Supplemental Nights to The Book of the Thousand and One Nights | Page 5

desire that ye assemble, all of you, in one place. I also will be
present, I and my company, and do ye relate that which you have heard
of rare occurrences and that which hath betided you of experiences."
And the Captains and Runners and Agents of Police answered him,
"'Tis well: Bismillah--in the name of Allah! We will make thee see all
this with thine own eyes and hear it with thine own ears." Then the
Chief of Police arose and going up to Al-Malik al-Zahir, informed him
that the assembly would meet on such a day at his house; and the
Soldan said, "'Tis well," and gave him somewhat of coin for his
spending-money. When the appointed day came the Chief of Police set
apart for his officers and constables a saloon, which had latticed
casements ranged in order and giving upon the flower-garden, and
Al-Malik al-Zahir came to him, and he seated himself and the Soldan,
in the alcove. Then the tables were spread for them with food and they
ate: and when the bowl went round amongst them and their souls were
gladdened by meat and drink, they mutually related that which was
with them and, revealed their secrets from concealment. The first to
discourse was a man, a Captain of the Watch, hight Mu'ín al-Din[FN#7]
whose heart was wholly occupied with the love of fair women; and he

said, "Harkye, all ye people of high degree, I will acquaint you with an
extraordinary affair which fortuned me aforetime." Then he began to
tell

The First Constable's History.[FN#8]

Know ye that when I entered the service of this Emir,[FN#9] I had a
great repute and every low fellow and lewd feared me most of all
mankind, and when I rode through the city, each and every of the folk
would point at me with their fingers and sign at me with their eyes. It
happened one day, as I sat in the palace of the Prefecture, back-propped
against a wall, considering in myself, suddenly there fell somewhat in
my lap, and behold, it was a purse sealed and tied. So I hent it in hand
and lo! it had in it an hundred dirhams,[FN#10] but I found not who
threw it and I said, "Lauded be the Lord, the King of the
Kingdoms!"[FN#11] Another day, as I sat in the same way, somewhat
fell on me and startled me, and lookye, 'twas a purse like the first: I
took it and hiding the matter, made as though I slept, albeit sleep was
not with me. One day as I thus shammed sleep, I suddenly sensed in my
lap a hand, and in it a purse of the finest; so I seized the hand and
behold, 'twas that of a fair woman. Quoth I to her, "O my lady, who art
thou?" and quoth she, "Rise and come away from here, that I may make
myself known to thee." Presently I rose up and following her, walked
on, without tarrying, till we stopped at the door of a high-builded house,
whereupon I asked her, "O my lady, who art thou? Indeed, thou hast
done me kindness, and what is the reason of this?" She answered, "By
Allah, O Captain[FN#12] Mu'in, I am a woman on whom love and
longing are sore for desire of the daughter of the Kazi Amín
al-Hukm.[FN#13] Now there was between me and her what was and
fondness for her fell upon my heart and I agreed upon an assignation
with her, according to possibility and convenience; but her father Amin
al-Hukm took her and went away, and my heart cleaveth to her and
yearning and distraction waxed sore upon me for her sake." I said to her,
marvelling the while at her words, "What wouldst thou have me do?"
and said she, "O Captain Mu'in, I would have thee lend me a helping
hand." Quoth I, "Where am I and where is the daughter of the Kazi
Amin al-Hukm?"[FN#14] and quoth she "Be assured that I would not

have thee intrude upon the Kazi's daughter, but I would fain work for
the winning of my wishes. This is my will and my want which may not
be wroughten save by thine aid." Then she added, "I mean this night to
go with heart enheartened and hire me bracelets and armlets and anklets
of price; then will I hie me and sit in the street wherein is the house of
Amin al-Hukm; and when 'tis the season of the round and folk are
asleep, do thou pass, thou and those who are with thee of the men, and
thou wilt see me sitting and on me fine raiment and ornaments and wilt
smell on me the odour of Ottars; whereupon do thou question