Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 5.djvu/308

274 to thine own people.” Then he rode on, praying to God for deliverance, and presently she said to him, “O King’s son, put me down, that I may do an occasion under yonder wall.” So he drew bridle and she alighted and hid herself behind the wall. He waited for her a long while and she came back, with the foulest of favours; which when he saw, he quaked for fear of her and his hair stood on end and he turned pale. Then she sprang up behind him, wearing the most hideous of aspects, and presently she said to him, “O King’s son, what ails thee that I see thee troubled and thy favour changed?” Quoth he, “I have bethought me of somewhat that troubles me.” And she, “Seek aid against it of thy father’s troops and warriors.” “He whom I fear,” answered the prince, “cares nothing for troops, neither can warriors affright him.” “Then,” rejoined she, “aid thyself against him with thy father’s wealth and treasures.” Quoth he, “He whom I fear will not be satisfied with wealth and treasures.” And she, “Ye pretend that ye have in heaven a God who sees and is not seen and who can do all things.” “Yes,” answered he; “we have none but Him.” “Then,” said she, “pray thou to Him; haply He will deliver thee from thine enemy.” So he raised his eyes to heaven and began to pray with his whole heart, saying, “O my God, I implore Thee to succour me against that which troubles me.” Then he pointed to her with his hand, and she fell to the ground, burnt and black as a coal. Therewith he thanked God and praised Him and fared onward. And God (blessed and exalted be He!) of His grace made the way easy to him and guided him into the right road, so that he reached his father’s capital, after he had despaired of life. Now all this befell by the contrivance of the vizier, who travelled with him to the end that he might cause him to perish by the way; but God the Most High succoured him. ‘AndAnd [sic] this,’ said the damsel, ‘have I told thee, O King, that thou mayst