Supplemental Nights to the Book of the Thousand and One Nights — Volume 3 (of 6) Part 2
General
Supplemental Nights to the Book of the Thousand and One Nights — Volume 3 (of 6) Part 2
Fairy tales; Tales -- Arab countries
Then said she:——I have heard, O auspicious King, that the Speaking-Bird
replied, “O Princess, trouble not thyself, the thing is easy. Sprinkle
some of the Golden-Water from the flagon upon the black stones lying
round about, and by virtue thereof each and every shall come to life
again, thy two brothers as well as the others.” So Princess Perizadah’s
heart was set at rest and taking the three prizes with her she fared
forth and scattered a few drops from the silver flagon upon each black
stone as she passed it when, lo and behold! they came to life as men and
horses. Amongst them were her brothers whom she at once knew and falling
on their necks she embraced them, and asked in tones of surprise, “O my
brothers, what do ye here?” To this they answered, “We lay fast asleep.”
Quoth she, “Strange indeed that ye take delight in slumber away from me
and ye forget the purpose wherefor ye left me; to wit, the winning of
the Speaking-Bird and the Singing-Tree and the Golden-Water. Did ye not
see this place all bestrown with dark hued rocks? Look now and say if
there be aught left of them. These men and horses now standing around us
were all black stones as ye yourselves also were; but, by the boon of
Almighty Allah, all have come to life again and await the signal to
depart. And if now ye wish to learn by what strange miracle both ye and
they have recovered human shape, know ye that it hath been wrought by
virtue of a water contained in this flagon which I sprinkled on the
rocks with leave of the Lord of all Living. When I had gained possession
of this cage and its Speaking-Bird, and also of the Singing-Tree, a wand
whereof ye see in my hand, and lastly of the Golden-Water, I would not
take them home with me unless ye twain could also bear me company; so I
asked of this Bird the means whereby ye could be brought to life again.
He made me drop some drops of the Golden-Water on the boulders and when
I had done this ye two like all the others returned to life and to your
proper forms.” Hearing these her words the Princes Bahman and Parwez
thanked and praised their sister Perizadah; and all the others she had
saved showered thanks and blessings on her head saying with one accord,
“O our lady, we are now thy slaves; nor can a life-long service repay
the debt of gratitude we owe thee for this favour thou hast shown us.
Command and we are ready to obey thee with our hearts and our souls.”
Quoth Perizadah, “The bringing back to life of these my brothers were my
aim and purpose, and in so doing ye too have profited thereby; and I
accept your acknowledgments as another pleasure. But now do ye mount
each and every man his horse and ride back by the way ye came to your
homes in Allah’s peace.” On this wise the Princess dismissed them and
made herself also ready to depart; but, as she was about to bestride her
steed, Prince Bahman asked permission of her that he might hold in hand
the cage and ride in front of her. She answered, “Not so, O brother
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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