Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 9.djvu/60

42 So they spread the sail and putting off, fared on with all diligence; nor was it many days before they reached Baghdad, where they saw a ship lying by the river-bank. When the sailors saw them, they cried out to the crew, saying, ‘Ho, such an one and such an one, we give you joy of your safety!’ Then they drove their ship against Ibrahim’s and he looked and beheld Aboulcasim es Sendelani in the other boat.

When the latter saw them, he exclaimed, ‘This is what I sought,’ and he said to Ibrahim, ‘Praised be God for safety! Hast thou accomplished thine errand?’ ‘Yes,’ answered the young man. Now Aboulcasim had a flambeau before him; so he brought it near unto Ibrahim’s boat, and when Jemileh saw him, she was troubled and her colour changed: but, when he saw her, he said, ‘Go ye in God’s safe keeping. I am bound to Bassora, on an errand to the Sultan; but the gift is for him who is present.’ Then he brought out a box of sweetmeats, wherein was henbane, and threw it into the boat: whereupon quoth Ibrahim to Jemileh, ‘O solace of mine eyes, eat of this.’ But she wept and said, ‘O Ibrahim, knowest thou who that is?’ ‘Yes,’ answered he, ‘it is such an one.’ Quoth she, ‘He is my father’s brother’s son and sought me aforetime in marriage of my father; but I would not accept of him. And now he is gone to Bassora and most like he will tell my father of us.’ ‘O my lady,’ rejoined Ibrahim, ‘he will not reach Bassora, till we are at Mosul.’ But they knew not what lurked for them in the secret purpose of God.

Then he ate of the sweetmeat, but hardly had it reached his stomach when he smote the ground with his head. [He lay insensible till] near dawn, when he sneezed and the henbane issued from his nostrils. With this, he opened his eyes and found himself naked and cast out among ruins; so he buffeted his face and said, ‘Doubtless