Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 5.djvu/357

323 counsel; for that I, O King, know of the malice of women that which none knoweth but myself; and [in particular] there hath come to my knowledge, on this subject, the story of the old woman and the son of the merchant.’ ‘And what fell out between them, O vizier?’ asked the King. ‘I have heard tell, O King,’ answered the seventh vizier, ‘that THE HOUSE WITH THE BELVEDERE.

There was once a wealthy merchant, who had a son who was very dear to him, and the latter said to him one day, “O my father, I have a boon to ask of thee.” Quoth the merchant, “O my son, what is it, that I may give it thee and bring thee to thy desire, though it were the light of mine eyes.” “Give me money,” rejoined the youth, “that I may journey with the merchants to the city of Baghdad and see its sights and look upon the palace of the Khalifs; for the sons of the merchants have described these things to me and I long to see them for myself.” “O my child, O my little son,” answered his father, “how can I endure to part from thee?” But the youth said, “I have said my say and needs must I journey to Baghdad with or without thy consent; for such a longing for its sight hath fallen upon me as can only be assuaged by the going thither.”

When the merchant saw that there was no help for it, he provided his son with goods to the value of thirty thousand dinars and gave him in charge to certain merchants in whom he trusted. Then he took leave of the youth, who journeyed with his friends the merchants till they reached Baghdad, the Abode of Peace, where he entered the market and wishing to hire a house, was shown one so handsome and spacious and elegant that he well-nigh lost his wits for admiration; for therein were gardens and fountains and running waters and pavilions facing one another, with