TheArabianNightsAndrewLang

Published:1898Categorie(s):Fiction,FairyTales,FolkTales&MythologySource:http://www.gutenberg.org

AboutLang:Andrew Lang (March 31, 1844, Selkirk – July 20, 1912, Banchory,

Kincardineshire)wasaprolificScotsmanofletters.Hewasapoet,novelist,andliterary critic, and contributor to anthropology. He now is best known as thecollector of folk and fairy tales. The Andrew Lang lectures at St AndrewsUniversityarenamedforhim.Source:Wikipedia

AlsoavailableonFeedbooksLang:

TheBlueFairyBook(1889)TheRedFairyBook(1890)TheVioletFairyBook(1901)TheGreyFairyBook(1900)TheCrimsonFairyBook(1903)TheYellowFairyBook(1894)HelenofTroy(1882)TheOrangeFairyBook(1906)

Note:ThisbookisbroughttoyoubyFeedbookshttp://www.feedbooks.comStrictlyforpersonaluse,donotusethisfileforcommercialpurposes.

http://generation.feedbooks.com/book/4037.epubhttp://generation.feedbooks.com/book/4040.epubhttp://generation.feedbooks.com/book/4455.epubhttp://generation.feedbooks.com/book/4460.epubhttp://generation.feedbooks.com/book/4458.epubhttp://generation.feedbooks.com/book/4456.epubhttp://generation.feedbooks.com/book/4428.epubhttp://generation.feedbooks.com/book/6021.epubhttp://www.feedbooks.com

Preface

The stories in the Fairy Books have generally been such as old women incountryplaces tell to theirgrandchildren.Nobodyknowshowold theyare,orwhotoldthemfirst.ThechildrenofHam,ShemandJaphetmayhavelistenedtothemintheArk,onwetdays.Hector'slittleboymayhaveheardtheminTroyTown, for it is certain that Homer knew them, and that some of them werewrittendowninEgyptaboutthetimeofMoses.People in different countries tell them differently, but they are always the

same stories, really,whether among littleZulus, at theCape, or littleEskimo,near theNorthPole.Thechangesareonlyinmattersofmannersandcustoms;suchaswearingclothesornot,meetinglionswhotalkinthewarmcountries,ortalkingbearsinthecoldcountries.Thereareplentyofkingsandqueensinthefairy tales, just because long ago therewere plenty of kings in the country.AgentlemanwhowouldbeasquirenowwasakindofkinginScotlandinveryoldtimes, and the same in other places. These old stories, never forgotten, weretakendowninwritingindifferentages,butmostlyinthiscentury,inallsortsoflanguages.TheseancientstoriesarethecontentsoftheFairybooks.Now"TheArabianNights," someofwhich, but not nearly all, are given in

this volume, are only fairy tales of the East. The people ofAsia,Arabia, andPersia told them in their ownway, not for children, but for grown-up people.There were no novels then, nor any printed books, of course; but there werepeoplewhoseprofessionitwastoamusemenandwomenbytellingtales.Theydressedthefairystoriesup,andmadethecharactersgoodMahommedans,livinginBagdadorIndia.TheeventswereoftensupposedtohappeninthereignofthegreatCaliph,orruleroftheFaithful,HarounalRaschid,wholivedinBagdadin786-808A.D.Thevizirwhoaccompanies theCaliphwasalsoarealpersonofthegreatfamilyoftheBarmecides.HewasputtodeathbytheCaliphinaverycruel way, nobody ever knew why. The stories must have been told in theirpresentshapeagoodlongwhileaftertheCaliphdied,whennobodyknewveryexactly what had really happened. At last some storyteller thought of writingdownthetales,andfixingthemintoakindofframework,asiftheyhadallbeennarrated to a cruel Sultan by his wife. Probably the tales were written downabout the timewhenEdward I.was fightingRobertBruce.But changesweremadeinthematdifferenttimes,andagreatdealthatisverydullandstupidwasput in,andplentyofverses.Neither theversesnorthedullpiecesaregiveninthisbook.People in France and England knew almost nothing about "The Arabian

Nights"tillthereignsofQueenAnneandGeorgeI.,whentheyweretranslatedintoFrenchbyMonsieurGalland.Grown-uppeoplewerethenveryfondoffairytales,andtheythoughttheseArabstoriesthebestthattheyhadeverread.TheyweredelightedwithGhouls(wholivedamongthetombs)andGeni,whoseemedto be a kind of ogres, and with Princesses who work magic spells, and withPeris,whoareArabfairies.SindbadhadadventureswhichperhapscameoutoftheOdysseyofHomer;infact,alltheEasthadcontributeditswonders,andsentthem to Europe in one parcel. Young men once made a noise at MonsieurGalland'swindows in thedeadofnight,andaskedhim to tell themoneofhismarvellous tales.Nobody talkedofanythingbutdervishesandvizirs, rocsandperis. The stories were translated from French into all languages, and onlyBishopAtterburycomplainedthatthetaleswerenotlikelytobetrue,andhadnomoral. The bishops was presently banished for being on the side of PrinceCharlie'sfather,andhadleisuretorepentofbeingsosolemn.Inthisbook"TheArabianNights"are translatedfromtheFrenchversionof

Monsieur Galland, who dropped out the poetry and a great deal of what theArabian authors thought funny, though it seemswearisome tous. In this bookthestoriesareshortenedhereandthere,andomissionsaremadeofpiecesonlysuitableforArabsandoldgentlemen.ThetranslationsarebythewritersofthetalesintheFairyBooks,andthepicturesarebyMr.Ford.I can remember reading "TheArabianNights"when Iwas sixyearsold, in

dirtyyellowoldvolumesofsmalltypewithnopictures,andIhopechildrenwhoreadthemwithMr.Ford'spictureswillbeashappyasIwastheninthecompanyofAladdinandSindbadtheSailor.

Introduction

InthechroniclesoftheancientdynastyoftheSassanidae,whoreignedforaboutfourhundredyears,fromPersiatothebordersofChina,beyondthegreatriverGangesitself,wereadthepraisesofoneofthekingsofthisrace,whowassaidtobe thebestmonarchofhis time.His subjects lovedhim, andhis neighborsfeared him, and when he died he left his kingdom in amore prosperous andpowerfulconditionthananykinghaddonebeforehim.The twosonswhosurvivedhimlovedeachother tenderly,and itwasareal

grieftotheelder,Schahriar,thatthelawsoftheempireforbadehimtosharehisdominionswithhisbrotherSchahzeman. Indeed, after tenyears, duringwhichthisstateofthingshadnotceasedtotroublehim,SchahriarcutoffthecountryofGreatTartaryfromthePersianEmpireandmadehisbrotherking.NowtheSultanSchahriarhadawifewhomhelovedmorethanalltheworld,

andhisgreatesthappinesswas tosurroundherwithsplendour,and togiveherthefinestdressesandthemostbeautifuljewels.Itwasthereforewiththedeepestshameand sorrow thatheaccidentallydiscovered, after severalyears, that shehaddeceivedhimcompletely,andherwholeconductturnedouttohavebeensobad, thathefelthimselfobligedtocarryout thelawof theland,andorder thegrand-vizirtoputhertodeath.Theblowwassoheavythathismindalmostgaveway,andhedeclared thathewasquite sure thatatbottomallwomenwereaswickedas the sultana, if youcouldonly find themout, and that the fewer theworldcontainedthebetter.Soeveryeveninghemarriedafreshwifeandhadherstrangled the following morning before the grand-vizir, whose duty it was toprovidetheseunhappybridesfortheSultan.Thepoormanfulfilledhistaskwithreluctance,buttherewasnoescape,andeverydaysawagirlmarriedandawifedead.This behaviour caused the greatest horror in the town, where nothing was

heardbutcriesandlamentations.Inonehousewasafatherweepingforthelossofhisdaughter,inanotherperhapsamothertremblingforthefateofherchild;andinsteadoftheblessingsthathadformerlybeenheapedontheSultan'shead,theairwasnowfullofcurses.Thegrand-vizirhimselfwas the fatherof twodaughters,ofwhom theelder

was called Scheherazade, and the younger Dinarzade. Dinarzade had noparticulargiftstodistinguishherfromothergirls,buthersisterwascleverandcourageous in thehighestdegree.Her fatherhadgivenher thebestmasters inphilosophy,medicine,historyand thefinearts,andbesidesall this,herbeautyexcelledthatofanygirlinthekingdomofPersia.

Oneday,whenthegrand-vizirwastalkingtohiseldestdaughter,whowashisdelightandpride,Scheherazadesaid tohim,"Father, Ihavea favour toaskofyou.Willyougrantittome?""Icanrefuseyounothing,"repliedhe,"thatisjustandreasonable.""Then listen," said Scheherazade. "I am determined to stop this barbarous

practiceoftheSultan's,andtodeliverthegirlsandmothersfromtheawfulfatethathangsoverthem.""Itwouldbeanexcellentthingtodo,"returnedthegrand-vizir,"buthowdo

youproposetoaccomplishit?""My father," answered Scheherazade, "it is you who have to provide the

Sultandailywithafreshwife,andI imploreyou,byall theaffectionyoubearme,toallowthehonourtofalluponme.""Have you lost your senses?" cried the grand-vizir, starting back in horror.

"Whathasputsuchathingintoyourhead?Yououghttoknowbythistimewhatitmeanstobethesultan'sbride!""Yes,myfather,Iknowitwell,"repliedshe,"andIamnotafraidtothinkof

it.IfIfail,mydeathwillbeagloriousone,andifIsucceedIshallhavedoneagreatservicetomycountry.""Itisofnouse,"saidthegrand-vizir,"Ishallneverconsent.IftheSultanwas

toordermetoplungeadaggerinyourheart,Ishouldhavetoobey.Whatataskforafather!Ah,ifyoudonotfeardeath,fearatanyratetheanguishyouwouldcauseme.""Onceagain,myfather,"saidScheherazade,"willyougrantmewhatIask?""What,areyoustillsoobstinate?"exclaimedthegrand-vizir."Whyareyouso

resolveduponyourownruin?"But the maiden absolutely refused to attend to her father's words, and at

length,indespair,thegrand-vizirwasobligedtogiveway,andwentsadlytothepalace to tell the Sultan that the following evening he would bring himScheherazade.TheSultanreceivedthisnewswiththegreatestastonishment."How have you made up your mind," he asked, "to sacrifice your own

daughtertome?""Sire," answered thegrand-vizir, "it is herownwish.Even the sad fate that

awaitshercouldnotholdherback.""Lettherebenomistake,vizir,"saidtheSultan."Rememberyouwillhaveto

takeherlifeyourself.Ifyourefuse,Iswearthatyourheadshallpayforfeit.""Sire," returned the vizir. "Whatever the cost, I will obey you. Though a

father,Iamalsoyoursubject."SotheSultantoldthegrand-vizirhemightbringhisdaughterassoonasheliked.

Thevizir tookback this news toScheherazade,who received it as if it hadbeen themost pleasant thing in theworld. She thanked her fatherwarmly foryielding to herwishes, and, seeing him still boweddownwith grief, told himthat shehopedhewouldnever repenthavingallowedher tomarry theSultan.Then shewent to prepare herself for themarriage, and begged that her sisterDinarzadeshouldbesentfortospeaktoher.Whentheywerealone,Scheherazadeaddressedherthus:"Mydearsister;Iwantyourhelpinaveryimportantaffair.Myfatherisgoing

to takeme to the palace to celebratemymarriagewith the Sultan.When hisHighness receivesme, Ishallbeghim,asa last favour, to letyousleep inourchamber,sothatImayhaveyourcompanyduringthelastnightIamalive.If,asI hope, he grantsmemywish, be sure that youwakeme an hour before thedawn,andspeak tomein thesewords:"Mysister, ifyouarenotasleep, Ibegyou,beforethesunrises,totellmeoneofyourcharmingstories."ThenIshallbegin,andIhopebythismeanstodeliverthepeoplefromtheterrorthatreignsover them."Dinarzade replied that shewoulddowithpleasurewhather sisterwished.When the usual hour arrived the grand-vizir conductedScheherazade to the

palace,andleftheralonewiththeSultan,whobadeherraiseherveilandwasamazedatherbeauty.Butseeinghereyes fullof tears,heaskedwhatwas thematter."Sire,"repliedScheherazade,"IhaveasisterwholovesmeastenderlyasI loveher.Grantme the favourofallowingher tosleep thisnight in thesameroom, as it is the last we shall be together." Schahriar consented toScheherazade'spetitionandDinarzadewassentfor.An hour before daybreak Dinarzade awoke, and exclaimed, as she had

promised,"Mydearsister, ifyouarenotasleep, tellmeIprayyou,before thesun rises,oneofyourcharmingstories. It is the last time that I shallhave thepleasureofhearingyou."Scheherazadedidnot answerher sister, but turned to theSultan. "Willyour

highnesspermitmetodoasmysisterasks?"saidshe."Willingly,"heanswered.SoScheherazadebegan.

TheStoryoftheMerchantandtheGenius

Sire,therewasonceuponatimeamerchantwhopossessedgreatwealth,inlandandmerchandise,aswellasinreadymoney.Hewasobligedfromtimetotimeto take journeys toarrangehisaffairs.Oneday,having togoa longwayfromhome,hemountedhishorse,takingwithhimasmallwalletinwhichhehadputa few biscuits and dates, because he had to pass through the desertwhere nofood was to be got. He arrived without anymishap, and, having finished hisbusiness,setoutonhisreturn.Onthefourthdayofhisjourney,theheatofthesunbeingverygreat,heturnedoutofhisroadtorestundersometrees.Hefoundat the foot of a large walnut-tree a fountain of clear and running water. Hedismounted,fastenedhishorse toabranchof the tree,andsatbythefountain,afterhavingtakenfromhiswalletsomeofhisdatesandbiscuits.Whenhehadfinishedthisfrugalmealhewashedhisfaceandhandsinthefountain.When hewas thus employed he saw an enormous genius,whitewith rage,

comingtowardshim,withascimitarinhishand."Arise,"hecriedinaterriblevoice,"andletmekillyouasyouhavekilledmy

son!"As he uttered these words he gave a frightful yell. Themerchant, quite as

muchterrifiedatthehideousfaceofthemonsterasathiswords,answeredhimtremblingly,"Alas,goodsir,whatcanIhavedonetoyoutodeservedeath?""Ishallkillyou,"repeatedthegenius,"asyouhavekilledmyson.""But," said themerchant, "How can I have killed your son? I do not know

him,andIhaveneverevenseenhim.""When you arrived here did you not sit down on the ground?" asked the

genius, "and did you not take some dates from yourwallet, andwhilst eatingthemdidnotyouthrowthestonesabout?""Yes,"saidthemerchant,"Icertainlydidso.""Then," said the genius, "I tell you you have killedmy son, forwhilst you

werethrowingaboutthestones,mysonpassedby,andoneofthemstruckhimintheeyeandkilledhim.SoIshallkillyou.""Ah,sir,forgiveme!"criedthemerchant."Iwillhavenomercyonyou,"answeredthegenius."ButIkilledyoursonquiteunintentionally,soIimploreyoutosparemylife.""No,"saidthegenius,"Ishallkillyouasyoukilledmyson,"andsosaying,

heseizedthemerchantbythearm,threwhimontheground,andliftedhissabretocutoffhishead.Themerchant,protestinghis innocence,bewailedhiswifeandchildren,and

triedpitifullytoaverthisfate.Thegenius,withhisraisedscimitar,waitedtillhehadfinished,butwasnotintheleasttouched.Scheherazade,atthispoint,seeingthatitwasday,andknowingthattheSultan

alwaysroseveryearlytoattendthecouncil,stoppedspeaking."Indeed,sister,"saidDinarzade,"thisisawonderfulstory.""Therestisstillmorewonderful,"repliedScheherazade,"andyouwouldsay

so,ifthesultanwouldallowmetoliveanotherday,andwouldgivemeleavetotellittoyouthenextnight."Schahriar, who had been listening to Scheherazade with pleasure, said to

himself, "Iwillwait till to-morrow; I can alwayshaveher killedwhen I haveheardtheendofherstory."All this time the grand-vizir was in a terrible state of anxiety. But he was

much delighted when he saw the Sultan enter the council-chamber withoutgivingtheterriblecommandthathewasexpecting.Thenextmorning,before thedaybroke,Dinarzade said toher sister, "Dear

sister,ifyouareawakeIprayyoutogoonwithyourstory."TheSultandidnotwaitforScheherazadetoaskhis leave."Finish,"saidhe,

"thestoryofthegeniusandthemerchant.Iamcurioustoheartheend."SoScheherazadewentonwith thestory.Thishappenedeverymorning.The

Sultanatoldastory,andtheSultanletherlivetofinishit.Whenthemerchantsawthatthegeniuswasdeterminedtocutoffhishead,he

said:"Onewordmore,Ientreatyou.Grantmealittledelay;justashorttimetogohomeandbidmywifeandchildrenfarewell,andtomakemywill.WhenIhavedonethisIwillcomebackhere,andyoushallkillme.""But,"saidthegenius,"ifIgrantyouthedelayyouask,Iamafraidthatyou

willnotcomeback.""I give youmyword of honour," answered themerchant, "that Iwill come

backwithoutfail.""Howlongdoyourequire?"askedthegenius."I askyou for ayear'sgrace," replied themerchant. "Ipromiseyou that to-

morrowtwelvemonth,Ishallbewaitingunder thesetrees togivemyselfuptoyou."Onthisthegeniuslefthimnearthefountainanddisappeared.Themerchant,havingrecoveredfromhisfright,mountedhishorseandwent

onhisroad.Whenhearrivedhomehiswife andchildren receivedhimwith thegreatest

joy.Butinsteadofembracingthemhebegantoweepsobitterlythattheysoonguessedthatsomethingterriblewasthematter."Tellus,Iprayyou,"saidhiswife,"whathashappened."

"Alas!"answeredherhusband,"Ihaveonlyayeartolive."Thenhetoldthemwhathadpassedbetweenhimandthegenius,andhowhe

hadgivenhiswordtoreturnattheendofayeartobekilled.Whentheyheardthissadnewstheywereindespair,andweptmuch.Thenextdaythemerchantbegantosettlehisaffairs,andfirstofalltopayhis

debts. He gave presents to his friends, and large alms to the poor. He set hisslavesat liberty,andprovidedforhiswifeandchildren.Theyearsoonpassedaway,andhewasobligedtodepart.Whenhetriedtosaygood-byehewasquiteovercomewithgrief,andwithdifficultytorehimselfaway.Atlengthhereachedthe place where he had first seen the genius, on the very day that he hadappointed.Hedismounted,andsatdownat theedgeof the fountain,whereheawaitedthegeniusinterriblesuspense.Whilst he was thus waiting an old man leading a hind came towards him.

Theygreetedoneanother,andthentheoldmansaidtohim,"MayIask,brother,whatbroughtyoutothisdesertplace,wheretherearesomanyevilgeniiabout?To see these beautiful trees one would imagine it was inhabited, but it is adangerousplacetostoplongin."Themerchanttoldtheoldmanwhyhewasobligedtocomethere.Helistened

inastonishment."This is a most marvellous affair. I should like to be a witness of your

interviewwiththegenius."Sosayinghesatdownbythemerchant.While they were talking another old man came up, followed by two black

dogs.Hegreeted them,andaskedwhat theyweredoing in thisplace.Theoldmanwhowas leading thehind toldhimtheadventureof themerchantand thegenius.Thesecondoldmanhadnotsoonerheardthestorythanhe,too,decidedto stay there to seewhatwould happen.He sat down by the others, andwastalking,whenathirdoldmanarrived.Heaskedwhythemerchantwhowaswiththem lookedsosad.They toldhim thestory,andhealso resolved toseewhatwouldpassbetweenthegeniusandthemerchant,sowaitedwiththerest.Theysoonsawinthedistanceathicksmoke,likeacloudofdust.Thissmoke

came nearer and nearer, and then, all at once, it vanished, and they saw thegenius,who,withoutspeakingtothem,approachedthemerchant,swordinhand,and,takinghimbythearm,said,"Getupandletmekillyouasyoukilledmyson."Themerchantandthethreeoldmenbegantoweepandgroan.Then the oldman leading the hind threw himself at themonster's feet and

said,"OPrinceoftheGenii,Ibegofyoutostayyourfuryandtolistentome.IamgoingtotellyoumystoryandthatofthehindIhavewithme,andifyoufinditmoremarvellousthanthatofthemerchantwhomyouareabouttokill,Ihope

thatyouwilldoawaywithathirdpartofhispunishment?"The genius considered some time, and then he said, "Very well, I agree to

this."

TheStoryoftheFirstOldManandoftheHind

Iamnowgoingtobeginmystory(saidtheoldman),sopleaseattend.Thishindthatyouseewithmeismywife.Wehavenochildrenofourown,

thereforeIadoptedthesonofafavoriteslave,anddeterminedtomakehimmyheir.Mywife,however, tookagreatdislike tobothmotherandchild,whichshe

concealedfrommetilltoolate.WhenmyadoptedsonwasabouttenyearsoldIwasobligedtogoonajourney.BeforeIwentIentrustedtomywife'skeepingboth the mother and child, and begged her to take care of them during myabsence,whichlastedawholeyear.Duringthistimeshestudiedmagicinordertocarryoutherwickedscheme.Whenshehadlearntenoughshetookmysoninto a distant place and changed him into a calf. Then she gave him to mysteward,andtoldhimtolookafteracalfshehadbought.Shealsochangedtheslaveintoacow,whichshesenttomysteward.WhenIreturnedIinquiredaftermyslaveandthechild."Yourslaveisdead,"

shesaid,"andasforyourson,Ihavenotseenhimfortwomonths,andIdonotknowwhereheis."Iwasgrievedtohearofmyslave'sdeath,butasmysonhadonlydisappeared,

I thought I should soon findhim.Eightmonths, however, passed, and still notidingsofhim;thenthefeastofBairamcame.TocelebrateitIorderedmystewardtobringmeaveryfatcowtosacrifice.

Hedidso.Thecowthathebroughtwasmyunfortunateslave.Iboundher,butjustasIwasabouttokillhershebegantolowmostpiteously,andIsawthathereyeswerestreamingwithtears.Itseemedtomemostextraordinary,and,feelingamovementofpity, Iordered thesteward to leadherawayandbringanother.Mywife,whowaspresent,scoffedatmycompassion,whichmadehermaliceofnoavail."Whatareyoudoing?"shecried."Killthiscow.Itisthebestwehavetosacrifice."Topleaseher,Itriedagain,butagaintheanimal'slowsandtearsdisarmedme."Takeheraway,"Isaidtothesteward,"andkillher;Icannot."The steward killed her, but on skinning her found that shewas nothing but

bones,althoughsheappearedsofat.Iwasvexed."Keepherforyourself,"Isaidtothesteward,"andifyouhaveafatcalf,bring

thatinherstead."Inashorttimehebroughtaveryfatcalf,which,althoughIdidnotknowit,

wasmyson.Ittriedhardtobreakitscordandcometome.Itthrewitselfatmyfeet,withitsheadontheground,asifitwishedtoexcitemypity,andtobegme

nottotakeawayitslife.Iwasevenmore surprisedand touchedat this action than Ihadbeenat the

tearsofthecow."Go,"Isaidtothesteward,"takebackthiscalf,takegreatcareofit,andbring

meanotherinitsplaceinstantly."Assoonasmywifeheardmespeakthissheatoncecriedout,"Whatareyou

doing,husband?Donotsacrificeanycalfbutthis.""Wife," I answered, "I will not sacrifice this calf," and in spite of all her

remonstrances,Iremainedfirm.I had another calf killed; this onewas led away. The next day the steward

askedtospeaktomeinprivate."Ihavecome,"hesaid,"totellyousomenewswhichIthinkyouwillliketo

hear.Ihaveadaughterwhoknowsmagic.Yesterday,whenIwasleadingbackthe calf which you refused to sacrifice, I noticed that she smiled, and thendirectlyafterwardsbegantocry.Iaskedherwhyshedidso.""Father,"sheanswered,"thiscalfisthesonofourmaster.Ismilewithjoyat

seeing him still alive, and I weep to think of hismother, whowas sacrificedyesterdayasacow.Thesechangeshavebeenwroughtbyourmaster'swife,whohatedthemotherandson.""Atthesewords,ofGenius,"continuedtheoldman,"Ileaveyoutoimagine

my astonishment. I went immediately with the steward to speak with hisdaughtermyself.FirstofallIwenttothestabletoseemyson,andherepliedinhisdumbwaytoallmycaresses.Whenthesteward'sdaughtercameIaskedherifshecouldchangemysonbacktohispropershape.""Yes,Ican,"shereplied,"ontwoconditions.Oneisthatyouwillgivehimto

meforahusband,andtheotheristhatyouwill letmepunishthewomanwhochangedhimintoacalf.""Tothefirstcondition,"Ianswered,"Iagreewithallmyheart,andIwillgive

youanampledowry.TothesecondIalsoagree,Ionlybegyoutospareherlife.""ThatIwilldo,"shereplied;"Iwilltreatherasshetreatedyourson."ThenshetookavesselofwaterandpronouncedoveritsomewordsIdidnot

understand; then, on throwing the water over him, he became immediately ayoungmanoncemore."Myson,mydearson,"Iexclaimed,kissinghiminatransportofjoy."This

kindmaidenhasrescuedyoufromaterribleenchantment,andIamsurethatoutofgratitudeyouwillmarryher."Heconsentedjoyfully,butbeforetheyweremarried,theyounggirlchanged

mywifeintoahind,anditisshewhomyouseebeforeyou.Iwishedhertohavethis form rather than a stranger one, so that we could see her in the family

withoutrepugnance.Sincethenmysonhasbecomeawidowerandhasgonetravelling.Iamnow

goinginsearchofhim,andnotwishingtoconfidemywifetothecareofotherpeople,Iamtakingherwithme.Isthisnotamostmarvelloustale?"Itisindeed,"saidthegenius,"andbecauseofitIgranttoyouthethirdpart

ofthepunishmentofthismerchant."Whenthefirstoldmanhadfinishedhisstory,thesecond,whowasleadingthe

twoblackdogs,saidtothegenius,"Iamgoingtotellyouwhathappenedtome,andIamsurethatyouwillfindmystoryevenmoreastonishingthantheonetowhichyouhavejustbeenlistening.ButwhenIhaverelatedit,willyougrantmealsothethirdpartofthemerchant'spunishment?""Yes,"repliedthegenius,"providedthatyourstorysurpassesthatofthehind."Withthisagreementthesecondoldmanbeganinthisway.

TheStoryoftheSecondOldMan,andoftheTwoBlackDogs

Greatprinceofthegenii,youmustknowthatwearethreebrothers—thesetwoblackdogsandmyself.Ourfatherdied,leavinguseachathousandsequins.Withthis sumwe all three took up the same profession, and becamemerchants.Ashort timeafterwehadopenedour shops,myeldestbrother,oneof these twodogs, resolved to travel in foreigncountries for thesakeofmerchandise.Withthisintentionhesoldallhehadandboughtmerchandisesuitabletothevoyageshewasabouttomake.Hesetout,andwasawayawholeyear.Attheendofthistimeabeggarcametomyshop."Good-day,"Isaid."Good-day,"heanswered;"isitpossiblethatyoudonotrecogniseme?"ThenIlookedathimcloselyandsawhewasmybrother.Imadehimcomeintomyhouse,andaskedhimhowhehadfaredinhisenterprise."Donotquestionme,"he replied, "seeme,you see all I have. Itwouldbut

renewmytroubletotellofall themisfortunesthathavebefallenmeinayear,andhavebroughtmetothisstate."I shut upmy shop, paidhimevery attention, takinghim to thebath, giving

himmymost beautiful robes. I examinedmy accounts, and found that I haddoubledmycapital—thatis,thatInowpossessedtwothousandsequins.Igavemybrotherhalf,saying:"Now,brother,youcanforgetyourlosses."Heacceptedthemwithjoy,andwelivedtogetheraswehadbefore.Sometimeafterwardsmysecondbrotherwishedalsotosellhisbusinessand

travel.MyeldestbrotherandIdidallwecouldtodissuadehim,butitwasofnouse.Hejoinedacaravanandsetout.Hecamebackattheendofayearinthesame state as his elder brother. I took care of him, and as I had a thousandsequinstospareIgavethemtohim,andhere-openedhisshop.One day, my two brothers came to me to propose that we should make a

journeyandtrade.AtfirstIrefusedtogo."Youtravelled,"Isaid,"andwhatdidyougain?"But theycame tome repeatedly,andafterhavingheldout for fiveyears I at last gaveway.Butwhen they hadmade their preparation, and theybegantobuythemerchandiseweneeded,theyfoundtheyhadspenteverypieceofthethousandsequinsIhadgiventhem.Ididnotreproachthem.Idividedmysixthousandsequinswiththem,givingathousandtoeachandkeepingoneformyself, and the other three I buried in a corner of my house. We boughtmerchandise,loadedavesselwithit,andsetforthwithafavorablewind.Aftertwomonths'sailingwearrivedataseaport,wherewedisembarkedand

didagreattrade.Thenweboughtthemerchandiseofthecountry,andwerejustgoingtosailoncemore,whenIwasstoppedontheshorebyabeautifulthough

poorlydressedwoman.Shecameuptome,kissedmyhand,andimploredmetomarryher,andtakeheronboard.AtfirstIrefused,butshebeggedsohardandpromisedtobesuchagoodwifetome,thatatlastIconsented.Igothersomebeautifuldresses,andafterhavingmarriedher,weembarkedandsetsail.Duringthevoyage,IdiscoveredsomanygoodqualitiesinmywifethatIbegantoloverhermoreandmore.Butmybrothersbegantobejealousofmyprosperity,andsettoworktoplotagainstmylife.Onenightwhenweweresleepingtheythrewmywifeandmyselfintothesea.Mywife,however,wasafairy,andsoshedidnot letmedrown,but transportedme toan island.When thedaydawned, shesaidtome,"WhenIsawyouonthesea-shoreItookagreatfancytoyou,andwishedto

tryyourgoodnature,soIpresentedmyselfinthedisguiseyousaw.NowIhaverewardedyoubysavingyourlife.ButIamveryangrywithyourbrothers,andIshallnotresttillIhavetakentheirlives."Ithankedthefairyforallthatshehaddoneforme,butIbeggedhernottokill

mybrothers.I appeased herwrath, and in amoment she transportedme from the island

where we were to the roof of my house, and she disappeared a momentafterwards.Iwentdown,andopenedthedoors,anddugupthethree thousandsequinswhichIhadburied.Iwenttotheplacewheremyshopwas,openedit,and received frommy fellow-merchants congratulationsonmy return.When Iwenthome,Isawtwoblackdogswhocametomeetmewithsorrowfulfaces.Iwasmuchastonished,butthefairywhoreappearedsaidtome,"Do not be surprised to see these dogs; they are your two brothers. I have

condemnedthemtoremainfortenyearsintheseshapes."ThenhavingtoldmewhereIcouldhearnewsofher,shevanished.The ten years are nearly passed, and I am on the road to find her. As in

passingImetthismerchantandtheoldmanwiththehind,Istayedwiththem.Thisismyhistory,Oprinceofgenii!Doyounotthinkitisamostmarvellous

one?"Yes, indeed," replied thegenius,"andIwillgiveup toyou the thirdof the

merchant'spunishment."Thenthethirdoldmanmadethegeniusthesamerequestastheothertwohad

done,andthegeniuspromisedhimthelastthirdofthemerchant'spunishmentifhisstorysurpassedboththeothers.Sohetoldhisstorytothegenius,butIcannottellyouwhatitwas,asIdonot

know.ButIdoknowthatitwasevenmoremarvellousthaneitheroftheothers,so

thatthegeniuswasastonished,andsaidtothethirdoldman,"Iwillgiveupto

youthe thirdpartof themerchant'spunishment.Heought to thankall threeofyouforhavinginterestedyourselvesinhisfavour.Butforyou,hewouldbeherenolonger."Sosaying,hedisappeared,tothegreatjoyofthecompany.Themerchantdid

not fail to thank his friends, and then each went on his way. The merchantreturned tohiswifeandchildren, andpassed the restofhisdayshappilywiththem."But,sire,"addedScheherazade,"howeverbeautifularethestoriesIhavejust

toldyou,theycannotcomparewiththestoryoftheFisherman."

TheStoryoftheFisherman

Sire, therewasonceupona timeafishermansooldandsopoor thathecouldscarcelymanage to support hiswife and three children.Hewent everyday tofishveryearly,andeachdayhemadearulenottothrowhisnetsmorethanfourtimes.Hestartedoutonemorningbymoonlightandcametothesea-shore.Heundressedandthrewhisnets,andashewasdrawingthemtowardsthebankhefelt a great weight. He though he had caught a large fish, and he felt verypleased.Butamomentafterwards,seeingthatinsteadofafishheonlyhadinhisnetsthecarcaseofanass,hewasmuchdisappointed.Vexedwithhavingsuchabadhaul,whenhehadmendedhisnets,whichthe

carcaseoftheasshadbrokeninseveralplaces,hethrewthemasecondtime.Indrawingtheminheagainfeltagreatweight,sothathethoughttheywerefulloffish.Butheonlyfoundalargebasketfullofrubbish.Hewasmuchannoyed."OFortune,"hecried,"donottriflethuswithme,apoorfisherman,whocan

hardlysupporthisfamily!"Sosaying,hethrewawaytherubbish,andafterhavingwashedhisnetsclean

ofthedirt,hethrewthemforthethirdtime.Butheonlydrewinstones,shells,andmud.Hewasalmostindespair.Thenhethrewhisnetsforthefourthtime.Whenhethoughthehadafishhe

drew them inwith a great deal of trouble.Therewasno fish however, but hefound a yellow pot, which by its weight seemed full of something, and henoticedthatitwasfastenedandsealedwithlead,withtheimpressionofaseal.Hewasdelighted."Iwillsellittothefounder,"hesaid;"withthemoneyIshallgetforitIshallbuyameasureofwheat."Heexaminedthejaronallsides;heshookittoseeifitwouldrattle.Buthe

heardnothing, and so, judging from the impressionof the seal and the lid, hethoughttheremustbesomethingpreciousinside.Tofindout,hetookhisknife,and with a little trouble he opened it. He turned it upside down, but nothingcameout,whichsurprisedhimverymuch.Hesetitinfrontofhim,andwhilsthewaslookingatitattentively,suchathicksmokecameoutthathehadtostepbackapaceortwo.Thissmokeroseuptotheclouds,andstretchingovertheseaand the shore, formed a thick mist, which caused the fisherman muchastonishment.Whenallthesmokewasoutofthejaritgathereditselftogether,andbecameathickmassinwhichappearedagenius,twiceaslargeasthelargestgiant.Whenhesawsuchaterrible-lookingmonster,thefishermanwouldliketohaverunaway,buthetrembledsowithfrightthathecouldnotmoveastep."Greatkingofthegenii,"criedthemonster,"Iwillneveragaindisobeyyou!"

Atthesewordsthefishermantookcourage."Whatisthisyouaresaying,greatgenius?Tellmeyourhistoryandhowyou

cametobeshutupinthatvase."At this, the genius looked at the fisherman haughtily. "Speak to me more

civilly,"hesaid,"beforeIkillyou.""Alas!whyshouldyoukillme?"criedthefisherman."Ihavejustfreedyou;

haveyoualreadyforgottenthat?""No,"answeredthegenius;"butthatwillnotpreventmefromkillingyou;and

Iamonlygoingtograntyouonefavour,andthatistochoosethemannerofyourdeath.""ButwhathaveIdonetoyou?"askedthefisherman."Icannottreatyouinanyotherway,"saidthegenius,"andifyouwouldknow

why,listentomystory."Irebelledagainstthekingofthegenii.Topunishme,heshutmeupinthis

vaseofcopper, andheputon the leadencoverhis seal,which isenchantmentenough to preventmy coming out. Then he had the vase thrown into the sea.During the first periodofmycaptivity I vowed that if anyone should freemebeforeahundredyearswerepassed,Iwouldmakehimrichevenafterhisdeath.Butthatcenturypassed,andnoonefreedme.InthesecondcenturyIvowedthatIwouldgiveallthetreasuresintheworldtomydeliverer;buthenevercame."In the third, Ipromised tomakehimaking, tobealwaysnearhim,and to

granthimthreewisheseveryday;butthatcenturypassedawayastheothertwohad done, and I remained in the same plight. At last I grew angry at beingcaptive for so long,and Ivowed that if anyonewould releaseme Iwouldkillhimatonce,andwouldonlyallowhimtochooseinwhatmannerheshoulddie.Soyousee,asyouhavefreedmeto-day,chooseinwhatwayyouwilldie."Thefishermanwasveryunhappy."WhatanunluckymanIamtohavefreed

you!Iimploreyoutosparemylife.""Ihavetoldyou,"saidthegenius,"thatitisimpossible.Choosequickly;you

arewastingtime."Thefishermanbegantodeviseaplot."SinceImustdie,"hesaid,"beforeIchoosethemannerofmydeath,Iconjure

youonyourhonourtotellmeifyoureallywereinthatvase?""Yes,Iwas"answeredthegenius."I reallycannotbelieve it,"said thefisherman."Thatvasecouldnotcontain

oneofyourfeeteven,andhowcouldyourwholebodygoin?IcannotbelieveitunlessIseeyoudothething."Thenthegeniusbegantochangehimselfintosmoke,which,asbefore,spread

overtheseaandtheshore,andwhich,thencollectingitselftogether,begantogo

backintothevaseslowlyandevenlytilltherewasnothingleftoutside.Thenavoice came from the vase which said to the fisherman, "Well, unbelievingfisherman,hereIaminthevase;doyoubelievemenow?"The fisherman instead of answering took the lid of lead and shut it down

quicklyonthevase."Now,Ogenius,"hecried,"askpardonofme,andchoosebywhatdeathyou

willdie!Butno,itwillbebetterifIthrowyouintotheseawhenceIdrewyouout,andIwillbuildahouseontheshoretowarnfishermenwhocometocasttheirnetshere,againstfishingupsuchawickedgeniusasyouare,whovowstokillthemanwhofreesyou."Atthesewordsthegeniusdidallhecouldtogetout,buthecouldnot,because

oftheenchantmentofthelid.Thenhetriedtogetoutbycunning."Ifyouwilltakeoffthecover,"hesaid,"Iwillrepayyou.""No,"answered thefisherman,"if I trustmyself toyouIamafraidyouwill

treatmeasacertainGreekkingtreatedthephysicianDouban.Listen,andIwilltellyou."

TheStoryoftheGreekKingandthePhysicianDouban

InthecountryofZouman,inPersia,therelivedaGreekking.Thiskingwasaleper, and all his doctors had been unable to cure him, when a very cleverphysiciancametohiscourt.Hewasverylearnedinalllanguages,andknewagreatdealaboutherbsand

medicines.As soon as he was told of the king's illness he put on his best robe and

presentedhimselfbeforetheking."Sire,"saidhe,"Iknowthatnophysicianhasbeen able to cure yourmajesty, but if youwill followmy instructions, I willpromisetocureyouwithoutanymedicinesoroutwardapplication."Thekinglistenedtothisproposal."If you are clever enough to do this," he said, "I promise tomake you and

yourdescendantsrichforever."Thephysicianwenttohishouseandmadeapoloclub,thehandleofwhichhe

hollowedout,andputinitthedrughewishedtouse.Thenhemadeaball,andwiththesethingshewentthenextdaytotheking.Hetoldhimthathewishedhimtoplayatpolo.Accordinglythekingmounted

his horse and went into the place where he played. There the physicianapproachedhimwiththebathehadmade,saying,"Takethis,sire,andstriketheballtillyoufeelyourhandandwholebodyinaglow.Whentheremedythatisinthehandleoftheclubiswarmedbyyourhanditwillpenetratethroughoutyourbody.Theyoumustreturntoyourpalace,bathe,andgotosleep,andwhenyouawaketo-morrowmorningyouwillbecured."Thekingtooktheclubandurgedhishorseaftertheballwhichhehadthrown.

He struck it, and then itwas hit back by the courtierswhowere playingwithhim.When he felt very hot he stopped playing, andwent back to the palace,wentintothebath,anddidallthatthephysicianhadsaid.Thenextdaywhenhearosehefound,tohisgreatjoyandastonishment,thathewascompletelycured.Whenheenteredhisaudience-chamberallhiscourtiers,whowereeagertoseeifthewonderfulcurehadbeeneffected,wereoverwhelmedwithjoy.The physician Douban entered the hall and bowed low to the ground. The

king,seeinghim,calledhim,madehimsitbyhisside,andshowedhimeverymarkofhonour.That evening he gave him a long and rich robe of state, and presented him

with two thousand sequins. The following day he continued to load himwithfavours.Nowthekinghadagrand-vizirwhowasavaricious,andenvious,andavery

badman.Hegrewextremelyjealousof thephysician,anddeterminedtobringabouthisruin.Inordertodothisheaskedtospeakinprivatewiththeking,sayingthathe

hadamostimportantcommunicationtomake."Whatisit?"askedtheking."Sire," answered the grand-vizir, "it is most dangerous for a monarch to

confide in amanwhose faithfulness is not proved,Youdonot know that thisphysicianisnotatraitorcomeheretoassassinateyou.""Iamsure,"saidtheking,"thatthismanisthemostfaithfulandvirtuousof

men.Ifhewishedtotakemylife,whydidhecureme?Ceasetospeakagainsthim.Iseewhatitis,youarejealousofhim;butdonotthinkthatIcanbeturnedagainsthim.Irememberwellwhatavizirsaid toKingSindbad,hismaster, topreventhimfromputtingtheprince,hisson,todeath."What theGreek king said excited the vizir's curiousity, and he said to him,

"Sire,IbegyourmajestytohavethecondescensiontotellmewhatthevizirsaidtoKingSindbad.""This vizir," he replied, "told King Sindbad that one ought not believe

everythingthatamother-in-lawsays,andtoldhimthisstory."

TheStoryoftheHusbandandtheParrot

Agoodmanhadabeautifulwife,whomhelovedpassionately,andneverleftifpossible.Oneday,whenhewasobligedbyimportantbusinesstogoawayfromher,hewenttoaplacewhereallkindsofbirdsaresoldandboughtaparrot.Thisparrotnotonlyspokewell,but ithad thegiftof tellingall thathadbeendonebeforeit.Hebroughtithomeinacage,andaskedhiswifetoputitinherroom,andtakegreatcareofitwhilehewasaway.Thenhedeparted.Onhisreturnheaskedtheparrotwhathadhappenedduringhisabsence,andtheparrottoldhimsomethingswhichmadehimscoldhiswife.Shethoughtthatoneofherslavesmusthavebeentellingtalesofher,butthey

toldheritwastheparrot,andsheresolvedtorevengeherselfonhim.Whenherhusbandnextwentawayforoneday,shetoldonslavetoturnunder

thebird'scageahand-mill;another to throwwaterdownfromabovethecage,andathirdtotakeamirrorandturnitinfrontofitseyes,fromlefttorightbythe light of a candle.The slaves did this for part of the night, and did it verywell.Thenextdaywhen thehusbandcamebackheasked theparrotwhathehad

seen. The bird replied, "My good master, the lightning, thunder and raindisturbedmesomuchallnightlong,thatIcannottellyouwhatIhavesuffered."Thehusband,whoknewthatithadneitherrainednorthunderedinthenight,

wasconvincedthattheparrotwasnotspeakingthetruth,sohetookhimoutofthe cage and threw him so roughly on the ground that he killed him.Neverthelesshewassorryafterwards,forhefoundthattheparrothadspokenthetruth."When theGreek king," said the fisherman to the genius, "had finished the

storyoftheparrot,headdedtothevizir,"Andso,vizir,Ishallnotlistentoyou,andIshalltakecareofthephysician,incaseIrepentasthehusbanddidwhenhehadkilledtheparrot."Butthevizirwasdetermined."Sire,"hereplied,"thedeathof the parrotwas nothing.Butwhen it is a question of the life of a king it isbetter to sacrifice the innocent than save the guilty. It is no uncertain thing,however. The physician,Douban,wishes to assassinate you.My zeal promptsmetodisclosethistoyourMajesty.IfIamwrong,Ideservetobepunishedasavizirwasoncepunished." "Whathad thevizirdone," said theGreekking, "tomeritthepunishment?""IwilltellyourMajesty,ifyouwilldomethehonourtolisten,"answeredthevizir."

TheStoryoftheVizirWhoWasPunished

Therewasonceuponatimeakingwhohadasonwhowasveryfondofhunting.Heoftenallowedhimtoindulgeinthispastime,buthehadorderedhisgrand-vizir always to go with him, and never to lose sight of him. One day thehuntsmanrousedastag,andtheprince,thinkingthatthevizirwasbehind,gavechase,androdesohardthathefoundhimselfalone.Hestopped,andhavinglostsight of it, he turned to rejoin the vizir, who had not been careful enough tofollowhim.Buthelosthisway.Whilsthewastryingtofindit,hesawontheside of the road a beautiful ladywhowas crying bitterly.He drewhis horse'srein,andaskedherwhoshewasandwhatshewasdoinginthisplace,andifsheneededhelp."IamthedaughterofanIndianking,"sheanswered,"andwhilstridinginthecountryIfellasleepandtumbledoff.Myhorsehasrunaway,andIdonotknowwhathasbecomeofhim."Theyoungprincehadpityonher,andofferedtotakeherbehindhim,which

hedid.As theypassedbya ruinedbuilding the ladydismountedandwent in.Theprincealsodismountedandfollowedher.Tohisgreatsurprise,heheardhersaying tosomeone inside, "Rejoicemychildren; Iambringingyouanice fatyouth."Andothervoicesreplied,"Whereishe,mamma,thatwemayeathimatonce,asweareveryhungry?"Theprinceatoncesawthedangerhewasin.Henowknewthattheladywho

saidshewasthedaughterofanIndiankingwasanogress,wholivedindesolateplaces,andwhobyathousandwilessurprisedanddevouredpassers-by.Hewasterrified,andthrewhimselfonhishorse.Thepretendedprincessappearedatthismoment,andseeingthatshehadlostherprey,shesaidtohim,"Donotbeafraid.Whatdoyouwant?""Iamlost,"heanswered,"andIamlookingfortheroad.""Keepstraighton,"saidtheogress,"andyouwillfindit."Theprincecouldhardlybelievehisears,androdeoffashardashecould.He

foundhisway, andarrived safeand soundathis father'shouse,wherehe toldhimofthedangerhehadrunbecauseofthegrand-vizir'scarelessness.Thekingwasveryangry,andhadhimstrangledimmediately."Sire," went on the vizir to the Greek king, "to return to the physician,

Douban. If you do not take care, youwill repent of having trusted him.Whoknowswhatthisremedy,withwhichhehascuredyou,maynotintimehaveabadeffectonyou?"TheGreek king was naturally very weak, and did not perceive the wicked

intentionofhisvizir,norwashefirmenoughtokeeptohisfirstresolution.

"Well,vizir,"hesaid,"youareright.Perhapshedidcometotakemylife.Hemightdoitbythemeresmellofoneofhisdrugs.Imustseewhatcanbedone.""Thebestmeans,sire,toputyourlifeinsecurity,istosendforhimatonce,

andtocutoffhisheaddirectlyhecomes,"saidthevizir."Ireallythink,"repliedtheking,"thatwillbethebestway."Hethenorderedoneofhisministerstofetchthephysician,whocameatonce."Ihavehadyousentfor,"saidtheking,"inordertofreemyselffromyouby

takingyourlife."Thephysicianwasbeyondmeasureastonishedwhenheheardhewastodie."WhatcrimeshaveIcommitted,yourmajesty?""Ihavelearnt,"repliedtheking,"thatyouareaspy,andintendtokillme.But

Iwillbefirst,andkillyou.Strike,"headdedtoanexecutionerwhowasby,"andridmeofthisassassin."Atthiscruelorderthephysicianthrewhimselfonhisknees."Sparemylife,"

hecried,"andyourswillbespared."The fisherman stopped here to say to the genius: "You see what passed

betweentheGreekkingandthephysicianhasjustpassedbetweenustwo.TheGreekking,"hewenton,"hadnomercyonhim,andtheexecutionerboundhiseyes."Allthosepresentbeggedforhislife,butinvain.Thephysicianonhisknees,andbound,saidtotheking:"Atleastletmeput

myaffairsinorder,andleavemybookstopersonswhowillmakegooduseofthem. There is one which I should like to present to yourmajesty. It is veryprecious, and ought to be kept carefully in your treasury. It contains manycurious things the chiefbeing thatwhenyoucutoffmyhead, if yourmajestywillturntothesixthleaf,andreadthethirdlineoftheleft-handpage,myheadwillanswerallthequestionsyouliketoaskit."Theking,eagertoseesuchawonderfulthing,putoffhisexecutiontothenext

day,andsenthimunderastrongguardtohishouse.Therethephysicianputhisaffairsinorder,andthenextdaytherewasagreatcrowdassembledinthehalltoseehisdeath,and thedoingsafter it.Thephysicianwentup to the footof thethronewithalargebookinhishand.Hecarriedabasin,onwhichhespreadthecoveringof thebook,andpresenting it to theking,said:"Sire, take thisbook,andwhenmyheadiscutoff,letitbeplacedinthebasinonthecoveringofthisbook;assoonasitisthere,thebloodwillceasetoflow.Thenopenthebook,andmyheadwillansweryourquestions.But, sire, I imploreyourmercy, for Iaminnocent.""Yourprayersareuseless,and if itwereonly tohearyourheadspeakwhen

youaredead,youshoulddie."

So saying, he took the book from the physician's hands, and ordered theexecutionertodohisduty.The headwas so cleverly cut off that it fell into the basin, and directly the

blood ceased to flow. Then, to the great astonishment of the king, the eyesopened,andtheheadsaid,"Yourmajesty,openthebook."Thekingdidso,andfindingthatthefirstleafstuckagainstthesecond,heputhisfingerinhismouth,toturnitmoreeasily.Hedidthesamethingtillhereachedthesixthpage,andnotseeinganywritingonit,"Physician,"hesaid,"thereisnowriting.""Turnoverafewmorepages,"answeredthehead.Thekingwentonturning,

still putting his finger in his mouth, till the poison in which each page wasdippedtookeffect.Hissightfailedhim,andhefellatthefootofhisthrone.Whenthephysician'sheadsawthatthepoisonhadtakeneffect,andthatthe

kinghadonlya fewmoreminutes to live, "Tyrant," it cried, "seehowcrueltyandinjusticearepunished."Scarcelyhaditutteredthesewordsthanthekingdied,andtheheadlostalso

thelittlelifethathadremainedinit.That is the endof the storyof theGreekking, andnow let us return to the

fishermanandthegenius."IftheGreekking,"saidthefisherman,"hadsparedthephysician,hewould

nothavethusdied.Thesamethingappliestoyou.NowIamgoingtothrowyouintothesea.""Myfriend,"saidthegenius,"donotdosuchacruelthing.Donottreatmeas

ImmatreatedAteca.""WhatdidImmadotoAteca?"askedthefisherman."DoyouthinkIcantellyouwhileIamshutupinhere?"repliedthegenius.

"Letmeout,andIwillmakeyourich."Thehopeofbeingnolongerpoormadethefishermangiveway."Ifyouwillgivemeyourpromisetodothis,Iwillopenthelid.Idonotthink

youwilldaretobreakyourword."Thegeniuspromised,andthefishermanliftedthelid.Hecameoutatoncein

smoke,andthen,havingresumedhisproperform,thefirst thinghedidwastokickthevaseintothesea.Thisfrightenedthefisherman,butthegeniuslaughedandsaid,"Donotbeafraid;Ionlydidittofrightenyou,andtoshowyouthatIintendtokeepmyword;takeyournetsandfollowme."He began to walk in front of the fisherman, who followed himwith some

misgivings.Theypassedinfrontofthetown,andwentupamountainandthendownintoagreatplain,wheretherewasalargelakelyingbetweenfourhills.When they reached the lake the genius said to the fisherman, "Throw your

netsandcatchfish."

Thefishermandidashewastold,hopingforagoodcatch,ashesawplentyoffish.Whatwas his astonishment at seeing that therewere four quite differentkinds,somewhite,somered,someblue,andsomeyellow.Hecaughtfour,oneofeachcolour.Ashehadneverseenanylikethemheadmiredthemverymuch,andhewasverypleasedtothinkhowmuchmoneyhewouldgetforthem."TakethesefishandcarrythemtotheSultan,whowillgiveyoumoremoney

forthemthanyouhaveeverhadinyourlife.Youcancomeeverydaytofishinthis lake, but be careful not to throw your nets more than once every day,otherwisesomeharmwillhappentoyou.Ifyoufollowmyadvicecarefullyyouwillfinditgood."Sayingthesewords,hestruckhisfootagainsttheground,whichopened,and

whenhehaddisappeared,itclosedimmediately.Thefishermanresolvedtoobeythegeniusexactly,sohedidnotcasthisnetsa

secondtime,butwalkedintothetowntosellhisfishatthepalace.WhentheSultansawthefishhewasmuchastonished.Helookedatthemone

aftertheother,andwhenhehadadmiredthemlongenough,"Takethesefish,"hesaidtohisfirstvizir,"andgiventhemtotheclevercooktheEmperoroftheGreekssentme.Ithinktheymustbeasgoodastheyarebeautiful."Thevizirtookthemhimselftothecook,saying,"Herearefourfishthathave

beenbroughttotheSultan.Hewantsyoutocookthem."Then hewent back to the Sultan, who told him to give the fisherman four

hundred gold pieces. The fisherman, who had never before possessed such alargesumofmoneyatonce,couldhardlybelievehisgoodfortune.Heatoncerelievedtheneedsofhisfamily,andmadegooduseofit.Butnowwemustreturntothekitchen,whichweshallfindingreatconfusion.

Thecook,whenshehadcleanedthefish,puttheminapanwithsomeoiltofrythem.Whenshe thought themcookedenoughononeside she turned themontheother.But scarcelyhadshedonesowhen thewallsof thekitchenopened,and there came out a young and beautiful damsel. She was dressed in anEgyptiandressoffloweredsatin,andsheworeearrings,andanecklaceofwhitepearls,andbraceletsofgoldsetwithrubies,andsheheldawandofmyrtleinherhand.She went up to the pan, to the great astonishment of the cook, who stood

motionless at the sight of her. She struck one of the fishwith her rod, "Fish,fish,"saidshe,"areyoudoingyourduty?"Thefishanswerednothing,andthenshe repeated her question, whereupon they all raised their heads together andansweredverydistinctly,"Yes,yes. Ifyoureckon,wereckon. Ifyoupayyourdebts,wepayours.Ifyoufly,weconquer,andwearecontent."Whentheyhadspokenthegirlupsetthepan,andenteredtheopeninginthe

wall,whichatonceclosed,andappearedthesameasbefore.Whenthecookhadrecoveredfromherfrightsheliftedupthefishwhichhad

fallenintotheashes,butshefoundthemasblackascinders,andnotfittoserveuptotheSultan.Shebegantocry."Alas!whatshallIsaytotheSultan?Hewillbesoangrywithme,andIknow

hewillnotbelieveme!"Whilst she was crying the grand-vizir came in and asked if the fish were

ready.Shetoldhimallthathadhappened,andhewasmuchsurprised.Hesentatonce for the fisherman, andwhenhe came said to him, "Fisherman, bringmefourmore fish likeyouhavebrought already, for anaccidenthashappened tothemsothattheycannotbeserveduptotheSultan."The fisherman did not say what the genius had told him, but he excused

himselffrombringingthemthatdayonaccountofthelengthoftheway,andhepromisedtobringthemnextday.Inthenighthewenttothelake,casthisnets,andondrawingtheminfound

fourfish,whichwereliketheothers,eachofadifferentcolour.Hewentbackatonceandcarriedthemtothegrand-vizirashehadpromised.He then took them to the kitchen and shut himself up with the cook, who

begantocookthemasshehaddonethefourothersonthepreviousday.Whenshe was about to turn them on the other side, the wall opened, the damselappeared,addressedthesamewordstothefish,receivedthesameanswer,andthenoverturnedthepananddisappeared.Thegrand-vizirwas filledwithastonishment. "I shall tell theSultanall that

hashappened,"saidhe.Andhedidso.The Sultan was very much astounded, and wished to see this marvel for

himself.Sohesentforthefisherman,andaskedhimtoprocurefourmorefish.The fisherman asked for three days,whichwere granted, and he then cast hisnets in the lake, and again caught four different coloured fish.The sultanwasdelightedtoseehehadgotthem,andgavehimagainfourhundredgoldpieces.Assoonas theSultanhad the fishhehad themcarried tohis roomwithall

thatwasneededtocookthem.Thenheshuthimselfupwiththegrand-vizir,whobegantopreparethemand

cookthem.Whentheyweredoneononesideheturnedthemoverontheother.Thenthewalloftheroomopened,butinsteadofthemaidenablackslavecameout. He was enormously tall, and carried a large green stick with which hetouchedthefish,sayinginaterriblevoice,"Fish,fish,areyoudoingyourduty?"Tothesewords thefish liftinguptheirheadsreplied,"Yes,yes.Ifyoureckon,wereckon.Ifyoupayyourdebts,wepayours.Ifyoufly,weconquer,andarecontent."

The black slave overturned the pan in themiddle of the room, and the fishwereturnedtocinders.Thenhesteppedproudlybackintothewall,whichclosedroundhim."After having seen this," said the Sultan, "I cannot rest. These fish signify

somemysteryImustclearup."Hesentforthefisherman."Fisherman,"hesaid,"thefishyouhavebroughtus

havecausedmesomeanxiety.Wheredidyougetthemfrom?""Sire,"heanswered,"Igotthemfromalakewhichliesinthemiddleoffour

hillsbeyondyondermountains.""Doyouknowthislake?"askedtheSultanofthegrand-vizir."No; though I have hunted many times round that mountain, I have never

heardofit,"saidthevizir.Asthefishermansaiditwasonlythreehours'journeyaway,thesultanordered

hiswholecourttomountandridethither,andthefishermanledthem.Theyclimbed themountain,and then,on theotherside,sawthe lakeas the

fisherman had described. Thewaterwas so clear that they could see the fourkindsoffishswimmingaboutinit.Theylookedatthemforsometime,andthentheSultanorderedthemtomakeacampbytheedgeofthewater.WhennightcametheSultancalledhisvizir,andsaidtohim,"Ihaveresolved

toclearupthismystery.Iamgoingoutalone,anddoyoustayhereinmytent,andwhenmyministerscometo-morrow,sayIamnotwell,andcannotseethem.DothiseachdaytillIreturn."Thegrand-vizirtriedtopersuadetheSultannottogo,butinvain.TheSultan

tookoffhisstaterobeandputonhissword,andwhenhesawallwasquietinthecamphesetforthalone.Heclimbedoneof thehills,andthencrossedthegreatplain, till, justas the

sunrose,hebeheldfarinfrontofhimalargebuilding.Whenhecameneartoithesawitwasasplendidpalaceofbeautifulblackpolishedmarble,coveredwithsteelassmoothasamirror.Hewent to the gate, which stood half open, andwent in, as nobody came

whenheknocked.Hepassed throughamagnificentcourtyardandstill sawnoone,thoughhecalledaloudseveraltimes.Heentered largehallswhere thecarpetswereof silk, the loungesandsofas

coveredwithtapestryfromMecca,andthehangingsofthemostbeautifulIndianstuffs of gold and silver. Then he found himself in a splendid room, with afountain supported by golden lions.Thewater out of the lions'mouths turnedinto diamonds and pearls, and the leaping water almost touched a mostbeautifully-painted dome. The palace was surrounded on three sides bymagnificentgardens,littlelakes,andwoods.Birdssanginthetrees,whichwere

nettedovertokeepthemalwaysthere.Still theSultan sawnoone, till heheard a plaintive cry, and avoicewhich

said,"OhthatIcoulddie,forIamtoounhappytowishtoliveanylonger!"TheSultanlookedroundtodiscoverwhoitwaswhothusbemoanedhisfate,

and at last saw a handsome youngman, richly clothed,whowas sitting on athroneraisedslightlyfromtheground.Hisfacewasverysad.Thesultanapproachedhimandbowedtohim.Theyoungmanbenthishead

verylow,butdidnotrise."Sire,"hesaidtotheSultan,"IcannotriseanddoyouthereverencethatIam

sureshouldbepaidtoyourrank.""Sir,"answeredtheSultan,"Iamsureyouhaveagoodreasonfornotdoing

so, and having heard your cry of distress, I am come to offer you my help.Whoseisthispalace,andwhyisitthusempty?"Insteadofansweringtheyoungmanlifteduphisrobe,andshowedtheSultan

that,fromthewaistdownwards,hewasablockofblackmarble.TheSultanwashorrified,andbeggedtheyoungmantotellhimhisstory."WillinglyIwilltellyoumysadhistory,"saidtheyoungman.

TheStoryoftheYoungKingoftheBlackIsles

Youmustknow,sire,thatmyfatherwasMahmoud,thekingofthiscountry,theBlack Isles, so called from the four littlemountainswhichwere once islands,whilethecapitalwastheplacewherenowthegreatlakelies.Mystorywilltellyouhowthesechangescameabout.My father diedwhen hewas sixty-six, and I succeeded him. Imarriedmy

cousin,whomIlovedtenderly,andIthoughtshelovedmetoo.Butoneafternoon,whenIwashalfasleep,andwasbeingfannedby twoof

hermaids, Iheardonesay to theother, "Whatapity it is thatourmistressnolongerlovesourmaster!Ibelieveshewouldliketokillhimifshecould,forsheisanenchantress."Isoonfoundbywatchingthattheywereright,andwhenImortallywoundeda

favouriteslaveofhersforagreatcrime,shebeggedthatshemightbuildapalaceinthegarden,wheresheweptandbewailedhimfortwoyears.AtlastIbeggedhertoceasegrievingforhim,foralthoughhecouldnotspeak

ormove,byherenchantmentsshejustkepthimalive.Sheturneduponmeinarage,andsaidovermesomemagicwords,andIinstantlybecameasyouseemenow,halfmanandhalfmarble.Thenthiswickedenchantresschangedthecapital,whichwasaverypopulous

and flourishing city, into the lake and desert plain you saw. The fish of fourcolourswhichareinitarethedifferentraceswholivedinthetown;thefourhillsarethefourislandswhichgivethenametomykingdom.Allthistheenchantresstoldmetoaddtomytroubles.Andthisisnotall.Everydayshecomesandbeatsmewithawhipofbuffalohide.Whentheyoungkinghadfinishedhissadstoryheburstoncemoreintotears,

andtheSultanwasmuchmoved."Tellme,"hecried,"whereisthiswickedwoman,andwhereisthemiserable

objectofheraffection,whomshejustmanagestokeepalive?""WhereshelivesIdonotknow,"answeredtheunhappyprince,"butshegoes

everydayatsunrisetoseeiftheslavecanyetspeaktoher,aftershehasbeatenme.""Unfortunateking,"saidtheSultan,"IwilldowhatIcantoavengeyou."Soheconsultedwiththeyoungkingoverthebestwaytobringthisabout,and

they agreed their plan should be put in effect the next day. The Sultan thenrested,andtheyoungkinggavehimselfuptohappyhopesofrelease.ThenextdaytheSultanarose,andthenwenttothepalaceinthegardenwheretheblackslavewas.Hedrewhisswordanddestroyedthelittlelifethatremainedinhim,

andthenthrewthebodydownawell.Hethenlaydownonthecouchwheretheslavehadbeen,andwaitedfortheenchantress.Shewentfirsttotheyoungking,whomshebeatwithahundredblows.Then she came to the roomwhere she thought herwounded slavewas, but

wheretheSultanreallylay.She came near his couch and said, "Are you better to-day,my dear slave?

Speakbutonewordtome.""How can I be better," answered the Sultan, imitating the language of the

Ethiopians,"whenIcanneversleepforthecriesandgroansofyourhusband?""What joy to hear you speak!" answered the queen. "Do you wish him to

regainhispropershape?""Yes," said theSultan; "hasten to sethimat liberty, so that Imayno longer

hearhiscries."Thequeenatoncewentout and tookacupofwater, and saidover it some

wordsthatmadeitboilasifitwereonthefire.Thenshethrewitovertheprince,whoatonceregainedhisownform.Hewasfilledwithjoy,buttheenchantresssaid,"Hastenawayfromthisplaceandnevercomeback,lestIkillyou."SohehidhimselftoseetheendoftheSultan'splan.TheenchantresswentbacktothePalaceofTearsandsaid,"NowIhavedone

whatyouwished.""Whatyouhavedone,"saidtheSultan,"isnotenoughtocureme.Everyday

atmidnightallthepeoplewhomyouhavechangedintofishlifttheirheadsoutof the lake and cry for vengeance. Go quickly, and give them their propershape."Theenchantresshurriedawayandsaidsomewordsoverthelake.The fish thenbecamemen,women, andchildren, and thehousesand shops

wereoncemorefilled.TheSultan'ssuite,whohadencampedbythelake,werenot a little astonished to see themselves in themiddleof a large andbeautifultown.Assoonasshehaddisenchanteditthequeenwentbacktothepalace."Areyouquitewellnow?"shesaid."Comenear,"saidtheSultan."Nearerstill."Sheobeyed.Thenhesprangup,andwithoneblowofhisswordhecutherin

two.Thenhewentandfoundtheprince."Rejoice,"hesaid,"yourcruelenemyisdead."Theprincethankedhimagainandagain."Andnow,"saidtheSultan."Iwillgobacktomycapital,whichIamgladto

findissonearyours."

"Sonearmine!"saidtheKingoftheBlackIsles."Doyouknowitisawholeyear'sjourneyfromhere?Youcamehereinafew

hoursbecauseitwasenchanted.ButIwillaccompanyyouonyourjourney.""Itwillgivememuchpleasureifyouwillescortme,"saidtheSultan,"andas

Ihavenochildren,Iwillmakeyoumyheir."TheSultanandtheprincesetouttogether,theSultanladenwithrichpresents

fromtheKingoftheBlackIsles.Thedayafterhe reachedhiscapital theSultanassembledhiscourtand told

them all that had befallen him, and told them how he intended to adopt theyoungkingashisheir.Thenhegaveeachmanpresentsinproportiontohisrank.Asforthefisherman,ashewasthefirstcauseofthedeliveranceoftheyoung

prince, theSultangavehimmuchmoney,andmadehimandhis familyhappyfortherestoftheirdays.

StoryoftheThreeCalenders,SonsofKings,andofFiveLadiesofBagdad

In the reign of the Caliph Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived at Bagdad a porterwho, in spite of his humble calling,was an intelligent and sensibleman.Onemorninghewassittinginhisusualplacewithhisbasketbeforehim,waitingtobehired,whena tallyoung lady,coveredwitha longmuslinveil, cameup tohimandsaid,"Pickupyourbasketandfollowme."Theporter,whowasgreatlypleasedbyherappearanceandvoice,jumpedupatonce,poisedhisbasketonhishead,andaccompaniedthelady,sayingtohimselfashewent,"Oh,happyday!Oh,luckymeeting!"The lady soon stopped before a closed door, at which she knocked. It was

openedbyanoldmanwithalongwhitebeard,towhomtheladyheldoutmoneywithout speaking. The oldman, who seemed to understandwhat shewanted,vanished into the house, and returned bringing a large jar ofwine, which theporterplacedinhisbasket.Thentheladysignedtohimtofollow,andtheywenttheirway.Thenextplaceshestoppedatwasafruitandflowershop,andhereshebought

a large quantity of apples, apricots, peaches, and other things, with lilies,jasmine, and all sorts of sweet-smelling plants. From this shop shewent to abutcher's,agrocer's,andapoulterer's,tillatlasttheporterexclaimedindespair,"My good lady, if you had only told me you were going to buy enoughprovisionstostockatown,Iwouldhavebroughtahorse,orratheracamel."Theladylaughed,andtoldhimshehadnotfinishedyet,butafterchoosingvariouskinds of scents and spices from a druggist's store, she halted before amagnificentpalace,atthedoorofwhichsheknockedgently.Theporteresswhoopeneditwasofsuchbeautythattheeyesofthemanwerequitedazzled,andhewasthemoreastonishedashesawclearlythatshewasnoslave.Theladywhohad led him hither stood watching him with amusement, till the porteressexclaimed, "Why don't you come in, my sister? This poor man is so heavilyweigheddownthatheisreadytodrop."Whentheywerebothinsidethedoorwasfastened,andtheyallthreeentereda

largecourt,surroundedbyanopen-workgallery.Atoneendofthecourtwasaplatform, andon theplatform stoodan amber throne supportedby four ebonycolumns,garnishedwithpearlsanddiamonds.Inthemiddleofthecourtstoodamarblebasinfilledwithwaterfromthemouthofagoldenlion.The porter looked about him, noticing and admiring everything; but his

attentionwasspeciallyattractedbya third ladysittingon the throne,whowaseven more beautiful than the other two. By the respect shown to her by theothers,hejudgedthatshemustbetheeldest,andinthishewasright.Thislady'snamewasZobeida,theporteresswasSadie,andthehousekeeperwasAmina.AtawordfromZobeida,SadieandAminatookthebasketfromtheporter,whowasgladenoughtoberelievedfromitsweight;andwhenitwasemptied,paidhimhandsomelyforitsuse.Butinsteadoftakinguphisbasketandgoingaway,theman still lingered, till Zobeida inquired what he was waiting for, and if heexpectedmoremoney."Oh,madam,"returnedhe,"youhavealreadygivenmetoo much, and I fear I may have been guilty of rudeness in not taking mydeparture at once. But, if you will pardon my saying so, I was lost inastonishment at seeing such beautiful ladies by themselves. A company ofwomenwithoutmenis,however,asdullasacompanyofmenwithoutwomen."Andaftertellingsomestoriestoprovehispoint,heendedbyentreatingthemtolethimstayandmakeafourthattheirdinner.The ladies were rather amused at the man's assurances and after some

discussionitwasagreedthatheshouldbeallowedtostay,ashissocietymightproveentertaining."Butlisten,friend,"saidZobeida,"ifwegrantyourrequest,itisonlyonconditionthatyoubehavewiththeutmostpoliteness,andthatyoukeepthesecretofourwayof living,whichchancehasrevealed toyou."Thentheyallsatdowntotable,whichhadbeencoveredbyAminawiththedishesshehadbought.AfterthefirstfewmouthfulsAminapouredsomewineintoagoldencup.She

firstdrankherself,accordingtotheArabcustom,andthenfilleditforhersisters.When it came to the porter's turn he kissed Amina's hand, and sang a song,whichhecomposedatthemomentinpraiseofthewine.Thethreeladieswerepleasedwiththesong,andthensangthemselves,sothattherepastwasamerryone,andlastedmuchlongerthanusual.Atlength,seeingthatthesunwasabouttoset,Sadiasaidtotheporter,"Rise

andgo;itisnowtimeforustoseparate.""Oh,madam,"repliedhe,"howcanyoudesiremetoquityouinthestatein

whichIam?BetweenthewineIhavedrunk,andthepleasureofseeingyou,Ishouldnever find theway tomyhouse.Letme remainhere tillmorning, andwhenIhaverecoveredmysensesIwillgowhenyoulike.""Lethimstay," saidAmina,whohadbeforeprovedherselfhis friend. "It is

onlyjust,ashehasgivenussomuchamusement.""Ifyouwishit,mysister,"repliedZobeida;"butifhedoes,Imustmakeanew

condition. Porter," she continued, turning to him, "if you remain, you mustpromise to asknoquestions about anythingyoumay see. If youdo, youmay

perhapshearwhatyoudon'tlike."Thisbeingsettled,Aminabroughtinsupper,andlitupthehallwithanumber

ofsweetsmellingtapers.Theythensatdownagainatthetable,andbeganwithfresh appetites to eat, drink, sing, and recite verses. In fact, they were allenjoyingthemselvesmightilywhentheyheardaknockattheouterdoor,whichSadierosetoopen.ShesoonreturnedsayingthatthreeCalenders,allblindintherighteye,andallwiththeirheads,faces,andeyebrowscleanshaved,beggedforadmittance,astheywerenewlyarrivedinBagdad,andnighthadalreadyfallen."Theyseemtohavepleasantmanners,"sheadded,"butyouhaveno ideahowfunnytheylook.Iamsureweshouldfindtheircompanydiverting."Zobeida andAminamade some difficulty about admitting the new comers,

and Sadie knew the reason of their hesitation. But she urged the matter sostronglythatZobeidawasat lastforcedtoconsent."Bringthemin, then,"saidshe,"butmake themunderstand that theyarenot tomakeremarksaboutwhatdoesnotconcernthem,andbesuretomakethemreadtheinscriptionoverthedoor."Foronthedoorwaswritteninlettersofgold,"Whosomeddlesinaffairsthatarenobusinessofhis,willheartruthsthatwillnotpleasehim."ThethreeCalendersbowedlowonentering,andthankedtheladiesfor their

kindness and hospitality. The ladies repliedwithwords ofwelcome, and theywere all about to seat themselves when the eyes of the Calenders fell on theporter,whosedresswasnotsoveryunliketheirown,thoughhestillworeallthehair thatnaturehadgivenhim."This,"saidoneof them,"isapparentlyoneofourArabbrothers,whohasrebelledagainstourruler."Theporter,althoughhalfasleepfromthewinehehaddrunk,heardthewords,

andwithoutmovingcriedangrilytotheCalender,"Sitdownandmindyourownbusiness. Did you not read the inscription over the door? Everybody is notobligedtoliveinthesameway.""Donotbesoangry,mygoodman,"repliedtheCalender;"weshouldbevery

sorrytodispleaseyou;"sothequarrelwassmoothedover,andsupperbeganingoodearnest.WhentheCalendershadsatisfiedtheirhunger,theyofferedtoplayto their hostesses, if therewere any instruments in thehouse.The ladiesweredelightedattheidea,andSadiewenttoseewhatshecouldfind,returninginafewmoments ladenwith twodifferent kinds of flutes and a tambourine.EachCalender took theonehepreferred,andbegan toplayawell-knownair,whiletheladiessangthewordsofthesong.Thesewordswerethegayestandliveliestpossible,andeverynowandthenthesingershadtostoptoindulgethelaughterwhichalmostchokedthem.Inthemidstofalltheirnoise,aknockwasheardatthedoor.NowearlythateveningtheCaliphsecretlyleftthepalace,accompaniedbyhis

grand-vizir, Giafar, and Mesrour, chief of the eunuchs, all three wearing thedressesofmerchants.Passingdownthestreet,theCaliphhadbeenattractedbythemusicofinstrumentsandthesoundoflaughter,andhadorderedhisvizirtogoandknockat thedoorof thehouse,ashewishedtoenter.Thevizirrepliedthat the ladieswho lived there seemed to be entertaining their friends, and hethought hismasterwould dowell not to intrude on them; but theCaliph hadtakenitintohisheadtoseeforhimself,andinsistedonbeingobeyed.TheknockwasansweredbySadie,withataperinherhand,andthevizir,who

was surprised at her beauty, bowed low before her, and said respectfully,"Madam,weare threemerchantswhohave latelyarrivedfromMoussoul,and,owingtoamisadventurewhichbefelusthisverynight,onlyreachedourinntofindthatthedoorswereclosedtoustillto-morrowmorning.Notknowingwhatto do,wewandered in the streets tillwe happened to pass your house,when,seeinglightsandhearingthesoundofvoices,weresolvedtoaskyoutogiveusshelter till the dawn. If you will grant us this favour, we will, with yourpermission,doallinourpowertohelpyouspendthetimepleasantly."Sadieansweredthemerchantthatshemustfirstconsulthersisters;andafter

havingtalkedoverthematterwiththem,shereturnedtotellhimthatheandhistwofriendswouldbewelcometojointheircompany.Theyenteredandbowedpolitely to the ladies and their guests. Then Zobeida, as the mistress, cameforwardandsaidgravely,"Youarewelcomehere,butIhopeyouwillallowmetobegonethingofyou—haveasmanyeyesasyoulike,butnotongues;andasknoquestionsaboutanythingyousee,howeverstrangeitmayappeartoyou.""Madam,"returnedthevizir,"youshallbeobeyed.Wehavequiteenoughto

pleaseandinterestuswithouttroublingourselvesaboutthatwithwhichwehavenoconcern."Thentheyallsatdown,anddranktothehealthofthenewcomers.While thevizir,Giafar,was talking to the ladies theCaliphwasoccupied in

wonderingwho they could be, andwhy the threeCalenders had each lost hisright eye.Hewas burning to inquire the reason of it all, butwas silenced byZobeida's request, so he tried to rouse himself and to take his part in theconversation,whichwas very lively, the subject of discussionbeing themanydifferent sorts of pleasures that there were in the world. After some time theCalendersgotupandperformedsomecuriousdances,whichdelightedtherestofthecompany.WhentheyhadfinishedZobeidarosefromherseat,and,takingAminabythe

hand,shesaidtoher,"Mysister,ourfriendswillexcuseusifweseemtoforgettheir presence and fulfil our nightly task." Amina understood her sister'smeaning,andcollectingthedishes,glasses,andmusicalinstruments,shecarriedthemaway,whileSadiesweptthehallandputeverythinginorder.Havingdone

thisshebeggedtheCalenderstositonasofaononesideoftheroom,andtheCaliph and his friends to place themselves opposite. As to the porter, sherequestedhimtocomeandhelpherandhersister.ShortlyafterAminaenteredcarryingaseat,whichsheputdowninthemiddle

oftheemptyspace.Shenextwentovertothedoorofaclosetandsignedtotheportertofollowher.Hedidso,andsoonreappearedleadingtwoblackdogsbyachain,whichhebroughtintothecentreofthehall.Zobeidathengotupfromherseatbetween theCalendersand theCaliphandwalked slowlyacross towheretheporterstoodwiththedogs."Wemustdoourduty,"shesaidwithadeepsigh,pushingbackher sleeves,and, takingawhip fromSadie, she said to theman,"TakeoneofthosedogstomysisterAminaandgivemetheother."The porter did as he was bid, but as he led the dog to Zobeida it uttered

piercinghowls,andgazedupatherwithlooksofentreaty.ButZobeidatooknonotice,andwhippedthedogtillshewasoutofbreath.Shethentookthechainfrom the porter, and, raising the dog on its hind legs, they looked into eachother'seyessorrowfullytilltearsbegantofallfromboth.ThenZobeidatookherhandkerchiefandwipedthedog'seyestenderly,afterwhichshekissedit,then,puttingthechainintotheporter'shandshesaid,"Takeitbacktotheclosetandbringmetheother."Thesameceremonywasgonethroughwiththeseconddog,andallthewhile

thewholecompanylookedonwithastonishment.TheCaliphinparticularcouldhardlycontainhimself,andmadesignstothevizirtoaskwhatitallmeant.Butthevizirpretendednottosee,andturnedhisheadaway.Zobeidaremainedforsometimein themiddleof theroom,tillat lastSadie

wentuptoherandbeggedhertositdown,asshealsohadherparttoplay.Atthese words Amina fetched a lute from a case of yellow satin and gave it toSadie,who sang several songs to its accompaniment.When shewas tired shesaid toAmina, "My sister, I can do nomore; come, I pray you, and takemyplace."Aminastruckafewchordsandthenbrokeintoasong,whichshesangwithso

much ardour that she was quite overcome, and sank gasping on a pile ofcushions, tearingopenherdress as shedid so togiveherself someair.To theamazementofallpresent,herneck,insteadofbeingassmoothandwhiteasherface,wasamassofscars.TheCalendersand theCaliph lookedat eachother, andwhispered together,

unheardbyZobeidaandSadie,whoweretendingtheirfaintingsister."Whatdoesitallmean?'askedtheCaliph."Weknownomorethanyou,"saidtheCalendertowhomhehadspoken."What!Youdonotbelongtothehouse?"

"My lord," answered all theCalenders together, "we camehere for the firsttimeanhourbeforeyou."Theythenturnedtotheportertoseeifhecouldexplainthemystery,butthe

porter was no wiser than they were themselves. At length the Caliph couldcontainhiscuriositynolonger,anddeclaredthathewouldcompeltheladiestotellthemthemeaningoftheirstrangeconduct.Thevizir,foreseeingwhatwouldhappen, imploredhim to remember the condition their hostesseshad imposed,and added in a whisper that if his Highness would only wait till morning hecouldasCaliphsummon the ladies toappearbeforehim.But theCaliph,whowasnotaccustomedtobecontradicted,rejectedthisadvice,anditwasresolvedafteralittlemoretalkingthatthequestionshouldbeputbytheporter.SuddenlyZobeidaturnedround,andseeingtheirexcitementshesaid,"Whatisthematter—whatareyoualldiscussingsoearnestly?""Madam," answered the porter, "these gentlemen entreat you to explain to

themwhyyoushouldfirstwhipthedogsandthencryoverthem,andalsohowithappens that the fainting lady is coveredwith scars.Theyhave requestedme,Madam,tobetheirmouthpiece.""Is it true, gentlemen," asked Zobeida, drawing herself up, "that you have

chargedthismantoputmethatquestion?""Itis,"theyallreplied,exceptGiafar,whowassilent."Isthis,"continuedZobeida,growingmoreangryeverymoment,"isthisthe

returnyoumakefor thehospitality Ihaveshownyou?Haveyouforgotten theone conditiononwhichyouwere allowed to enter thehouse?Comequickly,"she added, clapping her hands three times, and thewordswere hardly utteredwhensevenblackslaves,eacharmedwithasabre,burst inandstoodover thesevenmen, throwing themon theground,andpreparing themselves,onasignfromtheirmistress,tocutofftheirheads.The seven culprits all thought their last hour had come, and the Caliph

repentedbitterlythathehadnottakenthevizir'sadvice.Buttheymadeuptheirmindstodiebravely,allexcepttheporter,wholoudlyinquiredofZobeidawhyhewas to suffer for other people's faults, and declared that thesemisfortuneswould never have happened if it had not been for theCalenders,who alwaysbrought ill-luck.Heendedby imploringZobeidanot toconfound the innocentwiththeguiltyandtosparehislife.Inspiteofheranger,therewassomethingsocomicinthegroansoftheporter

that Zobeida could not refrain from laughing. But putting him aside sheaddressed theothersasecondtime,saying,"Answerme;whoareyou?Unlessyoutellmetrulyyouhavenotanothermomenttolive.Icanhardlythinkyouaremenofanyposition,whatevercountryyoubelong to. Ifyouwere,youwould

havehadmoreconsiderationforus."TheCaliph,whowasnaturallyveryimpatient,sufferedfarmorethaneitherof

theothersatfeelingthathislifewasatthemercyofajustlyoffendedlady,butwhen he heard her question he began to breathe more freely, for he wasconvincedthatshehadonlytolearnhisnameandrankforalldangertobeover.Sohewhisperedhastilytothevizir,whowasnexttohim,torevealtheirsecret.Butthevizir,wiserthanhismaster,wishedtoconcealfromthepublictheaffronttheyhadreceived,andmerelyanswered,"Afterall,wehaveonlygotwhatwedeserved."MeanwhileZobeidahadturnedtothethreeCalendersandinquiredif,asthey

wereallblind,theywerebrothers."No,madam,"repliedone,"wearenobloodrelationsatall,onlybrothersby

ourmodeoflife.""Andyou,"sheasked,addressinganother,"wereyoubornblindofoneeye?""No, madam," returned he, "I became blind through a most surprising

adventure,suchasprobablyhasneverhappenedtoanybody.AfterthatIshavedmyheadandeyebrowsandputonthedressinwhichyouseemenow."Zobeidaput the samequestion to theother twoCalenders, and received the

sameanswer."But,"addedthethird,"itmayinterestyou,madam,toknowthatwearenot

menof lowbirth,butareall three sonsofkings, andofkings, too,whom theworldholdsinhighesteem."AtthesewordsZobeida'sangercooleddown,andsheturnedtoherslavesand

said,"Youcangive thema littlemore liberty,butdonot leave thehall.Thosethatwilltellustheirhistoriesandtheirreasonsforcominghereshallbeallowedto leave unhurt; those who refuse—" And she paused, but in a moment theporter,who understood that he had only to relate his story to set himself freefromthisterribledanger,immediatelybrokein,"Madam,youknowalreadyhowIcamehere,andwhatIhavetosaywillsoon

be told.Your sister foundme thismorning in the placewhere I always standwaiting to be hired. She bademe follow her to various shops, and whenmybasketwasquitefullwereturned to thishouse,whenyouhad thegoodness topermitmetoremain,forwhichIshallbeeternallygrateful.Thatismystory."HelookedanxiouslytoZobeida,whonoddedherheadandsaid,"Youcango;

andtakecarewenevermeetagain.""Oh,madam,"criedtheporter,"letmestayyetalittlewhile.Itisnotjustthat

the others should have heardmy story and that I should not hear theirs," andwithoutwaitingforpermissionheseatedhimselfontheendofthesofaoccupiedbytheladies,whilsttherestcrouchedonthecarpet,andtheslavesstoodagainst

thewall.Then one of the Calenders, addressing himself to Zobeida as the principal

lady,beganhisstory.

TheStoryoftheFirstCalender,SonofaKing

Inorder,madam, toexplainhowIcame to losemyrighteye,and towear thedressofaCalender,youmustfirstknowthatIamthesonofaking.Myfather'sonly brother reigned over the neighbouring country, and had two children, adaughterandason,whowereofthesameageasmyself.AsIgrewup,andwasallowedmoreliberty,Iwenteveryyeartopayavisitto

my uncle's court, and usually stayed there about twomonths. In thiswaymycousinandIbecameveryintimate,andweremuchattachedtoeachother.TheverylasttimeIsawhimheseemedmoredelightedtoseemethanever,andgaveagreat feast inmyhonour.Whenwehad finishedeating, he said tome, "Mycousin,youwouldneverguesswhatIhavebeendoingsinceyourlastvisittous!DirectlyafteryourdepartureIsetanumberofmentoworkonabuildingaftermyowndesign.It isnowcompleted,andreadytobe livedin. Ishould like toshowittoyou,butyoumustfirstsweartwothings:tobefaithfultome,andtokeepmysecret."Of course I didnot dreamof refusinghimanythinghe asked, andgave the

promise without the least hesitation. He then bade me wait an instant, andvanished,returninginafewmomentswitharichlydressedladyofgreatbeauty,butashedidnottellmehername,Ithoughtitwasbetternottoinquire.Weallthree sat down to table and amused ourselves with talking of all sorts ofindifferent things, and with drinking each other's health. Suddenly the princesaidtome,"Cousin,wehavenotimetolose;besokindastoconductthisladytoacertainspot,whereyouwillfindadome-liketomb,newlybuilt.Youcannotmistakeit.Goin,bothofyou,andwaittillIcome.Ishallnotbelong."AsIhadpromisedIpreparedtodoasIwastold,andgivingmyhandtothe

lady,Iescortedher,bythelightofthemoon,totheplaceofwhichtheprincehadspoken.Wehadbarely reached itwhenhe joinedushimself, carryinga smallvesselofwater,apickaxe,andalittlebagcontainingplaster.With the pickaxe he at once began to destroy the empty sepulchre in the

middleofthetomb.Onebyonehetookthestonesandpiledthemupinacorner.When he had knocked down the whole sepulchre he proceeded to dig at theearth,andbeneathwherethesepulchrehadbeenIsawatrap-door.HeraisedthedoorandIcaughtsightofthetopofaspiralstaircase;thenhesaid,turningtothelady,"Madam,this is thewaythatwill leadyoudowntothespotwhichI toldyouof."The lady did not answer, but silently descended the staircase, the prince

followingher.Atthetop,however,helookedatme."Mycousin,"heexclaimed,

"Idonotknowhowtothankyouforyourkindness.Farewell.""Whatdoyoumean?"Icried."Idon'tunderstand.""Nomatter,"hereplied,"gobackbythepaththatyoucame."Hewould say nomore, and, greatly puzzled, I returned tomy room in the

palaceandwenttobed.WhenIwoke,andconsideredmyadventure,Ithoughtthat I must have been dreaming, and sent a servant to ask if the prince wasdressedandcouldseeme.Butonhearing thathehadnot sleptathome Iwasmuchalarmed,andhastenedtothecemetery,where,unluckily, thetombswereall so alike that I could not discover which was the one I was in search of,thoughIspentfourdaysinlookingforit.Youmustknowthatallthistimetheking,myuncle,wasabsentonahunting

expedition, and as no one knewwhen hewould be back, I at last decided toreturn home, leaving theministers tomakemy excuses. I longed to tell themwhat had become of the prince, about whose fate they felt themost dreadfulanxiety,buttheoathIhadswornkeptmesilent.On my arrival at my father's capital, I was astonished to find a large

detachmentofguardsdrawnupbefore thegateof thepalace; they surroundedmedirectlyIentered.Iaskedtheofficersincommandthereasonofthisstrangebehaviour,andwashorrifiedtolearnthatthearmyhadmutiniedandputtodeaththeking,myfather,andhadplacedthegrand-vizironthethrone.Further,thatbyhisordersIwasplacedunderarrest.Now this rebel vizir had hatedme frommy boy-hood, because once,when

shootingatabirdwithabow,Ihadshotouthiseyebyaccident.OfcourseInotonly sent a servant at once tooffer himmy regrets and apologies, but Imadetheminperson.Itwasallofnouse.Hecherishedanundyinghatredtowardsme,and lostnooccasionof showing it.Havingoncegotme inhispower I felthecouldshownomercy,andIwasright.Madwithtriumphandfuryhecametomeinmyprisonandtoreoutmyrighteye.ThatishowIlostit.Mypersecutor,however,didnotstophere.Heshutmeupinalargecaseand

orderedhisexecutionertocarrymeintoadesertplace,tocutoffmyhead,andthentoabandonmybodytothebirdsofprey.Thecase,withmeinsideit,wasaccordingly placed on a horse, and the executioner, accompanied by anotherman,rodeintothecountryuntiltheyfoundaspotsuitableforthepurpose.Buttheir heartswere not so hard as they seemed, andmy tears and prayersmadethemwaver."Forsake thekingdom instantly," said the executioner at last, "and take care

nevertocomeback,foryouwillnotonlyloseyourhead,butmakeusloseours."I thankedhimgratefully,andtriedtoconsolemyselffor thelossofmyeyebythinkingoftheothermisfortunesIhadescaped.

AfterallIhadgonethrough,andmyfearofbeingrecognisedbysomeenemy,Icouldonlytravelveryslowlyandcautiously,generallyrestinginsomeout-of-the-wayplacebyday,andwalkingasfarasIwasablebynight,butatlengthIarrivedinthekingdomofmyuncle,ofwhoseprotectionIwassure.Ifoundhimingreattroubleaboutthedisappearanceofhisson,whohad,he

said, vanishedwithout leaving a trace; but his own grief did not prevent himsharingmine.Wemingledourtears,forthelossofonewasthelossoftheother,andthenImadeupmymindthatitwasmydutytobreakthesolemnoathIhadsworn to the prince. I therefore lost no time in tellingmy uncle everything Iknew, and I observed that even before I had ended his sorrow appeared to belightenedalittle."Mydearnephew,"hesaid,"yourstorygivesmesomehope.Iwasawarethat

mysonwasbuildingatomb,andIthinkIcanfindthespot.Butashewishedtokeepthemattersecret,letusgoaloneandseektheplaceourselves."Hethenbademedisguisemyself,andwebothslippedoutofagardendoor

whichopenedontothecemetery.Itdidnottakelongforustoarriveatthesceneof the prince's disappearance, or to discover the tomb I had sought so vainlybefore.Weenteredit,andfoundthetrap-doorwhichledtothestaircase,butwehad great difficulty in raising it, because the prince had fastened it downunderneathwiththeplasterhehadbroughtwithhim.Myunclewentfirst,andIfollowedhim.Whenwereachedthebottomofthe

stairswesteppedintoasortofante-room,filledwithsuchadensesmokethatitwashardlypossibletoseeanything.However,wepassedthroughthesmokeintoa large chamber,which at first seemed quite empty. The roomwas brilliantlylighted,and inanothermomentweperceivedasortofplatformatoneend,onwhichwerethebodiesoftheprinceandalady,bothhalf-burned,asiftheyhadbeendraggedoutofafirebeforeithadquiteconsumedthem.Thishorriblesightturnedmefaint,but,tomysurprise,myuncledidnotshow

somuchsurpriseasanger."I knew," he said, "thatmy sonwas tenderly attached to this lady,whom it

wasimpossibleheshouldevermarry.Itriedtoturnhisthoughts,andpresentedtohimthemostbeautifulprincesses,buthecaredfornoneofthem,and,asyousee, they have nowbeen united by a horrible death in an underground tomb."But,ashespoke,hisangermeltedintotears,andagainIweptwithhim.Whenherecoveredhimselfhedrewmetohim."Mydearnephew,"hesaid,

embracingme,"youhavecometometotakehisplace,andIwilldomybesttoforget that I ever had a son who could act in so wicked amanner." Then heturnedandwentupthestairs.We reached the palace without anyone having noticed our absence, when,

shortlyafter,aclashingofdrums,andcymbals,andtheblareoftrumpetsburstuponourastonishedears.Atthesametimeathickcloudofdustonthehorizontoldof theapproachofagreatarmy.Myheart sankwhen Iperceived that thecommanderwasthevizirwhohaddethronedmyfather,andwascometoseizethekingdomofmyuncle.Thecapitalwasutterlyunpreparedtostandasiege,andseeingthatresistance

wasuseless,atonceopeneditsgates.Myunclefoughthardforhislife,butwassoon overpowered, and when he fell I managed to escape through a secretpassage,andtookrefugewithanofficerwhomIknewIcouldtrust.Persecutedbyill-fortune,andstrickenwithgrief,thereseemedtobeonlyone

meansofsafetylefttome.Ishavedmybeardandmyeyebrows,andputonthedressofacalender,inwhichitwaseasyformetotravelwithoutbeingknown.IavoidedthetownstillIreachedthekingdomofthefamousandpowerfulCaliph,Haroun-al-Raschid,whenIhadnofurtherreasontofearmyenemies.ItwasmyintentiontocometoBagdadandtothrowmyselfatthefeetofhisHighness,whowould,Ifeltcertain,betouchedbymysadstory,andwouldgrantme,besides,hishelpandprotection.Aftera journeywhich lastedsomemonthsIarrivedat lengthat thegatesof

thiscity.Itwassunset,andIpausedforalittletolookaboutme,andtodecidewhich way to turn my steps. I was still debating on this subject when I wasjoinedbythisothercalender,whostoppedtogreetme."You,likeme,appeartobeastranger,"Isaid.HerepliedthatIwasright,andbeforehecouldsaymorethe thirdcalender cameup.He, also,wasnewlyarrived inBagdad, andbeingbrothers in misfortune, we resolved to cast in our lots together, and to sharewhateverfatemighthaveinstore.Bythistimeithadgrownlate,andwedidnotknowwheretospendthenight.

Butourluckystarhavingguidedustothisdoor,wetookthelibertyofknockingandofaskingforshelter,whichwasgiventousatoncewiththebestgraceintheworld.This,madam,ismystory."Iamsatisfied,"repliedZobeida;"youcangowhenyoulike."Thecalender,however,begged leave to stayand tohear thehistoriesofhis

twofriendsandofthethreeotherpersonsofthecompany,whichhewasallowedtodo.

TheStoryoftheSecondCalendar,SonofaKing

"Madam,"saidtheyoungman,addressingZobeida,"ifyouwishtoknowhowIlostmyrighteye,Ishallhavetotellyouthestoryofmywholelife."I was scarcely more than a baby, when the king my father, finding me

unusuallyquickandclever formyage, turnedhis thoughts tomyeducation. Iwastaughtfirsttoreadandwrite,andthentolearntheKoran,whichisthebasisof our holy religion, and the better to understand it, I readwithmy tutors theablestcommentatorsonitsteaching,andcommittedtomemoryallthetraditionsrespectingtheProphet,whichhavebeengatheredfromthemouthofthosewhowerehisfriends.Ialsolearnthistory,andwasinstructedinpoetry,versification,geography, chronology, and in all the outdoor exercises inwhich every princeshouldexcel.ButwhatIlikedbestofallwaswritingArabiccharacters,andinthis I soon surpassed my masters, and gained a reputation in this branch ofknowledgethatreachedasfarasIndiaitself.NowtheSultanoftheIndies,curioustoseeayoungprincewithsuchstrange

tastes, sent an ambassador tomy father, ladenwith rich presents, and awarminvitation to visit his court.My father,whowas deeply anxious to secure thefriendshipofsopowerfulamonarch,andheldbesidesthatalittletravelwouldgreatlyimprovemymannersandopenmymind,acceptedgladly,andinashorttimeIhadsetoutforIndiawiththeambassador,attendedonlybyasmallsuiteonaccountofthelengthofthejourney,andthebadnessoftheroads.However,as was my duty, I took with me ten camels, laden with rich presents for theSultan.Wehadbeentravellingforaboutamonth,whenonedaywesawacloudof

dustmovingswiftlytowardsus;andassoonasitcamenear,wefoundthatthedustconcealedabandoffiftyrobbers.Ourmenbarelynumberedhalf,andaswewerealsohamperedbythecamels,therewasnouseinfighting,sowetriedtooverawethembyinformingthemwhowewere,andwhitherweweregoing.Therobbers, however, only laughed, and declared thatwas none of their business,and, without more words, attacked us brutally. I defended myself to the last,wounded though Iwas, but at length, seeing that resistancewashopeless, andthattheambassadorandallourfollowersweremadeprisoners,IputspurstomyhorseandrodeawayasfastasIcould,tillthepoorbeastfelldeadfromawoundinhisside.Imanagedtojumpoffwithoutanyinjury,andlookedabouttoseeifIwaspursued.ButforthemomentIwassafe,for,asIimagined,therobberswereallengagedinquarrellingovertheirbooty.Ifoundmyselfinacountrythatwasquitenewtome,anddarednotreturnto

themainroadlestIshouldagainfallintothehandsoftherobbers.Luckilymywoundwasonlyaslightone,andafterbindingitupaswellasIcould,Iwalkedonfortherestoftheday,tillIreachedacaveatthefootofamountain,whereIpassedthenightinpeace,makingmysupperoffsomefruitsIhadgatheredontheway.IwanderedaboutforawholemonthwithoutknowingwhereIwasgoing,till

atlengthIfoundmyselfontheoutskirtsofabeautifulcity,wateredbywindingstreams,whichenjoyedaneternalspring.Mydelightattheprospectofmixingonce more with human beings was somewhat damped at the thought of themiserableobjectImustseem.Myfaceandhandshadbeenburnednearlyblack;myclotheswereall inrags,andmyshoeswereinsuchastate thatIhadbeenforcedtoabandonthemaltogether.Ienteredthetown,andstoppedatatailorsshoptoinquirewhereIwas.The

man saw Iwas better thanmy condition, and beggedme to sit down, and inreturnItoldhimmywholestory.Thetailorlistenedwithattention,buthisreply,insteadofgivingmeconsolation,onlyincreasedmytrouble."Beware,"hesaid,"oftellinganyonewhatyouhavetoldme,fortheprince

whogovernsthekingdomisyourfather'sgreatestenemy,andhewillberejoicedtofindyouinhispower."Ithankedthetailorforhiscounsel,andsaidIwoulddowhateverheadvised;

then,beingveryhungry,Igladlyateofthefoodheputbeforeme,andacceptedhisofferofalodginginhishouse.InafewdaysIhadquiterecoveredfromthehardshipsIhadundergone,and

thenthetailor,knowingthatitwast