第92章 STORY OF THE HUNCHBACK(14)

and they sold my goods also at a profit of five dirhems on every oneto my great satisfaction；after which they left me and went on to Egyptwhilst I abode at Damascus in a handsome housesuch as the tongue fails to describewhich I had hired for two dinars a month. Here I remainedeating and drinking and spending the money in my handstillone dayas I sat at the door of my lodgingthere came up a young ladyclad in costly apparel，never saw my eyes richer. I winked at her；and she entered without hesitation. I entered with her and shut the doorand she raised her kerchief and did off her veilwhen I found her of surpassing beautyand love of her took hold upon my heart. So I rose and fetched a tray of the most delicate viands and fruits and all that was needed for a carouseand we ate and sported and drank till we were warm with wine. Then I lay with her the most delightful of nightstill the morningwhen I offered to give her ten dinars；but she frowned and knit her brows and said'For shame！Thinkest thou I covet thy money？'And she took out from the bosom of her shift ten dinars and laid them before me，saying'By Allahexcept thou take themI will never come back！'So I accepted themand she said to me'O my beloved，expect me again in three days'timewhen I will be with thee between sundown and nightfall；and do thou provide us with these dinars the like of yesterday's entertainment.'So sayingshe bade me adieu and went awaytaking my reason with her. At the end of the three daysshe came againdressed in gold brocade and wearing richer ornaments than before. I had made ready a repast；so we ate and drank and lay togetheras beforetill the morningwhen she gave me other ten dinars and appointed me again for three days thence. AccordinglyI made ready as beforeand at the appointed time she came againmore richly dressed than everand said to me'O my lordam I not fair？'Yeaby Allah！'answered I. Then she said'Wilt thou give me leave to bring with me a young lady handsomer than I and youngerthat she may frolic with us and that thou and she may laugh and make merry and rejoice her heartfor she has been sad at heart this long time past and has asked me to let her go out and spend the night abroad with me？'Ayby Allah！'answered I；and we drank till we were warm with wine and slept together till the morningwhen she gave me twenty dinars and said to me'Add to thy usual provisionon account of the young lady who will come with me.'

Then she went awayand on the fourth dayI made ready as usual，and soon after sundown she cameaccompanied by another damsel，wrapped in a veil. They entered and sat down；and when I saw themI repeated the following verses：

How lovely and how pleasant is our day！The railer's absent，reckless of our play，Love and delight and wine with us abideEach one enough to charm the wit away；The full moon glitters through the falling veil；Bough-likethe shapes within the vestments sway：

The rose blooms in the cheeksand in the eyes Narcissus languishesin soft decay .

Delight with those I love fulfilled for me And lifeas I would have itfair and gay！

Then I lighted the candles and received them with joy and gladness. They put off their outer clothingand the new damsel unveiled her facewhen I saw that she was like the moon at its fullnever beheld I one more beautiful. Then I rose and set meat and drink before themand we ate and drank： and I began to feed the new damsel and to fill her cup and drink with her. At this the first lady was secretly jealous and said to me'Is not this girl more charming than I？'Ayby Allah！'replied I. Quoth she，'It is my intent that thou lie with her this night.'And I answered'On my head and eyes！'Then she rose and spread the bed for usand I took the young lady and lay with her that night till the morningwhen I awoke and found myself wetas I thoughtwith sweat. I sat up and tried to rouse the damselbut when I shook her by the shouldersher head rolled off the pillow. Thereupon my reason fled and I cried outsaying'O gracious Protectorextend to me Thy protection！'Then I saw that she had been murderedand the world became black in my sight and I sought the lady my first mistressbut could not find her. So I knew that it was she who had murdered the girlout of jealousy，and said'There is no power and no virtue but in God the Most Highthe Supreme！What is to be done？'I considered awhilethen rose and taking off my clothesdug a hole midmost the courtyard，in which I laid the dead girlwith her jewellery and ornaments，and throwing back the earth over herreplaced the marble of the pavement. After this I washed and put on clean clothes and taking what money I had leftlocked up the house and took courage and went to the owner of the houseto whom I paid a year's rent，telling him that I was about to join my uncles at Cairo. Then I set out and journeying to Egyptforegathered with my uncleswho rejoiced in me and I found that they had made an end of selling their goods. They enquired the reason of my comingand I said，'I yearned after you；'but did not let them know that I had any money with me.