He returned them the most gracious of answers and bade carry the Magian forth of the town and set him on a high scaffold that had been builded for him there; and he said to the folk, ‘Behold, I will torture him with all kinds of fashions of torment.’ Then he fell to telling them that which he had wrought of knavery with the daughter of his father’s brother and what he had caused betide her of severance between her and her husband and how he had required her of herself, but she had sought refuge against him with God (to whom belong might and majesty) and chose rather humiliation than yield to his wishes, notwithstanding stress of torment; neither recked she aught of that which he lavished to her of wealth and raiment and jewels.
When the king had made an end of his story, he bade the bystanders spit in the Magian’s face and curse him; and they did this. Then he bade cut out his tongue and on the morrow he bade cut off his ears and nose and pluck out his eyes. On the third day he bade cut off his hands and on the fourth his feet; and they ceased not to lop him limb from limb, and each member they cast into the fire, after its cutting-off, before his face, till his soul departed, after he had endured torments of all kinds and fashions. The king bade crucify his trunk on the city-wall three days’ space; after which he let burn it and reduce its ashes to powder and scatter them abroad in the air.
Then the king summoned the cadi and the witnesses and bade them many the old king’s daughter and sister to his own sons; so they married them, after the king had made a bride-feast three days and displayed their brides to them from eventide to peep of day. Then the two princes went in to their brides and did away their maidenhead and loved them and were vouchsafed children by them.
As for the king their father, he abode with his wife, their mother, what while God (to whom belong might and majesty) willed, and they rejoiced in reunion with each other. The kingship endured unto them and glory and victory, and the king continued to rule with justice and equity, so that the people loved him and still invoked on him and on his sons length of days and durance; and they lived the most delightsome of lives till there came to them the Destroyer of Delights and Sunderer of Companies, He who layeth waste the palaces and peopleth the tombs; and this is all that hath come down to us of the story of the king and his wife and children. Nor,” added the vizier, “if this story be a solace and a diversion, is it pleasanter or more diverting than that of the young man of Khorassan and his mother and sister.”
When King Shah Bekht heard this story, it pleased him and he bade the vizier go away to his own house.
The Twenty-Seventh Night of the Month
When the evening came, the king bade fetch the vizier; so he presented himself before him and the king bade him tell the [promised] story. So he said, “Hearkening and obedience. Know, O king (but God alone knoweth His secret purpose and is versed in all that is past and was foredone among bygone peoples), that
John Payne’s translation: detailed table of contents
STORY OF SELIM AND SELMA.
There was once, in the parts of Khorassan, a man of the affluent of the country, who was a merchant of the chiefest of the merchants and was blessed with two children, a son and a daughter. He was assiduous in rearing them and making fair their education, and they grew up and throve after the goodliest fashion. He used to teach the boy, who taught his sister all that he learnt, so that the girl became perfect in the knowledge of the Traditions of the Prophet and in polite letters, by means of her brother. Now the boy’s name was Selim and that of the girl Selma. When they grew up and waxed, their father built them a mansion beside his own and lodged them apart therein and appointed them slave-girls and servants to tend them and assigned unto each of them pensions and allowances and all that they needed of high and low, meat and bread and wine and raiment and vessels and what not else. So Selim and Selma abode in that mansion, as they were one soul in two bodies, and they used to sleep on one couch; and rooted in each one’s heart was love and affection and familiar friendship [for the other of them].
One night, when the night was half spent, as Selim and Selma sat talking and devising with each other, they heard a noise below the house; so they looked out from a lattice that gave upon the gate of their father’s mansion and saw a man of goodly presence, whose clothes were hidden by a wide cloak, which covered him. He came up to the gate and laying hold of the door-ring, gave a light knock; whereupon the door opened and out came their sister, with a lighted flambeau, and after her their mother, who saluted the stranger and embraced him, saying, ‘O beloved of my heart and light of mine eyes and fruit of mine entrails, enter.’ So he entered and shut the door, whilst Selim and Selma abode amazed.
Then Selim turned to Selma and said to her, ‘O sister mine, how deemest thou of this calamity and what counsellest thou thereanent?’ ‘O my brother,’ answered she, ‘indeed I know not what I shall say concerning the like of this; but he is not disappointed who seeketh direction [of God], nor doth he repent who taketh counsel. One getteth not the better of the traces of burning by haste, and know that this is an affliction that hath descended on us; and we have need of management to do it away, yea, and contrivance to wash withal our shame from our faces.’ And they gave not over watching the gate till break of day, when the young man opened the door and their mother took leave of him; after which he went his way and she entered, she and her handmaid.
Then said Selim to his sister, ‘Know that I am resolved to slay yonder man, if he return this next night, and I will say to the folk, “He was a thief,” and none shall know that which hath befallen. Moreover, I will address myself to the slaughter of whosoever knoweth that which is between yonder fellow and my mother.’ But Selma said, ‘ I fear lest, if thou slay him in our dwelling-place and he savour not of robberhood, suspicion will revert upon ourselves, and we cannot be assured but that he belongeth unto folk whose mischief is to be feared and their hostility dreaded, and thus wilt thou have fled from privy shame to open shame and abiding public dishonour.’ ‘How then deemest thou we should do?’ asked Selim and she said, ‘Is there nothing for it but to slay him? Let us not hasten unto slaughter, for that the slaughter of a soul without just cause is a grave [matter].’
(When Shehriyar heard this, he said in himself, ‘By Allah, I have indeed been reckless in the slaying of women and girls, and praised be God who hath occupied me with this damsel from the slaughter of souls, for that the slaughter of souls is a grave [matter!] By Allah, if Shah Bekht spare the vizier, I will assuredly spare Shehrzad!’ Then he gave ear to the story and heard her say to her sister:)
Quoth Selma to Selim, ‘Hasten not to slay him, but ponder the matter and consider the issue to which it may lead; for whoso considereth not the issues [of his actions], fortune is no friend to him.’ Then they arose on the morrow and occupied themselves with devising how they should turn away their mother from that man, and she forebode mischief from them, by reason of that which she saw in their eyes of alteration, for that she was keen of wit and crafty. So she took precaution for herself against her children and Selma said to Selim, ‘Thou seest that whereinto we have fallen through this woman, and indeed she hath gotten wind of our purpose and knoweth that we have discovered her secret. So, doubtless, she will plot against us the like of that which we plot for her; for indeed up to now she had concealed her affair, and now she will forge lies against us; wherefore, methinks, there is a thing [fore-]written to us, whereof God (extolled be His perfection and exalted be He!) knew in His foreknowledge and wherein He executeth His ordinances.’ ‘What is that?’ asked he, and she said, ‘It is that we arise, I and thou, and go forth this night from this land and seek us a land wherein we may live and witness nought of the doings of yonder traitress; for whoso is absent from the eye is absent from the heart, and quoth one of the poets in the following verse:
Twere better and meeter thy presence to leave, For, if the eye see not, the heart doth not grieve.’
Quoth Selim to her, ‘It is for thee to decide and excellent is that which thou counsellest; so let
us do this, in the name of God the Most High, trusting in Him for grace and guidance.’ So they arose and took the richest of their clothes and the lightest of that which was in their treasuries of jewels and things of price and gathered together a great matter. Then they equipped them ten mules and hired them servants of other than the people of the country; and Selim bade his sister Selma don man’s apparel. Now she was the likest of all creatures to him, so that, [when she was clad in man’s attire,] the folk knew no difference between them, extolled be the perfection of Him who hath no like, there is no God but He! Then he bade her mount a horse, whilst he himself bestrode another, and they set out, under cover of the night. None of their family nor of the people of their house knew of them; so they fared on into the wide world of God and gave not over going night and day two months’ space, at the end of which time they came to a city on the sea-shore of the land of Mekran, by name Es Sherr, and it is the first city in Sind.
They lighted down without the place and when they arose in the morning, they saw a populous and goodly city, fair of seeming and great, abounding in trees and streams and fruits and wide of suburbs. So the young man said to his sister Selma, ‘Abide thou here in thy place, till I enter the city and examine it and make assay of its people and seek out a place which we may buy and whither we may remove. If it befit us, we will take up our abode therein, else will we take counsel of departing elsewhither.’ Quoth she, ‘Do this, trusting in the bounty of God (to whom belong might and majesty) and in His blessing.’
So he took a belt, wherein were a thousand dinars, and binding it about his middle, entered the city and gave not over going round about its streets and markets and gazing upon its houses and sitting with those of its folk whose aspect bespoke them men of worth, till the day was half spent, when he resolved to return to his sister and said in himself, ‘Needs must I buy what we may eat of ready-[dressed] food] I and my sister.’ Accordingly, he accosted a man who sold roast meat and who was clean [of person], though odious in his [means of getting a] living, and said to him, ‘Take the price of this dish [of meat] and add thereto of fowls and chickens and what not else is in your market of meats and sweetmeats and bread and arrange it in dishes.’ So the cook set apart for him what he desired and calling a porter, laid it in his basket, and Selim paid the cook the price of his wares, after the fullest fashion.
As he was about to go away, the cook said to him, ‘O youth, doubtless thou art a stranger?’ And he answered, ‘Yes.’ Quoth the cook, ‘It is reported in one of the Traditions [of the Prophet that he said,] “Loyal admonition is [a part] of religion;” and the understanding say, “Admonition is of the characteristics of the true believers.” And indeed that which I have seen of thy fashions pleaseth me and I would fain give thee a warning.’ ‘Speak out thy warning,’ rejoined Selim, ‘and may God strengthen thine affair!’ Then said the cook, ‘Know, O my son, that in this our country, whenas a stranger entereth therein and eateth of flesh-meat and drinketh not old wine thereon, this is harmful unto him and engendereth in him dangerous disorders. Wherefore, if thou have provided thee somewhat thereof, [it is well;] but, if not, look thou procure it, ere thou take the meat and carry it away.’ ‘May God requite thee with good!’ rejoined Selim. ‘Canst thou direct me where it is sold?’ And the cook said, ‘With me is all that thou seekest thereof.’ ‘Is there a way for me to see it?’ asked the young man; and the cook sprang up and said, ‘Pass on.’ So he entered and the cook showed him somewhat of wine; but he said, ‘I desire better than this.’ Whereupon he opened a door and entering, said to Selim, ‘Enter and follow me.’
Selim followed him till he brought him to an underground chamber and showed him somewhat of wine that was to his mind. So he occupied him with looking upon it and taking him at unawares, sprang upon him from behind and cast him to the earth and sat upon his breast. Then he drew a knife and set it to his jugular; whereupon there betided Selim [that wherewithal] God made him forget all that He had decreed [unto him], and he said to the cook, ‘Why dost thou this thing, O man? Be mindful of God the Most High and fear Him. Seest thou not that I am a stranger? And indeed [I have left] behind me a defenceless woman. Why wilt thou slay me?’ Quoth the cook, ‘Needs must I slay thee, so I may take thy good.’ And Selim said, ‘Take my good, but slay me not, neither enter into sin against me; and do with me kindness, for that the taking of my money is lighter than the taking of my life.’
‘This is idle talk,’ answered the cook. ‘Thou canst not deliver thyself with this, O youth, for that in thy deliverance is my destruction.’ Quoth Selim, ‘I swear to thee and give thee the covenant of God (to whom belong might and majesty) and His bond, that He took of His prophets, that I will not discover thy secret ever.’ But the cook answered, saying, ‘Away! Away! This may no wise be.’ However, Selim ceased not to conjure him and make supplication to him and weep, while the cook persisted in his intent to slaughter him. Then he wept and recited the following verses:
Haste not to that thou dost desire, for haste is still unblest;
Be merciful to men, as thou on mercy reckonest;
For no hand is there but the hand of God is over it And no
oppressor but shall be with worse than he opprest.
Quoth the cook, ‘Nothing will serve but I must slay thee, O fellow; for, if I spare thee, I shall myself be slain.’ But Selim said, ‘O my brother, I will counsel thee somewhat other than this.’ ‘What is it?’ asked the cook. ‘Say and be brief, ere I cut thy throat’ And Selim said, ‘[Do thou suffer me to live and] keep me, that I may be a servant unto thee, and I will work at a craft, of the crafts of the skilled workmen, wherefrom there shall return to thee every day two dinars.’ Quoth the cook, ‘What is the craft?’ and Selim said, ‘The cutting [and polishing] of jewels.’
When the cook heard this, he said in himself, ‘It will do me no hurt if I imprison him and shackle him and bring him what he may work at. If he tell truth, I will let him live, and if he prove a liar, I will slay him.’ So he took a pair of stout shackles and clapping them on Selim’s legs, imprisoned him within his house and set over him one who should guard him. Then he questioned him of what tools he needed to work withal. Selim set forth to him that which he required, and the cook went out from him and presently returning, brought him all he needed. So Selim sat and wrought at his craft; and he used every day to earn two dinars; and this was his wont and usance with the cook, whilst the latter fed him not but half his fill.
To return to his sister Selma. She awaited him till the last of the day, but he came not; and she awaited him a second day and a third and a fourth, yet there came no news of him, wherefore she wept and beat with her hands on her breast and bethought her of her affair and her strangerhood and her brother’s absence; and she recited the following verses:
Peace on thee! Would our gaze might light on thee once more! So
should our hearts be eased and eyes no longer sore.
Thou only art the whole of our desire; indeed Thy love is hid
within our hearts’ most secret core.
She abode awaiting him thus till the end of the month, but discovered no tidings of him neither happened upon aught of his trace; wherefore she was troubled with an exceeding perturbation and despatching her servants hither and thither in quest of him, abode in the sorest that might be of grief and concern. When it was the beginning of the new month, she arose in the morning and bidding cry him throughout the city, sat to receive visits of condolence, nor was there any in the city but betook himself to her, to condole with her; and they were all concerned for her, nothing doubting but she was a man.
When three nights had passed over her with their days of the second month, she despaired of him and her tears dried not up. Then she resolved to take up her abode in the city and making choice of a dwelling, removed thither. The folk resorted to her from all parts, to sit with her and hearken to her speech and witness her good breeding; nor was it but a little while ere the king of the city died and the folk fell out concernin
g whom they should invest with the kingship after him, so that strife was like to betide between them. However, the men of judgment and understanding and the folk of experience counselled them to make the youth king who had lost his brother, for that they doubted not but Selma was a man. They all consented unto this and betaking themselves to Selma, proffered her the kingship. She refused, but they were instant with her, till she consented, saying in herself, ‘My sole desire in [accepting] the kingship is [to find] my brother.’ Then they seated her on the throne of the kingdom and set the crown on her head, whereupon she addressed herself to the business of administration and to the ordinance of the affairs of the people; and they rejoiced in her with the utmost joy.
Meanwhile, Selim abode with the cook a whole year’s space, earning him two dinars every day; and when his affair was prolonged, the cook inclined unto him and took compassion on him, on condition that, if he let him go, he should not discover his fashion to the Sultan, for that it was his wont every little while to entrap a man and carry him to his house and slay him and take his money and cook his flesh and give it to the folk to eat. So he said to him, ‘O youth, wilt thou that I release thee from this thy plight, on condition that thou be reasonable and discover not aught of thine affair ever?’ And Selim answered, ‘I will swear to thee by whatsoever oath thou choosest that I will keep thy secret and will not speak one syllable against thy due, what while I abide on life.’ Quoth the cook, ‘I purpose to send thee forth with my brother and cause thee travel with him on the sea, on condition that thou be unto him a boughten slave; and when he cometh to the land of Hind, he shall sell thee and thus wilt thou be delivered from prison and slaughter.’ And Selim said, ‘It is well: be it as thou sayst, may God the Most High requite thee with good!’
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