Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 3.djvu/199

179 the commandment of God is a foreordainedfore-ordained [sic] decree: indeed, I have more reason than thou to fear falling into error; and well-inspired was he who said:

When Kemerezzeman heard these words, the light in his eyes became darkness and he said, ‘O King, thou hast in thy palace women and female slaves, that have not their like in this age: may not these suffice thee without me? Do thy will with them and leave me.’ ‘Thou speakest truth,’ answered she; ‘but it is not with them that one who loves thee can heal himself of torment and fever; for when tastes and inclinations are corrupted, they hearken to other than good counsel. So leave arguing and hear what the poet says:

And what another says:

And a third:

And a fourth:

Compare not a wench with a boy and to the spy, Who says to thee, “This is wrong,” pay thou no heed.