صفحة 507 من 1116

and, when I wished her to go to the Hammam-bath, she said, "There

is a something I long for before I go to the bath and I long for

it with an exceeding longing." To hear is to comply," said I.

"And what is it?" Quoth she, "I have a queasy craving for an

apple, to smell it and bite a bit of it." I replied, "Hadst thou

a thousand longings I would try to satisfy them!" So I went on

the instant into the city and sought for apples but could find

none; yet, had they cost a gold piece each, would I have bought

them. I was vexed at this and went home and said, "O daughter of

my uncle. by Allah I can find none!" She was distressed, being

yet very weakly, and her weakness increased greatly on her that

night and I felt anxious and alarmed on her account. As soon as

morning dawned I went out again and made the round of the

gardens, one by one, but found no apples anywhere. At last there

met me an old gardener.