Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 6.djvu/359

329 finds the pavilion reinstated, he will not fail to question thee concerning it. Then do thou say, “O my lord, I set it in repair, for that I saw it in ruins and none could make use of it nor sit in it.” If he says, “Whence hadst thou the money for this?” say, “I spent of my own money upon it, thinking to whiten my face with thee and hoping for thy bounties.” And he will assuredly recompense thee handsomely. To-morrow, I will bring builders and painters and plasterers to repair the pavilion and will give thee what I promised thee.’ Then he pulled out a purse of five hundred dinars and gave it to the gardener, saying, ‘Provide thy family with this and let them pray for me and my son here.’ When the gardener saw the money, he was transported and fell down at the Vizier’s feet, kissing them and calling down blessings on him and his son; and when they went away, he said to them, ‘I shall expect you to-morrow: for, by Allah, there must be no parting between us, day or night!’ As they went home, the prince said to the Vizier, ‘What is the meaning of all this?’ and he answered, ‘Thou shalt presently see the issue thereof.’

Next day, the Vizier sent for the syndic of the builders and carried him and his men to the garden, where the gardener rejoiced in their sight. He gave them the price of victual and what was needful to the workmen for the amendment of the pavilion, and they repaired it and plastered it and decorated it. Then said the Vizier to the painters, ‘Harkye, my masters, give ear unto my words and apprehend my wish and my intent. Know that I have a garden like unto this, where I was sleeping one night and saw in a dream a fowler spread his nets and sprinkle corn thereabout. The birds flocked to pick up the grain, and a he-bird fell into the net, whereupon the others took fright and flew away, and amongst the rest his mate: but, after awhile, she returned alone and pecked at the mesh that held his feet, till she set him free and they flew away