Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 1.djvu/285

263 soon after sundown she came, accompanied by another damsel, wrapped in a veil. They entered and sat down; and when I saw them, I repeated the following verses:

Then I lighted the candles and received them with joy and gladness. They put off their outer clothing, and the new damsel unveiled her face, when I saw that she was like the moon at its full, never beheld I one more beautiful. Then I rose and set meat and drink before them, and we ate and drank: and I began to feed the new damsel and to fill her cup and drink with her. At this the first lady was secretly jealous and said to me, ‘Is not this girl more charming than I?’ ‘Ay, by Allah!’ replied I. Quoth she, ‘It is my intent that thou lie with her this night.’ And I answered, ‘On my head and eyes!’ Then she rose and spread the bed for us, and I took the young lady and lay with her that night till the morning, when I awoke and found myself wet, as I thought, with sweat. I sat up and tried to rouse the damsel, but when I shook her by the shoulders, her head rolled off the pillow. Thereupon my reason fled and I cried out, saying, ‘O gracious Protector, extend to me Thy protection!’ Then I saw that she had been murdered, and the world became black in my sight and I sought the lady my first mistress, but could not find