第118章 NOUREDDIN ALI AND THE DAMSEL ENIS EL JELIS.(7)

So Noureddin went in to the damsel and told her what had happenedat which she wrung her hands. Then they went out at once from the cityand God let down the veil of His protection over themso that they reached the river-bankwhere they found a ship about to sail. Her captain stood in the waistsaying，'Whoso has aught to dowhether in the way of victualling or taking leave of his friendsor who has forgotten any necessary thinglet him do it at once and returnfor we are about to sail.'And every one said'O captainwe have nothing left to do.'Whereupon he cried out to his crewsaying'Hothere！cast off the moorings and pull up the pickets！'Quoth Noureddin，'Whither boundO captain？'To the Abode of PeaceBaghdad，'replied he. So Noureddin and the damsel embarked with himand they launched out and spread the sailsand the ship sped forth，as she were a bird in full flighteven as says right well the poet：

Look at a shiphow ravishing a sight she is and fair！In her swift course she doth outstrip the breezes of the air.

She seems as 'twere a scudding bird thatlighting from the sky，Doth on the surface of the stream with outspread pinions fare.

Meanwhile the King's officers came to Noureddin's house and breaking open the doorsentered and searched the whole place，but could find no trace of him and the damsel；so they demolished the house and returning to the Sultantold him what they had done；whereupon he said'Make search for themwherever they are！'And they answered'We hear and obey.'Then he bestowed upon the Vizier Muin a dress of honour and said to him'None shall avenge thee but myself.'So Muin's heart was comforted and he wished the King long life and returned to his own house. Then the Sultan caused proclamation to be made in the townsaying'O all ye people！It is the will of our lord the Sultan that whoso happens on Noureddin Ali ben Khacan and brings him to the Sultan shall receive a dress of honour and a thousand dinarsand he who conceals him or knows his abiding-place and informs not thereof，deserves the exemplary punishment that shall befall him.'So search was made for Noureddinbut they could find neither trace nor news of him；and meantime he and the damsel sailed on with a fair windtill they arrived safely at Baghdad and the captain said to them'This is Baghdadand it is a city of safety： the winter hath departed from itwith its coldand the season of the Spring is comewith its roses；its trees are in blossom and its streams flowing.'So Noureddin landedhe and the damseland giving the captain five dinarswalked on awhiletill chance brought them among the gardens and they came to a place swept and sprinkledwith long benches on either hand and hanging pots full of water. Overhead was a trelliswork of canes shading the whole length of the alleyand at the further end was the door of a garden；but this was shut. 'By Allah，'said Noureddin to the damsel'this is a pleasant place！'And she answered'O my lord，let us sit down on these benches and rest awhile.'So they mounted and sat down on the benchesafter having washed their faces and hands；and the air smote on them and they fell asleep，glory be to Him who never sleeps！Now the garden in question was called the Garden of Delight and therein stood a pavilion called the Pavilion of Picturesbelonging to the Khalif Haroun er Reshidwho usedwhen sad at heartto repair thither and there sit. In this pavilion were fourscore windows and fourscore hanging lamps and in the midst a great chandelier of gold. When the Khalif enteredhe was wont to have all the windows opened and to order his boon-companion Isaac ben Ibrahim and the slave-girls to singtill his care left him and his heart was lightened. Now the keeper of the garden was an old man by name Gaffer Ibrahimand he had foundfrom time to timeon going out on his occasionsidlers taking their case with courtezans in the alley leading to the door of the gardenat which he was sore enraged；so he complained to the Khalifwho said'Whomsoever thou findest at the door of the gardendo with him as thou wilt.'As chance would have ithe had occasion to go abroad that very day and found these two sleeping at the gatecovered with one veil；whereupon'By Allah，'said he'this is fine！These two know not that the Khalif has given me leave to kill any one whom I may catch at the door of the garden： but I will give them a sound drubbingthat none may come near the gate in future.'So he cut a green palm-stick and went out to them and raising his armtill the whiteness of his armpit appearedwas about to lay on to themwhen he bethought himself and said'O Ibrahimwilt thou beat themknowing not their case？ Maybe they are strangers or wayfarersand destiny hath led them hither. I will uncover their faces and look on them.'So he lifted up the veil from their faces and said'They are a handsome pair！It were not fitting that I should beat them.'Then he covered their faces againand going to Noureddin's feetbegan to rub them，whereupon the young man awokeand seeing an old man of venerable appearance rubbing his feetwas abashed and drawing them insat up；then took Ibrahim's hand and kissed it. Quoth the old man'O my sonwhence art thou？'O my lord，'replied Noureddin'we are strangers.'And the tears started to his eyes. 'O my son，'said Ibrahim'know that the Prophet （whom God bless and preserve！）