Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night - Volume 5.djvu/265



He riseth and he walketh and he talketh without tongue; * And returneth to the tomb where his kith and kin are lain. No living wight is he, yet, in honour he abides; * Nor dead yet he deserveth that Allah him assain.'" She replied, "The reed-pen." [FN#443] Quoth he "What doth the poet refer to in these verses,

'Two vests in one; blood flowing easiest wise; * Rosy red ears and mouth wide open lies; It hath a cock-like form, its belly pecks * And, if you price it, half a dirham buys.'"

She replied, "The ink-case." Quoth he, "And in these,

'Ho say to men of wisdom, wit and lore * To sapient, reverend, clever counsellor: Tell me what was't you saw that bird bring forth * When wandering Arab- land and Ajam o'er? No flesh it beareth and it hath no blood, * Nor down nor any feathers e'er it wore. 'Tis eaten cooked and eke 'tis eaten cold; * 'Tis eaten buried 'neath the flames that roar: It showeth twofold colours, silver white * And yellow brighter than pure golden ore: 'Tis not seen living or we count it dead: * So ree my riddle rich in marvel- store!'"

She replied, "Thou makest longsome the questioning anent an egg worth a mite." Q "And this?,

'I waved to and fro and he waved to and fro, * With a motion so pleasant, now fast and now slow; And at last he sunk down on my bosom of snow; * 'Your lover friend?'"

"No friend, my fan;" [FN#444] said she. Q "How many words did Allah speak to Moses?" "It is related of the Apostle that he said, 'God spoke to Moses fifteen hundred and fifteen words.'" Q "Tell me of fourteen things that speak to the Lord of the Worlds?" "The seven heavens and the seven earths, when they say, 'We come obedient to Thy command.'" [FN#445]--And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Four Hundred and Fifty-ninth Night,