burton--1001-nights--sample

change of raiment for the King. He entered the bath and made the total
ablution long and thoroughly; then donned his clothes within the
Hammam and rode therefrom to his palace where he lay him down
and slept.
Such was the case with King Yunan, but as regards the sage Duban,
he returned home and slept as usual and when morning dawned he
repaired to the palace and craved audience. The King ordered him
to be admitted; then, having kissed the ground between his hands,
in allusion to the King he recited these couplets with solemn intonation:
—
Happy is Eloquence when thou art named her sire * But mourns she
whenas other man the title claimed.
O Lord of fairest presence, whose illuming rays * Clear off the fogs of
doubt aye veiling deeds high famed,
Ne’er cease thy face to shine like Dawn and rise of Morn * And never
show Time’s face with heat of ire inflamed!
Thy grace hath favoured us with gifts that worked such wise * As
rain-clouds raining on the hills by wolds enframed:
Freely thou lavishedst thy wealth to rise on high * Till won from Time
the heights whereat thy grandeur aimed.
Now when the Sage ceased reciting, the King rose quickly to his feet
and fell on his neck; then, seating him by his side he bade dress him in
a sumptuous dress; for it had so happened that when the King left the
Hammam he looked on his body and saw no trace of leprosy: the skin
was all clean as virgin silver. He joyed thereat with exceeding joy, his
breast broadened with delight and he felt thoroughly happy. Presently,
when it was full day he entered his audience-hall and sat upon the
throne of his kingship whereupon his Chamberlains and Grandees
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