Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 2.djvu/385

348 and reproach on me, I would take off thy head with my sword and make an end of thee.” Quoth she, “I did but jest with thee.” And rose and kissed his head and hands, saying, “Thou art right, and we will cast about for some means to kill him.” When he heard this, he was glad and said, “Make haste and contrive some device to relieve me of my affliction; for I am at my wit’s end.” Said she, “I will make shift to do away his life for thee.” “How so?” asked he; and she answered, “By means of our female slave Bakoun.” Now this Bakoun was past mistress in all kinds of knavery and was one of the most pernicious of old women, in whose religion it was not lawful to abstain from wickedness; she had brought up Kanmakan and Kuzia Fekan, and the former had her in so great affection, that he was wont to sleep at her feet. So when King Sasan heard his wife name her, he said, “This is a good counsel,” and sending for the old woman, told her what had passed and bade go about to kill Kanmakan, promising her all good. “O my lord,” replied she, “thy commandment shall be done: but I would have thee give me a dagger that has been tempered in water of death, that I may despatch him the quicklier for thee.” “So be it,” said Sasan and gave her a knife that would well-nigh forego destiny. Now this woman had heard stories and verses and committed to memory great store of witty traits and anecdotes: so she took the dagger and went out, considering how she should compass Kanmakan’s destruction. Then she repaired to the prince, whom she found sitting awaiting [the coming of a messenger with] his cousin’s tryst; so that night his thought was taken up with Kuzia Fekan and the fires of love for her raged in his heart. Bakoun went in to him, saying, “The time of union is at hand and the days of separation are over and gone.” When he heard this, he said, “How is it with Kuzia