Opening the text

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

find it a singular.” The King, wishing to know her need, and being a man
of unusual mildness and clemency, gave his word for her immunity and
bade forthwith dismiss all about him, remaining without other but the
Grand Wazir. Then he turned towards his suppliant and said, “Inform me
of thy suit: thou hast the safeguard of Allah Almighty.” “O King of the
Age,” replied she, “I also require of thee pardon;” and quoth he, “Allah
pardon thee even as I do.” Then, quoth she, “O our lord the Sultan, I
have a son, Alaeddin hight; and he, one day of the days, having heard
the crier commanding all men to shut shop and shun the streets, for that
the Lady Badr al-Budur, daughter of the Sultan, was going to the Hammam,
felt an uncontrollable longing to look upon her, and hid himself in a
stead whence he could sight her right well, and that place was behind
the door of the Baths. When she entered he beheld her and considered her
as he wished, and but too well; for, since the time he looked upon her,
O King of the Age, unto this hour, life hath not been pleasant to him.
And he hath required of me that I ask her to wife for him from thy
Highness, nor could I drive this fancy from his mind because love of her
hath mastered his vitals and to such degree that he said to me: Know
thou, O mother mine, that an I win not my wish surely I shall die.
Accordingly I hope that thy Highness will deign be mild and merciful and
pardon this boldness on the part of me and my child and refrain to
punish us therefor.” When the Sultan heard her tale he regarded her with
kindness and, laughing aloud, asked her, “What may be that thou carriest
and what be in yonder kerchief?” And she seeing the Sultan laugh in lieu
of waxing wroth at her words, forthright opened the wrapper and set
before him the bowl of jewels, whereby the audience-hall was illumined
as it were by lustres and candelabra;[140] and he was dazed and amazed
at the radiance of the rare gems, and he fell to marvelling at their
size and beauty and excellence.——And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn
of day and ceased to say her permitted say.


        Now when it was the Five Hundred and Forty-eighth Night,

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

General

Supplemental Nights to the Book of the Thousand and One Nights — Volume 3 (of 6) Part 1

Fairy tales; Tales -- Arab countries

find it a singular.” The King, wishing to know her need, and being a man
of unusual mildness and clemency, gave his word for her immunity and
bade forthwith dismiss all about him, remaining without other but the
Grand Wazir. Then he turned towards his suppliant and said, “Inform me
of thy suit: thou hast the safeguard of Allah Almighty.” “O King of the
Age,” replied she, “I also require of thee pardon;” and quoth he, “Allah
pardon thee even as I do.” Then, quoth she, “O our lord the Sultan, I
have a son, Alaeddin hight; and he, one day of the days, having heard
the crier commanding all men to shut shop and shun the streets, for that
the Lady Badr al-Budur, daughter of the Sultan, was going to the Hammam,
felt an uncontrollable longing to look upon her, and hid himself in a
stead whence he could sight her right well, and that place was behind
the door of the Baths. When she entered he beheld her and considered her
as he wished, and but too well; for, since the time he looked upon her,
O King of the Age, unto this hour, life hath not been pleasant to him.
And he hath required of me that I ask her to wife for him from thy
Highness, nor could I drive this fancy from his mind because love of her
hath mastered his vitals and to such degree that he said to me: Know
thou, O mother mine, that an I win not my wish surely I shall die.
Accordingly I hope that thy Highness will deign be mild and merciful and
pardon this boldness on the part of me and my child and refrain to
punish us therefor.” When the Sultan heard her tale he regarded her with
kindness and, laughing aloud, asked her, “What may be that thou carriest
and what be in yonder kerchief?” And she seeing the Sultan laugh in lieu
of waxing wroth at her words, forthright opened the wrapper and set
before him the bowl of jewels, whereby the audience-hall was illumined
as it were by lustres and candelabra;[140] and he was dazed and amazed
at the radiance of the rare gems, and he fell to marvelling at their
size and beauty and excellence.——And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn
of day and ceased to say her permitted say.


        Now when it was the Five Hundred and Forty-eighth Night,

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Supplemental Nights to the Book of the Thousand and One Nights — Volume 3 (of 6) Part 1

Supplemental Nights to the Book of the Thousand and One Nights — Volume 3 (of 6) Part 1

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