burton--1001-nights--sample

flying from the Envier, came to dwell in our city, and here founded this
holy house, and he hath edified us by his litanies and his lections of
the Koran; but the Envier set out and journeyed till he rejoined him,
and cunningly contrived to deceive him and cast him into the well
where we now are. But the fame of this good man hath this very night
come to the Sultan of our city who designeth to visit him on the morrow
on account of his daughter.”
“What aileth his daughter?” asked one, and another answered, “She
is possessed of a spirit; for Maymun, son of Damdam, is madly in love
with her; but, if this pious man knew the remedy, her cure would be as
easy as could be.” Hereupon one of them inquired, “And what is the
medicine?” and he replied, “The black tom-cat which is with him in
the oratory hath, on the end of his tail, a white spot, the size of a
dirham; let him pluck seven white hairs from the spot, then let him
fumigate her therewith and the Marid will flee from her and not return;
so she shall be sane for the rest of her life.”
All this took place, O Ifrit, within earshot of the Envied who
listened readily. When dawn broke and morn arose in sheen and shone,
the Fakirs went to seek the Shaykh and found him climbing up the wall
of the well; whereby he was magnified in their eyes. Then, knowing
that naught save the black tom-cat could supply him with the remedy
required, he plucked the seven tail-hairs from the white spot and laid
them by him; and hardly had the sun risen ere the Sultan entered the
hermitage, with the great lords of his estate, bidding the rest of his
retinue to remain standing outside. The Envied gave him a hearty
welcome, and seating him by his side asked him, “Shall I tell thee the
cause of thy coming?” The King answered, “Yes.” He continued,
“Thou hast come upon pretext of a visitation; but it is in thy heart to
question me of thy daughter.” Replied the King, “’Tis even so, O thou
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