Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night - Volume 2.djvu/39

 Nur al-Din Ali and the Damsel An is al~JaJi& 2 So the vessel sailed on her fastest and the wind to her was fairest Thus far concerning them ; but as regards the Mamelukes, they went to Nur al-Din's mansion and, breaking open the doors, entered and searched the whole place, but could find no trace of him and the damsel ; so they demolished the house and, returning to the Sultan, reported their proceedings ; whereupon quoth he, " Make search for them both, wherever they may be ; " and they answered, " Hearing is obeying." The Wazir Al-Mu'in had also gone home after the Sultan had bestowed upon him a robe of honour, and had set his heart at rest by saying, " None shall take blood-wreak for thee save I ; " and he had blessed the King and prayed for his long life and prosperity. Then the Sultan bade proclaim about the city, " Oyez, O ye lieges one and all ! It is the will of our lord the Sultan that whoso happeneth on Nur al-Din Ali son of Al- Fazl bin Khakan, and bringeth him to the Sultan, shall receive a robe of honour and one thousand gold pieces ; and he who hideth him or knoweth his abiding place and informeth not, deserveth whatsoever pains and penalties shall befal him." So all began to- search for Nur al-Din Ali, but they could find neither trace nor tidings of him. Meanwhile he and his handmaid sailed on with the wind right aft; till they arrived in safety at Baghdad, and the captain said to them, "This is Baghdad and 'tis the city where security is to be had : Winter with his frosts hath turned away and Prime hath come his roses to display ; and the flowers are a-glowing and the trees are blowing and the streams are flowing." So Nur al-Din landed, he and his handmaid and, giving the captain five dinars, walked on a little way till the decrees of Destiny brought them among the gardens, and they came to a place swept and sprinkled, with benches along the walls and hanging jars filled with water. 1 Overhead was a trellis of reed-work and canes shading the whole length of the avenue, and at the upper end was a garden gate, but this was locked. " By Allah," quoth Nur al-Din to the damsel, " right pleasant is this place ! " ; and she replied, " O my lord sit with me a while on this bench and let us take our ease." So they mounted and sat them down on the bench, after which they washed their faces and hands; and the breeze blew cool on them and they fell asleep and glory be to Him who never sleepeth ! To cool the contents.