Page 432 of 1116

Presently, O my lady, I espied a noble steed, black as the murks

of night when murkiest, standing, ready saddled and bridled (and

his saddle was of red gold) before two mangers, one of clear

crystal wherein was husked sesame, and the other also of crystal

containing water of the rose scented with musk. When I saw this I

marvelled and said to myself, "Doubtless in this animal must be

some wondrous mystery;" and Satan cozened me, so I led him

without the palace end mounted him, but he would not stir from

his place. So I hammered his sides with my heels, but he moved

not, and then I took the rein whip,[FN#299] and struck him

withal. When he felt the blow, he neighed a neigh with a sound

like deafening thunder and, opening a pair of wings[FN#300] flew

up with me in the firmament of heaven far beyond the eyesight of

man.