One Thousand and One Nights

by Richard Burton

  Wilt thou thus mock at all belief and all religious rites And doubly guilty, this my faith and eke thine own profane?

  An if thou lov’dst me, thou’dst become a Jew for love of me, And, save my favours, all to thee forbidden would remain,

  And by th’ Evangel thou wouldst swear a strait and binding oath To keep the secret of the love that is betwixt us twain.’

  So by the Pentateuch I swear, a true and certain oath, That, in the time that’s past and gone and ne’er will be again,

  I swore to her upon my faith, upon my law and creed, And her unto a solemn oath on like wise did constrain.

  Quoth I, ‘O term of all desire, what is thy name?’ And she, ‘Zein el Mewasif am I called in this my own demesne.’

  ‘Zein el Mewasif,’ then cried I, ‘my entrails are enthralled For love of thee; thou hast indeed enslaved me, heart and brain.’

  I saw her beauty underneath the chin-veil and became Afflicted sore at heart, distraught for love and longing pain;

  Nor neath the curtain did I cease to humble me and eke Of the much passion to make moan that in my heart did reign;

  Till, when she saw my plight and all the transport of my love, A smiling visage she unveiled, that did me straight assain.

  The wind of amorous delight blew full on us and she Scented of musk her neck and wrists, till all the house had ta’en

  Perfume from her and every place, whilst I her lips did kiss And from her sweet and smiling mouth its wine of balm did drain.

  Under her robes she swayed, as sways the willow, and delight And union did permit, till then forbidden to the swain.

  We lay the night together and with many a clip and kiss And sucking lips, was union perfected for us twain.

  There’s no adornment of the world, excepting she thou lov st Be near thee, so thou mayst of her the wished delight obtain.

  Whenas day broke, she rose to say farewell, with lovely face Excelling far the moon that shines in heaven’s spreading plain;

  And at her leave-taking, this verse she chanted, whilst the tears Ran down her cheeks, now one by one, now linked in many a chain,

  ‘By the Great Oath and by the nights so fair, I’ll ne’er forget The pact of Allah ‘twixt us two, whilst I on life remain!’

  Zein el Mewasif was charmed with these verses and said to him, ‘O Mesrour, how goodly are thy parts! May he live not who would harm thee!’ Then she entered a privy chamber and called him. So he went in to her and taking her in his arms, embraced her and kissed her and got of her that which he had deemed impossible and rejoiced in the attainment of the sweet of amorous delight. Then said she, ‘O Mesrour, now we are become lovers, thy good is forbidden to me and is lawfully thine again.’ So she restored to him all she had won of him and said to him, ‘Hast thou a garden, whither we may go and take our pleasure therein?’ ‘Yes, O my lady,’ answered he, ‘I have a garden that hath not its like.’

  Then he returned to his house and bade his slave-girls make ready a handsome room and provide a splendid banquet; after which he summoned Zein el Mewasif, who came with her damsels, and they ate and drank and made merry, whilst the cup passed round between them and their hearts were glad. Then the lovers withdrew to privy chamber and Zein el Mewasif said to Mesrour, ‘I have bethought me of some pleasant verses, which I would fain sing to the lute.’ And he answered, ‘Do so.’ So she took the lute and tuning it, sang the following to pleasant air:

  Mirth from the smitten strings o’ercometh me and cheer; Sweet is our morning-draught, when daybreak draweth near.

  Love still its bondman’s heart uncovereth and in The tearing down of veils doth love-longing appear;

  With wine strained bright, so pure and goodly that it seems The sun in hands of moons unveiled and shining clear.

  It bringeth us anights its gladness and with joy Obliterates the stains of dreariment and fear.

  Then said she to him, ‘O Mesrour, recite us somewhat of thy verse and favour us with the fruit of thy wit.’ So he recited the following:

  In a full moon we do rejoice, that carries round its wine, And in the sweet strains of the lute in gardens fair and fine,

  Whose turtles in the dawning-hour sing and whose branches sway And eke their paths the uttermost of all desire enshrine.

  When he had finished, she said to him, ‘If thou be occupied with love of me, make us some verses on that which hath passed between us.’ ‘With all my heart,’ answered he and recited the following ode:

  Stay thou and hear what me befell For love of yonder fair gazelle

  A white doe shot me with a shaft And fierce her glances on me fell.

  Ravished with love, my every shift Straitened on me for passion’s spell,

  I pined for a coquette, enclosed With spear-points inexpugnable.

  I saw her midst a garden fair: In symmetry she did excel.

  ‘Peace be on thee!’ quoth I to her: She answered, ‘And on thee as well.’

  ‘What is thy name?’ asked I; and she, ‘My name my qualities doth tell.

  Zein el Mewasif am I called.’ ‘Pity my case deplorable,’

  Quoth I, ‘such longing with me is, No lover is my parallel.’

  ‘An if thou love and wouldst my charms Enjoy,’ said she, ‘I will not sell

  My favours save for wealth galore, Past count and unattainable.

  Raiment of silk I’ll have of thee And costly damasks, many an ell,

  And musk four quintals, pearls of price, Cornelians uncountable,

  Silver and gold and trinkets fine And jewelled gauds I’ll have as well;

  One night of my possession these Shall buy: I’ll bate no particle.’

  I showed fair patience, though, God wot, For fires of love I was in hell,

  And she to bless me deigned one night The new moon’s radiance on us fell.

  If th’ envious blame me, ‘List, O folk,’ Quoth I, ‘to that I have to tell,

  Long locks hath she, as black as night, And in her cheeks a rose doth dwell,

  As red as very flames of fire: Her looks are arrows sharp and snell,

  And in her lashes is a sword That serves her lovers to repel.

  Wine in her mouth is and her lips With dews like limpid water well.

  Her teeth are like a necklace strung With pearls of price, fresh from the shell.

  Her neck, perfected in all grace, Is as the neck of a gazelle.

  As marble white her bosom is, Wherein, like towers, her breasts do swell.

  Her belly hath a fold perfumed With essences invaluable;

  And underneath it lies a thing, That is my wishes’ pinnacle;

  Fat, plump, high-cushioned, O my lords, As ‘twere a king’s throne, sooth to tell,

  To whom I plain me of the woes My soul to madness that enspell.

  Betwixten columns twain thou’lt find High benches set before the cell.

  It hath such attributes as daze Men’s wits and wonderment compel;

  Wide lips it hath and mouth, to boot, As ‘twere a mouth of mule or well;

  An eye of red it shows and lips Like camel’s lips: its face doth swell,

  For very redness, still with wrath. So look, O man, thou guard thee well.

  If thou come to it with intent To do, thou’lt find it hot as hell,

  Ardent of meeting and endowed With strength to battle fierce and fell;

  And well I wot, each champion, eased Of lust of battle, ‘twill repel.

  Bytimes thou’lt find it with a beard, As ‘twere a man’s; another spell

  Thou’lt find it beardless, hot with lust Of battle ‘gainst the infidel.

  One who is great of grace and sheen To thee of this doth tidings tell,

  One from whom Zein herself alone For all perfection bears the bell.

  I came to her by night and got That which was sweet as œnomel;

  Yes, and the night I lay with her Did all mine other nights excel.

  When daybreak came, with new-moon face She rose and shape as flexible

  As swayin
g boughs or slender spears, And turned to me to say farewell.

  Quoth she, ‘When shall the nights return Wherein such joyance us befell?’

  And I, ‘O lustre of mine eyes, Come,’ answered, ‘when it likes thee well.’

  Zein el Mewasif was charmed with these verses and the utmost gladness possessed her. Then said she, ‘O Mesrour, the day is at hand and there is nothing for it but to depart, for fear of scandal.’ ‘I hear and obey,’ answered he and rising, carried her to her house, after which he returned home and passed the rest of the night meditating on her charms. When the morning appeared and gave forth its light and shone, he made ready a sumptuous present and carried it to her and sat with her.

  They abode thus awhile, in all delight and solace of life, till one day there came to Zein el Mewasif a letter from her husband, advising her of his speedy return. ‘May God not preserve him nor quicken him!’ exclaimed she. ‘If he come hither, our life will be troubled. Would I might despair of him!’ Presently came Mesrour and sat talking with her, as of wont, and she said to him, ‘O Mesrour, I have received a letter from my husband, announcing his speedy return from his travels. What is to be done, since neither of us can live without the other?’ ‘I know not,’ answered he; ‘but thou art better able to judge, being acquainted with thy husband’s ways, more by token that thou art one of the keenest-witted of women and mistress of devices such as contrive that whereof men fail.’ Quoth she, ‘He is a hard man and jealous of the people of his household: but, when thou hearest of his coming, do thou repair to him and salute him and sit down by his side, saying, “O my brother, I am a druggist.” Then buy of him various kinds of drugs and spices and pay him frequent visits and talk long with him and gainsay him not in whatsoever he shall bid thee; so haply that may betide, [as] of chance, for which I would fain contrive.’ ‘I hear and obey,’ answered Mesrour and went out from her, with a heart on fire for love.

  When her husband came home, she rejoiced in him and bade him welcome; but he looked in her face and seeing it pale and sallow, (for she had washed it with saffron, making usage therein of one of women’s arts,) asked her how she did. She replied that she had been sick, she and her women, from the time of his setting out on his journey, and said, ‘Verily, our hearts have been troubled for thee by reason of the length of thine absence.’ And she went on to complain to him of the misery of separation and to weep copious tears, saying, ‘Hadst thou but a companion with thee, my heart had not suffered all this anxiety for thee. So, God upon thee, O my lord, travel not again without a companion and keep me not without news of thee, that my heart and mind may be at rest concerning thee!’ ‘With all my heart,’ answered he. ‘Thy counsel is good, and by thy life, it shall be as thou wishest.’

  Then he took some of his goods and carrying them to his shop, opened it and sat down to sell in the bazaar. Presently up came Mesrour and saluting him, sat down by his side and talked with him awhile. Then he pulled out a purse and taking forth gold, handed it to the Jew and said, ‘Give me the worth of this money in various kinds of drugs and spices, that I may sell them in my shop.’ ‘I hear and obey,’ answered he and gave him what he sought. Mesrour continued to pay him frequent visits, till, one day, the merchant said to him, ‘I have a mind to take me a man to partner in trade.’ ‘And I also,’ replied Mesrour, ‘desire to take a partner; for my father was a merchant in the land of Yemen and left me great wealth and I fear lest it go from me.’ Quoth the Jew, ‘Wilt thou be my partner, and I will be thine and a true friend and comrade to thee at home and abroad, and I will teach thee to sell and buy and give and take?’ And Mesrour said, ‘With all my heart.’

  So the merchant carried him to his house and seated him in the vestibule, whilst he went in to his wife and said to her, ‘I have taken me a partner and have bidden him hither as a guest; so do thou prepare us a handsome entertainment.’ When she heard this, she rejoiced, doubting not but this was Mesrour, and made ready a magnificent banquet, of her joy in the success of her device. Then said her husband to her, ‘Come out with me to him and bid him welcome and say, “Thou gladdenest us [with thy company].”’ But she made a show of anger, saying, ‘Wilt thou have me discover myself to a strange man? God forbid! Though thou cut me in pieces, I will not appear before him!’ ‘Why shouldst thou be abashed at him,’ rejoined he, ‘seeing that he is a Nazarene and we are Jews and we are become associates, he and I?’ Quoth she, ‘It liketh me not to present myself before a strange man, on whom I have never set eyes and whom I know not.’

  He thought she spoke sooth and ceased not to importune her, till she rose and veiling herself, took the food and went out to Mesrour and bade him welcome; whereupon he bowed his head, as he were ashamed, and the Jew, seeing this, said in himself, ‘Doubtless, this man is a devotee.’ They ate their fill and the table being removed, wine was set on. As for Zein el Mewasif, she sat over against her lover and gazed on him and he on her till ended day, when Mesrour went home, with a heart on fire and the Jew abode pondering the grace and goodliness of his new partner. As soon as it was night, his wife brought him the evening meal and they sat down to eat.

  Now he had a mocking-bird, that was used, whenas he sat down to meat, to come and eat with him and hover about his head; but in his absence it was grown familiar with Mesrour and used to eat with him and hover about him. When its master returned, it knew him not and would not draw near him, and this made him thoughtful. As for Zein el Mewasif, she could not sleep for thinking of Mesrour, and thus it was with her three nights, till the Jew became aware of her distraction and watching her, began to suspect something wrong. On the fourth night, he awoke in the middle of the night and heard his wife talking in her sleep and calling upon Mesrour, what while she lay in her husband’s arms, wherefore he misdoubted of her; but he dissembled his suspicions and on the morrow betook himself to his shop and sat there. Presently, up came Mesrour and saluted him. He returned his greeting and said to him, ‘Welcome, O my brother! I have wished for thee;’ and he sat talking with him awhile, after which he said to him, ‘O my brother, come with me to my house, that we may enter into the pact of brotherhood.’ ‘With all my heart,’ replied Mesrour and they went to the Jew’s house, where the latter went in and told his wife of Mesrour’s coming, saying, ‘Make us ready a goodly entertainment, and needs must thou be present and witness our brotherhood.’ But she answered, ‘God on thee, cause me not show myself to this strange man, for I have no mind to company with him.’ So he forbore to press her and bade the waiting-women bring meat and drink. Then he called the mocking-bird, but it knew him not and settled in Mesrour’s lap; and the Jew said to him, ‘O my lord, what is thy name?’ and he answered, ‘Mesrour.’ Whereupon the Jew remembered that this was the name which his wife had repeated all night long in her sleep.

  Presently, he raised his head and saw her making signs to Mesrour and motioning to him with her eyebrows; wherefore he knew that he had been tricked and said, ‘O my lord, excuse me awhile, till I fetch my kinsmen, so they may be present at our treaty of brotherhood.’ ‘Do what seemeth good to thee,’ answered Mesrour; whereupon the Jew went forth the house and returning privily by a back way, betook himself to a window that gave upon the saloon and whence he could watch them, unseen of them. Quoth Zein el Mewasif to her maid Sukoub, ‘Whither is thy master gone?’ And she said, ‘He is gone without the house.’ ‘Lock the door,’ said Zein, ‘and bar it with iron and open not till he knock, after thou hast told me.’ ‘So be it,’ answered Sukoub.

  Then she rose and filling a cup with wine, flavoured with powdered musk and rose-water, went up to Mesrour, who rose to meet her, saying, ‘By Allah, the water of thy mouth is sweeter than this wine!’ ‘Here it is for thee,’ quoth she and filling her mouth with wine, gave him to drink thereof, whilst he did the like with her; after which she sprinkled him with rose-water from head to foot, till he scented the whole place. All this while, the Jew was looking on and marvelling at the greatness of the love that was between them, and his heart wa
s filled with rage for what he saw and he was jealous with an exceeding jealousy. Then he went out again and coming to the door, found it locked and knocked loudly, of the excess of his anger; whereupon quoth Sukoub, ‘O my lady, here is my master.’ ‘Open to him,’ replied Zein el Mewasif; ‘would God had not brought him back in safety!’

  So she went and opened the door to the Jew, who said to her, ‘What ailed thee to lock the door?’ Quoth she, ‘It hath never ceased to be locked thus during thine absence; nor hath it been opened night nor day.’ ‘Thou hast done well,’ answered he; ‘this pleases me.’ Then he went in to Mesrour, laughing and dissembling his chagrin, and said to him, ‘O Mesrour, let us put off the conclusion of our treaty of brotherhood till another day.’ ‘As thou wilt,’ replied Mesrour and went away, leaving the Jew pondering his case and knowing not what to do; for his heart was sore troubled and he said in himself, ‘Even the mocking-bird disavows me and the slave-girls shut the door in my face and favour another.’ And of the excess of his chagrin, he fell to reciting the following verses:

  A life made fair with all delight of days and solacement Mesrour doth live, what while my life is severed and forspent.

  Fortune hath played the knave with me in her whom I adore And all my heart’s on flames of fire, that rage without relent.

  Once with the fair a time was bright for thee; ’tis past and gone; Yet art thou ever love-distraught that lovely one anent.

  Mine eyes her goodly beauty saw and in the love of her, My heart to passion thrall became, for very ravishment.

  Of the sweet water of her lips she poured me out, fine wine On thirst, whilst yet the time endured of favour and content.

  What ails thee, O my mocking-bird, that thou forsakest me And to another than myself in love dost yield consent?

  Strange things, indeed, mine eyes have seen, that from my lids, if they Were ever drowsed with slumber, sleep would chase incontinent.

  I see my loved one hath forsworn the love of me and eke My mocking-bird round me no more hovers with blandishment.

  By the worlds’ Lord, who, when upon His creatures He’d fulfil His ordinance, afflicteth them with many a dour event,