One Thousand and One Nights

by Richard Burton

  The prophet saw what to the eyes of men was evident And fell a-questioning of that which mortal sight outwent.

  When what they apprehended not his eyes beheld, “O Lord, What is this thing?” quoth he. “Yon man that’s slain was innocent.

  One, without travail or fatigue, to riches did attain, Although in poor and needy guise himself he did present;

  And, O Creator of mankind, this other one was slain, For all he had committed nought that called for punishment.”

  “Know,” answered God, “his father’s good it was thou sawst him take; It came to him by heritage, by right of free descent.

  The woodcutter the horseman’s sire had slain; so, when his son The occasion found, he took his wreak of him, incontinent.

  Put off this thought from thee, for We have, in created things, A secret that of human sight transcendeth the extent.

  Submit thee to Our laws and bow unto Our might, for know, Our ordinance for profit works and eke for detriment.”John Payne’s translation: detailed table of contents

  THE FERRYMAN OF THE NILE AND THE HERMIT.

  (Quoth a certain pious man), I was once a ferryman on the Nile and used to ply between the eastern and the western banks. One day, as I sat in my boat, waiting for custom, there came up to me an old man of a bright countenance, clad in a patched gown and bearing in his hand a gourd- bottle and a staff. He saluted me and I returned his greeting; and he said to me, ‘Wilt thou ferry me over and give me to eat for the love of God the Most High?’ ‘With all my heart,’ answered I. So he entered the boat and I rowed him over to the eastern side. When he was about to land, he said to me, ‘I desire to lay a trust on thee.’ Quoth I, ‘What is it?’ ‘Know,’ rejoined he, ‘that God hath revealed to me that [my end is at hand and that] thou wilt come to me to-morrow, after the hour of noon, and wilt find me dead under yonder tree. Wash me and wrap me in the shroud thou wilt find under my head and bury me in the sand, after thou hast prayed over me and taken my gown and bottle and staff, which do thou deliver to one who will come and require them of thee.’ And I marvelled at his word.

  Next day, I forgot what he had said till near the hour of afternoon-prayer, when I remembered and hastening to the appointed place, found him under the tree, dead, with a new shroud by his head, exhaling a fragrance of musk. So I washed him and shrouded him and prayed over him, then dug a hole in the sand and buried him, after I had taken his gown and bottle and staff, with which I rowed back to the western side and passed the night there.

  On the morrow, as soon as the city gate was opened, there came to me a young man, whom I had known as a lewd fellow, clad in fine clothes and his hands stained with henna, and said to me, ‘Art thou not such an one [the ferryman]?’ ‘Yes,’ answered I; and he said, ‘Give me what thou hast in trust for me.’ Quoth I, ‘What is that?’ ‘The gown, the bottle and the staff,’ replied he. ‘Who told thee of them?’ asked I; and he answered, ‘I know nothing save that I was yesterday at the wedding of one of my friends and spent the night singing [and making merry,] till hard upon day, when I lay down to sleep and take rest; and behold, there stood by me one who said to me, ‘God the Most High hath taken such an one the hermit to Himself and hath appointed thee to fill his place; so go to so and so, the ferryman, and take of him the dead man’s gown and bottle and staff, that he left with him for thee.’ So I brought them out and gave them to him, whereupon he put off his clothes and donned the gown, then taking the gourd and staff, went his way and left me.

  I fell a-weeping for wonder and pity; but, that night, whilst I slept, the Lord of Glory (blessed and exalted be He) appeared to me in a dream and said to me, ‘O My servant, is it grievous to thee that I have granted to one of My servants to return to Me? Indeed, this is of My bounty, that I vouchsafe to whom I will, for I am able to do all things.’ And I repeated the following verses:

  The lover with the Loved of will’s bereaved quite; All choice to thee’s forbid, an but thou know aright.

  Whether to thee He grant favour and grace or hold Aloof from thee nowise may blame upon Him light.

  His very rigours, e’en, except thou glory in, Away! Thou hast no call to stand with the contrite.

  Knowst not His presence from His absence? Then art thou In real and that thou seek’st in front and out of sight.

  If I be haled away to slaughter for Thy sake Or yearning yield Thee up the last spark of my spright,

  ’Tis in Thy hand; hold off, grant or deny, ’tis one; At that which Thou ordainst ’tis vain to rail or flite.

  No aim in this my love have I but Thine approof; So, an thou choose to hold aloof, ’tis good and right.John Payne’s translation: detailed table of contents

  THE KING OF THE ISLAND.

  There was once a rich and notable man of the children of Israel, who had a pious and blessed son. When the former’s last hour drew nigh, his son sat down at his head and said to him, ‘O my lord, give me an injunction.’ ‘Dear my son,’ replied his father, ‘I charge thee, swear not by God, whether truly or falsely.’ Then he died and certain lewd fellows of the children of Israel heard of the injunction he had laid on his son and fell to coming to the latter and saying, ‘Thy father had such and such monies of mine, and thou knowest it; so give me what is due to me or else make oath [to the contrary].’ The man would not disobey his father’s injunction, so gave them all they claimed; and they ceased not to deal thus with him, till his wealth was exhausted and he fell into sore distress.

  Now he had a pious and blessed wife, who had borne him two little sons; so he said to her, ‘The folk have multiplied claims on me and what while I had wherewithal to quit myself of them, I stinted not to give it up; but now there is nothing left us, and if others make claim upon me, we shall be distressed and tormented, I and thou; so it were better for us to flee to some place, where none knows us, and earn our bread among the uttermost of the folk.’ Accordingly, he took ship with her and his two children, knowing not whither he should go; but God decreeth; there is no reverser of His decrees; and quoth the tongue of the case:

  O thou, that thy dwelling departest for fear of the foe And ease in thy flight overtakes thee and freedom from woe,

  Grudge not at estrangement, for often the exile, by length Of distance from homestead and country, right puissant doth grow.

  If the pearls in the prison abided for aye of their shells, Kings’ crowns to them never were given for dwelling, I trow.

  The ship was wrecked, but the man and his wife and children saved themselves, each on a plank. The waves separated them and the wife was cast up in one country and the elder son in another. The second son was picked up by a ship, and the waves threw the father on a desert island, where he landed and made the ablution. Then he pronounced the call to prayer and fell to his devotions, when, behold, there came up out of the sea creatures of various colours and prayed with him. When he had finished, he went up to a tree and stayed his hunger with its fruits; after which he found a spring of water and drank thereof and praised God, to whom belong might and majesty. He abode thus three days and whenever he stood up to pray, the sea-creatures came out and prayed like as he prayed.

  On the fourth day, he heard one crying aloud and saying, ‘O just man, that didst so piously honour thy father and so reverest the decrees of thy Lord, grieve not, for God requiteth thee that which thou hast lost. In this island are treasures and things of price, which God willeth thou shalt inherit, and they are in such a place; so bring thou them to light. Moreover, we will send ships unto thee; and do thou bestow largesse on the folk and bid them to thee, and we will incline their hearts unto thee.’ So he sought out the appointed place, and God (to whom belong might and majesty) discovered to him the treasures in question. Then ships resorted to him, and he gave abundant largesse to the crews, saying to them, ‘Direct the folk unto me and I will give them such and such things and appoint to them this and that.’ Accordingly, there came folk from all parts and countries, nor had ten years passed over him, before the island was peopled a
nd he became its king. None repaired to him, but he entreated him with munificence, and his report was noised abroad throughout the length and breadth of the earth.

  Now his elder son had fallen into the hands of a man, who reared him and instructed him in all manner of polite accomplishments; and in like manner, the younger was adopted by one who gave him a good education and brought him up for a merchant. As for their mother, she happened upon a merchant, who gave her charge over his property and made a covenant with her that he would not deal traitorously by her, but would aid her to obey God (to whom belong might and majesty); and he used to carry her with him in his travels by sea and land. Now the elder son heard the report of the King, without knowing who he was; so he made for the island and was well received by the King, who made him his private secretary. After awhile, the other son also sought out the King, attracted by the fame of his piety and justice, and was made by him his steward.

  They abode awhile in his service, neither knowing other, till it chanced that the merchant aforesaid, hearing of the King’s beneficence and generous dealing with the folk, freighted a ship with rich stuffs and other of the best of the produce of the country, and taking the woman with him, set sail for the island. He arrived there in due course and landing, presented himself before the King with his gift. The latter rejoiced therein with an exceeding joy and ordered him a splendid recompense. Now there were, among the gifts, certain drugs, of which he would have the merchant acquaint him with the names and uses; so he said to him, ‘Abide with us this night.’ Quoth he, ‘I have in the ship a pious woman whom God hath committed to my ward, and I have promised her to entrust the care of her to none but myself; for indeed I build upon her prayers and have felt the blessing of her counsels.’ ‘I will send her two trusty men,’ rejoined the King, ‘who shall pass the night in the ship and guard her and all that is with her.’ The merchant agreed to this and abode with the King, who called his secretary and steward and said to them, ‘Go and pass the night in this man’s ship and keep it safe, if it please God the Most High.’

  So they went up into the ship and seating themselves, one in the bows and the other on the poop, passed a part of the night in repeating the praises of God (to whom belong might and majesty). Then said one to the other, ‘Harkye, such an one! The King bade us keep watch and I fear lest sleep overtake us; so, come, let us discourse of stories of fortune and of the good and evil chances we have seen.’ ‘O my brother,’ replied the other, ‘as for my tribulations, fate parted me from my mother and a brother of mine, whose name was even as thine; and it befell thus. My father took ship with us from such a place, and the winds and waves rose against us and were contrary, so that the ship was wrecked and God sundered our union.’ ‘What was the name of thy mother, O my brother?’ asked the first. ‘So and so,’ answered the other. ‘And of thy father?’ ‘So and so.’ When the first one heard this, he threw himself upon the other’s neck, saying, ‘By Allah, thou art my very brother!’ And each fell to telling the other what had befallen him in his youth, whilst their mother heard all they said, but held her peace and constrained her soul to patience.

  When it was morning, one brother said to the other, ‘Come, brother, let us go to my lodging and talk there.’ ‘It is well,’ replied the other. So they went away and presently, the merchant came back and finding the woman in great concern, said to her, ‘What hath befallen thee?’ Quoth she, ‘Thou sentest to me yesternight men who purposed ill to me, and I have been sore troubled with them.’ At this, he was wroth and going in to the King, made his complaint to him. Now the King loved the two brothers, for that which he had noted in them of virtue and trustworthiness; so he summoned them forth- with and sending for the woman, that he might hear from her own lips what she had to say against them, said to her, ‘O woman, what complaint hast thou against these two men?’ ‘O King,’ replied she, ‘I conjure thee, by the Great God, the Bountiful One, the Lord of the Ninth heaven, bid them repeat the words they spoke yesternight.’ So he said to them, ‘Repeat what ye said and conceal nought thereof.’ Accordingly, they repeated their conversation, and behold, the King gave a great cry and rising from his throne, threw himself upon them, saying, ‘By Allah, ye are my very sons!’ Therewith the woman discovered her face and said, ‘And I am their mother.’ So they were all united and abode in all delight and solace of life, until death separated them. So glory be to Him who delivereth His servant, whenas he resorteth to Him, and disappointeth not his hope and his trust in Him! And how well saith the poet on the subject:

  Each thing hath its appointed time, to its predestinate: With God, my brother, to confirm it lies or abrogate.

  Repine thou not at any thing wherewith thou stricken art; For troubles oft in prosperous times do lie for us in wait.

  How many an one lies down to sleep, afflicted with what seems A strait, but is at heart a cause of joy and fortunate!

  How many a wretch, on whom men’s eyes look hatred and contempt, Is by God’s wonder-working grace redeemed from low estate!

  Lo, this is one who did endure affliction aforetime; Hurt and distress were sore on him and unrelenting fate.

  Time severed him from those he held most dear, and each from each, After long union of their loves, was forced to separate.

  But his Lord gave him fortune fair and brought him those he loved. In all God doth are monishments for men to meditate.

  Glory to Him whose providence embraces all that be, Whose presence ever near to us, clear proofs do intimate.

  He is the Near One, whom no wit conceiveth nor indeed Days’ journeys nearer bring to us nor of His distance bate!John Payne’s translation: detailed table of contents

  ABOULHUSN ED DURRAJ AND ABOU JAAFER THE LEPER.

  (Quoth Aboulhusn ed Durraj), I had been many times to Mecca (which God increase in honour) and the folk used to follow me by reason of my knowledge of the road and the watering-places. It chanced one year that I was minded to make the pilgrimage to the Holy House of God and visit the tomb of His prophet (on whom be peace and blessing), and I said to myself, ‘I know the road and will go alone.’ So I set out and journeyed till I came to El Cadesiyeh and entering the mosque there, saw a leper seated in the prayer-niche. When he saw me, he said to me, ‘O Aboulhusn, I crave thy company to Mecca. Quoth I to myself, ‘I wished to avoid companions, and how shall I company with lepers?’ So I said to him, ‘I will bear no one company.’ And he was silent.

  Next day I continued my journey alone, till I came to Acabeh, where I entered the mosque and was amazed to find the leper seated in the prayer-niche. ‘Glory be to God!’ said I in myself. ‘How hath this fellow foregone me hither?’ But he raised his eyes to me and said, smiling, ‘O Aboulhusn, He doth for the weak that which the strong wonder at!’ I passed that night in perplexity, confounded at what I had seen, and in the morning set out again by myself; but when I came to Arafat and entered the mosque, behold, there was the leper seated in the niche! So I threw myself upon him and kissing his feet, said, ‘O my lord, I crave thy company.’ But he said, ‘This may nowise be.’ Whereupon I fell a-weeping and lamenting, and he said, ‘Peace: weeping will avail thee nothing.’ And he recited the following verses:

  For my estrangement dost thou weep, — whenas it came from thee, — And restoration dost implore, when none, alas! may be?

  Thou sawst my weakness and disease, as it appeared, and saidst, ‘‘He goes nor comes, or night or day, for this his malady.”

  Seest not that God (exalted be His glory) to His slave Vouchsafeth all he can conceive of favours fair and free!

  If I, to outward vision, be as it appears and eke In body, for despite of Fate, e’en that which thou dost see,

  And eke no victual though I have, unto the holy place Where crowds unto my Lord resort, indeed, to carry me,

  I have a Maker, hidden are His bounties unto me; Yea, there’s no parting me from Him, and without peer is He.

  Depart from me in peace and leave me and my strangerhood; For with the lonely exile still
the One shall company.

  So I left him and continued my journey; and every stage I came to, I found him before me, till I came to Medina, where I lost sight of him and could hear no news of him. Here I met Abou Yezid el Bustani and Abou Bekr es Shibli and a number of other doctors, to whom I told my case and they said, ‘God forbid that thou shouldst gain his company after this! This was Abou Jaafer the leper, in whose name, at all tides, the folk pray for rain and by whose blessing prayers are answered.’ When I heard this, my longing for his company redoubled and I implored God to reunite me with him. Whilst I was standing on Arafat, one plucked me from behind, so I turned and behold it was Abou Jaafer. At this sight, I gave a loud cry and fell down in a swoon; but, when I came to myself, he was gone.

  This increased my yearning for him and the ways were straitened upon me and I prayed God to give me sight of him; nor was it but a few days after, when one pulled me from behind, and I turned and behold, it was he again. Quoth he, ‘I conjure thee, ask thy desire of me.’ So I begged him to pray three prayers to God for me; first, that He would make me love poverty; secondly, that I might never lie down to sleep upon known provision; and thirdly, that He the Bountiful One would vouchsafe me to look upon His face. So he prayed for me, as I wished, and departed from me. And indeed God hath granted me the first two prayers; for He hath made me in love with poverty, so that, by Allah, there is nought in the world dearer to me than it, and since such a year, I have never lain down upon assured provision; yet hath He never let me lack of aught. As for the third prayer, I trust that He will vouchsafe me that also, even as He hath granted the two others, for He is bountiful and excellently beneficent. And may God have mercy on him who saith: