The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 06 (of 10)
General
The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 06 (of 10)
Fairy tales; Tales -- Arab countries
am a woman who wotteth naught of this fashion; but need compelleth.”
Asked the Kazi, “And where is thy house?”; and she answered, “In such a
place,” and appointed him for the same day and time as the Chief of
Police. Then she went out from him to the Wazir, to whom she preferred
her petition for the release from prison of her brother who was
absolutely necessary to her: but he also required her of herself,
saying, “Suffer me to have my will of thee and I will set thy brother
free.” Quoth she, “An thou wilt have it so, be it in my house, for
there it will be privier both for me and for thee. It is not far
distant and thou knowest that which behoveth us women of cleanliness
and adornment.” Asked he, “Where is thy house?” “In such a place,”
answered she and appointed him for the same time as the two others.
Then she went out from him to the King of the city and told him her
story and sought of him her brother’s release. “Who imprisoned him?”
enquired he; and she replied, “Twas thy Chief of Police.” When the King
heard her speech, it transpierced his heart with the arrows of love and
he bade her enter the palace with him, that he might send to the Kazi
and release her brother. Quoth she, “O King, this thing is easy to
thee, whether I will or nill; and if the King will indeed have this of
me, it is of my good fortune; but, if he come to my house, he will do
me the more honour by setting step therein, even as saith the poet,
‘O my friends, have ye seen or have ye heard * Of his visit whose
virtues I hold so high?’”
Quoth the King, “We will not cross thee in this.” So she appointed him
for the same time as the three others, and told him where her house
was.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her
permitted say.
When it was the Five Hundred and Ninety-fourth Night,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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