Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 1.djvu/169

151 was providence drove us to this city, that I might come to the knowledge of these things, for it was fated that we should meet.” And I ceased not to speak him fair and persuade him, till he consented to go with me, and I passed the night at his feet, beside myself for joy. When it was day, we repaired to the treasuries and took thence what was little of weight and great of value; then went down into the town, where we met the slaves and the captain seeking for me. When they saw me, they rejoiced and I told them all I had seen and related to them the story of the young man and of the curse that had fallen on the people of the city. At this they wondered: but when my sisters saw me with the prince, they envied me on his account and were enraged and plotted mischief against me in their hearts. Then we took ship again, beside ourselves for joy in the booty we had gotten, though the most of my joy was in the prince, and waited till the wind blew fair for us, when we set sail and departed. As we sat talking, my sisters said to me, “O sister, what wilt thou do with this handsome young man?” “I purpose to make him my husband,” answered I; and I turned to the prince and said, “O my lord, I have that to propose to thee, in which I will not have thee cross me: and it is that, when we reach Baghdad, I will give myself to thee as a handmaid in the way of marriage, and thou shalt be my husband and I thy wife.” Quoth he, “I hear and obey; thou art my lady and my mistress, and whatever thou dost, I will not cross thee.” Then I turned to my sisters and said to them, “This young man suffices me; and those who have gotten aught, it is theirs.” “Thou sayest well,” replied they; but in their hearts they purposed me evil. We sailed on with a fair wind, till we left the sea of peril and came into safe waters, and in a few days, we came in sight of the walls of Bassora, even as night overtook us. My sisters waited till the prince and