The Arabian Nights: Tales of 1,001 Nights: Volume 1

by Penguin; Robert Irwin; Malcolm Lyons; Ursula Lyons

  The king was dismayed, fearing that he was going to lose his kingdom. Turning to his vizier, he asked: ‘Have none of our troops gone out to meet this army?’ But before he had finished speaking, his chamberlains entered, escorting messengers from the newly arrived king, among them being Sulaiman Shah’s vizier. The vizier was the first to greet the king, who rose to meet the envoys, told them to approach and asked them why they had come. The vizier came forward from among them and said: ‘Know that a king has come to your land who is not like former kings or the sultans of earlier days.’ ‘Who is he?’ the king asked. ‘The just and faithful ruler, the fame of whose magnanimity has been spread abroad,’ replied the vizier. ‘He is King Sulaiman Shah, ruler of the Green Land, the Twin Pillars and the mountains of Isfahan. He loves justice and equity, hating injustice and tyranny. His message to you is that his son, who is his darling and the fruit of his heart, is with you and in your city. If the prince is safe, that is what he hopes to find, and you will be thanked and praised, but if he has disappeared from your land or if some misfortune has overtaken him, then be assured of ruin and the devastation of your country, for he will make it a wilderness in which the ravens croak. I have given you the message and so, farewell.’

  When King Shahriman heard the vizier’s message, he was alarmed and feared for his kingdom. He shouted a summons to his state officials, his viziers, chamberlains and deputies, and when they came, he told them to go and look for the young man. Taj al-Muluk was still in the hands of the executioner and so afraid had he been that his appearance had changed. His father’s vizier happened to look around and found him lying on the execution mat. On recognizing him, he got up and threw himself on him, as did his fellow envoys. They then unloosed his bonds, kissing his hands and his feet. When Taj al-Muluk opened his eyes, he recognized the vizier and his companion ‘Aziz and fainted from excess of joy.

  King Shahriman was at a loss to know what to do and he was very afraid when it became clear to him that it was because of the young man that this army had come. He got up and went to Taj al-Muluk. With tears starting from his eyes, he kissed his head and said: ‘My son, do not blame me; do not blame the evil-doer for what he did. Have pity on my white hairs and do not bring destruction on my kingdom.’ Taj al-Muluk went up to him, kissing his hand and saying: ‘No harm will come to you. You are like a father to me, but take care that nothing happens to my beloved, Princess Dunya.’ ‘Have no fear, sir,’ said the king. ‘Nothing but happiness will come to her.’ He continued to excuse himself and to appease Sulaiman Shah’s vizier, promising him a huge reward if he would conceal from his master what he had seen. He then ordered his principal officers to take Taj al-Muluk to the baths, give him the finest of clothes and return with him quickly. This they did, escorting him to the baths and making him put on a suit of clothes that King Shahriman had sent specially for him, before bringing him back to the audience chamber.

  When he entered, the king got up for him and made all his principal officers rise to attend on the prince. Taj al-Muluk then sat down to talk to his father’s vizier and to ‘Aziz, telling them what had happened to him. They, in their turn, told him that during his absence they had returned to his father with the news that he had gone into the princess’s apartments and not come out, leaving them unsure as to what had happened. They added: ‘When he heard that, he mustered his armies and we came here, bringing great relief to you and joy to us.’ ‘From first to last, good continues to flow from your hands,’ exclaimed Taj al-Muluk.

  King Shahriman went to his daughter and found her wailing and weeping for Taj al-Muluk. She had taken a sword, fixed the hilt in the ground and placed the point between her breasts directly opposite her heart. She bent over it, saying: ‘I must kill myself, for I cannot live after my beloved.’ When her father came in and saw her like this, he shouted to her: ‘Mistress of princesses, don’t do it! Have pity on your father and your countrymen!’ He then went up to her and said: ‘You are not to bring down evil upon your father.’ He told her that her beloved, the son of King Sulaiman Shah, wanted to marry her, adding that the betrothal and the marriage were dependent on her. She smiled and said: ‘Didn’t I tell you that he was a king’s son? By God, I shall have to let him crucify you on a piece of timber worth two dirhams.’ ‘Daughter,’ he said, ‘have mercy on me that God may have mercy on you.’ To which she replied: ‘Hurry off and bring him to me quickly and without delay.’

  The king then hurried away to Taj al-Muluk, to whom he whispered the news, and then the two of them went to the princess. On seeing her lover, she threw her arms around his neck in the presence of her father, embraced him and kissed him, saying: ‘You left me lonely.’ Then she turned to her father and said: ‘Do you think that anyone could exaggerate the merits of so handsome a being? In addition, he is a king and the son of a king, one of those of noble stock who are prevented from indulging in depravity.’ At that, the king went out and shut the door on them with his own hand. He then went to the vizier of Sulaiman Shah and his fellow envoys, and he told them to inform their master that his son was well and happy, living a life of the greatest pleasure with his beloved.

  When they had set off to take this message to Sulaiman Shah, King Shahriman ordered that presents, forage and guest provisions should be sent out to his troops. When all this had been done, he sent out a hundred fine horses, a hundred dromedaries, a hundred mamluks, a hundred concubines, a hundred black slaves and a hundred slave girls, all of whom were led out before him as a gift, while he himself mounted and rode from the city with his chief officials and principal officers. When Sulaiman Shah learned of this, he got up and walked a few paces to meet the king. He had been delighted to hear the news brought by the vizier and ‘Aziz, and he exclaimed: ‘Praise be to God who has allowed my son to achieve his wish.’ He then embraced King Shahriman and made him sit beside him on his couch, where they talked together happily. Food was produced and they ate their fill, after which they moved on to sweetmeats and fruit, both fresh and dried, all of which they sampled. Shortly afterwards, Taj al-Muluk arrived, dressed in his finery. His father, on seeing him, got up to embrace him and kissed him, while all those who were seated rose to their feet. The two kings made him sit between them and they sat talking for a time until Sulaiman Shah said to King Shahriman: ‘I want to draw up a contract of marriage between my son and your daughter before witnesses, so that the news may spread abroad, as is the custom.’ ‘To hear is to obey,’ said King Shahriman, and at that, he sent for the qadi and the notaries. When they came they drew up the contract between Taj al-Muluk and Princess Dunya, after which money and sweetmeats were distributed, incense was burned and perfume released. That was a day of happiness and delight, and all the leaders and the soldiers shared in the joy.

  While King Shahriman began to prepare for his daughter’s wedding, Taj al-Muluk said to his father: ‘This young ‘Aziz is a noble fellow who has done me a great service. He has shared my hardships, travelled with me, brought me to my goal, endured with me and encouraged me to endure until the affair was settled. For two years now he has been with me, far from his own land. I want us to equip him with merchandise from here so that he can go off joyfully, as his country is not far from here.’ The king agreed that this was an excellent idea and they prepared for ‘Aziz a hundred loads of the finest and most expensive materials. Taj al-Muluk then came, presented him with a huge sum of money, and said, on taking his leave of him: ‘Brother and friend, take this money as a gift of friendship, and may safety attend you as you return to your own country.’ ‘Aziz accepted the gift and kissed the ground before him and before the king. He took his leave and Taj al-Muluk rode with him for three miles, after which ‘Aziz entreated him persuasively to turn back, adding: ‘Were it not for my mother, master, I would not leave you, but don’t deprive me of news of you.’

  Taj al-Muluk agreed to this and went back, while ‘Aziz travelled on until he reached his own country. He did not stop until he had come to his mother, who, as he found,
had built a tomb for him in the middle of the house, which she continually visited. When he went in, he found that she had undone her hair, which was spread over the tomb. She was weeping and reciting the lines:

  I show patience in the face of each disaster,

  But separation leaves me prey to care.

  Who can bear to lose his friend,

  And who is not brought low by the imminence of parting?

  She then sighed deeply and recited:

  Why is it when I pass the tombs

  And greet my beloved’s grave, he makes no answer?

  He says: ‘How can I answer you,

  When I am held down here by stones and earth?

  The earth has eaten my beauties; I have forgotten you,

  Secluded as I am from my kin and my dear ones.’

  While she was in this state, ‘Aziz came in and, on seeing him, she fell fainting with joy. He sprinkled water on her face, and when she had recovered, she got up and took him in her arms, hugging him as he hugged her. They then exchanged greetings, and when she asked the reason for his absence, he told her the whole story of what had happened to him from beginning to end, including how Taj al-Muluk had given him money as well as a hundred loads of materials. His mother was delighted, and he stayed with her in his city, lamenting what had happened to him at the hands of the daughter of Delilah the wily, who had castrated him.

  So much for ‘Aziz, but as for Taj al-Muluk, he went in to his beloved, Princess Dunya, and deflowered her. King Shahriman then began to equip her for her journey with her husband and her father-in-law. He brought for them provisions, gifts and rarities, which were loaded on their beasts, and when they set off, he went with them for three days to say goodbye. On the prompting of King Sulaiman Shah, he then turned back, while Sulaiman Shah himself, Taj al-Muluk, his wife and their troops travelled on, night and day, until they were close to their city. News had kept coming in of their approach and the city was adorned with decorations for them.

  Morning now dawned and Shahrazad broke off from what she had been allowed to say. Then, when it was the one hundred and thirty-seventh night, SHE CONTINUED:

  I have heard, O fortunate king, that when Sulaiman Shah arrived at his city it was adorned with decorations for him and his son. When they entered, the king took his seat on his royal throne, with Taj al-Muluk at his side. He distributed gifts and largesse, and freed all those held in his prisons. He then organized a second wedding for his son, with songs and music continuing to sound for a whole month. The dressers presented Princess Dunya in her bridal robes, and she never tired of the process and neither did the ladies tire of looking at her. Taj al-Muluk, after a meeting with his father and mother, went in to his bride and they continued to lead the most delightful and pleasant of lives until they were visited by the destroyer of delights.

  At this point, Dau’ al-Makan said to the vizier Dandan: ‘It is men like you who bring joy to sad hearts and are the boon companions of kings, following the best of paths in what they organize.’ All this took place as the Muslims were besieging Constantinople. When the siege had lasted for four years, they felt a longing for their own lands; the soldiers were restless; they were tired of sleepless nights, the siege and the fighting that went on by night and by day. So it was that Dau’ al-Makan summoned Bahram, Rustam and Tarkash, and when they had come, he said: ‘You know that we have been here for all these years without achieving our goal but, rather, adding to our own cares and distress. We came to free ourselves of the blood debt owed because of the death of King ‘Umar ibn al-Nu‘man, but we have lost my brother, Sharkan, and one sorrow and one disaster have become two. The cause of all this was the old woman, Dhat al-Dawahi, and it was she who killed the sultan in his own kingdom and took his wife, Sophia. Not content with that, she tricked us and severed the neck of my brother. I have bound myself by the solemnest of oaths to take vengeance. What have you to say? Take note of what I have told you and give me an answer.’ The others bowed their heads, saying: ‘It is for the vizier Dandan to give advice.’ At that Dandan came forward to King Dau’ al-Makan and said: ‘Know, your majesty, that there is no longer anything to be got from staying here. My advice is that we should leave for home, stay there for a time and then come back and launch a raid against the idolaters.’ ‘This is excellent advice,’ replied the king, ‘as the men are longing to see their families, and I myself long to see my son, Kana-ma-Kana, and my niece, Qudiya-fa-Kana. She is in Damascus and I don’t know what has happened to her.’

  When the soldiers heard this, they called down blessings on the vizier Dandan in their joy and Dau’ al-Makan had a proclamation made that they were to move off in three days’ time. They started to make their preparations, and on the fourth day, to the sound of drums, the banners were unfurled and the vizier Dandan advanced at the head of the army, while the king was in the centre with the grand chamberlain at his side. The army continued its march, night and day, until it reached Baghdad. Its arrival delighted the inhabitants, relieving them of cares and distress; those who had stayed behind were reunited with those who had gone, and each emir went to his own house.

  The king went up to his palace, where he went in to see his son, Kana-ma-Kana, who was now seven years old and had begun to go riding. When he had rested from his journey, he went to the baths with his son and then, going back, he took his seat on the royal throne. The vizier Dandan stood before him and the emirs and officers of state came and stood in attendance on him. He then sent for his companion, the furnace man, who had befriended him in foreign parts. When the man had been fetched and stood before him, the king rose to show him the respect that was his due, and then made him sit by his side. He had told the vizier of the services that the man had done him, and the emirs, together with the vizier, treated him with honour. Because of the amount that he had eaten and because of his restful life, he had become stout and fat, so much so that his neck was like that of an elephant and his face looked like a dolphin’s belly. Because he never went out, his mind had become confused and he did not recognize the king. The latter came up to him, smiling and greeting him with the greatest warmth, and said: ‘How fast you have forgotten me.’

  At that, the furnace man came to his senses and, after taking a long look at the king, he recognized who he was and jumped to his feet, saying: ‘My dear fellow, who has made you a sultan?’ Dau’ al-Makan laughed at this and the vizier Dandan went up to him and explained the story. ‘He was your brother and your companion, and now he has become the ruler of this land. He will certainly be very good to you and my advice is that when he asks you what you want, wish for something big, for you are dear to him.’ The furnace man said: ‘I’m afraid that if I ask for something, he may not be willing or able to grant it me.’ ‘He will give you whatever you ask for,’ said the vizier. ‘You have no need to worry.’ ‘By God,’ said the furnace man, ‘I shall have to ask him for something that I have in mind. I dream of it every night and I hope that Almighty God may give it me.’ ‘Be of good heart,’ said the vizier, ‘for, by God, if you asked to be made sultan of Damascus in place of his brother, he would grant you this and put you in charge.’ At that, the furnace man rose to his feet and, although Dau’ al-Makan gestured to him to sit down, he refused, saying: ‘God forbid: the days when I sat in your presence are over.’ ‘No,’ said Dau’ al-Makan, ‘they are still here now. You saved my life and whatever you want to ask for, I shall give you. Make your wish first to God and then to me.’ ‘I’m afraid, sir,’ said the man. ‘Don’t be,’ Dau’ al-Makan assured him, but he repeated: ‘I’m afraid lest I ask for something and you don’t give it to me.’ The king laughed and said: ‘If you asked for half my kingdom I would share it with you. So say what you want, with no more prevarication.’ Again the man repeated: ‘I’m afraid,’ and when the king told him not to be, he said: ‘I’m afraid that you may not be able to give me what I ask for.’ At that, the king grew angry and insisted that he should say what he wanted. ‘I make my wish to God and then to you, t
hat you write a decree for me putting me in charge of all the furnace men in Jerusalem.’ The king burst out laughing, as did all those who were there. ‘Make another wish,’ he said. ‘Didn’t I tell you, sir,’ said the man, ‘that I was afraid I might ask for something that you wouldn’t or couldn’t give me?’ The vizier prodded him again and then again, and on each occasion he said: ‘I have a wish to make.’ ‘Say what you want and be quick about it,’ said the king. ‘I want you to put me in charge of the refuse men in Jerusalem or in Damascus,’ was the reply. Those present fell over laughing and the vizier struck the furnace man. ‘Why are you hitting me?’ the man asked. ‘I have done nothing wrong. It was you who told me to ask for something big.’ Then he added: ‘Let me go back home.’

  Dau’ al-Makan then realized that he was joking and, after a short pause, he went up to him and said: ‘Brother, ask me for something great that befits my status to offer you.’ ‘King of the age,’ the man replied, ‘I present my wish to God and then to you as king, that you make me sultan of Damascus in place of your brother.’ ‘God has granted your request,’ said the king, at which the man kissed the ground in front of him. The king then ordered that a chair should be set for him in the position to which his new rank entitled him; he gave him a robe of office and wrote and signed a decree of appointment for him. He instructed Dandan to go with him to Damascus, adding that on his return journey he was to bring Sharkan’s daughter, Qudiya-fa-Kana. ‘To hear is to obey,’ replied the vizier, and he then went off with the furnace man and made preparations for the journey. On the king’s orders, the furnace man was provided with servants and retainers, together with a new palanquin, regally furnished. The king said to the emirs: ‘Let whoever loves me show honour to this man and give him a great gift.’ This the emirs did, each in proportion to his means, and the king named him al-Ziblkan, with the honorific title of al-Mujahid.*