Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 7.djvu/222

200 of them will sit down on the settle, under which thou hast hidden thyself, whereupon do thou put forth thy hand to her and take hold of her and implore her protection. If she accord it thee, thou wilt accomplish thy desire and win to thy wife and children; but, if she refuse thee, make thy moan for thyself and give up all hope of life, for thou art a dead man. For know, O my son, that thou adventurest thy life and except the Lord of Heaven had succoured thee, thou hadst not won hither. This is all I can do for thee, and peace be on thee!’ When Hassan heard the king’s words, he wept till he swooned away, and when he came to himself, he recited the following verses:

Then he kissed the earth before the king and said to him, ‘O mighty king, how many days remain till the coming of the ships?’ ‘In a month’s time,’ answered Hessoun, ‘they will come and will tarry here other two months, to sell their cargo, after which they will return to their own country: so thou must not look to set out save after three whole months.’ Then he bade him return to the guest-house and commanded to supply him with all that he needed of meat and drink and raiment fit for kings. Hassan abode there a month, at the end of which time the ships arrived and the king and the merchants went forth to them, taking Hassan with them. Amongst them he saw a ship, with much people therein, like the pebbles [of the beach] for number; none knew their tale save He who created them. She was anchored in mid-harbour and had small boats, which transported her lading to the shore.

Hassan abode till the crew had carried all the goods ashore and sold and bought and there wanted but three