Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 5.djvu/120

98 pearls and jewels, over which was a tent of green silk set up, fifty cubits in compass and embroidered with jewels and precious metals. Within this tent was a closet containing the [magical] carpet of the lord Solomon (on whom be peace), and the pavilion was compassed about with beds of roses and basil and eglantine and all manner sweet-smelling herbs and flowers.

Janshah explored the marvels of the place, till he was weary of wonder, when he returned to the pavilion and mounting the throne, fell asleep under the tent set up thereon. He slept there awhile and presently awaking, went forth and sat down on a stool before the door. As he sat, marvelling at the goodliness of the place, there flew up three birds like doves [but as big as vultures] and lighted on the brink of the lake, where they sported awhile. Then they put off their feathers and became three maidens, as they were moons, that had not their like in the world. They plunged into the lake and swam about and toyed and laughed, while Janshah marvelled at their beauty and grace and the justness of their shapes.

Presently, they came up out of the water and fell to walking about and taking their pleasure in the garden; whereat Janshah’s reason was like to depart from him and he rose and followed them. When he overtook them, he saluted them and they returned his salute; after which quoth he, ‘Who are ye, O illustrious ladies, and whence come ye?’ ‘We are from the invisible world of God the Most High,’ replied the youngest damsel, ‘and come hither to divert ourselves.’ [sic] And he marvelled at their beauty and said to the youngest, ‘Have compassion on me and incline unto me and take pity on my case and on all that has befallen me in my life.’ ‘Leave this talk,’ rejoined she, ‘and go thy ways;’ whereat the tears streamed from his eyes, and he sighed heavily and repeated the following verses.