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Know, O fortunate king, that in ancient times, in ages long past, there was a king of the Persians named Muhammad ibn Saba’ik, who ruled the land of Khurasan. Every year he made war upon the lands of the unbelievers in India, Sind, China, and the countries beyond the Oxus, as well as other lands, Persian and otherwise. He was a just and valiant king, noble and generous, and he delighted in convivial gatherings, tales, poetry, histories, stories told by night, and the lives of the ancients. Whoever knew a strange tale and related it to him received his bounty. It was said that whenever a stranger came to him with an uncommon story and told it in his presence, if the king admired it and was pleased with his words, he would bestow on him a splendid robe of honor, give him a thousand dinars, mount him on a horse saddled and bridled, clothe him from head to foot, and heap rich gifts upon him. The man would take them and go his way. Now it happened that an elderly man came to him with a curious tale and related it before him. The king admired the story and was delighted with his words, so he ordered a handsome reward for him, including a thousand Khurasani dinars and a fully equipped horse. After this, reports of the king’s generosity spread throughout the lands and reached a man known as Hasan the Merchant, who was generous and openhanded, learned, accomplished, and a poet. But the king had a jealous vizier, an evil counselor who loved no one, rich or poor. Whenever anyone came to the king and received a gift, the vizier envied him and said, “Such conduct will exhaust the treasury and lay the country waste, yet the king persists in it.” Nothing but envy and hatred prompted the vizier’s words.

When the king heard of Hasan the Merchant, he sent for him. As soon as Hasan appeared before him, he said, “Hasan the Merchant, my vizier opposes me and makes himself my enemy because of the money I give to poets, boon companions, and tellers of tales and reciters of verse. Now I wish you to tell me a delightful story, a strange account unlike anything I have ever heard. If your tale pleases me, I shall give you many lands with their castles, adding them to your estates. I shall place my whole kingdom in your hands, make you chief of my viziers, seat you at my right hand, and entrust my subjects to your rule. But if you do not bring me what I have asked, I shall seize everything you possess and drive you from my kingdom.” Hasan the Merchant replied, “I hear and obey, my lord the king. But your servant begs you to allow him a year, after which I shall tell you a tale such as neither you nor anyone else has ever heard, nor has its like or better ever been told.” “I grant you a full year,” said the king. Then he called for a splendid robe of honor and clothed him in it, saying, “Remain in your house. Neither ride abroad nor come and go for one whole year, until you can present what I have asked of you. If you bring it, you shall enjoy my special favor and may rejoice in all I have promised you. But if you fail, you shall be none of ours, nor shall we be any of yours.” And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, ceasing her permitted tale.

When it was the seven hundred and fifty-seventh night

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate king, that when King Muhammad ibn Saba’ik said to Hasan the Merchant, “If you bring me what I have asked of you, you shall enjoy my special favor and may rejoice in all I have promised you. But if you fail, you shall be none of ours, nor shall we be any of yours,” Hasan kissed the ground before him and departed. Then he chose five of his mamluks, all able to read and write, accomplished, sensible, and well versed in letters, and among his most trusted servants. He gave each of them five thousand dinars and said, “It was for a day such as this that I reared you. Help me fulfill the king’s desire and deliver me from his hands.” “What would you have us do?” they asked. “Our lives are yours to command.” He answered, “I want each of you to travel to a different region and make thorough inquiries among scholars, men of letters, learned men, and those who know strange tales and marvelous histories. Seek out for me the story of Sayf al-Muluk and bring it to me. If you find anyone who possesses it, tempt him with a good price. Whatever gold or silver he asks, give it to him. Even if he asks a thousand dinars, give him what you can and promise him the rest, but bring me the tale. Whoever finds this story and brings it to me shall receive splendid robes of honor and abundant rewards, and none shall be dearer to me than he.” Then Hasan the Merchant said to one of them, “Go to India and Sind, and their provinces and regions.” To another he said, “Go to Persia and China and their regions.” To another, “Go to Khurasan and its provinces and regions.” To another, “Go to the lands of the Maghrib, through all their countries, regions, provinces, and farthest reaches.” And to the fifth he said, “Go to Syria and Egypt and their provinces and regions.” He chose an auspicious day for their departure and said, “Set out on this day, and spare no effort to obtain what I need. Do not falter, even if it costs you your lives.” They bade him farewell and departed, each going in the direction he had appointed. Four of them were absent for four months, searching without finding anything. Hasan the Merchant was deeply distressed when these four mamluks returned and told him that they had searched cities, countries, and provinces for what their master sought, but had found no trace of it. As for the fifth mamluk, he journeyed until he entered Syria and reached the city of Damascus. He found it a pleasant, peaceful city, with trees and streams, fruit and birds that sang the praises of God, the One, the All-Subduing, who created night and day. He stayed there several days, inquiring after his master’s desire, but no one could give him an answer. At last he resolved to leave and travel elsewhere. Just then he saw a young man running so fast that he stumbled over the skirts of his robe. “Why are you running in such distress?” the mamluk asked him. “Where are you going?” The young man replied, “There is an old man here who sits on a chair every day at this hour and tells delightful stories, histories, and evening tales, the like of which no one has ever heard. I am hurrying to find a place close to him, for I fear the crowd will leave me nowhere to sit.” “Take me with you,” said the mamluk. “Then walk quickly,” replied the youth. The mamluk locked his door and hurried along with him until they reached the place where the old man told his tales to the people. He saw a man of handsome countenance seated on a chair, addressing the crowd, and sat down near him, listening attentively. At sunset the old man brought his tale to an end, and the people, having heard his story, dispersed. Then the mamluk approached him and greeted him. The old man returned his greeting with still greater courtesy and honor. “My lord,” said the mamluk, “you are a gracious and dignified man, and your tales are delightful. I should like to ask you something.” “Ask whatever you wish,” said he. The mamluk asked, “Do you possess the tale of Sayf al-Muluk and Badi‘at al-Jamal?” “From whom did you hear those words?” asked the old man. “Who told you of it?” The mamluk replied, “I heard it from no one, but I come from a distant land and have journeyed here in search of this story. If you have it and will graciously bestow it upon me, I shall pay whatever price you ask. Let this be an act of charity on your part, worthy of your noble character. If my life lay in my hand and I could offer it to you in exchange, I would gladly do so.” “Be of good cheer and set your heart at rest,” said the old man. “You shall have it. But this is no tale to be told by the roadside, nor do I give it to everyone.” The mamluk said, “By God, my lord, do not withhold it from me! Ask whatever you wish.” “If you want this story,” replied the old man, “give me a hundred dinars and I shall give it to you, but on five conditions.” When the mamluk learned that the old man possessed it and was willing to let him have it, he rejoiced exceedingly and said, “I shall give you a hundred dinars as its price and ten more as a gratuity, and accept it on the conditions you have mentioned.” “Go and fetch the gold,” said the old man, “and take what you seek.” The mamluk rose, kissed the old man’s hands, and returned joyfully to his lodging. He took a hundred and ten dinars and put them in a purse he had with him. When morning came, he rose, dressed, and carried the dinars to the old man, whom he found sitting at the door of his house. He greeted him, and when the old man had returned his greeting, he gave him the hundred and ten dinars. The old man took them, rose, and entered his house, bringing the mamluk in with him. He seated him, set an inkwell, a pen, and paper before him, and handed him a book, saying, “Copy from this book what you seek: the tale of Sayf al-Muluk.” The mamluk sat down and copied the story to the end, then read it aloud to the old man and corrected his copy. Afterward the old man said, “Know, my son, that the first condition is that you must not tell this story by the roadside, nor in the presence of women or slave girls, slaves or fools, nor before children. You are to read it only before princes, kings, viziers, and men of learning, interpreters and others.” The mamluk accepted the conditions, kissed the old man’s hands, bade him farewell, and departed. And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, ceasing her permitted tale.

When it was the seven hundred and fifty-eighth night

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate king, that when Hasan’s mamluk had copied the tale from the book belonging to the old man in Syria, and the old man had told him the conditions, he bade him farewell and left him. He set out that very day, full of joy, and pressed on eagerly, so delighted was he to have obtained the tale of Sayf al-Muluk. At last he reached his own country and sent his attendant ahead with good news for the merchant, saying, “Your mamluk has returned safely, having attained his wish and accomplished his purpose.” When the mamluk reached his master’s city and sent the messenger to him, only ten days remained of the time agreed upon between the king and Hasan the Merchant. He went in to his master and told him all that had happened, to Hasan’s great delight. Then the mamluk retired to rest in his own quarters, having given his master the book containing the story of Sayf al-Muluk and Badi‘ al-Jamal. When his master saw it, he bestowed on the mamluk all the clothes he himself was wearing, and gave him ten fine horses, ten camels, ten mules, three slaves, and two mamluks. Then the merchant took the story and wrote it out clearly in his own hand. He went up to the king and said, “O fortunate king, I have brought you rare and delightful tales, the like of which no one has ever heard.” As soon as the king heard Hasan’s words, he ordered every discerning emir, every accomplished scholar, and every man of letters, poet, and man of understanding to attend. Hasan the Merchant sat down and read the story before the king. The king and all who were present marveled at it and admired it, and those assembled showered Hasan with gold, silver, and jewels. Then the king ordered that Hasan be given a splendid robe of honor from among his finest garments, bestowed on him a great city with its castles and estates, made him one of his chief viziers, and seated him at his right hand. He also commanded the scribes to copy the tale in gold and place it in his private treasury. Thereafter, whenever the king felt troubled in spirit, he would summon Hasan the Merchant to read it to him.

The substance of the story was this: In ancient times, in ages long past, there was in Egypt a king named Asim ibn Safwan, a generous and openhanded monarch of great majesty and dignity. He possessed many lands, castles, fortresses, armies, and troops, and had a vizier named Faris ibn Salih. All of them worshipped the sun and fire instead of the Almighty King, the Glorious, the All-Subduing. Now this king had grown very old, weakened by age, sickness, and infirmity, for he had lived a hundred and eighty years. He had no child, male or female, and on this account he grieved and sorrowed night and day. One day he was seated upon his royal throne, with emirs, viziers, commanders, and officers of state attending him according to custom, each in his appointed place. Whenever an emir entered with a son or two beside him, the king envied him and said to himself, “Each of these men rejoices in his children, while I have none. Tomorrow I shall die and leave my kingdom, my throne, my estates, my treasuries, and my wealth for strangers to take. No one will ever remember me, and no trace of my name will remain in the world.” King Asim sank into a sea of thought, and as grief and anxious reflections crowded upon his heart, he began to weep. He came down from his throne and sat upon the ground, weeping and supplicating. When the vizier and the great officers of state who were present saw him in this condition, they called out to the people, “Go home and rest until the king recovers from what has overcome him.” They departed, leaving only the king and the vizier. When the king came to himself, the vizier kissed the ground before him and said, “O king of the age, what is the cause of these tears? Tell me which king or lord of a fortress, which emir or officer of state has become your enemy. Let me know who opposes you, O king, so that we may all fall upon him and tear the soul from his body.” But the king neither spoke nor raised his head. The vizier kissed the ground before him a second time and said, “O king of the age, I am as your son and your slave, and you yourself brought me up. If I do not know the cause of your grief, sorrow, and anguish, and of this condition in which you find yourself, who else should know it, or take my place before you? Tell me the cause of this weeping and sorrow.” Still the king said nothing, neither opening his mouth nor raising his head. He went on weeping, crying aloud, lamenting bitterly, and sighing, while the vizier waited patiently. At last the vizier said, “Unless you tell me the cause, I shall kill myself here before your eyes this very moment, rather than see you so afflicted.” Then King Asim raised his head, wiped away his tears, and said, “My faithful vizier, leave me to my grief and sorrow. The sadness in my heart is burden enough.” The vizier replied, “Tell me, O king, what causes you to weep. Perhaps God will bring you relief through my hands.” And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, ceasing her permitted tale.

When it was the seven hundred and fifty-ninth night

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate king, that when the vizier said to King Asim, “Tell me what causes you to weep. Perhaps God will bring you relief through my hands,” the king answered, “Vizier, I do not weep for money, horses, or any such thing. But I have become an old man, now nearly a hundred and eighty years of age, and I have never been blessed with a child, male or female. When I die, they will bury me; then every trace of me will vanish, my name will be forgotten, and strangers will take my throne and kingdom. No one will ever remember me.” The vizier said, “O king of the age, I am a hundred years older than you, and I too have never been blessed with a child. Night and day I have grieved and sorrowed. What are you and I to do? But I have heard of Solomon son of David, peace be upon them both, and that he has a mighty Lord who has power over all things. I should go to him with a gift and ask him to pray to his Lord, that perhaps He may grant each of us a child.” Then the vizier made ready for his journey, took a magnificent gift, and set out with it to Solomon son of David, peace be upon them both.

Such was the case with the vizier. As for Solomon son of David, peace be upon them both, God, glorified and exalted be He, revealed to him, saying, “Solomon, the king of Egypt has sent his chief vizier to you with gifts and rarities, of such and such kinds. Send your vizier Asaf ibn Barkhiya to meet him with honor and provisions at the halting places. When he appears before you, say to him, ‘The king has sent you to ask for such and such, and your need is such and such.’ Then invite him to embrace the faith.” Solomon thereupon ordered his vizier Asaf to take a company of his attendants and meet the travelers with honor and fine provisions at their halting places. Asaf prepared everything necessary and went out to meet them. He traveled until he reached Faris, the king of Egypt’s vizier, welcomed him, greeted him, and treated him and his companions with the greatest honor. He supplied them with food and fodder at every halting place, saying, “Welcome, welcome to our arriving guests! Rejoice, for your desire shall be fulfilled. Be of good cheer, set your minds at rest, and let your hearts be glad.” The vizier said to himself, “Who told them of this?” Then he asked Asaf ibn Barkhiya, “My lord, who told you of us and our purpose?” Asaf replied, “Solomon son of David, peace be upon them both, told us.” “And who told our lord Solomon?” asked the vizier Faris. “The Lord of heaven and earth, the God of all creation, told him,” he answered. “This must indeed be a mighty God,” said Faris. Asaf ibn Barkhiya asked, “Do you not worship Him?” Faris, the king of Egypt’s vizier, replied, “We worship the sun and bow down before it.” Asaf said, “Vizier Faris, the sun is but one of the heavenly bodies created by God, glorified and exalted be He. Far be it from being a lord! The sun appears at times and disappears at others, but our Lord is ever present and never absent, and He has power over all things.”

They traveled a little farther until they drew near the royal seat of Solomon son of David, peace be upon them both. Solomon commanded his hosts of men, jinn, and other creatures to form ranks along the road. Sea beasts, elephants, tigers, and leopards all took their places in two rows, each kind gathered separately. So too did the jinn, each appearing openly to the eye in a fearsome shape, their forms differing one from another. They all stood in two ranks, while the birds spread their wings above the creatures to shade them and called to one another in every language and every melody. When the Egyptians came upon them, they were overawed and dared not advance. Asaf said to them, “Pass between them and walk on without fear. They are the subjects of Solomon son of David, and not one of them will harm you.” Then Asaf went between the ranks, and everyone followed him, including the company of the king of Egypt’s vizier, though they were afraid. They continued until they reached the city, where they were lodged in the guesthouse and treated with the utmost honor. For three days they were served sumptuous meals, after which they were brought before Solomon, the prophet of God, peace be upon him. When they entered his presence, they wished to kiss the ground before him, but Solomon son of David forbade them, saying, “No man should bow down upon the ground except to God, mighty and glorious, Creator of the earth, the heavens, and all else. Whoever among you wishes to stand may stand, but let none of you stand in attendance upon me.” They obeyed. The vizier Faris and some of his servants sat down, while some of the younger attendants stood in his service. When they were settled, tables were spread before them, and all the people and creatures ate their fill. Then Solomon bade the vizier of Egypt state his request so that it might be granted, saying, “Speak, and have no fear concerning the matter that has brought you. You have come only to seek the fulfillment of a need, and I shall tell you what it is. It is such and such. The king of Egypt who sent you is named Asim. He has grown old, feeble, and infirm, and God Most High has granted him no child, male or female. Thus he grieves, sorrows, and broods night and day. One day, as he sat upon his royal throne, the emirs, viziers, and great officers of state entered his presence. He saw that some had two sons, some one, and some three; they brought their children with them and stood in attendance. Then he reflected and said in the depths of his sorrow, ‘Who, I wonder, will take my kingdom after my death? Surely none but a stranger, and I shall be as though I had never been.’ Because of this he sank into a sea of thought and remained so sorrowful and absorbed that his eyes overflowed with tears. He covered his face with his handkerchief and wept bitterly. Then he rose from his throne and sat upon the ground, weeping and sobbing, and none but God Most High knew what was in his heart as he sat there.” And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, ceasing her permitted tale.

When it was the seven hundred and sixtieth night

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate king, that when Solomon son of David, the prophet of God, peace be upon them both, had told the vizier Faris of the king’s sorrow and tears, and of everything that had passed between him and his vizier from beginning to end, he asked, “Vizier, is what I have told you true?” Faris replied, “O prophet of God, all you have said is true and exact. Yet when the king and I spoke of this matter, no one was with us, nor did any person know of our conversation. Who, then, told you all these things?” Solomon answered, “My Lord told me, He who knows the treachery of the eyes and what hearts conceal.” Then the vizier Faris said, “O prophet of God, this is indeed a generous and mighty Lord, powerful over all things.” Thereupon Faris and all his companions embraced Islam. Then Solomon, the prophet of God, said to the vizier, “You have brought with you such and such rarities and gifts.” “Yes,” replied the vizier. Solomon said, “I have accepted them all from you, but I give them back to you. Rest, you and your companions, in the place where you are lodged, until you have recovered from the fatigue of the journey. Tomorrow, if God Most High wills, we shall fulfill your desire in the most perfect manner, by the will of God Most High, Lord of earth and heaven and Creator of all creatures.”

The vizier Faris returned to his lodging, and the next day he went again to the lord Solomon. Solomon, the prophet of God, said to him, “When you return to King Asim ibn Safwan and the two of you are together, climb a certain tree and sit there in silence. Between the two prayers, when the heat of midday has abated, come down and look beneath the tree. You will find two serpents emerging, one with a head like a monkey’s and the other with a head like an ifrit’s. When you see them, shoot them with arrows and kill them. Then cut off and discard a span at the head of each, and the same at the tail. Take the flesh that remains and cook it carefully. Give it to your wives to eat and lie with them that night. By the leave of God Most High, they will conceive sons.” Then Solomon, peace be upon him, brought forth a ring, a sword, and a bundle containing two robes encrusted with jewels. He said, “Vizier Faris, when your two sons have grown to manhood, give each of them one of these robes.” Then he said to the vizier, “In the name of God! God Most High has granted your desire. Nothing remains but for you to depart with His blessing, for the king awaits your return night and day, his eyes ever watching the road.”

The vizier Faris approached Solomon son of David, the prophet of God, peace be upon them both, bade him farewell, and departed after kissing his hands. He traveled for the rest of that day, rejoicing that his desire had been granted, and pressed onward by night and day until he drew near Egypt. Then he sent some of his servants ahead to inform King Asim. When King Asim heard that his vizier was returning and that his desire had been fulfilled, he rejoiced exceedingly, as did his intimates, the officers of his kingdom, and all his soldiers, especially at the safe return of the vizier Faris. When king and vizier met, the vizier dismounted, kissed the ground before him, and gave him the glad news that his desire would be fulfilled in the most perfect manner. He invited him to embrace the faith and Islam, and King Asim became a Muslim. Then he said to the vizier Faris, “Go home and rest tonight, and rest for a week as well. Visit the bathhouse, then come to me, so that I may tell you of a matter for us to consider.” The vizier kissed the ground and withdrew to his house with his retinue, pages, and servants. He rested for eight days, then went to the king and related everything that had passed between himself and Solomon son of David, peace be upon them both. Afterward he said to the king, “Rise and come with me alone.” The king rose, and the two of them took two bows and two arrows, climbed the tree, and sat in silence until the midday heat had passed. They remained there until nearly the afternoon prayer, then came down and looked about. They saw two serpents emerging from beneath the tree. The king gazed at them and took a liking to them, for their golden collars delighted him. “Vizier,” he said, “these two serpents wear collars of gold! By God, this is a marvel. Let us catch them and put them in a cage, so that we may look at them.” The vizier replied, “God created these two for their usefulness. Shoot one with your arrow, and I shall shoot the other.” So they both loosed their arrows and killed the serpents. They cut off a span at the head and a span at the tail of each and threw these away, then carried the remainder to the king’s house. They summoned the cook, gave him the flesh, and said, “Cook this meat well, with a rich seasoning of fried onions and spices. Serve it in two bowls and bring them here at such and such a time, at such and such an hour, and do not delay.” And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, ceasing her permitted tale.

When it was the seven hundred and sixty-first night

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate king, that when the king and the vizier gave the cook the flesh of the two serpents, saying, “Cook it, serve it in two bowls, and bring them here without delay,” the cook took the meat to the kitchen and prepared it with great care and a rich fried seasoning. Then he served it in two bowls and brought them before the king and the vizier. The king took one bowl and the vizier the other, and they gave the food to their wives and lay with them that night. By the will, power, and decree of God, glorified and exalted be He, both women conceived that very night. Three months passed, during which the king remained troubled in mind, saying to himself, “I wonder, can this truly be so?” Then one day, as his wife sat, the child stirred in her womb and she knew that she was pregnant. She felt a pain and her color changed, so she summoned the chief of her attendants and said, “Go to the king, wherever he may be, and say to him, ‘O king of the age, I bring you glad tidings: our lady’s pregnancy has become manifest, and the child has stirred in her womb.’” The servant hurried out joyfully and found the king alone, his cheek resting on his hand as he brooded over this very matter. He approached, kissed the ground before him, and told him that his wife was with child. When the king heard the servant’s words, he sprang to his feet and, in the fullness of his joy, kissed the servant’s hand and head. He took off the clothes he was wearing and gave them to him, then said to those present in his council, “Let all who love me bestow gifts upon him.” They gave him money, jewels, rubies, horses, mules, and orchards beyond all counting.

At that very moment the vizier entered and said, “O king of the age, I was just sitting alone at home, troubled in mind and pondering this matter of the pregnancy. I was saying to myself, ‘I wonder if it is true. Will Khatun conceive or not?’ when a servant came in and brought me the good news that my wife Khatun was with child, that the child had stirred in her womb, and that her color had changed. In my joy I took off the clothes I was wearing and gave them to the servant, together with a thousand dinars, and made him chief of the attendants.” Then King Asim said, “Vizier, God, blessed and exalted be He, has showered us with His grace, goodness, generosity, and favor, and has blessed us with the true faith. He has honored us in His bounty and grace and brought us out of darkness into light. Now I wish to relieve the people and make them glad.” “Do as you wish,” replied the vizier. The king said, “Go down at once and release everyone in prison, criminals and debtors alike. Whoever commits an offense after this shall receive the punishment he deserves. Remit the people’s taxes for three years, and establish a kitchen all around the walls of this city. Order the cooks to hang up every kind of cooking pot and prepare every kind of food, keeping their fires going night and day. Let everyone in this city and in the neighboring lands, near and far, eat and drink and carry food home. Command them to rejoice and adorn the city for seven days, and not to close their shops by night or day.”

The vizier went out at once and carried out King Asim’s commands. They adorned the city, the citadel, and the towers with the finest decorations, and dressed in their best clothes. The people ate, drank, played, and rejoiced until the queen’s term was complete and the pains of childbirth came upon her. She gave birth to a boy as beautiful as the full moon, and the king named him Sayf al-Muluk. The vizier’s wife likewise bore a son, radiant as the morning, and he named him Sa‘id. As the boys grew to maturity, King Asim rejoiced exceedingly whenever he looked upon them. When they were twenty years old, the king summoned his vizier Faris in private and said, “Vizier, something has occurred to me which I wish to do, but first I would consult you.” The vizier replied, “Do whatever has occurred to you, for your judgment is blessed.” King Asim said, “Vizier, I have become an old man, feeble with the weight of years. I wish to retire to a secluded place to worship God Most High and give my kingdom and sovereignty to my son Sayf al-Muluk. He has grown into a handsome young man, accomplished in horsemanship, sound in judgment, cultured, dignified, and fit to rule. What do you think of this plan, vizier?” The vizier replied, “An excellent plan, blessed and fortunate! If you do this, I shall do likewise, and my son Sa‘id shall be his vizier, for he is a fine young man of knowledge and good judgment. The two shall be together, while we oversee their affairs and neglect nothing concerning them, but guide them along the straight path.”

Then King Asim said to his vizier, “Write letters and send them by couriers to every province, country, fortress, and castle under our rule. Command their chief men to attend in the Elephant Square in such and such a month.” The vizier Faris went out at once and wrote to all the governors, lords of castles, and others under King Asim’s authority, bidding them assemble in the appointed month. He also ordered everyone in the city, from near and far, to attend. When most of the appointed interval had passed, King Asim ordered the pavilion attendants to pitch great tents in the middle of the square, adorn them with the finest decorations, and set up the great throne on which he sat only on feast days. They immediately carried out all his commands and erected the throne. The deputies, chamberlains, and emirs came forth, followed by the king, who ordered a proclamation to be made among the people: “In the name of God, come forth to the square!” So the emirs, viziers, and lords of provinces and estates came out to the square and attended the king according to custom. Each took his appointed place, some sitting and others standing, until everyone had assembled. Then the king ordered the banquet to be spread. They spread it, and all ate and drank and prayed for the king.

Then the king ordered the chamberlains to proclaim to the people that they must not leave. They called out, “Let none of you depart until he has heard the king’s words.” Then they raised the curtains, and the king said, “Whoever loves me, let him remain and hear what I have to say.” So all the people sat down, their hearts now reassured after their fear. The king rose to his feet, made them swear that no one would leave his place, and said, “O emirs, viziers, and officers of state, great and small, and all others here assembled, do you know that I inherited this kingdom from my fathers and forefathers?” They answered, “Yes, O King, we all know this.” He said, “You and I once worshipped the sun and moon, but God Most High blessed us with faith, delivered us from darkness into light, and guided us to the religion of Islam. Know that I have now become an old man, aged, feeble, and infirm. I wish to retire to a secluded cell, where I may worship God Most High and seek His forgiveness for my past sins. Here is my son, Sayf al-Muluk, fit to rule. You know him to be a handsome, eloquent youth, experienced in affairs, wise, virtuous, and just. It is my wish, this very hour, to give him my kingdom, make him king over you in my stead, and seat him upon my throne as sultan. I shall withdraw to a cell to worship God Most High, while my son Sayf al-Muluk assumes the kingship and rules among you. What say you, all of you?” They all rose, kissed the ground before him, and answered with obedience and submission, saying, “O our king and protector, had you set one of your slaves over us, we would have obeyed him, heeded your words, and fulfilled your command. How much more readily, then, your son Sayf al-Muluk! We accept him gladly and honor him above our eyes and heads.” Then King Asim ibn Safwan rose, descended from his throne, and seated his son upon the great royal seat. He lifted the crown from his own head and placed it upon his son’s, girded him with the royal belt, and sat upon a chair of state beside him. The emirs, viziers, dignitaries, and all the people rose and kissed the ground before Sayf al-Muluk, then stood saying to one another, “He is worthy of the kingship, and has a greater right to it than any other.” They proclaimed a general amnesty and prayed for his victory and good fortune. Sayf al-Muluk scattered gold and silver over the heads of all the people. And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When it was the seven hundred and sixty-second night,

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate King, that when King Asim had seated his son Sayf al-Muluk upon the throne, and all the people had prayed for his victory and good fortune, Sayf al-Muluk scattered gold and silver over their heads, bestowed robes of honor, and gave gifts and largesse. A little later, the vizier Faris rose, kissed the ground, and said, “O emirs and officers of state, do you know that I am the vizier, and that my tenure began before King Asim ibn Safwan came to the throne, and that he has now abdicated and appointed his son in his stead?” They said, “Yes, we know that the vizierate has passed to you from father and grandfather.” He said, “Now I too resign my office and appoint this son of mine, Sa‘id, in my place, for he is wise, discerning, and experienced. What say you, all of you?” They answered, “None is better suited to be vizier to King Sayf al-Muluk than your son Sa‘id, for the two are well matched.” Then the vizier Faris rose, removed the turban of office, and placed it upon his son Sa‘id’s head. He also set the vizier’s inkwell before him, and the chamberlains and emirs said, “He is worthy of the vizierate.” King Asim and the vizier Faris then rose and opened the treasuries. They bestowed splendid robes of honor upon the kings, emirs, viziers, dignitaries, and all the people, distributed allowances and gifts, and issued new patents and decrees bearing the signatures of Sayf al-Muluk and the vizier Sa‘id, son of the vizier Faris. The people remained in the city for a week, after which each departed for his own land and home.

Then King Asim took his son Sayf al-Muluk and Sa‘id, the vizier’s son, into the city and up to the palace. They summoned the treasurer and ordered him to bring the ring, the sword, and the bundle. King Asim said, “My sons, come, each of you, and choose something from these gifts to take for himself.” Sayf al-Muluk was the first to reach out, and he took the bundle and the ring; Sa‘id reached out and took the sword and the colt. They kissed the king’s hands and went to their quarters. When Sayf al-Muluk took the bundle, he did not open it or look inside, but tossed it onto the couch where he and his vizier Sa‘id slept at night, for it was their custom to sleep together. They made their bed and lay down side by side, with candles burning beside them, and slept until midnight. Then Sayf al-Muluk awoke and saw the bundle beside his head. “I wonder,” he said to himself, “what treasure is in this bundle the king has given us?” He took it and a candle, climbed down from the couch, and, leaving Sa‘id asleep, entered a private chamber. There he opened the bundle and found a robe fashioned by the jinn. He unfolded and spread it out, and on the inner lining, at the back of the robe, he found the portrait of a maiden worked in gold, whose beauty was beyond all wonder. At the sight of the portrait, his reason fled, and he became mad with love for it. He fell senseless to the ground, then began to weep and sob, beating his face and breast and kissing the picture. Then he recited these two verses:

“Love at its birth is but a passing taste, brought to us and driven on by fate; but once a youth has plunged into passion’s depths, great trials come, too grievous to endure.” Sayf al-Muluk continued sobbing and weeping and beating his face and breast until the vizier Sa‘id awoke. He looked about the bed and did not see Sayf al-Muluk. Seeing a candle, he said to himself, “Where has Sayf al-Muluk gone?” He took the candle and searched throughout the palace until he reached the chamber where Sayf al-Muluk was. Finding him weeping bitterly and sobbing, he said, “My brother, why are you weeping? What has happened to you? Speak to me and tell me the cause.” But Sayf al-Muluk neither answered nor raised his head; he only wept and sobbed and beat his breast. Seeing him in this state, Sa‘id said, “I am your vizier and your brother, and we were brought up together. If you will not explain your troubles to me and reveal your secret, to whom will you reveal it?” For a full hour Sa‘id pleaded with him and kissed the ground, but Sayf al-Muluk paid him no heed and spoke not a word, only weeping. At last, alarmed by his condition and at his wits’ end, Sa‘id left him, fetched a sword, and returned to the chamber. He set its point against his own breast and said, “Attend to me, my brother! Unless you tell me what has happened, I shall kill myself rather than see you in this state.” Then Sayf al-Muluk raised his head toward his vizier Sa‘id and said, “My brother, I was ashamed to tell you what had befallen me.” Sa‘id replied, “I implore you by God, Lord of lords, Freer of captives, Cause of all causes, the One who accepts repentance, the Generous Bestower: tell me what has happened, and do not be ashamed before me. I am your servant, your vizier, and your counselor in all things.” Sayf al-Muluk said, “Come and look at this portrait.” When Sa‘id saw it, he studied it for a while and found written above its head in strung pearls: “This is the portrait of Badi‘at al-Jamal, daughter of Shamakh ibn Sharukh, a king of the believing jinn, who dwell in the city of Babylon and inhabit the Garden of Iram, son of Ad the Elder.” And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When it was the seven hundred and sixty-third night,

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate King, that when Sayf al-Muluk, son of King Asim, and the vizier Sa‘id, son of the vizier Faris, read the inscription on the robe and saw the portrait of Badi‘at al-Jamal, daughter of Shamakh ibn Sharukh, King of Babylon, one of the kings of the believing jinn who dwell in the city of Babylon and inhabit the Garden of Iram, son of Ad the Elder, the vizier Sa‘id said to King Sayf al-Muluk, “My brother, do you know which woman this portrait depicts, that you may seek her?” Sayf al-Muluk answered, “No, by God, my brother, I do not know whose portrait it is.” Sa‘id said, “Come and read this inscription.” Sayf al-Muluk stepped forward and read the writing on the crown. When he understood its meaning, he cried from the depths of his heart, “Alas! Alas!” Sa‘id said, “My brother, if the woman in this portrait exists, if her name is Badi‘at al-Jamal and she lives in this world, I shall hasten to seek her without delay, until you attain your desire. But for God’s sake, my brother, cease your weeping, so that the officers of state may come to attend you. Later in the morning, summon the merchants, mendicants, wanderers, and poor men, and ask them about this city. Perhaps, through the blessing and aid of God, glorified and exalted, one of them may guide us to it and to the Garden of Iram.”

When morning came, Sayf al-Muluk rose and mounted the throne, clasping the robe to him, for he could no longer rise, sit, or sleep without it. The emirs, viziers, soldiers, and officers of state came before him. When the court was fully assembled, King Sayf al-Muluk said to his vizier Sa‘id, “Go out to them and tell them that the king is unwell, and that, by God, he spent last night in weakness.” The vizier Sa‘id went out and informed the people of the king’s words. When King Asim heard this, he could not bear to think of his son’s suffering. He summoned physicians and astrologers and brought them to Sayf al-Muluk. They examined him and prescribed medicinal draughts, but he remained in the same condition for three months. At last King Asim angrily addressed the physicians attending him: “Woe to you, you dogs! Are you all incapable of curing my son? Unless you cure him this very hour, I shall kill you all.” Their chief replied, “O King of the Age, we know that this is your son, and you know that we do not neglect the treatment of a stranger, much less that of your own son. But your son suffers from a grievous illness. If you wish to know it, we will tell you what it is.” King Asim said, “What have you discovered about my son’s illness?” The chief physician answered, “O King of the Age, your son is in love, and he loves one whom he has no means of reaching.” The king grew angry with them and said, “How do you know that my son is in love? How did love come upon him?” They replied, “Ask his brother and vizier Sa‘id, for he knows his condition.” Then King Asim rose, went alone into a private chamber, and summoned Sa‘id. “Tell me truthfully,” he said, “the nature of your brother’s illness.” Sa‘id answered, “I do not know its true nature.” The king said to the executioner, “Take Sa‘id, bind his eyes, and strike off his head.” Fearing for his life, Sa‘id said, “O King of the Age, grant me safety.” The king replied, “Tell me, and you shall be safe.” Sa‘id said, “Your son is in love.” “With whom?” asked the king. Sa‘id answered, “With the daughter of a king of the jinn. He saw her portrait on a robe in the bundle that Solomon, the Prophet of God, gave you.”

Then King Asim rose and went to his son Sayf al-Muluk. “My son,” he said, “what has befallen you? What is this portrait with which you have fallen in love? Why did you not tell me?” Sayf al-Muluk answered, “Father, I was ashamed before you. I could not speak of it to you, nor could I reveal anything of it to anyone. Now that you know my condition, consider how you may cure me.” His father said, “What can be done? Were she a daughter of mankind, we might devise some means of reaching her. But she is a daughter of the kings of the jinn, and who can gain access to her except Solomon son of David? He alone has the power to do so. But rise now, my son, take heart, mount your horse, and go hunting, hawking, and riding in the lists. Occupy yourself with food and drink, and banish sorrow and distress from your heart. I shall bring you a hundred daughters of kings. You have no need of the daughters of the jinn, over whom we have no power and who are not of our kind.” He answered, “I will neither forsake her nor seek another.” His father said, “What, then, are we to do, my son?” He replied, “Summon all the merchants, travelers, and wanderers in the land, that we may question them about this. Perhaps God will guide us to the Garden of Iram and the city of Babylon.” King Asim ordered every merchant in the city, every stranger there, and every sea captain to be brought before him. When they had assembled, he asked them about the city of Babylon, its island, and the Garden of Iram, but none recognized the description or could give any news of them. As the gathering was breaking up, one man said, “O King of the Age, if you wish to learn of this, you must go to the land of China. Its city is great, and perhaps someone there can guide you to what you seek.”

Then Sayf al-Muluk said, “Father, fit out a ship for me to sail to China.” His father, King Asim, replied, “My son, remain upon your royal throne and govern your subjects. I shall travel to China and undertake this matter myself.” But Sayf al-Muluk said, “Father, this affair concerns me, and no one can pursue it as I can. What harm would there be in granting me leave to travel and wander abroad for a time? If I find news of her, my desire will be fulfilled; if I find none, the journey will at least ease my breast, revive my spirits, and lighten my burden. And if I live, I shall return to you in safety.” And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When it was the seven hundred and sixty-fourth night,

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate King, that Sayf al-Muluk said to his father, King Asim, “Fit out a ship for me, that I may sail to China and seek the object of my desire. If I live, I shall return to you in safety.” The king looked at his son and saw no remedy but to do what would please him. He granted him leave to travel, equipped forty ships and twenty thousand mamluks besides attendants, and supplied him with money, treasures, and every weapon of war he might need. “Go, my son,” he said, “in goodness, health, and safety. I entrust you to Him with whom no trust is ever lost.” His father and mother bade him farewell, the ships were laden with water, provisions, arms, and soldiers, and they set sail. They voyaged on until they reached the city of China. When its people heard that forty ships had arrived, laden with men, equipment, weapons, and stores, they supposed these were enemies who had come to attack and besiege them. They closed the city gates and prepared their catapults. When King Sayf al-Muluk heard this, he sent two of his personal mamluks ashore, saying, “Go to the King of China and tell him: ‘This is Sayf al-Muluk, son of King Asim, who has come to your city as a guest, to spend some time seeing your country, not to fight or quarrel. If you welcome him, he will stay with you; if you do not, he will return without troubling you or the people of your city.’”

When the mamluks reached the city, they told its people, “We are the envoys of King Sayf al-Muluk.” The gates were opened to them, and they were conducted before the king, whose name was Qa‘fushah. He had been acquainted with King Asim in former days, and when he heard that the arriving king was Asim’s son Sayf al-Muluk, he bestowed robes of honor upon the envoys, ordered the gates opened, and made ready a welcome. He went out in person with his chief officers to meet Sayf al-Muluk. They embraced, and he said, “Welcome, a thousand welcomes to our guest! I am your servant and your father’s servant, and my city is at your disposal. Whatever you ask shall be brought to you.” He provided hospitality and provisions at their lodgings. King Sayf al-Muluk and his vizier Sa‘id mounted, together with their chief officers and the rest of the troops, and proceeded along the seashore until they entered the city. Cymbals rang and drums beat in celebration, and they remained there for forty days, splendidly entertained.

After that, the king said to him, “My brother’s son, how do you fare? Have you found my country pleasing?” Sayf al-Muluk answered, “May God Most High long honor it with your presence, O King.” King Qa‘fushah said, “Nothing but some need of yours can have brought you here. Whatever you require of my country, I shall procure it for you.” Sayf al-Muluk replied, “My story is a strange one: I have fallen in love with a portrait of Badi‘at al-Jamal.” The King of China wept in pity and compassion for him and said, “What do you wish now, Sayf al-Muluk?” He answered, “I wish you to summon all the wanderers, travelers, and those accustomed to journeying, so that I may ask them about the woman in this portrait. Perhaps one of them can give me news of her.” King Qa‘fushah sent his deputies, chamberlains, and attendants with orders to bring together all the wanderers and travelers in the land. They assembled a great multitude before him, and King Sayf al-Muluk questioned them about the city of Babylon and the Garden of Iram, but not one could give him an answer. He was at a loss what to do. Then one of the sea captains said, “O King, if you wish to learn of that city and garden, you must seek the islands of India.” At once Sayf al-Muluk ordered the ship made ready. Water, provisions, and everything they needed were taken aboard, and after bidding farewell to King Qa‘fushah, Sayf al-Muluk and his vizier Sa‘id embarked. For four months they sailed before a favorable wind, safe and at ease. Then one day a gale sprang up. Waves assailed them from every side, rain poured down upon them, and the sea was transformed by the fury of the wind. The ships were hurled against one another and all were broken to pieces, as were the small boats. All sank, and Sayf al-Muluk was left with a few of his mamluks in a little boat.

Then, by the power of God Most High, the wind abated and fell still, and the sun rose. Sayf al-Muluk opened his eyes and saw no trace of the ships, only sky and water, with himself and his companions in the little boat. He said to the mamluks with him, “Where are the ships and the small boats? Where is my brother Sa‘id?” They answered, “O King of the Age, neither ship nor boat remains, nor anyone who was aboard them. They have all drowned and become food for the fish.” Sayf al-Muluk cried out and spoke the words whose speaker need never be ashamed: “There is no might and no power save in God, the Most High, the Almighty.” He began beating his face and would have thrown himself into the sea, but the mamluks restrained him, saying, “O King, what good will this do you? You brought this upon yourself. Had you listened to your father, none of this would have befallen you. Yet all was written from eternity by the will of the Creator of souls.” And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When it was the seven hundred and sixty-fifth night,

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate King, that when Sayf al-Muluk would have thrown himself into the sea, the mamluks restrained him, saying, “What good will this do you? You brought this upon yourself. Yet this was written from eternity by the will of the Creator of souls, so that His servant may fulfill all that God has decreed for him. When you were born, the astrologers told your father, ‘This son of yours will undergo every hardship.’ Now we have no recourse but patience, until God delivers us from our present distress.” Sayf al-Muluk answered, “There is no might and no power save in God, the Most High, the Almighty. There is no flight or escape from the decree of God Most High.” Then he sighed and recited these verses:

“I am bewildered—by the Merciful, I know not what to do; anxious thoughts have seized me from a source I cannot trace. I shall endure until all men know that I endured a thing more bitter than bitter aloes. The bitterness I bear is not the taste of aloes: I have endured a thing more burning than live coals. What power have I in this affair? I entrust my fortunes to the Lord of all affairs.” Then he sank into a sea of thought, and tears streamed down his cheeks like pouring rain. He slept for a while that day, then awoke and asked for food. He ate his fill, and they removed the provisions from before him. The boat bore them onward, though they did not know in what direction. For a long time they drifted with the waves and winds, night and day, until their provisions were exhausted, they lost all sense of what to do, and hunger, thirst, and anxiety tormented them beyond measure. Then an island appeared in the distance, and the winds drove them toward it until they reached it and made fast. They climbed out of the boat, leaving one man aboard, and ventured onto the island. There they found fruit of every kind in abundance and ate their fill. Suddenly they saw a figure seated among the trees, long-faced and strange to behold, with a white beard and white skin. He called one of the mamluks by name and said, “Do not eat that fruit, for it is unripe. Come to me, and I shall give you ripe fruit to eat.” The mamluk looked at him and supposed him to be one of the shipwrecked men who had escaped drowning and reached this island. Overjoyed at the sight of him, he approached, unaware of the fate hidden in store for him and written upon his brow. As soon as he came near, the creature—for he was a marid—sprang upon him and mounted his shoulders, winding one leg about his neck and letting the other hang down his back. “Walk!” he said. “There is no escaping me now. You have become my donkey.” The mamluk cried out to his companions, weeping, “O my master! Get out of this forest, save yourselves, and flee! One of its inhabitants has mounted my shoulders, and the others are looking for you, meaning to ride you as this one rides me!”

When they heard the mamluk’s words, they all fled and climbed into the boat. The creatures followed them into the sea, calling, “Where are you going? Come and stay with us! Let us ride upon your backs, and we shall feed you and give you drink, and you shall be our donkeys.” At these words they hastened out to sea until they were far beyond their pursuers, and went on their way trusting in God Most High. They continued thus for a month, until another island came into view. Landing there, they found fruit of many kinds and busied themselves eating it. Then they saw something gleaming in the distance along the path. As they approached and looked at it, they found a hideous thing lying like a pillar of silver. One of the mamluks nudged it with his foot, and it proved to be a creature with long eyes and a cleft head, hidden beneath one of its ears, for when it slept it would place one ear beneath its head and cover itself with the other. It snatched up the mamluk who had nudged it and carried him into the heart of the island, which was entirely inhabited by ghouls that ate human beings. The mamluk cried to his companions, “Save yourselves! This is the island of the ghouls! They eat human flesh, and they mean to cut me up and eat me!” Hearing this, the others turned and fled from the shore into their boat, without gathering any fruit. They sailed for several days, until another island appeared. When they reached it, they found a lofty mountain. They climbed it and discovered a forest thick with trees. Being hungry, they began eating the fruit, when suddenly fearsome figures emerged from among the trees, each fifty cubits tall, with tusks protruding from their mouths like those of elephants. Then they saw a figure seated on a piece of black felt upon a rock, surrounded by a great company of black men standing in attendance upon him. These men seized Sayf al-Muluk and his mamluks, brought them before their king, and said, “We found these birds among the trees.” The king was hungry, so he took two of the mamluks, slaughtered them, and ate them. And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When it was the seven hundred and sixty-sixth night,

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate King, that when the black men seized King Sayf al-Muluk and his mamluks and brought them before their king, they said, “O King, we found these birds among the trees.” Their king took two mamluks, slaughtered them, and ate them. When Sayf al-Muluk saw this, he feared for his life and wept, then recited these two verses:

“My heart has grown familiar with misfortunes, and I with them, after our estrangement—for the noble readily grow accustomed. My sorrows are not of one kind alone: of them, praise be to God, I have thousands.” Then he sighed and recited these two verses also:

“Time has shot me with disasters till my heart is sheathed in arrows; now, whenever fresh shafts strike me, point breaks upon point.” When the king heard his weeping and lamentation, he said, “These birds have lovely voices and sweet songs. Their voices please me. Put each one in a cage.” So they placed each man in a cage and hung them above the king’s head, that he might hear their voices. Sayf al-Muluk and his mamluks remained in the cages, and the black men gave them food and drink. At times they wept, at times they laughed; at times they spoke, at times they fell silent, while the king delighted in their voices. They remained in this condition for some time. Now the king had a daughter who was married and lived on another island. She heard that her father possessed birds with lovely voices, and sent some people to ask him for a few. Her father sent her Sayf al-Muluk and three mamluks in four cages, with the messenger who had come for them. When they arrived and she saw them, she was delighted and ordered them to be placed above her head. Sayf al-Muluk marveled at what had befallen him and thought of the honor he had once enjoyed. He began to weep for himself, and the three mamluks wept for themselves, while the king’s daughter imagined that they were singing. It was her custom, whenever anyone from Egypt or another land came into her hands and pleased her, to grant him great favor. By the decree and destiny of God Most High, when she saw Sayf al-Muluk, his beauty, handsome features, stature, and well-proportioned figure pleased her, and she ordered that they be treated with honor.

One day she found herself alone with Sayf al-Muluk and asked him to lie with her, but he refused. “My lady,” he said, “I am a stranger, sorrowing for love of the one I adore, and I will accept no union but with her.” The king’s daughter coaxed and courted him, but he resisted her, and she could neither draw near him nor gain her desire by any means. At last, wearied by his refusal, she became angry with him and his mamluks and ordered them to serve her, carrying water and firewood. They remained in this condition for four years. Sayf al-Muluk could bear it no longer and sent someone to intercede with the queen, hoping she would free them to go their way and find relief from their plight. She sent for Sayf al-Muluk and said, “If you grant my desire, I shall release you from your present condition, and you may return to your country safe and prosperous.” She pleaded with him and sought to win him over, but he would not consent to her wish, and she turned away from him in anger. Sayf al-Muluk and his mamluks remained on her island in the same condition. Its inhabitants knew they were the princess’s birds, so none of the townspeople dared harm them. The princess felt secure about them, convinced that they had no means of escaping the island. They began to absent themselves for two or three days at a time, wandering through the wilderness to gather firewood from the island’s edges and bring it to her kitchen. They remained in this condition for five years. One day Sayf al-Muluk and his mamluks sat on the seashore, speaking of all that had befallen them. Sayf al-Muluk looked about and considered the place to which he and his mamluks had been brought. He remembered his mother, his father, his brother Sa‘id, and his former splendor, and began to weep, his tears and sobs increasing. The mamluks wept as he did.

Then the mamluks said, “O King of the Age, how long shall we weep, when weeping does no good? This fate was written upon our brows by the decree of God, mighty and glorious, and the pen has already set down His judgment. Nothing will avail us but patience. Perhaps God, glorified and exalted, who has tried us with this hardship, will deliver us from it.” Sayf al-Muluk said, “My brothers, how are we to escape this accursed woman? I see no deliverance unless God in His bounty delivers us from her. Yet it has occurred to me that we might flee and find relief from this toil.” They answered, “O King of the Age, where can we go on this island? It is full of ghouls who eat human beings. Wherever we go, they will find us, and either devour us or capture us and bring us back, and the king’s daughter will be angry with us.” Sayf al-Muluk said, “I shall devise something for you, by which God Most High may help us win our freedom and escape this island.” “What will you do?” they asked. He said, “We shall cut some of these long timbers, twist ropes from their bark, and lash them together to make a raft. Then we shall launch it upon the sea, load it with this fruit, make oars for it, and embark. Perhaps God Most High will make it the means of our deliverance, for He has power over all things. It may be that He will grant us a favorable wind to carry us to India, and we shall escape this accursed woman.” They said, “This is sound counsel,” and rejoiced exceedingly. At once they set about cutting timber for the raft, then twisted ropes to bind the timbers together. They continued at this work for a month. Each day, toward evening, they took some firewood to the princess’s kitchen, devoting the rest of the day to building the raft until they had finished it. And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she fell silent, leaving her tale untold.

When it was the seven hundred and sixty-seventh night,

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate King, that when Sayf al-Muluk and his mamluks had cut timber on the island and twisted ropes, they lashed together the raft they had made. When it was finished, they launched it upon the sea and loaded it with fruit from the island’s trees. By the end of the day their preparations were complete, and they told no one what they had done. Then they boarded the raft and voyaged upon the sea for four months, not knowing where it was carrying them. Their provisions ran out, and hunger and thirst tormented them beyond measure. Suddenly the sea began to foam and froth, and great waves rose upon it. A monstrous crocodile came toward them, stretched out a foreleg, snatched up one of the mamluks, and swallowed him. When Sayf al-Muluk saw what the crocodile had done to the mamluk, he wept bitterly. He and the remaining mamluk were now alone upon the raft, and they fled in terror from the place where the crocodile was. They continued thus until one day they saw a vast and fearsome mountain, soaring high into the air. They rejoiced at the sight, and soon an island came into view. They made eagerly toward it, glad at the prospect of landing. While they were thus occupied, the sea suddenly grew turbulent, its waves rose, and its aspect changed. A crocodile lifted its head and stretched out a foreleg, seized the last of Sayf al-Muluk’s mamluks, and swallowed him. Sayf al-Muluk was left alone until he reached the island. With much difficulty he climbed the mountain, looked about, and saw a forest. He entered it and walked among the trees, eating their fruit. Then he saw more than twenty great apes in the treetops, each larger than a mule. At the sight of these apes, Sayf al-Muluk was overcome with fear. They descended and surrounded him on every side, then walked ahead, beckoning him to follow. They went on, and Sayf al-Muluk followed them, until they came to a lofty fortress, strongly built. The apes entered, and Sayf al-Muluk went in after them. Inside he saw treasures, jewels, and precious metals of every kind, beyond the power of any tongue to describe. In the fortress he also saw a youth whose cheeks were still beardless, but who was exceedingly tall. The sight of this youth reassured Sayf al-Muluk, for there was no other human being in the fortress.

When the young man saw Sayf al-Muluk, he was greatly taken with him and said, “What is your name? What country are you from? How did you come here? Tell me your story, and conceal nothing.” Sayf al-Muluk replied, “By God, I did not come here of my own will, nor was this place my destination. I cannot rest anywhere until I attain what I seek.” “And what do you seek?” asked the young man. Sayf al-Muluk said, “I come from Egypt, and my name is Sayf al-Muluk. My father is King Asim ibn Safwan…” Then he told him all that had happened to him, from beginning to end. The young man rose to wait upon Sayf al-Muluk and said, “O king of the age, I was once in Egypt and heard that you had set out for China. But how far this land is from China! This is indeed a wondrous and extraordinary affair.” Sayf al-Muluk replied, “You speak truly, but afterward I sailed from China toward India. A wind sprang up against us, the sea grew tempestuous, and all the ships with me were wrecked.” He related everything that had happened to him, ending with, “And so I reached you in this place.” The young man said, “O prince, you have suffered enough in your wanderings and their hardships. Praise be to God, who has brought you here! Stay with me and keep me company until I die, and then you shall be king over this realm. It contains this island, whose bounds are unknown, and these apes are skilled in every craft. Whatever you desire, you will find here.” Sayf al-Muluk replied, “My brother, I cannot remain anywhere until my need is fulfilled, even if I must roam the whole world asking after what I seek. Perhaps God will grant me my desire, or my quest will bring me to the place appointed for my death, and there I shall die.”

Then the young man turned to an ape and made a sign to him. The ape disappeared for a while, then returned with other apes wearing silk cloths about their waists. They spread the table and set upon it some hundred dishes of gold and silver, filled with every kind of food. The apes stood before them as attendants stand before kings. Then the young man motioned to the chamberlains to sit, and they sat down, while those whose duty it was to serve remained standing. They ate their fill, after which the apes cleared the table and brought golden basins and ewers, and they washed their hands. Then they brought some forty vessels of drink, each containing a different kind. They drank and made merry, delighting in their entertainment and passing a pleasant time, while all the apes danced and capered as the diners ate. When Sayf al-Muluk saw this, he marveled at them and forgot the hardships he had endured. And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she ceased her permitted tale.

When it was the seven hundred and sixty-eighth night,

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate king, that when Sayf al-Muluk saw the apes’ antics and dancing, he marveled at them and forgot his wanderings and their hardships. When night fell, they lit candles and set them in candlesticks of gold and silver, then brought dishes of sweetmeats, nuts, and fruit, and they ate. When it was time to sleep, they spread bedding for them, and they slept. In the morning the young man rose as usual, woke Sayf al-Muluk, and said, “Put your head out of this window and see what is standing below.” He looked and saw apes filling the broad plain and all the wilderness, in numbers known only to God Most High. Sayf al-Muluk said, “These apes are so numerous that they fill the open country. Why have they gathered at this hour?” The young man replied, “This is their custom. All the apes on the island are here before me, and some have traveled two or three days to come. Every Saturday they gather here and wait until I wake and put my head out of this window. When they see me, they kiss the ground before me, then go about their work.” He put his head out of the window so that they could see him, and when they saw him, they kissed the ground before him and departed.

Sayf al-Muluk stayed with the young man for a full month, then bade him farewell and set out. The young man ordered a troop of about a hundred apes to accompany him. They traveled in Sayf al-Muluk’s service for seven days, until they brought him to the farthest of their islands; then they took their leave and returned home. Sayf al-Muluk journeyed alone through mountains and hills, wildernesses and deserts, for four months. One day he went hungry, another he ate his fill; one day he ate grass, another the fruit of trees. He began to regret what he had brought upon himself and his departure from the young man, and wished to retrace his steps and return to him. Then he saw a dark shape looming in the distance and said to himself, “Is that a black city, or what can it be? I will not turn back until I have seen what that shape is.” As he drew near, he found it was a lofty palace, built by Japheth son of Noah, peace be upon him. It was the palace mentioned by God Most High in His glorious Book, in the words, “And an abandoned well, and a lofty palace.” Sayf al-Muluk sat at the palace gate and said to himself, “I wonder what lies within this palace, and what king dwells here. Who can tell me the truth of it? Are its inhabitants human beings or jinn?” He sat pondering for a while, but saw no one enter or leave. At last he rose and walked inside, putting his trust in God. He counted seven passageways as he went, but saw no one. To his right he saw three doors, and before him a doorway hung with a lowered curtain. He approached it, raised the curtain with his hand, and passed through. There he found a great hall spread with silken carpets. At its far end stood a golden throne, on which sat a maiden whose face was like the moon. She wore royal robes and looked like a bride on her wedding night. Below the throne were forty tables bearing dishes of gold and silver, all filled with sumptuous foods. When Sayf al-Muluk saw her, he approached and greeted her. She returned his greeting and said, “Are you human or one of the jinn?” He replied, “I am of the noblest of humankind, for I am a king and the son of a king.” She said, “What do you seek? Here is food; help yourself. Afterward, tell me your story from beginning to end, and how you came to this place.”

Sayf al-Muluk sat at the table and lifted the cover from the food. He was hungry, and ate from the dishes until he was satisfied. Then he washed his hands, mounted the throne, and sat beside the maiden. She asked him, “Who are you? What is your name? Where have you come from, and who brought you here?” Sayf al-Muluk replied, “My story is a long one.” “Tell me where you come from,” she said, “what brought you here, and what you seek.” He answered, “First tell me your own story. What is your name? Who brought you here, and why are you sitting alone in this place?” The maiden said, “My name is Dawlat Khatun, daughter of the King of India, and my father dwells in the city of Sarandib. He has a beautiful, spacious garden, the finest in all India and its provinces, with a great pool in it. One day I went into that garden with my maidens. We made our way to the pool and went down into it to play and amuse ourselves. Suddenly, before I knew what was happening, something like a cloud descended upon me, snatched me from among my maidens, and flew away with me between earth and sky, saying, ‘Dawlat Khatun, do not be afraid. Set your heart at ease.’ He flew with me for a little while, then set me down in this palace. At once he changed shape and became a handsome young man in the bloom of youth, dressed in spotless clothes. He said to me, ‘Do you know me?’ ‘No, my lord,’ I replied. He said, ‘I am the son of the Blue King, king of the jinn. My father dwells in the fortress of al-Qulzum, and under his command are six hundred thousand jinn, both flyers and divers. I happened to be passing on my way when I saw you and fell in love with you. I swooped down, snatched you from among your maidens, and brought you to this lofty palace, which is my home and dwelling. No one, whether human or jinn, can ever reach it. From India to this place is a journey of a hundred and twenty years, so be certain that you will never again see the land of your father and mother. Stay here with me, with an easy heart and a tranquil mind, and I will bring you whatever you ask.’ Then he embraced and kissed me.” And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she ceased her permitted tale.

When it was the seven hundred and sixty-ninth night,

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate king, that the maiden said to Sayf al-Muluk, “After the son of the king of the jinn had told me this, he embraced and kissed me and said, ‘Stay here and fear nothing.’ Then he left me and was gone for a while, after which he returned with these tables, furnishings, and carpets. He comes to me in this fashion every Tuesday, and when he comes he eats and drinks with me, embraces me, and kisses me. But I am still a virgin, as God Most High created me, and he has done nothing to me. My father’s name is Taj al-Muluk, and he has had no news of me and found no trace of me. That is my story; now tell me yours.” Sayf al-Muluk replied, “My story is long, and I fear that if I tell it to you, we shall take so much time that the ifrit will return.” She said, “He left only an hour before you came in, and he will not return until Tuesday. Sit down, be at ease, and set your mind at rest. Tell me all that has happened to you, from beginning to end.” Sayf al-Muluk replied, “I hear and obey.”

He began his story and related it all, from first to last. When he reached the account of Badiat al-Jamal, the maiden’s eyes brimmed with tears, and she said, “I did not think this of you, Badiat al-Jamal! Ah, what cruel times, Badiat al-Jamal! Do you not remember me, nor ask, ‘Where has my sister Dawlat Khatun gone?’” Then she wept still more bitterly, grieving that Badiat al-Jamal had not remembered her. Sayf al-Muluk said, “Dawlat Khatun, you are human and she is a jinniya. How can she be your sister?” She replied, “She is my foster-sister. It happened that my mother went down to take her pleasure in the garden, where her labor came upon her and she gave birth to me. Badiat al-Jamal’s mother was also in the garden with her attendants. Her labor came upon her too, and she withdrew to a corner of the garden and gave birth to Badiat al-Jamal. She sent some of her maidens to my mother, asking for food and things needed after childbirth. My mother sent her what she asked for and invited her to visit. So she rose, took Badiat al-Jamal with her, and came to my mother, who nursed Badiat al-Jamal. She and her mother then stayed with us in the garden for two months. Afterward her mother returned to her own country, leaving my mother an object and saying, ‘If you need me, I will come to you in the midst of the garden.’ Every year Badiat al-Jamal would come with her mother and stay with us for a time before returning to their country. If I were with my mother, Sayf al-Muluk, and saw you in our land while we were all together as usual, I would devise some way to help you attain your desire. But I am here, and they know nothing of me. If they knew what had happened and that I was here, they could rescue me from this place. Yet all rests with God, glorified and exalted be He. What can I do?”

Sayf al-Muluk said, “Rise and come with me. Let us escape and go wherever God Most High wills.” She replied, “We cannot do that. By God, even if we fled a whole year’s journey, that accursed creature would bring us back in an hour and destroy us.” Sayf al-Muluk said, “I will hide somewhere, and when he passes me, I will strike him with my sword and kill him.” She replied, “You cannot kill him unless you destroy his soul.” “And where is his soul?” Sayf al-Muluk asked. She said, “I asked him about it many times, but he would not reveal where it was. One day I pressed him so insistently that he grew angry and said, ‘How often you ask me about my soul! Why do you keep asking?’ I replied, ‘Hatim, I have no one left but you and God. As long as I live, I shall hold your soul dear. If I do not guard it and cherish it like the apple of my eye, what life would I have after you? If I knew where your soul was, I would guard it like my right eye.’ Then he said to me, ‘When I was born, the astrologers foretold that my soul would be destroyed at the hands of a human prince. So I took my soul and placed it in the crop of a sparrow, shut the sparrow in a small casket, put the casket in a box, and enclosed that box within seven more boxes. I put the boxes inside seven chests, and laid the chests in a marble coffer beside this encircling ocean, for this shore is far from the lands of men, and no human being can reach it. Now I have told you. Tell no one, for this is a secret between you and me.’” And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she ceased her permitted tale.

When it was the seven hundred and seventieth night,

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate king, that when Dawlat Khatun told Sayf al-Muluk about the soul of the jinni who had abducted her, and repeated his words down to, “This is a secret between us,” she continued, “I said to him, ‘Whom could I tell? No one but you ever comes to me. By God, you have placed your soul in a mighty, impregnable fortress that no one can reach. How could any human get to it? Even if we suppose the impossible, and God decrees what the astrologers foretold, how could a human being reach it?’ He answered, ‘One of them might have upon his finger the ring of Solomon son of David, peace be upon them both. He could come here, lay his hand with the ring upon the surface of the water, and say, “By the power of these names, let the soul of so-and-so come forth!” Then the coffer would rise, and he would break it open, and likewise the chests and boxes. He would take the sparrow from its casket and strangle it, and I would die.’” Sayf al-Muluk said, “I am a king’s son, and here upon my finger is the ring of Solomon son of David, blessings and peace be upon them both. Come, let us go to the seashore and see whether his words are false or true.” So the two rose and walked until they reached the sea. Dawlat Khatun stood on the shore, while Sayf al-Muluk waded into the water up to his waist and said, “By the names and talismans upon this ring, and by Solomon, peace be upon him, let the soul of the son of the Blue King of the jinn come forth!” At once the sea surged and the coffer rose. Sayf al-Muluk seized it and struck it against a rock, breaking it open. He broke the chests and boxes, took the sparrow from its casket, and returned with Dawlat Khatun to the palace. They mounted the throne, and suddenly there appeared a great cloud of dust and an enormous shape flying through the air and crying, “Spare me, O prince! Do not kill me! Make me your freedman, and I will bring you to your desire.” Dawlat Khatun said, “The jinni has come! Kill the sparrow before that accursed creature enters the palace, snatches it from you, and kills you, then kills me after you.” So he strangled the sparrow, and it died; and the jinni fell to the ground, a heap of black ash. Khatun said, “We are free of that accursed creature. What shall we do now?” Sayf al-Muluk replied, “We seek help from God Most High, who put us to the trial. He will guide us and help us escape our plight.”

Then Sayf al-Muluk rose and tore some ten doors from the palace. They were made of sandalwood and aloeswood, with nails of gold and silver. They took ropes of silk and floss silk that they found there, and he lashed the doors together. He and Dawlat Khatun worked together until they had brought them to the sea, and, having made them into a raft, they launched it and moored it to the shore. Then they returned to the palace and carried away the gold and silver dishes, as well as jewels, rubies, and precious metals. Everything in the palace that was light to carry and high in value they took and loaded onto the raft. They boarded it, putting their trust in God Most High, who suffices those who trust in Him and never disappoints them. They fashioned two pieces of wood into oars, untied the ropes, and let the raft carry them out to sea. They traveled in this way for four months, until their provisions ran out, their distress grew great, and their hearts were sorely troubled. Then they begged God to deliver them from their plight.

Throughout their voyage, whenever Sayf al-Muluk slept, he placed Dawlat Khatun behind his back; and if he turned over, the sword lay between them. One night, while they were in this condition, Sayf al-Muluk was asleep and Dawlat Khatun awake when the raft drifted toward land and entered a harbor where ships lay at anchor. Dawlat Khatun saw the ships and heard a man talking to the sailors. He was their chief captain and leader. When she heard the captain’s voice, she knew that this shore was the harbor of a city and that they had reached an inhabited land. Overjoyed, she woke Sayf al-Muluk and said, “Rise and ask that captain the name of this city and harbor.” Sayf al-Muluk rose joyfully and called to him, “My brother, what is the name of this city? What is this harbor called, and what is the name of its king?” The captain replied, “You shameless fool, you witless fellow! If you do not know this harbor or this city, how did you come here?” Sayf al-Muluk said, “I am a stranger. I was aboard a merchant ship, but it was wrecked and sank with everything in it. I climbed onto a plank and drifted here. That is why I asked you, and there is no shame in asking.” The captain replied, “This is the city of Amariya, and this harbor is called Kamin al-Bahrayn.” When Dawlat Khatun heard these words, she was filled with joy and said, “Praise be to God!” Sayf al-Muluk asked, “What is it?” She replied, “Sayf al-Muluk, rejoice, for relief is near! The king of this city is my uncle, my father’s brother.” And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she ceased her permitted tale.

When it was the seven hundred and seventy-first night,

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate king, that Dawlat Khatun said to Sayf al-Muluk, “Rejoice, for relief is near! The king of this city is my uncle, my father’s brother, and his name is Ali al-Muluk.” Then she added, “Ask him, ‘Is the sultan of this city, Ali al-Muluk, in good health?’” He asked, and the captain answered irritably, “You say you have never been here and are only a stranger. Who, then, told you the ruler’s name?” Dawlat Khatun rejoiced, for she recognized the captain. His name was Muin al-Din, and he was one of her father’s captains. When she vanished, he had set out to search for her, but had not found her; he had continued wandering until he reached her uncle’s city. She said to Sayf al-Muluk, “Tell him, ‘Captain Muin al-Din, come and speak to your mistress.’” He called out as she had instructed him. When the captain heard Sayf al-Muluk’s words, he flew into a rage and said, “You dog! Who are you, and how do you know me?” Then he said to some sailors, “Give me an ash staff, so that I can go and break that wretch’s head!” He took the staff and made his way toward Sayf al-Muluk. Then he saw the raft and something so wondrous and beautiful upon it that he was bewildered. Looking closely, he saw Dawlat Khatun seated there like a radiant moon. The captain asked him, “What have you there?” He replied, “I have a maiden called Dawlat Khatun.” On hearing her name and realizing that she was his mistress, his king’s daughter, the captain fell unconscious. When he recovered, he left the raft and all that was on it, went into the city, and made his way to the king’s palace, where he asked leave to enter. The chamberlain went in to the king and said, “Captain Muin has come to bring you good news.” The king gave him permission to enter, and he came in, kissed the ground before him, and said, “O king, rejoice in good tidings! Your brother’s daughter, Dawlat Khatun, has reached the city safe and sound. She is aboard a raft, accompanied by a young man like the moon at its full.”

When the king heard the news of his brother’s daughter, he rejoiced and bestowed a splendid robe of honor upon the captain. At once he ordered the city to be decorated to celebrate her safe return. He sent for her and Sayf al-Muluk, had them brought before him, greeted them, and congratulated them on their deliverance. Then he sent a messenger to his brother, informing him that his daughter had been found and was staying with him. When the messenger reached him, Taj al-Muluk, Dawlat Khatun’s father, made preparations, mustered his troops, and traveled until he reached his brother Ali al-Muluk. He was reunited with his daughter Dawlat Khatun, and their joy was great. Taj al-Muluk stayed with his brother for a week, then took his daughter and Sayf al-Muluk and set out for Sarandib, her father’s kingdom. Dawlat Khatun was reunited with her mother, and they rejoiced in her safe return and held festivities. It was a magnificent day, the like of which had never been seen. The king honored Sayf al-Muluk and said, “Sayf al-Muluk, you have done so much good for me and my daughter that I cannot repay you. None but the Lord of all worlds can reward you. Yet I wish you to sit upon the throne in my place and rule the lands of India. I give you my kingdom, my throne, my treasuries, and my servants. All these are my gift to you.”

Then Sayf al-Muluk rose, kissed the ground before the king, thanked him, and said, “O king of the age, I accept all that you have bestowed upon me, and in turn I give it back to you as a gift. I seek neither kingdom nor sovereignty, O king of the age. I seek only that God Most High may grant me my desire.” The king replied, “My treasuries are at your disposal, Sayf al-Muluk. Take whatever you wish from them without asking my leave, and may God reward you richly on my behalf.” Sayf al-Muluk said, “May God exalt the king! I have no use for kingship or wealth until I attain my desire. For now, I wish to explore this city and see its streets and markets.” Taj al-Muluk ordered a horse from among his finest steeds to be brought for him. They brought a fine horse, saddled and bridled, and he mounted it, rode to the market, and passed through the city streets. As he was looking to right and left, he saw a young man holding a robe and crying it for sale at fifteen dinars. He studied him and found that he resembled his brother Said. In truth it was Said himself, but his complexion and condition had been altered by his long exile and the hardships of travel, so Sayf al-Muluk did not recognize him. He said to those around him, “Bring that young man here, so that I may question him.” They brought him, and Sayf al-Muluk said, “Take him to the palace where I am staying, and keep him with you until I return from my outing.” But they thought he had told them, “Take him to prison,” and said, “Perhaps this is one of his slaves who has run away.” So they took him to prison, put him in fetters, and left him there. Sayf al-Muluk returned from his outing and went up to the palace, having forgotten his brother Said, and no one reminded him. Thus Said remained in prison. When the prisoners were taken out to work on building projects, they took Said with them, and he labored among the prisoners, growing ever more begrimed. Said remained in this state for a month, pondering his circumstances and saying to himself, “Why have I been imprisoned?”

Meanwhile, Sayf al-Muluk was occupied with his pleasures and other affairs. One day, as he sat, he happened to remember his brother Said and asked the mamluks who had accompanied him, “Where is the young slave who was with you on such-and-such a day?” They replied, “Did you not tell us to take him to prison?” Sayf al-Muluk said, “I never said that! I told you to take him to the palace where I am staying.” Then he sent the chamberlains for Said, and they brought him in fetters. They released him and made him stand before Sayf al-Muluk, who asked him, “Young man, what country are you from?” He replied, “I am from Egypt, and my name is Said, son of the vizier Faris.” When Sayf al-Muluk heard these words, he sprang from the throne, flung himself upon him, and clasped him about the neck. Weeping bitterly for joy, he said, “My brother Said! Praise be to God that I have lived to see you again! I am your brother Sayf al-Muluk, son of King Asim.” When Said heard his brother’s words and recognized him, they embraced and wept together, to the astonishment of all present. Then Sayf al-Muluk ordered that Said be taken to the bathhouse. They took him there, and when he came out, they dressed him in splendid clothes and brought him to Sayf al-Muluk’s hall, where he seated him beside him on the throne. When Taj al-Muluk learned of it, he rejoiced greatly at the reunion of Sayf al-Muluk and his brother Said. He came to them, and the three sat together, recounting all that had happened to them from beginning to end.

Then Said said, “My brother Sayf al-Muluk, when the ship sank and the mamluks were drowned, I and a group of them climbed onto a wooden plank. It carried us over the sea for a full month, until, by the power of God Most High, the wind cast us upon an island. We went ashore hungry, made our way among the trees, and ate the fruit. While we were busy eating, suddenly a band of creatures like ifrits appeared, sprang upon us, and climbed onto our shoulders, saying, ‘Carry us! You have become our donkeys.’ I asked the one who mounted me, ‘What are you, and why have you climbed onto me?’ When he heard this, he twisted one leg around my neck until I nearly died, and struck my back with the other foot. I thought he had broken my back. I fell face down upon the ground, with no strength left from hunger and thirst. When I fell, he realized that I was hungry, took me by the hand, and led me to a pear tree laden with fruit. ‘Eat from this tree until you have had your fill,’ he said. I ate until I was satisfied, then rose and walked on against my will. I had gone only a little way when the creature turned and climbed onto my shoulders again. Sometimes I walked, sometimes I ran, and sometimes I trotted, while he rode laughing and saying, ‘Never in my life have I seen a donkey like you!’

“One day we gathered some bunches of grapes, trod them with our feet, and put them in a hollow until it became a great pool of juice. We waited a while, then returned to the hollow and found that the sun had beaten upon the juice and turned it into wine. We drank and became drunk; our faces reddened, and we sang and danced in the exhilaration of drunkenness. The creatures asked, ‘What makes your faces red and sets you dancing and singing?’ We replied, ‘Do not ask about that. Why do you want to know?’ They said, ‘Tell us, so that we may understand.’ We replied, ‘Grape juice.’ They took us to a valley so vast that we could not tell its length from its breadth. It was filled with vines stretching farther than the eye could see, every bunch weighing twenty ratls, and all hanging within easy reach. They said, ‘Gather some of these.’ So we gathered a great quantity. I saw a hollow there larger than a great pool, and we filled it with grapes, trod them with our feet, and did as we had done before until the juice became wine. We told them, ‘It is ready now. What will you drink from?’ They replied, ‘We once had donkeys like you, but we ate them, and their heads remain. Give us drink in their skulls.’ So we gave them drink, and they became drunk and fell asleep. There were about two hundred of them. We said to one another, ‘Is it not enough for them to ride us, but they must eat us too? There is no power and no strength save in God, the Most High, the Almighty! Let us make them still more drunk, then kill them and be rid of them, and escape their clutches.’ We woke them and began filling the skulls and giving them drink. They said, ‘This is bitter!’ We replied, ‘Why do you say it is bitter? Anyone who says that and does not drink ten times will die before the day is out.’ They feared death and said, ‘Give us enough to make up the ten.’ When they had drunk the rest of the ten draughts, they became helplessly drunk and lost all their strength. We dragged them by their hands, gathered a great quantity of wood from the vines, and piled it around and over them. Then we set fire to the wood and stood at a distance to see what would happen to them.” And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she ceased her permitted tale.

When it was the seven hundred and seventy-second night,

She said: It has reached me, O fortunate king, that Said continued, “When my fellow mamluks and I had set fire to the wood, with the ghouls in its midst, we stood at a distance to see what would become of them. After the fire had died down, we approached and found that they had become a heap of ash. We praised God Most High, who had delivered us from them, and left that part of the island, making for the seashore. Then we parted company. Two of the mamluks and I walked on until we reached a great forest thick with trees, where we began to eat. Suddenly we saw a tall creature with a long beard and long ears, and eyes like blazing torches. Before him was a great flock of sheep, which he was tending, and with him were others of his kind. When he saw us, he rejoiced and welcomed us, saying, ‘Welcome, welcome! Come to my home, and I will slaughter a sheep from this flock, roast it, and feed you.’ We asked, ‘Where is your home?’ He replied, ‘Near this mountain. Go in that direction until you see a cave, and enter it. There are many guests like yourselves inside. Go and sit with them until we prepare your entertainment.’ We believed him and went that way. Entering the cave, we found that all the guests inside were blind. As we came in, one said, ‘I am ill,’ and another, ‘I am weak.’ We asked, ‘What are you saying? Why are you weak and ill?’ They said, ‘Who are you?’ We replied, ‘We are guests.’ They said, ‘What has brought you into the clutches of that accursed creature? There is no power and no strength save in God, the Most High, the Almighty! He is a ghoul who eats human beings. He has blinded us and means to eat us.’ We asked, ‘How did this ghoul blind you?’ They replied, ‘Very soon he will blind you as he did us.’ ‘How will he blind us?’ we asked. They said, ‘He will bring you cups of milk and tell you, “You are weary from your journey. Take this milk and drink.” As soon as you drink it, you will become like us.’

“I said to myself, ‘We have no hope of escape except through a trick.’ So I dug a hole in the ground and sat over it. After a while the accursed ghoul came in with cups of milk. He handed me a cup and gave one to each of my companions, saying, ‘You have come from the wilderness thirsty. Take this milk and drink while I roast the meat for you.’ I took the cup, raised it to my mouth, and poured it into the hole. Then I cried, ‘Ah! My sight is gone! I am blind!’ I covered my eyes with my hands and began to weep and cry out, while he laughed and said, ‘Do not be afraid.’ My two companions drank the milk and went blind. At once the accursed creature rose, shut the cave door, came up to me, and felt my ribs. He found me thin, with no flesh upon me. Then he felt another man and found him fat, which pleased him. He slaughtered three sheep, skinned them, brought iron skewers, threaded the meat upon them, and roasted it over the fire. He served it to my two companions, who ate, and he ate with them. Then he brought a skin full of wine, drank it, and lay down on his face, snoring. I said to myself, ‘He is sunk in sleep. How can I kill him?’ Then I remembered the skewers. I took two and put them in the fire, waiting until they glowed like coals. Then I rose, tightened my belt, stood firm on my feet, took the two iron skewers in my hands, and approached the accursed creature. I thrust them into his eyes and drove them in with all my strength. In his agony he sprang to his feet and tried to seize me, though he was now blind. I fled through the cave, and he rushed after me. I called to the blind men, ‘What are we to do with this accursed creature?’ One of them said, ‘Said, climb up to the recess!’ I took the sword and came to that man. He said, ‘Take it and strike him across the middle. He will die at once.’ I rose and ran after the ghoul, who had grown weary of running and was approaching the blind men to kill them. I came up to him and struck him across the waist with the sword, cutting him in two. He shouted to me, ‘Man, if you mean to kill me, strike me a second time!’ I was about to strike again when the man who had shown me the sword said, ‘Do not strike him a second time! Then he will not die, but come to life and destroy us.’” And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she ceased her permitted tale.

When it was the seven hundred and seventy-third night,

She said: “It has reached me, O fortunate king, that Saed said: ‘When I struck the ghoul with the sword, he said to me, “Man, since you have struck me and mean to kill me, strike me a second blow.” I was about to strike him when the man who had shown me the sword said, “Do not strike him again, for then he will not die, but will come to life and destroy us.” I obeyed the man and did not strike again, and the accursed creature died. Then the man said, “Come, open the cavern and let us get out. Perhaps God will help us, and we shall find relief from this place.” I answered, “There is no longer any danger to us. Let us rest here, slaughter some of these sheep, and drink some of this wine, for the wilderness stretches far.” We stayed there for two months, eating the sheep and the fruit. One day, as we sat on the seashore, we saw a great ship appear far out at sea. We waved to those aboard and called to them, but they were afraid of the ghoul, for they knew that a man-eating ghoul lived on this island, and they tried to flee. We waved the loose ends of our turbans, drew nearer, and kept calling to them. One of the passengers, who had keen sight, said, “Fellow travelers, I can see that these figures are human beings like ourselves. They do not have the appearance of ghouls.” So they sailed a little toward us until they drew near. When they were certain that we were human, they greeted us, and we returned their greeting and gave them the glad news that the accursed ghoul was dead. They thanked us.

“‘Then we took some of the island’s fruit for provisions and boarded the ship. We sailed with a fair wind for three days, but then a gale rose against us and the sky grew dark. Within a single hour the wind drove the ship against a mountain, where it broke apart and its planks were scattered. Almighty God decreed that I should catch hold of one of the planks and climb onto it. It carried me for two days, and then a fair wind arose. I sat upon the plank, paddling with my feet for a time, until God Most High brought me safely ashore. I came to this city, a stranger, alone and friendless, not knowing what to do. Hunger tormented me, and I was utterly exhausted. I went to the city market, found a secluded spot, and took off this robe, saying to myself, “I shall sell it and buy food with its price until God brings about whatever He has decreed.” Then, my brother, I held the robe in my hand while people examined it and bid against one another, until you came, saw me, and ordered me taken to the palace. The servants seized me and imprisoned me. At last, after all this time, you remembered me and had me brought before you. Now I have told you all that befell me, and praise be to God who has reunited us.’

When Sayf al-Muluk and Taj al-Muluk, the father of Dawlat Khatun, heard the vizier Saed’s story, they marveled greatly. Taj al-Muluk had prepared pleasant quarters for Sayf al-Muluk and his brother Saed, and Dawlat Khatun would visit Sayf al-Muluk to thank him and speak of his kindness to her. The vizier Saed said, ‘O queen, what we ask of you is that you help him attain his desire.’ She answered, ‘Yes, I shall strive on his behalf until he gains his wish, God Most High willing.’ Then she turned to Sayf al-Muluk and said, ‘Be of good heart, and let your eyes be comforted.’

Such was the case with Sayf al-Muluk and his vizier Saed. As for Queen Badiat al-Jamal, news reached her that her sister Dawlat Khatun had returned to her father and her kingdom. She said, ‘I must visit her and greet her, splendidly arrayed in jewels and fine robes.’ So she set out. As she approached, Queen Dawlat Khatun came to meet her, greeted and embraced her, and kissed her between the eyes. Queen Badiat al-Jamal congratulated her on her safe return, and they sat down to talk. Badiat al-Jamal asked Dawlat Khatun, ‘What befell you while you were away?’ Dawlat Khatun answered, ‘My sister, do not ask what happened to me! What hardships creatures must endure!’ ‘How was that?’ asked Badiat al-Jamal. She answered, ‘My sister, I was in the Lofty Palace, where the son of the Blue King held me captive…’ Then she told her the whole story from beginning to end: the tale of Sayf al-Muluk, what had happened to him in the palace, the hardships and terrors he had endured before reaching the Lofty Palace, how he had killed the Blue King’s son, torn out the doors and made a boat of them, fashioned oars for it, and finally arrived here. Badiat al-Jamal marveled. Then Dawlat Khatun said, ‘By God, my sister, this is among the strangest of wonders. I wish to tell you how his story began, but shame prevents me.’ Badiat al-Jamal said to her, ‘Why should you be ashamed? You are my sister and my companion, and there is so much between us. I know that you wish me nothing but good. What, then, have you to be ashamed of before me? Tell me what you know, without embarrassment, and hide none of it.’ Dawlat Khatun replied, ‘He saw your portrait on the robe your father sent to Solomon son of David, peace be upon them both. Solomon neither unfolded it nor looked at what was inside, but sent it to King Asim ibn Safwan, ruler of Egypt, among the gifts and rarities he dispatched to him. King Asim gave it to his son Sayf al-Muluk before unfolding it. When Sayf al-Muluk received it, he opened it, meaning to put it on, and saw your portrait within. He fell in love with it and set out in search of you, enduring all these hardships for your sake.’” And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she ceased her permitted tale.

Then, when it was the seven hundred and seventy-fourth night,

She said: “It has reached me, O fortunate king, that Dawlat Khatun told Badiat al-Jamal how Sayf al-Muluk’s love and passion for her had begun with the robe bearing her portrait, and how, when he beheld the image, he left his kingdom, wandering distraught and forsaking his family for her sake. She said, ‘He endured all those terrors on your account.’ Badiat al-Jamal’s face flushed, and she said, embarrassed before Dawlat Khatun, ‘This can never be, for humans and jinn cannot live in harmony.’ Dawlat Khatun went on describing Sayf al-Muluk, his handsome appearance, his noble conduct, and his prowess. She continued praising him and recounting his virtues until she said, ‘My sister, for the sake of God Most High and for my sake, speak to him, if only a single word.’ Badiat al-Jamal answered, ‘I will not listen to what you are saying, nor will I do as you ask.’ It was as though she had heard none of it; no love for Sayf al-Muluk entered her heart, despite his beauty, his conduct, and his valor.

Then Dawlat Khatun began pleading with her and kissing her feet, saying, ‘O Badiat al-Jamal, by the milk that you and I suckled, and by the inscription upon the seal of Solomon, peace be upon him, listen to me. In the Lofty Palace I pledged to him that I would let him see your face. So, by God, show yourself to him just once for my sake, and you too may look at him.’ She wept and implored her, kissing her hands and feet, until at last she consented and said, ‘For your sake, I shall show him my face once.’ Dawlat Khatun’s heart was gladdened. She kissed her hands and feet and went out to the great pavilion in the garden, where she ordered the slave girls to furnish it, set up a golden couch, and arrange the drinking vessels. Then she went to Sayf al-Muluk and his vizier Saed, who were sitting in their quarters, and gave Sayf al-Muluk the glad news that his wish would be fulfilled and his desire attained. She said, ‘Go to the garden with your brother and enter the pavilion. Keep yourselves hidden from everyone there, so that no one sees you, until Badiat al-Jamal and I arrive.’ Sayf al-Muluk and Saed rose and went to the place Dawlat Khatun had shown them. On entering, they saw a golden couch set out with cushions, and food and wine beside it. They sat for a while, but then Sayf al-Muluk thought of his beloved. His heart grew troubled, and longing and passion surged within him. He rose and walked out through the pavilion’s vestibule. His brother Saed followed, but he said, ‘Brother, remain where you are, and do not follow me until I return.’ Saed sat down, while Sayf al-Muluk descended into the garden, drunk on the wine of love, bewildered by the violence of his passion. Longing shook him and rapture overcame him, and he recited these verses:

‘O Badiat al-Jamal, I have none but you; have mercy, for I am the captive of your love. You are my desire, my hope, my joy; my heart refuses to love anyone but you. If only I knew whether you know how I weep, sleepless and tearful all the long night! Command sleep to visit my eyelids, that perhaps in dreams I may behold you. Show kindness to one whom love has maddened; save him from the deadly cruelty of your estrangement. May God increase your gladness and delight, and may all your enemies be your ransom. Lovers shall be gathered beneath my banner, and all the fair beneath yours.’ Then he wept and recited these two verses:

‘The wondrously beautiful is my desire forever, for she is the secret hidden in my heart. If I speak, my speech is of her charms; if I am silent, she is the thought sealed within me.’ Then he wept bitterly and recited these verses:

‘A fire burns within me, its fuel ever increasing; you are my desire, and my passion endures. Toward you I incline, and toward no other; I hope for your favor, for a lover bears much. Have mercy on one whose body love has wasted and weakened, whose heart is sick. Be tender, be generous, bestow your kindness and grace; I have never turned from you, nor shall I change.’ Then he wept and recited these two verses:

‘Sorrows have embraced me as your love has done, and sleep has shunned me as you shun me. The messenger has told me you are angry—may God spare me the evil of his tidings!’ Meanwhile, Saed, finding him long delayed, left the pavilion to search for him in the garden. He saw him wandering there in bewilderment, reciting these two verses:

‘By God, by Almighty God, and by the right of him who recites the Quran’s chapter of the Creator, never has my gaze wandered over the beauty of anyone I see but your image, O wondrous beauty, has kept me company.’ Then Sayf al-Muluk and his brother Saed met, and they strolled through the garden, looking about them and eating fruit. Such was the case with Saed and Sayf al-Muluk. As for Dawlat Khatun, she and Badiat al-Jamal came to the pavilion and entered it after the servants had adorned it with every kind of decoration and carried out all Dawlat Khatun’s commands. They had prepared a golden couch for Badiat al-Jamal, and when she saw it she sat down upon it. Beside her was a window overlooking the garden. The servants brought all manner of exquisite dishes, and she and Dawlat Khatun ate, Dawlat Khatun feeding her morsels until she had had enough. Then she called for various sweetmeats, which the servants brought, and they ate their fill and washed their hands. Afterward Dawlat Khatun made ready the wine and its vessels, setting out the pitchers and cups. She filled a cup and gave it to Badiat al-Jamal, then filled one for herself and drank. Badiat al-Jamal looked through the window beside her into the garden, admiring its fruit and branches. Her glance happened to turn toward Sayf al-Muluk, and she saw him wandering through the garden with the vizier Saed behind him. She heard Sayf al-Muluk reciting poetry as abundant tears streamed down his face, and that single glance brought her a thousand pangs.” And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she ceased her permitted tale.

Then, when it was the seven hundred and seventy-fifth night,

She said: “It has reached me, O fortunate king, that when Badiat al-Jamal saw Sayf al-Muluk wandering through the garden, she looked at him with a glance that brought her a thousand pangs. The wine had begun to sway her senses, and she turned to Dawlat Khatun and said, ‘My sister, who is that young man I see in the garden, bewildered, lovelorn, and sorrowful?’ Dawlat Khatun answered, ‘Will you allow him to come before us, so that we may see him?’ She said, ‘If you can bring him, bring him.’ Dawlat Khatun called to him at once, saying, ‘O king’s son, come up to us, and grace us with your beauty and comeliness.’ Sayf al-Muluk recognized Dawlat Khatun’s voice and went up into the pavilion. The moment his eyes fell upon Badiat al-Jamal, he fell senseless. Dawlat Khatun sprinkled a little rose water over him, and he recovered. Then he rose and kissed the ground before Badiat al-Jamal, who was astonished by his beauty and grace. Dawlat Khatun said, ‘Know, O queen, that this is Sayf al-Muluk, through whose hands God Most High decreed my deliverance. He is the one who has suffered all those hardships for your sake, and I ask that you look upon him with favor.’ Badiat al-Jamal laughed and said, ‘Who keeps faith with his pledges, that this young man should do so? Humans have no constancy in love.’ Sayf al-Muluk answered, ‘O queen, faithlessness shall never be found in me, and not all creatures are alike.’ Then he wept before her and recited these verses:

‘O Badiat al-Jamal, I am but a wasted shadow, wandering in love with a bewitching, deadly gaze. By all the charm your cheeks unite, their white and crimson as the blood-red anemone, do not punish a lovesick man with separation, for long estrangement has all but consumed my body. This is my desire, the utmost of my hope: union with you, if union may be granted.’ Then he wept bitterly, and love and passion mastered him, so that he saluted her with these verses:

‘Peace be upon you from a lover enslaved; the noble ever show kindness to the noble. Peace be upon you! May I never lose your image; may no gathering or resting place be empty of you. So jealous am I for you that I dare not speak your name, and every lover inclines toward the beloved. Do not withhold your kindness from the one who loves you, for grief will slay him in his sickness. I watch the shining stars, and they dismay me; my night grows long in the extremity of love. No patience remains to me, nor any remedy—what words, then, can I find in supplication? Peace be upon you in the hour of estrangement, peace from a distracted lover who bears much.’ Then, from the abundance of his yearning and passion, he recited these verses:

‘If I seek anyone but you, my sovereigns, may I never gain from you my wish and my desire. Who but you possesses beauty, that for another my world should rise in upheaval? Far be it from me to forget this love, when for your sake I have spent my heart’s blood and the last breath of my life!’ When he had finished his verses, he wept bitterly. Badiat al-Jamal said to him, ‘O king’s son, I fear that I may turn to you with all my heart and find neither affection nor love in you. For humans may show little goodness and great treachery. Know that our lord Solomon son of David, peace be upon them both, won Bilqis through love, but when he saw another more beautiful than she, he turned away from her.’ Sayf al-Muluk answered, ‘O my eyes and my soul, God did not create all humans alike. God willing, I shall keep my pledge and die at your feet. You shall see my deeds accord with my words, and God is witness to what I say.’ Badiat al-Jamal said, ‘Sit down and be at ease. Swear to me by your faith, and let us pledge that neither will betray the other. May God Most High take vengeance upon whichever of us betrays the other.’ When Sayf al-Muluk heard this, he sat down. They clasped hands and swore that neither would choose anyone, human or jinn, above the other. Then they embraced for a time and wept together for the intensity of their joy. Rapture overcame Sayf al-Muluk, and he recited these verses:

‘I wept in passion, yearning, and anguish for the one my heart and soul adore. My pain increased through your long estrangement, and my reach fell short of drawing our lives together. My grief, too great for my endurance, revealed to those who blamed me something of my affliction. The bounds of my patience, once so wide, have truly narrowed, despite all my strength and striving. Ah, may God yet bring us together, and heal my anguish of its pain and sickness?’ After Badiat al-Jamal and Sayf al-Muluk had exchanged their vows, Sayf al-Muluk rose and walked away. Badiat al-Jamal also rose and went out, accompanied by a slave girl carrying some food and a flask filled with wine. Badiat al-Jamal sat down, and the girl placed the food and wine before her. They had waited only a little while when Sayf al-Muluk approached. She greeted him, they embraced, and they sat down.” And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she ceased her permitted tale.

Then, when it was the seven hundred and seventy-sixth night,

She said: “It has reached me, O fortunate king, that when Badiat al-Jamal had the food and wine brought, and Sayf al-Muluk came, she greeted him. Then they sat eating and drinking for a while. Badiat al-Jamal said, ‘O king’s son, when you enter the Garden of Iram, you will see a great tent of red satin, lined with green silk. Enter the tent and take courage, for you will see an old woman seated upon a couch of red gold, set with pearls and jewels. When you enter, greet her with courtesy and reverence. Look beneath the couch, and you will find slippers woven with threads of gold and embroidered with precious metals. Take the slippers, kiss them, and place them upon your head. Then tuck them beneath your right arm and stand before the old woman in silence, with your head bowed. If she asks, “Where have you come from? How did you reach this place? Who told you of it? And why have you taken these slippers?” remain silent until this slave girl of mine enters and speaks to her, pleading for her kindness toward you and soothing her with her words. Perhaps God Most High will incline her heart toward you, and she will grant your wish.’ Then she called the slave girl, whose name was Marjana, and said, ‘For the sake of your love for me, fulfill this task today, and do not be negligent in carrying it out. If you accomplish it today, you shall be free for the sake of God Most High, and you shall have honor from me. No one shall be dearer to me than you, and to none but you shall I reveal my secrets.’ The girl answered, ‘My lady and light of my eyes, tell me what you need, and I shall do it with all my heart.’ She said, ‘Carry this human upon your shoulders and take him to the Garden of Iram, to my grandmother, my father’s mother. Bring him to her tent and guard him well. When you enter the tent with him, and see that he has taken the slippers and paid her homage, and she asks him, “Where are you from? By what road have you come? Who brought you here? Why have you taken these slippers? And what do you need, that I may grant it?” then enter quickly, greet her, and say, “My lady, I am the one who brought him here. He is the son of the king of Egypt, and he is the one who went to the Lofty Palace, killed the Blue King’s son, rescued Queen Dawlat Khatun, and brought her safely back to her father. I have brought him to you so that he may tell you and give you the good news of her safety, and so that you may bestow your favor upon him.” Then say, “My lady, he is perfect in honor, generosity, and courage. He is the lord and king of Egypt, and possesses every praiseworthy quality.

“‘“If she asks you, ‘What does he want?’ say to her, ‘My lady sends you greetings and asks: How long must she remain at home, unmarried and without a husband? She has waited so long. What do you intend by leaving her unwed? Why do you not marry her, like other girls, while you and her mother are still alive?’ If she says, ‘How are we to arrange her marriage? If she knows someone and has set her heart upon him, let her tell us, and we shall do all we can to fulfill her wish,’ then say, ‘My lady, your daughter says to you: You wished to marry me to Solomon, peace be upon him, and had my portrait worked upon the robe for him. But I was not destined for him, and he sent the robe to the king of Egypt, who gave it to his son. The son saw my portrait embroidered upon it and fell in love with me. He left his father’s kingdom and his mother, turned away from the world and all it holds, and set out wandering aimlessly through the world, enduring the greatest hardships and terrors for my sake.’”’

Then the slave girl took Sayf al-Muluk upon her shoulders and said, ‘Close your eyes.’ He did so, and she flew up into the air with him. After a while she said, ‘O king’s son, open your eyes.’ He opened them and saw the garden, which was the Garden of Iram. The slave girl Marjana said, ‘Enter this tent, Sayf al-Muluk.’ He invoked God’s name and entered, casting his gaze over the garden. He saw the old woman seated upon the couch, with slave girls attending her. He approached with courtesy and reverence, took the slippers, kissed them, and did all that Badiat al-Jamal had described to him. The old woman said, ‘Who are you? Where have you come from? Of what country are you? Who brought you here? Why have you taken these slippers and kissed them? When have you ever asked me for anything that I did not grant you?’ At that moment the slave girl Marjana entered, greeted her with courtesy and reverence, and repeated the words Badiat al-Jamal had told her. When the old woman heard them, she shouted at her in anger and said, ‘How can humans and jinn ever live in harmony?’” And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she ceased her permitted tale.

Then, when it was the seven hundred and seventy-seventh night,

She said: “It has reached me, O fortunate king, that when the old woman heard the slave girl’s words, she grew exceedingly angry and said, ‘How can humans and jinn live in harmony?’ Sayf al-Muluk answered, ‘I shall live in harmony with you, be your servant, and die in love and devotion to you. I shall keep faith with you and look toward no other. God Most High willing, you shall see my truthfulness, my freedom from falsehood, and the nobility of my conduct toward you.’ The old woman pondered for a while with bowed head. Then she raised her head and said, ‘Handsome youth, will you keep your pledge and covenant?’ He answered, ‘Yes, by Him who raised the heavens and spread the earth upon the waters, I shall keep my pledge.’ Then the old woman said, ‘I shall grant your wish, God Most High willing. But go now into the garden, enjoy its sights, and eat of its fruit, which has no equal or likeness anywhere in the world, while I send for my son Shahyal. When he comes, I shall speak to him of this matter, and all shall be well, God Most High willing, for he does not oppose me or disobey my commands. I shall marry you to his daughter Badiat al-Jamal. So be of good heart, Sayf al-Muluk, for she shall be your wife.’ When Sayf al-Muluk heard her words, he thanked her, kissed her hands and feet, and left her to go into the garden. The old woman turned to the slave girl and said, ‘Go and search for my son Shahyal. Find in what land or place he is, and bring him to me.’ The girl went in search of King Shahyal, found him, and brought him to his mother.

Such was her case. As for Sayf al-Muluk, he was strolling through the garden when five jinn, who were subjects of the Blue King, caught sight of him. They said, ‘Where is this fellow from? Who brought him here? Could he be the one who killed the Blue King’s son?’ Then they said to one another, ‘Let us use a trick to question him and find out.’ They walked slowly on until they reached Sayf al-Muluk at the edge of the garden. Sitting beside him, they said, ‘Handsome youth, you did well to kill the Blue King’s son and free Dawlat Khatun from him. He was a treacherous dog who had deceived her, and had God not sent you to her aid, she would never have escaped. How did you kill him?’ Sayf al-Muluk looked at them and said, ‘I killed him with this ring upon my finger.’ Then they knew for certain that he was the one who had killed him. Two seized his arms, two seized his legs, and the fifth clapped a hand over his mouth, so that he could not cry out and be heard and rescued by King Shahyal’s people. Then they carried him off and flew with him until they descended before their king. They set him before him and said, ‘O king of the age, we have brought you your son’s killer.’ He asked, ‘Where is he?’ They answered, ‘Here he is.’ The Blue King said to him, ‘Did you kill my son, the very life of my heart and the light of my eyes, unjustly and without any wrong he had done you?’ Sayf al-Muluk answered, ‘Yes, I killed him, but for his tyranny and his violence. He used to seize the children of kings and carry them off to the Abandoned Well and the Lofty Palace, parting them from their families and committing abominations with them. I killed him with this ring upon my finger, and God hastened his soul to the Fire—an evil resting place!’ The Blue King was now certain beyond all doubt that this was his son’s killer. He summoned his vizier and said, ‘This is surely my son’s killer, without any doubt. What do you advise me to do with him? Shall I put him to the most hideous death, torture him with the harshest torment, or what shall I do?’ The chief vizier said, ‘Cut off one of his limbs.’ Another said, ‘Have him severely beaten every day.’ Another said, ‘Cut him in two.’ Another said, ‘Cut off all his fingers and burn them in the fire.’ Another said, ‘Crucify him.’ Each spoke according to his own opinion.

Now the Blue King had a great emir in his service, a man experienced in affairs and well acquainted with the turns of fortune. He said, ‘O king of the age, I have something to say to you, and it is for you to decide whether to heed my advice.’ He was the counselor of the kingdom and the foremost man of state, and the king listened to him, acted upon his advice, and opposed him in nothing. He rose to his feet, kissed the ground before the king, and said, ‘O king of the age, if I advise you in this matter, will you follow my counsel and grant me safety?’ The king answered, ‘State your opinion. You have my assurance of safety.’ He said, ‘O king, if you kill this man without accepting my advice or considering my words, you will act unwisely, for this is not the time to kill him. He is in your power, within your domain, and your prisoner. Whenever you seek him, you can find him and do with him as you please. So be patient, O king of the age. This man entered the Garden of Iram and married Badiat al-Jamal, daughter of King Shahyal, and has become one of their family. Your people seized him and brought him to you, and he has concealed nothing of his circumstances from either them or you. If you kill him, King Shahyal will demand vengeance, become your enemy, and march against you with his army for his daughter’s sake. You have neither the means to withstand his army nor the strength to oppose him.’ The king heeded his words and ordered Sayf al-Muluk imprisoned.

Such was what befell Sayf al-Muluk. As for the lady Badiat al-Jamal, when she met her father Shahyal, she sent the slave girl to look for Sayf al-Muluk. She could not find him, and returned to her mistress, saying, ‘I did not find him in the garden.’ Badiat al-Jamal sent for the gardeners and questioned them about him. They said, ‘We saw him sitting beneath a tree. Then five of the Blue King’s people descended beside him and spoke with him. Afterward they seized him, stopped his mouth, and flew away with him.’ When the old woman heard this, she took it grievously and grew exceedingly angry. She rose to her feet and said to her son King Shahyal, ‘How can you call yourself a king when the Blue King’s people come into our garden, seize our guest, and escape unharmed, while you and your mother are still alive?’ She began urging him on, saying, ‘No one should dare trespass against us while you live!’ He answered, ‘Mother, this human killed the Blue King’s son, who was a jinni, and God has cast him into his hands. How can I go and make an enemy of him for a human’s sake?’ His mother said, ‘Go to him and demand our guest. If he is alive and the king surrenders him, bring him back. But if he has killed him, take the Blue King alive, together with his children, his women, and all his followers who seek shelter with him. Bring them to me alive, so that I may slaughter them with my own hands and lay waste his lands. If you do not do as I command, I shall not absolve you of your debt for my milk, and the nurture I gave you shall be forbidden to you.’” And dawn overtook Shahrazad, and she ceased her permitted tale.

Then, when it was the seven hundred and seventy-eighth night,

She said: “It has reached me, O fortunate king, that the old woman said to her son Shahyal, ‘Go to the Blue King and see about Sayf al-Muluk. If he is still alive, bring him back. If the king has killed him, seize him, his children, his women, and all who seek shelter with him, and bring them to me alive, so that I may slaughter them with my own hands and lay waste his kingdom. If you do not go to him and do as I command, I shall not absolve you of your debt for my milk, and the nurture I gave you shall be forbidden to you.’ At this King Shahyal rose and ordered his army to march. He set out against the Blue King out of respect for his mother, regard for her wishes and those of her loved ones, and to fulfill a thing decreed from all eternity. Shahyal journeyed with his army until they reached the Blue King, and the two armies met in battle. The Blue King and his army were defeated. His children, great and small, and the lords and chief men of his realm were seized, bound, and brought before King Shahyal. He said to him, ‘Blue King, where is Sayf al-Muluk, the human who is my guest?’ The Blue King answered, ‘Shahyal, you are a jinni and I am a jinni. Have you done all this for the sake of a human who killed my son? He murdered my son, the very life of my heart and the comfort of my soul. How could you commit all these deeds and shed the blood of so many thousands of jinn?’ Shahyal answered, ‘Enough of this talk. If he is alive, bring him to me, and I shall free you and all your children whom I have captured. But if you have killed him, I shall slaughter you and your children.’ The Blue King said, ‘O king, is this man dearer to you than my son?’ King Shahyal answered, ‘Your son was a tyrant, for he abducted other people’s children and the daughters of kings, imprisoned them in the Lofty Palace and the Abandoned Well, and committed abominations with them.’ The Blue King said, ‘He is here with me, but make peace between us and him.’ So Shahyal reconciled them, bestowed robes of honor upon them, and drew up a deed between the Blue King and Sayf al-Muluk concerning the killing of his son. King Shahyal took Sayf al-Muluk into his care and entertained them handsomely. The Blue King and his army stayed with him for three days. Then Shahyal took Sayf al-Muluk and brought him to his mother, who rejoiced exceedingly at his return. Shahyal marveled at Sayf al-Muluk’s beauty, grace, and perfection, and Sayf al-Muluk told him his story from beginning to end, and all that had passed between him and Badiat al-Jamal.”

Then King Shahyal said, “My mother, since you are pleased with this, I hear and obey whatever brings you satisfaction. Take him with you to Sarandib and hold a splendid wedding there, for he is a handsome young man and has endured great terrors for her sake.” So she and her maidens set out and journeyed until they reached Sarandib, where they entered the garden belonging to Dawlat Khatun’s mother. Badiat al-Jamal saw him after they had gone to the pavilion and gathered there, and the old woman told them what had befallen him at the hands of the Blue King, and how he had been at death’s door in the Blue King’s prison. But there is no profit in repeating the tale. Then King Sayf al-Muluk said to Taj al-Muluk, “O king, forgive me: I have a favor to ask of you, but I fear you may send me away disappointed.” Taj al-Muluk replied, “By Allah, even if you asked for my life, I would not withhold it from you, after all the kindness you have shown.” Sayf al-Muluk said, “I wish you to give Dawlat Khatun in marriage to my brother Said, so that we may all become your servants.” “I hear and obey,” replied Taj al-Muluk. Once more he assembled the great men of his realm and had the marriage contract drawn up between his daughter Dawlat Khatun and Said. When the contract had been concluded, they scattered gold and silver, and he ordered the city to be adorned. Then they held the wedding festivities, and on the same night Sayf al-Muluk went in to Badiat al-Jamal, and Said to Dawlat Khatun. For forty days Sayf al-Muluk remained in seclusion with Badiat al-Jamal. One day she said to him, “O prince, is there anything your heart still longs for?” Sayf al-Muluk replied, “Heaven forbid! I have attained my desire, and no unfulfilled longing remains in my heart. Yet I wish to see my father and mother in the land of Egypt and learn whether they are still in good health.” So she commanded a company of her servants to convey him and Said to Egypt. They brought them to their families there, and Sayf al-Muluk was reunited with his father and mother, as was Said with his own. They stayed with them for a week, then each bade farewell to his father and mother, and they returned to the city of Sarandib. Thereafter, whenever they longed for their families, they would go to visit them and return. Sayf al-Muluk and Badiat al-Jamal lived together in the sweetest happiness and contentment, as did Said and Dawlat Khatun, until there came to them the Destroyer of Pleasures and the Sunderer of Companions. Glory be to the Ever-Living who never dies, who created all creatures and decreed death for them, who is the First without beginning and the Last without end.