two
rek'ahs4 after which( the =haEeeb recites a khuEbeh4 i! e! an exhortation and a !rayer" ;n each of these
festivals( in the mos0ue( or !lace of !rayer( and in the street( and at each other's houses( friends
con#ratulate and embrace one another4 #enerally !ayin# visits for this !ur!ose4 and the #reat receive
visits from their de!endants" The youn#( on these occasions( kiss the ri#ht hand of the a#ed4 and
servants or de!endants do the same to their masters or su!eriors( unless the latter be of hi#h rank( in
which case they kiss the end of the han#in# sleeve( or the skirt of the outer #arment" &ost of the sho!s
are closed( exce!tin# those at which eatables and sweet drinks are sold4 but the streets are filled with
!eo!le in their holiday clothes"
;n the &inor 3estival( which( as it terminates an arduous fast( is celebrated with more re7oicin# than
the other(+L. servants and other de!endants receive !resents of new articles of clothin# from their
masters or !atrons4 and the servant receives !resents of small sums of money from his master's friends(
whom( if they do not visit his master( he #oes to con#ratulate4 as well as from any former master( to
whom he often takes a UL!lateful of kaGks" These are sweet cakes( or biscuits( of an annular form(
com!osed of flour and butter( with a little 'a7ameeyeh (which is a thick !aste consistin# of butter(
honey( a little flour( and some s!ices) inside" They are also often sent as !resents on this occasion by
other !eo!le" 6nother custom re0uired of the faithful on this festival is the #ivin# of alms"
;n the 2reat 3estival( after the !rayers of the con#re#ation( every one who can afford it !erforms( with
his own hand( or by that of a de!uty( a sacrifice of a ram( he)#oat( cow or buffalo( or she)camel4 !art of
the meat of which he eats( and !art he #ives to the !oor( or to his friends or de!endants" The ram or
#oat should be at least one year old4 the cow or buffalo( two years4 and the camel( five years4 and the
victim should not have any considerable mutilation or infirmity" 6 cow or buffalo( or a camel( is a
sufficient sacrifice for seven !ersons" The clothes which were !ut on new at the former festival are
#enerally worn on this occasion4 and the !resents which are #iven to servants and others are usually
somewhat less"
;n each of the two festivals it is also customary( es!ecially with the women( to visit the tombs of
relations" The !arty #enerally take with them a !alm)branch( and !lace it( broken in several !ieces( or
merely its leaves( u!on the tomb or monument4 or some( instead of this( !lace sweet basil or other
flowers" They also usually !rovide themselves with sweet cakes( bread( dates( or some other kind of
food( to distribute to the !oor" 9ut their first duty( on arrivin# at the tomb( is to recite the 3DteGah (the
o!enin# Cha!ter of the Pur)Dn)( or to em!loy a !erson to recite !reviously a lon#er cha!ter4 #enerally
the thirty)sixth (or /oorat SD)/een)4 or even the whole of the book: or sometimes the visiters recite the
3DteGah( and( after havin# hired a !erson to !erform a lon#er recitation( #o away before he commences"
The women often stay all the days of the festival in the cemeteries( either in tents( or in houses of their
own( erected there for their rece!tion on these and other occasions" The tent of each !arty surrounds the
tomb which is the ob7ect of their visit" $n the outskirts of the cemeteries( swin#s and whirli#i#s are
erected4 and story)tellers( dancers( and 7u##lers( amuse the !o!ulace"
Note +W"COn the Mode of 'laughtering of Animals for +ood! $n the old translation( the sheykh is
described as !re!arin# to slau#hter the cow with a mallet" This is a mistake of a serious nature4 as the
flesh of the victim( if so killed( would be le#ally unclean" The &uslims are re0uired to slau#hter
animals for food in a !articular manner" /hee!( #oats( cows or bulls( and buffaloes( must be killed by
cuttin# the throat( at the !art next the head( or any other !art4 dividin# the wind!i!e( #ullet( and carotid
arteries" The camel is to be slau#htered by sta&&ing the throat at the !art next the breast" 8oultry( also(
must be killed by cuttin# the throat4 and so must every tame animal of which the flesh is lawful food"
The slau#hterer( in every case( must be a &uslim( a Christian( or a *ew4 of either sex" ;n commencin#
the o!eration( he must say( B$n the name of 2od_ 2od is most #reat_BCor at least( B$n the name of
2od_BCbut not add( Bthe Com!assionate( the &ercifulBCfor an obvious reason" 9irds or beasts of the
chase may be killed by an arrow( a do#( a hawk( Mc"4 but the name of 2od must be uttered at the time
of dischar#in# the arrow( or sli!!in# the do#( Mc" 5hen the beast or bird is not killed at once by the
arrow( Mc"( it must be slau#htered as soon as !ossible( in the same manner as shee! and !oultry: the
law( as well as humanity( re0uires this"
Note +,"COn the Influence of Elo0uence and Tales upon the Ara&s! The main incident u!on which this
work is founded( the trium!h of the fascination of the ton#ue over a cruel and un7ust determination
which nothin# else could annul( mi#ht be re#arded( by !ersons unac0uainted with the character and
literature of the 6rabs( as a contrivance too im!robable in its nature4 but such is not the case" 8erha!s
there are no other !eo!le in the world who are such enthusiastic admirers of literature( and so excited
by romantic tales( as those above named" 1lo0uence( with them( is lawful ma#ic: it exercises over their
minds an irresistible influence" B$ swear by 2od(B said theirUN 8ro!het( Bverily abuse of infidels in
verse is worse to them than arrows"B+NZ This( of course( alludes to Ara& unbelievers"
$n the !urest( or %eroic 6#e of 6rabic literature( which was anterior to the trium!h of the
&ohammadan reli#ion( the con0uest which the love of elo0uence could achieve over the san#uinary
and vindictive feelin#s of the 6rabs was most remarkably exem!lified in the annual twenty days' fair of
';kDb( or ';kD\h" <es!ectin# this fair( $ shall here insert a few !articulars borrowed from an author who
is at !resent devotin# talents of the very hi#hest order to the study and illustration of the history and
literature of the early 6rabs( and to whose conversation and writin#s $ must acknowled#e myself
indebted for most valuable information( which will often be of #reat utility to me in this undertakin#( as
well as in every branch of my 6rabic studies"
The fair of ';kDb Bwas not only a #reat mart o!ened annually to all the tribes of 6rabia4 but it was also
a literary con#ress( or rather a #eneral concourse of virtues( of #lory and of !oetry( whither the hero)
!oets resorted to celebrate their ex!loits in rhymin# verse( and !eacefully to contend for every kind of
honour" This fair was held in the district of &ekkeh( between 1E)KD>f and Nakhleh( and was o!ened at
the new moon of ^u)l)PaQdeh4 that is to say( at the commencement of a !eriod of three sacred months(
durin# which all war was sus!ended( and homicide interdicted"""" %ow is it !ossible to conceive that
men whose wounds were always bleedin#( who had always acts of ven#eance to execute( ven#eances
to dread( could at a certain e!och im!ose silence u!on their animosities( so as tran0uilly to sit by a
mortal enemyR %ow could the brave who re0uired the blood of a father( a brother( or a son( accordin#
to the !hraseolo#y of the desert and of the 9ible(+N+ who lon#( !erha!s( had !ursued in vain the
murderer(Cmeet him( accost him !eacefully at ';kDb( and only assault with cadences and rhymes him
whose !resence alone seemed to accuse him of im!otence or cowardice(Chim whom he was bound to
slay( under !ain of infamy( after the ex!iration of the truceR $n fine( how could he hear a !ane#yric
celebratin# a #lory ac0uired at his own ex!ense( and sustain the fire of a thousand looks( and yet a!!ear
unmovedR %ad the 6rabs no lon#er any blood in their veins durin# the continuance of the fairRCThese
0uestions( so embarrassin#( """ were determined [to a #reat de#ree( durin# the a#e of 6rab !a#anism( in
a manner the most sim!le and most refined"C6t the fair of ';kDb( the heroes were masked [or veiled"
C$n the recitations and im!rovisations( the voice of the orator was aided by that of a rha!sodist or
crier( who was stationed near him( and re!eated his words" There is a similar office in the !ublic
!rayers: it is that of the muballi#h (transmitter)( who is em!loyed to re!eat in a loud voice what is said
in a lower tone by the $mDm" These two facts have been revealed to me by the same manuscri!t which $
am translatin#( and u!on which $ am commentin#" The use of the mask [or veil mi#ht( however( be
either ado!ted or dis!ensed with( ad li&itum4 as is !roved by the narratives of a #reat number of
0uarrels be#un and ended at ';kDb"""" $t was in this con#ress of the 6rab !oets (and almost every
warriour was a !oet at the a#e which $ am considerin#) that the dialects of 6rabia became fused into a
ma#ic lan#ua#e( the lan#ua#e of the [e7DO( which &oGammad made use of to subvert the world4 for
the trium!h of &oGammad is nothin# else than the trium!h of s!eech"B+N@CThe Pur)Dn is re#arded by
the 6rabs as an everlastin# miracle( sur!assin# all others( a!!ealin# to the understandin# of every
#eneration by its inimitable elo0uence" 6 stron#er !roof of the !ower of lan#ua#e over their minds
could hardly be adduced4 unless it be their bein# ca!able of receivin# as a credible fact the tradition
that both #enii and men were attracted by the elo0uent readin# of ?avid( when he recited the 8salms4
that the wild beasts and the birds were alike fascinated4 and that sometimes there were borne out from
his assembly as many as four hundred cor!ses of men who died from the excessive deli#ht with which
he thus ins!ired them"+NL $t may be added U-that the recitation( or chantin#( of the Pur)Dn is a
favourite means of amusin# the #uests at modern !rivate festivities"
$n what may be termed the &iddle 6#e of 6rabic literature( commencin# from the trium!h of the
&ohammadan reli#ion( and extendin# to the foundation of the 1m!ire of 9a#hdDd( the !ower of
elo0uence over the educated classes of the 6rabs !robably increased in !ro!ortion as it became less
familiar to them: for( early in this a#e( they be#an to sim!lify their s!oken lan#ua#e in conse0uence of
their intercourse with stran#ers( who could not #enerally ac0uire the difficult( old dialect of their
con0uerors: this( therefore( then be#an to be confined to literary com!ositions" That such a chan#e took
!lace at this !eriod a!!ears from several anecdotes inters!ersed in 6rabic works" The =haleefeh 1l)
5eleed (who rei#ned near the close of the first century of the 3li#ht)( the son of '6bd)1l)&elik( s!oke
so corru!t a dialect that he often could not make himself understood by the 6rabs of the desert" 6
ridiculous instance of the mistakes occasioned by his use of the sim!lified lan#ua#e which is now
current is related by 6bu)l)3id]" The same author adds( that the father and !redecessor of this !rince
was a man of elo0uence( and that he was #rieved by the corru!t s!eech of his son( which he considered
as a defect that inca!acitated him to be a future ruler of the 6rabs( as they were still #reat admirers of
!urity of s!eech( thou#h so lar#e a !ro!ortion of them s!oke a corru!t dialect4 wherefore( he sent him
to a house to be instructed by a #rammarian4 but after the youth had remained there a lon# time( he
returned to his father more i#norant than before" Ful#arisms( however( would sometimes esca!e from
the mouth of '6bd)1l)&elik himself4 yet( so sensible was he to elo0uence( that( when a learned man(
with whom he was conversin#( ele#antly informed him of an error of this kind( he ordered his mouth to
be filled with 7ewels" BThese(B said his courteous admonisher( Bare thin#s to be treasured u!4 not to be
ex!ended:BCand for this delicate hint( he was further rewarded with thirty thousand !ieces of silver(
and several costly articles of a!!arel"+NNC$t may be a!tly added( that this =haleefeh was( in the
be#innin# of his rei#n( an un7ust monarch4 and as he thus bore some sli#ht resemblance to our
/hahriyDr( so was he reclaimed to a sense of his duty by means somewhat similar" 9ein#( one ni#ht(
unable to slee!( he called for a !erson to tell him a story for his amusement" B; 8rince of the 3aithful(B
said the man thus bidden( Bthere was an owl in 1l)&XHil( and an owl in 1l)9aHrah4 and the owl of 1l)
&XHil demanded in marria#e( for her son( the dau#hter of the owl of 1l)9aHrah: but the owl of 1l)
9aHrah said( '$ will not( unless thou #ive me( as her dowry( a hundred desolate farms"' 'That $ cannot do('
said the owl of 1l)&XHil( 'at !resent4 but if our soverei#n (may 2od( whose name be exalted( !reserve
him_) live one year( $ will #ive thee what thou desirest"'BCThis sim!le fable sufficed to rouse the !rince
from his a!athy( and he thenceforward a!!lied himself to fulfil the duties of his station"+N-
$n the most flourishin# a#e of 6rabic !oetry and #eneral literature and science( commencin# from the
foundation of the 1m!ire of 9a#hdDd( and extendin# to the con0uest of 1#y!t by the ';smDnlee Turks(
the influence of elo0uent and entertainin# lan#ua#e u!on the character of the 6rab soverei#ns was
!articularly exem!lified" 6 few illustrative anecdotes may here be inserted"
$t is related by 1l)6Hma'ee( that %Droon 1r)<asheed( at a #rand fjte which he was #ivin#( ordered the
!oet 6bu)l)'6tDhiyeh to de!ict( in verse( the volu!tuous en7oyments of his soverei#n" The !oet be#an
thus:C
B'ive lon# in safe en7oyment of thy desires( under the shadow of lofty !alaces_B
B5ell said_B exclaimed 1r)<asheed: Band what nextRB
B&ay thy wishes be abundantly fulfilled( whether at eventide or in the mornin#_B
B5ell_B a#ain said the =haleefeh: Bthen what nextRB
B9ut when the rattlin# breath stru##les in the dark cavity of the chest" Then shalt thou know surely( that
thou hast been only in the midst of illusions"B
UUC1r)<asheed we!t4 and 3a\l( the son of SaGy]( said( BThe 8rince of the 3aithful sent for thee to
divert him( and thou hast !lun#ed him into #rief"B B/uffer him(B said the !rince4 Bfor he hath beheld us
in blindness( and it dis!leased him to increase it"B+NU
The family of the 9armekees (one of the most brilliant ornaments of which was the 5eOeer *aQfar( who
has been rendered a#reeably familiar to us by the many scenes in which he is introduced in the !resent
work) earned a noble and endurin# re!utation by their attachment to literature( and the ma#nificent
rewards they conferred on learned men" $t was !eculiarly hard( therefore( that literature contributed to
their melancholy overthrow" 8oets were em!loyed by their enemies to com!ose son#s artfully !ointed
a#ainst them( to be sun# before the !rince to whom they owed their !ower" ;f one of these son#s( the
followin# lines formed a !art:C
B5ould that %ind had fulfilled the !romises she made us( and healed the disease under which we
suffer_ That she had once( at least( acted for herself_ for imbecile( indeed( is he who doth not so"B
BSea_ 9y 6llah_ $mbecile_B exclaimed the =haleefeh( on hearin# these verses: his 7ealousy was roused4
and his ven#eance soon after fell heavily u!on his former favourites"+NW
;ne of the =haleefehs havin# invited the !oets of his day to his !alace( a 9edawee( carryin# a water)7ar
to fill at the river( followed them( and entered with them" The =haleefeh( seein# this !oor man with the
7ar on his shoulder( asked him what brou#ht him thither" %e returned for answer these words:C
B/eein# that this com!any had #irded on the saddles To re!air to thy overflowin# river( $ came with my
7ar"B
The =haleefeh( deli#hted with his answer( #ave orders to fill his 7ar with #old"+N,
$n the !resent declinin# a#e of 6rabian learnin# (which may be said to have commenced about the
!eriod of the con0uest of 1#y!t by the ';smDnlees)( literary recreations still exert a ma#ic influence
u!on the 6rabs" Com!ositions of a similar nature to the tales of a Thousand and ;ne Ni#hts (thou#h
re#arded by the learned as idle stories unworthy of bein# classed with their literature) enable numbers
of !rofessional story)tellers to attract crowds of deli#hted listeners to the coffee)sho!s of the 1ast4 and
now that the ori#inal of the !resent work is !rinted( and to be !urchased at a moderate !rice( it will
!robably soon( in a #reat measure( su!ersede the romances of 6boo)^eyd( 1b)cDhir( and '6ntar" 6s a
!roof of the !owerful fascinations with which the tales of a Thousand and ;ne Ni#hts affect the mind
of a hi#hly)enli#htened &uslim( it may be mentioned that the latest native historian of &odern 1#y!t(
the sheykh '6bd)1r)<aGmDn 1l)*abartee( so deli#hted in their !erusal that he took the trouble of
refinin# the lan#ua#e of a co!y of them which he !ossessed( ex!un#in# or alterin# whatever was
#rossly offensive to morality without the somewhat redeemin# 0uality of wit( and addin# many faceti:
of his own( and of other literati" 5hat has become of this co!y( $ have been unable( thou#h ac0uainted
with several of his friends( to discover"
Note +." $t is a common custom amon# the &uslims to #ive a !resent to a !erson who brin#s #ood
tidin#s" The word (bishDrah) which $ render Ba reward for brin#in# #ood news(B literally si#nifies
merely B#ood news4B but it is often used( as in this case( in the former sense"
Note @Z" 6 &ohammadan woman is not allowed to show her face to any men exce!tin# certain near
relations and others whom the law !rohibits her from marryin#" 5ho these are will be mentioned in a
future note( descri!tive of the #eneral laws and ceremonies of marria#e" <es!ectable females consider
it a #reat dis#race to be seen unveiled by any men but those above alluded to"
UW
Note @+"COn the ?eenDr and ?irhem" The standards of #old and silver coin( amon# the 6rabs( were
the deenDr and the dirhem: therefore( in this work( $ call the former Ba !iece of #old(B and the latter Ba
!iece of silver"B Their values have varied considerably at different !eriods4 but in the !resent work( we
shall sufficiently a!!roximate to the truth( if we understand the avera#e value of the former to be about
ten shillin#s or half a #uinea4 and that of the latter( about six!ence"
Note @@"C*escription of 'hops! $n 1astern cities( most of the #reat thorou#hfare)streets( and many
others( have a row of sho!s alon# each side( not communicatin# with the su!erstructures4 which latter
are divided into se!arate lod#in#s( inhabited by different families( and seldom by the !ersons who rent
the sho!s beneath" These streets are called( in 6rabic( B/ooJs4B and are #enerally termed by us(
B9DODrs"B 6 whole street of this descri!tion( or a !ortion of such a street( commonly contains only or
chiefly sho!s a!!ro!riated to a !articular trade4 and is called the /ooJ of that trade" $n #eneral( the sho!
is a small recess or cell( about six or seven feet hi#h( and between three and four feet wide( the floor of
which is even with the to! of a raised seat of stone or brick( called BmaHEabah(B between two and three
feet hi#h( and about the same in breadth4 u!on which the sho!kee!er usually sits"+N. The front of the
sho! is furnished with shutters4 which( when closed( at ni#ht( are secured by a wooden lock" /everal of
the en#ravin#s in this work will convey a better notion of sho!s of different kinds than a more detailed
descri!tion"
Note @L" ?istrust in his #overnors and relations and ac0uaintance often induces an 6rab to hide his
money under the !aved floor of a room( or in some other !lace( in his house"
Note @N" These words( B$ #ive myself to thee(B uttered by a woman to a man( even without the !resence
of witnesses( if they cannot be easily !rocured( render her his lawful wife( if he re!lies that he acce!ts
her( and #ives her a dowry"
Note @-" $ have substituted B*inneeyehB (a#reeably with the Calcutta edition of the first two hundred
ni#hts( and because the context re0uires it) for B'1freeteh(B which si#nifies a !owerful and evil female
#enie"CThe tale to which this note refers may be illustrated by the followin# anecdote( which was
related to me by a 8ersian with whom $ was ac0uainted in Cairo( named 6bu)l)PDsim( a native of
2eelDn( then su!erintendent of the 9Dsh]'s 8rintin#)office at 9oolDJ"
;ne of this !erson's countrymen( whom he asserted to be a man of indubitable veracity( was sittin# on
the roof of a house which he had hired( overlookin# the 2an#es( and was !assin# the closin# hour of
the day( accordin# to his usual custom( smokin# his 8ersian !i!e( and feastin# his eyes by #aOin# at the
beautiful forms of $ndian maidens bathin# in the river( when he beheld amon# them one so lovely that
his heart was over!owered with desire to have her for his wife" 6t ni#htfall she came to him( and told
him that she had observed his emotion( and would consent to become his wife4 but on the condition that
he should never admit another female to take or share her !lace( and that she should only be with him
in the ni#ht)time" They took the marria#e)vow to each other( with none for their witness but 2od4 and
#reat was his ha!!iness( till( one evenin#( he saw a#ain( amon# a #rou! of #irls in the river( another
who excited in him still more !owerful emotions" To his sur!rise( this very form stood before him at the
a!!roach of ni#ht" %e withstood the tem!tation( mindful of his marria#e)vow: she used every
allurement4 but he was resolute" %is fair visiter then told him that she was his wife4 that she was a
*inneeyeh4 and that she would always thenceforward visit him in the form of any female whom he
mi#ht chance to !refer"
U,
Note @U" This form of benediction is almost always added when the 8ro!het is mentioned in a book by
any of his followers( and often also in conversation"
Note @W" 8erha!s it is needless to ex!lain this !roverb by the words of the 9ibleCBFen#eance is mine4
$ will re!ay( saith the 'ord"B (<omans( xii" +.") 3or the honour of the &uslims $ must say that this
maxim is often observed by them( exce!tin# in cases to which the law of retaliation a!!lies"
Note @," The houses in 6rabian countries #enerally have flat roofs( u!on which( in the summer( some
of the inhabitants often slee!: the interior( therefore( is as accessible from the roof as from the common
entrance"
Note @." $ here steer a middle course between my usual standard co!yCwhich #ives the story of the
third sheykh more fully than $ have doneCand the Calcutta edition of the first two hundred ni#hts(
which omits it alto#ether( as does also the co!y from which the old translation was made( !erha!s on
account of its uninterestin# nature"
+++ Pur)Dn( ch" xiii" v" L."
++@ B1l)$nsDn el)=Dmil(B by '6bd)1l)=ereem 1l)*eelee( 0uoted by 1l)$s)GDJee( in his account of
$brDheem 9Dsh] el)&aJtool"
++L &ishkDt el)&aHDbeeG( vol" i" !!" @U)LN"
++N $bid"
++- $dem( vol" ii" !" LWL"
++U NuOhet el)&utafmmil wa)&urshid el)&utafhhil( section W"
++W &ishkDt el)&aHDbeeG( vol" ii" !" L,+"
++, 3or a translation of the whole of this !rayer( see B&odern 1#y!tians(B vol" ii" ch( xii"
++. Pur)Dn( ch" v" v" L-"
+@Z /ee B&odern 1#y!tians(B vol" ii" ch" xv"
+@+ These de#rees of relationshi! will be ex!lained when $ describe the customs relatin# to marria#e"
+@@ NuOhet el)&utafmmil wa)&urshid el)&utafhhil( section ."
+@L &ishkDt el)&aHDbeeG( vol" ii" !!" +NZ and +N+"
+@N NuOhet 1l)&utafmmil( Mc"( loco laudato"
+@- /ee B&odern 1#y!tians(B vol" i" ch" vii"
+@U 1vents of the year @@W"
+@W Pur)Dn( ch" xxvii" v" NZ4 and Commentary of the *elDleyn"
+@, /ee B&ishJDt el)&aHDbeeG(B vol" ii" !" LWN"
+@. $dem( vol ii" !!" L,N( et se00"
+LZ 6ccount of the early 6rabs( in the B&ir)Dt eO)^emDn"B
+L+ ?urin# his last residence in 1#y!t( &r" 'ane thou#ht he had discovered a clue to the means
em!loyed in these !erformances( but he afterwards found that there were cases which remained to him
inex!licable"C1d"
+L@ &ishkDt el)&aHDbeeG( loco laudato"
+LL &ir)Dt eO)^emDn( loco laudato"
+LN 1l)$s)GDJee( in his account of the rei#n of 1l)&oQtaHim( the son of %Droon"
+L- &ishkDt el)&aHDbeeG( vol" ii" !" L,,"
+LU Ful#arly !ronounced Nemrood"
+LW 1l)$s)GDJee( close of his account of the rei#n of 1l)1meen"
+L, 1l)*abartee's &odern 1#y!tian %istory (&/" in my !ossession)4 account of the death of Soosuf
9ey( in the year of the 3li#ht ++.+4 and account of the death of the sheykh [asan 1l)=afrDwee( in the
year +@Z@"
+L. %ence it has been called by many travellers( and even by some learned ;rientalists( the 2reat
3east4 but it is never so called by the 6rabs"
+NZ &ishkDt el)&aHDbeeG( vol" ii" !" N@N"
+N+ 2enesis ix" -"
+N@ 'ettres sur l'%istoire des 6rabes avant l'$slamisme( !ar 3ul#ence 3resnel" 8aris( +,LU( !!" L+( et
se00"
+NL 1l)$s)hDJee"
+NN 1l)$s)GDJee"
+N- $dem"
+NU 3akhr)ed)?een( in ?e /acy's Chrestomathie 6rabe( vol" i" !" L of the 6rabic Text: @nd edition"
+NW $bn)=haldoon( u&i supra( vol" i" !" +@N of the 6rabic text"
+N, [albet el)=umeyt (&/" in my !ossession)( cha!" vii"
+N. The maHEabah( with the !ictures0ue 6rab architecture of which it forms a !art( is fast disa!!earin#
from 1#y!t" $n Cairo and 6lexandria( &oGammad '6lee ordered that the maHEabahs in the
thorou#hfare)streets should be removed( or reduced to about a foot in width4 and interdicted the
erection of new meshrebeeyehs (!ro7ectin# windows of lattice)work)( althou#h he allowed the old ones
to remain"C1d"
U.
CHAPTER II.
COMMENCING WITH PART OF THE THIRD NIGHT, AND ENDING WITH PART OF THE NINTH.
THE STORY OF THE FISHERMAN.
There was a certain fisherman( advanced in a#e( who had a wife and three children4 and thou#h he was
in indi#ent circumstances( it was his custom to cast his net( every day( no more than four times" ;ne
day he went forth at the hour of noon to the shore of the sea( and !ut down his basket( and cast his net(
and waited until it was motionless in the water( when he drew to#ether its strin#s( and found it to be
heavy: he !ulled( but could not draw it u!: so he took the end of the cord( and knocked a stake into the
shore( and tied the cord to it" %e then stri!!ed himself( and dived round the net( and continued to !ull
until he drew it out: whereu!on he re7oiced( and !ut on his clothes4 but when he came to examine the
net( he found in it the carcass of an ass" 6t the si#ht of this he mourned( andWZ exclaimed( There is no
stren#th nor !ower but in 2od( the %i#h( the 2reat_ This is a stran#e !iece of fortune_C6nd he
re!eated the followin# verse:C
; thou who occu!iest thyself in the darkness of ni#ht( and in !eril_ /!are thy trouble4 for the su!!ort of
8rovidence is not obtained by toil_+
%e then disencumbered his net of the dead ass( and wrun# it out4 after which he s!read it( and
descended into the sea( andCexclaimin#( $n the name of 2od_Ccast it a#ain( and waited till it had
sunk and was still( when he !ulled it( and found it more heavy and more difficult to raise than on the
former occasion" %e therefore concluded that it was full of fish: so he tied it( and stri!!ed( and !lun#ed
and dived( and !ulled until he raised it( and drew it u!on the shore4 when he found in it only a lar#e 7ar(
full of sand and mud4 on seein# which( he was troubled in his heart( and re!eated the followin# words
of the !oet:C
; an#ry fate( forbear_ or( if thou wilt not forbear( relent_ Neither favour from fortune do $ #ain( nor
!rofit from the work of my hands( $ came forth to seek my sustenance( but have found it to be
exhausted" %ow many of the i#norant are in s!lendour_ and how many of the wise( in obscurity_
/o sayin#( he threw aside the 7ar( and wrun# out and cleansed his net4 and( be##in# the for#iveness of
2od for his im!atience( returned to the sea the third time( and threw the net( and waited till it had sunk
and was motionless: he then drew it out( and found in it a 0uantity of broken 7ars and !ots"
A!on this( he raised his head towards heaven( and said( ; 2od( Thou knowest that $ cast not my net
more than four times4 and $ have now cast it three times_ ThenCexclaimin#( $n the name of 2od_Che
cast the net a#ain into the sea( and waited till it was still4 when he attem!ted to draw it u!( but could
not( for it clun# to the bottom" 6nd he exclaimed( There is no stren#th nor !ower but in 2od_Cand
stri!!ed himself a#ain( and dived round the net( and !ulled it until he raised it u!on the shore4 when he
o!ened it( and found in it a bottle@ of brass( filled with somethin#( and havin# its mouth closed with a
sto!!er of lead( bearin# the im!ression of the seal of our lord /uleymDn"L 6t the si#ht of this( the
fisherman was re7oiced( and said( This $ will sell in the co!!er)market4 for it is worth ten !ieces of #old"
%e then shook it( and found it to be heavy( and said( $ must o!en it( and see what is in it( and store it in
my ba#4 and then $ will sell the bottle in the co!!er)market" /o he took out a knife( and !ickedW+ at the
lead until he extracted it from the bottle" %e then laid the bottle on the #round( and shook it( that its
contents mi#ht !our out4 but there came forth from it nothin# but smoke( which ascended towards the
sky( and s!read over the face of the earth4 at which he wondered excessively" 6nd after a little while(
the smoke collected to#ether( and was condensed( and then became a#itated( and was converted into an
'1freet( whose head was in the clouds( while his feet rested u!on the #round:N his head was like a
dome: his hands were like winnowin# forks4- and his le#s( like masts: his mouth resembled a cavern:
his teeth were like stones4 his nostrils( like trum!ets4U and his eyes( like lam!s4 and he had dishevelled
and dust)coloured hair"
W@
5hen the fisherman beheld this '1freet( the muscles of his sides 0uivered( his teeth were locked
to#ether( his s!ittle dried u!( and he saw not his way" The '1freet( as soon as he !erceived him(
exclaimed( There is no deity but 2od: /uleymDn is the 8ro!het of 2od" ; 8ro!het of 2od( slay me not4
for $ will never a#ain o!!ose thee in word( or rebel a#ainst thee in deed_C; &Drid(W said the
fisherman( dost thou say( /uleymDn is the 8ro!het of 2odR /uleymDn hath been dead a thousand and
ei#ht hundred years4 and we are now in the end of time" 5hat is thy history( and what is thy tale( and
what was the cause of thy enterin# this bottleR 5hen the &Drid heard these words of the fisherman( he
said( There is no deity but 2od_ <eceive news( ; fisherman_C;f what( said the fisherman( dost thou
#ive me newsR %e answered( ;f thy bein# instantly !ut to a most cruel death" The fisherman
exclaimed( Thou deservest( for this news( ; master of the '1freets( the withdrawal of !rotection from
thee( ; thou remote_, 5herefore wouldst thou kill meR and what re0uires thy killin# me( when $ have
liberated thee from the bottle( and rescued thee from the bottom of the sea( and brou#ht thee u! u!on
the dry landRCThe '1freet answered( Choose what kind of death thou wilt die( and in what manner
thou shalt be killed"C5hat is my offence( said the fisherman( that this should be my recom!ense from
theeR The '1freet re!lied( %ear my story( ; fisherman"CTell it then( said the fisherman( and be short in
thy words4 for my soul hath sunk down to my feet"
=now then( said he( that $ am one of the heretical *inn: $ rebelled a#ainst /uleymDn the son of ?Dood: $
and Iakhr the *innee4. and he sent to me his 5eOeer( dHaf the son of 9arkhiy]( who came u!on me
forcibly( and took me to him in bonds( and !laced me before him: and when /uleymDn saw me( he
offered u! a !rayer for !rotection a#ainst me( and exhorted me to embrace the faith( and to submit to
his authority4 but $ refused4 u!on which he called for this bottle( and confined me in it( and closed it
u!on me with the leaden sto!!er( which he stam!ed with the &ost 2reat Name: he then #ave orders to
the *inn( who carried me away( and threw me into the midst of the sea" There $ remained a hundred
years4 and $ said in my heart( 5hosoever shall liberate me( $ will enrich him for ever:Cbut the hundred
years !assed over me( and no one liberated me: and $ entered u!on another hundred years4 and $ said(
5hosoever shall liberate me( $ will o!en to him the treasures of the earth4Cbut no one did so: and four
hundred years more !assed over me( and $ said(WL 5hosoever shall liberate me( $ will !erform for him
three wants:Cbut still no one liberated me" $ then fell into a violent ra#e( and said within myself(
5hosoever shall liberate me now( $ will kill him4 and only suffer him to choose in what manner he will
die" 6nd lo( now thou hast liberated me( and $ have #iven thee thy choice of the manner in which thou
wilt die"
5hen the fisherman had heard the story of the '1freet( he exclaimed( ; 6llah_ that $ should not have
liberated thee but in such a time as this_ Then said he to the '1freet( 8ardon me( and kill me not( and so
may 2od !ardon thee4 and destroy me not( lest 2od #ive !ower over thee to one who will destroy thee"
The &Drid answered( $ must !ositively kill thee4 therefore choose by what manner of death thou wilt
die" The fisherman then felt assured of his death4 but he a#ain im!lored the '1freet( sayin#( 8ardon me
by way of #ratitude for my liberatin# thee"C5hy( answered the '1freet( $ am not #oin# to kill thee but
for that very reason( because thou hast liberated me"C; /heykh of the '1freets( said the fisherman( do $
act kindly towards thee( and dost thou recom!ense me with basenessR 9ut the !roverb lieth not that
saith(C
5e did #ood to them( and they returned us the contrary4 and such( by my life( is the conduct of the
wicked" Thus he who acteth kindly to the undeservin# is recom!ensed in the same manner as the aider
of Amm)'dmir"+Z
The '1freet( when he heard these words( answered by sayin#( Covet not life( for thy death is
unavoidable" Then said the fisherman within himself( This is a *innee( and $ am a man4 and 2od hath
#iven me sound reason4 therefore( $ will now !lot his destruction with my art and reason( like as he hath
!lotted with his cunnin# and !erfidy" /o he said to the '1freet( %ast thou determined to kill meR %e
answered( Ses" Then said he( 9y the &ost 2reat Name en#raved u!on the seal of /uleymDn( $ will ask
thee one 0uestion4 and wilt thou answer it to me trulyR ;n hearin# the mention of the &ost 2reat
Name( the '1freet was a#itated( and trembled( and re!lied( Ses4 ask( and be brief" The fisherman then
said( %ow wast thou in this bottleR $t will not contain thy hand or thy foot4 how then can it contain thy
whole bodyRC?ost thou not believe that $ was in itR said the '1freet" The fisherman answered( $ will
never believe thee until $ see thee in it" A!on this( the '1freet shook( and became converted a#ain into
smoke( which rose to the sky( and then became condensed( and entered the bottle by little and little(
until it was all enclosed4 when the fishermanWN hastily snatched the sealed leaden sto!!er( and( havin#
re!laced it in the mouth of the bottle( called out to the '1freet( and said( Choose in what manner of
death thou wilt die" $ will assuredly throw thee here into the sea( and build me a house on this s!ot4 and
whosoever shall come here( $ will !revent his fishin# in this !lace( and will say to him( %ere is an
'1freet( who( to any !erson that liberates him( will !ro!ose various kinds of death( and then #ive him
his choice of one of them" ;n hearin# these words of the fisherman( the '1freet endeavoured to esca!e4
but could not( findin# himself restrained by the im!ression of the seal of /uleymDn( and thus
im!risoned by the fisherman as the vilest and filthiest and least of '1freets" The fisherman then took the
bottle to the brink of the sea" The '1freet exclaimed( Nay_ nay_Cto which the fisherman answered( Sea(
without fail_ yea( without fail_ The &Drid then addressin# him with a soft voice and humble manner(
said( 5hat dost thou intend to do with me( ; fishermanR %e answered( $ will throw thee into the sea4
and if thou hast been there a thousand and ei#ht hundred years( $ will make thee to remain there until
the hour of 7ud#ment" ?id $ not say to thee( /!are me( and so may 2od s!are thee4 and destroy me not(
lest 2od destroy theeR 9ut thou didst re7ect my !etition( and wouldest nothin# butW- treachery4
therefore 2od hath caused thee to fall into my hand( and $ have betrayed thee"C;!en to me( said the
'1freet( that $ may confer benefits u!on thee" The fisherman re!lied( Thou liest( thou accursed_ $ and
thou are like the 5eOeer of =in# SoonDn++ and the sa#e ?oobDn"+@C5hat( said the '1freet( was the
case of the 5eOeer of =in# SoonDn and the sa#e ?oobDn( and what is their storyR The fisherman
answered as follows:C
THE STORY OF ING YOON#N AND THE SAGE DOOB#N.
=now( ; '1freet( that there was( in former times( in the country of the 8ersians(+L a monarch who was
called =in# SoonDn( !ossessin# #reat treasures and numerous forces( valiant( and havin# troo!s of
every descri!tion4 but he was afflicted with le!rosy( which the !hysicians and sa#es had failed to
remove4 neither their !otions( nor !owders( nor ointments were of any benefit to him4 and none of the
!hysicians was able to cure him" 6t len#th there arrived at the city of this kin# a #reat sa#e( stricken in
years( who was called the sa#e ?oobDn: he was ac0uainted with ancient 2reek( 8ersian( modern 2reek(
6rabic( and /yriac books( and with medicine and astrolo#y( both with res!ect to their scientific
!rinci!les and the rules of their !ractical a!!lications for #ood and evil4 as well as the !ro!erties of
!lants( dried and fresh( the in7urious and the useful: he was versed in the wisdom of the !hiloso!hers(
and embraced a knowled#e of all the medical and other sciences"
6fter this sa#e had arrived in the city( and remained in it a few days( he heard of the case of the =in#(
of the le!rosy with which 2od had afflicted him( and that the !hysicians and men of science had failed
to cure him" $n conse0uence of this information( he !assed the next ni#ht in dee! study4 and when the
mornin# came( and diffused its li#ht( and the sun saluted the ;rnament of the 2ood(+N he attired
himself in the richest of his a!!arel( and !resented himself before the =in#" %avin# kissed the #round
before him( and offered u! a !rayer for the continuance of his !ower and ha!!iness( and #reeted him in
the best manner he was able( he informed him who he was( and said( ; =in#( $ have heard of the
disease which hath attacked thy !erson( and that many of the !hysicians are unac0uainted with the
means of removin# it4 and $ will cure thee without #ivin# thee to drink any !otion( or anointin# thee
with ointment" 5hen =in# SoonDn heardWU his words( he wondered( and said to him( %ow wilt thou do
thisR 9y 6llah( if thou cure me( $ will enrich thee and thy children's children( and $ will hea! favours
u!on thee( and whatever thou shalt desire shall be thine( and thou shalt be my com!anion and my
friend"C%e then bestowed u!on him a robe of honour(+- and other !resents( and said to him( 5ilt thou
cure me of this disease without !otion or ointmentR %e answered( Ses4 $ will cure thee without any
discomfort to thy !erson" 6nd the =in# was extremely astonished( and said( ; /a#e( at what time( and
on what day( shall that which thou hast !ro!osed to me be doneR %asten it( ; my /on"C%e answered( $
hear and obey"
%e then went out from the !resence of the =in#( and hired a house( in which he de!osited his books(
and medicines( and dru#s" %avin# done this( he selected certain of his medicines and dru#s( and made a
#off)stick( with a hollow handle( into which he introduced them4 after which he made a ball for it(
skilfully ada!ted4 and on the followin# day( after he had finished these( he went a#ain to the =in#( and
kissed the #round before him( and directed him to re!air to the horse)course( and to !lay with the ball
and #off)stick" The =in#( attended by his 1meers and Chamberlains and 5eOeers( went thither( and( as
soon as he arrived there( the sa#e ?oobDn !resented himself before him( and handed to him the #off)
stick( sayin#( Take this #off)stick( and #ras! it thus( and ride alon# the horse)course( and strike the ball
with it with all thy force( until the !alm of thy hand and thy whole body become moist with
!ers!iration( when the medicine will !enetrate into thy hand( and !ervade thy whole body4 and when
thou hast done this( and the medicine remains in thee( return toWW thy !alace( and enter the bath(+U and
wash thyself( and slee!: then shalt thou find thyself cured: and !eace be on thee" /o =in# SoonDn took
the #off)stick from the sa#e( and #ras!ed it in his hand( and mounted his horse4 and the ball was thrown
before him( and he ur#ed his horse after it until he overtook it( when he struck it with all his force4 and
when he had continued this exercise as lon# as was necessary( and bathed and sle!t( he looked u!on his
skin( and not a vesti#e of the le!rosy remained: it was clear as white silver" A!on this he re7oiced
exceedin#ly4 his heart was dilated( and he was full of ha!!iness"
;n the followin# mornin# he entered the council)chamber( and sat u!on his throne4 and the
Chamberlains and #reat officers of his court came before him" The sa#e ?oobDn also !resented himself4
and when the =in# saw him( he rose to him in haste( and seated him by his side" /ervices of food were
then s!read before them( and the sa#e ate with the =in#( and remained as his #uest all the day4+W and
when the ni#ht a!!roached( the =in# #ave him two thousand !ieces of #old( besides dresses of honour
and other !resents( and mounted him on his own horse( and so the sa#e returned to his house"+, 6nd
the =in# was astonished at his skill4 sayin#( This man hath cured me by an external !rocess( without
anointin# me with ointment: by 6llah( this is consummate science4 and it is incumbent on me to bestow
favours and honours u!on him( and to make him my com!anion and familiar friend as lon# as $ live"
%e !assed the ni#ht ha!!y and 7oyful on account of his recovery( and when he arose( he went forth
a#ain( and sat u!on his throne4 the officers of his court standin# before him( and the 1meers and
5eOeers sittin# on his ri#ht hand and on his left4 and he called for the sa#e ?oobDn( who came( and
kissed the #round before him4 and the =in# rose( and seated him by his side( and ate with him( and
#reeted him with com!liments: he bestowed u!on him a#ain a robe of honour and other !resents( and(
after conversin# with him till the a!!roach of ni#ht( #ave orders that five other robes of honour should
be #iven to him( and a thousand !ieces of #old4 and the sa#e de!arted( and returned to his house"
6#ain( when the next mornin# came( the =in# went as usual to his council)chamber( and the 1meers
and 5eOeers and Chamberlains surrounded him" Now there was( amon# his 5eOeers( one of ill as!ect(
and of evil star4+. sordid( avaricious( and of an envious and malicious dis!osition4 and when he saw
that the =in# had made the sa#e ?oobDn his friend( and bestowed u!on him these favours( heW, envied
him this distinction( and meditated evil a#ainst him4 a#reeably with the ada#e which saith( There is no
one void of envy4@ZCand another( which saith( Tyranny lurketh in the soul: !ower manifesteth it( and
weakness concealeth it" /o he a!!roached the =in#( and kissed the #round before him( and said( ;
=in# of the a#e( thou art he whose #oodness extendeth to all men( and $ have an im!ortant !iece of
advice to #ive thee: if $ were to conceal it from thee( $ should be a base)born wretch: therefore( if thou
order me to im!art it( $ will do so" The =in#( disturbed by these words of the 5eOeer( said( 5hat is thy
adviceR %e answered( ; #lorious =in#( it hath been said( by the ancients( %e who looketh not to
results( fortune will not attend him:Cnow $ have seen the =in# in a way that is not ri#ht4 since he hath
bestowed favours u!on his enemy( and u!on him who desireth the downfall of his dominion: he hath
treated him with kindness( and honoured him with the hi#hest honours( and admitted him to theW.
closest intimacy: $ therefore fear( for the =in#( the conse0uence of this conduct"C6t this the =in# was
troubled( and his countenance chan#ed4 and he said( 5ho is he whom thou re#ardest as mine enemy(
and to whom $ shew kindnessR %e re!lied( ; =in#( if thou hast been aslee!( awake_ $ allude to the sa#e
?oobDn"CThe =in# said( %e is my intimate com!anion( and the dearest of men in my estimation4 for
he restored me by a thin# that $ merely held in my hand( and cured me of my disease which the
!hysicians were unable to remove( and there is not now to be found one like to him in the whole world(
from west to east" 5herefore( then( dost thou utter these words a#ainst himR $ will( from this day(
a!!oint him a re#ular salary and maintenance( and #ive him every month a thousand !ieces of #old4
and if $ #ave him a share of my kin#dom it were but a small thin# to do unto him" $ do not think that
thou hast said this from any other motive than that of envy" $f $ did what thou desirest( $ should re!ent
after it( as the man re!ented who killed his !arrot"@+
THE STORY OF THE HUSBAND AND THE PARROT.
There was a certain merchant( of an excessively 7ealous dis!osition( havin# a wife endowed with
!erfect beauty( who had !revented him from leavin# his home4 but an event ha!!ened which obli#ed
him to make a 7ourney4 and when he found his doin# so to be indis!ensable( he went to the market in
which birds were sold( and bou#ht a !arrot( which he !laced in his house to act as a s!y( that( on his
return( she mi#ht inform him of what !assed durin# his absence4 for,Z this !arrot was cunnin# and
intelli#ent( and remembered whatever she heard"@@ /o( when he had made his 7ourney( and
accom!lished his business( he returned( and caused the !arrot to be brou#ht to him( and asked her
res!ectin# the conduct of his wife" /he answered( Thy wife has a lover( who visited her every ni#ht
durin# thy absence:Cand when the man heard this( he fell into a violent ra#e( and went to his wife( and
#ave her a severe beatin#"
The woman ima#ined that one of the female slaves had informed him of what had !assed between her
and her !aramour durin# his absence: she therefore called them to#ether( and made them swear4 and
they all swore that they had not told their master anythin# of the matter4 but confessed that they had
heard the !arrot relate to him what had !assed" %avin# thus established( on the testimony of the slaves(
the fact of the !arrot's havin# informed her husband of her intri#ue( she ordered one of these slaves to
#rind with a hand)mill under the ca#e( another to s!rinkle water from above( and a third to move a
mirror from side to side( durin# the next ni#ht on which her husband was absent4 and on the followin#
mornin#( when the man returned from an entertainment at which he had been !resent( and in0uired
a#ain of the !arrot what had !assed that ni#ht durin# his absence( the bird answered( ; my master( $
could neither see nor hear anythin#( on account of the excessive darkness( and thunder( and li#htnin#(
and rain" Now this ha!!ened durin# summer: so he said to her( 5hat stran#e words are theseR $t is now
summer( when nothin# of what thou hast described ever ha!!ens"CThe !arrot( however( swore by
6llah the 2reat that what she had said was true4 and that it had so ha!!ened: u!on which the man( not
understandin# the case( nor knowin# the !lot( became violently enra#ed( and took out the bird from the
ca#e( and threw her down u!on the #round with such violence that he killed her"
9ut after some days( one of his female slaves informed him of the truth4 yet he would not believe it(
until he saw his wife's !aramour #oin# out from his house4 when he drew his sword(@L and slew the
traitor by a blow on the back of his neck: so also did he to his treacherous wife4 and thus both of them
went( laden with the sin which they had committed( to the fire4 and the merchant discovered that the
!arrot had informed him truly of what she had seen4 and he mourned #rievously for her loss"
5hen the 5eOeer heard these words of =in# SoonDn( he said( ; =in# of #reat di#nity( what hath this
crafty sa#eCthis man from,+ whom nou#ht but mischief !roceedethCdone unto me( that $ should be
his enemy( and s!eak evil of him( and !lot with thee to destroy himR $ have informed thee res!ectin#
him in com!assion for thee( and in fear of his des!oilin# thee of thy ha!!iness4 and if my words be not
true( destroy me( as the 5eOeer of 1s)/indibDd was destroyed"CThe =in# asked( %ow was thatR 6nd
the 5eOeer thus answered:C
THE STORY OF THE ENVIOUS WE"EER AND THE PRINCE AND THE GHOOLEH.
The =in# above mentioned had a son who was ardently fond of the chase4@N and he had a 5eOeer
whom he char#ed to be always with this son wherever he went" ;ne day the son went forth to hunt( and
his father's 5eOeer was with him4 and as they rode to#ether( they saw a #reat wild beast4 u!on which
the 5eOeer exclaimed to the 8rince( 6way after this wild beast_ The =in#'s son !ursued it until he was
out of the si#ht of his attendants( and the beast also esca!ed from before his eyes in the desert4 and
while the 8rince wandered in !er!lexity( not knowin# whither to direct his course( he met in his way a
damsel( who was wee!in#" %e said to her( 5ho art thouRCand she answered( $ am a dau#hter of one of
the kin#s of $ndia4 $ was in the desert( and slumber overtook me( and $ fell from my horse in a state of
insensibility( and bein# thus se!arated from my attendants( $ lost my way" The 8rince( on hearin# this(
!itied her forlorn state( and !laced her behind him on his horse4 and as they !roceeded( they !assed by
a ruin(@- and the damsel said to him( ; my master( $ would ali#ht here for a little while" The 8rince
therefore lifted her from his horse at this ruin4 but she delayed so lon# to return( that he wondered
wherefore she had loitered so( and enterin# after her( without her knowled#e( !erceived that she was a
2hooleh(@U and heard her say( &y children( $ have brou#ht you to)day a fat youn# man:Con which
they exclaimed( 9rin# him in to us( ; mother_ that we may fill our stomachs with his flesh" 5hen the
8rince heard their words( he felt assured of destruction4 the muscles of his sides 0uivered( and fear
overcame him( and he retreated" The 2hooleh then came forth( and( seein# that he a!!eared alarmed
and fearful( and that he was tremblin#( said to him( 5herefore dost thou fearR %e answered( $ have an
enemy of whom $ am in fear" The 2hooleh said( Thou assertest thyself to be the son of the =in#" %e
re!lied( Ses"CThen( said she( wherefore dost thou not,@ #ive some money to thine enemy( and so
conciliate himR %e answered( %e will not be a!!eased with money( nor with anythin# but life4 and
therefore do $ fear him: $ am an in7ured man" /he then said to him( $f thou be an in7ured man( as thou
affirmest( be# aid of 2od a#ainst thine o!!ressor( and %e will avert from thee his mischievous desi#n(
and that of every other !erson whom thou fearest" A!on this( therefore( the 8rince raised his head
towards heaven( and said( ; thou who answerest the distressed when he !rayeth to Thee( and dis!ellest
evil( assist me( and cause mine enemy to de!art from me4 for Thou art able to do whatsoever Thou wilt_
Cand the 2hooleh no sooner heard his !rayer( than she de!arted from him" The 8rince then returned to
his father( and informed him of the conduct of the 5eOeer4 u!on which the =in# #ave orders that the
minister should be !ut to death",L
CONTINUATION OF THE STORY OF ING YOON#N AND THE SAGE DOOB#N.
6nd thou( ; =in#( continued the 5eOeer of =in# SoonDn( if thou trust in this sa#e( he will kill thee in
the foulest manner" $f thou continue to bestow favours u!on him( and to make him thine intimate
com!anion( he will !lot thy destruction" ?ost thou not see that he hath cured thee of the disease by
external means( by a thin# that thou heldest in thy handR Therefore thou art not secure a#ainst his
killin# thee by a thin# that thou shalt hold in the same manner"C=in# SoonDn answered( Thou hast
s!oken truth: the case is as thou hast said( ; faithful 5eOeer: it is !robable that this sa#e came as a s!y
to accom!lish my death4 and if he cured me by a thin# $ held in my hand( he may destroy me by a thin#
that $ may smell: what then( ; 5eOeer( shall be done res!ectin# himR The 5eOeer answered( /end to
him immediately( and desire him to come hither4 and when he is come( strike off his head( and so shalt
thou avert from thee his evil desi#n( and be secure from him" 9etray him before he betray thee"CThe
=in# said( Thou hast s!oken ri#ht"
$mmediately( therefore( he sent for the sa#e( who came( full of 7oy( not knowin# what the
Com!assionate@W had decreed a#ainst him( and addressed the =in# with these words of the !oet:C
$f $ fail any day to render thee due thanks( tell me for whom $ have com!osed my verse and !rose"
Thou hast loaded me with favours unsolicited( bestowed without delay on thy !art( or excuse" %ow
then should $ abstain from !raisin# thee as thou deservest( and laudin# thee both with my heart and
voiceR Nay( $ will thank thee for thy benefits conferred u!on me: they are li#ht u!on my ton#ue( thou#h
wei#hty to my back"
=nowest thou( said the =in#( wherefore $ have summoned theeR The sa#e answered( None knoweth
what is secret but 2od( whose name be exalted_ Then said the =in#( $ have summoned thee that $ may
take away thy life" The sa#e( in the utmost astonishment at this announcement( said( ; =in#( wherefore
wouldst thou kill me( and what offence hath been committed by meR The =in# answered( $t hath been
told me that thou art a s!y( and that thou hast come hither to kill me: but $ will !revent thee by killin#
thee first:Cand so sayin#( he called out to the executioner( /trike off the head of this traitor( and relieve
me from his wickedness(C/!are me( said the sa#e( and so may,N 2od s!are thee4 and destroy me not(
lest 2od destroy thee"C6nd he re!eated these words several times( like as $ did( ; '1freet4 but thou
wouldst not let me #o( desirin# to destroy me"
=in# SoonDn then said to the sa#e ?oobDn( $ shall not be secure unless $ kill thee4 for thou curedst me
by a thin# that $ held in my hand( and $ have no security a#ainst thy killin# me by a thin# that $ may
smell( or by some other means"C; =in#( said the sa#e( is this my recom!ense from theeR ?ost thou
return evil for #oodRCThe =in# answered( Thou must be slain without delay" 5hen the sa#e(
therefore( was convinced that the =in# intended to !ut him to death( and that his fate was inevitable( he
lamented the benefit that he had done to the undeservin#" The executioner then advanced( and
banda#ed his eyes( and( havin# drawn his sword( said( 2ive !ermission" A!on this the sa#e we!t( and
said a#ain( /!are me( and so may 2od s!are thee4 and destroy me not( lest 2od destroy thee_ 5ouldst
thou return me the recom!ense of the crocodileRC5hat( said the =in#( is the story of the crocodileR
The sa#e answered( $ cannot relate it while in this condition4@, but $ con7ure thee by 6llah to s!are me(
and so may %e s!are thee" 6nd he we!t bitterly" Then one of the chief officers of the =in# arose( and
said( ; =in#( #ive u! to me the blood of this sa#e4 for we have not seen him commit any offence
a#ainst thee4 nor have we seen him do au#ht but cure thee of thy disease( which wearied the other
!hysicians and sa#es" The =in# answered( Se know not the reason wherefore $ would kill the sa#e: it is
this( that if $ suffered him to live( $ should myself inevitably !erish4 for he who cured me of the disease
under which $ suffered by a thin# that $ held in my,- hand( may kill me by a thin# that $ may smell4
and $ fear that he would do so( and would receive an a!!ointment on account of it4 seein# that it is
!robable he is a s!y who hath come hither to kill me4 $ must therefore kill him( and then shall $ feel
myself safe"CThe sa#e then said a#ain( /!are me( and so may 2od s!are thee4 and destroy me not( lest
2od destroy thee"
9ut he now felt certain( ; '1freet( that the =in# would !ut him to death( and that there was no esca!e
for him4 so he said( ; =in#( if my death is indis!ensable( #rant me some res!ite( that $ may return to
my house( and ac0uit myself of my duties( and #ive directions to my family and nei#hbours to bury me(
and dis!ose of my medical books4 and amon# my books is one of most es!ecial value( which $ offer as
a !resent to thee( that thou mayest treasure it in thy library"C6nd what( said the =in#( is this bookR %e
answered( $t contains thin#s not to be enumerated4 and the smallest of the secret virtues that it !ossesses
is this4 that( when thou hast cut off my head( if thou o!en this book( and count three leaves( and then
read three lines on the !a#e to the left( the head will s!eak to thee( and answer whatever thou shalt ask"
6t this the =in# was excessively astonished( and shook with deli#ht( and said to him( ; /a#e( when $
have cut off thy head will it s!eakR %e answered( Ses( ; =in#4 and this is a wonderful thin#"
The =in# then sent him in the custody of #uards4 and the sa#e descended to his house( and settled all
his affairs on that day4 and on the followin# day he went u! to the court: and the 1meers and 5eOeers(
and Chamberlains and ?e!uties( and all the #reat officers of the state( went thither also: and the court
resembled a flower)#arden"@. 6nd when the sa#e had entered( he !resented himself before the =in#(
bearin# an old book( and a small !ot containin# a !owder: and he sat down( and said( 9rin# me a tray"
/o they brou#ht him one4 and he !oured out the !owder into it( and s!read it" %e then said( ; =in#(
take this book( and do nothin# with it until thou hast cut off my head4 and when thou hast done so(
!lace it u!on this tray( and order some one to !ress it down u!on the !owder4 and when this is done( the
blood will be stanched: then o!en the book" 6s soon as the sa#e had said this( the =in# #ave orders to
strike off his head4 and it was done" The =in# then o!ened the book( and found that its leaves were
stuck to#ether4 so he !ut his fin#er to his mouth( and moistened it with his s!ittle( and o!ened the first
leaf( and the second( and the third4 but the leaves were not o!ened without difficulty" %e,U o!ened six
leaves( and looked at them4 but found u!on them no writin#" /o he said( ; /a#e( there is nothin#
written in it" The head of the sa#e answered( Turn over more leaves" The =in# did so4 and in a little
while( the !oison !enetrated into his system4 for the book was !oisoned4 and the =in# fell back( and
cried out( The !oison hath !enetrated into me_Cand u!on this( the head of the sa#e ?oobDn re!eated
these verses:C
They made use of their !ower( and used it tyrannically4 and soon it became as thou#h it never had
existed" %ad they acted e0uitably( they had ex!erienced e0uity4 but they o!!ressed4 wherefore fortune
o!!ressed them with calamities and trials" Then did the case itself announce to them( This is the reward
of your conduct( and fortune is blameless"
6nd when the head of the sa#e ?oobDn had uttered these words( the =in# immediately fell down
dead"LZ
CONTINUATION OF THE STORY OF THE FISHERMAN.
Now( ; '1freet( continued the fisherman( know that if =in# SoonDn had s!ared the sa#e ?oobDn( 2od
had s!ared him4 but he refused( and desired his destruction4 therefore 2od destroyed him: and thou( ;
'1freet( if thou hadst s!ared me( 2od had s!ared thee( and $ had s!ared thee4 but thou desiredst my
death4 therefore will $ !ut thee to death im!risoned in this bottle( and will throw thee here into the sea"
The &Drid( u!on this( cried out( and said( $ con7ure thee by 6llah( ; fisherman( that thou do it not:
s!are me in #enerosity( and be not an#ry with me for what $ did4 but if $ have done evil( do thou,W
#ood( accordin# to the !roverb(C; thou benefactor of him who hath done evil( the action that he hath
done is sufficient for him:Cdo not therefore as AmDmeh did to 'dtikeh"C6nd what( said the
fisherman( was their caseR The '1freet answered( This is not a time for tellin# stories( when $ am in this
!rison4 but when thou liberatest me( $ will relate to thee their case"L+ The fisherman said( Thou must be
thrown into the sea( and there shall be no way of esca!e for thee from it4 for $ endeavoured to !ro!itiate
thee( and humbled myself before thee( yet thou wouldest nothin# but my destruction( thou#h $ had
committed no offence to deserve it( and had done no evil to thee whatever( but only #ood( deliverin#
thee from thy confinement4 and when thou didst thus unto me( $ !erceived that thou wast radically
corru!t: and $ would have thee know( that my motive for throwin# thee into this sea( is( that $ may
ac0uaint with thy story every one that shall take thee out( and caution him a#ainst thee( that he may cast
thee in a#ain: thus shalt thou remain in this sea to the end of time( and ex!erience varieties of torment"
CThe '1freet then said( 'iberate me( for this is an o!!ortunity for thee to dis!lay humanity4 and $ vow
to thee that $ will never do thee harm4 but( on the contrary( will do thee a service that shall enrich thee
for ever"
A!on this the fisherman acce!ted his covenant that he would not hurt him( but that he would do him
#ood4 and when he had bound him by oaths and vows( and made him swear by the &ost 2reat Name of
2od( he o!ened to him4 and the smoke ascended until it had all come forth( and then collected to#ether(
and became( as before( an '1freet of hideous form" The '1freet then kicked the bottle into the sea" 5hen
the fisherman saw him do this( he made sure of destruction( and said( This is no si#n of #ood:Cbut
afterwards he fortified his heart( and said( ; '1freet( 2od( whose name be exalted( hath said( 8erform
the covenant( for the covenant shall be in0uired into:L@Cand thou has covenanted with me( and sworn
that thou wilt not act treacherously towards me4 therefore( if thou so act( 2od will recom!ense thee4 for
%e is 7ealous4 %e res!iteth( but suffereth not to esca!e4 and remember that $ said to thee as said the sa#e
?oobDn to =in# SoonDn( /!are me( and so may 2od s!are thee"
The '1freet lau#hed( and( walkin# on before him( said( ; fisherman( follow me" The fisherman did so(
not believin# in his esca!e( until they had 0uitted the nei#hbourhood of the city( and ascended a
mountain( and descended into a wide desert tract( in the midst of which was a lake of water" %ere the
'1freet sto!!ed( and ordered,, the fisherman to cast his net and take some fish4 and the fisherman(
lookin# into the lake( saw in it fish of different colours( white and red and blue and yellow4 at which he
was astonished4 and he cast his net( and drew it in( and found in it four fish( each fish of a different
colour from the others( at the si#ht of which he re7oiced" The '1freet then said to him( Take them to the
/ulEDn(LL and !resent them to him( and he will #ive thee what will enrich thee4 and for the sake of 2od
acce!t my excuse( for( at !resent( $ know no other way of rewardin# thee( havin# been in the sea a
thousand and ei#ht hundred years( and not seen the surface of the earth until now: but take not fish
from the lake more than once each day: and now $ commend thee to the care of 2od"C%avin# thus
said( he struck the earth with his feet( and it clove asunder( and swallowed him"
The fisherman then went back to the city( wonderin# at all that had befallen him with the '1freet( and
carried the fish to his house4 and he took an earthen bowl( and( havin# filled it with water( !ut the fish
into it4 and they stru##led in the water: and when he had done this( he !laced the bowl u!on his head(
and re!aired to the =in#'s !alace( as the '1freet had commanded him( and( #oin# u! unto the =in#(
!resented to him the fish4 and the =in# was excessively astonished at them( for he had never seen any
like them in the course of his life4 and he said( 2ive these fish to the slave cook)maid" This maid had
been sent as a !resent to him by the =in# of the 2reeks( three days before4 and he had not yet tried her
skill" The 5eOeer( therefore( ordered her to fry the fish( and said to her( ; maid( the =in# saith unto
thee( $ have not reserved my tear but for the time of my difficulty:Cto)day( then( #ratify us by a
s!ecimen of thy excellent cookery( for a !erson hath brou#ht these fish as a !resent to the /ulEDn" 6fter
havin# thus char#ed her( the 5eOeer returned( and the =in# ordered him to #ive the fisherman four
hundred !ieces of,. #old: so the 5eOeer #ave them to him4 and he took them in his la!( and returned to
his home and his wife( 7oyful and ha!!y( and bou#ht what was needful for his family"
/uch were the events that befell the fisherman: now we must relate what ha!!ened to the maid"C/he
took the fish( and cleaned them( and arran#ed them in the fryin#)!an( and left them until one side was
cooked( when she turned them u!on the other side4 and lo( the wall of the kitchen clove asunder( and
there came forth from it a damsel of tall stature( smooth)cheeked( of !erfect form( with eyes adorned
with koGl(LN beautiful in countenance( and with heavy( swellin# hi!s4 wearin# a koofeeyehL-
interwoven with blue silk4 with rin#s in her ears( and bracelets on her wrists( and rin#s set with !recious
7ewels on her fin#ers4 and in her hand was a rod of $ndian cane: and she di!!ed the end of the rod in the
fryin#)!an( and said( ; fish( are ye remainin# faithful to your covenantR 6t the si#ht of this( the cook)
maid fainted" The damsel then re!eated the same words a second and a third time4 after which the fish
raised their heads from the fryin#)!an( and answered( Ses( yes" They then re!eated the followin# verse:
C
$f thou return( we return4 and if thou come( we come4 and if thou forsake( we verily do the same"
6nd u!on this the damsel overturned the fryin#)!an( and de!arted by the way she had entered( and the
wall of the kitchen closed u! a#ain" The cook)maid then arose( and beheld the four fish burnt like
charcoal4 and she exclaimed( $n his first encounter his staff broke_Cand as she sat re!roachin# herself(
she beheld the 5eOeer standin# at her head4 and he said to her( 9rin# the fish to the /ulEDn:Cand she
we!t( and informed him of what had ha!!ened"LU.Z
The 5eOeer was astonished at her words( and exclaimed( This is indeed a wonderful event4Cand he
sent for the fisherman( and when he was brou#ht( he said to him( ; fisherman( thou must brin# to us
four fish like those which thou brou#htest before" The fisherman accordin#ly went forth to the lake( and
threw his net( and when he had drawn it in he found in it four fish as before4 and he took them to the
5eOeer( who went with them to the maid( and said to her( <ise( and fry them in my !resence( that $ may
witness this occurrence" The maid( therefore( !re!ared the fish( and !ut them in the fryin#)!an( and
they had remained but a little while( when the wall clove asunder( and the damsel a!!eared( clad as
before( and holdin# the rod4 and she di!!ed the end of the rod in the fryin#)!an( and said( ; fish( ;
fish( are ye remainin# faithful to your old covenantR A!on which they raised their heads( and answered
as before4 and the damsel overturned the fryin#)!an with the rod( and returned by the way she had
entered( and the wall closed u! a#ain"
The 5eOeer then said( This is an event which cannot be concealed.+ from the =in#:Cso he went to
him( and informed him of what had ha!!ened in his !resence4 and the =in# said( $ must see this with
my own eyes" %e sent( therefore( to the fisherman( and commanded him to brin# four fish like the
former4 #rantin# him a delay of three days" 6nd the fisherman re!aired to the lake( and brou#ht the fish
thence to the =in#( who ordered a#ain that four hundred !ieces of #old should be #iven to him4 and
then( turnin# to the 5eOeer( said to him( Cook the fish thyself here before me" The 5eOeer answered( $
hear and obey" %e brou#ht the fryin#)!an( and( after he had cleaned the fish( threw them into it4 and as
soon as he had turned them( the wall clove asunder( and there came forth from it a ne#ro( in siOe like a
bull( or like one of the tribe of 'dd(LW havin# in his hand a branch of a #reen tree4 and he said( with a
clear but terrifyin# voice( ; fish( ; fish( are ye remainin# faithful to your old covenantR A!on which
they raised their heads( and answered as before( Ses( yes:
$f thou return( we return4 and if thou come( we come4 and if thou forsake( we verily do the same"
The black then a!!roached the fryin#)!an( and overturned it with the branch( and the fish became like
charcoal( and he went away as he had come"
5hen he had thus disa!!eared from before their eyes( the =in# said( This is an event res!ectin# which
it is im!ossible to kee! silence( and there must( undoubtedly( be some stran#e circumstance connected
with these fish" %e then ordered that the fisherman should be brou#ht before him( and when he had
come( he said to him( 5hence came these fishR The fisherman answered( 3rom a lake between four
mountains behind this mountain which is without thy city" The =in# said to him( %ow many days'
7ourneyL, distantR %e answered( ; our lord the /ulEDn( a 7ourney of half)an)hour" 6nd the /ulEDn was
astonished( and ordered his troo!s to #o out immediately with him and the fisherman( who be#an to
curse the '1freet" They !roceeded until they had ascended the mountain( and descended into a wide
desert tract which they had never before seen in their whole lives4 and the /ulEDn and all the troo!s
wondered at the si#ht of this desert( which was between four mountains( and at the fish( which were of
four colours( red and white and yellow and blue" The =in# !aused in astonishment( and said to the
troo!s( and to the other attendants who were with him( %ath any one of you before seen this lake in this
!laceR They all answered( No" Then said the =in#( 9y 6llah( $ will not enter my city( nor will $ sit u!on
my throne( until $ know the true history of.@ this lake( and of its fish" 6nd u!on this he ordered his
!eo!le to encam! around these mountains4 and they did so" %e then called for the 5eOeer( who was a
well)informed( sensible( !rudent( and learned man4 and when he had !resented himself before him( he
said to him( $ desire to do a thin# with which $ will ac0uaint thee4 and it is this:C$ have resolved to
de!art alone this ni#ht( to seek for information res!ectin# this lake and its fish: therefore( sit thou at the
door of my !avilion( and say to the 1meers and 5eOeers and Chamberlains( The /ulEDn is sick( and
hath commanded me not to allow any !erson to #o in unto him:Cand ac0uaint no one with my
intention"
The 5eOeer was unable to o!!ose his desi#n4 so the =in# dis#uised himself( and slun# on his sword(
and withdrew himself from the midst of his troo!s" %e 7ourneyed the whole of the ni#ht( until the
mornin#( and !roceeded until the heat became o!!ressive to him: he then !aused to rest4 after which he
a#ain !roceeded the remainder of the day and the second ni#ht until the mornin#( when there a!!eared
before him( in the distance( somethin# black( at the si#ht of which he re7oiced( and said( 8erha!s $ shall
there find some !erson who will inform me of the history of the lake and its fish" 6nd when he
a!!roached this black ob7ect( he found it to be a !alace built of black stones( and overlaid with iron4
and one of the leaves of its doors was o!en( and the other shut" The =in# was #lad( and he stood at the
door( and knocked #ently( but heard no answer4 he knocked a second and a third time( but a#ain heard
no answer: then he knocked a fourth time( and with violence4 but no one answered" /o he said( $t is
doubtless em!ty:Cand he took coura#e( and entered from the door into the !assa#e( and cried out(
sayin#( ; inhabitants of the !alace( $ am a stran#er and a traveller_ have ye any !rovisionR 6nd he
re!eated these words a second and a third time4 but heard no answer".L 6nd u!on this he fortified his
heart( and emboldened himself( and !roceeded from the !assa#e into the midst of the !alace4 but he
found no one there( and only saw that it was furnished( and that there was( in the centre of it( a fountain
with four lions of red #old( which !oured forth the water from their mouths( like !earls and 7ewels:
around this were birds4 and over the to! of the !alace was extended a net which !revented their flyin#
out" 6t the si#ht of these ob7ects he was astonished( and he was #rieved that he saw no !erson there
whom he could ask for information res!ectin# the lake( and the fish( and the mountains( and the !alace"
%e then sat down between the doors(L. reflectin# u!on these thin#s4 and as he thus sat( he heard a
voice of lamentation from a sorrowful heart( chantin# these verses:C
; fortune( thou !itiest me not( nor releasest me_ /ee my heart is straitened between affliction and !eril_
5ill not you [; my wife have com!assion on the mi#hty whom love hath abased( and the wealthy
who is reduced to indi#enceR 5e were 7ealous even of the Oe!hyr which !assed over you: but when the
divine decree is issued( the eye becometh blind_ 5hat resource hath the archer when( in the hour of
conflict( he desireth to dischar#e the arrow( but findeth his bow)strin# broken" 6nd when troubles are
multi!lied u!on the noble)minded( where shall he find refu#e from fate and from destinyRNZ
5hen the /ulEDn heard this lamentation( he s!ran# u!on his feet( and( seekin# the direction whence it
!roceeded( found a curtain sus!ended before the door of a chamber4 and he raised it( and beheld behind
it a youn# man sittin# on a couch raised to the hei#ht of a cubit from the floor" %e was a handsome
youth( well)sha!ed( and of elo0uent s!eech( with shinin# forehead( and rosy cheek( marked with a mole
resemblin# amber#ris" The =in# was re7oiced at seein# him( and saluted him4 and the youn# man (who
remained sittin#( and was clad with a vest of silk( embroidered with #old( but who exhibited traces of
#rief) returned his salutation( and said to him( ; my master( excuse my not risin#"C; youth_ said the
=in#( inform me res!ectin# the lake( and its fish of various colours( and res!ectin# this !alace( and the
reason of thy bein# alone in it( and of thy lamentation" 5hen the youn# man heard these words( tears
trickled down his cheeks( and he we!t bitterly"N+ 6nd the =in# was astonished( and said to him( 5hat
causeth thee to wee!( ; youthR %e answered( %ow can $ refrain from wee!in#( when this is my stateR
Cand so sayin#( he stretched forth his hand( and lifted u! the skirts of his clothin#4 and lo( half of him(
from his waist to the soles of his feet( was stone4 and from.N his waist to the hair of his head( he was
like other men" %e then said( =now( ; =in#( that the story of the fish is extraordinary4 if it were
en#raved u!on the intellect( it would be a lesson to him who would be admonished:Cand he related as
follows:C
THE STORY OF THE YOUNG ING OF THE BLAC ISLANDS.
&y father was kin# of the city which was here situate: his name was &aGmood( and he was lord of the
9lack $slands( and of the four mountains" 6fter a rei#n of seventy years( he died( and $ succeeded to his
throne4 whereu!on $ took as my wife the dau#hter of my uncle4 and she loved me excessively( so that
when $ absented myself from her( she would neither eat nor drink till she saw me a#ain" /he remained
under my !rotection five years" 6fter this( she went one day to the bath4 and $ had commanded the cook
to !re!are the su!!er( and entered this !alace( and sle!t in my usual !lace"N@ $ had ordered two maids
to fan me4NL and one of them sat at my head( and the other at my feet4 but $ was restless( because my
wife was not with me4 and $ could not slee!" &y eyes were closed( but my s!irit.- was awake4 and $
heard the maid at my head say to her at my feet( ; &es'oodeh(NN verily our lord is unfortunate in his
youth( and what a !ity is it that it should be !assed with our de!raved( wicked mistress_C8erdition to
unfaithful wives_ re!lied the other: but (added she) such a !erson as our lord( so endowed by nature( is
not suited to this !rofli#ate woman( who !asses every ni#ht absent from his bed"CFerily( re7oined she
at my head( our lord is careless in not makin# any in0uiry res!ectin# her"C5o to thee_ said the other:
hath our lord any knowled#e of her conduct( or doth she leave him to his choiceR Nay( on the contrary(
she contriveth to defraud him by means of the cu! of wineN- which he drinketh every ni#ht before he
slee!eth( !uttin# ben7NU into it4 in conse0uence of which he slee!eth so soundly that he knoweth not
what ha!!eneth( nor whither she #oeth( nor what she doeth4 for( after she hath #iven him the wine to
drink( she dresseth herself( and #oeth out from him( and is absent until daybreak( when she returneth to
him( and burneth a !erfume under his nose( u!on which he awaketh from his slee!"
5hen $ heard this conversation of the maids( the li#ht became darkness before my face( and $ was
hardly conscious of the a!!roach of ni#ht( when my cousin returned from the bath" The table was
!re!ared( and we ate( and sat a while drinkin# our wine as usual" $ then called for the wine which $ was
accustomed to drink before $ lay down to slee!( and she handed to me the cu!4 but $ turned away( and(
!retendin# to drink it as $ was wont to do( !oured it into my bosom( and immediately lay down: u!on
which she said( /lee! on4 $ wish.U that thou wouldst never wake a#ain_ 9y 6llah( $ abhor thee( and
abhor thy !erson( and my soul is weary of thy com!any_C/he then arose( and attired herself in the
most ma#nificent of her a!!arel( and( havin# !erfumed herself( and slun# on a sword( o!ened the door
of the !alace( and went out" $ #ot u! immediately( and followed her until she had 0uitted the !alace( and
!assed throu#h the streets of the city( and arrived at the city)#ates( when she !ronounced some words
that $ understood not4 whereu!on the locks fell off( and the #ates o!ened( and she went out( $ still
followin# her( without her knowled#e" Thence she !roceeded to a s!ace amon# the mounds(NW and
arrived at a stron# edifice( in which was a JubbehN, constructed of mud( with a door( which she
entered" $ then climbed u!on the roof of the Jubbeh( and( lookin# down u!on her throu#h an a!erture(
saw that she was visitin# a black slave( whose lar#e li!s( one of which overla!!ed the other( #athered
u! the sand from the !ebbly floor( while he lay( in a filthy and wet condition( u!on a few stalks of
su#ar)cane"
/he kissed the #round before this slave4 and he raised his head towards her( and said( 5o to thee_
5herefore hast thou remained away until this hourR The other blacks have been here drinkin# wine(
and each of them has #one away with his mistress4 and $ refused to drink on thy account"C/he
answered( ; my master( and beloved of my heart( knowest thou not that $ am married to my cousin( and
that $ abhor every man who resembles him( and hate myself while $ am in his com!anyR $f $ did not
fear to dis!lease thee( $ would reduce the city to ruins( so that the owl and the raven should cry in it(
and would trans!ort its stones beyond &ount PDf"N.CThou liest( thou infamous woman( re!lied the
slave4 and $ swear by the #enerosity of the blacks (and if $ s!eak not truth( may our valour be as the
valour of the whites)( that if thou loiter as thou hast now done till this hour( $ will no lon#er #ive thee
my com!any( nor a!!roach thy !erson( thou faithless one_ ?ost thou inconvenience me for the sake of
thine own !leasure( thou filthy wretch( and vilest of the whitesRC5hen $ heard (continued the =in#)
their words( and witnessed what !assed between them( the world became dark before my face( and $
knew not where $ was"C&y cousin still stood wee!in#( and abasin# herself before him( and said( ; my
beloved( and treasure of my heart( there remaineth to me none but thee for whom $ care( and if thou
cast me off( alas for me_ ; my beloved_ ; li#ht of mine eye_CThus she continued to wee!( and to
humble herself before him( until he became !acified towards her4 u!on which she re7oiced( and arose(
and( havin# dis.Wrobed herself( said to him( ; my master( hast thou here anythin# that thy maid may
eatR %e answered( Ancover the dou#h)!an4 it contains some cooked rats' bones:-Z eat of them( and
!ick them4 and take this earthen !ot: thou wilt find in it some boobah-+ to drink" /o she arose( and ate
and drank( and washed her hands4 after which she lay down by the side of the slave( u!on the stalks of
su#ar)cane( and covered herself with his tattered clothes and ra#s"
5hen $ saw her do this( $ became unconscious of my existence( and( descendin# from the roof of the
Jubbeh( entered( and took the sword from the side of my cousin( with the intention of killin# them both"
$ struck the slave u!on his neck( and thou#ht that he was killed4 but the blow( which $ #ave with the
view of severin# his head( only cut the #ullet and skin and flesh4 and when $ thou#ht that $ had killed
him( he uttered a loud snore( u!on which my cousin started u!( and as soon as $ had #one( took the
sword( and returned it to its., scabbard( and came back to the city and to the !alace( and lay down
a#ain in my bed( in which she remained until the mornin#"
;n the followin# day( $ observed that my cousin had cut off her hair( and !ut on the a!!arel of
mournin#4-@ and she said to me( ; my cousin( blame me not for what $ do4 for $ have received news
that my mother is dead( and that my father hath been slain in a holy war( and that one of my two
brothers hath died of a !oisonous stin#( and the other by the fall of a house: it is natural( therefore( that
$ should wee! and mourn" ;n hearin# these words( $ abstained from u!braidin# her( and said( ?o what
seemeth fit to thee4 for $ will not o!!ose thee" 6ccordin#ly( she continued mournin# and wee!in# and
wailin# a whole year4 after which she said to me( $ have a desire to build for myself( in thy !alace( a
tomb( with a Jubbeh( that $ may re!air thither alone to mourn( and $ will call it the %ouse of
'amentations"-L $ re!lied( ?o what thou seest fit" /o she built for herself a house for mournin#( with a
Jubbeh in the middle of it( like the tomb of a saint4-N after which she removed thither the slave( and
there she lod#ed him" %e was in a state of excessive weakness( and unable to render her any service(
thou#h he drank wine4 and from the day on which $ had wounded him( he had never s!oken4 yet he
remained alive( because the a!!ointed term of his life had not ex!ired" &y cousin every day visited him
in this tomb early and late( to wee! and mourn over him( and took to him wine to drink( and boiled
meats4 and thus she continued to do( mornin# and evenin#( until the ex!iration of the second year(
while $ !atiently suffered her( till one day( $ entered her a!artment unawares( and found her wee!in#(
and sla!!in# her face( and re!eatin# these verses:C
$ have lost my existence amon# mankind since your absence4 for my heart loveth none but you" Take
my body( then( in mercy( to the !lace where you are laid4 and there bury me by your side: 6nd if( at my
#rave( you utter my name( the moanin# of my bones shall answer to your call"
6s soon as she had finished the recitation of these verses( $ said to her( holdin# my drawn sword in my
hand( This is the lan#ua#e of those faithless women who renounce the ties of affinity( and re#ard not
lawful fellowshi!_Cand $ was about to strike her with the sword( and had lifted u! my arm to do so(
when she roseCfor she knew that it was $ who had wounded the slaveCand( standin# before me(
!ronounced some words which $ understood not( and said( &ay 2od( by means of my enchantment(
make thee to be half of stone( and half of.. the substance of man_Cwhereu!on $ became as thou seest(
unable to move( neither dead nor alive4 and when $ had been reduced to this state( she enchanted the
city and its markets and fields" The inhabitants of our city were of four classes4 &uslims( and
Christians( and *ews( and &a#ians4 and she transformed them into fish: the white are the &uslims4 the
red( the &a#ians4 the blue( the Christians4 and the yellow( the *ews"-- /he transformed( also( the four
islands into four mountains( and !laced them around the lake4 and from that time she has continued
every day to torture me( inflictin# u!on me a hundred lashes with a leathern whi!( until the blood flows
from my wounds4 after which she !uts on my u!!er half a vest of hair)cloth( beneath these #arments"C
%avin# said thus( the youn# man we!t( and e7aculatin# the followin# verses:C
2ive me !atience( ; 6llah( to bear what Thou decreest_ $ will be !atient( if so $ may obtain thine
a!!roval" $ am straitened( indeed( by the calamity that hath befallen me: but the 3amily of the favoured
8ro!het shall intercede for me_-U
A!on this( the =in#( lookin# towards the youn# man( said to him( ; youth( thou hast increased my
anxiety" 6nd where (he added) is this womanRCThe youn# man answered( /he is in the tomb where
the slave is lyin#( in the Jubbeh4 and every day( before she visits him( she stri!s me of my clothin#( and
inflicts u!on me a hundred lashes with the whi!( while $ wee! and cry out( unable to move so as to
re!ulse her" 6fter thus torturin# me( she re!airs early to the slave( with the wine and boiled meat"C9y
6llah( ; youth( said the =in#( $ will do thee an act of kindness for which $ shall be remembered( and a
favour which historians shall record in a bio#ra!hy after me"
%e then sat and conversed with him until the a!!roach of ni#ht( u!on which he arose( and waited till
the first dawn of day( when he took off his clothes( and slun# on his sword( and went to the !lace where
the slave lay" 6fter remarkin# the candles and lam!s( and !erfumes and ointments( he a!!roached the
slave( and with a blow of his sword slew him: he then carried him on his back( and threw him into a
well which he found in the !alace( and( returnin# to the Jubbeh( clad himself with the slave's clothes(
and lay down with the drawn sword by his side" /oon after( the vile enchantress went to her cousin(
and( havin# !ulled off his clothes( took the whi!( and beat him( while he cried( 6h_ it is enou#h for me
to be in this state_ %ave !ity on me then_C?idst thou shew !ity to me( she exclaimed( and didst
thou+ZZ s!are my loverRC/he then !ut on him the hair)cloth vest and his outer #arments( and re!aired
to the slave with a cu! of wine( and a bowl of boiled meat" 1nterin# the tomb( she we!t and wailed(
exclaimin#( ; my master( answer me_ ; my master( s!eak to me_Cand !oured forth her lamentation in
the words of this verse:C
%ow lon# shall this aversion and harshness continueR /ufficient is the evil which my !assion hath
brou#ht u!on me_-W
Then( wee!in# as before( she exclaimed a#ain( ; my master( answer me( and s!eak to me_ A!on this
the =in#( s!eakin# in a low voice( and ada!tin# his ton#ue to the !ronunciation of the blacks(
e7aculated( 6h_ 6h_ there is no stren#th nor !ower but in 2od_ ;n hearin# these words( she screamed
with 7oy( and fell down in a swoon4 and when she recovered( she exclaimed( 8ossibly my master is
restored to health_ The =in#( a#ain lowerin# his voice( as if from weakness( re!lied( Thou !rofli#ate
wretch( thou deservest not that $ should address thee"C5hereforeR said she" %e answered( 9ecause all
the day lon# thou tormentest thy husband( while he calleth out( and im!loreth the aid of 2od( so that
thou hast !revented my slee!in# from the commencement of darkness until mornin#: thy husband hath
not ceased to humble himself( and to im!recate ven#eance u!on thee( till he hath distracted me4 and
had it not been for this( $ had recovered my stren#th: this it is which hath !revented my answerin# thee"
CThen( with thy !ermission( she re!lied( $ will liberate him from his !resent sufferin#s"C'iberate
him( said the =in#( and #ive us ease"
/he re!lied( $ hear and obey4Cand immediately arose( and went out from the Jubbeh to the !alace(
and( takin# a cu!( filled it with water( and !ronounced certain words over it( u!on which it be#an to
boil like a cauldron" /he then s!rinkled some of it u!on her cousin( sayin#( 9y virtue of what $ have
uttered( be chan#ed from thy !resent state to that in which thou wast at first_Cand instantly he shook(
and stood u!on his feet( re7oicin# in his liberation( and exclaimed( $ testify+Z+ that there is no deity but
2od( and that &oGammad is 2od's 6!ostle4 2od bless and save him_ /he then said to him( ?e!art( and
return not hither( or $ will kill thee:Cand she cried out in his face: so he de!arted from before her( and
she returned to the Jubbeh( and said( ; my master( come forth to me that $ may behold thee" %e re!lied(
with a weak voice( 5hat hast thou doneR Thou hast relieved me from the branch( but hast not relieved
me from the root"C; my beloved( she said( and what is the rootR %e answered( The !eo!le of this city(
and of the four islands: every ni#ht( at the middle hour( the fish raise their heads( and im!recate
ven#eance u!on me and u!on thee4 and this is the cause that !reventeth the return of vi#our to my
body4 therefore( liberate them( and come( and take my hand( and raise me4 for vi#our hath already in
!art returned to me"
;n hearin# these words of the =in#( whom she ima#ined to be the slave( she said to him with 7oy( ;
my master( on my head and my eye_ $n the name of 6llah_-,Cand she s!ran# u!( full of ha!!iness(
and hastened to the lake( where( takin# a little of its water( she !ronounced over it some unintelli#ible
words( whereu!on the fish became a#itated( and raised their heads( and immediately became converted
into men as before" Thus was the enchantment removed from the inhabitants of the city( and the city
became re!eo!led( and the market)streets re)erected( and every one returned to his occu!ation: the
mountains also became chan#ed into islands as they were at the+Z@ first" The enchantress then returned
immediately to the =in#( whom she still ima#ined to be the slave( and said to him( ; my beloved(
stretch forth thy honoured hand( that $ may kiss it"C6!!roach me( said the =in# in a low voice" /o she
drew near to him4 and he( havin# his keen)ed#ed sword ready in his hand( thrust it into her bosom( and
the !oint !rotruded from her back: he then struck her a#ain( and clove her in twain( and went forth"
%e found the youn# man who had been enchanted waitin# his return( and con#ratulated him on his
safety4 and the youn# !rince kissed his hand( and thanked him" The =in# then said to him( 5ilt thou
remain in thy city( or come with me to my ca!italRC; =in# of the a#e( said the youn# man( dost thou
know the distance that is between thee and thy cityR The =in# answered( Two days and a half"C;
=in#( re!lied the youn# man( if thou hast been aslee!( awake: between thee and thy city is a distance of
a year's 7ourney to him who travelleth with dili#ence4 and thou camest in two days and a half only
because the city was enchanted: but( ; =in#( $ will never 0uit thee for the twinklin# of an eye" The
=in# re7oiced at his words( and said( 8raise be to 2od( who hath in his beneficence #iven thee to me:
thou art my son4 for durin# my whole life( $ have never been blest with a son:Cand they embraced
each other( and re7oiced exceedin#ly" They then went to#ether into the !alace( where the =in# who had
been enchanted informed the officers of his court that he was about to !erform the holy !il#rima#e: so
they !re!ared for him everythin# that he re0uired4 and he de!arted with the /ulEDn4 his heart burnin#
with reflections u!on his city( because he had been de!rived of the si#ht of it for the s!ace of a year"
%e set forth( accom!anied by fifty memlooks(-. and !rovided with !resents( and they continued their
7ourney ni#ht and day for a whole year( after which they drew near to the city of the /ulEDn( and the
5eOeer and the troo!s( who had lost all ho!e of his return( came forth to meet him" The troo!s(
a!!roachin# him( kissed the #round before him( and con#ratulated him on his safe return4 and he
entered the city( and sat u!on the throne" %e then ac0uainted the 5eOeer with all that had ha!!ened to
the youn# =in#4 on hearin# which( the 5eOeer con#ratulated the latter( also( on his safety4 and when all
thin#s were restored to order( the /ulEDn bestowed !resents u!on a number of his sub7ects( and said to
the 5eOeer( 9rin# to me the fisherman who !resented to me the fish" /o he sent to this fisherman( who
had been the cause of the restoration of the inhabitants of the enchanted city(+ZL and brou#ht him4 and
the =in# invested him with a dress of honour( and in0uired of him res!ectin# his circumstances( and
whether he had any children" The fisherman informed him that he had a son and two dau#hters4 and the
=in#( on hearin# this( took as his wife one of the dau#hters( and the youn# !rince married the other"UZ
The =in# also conferred u!on the son the office of treasurer" %e then sent the 5eOeer to the city of the
youn# !rince( the ca!ital of the 9lack $slands( and invested him with its soverei#nty( des!atchin# with
him the fifty memlooks who had accom!anied him thence( with numerous robes of honour to all the
1meers: and the 5eOeer kissed his hands( and set forth on his 7ourney4 while the /ulEDn and the youn#
!rince remained" 6nd as to the fisherman( he became the wealthiest of the !eo!le of his a#e4 and his
dau#hters continued to be the wives of the =in#s until they died"
9ut this (added /hahraODd) is not more wonderful than what ha!!ened to the !orter"
+ZN
NOTES TO CHAPTER SECOND.
Note +" The sentiment ex!ressed in this verse is one which is often heard from the mouth of a &uslim4
but #enerally when( his toil is ended( and its result seen4 thou#h not unfre0uently as an excuse for
indolence"
Note @" The bottle is here described (by the term BJumJumB) as of a kind commonly used for s!rinklin#
rose)water( Mc"( havin# a s!herical or wide body( with a lon# and narrow neck" $ remember seein# a #ilt
brass bottle of this kind( of very beautiful workmanshi!( for which nearly as much as ten !ieces of #old
was demanded"
Note L" The seal of /uleymDn( or /olomon( has twice been mentioned in former notes4 in No" @+ of the
notes a!!ended to the $ntroduction( and in No" +- of those to the first cha!ter"
Note N" $t is necessary to remark( that this and many other descri!tions in the !resent work are not
desi#ned to be understood in their literal sense" The reader will often be re0uired to make some
allowance for ;riental hy!erbole( and to distin#uish between ex!ressions characterised by this fi#ure(
and such as are !urely accordant with 1astern #randeur and ma#nificence( or with &uslim su!erstition"
Note -" The end of the winnowin#)fork bears a rude resemblance to a #i#antic hand4 havin# several
lon# !ron#s of wood"
Note U" $nstead of BibreeJB (a ewer)( in the Cairo edition( $ read BabwDJB (trum!ets)( as in other
editions"
Note W" This a!!ellation has been mentioned in a former note( as si#nifyin# an evil *innee of the most
!owerful class"
Note ," $t is a rule observed in decent society( by the 6rabs( to avoid( as much as !ossible( the mention
of o!!robrious e!ithets( lest any !erson !resent should ima#ine such e!ithets to be addressed
insidiously to himself" 3or this reason( when any malediction or offensive lan#ua#e is re!eated in a
story( it is usual with them to desi#nate the ob7ect of such lan#ua#e by this term( which si#nifies both
remote or absent from the !erson or !ersons in whose !resence the words are re!eated( and remote
from virtue or #ood" $n the !resent instance( BremoteB is an e!ithet substituted by /hahraODd for some
other of a #ross nature( from res!ect to the kin# to whom she is relatin# the story"
Note ." $ read BIakhr el)*inneeB for BIakhr el)*inn"BCIakhr was an evil *innee( and a terrible enemy of
/olomon" %is last act of treachery to that monarch( and+Z- his fate( are thus related by commentators
on the Pur)Dn"C/olomon havin#( throu#h ne#li#ence( suffered one of his women to !ractise idolatry
under his roof( 2od saw fit to !unish him" $t was the custom of this =in#( on certain occasions( Bto
intrust his si#net( on which his kin#dom de!ended( with a concubine of his( named 1l)1meeneh" ;ne
day( therefore( when she had the rin# in her custody( a devil [or evil *innee( named Iakhr( came to her
in the sha!e of /olomon( and received the rin# from her4 by virtue of which he became !ossessed of the
kin#dom( and sat on the throne in the sha!e which he had borrowed( makin# what alterations in the law
he !leased" /olomon( in the meantime( bein# chan#ed in his outward a!!earance( and known to none of
his sub7ects( was obli#ed to wander about( and be# alms for his subsistence4 till at len#th( after the
s!ace of forty days( which was the time the ima#e had been worshi!!ed in his house( the devil flew
away( and threw the si#net into the sea" The si#net was immediately swallowed by a fish( which bein#
taken and #iven to /olomon( he found the rin# in its belly4 and havin# by this means recovered the
kin#dom( he took Iakhr( and( tyin# a #reat stone to his neck( threw him into the 'ake of Tiberias"B+-Z
Note +Z" BAmm)'dmirB is an a!!ellation of the hyena" $t is scarcely necessary to mention( that the
!roverb here 0uoted is said to have ori#inated from the fact of a man's havin# been devoured by a
hyena whom he had aided a#ainst an enemy"
Note ++" $n some co!ies( the !ersona#e here mentioned is called B&elik el)SoonDn(B that is( B=in# of
6ncient 2reece(B orCBof the 6ncient 2reeks"B $ have followed the Cairo edition( and that of the first
two hundred ni#hts( !rinted at Calcutta( in which BSoonDnB is used as the =in#'s !ro!er name" /ee also
Note +L"
Note +@" This is the name of the sa#e in most co!ies4 but in the Cairo edition he is called B<ooyDn"B
Note +L" $n the Calcutta edition( the kin# is merely said to have rei#ned Bin the country of the
8ersians(B as in my translation4 but in the Cairo edition( he is said to have been Bin the city of the
8ersians( and the country of <oomDn4B which may !erha!s mean (thou#h this is hardly allowable) the
[eastern <oman( or later 2reek( em!ire4 an unnecessary contradiction" (/ee Note @@ to Cha!ter x") $t is
obviously more a#reeable with the story to re#ard him as a 8ersian =in#"
Note +N" BThe ;rnament of the 2ood(B orCBof the Comely(B is an a!!ellation of the 6rabian !ro!het(
who is related to have said( BThe sun never riseth until it hath saluted me"B BThe sun's salutin# the
;rnament of the 2ood(B or BComely(B is( therefore( a !hrase not unfre0uently used by &uslims merely
to si#nify its risin#"
Note +-"COn the #e%ards of Men of $iterature and 'cience! $t has lon# been a common custom of
1astern !rinces to bestow dresses of honour u!on men of literature and science( as well as u!on their
#reat officers and other servants" These dresses were of different kinds for !ersons of different classes
or !rofessions" The most usual kind was an am!le coat" 5ith dresses of this descri!tion were often
#iven #old)embroidered turbans4 and sometimes( to 1meers (or #reat military officers)( neck)rin#s or
collars (called EXJs)( some of which were set with 7ewels4 as also( bracelets( and swords ornamented
with !recious stones( Mc"4 and to 5eOeers( instead of the EXJ( a necklace of 7ewels"+-+CThe followin#
strikin# record will convey an idea of the ma#nificence of some of these dresses of honour4 or( in other
words( of the liberality of a &uslim !rince( and( at the same time( of the very !recarious nature of his
favour" 6 !erson( chancin# to look at a re#ister ke!t by one of the officers of %Droon 1r)<asheed( saw
in it the followin# entry:CB3our hundred thousand !ieces of #old( the !rice of a dress of honour for
*aQfar( the son of SaGy]( the 5eOeer"BC6 few days after( he saw beneath this written(CBTen JeerDEs(
the !rice of na!htha and reeds( for burnin# the body of +ZU*aQfar( the son of SaGy]"B+-@CThe JeerDE
of 9a#hdDd was the twentieth !art of a deenDr( or !iece of #old"
6rab !rinces and other #reat men have #enerally been famous for hi#hly res!ectin#( and liberally
rewardin#( men of literature and science( and es!ecially !oets" 1l)&amoon and many others are well
known to us for their !atrona#e of the learned" 1r)<asheed carried his condescension to them so far as
to !our the water on the hands of a blind man( 6boo)&o'Dwiyeh( one of the most learned !ersons of his
time( !reviously to his eatin# with him( to shew his res!ect for science"+-L 6n anecdote of a =haleefeh
orderin# the mouth of a learned man to be filled with 7ewels( $ have related in a former note" To cram
the mouth with su#ar or sweetmeats for a !olite or elo0uent s!eech( or !iece of !oetry( has been more
commonly done4 but the usual !resents to learned men were( and are( dresses of honour and sums of
money" $bn)';beyd 1l)9akhteree( an illustrious !oet and traditionist( who flourished in the rei#n of 1l)
&usta'een( is said to have received so many !resents( that( after his death( there were found( amon# the
!ro!erty which he left( a hundred com!lete suits of dress( two hundred shirts( and five hundred
turbans"+-N 6 thousand !ieces of #old were often #iven( and sometimes ten( twenty( or thirty( thousand(
and even more( for a few verses4 nay( for a sin#le cou!let"
The !rodi#ality of 6rab !rinces to men of learnin# may be exem!lified by the followin# anecdote:C
[ammDd( surnamed 1r)<Dwiyeh( or the famous reciter( havin# attached himself to the =haleefeh 1l)
5eleed( the son of '6bd)el)&elik( and shewn a contrary feelin# towards his brother %ishDm( on the
accession of the latter fled to 1l)=oofeh" 5hile there( a letter arrived from %ishDm( commandin# his
!resence at ?amascus: it was addressed to the #overnor( who( bein# ordered to treat him with honour(
#ave him a !urse containin# a thousand !ieces of #old( and des!atched him with the =haleefeh's
messen#er" ;n his arrival at ?amascus( he was conducted before %ishDm( whom he found in a s!lendid
saloon( seated under a !avilion of red silk( surmounted by a dome of yellow brocade( attended by two
female slaves of beauty unsur!assed( each holdin# a crystal ewer of wine" %is admission durin# the
!resence of members of the =in#'s Gareem( the reader will remark as a very unusual and hi#h honour:
the mention of the wine may also sur!rise him4 but this is a sub7ect u!on which much may be said( and
which will be considered on a future occasion" 6fter [ammDd had #iven the salutation( and the
=haleefeh had returned it( the latter told him that he had sent for him to ask res!ectin# a cou!let of
which he (the =haleefeh) could only remember that it ended with the word BibreeJ(B which si#nifies Ba
ewer"B The reciter reflected a while( and the lines occurred to his mind( and he re!eated them" %ishDm
cried out( in deli#ht( that the lines were those he meant4 drank a cu! of wine( and desired one of the
female slaves to hand a cu! to [ammDd" /he did so4 and the drau#ht( he says( de!rived him of one)
third of his reason" The =haleefeh desired him to re!eat the lines a#ain( and drank a second cu!4 and
[ammDd was de!rived of another third of his reason in the same manner4 and said( B; 8rince of the
3aithful( two)thirds of my reason have de!arted from me"B %ishDm lau#hed( and desired him to ask
what he would before the remainin# third should have #one4 and the reciter said( B;ne of these two
female slaves"B The =haleefeh lau#hed a#ain( and said( BNay( but both of them are thine( and all that is
u!on them( and all that they !ossess( and( beside them( fifty thousand !ieces of #old"BCB$ kissed the
#round before him(B says [ammDd( Band drank a third cu!( and was unconscious of what ha!!ened
after: $ did not awake till the close of the ni#ht( when $ found myself in a handsome house( surrounded
by li#hted candles( and the two female slaves were !uttin# in order my clothes and other thin#s: so $
took !ossession of the !ro!erty( and de!arted( the ha!!iest of the creatures of 2od"B+--
+ZW
6 whimsical story is told of a kin#( who denied to !oets those rewards to which usa#e had almost #iven
them a claim" This kin#( whose name is not recorded( had the faculty of retainin# in his memory an ode
after havin# only once heard it4 and he had a memlook who could re!eat an ode that he had twice
heard( and a female slave who could re!eat one that she had heard thrice" 5henever a !oet came to
com!liment him with a !ane#yrical ode( the =in# used to !romise him that( if he found his verses to be
his ori#inal com!osition( he would #ive him a sum of money e0ual in wei#ht to what they were written
u!on" The !oet( consentin#( would recite his ode4 and the =in# would say( B$t is not new4 for $ have
known it some years4B and would re!eat it as he had heard it4 after which he would add( B6nd this
memlook also retains it in his memory4B and would order the memlook to re!eat it4 which( havin#
heard it twice( from the !oet and the kin#( he would do" The =in# would then say to the !oet( B$ have
also a female slave who can re!eat it4B and on his orderin# her to do so( stationed behind the curtains(
she would re!eat what she had thus thrice heard: so the !oet would #o away em!ty)handed" The
famous !oet 1l)6Hma'ee( havin# heard of this !roceedin#( and #uessin# the trick( determined u!on
outwittin# the =in#4 and accordin#ly com!osed an ode made u! of very difficult words4 but this was
not his only !re!arative measure4 another will be !resently ex!lained4 and a third was( to assume the
dress of a 9edawee( that he mi#ht not be known( coverin# his face( the eyes only exce!ted( with a
lithDm (a !iece of dra!ery) in accordance with a custom of 6rabs of the desert" Thus dis#uised( he went
to the !alace( and( havin# asked !ermission( entered( and saluted the =in#( who said to him( B5hence
art thou( ; brother of the 6rabs( and what dost thou desireRB The !oet answered( B&ay 2od increase
the !ower of the =in#_ $ am a !oet of such a tribe( and have com!osed an ode in !raise of our lord the
/ulEDn"BCB; brother of the 6rabs(B said the =in#( Bhast thou heard of our conditionRBCBNo(B
answered the !oet4 Band what is it( ; =in# of the a#eRBCB$t is(B re!lied the =in#( Bthat if the ode be not
thine( we #ive thee no reward4 and if it be thine( we #ive thee the wei#ht in money of what it is written
u!on"BCB%ow(B said 1l)6Hma'ee( Bshould $ assume to myself that which belon#s to another( and
knowin#( too( that lyin# before kin#s is one of the basest of actionsR 9ut $ a#ree to this condition( ; our
lord the /ulEDn"B /o he re!eated his ode" The =in#( !er!lexed( and unable to remember any of it( made
a si#n to the memlookCbut he had retained nothin#4 and called to the female slave( but she also was
unable to re!eat a word" B; brother of the 6rabs(B said he( Bthou hast s!oken truth( and the ode is thine
without doubt: $ have never heard it before: !roduce( therefore( what it is written u!on( and we will
#ive thee its wei#ht in money( as we have !romised"BCB5ilt thou(B said the !oet( Bsend one of the
attendants to carry itRBCBTo carry whatRB asked the =in#4 Bis it not u!on a !a!er here in thy
!ossessionRBCBNo( ; our lord the /ulEDn(B re!lied the !oet4 Bat the time $ com!osed it $ could not
!rocure a !iece of !a!er u!on which to write it( and could find nothin# but a fra#ment of a marble
column left me by my father4 so $ en#raved it u!on this4 and it lies in the court of the !alace"B %e had
brou#ht it( wra!!ed u!( on the back of a camel" The =in#( to fulfil his !romise( was obli#ed to exhaust
his treasury4 and to !revent a re!etition of this trick (of which he afterwards discovered 1l)6Hma'ee to
have been the author)( in future rewarded the !oets accordin# to the usual custom of kin#s"+-U
The followin# case is also related as an exce!tion to the common custom of #reat men( with re#ard to
the bestowal of rewards on !oets:CB6 !oet !raised a #overnor in some verses( and the latter ordered an
ass's barda'ah (or stuffed saddle) and #irth to be #iven to him" The !oet went away with them on his
shoulder4 and( bein# asked what he had #ot( answered( '$ have !raised our honoured lord in the best of
my verses( and he hath bestowed on me some of the most ma#nificent articles of his a!!arel"'B+-W
Note +U"COn the ,ath! The GammDm( or bath( is a favourite resort of both men +Z,and women of all
classes amon# the &uslims who can afford the triflin# ex!ense which it re0uires4 and (it is said) not
only of human bein#s( but also of evil #enii4 on which account( as well as on that of decency( several
!rece!ts res!ectin# it have been dictated by &oGammad" $t is fre0uented for the !ur!ose of !erformin#
certain ablutions re0uired by the reli#ion( or by a re#ard for cleanliness( and for its salutary effects( and
for mere luxury"
The followin# descri!tion of a !ublic bath will convey a sufficient notion of those in !rivate houses(
which are on a smaller scale( and #enerally consist of only two or three chambers" The !ublic bath
com!rises several a!artments( with mosaic or tesselated !avements( com!osed of white and black
marble( and !ieces of fine red tile( and sometimes other materials" The inner a!artments are covered
with domes( havin# a number of small( round( #laOed a!ertures( for the admission of li#ht" The first
a!artment is the meslakh( or disrobin# room( which has( in the centre( a fountain of cold water( and(
next the walls( wide benches or !latforms( encased with marble" These are furnished with mattresses
and cushions for the hi#her and middle classes( and with mats for the !oorer sort" The inner division of
the buildin#( in the more re#ularly !lanned baths( occu!ies nearly a s0uare: the central and chief
!ortion of it is the !rinci!al a!artment( or GarDrah( which #enerally has the form of a cross" $n its centre
is a fountain of hot water( risin# from a base encased with marble( which serves as a seat" ;ne of the
an#les of the s0uare is occu!ied by the beyt)owwal( or antechamber of the GarDrah: in another( is the
fire over which is the boiler4 and each of the other two an#les is #enerally occu!ied by two small
chambers: in one of these is a tank filled with warm water( which !ours down from a s!out in the
dome: in the other are two ta!s( side by side4 one of hot( and the other of cold water( with a small
trou#h beneath( before which is a seat" The inner a!artments are heated by the steam which rises from
the fountain and tanks( and by the conti#uity of the fire4 but the beyt)owwal is not so hot as the GarDrah(
bein# se!arated from it by a door" $n cold weather( the bather undresses in the former( which has two or
three raised seats( like those of the meslakh"
5ith a !air of wooden clo#s to his feet( and havin# a lar#e na!kin round his loins( and #enerally a
second wound round his head like a turban( a third over his chest( and a fourth coverin# his back( he
enters the GarDrah( the heat of which causes him immediately to !ers!ire !rofusely" 6n attendant of the
bath removes from him all the na!kins exce!tin# the first4 and !roceeds to crack the 7oints of his
fin#ers and toes( Mc"( and several of the vertebr: of the back and neck4 kneads his flesh4 and rubs the
soles of his feet with a coarse earthen ras!( and his limbs and body with a woollen ba# which covers his
hand as a #love4 after which( the bather( if he !lease( !lun#es into one of the tanks" %e is then
thorou#hly washed with soa! and water( and fibres of the !alm)tree( and shaved( if he wish it( in one of
the small chambers which contain the ta!s of hot and cold water4 and returns to the beyt)owwal" %ere
he #enerally reclines u!on a mattress( and takes some li#ht refreshment( while one of the attendants
rubs the soles of his feet( and kneads the flesh of his body and limbs( !reviously to his resumin# his
dress" $t is a common custom( now( to take a !i!e and a cu! of coffee durin# this !eriod of rest"
The women are es!ecially fond of the bath( and often have entertainments there4 takin# with them
fruits( sweetmeats( Mc"( and sometimes hirin# female sin#ers to accom!any them" 6n hour or more is
occu!ied by the !rocess of !laitin# the hair( and a!!lyin# the de!ilatory( Mc"4 and( #enerally( an e0ual
time is !assed in the en7oyment of rest( or recreation( or refreshment" 6ll necessary decorum is
observed on these occasions by most females4 but women of the lower orders are often seen in the bath
without any coverin#" /ome baths are a!!ro!riated solely to men4 others( only to women4 and others(
a#ain( to men durin# the forenoon( and in the afternoon to women" 5hen the bath is a!!ro!riated to
women( a na!kin( or some other !iece of dra!ery( is sus!ended over the door( to warn men from
enterin#"
9efore the time of &oGammad( there were no !ublic baths in 6rabia4 and he was so+Z. !re7udiced
a#ainst them( for the reasons already alluded to( that he at first forbade both men and women from
enterin# them: afterwards( however( he !ermitted men to do so( if for the sake of cleanliness( on the
condition of their havin# a cloth round the waist4 and women also on account of sickness( child)birth(
Mc"( !rovided they had not convenient !laces for bathin# in their houses" 9ut( notwithstandin# this
license( it is held to be a characteristic of a virtuous woman( not to #o to a bath even with her husband's
!ermission: for the 8ro!het said( B5hatever woman enters a bath( the devil is with her"B 6s the bath is a
resort of the *inn( !rayer should not be !erformed in it( nor the Pur)Dn recited" The 8ro!het said( B6ll
the earth is #iven to me as a !lace of !rayer( and as !ure( exce!t the burial)#round and the bath"B+-,
%ence also( when a !erson is about to enter a bath( he should offer u! an e7aculatory !rayer for
!rotection a#ainst evil s!irits4 and should !lace his left foot first over the threshold"C$nfidels have
often been obli#ed to distin#uish themselves in the bath( by han#in# a si#net to the neck( or wearin#
anklets( Mc"( lest they should receive those marks of res!ect which should be !aid only to believers"+-.
Note +W"COn Meals and the Manner of Eating! The =in# (with the sa#e as his #uest) is here described
as eatin# in the !resence of his court( a#reeably with a common custom of 1astern !rinces and other
#reat men in the !resent day4 the sim!le manner in which the meal is served and eaten occasionin# but
a sli#ht interru!tion"
The &uslim takes a li#ht breakfast after the mornin#)!rayers( and dinner after the noon)!rayers4 or a
sin#le meal instead of these two( before noon" %is !rinci!al meal is su!!er( which is taken after the
!rayers of sunset" 6 man of rank or wealth( when he has no #uest( #enerally eats alone4 his children eat
after him( or with his wife or wives" $n all his re!asts he is moderate with re#ard to the 0uantity which
he eats( however numerous the dishes"
$n the times to which most of the tales in the !resent work relate( it a!!ears that the dishes were
sometimes( $ believe #enerally( !laced u!on a round embroidered cloth s!read on the floor( and
sometimes on a tray( which was either laid on the floor or u!on a small stand or stool" The last is the
mode now always followed in the houses of the hi#her and middle classes of the 6rabs" The table is
usually !laced u!on a round cloth( s!read in the middle of the floor( or in a corner( next two of the
deewDns( or low seats which #enerally extend alon# three sides of the room" $t is com!osed of a lar#e
round tray of silver( or of tinned co!!er( or of brass( su!!orted by a stool( commonly about fifteen or
sixteen inches hi#h( made of wood( and #enerally inlaid with mother)of)!earl and ebony or other wood(
or tortoise)shell( Mc" 5hen there are numerous #uests( two or more such tables are !re!ared" The
dishes are of silver( or of tinned co!!er( or of china" /everal of these are !laced u!on the tray4 and
around them are dis!osed some round( flat cakes of bread( with s!oons of box)wood( ebony( or other
material( and( usually( two or three limes( cut in halves( to be s0ueeOed over certain of the dishes" 5hen
these !re!arations have been made( each !erson who is to !artake of the re!ast receives a na!kin4 and a
servant !ours water over his hands" 6 basin and ewer of either of the metals first mentioned are
em!loyed for this !ur!ose4 the former has a cover with a rece!tacle for a !iece of soa! in its centre( and
with numerous !erforations throu#h which the water runs durin# the act of washin#( so that it is not
seen when the basin is brou#ht from one !erson to another" $t is indis!ensably re0uisite to wash at least
the ri#ht hand before eatin# with the fin#ers anythin# but dry food4 and the mouth( also( is often rinsed(
the water bein# taken u! into it from the ri#ht hand" The com!any sit u!on the floor( or u!on cushions(
or some of them on the deewDn( ++Z either cross)le##ed( or with the ri#ht knee raised:+UZ they retain
the na!kins before mentioned4 or a lon# na!kin( sufficient to surround the tray( is !laced u!on their
knees4 and each !erson( before he be#ins to eat( says( B$n the name of 2od(B or B$n the name of 2od(
the Com!assionate( the &erciful"B The master of the house be#ins first: if he did not so( some !ersons
would sus!ect that the food was !oisoned" The thumb and two fin#ers of the ri#ht hand serve instead of
knives and forks4 and it is the usual custom for a !erson to hel! himself to a !ortion of the contents of a
dish by drawin# it towards the ed#e( or takin# it from the ed#e( with a morsel of bread( which he eats
with it: when he takes too lar#e a !ortion for a sin#le mouthful( he #enerally !laces it on his cake of
bread" %e takes from any dish that !leases him4 and sometimes a host hands a delicate morsel with his
fin#ers to one of his #uests" $t is not allowable to touch food with the left hand (as it is used for unclean
!ur!oses)( exce!tin# in a few cases( when both hands are re0uired to divide a 7oint"
6mon# the more common dishes are the followin#:Clamb or mutton cut into small !ieces( and stewed
with various ve#etables( and sometimes with !eaches( a!ricots( or 7u7ubes( and su#ar4 cucumbers or
small #ourds( or the fruit of the black or white e##)!lant( stuffed with rice and minced meat( Mc"4 vine)
leaves or !ieces of lettuce)leaf or cabba#e)leaf( enclosin# a similar com!osition4 small morsels of lamb
or mutton( roasted on skewers( and called BkebDb4B fowls sim!ly roasted or boiled( or boned( and
stuffed with raisins( !istachio)nuts( crumbled bread( and !arsley4 and various kinds of !astry( and other
sweets" The re!ast is fre0uently commenced with sou!4 and is #enerally ended with boiled rice( mixed
with a little butter( and seasoned with salt and !e!!er4 or after this( is served a water)melon or other
fruit( or a bowl of a sweet drink com!osed of water with raisins( and sometimes other kinds of fruit(
boiled in it( and then su#ar( and with a little rose)water added to it when cool" The meat( havin#
#enerally little fat( is cooked with clarified butter( and is so thorou#hly done that it is easily divided
with the fin#ers"
6 whole lamb( stuffed in the same manner as the fowls above mentioned( is not a very uncommon dish4
but one more extraordinary( of which '6bd)1l)'aEeef #ives an account+U+ as one of the most
remarkable that he had seen in 1#y!t( $ am tem!ted to describe" $t was an enormous !ie( com!osed in
the followin# manner:CThirty !ounds of fine flour bein# kneaded with five !ounds and a half of oil of
sesame( and divided into two e0ual !ortions( one of these was s!read u!on a round tray of co!!er(
about four s!ans in diameter" A!on this were !laced three lambs( stuffed with !ounded meat fried with
oil of sesame and #round !istachio)nuts( and various hot aromatics( such as !e!!er( #in#er( cinnamon(
mastic( coriander)seed( cumin)seed( cardamom( nut [or nutme#R( Mc" These were then s!rinkled with
rose)water infused with musk4 and u!on the lambs( and in the remainin# s!aces( were !laced twenty
fowls( twenty chickens( and fifty smaller birds4 some of which were baked( and stuffed with e##s4
some( stuffed with meat4 and some( fried with the 7uice of sour #ra!es( or that of limes( or some similar
acid" To the above were added a number of small !ies4 some filled with meat( and others with su#ar and
sweetmeats4 and sometimes( the meat of another lamb( cut into small !ieces( and some fried cheese"
The whole bein# !iled u! in the form of a dome( some rose)water infused with musk and aloes)wood
was s!rinkled u!on it4 and the other half of the !aste first mentioned was s!read over( so as to close the
whole: it was then baked( wi!ed with a s!on#e( and a#ain s!rinkled with rose)water infused with musk"
C6 dish still more extraordinary will be described in a note on !ublic <oyal feasts"
5ith res!ect to clean and unclean meats( the &uslim is sub7ect to nearly the same laws as the *ew"
/wine's flesh( and blood( are es!ecially forbidden to him4 but camel's flesh is allowed" The latter(
however( bein# of a coarse nature( is never eaten when any +++ other meat can be obtained( exce!tin#
by !ersons of the lower classes( and by 6rabs of the desert" ;f fish( almost every kind is eaten
(exce!tin# shell)fish)( usually fried in oil: of #ame( little4 !artly in conse0uence of fre0uent doubt
whether it have been lawfully killed" The diet consists( in a #reat measure( of ve#etables( and includes a
lar#e variety of !astry" 6 very common kind of !astry is a !ancake( which is made very thin( and folded
over several times like a na!kin4 it is saturated with butter( and #enerally sweetened with honey or
su#ar4 as is also another common kind( which somewhat resembles vermicelli"
The usual bevera#e at meals is water( which is drunk from coolin#( !orous( earthen bottles( or from
cu!s of brass or other metal: but in the houses of the wealthy( sherbet is sometimes served instead of
this( in covered #lass cu!s( each of which contains about three 0uarters of a !int" The sherbet is
com!osed of water made very sweet with su#ar( or with a hard conserve of violets or roses or
mulberries( Mc" 6fter every time that a !erson drinks( he says( B8raise be to 2od4B and each !erson of
the com!any says to him( B&ay it be !roductive of en7oyment:B to which he re!lies( B&ay 2od cause
thee to have en7oyment"B The 6rabs drink little or no water durin# a meal( but #enerally take a lar#e
drau#ht immediately after" The re!ast is 0uickly finished4 and each !erson( as soon as he has done(
says( B8raise be to 2od(B or B8raise be to 2od( the 'ord of all creatures"B %e then washes( in the same
manner as before( but more thorou#hly4 well latherin# his beard( and rinsin# his mouth"
Note +," This mode of shewin# honour to a meritorious individual( or distin#uished #uest( which is at
least as ancient as the time of 6hasuerus(+U@ is still observed in &uslim countries"
Note +." The influence of the stars u!on the dis!ositions and fortunes of mankind is firmly believed by
the #enerality of &uslims( and is often a matter of consideration !reviously to the unitin# of two
!ersons in marria#e4 thou#h the absurdity of such an o!inion is declared in their law"
Note @Z"COn the *istri&ution of 1irtues and 1ices among Man-ind! $ have heard 6rabs confess that
their nation !ossesses nine)tenths of the envy that exists amon# all mankind collectively4 but $ have not
seen any written authority for this" $bn)'6bbDs assi#ns nine)tenths of the intri#ue or artifice that exists
in the world to the Co!ts4 nine)tenths of the !erfidy( to the *ews4 nine)tenths of the stu!idity( to the
&a#hrabees4 nine)tenths of the hardness( to the Turks4 and nine)tenths of the bravery( to the 6rabs"
6ccordin# to =aQb)1l)6GbDr( reason and sedition are most !eculiar to /yria4 !lenty and de#radation( to
1#y!t4 and misery and health( to the ?esert" $n another account( faith and modesty are said to be most
!eculiar to 1l)Semen4 fortitude and sedition( to /yria4 ma#nificence( or !ride( and hy!ocrisy( to
1l)'1rDJ4 wealth and de#radation( to 1#y!t4 and !overty and misery( to the ?esert"C;f women( it is
said( by =aQb)1l)6GbDr( that the best in the world (exce!tin# those of the tribe of Pureysh mentioned
by the 8ro!het) are those of 1l)9aHrah4 and the worst in the world( those of 1#y!t"B+UL
Note @+" $n the Cairo edition( =in# SoonDn is made to say( B$ should re!ent after it( as =in# /indibDd
re!ented of killin# the falcon4BCand thus is introduced an indifferent story in the !lace of that of the
%usband and the 8arrot4 the former story describin# a kin# as havin#( under an erroneous idea( killed a
falcon that had !revented his drinkin# !oison" The latter story $ insert in !reference( accordin# to the
Calcutta edition of the first two hundred ni#hts( and the edition of 9reslau"
Note @@"COn Miraculously2gifted ,irds! 6n 6rab historian would make it to a!!ear( that the
intelli#ence and talent ascribed to this !arrot are not nearly so wonderful as those which some birds
have been known to dis!lay" %e mentions a !arrot which recited the /oorat SD)/een (or LUth cha!ter of
the Pur)Dn)4 and a raven which recited the /oorat es)/i7deh (or L@nd cha!ter)( and which( on arrivin# at
the !lace of !rostra++@tion (or verse which should be recited with !rostration)( would !erform that
action( and say( B&y body !rostrateth itself to Thee( and my heart confideth in Thee"B 9ut these are not
the most remarkable cases of the kind" %e affirms that there was a !arrot in Cairo which recited the
Pur)Dn from be#innin# to end" The 9Dsh]( he says( desirin# to try its talent( caused a man to recite a
cha!ter of the Pur)Dn in its !resence( and to !ass irre#ularly from one cha!ter to another( with the view
of leadin# the bird into error: but( instead of this bein# the result( the !arrot corrected him_+UN
Note @L" 9ut a few years a#o( it was a common custom for an 6rab merchant or sho!kee!er of the
hi#her class to wear a sword4 and this not only durin# a 7ourney( but also durin# his ordinary walks or
rides" $ have seen many !ersons of this descri!tion so armed( and with a !air of !istols stuck in the
#irdle4 thou#h seldom exce!tin# in the former case" 6 da##er or case)knife is a wea!on now more
commonly worn by such !ersons( both at home and abroad"
Note @N"COn )unting and )a%-ing! %untin# and hawkin#( which were common and favourite
diversions of the 6rabs( and es!ecially of their kin#s and other #reat men( have now fallen into
com!arative disuse amon# this !eo!le" They are( however( still fre0uently !ractised by the 8ersians(
and in a manner the same as they are #enerally described in the !resent work" /ir *ohn &alcolm was
informed that these s!orts were nowhere found in #reater !erfection than in the nei#hbourhood of
6boo)/hahr( where he witnessed and took !art in them: $ shall( therefore( here avail myself of his
observations on this sub7ect"
BThe huntsmen(B he says( B!roceed to a lar#e !lain( or rather desert( near the sea)side: they have hawks
and #reyhounds4 the former carried in the usual manner( on the hand of the huntsman4 the latter led in a
leash by a horseman( #enerally the same who carries the hawk" 5hen the antelo!e is seen( they
endeavour to #et as near as !ossible4 but the animal( the moment it observes them( #oes off at a rate that
seems swifter than the wind: the horsemen are instantly at full s!eed( havin# sli!!ed the do#s" $f it is a
sin#le deer( they at the same time fly the hawks4 but if a herd( they wait till the do#s have fixed on a
!articular antelo!e" The hawks( skimmin# alon# near the #round( soon reach the deer( at whose head
they !ounce in succession( and sometimes with a violence that knocks it over" [They are commonly
described as !eckin# at the !oor creature's eyes until they blind it" 6t all events( they confuse the
animal so much as to sto! its s!eed in such a de#ree that the do#s can come u! with it4 and( in an
instant( men( horses( do#s( and hawks( surround the unfortunate deer( a#ainst which their united efforts
have been combined" The !art of the chase that sur!rised me most( was the extraordinary combination
of the hawks and the do#s( which throu#hout seemed to look to each other for aid" This( $ was told( was
the result of lon# and skilful trainin#"CThe antelo!e is su!!osed to be the fleetest 0uadru!ed on earth4
and the ra!idity of the first burst of the chase $ have described is astonishin#" The run seldom exceeds
three or four miles( and often is not half so much" 6 fawn is an easy victory4 the doe often runs a #ood
chase4 and the buck is seldom taken" The 6rabs are( indeed( afraid to fly their hawks at the latter( as
these fine birds( in !ouncin#( fre0uently im!ale themselves on its shar! horns"CThe hawks used in this
s!ort are of a s!ecies that $ have never seen in any other country" This breed( which is called Cherkh( is
not lar#e( but of #reat beauty and symmetry"
B6nother mode of runnin# down the antelo!e is !ractised here( and still more in the interior of 8ersia"
8ersons of the hi#hest rank lead their own #reyhounds in a lon# silken leash( which !asses throu#h the
collar( and is ready to sli! the moment the huntsman chooses" The well)trained do# #oes alon#side the
horse( and kee!s clear of him when at full s!eed( and in all kinds of country" 5hen a herd of antelo!es
is seen( a consultation is held( and the most ex!erienced determine the !oint towards which ++L they
are to be driven" The field (as an 1n#lish s!ortsman would term it) then dis!erse( and( while some drive
the herd in the desired direction( those with the do#s take their !ost on the same line( at the distance of
about a mile from each other4 one of the worst do#s is then sli!!ed at the herd( and from the moment he
sin#les out an antelo!e the whole body are in motion" The ob7ect of the horsemen who have
#reyhounds is to interce!t its course( and to sli! fresh do#s( in succession( at the fati#ued animal" $n
rare instances( the second do# kills" $t is #enerally the third or fourth4 and even these( when the deer is
stron#( and the #round favourable( often fail" This s!ort( which is very exhilaratin#( was the deli#ht of
the late =in# of 8ersia( d#h] &oGammad =hDn( whose taste is inherited by the !resent soverei#n"
BThe novelty of these amusements interested me( and $ was !leased( on accom!anyin# a !arty to a
villa#e( about twenty miles from 6boo)/hahr( to see a s!ecies of hawkin# !eculiar( $ believe( to the
sandy !lains of 8ersia( on which the [obDr]( a noble s!ecies of bustard( is found on almost bare !lains(
where it has no shelter but a small shrub called '#eetuck"' 5hen we went in 0uest of them( we had a
!arty of about twenty( all well mounted" Two kinds of hawks are necessary for this s!ort4 the first( the
Cherkh (the same which is flown at the antelo!e)( attacks them on the #round( but will not follow them
on the win#4 for this reason( the '9hyree(' a hawk well known in $ndia( is flown the moment the [obDr]
rises"C6s we rode alon# in an extended line( the men who carried the Cherkhs every now and then
unhooded and held them u!( that they mi#ht look over the !lain" The first [obDr] we found afforded us
a !roof of the astonishin# 0uickness of si#ht of one of the hawks: he fluttered to be loose( and the man
who held him #ave him a whoo! as he threw him off his hand( and set off at full s!eed" 5e all did the
same" 6t first we only saw our hawk skimmin# over the !lain( but soon !erceived( at a distance of more
than a mile( the beautiful s!eckled [obDr]( with his head erect and win#s outs!read( runnin# forward to
meet his adversary" The Cherkh made several unsuccessful !ounces( which were either evaded or
re!elled by the beak or win#s of the [obDr]( which at last found an o!!ortunity of risin#( when a
9hyree was instantly flown( and the whole !arty were a#ain at full #allo!" 5e had a fli#ht of more than
a mile( when the [obDr] ali#hted( and was killed by another Cherkh( who attacked him on the #round"
This bird wei#hed ten !ounds" 5e killed several others( but were not always successful( havin# seen
our hawks twice com!letely beaten( durin# the two days we followed this fine s!ort"B+U-
The huntin# of the wild ass is another s!ort of the 8ersians and 6rabs( but one of a more difficult
nature" This animal is found in /yria( and in the Nubian deserts( as well as in 6rabia and 8ersia" The
more common kinds of #ame are #aOelles( or antelo!es( hares( !artrid#es( the s!ecies of #rouse called
BJaE](B 0uails( wild #eese( ducks( Mc" 6#ainst all of these( the hawk is #enerally em!loyed( but assisted
in the ca!ture of #aOelles and hares by do#s" The usual arms of the s!ortsmen( in the times to which the
!resent work relates( were the bow and arrow( the cross)bow( the s!ear( the sword( and the mace" 5hen
the #ame is struck down( but not killed( by any wea!on( its throat is immediately cut" $f merely
stunned( and then left to die( its flesh is unlawful food" /ome other laws res!ectin# the killin# of #ame
have been mentioned in a former note4 but one has been there omitted which is worthy of remark(
thou#h it is often disre#arded4 it is( that huntin# is allowable only for the !ur!ose of !rocurin# food( or
to obtain the skin of an animal( or for the sake of destroyin# ferocious and dan#erous beasts"
6musement is certainly( in #eneral( the main ob7ect of the &uslim huntsman( but he does not( with this
view( endeavour to !rolon# the chase4 on the contrary( he strives to take the #ame as 0uickly as
!ossible4 for this !ur!ose( nets are often em!loyed( and the huntin# !arty( formin# what is called the
circle of the chase (GalJat eH)Heyd)( surround the s!ot in which the #ame is found"
++N
B;n the eastern frontiers of /yria(B says 9urckhardt( Bare several !laces allotted for the huntin# of
#aOelles: these !laces are called 'masiade' [more !ro!erly( 'maHyedehs'" 6n o!en s!ace in the !lain( of
about one mile and a half s0uare( is enclosed on three sides by a wall of loose stones( too hi#h for the
#aOelles to lea! over" $n different !arts of this wall( #a!s are !ur!osely left( and near each #a! a dee!
ditch is made on the outside" The enclosed s!ace is situated near some rivulet or s!rin# to which( in
summer( the #aOelles resort" 5hen the huntin# is to be#in( many !easants assemble( and watch till they
see a herd of #aOelles advancin# from a distance towards the enclosure( into which they drive them: the
#aOelles( fri#htened by the shouts of these !eo!le( and the dischar#e of fire)arms( endeavour to lea!
over the wall( but can only effect this at the #a!s( where they fall into the ditch outside( and are easily
taken( sometimes by hundreds" The chief of the herd always lea!s first: the others follow him one by
one" The #aOelles thus taken are immediately killed( and their flesh is sold to the 6rabs and
nei#hbourin# 3ellDGs"B+UU
Note @-" $n the Cairo edition( the word B7eOeerehB (an island) is erroneously !ut for BkharDbehB (a ruin)"
Note @U" B2hoolehB is the feminine of B2hool"B The 2hool is a fabulous bein#( of which some account
has been #iven in No" @+ of the notes to the $ntroduction"
Note @W" This e!ithet of the ?eity a!!ears to be used in !reference to others in this instance( in order to
im!ly that 2od always decrees what is best for a virtuous man( even when the reverse would seem to us
to be the case" %e is here described as a!!ointin# that the sa#e should die a violent death4 but this
death( bein# unmerited( raised him( accordin# to &ohammadan notions( to the rank of a martyr"
$n the edition from which my translation is chiefly made( four !oetical 0uotations are here inserted on
the sub7ect of fate( and the inutility of anxious forebodin#s" The first of these is as follows:C
B; thou who fearest thy fate( be at ease4 commit thine affairs unto %im who s!read out the earth" 3or
what is !redestined cannot be cancelled4 and thou art secure from every thin# that is not !redestined"B
Note @,"CThe +a&le of the Crocodile! 8erha!s the reader may desire to know what is the story which
the sa#e ?oobDn declined to relate4 $ will therefore su!!ly the omission as well as my memory will
allow me" $ have heard this fable differently told by different !ersons4 and it is sometimes s!un out to a
considerable len#th4 but the !rinci!al !oints of it are these:C6 crocodile( havin# crawled far from the
Nile( over a desert tract( found his stren#th so exhausted by fati#ue and thirst( that he des!aired of
bein# able to return to the river" 5hile he was in this unha!!y state( an 6rab with his camel a!!roached
him( !roceedin# in the desired direction4 and he a!!ealed to his com!assion( entreatin# that he would
bind him on the back of the camel( and so convey him to the Nile( and !romisin# that he would
afterwards( in return for this favour( carry him across to the o!!osite bank" The 6rab answered( that he
feared the crocodile would( as soon as he was unbound( turn u!on him( and devour him4 but the
monster swore so solemnly that he would #ratefully re0uite the service he re0uested( that the man was
induced to consent4 and( makin# his camel lie down( bound the crocodile firmly u!on his back( and
brou#ht him to the bank of the river" No sooner( however( was the horrid creature liberated( than( in
s!ite of his vows( he o!ened his hideous 7aws to destroy his benefactor( who( thou#h he eluded this
dan#er( was unable to rescue his camel" 6t this moment a fox drew near them" The man( accostin# this
cunnin# animal( related his tale4 and the crocodile ur#ed in his own excuse( that the man had s!itefully
bound him on the back of the camel in such a manner that he had almost killed him" The fox re!lied
that he could 0uickly !ursue and ca!ture the man( ++- but that he must act fairly( and first see the
whole transaction re!eated before him" The crocodile( assentin#( and submittin# to have a noose
thrown over his 7aws( was a#ain bound on the back of the camel( and taken to the !lace whence he was
brou#ht4 and as soon as this was done( the man( by the direction of the fox( holdin# with one hand the
halter of his camel( with the other cut the ro!es which secured his burden( and hasted away with his
beast( leavin# the un#rateful and treacherous monster in the same ho!eless state in which he had found
him"
Note @." This com!arison is !erfectly 7ust" &y first visit to 1#y!t was not too late for me to witness
such a scene as that which is here alluded to4 but now( throu#hout the Turkish dominions( the officers
of #overnment are obli#ed( more or less( to assimilate their style of dress to that which commonly
!revails in 1uro!e4 #audy colours are out of fashion amon# them( and silk embroidery is #enerally
!referred to #old: in 1#y!t( however( the dress worn by this class of !ersons has not been so much
altered as in Turkey( still retainin# an ;riental character( thou#h wantin# the shawl which was wound
round the red ca!( and formed the turban4 while the dress worn by other classes has under#one no
chan#e" [This note still a!!lies to the inhabitants of 1#y!t( with the exce!tion of the Turks( who have
very #enerally ado!ted the modern Turkish( or semi)1uro!ean dress"C1d"
Note LZ" This story of the head s!eakin# after it was cut off is not without a !arallel in the writin#s of
6rab historians" The head of /a'eed( the son of *ubeyr( is said to have uttered the words( BThere is no
deity but 2od(B after it had been severed from his body by order of 1l)[a77D7( who is related to have
killed a hundred and twenty thousand !ersons of note( besides those whom he slew in war"
Note L+" $ do not remember to have read or heard the story of AmDmeh and 'dtikeh( who( as their
names im!ort( were two females"
Note L@" The words here 0uoted are !art of the LUth verse of the +Wth cha!ter of the Pur)Dn"
Note LL" The title of B/ulEDnB is hi#her than that of B&elikB (or =in#): a /ulEDn( !ro!erly s!eakin#(
bein# a monarch who has kin#s or viceroys under his authority"
Note LN"COn =oGl( and the mode of applying it" =oGl is a black !owder( with which most of the 6rab(
and many other( women blacken the ed#es of the eyelids" The most common kind is the smoke)black
which is !roduced by burnin# a kind of frankincense" 6n inferior kind is the smoke)black !roduced by
burnin# the shells of almonds" These are believed to be beneficial to the eyes4 but are #enerally used
merely for the sake of ornament" 6mon# other kinds which are !articularly em!loyed for their
beneficial effect u!on the eye are several ores of lead( reduced to a fine !owder" 6ntimony is said to
have been( in former times( the most esteemed kind of koGl" The !owder is a!!lied by means of a small
!robe of wood( ivory( or silver( the end of which is moistened( and then di!!ed in the !owder( and
drawn alon# the ed#es of the eyelids"+UW
Note L-" The =oofeeyeh is described in a #reat 6rabic 'exicon (TD7 el)'6roos) as Ba thin# worn on the
head4 so called because of its roundness:B and this is the only descri!tion of it that $ have been able to
find" $ was told in Cairo( that BkoofeeyehB is the correct a!!ellation of the head)kerchief commonly
called Bkeffeeyeh:B but this is a mistake" The latter is a s0uare kerchief( which is worn on the head(
measurin# about a yard in each direction( and of various colours( #enerally a dull( brownish red( bri#ht
#reen( and yellow( com!osin# broad and narrow stri!es( and havin# a dee! frin#e of strin#s and tassels
alon# two o!!osite ed#es" The most common kind is entirely of cotton4 another( of cotton interwoven
with silk4 and a third( of silk interwoven with #old" $t is now chiefly worn by the 5ahhDbees and
several tribes of 9edawees4 but ++U the former wear only the first kind( as they hold articles of dress
com!osed wholly or !artly of silk or #old to be unlawful" $n former times it was in common use amon#
the inhabitants of the towns" $t is mostly worn by men( and is doubled dia#onally( and !laced over the
ca! in such a manner that the two corners which are folded to#ether han# down the back4 and the other
two corners( in front" 6 !iece of woollen ro!e( or a stri! of ra#( or a turban( is #enerally wound round it4
and the corners( or those only which usually han# down in front( are sometimes turned u!( and tucked
within the u!!er ed#e of the turban" The inhabitants of the towns usually wear the turban over the
keffeeyeh" 9urckhardt( who calls this head)kerchief Bkeffie(B mentions( that the 9edawees of &ekkeh
and 1l)Semen tie over it( instead of the woollen ro!e which is used by the Northern 9edawees( Ba
circle made of wax( tar( and butter( stron#ly kneaded to#ether: this(B he adds( Bis !ressed down to the
middle of the head( and looks like the airy crown of a saint" $t is about the thickness of a fin#er4 and
they take it off very fre0uently to !ress it between their hands( so that its sha!e may be !reserved"B+U,
The better kinds of keffeeyeh above mentioned are worn by some of the Turks( but not in the 6rab
manner4 bein# wound ti#ht round the ca!"
Note LU"CAnecdote of a Miraculous +ish! This story of the miraculous fish reminds me of one of a
similar kind which is related as authentic" 6 certain 7ust 7ud#e of the $sraelites( in the time of /olomon(
had a wife who( every time that she brou#ht him his food( used to e7aculate a !rayer that dis#race mi#ht
befall every unfaithful wife" ;ne day( this woman havin# !laced before her husband a fried fish( and
re!eated her usual e7aculation( the fish lea!ed from the dish( and fell u!on the floor" This ha!!ened
three times4 and( in conse0uence of a sus!icion ex!ressed by a devotee( who was consulted res!ectin#
the meanin# of this stran#e event( the 7ud#e discovered that a su!!osed maid( whom he had !urchased
as a slave( was a dis#uised man"+U.
Note LW" This com!arison is not intended to be understood in its literal sense( for the smallest of the
tribe of 'dd is said to have been sixty cubits hi#h: the lar#est( a hundred_ The tribe of 'dd were a race of
ancient 6rabs( who( accordin# to the Pur)Dn and 6rab historians( were destroyed by a suffocatin# wind(
for their infidelity( after their re7ection of the admonitions of the !ro!het %ood"
Note L," The 6rabs #enerally calculate distances by time" The avera#e distance of a day's 7ourney is
from twenty to twenty)five miles4 the former bein# the usual rate of caravan)travellin#"
Note L."COn the "rivacy of Ara& *%ellings! $n a !alace( or lar#e house( there is #enerally a wide
bench of stone( or a wooden couch( within the outer door( for the accommodation of the door)kee!er
and other servants" The entrance)!assa#e leads to an o!en court( and( for the sake of !reventin# !ersons
at the entrance( or a little within it( from seein# into the court( it usually has two turnin#s" 5e may(
therefore( understand the motive of the =in# in seatin# himself in the !lace here described to have been
a desire that he mi#ht not( if discovered( be su!!osed to be !ryin# im!ertinently into the interior of the
!alace" <es!ect for the !rivacy of another's house is a !oint that is deemed of so much im!ortance that
it is insisted u!on in the Pur)Dn( in these words:CB; ye who have become believers( enter not any
houses( besides your own houses( until ye shall have asked leave( and saluted their inhabitants4 this will
be better for you: !eradventure ye will be admonished" 6nd if ye find not in them any !erson( enter
them not( until leave be #ranted you4 and if it be said unto you( <eturn( then do ye return4 this will be
more decent for you4 and 2od knoweth what ye do" 9ut it shall be no crime in you that ye enter
uninhabited houses wherein ye may find a convenience"+WZ 5hen a visiter finds the door o!en( and no
servant below( he usually cla!s ++W his hands as a si#nal for some !erson to come to him4 strikin# the
!alm of his left hand with the fin#ers of the ri#ht: and even when leave has been #ranted him to enter( it
is customary for him( when he has to ascend to an u!!er a!artment( to re!eat several times some
e7aculation( such as B8ermission_B or( B; 8rotector_B (that is( B; !rotectin# 2od_B)( as he #oes u!( in
order that any female of the family( who may chance to be in the way( may have notice of his a!!roach(
and either retire or veil herself" /ometimes the servant who !recedes him does this in his stead"
Note NZ" These verses are translated from the Calcutta edition of the first two hundred ni#hts( as more
a!!osite than those which are inserted in their !lace in the edition of Cairo"
Note N+" That the reader may not form wron# conce!tions of the characters of many !ersons !ortrayed
in this work( it is necessary to observe( that wee!in# is not re#arded by the 6rabs as an evidence of an
effeminate dis!osition( or inconsistent with even a heroic mind4 thou#h the &uslims in #eneral are
remarkable for the calmness with which they endure the heaviest afflictions"
Note N@" $t is( !erha!s( unnecessary to mention( that it is a common custom of the ;rientals( as of other
natives of warm climates( to take a na! in the afternoon" 6 tradesman is not unfre0uently seen en7oyin#
this luxury in his sho!( and seldom( exce!tin# in this case( is it considered allowable to wake a !erson"
Note NL"C*escription of Ara& +ans! The kind of fan most commonly used by the 6rabs has the form
of a small fla#" The fla!( which is about six or seven inches in width( and somewhat more in len#th( is
com!osed of s!lit !alm)leaves of various colours( or some !lain and others coloured( neatly !laited or
woven to#ether" The handle is a !iece of !alm)stick( about twice the len#th of the fla!" This fan is used
by men as well as women( and for the double !ur!ose of moderatin# the heat and re!ellin# the flies(
which( in warm weather( are excessively annoyin#" $t is more effective than the ordinary 1uro!ean fan(
and re0uires less exertion" 6rabian fans of the kind here described( brou#ht from &ekkeh to Cairo as
articles of merchandise( may be !urchased in the latter city for a sum less than a !enny each4 they are
mostly made in the %["e7DO" 6nother kind of fan( #enerally com!osed of black ostrich)feathers( of
lar#e dimensions( and ornamented with a small !iece of lookin#)#lass on the lower !art of the front( is
often used by the 6rabs" 6 kind of fly)whisk made of !alm)leaves is also in very #eneral use" 6 servant
or slave is often em!loyed to wave it over the master or mistress durin# a meal or an afternoon na!"
Note NN" &es'oodeh is the feminine of &es'ood( a name before ex!lained( as si#nifyin# Bha!!y(B or
Bmade ha!!y"B
Note N-" The word which $ have here rendered BwineB (namely( BsharDbB) is a!!lied to any drink( and
!articularly to a sweet bevera#e4 but( in the !resent case( the context shews that its si#nification is that
which $ have #iven it" The descri!tion of a carousal in the next cha!ter will !resent a more fit occasion
for my considerin# at lar#e the custom of drinkin# wine as existin# amon# the 6rabs"
Note NU"COn the 3se of )emp to induce Into4ication! The name of Bben7(B or Bben#(B is now( and( $
believe( #enerally( #iven to henbane4 but 1l)PaOweenee states that the leaves of the #arden hem!
(Jinneb bustDnee( or shahdDna7() are the ben7 which( when eaten( disorders the reason" This is an
im!ortant confirmation of ?e /acy's o!inion res!ectin# the derivation of the a!!ellation of B6ssassinsB
from [ashshDsheen (hem!)eaters( or !ersons who intoxicate themselves with hem!)4 as the sect which
we call B6ssassinsB are ex!ressly said by the 6rabs to have made fre0uent use of ben7"+W+ ++, To this
sub7ect $ shall have occasion to revert" $ need only add here( that the custom of usin# ben7( and other
narcotics( for !ur!oses similar to that described in this tale( is said to be not very unfre0uently !ractised
in the !resent day4 but as many 6rab husbands are extremely sus!icious of the character of women in
#eneral( !erha!s there is but little #round for this assertion"
Note NW" &ost 1astern cities and towns are !artly or wholly surrounded by mounds of rubbish( close to
the walls4 and u!on these mounds are thrown the carcasses of camels( horses( and other beasts( to be
devoured by do#s and vultures" $mmense mounds of this unsi#htly descri!tion entirely surrounded the
city of Cairo4 but those which extended alon# its western side( and( in a #reat measure( screened it from
the view of !ersons a!!roachin# from the Nile( have lately been removed by order of the !resent 9Dsh]
of 1#y!t" [This note was written in the year +,L,( in the time of &oGammad '6lee"C1d"
Note N," BPubbehB #enerally si#nifies either a dome or a cu!ola( or a buildin# or a!artment
surmounted by a dome" $n the !resent instance it is to be understood in the latter sense" $t is also a!!lied
to a closet( and to a tent"
Note N." BPDfB is #enerally to be understood( as it is in the !resent case4 to si#nify the chain of
mountains believed( by the &uslims( to encircle our earth( as mentioned in a former note" $t is also the
name of the chain of Caucasus( and hence it has been su!!osed that the fable res!ectin# the mountains
before mentioned( ori#inated from an early idea that the chain of Caucasus was the limit of the
habitable earth4 but it is !ossible that the latter mountains may have derived their name from an
ima#inary resemblance to the former"
Note -Z" <ats( thou#h unlawful food to the &uslim( are occasionally eaten by many of the !easants of
the !rovince of 'ower 1#y!t called 1l)9oGeyreh( on the west of the western branch of the Nile" The
extraordinary abundance of these animals( and mice( throu#hout 1#y!t( #ave rise to an absurd fable(
which is related by ?iodorus /iculus+W@ as a matter worthy of serious consideration:Cthat these
creatures are #enerated from the alluvial soil de!osited by the Nile" The inundation drives many of
them from the fields to the houses and deserts( and destroys the rest4 but soon after the waters have
subsided( vast numbers of them are seen a#ain( takin# refu#e in the dee! clefts of the !arched soil"
Note -+"COn the ,everage called 9oobah" 9oobah( or booOeh( is a favourite bevera#e of the boatmen(
and other !ersons of the lower class( in 1#y!t4 and more es!ecially of the Nubians and ne#roes4 as it
was( accordin# to %erodotus+WL and other writers( of the ancient 1#y!tians" $t is an intoxicatin# li0uor(
a kind of beer( most commonly !re!ared from barley)bread( crumbled( mixed with water( strained( and
left to ferment" $t is also !re!ared from wheat and from millet in the same manner" The account of
%erodotus has been confirmed by the discovery of lar#e 7ars( containin# the dre#s of the barley)beer in
ancient tombs at Thebes"
Note -@"COn the Apparel /c! of Mourning! The wearin# of mournin# a!!ears to have been a custom
of both sexes amon# the 6rabs in earlier times( for the black clothin# which distin#uished the '6bbDsee
=haleefehs and their officers was ori#inally assumed in testimony of #rief for the death of the $mDm
$brDheem $bn)&oGammad" $t has( however( ceased to be worn by men( as indicatin# a want of
resi#nation to the decrees of 8rovidence( and is only assumed by women on the occasion of the death
of a husband or near relation( and not for an elderly !erson" $n the former cases they dye their shirts(
head)veils( face)veils( and handkerchiefs( of a blue or almost black colour( with indi#o4 and sometimes(
with the same dye( stain their hands and arms as hi#h as the elbows( and smear the walls of their
a!artments" They #enerally abstain from ++. wearin# any article of dress of a bri#ht colour( leave their
hair unbraided( and deck themselves with few or no ornaments" They also cease to make use of
!erfumes( koGl( and Genn]4 and often turn u!side)down the car!ets( mats( cushions( and coverin#s of
the deewDns"
Note -L" B%ouses of 'amentations(B erected in burial)#rounds for the accommodation of ladies on the
occasions of their visitin# the tombs of their relations( have been mentioned in a former note res!ectin#
the two #rand annual festivals"
Note -N" The kind of tomb here alluded to is #enerally a s0uare buildin# crowned by a dome"
Note --" This !assa#e deserves !articular notice( as bein# one of those which assist us to form some
o!inion res!ectin# the !eriod when the !resent work( in the states in which it is known to us( was
com!osed or com!iled or remodelled" $t is the same in all the co!ies of the ori#inal work that $ have
seen( and bears stron# evidence of havin# been written subse0uently to the commencement of the
ei#hth century of the 3li#ht( or fourteenth of our era( at which !eriod( it a!!ears( the Christians and
*ews were first com!elled to distin#uish themselves by wearin#( res!ectively( blue and yellow turbans(
in accordance with an order issued by the /ultDn of 1#y!t( &oGammad $bn)=ala)oon"+WN Thus the
white turban became !eculiar to the &uslims"C6n eminent 2erman critic has been unfortunate in
selectin# the incident of the four fish as affordin# an ar#ument in favour of his o!inion that the Tales of
a Thousand and ;ne Ni#hts are of $ndian ori#in( on the mere #round that the same word (varna) is used
in /anscrit to si#nify both BcolourB and Bcaste"B
Note -U" The &uslims often im!lore the intercession of their !ro!het( and of various members of his
family and other holy !ersons( thou#h their ordinary !rayers are addressed solely to 2od" The re#ard
which they !ay to their re!uted saints( both livin# and deceased( as mediators( is one of the heresies
which the 5ahhDbees most vehemently condemn"
Note -W" This verse( translated from my usual !rototy!e( the Cairo edition( is there followed by another(
which $ omit as bein# ina!!osite"
Note -," $n the first of the notes to the $ntroduction( $ have mentioned that it is a #eneral custom of the
&uslims to re!eat this !hrase( B$n the name of 2od_B on commencin# every lawful action that is of any
im!ortance4 it is( therefore( here em!loyed( as it is in many similar cases( to ex!ress a readiness to do
what is commanded or re0uested4 and is e0uivalent to sayin#( B$ this instant be#in to execute thy
orders"B
Note -." The condition and offices of memlooks( who are male white slaves( have been mentioned in
the thirteenth note to the first cha!ter"
Note UZ" 1astern histories !resent numerous instances of marria#es as une0ual as those here related4 the
reader( therefore( must not re#ard this !art of the story as inconsistent"
+-Z /ale's =orDn( note to cha!" xxxviii"
+-+ 1l)&aJreeOee's B=hiEaE4B cha!ter entitled B=hiODnet el)=isawDt"B
+-@ 3akhr)ed)?een( in ?e /acy's Chrestomathie 6rabe( vol" i" !" L@ of the 6rabic text( @nd ed"
+-L $dem( !" N of the 6rabic text"
+-N ?'%erbelot( art" B9okhteri"B
+-- [albet el)=umeyt( cha!ter the seventh (&/" in my !ossession)"
+-U [albet el)=umeyt( cha!ter the ei#hth"
+-W $dem( cha!ter the seventh"
+-, 6 recent traveller has 0uestioned &r" 'ane's authority( in the B&odern 1#y!tians(B for the remark
that &uslims should not !ray in the bath" 6 reference to any well)known collection of traditions of the
8ro!het will( however( !rove( by many sayin#s besides that 0uoted above( that &r" 'ane is in this
matter strictly accurateC1d"
+-. NuOhet el)&utafmmil( Mc"( section the seventh"
+UZ 6 !ious &uslim #enerally sits at his meals with the ri#ht knee raised( after the exam!le of the
8ro!het( who ado!ted this custom in order to avoid too comfortable a !osture in eatin#( as tem!tin# to
unnecessary #ratification"C1d"
+U+ 8!" +,ZC+,@( ed" ;xon" +,ZZ"
+U@ /ee 1sther vi" , and ."
+UL 1l)&aJreeOee's B=hiEaE(B and 1l)$s)GDJee"
+UN 1l)$s)GDJee4 rei#n of the =haleefeh 1l)&usta'een( the son of 1l)&oQtaHim"
+U- /ketches of 8ersia( vol" i" ch" v" [&r" 'ane has written some of the ;riental words in this extract
accordin# to his own mode"C1d"
+UU Notes on the 9edouins and 5ahDbys( vol" i" !!" @@Z et se0" ,vo" ed"
+UW 6 more full account of this custom is #iven in my work on the &odern 1#y!tians( vol" i" ch" l"
+U, Notes on the 9edouins and 5ahDbys( vol" i" !" @L@( ,vo" ed"
+U. =itDb el)';nwDn fee &ekD>d en)NiswDn"
+WZ Ch" xxiv" vv" @W)@."
+W+ /ee B&odern 1#y!tians(B vol" ii"( close of cha!( ix"C/ince this was written( $ have found that 1l)
$dreesee a!!lies the term B[asheesheeyeh(B which is exactly synonymous with B[ashshDsheen(B to the
B6ssassins:B this( therefore( decides the 0uestion"
+W@ 'ib" i" ca!" +Z"
+WL 'ib" ii" ca!" WW"
+WN 1l)&aJreeOee and 1l)$s)GDJee"
+@Z
CHAPTER III.
COMMENCING WITH PART OF THE NINTH NIGHT, AND ENDING WITH PART OF THE EIGHTEENTH.
THE STORY OF THE PORTER AND THE LADIES OF BAGHD#D, AND OF THE THREE ROYAL
MENDICANTS, &$.
There was a man of the city of 9a#hdDd( who was unmarried( and he was a !orter4 and one day( as he
sat in the market( reclinin# a#ainst his crate(+ there accosted him a female wra!!ed in an iODr@ of the
manufacture of 1l)&XHil(L com!osed of #old)embroidered silk( with a border of #old lace at each end(
who raised her face)veil( and dis!layed beneath it a !air of black eyes( with lids bordered by lon#
lashes( exhibitin# a tender ex!ression( and features of !erfect beauty4 and she said( with a sweet voice(
9rin# thy crate( and follow me"+@+
The !orter had scarcely heard her words when he took u! his crate( and he followed her until she
sto!!ed at the door of a house( and knocked4 whereu!on there came down to her a Christian( and she
#ave him a !iece of #old( and received for it a 0uantity of olives( and two lar#e vessels of wine(N which
she !laced in the crate( sayin# to the !orter( Take it u!( and follow me" The !orter exclaimed( This is(
indeed( a fortunate day_Cand he took u! the crate( and followed her" /he next sto!!ed at the sho! of a
fruiterer( and bou#ht of him /yrian a!!les( and ';thmDnee 0uinces(- and !eaches of ';mDn( and
7asmine of 6le!!o( and water)lilies of ?amascus( and cucumbers of the Nile( and 1#y!tian limes( and
/ulEDnee citrons( and sweet)scented myrtle( and s!ri#s of the Genn])tree( and chamomile( and
anemones( and violets( and !ome#ranate flowers( and e#lantine: all these she !ut into the !orter's crate(
and said to him( Take it u!" /o he took it u!( and followed her until she sto!!ed at the sho! of a
butcher( to whom she said( Cut off ten !ounds of meat4Cand he cut it off for her( and she wra!!ed it in
a leaf of a banana)tree( and !ut it in the crate( and said a#ain( Take it u!( ; !orter:Cand he did so( and
followed her" /he next sto!!ed at the sho! of a seller of dry fruits( and took some of every kind of
these( and desired the !orter to take u! his burden" %avin# obeyed( he followed her until she sto!!ed at
the sho! of a confectioner( where she bou#ht a dish( and filled it with sweets of every kind that he had(U
which she !ut into the crate4 whereu!on the !orter ventured to say( $f thou hadst informed me
beforehand( $ had brou#ht with me a mule to carry all these thin#s" The lady smiled at his remark( and
next sto!!ed at the sho! of a !erfumer( of whom she bou#ht ten kinds of scented waters4 rose)water(
and oran#e)flower)water( and willow)flower)water(W Mc"4 to#ether with some su#ar( and a s!rinklin#)
bottle, of rose)water infused with musk( and some frankincense( and aloes)wood( and amber#ris( and
musk( and wax candles4 and( !lacin# all these in the crate( she said( Take u! thy crate( and follow me"
%e( therefore( took it u!( and followed her until she came to a handsome house( before which was a
s!acious court" $t was a lofty structure( with a door of two leaves( com!osed of ebony( overlaid with
!lates of red #old".
The youn# lady sto!!ed at this door( and knocked #ently4 whereu!on both its leaves were o!ened( and
the !orter( lookin# to see who o!ened it( found it to be a damsel of tall stature( hi#h)bosomed( fair and
beautiful( and of ele#ant form( with a forehead like the bri#ht new moon( eyes like those of #aOelles(
eyebrows like the new moon of+@@ <ama\Dn(+Z cheeks resemblin# anemones( and a mouth like the
seal of /uleymDn:++ her countenance was like the full moon in its s!lendour( and the forms of her
bosom resembled two !ome#ranates of e0ual siOe" 5hen the !orter beheld her( she ca!tivated his
reason( the crate nearly fell from his head( and he exclaimed( Never in my life have $ seen a more
fortunate day than this_ The lady)!ortress( standin# within the door( said to the cateress and the !orter(
Se are welcome:Cand they entered( and !roceeded to a s!acious saloon(+@ decorated with various
colours( and beautifully constructed( with carved wood)work( and fountains( and benches of different
kinds( and closets with curtains han#in# before them4 there was also in it( at the u!!er end(+L a couch
of alabaster inlaid with lar#e !earls and 7ewels( with a mus0uito)curtain of red satin sus!ended over it(
and within this was a youn# lady with eyes !ossessin# the enchantment of 9Dbil(+N and a fi#ure like
the letter 6lif(+- with a face that !ut to shame the shinin# sun: she was like one of the brilliant !lanets(
or rather( one of the most hi#h)born of the maidens of 6rabia" This third lady(+U risin# from the couch(
advanced with a slow and ele#ant #ait to the middle of the saloon( where her sisters were standin#( and
said to them( 5hy stand ye stillR 'ift down the burden from the head of this !oor !orter:Cwhereu!on
the cateress !laced herself before him( and the !ortress behind him( and( the third lady assistin# them(
they lifted it down from his head" They then took out the contents of the crate( and( havin# !ut every
thin# in its !lace( #ave to the !orter two !ieces of #old( sayin# to him( ?e!art( ; !orter"
The !orter( however( stood lookin# at the ladies( and admirin# their beauty and their a#reeable
dis!ositions4 for he had never seen any more handsome4 and when he observed that they had not a man
amon# them( and #aOed u!on the wine( and fruits( and sweet)scented flowers( which were there( he was
full of astonishment( and hesitated to #o out4 u!on which one of the ladies said to him( 5hy dost thou
not #oR dost thou deem thy hire too littleR Then turnin# to one of her sisters( she said to her( 2ive him
another !iece of #old"C9y 6llah( ; my mistress( exclaimed the !orter( my hire is but two half)
dirhems(+W and $ thou#ht not what ye have #iven me too little4 but my heart and mind were occu!ied
with reflections u!on you and your state( ye bein# alone( with no man amon# you( not one to amuse
you with his com!any4 for ye know that the menDreh+, standeth not firmly but on four walls: now ye
have not a fourth( and the !leasure of women is not com!lete without men: ye are three only( and have
need of a fourth(+@L who should be a man( a !erson of sense( discreet( acute( and a concealer of secrets"
5e are maidens( they re!lied4 and fear to im!art our secret to him who will not kee! it4 for we have
read( in a certain history( this verse:C
2uard thy secret from another: intrust it not: for he who intrusteth a secret hath lost it"
C9y your existence( said the !orter( $ am a man of sense( and trustworthy: $ have read various books(
and !erused histories: $ make known what is fair( and conceal what is foul( and act in accordance with
the sayin# of the !oet:C
None kee!eth a secret but a faithful !erson: with the best of mankind it remaineth concealed" 6 secret is
with me as in a house with a lock( whose key is lost( and whose door is sealed"+.
5hen the ladies heard the verses which he 0uoted( and the words with which he addressed them( they
said to him( Thou knowest that we have ex!ended here a considerable sum of money: hast thou then
wherewith to re0uite usR 5e will not suffer thee to remain with us+@N unless thou contribute a sum of
money4 for thou desirest to sit with us( and to be our cu!)com!anion( and to #aOe u!on our beautiful
faces"C$f friendshi! is without money( said the mistress of the house( it is not e0uivalent to the wei#ht
of a #rain:Cand the !ortress added( $f thou hast nothin#( de!art with nothin#:Cbut the cateress said( ;
sister( let us suffer him4 for( verily( he hath not been deficient in his services for us this day: another had
not been so !atient with us: whatever( therefore( falls to his share of the ex!ense( $ will defray for him"
C6t this the !orter re7oiced( and exclaimed( 9y 6llah( $ obtained my first and only !ay this day from
none but thee:Cand the other ladies said to him( /it down: thou art welcome"
The cateress then arose( and( havin# ti#htened her #irdle( arran#ed the bottles( and strained the wine(
and !re!ared the table by the !ool of the fountain" /he made ready all that they re0uired( brou#ht the
wine( and sat down with her sisters4 the !orter also sittin# with them( thinkin# he was in a dream" 6nd
when they had seated themselves( the cateress took a 7ar of wine( and filled the first cu!( and drank
it:@Z she then filled another( and handed it to one of her sisters4 and in like manner she did to her other
sister4 after which she filled a#ain( and handed the cu! to the !orter( who( havin# taken it from her
hand( re!eated this verse:C
$ will drink the wine( and en7oy health4 for( verily( this bevera#e is a remedy for disease"
The wine continued to circulate amon# them( and the !orter( takin# his !art in the revels( dancin# and
sin#in# with them( and en7oyin#+@- the fra#rant odours( be#an to hu# and kiss them( while one
sla!!ed@+ him( and another !ulled him( and the third beat him with sweet)scented flowers( till( at
len#th( the wine made s!ort with their reason4 and they threw off all restraint( indul#in# their merriment
with as much freedom as if no man had been !resent"@@
Thus they continued until the a!!roach of ni#ht( when they said to the !orter( ?e!art( and shew us the
breadth of thy shoulders4@LCbut he re!lied( Ferily the de!arture of my soul from my body were more
easy to me than my de!arture from your com!any4 therefore suffer us to 7oin the ni#ht to the day( and
then each of us shall return to his own( or her own( affairs" The cateress( also( a#ain interceded for him(
sayin#( 9y my life $ con7ure you that ye suffer him to !ass the ni#ht with us( that we may lau#h at his
drolleries( for he is a witty ro#ue" /o they said to him( Thou shalt !ass the ni#ht with us on this
condition( that thou submit to our authority( and ask not an ex!lanation of anythin# that thou shalt see"
%e re!lied( 2ood"C<ise then( said they( and read what is inscribed u!on the door" 6ccordin#ly( he
went to the door( and found the followin# inscri!tion u!on it in letters of #old( /!eak not of that which
doth not concern thee( lest thou hear that which will not !lease thee:Cand he said( 9ear witness to my
!romise that $ will not s!eak of that which doth not concern me"
The cateress then rose( and !re!ared for them a re!ast4 and( after they had eaten a little( they li#hted the
candles and burnt some aloes)wood" This done( they sat down a#ain to the table4 and( while they were
eatin# and drinkin#( they heard a knockin# at the door4 whereu!on( without causin# any interru!tion to
their meal( one of them went to the door( and( on her return( said( ;ur !leasure this ni#ht is now
com!lete( for $ have found( at the door( three forei#ners@N with shaven chins( and each of them is blind
of the left eye: it is an extraordinary coincidence" They are stran#ers newly arrived(@- and each of them
has a ridiculous a!!earance: if they come in( therefore( we shall be amused with lau#hin# at them"C
The lady ceased not with these words( but continued to !ersuade her sisters until they consented( and
said( 'et them enter4 but make it a condition with them that they s!eak not of that which doth not
concern them( lest they hear that which will not !lease them" A!on this she re7oiced( and( havin# #one
a#ain to the door( brou#ht in the three men blind of one eye and with shaven chins( and they had thin
and twisted mustaches" 9ein# mendicants( they saluted and drew back4 but the ladies rose to them(
and+@U seated them4 and when these three men looked at the !orter( they saw that he was intoxicated4
and( observin# him narrowly( they thou#ht that he was one of their own class( and said( %e is a
mendicant like ourselves( and will amuse us by his conversation:Cbut the !orter( hearin# what they
said( arose( and rolled his eyes( and exclaimed to them( /it 0uiet( and abstain from im!ertinent remarks"
%ave ye not read the inscri!tion u!on the doorRCThe ladies( lau#hin#( said to each other( 9etween the
mendicants and the !orter we shall find matter for amusement" They then !laced before the former
some food( and they ate( and then sat to drink" The !ortress handed to them the wine( and( as the cu!
was circulatin# amon# them( the !orter said to them( 9rothers( have ye any tale or stran#e anecdote
wherewith to amuse usR The mendicants( heated by the wine( asked for musical instruments4 and the
!ortress brou#ht them a tambourine of the manufacture of 1l)&XHil( with a lute of 1l)'1rDJ( and a
8ersian har!4@U whereu!on they+@W all arose4 and one took the tambourine4 another( the lute4 and the
third( the har!: and they !layed u!on these instruments( the ladies accom!anyin# them with loud son#s4
and while they were thus divertin# themselves( a !erson knocked at the door" The !ortress( therefore(
went to see who was there4 and the cause of the knockin# was this"
The =haleefeh@W %Droon 1r)<asheed had #one forth this ni#ht to see and hear what news he could
collect( accom!anied by *aQfar@, his 5eOeer( and &esroor@. his executioner" $t was his custom to
dis#uise himself in the attire of a merchant4 and this ni#ht( as he went throu#h the city( he ha!!ened to
!ass( with his attendants( by the house of these ladies( and hearin# the sounds of the musical
instruments( he said to *aQfar( $ have a desire to enter this house( and to see who is #ivin# this concert"
CThey are a !arty who have become intoxicated( re!lied *aQfar( and $ fear that we may ex!erience
some ill usa#e from them4Cbut the =haleefeh said( 5e must enter( and $ would that thou devise some
strata#em by which we may obtain admission to the inmates" *aQfar therefore answered( $ hear and
obey:Cand he advanced( and knocked at the door4 and when the !ortress came and o!ened the door( he
said to her( &y mistress( we are merchants from Tabareeyeh(LZ and have been in 9a#hdDd ten days4 we
have brou#ht with us merchandise( and taken lod#in#s in a =hDn4L+ and a merchant invited us to an
entertainment this ni#ht: accordin#ly( we went to his house( and he !laced food before us( and we ate(
and sat awhile drinkin# to#ether( after which he #ave us leave to de!art4L@ and #oin# out+@, in the
dark( and bein# stran#ers( we missed our way to the =hDn: we trust( therefore( in your #enerosity that
you will admit us to !ass the ni#ht in your house4 by doin# which you will obtain a reward in heaven"
CThe !ortress( lookin# at them( and observin# that they were in the #arb of merchants( and that they
bore an a!!earance of res!ectability( returned( and consulted her two com!anions4 and they said to her(
6dmit them:Cso she returned( and o!ened to them the door" They said to her( /hall we enter with thy
!ermissionR /he answered( Come in" The =haleefeh( therefore( entered( with *aQfar and &esroor4 and
when the ladies saw them( they rose to them( and served them( sayin#( 5elcome are our #uests4 but we
have a condition to im!ose u!on you( that ye s!eak not of that which doth not concern you( lest ye hear
that which will not !lease you" They answered( 2ood:Cand when they had sat down to drink( the
=haleefeh looked at the three mendicants( and was sur!rised at observin# that each of them was blind
of the left eye4 and he #aOed u!on the ladies( and was !er!lexed and amaOed at their fairness and
beauty" 6nd when the others !roceeded to drink and converse( the ladies brou#ht wine to the
=haleefeh4 but he said( $ am a !il#rim4LLCand drew back from them" 5hereu!on the !ortress s!read
before him an embroidered cloth( and !laced u!on it a China bottle( into which she !oured some
willow)flower)water( addin# to it a lum! of ice( and sweetenin# it with su#ar( while the =haleefeh
thanked her( and said within himself( To)morrow $ must reward her for this kind action"
The !arty continued their carousal( and( when the wine took effect u!on them( the mistress of the house
arose( and waited u!on them4 and afterwards( takin# the hand of the cateress( said( 6rise( ; my sister(
that we may fulfil our debt" /he re!lied( 2ood" The !ortress then rose( and( after she had cleared the
middle of the saloon( !laced the mendicants at the further end( beyond the doors4 after which( the ladies
called to the !orter( sayin#( %ow sli#ht is thy friendshi!_ thou art not a stran#er( but one of the family"
/o the !orter arose( and #irded himself( and said( 5hat would yeRCto which one of the ladies
answered( /tand where thou art:Cand !resently the cateress said to him( 6ssist me:Cand he saw two
black bitches( with chains attached to their necks( and drew them to the middle of the saloon4
whereu!on the mistress of the house arose from her !lace( and tucked u! her sleeve above her wrist(
and( takin# a whi!( said to the !orter( 9rin# to me one of them" 6ccordin#ly( he dra##ed one forward
by the chain" The bitch whined( and shook her head at the lady4 but the latter fell+@. to beatin# her
u!on the head( notwithstandin# her howlin#( until her arms were tired( when she threw the whi! from
her hand( and !ressed the bitch to her bosom( and wi!ed away her tears( and kissed her head4 after
which she said to the !orter( Take her back( and brin# the other4Cand he brou#ht her( and she did to her
as she had done to the first" 6t the si#ht of this( the mind of the =haleefeh was troubled( and his heart
was contracted( and he winked to *aQfar that he should ask her the reason4 but he re!lied by a si#n(
/!eak not"
The mistress of the house then looked towards the !ortress( and said to her( 6rise to !erform what thou
hast to do" /he re!lied( 2ood:Cand the mistress of the house seated herself u!on a couch of alabaster(
overlaid with #old and silver( and said to the !ortress and the cateress( Now !erform your !arts" The
!ortress then seated herself u!on a couch by her4 and the cateress( havin# entered a closet( brou#ht out
from it a ba# of satin with #reen frin#es( and( !lacin# herself before the lady of the house( shook it( and
took out from it a lute4 and she tuned its strin#s( and san# to it these verses:C
<estore to my eyelids the slee! which hath been ravished4 and inform me of my reason( whither it hath
fled" $ discovered( when $ took u! my abode with love( that slumber had become an enemy to my eyes"
They said( 5e saw thee to be one of the u!ri#ht4 what( then( hath seduced theeR $ answered( /eek the
cause from his #lance" Ferily $ excuse him for the sheddin# of my blood( admittin# that $ ur#ed him to
the deed by vexation" %e cast his sun)like ima#e u!on the mirror of my mind( and its reflection kindled
a flame in my vitals"LN
5hen the !ortressL- had heard this son#( she exclaimed( 6llah a!!rove thee_Cand she rent her clothes(
and fell u!on the floor in a swoon4 and when her bosom was thus uncovered( the =haleefeh saw u!on
her the marks of beatin#( as if from miJra'ahsLU and whi!s4 at+LZ which he was #reatly sur!rised" The
cateressLW immediately arose( s!rinkled water u!on her face( and brou#ht her another dress( which she
!ut on" The =haleefeh then said to *aQfar( /eest thou not this woman( and the marks of beatin# u!on
herR $ cannot kee! silence res!ectin# this affair( nor be at rest( until $ know the truth of the history of
this damsel( and that of these two bitches" 9ut *aQfar re!lied( ; our lord( they have made a covenant
with us that we shall not s!eak exce!tin# of that which concerneth us( lest we hear that which will not
!lease us"CThe cateress then took the lute a#ain( and( !lacin# it a#ainst her bosom( touched the chords
with the ends of her fin#ers( and thus san# to it:C
+L+
$f of love we com!lain( what shall we sayR ;r consumin# throu#h desire( how can we esca!eR ;r if we
send a messen#er to inter!ret for us( he cannot convey the lover's com!laint" ;r if we would be !atient(
short were our existence after the loss of those we love" Nou#ht remaineth to us but #rief and
mournin#( and tears streamin# down our cheeks" ; you who are absent from my si#ht( but constantly
dwellin# within my heart_ %ave you ke!t your faith to an im!assioned lover( who( while time endureth(
will never chan#eR ;r( in absence( have you for#otten that lover who( on your account( is wastin#
awayR 5hen the day of 7ud#ment shall brin# us to#ether( $ will be# of our 'ord a !rotractive trial"L,
;n hearin# these verses of the cateress( the !ortress a#ain rent her clothes( and cried out( and fell u!on
the floor in a swoon4 and the cateress( as before( !ut on her another dress( after she had s!rinkled some
water u!on her face"L.
The mendicants( when they witnessed this scene( said( 5ould that we had never entered this house( but
rather had !assed the ni#ht u!on the mounds4NZ for our ni#ht hath been rendered foul by an event that
breaketh the back_ The =haleefeh( lookin# towards them( then said( 5herefore is it so with youR They
answered( ;ur hearts are troubled by this occurrence"C6re ye not( he asked( of this houseRCNo( they
answered4 nor did we ima#ine that this house belon#ed to any but the man who is sittin# with you:C
u!on which the !orter said( Ferily( $ have never seen this !lace before this ni#ht4 and $ would that $ had
!assed the ni#ht u!on the mounds rather than here" They then observed( one to another( 5e are seven
men( and they are but three women4 we will( therefore( ask them of their history4 and if they answer us
not willin#ly they shall do it in s!ite of themselves:Cand they all a#reed to this( exce!tin# *aQfar( who
said( This is not a ri#ht determination4 leave them to themselves( for we are their #uests( and they made
a covenant with us which we should fulfil: there remaineth but little of the ni#ht( and each of us shall
soon #o his way" Then( winkin# to the =haleefeh( he said( There remaineth but an hour4 and to)morrow
we will brin# them before thee( and thou shalt ask them their story" 9ut the =haleefeh refused to do so(
and said( $ have not !atience to wait so lon# for their history"C5ords followed words( and at last they
said( 5ho shall !ut the 0uestion to themRCand one answered( The !orter"
The ladies then said to them( ; !eo!le( of what are ye talkin#RCwhereu!on the !orter a!!roached the
mistress of the house( and said+L@ to her( ; my mistress( $ ask thee( and con7ure thee by 6llah( to tell
us the story of the two bitches( and for what reason thou didst beat them( and then didst wee!( and kiss
them( and that thou ac0uaint us with the cause of thy sister's havin# been beaten with miJra'ahs: that is
our 0uestion( and !eace be on you"C$s this true that he saith of youR in0uired the lady( of the other
men4 and they all answered( Ses(Cexce!tin# *aQfar( who was silent" 5hen the lady heard their answer(
she said( Ferily( ; our #uests( ye have wron#ed us excessively4 for we made a covenant with you
beforehand( that he who should s!eak of that which concerned him not should hear that which would
not !lease him" $s it not enou#h that we have admitted you into our house( and fed you with our
!rovisionsR 9ut it is not so much your fault as the fault of her who introduced you to us"C/he then
tucked u! her sleeve above her wrist( and struck the floor three times( sayin#( Come ye 0uickly_Cand
immediately the door of a closet o!ened( and there came forth from it seven black slaves( each havin#
in his hand a drawn sword" The lady said to them( Tie behind them the hands of these men of many
words( and bind each of them to another:Cand they did so( and said( ; virtuous lady( dost thou !ermit
us to strike off+LL their headsR /he answered( 2ive them a short res!ite( until $ shall have in0uired of
them their histories( before ye behead them"C9y 6llah( ; my mistress( exclaimed the !orter( kill me
not for the offence of others: for they have all trans#ressed and committed an offence( exce!tin# me"
Ferily our ni#ht had been !leasant if we had been !reserved from these mendicants( whose !resence is
enou#h to convert a well)!eo!led city into a hea! of ruins_C%e then re!eated this cou!let:C
%ow #ood is it to !ardon one able to resist_ and how much more so( one who is hel!less_ 3or the sake
of the friendshi! that subsisted between us( destroy not one for the crime of another_
;n hearin# these words of the !orter( the lady lau#hed after her an#er" Then a!!roachin# the men( she
said( 6c0uaint me with your histories( for there remaineth of your lives no more than an hour" 5ere ye
not !ersons of honourable and hi#h condition( or #overnors(N+ $ would hasten your recom!ense"CThe
=haleefeh said to *aQfar( 5o to thee( ; *aQfar_ make known to her who we are4 otherwise she will kill
us"C$t were what we deserve( re!lied he"C*estin#( said the =haleefeh( is not befittin# in a time for
seriousness: each has its !ro!er occasion"CThe lady then a!!roached the mendicants( and said to them(
6re ye brothersR They answered( No( indeed4 we are only !oor forei#ners"N@ /he said then to one of
them( 5ast thou born blind of one eyeRCNo( verily( he answered4 but a wonderful event ha!!ened to
me when my eye was destroyed( and the story of it( if en#raved on the understandin#( would serve as a
lesson to him who would be admonished" /he asked the second and the third also4 and they answered
her as the first4 addin#( 1ach of us is from a different country( and our history is wonderful and
extraordinary" The lady then looked towards them and said( 1ach of you shall relate his story( and the
cause of his comin# to our abode( and then stroke his head(NL and #o his way"
The first who advanced was the !orter( who said( ; my mistress( $ am a !orter4 and this cateress loaded
me( and brou#ht me hither( and what hath ha!!ened to me here in your com!any ye know" This is my
story4 and !eace be on you"C/troke thy head( then( said she( and #o:Cbut he re!lied( 9y 6llah( $ will
not #o until $ shall have heard the story of my com!anions"CThe first mendicant then advanced( and
related as follows:C
+LN
THE STORY OF THE FIRST ROYAL MENDICANT.
=now( ; my mistress( that the cause of my havin# shaved my beard( and of the loss of my eye was this:
C&y father was a =in#( and he had a brother who was also a =in#( and who resided in another ca!ital"
$t ha!!ened that my mother #ave birth to me on the same day on which the son of my uncle was born4
and years and days !assed away until we attained to manhood" Now( it was my custom( some years( to
visit my uncle( and to remain with him several months4 and on one of these occasions my cousin !aid
me #reat honour4 he slau#htered shee! for me( and strained the wine for me( and we sat down to drink4
and when the wine had affected us( he said to me( ; son of my uncle( $ have need of thine assistance in
an affair of interest to me( and $ be# that thou wilt not o!!ose me in that which $ desire to do" $ re!lied(
$ am alto#ether at thy service:Cand he made me swear to him by #reat oaths( and( risin# immediately(
absented himself for a little while( and then returned( followed by a woman decked with ornaments(
and !erfumed( and wearin# a dress of extraordinary value" %e looked towards me( while the woman
stood behind him( and said( Take this woman( and #o before me to the burial)#round which is in such a
!lace:Cand he described it to me( and $ knew it" %e then added( 1nter the burial)#round( and there wait
for me"
$ could not o!!ose him( nor refuse to com!ly with his re0uest( on account of the oaths which $ had
sworn to him4 so $ took the woman( and went with her to the burial)#round4 and when we had sat there
a short time( my cousin came( bearin# a basin of water( and a ba# containin# some !laster( and a small
adOe" 2oin# to a tomb in the midst of the burial)#round( he took the adOe( and disunited the stones(
which he !laced on one side4 he then du# u! the earth with the adOe( and uncovered a flat stone( of the
siOe of a small door( under which there a!!eared a vaulted staircase" %avin# done this he made a si#n to
the woman( and said to her( ?o accordin# to thy choice:Cwhereu!on she descended the stairs" %e then
looked towards me( and said( ; son of my uncle( com!lete thy kindness when $ have descended into
this !lace( by re!lacin# the tra!)door and the earth above it as they were before: then( this !laster which
is in the ba#( and this water which is in the basin( do thou knead to#ether( and !laster the stones of the
tomb as they were( so that no man may know it( and say( This hath been lately o!ened( but its interior is
old:Cfor(+L- durin# the s!ace of a whole year $ have been !re!arin# this( and no one knew it but 2od:
this is what $ would have thee do" %e then said to me( &ay 2od never de!rive thy friends of thy
!resence( ; son of my uncle_Cand( havin# uttered these words( he descended the stairs"
5hen he had disa!!eared from before my eyes( $ re!laced the tra!)door( and busied myself with doin#
as he had ordered me( until the tomb was restored to the state in which it was at first4 after which $
returned to the !alace of my uncle( who was then absent on a huntin# excursion" $ sle!t that ni#ht( and
when the mornin# came( $ reflected u!on what had occurred between me and my cousin( and re!ented
of what $ had done for him( when re!entance was of no avail" $ then went out to the burial)#round( and
searched for the tomb4 but could not discover it" $ ceased not in my search until the a!!roach of ni#ht4
and( not findin# the way to it( returned a#ain to the !alace4 and $ neither ate nor drank: my heart was
troubled res!ectin# my cousin( since $ knew not what had become of him4 and $ fell into+LU excessive
#rief" $ !assed the ni#ht sorrowful until the mornin#( and went a#ain to the burial)#round( reflectin#
u!on the action of my cousin( and re!entin# of my com!liance with his re0uest4 and $ searched amon#
all the tombs4 but discovered not that for which $ looked" Thus $ !ersevered in my search seven days
without success"NN
&y trouble continued and increased until $ was almost mad4 and $ found no relief but in de!artin#( and
returnin# to my father4 but on my arrival at his ca!ital( a !arty at the city)#ate s!ran# u!on me and
bound me" $ was struck with the utmost astonishment( considerin# that $ was the son of the /ulEDn of
the city( and that these were the servants of my father and of myself: excessive fear of them overcame
me( and $ said within myself( 5hat hath ha!!ened to my fatherR $ asked( of those who had bound me(
the cause of this conduct4 but they returned me no answer( till after a while( when one of them( who had
been my servant( said to me( 3ortune hath betrayed thy father( the troo!s have been false to him( and
the 5eOeer hath killed him4 and we were lyin# in wait to take thee"CThey took me( and $ was as one
dead( by reason of this news which $ had heard res!ectin# my father4 and $ stood before the 5eOeer
who had killed my father"
Now( there was an old enmity subsistin# between me and him4 and the cause of it was this:C$ was fond
of shootin# with the cross)bow4 and it ha!!ened( one day( that as $ was standin# on the roof of my
!alace( a bird ali#hted on the roof of the !alace of the 5eOeer( who was standin# there at the time( and $
aimed at the bird4 but the bullet missed it( and struck the eye of the 5eOeer( and knocked it out( in
accordance with the a!!ointment of fate and destiny( as the !oet hath said:C
5e trod the ste!s a!!ointed for us: and the man whose ste!s are a!!ointed must tread them" %e whose
death is decreed to take !lace in one land will not die in any land but that"
5hen $ had thus !ut out the eye of the 5eOeer( he could say nothin#( because my father was =in# of
the city" This was the cause of the enmity between him and me: and when $ stood before him( with my
hands bound behind me( he #ave the order to strike off my head" $ said to him( 5ouldst thou kill me for
no offenceRC5hat offence( he exclaimed( could be #reater than thisRCand he !ointed to the !lace of
the eye which was !ut out" $ did that( said $( unintentionally"+LW %e re!lied( $f thou didst it
unintentionally( $ will do the same to thee !ur!osely:Cand immediately he said( 9rin# him forward to
me:Cand( when they had done so( he thrust his fin#er into my left eye( and !ulled it out" Thus $
became de!rived of one eye( as ye see me" %e then bound me firmly( and !laced me in a chest( and said
to the executioner( Take this fellow( and draw thy sword( and convey him without the city4 then !ut him
to death( and let the wild beasts devour him"
6ccordin#ly( he went forth with me from the city( and( havin# taken me out from the chest( bound hand
and foot( was about to banda#e my eye( and kill me4 whereu!on $ we!t( and exclaimed(C
%ow many brothers have $ taken as armour_ and such they were4 but to #uard my enemies" $ thou#ht
they would be as !iercin# arrows: and such they were4 but to enter my heart_
The executioner( who had served my father in the same ca!acity( and to whom $ had shewn kindnesses(
said( on hearin# these verses( ; my master( what can $ do( bein# a slave under commandRCbut
!resently he added( ?e!art with thy life( and return not to this country( lest thou !erish( and cause me to
!erish with thee" The !oet saith(C
3lee with thy life if thou fearest o!!ression( and leave the house to tell its builder's fate" Thou wilt find(
for the land that thou 0uittest( another: but no soul wilt thou find to re!lace thine own"
6s soon as he had thus said( $ kissed his hands( and believed not in my safety until $ had fled from his
!resence" The loss of my eye a!!eared li#ht to me when $ considered my esca!e from death4 and $
7ourneyed to my uncle's ca!ital( and( !resentin# myself before him( informed him of what had befallen
my father( and of the manner in which $ had lost my eye: u!on which he we!t bitterly( and said( Thou
hast added to my trouble and my #rief4 for thy cousin hath been lost for some days( and $ know not
what hath ha!!ened to him( nor can any one #ive me information res!ectin# him" Then he we!t a#ain(
until he became insensible4 and when he recovered( he said( ; my son( the loss of thine eye is better
than the loss of thy life"
A!on this $ could no lon#er kee! silence res!ectin# his son( my cousin4 so $ informed him of all that
ha!!ened to him4 and on hearin# this news he re7oiced exceedin#ly( and said( /hew me the tomb"C9y
6llah( ; my uncle( $ re!lied( $ know not where it is4 for+L, $ went afterwards several times to search
for it( and could not reco#nise its !lace" 5e( however( went to#ether to the burial)#round( and( lookin#
to the ri#ht and left( $ discovered it4 and both $ and my uncle re7oiced" $ then entered the tomb with him(
and when we had removed the earth( and lifted u! the tra!)door( we descended fifty ste!s( and( arrivin#
at the bottom of the stairs( there issued forth u!on us a smoke which blinded our eyes4 whereu!on my
uncle !ronounced those words which relieve from fear him who uttereth them(CThere is no stren#th
nor !ower but in 2od( the %i#h( the 2reat_C6fter this( we !roceeded( and found ourselves in a saloon(
filled with flour and #rain( and various eatables4 and we saw there a curtain sus!ended over a couch(
u!on which my uncle looked( and found there his son and the woman who had descended with him(
lyin# side by side( and converted into black charcoal( as if they had been thrown into a !it of fire" 6nd
when he beheld this s!ectacle( he s!at in his son's face( and exclaimed( This is what thou deservest( ;
thou wretch_ This is the !unishment of the !resent world( and there remaineth the !unishment of the
other world( which will be more severe and lastin#_Cand he struck him with his shoes" 6stonished at
this action( and #rieved for my cousin( seein# him and the damsel thus converted into charcoal( $ said(
9y 6llah( ; my uncle( moderate the trouble of thy heart( for my mind is !er!lexed by that which hath
ha!!ened to thy son( and by thinkin# how it hath come to !ass that he and the damsel are converted
into black charcoal" ?ost thou not deem it enou#h for him to be in this state( that thou beatest him with
thy shoesR
; son of my brother( he re!lied( this my son was( from his early years( inflamed with love for his
foster)sister(N- and $ used to forbid him from entertainin# this !assion for her( and to say within myself(
They are now children( but when they #row older a base act will be committed by them:Cand( indeed(
$ heard that such had been the case( but $ believed it not" $( however( re!rimanded him severely( and
said to him( 9eware of so foul an action( which none before thee hath committed( nor will any commit
after thee: otherwise we shall suffer dis#race and dis!ara#ement amon# the =in#s until we die( and our
history will s!read abroad with the caravans: have a care for thyself that such an action !roceed not
from thee4 for $ should be incensed a#ainst thee( and kill thee" $ then se!arated him from her( and her
from him: but the vile woman loved him excessively4 the ?evil #ot !ossession of them both4 and when
my son saw that $ had se!arated him( he secretly made this !lace beneath the earth( and( havin#
con+L.veyed hither the !rovisions which thou seest( took advanta#e of my inadvertence when $ had
#one out to hunt( and came hither: but the TruthNU (whose !erfection be extolled( and whose name be
exalted_) was 7ealously vi#ilant over them( and consumed them by fire4 and the !unishment of the
world to come will be more severe and lastin#"C%e then we!t( and $ we!t with him4 and he said to me(
Thou art my son in his stead"C$ remained a while reflectin# u!on the world and its vicissitudes( u!on
the murder of my father by the 5eOeer( and his usur!in# his throne( and the loss of my eye( and the
stran#e events which had ha!!ened to my cousin( and $ we!t a#ain"
5e then ascended( and( havin# re!laced the tra!)door and the earth above it( and restored the tomb to
its former state( returned to our abode4 but scarcely had we seated ourselves when we heard the sounds
of drums and trum!ets( warriours #allo!ed about( and the air was filled with dust raised by the horses'
hoofs" ;ur minds were !er!lexed( not knowin# what had ha!!ened( and the =in#( askin# the news( was
answered( The 5eOeer of thy brother hath slain him and his soldiers and #uards( and come with his
army to assault the city unawares4 and the inhabitants( bein# unable to withstand( have submitted to
him:Cwhereu!on $ said within myself( $f $ fall into his hand( he will slay me"C2riefs overwhelmed
me( and $ thou#ht of the calamities which had befallen my father and my mother( and knew not what to
do4 for if $ a!!eared( the !eo!le of the city would know me( and the troo!s of my father would hasten
to kill and destroy me" $ knew no way of esca!e but to shave off my beard:NW so $ shaved it( and(
havin# chan#ed my clothes( de!arted from the city( and came hither( to this abode of !eace( in the ho!e
that some !erson would introduce me to the 8rince of the 3aithful( the =haleefeh of the 'ord of all
creatures( that $ mi#ht relate to him my story( and all that had befallen me" $ arrived in this city this
ni#ht4 and as $ stood !er!lexed( not knowin# whither to direct my ste!s( $ saw this mendicant( and
saluted him( and said( $ am a stran#er" %e re!lied( 6nd $( too( am a stran#er:Cand while we were thus
addressin# each other( our com!anion( this third !erson( came u! to us( and salutin# us( said( $ am a
stran#er" 5e re!lied( 6nd we( also( are stran#ers" /o we walked on to#ether( and darkness overtook us(
and destiny directed us unto your abode"CThis was the cause of the shavin# of my beard( and of the
loss of my eye"
The lady then said to him( /troke my head( and de!art:Cbut he re!lied( $ will not de!art until $ have
heard the stories of the others"+NZ 6nd they wondered at his tale4 and the =haleefeh said to *aQfar(
Ferily $ have never known the like of that which hath ha!!ened to this mendicant"
The second mendicant then advanced( and( havin# kissed the #round( said(C
THE STORY OF THE SECOND ROYAL MENDICANT.
; my mistress( $ was not born with only one eye4 but my story is wonderful( and( if written( would
serve as a lesson to him who would be admonished" $ am a =in#( and son of a =in#: $ read the PurDn
accordin# to the seven readin#s(N, and !erused various works under the tuition of different learned
!rofessors of their sub7ects: $ studied the science of the stars(N. and the writin#s of the !oets( and made
myself a !roficient in all the sciences4 so that $ sur!assed the !eo!le of my a#e" &y hand)writin#-Z was
extolled amon# all the scribes( my fame s!read amon# all countries( and my history amon# all =in#s4
and the =in# of $ndia( hearin# of me( re0uested my father to allow me to visit him( sendin# him various
#ifts and curious !resents( such as were suitable to =in#s" &y father( therefore( !re!ared for me six
shi!s( and we !roceeded by sea for the s!ace of a whole month( after which we came to land4 and(
havin# disembarked some horses which we had with us in the shi!( we loaded ten camels with !resents(
and commenced our 7ourney4 but soon there a!!eared a cloud of dust( which rose and s!read until it
filled the air before us( and( after a while( cleared a little( and discovered to us( in the midst of it(
sixty+N+ horseman like fierce lions whom we !erceived to be 6rab hi#hwaymen4 and when they saw
us( that we were a small com!any with ten loads of !resents for the =in# of $ndia( they #allo!ed
towards us( !ointin# their s!ears at us" 5e made si#ns to them with our fin#ers( and said( 5e are
ambassadors to the honoured =in# of $ndia4 therefore do us no in7ury:Cbut they re!lied( 5e are not in
his territories( nor under his #overnment" They slew certain of the youn# men( and the rest fled" $ also
fled( after $ had received a severe wound4 the 6rabs bein# em!loyed( without further re#ard to us( in
takin# !ossession of the treasure and !resents which we had with us"
$ !roceeded without knowin# whither to direct my course( reduced from a mi#hty to an ab7ect state( and
7ourneyed till $ arrived at the summit of a mountain( where $ took shelter in a cavern until the next
mornin#" $ then resumed my 7ourney( and arrived at a flourishin# city: the winter( with its cold( had
!assed away( and the s!rin# had come( with its flowers4 and $ re7oiced at my arrival there( bein#
wearied with my 7ourney( anxious and !allid" &y condition bein# thus chan#ed( $ knew not whither to
bend my ste!s4 and( turnin# to a tailor sittin# in his sho!( $ saluted him( and he returned my salutation(
and welcomed me( and wished me 7oy( askin# me the reason of my havin# come thither" $ ac0uainted
him( therefore( with what had befallen me from first to last( and he was #rieved for me( and said( ;
youn# man( reveal not thy case( for $ fear what the =in# of this city mi#ht do to thee( since he is the
#reatest of thy father's enemies( and hath a debt of blood a#ainst him" %e then !laced some food and
drink before me( and we ate to#ether( and $ conversed with him till ni#ht( when he lod#ed me in a !lace
by his sho!( and brou#ht me a bed and coverlet4 and( after $ had remained with him three days( he said
to me( ?ost thou not know any trade by which to make #ainR-+ $ answered( $ am ac0uainted with the
law( a student of sciences( a writer( and an arithmetician"CThy occu!ation( he said( is !rofitless in our
country: there is no one in our city ac0uainted with science or writin#( but only with #ettin# money"
Ferily( $ re!lied( $ know nothin# but what $ have told thee"C2ird thyself( then( said he( and take an axe
and a ro!e( and cut firewood in the desert( and so obtain thy subsistence until 2od dis!el thy affliction4
but ac0uaint no one with thy history( else they will kill thee" %e then bou#ht for me an axe and a ro!e(
and sent me with a !arty of wood)cutters( #ivin# them a char#e res!ectin# me" 6ccordin#ly( $ went
forth with them( and( cut some wood( and brou#ht back a load u!on my head( and sold it+N@ for half a
!iece of #old( !art of which $ ex!ended in food( layin# by the remainder"
Thus $ continued for the s!ace of a year( after which $ went one day into the desert( accordin# to my
custom( to cut firewood4 and( findin# there a tract with abundance of wood( $ entered it( and came to a
tree( around which $ du#4 and as $ was removin# the earth from its roots( the axe struck a#ainst a rin# of
brass4 and $ cleared away the earth from it( and found that it was affixed to a tra!)door of wood( which
$ immediately removed" 9eneath it a!!eared a staircase( which $ descended4 and at the bottom of this $
entered a door( and beheld a !alace( stron#ly constructed( where $ found a lady( like a !earl of hi#h
!rice( whose as!ect banished from the heart all anxiety and #rief and affliction" 6t the si#ht of her $
!rostrated myself in adoration of+NL her Creator for the fairness and beauty which %e had dis!layed in
her !erson4 and she( lookin# towards me( said( 6rt thou a man or a *inneeR $ answered her( $ am a man"
C6nd who( she asked( hath brou#ht thee to this !lace( in which $ have lived five and twenty years
without ever seein# a human bein#RC%er words sounded sweetly to me( and $ answered her( ; my
mistress( 2od hath brou#ht me to thy abode( and $ ho!e will !ut an end to my anxiety and #rief:Cand $
related to her my story from be#innin# to end" /he was #rieved at my case( and we!t( and said( $ also
will ac0uaint thee with my story" =now that $ am the dau#hter of the =in# of the further !arts of $ndia(
the lord of the 1bony $sland" &y father had married me to the son of my uncle4 but on the ni#ht of my
bridal festivities( an '1freet namad *ar7arees( the son of <e7moos( the son of $blees( carried me off( and(
soarin# with me throu#h the air( ali#hted in this !lace( to which he conveyed all thin#s necessary for
me( such as ornaments( and #arments( and linen( and furniture( and food( and drink4 and once in every
ten days he cometh to me( and s!endeth a ni#ht here4-@ and he hath a!!ointed with me( that( in case of
my wantin# any thin# by+NN ni#ht or day( $ should touch with my hand these two lines which are
inscribed u!on the Jubbeh(-L and as soon as $ remove my hand $ see him before me" 3our days have
now !assed since he was last with me( and there remain( therefore( six days before he will come a#ain4
wilt thou then remain with me five days( and de!art one day before his visitRC$ answered( Ses4
re7oicin# at the !ro!osal4 and she arose( and takin# me by the hand( conducted me throu#h an arched
door to a small and ele#ant bath( where $ took off my clothes( while she seated herself u!on a mattress"
6fter this( she seated me by her side( and brou#ht me some sherbet of su#ar infused with musk(-N and
handed it to me to drink: she then !laced some food before me( and after we had eaten and conversed
to#ether( she said to me( /lee!( and rest thyself4 for thou art fati#ued"
$ sle!t( ; my mistress( and for#ot all that had befallen me4 and when $ awoke( $ found her rubbin# my
feet4-- u!on which $ called to her( and we sat down a#ain and conversed a while4 and she said to me(
9y 6llah( $ was straitened in my heart( livin# here alone( without any !erson to talk with me( five and
twenty years" 8raise be to 2od who hath sent thee to me"C$ thanked her for her kind ex!ressions4 and
love of her took !ossession of my heart( and my anxiety and #rief fled away" 5e then sat down to drink
to#ether4 and $ remained by her side all the ni#ht( deli#hted with her com!any( for $ had never seen her
like in my whole life4 and in the mornin#( when we were both full of 7oy( $ said to her( /hall $ take thee
u! from this subterranean !lace( and release thee from the *inneeR 9ut she lau#hed( and re!lied( 9e
content( and hold thy !eace4 for( of every ten days( one day shall be for the '1freet( and nine for thee" $
!ersisted( however( bein# overcome with !assion: and said( $ will this instant demolish this Jubbeh
u!on which the inscri!tion is en#raved( and let the '1freet come( that $ may slay him: for $ am
!redestined to kill '1freets" /he entreated me to refrain4 but( !ayin# no attention to her words( $ kicked
the Jubbeh with violence4 u!on which she exclaimed( The '1freet hath arrived_ ?id $ not caution thee
a#ainst thisR Ferily thou hast brou#ht a calamity u!on me4 but save thyself( and ascend by the way that
thou camest"
$n the excess of my fear $ for#ot my sandals and my axe( and when $ had ascended two ste!s( turnin#
round to look for them( $ saw that the #round had o!ened( and there rose from it an '1freet of hideous
as!ect( who said( 5herefore is this disturbance with which thou hast alarmed me( and what misfortune
hath befallen theeR /he+N- answered( No misfortune hath ha!!ened to me( exce!tin# that my heart was
contracted( and $ desired to drink some wine to dilate it( and( risin# to !erform my !ur!ose( $ fell
a#ainst the Jubbeh"CThou liest( vile woman( he exclaimed4Cand( lookin# about the !alace to the ri#ht
and left( he saw the sandals and axe4 and said to her( These are the !ro!erty of none but a man" 5ho
hath visited theeRC$ have not seen them( she answered( until this instant: !robably they cau#ht to thee"
CThis lan#ua#e( said he( is absurd( and will have no effect u!on me( thou shameless woman_Cand( so
sayin#( he stri!!ed her of her clothin#( and tied her down( with her arms and le#s extended( to four
stakes( and be#an to beat her( ur#in# her to confess what had ha!!ened"
3or myself( bein# unable to endure her cries( $ ascended the stairs( over!owered by fear( and( arrivin#
at the to!( re!laced the tra!)door as it was at first( and covered it over with earth" $ re!ented bitterly of
what $ had done( and reflectin# u!on the lady and her beauty( and how this wretch was torturin# her
after she had lived with him five and twenty years( and that he tortured her only on my account( and
reflectin# also u!on my father and his kin#dom( and how $ had been reduced to the condition of a
wood)cutter( $ re!eated this verse:C
5hen fortune brin#eth thee affliction( console thyself by rememberin# that one day thou must see
!ros!erity( and another day( difficulty"
<eturnin# to my com!anion( the tailor( $ found him awaitin# my return as if he were !laced in a !an
u!on burnin# coals" $ !ast last+NU ni#ht( said he( with anxious heart on thy account( fearin# for thee
from some wild beast or other calamity" 8raise be to 2od for thy safe return"C$ thanked him for his
tender concern for me( and entered my a!artment4 and as $ sat meditatin# u!on that which had befallen
me( and blamin# myself for havin# kicked the Jubbeh( my friend the tailor came in to me( and said( $n
the sho! is a forei#ner( who asks for thee( and he has thy axe and sandals4 he came with them to the
wood)cutters(-U and said to them( $ went out at the time of the call of the &uaddin to mornin#)!rayer(
and stumbled u!on these( and know not to whom they belon#: can ye #uide me to their ownerRCThe
wood)cutters( therefore( directed him to thee: he is sittin# in my sho!4 so #o out to him and thank him(
and take thy axe and thy sandals"C;n hearin# these words( my countenance turned !ale( and my
whole state became chan#ed4 and while $ was in this condition( the floor of my chamber clove asunder(
and there rose from it the stran#er( and lo( he was the '1freet4 he had tortured the lady with+NW the
utmost cruelty4 but she would confess nothin#: so he took the axe and the sandals( and said to her( $f $
am *ar7arees( of the descendants of $blees( $ will brin# the owner of this axe and these sandals"
6ccordin#ly( he came( with the !retence before mentioned( to the wood)cutters( and( havin# entered my
chamber( without #rantin# me any delay( seiOed me( and soared with me throu#h the air: he then
descended( and dived into the earth( and brou#ht me u! into the !alace where $ was before"
%ere $ beheld the lady stri!!ed of her clothin#( and with blood flowin# from her sides4 and tears
trickled from my eyes" The '1freet then took hold of her( and said( File woman( this is thy lover:C
whereu!on she looked at me( and re!lied( $ know him not( nor have $ ever seen him until this instant"
The '1freet said to her( 5ith all this torture wilt thou not confessR /he answered( Never in my life have
$ seen him before( and it is not lawful in the si#ht of 2od that $ should s!eak falsely a#ainst him"-WC
Then( said he( if thou know him not( take this sword and strike off his head" /he took the sword( and
came to me( and stood over my head: but $ made a si#n to her with my eyebrow( while tears ran down
my cheeks" /he re!lied in a similar manner( Thou art he who hath done all this to me:C$ made a si#n
to her( however( that this was a time for !ardon( conveyin# my meanin# in the manner thus described
by the !oet:C-,
;ur si#nal in love is the #lance of our eyes4 and every intelli#ent !erson understandeth the si#n" ;ur
eyebrows carry on an intercourse between us: we are silent4 but love s!eaketh"
6nd when she understood me( she threw the sword from her hand( ; my mistress( and the '1freet
handed it to me( sayin#( /trike off her head( and $ will liberate thee( and do thee no harm" $ re!lied(
2ood:Cand( 0uickly a!!roachin# her( raised my hand4 but she made a si#n as thou#h she would say( $
did no in7ury to thee:Cwhereu!on my eyes !oured with tears( and( throwin# down the sword( $ said( ;
mi#hty '1freet( and valiant hero( if a woman( deficient in sense and reli#ion(-. seeth it not lawful to
strike off my head( how is it lawful for me to do so to her( and es!ecially when $ have never seen her
before in my lifeR $ will never do it( thou#h $ should drink the cu! of death and destruction"CThere is
affection between you( said the '1freet( and( takin# the sword( he struck off one of the hands of the
lady4 then( the other4 after this( her ri#ht foot4 and then( her left foot: thus with four blows he cut off her
four extremities( while $+N, looked on( ex!ectin# my own death" /he then made a si#n to me with her
eye4 and the '1freet( observin# her( exclaimed( Now thou hast been #uilty of incontinence with thine
eye_Cand( with a blow of his sword( struck off her head4 after which( he turned towards me( and said(
; man( it is allowed us by our law( if a wife be #uilty of incontinence( to !ut her to death" This woman $
carried off on her weddin#)ni#ht( when she was twelve years of a#e( and she was ac0uainted with no
man but me4 and $ used to !ass one ni#ht with her in the course of every ten days in the #arb of a
forei#ner4 and when $ discovered of a certainty that she had been unfaithful to me( $ killed her: but as
for thee( $ am not convinced that thou hast wron#ed me with res!ect to her4 yet $ must not leave thee
un!unished: choose( therefore( what in7ury $ shall do to thee"
A!on this( ; my mistress( $ re7oiced exceedin#ly( and( ea#er to obtain his !ardon( $ said to him( 5hat
shall $ choose from thy handsRCChoose( he answered( into what form $ shall chan#e thee4 either the
form of a do#( or that of an ass( or that of an a!e" $ re!lied( in my desire of for#iveness( Ferily( if thou
wilt !ardon me( 2od will !ardon thee in recom!ense for thy shewin# mercy to a &uslim who hath
done thee no in7ury:Cand $ humbled myself in the most ab7ect manner( and said to him( 8ardon me as
the envied man did the envier"C6nd how was thatR said he" $ answered as follows:CUZ
+N.
THE STORY OF THE ENVIER AND THE ENVIED.
=now( ; my master( that there was a certain man who had a nei#hbour that envied him4 and the more
this !erson envied him( so much the more did 2od increase the !ros!erity of the former" Thus it
continued a lon# time4 but when the envied man found that his nei#hbour !ersisted in troublin# him( he
removed to a !lace where there was a deserted well4 and there he built for himself an oratory( and
occu!ied himself in the worshi! of 2od" Numerous 3aJeersU+ assembled around him( and he ac0uired
#reat esteem( !eo!le re!airin# to him from every 0uarter( !lacin# firm reliance u!on his sanctity4 and
his fame reached the ears of his envious nei#hbour( who mounted his horse( and went to visit him4 and
when the envied man saw him( he saluted him( and !ayed him the utmost civility" The envier then said
to him( $ have come hither to inform thee of a matter in which thou wilt find advanta#e( and for which $
shall obtain a recom!ense in heaven" The envied man re!lied( &ay 2od re0uite thee for me with every
blessin#" Then( said the envier( order the 3aJeers to retire to their cells( for the information that $ am
about to #ive thee $ would have no one overhear" /o he ordered them to enter their cells4 and the envier
said to him( 6rise( and let us walk to#ether( and converse4 and they walked on until they came to the
deserted well before mentioned( when the envier !ushed the envied man into this well( without the
knowled#e of any one( and went his way( ima#inin# that he had killed him"
9ut this well was inhabited by *inn( who received him unhurt( and seated him u!on a lar#e stone4 and
when they had done this( one of them said to the others( ?o ye know this manR They answered( 5e
know him not"CThis( said he( is the envied man who fled from him who envied him( and took u! his
abode in this 0uarter( in the nei#hbourin# oratory( and who entertaineth us by his OikrU@ and his
readin#s4 and when his envier heard of him( he came hither to him( and( devisin# a strata#em a#ainst
him( threw him down here" %is fame hath this ni#ht reached the /ulEDn of this city( who hath !ur!osed
to visit him to)morrow( on account of the affliction which hath befallen his dau#hter"C6nd what( said
they( hath ha!!ened to his dau#hterR %e answered( &adness4 for &eymoon( the son of ?emdem( hath
become inflamed with love for her4 and her cure is the easiest of thin#s" They asked him( 5hat is itRC
and he answered(+-Z The black cat that is with him in the oratory hath at the end of her tail a white
s!ot( of the siOe of a !iece of silver4 and from this white s!ot should be taken seven hairs( and with
these the damsel should be fumi#ated( and the &Drid would de!art from over her head( and not return
to her4 so she would be instantly cured" 6nd now it is our duty to take him out"
5hen the mornin# came( the 3aJeers saw the /heykh risin# out of the well4 and he became ma#nified
in their eyes" 6nd when he entered the oratory( he took from the white s!ot at the end of the cat's tail
seven hairs( and !laced them in a !ortfolio by him4 and at sunrise the =in# came to him( and when the
/heykh saw him( he said to him( ; =in#( thou hast come to visit me in order that $ may cure thy
dau#hter" The =in# re!lied" Ses( ; virtuous /heykh"CThen( said the /heykh( send some !erson to
brin# her hither4 and $ trust in 2od( whose name be exalted( that she may be instantly cured" 6nd when
the =in# had brou#ht his dau#hter( the /heykh beheld her bound( and( seatin# her( sus!ended a curtain
over her( and took out the hairs( and fumi#ated her with them4 whereu!on the &Drid cried+-+ out from
over her head( and left her4 and the damsel immediately recovered her reason( and( veilin# her face(
said to her father( 5hat is this( and wherefore didst thou brin# me to this !laceR %e answered her( Thou
hast nothin# to fear4Cand re7oiced #reatly" %e kissed the hand of the envied /heykh( and said to the
#reat men of his court who were with him( 5hat shall be the recom!ense of this /heykh for that which
he hath doneR They answered( %is recom!ense should be that thou marry him to her"CSe have s!oken
truly( said the =in#:Cand he #ave her in marria#e to him( and thus the /heykh became a connection of
the =in#4 and after some days the =in# died( and he was made =in# in his !lace"
6nd it ha!!ened one day that this envied =in# was ridin# with his troo!s( and he saw his envier
a!!roachin#4 and when this man came before him he seated him u!on a horse with hi#h distinction and
honour( and( takin# him to his !alace( #ave him a thousand !ieces of #old( and a costly dress4 after
which he sent him back from the city( with attendants to escort him to his house( and re!roached him
for nothin#"CConsider( then( ; '1freet( the !ardon of the envied to the envier( and his kindness to him(
notwithstandin# the in7uries he had done him"UL
CONTINUATION OF THE STORY OF THE SECOND ROYAL MENDICANT.
The '1freet( when he had heard this story( re!lied( 'en#then not thy words to me: as to my killin# thee(
fear it not4 and as to my !ardonin# thee( covet it not4 but as to my enchantin# thee( there is no esca!e
from it4Cand( so sayin#( he clove the earth asunder( and soared with me throu#h the sky to such a
hei#ht that $ beheld the world beneath me as thou#h it were a bowl of water: then( ali#htin# u!on a
mountain( he took u! a little dust( and( havin# muttered and !ronounced certain words over it( s!rinkled
me with it( sayin#( guit this form( and take the form of an a!e_Cwhereu!on $ became like an a!e of a
hundred years of a#e"
5hen $ saw myself chan#ed into this u#ly form( $ we!t for myself( but determined to be !atient under
the tyranny of fortune( knowin# it to be constant to no one" $ descended from the summit of the
mountain( and( after havin# 7ourneyed for the s!ace of a month( arrived at the sea)shore4 and( when $
had stood there a short time( $ saw a vessel in the midst of the sea( with a favourable wind
a!!roachin#+-@ the land4 $ therefore hid myself behind a rock on the beach( and when the shi! came
close u!( $ s!ran# into the midst of it" 9ut as soon as the !ersons on board saw me( one of them cried(
Turn out this unlucky brute from the shi!:Canother said( 'et us kill him:Cand a third exclaimed( $ will
kill him with this sword" $( however( cau#ht hold of the end of the sword( and tears flowed from my
eyes4 at the si#ht of which the ca!tain took com!assion on me( and said to the !assen#ers( ; merchants(
this a!e hath sou#ht my aid( and $ #ive it him4 he is under my !rotection4 let no one( therefore( o!!ose
or trouble him" %e then treated me with kindness( and whatever he said to me $ understood( and all that
he re0uired to be done $ !erformed as his servant"+-L
5e continued our voya#e for fifty days with a fair wind( and cast anchor under a lar#e city containin# a
!o!ulation which no one but 2od( whose name be exalted( could reckon4 and when we had moored our
vessel( there came to us some memlooks from the =in# of the city( who came on board the shi!( and
com!limented the merchants on their safe arrival( sayin#( ;ur =in# #reeteth you( re7oicin# in your
safety( and hath sent to you this roll of !a!er( desirin# that each of you shall write a line u!on it4 for the
=in# had a 5eOeer who was an eminent cali#ra!hist( and he is dead( and the =in# hath sworn that he
will not a!!oint any !erson to his office who cannot write e0ually well"UN Thou#h in the form of an
a!e( $ arose and snatched the !a!er from their hands4 u!on which( fearin# that $ would tear it and throw
it into the sea( they cried out a#ainst me( and would have killed me4 but $ made si#ns to them that $
would write( and the ca!tain said to them( /uffer him to write( and if he scribble we will turn him
away4 but if he write well $ will ado!t him as my son4 for $ have never seen a more intelli#ent a!e" /o $
took the !en( and demanded the ink( and wrote in an e!istolary hand this cou!let:C
3ame hath recorded the virtues of the noble4 but no one hath been able to reckon thine" &ay 2od not
de!rive mankind of such a father4 for thou art the !arent of every excellence"
Then( in a more formal( lar#e hand( $ wrote the followin# verses:C
There is no writer that shall not !erish4 but what his hand hath written endureth ever" 5rite( therefore(
nothin# but what will !lease thee when thou shalt see it on the day of resurrection"
Two other s!ecimens $ wrote( in two different and smaller hands( and returned the !a!er to the
memlooks( who took it back to the =in#4 and when he saw what was written u!on it( the hand of no
one !leased him exce!tin# mine4 and he said to his attendants( 2o to the author of this hand)writin#(
!ut u!on him this dress( and mount him u!on a mule( and conduct him( with the band of music before
him( to my !resence" ;n hearin# this order( they smiled4 and the =in# was an#ry with them( and said(
%ow is it that $ #ive you an order( and ye lau#h at meR They answered( ; =in#( we lau#h not at thy
words( but because he who wrote this is an a!e( and not a son of 6dam: he is with the ca!tain of the
shi! newly arrived"
The =in# was astonished at their words4 he shook with deli#ht( and said( $ would !urchase this a!e" %e
then sent some messen#ers+-N to the shi!( with the mule and the dress of honour( sayin# to them( Se
must clothe him with this dress( and mount him u!on the mule( and brin# him hither" /o they came to
the shi!( and( takin# me from the ca!tain( clad me with the dress4 and the !eo!le were astonished( and
flocked to amuse themselves with the si#ht of me" 6nd when they brou#ht me to the =in#( and $ beheld
him( $ kissed the #round before him three times( and he ordered me to sit down: so $ sat down u!on my
knees4U- and the !ersons !resent were sur!rised at my !olite manners( and es!ecially the =in#( who
!resently ordered his !eo!le to retire" They( therefore( did so4 none remainin# but the =in#( and a
eunuch( and a youn# memlook( and myself" The =in# then commanded that a re!ast should be brou#ht4
and they !laced before him a service of viands( such as #ratified the a!!etite and deli#hted the eye4 and
the =in# made a si#n to me that $ should eat4 whereu!on $ arose( and( havin# kissed the #round before
him seven times( sat down to eat with him4 and when the table was removed( $ washed my hands( and(
takin# the ink)case( and !en and !a!er( $ wrote these two verses:C
2reat is my a!!etite for thee( ; =unDfeh_UU $ cannot be ha!!y nor endure without thee" 9e thou every
day and ni#ht my food4 and may dro!s of honey not be wantin# to moisten thee"
%avin# done this( $ arose( and seated myself at a distance4 and the =in#( lookin# at what $ had written(
read it with astonishment( and exclaimed( Can an a!e !ossess such fluency and such skill in
cali#ra!hyR This is( indeed( a wonder of wonders_C6fterwards( a chess)table was brou#ht to the =in#(
and he said to me( 5ilt thou !layR 9y a motion of my head $ answered( Ses:Cand $ advanced( and
arran#ed the !ieces"UW $ !layed with him twice( and beat him4 and the =in# was !er!lexed( and said(
5ere this a man( he would sur!ass all the !eo!le of his a#e"
%e then said to his eunuch( 2o to thy mistress( and say to her( 6nswer the summons of the =in#:Cthat
she may come and #ratify her curiosity by the si#ht of this wonderful a!e" The eunuch( therefore( went(
and returned with his mistress( the =in#'s dau#hter( who( as soon as she saw me( veiled her face( and
said( ; my father( how is it that thou art !leased to send for me( and suffer stran#e men to see meRC;
my dau#hter( answered the =in#( there is no one here but the youn# memlook( and the eunuch who
brou#ht thee u!( and this a!e( with myself( thy father: from whom( then( dost thou veil thy+-- faceRC
This a!e( said she( is the son of a =in#( and the name of his father is 1ymDr:U, he is enchanted( and it
was the '1freet *ar7arees( a descendant of $blees( who transformed him( after havin# slain his own wife(
the dau#hter of =in# 6JnDmoos" This( whom thou su!!osedst to be an a!e( is a learned and wise man"
CThe =in# was amaOed at his dau#hter's words( and( lookin# towards me( said( $s it true that she saith
of theeR $ answered( by a motion of my head( Ses:Cand we!t" The =in# then said to his dau#hter( 9y
what means didst thou discover that he was enchantedRC; my father( she answered( $ had with me( in
my youn#er years( an old woman who was a cunnin# enchantress( and she tau#ht me the art of
enchantment: $ have committed its rules to memory( and know it thorou#hly( bein# ac0uainted with a
hundred and seventy modes of !erformin# it( by the least of which $ could trans!ort the stones of thy
city beyond &ount PDf( and make its site to be an abyss of the sea( and convert its inhabitants into fish
in the midst of it"C$ con7ure thee( then( by the name of 6llah( said her father( to restore this youn#
man( that $ may make him my 5eOeer" $s it !ossible that thou !ossessedst this excellence( and $ knew it
notR <estore him( that $ may make him my 5eOeer( for he is a !olite and intelli#ent youth"
/he re!lied( 5ith !leasure:Cand( takin# a knife u!on which were en#raved some %ebrew names(
marked with it a circle in the midst of the !alace" 5ithin this she wrote certain names and talismans(
and then she !ronounced invocations( and uttered unintelli#ible words4 and soon the !alace around us
became immersed in #loom to +-U
such a de#ree( that we thou#ht the whole world was overs!read4 and lo( the
'1freet a!!eared before us in a most hideous sha!e( with hands like winnowin#)forks( and le#s like
masts( and eyes like burnin# torches4 so that we were terrified at him" The =in#'s dau#hter exclaimed(
No welcome to thee_Cto which the '1freet( assumin# the form of a lion( re!lied( Thou traitress( how is
it that thou hast broken thine oathR ?id we not swear that we would not o!!ose one anotherRCThou
wretch( said she( when didst thou receive an oathRCThe '1freet( still in the form of a lion( then
exclaimed( Take what awaiteth thee_Cand( o!enin# his mouth( rushed u!on the lady: but she instantly
!lucked a hair from her head and muttered with her li!s( whereu!on the hair became converted into a
!iercin# sword( with which she struck the lion( and he was cleft in twain by the blow4 but his head
became chan#ed into a scor!ion" The lady immediately transformed herself into an enormous ser!ent(
and cre!t after the execrable wretch in the sha!e of a scor!ion( and a shar! contest ensued between
them4 after which( the scor!ion became an ea#le( and the ser!ent( chan#in# to a vulture( !ursued the
ea#le for a len#th of time" The latter then transformed himself into a black cat( and the =in#'s dau#hter
became a wolf( and they fou#ht to#ether lon# and fiercely( till the cat( seein# himself overcome(
chan#ed himself+-W into a lar#e red !ome#ranate( which fell into a
!ool4 but( the wolf !ursuin# it( it ascended into the air( and then fell u!on the !avement of the !alace(
and broke in !ieces( its #rains becomin# scattered( each a!art from the others( and all s!read about the
whole s!ace of #round enclosed by the !alace" The wolf( u!on this( transformed itself into a cock( in
order to !ick u! the #rains( and not leave one of them4 but( accordin# to the decree of fate( one #rain
remained hidden by the side of the !ool of the fountain" The cock be#an to cry( and fla!!ed its win#s(
and made a si#n to us with its beak4 but we understood not what it would say" $t then uttered at us such
a cry( that we thou#ht the !alace had fallen down u!on us4 and it ran about the whole of the #round(
until it saw the #rain that had lain hid by the side of the !ool( when it !ounced u!on it( to !ick it u!4 but
it fell into the midst of the water( and became transformed into a fish( and sank into the water4 u!on
which the cock became a fish of a lar#er siOe( and !lun#ed in after the other" 3or a while it was absent
from our si#ht4 but( at len#th( we heard a loud cry( and trembled at the sound4 after which( the '1freet
rose as a flame of fire( castin# fire from his mouth( and fire and smoke from his eyes and nostrils: the
=in#'s dau#hter also became as a vast body of fire4 and we would have !lun#ed into the water from
fear of our bein# burnt and destroyed4 but suddenly the '1freet cried out from within the fire( and came
towards us u!on the leewDn(U. blowin# fire at our faces" The lady( however( overtook him( and blew
fire in like manner in his face4 and some s!arks struck us both from her and from him: her s!arks did us
no harm4 but one from him struck me in my eye( and destroyed it( $ bein# still in the+-, form of an a!e4
and a s!ark from him reached the face of the =in#( and burned the lower half( with his beard and
mouth( and struck out his lower teeth: another s!ark also fell u!on the breast of the eunuch4 who was
burnt( and died immediately" 5e ex!ected destruction( and #ave u! all ho!e of !reservin# our lives4 but
while we were in this state( a voice exclaimed( 2od is most #reat_ 2od is most #reat_ %e hath
con0uered and aided( and abandoned the denier of the faith of &oGammad( the chief of mankind_WZC
The !erson from whom this voice !roceeded was the =in#'s dau#hter: she had burnt the '1freet4 and
when we looked towards him( we !erceived that he had become a hea! of ashes"
The lady then came to us( and said( 9rin# me a cu! of water:Cand when it was brou#ht to her( she
!ronounced over it some words which we understood not( and( s!rinklin# me with it( said( 9e
restored(+-. by virtue of the name of the Truth( and by virtue of the most #reat name of 2od( to thy
ori#inal form_Cwhereu!on $ became a man as $ was at first( exce!tin# that my eye was destroyed"
6fter this( she cried out( The fire_ the fire_ ; my father( $ shall no lon#er live( for $ am !redestined to be
killed" %ad he been a human bein#( $ had killed him at the first of the encounter" $ ex!erienced no
difficulty till the scatterin# of the #rains of the !ome#ranate( when $ !icked them u! exce!tin# the one
in which was the life of the *innee: had $ !icked u! that( he had instantly died4 but $ saw it not( as fate
and destiny had a!!ointed4 and suddenly he came u!on me( and a fierce contest ensued between us
under the earth( and in the air( and in the water4 and every time that he tried a#ainst me a new mode( $
em!loyed a#ainst him one more !otent( until he tried a#ainst me the mode of fire4 and rarely does one
esca!e a#ainst whom the mode of fire is em!loyed" ?estiny( however( aided me( so that $ burned him
first4 but $ exhorted him !reviously to embrace the faith of 1l)$slDm" Now $ die4 and may 2od su!!ly
my !lace to you"C%avin# thus said( she ceased not to !ray for relief from the fire4 and lo( a s!ark
ascended to her breast( and thence to her face4 and when it reached her face( she we!t( and exclaimed( $
testify that there is no deity but 2od( and $ testify that &oGammad is 2od's 6!ostle_C5e then looked
towards her( and saw that she had become a hea! of ashes by the side of the ashes of the '1freet"
5e were !lun#ed into #rief on her account( and $ wished that $ had been in her !lace rather than have
seen that sweet)faced creature who had done me this kindness reduced to a hea! of ashes: but the
decree of 2od cannot be averted" The =in#( on beholdin# his dau#hter in this state( !lucked out what
remained of his beard( and sla!!ed his face( and rent his clothes4 and $ also did the same( while we both
we!t for her" Then came the chamberlains and other #reat officers of the court( who( findin# the =in# in
a state of insensibility( with two hea!s of ashes before him( were astonished( and remained
encom!assin# him until he recovered from his fit( when he informed them of what had befallen his
dau#hter with the '1freet4 and #reat was their affliction" The women shrieked( with the female slaves(
and continued their mournin# seven days" 6fter this( the =in# #ave orders to build( over the ashes of
his dau#hter( a #reat tomb with a dome( and illuminated it with candles and lam!s: but the ashes of the
'1freet they scattered in the wind( ex!osin# them to the curse of 2od" The =in# then fell sick( and was
near unto death: his illness lasted a month4+UZ but after this he recovered his health( and( summonin#
me to his !resence( said to me( ; youn# man( we !assed our days in the en7oyment of the utmost
ha!!iness( secure from the vicissitudes of fortune( until thou camest to us( when troubles overcame us"
5ould that we had never seen thee( nor thy u#ly form( on account of which we have been reduced to
this state of !rivation: for( in the first !lace( $ have lost my dau#hter( who was worth a hundred men4
and( secondly( $ have suffered this burnin#( and lost my teeth: my eunuch also is dead: but it was not in
thy !ower to !revent these afflictions: the decree of 2od hath been fulfilled on us and on thee4 and
!raise be to 2od that my dau#hter restored thee( thou#h she destroyed herself" Now( however( de!art( ;
my son( from my city" $t is enou#h that hath ha!!ened on thy account4 but as it was decreed a#ainst us
and thee( de!art in !eace"
/o $ de!arted( ; my mistress( from his !resence4 but before $ 0uitted the city( $ entered a !ublic bath(
and shaved my beard" $ traversed various re#ions( and !assed throu#h #reat cities( and bent my course
to the 6bode of 8eace(W+ 9a#hdDd( in the ho!e of obtainin# an interview with the 8rince of the
3aithful( that $ mi#ht relate to him all that had befallen me"
The third mendicant then advanced( and thus related his story:C
THE STORY OF THE THIRD ROYAL MENDICANT.
; illustrious lady( my story is not like those of my two com!anions( but more wonderful: the course of
fate and destiny brou#ht u!on them events a#ainst which they could not #uard4 but as to myself( the
shavin# of my beard and the loss of my eye were occasioned by my !rovokin# fate and misfortune4 and
the cause was this:C
$ was a =in#( and the son of a =in#4 and when my father died( $ succeeded to his throne( and #overned
my sub7ects with 7ustice and beneficence" $ took !leasure in sea)voya#es4 and my ca!ital was on the
shore of an extensive sea( inters!ersed with fortified and #arrisoned islands( which $ desired( for my
amusement( to visit4 $ therefore embarked with a fleet of ten shi!s( and took with me !rovisions
sufficient for a whole month" $ !roceeded twenty days( after which there arose a#ainst us a contrary
wind4 but at daybreak it ceased( and the sea became calm( and we arrived at an island( where we
landed( and cooked some !rovisions and ate4 after which we remained there+U+ two days" 5e then
continued our voya#e4 and when twenty days more had !assed( we found ourselves in stran#e waters(
unknown to the ca!tain( and desired the watch to look out from the mast)head: so he went aloft( and
when he had come down he said to the ca!tain( $ saw( on my ri#ht hand( fish floatin# u!on the surface
of the water4 and lookin# towards the midst of the sea( $ !erceived somethin# loomin# in the distance(
sometimes black( and sometimes white"
5hen the ca!tain heard this re!ort of the watch( he threw his turban on the deck( and !lucked his beard(
and said to those who were with him( <eceive warnin# of our destruction( which will befall all of us:
not one will esca!e_ /o sayin#( he be#an to wee!4 and all of us in like manner bewailed our lot" $
desired him to inform us of that which the watch had seen" ; my lord( he re!lied( know that we have
wandered from our course since the commencement of the contrary wind that was followed in the
mornin# by a calm( in conse0uence of which we remained stationary two days: from that !eriod we
have deviated from our course for twenty)one days( and we have no wind to carry us back from the fate
which awaits us after this day: to)morrow we shall arrive at a mountain of black stone( called
loadstone: the current is now bearin# us violently towards it( and the shi!s will fall in !ieces( and every
nail in them will fly to the mountain( and adhere to it4 for 2od hath #iven to the loadstone a secret
!ro!erty by virtue of which everythin# of iron is attracted towards it" ;n that mountain is such a
0uantity of iron as no one knoweth but 2od( whose name be exalted4 for from times of old #reat
numbers of shi!s have been destroyed by the influence of that mountain"W@ There is( u!on the summit
of the mountain( a cu!ola of brass su!!orted by ten columns( and u!on the to! of this cu!ola is a
horseman u!on a horse of brass( havin# in his hand a braOen s!ear( and u!on his breast sus!ended a
tablet of lead( u!on which are en#raved mysterious names and talismans: and as lon#( ; =in#( as this
horseman remains u!on the horse( so lon# will every shi! that a!!roaches be destroyed( with every
!erson on board( and all the iron contained in it will cleave to the mountain: no one will be safe until
the horseman shall have fallen from the horse"CThe ca!tain then we!t bitterly4 and we felt assured that
our destruction was inevitable( and every one of us bade adieu to his friend"
;n the followin# mornin# we drew near to the mountain4 the current carried us towards it with
violence( and when the shi!s were almost close to it( they fell asunder( and all the nails( and every
thin#+U@ else that was of iron( flew from them towards the loadstone" $t was near the close of day when
the shi!s fell in !ieces" /ome of us were drowned( and some esca!ed4 but the #reater number were
drowned( and of those who saved their lives none knew what became of the others( so stu!efied were
they by the waves and the boisterous wind" 6s for myself( ; my mistress( 2od( whose name be exalted(
s!ared me on account of the trouble and torment and affliction that %e had !redestined to befall me" $
!laced myself u!on a !lank( and the wind and waves cast it u!on the mountain4 and when $ had landed(
$ found a !racticable way to the summit( resemblin# ste!s cut in the rock: so $ exclaimed( $n the name
of 2od_Cand offered u! a !rayer( and attem!ted the ascent( holdin# fast by the notches4 and !resently
2od stilled the wind and assisted me in my endeavours( so that $ arrived in safety at the summit"
<e7oicin# #reatly in my esca!e( $ immediately entered the cu!ola( and !erformed the !rayers of two
rek'ahsWL in #ratitude to 2od for my !reservation4 after which $ sle!t beneath the cu!ola( and heard a
voice sayin# to me( ; son of =haHeeb(WN when thou awakest from thy slee!( di# beneath thy feet( and
thou wilt find a bow of brass( and three arrows of lead( whereon are en#raved talismans: then take the
bow and arrows and shoot at the horseman that is u!on the to! of the cu!ola( and relieve mankind from
this #reat affliction4 for when thou hast shot at the horseman he will fall into the sea4 the bow will also
fall( and do thou bury it in its !lace4 and as soon as thou hast done this( the sea will swell and rise until
it+UL attains the summit of the mountain4 and there will a!!ear u!on it a boat bearin# a man( different
from him whom thou shalt have cast down( and he will come to thee( havin# an oar in his hand: then do
thou embark with him4 but utter not the name of 2od4 and he will convey thee in ten days to a safe sea(
where( on thy arrival( thou wilt find one who will take thee to thy city" 6ll this shall be done if thou
utter not the name of 2od"
6wakin# from my slee!( $ s!ran# u!( and did as the voice had directed" $ shot at the horseman( and he
fell into the sea4 and the bow havin# fallen from my hand( $ buried it: the sea then became troubled( and
rose to the summit of the mountain( and when $ had stood waitin# there a little while( $ beheld a boat in
the midst of the sea( a!!roachin# me" $ !raised 2od( whose name be exalted( and when the boat came
to me( $ found in it a man of brass( with a tablet of lead u!on his breast( en#raven with names and
talismans" 5ithout utterin# a word( $ embarked in the boat( and the man rowed me ten successive days(
after which $ beheld the islands of security( whereu!on( in the excess of my 7oy( $ exclaimed( $n the
name of 2od_ There is no deity but 2od_ 2od is most #reat_Cand as soon as $ had done this( he cast
me out of the boat( and sank in the sea"
9ein# able to swim( $ swam until ni#ht( when my arms and shoulders were tired( and( in this !erilous
situation( $ re!eated the+UN !rofession of the faith( and #ave myself u! as lost4 but the sea rose with the
violence of the wind( and a wave like a vast castle threw me u!on the land( in order to the
accom!lishment of the !ur!ose of 2od" $ ascended the shore( and after $ had wrun# out my clothes( and
s!read them u!on the #round to dry( $ sle!t4 and in the mornin# $ !ut on my clothes a#ain( and( lookin#
about to see which way $ should #o( $ found a tract covered with trees( to which $ advanced4 and when $
had walked round it( $ found that $ was u!on a small island in the midst of the sea4 u!on which $ said
within myself( 1very time that $ esca!e from one calamity $ fall into another that is worse:Cbut while $
was reflectin# u!on my unfortunate case( and wishin# for death( $ beheld a vessel bearin# a number of
men" $ arose immediately( and climbed into a tree4 and lo( the vessel came to the shore( and there
landed from it ten black slaves bearin# axes" They !roceeded to the middle of the island( and( di##in#
u! the earth( uncovered and lifted u! a tra!)door( after which they returned to the vessel( and brou#ht
from it bread and flour and clarified butter and honey and shee! and everythin# that the wants of an
inhabitant would re0uire( continuin# to !ass backwards and forwards between the vessel and the tra!)
door( brin#in# loads from the former( and enterin# the latter( until they had removed all the stores from
the shi!" They then came out of the vessel with various clothes of the most beautiful descri!tion( and in
the midst of them was an old sheykh( enfeebled and wasted by extreme a#e( leadin# by the hand a
youn# man cast in the mould of #raceful symmetry( and invested with such !erfect beauty as deserved
to be a sub7ect for !roverbs" %e was like a fresh and slender twi#( enchantin# and ca!tivatin# every
heart by his ele#ant form" The !arty !roceeded to the tra!)door( and( enterin# it( became concealed
from my eyes"W-
They remained beneath about two hours( or more4 after which( the sheykh and the slaves came out4 but
the youth came not with them4 and they re!laced the earth( and embarked and set sail" /oon after( $
descended from the tree( and went to the excavation" $ removed the earth( and( enterin# the a!erture(
saw a fli#ht of wooden ste!s( which $ descended4 and( at the bottom( $ beheld a handsome dwellin#)
!lace( furnished with a variety of silken car!ets4 and there was the youth( sittin# u!on a hi#h mattress(
with sweet)smellin# flowers and fruits !laced before him" ;n seein# me( his countenance became !ale4
but $ saluted him( and said( 'et thy mind be com!osed( ; my master: thou hast nothin# to fear( ;
deli#ht of my eye4 for $ am a man( and the son of a =in#( like thyself: fate hath im!elled me to+U- thee(
that $ may cheer thee in thy solitude" The youth( when he heard me thus address him( and was
convinced that $ was one of his own s!ecies( re7oiced exceedin#ly at my arrival( his colour returned(
and( desirin# me to a!!roach him( he said( ; my brother( my story is wonderful: my father is a
7eweller: he had slaves who made voya#es by his orders( for the !ur!oses of commerce( and he had
dealin#s with =in#s4 but he had never been blest with a son4 and he dreamt that he was soon to have a
son( but one whose life would be short4 and he awoke sorrowful"WU /hortly after( in accordance with
the decrees of 2od( my mother conceived me( and when her time was com!lete( she #ave birth to me4
and my father was #reatly re7oiced: the astrolo#ers( however( came to him( and said( Thy son will live
fifteen years: his fate is intimated by the fact that there is( in the sea( a mountain called the &ountain of
'oadstone( whereon is a horseman on a horse of brass( on the former of which is a tablet of lead
sus!ended to his neck4 and when the horseman shall be thrown down from his horse( thy son will be
slain: the !erson who is to slay him is he who will throw down the horseman( and his name is =in#
'67eeb(WW the son of =in# =haHeeb" &y father was #reatly afflicted at this announcement4 and when he
had reared me until $ had nearly attained the a#e of fifteen years( the astrolo#ers came a#ain( and
informed him that the horseman had fallen into the sea( and that it had been thrown down by =in#
'67eeb( the son of =in# =haHeeb4 on hearin# which( he !re!ared for me this dwellin#( and here left me
to remain until the com!letion of the term( of which there now remain ten days" 6ll this he did from
fear lest =in# '67eeb should kill me"
5hen $ heard this( $ was filled with wonder( and said within myself( $ am =in# '67eeb( the son of =in#
=haHeeb( and it was $ who threw down the horseman4 but( by 6llah( $ will neither kill him nor do him
any in7ury" Then said $ to the youth( 3ar from thee be both destruction and harm( if it be the will of
2od( whose name be exalted: thou hast nothin# to fear: $ will remain with thee to serve thee( and will
#o forth with thee to thy father( and be# of him to send me back to my country( for the which he will
obtain a reward" The youth re7oiced at my words( and $ sat and conversed with him until ni#ht( when $
s!read his bed for him( and covered him( and sle!t near to his side" 6nd in the mornin# $ brou#ht him
water( and he washed his face( and said to me( &ay 2od re0uite thee for me with every blessin#" $f $
esca!e from =in# '67eeb( $ will make my father reward thee with abundant favours"CNever( $ re!lied(
may the day arrive that would+UU brin# thee misfortune" $ then !laced before him some refreshments(
and after we had eaten to#ether( we !assed the day conversin# with the utmost cheerfulness"
$ continued to serve him for nine days4 and on the tenth day the youth re7oiced at findin# himself in
safety( and said to me( ; my brother( $ wish that thou wouldst in thy kindness warm for me some water(
that $ may wash myself and chan#e my clothes4 for $ have smelt the odour of esca!e from death( in
conse0uence of thy assistance" C5ith !leasure( $ re!lied4Cand $ arose( and warmed the water4 after
which( he entered a !lace concealed from my view( and( havin# washed himself and chan#ed his
clothes( laid himself u!on the mattress to rest after his bath" %e then said to me( Cut u! for me( ; my
brother( a water)melon( and mix its 7uice with some su#ar:Cso $ arose( and( takin# a melon( brou#ht it
u!on a !late( and said to him( =nowest thou( ; my master( where is the knifeRC/ee( here it is( he
answered( u!on the shelf over my head" $ s!ran# u! hastily( and+UW took it from its sheath( and as $ was
drawin# back( my foot sli!!ed( as 2od had decreed( and $ fell u!on the youth( #ras!in# in my hand the
knife( which entered his body( and he died instantly" 5hen $ !erceived that he was dead( and that $ had
killed him( $ uttered a loud shriek( and beat my face( and rent my clothes( sayin#( This is( indeed( a
calamity_ ; what a calamity_ ; my 'ord( $ im!lore thy !ardon( and declare to Thee my innocence of
his death_ 5ould that $ had died before him_ %ow lon# shall $ devour trouble after trouble_
5ith these reflections $ ascended the ste!s( and( havin# re!laced the tra!)door( returned to my first
station( and looked over the sea( where $ saw the vessel that had come before( a!!roachin#( and
cleavin# the waves in its ra!id course" A!on this $ said within myself( Now will the men come forth
from the vessel( and find the youth slain( and they will slay me also:Cso $ climbed into a tree( and
concealed myself amon# its leaves( and sat there till the vessel arrived and cast anchor( when the slaves
landed with the old sheykh( the father of the youth( and went to the !lace( and removed the earth" They
were sur!rised at findin# it moist( and( when they had descended the ste!s( they discovered the youth
lyin# on his back( exhibitin# a face beamin# with beauty( thou#h dead( and clad in white and clean
clothin#( with the knife remainin# in his body" They all we!t at the si#ht( and the father fell down in a
swoon( which lasted so lon# that the slaves thou#ht he was dead" 6t len#th( however( he recovered( and
came out with the slaves( who had wra!!ed the body of the youth in his clothes" They then took back
all that was in the subterranean dwellin# to the vessel( and de!arted"
$ remained( ; my mistress( by day hidin# myself in a tree( and at ni#ht walkin# about the o!en !art of
the island" Thus $ continued for the s!ace of two months4 and $ !erceived that( on the western side of
the island( the water of the sea every day retired( until( after three months( the land that had been
beneath it became dry" <e7oicin# at this( and feelin# confident now in my esca!e( $ traversed this dry
tract( and arrived at an ex!anse of sand4 whereu!on $ emboldened myself( and crossed it" $ then saw in
the distance an a!!earance of fire( and( advancin# towards it( found it to be a !alace( overlaid with
!lates of co!!er( which( reflectin# the rays of the sun( seemed from a distance to be fire: and when $
drew near to it( reflectin# u!on this si#ht( there a!!roached me an old sheykh( accom!anied by ten
youn# men who were all blind of one eye( at which $+U, was extremely sur!rised" 6s soon as they saw
me( they saluted me( and asked me my story( which $ related to them from first to last4 and they were
filled with wonder" They then conducted me into the !alace( where $ saw ten benches( u!on each of
which was a mattress covered with a blue stuff4W, and each of the youn# men seated himself u!on one
of these benches( while the sheykh took his !lace u!on a smaller one4 after which they said to me( /it
down( ; youn# man( and ask no 0uestion res!ectin# our condition( nor res!ectin# our bein# blind of
one eye" Then the sheykh arose( and brou#ht to each of them some food( and the same to me also4 and
next he brou#ht to each of us some wine: and after we had eaten( we sat drinkin# to#ether until the time
for slee!( when the youn# men said to the sheykh( 9rin# to us our accustomed su!!ly:Cu!on which
the sheykh arose( and entered a closet( from which he brou#ht( u!on his head( ten covered trays"
8lacin# these u!on the floor( he li#hted ten candles( and stuck one of them u!on each tray4 and( havin#
done this( he removed the covers( and there a!!eared beneath them ashes mixed with !ounded
charcoal" The youn# men then tucked u! their sleeves above the elbow( and blackened their faces( and
sla!!ed their cheeks(W. exclaimin#( 5e were re!osin# at our ease( and our im!ertinent curiosity
suffered us not to remain so_ Thus they did until the mornin#( when the sheykh brou#ht them some hot
water( and they washed their faces( and !ut on other clothes"
;n witnessin# this conduct( my reason was confounded( my heart was so troubled that $ for#ot my own
misfortunes( and $ asked them the cause of their stran#e behaviour4 u!on which they looked towards
me( and said( ; youn# man( ask not res!ectin# that which doth not concern thee4 but be silent4 for in
silence is security from error"C$ remained with them a whole month( durin# which( every ni#ht they
did the same4 and at len#th $ said to them( $ con7ure you by 6llah to remove this dis0uiet from my
mind( and to inform me of the cause of your actin# in this manner( and of your exclaimin#( 5e were
re!osin# at our ease( and our im!ertinent curiosity suffered us not to remain so_Cif ye inform me not( $
will leave you( and #o my way4 for the !roverb saith( 5hen the eye seeth not( the heart doth not #rieve"
C;n hearin# these words( they re!lied( 5e have not concealed this affair from thee but in our concern
for thy welfare( lest thou shouldst become like us( and the same affliction that hath befallen us ha!!en
also to thee" $ said( however( Se must !ositively inform me of this matter"C5e #ive thee #ood advice(
said they( and do thou+U. receive it( and ask us not res!ectin# our case4 otherwise thou wilt become
blind of one eye( like us:Cbut $ still !ersisted in my re0uest4 whereu!on they said( ; youn# man( if this
befall thee( know that thou wilt be banished from our com!any" They then all arose( and( takin# a ram(
slau#htered and skinned it( and said to me( Take this knife with thee( and introduce thyself into the skin
of the ram( and we will sew thee u! in it( and #o away4 whereu!on a bird called the rukh',Z will come
to thee( and( takin# thee u! by its talons( will fly away with thee( and set thee down u!on a mountain:
then cut o!en the skin with this knife( and #et out( and the bird will fly away" Thou must arise( as soon
as it hath #one( and 7ourney for half a day( and thou wilt see before thee a lofty !alace( encased with red
#old( set with various !recious stones( such as emeralds and rubies( Mc"4 and if thou enter it thy case
will be as ours4 for our entrance into that !alace was the cause of our bein# blind of one eye4 and if one
of us would relate to thee all that hath befallen him( his story would be too lon# for thee to hear"
They then sewed me u! in the skin( and entered their !alace4 and soon after( there came an enormous
white bird( which seiOed me( and flew away with me( and set me down u!on the mountain4 whereu!on
$ cut o!en the skin( and #ot out4 and the bird( as soon as it saw me( flew away" $ rose u! 0uickly( and
!roceeded towards the !alace( which $ found to be as they had described it to me4 and when $ had
entered it( $ beheld( at the u!!er end of a saloon( forty youn# damsels( beautiful as so many moons( and
ma#nificently attired( who( as soon as they saw me( exclaimed( 5elcome_ 5elcome_ ; our master and
our lord_ 5e have been for a month ex!ectin# thee" 8raise be to 2od who hath blessed us with one who
is worthy of us( and one of whom we are worthy_C6fter havin# thus #reeted me( they seated me u!on
a mattress( and said( Thou art from this day our master and !rince( and we are thy handmaids( and
entirely under thy authority" They then brou#ht to me some refreshments( and( when $ had eaten and
drunk( they sat and conversed with me( full of 7oy and ha!!iness" /o lovely were these ladies( that even
a devotee( if he saw them( would #ladly consent to be their servant( and to com!ly with all that they
would desire" 6t the a!!roach of ni#ht they all assembled around me( and !laced before me a table of
fresh and dried fruits( with other delicacies that the ton#ue cannot describe( and wine4 and one be#an to
sin#( while another !layed u!on the lute" The wine)cu!s circulated amon# us( and 7oy overcame me to
such a de#ree as to obliterate from+WZ my mind every earthly care( and make me exclaim( This is
indeed a deli#htful life_ $ !assed a ni#ht of such en7oyment as $ had never before ex!erienced4 and on
the morrow $ entered the bath4 and( after $ had washed myself( they brou#ht me a suit of the richest
clothin#( and we a#ain sat down to a re!ast"
$n this manner $ lived with them a whole year4 but on the first day of the new year( they seated
themselves around me( and be#an to wee!( and bade me farewell( clin#in# to my skirts"C5hat
calamity hath befallen youR said $" Se have broken my heart"CThey answered( 5ould that we had
never known thee4 for we have associated with many men( but have seen none like thee" &ay 2od(
therefore( not de!rive us of thy com!any"C6nd they we!t afresh" $ said to them( $ wish that you would
ac0uaint me with the cause of this wee!in#"CThou( they re!lied( art the cause4 yet now( if thou wilt
attend to what we tell thee( we shall never be !arted4 but if thou act contrary to it( we are se!arated
from this time4 and our hearts whis!er to us that thou wilt not re#ard our warnin#"C$nform me( said $(
and $ will attend to your directions:Cand they re!lied( $f then thou wouldst in0uire res!ectin# our
history( know that we are the dau#hters of =in#s: for many years it hath been our custom to assemble
here( and every year we absent ourselves durin# a !eriod of forty days4 then returnin#( we indul#e
ourselves for a year in feastin# and drinkin#" This is our usual !ractice4 and now we fear that thou wilt
disre#ard our directions when we are absent from thee" 5e deliver to thee the keys of the !alace( which
are a hundred in number( belon#in# to a hundred closets" ;!en each of these( and amuse thyself( and
eat and drink( and refresh thyself( exce!tin# the closet that hath a door of red #old4 for if thou o!en this(
the conse0uence will be a se!aration between us and thee" 5e con7ure thee( therefore( to observe our
direction( and to be !atient durin# this !eriod"CA!on hearin# this( $ swore to them that $ would never
o!en the closet to which they alluded4 and they de!arted( ur#in# me to be faithful to my !romise"
$ remained alone in the !alace( and at the a!!roach of evenin# $ o!ened the first closet( and( enterin# it(
found a mansion like !aradise( with a #arden containin# #reen trees loaded with ri!e fruits( aboundin#
with sin#in# birds( and watered by co!ious streams" &y heart was soothed by the si#ht( and $ wandered
amon# the trees( scentin# the fra#rance of the flowers( and listenin# to the warblin# of the birds as they
san# the !raises of the ;ne( the 6lmi#hty",+ 6fter admirin# the min#led colours of the a!!le
resemblin# the hue u!on the cheek of a+W+ beloved mistress and the sallow countenance of the
!er!lexed and timid lover( the sweet)smellin# 0uince diffusin# an odour like musk and amber#ris( and
the !lum shinin# as the ruby( $ retired from this !lace( and( havin# locked the door( o!ened that of the
next closet( within which $ beheld a s!acious tract !lanted with numerous !alm)trees( and watered by a
river flowin# amon# rose)trees( and 7asmine( and mar7oram( and e#lantine( and narcissus( and
#illiflower( the odours of which( diffused in every direction by the wind( ins!ired me with the utmost
deli#ht" $ locked a#ain the door of the second closet( and o!ened that of the third" 5ithin this $ found a
lar#e saloon( !aved with marbles of various colours( and with costly minerals and !recious #ems( and
containin# ca#es constructed of sandal and aloes)wood with sin#in# birds within them( and others u!on
the branches of trees which were !lanted there" &y heart was charmed( my trouble was dissi!ated( and
$ sle!t there until the mornin#" $ then o!ened the door of the fourth closet( and within this door $ found
a #reat buildin# in which+W@ were forty closets with o!en doors4 and( enterin# these( $ beheld !earls(
and rubies( and chrysolites( and emeralds( and other !recious 7ewels such as the ton#ue cannot describe"
$ was astonished at the si#ht( and said( /uch thin#s as these( $ ima#ine( are not found in the treasury of
any =in#" $ am now the =in# of my a#e( and all these treasures( throu#h the #oodness of 2od( are
mine( to#ether with forty damsels under my authority who have no man to share them with me"
Thus $ continued to amuse myself( !assin# from one !lace to another( until thirty)nine days had
ela!sed( and $ had o!ened the doors of all the closets exce!tin# that which they had forbidden me to
o!en" &y heart was then disturbed by curiosity res!ectin# this hundredth closet( and the ?evil( in order
to !lun#e me into misery( induced me to o!en it" $ had not !atience to abstain( thou#h there remained of
the a!!ointed !eriod only one day: so $ a!!roached the closet( and o!ened the door4 and when $ had
entered( $ !erceived a fra#rant odour( such as $ had never before smelt( which intoxicated me so that $
fell down insensible( and remained some time in this state: but at len#th recoverin#( $ fortified my
heart( and !roceeded" $ found the floor overs!read with saffron( and the !lace illuminated by #olden
lam!s and by candles( which diffused the odours of musk and amber#ris4 and two lar#e !erfumin#)
vessels filled with aloes)wood and amber#ris( and a !erfume com!ounded with honey( s!read fra#rance
throu#h the whole !lace" $ saw also a black horse( of the hue of the darkest ni#ht( before which was a
man#er of white crystal filled with cleansed sesame( and another( similar to it( containin# rose)water
infused with musk: he was saddled and bridled( and his saddle was of red #old" 5onderin# at the si#ht
of him( $ said within myself( This must be an animal of extraordinary 0ualities4Cand( seduced by the
?evil( $ led him out( and mounted him4 but he moved not from his !lace: $ kicked him with my heel4
but still he moved not: so $ took a miJra'ah and struck him with it4 and as soon as he felt the blow he
uttered a sound like thunder( and( ex!andin# a !air of win#s( soared with me to an immense hei#ht
throu#h the air( and then ali#hted u!on the roof of another !alace( where he threw me from his back(
and( by a violent blow with his tail u!on my face( as $ sat on the roof( struck out my eye( and left me",@
$n this state $ descended from the roof( and below $ found the one)eyed youn# men before mentioned(
who( as soon as they beheld me( exclaimed( No welcome to thee_C<eceive me( said $( into your
com!any:Cbut they re!lied( 9y 6llah( thou shalt not remain with+WL us:Cso $ de!arted from them(
with mournful heart and wee!in# eye( and( 2od havin# decreed me a safe 7ourney hither( $ arrived at
9a#hdDd( after $ had shaved my beard( and become a mendicant",L
CONTINUATION OF THE STORY OF THE LADIES OF BAGHD#D, &$.
The mistress of the house then looked towards the =haleefeh and *aQfar and &esroor( and said to them(
6c0uaint me with your histories:Cu!on which *aQfar advanced towards her( and related to her the
same story that he had told to the !ortress before they entered4 and when she had heard it( she liberated
them all" They accordin#ly de!arted( and when they had #one out into the street( the =haleefeh in0uired
of the mendicants whither they were #oin#" They answered that they knew not whither to #o:
whereu!on he desired them to accom!any his !arty4 and then said to *aQfar( Take them home with thee(
and brin# them before me to)morrow( and we will see the result" *aQfar( therefore( did as he was
commanded( and the =haleefeh returned to his !alace4 but he was unable to slee! durin# the remainder
of the ni#ht"
;n the followin# mornin# he sat u!on his throne( and when his courtiers had !resented themselves
before him( and de!arted( exce!tin# *aQfar( he said to him( 9rin# before me the three ladies and the two
bitches and the mendicants" /o *aQfar arose( and brou#ht them( and( !lacin# the ladies behind the
curtains( said to them( 5e have for#iven you on account of your !revious kindness to us( and because
ye knew us not4 and now $ ac0uaint you that ye are in the !resence of the fifth of the sons of 1l)'6bbDs(
%Droon 1r)<asheed4 therefore relate to him nothin# but the truth" 6nd when the ladies heard the words
which *aQfar addressed to them on the !art of the =haleefeh( the eldest of them advanced( and thus
related her story:C
THE STORY OF THE FIRST OF THE THREE LADIES OF BAGHD#D.
; 8rince of the 3aithful( my story is wonderful4 for these two bitches,N are my sisters( born to my
father( but of another mother4 and $ am the youn#est of the three" 6fter the death of our father( who left
us five thousand !ieces of #old( these my two sisters married( and when they had resided some time
with their husbands( each of the+WN latter !re!ared a stock of merchandise( and received from his wife
a thousand !ieces of #old( and they all set forth on a 7ourney to#ether( leavin# me here4 but after they
had been absent four years( my sisters' husbands lost all their !ro!erty( and abandoned them in a
stran#e land( and they returned to me in the #arb of be##ars" 5hen $ first saw them in this state( $ knew
them not4 and( as soon as $ reco#nised them( $ exclaimed( %ow is it that ye are in this conditionRC;
our sister( they answered( thy in0uiry now is of no use: the 8en hath written what 2od hath decreed",-
C$ sent them( therefore( to the bath( and( havin# clad them in new a!!arel( said to them( ; my sisters(
ye are my elders( and $ am youn#4 so ye shall be to me in the !laces of my father and mother" The
inheritance which $ shared with you 2od hath blessed4 !artake then of its increase( for my affairs are
!ros!erous4 and $ and ye shall fare alike"C$ treated them with the utmost kindness( and durin# a whole
year they remained with me( and enriched themselves by the money that $ had #iven them4 but after this
!eriod they said to me( $t will be more a#reeable to us to marry a#ain( for we can no lon#er abstain
from doin# so"C; my sisters( $ re!lied( ye have seen no ha!!iness in marria#e: a #ood husband in this
a#e is rarely found( and ye have already had ex!erience of the marria#e)state" They( however( heeded
not my words4 but married a#ainst my consent: yet $ #ave them dowries from my own !ro!erty( and
continued to them my !rotection" They went to their husbands( and the latter( after they had resided
with them a short time( defrauded them of all that they !ossessed( and( settin#+W- forth on a 7ourney(
left them destitute: so a#ain they returned to me( and( in a state of nudity( im!lored my for#iveness(
sayin#( 9e not an#ry with us4 for thou#h thou art youn#er than we( thou hast more mature sense4 and
we !romise thee that we will never a#ain mention the sub7ect of marria#e" $ re!lied( Se are welcome( ;
my sisters4 for $ have no one dearer to me than yourselves:Cand $ received them( and treated them with
every kindness( and we remained ha!!ily to#ether for the s!ace of a year"
6fter this $ resolved to fit out a vessel for a mercantile voya#e:,U accordin#ly( $ stocked a lar#e shi!
with various #oods and necessary !rovisions( and said to my sisters( 5ill ye rather stay at home durin#
my voya#e( or will ye #o with meRCto which they answered( 5e will accom!any thee durin# the
voya#e( for we cannot endure to be se!arated from thee" $ therefore took them with me( and we set sail4
but first $ divided my !ro!erty into two e0ual !ortions4 one of which $ took with me( and the other $
concealed( sayin# within myself( 8erha!s some evil accident may ha!!en to the shi!( and our lives may
be !rolon#ed4 in which case( when we return we shall find that which will be of service to us"C5e
continued our voya#e by day and ni#ht( till at len#th the vessel !ursued a wron# course( and the ca!tain
knew not whither to steer" The shi! had entered a different sea from that which we wished to cross( and
for some time we knew it not4 but for ten days we had a !leasant wind( and after this( a city loomed
before us in the distance" 5e asked the ca!tain what was the name of this city4 and he answered( $
know it not4 $ have never seen it till this day( nor have $ ever before in the course of my life navi#ated
this sea: but as we have come hither in safety( ye have nothin# to do but to enter this city and land your
#oods( and( if ye find o!!ortunity( sell or exchan#e there: if not( we will rest there two days( and take in
fresh !rovisions" /o we entered the !ort of the city( and the ca!tain landed( and after a while returned to
us( sayin#( 6rise( and #o u! into the city( and wonder at that which 2od hath done unto his creatures(
and !ray to be !reserved from his an#er" 6nd when we had entered the city( we found all its inhabitants
converted into black stones" 5e were amaOed at the si#ht( and as we walked throu#h the market)streets(
findin# the merchandise and the #old and silver remainin# in their ori#inal state( we re7oiced( and said(
This must have been occasioned by same wonderful circumstance" 5e then se!arated in the streets(
each of us attracted from his com!anions by the wealth and stuffs in the sho!s"+WU
6s for myself( $ ascended to the citadel( which $ found to be a buildin# of admirable construction4 and(
enterin# the =in#'s !alace( $ found all the vessels of #old and silver remainin# in their !laces( and the
=in# himself seated in the midst of his Chamberlains and Ficeroys and 5eOeers( and clad in a!!arel of
astonishin# richness" ?rawin# nearer to him( $ !erceived that he was sittin# u!on a throne adorned with
!earls and 7ewels( every one of the !earls shinin# like a star: his dress was embroidered with #old( and
around him stood fifty memlooks( attired in silks of various descri!tions( and havin# in their hands
drawn swords" /tu!efied at this s!ectacle( $ !roceeded( and entered the saloon of the [areem( u!on the
walls of which were hun# silken curtains4 and here $ beheld the gueen( attired in a dress embroidered
with fresh !earls( and havin# u!on her head a diadem adorned with various 7ewels( and necklaces of
different kinds on her neck" 6ll her clothin# and ornaments remained as they were at first( thou#h she
herself was converted into black stone" %ere also $ found an o!en door( and( enterin# it( $ saw a fli#ht
of seven ste!s( by which $ ascended to an a!artment !aved with marble( furnished with #old)
embroidered car!ets( and containin# a couch of alabaster( ornamented with !earls and 7ewels4 but my
eyes were first attracted by a #leam of li#ht( and when $ a!!roached the s!ot whence it !roceeded( $
found a brilliant 7ewel( of the siOe of an ostrich's e##( !laced u!on a small stool( diffusin# a li#ht like
that of a candle" The coverin#s of the couch above mentioned were of various kinds of silk( the richness
of which would sur!rise every beholder4 and $ looked at them with wonder" $n this a!artment $ likewise
observed some li#hted candles( and reflected that there must then have been some !erson there to li#ht
them" $ !assed thence to another !art of the !alace( and continued to ex!lore the different a!artments(
for#ettin# myself in the amaOement of my mind at all these stran#e circumstances( and immersed in
thou#hts res!ectin# what $ beheld( until the commencement of ni#ht( when $ would have de!arted4 but
could not find the door: so $ returned to the !lace in which were the li#hted candles( and there $ laid
myself u!on the couch( and( coverin# myself with a 0uilt( re!eated some words of the Pur)Dn( and
endeavoured to com!ose myself to slee!4 but $ could not" $ continued restless: and at midni#ht $ heard a
recitation of the Pur)Dn( !erformed by a melodious and soft voice4 u!on which $ arose( and( lookin#
about( saw a closet with an o!en door( and $ entered it( and found that it was an oratory: li#hted lam!s
were sus!ended in it( and u!on a !rayer)car!et s!read on the floor sat a+WW youn# man of handsome
as!ect" 5onderin# that he had esca!ed the fate of the other inhabitants of the city( $ saluted him4 and he
raised his eyes( and returned my salutation: and $ then said to him( $ con7ure thee by the truth of that
which thou art readin# in the 9ook of 2od( that thou answer the 0uestion which $ am about to ask thee:
Cwhereu!on he smiled( and re!lied( ?o thou first ac0uaint me with the cause of thine entrance into
this !lace( and then $ will answer thy 0uestion: so $ told him my story( and in0uired of him the history
of this city" 5ait a little( said he4Cand he closed the Pur)Dn( and( havin# !ut it in a ba# of satin( seated
me by his side" 6s $ now beheld him( his countenance a!!eared like the full moon( and his whole
!erson exhibited such !erfect ele#ance and loveliness( that a sin#le #lance at him drew from me a
thousand si#hs( and kindled a fire in my heart" $ re!eated my re0uest that he would #ive me an account
of the city4 and( re!lyin#( $ hear and obey( he thus addressed me:C
=now that this city belon#ed to my father and his family and sub7ects4 and he is the =in# whom thou
hast seen converted into+W, stone4 and the gueen whom thou hast seen is my mother" They were all
&a#ians( worshi!!in# fire in the !lace of the 6lmi#hty =in#4,W and they swore by the fire and the
li#ht( and the shade and the heat( and the revolvin# orb" &y father had no son( till( in his declinin#
years( he was blest with me( whom he reared until $ attained to manhood" 9ut( ha!!ily for me( there
was( in our family( an old woman( far advanced in a#e( who was a &uslimeh( believin# in 2od and his
6!ostle in her heart( thou#h she conformed with my family in outward observances4 and my father
confided in her( on account of the faithfulness and modesty that he had observed in her character( and
shewed her #reat favour( firmly believin# that she held the same faith as himself4 therefore( when $ had
!assed my infancy( he committed me to her care( sayin#( Take him( and rear him( and instruct him in
the ordinances of our faith( and educate him and serve him in the best manner" The old woman
accordin#ly received me( but took care to instruct me in the faith of 1l)$slDm( teachin# me the laws of
!urification( and the divine ordinances of ablution( to#ether with the forms of !rayer4 after which she
made me commit to memory the whole of the Pur)Dn" /he then char#ed me to kee! my faith a secret
from my father( lest he should kill me4 and $ did so4 and a few days after( the old woman died" The
inhabitants of the city had now increased in their im!iety and arro#ance( and in their dereliction of the
truth4 and while they were in this state( they heard a crier !roclaim with a voice like thunder( so as to be
audible to both the near and the distant( ; inhabitants of this city( abstain from the worshi! of fire( and
worshi! the 6lmi#hty =in#_CThe !eo!le were struck with consternation( and( flockin# to my father(
the =in# of the city( said to him( 5hat is this alarmin# voice which hath astounded us by its terrible
soundRCbut he answered them( 'et not the voice terrify you( nor let it turn you from your faith:Cand
their hearts inclined to his words4 so they !ersevered in the worshi! of fire( and remained obstinate in
their im!iety durin# another year( until the return of the !eriod at which they had heard the voice the
first time" $t was then heard a second time4 and a#ain( in the next year( they heard it a third time4 but
still they !ersisted in their evil ways( until( drawin# down u!on themselves the abhorrence and
indi#nation of %eaven( one mornin#( shortly after daybreak( they were converted into black stones(
to#ether with their beasts and all their cattle" Not one of the inhabitants of the city esca!ed( exce!tin#
me4 and from the day on which this catastro!he ha!!ened( $ have continued occu!ied as thou seest( in
!rayer( and+W. fastin#( and readin# the Pur)Dn: but $ have become weary of this solitary state( havin#
no one to cheer me with his com!any"
;n hearin# these words( $ said to him( 5ilt thou #o with me to the city of 9a#hdDd( and visit its learned
men and lawyers( and increase thy knowled#eR $f so( $ will be thy handmaid( thou#h $ am the mistress
of my family( and have authority over a household of men" $ have here a shi! laden with merchandise(
and destiny hath driven us to this city( in order that we mi#ht become ac0uainted with these events: our
meetin# was !redestined"C$n this manner $ continued to !ersuade him until he #ave his consent" $ sle!t
that ni#ht at his feet( unconscious of my state throu#h excessive 7oy4 and in the mornin# we rose( and(
enterin# the treasuries( took away a 0uantity of the li#hter and most valuable of the articles that they
contained( and descended from the citadel into the city( where we met the slaves and the ca!tain( who
were searchin# for me" They were re7oiced at seein# me( and( to their 0uestions res!ectin# my absence(
$ re!lied by informin# them of all that $ had seen( and related to them the history of the youn# man( and
the cause of the transmutation of the !eo!le of the city( and of all that had befallen them( which filled
them with wonder" 9ut when my two sisters saw me with the youn# man( they envied me on his
account( and malevolently !lotted a#ainst me"
5e embarked a#ain( and $ ex!erienced the utmost ha!!iness( chiefly owin# to the com!any of the
youn# man4 and after we had waited a while till the wind was favourable( we s!read our sails( and
de!arted" &y sisters sat with me and the youn# man4 and( in their conversation with me( said( ; our
sister( what dost thou !ur!ose to do with this handsome youthR $ answered( $ desire to take him as my
husband:Cand( turnin# to him( and a!!roachin# him( $ said( ; my master( $ wish to make a !ro!osal to
thee( and do not thou o!!ose it" %e re!lied( $ hear and obey:Cand $ then looked towards my sisters(
and said to them( This youn# man is all that $ desire( and all the wealth that is here is yours"C
1xcellent( they re!lied( is thy determination:Cyet still they desi#ned evil a#ainst me"C5e continued
our voya#e with a favourable wind( and( 0uittin# the sea of !eril( entered the sea of security( across
which we !roceeded for some days( until we drew near to the city of 1l)9aHrah( the buildin#s of which
loomed before us at the a!!roach of evenin#4 but as soon as we had fallen aslee!( my sisters took us u!
in our bed( both myself and the youn# man( and threw us into the sea" The youth( bein# unable to swim(
was drowned: 2od recorded him amon# the com!any of the+,Z martyrs4,, while $ was re#istered
amon# those whose life was yet to be !reserved4 and( accordin#ly( as soon as $ awoke and found myself
in the sea( the !rovidence of 2od su!!lied me with a !iece of timber( u!on which $ !laced myself( and
the waves cast me u!on the shore of an island"
?urin# the remainder of the ni#ht $ walked alon# this island( and in the mornin# $ saw a neck of land(
bearin# the marks of a man's feet( and unitin# with the main land" The sun havin# now risen( $ dried my
clothes in its rays( and !roceeded alon# the !ath that $ had discovered until $ drew near to the shore
u!on which stands the city( when $ beheld a snake a!!roachin# me( and followed by a ser!ent which
was endeavourin# to destroy it4 the ton#ue of the snake was+,+ han#in# from its mouth in conse0uence
of excessive fati#ue( and it excited my com!assion4 so $ took u! a stone( and threw it at the head of the
ser!ent( which instantly died: the snake then extended a !air of win#s( and soared aloft into the sky(
leavin# me in wonder at the si#ht" 6t the time of this occurrence $ had become so fati#ued( that $ now
laid myself down and sle!t4 but $ awoke after a little while( and found a damsel seated at my feet( and
#ently rubbin# them with her hands4 u!on which $ immediately sat u!( feelin# ashamed that she should
!erform this service for me( and said to her( 5ho art thou( and what dost thou wantRC%ow soon has
thou for#otten me_ she exclaimed: $ am she to whom thou hast 7ust done a kindness( by killin# my
enemy: $ am the snake whom thou savedst from the ser!ent4 for $ am a *inneeyeh( and the ser!ent was a
*innee at enmity with me4 and none but thou delivered me from him: therefore( as soon as thou didst
this( $ flew to the shi! from which thy sisters cast thee( and trans!orted all that it contained to thy
house: $ then sunk it4 but as to thy sisters( $ transformed them by enchantment into two black bitches4
for $ knew all that they had done to thee: the youn# man( however( is drowned"C%avin# thus said( she
took me u!( and !laced me with the two black bitches on the roof of my house: and $ found all the
treasures that the shi! had contained collected in the midst of my house: nothin# was lost" /he then said
to me( $ swear by that which was en#raved u!on the seal of /uleymDn( that( if thou do not inflict three
hundred lashes u!on each of these bitches every day( $ will come and transform thee in the like manner:
Cso $ re!lied( $ hear and obey:Cand have continued ever since to inflict u!on them these stri!es(
thou#h !ityin# them while $ do so"
The =haleefeh heard this story with astonishment( and then said to the second lady( 6nd what
occasioned the stri!es of which thou bearest the marksR /he answered as follows:C
THE STORY OF THE SECOND OF THE THREE LADIES OF BAGHD#D.
; 8rince of the 3aithful( my father( at his death( left considerable !ro!erty4 and soon after that event $
married to one of the wealthiest men of the a#e( who( when $ had lived with him a year( died( and $+,@
inherited from him ei#hty thousand !ieces of #old( the !ortion that fell to me accordin# to the law4,.
with !art of which $ made for myself ten suits of clothin#( each of the value of a thousand !ieces of
#old" 6nd as $ was sittin# one day( there entered my a!artment an old woman( dis#ustin#ly u#ly( who
saluted me( and said( $ have an or!han dau#hter whose marria#e $ am to celebrate this ni#ht( and $
would have thee obtain a reward and recom!ense in heaven by thy bein# !resent at her nu!tial
festivity4 for she is broken)hearted( havin# none to befriend her but 2od( whose name be exalted" /he
then we!t( and kissed my feet4 and( bein# moved with !ity and com!assion( $ assented( u!on which she
desired me to !re!are myself( tellin# me that she would come at the hour of ni#htfall and take me4 and
so sayin#( she kissed my hand( and de!arted"
$ arose immediately( and attired myself( and when $ had com!leted my !re!arations( the old woman
returned( sayin#( ; my mistress( the ladies of the city have arrived( and $ have informed them of thy
comin#( and they are waitin# with 7oy to receive thee:Cso $ !ut on my outer #arments( and( takin# my
female slaves with me( !roceeded until we arrived at a street in which a soft wind was deli#htfully
!layin#( where we saw a #ateway over)arched with a marble vault( admirably constructed( formin# the
entrance to a !alace which rose from the earth to the clouds".Z ;n our arrival there( the old woman
knocked at the door( and( when it was o!ened( we entered a car!eted !assa#e( illuminated by lam!s and
candles( and decorated with 7ewels and !recious metals".+ Throu#h this !assa#e we !assed into a
saloon of une0ualled ma#nificence( furnished with mattresses covered with silk( li#hted by han#in#
lam!s and by candles( and havin#( at its u!!er end( a couch of alabaster decorated with !earls and
7ewels( and cano!ied by curtains of satin( from which there came forth a lady beautiful as the moon(
who exclaimed to me( &ost welcome art thou( ; my sister: thou deli#htest me by thy com!any( and
refreshest my heart" /he then sat down a#ain( and said to me( ; my sister( $ have a brother who hath
seen thee at a festivity: he is a youn# man( more handsome than myself( and( his heart bein# violently
inflamed with love of thee( he hath bribed this old woman to #o to thee( and to em!loy this artifice in
order to obtain for me an interview with thee" %e desireth to marry thee accordin# to the ordinance of
2od and his 6!ostle( and in that which is lawful there is no dis#race"C5hen $ heard these words( and
saw myself thus confined in the house so that $ could not esca!e( $ re!lied( $ hear and obey:Cand the
lady( re+,L7oicin# at my consent( cla!!ed her hands( and o!ened a door( u!on which there came out
from it a youn# man so sur!assin#ly handsome( that my heart immediately inclined to him" No sooner
had he sat down than the PD\ee and four witnesses entered( and saluted us( and !roceeded to !erform
the ceremony of the marria#e)contract.@ between me and the youn# man4 which havin# done( they
de!arted4 and when they had retired( the youn# man looked towards me( and said( &ay our ni#ht be
blessed" %e then informed me that he desired to im!ose a covenant u!on me( and( brin#in# a co!y of
the Pur)Dn( said( /wear that thou wilt not indul#e a !reference( nor at all incline( to any man but me:C
and when $ had sworn to this effect( he re7oiced exceedin#ly( and embraced me4 and the love of him
took entire !ossession of my heart"
5e lived to#ether in the utmost ha!!iness for the s!ace of a month( after which $ be##ed that he would
allow me to #o to the bDODr( in order to !urchase some stuffs for dress( and( havin# obtained his
!ermission( went thither in com!any with the old woman( and seated myself at the sho! of a youn#
merchant with whom she was ac0uainted( and whose father( as she informed me( had died and left him
#reat wealth" /he desired him to shew me his most costly stuffs4 and while he was occu!ied in doin#
so( she be#an to utter various flatterin# ex!ressions in !raise of him4 but $ said to her( 5e have no
concern with the !raises that thou bestowest u!on him4 we desire only to make our !urchase( and to
return home" &eanwhile he !roduced to us what we wanted( and we handed him the money: he
refused( however( to take it( sayin#( $t is an offerin# of hos!itality to you for your visit this day:C
whereu!on $ said to the old woman( $f he will not take the money( return to him his stuff" 9ut he would
not receive it a#ain( and exclaimed( 9y 6llah( $ will take nothin# from you: all this is a !resent from me
for a sin#le kiss( which $ shall value more than the entire contents of my sho!"C5hat will a kiss !rofit
theeR asked the old woman" Then( turnin# to me( she said( ; my dau#hter( thou hast heard what the
youth hath said: no harm will befall thee if he #ive thee a kiss( and thou shalt take what thou wantest"C
?ost thou not know( said $( that $ have taken an oathR /he answered( 'et him kiss thee then without thy
s!eakin#( and so it will be of no conse0uence to thee( and thou shalt take back thy money" Thus she
continued to !alliate the matter until $ !ut my head (as it were) into the ba#( and consented: so $
covered my eyes( and held the ed#e of my veil in such a manner as to !revent the !as+,Nsen#ers from
seein# me( whereu!on he !ut his mouth to my cheek beneath the veil( but instead of merely kissin# me(
he lacerated my cheek by a violent bite" $ fell into a swoon from the !ain( and the old woman laid me
on her la! till $ recovered( when $ found the sho! closed( and the old woman utterin# ex!ressions of
#rief( and sayin#( 5hat 2od hath averted would have been a #reater calamity4 let us return home( and
do thou fei#n to be ill( and $ will come to thee and a!!ly a remedy that shall cure the wound( and thou
wilt 0uickly be restored"
6fter remainin# there some time lon#er( $ rose( and( in a state of #reat uneasiness and fear( returned to
the house( and !rofessed myself ill( u!on which my husband came in to me( and said( 5hat hath+,-
befallen thee( ; my mistress( durin# this excursionR $ answered( $ am not well"C6nd what is this
wound( said he( that is u!on thy cheek( and in the soft !artR $ answered( 5hen $ asked thy !ermission(
and went out to)day to !urchase some stuff for dress( a camel loaded with firewood drove a#ainst me in
the crowd( and tore my veil( and wounded my cheek as thou seest( for the streets of this city are
narrow".LCTo)morrow( then( he exclaimed( $ will #o to the #overnor( and make a com!laint to him(
and he shall han# every seller of firewood in the city"C9y 6llah( said $( burden not thyself by an in7ury
to any one4 for the truth is( that $ was ridin# u!on an ass( which took fri#ht with me( and $ fell u!on the
#round( and a stick lacerated my cheek"C$f it be so( then( he re!lied( $ will #o to)morrow to *aQfar 1l)
9armekee( and relate the matter to him( and he shall kill every ass)driver in this city"C5ilt thou( said $(
kill all those men on my account( when this which befell me was decreed by 2odRCAndoubtedly( he
answered4 and( so sayin#( he seiOed me violently( and then s!ran# u!( and uttered a loud cry( u!on
which the door o!ened( and there came forth from it seven black slaves( who dra##ed me from my bed(
and threw me down in the middle of the a!artment4 whereu!on he ordered one of them to hold me by
my shoulders and to sit u!on my head4 and another( to sit u!on my knees and to hold my feet" 6 third
then came( with a sword in his hand( and said( ; my lord( shall $ strike her with the sword( and cleave
her in twain( that each of these may take a half and throw it into the Ti#ris for the fish to devourR.N 3or
such is the !unishment of her who is unfaithful to her oath and to the laws of love"C&y husband
answered( /trike her( ; /aQd:.-Cand the slave( with the drawn sword in his hand( said( <e!eat the
!rofession of the faith( and reflect what thou wouldst have to be done( that thou mayest #ive thy
testamentary directions( for this is the end of thy life"C2ood slave( $ re!lied( release me for a while
that $ may do so:Cand $ raised my head( and( wee!in# as $ s!oke( addressed my husband with these
verses:C
Sou render me lovelorn( and remain at ease" Sou make my wounded eyelid to be restless( and you
slee!" Sour abode is between my heart and my eyes4 and my heart will not relin0uish you( nor my tears
conceal my !assion" Sou made a covenant with me that you would remain faithful4 but when you had
#ained !ossession of my heart you deceived me" 5ill you not !ity my love for you and my moanin#R
%ave you yourself been secure from misfortunesR +,U $ con7ure you( by 6llah( if $ die( that you write
u!on my tombstone( This was a slave of love" That( !erchance( some mourner who hath felt the same
flame may !ass by the lover's #rave( and !ity her".U
9ut on hearin# these verses( and witnessin# my wee!in#( he became more incensed( and re!lied in the
words of this cou!let:C
$ re7ect not the beloved of my heart from weariness: her own #uilty conduct is the cause of her
!unishment" /he desired that another should share with me her love4 but the faith of my heart inclineth
not to !artnershi!".W
$ continued to wee!( and to endeavour to excite his com!assion( sayin# within myself( $ will humble
me before him( and address him with soft words( that he may at least refrain from killin# me( thou#h he
take all that $ !ossess4Cbut he cried out to the slave( Cleave her in twain4 for she is no lon#er of any
value to us"C/o the slave a!!roached me( and $ now felt assured of my death( and committed myself
to 2od4 but suddenly the old woman came and threw herself at my husband's feet( and( kissin# them(
exclaimed( ; my son( by the+,W care with which $ nursed thee( $ con7ure thee to !ardon this damsel( for
she hath committed no offence that deserveth such a !unishment: thou art youn#( and $ fear the effect
of the im!recations that she may utter a#ainst thee:Cand after she had thus addressed him( she we!t(
and continued to im!ortune him( until( at len#th( he said( $ !ardon her( but must cause her to bear u!on
her !erson such marks of her offence as shall last for the remainder of her life" /o sayin#( he
commanded the slaves to stri! off my vest( and( takin# a stick cut from a 0uince)tree( he beat me u!on
my back and my sides until $ became insensible from the violence of the blows( and des!aired of my
life" %e then ordered the slaves to take me away as soon as it was ni#ht( accom!anied by the old
woman( and to throw me into my house in which $ formerly resided" They accordin#ly executed their
lord's commands( and when they had de!osited me in my house( $ a!!lied myself to the healin# of my
wounds4 but( after $ had cured myself( my sides still bore the a!!earance of havin# been beaten with
miJra'ahs" $ continued to a!!ly remedies for four months before $ was restored( and then re!aired to
view the house in which this event had ha!!ened4 but $ found it reduced to ruin( and the whole street
!ulled down4 the site of the house $ found occu!ied by mounds of rubbish( and $ knew not the cause"
Ander these circumstances( $ went to reside with this my sister( who is of the same father as myself(
and $ found with her these two bitches" %avin# saluted her( $ informed her of all that had befallen me4
to which she re!lied( 5ho is secure from the afflictions of fortuneR 8raise be to 2od who terminated
the affair with safety to thy life_C/he then related to me her own story( and that of her two sisters( and
$ remained with her( and neither of us ever mentioned the sub7ect of marria#e" 6fterwards we were
7oined by this our other sister( the cateress( who every day #oes out to !urchase for us whatever we
ha!!en to want"
CONCLUSION OF THE STORY OF THE LADIES OF BAGHD#D, &$.
The =aleefeh was astonished at this story( and ordered it to be recorded in a book( as an authentic
history( and de!osited the book in his library" 6nd he said to the first lady( =nowest thou where the
*inneeyeh., who enchanted thy sisters is to be foundR /he answered( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( she #ave
me a lock of her hair( and said( 5hen thou desirest my !resence( burn a few of these hairs( and $
will+,, be with thee 0uickly( thou#h $ should be beyond &ount PDf"C9rin# then the hair( said the
=haleefeh" The lady( therefore( !roduced it4 and the =haleefeh( takin# it( burned a !ortion of it( and(
when the odour had diffused itself( the !alace shook( and they heard a sound of thunder( and lo( the
*inneeyeh a!!eared before them" /he was a &uslimeh( and therefore #reeted the =haleefeh by sayin#(
8eace be on thee( ; =haleefeh of 2od_Cto which he re!lied( ;n you be !eace( and the mercy of 2od(
and his blessin#s_..C/he then said( =now that this lady hath conferred on me a benefit for which $ am
unable to re0uite her4 for she rescued me from death( by killin# my enemy4 and $( havin# seen what her
sisters had done to her( determined to take ven#eance u!on them4 therefore $ transformed them by
enchantment into two bitches4 and( indeed( $ had wished rather to kill them( fearin# lest they should
trouble her4 but now( if thou desire their restoration( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( $ will restore them( as a
favour to thee and to her4 for $ am one of the true believers"C?o so( said the =haleefeh4 and then we
will enter u!on the consideration of the affair of the lady who hath been beaten( and examine her case(
and if her veracity be established( $ will take ven#eance for her u!on him who hath o!!ressed her" The
*inneeyeh re!lied( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( $ will #uide thee to the discovery of him who acted thus to
this lady( and o!!ressed her( and took her !ro!erty: he is thy nearest relation" /he then took a cu! of
water( and( havin# !ronounced a s!ell over it( s!rinkled the faces of the two bitches( sayin#( 9e
restored to your ori#inal human forms_Cwhereu!on they became a#ain two youn# ladies"C1xtolled
be the !erfection of their Creator_+ZZ %avin# done this( the *inneeyeh said( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( he
who beat the lady is thy son 1l)1meen( who had heard of her beauty and loveliness:Cand she
!roceeded to relate what had ha!!ened" The =haleefeh was astonished( and exclaimed( 8raise be to
2od for the restoration of these two bitches which hath been effected throu#h my means_Cand
immediately he summoned before him his son 1l)1meen( and in0uired of him the history of the lady4
and he related to him the truth" %e then sent for PD\ees and witnesses( and the first lady and her two
sisters who had been transformed into bitches he married to the three mendicants who had related that
they were the sons of =in#s4 and these he made chamberlains of his court( a!!ointin# them all that they
re0uired( and allottin# them a!artments in the !alace of 9a#hdDd" The lady who had been beaten he
restored to his son 1l)1meen( #ivin# her a lar#e !ro!erty( and orderin# that the house should be+,.
rebuilt in a more handsome style" 'astly( the lady)cateress he took as his own wife4 he admitted her at
once to his own a!artment( and( on the followin# day( he a!!ointed her a se!arate lod#in# for herself(
with female slaves to wait u!on her: he also allotted to her a re#ular income4 and afterwards built for
her a !alace"
+.Z
NOTES TO CHAPTER THIRD.
Note +"COn the 3ses of "alm2stic-s in various Manufactures! The kind of crate here mentioned is
made of 7ereeds( or !alm)sticks( which (bein# very soft( and easily cut and !unched( in their fresh state(
and very tou#h( difficult to break( and li#ht( when dry() are used in a #reat variety of manufactures" $n
makin# crates or baskets( and stools( bed)frames( coo!s( Mc"( a number of 7ereeds( bein# !laced an inch
or more a!art( are fixed by two( three( or more( thicker ones( !laced transversely" <ound holes are
!unched in the latter( throu#h which the former are inserted4 and the whole becomes li#ht and stron# as
soon as it is dry" Chests are made with thick 7ereeds !laced close to#ether( and others( !ared thin(
!assin# transversely throu#h them"
Note @"C*escription of the 1eils of Ara& Women! The modern iODr or eeODr (for the word is written in
two different ways)( of 6rab women( is a !iece of dra!ery commonly worn by them when they a!!ear
in !ublic" $t is about two yards or more in width (accordin# to the hei#ht of the wearer)( and three yards
in len#th: one ed#e of it bein# drawn from behind( over the u!!er !art of the head and the forehead( and
secured by a band sewed inside( the rest han#s down behind and on each side to the #round( or nearly
so( and almost entirely envelo!s the !erson4 the two ends bein# held so as nearly to meet in front" Thus
it conceals every other !art of the dress exce!tin# a small !ortion of a very loose #own (which is
another of the articles of walkin# or ridin# a!!arel)( and the face)veil" $t is now #enerally made of
white calico( but a similar coverin# of black silk for the married( and of white silk for the unmarried( is
now worn by females of the hi#her and middle classes( and is called a BGabarah"B
$t a!!ears that the kind of face)veil mentioned in the same !assa#e (in 6rabic( BJinDQ(B) is a !iece of
muslin( about a yard or more in len#th( and somewhat less in width( a !ortion of which is !laced over
the head( beneath the iODr( the rest han#in# down in front( to the waist( or thereabout( and entirely
concealin# the face" $ have often seen 6rab women( !articularly those of the 5ahhDbees( wearin# veils
of this kind com!osed of !rinted muslin( com!letely concealin# their features( yet of sufficiently loose
fabric to admit of their seein# their way" 9ut the more common kind of 6rab face)veil is a lon# stri! of
white muslin( or of a kind of black cra!e( coverin# the whole of the face exce!tin# the eyes( and
reachin# nearly to the feet" $t is sus!ended at the to! by a narrow band( which !asses u! the forehead(
and which is sewed( as are also the two u!!er corners of the veil( to a band that is tied round the head"
This veil is called BburJo'"B The black kind is often ornamented with #old coins( false !earls( Mc"(
attached to the u!!er !art" $t is not so #enteel as the white veil( unless for a lady in mournin#"+.+
Note L" B1l)&XHilB is the name of the city which 1uro!eans commonly call B&osul(B B&osoul(B Mc"4 a
city lon# famous for its fine stuffs" %ence our word Bmuslin(B often termed( in 6rabic( B&XHilee(B
si#nifyin#( Bof the manufacture of 1l)&XHil"B
Note N" The wine is mentioned in the Calcutta edition of the first two hundred ni#hts( but not in the
edition of Cairo" The lady went to a Christian to !urchase her wine because &uslims are not allowed to
sell it"
Note -" The B';thmDnee 0uincesB $ su!!ose to be a kind so called after some !erson named ';thmDn
who introduced it( or was famous for its culture" The term B/ulEDnee(B a!!lied to the citrons afterwards
mentioned( si#nifies Bim!erial"B
Note U" 6 list of these sweets is #iven in my ori#inal( but $ have thou#ht it better to omit the names"
Note W" The Bwillow)flower)waterB is !re!ared from the sweet)scented flowers of the ;riental willow(
called BbDnB and BkhilDfB or BkhalDf4B a twi# of which is( amon# the 6rabs( a favourite emblem of a
#raceful female"
Note ,"COn the 1essels used for 'prin-ling and "erfuming! The s!rinklin#)bottle( here called
Bmirashsh(B is more commonly called BJumJum(B and has been alluded to in a former note( as havin# a
s!herical or wide body( and a lon# and narrow neck" $t is #enerally about ei#ht inches hi#h( and of !lain
or #ilt silver( or of fine brass( or china( or #lass4 and has a cover !ierced with a small hole" This vessel
is used in the houses of the rich to s!rinkle a #uest or visiter( before he rises to take his leave( with rose)
water4 after which ceremony( a !a#e or servant !resents to him a kind of censer( called Bmibkharah(B
which is #enerally of one or other of the metals above mentioned( and about the same hei#ht as the
JumJum4 and he wafts the smoke which rises from it towards his face( beard( Mc"( with the ri#ht hand"
The body of the mibkharah( the form of which is nearly #lobular( surmounts a stem risin# from the
centre of a small circular tray4 the u!!er half is a cover !ierced with a!ertures for the esca!e of the
smoke4 and the lower half( in which some burnin# charcoal is !laced( is lined( or half filled( with
#y!sum)!laster" 6loes)wood( !reviously moistened( or some other odoriferous substance( is !laced
u!on the burnin# coals4 and sometimes( in the houses of very wealthy !ersons( amber#ris is used"
Note ." This descri!tion of the outer door of a house in 9a#hdDd is an obvious absurdity4 but none of
the co!ies of the ori#inal to which $ have access authoriOes my substitutin# B#iltB for B!lated with
#old4B all here a#reein# in the use of words which have the latter sense"
Note +Z" $n their ea#erness to obtain the earliest !ossible si#ht of the new moon which marks the !eriod
of the commencement of the <ama\Dn( lest they should not be#in their fast as soon as the law re0uires(
the &uslims often see the crescent one ni#ht earlier in this than in any other month" The com!arison of
an eyebrow to the new moon of <ama\Dn ex!resses( therefore( its extreme thinness( as well as its
arched form" To reduce its natural thickness( and to #ive it this form( scissors are often used"
Note ++" BThe seal of /uleymDnB is a name #iven by the 6rabs to a six)!ointed star formed by two
e0uilateral trian#les intersectin# each other( and to the flower which we( also( call B/olomon's seal"B $
fear that the reader will not consider the com!arison very a!!osite( unless the allusion be to a beautiful
red berry which( $ am informed( is borne by the flower here mentioned"
Note +@"C*escription of Apartments in Ara& )ouses! &ost of the descri!tions of interior domestic
architecture which occur in the !resent work( $ may a!tly illustrate by availin# myself of observations
made in Cairo" $n the houses of !ersons of the hi#her and middle classes in this city( the different
a!artments #enerally resemble each other in several res!ects( and are similarly furnished" The #reater
!ortion of the floor+.@ is elevated about half a foot( or somewhat more( above the rest" The hi#her
!ortion is called BleewDnB (a corru!tion of Bel)eewDnB)( and the lower( BdurJD'ah(B from the 8ersian
Bdar)#Dh"B 5hen there is but one leewDn( the durJD'ah occu!ies the lower end( extendin# from the door
to the o!!osite wall" $n a handsome house( it is usually !aved with white and black marble( and little
!ieces of red tile( inlaid in tasteful and com!licated !atterns4 and if the room is on the #round)floor( and
sometimes in other cases( it has( in the centre( a fountain which !lays into a small( shallow !ool( lined
with coloured marbles( Mc"( like the surroundin# !avement" The shoes( or sli!!ers( are left u!on the
durJD'ah !reviously to ste!!in# u!on the leewDn" The latter is #enerally !aved with common stone( and
covered with a mat in summer( and a car!et over this in winter4 and a mattress and cushions are !laced
a#ainst each of its three walls( com!osin# what is called a BdeewDn(B or divan" The mattress( which is
commonly about three feet wide( and three or four inches thick( is !laced either on the floor or on a
raised frame or a sli#htly)elevated !avement4 and the cushions( which are usually of a len#th e0ual to
the width of the mattress( and of a hei#ht e0ual to half that measure( lean a#ainst the wall" 9oth
mattresses and cushions are stuffed with cotton( and are covered with !rinted calico( cloth( or some
more ex!ensive stuff" The deewDn which extends alon# the u!!er end of the leewDn is called the BHadr(B
and is the most honourable: and the chief !lace on this seat is the corner which is to the ri#ht of a
!erson facin# this end of the room4 the other corner is the next in !oint of honour4 and the intermediate
!laces on the same deewDn are more honourable than those on the two side)deewDns" To a su!erior( and
often to an e0ual( the master or mistress yields the chief !lace" The corners are often furnished with an
additional mattress( of a s0uare form( 7ust lar#e enou#h for one !erson( !laced u!on the other mattress(
and with two additional (but smaller) cushions to recline a#ainst" The walls are( for the most !art(
!lastered and white)washed( and #enerally have two or more shallow cu!boards( the doors of which( as
well as those of the a!artments( are fancifully constructed with small !anels" The windows( which are
chiefly com!osed of curious wooden lattice)work( servin# to screen the inhabitants from the view of
!ersons without( as also to admit both li#ht and air( commonly !ro7ect outwards( and are furnished with
mattresses and cushions" $n many houses there are( above these( small windows of coloured #lass(
re!resentin# bunches of flowers( Mc" The ceilin# is of wood( and certain !ortions of it( which are
carved( or otherwise ornamented by fanciful car!entry( are usually !ainted with bri#ht colours( such as
red( #reen( and blue( and sometimes varied with #ildin#4 but the #reater !art of the wood)work is
#enerally left un!ainted"
The word in the ori#inal text which $ translate Bsaloon(B is BJD'ah"B This term is a!!lied to a lar#e and
lofty a!artment( commonly havin# two leewDns( on o!!osite sides of the durJD'ah" ;ne of these is( in
most instances( lar#er than the other( and is held to be the more honourable !art" /ome JD'ahs(
containin# three leewDns( one of these bein# o!!osite the entrance( or four leewDns com!osin# the form
of a cross with the durJD'ah in the centre( communicate with small chambers or closets( or have
elevated recesses which are furnished in the same manner as the leewDns" That !art of the roof which is
over the durJD'ah rises above the rest( sometimes to nearly twice the hei#ht of the latter( and is
#enerally surmounted by a lantern of wooden lattice)work to admit the air"
Note +L" $n the Cairo edition( the couch is described as bein# in the midst of the saloon4 but this is
inconsistent with what follows"
Note +N"COf 9Dbil( and the Angels %Droot and &Droot" 9Dbil( or 9abel( is re#arded by the &uslims as
the fountain)head of the science of ma#ic( which was( and( as most think( still is( tau#ht there to
mankind by two fallen an#els( named %Droot and &Droot(+W- who are there sus!ended by the feet in a
#reat !it closed by a mass of rock"
6ccordin# to the account of them #enerally received as correct( these two an#els( in conse0uence of
their want of com!assion for the frailties of mankind( were rendered( by 2od( susce!tible of human
!assions( and sent down u!on the earth to be tem!ted: they both sinned4 and( bein# !ermitted to choose
whether they would be !unished in this life or in the other( chose the former4 but they were sent down
not merely to e4perience tem!tation( bein# also a!!ointed to tem!t others by means of their knowled#e
of ma#ic4 thou#h it a!!ears that they were commanded not to teach this art to any man Buntil they had
said( Ferily we are a tem!tation4 therefore( be not an unbeliever"B+WU)kThe celebrated traditionist
&u7Dhid is related to have visited them( under the #uidance of a *ew" %avin# removed the mass of rock
from the mouth of the !it( or well( they entered" &u7Dhid had been !reviously char#ed by the *ew not to
mention the name of 2od in their !resence4 but when he beheld them( resemblin# in siOe two hu#e
mountains( and sus!ended u!side)down( with irons attached to their necks and knees( he could not
refrain from utterin# the forbidden name4 whereu!on the two an#els became so violently a#itated that
they almost broke the irons which confined them( and &u7Dhid and his #uide fled back in
consternation"+WW
Note +-" The meanin# conveyed by this com!arison is Btall and slender"B
Note +U" $n the &/" from which the old translation was made( it a!!ears that this lady is called
^ubeydeh (which was the name of the dau#hter of *aQfar the son of 1l)&anHoor( and wife of 1r)
<asheed)4 the !ortress( IDfiyeh4 and the cateress( dmineh4 but no names are #iven to them in any of the
co!ies of the ori#inal to which $ have access"
Note +W" 'iterally( Btwo nuHfs"B BNuHf(B vul#arly !ronounced by the 1#y!tians BnuHH(B and si#nifyin#
Bhalf(B is the name of a small 1#y!tian coin made of a mixture of silver and co!!er( and now e0uivalent
to somethin# less than a 0uarter of a farthin#4 but this name was ori#inally #iven to the half)dirhems
which were struck in the rei#n of the /ulEDn 1l)&u)eiyad( in the early !art of the ninth century of the
3li#ht( or of the fifteenth of our era" $n the Calcutta edition of the first two hundred ni#hts( and in the
edition of 9reslau( we read here Btwo dirhems(B instead of Btwo nuHfs"B [The coin here mentioned still
bears the name B&u)eiyadee(B or( vul#arly( B&eiyadee"B $n the latest coina#e( co!!er has been
substituted for the mixed metal" 1d"
Note +," The BmenDrehB is the tower of a mos0ue( commonly called by 1n#lish writers Bminaret(B
which #enerally rises from a s0uare base"
Note +." $t is a common custom in the 1ast to seal the doors of store)houses with a lum! of clay( lest
the lock should be !icked"
Note @Z" $ here deviate a little from the Cairo edition( in which the cateress is described as havin#
drunk three cu!s of wine successively before she handed any to her sisters" &y reason for this will
!resently be seen"
Note @+" Thus in two editions" $n the Cairo edition( BtukellimuhuB is !ut for Btelkumuhu"B
Note @@" On Wine +ruits +lo%ers and Music in Illustration of Ara& Carousals! $ here !ass over an
extremely ob7ectionable scene( which( it is to be ho!ed( would convey a very erroneous idea of the
manners of 6rab ladies4 thou#h $ have witnessed( at !rivate festivities in Cairo( abominable scenes( of
which ladies( screened behind lattices( were s!ectators" Can the same be said with res!ect to the
!revious carousalR This is a 0uestion which cannot be answered in a few words"
The !rohibition of wine( or( rather( of fermented and intoxicatin# li0uors( bein# one +.Nof the most
remarkable and im!ortant !oints of the &ohammadan reli#ion( it mi#ht be ima#ined that the fre0uent
stories in this work( describin# !arties of &uslims as habitually indul#in# in the use of forbidden
bevera#es( are scandalous misre!resentations of 6rab manners and customs" There are( however( many
similar anecdotes inters!ersed in the works of 6rab historians( which (thou#h many of them are
!robably untrue in their a!!lication to !articular individuals) could not have been offered to the !ublic
by such writers if they were not of a nature consistent with the customs of a considerable class of the
6rab nation"
$n investi#atin# this sub7ect( it is necessary( in the first !lace( to state( that there is a kind of wine which
&uslims are !ermitted to drink" $t is !ro!erly called BnebeedhB (a name which is no% #iven to
prohi&ited kinds of wine)( and is #enerally !re!ared by !uttin# dry #ra!es( or dry dates( in water( to
extract their sweetness( and sufferin# the li0uor to ferment sli#htly( until it ac0uires a little shar!ness or
!un#ency" The 8ro!het himself was in the habit of drinkin# wine of this kind( which was !re!ared for
him in the first !art of the ni#ht4 he drank it on the first and second days followin#4 but if any remained
on the mornin# of the third day( he either #ave it to his servants or ordered it to be !oured out u!on the
#round"+W, /uch bevera#es have( therefore( been drunk by the strictest of his followers4 and $bn)
=haldoon stron#ly ar#ues that nebeedh thus !re!ared from dates was the kind of wine used by the
=haleefehs %Droon 1r)<asheed and 1l)&a)moon( and several other eminent men( who have been
commonly accused of habitually and !ublicly indul#in# in debauches of wine !ro!erly so called4 that
is( of inebriatin# li0uors"+W.
Nebeedh( !re!ared from raisins( is commonly sold in 6rab towns( under the name of BOebeeb(B which
si#nifies Braisins"B This $ have often drunk in Cairo4 but never could !erceive that it was in the sli#htest
de#ree fermented" ;ther bevera#es( to which the name of BnebeedhB has been a!!lied (thou#h( like
Oebeeb( no lon#er called by that name)( are also sold in 6rab towns" The most common of these is an
infusion of licorice( and called by the name of the root( B'erJ)soos"B The nebeedh of dates is sold in
Cairo with the dates themselves in the li0uor4 and in like manner is that of fi#s" Ander the same
a!!ellation of BnebeedhB have been classed the different kinds of beer now commonly called BbooOeh(B
which have been mentioned in former !a#es" ;!ium( hem!( Mc"( are now more fre0uently used by the
&uslims to induce intoxication or exhilaration" The youn# leaves of the hem! are #enerally used alone(
or mixed with tobacco( for smokin#4 and the ca!sules( without the seeds( enter into the com!osition of
several intoxicatin# conserves" /ome remarks u!on this sub7ect have been inserted in a former note"
9y my own ex!erience $ am but little 0ualified to !ronounce an o!inion res!ectin# the !revalence of
drinkin# wine amon# the 6rabs4 for( never drinkin# it myself( $ had little o!!ortunity of observin#
others do so durin# my residence amon# &uslims" $ 7ud#e( therefore( from the conversations and
writin#s of 6rabs( which 7ustify me in assertin# that the !ractice of drinkin# wine in !rivate( and by
select !arties( is far from bein# uncommon amon# modern &uslims( thou#h certainly more so than it
was before the introduction of tobacco into the 1ast( in the be#innin# of the seventeenth century of our
era4 for this herb( bein# in a sli#ht de#ree exhilaratin#( and at the same time soothin#( and unattended
by the in7urious effects that result from wine( is a sufficient luxury to many who( without it( would have
recourse to intoxicatin# bevera#es merely to !ass away hours of idleness" The use of coffee( too( which
became common in 1#y!t( /yria( and other countries( besides 6rabia( a century earlier than tobacco(
doubtless tended to render the habit of drinkin# wine less #eneral" That it was ado!ted as a substitute
for wine a!!ears even from its name( BJahweh(B an old 6rabic term for wine4 whence the Turkish
BJahveh(B the $talian Bcaffe(B and our Bcoffee"B
+.-
There is an 6rabic work of some celebrity( and not of small extent( entitled B[albet el)=umeyt(B+,Z
a!!arently written shortly before the 6rabs were in !ossession of the first of the above)mentioned
substitutes for wine( nearly the whole of which consists of anecdotes and verses relatin# to the
!leasures resultin# from( or attendant u!on( the use of wine4 a few !a#es at the end bein# devoted to the
condemnation of this !ractice( or( in other words( to !rove the worthlessness of all that !recedes" ;f
this work $ !ossess a co!y( a 0uarto volume of NUN !a#es" $ have endeavoured to skim its cream4 but
found it im!ossible to do so without collectin#( at the same time( a considerable 0uantity of most filthy
scum4 for it is characterised by wit and humour !lentifully interlarded with the #rossest and most
revoltin# obscenity4 yet it serves to confirm what has been above asserted" The mere existence of such
a work (and it is not the only one of the kind)( written by a man of learnin#( and $ believe a PD\ee( a
7ud#e( or one holdin# the honourable office of a #uardian of reli#ion and morality(+,+Cwritten( too(
evidently with !leasure( notwithstandin# his assertion to the contrary(Cis a stron# ar#ument in favour
of the !revalence of the !ractice which it !aints in the most fascinatin# colours( and then condemns" $ts
author terminates a cha!ter (the ninth)( in which many well)known !ersons are mentioned as havin#
been addicted to wine( by sayin#( that the =haleefehs( 1meers( and 5eOeers( so addicted( are too
numerous to name in such a work4 and by relatin# a story of a man who !laced his own wife in !led#e
in the hands of a wine)merchant( after havin# ex!ended in the !urchase of the forbidden li0uor all the
!ro!erty that he !ossessed" %e excuses himself (in his !reface) for writin# this book( by sayin# that he
had been ordered to do so by one whom he could not disobey4 thus #ivin# us a !retty stron# !roof that
a #reat man in his time was not ashamed of avowin# his fondness for the !rohibited en7oyment" $f(
then( we admit the res!ectable authority of $bn)=haldoon( and ac0uit of the vice of drunkenness those
illustrious individuals whose characters he vindicates( we must still re#ard most of the anecdotes
relatin# to the carousals of other !ersons as bein# not without foundation"
;ne of my friends( who en7oys a hi#h re!utation( rankin# amon# the most distin#uished of the 'Alam]
of Cairo( is well known to his intimate ac0uaintances as fre0uently indul#in# in the use of forbidden
bevera#es with a few select associates" $ disturbed him and his com!anions by an evenin# visit on one
of these occasions( and was ke!t waitin# within the street)door while the #uests 0uickly removed
everythin# that would #ive me any indication of the manner in which they had been em!loyed4 for the
announcement of my (assumed) name( and their knowled#e of my abstemious character( com!letely
disconcerted them" $ found them( however( in the best humour" They had contrived( it a!!eared( to fill
with wine a china bottle( of the kind used at that season (winter) for water4 and when any one of them
asked the servant for water( this bottle was brou#ht to him4 but when $ made the same demand( my host
told me that there was a bottle of water on the sill of the window behind that !art of the deewDn u!on
which $ was seated" The evenin# !assed away very !leasantly( and $ should not have known how
unwelcome was my intrusion had not one of the #uests with whom $ was intimately ac0uainted( in
walkin# !art of the way home with me( ex!lained to me the whole occurrence" There was with us a
third !erson( who( thinkin# that my anti!athy to wine was fei#ned( asked me to sto! at his house on my
way( and take a cu! of Bwhite coffee(B by which he meant brandy"
6nother of my &uslim ac0uaintances in Cairo $ fre0uently met at the house of a mutual friend( where(
thou#h he was in most res!ects very bi#oted( he was in the habit of indul#in# in wine" 3or some time
he refrained from this #ratification when $ was +.U !resent4 but at len#th my !resence became so
irksome to him( that he ventured to enter into an ar#ument with me on the sub7ect of the !rohibition"
The only answer $ could #ive to his 0uestion( B5hy is wine forbiddenRBCwas in the words of the Pur)
Dn( B9ecause it is the source of more evil than !rofit"B+,@ This suited his !ur!ose( as $ intended it
should4 and he asked( B5hat evil results from itRB $ answered( B$ntoxication and 0uarrels(
Mc"BCBThen(B said he( Bif a man take not enou#h to intoxicate him there is no harm4BCand findin#
that $ ac0uiesced by silence( he added( B$ am in the habit of takin# a little4 but never enou#h to
intoxicate" 9oy( brin# me a #lass"BC%e was the only &uslim( however( whom $ have heard to ar#ue
a#ainst the absolute interdiction of inebriatin# li0uors"
%istories tell us that some of the early followers of the 8ro!het indul#ed in wine( holdin# the text above
referred to as indecisive4 and that &oGammad was at first doubtful u!on this sub7ect a!!ears from
another text( in which his followers were told not to come to !rayer when they were drunk( until they
should know what they would say4+,L an in7unction somewhat similar to one in the 9ible4+,N but
when fre0uent and severe contentions resulted from their use of wine( the followin# more decided
condemnation of the !ractice was !ronounced:CB; ye who have become believers( verily wine and
lots and ima#es and divinin#)arrows are an abomination of the work of the ?evil4 therefore( avoid
them( that ye may !ros!er"B+,- This law is absolute: its violation in the smallest de#ree is criminal" The
!unishment ordained by the law for drinkin# (or( accordin# to most doctors( for even tastin#) wine or
s!irits( or inducin# intoxication by any other means( on ordinary occasions( is the infliction of ei#hty
stri!es in the case of a free man( and forty in that of a slave4 but if the crime be o!enly committed in the
course of any day of the month of <ama\Dn( when others are fastin#( the !unishment !rescribed is
death_
The !rohibition of wine hindered many of the 8ro!het's contem!oraries from embracin# his reli#ion" $t
is said that the famous !oet 1l)6Qsh]( who was one of them( delayed to 7oin his cause on this account(
until death !revented him" 6 !erson !assin# by his tomb (at &enfooGDh( in 1l)SemDmeh)( and
observin# that it was moist( asked the reason( and was answered( that the youn# men of the !lace(
considerin# him still as their cu!)com!anion( drank wine over his #rave( and !oured his cu! u!on
it"+,U Set many of the most res!ectable of the !a#an 6rabs( like certain of the *ews and early
Christians( abstained totally from wine( from a feelin# of its in7urious effects u!on morals( and( in their
climate( u!on health4 or( more es!ecially( from the fear of bein# led by it into the commission of foolish
and de#radin# actions" Thus( Peys the son of 'dHim( bein# one ni#ht overcome with wine( attem!ted to
#ras! the moon( and swore that he would not 0uit the s!ot where he stood until he had laid hold of it:
after lea!in# several times with the view of doin# so( he fell flat u!on his face4 and when he recovered
his senses( and was ac0uainted with the cause of his face bein# bruised( he made a solemn vow to
abstain from wine ever after"+,W 6 similar feelin# o!erated u!on many &uslims more than reli#ious
!rinci!le" The =haleefeh '6bd)1l)&elik $bn)&arwDn took !leasure in the com!any of a slave named
NaHeeb( and one day desired him to drink with him" The slave re!lied( B; 8rince of the 3aithful( $ am
not related to thee( nor have $ any authority over thee( and $ am of no rank or linea#e: $ am a black
slave( and my wit and !oliteness have drawn me into thy favour: how then shall $ take that which will
!lunder me of these two 0ualities4 and by what shall $ then !ro!itiate theeRB The =haleefeh admired
and excused him"+,,
$t was the custom of many &uslim !rinces( as mi#ht be inferred from the above anecdote( to admit the
meanest of their de!endants to !artici!ate in their unlawful carousals when they could have no better
com!anions4 but !oets and musicians were +.W their more common associates on these occasions4 and
these two classes( and es!ecially the latter( are in the !resent day the most addicted to intoxicatin#
li0uors" 3ew modern 6rab musicians are so well contented with extraordinary !ayment and mere sweet
sherbet as with a moderate fee and !lenty of wine and brandy4 and many of them deem even wine but a
sorry bevera#e"
$t was usual with the host and #uests at wine)!arties to wear dresses of bri#ht colours( red( yellow( and
#reen4+,. and to !erfume their beards and mustaches with civet( or to have rose)water s!rinkled u!on
them4 and amber#ris or aloes)wood( or some other odoriferous substance( !laced u!on burnin# coals in
a censer( diffused a delicious fra#rance throu#hout the saloon of the revels"
The wine( it a!!ears( was rather thick4 for it was necessary to strain it:+.Z it was !robably sweet( and
not stron#4 for it was drunk in lar#e 0uantities" 3re0uently( !erha!s( it was nebeedh of dry raisins ke!t
lon#er than the law allows" $t was usually ke!t in a lar#e earthen vessel( called Bdenn(B hi#h( and small
at the bottom( which was !artly imbedded in the earth to kee! it u!ri#ht" The name of this vessel is now
#iven to a cask of wood4 but the kind above mentioned was of earth4 for it was easily broken"C6
famous saint( 6bu)l)[oseyn 1n)Nooree( seein# a vessel on the Ti#ris containin# thirty denns belon#in#
to the =haleefeh 1l)&oQta\id( and bein# told that they contained wine( took a boat)!ole( and broke
them all( exce!tin# one" 5hen brou#ht before the =haleefeh to answer for this action( and asked by
him( B5ho made thee &oGtesibRB+.+ he boldly answered( B%e who made thee =haleefeh_BCand was
!ardoned"+.@C8itch was used by the 6rabs( as it was by the 2reeks and <omans( for the !ur!ose of
curin# their wine4 the interior of the denn bein# coated with it" 6 smaller kind of earthen 7ar( or
am!hora(+.L and a bottle of leather(+.N or of #lass(+.- were also used" The wine was transferred for
the table to #lass 7u#s( or lon#)s!outed ewers"+.U These and the cu!s were !laced u!on a round
embroidered cloth s!read on the floor( or u!on a round tray" The latter now is in #eneral use( and is
su!!orted on a low stool( described in a former note( as bein# used at ordinary meals" The #uests sat
around( reclinin# a#ainst !illars4 or they sat u!on the deewDn( and a !a#e or slave handed the cu!(
havin# on his ri#ht arm a richly)embroidered na!kin: the !erson after drinkin# took the end of this to
wi!e his li!s" The cu!s are often described as holdin# a fluid !ound( or little less than an 1n#lish !int4
and this is to be understood literally( or nearly so: they were commonly of cut #lass4 but some were of
crystal( or silver( or #old"+.W 5ith these and the ewers or 7u#s were !laced several saucers( or small
dishes(+., of fresh and dried fruits4+.. and fans and fly)whisks( of the kinds described on a former
occasion( were used by the #uests"
The most common and esteemed fruits in the countries inhabited by the 6rabs may here be mentioned"
The date@ZZ deserves the first !lace" The 8ro!het's favourite fruits were fresh dates@Z+ and water)
melons4 and he ate them both to#ether"@Z@ B%onour(B said he( Byour !aternal aunt( the date)!alm4 for
she was created of the earth of which 6dam was formed"B@ZL $t is said that 2od hath #iven this tree as
a !eculiar favour to the +.,&uslims4 that he hath decreed all the date)!alms in the world to them( and
they have accordin#ly con0uered every country in which these trees are found4 and all are said to have
derived their ori#in from the %e7DO"@ZN The !alm)tree has several well)known !ro!erties that render it
an emblem of a human bein#4 amon# which are these4 that if the head be cut off( the tree dies4 and if a
branch be cut off( another does not #row in its !lace"@Z- ?ates are !reserved in a moist state by bein#
merely !ressed to#ether in a basket or skin( and thus !re!ared are called B'a7weh"B There are many
varieties of this fruit" The !ith or heart of the !alm@ZU is esteemed for its delicate flavour"
The water)melon(@ZW from what has been said of it above( ou#ht to be ranked next4 and it really merits
this distinction" B5hoso eateth(B said the 8ro!het( Ba mouthful of water)melon( 2od writeth for him a
thousand #ood works( and cancelleth a thousand evil works( and raiseth him a thousand de#rees4 for it
came from 8aradise4BCand a#ain( BThe water)melon is food and drink( acid and alkali( and a su!!ort
of life(B Mc"@Z, The varieties of this fruit are very numerous"
The banana@Z. is a delicious fruit" The 8ro!het !ronounced the banana)tree to be the only thin# on
earth that resembles a thin# in 8aradise4 because it bears fruit both in winter and summer"@+Z
The !ome#ranate@++ is another celebrated fruit" 1very !ome#ranate( accordin# to the 8ro!het( contains
a fecundatin# seed from 8aradise"@+@
The other most common and esteemed fruits are the followin#:Cthe a!!le( !ear( 0uince( a!ricot( !each(
fi#( sycamore)fi#( #ra!e( lote( 7u7ube( !lum( walnut( almond( haOel)nut( !istachio)nut( oran#e( /eville)
oran#e( lime and lemon( citron( mulberry( olive( and su#ar)cane"@+L
;f a selection of these fruits consists the dessert which accom!anies the wine4 but the table is not
com!lete without a bunch or two of flowers !laced in the midst"
Thou#h the 6rabs are far from bein# remarkable for exhibitin# taste in the !lannin# of their #ardens(
they are !assionately fond of flowers( and es!ecially of the rose"@+NCThe =haleefeh 1l)&utawekkil
mono!oliOed roses for his own en7oyment4 sayin#( B$ am the =in# of /ulEDns( and the rose is the kin# of
sweet)scented flowers4 therefore each of us is most worthy of the other for a com!anion"B The rose( in
his time( was seen nowhere but in his !alace: durin# the season of this flower he wore rose)coloured
clothes4 and his car!ets( Mc"( were s!rinkled with rose)water"@+- 6 similar !assion for the rose is said
to have distin#uished a weaver( in the rei#n of 1l)&a)moon" %e was constantly em!loyed at his loom
every day of the year( even durin# the con#re#ational !rayers of 3riday( exce!tin# in the rose)season(
when he abandoned his work( and #ave himself u! to the en7oyment of wine( early in the mornin# and
late in the evenin#( loudly !roclaimin# his revels by sin#in#(C
BThe season has become !leasant_ The time of the rose has come_ Take your mornin# !otations( as lon#
as the rose has blossoms and flowers_B
5hen he resumed his work( he made it known by sin#in# aloud(C
B$f my 'ord !rolon# my life until the rose)season( $ will take a#ain my mornin# !otations: but if $ die
before it( alas_ for the loss of the rose and wine_ B$ im!lore the 2od of the su!reme throne( whose #lory
be extolled( that my heart may continually en7oy the evenin# !otations to the day of resurrection"B
+..
CThe =haleefeh was so amused with the humour of this man( that he #ranted him an annual !ension
of ten thousand dirhems to enable him to en7oy himself am!ly on these occasions"@+UC6nother
anecdote may be added to shew the estimation of the rose in the mind of an 6rab" $t is said that <owG
$bn)[Dtim( the #overnor of the !rovince of Northern 6frica( was sittin# one day( with a female slave( in
an a!artment of his !alace( when a eunuch brou#ht him a 7ar full of red and white roses( which a man
had offered as a !resent" %e ordered the eunuch to fill the 7ar with silver in return4 but his concubine
said( B; my lord( thou hast not acted e0uitably towards the man4 for his !resent to thee is of two
colours( red and white"B The 1meer re!lied( BThou hast said truly4B and #ave orders to fill the 7ar for
him with silver and #old (dirhems and deenDrs) intermixed"@+WC/ome !ersons !reserve roses durin#
the whole of the year( in the followin# manner" They take a number of rose)buds( and fill with them a
new earthen 7ar( and( after closin# its mouth with mud( so as to render it im!ervious to the air( bury it in
the earth" 5henever they want a few roses( they take out some of these buds( which they find unaltered(
s!rinkle a little water u!on them( and leave them for a short time in the air( when they o!en( and a!!ear
as if 7ust #athered"@+,CThe rose is even a sub7ect of miracles" $t is related by $bn)Puteybeh( that there
#rows in $ndia a kind of rose u!on the leaves of which is inscribed( BThere is no deity but 2od"B@+.
9ut $ find a more !articular account of this miraculous rose" 6 !erson( who !rofessed to have seen it(
said( B$ went into $ndia( and $ saw( at one of its towns( a lar#e rose( sweet)scented( u!on which was
inscribed( in white characters( 'There is no deity but 2od4 &oGammad is 2od's a!ostle: 6boo)9ekr is
the very veracious: ';mar is the discriminator4' and $ doubted of this( whether it had been done by art4
so $ took one of the blossoms not yet o!ened( and in it was the same inscri!tion4 and there were many
of the same kind there" The !eo!le of that !lace worshi!!ed stones( and knew not 2od( to whom be
ascribed mi#ht and #lory"B@@ZC<oses are announced for sale in the streets of Cairo by the cry of BThe
rose was a thorn: from the sweat of the 8ro!het it blossomed_B in allusion to a miracle recorded of
&oGammad" B5hen $ was taken u! into heaven(B said the 8ro!het( Bsome of my sweat fell u!on the
earth( and from it s!ran# the rose4 and whoever would smell my scent( let him smell the rose"B $n
another tradition it is said( BThe white rose was created from my sweat on the ni#ht of the &eQrD74@@+
and the red rose( from the sweat of *ebraeel4@@@ and the yellow rose( from the sweat of 1l)9urDJ"B@@L
CThe 8ersians take es!ecial deli#ht in roses4 sometimes s!readin# them as car!ets or beds on which to
sit or recline in their revellin#s"
9ut there is a flower !ronounced more excellent than the rose4 that of the 1#y!tian !rivet( or 'awsonia
inermis"@@N &oGammad said( BThe chief of the sweet)scented flowers of this world and of the next is
the fD#hiyeh4B and this was his favourite flower"@@- $ a!!rove of his taste4 for this flower( which #rows
in clusters somewhat like those of the lilac( has a most delicious fra#rance" 9ut( on account of
discre!ancies in different traditions( a &uslim may( with a clear conscience( !refer either of the two
flowers next mentioned"
The 8ro!het said of the violet(@@U BThe excellence of the extract of violets( above all other extracts( is
as the excellence of me above all the rest of the creation: it is cold in summer and hot in winter:B and(
in another tradition( BThe excellence of the violet is as the excellence of 1l)$slDm above all other
reli#ions"B@@W 6 delicious sherbet is made of a conserve of su#ar and violet)flowers"
@ZZ
The myrtle@@, is the rival of the violet" B6dam(B said the 8ro!het( Bfell down from 8aradise with three
thin#s4 the myrtle( which is the chief of sweet)scented flowers in this world4 an ear of wheat( which is
the chief of all kinds of food in this world4 and !ressed dates( which are the chief of the fruits of this
world"B@@.
The anemone@LZ was mono!oliOed for his own en7oyment by NoQmDn $bn)1l)&undhir (=in# of 1l)
[eereh( and contem!orary of &oGammad)( as the rose was afterwards by 1l)&utawekkil"@L+
6nother flower much admired and celebrated in the 1ast is the #illiflower"@L@ There are three !rinci!al
kinds4 the most esteemed is the yellow( or #olden)coloured( which has a delicious scent both by ni#ht
and day4 the next( the !ur!le( and other dark kinds( which have a scent only in the ni#ht4 the least
esteemed( the white( which has no scent" The yellow #illiflower is an emblem of a ne#lected lover"@LL
The narcissus@LN is very hi#hly esteemed" 2alen says( B%e who has two cakes of bread( let him dis!ose
of one of them for some flowers of the narcissus4 for bread is the food of the body( and the narcissus is
the food of the soul"B %i!!ocrates( too( #ave a similar o!inion"@L-
The followin# flowers com!lete the list of those celebrated as most a!!ro!riate to add to the deli#hts of
wine:Cthe 7asmine( e#lantine( /eville)oran#e)flower( lily( sweet)basil( wild thyme( bu!hthalmum(
chamomile( nenu!har( lotus( !ome#ranate)flower( !o!!y( ketmia( crocus or saffron( safflower( flax( the
blossoms of different kinds of bean( and those of the almond"@LU
6 s!ri# of ;riental willow@LW adds much to the charms of a bunch of flowers( bein# the favourite
symbol of a #raceful female"
9ut $ have not yet mentioned all that contributes to the !leasures of an 1astern carousal" 3or the 7uice of
the #ra!e is not fully relished without melodious sounds" B5ine is as the body4 music( as the soul4 and
7oy is their offs!rin#"B@L, 6ll the five senses should be #ratified" 3or this reason( an 6rab to!er( who
had nothin#( it a!!ears( but wine to en7oy( exclaimed(C
B%o_ #ive me wine to drink4 and tell me( 'This is wine"'B
3or( on drinkin#( his si#ht and smell and taste and touch would all be affected4 but it was desirable that
his hearin# should also be !leased"@L.
&usic was condemned by the 8ro!het almost as severely as wine" B/in#in# and hearin# son#s(B said
he( Bcause hy!ocrisy to #row in the heart( like as water !romoteth the #rowth of corn:B@NZCand
musical instruments he declared to be amon# the most !owerful means by which the ?evil seduces
man" 6n instrument of music is the ?evil's muaddin( servin# to call men to his worshi!( as stated in a
former note" ;f the hy!ocrisy of those attached to music( the followin# anecdote !resents an instance:
C6 drunken youn# man with a lute in his hand was brou#ht one ni#ht before the =haleefeh '6bd)1l)
&elik the son of &arwDn( who( !ointin# to the instrument( asked what it was( and what was its use"
The youth made no answer4 so he asked those around him4 but they also remained silent( till one( more
bold than the rest( said( B; 8rince of the @Z+3aithful( this is a lute: it is made by takin# some wood of
the !istachio)tree( and cuttin# it into thin !ieces( and #luein# these to#ether( and then attachin# over
them these chords( which( when a beautiful #irl touches them( send forth sounds more !leasant than
those of rain fallin# u!on a desert land4 and my wife is se!arated from me by a tri!le divorce if every
one in this council is not ac0uainted with it( and doth not know it as well as $ do( and thou the first of
them( ; 8rince of the 3aithful"B The =haleefeh lau#hed( and ordered that the youn# man should be
dischar#ed"@N+
The latter sayin# of the 8ro!het( res!ectin# the ?evil( su##ests to me the insertion of another anecdote(
related of himself by $brDheem 1l)&XHilee( the father of $s)GDJ4 both of whom were very celebrated
musicians" $ #ive a translation of it somewhat abrid#ed"CB$ asked 1r)<asheed(B says $brDheem( Bto
#rant me !ermission to s!end a day at home with my female slaves and brothers4 and he #ave me two
thousand deenDrs( and a!!ointed the next /aturday for this !ur!ose" $ caused the meats and wine and
other necessaries to be !re!ared( and ordered the chamberlain to close the door( and admit no one: but
while $ was sittin#( with my attendants standin# in the form of a curved line before me( there entered(
and a!!roached me( a sheykh( reverend and di#nified and comely in a!!earance( wearin# short
khuffs(@N@ and two soft #owns( with a Jalensuweh@NL u!on his head( and in his hand a silver)headed
staff4 and sweet odours were diffused from his clothes" $ was enra#ed with the chamberlain for
admittin# him4 but on his salutin# me in a very courteous manner( $ returned his salutation( and desired
him to sit down" %e then be#an to re!eat to me stories( tales of war( and !oetry4 so that my an#er was
a!!eased( and it a!!eared to me that my servants had not !resumed to admit him until ac0uainted with
his !oliteness and courteousness4 $ therefore said to him( '%ast thou any inclination for meatR' %e
answered( '$ have no want of it"'C'6nd the wineR' said $" %e re!lied( 'Ses"' /o $ drank a lar#e cu!ful(
and he did the same( and then said to me( '; $brDheem( wilt thou let us hear some s!ecimen of thy art in
which thou hast excelled the !eo!le of thy !rofessionR' $ was an#ry at his words4 but $ made li#ht of the
matter( and( havin# taken the lute and tuned it( $ !layed and san#4 whereu!on he said( 'Thou hast
!erformed well( ; $brDheem"' $ became more enra#ed( and said within myself( '%e is not content with
comin# hither without !ermission( and askin# me to sin#( but he calls me by my name( and !roves
himself unworthy of my conversation"' %e then said( '5ilt thou let us hear moreR $f so( we will re0uite
thee"' 6nd $ took the lute( and san#( usin# my utmost care( on account of his sayin#( 'we will re0uite
thee"' %e was moved with deli#ht( and said( 'Thou hast !erformed well( ; my master $brDheem:'C
addin#( '5ilt thou !ermit thy slave to sin#R' $ answered( '6s thou !leasest:'Cbut thinkin# li#htly of his
sense to sin# after me" %e took the lute( and tuned it4 and( by 6llah_ $ ima#ined that the lute s!oke in
his hands with an elo0uent 6rab ton#ue" %e !roceeded to sin# some verses commencin#(C
'&y heart is wounded_ 5ho will #ive me( for it( a heart without a woundR'
The narrator continues by sayin#( that he was struck dumb and motionless with ecstasy4 and that the
stran#e sheykh( after havin# !layed and sun# a#ain( and tau#ht him an enchantin# air (with which he
afterwards enra!tured his !atron( the =haleefeh)( vanished" $brDheem( in alarm( seiOed his sword4 and
was the more amaOed when he found that the !orter had not seen the stran#er enter or leave the house4
but he heard his voice a#ain( outside( tellin# him that he was 6boo)&urrah (the ?evil)"@NNCTwo other
anecdotes of a similar kind are related in the work from which the above is taken"
$brDheem 1l)&XHilee( his son $s)GDJ( and &ukhDriJ (a !u!il of the former)( were @Z@es!ecially
celebrated amon# the 6rab musicians( and amon# the distin#uished men of the rei#n of %Droon 1r)
<asheed" $s)GDJ 1l)&XHilee relates( of his father $brDheem( that when 1r)<asheed took him into his
service( he #ave him a hundred and fifty thousand dirhems( and allotted him a monthly !ension of ten
thousand dirhems( besides occasional !resents [one of which is mentioned as amountin# to a hundred
thousand dirhems for a sin#le son#( and the !roduce of his ($brDheem's) farms: he had food constantly
!re!ared for him4 three shee! every day for his kitchen( besides birds4 three thousand dirhems were
allowed him for fruits( !erfumes( Mc"( every month( and a thousand dirhems for his clothin#4 Band with
all this(B says his son( Bhe died without leavin# more than three thousand deenDrs( a sum not e0ual to
his debts( which $ !aid after his death"B@N-C$brDheem was of 8ersian ori#in( and of a hi#h family" %e
was commonly called the Nedeem (or cu!)com!anion)( bein# 1r)<asheed's favourite com!anion at the
wine)table4 and his son( who en7oyed the like distinction with 1l)&a)moon( received the same
a!!ellation( as well as that of B/on of the Nedeem"B $brDheem was the most famous musician of his
time( at least till his son attained celebrity"@NU
$s)GDJ 1l)&XHilee was es!ecially famous as a musician4 but he was also a #ood !oet( accom!lished in
#eneral literature( and endowed with #reat wit" %e was honoured above all other !ersons in the !ay of
1l)&a)moon( and en7oyed a lon# life4 but for many years before his death he was blind"@NW
&ukhDriJ a!!ears to have rivalled his master $brDheem" The latter( he relates( took him to !erform
before 1r)<asheed( who used to have a curtain sus!ended between him and the musicians" B;thers(B he
says( Bsan#( and he was unmoved4 but when $ san#( he came forth from behind the curtain( and
exclaimed( 'Soun# man( hither_' and he seated me u!on the sereer [a kind of couch( and #ave me thirty
thousand dirhems"B@N, The followin# anecdote (which $ abrid#e a little in translation) shews his
excellence in the art which he !rofessed( and the effect of melody on an 6rab:CB6fter drinkin# with
the =haleefeh@N. a whole ni#ht( $ asked his !ermission(B says he( Bto take the air in the <uHDfeh(@-Z
which he #ranted4 and while $ was walkin# there( $ saw a damsel who a!!eared as if the risin# sun
beamed from her face" /he had a basket( and $ followed her" /he sto!!ed at a fruiterer's( and bou#ht
some fruit4 and observin# that $ was followin# her( she looked back and abused me several times4 but
still $ followed her until she arrived at a #reat door( after havin# filled her basket with fruits and flowers
and similar thin#s" 5hen she had entered( and the door was closed behind her( $ sat down o!!osite to it(
de!rived of my reason by her beauty4 and knew that there must be in the house a wine)!arty" The sun
went down u!on me while $ sat there4 and at len#th there came two handsome youn# men on asses( and
they knocked at the door( and when they were admitted $ entered with them4 the master of the house
thinkin# that $ was their com!anion( and they ima#inin# that $ was one of his friends" 6 re!ast was
brou#ht( and we ate( and washed our hands( and were !erfumed" The master of the house then said to
the two youn# men( '%ave ye any desire that $ should call such a oneR' (mentionin# a female name)"
They answered( '$f thou wilt #rant us the favour( well:'Cso he called for her( and she came( and lo( she
was the maiden whom $ had seen before( and who had abused me" 6 servant)maid !receded her(
bearin# her lute( which she !laced in her la!" 5ine was then brou#ht( and she san# while we drank( and
shook with deli#ht" '5hose air is thatR' they asked" /he answered( '/eedee@-+ &ukhDriJ's"' /he then
san# another air( which( also( @ZLshe said was mine4 while they drank by !ints4 she lookin# aside and
doubtfully at me until $ lost my !atience( and called out to her to do her best: but in attem!tin# to do so(
sin#in# a third air( she overstrained her voice( and $ said( 'Thou hast made a mistake:'Cu!on which she
threw the lute from her la!( in an#er( so that she nearly broke it4 sayin#( 'Take it thyself( and let us hear
thee"' $ answered( '5ell4' and( havin# taken it and tuned it !erfectly( san# the first of the airs which she
had sun# before me4 whereu!on all of them s!ran# u!on their feet( and kissed my head" $ then san# the
second air( and the third4 and their reason almost fled( from ecstasy" The master of the house( after
askin# his #uests( and bein# told by them that they knew me not( came to me( and( kissin# my hand(
said( '9y 6llah( my master( who art thouR' $ answered( '9y 6llah( $ am the sin#er &ukhDriJ"'C'6nd for
what !ur!ose(' said he( kissin# both my hands( 'camest thou hitherR' $ re!lied( '6s a s!un#er4'Cand
related what had ha!!ened with res!ect to the maiden: whereu!on he looked towards his two
com!anions( and said to them( 'Tell me( by 6llah( do ye not know that $ #ave for that #irl thirty
thousand dirhems( and have refused to sell herR' They answered( '$t is so"' Then said he( '$ take you as
witnesses that $ have #iven her to him"'C'6nd we(' said the two friends( 'will !ay thee two)thirds of her
!rice"' /o he !ut me in !ossession of the #irl( and in the evenin#( when $ de!arted( he !resented me also
with rich dresses and other #ifts( with all of which $ went away4 and as $ !assed the !laces where the
maiden had abused me( $ said to her( '<e!eat thy words to me4' but she could not( for shame" %oldin#
the #irl's hand( $ went with her immediately to the =haleefeh( whom $ found in an#er at my lon#
absence4 but when $ related my story to him he was sur!rised( and lau#hed( and ordered that the master
of the house and his two friends should be brou#ht before him( that he mi#ht re0uite them: to the
former he #ave forty thousand dirhems4 to each of his two friends( thirty thousand4 and to me( a
hundred thousand4 and $ kissed his feet( and de!arted"B@-@
$t is !articularly necessary for the 6rab musician( that he have a retentive memory( well stocked with
choice !ieces of !oetry( and with facetious or !leasant anecdotes( inters!ersed with son#s4 and that he
have a ready wit( aided by dramatic talent( to em!loy these materials with #ood effect" $f( to such
0ualifications( he adds fair attainments in the difficult rules of #rammar( a de#ree of elo0uence( comic
humour( and #ood tem!er( and is not sur!assed by many in his art( he is sure to be a #eneral favourite"
Fery few &uslims of the hi#her classes have condescended to study music( because they would have
been des!ised by their inferiors for doin# so4 or because they themselves have des!ised or condemned
the art" $brDheem( the son of the =haleefeh 1l)&ahdee( and com!etitor of 1l)&a)moon( was a
remarkable exce!tion: he is said to have been an excellent musician( and a #ood sin#er"
$n the houses of the wealthy( the vocal and instrumental !erformers were usually (as is the case in many
houses in the !resent a#e) domestic female slaves( well instructed in their art by hired male or female
!rofessors" $n the work before us( these slaves are commonly described as standin# or sittin# unveiled
in the !resence of male #uests4 but( from several descri!tions of musical entertainments that $ have met
with in 6rabic works( it a!!ears that( accordin# to the more a!!roved custom in res!ectable society(
they were concealed on such occasions behind a curtain( which #enerally closed the front of an
elevated recess" $n all the houses of wealthy 6rabs that $ have entered( one or each of the lar#er saloons
has an elevated closet( the front of which is closed by a screen of wooden lattice)work( to serve as an
orchestra for the domestic or hired female sin#ers and instrumental !erformers" ;f the hired
!erformers( any further mention is not here re0uired4 but of the slaves and free ladies who su!!lied
their !lace( a few words must be added( as very necessary to illustrate the !recedin# and many other
tales in this work"
To a !erson ac0uainted with modern 6rabian manners( it must a!!ear inconsistent @ZNwith truth to
describe such females as ex!osin# their faces before stran#e men( unless he can discover in sober
histories some evidence of their havin# been less strict in this res!ect than the #enerality of 6rab
females at the !resent !eriod" $ find( however( a remarkable !roof that such was the case in the latter
!art of the ninth century of the 3li#ht( and the be#innin# of the tenth: that is( about the end of the
fifteenth century of our era" The famous historian 1s)/uyooEee( who flourished at this !eriod( in his
!reface to a curious work on wedlock( written to correct the corru!t manners of his a#e( says(CB/eein#
that the women of this time deck themselves with the attire of !rostitutes( and walk in the sooJs (or
market)streets)( like female warriours a#ainst the reli#ion( and uncover their faces and hands before
men( to incline [men's hearts to them by evil su##estions( and !lay at feasts with youn# men( thereby
meritin# the an#er of the Com!assionate [i"e" 2od( and #o forth to the !ublic baths and assemblies(
with various kinds of ornaments and !erfumes( and with conceited #ait4 for the which they shall be
con#re#ated in %ell)fire( for o!!osin# the #ood( and on account of this their affected #ait( while to their
husbands they are disobedient( behavin# to them in the reverse manner( exce!tin# when they fear to
abrid#e their liberty of #oin# abroad by such conduct4 for they are like swine and a!es in their interior
nature( thou#h like dau#hters of 6dam in their exterior a!!earance4 es!ecially the women of this a#e4
not advisin# their husbands in matters of reli#ion( but the latter errin# in !ermittin# them to #o out to
every assembly4 sisters of devils and demons( Mc" Mc"""" $ have undertaken the com!osition of this
volume"B@-L 6 more convincin# testimony than this( $ think( cannot be re0uired"
The lute (el)'ood) is the only instrument that is #enerally described as used at the entertainments which
we have been considerin#" 1n#ravin#s of this and other musical instruments are #iven in my work on
the &odern 1#y!tians" The 6rab viol (called rabDb) was commonly used by inferior !erformers" (/ee
also Note @U( below")
The 6rab music is #enerally of a soft and !laintive character( and !articularly that of the most refined
descri!tion( which is distin#uished by a remarkable !eculiarity( the division of tones into thirds" The
sin#er aims at distinct enunciation of the words( for this is 7ustly admired4 and deli#hts in a trillin#
style" The airs of son#s are commonly very short and sim!le( ada!ted to a sin#le verse( or even to a
sin#le hemistich4 but in the instrumental music there is more variety"
Note @L" This is often said to a !erson whose !resence is disa#reeable to his com!anions"
Note @N"COn the Palenderees" $n the old translation( these three stran#ers are called BCalenders4B that
is( BPalenderees:B but in the Calcutta edition of the first two hundred ni#hts( and the edition of 9reslau(
they are desi#nated as BParendelees(B Bmiserable or ridiculous be##ars4B and in that of Cairo( the term
a!!lied to them is BHa'Dleek(B or( sim!ly( B!au!ers(B or Bmendicants"B /ome may su!!ose the ri#ht
readin# to be BPalenderees4B for it was a custom of this order of ?arweeshes to shave their beards: they
were forbidden to do so in the year of the 3li#ht WU+(@-N by the /ulEDn of 1#y!t (1l)&elik en)NDHir 1l)
[asan)4 but whether they afterwards reverted to this habit( $ do not know" The order of the Palenderees(
however( was not founded until about the commencement of the fifth century of the 3li#ht(@-- a !eriod
lon# !osterior to that to which the tale relates"
Note @-" $n the edition of Cairo( they are said to have arrived from 2reece"
Note @U"COn the "ersian )arp! This instrument is called in 6rabic B7unk(B from the 8ersian Bchan#"B
$t has almost fallen into disuse( and $ have never seen it: $ am enabled( however( to #ive two sketches of
its form throu#h the kindness of the [late <i#ht %onourable /ir 2ore ;useley( who has favoured me
with drawin#s made from @Z-two of the most satisfactory re!resentations of it in his rich collection of
;riental &//"4 the first( about L-Z years old4 the second N+Z" The number of strin#s( he informs me(
vary from @Z to @W"
Note @W"COn the Title and Office of =haleefeh" 6s most of our best authors on ;riental sub7ects have
for some years !ast deviated from our old #eneral mode of writin# this title( substitutin# (for BCali!hB)
B=halif(B B=halTfah(B Mc"( $ have taken the same liberty" $t cannot be correctly written( at the same time
con#enially with our lan#ua#e and with its ortho#ra!hy in 6rabic characters( otherwise than
B=haleefehB or B=haleefah4B and of these two modes $ ado!t the one which a#rees with the manner in
which the title is most #enerally !ronounced by the 6rabs" The meanin# of this title is B/uccessor(B or
BFicar4B and it was ori#inally #iven to the universal soverei#ns of the &uslim 6rabs( as si#nifyin#
B/uccessor of the 8ro!het4B but afterwards( in a more exalted sense( as BFicar of 2od:B the =haleefeh
bein# the head of the reli#ion as well as the su!reme !olitical #overnor( or at least arro#atin# to himself
the ri#ht to !ossess such su!remacy( throu#hout the whole &uslim world" [The last of the =haleefehs
died in 1#y!t shortly after the Turkish con0uest of that country( or in the year of the 3li#ht( .-Z" 6fter
the overthrow of the house of 1l)'6bbDs by %ulD#l( certain of its members obtained an asylum at the
court of the &emlook /ulEDns( and continued the line of the =haleefehs( with s!iritual( but no tem!oral(
authority until it ceased in the !erson of 1l)&utawekkil( who dele#ated his office to the /ulEDn /eleem
$"4 it is conse0uently held by the /ulEDn of Turkey" The 1m!erors of &orocco( bein# descendants of the
8ro!het( also claim and receive from their sub7ects the title of =haleefeh"@-UC1d"
Note @," The stories in which this 7ustly)celebrated man is mentioned will( $ think( be more a#reeable
to those readers who are unac0uainted with his history( of which( therefore( $ shall say nothin#"
Note @." &esroor was a black eunuch( and a favourite servant of 1r)<asheed" The name si#nifies
Bha!!y"B
Note LZ" BKabareeyehB is the modern name for Tiberias"
Note L+"C*escription of =hDns( or 5ekDlehs" 6 =hDn is a buildin# chiefly desi#ned for the
accommodation of merchants( and for the rece!tion of their #oods" $n 1#y!t( a buildin# of this kind is
#enerally called a 5ekDleh" $ have described it( in a former work( as surroundin# a s0uare or oblon#
court( and havin#( on the #round)floor( vaulted ma#aOines for merchandise( which face the court( and
are sometimes used as sho!s" 6bove these are #enerally lod#in#s( which are entered from a #allery
extendin# alon# each of the four sides of the court4 or( in the !lace of these lod#in#s( there are other
ma#aOines: and in many khDns or wekDlehs which have a!artments desi#ned as lod#in#s( these
a!artments are used as ma#aOines" $n #eneral( the buildin# has only one common entrance4 the door of
which is closed at ni#ht( and ke!t by a !orter"
@ZU
Note L@" $t is customary for a #uest or visiter to ask !ermission of the host( or master of the house(
before takin# his de!arture" 6 common form of s!eech used on this occasion is( B5ith your !ermission(
$ rise"B
Note LL" &any &uslims !erform the !il#rima#e with the view of ex!iatin# their offences( and( at the
=aQbeh( or at the tomb of the 8ro!het( make a vow to abstain from any #larin# infrin#ement of the law
of which they may before have been #uilty"
Note LN" $ learn( from a mar#inal note in my co!y of the ori#inal( by the sheykh &oGammad 1E)
TanEDwee( that these verses are the com!osition of $bn)/ahl 1l)$shbee)lee" Three concludin# verses of
the same ode( and a second !oetical 0uotation immediately followin#( $ have !assed over"
Note L-" $n the ori#inal there are some errors in this !art of the story( which the se0uel re0uires me to
correct" The cateress is described as havin# sun# three successive son#s( accom!anyin# them with her
lute" 6fter the first son#( the mistress of the house is said to have been affected in the manner described
in the translation( and to have ex!osed to view the marks of beatin#" The second lady (namely( the
!ortress) is re!resented as similarly excited by the second son#4 and the third lady (the cateress herself)(
by the third son#" The last also is said to have exhibited u!on her !erson those marks which( as the
se0uel shews( were borne by the second"
Note LU" The BmiJra'ah(B vul#arly called BmaJra'ah(B is a !ortion of the thicker end of a !alm)branch
stri!!ed of the leaves" $t is often used to beat a !erson in s!ort4 but in this case( two or three s!lits are
usually made in the thicker !art of it( to increase the sound of the blows"
Note LW" $n the ori#inal( Bthe !ortress"B /ee Note L-( above"
Note L," 8erha!s it is needless to ex!lain that the wish here ex!ressed( for a !rotractive trial on the day
of 7ud#ment( is occasioned by the lon#in# for reunion( and the fear of se!aration after that day" The
&uslims usually !ray for an easy (and( conse0uently( a short) reckonin#"
Note L." $ have omitted the third son# of the cateress( and the descri!tion of its effects( mentioned in
Note L-"
Note NZ" /ee Note NW to Cha!ter $$"
Note N+" $t seems to be im!lied that the lady discovered her #uests( notwithstandin# their dis#uise( to
be !ersons of rank"
Note N@" $ read BfuJarDm aQ7DmB for BfuJarDm)l)ho77Dm:B the former( carelessly written (in 6rabic
characters)( mi#ht easily be mistaken for the latter"
Note NL" This !hrase is used to si#nify B<ecover thy senses4B alludin# to a !erson's drawin# his hand
over his head or face after a slee! or fit"
Note NN" The burial)#rounds of 1astern cities are #enerally so extensive( that( with the varied structures
which they contain( they may a!tly be called BCities of the ?ead"B $t was with difficulty that $
reco#nised the tomb of the lamented 9urckhardt( in the #reat cemetery on the north of Cairo( even after
$ had carefully noticed its !lace on a former visit"
Note N-" $ have ventured to make a sli#ht alteration here4 but it is one which does not in the least affect
the consistency of the tale" &arria#e with a foster)sister is as ex!ressly forbidden by the &ohammadan
law as that with a natural sister"
Note NU" BThe TruthB is one of the ninety)nine names or e!ithets of 2od"
Note NW" &any an 6rab would rather risk the loss of his head than !art with his beard4 for the latter is
re#arded by almost all &uslims with a su!erstitious res!ect4 and to shave it off( at least after it has been
suffered to #row for many days( they consider as sinful: this( however( is sometimes done by reli#ious
mendicants( as it is also by some of those !ersons who seek( or en7oy( the re!utation of sanctity( and
who are( or !retend to be( insane"@ZW
Note N," 9y Bthe seven readin#s(B we are to understand seven sli#htly different modes of readin# the
Pur)Dn( seldom differin# essentially as to the sense"
Note N." 6strolo#y (not astronomy) is here meant" Thou#h a forbidden science( it is studied by many
&uslims"
Note -Z" 6 mis!laced diacritical !oint occasions a wron# readin# here( in the ori#inal( which $ have
corrected"
Note -+" The &ohammadan law re0uires that every man be ac0uainted with some art or occu!ation by
which he may( in case of necessity( at least be able to obtain the means of su!!ortin# himself and such
of his family as are de!endant u!on him( and of fulfillin# all his reli#ious as well as moral duties"
%ence it has been a common custom of &uslim !rinces( in every a#e( to learn some useful art4 and
many of them have distin#uished themselves by dis!layin# ex0uisite skill in the work of their hands(
and es!ecially in cali#ra!hy( of which the ;rientals in #eneral are #reat admirers"
Note -@" The '1freet (as we are told in some editions of the ori#inal) had taken this lady a#ainst the
consent of his family( and therefore could not more fre0uently visit her"
Note -L" The term BJubbehB is often a!!lied to a closet or small chamber ad7oinin# a saloon4 and in this
sense it a!!ears to be here used"
Note -N"COn 'her&ets! The 6rabs have various kinds of sherbets( or sweet drinks4 the most common
of which is merely su#ar and water( made very sweet" The most esteemed kind is !re!ared from a hard
conserve of violets( made by !oundin# violet)flowers( and then boilin# them with su#ar" ;ther kinds
are !re!ared from conserves of fruits( Mc" The sherbet is served in covered #lass cu!s( containin# from
two)thirds to three)0uarters of an 1n#lish !int4 the same which $ have described in a former note as
used for wine" These are !laced on a round tray( and covered with a round !iece of embroidered silk( or
cloth of #old4 and on the ri#ht arm of the !erson who !resents the sherbet( is hun# a lon# na!kin with a
dee! embroidered border of #old and coloured silks at each end( which is ostensibly offered for the
!ur!ose of wi!in# the li!s after drinkin#( thou#h the li!s are scarcely touched with it"
Note --" The 6rabs are very fond of havin# their feet( and es!ecially the soles( slowly rubbed with the
hand4 and this o!eration( which is one of the services commonly re0uired of a wife or female slave( is a
usual mode of wakin# a !erson"
Note -U" %ere( and a#ain in the same and a subse0uent sentence( for BkheiyDEeen(B $ read BGaEEDbeen"B
$n the 9reslau edition( BkhaEEDbeenB is !ut for the latter" The ri#ht readin# is obvious"
Note -W" 3alsehood was commended by the 8ro!het when it tended to reconcile !ersons at enmity with
each other( and when !ractised in order to !lease one's wife( or to obtain any advanta#e in a war with
infidels( thou#h stron#ly re!robated in other cases"
Note -," 3our verses here inserted in the ori#inal a!!ear to me to be a corru!tion of a cou!let which
better ex!resses the same meanin#( and which $ have therefore translated in the !lace of the former" 6s
the lines to which $ allude are !articularly !leasin#( $ may !erha!s be excused if $ here introduce the
ori#inal words( which are as follow:C
B$shDratun] fi)l)Gobbi remOu 'oyoonin]: wa)kullu lebeebin bi)l)ishDrati yefhamu( [awD7ibun] teJ\i)l)
GawD>7] beynen]: fa)naGnu sukootun wa)l)haw] yetekellemu"B
Note -." This is not meant to dis!ara#e the individual lady here mentioned( but is a sayin# of the
8ro!het a!!lied to the sex in #eneral"
Note UZ" $n the edition of Cairo( this story is omitted" $ translate it from the Calcutta edition of the first
two hundred ni#hts"
Note U+" B3aJeerB (which si#nifies B!oor(B and is !articularly used in the sense of B!oor in the si#ht of
2od(B or rather( Bin need of the mercy of 2odB) is an a!!ella@Z,tion commonly #iven to !oor !ersons
who es!ecially occu!y themselves in reli#ious exercises"
Note U@" The !erformances called BOikrsB will be briefly described towards the close of the next note"
Note UL"COn Muslin 'aints or *evotees! The tale of the 1nvied /heykh( and several other stories in
this work( re0uire that the reader should be ac0uainted with the remarkable o!inions which the 6rabs
entertain with res!ect to the offices and su!ernatural !owers of their saints" /uch matters form an
im!ortant !art of the mysteries of the ?arweeshes( and are but im!erfectly known to the #enerality of
&uslims"
The distin#uished individuals above mentioned are known by the common a!!ellation of B5elees(B or
!articular favourites of 2od" The more eminent amon# them com!ose a mysterious hierarchical body(
whose #overnment res!ects the whole human race( infidels as well as believers4 but whose !ower is
often exercised in such a manner that the sub7ects influenced by it know not from what !erson or
!ersons its effects !roceed" The #eneral #overnor or cory!h:us of these holy bein#s is commonly
called the BPuEb(B which literally si#nifies a B!ole(B or an Baxis(B and is meta!horically used to si#nify a
Bchief(B either in a civil or !olitical( or in a s!iritual sense" The PuEb of the saints is distin#uished by
other a!!ellations: he is called BPuEb el)2hXs(B or BCC el)2hXthB (Bthe PuEb of $nvocation for %el!B)(
Mc"4 and sim!ly B1l)2hXs"B@-W The orders under the rule of this chief are called B';mud (or ;wtDd)(
6khyDr( 6bdDl( Nu7ab]( and NuJab]: $ name them accordin# to their !recedence"@-, 8erha!s to these
should be added an inferior order called B6H)GDb ed)?arak(B which is said to mean B5atchmen(B or
B;verseers"B The members are not known as such to their inferior( unenli#htened fellow)creatures4 and
are often invisible to them" This is more fre0uently the case with the PuEb( who( thou#h #enerally
stationed at &ekkeh( on the roof of the =aQbeh( is never visible there( nor at any of his other favourite
stations or !laces of resort4 yet his voice is often heard at these !laces" 5henever he and the saints
under his authority min#le amon# ordinary men( they are not distin#uished by a di#nified a!!earance(
but are always humbly clad" These( and even inferior saints( are said to !erform astonishin# miracles(
such as flyin# in the air( !assin# unhurt throu#h fire( swallowin# fire( #lass( Mc"( walkin# u!on water(
trans!ortin# themselves in a moment of time to immense distances( and su!!lyin# themselves and
others with food in desert !laces" Their su!ernatural !ower they are su!!osed to obtain by a life of the
most exalted !iety( and es!ecially by constant self)denial( accom!anied with the most im!licit reliance
u!on 2od4 by the services of #ood #enii4 and( as many believe( by the knowled#e and utterance of Bthe
most #reat nameB of 2od" 6 miracle !erformed by a saint is distin#uished by the term BkarDmehB from
one !erformed by a !ro!het( which is called BmoQ7iOeh"B
1l)=hi\r and $lyDs (or 1lias)( of whom $ have before had occasion to s!eak( are both believed to have
been PuEbs( and the latter is called in the Pur)Dn an a!ostle4 but it is dis!uted whether the former was a
!ro!het or merely a welee" 9oth are said to have drunk of the 3ountain of 'ife( and to be in
conse0uence still livin#4 and $lyDs is @Z.commonly believed to invest the successive PuEbs" The
similarity of the miracles ascribed to the PuEbs and those !erformed by 1lias or 1li7ah $ have remarked
in a former work" 6nother miracle( remindin# us of the mantle of 1li7ah in the hands of his successor(
may here be mentioned"C6 saint who was the PuEb of his time( dyin# at Toonis (or Tunis)( left his
clothes in trust to his attendant( &oGammad 1l)6shwam( a native of the nei#hbourin# re#ency of
Tri!oli (now called KarDbulus)( who desired to sell these relics( but was counselled to retain them( and
accordin#ly( thou#h hi#h !rices were bidden for them( made them his own by !urchase" 6s soon as they
became his !ro!erty( he was affected( we are told( with a divine ecstasy( and endowed with miraculous
!owers"@-.
$nnumerable miracles are related to have been !erformed by &uslim saints( and lar#e volumes are
filled with the histories of their wonderful lives" The author of the work from which the above story is
taken( mentions( as a fact to be relied on( in an account of one of his ancestors( that( his lam! ha!!enin#
to #o out one ni#ht while he was readin# alone in the riwDJ of the *abart (of which he was the sheykh)(
in the #reat mos0ue 1l)6Ohar( the forefin#er of his ri#ht hand emitted a li#ht which enabled him to
continue his readin# until his naJeeb had trimmed and li#hted another lam!"@UZ
3rom many stories of a similar kind that $ have read( $ select the followin# as a fair s!ecimen: it is
related by a very celebrated saint( $brDheem 1l)=howwDH"CB$ entered the desert [on !il#rima#e to
&ekkeh from 1l)'1rDJ( and there 7oined me a man havin# a belt round his waist( and $ said( '5ho art
thouR'C%e answered( '6 Christian4 and $ desire thy com!any"' 5e walked to#ether for seven days(
eatin# nothin#4 after which he said to me( '; monk of the &uslims( !roduce what thou hast in the way
of refreshment4 for we are hun#ry:' so $ said( '; my 2od( dis#race me not before this infidel:' and lo( a
tray( u!on which were bread and broiled meat and fresh dates and a mu# of water" 5e ate( and
continued our 7ourney seven days more4 and $ then said to him( '; monk of the Christians( !roduce
what thou hast in the way of refreshment4 for the turn is come to thee:' whereu!on he leaned u!on his
staff4 and !rayed4 and lo( two trays( containin# double that which was on my tray" $ was confounded(
and refused to eat: he ur#ed me( sayin#( '1at4' but $ did it not" Then said he( '9e #lad4 for $ #ive thee two
!ieces of #ood news: one of them is( that $ testify that there is no deity but 2od( and that &oGammad is
2od's 6!ostle: the other( that $ said( ; 2od( if there be worth in this servant( su!!ly me with two trays:
Cso this is throu#h thy blessin#"' 5e ate( and the man !ut on the dress of !il#rima#e( and so entered
&ekkeh( where he remained with me a year as a student4 after which he died( and $ buried him in [the
cemetery 1l)&aQl]"B B6nd 2od(B says the author from whom $ take this story( Bis all)knowin#:B i!e! %e
alone knoweth whether it be strictly true: but this is often added to the narration of traditions restin#
u!on hi#h authority"@U+CThe saint above mentioned was called B1l)=howwDHB (or the maker of !alm)
leaf baskets( Mc") from the followin# circumstance( related by himself"CB$ used(B said he( Bto #o out of
the town [1r)<ei and sit by a river on the banks of which was abundance of !alm)leaves4 and it
occurred to my mind to make every day five baskets [Juffehs( and to throw them into the river( for my
amusement( as if $ were obli#ed to do so" &y time was so !assed for many days: at len#th( one day( $
thou#ht $ would walk after the baskets( and see whither they had #one: so $ !roceeded a while alon# the
bank of the river( and found an old woman sittin# sorrowful" ;n that day $ had made nothin#" $ said to
her( '5herefore do $ see thee sorrowfulR' /he answered( '$ am a @+Zwidow: my husband died leavin#
five dau#hters( and nothin# to maintain them4 and it is my custom to re!air every day to this river( and
there come to me( u!on the surface of the water( five baskets( which $ sell( and by means of them $
!rocure food4 but to)day they have not come( and $ know not what to do"' A!on hearin# this( $ raised
my head towards heaven( and said( '; my 2od( had $ known that $ had more than five children to
maintain( $ had laboured more dili#ently_'B %e then took the old woman to his house( and #ave her
money and flour( and said to her( B5henever thou wantest anythin#( come hither and take what may
suffice you"B@U@
6n irresistible influence has often been exercised over the minds of !rinces and other #reat men by
re!uted saints" &any a &uslim &onarch has thus been incited (as the =in#s of Christendom were by
8eter the %ermit) to undertake reli#ious wars( or ur#ed to acts of !iety and charity4 or restrained from
tyranny by threats of ?ivine ven#eance to be called down u!on his head by the im!recations of a
welee" '6lee( the favourite son of the =haleefeh 1l)&a)moon( was induced( for the sake of reli#ion( to
flee from the s!lendour and luxuries of his father's court( and( after the exam!le of a self)denyin#
devotee( to follow the occu!ation of a !orter( in a state of the most ab7ect !overty( at 1l)9aHrah( fastin#
all the day( remainin# without slee! at ni#ht in a mos0ue( and walkin# barefooted( until( under an
accumulation of severe sufferin#s( he !rematurely ended his days( dyin# on a mat" The honours which
he refused to receive in life were !aid to him after his death: his rank bein# discovered by a rin# and
!a!er which he left( his cor!se was anointed with cam!hor and musk and aloes( wra!!ed in fine linen
of 1#y!t( and so conveyed to his distressed father at 9a#hdDd"@UL
/elf)denial $ have before mentioned as one of the most im!ortant means by which to attain the di#nity
of a welee" 6 very famous saint( 1sh)/hiblee( is said to have received from his father an inheritance of
sixty millions of deenDrs (a sum incredible( and !robably a mistake for sixty thousand( or for sixty
million dirhems)( besides landed !ro!erty( and to have ex!ended it all in charity: also( to have thrown
into the Ti#ris seventy hundred)wei#ht of books( written by his own hand durin# a !eriod of twenty
years"@UN
/hDh 1l)=armDnee( another celebrated saint( had a beautiful dau#hter( whom the /ulEDn of his country
sou#ht in marria#e" The holy man re0uired three days to consider his soverei#n's !ro!osal( and in the
mean time visited several mos0ues( in one of which he saw a youn# man humbly occu!ied in !rayer"
%avin# waited till he had finished( he accosted him( sayin#( B&y son( hast thou a wifeRB 9ein#
answered( BNo(B he said( B$ have a maiden( a virtuous devotee( who hath learned the whole of the Pur)
Dn( and is am!ly endowed with beauty" ?ost thou desire herRBCB5ho(B said the youn# man( Bwill
marry me to such a one as thou hast described( when $ !ossess no more than three dirhemsRBCBI will
marry thee to her(B answered the saint: Bshe is my dau#hter( and $ am /hDh the son of /hu7DQ 1l)
=armDnee: #ive me the dirhems that thou hast( that $ may buy a dirhem's worth of bread( and a dirhem's
worth of somethin# savoury( and a dirhem's worth of !erfume"B The marria#e)contract was !erformed4
but when the bride came to the youn# man( she saw a stale cake of bread !laced u!on the to! of his
mu#4 u!on which she !ut on her iODr( and went out" %er husband said( BNow $ !erceive that the
dau#hter of /hDh 1l)=armDnee is dis!leased with my !overty"B /he answered( B$ did not withdraw from
fear of !overty( but on account of the weakness of thy faith( seein# how thou layest by a cake of bread
for the morrow"B@U-
;ne of my friends in Cairo( 6bu)l)PDsim of 2eelDn( mentioned in a former note( entertained me with a
lon# relation of the mortifications and other means which he em!loyed to attain the rank of a welee"
These were chiefly self)denial and a !erfect reliance u!on 8rovidence" %e left his home in a state of
voluntary destitution and @++com!lete nudity( to travel throu#h 8ersia and the surroundin# countries(
and yet more distant re#ions if necessary( in search of a s!iritual #uide" 3or many days he avoided the
habitations of men( fastin# from daybreak till sunset( and then eatin# nothin# but a little #rass or a few
leaves or wild fruits( till by de#rees he habituated himself to almost total abstinence from every kind of
nourishment" %is feet( at first blistered( and cut by shar! stones( soon became callous4 and in !ro!ortion
to his reduction of food( his frame( contrary to the common course of nature( became (accordin# to his
own account) more stout and lusty" 9ronOed by the sun( and with his black hair han#in# over his
shoulders (for he had ab7ured the use of the raOor)( he !resented( in his nudity( a wild and fri#htful
a!!earance4 and on his first a!!roachin# a town( was surrounded and !elted by a crowd of boys4 he
therefore retreated( and( after the exam!le of our first !arents( made himself a !artial coverin# of
leaves4 and this he always after did on similar occasions4 never remainin# lon# enou#h in a town for his
leafy a!ron to wither" The abodes of mankind he always !assed at a distance( exce!tin# when several
days' fast( while traversin# an arid desert( com!elled him to obtain a morsel of bread or a cu! of water
from the hand of some charitable fellow)creature" ;ne thin# that he !articularly dreaded was( to receive
relief from a sinful man( or from a demon in the human form" $n !assin# over a !arched and desolate
tract( where for three days he had found nothin# to eat( not even a blade of #rass( nor a s!rin# from
which to refresh his ton#ue( he became over!owered with thirst( and !rayed that 2od would send him a
messen#er with a !itcher of water" B9ut(B said he( Blet the water be in a #reen 9a#hdDhee !itcher( that $
may know it be from Thee( and not from the ?evil4 and when $ ask the bearer to #ive me to drink( let
him !our it over my head( that $ may not too much #ratify my carnal desire"BCB$ looked behind me(B
he continued( Band saw a man bearin# a #reen 9a#hdDhee !itcher of water( and said to him( '2ive me to
drink4' and he came u! to me( and !oured the contents over my head( and de!arted_ 9y 6llah it was
so_BC<e7oicin# in this miracle( as a !roof of his havin# attained to a de#ree of wilDyeh (or saintshi!)(
and refreshed by the water( he continued his way over the desert( more firm than ever in his course of
self)denial( which( thou#h im!erfectly followed( had been the means of his bein# thus distin#uished"
9ut the burnin# thirst returned shortly after( and he felt himself at the !oint of sinkin# under it( when he
beheld before him a hi#h hill( with a rivulet runnin# by its base" To the summit of this hill he
determined to ascend( by way of mortification( before he would taste the water( and this !oint( with
much difficulty( he reached at the close of the day" %ere standin#( he saw a!!roachin#( below( a troo!
of horsemen( who !aused at the foot of the hill( when their chief( who was foremost( called out to him
by name( B; 6bu)l)PDsim_ ; 2eelDnee_ Come down and drink_BCbut( !ersuaded by this that he was
$blees with a troo! of his sons( the evil 2enii( he withstood the tem!tation( and remained stationary
until the deceiver with his attendants had !assed on( and were out of si#ht" The sun had then set4 his
thirst had somewhat abated4 and he only drank a few dro!s" Continuin# his wanderin#s in the desert( he
found( u!on a !ebbly !lain( an old man with a lon# white beard( who accosted him( askin# of what he
was in search" B$ am seekin#(B he answered( Ba s!iritual #uide4 and my heart tells me that thou art the
#uide $ seek"B B&y son(B said the old man( Bthou seest yonder a saint's tomb: it is a !lace where !rayer
is answered: #o thither( enter it( and seat thyself: neither eat nor drink nor slee!4 but occu!y thyself
solely( day and ni#ht( in re!eatin# silently( ''D ilDha illa)llDh' (There is no deity but 2od)4 and let not
any livin# creature see thy li!s move in doin# so4 for amon# the !eculiar virtues of these words is this(
that they may be uttered without any motion of the li!s" 2o( and !eace be on thee"BCB6ccordin#ly(B
said my friend( B$ went thither" $t was a small s0uare buildin#( crowned by a cu!ola4 and the door was
o!en" $ entered( and seated myself( facin# the niche( and the oblon# monument over the #rave" $t was
evenin#( and $ commenced my silent !rofessions of the Anity( as directed by my #uide4 and at dusk $
saw a white fi#ure seated beside me( as if assistin# in my devotional task" $ stretched forth my hand to
touch it4 but@+@ found that it was not a material substance4 yet there it was: $ saw it distinctly"
1ncoura#ed by this vision( $ continued my task for three ni#hts and days without intermission( neither
eatin# not drinkin#( yet increasin# in stren#th both of body and of s!irit4 and on the third day( $ saw
written u!on the whitewashed walls of the tomb( and on the #round( and in the air( wherever $ turned
my eyes( ''D ilDha illa)llDh4' and whenever a fly entered the tomb( it formed these words in its fli#ht" 9y
6llah it was so_ &y ob7ect was now fully attained: $ felt myself endowed with su!ernatural knowled#e:
thou#hts of my friends and ac0uaintances troubled me not4 but $ knew where each of them was( in
8ersia( $ndia( 6rabia( and Turkey( and what each was doin#" $ ex!erienced an indescribable ha!!iness"
This state lasted several years4 but at len#th $ was insensibly enticed back to worldly ob7ects: $ came to
this country4 my fame as a cali#ra!hist drew me into the service of the #overnment4 and now see what $
am( decked with !elisses and shawls( and with this thin# [a diamond order on my breast4 too old( $
fear( to under#o a#ain the self)denial necessary to restore me to true ha!!iness( thou#h $ have almost
resolved to make the attem!t"BC/oon after this conversation( he was de!rived of his office( and died of
the !la#ue" %e was well known to have !assed several years as a wanderin# devotee4 and his sufferin#s(
combined with enthusiasm( !erha!s disordered his ima#ination( and made him believe that he really
saw the stran#e si#hts which he described to me4 for there was an a!!earance of earnestness and
sincerity in his manner( such as $ thou#ht could hardly be assumed by a conscious im!ostor"
$nsanity( however( if not of a very violent and dan#erous nature( is commonly re#arded by &uslims as a
0uality that entitles the sub7ect of it to be esteemed as a saint4 bein# su!!osed to be the abstraction of
the mind from worldly affairs( and its total devotion to 2od" This !o!ular su!erstition is a fertile source
of im!osture4 for( a re!utation for sanctity bein# so easily obtained and su!!orted( there are numbers of
!ersons who lay claim to it from motives of indolence and licentiousness( ea#er to receive alms merely
for !erformin# the tricks of madmen( and #reedy of indul#in# in !leasures forbidden by the law4 such
indul#ences not bein# considered in their case as trans#ressions by the common !eo!le( but rather as
indications of holy frenOy" 3rom my own observation $ should say that lunatics or idiots( or im!ostors(
constitute the ma7ority of the !ersons re!uted to be saints amon# the &uslims of the !resent day4 and
most of those who are not more than sli#htly tin#ed with insanity are darweeshes"
6 re!uted saint of this descri!tion( in Cairo( in whom !ersons of some education !ut #reat faith(
affected to have a !articular re#ard for me" %e several times accosted me in an abru!t manner(
ac0uainted me with the state of my family in 1n#land( and uttered incoherent !redictions res!ectin#
me( all of which communications( exce!tin# one which he 0ualified with an Bin shDa)llDhB (or Bif it be
the will of 2odB)( $ must confess( !roved to be true4 but $ must also state that he was ac0uainted with
two of my friends who mi#ht have materially assisted him to frame these !redictions( thou#h they
!rotested to me that they had not done so" The followin# extract from a 7ournal which $ ke!t in Cairo
durin# my second visit to 1#y!t( will convey some idea of this !erson( who will serve as a !icture of
many of his fraternity"CTo)day (Nov" Uth( +,LN)( as $ was sittin# in the sho! of the 9Dsh]'s booksellers(
a re!uted saint( whom $ have often seen here( came and seated himself by me( and be#an( in a series of
abru!t sentences( to relate to me various matters res!ectin# me( !ast( !resent( and to come" %e is called
the sheykh '6lee 1l)'eysee" %e is a !oor man( su!!orted by alms4 tall and thin and very dark( about
thirty years of a#e( and wears nothin# at !resent but a blue shirt and a #irdle( and a !added red ca!" B;
1fendee(B he said( Bthou hast been very anxious for some days" There is a #rain of anxiety remainin# in
thee yet" ?o not fear" There is a letter comin# to thee by sea( that will brin# thee #ood news"B %e then
!roceeded to tell me of the state of my family( and that all were well exce!tin# one( whom he
!articulariOed by descri!tion( and who he stated to be then sufferin# from an intermittent fever" [This
!roved to be exactly true" BThis affliction(B he continued( Bmay be@+L removed by !rayer4 and the
excellences of the next ni#ht( the ni#ht of [i! e! !recedin# the first 3riday of the month of <e#eb( of
<e#eb( the holy <e#eb( are very #reat" $ wanted to ask thee for somethin# to)day4 but $ feared: $ feared
#reatly" Thou must be invested with the wilDyeh [i! e! be made a welee: the welees love thee4 and the
8ro!het loves thee" Thou must #o to the sheykh &uHEaf] 1l)&unDdee( and the sheykh 1l)9ahDee"@UU
Thou must be a welee"B %e then took my ri#ht hand( in the manner commonly !ractised in the
ceremony which admits a !erson a darweesh( and re!eated the 3DteGah (commonly !ronounced
3Dt'Gah)4@UW after which he added( B$ have admitted thee my darweesh"B %avin# next told me of several
circumstances relatin# to my familyCmatters of an unusual natureCwith sin#ular minuteness and
truth( he added( BTo)ni#ht( if it be the will of 2od( thou shalt see the 8ro!het in thy slee!( and 1l)=hi\r
and the seyyid 1l)9edawee" This is <e#eb( and $ wanted to ask of theeCbut $ fearedC$ wanted to ask
of thee four !iastres( to buy meat and bread and oil and radishes" <e#eb_ <e#eb_ $ have #reat offices to
do for thee to)ni#ht"BC'ess than a shillin# for all he !romised was little enou#h: $ #ave it him for the
trouble he had taken4 and he uttered many abru!t !rayers for me"C$n the followin# ni#ht( however( $
saw in my slee! neither &oGammad nor 1l)=hi\r nor the seyyid 1l)9edawee( unless( like
NebuchadneOOar( $ was unable( on awakin#( to remember my dreams"
/ome re!uted saints of the more res!ectable class( to avoid !ublic notice( wear the #eneral dress and
manners of their fellow)countrymen( and betray no love of ostentation in their acts of !iety and self)
denial4 or live as hermits in desert !laces( de!endin# solely u!on 8rovidence for their su!!ort( and are
ob7ects of !ious and charitable visits from the inhabitants of near and distant !laces( and from casual
travellers" ;thers distin#uish themselves by the habit of a darweesh( or by other !eculiarities( such as a
lon# and loose coat (called dilJ) com!osed of !atches of cloth of various colours( lon# strin#s of beads
hun# u!on the neck( a ra##ed turban( and a staff with shreds of cloth of different colours attached to the
to!4 or obtain a re!utation for miraculous !owers by eatin# #lass( fire( ser!ents( Mc" /ome of those who
are insane( and of those who fei#n to be so( #o about( even in crowded cities( in a state of !erfect
nudity( and are allowed to commit( with im!unity( acts of brutal sensuality which the law( when
a!!ealed to( should !unish with death" /uch !ractices are forbidden by the reli#ion and law even in the
cases of saints4 but common and dee!ly)rooted su!erstition !revents their !unishment" ?urin# the
occu!ation of 1#y!t by the 3rench( the Commander)in)chief( &enou( a!!lied to the /heykhs (or
'Alam]) of the city for their o!inion Bres!ectin# those !ersons who were accustomed to #o about in the
streets in a state of nudity( cryin# out and screamin#( and arro#atin# to themselves the di#nity of
wilDyeh( relied u!on as saints by the #enerality of the !eo!le( neither !erformin# the !rayers of the
&uslims nor fastin#(B askin# whether such conduct was !ermitted by the reli#ion( or contrary to the
law" %e was answered( BConduct of this descri!tion is forbidden( and re!u#nant to our reli#ion and law
and to our traditions"B The 3rench 2eneral thanked them for this answer( and #ave orders to !revent
such !ractices in future( and to seiOe every one seen thus offendin#4 if insane( to confine him in the
&DristDn (or hos!ital and lunatic asylum)4 and if not insane( to com!el him either to relin0uish his
dis#ustin# habits( or to leave the city"@U,C;f re!uted saints of this kind( thus writes an enli#htened
!oet( 1l)9edree 1l)[e7DOee:C
B5ould that $ had not lived to see every fool esteemed amon# men as a PuEb_ Their learned men take
him as a !atron4 nay( even as 'ord( in !lace of the 8ossessor of %eaven's throne" 3or#ettin# 2od( they
say( '/uch a one from all mankind can remove affliction"' 5hen he dies( they make for him a !lace of
visitation( and stran#ers and 6rabs hurry thither in crowds: /ome of them kiss his tomb( and some kiss
the threshold of the door( and the very dust" Thus do the idolaters act towards their ima#es( ho!in# so to
obtain their favour"B
@+N
These lines are 0uoted by 1l)*abartee( in his account of a very celebrated modern saint( the seyyid '6lee
1l)9ekree (events of <abeeQ eth)ThDnee( +@+N)" 6 brief history of this !erson will not be here
mis!laced( as it will !resent a #ood illustration of the #eneral character and actions of those insane
individuals who are commonly re#arded as saints"
The seyyid '6lee 1l)9ekree was a me7Ooob (or insane !erson) who was considered an eminent welee(
and much trusted in: for several years he used to walk naked about the streets of Cairo( with a shaven
face( bearin# a lon# nebboot (or staff)( and utterin# confused lan#ua#e( which the !eo!le attentively
listened to( and inter!reted accordin# to their desires and the exi#encies of their states" %e was a tall(
s!are man( and sometimes wore a shirt and a cotton skull)ca!4 but he was #enerally barefooted and
naked" The res!ect with which he was treated induced a woman( who was called the sheykhah
6mmooneh( to imitate his exam!le further than decency allowed: she followed him whithersoever he
went( covered at first with her iODr (or lar#e cotton veil thrown over the head and body)( and mutterin#(
like him( confused lan#ua#e" 1nterin# !rivate houses with him( she used to ascend to the Gareems( and
#ained the faith of the women( who !resented her with money and clothes( and s!read abroad that the
sheykh ('6lee) had looked u!on her( and affected her with reli#ious frenOy( so that she had become a
weleeyeh( or female saint" 6fterwards( becomin# more insane and intoxicated( she uncovered her face(
and !ut on the clothin# of a man4 and thus attired she still accom!anied the sheykh( and the two
wandered about( followed by numbers of children and common va#abonds4 some of whom also
stri!!ed off their clothes in imitation of the sheykh( and followed( dancin#4 their mad actions bein#
attributed (like those of the woman) to reli#ious frenOy( induced by his look or touch( which converted
them into saints" The vul#ar and youn#( who daily followed them( conse0uently increased in numbers4
and some of them( in !assin# throu#h the market)streets( snatched away #oods from the sho!s( thus
excitin# #reat commotion wherever they went" 5hen the sheykh sat down in any !lace( the crowd
sto!!ed( and the !eo!le !ressed to see him and his mad com!anions" ;n these occasions the woman
used to mount u!on the maHEabah of a sho!( or ascend a hillock( and utter dis#ustin# lan#ua#e(
sometimes in 6rabic( and sometimes in Turkish( while many !ersons amon# her audience would kiss
her hands to derive a blessin#" 6fter havin# !ersevered for some time in this course( none !reventin#
them( the !arty entered one day the lane leadin# from the !rinci!al street of the city to the house of the
PD\ee( and were seiOed by a Turkish officer there residin#( named *aQfar =Dshif( who( havin# brou#ht
them into his house( #ave the sheykh some food( and drove out the s!ectators( retainin# the woman and
the me7Ooobs( whom he !laced in confinement: he then liberated the sheykh '6lee( brou#ht out the
woman and the me7Ooobs and beat them( sent the woman to the &DristDn( and there confined her( and
set at lar#e the rest( after they had !rayed for mercy( and clothed themselves( and recovered from their
intoxication" The woman remained a while confined in the &DristDn( and( when liberated( lived alone as
a sheykhah( believed in by men and women( and honoured as a saint with visits and festivals"
The seyyid '6lee( after he had thus been de!rived of his com!anions and imitators( was constrained to
lead a different kind of life" %e had a cunnin# brother( who( to turn the folly of this saint to a #ood
account( and fill his own !urse (seein# how #reat faith the !eo!le !laced in him( as the 1#y!tians are
!rone to do in such a case)( confined him in his house( and clothed him( assertin# that he had his
!ermission to do so( and that he had been invested with the di#nity of PuEb" Thus he contrived to attract
crowds of !ersons( men and women( to visit him" %e forbade him to shave his beard( which
conse0uently #rew to its full siOe4 and his body became fat and stout from abundance of food and rest4
for( while he went about naked( he was( as before mentioned( of a lean fi#ure" ?urin# that !eriod he
used #enerally to !ass the ni#ht wanderin#( without food( throu#h the streets( in winter and summer"
%avin# now servants to wait u!on him( whether slee!in# or wakin#( he !assed his time in idleness(@+-
utterin# confused and incoherent words( and sometimes lau#hin# and sometimes scoldin#4 and in the
course of his idle lo0uacity he could not but let fall some words a!!licable to the affairs of some of his
listenin# visiters( who attributed such ex!ressions to his su!ernatural knowled#e of the thou#hts of
their hearts( and inter!reted them as warnin#s or !ro!hecies" &en and women( and !articularly the
wives of the #randees( flocked to him with !resents and votive offerin#s( which enriched the coffers of
his brother4 and the honours which he received ceased not with his death" %is funeral was attended by
multitudes from every 0uarter" %is brother buried him in the mos0ue of 1sh)/harD>bee( in the 0uarter of
the 1Obekeeyeh( made for him a maJHoorah (or railed enclosure) and an oblon# monument over the
#rave( and fre0uently re!aired thither with readers of the Pur)Dn( munshids@U. to sin# odes in his
honour( fla#)bearers( and other !ersons( who wailed and screamed( rubbed their faces a#ainst the bars
of the window before his #rave( and cau#ht the air of the !lace in their hands to thrust it into their
bosoms and !ockets" &en and women came crowdin# to#ether to visit his tomb( brin#in# votive
offerin#s and wax candles( and eatables of various kinds to distribute for his sake to the !oor"@WZCThe
oblon# monument over his #rave( resemblin# a lar#e chest( was covered( when $ was in Cairo( with a
black stuff ornamented by a line of words from the Pur)Dn( in white characters( surroundin# it" 6
servant who accom!anied me durin# my rides and walks used often to sto! as we !assed this tomb( and
touch the wooden bars of the window above mentioned with his ri#ht hand( which he then kissed to
obtain a blessin#"
$n most cases #reater honour is !aid to a re!uted saint after his death than he receives in his life" 6
small( s0uare( whitewashed buildin#( crowned with a dome( is #enerally erected as his tomb(
surroundin# an oblon# monument of stone( brick( or wood( which is immediately over the se!ulchral
vault" 6t least one such buildin# forms a cons!icuous ob7ect close by( or within( almost every 6rab
villa#e4 for the different villa#es( and different 0uarters of every town and city( have their res!ective
!atron saints( whose tombs are fre0uently visited( and are the scenes of !eriodical festivals( #enerally
celebrated once in every year" The tombs of many very eminent saints are mos0ues4 and some of these
are lar#e and handsome edifices( the monument bein# under a lar#e and lofty dome( and surrounded by
an enclosure of wooden railin#s( or of ele#antly)worked bronOe" $n these buildin#s also( and in some
others( the monument is covered with silk or cotton stuff ornamented with words from the Pur)Dn(
which form a band around it" &any buildin#s of the more sim!le kind erected in honour of saints( and
some of the lar#er descri!tion( are mere cenota!hs( or cover only some relic of the !erson to whom
they are dedicated" The tombs and cenota!hs or shrines of saints are visited by numerous !ersons( and
on fre0uent occasions4 most commonly on a !articular day of the week" The ob7ect of the visiter( in
#eneral( is to !erform some meritorious act( such as takin# bread( or other food( or money( for the !oor(
or distributin# water to the thirsty( on account of the saint( to increase his rewards in heaven( and at the
same time to draw down a blessin# on himself4 or to !erform a sacrifice of a shee!( #oat( calf( or other
animal( which he has vowed to offer( if blessed with some s!ecific ob7ect of desire( or to obtain #eneral
blessin#s4 or to im!lore the saint's intercession in some case of need" The flesh of the devoted animal is
#iven to the !oor" The visiters also often take with them !alm)branches( or s!ri#s of myrtle( or roses or
other flowers( to lay u!on the monument( as they do when they visit the tombs of their relations" The
visiter walks round the monument( or its enclosure( from left to ri#ht( or with his left side towards it (as
the !il#rims do round the =aQbeh)( sometimes !ausin# to touch its four an#les or corners with his ri#ht
hand( which he then kisses4 and recites the o!enin# cha!ter of the Pur)Dn (the 3Dt'Gah) standin# before
one or each of its four sides" /ome visiters re!eat also the cha!ter of SD)/een (the LUth)( or em!loy a
!erson to recite this( or even the whole of the Pur)Dn( for hire"
@+U
The reciter afterwards declares that he transfers the merit of this work to the soul of the deceased saint"
6ny !rivate !etition the visiter offers u! on his own account( im!lorin# a favourable answer for the
sake of the saint( or throu#h his intercession4 holdin# his hands before his face like an o!en book( and
then drawin# them down his face" &any a visiter( on enterin# the tomb( kisses the threshold( or touches
it with his ri#ht hand( which he then kisses4 and( on !assin# by it( !ersons often touch the window( and
kiss the hand thus honoured"
The #reat !eriodical or annual festivals are observed with additional ceremonies( and by crowds of
visiters" These are called &oolids (more !ro!erly &Xlids)4 and are held on the anniversary of the birth
of the saint( or in commemoration of that event" 8ersons are then hired to recite the Pur)Dn in and near
the tomb( durin# the day4 and others( chiefly darweeshes( em!loy themselves durin# the ni#ht in
!erformin# Oikrs( which consist in re!eatin# the name of 2od( or the !rofession of his unity( Mc"( in
chorus( accom!anyin# the words by certain motions of the head( hands( or whole body4 munshids( at
intervals( sin#in# reli#ious odes or love son#s durin# these !erformances( to the accom!animent of a
nDy( which is a kind of flute( or the ar#hool( which is a double reed)!i!e" These moolids are scenes of
re7oicin# and of traffic( which men and boys and #irls attend( to eat sweatmeats( and drink coffee and
sherbets( or to amuse themselves with swin#in#( or turnin# on a whirli#i#( or witnessin# the feats of
con7urers( or the !erformances of dancers4 and to which tradesmen re!air to sell or barter their #oods"
The visiters to the #reat moolids of the seyyid 6Gmad 1l)9edawee( at KanE]( in the ?elta of 1#y!t(
which are #reat fairs as well as reli#ious festivals( are almost as numerous as the !il#rims at &ekkeh"
?urin# a moolid( the inhabitants of the houses in the nei#hbourhood of the tomb han# lam!s before
their houses( and s!end a #reat !art of the ni#ht listenin# to the story)tellers at the coffee)sho!s( or
attendin# the Oikrs"
These latter !erformances( thou#h so common amon# the 6rabs( are inconsistent with the s!irit of the
&ohammadan reli#ion( and es!ecially with res!ect to music( which was not em!loyed in reli#ious
ceremonies until after the second century of the 3li#ht" The $mDm 6boo)9ekr 1E)Koosee( bein# asked
whether it were lawful or not to be !resent with !eo!le who assembled in a certain !lace( and read a
!ortion of the Pur)Dn4 and( after a munshid had recited some !oetry( would dance( and become excited(
and !lay u!on tambourines and !i!es(Canswered( that such !ractices were vain( i#norant( and
erroneous4 not ordained by the Pur)Dn or the Traditions of the 8ro!het( but invented by those $sraelites
who worshi!!ed the 2olden Calf4 that the 8ro!het and his com!anions used to sit so 0uietly that a bird
mi#ht ali#ht u!on the head of any one of them and not be disturbed4 that it was incumbent on the /ultDn
and his vice#erents to !revent such !ersons from enterin# the mos0ues and other !laces for these
!ur!oses4 and that no one who believed in 2od and the 'ast ?ay should be !resent with them( or assist
them in their vain !erformances: such( he asserted( was the o!inion of the $mDms of the &uslims"@W+
/ome eminent doctors( however( have contended for the lawfulness of these !ractices"@W@
;f the various orders of darweeshes( to which so many of the re!uted saints belon#( it is unnecessary
here to say more than that they differ chiefly in unim!ortant re#ulations and rites( such as !articular
forms of !rayer( and modes of Oikr4 that some distin#uish themselves by !eculiar dresses4 and that a
few !ursue a wanderin# life( and subsist on alms"
Note UN" The reason of this stran#e !roceedin# is not stated in the Cairo edition( but it is in the two
other editions which $ have before me"
Note U-" 6rab eti0uette re0uires that a !erson should sit u!on his knees and feet in the !resence of one
of much hi#her rank( or of one to whom he would !ay es!ecial honour" %e should also( in these cases(
cover his hands with his sleeves"
@+W
Note UU" =unDfeh is a kind of !astry resemblin# vermicelli( made of wheat)flour" $t is moistened with
clarified butterCthen baked( and sweetened with honey or su#ar"
Note UW" Chess is !layed somewhat differently in different !arts of the 1ast" The !ieces are #enerally of
very sim!le forms( as the &uslim is forbidden by his reli#ion to make an ima#e of anythin# that has
life"
Note U," $n my ori#inal( and in the 9reslau edition( the a!e is said to have been the son of the =in# of
the 1bony $slands4 but this is a mistake4 for the latter( as before stated( was the father of the lady who
was carried off by *ar7arees"
Note U." The term BleewDnB has been ex!lained in No" +@ of the notes to this cha!ter"
Note WZ" This was( and $ believe still is( a common battle)cry of the 6rabs( and more commonly used
on the occasion of a victory"
Note W+" B?Dr es)/elDm(B Bthe 6bode of 8eace(B or Bof /afety(B is a name often #iven to 9a#hdDd( as it
is also to one of the seven stories or sta#es of 8aradise"
Note W@"CThe Mountain of $oadstone! /everal 6rab writers describe this mountain of loadstone" 1l
PaOweenee( in his account of minerals( says that the mine of loadstone is on the shore of the $ndian
;cean( and that if the shi!s which navi#ate this sea a!!roach the said mine( and contain anythin# of
iron( it flies from them like a bird( and adheres to the mountain4 for which reason( it is the #eneral
custom to make use of no iron in the construction of the vessels em!loyed in this navi#ation"@WL $ think
that $ have met with a similar story in some 'atin author"
Note WL" 3or an ex!lanation of this term( see what $ have said on the sub7ect of !rayer in the first of the
notes to the $ntroduction"
Note WN" B=haHeebB si#nifies Bendowed with !lenty"B
Note W-" The remainder of the story of the Third <oyal &endicant is almost wholly omitted in the
Cairo edition" $ translate it chiefly from the Calcutta edition of the first two hundred ni#hts"
Note WU"COn *reams! That ?reams are re#arded by the &uslims as bein# often true warnin#s or
indications of future events $ have mentioned in a former note" This belief( sanctioned by the 8ro!het(
will be well illustrated by the followin# anecdote( which was related to me in Cairo( shortly after the
terrible !la#ue of the year +,L-( by the sheykh &oGammad 1E)KanEDwee( who had taken the trouble of
investi#atin# the fact( and had ascertained its truth"
6 tradesman( livin# in the 0uarter of 1l)[anafee( in Cairo( dreamt( durin# the !la#ue above mentioned(
that eleven !ersons were carried out from his house to be buried( victims of this disease" %e awoke in a
state of the #reatest distress and alarm( reflectin# that eleven was the total number of the inhabitants of
his house( includin# himself( and that it would be vain in him to attem!t( by addin# one or more
members to his household( to elude the decree of 2od( and #ive himself a chance of esca!e: so( callin#
to#ether his nei#hbours( he informed them of his dream( and was counselled to submit with resi#nation
to a fate so !lainly foreshewn( and to be thankful to 2od for the timely notice with which he had been
mercifully favoured" ;n the followin# day( one of his children died4 a day or two after( a wife4 and the
!estilence continued its rava#es amon# his family until he remained in his house alone" $t was
im!ossible for him now to entertain the sli#htest doubt of the entire accom!lishment of the warnin#:
immediately( therefore( after the last death that had taken !lace amon# his household( he re!aired to a
friend at a nei#hbourin# sho!( and( callin# to him several other !ersons from the ad7oinin# and o!!osite
sho!s( he reminded them of his dream( ac0uainted them with its almost com!lete fulfilment( and
ex!ressed his conviction that he( the eleventh( should very soon die" B8erha!s(B said he( B$ shall die this
next @+,ni#ht: $ be# of you( therefore( for the sake of 2od( to come to my house early to)morrow
mornin#( and the next mornin# and the next if necessary( and to see if $ be dead( and( when dead( that $
be !ro!erly buried4 for $ have no one with me to wash and shroud me" 3ail not to do me this service(
which will !rocure you a recom!ense in heaven" $ have bou#ht my #rave)linen: you will find it in a
corner of the room in which $ slee!" $f you find the door of the house latched( and $ do not answer to
your knockin#( break it o!en"B
/oon after sunset he laid himself in his lonely bed( thou#h without any ex!ectation of closin# his eyes
in slee!4 for his mind was absorbed in reflections u!on the awful entry into another world( and a review
of his !ast life" 6s the shades of ni#ht #athered around him( he could almost fancy that he beheld( in
one faint ob7ect or another in his #loomy chamber( the dreadful !erson of the 6n#el of ?eath: and at
len#th he actually !erceived a fi#ure #lidin# in at the door( and a!!roachin# his bed" /tartin# u! in
horror( he exclaimed( B5ho art thouRBCand a stern and solemn voice answered( B9e silent_ $ am
'6Oraeel( the 6n#el of ?eath_BCB6las_B cried the terrified man4 B$ testify that there is no deity but 2od(
and $ testify that &oGammad is 2od's 6!ostle_ There is no stren#th nor !ower but in 2od( the %i#h_ the
2reat_ To 2od we belon#( and to %im we must return_BC%e then covered himself over with his 0uilt(
as if for !rotection( and lay with throbbin# heart( ex!ectin# every moment to have his soul torn from
him by the inexorable messen#er" 9ut moments !assed away( and minutes( and hours4 yet without his
ex!eriencin# any ho!e of esca!e4 for he ima#ined that the 6n#el was waitin# for him to resi#n himself(
or had left him for a while( and was occu!ied in receivin# first the souls of the many hundred human
bein#s who had attained their !redestined term in that same ni#ht and in the same city( and the souls of
the thousands who were doomed to em!loy him elsewhere" ?aybreak arrived before his sufferin#s
terminated4 and his nei#hbours( comin# accordin# to their !romise( entered his chamber( and found him
still in bed4 but observin# that he was covered u!( and motionless as a cor!se( they doubted whether he
were still alive( and called to him" %e answered( with a faint voice( B$ am not yet dead4 but the 6n#el of
?eath came to me in the dusk of the evenin#( and $ ex!ect every moment his return( to take my soul:
therefore trouble me not4 but see me washed and buried"BCB9ut why(B said his friends( Bwas the street)
door left unlatchedRBCB$ latched it(B he answered( Bbut the 6n#el of ?eath may have o!ened
it"BCB6nd who(B they asked( Bis the man in the courtRBC%e answered( B$ know of no man in the court:
!erha!s the 6n#el who is waitin# for my soul has made himself visible to you( and been mistaken( in
the twili#ht( for a man"BCB%e is a thief(B they said( Bwho has #athered to#ether everythin# in the house
that he could carry away( and has been struck by the !la#ue while doin# so( and now lies dead in the
court( at the foot of the stairs( #ras!in# in his hand a silver candlestick"BCThe master of the house(
after hearin# this( !aused for a moment( and then( throwin# off his 0uilt( exclaimed( B8raise be to 2od(
the 'ord of all creatures_ That is the eleventh( and $ am safe_ No doubt it was that rascal who came to
me and said that he was the 6n#el of ?eath" 8raise be to 2od_ 8raise be to 2od_B
This man survived the !la#ue( and took !leasure in relatin# the above story" The thief had overheard his
conversation with his nei#hbours( and( comin# to his house in the dusk( had !ut his shoulder to the
wooden lock( and so raised the door and dis!laced the latch within"CThere is nothin# wonderful in the
dream( nor in its accom!lishment4 the !la#ue of +,L- entirely desolated many houses( and was mostly
fatal to the youn#4 and all the inhabitants of the house in 0uestion were youn# exce!tin# the master"
Note WW" B'67eebB si#nifies Ba wonder(B or Banythin# stran#e or admirable"B
Note W," 9lue is the colour of mournin#( as before mentioned( in No" -@ of the notes to the second
cha!ter"
Note W." /mearin# the face and sla!!in# the cheeks are common !ractices of 6rab@+. women(
es!ecially of the lower orders( on followin# to the #rave the cor!se of a near relation or a husband"
Note ,Z"COn the <ukh'" This fabulous bird is described by many 6rab writers( some of whom assert
that it can carry a rhinoceros( while others ascribe to it !owers still more extraordinary" $ shall have
occasion to s!eak of it a#ain in my notes to this work"
Note ,+" This is ex!lained by No" LZ of the notes to the $ntroduction"
Note ,@" $ here return to the Cairo edition"
Note ,L" /ome of the incidents described in this story( as the shi!wrecks caused by the ima#e( and the
o!enin# of the forbidden closet( Mc"( a!!ear to be taken from the romance of /eyf ^u)l)SeOen( of
which $ !ossess a co!y( !urchased durin# my second visit to 1#y!t" This romance( which has become
extremely scarce( is filled with stories of #enii and enchantments of the most extrava#ant kind" /ome of
the !ublic story)tellers in Cairo used( a few years since( to amuse their audiences by recitations from it"
$ was not able to discover the !eriod at which it was com!osed4 but it is said to have been written lon#
before the Tales of a Thousand and ;ne Ni#hts" $ saw once a !ortion of a co!y of which it a!!eared(
from the hand)writin# and the !a!er( to be three or four centuries old"
Note ,N" /o in the Calcutta edition of the first two hundred ni#hts( and in the edition of 9reslau"
Note ,-" Those decrees which are written with Bthe 8enB on the B8reserved TabletB are believed to be
unchan#eable" BThe 8enB is also the title of one of the cha!ters of the Pur)Dn( the U,th"
Note ,U" $n all the co!ies of the ori#inal which $ have by me( 1l)9aHrah is said to have been the !lace to
which the lady desi#ned to voya#e4 but this is inconsistent with the se0uel of the story"
Note ,W" $n the old version( two stran#e errors occur in the !assa#e corres!ondin# with this: two words
in the ori#inal( BnDrB and Bdoon(B havin# been mistaken for a !ro!er name4 and the word B7ebbDr(B
which( a!!lied to 2od( si#nifies Balmi#hty(B or rather the BCom!eller of his creatures to do whatsoever
%e willeth(B bein# taken in the sense of B#iant(B which it bears in many other cases"
Note ,,"COn Martyrs! The &ohammadan law distin#uishes several different descri!tions of martyrs"
This honourable title is #iven to the soldier who dies in fi#htin# for the faith( or on his way to do so( or
who dies almost immediately after his havin# been wounded when so en#a#ed4 to a !erson who
innocently meets with his death from the hand of another4 to a victim of the !la#ue( who does not flee
from the disease( or of dysentery4 to a !erson who is drowned4 and to one who is killed by the fallin# of
a wall or any buildin#" $t is said that the souls of martyrs( after 0uittin# their bodies( reside( until the
day of resurrection( in the cro!s of #reen birds( which eat of the fruits( and drink of the waters( of
8aradise" /uch we are to consider as the first and lowest state of felicity to which the youn# !rince in
this tale was introduced as the reward of his virtue"
Note ,." The share inherited( accordin# to the law( by the wife( or by the wives con7ointly when there
are more than one( is one)ei#hth of what remains of the !ro!erty of the deceased after the dischar#e of
his debts and le#acies( if he have left issue4 and one)fourth( if he have left no issue"
Note .Z" The 6rabs( fond of hy!erbole( often thus describe a lofty buildin#"
Note .+"COn the Magnificence of Ara& "alaces /c! 6fter remarkin# u!on the !recedin# sentence as
!resentin# an instance of ;riental hy!erbole( it may be necessary to inform the reader that he needs not
re#ard this in the same li#ht" The ma#nificence of the !alaces of 9a#hdDd in the times of the
=haleefehs almost exceeds belief"@@Z
$n the be#innin# of the year of the 3li#ht LZ- (*une( 6"?" .+W)( two ambassadors from the 2reek
1m!eror (Constantine $n"( 8or!hyro#enitus) arrived in 9a#hdDd on a mission to the =haleefeh 1l)
&uJtedir( brin#in# an abundance of costly !resents4 and the scenes which they witnessed are thus
described4 a!!arently( however( not without some exa##eration" They were first received by the
5eOeer( who( at the audience which he #ranted to them in his #arden)!alace( dis!layed on this occasion
a de#ree of ma#nificence that had never before been manifested by any of his rank4 !a#es( memlooks(
and soldiers( crowded the avenues and courts of his mansion( the a!artments of which were hun# with
ta!estry of the value of thirty thousand deenDrs4 and the 5eOeer himself was surrounded by #enerals
and other officers on his ri#ht and left and behind his seat( when the two ambassadors a!!roached him(
daOOled by the s!lendour that surrounded them( to be# for an interview with the =haleefeh" 1l)
&uJtedir( havin# a!!ointed a day on which he would receive them( ordered that the courts and
!assa#es and avenues of his !alace should be filled with armed men( and that all the a!artments should
be furnished with the utmost ma#nificence" 6 hundred and sixty thousand armed soldiers were arran#ed
in ranks in the a!!roach to the !alace4 next to these were the !a#es of the closets( and chief eunuchs(
clad in silk and with belts set with 7ewels( in number seven thousand4 four thousand white( and three
thousand black: there were also seven hundred chamberlains4 and beautifully ornamented boats of
various kinds were seen floatin# u!on the Ti#ris( hard by" The two ambassadors !assed first by the
!alace of the chief chamberlain( and( astonished at the s!lendid ornaments and !a#es and arms which
they there beheld( ima#ined that this was the !alace of the =haleefeh4 but what they had seen here was
ecli!sed by what they beheld in the latter( where they were amaOed by the si#ht of thirty)ei#ht thousand
!ieces of ta!estry of #old)embroidered silk brocade( and twenty)two thousand ma#nificent car!ets"
%ere also were two mena#eries of beasts by nature wild( but tamed by art( and eatin# from the hands of
men: amon# them were a hundred lions4 each lion with its kee!er" They then entered the 8alace of the
Tree( enclosin# a !ond from which rose the Tree: this had ei#hteen branches( with leaves of various
colours (bein# artificial)( and with birds of #old and silver (or #ilt and silvered) of every variety of kind
and siOe( !erched u!on its branches( so constructed that each of them san#" Thence they !assed into the
#arden( in which were furniture and utensils not to be enumerated: in the !assa#es leadin# to it were
sus!ended ten thousand #ilt coats of mail" 9ein# at len#th conducted before 1l)&uJtedir( they found
him seated on a couch of ebony inlaid with #old and silver( to the ri#ht of which were hun# nine
necklaces of 7ewels( and the like to the left( the 7ewels of which outshone the li#ht of day" The two
ambassadors !aused at the distance of about a hundred cubits from the =haleefeh( with the inter!reter"
%avin# left the !resence( they were conducted throu#h the !alace( and were shewn s!lendidly)
ca!arisoned ele!hants( a #iraffe( lynxes( and other beasts" They were then clad with robes of honour(
and to each of them was brou#ht fifty thousand dirhems( to#ether with dresses and other !resents" $t is
added( that the ambassadors a!!roached the !alace throu#h a street called Bthe /treet of the &enDrehs(B
in which were a thousand menDrehs( or menarets" $t was at the hour of noon4 and as they !assed( the
muaddins from all these menDrehs chanted the call to !rayer at the same time( so that the earth almost
0uaked at the sound( and the ambassadors were struck with fear"@WN
The ;rientals well understand how to #ive the most strikin# effect to the 7ewels which they dis!lay on
their dress( Mc"( on occasions of state" /ir *ohn &alcolm( describin# his rece!tion by the late =in# of
8ersia( says( B%is dress baffled all descri!tion" The #round of his robes was white4 but he was so
covered with 7ewels of an extraordinary siOe( and their s!lendour( from his bein# seated where the rays
of the sun !layed u!on them( was so daOOlin#( that it was im!ossible to distin#uish the minute !arts
which combined to #ive such amaOin# brilliancy to his whole fi#ure"B@W-
@@+
Note .@" 6s this marria#e is described as conducted in an irre#ular manner( $ need say nothin# at
!resent of the ceremonies usually !ractised on such an occasion"
Note .L" 1very !erson who has visited 1astern cities will bear testimony to the !lausibility of this
excuse" $ have several times been thrown down by the wide load of a camel in the streets of Cairo( and
seen loads of firewood scra!in# the houses on both sides of a street at the same time"
Note .N" 5omen sus!ected of infidelity to their husbands have not unfre0uently been thus !unished in
1#y!t in modern times( in violation of the law"
Note .-" B/aQdB si#nifies Bha!!iness(B or B!ros!erity(B and also Bha!!y(B or B!ros!erous"B
Note .U" 8ity is of more im!ortant service to the &uslim after death than durin# life4 for the !rayers
which it ins!ires increase his ha!!iness in futurity( or diminish his misery"
Note .W" This allusion to reli#ious faith is !eculiarly a!t in the mouth of a &uslim4 for the chief do#ma
of his creed is the denial of any !artnershi! in the ?ivine essence" %e calls !ersons of all other reli#ions
Bmushriks(B or those who attribute !artners to 2od"
Note .," $n the ori#inal( she is here called an '1freeteh( which is an im!ro!er term"
Note .." This salutation and its re!ly are only to be #iven by and to &uslims"
Note +ZZ" $t is im!lied by this e7aculation that the two ladies were admirable beauties( evidences of the
!erfection of their Creator"
+W- /ee Pur)Dn( ch" ii" v" .U"
+WU /ee Pur)Dn( ch" ii" v" .U"
+WW 1l)PaOweenee( account of the well of 9Dbil( in B'67D>b el)&akhlooJDt"B
+W, &ishkDt el)&aHDbeeG( vol" ii" !" LL."
+W. ?e /acy's Chrestomathie 6rabe( vol" i" !!" +@-)+L+( 6rabic text( @nd ed"
+,Z That is( a race)course for sallies of wit and elo0uence on the sub7ect of wine: the word BkumeytB
bein# used( in !reference to more than a hundred others that mi#ht have been em!loyed( as si#nifyin#
Bwine(B because it bears also the meanin# of Ba dark bay horse"B
+,+ %is name is not mentioned in my co!y4 but ?'%erbelot states it to have been /hems)ed)?een
&oGammad $bn)9edr)ed)?een [asan( el)PD\ee4 and writes his surname BNaoua#i(B or BNaouahi"B
+,@ Ch" ii" v" @+U"
+,L Ch" iv" v" NU"
+,N 'eviticus( ch" x" v" ."
+,- Pur)Dn( ch" v" v" .@"
+,U [albet el)=umeyt( ch" ix"
+,W $dem( khDtimeh( or conclusion"
+,, $bid"
+,. 3akhr)ed)?een( in ?e /acy's Chrestomathie 6rabe( vol" i" !" @L( 6rabic text( @nd ed"
+.Z B5hile tears of blood trickle from the strainer( the ewer beneath it #i##les"B (1H)Iadr $bn)1l)
5ekeel( 0uoted in the [albet el)=umeyt( ch" xiii")CThe strainer is called BrDwooJ"B
+.+ The &oGtesib is ins!ector of the markets( the wei#hts and measures( and !rovisions( Mc"
+.@ &ir)Dt eO)^emDn( events of the year @.-"
+.L $n 6rabic( BbDEiyeh"B
+.N B9aEEah"B
+.- BPinneeneh"B
+.U B$breeJs"B
+.W The cu!( when full( was #enerally called BkDs:B when em!ty( BJadaGB or B7Dm"B The name of BkDsB
is now #iven to a small #lass used for brandy and li0ueurs( and similar to our li0ueur)#lass: the #lass or
cu! used for wine is called( when so used( Bkoobeh:B it is the same as that used for sherbet4 but in the
latter case it is called BJulleh"B
+., BNuJuldDns"B
+.. BNuJl"B
@ZZ B9elaG"B
@Z+ B<uEab"B
@Z@ 1s)/uyooEee( account of the fruits of 1#y!t( in his history of that country (&/" in my !ossession)
@ZL $bid"
@ZN 1s)/uyooEee( account of the fruits of 1#y!t( in his history of that country (&/" in my !ossession)"
@Z- 1l)PaOweenee (&/" in my !ossession)"
@ZU B*ummDr"B
@ZW B9iEEeekh(B vul#"( BbaEEeekh"B
@Z, 1l)PaOweenee"
@Z. B&XO"B
@+Z 1s)/uyooEee( u&i supr."
@++ B<ummDnB"
@+@ 1s)/uyooEee( u&i supr."
@+L The 6rabic names of these fruits are( tuffDG (vul#"( tiffDG)( kummetr`( safar7al( mishmish( khXkh(
teen( 7ummeyO (vul#"( 7emmeyO)( 'eneb( nabJ or sidr( 'onnDb (vul#"( 'annDb)( i77Ds or barJooJ( 7XO( lXO(
bunduJ( fustuJ( burtuJDn( nDrin7( leymoon( utru77 or turun7 and kebbDd( toot( Oeytoon( and JaHab es)
sukkar"
@+N B5ard"B
@+- [albet el)=umeyt( ch" xvii"4 and 1s)/uyooEee( account of the flowers of 1#y!t( in his history of
that country"
@+U [albet el)=umeyt( ch" xvii"
@+W $bid"
@+, $bid"
@+. $bid"
@@Z 1s)/uyooEee( u&i supr."
@@+ The ni#ht of the 6scension"
@@@ 2abriel( who accom!anied the 8ro!het"
@@L The beast on which he rode from &ekkeh to *erusalem !reviously to his ascension" These
traditions are from 1s)/uyooEee( u&i supr."
@@N This flower is called BfD#hiyeh(B and( more commonly( Btemer el)Genn`4B or( accordin# to some(
the fD#hiyeh is the flower !roduced by a sli! of temer el)Genn` !lanted u!side down( and su!erior to
the flower of the latter !lanted in the natural way"
@@- 1s)/uyooEee( u&i supr."
@@U B9enefse7"B
@@W 1s)/uyootee"
@@, Bds(B or Bnarseen"B
@@. 1s)/uyooEee"
@LZ B/haJD>J"B The Badhriyoon(B or BDdharyoon(B is said to be a variety of the anemone"
@L+ 3rom the former( or from BnoQmDnB as si#nifyin# Bblood(B the anemone was named BshaJD>J en)
noQmDn"B
@L@ B&enthoor(B or Bkheeree"B
@LL [albet el)=umeyt( ch" xvii"
@LN BNar7is"B
@L- [albet el)=umeyt( u&i supr.4 1s)/uyooEee( u&i supr.4 and 1l)PaOweenee"
@LU The 6rabic names of these flowers are( yDsemeen( nisreen( Oahr (or Oahr nDrin7)( soosan( reeGDn (or
GabaJ)( nemDm( bahDr( uJ)howDn( neelXfar( beshneen( 7ullanDr or 7ulnDr( khashkhDsh( khiEmee( OaQfarDn(
'oHfur( kettDn( bDJill] and leblDb( and lXO"
@LW B9Dn(B and BkhilDfB or BkhalDf"B 9oth these names are a!!lied to the same tree (which( accordin# to
3orskal( differs sli#htly from the salix o#y!tiaca of 'inn:us) by the author of the [albet el)=umeyt(
and by the modern 1#y!tians"
@L, [albet el)=umeyt( ch" xiv"
@L. $dem( ch" xi"
@NZ &ishkDt el)&aHDbeeG( vol" ii" !" N@-"
@N+ [albet el)=umeyt( ch" xiv"
@N@ /oft boots( worn inside the sli!!ers or shoes"
@NL This is so va#uely described by the 6rab lexico#ra!hers that $ cannot obtain a definite notion of its
form"
@NN [albet el)=umeyt( loco laudato"
@N- %albet el)=umeyt( ch" xiv"
@NU %e was born in the year of the 3li#ht +@-( and died in @+L( or( accordin# to some( +,,"C6bulfed:
6nnales( vol" ii" !!" +-Z and UW-"
@NW %e was born in the year of the 3li#ht +-Z( and died in @L-"C$dem( adnot"( !!" U.+ et se0"4 and &ir)
Dt eO)^emDn( events of the year @L-"
@N, &ir)Dt eO)^emDn( events of the year @L+" %e died in this year"
@N. $ believe this =haleefeh was 1l)&a)moon"
@-Z 6 0uarter in 9a#hdDd"
@-+ That is( B&y master"BC1d"
@-@ [albet el)=umeyt( ch" vii"
@-L NuOhet el)&utafmmil wa)&urshid el)&utafhhil"
@-N 1l)&aJreeOee( in ?e /acy's Chrestomathie 6rabe( vol" i" !" @U-( @nd ed"
@-- $bid"
@-U 1l)&aJreeOee( in his B=hiEaE(B and his history of the &emlook /ulEDns( translated by guatrem`re4
1l)$s)GDJee4 and ?';hsson( Tableau 2VnVral de l'1m!ire ;thoman"
@-W ?';hsson (vol" i" !!" L+- and L+U) asserts the PuEb to be the chief minister of the 2hXs4 and #ives
an account somewhat different from that which $ offer of the orders under his authority: but !erha!s the
Turkish ?arweeshes differ from the 6rab in their tenets on this sub7ect"
@-, $t is said that Bthe NuJab] are three hundred4 the Nu7ab]( seventy4 the 6bdDl( forty4 the 6khyDr(
seven4 the ';mud( four4 the 2hXs [as before mentioned( is one" The NuJab] reside in 1l)2harb
[Northern 6frica to the west of 1#y!t4 the Nu7ab]( in 1#y!t4 the 6bdDl( in /yria4 the 6khyDr travel
about the earth4 the ';mud( in the corners of the earth4 the abode of the 2hXs is at &ekkeh" $n an affair
of need( the NuJab] im!lore relief for the !eo!le4 then( the Nu7ab]4 then( the 6bdDl4 then( the 6khyDr4
then( the ';mud4 and if their !rayer be not answered( the 2hXs im!lores( and his !rayer is answered"B
(1l)$s)GDJee's %istory( !reface")CThis statement( $ find( rests on the authority of a famous saint of
9a#hdDd( 6boo)9ekr 1l)=ettDnee( who died at &ekkeh( in the year of the 3li#ht L@@" (&ir)Dt eO)
^emDn( events of the year above mentioned")
@-. 1l)*abartee's %istory of &odern 1#y!t( vol" ii"( obituary of the year +@Z+ (&/" in my !ossession)"
CThe a!!ellation of Bthe four PuEbsB is #iven in 1#y!t to the seyyid 6Gmad <ifD'ah( the seyyid '6bd)
1l)PDdir 1l)2eelDnee( the seyyid 6Gmad 1l)9edawee( and the seyyid $brDheem 1d)?asooJee( the
founders of the four orders of darweeshes most celebrated amon# the 6rabs( called <ifD'eeyeh(
PDdireeyeh( 6Gmedeeyeh( and 9arDhimeh"
@UZ 1l)*abartee's %istory( vol" i"( obituary of the year ++,,"
@U+ &ir)Dt eO)^emDn( events of the year @.+"
@U@ &ir)Dt eO)^emDn( events of the year @.+"
@UL $dem( events of the year @+,"
@UN $dem( events of the year LLN"
@U- NuOhet el)&utafmmil( Mc"( sect" N"
@UU These are two very celebrated welees"
@UW The o!enin# cha!ter of the Pur)Dn"
@U, 1l)*abartee's %istory( vol" iii"( events of the month of /haQbDn( +@+- (6"?" +,ZZ)+,Z+)"
@U. /in#ers of reli#ious odes"
@WZ 1l)*abartee's %istory( vol" ii"( obituary of the year +@ZW( and events of <e7eb( +@ZZ4 and vol" iii"(
events of <abeeQ eth)ThDnee( +@+N"
@W+ 1l)$s)GDJee( rei#n of 1l)&utawekkil"
@W@ ?e /acy's Chrestomathie 6rabe( vol" i" !!" +@@( +@L( @nd" ed"
@WL B'67D>b el)&akhlooJDt"B
@WN &ir)Dt eO)^emDn( events of the year above mentioned"
@W- /ketches of 8ersia( vol" ii" !" +@."
@@@
CHAPTER IV.
COMMENCING WITH PART OF THE EIGHTEENTH NIGHT, AND ENDING WITH PART OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH.
THE STORY OF THE THREE APPLES, &$.1
;ne ni#ht( after the adventure above described( the =haleefeh %Droon 1r)<asheed said to *aQfar( his
5eOeer( 5e will #o down to)ni#ht into the city( and in0uire res!ectin# the affairs of those who are at
!resent in authority( and him a#ainst whom any one shall com!lain we will dis!lace" *aQfar re!lied( $
hear and obey:Cand when the =haleefeh had #one forth with him and &esroor( and they had !assed
throu#h several of the market)streets( they !roceeded alon# a lane( and saw there an old man( with a net
and basket u!on his head( and a staff in his hand( walkin# at his leisure( and recitin# these verses:@@LC
They say to me( Thou shinest amon# mankind( by thy knowled#e( like the moonli#ht ni#ht: 9ut $
answer( 6bstain from thus addressin# me( since there is no knowled#e without !ower: 3or if they
would !awn me( and my knowled#e with me( and all my !a!ers and inkhorn too( 3or one day's food(
they would never find the !led#e acce!ted to the day of 7ud#ment" 6s for the !oor( and his condition(
and his whole life( how full of trouble_ $n the summer he fails to earn his food( and in winter he warms
himself over the fire)!ot"@ The do#s follow him wherever he #oes( and any reviler( and he cannot re!el
him" $f he states his case( and !roves himself wron#ed( the 7ud#e will not admit his !lea" /uch( then(
bein# the !oor man's life( his fittest !lace is in the burial)#round"L
The =haleefeh( when he heard his recitation( said to *aQfar( ;bserve this !oor man( and consider these
verses4 for they indicate his necessity" Then a!!roachin# the man( he said to him( ; sheykh( what is
thine occu!ationRC; my master( answered the old man( $ am a fisherman( and have a family to
maintain( and $ went forth from my house at noon( and have remained until now( but 2od hath allotted
me nothin# wherewith to obtain food for my household4 therefore $ have hated myself( and wished for
death"C5ilt thou( said the =haleefeh( return with us to the river( and station thyself on the bank of the
Ti#ris( and cast thy net for my luckR $f thou wilt do so $ will !urchase of thee whatever cometh u! for a
hundred !ieces of #old"CThe fisherman re7oiced when he heard these words( and said( ;n my head be
your commands: $ will return with you"C/o he went a#ain to the river( and cast his net( and( havin#
waited till it sank( drew the cords( and dra##ed back the net( and there came u! in it a chest( locked and
heavy" 5hen the =haleefeh saw it( he felt its wei#ht( and found it to be heavy4 and he #ave a hundred
!ieces of #old to the fisherman( who went away( while &esroor( assisted by *aQfar( took u! the chest(
and conveyed it( in com!any with the =haleefeh( to the !alace( where they li#hted the candles( and
!laced the chest before the =haleefeh" *aQfar and &esroor then broke it o!en( and they found in it a
basket of !alm)leaves sewed u! with red worsted4 and they cut the threads( and saw within it a !iece of
car!et( and( liftin# u! this( they found beneath it an iODr(N and when they had taken u! the iODr they
discovered under it a damsel like molten silver( killed( and cut in !ieces"
5hen the =haleefeh beheld this( tears ran down his cheeks( and( lookin# towards *aQfar( he exclaimed(
; do# of 5eOeers( shall !eo!le be murdered in my time( and be thrown into the river( and become@@N
burdens u!on my res!onsibilityR 9y 6llah( $ must retaliate for this damsel u!on him who killed her(
and !ut him to death_CThen said he to *aQfar( 9y the truth of my descent from the =haleefehs of the
sons of 1l)'6bbDs( if thou do not brin# to me him who killed this woman( that $ may aven#e her u!on
him( $ will crucify thee at the #ate of my !alace( to#ether with forty of thy kinsmen_- 6nd the
=haleefeh was enra#ed"C2rant me( said *aQfar( a delay of three days"C$ #rant thee the delay( re!lied
the =haleefeh" *aQfar then went forth from his !resence( and took his route throu#h the city( sorrowful(
and sayin# within himself( %ow shall $ discover him who killed this damsel( that $ may take him before
the =haleefehR 6nd if $ take to him any other !erson( he will become a wei#ht u!on my conscience" $
know not what to do"C3or three days he remained in his house( and on the fourth day the =haleefeh
sent to summon him( and( when he had !resented himself before him( said to him( 5here is the
murderer of the damselRC; 8rince of the 3aithful( answered *aQfar( am $ ac0uainted with thin#s
hidden from the senses( that $ should know who is her murdererR The =haleefeh( incensed at this
answer( #ave orders to crucify him at the #ate of his !alace( and commanded a crier to !roclaim
throu#h the streets of 9a#hdDd( 5hosoever desireth to amuse himself by seein# the crucifixion of
*aQfar 1l)9armekee( the 5eOeer of the =haleefeh( and the crucifixion of his kinsmen( at the #ate of the
=haleefeh's !alace( let him come forth and amuse himself"C/o the !eo!le came forth from every
0uarter to see the crucifixion of *aQfar and his kinsmen4 and they knew not the cause of this" The
=haleefeh then #ave orders to set u! the crosses4 and they did so( and !laced the 5eOeer and his
kinsmen beneath( to crucify them( and were awaitin# the =haleefeh's !ermission( while the !eo!le we!t
for *aQfar and his relatives"
9ut while they were thus waitin#( a handsome and neatly)dressed youn# man came forward 0uickly
throu#h the crowd( and( a!!roachin# the 5eOeer( said to him( /afety to thee from this !redicament( ;
chief of 1meers( and refu#e of the !oor_ $t was $ who killed the woman whom ye found in the chest:
kill me therefore for her( and retaliate her death u!on me"C5hen *aQfar heard these words( he re7oiced
for his own deliverance( and #rieved for the youn# man: but while he was s!eakin# to him( lo( an old
sheykh !ressed hastily throu#h the crowd to him and the youn# man( and( havin# saluted them( said( ;
5eOeer( believe not the words of this youn# man( for no one killed the damsel but myself4 therefore
retaliate her death u!on@@- me" The youn# man( however( said( ; 5eOeer( this is an old man( imbecile
throu#h a#e4 he knoweth not what he saith: it was $ who killed her4 aven#e her therefore u!on me"C;
my son( said the sheykh( thou art youn#( and wilt find !leasure in the world4 and $ am old( and satiated
with the world: $ will be a ransom for thee and for the 5eOeer and his kinsmen4 and no one killed the
damsel but myself: by 6llah( therefore( hasten to retaliate u!on me"
;n witnessin# this scene( the 5eOeer was astonished4 and he took the youn# man and the sheykh to the
=haleefeh( and said( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( the murderer of the damsel hath come"C5here is heR
said the =haleefeh" This youn# man( answered *aQfar( saith( $ am the murderer4Cand this sheykh
accuseth him of falsehood( and saith( Nay( but I am the murderer"CThe =haleefeh( lookin# towards the
sheykh and the youn# man( said( 5hich of you killed this damselR The youn# man answered( No one
killed her but myself:Cand the sheykh said also( No one killed her but myself" The =haleefeh therefore
said to *aQfar( Take them both and crucify them"C$f the murderer be one( re!lied *aQfar( to kill the
other would be un7ust" The youn# man then said( 9y %im who raised the heavens and s!read out the
earth( it was $ who killed the damsel:Cand he #ave an account of the manner of his killin# her( and
described what the =haleefeh had found" The =haleefeh therefore was convinced that the youn# man
was he who had killed the damsel4 and he was astonished( and said( 5hat was the cause of thy killin#
this damsel un7ustly( and of thy confessin# the murder without bein# beaten(U and thy sayin#( <etaliate
her death u!on meR The youn# man answered as follows:C
=now( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( that this damsel was my wife( and the dau#hter of my uncle: this
sheykh was her father( and is my uncle" $ married her when she was a vir#in( and 2od blessed me with
three male children by her4 and she loved me and served me( and $ saw in her no evil" 6t the
commencement of this month she was attacked by a severe illness( and $ brou#ht to her the !hysicians(
who attended her until her health returned to her4 and $ desired them to send her to the bath4 but she
said to me( $ want somethin# before $ enter the bath( for $ have a lon#in# for it"C5hat is itR said $" /he
answered( $ have a lon#in# for an a!!le( to smell it( and take a bite from it" /o $ went out immediately
into the city( and searched for the a!!le( and would have bou#ht it had its !rice been a !iece of #old:
but $ could not find one" $ !assed the next ni#ht full of@@U thou#ht( and when the mornin# came $
0uitted my house a#ain and went about to all the #ardens( one after another4 yet $ found none in them"
There met me( however( an old #ardener( of whom $ in0uired for the a!!le( and he said to me( ; my
son( this is a rare thin#( and not to be found here( nor anywhere exce!t in the #arden of the 8rince of the
3aithful at 1l)9aHrah( and !reserved there for the =haleefeh" $ returned therefore to my wife( and my
love for her so constrained me that $ !re!ared myself and 7ourneyed fifteen days( by ni#ht and day( in
#oin# and returnin#( and brou#ht her three a!!les which $ !urchased of the #ardener at 1l)9aHrah for
three !ieces of #old4 and( #oin# in( $ handed them to her4 but she was not !leased by them(@@W and left
them by her side" /he was then sufferin# from a violent fever( and she continued ill durin# a !eriod of
ten days"
6fter this she recovered her health( and $ went out and re!aired to my sho!( and sat there to sell and
buy4W and while $ was thus occu!ied( at mid)day there !assed by me a black slave( havin# in his hand
an a!!le( with which he was !layin#: so $ said to him( 5hence didst thou #et this a!!le( for $ would
!rocure one like itRCA!on which he lau#hed( and answered( $ #ot it from my sweetheart: $ had been
absent( and came( and found her ill( and she had three a!!les4 and she said to me( &y unsus!ectin#
husband 7ourneyed to 1l)9aHrah for them( and bou#ht them for three !ieces of #old:Cand $ took this
a!!le from her"C5hen $ heard the words of the slave( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( the world became
black before my face( and $ shut u! my sho!( and returned to my house( de!rived of my reason by
excessive ra#e" $ found not the third a!!le( and said to her( 5here is the a!!leR /he answered( $ know
not whither it is #one" $ was convinced thus that the slave had s!oken the truth( and $ arose( and took a
knife( and throwin# myself u!on her bosom( !lun#ed the knife into her: $ then cut off her head and
limbs( and !ut them in the basket in haste( and covered them with the iODr( over which $ laid a !iece of
car!et: then $ !ut the basket in the chest( and( havin# locked this( conveyed it on my mule( and threw it
with my own hands into the Ti#ris",
6nd now( continued the youn# man( $ con7ure thee by 6llah( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( to hasten my
death in retaliation for her murder( as $ dread( otherwise( her a!!eal for ven#eance u!on me on the day
of resurrection:. for when $ had thrown her into the Ti#ris without the knowled#e of any one( $ returned
to my house( and found my eldest boy cryin#( thou#h he knew not what $ had done to his mother: so $
said to him( 5hat maketh thee cryRCand he answered( $ took one of the a!!les that my mother had(
and went down with it into the street to !lay with my brothers( and a tall black slave snatched it from
me( and said to me( 5hence came this to theeR $ answered him( &y father made a 7ourney for it( and
brou#ht it from 1l)9aHrah( for the sake of my mother4 for she is sick: he bou#ht three a!!les for three
!ieces of #old:Cbut he took it from me and beat me( and went away with it4 and $ am afraid that my
mother may beat me on account of the a!!le"C5hen $ heard my son's story( $ discovered that the slave
had for#ed a lie a#ainst the dau#hter of my uncle( and found that she had been killed un7ustly4 and as $
was wee!in#@@, bitterly for what $ had done( this sheykh( my uncle and her father( came to me( and $
informed him of the event4 and he seated himself by me( and we!t" 5e we!t until midni#ht( and
continued our mournin# for her five days( ceasin# not to the !resent day to bewail her death" 9y the
honour of thine ancestors( therefore( hasten my death( to retaliate her murder u!on me"
The =haleefeh wondered at the youn# man's story( and said( 9y 6llah( $ will not !ut to death any but
the wicked slave4 for the youn# man is excusable" Then lookin# towards *aQfar( he said to him( 9rin#
before me this wicked slave who hath been the cause of the catastro!he4 or( if thou brin# him not( thou
shalt be !ut to death in his stead" /o the 5eOeer de!arted wee!in#( and sayin#( 5hence shall $ brin#
himR Not every time that the 7ar is struck doth it esca!e bein# broken_ $ have no strata#em to em!loy in
this affair: but %e who delivered me in the first case may deliver me in the second" 9y 6llah( $ will not
#o out from my house for three days4 and the Truth( whose !erfection be extolled( will do what %e
willeth_C/o he remained in his house three days( and on the fourth day he caused the PD\ee to be
brou#ht( and made his testamentary arran#ements4 and as he was biddin# farewell to his children( and
wee!in#( lo( the messen#er of the =haleefeh came and said to him( The 8rince of the 3aithful is in a
most violent ra#e( and hath sent me to thee4 and he hath sworn that this day shall not !ass until thou art
!ut to death if thou do not brin# to him the slave"
;n hearin# this( *aQfar we!t( and his children we!t with him4 and when he had bidden them all farewell
exce!t his youn#est dau#hter( he a!!roached her for the same !ur!ose" %e loved her more than all his
other children4 and he !ressed her to his bosom( and we!t at the thou#ht of his se!aration from her4 but(
in doin# this( he felt somethin# round in her !ocket( and said to her( 5hat is in thy !ocketR /he
answered( ; my father( it is an a!!le4 our slave <eyGan+Z brou#ht it( and $ have had it four days4 he
would not #ive it me until he had received from me two !ieces of #old"C6t this mention of the slave
and the a!!le( *aQfar re7oiced( and exclaimed( ; ready ?is!eller of trouble_++Cand immediately he
ordered that the slave should be brou#ht before him" %e was therefore brou#ht in( and he said to him(
5hence came this a!!leRC; my master( he answered( $ went out five days a#o( and( enterin# one of
the by)streets of the city( $ saw some children !layin#( and one of them had this a!!le: and $ snatched it
from him( and beat him4 and he cried( and@@. said( That belon#s to my mother( and she is sick: she
wanted my father to brin# her an a!!le( and he made a 7ourney to 1l)9aHrah( and brou#ht back for her
three a!!les which he bou#ht for three !ieces of #old4 and $ took this to !lay with it:Cthen he cried
a#ain4 but( !ayin# no re#ard to him( $ took it away and brou#ht it hither4 and my little mistress bou#ht it
of me for two !ieces of #old"C5hen he heard this story( *aQfar was filled with wonder at discoverin#
that this distressin# event( and the murder of the damsel( had been occasioned by his slave4 and he took
the slave and went with him to the =haleefeh( who ordered that the story should be committed to
writin#( and !ublished"
*aQfar then said to him( 5onder not( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( at his tale( for it is not more extraordinary
than the story of the 5eOeer@LZ Noor)ed)?een( and /hems)ed)?een( his brother"C5hat story( said the
=haleefeh( can be more wonderful than thisRC; 8rince of the 3aithful( re!lied *aQfar( $ will not relate
it to thee unless on the condition that thou exem!t my slave from the !unishment of death" The
=haleefeh said( $ #ive thee his blood:Cand *aQfar( thereu!on( commenced the relation of the story as
follows:C
THE STORY OF NOOR-ED-DEEN AND HIS SON, AND OF SHEMS-ED-DEEN AND HIS DAUGHTER.
=now( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( that there was( in Cairo(+@ a /ulEDn(+L 7ust and beneficent( who had a
wise and well)informed 5eOeer( !ossessin# a knowled#e of the affairs of the world( and of the art of
#overnment" This minister was an a#ed man( and he had two sons( like two moons: the name of the
elder was /hems)ed)?een( and that of the youn#er( Noor)ed)?een4+N and the latter was more
distin#uished than the former by handsomeness and comeliness: there was no one in his day more
handsome( so that the fame of his charms s!read throu#h the nei#hbourin# re#ions( and some of the
inhabitants of those !arts travelled to his country merely to obtain a si#ht of him" 6nd it came to !ass
that their father died( and the /ulEDn mourned for him( and( turnin# his re#ards towards the two sons(
took them into his favour( invested them with robes of honour( and said to them( Se two are instated in
your father's office:Cat which they re7oiced( and kissed the #round before him" They observed the
ceremonies of mournin#+- for their father durin# a !eriod of a whole month( and entered u!on the
office of 5eOeers( each of them dischar#in# the duties of this station for a week at a time4 and
whenever the /ulEDn had a desire to #o forth on a 7ourney( he took one of them with him"
Now it ha!!ened( one ni#ht( that the /ulEDn !ur!osed commencin# a 7ourney on the followin# mornin#4
and it was the turn of the elder 5eOeer to accom!any him4 and as the two brothers were conversin#
to#ether that ni#ht( the elder said( ; my brother( it is my wish that we should both marry on one ni#ht"
C?o( ; my brother( as thou desirest( answered the youn#er4 and $ will com!ly with that which thou
shalt say" /o they a#reed to do this" The elder then said to his brother( $f 2od so decree that we obtain
the betrothal of two maidens( and accom!lish our marria#e on the same ni#ht( and they@L+ #ive birth to
children on the same day( and 2od will that thy wife have a son( and my wife have a dau#hter( we will
marry them to each other( for they will be cousins"C6nd what( ; my brother( said Noor)ed)?een( wilt
thou re0uire of my son as the dowry of thy dau#hterR %e answered( $ will re0uire of thy son( as the
dowry of my dau#hter( three thousand !ieces of #old( and three #ardens( and three farms4 for if the
youn# man make any other contract than this( it will not be !ro!er" 9ut when Noor)ed)?een heard this
!ro!osal( he exclaimed( 5hat is this dowry that thou im!osest u!on my sonR ?ost thou not know that
we are two brothers( and that we are both 5eOeers( of one di#nityR $t were incumbent on thee to offer
thy dau#hter to my son as a free #ift( without any dowry4 for thou knowest that the male is more
honourable than the female( and my child is a male( and by him shall our memory be !reserved: not by
thy dau#hter"C5hat sayest thou of herR asked his brother"CThat our memory will not be !reserved by
her amon# the nobles( answered Noor)ed)?een" 9ut thou desirest( added he( to act with me accordin#
to the o!inion of him who saith( $f thou desire to drive away a !erson who would buy( demand of him a
hi#h !rice"C$ see thee( re!lied /hems)ed)?een( to have committed a fault( in makin# thy son more
honourable than my dau#hter: thou art doubtless deficient in 7ud#ment( and destitute of #ood
dis!osition( seein# that thou mentionest the !artnershi! in the office of 5eOeer( when $ admitted thee
not to share it with me exce!tin# in my !ity for thee( and that thou mi#htest assist me: but talk as thou
wilt: since thou hast said this( by 6llah( $ will not marry my dau#hter to thy son( thou#h thou offer me
her wei#ht in #old"C;n hearin# these words of his brother( Noor)ed)?een was enra#ed( and said( $ will
not marry my son to thy dau#hter"C$ will not acce!t him as a husband for her( re!lied /hems)ed)?een4
and if $ were not !ur!osin# a 7ourney( $ would do to thee deeds that should serve as warnin#s to others:
however( when $ return( 2od will do what %e willeth"C5hen Noor)ed)?een heard this( he was full of
an#er( and became unconscious of existence: but he concealed his feelin#s4 and each of the two
brothers !assed the ni#ht a!art from the other4 and in the mornin# the /ulEDn set out on his 7ourney(
and( crossin# over to the island(+U !roceeded towards the 8yramids( accom!anied by the 5eOeer
/hems)ed)?een"
Noor)ed)?een !assed that ni#ht in a state of the utmost ra#e4 and when the mornin# came he arose(
and( havin# !erformed the mornin#)!rayers( went to his closet and took out from it a !air of small
saddle)ba#s( which he filled with #old4 and as he reflected u!on the words of@L@ his brother( and the
contem!t which he had shewn him( and the !ride that he had manifested towards him( he re!eated these
verses:C
Travel" Thou wilt find a friend in the !lace of him thou leavest4 and fati#ue thyself4 for by labour are
the sweets of life obtained" To a man of intelli#ence and education there is no #lory in a constant
residence: therefore 0uit thy native !lace( and #o abroad" $ have observed that the sta#nation of water
corru!teth it4 if it floweth( it becometh sweet4 but otherwise( it doth not" $f the full moon never set( the
eye of the contem!lative would not on every occasion !ay re#ard to it: The lions( if they left not the
forest( would ca!ture no !rey4 and the arrow( if it 0uitted not the bow( would not strike the mark: The
#rains of #old u!on their native bed are re#arded as mere dust4 and the aloes)wood( where it #roweth( is
a kind of firewood: $f ex!orted( it becometh an ob7ect of hi#h demand4 but if not( it attaineth no kind of
distinction"
%e then ordered one of his youn# men to saddle for him a da!!le mule( tall( and of 0uick !ace4 and he
did so( !lacin# u!on her a saddle adorned with #old( with stirru!s of $ndian steel( and housin#s of the
velvet of $H!ahDn4 and she resembled a bride dis!layed before her husband" %e ordered him also to
!lace u!on her a car!et of silk( and a !rayer)car!et(+W and to !ut the saddle)ba#s beneath the latter4 and
when this was done( he said to the youn# man and the slaves( $ have a desire to take a ride for my
amusement outside the city( towards the !rovince of Palyoob( and shall be absent three ni#hts4 and let
none of you follow me( for my heart is contracted"
%avin# thus said( he mounted his mule in haste( and( takin# with him a small su!!ly of food( de!arted
from the city( turnin# his face towards the o!en country" The hour of noon overtook him not until@LL he
entered the city of 9ilbeys( where he ali#hted to re!ose himself and rest his mule( and ate4 after which
he took from this !lace what he re0uired for himself( and some !rovender for his mule( and( havin#
!laced these !rovisions u!on her( went forth a#ain into the !lain( and before noon on the second
followin# day( he entered *erusalem"+, %ere he ali#hted a#ain( and rested himself and his beast( and
ate: he then !laced his saddle)ba#s under his head( and s!read his car!et( and sle!t( still overcome by
an#er" %e !assed the ni#ht in this !lace4 and in the mornin# he remounted( and he continued to ur#e on
his mule until he arrived at 6le!!o(+. where he ali#hted at a PhDn( and remained three days to #ive rest
to himself and his mule( and to en7oy the air of the !lace: which havin# done( he determined to
!rosecute @LNhis 7ourney( and mounted his mule( and went forth" %e knew not whither to direct his
course4 but travelled on until he arrived at the city of 1l)9aHrah4 and scarcely was he aware that the
ni#ht had overtaken him( when he ali#hted there at a =hDn( where he took off the saddle)ba#s from the
mule( and s!read the !rayer)car!et( committin# the mule( with her e0ui!a#e( to the care of the door)
kee!er( and orderin# him to walk her about a little"
The door)kee!er did so4 and it ha!!ened that the 5eOeer of 1l)9aHrah( sittin# at a window of his
!alace( saw the mule( and( observin# her costly e0ui!a#e( thou#ht that she must belon# to some 5eOeer
or =in#4 and as he attentively re#arded her he was sur!rised( and said to one of his !a#es( 9rin# before
me that door)kee!er" /o the !a#e went and brou#ht him4 and the door)kee!er( a!!roachin#( kissed the
#round before him" The 5eOeer( who was an a#ed !erson( then said to this man( 5ho is the owner of
this mule( and what is his a!!earanceRC; my lord( answered the door)kee!er( her owner is a youn#
man of ele#ant !erson( of the sons of the merchants( and of a di#nified and #rave as!ect" ;n hearin#
this( the 5eOeer arose( and( mountin# his horse(@Z went to the =hDn( and introduced himself to the
youn# man( who( as soon as he saw him a!!roachin#( rose to meet him( and embraced him" The
5eOeer( after he had ali#hted from his horse( saluted him and welcomed him( and( seatin# him by his
side( said to him( 5hence( ; my son( hast thou come4 and for what !ur!oseRC; my lord( answered
Noor)ed)?een( $ have come from the city of Cairo: my father was 5eOeer there4 and he hath de!arted
to receive the mercy of 2od4Cand he informed him of all that had ha!!ened to him from first to last(
addin#( $ have determined that $ will not return until $ shall have seen all the cities and countries of the
world"C; my son( re!lied the 5eOeer( obey not the su##estions of thy mind( lest thou ex!ose thyself
to destruction4 for the countries are waste( and $ fear on thy account the issues of fortune" /o sayin#( he
ordered that the saddle)ba#s should be !laced a#ain on the mule( to#ether with the car!et of silk and the
!rayer)car!et( and took Noor)ed)?een with him to his house( where he lod#ed him in an ele#ant
a!artment( and treated him with honour and kindness4 and( conceivin# a stron# affection for him( said
to him( ; my son( $ have become an old man( and $ have no male child4 2od( however( hath blessed me
with a dau#hter who resembleth thee in comeliness( and $ have re7ected many !ersons who have been
her suitors: but now( love for thee hath entered my heart4 wilt thou then take my dau#hter as thy hand)
maid to serve thee( and@L- be her husbandR $f thou consent to this( $ will #o u! to the /ulEDn of 1l)
9aHrah( and will say to him( This is the son of my brother4Cand $ will introduce thee to him( that $ may
make thee 5eOeer in my !lace( and $ will remain in my house4 for $ am now a#ed"CNoor)ed)?een( on
hearin# this !ro!osal of the 5eOeer of 1l)9aHrah( hun# down his head( and then answered( $ hear and
obey"
The 5eOeer re7oiced at his assent( and ordered his servants to !re!are for him a re!ast( and to decorate
the #reat saloon@+ which was furnished for the rece!tion of the chiefs of the 1meers" %e then called
to#ether his friends( and invited the #reat officers of the state( and the merchants of 1l)9aHrah4 and
when they had come into his !resence( he said to them( $ had a brother who was 5eOeer in the land of
1#y!t( and 2od blessed him with two sons4 and me( as ye know( %e hath blessed with a dau#hter: now
my brother en7oined me to marry my dau#hter to one of his sons( and $ consented to do so4 and when
she attained a fit a#e for marria#e( he sent to me one of his sons( who is this youn# man here !resent"
6s soon( therefore( as he had come( $ desired to !erform the marria#e)contract between him and my
dau#hter( and that he should introduce himself to her here in my house"C1xcellently hast thou done_
they re!lied" They then drank sherbet of su#ar( and the !a#es s!rinkled rose)water u!on them( and they
de!arted: after which( the 5eOeer ordered his servants to conduct Noor)en)?een to the bath( and #ave
him a suit of his best clothes(@@ and sent to him the na!kins and cu!s and !erfumin#)vessels( and
everythin# else that he re0uired" /o when he came out from the bath( he !ut on the suit of clothes( and
a!!eared like the full moon4 and he mounted his mule( and( returnin# to the !alace( ali#hted and
!resented himself before the 5eOeer( and kissed his hand: and the 5eOeer welcomed him( sayin#(
6rise( and introduce thyself this ni#ht to thy@LU wife4 and to)morrow $ will #o u! with thee to the
/ulEDn( and $ !ray that 2od may bless thee with every kind of ha!!iness" Noor)ed)?een therefore arose(
and went to his wife( the dau#hter of the 5eOeer"CThus did it ha!!en to Noor)ed)?een"
6s to his brother( he continued a while 7ourneyin# with the /ulEDn( and when he returned( and found not
his brother( he in0uired of the servants res!ectin# him( and they answered( ;n the day of thy de!arture
with the /ulEDn( he mounted his mule( ca!arisoned as for a !rocession of state( and said( $ am #oin#
towards the !rovince of Palyoob( and shall be absent a day or two days4 for my heart is contracted4
therefore let none of you follow me:Cand from the day on which he went forth( to the !resent day( we
have heard no tidin#s of him" A!on this the heart of /hems)ed)?een was troubled at the se!aration of
his brother( and he #rieved excessively for his loss( sayin# within himself( The cause of this is nothin#
else than my havin# s!oken harshly to him in my conversation on the ni#ht before my de!arture with
the /ulEDn4 and !robably his mind was disturbed( and he went on a 7ourney: $ must therefore send after
him" %e then went u! and related this event to the /ulEDn( who wrote letters and sent them to his
vice#erents in all the !rovinces: but Noor)ed)?een had traversed distant re#ions durin# the absence of
his brother with the /ulEDn: therefore the messen#ers( when they had #one with the letters( returned
without havin# obtained any information res!ectin# him" /o /hems)ed)?een des!aired of his brother(
and said( $ have enra#ed my brother by what $ said to him concernin# the marria#e of the children"
5ould that $ had not done so_ This was not occasioned but by my want of sense and 7ud#ment_C6nd
soon after this( he demanded in marria#e the dau#hter of one of the merchants of Cairo( and !erformed
the marria#e)contract between himself and her( and introduced himself to her: and it ha!!ened that the
ni#ht when this event took !lace was the same ni#ht on which Noor)ed)?een introduced himself to his
wife( the dau#hter of the 5eOeer of 1l)9aHrah: this bein# in accordance with the will of 2od( whose
name be exalted( that %e mi#ht execute his decree u!on his creatures"
The event was as they both had said: for it came to !ass that the two wives conceived by them: the wife
of /hems)ed)?een( the 5eOeer( of 1#y!t( #ave birth to a dau#hter( than whom there was not seen( in
that country( one more beautiful4 and the wife of Noor)ed)?een #ave birth to a son( one more beautiful
than whom was not seen in his time: as the !oet hath said:@LWC
$f beauty came to be com!ared with him( it would han# down its head in shame4 ;r if it were said( ;
beauty( hast thou seen the likeRCit would answer( The e0ual of this $ have not"
/o they named him [asan4@L and on the seventh day after his birth( they made entertainments and
s!read re!asts such as were fit for the sons of =in#s@N after which the 5eOeer of 1l)9aHrah took with
him Noor)ed)?een( and went u! with him to the /ulEDn4 and when he came into his !resence he kissed
the #round before him4 and Noor)ed)?een( bein# elo0uent in ton#ue( and firm of heart( and comely in
!erson and in actions( recited these words of the !oet:C
This is he whose 7ustice extendeth to all men( and who hath overrun and subdued every re#ion" 9e
thankful for his benefits4 for they are not mere benefits4 but they are strin#s of 7ewels on the necks of
his !eo!le4 6nd kiss his fin#ers4 for they are not mere fin#ers4 but they are the keys of the su!!lies of
8rovidence"
The /ulEDn treated them both with honour( and( havin# thanked Noor)ed)?een for his address( said to
his 5eOeer( 5ho is this youn# manR The 5eOeer therefore related to him his story from be#innin# to
end( and added( This is the son of my brother"C%ow is it( said the /ulEDn( that he is the son of thy
brother( and we have not before heard of himR The 5eOeer answered( ; our lord the /ulEDn( $ had a
brother who was 5eOeer in the land of 1#y!t( and he died( leavin# two sons: the elder succeeded to his
father's office( as 5eOeer( and this his youn#er son came to me4 and $ swore that $ would not marry my
dau#hter to any but him: so( when he came( $ married him to her" %e is a youn# man( and $ am now
a#ed4 my hearin# is im!aired( and my 7ud#ment faileth: it is my wish( therefore( that our lord the /ulEDn
would instate him in my office( seein# that he is the son of my brother and the husband of my dau#hter(
and a !erson worthy of the di#nity of 5eOeer4 for he is endowed with knowled#e and 7ud#ment"CThe
/ulEDn( u!on this( looked towards him( and( bein# !leased with him( a!!roved of the advice of the
5eOeer that he should !romote him to that office4 so he bestowed it u!on him( and ordered that a
ma#nificent dress of honour should be #iven to him( and one of the best of the mules u!on which he
was himself accustomed to ride( allottin# him also su!!lies and salaries4 and Noor)ed)?een kissed the
hand of the /ulEDn( and descended with his father)in)law to their house( both in hi#h deli#ht( and
sayin#( Ferily the birth of this child is fortunate" ;n the followin# day Noor)ed)?een went a#ain to the
=in#( and kissed the #round( and the /ulEDn ordered him to sit in the !lace of@L, the 5eOeer: so he sat(
and occu!ied himself with the affairs of his office( and examined the cases of the !eo!le( and their
suits( accordin# to the custom of 5eOeers: and the /ulEDn( observin# him( was sur!rised at his conduct(
and the acuteness of his understandin#( and his #ood 7ud#ment" %e attentively considered his 0ualities(
and loved him( and advanced him in his favour: and when the court was dissolved( Noor)ed)?een
returned to his house( and related what had !assed to his father)in)law( who was re7oiced at hearin# it"
The old 5eOeer ceased not to su!erintend the rearin# of the child( who was named [asan( for many
days( while Noor)ed)?een was constantly occu!ied with the affairs of his office( so that he left not the
/ulEDn by day nor by ni#ht4 and the =in# increased his salaries and su!!lies until his circumstances
became am!le: he had shi!s which made voya#es under his orders with merchandise and other thin#s(
and he founded numerous estates( and made water)wheels@- and #ardens" Thus did he until his son
[asan was four years of a#e( when the old 5eOeer( the father of his wife( died4 and he conveyed his
cor!se with #reat !om!( and decently de!osited it in the earth" %e then turned his thou#hts towards the
education of his son4 and when the child had #ained stren#th( he brou#ht him a tutor to teach him in his
own house( char#in# him to instruct him and educate him well4 and the tutor did so( and tau#ht him
various useful sciences( after he had !assed some years in learnin# the Pur)Dn" [asan meanwhile
increased in loveliness and beauty( and ele#ance of !erson" The tutor continued@L. to educate him in
his father's !alace4 and from the time that he arrived at adolescence he went not out of the 5eOeer's
!alace( until his father took him one day( and( havin# clad him in one of the richest of his dresses(
mounted him on one of his best mules( and conducted him to the /ulEDn( and introduced him" 5hen the
=in# beheld [asan 9edr)ed)?een(@U the son of the 5eOeer Noor)ed)?een( he was astonished at his
beauty4 and the !eo!le( when he !assed by them for the first time( #oin# u! with his father to the =in#(
were amaOed at his sur!assin# beauty and loveliness( and ele#ance of !erson" The /ulEDn( as soon as he
saw him( loved him( and bestowed marks of favour u!on him( and said to his father( ; 5eOeer( thou
must brin# him with thee every day" The 5eOeer answered( $ hear and obey4Cand returned with his son
to his abode4 and he continued every day to #o u! with him to the /ulEDn until the youth attained the
a#e of fifteen years"
%is father( the 5eOeer Noor)ed)?een( then fell sick( and called him into his !resence( and said to him(
; my son( know that this world is a !erishable abode( and the world to come is an everlastin# abode" $
wish to #ive thee some !rece!ts( and do thou understand what $ am about to say to thee( and incline thy
heart to it"C6nd he be#an to counsel him res!ectin# the !ro!er mode of conductin# himself in society(
and the due mana#ement of his affairs4 and when he had done so( he reflected u!on his brother and his
native !lace and country( and we!t at the thou#ht of his se!aration from those he loved4 his tears
flowin#: and he said( ; my son( hear my words" $ have a brother@W in Cairo( and $ 0uitted him and
de!arted a#ainst his will"C%e then took a !iece of !a!er(@, and wrote u!on it all that had ha!!ened to
him from first to last( to#ether with the date of his marria#e and introduction to the dau#hter of the
5eOeer( and the date of his arrival at 1l)9aHrah and his interview with its 5eOeer4 and( havin# added
some strict admonition( he said to his son( =ee! this char#e( for the !a!er on which it is written
containeth an account of thine ori#in and thy rank and linea#e4 and if any evil accident befall thee(
re!air to Cairo( and in0uire for thine uncle( and salute him( and inform him that $ died in a stran#e land(
ardently desirin# that $ could see him" Therefore [asan 9edr)ed)?een took the !a!er( and( havin#
folded it( and wra!!ed it in a !iece of waxed cloth(@. sewed it between the linin# and the outer cloth of
his ca!(LZ and we!t for his father( that he should be !arted from him in his youth"
Noor)ed)?een then said to his son(L+ $ char#e thee that thou be@NZ not familiar with any one4 for in
retirement is security" ?ivinely #ifted was the !oet who said(C
There is none in thy time whose friendshi! thou shouldst covet4 nor any intimate who( when fortune is
treacherous( will be faithful" 'ive then a!art( and rely u!on no man: $ have #iven thee( in these words(
#ood advice( and sufficient"
6ccustom thyself to taciturnity: occu!y thyself with thine own affairs( and use not many words: for the
!oet saith(C
Taciturnity is an ornament( and in silence is security: therefore( when thou s!eakest( be not lo0uacious:
3or if thou re!ent once of thy silence( thou wilt assuredly re!ent many times of thy s!eech"
9eware of drinkin# wine4 for it is the source of every kind of mischief" The !oetL@ saith on this sub7ect(
C
$ have abandoned wine and those who drink it4 and have become the friend of such as condemn it"
5ine leadeth astray from the !ath of rectitude( and o!eneth the doors to evil"
%ate no man( and o!!ress none4 for o!!ression is base" The !oet saith(C
;!!ress not if thou hast the !ower to do so4 for o!!ression will eventually brin# thee re!entance: Thine
eye will slee! while the o!!ressed( wakeful( will call for ven#eance u!on thee4 and the eye of 2od
slee!eth not"
?es!ise thy wealth( but not thyself: yet bestow not wealth save u!on him who deserveth it" $f thou kee!
it( it will kee! thee4 but if thou s0uander it( it will ruin thee4 and then wilt thou need the assistance of
the least of mankind" $t hath been said by the !oet(C
5hen my wealth faileth( no friend assisteth me4 but when it aboundeth( all men are my friends" %ow
many enemies for the sake of wealth have consorted with me_ 6nd my com!anion( in the time of want(
hath abandoned me_
$n this manner he continued to admonish his son [asan 9edr)ed)?een until his s!irit de!arted" The
house became a scene of mournin#( and the /ulEDn and all the 1meers #rieved for him4 and they buried
him" They continued their mournin# durin# a !eriod of two months( and the son of Noor)ed)?een rode
not out nor went to the court nor !resented himself before the /ulEDn4 and the =in# instated one of the
Chamberlains in his !lace( and a!!ointed a new 5eOeer in the !lace of his father( and ordered this
5eOeer to !ut seals u!on all the houses of Noor)ed)?een( and u!on his wealth and all his buildin#s and
other !ossessions"LL /o the new 5eOeer went with the Chamber@N+lains to the house of the 5eOeer
Noor)ed)?een( to seal its door and to arrest his son [asan 9edr)ed)?een( and brin# him before the
/ulEDn( that he mi#ht do to him what his 7ud#ment re0uired" 9ut there was amon# the troo!s one of the
memlooks of the deceased 5eOeer Noor)ed)?een4 and he could not endure that the son of his master
should be thus treated: he therefore re!aired to [asan 9edr)ed)?een( whom he found with downcast
head and mournin# heart( on account of the death of his father( and ac0uainted him with what had
!assed" [asan asked him( 5ill the execution of the order be delayed lon# enou#h for me to enter my
house(LN and take somewhat of my worldly !ossessions by which to obtain su!!ort durin# my exileR
9ut the memlook answered( /ave thyself:Cand when [asan heard these words( he covered his head
with the skirt of his robe( and( #oin# forth on foot( fled of the city: and he heard the !eo!le sayin#( The
/ulEDn hath sent the new 5eOeer to the house of the deceased 5eOeer( to seal his wealth and other
!ossessions( and to arrest his son [asan 9edr)ed)?een( and brin# him before him that he may !ut him
to death:Cand the !eo!le were mournin# for him on account of his beauty and loveliness" /o when he
heard what they said( he took a course that he had not intended( and( not knowin# whither to #o(
walked on until destiny ur#ed him to the tomb of his father"
1nterin# the burial)#round( he bent his way amon# the tombs until he seated himself at that of his
father( where he removed his skirt from over his head" 6nd as he was sittin# there( a *ew of 1l)9aHrah
a!!roached( and said to him( 5herefore( ; my master( do $ see thee thus chan#edR %e answered( $ was
7ust now slee!in#( and $ beheld my father re!roachin# me for havin# failed to visit his tomb:@N@
wherefore $ rose in alarm( fearin# that the day would !ass without my visitin# it( and so the occurrence
would distress me" The *ew then said to him( ; my master( thy father des!atched some vessels with
merchandise( and some of them have returned4 and it is my wish to !urchase of thee the car#o of every
vessel that hath arrived for a thousand !ieces of #old4Cand so sayin#( he took out a !urse filled with
#old( and counted out from it a thousand !ieces( which he !aid to [asan the son of the 5eOeer( and said
to him( 5rite me a !a!er( and seal it" /o [asan took a !a!er( and wrote u!on it( The writer of this
!a!er( [asan 9edr)ed)?een( the son of the 5eOeer Noor)ed)?een( hath sold to the *ew such a one the
whole car#o of every one of his father's vessels that hath returned from her voya#e( for a thousand
!ieces of #old( and hath received the !rice in advance" 6nd after he had taken a co!yL- of it( the *ew
went away with the !a!er4 and [asan we!t( reflectin# u!on his former state of di#nity and favour" 6t
len#th the ni#ht closed in u!on him( and slee! overtook him( and he remained aslee! at his father's
tomb until the moon rose when his head rolled from the tomb( and he lay and sle!t on his back( his face
shinin# in the moonli#ht"
Now the burial)#round was inhabited by believin# *inn4 and a *inneeyeh( comin# forth( saw the face of
[asan as he lay aslee!( and when she beheld him( was sur!rised at his beauty and loveliness( and
exclaimed( 1xtolled be 6llah's !erfection_ This youth is like none but the vir#ins of !aradise_C/he
then soared into the air( to !erform her accustomed circuits( and saw an '1freet on his fli#ht" /he saluted
him( and he returned her salutation4 and she said to him( 5hence comest thouR %e answered from
Cairo:Cand she said to him( 5ilt thou #o with me to behold the beauty of the youth who is slee!in# in
the burial)#roundR %e re!lied( Ses" /o they went to#ether4 and when they had descended into the
burial)#round( she said to him( %ast thou seen in the course of thy life a !erson like thisRC6nd the
'1freet looked u!on him( and exclaimed( 1xtolled be the !erfection of %im unto whom none is to be
com!ared_ 9ut( ; my sister( he added( if thou desire( $ will relate to thee what $ have seen"CTell me(
she re!lied: so he said( $ have seen a !erson resemblin# this youth in the land of 1#y!t4 and that !erson
is the dau#hter of the 5eOeer" The =in# had heard of her( and demanded her of her father( the 5eOeer
/hems)ed)?een( in marria#e4 but he answered him( ; our lord the /ulEDn( acce!t my excuse( and !ity
my #rief4 for thou knowest that my brother Noor)ed)?een de!arted from us( and we know not@NL
where he is4 and that he shared with me the office of 5eOeer4 and the cause of his de!arture was this(
that $ was sittin# conversin# with him on the sub7ect of marria#e( and he was an#ry with me( and in
an#er went away:Cand he related to the =in# all that had !assed between them4 addin#( This was the
cause of his indi#nation( and $ have been under an oath that $ will not marry my dau#hter to any but the
son of my brother from the day that her mother #ave birth to her4 and that was about fifteen years a#o:
and lately $ heard that my brother had married the dau#hter of the 5eOeer of 1l)9aHrah( and obtained a
son by her4 and $ will not marry my dau#hter to any but him( in honour of my brother" 6fter $ had heard
this( $ recorded the@NN date of my marria#e( and of my wife's conce!tion( and of the birth of this
dau#hter: she is intended for the son of her uncle4 and of other maidens there are !lenty"C9ut when the
/ulEDn heard these words of the 5eOeer( he was violently enra#ed( and said( %ow is it that such a one as
myself demandeth in marria#e a dau#hter from one like thee( and thou withholdest her from him( and
excusest thyself by an absurd !retextR 9y my head( $ will not marry her but to one of less consideration
than myself( in scorn of thy !ride_C6nd the =in# had a hum!backed #room( with a hum! before and a
hum! behind4 and he ordered him to be brou#ht( and affianced him to the dau#hter of the 5eOeer(
commandin# that he should introduce himself to her this ni#ht( and be conducted in !om!ous
!rocession" $ left him in the midst of the memlooks of the /ulEDn( who were surroundin# him with
li#hted candles in their hands( lau#hin# at him and mockin# him( at the door of the bath( while the
dau#hter of the 5eOeer was sittin# wee!in# in the midst of the dye)womenLU and tire)women"LW /he
resembles more than any other !erson this youth" They have !rohibited her father from #oin# to her4
and $ have never seen( ; my sister( a more u#ly wretch than this hum!back: but as to the maiden( she is
more beautiful than this youth"
To this story of the '1freet( the *inneeyeh answered( Thou liest4 for this youth is the most beautiful of
the !eo!le of his a#e" 9ut the '1freet re!lied( 9y 6llah( ; my sister( the maiden is more beautiful than
he: however( none but he is suited to her4 for they resemble each other( and !robably are brother and
sister( or cousins4 and how will she be thrown away u!on this hum!back_ /he therefore said to him( ;
my brother( let us !lace ourselves beneath him and lift him u! and take him to the maiden of whom
thou s!eakest( and see which of the two is more beautiful" The '1freet answered( $ hear and obey: this
!ro!osal is ri#ht( and there can be no better determination than this which thou hast chosen4 therefore $
will carry him" /o he lifted him u!( and soared into the sky( and the *inneeyeh flew by his side until he
descended with him in the city of Cairo( where he !laced him u!on a maHEabah(L, and roused him from
his slee!"L.
5hen( therefore( he awoke( and found that he was not at his father's tomb in the land of 1l)9aHrah( he
looked to the ri#ht and left( and !erceived that he was in a city that was not 1l)9aHrah( and would have
cried out( but the '1freet winked to him( and( li#htin# for him a candle( said to him( =now that $ have
brou#ht thee hither( and $ desire to do thee a service for the sake of 2od: take( therefore( this@N- candle(
and #o with it to yonder bath( and mix with the !eo!le there( and !roceed with them until thou arrivest
at the saloon of the bride4 then #o before( and enter the saloon( and fear no one4 and when thou hast
entered( station thyself on the ri#ht of the hum!backed bride#room4 and whenever the tire)women and
sin#in#)women and dye)women come to thee( !ut thy hand into thy !ocket: thou wilt find it full of
#old( and do thou take it by the handful and throw it to them4 and ima#ine not that thou wilt !ut thy
hand in and not find it filled with #old: #ive therefore to every one who cometh to thee by the handful(
and fear nothin#4 but rely u!on %im who created thee4 for this will not be throu#h thine own stren#th or
!ower( but throu#h the stren#th of 2od( and his !ower"
;n hearin# these words of the '1freet( [asan 9edr)ed)?een said( 5hat is this event( and what manner
of kindness is thisR 6nd he went with his candle to the bath( where he found the hum!back mounted on
his horse4 and he 7oined himself to the !arty( in the@NU same #arb in which he had arrived( and with the
same comely a!!earance4 bein# attired with a EarbooshNZ and turban( and a fara7eeyehN+ interwoven
with #old" %e !roceeded with the !om!ous train( and every time that the sin#in#)women sto!!ed for
the !eo!le to #ive them money( he !ut his hand into his !ocket( and found it filled with #old( and took it
by the handful and threw it into the tambourine(N@ for the sin#in#)women and tire)women( fillin# the
tambourine with !ieces of #old: and the sin#in#)women were amaOed( and the !eo!le wondered at his
beauty and loveliness" Thus he continued to do until they arrived at the house of the 5eOeer( when the
chamberlains drove back the !eo!le( and !revented their entrance4 but the sin#in#)women and tire)
women said( 9y 6llah( we will not enter unless this youth enter with us( for he hath overwhelmed us
with his favours( and the bride shall not be dis!layed unless he be !resent:Cand u!on this they entered
with him into the saloon of the festivity( and seated him( in s!ite of the hum!backed bride#room" 6ll
the ladies of the 1meers and 5eOeers and Chamberlains were ran#ed in two rows( each lady holdin# a
lar#e li#hted candle( and havin# her head)veil drawn across the lower !art of her face: thus they stood
in two rows( to the ri#ht and the left( from the foot of the couch of the bride to the u!!er end of the
leewDn that ad7oined the chamber from which the bride was to come forth" 6nd when the ladies beheld
[asan 9edr)ed)?een and his beauty and loveliness( his face shinin# like the crescent of the moon( the
hearts of all of them inclined to him( and the female sin#ers said to all the women who were !resent(
=now that this charmin# youth hath #iven us nothin# but red #old4 therefore fail not to serve him
!ro!erly( and obey him in whatever he shall say" The women crowded round him to #aOe at his charms(
and their minds were over!owered by astonishment at his beauty( and each of them wished that she
mi#ht be in his bosom for a year or a month or an hour: they removed the veils from their faces( and
their hearts were !er!lexed( and they said( *oy to the !erson to whom this youth belon#eth( or to the
!erson over whom he is lord_ Then they im!recated evil u!on the hum!backed #room and him who
was the cause of his marria#e to that lovely maiden4 and every time that they !rayed for blessin#s u!on
[asan 9edr)ed)?een( they im!recated misfortunes u!on the hum!back"
The sin#in#)women then beat the tambourines( and the tire)women a!!roached with the dau#hter of the
5eOeer in the midst of them" They had !erfumed her with sweet scents and essences( and clad her( and
adorned her hair and neck with various ornaments(@NW deckin# her with #arments such as were worn
by the ancient monarchs of 8ersia" 6mon# these was a loose #own embroidered with red #old(
!resentin# the forms of wild beasts and birds( han#in# down over her other clothes4 and round her neck
was a necklace worth thousands( com!osed of 7ewels such as neither a =in# of 1l)Semen nor a C:sar
ever collected: she was like the moon shinin# in its fourteenth ni#ht( and when she a!!roached she
resembled a [ooreeyeh"NL 1xtolled be the !erfection of him who created her so s!lendid a bein#_ The
women encom!assed her( and a!!eared like stars4 she( in the midst of them( bein# as the moon when
the clouds have withdrawn from before it" &eanwhile( [asan 9edr)ed)?een remained sittin#( with the
com!any #aOin# at him4 and as the bride a!!roached with a di#nified and #raceful #ait( the
hum!backed #room rose to her( to kiss her4 but she turned aside from him( and went and stood before
[asan( the son of her uncle" The com!any lau#hed at this4 and when they beheld her turn towards
[asan 9edr)ed)?een( and saw him !ut his hand into his !ocket and take out handfuls of #old and throw
it into the tambourine of the sin#in#)women( they were deli#hted( and said( 5e wish that this bride
were thine:Cand he smiled" 6ll this time the hum!backed #room was alone( lookin# like an a!e4 and
every time that they li#hted his candle it went out a#ain( and he was confounded( and remained sittin#
in the dark( full of secret indi#nation( with all the com!any surroundin# him( while the li#hted candles
!resented an a!!earance of beauty that was most admirable( so that every !erson of reflection was
amaOed at their s!lendour" 9ut as to the bride( she raised her hands towards heaven( and said( ; 6llah(
make this to be my husband( and relieve me from this hum!backed #room_CThe tire)women then
!roceeded to dis!lay the bride in different dresses( to the seventh suit( before [asan 9edr)ed)?een of
1l)9aHrah( the hum!backed #room remainin# alone4 and when they had finished this ceremony they
#ave !ermission to the com!any to de!art: so all who were !resent at the festivity( both women and
children( went out( exce!t [asan 9edr)ed)?een and the hum!backed #room4 after which the tire)
women conducted the bride to an inner chamber( to take off her ornaments and outer robes( and to
!re!are her for the bride#room's visit"
A!on this( the hum!backed #room a!!roached [asan 9edr)ed)?een( and said to him( ; my master(
thou hast made us ha!!y by thy com!any this ni#ht( and overwhelmed us with thy favours4 but now
wherefore dost thou not rise and #o to thy house without thy bein#@N, e7ectedR %e answered( $n the
name of 6llah4Cand rose( and went out from the door: but the '1freet met him( and said unto him( /tay(
; 9edr)ed)?een4 and when the hum!back retires into the !rivate closet( enter thou and seat thyself in
the bride)chamber4 and when the bride cometh( say to her( $ am thy husband4 and the =in# had not
recourse to this strata#em from any other motive than his fearin# for thee the effect of the eye4NN and
this whom thou hast seen is one of our #rooms:Cthen a!!roach her( and uncover her face( and fear no
evil from any one"
5hile 9edr)ed)?een was thus conversin# with the '1freet( lo( the #room entered the closet( and seated
himself4 and immediately the '1freet rose before him( from the trou#h of water that was in the closet(N-
in the form of a mouse( and
cried ^eek_C5hat brou#ht thee hereR said the
hum!back" The mouse then increased in siOe( and became like a cat4 and then increased( and became a
do#( and cried( ';wh_ ';wh_ 6t the si#ht of this the #room was terrified( and exclaimed( 2et away( thou
unlucky_NU The do#( however( still increased and swelled until it became an ass( and brayed in his face(
cryin#( %DJ_ %DJ_Cu!on which the #room( in terror( cried out( Come to my aid( ; !eo!le of the
house_ 9ut lo( the ass increased( and became like a buffalo( and( sto!!in# u! the !lace before him(
s!oke with the s!eech of a son of 6dam( and said( 5o be to thee( ; hum!back_ ; filthiest of #rooms_
A!on this the #room was seiOed with a colick( and seated himself u!on the slabs( and his teeth knocked
to#ether" The '1freet then said to him" %ath the earth become narrow to thee( that thou wouldst marry
none but my mistressR 9ut the #room was silent"@N. <eturn me an answer(
said the '1freet( or $ will make thine abode to be in the dust_C9y 6llah( then answered the #room( $ am
not in fault4 for they com!elled me( and $ knew not that she had a lover amon# the buffaloes4 but now $
re!ent before 6llah and before thee" Then the '1freet said( $ swear by 6llah that if thou de!art now from
this !lace( or utter a word before the sun hath risen( $ will slay thee:
and when the sun hath risen #o thy way( and never return to this house" 6nd he seiOed the hum!backed
#room( and( !lacin# his head u!side down u!on the slabs( and his feet u!wards( said to him( <emain
here( and $ will watch thee until sunrise"CThus did it ha!!en to the hum!back"
Now( as to [asan 9edr)ed)?een of 1l)9aHrah( he left the hum!back and the '1freet contendin#
to#ether( and( enterin# the house( seated himself in the bride)chamber4 and lo( the bride a!!roached(
accom!anied by an old woman( who sto!!ed at the door of the chamber( and said( ; 6boo)/hihDb(NW
rise( and take thy bride4 and $ commend thee to the care of 6llah" Then the old woman went away( and
the bride( whose name was /itt)el)[osn(N, advanced to the u!!er end of the chamber" %er heart was
broken( and she said within herself( 9y 6llah( $ will not suffer him to caress me thou#h my s!irit de!art
from me_ 9ut when she had !roceeded to the u!!er end of the chamber( she beheld 9edr)ed)?een( and
said( &y beloved( until this hour art thou remainin#R $ had said within myself( !erha!s thou and the
hum!backed #room are to share me between you"C5hat( said he( should #ive@-Z the #room access to
thee( and wherefore should he be my !artner in the !ossession of theeRC5ho( then( she asked( is my
husbandR Thou or heRC; my mistress( answered 9edr)ed)?een( we did not this for any other !ur!ose
than to make a 7est of him( and that we mi#ht lau#h at him4 for when the tire)women and the sin#in#)
women and thy family beheld thine admirable beauty( they feared for us the effect of the eye( and thy
father hired him for ten !ieces of #old( in order that he mi#ht divert from us the eye4 and now he hath
de!arted" 5hen /itt)el)[osn heard these words of 9edr)ed)?een( she smiled( and uttered a #entle
lau#h( and said( 9y 6llah( thou hast extin#uished my fire_ Take me then( $ con7ure thee( and !ress me to
thy bosom"C6nd they embraced each other"
Not lon# after this( the '1freet said to the *inneeyeh( 6rise( and !lace thyself beneath the youth( and let
us convey him back( lest the mornin# overtake us4 for the time is near" /o she advanced towards him(
and( !lacin# herself beneath his skirt( as he lay aslee!( took him u!( and flew away with him( in the
state in which she found him( clad only in his shirt( and !ursued her fli#ht with the '1freet by her side"
9ut 2od #ave !ermission to some an#els to cast at the '1freet a shootin#)star of fire( and he was burnt"
The *inneeyeh( however( esca!ed unhurt( and de!osited 9edr)ed)?een in the !lace over which the
shootin#)star had burnt the '1freet" /he would not !ass beyond it( fearin# for his safety4 and as destiny
had a!!ointed( this !lace was ?amascus: so she !laced him by one of the #ates of this city( and flew
away"
5hen dayli#ht therefore came( and the #ates were o!ened( the !eo!le( comin# forth( beheld a beautiful
youth clad in his shirt( and with a cotton skull)ca! without a turban" $n conse0uence of his havin# been
so lon# wakeful( he was now immersed in slee!4 and when the !eo!le saw him( some said( 5ould that
he had waited till he had !ut on his clothes_Canother said( ;b7ects of !ity are the children of men of
condition_ 8robably this youth hath 7ust come forth from his drinkin#)!lace( on account of some
business( and intoxication hath overcome him( and he hath wandered from the !lace to which he would
#o until he arrived at the #ate of the city( and( findin# it locked( hath sle!t here"CThey had ex!ressed
various o!inions res!ectin# him( and were wonderin# at his case( when 9edr)ed)?een awoke"
8erceivin# that he was at the #ate of a city( and surrounded by men( he was astonished( and said( 5here
am $( ; #ood !eo!le4 and what is the cause of your assemblin# around me( and what hath befallen
me@-+ amon# youR They answered( 5e saw thee at the call to mornin#)!rayer lyin# at this #ate aslee!4
and we know nothin# more of thy case" 5here wast thou slee!in# this last ni#htRC9y 6llah( ; !eo!le(
he re!lied( $ was slee!in# this last ni#ht in Cairo"C;n hearin# this( one of them said( ?ost thou eat
GasheeshRN. 6nother said( Thou art mad" %ow couldst thou be !assin# the ni#ht in Cairo( and be
slee!in# in the mornin# at the city of ?amascusRC%e said to them( 9y 6llah( ; #ood !eo!le( $ will tell
you no falsehood: $ was last ni#ht in the land of 1#y!t( and the day before $ was at 1l)9aHrah" ;ne of
them said( This is a wonderful thin#_ 6nother said( This youth is mad" 6nd they cla!!ed their hands at
him( and( conversin# to#ether( said( 6las( for his youth_ 9y 6llah( there is no denyin# his madness_C
They then said to him( <eturn to thy reason" 9ut he re!lied( $ was yesterday a bride#room in the land of
1#y!t"C8robably thou hast dreamt( said they( and hast seen this of which thou s!eakest@-@ in thy
slee!" 6nd [asan was confounded( and said( 9y 6llah( this was not a dream: and where is the
hum!backed #room who was sittin# with us( and the !urse of #old that $ hadR 6nd where are my
clothes and my drawersRC%e then rose( and entered the city( and !roceeded throu#h its #reat
thorou#hfare)streets and market)streets4 and the !eo!le crowded round him and !araded him: so he
entered the sho! of a cook" Now this cook was a robber(-Z whom 2od had caused to re!ent of his
unlawful actions( and he had o!ened a cook's sho!4 and all the !eo!le of ?amascus feared him on
account of his boldness4 therefore( when they saw that the youth had entered this sho!( they left him(
bein# afraid"
5hen the cook beheld [asan 9edr)ed)?een( and observed his beauty and comeliness( love for him
entered his heart( and he said to him( 5hence art thou( ; youn# manR <elate to me thy story4 for thou
art become dearer to me than my soul"C/o he related to him all that had ha!!ened( from be#innin# to
end: and the cook said to him( ; my master 9edr)ed)?een( know that this is a wonderful event and an
extraordinary story4 but( ; my son( conceal thy case until 2od dis!el thy trouble( and remain with me
in this !lace4 and as $ have not a son( $ will ado!t thee as such" 9edr)ed)?een re!lied( 'et it be as thou
desirest( ; uncle" 6nd immediately the cook went out to the mart( and bou#ht for 9edr)ed)?een costly
clothes( and !ut them on him: he then went to the PD\ee( and made a declaration that he was his
ado!ted son:-+ so [asan 9edr)ed)?een became known throu#hout the city of ?amascus as the son of
the cook4 and he sat with him in the sho! to receive the money( and in this situation he remained"
Now as to /itt)el)[osn( when daybreak came and she awoke( she found not [asan 9edr)ed)?een
remainin# with her( and( ima#inin# that he would soon return( she sat a while ex!ectin# him4 and lo(
her father came in to her( troubled at that which had befallen him from the /ulEDn( and at his havin#
married his dau#hter by force to one of his servants( the hum!backed #room4 and he said within
himself( $ will kill this #irl if she have suffered the wretch to caress her" /o he advanced to the bride)
chamber( and( sto!!in# at the door( said( ; /itt)el)[osn_ /he answered( 5ell( ; my master_Cand came
forth to him( walkin# with a vacillatin# #ait( throu#h 7oy( and kissed the #round before him4 and her
countenance beamed with increased s!lendour in conse0uence of her union with that #aOelle" 5hen her
father( therefore( saw her in this state( he exclaimed to her( ; thou base creature_ art thou deli#hted with
this #roomR ;n hearin# these@-L words of her father( /itt)el)[osn smiled( and re!lied( 9y 6llah( it is
enou#h that thou hast done( and that the !eo!le lau#h at me( and !ut me on an e0uality with this #room(
who is not( in my estimation( of the value of a !arin# of one of my fin#er)nails4 but as to my husbandC
by 6llah( $ never in the course of my life !assed a ni#ht more deli#htful than that which $ have 7ust
!assed in his com!any: therefore 7est not with me by mentionin# that hum!back"C5hen her father
heard what she said he was filled with ra#e4 his eyes #lared so that little a!!eared of them but the
white( and he said to her( 5o to thee_ 5hat are these words that thou sayestR Ferily the hum!backed
#room hath !assed the ni#ht with thee_C$ con7ure thee by 6llah( she re7oined( that thou mention him
not" &ay 6llah re7ect him( and re7ect his father_ Continue not then to mock me by mentionin# him4 for
the #room was only hired for ten !ieces of #old( and he took his hire and de!arted4 and $ came and
entered the bride)chamber( and beheld my husband seated( after the sin#in#)women had dis!layed me
before him4 and he threw them red #old until he had enriched the !oor who were !resent" $ have
reclined u!on the bosom of my #entle)hearted husband( with the black eyes and the 7oined eyebrows"C
5hen her father heard this( the li#ht became darkness before his face( and he exclaimed to her( ; thou
abandoned one_ 5hat is this that thou sayestR 5here is thy reasonRC; my father( she re!lied( thou
hast broken my heart in !ieces_ 5herefore dost thou !ay no attentionR This of whom $ s!ake is my
husband( and he hath retired to his !rivate closet"
/o her father went thither( in a state of astonishment( and( enterin# the closet( found the hum!backed
#room with his head u!on the slabs and his feet turned u!wards4 and the 5eOeer was confounded at the
si#ht( and said( $s not this the hum!backRCand he s!oke to him4 but the hum!back returned no answer(
thinkin# that it was the '1freet who addressed him" The 5eOeer( therefore( cried out at him with a loud
voice( and said to him( /!eak( or $ will cut off thy head with this sword_ A!on which the hum!back
exclaimed( 9y 6llah( ; sheykh of the '1freets( from the time that thou !lacedst me here $ have not
raised my head: $ con7ure thee therefore that thou shew favour to me_CThe 5eOeer( on hearin# the
hum!back thus address him( said to him( 5hat sayest thouR $ am the father of the bride( and $ am not
an '1freet"CThen said the hum!back( &y life is not in thy hand( nor art thou able to take my soul4 so
#o thy way before he come to thee who hath treated me in this manner" Se would not marry me@-N to
any but the mistress of buffaloes and the mistress of '1freets_ &ay 6llah( then( confound him who
married me to her( and confound him who was the cause of it_CThen did the hum!backed #room
address the 5eOeer( the father of the bride( a#ain( sayin#( 6llah confound him who was the cause of
this_C<ise( said the 5eOeer( and de!art from this !lace"C6m $ mad( he re!lied( that $ should #o with
thee without the !ermission of the '1freetR 3or he said to me( 5hen the sun shall have risen #o thy way"
C%ath the sun then risen or notR 3or $ cannot de!art from my !lace until the sun hath risen"CA!on
this the 5eOeer said to him( 5ho brou#ht thee to this !laceR %e answered( $ came hither yesterday( and
a dust rose from the midst of the water( and cried out( and increased in bulk until it became of the siOe
of a buffalo( and said to me words that entered my ear" 'eave me( therefore( and #o" 6llah confound the
bride and him who married me to her_CThe 5eOeer then a!!roached him( and dra##ed him forth( and
he went out runnin#( doubtin# whether the sun had risen( and went u! to the /ulEDn( and informed him
of that which had ha!!ened to him with the '1freet"
9ut as to the 5eOeer( the father of the bride( he returned with his reason !er!lexed res!ectin# the case
of his dau#hter( and said to her( ; my dau#hter( reveal to me thy story" /he re!lied( The ele#ant !erson
before whom $ was dis!layed remained with me4 and if thou believe me not( see this is his turban(
twisted 7ust as it was( u!on the chair(-@ and his drawers are under the bed( and in them is somethin#
wra!!ed u!: $ know not what it is" /o( when her father heard this( he entered the bride)chamber( and
found the turban of [asan 9edr)ed)?een( the son of his brother4 and takin# it u!( he turned it over( and
said( This is such a turban as is worn by 5eOeers( exce!t that it is of the &XHilee-L kind" %e then
observed an amulet sewed in his red cloth ca!4 and he unsewed it4 and he took the drawers( and found
the !urse containin# the thousand !ieces of #old( and( o!enin# this( he discovered in it a !a!er( which(
when he had read it he saw to be a co!y of the *ew's contract( with the name of [asan 9edr)ed)?een
the son of Noor)ed)?een of Cairo4 and he found also the thousand !ieces of #old" 9ut when he read the
!a!er he cried aloud and fell down in a swoon4 and as soon as he recovered( and understood the case(
he was astonished( and exclaimed( There is no deity but 2od( who is able to do whatsoever %e willeth_
Then said he( ; my dau#hter( knowest thou who hath become thy husbandR /he answered( No"C%e is
the son of my brother( said he( and the son of@-- thine uncle4 and these thousand !ieces of #old are thy
dowry" 1xtolled be the !erfection of 2od_ 5ould that $ knew how this event hath ha!!ened_CThen he
o!ened the amulet that was sewed u!( and found in it a !a!er written by the hand of his brother Noor)
ed)?een of Cairo( the father of [asan 9edr)ed)?een: and when he beheld the hand)writin# of his
brother he re!eated this cou!let:C
$ behold their footste!s( and melt with desire( and !our forth my tears u!on the !laces they have
trodden( 9e##in# of %im who hath afflicted me by their se!aration( that %e will bless me some day by
a reunion"
/o sayin#( he read the !a!er( and found in it the date of his marria#e to the dau#hter of the 5eOeer of
1l)9aHrah( and that of his first introduction to her( and a record of his a#e at the time of his death( and
the date of the birth of his son [asan 9edr)ed)?een4 and he wondered( and shook with deli#ht4 and(
com!arin# what had ha!!ened to his brother with the events that had ha!!ened to himself( he found
that they corres!onded exactly: his marria#e and the marria#e of his brother a#reed in date( and their
first visits to their res!ective wives in like manner4 as also the birth of 9edr)ed)?een( the son of his
brother( and the birth of his dau#hter /itt)el)[osn" %e took the two !a!ers( and( #oin# u! with them to
the /ulEDn( he ac0uainted him with all that had ha!!ened from the first of the case to the last4 and the
=in# was astonished( and ordered that the case should be immediately recorded" The 5eOeer then
remained in ex!ectation of the son of his brother4 but he met with no tidin#s of him: so he said( 9y
6llah( $@-U will do a deed that none hath done before me:Cand he took an ink)case and a !en( and
wrote an inventory of the furniture of the house( describin# the money)chest as havin# been in such a
!lace( and a certain curtain in such another !lace( and everythin# in the house in like manner4 and he
folded u! the !a!er( and ordered that all the furniture should be stored u!4 and he took the turban with
its Earboosh( and also the fara7eeyeh and the !urse( and ke!t them himself"
6fter this( in due time( the dau#hter of the 5eOeer #ave birth to a son like the moon( resemblin# his
father in beauty and symmetry and s!lendour and loveliness" They received him from his mother( and
blackened the ed#es of his eyes with koGl(-N and delivered him to the nurses( and named him '67eeb"--
%is day was as a month4 and his month( as a year4-U and when seven years had !assed over him( his
#randfather committed him to a schoolmaster( whom he char#ed to educate him with #reat care" %e
continued at the school four years( and used to fi#ht with his schoolfellows( and abuse them( sayin# to
them( 5ho amon# you is like meR $ am the son of the 5eOeer of Cairo"C/o the boys went to#ether to
com!lain to the monitor of that which they suffered from '67eeb4 and the monitor said to them( $ will
teach you somethin# to say to him when he cometh( and he shall re!ent of his comin# to the school4
and it is this: to)morrow( when he is come( seat yourselves around him( and say to one another( 9y
6llah( none shall !lay with us at this #ame exce!tin# him who shall tell us the name of his mother and
that of his father4 and he who knoweth not the name of his mother and that of his father is ille#itimate4
therefore he shall not !lay with us" 6ccordin#ly( on the followin# mornin# they came to the school( and
'67eeb was there4 and the boys surrounded him( and said as the monitor had directed them( and they all
a#reed to the !ro!osal4 and one said( &y name is &D7id( and my mother is '6lawee( and my father is
'1OO)ed)?een:Cthen another said after the same manner( and another( and so on( until the turn came to
'67eeb4 and he said to them( &y name is '67eeb( and my mother is /itt)el)[osn( and my father is
/hems)ed)?een( the 5eOeer of Cairo:Cand they said to him( 9y 6llah( the 5eOeer is not thy father"
'67eeb re!lied( the 5eOeer is my father indeed:Cand u!on this the boys lau#hed at him( and cla!!ed
their hands at him( sayin#( Thou knowest not who is thy father: #et away from us( therefore4 for none
shall !lay with us exce!tin# him who knoweth the name of his father:Cand immediately the boys
dis!ersed from around@-W him( and made a 7est of him" $n conse0uence of this treatment his heart
became contracted( and he was almost choked with cryin#4 and the monitor said to him( ?ost thou
really consider as thy father him who is thy #randfather( the 5eOeer( the father of thy mother /itt)el)
[osnR Thy father thou knowest not( nor do we know him4 for the /ulEDn married her to the
hum!backed #room( and the *inn came and !revented him: so( if thou know not thy father( they will
re#ard thee amon# them as ille#itimate" ?ost thou not see that the son of the woman who is coveted as
a wife knoweth his fatherR The 5eOeer of Cairo is thy #randfather4 and as to thy father( we know him
not( nor dost thou: return therefore to thy reason"
A!on this( '67eeb went immediately to his mother( /itt)el)[osn( and com!lained to her( and we!t4 and
his wee!in# !revented his s!eakin#: and when his mother heard his com!laint and his cryin#( her heart
was inflamed for him( and she said to him( ; my son( what maketh thee wee!R Tell me thy story"C/o
he told her what he had heard from the boys and from the monitor( and said to her( ; my mother( who
is my fatherR /he answered him( Thy father is the 5eOeer of Cairo" 9ut he said( %e is not my father:
tell me not( therefore( what is false4 for the 5eOeer is thy father4 not mine: who then is my fatherR $f
thou do not tell me truly4 $ will kill myself with this da##er"C6nd when his mother heard the mention
of his father( she we!t at the allusion to the son of her uncle( and rememberin# the amiable 0ualities of
[asan 9edr)ed)?een of 1l)9aHrah( and@-, what had ha!!ened to herself and him( she recited an ode
commencin# thus:C
They excited love in my heart( and de!arted4 and far distant hath their abode become_ <eason forsook
me when they withdrew( and slee! and !atience abandoned me"
6nd she we!t and cried out( and her son did the same4 and lo( the 5eOeer entered" %is heart burned
within him when he beheld their state( and he said to them( 5hat causeth you to wee!R /he ac0uainted
him therefore with the treatment that her son had ex!erienced from the other boys of the school4 and
he( also( we!t( and called to mind what had ha!!ened to his brother and himself and his dau#hter( and
he knew not the mystery of the case" Then suddenly he arose( and( #oin# u! to the council)chamber(
!resented himself before the =in#( and related to him the story( be##in# his !ermission to travel
eastwards to the city of 1l)9aHrah( that he mi#ht make in0uiries res!ectin# the son of his brother4 and
re0uestin# also of the /ulEDn that he would write letters for him to all the countries throu#h which he
mi#ht !ass( that( if he found the son of his brother in any !lace( he mi#ht take him away" 6nd he we!t
before the /ulEDn( and the heart of the =in# was moved with com!assion for him( and he wrote for him
letters to all the re#ions and countries4 u!on which the 5eOeer re7oiced( and( havin# offered u! a !rayer
for the /ulEDn( took leave of him"
%e descended immediately and !re!ared for the 7ourney( and( takin# with him all that he re0uired(
to#ether with his dau#hter and her son '67eeb( travelled the first day and the second and the third( and
!roceeded until he arrived at the city of ?amascus( and beheld it with its trees and streams celebrated
by the !oets" %e ali#hted in the o!en s!ace called &eydDn el)[aHb]4 and( when he had !itched his
tents( said to his servants( 5e will take rest here two days" /o the servants entered the city to #ratify
their various desires4 one to sell( another to buy( a third to enter the bath( and a fourth to visit the
mos0ue of the 9enee)Ameiyeh( which hath not in the world its e0ual" '67eeb also entered the city(
accom!anied by his eunuch( in order to amuse themselves4 and the eunuch walked behind '67eeb(
havin# in his hand a whi! that would strike down a camel" 6nd when the !eo!le of ?amascus beheld
'67eeb( and his ele#ance of form and !erfect beauty( and observed him to be endowed with admirable
loveliness( and with kindness of manner( more bland than the northern@-. Oe!hyr( sweeter than lim!id
water to the thirsty( and more !leasant than health to the diseased( they followed him( runnin# after him
in crowds4 and some sat waitin# in the streets to see him !ass" Thus did they until the slave( as destiny
had ordained( sto!!ed before the sho! of '67eeb's father( [asan 9edr)ed)?een( in which the cook who
had acknowled#ed him as his ado!ted son in the !resence of the PD\ees and witnesses had established
him4 and this cook had died( and left him all his !ro!erty( to#ether with his sho!"-W
5hen the slave sto!!ed there on this day( the servants also sto!!ed with him: and [asan 9edr)ed)?een
beheld his son( and was charmed with him( observin# his extreme beauty: his soul yearned towards him
with natural sym!athy( and his heart clun# to him" %e had 7ust !re!ared a conserve of !ome#ranate)
#rains( sweetened with su#ar4 and the affection divinely ins!ired increased in him4 so he called out in
ecstasy( and said( ; my master( ; thou who hast ca!tivated my heart and soul( and to whom my
affections are drawn by sym!athy_ wilt thou come in to me and refresh my heart and eat of my foodR
6nd when he had said this( his eyes overflowed with involuntary tears( and he reflected u!on his !ast
ex!erience and his condition at the !resent time" 5hen '67eeb heard the address of his father( his heart
was in like manner drawn towards him by sym!athy( and he looked towards the eunuch( and said to
him( Ferily my heart is moved with sym!athy for this cook: he seemeth to have !arted with a son:
come in with us( therefore( that we may refresh his heart and eat his offerin# of hos!itality: !erha!s
2od( throu#h our so doin#( may accom!lish our union with our father" 9ut the eunuch re!lied( 9y
6llah( ; my master( it is not !ro!er" %ow should we( who are of the family of the 5eOeer( eat in the
sho! of a cookR $ will( however( drive away the !eo!le from thee( lest they see thee: otherwise it will be
im!ossible for thee to enter the sho!" ;n hearin# the re!ly of the eunuch( 9edr)ed)?een was sur!rised(
and( lookin# towards him( while his tears flowed down his cheeks( said to him( Ferily my heart loveth
him"C'et us hear no more of these words( said the eunuch:Cand he desired the youth not to enter: but
the father of '67eeb cast his eyes u!on the eunuch( and said( 2reat sir( wherefore wilt thou not refresh
my heart and come in to meR ; thou who resemblest black dust( but whose heart is white_ ; thou who
hast been described in such and such terms of !raise_Cso that the eunuch lau#hed( and said( 5hat
wouldst thou sayR /!eak( and be brief"C6nd 9edr)ed)?een recited this cou!let:@UZC
5ere it not for his accom!lishments and admirable faithfulness( he had not been invested with
authority in the abode of =in#s" 5hat an excellent #uardian for the Gareem is he_ ;n account of his
beauty the an#els of heaven wait u!on him_
This address !leased the eunuch so much that he took the hand of '67eeb( and entered the cook's sho!4
and 9edr)ed)?een ladled out a saucerful of conserve of !ome#ranate)#rains !re!ared with almonds and
su#ar( and the slave and the youth ate to#ether4 9edr)ed)?een sayin# to them( Se have deli#hted me by
your com!any: eat( and may it benefit you_ '67eeb then said to his father( /it down and eat with us4 and
!erha!s 2od will unite us to him whom we desire" 6nd 9edr)ed)?een said( ; my son( hast thou been
afflicted in thy tender years by the se!aration of those whom thou lovestRCSes( ; uncle( answered
'67eeb: my heart is inflamed by the absence of one of those who are dear to me: the friend who hath
withdrawn himself from me is my father( and $ and my #randfather have come abroad to search for him
throu#h the world4 and how do $ si#h for my union with him_C6nd he we!t bitterly4 and his father(
moved by his tears( we!t with him( reflectin# u!on his own desolate state( se!arated from those he
loved( de!rived of his father( and far removed from his mother4 and the eunuch was moved with
com!assion for him"
@U+
They all ate to#ether until they were satisfied4 after which( the youth and the slave arose( and 0uitted
the sho! of 9edr)ed)?een( who felt as if his soul had de!arted from his body and #one with them" %e
could not endure their absence for the twinklin# of an eye4 so he shut u! his sho! and followed them(
thou#h i#norant that the youth was his son( and walked 0uickly until he came u! to them before they
had #one out from the #reat #ate4 whereu!on the eunuch( lookin# back at him( said( 5hat dost thou
want( ; cookR 9edr)ed)?een answered( 5hen ye de!arted from me( $ felt as if my soul had 0uitted my
body( and( havin# some business in the suburb( $ was desirous of accom!anyin# you to transact my
business( and( after that( to return" 9ut the eunuch was an#ry( and said to '67eeb( Ferily this re!ast was
unlucky: res!ectful treatment hath become incumbent on us4 and see( he is followin# us from !lace to
!lace" '67eeb therefore looked round( and( seein# the cook( was enra#ed( and his face became red4 but
he said to the eunuch( /uffer him to walk in the !ublic road of the &uslims4 but when we shall have
turned from it to our tents( if he do the same( and we know that he is followin# us( we will drive him
back" 6nd he hun# down his head and went on( with the eunuch behind him" 9edr)ed)?een( however(
followed them to the &eydDn el)[aHb]( and when they had drawn near to the tents they looked back
and saw him behind them4 and '67eeb was an#ry( fearin# that the eunuch mi#ht inform his #randfather(
and lest it should be said that he had entered the cook's sho!( and that the cook had followed him" %e
looked at him till his eyes met the eye of his father( who had become as a body without a soul4 and he
fancied that his eye bore an ex!ression of deceit( and that he was !erha!s a knave: so his an#er
increased( and he took u! a stone( and threw it at his father( and the stone struck him on the forehead(
and wounded him( and he fell down in a swoon( the blood flowin# over his face" '67eeb went on with
the eunuch to the tents4 and [asan 9edr)ed)?een( when he recovered his senses( wi!ed off the blood(
and( havin# cut off a !iece of linen from his turban( bound u! his head with it( blamin# himself( and
sayin#( $ wron#ed the youth when $ shut u! my sho! and followed him( so he thou#ht $ was a deceiver"
%e then returned to his sho!( and occu!ied himself with the sale of his meats4 and he yearned with
desire for his mother( who was at 1l)9aHrah"
The 5eOeer( his uncle( remained at ?amascus three days( and then de!arted to [emH( and( havin#
entered this town( !roceeded thence( in0uirin# at every !lace where he halted in his 7ourney until he
had@U@ arrived at &Drideen and 1l)&Xsil and ?iyDr 9ekr" %e continued his 7ourney until he arrived at
the city of 1l)9aHrah( and when he had entered it and taken u! his 0uarters( he went and !resented
himself before the /ulEDn( who received him with res!ect and honour( and in0uired the reason of his
comin#: so he ac0uainted him with his story( and informed him that the 5eOeer '6lee Noor)ed)?een
was his brother" The /ulEDn e7aculated( 2od have mercy u!on him_-,Cand said( ; IDGeb(-. he was
my 5eOeer( and $ loved him much: he died twelve yearsUZ a#o( and left a son4 but we have lost him(
and have heard no tidin#s of him: his mother( however( is with us( for she is the dau#hter of my old
5eOeer" ;n hearin# from the =in# that the mother of his ne!hew was alive( the 5eOeer /hems)ed)?een
re7oiced( and said( $ am desirous of havin# an interview with her" 6nd the =in# #ave him immediate
!ermission to visit her at his brother's house: so he went thither( and kissed the threshold( and( enterin#
an o!en court( found a door over)arched with hard stone inlaid with various kinds of marble of every
colour4 and he walked alon# by the walls of the house( and as he cast his eyes around u!on them he
observed the name of his brother Noor)ed)?een inscribed on them in characters of #old4 and he went to
the name( and kissed it( and we!t" %e then advanced to the saloon of his brother's wife( the mother of
[asan 9edr)ed)?een of 1l)9aHrah" ?urin# the absence of her son she had #iven herself u! to wee!in#
and wailin# ni#ht and day4 and after she had lon# suffered from his se!aration she made for her son a
tomb of marble in the midst of the saloon( where she we!t for him ni#ht and day( slee!in# nowhere but
by this tomb" 6nd when /hems)ed)?een arrived at her a!artment he heard her voice a!ostro!hiOin# the
tomb4 and while she was thus occu!ied he entered and saluted her( and informed her that he was her
husband's brother( ac0uaintin# her with what had !assed( and revealin# to her the !articulars of the
story" %e told her that her son [asan 9edr)ed)?een had !assed a whole ni#ht with his dau#hter( and
disa!!eared in the mornin#( and that his dau#hter had borne him a son( whom he had brou#ht with him:
and when she heard this news of her son( and that he was !erha!s still livin#( and beheld her husband's
brother( she fell at his feet and kissed them( addressin# him with this cou!let:C
?ivinely is he ins!ired who ac0uainteth me with their a!!roach4 for he hath brou#ht information most
deli#htful to be heard" $f he would be satisfied with that which is cast off(U+ $ would #ive him a heart
rent in !ieces at the hour of valediction" @UL
The 5eOeer then sent to brin# '67eeb4 and when he came( his #randmother rose to him( and embraced
him( and we!t4 but /hems)ed)?een said to her( This is not a time for wee!in#( but rather a time for
!re!arin# thyself to accom!any us on our return to the land of 1#y!t: and !erha!s 2od may unite us
with thy son( my ne!hew" /he re!lied( $ hear and obey:Cand( arisin# immediately( collected all her
!ro!erty and treasures( and her female slaves( and forthwith !re!ared herself: after which the 5eOeer(
/hems)ed)?een( went u! a#ain to the /ulEDn of 1l)9aHrah( and took leave of him4 and the =in# sent
with him !resents and rarities for the /ulEDn of 1#y!t"
The 5eOeer de!arted without delay( accom!anied by his brother's wife( and continued his 7ourney until
he arrived at the city of ?amascus( where he ali#hted a#ain( and encam!ed( and said to his attendants(
5e will remain at ?amascus a week( to buy( for the /ulEDn( !resents and rarities" '67eeb then said to the
eunuch( 9oy(U@ $ lon# for a little diversion: arise( therefore( and let us #o to the market of ?amascus(
and see what is #oin# on there( and what hath ha!!ened to that cook whose confection we ate and
whose head we broke( notwithstandin# he had treated us with kindness: we acted ill towards him" The
eunuch re!lied( $ hear and obey:Cand '67eeb went forth with him from the tents( the tie of blood
incitin# him to visit his father and they entered the city( and !roceeded to the sho! of the cook( whom
they found standin# there" $t was then near the time of@UN afternoon)!rayers4 and it ha!!ened that he
had a#ain 7ust !re!ared a confection of !ome#ranate)#rains4 and when they drew near to him( the heart
of '67eeb yearned towards him when he saw him( and he !erceived the scar occasioned by the stone
that he had thrown" %e said to him( 8eace be on thee_ =now that my heart is with thee"C6nd when
9edr)ed)?een beheld him( his affections were en#rossed by him( and his heart throbbed with emotion
towards him( and he hun# down his head( desirin# to ada!t his ton#ue to s!eech( and unable to do so:
but !resently he raised his head( and( lookin# towards the youth in an humble and ab7ect manner(
recited these verses:C
$ wished for my beloved4 but when $ beheld him $ was confounded and !ossessed neither ton#ue nor
eye" $ hun# down my head in honour and reverence( and would have hidden what $ felt4 but it would
not be concealed" $ had !re!ared a volume of ex!ostulation4 but when we met $ remembered not a
word"
%e then said to them( <efresh ye my heart( and eat of my food4 for( by 6llah( as soon as $ beheld thee(
my heart yearned towards thee( and $ had not followed thee unless $ had been de!rived of my reason"C
9y 6llah( re!lied '67eeb( thou dost indeed love us( and we ate a morsel with thee4 but after it thou
ke!test close behind us and wouldst have dis#raced us: we will not eat a#ain with thee( therefore( but
on the condition of thy swearin# that thou wilt not follow us4 and otherwise we will not come to thee
a#ain henceforth4 for we are stayin# at this city a week( in order that my #randfather may !rocure
!resents for the =in#"C$ bind myself( said 9edr)ed)?een( to do as ye desire" /o '67eeb entered the
sho! with the eunuch( and 9edr)ed)?een !laced before them a saucer filled with the confection of
!ome#ranate)#rains4 u!on which '67eeb said to him( 1at with us4 and may 2od dis!el our affliction:C
and 9edr)ed)?een was deli#hted( and he ate with them4 but he turned not his eyes from the youth4 for
his heart and all his faculties were ca!tivated by him" '67eeb( observin# this( said to him( =nowest thou
not that $ told thee thou wast a rude doterR 1nou#h of this: continue not to #aOe at my face"C9edr)ed)
?een( therefore( a!olo#iOed to him( and be#an to !ut morsels into the mouth of '67eeb( and then did the
same to the eunuch" 6fterwards he !oured the water u!on their hands( and when they had washed he
loosed a na!kin of silk from his waist and wi!ed them with it" %e next s!rinkled rose)water u!on them
from a bottle that was in his sho!( and went out( and returned with two cu!s of sherbet !re!ared with
rose)water@U- infused with musk( and( !lacin# these before them( he said( Com!lete your kindness" /o
'67eeb took a cu! and drank4 and 9edr)ed)?een handed the other to the eunuch4 and both drank until
their stomachs were full( and #ratified their a!!etites to a de#ree beyond their usual habit"
They then de!arted( and hastened back to the tents( and '67eeb went in to his #randmother( the mother
of his father [asan 9edr)ed)?een4 and she kissed him( and said( 5here hast thou beenR %e answered(
$n the city" 6nd she arose( and brou#ht him a saucer of confection of !ome#ranate)#rains( which
ha!!ened to be somewhat deficient in sweetness4 and she said to the eunuch( /it down with thy master"
The eunuch said within himself( 9y 6llah( we have no a!!etite" %e( however( seated himself( and
'67eeb did the same( thou#h satiated with what he had eaten and drunk( and di!!ed a morsel of bread in
the confection( and ate it4 but it seemed to him insi!id( on account of his bein# thus cloyed( and he
loathed it( and said( 5hat is this nasty dishRC; my child( said his #randmother( dost thou find fault
with my cookeryR $t was $ who !re!ared it4 and( exce!t thy father( [asan 9edr)ed)?een( there is none
who can cook it as well as myself"C9y 6llah( ; my mistress( re!lied '67eeb( This thy dish is not well
!re!ared: we have 7ust now seen in the city a cook who had !re!ared a confection of !ome#ranate)
#rains( but its odour was such as to dilate the heart( and the confection itself( such as to excite a!!etite
in one already satiated: as to thine( in com!arison with his( it is #ood for nothin#"
%is #randmother( on hearin# this( fell into a violent ra#e( and turnin# towards the eunuch( said to him(
5o to thee_ %ast thou corru!ted my childR Thou hast taken him into the sho!s of the@UU cooks_CThe
eunuch feared( and denied( sayin#( 5e did not enter the sho!( but only !assed by it:Cbut '67eeb said(
9y 6llah( we entered and ate( and what we ate was better than this mess of thine" 6nd u!on this his
#randmother arose( and informed her husband's brother( and incensed him a#ainst the eunuch" The
slave was therefore brou#ht before the 5eOeer( and he said to him( 5herefore didst thou take my child
into the cook's sho!R The eunuch( fearin#( said a#ain( 5e did not enter"CNay( said '67eeb( we did
enter( and ate of a confection of !ome#ranate)#rains until we were satiated( and the cook #ave us to
drink sherbet with ice and su#ar" The 5eOeer's an#er with the eunuch now increased( and he asked him
a#ain4 but still he denied" Then said the 5eOeer( $f thine assertion be true( sit down and eat before us"
The eunuch therefore advanced( and would have eaten4 but he could not4 and he threw down the morsel
that was in his hand( and said( ; my master( $ am satiated since yesterday" 6nd by this the 5eOeer knew
that he had eaten in the sho! of the cook: so he ordered the female slaves to throw him down u!on the
#round( and they did so( and he #ave him a severe beatin#( while the slave cried for mercy( but still
sayin#( $ am satiated since yesterday_ The 5eOeer then interru!ted the beatin#( and said to him( ?eclare
the truth" 6nd at len#th the eunuch said( =now that we did enter the sho! of the cook while he was
cookin# !ome#ranate)#rains( and he ladled out for us some of the confection( and( by 6llah( $ never in
my life ate any like it( or any more detestable than this which is before us"
The mother of 9edr)ed)?een( enra#ed at this( said( Thou shalt #o to this cook and brin# us a saucerful
of his confection and shew it to thy master( that he may say which of the two is the better and the more
delicious"C5ell( re!lied the eunuch: and immediately she #ave him a saucer( and half a !iece of #old4
and he went to the sho!( and said to the cook( 5e have laid a wa#er res!ectin# thy confection at the
tent of our master4 for there is a mess of !ome#ranate)#rains cooked by the family: #ive us( therefore(
for this half)!iece of #old( and a!!ly thyself to !re!are it !erfectly4 for we have received an
excruciatin# beatin# on account of thy cookery" 'au#hin# at these words( 9edr)ed)?een re!lied( 9y
6llah( none excelleth in the !re!aration of this confection exce!t myself and my mother( and she is
now in a distant country" 6nd he ladled out as much as filled the saucer( and !erfected it by the addition
of some musk and rose)water" The eunuch then hastened back with it to the family4 and the mother of
[asan took it( and( tastin# its delicious flavour( immediately knew@UW who had !re!ared it( and
shrieked( and fell down in a swoon" The 5eOeer was amaOed at the event4 and they s!rinkled some
rose)water u!on her( and when she recovered she said( $f my son be yet in the world( no one but he
cooked this confection: he is my son [asan 9edr)ed)?een without doubt: for none but he can !re!are
this( exce!t myself( and it was $ who tau#ht him to do it"
5hen the 5eOeer heard these words( he re7oiced exceedin#ly( and exclaimed( ;h( how $ lon# to behold
my brother's son_ 5ill fortune( indeed( unite us with himR 9ut $ look not for our union from any but
2od( whose name be exalted_C6nd he instantly arose( and called out to his male attendants( sayin#(
'et twenty men of you #o to the sho! of the cook( and demolish it( and bind his hands behind him with
his turban( and dra# him hither by force( but without any in7ury to his !erson" They re!lied( 5ell" The
5eOeer then rode immediately to the !alace( and( !resentin# himself before the Ficeroy of ?amascus(
shewed him the contents of the letters which he had brou#ht from the /ulEDn4 and the Ficeroy( after
kissin# them( !ut them to his head( and said( 5ho is thine offenderR %e answered( 6 man who is by
trade a cook" 6nd instantly the Ficeroy ordered his Chamberlains to re!air to his sho!4 and they went
thither4 but found it demolished( and everythin# that had been in it broken4 for when the 5eOeer went
to the !alace( his servants did as he had commanded them" They@U, were then waitin# his return from
the !alace4 and 9edr)ed)?een was sayin# within himself( 5hat can they have discovered in the
confection( that such an event as this should have befallen meR 6nd when the 5eOeer returned from the
Ficeroy( and had received his !ermission to take his offender and to de!art with him( he entered the
encam!ment( and called for the cook" They brou#ht him( therefore( with his hands bound behind him
with his turban4 and when he saw his uncle he we!t bitterly( and said( ; my master( what crime have ye
found in meR The 5eOeer said to him( 6rt thou he who cooked the confection of !ome#ranate)#rainsR
%e answered( Ses: and have ye found in it anythin# that re0uires one's head to be struck offR This(
re!lied the 5eOeer( is the smallest !art of thy recom!ense"C5ilt thou not( said 9edr)ed)?een( ac0uaint
me with my crimeR The 5eOeer answered( Sea( immediately" 6nd forthwith he called out to the youn#
men( sayin#( 9rin# the camels_
They then took 9edr)ed)?een( and !ut him in a chest( and( havin# locked him u! in it( commenced
their 7ourney( and continued on their way till the a!!roach of ni#ht( when they halted and ate( and(
takin# out 9edr)ed)?een( fed him4 after which they !ut him a#ain into the chest( and in like manner
!roceeded to another station" %ere also they took him out4 and the 5eOeer said to him( 6rt thou he who
cooked the confection of !ome#ranate #rainsR %e answered( Ses( ; my master" 6nd the 5eOeer said(
/hackle his feet" 6nd they did so( and restored him to the chest" They then continued their 7ourney to
Cairo4 and when they arrived at the 0uarter called 1r)<eydDneeyeh(UL the 5eOeer commanded to take
out 9edr)ed)?een a#ain from the chest( and to brin# a car!enter( to whom he said( &ake( for this man(
a cross"UNC5hat( said 9edr)ed)?een( dost thou mean to do with itR The 5eOeer answered( $ will
crucify thee u!on it( and nail thee to it( and then !arade thee about the city"C5herefore( demanded
9edr)ed)?een( wilt thou treat me thusRCThe 5eOeer re!lied( 3or thy faulty !re!aration of the
confection of !ome#ranate)#rains( because thou madest it deficient in !e!!er"C9ecause of its
deficiency in !e!!er( exclaimed 9edr)ed)?een( wilt thou do all this to meR 6rt thou not satisfied with
havin# thus im!risoned me( and fed me every day with only one mealRCThe 5eOeer answered( 3or its
deficiency in !e!!er( thy recom!ense shall be nothin# less than death" 6nd 9edr)ed)?een was amaOed(
and bewailed his lot( and remained a while absorbed in reflection" The 5eOeer( therefore( said to him(
;f what art thou thinkin#R %e answered( ;f imbecile minds( such as thine4 for if@U. thou wert a man of
sense thou wouldst not have treated me in this manner on account of the deficiency of !e!!er"C$t is
incumbent on us( re!lied the 5eOeer( to !unish thee( that thou mayest not do the like a#ain:Cto which
9edr)ed)?een re7oined( The least of the thin#s thou hast done to me were a sufficient !unishment" The
5eOeer( however( said( Thy death is unavoidable"C6ll this conversation took !lace while the car!enter
was !re!arin# the cross4 and 9edr)ed)?een was lookin# on"
Thus they both continued until the a!!roach of ni#ht( when 9edr)ed)?een's uncle took him and !ut him
a#ain into the chest( sayin#( To)morrow shall be thy crucifixion" %e then waited until he !erceived that
he was aslee!4 u!on which he remounted( and( with the chest borne before him( entered the city( and
re!aired to his house: and when he had arrived there he said to his dau#hter /itt)el)[osn( 8raise be to
2od who hath restored to thee the son of thine uncle_ 6rise( and furnish the house as it was on the ni#ht
of the bridal dis!lay"C/he therefore ordered her female slaves to do so4 and they arose( and li#hted the
candles4 and the 5eOeer brou#ht out the !a!er u!on which he had written his inventory of the furniture
of the house( and read it( and ordered them to !ut every thin# in its !lace( so that the beholder would
not doubt that this was the very ni#ht of the bridal dis!lay" %e directed them to !ut 9edr)ed)?een's
turban in the !lace where its owner had de!osited it( and in like manner the trousers( and the !urse
which was beneath the mattress( and ordered his dau#hter to adorn herself as she was on the bridal
ni#ht( and to enter the bride)chamber4 sayin# to her( 5hen the son of thine uncle comes into thy
chamber( say to him( Thou hast loitered since thou withdrewest from me this ni#ht:Cand re0uest him
to return and converse with thee till day"C%avin# thus arran#ed everythin#( the 5eOeer took out 9edr)
ed)?een from the chest( removed the shackles from his feet( and stri!!ed him of his outer clothes(
leavin# him in his shirt"
6ll this was done while he was aslee!( unconscious of what was !assin#4 and when he awoke( and
found himself in an illuminated vestibule( he said( within himself( 6m $ bewildered by dreams( or am $
awakeR Then risin#( he advanced a little way to an inner door( and looked( and lo( he was in the house
in which the bride had been dis!layed( and he beheld the bride)chamber and the couch and his turban
and clothes" Confounded at the si#ht of these thin#s( he took one ste! forwards and another backwards(
thinkin#( 6m $ aslee! or awakeR 6nd he be#an to wi!e his forehead( and exclaimed in his
astonishment(@WZ
9y 6llah( this is the dwellin# of the bride who was here dis!layed before me: and yet $ was 7ust now in
a chest" 6nd while he was addressin# himself( behold /itt)el)[osn lifted u! the corner of the mus0uito
curtain( and said( ; my master( wilt thou not come inR for thou hast loitered since thou withdrewest
from me this ni#ht" 5hen he heard these words he looked at her face( and lau#hed( and said( Ferily(
these a!!earances are bewilderin# illusions of a dream_ Then enterin#( he si#hed4 and as he reflected
u!on what had ha!!ened to him( he was !er!lexed at his situation( and his case seemed involved in
obscurity" 'ookin# at his turban and trousers( and the !urse containin# the thousand !ieces of #old( he
exclaimed( 6llah is all)knowin#_Cbut it seemeth to me that $ am bewildered by dreams_C6nd he was
confounded in the excess of his astonishment" A!on this( therefore( /itt)el)[osn said to him( 5herefore
do $ behold thee thus astonished and !er!lexedR Thou wast not so in the commencement of the ni#ht"C
6nd he lau#hed( and asked her( %ow many years have $ been absent from theeRC6llah !reserve thee_
she exclaimed" The name of 6llah encom!ass thee_U- Thou hast only withdrawn to yonder a!artment"
5hat hath !assed in thy mindRC;n hearin# this he smiled( and re!lied( Thou hast s!oken truth4 but
when $ withdrew from thee( slee! overcame me( and $ dreamt that $ was a cook in ?amascus( and that $
lived there twelve years4UU and $ thou#ht@W+ that a youth of the sons of the #reat came to me(
accom!anied by a eunuch(Cand he !roceeded to relate what had ha!!ened to him in conse0uence of
this youth's visit: then drawin# his hand over his forehead( he felt the scar occasioned by the blow( and
exclaimed( 9y 6llah( ; my mistress( it seemeth as thou#h it were true4 for he struck me with a stone
u!on my forehead( and cut it o!en: it seemeth( therefore( as thou#h this had really ha!!ened when $
was awake: but !robably this dream occurred when we were both aslee!" $ ima#ined in my dream that $
was trans!orted to ?amascus( without Earboosh or turban or trousers( and that $ followed the occu!ation
of a cook"C6nd a#ain( for a while( he remained utterly confounded" %e then said( 9y 6llah( $
ima#ined that $ made a confection of !ome#ranate)#rains containin# but little !e!!er" Ferily $ must
have been aslee!( and in my slee! have seen all this"C$ con7ure thee by 6llah( said /itt)el)[osn( tell
me what more thou sawestR 6nd he related to her the whole4 and added( $f $ had not awaked( they
would have crucified me u!on a wooden cross"C;n account of whatR said she" %e answered( ;n
account of the deficiency of !e!!er in the confection of !ome#ranate)#rains4 and $ ima#ined that they
demolished my sho!( and broke all my vessels( and !ut me in a chest( and brou#ht the car!enter to
make a cross of wood4 for they intended to crucify me u!on it" 8raise be to 2od( therefore( who caused
all this to occur to me in slee!( and caused it not to ha!!en to me when $ was awake_C/itt)el)[osn(
lau#hin# at his words( !ressed him to her bosom( and he in like manner embraced her" Then reflectin#
a#ain( he said( 9y 6llah( it seems as if it had ha!!ened when $ was awake4 and $ knew not the reason(
nor the truth of the case"C6nd he com!osed himself to slee!( !er!lexed with his case( and sometimes
sayin#( $ saw it in my slee!(Cand other times( $ ex!erienced it awake"
Thus he continued until the mornin#( when his uncle( the 5eOeer /hems)ed)?een( came in to him( and
saluted him4 and 9edr)ed)?een( as soon as he beheld him( exclaimed( $ con7ure thee by 6llah( tell me
art not thou he who #ave orders to bind my hands behind me( and to nail u! my sho!( on account of the
confection of !ome#ranate)#rains( because it was deficient in !e!!erR The 5eOeer answered( =now( ;
my son( that the truth hath a!!eared( and what was hidden hath been manifested" Thou art the son of
my brother4 and $ did not this but to know if thou wert he who visited my dau#hter on that ni#ht" $ was
not convinced of this until $ saw that thou knewest the house( and thy turban and trousers and #old( and
the two !a!ers4 namely(@W@ the one which thou wrotest( and that which thy father( my brother( wrote:
for $ had never seen thee before( and therefore knew thee not4 and as to thy mother( $ have brou#ht her
with me from 1l)9aHrah"C%avin# thus said( he threw himself u!on him( and we!t4 and 9edr)ed)?een(
full of astonishment at his uncle's words( embraced him( and in like manner we!t from excess of 7oy"
The 5eOeer then said to him( ; my son( the cause of all this was what !assed between me and thy
father" 6nd he related to him the circumstances of their case( and the cause of his father's de!arture to
1l)9aHrah4 after which he sent for '67eeb4 and when the father of the youth saw him( he exclaimed( This
is he who threw the stone at me"CThis( said the 5eOeer( is thy son" 6nd 9edr)ed)?een cast himself
u!on him( and recited the followin# verses:C
'on# have $ we!t on account of our disunion4 the tears overflowin# from my eyelids4 6nd $ vowed that
if 8rovidence should brin# us to#ether( $ would never a#ain mention our se!aration" *oy hath overcome
me to such a de#ree that by its excess it hath made me wee!" ; eye( thou hast become so accustomed to
tears that thou wee!est from ha!!iness as from #rief"UW
6nd when he had uttered these words( his mother( beholdin# him( threw herself u!on him( and re!eated
this cou!let:C
3ortune made a vow to torment me incessantly4 but thine oath hath !roved false( ; 3ortune4 therefore
ex!iate it"U, %a!!iness hath arrived( and the beloved is come to my relief: re!air then to the messen#er
of festivity( and hasten"
/he afterwards related to him everythin# that had ha!!ened to her4 and he also ac0uainted her with all
that he had suffered4 and they offered u! thanks to 2od for their union" The 5eOeer then went u! to the
/ulEDn( and informed him of these occurrences4 and the =in# was astonished( and ordered that a
statement of them should be inserted in the records( to be !reserved to future a#es" 6nd the 5eOeer
resided with his brother's son( and his own dau#hter and her son( and with the wife of his brother4 and
all of them !assed their lives in the en7oyment of the utmost ha!!iness until they were visited by the
terminator of deli#hts( and the se!arator of com!anions"U.
/uch( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( said *aQfar( were the events that ha!!ened to the 5eOeer /hems)ed)
?een and his brother Noor)ed)?een"C9y 6llah( exclaimed the =haleefeh %Droon 1r)<asheed( this
story is wonderful_ 6nd he #ave one of his own concubines to the youn# man who had killed his wife(
and a!!ointed him a re#ular maintenance4 and the youn# man became one of his com!anions at the
table"@WL
NOTES TO CHAPTER FOURTH.
Note +" 3rom the close of Cha!ter iii"( the order of the tales in this translation (a#reeably with the Cairo
edition) differs from that which is followed in the old version"
Note @" This alludes to the !oor man's want of sufficient clothin#4 for( in the climate of 9a#hdDd( a
!erson who is not very scantily clad is in little need of a fire to warm himself"
Note L" &y sheykh has remarked( in a mar#inal note( that these verses would be a!!ro!riate only from
the mouth of a learned man com!lainin# of the un!rofitableness of his science with res!ect to
!rocurin# him money4 but !erha!s( in writin# this( he was actuated by a somewhat over)Oealous re#ard
for the honour of his own !rofession4 for( when a !oor man has ac0uired a little knowled#e( his
nei#hbours are a!t to flatter him"
Note N" The BiODrB has been described in the second note to Cha!ter iii"
Note -" 'iterally( Bthe sons of thine uncle4B but the meanin# is( Bthy kinsmen"B
Note U"COn ,astinading! $n 6rabian( and some other 1astern( countries( it is a common custom( when
a !erson is accused of a crime before a ma#istrate( and denies his #uilt( to bastinade him( in order to
induce him to confess4 and even witnesses( sometimes( are treated in the same manner" The beatin# is
usually inflicted with a kurbD7 (a thon# or whi! of hi!!o!otamus' hide hammered into a round form) or
with a stick( and #enerally on the soles of the feet" 3or this !ur!ose the feet are confined by a chain or
ro!e attached at each end to a staff( which is turned round to ti#hten it" This is called a BfalaJah"B Two
!ersons (one on each side) strike alternately4 and the !unishment is often continued until the sufferer
becomes insensible( and even lon#er"
Note W"COf 'ales &y Auction! $n many of the sooJs (market)streets( or bDODrs) in 6rabian cities(
auctions are held on stated days( once or more fre0uently in every week" They are conducted by brokers
(dellDls)( hired either by !rivate !ersons or by sho!kee!ers" These brokers carry the #oods u! and down
the street( announcin# the sums bidden( with cries of BGarD7(B Mc"4 and the sho!kee!ers( as well as
others( !urchase of them"
Note ," $ have before mentioned( that this horrid mode of !unishin# a woman sus!ected of incontinence
is not unfre0uently !ractised amon# the 6rabs" &any@WN similar cases have been mentioned to me in
1#y!t as havin# occurred in that country in the !resent a#e4 and often the murder is committed by the
father or a brother of the woman( as her relations are considered as more dis#raced than the husband by
her crime" The !resent tale is !robably founded on some !articular occurrence of this kind" ;ne is
related as havin# ha!!ened in the rei#n of the =haleefeh 1l)&oQta\id" $n this case( some limbs of the
murdered woman( in two leathern ba#s( were brou#ht u! from the bed of the Ti#ris in the net of a
fisherman"@WU [/uch barbarity( however( is contrary to law( as is stated in two former notes"C1d"
Note ."COf the #etaliation of In5uries on the *ay of #esurrection! The Bexamination bein# !ast( and
every one's works wei#hed in a 7ust balance( that mutual retaliation will follow accordin# to which
every creature will take ven#eance one of another( or have satisfaction made to him for the in7uries
which he hath suffered" 6nd since there will then be no other way of returnin# like for like( the manner
of #ivin# this satisfaction will be( by takin# away a !ro!ortionable !art of the #ood works of him who
offered the in7ury( and addin# it to those of him who suffered it" 5hich bein# done( if the an#els (by
whose ministry this is to be !erformed) say( ''ord( we have #iven to every one his due( and there
remaineth of this !erson's #ood works so much as e0ualleth the wei#ht of an ant(' 2od will of his mercy
cause it to be doubled unto him( that he may be admitted into 8aradise4 but if( on the contrary( his #ood
works be exhausted( and there remain evil works only( and there be any who have not yet received
satisfaction from him( 2od will order that an e0ual wei#ht of their sins be added unto his( that he may
be !unished for them in their stead( and he will be sent to %ell laden with both"B@WW
Note +Z" B<eyGDnB is a common !ro!er name of men( now commonly #iven to slaves4 and the name of
the sweet basil in !articular (also called BreeGDnB) and of sweet)smellin# !lants in #eneral" $t also
si#nifies Bany favour of 2od(B Bthe su!!lies necessary for subsistence(B Ba son(B Mc"
Note ++" This e7aculation is addressed to 2od"
Note +@" $n the ori#inal( B&iHr(B vulg!( B&aHr"B This is the name which the 6rabs #ive to 1#y!t( and
which they have also #iven to its successive ca!itals( or seats of #overnment( &em!his( 1#y!tian
9abylon( 1l)3usEDE( and 1l)PDhireh( or Cairo" $t is here a!!lied to Cairo( as will be shewn by the
followin# note( and by the se0uel of the tale( thou#h this city was not founded until lon# after the rei#n
of %Droon 1r)<asheed" $ may here remark( that $ have not found the name of B&iHrB a!!lied to Cairo in
any 6rabic work anterior to the con0uest of 1#y!t by the ';smDnlee Turks( which ha!!ened in the year
of the 3li#ht .@L (6"?" +-+W)" 1l)3usEDE retained this a!!ellation in the time of 1s)/uyooEee( who died
in the year of the 3li#ht .++( but it ceased to do so before the time of 1l)$s)GDJee( who brou#ht down
his history to the month of <ama\Dn( +ZL@ (6"?" +U@L)" $t is !robable( therefore( that the name of
B&isrB[ty!o &iHr was transferred to Cairo on the occasion of the con0uest by the Turks" $ must not
assert( that this observation alone enables us to form a decided 7ud#ment as to the !eriod when this
work was com!osed( as it may be ob7ected that co!yists have !erha!s substituted B&iHrB for B1l)
PDhireh4B but $ !ersue the in0uiry in the next note"
Note +L"COn several Evidences of the "eriod %hen this Wor- in the states in %hich it is -no%n to us
%as composed or compiled or remodelled! The tale here !resents another anachronism" The title of
B/ulEDn(B as a !refix( was first borne by &aGmood $bn)/abuktekeen( in the year of the 3li#ht L.L( 7ust
two hundred years after the death of %Droon 1r)<asheed4 and there was no /ulEDn of 1#y!t until the
year of the 3li#ht -UW of a little later4 the first bein# the famous IalDG)ed)?een( or /aladin"
$ have now #iven several data u!on which to found a reasonable o!inion as to the @W-a#e when these
tales( in the states in which they are known to us( were com!osed or com!iled or remodelled" 3irst( in
Note -- to Cha!ter ii"( $ have shewn that a fiction in one of the tales is framed in accordance with the
distinction of &uslims( Christians( and *ews( by the colours of their turbans( which mode of distinction
ori#inated in the be#innin# of the ei#hth century of the 3li#ht" /econdly( in the !resent note( $ have
mentioned a fact which affords some reason for inferrin# that there had been a lon# series of /ulEDns in
1#y!t before the a#e of the writer or writers" $n the third !lace( $ must remark( that all the events
described in this work are said to have ha!!ened in a#es which( with res!ect to that of the writer or
writers( were ancient( bein# related to an ancient kin#4 from which $ think we may infer its a#e to have
been at least two centuries !osterior to the !eriod mentioned in the first of these data" 3ourthly( in Note
@@ to Cha!ter iii"( $ have shewn that the state of manners and morals described in many of these tales
a#rees( in a most im!ortant !oint of view( with the manners and morals of the 6rabs at the
commencement of the tenth century of the 3li#ht" This $ re#ard as an ar#ument of #reat wei#ht( and
es!ecially satisfactory as a#reein# with the inference 7ust before drawn" 3ifthly( from what $ have stated
in the note immediately !recedin#( $ incline to the o!inion that few of the co!ies of this work now
known to us( if any( were written until after the con0uest of 1#y!t by the Turks( in the year +-+W of our
era" This o!inion( it should be remarked( res!ects es!ecially the early !ortion of the work( which is the
least likely to have been inter!olated( as later !arts evidently have been" 6t the last)mentioned !eriod( a
native of Cairo (in which city $ believe the !rinci!al !ortion of the work to have been written) mi#ht( if
about forty years of a#e( retain a sufficient recollection of the later &emlook /ulEDns and of their
ministers to describe his kin#s and courts without the necessity of consultin# the writin#s of historians4
derivin# his knowled#e of early times not from the !erusal of any re#ular record( but only from
traditions or from works like the !resent"C$ should have delayed the insertion of the fore#oin#
remarks( had $ not considered it a !oint of some im!ortance to su##est to the reader( as early as
!ossible( that the manners and customs( and in #eneral even the dresses and dwellin#s( described in
most of the !resent tales( are those of a very late !eriod" The lax state of morals which a!!ears to have
!revailed amon# the 6rabs in the time of the writer or writers !robably continued at least until the
!eriod when coffee became a common bevera#e( about the middle of the tenth century of the 3li#ht (or
near the middle of the sixteenth century of our era)( and !erha!s considerably later( until some years
after the introduction of tobacco into the 1ast" The researches of Fon %ammer have satisfactorily
shewn that the Thousand and ;ne Ni#hts( in the states in which it is known to us( is based u!on a very
old work( in 8ersian4 an 6rabic translation of which bore a similar( or !erha!s the same( title as that
which we are considerin#4 but $ believe the last to be( in its best features( a very late !roduction"
Note +N" B/hems)ed)?eenB si#nifies Bthe /un of the <eli#ion4B and BNoor)ed)?een(B Bthe 'i#ht of the
<eli#ion"B
Note +-"CCustoms o&served after a *eath! Thou#h the men( in 6rabian countries( make no chan#e in
their dress in indication of mournin#( they observe other customs after the death of a relation" 9y the
term here used in the ori#inal for Bmournin#B (B'aOD(B the !rimary si#nification of which is
BconsolationB or BcondolenceB)( an allusion is made to receivin# the visits of condolin# friends" ;n the
ni#ht immediately followin# the burial( several !ersons are em!loyed to !erform recitations of !ortions
of the Pur)Dn( Mc" The most remarkable of these ceremonies consists in re!eatin# thrice one thousand
times( BThere is no deity but 2od:B one of the !erformers havin# a strin# of a thousand lar#e beads by
means of which to count these re!etitions" /ome !ersons are also hired to !erform a recitation of the
whole of the Pur)Dn in the afternoon or evenin# of the first Thursday after the funeral( and often on
other days4 and the merit of these and the former reli#ious acts is transferred to the soul of the
de@WUceased"CThese customs $ have fully described in my work on the &odern 1#y!tians( vol" ii" ch"
xv"
Note +U" The island here alluded to is that called B1r)<X\ah(B or BThe 2arden"B
Note +W" The !rayer)car!et( which resembles a wide hearth)ru#( is seldom used as a coverin# for the
saddle exce!t when the rider is a !erson of the learned !rofession" $t is !robably mentioned here to
shew that Noor)ed)?een was an officer of the !en( which was #enerally the case with the 5eOeers of
the /ulEDns of 1#y!t"
Note +," *erusalem is called in the ori#inal( and by the modern 6rabs( B1l)Puds(B which si#nifies
B%oliness"B
Note +." The 6rabic name of 6le!!o is B[alab"B
Note @Z" 6n 6rab of rank is seldom seen on foot outside the threshold of his own house( unless it be
merely to cross the street"
Note @+" The decoration here alluded to consists in furnishin# the a!artment with costly car!ets(
handsome cushions( rich coverin#s for the deewDns( and coloured lam!s( Mc"
Note @@" This( to some readers( may a!!ear odd: it should therefore be ex!lained that most articles of
6rab clothin# are e0ually suitable to youn# and old( thin and stout"
Note @L" B[asanB si#nifies B9eautifulB or B%andsome"B
Note @N"COn Infancy and Education! $ may avoid an unnecessary multi!lication of notes on the same(
or nearly the same( sub7ect( by availin# myself of this occasion to insert here the followin# illustrations
of numerous !assa#es( in the !recedin# and subse0uent tales( relatin# to infancy and education"
$n few cases are the &ohammadans so much fettered by the directions of their 8ro!het and other
reli#ious institutors as in the rearin# and educatin# of their children" $n matters of the most trivial
nature( reli#ious !recedents direct their mana#ement of the youn#" ;ne of the first duties is( to wra! the
new)born child in clean white linen( or in linen of some other colour4 but not yellow" 6fter this( some
!erson [not a female should !ronounce the adDn@W, in the ear of the infant( because the 8ro!het did so
in the ear of 1l)[asan when 3Dtimeh #ave birth to him4 or he should !ronounce the adDn in the ri#ht
ear( and the iJameh (which is nearly the same) in the left"@W.
$t was formerly a custom of many of the 6rabs( and !erha!s is still amon# some( for the father to #ive a
feast to his friends on seven successive days after the birth of a son4 but that of a dau#hter was observed
with less re7oicin#" The #eneral modern custom is( to #ive an entertainment only on the seventh day(
which is called BSXm es)/ubooQ"B ;n this occasion( the mother( havin# left her bed( receives her
#uests4 the child is exhibited to them4 and they #ive !resents of #old or silver coins( which are #enerally
used to decorate the infant's head)dress" The father entertains his friends in the evenin#"
;n this day( or on the fourteenth( twenty)first( twenty)ei#hth( or thirty)fifth day after the birth( several
reli#ious ceremonies are re0uired to be !erformed4 but they are most a!!roved if observed on the
seventh day" ;ne of these is the namin#" $ believe( however( that it is a more common custom to #ive
the name almost immediately after the birth( or about three hours after" 6strolo#ers were often
consulted on this occasion4 but the followin# directions are #iven on hi#her authority( and are #enerally
@WWobserved"CBThe father should #ive his son a #ood name( """ not a name of self)!raise( as <asheed
[;rthodox( 1meen [3aithful( Mc"""" The !ro!het said( 'The names most a!!roved by 2od are '6bd)
6llah [/ervant of 2od and '6bd)1r)<aGmDn [/ervant of the Com!assionate( and such like"' %e also
said( '2ive my name( but do not distin#uish by my surname of relationshi!:' but this !rece!t( they say(
res!ects his own life)time( """ because he was addressed( '; 6bu)l)PDsim_' and now it is not
disa!!roved4 but some disa!!rove of unitin# the name and surname( so as to call a !erson &ohammad
and 6bu)l)PDsim" 6nd if a son be called by the name of a !ro!het it is not allowable to abuse or vilify
him( unless the !erson so named be facin# his re!roacher( who should say( 'Thou' [without mentionin#
his name: and a child named &oGammad or 6Gmad should be [es!ecially honoured"""" The 8ro!het
said( 'There is no !eo!le holdin# a consultation at which there is !resent one whose name is
&oGammad or 6Gmad( but 2od blesseth all that assembly:' and a#ain he said( '5hoever nameth his
child by my name( or by that of any of my children or my com!anions( from affection to me or to them(
2od (whose name be exalted_) will #ive him in 8aradise what eye hath not seen nor ear heard"' 6nd a
son should not be named =in# of kin#s( or 'ord of lords4 nor should a man take a surname of
relationshi! from the name of the eldest of his children4 nor take any such surname before a child is
born to him"B@,ZCThe custom of namin# children after !ro!hets( or after relations or com!anions of
&oGammad( is very common" No ceremony is observed on account of the namin#"
;n the same day( however( two !ractices which $ am about to mention are !rescribed to be observed4
thou#h( as far as my observations and in0uiries allow me to 7ud#e( they are #enerally ne#lected by the
modern &uslims" The first of these is a sacrifice" The victim is called 'aJeeJah" $t should be a ram or
#oat4 or two such animals should be sacrificed for a son( and one for a dau#hter" This rite is re#arded by
$bn)[ambal as absolutely obli#atory: he said( B$f a father sacrifice not for his son( and he [the son die(
that son will not intercede for him on the day of 7ud#ment"B The founders of the three other !rinci!al
sects re#ard it in different and less im!ortant li#hts( thou#h &ohammad slew an 'aJeeJah for himself
after his !ro!hetic mission" The !erson should say( on slayin# the victim( B; 2od( verily this aJee["kah
is a ransom for my son such a one4 its blood for his blood( and its flesh for his flesh( and its bone for his
bone( and its skin for his skin( and its hair for his hair" ; 2od( make it a ransom for my son from %ell)
fire"B 6 bone of the victim should not be broken"@,+ The midwife should receive a le# of it" $t should
be cooked without !reviously cuttin# off any !ortion of it4 and !art of it should be #iven in alms"C
6fter this should be !erformed the other ceremony above alluded to( which is this" $t is a sunneh
ordinance( incumbent on the father( to shave( or cause to be shaved( the head of his child( and to #ive(
in alms to the !oor( the wei#ht of the hair in #old or silver" This should also be done for a !roselyte"@,@
;n the subse0uent occasions of shavin# the head of a male child (for the head of the male is fre0uently
shaven)( a tuft of hair is #enerally left on the crown( and commonly( for several years( another also over
the forehead"
Circumcision is most a!!roved if !erformed on the same day:@,L but the observance of this rite is
#enerally delayed until the child has attained the a#e of five or six years( and sometimes several years
later" $ shall therefore delay mentionin# the ceremonies with which it is celebrated"
The &uslims ri#htly re#ard a child as a trust committed by 2od to its !arents( who( they hold( are
res!onsible for the manner in which they brin# it u!( and will be examined on this sub7ect on the day of
7ud#ment" 9ut they further venture to say( that Bthe first who will lay hold of a man on the day of
7ud#ment will be his wife and @W,children( who [if he have been deficient in his duty to them will
!resent themselves before 2od( and say( '; our 'ord( take for us our due from him4 for he tau#ht us not
that of which we were i#norant( and he fed us with forbidden food( and we knew not:' and their due
will be taken from him"B@,N 9y this is meant( that a certain !ro!ortion of the #ood works which the
man may have done( and his children and wife ne#lected( will be set down to their account4 or that a
similar !ro!ortion of their evil works will be transferred to his account"
The mother is en7oined by the law to #ive suck to her child two full years( unless she have her
husband's consent to shorten the !eriod( or to em!loy another nurse" B3or sucklin# the child( a virtuous
woman( who eateth only what is lawful( should be chosen4 for the unlawful [food will manifest its evil
in the child: as the 8ro!het """ said( '2ivin# suck altereth the tem!ers"' 9ut it is recommended by the
sunneh that the mother herself suckle the child4 for it is said in a tradition( 'There is nothin# better for a
child than its mother's milk"' '$f thou wouldst try(' it is added('whether a child be of an in#enuous
dis!osition in its infancy( or not( order a woman who is not its mother to suckle it after its mother has
done so4 and if it drink of the milk of the woman who is not its mother( it is not of an in#enuous
dis!osition"'B@,-
Children( bein# re#arded by &uslim !arents as enviable blessin#s( are( to them( ob7ects of the most
anxious solicitude" To #uard them from the su!!osed influence of the envious or evil eye( they have
recourse to various ex!edients" 5hen they are taken abroad( they are usually clad in the most slovenly
manner( and left unwashed( or even !ur!osely smeared with dirt4 and as a further !recaution( a fantastic
ca! is often !ut u!on the child's head( or its head)dress is decorated with one or more coins( a feather( a
#ay tassel( or a written charm or two sewed u! in leather or encased in #old or silver( or some other
a!!enda#e to attract the eye( that so the infant itself may !ass unnoticed" $f a !erson ex!ress his
admiration of another's child otherwise than by some !ious e7aculation( as( for instance( by !raisin# its
Creator (with the exclamation of B/ubGDna)llDh_B or( B&D shDa)llDh_B Mc") or invokin# a blessin# on the
8ro!het( he fills the mind of the !arent with a!!rehension4 and recourse is had to some su!erstitious
ceremony to counteract the dreaded influence of his envious #lance" The children of the !oor are less
ex!osed to this ima#inary dan#er from their unattractive a!!earance: they #enerally have little clothin#(
or none whatever( and are extremely dirty" $t is !artly with the view of !rotectin# them from the evil
eye( that those of the rich are so lon# confined to the Gareem: there they are !etted and !am!ered for
several years4 at least until they are of a#e to #o to school4 but most of them are instructed at home"
The children of the &uslims are tau#ht to shew to their fathers a de#ree of res!ect which mi#ht be
deemed incom!atible with the existence of a tender mutual affection4 but $ believe that this is not the
case" The child #reets the father in the mornin# by kissin# his hand( and then usually stands before him
in a res!ectful attitude( with the left hand covered by the ri#ht( to receive any order or to await his
!ermission to de!art4 but after the res!ectful kiss( is often taken on the la!" 6fter the !eriod of infancy(
the well)bred son seldom sits in the !resence of his father4 but durin# that !eriod he is #enerally
allowed much familiarity" 6 /yrian merchant( who was one of my near nei#hbours in Cairo( had a child
of ex0uisite beauty( commonly su!!osed to be his dau#hter( whom( thou#h he was a most bi#oted
&uslim( he daily took with him from his !rivate house to his sho!" The child followed him( seated
u!on an ass( before a black slave4 and( until about six years old( was dressed like most youn# ladies(
but without a face)veil" The father then thinkin# that the a!!earance of takin# about with him a
dau#hter of that a#e was scandalous( dressed his !et as a boy( and told his friends that the female attire
had been em!loyed as a !rotection a#ainst the evil eye4 #irls bein# less coveted than boys" This indeed
is sometimes done4 and it is !ossible that such mi#ht have been the case in this instance4 but $ was led
to believe that it @W.was not so" 6 year after( $ left Cairo: while $ remained there( $ continued to see the
child !ass my house as before4 but always in boy's clothin#"
$t is not sur!risin# that the natives of 6rabian countries( where a very triflin# ex!ense is re0uired to rear
the youn#( should be #enerally desirous of a numerous offs!rin#" 6 motive of self)interest conduces
forcibly to cherish this feelin# in a wife( for she is commonly esteemed by her husband in !ro!ortion to
her fruitfulness4 and a man is seldom willin# to divorce a wife( or to sell a slave( who has borne him a
child" 6 similar feelin# also induces in both !arents a desire to obtain offs!rin#( and renders them at the
same time resi#ned to the loss of such of their children as die in tender a#e" This feelin# arises from
their belief of certain services( of #reater moment than the richest blessin#s this world can bestow(
which children who die in infancy are to render to their !arents" The 8ro!het is related to have said(
BThe infant children [of the &uslims shall assemble at the scene of 7ud#ment on the day of the #eneral
resurrection( when all creatures shall a!!ear for the reckonin#( and it will be said to the an#els( '2o ye
with these into 8aradise:' and they will halt at the #ate of 8aradise( and it will be said to them(
'5elcome to the offs!rin# of the &uslims_ enter ye 8aradise: there is no reckonin# to be made with
you:' and they will re!ly( 'Sea( and our fathers and our mothers:' but the #uardians of 8aradise will say(
'Ferily your fathers and your mothers are not with you because they have committed faults and sins for
which they must be reckoned with and in0uired of"' Then they will shriek and cry at the #ate of
8aradise with a #reat cry4 and 2od (whose name be exalted_) and who is all)knowin# res!ectin# them
will say( '5hat is this cryR' $t will be answered( '; our 'ord( the children of the &uslims say( 5e will
not enter 8aradise but with our fathers and our mothers"' 5hereu!on 2od (whose name be exalted_)
will say '8ass amon# them all( and take the hands of your !arents( and introduce them into 8aradise"'B
The children who are to have this !ower are such as are born of believers( and die without havin#
attained to the knowled#e of sin4 and accordin# to one tradition( one such child will introduce his
!arents into 8aradise" [/uch infants only are to enter 8aradise4 for( of the children who die in infancy(
those of believers alone are they who would believe if they #rew to years of discretion" ;n the same
authority it is said( B5hen a child of the servant [of 2od dies( 2od (whose name be exalted_) saith to
the an#els( '%ave ye taken the child of my servantR' They answer( 'Sea"' %e saith( '%ave ye taken the
child of his heartR' They re!ly( 'Sea"' %e asketh them( '5hat did my servant sayR' They answer( '%e
!raised thee( and said( Ferily to 2od we belon#( and verily unto %im we return_' Then 2od will say(
'9uild for my servant a house in 8aradise( and name it the %ouse of 8raise"'B To these traditions( which
$ find related as !roofs of the advanta#es of marria#e( the followin# anecdote( which is of a similar
nature( is added" 6 certain man( who would not take a wife( awoke one day from his slee!( and
demanded to be married( sayin#( as his reason( B$ dreamt that the resurrection had taken !lace( and that
$ was amon# the bein#s collected at the scene of 7ud#ment( but was sufferin# a thirst that sto!!ed u!
the !assa#e of my stomach4 and lo( there were youths !assin# throu#h the assembly( havin# in their
hands ewers of silver( and cu!s of #old( and #ivin# drink to one !erson after another4 so $ stretched
forth my hand to one of them( and said( '2ive me to drink4 for thirst over!owereth me:' but they
answered( 'Thou hast no child amon# us: we #ive drink only to our fathers"' $ asked them( '5ho are yeR'
They re!lied( '5e are the deceased infant children of the &uslims"'B@,U 1s!ecial rewards in heaven are
!romised to mothers" B5hen a woman conceives by her husband(B said the 8ro!het( Bshe is called in
heaven a martyr [i!e! she is ranked as a martyr in di#nity4 and her labour in child)bed( and her care for
her children( !rotect her from %ell)fire"'B@,W
B5hen the child be#ins to s!eak( the father should teach him first the kelimeh [or !rofession of faith(
'There is no deity but 2od: [&oGammad is 2od's a!ostle:'Che @,Zshould dictate this to him seven
times" Then he should instruct him to say( '5herefore( exalted be 2od( the =in#( the Truth_ There is no
deity but %e( the 'ord of the honourable throne"B@,, %e should teach him also the Throne)verse(@,.
and the closin# words of the [ashr( '%e is 2od( beside whom there is no deity( the =in#( the %oly('B
Mc"@.Z
6s soon as a son is old enou#h( his father should teach him the most im!ortant rules of decent
behaviour: !lacin# some food before him( he should order him to take it with the ri#ht hand (the left
bein# em!loyed for unclean !ur!oses)( and to say( on commencin#( B$n the name of 2od4B to eat what
is next to him( and not to hurry( nor s!ill any of the food u!on his !erson or dress" %e should teach him
that it is dis#ustin# to eat much" %e should !articularly condemn to him the love of #old and silver( and
caution him a#ainst covetousness as he would a#ainst ser!ents and scor!ions4 and forbid his s!ittin# in
an assembly( and committin# any similar breach of #ood manners( talkin# much( turnin# his back u!on
another( standin# in an indolent attitude( and s!eakin# ill of any !erson to another" %e should kee! him
from bad com!anions( teach him the Pur)Dn and all re0uisite divine and !ro!hetic ordinances( and
instruct him in the arts of swimmin# and archery( and in some virtuous trade4 for trade is a security
from !overty" %e should also command him to endure !atiently the chastisements of his teacher" $n one
tradition it is said( B5hen a boy attains the a#e of six years he should be disci!lined4 and when he
attains to nine years he should be !ut in a se!arate bed4 and when he attains to ten years he should be
beaten for [ne#lectin# !rayer:B in another tradition( B;rder your children to !ray at seven [years( and
beat them for [ne#lectin# it at ten( and !ut them in se!arate beds"B@.+
Circumcision( which has before been mentioned( is #enerally !erformed before the boy is submitted to
the instruction of the schoolmaster"@.@ 8reviously to the !erformance of this rite( he is( if belon#in# to
the hi#her or middle rank of society( usually !araded about the nei#hbourhood of his !arents' dwellin#(
#aily attired( chiefly with female habits and ornaments( but with a boy's turban on his head( mounted on
a horse( !receded by musicians( and followed by a #rou! of his female relations and friends" This
ceremony is observed by the #reat with much !om! and with sum!tuous feasts" 1l)*abartee mentions a
fjte celebrated on the occasion of the circumcision of a son of the PD\ee of Cairo( in the year of the
3li#ht ++W. (6"?" +WUU)( when the #randees and chief merchants and 'ulam] of the city sent him such
abundance of !resents that the ma#aOines of his mansion were filled with rice and butter and honey and
su#ar4 the #reat hall( with coffee4 and the middle of the court( with firewood: the !ublic were amused
for many days by !layers and !erformers of various kinds4 and when the youth was !araded throu#h
the streets he was attended by numerous memlooks with their richly)ca!arisoned horses and s!lendid
arms and armour and military band( and by a number of other youths who( from com!liment to him(
were circumcised afterwards with him" This latter custom is usual on such occasions4 and so also is the
sendin# of !resents( such as those above mentioned( by friends( ac0uaintances( and trades!eo!le"' 6t a
fjte of this kind( when the =haleefeh 1l)&uJtedir circumcised five of his sons( the money that was
scattered in !resents amounted to six hundred thousand !ieces of #old( or about eLZZ(ZZZ" &any
or!hans were also circumcised on the same day( and were !resented with clothes and !ieces of
#old"@.L The =haleefeh above mentioned was famous for his ma#nificence( a !roof of which $ have
#iven in a former note" 6t the more a!!roved entertainments which are #iven in celebration of a
circumcision( a recital of the whole of the Pur)Dn( or a Oikr( is !erformed: at some others( male or
@,+female !ublic dancers !erform in the court of the house( or in the street before the door"
3ew of the children of the 6rabs receive much instruction in literature( and still fewer are tau#ht even
the rudiments of any of the hi#her sciences4 but there are numerous schools in their towns( and one at
least in almost every moderately lar#e villa#e" The former are mostly attached to mos0ues and other
!ublic buildin#s( and( to#ether with those buildin#s( endowed by !rinces or other men of rank( or
wealthy tradesmen" $n these( the children are instructed either #ratis or for a very triflin# weekly
!ayment( which all !arents( exce!t those in indi#ent circumstances( can easily afford" The schoolmaster
#enerally teaches nothin# more than to read( and to recite by heart the whole of the Pur)Dn" 6fter
committin# to memory the first cha!ter of the sacred volume( the boy learns the rest in the inverse
order of their arran#ement( as they #enerally decrease in len#th" 5ritin# and arithmetic are usually
tau#ht by another master4 and #rammar( rhetoric( versification( lo#ic( the inter!retation of the Pur)Dn(
and the whole system of reli#ion and law( with all other knowled#e deemed useful( which seldom
includes the mere elements of mathematics( are attained by studyin# at a colle#iate mos0ue( and at no
ex!ense4 for the !rofessors receive no !ay either from the students( who are mostly of the !oorer
classes( or from the funds of the mos0ue"
The wealthy often em!loy for their sons a !rivate tutor4 and( when he has tau#ht them to read( and to
recite the Pur)Dn( en#a#e for them a writin#)master( and then send them to the colle#e" 9ut amon# this
class( !olite literature is more considered than any other branch of knowled#e( after reli#ion" /uch an
ac0uaintance with the works of some of their favourite !oets as enables a man to 0uote them
occasionally in society( is re#arded by the 6rabs as essential to a son who is to mix in #enteel com!any4
and to this ac0uirement is often added some skill in the art of versification( which is rendered !eculiarly
easy by the co!iousness of the 6rabic lan#ua#e( and by its system of inflection" These characteristics of
their noble ton#ue (which are remarkably exhibited by the custom( common amon# the 6rabs( of
!reservin# the same rhyme throu#hout a whole !oem)( while on the one hand they have #iven an
admirable freedom to the com!ositions of men of true !oetic #enius( have on the other hand mainly
contributed to the de#radation of 6rabic !oetry" To an 6rab of some little learnin# it is almost as easy to
s!eak in verse as in !rose4 and hence he often inters!erses his !rose writin#s( and not unfre0uently his
conversation( with indifferent verses( of which the chief merit often consists in !uns( or in an in#enious
use of several words nearly the same in sound( but differin# in sense" To a reader unac0uainted with the
6rabic lan#ua#e it is necessary to ex!lain this custom4 otherwise he would ima#ine that the author of
the !resent work is merely indul#in# in a dramatic licence inconsistent with a true delineation of
manners( when he makes a !erson suddenly chan#e the style of his s!eech from !rose to verse( and
then revert to the former"
;ne more duty of a father to a son $ should here mention: it is( to !rocure for him a wife as soon as he
has arrived at a !ro!er a#e" This a#e is decided by some to be twenty years4 thou#h many youn# men
marry at an earlier !eriod" $t is said( B5hen a son has attained the a#e of twenty years( his father( if
able( should marry him( and then take his hand( and say( '$ have disci!lined thee( and tau#ht thee( and
married thee: $ now seek refu#e with 2od from thy mischief in the !resent world and the next"'B To
enforce this duty( the followin# tradition is ur#ed: B5hen a son attains to the a#e of !uberty( and his
father does not marry him( and yet is able to do so( if the youth commit an im!ro!er act in
conse0uence( the sin of it is between the two(BCor( as in another re!ort(CBon the father"B@.N The same
is held to be the case with res!ect to a dau#hter who has attained the a#e of twelve years"@.-
The female children of the 6rabs are seldom tau#ht even to read" Thou#h they are @,@admissible at the
daily schools in which the boys are instructed( very few !arents allow them the benefit of this !rivile#e4
!referrin#( if they #ive them any instruction of a literary kind( to em!loy a sheykhah (or learned
woman) to teach them at home" /he instructs them in the forms of !rayer( and teaches them to re!eat by
heart a few cha!ters of the Pur)Dn4 very rarely the whole book" 8arents are indeed recommended to
withhold from their dau#hters some !ortions of the Pur)Dn4 to Bteach them the /oorat en)Noor [or @Nth
cha!ter( and kee! from them the /oorat)Soosuf [+@th cha!ter4 on account of the story of ^eleekh]
and Soosuf in the latter( and the !rohibitions and threats and mention of !unishments contained in the
former"B@.U
Needlework is not so rarely( but yet not #enerally( tau#ht to 6rab #irls: the s!indle fre0uently em!loys
those of the !oorer classes4 and some of them learn to weave" The dau#hters of !ersons of the middle
and hi#her ranks are often instructed in the art of embroidery( and in other ornamental work( which are
tau#ht in schools and in !rivate houses" /in#in#( and !layin# u!on the lute( which were formerly not
uncommon female accom!lishments amon# the wealthy 6rabs( are now almost exclusively confined(
like dancin#( to !rofessional !erformers and a few of the slaves in the Gareems of the #reat: it is very
seldom now that any musical instrument is seen in the hand of an 6rab lady( exce!t a kind of drum
called darabukkeh( and a EDr (or tambourine)( which are found in many Gareems( and are beaten with
the fin#ers"@.W /ome care( however( is bestowed by the ladies in teachin# their dau#hters what they
consider an ele#ant #ait and carria#e( as well as various allurin# and volu!tuous arts with which to
increase the attachment of their future husbands"
Note @-"CWater2%heels! The water)wheels here mentioned are machines commonly used for the
!ur!ose of irri#atin# fields and #ardens" They are #enerally turned by a !air of cows or bulls" They
raise the water from a river or well in a series of earthen !ots attached to cords which !ass over a
vertical wheel( and !our it into a trou#h( from which it flows in narrow channels throu#h the s!ace of
#round to be irri#ated" 6 co##ed vertical wheel is attached to the same axis as the former4 and this( and
conse0uently the other also( are turned by means of a lar#er( horiOontal( co##ed wheel" The #round is
divided into hollow s0uares( or furrows( into each of which in succession the water is admitted"
Note @U" B9edr)ed)?eenB si#nifies Bthe 3ull &oon of the <eli#ion"B
Note @W" $ have here omitted the name of /hems)ed)?een( and his office4 as [asan's knowled#e of
them would render the se0uel of the story too im!robable even to an 6rab"
Note @," $n the ori#inal( this !a!er is here said to have been written by [asan in accordance with the
dictation of his father4 but afterwards it is said to have been written by the latter4 and this is more
consistent with the rest of the tale"
Note @." 8a!ers of im!ortance are often wra!!ed in waxed cloth to !reserve them from wet( which
would efface the writin#( as the 6rab ink is chiefly com!osed of smoke)black and #um and water"
Note LZ" $n the ori#inal( the ca! is not here mentioned4 but it is afterwards"
Note L+" This !ara#ra!h and the verses inters!ersed in it are translated from the Calcutta edition of the
first two hundred ni#hts"
Note L@" The !oet here alluded to is 1l)&utanebbee"
Note LL" $t is a common custom of 1astern kin#s and #overnors to avail themselves of any !retext for
seiOin# u!on the !ro!erty of a deceased officer who has accumulated much wealth"
@,L
Note LN" $t is im!lied that he was sittin# at the door( or in the court( of his house"
Note L-" %is takin# a co!y is mentioned afterwards in the ori#inal4 but not in this !lace"
Note LU" $ have desi#nated by the a!!ellation of Bdye)womenB (from want)of a better) those females
who are em!loyed to a!!ly the Genn]( which im!arts a dee! oran#e)red dye( to the nails or ti!s of the
fin#ers( the !alms of the hands( the soles of the feet( Mc" /ome 6rab ladies( es!ecially on such an
occasion as that here described( are ornamented with this dye in a more fanciful manner" The woman
who a!!lies it is called in 6rabic BmunaJJisheh"B
Note LW" The chief office of the tire)woman (in 6rabic( BmDshiEDhB) is to comb and !lait the hair" /he
attends the ladies in the bath4 and hence is also called BbellDneh"B
Note L," 6 BmaHEabahB is a bench of stone or brick( #enerally between two and three feet in hei#ht( and
about the same in width( built a#ainst the front of a sho!( and sometimes alon# the front of a !rivate
house" [/ee Note @@ to Cha!ter i"C1d"
Note L."COn Marriage! 8reviously to the !erusal of the first descri!tion of a nu!tial fjte that occurs in
this work( the reader may !erha!s desire some introductory information( which $ shall here endeavour
to convey in such a manner as to make the !resent note serve to illustrate many future allusions in these
!a#es( and not merely the fore#oin# tale"
&arria#e is re#arded by the &uslims in #eneral as a !ositive duty4 and to ne#lect it( without a sufficient
excuse( sub7ects a man to severe re!roach" B5hen a servant [of 2od(B said the 8ro!het( Bmarries(
verily he !erfects half his reli#ion"B@., %e once asked a man( B6rt thou marriedRB The man answered(
BNo"B B6nd art thou(B said he( Bsound and healthyRB The answer was( BSes"B BThen(B said &oGammad(
Bthou art one of the brothers of the devils4 for the most wicked amon# you are the unmarried4 and the
most vile amon# your dead are the unmarried4 moreover the married are those who are ac0uitted of
filthy conversation4 and by %im in whose hand is my soul( the devil hath not a wea!on more effective
a#ainst the virtuous( both men and women( than the ne#lect of marria#e"B@.. /ome remarks on this
sub7ect( and on the advanta#es of marria#e( have been made in a !recedin# note on infancy and
education"
The number of wives whom a &uslim may have at the same time is four" %e may marry free women(
or take concubine slaves( or have of both these classes" $t is the o!inion of most !ersons( $ believe(
amon# the more strictly reli#ious( that a man may not have more than four women( whether they be
wives alone( or concubine slaves alone( or of both classes to#ether4 but the !ractice of some of the
Com!anions of the 8ro!het( who cannot be accused of violatin# his !rece!ts( affords a stron# ar#ument
to the contrary" '6lee( it is said( Bwas the most devout of the Com!anions4 but he had four wives and
seventeen concubines besides( and married( after 3DEimeh (may 2od be well !leased with her_)( amon#
all that he married and divorced( more than two hundred women: and sometimes he included four
wives in one contract( and sometimes divorced four at one time( takin# other four in their stead"BLZZ
This may !erha!s be an exa##erated statement: but it is certain that the custom of kee!in# an unlimited
number of concubines was common amon# wealthy &uslims in the first century of the &ohammadan
era( and has so continued" The famous author of the work above 0uoted ur#es the exam!le of /olomon
to !rove that the !ossession of numerous concubines is not inconsistent with !iety and #ood morals4 not
considerin# that 2od made but one wife for 6dam"
$t has been mentioned in the first of the notes to this work( that a &uslim may @,Ndivorce his wife
twice( and each time take her back" This he may do( even a#ainst her wish( durin# a fixed !eriod( which
cannot extend beyond three months( unless she be enceinte( in which latter case she must wait until the
birth of her child before she will be at liberty to contract a new marria#e" ?urin# this !eriod the
husband is obli#ed to maintain her" $f he divorce her a third time( or by a tri!le sentence( he cannot take
her a#ain unless with her own consent( and by a new contract( and after another marria#e has been
consummated between her and another husband( and this husband also has divorced her"
$t is not a common custom( es!ecially amon# the middle ranks( for an 6rab to have more than one wife
at the same time4 but there are few of middle a#e who have not had several different wives at different
!eriods( tem!ted to chan#e by the facility of divorce" The case of '6lee has been mentioned above"
&u#heyreh $bn)/heQbeh married ei#hty women in the course of his life4LZ+ and several more
remarkable instances of the love of chan#e are recorded by 6rab writers: the most extraordinary case of
this kind that $ have met with was that of &oGammad $bn)1E)Keiyib( the ?yer( of 9a#hdDd( who died in
the year of the 3li#ht N@L( a#ed ei#hty)five years4 of whom it is related( on most res!ectable authority(
that he married more than nine hundred women_LZ@C/u!!osin#( therefore( that he married his first
wife when he was fifteen years of a#e( he must have had( on the avera#e( nearly thirteen wives per
annum" The women( in #eneral( cannot of course marry so many successive husbands( not only because
a woman cannot have more than one husband at a time( but also because she cannot divorce her
husband" There have been( however( many instances of 6rab women who have married a sur!risin#
number of men in ra!id succession" 6mon# these may be mentioned Amm)=hDri7eh( who #ave
occasion to a !roverb on this sub7ect" This woman( who was of the tribe of 9e7eeleh( in 1l)Semen(
married u!wards of forty husbands4 and her son =hDri7eh knew not who was his father" /he used to
contract a marria#e in the 0uickest !ossible manner: a man sayin# to her( B=hiEbunB (betrothal)( she
re!lied( BNik)GunB (marria#e)( and thus became his lawful wife" /he had a very numerous !ro#eny4
several tribes ori#inatin# from her"LZL
3or the choice of a wife( a man #enerally relies on his mother( or some other near female relation( or a
!rofessional female betrother (who is called BkhDEibehB)4 for there are many women who !erform this
office for hire" The law allows him to see the face of the female whom he !ro!oses to marry( !reviously
to his makin# the contract4 but in the !resent day this liberty is seldom obtained( exce!t amon# the
lower orders" Anless in this case( a man is not allowed to see unveiled any woman but his own wife or
slave( and those women to whom the law !rohibits his unitin# himself in marria#e: nay( accordin# to
some( he is not allowed to BseeB his own niece unveiled( thou#h he may not marry her" $t should be
added( that a slave may lawfully see the face of his own mistress4 but this !rivile#e is seldom #ranted in
the !resent day to any slave but a eunuch" 6n infrin#ement of the law above mentioned is held to be
extremely sinful in both !arties: BThe curse of 2od(B said the 8ro!het( Bis on the seer and the seen:B yet
it is very often disre#arded in the case of women of the lower orders"
6 man is forbidden( by the Pur)DnLZN and the /unneh( to marry his mother( or other ascendant4
dau#hter( or other descendant4 his sister( or half)sister4 the sister of his father or mother or other
ascendant4 his niece( or any of her descendants4 his foster)mother who has suckled him five times in the
course of the first two years( or a woman related to him by milk in any of the de#rees which would
!reclude his marria#e with her if she were similarly related to him by consan#uinity4 the mother of his
wife( even if he has not consummated his marria#e with this wife4 the dau#hter of his wife( if he has
consummated his marria#e with the latter (but if he has not done so( and this wife @,-is divorced from
him( or dead( he may marry her dau#hter)4 his father's wife( and his son's wife4 and to have at the same
time two wives who are sisters( or aunt and niece: he is forbidden also to marry his unemanci!ated
slave( or another man's slave if he has already a free wife4 and to marry any woman but one of his own
faith( or a Christian( or a *ewess" 6 &ohammadan woman( however( may only marry a man of her own
faith" 6n unlawful intercourse with any woman !revents a man from marryin# any of her relations who
would be forbidden to him if she were his wife"
The reader has already seen that a cousin (the dau#hter of a !aternal uncle) is often chosen as a wife( on
account of the tie of blood( which is likely to attach her more stron#ly to her husband( or on account of
an affection conceived in early years" 8arity of rank is #enerally much re#arded4 and a man is often
unable to obtain as his wife the dau#hter of one of a different !rofession or trade( unless an inferior4 or
a youn#er dau#hter when an elder remains unmarried" 6 #irl is often married at the a#e of twelve years(
and sometimes at ten( or even nine: the usual !eriod is between twelve and sixteen years" 6t the a#e of
thirteen or fourteen she may be a mother" The youn# men marry a few years later"
The most im!ortant re0uisite in a wife is reli#ion" The 8ro!het said( B6 virtuous wife is better than the
world and all that it contains"B B6 virtuous wife(B said 'uJmDn( Bis like a crown on the head of a kin#4
and a wicked wife is like a heavy burden on the back of an old man"B 6mon# the other chief re0uisites
are a#reeableness of tem!er( and beauty of form (undiminished by any defect or irre#ularity of features
or members)( moderation in the amount of dowry re0uired( and #ood birth" $t is said( Bif thou marry not
a vir#in( [which is most desirable( marry a divorced woman( and not a widow4 for the divorced woman
will res!ect thy words when thou sayest( '$f there were any #ood in thee thou hadst not been divorced4'
whereas the widow will say( '&ay 2od have mercy on such a one_ he hath left me to one unsuited to
me"'B 9ut accordin# to another selfish maxim( the woman most to be avoided is she who is divorced
from a man by whom she has had a child4 for her heart is with him( and she is an enemy to the man
who marries her after"LZ-C&odesty is a re0uisite u!on which too much stress cannot be laid4 but this(
to an 1n#lish reader( re0uires some ex!lanation" '6lee asked his wife 3DEimeh( B5ho is the best of
womenRB /he answered( B/he who sees not men( and whom they see not"BLZU &odesty( therefore( in
the o!inion of the &uslims( is most eminently shown by a woman's concealin# her !erson( and
restrainin# her eyes( from men" BThe best rank of men [in a mos0ue(B said the 8ro!het( Bis the front4
and the best rank of women is the rear:BLZW that is( those most distant from the men: but better than
even these are the women who !ray at home"LZ,C3ruitfulness is also a desirable 0ualification to be
considered in the choice of a wife: Bit may be known in maidens(B says the 8ro!het( Bfrom their
relations4 because( #enerally s!eakin#( kindred are similar in dis!osition( Mc"BLZ. 'astly( contentment
is to be enumerated amon# the re0uisites" $t is said( on the same authority( BFerily the best of women
are those that are most content with little"BL+Z To obtain a contented and submissive wife( many men
make their selection from amon# the classes inferior to them in rank" ;thers( with a similar view( !refer
a concubine slave in the !lace of a wife"
The consent of a #irl not arrived at the a#e of !uberty is not re0uired: her father( or( if he is dead( her
nearest adult male relation( or a #uardian a!!ointed by will or by the PD\ee( acts as her wekeel( or
de!uty( to effect the marria#e)contract for her" $f of a#e( she a!!oints her own de!uty" 6 dowry is
re0uired to le#aliOe the marria#e4 and the least dowry allowed by the law is ten dirhems( or drachms of
silver4 about five shillin#s of our money" &oGammad married certain of his wives for a dowry of ten
dirhems @,Uand the household necessaries( which were a handmill to #rind the corn( a water)7ar( and a
!illow of skin or leather stuffed with the fibres of the !alm)tree( which are called Bleef:B but some he
married for a dowry of five hundred dirhems"L++ 5ith the increase of wealth and luxury( dowries have
increased in amount4 but( to our ideas( they are still triflin#4 a sum e0uivalent to about twenty !ounds
sterlin# bein# a common dowry amon# 6rabs of the middle classes for a vir#in( and half or a third or
0uarter of that sum for a divorced woman or a widow" Two)thirds of the sum is usually !aid before
makin# the contract( and the remainin# !ortion held in reserve to be !aid to the woman in case of her
divorce or in case of the husband's death" The father or #uardian of a #irl under a#e receives the former
!ortion of her dowry4 but it is considered as her !ro!erty( and he #enerally ex!ends it( with an
additional sum from his own !urse( in the !urchase of necessary furniture( dress( Mc"( for her( which the
husband can never take from her a#ainst her own wish"
The marria#e)contract is #enerally( in the !resent day( merely verbal4 but sometimes a certificate is
written( and sealed by the PD\ee" The most a!!roved or !ro!itious !eriod for this act is the month of
/howwDl: the most un!ro!itious( &oGarram" The only !ersons whose !resence is re0uired to !erform it
are the bride#room (or his de!uty)( the bride's de!uty (who is the betrother)( two male witnesses( if
such can be easily !rocured( and the PD\ee or a schoolmaster or some other !erson to recite a khuEbeh(
which consists of a few words in !raise of 2od( a form of blessin# on the 8ro!het( and some !assa#es
of the Pur)Dn( res!ectin# marria#e" They all recite the 3Dt'Gah (or o!enin# cha!ter of the Pur)Dn)( after
which the bride#room !ays the money" The latter and the bride's de!uty then seat themselves on the
#round( face to face( and #ras! each other's ri#ht hand( raisin# the thumbs( and !ressin# them a#ainst
each other" 8reviously to the khuEbeh( the !erson who recites this formula !laces a handkerchief over
the two 7oined hands4 and after the khuEbeh he dictates to the two contractin# !arties what they are to
say" The betrother #enerally uses the followin# or a similar form of words: B$ betroth to thee my
dau#hter [or her for whom $ act as de!uty such a one [namin# the bride( the vir#in( [or the adult
vir#in( Mc"( for a dowry of such an amount"B The bride#room answers( B$ acce!t from thee her
betrothal to myself"B This is all that is absolutely necessary4 but the address and re!ly are usually
re!eated a second and third time( and are often ex!ressed in fuller forms of words" The contract is
concluded with the recital of the 3Dt'Gah by all !ersons !resent"
This betrothal( or marria#e)contract( is often !erformed several years before the consummation( when
the two !arties are yet children4 or durin# the infancy of the #irl4 but #enerally not more than about
ei#ht or ten days before the former event" The household furniture and dress !re!ared for the bride are
sent by her family to the bride#room's house( usually conveyed by a train of camels( two or three or
more days before she is conducted thither"
The feasts and !rocessions which are now to be mentioned are only observed in the case of a vir#in
bride4 a widow or divorced woman bein# remarried in a !rivate manner" $ describe them chiefly in
accordance with the usa#es of Cairo( which a!!ear to me most a#reeable( in #eneral( with the
descri!tions and allusions in the !resent work"CThe !eriod most commonly a!!roved for the
consummation of marria#e is the eve of 3riday( or that of &onday" 8reviously to this event( the
bride#room once or twice or more fre0uently #ives a feast to his friends4 and for several ni#hts( his
house and the houses of his near nei#hbours are usually illuminated by numerous clusters of lam!s( or
by lanterns( sus!ended in front of them4 some( to cords drawn across the street" To these or other cords
are also sus!ended small fla#s( or s0uare !ieces of silk( each of two different colours( #enerally red and
#reen" /ome say that the feast or feasts should be #iven on the occasion of the contract4 others( on the
consummation4 others( a#ain( on both these occasions"L+@ The usual custom of the !eo!le of Cairo is to
#ive a feast on @,Wthe ni#ht immediately !recedin# that of the consummation( and another on the latter
ni#ht4 but some commence their feasts earlier" <es!ectin# marria#e)feasts( the 8ro!het said( BThe first
day's feast is an incumbent duty4 and the second day's( a sunneh ordinance4 and the third day's( for
ostentation and notoriety:B and he forbade eatin# at the feast of the ostentatious"L+L $t is a !ositive duty
to acce!t an invitation to a marria#e)feast or other lawful entertainment4 but the #uest is not obli#ed to
eat"L+N The !ersons invited( and all intimate friends( #enerally send !resents of !rovisions of some
kind a day or two before" The 8ro!het tau#ht that marria#e)feasts should be fru#al: the best that he
#ave was with one #oat"L+- %e a!!roved of demonstrations of 7oy at the celebration of a marria#e with
son#s( and( accordin# to one tradition( by the beatin# of deffs (or tambourines)4 but in another tradition
the latter !ractice is condemned"L+U The !referable mode of entertainin# the #uests is by the
!erformance of a Oikr"
The bride is conducted to the bride#room's house in the afternoon immediately !recedin# the ni#ht of
consummation" ;n the day next !recedin# that on which she is conducted thither( she #oes to the !ublic
bath( accom!anied by a number of her female relations and friends" The !rocession #enerally !ursues a
circuitous route( for the sake of #reater dis!lay4 and on leavin# the house( turns to the ri#ht" $n Cairo(
the bride walks under a cano!y of silk borne by four men( with one of her near female relations on each
side of her" Soun# unmarried #irls walk before her4 these are !receded by the married ladies4 and the
!rocession is headed and closed by a few musicians with drums and hautboys" The bride wears a kind
of !asteboard crown( or ca!4 and is com!letely veiled from the view of s!ectators by a =ashmeer shawl
!laced over her crown and whole !erson4 but some handsome ornaments of the head are attached
externally" The other women are dressed in the best of their walkin#)attire" $n the case( however( of a
bride of hi#h rank( or of wealth( and often in the case of one belon#in# to a family of the middle class(
the ladies ride u!on hi#h)saddled asses( without music or cano!y4 and the bride is only distin#uished by
a =ashmeer shawl instead of the usual black silk coverin#4 one or more eunuchs sometimes ridin# at
the head" $n the bath( after the ordinary o!erations of washin#( Mc"( a feast is made( and the !arty are
often entertained by female sin#ers" %avin# returned in the same manner to her home( the bride's
friends there !artake of a similar entertainment with her" %er hands and feet are then stained with
Genn]( and her eyes ornamented with koGl4 and her friends #ive her small !resents of money( and take
their leave" B$t is a sunneh ordinance that the bride wash her feet in a clean vessel( and s!rinkle the
water in the corners of the chamber( that a blessin# may result from this" /he should also bri#hten her
face( and !ut on the best of her a!!arel( and adorn her eyes with koGl( and stain [her hands and feet
with Genn] [as above mentioned4 and she should abstain( durin# the first week( from eatin# anythin#
that contains mustard( and from vine#ar( and sour a!!les"BL+W
The bride is conducted to the house of the bride#room (on the followin# day) in the same manner as to
the bath( or with more !om!" $n Cairo( the bridal !rocessions of !ersons of very hi#h rank are
conducted with sin#ular dis!lay" The train is usually headed by buffoons and musicians( and a water)
carrier loaded with a #oat's)skin filled with sand and water( of very #reat wei#ht( which is often borne
for many hours before( as well as durin#( the !rocession( merely to amuse the s!ectators by this feat of
stren#th" Then follow (interru!ted by #rou!s of male or female dancers( 7u##lers( Mc") numerous
decorated o!en wa##ons( or cars( each of which contains several members of some !articular trade or
art en#a#ed in their ordinary occu!ations( or one such !erson with attendants: in one( for instance( a
Jahwe7ee (or Jahve7ee)( with his assistants and !ots @,,and cu!s and fire( makin# coffee for the
s!ectators: in a second( makers of sweetmeats: in a third( makers of !ancakes (faEeerehs): in a fourth(
silk)lace manufacturers: in a fifth( a silk)weaver( with his loom: in a sixth( tinners of co!!er vessels( at
their work: in a seventh( white)washers( whitenin# over and over a#ain a wall: in short( almost every
manufacture( Mc"( has its re!resentatives in a different wa##on" 1l)*abartee describes a !rocession of
this kind in which there were u!wards of seventy !arties of different trades and arts( each !arty in a
se!arate wa##on( besides buffoons( wrestlers( dancers( and others4 followed by various officers( the
eunuchs of the bride's family( ladies of the Gareem with their attendants( then the bride( in a 1uro!ean
carria#e( a troo! of memlooks clad in armour( and a Turkish band of music" $t was a !rocession of
which the like had not before been seen"L+,
The bride and her !arty( havin# arrived at the house( sit down to a re!ast" The bride#room does not yet
see her" %e has already been to the bath( and at ni#htfall he #oes in !rocession with a number of his
friends to a mos0ue( to !erform the ni#ht)!rayers4 he is accom!anied by musicians and sin#ers( or by
chanters of lyric odes in !raise of the 8ro!het4 and by men bearin# cressets (!oles with cylindrical
frames of iron at the to! filled with flamin# wood)4 and on his return( most of his other attendants bear
li#hted wax candles( and bunches of flowers"
<eturned to his house( he leaves his friends in a lower a!artment( and #oes u! to the bride( whom he
finds seated( with a shawl thrown over her head( so as to conceal her face com!letely( and attended by
one or two females" The latter he induces to retire( by means of a small !resent" %e then #ives a !resent
of money to the bride( as Bthe !rice of uncoverin# the face(B and havin# removed the coverin# (sayin#(
as he does so( B$n the name of 2od( the Com!assionate( the &ercifulB)( he beholds her( #enerally( for
the first time" ;n the occasion of this first visit( which is called the Bdukhool(B or Bdukhleh(B he is
recommended Bto !erfume himself( and to s!rinkle some su#ar and almonds on the head of the bride
and on that of each woman with her4 this !ractice bein# established by existin# usa#e and by traditions:
also( when he a!!roaches her( he should !erform the !rayers of two rek'ahs4 and she should do the
same if able: then he should take hold of the hair over her forehead( and say( '; 2od( bless me in my
wife( and bless my wife in me_ ; 2od( bestow u!on me [offs!rin# by her( and bestow u!on her
[offs!rin# by me_ ; 2od( unite us( as Thou hast united( ha!!ily4 and se!arate us( when Thou
se!aratest( ha!!ily_'BL+.
Note NZ" The Earboosh is a woollen skull)ca!( of a dee! blood)red colour( havin# a tassel of dark blue
silk attached to the crown" $t is now worn by most 6rabs of the hi#her and middle classes( and by many
others( exce!t in 6rabia( where it is not so common" <ound it is wound the muslin or shawl which
forms the turban" 5ithin it is worn a cotton ca!" The Turks call it Bfes(B and BfVs"B
Note N+" The fara7eeyeh is a loose robe or coat( now #enerally made of cloth( with full and lon# sleeves
extendin# a little beyond the extremities of the fin#ers and without any slit" $t is worn chiefly by
!ersons of the learned !rofessions"
Note N@" This is the usual mode in which money is collected for the sin#in#)women in the !resent day"
Note NL" B[ooreeyehB is the a!!ellation commonly #iven by the 6rabs to a vir#in of 8aradise( by
3rench and 1n#lish writers( termed B%ouri4B which term( in 6rabic( converts a female into a male( but
is a#reeable with the 8ersian e0uivalent of the 6rabic B[ooreeyeh"B
Note NN"COn the Evil Eye! /ome remarks on the Bevil eyeB have been made in a former note (No" @N
in the !resent series)( with res!ect to children( and the means of counteractin# its su!!osed influence4
but $ mention this sub7ect a#ain !artly with the @,.view of su##estin# to the reader the necessity of
bearin# it in mind( as it ex!lains many usa#es described( or alluded to( in this work( which would
otherwise a!!ear unaccountable" %e may remember a well)known line of Fir#ilC
BNescio 0uis teneros oculus mihi fascinat a#nos(B
which( like many other allusions in works of ancient authors( shews how lon# and how extensively this
su!erstition has been entertained" %ow dee!ly it is rooted in the minds of 6rabs( even the most
reli#ious and learned( may be inferred from this sayin# of their 8ro!het: BThe eye has a com!lete
influence4 because verily( if there were a thin# to overcome fate( it most certainly would be a mali#nant
eye"BL@Z %ence he !ermitted charms (which he disallowed in almost every other case) to be em!loyed
for the !ur!ose of counteractin# its influence"L@+ The followin# observation( selected from several of a
similar nature in my work on the &odern 1#y!tians( a!tly illustrates the !assa#e to which this note
immediately refers" B$t is a custom amon# the hi#her and middle classes in Cairo( on the occasion of a
marria#e( to han# chandeliers in the street before the bride#room's house4 and it often ha!!ens that a
crowd is collected to see a very lar#e and handsome chandelier sus!ended: in this case( it is a common
!ractice to divert the attention of the s!ectators by throwin# down and breakin# a lar#e 7ar( or by some
other artifice( lest an envious eye should cause the chandelier to fall"B
Note N-" The closet here alluded to( bein# one in which ablution is !erformed( always contains a small
trou#h of water( or a ewer"
Note NU" This e!ithet( Bunlucky(B is often a!!lied to an '1freet" $ have fre0uently heard it thus used by
6rabs"
Note NW" B6boo)/hihDbB (literally( 3ather of a /hootin# /tar) is a nickname often #iven to a devil( and
is so em!loyed because devils( or evil 7innees( are sometimes destroyed by shootin# stars hurled at
them by an#els4 an instance of which occurs in the tale under consideration"
Note N," B/itt)el)[osnB si#nifies Bthe 'ady of 9eauty"B
Note N." B[asheeshB is the intoxicatin# hem!( which has been mentioned in former notes"
Note -Z" Thus in the 9reslau edition( and in the Calcutta edition of the first two hundred ni#hts4 but in
the edition of Cairo( the cook is merely termed a !rodi#al"
Note -+"COn Adoption! The &ohammadan law allows the ado!tion of sons( !rovided that the !erson
to be ado!ted consents to the act( if of a#e to 7ud#e for himself4 also( that he has been de!rived of his
!arents by death or other means4 and that there be such a difference of a#e between the two !arties as
mi#ht subsist between a natural father and his son" The ado!ted son en7oys the same ri#ht of
inheritance as the natural son4 but the ado!tive father is not !revented by this act from marryin# any
relation of his ado!ted son"
Note -@" $n the houses of 6rabs of the more wealthy classes( there is usually a chair u!on which the
turban is !laced at ni#ht" $t is of a lar#e siOe( but sli#ht make4 the bottom and back bein# #enerally of
cane)work4 and sometimes it has a kind of cano!y constructed over it" The turban( when !laced u!on it(
is covered with a kerchief of thick silk stuff( often embroidered or interwoven with #old thread"
Note -L" B&XHileeB may be understood as meanin# either Bof the fashion of 1l)&XHil(B or Bof muslin:B
but the former( accordin# to my sheykh( is the si#nification here intended" $ think there is nothin#
!eculiar in the common modern turban of 1l)&XHil"
Note -N" This is done under the idea that it stren#thens the infant's eyes"
Note --" B'67eebB si#nifies B5onderful"B
Note -U" The meanin# of this is( that he #rew in a day as other children in a month4 and in a month( as
others in a year"
@.Z
Note -W" The death of the cook is mentioned in the edition of 9reslau4 but not in that of Cairo"
Note -," This e7aculation is #enerally uttered at the mention of a deceased &uslim"
Note -." BIDGebB is a title #iven to 5eOeers( as mentioned in Note , to the $ntroduction"
Note UZ" $n the ori#inal( fifteen" The a#e of '67eeb has been shewn to have been little more than eleven
at this !eriod4 therefore $ have substituted twelve for fifteen" $n !a#e @NL $ have made a similar
correction( substitutin# fifteen for ei#hteen"
Note U+" This alludes to a custom common in the 1ast(Cthat of #ivin# a !resent of a dress( or some
article of clothin#( to a !erson who has brou#ht #ood news"
Note U@" The term BboyB is not used here to im!ly that the eunuch was a youth4 but in the sense in
which it is often em!loyed by us4 as synonymous with Bservant"B
Note UL" B1r)<eydDneeyehB is the name of a tract on the north of Cairo( where travellers arrivin# from
/yria #enerally halted" $n the ori#inal( by errors in the diacritical !oints( this name is converted into
B1O)^ebedDneeyeh"B
Note UN" The word which $ translate Ba cross(B literally si#nifies Ban effi#y4B but $ su!!ose this term to
be em!loyed merely because a cross bears a rude resemblance to a man with extended arms"
Note U-" BThe name of 6llah encom!ass thee_B (or( literally( BCbe around thee_B) is an e7aculation
often used( es!ecially by women( a#reein# exactly with the ex!ression in the first verse of the twentieth
8salm(CBThe name of the 2od of *acob defend thee_BCthe BnameB of 2od here si#nifyin# his !ower"
BThe name of the 'ord is a stron# tower: the ri#hteous runneth into it( and is safe"B (8roverbs xviii" +Z")
Note UU" %ere( for a reason #iven above( $ have substituted BtwelveB for Bten"B
Note UW" $n the ori#inal( the last of these verses is here omitted( but my sheykh has su!!lied it in the
mar#in of my co!y( and it occurs afterwards( in the W-th ni#ht( in which the !recedin# verses( with
some sli#ht variations( are re!eated"
Note U,"COn the E4piation of Oaths! The law clearly allows ex!iation for an inconsiderate oath( and(
accordin# to vul#ar o!inion( for the violation of a deliberate oath"L@@ The ex!iation consists in once
feedin# or clothin# ten !oor men( liberatin# a &uslim slave or ca!tive( or fastin# three days" 6n
unintentional oath re0uires no ex!iation4 but the swearin# to a falsehood can only be ex!iated by dee!
re!entance"
Note U." %ole observes (!a#e @@@)( that Bthe discovery of 9edreddin in the 6rabian Ni#hts by the tarts
he had made( bears internal evidence of havin# been co!ied from Nella <a7a's detection by the same
means:B and he refers to =indersley's B/!ecimens of $ndian 'iterature"B
@WU &ir)Dt eO)^emDn( events of the year @,."
@WW /ale's 8reliminary ?iscourse( sect" iv"
@W, The call to !rayer( which is chanted from the mDd'nehs (or menarets) of the mos0ues" $t is as
follows:CB2od is most #reat_B (four times)" B$ testify that there is no deity but 2od_B (twice)" B$ testify
that &oGammad is 2od's 6!ostle_B (twice)" BCome to !rayer_B (twice)" BCome to security_B (twice)"
B2od is most #reat_B (twice)" BThere is no deity but 2od_B
@W. NuOhet el)&utafmmil wa)&urshid el)&utafhhil( sect" ."
@,Z NuOhet el)&utafmmil wa)&urshid el)&utafh)hil( sect" ."
@,+ Com!are 1xodus xiii" +L4 and xii" NU"
@,@ NuOhet el)&utafmmil( Mc"( sect" .4 and &ishkDt el)&asDbeeG( vol" ii" !!" L+-( L+U"
@,L NuOhet el)&utafmmil( Mc"( loco laudato"
@,N NuOhet el)&utafmmil( Mc"( sect" ."
@,- $bid"
@,U NuOhet el)&utafmmil( Mc"( sect" @"
@,W $dem( sect" W"
@,, Pur)Dn( ch" xxiii" v" ++W"
@,. B2od_ there is no deity but %e(B Mc"( to the words( B%e is the %i#h( the 2reat"BC$dem( ch" ii" v"
@-U"
@.Z NuOhet el)&utafmmil( Mc"( sect" ."
@.+ NuOhet el)&utafmmil( Mc"( sect" ."
@.@ 6 similar custom is mentioned in a note a!!ended to the account of circumcision in vol" i" ch" ii" of
my work on the &odern 1#y!tians"
@.L &ir)Dt eO)^emDn( events of the year LZ@"
@.N NuOhet el)&utafmmil( Mc"( sect" .4 and &ishkDt el)&aHDbeeG( vol" ii" !" ,U"
@.- &ishkDt el)&aHDbeeG( ibid"
@.U NuOhet el)&utafmmil( Mc"( sect" U"
@.W /ee my work on the &odern 1#y!tians( vol" ii" ch" v"
@., &ishkDt el)&aHDbeeG( vol" ii" !" W."
@.. NuOhet el)&utafmmil( Mc"( sect" +"
LZZ $bid"
LZ+ NuOhet el)&utafmmil( Mc"( sect" +"
LZ@ &ir)Dt eO)^emDn( events of the year above mentioned"
LZL $dem( 8roverbs of the 6rabs: and PDmoos( voce Bkhara7a"B
LZN Ch" iv" vv" @U( @W"
LZ- NuOhet el)&utafmmil( Mc"( sect" N"
LZU $dem( sect" U"
LZW &ishkDt el)&aHDbeeG( vol" i" !" @@."
LZ, $dem( vol" i" !" @@L"
LZ. $dem( vol" ii" !" W,"
L+Z $dem( vol" ii" !" W."
L++ NuOhet 1l)&utafmmil( Mc"( sect" N"
L+@ $dem( sect" ,"
L+L NuOhet el)&utafmmil( Mc"( sect" ,"
L+N $bid"4 and &ishkDt el)&aHDbeeG( vol" ii" !" +Z-"
L+- &ishkDt el)&aHDbeeG vol" ii" !" +ZN"
L+U NuOhet el)&utafmmil( Mc"( loco laudato4 and &ishkDt el)&aHDbeeG( vol" ii" !" ,."
L+W NuOhet el)&utafmmil( Mc"( loco laudato"
L+, 6ccount of the 1meer &oGammad d#ha 1l)9Droodee( obituary( year +@Z-"
L+. NuOhet el)&utafmmil( Mc"( sect" ,"
L@Z &ishkDt el)&aHDbeeG( vol" ii" !" LWW"
L@+ $bid"
L@@ Pur)Dn( ch" v" v" ."
@.+
CHAPTER V.
COMMENCING WITH PART OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH NIGHT, AND ENDING WITH PART OF THE THIRTY-SECOND.
THE STORY OF THE HUMPBAC.
There was( in ancient times( in the city of 1l)9aHrah(+ a tailor who en7oyed an am!le income( and was
fond of s!ort and merriment" %e was in the habit of #oin# out occasionally with his wife( that they
mi#ht amuse themselves with stran#e and divertin# scenes4 and one day they went forth in the
afternoon(@ and( returnin# home in the evenin#( met a hum!backed man( whose as!ect was such as to
excite lau#hter in the an#ry( and to dis!el anxiety and #rief: so they a!!roached him to en7oy the
!leasure of #aOin# at him( and invited him to return with them to their house( and to 7oin with them in a
carousal that ni#ht"
%e assented to their !ro!osal4 and after he had #one with them@.@ to the house( the tailor went out to
the market4 ni#ht havin# then a!!roached" %e bou#ht some dried fish( and bread and limes and
sweetmeat( and( returnin# with them( !laced the fish before the hum!back and they sat down to eat4 and
the tailor's wife took a lar#e !iece of fish( and crammed the hum!back with it( and( closin# his mouth
with her hand( said( 9y 6llah( thou shalt not swallow it but by #ul!in# it at once( and $ will not #ive
thee time to chew it" %e therefore swallowed it4 but it contained a lar#e and shar! bone( which stuck
across in his throat( his destiny havin# so determined( and he ex!ired" The tailor exclaimed( There is no
stren#th nor !ower but in 2od the %i#h( the 2reat_ 6las( that this !oor creature should not have died
but in this manner by our hands_C5herefore this idlin#R exclaimed the woman"C6nd what can $ doR
asked her husband"C6rise she answered( and take him in thy bosom( and cover him with a silk na!kin:
$ will #o out first and do thou follow me( this very ni#ht and say( This is my son( and this is his mother4
and we are #oin# to convey him to the !hysician( that he may #ive him some medicine"
No sooner had the tailor heard these words than he arose( and took the hum!back in his bosom" %is
wife( accom!anyin# him( exclaimed( ; my child_ may 6llah !reserve thee_ 5here is the !art in which
thou feelest !ain4 and where hath this small)!ox attacked theeRC/o every one who saw them said(
They are conveyin# a child smitten with the small)!ox" Thus they !roceeded( in0uirin# as they went(
for the abode of the !hysician4 and the !eo!le directed them to the house of a !hysician who was a *ew4
and they knocked at the door( and there came down to them a black slave)#irl( who o!ened the door(
and beheld a man carryin# (as she ima#ined) a child( and attended by its mother4 and she said( 5hat is
your businessRC5e have a child here answered the tailor's wife( and we want the !hysician to see him:
take( then( this 0uarter of a !iece of #old( and #ive it to thy master( and let him come down and see my
son4 for he is ill" The #irl( therefore( went u!( and the tailor's wife( enterin# the vestibule( said to her
husband( 'eave the hum!back here( and let us take ourselves away" 6nd the tailor( accordin#ly( set him
u! a#ainst the wall( and went out with his wife"
The slave)#irl( meanwhile( went in to the *ew( and said to him( 9elow( in the house( is a sick !erson(
with a woman and a man: and they have #iven me a 0uarter of a !iece of #old for thee( that thou mayest
!rescribe for them what may suit his case" 6nd when the@.L *ew saw the 0uarter of a !iece of #old( he
re7oiced( and( risin# in haste( went down in the dark4 and in doin# so( his foot struck a#ainst the lifeless
hum!back" ; 1Ora_ he exclaimedC; %eavens and the Ten Commandments_ ; 6aron( and *oshua son
of Nun_ $t seemeth that $ have stumbled a#ainst this sick !erson( and he hath fallen down the stairs and
died_ 6nd how shall $ #o forth with one killed from my houseR ; 1Ora's ass_LC%e then raised him(
and took him u! from the court of the house to his wife( and ac0uainted her with the accident"C6nd
why sittest thou here idleR said she4 for if thou remain thus until daybreak our lives will be lost: let me
and thee( then( take him u! to the terrace( and throw him into the house of our nei#hbour the &uslim4
for he is the steward of the /ulEDn's kitchen( and often do the cats come to his house( and eat of the food
which they find there4N as do the mice too: and if he remain there for a ni#ht( the do#s will come down
to him from the terraces and eat him u! entirely"- /o the *ew and his wife went u!( carryin# the
hum!back( and let him down by his hands and feet to the !avement4 !lacin# him a#ainst the wall4
which havin# done( they descended"
Not lon# had the hum!back been thus de!osited when the steward returned to his house( and o!ened
the door( and( #oin# u! with a li#hted candle in his hand( found a son of 6dam standin# in the corner
next the kitchen4 u!on which he exclaimed( 5hat is thisR 9y 6llah( the thief that hath stolen our #oods
is none other than a son of 6dam( who taketh what he findeth of flesh or #rease( even thou#h $ kee! it
concealed from the cats and the do#s4 and if $ killed all the cats and do#s of the 0uarter it would be of
no use4 for he cometh down from the terraces_C6nd so sayin#( he took u! a #reat mallet( and struck
him with it( and then( drawin# close to him( #ave him a second blow with it u!on the chest( when the
hum!back fell down( and he found that he was dead4 whereu!on he #rieved( and said( There is no
stren#th nor !ower but in 2od_ 6nd he feared for himself( and exclaimed( Curse u!on the #rease and
the flesh( and u!on this ni#ht( in which the destiny of this man hath been accom!lished by my hand_
Then( lookin# u!on him( and !erceivin# that he was a hum!back( he said( $s it not enou#h that thou art
hum!backed( but must thou also be a robber( and steal the flesh and the #reaseR ; 8rotector( cover me
with thy #racious shelter_C6nd he lifted him u!on his shoulders( and descended( and went forth from
his house( towards the close of the ni#ht( and sto!!ed not until he had conveyed him to the
commencement of the market)street( where he !laced him@.N u!on his feet by the side of a sho! at the
entrance of a lane( and there left him and retired"
/oon after( there came a Christian( the /ulEDn's broker( who( in a state of intoxication( had come forth to
visit the bath4 and he advanced( sta##erin#( until he drew near to the hum!back( when he turned his
eyes( and beheld one standin# by him" Now some !ersons had snatched off his turban early in the
ni#ht(U and when he saw the hum!back standin# there( he concluded that he intended to do the same4
so he clenched his fist( and struck him on the neck" ?own fell the hum!back u!on the #round( and the
Christian called out to the watchman of the market(W while( still in the excess of his intoxication( he
continued beatin# the hum!back( and attem!tin# to throttle him" 6s he was thus em!loyed( the
watchman came( and( findin# the Christian kneelin# u!on the &uslim, and beatin# him( said( 6rise(
and 0uit him_ %e arose( therefore( and the watchman( a!!roachin# the hum!back( saw that he was
dead( and exclaimed( %ow is it that the Christian dareth to kill the &uslimR Then seiOin# the Christian(
he bound his hands behind him( and took him to the house of the 5Dlee4. the Christian sayin# within
himself( ; %eavens_ ; Fir#in_ how have $ killed this manR and how 0uickly did he die from a blow of
the hand_C$ntoxication had de!arted( and reflection had come"
The hum!back and the Christian !assed the remainder of the ni#ht in the house of the 5Dlee( and the
5Dlee ordered the executioner to !roclaim the Christian's crime( and he set u! a #allows( and stationed
him beneath it" The executioner then came( and threw the ro!e round his neck( and was about to han#
him( when the /ulEDn's steward !ushed throu#h the crowd( seein# the Christian standin# beneath the
#allows( and the !eo!le made way for him( and he said to the executioner( ?o it not4 for it was $ who
killed him"C5herefore didst thou kill himR said the 5Dlee" %e answered( $ went into my house last
ni#ht( and saw that he had descended from the terrace and stolen my #oods4 so $ struck him with a
mallet u!on his chest( and he died( and $ carried him out( and conveyed him to the market)street( where
$ set him u! in such a !lace( at the entrance of such a lane" $s it not enou#h for me to have killed a
&uslim( that a Christian should be killed on my accountR %an#( then( none but me"CThe 5Dlee(
therefore( when he heard these words( liberated the Christian broker( and said to the executioner( %an#
this man( on the #round of his confession" 6nd he took off the ro!e from the neck of the Christian(
and@.- !ut it round the neck of the steward( and( havin# stationed him beneath the #allows( was about
to han# him( when the *ewish !hysician !ushed throu#h the crowd( and called out to the executioner(
sayin# to him( ?o it not4 for none killed him but $4 and the case was this: he came to my house to be
cured of a disease( and as $ descended to him $ struck a#ainst him with my foot( and he died: kill not the
steward( therefore4 but kill me" /o the 5Dlee #ave orders to han# the *ewish !hysician4 and the
executioner took off the ro!e from the steward's neck( and !ut it round the neck of the *ew" 9ut( lo( the
tailor came( and( forcin# his way amon# the !eo!le( said to the executioner( ?o it not4 for none killed
him but $4 and it ha!!ened thus: $ was out amusin# myself durin# the day( and as $ was returnin# at the
commencement of the ni#ht( $ met this hum!back in a state of intoxication( with a tambourine( and
sin#in# merrily4 and $ sto!!ed to divert myself by lookin# at him( and took him to my house" $ then
bou#ht some fish( and we sat down to eat( and my wife took a !iece of fish and a morsel of bread( and
crammed them into his mouth( and he was choked( and instantly died" Then $ and my wife took him to
the house of the *ew( and the #irl came down and o!ened the door( and while she went u! to her master(
$ set u! the hum!back by the stairs( and went away with my wife: so( when the *ew came down and
stumbled a#ainst him( he thou#ht that he had killed him"C6nd he said to the *ew( $s this trueR %e
answered( Ses" The tailor( then( lookin# towards the 5Dlee( said to him( 'iberate the *ew( and han# me"
6nd when the 5Dlee heard this he was astonished at the case of the hum!back( and said( Ferily this is
an event that should be recorded in books_ 6nd he said to the executioner( 'iberate the *ew( and han#
the tailor on account of his own confession" /o the executioner led him forward( sayin#( ?ost thou !ut
forward this and take back that4 and shall we not han# oneR 6nd he !ut the ro!e round the neck of the
tailor"
Now the hum!back was the /ulEDn's buffoon( and the /ulEDn could not bear him to be out of his si#ht4
and when the hum!back had #ot drunk( and been absent that ni#ht and the next day until noon( the
=in# in0uired res!ectin# him of some of his attendants( and they answered him( ; our lord( the 5Dlee
hath taken him forth dead( and #ave orders to han# the !erson who killed him( and there came a second
and a third !erson( each sayin#( None killed him but $:Cand describin# to the 5Dlee the cause of his
killin# him" 5hen the =in#( therefore( heard this( he called out to the Chamberlain( and said to him(@.U
2o down to the 5Dlee( and brin# them all hither before me" /o the Chamberlain went down( and found
that the executioner had almost !ut to death the tailor( and he called out to him( sayin#( ?o it not:Cand
informed the 5Dlee that the case had been re!orted to the =in#" 6nd he took him( and the hum!back
borne with him( and the tailor and the *ew and the Christian and the steward( and went u! with them all
to the =in#4 and when the 5Dlee came into the !resence of the =in#( he kissed the #round( and related
to him all that had ha!!ened" 6nd the =in# was astonished( and was moved with merriment( at hearin#
this tale4 and he commanded that it should be written in letters of #old" %e then said to those who were
!resent( %ave ye ever heard anythin# like the story of this hum!backR 6nd u!on this the Christian
advanced( and said( ; =in# of the a#e( if thou !ermit me $ will relate to thee an event that hath
occurred to me more wonderful and stran#e and excitin# than the story of the hum!back"CTell us then
thy story( said the =in#" 6nd the Christian related as follows:C
@.W
THE STORY TOLD BY THE CHRISTIAN BROER.
=now( ; =in# of the a#e( that $ came to this country with merchandise( and destiny stayed me amon#
your !eo!le" $ was born in Cairo( and am one of its Co!ts( and there $ was brou#ht u!" &y father was a
broker4 and when $ had attained to manhood( he died( and $ succeeded to his business4 and as $ was
sittin# one day( lo( a youn# man of most handsome as!ect( and clad in a dress of the richest descri!tion(
came to me( ridin# u!on an ass( and( when he saw me( saluted me4 whereu!on $ rose to him( to !ay him
honour( and he !roduced a handkerchief containin# some sesame( and said( 5hat is the value of an
ardebb+Z of thisR $ answered him( 6 hundred !ieces of silver" 6nd he said to me( Take the carriers and
the measurers( and re!air to the =hDn of 1l)*Dwalee++ in the district of 9Db en)NaHr:+@ there wilt thou
find me" 6nd he left me and went his way( after havin# #iven me the handkerchief with the sam!le of
the sesame" /o $ went about to the !urchasers4 and the !rice of each ardebb amounted to a hundred and
twenty !ieces of silver4 and $ took with me four carriers( and went to him" $ found him waitin# my
arrival4 and when he saw me he rose and o!ened a ma#aOine( and we measured its contents( and the
whole amounted to fifty ardebbs" The youn# man then said( Thou shalt have( for every ardebb( ten
!ieces of silver as brokera#e4 and do thou receive the !rice and kee! it in thy care: the whole sum will
be five thousand4 and thy share of it( five hundred: so there will remain for me four thousand and five
hundred4 and when $ shall have finished the sale of the #oods contained in my store)rooms( $ will@.,
come to thee and receive it" $ re!lied( $t shall be as thou desirest" 6nd $ kissed his hand( and left him"
Thus there accrued to me( on that day( a thousand !ieces of silver( besides my brokera#e"+L
%e was absent from me a month( at the ex!iration of which he came and said to me( 5here is the
moneyR $ answered( %ere it is( ready" 6nd he said( =ee! it until $ come to thee to receive it" 6nd $
remained ex!ectin# him4 but he was absent from me another month4 after which he came a#ain( and
said( 5here is the moneyR 5hereu!on $ arose and saluted him( and said to him( 5ilt thou eat
somethin# with usR %e( however( declined( and said( =ee! the money until $ shall have #one and
returned to receive it from thee" %e then de!arted4 and $ arose( and !re!ared for him the money( and sat
ex!ectin# him4 but a#ain he absented himself from me for a month( and then came and said( 6fter this
day $ will receive it from thee" 6nd he de!arted( and $ made ready the money for him as before( and sat
waitin# his return" 6#ain( however( he remained a month absent from me( and $ said within myself(
Ferily this youn# man is endowed with consummate liberality_ 6fter the month he came( attired in rich
clothin#( and resemblin# the full moon( a!!earin# as if he had 7ust come out of the bath( with red cheek
and fair forehead( and a mole like a #lobule of amber#ris" 5hen $ beheld him $ kissed his hand( and
invoked a blessin# u!on him( and said to him( ; my master( wilt thou not take thy moneyRC%ave
!atience with me( he answered( until $ shall have transacted all my affairs( after which $ will receive it
from thee" 6nd so sayin#( he de!arted4 and $ said within myself( 9y 6llah( when he cometh $ will
entertain him as a #uest( on account of the !rofit which $ have derived from his money4 for #reat wealth
hath accrued to me from it"
6t the close of the year he returned( clad in a dress richer than the former4 and $ swore to him that he
should ali#ht to be my #uest"C;n the condition( he re!lied( that thou ex!end nothin# of my money that
is in thy !ossession" $ said( 5ell:Cand( havin# seated him( !re!ared what was re0uisite of meats and
drinks and other !rovisions( and !laced them before him( sayin#( $n the name of 6llah_ 6nd he drew
near to the table( and !ut forth his left hand( and thus ate with me: so $ was sur!rised at him4+N and
when we had finished he washed his hand( and $ #ave him a na!kin with which to wi!e it" 5e then sat
down to converse( and $ said( ; my master dis!el a trouble from my mind" 5herefore didst thou eat
with thy left handR 8robably somethin# !aineth thee in thy ri#ht handRC;n hearin#@.. these words(
he stretched forth his arm from his sleeve(+- and behold( it was maimedCan arm without a hand_ 6nd
$ wondered at this4 but he said to me( 5onder not4 nor say in thy heart that $ ate with thee with my left
hand from a motive of self)conceit4 for rather to be wondered at is the cause of the cuttin# off of my
ri#ht hand" 6nd what( said $( was the cause of itR %e answered( thus:C
=now that $ am from 9a#hdDd: my father was one of the chief !eo!le of that city4 and when $ had
attained the a#e of manhood( $ heard the wanderers and travellers and merchants conversin# res!ectin#
the land of 1#y!t( and their words remained in my heart until my father died( when $ took lar#e sums of
money( and !re!ared merchandise consistin# of the stuffs of 9a#hdDd and of 1l)&XHil( and similar
!recious #oods( and( havin# !acked them u!( 7ourneyed from 9a#hdDd4 and 2od decreed me safety
until $ entered this your city" 6nd so sayin#( he we!t( and re!eated these verses:C
The blear)eyed esca!eth a !it into which the clear)si#hted falleth4 6nd the i#norant( an ex!ression by
which the shrewd sa#e is ruined" The believer can scarce earn his food( while the im!ious infidel is
favoured" 5hat art or act can a man deviseR $t is what the 6lmi#hty a!!ointeth_
$ entered Cairo( continued the youn# man( and de!osited the stuffs in the =hDn of &esroor(+U and(
havin# unbound my !acka#es and !ut them in the ma#aOines( #ave to the servant some money to buy
for us somethin# to eat( after which $ sle!t a little4 and when $ arose( $ went to 9eyn el)PaHreyn"+W $
then returned( and !assed the ni#ht4 and in the mornin# followin#( $ o!ened a bale of stuff( and said
within myself( $ will arise and #o throu#h some of the market)streets( and see the state of the mart" /o $
took some stuff( and made some of my servants carry it( and !roceeded until $ arrived at the
PeysDreeyeh of *ahDrkas(+, where the brokers came to me( havin# heard of my arrival( and took from
me the stuff( and cried it about for sale4 but the !rice bidden amounted not to the !rime cost" 6nd u!on
this the /heykh of the brokers said to me( ; my master( $ know a !lan by which thou mayest !rofit4 and
it is this: that thou do as other merchants( and sell thy merchandise u!on credit for a certain !eriod(
em!loyin# a scrivener and a witness and a money)chan#er( and receive a !ortion of the !rofits every
Thursday and &onday4 so shalt thou make of every !iece of silver two4 and besides that( thou wilt be
able to en7oy the amusements afforded by 1#y!t and its Nile"CThe advice is 7udicious( $ re!lied: and
accordin#ly $ took the brokers with me to the =hDn( and they conveyed the stuffs to the PeysDreeyeh(
where $ sold it to the merchants( writin# a bond in their names( which $ committed toLZZ the money)
chan#er( and takin# from him a corres!ondin# bond" $ then returned to the =hDn( and remained there
some days4 and every day $ took for my breakfast a cu! of wine( and had mutton and sweetmeats
!re!ared for me( until the month in which $ became entitled to the recei!t of the !rofits( when $ seated
myself every Thursday and &onday at the sho!s of the merchants( and the money)chan#er went with
the scrivener and brou#ht me the money"
Thus did $ until one day $ went to the bath and returned to the =hDn( and( enterin# my lod#in#( took for
my breakfast a cu! of wine( and then sle!t4 and when $ awoke $ ate a fowl(+. and !erfumed myself with
essence( and re!aired to the sho! of a merchant named 9edr)ed)?een the 2ardener(@Z who( when he
saw me( welcomed me( and conversed with me a while in his sho!4 and as we were thus en#a#ed( lo( a
female came and seated herself by my side" /he wore a headkerchief inclined on one side( and the
odours of sweet !erfumes were diffused from her( and she ca!tivated my reason by her beauty and
loveliness as she raised her iODr and $ beheld her black eyes" /he saluted 9edr)ed)?een( and he returned
her salutation( and stood conversin# with her4 and when $ heard her s!eech( love for her took entire
!ossession of my heart" /he then said to 9edr)ed)?een( %ast thou a !iece of stuff woven with !ure #old
threadR 6nd he !roduced to her a !iece4 and she said( &ay $ take it and #o( and then send thee the
!riceR 9ut he answered( $t is im!ossible( ; my mistress4 for this is the owner of the stuff( and $ owe
him a !ortion of the !rofit"C5o to thee_ said she: it is my custom to take of thee each !iece of stuff for
a considerable sum of money( #ivin# thee a #ain beyond thy wish( and then to send thee the !rice"C
Ses( he re7oined4 but $ am in absoluteLZ+ want of the !rice this day" 6nd u!on this she took the !iece
and threw it back to him u!on his breast( sayin#( Ferily your class knows not how to res!ect any
!erson's rank_ 6nd she arose( and turned away" $ felt then as if my soul went with her( and( risin# u!on
my feet( $ said to her( ; my mistress( kindly bestow a look u!on me( and retrace thine honoured ste!s"
6nd she returned( and smiled and said( 3or thy sake $ return" 6nd she sat o!!osite me u!on the seat of
the sho!4 and $ said to 9edr)ed)?een( 5hat is the !rice that thou hast a#reed to #ive for this !iece" %e
answered( 1leven hundred !ieces of silver" 6nd $ said to him( Thy !rofit shall be a hundred !ieces of
silver: #ive me then a !a!er( and $ will write for thee the !rice u!on it" $ then took the !iece of stuff
from him( and wrote him the !a!er with my own hand( and #ave the !iece of stuff to the lady( sayin# to
her( Take it and #o4 and if thou wilt( brin# the !rice to me in the market4 or( if thou wilt( it shall be my
!resent to thee" /he re!lied( 2od recom!ense thee( and bless thee with my !ro!erty( and make thee my
husband4 and may 2od acce!t this !rayer_C; my mistress( said $( let this !iece of stuff be thine( and
another like it( and !ermit me to see thy face" 6nd u!on this she raised her veil4 and when $ beheld her
face( the si#ht drew from me a thousand si#hs( and my heart was entan#led by her love( so that $ no
lon#er remained master of my reason" /he then lowered the veil a#ain( and took the !iece of stuff(
sayin#( ; my master( leave me not desolate" /o she de!arted( while $ continued sittin# in the market)
street until !ast the hour of afternoon)!rayer( with wanderin# mind( over!owered by love" $n the excess
of my !assion( before $ rose $ asked the merchant res!ectin# her4 and he answered me( /he is a rich
lady( the dau#hter of a deceased 1meer( who left her #reat !ro!erty"
$ then took leave of him( and returned to the =hDn( and the su!!er was !laced before me4 but( reflectin#
u!on her( $ could eat nothin#" $ laid myself down to rest4 but slee! came not to me( and $ remained
awake until the mornin#( when $ arose and !ut on a suit of clothin# different from that which $ had
worn the day before4 and( havin# drunk a cu! of wine( and eaten a few morsels as my breakfast(
re!aired a#ain to the sho! of the merchant( and saluted him( and sat down with him" The lady soon
came( wearin# a dress more rich than the former( and attended by a slave)#irl4 and she seated herself(
and saluted me instead of 9edr)ed)?een( and said( with an elo0uent ton#ue which $ had never heard
sur!assed in softness or sweetness( /end with me some one to receive the twelve hundred !ieces of
silver( the !riceLZ@ of the !iece of stuff"C5herefore( said $( this hasteR /he re!lied( &ay we never lose
thee_ 6nd she handed to me the !rice4 and $ sat conversin# with her( and made a si#n to her( which she
understood( intimatin# my wish to visit her: whereu!on she rose in haste( ex!ressin# dis!leasure at my
hint" &y heart clun# to her( and $ followed in the direction of her ste!s throu#h the market)street4 and
lo( a slave)#irl came to me( and said( ; my master( answer the summons of my mistress" 5onderin# at
this( $ said( No one here knoweth me"C%ow soon( she re7oined( hast thou for#otten her_ &y mistress is
she who was to)day at the sho! of the merchant 9edr)ed)?een"C/o $ went with her until we arrived at
the money)chan#er's4@+ and when her mistress( who was there( beheld me( she drew me to her side( and
said( ; my beloved( thou hast wounded my heart( and love of thee hath taken !ossession of it4 and from
the time that $ first saw thee( neither slee! nor food nor drink hath been !leasant to me" $ re!lied( 6nd
more than that do $ feel4 and the state in which $ am needs no com!laint to testify it"CThen shall $ visit
thee( ; my beloved( she asked( or wilt thou come to meR 3or our marria#e must be a secret"@@C$ am a
stran#er( $ answered( and have no !lace of rece!tion but the =hDn4 therefore( if thou wilt kindly !ermit
me to #o to thine abode the !leasure will be !erfect"C5ell( she re!lied4 but to)ni#ht is the eve of
3riday( and let nothin# be done till to)morrow( when( after thou hast 7oined in the !rayers( do thou
mount thine ass( and in0uire for the [abbDneeyeh4@L and when thou hast arrived there( ask for the
house called the PD'ah@N of 9arakDt the NaJeeb(@- known by the surname of 6boo)/hDmeh4 for there
do $ reside4 and delay not4 for $ shall be anxiously ex!ectin# thee"
;n hearin# this $ re7oiced exceedin#ly( and we !arted4 and $ returned to the =hDn in which $ lod#ed" $
!assed the whole ni#ht slee!less( and was scarcely sure that the daybreak had a!!eared when $ rose and
chan#ed my clothes( and( havin# !erfumed myself with essences and sweet scents( took with me fifty
!ieces of #old in a handkerchief( and walked from the =hDn of &esroor to 9Db ^uweyleh(@U where $
mounted an ass( and said to its owner( 2o with me to the [abbDneeyeh" 6nd in less than the twinklin#
of an eye he set off( and soon he sto!!ed at a by)street called ?arb 1l)&unaJJiree( when $ said to him(
1nter the street( and in0uire for the PD'ah of the NaJeeb" %e was absent but a little while( and(
returnin#( said( 6li#ht"C5alk on before me( said $( to the PD'ah" 6nd he went on until he had led me to
the house4 whereu!on $ said to him( To)morrowLZL come to me hither to convey me back"C$n the
name of 6llah( he re!lied: and $ handed to him a 0uarter of a !iece of #old( and he took it and de!arted"
$ then knocked at the door( and there came forth to me two youn# vir#ins in whom the forms of
womanhood had 7ust develo!ed themselves( resemblin# two moons( and they said( 1nter4 for our
mistress is ex!ectin# thee( and she hath not sle!t last ni#ht from her excessive love for thee" $ entered
an u!!er saloon with seven doors: around it were latticed windows lookin# u!on a #arden in which
were fruits of every kind( and runnin# streams and sin#in# birds: it was !lastered with im!erial
#y!sum( in which a man mi#ht see his face reflected:@W its roof was ornamented with #ildin#( and
surrounded by inscri!tions in letters of #old u!on a #round of ultramarine: it com!rised a variety of
beauties( and shone in the eyes of beholders: the !avement was of coloured marbles( havin# in the
midst of it a fountain( with four snakes of red #old castin# forth water from their mouths like !earls and
7ewels at the corners of the !ool4@, and it was furnished with car!ets of coloured silk( and mattresses"
%avin# entered( $ seated myself4 and scarcely had $ done so when the lady a!!roached me" /he wore a
crown set with !earls and 7ewels4@. her hands and feet were stained with Genn]4 and her bosom was
ornamented with #old" 6s soon as she beheld me she smiled in my face( and embraced me( sayin#( $s it
true that thou hast come to me( or is this a dreamRC$ am thy slave( $ answered4 and she said( Thou art
welcome" Ferily( from the time when $ first saw thee( neither slee! hath been sweet to me( nor hath
food been !leasant_C$n such case have I been( $ re!lied4Cand we sat down to converse4 but $ hun#
down my head towards the #round( in bashfulness4 andLZN not lon# had $ thus remained when a re!ast
was !laced before me( consistin# of the most ex0uisite dishes( as fricandoes and hashes and stuffed
fowls" $ ate with her until we were satisfied4 when they brou#ht the basin and ewer( and $ washed my
hands4 after which we !erfumed ourselves with rose)water infused with musk( and sat down a#ain to
converse: ex!ressin# to each other our mutual !assion4 and her love took such !ossession of me that all
the wealth $ !ossessed seemed worthless in com!arison" $n this manner we continued to en7oy
ourselves until( ni#ht a!!roachin#( the female slaves brou#ht su!!er and wine( a com!lete service4 and
we drank until midni#ht" Never in my life had $ !assed such a ni#ht" 6nd when mornin# came( $ arose(
and( havin# thrown to her the handkerchief containin# the !ieces of #old(LZ $ took leave of her and
went out4 but as $ did so she we!t( and said( ; my master( when shall $ see a#ain this lovely faceR $
answered her( $ will be with thee at the commencement of the ni#ht" 6nd when $ went forth( $ found the
owner of the ass( who had brou#ht me the day before( waitin# for me at the door4 and $ mounted( and
returned with him to the =hDn of &esroor( where $ ali#hted( and #ave to him half a !iece of #old(
sayin# to him( Come hither at sunset" %e re!lied( ;n the head be thy command"
$ entered the =hDn( and ate my breakfast( and then went forth to collect the !rice of my stuffs4 after
which $ returned" $ had !re!ared for my wife a roasted lamb( and !urchased some sweetmeat and $ now
called the !orter( described to him the house( and #ave him his hire" %avin# done this( $ occu!ied
myself a#ain with my business until sunset( when the owner of the ass came( and $ took fifty !ieces of
#old( and !ut them into a handkerchief" 1nterin# the house( $ found that they had wi!ed the marble and
!olished the vessels of co!!er and brass( and filled the lam!s and li#hted the candles( and dished the
su!!er and strained the wine4 and when my wife saw me( she threw her arms around my neck( and said(
Thou hast made me desolate by thine absence_ The tables were then !laced before us( and we ate until
we were satisfied( and the slave)#irls took away the first table( and !laced before us the wine4 and we
sat drinkin#( and eatin# of the dried fruits( and makin# merry( until midni#ht" 5e then sle!t until
mornin#( when $ arose and handed her the fifty !ieces of #old as before( and left her"
Thus $ continued to do for a lon# time( until $ !assed the ni#ht and awoke !ossessin# not a !iece of
silver nor one of #old4 and $ said within myself( This is the work of the ?evil_ 6nd $ re!eated these
verses:LZ-C
8overty causeth the lustre of a man to #row dim( like the yellowness of the settin# sun" 5hen absent(
he is not remembered amon# mankind4 and when !resent( he shareth not their !leasures" $n the market)
streets he shunneth notice4 and in desert !laces he !oureth forth his tears" 9y 6llah_ a man( amon# his
own relations( when afflicted with !overty( is as a stran#er_
5ith these reflections $ walked forth into 9eyn el)PaHreyn( and !roceeded thence to 9Db ^uweyleh(
where $ found the !eo!le crowdin# to#ether( so that the #ate was sto!!ed u! by their number4 and( as
destiny willed( $ saw there a troo!er( and( unintentionally !ressin# a#ainst him( my hand came in
contact with his !ocket( and $ felt it( and found that it contained a !urse4 and $ cau#ht hold of the !urse(
and took it from his !ocket" 9ut the troo!er felt that his !ocket was li#htened( and( !uttin# his hand into
it( found nothin#4 u!on which he looked aside at me( and raised his hand with the mace(L+ and struck
me u!on my head" $ fell to the #round( and the !eo!le surrounded us( and seiOed the bridle of the
troo!er's horse( sayin#( ;n account of the crowd dost thou strike this youn# man such a blowR 9ut he
called out to them and said( This is a robber_ ;n hearin# this $ feared" The !eo!le around me said( This
is a comely youn# man( and hath taken nothin#" 5hile some( however( believed this( others
disbelieved4 and after many words( the !eo!le dra##ed me alon#( desirin# to liberate me: but( as it was
!redestined( there came at this moment the 5Dlee and other ma#istrates enterin# the #ate( and( seein#
the !eo!le surroundin# me and the troo!er( the 5Dlee said( 5hat is the newsR The troo!er answered(
9y 6llah( ; 1meer( this is a robber: $ had in my !ocket a blue !urse containin# twenty !ieces of #old4
and he took it while $ was !ressed by the crowd"C5as any one with theeR asked the 5Dlee" The
troo!er answered( No" 6nd the 5Dlee called out to the chief of his servants( sayin#( /eiOe him and
search him" /o he seiOed me4 and !rotection was withdrawn from me4 and the 5Dlee said to him( /tri!
him of all that is u!on him" 6nd when he did so( they found the !urse in my clothes: and the 5Dlee(
takin# it( counted the money( and found it to be twenty !ieces of #old( as the troo!er had said4
whereu!on he was enra#ed( and called out to his attendants( sayin#( 9rin# him forward" They(
therefore( brou#ht me before him( and he said to me( ; youn# man( tell the truth" ?idst thou steal this
!urseRC6nd $ hun# down my head towards the #round( sayin# within myself( $f $ answer that $ did not
steal it( it will be useless( for he hath !roduced it from my clothes4 and if $ say( $ stoleLZU it( $ fall into
trouble" $ then raised my head( and said( Ses( $ took it" 6nd when the 5Dlee heard these words( he
wondered( and called witnesses( who !resented themselves( and #ave their testimony to my confession"
C6ll this took !lace at 9Db ^uweyleh"CThe 5Dlee then ordered the executioner to cut off my hand4
and he cut off my ri#ht hand4L@ but the heart of the troo!er was moved with com!assion for me( and he
interceded for me that $ should not be killed:LL so the 5Dlee left me and de!arted" The !eo!le however
continued around me( and #ave me to drink a cu! of wine4 and the troo!er #ave me the !urse( sayin#(
Thou art a comely youth( and it is not fit that thou shouldst be a thief" 6nd $ took it from him( and
addressed him with these verses:C
9y 6llah_ #ood sir( $ was not a robber4 nor was $ a thief( ;( best of mankind_ 9ut fortune's vicissitudes
overthrew me suddenly( and anxiety and trouble and !overty over!owered me" $ cast it not4 but it was
the ?eity who cast an arrow that threw down the kin#ly diadem from my head"LN LZW
The troo!er then left me and de!arted( after havin# #iven me the !urse( and $ went my way4 but first $
wra!!ed my hand in a !iece of ra#(L- and !ut it in my bosom" &y condition thus altered( and my
countenance !allid in conse0uence of my sufferin#s( $ walked to the PD'ah( and( in a disordered state of
mind( threw myself u!on the bed" &y wife( seein# my com!lexion thus chan#ed( said to me( 5hat hath
!ained thee( and wherefore do $ see thee thus alteredR $ answered her( &y head acheth( and $ am not
well" 6nd on hearin# this she was vexed( and became ill on my account( and said( 9urn not my heart( ;
my master_ /it u!( and raise thy head( and tell me what hath ha!!ened to thee this day4 for $ read a tale
in thy face"C6bstain from s!eakin# to me( $ re!lied" 6nd she we!t( and said( $t seemeth that thou art
tired of us4 for $ see thee to be conductin# thyself in a manner contrary to thy usual habit" Then she
we!t a#ain( and continued addressin# me( thou#h $ made her no re!ly( until the a!!roach of ni#ht(
when she !laced some food before me4 but $ abstained from it( fearin# that she should see me eat with
my left hand( and said( $ have no desire to eat at !resent" /he then said a#ain( Tell me what hath
ha!!ened to thee this day( and wherefore $ see thee anxious and broken)hearted" $ answered( $ will
!resently tell thee at my leisure" 6nd she !ut the wine towards me( sayin#( Take it4 for it will dis!el
thine anxiety4 and thou must drink( and tell me thy story" $ re!lied( therefore( $f it must be so( #ive me
to drink with thy hand" 6nd she filled a cu! and drank it4 and then filled it a#ain and handed it to me(
and $ took it from her with my left hand( and( while tears ran from my eyes( $ re!eated these verses:C
5hen 2od willeth an event to befall a man who is endowed with reason and hearin# and si#ht( %e
deafeneth his ears( and blindeth his heart( and draweth his reason from him as a hair"LU Till( havin#
fulfilled his !ur!ose a#ainst him( %e restoreth him his reason that he may be admonished"LW
%avin# thus said( $ we!t a#ain4 and when she saw me do so( she uttered a loud cry( and said( 5hat is
the reason of thy wee!in#R Thou hast burned my heart_ 6nd wherefore didst thou take the cu! with thy
left handRC$ answered her( $ have a boil u!on my ri#ht hand"CThen !ut it forth( said she( that $ may
o!en it for thee"C$t is not yet( $ re!lied( the !ro!er time for o!enin# it4 and continue not to ask me4 for
$ will not !ut it forth at !resent" $ then drank the contents of the cu!( and she continued to hand me the
wine until intoxiLZ,cation overcame me( and $ fell aslee! in the !lace where $ was sittin#4 u!on which
she discovered that my ri#ht arm was without a hand( and( searchin# me( saw the !urse containin# the
#old"
2rief( such as none else ex!erienceth( overcame her at the si#ht4 and she suffered incessant torment on
my account until the mornin#( when $ awoke( and found that she had !re!ared for me a dish com!osed
of four boiled fowls( which she !laced before me" /he then #ave me to drink a cu! of wine4 and $ ate
and drank( and !ut down the !urse( and was about to de!art4 but she said( 5hither wouldst thou #oR $
answered( To such a !lace( to dis!el somewhat of the anxiety which o!!resseth my heart"C2o not( said
she4 but rather sit down a#ain" /o $ sat down( and she said to me( %ath thy love of me become so
excessive that thou hast ex!ended all thy wealth u!on me( and lost thy handR $ take thee( then( as
witness a#ainst me( and 2od also is witness( that $ will never desert thee4 and thou shalt see the truth of
my words"C$mmediately( therefore( she sent for witnesses( who came4 and she said to them( 5rite my
contract of marria#e to this youn# man( and bear witness that $ have received the dowry" 6nd they did
as she desired them4 after which she said( 9ear witness that all my !ro!erty which is in this chest( and
all my memlooks and female slaves( belon# to this youn# man" 6ccordin#ly( they declared themselves
witnesses of her declaration( and $ acce!ted the !ro!erty( and they de!arted after they had received their
fees" /he then took me by my hand( and( havin# led me to a closet( o!ened a lar#e chest( and said to
me( /ee what is contained in this chest" $ looked( therefore4 and lo( it was full of handkerchiefs4 and she
said( This is thy !ro!erty4 which $ have received from thee: for every time that thou #avest me a
handkerchief containin# fifty !ieces of #old( $ wra!!ed it u!( and threw it into this chest: take( then( thy
!ro!erty4 for 2od hath restored it to thee( and thou art now of hi#h estate" 3ate hath afflicted thee on
my account so that thou hast lost thy ri#ht hand( and $ am unable to com!ensate thee: if $ should
sacrifice my life( it would be but a small thin#( and thy #enerosity would still have sur!assed mine"C
/he then added( Now take !ossession of thy !ro!erty" /o $ received it4 and she transferred the contents
of her chest to mine( addin# her !ro!erty to mine which $ had #iven her" &y heart re7oiced( my anxiety
ceased( and $ a!!roached and kissed her( and made myself merry by drinkin# with her4 after which she
said a#ain( Thou hast sacrificed all thy wealth and thy hand throu#h love of me( and how can $
com!ensate theeR 9y 6llah( if $ #ave my life for love of thee(LZ. it were but a small thin#( and $ should
not do 7ustice to thy claims u!on me"C/he then wrote a deed of #ift transferrin# to me all her a!!arel(
and her ornaments of #old and 7ewels( and her houses and other !ossessions4 and she !assed that ni#ht
in #rief on my account( havin# heard my relation of the accident that had befallen me"
Thus we remained less than a month( durin# which time she became more and more infirm and
disordered4 and she endured no more than fifty days before she was numbered amon# the !eo!le of the
other world" /o $ !re!ared her funeral( and de!osited her body in the earth( and havin# caused
recitations of the Pur)Dn to be !erformed for her( and #iven a considerable sum of money in alms for
her sake( returned from the tomb" $ found that she had !ossessed abundant wealth( and houses and
lands( and amon# her !ro!erty were the store)rooms of sesame of which $ sold to thee the contents of
one4 and $ was not !revented from settlin# with thee durin# this !eriod but by my bein# busied in
sellin# the remainder( the !rice of which $ have not yet entirely received" Now $ desire of thee that thou
wilt not o!!ose me in that which $ am about to say to thee4 since $ have eaten of thy food: $ #ive thee
the !rice of the sesame( which is in thy hands"CThis which $ have told thee was the cause of my eatin#
with my left hand"
$ re!lied( Thou hast treated me with kindness and #enerosity:Cand he then said( Thou must travel with
me to my country4 for $ have bou#ht merchandise of Cairo and 6lexandria" 5ilt thou accom!any meR
C$ answered( Ses4Cand !romised him that $ would be ready by the first day of the followin# month"
/o $ sold all that $ !ossessed( and( havin# bou#ht merchandise with the !roduce( travelled with the
youn# man to this thy country( where he sold his merchandise and bou#ht other in its stead( after which
he returned to the land of 1#y!t: but it was my lot to remain here( and to ex!erience that which hath
befallen me this ni#ht durin# my absence from my native country"CNow is not this( ; =in# of the a#e(
more wonderful than the story of the hum!backR
The =in# re!lied( Se must be han#ed( all of you_C6nd u!on this( the /ulEDn's steward advanced
towards the =in#( and said( $f thou !ermit me( $ will relate to thee a story that $ ha!!ened to hear 7ust
before $ found this hum!back4 and if it be more wonderful than the events relatin# to him( wilt thou
#rant us our livesRCThe =in# answered( Tell thy story:Cand he be#an thus:L+ZC
THE STORY TOLD BY THE SUL%#N'S STEWARD.
$ was last ni#ht with a !arty who celebrated a recitation of the Pur)Dn(L, for which !ur!ose they had
assembled the !rofessors of reli#ion and law4 and when these reciters had accom!lished their task( the
servants s!read a re!ast( com!risin# amon# other dishes a OirbD7eh"L. 5e a!!roached( therefore( to eat
of the OirbD7eh4 but one of the com!any drew back( and refused to !artake of it: we con7ured him4 yet
he swore that he would not eat of it: and we !ressed him a#ain4 but he said( 8ress me not4 for $ have
suffered enou#h from eatin# of this dish" 6nd when we had finished( we said to him( 9y 6llah( tell us
the reason of thine abstainin# from eatin# of this OirbD7eh" %e re!lied( 9ecause $ cannot eat of it unless
$ wash my hands forty times with kali( and forty times with cy!erus( and forty times with soa!4
alto#ether( a hundred and twenty times" 6nd u!on this( the #iver of the entertainment ordered his
servants( and they brou#ht water and the other thin#s which this man re0uired: so he washed his hands
as he had described( and advanced( thou#h with dis#ust( and( havin# seated himself( stretched forth his
hand as one in fear( and !ut it into the OirbD7eh( and be#an to eat( while we re#arded him with the
utmost wonder" %is hand trembled( and when he !ut it forth( we saw that his thumb was cut off( and
that he ate with his four fin#ers: we therefore said to him( 5e con7ure thee( by 6llah( to tell us how was
thy thumb maimed: was it thus created by 2od( or hath some accident ha!!ened to itRC; my brothers(
he answered( not only have $ lost this thumb( but also the thumb of the other hand4 and each of myL++
feet is in like manner de!rived of the #reat toe: but see ye:Cand( so sayin#( he uncovered the stum! of
the thumb of his other hand( and we found it like the ri#ht4 and so also his feet( destitute of the #reat
toes" 6t the si#ht of this( our wonder increased( and we said to him( 5e are im!atient to hear thy story(
and thine account of the cause of the am!utation of thy thumbs and #reat toes( and the reason of thy
washin# thy hands a hundred and twenty times" /o he said(C
=now that my father was a #reat merchant( the chief of the merchants of the city of 9a#hdDd in the
time of the =haleefeh %Droon 1r)<asheed4 but he was ardently addicted to the drinkin# of wine( and
hearin# the lute4 and when he died( he left nothin#" $ buried him( and caused recitations of the Pur)Dn to
be !erformed for him( and( after $ had mourned for him days and ni#hts( $ o!ened his sho!( and found
that he had left in it but few #oods( and that his debts were many: however( $ induced his creditors to
wait( and calmed their minds( and betook myself to sellin# and buyin# from week to week( and so
!ayin# the creditors"NZ
Thus $ continued to do for a considerable !eriod( until $ had dischar#ed all the debts and increased my
ca!ital4 and as $ was sittin# one day( $ beheld a youn# lady( than whom my eye had never beheld any
more beautiful( decked with ma#nificent ornaments and a!!arel( ridin# on a mule( with a slave before
her and a slave behind her4 and she sto!!ed the mule at the entrance of the market)street( and entered(
followed by a eunuch( who said to her( ; my mistress( enter( but inform no one who thou art( lest thou
o!en the fire of indi#nation u!on us" The eunuch then further cautioned her4 and when she looked at the
sho!s of the merchants( she found none more handsome than mine4 so( when she arrived before me(
with the eunuch followin# her( she sat down u!on the seat of my sho!( and saluted me4 and $ never
heard s!eech more charmin# than hers( or words more sweet( /he then drew aside the veil from her
face( and $ directed at her a #lance which drew from me a si#h4 my heart was ca!tivated by her love(
and $ continued re!eatedly #aOin# at her face( and recited these two verses:C
/ay to the beauty in the dove)coloured veil( ?eath would indeed be welcome to relieve me from thy
torment" 3avour me with a visit( that so $ may live" /ee( $ stretch forth my hand to acce!t thy liberality"
6nd when she had heard my recitation of them( she answered thus:L+@C
&ay $ lose my heart if it cease to love you_ 3or verily my heart loveth none but you" $f my eye re#ard
any charms but yours( may the si#ht of you never re7oice it after absence_
/he then said to me( ; youth( hast thou any handsome stuffsRC; my mistress( $ answered( thy slave is
a !oor man4 but wait until the other merchants o!en their sho!s( and then $ will brin# thee what thou
desirest" /o $ conversed with her( drowned in the sea of her love( and bewildered by my !assion for her(
until the merchants had o!ened their sho!s( when $ arose( and !rocured all that she wanted( and the
!rice of these stuffs was five thousand !ieces of silver: and she handed them all to the eunuch( who
took them4 after which( they both went out from the market)street( and the slaves brou#ht to her the
mule( and she mounted( without tellin# me whence she was( and $ was ashamed to mention the sub7ect
to her: conse0uently( $ became answerable for the !rice to the merchants( incurrin# a debt of five
thousand !ieces of silver"
$ went home( intoxicated with her love( and they !laced before me the su!!er( and $ ate a morsel4 but
reflections u!on her beauty and loveliness !revented my eatin# more" $ desired to slee!( but slee! came
not to me4 and in this condition $ remained for a week" The merchants demanded of me their money4
but $ !revailed u!on them to wait another week4 and after this week( the lady came a#ain( ridin# u!on a
mule( and attended by a eunuch and two other slaves4 and( havin# saluted me( said( ; my master( we
have been tardy in brin#in# to thee the !rice of the stuffs: brin# now the money)chan#er( and receive
it"N+ /o the money)chan#er came( and the eunuch #ave him the money( and $ took it( and sat
conversin# with her until the market was re!lenished( and the merchants o!ened their sho!s( when she
said to me( 8rocure for me such and such thin#s" 6ccordin#ly( $ !rocured for her what she desired of
the merchants( and she took the #oods and de!arted without sayin# anythin# to me res!ectin# the !rice"
5hen she had #one( therefore( $ re!ented of what $ had done4 for $ had !rocured for her what she
demanded for the !rice of a thousand !ieces of #old4 and as soon as she had disa!!eared from my si#ht(
$ said within myself( 5hat kind of love is thisR /he hath brou#ht me five thousand !ieces of silver( and
taken #oods for a thousand !ieces of #old_C$ feared that the result would be my bankru!tcy( and the
loss of the !ro!erty of others( and said( The merchants know none but me( and this woman is no other
than a cheat( who hath im!osed u!on meL+L by her beauty and loveliness: seein# me to be youn#( she
hath lau#hed at me( and $ asked her not where was her residence"
$ remained in a state of !er!lexity( and her absence was !rolon#ed more than a month" &eanwhile the
merchants demanded of me their money( and so !ressed me that $ offered my !ossessions for sale( and
was on the brink of ruin4 but as $ was sittin# absorbed in reflection( suddenly she ali#hted at the #ate of
the market)street( and came in to me" 6s soon as $ beheld her( my solicitude ceased( and $ for#ot the
trouble which $ had suffered" /he a!!roached( and addressed me with her a#reeable conversation( and
said( 8roduce the scales( and wei#h thy money:Cand she #ave me the !rice of the #oods which she had
taken( with a sur!lus4 after which( she amused herself by talkin# with me( and $ almost died with 7oy
and ha!!iness" /he then said to me( %ast thou a wifeR $ answered( No: for $ am not ac0uainted with any
woman:Cand we!t" /o she asked me( 5hat causeth thee to wee!R 6nd $ answered( 6 thou#ht that hath
come into my mind:Cand( takin# some !ieces of #old( #ave them to the eunuch( re0uestin# him to
#rant me his mediation in the affair4 u!on which he lau#hed( and said( /he is in love with thee more
than thou art with her( and hath no want of the stuffs( but hath done this only from her love of thee:
!ro!ose to her( therefore( what thou wilt4 for she willL+N not o!!ose thee in that which thou wilt say"
Now she observed me #ivin# the !ieces of #old to the eunuch( and returned( and resumed her seat4 and
$ said to her( /hew favour to thy slave( and !ardon me for that which $ am about to say" $ then
ac0uainted her with the feelin#s of my heart( and my declaration !leased her( and she consented to my
!ro!osal( sayin#( This eunuch will come with my letter4 and do thou what he shall tell thee4Cand she
arose( and de!arted"
$ went to the merchants( and delivered to them their money( and all !rofited exce!t myself4 for when
she left me $ mourned for the interru!tion of our intercourse( and $ sle!t not durin# the whole of the
next ni#ht: but a few days after( her eunuch came to me( and $ received him with honour( and asked him
res!ectin# his mistress" %e answered( /he is sick:Cand $ said to him( ?isclose to me her history" %e
re!lied( The lady ^ubeydeh( the wife of %Droon 1r)<asheed( brou#ht u! this damsel( and she is one of
her slaves: she had desired of her mistress to be allowed the liberty of #oin# out and returnin# at
!leasure( and the latter #ave her !ermission: she continued( therefore( to do so until she became a chief
confident4 after which( she s!oke of thee to her mistress( and be##ed that she would marry her to thee:
but her mistress said( $ will not do it until $ see this youn# man( and if he have a desire for thee( $ will
marry thee to him" 5e therefore wish to introduce thee immediately into the !alace4 and if thou enter
without any one's havin# knowled#e of thy !resence( thou wilt succeed in accom!lishin# thy marria#e
with her4 but if thy !lot be discovered( thy head will be struck off" 5hat( then( sayest thouRC$
answered( 2ood: $ will #o with thee( and await the event that shall befall me there"C6s soon( then( as
this next ni#ht shall have closed in( said the eunuch( re!air to the mos0ue which the lady ^ubeydeh
hath built on the bank of the Ti#ris( and there say thy !rayers( and !ass the ni#ht"N@C&ost willin#ly( $
re!lied"
6ccordin#ly( when the time of ni#htfall arrived( $ went to the mos0ue( and said my !rayers there( and
!assed the ni#ht4 and as soon as the mornin# be#an to dawn( $ saw two eunuchs a!!roachin# in a small
boat( conveyin# some em!ty chests( which they brou#ht into the mos0ue" ;ne of them then de!arted(
and the other remained4 and $ looked attentively at him( and lo( it was he who had been our
intermediary: and soon after( the damsel( my com!anion( came u! to us" $ rose to her when she
a!!roached( and embraced her4 and she kissed me( and we!t: and after we had conversed to#ether for a
little while( she took me and !laced me in a chest( and locked it u!on me"NL The slaves then brou#ht a
0uantity of stuffs( and filled with them the otherL+- chests( which they locked( and conveyed( to#ether
with the chest in which $ was enclosed( to the boat( accom!anied by the damsel4 and havin# embarked
them( they !lied the oars( and !roceeded to the !alace of the honoured lady ^ubeydeh" The intoxication
of love now ceased in me( and reflection came in its !lace: $ re!ented of what $ had done( and !rayed
2od to deliver me from my dan#erous !redicament"
&eanwhile( they arrived at the #ate of the =haleefeh( where they landed( and took out all the chests(
and conveyed them into the !alace: but the chief of the door)kee!ers( who had been aslee! when they
arrived( was awoke by the sounds of their voices( and cried out to the damsel( sayin#( The chests must
be o!ened( that $ may see what is in them:Cand he arose( and !laced his hand u!on the chest in which
$ was hidden" &y reason abandoned me( my heart almost burst from my body( and my limbs trembled4
but the damsel said( These are the chests of the lady ^ubeydeh( and if thou o!en them and turn them
over( she will be incensed a#ainst thee( and we shall all !erish" They contain nothin# but clothes dyed
of various colours( exce!t this chest u!on which thou hast !ut thy hand( in which there are also some
bottles filled with the water of ^emOem(NN and if any of the water run out u!on the clothes it will s!oil
their colours" Now $ have advised thee( and it is for thee to decide: so do what thou wilt"C5hen he
heard( therefore( these words( he said to her( Take the chests( and !ass on:Cand the eunuchs
immediately took them u!( and( with the damsel( conveyed them into the !alace: but in an instant( $
heard a !erson cryin# out( and sayin#( The =haleefeh_ The =haleefeh_
$ was bereft of my reason( and seiOed with a colick from excessive fear4 $ almost died( and my limbs
were affected with a violent shakin#" The =haleefeh cried out to the damsel( sayin# to her( 5hat are
these chestsR /he answered( ; my lord (may 2od exalt thy dominion_)( these chests contain clothes of
my mistress ^ubeydeh"C;!en them(L+U said the =haleefeh( that $ may see the clothes"C5hen $ heard
this( $ felt sure of my destruction" The damsel could not disobey his command4 but she re!lied( ;
8rince of the 3aithful( there is nothin# in these chests but clothes of the lady ^ubeydeh( and she hath
commanded me not to o!en them to any one" The =haleefeh( however( said( The chests must be
o!ened( all of them( that $ may see their contents:Cand immediately he called out to the eunuchs to
brin# them before him" $ therefore felt certain that $ was on the !oint of destruction" They then brou#ht
before him chest after chest( and o!ened each to him( and he examined the contents4 and when they
brou#ht forward the chest in which $ was enclosed( $ bade adieu to life( and !re!ared myself for death4
but as the eunuchs were about to o!en it( the damsel said( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( verily this chest
containeth thin#s es!ecially a!!ertainin# to women4 and it is !ro!er( therefore( that it should be o!ened
before the lady ^ubeydeh:Cand when the =haleefeh heard her words( he ordered the eunuchs to
convey all the chests into the interior of the !alace" The damsel then hastened( and ordered two eunuchs
to carry away the chest in which $ was hidden( and they took it to an inner chamber( and went their
way: whereu!on she 0uickly o!ened it( and made a si#n to me to come out: so $ did as she desired( and
entered a closet that was before me( and she locked the door u!on me( and closed the chest: and when
the eunuchs had brou#ht in all the chests( and had #one back( she o!ened the door of the closet( and
said( Thou hast nothin# to fear_ &ay 2od refresh thine eye_ Come forth now( and #o u! with me( that
thou mayest have the ha!!iness of kissin# the #round before the lady ^ubeydeh"
$ therefore went with her( and beheld twenty other female slaves( hi#h)bosomed vir#ins( and amon#
them was the lady ^ubeydeh( who was scarcely able to walk from the wei#ht of the robes and
ornaments with which she was decked" 6s she a!!roached( the female slaves dis!ersed from around
her( and $ advanced to her( and kissed the #round before her" /he made a si#n to me to sit down: so $
seated myself before her4 and she be#an to ask me 0uestions res!ectin# my condition and linea#e4 to all
of which $ #ave such answers that she was !leased( and said( 9y 6llah( the care which we have
bestowed on the education of this damsel hath not been in vain" /he then said to me( =now that this
damsel is esteemed by us as thou#h she were really our child( and she is a trust committed to thy care
by 2od" A!on this( therefore( $ a#ain kissed the #round before her( well !leased to marry the damsel4
after which( she commanded me to remain with them ten days" 6ccordin#ly( $ continued with them
durin# thisL+W !eriod4 but $ knew nothin# meanwhile of the damsel4 certain of the maids only brin#in#
me my dinner and su!!er( as my servants" 6fter this( however( the lady ^ubeydeh asked !ermission of
her husband( the 8rince of the 3aithful( to marry her maid( and he #ranted her re0uest( and ordered that
ten thousand !ieces of #old should be #iven to her"
The lady ^ubeydeh( therefore( sent for the PDpee and witnesses( and they wrote my contract of
marria#e to the damsel4 and the maids then !re!ared sweetmeats and ex0uisite dishes( and distributed
them in all the a!artments" Thus they continued to do for a !eriod of ten more days4 and after the
twenty days had !assed( they conducted the damsel into the bath( !re!aratively to my bein# introduced
to her as her husband" They then brou#ht to me a re!ast com!risin# a basin of OirbD7eh sweetened with
su#ar( !erfumed with rose)water infused with musk( and containin# different kinds of fricandoed fowls
and a variety of other in#redients( such as astonished the mind4 and( by 6llah( when this re!ast was
brou#ht( $ instantly commenced u!on the OirbD7eh( and ate of it as much as satisfied me( and wi!ed my
hand( but for#ot to wash it" $ remained sittin# until it became dark4 when the maids li#hted the candles(
and the sin#in#)#irls a!!roached with the tambourines( and they continued to dis!lay the bride( and to
#ive !resents of #old( until she had !erambulated the whole of the !alace4 after which( they brou#ht her
to me( and disrobed her4 and as soon as $ was left alone with her( $ threw my arms around her neck(L+,
scarcely believin# in our union: but as $ did so( she !erceived the smell of the OirbD7eh from my hand(
and immediately uttered a loud cry: whereu!on the female slaves ran in to her from every 0uarter"
$ was violently a#itated( not knowin# what was the matter4 and the slaves who had come in said to her(
5hat hath ha!!ened to thee( ; our sisterRCTake away from me( she exclaimed to them( this madman(
whom $ ima#ined to be a man of sense_C5hat indication of my insanity hath a!!eared to theeR $
asked" Thou madman( said she( wherefore hast thou eaten of the OirbD7eh( and not washed thy handR 9y
6llah( $ will not acce!t thee for thy want of sense( and thy dis#ustin# conduct_C6nd so sayin#( she
took from her side a whi!(N- and beat me with it u!on my back until $ became insensible from the
number of the stri!es" /he then said to the other maids( Take him to the ma#istrate of the city !olice(
that he may cut off his hand with which he ate the OirbD7eh without washin# it afterwards" ;n hearin#
this( $ exclaimed( There is no stren#th nor !ower but in 2od_ 5ilt thou cut off my hand on account of
my eatin# a OirbD7eh and ne#lectin# to wash itRC6nd the maids who were !resent entreated her( sayin#
to her( ; our sister( be not an#ry with him for what he hath done this time" 9ut she re!lied( 9y 6llah( $
must cut off somethin# from his extremities_ 6nd immediately she de!arted( and was absent from me
ten days: after which( she came a#ain( and said to me( ; thou black)faced_ 6m $ not worthy of theeR
%ow didst thou dare to eat the OirbD7eh and not wash thy handRC6nd she called to the maids( who
bound my hands behind me( and she took a shar! raOor( and cut off both my thumbs and both my #reat
toes( as ye see( ; com!anions4 and $ swooned away" /he then s!rinkled u!on my wounds some !owder(
by means of which the blood was stanched4 and $ said( $ will not eat of a OirbD7eh as lon# as $ live
unless $ wash my hands forty times with kali and forty times with cy!erus and forty times with soa!:C
and she exacted of me an oath that $ would not eat of this dish unless $ washed my hands as $ have
described to you" Therefore( when this OirbD7eh was brou#ht( my colour chan#ed( and $ said within
myself( This was the cause of the cuttin# off of my thumbs and #reat toes:Cso( when ye com!elled me(
$ said( $ must fulfil the oath which $ have sworn"
$ then said to him (continued the /ulEDn's steward)( 6nd what ha!!ened to thee after thatR %e answered(
5hen $ had thus sworn to her( she was a!!eased( and $ was admitted into her favour4 and we lived
ha!!ily to#ether for a considerable time: after which she said( The !eo!le of the =haleefeh's !alace
know not that thou hast residedL+. here with me( and no stran#e man beside thee hath entered it4 nor
didst thou enter but throu#h the assistance of the lady ^ubeydeh" /he then #ave me fifty thousand
!ieces of #old( and said to me( Take these !ieces of #old( and #o forth and buy for us a s!acious house"
/o $ went forth( and !urchased a handsome and s!acious house( and removed thither all the riches that
she !ossessed( and all that she had treasured u!( and her dresses and rarities"CThis was the cause of
the am!utation of my thumbs and #reat toes"C/o we ate (said the /ulEDn's steward)( and de!arted4 and
after this( the accident with the hum!back ha!!ened to me: this is all my story4 and !eace be on thee"
The =in# said( This is not more !leasant than the story of the hum!back: nay( the story of the
hum!back is more !leasant than this4 and ye must all of you be crucified"CThe *ew( however( then
came forward( and( havin# kissed the #round( said( ; =in# of the a#e( $ will relate to thee a story more
wonderful than that of the hum!back:Cand the =in# said( <elate thy story" /o he commenced thus:C
L@Z
THE STORY TOLD BY THE !EWISH PHYSICIAN.
The most wonderful of the events that ha!!ened to me in my youn#er days was this:C$ was residin# in
?amascus( where $ learnt and !ractised my art4 and while $ was thus occu!ied( one day there came to
me a memlook from the house of the #overnor of the city: so $ went forth with him( and accom!anied
him to the abode of the #overnor" $ entered( and beheld( at the u!!er end of a saloon( a couch of
alabaster overlaid with !lates of #old( u!on which was reclinin# a sick man: he was youn#4 and a
!erson more comely had not been seen in his a#e" /eatin# myself at his head( $ e7aculated a !rayer for
his restoration4NU and he made a si#n to me with his eye" $ then said to him( ; my master( stretch forth
to me thy hand:Cwhereu!on he !ut forth to me his left hand4 and $ was sur!rised at this( and said
within myself( 5hat self)conceit_ $ felt his !ulse( however( and wrote a !rescri!tion for him( and
continued to visit him for a !eriod of ten days( until he recovered his stren#th4 when he entered the
bath( and washed himself( and came forth: and the #overnor conferred u!on me a handsome dress of
honour( and a!!ointed me su!erintendent of the hos!ital of ?amascus"NW 9ut when $ went with him
into the bath( which they had cleared of all other visitors for us alone( and the servants had brou#ht the
clothes( and taken away those which he had !ulled off within( $ !erceived that his ri#ht hand had been
cruelly am!utated4 at the si#ht of which $ wondered( and #rieved for him4 and lookin# at his skin( $
observedL@+ u!on him marks of beatin# with miJra'ahs( which caused me to wonder more" The youn#
man then turned towards me( and said( ; doctor of the a#e( wonder not at my case4 for $ will relate to
thee my story when we have #one out from the bath:Cand when we had #one forth( and arrived at the
house( and had eaten some food( and rested( he said to me( %ast thou a desire to divert thyself in the
su!!er)roomR $ answered( Ses:Cand immediately he ordered the slaves to take u! thither the furniture(
and to roast a lamb and brin# us some fruit" /o the slaves did as he commanded them: and when they
had brou#ht the fruit( and we had eaten( $ said to him( <elate to me thy story:Cand he re!lied( ; doctor
of the a#e( listen to the relation of the events which have befallen me"
=now that $ am of the children of 1l)&XHil" &y !aternal #randfather died leavin# ten male children(
one of whom was my father: he was the eldest of them4 and they all #rew u! and married4 and my
father was blest with me4 but none of his nine brothers was blest with children" /o $ #rew u! amon# my
uncles( who deli#hted in me exceedin#ly4 and when $ had attained to manhood( $ was one day with my
father in the chief mos0ue of 1l)&XHil" The day was 3riday4 and we !erformed the con#re#ational
!rayers( and all the !eo!le went out( exce!t my father and my uncles( who sat conversin# to#ether
res!ectin# the wonders of various countries( and the stran#e si#hts of different cities( until they
mentioned 1#y!t4 when one of my uncles said( The travellers assert( that there is not on the face of the
earth a more a#reeable country than 1#y!t with its Nile:N,Cand my father added( %e who hath not
seen Cairo hath not seen the world: its soil is #old4 its Nile is a wonder4 its women are like the black)
eyed vir#ins of 8aradise4 its houses are !alaces4 and its air is tem!erate4 its odour sur!assin# that of
aloes)wood( and cheerin# the heart: and how can Cairo be otherwise when it is the metro!olis of the
worldRN. ?id ye see its #ardens in the evenin# (he continued)( with the shade obli0uely extendin# over
them( ye would behold a wonder( and yield with ecstasy to their attractions"-Z
5hen $ heard these descri!tions of 1#y!t( my mind became wholly en#a#ed by reflections u!on that
country4 and after they had de!arted to their homes( $ !assed the ni#ht slee!less from my excessive
lon#in# towards it( and neither food nor drink was !leasant to me" 6 few days after( my uncles !re!ared
to 7ourney thither( and $ we!t before my father that $ mi#ht #o with them( so that he !re!ared a stock of
merchandise for me( and $ de!arted in their com!any4 but he said toL@@ them( /uffer him not to enter
1#y!t( but leave him at ?amascus( that he may there sell his merchandise"
$ took leave of my father( and we set forth from 1l)&XHil( and continued our 7ourney until we arrived at
6le!!o( where we remained some days4 after which we !roceeded thence until we came to ?amascus4
and we beheld it to be a city with trees and rivers and fruits and birds( as thou#h it were a !aradise(
containin# fruits of every kind" 5e took lod#in#s in one of the =hDns( and my uncles remained there
until they had sold and bou#ht4 and they also sold my merchandise( #ainin#( for every !iece of silver(
five( so that $ re7oiced at my !rofit" &y uncles then left me( and re!aired to 1#y!t( and $ remained( and
took u! my abode in a handsome PD'ah( such as the ton#ue cannot describe4 the monthly rent of which
was two !ieces of #old"-+
%ere $ indul#ed myself with eatin# and drinkin#( s0uanderin# away the money that was in my
!ossession4 and as $ was sittin# one day at the door of the PD'ah( a damsel a!!roached me( attired in
clothin# of the richest descri!tion( such as $ had never seen sur!assed in costliness( and $ invited her to
come in4 whereu!on( without hesitation( she entered4 and $ was deli#hted at her com!liance( and closed
the door u!on us both" /he then uncovered her face( and took off her iODr( and $ found her to be so
sur!risin#ly beautiful that love for her took !ossession of my heart: so $ went and brou#ht a re!ast
consistin# of the most delicious viands and fruit and everythin# else that wasL@L re0uisite for her
entertainment( and we ate and s!orted to#ether4 after which( we drank till we were intoxicated( and fell
aslee!( and so we remained until the mornin#( when $ handed her ten !ieces of #old4 but she swore that
she would not acce!t them from me( and said( 1x!ect me a#ain( ; my beloved( after three days: at the
hour of sunset $ will be with thee: and do thou !re!are for us( with these !ieces of #old( a re!ast similar
to this which we have 7ust en7oyed" /he then #ave me ten !ieces of #old( and took leave of me( and
de!arted( takin# my reason with her" 6nd after the three days had ex!ired( she came a#ain( decked with
embroidered stuffs and ornaments and other attire more ma#nificent than those which she wore on the
former occasion" $ had !re!ared for her what was re0uired !reviously to her arrival4 so we now ate and
drank and fell aslee! as before4 and in the mornin# she #ave me a#ain ten !ieces of #old( !romisin# to
return to me after three more days" $ therefore made ready what was re0uisite( and after the three days
she came attired in a dress still more ma#nificent than the first and second( and said to me( ; my
master( am $ beautifulRCSea( verily( $ answered"C5ilt thou #ive me leave( she re7oined( to brin# with
me a damsel more beautiful than myself( and youn#er than $( that she may s!ort with us( and we may
make merry with herR 3or she hath re0uested that she may accom!any me( and !ass the ni#ht in
frolickin# with us"C6nd so sayin#( she #ave me twenty !ieces of #old( desirin# me to !re!are a more
!lentiful re!ast( on account of the lady who was to come with her4 after which( she bade me farewell(
and de!arted"
6ccordin#ly( on the fourth day( $ !rocured what was re0uisite( as usual( and soon after sunset she came(
accom!anied by a female wra!!ed in an iODr( and they entered( and seated themselves" $ was re7oiced(
and $ li#hted the candles( and welcomed them with 7oy and exultation" They then took off their outer
#arments( and when the new damsel uncovered her face( $ !erceived that she was like the full moon: $
had never beheld a !erson more beautiful" $ arose immediately( and !laced before them the food and
drink( and we ate and drank( while $ continued caressin# the new damsel( and fillin# the wine)cu! for
her( and drinkin# with her: but the first lady was affected with a secret 7ealousy"C9y 6llah( she said(
verily this #irl is beautiful_ $s she not more charmin# than $RCSea( indeed( $ answered"C/oon after
this( $ fell aslee!( and when $ awoke in the mornin#( $ found my hand defiled with blood( and( o!enin#
my eyes( !erceived that the sun had risen4 so $ attem!ted to rouse the damsel(L@N my new com!anion(
whereu!on her head rolled from her body" The other damsel was #one( and $ concluded( therefore( that
she had done this from her 7ealousy4 and after reflectin# a while( $ arose( and took off my clothes( and
du# a hole in the PD'ah( in which $ de!osited the murdered damsel( afterwards coverin# her remains
with earth( and re!lacin# the marble !avement as it was before" $ then dressed myself a#ain( and( takin#
the remainder of my money( went forth( and re!aired to the owner of the PD'ah( and !aid him a year's
rent( sayin# to him( $ am about to 7ourney to my uncles in 1#y!t"
/o $ de!arted to 1#y!t( where $ met with my uncles( and they were re7oiced to see me" $ found that they
had concluded the sale of their merchandise( and they said to me( 5hat is the cause of thy comin#R $
answered( $ had a lon#in# desire to be with you( and feared that my money would not suffice me"C3or
a year $ remained with them( en7oyin# the !leasures of 1#y!t and its Nile4 and $ di!!ed my hand into
the residue of my money( and ex!ended it !rodi#ally in eatin# and drinkin# until near the time of my
uncles' de!arture( when $ fled from them: so they said( 8robably( he hath #one before us( and returned
to ?amascus:Cand they de!arted" $ then came forth from my concealment( and remained in Cairo
three years( s0uanderin# away my money until scarcely any of it remained: but meanwhile $ sent every
year the rent of the PD'ah at ?amascus to its owner: and after the three years my heart became
contracted( for nothin# remained in my !ossession but the rent for the year"
$ therefore 7ourneyed back to ?amascus( and ali#hted at the PD'ah" The owner was re7oiced to see me(
and $ entered it( and cleansed it of the blood of the murdered damsel( and( removin# a cushion( $ found(
beneath this( the necklace that she had worn that ni#ht" $ took it u! and examined it( and we!t a while"
6fter this $ remained in the house two days( and on the third day $ entered the bath( and chan#ed my
clothes" $ now had no money left4 and $ went one day to the market( where (the ?evil su##estin# it to
me( in order to accom!lish the !ur!ose of destiny) $ handed the necklace of 7ewels to a broker4 and he
rose to me( and seated me by his side: then havin# waited until the market was re!lenished( he took it(
and announced it for sale secretly( without my knowled#e" The !rice bidden for it amounted to two
thousand !ieces of #old4 but he came to me and said( This necklace is of brass( of the counterfeit
manufacture of the 3ranks( and its !rice hath amounted to a thousand !ieces of silver" $ answered him(
Ses4 we had made it for a woman( merely to lau#h at her( and my wifeL@- has inherited it( and we
desire to sell it: #o( therefore( and receive the thousand !ieces of silver" Now when the broker heard
this( he !erceived that the affair was sus!icious( and went and #ave the necklace to the chief of the
market( who took it to the 5Dlee( and said to him( This necklace was stolen from me( and we have
found the thief( clad in the dress of the sons of the merchants" 6nd before $ knew what had ha!!ened(
the officers had surrounded me( and they took me to the 5Dlee( who 0uestioned me res!ectin# the
necklace" $ told him( therefore( the same story that $ had told to the broker4 but he lau#hed( and said(
This is not the truth:Cand instantly his !eo!le stri!!ed me of my outer clothin#( and beat me with
miJra'ahs all over my body( until( throu#h the torture that $ suffered from the blows( $ said( $ stole it4C
reflectin# that it was better $ should say $ stole it( than confess that its owner was murdered in my
abode4 for then they would kill me to aven#e her: and as soon as $ had said so( they cut off my hand(
and scalded the stum! with boilin# oil(-@ and $ swooned away" They then #ave me to drink some wine(
by swallowin# which $ recovered my senses4 and $ took my am!utated hand( and returned to the PD'ah4
but its owner said to me( /ince this hath ha!!ened to thee( leave the PD'ah( and look for another abode4
for thou art accused of an unlawful act"C; my master( $ re!lied( #ive me two or three days' delay that $
may seek for a lod#in#:Cand he assented to this( and de!arted and left me" /o $ remained alone( and
sat wee!in#( and sayin#( %ow can $ return to my family with my hand cut offR %e who cut it off
knoweth not that $ am innocent: !erha!s( then( 2od will brin# about some event for my relief"
$ sat wee!in# violently4 and when the owner of the PD'ah hadL@U de!arted from me( excessive #rief
overcame me( and $ was sick for two days4 and on the third day( suddenly the owner of the PD'ah came
to me( with some officers of the !olice( and the chief of the market( and accused me a#ain of stealin#
the necklace" /o $ went out to them( and said( 5hat is the newsRCwhereu!on( without #rantin# me a
moment's delay( they bound my arms behind me( and !ut a chain around my neck( sayin# to me( The
necklace which was in thy !ossession hath !roved to be the !ro!erty of the #overnor of ?amascus( its
5eOeer and its <uler: it hath been lost from the #overnor's house for a !eriod of three years( and with it
was his dau#hter"C5hen $ heard these words from them( my limbs trembled( and $ said within myself(
They will kill me_ &y death is inevitable_ 9y 6llah( $ must relate my story to the #overnor4 and if he
!lease he will kill me( or if he !lease he will !ardon me"C6nd when we arrived at the #overnor's
abode( and they had !laced me before him( and he beheld me( he said( $s this he who stole the necklace
and went out to sell itR Ferily ye have cut off his hand wron#fully"C%e then ordered that the chief of
the market should be im!risoned( and said to him( 2ive to this !erson the com!ensatory fine for his
hand(-L or $ will han# thee and seiOe all thy !ro!erty" 6nd he called out to his attendants( who took him
and dra##ed him away"
$ was now left with the #overnor alone( after they had( by his !ermission( loosed the chain from my
neck( and untied the cords which bound my arms4 and the #overnor( lookin# towards me( said to me( ;
my son( tell me thy story( and s!eak truth" %ow did this necklace come into thy !ossessionRC/o $
re!lied( ; my lord( $ will tell thee the truth:Cand $ related to him all that had ha!!ened to me with the
first damsel( and how she had brou#ht to me the second( and murdered her from 7ealousy4 on hearin#
which( he shook his head( and covered his face with his handkerchief( and we!t" Then lookin# towards
me( he said( =now( ; my son( that the elder damsel was my dau#hter: $ ke!t her closely4 and when she
had attained a fit a#e for marria#e( $ sent her to the son of her uncle in Cairo4 but he died( and she
returned to me( havin# learnt habits of !rofli#acy from the inhabitants of that city:-N so she visited thee
four times4 and on the fourth occasion( she brou#ht to thee her youn#er sister" They were sisters by the
same mother( and much attached to each other4 and when the event which thou hast related occurred to
the elder( she im!arted her secret to her sister( who asked my !ermission to #o out with her4 after which
the elder returned alone4 and when $ 0uestioned her reL@Ws!ectin# her sister( $ found her wee!in# for
her( and she answered( $ know no tidin#s of her:Cbut she afterwards informed her mother( secretly( of
the murder which she had committed4 and her mother !rivately related the affair to me4 and she
continued to wee! for her incessantly( sayin#( 9y 6llah( $ will not cease to wee! for her until $ die" Thy
account( ; my son( is true4 for $ knew the affair before thou toldest it me" /ee then( ; my son( what
hath ha!!ened: and now $ re0uest of thee that thou wilt not o!!ose me in that which $ am about to say4
and it is this:C$ desire to marry thee to my youn#est dau#hter4 for she is not of the same mother as
they were:-- she is a vir#in( and $ will receive from thee no dowry( but will assi#n to you both an
allowance4 and thou shalt be to me as an own son"C$ re!lied( 'et it be as thou desirest( ; my master"
%ow could $ ex!ect to attain unto such ha!!inessRCThe #overnor then sent immediately a courier to
brin# the !ro!erty which my father had left me (for he had died since my de!arture from him)( and now
$ am livin# in the utmost affluence"
$ wondered( said the *ew( at his history4 and after $ had remained with him three days( he #ave me a
lar#e sum of money4 and $ left him( to set forth on a 7ourney4 and( arrivin# in this your country( my
residence here !leased me( and $ ex!erienced this which hath ha!!ened to me with the hum!back"
The =in#( when he had heard this story( said( This is not more wonderful than the story of the
hum!back( and ye must all of you be han#ed( and es!ecially the tailor( who is the source of all the
mischief" 9ut he afterwards added( ; tailor( if thou tell me a story more wonderful than that of the
hum!back( $ will for#ive you your offences" /o the tailor advanced( and said(C
L@,
THE STORY TOLD BY THE TAILOR.
=now( ; =in# of the a#e( that what hath ha!!ened to me is more wonderful than the events which have
ha!!ened to all the others" 9efore $ met the hum!back( $ was( early in the mornin#( at an entertainment
#iven to certain tradesmen of my ac0uaintance( consistin# of tailors and linen)dra!ers and car!enters
and others4 and when the sun had risen( the re!ast was brou#ht for us to eat4 and lo( the master of the
house came in to us( accom!anied by a stran#e and handsome youn# man( of the inhabitants of
9a#hdDd" %e was attired in clothes of the handsomest descri!tion( and was a most comely !erson(
exce!t that he was lame4 and as soon as he had entered and saluted us( we rose to him4 but when he was
about to seat himself( he observed amon# us a man who was a barber( whereu!on he refused to sit
down( and desired to de!art from us" 5e and the master of the house( however( !revented him( and
ur#ed him to seat himself4 and the host con7ured him( sayin#( 5hat is the reason of thy enterin#( and
then immediately de!artin#RC9y 6llah( ; my master( re!lied he( offer me no o!!osition4 for the cause
of my de!arture is this barber( who is sittin# with you" 6nd when the host heard this( he was
exceedin#ly sur!rised( and said( %ow is it that the heart of this youn# man( who is from 9a#hdDd( is
troubled by the !resence of this barberR 5eL@. then looked towards him( and said( <elate to us the
cause of thy dis!leasure a#ainst this barber4 and the youn# man re!lied( ; com!any( a sur!risin#
adventure ha!!ened to me with this barber in 9a#hdDd( my city4 and he was the cause of my lameness(
and of the breakin# of my le#4 and $ have sworn that $ will not sit in any !lace where he is !resent( nor
dwell in any town where he resides: $ 0uitted 9a#hdDd and took u! my abode in this city( and $ will not
!ass the next ni#ht without de!artin# from it"CA!on this( we said to him( 5e con7ure thee( by 6llah( to
relate to us thy adventure with him"C6nd the countenance of the barber turned !ale when he heard us
make this re0uest" The youn# man then said(C
=now( ; #ood !eo!le( that my father was one of the chief merchants of 9a#hdDd4 and 2od (whose
name be exalted_) blessed him with no son but myself4 and when $ #rew u!( and had attained to
manhood( my father was admitted to the mercy of 2od( leavin# me wealth and servants and other
de!endants4 whereu!on $ be#an to attire myself in clothes of the handsomest descri!tion( and to feed
u!on the most delicious meats" Now 2od (whose !erfection be extolled_) made me to be a hater of
women4 and so $ continued( until( one day( $ was walkin# throu#h the streets of 9a#hdDd( when a !arty
of them sto!!ed my way: $ therefore fled from them( and( enterin# a by)street which was not a
thorou#hfare( $ reclined u!on a maHEabah at its further extremity" %ere $ had been seated but a short
time when( lo( a window o!!osite the !lace where $ sat was o!ened( and there looked out from it a
damsel like the full moon( such as $ had never in my life beheld" /he had some flowers( which she was
waterin#( beneath the window4 and she looked to the ri#ht and left( and then shut the window( and
disa!!eared from before me" 3ire had been shot into my heart( and my mind was absorbed by her4 my
hatred of women was turned into love( and $ continued sittin# in the same !lace until sunset( in a state
of distraction from the violence of my !assion( when( lo( the PD\ee of the city came ridin# alon#( with
slaves before him and servants behind him( and ali#hted( and entered the house from which the damsel
had looked out: so $ knew that he must be her father"
$ then returned to my house( sorrowful4 and fell u!on my bed( full of anxious thou#hts4 and my female
slaves came in to me( and seated themselves around me( not knowin# what was the matter with me4 and
$ ac0uainted them not with my case( nor returned any answers to their 0uestions4 and my disorder
increased" The nei#hLLZbours( therefore( came to cheer me with their visits4 and amon# those who
visited me was an old woman( who( as soon as she saw me( discovered my state4 whereu!on she seated
herself at my head( and( addressin# me in a kind manner( said( ; my son( tell me what hath ha!!ened to
theeR /o $ related to her my story( and she said( ; my son( this is the dau#hter of the PD\ee of
9a#hdDd( and she is ke!t in close confinement: the !lace where thou sawest her is her a!artment( and
her father occu!ies a lar#e saloon below( leavin# her alone4 and often do $ visit her: thou canst obtain
an interview with her only throu#h me: so brace u! thy nerves" 5hen $ heard( therefore( what she said(
$ took coura#e( and fortified my heart4 and my family re7oiced that day" $ rose u! firm in limb( and
ho!in# for com!lete restoration4 and the old woman de!arted4 but she returned with her countenance
chan#ed( and said( ; my son( ask not what she did when $ told her of thy case4 for she said( $f thou
abstain not( ; ill)omened old woman( from this discourse( $ will treat thee as thou deservest:Cbut $
must #o to her a second time"
;n hearin# this( my disorder increased: after some days( however( the old woman came a#ain( and said(
; my son( $ desire of thee a reward for #ood tidin#s" &y soul returned to my body at these words( and $
re!lied( Thou shalt receive from me everythin# that thou canst wish" /he then said( $ went yesterday to
the damsel( and when she beheld me with broken heart and wee!in# eye( she said to me( ; my aunt(
wherefore do $ see thee with contracted heartRCand whenLL+ she had thus said( $ we!t( and answered(
; my dau#hter and mistress( $ came to thee yesterday from visitin# a youth who loveth thee( and he is
at the !oint of death on thy account:Cand( her heart bein# moved with com!assion( she asked( 5ho is
this youth of whom thou s!eakestR $ answered( %e is my son( and the child that is dear to my soul: he
saw thee at the window some days a#o( while thou wast waterin# thy flowers4 and when he beheld thy
face( he became distracted with love for thee: $ informed him of the conversation that $ had with thee
the first time4 u!on which his disorder increased( and he took to his !illow: he is now dyin#( and there
is no doubt of his fate"C6nd u!on this( her countenance became !ale( and she said( $s this all on my
accountRCSea( by 6llah( $ answered4 and what dost thou order me to doRC2o to him( said she4
convey to him my salutation( and tell him that my love is #reater than his4 and on 3riday next( before
the con#re#ational !rayers( let him come hither: $ will #ive orders to o!en the door to him( and to brin#
him u! to me( and $ will have a short interview with him( and he shall return before my father comes
back from the !rayers"
5hen $ heard these words of the old woman( the an#uish which $ had suffered ceased4 my heart was set
at rest( and $ #ave her the suit of clothes which $ was then wearin#( and she de!arted( sayin# to me(
Cheer u! thy heart" $ re!lied( $ have no lon#er any !ain" The !eo!le of my house( and my friends(
communicated( one to another( the #ood news of my restoration to health( and $ remained thus until the
3riday( when the old woman came in to me( and asked me res!ectin# my state: so $ informed her that $
was ha!!y and well" $ then dressed and !erfumed myself( and sat waitin# for the !eo!le to #o to
!rayers( that $ mi#ht re!air to the damsel4 but the old woman said to me( Thou hast yet more than am!le
time( and if thou #o to the bath and shave( es!ecially for the sake of obliteratin# the traces of thy
disorder( it will be more becomin#"C$t is a 7udicious !iece of advice( re!lied $4 but $ will shave my
head first( and then #o into the bath"
/o $ sent for a barber to shave my head( sayin# to the boy( 2o to the market( and brin# me a barber( one
who is a man of sense( little inclined to im!ertinence( that he may not make my head ache by his
chatterin#" 6nd the boy went( and brou#ht this sheykh( who( on enterin#( saluted me4 and when $ had
returned his salutation( he said to me( &ay 2od dis!el thy #rief and thine anxiety( and misfortunes and
sorrows_ $ res!onded( &ay 2od acce!t thy !rayer_ %e then said( 9e cheerful( ; my master( for health
hath returned to thee"LL@ ?ost thou desire to be shaved or to be bledRCfor it hath been handed down(
on the authority of $bn)'6bbDs(-U that the 8ro!het said( 5hoso shorteneth his hair on 3riday( 2od will
avert from him seventy diseases4Cand it hath been handed down also( on the same authority( that the
8ro!het said( 5hoso is cu!!ed on 3riday will not be secure from the loss of si#ht and from fre0uent
disease"C6bstain( said $( from this useless discourse( and come immediately( shave my head( for $ am
weak" 6nd he arose( and( stretchin# forth his hand( took out a handkerchief( and o!ened it4 and lo( there
was in it an astrolabe( consistin# of seven !lates4-W and he took it( and went into the middle of the
court( where he raised his head towards the sun( and looked for a considerable time4 after which he said
to me( =now that there have !assed( of this our day( which is 3riday( and which is the tenth of Iafar(-,
of the year @UL-. of the 3li#ht of the 8ro!het(Cu!on whom be the most excellent of blessin#s and
!eace_Cand the ascendant star of which( accordin# to the re0uired rules of the science of com!utation(
is the !lanet &ars(Cseven de#reesUZ and six minutes4 and it ha!!eneth that &ercury hath come in
con7unction with that !lanet4 and this indicateth that the shavin# of hair is now a most excellent
o!eration: and it hath indicated to me( also( that thou desirest to confer a benefit u!on a !erson: and
fortunate is he_Cbut after that( there is an anLLLnouncement that !resenteth itself to me res!ectin# a
matter which $ will not mention to thee"
9y 6llah( $ exclaimed( thou hast wearied me( and dissi!ated my mind( and au#ured a#ainst me( when $
re0uired thee only to shave my head: arise( then( and shave it4 and !rolon# not thy discourse to me" 9ut
he re!lied( 9y 6llah( if thou knewest the truth of the case( thou wouldst demand of me a further
ex!lication4 and $ counsel thee to do this day as $ direct thee( accordin# to the calculations deduced
from the stars: it is thy duty to !raise 2od( and not to o!!ose me4 for $ am one who #iveth thee #ood
advice( and who re#ardeth thee with com!assion: $ would that $ were in thy service for a whole year(
that thou mi#htest do me 7ustice4 and $ desire not any !ay from thee for so doin#"C5hen $ heard this( $
said to him( Ferily thou art killin# me this day( and there is no esca!e for me"C; my master( he
re!lied( $ am he whom the !eo!le call 1H)IDmit(U+ on account of the !aucity of my s!eech( by which $
am distin#uished above my brothers4 for my eldest brother is named 1l)9aJbooJ4U@ and the second( 1l)
%eddDr4 and the third( 9aJbaJ4 and the fourth is named 1l)=ooO el)6HwDnee4 and the fifth( 1l)
3eshshDr4 and the sixth is named /haJDliJ4 and the seventh brother is named 1H)IDmit4 and he is
myself"
Now when this barber thus overwhelmed me with his talk( $ felt as if my #all)bladder had burst( and
said to the boy( 2ive him a 0uarter of a !iece of #old( and let him de!art from me for the sake of 6llah:
for $ have no need to shave my head" 9ut the barber on hearin# what $ said to the boy( exclaimed( 5hat
is this that thou hast said( ; my lordR 9y 6llah( $ will acce!t from thee no !ay unless $ serve thee4 and
serve thee $ must4 for to do so is incumbent on me( and to !erform what thou re0uirest4 and $ care not if
$ receive from thee no money" $f thou knowest not my worth( $ know thine4 and thy fatherCmay 6llah
have mercy u!on him_Ctreated us with beneficence4 for he was a man of #enerosity" 9y 6llah( thy
father sent for me one day( like this blessed day( and when $ went to him( he had a number of his
friends with him( and he said to me( Take some blood from me" /o $ took the astrolabe( and observed
the altitude for him( and found the ascendant of the hour to be of evil omen( and that the lettin# of
blood would be attended with trouble: $ therefore ac0uainted him with this( and he conformed to my
wish( and waited until the arrival of the a!!roved hour( when $ took the blood from him" %e did not
o!!ose me4 but( on the contrary( thanked me4 and in likeLLN manner all the com!any !resent thanked
me4 and thy father #ave me a hundred !ieces of #old for services similar to the lettin# of blood"C&ay
2od( said $( shew no mercy to my father for knowin# such a man as thou_Cand the barber lau#hed( and
exclaimed( There is no deity but 2od_ &oGammad is 2od's 6!ostle_ 1xtolled be the !erfection of %im
who chan#eth others( but is not chan#ed_ $ did not ima#ine thee to be otherwise than a man of sense4
but thou hast talked nonsense in conse0uence of thine illness" 2od hath mentioned( in his 1xcellent
9ook( those who restrain their an#er( and who for#ive men:ULCbut thou art excused in every case" $
am unac0uainted( however( with the cause of thy haste4 and thou knowest that thy father used to do
nothin# without consultin# me4 and it hath been said( that the !erson to whom one a!!lies for advice
should be trusted: now thou wilt find no one better ac0uainted with the affairs of the world than myself(
and $ am standin# on my feet to serve thee" $ am not dis!leased with thee( and how then art thou
dis!leased with meR 9ut $ will have !atience with thee on account of the favours which $ have received
from thy father"C9y 6llah( said $( thou hast wearied me with thy discourse( and overcome me with thy
s!eech_ $ desire that thou shave my head and de!art from me"
$ #ave vent to my ra#e4 and would have risen( even if he had wetted my head( when he said( $ knew that
dis!leasure with me had overcome thee4 but $ will not be an#ry with thee( for thy sense is weak( and
thou art a youth: a short time a#o $ used to carry thee on my shoulder(UN and take thee to the school"C
A!on this( $ said to him( ; my brother( $ con7ure thee by 6llah( de!art from me that $ may !erform my
business( and #o thou thy way" Then $ rent my clothes4 and when he saw me do this( he took the raOor(
and shar!ened it( and continued to do so until my soul almost !arted from my body4 then advancin# to
my head( he shaved a small !ortion of it4 after which he raised his hand( and said( ; my lord( haste is
from the ?evil4Cand he re!eated this cou!let:C
?eliberate( and haste not to accom!lish thy desire4 and be merciful( so shalt thou meet with one
merciful: 3or there is no hand but 2od's hand is above it4U- nor o!!ressor that shall not meet with an
o!!ressor"
; my lord (he then continued)( $ do not ima#ine that thou knowest my condition in society4 for my
hand li#hteth u!on the heads of kin#s and emeers and weOeers and sa#es and learned men4 and of such
a one as myself hath the !oet said(LL-C
The trades alto#ether are like a necklace( and this barber is the chief !earl of the strin#s" %e excelleth
all that are endowed with skill( and under his hands are the heads of =in#s"
C'eave( said $( that which doth not concern thee_ Thou hast contracted my heart( and troubled my
mind"C$ fancy that thou art in haste( he re7oined" $ re!lied( Ses_ Ses_ Ses_C8roceed slowly( said he4
for verily haste is from the ?evil( and it #iveth occasion to re!entance and disa!!ointment4 and he u!on
whom be blessin# and !eaceUU hath said( The best of affairs is that which is commenced with
deliberation:Cand( by 6llah( $ am in doubt as to thine affair: $ wish( therefore( that thou wouldst make
known to me what thou art hastin# to do4 and may it be #ood4 for $ fear it is otherwise"
There now remained( to the a!!ointed time( three hours4 and he threw the raOor from his hand in an#er(
and( takin# the astrolabe( went a#ain to observe the sun4 then after he had waited a lon# time( he
returned( sayin#( There remain( to the hour of !rayer( three hours( neither more nor less" 3or the sake of
6llah( said $( be silent4 for thou hast crumbled my liver_Cand thereu!on( he took the raOor( and
shar!ened it as he had done the first time( and shaved another !ortion of my head" Then sto!!in# a#ain(
he said( $ am in anxiety on account of thy hurry: if thou wouldst ac0uaint me with the cause of it( it
would be better for thee4 for thou knowest that thy father used to do nothin# without consultin# me"
$ !erceived now that $ could not avoid his im!ortunity( and said within myself( The time of !rayer is
almost come( and $ desire to #o before the !eo!le come out from the service: if $ delay a little lon#er( $
know not how to #ain admission to her" $ therefore said to him( 9e 0uick( and cease from this chatterin#
and im!ertinence4 for $ desire to re!air to an entertainment with my friends" 9ut when he heard the
mention of the entertainment( he exclaimed( The day is a blessed day for me_ $ yesterday con7ured a
!arty of my intimate friends to come and feast with me( and for#ot to !re!are for them anythin# to eat4
and now $ have remembered it" 6las for the dis#race that $ shall ex!erience from them_C/o $ said to
him( 9e in no anxiety on this account( since thou hast been told that $ am #oin# to)day to an
entertainment4 for all the food and drink that is in my house shall be thine if thou use ex!edition in my
affair( and 0uickly finish shavin# my head"C&ay 2od recom!ense thee with every blessin#_ he
re!lied: describe to me what thou hast for my #uests( that $ may know it" $ have( said $( five dishes of
meat( and ten fowls fricandoed( LLU and a roasted lamb"CCause them to be brou#ht before me( he said(
that $ may see them" /o $ had them brou#ht to him( and he exclaimed( ?ivinely art thou #ifted_ %ow
#enerous is thy soul_ 9ut the incense and !erfumes are wantin#"C$ brou#ht him( therefore( a box
containin# neddUW and aloes)wood and amber#ris and musk( worth fifty !ieces of #old"CThe time had
now become contracted( like my own heart4 so $ said to him( <eceive this( and shave the whole of my
head( by the existence of &oGammad( 2od bless and save him_ 9ut he re!lied( 9y 6llah( $ will not take
it until $ see all that it contains"C$ therefore ordered the boy( and he o!ened the box to him4 whereu!on
the barber threw down the astrolabe from his hand( and( seatin# himself u!on the #round( turned over
the !erfumes and incense and aloes)wood in the box until my soul almost 0uitted my body"
%e then advanced( and took the raOor( and shaved another small !ortion of my head4 after which he
said( 9y 6llah( ; my son( $ know not whether $ should thank thee or thank thy father4 for my
entertainment to)day is entirely derived from thy bounty and kindness( and $ have no one amon# my
visiters deservin# of it4 for my #uests are( ^eytoon the bath)kee!er( and IaleeQ the wheat)seller( and
';wkal the bean)seller( and '6kresheh the #rocer( and [omeyd the dustman( and '6kDrish the milk)
seller( and each of these hath a !eculiar dance which he !erformeth( and !eculiar verses which he
reciteth4 and the best of their 0ualities is( that they are like thy servant( the memlook who is before thee4
and $( thy slave( know neither lo0uacity nor im!ertinence" 6s to the bath)kee!er( he saith( $f $ #o not to
the feast( it cometh to my house_Cand as to the dustman( he is witty( and full of frolick: often doth he
dance( and say( News( with my wife( is not ke!t in a chest_Cand each of my friends hath 7ests that
anotherLLW hath not: but the descri!tion is not like the actual observation" $f thou choose( therefore( to
come to us( it will be more !leasant both to thee and to us: relin0uish( then( thy visit to thy friends of
whom thou hast told us that thou desirest to #o to them4 for the traces of disease are yet u!on thee( and
!robably thou art #oin# to a !eo!le of many words( who will talk of that which concerneth them not4 or
!robably there will be amon# them one im!ertinent !erson4 and thy soul is already dis0uieted by
disease"C$ re!lied( $f it be the will of 2od( that shall be on some other day:Cbut he said( $t will be
more !ro!er that thou first 7oin my !arty of friends( that thou mayest en7oy their conviviality( and
deli#ht thyself with their salt" 6ct in accordance with the sayin# of the !oet:C
?efer not a !leasure when it can be had4 for fortune often destroyeth our !lans"
A!on this $ lau#hed from a heart laden with an#er( and said to him( ?o what $ re0uire( that $ may #o in
the care of 2od( whose name be exalted_ and do thou #o to thy friends( for they are waitin# thine
arrival" %e re!lied( $ desire nothin# but to introduce thee into the society of these !eo!le4 for verily they
are of the sons of that class amon# which is no im!ertinent !erson4 and if thou didst but behold them
once( thou wouldst leave all thine own com!anions"C&ay 2od( said $( #ive thee abundant 7oy with
them( and $ must brin# them to#ether here some day"C$f that be thy wish( he re7oined( and thou wilt
first attend the entertainment of thy friends this day( wait until $ take this !resent with which thou hast
honoured me( and !lace it before my friends( that they may eat and drink without waitin# for me( and
then $ will return to thee( and #o with thee to thy com!anions4 for there is no false delicacy between me
and my com!anions that should !revent my leavin# them: so $ will return to thee 0uickly( and re!air
with thee whithersoever thou #oest"CA!on this $ exclaimed( There is no stren#th nor !ower but in
2od( the %i#h( the 2reat_ 2o thou to thy com!anions( and deli#ht thy heart with them( and leave me to
re!air to mine( and to remain with them this day( for they are waitin# my arrival"C9ut he said( $ will
not leave thee to #o alone"CThe !lace to which $ am #oin#( said $( none can enter exce!t myself"C$
su!!ose then( he re7oined( that thou hast an a!!ointment to)day with some female: otherwise( thou
wouldst take me with thee4 for $ am more deservin# than all other men( and will assist thee to attain
what thou desirest" $ fear that thou art #oin# to visit some stran#e woman( and that thy life will be lost4
for in this city of 9a#hdDd noLL, one can do anythin# of this kind( es!ecially on such a day as this4
seein# that the 5Dlee of 9a#hdDd is a terrible( shar! sword"C5o to thee( ; wicked old man_ $
exclaimed( what are these words with which thou addressest meRC6nd u!on this( he ke!t a lon#
silence"
The time of !rayer had now arrived( and the time of the =huEbehU, was near( when he had finished
shavin# my head: so $ said to him( 2o with this food and drink to thy friends( and $ will wait for thee
until thou return( and thou shalt accom!any me:Cand $ continued my endeavours to deceive him( that
he mi#ht #o away4 but he said to me( Ferily thou art deceivin# me( and wilt #o alone( and !reci!itate
thyself into a calamity from which there will be no esca!e for thee: by 6llah_ by 6llah_ then( 0uit not
this s!ot until $ return to thee and accom!any thee( that $ may know what will be the result of thine
affair"C$ re!lied( 5ell: !rolon# not thine absence from me" 6nd he took the food and drink and other
thin#s which $ had #iven him( but intrusted them to a !orter to convey them to his abode( and concealed
himself in one of the by)streets" $ then immediately arose" The muaddins on the menDrehs had chanted
the /elDm of 3riday4U. and $ !ut on my clothes( and went forth alone( and( arrivin# at the by)street(
sto!!ed at the door of the house where $ had seen the damsel: and lo( the barber was behind me( and $
knew it not" $ found the door o!en( and entered4 and immediately the master of the house returned from
the !rayers( and entered the saloon( and closed the door4 and $ said within myself( %ow did this devil
discover meR
Now it ha!!ened( 7ust at this time( for the fulfilment of 2od's !ur!ose to rend the veil of !rotection
before me( that a female slave belon#in# to the master of the house committed some offence( in
conse0uence of which he beat her( and she cried out4 whereu!on a male slave came in to him to liberate
her4 but he beat him also( and he likewise cried out4 and the barber concluded that he was beatin# me4
so he cried( and rent his clothes( and s!rinkled dust u!on his head( shriekin#( and callin# for assistance"
%e was surrounded by !eo!le( and said to them( &y master hath been killed in the house of the PD\ee_
Then runnin# to my house( cryin# out all the while( and with a crowd behind him( he #ave the news to
my family4 and $ knew not what he had done when they a!!roached( cryin#( 6las for our master_Cthe
barber all the while bein# before them( with his clothes rent( and a number of the !eo!le of the city
with them" They continued shriekin#( the barber shriekin# at their head( and all of them exclaimin#(
6las for our slain_CThus they advanced to the house inLL. which $ was confined4 and when the PD\ee
heard of this occurrence( the event troubled him( and he arose( and o!ened the door( and seein# a #reat
crowd( he was confounded( and said( ; !eo!le( what is the newsR The servants re!lied( Thou hast
killed our master"C; !eo!le( re7oined he( what hath your master done unto me that $ should kill him4
and wherefore do $ see this barber before youRCThou hast 7ust now beaten him with miJra'ahs( said
the barber4 and $ heard his cries"C5hat hath he done that $ should kill himR re!eated the PD\ee" 6nd
whence( he added( came he4 and whither would he #oRC9e not an old man of malevolence( exclaimed
the barber4 for $ know the story( and the reason of his enterin# thy house( and the truth of the whole
affair: thy dau#hter is in love with him( and he is in love with her4 and thou hast discovered that he had
entered thy house( and hast ordered thy youn# men( and they have beaten him" 9y 6llah( none shall
decide between us and thee exce!t the =haleefeh4 or thou shalt brin# forth to us our master that his
family may take him4 and obli#e me not to enter and take him forth from you: haste then thyself to
!roduce him"
A!on this( the PD\ee was withheld from s!eakin#( and became utterly abashed before the !eo!le: but
!resently he said to the barber( $f thou s!eak truth( enter thyself( and brin# him forth" /o the barber
advanced( and entered the house4 and when $ saw him do so( $ sou#ht for a way to esca!e4 but $ found
no !lace of refu#e exce!t a lar#e chest which $ observed in the same a!artment in which $ thenLNZ was:
$ therefore entered this( and shut down the lid( and held in my breath" $mmediately after( the barber ran
into the saloon( and( without lookin# in any other direction than that in which $ had concealed myself(
came thither: then turnin# his eyes to the ri#ht and left( and seein# nothin# but the chest( he raised it
u!on his head4 whereu!on my reason forsook me" %e 0uickly descended with it4 and $( bein# now
certain that he would not 0uit me( o!ened the chest( and threw myself u!on the #round" &y le# was
broken by the fall4 and when $ came to the door of the house( $ found a multitude of !eo!le: $ had never
seen such a crowd as was there collected on that day4 so $ be#an to scatter #old amon# them( to divert
them4 and while they were busied in !ickin# it u!( $ hastened throu#h the by)streets of 9a#hdDd(
followed by this barber4 and wherever $ entered( he entered after me( cryin#( They would have !lun#ed
me into affliction on account of my master_ 8raise be to 2od who aided me a#ainst them( and delivered
my master from their hands_ Thou continuedst( ; my master( to be excited by haste for the
accom!lishment of thine evil desi#n until thou brou#htest u!on thyself this event4 and if 2od had not
blessed thee with me( thou hadst not esca!ed from this calamity into which thou hast fallen4 and they
mi#ht have involved thee in a calamity from which thou wouldst never have esca!ed" 9e#( therefore( of
2od( that $ may live for thy sake( to liberate thee in future" 9y 6llah( thou hast almost destroyed me by
thine evil desi#n( desirin# to #o alone: but we will not be an#ry with thee for thine i#norance( for thou
art endowed with little sense( and of a hasty dis!osition"C6rt thou not satisfied( re!lied $( with that
which thou hast done( but wilt thou run after me throu#h the market)streetsRC6nd $ desired for death
to liberate me from him4 but found it not4 and in the excess of my ra#e $ ran from him( and( enterin# a
sho! in the midst of the market( im!lored the !rotection of its owner4 and he drove away the barber
from me"
$ then seated myself in a ma#aOine belon#in# to him( and said within myself( $ cannot now rid myself
of this barber4 but he will be with me ni#ht and day( and $ cannot endure the si#ht of his face" /o $
immediately summoned witnesses( and wrote a document( dividin# my !ro!erty amon# my family( and
a!!ointin# a #uardian over them( and $ ordered him to sell the house and all the immoveable
!ossessions( char#in# him with the care of the old and youn#( and set forth at once on a 7ourney in
order to esca!e from this wretch" $ then arrived in your country( where $ took u! my abode( and have
remained aLN+ considerable time4 and when ye invited me( and $ came unto you( $ saw this vile wretch
amon# you( seated at the u!!er end of the room" %ow( then( can my heart be at ease( or my sittin# in
your com!any be !leasant to me( with this fellow( who hath brou#ht these events u!on me( and been
the cause of the breakin# of my le#R
The youn# man still !ersevered in his refusal to remain with us4 and when we had heard his story( we
said to the barber( $s this true which the youn# man hath said of theeRC9y 6llah( he answered( it was
throu#h my intelli#ence that $ acted thus towards him4 and had $ not done so( he had !erished: myself
only was the cause of his esca!e4 and it was throu#h the #oodness of 2od( by my means( that he was
afflicted by the breakin# of his le# instead of bein# !unished by the loss of his life" 5ere $ a !erson of
many words( $ had not done him this kindness4 and now $ will relate to you an event that ha!!ened to
me( that ye may believe me to be a man of few words( and less of an im!ertinent than my brothers4 and
it was this:C
LN@
THE BARBER'S STORY OF HIMSELF
$ was livin# in 9a#hdDd( in the rei#n of the 8rince of the 3aithful 1l)&untaHir bi)llDh(WZ who loved the
!oor and indi#ent( and associated with the learned and virtuous4 and it ha!!ened( one day( that he was
incensed a#ainst ten !ersons( in conse0uence of which( he ordered the chief ma#istrate of 9a#hdDd to
brin# them to him in a boat" $ saw them( and $ said within myself( These !ersons have assembled for
nothin# but an entertainment( and( $ su!!ose( will !ass their day in this boat eatin# and drinkin#4 and
none shall be their com!anion but myself:W+Cso $ embarked( and mixed myself amon# them4 and
when they had landed on the o!!osite bank( the #uards of the 5Dlee came with chains( and !ut them
u!on their necks( and !ut a chain u!on my neck also"CNow this( ; !eo!le( is it not a !roof of my
#enerosity( and of my !aucity of s!eechR 3or $ determined not to s!eak"CThey took us( therefore( all
to#ether( in chains( and !laced us before 1l)&untaHir bi)llDh( the 8rince of the 3aithful4 whereu!on he
#ave orders to strike off the heads of the ten4 and the executioner struck off the heads of the ten( and $
remained" The =haleefeh then turnin# his eyes( and beholdin# me( said to the executioner( 5herefore
dost thou not strike off the heads of all the tenR %e answered( $ have beheaded every one of the ten"C$
do not think( re7oined the =haleefeh( that thou hast beheaded more than nine4 and this who is before me
is the tenth" 9ut the executioner re!lied( 9y thy beneficence( they are ten"CCount them( said the
=haleefeh" 6nd they counted them4 and lo( they were ten" The =haleefeh then lookedLNL towards me(
and said( 5hat hath induced thee to be silent on this occasion4 and how hast thou become included
amon# the men of bloodRC6nd when $ heard the address of the 8rince of the 3aithful( $ said to him(
=now( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( that $ am the sheykh 1H)IDmit (the silent): $ !ossess( of science( a lar#e
stock4 and as to the #ravity of my understandin#( and the 0uickness of my a!!rehension( and the
!aucity of my s!eech( they are unbounded: my trade is that of a barber4 and yesterday( early in the
mornin#( $ saw these ten men !roceedin# to the boat4 whereu!on $ mixed myself with them( and
embarked with them( thinkin# that they had met to#ether for an entertainment4 but soon it a!!eared that
they were criminals4 and the #uards came to them( and !ut chains u!on their necks( and u!on my neck
also they !ut a chain4 and from the excess of my #enerosity $ was silent( and s!oke not: my s!eech was
not heard on that occasion( on account of the excess of my #enerosity4 and they !roceeded with us until
they stationed us before thee( and thou #avest the order to strike off the heads of the ten( and $ remained
before the executioner( and ac0uainted you not with my case" 5as not this #reat #enerosity which
com!elled me to accom!any them to slau#hterR 9ut throu#hout my life $ have acted in this excellent
manner"
5hen the =haleefeh heard my words( and knew that $ was of a very #enerous character( and of few
words( and not inclined to im!ertinence as this youn# man( whom $ delivered from horrors( asserteth(
he said( %ast thou brothersR $ answered( Ses: six"C6nd are thy six brothers( said he( like thyself(
distin#uished by science and knowled#e( and !aucity of s!eechR $ answered( They lived not so as to be
like me: thou hast dis!ara#ed me by thy su!!osition( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( and it is not !ro!er that
thou shouldst com!are my brothers to me4 for throu#h the abundance of their s!eech( and the smallness
of their #enerous 0ualities( each of them ex!erienced a defect: the first was lame4 the second( de!rived
of many of his teeth4 the third( blind4 the fourth( one)eyed4 the fifth( cro!!ed of his ears4 and the sixth
had both his li!s cut off:W@ and think not( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( that $ am a man of many words: nay(
$ must !rove to thee that $ am of a more #enerous character than they4 and each of them met with a
!articular adventure( in conse0uence of which he ex!erienced a defect: if thou !lease( $ will relate their
stories to thee"LNN
THE BARBER'S STORY OF HIS FIRST BROTHER.
=now( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( that the first (who was named 1l)9aJbooJ) was the lame one" %e
!ractised the art of a tailor in 9a#hdDd( and used to sew in a sho! which he hired of a man !ossessin#
#reat wealth( who lived over the sho!( and who had( in the lower !art of his house( a mill" 6nd as my
lame brother was sittin# in his sho! one day( sewin#( he raised his head( and saw a woman like the
risin# full moon( at a !ro7ectin# window of the house( lookin# at the !eo!le !assin# by4 and as soon as
he beheld her( his heart was entan#led by her love" %e !assed that day #aOin# at her( and ne#lectin# his
occu!ation( until the evenin#4 and on the followin# mornin# he o!ened his sho!( and sat down to sew4
but every time that he sewed a stitch( he looked towards the window4 and in this state he continued(
sewin# nothin# sufficient to earn a !iece of silver"WL
;n the third day he seated himself a#ain in his !lace( lookin# towards the woman4 and she saw him(
and( !erceivin# that he had become enslaved by her love( lau#hed in his face( and he( in like manner(
lau#hed in her face" /he then disa!!eared from before him( and sent to him her slave)#irl( with a
wra!!er containin# a !iece of red flowered silk4 and the #irl( comin# to him( said to him( &y mistress
saluteth thee( and desireth thee to cut out for her( with the hand of skill( a shirt of this !iece( and to sew
it beautifully" /o he answered( $ hear and obey:Cand he cut out for her the shirt( and finished the
sewin# of it on that day4 and on the followin# day theLN- slave)#irl came to him a#ain4 and said to him(
&y mistress saluteth thee( and saith to thee( %ow didst thou !ass last ni#htRCfor she tasted not slee!(
from her !assion for thee"C/he then !laced before him a !iece of yellow satin( and said to him( &y
mistress desireth thee to cut out for her( of this !iece( two !airs of trousers( and to make them this day"
%e re!lied( $ hear and obey" /alute her with abundant salutations( and say to her( Thy slave is
submissive to thine order( and command him to do whatsoever thou wilt"C%e then busied himself with
the cuttin# out( and used all dili#ence in sewin# the two !airs of trousers4 and !resently the woman
looked out at him from the window( and saluted him by a si#n( now castin# down her eyes( and now
smilin# in his face( so that he ima#ined he should soon obtain !ossession of her" 6fter this( she
disa!!eared from before him( and the slave)#irl came to him4 so he delivered to her the two !airs of
trousers( and she took them and de!arted: and when the ni#ht came( he threw himself u!on his bed( and
remained turnin# himself over in restlessness until the mornin#"
;n the followin# day( the master of the house came to my brother( brin#in# some linen( and said to
him( Cut out and make this into shirts for me" %e re!lied( $ hear and obey:Cand ceased not from his
work until he had cut out twenty shirts by the time of ni#htfall( without havin# tasted food" The man
then said to him( %ow much is thy hire for thisRCbut my brother answered not4 and the damsel made a
si#n to him that he should receive nothin#( thou#h he was absolutely in want of a sin#le co!!er coin"
3or three days he continued scarcely eatin# or drinkin# anythin#( in his dili#ence to accom!lish his
work( and when he had finished it( he went to deliver the shirts"
Now the youn# woman had ac0uainted her husband with the state of my brother's mind( but my brother
knew not this4 and she !lanned with her husband to em!loy him in sewin# without remuneration( and
moreover to amuse themselves by lau#hin# at him: so( when he had finished all the work that they #ave
him( they contrived a !lot a#ainst him( and married him to their slave)#irl4 and on the ni#ht when he
desired to introduce himself to her( they said to him( 8ass this ni#ht in the mill( and to)morrow thou
shalt en7oy ha!!iness" &y brother( therefore( thinkin# that their intention was #ood( !assed the ni#ht in
the mill alone" &eanwhile( the husband of the youn# woman went to the miller( and insti#ated him by
si#ns to make my brother turn the mill" The miller( accordin#ly( went in to him at midni#ht( and be#an
to exclaim( Ferily this bull is laOy( while there is a #reat 0uantity ofLNU wheat( and the owners of the
flour are demandin# it: $ will therefore yoke him in the mill( that he may finish the #rindin# of the
flour:Cand so sayin#( he yoked my brother( and thus he ke!t him until near mornin#( when the owner
of the house came( and saw him yoked in the mill( and the miller flo##in# him with the whi!4 and he
left him( and retired" 6fter this( the slave)#irl to whom he had been contracted in marria#e came to him
early in the mornin#( and( havin# unbound him from the mill( said to him( 9oth $ and my mistress have
been distressed by this which hath befallen thee( and we have !artici!ated in the burden of thy sorrow"
9ut he had no ton#ue wherewith to answer her( by reason of the severity of the flo##in#" %e then
returned to his house4 and lo( the sheykh who had !erformed the marria#e)contract came and saluted
him( sayin#( &ay 2od !rolon# thy life_ &ay thy marria#e be blessed_C&ay 2od not !reserve the liar_
returned my brother: thou thousandfold villain_ 9y 6llah( $ went only to turn the mill in the !lace of the
bull until the mornin#"CTell me thy story( said the sheykh:Cand my brother told him what had
ha!!ened to him: u!on which the sheykh said( Thy star a#reeth not with hers: but if thou desire that $
should chan#e for thee the mode of the contract( $ will chan#e it for another better than it( that thy star
may a#ree with hers"WNC/ee then( re!lied my brother( if thou hast any other contrivance to em!loy"
&y brother then left him( and re!aired a#ain to his sho!( ho!in# that somebody mi#ht #ive him some
work( with the !rofit of which he mi#ht obtain his food4 and lo( the slave)#irl came to him" /he had
cons!ired with her mistress to !lay him this trick( and said to him( Ferily( my mistress is lon#in# for
thee( and she hath #one u! to look at thy face from the window" 6nd my brother had scarcely heard
these words when she looked out at him from the window( and( wee!in#( said( 5herefore hast thou cut
short the intercourse between us and theeR 9ut he returned her no answer: so she swore to him that all
that had ha!!ened to him in the mill was not with her consent4 and when my brother beheld her beauty
and loveliness( the troubles that had befallen him became effaced from his memory( and he acce!ted
her excuse( and re7oiced at the si#ht of her" %e saluted her( therefore( and conversed with her( and then
sat a while at his work4 after which the slave)#irl came to him( and said( &y mistress saluteth thee( and
informeth thee that her husband hath determined to !ass this next ni#ht in the house of one of his
intimate friends4 wherefore( when he hath #one thither( do thou come to her"CNow the husbandLNW of
the youn# woman had said to her( %ow shall we contrive when he cometh to thee that $ may take him
and dra# him before the 5DleeR /he re!lied( 'et me then !lay him a trick( and involve him in a
dis#race for which he shall be !araded throu#hout this city as an exam!le to others:Cand my brother
knew nothin# of the craftiness of women" 6ccordin#ly( at the a!!roach of evenin#( the slave)#irl came
to him( and( takin# him by the hand( returned with him to her mistress( who said to him( Ferily( ; my
master( $ have been lon#in# for thee"C%asten then( said he( to #ive me a kiss( first of all" 6nd his
words were not finished( when the youn# woman's husband came in from his nei#hbour's house( and(
seiOin# my brother( exclaimed to him( 9y 6llah( $ will not loose thee but in the !resence of the chief
ma#istrate of the !olice" &y brother humbled himself before him4 but( without listenin# to him( he took
him to the house of the 5Dlee( who flo##ed him with whi!s( and mounted him u!on a camel( and
conveyed him throu#h the streets of the city( the !eo!le cryin# out( This is the recom!ense of him who
breaketh into the Gareems of others_Cand he fell from the camel( and his le# broke: so he became
lame" The 5Dlee then banished him from the city4 and he went forth( not knowin# whither to turn his
ste!s: but $( thou#h enra#ed( overtook him( and brou#ht him back4 and $ have taken u!on myself to
!rovide him with meat and drink unto the !resent day"
The =haleefeh lau#hed at my story( and exclaimed( Thou hast s!oken well:Cbut $ re!lied( $ will not
acce!t this honour until thou hast listened to me while $ relate to thee what ha!!ened to the rest of my
brothers4 and think me not a man of many words"CTell me( said the =haleefeh( what ha!!ened to all
thy brothers( and #race my ears with these nice !articulars: $ be# thee to em!loy exuberance of diction
in thy relation of these !leasant tales"
LN,
THE BARBER'S STORY OF HIS SECOND BROTHER.
/o $ said( =now( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( that my second brother( whose name was 1l)%eddDr(W- was
#oin# one day to transact some business( when an old woman met him( and said to him( ; man( sto! a
little( that $ may !ro!ose to thee a thin#( which( if it !lease thee( thou shalt do for me" &y brother(
therefore( sto!!ed4 and she said to him( $ will #uide thee to a thin#( and ri#htly direct thee to it( on the
condition that thy words be not many" /o he said( Communicate what thou hast to tell me:Cand she
!roceeded thus:C5hat sayest thou of a handsome house( with runnin# water( and fruit and wine( and a
beautiful face to behold( and a smooth cheek to kiss( and an ele#ant form to embrace4 and to en7oy all
these !leasures without interru!tionR Now( if thou wilt act a#reeably with the condition that $ have
im!osed u!on thee( thou wilt see !ros!erity"C5hen my brother had heard her words( he said to her( ;
my mistress( how is it that thou hast sou#ht me out in !reference to all the rest of the creation for this
affair4 and what is there in me that hath !leased theeR /he re!lied( ?id $ not say to thee that thou must
not be a !erson of many wordsR 9e silent then( and come with me"
The old woman then went her way( my brother followin# her( ea#er to en7oy the !leasures which she
had described to him( until they had entered a s!acious house( when she went u! with him to an u!!er
story( and my brother !erceived that he was in a beautiful !alace( inLN. which he beheld four damsels(
than whom none more lovely had ever been seen( sin#in# with voices that would charm a heart as
insensible as stone" ;ne of these damsels drank a cu! of wine4 and my brother said to her( &ay it be
attended with health and vi#our_Cand advanced to wait u!on her4 but she !revented his doin# so(
#ivin# him to drink a cu! of wine4 and as soon as he had drunk it( she sla!!ed him on his neck" 5hen
he found that she treated him thus( he went out from the chamber in an#er( and with many words4 but
the old woman( followin# him( made a si#n to him with her eye that he should return: so he returned(
and seated himself( without s!eakin#4 and u!on this( the damsel sla!!ed him a#ain u!on the back of his
neck until he became senseless4 after which( recoverin#( he withdrew a#ain" The old woman( however(
overtook him( and said to him( 5ait a little( and thou shalt attain thy wish"C%ow many times( said he(
shall $ wait a little before $ attain itR The old woman answered( 5hen she hath become exhilarated with
wine thou shalt obtain her favour" %e therefore returned to his !lace( and resumed his seat" 6ll the four
damsels then arose( and the old woman directed them to divest my brother of his outer clothes( and to
s!rinkle some rose)water u!on his face4 and when they had done so( the most beautiful one amon#
them said to him( &ay 6llah exalt thee to honour_ Thou hast entered my abode( and if thou have
!atience to submit to my re0uisitions( thou wilt attain thy wish"C; my mistress( he re!lied( $ am thy
slave( and under thy authority"C=now then( said she( that $ am devotedly fond of frolic( and he who
com!lieth with my demands will obtain my favour" Then she ordered the other damsels to sin#4 and
they san# so that their hearers were in an ecstasy4 after which the chief lady said to one of the other
damsels( Take thy master( and do what is re0uired( and brin# him back to me immediately"
6ccordin#ly( she took him away( i#norant of that which she was about to do4 and the old woman came
to him( and said( 9e !atient4 for there remaineth but little to do" %e then turned towards the damsel( and
the old woman said to him( 9e !atient: thou hast almost succeeded( and there remaineth but one thin#(
which is( to shave thy beard"C%ow( said he( shall $ do that which will dis#race me amon# the !eo!leR
The old woman answered( /he desireth this only to make thee like a beardless youth( that there may be
nothin# on thy face to !rick her4 for her heart is affected with a violent love for thee" 9e !atient(
therefore( and thou shalt attain thy desire"C/o my brother !atiently submitted to the damsel's
directions: his beard was shaven(L-Z and he was shorn also of his eyebrows and mustaches( and his
face was !ainted red( before the damsel took him back to the chief lady( who( when she saw him( was at
first fri#htened at him( and then lau#hed until she fell backwards( and exclaimed( ; my master( thou
hast #ained me by these !roofs of thine amiable manners_ /he then con7ured him by her life to arise
and dance4 and he did so4 and there was not a sin#le cushion in the chamber that she did not throw at
him" $n like manner also the other damsels threw at him various thin#s( such as oran#es( and limes( and
citrons( until he fell down senseless from the !eltin#( while they sla!!ed him incessantly u!on the back
of his neck( and cast thin#s in his face" 9ut at len#th the old woman said to him( Now thou hast attained
thy wish" =now that there remaineth to thee no more beatin#( nor doth there remain for thee to do more
than one thin#( namely( this: it is her custom( when she is under the influence of wine( to suffer no one
to come near her until she hath taken off her outer clothes4 thou( bein# !re!ared in the like manner(
must run after her( and she will run before thee as thou#h she were flyin# from thee4 but cease not to
follow her from !lace to !lace until thou overtake her" %e arose( therefore( and did so: the lady ran
before( and as he followed her( she !assed from chamber to chamber( and he still ran after her" 6t last
he heard her utter a sli#ht sound as she ran before him( and( continuin# his !ursuit( he suddenly found
himself in the midst of the street"
This street was in the market of the leather)sellers( who were then cryin# skins for sale4 and when the
!eo!le there collected saw him in this condition( almost naked( with shaven beard and eyebrows and
mustaches( and with his face !ainted red( they shouted at him( and raised a loud lau#h( and some of
them beat him with the skins until he became insensible" They then !laced him u!on an ass( and
conducted him to the 5Dlee( who exclaimed( 5hat is thisRCThey answered( This descended u!on us
from the house of the 5eOeer( in this condition" 6nd the 5Dlee inflicted u!on him a hundred lashes(
and banished him from the city: but $ went out after him( and brou#ht him back !rivately into the city(
and allotted him a maintenance" %ad it not been for my #enerous dis!osition( $ had not borne with such
a !erson"L-+
THE BARBER'S STORY OF HIS THIRD BROTHER.
6s to my third brother (the blind man( 9aJbaJ)( who was also surnamed Puffeh(WU fate and destiny
im!elled him one day to a lar#e house( and he knocked at the door( ho!in# that its master would answer
him( and that he mi#ht be# of him a trifle" The owner called out( 5ho is at the doorRCbut my brother
answered not4 and then heard him call with a loud voice( 5ho is thisR /till( however( he returned him
no answer4 and he heard the sounds of his footste!s a!!roachin# until he came to the door and o!ened
it( when he said to him( 5hat dost thou desireR &y brother answered( /omethin# for the sake of 2od(
whose name be exalted_C6rt thou blindR said the man4 and my brother answered( Ses"CThen #ive me
thy hand re7oined the master of the house4Cso my brother stretched forth to him his hand( and the man
took him into the house( and led him u! from stair)case to stair)case until he had ascended to the
hi#hest !latform of the roof: my brother thinkin# that he was #oin# to #ive him some food or money:
and when he had arrived at this hi#hest terrace( of his house( the owner said( 5hat dost thou desire( ;
blind man_C$ desire somethin#( he answered a#ain( for the sake of 2od( whose name be exalted_C
&ay 2od( re!lied the man( o!en to thee some other way_C5hat is this_ exclaimed my brother: couldst
thou not tell me so when $ was belowRCThou vilest of the vile_ retorted the other: why didst thou not
ask of me somethin# for the sake of 2od whenL-@ thou heardest my voice the first time( when thou
wast knockin# at the doorRC5hat then( said my brother( dost thou mean to do to meRCThe man of
the house answered( $ have nothin# to #ive thee"CThen take me down the stairs( said my brother" The
man re!lied( The way is before thee" /o my brother made his way to the stairs( and continued
descendin# until there remained( between him and the door( twenty ste!s( when his foot sli!!ed and he
fell( and( rollin# down( broke his head"WW
%e went forth( not knowin# whither to direct his ste!s( and !resently there met him two blind men( his
com!anions( who said to him( 5hat hath ha!!ened to thee this dayR &y brother( therefore( related to
them the event that had 7ust befallen him: and then said to them( ; my brothers( $ desire to take a
!ortion of the money now in our !ossession( to ex!end it u!on myself"CNow the owner of the house
which he had 7ust before entered had followed him to ac0uaint himself with his !roceedin#s( and
without my brother's knowled#e he walked behind him until the latter entered his abode4 when he went
in after him( still unknown" &y brother then sat waitin# for his com!anions4 and when they came in to
him( he said to them( /hut the door( and search the room( lest any stran#er have followed us" 5hen the
intruder( therefore( heard what he said( he arose( and clun# to a ro!e that was attached to the ceilin#4
and the blind men went feelin# about the whole of the chamber( and( findin# no one( returned and
seated themselves by my brother( and brou#ht forth their money( and counted it4 and lo( it was more
than ten thousand !ieces of silver" %avin# done this( they laid it in a corner of the room( and each of
them took of the sur!lus of that sum as much as he wanted( and they buried the ten thousand !ieces of
silver in the earth4 after which( they !laced before themselves some food( and sat eatin#4 but my brother
heard the sound of a stran#er by his side( and said to his friends( $s there a stran#er amon# usR Then
stretchin# forth his hand( it #ras!ed the hand of the intruder4 whereu!on he cried out to his com!anions(
sayin#( %ere is a stran#er_Cand they fell u!on him with blows until they were tired( when they shouted
out( ; &uslims_W, a thief hath come in u!on us( and desireth to take our !ro!erty_Cand immediately a
number of !ersons collected around them"
A!on this( the stran#er whom they accused of bein# a thief shut his eyes( fei#ned to be blind like
themselves( so that no one who saw him doubted him to be so4 and shouted( ; &uslims_ $ demand
!rotection of 6llah and the /ulEDn_ $ demand !rotection of 6llah andL-L the 5Dlee_ $ demand
!rotection of 6llah and the 1meer_ for $ have im!ortant information to #ive to the 1meer_Cand before
they could collect their thou#hts( the officers of the 5Dlee surrounded them and took them all(
includin# my brother( and conducted them before their master" The 5Dlee said( 5hat is your storyRC
and the stran#er re!lied( %ear my words( ; 5Dlee4 the truth of our case will not become known to thee
but by means of beatin#4W. and if thou wilt( be#in by beatin# me before my com!anions" The 5Dlee
therefore said( Throw down this man( and flo# him with whi!s:Cand accordin#ly they threw him down
and flo##ed him4 and when the stri!es tortured him( he o!ened one of his eyes4 and after they had
continued the flo##in# a little lon#er( he o!ened his other eye4 u!on which the 5Dlee exclaimed( 5hat
meaneth this conduct( ; thou villainRC2rant me indemnity( re!lied the man( and $ will ac0uaint thee:
Cand the 5Dlee havin# #ranted his re0uest( he said( 5e four !retend that we are blind( and( intrudin#
amon# other !eo!le( enter their houses( and see their women( and em!loy strata#ems to corru!t them(
and to obtain money from them" 5e have ac0uired( by these means( vast #ain( amountin# to ten
thousand !ieces of silver4 and $ said to my com!anions( 2ive me my due( two thousand and five
hundred4 and they rose a#ainst me and beat me( and took my !ro!erty" $ be# !rotection( therefore( of
6llah and of thee4 and thou art more deservin# of my share than they" $f thou desire to know the truth of
that which $ have said( flo# each of them more than thou hast flo##ed me( and he will o!en his eyes"
/o the 5Dlee immediately #ave orders to flo# them( and the first of them who suffered was my brother"
They continued beatin# him until he almost died4 when the 5Dlee said to them( ; ye scoundrels_ do ye
deny the #racious #ift of 2od( fei#nin# yourselves to be blindR &y brother exclaimed( 6llDh_ 6llDh_
6llDh_ there is none amon# us who seeth_CThey then threw him down a#ain( and ceased not to beat
him until he became insensible( when the 5Dlee said( 'eave him until he shall have recovered( and
then #ive him a third flo##in#:Cand in the meantime( he #ave orders to flo# his com!anions( to #ive
each of them more than three hundred stri!es4 while the seein# man said to them( ;!en your eyes( or
they will flo# you a#ain after this time" Then addressin# himself to the 5Dlee( he said( /end with me
some !erson to brin# thee the !ro!erty4 for these men will not o!en their eyes( fearin# to be dis#raced
before the s!ectators" 6nd the 5Dlee sent with him a man( who brou#ht him the money4 and he took
it(L-N and #ave to the informer( out of it( two thousand and five hundred !ieces of silver( accordin# to
the share which he claimed( in s!ite of the others (retainin# the rest)( and banished from the city my
brother and the two other men4 but $ went forth( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( and( havin# overtaken my
brother( asked him res!ectin# his sufferin#s4 and he ac0uainted me with that which $ have related unto
thee" $ then brou#ht him back secretly into the city( and allotted him a su!!ly of food and drink as lon#
as he lived"
The =haleefeh lau#hed at my story( and said( 2ive him a !resent( and let him #o:Cbut $ re!lied( $ will
receive nothin# until $ have declared to the 8rince of the 3aithful what ha!!ened to the rest of my
brothers( and made it manifest to him that $ am a man of few words:Cwhereu!on the =haleefeh said(
Crack our ears( then( with thy ridiculous stories( and continue to us thy disclosure of vices and
misdeeds" /o $ !roceeded thus:C
L--
THE BARBER'S STORY OF HIS FOURTH BROTHER.
&y fourth brother( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( was the one)eyed (named 1l)=ooO el)6HwDnee): he was a
butcher in 9a#hdDd( and both sold meat and reared lambs4 and the #reat and the rich had recourse to
him to !urchase of him their meat4 so that he amassed #reat wealth( and became !ossessor of cattle and
houses" Thus he continued to !ros!er for a lon# time4 and as he was in his sho!( one day( there accosted
him an old man with a lon# beard( who handed to him some money( sayin#( 2ive me some meat for it"
/o he took the money( and #ave him the meat4 and when the old man had #one away( my brother
looked at the money which he had !ayed him( and( seein# that it was of a brilliant whiteness( !ut it
aside by itself" This old man continued to re!air to him durin# a !eriod of five months( and my brother
always threw his money into a chest by itself4 after which !eriod he desired to take it out for the
!ur!ose of buyin# some shee!4 but on o!enin# the chest( he found all the contents converted into white
!a!er( cli!!ed round4 and he sla!!ed his face( and cried out4 whereu!on a number of !eo!le collected
around him( and he related to them his story( at which they were astonished"
%e then went a#ain( as usual( into his sho!( and( havin# killed a ram( and hun# it u! within the sho!( he
cut off some of the meat( and sus!ended it outside( sayin# within himself( 8erha!s now this old man
will come a#ain( and if so( $ will seiOe him:Cand very soon after( the old man a!!roached with his
money4 u!on which my brother arose( and( layin# hold u!on him( be#an to cry out( ; &uslims( come
to myL-U aid( and hear what this scoundrel hath done unto me_ 9ut when the old man heard his words(
he said to him( 5hich will be more a#reeable to theeCthat thou abstain from dis#racin# me( or that $
dis#race thee( before the !eo!leRC3or what wilt thou dis#race meR said my brother" The old man
answered( 3or thy sellin# human flesh for mutton"CThou liest( thou accursed_ exclaimed my brother"
CNone is accursed( re7oined the old man( but he who hath a man sus!ended in his sho!" &y brother
said( $f it be as thou hast asserted( my !ro!erty and blood shall be lawful to thee:Cand immediately the
old man exclaimed( ; ye !eo!le here assembled_ verily this butcher slau#htereth human bein#s( and
selleth their flesh for mutton4 and if ye desire to know the truth of my assertion( enter his sho!_ /o the
!eo!le rushed u!on his sho!( and beheld the ram converted into a man( hun# u!4 and they laid hold
u!on my brother( cryin# out a#ainst him( Thou infidel_ Thou scoundrel_Cand those who had been his
dearest friends turned u!on him and beat him4 and the old man #ave him a blow u!on his eye( and
knocked it out" The !eo!le then carried the carcass( and took with them my brother( to the chief
ma#istrate of the !olice4 and the old man said to him( ; 1meer( this man slau#htereth human bein#s(
and selleth their flesh for mutton4 and we have therefore brou#ht him to thee: arise( then( and !erform
the re0uisition of 2od( whose mi#ht and #lory be extolled_ A!on this( the ma#istrate thrust back my
brother from him( and( refusin# to listen to what he would have said( ordered that five hundred blows
of a staff should be inflicted u!on him( and took all his !ro!erty" %ad it not been for the #reat amount
of his wealth( he had !ut him to death",Z %e then banished him from the city"
&y brother( therefore( went forth in a state of distraction( not knowin# what course to !ursue4 but he
7ourneyed onwards until he arrived at a #reat city( where he thou#ht fit to settle as a shoemaker: so he
o!ened a sho!( and sat there workin# for his subsistence" 6nd one day he went forth on some business(
and( hearin# the nei#hin# of horses( he in0uired res!ectin# the cause( and was told that the =in# was
#oin# forth to hunt4 whereu!on he went to amuse himself with the si#ht of the !rocession: but the =in#
ha!!enin# to look on one side( his eye met that of my brother( and immediately he hun# down his head(
and exclaimed( $ seek refu#e with 2od from the evil of this day_ %e then turned aside the bridle of his
horse( and rode back( and all his troo!s returned with him4 after which( he ordered his !a#es to run after
my brother( and to beat him4 and they did so(L-W #ivin# him so severe a beatin# that he almost died4
and he knew not the cause" %e returned to his abode in a miserable !li#ht( and afterwards went and
related his misfortune to one of the =in#'s attendants( who lau#hed at the recital until he fell
backwards( and said to him( ; my brother( the =in# cannot endure the si#ht of a one)eyed !erson( and
es!ecially when the defect is that of the left eye4,+ for in this case( he faileth not to !ut the !erson to
death"
5hen my brother heard these words( he determined to fly from that city4 and forthwith de!arted from
it( and re!aired to another city( where there was no =in#" %ere he remained a lon# time4 and after this(
as he was meditatin# u!on his adventure in the former city( he went out one day to amuse himself( and
heard a#ain the nei#hin# of horses behind him4 u!on which he exclaimed( The decree of 2od hath
come to !ass_ and ran away( seekin# for a !lace in which to conceal himself4 but he found none( until(
continuin# his search( he saw a door set u! as a barricade: so he !ushed this( and it fell down4 and(
enterin# the doorway( he beheld a lon# !assa#e( into which he advanced" /uddenly( however( two men
laid hold u!on him( and exclaimed( 8raise be to 2od who hath enabled us to take thee( ; thou enemy
of 2od_ 3or these three ni#hts thou hast suffered us to en7oy neither 0uiet nor slee!( and we have found
no re!ose: nay( thou hast #iven us a foretaste of death_C; men( said my brother( what hath ha!!ened
unto youR They answered( Thou kee!est a watch u!on us( and desirest to dis#race us( and to dis#race
the master of the house_ $s it not enou#h for thee that thou hast reduced him to !overty( thou and thy
com!anionsR 8roduce now the knife wherewith thou threatenest us every ni#ht"C6nd so sayin#( they
searched him( and found u!on his waist the knife with which he cut the shoe)leather"C; men( he
exclaimed( fear 2od in your treatment of me( and know that my story is wonderful" They said( 5hat
then is thy storyR /o he related it to them( in the ho!e that they would liberate him: but they believed
not what he said4 and( instead of shewin# him any re#ard( they beat him( and tore his clothes4
whereu!on( his body becomin# ex!osed to their view( they discovered u!on his sides the marks of
beatin# with miJra'ahs( and exclaimed( ; wretch_ these scars bear testimony to thy #uilt" They then
conducted him before the 5Dlee( while he said within himself( $ am undone for my trans#ressions( and
none can deliver me but 2od( whose name be exalted_ 6nd when he was brou#ht before the 5Dlee( the
ma#istrate said to him( ; thou scoundrel_ nothin# but a heinous crime hath occasioned thy havin#
beenL-, beaten with miJra'ahs:Cand he caused a hundred lashes to be inflicted u!on him4 after which(
they mounted him u!on a camel( and !roclaimed before him( This is the recom!ense of him who
breaketh into men's houses_C9ut $ had already heard of his misfortunes( and #one forth( and found
him4 and $ accom!anied him about the city while they were makin# this !roclamation( until they left
him4 when $ took him( and brou#ht him back secretly into 9a#hdDd( and a!!ortioned him a daily
allowance of food and drink"
L-.
THE BARBER'S STORY OF HIS FIFTH BROTHER.&2
&y fifth brother (1l)3eshshDr,L) was cro!!ed of his ears( ; 8rince of the 3aithful" %e was a !au!er(
who be##ed alms by ni#ht( and subsisted u!on what he thus ac0uired by day: and our father was a very
old man( and he fell sick and died( leavin# to us seven hundred !ieces of silver( of which each of us
took his !ortion4 namely( a hundred !ieces" Now my fifth brother( when he had received his share( was
!er!lexed( not knowin# what to do with it4 but while he was in this state( it occurred to his mind to buy
with it all kinds of articles of #lass( and to sell them and make !rofit4 so he bou#ht #lass with his
hundred !ieces of silver( and !ut it in a lar#e tray( and sat u!on an elevated !lace( to sell it( leanin# his
back a#ainst a wall" 6nd as he sat( he meditated( and said within himself( Ferily my whole stock
consisteth of this #lass: $ will sell it for two hundred !ieces of silver4 and with the two hundred $ will
buy other #lass( which $ will sell for four hundred4 and thus $ will continue buyin# and sellin# until $
have ac0uired #reat wealth" Then with this $ will !urchase all kinds of merchandise and essences and
7ewels( and so obtain vast #ain" 6fter that( $ will buy a handsome house( and memlooks( and horses( and
#ilded saddles4 and $ will eat and drink4 and $ will not leave in the city a sin#le female sin#er but $ will
have her brou#ht to my house that $ may hear her son#s"C6ll this he calculated with the tray ofLUZ
#lass lyin# before him"CThen( said he( $ will send all the female betrothers to seek in marria#e for me
the dau#hters of =in#s and 5eOeers4 and $ will demand as my wife the dau#hter of the chief 5eOeer4,N
for $ have heard that she is endowed with !erfect beauty and sur!risin# loveliness: and $ will #ive as
her dowry a thousand
!ieces of
#old" $f her father consent( my wish is attained4 and if he consent not( $ will take her by force( in s!ite
of him: and when $ have come back to my house( $ will buy ten youn# eunuchs( and $ will !urchase the
a!!arel of =in#s and /ulEDns( and cause to be made for me a saddle of #old set with 7ewels: after
whichLU+ $ will ride every day u!on a horse(

with slaves behind me and before me(,- and #o about
throu#h the streets and markets to amuse myself( while the !eo!le will salute me and !ray for me",U
Then $ will !ay a visit to the 5eOeer( who is the father of the maiden( with memlooks behind me and
before me( and on my ri#ht hand and on my left4 and when he seeth me( he will rise to me( in humility(
and seat me in his own !lace4 and he himself will sit down below me(,W because $ am his son)in)law" $
will then order one of the servants to brin# a !urse containin# the !ieces of #old which com!ose the
dowry4 and he will !lace it before the 5eOeer4 and $ will add to it another !urse( that he may know my
manly s!irit and excessive #enerosity( and that the world is contem!tible in my eye: and when he
addresseth me with ten words( $ will answer him with two" 6nd $ will return to my house4 and when
any !erson cometh to me from the house of the 5eOeer( $ will clothe him with a rich dress: but if any
come with a !resent( $ will return it: $ will certainly not acce!t it",, Then( on the ni#ht of the bridal
dis!lay( $ will attire myself in the most ma#nificent of my dresses( and sit u!on a mattress covered with
silk4 and when my wife cometh to me( like the full moon( decked with her ornaments and a!!arel( $ will
command her to stand before me as stands the timid and the ab7ect4 and $ will not look at her( on
account of the hau#htiness of my s!irit and the #ravity of my wisdom4 so that the maids will say( ; our
master and our lord( may we be thy sacrifice_ This thy wife( or rather thy handmaid( awaiteth thy kind
re#ard( and is standin# before thee: then #raciously bestow on her one #lance4 for the !osture hath
become !ainful to her",.CA!on this( $ willLU@
raise my head( and look at her with one #lance( and a#ain incline my head
downwards4 and thus $ will do until the ceremony of dis!layin# her is finished4 whereu!on they will
conduct her to the slee!in#)chamber4 and $ will rise from my !lace( and #o to another a!artment( and
!ut on my ni#ht)dress( and #o to the chamber in which she is sittin#( where $ will seat myself u!on the
deewDn4 but $ will not look towards her" The tire)women will ur#e me to a!!roach her4 but $ will not
hear their words( and will order some of the attendants to brin# a !urse containin# five hundred !ieces
of #old for them( and command them to retire from the chamber".Z 6nd when they have #one( $ will
seat myself by the side of the bride4 but with averted countenance( that she may say( Ferily this is a man
of a hau#hty s!irit" Then her mother will come to me( and will kiss my hands( and say to me( ; my
master( look u!on thy handmaid with the eye of mercy4 for she is submissively standin# before thee"
9ut $ will return her no answer" 6nd she will kiss my feet( a#ain and a#ain( and will say( ; my master(
my dau#hter is youn#( and hath seen no man but thee4 and if she ex!erience from thee re!u#nance( her
heart will break: incline to her( therefore( and s!eak to her( and calm her mind" 6nd u!on this $ will
look at her throu#h the corner of my eye( and command her to remain standin# before me( that she may
taste the savour of humiliation( and know that $ am the /ulEDn of the a#e" Then her mother will say to
me( ; my master( this is thy handmaid: have com!assion u!on her( and be #racious to her:Cand she
will order her to fill a cu! with wine( and to !ut it to my mouth" /o her dau#hter will say( ; my lord( $
con7ure thee by 6llah that thou re7ect not the cu! from thy slave4 for verily $ am thy slave"LUL 9ut $ will
make her no re!ly4 and she will
ur#e me to take
it( and will say( $t must be drunk:Cand will !ut it to my mouth: and u!on this( $ will shake my hand in
her face( and s!urn her with my foot( and do thus"C/o sayin#( he kicked the tray of #lass( which( bein#
u!on a !lace elevated above the #round( fell( and all that was in it broke: there esca!ed nothin#: and he
cried out and said( 6ll this is the result of my !ride_ 6nd he sla!!ed his face( and tore his clothes4 the
!assen#ers #aOin# at him( while he we!t( and exclaimed( 6h_ ; my #rief_
LUN
The !eo!le were now re!airin# to !erform the 3riday)!rayers4 and some merely cast their eyes at him(
while others noticed him not: but while he was in this state( de!rived of his whole !ro!erty( and
wee!in# without intermission( a female a!!roached him( on her way to attend the 3riday)!rayers: she
was of admirable loveliness4 the odour of musk was diffused from her4 under her was a mule with a
stuffed saddle covered with #old)embroidered silk4 and with her was a number of servants4 and when
she saw the broken #lass( and my brother's state and his tears( she was moved with !ity for him( and
asked res!ectin# his case" /he was answered( %e had a tray of #lass( by the sale of which to obtain his
subsistence and it is broken( and he is afflicted as thou seest:Cand u!on this( she called to one of the
servants( sayin#( 2ive what thou hast with thee to this !oor man" /o he #ave him a !urse( and he took
it( and when he had o!ened it( he found in it five hundred !ieces of #old( whereu!on he almost died
from excessive 7oy( and offered u! !rayers for his benefactress"
%e returned to his house a rich man( and sat reflectin#( and lo( a !erson knocked at the door: he rose(
therefore( and o!ened it4 and beheld an old woman whom he knew not( and she said to him( ; my son(
know that the time of !rayer hath almost ex!ired( and $ am not !re!ared by ablution4 wherefore $ be#
that thou wilt admit me into thy house( that $ may !erform it" %e re!lied( $ hear and obey4Cand(
retirin# within( #ave her !ermission to enter4 his mind still wanderin# from 7oy on account of the #old4
and when she had finished the ablution( she a!!roached the s!ot where he was sittin#( and there
!erformed the !rayers of two rek'ahs" /he then offered u! a su!!lication for my brother4 and he thanked
her( and offered her two !ieces of #old4 but when she saw this( she exclaimed( 1xtolled be 2od's
!erfection_ Ferily $ wonder at the !erson who fell in love with thee in thy be##arly condition_ Take
back thy money from me( and if thou want it not( return it to her who #ave it thee when thy #lass broke"
C; my mother( said he( how can $ contrive to obtain access to herR /he answered( ; my son( she hath
an affection for thee4 but she is the wife of an affluent man4 take then with thee all thy money( and
when thou art with her be not deficient in courteousness and a#reeable words4 so shalt thou obtain of
her favours and her wealth whatever thou shalt desire" &y brother( therefore( took all the #old( and
arose and went with the old woman( hardly believin# what she had told him4 and she !roceeded( and
my brother behind her( until they arrived at a #reat door( at which she knocked4 whereu!on a 2reek
damselLU- came and o!ened the door( and the old woman entered( orderin# my brother to do the same"
%e did so( and found himself in a lar#e house( where he beheld a #reat furnished chamber( with curtains
hun# in it4 and( seatin# himself there( he !ut down the #old before him( and !laced his turban on his
knees4.+ and scarcely had he done so( when there came to him a damsel( the like of whom had never
been seen( attired in most ma#nificent a!!arel" &y brother stood u! at her a!!roach4 and when she
beheld him( she lau#hed in his face( and re7oiced at his visit: then #oin# to the door( she locked it4 after
which she returned to my brother( and took his hand( and both of them went to#ether into a !rivate
chamber( car!eted with various kinds of silk( where my brother sat down( and she seated herself by his
side( and toyed with him for a considerable time" /he then rose( sayin# to him( &ove not from this
!lace until $ return to thee4Cand was absent from him for a short !eriod4Cand as my brother was
waitin# for her( there came in to him a black slave( of #i#antic stature( with a drawn sword( the
bri#htness of which daOOled the si#ht4 and he exclaimed to my brother" 5o to thee_ 5ho brou#ht thee
to this !laceR Thou vilest of men_ Thou misbe#otten wretch( and nurslin# of im!urity_C&y brother
was unable to make any re!ly4 his ton#ue was instantly tied4 and the slave laid hold u!on him( and
stri!!ed him( and struck him more than ei#hty blows with the flat of his sword( until he fell s!rawlin#
u!on the floor4 when he retired from him( concludin# that he was dead( and uttered a #reat cry( so that
the earth trembled( and the !lace resounded at his voice( sayin#( 5here is 1l)&eleeGahR.@Cu!on
which a #irl came to him( holdin# a handsome tray containin# salt4 and with this she forthwith stuffed
the flesh)wounds with which my brother's skin was #ashed until they #a!ed o!en4 but he moved not(
fearin# the slave would discover that he was alive( and kill him" The #irl then went away( and the slave
uttered another cry( like the first( whereu!on the old woman came to my brother( and( dra##in# him by
the feet to a dee! and dark vault( threw him into it u!on a hea! of slain".L $n this !lace he remained for
two whole days4 and 2od (whose !erfection be extolled_) made the salt to be the means of !reservin#
his life( by stanchin# the flow of blood from his veins4 so( when he found that he had stren#th sufficient
to move( he arose( and( o!enin# a shutter in the wall( emer#ed from the !lace of the slain4 and 2od (to
whom be ascribed all mi#ht and #lory_) #ranted him his !rotection" %e therefore !roceeded in the
darkness( and concealed himself in the !assa#e until the mornin#( whenLUU the old woman went forth
to seek another victim( and my brother( #oin# out after her( without her knowled#e( returned to his
house"
%e now occu!ied himself with the treatment of his wounds until he was restored4 and continued to
watch for the old woman( and constantly saw her takin# men( one after another( and conductin# them to
the same house" 9ut he uttered not a word on the sub7ect4 and when his health returned( and his stren#th
was com!letely renewed( he took a !iece of ra#( and made of it a !urse( which he filled with !ieces of
#lass: he then tied it to his waist( and dis#uised himself so that no one would know him( in the dress of
a forei#ner4 and( takin# a sword( !laced it within his clothes4 and as soon as he saw the old woman( he
said to her( in the dialect of a forei#ner( ;ld woman( hast thou a !air of scales fit for wei#hin# nine
hundred !ieces of #oldR The old woman answered( $ have a youn# son( a money)chan#er( and he hath
all kinds of scales4 therefore accom!any me to him before he #o forth from his abode( that he may
wei#h for thee thy #old" /o my brother said( 5alk on before me:Cand she went( and my brother
followed her until she arrived at the door( and knocked4 u!on which the #irl came out( and lau#hed in
his face4 and the old woman said to her( $ have brou#ht you to)day some fat meat" The #irl then took
myLUW brother's hand( and conducted him into the house (the same which he had entered before)( and
after she had sat with him a short time( she rose( sayin# to him( guit not this !lace until $ return to thee:
Cand she retired4 and my brother had remained not lon# after when the slave came to him with the
drawn sword( and said to him( <ise( thou unlucky_ /o my brother rose( and( as the slave walked before
him( he !ut his hand to the sword which was concealed beneath his clothes( and struck the slave with it(
and cut off his head4 after which he dra##ed him by his feet to the vault( and called out( 5here is 1l)
&eleeGahR The slave)#irl( therefore( came( havin# in her hand the tray containin# the salt4 but when she
saw my brother with the sword in his hand( she turned back and fled: my brother( however( overtook
her( and struck off her head" %e then called out( 5here is the old womanRCand she came4 and he said
to her( ?ost thou know me( ; malevolent ha#R /he answered( No( ; my lord"C$ am( said he( the man
who had the !ieces of #old( and in whose house thou !erformedst the ablution and !rayedst4 after
which( devisin# a strata#em a#ainst me( thou betrayedst me into this !lace"CThe old woman
exclaimed( 3ear 2od in thy treatment of me_Cbut my brother( turnin# towards her( struck her with the
sword( and clove her in twain" %e then went to search for the chief damsel( and when she saw him( her
reason fled( and she im!lored his !ardon4 whereu!on he #ranted her his !ardon( and said to her( 5hat
occasioned thy fallin# into the hands of this blackR /he answered( $ was a slave to one of the
merchants( and this old woman used to visit me4 and one day she said to me( 5e are celebratin# a
festivity( the like of which no one hath seen( and $ have a desire that thou shouldst witness it" $ re!lied( $
hear and obey:Cand arose( and clad myself in the best of my attire( and( takin# with me a !urse
containin# a hundred !ieces of #old(.N !roceeded with her until she entered this house( when suddenly
this black took me( and $ have continued with him in this state three years( throu#h the strata#em of the
old witch"C&y brother then said to her( $s there any !ro!erty of his in the houseRC6bundance( she
answered4 and if thou canst remove it( do so:Cand u!on this( he arose and went with her( when she
o!ened to him chests filled with !urses( at the si#ht of which he was confounded4 and she said to him(
2o now( and leave me here( and brin# some !erson to remove the !ro!erty" /o he went out( and( havin#
hired ten men( returned4 but on his arrival at the door( he found it o!en( and saw neither the damsel nor
the !urses4 he found( however( some little money remainin#( and the stuffs" %eLU, discovered(
therefore( that she had eluded him4 and he took the money that remained( and( o!enin# the closets( took
all the stuffs which they contained( leavin# nothin# in the house"
%e !assed the next ni#ht full of ha!!iness4 but when the mornin# came( he found at the door twenty
soldiers( and on his #oin# forth to them( they laid hold u!on him( sayin#( The 5Dlee summoneth thee"
/o they took him( and conducted him to the 5Dlee( who( when he saw him( said to him( 5hence
obtainedst thou these stuffsRC2rant me indemnity( said my brother:Cand the 5Dlee #ave him the
handkerchief of indemnity4.- and my brother related to him all that had befallen him with the old
woman from first to last( and the fli#ht of the damsel4 addin#(Cand of that which $ have taken( take
thou what thou wilt4 but leave me wherewith to !rocure my food" The 5Dlee thereu!on demanded the
whole of the money and the stuffs4 but fearin# that the /ulEDn.U mi#ht become ac0uainted with the
matter( he retained a !ortion only( and #ave the rest to my brother( sayin# to him( guit this city( or $ will
han# thee" &y brother re!lied( $ hear and obey:Cand went forth to one of the surroundin# cities" /ome
robbers( however( came u!on him( and stri!!ed and beat him( and cut off his ears4 and $( havin# heard
of his situation( went forth to him( takin# to him some clothes4 and brou#ht him back !rivily into the
city( and su!!lied him with daily food and drink"
LU.
THE BARBER'S STORY OF HIS SI'TH BROTHER
&y sixth brother (/haJDliJ)( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( had his li!s cut off" %e was in a state of extreme
!overty( !ossessin# nothin# of the #oods of this !erishable world4 and he went forth one day to seek for
somethin# with which to stay his de!artin# s!irit( and on his way he beheld a handsome house( with a
wide and lofty vestibule( at the door of which were servants( commandin# and forbiddin#4 whereu!on
he in0uired of one of the !ersons standin# there( who answered( This house belon#eth to a man of the
sons of the 9armekees".W &y brother( therefore( advanced to the door)kee!ers( and be##ed them to
#ive him somethin#4 and they said( 1nter the door of the house( and thou wilt obtain what thou desirest
of its master" /o he entered the vestibule( and !roceeded throu#h it a while until he arrived at a mansion
of the utmost beauty and ele#ance( havin# a #arden in the midst of it( unsur!assed in beauty by
anythin# that had ever been seen: its floors were !aved with marble( and its curtains were han#in#
around" %e knew not in which direction to #o4 but advanced to the u!!er extremity( and there he beheld
a man of handsome countenance and beard( who( on seein# my brother( rose to him( and welcomed
him( in0uirin# res!ectin# his circumstances" %e accordin#ly informed him that he was in want4 and
when the master of the house heard his words( he manifested excessive #rief( and( takin# hold of his
own clothes( rent them( and exclaimed( 6m $ in the city( and thou in itLWZ hun#ryR $t is a thin# that $
cannot endure_CThen !romisin# him every kind of ha!!iness( he said( Thou must stay and !artake of
my salt" 9ut my brother re!lied( ; my master( $ have not !atience to wait4 for $ am in a state of extreme
hun#er"
A!on this( the master of the house called out( 9oy( brin# the basin and ewer_Cand he said( ; my #uest(
advance( and wash thy hand" %e then !erformed the same motions as if he were washin# his hand4 and
called to his attendants to brin# the table4 whereu!on they be#an to come and #o as thou#h they were
!re!arin# it4 after which the master of the house took my brother( and sat down with him at this
ima#inary table( and !roceeded to move his hands and li!s as if he were eatin#4 sayin# to my brother(
1at( and be not ashamed( for thou art hun#ry( and $ know how thou art sufferin# from the violence of
thy hun#er" &y brother( therefore( made the same motions( as if he also were eatin#( while his host said
to him( 1at( and observe this bread and its whiteness" To this( my brother at first made no re!ly4 but
observed in his own mind( Ferily this is a man who loveth to 7est with others:Cso he said to him( ; my
master( in my life $ have never seen bread more beautifully white than this( or any of sweeter taste:Con
which the host re7oined( This was made by a female slave of mine whom $ !urchased for five hundred
!ieces of #old" %e then called out( 9oy( brin# to us the sikbD7(., the like of which is not found amon#
the dishes of =in#s_Cand( addressin# my brother( he said( 1at( ; my #uest4 for thou art hun#ry(
vehemently so( and in absolute want of food" /o my brother be#an to twist about his mouth( and to
chew( as in eatin#" The master of the house now !roceeded to demand different kinds of viands( one
after another4 and( thou#h nothin# was brou#ht( he continued orderin# my brother to eat" Next he called
out( 9oy( !lace before us the chickens stuffed with !istachio)nuts:Cand said to his #uest( 1at of that
which thou hast never tasted the like"C; my master( re!lied my brother( verily this dish hath not its
e0ual in sweetness of flavour:Cand the host( thereu!on( be#an to !ut his hand to my brother's mouth as
thou#h he were feedin# him with morsels4 and !roceeded to enumerate to him the various different
kinds of viands( and to describe their several excellencies4 while his hun#er so increased that he lon#ed
for a cake of barley)bread" The master of the house then said to him( %ast thou tasted anythin# more
delicious than the s!ices in these dishesRCNo( ; my master( answered my brother"C1at more then(
resumed the host4 and be not ashamed"C$ have eaten enou#h of the meats( re!lied the #uest" /o the
manLW+ of the house called to his attendants to brin# the sweets4 and they moved their hands about in
the air as if they were brin#in# them4 whereu!on the host said to my brother( 1at of this dish4 for it is
excellent4 and of these JaED>f(.. by my life_ and take this one before the siru! runs from it"C&ay $
never be de!rived of thee( ; my master_ exclaimed my brother( !roceedin# to in0uire of him res!ectin#
the abundance of musk in the JaED>f"CThis( answered the host( is my usual custom in my house: they
always !ut for me( in each of the JaED>f( a mithJDl+ZZ of musk( and half a mithJDl of amber#ris"C6ll
this time my brother was movin# his head and mouth( and rollin# about his ton#ue between his cheeks(
as if he were en7oyin# the sweets" 6fter this( the master of the house called out to his attendants( 9rin#
the dried fruits_Cand a#ain they moved about their hands in the air as thou#h they were doin# what he
ordered4 when he said to my brother( 1at of these almonds( and of these walnuts( and of these raisins4C
and so on4 enumeratin# the various kinds of dried fruits4 and added a#ain( 1at( and be not ashamed"C;
my master( re!lied my brother( $ have had enou#h( and have not !ower to eat anythin# more:Cbut the
host re7oined( $f thou desire( ; my #uest( to eat more( and to deli#ht thyself with extraordinary dainties(
by 6llah_ by 6llah_ remain not hun#ry"
&y brother now reflected u!on his situation( and u!on the manner in which this man was 7estin# with
him( and said within himself( 9y 6llah( $ will do to him a deed that shall make him re!ent before 2od
of these actions_ The man of the house next said to his attendants( 9rin# us the wine:Cand( as before(
they made the same motions with their hands in the air as if they were doin# what he commanded4 after
which he !retended to hand to my brother a cu!( sayin#( Take this cu!( for it will deli#ht thee:Cand his
#uest re!lied( ; my master( this is of thy bounty:Cand he acted with his hand as thou#h he were
drinkin# it"C%ath it !leased theeR said the host"C; my master( answered my brother( $ have never
seen anythin# more delicious than this wine"C?rink then( re7oined the master of the house( and may it
be attended with benefit and health:Cand he himself !retended to drink( and to hand a second cu! to
my brother( who( after he had affected to drink it( fei#ned himself intoxicated( and( takin# his host
unawares( raised his hand until the whiteness of his arm)!it a!!eared( and struck him such a sla! u!on
his neck that the chamber ran# at the blow4 and this he followed by a second blow4 whereu!on the man
exclaimed( 5hat is this( thou vilest of the creationRC; my master(LW@ answered my brother( $ am thy
slave( whom thou hast #raciously admitted into thine abode( and thou hast fed him with thy !rovisions(
and treated him with old wine( and he hath become intoxicated( and committed an outra#e u!on thee4
but thou art of too exalted di#nity to be an#ry with him for his i#norance"
5hen the master of the house heard these words of my brother( he uttered a loud lau#h( and said to
him( Ferily for a lon# time have $ made #ame of men( and 7ested with all !ersons accustomed to 7okin#
and rudeness( but $ have not seen amon# them any who could endure this trick( nor any who had
sa#acity to conform to all my actions( exce!t thee: now( therefore( $ !ardon thee4 and be thou my
com!anion in reality( and never relin0uish me" %e then #ave orders to brin# a number of the dishes
above mentioned( and he and my brother ate to#ether to satisfaction4 after which they removed to the
drinkin#)chamber( where female slaves like so many moons san# all kinds of melodies( and !layed on
all kinds of musical instruments" There they drank until intoxication overcame them: the master of the
house treated my brother as a familiar friend( became #reatly attached to him( and clad him with a
costly dress4 and on the followin# mornin# they resumed their feastin# and drinkin#" Thus they
continued to live for a !eriod of twenty years: the man then died( and the /ulEDn+Z+ seiOed u!on his
!ro!erty( and took !ossession of it"
&y brother( u!on this( went forth from the city( a fu#itive4 and u!on his way( a !arty of 6rabs+Z@ came
u!on him" They made him a ca!tive4 and the man who ca!tured him tortured him with beatin#( and said
to him( 9y 6llah( !urchase thyself of me by wealth( or $ will kill thee:Cbut my brother( wee!in#(
re!lied( 9y 6llah( $ !ossess nothin#( ; /heykh of the 6rabs4 nor do $ know the means of obtainin# any
!ro!erty: $ am thy ca!tive4 $ have fallen into thy hands( and do with me what thou wilt" 6nd
immediately the tyrannical 9edawee drew forth from his #irdle a broad)bladed knife (such as( if
!lun#ed into the neck of a camel( would cut it across from one 7u#ular vein to the other)( and( takin# it
in his ri#ht hand( a!!roached my !oor brother( and cut off with it his li!s4 still ur#in# his demand"C
Now this 9edawee had a handsome wife( who( when he was absent( used to manifest a stron# affection
for my brother4 thou#h he observed a !ro!er decorum towards her( fearin# 2od (whose name be
exalted_)4 and it ha!!ened( one day( that she had called him( and seated him with her4 but while they
were to#ether( lo( her husband came in u!on them4 and when he beheld my brother( heLWL exclaimed(
5o to thee( thou base wretch_ ?ost thou desire now to corru!t my wifeRCThen drawin# his knife( he
inflicted u!on him another cruel wound4 after which he mounted him u!on a camel( and( havin# cast
him u!on a mountain( left him there( and went his way" /ome travellers( however( !assed by him( and
when they discovered him( they #ave him food and drink( and ac0uainted me with his case: so $ went
forth to him( and conveyed him back into the city( and allotted him a sufficient maintenance"
Now $ have come unto thee( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( continued the barber( and feared to return to my
house without relatin# to thee these facts4 for to ne#lect doin# so had been an error" Thus thou hast seen
that( althou#h havin# six brothers( $ am of a more u!ri#ht character than they"C9ut when the 8rince of
the 3aithful had heard my story( and all that $ had related to him res!ectin# my brothers( he lau#hed(
and said( Thou hast s!oken truth( ; IDmit (; silent man)4 thou art a !erson of few words( and devoid
of im!ertinence4 now( however( de!art from this city( and take u! thine abode in another" /o he
banished me from 9a#hdDd4 and $ 7ourneyed throu#h various countries( and traversed many re#ions(
until $ heard of his death( and of the succession of another =haleefeh4 when( returnin# to my city( $ met
with this youn# man( unto whom $ did the best of deeds( and who( had it not been for me( had been
slain: yet he hath accused me of that which is not in my character4 for all that he hath related of me(
with res!ect to im!ertinence( and lo0uacity( and dulness( and want of taste( is false( ; !eo!le"LWN
CONTINUATION OF THE STORY TOLD BY THE TAILOR.
The tailor then !roceeded thus:C5hen we heard the story of the barber( and were convinced of his
im!ertinence and lo0uacity( and that the youn# man had been treated un7ustly by him( we seiOed hold
u!on him( and !ut him in confinement( and( seatin# ourselves to kee! watch over him( ate and drank4
and the feast was finished in the most a#reeable manner" 5e remained sittin# to#ether until the call to
afternoon)!rayers( when $ went forth( and returned to my house4 but my wife looked an#rily at me( and
said( Thou hast been all the day en7oyin# thy !leasure while $ have been sittin# at home sorrowful4 now
if thou #o not forth with me and amuse me for the remainder of the day( thy refusal will be the cause of
my se!aration from thee" /o $ took her and went out with her( and we amused ourselves until ni#htfall(
when( returnin# home( we met this hum!back( full of drink( and re!eatin# verses4 u!on which $ invited
him to come home with us( and he consented" $ then went forth to buy some fried fish( and havin#
bou#ht it and returned( we sat down to eat4 and my wife took a morsel of bread and a !iece of fish( and
!ut them into his mouth( and choked him( so that he died4 whereu!on $ took him u!( and contrived to
throw him into the house of this !hysician( and he contrived to throw him into the house of the steward(
and the steward contrived to throw him in the way of the broker"CThis is the story of what ha!!ened to
me yesterday" $s it not more wonderful than that of the hum!backR
CONTINUATION OF THE STORY OF THE HUMPBAC.
5hen the =in# had heard this story( he ordered certain of his chamberlains to #o with the tailor( and to
brin# the barber4 sayin# to them( %is !resence is indis!ensable( that $ may hear his talk( and it may be
the cause of the deliverance of you all: then we will bury this hum!back decently in the earth( for he
hath been dead since yesterday4 and we will make him a monument around his #rave( since he hath
been the occasion of our ac0uaintance with these wonderful stories"
The chamberlains and the tailor soon came back( after havin# #one to the !lace of confinement and
brou#ht the barber( whom they !laced before the =in#4 and when the =in# beheld him( he saw him to
be an old man( !assed his ninetieth year( of dark countenance( and white beard and eyebrows( with
small ears( and lon# nose( and a hau#hty as!ect" The =in# lau#hed at the si#ht of him( and said toLW-
him( ; silent man( $ desire that thou relate to me somewhat of thy stories"C; =in# of the a#e( re!lied
the barber( what is the occasion of the !resence of this Christian and this *ew and this &uslim( and this
hum!back lyin# dead amon# you4 and what is the reason of this assemblyRC5herefore dost thou ask
thisR said the =in#" The barber answered( $ ask it in order that the =in# may know me to be no
im!ertinent !erson( nor one who meddleth with that which doth not concern him( and that $ am free
from the lo0uacity of which they accuse me: for $ am fortunate in my characteristic a!!ellation( since
they have surnamed me 1H)IDmit4 and( as the !oet hath said(C
/eldom hast thou seen a !erson honoured with a surname( but thou wilt find( if thou search( that his
character is ex!ressed by it"
The =in# therefore said( 1x!lain to the barber the case of this hum!back( and what ha!!ened to him
yesterday evenin#( and ex!lain to him also what the Christian hath related( and the *ew and the steward
and the tailor" /o they re!eated to him the stories of all these !ersons"
The barber( thereu!on( shook his head( sayin#( 9y 6llah( this is a wonderful thin#_ Ancover this
hum!back( that $ may examine him"C6nd they did so" %e then seated himself at his head( and( takin#
it u!( !laced it u!on his la!( and looked at his face( and lau#hed so violently that he fell backwards(
exclaimin#( 3or every death there is a cause4 and the death of this hum!back is most wonderful: it is
worthy of bein# re#istered in the records( that !osterity may be instructed by this event_CThe =in#(
astonished at his words( said( ; IDmit( ex!lain to us the reason of thy sayin# this"C; =in#( re!lied the
barber( by thy beneficence( life is yet in the hum!back_ %e then drew forth from his bosom a !ot
containin# some ointment( and with this he anointed the neck of the hum!back4 after which he covered
it u! until it !ers!ired4 when he took forth an iron force!s( and !ut it down his throat( and extracted the
!iece of fish with its bone( and all the !eo!le saw them" The hum!back now s!ran# u!on his feet( and
sneeOed( and( recoverin# his consciousness( drew his hands over his face( and exclaimed( There is no
?eity but 2od_ &oGammad is 2od's 6!ostle_ 2od bless and save him_Cand all who were !resent were
astonished at the si#ht( and the =in# lau#hed until he became insensible4 as did also the other
s!ectators" The =in# exclaimed( 9y 6llah( this accident is wonderful_ $ have never witnessed anythin#
more stran#e_Cand added( ; &uslims_ ; assembly of soldiers_ have ye ever in the course of your
lives seen anyLWU one die and after that come to lifeR 9ut had not 2od blessed him with this barber( the
hum!back had been to)day numbered amon# the !eo!le of the other world4 for the barber hath been the
means of restorin# him to life"CThey re!lied( This is indeed a wonderful thin#_
The =in# then #ave orders to record this event4 and when they had done so( he !laced the record in the
royal library4 and he bestowed dresses of honour u!on the *ew and the Christian and the steward4 u!on
each of them( a costly dress: the tailor he a!!ointed to be his own tailor( #rantin# him re#ular
allowances( and reconcilin# him and the hum!back with each other: the hum!back he honoured with a
rich and beautiful dress( and with similar allowances( and a!!ointed him his cu!)com!anion4 and u!on
the barber also he conferred the like favours( rewardin# him with a costly dress of honour( re#ular
allowances( and a fixed salary( and a!!ointin# him state)barber( and his own cu!)com!anion: so they
all lived in the utmost ha!!iness and comfort until they were visited by the terminator of deli#hts and
the se!arator of friends"
LWW
NOTES TO CHAPTER FIFTH.
Note +" 6s the story of the %um!back is one of the best in this collection( and !urely 6rab( $ have been
#lad to find( in the Calcutta edition of the first two hundred ni#hts( authority for deviatin# here from my
usual standard co!y( by substitutin# B1l)9aHrahB for a city of China" The 9reslau edition( in the o!enin#
of the story( lays the scene at B1l)9aHrah and Pa7JDr"B 9y the latter( $ su!!ose =Dsh#har to be meant"
Note @" $n my ori#inal( they are said to have #one out early in the mornin#4 but this is contradicted by
the se0uel"
Note L" The a!!eal to 1Ora's ass( which alludes to a tradition believed by the &uslims( as it is
mentioned in the Pur)Dn( is omitted in the Cairo edition" The story is this:C';Oeyr( or 1Ora( Bridin# on
an ass by the ruins of *erusalem( after it had been destroyed by the Chaldeans( doubted in his mind by
what means 2od could raise the city and its inhabitants a#ain4 whereu!on 2od caused him to die( and
he remained in that condition a hundred years4 at the end of which( 2od restored him to life( and he
found a basket of fi#s and a cruise of wine that he had with him( not in the least s!oiled or corru!ted4
but his ass was dead( the bones only remainin#4 and these( while the 8ro!het looked on( were raised
and clothed with flesh( becomin# an ass a#ain( which( bein# ins!ired with life( be#an immediately to
bray"BL@L
Note N" &ost 6rab cities abound with cats( which are much favoured by the inhabitants" These animals
are often seen lea!in# across from the terrace of one house to that of another on the o!!osite side of a
narrow street4 and often has my kitchen in Cairo been robbed by them" They are said to contribute
#reatly to the s!readin# of the !la#ue"
Note -" ;ccurrences of this kind are said to have often ha!!ened in 6rab towns( where do#s( thou#h
esteemed unclean by the &uslims( are( like cats( #enerally very numerous" 3ew of them have masters4
but they com!ose distinct tribes4 those of each tribe confinin# themselves to a !articular 0uarter or
district of the town( and sufferin# no stran#e do# to intrude amon# them and share with them in the
offal thrown out from the butchers' sho!s and from !rivate houses4 or !rowlin# about the mounds of
rubbish in the environs( and( like the vultures( feedin# u!on the carcasses of camels( asses( and other
beasts( thrown out by the inhabitants" $ was once told that the LW,master of an 1n#lish merchant)vessel(
havin# fallen aslee! in a state of intoxication on the shore of the harbour of 6lexandria( at ni#ht( was
devoured by do#s"
Note U" The snatchin# of turbans by ni#ht is still a fre0uent !ractice of 6rab ro#ues( and one which is
often very lucrative4 many a turban bein# com!osed of a costly =ashmeer shawl wound round a
Earboosh( which latter alone is worth ei#ht or nine shillin#s( or more( and some also havin# money or
other valuables secreted in them"
Note W" 5atchmen are #enerally em!loyed to #uard by ni#ht the sooJs( or market)streets( and other
districts( in 6rab towns" Those in Cairo carry a nebboot( or lon# staff( but no lantern" Their usual cries
are of a reli#ious nature4 as( B$ extol the !erfection of the 'ivin# =in#( who slee!eth not nor dieth_B
5hen they see a !assen#er a!!roachin#( they call out to him( B6ttest the unity of 2od_B or merely(
B6ttest the unity_B and the re!ly is( BThere is no deity but 2od_B $t is su!!osed that a !erson bound on
any unlawful undertakin# would not dare to utter these words"
Note ," 6t the !eriod when this work was com!osed( the Christians were distin#uished from the
&uslims by a black or blue turban( and this was wound in a !eculiar manner"
Note ."COn the Title and Office of 5Dlee" B5DleeB is the title #iven to the chief ma#istrate of the
!olice( and was so em!loyed in the time of 1l)&aJreeOee( instead of the older a!!ellation of BIDGeb
esh)/hurEah"B The same officer was also called B&utawellee"B $t was the duty of this ma#istrate to
!erambulate the streets at ni#ht( attended by a body of his officers( includin# an executioner4 for he
often inflicted ca!ital !unishment on criminals immediately after their detection" %e was invested with
a de#ree of des!otic !ower( and often !ut to death !ersons accused of ca!ital crimes without the
formalities re0uired by the law" $t was also his duty to su!erintend the infliction of the !unishments of
criminals le#ally condemned" 6n officer was em!loyed to !erform the ni#htly rounds in 1l)&edeeneh
in the rei#n of 6boo)9ekr4 but it a!!ears that the first re#ular #uard for this !ur!ose was a!!ointed in
the rei#n of ';thmDn"L@N
Note +Z" The ardebb( thus commonly !ronounced( but !ro!erly written irdebb( varies in different
!laces" $n Cairo it is very nearly e0uivalent to five 1n#lish bushels"
Note ++" $n the ori#inal( this buildin# is called the =hDn of 1l)*awDlee4 but it evidently should be CC
of 1l)*Dwalee4 and the error is to be attributed to a co!yist" The =hDn of 1l)*Dwalee is mentioned by 1l)
&aJreeOee(L@- as bein# situate at a short distance within the !resent #ate called 9Db en)NaHr( and by
the site of the older #ate so called4 and as existin# in his time( in the former half of the ninth century of
the 3li#ht" [1l)&aJreeOee also informs us( in his account of the &edreseh el)*Dwaleeyeh( that 1l)
*Dwalee's full name was '6lam)ed)?een /en7er( and that he was ori#inally a memlook of one *Dwalee
(whence his surname)( an 1meer of 1l)&elik eb)cDhir 9eybars" %e died in the year of the 3li#ht WN-"C
1d"
Note +@" 9Db en)NaHr (the 2ate of Fictory( or CC of 6id) is the name of the easternmost of the
northern #ates of Cairo" $t was built in the rei#n of the =haleefeh 1l)&ustanHir( in the year of the 3li#ht
N,Z (6" ?" +Z,W),)"
Note +L" The words Bbesides my brokera#e(B $ have inserted as necessary to make the account correct"
Note +N" $t has been shewn in a former note that the 6rabs consider it indecorous to eat with the left
hand"
LW.
Note +-" 6s it is held im!olite to shew the hands( unless unavoidably( in the !resence of a !erson of
rank( the sleeve of the cloth coat( or that of the silk vest which is worn beneath it( is made sufficiently
lon# to extend a little beyond the ends of the fin#ers4 and so also( in #eneral( is the sleeve of the shirt
worn by !ersons of the lower orders"
Note +U" This buildin# is first called( in the Cairo edition( the =hDn of /uroor4 and afterwards( CC of
&esroor: the latter is the a!!ellation #iven to it in the edition of 9reslau4 and is the correct name" The
=hDn of &esroor is mentioned by 1l)&aJreeOee(L@U as situate at the southern extremity of 9eyn el)
PaHreyn (res!ectin# which see the next note)( ad7acent to the site of the 2reat 8alace of the =haleefehs"
There were two =hDns of this name near each other" 1l)&aJreeOee says( that( in his earlier days( the
#reater of these( which a!!ears to be that here alluded to( was one of the finest and lar#est =hDns in
Cairo( in a most flourishin# state( the resort of the chief /yrian merchants( and the dV!qt of their #oods4
but that latterly it had declined( and some !ortions of it were ruined"
Note +W" 9eyn el)PaHreyn (which si#nifies B9etween the Two 8alacesB) is the name still a!!lied to that
!art of the !rinci!al street of Cairo which intervenes between the sites of the two famous !alaces of the
=haleefehs"
Note +," 6 PeysDreeyeh is a su!erior kind of sooJ( consistin# of ran#es of sho!s facin# each other"
That which is here mentioned (called in the Cairo edition( the Peysereeyeh of *ir7is4 in the edition of
9reslau( the PeysDreeyeh of *arkash4 and in the old 1n#lish version( erroneously( the Circassian
beOestein) is the PeysDreeyeh of *ahDrkas( which( as $ learn from 1l)&aJreeOee(L@W was situate near
the centre of what constituted the old city( on the east of the !rinci!al street" $t existed in his time( and
was built by the 1meer 3akhr)ed)?een *ahDrkas( in the year of the 3li#ht -Z@ (6"?" ++Z,).)" $bn)
=hallikDn(L@, as 0uoted by 1l)&aJreeOee( says of it( B$ have seen a number of merchants who have
traversed various countries( and who say( '5e have not seen in any country its e0ual in beauty and
#reatness( and com!actness of construction"'B %e ex!lains also the ortho#ra!hy of the name of
B*ahDrkas(B and states that it is 8ersian (ChahDr)kas)( and si#nifies Bfour !ersons"B
Note +." The 1#y!tian fowls are much smaller than those of our country( and one is not too much for
one man's breakfast" The e##s are usually hatched in ovens"
Note @Z" The a!!ellation of Bthe 2ardenerB is here to be understood as a mere surname derived from
the occu!ation of some ancestor of the merchant4 it bein# a common custom of the 6rabs to retain an
a!!ellation of this kind( however humble"
Note @+" 1l)&aJreeOeeL@. mentions a BsooJ of the money)chan#ersB as near to the =hDn of &esroor4
and it seems to be the !lace here alluded to: the word BsooJB bein# often omitted"
Note @@" The lady havin# offered u! a !rayer that the youn# merchant mi#ht be her husband( $ have
taken the liberty of insertin# here a sli#ht inter!olation( which does not detract from the !robability or
consistency of the story4 but rather the contrary"
Note @L"COn one of the "assages in this Wor- indicating a very late *ate! The L,Z[abbDneeyeh is the
name now a!!lied to a !ortion of a main street( a little to the west of the lake called 9irket el)3eel( in
the southern !art of Cairo" $t is evidently thus a!!lied in the !assa#e to which this note relates4 but 1l)
&aJreeOee( writin# in the former half of the ninth century of the 3li#ht(LLZ says( B$n this our time(
borderin# u!on it [the 9irket el)3eel is a garden called by the name of the [abbDneeyeh( who were a
family of ?arm] the son of '6mr the son of ';wf the son of ThaQlebeh the son of 9aQl the son of '6mr
the son of 1l)2hXth the son of Keiyi: so ?arm] was a minor family of [the tribe of Keiyi( and the
[abbDneeyoon [or [abbDneeyehCfor the terms are synonymous were a family of ?arm]4 and the
!eo!le have made a road between the #arden of the [abbDneeyeh and the lake"B %e !roceeds to say(
that on the east of the 9irket el)3eel there %ere #ardens4 but that houses and streets had been built
there"CNow( in the work before us( the tract which was a garden in the time of 1l)&aJreeOee is
mentioned as occu!ied by houses and streets" &any years must have ela!sed since that !eriod before
such could have been the case4 and surely at least a century before the houses could have !resented
such an a!!earance as would lead a writer to ima#ine them of Bancient times"B $t may be ob7ected
a#ainst an ar#ument drawn from this !assa#e( that it is !erha!s an inter!olation of a co!yist4 but it
a#rees with many evidences of a late date( and occurs in at least one other co!y (that from which the
9reslau edition is !rinted)( with only this sli#ht differenceCthat B[abbDneeyeh(B by the erroneous
addition of a !oint beneath the first letter( is converted into B*ebbDneeyeh4B and it should be remarked
that the latter co!y varies considerably in other !oints from that of Cairo" $t would im!ly that Cairo was
almost as extensive a city at the time when this work was com!osed or moderniOed as it is at !resent4
and would account for its bein# here called &iHr( or &aHr4 a name which was retained by 1l)3usEDE at
least as late as the commencement of the tenth century of the 3li#ht( and !robably until the year +-+W
of our era or a little later( as $ have remarked in a former note"
Note @N" BPD'ahB is a term #enerally si#nifyin# Ba lofty saloon4B but also often a!!lied to an ele#ant
house"
Note @-" BNaJeebB si#nifies Ba chief(B Ba leader(B Mc"( and has various a!!lications" $n the !resent
instance( the office which it desi#nates is doubtful( but is evidently of hi#h di#nity( as NaJeeb of the
/hereefs( the Chief( or /yndic( of the ?escendants of the 8ro!het"
Note @U" 9Db ^uweyleh (the 2ate of ^uweyleh( or( more !ro!erly( of ^aweeleh( which is the name of a
tribe) is a #ate that was built at the same !eriod as 9Db en)NaHr( before mentioned" $t marked the
southern limit of Cairo4 but is now in the heart of the metro!olis" 5ith two round)fronted towers( each
surmounted by a lofty and ele#ant mDd'neh( or menaret( !ertainin# to the ad7oinin# #reat mos0ue of 1l)
&ueiyad( it !resents a very noble a!!earance"
Note @W" B$m!erial #y!sumB is a name #iven to the best kind of !laster used in Cairo" $ have often
admired the smoothness of its surface u!on the walls of chambers in some of the older houses in that
city4 but( $ need hardly say( never saw any that reflected like a mirror"
Note @," $n the Cairo edition( Bwith !earls and 7ewels at its corners"B The L,+deficiency $ have su!!lied
from the edition of 9reslau: but $ may here remark( that it would have been more !ro!er to describe the
snakes as gilt"
Note @."COn the Cro%ns %orn &y Ara& $adies! 3rom 1astern drawin#s and descri!tions( it a!!ears
that the kind of crown here mentioned was #enerally a circle of 7ewelled #old (the lower ed#e of which
was strai#ht4 and the u!!er( fancifully hei#htened to four or more !oints) surroundin# the lower !art of
a dome)sha!ed ca! with a 7ewel or some other ornament at the summit" This crown was worn by many
6rab ladies of hi#h rank or #reat wealth( !robably until about two centuries a#o" 6nother kind of crown
is now more #enerally worn( called a BJurH"B This is a round( convex ornament( #enerally about five
inches in diameter( com!osed of #old set with a !rofusion of diamonds( of o!en work( re!resentin#
roses( leaves( Mc" $t is sewed u!on the to! of the Earboosh4 and is worn by most of the ladies of Cairo(
at least in full dress" 6n en#ravin# of a crown of this descri!tion( and another of one of a more common
kind( may be seen in my work on the &odern 1#y!tians( vol" ii" 6!!endix 6"
Note LZ" $t is a common custom of the 6rabs to #ive a !resent of money tied u! in a corner of an
embroidered handkerchief"
Note L+" The mace is a wea!on still used in the 1ast4 but not so commonly as it was in former times"
There was a !etty #overnor in A!!er 1#y!t durin# my first visit to that country( who( in his daily rides(
indul#ed a fre0uent habit of strikin# !ersons with a wea!on of this kind( a tolerably)heavy steel mace4
but he did it with a ha!!y knack( so as never( $ believe( to inflict a dan#erous wound( unless
intentionally" &aces( like other arms of steel( are often tastefully inlaid with arabes0ue ornaments and
inscri!tions in #old"
Note L@"COn the "unishment of Theft! The &ohammadan law ordains that a !erson who is adult and
of sound mind( if he steals an article of the value of a 0uarter of a deenDr (or !iece of #old) from a !lace
to which he has not ordinary or free access( shall lose his ri#ht hand4 but this !unishment is not to be
inflicted for stealin# a free child( or anythin# which( in the eye of the law( is of no !ecuniary value4 as
wine( or a musical instrument4 and there are some other cases in which the thief is not to be so
!unished" 3or the second offence( the left foot is to be cut off4 and for the third and subse0uent
offences( accordin# to the [anafee code( the cul!rit is to be !unished by a lon# im!risonment4 or( by
the /hDfe'ee law( for the third offence( he is to lose his left hand4 for the fourth( his ri#ht foot4 and for
further offences( he is to be flo##ed or beaten" The !unishment is the same for a woman as for a man"C
This law induced a freethinkin# &uslim to ask( B$f the hand is worth five hundred deenDrs( [this bein#
the fine for de!rivin# a man of that member( why should it be cut off for a 0uarter of a deenDrRB %e
was answered( B6n honest hand is of #reat value4 but not so is the hand that hath stolen"BC6m!utation
for theft is now seldom !ractised: beatin#( or some other !unishment( is usually inflicted in its stead for
the first( second( and third offence4 and( fre0uently( death for the fourth"
Note LL" Ca!ital !unishment in this case would be contrary to the law4 but it is often inflicted u!on
hi#hway)robbers"
Note LN" The meanin# is( that the doer is 2od" 6n allusion is here conveyed to a verse (the +Wth) in the
/oorat el)6nfDl (the ei#hth cha!ter of the Pur)Dn)CBThou didst not cast [the #ravel into their eyes
when thou didst [seem to cast [it4 but 2od cast [it"BLL+
Note L-" The honour that is due to the human body re0uires that any !ortion disunited from it be
decently de!osited in the earth"
L,@
Note LU" 6s a hair( for instance( is drawn from !aste"LL@
Note LW" These verses are founded on a tradition of the 8ro!het"LLL
Note L," On =hatmehs( or #ecitations of the %hole of the Pur)Dn at "rivate +estivities! The most
a!!roved and common mode of entertainin# #uests at modern !rivate festivities amon# the 6rabs is by
a =hatmeh( which is the recitation of the whole of the Pur)Dn" Three or more !ersons of the inferior
class of the !rofessors of reli#ion and law( who are called faJeehs (vul#arly( fiJees)( are usually hired
for this !ur!ose" /choolmasters( and students of the colle#iate mos0ues who devote themselves to
reli#ion and law( are the !ersons most commonly thus em!loyed" Their mode of recitation is a !eculiar
kind of chantin#(LLN which( when well executed( $ found very a#reeable( at least for an hour or so: but
the #uests seldom have to listen to the chantin# of the whole of the Pur)Dn: the reciters usually
accom!lish the #reater !ortion of their task( in a somewhat hurried manner( before the #uests have
assembled( each of them chantin#( in turn( a certain !ortion( as a thirtieth !art of the whole (called a
B7uOB)( or half of one of these sections (a BGeObB)( or( more commonly( a 0uarter (rubQ)" 6fterwards they
chant more leisurely( and in a more musical manner4 but still by turns"CThese recitations of the whole
of the Pur)Dn are !erformed on various festive occasions( but are most usual after a death4 the merit of
the !erformance bein# transferred to the soul of the deceased"
Note L." The mess termed BOirbD7eh(B by some called BOurbD7eh(B from the 8ersian BOeerbD7(B is a kind
of s!oon)meat" /ome of its in#redients are described in the se0uel of the !resent story"
Note NZ"COn Atonements and other 'ervices for the *ead! 6s filial !iety is a #eneral characteristic of
the 6rabs( and various services are believed by them to atone for the minor sins of the deceased( and
thus to diminish his misery( or to increase his ha!!iness( it is natural( and not uncommon( for a son to
act in the manner here related" <ecitations of the Pur)Dn are !erformed for the dead( to whom the merit
of these works is transferred( and a sacrifice is often offered at the tomb after the burial4 the flesh of the
victim bein# distributed to the !oor" 9ut a more im!ortant service for the deceased is the !ayment of
his debts4 for it is affirmed by the 8ro!het( that even martyrdom will not atone for a debt un!aid"
Note N+" 6 money)chan#er is very fre0uently em!loyed to examine the money which a !urchaser
offers4 and if it be old( to wei#h it" The money)chan#ers are mostly *ews and Christians"
Note N@" /ome mos0ues (as the 6Ohar( for instance( the !rinci!al mos0ue of Cairo) remain o!en all
ni#ht4 and many houseless !ersons slee! in them( u!on the mattin# which covers the !aved floor" &en
are also often seen( at other times( but not at the hours of !rayer( loun#in#( eatin#( or workin#( in the
mos0ues4 such !ractices not bein# deemed inconsistent with the hi#h res!ect which the &uslims !ay to
these buildin#s"
Note NL" The remainder of this !ara#ra!h( and the whole of the next two !ara#ra!hs( bein# omitted in
the edition of Cairo( $ translate from the Calcutta edition of the first two hundred ni#hts( and the edition
of 9reslau4 but almost entirely from the former"
Note NN" The water of the well of ^emOem( in the tem!le of &ekkeh( is believed to !ossess miraculous
virtues( and is therefore brou#ht away in bottles or flasks by many of the !il#rims( to be used when
occasion may re0uire as medicine( or to be s!rinkled L,Lon #rave)linen" 6 bottle of it is a common and
acce!table !resent from a !il#rim( and a #uest is sometimes treated with a si! of this holy water"
Note N-" 6 whi! is sometimes used in the Gareem of a #reat man4 and its bein# attached to the waist of
the damsel here mentioned marks her authority" $t is #enerally formed of a stri! of hi!!o!otamus' hide(
hammered into a round sha!e4 and this kind is called a BkurbD7"B $ believe it is seldom used in the
Gareem with severity4 but usually for intimidation" [$ once saw some of the ladies of NDOlee =hDnim
(thus vul#arly !ronounced for NDOloo =hDnum) struck with a kurbD7( for too curiously lookin# in at the
window of an a!artment in that lady's !alace( in which $ and some friends ha!!ened to be( and which
overlooked the !rivate #arden" They were s!eedily driven away by two or three black eunuchs( who
a!!eared to use their heavy whi!s indiscriminately and severely4 their excuse for this conduct
undoubtedly bein#( that these ladies were #uilty of a #reat im!ro!riety in thus shewin# themselves to
men4 for when ridin# abroad( it is usual for !assen#ers in the streets to turn their faces to the wall on the
a!!roach of the women of a #reat man's household" &oreover( the Gareem of NDOlee =hDnim was well
known to be ruled with an iron hand( and its mistress herself to have ac0uired the character of her
brutal husband( &oGammad 9ey( the ?efterdDr( whose cruelties are mentioned in the B&odern
1#y!tians"BC1d"
Note NU" $t is a universal custom of the 6rabs( on visitin# the sick( to say( B&ay our 'ord restore thee_B
or( BNo evil befall thee_B Mc"
Note NW" The first hos!ital built by a &uslim was that of ?amascus( founded by 1l)5eleed the son of
'6bd)1l)&elik( in the ei#hty)ei#hth year of the 3li#ht (a" d" WZU)W)" The 6rabs would de!rive /t"
1!hrem /yrus of the honour of havin# been the author of the first institution of this kind4 one of their
historians ascribin# it to an early 8haraoh( named &enDJiyoosh4 another( to %i!!ocrates"LL-
Note N," The remainder of the !ara#ra!h is translated from the Calcutta edition of the first two hundred
ni#hts"
Note N." BThe metro!olis of the world(B or literally( Bthe mother of the worldB (Bumm ed)duny]B)( is a
title #iven to several cities( as well as to Cairo( by their res!ective inhabitants" This !assa#e( therefore(
and others of a similar kind( in which even foreigners are made to rank 1#y!t and Cairo as su!erior to
every other country and city( stron#ly favour the o!inion that some of its tales were written( or altered(
by an 1#y!tian"
Note -Z" 6 more am!le eulo#ium u!on 1#y!t and the Nile( but aboundin# with such #ross errors that $
could not confidently offer a translation( is found in the 9reslau edition" $t a#rees better with the old
translation4 which( however( in this !lace( !resents considerable unauthoriOed am!lifications( and some
misconce!tions: B9irket el)[abashB (for instance)( the name of a lake on the south of Cairo( bein#
mistaken for 1thio!ia"
Note -+" 3or this monthly rent (or about a #uinea of our money)( a lar#e and handsome house may be
hired at the !resent day in Cairo"
Note -@" 6fter the am!utation of the hand for theft( the stum! is usually !lun#ed in boilin# !itch or tar(
or oil( to stanch the blood"
Note -L"COn #etaliation and +ines for Wounds and Mutilations! <etaliation for intentional wounds
and mutilations is allowed by the &ohammadan law( like as for murder4 Beye for eye(B Mc":LLU but a
fine may be acce!ted instead( which the law allows also for unintentional in7uries" The fine for a
member that is sin#le (as the nose) is the whole !rice of blood( as for homicide4 namely a thousand
deenDrs (about -ZZl!) from L,Nhim who !ossesses #old4 or( from him who !ossesses silver( twelve
thousand dirhems (about LZZl!)4 for a member of which there are two( and not more (as a hand)( half
the !rice of blood4 for one of which there are ten (a fin#er or toe)( a tenth of the !rice of blood: but the
fine of a man for maimin# or woundin# a woman is half of that for the same in7ury to a man4 and that
of a free !erson for in7urin# a slave varies accordin# to the value of the slave" The fine for de!rivin# a
man of any of his five senses( or dan#erously woundin# him( or #rievously disfi#urin# him for life( is
the whole !rice of blood"
Note -N" /ee No" @Z of the notes to Cha!ter ii"CBThe women of 1#y!t have the character of bein# the
most licentious in their feelin#s of all females who lay any claim to be considered as members of a
civiliOed nation4 and this character is freely bestowed u!on them by their countrymen( even in
conversation with forei#ners"BLLWC$n the work from which the above !assa#e is 0uoted( $ have
ex!atiated u!on this sub7ect more than $ need do in the !resent case"
Note --" The 6rabs are #enerally of o!inion that the innate dis!ositions of a child are inherited more
from the mother than from the father" They believe that a dau#hter commonly resembles( in #ood or
evil 0ualities( her mother4 and a son( his maternal uncle" %ence they often address a man( BSD Eeiyib el)
khDl_BCB; thou who hast a #ood maternal uncle_B
Note -U" '6bd)6llah $bn)'6bbDs was one of the most learned of the com!anions of his cousin
&oGammad( and one of the most celebrated of the relaters of his sayin#s and actions" %e has received
the titles of B$nter!reter of the Pur)DnB and B/ulEDn of Commentators"B %e died in the year of the 3li#ht
U," %is father( '6bbDs( the son of '6bd)1l)&uEEalib( was !aternal uncle of &oGammad( and ancestor of
the '6bbDsee =haleefehs"
Note -W"COn the Astrola&e! The astrolabe is more commonly used by the 6rabs than any other
instrument for astronomical observations" $t is #enerally between four and six inches in diameter" $t
consists of a circular !late with a #raduated rim( within which fit several thinner !lates( and of a limb(
movin# on a !ivot in the centre( with two si#hts" The !lates are en#raved with com!licated dia#rams(
Mc"( for various calculations" The instrument is held by a rin#( or by a loo! of cord attached to the rin#(
durin# an observation4 and thus its own wei#ht answers the same !ur!ose as the !lumb)line of the
0uadrant (which the 6rabs sometimes use in its stead)4 the !osition of the moveable limb with the
si#hts markin# the re0uired altitude"
Note -," Iafar is the second mouth of the &ohammadan year"
Note -." 6s different co!ies vary here as to the date( $ have taken the liberty of !uttin# @UL instead of
WUL or U-L( in order to avoid a #larin# anachronism" $t is !robable( however( that the last of these is the
author's date( as it is found both in the old translation( and in the 9reslau edition" The date in the Cairo
edition is WUL"
Note UZ" 6 de#ree is four minutes4 it would have been more !ro!er( therefore( to have said( ei#ht
de#rees and two minutes( than seven de#rees and six minutes"
Note U+" B1H)IDmitB si#nifies Bthe /ilent"B
Note U@" This and the two followin# names( or rather( surnames( convey the same meanin#" 9aJbooJ(
%eddDr( and 9aJbaJ (here( in my ori#inal( erroneously written SaJyaJ)( si#nify BChatterer"B B1l)=ooO
el)6HwDneeB (not to be mistaken for BCC CC 6swDnee(B with a soft s) seems to im!ly that the
!erson thus named was always like a mu#( with o!en mouth( and insensible as flint to rebuke" The two
remainin# names are different in different co!ies: B/haJDliJB is !erha!s !ut erroneously for some other
word( as B/hiJDJ(B B?iscord"B
L,-
Note UL" Pur)Dn( ch" iii" v" +@,"
Note UN" The 6rabs #enerally carry their youn# children in this manner( seated astride u!on the
shoulder"
Note U-" This ex!ression is borrowed from the Pur)Dn( ch" xlviii" v" +Z" The meanin# is( Bthere is no
!ower of man( but 2od's !ower is su!erior to it"B
Note UU" The 8ro!het (&oGammad) is always alluded to when this form of benediction is used and the
name of the !erson to whom it is a!!lied is not mentioned"
Note UW" BNeddB is a !erfume com!osed of amber#ris( musk( and aloes wood4 or sim!ly amber#ris"
Note U," Two khuEbehs are recited on the occasion of the con#re#ational 3riday)!rayers" $t is the first of
these which is here alluded to" /ee the next note"
Note U."COn the Congregational +riday2prayers! The /elDm (or /alutation) of 3riday is a form of
blessin# on the 8ro!het and his family and com!anions( which is chanted by the muaddins from the
mDd'nehs (or towers) of the con#re#ational mos0ues half an hour before noon" The worshi!!ers be#in
to assemble in the mos0ue as soon as they hear it( and( ran#in# themselves in rows !arallel to( and
facin#( that side in which is the niche( that marks the direction of &ekkeh( each !erforms( by himself(
the !rayers of two rek'ahs( which are su!erero#atory( and then sits in his !lace while a reader recites
!art or the whole of the +,th cha!ter of the Pur)Dn" 6t the call of noon( they all stand u!( and each
a#ain !erforms( se!arately( the !rayers of two rek'ahs( ordained by the 8ro!het" 6 minister( standin# at
the foot of the !ul!it)stairs( then !ro!oses to bless the 8ro!het: and accordin#ly( a second /elDm is
chanted by one or more other ministers stationed on an elevated !latform" 6fter this( the former
minister( and the latter after him( re!eat the call of noon (which the muaddins have before chanted from
the mDd'nehs)4 and the former en7oins silence" The chief minister (=haEeeb( or $mDm() has already
seated himself on the to! ste! or !latform of the !ul!it" %e now rises( and recites a khuEbeh of !raise to
2od and exhortation to the con#re#ation4 and if in a country or town ac0uired by arms from
unbelievers( he holds a wooden sword( restin# its !oint on the #round"LL, 1ach of the con#re#ation
next offers u! some !rivate su!!lication4 after which( the =haEeeb recites a second khuEbeh( which is
always the same( or nearly so4 !art( of a similar nature to the first( but chiefly( !rayer for the 8ro!het
and his family( Mc"( and for the #eneral welfare of the &uslims" This finished( the =haEeeb or $mDm
descends from the !ul!it( and( stationed before the niche( after a form of wordsLL. differin# sli#htly
from the call to !rayer has been chanted by the ministers on the elevated !latform before mentioned(
recites the divinely)ordained !rayers of 3riday (two rek'ahs)( while the !eo!le do the same silently(
kee!in# time with him exactly in the various !ostures" Thus are com!leted the 3riday)!rayers4 but
some of the con#re#ation remain( and !erform the ordinary divinely)ordained !rayers of noon"LNZ
Note WZ" /o in the Cairo edition" 1l)&untaHir bi)llDh was the #reat)#randson of %Droon 1r)<asheed(
and acceded to the throne in the year of the 3li#ht @NW (6"?" ,U+)" 6 sli#ht anachronism( therefore( is
here !resented( unless we su!!ose that the L,Uhero of the story told by the /ulEDn's steward was an old
man at the !eriod of the misfortune of the hum!back" The rei#n of 1l)&untaHir was somewhat less than
six months" The co!y from which the old translation was made( and the edition of 9reslau( date the
adventure of the barber( here related( more than three centuries and a half later( in the rei#n of 1l)
&ustaHir bi)llDh"
Note W+" The !ractice of s!un#in#( or the intrusion of stran#ers at entertainments( has lon# been very
!revalent in 6rab towns" 6n instance has been #iven towards the close of Note @@ to Cha!ter iii"
Note W@" $ have altered the order in which the brothers are described( and omitted two !articulars( to
a#ree with the se0uel"
Note WL" The next !ara#ra!h is translated from the Calcutta edition of the first two hundred ni#hts4
bein# omitted in the Cairo edition" 6n e0ual !ortion( later( is wantin# in the old translation"
Note WN"COn Augurations %ith respect to Marriage! This !assa#e alludes to an astrolo#ical calculation
made with the view of determinin# by what si#n of the Oodiac the two !ersons are influenced who
contem!late becomin# man and wife( and thence ascertainin# whether they will a#ree" This is often
done in the !resent day by addin# to#ether the numerical values of the letters com!osin# his or her
name and that of the mother( and( if $ remember ri#ht( subtractin# from +@ the whole sum if this is less
than +@( or what remains after subtractin#( or dividin# by( +@" Thus is obtained the number of the si#n"
The twelve si#ns( commencin# with 6ries( corres!ond res!ectively with the elements of fire( earth( air(
water( fire( earth( and so on4 and if the si#ns of the two !arties indicate the same element( it is inferred
that they will a#ree4 but if they indicate different elements( the inference is( that the one will be affected
by the other in the same manner as the element of the one is by that of the other: thus( if the element of
the man is fire( and that of the woman( water( he will be sub7ect to her rule"
6mon# other calculations of the same kind is the followin#( which my sheykh has mentioned in a
mar#inal note on this !assa#e( in the co!y from which $ translate"CThe numerical values of the letters
com!osin# the name of each of the two !arties are added to#ether( and one of these two sums is
subtracted from the other: if the remainder is an uneven number( the inference is unfavourable4 but if
even( the reverse"
$n the !resent instance( the du!e( knowin# that there are various modes of divinin# whether he will be
ha!!y with his wife( is made to believe that his fortune de!ends u!on the mode( instead of the result( of
the calculation"
Note W-" %ere( in my ori#inal( B9aJbaJ4B but this( as before mentioned( was the name of the third
brother"
Note WU" BPuffeh(B si#nifyin# Ba basket of !alm)leaves(B and Ba dry #ourd(B seems to be here e0uivalent
to Bem!ty)head"B
Note WW" The blind in 1#y!t are notorious for their im!udence"C$t is related that &oses( while bathin#
one day in the Nile( saw a blind man !ass by( and( bein# moved with !ity( !rayed that 2od would
restore his si#ht" %is !rayer was answered4 but as soon as the eyes of the blind man were o!ened( he
seiOed the clothes of his benefactor( which were lyin# on the bank( and !rotested that they were his
own" &oses( therefore( now !rayed that the thief mi#ht be struck blind a#ain4 and 2od( answerin# his
!rayer( said( ; &oses( know that $ am wiser than thou with res!ect to my creatures"CThis tradition
was related to me in Cairo"
Note W," $t is #enerally thus that an in7ured &uslim calls others to his aid"
Note W." 'ike the natives of 1#y!t in the !eriod of the <oman domination(LN+ its L,Wmodern
inhabitants( and the 6rabs of other countries (thou#h( $ believe( in a less de#ree)( are notorious for their
obstinacy in refusin# to !ay their taxes until they have been severely beaten" They well know that( the
more readily they !ay( the more will be exacted from them4 and are often heard to boast of the number
of stri!es which they have received before yieldin# their money" The same obstinacy is #enerally
dis!layed by an 6rab accused of any offence4 and often( even by a witness: in either case the man fears
that( should he tell at once all he can( the 7ud#e will try whether the stick or the kurbD7LN@ will elicit a
further confession"
Note ,Z"COn the general Corruptness of Muslim 6udges! =hi\r 9ey (whether he was a 7ud#e $ do not
know)( conversin# one day with his friends on the difficulties ex!erienced in the exercise of 7udicature(
one of the com!any remarked( B$n my o!inion( the #reatest difficulty that is met with is( when one of
the !arties is rich( and the other( !oor"BCB$n that case(B re!lied =hi\r 9ey( B$ find none4 for it is clear
that the rich will #ain his cause( and the !oor will lose: but the #reat difficulty is( when the two !arties
are e0ually rich and !owerful" $f thou( he continued( bein# a !oor man( have a suit a#ainst one who is
rich and !owerful( beware of a!!lyin# to the PD\ee4 for he will not fail to condemn thee: my advice is(
that thou desist alto#ether from thy suit( and rather throw thyself at the feet of thine adversary4 for thou
wilt obtain more 7ustice from him than from the PD\ee"BLNLC3or a 7ustification of the o!inion here
ex!ressed( see my work on the &odern 1#y!tians( vol" i" ch" iv"
Note ,+"COn good and evil Omens! ;f omens $ have already treated( in Note +- to Cha!ter i": but a
few words on this sub7ect must be here added"C$t is common to draw a lucky or unlucky omen from
the first ob7ect seen on #oin# out in the mornin#4 and accordin# as that ob7ect is !leasant or the
contrary( the !erson says( Bmy mornin# is #ood(B or BCCbad"B 6 one)eyed man is re#arded as of evil
omen4 and es!ecially one who is blind of the left eye" &any a !erson is related to have suffered for
havin# an unlucky countenance"
Note ,@" The !ortion of this story com!rised in the first !ara#ra!h havin# been the sub7ect of a
s!ecimen of the !resent !ublication( translated from the Calcutta edition of the first two hundred ni#hts(
and !rinted and distributed when $ had not in my !ossession the co!y of the ori#inal which $ have taken
as my #eneral standard( it is here #iven nearly in the same words: $ have only made a few sli#ht
additions and alterations derived from a com!arison of the two editions" /ome of the notes inserted in
the s!ecimen $ omit in this !lace( as they relate to matters already ex!lained"C%ole remarks (in !a#e
@@L)( that this !art of the 9arber's story of his 3ifth 9rother is derived Bfrom an $ndian fable of the
remotest anti0uity """ found in the %eeto)!ades of Feeshnoo)/arma(B in which a 9rahman
Binadvertently breaks his !ottery ware """ with a walkin#)stick """ in the act of su!!ressin# the
outra#eous 7ealousy of four beautiful but turbulent wives"B
Note ,L" B1l)3eshshDrB si#nifies Bthe 3oolish Talker(B or BFain 9oaster"B $ have substituted this name
for B1l)'6shshDr(B the readin# in my ori#inal" $n the 6rabic characters( the latter differs from the former
in little more than the want of a !oint( and has no a!!ro!riate meanin#" $t a!!ears that( in most co!ies
of the ori#inal( the barber's 3ifth 9rother is surnamed B1n)NeshshDr(B or Bthe /awyer(B !erha!s in
allusion to his incessant lo0uacity: but this( also( in the 6rabic characters( very nearly resembles B1l)
3eshshDr(B which $ doubt not to be the ri#ht name"
Note ,N" There is nothin# very extrava#ant in this ho!e of the barber's brother4 for in the 1ast( !ersons
fre0uently rise from very low to very hi#h stations4 and it is remarkable that( notwithstandin# their
usual !ride( they #enerally retain the a!!ellation of the trade or craft which they or their fathers
!ursued( however i#noble( before L,,their elevation" $t is common for a #reat man to distin#uish
himself by addin# to his name the a!!ellation of Bthe dru##ist or !erfumer(B or Bthe #rocer(B Mc"4 and
he is not a whit the less res!ected on this account"
Note ,-" The 1astern #randee rides not at the head or rear of his attendants( but in the midst of them"
Note ,U" 8ersons distin#uished by rank or wealth or learnin# are saluted by many of the sho!kee!ers
and !assen#ers as they !ass throu#h the streets of 1astern cities( and often #reeted with a short
e7aculatory !rayer for the continuance of their life and ha!!iness" 5hen a very #reat man rides throu#h
the streets( most of the sho!kee!ers rise to him( and !ay their res!ect to him by inclinin# the head( and
touchin# the li!s and forehead or turban with the fin#ers of the ri#ht hand"
Note ,W" /ee Note +@ to Cha!ter iii"
Note ,," %e could scarcely shew his !ride more stron#ly4 for it is an affront to re7ect a !resent"
Note ,." 6n 6rab lady of hi#h rank seldom makes use of her feet but to move from one chamber to
another4 when she #oes abroad( she always rides: to stand for many minutes to#ether is( therefore(
fati#uin# to her"
Note .Z" /ee the close of Note L. to Cha!ter iv"
Note .+" This is said either to shew his vul#arity or that the weather was sultry"
Note .@" B1l)&eleeGahB si#nifies Bthe 9eautiful:B it is derived from BmilGB (salt( Mc")"
Note .L" 6n occurrence of a similar nature( which ha!!ened a few years a#o in Cairo( was related to
me by one of my friends there"C6n old woman fre0uented the tomb of a saint in that city( near the
eastern #ate called the 9Db el)&aGrooJ( to which many women afflicted with disease or barrenness
often resorted to offer u! !rayers( believin# their !etitions would be effectual throu#h the saint's
intercession4 and she was in the habit of enticin# ladies from this tomb to the house of her husband(
which was near by( under !retence of his servin# them with medicines or with charms" The
unsus!ectin# victim( bein# desired to #o thither alone( was conducted by the old woman to an u!!er
room( at the end of which the man was seated4 and in walkin# over the matted floor to a!!roach him(
suddenly fell throu#h a tra!)door into a !lace so dee! that the fall rendered her senseless" $n this state(
she was !ut to death4 and as ladies in Cairo always wear valuable ornaments and costly clothes( the
murderers were sure of obtainin# considerable s!oil"
Note .N" This money( we are to understand( was !re!ared for the !ur!ose of #ivin# those !resents
which are customary from a #uest at a marria#e)festivity4 but the mention of a smaller sum would have
been more !ro!er" $t is #iven to the sin#in#)women and tire)women who( in #reat houses( !arade the
bride throu#h the different a!artments( and dis!lay her in different rich suits of attire before the
bride#room"
Note .-"COn the )and-erchief and 'ignet of Indemnity! /ometimes( the handkerchief( and
sometimes( the si#net( or seal)rin#( is #iven as a !led#e of indemnity"C$t was a fre0uent custom of
many a chief of the &emlooks of 1#y!t (there commonly called Bthe 2huOOB)( to bastinade men in the
court of his mansion (when he desired to make a show of strict 7ustice)( in order that one of the women
of the family( hearin# the cries( mi#ht dro! a handkerchief from a window( and so the !unishment
mi#ht soon cease( in res!ect for the Gareem( whose !rotection is often a!!ealed to by offenders"
Note .U" The title of B/ulEDnB is here( and afterwards( #iven to the =haleefeh4 and it has been so
em!loyed by a celebrated historian( 1l)&aJreeOee"LNN
L,.
Note .W" /o( a!!arently( in most co!ies4 but in the Cairo edition( Bof the sons of the =in#s"B $t is said to
have been a custom of some of the 9armekees (the family so renowned for their #enerosity) to kee!
o!en house durin# the hours of meals( and to allow no one who a!!lied at such times for admission to
be re!ulsed"
Note .," B/ikbD7B is a dish com!osed of meat( wheat)flour( and vine#ar"
Note .." BPaED>fB is a name a!!lied to various kinds of sweet !astry: !articularly to a kind of small
!ancakes( made of a thin !aste of fine flour and water( about three inches broad( and a sixth of an inch
or less in thickness( baked u!on a co!!er tray over a fire( like kunDfeh (the com!osition of which is the
same)( and eaten with honey or su#ar: also to cakes com!osed of fine flour( treacle or honey( and
sesame)oil" The siru! mentioned in the same sentence is (as my sheykh states in a mar#inal note)
treacle thickened over the fire"CThe !ro!er sin#ular of JaED>f( namely( BJaEeefeh(B is seldom used4 one
of these cakes bein# #enerally called Bfard JaED>f"B /ometimes( it a!!ears( they were !erfumed with
musk"
Note +ZZ" The BmithJDlB is the wei#ht of a deenDr( or a dirhem and a half(Cin Cairo( about W+)+r@ or
W@ 1n#lish #rains"
Note +Z+" /ee above( Note .U"
Note +Z@" 9y B6rabs(B we are here to understand 9edawees( or 6rabs of the ?esert( who are termed( by
the older writers( B6QrDb(B or B6QrDbees4B but in my ori#inal( as in other late works( B'6rab(B which was
the old a!!ellation of the to%nspeople and villagers"
L@L /ale's =orDn4 note near the close of cha!" ii"
L@N /ee ?e /acy( <elation de l'1#y!te !ar 6bd)allatif( !!" L,+ et se0"4 and guatrem`re( %istoire des
/ultans &amlouks( vol" i" !!" +Z. et se0"( a work of very #reat value( es!ecially for the notes"
L@- $n his B=hiEaE4B descri!tion of the !rinci!al street of Cairo( and its branches (&/" in my
!ossession)"
L@U $n his B=hiEaE4B descri!tion of the !rinci!al street of Cairo( and its branches4 and account of the
=hDns"
L@W $dem4 account of the PeysDreeyehs4 and descri!tion of the !rinci!al street of Cairo( and its
branches"
L@, The ortho#ra!hy of this celebrated name is dis!uted4 and $ may therefore mention that $ have found
it written =hall'kDn in an 6rabic &/" of the year of the 3li#ht ,NL4 and in many &//" in which the
redu!lication of the l is not marked( the vowel a is #iven to the first syllable" 6ccordin# to the #eneral
o!inion of the learned in Cairo( it is =hillikDn"
L@. $n his B=hiEaE4B descri!tion of the !rinci!al street of Cairo"
LLZ $n his B=hiEaE4B descri!tion of the suburbs or environ (\awDGee) of CairoC[The latest date in that
work( as far as $ am aware( is found in the account of the mos0ues( in two se!arate !laces" $t is that of
the year of the 3li#ht ,NL (in the edition recently !rinted at Cairo)4 and( as 1l)&aJreeOee died in the
year ,N-( its occurrence is curious as shewin# the likelihood that he continued the com!osition of his
most celebrated work until very near his death" $ndeed( it is !robable that he never finished it4 the
seventh and last section( which is mentioned in the 8reface( bein# wantin# in all the &//" This date( in
each instance( may be an insertion by a later hand4 but the author's %istory of the /ulEDns of 1#y!t was
brou#ht down( it is said by himself( to the year !recedin# his death(C1d"
LL+ &ar#inal note( in my co!y of the ori#inal( by the sheykh &ohammad '1iyDd"
LL@ &ar#inal note( in my co!y of the ori#inal( by the sheykh &oGammad '1iyDd"
LLL $dem"
LLN 6 s!ecimen of this mode of chantin# is #iven in my work on the &odern 1#y!tians( vol" ii" end of
cha!" v"
LL- 1l)&aJreeOee's B=hiEaE4B account of the hos!itals"
LLU Pur)Dn( ch" v" v" N."
LLW B&odern 1#y!tians(B vol" i" ch" xiii"
LL, $t would not be necessary to remark on this ex!lanation of a curious custom if it had not been lately
contradicted" &r" 'ane derived his information from 6rab authors( and from his friends in Cairo4 but
?';hsson( also( says( in his Tableau 2VnVral de l'1m!ire ;thoman( Code <eli#ieux( livre ii" ch" iv" (and
the authority of the works from which he translated will hardly be 0uestioned)( that the =haEeeb Best
mjme tenu de rVciter tout le 7houth&8 sur la chaire( Minn&er( en s'a!!uyant de la main sur la #arde d'un
sabre( dans tous les tem!les 0ui ont VtV !ris avec la ville !ar la force des armes"B The writer alluded to
thinks that the use of the sword at &ekkeh !roves &r" 'ane to be in error4 whereas the custom is
observed at &ekkeh because it was taken in war4 but not at 1l)&edeeneh because this city was not so
taken"C1d"
LL. The iJDmeh see Note @N to Cha!ter iv"
LNZ 3or a more full account of the 3riday)!rayers( see my work on the &odern 1#y!tians( vol" i" ch" iii"
LN+ 6mmianus &arcellinus( lib" xxii"
LN@ /ee Note U to Cha!ter iv"
LNL ?'%erbelot( 9ibl" ;r"( article BCadhi"B
L.Z
CHAPTER VI.
COMMENCING WITH PART OF THE THIRTY-SECOND NIGHT, AND ENDING WITH PART OF THIS THIRTY-SI'TH.
THE STORY OF NOOR-ED-DEEN AND ENEES-EL-!ELEES.1
There was( in 1l)9aHrah( a certain =in# who loved the !oor and indi#ent( and re#arded his sub7ects
with benevolence4 he bestowed of his wealth u!on him who believed in &oGammad (2od bless and
save him_) and was such as one of the !oets who have written of him hath thus described:C
%e used his lances as !ens4 and the hearts of his enemies( as !a!er4 their blood bein# his ink: 6nd
hence( $ ima#ine( our forefathers a!!lied to the lance the term =haEEeeyeh(@
L.+ The name of this =in# was &oGammad the son of /uleymDn 1O)^eynee4 and he had two 5eOeers4
one of whom was named 1l)&o'eenL the son of /Dwee4 and the other( 1l)3a\lN the son of =hDJDn" 1l)
3a\l the son of =hDJDn was the most #enerous of the !eo!le of his a#e( u!ri#ht in conduct( so that all
hearts a#reed in lovin# him( and the wise com!lied with his counsel( and all the !eo!le su!!licated for
him len#th of life4 for he was a !erson of aus!icious as!ect(- a !reventer of evil and mischief: but the
5eOeer 1l)&o'een the son of /Dwee hated others( and loved not #ood4 he was a man of inaus!icious
as!ect4 and in the same de#ree that the !eo!le loved 3a\l)ed)?een the son of =hDJDn( so did they abhor
1l)&o'een the son of /Dwee( in accordance with the decree of the 6lmi#hty"
Now the =in# &oGammad the son of /uleymDn 1O)^eynee was sittin# one day u!on his throne(
surrounded by the officers of his court( and he called to his 5eOeer 1l)3a\l the son of =hDJDn( and said
to him( $ desire a female slave unsur!assed in beauty by any in her a#e( of !erfect loveliness( and
ex0uisite symmetry( and endowed with all !raiseworthy 0ualities"C/uch as this( re!lied his courtiers(
is not to be found for less than ten thousand !ieces of #old" 6nd the /ulEDn thereu!on called out to the
treasurer( sayin#( Carry ten thousand !ieces of #old to the house of 1l)3a\l the son of =hDJDn" /o the
treasurer did as he commanded( and the 5eOeer de!arted( after the /ulEDn had ordered him to re!air
every day to the market( and to commission the brokers to !rocure what he had described( and had
commanded also that no female slave of a #reater !rice than one thousand !ieces of #old should be sold
without havin# been shewn to the 5eOeer"
The brokers( therefore( sold no female slave without shewin# her to him( and he com!lied with the
=in#'s command( and thus he continued to do for a considerable time( no slave !leasin# him: but on a
certain day( one of the brokers came to the mansion of the 5eOeer 1l)3a\l( and found that he had
mounted to re!air to the !alace of the =in#4 and he laid hold u!on his stirru!( and re!eated these two
verses:C
; thou who hast reanimated what was rotten in the state_ Thou art the 5eOeer ever aided by %eaven"
Thou hast revived the noble 0ualities that were extinct amon# men" &ay thy conduct never cease to be
a!!roved by 2od_
%e then said( ; my master( the female slave for the !rocurin# ofL.@ whom the noble mandate was
issued hath arrived" The 5eOeer re!lied( 9rin# her hither to me" /o the man returned( and( after a short
absence( came a#ain( accom!anied by a damsel of ele#ant stature( hi#h)bosomed( with black eyelashes(
and smooth cheek( and slender waist( and lar#e hi!s( clad in the handsomest a!!arel4 the moisture of
her li!s was sweeter than siru!4 her fi#ure !ut to shame the branches of the ;riental willow4 and her
s!eech was more soft than the Oe!hyr !assin# over the flowers of the #arden4 as one of her describers
hath thus ex!ressed:C
%er skin is like silk( and her s!eech is soft( neither redundant nor deficient: %er eyes( 2od said to them(
9e(Cand they were( affectin# men's hearts with the !otency of wine" &ay my love for her #row more
warm each ni#ht( and cease not until the day of 7ud#ment_ The locks on her brow are dark as ni#ht(
while her forehead shines like the #leam of mornin#"
5hen the 5eOeer beheld her( she !leased him extremely( and he looked towards the broker( and said to
him( 5hat is the !rice of this damselR The broker answered( The !rice bidden for her hath amounted to
ten thousand !ieces of #old( and her owner hath sworn that this sum doth not e0ual the cost of the
chickens which she hath eaten( nor the cost of the dresses which she hath bestowed u!on her teachers4
for she hath learnt writin# and #rammar and lexicolo#y( and the inter!retation of the Pur)Dn( and the
fundamentals of law and reli#ion( and medicine( and the com!utation of the calendar( and the art of
!layin# u!on musical instruments" The 5eOeer then said( 9rin# to me her master:Cand the broker
immediately brou#ht him4 and lo( he was a forei#ner( who had lived so lon# that time had reduced him
to bones and skin( as the !oet hath said(C
%ow hath time made me to tremble_ 3or time is !owerful and severe" $ used to walk without bein#
weary4 but now $ am weary and do not walk"
6nd the 5eOeer said to him( 6rt thou content to receive for this damsel ten thousand !ieces of #old
from the /ulEDn &oGammad the son of /uleymDn 1O)^eyneeR The forei#ner answered( 6s she is for the
/ulEDn( it is incumbent on me to #ive her as a !resent to him( without !rice"U /o the 5eOeer( u!on this(
ordered that the money should be brou#ht( and then wei#hed the !ieces of #old for the forei#ner4 after
which( the slave)broker addressed the 5eOeer( and said( 5ith the !ermission of our lord the 5eOeer( $
will s!eak"C$m!art what thou hast to say( re!lied the 5eOeer"C$t is my o!inion( then( said the broker(
that thou shouldst not take u! thisL.L damsel to the /ulEDn to)day4 for she hath 7ust arrived from her
7ourney( and the chan#e of air hath affected her( and the 7ourney hath fati#ued her4 but rather let her
remain with thee in thy !alace ten days( that she may take rest( and her beauty will im!rove: then cause
her to be taken into the bath( and attire her in clothes of the handsomest descri!tion( and #o u! with her
to the /ulEDn: so shalt thou ex!erience more abundant #ood fortune" 6nd the 5eOeer considered the
advice of the slave)broker( and a!!roved it" %e therefore took her into his !alace( and #ave her a !rivate
a!artment to herself( allottin# her every day what she re0uired of food and drink and other su!!lies(
and she continued a while in this state of en7oyment"
Now the 5eOeer 1l)3a\l had a son like the shinin# full moon( with brilliant countenance( and red
cheek( marked with a mole like a #lobule of amber#ris( and with #rey down" The youth knew not of
this damsel( and his father had char#ed her( sayin#( =now that $ have !urchased thee for the =in#
&oGammad the son of /uleymDn 1O)^eynee( and that $ have a son who hath not left a #irl in the
0uarter without makin# love to her: therefore kee! thyself concealed from him( and beware of shewin#
him thy face( or sufferin# him to hear thy voice" The damsel re!lied( $ hear and obey:Cand he left her
and de!arted" 6nd it ha!!ened( as fate had ordained( that she went one day into the bath which was in
the house( and( after certain of the female slaves had bathed her( she attired herself in rich a!!arel( and
her beauty and loveliness increased in conse0uence" /he then went in to the 5eOeer's wife( and kissed
her hand( and she said to her( &ay it be favourable(W ; 1nees)el)*elees_ %ow didst thou find this bathR
C; my mistress( she answered( $ wanted nothin# but thy !resence there" 6nd u!on this( the mistress of
the house said to the female slaves( 6rise( and let us #o into the bath" 6nd they com!lied with her
command( and went( accom!anied by their mistress( who first char#ed two youn# slave)#irls to kee!
the door of the !rivate a!artment in which was 1nees)el)*elees( sayin# to them( /uffer no one to #o in
to the damsel:Cand they re!lied( 5e hear and obey" 9ut while 1nees)el)*elees was sittin# in her
chamber( lo( the 5eOeer's son( whose name was '6lee Noor)ed)?een( came in( and asked after his
mother and the family" The two #irls answered( They are #one into the bath" Now the damsel 1nees)el)
*elees heard the s!eech of '6lee Noor)ed)?een as she sat in her chamber( and she said within herself( $
wonder what this youth is like( of whom the 5eOeerL.N hath told me that he hath not left a #irl in the
0uarter without makin# love to her: by 6llah( $ have a desire to see him" /he then rose u!on her feet(
fresh as she was from the bath( and( a!!roachin# the door of the chamber( looked at '6lee Noor)ed)
?een( and beheld him to be a youth like the full moon" The si#ht of him occasioned her a thousand
si#hs4 and a look from the youth( at her( affected him also in the same manner" 1ach was cau#ht in the
snare of the other's love( and the youth a!!roached the two slave)#irls( and cried out at them4
whereu!on they fled from before him( and sto!!ed at a distance( lookin# to see what he would do" %e
then advanced to the door of the chamber( and( o!enin# it( went in( and said to the damsel( 6rt thou she
whom my father hath !urchased for meR /he answered( Ses" 6nd u!on this( the youth( who was in a
state of intoxication( went u! to her( and embraced her( while she( in like manner( threw her arms
around his neck( and kissed him" 9ut the two slave)#irls( havin# seen their youn# master enter the
chamber of the damsel 1nees)el)*elees( cried out" The youth( therefore( soon ran forth( and fled for
safety( fearin# the conse0uence of his intrusion4 and when the mistress of the house heard the cry of the
two slave)#irls( she came out dri!!in# from the bath( sayin#( 5hat is the cause of this cry in theL.-
houseR 6nd when she drew near to the two slave)#irls whom she had !laced at the door of the !rivate
chamber( she said to them( 5o to you_ 5hat is the matterRCThey answered( as soon as they beheld
her( ;ur master '6lee Noor)ed)?een came to us and beat us( and we fled from him( and he went into
the chamber of 1nees)el)*elees( and when we cried out to thee he fled" The mistress of the house then
went to 1nees)el)*elees( and said to her( 5hat is the newsRC; my mistress( she answered( as $ was
sittin# here( a youth of handsome !erson came in to me( and said to me( 6rt thou she whom my father
hath !urchased for meRC6nd $ answered( Ses"C9y 6llah( ; my mistress( $ believed that what he said
was true4 and he came u! to me and embraced me( and kissed me three times( and he left me overcome
by his love"
A!on this( the mistress of the house we!t( and sla!!ed her face( and her female slaves did the like(
fearin# for '6lee Noor)ed)?een( lest his father should slay him4 and while they were in this state( lo( the
5eOeer came in( and in0uired what had ha!!ened" %is wife said to him( /wear that thou wilt listen to
that which $ shall say" %e re!lied( 5ell" /o she told him what his son had done4 and he mourned( and
rent his clothes( and sla!!ed his face( and !lucked his beard" %is wife then said to him( =ill not thyself"
$ will #ive thee( of my own !ro!erty( ten thousand !ieces of #old( her !rice"C9ut u!on this( he raised
his head towards her( and said to her( 5o to thee_ $ want not her !rice4 but $ fear the loss of my life and
my !ro!erty"C5herefore( ; my masterR she asked"C=nowest thou not( said he( that we have this
enemy 1l)&o'een the son of /DweeR 5hen he heareth of this event( he will re!air to the /ulEDn( and say
to him( Thy 5eOeer whom thou ima#inest to love thee hath received from thee ten thousand !ieces of
#old( and !urchased therewith a female slave such as no one hath seen e0ualled( and when she !leased
him( he said to his son( Take her4 for thou art more worthy of her than the /ulEDn:Cand he took her4
and the damsel is now with him"CThen the =in# will say( Thou liest" 6nd he will say to the =in#( 5ith
thy !ermission( $ will break in u!on him suddenly( and brin# her to thee" 6nd he will #ive him
!ermission to do so: he will therefore make a sudden attack u!on the house( and take the damsel( and
conduct her into the !resence of the /ulEDn( and he will 0uestion her( and she will not be able to deny:
he will then say( ; my lord( $ #ive thee #ood counsel( but $ am not in favour with thee:Cand the /ulEDn
will make an exam!le of me( and all the !eo!le will make me a #aOin#)stock( andL.U my life will be
lost"C%is wife( however( re!lied( 6c0uaint no one4 for this thin# hath ha!!ened !rivily: commit(
therefore( thine affair unto 2od( in this extremity" 6nd u!on this( the heart of the 5eOeer was 0uieted(
and his mind was relieved"
/uch was the case of the 5eOeer"CNow as to Noor)ed)?een( he feared the result of his conduct( and so
!assed each day in the #ardens( not returnin# to his mother until towards the close of the ni#ht: he then
sle!t in her a!artment( and rose before mornin# without bein# seen by any one else" Thus he continued
to do so for the s!ace of a month( not seein# the face of his father4 and at len#th his mother said to his
father( ; my master( wilt thou lose the damsel and lose the childR 3or if it lon# continue thus with the
youth( he will flee his country"C6nd what is to be doneR said he" /he answered( /it u! this ni#ht( and
when he cometh( lay hold u!on him( and be reconciled to him( and #ive him the damsel4 for she loveth
him( and he loveth her4 and $ will #ive thee her !rice" /o the 5eOeer sat u! the whole ni#ht( and when
his son came( he laid hold u!on him( and would have cut his throat4, but his mother came to his
succour( and said to her husband( 5hat dost thou desire to do unto himR %e answered her( $ desire to
slay him" The youth then said to his father( 6m $ of so small account in thy estimationR 6nd u!on this(
the eyes of his father filled with tears( and he said to him( ; my son( is the loss of my !ro!erty and my
life of small account with theeRC'isten( ; my father( re7oined the youth:Cand he im!lored his
for#iveness" /o the 5eOeer rose from the breast of his son( and was moved with com!assion for him4
and the youth rose( and kissed his father's hand4 and the 5eOeer said( ; my son( if $ knew that thou
wouldst act e0uitably to 1nees)el)*elees( $ would #ive her to thee"C; my father( re!lied the youth(
wherefore should $ not act e0uitably towards herR 6nd his father said( $ char#e thee( ; my son( that
thou take not a wife to share her !lace( and that thou do her no in7ury( nor sell her" %e re!lied( ; my
father( $ swear to thee that $ will neither take a wife to share her !lace( nor sell her:Cand he !romised
him by oaths to act as he had said( and took u! his abode with the damsel( and remained with her a
year4 and 2od (whose name be exalted_) caused the =in# to for#et the affair of the female slave4 but the
matter became known to 1l)&o'een the son of /Dwee4 yet he could not s!eak of it( on account of the
hi#h estimation in which the other 5eOeer was held by the /ulEDn"
6fter this year had ex!ired( the 5eOeer 3a\l)ed)?een the son of L.W

=hDJDn entered the oath( and came out in a state of excessive !ers!iration( in conse0uence of which the
external air smote him( so that he became confined to his bed( and lon# remained slee!less4 and his
malady continued unremittin#ly4 so he called( thereu!on( his son '6lee Noor)ed)?een( and when he
came before him( said to him( ; my son( verily the means of life are a!!ortioned( and its !eriod is
decreed( and every soul must drink the cu! of death" $ have nothin# with which to char#e thee but the
fear of 2od( and forethou#ht with re#ard to the results of thine actions( and that thou conduct thyself
kindly to the damsel 1nees)el)*elees"C; my father( said the youth( who is like unto theeR Thou hast
been celebrated for virtuous actions( and the !rayin# of the !reachers for thee on the !ul!its"C; my
son( re7oined the 5eOeer( $ ho!e for the a!!robation of 2od( whose name be exalted_ 6nd then he
!ronounced the two !rofessions of the faith(. and uttered a si#h( and was recorded amon# the com!any
of the blest" 6nd u!on this( the !alace was filled with shriekin#( and the news reached the ears of the
/ulEDn( and the !eo!le of the city heard of the death of 1l)3a\l the son of =hDJDn( and even the boys in
the schools we!t for him"+Z %is son '6lee Noor)ed)?een arose( and !re!ared his funeral( and the
1meers and 5eOeers and other officers of the state attended it( and amon# them was the 5eOeer 1l)
&o'een the /on of /Dwee4 and as the !rocession !assed out from the mansion( one of the mourners
recited these verses:C
$ said to the man who was a!!ointed to wash him(C5ould that he had yielded obedience to my
counsel(C 8ut away from him the water( and wash him with the tears of honour( shed in lamentation
for him: L., 6nd remove these fra#rant substances collected for his cor!se( and !erfume him rather
with the odours of his !raise: 6nd order the noble an#els to carry him( in honour" ?ost thou not behold
them attendin# himR Cause not men's necks to be strained by bearin# him: enou#h are they laden
already by his benefits"++
'6lee Noor)ed)?een for a lon# time remained in a state of violent #rief for the loss of his father4 but as
he was sittin# one day in his father's house( a !erson knocked at the door( and he rose u! and o!ened it(
and lo( there was a man who was one of his father's intimate com!anions( and he kissed the hand of
Noor)ed)?een( and said to him( ; my master( he who hath left a son like thee hath not died" This is the
destination of the lord of the first and the last amon# mankind"+@ ; my master( cheer u! thy heart( and
#ive over mournin#"C6nd u!on this( '6lee Noor)ed)?een arose( and went to the #uest)chamber( and
removed thither all that he re0uired( and his com!anions came to#ether to him( and he took a#ain his
slave" Ten of the sons of the merchants became his associates( and he #ave entertainment after
entertainment( and be#an to be lavish with !resents" %is steward( therefore( came in to him( and said to
him( ; my master Noor)ed)?een( hast thou not heard the sayin#( %e who ex!endeth and doth not
calculate is reduced to !overtyR This !rofuse ex!enditure( and these ma#nificent !resents( will
annihilate the !ro!erty"C9ut when '6lee Noor)ed)?een heard these words of his steward( he looked at
him( and re!lied( ;f all that thou hast said to me( $ will not attend to one word" %ow excellent is the
sayin# of the !oet:C
$f $ be !ossessed of wealth and be not liberal( may my hand never be extended( nor my foot raised_
/hew me the avaricious who hath attained #lory by his avarice( and the munificent who hath died
throu#h his munificence"+L
=now( ; /teward( he continued( that if there remain in thy hands what will suffice for my dinner( thou
shalt not burden me with anxiety res!ectin# my su!!er"C/o the steward left him( and went his way4
and '6lee Noor)ed)?een resumed his habits of extrava#ant #enerosity: whenever any one of his
com!anions said( Ferily this thin# is beautiful_Che would re!ly( $t is a !resent to thee:Cand if any
said( ; my master( verily such a house is deli#htful_Che would re!ly( $t is a !resent to thee"
%e ceased not to #ive entertainments to his com!anions from the commencement of day( one after
another( until he had !assed in thisL.. manner a whole year4 after which( as he was sittin# with them(
he heard the slave)#irl recite these two verses:C
Thou thou#htest well of the days when they went well with thee( and fearedst not the evil that destiny
was brin#in#" Thy ni#hts were !eaceful( and thou wast deceived by them: in the midst of their
bri#htness there cometh #loom"
6nd immediately after( a !erson knocked at the door: so Noor)ed)?een rose( and one of his
com!anions followed him without his knowled#e4 and when he o!ened the door( he beheld his steward(
and said to him( 5hat is the newsRC; my master( answered the steward( that which $ feared on thy
account hath ha!!ened to thee"C%ow is thatR asked Noor)ed)?een" The steward answered( =now that
there remaineth not of thy !ro!erty in my hands( anythin# e0uivalent to a !iece of silver( or less than a
!iece of silver4 and these are the accounts of thy ex!enses( and of thy ori#inal !ro!erty" 5hen '6lee
Noor)ed)?een heard these words( he hun# down his head towards the #round( and exclaimed( There is
no stren#th nor !ower but in 2od_ 6nd the man who had followed him secretly to !ry into his case( as
soon as he heard what the steward told him( returned to his com!anions( and said to them( /ee what ye
will do4 for '6lee Noor)ed)?een hath become a bankru!t" /o when Noor)ed)?een returned to them(
#rief a!!eared to them in his countenance( and immediately one of them rose( and( lookin# towards
him( said to him( ; my master( $ desire that thou wouldst !ermit me to de!art"C5hy thus de!art to)
dayR said Noor)ed)?een" %is #uest answered( &y wife is to #ive birth to a child this ni#ht( and it is
im!ossible for me to be absent from her: $ desire( therefore( to #o and see her" 6nd he #ave him leave"
Then another rose( and said to him( ; my master Noor)ed)?een( $ desire to)day to visit my brother4 for
he celebrateth the circumcision of his son" Thus each of them asked leave of him deceitfully( and went
his way( until all had de!arted"
/o '6lee Noor)ed)?een remained alone4 and he called his slave)#irl( and said to her( ; 1nees)el)*elees(
seest thou not what hath befallen meR 6nd he related to her what the steward had told him" /he re!lied(
; my master( for some ni#hts !ast( $ have been anxious to s!eak to thee of this affair4 but $ heard thee
recitin# these two verses:C
5hen fortune is liberal to thee( be thou liberal to all others before she esca!e from thee: 3or liberality
will not annihilate thy wealth when she is favourable4 nor avarice !reserve it when she deserteth thee"
NZZ
6nd when $ heard thee re!eat these words( $ was silent( and would not make any remark to thee"C;
1nees)el)*elees( he re7oined( thou knowest that $ have not ex!ended my wealth but on my com!anions4
and $ do not think that they will abandon me without relief"C9y 6llah( said she( they will be of no use
to thee" 9ut he said( $ will immediately arise and #o to them( and knock at their doors: !erha!s $ shall
obtain from them somethin# which $ will em!loy as a ca!ital wherewith to trade( and $ will cease from
diversion and s!ort" /o he arose instantly( and !roceeded without sto!!in# until he arrived at the by)
street in which his ten com!anions resided4 for they all lived in that same street: and he advanced to the
first door( and knocked4 and there came forth to him a slave)#irl( who said to him( 5ho art thouR %e
answered( /ay to thy master(C'6lee Noor)ed)?een is standin# at the door( and saith to thee( Thy slave
kisseth thy hands( lookin# for a favour from thee"C6nd the #irl entered( and ac0uainted her master4
but he called out to her( sayin#( <eturn( and tell him( %e is not here"CThe #irl( therefore( returned to
Noor)ed)?een( and said to him( &y master( /ir( is not here" 6nd he went on( sayin# within myself( $f
this is a knave( and hath denied himself( another is not" %e then advanced to the next door( and said as
he had before4 and the second also denied himself4 and Noor)ed)?een exclaimed(C
They are #one( who( if thou stoodest at their door( would bestow u!on thee the bounty thou desirest"
9y 6llah( he added( $ must try all of them: !erchance one of them may stand me in the !lace of all the
others" 6nd he went round to all the ten4 but found not that one of them would o!en the door( or shew
himself( or even order him a cake of bread4 and he recited the followin# verses:C
6 man in !ros!erity resembleth a tree( around which !eo!le flock as lon# as it hath fruit4 9ut as soon as
it hath dro!!ed all that it bore( they dis!erse from beneath it( and seek another" 8erdition to all the
!eo!le of this a#e_ for $ find not one man of inte#rity amon# ten"
%e then returned to his slave: his anxiety had increased( and she said to him( ; my master( said $ not
unto thee that they would not !rofit theeRC9y 6llah( he re!lied( not one of them shewed me his face"
C; my master( re7oined she( sell of the moveables of the house a little at a time( and ex!end the
!roduce" 6nd he did so until he had sold all that was in the house( and there remained nothin# in his
!osNZ+session4 and u!on this he looked towards 1nees)el)*elees( and said to her( 5hat shall we do
nowRC$t is my advice( ; my master( she answered( that thou arise immediately( and take me to the
market( and sell me4 for thou knowest that thy father !urchased me for ten thousand !ieces of #old( and
!erha!s 2od may o!en to thee a way to obtain a !art of this !rice4 and if 2od have decreed our reunion(
we shall meet a#ain" 9ut he re!lied( ; 1nees)el)*elees( it is not easy for me to endure thy se!aration for
one hour"CNor is the like easy to me( said she: but necessity is im!erious" 6nd u!on this( he took
1nees)el)*elees( his tears flowin# down his cheeks( and went and delivered her to the broker( sayin# to
him( =now the value of that which thou art to cry for sale"C; my master Noor)ed)?een( re!lied the
broker( noble 0ualities are held in remembrance" $s she not 1nees)el)*elees( whom thy father !urchased
of me for ten thousand !ieces of #oldRC%e answered( Ses" 6nd the broker thereu!on went to the
merchants4 but he found that they had not all yet assembled4 so he waited until the rest had come( and
the market was filled with all varieties of female slaves( Turkish and 2reek and Circassian and
2eor#ian and 6byssinian4 and when he beheld its crowded state( he arose and exclaimed( ; merchants_
; !ossessors of wealth_ everythin# that is round is not a nut4 nor is everythin# lon#( a banana4 nor is
everythin# that is red( meat4 nor is everythin# white( fat4 nor is everythin# that is ruddy( wine4 nor is
everythin# tawny( a date_ ; merchants_ this !recious !earl( whose value no money can e0ual( with
what sum will ye o!en the biddin# for herRC6nd one of the merchants answered( 5ith four thousand
and five hundred !ieces of #old"+N
9ut( lo( the 5eOeer 1l)&o'een the son of /Dwee was in the market( and( seein# '6lee Noor)ed)?een
standin# there( he said within himself( 5hat doth he want here( havin# nothin# left wherewith to
!urchase female slavesR Then castin# his eyes around( and hearin# the broker as he stood cryin# in the
market with the merchants around him( he said within himself( $ do not ima#ine anythin# else than that
he hath become a bankru!t( and come forth with the slave)#irl to sell her4 and if this be the case( how
!leasant to my heart_ %e then called the crier( who a!!roached him( and kissed the #round before
him4+- and the 5eOeer said to him( $ desire this female slave whom thou art cryin# for sale" The
broker( therefore( bein# unable to o!!ose his wish( brou#ht the slave and !laced her before him4 and
when he beheld her( and considered her charms( her ele#ant fi#ure and her soft s!eech( he was
deli#hted with her( and said to the broker( ToNZ@ what has the biddin# for her amountedR The broker
answered( 3our thousand and five hundred !ieces of #old" 6nd as soon as the merchants heard this( not
one of them could bid another !iece of silver or of #old4 but all of them drew back( knowin# the
tyrannical conduct of that 5eOeer" 1l)&o'een the son of /Dwee then looked towards the broker( and
said to him( 5hy standest thou stillR Take away the slave)#irl for me at the !rice of four thousand and
five hundred !ieces of #old( and thou wilt have five hundred for thyself"C/o the broker went to '6lee
Noor)ed)?een( and said to him( ; my master( the slave)#irl is lost to thee without !rice"C%ow soR said
Noor)ed)?een" The broker answered( 5e o!ened the biddin# for her at four thousand and five hundred
!ieces of #old4 but this tyrant 1l)&o'een the son of /Dwee came into the market( and when he beheld
the damsel she !leased him( and he said to me( 6sk her owner if he will a#ree for four thousand !ieces
of #old( and five hundred for thee:Cand $ doubt not but he knoweth that the slave belon#eth to thee4
and if he #iveNZL thee her !rice immediately( it will be throu#h the #oodness of 2od4 but $ know( from
his in7ustice( that he will write thee an order u!on some of his a#ents for the money( and then send to
them and desire them to #ive thee nothin#4 and every time that thou shalt #o to demand it of them( they
will say to thee( To)morrow we will !ay thee:Cand they will not cease to !romise thee( and to defer
from day to day( notwithstandin# thy !ride4 and when they are overcome by thy im!ortunity they will
say( 2ive us the written order:Cand as soon as they have received the !a!er from thee they will tear it
in !ieces: so thou wilt lose the !rice of the slave"
5hen Noor)ed)?een( therefore( heard these words of the broker( he said to him( 5hat is to be doneR
The broker answered( $ will #ive thee a !iece of advice( and if thou receive it from me( thou wilt have
better fortune"C5hat is itR asked Noor)ed)?een"CThat thou come to me immediately( answered the
broker( while $ am standin# in the midst of the market( and take the slave)#irl from me( and #ive her a
blow with thy hand( and say to her( 5o to thee_ $ have ex!iated my oath that $ swore( and brou#ht thee
to the market( because $ swore to thee that thou shouldst be ex!osed in the market( and that the broker
should cry thee for sale"C$f thou do this( !erha!s the trick will deceive him and the !eo!le( and they
will believe that thou tookest her not to the market but to ex!iate the oath"CThis( re!lied Noor)ed)
?een( is the ri#ht counsel" /o the broker returned into the midst of the market( and( takin# hold of the
hand of the slave)#irl( made a si#n to the 5eOeer 1l)&o'een the son of /Dwee( sayin#( ; my lord( this
is her owner who hath 7ust come" Then '6lee Noor)ed)?een advanced to the broker( and tore the damsel
from him( and struck her with his hand( sayin# to her( 5o to thee_ $ have brou#ht thee to the market for
the sake of ex!iatin# my oath" 2o home( and disobey me not a#ain" $ want not thy !rice( that $ should
sell thee4 and if $ sold the furniture of the house and everythin# else of the kind over and over a#ain(
their !roduce would not amount to thy !rice"C9ut when 1l)&o'een the son of /Dwee beheld Noor)ed)
?een( he said to him( 5o to thee_ %ast thou anythin# left to be sold or bou#htRC6nd he would have
laid violent hands u!on him" The merchants then looked towards Noor)ed)?een (and they all loved
him)( and he said to them( %ere am $ before you( and ye have all known his tyranny"C9y 6llah(
exclaimed the 5eOeer( were it not for you( $ had killed him_ Then all of them made si#ns( one to
another( with the eye( and said( Not one of us will interfere between thee and him" 6nd u!onNZN this(
'6lee Noor)ed)?een went u! to the 5eOeer( the son of /Dwee (and Noor)ed)?een was a man of
coura#e)( and he dra##ed the 5eOeer from his saddle( and threw him u!on the #round" There was at
that s!ot a kneadin#)!lace for mud(+U and the 5eOeer fell into the midst of it( and Noor)ed)?een beat
him with his fist( and a blow fell u!on his teeth( by which his beard became dyed with his blood" Now
there were with the 5eOeer ten memlooks( and when they saw Noor)ed)?een treat their master in this
manner( they !ut their hands u!on the hilts of their swords( and would have fallen u!on him and cut
him in !ieces4 but the !eo!le said to them( This is a 5eOeer( and this is the son of a 5eOeer( and
!erha!s they may make !eace with each other( and ye will incur the an#er of both of them4 or !erha!s a
blow may fall u!on your master( and ye will all of you die the most i#nominious of deaths: it is
advisable( therefore( that ye interfere not between them"C6nd when '6lee Noor)ed)?een had ceased
from beatin# the 5eOeer( he took his slave)#irl( and returned to his house"
The 5eOeer( the son of /Dwee( then immediately arose( and his dress( which before was white( was
now dyed with three colours( the colour of mud( and the colour of blood( and the colour of ashes4+W and
when he beheld himself in this condition( he took a round mat(+, and hun# it to his neck( and took in
his hand two bundles of coarse #rass(+. and went and stood beneath the !alace of the /ulEDn( and cried
out(NZ- ; =in# of the a#e_ $ am o!!ressed_C/o they brou#ht him before the =in#( who looked at him
attentively( and saw that he was his 5eOeer( 1l)&o'een the son of /Dwee" %e said( therefore( 5ho hath
done thus unto theeRCand the 5eOeer cried and moaned( and re!eated these two verses:C
/hall fortune o!!ress me while thou existest4 and the do#s devour me when thou art a lionR /hall all
else who are dry drink freely from thy tanks( and $ thirst in thine asylum when thou art as rainR
C; my lord( he continued( thus is every one who loveth thee and serveth thee: these afflictions always
befall him"C6nd who( said the =in# a#ain( hath done thus unto theeRC=now( answered the 5eOeer(
that $ went forth to)day to the market of the female slaves with the idea of buyin# a cook)maid( and saw
in the market a slave)#irl the like of whom $ had never in my life beheld( and the broker said that she
belon#ed to '6lee Noor)ed)?een" Now our lord the /ulEDn had #iven his father ten thousand !ieces of
#old to buy for him with it a beautiful female slave( and he bou#ht that #irl( and she !leased him4 so he
#ave her to his son4 and when his father died( the son !ursued the !ath of !rodi#ality( until he sold all
his houses and #ardens and utensils4 and when he had become a bankru!t( nothin# else remainin# in his
!ossession( he took the slave)#irl to the market to sell her( and delivered her to the broker: so he cried
her for sale( and the merchants continued biddin# for her until her !rice amounted to four thousand
!ieces of #old4 whereu!on $ said to myself( $ will buy this for our lord the /ulEDn4 for her ori#inal !rice
was from him" $ therefore said( ; my son( receive her !rice( four thousand !ieces of #old" 9ut when he
heard my words( he looked at me and re!lied( ; ill)omened old man_ $ will sell her to the *ews and the
Christians rather than to thee"C$ then said to him( $ would not buy her for myself( but for our lord the
/ulEDn( who is our benefactor" 6s soon( however( as he had heard these words from me( he was filled
with ra#e( and dra##ed me and threw me down from the horse( notwithstandin# my advanced a#e( and
beat me( and ceased not to do so until he left me in the state in which thou seest me" Nothin# ex!osed
me to all this ill treatment but my comin# to !urchase this slave)#irl for your ma7esty"CThe 5eOeer
then threw himself u!on the #round( and lay wee!in# and tremblin#"
Now when the /ulEDn beheld his condition( and had heard his s!eech( the vein of an#er swelled
between his eyes( and he lookedNZU towards the members of his court who were attendin# him4
whereu!on forty swordsmen stood before him( and he said to them( ?escend immediately to the house
of '6lee the son of 1l)3a\l the son of =hDJDn( and !lunder it and demolish it( and brin# hither him and
the slave)#irl with their hands bound behind them: dra# them alon# u!on their faces( and so brin# them
before me" They re!lied( 5e hear and obey:Cand went forth to re!air to the house of '6lee Noor)ed)
?een" 9ut there was in the court of the /ulEDn a chamberlain named '6lam)ed)?een /en7er( who had
been one of the memlooks of 1l)3a\l the son of =hDJDn( the father of '6lee Noor)ed)?een4 and when
he heard the order of the /ulEDn( and saw the enemies !re!ared to slay his master's son( it was
insu!!ortable to him4 so he mounted his horse( and !roceeded to the house of '6lee Noor)ed)?een( and
knocked at the door" Noor)ed)?een came forth to him( and( when he saw him( knew him( and would
have saluted him4 but he said( ; my master( this is not a time for salutation( nor for talkin#" Noor)ed)
?een said( ; '6lam)ed)?een( what is the newsR %e re!lied( /ave thyself by fli#ht( thou and the slave)
#irl4 for 1l)&o'een the son of /Dwee hath set u! a snare for you( and if ye fall into his hands he will
slay you: the /ulEDn hath sent to you forty swordsmen( and it is my advice that ye fly before the evil fall
u!on you" Then /en7er stretched forth his hand to Noor)ed)?een with some !ieces of #old( and he
counted them( and found them to be forty !ieces4 and he said( ; my master( receive these( and if $ had
with me more( $ would #ive it thee: but this is not a time for ex!ostulatin#" 6nd u!on this( Noor)ed)
?een went in to the damsel( and ac0uainted her with the occurrence( and she was confounded"
The two then went forth immediately from the city( and 2od let down the veil of his !rotection u!on
them( and they !roceeded to the bank of the river( where they found a vessel ready to sail: the master
was standin# in the midst of it( and sayin#( %e who hath anythin# to do( whether leave)takin# or
!rocurin# !rovisions( or who hath for#otten au#ht( let him do what he desireth and return4 for we are
#oin#" 6nd they all re!lied( 5e have nothin# remainin# to do( ; master" /o( u!on this( the master said
to his crew( guick_ 'oose the ro!e's end( and !ull u! the stake"@ZC6nd '6lee Noor)ed)?een
exclaimed( 5hither( ; masterR %e answered( To the 6bode of 8eace( 9a#hdDd" 6nd Noor)ed)?een
embarked( and the damsel with him( and they set the vessel afloat( and s!read the sails( and it shot
alon# like a bird with its !air of win#s( carryin# them forward with a favourable wind"NZW
&eanwhile( the forty men whom the /ulEDn had sent came to the house of '6lee Noor)ed)?een( and
broke o!en the doors and entered( and searched all the chambers( but without success4 so they
demolished the house( and returned( and ac0uainted the /ulEDn( who said( /earch for them in every
!lace where they may be:Cand they re!lied( 5e hear and obey" The 5eOeer 1l)&o'een the son of
/Dwee then descended to his house( after the /ulEDn had invested him with a robe of honour( and had
said to him( None shall take ven#eance for thee but myself" 6nd he #reeted the =in# with a !rayer for
lon# life( and his heart was set at ease: and the /ulEDn #ave orders to !roclaim throu#hout the city( ; all
ye !eo!le_ our lord the /ulEDn hath commanded that whoever shall meet with '6lee Noor)ed)?een( and
brin# him to the /ulEDn( shall be invested with a robe of honour( and he will #ive him a thousand !ieces
of #old4 and he who shall conceal him( or know where he is( and not #ive information thereof( will
merit the exem!lary !unishment that shall befall him_ /o all the !eo!le be#an to search for him4 but
could not trace him"C/uch was the case with these !eo!le"
Now as to '6lee Noor)ed)?een and his slave( they arrived in safety at 9a#hdDd( and the master of the
vessel said to them( This is 9a#hdDd( and it is a city of security: winter with its cold hath de!arted from
it( and the s!rin#)0uarter hath come with its roses( and its trees are in blossom( and its waters are
flowin#" 6nd u!on this( '6lee Noor)ed)?een landed with his slave)#irl( and #ave the master five !ieces
of #old" They then walked a little way( and destiny cast them amon# the #ardens( and they came to a
!lace which they found swe!t and s!rinkled( with lon# maHEabahs( and !ots sus!ended filled with
water( and over it was a coverin# of trellis)work of canes extendin# alon# the whole len#th of a lane( at
the u!!er end of which was the #ate of a #arden4 but this was shut" 6nd Noor)ed)?een said to the
damsel( 9y 6llah( this is a !leasant !lace_Cand she re!lied( ; my master( let us sit down a while u!on
one of these maHEabahs" /o they mounted and seated themselves there( and they washed their faces and
hands( and en7oyed the current of the Oe!hyr( and sle!t"C2lory be to %im who slee!eth not_
This #arden was called the 2arden of ?eli#ht( and in it was a !alace called the 8alace of ?iversion( and
it belon#ed to the =haleefeh %Droon 1r)<asheed( who( when his heart was contracted( used to come to
this #arden( and enter the !alace above mentioned( and there sit" The !alace had ei#hty latticed
windows( and ei#hty lam!s were susNZ,!ended in it( and in the midst of it was a #reat candlestick of
#old4 and when the =haleefeh entered it( he commanded the female slaves to o!en the windows( and
ordered $s)GDJ the cu!)com!anion to sin# with them: so his heart became dilated( and his anxiety
ceased" There was a su!erintendent to the #arden( an old man( named the sheykh $brDheem4 and it
ha!!ened that he went forth once to transact some business( and found there !ersons divertin#
themselves with women of sus!icious character( whereu!on he was violently enra#ed( and havin#
waited until the =haleefeh came thither some days after( he ac0uainted him with this occurrence( and
the =haleefeh said( 5homsoever thou shalt find at the #ate of the #arden( do with him what thou wilt"
Now on this day the sheykh $brDheem went out to transact an affair of business( and found the two
slee!in# at the #arden)#ate covered with a sin#le iODr4 and he said( ?o not these two !ersonsNZ. know
that the =haleefeh hath #iven me !ermission to kill every one whom $ find hereR 9ut $ will only #ive
these two a sli#ht beatin#( that no one may a#ain a!!roach the #ate of the #arden" %e then cut a #reen
!alm)stick( and went forth to them( and raised his hand until the whiteness of his arm)!it a!!eared( and
was about to beat them4 but he reflected in his mind( and said( ; $brDheem( how shouldst thou beat
them when thou knowest not their caseR They may be two stran#ers( or of the children of the road(@+
whom destiny hath cast here" $ will therefore uncover their faces( and look at them"C/o he lifted u! the
iODr from their faces( and said( These are two handsome !ersons( and it is not !ro!er that $ should beat
them" 6nd he covered their faces a#ain( and( a!!roachin# the foot of '6lee Noor)ed)?een( be#an to rub
it #ently4@@ whereu!on Noor)ed)?een o!ened his eyes( and saw that he was an old man4 and he
blushed( and drew in his feet( and( sittin# u!( took the hand of the sheykh $brDheem and kissed it4 and
the sheykh said to him( ; my son( whence are yeRC; my master( he answered( we are stran#ers"C
6nd a tear #ushed from his eye" The sheykh $brDheem then said to him( ; my son( know that the
8ro!het (2od bless and save him_) hath en7oined #enerosity to the stran#er" 5ilt thou not arise( ; my
son( and enter the #arden( and divert thyself in it( that thy heart may be dilatedRC; my master( said
Noor)ed)?een( to whom doth this #arden belon#R The sheykh answered( ; my son( this #arden $
inherited from my family" 6nd his desi#n in sayin# this was only that they mi#ht feel themselves at
ease( and enter the #arden" 6nd when Noor)ed)?een heard his words( he thanked him( and arose(
to#ether with his slave( and( the sheykh $brDheem !recedin# them( they entered the #arden"
The #ate was arched( and over it were vines with #ra!es of different colours4 the red( like rubies4 and
the black( like ebony" They entered a bower( and found within it fruits #rowin# in clusters and sin#ly(
and the birds were warblin# their various notes u!on the branches: the ni#htin#ale was !ourin# forth its
melodious sounds4 and the turtle)dove filled the !lace with its cooin#4 and the blackbird( in its sin#in#(
resembled a human bein#4 and the rin#)dove( a !erson exhilarated by wine" The fruits u!on the trees(
com!risin# every descri!tion that was #ood to eat( had ri!ened4 and there were two of each kind: there
were the cam!hor)a!ricot( and the almond)a!ricot( and the a!ricot of =hurDsDn4 the !lum of a colour
like the com!lexion of beauties4 the cherry deli#htin# the sense of every man4 the red( the white( and
the #reen fi#( of the most beautiful colours4N+Z and flowers like !earls and coral4 the rose( whose
redness !ut to shame the cheeks of the lovely4 the violet( like sul!hur in contact with fire4 the myrtle(
the #illiflower( the lavender( and the anemone4 and their leaves were bes!an#led with the tears of the
clouds4 the chamomile smiled( dis!layin# its teeth( and the narcissus looked at the rose with its ne#roes'
eyes4 the citrons resembled round cu!s4 the limes were like bullets of #old4 the #round was car!eted
with flowers of every colour( and the !lace beamed with the charms of s!rin#4 the river murmured by
while the birds san#( and the wind whistled amon# the trees4 the season was tem!erate( and the Oe!hyr
was lan#uishin#"
The sheykh $brDheem conducted them into the elevated saloon(@L and they were charmed with its
beauty and the extraordinary ele#ances which it dis!layed( and seated themselves in one of the
windows4 and Noor)ed)?een( reflectin# u!on his !ast entertainments( exclaimed( 9y 6llah( this !lace is
most deli#htful_ $t hath reminded me of !ast events( and 0uenched in me an an#uish like the fire of the
#ha\]"@NCThe sheykh $brDheem then brou#ht to them some food( and they ate to satisfaction( and
washed their hands( and Noor)ed)?een( seatin#N++ himself a#ain in one of the windows( called to his
slave( and she came to him4 and they sat #aOin# at the trees laden with all kinds of fruits4 after which(
Noor)ed)?een looked towards the sheykh( and said to him( ; sheykh $brDheem( hast thou not any
bevera#eR 3or !eo!le drink after eatin#"C/o the sheykh brou#ht him some sweet and cold water: but
Noor)ed)?een said( This is not the bevera#e $ desire"C?ost thou want wineR asked the sheykh"CSes(
answered Noor)ed)?een" The sheykh exclaimed( $ seek refu#e with 6llah from it_ Ferily( for thirteen
years $ have done nothin# of that kind4 for the 8ro!het (2od bless and save him_) cursed its drinker and
its !resser and its carrier"C%ear from me two words( said Noor)ed)?een" The sheykh re!lied( /ay what
thou wilt" /o he said( $f thou be neither the !resser of the wine( nor its drinker( nor its carrier( will au#ht
of the curse fall u!on theeR The sheykh answered( No"CThen take this !iece of #old( re7oined Noor)ed)
?een( and these two !ieces of silver( and mount the ass( and halt at a distance from the !lace( and
whatsoever man thou findest to buy it( call to him( and say to him( take these two !ieces of silver( and
with this !iece of #old buy some wine( and !lace it u!on the ass:Cso( in this case( thou wilt be neither
the carrier( nor the !resser( nor the buyer4 and nothin# will befall thee of that which befalleth the rest"
The sheykh $brDheem( after lau#hin# at his words( re!lied( 9y 6llah( $ have never seen one more witty
than thou( nor heard s!eech more sweet" 6nd Noor)ed)?een said to him( 5e have become de!endant
u!on thee( and thou hast nothin# to do but to com!ly with our wishes: brin# us( therefore( all that we
re0uire"C; my son( said the sheykh( my buttery here is before thee (and it was the store)room
furnished for the 8rince of the 3aithful): enter it then( and take from it what thou wilt4 for it containeth
more than thou desirest" /o Noor)ed)?een entered the store)room( and beheld in it vessels of #old and
silver and crystal( adorned with a variety of 7ewels4 and he took out such of them as he desired( and
!oured the wine into the vessels of earthenware and bottles of #lass4 and he and the damsel be#an to
drink( astonished at the beauty of the thin#s which they beheld" The sheykh $brDheem then brou#ht to
them sweet)scented flowers( and seated himself at a distance from them4 and they continued drinkin#(
in a state of the utmost deli#ht( until the wine took effect u!on them( and their cheeks reddened( and
their eyes wantoned like those of the #aOelle( and their hair hun# down:@- whereu!on the sheykh
$brDheem said( 5hat aileth me that $ am sittin# at a distance from themRN+@ 5hy should $ not sit by
themR 6nd when shall $ be in the com!any of such as these two( who are like two moonsRC%e then
advanced( and seated himself at the ed#e of the raised !ortion of the floor4 and Noor)ed)?een said to
him( ; my master( by my life $ con7ure thee to a!!roach and 7oin us" /o he went to them4 and Noor)ed)
?een filled a cu!( and( lookin# at the sheykh( said to him( ?rink( that thou mayest know how delicious
is its flavour" 9ut the sheykh $brDheem exclaimed( $ seek refu#e with 6llah_ Ferily( for thirteen years $
have done nothin# of that kind"C6nd Noor)ed)?een( fei#nin# to !ay no attention to him( drank the
cu!( and threw himself u!on the #round( !retendin# that intoxication had overcome him"
A!on this( 1nees)el)*elees looked towards the sheykh( and said to him( ; sheykh $brDheem( see how
this man hath treated me"C; my mistress( said he( what aileth himR /he re7oined( 6lways doth he treat
me thus: he drinketh a while( and then slee!eth( and $ remain alone( and find no one to kee! me
com!any over my cu!" $f $ drink( who will serve meR 6nd if $ sin#( who will hear meRCThe sheykh(
moved with tenderness and affection for her by her words( re!lied( $t is not !ro!er that a cu!)
com!anion be thus" The damsel then filled a cu!( and( lookin# at the sheykh $brDheem( said to him( $
con7ure thee( by my life that thou take it and drink it4 re7ect it not( but acce!t it( and refresh my heart"
/o he stretched forth his hand( and took the cu!( and drank it4 and she filled for him a second time( and
handed it to him( sayin#( ; my master( this remaineth for thee" %e re!lied( 9y 6llah( $ cannot drink it:
that which $ have drunk is enou#h for me" 9ut she said( 9y 6llah( it is indis!ensable:Cand he took the
cu!( and drank it" /he then #ave him the third4 and he took it( and was about to drink it( when( lo( Noor)
ed)?een raised himself( and said to him( ; sheykh $brDheem( what is thisR ?id $ not con7ure thee a
while a#o( and thou refusedst( and saidst( Ferily( for thirteen years $ have not done itRCThe sheykh
$brDheem( touched with shame( re!lied( 9y 6llah( $ am not in fault4 for she !ressed me"N+L 6nd Noor)
ed)?een lau#hed( and they resumed their carousal( and the damsel( turnin# her eyes towards her master(
said to him( ; my master( drink thou( and do not ur#e the sheykh $brDheem4 that $ may divert thee with
the si#ht of him" /o she be#an to fill and to hand to her master( and her master filled and #ave to her(
and thus they continued to do( time after time4 till at len#th the sheykh $brDheem looked towards them
and said( 5hat meaneth thisR 6nd what sort of carousal is thisR 5herefore do ye not #ive me to drink(
since $ have become your cu!)com!anionRC6t this they both lau#hed until they became almost
senseless4 and then drank( and #ave him to drink4 and they continued thus until the ex!iration of a third
of the ni#ht( when the damsel said( ; sheykh $brDheem( with thy !ermission shall $ rise and li#ht one of
the candles which are arran#ed hereRC<ise( he answered4 but li#ht not more than one candle" 9ut she
s!ran# u!on her feet( and( be#innin# with the first candle( !roceeded until she had li#hted ei#hty" /he
then sat down a#ain4 and !resently Noor)ed)?een said( ; sheykh $brDheem( in what favour am $ held
with theeR 5ilt thou not allow me to li#ht one of these lam!sRCThe sheykh answered( 6rise( and li#ht
one lam!( and be not thou also troublesome" /o he arose( and( be#innin# with the first lam!( li#hted all
the ei#hty4 and the saloon seemed to dance" 6nd after this( the sheykh $brDheem( overcome by
intoxication( said to them( Se are more frolicksome than $:Cand he s!ran# u!on his feet( and o!ened
all the windows( and sat down a#ain with them( and they continued carousin# and recitin# verses4 and
the !lace ran# with their merriment"
Now 2od( the 6ll)seein# and 6ll)knowin#( who hath a!!ointed a cause to every event( had decreed that
the =haleefeh should be sittin# that ni#ht at one of the windows lookin# towards the Ti#ris( by
moonli#ht4 and he looked in that direction( and saw the li#ht of lam!s and candles reflected in the river(
and( turnin# his eyes u! towards the !alace in the #arden( he beheld it beamin# with those candles and
lam!s( and exclaimed( 9rin# hither to me *aQfar 1l)9armekee_ $n the twinklin# of an eye( *aQfar stood
before the 8rince of the 3aithful4 and the =haleefeh said to him( ; do# of 5eOeers( dost thou serve me
and not ac0uaint me with what ha!!eneth in the city of 9a#hdDdRC5hat( asked *aQfar( is the occasion
of these wordsR The =haleefeh answered( $f the city of 9a#hdDd were not taken from me( the 8alace of
?iversion were not enlivened with the li#ht of the lam!s and candles( and its windows were not
o!ened" 5o to thee_ 5ho could do these thin#s unless the office of =haleefeh were takenN+N from meR
C5ho( said *aQfar (the muscles of his side 0uiverin# from fear)( informed thee that the lam!s and
candles were li#hted in the 8alace of ?iversion( and that its windows were o!enedR The =haleefeh
re!lied( 6dvance hither to me( and look" /o *aQfar a!!roached the =haleefeh( and( lookin# towards the
#arden( beheld the !alace as it were a flame of fire( its li#ht sur!assin# that of the moon" %e desired(
therefore( to make an excuse for the sheykh $brDheem( the su!erintendent( thinkin#( from what he
beheld( that the event mi#ht have occurred throu#h his !ermission: and accordin#ly he said( ; 8rince of
the 3aithful( the sheykh $brDheem last week said to me( ; my master *aQfar( $ am desirous of
entertainin# my children durin# my life and the life of the 8rince of the 3aithful"C6nd what( said $( is
thy desi#n in sayin# thisR %e answered( $t is my wish that thou wouldst obtain for me !ermission from
the =haleefeh that $ may celebrate the circumcision of my sons in the !alace" /o $ said( ?o what thou
wilt with res!ect to the entertainment of thy sons( and( if 2od will( $ shall have an interview with the
=haleefeh( and will ac0uaint him with it" 6nd he left me thus4 and $ for#ot to ac0uaint thee"C; *aQfar(
said the =haleefeh( thou wast #uilty of one offence a#ainst me( and then thine offence became two: for
thou hast erred in two !oints: the first( thy not ac0uaintin# me with this affair4 and the second( thy not
accom!lishin# the desire of the sheykh $brDheem4 for he did not come to thee and address thee with
these words but to hint a re0uest for some money by the aid of which to effect his desi#n( and thou
neither #avest him anythin# nor ac0uaintedst me that $ mi#ht #ive him"C; 8rince of the 3aithful(
re!lied *aQfar( $ for#ot"
The =haleefeh then said( 9y my forefathers( $ will not !ass the remainder of my ni#ht but with him( for
he is a 7ust man( who fre0uenteth the sheykhs(@U and attendeth to the !oor( and favoureth the indi#ent4
and $ ima#ine all his ac0uaintances are with him this ni#ht4 so $ must re!air to him: !erha!s one of
them may offer u! for us a !rayer !roductive of #ood to us in this world and the next4 and !robably
some advanta#e may accrue to him from my !resence( and he will receive !leasure from this( to#ether
with his friends"C; 8rince of the 3aithful( re!lied *aQfar( the #reater !art of the ni#ht hath !assed( and
they are now about to dis!erse" 9ut the =haleefeh said( 5e must #o to them" 6nd *aQfar was silent( and
was !er!lexed in his mind( not knowin# what to do" /o the =haleefeh rose u!on his feet( and *aQfar
rose and !receded him( and &esroor the eunuch went with them" The three walked on reflectin#( and(
de!artin# from theN+- !alace( !roceeded throu#h the streets( in the attire of merchants4 until they
arrived at the #ate of the #arden above mentioned4 and the =haleefeh( a!!roachin# it( found it o!en4
and he was sur!rised( and said( /ee( ; *aQfar( how the sheykh $brDheem hath left the #ate o!en until
this hour( which is not his usual custom" They then entered( and came to the end of the #arden( where
they sto!!ed beneath the !alace4 and the =haleefeh said( ; *aQfar( $ desire to take a view of them
secretly before $ #o u! to them( that $ may see how the sheykhs are occu!ied in the dis!ensin# of their
blessin#s and the em!loyment of their miraculous !owers4 for they have 0ualities which distin#uish
them both in their !rivate retirements and in their !ublic exercises4 and now we hear not their voices(
nor discover any indication of their !resence" %avin# thus said( he looked around( and( seein# a tall
walnut tree( he said( ; *aQfar( $ would climb this tree (for its branches are near to the windows) and
look at them" 6nd accordin#ly he ascended the tree( and climbed from branch to branch until he came
to that which was o!!osite to one of the windows( and there he sat(N+U and( lookin# in throu#h this
window of the !alace( beheld a damsel and a youn# man( like two moons (extolled be the !erfection of
%im who created them_)4 and he saw the sheykh $brDheem sittin# with a cu! in his hand( and sayin#( ;
mistress of beauties( drinkin# unaccom!anied by merry sounds is not !leasant" %ast thou not heard the
sayin# of the !oetRC
Circulate it in the lar#e cu!( and in the small4 and receive it from the hand of the shinin# moon:@W 6nd
drink not without merry sounds4 for $ have observed that horses drink to the sound of whistlin#"
5hen the =haleefeh witnessed this conduct of the sheykh $brDheem( the vein of an#er swelled between
his eyes( and he descended( and said( ; *aQfar( $ have never seen anythin# of the miraculous
!erformances of the 7ust such as $ have beheld this ni#ht: ascend( therefore( thyself also( into this tree(
and look( lest the blessin#s of the 7ust esca!e thee"@,C;n hearin# the words of the 8rince of the
3aithful( *aQfar was !er!lexed at his situation4 and he climbed u! into the tree( and looked( and saw
Noor)ed)?een and the sheykh $brDheem and the damsel( and the sheykh $brDheem had the cu! in his
hand" 6s soon as he beheld this( he made sure of destruction4 and he descended( and stood before the
8rince of the 3aithful( and the =haleefeh said( ; *aQfar( !raise be to 2od who hath made us to be of the
number of those who follow the external ordinances of the holy law( and averted from us the sin of
dis#uisin# ourselves by the !ractice of hy!ocrisy_ 9ut *aQfar was unable to re!ly( from his excessive
confusion" The =haleefeh then looked towards him( and said( 5ho can have brou#ht these !ersons
hither( and admitted them into my !alaceR 9ut the like of this youn# man and this damsel( in beauty
and loveliness and symmetry of form( mine eye hath never beheld"C*aQfar( now conceivin# a ho!e that
the =haleefeh mi#ht be !ro!itiated( re!lied( Thou hast s!oken truly( ; 8rince of the 3aithful" 6nd the
=haleefeh said( ; *aQfar( climb u! with us u!on this branch which is o!!osite them( that we may
amuse ourselves by observin# them" /o they both climbed u! into the tree( and( lookin# at them( heard
the sheykh $brDheem say( ; my mistress( $ have relin0uished decorum by the drinkin# of wine4 but the
!leasure of this is not com!lete without the melodious sounds of strin#ed instruments"C; sheykh
$brDheem( re!lied 1nees)el)*elees( by 6llah( if we had any musical instrument( our ha!!iness were
!erfect" 6nd when the sheykh $brDheem heard her words( he rose u!on his feet"CThe =haleefeh
saidN+W to *aQfar( 5hat may he be #oin# to doR *aQfar re!lied( $ know not"C6nd the sheykh $brDheem
went away( and returned with a lute4 and the =haleefeh( lookin# attentively at it( saw that it was the lute
of $s)GDJ( the cu!)com!anion4 and said( 9y 6llah( if this damsel sin# not well( $ will crucify you all4 but
if she sin# well( $ will !ardon them( and crucify thee" /o *aQfar said( ; 6llah( let her not sin# well_C
5hyR asked the =haleefeh"CThat thou mayest crucify all of us( answered *aQfar4 and then we shall
cheer one another by conversation" 6nd the =haleefeh lau#hed: and the damsel took the lute( and tuned
its strin#s( and !layed u!on it in a manner that would melt iron( and ins!ire an idiot with intellect4 after
which she san# with such sweetness that the =haleefeh exclaimed( ; *aQfar( never in my life have $
heard so enchantin# a voice as this_C8erha!s( said *aQfar( the an#er of the =haleefeh hath de!arted
from himRCSea( he answered4 it hath de!arted" %e then descended with *aQfar from the tree( and(
lookin# towards him( said( $ am desirous of #oin# u! to them( to sit with them( and to hear the damsel
sin# before me"C; 8rince of the 3aithful( re!lied *aQfar( if thou #o u! to them( !robably they will be
troubled by thy !resence4 and as to the sheykh $brDheem( he will assuredly die of fear" The =haleefeh
therefore said( ; *aQfar( thou must ac0uaint me with some strata#em by means of which $ may learn the
truth of the affair without their knowin# that $ have discovered them" 6nd he and *aQfar walked towards
the Ti#ris( reflectin# u!on this matter4 and lo( a fisherman stood beneath the windows of the !alace( and
he threw his net( ho!in# to catch somethin# by means of which to obtain his subsistence"CNow the
=haleefeh had( on a former occasion( called to the sheykh $brDheem( and said to him( 5hat was that
noise that $ heard beneath the windows of the !alaceRCand he answered( The voices of the fishermen(
who are fishin#:Cso he said( 2o down and forbid them from comin# to this !lace" They were therefore
forbidden to come thither4 but this ni#ht there came a fisherman named =ereem( and( seein# the
#arden)#ate o!en( he said within himself( This is a time of inadvertence( and !erha!s $ may catch some
fish on this occasion:Cso he took his net( and threw it into the river( and then recited some verses(
contrastin# the condition of the !oor fisherman( toilin# throu#hout the ni#ht( with that of the lord of the
!alace( who( awakin# from a !leasant slumber( findeth the fawn in his !ossession4 and as soon as he
had finished his recitation( lo( the =haleefeh( unattended( stood at his head" The =haleefeh knew him(
and exclaimed( ; =ereem_Cand the fisherman( hearin# him call him byN+, his name( turned towards
him4 and when he beheld the =haleefeh( the muscles of his side 0uivered( and he said( 9y 6llah( ;
8rince of the 3aithful( $ did not this in mockery of the mandate4 but !overty and the wants of my family
im!elled me to the act of which thou art witness" The =haleefeh re!lied( Throw thy net for my luck"
6nd the fisherman advanced( re7oicin# exceedin#ly( and cast the net( and( havin# waited until it had
attained its limit and become steady at the bottom( drew it in a#ain( and there came u! in it a variety of
fish that could not be numbered"
The =haleefeh was deli#hted at this( and said( ; =ereem( stri! off thy clothes:Cand he did so" %e was
clad in a 7ubbeh@. in which were a hundred !atches of coarse woollen stuff( containin# vermin of the
most abominable kind( and amon# them fleas in such numbers that he mi#ht almost have been
trans!orted by their means over the face of the earth4 and he took from his head a turban which for
three years he had never unwound4 but when he ha!!ened to find a !iece of ra# he twisted it around it:
and when he had taken off the 7ubbeh and turban( the =haleefeh !ulled off from his own !erson two
vests of silk of 6lexandria and 9aQlabekk( and a melwaEahLZ and a fara7eeyeh(L+ and said to the
fisherman( Take these( and !ut them on" TheN+. =haleefeh then !ut on himself the fisherman's 7ubbeh
and turban( and( havin# drawn a lithDmL@ over his face( said to the fisherman( 2o about thy business4C
and he kissed the feet of the =haleefeh( and thanked him( recitin# these two verses:C
Thou hast #ranted me favours beyond my !ower to acknowled#e( and com!letely satisfied all my
wants" $ will thank thee( therefore( as lon# as $ live4 and when $ die( my bones will thank thee in their
#rave"LL
9ut scarcely had he finished his verses( when the vermin overran the !erson of the =haleefeh( and he
be#an to seiOe them with his ri#ht hand and his left from his neck( and to throw them down4 and he
exclaimed( ; fisherman( wo to thee_ 5hat are these abundant vermin in this 7ubbehRC; my lord( he
answered( at !resent they torment thee4 but when a week shall have !assed over thee( thou wilt not feel
them( nor think of them" The =haleefeh lau#hed( and said to him( %ow can $ suffer this 7ubbeh to
remain u!on meR The fisherman re!lied( $ wish to tell thee somethin#4 but $ am ashamed( throu#h my
awe of the =haleefeh" $m!art( said the =haleefeh( what thou hast to tell me" /o he said to him( $t hath
occurred to my mind( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( that thou desirest to learn the art of fishin#( in order that
thou mayest be master of a trade that may !rofit thee4 and if such be thy desire( this 7ubbeh is suitable
to thee" 6nd the =haleefeh lau#hed at his words"
The fisherman then went his way( and the =haleefeh took the basket of fish( and( havin# !ut u!on it a
little #rass( went with it to *aQfar( and stood before him4 and *aQfar( thinkin# that he was =ereem the
fisherman( feared for him( and said( ; =ereem( what brou#ht thee hitherR /ave thyself by fli#ht4 for the
=haleefeh is here this ni#ht"C6nd when the =haleefeh heard the words of *aQfar( he lau#hed until he
fell down u!on his back" /o *aQfar said( 8erha!s thou art our lord the 8rince of the 3aithfulRCSes( ;
*aQfar( answered the =haleefeh( and thou art my 5eOeer( and $ came with thee hither( and thou knowest
me not" %ow then should the sheykh $brDheem know me when he is drunkR <emain where thou art
until $ return to thee"C*aQfar re!lied( $ hear and obey:Cand the =haleefeh advanced to the door of the
!alace( and knocked" The sheykh $brDheem arose( therefore( and said( 5ho is at the doorR %e
answered( $( ; sheykh $brDheem" The sheykh said( 5ho art thouRCand the =haleefeh answered( $ am
=ereem the fisherman: $ heard that there were #uests with thee( and have therefore brou#ht thee some
fish4 for it isN@Z excellent"CNow Noor)ed)?een and the damsel were both fond of fish( and when they
heard the mention of it they re7oiced exceedin#ly( and said( ; my master( o!en to him( and let him
come in to us with the fish which he hath brou#ht" /o the sheykh $brDheem o!ened the door( and the
=haleefeh( in his fisherman's dis#uise( entered( and be#an by salutation4 and the sheykh $brDheem said
to him( 5elcome to the robber( the thief( the #ambler_ Come hither( and shew us the fish which thou
hast brou#ht"C%e therefore shewed it to them4 and lo( it was alive( and movin#4 and the damsel
exclaimed( 9y 6llah( ; my master( this fish is excellent_ $ wish it were fried_C9y 6llah( said the
sheykh $brDheem( thou hast s!oken truth" Then( addressin# the =haleefeh( he said( ; fisherman( $ wish
thou hadst brou#ht this fish fried" 6rise( and fry it for us( and brin# it"C;n the head be thy commands(
re!lied the =haleefeh: $ will fry it( and brin# it"C9e 0uick( said they( in doin# it"
The =haleefeh therefore arose and ran back to *aQfar( and said( ; *aQfar( they want the fish fried"C;
8rince of the 3aithful( re!lied he( #ive it me( and $ will fry it" 9ut the =haleefeh said( 9y the tombs of
my ancestors( none shall fry it but myself4 with my own hand will $ do it_ %e then re!aired to the hut of
the su!erintendent( and( searchin# there( found in it everythin# that he re0uired( the fryin#)!an( and
even the salt( and wild mar7oram( and other thin#s" /o he a!!roached the fire)!lace( and !ut on the
fryin#)!an( and fried it nicely4 and when it was done( he !ut it u!on a banana)leaf( and havin# taken
from the #arden some limes( he went u! with the fish( and !laced it before them" The youn# man(
therefore( and the damsel and the sheykh $brDheem advanced and ate4 and when they had finished( they
washed their hands( and Noor)ed)?een said( 9y 6llah( ; fisherman( thou hast done us a kindness this
ni#ht" Then !uttin# his hand into his !ocket( he took forth for him three !ieces of #old( of those which
/en7er had !resented to him when he was settin# forth on his 7ourney( and said( ; fisherman( excuse
me4 for( by 6llah( if $ had known thee before the events that have lately ha!!ened to me( $ would have
extracted the bitterness of !overty from thy heart: but take this as accordant with my !resent
circumstances" /o sayin#( he threw the !ieces of #old to the =haleefeh( who took them( and kissed
them(LN and !ut them in his !ocket" The ob7ect of the =haleefeh in doin# this was only that he mi#ht
hear the damsel sin#: so he said to him( Thou hast treated me with beneficence( and abundantly
recom!ensed me4 but $ be# of thy unbounded indul#ence that this damselN@+ may sin# an air( that $
may hear her" Noor)ed)?een therefore said( ; 1nees)el)*elees_ /he re!lied( Ses"C9y my life( said he(
sin# to us somethin# for the #ratification of this fisherman4 for he desireth to hear thee" 6nd when she
had heard what her master said( she took the lute( and tried it with her fin#ers( after she had twisted its
!e#s( and san# to it these two verses:C
The fin#ers of many a fawn)like damsel have !layed u!on the lute( and the soul hath been ravished by
the touch" /he hath made the deaf to hear her son#s4 and the dumb hath exclaimed( Thou hast excelled
in thy sin#in#_
Then she !layed a#ain( in an extraordinary manner( so as to charm the minds of her hearers( and san#
the followin# cou!let:C
5e are honoured by your visitin# our abode( and your s!lendour hath dis!elled the darkness of the
moonless ni#ht: $t is therefore incumbent u!on me to !erfume my dwellin# with musk and rose)water
and cam!hor"
A!on this( the =haleefeh was affected with violent emotion( and overcome by ecstasy( so that he was
no lon#er master of himself from excessive deli#ht4 and he be#an to exclaim( 6llah a!!rove thee_ 6llah
a!!rove thee_ 6llah a!!rove thee_ /o Noor)ed)?een said to him( ; fisherman( have the damsel and her
art in strikin# the chords !leased theeRCSea( by 6llah_ exclaimed the =haleefeh" 6nd Noor)ed)?een
immediately said( /he is bestowed u!on thee as a !resent from me( the !resent of a #enerous man who
will not revoke his #ift" 6nd he rose u!on his feet( and took a melwaEah( and threw it u!on the
=haleefeh in the fisherman's dis#uise( orderin# him to de!art with the damsel" 9ut she looked towards
him( and said( ; my master( wilt thou !art from me without biddin# me farewellR $f we must beN@@
se!arated( !ause while $ take leave of thee"C6nd she recited the followin# cou!let:C
$f you de!art from me( still your abode will be in my heart( in the recess of my bosom" $ im!lore the
Com!assionate to #rant our reunion4 and a boon such as this( 2od will #rant to whom %e !leaseth"
6nd when she had finished( Noor)ed)?een thus re!lied to her:C
/he bade me farewell on the day of se!aration( sayin#( while she we!t from the !ain that it occasioned(
5hat wilt thou do after my de!artureRC/ay this( $ re!lied( unto him who will survive it"
The =haleefeh( when he heard this( was distressed at the thou#ht of se!aratin# them( and( lookin#
towards the youn# man( he said to him( ; my master( art thou in fear on account of any crime( or art
thou in debt to any oneR Noor)ed)?een answered( 9y 6llah( ; fisherman( a wonderful event( and an
extraordinary adventure( ha!!ened to me and this damsel: if it were en#raved on the understandin#( it
would be a lesson to him who would be admonished"C5ilt thou not( re7oined the =haleefeh( relate to
us thy story( and ac0uaint us with thy caseR 8erha!s thy doin# so may be !roductive of relief4 for the
relief of 2od is near"C/o Noor)ed)?een said( 5ilt thou hear our story in !oetry or in !roseRC8rose(
answered the =haleefeh( is mere talk4 and verse( words !ut to#ether like !earls" 6nd Noor)ed)?een
hun# down his head towards the #round( and then related his story in a series of verses: but when he
had finished( the =haleefeh be##ed him to ex!lain his case more fully" %e therefore ac0uainted him
with the whole of his circumstances from be#innin# to end4 and when the =haleefeh understood the
affair( he said to him( 5hither wouldst thou now re!airR %e answered( 2od's earth is wide" The
=haleefeh then said to him( $ will write for thee a letter which thou shalt convey to the /ulEDn
&oGammad the son of /uleymDn 1O)^eynee( and when he shall have read it( he will do thee no in7ury"
C$s there in the world( said Noor)ed)?een( a fisherman who corres!ondeth with =in#sR Ferily this is a
thin# that can never be"CThou hast s!oken truly( re7oined the =haleefeh4 but $ will ac0uaint thee with
the cause" =now that $ read in the same school with him( under a master( and $ was his monitor4 and
after that( !ros!erity was his lot( and he became a /ulEDn( while 2od made me to be a fisherman: yet $
have never sent to re0uest anythin# of him( but he hath !erformed my wish4 and if $ sent to him every
day toN@L re0uest a thousand thin#s of him( he would do what $ asked" 5hen Noor)ed)?een( therefore(
heard his words( he said to him( 5rite( that $ may see" 6nd he took an inkhorn and a !en( and wrote
(after the !hrase( $n the name of 2od( the Com!assionate( the &erciful)"CTo !roceed"CThis letter is
from %Droon 1r)<asheed the son of 1l)&ahdee( to his hi#hness &oGammad the son of /uleymDn 1O)
^eynee( who hath been encom!assed by my beneficence( and whom $ constituted my viceroy of a
!ortion of my dominions" $ ac0uaint thee that the bearer of this letter is Noor)ed)?een the son of 1l)
3a\l the son of =hDJDn the 5eOeer( and on his arrival in thy !resence thou shalt divest thyself of the
re#al authority( and seat him in thy !lace4 for $ have a!!ointed him to the office to which $ formerly
a!!ointed thee: so disobey not my commands: and !eace be on thee"C%e then #ave the letter to '6lee
Noor)ed)?een( who took it and kissed it and !ut it in his turban( and immediately set forth on his
7ourney"
The sheykh $brDheem now looked towards the =haleefeh in his fisherman's dis#uise( and said to him( ;
most contem!tible of fishermen( thou hast brou#ht us two fish worth twenty half)dirhems(L- and
received three !ieces of #old( and desirest to take the slave also" 9ut when the =haleefeh heard these
words( he cried out at him( and made a si#n to &esroor( who immediately discovered himself( and
rushed in u!on him" *aQfar( meanwhile( had sent one of the attendants of the #arden to the !orter of the
!alace to demand a suit of clothin# of him for the 8rince of the 3aithful4 and the man went( and brou#ht
the dress( and kissed the #round before the =haleefeh( who took off and #ave to him that with which he
was then clad( and !ut on this suit" The sheykh $brDheem was sittin# on a chair: the =haleefeh !aused
to see the result: and the sheykh was astounded( and be#an to bite the ends of his fin#ers throu#h his
confusion( sayin#( 6m $ aslee! or awakeR The =haleefeh then looked at him( and said( ; sheykh
$brDheem( what is this !redicament in which thou art !lacedR 6nd u!on this( the sheykh recovered from
his intoxication( and( throwin# himself u!on the #round( im!lored for#iveness: and the =haleefeh
!ardoned him4 after which he #ave orders that the damsel should be conveyed to the !alace where he
resided4 and when she had arrived there( he a!!ro!riated to her a se!arate lod#in#( and a!!ointed
!ersons to wait u!on her( and said to her( =now that $ have sent thy master as /ulEDn of 1l)9aHrah( and(
if 2od !lease( $ will des!atch to him a dress of honour( and send thee also to him with it"
6s to Noor)ed)?een( he continued his 7ourney until he enteredN@N 1l)9aHrah( and went u! to the !alace
of the /ulEDn( when he uttered a loud cry( whereu!on the /ulEDn desired him to a!!roach4 and when he
came into the !resence of the =in#( he kissed the #round before him( and !roduced the letter( and
handed it to him" 6nd as soon as the /ulEDn saw the su!erscri!tion in the handwritin# of the 8rince of
the 3aithful( he rose u!on his feet( and( havin# kissed it three times( said( $ hear and !ay obedience to
2od (whose name be exalted_) and to the 8rince of the 3aithful" %e then summoned before him the four
PD\ees(LU and the 1meers( and was about to divest himself of the re#al office: but( lo( the 5eOeer 1l)
&o'een the son of /Dwee was before him( and the /ulEDn #ave him the letter of the 8rince of the
3aithful( and when he saw it( he rent it in !ieces( and !ut it into his mouth( and chewed it( and threw it
down" The /ulEDn( enra#ed( cried( 5o to thee_ 5hat hath induced thee to act thusRC%e answered( This
man hath had no interview with the =haleefeh nor with his 5eOeer4 but is a youn# wretch( an artful
devil( who( havin# met with a !a!er containin# the handwritin# of the =haleefeh( hath counterfeited it(
and written what he desired: wherefore then shouldst thou abdicate the soverei#nty( when the
=haleefeh hath not sent to thee an envoy with a royal auto#ra!hical mandate4 for if this affair were true(
he had sent with him a Chamberlain or a 5eOeer4 but he came alone"C5hat then is to be doneR said
the /ulEDn" The 5eOeer answered( /end away this youn# man with me( and $ will take char#e of him(
and des!atch him in com!any with a Chamberlain to the city of 9a#hdDd4 and if his words be true( he
will brin# us a royal auto#ra!hical mandate and di!loma of investiture4 and if not true( they will send
him back to us with the Chamberlain( and $ will take my reven#e u!on my offender"
5hen the /ulEDn heard what the 5eOeer said( it !leased him4 and the 5eOeer took him away(LW and
cried out to the !a#es( who threw down Noor)ed)?een( and beat him until he became insensible" %e
then ordered to !ut a chain u!on his feet( and called to the 7ailer4 and when he came( he kissed the
#round before him" This 7ailer was named PuEeyE4L, and the 5eOeer said to him( ; PuEeyE( $ desire that
thou take this !erson( and cast him into one of the subterranean cells which are in thy !rison( and
torture him ni#ht and day" The 7ailer re!lied( $ hear and obey:Cand he !ut Noor)ed)?een into the
!rison( and locked the door u!on him4 but after havin# done this( he #ave orders to swee! a maHEabah
within the door( and furnished it with a !rayer)car!et and a !illow( and seated Noor)ed)?een u!on it(
andN@- loosed his chain( and treated him with kindness" The 5eOeer every day sent to him(
commandin# him to beat him4 and the 7ailer !retended that he tortured him( while( on the contrary( he
treated him with beni#nity"
Thus he continued to do for forty days4 and on the forty)first day( there came a !resent from the
=haleefeh( and when the /ulEDn saw it( it !leased him( and he conferred with the 5eOeers u!on the
sub7ect4 but one said( 8erha!s this !resent was desi#ned for the new /ulEDn" A!on this( the 5eOeer 1l)
&o'een the son of /Dwee remarked( $t were !ro!er to have slain him on his arrival:Cand the /ulEDn
exclaimed( Now thou hast reminded me of him( #o down and brin# him( and $ will strike off his head"
The 5eOeer re!lied( $ hear and obey:Cand arose( sayin#( $ desire to !roclaim throu#hout the city( %e
who wisheth to witness the deca!itation of Noor)ed)?een '6lee the son of 1l)3a\l the son of =hDJDn(
let him come to the !alace:Cso that all the !eo!le may come to behold it( and $ may #ratify my heart(
and mortify my enviers" The /ulEDn said( ?o what thou wilt" /o the 5eOeer descended( full of 7oy and
ha!!iness( and went to the 5Dlee( and ordered him to make this !roclamation4 and when the !eo!le
heard the crier( they all #rieved and we!t( even the boys in the schools( and the tradesmen in their
sho!s4 and numbers of the !eo!le strove to#ether to take for themselves !laces where they mi#ht
behold the s!ectacle( while others re!aired to the !rison( to accom!any him thence" The 5eOeer then
went forth( attended by ten memlooks( to the !rison: and PuEeyE the 7ailer said to him( 5hat dost thou
desire( ; our lord the 5eOeerRC9rin# forth to me( said the 5eOeer( this youn# wretch" The 7ailer
re!lied( %e is in a most miserable state from the excessive beatin# that $ have inflicted u!on him" 6nd
he entered( and found him recitin# some verses( commencin# thus:C
5ho is there to aid me in my afflictionR 3or my !ain hath become intense( and my remedy is scarce
!rocurable_
6nd the 7ailer !ulled off from him his clean clothes( and( havin# clad him in two dirty #arments(
brou#ht him out to the 5eOeer" Noor)ed)?een then looked at him( and saw that he was his enemy who
had incessantly desired his destruction4 and when he beheld him( he we!t( and said to him( 6rt thou
secure from misfortuneR %ast thou not heard the sayin# of the !oetRC
They made use of their !ower( and used it tyrannically4 and soon it became as thou#h it never had
existed"
; 5eOeer( know that 2od (whose !erfection be extolled( and whoseN@U name be exalted_) is the doer
of whatsover %e willeth"C; '6lee( re!lied the 5eOeer( wouldst thou fri#hten me by these wordsR $ am
now #oin# to strike off thy head( in s!ite of the !eo!le of 1l)9aHrah4 and $ will !ay no re#ard to thy
counsel4 but $ will rather attend to the sayin# of the !oet:C
'et fortune do whatever it willeth( and bear with cheerful mind the effects of fate"
%ow excellent also is the sayin# of another !oet:C
%e who liveth after his enemy a sin#le day( hath attained his desire"
The 5eOeer then ordered his !a#es to convey him on the back of a mule4 whereu!on they said to him
(bein# distressed to obey)( /uffer us to stone him and cut him in !ieces( thou#h our lives should be
sacrificed in conse0uence" 9ut he re!lied( Never do it" %ave ye not heard what the !oet hath said:C
6 decreed term is my inevitable lot4 and as soon as its days have ex!ired( $ die" $f the lions dra##ed me
into their forest( they could not close it while au#ht of it remained"
/o they !roceeded to !roclaim before Noor)ed)?een( This is the smallest recom!ense of him who
for#eth a letter from the =haleefeh to the /ulEDn" 6nd they continued to !arade him throu#hout 1l)
9aHrah until they stationed him beneath the window of the !alace( and in the !lace of blood(L. when
the executioner a!!roached him( and said to him( $ am a slave under command4 and if thou hast any
want( ac0uaint me with it( that $ may !erform it for thee4 for there remaineth not of thy life any more
than the !eriod until the /ulEDn shall !ut forth his face from the window" 6nd u!on this( Noor)ed)?een
looked to the ri#ht and left( and recited these verses:C
$s there amon# you a merciful friend( who will aid meR $ con7ure you by 6llah to answer me_ &y life
hath !assed( and my death is at hand_ $s there any who will !ity me( to obtain my recom!ense(NZ 6nd
consider my state( and relieve my an#uish( by a drau#ht of water that my torment may be li#htenedR
6nd the !eo!le were excited to tears for him4 and the executioner took some water to hand it to him4
but the 5eOeer arose from his !lace( and struck the JullehN+ of water with his hand( and broke it( and
called to the executioner( commandin# him to strike off his head4 whereu!on he bound Noor)ed)?een's
eyes" The !eo!le( however( called out a#ainst the 5eOeer( and raised a tumultuous cry a#ainst him( and
many words !assed between them4 and while they were in this state(N@W lo( a dust rose( and filled the
sky and the o!en tracts4 and when the /ulEDn beheld it( as he sat in the !alace( he said to his attendants(
/ee what is the news" The 5eOeer said( 6fter thou shalt first have beheaded this man" 9ut the /ulEDn
re!lied( 5ait thou until we see what is the news"
Now this dust was the dust of *aQfar( the 5eOeer of the =haleefeh( and of his attendants4 and the cause
of their comin# was this:CThe =haleefeh had !assed thirty days without rememberin# the affair of
'6lee the son of 1l)3a\l the son of =hDJDn( and no one mentioned it to him( until he came one ni#ht to
the !rivate a!artment of 1nees)el)*elees( and heard her lamentin#( as she recited( with a soft voice( the
sayin# of the !oet:C
Thine ima#e [is before me whether distant or near( and my ton#ue never ceaseth to mention thee"
%er lamentation increased( and lo( the =haleefeh o!ened the door( and entered the chamber( and saw
1nees)el)*elees wee!in#" ;n beholdin# the =haleefeh( she fell at his feet( and( havin# kissed them
three times( recited these two verses:N@,C
; thou of !ure ori#in( and of excellent birth4 of ri!e)fruitful branch( and of unsullied race_ $ remind
thee of the !romise thy beneficence #ranted( and far be it from thee that thou shouldst for#et it"
The =haleefeh said to her( 5ho art thouR /he answered( $ am the !resent #iven to thee by '6lee the son
of 1l)3a\l the son of =hDJDn4 and $ re0uest the fulfilment of the !romise which thou #avest me( that
thou wouldst send me to him with the honorary #ift4 for $ have now been here thirty days( and have not
tasted slee!" 6nd u!on this( the =haleefeh summoned *aQfar 1l)9armekee( and said to him( 3or thirty
days $ have heard no news of '6lee the son of 1l)3a\l the son of =hDJDn( and $ ima#ine nothin# less
than that the /ulEDn hath killed him: but( by my head_ by the tombs of my ancestors_ if any evil event
hath ha!!ened to him( $ will destroy him who hath been the cause of it( thou#h he be the dearest of men
in my estimation_ $ desire( therefore( that thou 7ourney immediately to 1l)9aHrah( and brin# me an
account of the conduct of the =in# &oGammad the son of /uleymDn 1O)^eynee to '6lee the son of 1l)
3a\l the son of =hDJDn"
/o *aQfar obeyed his commands( and set forth on his 7ourney( and when he a!!roached( and saw this
tumult and crowd( he said( 5hat is the occasion of this crowdR They related to him( therefore( the
situation in which they were with re#ard to Noor)ed)?een4 and when he heard their words( he hastened
to #o u! to the /ulEDn( and( havin# saluted him( ac0uainted him with the cause of his comin#( and told
him( that if any evil event had ha!!ened to '6lee Noor)ed)?een( the =haleefeh would destroy him who
was the cause of it" %e then arrested the /ulEDn( and the 5eOeer 1l)&o'een the son of /Dwee( and #ave
orders to liberate '6lee Noor)ed)?een( and enthroned him as /ulEDn in the !lace of the /ulEDn
&oGammad the son of /uleymDn 1O)^eynee4 after which he remained in 1l)9aHrah three days( the
usual !eriod of entertainment4 and on the mornin# of the fourth day( '6lee Noor)ed)?een said to *aQfar(
$ have a lon#in# desire to see the 8rince of the 3aithful" /o *aQfar said to the =in# &oGammad the son
of /uleymDn( 8re!are thyself for travellin#4 for we will !erform the mornin#)!rayers( and de!art to
9a#hdDd" %e re!lied( $ hear and obey:Cand they !erformed the mornin#)!rayers( and mounted all
to#ether( with the 5eOeer 1l)&o'een the son of /Dwee( who now re!ented of what he had done" 6s to
'6lee Noor)ed)?een( he rode by the side of *aQfar: and they continued their 7ourney until they arrived at
9a#hdDd( the 6bode of 8eace"N@.
They then !resented themselves before the =haleefeh( and related to him the case of Noor)ed)?een4
whereu!on the =haleefeh addressed him( sayin#( Take this sword( and strike off with it the head of
thine enemy" 6nd he took it( and a!!roached 1l)&o'een the son of /Dwee4 but he looked at him( and
said to him( $ did accordin# to my nature( and do thou accordin# to thine" 6nd Noor)ed)?een threw
down the sword from his hand( and( lookin# towards the =haleefeh( said( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( he
hath be#uiled me" /o the =haleefeh said( ?o thou leave him:Cand he said to &esroor( ; &esroor(
advance thou( and strike off his head" &esroor( therefore( did so: and u!on this( the =haleefeh said to
'6lee the son of 1l)3a\l the son of =hDkDn( <e0uest of me what thou wilt" %e re!lied( ; my lord( $
have no want of the soverei#nty of 1l)9aHrah( and desire nothin# but to have the honour of servin#
thee"C&ost willin#ly $ assent( said the =haleefeh:Cand he summoned the damsel( and when she had
come before him( he bestowed favours u!on them both: he #ave to them one of the !alaces of 9a#hdDd(
and assi#ned to them re#ular allowances( and made Noor)ed)?een one of his com!anions at the table4
and he remained with him until death overtook him"
NLZ
NOTES TO CHAPTER SI'TH.
Note +" $n the old version( the !erson here named 1nees)el)*elees is called BThe 3air 8ersian4B but $ do
not find her so described in any co!y of the ori#inal" The name here #iven to her may be rendered Bthe
Com!anion's Cheerer4B B1neesB bein# a term a!!lied to any !erson or thin# servin# as an a#reeable(
cheerin# com!anion4 and B*eleesB si#nifyin# Ba com!anion(B or Bone in the habit of sittin# with
another"B
Note @" B=haEEeeyehB is derived from BkhaEE(B which si#nifies Bwritin#(B but which is also the name of a
!lace (=haEE %e7er) in the !rovince of 1l)9aGreyn( a famous mart for s!ears" ;f the fi#ure of s!eech
em!loyed in the cou!let in which this word occurs (considered by the 6rabs an ele#ant mode of
:tiolo#y( and called by them BGosn et)taQleelB) my sheykh #ives the followin# exam!le in a mar#inal
note:C
B6nd the rain fell not but for the !ur!ose of kissin# the #round before thee"B
Note L" B1l)&o'eenB si#nifies Bthe 6ider(B or Bthe 6ssistant"B
Note N" B1l)3a\l(B si#nifyin# Bthe 1xcellence(B is here( as a !ro!er name( an abbreviation of B3a\l)ed)
?een(B Bthe 1xcellence of the <eli#ion"B
Note -" This !hrase (a !erson of aus!icious as!ectLN-) is often used by the modern 6rabs and the
Turks( and si#nifies Ba virtuous or beneficent man"B
Note U" This answer is not to be understood in its literal sense4 it has become a common form of s!eech
which an 6rab often uses for the !ur!ose of obtainin# somethin# more than he would venture to
demand"
Note W" B&ay it be favourable(B or BCCbeneficial(B is a com!liment usually addressed to a !erson who
has 7ust been to the bath( and to a man who has 7ust had his head shaved" The re!ly is( B&ay 2od
bestow favours u!on thee"B
Note ,"COn the $a% respecting Murder and unintentional )omicide! The Pur)Dn ordains that murder
shall be !unished with death4 or( rather( that the free shall die for the free( the slave for the slave( and a
woman for a woman4 or that the !er!etrator of the crime shall !ay( to the heirs of the !erson whom he
has killed( if they will allow it( a fine( which is to be divided accordin# to the laws of inheritance"LNU $t
also ordains( that unintentional homicide shall be ex!iated by freein# a believer from slavery( and
!ayin#( to the family of the !erson killed( a fine( unless they remit it"LNW 9ut these laws are am!lified
and ex!lained by the same book and by the $mDms"C6 fine is not to be acce!ted for murder unless the
crime has been attended by some !alliatin# circumstance" This fine( the !rice of blood( is a hundred
camels4 or a thousand deenDrs (about -ZZl!) from him who !ossesses #old4 or( from him who !ossesses
silver( twelve thousand dirhemsLN, (about LZZl!)" This is for killin# a free man4 for a woman( half
NL+that sum4 for a slave( his or her value( but that must fall short of the !rice of blood for the free" 6
!erson unable to free a believer must fast two months as in <ama\Dn" The accom!lices of a murderer
are liable to the !unishment of death" 9y the /unneh also( a man is obnoxious to ca!ital !unishment for
the murder of a woman4 and by the [anafee law( for the murder of another man's slave" 9ut he is
exem!ted from this !unishment who kills his own child or other descendant( or his own slave( or his
son's slave( or a slave of whom he is !art)owner: so also are his accom!lices: and accordin# to 1sh)
/hDfe'ee( a &uslim( thou#h a slave( is not to be !ut to death for killin# an infidel( thou#h the latter be
free" 6 man who kills another in self)defence( or to defend his !ro!erty from a robber( is exem!t from
all !unishment" The !rice of blood is a debt incumbent on the family( tribe( or association( of which the
homicide is a member" $t is also incumbent on the inhabitants of an enclosed 0uarter( or the !ro!rietor
or !ro!rietors of a field( in which the body of a !erson killed by an unknown hand is found4 unless the
!erson has been found killed in his own house"
%ence it a!!ears( that the !unishment with which the 5eOeer 1l)3a\l threatened his son is not to be
re#arded as a #rave criminal act4 es!ecially when we consider the nature of the son's offence: for the
slave was the !ro!erty of the kin#( and it was not allowable to any other man even to see her without
his !ermission" &any of the characters de!icted in the !resent work would seem incon#ruous in the
extreme( if 7ud#ed accordin# to 1uro!ean notions of 7ustice and other moral 0ualities"
Note ." BThe two !rofessions of the faith(B BThere is no deity but 2od(B and B&oGammad is 2od's
6!ostle(B are #enerally re!eated by a dyin# &uslim"
Note +Z" This is said to im!ly (as my sheykh has remarked in a mar#inal note) that 1l)3a\l was a
charitable !erson who bestowed !ensions u!on the !rofessors of the Pur)Dn and of science" There are
many amon# the modern &uslims who do so( and numbers also who found and endow !ublic schools"
Note ++"COn the Washing 'hrouding and ,urial of the *ead! The ceremonies attendant u!on death
and burial are nearly the same in the cases of men and women" The face or the head of the dyin# !erson
is turned towards the direction of &ekkeh" 5hen the s!irit is de!artin#( the eyes are closed4 and then(
or immediately after( the women of the house commence a loud lamentation( in which many of the
females of the nei#hbourhood #enerally come to 7oin" %ired female mourners are also usually
em!loyed4 each of whom accom!anies her exclamations of B6las for him_B Mc"( by beatin# a
tambourine" $f !ossible( the cor!se is buried on the day of the death4 but when this cannot be done( the
lamentation of the women is continued durin# the ensuin# ni#ht4 and a recitation of several cha!ters( or
of the whole( of the Pur)Dn is !erformed by one or more men hired for the !ur!ose"
The washin# consists( first( in the !erformance of the ordinary ablution which is !re!aratory to !rayer(
with the exce!tion of the cleansin# of the mouth and nose4 and secondly( in an ablution of the whole
body with warm water and soa!( or with water in which some leaves of the lote)tree have been boiled"
The 7aw is bound u!( the eyes are closed( and the nostrils Mc"( are stuffed with cotton4 and the cor!se is
s!rinkled with a mixture of water( !ounded cam!hor( dried and !ounded leaves of the lote)tree( and
sometimes other dried and !ulveriOed leaves( Mc"( and with rose)water" The ankles are bound to#ether4
and the hands !laced u!on the breast"
The #rave)clothin# of a !oor man consists of a !iece or two of cotton( or a kind of ba#: but the cor!se
of a man of wealth is #enerally wra!!ed first in muslin4 then( in cotton cloth of a thicker texture4 next(
in a !iece of stri!ed stuff of silk and cotton intermixed( or in a JafEDn (a lon# vest) of similar stuff(
merely stitched to#ether4 and over these is wra!!ed a =ashmeer shawl" The colours most a!!roved for
the #rave)clothes are white and #reen" The body thus shrouded is !laced in a bier( which is usually
covered with a =ashmeer shawl( and borne on the shoulders of three or four men( #enerally friends of
the deceased"NL@
There are some sli#ht differences in the funeral)ceremonies observed in different 6rab countries4 but a
sufficient notion of them will be conveyed by briefly describin# those which !revail in Cairo" The
!rocession to the tomb is #enerally headed by a number of !oor men( mostly blind( who( walkin# two
and two( or three and three( to#ether( chant( in a melancholy tone( the !rofession (or two !rofessions) of
the faith( mentioned above (in Note .)( or sometimes other words" They are usually followed by some
male relations and friends of the deceased4 and these( by a #rou! of schoolboys( chantin# in a hi#her
tone( and one of them bearin# a co!y of the Pur)Dn( or of one of its thirty sections( !laced u!on a kind
of desk formed of !alm)sticks( and covered with an embroidered kerchief" Then follows the bier( borne
head)foremost" 3riends of the deceased relieve one another in the office of carryin# it4 and casual
!assen#ers often take !art in this service( which is esteemed hi#hly meritorious" 9ehind the bier walk
the female mourners( com!osin# a numerous #rou!( often more than a doOen4 or( if of a wealthy family(
they ride" 1ach of those who belon# to the family of the deceased has a stri! of cotton stuff or muslin(
#enerally blue( bound round her head( over the head)veil( and carries a handkerchief( usually dyed blue
(the colour of mournin#)( which she sometimes holds over her shoulders( and at other times twirls with
both hands over her head or before her face( while she cries and shrieks almost incessantly4 and the
hired female mourners( accom!anyin# the #rou!( often celebrate the !raises of the deceased in the
manner described in the !recedin# tale( thou#h this was forbidden by the 8ro!het"CThe funeral)
!rocession of a man of wealth is sometimes !receded by several camels( bearin# bread and water to
#ive to the !oor at the tomb4 and closed by the led horses of some of the attendants( and by a buffalo or
other animal to be sacrificed at the tomb( where its flesh is distributed to the !oor( to atone for some of
the minor sins of the deceased"LN.
The bier used for conveyin# the cor!se of a boy or a female has a cover of wood( over which a shawl is
s!read4 and at the head is an u!ri#ht !iece of wood: u!on the u!!er !art of this( in the case of a boy( is
fixed a turban( with several ornaments of female head)dress4 and in the case of a female( it is similarly
decked( but without the turban"
6 short !rayer is recited over the dead( either in a mos0ue or in a !lace !articularly dedicated to this
service in( or ad7acent to( the burial)#round" The body is then conveyed( in the same manner as before(
to the tomb" This is a hollow( oblon# vault( one side of which faces the direction of &ekkeh( #enerally
lar#e enou#h to contain four or more bodies( and havin# an oblon# monument of stone or brick
constructed over it( with a stela at the head and foot" A!on the former of these two stel: (which is often
inscribed with a text from the Pur)Dn( and the name of the deceased( with the date of his death)( a
turban( ca!( or other head)dress( is sometimes carved( shewin# the rank or class of the !erson or
!ersons buried beneath4 and in many cases( a cu!ola su!!orted by four walls( or by columns( Mc"( is
constructed over the smaller monument" The body is laid on its ri#ht side( or inclined by means of a
few crude bricks( so that the face is turned towards &ekkeh4 and a !erson is #enerally em!loyed to
dictate to the deceased the answers which he should #ive when he is examined by the two an#els
&unkar and Nekeer( whom $ have mentioned in No" @+ of the Notes to the $ntroduction" $f the funeral
be that of a !erson of rank or wealth( the bread and water Mc" before mentioned are then distributed to
the !oor"L-Z
The !rinci!al ceremonies observed after the funeral have been described in Note +- to Cha!ter iv"
Note +@" BThe lord (or chief) of the first and the last amon# mankindB is one of the many a!!ellations
of honour #iven by the &uslims to their 8ro!het"
NLL
Note +L" &y sheykh remarks( that this is said merely to excite men to #enerosity4 for literally it is not
true( as is shown by the memorable exam!le of =aQb the son of &Dmeh( who !referred #ivin# the
water with which he was !rovided to another( and in conse0uence himself died of thirst"
Note +N" 5e are not to understand that such a slave as 1nees)el)*elees was ex!osed to the !ublic #aOe
in a market to which all !ersons indiscriminately were admitted (for this would be at variance with
1astern usa#es)4 but in a s!ecial mart to which none were allowed access but !ersons of wealth who
ex!ressed a desire to !urchase"
Note +-"COn 7issing the Ground as a Mode of O&eisance! This and several other !assa#es in the
!resent work shew that we are often to understand the ex!ression Bkissin# the #round before a !ersonB
as si#nifyin# Btouchin# the #round( and then the li!s and forehead( or turban( with the ri#ht hand4B and
$ believe this ex!ression should generally be so understood" 5hen $ wrote the fourteenth note to the
$ntroduction( $ inclined to a contrary o!inion( chiefly from recollectin# to have read the followin#
translation of a !assa#e of 1l)&aJreeOee( by the learned ?e /acy:CBCe khalife [1l)[Dkim ordonna
0u'] l'avenir on ne baiseroit !lus la terre devant lui4 0ue !ersonne( en le saluant dans les marches
!ubli0ues( ne baiseroit sa main ou son etrier( !arce 0ue cette coutume de se prosterner devant une
crVature Vtoit une invention des 2recs"BL-+ 9ut on referrin# to the ori#inal( $ find that the words which
he renders Bcette coutume de se !rosternerB si#nify literally Bthe bendin# towards the #round"B $
su!!ose( therefore( that his deviatin# from the literal sense in one case was owin# to his adherin# to it
in another4 and not meetin# with the !roof which $ had fancied to exist of his bein# ri#ht( $ venture to
differ from him in this instance( without fear of bein# sus!ected of arro#ance( as the kind of obeisance
above described is often called Bkissin# the #roundB both by the 6rabs and the 8ersians" $ should add
that( exce!t in the house( $ do not remember to have ever seen the #round actually touched( but nearly
so( in makin# this obeisance( which is still called Bkissin# the #roundB when thus im!erfectly
!erformed"
Note +U" 9y this is meant( a !lace where mud was kneaded to be em!loyed in buildin#" The mortar
#enerally used in the construction of 6rab houses is com!osed of mud in the !ro!ortion of one)half(
with a fourth !art of lime( and the remainin# !art of the ashes of straw and rubbish"
Note +W" /ee the note immediately !recedin#"
Note +," $n 6rabic( Bbursh"B This kind of mat( com!osed of !alm)leaves (and sometimes( $ believe( of
the coarse #rass mentioned in the next note)( is used by the !oor to sit u!on"
Note +." This kind of #rass( called in 6rabic BGalfeh(B and more !ro!erly BGalf]B (by botanists( !oa
multiflora( and !oa cynosyro>des)( and the B'DJoolB (or hedysarum alha#i)( overs!read s!ontaneously
most of the alluvial tracts in 1#y!t which are above the reach of the inundation( and in conse0uence left
uncultivated" The former is used in the manufacture of coarse mats( and the latter serves as !asture for
camels" The 5eOeer( by takin# the round mat and the two bundles of Galf]( seems to indicate that he is
de#raded to a condition as low as that of a maker of coarse mats" [The !ractice mentioned in the
!assa#e to which this note refers is a!tly illustrated in 1l)&aJreeOee's =hiEaE" $n his descri!tion of the
!alaces of the 3DEimee =haleefehs( he says( BThere was in the 2reat 8alace a !lace known by the name
of the /aJeefeh( where com!lainants of in7ustice used to station themselves4 and it was a custom of the
=haleefeh to sit there every ni#ht( for those of the com!lainants of in7ustice who mi#ht come to him"
5hen any one( therefore( was wron#ed( he would stand under the /aJeefeh( and say( in NLNa loud
voice( 'There is no deity but 2od( &oGammad is the 6!ostle of 2od( '6lee is the 3riend (5elee) of
2od4' and the =haleefeh would hear him( and command him to be brou#ht to him( or he would intrust
his case to the 5eOeer(B Mc"C1d"
Note @Z" The boats used by the 6rabs in the navi#ation of rivers are #enerally moored by means of a
ro!e attached to a stake which is driven into the bank"
Note @+" 9y Bchildren of the roadB are meant Btravellers"B
Note @@" /ee Note -- to Cha!ter iii"
Note @L" The word which $ render elevated (mo'allaJah) is a!!lied to a structure raised u!on columns
or !illars( Mc"
Note @N" The B#ha\]B is a tree of a very inflammable nature( which( in burnin#( #ives out a fierce heat"
$t #rows chiefly in sandy tracts( and is described as resemblin# the BathlB (or tamarisk)( but as bein#
smaller than this tree"
Note @-"COn 'having the )ead! $ do not know when the custom of shavin# the head became #eneral
amon# the 6rabs of the towns4 but from a remark of 1s)/uyooEee( $ think it was not so common about
the commencement of the tenth century of the 3li#ht (that is( about the !eriod which this work best
illustrates) as it is at !resent( when it is almost universal amon# all classes4 for in his time( its le#ality
was doubted" %e writes thus:CBThe $mDn 1l)2haODlee hath said( 'There is no harm in it in the case of
him whose ob7ect is cleanliness:' and the a!!arent sense of his words is( that it is im!ro!er in him who
desireth to beautify himself for any worldly !ur!ose( as is done by !eo!le of bad dis!osition"BL-@ $t is
added in a mar#inal note in the co!y from which $ translate this( B8ersons differ res!ectin# the shavin#
of the head" The o!inion #enerally !revailin# is( that it is im!ro!er to him who wears not a turban( and
allowable to him who does wear one( since he has a substitute:BCBthat it is also lawful( un0uestionably(
in the case of any disease of the head:BCand Bthat the han#in# of the rosary to the neck( and the
shavin# of the head without a le#al necessity( are innovations(BC%Droon 1r)<asheed #enerally wore
the hair of his head sufficiently lon# to reach below his ears4 but shaved it when he !erformed the
!il#rima#e4L-L and many other &uslims in early times did the same" Those who shave the head
#enerally leave a small tuft u!on the crown4 but most !ersons of the literary and reli#ious !rofessions(
and many others( disa!!rove of this tuft"
Note @U" 9y the term BsheykhsB we are here to understand B!ersons of sanctity and of learnin#"B /ee
Note . to Cha!ter i"
Note @W" 9y Bthe shinin# moonB is meant Bthe beautiful cu!)bearer( whose face is like the shinin#
moon"B
Note @," The &uslims believe that a blessin# is derived from witnessin# and hearin# the devout
exercises( recitations( Mc"( of holy men"
Note @." The B7ubbehB worn in 1astern countries( is a lon# outer vest( with sleeves which reach nearly
to the wrist" $t is now #enerally made of cloth( and is worn by most tradesmen and other !ersons of the
middle and hi#her classes" $t differs somewhat in form in different countries"
Note LZ" The BmelwaEahB is a #arment of which $ was unable to obtain a descri!tion until $ in0uired of
my friend &r" /alamV( who informed me that it was the name of a lar#e outer #arment which used to be
worn over the fara7eeyeh" 9ut $ afterwards found it stated in one of the mar#inal notes to a later tale(
that the term above mentioned is now !ronounced BmellooEah(B and is a!!lied in the !resent day to an
article of dress of cloth or other costly material4 !articularly to a 7ubbeh4 but that NL-it is also
em!loyed( in allusion to a 7ubbeh( Mc"( in a contem!tuous sense( or( as $ infer( ironically"
Note L+" /ee Note N+ to Cha!ter iv"
Note L@" The BlithDmB is a !iece of dra!ery with which a 9edawee often covers the lower !art of his
face" $t fre0uently !revents his bein# reco#nised by another 6rab who mi#ht make him a victim of
blood)reven#e4 and is a means of dis#uise seldom em!loyed but by 6rabs of the desert"
Note LL" The meanin# is( that the act would s!eak for itself( and be lon# remembered4 that the #rave of
the fisherman would be !ointed out as that of one to whom the =haleefeh had shewn si#nal favours"
Note LN" $t is a common custom of 6rabs of the lower orders to !ut the money which they receive(
es!ecially when it is the first of the day's #ains( to the li!s and forehead before de!ositin# it in the
!ocket4 and the same is sometimes done by !ersons of the middle class"
Note L-" 'iterally( Btwenty nuHfs"B /ee Note +W to Cha!ter iii"
Note LU" These are the PD\ees of the four #reat sects( or !ersuasions( of the /unnee &uslims" /ee Note
+ to the $ntroduction"
Note LW" The words Band the 5eOeer took him awayB are omitted in the Cairo edition"
Note L," BPuEeyEB is the diminutive of BJiEE(B vulgo BJuEE(B a Bcat(B and !ro!erly a Bhe)cat"B
Note L." The words which $ translate Bthe !lace of bloodB literally si#nify Bthe !lace of the sta#nation
of blood4B and are a!!lied to the usual !lace of deca!itation( because the blood is left there to soak into
the #round"
Note NZ" The recom!ense here alluded to is one to be received at the final retribution4 not in the !resent
life"
Note N+" This kind of BJulleh B is a small( !orous( earthen bottle( with a wide mouth" /ome s!ecimens
of it are fi#ured beneath"
LNN /ee ?e /acy( Chrestomathie 6rabe( vol" ii" !!" .. and +@Z( @nd ed"
LN- $n 6rabic( BmaG\aru kheyrinB (vul#"( BmaG\ar kheyrB)4 in Turkish( Bneek maGbar"B
LNU Ch" ii" v" +WL"
LNW Ch" iv" v" LN"
LN, ;r( accordin# to some( ten thousand dirhems"
LN. &ore than one is unusual4 but( at the funeral of &oGammad '6lee 9Dsh]( which $ witnessed in
Cairo( about ei#hty buffaloes were thus driven in the !rocession: in the narrow streets of the city(
however( many of them disa!!eared( one after another( so that few reached the tomb"C1d"
L-Z $f the reader desire more detailed information on the sub7ect of this note( $ refer him to my work on
the &odern 1#y!tians( vol" ii" ch" xv"
L-+ Chrestomathie 6rabe( vol" i" !" +ZU4 @nd ed"
L-@ NuOhet el)&utafmmil wa)&urshid el)&utafh)hil( sect" W"
L-L 1lmacini %istoria /aracenica( !a#e +@Z"
NLU
CHAPTER VII.
COMMENCING WITH PART OF THE THIRTY-SI'TH NIGHT, AND ENDING WITH PART OF THE FORTY-FOURTH.
THE STORY OF GH#NIM THE SON OF EIYOOB, THE DISTRACTED SLAVE OF LOVE.
$t hath been told me( ; ha!!y =in#( said /hahraODd( that there was( in ancient times( a certain merchant
of ?amascus(+ !ossessed of wealth( who had a son like the moon at the full( of elo0uent ton#ue( called
2hDnim the son of 1iyoob(@ the ?istracted /lave of 'ove4 and this son had a sister( named 3itneh(L on
account of her excessive beauty and loveliness" Their father died( leavin# them lar#e !ro!erty( amon#
which were a hundred loadsN of silk and brocade( and ba#s- of musk( and u!on these loads was
written( This is intended for 9a#hdDd:Cit havin# been his desire to 7ourney to that city"
/o( when 2od (whose name be exalted_) had taken his soul( andNLW some time had ela!sed( his son
took these loads( and 7ourneyed with them to 9a#hdDd"CThis was in the time of %Droon 1r)<asheed"
C%e took leave of his mother and relations and towns!eo!le before his de!arture( and went forth(
!lacin# his de!endence u!on 2od (whose name be exalted_)( and 2od decreed him safety( so that he
arrived at 9a#hdDd( whither there travelled in his com!any a !arty of merchants" %e hired for himself a
handsome house( and furnished it with car!ets and cushions( and sus!ended curtains in it4 and there he
de!osited those loads( to#ether with the mules and camels( and remained until he had rested himself4
and the merchants of 9a#hdDd( and its #reat men( came and saluted him" %e then took a wra!!er
containin# ten !ieces of costly stuff( with the !rices written u!on them( and went forth with them to the
market of the merchants( who met him and saluted him( treated him with honour and welcomed him(
and seated him at the sho! of the /heykh of the market4 and he sold the !ieces( #ainin#( for every !iece
of #old( two" /o 2hDnim re7oiced4 and he !roceeded to sell the stuffs by little and little( and continued
to do so for a whole year"
6fter this( on the first day of the followin# year( he came to the same market( but found its #ate shut(
and( in0uirin# the cause of this( he was answered( ;ne of the merchants hath died( and all the rest of
them have #one to walk in his funeral)!rocession" 5ilt thou then( added his informant( #ain a
recom!enseU by walkin# with themRC%e re!lied( Ses4Cand he asked res!ectin# the !lace of the
funeral" /o they #uided him thither4 and he !erformed the ablution(W and walked with the other
merchants until they arrived at the !lace of !rayer( where they !rayed over the dead" The merchants
then walked all to#ether before the cor!se to the burial)#round( 2hDnim followin# them( until the
!rocession arrived at the burial)#round outside the city( and they !roceeded amon# the tombs until they
came to that in which the cor!se was to be de!osited" They found that the family of the deceased had
!itched a tent over the tomb( and !laced there the candles and lam!s4 and they buried the dead( and the
readers sat recitin# the Pur)Dn at the tomb" The merchants sat with them4 and so also did 2hDnim the
son of 1iyoob4 but he was overcome by bashfulness( sayin# within himself( $ cannot 0uit them until $
have de!arted with them" They sat listenin# to the recitation of the Pur)Dn until the !eriod of ni#htfall(
when the servants !laced before them the su!!er and sweetmeats( and they ate till they were satisfied(
and washed their hands( and resumed their seats"NL,
The heart of 2hDnim was now troubled with reflections u!on his merchandiOe( and he was fearful of
the thieves( and said within himself( $ am a stran#er( and sus!ected of !ossessin# wealth( and if $ !ass
the ni#ht far away from my abode( the thieves will steal the money and the loads" /o( fearin# for his
!ro!erty( he arose and went forth from amon# the com!any( askin# their leave to de!art on account of
some business that he had to transact( and followed the beaten track until he came to the #ate of the
city: but it was then midni#ht( and he found the #ate of the city shut( and saw no one comin# or #oin#(
and heard not a sound save the barkin# of the do#s( and the howlin# of the wolves4 whereu!on he
exclaimed( There is no stren#th nor !ower but in 2od_ $ was in fear for my !ro!erty( and came hither
on account of it( and have found the #ate shut( and now $ have become in fear for my life_C%e then
returned to seek for himself a !lace in which to slee! until the mornin#: and( findin# a !rivate burial)
!lace enclosed by four walls( with a !alm)tree within it( and a #ate)way of hard stone( o!en( he entered
it( and desired to slee!4 but slee! came not to him"
Tremor and #loom overcame him( thus lyin# amon# the tombs( and he rose u!on his feet( and( o!enin#
the door( looked out( and beheld a li#ht #leamin# in the distance in the direction of the city)#ate %e
advanced a few ste!s( and saw the li#ht a!!roachin# in the way which led to the burial)!lace in which
he was takin# refu#e4 whereu!on 2hDnim feared for himself( and hastily closed the door( and climbed
u! into the !alm)tree( and concealed himself in the midst of its branches" The li#ht continued to
a!!roach the tomb by little and little until it came very near4 and as he looked attentively at it( he
!erceived three black slaves( two of whom were bearin# a chest( the other havin# in his hand an adOe
and a lantern4 and as they drew near( one of the two slaves who were bearin# the chest said( 5hat aileth
thee( ; IawDbR,Cto which the other of the two re!lied( 5hat aileth thee( ; =DfoorR. The former
re7oined( 5ere we not here at the hour of ni#htfall( and did we not leave the door o!enRCSes(
answered the other: what thou sayest is true"C/ee then( resumed the first s!eaker( it is shut and barred"
CA!on this( the third( who was carryin# the adOe and li#ht( and whose name was 9akheet(+Z said(
%ow small is your sense_ =now ye not that the owners of the #ardens #o forth from 9a#hdDd and re!air
hither( and( evenin# overtakin# them( enter this !lace( and shut the door u!on themselves( throu#h fear(
lest the blacks( like ourselves( should take them and roast them and eatNL. themR++CThou hast s!oken
truth( they answered4 but there is none amon# us of less sense than thyself"CFerily( he re!lied( ye will
not believe me until we enter the burial)!lace and find some one in it: and $ ima#ine that( if any one be
in it( and have seen the li#ht( he hath betaken himself to the to! of the !alm)tree"
5hen 2hDnim heard these words of the slave( he said within himself( %ow cunnin# is this slave_ &ay
6llah dis#race the blacks for their malice and villainy_ There is no stren#th nor !ower but in 2od( the
%i#h( the 2reat_ 5hat will deliver me from this difficultyRCThe two who were bearin# the chest then
said to him who had the adOe( Climb over the wall( and o!en to us the door( ; 9akheet4 for we are
fati#ued with carryin# the chest u!on our necks: and if thou o!en to us the door( we will #ive thee one
of the !ersons whom we take( and we will fry him for thee excellently( so that not a dro! of his fat shall
be lost" 9ut he re!lied( $ am afraid of a thin# that my little sense hath su##ested to me: let us throw over
the chest behind the door4 for it is our de!osite" They said to him( $f we throw it( itNNZ will break"C$
am afraid( he re7oined( that there may be( within the tomb( robbers who slay men and steal their
!ro!erty4 for when evenin# overtaketh them they enter these !laces to divide what they have taken"C;
thou of little sense( exclaimed the two others4 can they enter hereRCThey then !ut down the chest( and
climbed u! the wall( and descended( and o!ened the door( while the third slave( 9akheet( stood waitin#
for them with the li#ht( and a basket containin# some !laster: after which they seated themselves(
havin# closed the door4 and one of them said( ; my brother( we are tired with walkin# and takin# u!
and !uttin# down( and o!enin# the door and shuttin# it( and it is now midni#ht( and we have not
stren#th remainin# to o!en the tomb and to bury the chest4 wherefore we will sit here three hours to rest
ourselves( and then rise and accom!lish our business: but each of us shall in the mean time tell his
story( and relate all that hath ha!!ened to him from be#innin# to end" /o the first( who carried the li#ht(
told his story4 but it was of a nature unfit to be here re!eated4+@ after which( another of the slaves thus
be#an"
THE STORY OF THE SLAVE #FOOR.1(
=now( ; my brothers( that $ was( at the commencement of my career( a boy of ei#ht years( and $ used
to tell one lie to the slave)merchants every year( so that they fell out with each other in conse0uence(
and the slave)merchant my master( becomin# im!atient of me( committed me to the broker( desirin#
him to cry( 5ho will buy this slave with his faultR %e was therefore asked( 5hat is his faultRCand
answered( %e telleth one lie every year" 6nd a merchant a!!roached the broker( and said to him( %ow
much have they bidden for this slave with his faultR %e answered( They have bidden six hundred !ieces
of silver"CThen thou shalt have twenty for thyself( re!lied the merchant" /o the broker introduced him
to the slave)merchant( who received from him the money( and the broker conveyed me to the dwellin#
of the merchant( and took his brokera#e"
The merchant clad me in a dress suitable to my condition( and $ continued with him for the remainder
of the year( until the new year commenced with !ros!erity" $t was a blessed year( !lenteous in the
!roduce of the earth( and the merchants be#an to #ive entertainments( every day one takin# his turn to
do so( until it was my master's turn to #ive an entertainment in a #arden within the city" /o he went(NN+
and the other merchants also( and he took for them what they re0uired of food and other !rovisions( and
they sat eatin# and drinkin# and carousin# till noon( when my master wanted somethin# from the
house( and said( ; slave( mount the mule( and #o to the house( and brin#( from thy mistress( such a
thin#( and return 0uickly"
$ obeyed( therefore( and went to the house4 but when $ a!!roached it( $ shrieked out( and shed tears4
whereu!on the !eo!le of the 0uarter assembled to#ether( old and youn#4 and my master's wife and
dau#hters( hearin# my cry( o!ened the door( and asked me what was the matter" $ answered them( &y
master was sittin# beneath an old wall( he and his friends( and it fell u!on them4 and when $ beheld
what ha!!ened to them( $ mounted the mule( and came in haste to inform you" 6nd when his children
and wife heard these words( they shrieked( and tore their clothes( and sla!!ed their faces( and the
nei#hbours came to them" Then my master's wife overturned the furniture of the house( one thin# u!on
another( and !ulled down its shelves( and broke its shutters and its windows( and smeared its walls with
mud and indi#o( and said to me" 5o to thee( ; =Dfoor_ Come hither and hel! me( and demolish these
cu!boards( and smash these vessels and this China)ware"C/o $ went to her( and destroyed with her the
shelves of the house and all that was u!on them( and its cu!boards and what they contained( and went
about over the terraces and throu#h every !lace until $ had laid waste the whole( cryin# all the while(
;h my master_ &y mistress then went forth( with her face uncovered( and only with her head)veil( and
the #irls and boys went with her( sayin# to me( ; =Dfoor( walk on before us( and shew us the !lace
where thy master lieth dead beneath the wall( that we may take him forth from under the ruins( and
carry him in a bier( and brin# him to the house( and convey his cor!se in a handsome manner to the
burial" /o $ walked before them( cryin#( ;h my master_Cand they followed me with their faces and
heads uncovered(+N cryin#( ;h our misfortune_ ;h our calamity_Cand there was none amon# the men(
nor amon# the women( nor amon# the children( nor a maiden( nor an old woman( [in the 0uarter( who
did not accom!any us4 and all of them sla!!ed themselves in the excess of their lamentation" Thus $
went with them throu#h the city4 and the !eo!le askin# the news( they informed them of that which
they had heard from me4 and the !eo!le exclaimed( There is no stren#th nor !ower but in 2od( the
%i#h( the 2reat_ 5e will #o to the 5Dlee( and ac0uaint him"C6nd when they arrived before the 5Dlee(
they informed him4 and he mounted(NN@ and took with him labourers with axes and baskets( and they
followed my footste!s( accom!anied by a crowd of !eo!le"
$ !receded them( wee!in# and cryin# out( and throwin# dust u!on my head( and sla!!in# my face4 and
when $ came to the !arty in the #arden( and my master beheld me( $ sla!!ed my face( and exclaimed(
;h my mistress_ who will have !ity u!on me after my mistressR 5ould that $ had been her sacrifice_C
5hen my master( therefore( saw me( he was confounded( his countenance became !ale( and he said(
5hat aileth thee( ; =Dfoor( and what is this !redicament( and what is the newsR $ answered him( 5hen
thou sentest me to the house to brin# thee what thou wantedst( $ went thither and entered the house( and
found that the wall of the saloon had fallen( and that the whole saloon had tumbled down u!on my
mistress and her children"C6nd did not thy mistress( said he( esca!eR $ answered( No: not one of them
esca!ed4 and the first of them that died was my mistress the elder"C9ut did my youn#est dau#hter
esca!eR he asked" $ answered( No"C6nd what( said he( hath become of the mule that $ ride: is she safeR
CNo( ; my master( $ answered: for the walls of the house and the walls of the stable tumbled down
u!on all that was in the house4 even u!on the shee! and the #eese and the hens( and all of them became
a mass of flesh beneath the ruins4 not one of them esca!ed" %e then said to me( 6nd thy master the
elderR $ answered( No: not one esca!ed4 and now there remains neither house nor inhabitant( nor any
trace of them4 and as to the shee! and the #eese and the hens( the cats and do#s have now eaten them"
C6nd when my master heard my words( the li#ht became darkness before his face( and he was no
lon#er master of his senses nor of his reason( and was unable to stand u!on his feet: he was !aralyOed(
and the stren#th of his back failed him( and he rent his clothes and !lucked his beard and sla!!ed his
face and threw his turban from his head( and ceased not to sla! his face until the blood flowed from it:
and he be#an to cry( 6h_ ;h my children_ 6h_ ;h my wife_ 6h_ ;h my misfortune_ Anto whom hath
ha!!ened the like of that which hath ha!!ened to meRCThe merchants( also( his com!anions( 7oined
with him in cries and lamentations( and were moved with !ity for his case( and rent their clothes4 and
my master went forth from the #arden( beatin# himself for the calamity that had [as he su!!osed
befallen him( and redoubled the blows u!on his face( seemin# as thou#h he were drunk"
6nd as the !arty thus went out from the #ate of the #arden( they beheld a #reat dust( and heard
tumultuous cries( and( lookin# in thatNNL direction( saw the crowd a!!roachin# them" This crowd was
the 5Dlee and his attendants( and a concourse of !eo!le who had come to #ratify their curiosity( with
the merchant's family behind them( shriekin# and cryin# with violent lamentation and excessive #rief4
and the first who accosted my master were his wife and children" ;n beholdin# these( he was
confounded( and lau#hed( and said to them( %ow are ye4 and what hath ha!!ened to you in the house(
and what hath befallen youR 6nd when they saw him( they exclaimed( 8raise be to 2od for thy safety_
6nd they threw themselves u!on him( and his children clun# to him( cryin# out( ;h our father_ 8raise
be to 2od for thy safety( ; our father_Cand his wife said to him( 8raise be to 2od who hath shewn us
thy face in safety_Cand she was stu!ified( and her reason fled from her at that which she beheld" /he
then said to him( %ow didst thou esca!e with thy friendsRC6nd how( said he( were ye in the houseRC
5e were all well( they answered( in !ros!erity and health( and no evil hath befallen our house( save that
thy slave =Dfoor came to us with his head uncovered and his clothes rent( cryin# out( ;h my master_
;h my master_Cand we said to him( 5hat is the matter( ; =DfoorRCand he answered( &y master was
sittin# under a wall in the #arden( and it fell u!on him( and he died"C9y 6llah( re!lied my master( he
came to me 7ust now( cryin#( ;h my mistress_ ;h the children of my mistress_Cand said( &y mistress
and her children are all dead_
%e then looked aside( and( seein# me with my turban fallin# from my head( while $ still cried out and
we!t violently and threw dust u!on my head( he called out to me: so $ a!!roached him( and he said to
me( 5o to thee_ ; malevolent slave_ ; misbe#otten wretch_ ; thou of accursed race_ 5hat events hast
thou brou#ht about_ 9ut(NNN by 6llah( $ will stri! off thy skin from thy flesh( and cut thy flesh from thy
bones_C9y 6llah( re!lied $( thou canst not do to me anythin#4 for thou bou#htest me with my fault( on
this condition( the witnesses testifyin# that thou bou#htest me with my fault( thou knowin# it( and it
was( that $ was accustomed to tell one lie every year4 and this is but half a lie( and when the year is
com!lete $ will tell the other half of it4 so it will be an entire lie" 9ut u!on this( he cried out at me( ;
most accursed of slaves_ is this but half a lieR Nay( it is an exceedin# calamity_ ?e!art from me4 for
thou art free_+-C9y 6llah( $ re!lied( if thou liberate me( $ will not liberate thee until the year be
com!lete( and $ tell the remainin# half of the lie4 and when $ have com!leted it( then take me to the
market( and sell me as thou bou#htest me with my fault( and liberate me not4 for $ have no trade by
means of which to !rocure my subsistence: this is a le#al !ro!osition that $ have stated to thee( laid
down by the lawyers in the Cha!ter of 1manci!ation"+UC5hile we were thus talkin#( the crowd
a!!roached( with the !eo!le of the 0uarter( women and men( come to mourn( and the 5Dlee with his
attendants: and my master and the other merchants went to the 5Dlee( and ac0uainted him with the
case( and that this was but half a lie4 and when the !eo!le who were !resent heard this( they were
astonished at this lie( and struck with the utmost wonder4 and they cursed and reviled me4 while $ stood
lau#hin#( and sayin#( %ow can my master kill me when he bou#ht me with this faultR
/o when my master went to the house( he found it in a state of ruin (and it was $ who destroyed the
#reater !art( and broke in it thin#s worth a lar#e sum of money)4 and his wife said to him( $t was =Dfoor
who broke the vessels and the China)ware" A!on this( his ra#e increased( and he exclaimed( 9y 6llah_
in my life $ have never seen such a misbe#otten wretch as this slave4 yet he calleth it half a lie_ 5hat
then would have been the result had it been a whole lie_ $n that case he had destroyed a city( or two
cities_CThen( in the excess of his ra#e( he went to the 5Dlee( who inflicted u!on me a severe beatin#(
so that $ became insensible( and swooned away4 after which( my master contrived means of obtainin#
for me a hi#h !rice( and $ ceased not to excite disturbances in the !laces into which $ was sold( and was
transferred from 1meer to 1meer and from 2randee to 2randee( by sale and !urchase( until $ entered
the !alace of the 8rince of the 3aithful( and now my s!irit is broken( and my stren#th hath failed"NN-
CONTINUATION OF THE STORY OF GH#NIM THE SON OF EIYOOB, THE DISTRACTED SLAVE OF
LOVE.
5hen the other slaves had heard his story( they lau#hed at it( and said to him( Ferily thou art a villain(
the son of a villain: thou hast told an abominable lie" The first and second then said to the third slave(
<elate to us thy story"C; sons of my uncle( he re!lied( all that hath 7ust been related is nonsense: but
my story is lon#( and this is not a time to tell it4 for the mornin#( ; sons of my uncle( is near( and
!erha!s it may overtake us with this chest still before us( and we shall be dis#raced amon# the !ublic(
and our lives will be lost4 haste then to work( and when we have finished( and returned home( $ will
relate to you my story" /o they !ut down the li#ht( and du# a trench of the siOe of the chest between
four tombs4 =Dfoor di##in#( and IawDb removin# the earth in baskets( until they had du# to the de!th
of half a fathom( when they !ut the chest into the trench( and re!laced the earth over it( and went forth
from the enclosure( and( havin# closed the #ate( disa!!eared from before the eyes of 2hDnim the son of
1iyoob"
5hen( therefore( they had left the !lace vacant unto 2hDnim( and he knew that he was alone( his mind
became busied res!ectin# the contents of the chest( and he said within himself( 5hat can this chest
containR %e waited until daybreak #leamed and shone forth( and then descended from the !alm)tree(
and removed the earth with his hand until he had uncovered the chest and disen#a#ed it( when he took a
stone( and struck with it the lock( and broke it4 and liftin# u! the cover( he looked in( and beheld a
slee!in# damsel( stu!ified with ben7(+W but still breathin#: she was of beautiful and lovely !erson( and
decked with ornaments of #old( and necklaces of 7ewels( worth a kin#dom( and of a value that no
money would e0ual" 5hen 2hDnim the son of 1iyoob beheld her( he knew that she had been the ob7ect
of a !lot( and( bein# convinced of this( he !ulled her u! until he had lifted her out of the chest( and laid
her u!on her back4 and as soon as she scented the breeOe( and the air entered her nostrils and her mouth
and throat( she sneeOed( and then was choked( and cou#hed( whereu!on there fell from her throat a
round !iece of ben7( of such !otency that if an ele!hant smelt it he would slee! from one ni#ht to
another" /he then o!ened her eyes( and( lookin# round( said( with an elo0uent voice( 5o to thee( ;
wind_ Thou neither satisfiest the thirsty( nor cheerest by thy !resence the satisfied with drink_ 5here is
^ahr)el)9ustDnRC9utNNU no one answered her" Then lookin# aside( she exclaimed( IabeeGah_
/he7eret)ed)?urr_ Noor)el)%ud]_ Ne7met)eH)IubG_ 6rt thou awakeR+, NuOheh_ [ulweh_ careefeh_
/!eak ye_C9ut no one answered her" 6nd she looked round about her( and exclaimed( 6las for me(
that $ am trans!orted to the tombs_ ; Thou who knowest the secrets of the breasts( and recom!ensest
on the day of resurrection_ who hath brou#ht me from amon# the curtains and the veils( and !laced me
amid four tombsR
5hile she was sayin# all this( 2hDnim stood still4 but he now said to her( ; my mistress( there are
neither veils nor !alaces nor tombs for thee here: this is none other than thy slave 2hDnim the son of
1iyoob( whom the =in# who is omniscient with res!ect to hidden thin#s hath im!elled hither that he
may deliver thee from these troubles( and that the utmost of thy desires may be accom!lished unto thee"
C6nd he was silent4 and when she became convinced of the truth of the case( she exclaimed( $ testify
that there is no deity but 2od( and $ testify that &oGammad is 2od's 6!ostle_ Then lookin# towards
2hDnim( with her hands !laced u!on her breast( she said to him( with a sweet voice( ; aus!icious
youth( who brou#ht me untoNNW this !laceR 3or now $ have recovered my senses"C; my mistress( he
answered( three eunuchs came bearin# this chest:Cand he related to her all that had ha!!ened( and how
the evenin# had overtaken him( so that he became the means of her !reservation( and that otherwise she
had died of suffocation4 and he in0uired of her res!ectin# her history"C; youth( she re!lied( !raise be
to 2od who hath cast me into the hands of one like thee_ <ise therefore now( and !ut me into the chest(
and #o forth to the road( and as soon as thou shalt find any one who lets out asses or other beasts( or a
muleteer( hire him to trans!ort this chest( and convey me to thy house4 and when $ am in thy abode it
will be well( and $ will relate to thee my story( and ac0uaint thee with my tale( and #ood fortune will
accrue to thee throu#h my means"C/o 2hDnim re7oiced( and he went forth into the desert tract"
The day had be#un to #leam( the sun rose in s!lendour( and the !eo!le come walkin# forth4 and
2hDnim hired a man with a mule( and brou#ht him to the burial)!lace" %e then lifted the chest( after he
had !ut the damsel into it( and( with his heart smitten by love for her( !roceeded with her( full of 7oy(
for she was a damsel worth ten thousand !ieces of #old( and was decked with ornaments and a!!arel of
enormous value" /carcely had he found himself at his house when he !ut down the chest( and o!ened it(
and took forth from it the damsel( who looked( and saw that the !lace was a handsome dwellin#
furnished with varie#ated car!ets( and she observed the #ay colours and various embellishments( and
beheld stuffs !acked u!( and loads of #oods( and other !ro!erty: so she knew that he was a #reat
merchant( and a man of wealth" /he then uncovered her face( and looked at him( and observed him to
be a handsome youn# man( and loved him4 and she said to him( 9rin# us somethin# to eat" %e
answered her( ;n the head and the eye be thy commands:Cand went to the market( and bou#ht a
roasted lamb( and a dish of sweetmeat( and !rocured some dried fruits( and candles and wine( and the
re0uisite a!!aratus for !erfumes" Then returnin# to the house( he took in the thin#s( and when the
damsel saw him( she lau#hed( and kissed him( and embraced him( and be#an to caress him( so that the
love which he felt increased( and took entire !ossession of his heart" They then ate and drank until the
a!!roach of ni#ht( and their love was mutual: for they were both of the same a#e( and both e0ual in
comeliness4 and when the ni#ht a!!roached( the ?istracted /lave of 'ove( 2hDnim the son of 1iyoob(
rose and li#hted the candles and lam!s( and the chamber #listened: he then brou#ht forth the wine)
service( and !re!ared theNN, table( and sat down with her4 he fillin# and handin# to her( and she fillin#
and handin# to him( while they both toyed and lau#hed and recited verses: their #aiety increased( and
they were en#rossed by mutual love"C1xtolled be the !erfection of the Aniter of %earts_C Thus they
continued until it was near mornin#( when slee! overcame them( and each of them sle!t a!art from the
other till mornin# came"
2hDnim the son of 1iyoob then arose( and went forth to the market( and bou#ht what was re0uisite of
ve#etables and meat and wine and other !rovisions( and brou#ht them to the house4 and he a#ain sat
with her to eat( and they ate until they were satisfied4 after which he brou#ht the wine( and they drank
and toyed to#ether till their cheeks reddened and their eyes became more intensely black4+. and
2hDnim said( ; my mistress( have com!assion on the ca!tive of thy love( and him whom thine eyes
have slain" $ had remained sound of heart but for thee"CThen he we!t a while4 and she re!lied( ; my
master( and li#ht of mine eye( 9y 6llah( $ love thee and confide in thee4 but $ know that thou canst not
be united to me"C6nd what hinderethR said he" /he answered( $ will this ni#ht relate to thee my story(
that thou mayest acce!t my excuse" 9ut they continued thus a whole month4 and after this( one ni#ht(
when 2hDnim was com!lainin# to her of his !assion( she said to him( $ will now ex!lain to thee my
case( that thou mayest know my di#nity( and that my secret may be revealed to thee( and my excuse
become manifest to thee" %e re!lied( 5ell" 6nd she took hold of a band which confined a !art of her
dress( and said to him( ; my master( read what is on this border" /o he took the border in his hand( and
looked at it( and found worked u!on it in #old( $ am thine( and thou art mine( ; descendant of the
8ro!het's Ancle"@Z 6nd when he had read this( he let fall his hand( and said to her( <eveal to me thy
history" /he answered( 5ell:Cand thus be#an:C
=now that $ am a favourite slave of the 8rince of the 3aithful( and my name is Poot)el)Puloob"@+ The
8rince of the 3aithful( after he had reared me in his !alace( and $ had #rown u!( observed my 0ualities(
and the beauty and loveliness with which my 'ord had endowed me( and loved me excessively: he took
me and lod#ed me in a !rivate a!artment( and a!!ointed me ten female slaves to serve me( and then
#ave me those ornaments which thou seest with me" 6fter this( the =haleefeh went forth one day on a
7ourney to one of the surroundin# !rovinces( and the lady ^ubeydeh came to one of the female slaves
who were in my service( and said( 5hen thy mistressNN. Poot)el)Puloob slee!eth( !ut this !iece of
ben7 into her nose and her drink( and thou shalt receive from me a sum of money that will satisfy thee"
The slave re!lied( &ost willin#ly:Cand she received the ben7 from her( re7oicin# on account of the
money( and because she had been ori#inally ^ubeydeh's slave4 and she insinuated the ben7 into me(
whereu!on $ fell u!on the floor( with my head bent down to my feet( and seemed to be in another
world" 6nd when she could devise no other strata#em( she !ut me into that chest( and !rivily
summoned the black slaves( and( after havin# #iven !resents to them and to the door)kee!ers( sent me
with the black slaves on the ni#ht when thou wast re!osin# at the to! of the !alm)tree: and they did
with me as thou sawest( and my deliverance was effected throu#h thy means" Then thou brou#htest me
unto this !lace( where thou hast treated me with the utmost kindness" This is my story4 and $ know not
what hath ha!!ened to the =haleefeh durin# my absence" =now( therefore( my di#nity4 and divul#e not
my case"
5hen 2hDnim the son of 1iyoob heard these words of Poot)el)Puloob( and discovered that she was the
favourite of the =haleefeh( he drew back( in his awe of the =haleefeh( and sat alone at one side of the
chamber( blamin# himself( and reflectin# u!on his situation( !er!lexed by love of her to whom he could
not be united4 and he we!t from the violence of his desire( and the fierceness of his !assion and
distraction( and be#an to com!lain of fortune and its in7ustice"C1xtolled be the !erfection of %im who
causeth the hearts of the #enerous to be troubled with love( and endueth not the mean with so much of
it as e0ualleth the wei#ht of a #rain_C6nd u!on this( Poot)el)Puloob rose to him( and embraced and
kissed him( and( her heart bein# entirely ca!tivated by his love( she revealed what she had hidden of the
extent of her !assion( and encircled his neck with her arms( and kissed him a#ain4 but he withdrew
from her embrace( in his fear of the =haleefeh" They then conversed a while( drowned in the sea of
mutual love( and so remained until day( when 2hDnim arose( and went forth to the market as usual( and
!rocured what was re0uisite( and( returnin# to the house( found Poot)el)Puloob wee!in#: but as soon
as she beheld him( she ceased from her tears( and smiled( and said to him( Thou hast made me desolate
by thine absence( ; beloved of my heart_ 9y 6llah( this hour durin# which thou hast been away from
me hath a!!eared as a year4 for $ cannot endure thy se!aration4 and see( $ have thus shewn thee my
state( throu#h the violence of my !assion" 6rise therefore now( and mind not what hath ha!!ened(
butN-Z take me as thy wife"C9ut he re!lied( $ seek refu#e with 6llah_ This is a thin# that cannot be"
%ow should the do# sit in the !lace of the lionR 5hat belon#eth to my lord is forbidden me to
a!!roach"C%e then tore himself from her( and sat a!art4 and she increased in love throu#h his refusal"
C$n this manner they !assed three lon# months4 and whenever she made any advances to him he
withdrew from her( and said( 5hatever belon#eth to the master is forbidden to the slave"C/uch was
the case of the ?istracted /lave of 'ove( 2hDnim the son of 1iyoob"
&eanwhile( ^ubeydeh( durin# the absence of the =haleefeh( havin# acted thus with Poot)el)Puloob(
became !er!lexed( sayin# within herself( 5hat shall $ say to the =haleefeh when he cometh and
in0uireth res!ectin# her4 and what shall be my answer to himR /he then called for an old woman who
resided with her( and ac0uainted her with her secret( and said to her( 5hat shall $ do( now that Poot)el)
Puloob is no moreR The old woman answered( when she understood the affair( =now( ; my mistress(
that the return of the =haleefeh is near4 but $ will send to a car!enter( and desire him to make a wooden
ima#e of a cor!se( and they shall di# for it a #rave( and thou shalt li#ht candles and lam!s around it(
and command every one who is in the !alace to wear black(@@ and order thy female slaves and
eunuchs( as soon as they know of the =haleefeh's return from his 7ourney( to raise lamentations in the
vestibules( and when he enters and asks the news( they shall answer him( Poot)el)Puloob is dead4 and
may 2od abundantly com!ensate thee for the loss of her_Cand from the esteem with which she was
re#arded by our mistress( she hath buried her in her own !alace" /o when he heareth this( he will wee!(
and the event will distress him" Then he will cause the readers to sit u! by ni#ht at her tomb to !erform
recitations of the Pur)Dn: and if he say within himself( /urely the dau#hter of my uncle( throu#h her
7ealousy( hath been led to destroy Poot)el)Puloob(Cor the distraction of love over!ower him( and he
#ive orders to take her forth from the tomb( fear not from that4 for if they di# down to the ima#e in the
form of a human bein#( and take it forth( shrouded in costly #rave)clothes( and the =haleefeh desire to
remove the #rave)clothes from it( to behold her( do thou !revent him( and the fear of the world to come
will withhold him4 and do thou say to him( To behold her cor!se uncovered is unlawful" Then he will
believe her death( and will return her ima#e to its !lace( and thank thee for thy conduct( and thou shalt
esca!e( if it !lease 2od( from this difficulty"C5hen the lady ^ubeydeh( therefore( heardN-+ what she
said( she a!!roved it( and bestowed u!on her a dress of honour( and commanded her to do this( havin#
#iven her a sum of money" /o the old woman set about the business immediately( and ordered the
car!enter to make for her an ima#e as above described4 and when it was finished( she brou#ht it to the
lady ^ubeydeh( and she shrouded it( and li#hted the candles and lam!s( and s!read the car!ets around
the tomb( and clad herself in black( orderin# the female slaves to do the same4 and the news was s!read
throu#h the !alace( that Poot)el)Puloob had died"
/ome time after this( the =haleefeh returned from his 7ourney( and went u! to his !alace4 but his mind
was occu!ied only with Poot)el)Puloob4 and seein# the !a#es and eunuchs and female slaves all clad
in black( his heart was a#itated4 and when he entered the !alace of the lady ^ubeydeh( and beheld her
also clad in black( heN-@ in0uired the reason of it( and they informed him of the death of Poot)el)
Puloob" A!on hearin# this( he fell down in a swoon4 and when he recovered( he asked where was her
tomb4 and the lady ^ubeydeh answered( =now( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( that( on account of the esteem
in which she was held by me( $ buried her in my !alace" /o the =haleefeh( enterin# the !alace in his
travellin#)dress( !roceeded to visit the tomb of Poot)el)Puloob( and found the car!ets s!read( and the
candles and lam!s li#hted4 and when he beheld this( he thanked her for what she had done" 9ut
afterwards he became !er!lexed( and wavered a while between belief and disbelief( until sus!icion
overcame him( and he #ave orders to o!en the tomb and to take her out: when( however( he saw the
#rave)clothes( and was about to remove them that he mi#ht behold her( he feared 2od (whose name be
exalted_)( and the old woman said( <estore her to her !lace" Then immediately the =haleefeh
commanded to brin# the !rofessors of reli#ion and law( and the readers( and they !erformed recitations
of the whole of the Pur)Dn at her tomb( while he sat by the side of it wee!in# until he became
insensible"
%e continued to fre0uent the tomb for the s!ace of a month4 after which it ha!!ened that he entered the
[areem( after the emeers and weOeers had dis!ersed from before him to their houses( and he sle!t a
while( and a female slave sat at his head( and another at his feet4 and after slee! had overcome him he
awoke( and o!ened his eyes( and heard the damsel who was at his head say to her who was at his feet(
5o to thee( ; =heyOurDn_C5herefore( ; Pa\eebR@L said the other"C;ur lord( re7oined the first( is
i#norant of what hath ha!!ened4 so he sitteth u! by ni#ht at a tomb in which there is nothin# but a
carved ima#e( the work of the car!enter"C6nd what then( asked the other damsel( hath befallen Poot)
el)PuloobR %er com!anion answered( =now that our mistress ^ubeydeh sent some ben7 by a female
slave( and she stu!ified her with it( and when the ben7 had taken effect u!on her( she !ut her in a chest(
and sent her away with IawDb and =Dfoor( commandin# them to throw her into the tomb" A!on this(
=heyOurDn said( 5o to thee( ; Pa\eeb_ $s not the lady Poot)el)Puloob deadRC%eaven !reserve her
youth from death_ answered Pa\eeb: $ heard the lady ^ubeydeh say that Poot)el)Puloob was with a
youn# merchant named 2hDnim of ?amascus( and that she had been with him( includin# this day( four
months4 and our lord here wee!eth and !asseth slee!less ni#hts at a tomb in which there is no cor!se"C
Thus they conversed to#ether( while the =haleefeh heard their words4 andN-L when they had finished
their conversation( and he had become ac0uainted with the event( that this tomb was a false one( and
that Poot)el)Puloob had been with 2hDnim the son of 1iyoob for the s!ace of four months( he was
violently incensed( and arose( and summoned the emeers of his court4 whereu!on the 5eOeer *aQfar 1l)
9armekee !resented himself and kissed the #round before him( and the =haleefeh said to him( in an#er(
?escend( ; *aQfar( with a body of men( and in0uire for the house of 2hDnim the son of 1iyoob( and
assault it suddenly( and brin# him hither with my female slave Poot)el)Puloob4 and $ will assuredly
torture him"
*aQfar re!lied( $ hear and obey4Cand he went forth with his attendants( the 5Dlee also accom!anyin#
him( and they !roceeded until they arrived at 2hDnim's house" 2hDnim had 7ust before #one out and
brou#ht a !ot of meat( and was about to stretch forth his hand to eat of it with Poot)el)Puloob( when
she looked out( and found that the house was beset on all sides( and the 5eOeer and the 5Dlee and the
officers of violence and the memlooks with drawn swords were surroundin# it as the black surrounds
the !u!il of the eye4 and u!on this she knew that tidin#s of her situation had reached the ears of the
=haleefeh her lord( and she made sure of destruction4 her countenance became !ale( and her beauty
chan#ed( and( lookin# towards 2hDnim( she said to him( ; my beloved( save thyself_C%ow shall $ do(
said he( and whither shall $ flee( when my wealth and means of subsistence are in this houseR 9ut she
answered( ?elay not( lest thou !erish( and thy wealth also be lost"C; my mistress( and li#ht of mine
eye( re7oined he( how can $ contrive to #o forth when they are surroundin# the houseRC3ear not( she
answered:Cand she !ulled off his clothes( and clad him in worn)out( ra##ed #arments( and( takin# the
!ot that had contained the meat( !laced it u!on his head( and !ut in it a little bread and a saucer of meat(
and said to him( 2o forth by the hel! of this strata#em( and thou hast nothin# to fear with res!ect to me(
for $ know what $ am able to do with the =haleefeh" 5hen 2hDnim( therefore( heard the words of Poot)
el)Puloob( and the advice which she #ave him( he went forth throu#h the midst of them( bearin# the
!ot( and 8rovidence !rotected him so that he esca!ed from the snares and in7uries which menaced him(
by the blessin# of his #ood conscience"
6nd when the 5eOeer *aQfar arrived at the house( he dismounted from his horse( and entered( and
looked at Poot)el)Puloob( who had adorned herself( and filled a chest with #old and ornaments and
7ewelsN-N and rarities( such as were li#ht to carry and of #reat value4 and when *aQfar came in to her(
she rose u!on her feet( and kissed the #round before him( sayin# to him( ; my master( the 8en hath
written what 2od hath decreed"@N 9ut *aQfar( when he beheld her situation( re!lied( 9y 6llah( ; my
mistress( he #ave me no order but to arrest 2hDnim the son of 1iyoob" 6nd she said( =now that he hath
!acked u! some bales of merchandise( and #one with them to ?amascus( and $ know nothin# more than
this4 and $ re0uest thee to take care of this chest for me( and to convey it to the !alace of the 8rince of
the 3aithful" /o *aQfar answered( $ hear and obey:Cand he took the chest( and #ave orders that it
should be conveyed( to#ether with Poot)el)Puloob( to the !alace of the =haleefeh( treatin# her with
honour and res!ect" This took !lace after they had !lundered the house of 2hDnim4 and they went to the
=haleefeh( and *aQfar related to him all that had ha!!ened4 whereu!on the =haleefeh a!!ointed to
Poot)el)Puloob a dark chamber( and there lod#ed her( commissionin# an old woman to serve her4 for
he ima#ined that 2hDnim had acted dishonestly towards her"
%e then wrote a letter to the 1meer &oGammad the son of /uleymDn 1O)^eynee( who was viceroy of
?amascus( containin# as follows:C6s soon as this letter cometh to thy hands( thou shalt arrest 2hDnim
the son of 1iyoob( and send him unto me"C/o when the mandate was brou#ht to him( he kissed it( and
!ut it u!on his head( and caused it to be !roclaimed throu#h the market)street( 5hosoever desireth to
!lunder( let him re!air to the house of 2hDnim the son of 1iyoob" 6nd they came to the house( and
found that the mother of 2hDnim( and his sister( had made for them a tomb( and sat by it wee!in#4 and
they laid hold u!on them( and !lundered the house( and the mother and sister knew not the cause: and
when they brou#ht them before the /ulEDn(@- he in0uired of them res!ectin# 2hDnim the son of
1iyoob4 and they answered him( 3or the s!ace of a year we have obtained no tidin#s of him"C6nd they
restored them to their !lace"@U
$n the mean time( 2hDnim the son of 1iyoob( the ?istracted /lave of 'ove( when his wealth had been
seiOed( was !er!lexed( and be#an to wee! for himself so as to break his heart" %e walked on( and
ceased not on his way to the close of day( sufferin# from excessive hun#er and fati#ue( until he arrived
at a villa#e( where he entered a mos0ue( and seated himself u!on a round mat(@W and he leaned his back
a#ainst one of the walls of the buildin#( and then threw himself down( under the influence of extreme
hun#er and weariness" ThereN-- he remained until the mornin#( his heart !al!itatin# from want of
food4 vermin attacked his body( his breath became fetid( and he was alto#ether chan#ed4 and the !eo!le
of that villa#e( comin# to !erform the mornin#)!rayers( found him lyin# there sick throu#h want of
food( yet exhibitin# evident traces of former affluence4 and when they a!!roached him( they found him
cold and hun#ry" They clad him( therefore( with an old #arment havin# ra##ed sleeves( and said to him(
5hence art thou( ; stran#er( and what is the cause of thine infirmityR 6nd 2hDnim o!ened his eyes and
looked at them and we!t4 but he returned them no answer" Then one of them( knowin# the violence of
his hun#er( went and brou#ht him a saucer of honey and two cakes of bread( and he ate( while they sat
around him until the sun rose( when they de!arted to their several occu!ations"C$n this state he
remained amon# them for a month( and his infirmity and disease increased4 so the !eo!le(
commiseratin# him( consulted to#etherN-U res!ectin# his case( and a#reed to trans!ort him to the
hos!ital at 9a#hdDd"
Now while they were thus conversin#( lo( two women( be##ars( came in to him4 and they were his
mother and sister4 and when he beheld them( he #ave them the bread that was at his head( and they sle!t
by him the next ni#ht4 but he knew them not" 6nd on the followin# day( the !eo!le of the villa#e came
to him( brin#in# a camel( and said to its owner( Convey this sick !erson on the camel( and when thou
hast arrived at 9a#hdDd( !ut him down at the door of the hos!ital: !erha!s he may recover his health(
and thou wilt receive a recom!ense" %e answered them( $ hear and obey" /o they brou#ht forth 2hDnim
the son of 1iyoob from the mos0ue( and !laced him( with the round mat u!on which he was slee!in#(
on the camel4 and his mother and sister came to look at him amon# the other !eo!le4 but they knew him
not" Then observin# him attentively( they said( Ferily he resembleth our 2hDnim_ Can he be this sick
!erson or notRC9ut as to 2hDnim( he awoke not until he was mounted on the camel( and he be#an to
wee! and moan4 and the !eo!le of the villa#e saw his mother and sister wee!in# for him( thou#h they
did not know him" Then his mother and sister 7ourneyed onwards to 9a#hdDd( while the camel)driver
also !roceeded without sto!!in# until he had de!osited 2hDnim at the door of the hos!ital( when he
took his camel( and returned"
2hDnim remained lyin# there until the mornin#4 and when the !eo!le be#an to !ass alon# the street(
they beheld him" %e had become so emaciated that his form resembled that of a tooth!ick( and the
!eo!le ceased not to #aOe at him until the /heykh of the market came and re!elled them from him( and
said( $ will #ain 8aradise by means of this !oor !erson4 for if they take him into the hos!ital they will
kill him in one day" %e then ordered his youn# men to carry him( and they conveyed him to his house(
where he s!read for him a new bed( and !ut for him a new cushion( and said to his wife( /erve him
faithfully" /he re!lied( ;n the head:Cand she tucked u! her sleeves( and( havin# heated for him some
water( washed his hands and feet and body( and clothed him in a vest of one of her female slaves" /he
then #ave him to drink a cu! of wine( and s!rinkled rose)water u!on him: so he recovered his senses4
and he remembered his beloved( Poot)el)Puloob( and his an#uish increased"CThus did it ha!!en to
2hDnim"
Now as to Poot)el)Puloob(Cwhen the =haleefeh( incensed a#ainstN-W her( had lod#ed her in the dark
chamber( she remained there in the same state for ei#hty days4 and it ha!!ened that the =haleefeh
!assed one day by that !lace( and heard her recitin# verses4 and when she had finished her recitation of
them( she exclaimed( ; my beloved_ ; 2hDnim_ %ow kind art thou( and how chaste is thy dis!osition_
Thou hast acted with kindness unto him who hath in7ured thee( and hast #uarded the honour of him
who hath violated thine( and hast !rotected his Gareem and he hath enslaved both thee and thy family4
but thou wilt assuredly stand( with the 8rince of the 3aithful( before a *ust *ud#e( and thou wilt obtain
7ustice a#ainst him on the day when the 7ud#e shall be 2od4 and the witnesses( the an#els_C6nd when
the =haleefeh heard her words( and understood her com!laint( he knew that she was in7ured4 and he
entered his !alace( and sent the eunuch to her( and when she came before him she hun# down her head(
with wee!in# eye( and sorrowful heart4 and he said to her( ; Poot)el)Puloob( $ see that thou
com!lainest of my o!!ression( and accusest me of tyranny( and thinkest that $ have in7ured him who
hath acted kindly unto me" 5ho then is he who hath #uarded my honour and $ have violated his4 and
who hath !rotected my Gareem and $ have enslaved hisR@,C/he answered him( 2hDnim the son of
1iyoob4 for he hath not attem!ted any dishonest action towards me( by thy beneficence( ; 8rince of the
3aithful_CA!on this the =haleefeh exclaimed( There is no stren#th nor !ower but in 2od_Cand then
added( ; Poot)el)Puloob( desire of me what thou wilt( and $ will #rant thy wish" /o she re!lied( $
desire of thee my beloved( 2hDnim the son of 1iyoob" 6nd when he heard her words( he said( $ will
cause him to be brou#ht hither( if it be the will of 2od( in honour"C; 8rince of the 3aithful( she
re7oined( when thou shalt have caused him to be brou#ht( wilt thou !resent me to himR %e answered(
5hen $ have had him brou#ht( $ will !resent thee to him( the !resent of a #enerous man who will not
revoke his #ift" /o she said( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( !ermit me to search about for him: !erha!s 2od
may unite me with him" 6nd he re!lied( ?o as thou wilt"
A!on this she re7oiced( and went forth( takin# with her a thousand !ieces of #old and visited the
sheykhs( and #ave alms for the sake of 2hDnim:@. and on the followin# day she went to the market of
the merchants( and #ave to the chief of the market some money( sayin# to him( 9estow it in alms u!on
the stran#ers" Then a#ain( in the followin# week( she went forth( takin# with her a thousand !ieces of
#old( and( enterin# the market of the #oldsmiths and 7ewellers( sumN-,moned the chief of the market(
and he came( and she #ave him the thousand !ieces of #old( and said to him( 9estow it in alms u!on the
stran#ers: whereu!on the chief( who was the /heykh of the market before mentioned( looked at her( and
said to her( 5ilt thou #o with me to my house( to look at a youn# stran#er there( and see how ele#ant he
is( and how !erfectly charmin#R 3or it is !robable that he is 2hDnim the son of 1iyoob( the ?istracted
/lave of 'ove"C9ut the chief had no knowled#e of him( and ima#ined that he was a !oor !erson
involved in debt( whose wealth had been taken from him( or a lover !arted from his beloved" 6nd when
she heard his words( her heart beat( and her affections were en#rossed by him( and she answered( /end
with me some one to conduct me to thy house" /o he sent with her a youn# boy( who conducted her to
the house where the stran#er was lod#ed( and she thanked him for doin# so4 and when she entered the
house( and saluted the chief's wife( the latter arose( and kissed the #round before her4 for she knew her"
Then Poot)el)Puloob said to her( 5here is the sick !erson who is with youR 6nd she we!t( and
answered( %ere he is( ; my mistress: but he is of a res!ectable family( and exhibiteth traces of former
affluence" 6nd Poot)el)Puloob looked towards the bed u!on which he was lyin#( and( re#ardin# him
narrowly( beheld him as thou#h he were 2hDnim himself4 but his condition was chan#ed( and he had
become so emaciated that he resembled a tooth!ick( and the truth of his case was dis#uised from her( so
that she did not discover him to be the !erson whom she sou#ht4 but she was moved with com!assion
for him( and she we!t( and exclaimed( Ferily( stran#ers are ob7ects of !ity( thou#h they be emeers in
their own countries_ /he then ordered for him su!!lies of wine and medicines( and sat at his head a
while( and mounted( and returned to her !alace4 and she continued to #o forth to every market for the
!ur!ose of searchin# for 2hDnim"
/oon after( the chief of the market brou#ht the mother of 2hDnim( and his sister 3itneh( and went with
them to Poot)el)Puloob( and said to her( ; most charitable lady( there have entered our city this day a
woman and a #irl of res!ectable ori#in( bearin# evident traces of former affluence( but they are clad in
#arments of hair)cloth( and each of them hath a wallet hun# to her neck( and their eyes are wee!in#(
and their hearts sorrowful: so $ have brou#ht them unto thee( that thou mayest #ive them refu#e( and
!reserve them from the dis#race of be##ary4 for they are not !ersons suited to ask alms of the sordid4
and if it !lease 2od( we shall enter 8aradise by their means"C9yN-. 6llah( ; my master( she re!lied(
thou hast made me lon# to behold them_ 5here are theyR ;rder them to come in"C/o( u!on this(
3itneh and her mother came in to Poot)el)Puloob( who( when she saw them( and observed that they
were both distin#uished by beauty( we!t for them( and said( 9y 6llah( they are !ersons of an affluent
family( and traces of wealth are cons!icuous in their a!!earance"C; my mistress( re!lied the chief of
the market( we love the !oor and indi#ent for the sake of future recom!ense4LZ and !robably the
extortioners have o!!ressed these two !ersons( and !lundered them of their wealth( and ruined their
houses" Then these two females we!t violently( and( rememberin# 2hDnim the son of 1iyoob( the
?istracted /lave of 'ove( their wailin# increased( and Poot)el)Puloob we!t with them4 and the mother
of 2hDnim exclaimed( 5e !ray 2od to unite us with him whom we seek( and he is my son 2hDnim the
son of 1iyoob" 5hen Poot)el)Puloob( therefore( heard these words( she knew that this woman was the
mother of her beloved( and that the other was his sister( and she we!t until she fell down in a swoon4
and when she recovered( she a!!roached them( and said to them( Se have nothin# to fear4 for this day is
the first of your !ros!erity( and the last of your adversity:NUZ therefore #rieve not" /he then ordered the
chief of the market to take them to his house( and to let his wife conduct them into the bath( and attire
them in handsome clothin#( and take care of them( and treat them with the utmost honour4 and she #ave
him a sum of money"
Then( on the followin# day( Poot)el)Puloob mounted and went a#ain to the house of the chief of the
market( and went in to visit his wife( who rose to her( and kissed the #round before her( and thanked her
for her charity4 and she saw that his wife had conducted the mother of 2hDnim( and his sister( to the
bath( and taken off their former clothes( and that the traces of their ori#inal affluence had become more
cons!icuous in conse0uence4 and she sat a while conversin# with them4 after which she asked the wife
of the chief of the market res!ectin# the sick !erson who was with her" /he answered( %e is in the same
state" 6nd Poot)el)Puloob said( 6rise( and let us look at him and visit him" /o they both arose( with
2hDnim's mother and sister( and went in to him( and seated themselves by him4 and when 2hDnim the
son of 1iyoob( the ?istracted /lave of 'ove( heard one of them mention Poot)el)Puloob( emaciated as
he was in body and limbs( his soul returned to him( and he raised his head from the !illow( and called
out( ; Poot)el)Puloob_ /he looked at him( therefore( and knew him( and cried( sayin#( Ses( ; my
beloved_ %e then said to her( ?raw near to me" 6nd she asked him( 6rt thou 2hDnim the son of 1iyoob(
the ?istracted /lave of 'oveR %e answered her( Ses: $ am he" 6nd u!on this( she fell down in a swoon4
and when his sister and his mother heard their words( they cried out( ;h( our 7oy_Cand in like manner
fainted" 6nd when they recovered( Poot)el)Puloob said to 2hDnim( 8raise be to 2od who hath united
us with thee and with thy mother and sister_ Then( a!!roachin# him( she related to him all that had
ha!!ened to her with the =haleefeh( addin#( $ said to him( $ have declared to thee the truth( ; 8rince of
the 3aithful:Cand he believed my words( and a!!roved thee4 and he is now desirin# to see thee" 6nd
she said to him( The =haleefeh hath #iven me to thee:Cwhereu!on he was filled with the utmost 7oy:
and Poot)el)Puloob said to them all( guit not this !lace until $ come a#ain"
/he then arose immediately( and de!arted to her !alace( and removed thence the chest that she had
brou#ht from 2hDnim's house( and took forth from it some !ieces of #old( which she #ave to the chief
of the market( sayin# to him( Take these !ieces of #old( and buyNU+ for each of them four com!lete
suits of dress of the best kinds of stuff( and twenty handkerchiefs( and whatever else they re0uire" 6nd
after this( she conducted them to the bath( and #ave orders to wash them( and !re!ared for them boiled
meats( and infusion of #alan#al( and a!!le)water( after they had come forth from the bath and dressed
themselves" 3or three days she remained with them( feedin# them with fowls and with boiled meats(
and #ivin# them sherbet of refined su#ar to drink4 and after the three days their s!irits returned to them"
Then she conducted them a#ain to the bath( and they came forth( and she chan#ed their clothes( and(
leavin# them in the house of the chief of the market( went to the =haleefeh( and kissed the #round
before him( and related to him the story( tellin# him that her master( 2hDnim the son of 1iyoob( the
?istracted /lave of 'ove( had come( and that his mother and sister also had arrived" 5hen the
=haleefeh( therefore( heard these words of Poot)el)Puloob( he said to the eunuchs( 9rin# hither to me
2hDnim" 6nd *aQfar went down with them to brin# him: but Poot)el)Puloob had #one before him4 and
she went in unto 2hDnim( and said to him( The =haleefeh hath sent to thee to brin# thee before him:
have a care then to dis!lay elo0uence of ton#ue( and firmness of heart( and sweetness of s!eech" 6nd
she attired him in a ma#nificent dress( and #ave him !ieces of #old in abundance( sayin# to him(
9estow !lentifully u!on the domestics of the =haleefeh as thou #oest in to him" 6nd lo( *aQfar
a!!roached him( mounted u!on his mule( and 2hDnim advanced to meet him( and #reeted him with a
!rayer for lon# life( kissin# the #round before him"
The !lanet of his !ros!erity had a!!eared( and the star of his #lory had risen aloft( and *aQfar took him(
and they !roceeded until they entered into the !resence of the 8rince of the 3aithful4 and when 2hDnim
came before him( he looked towards the weOeers and emeers and chamberlains and lieutenants and the
other officers of the court( and the warriours( and( bein# elo0uent of ton#ue( firm of heart( delicate in
the style of his lan#ua#e( and !leasin# in the allusions it conveyed( he hun# down his head towards the
#round( and then looked towards the =haleefeh( and addressed him in a series of com!limentary verses"
6nd when he had finished his recitation( the =haleefeh was deli#hted with the #races of his !erson( and
!leased with the elo0uence of his ton#ue and the sweetness of his s!eech4 and he said to him( 6!!roach
me" %e therefore a!!roached him( and the =haleefeh said to him( 1x!lain to me thy tale( and ac0uaint
me with the truth of thy history" /o 2hDnim sat( and related to the =haleefeh all that hadNU@ ha!!ened
to him from be#innin# to end4 and when the =haleefeh knew that he s!oke truth( he bestowed u!on
him a dress of honour( and admitted him into his favour( and said to him( 6c0uit me of res!onsibility"L+
6nd he did so( and said to him( ; 8rince of the 3aithful( the slave and all that his hands !ossess belon#
to his master:Cand the =haleefeh re7oiced" %e then #ave orders to a!!ro!riate a !alace to him
exclusively( and a!!ointed him abundant !ensions and allowances( and removed to him his mother and
his sister" 6nd the =haleefeh( hearin# that his sister 3itneh was( in beauty (as her name im!orted)( a
tem!tation( demanded her of him in marria#e" 2hDnim therefore re!lied( /he is thy handmaid(L@ and $
am thy memlook" 6nd the =haleefeh thanked him( and #ave him a hundred thousand !ieces of #old(LL
and summoned the PD\ee and witnesses( and they !erformed the marria#e)contract" Then he and
2hDnim visited their wives on the same day( the =haleefeh #oin# to 3itneh( and 2hDnim the son of
1iyoob to Poot)el)Puloob4 and on the followin# mornin#( the =haleefeh ordered that all that had
ha!!ened to 2hDnim( from first to last( should be committed to writin# and inserted in the records( that
his !osterity mi#ht consider it( and wonder at the dis!osals of destiny( and commit their affairs unto the
Creator of the ni#ht and the day"LN
NUL
NOTES TO CHAPTER SEVENTH.
Note +" ?amascus is afterwards mentioned in the ori#inal as the abode of this merchant's family4 but
not here"
Note @" B2hDnimB si#nifies Ba taker of s!oil(B Ba fortunate ac0uirer of anythin#4B and B1iyoobB is the
name which %e call B*ob"B
Note L" B3itnehB si#nifies Btem!tation(B Bseduction(B Bdisturbance(B Mc"
Note N" 9y the term BloadsB we are always to understand Bcamel)loads(B unless it is otherwise
ex!ressed" 6 camel)load is #enerally about three hundred)wei#hts"
Note -" ;r vesicles of musk" $n the ori#inal( BnawDfeGB is !ut for BnawDfi7"B
Note U" 6 #reat recom!ense in the world to come is to be the lot of him who takes !art in a funeral)
!rocession"
Note W" The ablution was necessary to 0ualify 2hDnim for 7oinin# in the !rayer over the dead"
Note ," BIawDbB si#nifies Brectitude"B
Note ." B=DfoorB is the 6rabic for Bcam!hor"B $nstances of anti!hrasis in the names #iven to black
slaves are very common"
Note +Z" B9akheetB si#nifies Bfortunate(B from BbakhtB (BfortuneB)( a word borrowed from the 8ersian"
Note ++" $ am not sure that this is to be understood as a 7est4 for $ have been assured( by a slave)dealer
and other !ersons in Cairo( that sometimes slaves brou#ht to that city are found to be cannibals4 and
that a !roof lately occurred there4 an infant havin# been eaten by its black nurse" $ was also told that
these cannibals are #enerally distin#uished by an elon#ation of the os coccy#is4 or in other words( that
they have tails_
Note +@" The story here alluded to is inserted in the ori#inal4 but( bein# extremely ob7ectionable( and
too short and sim!le to be abrid#ed( $ have been com!elled to omit it alto#ether"
Note +L" This story is not in the old version4 but $ think the reader will consider it worthy of insertion in
the !resent series( as an amusin# illustration of the customs which are often observed by the 6rabs on
the occasion of the death of the master of a family" $ can bear testimony to the #eneral correctness of
the !icture which it !resents4 or rather state( that the #reatest of the extrava#ances which it describes are
not unfre0uently !ractised in the !resent day"NUN
Note +N" 6s the 6rab women are much more reluctant to uncover the u!!er and back !art of the head
than they are to shew the face( before stran#e men( such a scene as that which is here described is very
seldom witnessed4 but $ have seen not so unfre0uently a woman with her face uncovered( and
besmeared with mud( on her receivin# the news of the sudden death of a near relation"
Note +-" This( to some readers( may re0uire ex!lanation" To free a slave who has no means of
!rovidin# for himself( and not to #rant him any means to do so( is almost the heaviest !unishment that
can be inflicted u!on him4 and to do this( unless for a heinous crime( is considered dis#raceful"
Note +U" This is not 7ust4 for as soon as the slave is emanci!ated he is le#ally free( without doubt: but it
is inserted in the tale as a 7est"L-N
Note +W" /ee Note NU to Cha!ter ii"CThis mode of dis!osin# of a rival in the Gareem is said to have
been not very unfre0uently ado!ted"
Note +," $ sus!ect that the ori#inal !resents here an error( which $ have endeavoured to correct"CThe
names which the lady e7aculates are to be understood as those of female slaves( her attendants" B^ahr)
el)9ustDnB si#nifies B3lower of the 2arden4B BIabeeGah(B B9eautiful4B B/he7eret)ed)?urr(B BTree of
8earlsB (this is the vul#ar mode of !ronouncin# B/he7er)ed)?urr(B which was the name of the wife of
the /ulEDn 1H)IDleG Ne7m)ed)?een( afterwards gueen of 1#y!t)4 BNoor)el)%ud](B B'i#ht of ?ay(B or
B'i#ht of 2uidance4B BNe7met)eH)IubG(B B/tar of the &ornin#4B BNuOheh(B B?eli#ht4B B[ulweh(B
B/weet4B and Bcareefeh(B B1le#ant"B
Note +." 3rom this !oint( to the relation of the strata#em em!loyed by ^ubeydeh( $ omit much that is
unsuitable for insertion in the translation( as a!!roachin# to licentiousness"
Note @Z" 8erha!s it is unnecessary to mention( that Bthe 8ro!het's AncleB here alluded to was
1l)'6bbDs4 and that the BdescendantB was %Droon 1r)<asheed"
Note @+" BPoot)el)PuloobB si#nifies B3ood (or /ustenance) of %earts"B
Note @@" 6s black( which was the distin#uishin# colour of the banners and dress of the '6bbDsee
=haleefehs( was ori#inally assumed in token of mournin# for such of their relations as were victims of
the Amawees( it may have continued for a lon# time to be used for a similar !ur!ose: but the modern
colour of mournin# amon# the 6rabs is blue4 and it is remarkable that the term which !ro!erly si#nifies
BblackB is commonly a!!lied by them to dark blue"C;n the sub7ect of mournin#( see Note -@ to
Cha!ter ii"
Note @L" B=heyOurDnB and BPa\eebB si#nify res!ectively( Ba CaneB (!articularly B$ndian CaneB)( and Ba
<od(B or Ba lon# and slender 9ranch"B
Note @N" /ee note ,- to Cha!ter iii"
Note @-" 9y Bthe /ulEDnB is meant the Ficeroy of ?amascus( thou#h the title is im!ro!erly used in this
sense"
Note @U" The account of the dis#ustin# treatment of 2hDnim's mother and sister( which follows in this
!lace in the old version( is not in either of the co!ies of the ori#inal which $ !ossess( containin# this
tale" %ence( and as it is extremely inconsistent with 6rab customs and feelin#s( $ have little doubt of its
bein# an inter!olation by some i#norant co!yist"
Note @W" /ee Note +, to Cha!ter vi"
Note @," 9y 2hDnim's Gareem( we are here to understand his mother and sister4 the term BGareemB
bein# often used to si#nify a man's female relations residin# in his house"
NU-
Note @." $t is im!lied that she visited the sheykhs (by which are here meant the devotees) to re0uest the
aid of their !rayers4 and #ave alms for the sake (or in the name) of 2hDnim in order to !ro!itiate
8rovidence in his favour"
Note LZ"COn the Charita&le *isposition of the Ara&s! /ome remarks which $ have made on this
sub7ect with reference to the 1#y!tians( in a former work( are e0ually a!!licable to the 6rabs in
#eneral" B9enevolence and charity to the !oor are virtues which the 1#y!tians !ossess in an eminent
de#ree( and which are instilled into their hearts by reli#ion4 but from their own !rofession it a!!ears
that they are as much excited to the #ivin# of alms by the ex!ectation of en7oyin# corres!ondin#
rewards in heaven( as by !ity for the distresses of their fellow)creatures( or a disinterested wish to do
the will of 2od" $t may be attributed( in some measure( to the charitable dis!osition of the inhabitants(
that be##ars are so numerous in Cairo" The many handsome /ebeels( or !ublic fountains (buildin#s
erected and endowed for the #ratuitous su!!ly of water to !assen#ers)( which are seen in this city( and
the more humble structures of the same kind in the villa#es and fields( are monuments of the same
virtue"BL-- /o also the numerous =hDns for the rece!tion of travellers( in countries occu!ied by the
6rabs( bear testimony to the charity of this !eo!le"
Note L+" This is often said by an 6rab to a !erson a#ainst whom he knows or fears himself to have
committed an offence" The most ur#ent reason for doin# so may be seen by revertin# to No" . of the
notes to Cha!ter iv"
Note L@" This com!liment has occasioned( in the old version( an error of the most serious kind( by its
havin# been understood in its literal sense" 2hDnim is made to !ro!ose that the =haleefeh should take
his sister as one of his favourites (i! e! concubines)4 which( as she was a free woman( would be a crime
of the foulest nature"
Note LL" 5e are to understand this sum of money as bein# 3itneh's dowry"C%ere it may be mentioned(
that the =haleefeh( by marryin# 3itneh( severely !unished ^ubeydeh: for he thus #ave her a wife(
instead of a concubine( as a rival"
Note LN"COn the "assion of $ove among the Ara&s! 6 few remarks on this sub7ect may be inserted to
7ustify the !icture of love !resented in the fore#oin# tale" That sensual !assion is most !revalent amon#
the 6rabs cannot be doubted4 but $ think it un7ust to su!!ose them #enerally inca!able of a !urer
feelin#( worthy( if constancy be a sufficient test( of bein# termed true love" That they are not so( a!!ears
evident to almost every !erson who mixes with them in familiar society4 for such a !erson must have
o!!ortunities of bein# ac0uainted with many 6rabs sincerely attached to wives whose !ersonal charms
have lon# vanished( and who have neither wealth nor influence of their own( nor wealthy nor
influential relations( to induce their husbands to refrain from divorcin# them" $t very often ha!!ens( too(
that an 6rab is sincerely attached to a wife !ossessed( even in the best !ortion of her a#e( of few
charms4 and that the lastin# favourite amon# two or more wives is not the most handsome" This
o!inion( $ am sorry to observe( is at variance( as far as the 6rabs of the to%ns are concerned( with that
entertained by one of the most intelli#ent and ex!erienced of modern travellers( who lon# resided
amon# this !eo!le(Cthe 7ustly)celebrated 9urckhardt:L-U but NUUit is confirmed by numerous facts
related by res!ectable 6rab authors (and therefore not re#arded by them as of an incredible nature)( as
well as by cases which have fallen under my own observation" The tale of 'eyl] and &e7noon( Bthe
*uliet and <omeo of 6rabia(B is too well known to be here re!eated4 but amon# many other anecdotes
of stron# and constant love( the followin# may be inserted:C
The =haleefeh SeOeed the son of '6bd)1l)&elik( it is said( had two female slaves4 ;ne of whom was
named [abbDbeh( and the other( /elDmeh4 to the former of whom he was most ardently attached: he
had !urchased her for a hundred thousand dirhems4 and the other( for ten thousand" $n the com!any of
these two females he sometimes shut himself u! for three months to#ether( utterly ne#lectin# the affairs
of his !eo!le" 6t len#th( bein# re!roved for this conduct by his brother &eslemeh( he !romised to
return to his duty: but the two slaves diverted him from his !ur!ose4 and on the followin# mornin#(
excited by their son#s and caresses( and by wine( he became frantic with !leasure( and danced and san#
like a madman( till a fatal accident !ut a sto! to his 7oy: [abbDbeh( eatin# a !ome#ranate( was choked
by one of the #rains( and immediately died" The #rief of SeOeed was so !oi#nant that he would not 0uit
the cor!se( but continued to kiss and fondle it until it became !utrid" 9ein# then admonished by his
attendants that !ro!er res!ect re0uired its burial( he consented to commit it to the earth: after five days(
however( his desire a#ain to behold the ob7ect of his love induced him to o!en the #rave( and thou#h
the cor!se had become hideous( he declared that it was lovely as ever in his eyes" 6t the earnest re0uest
of &eslemeh( he ordered the #rave to be closed a#ain4 but he was unable to exist when de!rived of the
si#ht of the remains of her who was at the same time his slave and his mistress: he threw himself u!on
his bed( s!eechless4 and after lin#erin# seventeen ni#hts( ex!ired( and was buried by the side of
[abbDbeh" B&ay 2od(B says the narrator( Bhave mercy on them both_BL-W
$n the same work from which the above is taken( it is related that %Droon 1r)<asheed( visitin#
/uleymDn the son of 6boo)*aQfar( one of his chief officers( saw NUWwith him a female slave( named
ha'eefeh( of excessive beauty( and bein# smitten by her charms( demanded her as a !resent" %is re0uest
was #ranted4 but /uleymDn from #rief at the loss of his mistress( fell sick4 and durin# his illness was
heard to exclaim(C
B$ a!!eal unto 2od a#ainst the affliction which %e hath sent u!on me throu#h the =haleefeh" The world
heareth of his 7ustice4 but he is a tyrant in the affair of ha'eefeh"L-, 'ove of her is fixed in my heart as
ink u!on the surface of !a!er"B
1r)<asheed( bein# informed of his com!laint( restored to him his mistress( and( with her( his !eace of
mind"CThis anecdote is #iven as a !roof of stron# love4 but !erha!s may not be thou#ht much to the
!ur!ose" The followin#( from the same work( is more a!t"
?urin# the hottest hour of an excessively sultry day( the =haleefeh &o'Dwiyeh the son of 6boo)/ufyDn
was sittin# in a chamber which was o!en on each side to allow free !assa#e to the air( when he beheld a
barefooted 9edawee a!!roachin# him" 5onderin# what could induce this man to brave the scorchin#
heat( he declared to his attendants that( if he were come to demand of him any favour or aid or act of
7ustice( his re0uest should be #ranted" The 9edawee addressed him( in verse( with a !athetic a!!eal for
7ustice a#ainst the tyranny of &arwDn the son of 1l)[akam (afterwards =haleefeh( &o'Dwiyeh's fourth
successor)( by whom he had been forcibly de!rived of his beloved wife( named /oQd]" The =haleefeh
re0uirin# a more !articular account of his case( he related the followin# facts" %e had a wife( the
dau#hter of his !aternal uncle( excessively beloved by him( and he !ossessed a number of camels(
which enabled him to live in comfort4 but a year of terrible drou#ht de!rived him of his !ro!erty( and
reduced him to utter want: his friends deserted him( and his wife was taken away from him by her
father" To seek redress( he re!aired to &arwDn( the 2overnor of his district( at 1l)&edeeneh( who(
havin# summoned the father of his wife( and herself( was so smitten by the beauty of the woman that
he determined to obtain her for himself in marria#e4 to accom!lish which( he threw the husband into
!rison( and offered the father of the woman a thousand deenDrs and ten thousand dirhems for his
consent to his marria#e with her( !romisin# to com!el her actual husband to divorce her4 and this latter
ob7ect( havin# obtained the father's a!!roval( he #ained by severely torturin# the unfortunate 9edawee"
$t would have been vain for the woman to attem!t resistance4 and so she became the wife of &arwDn"
CThe o!!ressed 9edawee( havin# related these circumstances( fell down in a swoon( and lay on the
floor senseless( coiled u! like a dead snake" 6s soon as he recovered( the =haleefeh wrote a !oetical
e!istle to &arwDn( severely re!roachin# him for his baseness( and commandin# him( on !ain of death(
to divorce the woman and send her with his messen#er" /he was accordin#ly divorced and sent( with an
answer com!osed in the same measure and rhyme( assurin# the =haleefeh that the si#ht of /oQd]
would convince him that her charms were irresistible4 and this !roved too true" &o'Dwiyeh himself no
sooner saw her than he coveted the !ossession of her( and offered to #ive the 9edawee( if he would
resi#n her to him( three vir#ins from amon# his female slaves( to#ether with a thousand deenDrs( and an
am!le annual !ension" The 9edawee shrieked with dismay( as thou#h he had received his death)blow4
and indi#nantly re7ected the offer" The =haleefeh then said to him( BThou confessest that thou hast
divorced her( and &arwDn has married her and acknowled#ed that he has divorced her: we will
therefore #ive her her choice: if she desire any other than thee as her husband we will marry her to him(
and if she !refer thee we will restore her to thee"B /he however !referred the destitute 9edawee( and
the =haleefeh #ave her u! to him( with a !resent of ten thousand dirhems"
Numerous instances of unreasonable love are recorded in the writin#s of 6rabs" $t NU,is related that a
man fell in love with a female from seein# the im!ression of her hand u!on a wall4 and bein# unable to
obtain !ossession of her( died" &any men are said( to have conceived a violent !assion for females seen
in dreams: others( a#ain( to have been thus affected merely by the ear" 6n author relates his havin# been
ac0uainted with an accom!lished schoolmaster who lost his heart from hearin# a man sin# the !raises
of a woman named Amm)'6mr( and two days after( shut himself u! in his house to mourn for her death(
in conse0uence of his hearin# the same man sin#(C
BThe ass went away with Amm)'6mr4 and she returned not( nor did the ass return"BL-.
9ut a few anecdotes may be considered as rare exce!tions to a #eneral rule" $ think( however( that
stron# evidences of the existence of true love amon# all classes of the 6rabs are afforded by their very
numerous tales of fiction descri!tive of this !assion"
L-N &ar#inal note by my sheykh"
L-- &odern 1#y!tians( vol" i" ch" xiii"
L-U $ may suffer in !ublic estimation for my differin# in o!inion from this accom!lished traveller and
most estimable man4 but $ cannot( on that account( abstain from the ex!ression of my dissent" ;ur
difference( $ think( may be thus ex!lained" %e conformed( in a #reat de#ree( to the habits of the 6rabs4
but not to such an extent as $ consider necessary to obtain from them that confidence in his sym!athy
which would induce them to lay o!en to him their character4 and when a man is often treated with
coldness and reserve( $ doubt whether the !eo!le from whom he ex!eriences such treatment can be
7ud#ed by him with strict im!artiality" To be received on terms of e0uality by 6rabs of the more
!olished classes( an undeviatin# observance of their code of eti0uette is absolutely indis!ensable: but
9urckhardt( $ have been assured( often violated this code( by !ractices harmless enou#h to our notions(
and !robably( also( in the o!inion of the 6rabs of the ?esert( but extremely offensive to the !eo!le who
en7oyed the least share of his esteem: his most intimate ac0uaintances in Cairo #enerally refused( in
s!eakin# of him( to desi#nate him by the title of BsheykhB which he had ado!ted4 and yet the heaviest
char#e that $ heard brou#ht a#ainst him was his fre0uent habit of %histling_CThis fact has been
mentioned( as corroboratin# an observation of the same kind( by &r" Ar0uhart (B/!irit of the 1ast(B vol"
i" !!" N+W and N+,)( all of whose o!inions relatin# to the 1ast( ex!ressed in the work here referred to(
and es!ecially those re#ardin# the characteristics of the 1astern mind( are entitled to the hi#hest
res!ect"
[6 very remarkable instance( confirmin# &r" 'ane's o!inion of the existence of true love amon# the
6rabs( occurred durin# my residence with him in Cairo" The wife of a man of #ood birth( and holdin# a
hi#h !osition in that city( was accused of carryin# on an intri#ue while visitin# the tombs of her
relations" %er family claimed her in accordance with the law( and threatened to !ut her to death( as the
law would undoubtedly have 7ustified them in doin#( if the case were !roved a#ainst her" %er husband
was much attached to herCshe was his first and only wifeCand he believed( with reason( that the
accusation was false: at the same time he knew that she would in all likelihood find it im!ossible to
clear herself in a court of law( where 7ustice is only accidentally awarded( and had #ood cause to fear
that her male relations would !ut her to death without a hearin#" %e therefore ado!ted the extraordinary
ex!edient of takin# her secretly to the house of a married 1uro!ean #entleman of his ac0uaintance"
There she remained concealed for some time( her husband visitin# her daily( and shewin# the most
!erfect confidence in his friend4 while the latter was almost confined to one room( never venturin# into
the Gareem without callin# B8ermission_B at every few ste!s" $n the mean time( the indi#nation of the
lady's friends cooled( and the affair was cleared u!" /he has since lived in !erfect ha!!iness with her
husband"
To any one familiar with 1astern customs and modes of thou#ht( a stron#er !roof of sincere love could
scarcely be #iven( than that a man should thus set aside the stron#est !re7udices of his nation to save the
honour( and !erha!s the life( of his wife( disbelievin# a re!ort which( from its !lausibility( mi#ht have
been acce!ted without hesitation" The facilities afforded by the visits to the cemeteries are notorious(
and the state of morals amon# the women of 1#y!t unfortunately makes their defence difficult in a
sus!icious case"C1d"
L-W =itDb el)';nwDn fee &ekD>d en)NiswDn (&/" in my !ossession)"
L-, This word sli#htly varied (chan#ed to \a'eefih) bears another meanin#4 namely( Bhis weak one:B the
final vowel bein# su!!ressed by the rule of waJf"
L-. =itDb el)';nwDn( Mc"
NU.
CHAPTER VIII.
COMMENCING WITH PART OF THE HUNDRED AND SEVENTH NIGHT,1 AND ENDING WITH PART OF THE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SEVENTH.
THE STORY OF T#!-EL-MULOO AND THE LADY DUNY).
There was( in former times( a city behind the mountains of $H!ahDn( called 1l)&edeeneh el)=ha\r](@
and in it resided a =in# called the =in# /uleymDn" %e was a !erson of liberality and beneficence( and
7ustice and inte#rity( and of a #enerous and obli#in# dis!osition: travellers re!aired to him from every
0uarter( and his fame s!read throu#hout all the re#ions and countries4 and he rei#ned a lon# time in
#lory and security4 but he was destitute of children and of wives"NWZ
%e had a 5eOeer who nearly resembled him in his 0ualities( in liberality and other endowments4 and it
came to !ass that he sent to this 5eOeer one day( and havin# summoned him into his !resence( said to
him( ; 5eOeer( my heart is contracted( and my !atience is overcome( and my stren#th is im!aired(
because $ have neither a wife nor a child: this is not the usual way of =in#s who rule over lords and
!oor men4 for they re7oice in leavin# children( and multi!lyin# by them the number of their !osterity4
and the 8ro!het (2od bless and save him_) hath said( $ntermarry( and be#et offs!rin#( that ye may
increase in number4 for $ shall contend for your su!eriority with the other nations on the day of
resurrection"C5hat( then( is thy counsel( ; 5eOeerR 8oint out to me what is advisable"C9ut when the
5eOeer heard these words( tears !oured from his eyes( and he re!lied( 3ar be it from me( ; =in# of the
a#e( that $ should s!eak of that which belon#eth unto the Com!assionate to decide_L ?ost thou desire
that $ should enter the fire of %ell( throu#h the an#er of the 6lmi#hty =in#RC=now( ; 5eOeer(
re7oined his soverei#n( that( if the =in# !urchase a female slave whose rank and linea#e are unknown(
he will not be ac0uainted with her i#noble ori#in that he may abstain from her( or the nobility of her
extraction that he may make her his com!anion: so( if he do this( she may !erha!s bear him a son who
may be a hy!ocrite( a tyrant( a shedder of blood4 and she may resemble a marshy land( the !roduce of
which is worthless( and attaineth no excellence: her child may be obnoxious to the indi#nation of his
'ord( not doin# what %e commandeth him( nor refrainin# from that which %e forbiddeth him to do" $
will never( therefore( be the means of such an event by !urchasin# a female slave" $ desire( rather( that
thou demand in marria#e for me one of the dau#hters of the =in#s( whose linea#e is known( and whose
loveliness is celebrated" $f( then( thou wilt !oint out to me one of #ood birth and of reli#ion amon# the
dau#hters of the &uslim =in#s( $ will demand her as my wife( and marry her in the !resence of
witnesses( that $ may thereby obtain the a!!roval of the 'ord of mankind"CThe 5eOeer re!lied( Ferily
2od hath accom!lished thy want and #iven thee thy desire"C%ow soR asked the =in#"C=now( ;
=in#( answered the 5eOeer( that it hath been told me that the =in# ^ahr /hDh( the soverei#n of 1l)6r\
el)9ey\](N hath a dau#hter of astonishin# loveliness( whom words cannot describe( whose e0ual
existeth not in this a#e( for she is endowed with the most !erfect beauty and symmetry( with black eye(
and lon# hair( and slender waist( and lar#e hi!s4 when she a!!roachNW+eth she seduceth( and when she
turneth her back she killeth( ravishin# the heart and the eye" $t is my o!inion( therefore( ; =in#( that
thou shouldst send to her father an intelli#ent messen#er( well)informed( and ex!erienced in the course
of events( that he may courteously ask her in marria#e for thee of her father4 for she hath no e0ual in
the distant !arts of the earth( nor in the near4 so shalt thou en7oy her lovely face( and the 2lorious =in#
shall a!!rove thy conduct4 since it hath been handed down from the 8ro!het (2od bless and save him_)
that he said( There is no monkery in 1l)$slDm"
A!on this( the =in# was !erfectly deli#hted( his bosom ex!anded with 7oy( and anxiety and #rief
de!arted from him4 and( addressin# his 5eOeer( he said to him( =now( ; 5eOeer( that no one shall #o
on this business but thou( on account of thy consummate wisdom and !oliteness: de!art( therefore( to
thy house( and accom!lish what thou hast to do( and !re!are thyself by the morrow( and demand for me
in marria#e this damsel with whom thou hast caused my heart to be en#rossed( and return not to me
without her" The 5eOeer re!lied( $ hear and obey:Cand he went to his house( and #ave orders to brin#
!resents suitable to =in#s( consistin# of costly 7ewels and !recious rarities( such as were li#ht to carry
and of #reat value( to#ether with 6rab horses( and ?avidean coats of mail(- and chests of wealth such
as lan#ua#e would fail to describe" These they !laced u!on the mules and camels( and the 5eOeer
de!arted( accom!anied by a hundred memlooks and a hundred male black slaves and a hundred female
slaves( and the fla#s and banners were unfurled over his head" The =in# char#ed him to return soon4
and after his de!arture( the =in# /uleymDn /hDh burned with desire( and became en#rossed with love
of the damsel ni#ht and day" &eanwhile( the 5eOeer( by ni#ht and by day traversed the deserts and
wastes until there remained between him and the city to which he was re!airin# one day's 7ourney(
when he ali#hted at the bank of a river( and( havin# summoned one of his chief officers( ordered him to
#o 0uickly to the =in# ^ahr /hDh( and to ac0uaint him with his a!!roach" %e answered( $ hear and
obey:Cand went 0uickly to the city4 and when he arrived there( it ha!!ened that the =in# ^ahr /hDh
was sittin# in one of the !laces of recreation before the #ate of the city( and( seein# him as he entered(
knew him to be a stran#er( and summoned him before him" /o when the messen#er came to him( he
informed him of the a!!roach of the 5eOeer of the su!reme =in# /uleymDn /hDh( the =in# of 1l)6r\
el)=ha\r] and of the mountains of $H!ahDn4 and the =in# ^ahrNW@ /hDh re7oiced( and welcomed the
messen#er( and( havin# conducted him to his !alace( said to him( 5here didst thou !art from the
5eOeerR %e answered( $ !arted from him in the mornin# at the bank of such a river( and to)morrow he
will arrive and visit thee: may 2od continue his favours unto thee( and show mercy unto thy !arents_U
^ahr /hDh then ordered one of his weOeers to take with him the #reater number of his chief officers and
chamberlains and lieutenants and the lords of his court( and to #o forth with them to meet him( in
honour of the =in# /uleymDn /hDh4 for his dominion extended throu#h the land"
$n the mean time( the 5eOeer of /uleymDn /hDh remained where he had halted until midni#ht( and then
!roceeded towards the city4 and when the mornin# #leamed( and the sun shone u!on the hills and the
lowlands( suddenly the 5eOeer of the =in# ^ahr /hDh( and his chamberlains and the lords of his court
and the chief officers of his kin#dom( a!!roached and 7oined him at the distance of some lea#ues from
the city" /o the 5eOeer of /uleymDn /hDh felt sure of the accom!lishment of his business( and saluted
those who met him4 and the latter !receded him until they arrived at the !alace of the =in#( and !assed
in before him throu#h the entrance to the seventh vestibule" This was the !lace which no one entered on
horseback4 for it was near to the =in#4 therefore here the 5eOeer ali#hted( and he !roceeded on foot
until he came to a lofty saloon( at the u!!er end of which was a couch of alabaster set with !earls and
7ewels( havin# four le#s of ele!hants' tusks( and u!on it was a mattress covered with #reen satin
embroidered with red #old( and over it was a cano!y adorned with !earls and 7ewels" A!on this couch
sat the =in# ^ahr /hDh( and the lords of his court stood in attendance u!on him" 6nd when the 5eOeer
went in unto him( and stood before him( he com!osed his heart( and #ave liberty to his ton#ue( and(
dis!layin# the oratory of weOeers( and utterin# the lan#ua#e of the elo0uent( addressed the =in# with
courtesy of manner( and recited a series of com!limentary verses4 and when he had finished( the =in#
caused him to draw near( treated him with the utmost res!ect( and( seatin# him by his side( smiled in his
face( and honoured him with a #racious re!ly" 6fter this( the attendants brou#ht forward the table in that
saloon( and they ate until they were satisfied( when the attendants removed the table( and every one
who was !resent went forth( exce!t the chief officers" 5hen the 5eOeer( therefore( saw that they had
0uitted the hall( he rose and stood on his feet( and( com!limentin# theNWL =in#( kissed the #round
before him( and said( ; #reat =in#( and di#nified soverei#n( $ have come unto thee and visited thee on
an affair !roductive of !eace and !ros!erity and ha!!iness unto thee4 and it is this: $ have come to thee
as an ambassador to desire in marria#e thy dau#hter( the distin#uished by rank and linea#e( from the
=in# /uleymDn /hDh( who is endowed with 7ustice and inte#rity( and #raciousness and beneficence( the
=in# of 1l)6r\ el)=ha\r] and of the mountains of $H!ahDn( and he hath sent unto thee many !resents
and numerous rarities( desirin# thine alliance" ?ost thou then wish the same of himRC%e then stood
silent( waitin# for the answer4 and when the =in# ^ahr /hDh heard these words( he rose u!on his feet(
and modestly kissed the #round4 and the !ersons who were !resent wondered at the =in#'s
condescension to the ambassador(NWN and their minds were amaOed" The =in# then offered u! !raises
unto %im who is !ossessed of #lory and honour( and said( still standin#( ; exalted 5eOeer( and
illustrious lord( hear what $ say: we are( unto the =in# /uleymDn /hDh( amon# the number of his
sub7ects( and shall be ennobled by his affinity: we covet this distinction4 and my dau#hter is one of his
handmaids" This is my #reatest desire4 that he may be a means of su!!ort to me( and my reliance"C
6nd he summoned the PD\ees and witnesses( and they bore witness that the =in# /uleymDn /hDh had
a!!ointed his 5eOeer as his de!uty to effect the marria#e( and the =in# ^ahr /hDh 7oyfully officiated
for his dau#hter in !erformin# the contract4 so the PD\ees concluded the marria#e)contract( and offered
u! a !rayer for the ha!!iness and !ros!erity of both !arties: after which( the 5eOeer arose( and
!roduced the !resents and !recious rarities( and all the #ifts that he had brou#ht( and offered the whole
to the =in# ^ahr /hDh"
The =in# then occu!ied himself in fittin# out his dau#hter( and in honourably entertainin# the 5eOeer4
and he feasted at his ban0uets the #reat and the ab7ect( and continued the festivity for a !eriod of two
months( omittin# in it nothin# that would re7oice the heart and the eye"W 6nd when everythin# that the
bride re0uired was com!leted( the =in# #ave orders to carry forth the tents( and they were !itched
outside the city" They !acked the stuffs in the chests( and made ready the 2reek and Turkish female
slaves4 and the =in# !rovided the bride with !recious treasures and costly 7ewels( and made for her a
litter, of red #old adorned with !earls and 7ewels( a!!ro!riatin# to her use ten mules for the 7ourney"
The litter a!!eared like a !rivate chamber( and its occu!ant like one of the beautiful [ooreeyehs(. her
cano!y resemblin# one of the !avilions of 8aradise" They !acked u! the treasures and wealth( and
!laced them u!on the mules and camels( and the =in# ^ahr /hDh went with them to the distance of
three lea#ues( and then bade farewell to his dau#hter and the 5eOeer and his attendants( and returned
home in 7oy and safety"
The 5eOeer !roceeded with the =in#'s dau#hter( and continued his days' 7ourneys and his route over
the wastes( travellin# with dili#ence by ni#ht and day( until there remained between him and his
country a 7ourney of three days4 whereu!on he sent forward a messen#er to the =in# /uleymDn /hDh to
inform him of the a!!roach of the bride" /o the messen#er hasted in his 7ourney till he arrived in the
!resence of the =in#( and ac0uainted him with the a!!roach of the bride4 and the =in# was re7oiced(
and bestowed a robe of honourNW-

u!on the messen#er( and ordered his troo!s to #o forth in #rand !rocession to meet the bride and her
attendants with honour( desirin# them to e0ui! themselves in the #ayest manner( and to unfurl the
standards over their heads" 6nd they com!lied with his commands4 and a crier !roclaimed throu#h the
city( that no curtained damsel nor honoured lady nor infirm old woman should fail to #o forth to meet
the bride" /o they all went forth to meet her( and the chief amon# them accom!anied her to serve her"
They decided to#ether to conduct her towards ni#ht to the =in#'s !alace( and the chief officers of the
court a#reed to decorate the streets( and to stand while the bride !assed by them with the eunuchs and
female slaves before her( she herself bein# clad in the dress which her father #ave her" 6nd when she
a!!roached( the troo!s surrounded her( ran#ed on the ri#ht and left( and the litter advanced with her
until it drew near to the !alace4 and there was no one who did not come forth to see it: the drums were
beaten( and the s!ears brandished( and the trum!ets sounded( and sweet odours were diffused around(
and the standards fla!!ed( and the horses raced with each other( until they arrived at the #ate of the
!alace( when the !a#es advanced with the litter to the entrance of the [areem:
the !alace was illuminated by its s!lendour( and its walls shone with the lustre of its ornaments4 and at
ni#ht the eunuchs o!ened the doors of the inner a!artment( and stood surroundin# the chief entrance"
The brideNWU then came forward amon# the female slaves( like the moon amon# the stars( or the chief
!earl amon# the minor !earls of the strin#( and she entered the a!artment( where they had !laced for
her a couch of alabaster set with !earls and 7ewels" A!on this she seated herself( and the =in# came in
to visit her( and 2od ins!ired his heart with love for her( so that his dis0uietude and trouble ceased"
%e remained with her about a month( after which he went forth and sat u!on his throne( and
administered 7ustice to his sub7ects4 and towards daybreak on the mornin# after the ex!iration of the
ninth month( his wife #ave birth to a male child of an aus!icious a!!earance" 5hen the =in# heard of
it( he re7oiced exceedin#ly( and #ave a lar#e sum of money to the bearer of the #ood tidin#s4 and in his
7oy he went to the child( and kissed him between the eyes( wonderin# at his sur!assin# beauty" The
midwives took him( and blackened the ed#es of his eyelids with koGl4+Z and they named him TD7)el)
&ulook =hDrDn"++ %e was nourished on the bosom of indul#ence( and reared in the la! of !ros!erity(
and days and years !assed until he attained the a#e of seven years4 whereu!on the =in# /uleymDn /hDh
summoned the men of learnin# and science( and ordered them to instruct his son in writin# and science
and !olite literature( and they continued to do so for some years( until he had learnt what was re0uisite4
and when he was ac0uainted with all that the =in# desired( he caused him to be brou#ht from the
!rofessors and teachers( and en#a#ed for him a master to instruct him in horsemanshi!( who continued
to teach him until his !u!il was fourteen years of a#e" 5henever the youth went forth on any business(
every one who beheld him was ravished by his beauty( so that they com!osed verses in his !raise( and
even the women of virtue were overcome by love for him( throu#h the sur!assin# beauty with which he
was endowed" 6nd when he had attained the a#e of ei#hteen years( the #rey down a!!eared u!on a
mole on his red cheek( while another mole( like a #lobule of amber#ris( added to these charms( and he
ca!tivated the minds and eyes of his beholders" %is comeliness increased as he became a man( and he
had com!anions and friends( and every one who en7oyed access to him wished that TD7)el)&ulook
mi#ht be /ulEDn after the death of his father( and that he mi#ht himself be one of his emeers"
Now TD7)el)&ulook became addicted to huntin#( and would not desist from it for a sin#le hour" %is
father( the =in#( used to forbid him this !ursuit( fearin#( on his account( the !erils of the desert and the
wild beasts4 but he would not receive his warnin#s" 6nd it cameNWW to !ass
that he said to his servants( Take with you !rovender for ten days" 6nd they com!lied with his order4
and when he went forth with his followers to the chase( they !roceeded over the desert( and continued
their course for four days( until they came in si#ht of a verdant tract( where they beheld wild beasts
ran#in# at lar#e( and trees with ri!e fruit( and s!rin#s #ushin# forth4 so he said to his followers( /et here
the nets( and enlar#e their circle( and our !lace of meetin# shall be at the extremity of the circle( at such
a s!ot" They therefore obeyed his commands:
they set
the nets( and enlar#ed their circle( and there collected within them an abundance and a variety of wild
beasts and #aOelles( in such numbers that the wild beasts cried out in fear of them( and threw
themselves in the faces of the horses in their attem!ts to esca!e" /o he ur#ed the do#s and the lynxes+@
and the hawks at them4 and they shot the wild beasts with arrows( strikin# them in mortal !laces( and
they arrived not at the further extremity of the circle without havin# taken( of the wild beasts( a #reat
number4 the rest havin# fled away" TD7)el)&ulook then ali#hted at some water( and( havin# caused the
#ame to be brou#ht before him(NW, divided it: he a!!ro!riated to his father( /uleymDn /hDh( the best of
the beasts( and des!atched the !ortion to him4 and some he distributed amon# the officers of his court"
They !assed the ni#ht at that !lace4 and in the mornin# there a!!roached them a #reat caravan(
com!risin# black slaves and servants and merchants" The caravan halted at the water and the verdant
tract4 and when TD7)el)&ulook beheld them( he said to one of his com!anions( 9rin# me an account of
these !eo!le( and ask them wherefore they have halted in this !lace" 6nd when the messen#er went to
them( he said to them( $nform us who ye are( and return an answer 0uickly" /o they re!lied( 5e are
merchants( and have halted here for the sake of rest( for the next station is distant from us4 and we have
halted in this !lace because we here en7oy tran0uillity under the !rotection of the =in# /uleymDn /hDh
and his son4 for we know that every one who ali#hteth in his dominions is in safety and !eace4 and we
have some !recious stuffs which we have brou#ht on account of his son TD7)el)&ulook" The messen#er(
therefore( returned to the =in#'s son( and ac0uainted him with the truth of the matter( informin# him of
what he had heard from the merchants4 and the =in#'s son said( $f they have anythin# which they have
brou#ht on my account( $ will not enter the city nor remove from this !lace until $ cause it to be
dis!layed before me" %e then mounted his horse( and !roceeded( his memlooks followin# him( until he
drew near to the caravan4 and the merchants rose to him( and #reeted him with !rayers for the divine
aid and favour( and the continuance of his #lory and his excellencies" 6 tent of red satin embroidered
with !earls and 7ewels was !itched for him( and they s!read for him( over a car!et of silk( a royal
car!et( the u!!er end of which was adorned with emeralds: and TD7)el)&ulook seated himself( and the
memlooks stood waitin# u!on him4 and he sent to the merchants( commandin# them to brin#
everythin# that they had with them" /o they a!!roached him with their merchandise( and he caused all
of it to be dis!layed before him( and took of it what suited him( and #ave them the !rice"
6fter this( he mounted( and was about to de!art4 when( castin# a #lance at the caravan( he saw a youn#
man( a comely youth( attired in clean clothes( of ele#ant !erson( with shinin# forehead and brilliant
countenance4 but the charms of this youth had suffered a chan#e( and !aleness had overs!read him( in
conse0uence of his se!aration from the ob7ects of his affection4 #reat was his #roanin# and lamentation(
and( with tears flowin# from his eyes( he recited these verses:NW.C
;ur se!aration is !rotracted( and anxiety and fear are !rolon#ed4 and tears from my eye( ; my friend(
are flowin#" $ bade farewell to my heart on the day of !artin#( and now $ am alone( without heart( and
without ho!e" ; my friend( !ause with me while $ bid her farewell by whose voice diseases and
infirmities would be cured"
%avin# thus said( he we!t a while( and fell down in a swoon( while TD7)el)&ulook looked at him(
wonderin# at his case4 and when he recovered( he stared with a bold look( and a#ain recited some
verses( commencin# thus:C
9eware of her eye4 for it is enchantin#( and none esca!eth u!on whom it is cast"
%e then uttered a loud si#h( and a second time swooned4 and when TD7)el)&ulook beheld him in this
state( he was !er!lexed at his case( and walked towards him4 and as soon as he recovered from his fit(
he saw the =in#'s son standin# at his head4 whereu!on he rose u!on his feet( and kissed the #round
before him4 and TD7)el)&ulook said to him( 5herefore hast thou not dis!layed thy merchandise to usR
C; my lord( he answered( my merchandise com!riseth nothin# suitable to thy hi#hness" 9ut the
=in#'s son said( Thou must !ositively shew me what thou hast( and ac0uaint me with thy
circumstances4 for $ see thee with wee!in# eye and mournin# heart4 and if thou be o!!ressed( we will
!ut an end to the o!!ression that thou sufferest4 and if thou be in debt( we will dischar#e thy debt4 for
my heart hath been tormented on thine account since $ first beheld thee"
Then TD7)el)&ulook #ave orders to !lace a chair4 and they set for him a chair of ivory and ebony
ornamented with reticulated work of #old and silk( and they s!read for him a silken car!et4 and TD7)el)
&ulook seated himself u!on the chair( and commanded the youn# man to sit u!on the car!et( and said
to him( ?is!lay to me thy merchandise" The youn# man re!lied( ; my lord( mention it not unto me4 for
my merchandise is not suitable to thee" 9ut TD7)el)&ulook said to him( $t must be done:Cand ordered
some of his !a#es to brin# it: so they brou#ht it in s!ite of him4 and when the youn# man beheld it( his
tears flowed( and he we!t and si#hed and lamented( and #roans rose from his throat" 6fter a#ain
re!eatin# some verses( he o!ened his merchandise( and dis!layed it before TD7)el)&ulook( !ortion by
!ortion and !iece by !iece( and took forth from amon# it a #arment of satin interwoven with #old(
worth two thousand !ieces of #old4 and when he o!ened this( there fell from the midst of it a !ieceN,Z
of linen( and the youn# man( snatchin# it hastily( !ut it beneath him( his reason wanderin#( and thus
exclaimed"C
5hen will the tortured heart be healed by theeR The constellation of the 8leiades is nearer to me than
thou_
TD7)el)&ulook was struck with the utmost wonder at his words( not knowin# the cause of them4 and
when the youn# man took the !iece of linen( and !ut it beneath him( TD7)el)&ulook said to him( 5hat
is this !iece of linenR %e answered( ; my lord( thou hast no interest in this" 9ut the =in#'s son said(
/hew it to me"C; my lord( he re!lied( $ refrained not from ex!osin# to thee my merchandise but on
account of this4 for $ cannot allow thee to see it" TD7)el)&ulook( however( said( $ must see it:Cand he
ur#ed him( and was an#ry" The youn# man( therefore( took it from beneath his knee( and we!t and
si#hed and lamented exceedin#ly: so TD7)el)&ulook said to him( $ re#ard thy conduct as not ri#ht:
ac0uaint me then with the cause of thy wee!in# at beholdin# this !iece of linen" 6nd when the youn#
man heard the mention of the !iece of linen( he si#hed( and said( ; my lord( my story is wonderful( and
my case is stran#e with res!ect to this !iece of linen and her to whom it belon#ed( and her who
desi#ned these fi#ures and emblems" %e then unfolded the !iece of linen4 and lo( in it was the fi#ure of
a #aOelle worked with silk( and embroidered with red #old( and facin# it was the fi#ure of another
#aOelle worked with silver( and havin# u!on its neck a rin# of red #old and three JaHabehs+L of
chrysolite" 5hen TD7)el)&ulook beheld this( and observed the beauty of its execution( he exclaimed(
1xtolled be the !erfection of 2od( who hath tau#ht man that which he knew not_+N 6nd his heart was
en#rossed with desire to hear the story of this youn# man4 so he said to him( <elate to me the story of
thyself and of her who was the owner of these #aOelles" The youn# man( therefore( re!lied(C
THE STORY OF 'A"EE" AND 'A"EE"EH.
=now( ; my lord( that my father was a #reat merchant( and he was blest with no child but me" $ had a
cousin (the dau#hter of a !aternal uncle) with whom $ was brou#ht u! in my father's house4 for her
father had died( and before his death he had made an a#reement with my father that they should marry
me to her: so( when $ had attained to manhood( and she to womanhood( they did not excludeN,+ her
from me( nor me from her" &y father then s!oke to my mother( and said to her( This year we will
!erform the marria#e)contract of '6OeeO and '6OeeOeh"+- 6nd havin# a#reed with my mother to do this(
he be#an to make ready the !rovisions for the entertainments"
6ll this was done while $ and my cousin were livin# to#ether without the sli#htest restraint( and
i#norant of the circumstance4 and she was more intelli#ent and more knowin# than $" 6nd when my
father had made the !re!arations for the festivity( and nothin# remained but the !erformance of the
contract( and my union to my cousin( my father !ro!osed that they should !erform the contract after the
3riday)!rayers: so he re!aired to his friends( the merchants and others( and ac0uainted them with his
intention4 and my mother went and invited her female friends and relations" 6nd when the 3riday came(
they washed the saloon which was a!!ro!riated to the #uests( and cleansed its marble !avement( and
s!read the car!ets in our house( and furnished it with everythin# that was re0uisite( after they had
decorated its walls with stuffs interwoven with #old4 the !eo!le havin# a#reed to !ay their com!liments
to our family after the 3riday)!rayers" &y father then went and caused sweetmeats and dishes of su#ar
to be !re!ared4 and there remained nothin# but the !erformance of the contract" &y mother had sent me
to the bath( and sent after me a new suit of clothes of the richest descri!tion4 and on my comin# out
from the bath( $ !ut on this handsome suit( which was !erfumed4 and when $ !ut it on( a delicious odour
was diffused from it( and left a fra#rance in the way"
$ desired now to re!air to the mos0ue4 but( rememberin# one of my friends( $ returned to search for
him( that he mi#ht be !resent at the ceremony of the contract( sayin# within myself( $ will busy me with
this affair until the time of !rayer draws near" $ then entered a by)street which $ had never entered
before" $ was !ers!irin# from the effect of the bath and the new clothes which $ wore( and the moisture
dro!!ed from me while my !erfumes diffused their odour4 so $ seated myself at the u!!er end of the
street to take rest u!on a maHEabah( and s!read beneath me an embroidered handkerchief that $ had with
me" The heat became o!!ressive to me( and my forehead !ers!ired( and the dro!s ran down my face(
and $ could not wi!e the moisture from it with my handkerchief because it was s!read beneath me: $
was therefore about to take the skirt of my fara7eeyeh to wi!e with it my cheek( when suddenly a white
handkerchief fell u!on me from above" This handkerchief was more delicate to the feel than theN,@
Oe!hyr( and the si#ht of it was more !leasant than restoration to the diseased4 and $ took it in my hand(
and( raisin# my head to see whence it had fallen( my eye met the eye of the female who owned these
#aOelles4 and lo( she was lookin# out from a lattice in a window of brass" &y eye never beheld a !erson
more lovely( and alto#ether her charms were such as the ton#ue cannot describe4 and when she saw me
lookin# at her( she !ut her fin#er in her mouth( and then united her middle fin#er and her fore fin#er(
and !laced them u!on her bosom4 after which( she drew in her head from the window( and shut the
lattice and withdrew" 6 fire had been darted into my heart( and the flame increased4 the si#ht drew from
me a thousand si#hs(N,L and $ was !er!lexed4 for $ heard not anythin# from her( and understood not
what she meant by her si#ns" $ looked a#ain towards the window4 but found it closed: and $ waited until
sunset4 but heard no sound( nor saw any !erson4 so( des!airin# of seein# her a#ain( $ rose from my
!lace( and took the handkerchief with me" $ o!ened it( and the odour of musk was diffused from it( and
$ was so exhilarated by the scent that $ seemed as if $ were in !aradise" $ then s!read it before me4
whereu!on there fell from it a !iece of delicate !a!er( and( o!enin# this( $ found it richly !erfumed with
ex0uisite scents( and inscribed with these verses:C
$ sent a letter to com!lain to him of the !ain of my !assion( in a delicate handwritin# (for handwritin#s
are various)4 /o my beloved said( 5herefore is thy writin# thus delicate and minute( so as scarce to be
discernibleR $ answered( 9ecause $ am wasted and attenuated: so( therefore( should the writin# of lovers
be"
6fter this( $ cast a #lance at the beauty of the handkerchief( and beheld an amatory cou!let worked
u!on one of its two borders(+U and another( of a similar kind( on its other border"
5hen $ saw these verses u!on the handkerchief( a flame of fire shot into my heart( and my desire and
!er!lexity increased4 and $ took the handkerchief and the !a!er( and went with them to the house( not
knowin# any means of obtainin# what $ desired( and inca!able of discoverin# how to !roceed !ro!erly
in my love" $ arrived not at the house until a considerable !ortion of the ni#ht had ela!sed( and beheld
my cousin sittin# wee!in#4 but when she saw me( she wi!ed away her tears( and a!!roached me( and
took off from me my outer clothes( and asked me the cause of my absence" /he told me that all the
!eo!le( the emeers and #randees( and merchants and others( had assembled in our house( and the PD\ee
and the witnesses had come( and they ate the re!ast( and remained a considerable while sittin# in
ex!ectation of my !resence for the !ur!ose of !erformin# the marria#e)contract( and when they
des!aired of my comin#( they dis!ersed and went their ways"CThy father( said she( was violently
enra#ed on account of this( and swore that he would not !erform our marria#e)contract until next year4
for he hath ex!ended u!on this festivity a lar#e sum of money" 5hat( she added( hath ha!!ened unto
thee this day( that thou hast delayed thy return until now( and that this hath ha!!ened on account of
thine absenceR
$ answered her( /uch and such thin#s have ha!!ened to me:CandN,N mentioned to her the
handkerchief( ac0uaintin# her with the affair from first to last: and she took the !a!er and the
handkerchief( and read what was u!on them( and her tears ran down u!on her cheeks4 and she asked
me( 5hat did she say to thee( and of what did she make si#ns to theeR $ answered( /he uttered not a
word4 but !ut her fin#er in her mouth( and then united it with the middle fin#er( and !laced both fin#ers
u!on her bosom( and !ointed to the #round: then she drew in her head( and closed the lattice( and $ saw
her not afterwards" /he carried off my heart with her( and $ sat until sunset in ex!ectation of her lookin#
out from the lattice a second time4 but she did it not4 and when $ des!aired of seein# her a#ain( $ rose
from the !lace" This is my story4 and $ be# of thee to aid me in the trouble in which $ am involved"C
A!on this( she raised her head towards me( and said( ; son of my uncle( if thou re0uiredst mine eye( $
would !ull it out for thee from my eyelids4 and $ must assist thee in the accom!lishment of thy desire(
and assist her in like manner4 for she is overwhelmed by love for thee( as thou art by love for her"C
6nd what( said $( is the inter!retation of the si#ns which she madeRC%er !uttin# her fin#er in her
mouth( she answered( indicateth that thou art in her estimation as her soul to her body(+W and that she
lon#eth for thy union with her4 and as to the handkerchief( it is a si#nal of the lover's salutation to the
beloved4 and the !a!er denoteth that her soul is ca!tivated by thee4 and as to her !uttin# her two fin#ers
u!on her bosom( the meanin# of it is as thou#h she said to thee( 6fter two days come hither( that my
affliction may be dissi!ated by thy countenance"+, 6nd know( ; son of my uncle( she continued( that
she loveth thee and confideth in thee" This is my inter!retation of her si#ns4 and if $ had liberty to #o in
and out at !leasure( $ would effect thy union with her in the shortest time( and !rotect you both with my
skirt"C5hen $ heard these words from her( said the youn# man( $ thanked her for what she had said(
and $ said within myself( $ will wait two days" $ then remained two days in the house( neither #oin# out
nor comin# in( nor eatin# nor drinkin#" $ !ut my head in the la! of my cousin4 and she cheered me by
her conversation( and said to me( 9e resolute and of #ood heart( and dress thyself( and re!air to her at
the time a!!ointed" 6nd she arose( and chan#ed my clothes( and !erfumed me with incense"
$ then braced u! my nerves( and fortified my heart( and went forth( and !roceeded until $ entered the
by)street( and after $ had sat a while u!on the maHEabah( lo( the lattice o!ened" $ looked towards theN,-
damsel( and when $ saw her $ fell down in a swoon: then recoverin#( $ summoned resolution( and took
heart( and looked at her a second time4 but a#ain $ became insensible4 and when $ recovered( $ saw with
her a mirror and a red handkerchief" ;bservin# me now( she tucked u! her sleeves from her fore arms(
and( o!enin# her five fin#ers( struck her bosom with them (with the !alm and the five fin#ers): next she
raised her hands( and held forth the mirror from the lattice( and took the red handkerchief( and retired
with it4 after which she returned( and let it down from the lattice towards the street three times( lettin# it
down and raisin# it( and then wrin#in# it and twistin# it with her hand( and bendin# down her head: she
then drew it in throu#h the lattice( and closed the lattice( and de!arted( without s!eakin# to me one
word( but leavin# me in !er!lexity( not knowin# to what she alluded" $ remained sittin# there until the
hour of ni#htfall( and went home near midni#ht"
$ found my cousin with her hand !laced to her cheek( and her eyelids !ourin# forth tears4 and u!on this(
my anxieties and #riefs increased( and $ fell down in a corner of the chamber4 but she s!ran# towards
me( and lifted me u!( and( havin# taken off from me my outer clothes( wi!ed my face with her sleeve(
and asked me what hadN,U ha!!ened to me" $ related to her( therefore( all that had ha!!ened on the !art
of the damsel: and she said to me( ; son of my uncle( as to her si#n with her hand and five fin#ers( its
inter!retation is( Come hither after five days:Cand as to her si#n with the mirror( and her !uttin# forth
her head from the lattice [and her actions with the red handkerchief(+. the meanin# is( /eat thyself at
the sho! of the dyer until my messen#er shall come to thee"C5hen $ heard her words( fire burned in
my heart( and $ re!lied( 9y 6llah( ; dau#hter of my uncle( thou sayest truly in this inter!retation4 for $
saw in the by)street a *ewish dyer" $ then we!t( and my cousin said( 9e resolute( and firm of heart4 for
others than thou are troubled with love for a !eriod of years( and contend with the fierceness of !assion(
while thou hast but a week to endure: wherefore then should this im!atience overcome theeR 6nd she
!roceeded to cheer me with her conversation( and brou#ht me food4 and $ took a morsel( and would
have eaten it4 but $ could not" $ abstained from drink and food( and renounced the deli#hts of slee!( and
my com!lexion became !allid( and my charms became chan#ed4 for $ had never known love before
that( nor tasted the fervency of that !assion before4 and $ fell sick( and my cousin became sick on my
account" /he occu!ied herself in relatin# to me the sufferin#s of lovers( in order to enliven me( until $
fell aslee!4 and $ used to awake( and find her slee!less on my account( with her tears flowin# u!on her
cheeks4 and thus $ remained until the five days had !assed( when my cousin arose( and heated some
water for me( and bathed me with it( and dressed me( and said to me( <e!air to her( and may 6llah
accom!lish thy wish( and #rant thee what thou desirest of thy beloved"
/o $ went( and walked on until $ came to the u!!er end of the by)street( and that day was /aturday4 so $
found the sho! of the dyer shut: and $ sat there till the call to afternoon)!rayers4 and the sun became
yellow( and the call to evenin#)!rayers was chanted4 and ni#ht commenced( and $ saw no trace of her(
nor heard a voice( nor received any messa#e: $ therefore feared for myself( sittin# alone4 and $ rose and
walked away( like one intoxicated( until $ entered the house"
There( on #oin# in( $ beheld my cousin '6OeeOeh with one of her hands holdin# a !e# knocked into the
wall( and her other hand u!on her bosom4 and she was #roanin#( and recitin# verses4 but when she had
finished her recitation( she turned her eyes towards me( and beheld me4 whereu!on she wi!ed away her
tears and mine with herN,W sleeve( and( smilin# in my face( said to me( ; son of my uncle( 6llah #rant
thee en7oyment of that which %e hath #iven thee_ 5herefore hast thou not visited thy beloved this
ni#htRC6nd when $ heard her words( $ kicked her with my foot u!on her bosom( and she fell down
u!on the raised floor( and there was a !e# there( and it wounded her forehead" ;n lookin# at her $ saw
that her forehead was cut o!en( and her blood was flowin#4 yet she was silent( and uttered not a sin#le
letter4 but rose immediately( and burned some tinder of ra#s( and( havin# closed with it the wound( tied
a banda#e round her head( and wi!ed away the blood that had flowed u!on the car!et4 and it was as
thou#h this accident had not occurred" /he then came to me( and( smilin# in my face( said to me with a
#entle voice( 9y 6llah( ; son of my uncle( $ said not this to make a 7est of thee or of her" $ was troubled
7ust now by the achin# of my head( and with wi!in# away the blood: but at the !resent moment the !ain
of my head is alleviated( and that of my forehead: tell me therefore what hath ha!!ened to thee this day"
C/o $ related to her all that had befallen me throu#h the conduct of that damsel on this day4 and after $
had done so $ we!t4 but she said to me( <e7oice at the announcement of the success of thy desire( and
the accom!lishment of thy ho!e" Ferily this is a si#n of acce!tance: for she absented herself from thee
because she desireth to try thee( and to know whether thou art !atient or not( and whether thou art
sincere in thy love of her or not" To)morrow #o to her( and station thyself at thy first !lace( and see
what si#n she will make to thee4 for thy ha!!iness is near( and thy sorrow is dissi!ated"C6nd she
!roceeded to console me4 but $ ceased not to increase in anxiety and #rief" /he then !laced the food
before me4 but $ kicked it with my foot( and the contents of each saucer were scattered about4 and $
said( 1very one who is in love is insane( and inclineth not to food( nor findeth !leasure in slee!"C9y
6llah( ; son of my uncle( exclaimed my cousin '6OeeOeh( these are indeed sym!toms of love_ 6nd her
tears flowed( and she #athered to#ether the fra#ments of the saucers( and wi!ed u! the food that was
s!ilt( and sat chattin# to me( while $ !rayed to 2od that %e would hasten the mornin#"
6nd when the mornin# came( and diffused its li#ht( $ re!aired to the damsel( and entered hastily the by)
street( where $ seated myself u!on the maHEabah before mentioned4 and lo( the window was o!ened( and
she !ut forth her head from it( lau#hin#" /he then retired( and returned brin#in# a mirror( and a ba#( and
a !ot filled with #reenN,, !lants( and havin# also in her hand a lam!: and the first thin# that she did
was this: she took the mirror in her hand( and !ut it into the ba#: then she tied it u! and threw it back
into the chamber" 6fter this( she let down her hair over her face( and !ut the lam! u!on the to! of the
#reen !lants for a moment( and then took all these thin#s and de!arted with them( and closed the lattice"
&y heart was riven by her secret si#ns and her obscure intimations( for she addressed me not with a
sin#le word( and my !assion #rew more violent thereat( and my excitement and distraction increased"
$ retraced my ste!s with wee!in# eye and sorrowful heart until $ entered the house( where $ saw my
cousin sittin# with her face to the wall: her heart was burnin# with anxiety and #rief and 7ealousy4 but
her affection !revented her from ac0uaintin# me at all with the !assion which she felt on witnessin# my
excessive love and distraction" $ then looked at her a#ain( and saw that she had( on her head( two
banda#es: one of them was on account of the accident that had ha!!ened to her forehead( and the other
was u!on her eye( on account of a !ain that she suffered in conse0uence of the violence of her wee!in#"
/he was in a most miserable case( wee!in#( and recitin# these verses:C
5herever thou be( mayst thou be in safety( ; thou who de!artest( and yet dwellest in my heart_ &ay
2od be near thee wherever thou #oest( to deliver thee from vicissitudes and from misfortunes_ Thou
hast #one( and mine eye is cheerless throu#h thine absence( and my tears are flowin#C; how
abundantly_
6nd when she had ended her recitation( she looked towards me and saw me as she we!t( and she wi!ed
away her tears( and rose to me4 but she could not s!eak( from the excessive love with which she was
affected( and she remained for some time silent4 after which( she said to me( ; son of my uncle( tell me
what thou hast ex!erienced from her on this occasion" 6nd $ told her all that had ha!!ened to me4
whereu!on she said to me( 9e !atient4 for the time of thy union is come( and thou hast attained the
ob7ect of thy ho!es" 6s to the si#n that she made to thee with the mirror( and her !uttin# it into the ba#(
it is e0uivalent to her sayin# to thee( 5ait until the sun shall have set:Cand as to her lettin# fall her hair
over her face( it im!lieth her sayin# to thee( 5hen ni#ht cometh( and letteth fall its black shade over the
li#ht of day( come hither:Cand the si#n that she made to thee with the !ot containin# the !lants meant
that she wouldN,. say to thee( 5hen thou comest( enter the #arden that is behind the by)street:Cand
the si#n which she made to thee with the lam! denoted her sayin# to thee( 5hen thou enterest the
#arden( to the !lace where thou findest the li#hted lam! do thou re!air( and seat thyself beneath it( and
there wait for me4 for the love of thee destroyeth me"C9ut when $ heard these words of my cousin( $
cried out from the excess of my !assion( and said( %ow many times dost thou !romise me( and $ #o to
her and attain not my desire( nor find a true meanin# to thine inter!retationR 6nd u!on this( my cousin
lau#hed( and re!lied( $t remaineth for thee to have !atience durin# the rest of this day( until the dayli#ht
is #one( and the ni#ht cometh with its dee! darkness( and then shalt thou en7oy thy union and the
accom!lishment of thy ho!es4 and these words are true( without any falsehood" /he then drew near to
me( and comforted me with soft words( but dared not brin# me any food( fearin# that $ should be an#ry
with her( and ho!in# that $ mi#ht incline to her with favour: she only came to me( and took off my outer
clothes: after which she said to me( ; son of my uncle( sit with me that $ may converse with thee to
amuse thee until the close of the day( and( if it be the will of 2od( the ni#ht shall not come without thy
bein# in the com!any of thy beloved" 9ut $ took no notice of her( waitin# for the ni#ht( and sayin#( ;
6llah( hasten the comin# of the ni#ht_ 6nd when it arrived( my cousin we!t violently( and #ave me a
#rain of !ure musk( sayin# to me( ; son of my uncle( !ut this #rain in thy mouth( and when thou hast
met thy 9eloved( and she hath acce!ted thy suit( recite to her this verse:C
; ye lovers( by 6llah( inform me( how a youth should act when his love is intense"
/he then kissed me( and desired me to swear that $ would not recite this verse until my de!arture from
the damsel4 and $ re!lied( $ hear and obey"
$ went forth at the hour of ni#htfall( and !roceeded until $ came to the #arden" $ found its #ate o!en( and
entered( and beheld a li#ht in the distance4 so $ advanced towards it( and when $ arrived at it( $ found
there a lar#e maJ'ad(@Z over which was constructed a dome of ivory and ebony( and the lam! was
sus!ended in the midst of the dome" The maJ'ad was furnished with silken car!ets embroidered with
#old and silver4 and there was a #reat li#hted candle in a candlestick of #old beneath the lam!: in the
midst of the chamber was a fountain ornamented with various desi#ns:@+ by the side of thisN.Z
fountain was a table of viands covered with a silk na!kin( near which was a lar#e china bottle full of
wine( with a cu! of crystal adorned with #ildin#4 and by the side of all these thin#s was a #reat tray of
silver( covered over" $ uncovered it( and beheld in it a variety of fruits( such as fi#s and !ome#ranates
and #ra!es and oran#es and citrons of different kinds( to#ether with various flowers( as roses and
7asmine and myrtle and e#lantine and narcissus( and all kinds of sweet scents" $ was astonished at this
!lace( and affected with the utmost deli#ht( and my anxiety and #rief were dissi!ated4 but $ found not in
this abode any bein# of the creatures of 2od (whose name be exalted_)4 not even a male or female slave
did $ see( nor the !erson who thus ne#lected these thin#s" $ sat in this chamber( waitin# for the comin#
of the beloved of my heart( until the first hour of the ni#ht had !assed( and the second hour( and the
third4 but she came not4 and hun#er be#an to torment me violently( for a lon# time had ela!sed without
my eatin# food( throu#h the excess of my !assion4N.+ but when $ beheld this !lace( and my cousin's
correct understandin# of the si#ns made by my beloved became manifest to me( $ felt at ease4 yet $ still
ex!erienced the torment of hun#er( and the savoury odours of the food u!on the table had excited my
desire on my arrival there" 3eelin# secure( therefore( of the attainment of my ob7ect( and lon#in# to eat(
$ a!!roached the table( and took off the cover( and found in the midst of it a dish of china containin#
four fricandoed fowls seasoned with s!ices( around which were four saucers4 one containin#
sweetmeats4 and another( conserve of !ome#ranate)#rains4 and a third( baJlDweh4@@ and the fourth(
JaED>f:@L the contents of these saucers consistin# both of sweet and acid" /o $ ate of the JaED>f( and a
!iece of meat( and $ !ut my hand to the baJlDweh and ate of it as much as was a#reeable( and then
turned to the sweetmeat and ate a s!oonful( or two( or three( or four( and $ ate a !ortion of a fowl( and a
morsel of another dish: and when $ had done this( my stomach was full( and my 7oints became loose(
and $ was too laOy to remain awake4 so $ laid my head u!on a cushion( after $ had washed my hands(
and slee! overcame me( and $ knew not what ha!!ened to me after this" $ awoke not until the sun
scorched me (for some days had !assed without my havin# tasted slee!)4 and when $ awoke( $ found
u!on my stomach some salt and charcoal4 and $ stood u! and shook my clothes( and looked to the ri#ht
and left( but found no one: $ discovered that $ had been slee!in# u!on the marble !avement without
anythin# s!read beneath me( and $ was !er!lexed in my mind( and mourned #reatly4 my tears ran down
u!on my cheeks( and $ lamented for myself"
$ then returned to the house( and when $ arrived there $ found my cousin strikin# her hand u!on her
bosom( and wee!in# with tears like rainin# clouds4 but when she beheld me she arose 0uickly( and
wi!ed away her tears( and( addressin# me with her soft s!eech( said to me( ; son of my uncle( 2od
hath been #racious to thee in thy !assion( since the !erson whom thou lovest loveth thee( while I
remain wee!in# and mournin# for the se!aration of thee who findest fault with me4 but may 2od not
chastise thee on my account_ /he then smiled in my face with the smile of one in an#er( and caressed
me( and took off my outer clothes( and s!read them out( and said( 9y 6llah( these are not the odours of
one who hath en7oyed the com!any of his beloved_ Tell me( then( what hath ha!!ened to thee( ; son of
my uncle"C6nd $ told her all that had befallen me4 whereu!on she smiled a second time with the smile
of one in an#er(N.@ and said( Ferily( my heart is full and in !ain_ 9ut may the !erson who !aineth thy
heart cease to exist_ This woman maketh herself extrava#antly difficult to thee" 9y 6llah( ; son of my
uncle( $ fear what she may do to thee" =now that the meanin# of the salt is( Thou art drowned in slee!(
and seemest insi!id( so that the soul re#ardeth thee with loathin#( and thou re0uirest to be salted( that
the stomach may not e7ect thee: thou !retendest that thou art of the number of #enerous lovers4 but
slee!( unto lovers( is forbidden4 and thy !retension to love is false"C/uch( however( is her !retension:
her love for thee is false( for when she saw thee slee!in# she did not rouse thee4 and had her love for
thee been true she would have roused thee"C6nd as to the charcoal( the meanin# indicated by it is(
&ay 2od blacken thy face(@N since thou hast made false !retensions to love( when thou art only a
child( and hast no care but for eatin# and drinkin# and slee!in#" This is the inter!retation of her si#n4
and may 6llah (whose name be exalted_) deliver thee from her"CNow when $ heard what she said( $
struck my hand u!on my breast( and exclaimed( 9y 6llah( this is the truth4 for $ sle!t4 and lovers slee!
not: so $ have wron#ed mine own self" 5hat could have been more in7urious to me than eatin# and
slee!in#R 6nd what is to be doneRC$ then we!t exceedin#ly( and said to my cousin( ?irect me what to
do( and have mercy u!on me4 so may 2od have mercy u!on thee4 otherwise $ shall die" &y cousin(
therefore( havin# a very #reat love for me( re!lied( ;n my head and my eye_ 9ut( ; son of my uncle( $
have told thee several times( that( if $ had the !rivile#e of comin# in and #oin# out when $ !leased( $
would accom!lish thy union with her in the shortest time( and cover you both with my skirt4 and this $
would not do but from the desire of obtainin# thine a!!roval" $f 2od !ermit( $ will em!loy my utmost
endeavours to brin# you to#ether4 but hear my words( and com!ly with my directions( and #o to that
same !lace( and seat thyself there: when the hour of ni#htfall is come( seat thyself in the !lace where
thou wast( and beware of eatin# anythin#4 for eatin# induceth slee!: have a care then that thou slee!
not4 for she will not come to thee until a 0uarter of the ni#ht hath !assed: and may 2od avert from thee
her wickedness_C/o( when $ heard her words( $ re7oiced( and !rayed 2od to hasten the ni#ht4 and
when ni#ht came( $ desired to de!art4 and my cousin said to me( 5hen thou hast met her( re!eat to her
the verse before mentioned( at the time of thy de!arture" $ re!lied( ;n the head and the eye"N.L
6nd when $ went forth and re!aired to the #arden( $ found the !lace !re!ared( in the same state in
which $ had seen it before4 in it was everythin# re0uisite( of food and drink and dried fruits and sweet
scents and other thin#s4 and $ went u! into the maJ'ad( and( smellin# the odour of the food( $ lon#ed for
it" $ refrained from it several times4 but at len#th $ could not withstand it: so $ arose and went to the
table( and took off its cover( and found a dish of fowls( around which were four saucers of food of four
different kinds4 and $ ate of each kind a morsel( and as much as was a#reeable of the sweetmeat( and a
!iece of meat( and drank some Oardeh(@- and( findin# it !leasant to me( $ drank a#ain of it !lentifully
by the s!oonful until $ was satiated and my stomach was full" 6nd after this( my eyelids closed4 so $
took a !illow and !ut it beneath my head( sayin#( 8erha!s $ may recline u!on it without slee!in#" 9ut $
closed my eyes and sle!t( and awoke not until the sun had risen( when $ found u!on my stomach a !lay)
bone and a EDb)stick@U and a date)stone and a locust)seed4 and there was no furniture nor anythin# else
in the !lace and it seemed as if nothin# had been there on the !recedin# ni#ht"
$ rose( and shook off all these thin#s from me( and went forth enra#ed( and( arrivin# at the house( $
found my cousin #roanin#4 and $ chid her and abused her4 whereu!on she we!t( and( havin# wi!ed
away her tears( a!!roached and kissed me( and !ressed me to her bosom4 but $ drew back from her(
blamin# myself" /he then said to me( ; son of my uncle( it seemeth that thou hast sle!t a#ain this last
ni#ht" $ re!lied( Ses4 and when $ awoke $ found a !lay)bone laid u!on my stomach( and a EDb)stick and
a date)stone and a locust)seed4 and $ know not wherefore she did this" Then $ we!t( and a!!roached her(
and said to her( 1x!lain to me the meanin# of her doin# this( and tell me how $ shall act( and assist me
in my trouble" /he re!lied( ;n the head and the eye" 6s to the EDb)stick [and the !lay)bone( which she
!laced u!on thy stomach( she meaneth thereby( that thou camest there and thy heart was absent4 as
thou#h she would say to thee( 'ove is not thus4 therefore reckon not thyself amon# lovers"@W 6nd as to
the date)stone( she indicated by it( that( if thou wert a lover( thy heart had been burnin# with !assion(
and thou wouldst not taste the deli#ht of slee!4 for the sweetness of love is like a date( which kindleth a
fire in the heart"@, 6nd as to the locust)seed( she intimated to thee by it( that the heart of the lover is
fati#ued4 and she would say to thee thereby( 1ndureN.N our se!aration with the !atience of *ob"@.C
5hen $ heard this inter!retation( fire darted into my heart( and my #rief increased( and $ cried out and
exclaimed( 2od had decreed that $ should slee!( on account of my little fortune_ $ then said to her( ;
dau#hter of my uncle( by my life $ con7ure thee to contrive for me some strata#em by means of which $
may obtain an interview with her" 6nd $ we!t"C; '6OeeO( ; son of my uncle( she re!lied( verily my
heart is full of thou#hts( and $ cannot talk4 but #o thou to)ni#ht to that !lace( and beware of slee!in#(
and so shalt thou attain thy desire" This is my counsel( and !eace be on thee"C$ said( $f it !lease 2od( $
will not slee!4 but $ will do as thou char#est me" 6nd my cousin arose( and brou#ht me food( sayin# to
me( 1at now what will satisfy thee( that thou mayest have no desire remainin#" /o $ ate what satisfied
me: and when ni#ht came( my cousin arose( and brou#ht me a su!erb suit of clothin#( and clad me with
it( and con7ured me to re!eat to the damsel the verse before mentioned( and cautioned me a#ainst
slee!in#"
$ then de!arted from her( and( havin# re!aired to the #arden( went u! into the maJ'ad4 and $ #aOed at the
#arden( and ke!t o!enin# my eyes with my fin#ers( and shakin# my head( as the ni#ht #rew dark" 9ut $
became hun#ry from watchin#( and the odours of the food were wafted towards me( and my hun#er in
conse0uence increased: so $ went to the table( and removed its cover( and ate a morsel of every dish(
and a !iece of meat( and $ went to the bottle of wine( sayin# within myself( $ will drink a cu!:Cand $
drank it( and then drank the second( and the third( and so on to the number of ten4 and bein# already
stricken by love( $ fell u!on the floor as one slain" Thus $ remained until day came( and $ awoke( and
found myself outside the #arden( with a lar#e shar! knife u!on my stomach( and an iron dirhem4LZ and
$ trembled with fear( and took them with me and returned to the house"
$ found my cousin sayin#( $ am in this house wretched and sorrowful( with no relief but wee!in#" 6nd
as $ entered( $ fell down !rostrate( throwin# the knife and dirhem from my hand( and fainted4 and when
$ recovered( $ ac0uainted her with that which had befallen me( and said to her( $ shall not attain my
desire" %er #rief increased at witnessin# my wee!in# and my excessive !assion( and she said to me( $
have failed of success in cautionin# thee a#ainst slee!in#4 for thou wouldst not attend to my advice: my
words !rofit thee nothin#" 9ut $ re!lied( $ con7ure thee by 6llah that thouN.- ex!lain to me the meanin#
of the knife and the iron dirhem" /o she said( 6s to the dirhem( she alluded by it to her ri#ht eye(L+ and
intimated that she swore by it( and said( 9y the 'ord of all creatures( and by my ri#ht eye(L@ if thou
come a#ain and slee! $ will assuredly slau#hter thee with this knife_C$ fear for thee( therefore( ; son
of my uncle( from her malice4 and my heart is full of #rief on thine account( and $ cannot talk" $f( then(
thou art confident in thyself that( if thou return to her( thou wilt not slee!( return to her( and beware of
slee!in#( and so shalt thou attain thy desire4 but if thou know that( shouldst thou #o to her a#ain( thou
wilt slee! as usual( and so #o to her and slee!( she will slau#hter thee"C5hat then( said $( is to be
done( ; dau#hter of my uncleR $ con7ure thee by 6llah to hel! me in this affliction"C/he re!lied( ;n
my head and my eye: and if thou attend to my words and com!ly with my directions thou wilt
accom!lish thy desire" $ said( $ will do so" 6nd she re7oined( 5hen the time of de!arture cometh $ will
tell thee" /he then !ressed me to her bosom( and laid me on the bed( and continued #ently kneadin# my
limbs until slumber overcame me( and $ sank into slee!4LL and she took a fan( and( seatin# herself at
my head( fanned my face until the close of day( when she roused me4 and on my awakin#( $ found her
at my head with the fan in her hand( and wee!in# so that her tears had wetted her clothes" 9utN.U when
she saw me that $ had awoke( she wi!ed away her tears( and brou#ht me some food" $ refrained from it4
but she said to me( ?id $ not tell thee that thou must attend to my directionsR 1at( therefore"C/o $ ate(
and would not o!!ose her4 and she !roceeded to !ut the food into my mouth( while $ chewed it( until
my stomach was full" /he then #ave me to drink some infusion of 7u7ubesLN with su#ar( and washed my
hands( and dried them with a handkerchief( and s!rinkled some rose)water u!on me4 after which $ sat
with her( in healthy frame4 and when the ni#ht became dark( she !ut on me my clothes( and said( ; son
of my uncle( watch all ni#ht( and slee! not4 for she will not come to thee this ni#ht until near its close4
and( if it be the will of 2od( thou shalt meet her this ni#ht4 but for#et not my char#e" Then she we!t(
and my heart was !ained for her( on account of her excessive wee!in#4 and $ said to her( 5hat is the
char#e which thou #avest meR /he answered( 5hen thou de!artest from her( re!eat to her the verse
before mentioned"
$ then went forth from her full of 7oy( and !roceeded to the #arden( and went u! to the maJ'ad( satiated
with food" $ remained slee!less a 0uarter of the ni#ht( and the ni#ht seemed as lon# to me as thou#h it
were a year4 and $ continued watchin# until two thirds of it had !assed( and the cocks crew( and $
became violently hun#ry from watchin#: so $ went u! to the table( and ate until $ was satisfied4 and my
head became heavy( and $ desired to slee!4 but suddenly $ heard a noise in the distance4 whereu!on $
arose( and washed my hands and mouth( and roused myself4 and soon after( she came" /he was
accom!anied by ten female slaves( and she a!!eared amon# them like the full moon amon# the !lanets:
she was attired in a #arment of #reen satin embroidered with red #old4 and when she saw me( she
lau#hed( and said( %ow is it that thou hast remained awake( and that slee! hath not overcome theeR
Now that thou hast !assed the ni#ht slee!less $ am convinced that thou art a lover4 for amon# the
characteristics of lovers is the watchin# by ni#ht in the resolute endurance of desire"C/he then turned
towards her female slaves( and made a si#n to them4 whereu!on they de!arted from her4 and she
a!!roached me( and !ressed me to her bosom( and kissed me( and we conversed to#ether until the
mornin#( when $ desired to de!art4 but she held me( and said to me( /to!( that $ may ac0uaint thee with
somethin#( and #ive thee a char#e"C/o $ sto!!ed4 and she unfolded a handkerchief( and( takin# forth
from it this !iece of linen( s!read it o!en beforeN.W me4 and $ found in it the desi#n of the #aOelles( as
thou seest( and $ admired it exceedin#ly( and took it4 after which $ made a !romise to her that $ would
!ay her a visit every ni#ht in that #arden( and de!arted from her( full of 7oy4 but in my 7oy $ for#ot the
verse which my cousin had char#ed me to re!eat" 6nd when she #ave me the !iece of linen containin#
the desi#n of the #aOelles( she said to me( This is the work of my sister"C6nd what( said $( is the name
of thy sisterR /he answered( %er name is Noor)el)%ud]:L- and do thou take care of this !iece of linen"
6fter this( when $ had taken leave of her and de!arted( full of 7oy( $ returned and went in to my cousin(
and found her lyin# down( and when she saw me she rose( her tears dro!!in#( and a!!roached me( and(
kissin# my bosom( said( %ast thou recited the verse as $ char#ed theeR $ answered( $ for#ot it4 and
nothin# drove it from my mind but the desi#n of these #aOelles" 6nd $ threw down the !iece of linen
before her" /he arose( and then seated herself a#ain( and( in her im!atience( shed tears( and said( ; son
of my uncle( make a !resent to me of this !iece of linen" /o $ #ave it her( and she took it and s!read it
o!en( and saw what was in it" 6nd when the time of my de!arture came( she said( 2o( and may safety
attend thee4 but when thou retirest from her( recite to her the verse that $ tau#ht thee before( and which
thou didst for#et"C<e!eat it to me( said $" 6nd she did so"
$ then re!aired to the #arden( and entered the maJ'ad" $ found the damsel waitin# for me( and when she
beheld me she arose and kissed me and seated me( and we ate and drank( and in the mornin# $ re!eated
to her the verse( which was this:C
; ye lovers( by 6llah( inform me( how a youth should act when his love is intense"
N.,6nd when she heard it( her eyes filled with tears( and thus she re!lied:C
%e should hide his love( and conceal his secret( and be !atient under every event( and submissive"
$ committed this to memory( and( #lad at havin# done what my cousin desired( went forth and returned
to her" $ found her lyin# down( with my mother( at her head( wee!in# for her unha!!y state4 and when $
went in to her( my mother said to me( 8erdition to such a cousin as thou_ %ow canst thou leave the
dau#hter of thine uncle indis!osed and not in0uire res!ectin# her diseaseRC9ut my cousin( on
beholdin# me( raised her head( and sat u!( and said to me( ; '6OeeO( hast thou re!eated to her the verse
that $ tau#ht theeR $ answered( Ses: and when she heard it( she we!t( and recited to me another verse(
which $ retain in my memory"C'et me hear it( said my cousin" 6nd when $ had re!eated it to her she
we!t violently( and recited this other verse:C
%e hath sou#ht to attain a becomin# !atience4 but found nou#ht save a heart !inin# with desire"
/he then said to me( 5hen thou #oest to her as usual( re!eat to her this verse which thou hast heard" $
re!lied( $ hear and obey"
/o $ went to the #arden accordin# to my custom( and when $ was about to return( $ recited to the damsel
that verse4 and when she heard it( tears !oured from her eyes( and she re!lied(C
Then( if he have not !atience to conceal his secret( $ know nothin# better for him than death"
<etainin# this in my memory( $ returned to the house4 and when $ went in to my cousin( $ found her
fallen down in a fit( and my mother sittin# at her head4 and when my cousin heard my voice( she
o!ened her eyes( and said( ; '6OeeO( hast thou re!eated to her the verseR $ answered( Ses: and when she
heard it( she we!t( and recited to me this other verse" 6nd $ re!eated it to her4 and as soon as she heard
it she fainted a#ain( and( on her recoverin#( recited another verse( which was this:C
5e hear and obey( and we die4 then convey my salutation to the !erson who hath !revented our
union"LU
6t the a!!roach of the followin# ni#ht $ went a#ain to the #arden as usual( and found the damsel
ex!ectin# me4 and we ate and drank4 and in the mornin#( when $ was about to de!art( $ re!eatedN.. to
her what my cousin had said4 whereu!on she uttered a loud cry( and was a#itated( and exclaimed( 9y
6llah( she who uttered this verse hath died_ /he then we!t( and said to me( 5o to thee_ $s not she who
uttered this verse related to theeRC$ answered( /he is the dau#hter of my !aternal uncle"CThou liest(
re!lied she: by 6llah( if she were the dau#hter of thy uncle thou hadst borne her the same love that she
bore thee" Thou art he who hath destroyed her( and may 2od destroy thee in like manner_ 9y 6llah( if
thou hadst told me of thy havin# a cousin( $ had not admitted thee into my favour"CFerily( said $( she is
my cousin( and she ex!lained to me the si#ns that thou madest me( and it was she who tau#ht me how
to !roceed with thee: $ had not obtained access to thee but throu#h her #ood mana#ement"C6nd did
she know of our affairR said she" $ answered( Ses"C&ay 6llah( she exclaimed( cause thee to bewail thy
youth( as thou hast caused her to bewail hers_ /he then said to me( 2o and see her"
$ de!arted( therefore( troubled in mind( and !roceeded until $ came to our street( when $ heard a
wailin#( and( askin# res!ectin# it( was answered( 5e found '6OeeOeh lyin# behind the door( dead" $
entered the house( and when my mother beheld me( she exclaimed( The crime of destroyin# her is on
thy neck( and may 2od not !ardon thee her blood_ 8erdition to such a cousin as thou_C&y father then
came( and we !re!ared her body for interment( and !erformed the funeral)ceremonies( and buried her4
and we caused recitations of the whole of the Pur)Dn to be !erformed at her tomb( and remained there
three days( after which $ returned to the house( sorrowin# for her" 6nd my mother addressed me( and
said( $ desire to know what thou didst to her( so that thou brokest her heart" $ asked her continually( ;
my son( res!ectin# the cause of her disorder4 but she would not ac0uaint me with it" $ con7ure thee(
therefore( by 6llah( that thou inform me what thou didst unto her(-ZZ to cause her death"C$ re!lied( $
did nothin#" 9ut she said( &ay 2od aven#e her u!on thee_ for she mentioned to me nothin#( but
concealed the truth of her case until she died( still !reservin# her affection for thee4 and when she died $
was with her( and she o!ened her eyes( and said to me( ; wife of my uncle( may 2od hold thy son
#uiltless of my blood( and not !unish him for that which he hath done unto me4 and now 2od
trans!orteth me from the !erishable world to the world of eternity" 6nd $ re!lied( ; my dau#hter( may
2od !reserve thee( and !reserve thy youth_ 6nd $ asked her res!ectin# the cause of her disorder: but
she answered not" Then she smiled( and said( ; wife of my uncle( if thy son desire to #o to the !lace
which he is accustomed to fre0uent( tell him to re!eat these two !hrases on de!artin# from it:C3idelity
is #ood( and treachery is base:Cand this $ desire in my com!assion for him( that $ may shew him
com!assion in my life and after my death" /he then #ave me somethin# for thee( and took an oath of
me that $ would not #ive it to thee until $ should see thee wee!in# for her and lamentin#: this thin# $
have( and when $ see thee in the state that she hath described $ will #ive it to thee"C$ said to her( /hew
it me" 9ut she would not"
$ then #ave myself u! to my !leasures( and thou#ht not of the death of my cousin4 for $ was unsettled in
mind( and wished that $ were !assin# the whole of every ni#ht and day with my beloved4 and scarcely
had the next ni#ht a!!roached when $ re!aired a#ain to the #arden" $ found the damsel sittin# there(
burnin# with im!atience to see me4 and as soon as she beheld me( she hastened to me and clun# to my
neck( and asked me res!ectin# my cousin" $ answered her( /he is dead( and we have !erformed OikrsLW
and recitations of the Pur)Dn for her( and four ni#hts have !assed since her death( and this is the fifth"
5hen she heard this( she cried out and we!t( and said( ?id $ not tell thee that thou hadst killed herR
%adst thou informed me of her( before her death( $ had re0uited her for the kindness that she hath
shewn me4 for she hath been of service to me in #ivin# thee access to me: had it not been for her( $
should not have had an interview with thee( and $ fear thou wilt fall into a calamity on account of her
disaster"C$ re!lied( /he ac0uitted me before her death" 6nd $ related to her what my mother had told
me4 u!on which she exclaimed( 9y 6llah( $ con7ure thee( when thou #oest to thy mother( learn what it is
that she hath"C&y mother( said $( told me( Thy cousin( before she died( char#ed-Z+ me sayin#( $f thy
son desire to #o to the !lace which he is accustomed to fre0uent( tell him to re!eat these two !hrases:C
3idelity is #ood( and treachery is base"C6nd when the damsel heard this( she exclaimed( The mercy of
2od (whose name be exalted_) be u!on her( for she hath saved thee from me: $ was meditatin# an
in7ury to thee4 but now $ will not hurt thee nor trouble thee" 6nd $ wondered at this( and said to her(
5hat didst thou !ur!ose before this to do to me( after mutual love had taken !lace between usR /he
answered( Thou art devoted to me4 but thou art youn#( and thy mind is free from deceit( and thou
knowest not our malice nor our deceit: were she still in the bonds of life( she would assist thee4 for she
is the cause of thy safety( and hath delivered thee from destruction: and now $ char#e thee that thou
s!eak not with any female( nor answer any of our sex( youn# or old" 9eware( beware4 for thou art
i#norant of the deceit of women( and their malice: she who used to inter!ret the si#ns to thee is dead4
and $ fear for thee lest thou fall into a calamity and find none to deliver thee from it after the death of
thy cousin" ; my sorrow for the dau#hter of thy uncle_ 5ould that $ had known her before her death(
that $ mi#ht have re0uited her for the kindness that she hath done me_ The mercy of 2od (whose name
be exalted_) be u!on her( for she concealed her secret( and revealed not what she felt4 and but for her(
thou wouldst never have had access to me" 6nd now $ have a service to demand of thee"C5hat is itR
said $" /he answered( That thou conduct me to her tomb( that $ may visit her at her #rave( and inscribe
some verses u!on it" $ re!lied( To)morrow( if it be the will of 2od( whose name be exalted_C/o $
remained with her that ni#ht( and fre0uently she said to me( 5ould that thou hadst told me of thy
cousin before her death_ 6nd $ asked her( 5hat is the meanin# of these words which she saidC3idelity
is #ood( and treachery is baseR 9ut she answered me not"
$n the mornin#( therefore( she arose( and( takin# a !urse containin# some !ieces of #old( said to me(
6rise( and shew me the tomb( that $ may visit it( and write u!on it some verses( and build over it a
cu!ola( and !ray for mercy u!on her( and bestow these !ieces of #old in alms for her soul" $ re!lied( $
hear and obey" 6nd $ walked before her( and she followed me( and em!loyed herself in #ivin# alms on
the way as she went( and every time that she did so she said( This is an alms for the soul of '6OeeOeh(
who concealed her secret until she drank the cu! of death( and revealed-Z@ not her love" Thus she
continued to #ive of the contents of the !urse( and to say( 3or the soul of '6OeeOeh(Cuntil we arrived at
the tomb( and the contents of the !urse were exhausted4 and when she beheld the tomb( she threw
herself u!on it( and we!t violently" /he then took forth a !ointed instrument of steel( and a small mallet(
and en#raved u!on the stone at the head of the tomb( in small characters( these verses:C
$ !assed by an undistin#uished tomb in the midst of a #arden( with seven anemones u!on it4L, 6nd $
said( 5hose tomb is thisR The soil answered( 9e res!ectful( for this is the restin#)!lace of a lover" /o $
said( 2od kee! thee( ; victim of love( and lod#e thee in the hi#hest sta#e of 8aradise_ %ow miserable
are lovers amon# the creation( when even their tombs are covered with vile dust_ 5ere $ able [; tomb(
$ would make of thee a #arden( and water it with my streamin# tears_
-ZL /he then a#ain we!t violently( and arose( and $ arose with her4 and after we had returned to the
#arden( she said to me( $ con7ure thee by 6llah that thou never forsake me" 6nd $ re!lied( $ hear and
obey" /o $ resumed my visits to her as before( and she treated me with kindness and honour( and used to
ask me res!ectin# the two !hrases which my cousin '6OeeOeh had mentioned to my mother( and $
re!eated them to her" Thus $ remained( eatin# and drinkin#( and en7oyin# her conversation( and attirin#
myself in chan#es of delicate clothin#( until $ became stout and fat( and $ ex!erienced neither anxiety
nor #rief nor sorrow( and for#ot my cousin"
$ continued drowned in these !leasures for a whole year4 and at the commencement of the new year( $
entered the bath( and refreshed myself( and !ut on a handsome suit4 and after $ had #one forth from the
bath( $ drank a cu! of wine( and smelt the odours of my clothes( which were richly !erfumed with
various scents" &y heart was uno!!ressed by calamities or misfortunes4 and when the hour of ni#htfall
came( $ desired to re!air to the damsel4 but $ was intoxicated( and knew not my way4 and( in #oin# to
her( intoxication led me aside into a by)street called the street of the NaJeeb:L. and as $ was !roceedin#
alon# it( lo( an old woman came( with a li#hted candle in one of her hands( and in her other hand a
folded letter" $ advanced towards her( and she( with wee!in# eye( said to me( ; my son( art thou able to
readR $ answered her( Ses( my old aunt" 6nd she said( Take this letter( and read it to me" 6nd she handed
me the letter4 so $ took it from her and o!ened it( and read to her its contents( informin# her that it was a
letter from the absent( with salutations to the beloved" 6nd when she heard this( she re7oiced at the
#ood news( and e7aculated a !rayer for me( sayin#( &ay 2od dis!el thine anxiety as thou hast dis!elled
mine_ /he then took the letter( and !roceeded a few ste!s4 but !resently she returned to me( and( kissin#
my hand( said( ; my lord( may 2od (whose name be exalted_) #ive thee en7oyment of thy youth( and
not dis#race thee" $ be# that thou wilt walk with me a few !aces( to that door4 for $ have told them what
thou hast read to me of the letter( and they do not believe me: come with me( therefore( two ste!s( and
read to them the letter outside the door( and acce!t my !rayer for thee"C6nd what( said $( is the history
of this letterR /he answered( ; my son( this letter hath come from my son( who hath been absent from
us for the s!ace of ten years4 for he 7ourneyed with merchandise( and hath remained-ZN abroad durin#
that !eriod( and we relin0uished all ho!e of his return( thinkin# that he was dead: then came to us this
letter from him4 and he hath a sister who hath we!t for him durin# his absence ni#ht and day4 and $ told
her that he was in health and !ros!erity4 but she believed me not( and said to me( Thou must brin# me a
!erson to read this letter and to ac0uaint me with its contents( that my heart may be set at ease and my
mind comforted"CThou knowest( ; my son( that the lovin# is !re!ossessed with evil antici!ations:
favour me( therefore( by readin# this letter while thou shalt stand outside the curtain( and his sister shall
hear it within the door( that the recom!ense of him who accom!lisheth a want for a &uslim( and
dis!elleth from his mind a trouble( may be thine: for the 6!ostle of 2od (may 2od bless and save him_)
hath said( 5hoso dis!elleth from the mind of a sorrowful !erson one of the troubles of this world( 2od
will dis!el from his mind one of the troubles of the world to come:Cand in another tradition( 5hoso
dis!elleth from the mind of his brother one of the troubles of this world( 2od will dis!el from his mind
seventy)two of the troubles of the day of resurrection:Cand now $ have desired thee( do not disa!!oint
me"C/o $ re!lied( $ hear and obey: !roceed before me"
/he therefore walked before me( and $ followed her a little way( until she arrived at a #reat door
overlaid with co!!er4 and she sto!!ed at this door( and called out in 8ersian( and immediately a damsel
a!!roached( with li#ht and nimble ste!" %er trousers were tucked u! to her knees( and $ beheld a !air of
le#s that confounded the mind and the eye by their beauty: they were like two columns of alabaster( and
ornamented with anklets of #old set with 7ewels" The skirts of her outer clothes were tucked u! under
her arms( and her sleeves were turned u! from her arms( and $ looked at her white wrists( and u!on
them were two !airs of bracelets: in her ears were two ear)rin#s of !earls4 and u!on her neck was a
necklace of costly 7ewels4 and on her head( a koofeeyeh(NZ 0uite new( adorned with !recious #ems" /he
had tucked the skirt of her inner tunic within the band of her trousers( and a!!eared as thou#h she had
been em!loyed in some active work" 6nd when she beheld me( she said( with an elo0uent and sweet
ton#ue that $ had never heard sur!assed in sweetness( ; my mother( is this he who hath come to read
the letterR /he answered( Ses" 6nd the damsel stretched forth her hand to me with the letter" There was(
between her and the door( a distance of about half a rod4N+ and $-Z- extended my hand to take the letter
from her( and !ut my head and shoulders within the door to draw near to her4 but before $ knew what
she was about to do( the old woman !laced her head a#ainst my back( and !ushed me forward( while
my hand was holdin# the letter( and $ looked around( and found myself in the midst of the house4 that
is( within the vestibule" The old woman entered more 0uickly than the blindin# li#htnin#( and had
nothin# to do but to shut the door: and when the damsel beheld me within the vestibule( she a!!roached
me( and !ressed me to her bosom( and( takin# me by the hand( unable to extricate myself from her
#ras!( led me( !receded by the old woman with the li#hted candle( until she had !assed throu#h seven
vestibules4 after which she conducted me into a lar#e saloon( with four leewDns(N@ in which a horseman
mi#ht !lay at #off"NL /he then seated me( and said to me( ;!en thine eye" 6nd $ did so( #iddy from the
violence that $ had ex!erienced( and saw that the whole construction of the saloon was of the most
beautiful alabaster( and all its furniture( includin# the cushions and mattresses( of brocade" $n it were
also two benches of brass( and a couch of red #old set with !earls and 7ewels( not suitable to any but a
=in# like thee"
6fter this( she said to me( ; '6OeeO( which of the two states is-ZU the more a#reeable to thee( life or
deathR $ answered her( 'ife" 6nd she said( Then if life is more a#reeable to thee( marry me"C$ dislike( $
re!lied( marryin# such a !erson as thou" /he re7oined( if thou marry me( thou wilt be secure from the
dau#hter of the crafty ?eleeleh"NNC6nd who( said $( is the dau#hter of the crafty ?eleelehR /he
lau#hed( and answered( %ow is it that thou knowest her not( when thou hast now been in her com!any a
year and four monthsR &ay 6llah (whose name be exalted_) destroy her" Ferily there existeth not any
one more treacherous than she" %ow many !ersons hath she killed before thee( and what deeds hath she
done_ 6nd how hast thou esca!ed from her( without her killin# or troublin# thee( when thou hast been
in her com!any all this timeRC5hen $ heard her words $ wondered extremely( and said to her( ; my
mistress( who ac0uainted thee with herR /he answered( $ know her as the a#e knoweth its calamities4
but $ desire that thou inform me of all that thou hast ex!erienced from her( that $ may know the cause of
thy safety from her" /o $ related to her all that had ha!!ened to me with her and with my cousin
'6OeeOeh4 and she exclaimed( 6llah have mercy u!on her_Cand her eyes shed tears( and she struck her
hands to#ether( when she heard of the death of my cousin '6OeeOeh( and said( &ay 6llah com!ensate
thee abundantly for the loss of her( ; '6OeeO4 for she hath been the cause of thy safety from the
dau#hter of the crafty ?eleeleh4 and had it not been for her( thou hadst !erished"N- 6fter this( she
cla!!ed her hands( and said( ; my mother( brin# in those who are with thee" 6nd lo( the old woman
a!!roached with four lawful witnesses4 and she li#hted four candles4 and when the witnesses entered(
they saluted me( and seated themselves4 and the damsel covered herself with an iODr( and a!!ointed one
of the witnesses to be her de!uty in makin# her contract" /o they !erformed the marria#e)contract( and
she affirmed of herself that she had received the whole of the dowry( both the !ortion usually !aid in
advance and the arrears( and that she was indebted to me in the sum of ten thousand !ieces of silver4
after which she #ave to the witnesses their fees( and they de!arted"
;n the followin# day( $ desired to #o out4 but she a!!roached me lau#hin#( and said( ?ost thou think
that #oin# out from the bath is like enterin# itRNU $ ima#ine thou thinkest me to be like the dau#hter of
the crafty ?eleeleh" 9eware of entertainin# such an idea" Thou art no other than my husband( accordin#
to the Pur)Dn and the /unneh4 and if thou hast been intoxicated( return-ZW to thy reason" Ferily this
house in which thou art is not o!ened but on one day in every year" 2o to the street)door and look"C/o
$ went and looked( and found it closed and nailed( and returned and told her so4 and she said to me( ;
'6OeeO( we have of flour and #rain and fruits and !ome#ranates and su#ar and meat and shee! and
fowls and other !rovisions what will suffice us for many years( and from this last ni#ht our door will
not be o!ened until after a year and $ know that thou wilt not behold thyself outside this house until
after a year hath ex!ired" A!on this $ exclaimed( There is no stren#th nor !ower but in 2od_ 6nd she
lau#hed( and $ lau#hed also( and com!lied with her orders( and remained with her until the twelve
months of the year had ex!ired( when $ was blest with a son by her" 6nd on the first day of the
followin# year( $ heard the o!enin# of the door( and lo( men came in with kaQksNW and flour and su#ar4
and $ desired to #o out4 but she said to me( 5ait until ni#htfall( and as thou camest in( so #o forth" $
therefore waited until that hour( and was on the !oint of #oin# out( in fear and tremblin#( when she said
to me( 9y 6llah( $ will not let thee #o until $ have made thee swear to me that thou wilt return this ni#ht
before the door is closed" /o $ !romised her to do it4 and she made me swear by bindin# oaths u!on the
sword and the Pur)Dn( and by the oath of divorce( that $ would return to her"N,
$ then went forth from her( and re!aired to the #arden" $ found it o!en as usual( and was an#ry( sayin#
within myself( $ have been absent from this !lace a whole year( and( comin# unawares( have found it
o!en as usual" $ wonder if the damsel be still there as heretofore( and $ must enter and see before $ #o to
my mother"C$t was then ni#htfall( and $ entered the #arden( and( !roceedin# to the maJ'ad( found the
dau#hter of the crafty ?eleeleh sittin# with her head u!on her knee and her hand u!on her cheek" %er
com!lexion was chan#ed( and her eyes were sunk( and when she beheld me she exclaimed( 8raise be to
2od for thy safety_Cand she endeavoured to rise( but fell down throu#h her 7oy" $ was ashamed at
seein# her( and hun# down my head4 but !resently $ advanced to her and kissed her( and said to her(
%ow didst thou know that $ was comin# to thee at this timeR /he answered( $ knew it not" 9y 6llah( for
a year $ have not tasted slee!4 but have sat u! every ni#ht ex!ectin# thee( and in this state have $ been
from the day when thou wentest forth from me and $ #ave thee the new suit of clothin# and thou
!romisedst me that thou wouldst return to me"-Z, $ remained ex!ectin# thee( and thou camest not the
first ni#ht( nor the second( nor the third: so $ still waited in ex!ectation of thy comin#4 for such is the
way of the lover: and $ would now that thou tell me what hath been the cause of thine absence from me
this year" $ therefore told her4 and when she knew that $ had married( her countenance became !ale" $
then said to her( $ have come to thee this ni#ht( but must #o before the mornin#" 9ut she exclaimed( $s it
not enou#h for her to have married thee( and to have em!loyed this strata#em a#ainst thee( and
im!risoned thee with her a whole year( that she hath made thee swear by the oath of divorce that thou
wilt return to her before the mornin#( and will not allow thee to divert thyself with thy mother nor with
me( and cannot endure thy !assin# one ni#ht with either of usR 5hat then must be the state of her from
whom thou hast been absent a whole year( thou#h $ knew thee before she did_ 9ut may 6llah have
mercy on '6OeeOeh4 for she suffered what none other hath suffered( and endured with !atience that of
which none else hath endured the like( and died throu#h thy o!!ression" $t was she who !rotected thee
from me" $ thou#ht that thou wouldst return( and #ave thee liberty( thou#h $ was able to im!rison thee(
and to destroy thee"
%avin# thus said( she we!t( and became enra#ed( and looked at me with the eye of an#er4 and when $
beheld her in this state( the muscles of my side 0uivered( and $ feared her( and became as the bean u!on
the fire" /he then cried out( and suddenly ten female slaves came to me( and threw me u!on the floor4
and when $ fell under their hands( she arose( and( takin# a knife( said( $ will-Z. slau#hter thee as #oats
are slau#htered( and this shall be thy least recom!ense for that which thou hast done unto thy Cousin"
5hen $ beheld myself( therefore( beneath her female slaves( and my cheek was soiled with the dust(
and $ saw the knife in her hand( $ looked u!on death as inevitable" $ im!lored her mercy4 but she only
increased in hardness( and ordered the female slaves to bind my hands behind me4 and they did so( and(
throwin# me u!on my back( seated themselves u!on my body( and held my head" Then two of them
arose and took hold of my toes( and two others seated themselves u!on my le#s4 after which( their
mistress arose( with two others of them( and she ordered them to beat me4 whereu!on they beat me
until $ fainted( and my voice became inaudible4 and when $ recovered( $ said within myself( Ferily my
bein# slau#htered were easier to me than this beatin#_ $ bethou#ht myself of the words of my cousin(
when she said( &ay 2od avert from thee her wickedness_Cand $ cried out and we!t until my voice
failed" /he then shar!ened the knife( and said to the female slaves( Ancover his throat" 9ut 2od
ins!ired me to re!eat the two !hrases which my cousin had char#ed me to utter( namely( 3idelity is
#ood( and treachery is base4Cand when she heard this( she cried out and said( 6llah have mercy u!on
thee( ; '6OeeOeh_ 5ould that thy youth had been s!ared_ Thou hast !rofited thy cousin durin# thy life
and after thy death_CThen addressin# me( she added( 9y 6llah( thou hast saved thy life from me by
means of these two !hrases4 but $ must cause thee to bear a mark of my resentment"C/o sayin#( she
inflicted u!on me a cruel wound( and $ fainted4 but when $ recovered( the blood had sto!!ed( and she
#ave me to drink a cu! of wine( and s!urned me with her foot"
$ rose4 but was unable at first to walk: !resently( however( $ !roceeded by little and little until $ arrived
at the door of my wife's house" $ found it o!en( and threw myself within it( in a state of distraction4 and
my wife came and took me u! and conveyed me to the saloon( where $ fell into a dee! slee!4 but when
$ awoke( $ found myself laid at the #ate of the #arden"
$n an#uish $ rose( and went to my home( and( enterin# the house( found my mother wee!in# for me( and
exclaimin#( 5ould that $ knew( ; my son( in what land thou art_ /o $ a!!roached her( and threw myself
u!on her( and when she beheld me( she saw that $ was unwell" Sellowness and blackness were min#led
u!on my face4 and $ remembered my cousin( and the kindness she had-+Z shewn me( and was
convinced that she loved me" $ we!t for her( and my mother also we!t( and then said to me( ; my son(
thy father is dead" 6nd u!on this( my ra#e increased( and $ we!t until $ became insensible4 and when $
recovered( $ looked towards the !lace where my cousin was accustomed to sit( and we!t a#ain till $
fainted from the violence of my lamentation" $ ceased not to wee! and wail until midni#ht( when my
mother said to me( Thy father hath been dead ten days" 9ut $ re!lied( $ think of no one but my cousin4
for $ deserve what hath ha!!ened to me( because $ ne#lected her when she loved me" /he asked me(
therefore( 6nd what hath ha!!ened to theeR /o $ related to her that which had befallen me4 to which she
re!lied( 8raise be to 2od that this ha!!ened to thee and that she did not slau#hter thee_ /he then a!!lied
remedies to my wound until $ recovered( and re#ained my usual stren#th4 and she said to me( ; my son(
$ will now !roduce to thee the de!osite with which thy cousin intrusted me4 for it is thine( and she made
me swear that $ would not !roduce it to thee until $ saw that thou rememberedst her and mournedst for
her( and that thine affections for another were severed4 and now $ ho!e that $ find in thee these
dis!ositions" /he therefore arose( and( o!enin# a chest( took forth from it this !iece of linen containin#
the desi#n of the #aOelles( which $ had ori#inally #iven to her4 and when $ took it( $ found written u!on
it some verses com!lainin# of her unre0uited love for me( and there fell from it a !a!er containin#
some words of consolation and counsel"N.
6s soon as $ had read and understood this !a!er( $ we!t a#ain( and my mother did the same( and $
continued lookin# at it and wee!in# until the a!!roach of ni#ht4 and in this state $ remained for the
s!ace of a year4 after which( some merchants of my city( the same whom $ am accom!anyin# in this
caravan( !re!ared for a 7ourney4 and my mother su##ested to me that $ should fit myself out and #o
with them( sayin# to me( 8erha!s the 7ourney will dis!el this sorrow which thou sufferest( and thou wilt
be absent a year( or two years( or three( until the caravan returneth( and thy heart may become dilated"
Thus she continued to !ersuade me( so that $ !re!ared some merchandise( and 7ourneyed with them4 but
my tears have not dried u! durin# my travels4 for at every station where we halt $ s!read this !iece of
linen before me( and look at this desi#n( and think of my cousin( and wee! for her as thou seest( since
she loved me excessively( and died throu#h my unkindness4 $ doin# nothin# but evil to her( while she
did nothin# to me but what was #ood"-++ 5hen the merchants return from their 7ourney( $ shall return
with them( and the !eriod of my absence will be a com!lete year4 but $ still suffer increasin# sorrow4
and my sorrow hath been only au#mented in conse0uence of my !assin# by the $slands of Cam!hor
and the Castle of Crystal"-Z
These $slands are seven in number( and the soverei#n of them is a =in# named /hDh)^emDn"-+ %e hath
a dau#hter named ?uny]4-@ and it was told me that it was she who worked the desi#ns of the #aOelles(
and that this desi#n which is in my !ossession was one of her work4 and when $ knew this( $ became
excessively desirous of seein# her: so( when the caravan entered her country( $ went forth and wandered
about the #ardens( which contained a !rofusion of trees" The su!erintendent of the #ardens was a
sheykh advanced in a#e4 and $ said to him( ; sheykh( to whom doth this #arden belon#R %e answered(
To the =in#'s dau#hter( the lady ?uny]( and we are beneath her !alace4 and if thou desire to amuse
thyself( o!en the !rivate door( and take a view of the #arden and smell the odours of the flowers" /o $
said to him( %ave the kindness to allow me to sit in this #arden until she !asseth by( that $ may en7oy a
#lance at her" The sheykh re!lied( There will be no harm in thy doin# so" 5hen he said this( therefore( $
#ave him some money( sayin# to him( 9uy for us somethin# to eat" 6nd he re7oiced at receivin# the
money( and( o!enin# the door( conducted me within4 and we !roceeded until we came to a !leasant
s!ot( where he brou#ht me some delicate fruits( and said to me( /it here while $ #o and return to thee"
6nd he left me and de!arted( and( after he had been absent a while( returned brin#in# a roasted lamb4
and we ate until we were satisfied( my heart lon#in# to behold the lady( and while we were sittin#( lo(
the door o!ened4 whereu!on he said to me( <ise( and conceal thyself" /o $ rose( and hid myself4 and a
black eunuch !ut forth his head from the door( and said( ; sheykh( is any one with theeR %e answered(
No"CThen close the door( said the eunuch" The sheykh( therefore( closed the door of the #arden4 and
lo( the lady ?uny] came forth" 5hen $ beheld her( $ thou#ht that the moon had descended u!on the
earth4 my mind was confounded( and $ desired her as the thirsty lon#eth for water4 and after a while(
she closed the door and de!arted" $ then went forth from the #arden( and re!aired to my lod#in#(
knowin# that $ could not obtain access to her4 and when my com!anions !re!ared for de!arture( $ also
!re!ared myself( and travelled with them towards thy city4 and on our arrival here( we met with-+@
thee"CThis is my story( and this is what hath ha!!ened unto me4 and !eace be on thee"
CONTINUATION OF THE STORY OF T#!-EL-MULOO AND THE LADY DUNY).
5hen TD7)el)&ulook heard this story( his heart became troubled with love for the lady ?uny]" %e then
mounted his horse( and( takin# with him '6OeeO( returned to his father's city( where he assi#ned to him a
house( and furnished it with everythin# that he re0uired4 after which he left him( and re!aired to his
!alace" %is tears ran down u!on his cheeks (for hearin# affecteth as si#ht and union)( and in this state
he remained until his father came in to him( and( findin# that his colour was chan#ed( knew that he was
o!!ressed by anxiety and #rief: so he said to him( ; my son( ac0uaint me with thy case( and tell me
what hath ha!!ened to thee to chan#e thy-+L colour" %e therefore related to him all that he had heard
of the story of ?uny]( and how he had fallen in love with her from hearsay( without havin# seen her4
whereu!on his father said to him( ; my son( her father is a =in#( and his country is distant from us:
abandon( therefore( this idea( and enter the !alace of thy mother4 for in it are five hundred female slaves
like so many moons( and whoever of them !leaseth thee do thou take her4 or( if none of them !lease
thee( we will demand in marria#e for thee one of the dau#hters of the =in#s( more beautiful than the
lady ?uny]" 9ut he re!lied( ; my father( $ desire not any but her: it was she who worked the desi#n of
the #aOelles that $ saw( and $ must have her( or $ will flee into the deserts( and kill myself on her
account"
/o his father said( %ave !atience with me( ; my son( that $ may send to her father and demand her of
him in marria#e( and accom!lish for thee thy wish( like as $ did for myself in the case of thy mother4
and if he consent not( $ will convulse his kin#dom around him( and send a#ainst him an army of which
the rear shall be with me when the van is with him" %e then called for the youn# man '6OeeO( and said
to him( ; my son( knowest thou the wayR %e answered( Ses"CThen $ desire of thee( said the =in#( that
thou 7ourney with my 5eOeer" 6nd '6OeeO re!lied( $ hear and obey( ; =in# of the a#e" The =in#(
therefore( summoned his 5eOeer( and said to him( &ana#e for me the affair of my son accordin# to thy
knowled#e( and re!air to the $slands of Cam!hor( and demand in marria#e the dau#hter of their =in#"
%e re!lied( $ hear and obey" 6nd TD7)el)&ulook returned to his a!artments( and his malady and
im!atience increased: he fell down in a swoon( and recovered not until the mornin#4 and when the
mornin# arrived( his father came to him( and saw his com!lexion more chan#ed( and his sallowness
increased4 and he exhorted him to !atience( and !romised him the accom!lishment of his union"
The =in# then e0ui!!ed '6OeeO( with his 5eOeer( and su!!lied them with the !resents4 and they
7ourneyed days and ni#hts until they beheld the $slands of Cam!hor( when they halted on the bank of a
river( and the 5eOeer sent forward a messen#er from his !arty to the =in#( to ac0uaint him with their
a!!roach4 and half a day after the de!arture of the messen#er( suddenly they saw that the chamberlains
of the =in#( and his emeers( had advanced to meet them from the distance of a lea#ue4 and they met
him( and attended them until they went in with them to the =in#" They !laced-+N before the =in# the
!resents( and remained in his !alace four days4 and on the fifth day the 5eOeer arose and went in to the
=in#( and( standin# before him( delivered to him his messa#e( and ac0uainted him with the cause of his
comin#4 but the =in# was !er!lexed how to answer( for his dau#hter liked not marria#e4 and he hun#
down his head for a while towards the floor4 and after this he raised it( and( lookin# towards one of the
eunuchs( said to him( 2o to thy mistress ?uny]( and ac0uaint her with what thou hast heard( and with
the !ur!ose of the visit of this 5eOeer" /o the eunuch went( and( after a short absence( returned to the
=in#( and said to him( ; =in# of the a#e( when $ went in to the lady ?uny]( and ac0uainted her with
what $ had heard( she was violently enra#ed( and rose a#ainst me with a stick( and would have broken
my head4 wherefore $ fled from her4 and she said to me( $f my father force me to marry( him whom $
marry $ will kill" %er father( therefore( said to the 5eOeer and '6OeeO( /alute ye the =in#( and inform
him of this( and that my dau#hter liketh not marria#e" 6ccordin#ly the 5eOeer returned with his
attendants unsuccessful( and they continued their 7ourney until they went in unto the =in#( and
ac0uainted him with what had ha!!ened4 and u!on this he ordered the chiefs to call to#ether the troo!s
that they mi#ht march to war4 but the 5eOeer said to him( ?o not this4 for the =in# is not in fault: the
refusal is on the !art of his dau#hter( who( when she knew of this !ro!osal( sent to say( $f my father
force me to marry( $ will kill him whom $ marry( and kill myself after him"
6nd when the =in# heard the words of the 5eOeer( he feared for his son TD7)el)&ulook( and said( $f $
make war u!on her father( and obtain !ossession of his dau#hter( she will kill herself" %e then
ac0uainted his son TD7)el)&ulook with the truth of the case4 and when the !rince heard it( he said to his
father( ; my father( $ cannot exist without her: $ will therefore #o to her( and seek means of obtainin#
an interview with her( thou#h $ die in the attem!t: and $ will do nothin# but this" %is father said( %ow
wilt thou #o to herR %e answered( $ will #o in the dis#uise of a merchant"CThen if it must be so(
re7oined the =in#( take with thee the 5eOeer and '6OeeO" %e then took forth for him some money from
his treasuries( and !re!ared for him merchandise at the !rice of a hundred thousand !ieces of #old( and
they both a#reed as to this course4 and when ni#ht came( TD7)el)&ulook and '6OeeO went to the abode
of the latter( and there !assed that ni#ht" 9ut the heart of TD7)el)&ulook was-+- ca!tivated( and neither
eatin# nor rest !leased him: reflections overwhelmed him( and he was drowned in them4 and( lon#in#
for his beloved( he !oured forth his tears( and we!t violently4 and '6OeeO we!t with him( reflectin#
u!on his cousin4 and they both continued thus until the mornin#( when TD7)el)&ulook arose and went
in to his mother" %e was e0ui!!ed for the 7ourney4 and she asked him res!ectin# his state: so he
ac0uainted her with the whole truth4 and she #ave him fifty thousand !ieces of #old( and bade him
farewell( and he went forth from her( while she offered u! !rayers for his safety( and for his union with
the ob7ect of his love" %e then went in to his father( and asked his !ermission to de!art4 and the =in#
#ranted him !ermission( and #ave him fifty thousand !ieces of #old( and ordered that a tent should be
!itched for him outside the city"
6 lar#e tent was therefore !itched for him4 and after they had remained in it two days( they commenced
their 7ourney4 and TD7)el)&ulook treated '6OeeO with familiar kindness( and said to him( ; my brother(
$ cannot henceforth !art with thee"C6nd $( re!lied '6OeeO( am of the like mind( and desire to die at thy
feet4 but( ; my brother( my heart is troubled with thou#hts of my mother" /o TD7)el)&ulook-+U said(
5hen we shall have attained our wish( all will be well" Now the 5eOeer had char#ed TD7)el)&ulook to
dis!lay an air of !atience( and '6OeeO occu!ied himself with recitin# to him verses( and narratin# to
him histories and tales4 and they continued on their way by ni#ht and day for the s!ace of two months"
The len#th of the 7ourney became wearisome to TD7)el)&ulook4 and the violence of his desire( and his
!assion and distraction( increased: so when they drew near to the city( he re7oiced excessively( and his
anxiety and #rief ceased"
They entered it in the #arb of merchants( the =in#'s son bein# also clad in the same manner( and(
comin# to a !lace known as the abode of merchants( which was a lar#e =hDn( TD7)el)&ulook said to
'6OeeO( $s this the abode of the merchantsR '6OeeO answered( Ses: it is not( however( the =hDn in which
$ lod#ed with the caravan that $ accom!anied4 but it is better than that" /o they made their camels lie
down( and unloaded( and( havin# de!osited their #oods in the ma#aOines( remained there to take rest
four days" The 5eOeer then su##ested to them that they should hire for themselves a lar#e house4 to
which they assented4 and they hired a s!acious house( fitted for festivities" There they took u! their
abode4 and the 5eOeer and '6OeeO studied to devise some strata#em for the sake of TD7)el)&ulook( who
was !er!lexed( not knowin# what to do" The 5eOeer could contrive no other !lan than that of his
o!enin# for himself a sho! to carry on the trade of a merchant in the market of fine stuffs: he therefore
addressed TD7)el)&ulook and '6OeeO( and said to them( =now that if we remain in this state we shall
not attain our wish4 and a thin# hath occurred to my mind which !robably may be advisable( if it be the
will of 2od" /o they re!lied( ?o what seemeth fit to thee4 for a blessin# attendeth the a#ed( and
es!ecially in thy case( since thou hast devoted thyself to the mana#ement of affairs: therefore #ive us
the advice which hath su##ested itself to thy mind" 6nd he said to TD7)el)&ulook( $t is my o!inion that
we should hire for thee a sho! in the market of fine stuffs( and that thou shouldst sit in it to sell and
buy4 for every !erson of the hi#her ranks and of the !eo!le in #eneral standeth in need of such stuffs(
and if thou sit in that sho! thy affair will be arran#ed( if it be the will of 2od (whose name be exalted_)(
es!ecially because of thy comely !erson4 but make '6OeeO thy trusty attendant( and seat him in the sho!
to hand to thee the stuffs" 6nd when TD7)el)&ulook heard these words( he said" This is a 7udicious
o!inion4Cand immediately he took forth a-+W suit of merchant's attire( and clad himself in it( and arose
and went forth( followed by his youn# men( and #ave to one of them a thousand !ieces of #old to fit u!
the sho!"
They !roceeded until they arrived at the market of fine stuffs( and when the merchants saw TD7)el)
&ulook( and observed his handsome and comely !erson( they were confounded( and be#an to say( %ath
<i\wDn-L o!ened the #ates of 8aradise and ne#lected them( so that this youth of sur!risin# beauty hath
come forthRCand one said( This is !robably one of the an#els" 6nd when they went in amon# the
merchants( they in0uired for the sho! of the /heykh of the market" The merchants( therefore( #uided
them thither( and they went to him4 and as they a!!roached him( he and the merchants who were with
him rose to them( and received them with honour( es!ecially the excellent 5eOeer4 for they saw him to
be an a#ed and venerable man4 and observin# that he was accom!anied by TD7)el)&ulook and '6OeeO(
they said( No doubt this sheykh is the father of these two youn# men" The 5eOeer then said to them(
5ho amon# you is the /heykh of the marketR They answered( This is he" 6nd the 5eOeer( lookin# at
him and observin# him( saw that he was an old man of #rave and res!ectable as!ect( and !ossessin#
servants and youn# men" The /heykh of the market #reeted them with friendly com!liments( and
treated them with #reat honour( and( havin# seated them by his side( said to them( %ave ye any business
which we may have the ha!!iness of transactin#R The 5eOeer answered( Ses: $ am an old man(
advanced in a#e( and $ have these two youn# men: $ have travelled with them throu#h all re#ions and
countries( and have not entered a town without remainin# in it a whole year( that they mi#ht amuse
themselves with the si#ht of it and become ac0uainted with its inhabitants4 and now $ have come to this
your town( and have chosen to make a stay in it: $ therefore desire of thee one of the best sho!s( that $
may seat them in it to traffic( and that they may amuse themselves with the si#ht of this city( and
ac0uire the manners of its !eo!le( and obtain an ex!erience in buyin# and sellin# and other commercial
transactions"
/o the /heykh of the market re!lied( There will be no harm in doin# so:Cand( lookin# at the two
youn# men( he was deli#hted with them( and he arose and stood like a servant before them to wait u!on
them" 6nd afterwards he went and !re!ared for them the sho!: it was in the midst of the market( and
there was none lar#er than it( nor any more handsome there4 for it was s!acious and-+, decorated( and
contained shelves of ivory and ebony" %e then delivered the keys to the 5eOeer (who was also in the
#arb of a merchant)( and said( 2od #rant that it may be attended with blessin#s to thy two sons_-N 6nd
when the 5eOeer had taken the keys of the sho!( he went to it( to#ether with the servants( who
de!osited in it their #oods4 and they ordered the servants to remove thither all the merchandise and
stuffs and rarities that they had" These thin#s were worth treasuries of wealth4 and they trans!orted the
whole of them to the sho!" They then !assed the ni#ht( and in the mornin# the 5eOeer conducted the
two youn# men to the bath( where they washed and en7oyed themselves to the utmost( after which they
returned to their abode to rest from the fati#ue of bathin#( and ate and drank4 and they !assed the next
ni#ht in their abode in the most !erfect 7oy and ha!!iness" 6nd on the followin# mornin# they rose
from their slee!( and( havin# !erformed the ablution( recited the divinely)ordained !rayers( and drank
their mornin#)bevera#e4-- and when dayli#ht came( and the sho!s and markets were o!ened( they went
forth from their abode( and re!aired to the market( and o!ened the sho!" The servants had !re!ared it
for them in the handsomest manner( and s!read it with car!ets of silk( and !laced in it two mattresses(
each of which was worth a hundred !ieces of #old4 and u!on each mattress they s!read a skin such as
=in#s sit u!on( surrounded with an ed#e of #old: so TD7)el)&ulook seated himself u!on one mattress(
and '6OeeO u!on the other( and the 5eOeer sat in the midst of the sho!( while the servants stood before
them" The !eo!le heard of them( and crowded about them( and they sold of their merchandise4 and the
fame of TD7)el)&ulook was s!read throu#h the city( and the re!ort of his handsomeness and comeliness
was blaOed throu#hout it" They continued this life for several days( the !eo!le !ressin# to them4 after
which the 5eOeer addressed TD7)el)&ulook( and en7oined him to conceal his case( and( havin# char#ed
'6OeeO to kee! watch over him( re!aired to the house to !lan some mode of !roceedin# that mi#ht be of
advanta#e to them" &eanwhile( TD7)el)&ulook and '6OeeO sat conversin# to#ether4 and the former said(
8erha!s some one may come from the lady ?uny]"
Thus TD7)el)&ulook !assed his time days and ni#hts( and sle!t not4 desire over!owered him( and he
became more and more emaciated and infirm( renouncin# the deli#ht of slee!( and abstainin# from
drink and food4 but still he was like the full moon: and as he was sittin# one day( lo( an old woman
a!!roached and advanced-+. towards him( followed by two female slaves( and she continued to draw
near until she sto!!ed at his sho!" 9eholdin# his #raceful !erson( and his handsome and lovely as!ect(
she wondered at his beauty( and said( 1xtolled be the !erfection of %im who created thee_ 1xtolled be
the !erfection of %im who hath made thee a tem!tation to all creatures_C/he ceased not to #aOe at
him( and said( This is not a mortal: this is no other than a noble an#el_-U Then drawin# close to him(
she saluted him( and he returned her salutation( and rose to her( standin# u!on his feet(-W and smiled in
her face" 6ll this he did at the hintin# of '6OeeO4 after which he seated her by his side( and occu!ied
himself with fannin# her until she had rested herself4 when she said to him( ; my son_ ; thou of
!erfect 0ualities and #races_ art thou of this countryRCTD7)el)&ulook answered her( with an elo0uent
and sweet and charmin# voice( 9y 6llah( ; my mistress( in my life $ never entered this country until
now4 and $ have not taken u! my abode in it but for the sake of amusement" 6nd she wished him
honour( and welcomed him( and said( 5hat stuffs hast thou brou#ht with theeR /how me somethin#
beautiful4 for the beautiful brin#eth not anythin# but what is beautiful"C6nd when-@Z TD7)el)&ulook
heard her words his heart !al!itated4 but he understood not their meanin#: so '6OeeO made a si#n to
him4 and TD7)el)&ulook said to her( $ have everythin# that thou desirest of stuffs suitable only to =in#s
and the dau#hters of =in#s" 3or whom( then( wouldst thou !urchase( that $ may dis!lay to thee what
will be a!!ro!riateRC%e desired by this 0uestion to learn the meanin# of her words4 and she answered(
$ want some stuff suitable to the lady ?uny]( the dau#hter of =in# /hDh)^emDn" ;n hearin# the
mention of his beloved( TD7)el)&ulook re7oiced exceedin#ly( and said to '6OeeO( 9rin# me the most
ma#nificent of the #oods that are by thee" 6nd '6OeeO #ave him a wra!!er( and untied it before her( and
TD7)el)&ulook said to her( Choose what will suit her4 for this is such as is not found with any but me"
/o the old woman chose some stuff that was worth a thousand !ieces of #old4 and said( 5hat is the
!rice of thisRC5hat_ said he( shall $ bar#ain with a !erson like thee res!ectin# this contem!tible
thin#R 8raise be to 2od who hath made me ac0uainted with thee"C6nd the old woman exclaimed( $
invoke( for thy comely face( the !rotection of the 'ord of the ?aybreak_-, for verily thy face is
comely( and so are thine actions" *oy be to her who !ossesseth thee( and es!ecially if she be endowed
with beauty like thee_CA!on this( TD7)el)&ulook lau#hed until he fell backwards( and said [within
himself( ; 6ccom!lisher of desires by the means of wicked old women_-. 6nd she said to him( ; my
son( what is thy nameR %e answered( &y name is TD7)el)&ulook"CThis( she re!lied( is one of the
names of =in#s4 but thou art in the #arb of the merchants" /o '6OeeO said( 3rom the affection of his
family for him( and the hi#h estimation in which they held him( they #ave him this name" 6nd the old
woman re!lied( Thou hast s!oken truth" &ay 2od avert from you the evil of the envious( thou#h hearts
be broken by your charms_
/he then took the stuff( and de!arted( confounded by his handsomeness and loveliness and ele#ant
form4 and she !roceeded until she went in to the lady ?uny]( when she said to her( ; my mistress( $
have brou#ht thee some beautiful stuff"C/hew it me( said the lady" 6nd she re!lied( ; my mistress(
here it is: turn it over( and behold it" 6nd when the lady ?uny] saw it( she said to her( ; my nurse(
verily this is beautiful stuff4 $ have not seen such in our city_C; my mistress( re!lied the old woman(
the seller of it sur!asseth it in beauty" $t seemeth as thou#h <i\wDn had o!ened the #ates of 8aradise
and ne#lected them( and so the merchant who selleth this stuff had come-@+ forth from it" $ wish he
were with thee4 for he is a tem!tation to every one who beholdeth him" %e hath come to our city with
these stuffs for the sake of amusement"C6t these words of the old woman the lady ?uny] lau#hed(
and said( 6llah afflict thee( thou ill)omened old woman_ Thou hast s!oken nonsense( and art become
insane"C/he then added( 2ive me the stuff that $ may examine it closely" /o the old woman handed it
to her( and she looked at it a#ain( and saw that it was but little( and that its !rice was #reat4 and she
wondered at its beauty4 for she had never in her life seen anythin# like it" The old woman then said to
her( ; my mistress( if thou didst behold its owner( thou wouldst know that he is the handsomest !erson
on the face of the earth" 6nd the lady ?uny] said to her( ?idst thou ask him if he had any want to be
!erformed( that he mi#ht ac0uaint us with it( and thou mi#htest accom!lish it for himR The old woman(
shakin# her head( re!lied( 6llah !reserve thy sa#acity_ 9y 6llah( he hath a want" 6nd is any !erson
without oneRC2o to him( then( said the lady ?uny]( and salute him( and say to him( $ have been
honoured by thine arrival in our city( and whatever want thou hast( we will !erform it for thee on the
head and the eye"
The old woman( therefore( returned immediately to TD7)el)&ulook( and when he saw her( his heart
lea!ed with 7oy( and he rose to her( standin# u!on his feet( and( takin# her hand( seated her by his side"
/o when she had sat and rested herself( she informed him of that which the lady ?uny] had said" ;n
hearin# this( he was filled with the utmost 7oy4 his bosom ex!anded( and he said within himself( $ have
accom!lished my wish_ %e then said to the old woman( 8erha!s thou wilt convey to her a letter from
me( and brin# me back the answer" /he re!lied( $ hear and obey" 6nd when he heard her re!ly( he said
to '6OeeO( 2ive me an inkhorn and !a!er( and a !en of brass" 6nd '6OeeO havin# #iven him these
thin#s( he wrote the followin# verses:C
$ write to thee a letter( ; ob7ect of my !etition( ex!ressive of the torment that $ suffer from se!aration4
6nd first( $ make known to thee the ardour of my heart4 and secondly( my desire and ea#er lon#in#4
6nd thirdly( the ex!irin# of my life and !atience4 and fourthly( that all the violence of my love
remaineth4 6nd fifthly( $ ask( 5hen shall $ behold theeR and sixthly( 5hen shall be the day of our
unionR
%e then added beneath( This letter is from the ca!tive of desire( incarcerated in the !rison of lon#in#
ex!ectation( to whom there can-@@ be no liberation but by en7oyin# an interview( even were it with the
!hantom of the ob7ect of his ho!e4 for he is endurin# a !ainful torment from the se!aration of his
beloved"CThen his tears flowed( and he wrote these two verses:C
$ write unto thee with my tears flowin#( and the dro!s from my eyes descendin# incessantly4 9ut $ am
not des!airin# of the favour of my 'ord: !erha!s some day our union may take !lace"
%e then folded the letter( and sealed it( and #ave it to the old woman( sayin#( Convey it to the lady
?uny]" /he re!lied( $ hear and obey" 6nd he #ave her a thousand !ieces of #old( and said( <eceive this
as a !resent from me" /o the old woman took it and de!arted( !rayin# for him"
/he sto!!ed not until she went in to the lady ?uny]( who( when she beheld her( said to her( ; my
nurse( what hath he demanded that we should do for himRC; my mistress( she answered( he hath sent
with me a letter( and $ know not its contents" 6nd she handed the letter to her" /o the lady ?uny] took it
and read it( and understood its meanin#( and exclaimed( 5hence is he( and to what doth he as!ire( that
this merchant o!eneth a corres!ondence with meR Then sla!!in# her face( she said( 5ere it not for my
fear of 2od (whose name be exalted_) $ would crucify him u!on his sho!" /o the old woman said to
her( 5hat is in this letter( that it hath disturbed thy heartR ?oth it contain a com!laint of o!!ression( or
a demand for the !rice of the stuffRC5o to thee_ she answered: it containeth not that( nor anythin# but
love and affection4 and all this is throu#h thee" ;r( if not( how should this devil !resume to em!loy
these wordsRC; my mistress( re!lied the old woman( thou art residin# in thy lofty !alace( and no one
can obtain access to thee4 not even the flyin# bird" 6llah !reserve thee from blame and censure_ Thou
hast nothin# to fear from the barkin# of do#s" 9e not an#ry with me for my brin#in# thee this letter
when $ knew not its contents: but it is my o!inion that thou shouldst return him an answer( and threaten
him in it with slau#hter( and forbid him from em!loyin# these vain words4 for he will abstain( and not
do so a#ain"CThe lady ?uny] said( $ fear to write to him( lest he covet me more" 9ut the old woman
re!lied( 5hen he heareth the threatenin#( and !romise of !unishment( he will desist from his !resent
conduct" /o she said( 9rin# me an inkhorn and !a!er( and a !en of brass" 6nd when they had brou#ht
them to her( she wrote these verses:-@LC
; !retender to love and affliction and slee!lessness( and feelin#s of ra!turous !assion( and anxiety_
?ost thou seek for a meetin#( ; deceived( from a moonR ?oth any attain from a moon his wishR $
advise thine abstainin# from thy desire: forbear then4 for thou art ex!osed to !eril" $f thou a#ain make
use of these words( $ will visit thee with a !unishment of the utmost severity" 9y %im who created
mankind of clotted blood(UZ and who #ave li#ht to the sun and the moon_ $f thou re!eat the !ro!osal
thou hast made( $ will assuredly crucify thee on the trunk of a tree"
/he then folded u! the letter( and #ave it to the old woman( sayin# to her( ?eliver it to him( and say to
him( 6bstain from these words" 6nd she re!lied( $ hear and obey"
/he took the letter( full of 7oy(U+ and went with it to her house( where she !assed the ni#ht4 and in the
mornin# she re!aired to the sho! of TD7)el)&ulook( whom she found ex!ectin# her" 6s soon as he
beheld her( he almost flew with 7oy( and when she drew near to him he rose to her( standin# u!on his
feet( and seated her by his side4 and she took forth the letter( and handed it to him( sayin#( <ead its
contents" /he then said to him( The lady ?uny]( when she read thy letter( was enra#ed4 but $ coaxed her
and 7ested with her until $ made her lau#h( and she was moved with !ity for thee( and returned thee an
answer" /o TD7)el)&ulook thanked her for this( and( havin# ordered '6OeeO to #ive her a thousand
!ieces of #old( read the letter( and understood it4 and he we!t violently( so that the heart of the old
woman was moved with com!assion for him( and his wee!in# and com!lainin# #rieved her" /he said to
him( ; my son( and what is in-@N this !a!er( that it hath made thee wee!R %e answered( /he
threateneth me with slau#hter and crucifixion( and forbiddeth my writin# to her4 but if $ write not to
her( my death will be !referable to my life4 therefore take a re!ly to her letter( and let her do what she
will"C9y thy youth( re!lied the old woman( $ must risk my life for thee( and enable thee to attain thy
desire( and accom!lish for thee that which is in thy heart" 6nd TD7)el)&ulook said( 5hatsoever thou
dost $ will re0uite thee for it4 and it shall be determined by thee4 for thou art ex!erienced in the
mana#ement of affairs( and skilled in the modes of intri#ue( and everythin# that is difficult becometh
easy to thee4 and 2od is able to accom!lish all thin#s" /o he took a !a!er( and wrote in it these verses:
C
/he threatened me with slau#hter" ; my bereavement_ /lau#hter would be ease to me( and death is
decreed" ?eath is better than life !rolon#ed to the love)smitten who is debarred from en7oyment and
treated with o!!ression" 9y 6llah( visit a hel!less lover4 for $ am your slave( and the slave is in
ca!tivity" ; my mistress( have mercy on me for my !assion4 for every one who loveth the virtuous is
excusable"
%avin# done this( he si#hed heavily( and we!t until the old woman we!t with him4 after which she took
the letter from him( and said to him( 9e ha!!y and cheerful4 for $ must accom!lish for thee thy wish"
/he then arose( and left him as thou#h he were u!on the fire( and re!aired to the lady ?uny]( whom she
found with a countenance chan#ed by her an#er in conse0uence of the former e!istle of TD7)el)&ulook4
and she handed her the second letter4 whereu!on her ra#e increased( and she said to the old woman(
?id $ not tell thee that he would covet us moreRC6nd what is this do#( said the old woman( that he
should as!ire to theeR The lady ?uny] re!lied( 2o to him( and say to him( $f thou write to her a#ain she
will strike off thy head" 9ut the old woman said( ?o thou write this to him in a letter( and $ will take it
with me( that his fear may be the #reater" /o she took a !a!er( and wrote in it the followin# verses:C
; thou who art heedless of the course of misfortunes( and who canst not accom!lish thy desired union_
?ost thou think( ; deceived( to attain to 1s)/uh](U@ when thou canst not reach to the shinin# moonR
%ow then dost thou venture to ho!e for our union( and to hold in thine embrace my 7avelin)like formR
guit( therefore( this !ro7ect( in fear of my assault on a day of adversity when hair shall become #ray(
-@- %avin# folded this letter( she handed it to the old woman( who took it and re!aired with it to TD7)el)
&ulook" 6t the si#ht of her he rose( and said( &ay 2od never de!rive me of the blessin# of thy
comin#_ 6nd the old woman re!lied( <eceive the answer to thy letter" /o he took the !a!er and read it(
and we!t violently( and said( $ desire now some one to kill me4 for slau#hter would be easier to me than
this my !resent state of sufferin#" %e then took an inkhorn and a !en and !a!er( and wrote a letter
ex!ressed in these two verses:C
; my ho!e( !ersist not in abandonment and cruelty4 but visit a lover drowned in desire" Think not that $
can survive this o!!ression4 for my soul de!arteth at the loss of my beloved"
6nd he folded the letter( and #ave it to the old woman( sayin# to her( $ have wearied thee to no !ur!ose"
6nd a#ain he ordered '6OeeO to #ive her a thousand !ieces of #old( and said to her( ; my mother( this
!a!er must be followed by com!lete union or com!lete se!aration"C; my son( she re!lied( by 6llah( $
desire for thee nothin# but #ood fortune: and $ wish she may be with thee4 for thou art the shinin#
moon( and she is the risin# sun4 and if $ do not brin# you to#ether( no !rofit will remain to me in my
life" $ have !assed my life in the !ractice of artifice and deceit( until $ have attained the a#e of ninety
years4 and how then should $ fail of unitin# two !ersons in o!!osition to all lawR
Then( havin# bidden him farewell( and soothed his mind( she de!arted( and !roceeded without sto!!in#
to the lady ?uny]4 but she had hidden the !a!er in her hair4 and when she sat down with her mistress(
she scratched her head( and said( ; my mistress( !erha!s thou wilt untwist my hair4 for it is a lon# time
since $ have entered the bath" /o the lady ?uny] made bare her arms to the elbows( and untwisted the
old woman's hair4 whereu!on the !a!er fell from her head4 and the lady ?uny]( seein# it( said( 5hat is
this !a!erR The old woman answered( $t seemeth that( when $ was sittin# at the sho! of the merchant(
this !a!er cau#ht to me: #ive it me( therefore( that $ may return it to him" 9ut the lady ?uny] o!ened it
and read it( and understood its contents( and exclaimed( This is a trick of thine( and were it not for the
fact of thy havin# reared me( $ would lay violent hands u!on thee this moment" 2od hath afflicted me
by this merchant( and all that $ have ex!erienced from him hath been throu#h thy means" $ know not
from what country this man hath come" No-@U one but he could ever use such boldness towards me" $
fear that this affair which hath ha!!ened to me may be discovered( and es!ecially since it relateth to a
man who is neither of my family nor of my e0uals"CThe old woman then addressed her( and said( No
one can utter a word on this sub7ect( throu#h fear of thy !ower( and of the di#nity of thy father: and
there will be no harm in thy returnin# him an answer"C; my nurse( re!lied the lady ?uny]( this is a
devil" %ow hath he dared to use these words( and feared not the !ower of the /ulEDnR $ am !er!lexed
res!ectin# his case4 for if $ #ive orders to kill him( it will not be ri#ht: and if $ leave him( he will
increase in his boldness"C5rite to him a letter( re7oined the old woman4 and !erha!s he will be
restrained" /he therefore demanded a !a!er and an inkhorn and a !en( and wrote to him the followin#
verses:C
Thou#h re!eatedly rebuked( still #ross i#norance inciteth thee" %ow oft shall my hand write verses to
forbid theeR Thou increasest in ea#erness after each !rohibition4 but $ will only !ermit thee to conceal
thy secret" Conceal then thy love( and never more utter it4 for if thou utter it( $ will not re#ard thee" $f
thou re!eat what thou hast said( the raven of se!aration will announce thy fate: -@W $n a little time will
death overtake thee( and thy restin#)!lace be beneath the earth: Thou shalt leave thy family( ;
deceived( in sorrow( when the swords of love have !revented thine esca!e"
%avin# then folded the !a!er( she #ave it to the old woman( who took it( and went with it to TD7)el)
&ulook( and #ave it to him4 and when he had read it( and was convinced that she was hard)hearted( and
that he could not obtain access to her( he com!lained of his case to the 5eOeer( and desired his !rudent
counsel" The 5eOeer re!lied( =now that there remaineth for thee nothin# that can be of avail( exce!t
thy writin# to her another letter( and invokin# retribution u!on her" /o he said( ; my brother( ; '6OeeO(
write in my stead( accordin# to thy knowled#e" 6nd '6OeeO took the !a!er( and wrote these verses:C
; my 'ord( by the 3ive 1lders(UL deliver me4 and to her who hath afflicted me transfer my an#uish_
3or Thou knowest that $ am sufferin# a tormentin# flame( and my beloved hath o!!ressed me( and will
not !ity me" %ow lon# shall $ feel tenderly to her in my affliction_ 6nd how lon# shall she tyranniOe
over my weakness_ $ wander in a#onies never endin#( and find not a !erson( ; my 'ord( to assist me"
'6OeeO then folded the letter( and handed it to TD7)el)&ulook4 and when he had read it( it !leased him(
and he #ave it to the old woman"
/o she took it( and re!aired with it to the lady ?uny]( who( as soon as she had read it( and understood
its contents( fell into a violent ra#e( and exclaimed( 6ll that hath befallen me hath been throu#h the
means of this ill)omened old woman_ 6nd she called out to the female slaves and eunuchs( and said(
/eiOe this artful old woman( and beat her with your sli!!ers"C/o they fell to beatin# her with their
sli!!ers until she fainted4 and when she recovered( the lady ?uny] said to her( ; wicked old woman(
were it not for my fear of 2od (whose name be exalted_) $ had killed thee" /he then said to her
attendants( 9eat her a#ain" 6nd they beat her a#ain until she fainted4 after which she ordered them to
throw her outside the door4 and they dra##ed her alon# u!on her face and threw her down before the
door"
5hen she recovered( therefore( she rose( and( walkin# and restin# now and then( arrived at her abode"
/he waited until the mornin#( and then rose and !roceeded to TD7)el)&ulook( whom she ac0uainted
with all that had befallen her4 and it vexed him( and he said to her( 5e are #rieved( ; my mother( for
that which hath ha!!ened to thee:-@, but everythin# is in accordance with fate and destiny" /he re!lied(
9e ha!!y and cheerful4 for $ will not cease my endeavours until $ !rocure thee an interview with her(
and obtain for thee access to this vile woman who hath tortured me with beatin#" TD7)el)&ulook then
said to her( 6c0uaint me with the cause of her hatred of men" /he re!lied( $t is in conse0uence of her
havin# had a dream"C6nd what was that dreamR he asked" /he answered( /he was slee!in# one ni#ht(
and saw a fowler who set his snare u!on the #round( and s!rinkled around it some wheat( and then
seated himself near it4 and there was not a sin#le bird near it but it came to that snare" 6nd she saw(
amon# the birds( two !i#eons( a male and a female4 and while she was lookin# at the snare( the foot of
the male bird became entan#led in it( and he be#an to stru##le4 whereu!on all the other birds flew away
from him in alarm4 but his mate returned to him( and flew around over him( and then( ali#htin# u!on
the snare( while the fowler was inadvertent( be#an to !eck at the mesh in which was the foot of the
male( and !ulled it with her beak( until she liberated his foot4 and she flew away with him" Then( after
this( the fowler-@. came and read7usted the snare( and seated himself at a distance from it4 and but a
little while had ela!sed when the birds descended( and the snare cau#ht the female !i#eon4 u!on which
all the other birds flew away in alarm( and amon# them the male !i#eon( who returned not to his mate:
so the fowler came and took the female bird( and killed her" 6nd the lady ?uny] awoke terrified by her
dream( and said( 1very male is like this( destitute of #ood4 and men universally are devoid of #oodness
to women"C6nd when the old woman had finished her story to TD7)el)&ulook( he said to her( ; my
mother( $ wish to obtain one #lance at her( thou#h my death be the conse0uence: contrive( therefore(
some strata#em for me( that $ may see her"C=now( then( said she( that she hath a #arden ad7acent to
her !alace( for her diversion( and she #oeth out into it once in every month( from the !rivate door( and
remaineth in it ten days" The time of her thus #oin# forth to divert herself hath now arrived( and when
she is about to do so $ will come to thee and inform thee( that thou mayest #o thither and meet her4 and
do thou take care not to 0uit the #arden: for !robably( if she behold thy handsome and comely as!ect(
her heart will be ca!tivated by love of thee4 since love is the most !owerful means of effectin# union"
%e re!lied( $ hear and obey:Cand he arose( and 0uitted the sho! with '6OeeO( and they both( takin#
with them the old woman( re!aired to their abode( and ac0uainted her with it4 after which( TD7)el)
&ulook said to '6OeeO( ; my brother( $ have no further want of the sho!4 for $ have accom!lished the
!ur!ose for which $ took it4 and $ #ive it to thee( with all that it containeth( because thou hast come
abroad with me( and absented thyself from thy country" 6nd '6OeeO acce!ted his !resent( and they sat
conversin# to#ether4 TD7)el)&ulook askin# him res!ectin# his stran#e adventures( and '6OeeO relatin#
what had ha!!ened to him" Then( addressin# the 5eOeer( they ac0uainted him with the !ur!ose of TD7)
el)&ulook( and asked him( 5hat is to be doneR %e answered( 'et us #o to the #arden" /o each of them
clad himself in the richest of his a!!arel( and they went forth( followed by three memlooks( and
re!aired to the #arden" They beheld it aboundin# with trees( and with many rivulets( and saw the
su!erintendent sittin# at the #ate" They saluted him( therefore( and he returned their salutation( and the
5eOeer handed to him a hundred !ieces of #old( sayin# to him( $ be# thee to receive this money( and to
buy for us somethin# to eat4 for we are stran#ers( and $ have with me these children whom $ wish to
divert" /o the #ardener took the !ieces of-LZ #old( and re!lied( 1nter( and divert yourselves4 for the
whole of it is your !ro!erty: and sit down until $ return to you with somethin# for you to eat" %e then
went to the market( and the 5eOeer and TD7)el)&ulook and '6OeeO entered the #arden after the #ardener
had de!arted to the market4 and soon the latter returned( brin#in# a roasted lamb( which he !laced
before them" 6nd they ate( and washed their hands( and sat conversin# to#ether4 and the 5eOeer said(
$nform me res!ectin# this #arden: doth it belon# to thee( or dost thou rent itR The sheykh re!lied( $t is
not mine( but belon#eth to the =in#'s dau#hter( the lady ?uny]"C6nd what( said the 5eOeer( is thy
monthly salaryR %e answered( ;ne !iece of #old( and no more" 6nd the 5eOeer( takin# a view of the
#arden( beheld there a lofty but old !avilion4 and he said( ; sheykh( $ desire to !erform here a #ood
work by which thou wilt be reminded of me"C6nd what #ood thin# dost thou desire to doR asked the
sheykh" The 5eOeer said( Take these three hundred !ieces of #old" 6nd when the su!erintendent heard
the mention of the #old( he re!lied( ; my master( do whatsoever thou wilt" /o he took the !ieces of
#old4 and the 5eOeer said to him( $f it be the will of 2od (whose name be exalted_)( we will execute in
this !lace a #ood work"
They then went forth from him( and returned to their abode( and !assed the next ni#ht4 and on the
morrow( the 5eOeer caused a whitewasher to be brou#ht( and a !ainter( and an excellent #oldsmith4
and( havin# !rovided them with all the im!lements that they re0uired( introduced them into the #arden(
and ordered them to whitewash that !avilion and to decorate it with various kinds of !aintin#s" 6fter
which he #ave orders to brin# the #old( and the ultramarine !i#ment( and said to the !ainter( ?elineate(
at the u!!er end of this saloon( the fi#ure of a fowler( as thou#h he had set his snare( and a female
!i#eon had fallen into it( and had become entan#led in it by her bill" 6nd when the !ainter had finished
his !icture on one !ortion( the 5eOeer said to him( Now !aint( on this other !ortion( as before( and
re!resent the female !i#eon in the snare( and shew that the fowler hath taken her( and !ut the knife to
her neck4 and on the other side !aint the fi#ure of a #reat bird of !rey( that hath ca!tured the male
!i#eon( and fixed his talons into him" /o he did this4 and when he had finished these desi#ns which the
5eOeer had described to him( they took leave of the #ardener( and returned to their abode"
There they sat conversin# to#ether4 and TD7)el)&ulook said to '6OeeO( ; my brother( recite to me some
verses: !erha!s my heart-L+ may thereby be dilated( and these troublin# reflections may be dis!elled(
and the flame that is in my heart be 0uenched" 6nd u!on this( '6OeeO( with charmin# modulations(
chanted these verses:C
$bn)/een]UN hath asserted that the lover's remedy consisteth in melodious sounds( 6nd the com!any of
one like his beloved( and the !leasures of a dessert and wine and a #arden: 9ut $ have taken another in
thy stead to cure myself( and fate and contin#ency aided me: Set $ found that love was a mortal disease(
for which $bn)/een]'s medicine was vain"
&eanwhile( the old woman remained alone in her house4 and the lady ?uny] lon#ed to divert herself in
the #arden4 but she used not to #o forth save with the old woman: so she sent to her( and conciliated
her( and soothed her mind( and said to her( $ desire to #o out into the #arden( to amuse myself with the
si#ht of its trees and fruits( and that my heart may be dilated by its flowers" The old woman re!lied( $
hear and obey4 but $ would first #o to my house and dress myself( and $ will be with thee a#ain"C2o(
then( to thy house( re7oined the lady ?uny]4 but be not lon# absent from me" The old woman( therefore(
went forth from her( and re!aired to TD7)el)&ulook( and said to him( &ake ready( and clothe thyself in
the richest of thine a!!arel( and betake thyself to the #arden( and #o in to the #ardener and salute him(
and then conceal thyself in the #arden" %e re!lied( $ hear and obey" 6nd she a#reed with him res!ectin#
a si#n to be made4 after which she returned to the lady ?uny]" 6nd when she had #one( the 5eOeer
arose( and clad TD7)el)&ulook in a suit of the most ma#nificent of the a!!arel of =in#s( worth five
thousand !ieces of #old( and #irded him with a #irdle of #old set with 7ewels( and re!aired to the
#arden" ;n arrivin# at its #ate( they found the su!erintendent sittin# there4 and when he saw TD7)el)
&ulook( he rose to him( standin# u!on his feet( and( receivin# him with reverence and honour( o!ened
to him the #ate( and said to him( 1nter( and divert thyself in the #arden" 9ut the #ardener knew not that
the =in#'s dau#hter would enter the #arden that day" 6nd when TD7)el)&ulook had #one in( he waited
but a short time( and heard a noise4 and before he knew the cause( the eunuchs and female slaves came
forth from the !rivate door4 and as soon as the su!erintendent beheld them( he went and ac0uainted
TD7)el)&ulook with their comin#( sayin# to him( ; my lord( what is to be done( now that the =in#'s
dau#hter( the lady ?uny]( hath comeR %e answered( No harm will befall thee4 for $ will conceal myself
in some !lace in the #arden" /o-L@ the #ardener char#ed him to use the
utmost caution in concealin# himself( and left him( and de!arted"
6nd when the =in#'s dau#hter( with her female slaves and the old woman( entered the #arden( the old
woman said within herself( $f the eunuchs be with us( we shall not attain our wish" /o she said to the
=in#'s dau#hter( ; my mistress( $ would !ro!ose to thee a thin# !roductive of ease to thy heart" 6nd the
lady ?uny] re!lied( 8ro!ose what thou wilt" The old woman therefore said( ; my mistress( thou hast
no need of these eunuchs at the !resent time4 nor will thy heart be dilated as lon# as they are with us: so
dismiss them from us"CThou hast s!oken truly( re!lied the lady ?uny]:Cand she dismissed them4 and
a little while after( as she was walkin#( TD7)el)&ulook beheld her( and #aOed at her beauty and
loveliness( while she knew it not4 and every time that he looked at her he fainted( by reason of her
sur!assin# beauty" The old woman in the meantime led her on by conversation to the !avilion which
the 5eOeer had ordered to be !ainted4 and( enterin# this !avilion( the lady ?uny] took a view of its
!aintin#s( and saw the birds and the fowler and the !i#eons4 whereu!on she exclaimed( 1xtolled be the
!erfection of 2od_ Ferily this is the re!resentation of what $ beheld in my dream_C6nd
she continued #aOin# at the fi#ures of the birds and the fowler and the
snare( full of wonder4 and said( ; my nurse( $ used to censure men( and hate them4 but see the fowler(
how he-LL hath killed the female bird( and the male hath esca!ed( and desired to return to the female to
liberate her( but the bird of !rey hath met him and ca!tured him" The old woman( however( affected
i#norance to her( and !roceeded to divert her with talk until they both a!!roached the !lace where TD7)
el)&ulook was concealed4 u!on which she made a si#n to him that he should walk beneath the
windows of the !avilion4 and while the lady ?uny] stood there( she looked aside( and saw him( and(
observin# the beauty of his face( and his ele#ant form( she said( ; my nurse( whence is this handsome
youthR The old woman answered( $ know him not4 but $ ima#ine that he is the son of a #reat =in#4 for
he is of the utmost beauty and loveliness" 6nd the lady ?uny] was enra!tured with him" The s!ells that
bound her were dissolved( her reason was overcome by his beauty and loveliness and his ele#ant
!erson( and she was affected by violent love: so she said to the old woman( ; my nurse( verily this
youn# man is handsome" The old woman re!lied( Thou hast s!oken truth( ; my mistress" 6nd she
made a si#n to the =in#'s son to return to his house" The fire of desire flamed within him( and his
ra!ture and distraction became excessive4 but he went( and bade farewell to the su!erintendent( and
de!arted to his abode( that he mi#ht not disobey the old woman( and ac0uainted the 5eOeer and '6OeeO
that she had made a si#n to him to de!art" 6nd they both exhorted him to be !atient( sayin# to him( $f
the old woman did not know that there was an ob7ect to be attained by thy return( she had not made a
si#n to thee to do so"
Now to return to the lady ?uny]"C?esire overcame her( and her ra!ture and distraction increased4 so
she said to the old woman( $ know not how to obtain an interview with this youn# man but throu#h thy
means" The old woman exclaimed( $ seek refu#e with 6llah from /atan the accursed_ Thou hast no
desire for men4 and how( then( have fears affected thee in conse0uence of the love of himR 9ut( by
6llah( none other than he is suited to thy youth"C; my nurse( re7oined the lady ?uny]( assist me to
obtain an interview with him( and thou shalt receive from me a thousand !ieces of #old( and a dress of
the same value: if thou assist me not to #ain him( $ shall die inevitably" /o the old woman re!lied( 2o
thou to thy !alace( and $ will devise means to brin# you to#ether( and #ive my life to satisfy you both"
The lady ?uny] then returned to her !alace( while the old woman re!aired to TD7)el)&ulook4 and when
he saw her( he rose to her( and stood( and received her with res!ect and honour( seatin# her by his side4
and she said to him( The strata#em hath succeeded" /he-LN then related to him what had occurred
between her and the lady ?uny]4 and he said to her( 5hen shall be the interviewR /he answered( To)
morrow" 6nd he #ave her a thousand !ieces of #old( and a #arment of the same value: and she took
them( and de!arted( and sto!!ed not until she went in to the lady ?uny]( who said to her( ; my nurse(
what news hast thou brou#ht from the belovedRC$ have discovered his abode( she answered4 and to)
morrow $ will brin# him to thee" 6nd at this the lady ?uny] re7oiced( and #ave her a thousand !ieces of
#old( and a #arment of the same value4 and she took them( and returned to her house"
/he !assed the next ni#ht( and in the mornin# she went forth and re!aired to TD7)el)&ulook( and(
havin# clad him in women's a!!arel( said to him( 5alk behind me( and incline thy body from side to
side as thou ste!!est(U- and !roceed not with a hasty !ace( nor take notice of any one who may s!eak
to thee" 6nd after she had thus char#ed him( she went forth( and he behind her in his female attire4 and
she !roceeded to instruct him( on the way( how to act( that he mi#ht not fear" /he continued on her way(
he followin# her( until they arrived at the entrance of the !alace( when she entered( and he also after
her( and she !assed throu#h successive doors and antechambers until she had conducted him throu#h
seven doors" 6nd when she arrived at the seventh door( she said to TD7)el)&ulook( 3ortify thy heart(
and if $ call out to thee( and say to thee( ; slave)#irl( advance_Cbe not tardy in thy !ace( but hasten on(
and when thou hast entered the antechamber beyond( look to thy left: thou wilt see a saloon with seven
doors4 and do thou count five doors( and enter the sixth4 for within it is the ob7ect of thy desire"C6nd
whither #oest thouR said TD7)el)&ulook" /he answered( $ have no !lace to #o to4 but !erha!s $ may wait
after thee and s!eak with the chief eunuch" /he then !roceeded( and he followed her( until they arrived
at the door where was the chief eunuch4 and he saw with her TD7)el)&ulook in the attire of a female
slave( and said to her( 5hat is the business of this slave)#irl who is with theeR /he answered him( The
lady ?uny] hath heard that this #irl is skilled in different kinds of work( and she desireth to !urchase
her" 9ut the eunuch re!lied( $ know neither slave)#irl nor any other !erson4 and no one shall enter
without bein# searched by me( as the =in# hath commanded me" A!on this( the old woman(
manifestin# an#er( said to him( $ knew that thou wast a man of sense and of #ood manners4 and if thou
art chan#ed $ will ac0uaint her with this( and inform her that thou hast offered o!!osition-L- to her
female slave" /he then called out to TD7)el)&ulook( and said to him( 6dvance( ; slave)#irl_ 6nd
immediately he entered the antechamber( as she had commanded him( and the eunuch was silent( and
said no more" /o TD7)el)&ulook counted five doors( and entered the sixth( and found the lady ?uny]
standin# ex!ectin# him"
6s soon as she beheld him( she knew him( and !ressed him to her bosom( and he embraced her in like
manner4 and the old woman( comin# in to them( contrived a !retext to dismiss the female slaves4 after
which the lady ?uny] said to her( 9e thou kee!er of the door" /he then remained alone with TD7)el)
&ulook( and they !assed the whole ni#ht in innocent dalliance"UU 6nd on the followin# mornin# she
closed the door u!on him and the old woman( and enterin# another a!artment( sat there accordin# to
her custom4 and her female slaves came to her( and she transacted their affairs and conversed with
them( and then said to them( 2o forth from me now4 for $ desire to amuse myself in solitude" /o they
left her( and she returned to TD7)el)&ulook and the old woman( takin# with her some food for them4
and thus they ceased not to do for a whole month"
6s to the 5eOeer( however( and '6OeeO( when TD7)el)&ulook had-LU #one to the !alace of the =in#'s
dau#hter and remained all this time( they concluded that he would never return from it( and that he was
inevitably lost4 and '6OeeO said to the 5eOeer( ; my father( what wilt thou doR The 5eOeer answered(
; my son( this affair is one of difficulty( and if we return not to his father to ac0uaint him( he will
blame us for our ne#li#ence" /o they !re!ared themselves immediately( and 7ourneyed towards 1l)6r\
el)=ha\r] and 1l)'6moodeynUW and the royal residence of the =in# /uleymDn /hDh( and traversed the
valleys ni#ht and day until they went in and !resented themselves before the =in# /uleymDn /hDh4 and
they informed him of that which had ha!!ened to his son( and that they had learnt no news of him since
he had entered the !alace of the =in#'s dau#hter" ;n hearin# this( he was as thou#h the day of
resurrection had sur!rised him: his sorrow was intense( and he #ave orders to make a !roclamation of
war throu#hout his dominions" %e then sent forth his troo!s outside the city( and caused the tents to be
!itched for them( and remained in his !avilion until the forces had assembled from all the 0uarters of
his kin#dom" %is sub7ects loved him for his #reat 7ustice and beneficence( and he de!arted with an
army that covered the earth as far as the eye could reach( for the !ur!ose of demandin# his son TD7)el)
&ulook"
$n the meantime( TD7)el)&ulook and the lady ?uny] continued to#ether for half a year( every day
increasin# in mutual love4 and the love and distraction and ra!ture of TD7)el)&ulook so au#mented that
he o!ened to her his mind( and said to her( =now( ; beloved of my heart( that the lon#er $ remain with
thee( the more do my distraction and ecstasy and desire increase4 for $ have not alto#ether attained my
wish" /o she said( 5hat dost thou wish( ; li#ht of my eye( and deli#ht of my heartR %e answered( $
desire to ac0uaint thee with my true history: know( then( that $ am not a merchant( but a =in#( son of a
=in#( and the name of my father is the /u!reme =in# /uleymDn /hDh( who sent the 5eOeer as
ambassador to thy father to demand thee for me in marria#e4 and when the news came to thee thou
refusedst to consent"C%e then related to her his story from first to last4 and added( $ desire now to
re!air to my father( that he may send an ambassador a#ain to thy father( to demand thee in marria#e
from him( and so we shall remain at ease"C6nd when she heard this( she re7oiced exceedin#ly: for it
coincided with her wish4 and they !assed the next ni#ht determined u!on this !roceedin#"
9ut it ha!!ened( in accordance with destiny( that slee! overcame them unusually that ni#ht( and they
remained until the sun had risen"-LW The =in# /hDh)^emDn was then u!on his royal seat( with the
emeers of his em!ire before him( and the chief of the #oldsmiths !resented himself( havin# in his hand
a lar#e round casket: and he advanced( and( o!enin# it before the =in#( took forth from it an ele#ant
box worth a hundred thousand !ieces of #old for the 7ewels it contained( and rubies and emeralds( such
as no =in# of the earth could !rocure" 6nd when the =in# saw it( he wondered at its beauty4 and he
looked towards the chief eunuch( to whom the affair with the old woman had ha!!ened (as above
described)( and said to him( ; =Dfoor(U, take this box( and #o with it to the lady ?uny]" /o the eunuch
took it( and !roceeded until he arrived at the chamber of the =in#'s dau#hter( when he found its door
closed( and the old woman slee!in# at its threshold( and he exclaimed( Antil this hour are ye slee!in#R
6nd when the old woman heard what he said( she awoke from her slee!( and( in her fear of him( said(
5ait until $ brin# the key" /he then went forth and fled" The eunuch( therefore( knew that she was
alarmed( and he dis!laced the door(U. and( enterin# the chamber( found the lady ?uny] aslee! with
TD7)el)&ulook" 6t the si#ht of this( he was !er!lexed at his case( and was meditatin# to return to the
=in#( when the lady ?uny] awoke( and found him by her4 and she was troubled( and her countenance
became !ale( and she said( ; =Dfoor( veil what 2od hath veiled" 9ut he re!lied( $ cannot conceal
anythin# from the =in#" 6nd he closed the door u!on them( and returned to the =in#" /o the =in# said
to him( %ast thou #iven the box to thy mistressR The eunuch answered( Take the box: here it is" $ cannot
conceal from thee anythin#" =now that $ beheld( with the lady ?uny]( a handsome youn# man( slee!in#
in the same chamber" The =in# therefore ordered that they should be both brou#ht before him4 and
when they had come into his !resence( he said to them( 5hat are these deedsR 6nd he was violently
enra#ed( and( seiOin# a da##er(WZ was about to strike with it TD7)el)&ulook4 but the lady ?uny] threw
her head u!on him( and said to her father( /lay me before him" The =in#( however( chid her( and
ordered them to convey her back to her chamber" Then lookin# towards TD7)el)&ulook( he said to him(
5o to thee_ 5hence art thou( and who is thy father( and what hath emboldened thee to act thus towards
my dau#hterRC=now( ; =in#( answered TD7)el)&ulook( that( if thou !ut me to death( thou wilt !erish(
and thou and all in thy dominions will re!ent"C6nd why soR said the =in#" %e answered( =now that $
am the son of the =in# /uleymDn /hDh( and thou wilt not be aware of the conse0uence when-L, he
will a!!roach thee with his horsemen and his infantry" 6nd when =in# /hDh)^emDn heard this( he
desired to defer !uttin# him to death4 and to im!rison him until he should see whether his assertion
were true4 but his 5eOeer said to him( ; =in# of the a#e( it is my advice that thou hasten the execution
of this youn# wretch( since he hath been #uilty of !resum!tion towards the dau#hters of =in#s" /o he
said to the executioner( /trike off his head4 for he is a traitor" 6nd the executioner took him( and( havin#
bound him firmly( raised his hand( and made a si#n of consultation to the emeers a first and a second
time( desirin# by this that some delay mi#ht take !lace4 but the =in# called out to him( %ow lon# wilt
thou consultR $f thou do so a#ain $ will strike off thy head"
The executioner( therefore( raised his hand until his arm)!it a!!eared( and was about to strike off his
head( when loud cries were heard( and( the !eo!le closed their sho!s" /o the =in# said to the
executioner( %asten not" 6nd he sent a !erson to learn the news for him4 and the messen#er went( and(
soon returnin#( said to the =in#( $ beheld an army like the roarin# sea a#itated with waves4 their horses
are !rancin#( and the earth trembleth beneath them( and $-L. know not wherefore they are come" 6nd
the =in# was amaOed( and feared lest he should be de!osed from his throne" %e then said to his 5eOeer(
%ave none of our troo!s #one forth to meet this armyR 9ut his words were not finished when his
chamberlains came in to him accom!anied by the messen#ers of the a!!roachin# =in#( and amon#
them was the 5eOeer who had been with TD7)el)&ulook" %e commenced by salutation4 and the =in#
rose to him( and( callin# them near to him( asked them res!ectin# the cause of their comin#: whereu!on
the 5eOeer advanced from amon# them( and a!!roached the =in#( and said to him( =now that he who
hath ali#hted in thy territories is a =in# not like the =in#s who have !receded him( nor like the /ulEDns
of former times"C6nd who is heR said the =in#" The 5eOeer answered( %e is the lord of 7ustice and
security( the fame of whose ma#nanimity the caravans have s!read abroad( the /ulEDn /uleymDn /hDh(
the lord of 1l)6r\ el)=ha\r] and 1l)'6moodeyn and the mountains of $H!ahDn( who loveth 7ustice and
e0uity( and hateth tyranny and o!!ression4 and he saith to thee( that his son is in thy dominions and in
thy city( and he is the vital s!irit of his heart( and its deli#ht4 and if he find him in safety( it is what he
desireth( and thou wilt be thanked and !raised4 but if he be not found in thy country( or if any evil hath
befallen him( receive tidin#s of destruction and of the ruin of thy territories4 for thy country shall
become a desert in which the raven shall croak" Thus $ have delivered to thee the messa#e4 and !eace
be on thee"C5hen the =in# /hDh)^emDn heard these words of the envoy( his heart was troubled( and
he feared for his kin#dom( and called out to the lords of his em!ire( and his weOeers and chamberlains
and lieutenants4 and when they had come before him he said to them( 5o unto you_ 2o down and
search for this youn# man"C9ut he was under the hand of the executioner( and his a!!earance was
chan#ed throu#h the fear that he suffered" The 5eOeer then( lookin# aside( found the =in#'s son u!on
the skin of blood(W+ and he reco#nised him( and arose( and threw himself u!on him" /o also did the
other messen#ers: they then unbound him( and kissed his hands and his feet4 whereu!on TD7)el)&ulook
o!ened his eyes( and( reco#nisin# the 5eOeer and his com!anion '6OeeO( fell down in a swoon throu#h
the excess of his 7oy at their !resence"
The =in# /hDh)^emDn was !er!lexed at his situation( and in #reat fear( on discoverin# that the comin#
of the army was on account of this youn# man4 and he arose and walked forward to TD7)el)&ulook( and
kissed his head( and( with wee!in# eyes( said to him( ; my son(-NZ be not an#ry with me: be not an#ry
with the evil)doer for his deed4 but have com!assion on my #ray hairs( and lay not waste my
dominions" 6nd TD7)el)&ulook a!!roached him( and kissed his hand( sayin# to him( No harm shall
befall thee4 for thou art in my estimation as my father4 but beware that no evil befall my beloved( the
lady ?uny]"C; my lord( re7oined the =in#( fear not for her4 for nou#ht but ha!!iness awaiteth her"
6nd he !roceeded to excuse himself to him( and to soothe the mind of the 5eOeer of the =in#
/uleymDn /hDh( !romisin# him a lar#e sum of money that he mi#ht conceal from the =in# what he had
seen4 after which he ordered the #randees of his em!ire to take TD7)el)&ulook and to conduct him to
the bath( to clothe him in a suit of the best of royal a!!arel( and brin# him back 0uickly" /o they did
this: they conducted him into the bath( and( havin# clad him in the suit which the =in# /hDh)^emDn
had allotted him( brou#ht him back to the hall of audience4 and when he came in( the =in# rose to him(
he and all the lords of his em!ire( and they all stood to wait u!on him" Then TD7)el)&ulook sat and
conversed with his father's 5eOeer and with '6OeeO res!ectin# the events which had ha!!ened to him4
and they re!lied( ?urin# that !eriod we went to thy father( and informed him that thou hadst entered the
!alace of the =in#'s dau#hter( and not come forth from it( and that thy case a!!eared doubtful to us4 and
when he heard this( he made ready the troo!s( and we came to this country( and on our arrival have
ex!erienced 7oy and ha!!iness" /o he said to them( 2ood fortune hath attended your actions( first and
last"
The =in#( in the meantime( had #one into his dau#hter( the lady ?uny]( and found her wee!in# for TD7)
el)&ulook" /he had taken a sword( and !ut its hilt to the floor( and its !oint to the middle of her bosom(
and was leanin# over it( sayin#( $ must kill myself( and not live after my beloved" 5hen her father(
therefore( went in to her( and beheld her in this state( he called out to her( and said( ; mistress of the
dau#hters of =in#s( do it not4 but have mercy u!on thy father and the !eo!le of thy country_ Then
advancin# to her( he said to her( $ con7ure thee to abstain( lest evil befall thy father on thy account" 6nd
he ac0uainted her with the case( tellin# her that her beloved( the son of the =in# /uleymDn /hDh(
desired to celebrate his marria#e with her( and addin#( The affair of the betrothal and marria#e is
committed to thy 7ud#ment" 6nd she smiled( and said to him( ?id $ not tell thee that he was the son of a
/ulEDnR $ will make him crucify thee u!on a !iece of wood worth a cou!le of !ieces of silver"-N+$
con7ure thee by 6llah( he exclaimed( that thou have mercy u!on thy father_C2o to him( she re7oined(
and brin# him to me" %e re!lied( ;n the head and the eye" 6nd he returned from her 0uickly( and( #oin#
in to TD7)el)&ulook( re7oiced him by what he said" %e then arose with him( and went to her a#ain4 and
when she beheld TD7)el)&ulook( she embraced him in the !resence of her father( and clun# to him( and
said to him( Thou hast made me desolate by thine absence" Then lookin# at her father( she said( Can
any one act in7uriously towards such a !erson as this handsome youth( and he a =in#( a son of a =in#R
6nd u!on this the =in# /hDh)^emDn went forth( and closed the door u!on them( and( re!airin# to the
5eOeer and the other messen#ers of the father of TD7)el)&ulook( ordered them to inform the /ulEDn
/uleymDn /hDh that his son was in !ros!erity and health( and en7oyin# a life of the utmost deli#ht" %e
#ave orders also to carry forth !rovisions and !ay to the troo!s of the /ulEDn /uleymDn /hDh4 and after
they had conveyed all that he commanded them to take forth( he brou#ht out a hundred coursers( and a
hundred dromedaries( and a hundred memlooks( and a hundred concubine slaves( and a hundred male
black slaves( and a hundred female slaves( and sent them all to him as a !resent"
%e then re!aired to him( with the lords of his em!ire( and his chief attendants( and they !roceeded until
they arrived outside the city4 and when the /ulEDn /uleymDn /hDh became ac0uainted with this he
advanced some !aces to meet him" The 5eOeer and '6OeeO had informed him of the news( and he
re7oiced( and exclaimed( 8raise be to 2od who hath #ranted my son the accom!lishment of his wish_
6nd he embraced the =in# /hDh)^emDn( and seated him by his side u!on the couch( and they
conversed to#ether4 after which the attendants !laced before4 them the food( and when they had eaten
to satisfaction-N@ they brou#ht them the sweetmeats" /oon after( TD7)el)&ulook came( a!!roachin# in
his rich and ornamented dress4 and when his father beheld him( he rose to him and kissed him( and all
who were !resent rose to him4 and after he had sat with them a while conversin#( the =in# /uleymDn
/hDh said( $ desire to !erform my son's contract of marria#e to thy dau#hter in the !resence of
witnesses" 6nd =in# /hDh)^emDn re!lied( $ hear and obey" /o he summoned the PD\ee and witnesses(
and they came( and wrote the marria#e)contract4 and the troo!s re7oiced at this" 6nd =in# /hDh)^emDn
be#an to fit out his dau#hter"
Then TD7)el)&ulook said to his father( Ferily( '6OeeO is a #enerous !erson4 he hath !erformed for me a
#reat service( and wearied himself( and 7ourneyed with me( and enabled me to attain the ob7ect of my
search( ceasin# not to exhort me to !atience until $ accom!lished my wish( and he hath been with us
two years se!arated from his country: it is my desire( therefore( that we should !re!are for him
merchandise4 for his country is near" %is father re!lied( Thy o!inion is excellent" /o they !re!ared for
him a hundred loads of the most costly stuffs4 and TD7)el)&ulook bade him farewell( sayin# to him( ;
my brother( acce!t this as a !resent" 6nd he acce!ted it( and kissed the #round before him and before
his father" TD7)el)&ulook then mounted his horse( and !roceeded with '6OeeO for the s!ace of three
miles4 after which( '6OeeO con7ured him to return( and said( 5ere it not for my mother( $ could not
endure thy se!aration4 and by 6llah( $ entreat thee not to cease ac0uaintin# me with thy state" %avin#
thus said( he bade him farewell( and re!aired to his city" %e found that his mother had built for him a
tomb in the midst of the house( and she fre0uently visited it4 and when he entered the house( he found
that she had dishevelled her hair and s!read it u!on the tomb( and( with streamin# eyes( was recitin#
these verses:C
9y 6llah( ; tomb( have his charms !erished4 and hath that brilliant countenance chan#edR ; tomb(
thou art neither a #arden nor a firmament: how then can the full moon and flowers be united in theeR
/he then #roaned( and recited some other verses4 but before she had finished( '6OeeO went in to her:
and when she beheld him( she rose to him and embraced him( and asked him res!ectin# his lon#
absence: so he ac0uainted her with all the events that had ha!!ened to him from first to last( and told
her that TD7)el)&ulook had #iven him( of wealth and stuffs( a hundred loads4 and she re7oiced at this"C
/uch was the history of '6OeeO"-NL
Now as to TD7)el)&ulook( he returned to his beloved( the lady ?uny]( and =in# /hDh)^emDn fitted her
out for the 7ourney with her husband and her father)in)law: he sent to them !rovisions and !resents and
rarities( and they loaded their beasts and de!arted4 and =in# /hDh)^emDn accom!anied them three
days' 7ourney to bid them farewell" The =in# /uleymDn /hDh then con7ured him to return: so he
returned4 and TD7)el)&ulook and his father and his wife continued their 7ourney ni#ht and day until
they came in si#ht of their country" The city was decorated for them( and they entered it4 and the =in#
/uleymDn /hDh sat u!on his throne with his son TD7)el)&ulook by his side4 and he #ave !resents( and
liberated the !ersons confined in the !risons4 after which he celebrated for his son a second weddin#)
festivity: the son#s and instrumental music were continued for a whole month( and the tire)women
crowded around the lady ?uny]( and she was not tired with the dis!lay( nor were they with #aOin# at
her" TD7)el)&ulook then took u! his abode with her( after an interview with his father and mother
to#ether4 and they !assed a life of the utmost deli#ht and en7oyment"
-NN
NOTES TO CHAPTER EIGHTH.
Note +" The next story to that of 2hDnim( in my ori#inal( is one of very #reat len#th( com!risin# the
#reater !art of the forty)fourth ni#ht and extendin# to the end of the hundred and forty)fifth4 but
interru!ted by the contents of my ei#hth cha!ter( which consists of two stories of a very different kind(
that a!!ear to have been introduced to relieve its tediousness" 5ith these( it occu!ies nearly +U@ !a#es(
or not much less than an ei#hth !art of the whole work" $t is the story of the =in# ';mar 1n)NoQmDn(
and his two sons /harr)kDnLUZ and hX)el)&ekDn(LU+ and his dau#hter NuOhet)eO)^emDn(LU@ Mc" $t is
entirely a fiction( !rofessedly relatin# to the first century of the &ohammadan era( Bbefore the rei#n of
the =haleefeh '6bd)1l)&elik the son of &arwDn4B and its main sub7ect is a war with two 2reek =in#s"
Taken alto#ether( $ deem it unworthy of a !lace in the !resent series of tales4 and so much of it de!ends
u!on incidents of a most ob7ectionable nature( that $ cannot attem!t to abrid#e it4 but a !leasant tale
mi#ht be com!osed from it by considerable alterations"
;ne of the two stories which $ have extracted from it( that of TD7)el)&ulook and the 'ady ?uny]( bears
a!!arent indications of a 8ersian ori#in4 but in their !resent state( the manners and customs Mc" which
both exhibit are 6rab" The scenes of the events narrated in the story of TD7)el)&ulook are in 8ersia and(
!robably( in $ndia4 but ima#inary names a!!ear to be #iven to the several kin#doms mentioned in it: the
kin#dom of 1l)6r\ el)=ha\r] (Bthe 2reen CountryB) and 1l)'6moodeyn (which si#nifies Bthe Two
ColumnsB) is said to include the mountains of $H!ahDn( and its locality is thereby sufficiently indicated:
that of 1l)6r\ el)9ey\] (Bthe 5hite CountryB) $ su!!ose to be in 8ersia or $ndia: and as to the $slands
of Cam!hor( $ fancy we must be content to consider them va#uely as a!!ertainin# to $ndia: the country
in which '6OeeO and '6OeeOeh resided is said to have been near to the $slands of Cam!hor4 but their
story is !erfectly 6rab"CThe $sland of Cam!hor is also mentioned in the /tory of [asan of 1l)9aHrah"
Note @" B1l)&edeeneh el)=ha\r]B si#nifies Bthe 2reen City"B /ee the above note"
Note L" BThe Com!assionateB is an e!ithet here a!!lied to 2od"
-N-
Note N" /ee the first note in this series"CB^ahr(B in 6rabic( si#nifies Ba 3lower"B
Note -"COn Coats of Mail and other Armour %orn &y the Ara&s! The 8ro!het ?avid is said to have
been the first !erson who manufactured coats of mail4 and the cause of his a!!lyin# himself to the art
was this"CB%e used to #o forth in dis#uise4 and when he found any !eo!le who knew him not( he
a!!roached them and asked them res!ectin# the conduct of ?Dood (or ?avid)( and they !raised him
and !rayed for him4 but one day as he was askin# 0uestions res!ectin# himself as usual( 2od sent to
him an an#el in the form of a human bein#( who said( '6n excellent man were ?Dood if he did not take
from the !ublic treasury:'Cwhereu!on the heart of ?Dood was contracted( and he be##ed of 2od to
render him inde!endent: so %e made iron soft to him( and it became in his hands as thread4 and he used
to sell a coat of mail for four thousand [!ieces of moneyCwhether #old or silver is not said( and with
!art of this he obtained food for himself( and !art he #ave in alms( and with !art he fed his family"BLUL
C%ence an excellent coat of mail is often called by the 6rabs B?Doodee(B i! e! B?avidean"B This kind
of armour is worn by some 6rabs of the ?esert in the !resent day4 but the best s!ecimens( $ believe( are
mostly found in $ndia" 9urckhardt mentions one tribe of 6rabs who have about twenty)five4 another(
two hundred4 and two others( between thirty and forty" BThe dora [!ro!erly dirQ is(B he remarks( Bof
two sorts( one coverin# the whole body like a lon# #own from the elbow( over the shoulders( down to
the knees: this is the sir#h: the other( called kembDO( covers the body only to the waist4 the arms from
the elbows downwards bein# covered with two !ieces of steel( fittin# into each other( with iron fin#ers"
Thus clad( the 6rab com!letes his armour by !uttin# on his head an iron ca! (tDs)( which is but rarely
adorned with feathers" The !rice of a coat of mail fluctuates from two hundred to fifteen hundred
!iastres"""" Those of the best 0uality are ca!able of resistin# a ball"BLUN The coat of mail is sometimes
worn within the ordinary outer tunic"
Note U" This im!lies that his !arents were dead"
Note W"COn "u&lic #oyal +easts! ;n certain !eriodical festivals( and on other occasions (as those of
the kind here described)( it has lon# been( and still is( a custom of &uslim !rinces to #ive !ublic feasts
to all classes of their sub7ects( in the !alace" 1l)&aJreeOee 0uotes a curious account of the feasts which
were #iven on the festival followin# <ama\Dn to the inhabitants of Cairo( by the 3DEimee
=haleefehs"LU- 6t the u!!er end of a lar#e saloon was !laced the sereer (or couch) of the monarch(
u!on which he sat with the 5eOeer on his ri#ht" A!on this seat was !laced a round silver table( with
various delicacies( of which they alone ate" 9efore it( and extendin# nearly from the seat to the other
extremity of the saloon( was set u! a kind of table or !latform (simDE) of !ainted wood( resemblin# a
number of benches !laced to#ether( ten cubits (or about ei#hteen or nineteen feet) in width" 6lon# the
middle of this were arran#ed twenty)one enormous dishes( each containin# twenty)one baked shee!(
three years old( and fat4 to#ether with fowls( chickens( and youn# !i#eons( in number three hundred and
fifty of each kind4 all of which were !iled to#ether in an oblon# form( to the hei#ht of the stature of a
man( and enclosed with dry sweetmeat" The s!aces between these dishes were occu!ied by nearly five
hundred other dishes of earthenware4 each of which contained seven fowls( and was filled u! with
sweetmeats of various kinds" The -NUtable was strewn with flowers4 and cakes of bread made of the
finest flower were arran#ed alon# each side" There were also two #reat edifices of sweetmeats( each
wei#hin# seventeen hundred)wei#hts( which were carried thither by !orters with shoulder)!oles4 and
one of these was !laced at the commencement( and the other at the close( of this sum!tuous ban0uet"
5hen the =haleefeh and 5eOeer had taken their seats u!on the couch( the officers of state who were
distin#uished by neck)rin#s or collars(LUU and the inferior members of the court( seated themselves in
the order of their res!ective ranks4 and when they had eaten( they #ave !lace to others" Two such feasts(
#iven on the festival after <ama\Dn and on the B#reat festival(B cost four thousand deenDrs( or about
two thousand !ounds sterlin#"CTwo military officers( named $bn)3D>O and 1d)?eylemee( distin#uished
themselves at these feasts in a very remarkable manner" 1ach of them used to eat a baked shee!( and
ten fowls dressed with sweetmeats( and ten !ounds of sweetmeats besides( and was !resented with a
0uantity of food carried away from the feast to his house( to#ether with a lar#e sum of money" ;ne of
them had been a !risoner at '6sJalDn4 and after he had remained there some time( the !erson into whose
!ower he had fallen 7estin#ly told him that if he would eat a calf belon#in# to him( the flesh of which
wei#hed several hundred)wei#hts( he would emanci!ate him" This feat he accom!lished( and thus he
obtained his liberation"LUW
/everal cases of a similar kind to those 7ust mentioned are instanced in a late work" ;ne of a man who(
as related by Fo!iscus( was brou#ht before the 1m!eror &aximilian [sic( and who devoured a whole
calf( and was !roceedin# to eat u! a shee!( but was !revented" 6nother( of a man who commenced his
re!ast (in the !resence of ?r" 9oehmen( of 5ittenber#() by eatin# a raw shee! and a suckin# !i#( and(
by way of dessert( swallowed sixty !ounds of !runes( stones and all" 6 third( of an attendant of the
mena#erie of the 9otanical 2arden in 8aris( who used to devour all the offals of the Theatre of
Com!arative 6natomy( and ate a dead lion in one day"LU,
Note ,"COn $itters for Travelling! The kind of litter borne by mules is #enerally one resemblin# the
!Dlkee (or !alan0uin): it is borne by four of these animals( two before and two behind( or by two only(
or more commonly by two camels( and sometimes by two horses" 5hen borne by camels( the head of
the hindmost of these animals is !ainfully bent down( under the vehicle" $t is the most comfortable kind
of litter4 and two li#ht !ersons may travel in it" The name #enerally #iven to it is BtakhtarawDn(B or
Btakht)rawDn4B but the term em!loyed in the !assa#e to which this note refers is BmiGaffeh(B which is
often used as a #eneral name for a camel)litter( and !articularly a!!lied to one with a flat to!"C6 very
common kind of camel)litter( called BmusaEEaG(B or BGeml musaEEaG(B resembles a small s0uare tent( and
is chiefly com!osed of two lon# chests( each of which has a hi#h back: these are !laced on the camel in
the same manner as a !air of !anniers( one on each side4 and the hi#h backs( which are !laced
outwards( to#ether with a small !ole restin# on the camel's !ack)saddle( su!!ort the coverin# which
forms what may be called the tent" This vehicle accommodates two !ersons" $t is #enerally o!en at the
front4 and may also be o!ened at the back" Thou#h it a!!ears comfortable( the motion is uneasy4
es!ecially when it is !laced u!on a camel that has been accustomed to carry heavy burdens: but camels
of easy !ace are #enerally chosen for bearin# litters"C6nother kind of litter( called Bshibreeyeh(B is
com!osed of a small s0uare !latform with an arched coverin#" This accommodates but one !erson4 and
is !laced on the back of the camel: two saGGDrahs (or s0uare camel)chests)( one on each side of the
animal( #enerally form a foundation for it"CThe musaEEaG and shibreeyeh (but !articularly the latter)
are also called BhXda7"B
Note ." /ee Note NL to Cha!ter iv"
-NW
Note +Z" /ee Note -N to Cha!ter iv"
Note ++" BTD7)el)&ulookB si#nifies Bthe Crown of the =in#s"B
Note +@" 'ynxes were often em!loyed in the chase in 6rabian and other 1astern countries in former
times4 but $ do not know if they are at !resent" /ee Note @N to Cha!ter ii"
Note +L" 9y this word are meant Boblon#( cylindrical( hollow beads:B BJaHabehB si#nifyin# ori#inally
Ba reed(B Bcane(B Mc"
Note +N" The words Bwho hath tau#ht men(B Mc"( are from the Pur)Dn( ch" xcvi" v" -"
Note +-" B'6OeeOB and B'6OeeOehB (masculine and feminine) si#nify B?ear(B B1xcellent(B Mc"
Note +U" The handkerchief is #enerally oblon#( and each of its two ends is embroidered with a border
of coloured silks and #old4 the other two ed#es bein# !lain"
Note +W" &y sheykh has remarked in a mar#inal note( that this si#n may allude to her heart( or to her
si#hin# because she en7oys not the union she desires (as ex!ressed immediately after)4 and that the
latter is more !robable( as the action is one common with !ersons in #rief"
Note +,"COn Conversing and Corresponding &y means of 'igns Em&lems Metaphors /c! &any
!ersons of the instructed classes( and some others( amon# the 6rabs( often take deli#ht( and shew much
in#enuity and 0uickness of a!!rehension( in conversin# and corres!ondin# by means of si#ns(
emblems( Mc"( or in a conventional( meta!horical( lan#ua#e( not understood by the vul#ar in #eneral(
and sometimes not by any exce!t the !arties en#a#ed in the intercourse" $n some cases( when the main
meta!hor em!loyed is understood( the rest of the conversation becomes easily intelli#ible without any
!revious ex!lanation4 and $ have occasionally succeeded in carryin# on a conversation of this kind
(thou#h not in cases such as that described in the tale referred to by this note)4 but $ have more
fre0uently been unsuccessful in attem!tin# to divine the nature of a to!ic in which other !ersons were
en#a#ed" ;ne sim!le mode of secret conversation or corres!ondence is by substitutin# certain letters
for other letters"
&any of the women are said to be ade!ts in this art( or science( and to convey messa#es( declarations of
love( Mc"( by means of fruits( flowers( and other emblems" The inability of numbers of females in
families of the middle classes to write or read( as well as the difficulty or im!ossibility fre0uently
existin# of conveyin# written letters( may have #iven rise to such modes of communication" 'ady &ary
5ortley &onta#u( in one of her charmin# letters from the 1ast( has #ratified our curiosity by a Turkish
love)letter of this kind"LU. 6 s!ecimen of one from an 6rab( with its answer( may be here added"C6n
6rab lover sent to his mistress a fan( a bunch of flowers( a silk tassel( some su#ar)candy( and a !iece of
a chord of a musical instrument4 and she returned for answer a !iece of an aloe)!lant( three black
cumin)seeds( and a !iece of a !lant used in washin#"LWZ %is communication is thus inter!reted:CThe
fan( bein# called BmirwaGah(B a word derived from a root which has amon# its meanin#s that of B#oin#
to any !lace in the evenin#(B si#nified his wish to !ay her an evenin# visit: the flowers( that the
interview should be in her #arden: the tassel( bein# called BshurrDbeh(B that they should have sharDbLW+
(or wine): the su#ar)candy( bein# termed Bsukkar nebDt(B and -N,BnebDtB also si#nifyin# Bwe will !ass
the ni#ht(B denoted his desire to remain in her com!any until the mornin#: and the !iece of a chord( that
they should be entertained by music" The inter!retation of her answer is as follows:CThe !iece of an
aloe)!lant( which is called BHabbDrahB (from BHabr(B which si#nifies B!atienceBCbecause it will live for
many months to#ether without water)( im!lied that he must wait: the three black cumin)seeds ex!lained
to him that the !eriod of delay should be three ni#hts: and the !lant used in washin# informed him that
she should then have #one to the bath( and would meet him"LW@C$ have omitted one symbol in the
lady's answer( as it conveys an allusion not so consistent with 1uro!ean as with 6rab notions of female
delicacy"
The lan#ua#e of flowers em!loyed by the Turks does not exactly a#ree with the system illustrated in
the story of '6OeeO and '6OeeOeh4 for the former consists of a collection of words and !hrases or
sentences which rhyme with the names of the ob7ects used as the si#ns"LWL This system is also
em!loyed by the 6rabs4 but $ believe not so commonly as the other"
6 remarkable faculty is dis!layed by some 6rabs in catchin# the meanin# of secret si#ns em!loyed in
written communications to them4 such si#ns bein# often used in !olitical and other intri#ues" The
followin# is a curious instance"CThe celebrated !oet 1l)&utanebbee( havin# written some verses in
dis!raise of =Dfoor 1l)$khsheedee the inde!endent 2overnor of 1#y!t( was obli#ed to flee( and hide
himself in a distant town" =Dfoor was informed of his retreat( and desired his secretary to write to him a
letter !romisin# him !ardon( and commandin# him to return4 but told the writer at the same time( that
when the !oet came he would !unish him" The secretary was a friend of the !oet( and( bein# obli#ed to
read the letter to the 8rince when he had written it( was !er!lexed how to convey to 1l)&utanebbee
some indication of the dan#er that awaited him: he could only venture to do so in the exterior address4
and havin# written this in the usual form( commencin# B$n shDa)llDhB ($f it be the will of 2od) Bthis
shall arrive(B Mc"( he !ut a small mark of redu!lication over the BnB in the first word( which he thus
converted into B$nna4B the filial vowel bein# understood" The !oet read the letter( and was re7oiced to
see a !romise of !ardon4 but on lookin# a second time at the address( was sur!rised to observe the mark
of redu!lication over the Bn"B =nowin# the writer to be his friend( he immediately sus!ected a secret
meanin#( and ri#htly conceived that the si#n conveyed an allusion to a !assa#e in the Pur)Dn
commencin# with the word B$nna(B and this he divined to be the followin#:CBFerily the ma#istrates
are deliberatin# concernin# thee( to !ut thee to death"BLWN 6ccordin#ly( he fled to another town"C
/ome authors add( that he wrote a re!ly( conveyin#( by a similar si#n( to his friend( an allusion to
another !assa#e in the Pur)Dn:CB5e will never enter the country while they remain therein"BLW-C$t is
!robable that si#ns thus em!loyed were used by many !ersons to convey allusions to certain words4
and such may have been the case in the above)mentioned instance: if not( the !oet was indeed a
wonderful #uesser"
Note +." 8erha!s it is unnecessary to ex!lain that the actions here described are -N.those of a dyer(
di!!in# a !iece of linen into a red dye( and then wrin#in# it" The sho! of the dyer is #enerally( like most
other sho!s( a small chamber or recess o!en towards the street" 8ans containin# the different dyes are
imbedded in its floor"
Note @Z" B&aJ'adB is a name #enerally #iven to a chamber in which male #uests or visiters are
received( havin# an o!en front with two or more arches( and lookin# into the court or #arden of the
house" $ts floor is elevated about ten or more feet above the #round( and the front is usually towards the
north( or nearly so"
Note @+" $ su!!ose it to be meant( that these desi#ns were executed in a kind of mosaic work4 for the
!ool of the fountain is #enerally ornamented with black and white marble( and !ieces of fine red tile(
inlaid in com!licated and tasteful !atterns" 6 view and !lan of a fountain of this kind are inserted in the
$ntroduction to my work on the &odern 1#y!tians"
Note @@" B9aJlDweh(B from the Turkish BbaJlDva(B is a name #iven to a kind of !astry( which is
#enerally thus !re!ared:C6 !aste made of fine flour with clarified butter is rolled thin( and laid u!on a
tray: u!on this !aste is then s!read a com!osition of clarified butter and blanched almonds (and
sometimes walnuts and currants) beaten small4 and over this is !ut another layer of !aste" 1i#ht of these
double layers of !aste with the com!osition above mentioned between them are !laced one u!on
another( makin# the whole about an inch thick" $t is baked in an oven4 cut into loOen#e)sha!ed !ieces(
about three inches lon#( and two inches wide4 and after it is thus cut( some honey or treacle is !oured
over"
Note @L" /ee Note .. to Cha!ter v"
Note @N" $t is a #eneral belief of the &uslims that the wicked will rise to 7ud#ment with their faces
black4 and hence the ori#in of the im!recation( B&ay 2od blacken thy face_B 9ut it is often used to
si#nify B&ay 2od dis#race thee_B for a !erson's face is said to be black when he is in any dis#race4 and
in the reverse case( it is said to be white"LWU
Note @-" B^ardehB (which is a 8ersian word) is a name #iven to rice dressed with honey and saffron4
but here it a!!ears to be a!!lied to a sweet drink infused with saffron"
Note @U" 9y the !lay)bone and the EDb)stick an allusion is conveyed to two #ames common amon# the
6rabs" The !lay)bones are used in the same manner as dice( of which they are !robably the ori#in4 and
both bear the same name in the 6rabic( in the sin#ular BkaQbB or BkaQbeh(B that is( Ba cube"B ;f the
#ame of EDb $ have #iven a full account in my work on the &odern 1#y!tians (vol" ii" ch" iv")" $ need
only mention here( that the EDb)stick is of a flat form( about a s!an (or ei#ht inches) in len#th( and two)
thirds of an inch in breadth( #enerally formed of a !iece of a !alm)branch4 one side of which( bein# cut
flat and smooth( is white4 the other( #reen( or( if not fresh( of a dull yellow colour" 3our such sticks are
used in !layin# the #ame"
Note @W" The more sim!le inter!retation is this:C$dle #ames are more suited to thee than affairs of
love"
Note @," 1l)PaOweenee makes a remark somewhat similar to this at the close of his account of the date4
but the inter!retation of the meanin# conveyed by the date)stone in our text is very far)fetched: my
sheykh( in a mar#inal note( #ives one !erfectly a!!osite: the date)stone is called BnawDyeh(B and more
!ro!erly BnawDhB --Zand Bnaw]4B and the last of these words si#nifies also Bdistance(B Babsence(B Mc"(
and is often used to ex!ress the state of one who is far from lovin# or bein# a lover: it im!lies also( in
this case( that( if he sle!t a#ain( she would cast him off"
Note @." The locust)fruit( by its dark colour( and the len#th of time it remains in a state of !reservation
after it has been !lucked( is rendered a fit emblem of a heart lon# endurin# se!aration from the ob7ect
of its love"
Note LZ" B?irhem(B $ have before mentioned( is the name of a silver coin: it is also the name of a
wei#ht( very nearly e0uivalent to forty)ei#ht 1n#lish #rains4 and bein# here described as of iron( we
must understand it in the latter sense"
Note L+" $ su!!ose the iron dirhem to be symbolic of the eye because it is round( and !erha!s likewise
because the 6rabic term for BironB (namely BGadeedB) has also the si#nification of Bshar!B or
B!iercin#4B in which sense it is often a!!lied to the si#ht (as in the Pur)Dn( ch" l" v" @+)" /ee the next
note"
Note L@" 3rom this double oath( it seems to me !robable( that( by the circular form of the dirhem( an
allusion was meant to 2od (as bein# without be#innin# or end)( and that the matter of which it was
com!osed (from what $ have said in the note immediately !recedin#)( as well as its form( conveyed the
allusion to the eye"
Note LL" This #entle kneadin# or !ressin# of the limbs( which is one of the o!erations !erformed in the
bath( is often !ractised by the 6rabs for the !ur!ose of inducin# slee!"
Note LN" This is a kind of nebeedh" (/ee Note @@ to Cha!ter iii") The same fruit is also stewed with
meat" $t is called in 6rabic B'onnDb"B
Note L-" /ee Note +, to Cha!ter vii"
Note LU" $t is seen that '6OeeOeh s!eaks of herself in the masculine #ender in the verses here inserted4
but this is in accordance with a common 6rab custom"
Note LW"COn the Ceremony called ^ikr" ^ikrs are very often !erformed after a death4 the merit of the
!erformance bein# transferred to the soul of the deceased"
$ have before mentioned these ceremonies (in Note UL to Cha!ter iii")4 but in a va#ue manner4 and as it
is my ob7ect in the !resent work to #ive such illustrations as will satisfy the #eneral reader( without
obli#in# him to refer to other books( $ shall here insert an abrid#ed extract( descri!tive of a Oikr( from
my 6ccount of the &anners and Customs of the &odern 1#y!tians"
The Oikkeers (or !erformers of the Oikr)( who were about thirty in number( sat( cross)le##ed( u!on
mattin# extended close to the houses on one side of the street( in the form of an oblon# rin#"LWW 5ithin
this rin#( alon# the middle of the mattin#( were !laced three very lar#e wax candles4 each about four
feet hi#h( and stuck in a low candlestick" &ost of the Oikkeers were 6Gmedee darweeshes( !ersons of
the lower orders( and meanly dressed: many of them wore #reen turbans" 6t one end of the rin# were
four munshids (or sin#ers of reli#ious odes)( and with them was a !layer on the kind of flute called
BnDy"B $ !rocured a small seat of !alm)sticks from a coffee)sho! close by( and( by means of a little
!ushin#( and the assistance of my servant( obtained a !lace with the munshids( and sat there to hear a
com!lete act( or Bme#lis(B of the Oikr4 which act commenced at about three o'clock (or three hours after
sunset)( and continued two hours"
The !erformers be#an by recitin# the 3Dt'Gah (or o!enin# cha!ter of the Pur)Dn) all to#ether4 their
sheykh( or chief( first exclaimin#( B1l)3Dt'Gah_B They then chanted the followin# words4CB; 2od(
bless our lord &oGammad amon# the former #enera--+tions4 and bless our lord &oGammad amon# the
latter #enerations4 and bless our lord &oGammad in every time and !eriod4 and bless our lord
&oGammad in the hi#hest de#ree( unto the day of 7ud#ment4 and bless all the !ro!hets and a!ostles
amon# the inhabitants of the heavens and of the earth4 and may 2od (whose name be blessed and
exalted_) be well !leased with our lords and our masters( those !ersons of illustrious estimation( 6boo)
9ekr and ';mar and ';smDn and '6lee( and with all the favourites of 2od" 2od is our sufficiency4 and
excellent is the 2uardian_ There is no stren#th nor !ower but in 2od( the %i#h( the 2reat_ ; 2od_ ;
our 'ord_ ; Thou liberal of !ardon_ ; Thou most bountiful of the most bountiful_ ; 2od_ 6men_BC
They were then silent for three or four minutes4 and a#ain recited the 3Dt'Gah4 but silently" This form of
!refacin# the Oikr is commonly used( by almost all orders of darweeshes in 1#y!t"
The !erformers now commenced the Oikr" /ittin# in the manner above described( they chanted( in slow
measure( B'D ilDha illa)llDhB (BThere is no deity but 2odB) to the followin# air:C
bowin# the head and body twice in each re!etition of B'D ilDha illa)llDh"B Thus they continued about a
0uarter of an hour4 and then( for about the same s!ace of time( they re!eated the same words to the
same air( but in a 0uicker measure( and with corres!ondin#ly 0uicker motions" $n the meantime( the
munshids fre0uently san#( to the same( or a variation of the same( air( !ortions of a JaHeedeh( or of a
muweshshaG4 an ode of a similar nature to the /on# of /olomon( #enerally alludin# to the 8ro!het as
the ob7ect of love and !raise4 and at fre0uent intervals( one of them san# out the word Bmeded(B
im!lyin# an invocation for s!iritual or su!ernatural aid"
The Oikkeers( after havin# !erformed as above described( next re!eated the same words to a different
air for about the same len#th of time4 first( very slowly4 then( 0uickly" The air was as follows:C
Then they re!eated these words a#ain( to the followin# air( in the same manner:C
They next rose( and( standin# in the same order in which they had been sittin#( re!eated the same
words to another air" 6fter which( still standin#( they re!eated these words in a very dee! and hoarse
tone4 layin# the !rinci!al em!hasis u!on the word B'DB and the first syllable of the last word B6llah4B
and utterin# it( a!!arently( with a considerable effort: the sound much resembled that which is !roduced
by beatin# the rim of a tambourine" 1ach Oikkeer turned his head alternately to the ri#ht and left at each
re!etition of B'D ilDha illa)llDh"B ;ne of them( a eunuch( at this !art of the Oikr( was seiOed with an
e!ile!tic fit( evidently the result of a hi#h state of reli#ious excitement4 but nobody seemed sur!rised at
it4 for occurrences of this kind at Oikrs are not uncommon" 6ll the !erformers now seemed much
excited4 re!eatin# their e7aculations with #reater ra!idity( violently turnin# their heads( and sinkin# the
whole body at the same time: some of them 7um!in#" The eunuch above mentioned a#ain was seiOed
with fits several times4 and $ #enerally remarked that this ha!!ened after one of the munshids had sun#
a line or two and exerted himself more than usually to excite his hearers: the sin#in# was( indeed( to my
taste( very !leasin#" The contrast !resented by the vehement and distressin# exertions of the !erformers
at the close of the Oikr( and their calm #ravity and solemnity of manner at the commencement( was
!articularly strikin#" &oney was collected durin# the !erformance for the munshids" The Oikkeers
receive no !ay"
Note L," 3rom the last of these verses it a!!ears that the flowers are described as laid u!on the tomb (in
accordance with the custom mentioned in the last !ara#ra!h of Note +U to Cha!ter i")( and not as
planted u!on it4 thou#h this is fre0uently done in some countries of the 1ast4 the monument bein# filled
with mould( and the whole of its to! o!en"
Note L." /ee Note @- to Cha!ter v"
Note NZ" /ee Note L- to Cha!ter ii"
Note N+" The BrodB (in 6rabic BJaHabehB) was( accordin# to the 1#y!tian measurement( until lately
reduced( about twelve 1n#lish feet and a half"
Note N@" /ee Note +@ to Cha!ter iii"
Note NL" $t is common (as my sheykh has remarked) to say( of a very s!acious chamber( that a
horseman mi#ht #allo! in it" The !layin# at #off by horsemen has been mentioned in a former tale" $t
was a common exercise in 1#y!t as well as 8ersia and other 1astern countries"
Note NN" B?eleelehB is an e!ithet used in modern 6rabic as indicative of artifice( machination( or
fraud"LW, $t is often em!loyed as a female nickname"
Note N-" 3rom this !oint to the end of the story of '6OeeO and '6OeeOeh $ omit some !ortions which are
tedious( and others which are more ob7ectionable"
Note NU" 6ny one may enter the !ublic bath( but none can #o out of it( without !ayin#"LW.
Note NW" The BkaQk(B commonly called BkaGk(B has been described in Note +U to Cha!ter i" ?e /acy has
remarked that our 1n#lish word BcakeB seems to be from the same ori#in"
Note N,"COn Oaths! To ex!lain this !assa#e( $ must re!eat( with a few sli#ht additions( some remarks
which $ have made in a former !ublication"L,ZC6mon# a !eo!le by whom falsehood( in certain cases(
is not only allowed but commended(L,+ oaths of different kinds are more or less bindin#" $n
considerin# this sub7ect( we should also --Lremember that oaths may sometimes be ex!iated"L,@ There
are some oaths which( $ believe( few &uslims would falsely take4 such as sayin#( three times( B9y 2od
the 2reat_B (5a)llDhi)l)6beem)( and the oath u!on the muH)Gaf (or co!y of the Pur)Dn)( sayin#( B9y
what this contains of the word of 2od_B This latter is rendered more bindin# by !lacin# a sword with
the sacred volume4 and still more so( by the addition of a cake( or !iece( of bread( and a handful of salt"
9ut a form of oath which is #enerally yet more to be de!ended u!on is that of sayin#( B$ im!ose u!on
myself divorcement_B (that is( Bthe divorce of my wife( if what $ say be falseB)4 or( B$ im!ose u!on
myself interdiction_B which has a similar meanin# (B&y wife be unlawful to me_B)4 or( B$ im!ose u!on
myself a tri!le divorcement_B which binds a man by the irrevocable divorce of his wife" $f a man use
any of these three forms of oath falsely( his wife( if he have but one( is divorced by the oath itself( if
!roved to be false( without the absolute necessity of any further ceremony4 and if he have two or more
wives( he must( under such circumstances( choose one of them to !ut away"
$n the case which this note is !rinci!ally intended to illustrate( the wife of '6OeeO makes him swear by
the sword and the Pur)Dn in the ho!e of inducin# him to return to her4 and by the oath of divorce( to
make the inducement more stron#( and that she mi#ht be enabled( in case he did not fulfil his vow(
le#ally to contract another marria#e as soon as she should have waited the !eriod which the law
re0uires"
Note N." The verses $ have omitted as they are the same (with the exce!tion of some sli#ht variations)
as the first( second( third( and fifth( of those commencin# at !a#e +,- in this volume4 and the contents
of the accom!anyin# !a!er as bein# tiresome and in some !arts unmeanin#"
Note -Z" /ee the first note in the !resent series"
Note -+" $ have substituted B/hDh)^emDnB (si#nifyin# B=in# of the 6#eB) for /hahramDn4 the latter
bein# evidently a mistake of a co!yist"
Note -@" B?uny]B si#nifies the Bworld"B
Note -L" B<i\wDn(B which si#nifies Ba!!robation(B Bcom!lacency(B Mc"( is the name of the 2uardian of
8aradise"CThe meanin# of this !assa#e is( B/urely this handsome youn# !erson is one of the 5ildDn(
or 5eleeds( those beautiful youths !re!ared to wait u!on the faithful in 8aradise4 and he hath esca!ed
thence throu#h the inadvertence of <i\wDn"B The very meanest in 8aradise is !romised ei#hty thousand
of these servants( besides seventy)two [ooreeyehs( Mc"
Note -N" 6 com!liment of this kind is #enerally uttered on lettin# a sho! or house( and on sellin# an
article of dress( Mc"4 and B2od bless thee_B is usually said in re!ly" $n like manner( a merchant sellin#
#oods to be re)sold says( B&ay 2od #rant thee a !rofit u!on them_B
Note --" The word thus translated si#nifies takin# a mornin#)drau#ht of wine( milk( sherbet( or any
other bevera#e"
Note -U" 5hen ^eleekh] invited her female friends that they mi#ht behold Soosuf (or *ose!h) and
excuse her for inclinin# to him( at the si#ht of him they cut their own hands( and !raised 2od(
e7aculatin# these words( BThis is not a mortal(B Mc" (Pur)Dn( ch" xii" v" L+)"
Note -W" To !ersons more or less above him in rank( the sho!kee!er rises and stands( or merely makes
a sli#ht motion as if he were about to rise"
Note -," This is a common invocation( for the !rotection of a !erson from envy( or the evil eye(
founded u!on the last cha!ter but one of the Pur)Dn( in which the --Nbeliever is desired to Bseek refu#e
with the 'ord of the ?aybreakB from various evils( and amon# these Bfrom the mischief of the
envious"B $t is very often said to im!ly admiration of a child( that the mother may not fear"
Note -." This e7aculation is addressed to 2od"
Note UZ" This alludes to one of the sta#es of the creation of man ex!lained in the Pur)Dn( ch" xxii" v" -"
Note U+" The old woman is described as bein# Bfull of 7oyB because( havin# induced her mistress to
answer the letter( she saw a !ros!ect of continuin# the corres!ondence( and so obtainin# additional
!resents"
Note U@" B1s)/uh]B is an obscure star in the 2reater 9ear( at which !eo!le look to try their !owers of
si#ht" $t is the star ,Z( by [2reek: O
Note UL" &y sheykh has remarked in a mar#inal note on the B3ive 1ldersB or /heykhs here mentioned(
Bthe known number is the four4 namely the [first four =haleefehs4 or the 3our 5elees (eminent saints)(
the seyyid 1l)9edawee and the seyyid 1d)?asooJee and 1r)<ifD'ee and 1l)2eelDneeB The latter four
are often mentioned to#ether as bein# the saints #enerally most esteemed in the !resent day and the
founders of the four !rinci!al orders of ?arweeshes"C5ho( then( can be meant by Bthe 3ive 1ldersB $
do not know4 but $ have retained this number as it occurs a#ain in a variation of the same verses in a
subse0uent tale( which is almost exactly the same as that of TD7)el)&ulook"
Note UN" B$bn)/een]B (B/on of /een]B) is the true name of the #reat !hysician called by us B6vicenna"B
Note U-" The #ait of 6rab ladies is very remarkable: they incline the lower !art of the body from side to
side as they ste!( and with the hands raised to the level of the bosom they hold the ed#es of their outer
coverin#" Their !ace is slow( and they look not about them( but kee! their eyes towards the #round in
the direction to which they are #oin#"
Note UU" $t should be remarked here( that the !rivate room of an 1astern !rincess is not to be re#arded
as a 5estern bed)room" $n the 1ast( a #uest may lay himself down u!on a deewDn in the !resence of
another( to !ass the ni#ht( without any infrin#ement of decorum"
Note UW" /ee the latter !ara#ra!h of the first note in the !resent series"
Note U," /ee Note . to Cha!ter vii"
Note U." The doors in 1astern houses #enerally turn on two wooden !ins4 one fittin# into a hole in the
lintel4 the other( into a hole immediately behind the threshold4 and the latter is very short" $t is therefore
often easy to dis!lace a door by raisin# it a little( which may be done by means of a !ro7ectin# wooden
lock4 and in many cases( when the door cannot be dis!laced from its sockets( it may be raised
sufficiently to remove the inner latch from its catch" The doors of the ancient tem!les and tombs in
1#y!t were formed as above described( with !ins( which were often made of bronOe"
Note WZ" $ here read BnimshehB (also written Bnim7ehB and Bnim7DhBCfrom the 8ersian Bneem7ahB)
instead of BJamsheh"B The latter is described by my sheykh( in a mar#inal note( as Ba stri! of leather
divided into two( and tied to#ether and nailed at the u!!er end to a !iece of wood4B but the use of such
an instrument in this case would be ridiculous" The name of BnimshehB is often #iven to a royal
da##er"---
Note W+" 6s !ersons are often deca!itated in an 1astern !alace( a skin is made use of to receive the head
and the blood" $ believe it to be similar to the round skin used by travellers to eat u!on4 which is
converted into a ba# by means of a runnin# strin# round the ed#e"
$n concludin# the !resent series of notes( $ may state my o!inion( that the two stories to which they
relate are fully worthy of insertion in this collection( as extendin# the !icture of Ara& life and manners(
whatever may be thou#ht of their origin"
LUZ Thus commonly !ronounced for B/harrun kDn(B si#nifyin# Ban evil hath come into existence"B
Names of this kind are sometimes #iven by the 6rabs not in dis!raise( but as !ro!hetic of #reat
achievements"
LU+ B'i#ht of the 8lace"B
LU@ B?eli#ht of the 6#e"B
LUL &ir)Dt eO)^emDn"
LUN BNotes on the 9edouins and 5ahDbys(B ,vo" vol" i" !!" -- and -U"
LU- The ?ynasty of the 3DEimee =haleefehs was founded by 1l)&ahdee in 5estern 6frica( in the year
of the 3li#ht @.W" %is third successor( 1l)&o'eOO li)deeni)llDh( con0uered 1#y!t in the year L-,( and the
seat of his #overnment was transferred to Cairo" 6s they claimed descent from 3DEimeh( and were of
the /hiya'ee sect( their !ossession of the fairest !rovince of the orthodox (or '6bbDsee) =haleefehs
forms a stran#e e!isode in the history of 1l)$slDm"CTheir !ower was overthrown by IalDG)ed)?een( in
the year -UW"C1d"
LUU /ee Note +- to Cha!ter ii"
LUW B1l)=hiEaE:B 6ccount of the 8alaces of the =haleefehs"
LU, ?r" &illen#en's Curiosities of &edical 1x!erience( 0uoted in the 'iterary 2aOette( No" +ZNL"
LU. The art here mentioned was first made known to 1uro!eans by a 3renchman( &" ?u Fi#neau( in a
work entitled B/ecrVtaire Turc( contenant l'6rt d'ex!rimer ses !ensVes sans se voir( sans se !arler( et
sans s'Vcrire:B 8aris( +U,,: in)+@"CFon %ammer has also #iven an interestin# !a!er on this sub7ect in
the B&ines de l';rient(B No" +: Fienna( +,Z." (Note to &arcel's BContes du Cheykh 1l)&ohdy(B vol" iii"
!!" L@W and L@,: 8aris( +,LL")
LWZ Called B#hDsool el)aOrDr"B $n ?elile's 3lora o#y!tiaca( the name of #hDsool is #iven to the
mesembryanthemum nodiflorum( class icosandria( order !enta#ynia"
LW+ This name is now #iven to sherbet"
LW@ [albet el)=umeyt( ch" x"CThe aloe)!lant is called BHabir(B BHabr(B BHibr(B and BHabbDrah"B The
second of these words si#nifies B!atience4B and so does the root of all of them: and the last si#nifies
Bvery !atient"B The reason of its havin# these a!!ellations cannot( of course( be proved"
LWL /ee &arcel( u&i supr." %e states that Fon %ammer's vocabulary of flowers and other hiero#ly!hic
ob7ects contains +@Z articles4 and that of ?u Fi#neau( +W.4 almost all of the former bein# the same as
those of the latter"
LWN Ch" xxviii" v" +."
LW- Ch" v" v" @W"CThis anecdote is from the [albet el)=umeyt( ch" viii"C[=Dfoor was a black eunuch
!urchased by 1l)$khsheed( the first of the virtually)inde!endent dynasty of the $khsheedeeyeh( which
fell before the 3DEimee =haleefehs" =Dfoor was re#ent of 1#y!t for u!wards of twenty years( durin# the
rei#ns of his master's two sons4 and was actual #overnor from the year of the 3li#ht L-- to L-W"C1d"
LWU /ometimes( also( it means B&ay 2od cause thee to ex!erience #rief_B or Bsorrow_B and( used in this
sense( it is similar to the !hrase( often occurrin# in this work( Bthe world became black before his face"B
LWW The Oikr here described was !erformed near the tomb of a saint( for whose sake it was celebrated"
The ceremony is often !erformed in a se!ulchral mos0ue( and often in the court( or in a chamber( of a
!rivate house"
LW, &ar#inal note by my sheykh"
LW. $dem"
L,Z The B&odern 1#y!tians"B
L,+ /ee Note -W to Cha!ter iii"
L,@ 6s shewn in Note U, to Cha!ter iv"
END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.
LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,
DUE STREET, STAMFORD STREET, S.E., AND GREAT WINDMILL STREET, W.
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