burton--1001-nights--sample

with the Sultan, whose heart burned in yearning for his city whence he
had been absent a whole twelvemonth. They journeyed with an escort
of Mamelukes 42 carrying all manners of precious gifts and rarities,
nor stinted they wayfaring day and night for a full year until they
approached the Sultan’s capital, and sent on messengers to announce
their coming. Then the Wazir and the whole army came out to meet
him in joy and gladness, for they had given up all hope of ever seeing
their King; and the troops kissed the ground before him and wished
him joy of his safety. He entered and took seat upon his throne and
the Minister came before him and, when acquainted with all that had
befallen the young Prince, he congratulated him on his narrow escape.
When order was restored throughout the land the King gave
largesse to many of his people, and said to the Wazir, “Hither
the Fisherman who brought us the fishes!” So he sent for the man who
had been the first cause of the city and the citizens being delivered
from enchantment and, when he came into the presence, the Sultan
bestowed upon him a dress of honour, and questioned him of his
condition and whether he had children. The Fisherman gave him to
know that he had two daughters and a son, so the King sent for them
and, taking one daughter to wife, gave the other to the young Prince
and made the son his head-treasurer. Furthermore he invested his
Wazir with the Sultanate of the City in the Black Islands whilome
belonging to the young Prince, and dispatched with him the escort of
fifty armed slaves together with dresses of honour for all the Emirs and
Grandees.
The Wazir kissed hands and fared forth on his way; while the
Sultan and the Prince abode at home in all the solace and the delight
42
Arab. “Mamlúk” (plur. Mamálik) lit. a chattel; and in The Nights a white slave
trained to arms.
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