One Thousand and One Nights

by Richard Burton

  Next morning, the king and his uncle went to the bath and washed, after which they came forth and drank wine and the servants set food before them, of which they and Julnar ate, till they were satisfied, and washed their hands Then Salih rose and said to his nephew and sister, ‘With your leave, I would fain go to my mother [and kindred], for I have been with you some days and they await me and their hearts are troubled concerning me.’ But Bedr said to him, ‘Abide with us this day;’ and he consented. Then said the king, ‘Come, O my uncle, let us go forth to the garden.’ So they sallied forth to the garden and walked about and took their pleasure awhile, after which Bedr lay down under a shady tree, thinking to rest and sleep; but he called to mind his uncle’s description of the princess and her beauty and grace and shed copious tears, reciting the following verses:

  If, whilst within mine entrails the fires of hell did stir And flames raged high about me, ‘twere spoken in mine ear,

  “Which wilt thou have the rather, a draught of water cold Or sight of her thou lovest?” I’d say, “The sight of her.”

  Then he sighed and wept and lamented, reciting these verses also:

  Ah, who shall be my helper in love of a gazelle, Even as the sun in visage, but fairer, sooth to tell?

  My heart was free and careless; but now ’tis all on fire With passion for the daughter of King Es Semendel.

  When Salih heard what his nephew said, he smote hand upon hand and said, ‘There is no god but God! Mohammed is the apostle of God and there is no power and no virtue save in God the Most High, the Supreme! O my son, didst thou hear what passed between thy mother and myself respecting the princess Jauhereh?’ ‘Yes, O my uncle,’ answered Bedr. ‘And I fell in love with her by report, through what I heard you say. Indeed, my heart cleaves to her and I cannot live without her.’ ‘O king,’ rejoined his uncle, let us return to thy mother and tell her how the case stands and ask her leave that I may take thee with me and seek the princess in marriage of her father; for I fear to take thee without her leave, lest she be wroth with me; and indeed the right would be on her side, for I should be the cause of her separation from thee, even as I was that of her separation from us. Moreover, the [people of the] city would be left without a king and there would be none to govern them and look to their affairs; so should the realm be disordered against thee and the kingship depart from thy hands.’ But Bedr said, ‘O my uncle, if I return to my mother and consult her, she will not suffer me to do this; wherefore I will not return to her nor consult her, but will go with thee and tell her not and after return.’ And he wept before him.

  When Salih heard what his nephew said, he was bewildered concerning his case and said, ‘I crave help of God the most High in any event.’ Then, seeing that Bedr was resolved to go with him, without consulting his mother, he drew from his finger a seal-ring, whereon were graven certain of the names of God the Most High, and gave it to him, saying, ‘Put this on thy finger, and thou wilt be safe from drowning and other [the perils of the sea] and from the mischief of its beasts and its great fishes.’ So Bedr took the ring and put it on his finger. Then they plunged into the sea and fared on till they came to Salih’s palace, where they found Bedr’s grandmother, the mother of his mother, seated with her kinsfolk, and going in to them, kissed their hands. When the old queen saw Bedr, she rose to him and embracing him, kissed him between the eyes and said to him, ‘A blessed coming, O my son! How didst thou leave thy mother Julnar?’ ‘She is well in health and fortune,’ answered he, ‘and salutes thee and her cousins.’

  Then Salih told his mother how Bedr had fallen in love with the princess Jauhereh by report and was come, purposing to demand her in marriage of her father; which when the old queen heard, she was exceeding wroth with her son and sore troubled and concerned and said to Salih, ‘O my son, of a truth thou didst wrong to name the princess Jauhereh before thy nephew, knowing, as thou dost, that her father is stupid and arrogant, little of wit and exceeding violent of temper, grudging his daughter to these who demand her in marriage; for all the kings of the sea have sought her hand, but he would none of them and rejected them all, saying, “Ye are no match for her in beauty nor grace nor aught else.” Wherefore we fear to demand her in marriage of him, lest he reject us, even as he hath rejected others; and we are people of spirit and should return broken-hearted.’

  ‘O my mother,’ answered Salih, ‘What is to do? For King Bedr says, “Needs must I seek her in marriage of her father, though it cost me my whole kingdom,” and avouches that he will die of love and longing for her, if he have her not to wife. Moreover, he is handsomer and goodlier than she; his father was king of all the Persians, whose king he now is, and none but he is worthy of Jauhereh. Wherefore I purpose to carry her father a present of jacinths and jewels, befitting his dignity, and demand her of him in marriage. If he object that he is a king, behold, Bedr also is a king and the son of a king; or, if he object her beauty, behold, Bedr is handsomer than she; or, again, if he object the extent of his dominion, behold, Bedr’s dominion is vaster than hers and her father’s and he hath greater plenty of troops and guards, for that his kingdom is greater than that of Es Semendel. Needs must I do my endeavour to further the desire of my sister’s son, though it cost me my life; because I was the cause of what has happened; and even as I plunged him into the ocean of her love, so will I go about to marry him to her, and may God the Most High help me thereto!’ ‘Do as thou wilt,’ rejoined his mother; ‘but beware of giving her father rough words, whenas thou speakest with him; for thou knowest his folly and violence and I fear lest he do thee a mischief, for he knoweth not respect for any.’ And Salih answered, ‘I hear and obey.’

  Then he took two bags full of emeralds and rubies and other jewels and giving them to his servants to carry, set out with Bedr for the palace of Es Semendel. When they came thither, he sought an audience of the king and being admitted to his presence, kissed the earth before him and saluted him after the goodliest fashion. The king rose to him and receiving him witn the utmost honour, bade him be seated. So he sat down and presently the king said to him, ‘A blessed coming, O Salih! Indeed, thou hast desolated us [by shine absence]. But what brings thee to us? Tell me thine errand, that we may fulfil it to thee.’ Whereupon Salih arose and kissing the earth a second time, said, ‘O king of the age, my errand is to God and the magnanimous king and the valiant lion, the report of whose good qualities the caravans have spread far and near and whose renown for goodness and beneficence and clemency and graciousness and liberality is bruited abroad in all climes and countries.’

  Then he opened the two bags and displaying their contents before the king, said to him, ‘O king of the age, belike thou wilt show favour to me and heal my heart by accepting my present.’ Quoth the king, ‘With what intent dost thou make me this gift? Tell me thy case and acquaint me with thy need. If it be in my power, I will straightway accomplish it to thee and spare thee toil and trouble; and if I be unable “hereunto, God imposeth not upon a souI aught but that whereto it may avail.’ So Salih rose and kissing the earth three times, said, ‘O king of the age, thou art indeed able to that which I desire; it is in thy power and thou art master thereof; and I impose not on the king a dilemma, nor am I mad, that I should ask of the king a thing whereto he availeth not; for the sage saith, “If thou wouldst be obeyed, ask that which is possible.” Wherefore, that of which I am come in quest, the king (whom God preserve!) is able to grant.’ ‘Ask what thou wouldst have,’ replied the king, ‘and expound thy case and seek thy desire.’ Then said Salih, ‘O king of the age, know that I come as a suitor, seeking the unique pearl and the treasured jewel, the princess Jauhereh, daughter of our lord the king; wherefore, O king”, disappoint thou not thy suitor.’

  When the king heard this, he laughed till he fell backward, in derision of him, and said, ‘O Salih, I had thought thee a man of worth and sense, seeking nought but what was reasonable and speaking not but advisedly. What then hath befallen thy reason and urged thee to this monstrous ma
tter and mighty hazard, that thou seekest in marriage the daughters of kings, lords of cities and countries? Art thou of a rank to aspire to this great eminence and hath thy wit failed thee to this pass that thou affrontest me with this demand?’

  ‘God amend the king!’ replied Salih. ‘I seek her not for myself (albeit, an I did, I am her match and more than her match, for thou knowest that my father was king of the kings of the sea, for all thou art now our king), but for King Bedr Basim, lord of the lands of the Persians and son of King Shehriman, whose puissance thou knowest. If thou object that thou art a great king, King Bedr is a greater; and if thou object thy daughter’s beauty, he is handsomer than she and fairer of form and more excellent of rank and lineage; and he is the champion of the people of his day. Wherefore, O king of the age, if thou grant my request, thou wilt have set the thing in its place; but, if thou deal arrogantly with us, thou wilt not use us justly nor travel the right road with us Moreover, O king, thou knowest that the princess Jauhereh, the daughter of our lord the king, must needs be married, for the sage saith, “Needs must for a girl marriage or the grave.” So, if thou mean to marry her, my sister’s son is worthier of her than any other man.’

  When King Es Semendel heard Salih’s words, he was exceeding wroth; his reason fled and his soul was like to depart his body for rage, and he said, ‘O dog, shall the like of thee dare to bespeak me thus and name my daughter in the assemblies, saying that the son of thy sister Julnar is a match for her? Who art thou and who are thy sister and her son and who was his father, that thou shouldst dare to say these things to me? What are ye all, in comparison with my daughter, but dogs?’ And he cried out to his servants, saying, ‘Take yonder good-for-nought’s head!’ So they drew their swords and fell upon Salih, but he fled and made for the palace gate, where he found more than a thousand horse of his cousins and kinsfolk and servants, armed cap-a-pie in iron and strait-knit coats of mail, with spears and naked swords in their hands, whom his mother had despatched to his succour.

  When they saw Salih come running out of the palace, they questioned him and he told them what was to do; whereupon they knew that the king was a violent-tempered fool. So they alighted and drawing their swords, went in to King Es Semendel, whom they found seated upon the throne of his kingship, unaware of their coming and violently enraged against Salih; and they saw his guards and servants and officers unprepared. When the king saw them enter, sword in hand, he cried out to his people, saying, ‘Out on you! Take me these dogs’ heads!’ But, before long, Es Semendel’s party were put to the rout and addressed themselves to flight, and Salih and his kinsfolk seized upon the king and bound his hands behind him. When Jauhereh awoke and knew that her father was a captive and his guards slain, she fled forth the palace to a certain island and climbing up into a high tree, hid herself therein.

  Now, when the two parties came to blows, some of King Es Semendel’s servants fled and Bedr, meeting them, questioned them and they told him what had happened, adding that the king was a prisoner, whereupon Bedr feared for himself and said in his heart, ‘Verily, all this turmoil is on my account and none is sought for but I.’ So he sought safety in flight, knowing not whither he went; but fate fore-ordained from all eternity drove him to the island where the princess had taken refuge, and he came to the very tree on which she sat and cast himself down, like a dead man, thinking to lie and rest and knowing not that there is no rest for the pursued, for none knoweth what destiny hides for him in the future. As he lay down, he raised his eyes to the tree and they met those of the princess. So he looked at her and seeing her to be like the shining moon, said, ‘Glory to Him who created yonder perfect form, Him who is the Creator of all things and Almighty! Glory to the Great God, the Creator, the Shaper and Fashioner! By Allah, except my presentiments deceive me, this is Jauhereh, daughter of King Es Semendel! Methinks that, when she heard of our coming to blows with her father, she fled to this island and hid herself in this tree; but, if this be not the princess herself, it is one yet goodlier than she.’

  Then he bethought himself and said, ‘I will arise and lay hands on her and question her of her case; and if she be indeed Jauhereh, I will demand her in marriage of herself and so accomplish my desire.’ So he stood up and said to her, ‘O end of all desire, who art thou and who brought thee hither?’ She looked at him and seeing him to be as the full moon, when it breaks from under the black clouds, slender of shape and sweet of smile, answered, saying, ‘O fair of fashion, I am the princess Jauhereh, daughter of King Es Semendel, and I took refuge in this place, becanse Salih and his men made war on my father and slew his troops and took him prisoner, with some of his men; wherefore I fled, fearing for m’ life, and know not what fortune hath done with my father.’

  When Bedr heard this, he marvelled exceedingly at the strange chance and said in himself, ‘Doubtless I have come to my desire by the taking of her father.’ Then he looked at Jauhereh and said to her, ‘Come down, O my lady; for I am one slain for love of thee and thine eyes have captived me. Know that all these broils and troubles are on thine account and mine; for I am Bedr Basim, King of the Persians, and Salih is my uncle, and he it is who came to thy father to demand thee in marriage. As for me, I have left my kingdom for thy sake, and our meeting here is a rare coincidence. So come down to me and let us go to thy father’s palace, that I may beseech my uncle Salih to release him and take thee to wife according to the law.’ When Jauhereh heard his words, she said in herself, ‘It was on this vile wretch’s account, then, that all this hath befallen and that my father hath been made a prisoner and his guards and chamberlains slain and I constrained to flee far away from my palace and seek refuge in this island, a miserable exile. But, an I go not about with him, to defend myself against him, he will possess himself of me and take his will of me; for he is in love and a lover is not blamed for aught that he cloth.’

  Then she beguiled him with [fair] words and soft speeches, whilst he knew not the perfidy she purposed against him, and said to him, ‘O my lord and light of my eyes, art thou indeed King Bedr Basim, son of Queen Julnar?’ And he answered, ‘Yes, O my lady.’ ‘May God cut off my father,’ rejoined she, ‘and make his kingdom to cease from him and heal not his heart neither avert from him strangerhood, if he could desire a comelier than thou or aught goodlier than these fair fashions of shine! By Allah, he is little of wit and judgment! But, O king of the age, be thou not wroth with him for that which he hath done; for, if thou love me a span, verily I love thee a cubit. Indeed, I have fallen into the snare of thy love and am become of the number of those thou hast slain. The love that was with thee hath transferred itself to me and there is left thereof with thee but a tithe of that which is with me.’

  So saying, she came down from the tree and strained him to her bosom and fell to kissing him; whereat passion and desire for her waxed on him and he doubted not but she loved him and trusted in her. So he returned her caresses and said to her, ‘By Allah, O princess, my uncle Salih set forth to me not a fortieth part of thy charms, no, nor a quarter of a carat thereof!’ Jauhereh pressed him to her bosom and pronounced some unintelligible words then spat in his face, saying, ‘Quit this shape of a man and take that of a bird, the handsomest of birds, white of plumage, with red bill and feet’ Hardly had she spoken, when Bedr found himself transformed into a bird, the handsomest of birds, which shook itself and stood, looking at her.

  Now Jauhereh had with her one of her slave-girls, by name Mersineh; so she called her and said to her, ‘By Allah, but that I fear for my father, who is his uncle’s prisoner, I would kill him! May God not requite him with good! How unlucky was his coming to us; for all this trouble is due to him! But do thou carry him to the Thirsty Island and leave him there to die of thirst.’ So Mersineh carried him to the island in question and would have returned and left him there; but she said in herself, ‘By Allah, one of such beauty and grace deserveth not to die of thirst!’ So she brought him to another island, abounding in trees and fruits and streams, and leavin
g him there, returned to her mistress and told her that she had set him on the Thirsty Island.

  Meanwhile, King Salih sought for Jauhereh, but, finding her not, returned to his palace and said to his mother ‘Where is my sister’s son, King Bedr?’ ‘By Allah, O my son,’ replied she, ‘I know nothing of him! For, when he heard that you and King Es Semendel had come to blows and that strife and slaughter had betided between you, he took fright and fled.’ When Salih heard this, he grieved for his nephew and said, ‘By Allah, O my mother, we have dealt negligently by King Bedr and I fear lest he perish or lest one of King Es Semendel’s soldiers or his daughter Jauhereh fall in with him. So should we come to shame with his mother and no good betide us from her, for that I took him without her leave.’ Then he despatched guards and scouts throughout the sea and elsewhere to seek for Bedr; but they could learn nothing of him: so they returned and told King Salih, wherefore grief and concern redoubled on him and his breast was straitened for King Bedr.

  Meanwhile, Julnar abode many days in expectation of her son’s return; but he came not and she heard no news of him. So, when she was weary of waiting, she arose and going down into the sea, repaired to her mother, who rose to her and embraced her and kissed her, as did her cousins. Then she questioned her mother of King Bedr and she answered, saying, ‘O my daughter, he came hither with his uncle, who took jacinths and jewels and carrying them to King Es Semendel, demanded his daughter in marriage for thy son; but he consented not and offended against thy brother in words. Now I had sent Salih nigh upon a thousand horse and there befell strife between him and King Es Semendel; but God aided thy brother against him, and he slew his troops and took himself prisoner. Meanwhile, tidings of this reached thy son, and it would seem as if he feared for himself; wherefore he fled forth from us, without our will, and returned not, nor have we heard any news of him.’ Then Julnar enquired for King Salih and his mother said, ‘He is seated on the throne of kingship, in the stead of King Es Semendel, and hath sent in all directions to seek thy son and the princess Jauhereh.’