Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 9.djvu/251

219 The king also marvelled passing measure at that which he saw of Marouf’s generosity and openhandedness in the lavishment of wealth. Then he went in to his wife, who met him, smiling and joyful, and kissed his hand, saying, ‘Didst thou mock me or hadst thou a mind to try me with thy saying, “I am a poor man and a fugitive from my wife?” Praised be God for that I failed not of my duty to thee! For thou art my beloved and there is none dearer to me than thou, whether thou be rich or poor. But I would have thee tell me what thou soughtest by these words.’ ‘I wished to try thee,’ answered Marouf, ‘and see whether thy love were sincere or for the sake of wealth and the lust of worldly good. But now it is become manifest to me that thy love is sincere, so welcome to thee! I know thy worth.’

Then he went apart into a place by himself and rubbed the ring, whereupon Aboussaadat presented himself and said to him, ‘Here am I, at thy service! Ask what thou wilt.’ Quoth Marouf, ‘I want a treasure-suit and treasure-trinkets for my wife, including a necklace of forty unique jewels.’ ‘I hear and obey,’ answered the genie and brought him what he sought, whereupon Marouf dismissed him and carrying the dress and ornaments in to his wife, laid them before her and said, ‘Take these and put them on and welcome!’ When she saw this, her reason fled for joy, and she found among the ornaments a pair of anklets of gold, set with jewels, of the handiwork of the magicians, and bracelets and earrings and a girdle such as no money could buy. So she donned the dress and ornaments and said to Marouf, ‘O my lord, I will treasure these up for state occasions and festivals.’ But he answered, ‘Wear them always, for I have others in plenty.’ And when she put them on and her women beheld her, they rejoiced and kissed his hands.

Then he left them and going apart by himself, rubbed