第95章 STORY OF THE HUNCHBACK(17)

Therewithalfire flamed up in my heart and my mind was taken up with herand my hatred （of women） was changed to love. I continued sitting therelost to the worldtill sundownwhen the Cadi of the city came riding up the streetwith slaves before him and servants behind himand alightingentered the very house at which the young lady had appeared. By this I guessed that he was her father；so I went homesorrowfuland fell on my bedoppressed with melancholy thoughts. My women came in to me and sat round mepuzzled to know what ailed me；but I would not speak to them nor answer their questionsand they wept and lamented over me. Presentlyin came an old womanwho looked at me and saw at once what was the matter with me. So she sat down at my head and spoke me fair and said'O my sontell me what ails theeand I will bring thee to thy desire.'So I told her what had happened to meand she said'O my sonthis girl is the Cadi's daughter of Baghdad；she is kept in strict seclusion，and the window at which thou sawest her is that of her apartment，where she dwells aloneher father occupying a great suite of rooms underneath. I often visit herand thou shalt not come at her but through me；so gird thy middle and be of good cheer.'So sayingshe went awaywhilst I took comfort at what she said and arose in the morning wellto the great satisfaction of my people. By-and-by the old woman came inchopfallenand said to me'O my sondo not ask how I have fared with her！When I opened the subject to hershe said to me'An thou leave not this talkpestilent hag that thou artI will assuredly use thee as thou deserves！'But needs must I have at her again.'When I heard thisit added sickness to my sickness： but after some daysthe old woman came again and said to me'O my sonI must have of thee a present for good news.'With thislife returned to meand I said'Whatever thou wilt is thine.'Then said she，'O my sonI went yesterday to the young ladywho seeing me broken-spirited and tearful-eyedsaid to me'O my auntwhat ails thee that I see thy heart thus straitened？'Whereupon I wept and replied'O my ladyI am just come from a youth who loves thee and is like to die for thy sake.'Quoth she （and indeed her heart was moved to pity）'And who is this youth of whom thou speakest？'He is my son，'answered I'and the darling of my heart. He saw theesome days sinceat the windowtending thy flowersand fell madly in love with thee. I told him what passed between thee and me the other daywhereupon his disorder increased and he took to his bed and will surely die.'At this her colour changed and she said'Is all this on my account？'

'Yeaby Allah！'answered I. 'What wouldst thou have me do？'Then said she'Go back to him and salute him for me and tell him that my sufferings are twice as great as his. And on Fridaybefore the time of prayerlet him come hither and I will come down and open the door to him. Then I will carry him to my chamberwhere we can converse awhile and he can go awaybefore my father comes back from the mosque.''When I heard thismy anguish ceased and my heart was comforted. So I took off the clothes I was wearing and gave them to the old woman；and she said'Be of good cheer.'

'There is no pain left in me，'answered I；and she went away. My household and friends rejoiced in my restoration to healthand I abode thus till Fridaywhen the old woman entered and asked me how I didto which I replied that I was well and in good case.

Then I dressed and perfumed myself and sat down to await the going in of the folk to the mosquethat I might betake myself to the young lady. But the old woman said to me'Thou hast time and to spare；so thou wouldst do well to go to the bath and have thy head shavedto do away the traces of thy disorder.'It is well thought，'answered I；'I will first have my head shaved and then go to the bath.'Then I said to my servant'Go to the market and bring me a barberand look that he be no meddlerbut a man of sensewho will not split my head with his much talk.'So he went out and returned with this wretched old man. When he came inhe saluted meand I returned his salutation. Then said he'Surely，I see thee thin of body.'And I replied'I have been ill.'Quoth he'God cause affliction and trouble and anxiety to depart from thee！'May God hear thy prayer！'answered I： and he said'Be of good cheerO my lordfor indeed recovery is come to thee. Dost thou wish to be polled or let blood？ Indeedit is reportedon the authority of Ibn Abbas （whom God accept！）that the Prophet said'Whoso is polled on a FridayGod shall avert from him threescore and ten diseases；'and again'He who is cupped on a Friday is safe from loss of sight and a host of other ailments.''Leave this talk，'said I；'comeshave my head at oncefor I am yet weak.'With this he pulled out a handkerchief，from which he took an astrolabe with seven platesmounted in silverand going into the courtyardheld the instrument up to the sun's rays and looked for some time. Then he came back and said to me'Know that eight degrees and six minutes have elapsed of this our daywhich is Fridaythe tenth of Seferin the six hundred and fifty-third year of the Flight of the Prophet （upon whom be the most excellent of blessing and peace！） and the seven thousand three hundred and twentieth year of the Alexandrian era，and the planet now in the ascendantaccording to the rules of mathematicsis Marswhich being in conjunction with Mercury，denotes a favourable time for cutting hair；and this also indicates to me that thou purposest to foregather with some one and that your interview will be propitious；but after this there occurs a signrespecting a thing which I will not name to thee.'

'By Allah，'exclaimed I'thou weariest me and pesterest me with thy foolish augurieswhen I only sent for thee to shave my head！