VOLUME TWO

Privately Printed By The Burton Club

CONTENTS

To Henry Irving, Esq.

Original Contents of the Twelfth Volume.

SUPPLEMENTAL NIGHTS TO THE BOOK OF THE THOUSAND NIGHTS AND A NIGHT

AL-MALIK AL-ZAHIR RUKN AL-DIN BIBARS AL-BUNDUKDARI AND THE SIXTEEN CAPTAINS OF POLICE.[1]

The First Constable's History.[8]

The Second Constable's History.

The Third Constable's History.

The Fourth Constable's History.

The Fifth Constable's History.

The Sixth Constable's History.

The Seventh Constable's History.

The Eighth Constable's History.

The Thief's Tale.

The Ninth Constable's History.

The Tenth Constable's History.

The Eleventh Constable's History.

The Twelfth Constable's History.

The Thirteenth Constable's History.

The Fourteenth Constable's History.

A Merry Jest of a Clever Thief.

The Tale of the Old Sharper.

The Fifteenth Constable's History.[125]

The Sixteenth Constable's History.

TALE OF HARUN AL-RASHID AND ABDULLAH BIN NAFI'.[131]

The Tale of the Damsel Tohfat al-Kulub and the Caliph Harun al-Rashid.

WOMEN'S WILES[258]

The Hundred and Ninety-seventh Night.

The Hundred and Ninety-eight Night.

The Hundred and Ninety-ninth Night.

The Two Hundredth Night.

NUR AL-DIN ALI OF DAMASCUS AND THE DAMSEL SITT AL-MILAH.[280]

TALE OF KING INS BIN KAYS AND HIS DAUGHTER WITH THE SON OF KING AL-'ABBAS.[342]

SHAHRAZAD AND SHAHRYAR.[443]

TALE OF THE TWO KINGS AND THE WAZIR'S DAUGHTERS.[447]

THE CONCUBINE AND THE CALIPH."[463]

THE CONCUBINE OF AL-MAAMUN[470]

VARIANTS AND ANALOGUES OF SOME OF THE TALES IN VOLUMES XI. AND XII.

THE SLEEPER AND THE WAKER—Vol. XI. p. 1.

THE TEN WAZIRS; OR, THE HISTORY OF KING ÁZÁDBAKHT AND HIS SON, Vol. XI. p. 55.

STORY OF KING DADBIN AND HIS WAZIRS.—Vol. XI. p. 94.

STORY OF AYLAN SHAH AND ABÚ TAMMÁM—Vol. XI p. 112.

STORY OF KING SULAYMAN SHAH AND HIS NIECE.—Vol. XI. p. 131.

FIRUZ AND HIS WIFE.—Vol. XI. p. 185.

KING SHAH BAKHT AND HIS WAZIR AL-RAHWAN.—Vol. XI. p. 127.

THE ART OF ENLARGING PEARLS.—Vol. XI. p.197.

THE SINGER AND THE DRUGGIST.—Vol. XI. p. 203.

PERSIAN VERSION

SER GIOVANNI'S VERSION

STRAPAROLA'S VERSION[490]

THE KING WHO KENNED THE QUINTESSENCE OF THINGS.—Vol. XI. p. 212.

INDIAN VERSION

SIBERIAN VERSION

HUNGARIAN VERSION

TURKISH ANALOGUE.

THE PRINCE WHO FELL IN LOVE WITH THE PICTURE.—Vol. XI. p. 226.

THE FULLER, HIS WIFE, AND THE TROOPER.—Vol. XI. p. 231.

TALE OF THE SIMPLETON HUSBAND.—Vol. XI. p. 239.

TALE OF THE THREE MEN AND OUR LORD ISA.—Vol XI. p. 250.

THE MELANCHOLIST AND THE SHARPER. — Vol. XI. p. 264.

ITALIAN VERSION.

TALE OF THE DEVOUT WOMAN ACCUSED OF LEWDNESS.—Vol. XI. p. 270.

THE WEAVER WHO BECAME A LEACH BY ORDER OF HIS WIFE.—Vol. XI. p. 282.

STORY OF THE KING WHO LOST KINGDOM, WIFE AND WEALTH.—Vol. XI. p. 319.

KASHMIRI VERSION.[512]

PANJÁBÍ VERSION.

TIBETAN VERSION.

LEGEND OF ST. EUSTACHE.

OLD ENGLISH "GESTA" VERSION.

ROMANCE OF SIR ISUMBRAS.

AL-MALIK AL-ZAHIR AND THE SIXTEEN CAPTAINS OF POLICE.—Vol. XII. p. 3.

THE THIEF'S TALE.—Vol. XII. p. 42.

THE NINTH CONSTABLE'S STORY.—Vol. XII. p. 46.

THE FIFTEENTH CONSTABLE'S STORY.—Vol. XII. p. 59.

TALE OF THE DAMSEL TUHFAT AL-KULUB.—Vol. XII. p. 70.

WOMEN'S WILES.—Vol. XII. p. 99.

NUR AL-DIN AND THE DAMSEL SITT AL-MILAH.—Vol. XII. p. 151.

TALE OF KING INS BIN KAYS AND HIS DAUGHTER.—Vol. XII. p. 191.

ADDITIONAL NOTES.

FIRUZ AND HIS WIFE, p. 301.

THE SINGER AND THE DRUGGIST, p. 305.

THE FULLER, HIS WIFE AND THE TROOPER, p. 329.

ARABIAN NIGHTS, VOLUME 12 FOOTNOTES

To Henry Irving, Esq.

My Dear Irving,

To a consummate artist like yourself I need hardly suggest that The Nights still offers many a virgin mine to the Playwright; and I inscribe this volume to you, not only in admiration of your genius but in the hope that you will find means of exploiting the hidden wealth which awaits only your "Open Sesame!"

Every yours sincerely,

Richard F. Burton.

London, August 1, 1886.

Original Contents of the Twelfth Volume.

13. Al-Malik Al-Zahir Rukn Al-Din Bibars Al-Bundukdari and the Sixteen Captains of Police a. First Constable's History b. Second Constable's History c. Third Constable's History d. Fourth Constable's History e. Fifth Constable's History f. Sixth Constable's History g. Seventh Constable's History h. Eighth Constable's History ha. The Thief's Tale i. Ninth Constable's History j. Tenth Constable's History k. Eleventh Constable's History l. Twelfth Constable's History m. Thirteenth Constable's History n. Fourteenth Constable's History na. A Merry Jest of a Clever Thief nb. Tale of the Old Sharper o. Fifteenth Constable's History p. Sixteenth Constable's History 14. Tale of Harun Al-Rashid and Abdullah Bin Nafi' a. Tale of the Damsel Torfat Al-Kulub and the Caliph Harun Al-Rashid 15. Women's Wiles 16. Nur Al-Din Ali of Damascus and the Damsel Sitt Al-Milah 17. Tale of King Ins Bin Kays and His Daughter with the Son of King Al-'Abbás 18. Tale of the Two kings and the Wazir's Daughters 19. The Concubine and the Caliph 20. The Concubine of Al-Maamun

Appendix: Variants and Analogues of Some of the Tales in Vols. XI and XII. by W. A. Clouston The Sleeper and the Waker The Ten Wazirs; or the History of King Azadbakht and His Son King Dadbin and His Wazirs King Aylan Shah and Abu Tammam King Sulayman Shah and His Niece Firuz and His Wife King Shah Bakht and His Wazir Al-Rahwan On the Art of Enlarging Pearls The Singer and the Druggist The King Who Kenned the Quintessence of Things The Prince Who Fell in Love With the Picture The Fuller, His Wife, and the Trooper The Simpleton Husband The Three Men and Our Lord Isa The Melancholist and the Sharper The Devout Woman Accused of Lewdness The Weaver Who Became a Leach by Order of His Wife The King Who Lost Kingdom, Wife, and Wealth Al-Malik Al-Zahir and the Sixteen Captains of Police The Thief's Tale The Ninth Constable's Story The Fifteenth Constable's Story The Damsel Tuhfat Al-Kulub Women's Wiles Nur Al-Din and the Damsel Sitt Al-Milah King Ins Bin Kays and his Daughter Additional Notes: Firuz and His Wife The Singer and the Druggist The Fuller, His Wife, and the Trooper

AL-MALIK AL-ZAHIR RUKN AL-DIN BIBARS AL-BUNDUKDARI AND THE SIXTEEN CAPTAINS OF POLICE.1

There was once in the climes2 of Egypt and the city of Cairo, under the Turks, a king of the valiant kings and the exceeding mighty Soldans, hight Al-Malik al-Záhir Rukn al-Din Bibars al-Bundukdári,3 who was used to storm the Islamite sconces and the strongholds of "The Shore"4 and the Nazarene citadels. His Chief of Police in the capital of his kingdom{} was just to the folk, all of them; and Al-Malik al-Zahir delighted in stories of the common sort and of that which men purposed in thought; and he loved to see this with his own eyes and to hear their sayings with his own ears. Now it fortuned that he heard one night from a certain of his nocturnal reciters5 that among women are those who are doughtier than the doughtiest men and prower of prowess, and that among them are some who will engage in fight singular with the sword and others who beguile the quickest-witted of Walis and baffle them and bring down on them all manner of miseries; wherefore said the Soldan, "I would lief hear this of their legerdemain from one of those who have had to do with it, so

I may hearken unto him and cause him discourse." And one of the story-tellers said, "O king, send for the Chief of Police of this thy city." Now 'Alam al-Din6 Sanjar was at that time Wali and he was a man of experience, in affairs well versed; so the king sent for him and when he came before him, he discovered to him that which was in his mind. Quoth Sanjar, "I will do my endeavour for that which our lord seeketh." Then he arose and returning to his house, summoned the Captains of the watch and the Lieutenants of the ward and said to them, "Know that I purpose to marry my son and make him a bridal banquet, and I desire that ye assemble, all of you, in one place. I also will be present, I and my company, and do ye relate that which you have heard of rare occurrences and that which hath betided you of experiences." And the Captains and Runners and Agents of Police answered him, "'Tis well: Bismillah—in the name of Allah! We will make thee see all this with thine own eyes and hear it with thine own ears." Then the Chief of Police arose and going up

to Al-Malik al-Zahir, informed him that the assembly would meet on such a day at his house; and the Soldan said, "'Tis well," and gave him somewhat of coin for his spending-money. When the appointed day came the Chief of Police set apart for his officers and constables a saloon, which had latticed casements ranged in order and giving upon the flower-garden, and Al-Malik al-Zahir came to him, and he seated himself and the Soldan, in the alcove. Then the tables were spread for them with food and they ate: and when the bowl went round amongst them and their souls were gladdened by meat and drink, they mutually related that which was with them and, revealed their secrets from concealment. The first to discourse was a man, a Captain of the Watch, hight Mu'ín al-Din7 whose heart was wholly occupied with the love of fair women; and he said, "Harkye, all ye people of high degree, I will acquaint you with an extraordinary affair which fortuned me aforetime." Then he began to tell

The First Constable's History.8

Know ye that when I entered the service of this Emir,9 I had a great repute and every low fellow and lewd feared me most of all mankind, and when I rode through the city, each and every of the folk would point at me with their fingers and sign at me with their eyes. It happened one day, as I sat in the palace of the Prefecture, back-propped against a wall, considering in myself, suddenly there fell somewhat in my lap, and behold, it was a purse sealed and tied. So I hent it in hand and lo! it had in it an hundred dirhams,10 but I found not who threw it and I said, "Lauded be the Lord, the King of the Kingdoms!"11 Another day, as I sat in the same way, somewhat fell on me and startled me, and lookye, 'twas a purse like the first: I took it and hiding the matter, made as though I slept, albeit sleep was not with me. One day as I thus shammed sleep, I suddenly sensed in my lap a hand, and in it a purse of the finest; so I seized the hand and behold, 'twas that of a fair woman. Quoth I to her, "O my lady, who art thou?" and quoth she, "Rise and

come away from here, that I may make myself known to thee." Presently I rose up and following her, walked on, without tarrying, till we stopped at the door of a high-builded house, whereupon I asked her, "O my lady, who art thou? Indeed, thou hast done me kindness, and what is the reason of this?" She answered, "By Allah, O Captain12 Mu'in, I am a woman on whom love and longing are sore for desire of the daughter of the Kazi Amín al-Hukm.13 Now there was between me and her what was and fondness for her fell upon my heart and I agreed upon an assignation with her, according to possibility and convenience; but her father Amin al-Hukm took her and went away, and my heart cleaveth to her and yearning and distraction waxed sore upon me for her sake." I said to her, marvelling the while at her words, "What wouldst thou have me do?" and said she, "O Captain Mu'in, I would have thee lend me a helping hand." Quoth I, "Where am I and where is the daughter of the Kazi Amin al-Hukm?"14 and quoth she "Be assured that I would not have thee intrude upon the

Kazi's daughter, but I would fain work for the winning of my wishes. This is my will and my want which may not be wroughten save by thine aid." Then she added, "I mean this night to go with heart enheartened and hire me bracelets and armlets and anklets of price; then will I hie me and sit in the street wherein is the house of Amin al-Hukm; and when 'tis the season of the round and folk are asleep, do thou pass, thou and those who are with thee of the men, and thou wilt see me sitting and on me fine raiment and ornaments and wilt smell on me the odour of Ottars; whereupon do thou question me of my case and I will say, 'I hail from the Citadel and am of the daughters of the deputies15 and I came down into the town for a purpose; but night overtook me all unawares and the Zuwaylah Gate16 was shut against me and all the other portals and I knew not whither I should wend this night. Presently I saw this street and noting the goodly fashion of its ordinance and its cleanliness, I sheltered me therein against break of day.' When I speak these words to thee with complete

self-possession,17 the Chief of the watch will have no ill suspicion of me, but will say, 'There's no help but that we leave her with one who will take care of her till morning.' Thereto do thou rejoin, ''Twere best that she night with Amin al-Hukm and lie with his wives18 and children until dawn of day.' Then straightway knock at the Kazi's door, and thus shall I have secured admission into his house, without inconvenience, and won my wish; and—the Peace!" I said to her, "By Allah, this is an easy matter." So, when the night was blackest, we rose to make our round, followed by men with girded swords, and went about the ways and compassed the city, till we came to the street19 where was the woman, and it was the middle of the night. Here we smelt mighty rich scents and heard the clink of rings: so I said to my comrades, "Methinks I espy a spectre;" and the Captain of the watch cried, "See what it is." Accordingly, I undertook the work and entering the thoroughfare presently came out again and said, "I have found a fair woman and she

telleth me that she is from the Citadel and that dark night surprised her and she saw this street and noting its cleanness and goodly fashion of ordinance, knew that it belonged to a great man20 and that needs must there be in it a guardian to keep watch over it, so she sheltered her therein." Quoth the Captain of the watch to me, "Take her and carry her to thy house;" but quoth I, "I seek refuge with Allah!21 My house is no strong box22 and on this woman are trinkets and fine clothing. By Allah, we will not deposit the lady save with Amin al-Hukm, in whose street she hath been since the first starkening of the darkness; therefore do thou leave her with him till the break of day." He rejoined, "Do whatso thou willest." So I rapped at the Kazi's gate and out came a black slave of his slaves, to whom said I, "O my lord, take this woman and let her be with you till day shall dawn, for that the lieutenant of the Emir Alam al-Din hath found her with trinkets and fine apparel on her, sitting at the door of your house, and we feared lest her

responsibility be upon you;23 wherefore I suggested 'twere meetest she night with you." So the chattel opened and took her in with him. Now when the morning morrowed, the first who presented himself before the Emir was the Kazi Amin al-Hukm, leaning on two of his negro slaves; and he was crying out and calling for aid and saying, "O Emir, crafty and perfidious, yesternight thou depositedst with me a woman and broughtest her into my house and home, and she arose in the dark and took from me the monies of the little orphans my wards,24 six great bags, each containing a thousand dinars,25 and made off; but as for me, I will say no syllable to thee except in the Soldan's presence."26 When the Wali heard these words, he was troubled and rose and sat down in his agitation; then he took the Judge and placing him by his side, soothed him and exhorted him to patience, till he had made an end of talk, when he turned to the officers and questioned them of that. They fixed the affair on me and said, "We know nothing of this matter but from Captain Mu'in

al-Din." So the Kazi turned to me and said, "Thou wast of accord to practice upon me with this woman, for she said she came from the Citadel." As for me, I stood, with my head bowed ground-wards, forgetting both Sunnah and Farz,27 and remained sunk in thought, saying, "How came I to be the dupe of that randy wench?" Then cried the Emir to me, "What aileth thee that thou answerest not?" Thereupon I replied, "O my lord, 'tis a custom among the folk that he who hath a payment to make at a certain date is allowed three days' grace: do thou have patience with me so long, and if, at the end of that time, the culprit be not found, I will be responsible for that which is lost." When the folk heard my speech they all approved it as reasonable and the Wali turned to the Kazi and sware to him that he would do his utmost to recover the stolen monies adding, "And they shall be restored to thee." Then he went away, whilst I mounted without stay or delay and began to-ing and fro-ing about the world without purpose, and indeed I was become the

underling of a woman without honesty or honour; and I went my rounds in this way all that my day and that my night, but happened not upon tidings of her; and thus I did on the morrow. On the third day I said to myself, "Thou art mad or silly;" for I was wandering in quest of a woman who knew me28 and I knew her not, she being veiled when I met her. Then I went round about the third day till the hour of mid-afternoon prayer, and sore waxed my cark and my care for I kenned that there remained to me of my life but the morrow, when the Chief of Police would send for me. However, as sundown-time came, I passed through one of the main streets, and saw a woman at a window; her door was ajar and she was clapping her hands and casting sidelong glances at me, as who should say, "Come up by the door." So I went up, without fear or suspicion, and when I entered, she rose and clasped me to her breast. I marvelled at the matter and quoth she to me, "I am she whom thou depositedst with Amin al-Hukm." Quoth I to her, "O my sister, I have been going round and round in request of thee, for indeed

thou hast done a deed which will be chronicled and hast cast me into red death29 on thine account." She asked me, "Dost thou speak thus to me and thou a captain of men?" and I answered, "How should I not be troubled, seeing that I be in concern for an affair I turn over and over in mind, more by token that I continue my day long going about searching for thee and in the night I watch its stars and planets?"30 Cried she, "Naught shall betide save weal, and thou shalt get the better of him."31 So saying, she rose and going to a chest, drew out therefrom six bags full of gold and said to me, "This is what I took from Amin al-Hukm's house. So an thou wilt, restore it; else the whole is lawfully32 thine; and if thou desire other than this, thou shalt obtain it; for I have monies in plenty and I had no design herein save to marry thee." Then she arose and opening other chests, brought out therefrom wealth galore and I said to her, "O my sister, I have no wish for all this, nor do I want aught except to be quit of that wherein I am." Quoth she, "I came not forth of the

Kazi's house without preparing for thine acquittance." Then said she to me, "When the morrow shall morn and Amin al-Hukm shall come to thee bear with him till he have made an end of his speech, and when he is silent, return him no reply; and if the Wali ask, 'What aileth thee that thou answerest me not?' do thou rejoin, 'O lord and master33 know that the two words are not alike, but there is no helper for the conquered one34 save Allah Almighty.' The Kazi will cry, 'What is the meaning of thy saying, The two words are not alike?' And do thou retort, 'I deposited with thee a damsel from the palace of the Sultan, and most likely some enemy of hers in thy household hath transgressed against her or she hath been secretly murdered. Verily, there were on her raiment and ornaments worth a thousand ducats, and hadst thou put to the question those who are with thee of slaves and slave-girls, needs must thou have litten on some traces of the crime.' When he heareth this from thee, his trouble will redouble and he will be amated and will make oath that thou hast no help