Supplemental Nights to the Book of the Thousand and One Nights — Volume 3 (of 6) Part 1
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Supplemental Nights to the Book of the Thousand and One Nights — Volume 3 (of 6) Part 1
Fairy tales; Tales -- Arab countries
When the magician had after this manner informed himself of his
brother’s fate, he lost no time in useless regret, which could not
restore him to life again; but resolving immediately to revenge his
death, he took horse, and set forwards for China: where, after crossing
plains, rivers, mountains, deserts, and a long tract of country without
stopping, he arrived after incredible fatigues.
When he came to the capital of China, which his knowledge of geomancy
pointed out to him, and being certain he had not mistaken any other
kingdom for it, he took a lodging. The next day he went out, and walked
through the town, not so much to observe the beauties, which were
indifferent to him, but with an intention to take proper measures to
execute his pernicious designs. He introduced himself into the most
frequented places, where he listened to everybody’s discourse. In a
place where people resorted to divert themselves with all sorts of
games, and where some are conversing while others play, he heard some
persons talk of the virtue and piety of a woman called Fatima, who had
retired from the world, and of the miracles she performed. As he fancied
that this woman might be serviceable to him in the project he had in his
head, he took one of the company aside, and desired him to tell him more
particularly who that holy woman was, and what sort of miracles she
performed.
“What!” said the person to whom he addressed himself, “have you never
seen or heard talk of her? She is the admiration of the whole town, for
her fasting, her austerities, and her exemplary life. Except Mondays and
Fridays, she never stirs out of her little cell; and on those days on
which she comes into the town, she does an infinite deal of good; for
there is not a person who has the headache, but is cured by her laying
her hand upon them.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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