Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 7.djvu/238

216 my settle on the sea-shore, besought me of protection; so I took him under my safeguard and carried him with me among the army of women, armed and accoutred so that none might know him, and brought him into the city; and indeed I have striven to fear him with thy mischief, giving him to know of thy prowess and power; but, as often as I threaten him, he weeps and recites verses and says, “Needs must I regain my wife and children or die, and I will not return to my country without them.” And indeed he hath adventured himself and won to the Islands of Wac, and never in my life saw I mortal stouter of heart than he or doughtier of courage, save that passion hath gotten the mastery of him to the utmost.’

When Nour el Huda heard this, she was exceeding wroth with her and bowed her head awhile. Then, raising it, she looked at Shewahi and said to her, ‘O ill-omened old woman, art thou come to such a pass of lewdness that thou carriest males with thee into the Wac Islands and bringest them in to me, unfearing of my danger? Who hath foregone thee with this fashion, that thou shouldst do thus? By the head of the king, but for thy claim on me for fosterage and service, I would forthwith put both him and thee to the foulest of deaths, that travellers might take warning by thee, O accursed woman, lest any other do the like of this outrageous deed of thine, whereunto none hath dared hitherto! But go and bring him hither forthright, that I may see him; or I will strike off thy head, O accursed one.’

So the old woman went out from her, confounded, knowing not whither she went and saying, ‘All this calamity hath God caused betide me from this queen because of Hassan!’ and going in to the latter, said to him, ‘Come, speak with the queen, O thou whose last hour is at hand!’ So he rose and went with her, whilst his tongue ceased not to call upon God the Most High and say, ‘O my God,