The Arabian Nights Entertainments, vol 2 | Page 9

and spoke to this purpose. "Do not be
surprised, that I left you so abruptly. I thought it not proper, before that

merchant, to give a favourable answer to the discovery you made of
your affection for me. But to speak the truth, I was so far from being
offended at it, that it gave me pleasure; and I account myself infinitely
happy in having a man of your merit for my lover. I do not know what
impression the first sight of me may have made on you, but I assure
you, I had no sooner beheld you than I found my heart moved with the
tenderest emotions of love. Since yesterday I have done nothing but
think of what you said to me; and my eagerness to seek you this
morning may convince you of my regard." "Madam," I replied,
transported with love and joy, "nothing can be more agreeable to me
than this declaration. No passion can exceed that with which I love you.
My eyes were dazzled with so many charms, that my heart yielded
without resistance." "Let us not trifle away the time in needless
discourse," said she, interrupting me; "make no doubt of your sincerity,
and you shall quickly be convinced of mine. Will you do me the honour
to come to my residence? Or if you will I will go to yours." "Madam," I
returned, "I am a stranger lodged in a khan, which is not the proper
place for the reception of a lady of your quality. It is more proper,
madam, that I should visit you at your house; have the goodness to tell
me where it is." The lady consented; "Come," said she, "on Friday,
which is the day after to-morrow, after noon-prayers, and ask for the
house of Abon Schama, surnamed Bercour, late master of the emirs;
there you will find me." This said, we parted; and I passed the next day
in great impatience.
On Friday I put on my richest apparel, and took fifty pieces of gold in
my purse. I mounted an ass I had bespoken the day before, and set out,
accompanied by the man who let me the ass. I directed the owner of the
ass to inquire for the house I wanted; he found it, and conducted me
thither. I paid him liberally, directing him to observe narrowly where
he left me, and not to fail to return next morning with the ass, to carry
me again to the khan of Mesrour.
I knocked at the door, and presently two little female slaves, white as
snow, and neatly dressed came and opened it. "Be pleased to come in,
Sir, said they, "our mistress expects you impatiently; these two days
she has talked of nothing but you. I entered the court, and saw a
pavilion raised seven steps, and surrounded with iron rails that parted it
from a very pleasant garden. Besides the trees which only embellished

the place, and formed an agreeable shade, there was an infinite number
of others loaded with all sorts of fruit. I was charmed with the warbling
of a great number of birds, that joined their notes to the murmurings of
a fountain, in the middle of a parterre enamelled with flowers. This
fountain formed a very agreeable object; four large gilded dragons at
the angles of the basin, which was of a square form, spouted out water
clearer than rock-crystal. This delicious place gave me a charming idea
of the conquest I had made. The two little slaves conducted me into a
saloon magnificently furnished; and while one of them went to acquaint
her mistress with my arrival, the other tarried with me, and pointed out
to me the beauties of the hall.
I did not wait long in the hall, ere the lady I loved appeared, adorned
with pearls and diamonds ; but the splendour of her eyes far outshone
that of her jewels. Her shape, which was now not disguised by the habit
she wore in the city, appeared the most slender and delicate. I need not
mention with what joy we met once more; it far exceeded all
expression. When the first compliments were over, we sat down upon a
sofa, and there conversed together with the highest satisfaction. We had
the most delicious refreshments served up to us; and after eating,
continued our conversation till night. We then had excellent wine
brought up, and fruit adapted to promote drinking, and timed our cups
to the sound of musical instruments, joined to the voices of the slaves.
The lady of the house sung herself, and by her songs raised my passion
to the height. In short, I passed the night in full enjoyment.
Next morning I slipped under the bolster of the bed the purse with