Page:The Perfumed Garden - Burton - 1886.djvu/68

52 Mohtesib, the third is the daughter of the Bouab; the next one the daughter of the Amine of the Moueddin; that one the daughter of the colour-keeper." At the invitation of the King, she passed them thus all in review.

The King then asked for the reason of so many women being brought together there. Beder el Bedour replied, "O master of ours, the negro knows no other passions than for coition and good wine. He keeps making love night and day, and his member rests only when he is asleep himself."

The King asked further, "What does he live upon?" She said, "Upon yolks of eggs fried in fat and swimming in honey, and upon white bread; he drinks nothing but old muscatel wine."

The King said, "Who has brought these women here, who, all of them, belong to officials of the State?"

She replied, "O master of ours, he has in his service an old woman who has had the run of the houses in the town; she chooses and brings to him any woman of superior beauty and perfection; but she serves him only against good consideration in silver, dresses, etc., precious stones, rubies, and other objects of value."