One Thousand and One Nights

by Richard Burton

  Then he rose from her and she rose also, and he said to her, “Give me thy clothes and take mine.” So she gave him her clothes and head-bands and her kerchief and veil; and he said to her, “Now must thou anoint me, to boot, with somewhat, so my face may become like unto shine in colour.” Accordingly Fatimeh went within the cavern and bringing out a vial of ointment, took thereof in her palm and anointed his face withal, whereupon it became like unto hers in colour. Then she gave him her staff and taught him how he should walk and how he should do, whenas he went down into the city; moreover, she put her rosary on his neck and finally giving him the mirror, said to him, “Look now; thou differest not from me in aught.” So he looked and saw himself as he were Fatimeh herself. Then, when he had gotten his desire, he broke his oath and sought of her a rope; so she brought him a rope and he took her and strangled her therewith in the cavern. When she was dead, he dragged her forth and cast her into a pit therewithout; then, returning to her cavern, he slept there till the day broke, when he arose and going down into the city, came under Alaeddin’s pavilion.

  The folk gathered about him, believing him to be Fatimeh the Recluse, and he proceeded to do like as she had been used to do, laying hands on those in pain and reciting for this one the Fatiheh and for that a[nother] chapter of the Koran and praying for a third. Then, for the much crowding upon him and the clamour of the folk, the Lady Bedrulbudour heard and said to her women, “See what is to do and what is the cause of this noise.” So the Ada of the eunuchs went to see what was toward and returning, said to her, “O my lady, this clamour is because of the Lady Fatimeh. An it please thee bid me fetch her to thee, so thou mayst ask a blessing of her....” And the Lady Bedrulbudour said to him, “Go and bring her to me; marry, this long while past I have still heard of her gifts and excellences and have yearned to see her, so I may ask a blessing of her, for that the folk are beyond measure abundant [in talk] of her virtues.” So the Aga went and brought the enchanter, disguised as Fatimeh, before the Lady Bedrulbudour; whereupon the Maugrabin offered up abundance of prayers for her, and none misdoubted of him but that he was Fatimeh the recluse. The princess rose and saluting him, seated him by her side and said to him, “O my Lady Fatimeh, I will have thee with me alway, that I may be blessed in thee and eke that I may learn of thee the ways of God-service and piety and model myself on thee.”

  Now this was what the accursed sorcerer aimed at; however, the better to accomplish his perfidious intent, he [dissembled and] said to her, “O my lady, I am a poor woman sitting in the desert and it beseemeth not that the like of me should abide in kings’ palaces.” Quoth the Lady Bedrulbudour, “Have no manner of care, O my lady Fatimeh; I will give thee a place in my house, where thou shalt do thy devotions, and none shall ever go in to thee; nay, here shalt thou serve God better than in thy cavern.” And the Maugrabin said to her, “Hearkening and obedience, O my lady; I will not gainsay thy commandment, for that the speech of princes may not be crossed neither disputed; but I beg of thee that my eating and drinking and sitting may be in my closet alone [and] that none may come in upon me. Moreover, I need no rich viands, but every day do thou favour me and send me by thy handmaid a piece of bread and a draught of water to my closet; and when I am minded to eat, I will eat in my closet alone.” (Now this the accursed did, of his fear lest his chin veil should be raised, when he ate, and so his case be exposed and they know him for a man by his beard and moustaches.) “O my lady Fatimeh,” rejoined the princess, “be easy; nothing shall betide save that which thou wiliest; so rise now [and come] with me, that I may show thee the pavilion which I purpose to order for thine inhabitance with us.” So saying, she arose and carrying the sorcerer to the place which she had appointed him wherein to abide, said to him, “O my lady Fatimeh, here shalt thou dwell; this pavilion is in thy name and thou shalt abide therein in all quiet and ease of privacy.” And the Maugrabin thanked her for her bounty and prayed for her.

  Then the Lady Bedrulbudour took him and showed him the belvedere and the kiosk of jewels, with the four-and-twenty oriels, and said to him, “How deemest thou, O my Lady Fatimeh, of this wonderful pavilion?” “By Allah, O my daughter,” replied he, “it is indeed marvellous in the extreme, nor methinketh is its like found in the world; nay, it is magnificent exceedingly; but oh, for one thing which would far increase it in beauty and adornment!” And the princess said to him, “O my Lady Fatimeh, what is lacking to it and what is this thing which would adorn it? Tell me of it; I had thought that it was altogether perfect.” “O my lady,” answered the sorcerer, “that which lacketh to it is the egg of the bird Roc, which being hung in its dome, there were no like unto this pavilion in all the world.” “What is this bird.” asked the princess, “and where shall we find its egg?” And the Moor said to her, “O my lady, this is a great bird that taketh up camels and elephants in its talons and flieth with them, of its bigness and greatness; it is mostly to be found in the mountain Caf and the craftsman who builded this palace is able to bring its egg.” Then they left that talk and it was the time of the morning-meal. So the slave-girls laid the table and the Lady Bedrulbudour sat down and sought of the accursed sorcerer that he should eat with her; but he refused and rising, entered the pavilion which she had given him, whither the slave-girls carried him the morning-meal.

  When it was eventide and Alaeddin returned from the chase, the Lady Bedrulbudour met him and saluted him: whereupon he embraced her and kissed her and looking in her face, saw that she was somewhat troubled and smiled not, against her wont. So he said to her, “What aileth thee, O my beloved? Tell me, hath there befallen thee aught to trouble thee?” And she answered him, saying, “There aileth me nothing; but, O my beloved, I had thought that our palace lacked of nought; however, O my eyes Alaeddin, were there hung in the dome of the upper pavilion an egg of the bird Roc, there were not its like in the world.” “And wast thou concerned anent this?” rejoined Alaeddin. “This is to me the easiest of all things; so be easy, for it is enough that thou tell me of that which thou wishest and I will fetch it thee from the abysses of the world on the speediest wise.” Then after he had comforted the princess and promised her all she sought, he went straight to his closet and taking the lamp rubbed it; whereupon the Marid at once appeared and said to him, “Seek what thou wilt;” and Alaeddin, “I will have thee bring me a Roc’s egg and hang it in the dome of the [upper] pavilion.”

  When the Marid heard Alaeddin’s words, his face frowned and he was wroth and cried out with a terrible great voice, saying, “O denier of benefits, doth it not suffice thee that I and all the slaves of the Lamp are at thy service and wouldst thou eke have me bring thee our liege lady, for thy pleasure, and hang her in the dome of thy pavilion, to divert thee and thy wife? By Allah, ye deserve that I should forthright reduce you both to ashes and scatter you to the winds! But, inasmuch as ye are ignorant, thou and she, concerning this matter and know not its inward from its outward, I excuse you, for that ye are innocent. As for the guilt, it lieth with the accursed one, the surviving brother of the Maugrabin enchanter, who feigneth himself to be Fatimeh the Recluse; for lo, he hath slain Fatimeh in her cavern and hath donned her dress and disguised himself after her favour and fashion and is come hither, seeking thy destruction, so he may take vengeance on thee for his brother; and he it is who taught thy wife to seek this of thee.” Therewith he disappeared, and as for Alaeddin, when he heard this, his wit fled from his head and his joints trembled at the cry wherewith the Marid cried out at him; but he took heart and leaving his closet, went in straightway to his wife and feigned to her that his head irked him, of his knowledge that Fatimeh was renowned for the secret of healing all aches and pains. When the Lady Bedrulbudour saw him put his hand to his head and complain of its aching, she asked him what was the cause and he said, “I know not, except that my head irketh me sore.” Accordingly she sent forthwith to fetch Fatimeh, so she might lay her hand on his head; whereupon quoth Alaeddin, “Who is this Fatimeh?” And the princess told him how she
had lodged Fatimeh the recluse with her in the palace.

  Meanwhile the slave-girls went and fetched the accursed Maugrabin, and Alaeddin arose to him, feigning ignorance of his case, and saluted him, as he had been the true Fatimeh. Moreover he kissed the hem of his sleeve and welcomed him, saying, “O my Lady Fatimeh, I beseech thee do me a kindness, since I know thy usances in the matter of the healing of pains, for that there hath betided me a sore pain in my head.” The Maugrabin could scarce believe his ears of this speech, for that this was what he sought; so he went up to Alaeddin, as he would lay his hand on his head, after the fashion of Fatimeh the recluse, and heal him of his pain. When he drew near-him, he laid one hand on his head and putting the other under his clothes, drew a dagger, so he might slay him withal. But Alaeddin was watching him and waited till he had all to-drawn the dagger, when he gripped him by the hand and taking the knife from him, planted it in his heart.

  When the Lady Bedrulbudour saw this, she cried out and said to him, “What hath this holy anchoress done, that thou burthenest thyself with the sore burden of her blood? Hast thou no fear of God, that thou dost this and hast slain Fatimeh, who was a holy woman and whose divine gifts were renowned?” Quoth he to her, “I have not slain Fatimeh; nay, I have slain him who slew her; for that this is the brother of the accursed Maugrabin enchanter, who took thee and by his sorcery transported the palace with thee to the land of Africa. Yea, this accursed one was his brother and came to this country and wrought these frauds, slaying Fatimeh and donning her clothes and coming hither, so he might take vengeance on me for his brother. Moreover, it was he who taught thee to seek of me a Roc’s egg, so my destruction should ensue thereof; and if thou misdoubt of my word, come and see whom I have slain.” So saying, he did off the Maugrabin’s chin veil and the Lady Bedrulbudour looked and saw a man whose beard covered his face; whereupon she at once knew the truth and said to Alaeddin, “O my beloved, twice have I cast thee into danger of death;” and he said to her, “O Lady Bedrulbudour, thanks to thine eyes, no harm [hath betided me thereof; nay,] I accept with all joy everything that cometh to me through thee.” When the princess heard this, she hastened to embrace him and kissed him, saying, “O my beloved, all this was of my love for thee and I knew not what I did; nor indeed am I negligent of thy love.” Whereupon Alaeddin kissed her and strained her to his breast and love redoubled between them.

  Presently, in came the Sultan; so they told him of all that had passed with the Maugrabin enchanter’s brother and showed him the latter, as he lay dead; whereupon he bade burn him and scatter his ashes to the winds. Thenceforward Alaeddin abode with his wife the Lady Bedrulbudour in all peace and pleasure and was delivered from all perils. Then, after a while, the Sultan died and Alaeddin sat down on the throne of the kingdom and ruled and did justice among the people; and all the folk loved him and he lived with his wife, the Lady Bedrulbudour, in all cheer and solace and contentment till there came to them the Destroyer of Delights and the Sunderer of Societies.

  PAYNE TRANSLATION: DETAILED TABLE OF CONTENTS

  VOLUME I.

  PREFATORY NOTE.

  THE BOOK OF THE THOUSAND NIGHTS AND ONE NIGHT

  THE MERCHANT AND THE GENIE.

  The First Old Man’s Story.

  The Second Old Man’s Story.

  The Third Old Man’s Story.

  THE FISHERMAN AND THE GENIE.

  Story of the Physician Douban.

  King Sindbad and His Falcon.

  The King’s Son and the Ogress.

  Story of the Enchanted Youth.

  THE PORTER AND THE THREE LADIES OF BAGHDAD.

  The First Calender’s Story.

  The Second Calender’s Story.

  Story of the Envier and the Envied.

  Story of the Third Calender.

  The Eldest Lady’s Story.

  Story of the Portress.

  THE THREE APPLES.

  NOUREDDIN ALI OF CAIRO AND HIS SON BEDREDDIN HASSAN.

  STORY OF THE HUNCHBACK

  The Christian Broker’s Story.

  The Controller’s Story.

  The Jewish Physician’s Story.

  The Tailor’s Story.

  The Barber’s Story.

  Story of the Barber’s First Brother.

  Story of the Barber’s Second Brother.

  Story of the Barber’s Fourth Brother.

  Story of the Barber’s Fifth Brother.

  NOUREDDIN ALI AND THE DAMSEL ENIS EL JELIS.

  GHANIM BEN EYOUB THE SLAVE OF LOVE.

  Story of the Eunuch Bekhit.

  Story of the Eunuch Kafour.

  VOLUME II.

  THE HISTORY OF KING OMAR BEN ENNUMAN AND HIS SONS SHERKAN AND ZOULMEKAN.

  Story of Taj El Mulouk and the Princess Dunya.

  Story of Aziz and Azizeh.

  Bakoun’s Story of the Hashish-eater.

  Hemmad the Bedouin’s Story.

  VOLUME III.

  THE BOOK OF THE THOUSAND NIGHTS AND ONE NIGHT

  STORY OF THE BIRDS AND BEASTS AND THE SON OF ADAM.

  THE HERMITS.

  THE WATER-FOWL AND THE TORTOISE

  THE WOLF AND THE FOX.

  The Hawk and the Partridge.

  Then he abode alone in the vineyard, secure and fearing no hurt.

  THE MOUSE AND THE WEASEL.

  THE CAT AND THE CROW.

  THE FOX AND THE CROW.

  The Mouse and the Flea.

  The Falcon and the Birds.

  The Sparrow and the Eagle.

  THE HEDGEHOG AND THE PIGEONS.

  The Merchant and the Two Sharpers.

  THE THIEF AND HIS MONKEY.

  The Foolish Weaver.

  THE SPARROW AND THE PEACOCK.

  STORY OF ALI BEN BEKKAR AND SHEMSENNEHAR.

  KEMEREZZEMAN AND BUDOUR.

  ALAEDDIN ABOU ESH SHAMAT.

  HATIM ET TAÏ: HIS GENEROSITY AFTER DEATH.

  MAAN BEN ZAÏDEH AND THE THREE GIRLS.

  MAAN BEN ZAÏDEH AND THE BEDOUIN.

  THE CITY OF LEBTAIT.

  THE KHALIF HISHAM AND THE ARAB YOUTH.

  IBRAHIM BEN EL MEHDI AND THE BARBER-SURGEON.

  THE CITY OF IREM.

  ISAAC OF MOSUL’S STORY OF THE LADY KHEDIJEH AND THE KHALIF MAMOUN

  THE SCAVENGER AND THE NOBLE LADY OF BAGHDAD.

  THE MOCK KHALIF.

  ALI THE PERSIAN’S STORY OF THE KURD SHARPER

  VOLUME IV.

  HOW THE IMAM ABOU YOUSUF EXTRICATED THE KHALIF HAROUN ER RESHID AND HIS VIZIER JAAFER FROM A DILEMMA.

  THE LOVER WHO FEIGNED HIMSELF A THIEF TO SAVE HIS MISTRESS’S HONOUR.

  JAAFER THE BARMECIDE AND THE BEANSELLER.

  ABOU MOHAMMED THE LAZY.

  THE GENEROUS DEALING OF YEHYA BEN KHALID THE BARMECIDE WITH MENSOUR.

  THE GENEROUS DEALING OF YEHYA BEN KHALID WITH A MAN WHO FORGED A LETTER IN HIS NAME.

  THE KHALIF EL MAMOUN AND THE STRANGE DOCTOR

  ALI SHAR AND ZUMURRUD.

  And her name was Zumurrud.

  THE LOVES OF JUBEIR BEN UMEIR AND THE LADY BUDOUR

  THE MAN OF YEMEN AND HIS SIX SLAVE-GIRLS

  HAROUN ER RASHID AND THE DAMSEL AND ABOU NUWAS.

  THE MAN WHO STOLE THE DISH OF GOLD IN WHICH THE DOG ATE.

  THE SHARPER OF ALEXANDRIA AND THE MASTER OF POLICE.

  EL MELIK EN NASIR AND THE THREE MASTERS OF POLICE.

  Story of the Chief of the Police of New Cairo.

  Story of the Chief of the Boulac Police.

  THE THIEF AND THE MONEY-CHANGER

  THE CHIEF OF THE COUS POLICE AND THE SHARPER

  IBRAHIM BEN EL MEHDI AND THE MERCHANT’S SISTER.

  THE WOMAN WHOSE HANDS WERE CUT OFF FOR THAT SHE GAVE ALMS TO THE POOR.

  THE DEVOUT ISRAELITE.

  ABOU HASSAN EZ ZIYADI AND THE MAN FROM KHORASSAN.

  THE POOR MAN AND HIS GENEROUS FRIEND.

  THE RUINED MAN WHO BECAME RICH AGAIN THROUGH A DREAM.

  THE KHALIF EL MUTAWEKKIL AND HI
S FAVOURITE MEHBOUBEH.

  WERDAN THE BUTCHER HIS ADVENTURE WITH THE LADY AND THE BEAR.

  THE KING’S DAUGHTER AND THE APE.

  THE ENCHANTED HORSE.

  UNS EL WUJOUD AND THE VIZIER’S DAUGHTER ROSE-IN-BUD.

  ABOU NUWAS WITH THE THREE BOYS AND THE KHALIF HAROUN ER RESHID.

  ABDALLAH BEN MAAMER WITH THE MAN OF BASSORA AND HIS SLAVE-GIRL.

  THE LOVERS OF THE BENOU UDHREH.

  THE VIZIER OF YEMEN AND HIS YOUNG BROTHER

  THE LOVES OF THE BOY AND GIRL AT SCHOOL.

  EL MUTELEMMIS AND HIS WIFE UMEIMEH.

  THE KHALIF HAROUN ER RESHID AND THE PRINCESS ZUBEIDEH IN THE BATH.

  HAROUN ER RESHID AND THE THREE POETS.

  MUSAB BEN EZ ZUBEIR AND AAISHEH DAUGHTER OF TELHEH.

  ABOUL ASWED AND HIS SQUINTING SLAVE-GIRL.

  HAROUN ER RESHID AND THE TWO SLAVE-GIRLS.

  THE KHALIF HAROUN ER RESHID AND THE THREE SLAVE-GIRLS.

  THE MILLER AND HIS WIFE.

  THE SIMPLETON AND THE SHARPER.

  THE IMAM ABOU YOUSUF WITH HAROUN ER RESHID AND ZUBEIDEH.

  THE KHALIF EL HAKIM AND THE MERCHANT.

  KING KISRA ANOUSHIRWAN AND THE VILLAGE DAMSEL.

  THE WATER-CARRIER AND THE GOLDSMITH’S WIFE.

  KHUSRAU AND SHIRIN WITH THE FISHERMAN.

  YEHYA BEN KHALID THE BARMECIDE AND THE POOR MAN.

  MOHAMMED EL AMIN AND JAAFER BEN EL HADI.

  THE SONS OF YEHYA BEN KHALID AND SAID BEN SALIM EL BAHILI.

  THE WOMAN’S TRICK AGAINST HER HUSBAND.

  THE DEVOUT WOMAN AND THE TWO WICKED ELDERS.

  JAAFER THE BARMECIDE AND THE OLD BEDOUIN.