Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 9.djvu/83

65 of the Faithful, in my house and whereof thou misdoubtest is of her marriage-equipage.

After this, she said to me, one day, “Know that El Mutawekkil is a generous man and I fear lest he bethink him of us, or that some one of the envious remind him of us; wherefore I have it in mind to do somewhat that may ensure us against this.” “And what is that?” asked I. Quoth she, “I mean to ask his leave to go the pilgrimage and renounce singing.” “This is well thought,” answered I; but, as we were talking, in came a messenger from the Khalif to seek her, for that El Mutawekkil loved her singing. So she went with the officer and did her service to the Khalif, who said to her, “Sever not thyself from us.” And she answered, “I hear and obey.”

One day, after this, she went to him, he having sent for her, according to his wont; but, before I knew, she came back, with her clothes torn and her eyes full of tears. At this I was alarmed, misdoubting me that he had commanded to seize upon us, and said, “We are God’s and to Him we return! Is El Mutawekkil wroth with us?” “Where is El Mutawekkil?” answered she. “Verily, El Mutawekkil’s rule is ended and his trace is blotted out!” Quoth I, “Tell me what hath happened.” And she said, “He was seated behind the curtain, drinking, with El Feth ben Khacan and Sedekeh ben Sedekeh, when his son El Muntesir fell upon him, with a company of the Turks, and slew him; and mirth was turned to misery

VOL. IX.