burton--1001-nights--sample

of life; and the Fisherman became the richest man of his age, and his
daughters wived with Kings, until death came to them. And yet, O
King! this is not more wondrous than the story of
The Porter and the Three Ladies of Baghdad.
Once upon a time there was a Porter in Baghdad, who was a bachelor
and who would remain unmarried. It came to pass on a certain day, as
he stood about the street leaning idly upon his crate, behold, there
stood before him an honourable woman in a mantilla of Mosul silk,
broidered with gold and bordered with brocade; her walking-shoes
were also purfled with gold and her hair floated in long plaits. She
raised her face-veil and, showing two black eyes fringed with jetty
lashes, whose glances were soft and languishing and whose perfect
beauty was ever blandishing, she accosted the Porter and said in the
suavest tones and choicest language, “Take up thy crate and follow
me.”
The Porter was so dazzled he could hardly believe that he heard
her aright, but he shouldered his basket in hot haste saying in himself,
“O day of good luck! O day of Allah’s grace!” and walked after her till
she stopped at the door of a house. There she rapped, and presently
came out to her an old man, a Nazarene, to whom she gave a gold
piece, receiving from him in return what she required of strained wine
clear as olive oil; and she set it safely in the hamper, saying, “Lift and
follow.” Quoth the Porter, “This, by Allah, is indeed an auspicious day,
a day propitious for the granting of all a man wisheth.” He again
hoisted up the crate and followed her; till she stopped at a fruiterer’s
shop and bought from him Shámi apples and Osmáni quinces and
Ománi peaches, and cucumbers of Nile growth, and Egyptian limes
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