burton--1001-nights--sample

children, this day I bring you a fine fat youth for dinner;” whereto they
answered, “Bring him quick to us, O our mother, that we may browse
upon him our bellies full.”
The Prince hearing their talk, made sure of death and his sidemuscles
quivered in fear for his life, so he turned away and was about
to fly. The Ghulah came out and seeing him in sore affright (for he was
trembling in every limb) cried, “Wherefore art thou afraid?” and he
replied, “I have hit upon an enemy whom I greatly fear.” Asked the
Ghulah, “Diddest thou not say: — I am a King’s son?” and he answered,
“Even so.” Then quoth she, “Why dost not give thine enemy
something of money and so satisfy him?” Quoth he, “He will not be
satisfied with my purse but only with my life, and I mortally fear him
and am a man under oppression.” She replied, “If thou be so distressed,
as thou deemest, ask aid against him from Allah, who will
surely protect thee from his ill-doing and from the evil whereof thou
art afraid.” Then the Prince raised his eyes heavenwards and cried, “O
Thou who answerest the necessitous when he calleth upon Thee and
dispellest his distress; O my God! grant me victory over my foe and
turn him from me, for Thou over all things art Almighty.” The Ghulah,
hearing his prayer, turned away from him, and the Prince returned to
his father, and told him the tale of the Wazir; whereupon the King
summoned the Minister to his presence and then and there slew him.
Thou likewise, O King, if thou continue to trust this leach, shalt be
made to die the worst of deaths. He verily thou madest much of and
whom thou entreatedest as an intimate, will work thy destruction. Seest
thou not how he healed the disease from outside thy body by something
grasped in thy hand? Be not assured that he will not destroy thee
by something held in like manner!
Replied King Yunan, “Thou hast spoken sooth, O Wazir, it may
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