burton--1001-nights--sample

Next morning I arose and warmed a little water, then lifted him
gently so as to awake him and brought him the warm water wherewith
he washed his face and said to me, “Heaven requite thee for me with
every blessing, O youth! By Allah, if I get quit of this danger and am
saved from him whose name is Ajib bin Khazib, I will make my father
reward thee and send thee home healthy and wealthy; and, if I die,
then my blessing be upon thee.” I answered, “May the day never dawn
on which evil shall betide thee; and may Allah make my last day before
thy last day!” Then I set before him somewhat of food and we ate; and
I got ready perfumes for fumigating the hall, wherewith he was pleased.
Moreover I made him a Mankalah-cloth; and we played and ate sweetmeats
and we played again and took our pleasure till nightfall, when I
rose and lighted the lamps, and set before him somewhat to eat, and sat
telling him stories till the hours of darkness were far spent. Then he
lay down to rest and I covered him up and rested also.
And thus I continued to do, O my lady for days and nights, and
affection for him took root in my heart and my sorrow was eased, and
I said to myself, “The astrologers lied when they predicted that he
should be slain by Ajib bin Khazib: by Allah, I will not slay him.”
I ceased not ministering to him and conversing and carousing with him
and telling him all manner tales for thirty-nine days. On the fortieth
night the youth rejoiced and said, “O my brother, Alhamdolillah! —
praise be to Allah — who hath preserved me from death and this is by
thy blessing and the blessing of thy coming to me; and I pray God that
He restore thee to thy native land. But now, O my brother, I would
thou warm me some water for the Ghusl-ablution and do thou kindly
bathe me and change my clothes.” I replied, “With love and gladness;”
and I heated water in plenty and carrying it in to him washed his body
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