Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 9.djvu/95

77 shop opposite that in which I lay hid, whilst I abode in terror; and presently I saw them come forth with a man and heard them say to her, “O our lady, we found a man there and here he is before thee.” Quoth she to the damsel with the sword, “Strike off his head.” So she went up to him and smote off his head and they passed on, leaving the dead man lying on the ground. When I saw this, I was affrighted; but my heart was taken with love of the young lady.

After awhile, the people reappeared and every one who had a shop entered it; whilst the folk began to come and go in the markets and gathered about the slain man, staring at him. Then I came forth from my hiding-place by stealth, and none took note of me; but love of the lady had gotten possession of my heart, and I began to enquire of her privily; but none gave me news of her. So I left Bassora, with a heart torn with love of her; and when I came upon this thy son, I saw him to be the likest of all creatures to the young lady; wherefore he minded me of her and his sight revived the fire of passion in me and kindled anew in my heart the flames of love-longing and distraction.’ Then he wept passing sore and said, ‘O my lord, I conjure thee by Allah, open the door to me, so I may go my way!’ So Abdurrehman opened the door and he went forth.

As for Kemerezzeman, when he heard the dervish’s story, his heart was taken with love of the lady and passion got the mastery of him and longing and distraction raged in him; so, on the morrow, he said to his father, ‘All the sons of the merchants travel in the lands, to attain their desire, nor is there one of them but his father provideth him with merchandise, wherewith he may travel and traffic for gain. Why, then, O my father, dost thou not provide me with merchandise, so I may travel with it and try my luck?’ ‘O my son,’ answered