The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 08 (of 10)
General
The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 08 (of 10)
Fairy tales; Tales -- Arab countries
When the Caliph heard this, he could not master himself, but rent his
raiment and fell down a-swoon; whereupon all who were present hastened
to doff their dress and throw it over him, whilst Kut al-Kulub signed
to Khalif and said to him, "Hie to yonder chest and bring us what is
therein;" for she had made ready therein a suit of the Caliph's wear
against the like of such hour as this. So Khalif brought it to her and
she threw it over the Commander of the Faithful, who came to himself
and knowing her for Kut al- Kulub, said, "Is this the Day of
Resurrection and hath Allah quickened those who are in the tombs; or am
I asleep and is this an imbroglio of dreams?" Quoth Kut al-Kulub, "We
are on wake, not on sleep, and I am alive, nor have I drained the cup
of death." Then she told him all that had befallen her, and indeed,
since he lost her, life had not been light to him nor had sleep been
sweet, and he abode now wondering, then weeping and anon afire for
longing. When she had made an end of her story, the Caliph rose and
took her by the hand, intending for her palace, after he had kissed her
inner lips, and had strained her to his bosom; whereupon Khalif rose
and said, "By Allah, O Commander of the Faithful! Thou hast already
wronged me once, and now thou wrongest me again." Quoth Al-Rashid,
"Indeed thou speakest sooth, O Khalif," and bade the Wazir Ja'afar give
him what should satisfy him. So he straightway gifted him with all for
which he wished and assigned him a village, the yearly revenues whereof
were twenty thousand dinars. Moreover Kut al-Kulub generously presented
him the house and all that was therein of furniture and hangings and
white slaves and slave-girls and eunuchs great and small. So Khalif
became possessed of this passing affluence and exceeding wealth and
took him a wife, and prosperity taught him gravity and dignity, and
good fortune overwhelmed him. The Caliph enrolled him among his
equerries and he abode in all solace of life and its delights till he
deceased and was admitted to the mercy of Allah. Furthermore they
relate a tale anent[FN#307]
MASRUR AND ZAYN AL-MAWASIF.[FN#308]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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