Page:Three crump twin brothers of Damascus (1).pdf/20

20 tho? Ah, my lord, replied Nohoud, he was half drunk when I employed him; and besides, my husband and his brothers resemble one another so perfectly, that if they were dressed in the same clothes, I hardly think I myself could be able to distinguish one from the other. That would be pleasant, indeed, said the Caliph clapping his hands; I should be glad to be spectator of such an interview.

This was the signal Watik-billah was to give for the crumps to appear. The pieces of hanging were immediately pulled up, and the cutleress was ready to die with fear at the fight. O heaven cried she, what a prodigy is this! do the dead come again to life? is this an illusion, my lord, and are my eyes faithfull testimonies of what I see? You see right replied Watik-billah; one of these three is your husband, and the other two are his brothers; you must choose out your own from among them. View them well: but I for- bid them, upon pain of death, to speak or make the least fin.

Nohoud, in the utmost perplexity, examined them one after another; she could not distinguish her husband. and the Caliph, who was as much at a loss to know them as she, ordered him of the three that was Babekan to come and embrace his wife, was very much surprised to see three crumps all at once through their arms round her neck, and each of them affirm himself to be her husband.

Ibad and Syahouk were not ignorant that they were in the presence of the sovereign commander of the faithful; but whatever respect the, owed him they thought they could not be revenged of Babeken better, than by trying to pass for him; and this latter got nothing, by his rage and passion