Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 9.djvu/99

81 generous, and if we tell him [what he would know], we shall get great good of him.’ Quoth she, ‘Go back and say to him, “Come and speak with thy mother my wife, for she salutes thee and says to thee, ‘The thing is done.’”’

So he returned to the shop, where he found Kemerezzeman sitting awaiting him and gave him his wife’s message. Then he carried him in to her and she gave him welcome and bade him sit down; whereupon he pulled out a hundred dinars and gave them to her, saying, ‘O my mother, tell me who this young lady is.’ ‘Know, O my son,’ answered she, ‘that there came a jewel to the Sultan of Bassora from the King of Hind, and he was minded to have it pierced. So he called all the jewellers together and said to them, “I wish you to pierce me this jewel Whoso pierces it, I will give him whatsoever he shall ask; but if he break it, I will cut off his head.” At this they were afraid and said, “O king of the age, a jewel is soon spoilt and there are few who can pierce them without injury, for most of them have a flaw. So do not thou impose upon us a task to which we are unable; for we cannot avail to pierce this jewel. However, the syndic of our guild is more experienced than we.” “And who is your syndic?” asked the king. “Master Ubeid,” answered they. “He is more versed than we in this art and hath wealth galore and exceeding skill. So do thou send for him and bid him pierce thee this jewel.” Accordingly, the king sent for Ubeid and bade him pierce the jewel, imposing on him the condition aforesaid. He took it and pierced it to the liking of the king, who said to him, “Ask a boon of me, O master!” “O king of the age,” answered he, “have patience with me till to-morrow.”

Now the reason of this was that he wished to take counsel with his wife, who is the young lady thou sawest riding in state; for he loveth her with an exceeding love, VOL. IX. [sic]