design and speech that heals all pain and pine: she is goodly of shape and sweet of smile, as she were the moon in fullest sheen and shine." When the Princesses heard these praises, they turned to Hasan and said to him, "Show her to us." So he arose with them, all love-distraught, and carrying them to the chamber wherein was the captive damsel, opened the door and entered, preceding the seven Princesses. Now when they saw her and noted her loveliness, they kissed the ground between her hands, marvelling at the fairness of her favour and the significance which showed her inner gifts, and said to her, "By Allah, O daughter of the Sovran Supreme, this is indeed a mighty matter: and haddest thou heard tell of this mortal among women thou haddest marvelled at him all thy days. Indeed, he loveth thee with passionate love; yet, O King's daughter, he seeketh not lewdness, but desireth thee only in the way of lawful wedlock. Had we known that maids can do without men, we had impeached him from his intent, albeit he sent thee no messenger, but came to thee in person; and he telleth us he hath burnt the feather dress; else had we taken it from him." Then one of them agreed with the Princess and becoming her deputy in the matter of the wedding contract, performed the marriage ceremony between them, whilst Hasan clapped palms with her, laying his hand in hers, and she wedded him to the damsel by consent; after which they celebrated her bridal feast, as beseemeth Kings' daughters, and brought Hasan in to her. So he rose and rent the veil and oped the gate and pierced the forge[FN#74] and brake the seal, whereupon affection for her waxed in him and he redoubled in love and longing for her. Then, since he had gotten that which he sought, he gave himself joy and improvised these couplets, "Thy shape's temptation, eyes as Houri's fain * And sheddeth Beauty's sheen[FN#75] that radiance rare: My glance portrayed thy glorious portraiture: * Rubies one-half and gems the third part were: Musk made a fifth: a sixth was ambergris * The sixth a pearl but pearl without compare. Eve never bare a daughter evening thee * Nor breathes thy like in Khuld's[FN#76] celestial air. An thou would torture me 'tis wont of Love * And if thou pardon 'tis thy choice I swear: Then, O world bright'ner and O end of wish! * Loss of thy charms who could in patience bear?" —And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the Seven Hundred and Ninety-second Night,