Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 7.djvu/211

189 uncle, ‘Vouchsafe us an answer, for our hearts are rent in sunder.’ But he shook his head at them, saying, ‘O my daughters, this man hath wearied himself [in vain] and cast himself into grievous stress and sore peril; for he may not win to the Wac Islands.’

With this the princesses called Hassan, who came forth and kissed Abdulcuddous’s hand and saluted him. The old man rejoiced in him and seated him by his side; whereupon quoth the damsels, ‘O uncle, acquaint our brother Hassan with that which thou hast told us.’ So he said to Hassan, ‘O my son, put away from thee this sore torment; for thou canst never win to the Wac Islands, though the Flying Jinn and the wandering stars were with thee; for that betwixt thee and these islands are seven valleys and seven seas and seven mighty mountains. How then canst thou come at this place and who shall bring thee thither? Wherefore I conjure thee by Allah, O my son, do thou reckon them as dead and turn back forthright and weary not thy soul! Indeed, I give thee good counsel, an thou wilt but accept it.’ At these words Hassan wept till he fainted, and the princesses sat round him, weeping for his weeping, whilst the youngest rent her clothes and buffeted her face, till she swooned away.

When the old man saw them in this transport of grief and trouble and mourning, he was moved to pity for them and bidding them be silent, said to Hassan, ‘O my son, be of good comfort and rejoice in the accomplishment of thy desire, if it be the will of God the Most High. Rise, O my son, take courage and follow me.’ So Hassan arose and followed him, rejoicing in the fulfilment of his wish, after he had taken leave of the princesses. Then the old man called the elephant and mounting, took Hassan up behind him and fared on three days and nights, like the