صفحة 739 من 1116

Wilt thou cut off my hand, because I ate of a cumin ragout and

did not wash?" The handmaidens also interceded with her and

kissed her hand saying, "O our sister, this man is a simpleton,

punish him not for what he hath done this nonce;" but she

answered, "By Allah, there is no help but that I dock him of

somewhat, especially the offending member." Then she went away

and I saw no more of her for ten days, during which time she sent

me meat and drink by a slave girl who told me that she had fallen

sick from the smell of the cumin ragout. After that time she came

to me and said, "O black of face![FN#571] I will teach thee how

to eat cumin ragout without washing thy hands!" Then she cried

out to the handmaids, who pinioned me; and she took a sharp razor

and cut off my thumbs and great toes; even as you see, O fair

assembly!