by Muhsin Mahdi
“It happened that I had a friend, a jeweler by trade, who used to visit me in my shop and who knew of my involvement in the affair between Ali ibn-Bakkar and Shams al-Nahar. One day he asked me about her, and I answered him evasively, saying, ‘All I know is that she is not herself. I am keeping nothing from you, save perhaps what only God knows. But yesterday I resolved on a plan on which I would like to consult you. As you know, I am a well-known man, with much dealing among the notables, both men and women, and I fear that the affair of these two may be disclosed and may become the cause of my death, the seizure of my goods, and the ruin of my family. Nor can I disengage from them after having spent such good times with them; therefore, I have resolved to settle my debts, set my affairs in order, and prepare myself to go to the city of Basra, where I will live, unknown to anyone, until I see how God determines their fate and what comes of their affair. For love has so possessed them that it will not leave them alone until they perish. Their go-between is a maid who till now has kept their secret, but I fear that she may get vexed with them or find herself in a fix and divulge their secret, make the affair public, and cause my ruin. Should this happen, my own daring and rash meddling would be the cause of my destruction and death, for I have no excuse before God or man.’”
Abu al-Hasan’s friend replied, “You have acquainted me with a grave matter, the like of which should worry the discerning and frighten the wise. Your resolve is a sound one; may God protect you from the harm you dread and reward you with a good solution.” The jeweler related later, “Abu al-Hasan asked me to keep this conversation secret.”
But morning overtook Shahrazad, and she lapsed into silence. Then Dinarzad said to her sister, “What a strange and entertaining story!” Shahrazad replied, “What is this compared with what I shall tell you tomorrow night if I stay alive!”
THE ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-FIFTH NIGHT
The following night Shahrazad said:
I heard, O happy King, that the druggist related later, “After I told the jeweler my plan and asked him to keep it secret, I prepared myself at once and set out for Basra.”
Four days later, the jeweler came to the shop and found it closed. He related later: “Then I began to think of a way to gain Ali ibn-Bakkar’s confidence, and, going to his house, I said to one of his servants, ‘Ask your master Ali ibn-Bakkar to grant me leave to go in.’ The leave was granted, and when I went in, I found Ali ibn-Bakkar lying back on a pillow. When he saw me, he raised himself and, standing up, received me with a cheerful mien and bade me welcome. I inquired about his health and apologized for the delay of my visit, and he thanked me profusely and said, ‘Perhaps there is something you would like me to give you or do for you?’ I replied, ‘For some time there has been between me and Abu al-Hasan al-’Attar—may God save him—a business as well as a personal relationship based on friendship and mutual affection. I have liked him and trusted him and have confided in him and received his confidence. It happened that I had to be away from him for several days on some business with some colleagues, and when I carne back and went to his shop as usual, I found it closed and was told by one of his neighbors that he had gone to Basra on some business that required his personal attention. But I am not satisfied with this explanation, and, knowing what close friends you two have been, tell me truly and in detail all you know, for I have come to you to plead, investigate, and find out.’ When Ali ibn-Bakkar heard what I said, his color changed, and, looking visibly shaken, he replied, ‘I have never heard or had any inkling of his departure until you told me. What you say, if it is true, makes me feel sobered, alarmed, discouraged, and worn-out.’ Then he sobbed and recited the following verses:
I used to weep for errors of the past,
While those I love were present with me still,
But now that fate has taken them away,
I shed my tears for them and always will.
The tears of no man can like mine be said
To be shared by the living and the dead.
“He lowered his head pensively, and a while later he turned to one of his servants and said, ‘Go to Abu al-Hasan ibn-Tahir’s house and inquire whether he is at home or whether, as has been claimed, he is gone on a journey. If so, find out where he went and for what purpose.’ The servant went out, while I sat conversing with Ali ibn-Bakkar, who seemed perplexed as he asked and answered questions, now paying attention to me, now listening absentmindedly. After a while, the servant came back and said, ‘My lord, when I inquired about Abu al-Hasan, his people told me that he went to Basra two days ago. There I saw a girl standing at the door, and she too was inquiring about him. When she saw me, she recognized me, although I myself did not recognize her. She inquired whether I was a servant of Ali ibn-Bakkar, and I said that I was. Then she claimed that she was carrying a message for you from one who is the dearest to you. She is now standing at the door.’ Ali ibn-Bakkar said ‘Bring her in,’” and in came a girl whom the jeweler recognized from an earlier description of her by Abu al-Hasan ibn-Tahir al-’Attar, except that she looked even lovelier. She advanced and greeted Ali ibn-Bakkar.
But morning overtook Shahrazad, and she lapsed into silence. Then Dinarzad said to her sister, “What a strange and entertaining story!” Shahrazad replied, “What is this compared with what I shall tell you tomorrow night if the king spares me and lets me live! It will be even stranger than this.”
THE ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-SIXTH NIGHT
The following night Shahrazad said:
I heard, O happy King, that when the maid came in, she greeted Ali ibn-Bakkar and, coming close to him, talked to him privately, while he swore and exclaimed from time to time that he had no knowledge of what she claimed. Then she took her leave and went away, leaving him like a madman in Hell. The jeweler related later: “As soon as I found the opportunity to speak, I said to him, ‘Doubtless, some members of the caliph’s household have some dealings with you or some claim upon you.’ He asked, ‘How do you know?’ I replied, ‘I know by this maid.’ He asked, ‘To whom does she belong?’ I replied, ‘She belongs to Shams al-Nahar, the slave-girl of the Caliph al-Rashid, who has none dearer, wiser, lovelier, or livelier than her. A few days ago the same maid showed me a letter that she suspected to have been addressed to her lady by one of her lady’s maids.’ Then I repeated to him the contents of the letter, and he was so upset and worried that I feared that he was going to collapse. But he recovered his composure and said, ‘I conjure you by God to tell me truly how you know the girl.’ I replied, ‘Do not press me.’ He said, ‘I will not leave you until you tell me the truth.’ I replied, ‘I will tell you all, so that I may not cross you or keep any secret from you, so that you may not entertain suspicion and wrong impressions of me, and so that you may not feel diffidence, apprehension, or anxiety; moreover, I swear to you by God that, as long as I live, I will never reveal your secrets or betray your confidence, never mislead you or keep any advice from you.’ He said, ‘Tell me what you know,’ and I told him everything from beginning to end, adding, ‘All this I did for no reason save my affection for you and my concern and compassion for your suffering. It is my wish to place myself and my possessions at your service and to be your friend, in place of your other friend, your ally against the rest of the world, and your confidant and comforter. So take heart and be cheerful,’ and I repeated the oath. He responded by invoking blessings on me and said, ‘I do not know what to say, save to trust in your generosity and to commend you to God.’ Then he recited the following verses:
If I claim to be patient since she went away,
May tears and loud lament give me the lie.
I wonder whether ’tis for a mere friend
Or for my true love that I mourn and cry
With bitter tears that flow and pour fore’er
For a banished friend or distant lover.
“When he finished, he remained silent for a while; then he asked me, ‘Do you know what that girl said?’ I replied, ‘No, I do not.’ He said, ‘She cl
aimed that I had been in collusion with Abu al-Hasan and that it was I who had instigated him to go to Basra. She refused to listen to my protestation and persisted in accusing me and chiding me. Now I do not know what to do in Abu al-Hasan’s absence, for she liked him, listened to him, and accepted his word.’ I replied, ‘If I understand the situation correctly, I will take care of the problem.’ He said, ‘How can you, when she bolts away like a wild beast?’ I replied, ‘I will do my best to support you and help you and to resolve the problem in every way possible, without exposing you, causing you any distress, or bringing you any harm, with the help of the Kind, the Beneficent, and the Almighty God. Do not worry, for, by God, I will do everything possible to help you fulfill your wish.’ Then I asked leave to depart, and he said, ‘My lord, you have treated me with singular kindness, and you have offered me your help freely and without hesitation. You understand my situation; make me an offering of your friendship and a gift of your intimacy, and I will rely on your honor to keep my secret and depend on your support to help me attain my wish!’ Then he embraced me and I kissed him, as we bade each other farewell.”
But morning overtook Shahrazad, and she lapsed into silence. Then Dinarzad said to her sister, “What a strange and entertaining story!” Shahrazad replied, “What is this compared with what I shall tell you tomorrow night if the king spares me and lets me live! It will be even stranger than this.”
THE ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-SEVENTH NIGHT
The following night Shahrazad said:
I heard, O happy King, that the jeweler said, “I bade him farewell and went out, not knowing where to go, what to do, or how to manage to let the girl know that I was in on the secret of the two lovers. As I went along, pondering the matter, I saw a letter lying on the road. I picked it up, and opening it, found the following:
In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful:
My envoy came bringing me hope and joy,
But I surmised that he misunderstood.
Therefore, instead of joy, my grief increased,
Knowing that he mistook bad news for good.
O my lord—may God preserve you—you yourself may know the cause of breaking the bonds of trust between us and interrupting our correspondence. If the fault is yours, I will remain faithful, and if you are inconstant, I will forbear, forgive, and remain constant. If you succeeded in instigating our friend to depart, then you have succeeded in winning a loving companion, a confidant, and a loyal bosom-friend. Indeed, I am not the first one to lose her way and suffer weariness or to desire something and be doomed to failure. May the Almighty God grant me a quick remedy and a speedy relief. Peace be with you.
“While I read the letter in astonishment, wondering who could have dropped it, the maid approached, looking right and left in perplexity and alarm and, seeing the letter in my hand, came up to me and said, ‘O my lord, this is the letter I dropped. Be kind and give it back to me.’ I did not answer her but walked on, and she followed me until I came to my house and entered, and she entered behind me. When I was seated, she approached me and said, ‘Listen! This letter is of no use to you, since you do not know from whom it came or to whom it is going. Why do you hang on to it and refuse to give it back to me?’ I replied, ‘Calm down, sit quietly, and listen.’ When she sat down, I asked her, ‘Is this letter not in the handwriting of your mistress Shams al-Nahar, and is it not for Ali ibn-Bakkar?’ Her face turned ashen, and she burst out in alarm. ‘He has exposed us and exposed himself; his feverish passion must have made him delirious, and he must have talked about his love to his friends and companions, without being careful about whom to trust with the truth and without thinking about the consequences.’
“Then she rose to go, but, thinking that her departure in that condition might bring injury and harm to Ali ibn-Bakkar, I said, ‘Listen! The heart bears witness that one must and can conceal, disavow, or deny every secret, save for love, for one feels most pressed to reveal it and seek advice from others, in order to relieve its torments; besides, love has its telltale signs that make it hard to conceal. You have wrongfully suspected Abu al-Hasan and accused him of an offense of which he is innocent. As for Ali ibn-Bakkar, he has never betrayed your confidence, revealed your secret, or behaved ungraciously. Yet you reward him with accusations and distrust. I will acquaint you with something that will justify his behavior, relieve your anxiety, and please you, but first you must give me a firm pledge that you will hide nothing of your lady’s affair from me. I am a man who keeps a secret, stands firm under stress, fulfills diligently the obligations of friendship, and follows the rules of manliness and the code of chivalry in everything I undertake and every task I assume.’ When she heard my words, she sighed and said, ‘None loses a secret in your trust and no one suffers disappointment under your care. You are in possession of a treasure that should not be entrusted save to the one for whom it was meant and to whom it was sent. But proceed with your explanation, and if you tell me the truth, as God and His angels are my witness …’”
But morning overtook Shahrazad, and she lapsed into silence. Then Dinarzad said to her sister, “What a strange and entertaining story!” Shahrazad replied, “What is this compared with what I shall tell you tomorrow night if the king spares me and lets me live!”
THE ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-EIGHTH NIGHT
The following night Shahrazad said:
I heard, O happy King, that the girl said to the jeweler, “If you tell me the truth, I too, as God is my witness, will tell you the truth and entrust my lady’s secret to your care.” The jeweler related later: “I told her what I had told young Ali ibn-Bakkar, how I acted with Abu al-Hasan ibn-Tahir until I won him over, how I went to see Ali ibn-Bakkar, and how I found the letter that she had dropped, adding, ‘All of this shows my good will in this affair in which I have been reluctant to meddle.’ The girl was astonished, and she enjoined me to swear again to keep the secret of the lovers, while I too made her swear to hide nothing of their affair from me. Then she took the letter and, sealing it up, said, ‘I will tell him that it was given to me sealed and that I would like him to seal his own answer with his own seal, so that I may assume no responsibility. I will go to him now, get his answer, and stop to see you before I take it to Shams al-Nahar.’ Then she bade me good-bye, and went away, leaving my heart on fire.
“But she was not gone for long before she returned with a sealed letter, which read:
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful:
Our messenger, who did our secrets keep,
Has now in anger betrayed me and you.
Choose then for messenger one we can trust,
One who shuns falsehood and loves to be true.
I have neither committed a breach nor betrayed a trust, neither broken a vow nor severed a friendship. I have met with nothing but affliction after parting nor ever parted from sorrow; nor have I received any news or found any trace of the one you have mentioned. I long to be with my love, but the one I love is far away, and I desire reunion, but how can a lover attain his desire? You will know from my looks my disposition, from my disposition my plight, and from my words my sad state. Peace be with you.
“When I read the letter, I wept.” The girl, who shared the jeweler’s feeling and wept with him, said, “Do not meet with Ali ibn-Bakkar or leave your house until I return to you tomorrow. He suspects me and he is to be excused, and I in turn have suspected him and I too am to be excused, as I will explain later. I will endeavor in every way possible to bring you together with my lady, whom I left lying prostrate, awaiting news from his confidant.” Then the girl departed.
The jeweler related later: “The next day she came in, looking cheerful. I asked her, ‘What is the news?’ She replied, ‘I went to my lady and showed her the letter, and when she seemed upset and worried, I said to her that she should not worry, fear, or grieve that Abu al-Hasan’s absence would harm her relationship with Ali ibn-Bakkar, adding that I had found another man to take his place. Then I tol
d her about your friendship with Abu al-Hasan and how you gained his confidence, about your relationship with Ali ibn-Bakkar, and about our understanding and how in my distraction I lost the letter, how you found it, and how you agreed to keep the affair secret. When she heard my account, she was astonished and said that she wished to hear it from your own mouth, so that she might find comfort, assure herself of your commitment, and confirm your resolve to carry out what you had kindly offered to do. So get ready to go with me to her, with God’s blessing and help.’” When the jeweler heard the girl’s words, he saw that what she proposed was a grave matter, not to be undertaken lightly or entered into rashly, and he said to her, “You should know that I am not a man of high rank like Abu al-Hasan, who used his wares for an excuse to enter the caliph’s palace. Indeed, when he used to relate to me what he did there, I used to tremble with fear. If your lady wishes to speak with me, it must be in a place other than the Commander of the Faithful’s palace, for I do not have the heart for such an undertaking.” He persisted in refusing to go with her, while she kept encouraging him and assuring him of protection and safety. But each time he rose to go with her, his legs failed him and his hands trembled. Finally the girl said to him, “Never mind; she will come to you, but do not stir from your place.”