The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 07 (of 10)
General
The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 07 (of 10)
Fairy tales; Tales -- Arab countries
She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the chief
eunuch of the Harim having informed the Princess how she had been
demanded in marriage by the Great King and having heard her reply, “I
hear and I obey,” returned therewith to the King and gave him this
answer, whereat he rejoiced with exceeding joy and, calling for a
costly robe of honour, threw it over the Wazir’s shoulders.
Furthermore, he ordered him ten thousand dinars and bade him carry the
answer to the Great King and crave leave for him to pay him a visit.
“Hearing and obeying,” answered the Minister; and, returning to his
master, delivered him the reply and Abd al-Kadir’s message, and
repeated all their talk, whereat he rejoiced greatly and Ardashir was
transported for delight and his breast broadened and he was a most
happy man. King Sayf al-A’azam also gave King Abd al-Kadir leave to
come forth to visit him; so, on the morrow, he took horse and rode to
the camp of the Great King, who came to meet him and saluting him,
seated him in the place of honour, and gave him welcome; and they two
sat whilst Ardashir stood before them. Then arose an orator of the King
Abd al-Kadir’s court and pronounced an eloquent discourse, giving the
Prince joy of the attainment of his desire and of his marriage with the
Princess, a Queen among King’s daughters. When he sat down the Great
King caused bring a chest full of pearls and gems, together with fifty
thousand dinars, and said to King Abd al-Kadir, “I am my son’s deputy
in all that concerneth this matter.” So Abd al-Kadir acknowledged
receipt of the marriage-portion and amongst the rest, fifty thousand
dinars for the nuptial festivities; after which they fetched the Kazis
and the witnesses, who wrote out the contract of marriage between the
Prince and Princess, and it was a notable day, wherein all lovers made
merry and all haters and enviers were mortified. They spread the
marriage-feasts and banquets and lastly Ardashir went in unto the
Princess and found her a jewel which had been hidden, an union pearl
unthridden and a filly that none but he had ridden, so he notified this
to his sire. Then King Sayf al-A’azam asked his son, “Hast thou any
wish thou wouldst have fulfilled ere we depart?”; and he answered,
“Yes, O King, know that I would fain take my wreak of the Wazir who
entreated us on evil wise and the eunuch who forged a lie against us.”
So the King sent forthright to Abd al-Kadir, demanding of him the
Minister and the castrato, whereupon he despatched them both to him and
he commanded to hang them over the city-gate. After this, they abode a
little while and then sought of Abd al-Kadir leave for his daughter to
equip her for departure. So he equipped her and mounted her in a
Takhtrawán, a travelling litter of red gold, inlaid with pearls and
gems and drawn by noble steeds. She carried with her all her
waiting-women and eunuchs, as well as the nurse, who had returned,
after her flight, and resumed her office.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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