Supplemental Nights to the Book of the Thousand and One Nights — Volume 3 (of 6) Part 1
General
Supplemental Nights to the Book of the Thousand and One Nights — Volume 3 (of 6) Part 1
Fairy tales; Tales -- Arab countries
Quoth Dunyazad, “O sister mine, an thou be other than sleepy, do tell us
some of thy pleasant tales,” whereupon Shahrazad replied, “With love and
good will.”——It hath reached me, O King of the Age, that Alaeddin
entering his pavilion, went up to the apartment of his wife, whom he
found still sitting at table; and facing her lay the Maghrabi as one
slaughtered; so he at once drew near to her and kissed her and thanked
her for this. Then rejoicing with joy exceeding he turned to her and
said, “Do thou with thy handmaids betake thyself to the inner-rooms and
leave me alone for the present that I may take counsel touching mine
affair.” The Princess hesitated not but went away at once, she and her
women; then Alaeddin arose and, after locking the door upon them, walked
up to the Moorman and put forth his hand to his breast-pocket and thence
drew the Lamp; after which he unsheathed his sword and slew the
villain.[209] Presently he rubbed the Lamp and the Marid-slave appeared
and said, “Adsum, O my lord, what is it thou wantest?” “I desire of
thee,” said Alaeddin, “that thou take up my pavilion from this country
and transport it to the land of China and there set it down upon the
site where it was whilome, fronting the palace of the Sultan.” The Marid
replied, “Hearing and obeying, O my lord.” Then Alaeddin went and sat
down with his wife and throwing his arms round her neck kissed her and
she kissed him, and they sat in converse, what while the Jinni
transported the pavilion and all therein to the place appointed.
Presently Alaeddin bade the handmaids spread the table before him and he
and the Lady Badr al-Budur took seat thereat and fell to eating and
drinking, in all joy and gladness, till they had their sufficiency when,
removing to the chamber of wine and cup-converse, they sat there and
caroused in fair companionship and each kissed other with all
love-liesse. The time had been long and longsome since they enjoyed
aught of pleasure; so they ceased not doing thus until the wine-sun
arose in their heads and sleep gat hold of them, at which time they went
to their bed in all ease and comfort.[210] Early on the next morning
Alaeddin woke and awoke his wife, and the slave-girls came in and donned
her dress and prepared her and adorned her whilst her husband arrayed
himself in his costliest raiment and the twain were ready to fly for joy
at reunion after parting. Moreover the Princess was especially joyous
and gladsome because on that day she expected to see her beloved father.
Such was the case of Alaeddin and the Lady Badr al-Budur; but as regards
the Sultan, after he drove away his son-in-law he never ceased to sorrow
for the loss of his daughter; and every hour of every day he would sit
and weep for her as women weep, because she was his only child and he
had none other to take to heart. And as he shook off sleep, morning
after morning, he would hasten to the window and throw it open and peer
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