Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 5.djvu/161

135 Presently, there came up El Khizr (on whom be peace), at sight of whom Beloukiya rose and saluting him, was about to withdraw, when the bird said to him, “Sit, O Beloukiya, in the presence of El Khizr, on whom be peace!” So he sat down again, and El Khizr asked him who he was and how he came there. Beloukiya related to him all his adventures and enquired how far it was thence to Cairo. “Five-and-ninety years’ journey,” replied the prophet; whereupon Beloukiya burst into tears, then, falling at El Khizr’s feet, kissed them and said to him, “O my lord, I beseech thee to deliver me from this strangerhood; for that I am nigh upon death and know not what to do, and thy reward be with God.” Quoth El Khizr, “Pray to God the Most High to allow me to carry thee to Cairo, ere thou perish.”

So Beloukiya wept and offered up supplication to God, who granted his prayer and bade El Khizr carry him to his people. Then said the prophet, “Lift thy head, for God hath heard thy prayer; so take fast hold of me with both thy hands and shut thine eyes.” The prince did as he was bidden and El Khizr took a step forward, then said to him, “Open thine eyes.” So Beloukiya opened his eyes and found himself at the door of his palace at Cairo. He turned, to take leave of El Khizr, but found no trace of him and entered the palace. When his mother saw him, she gave a loud cry and swooned away for excess of joy, and they sprinkled water upon her face. After a while she came to herself and embraced her son and