Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 8.djvu/152

140 therein, made off, unhindered, and returned to their own land.’

When the druggist heard this, the light in his eyes became darkness and he grieved sore for Noureddin and said to him, ‘O my son, why didst thou not bring her out of the ship into the city without a veil? But talk availeth not at this season; so rise, O my son, and come up with me to the city; it may be God will vouchsafe thee a girl fairer than she, who shall console thee for her. Praised be God who hath not made thee lose aught by her! Nay, thou hast gained by her. And bethink thee, O my son, that union and separation are in the hands of the Most High King.’ ‘By Allah, O uncle,’ replied Noureddin, ‘I can never be consoled for her loss nor will I ever leave seeking her, though I drink the cup of death on her account!’ ‘O my son,’ rejoined the druggist, ‘and what dost thou purpose to do?’ Quoth Noureddin, ‘I purpose to return to the land of the Franks and enter the city of France and venture myself there, come what may.’ ‘O my son,’ said the druggist, ‘quoth the current byword, “Not always comes the pitcher off unbroken;” and if they did thee no hurt before, belike they will slay thee this time, more by token that they know thee now but too well.’ ‘O my uncle,’ replied Noureddin, ‘let me set out and be slain presently for the love of her, and not die slowly of despair for her loss.’

Now, as fate would have it, there was then a ship in the port ready to sail, for its passengers had made an end of their affairs and the sailors had pulled up the mooring-stakes, when Noureddin embarked in her. So they put out to sea and sailed many days, with fair wind and weather, till they fell in with certain of the Frank cruisers, that were scouring those waters and seizing upon all ships they saw, in their fear for the king’s daughter from the Muslim corsairs: and as often as they made prize of a