Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 7.djvu/51

33 a bowl of water, entered the closet, where she pronounced over the water certain words, that might not be understood, and sprinkling the bird therewith, said to him, ‘By the virtue of these mighty names and holy verses and of the Most High God, Creator of heaven and earth, the Quickener of the dead and Appointer of the means of livelihood and the terms of existence, quit this thy present form and return to that in which God created thee!’ Hardly had she made an end of these words, when the bird trembled and became a man; and the king saw before him a handsome youth, than whom there was none goodlier on the face of the earth.

When Bedr found himself thus restored to his own shape, he said, ‘There is no god but God and Mohammed is the apostle of God! Glory be to the Creator and Provider of all creatures and the Ordainer of their terms of life!’ Then he kissed the king’s hand and wished him long life, and the king kissed his hand and said to him, ‘O Bedr, tell me thy history from beginning to end.’ So he told him his whole story, concealing nought: and the king marvelled thereat and said to him, ‘O Bedr, God hath delivered thee from the enchantment: but what hath thy judgment decided and what thinkest thou to do?’ ‘O king of the age,’ answered Bedr, ‘I desire of thy bounty that thou equip me a ship with a company of thy servants and all that is needful; for I have been long absent and fear lest the kingdom depart from me. And I misdoubt me my mother is dead of grief for my loss; for she knows not what is come of me nor whether I am alive or dead. Wherefore, I beseech thee, O king, to crown thy favours to me by granting me what I seek.’

The king was moved by Bedr’s beauty and sweet speech and said, ‘I hear and obey.’ So he fitted him out a ship, which he furnished with all that was needful and manned with a company of his servants; and Bedr set sail in it, VOL. VII.