Page 677 sur 1116

Hold!" Then he gave the King's command to the Governor who took

the Tailor, the Jew, the Nazarene and the Reeve (the Hunchback's

body being borne on men's shoulders) and went up with one and all

of them to the King. When he came into the presence, he kissed

the ground and acquainted the ruler with the whole story which it

is needless to relate for, as they say, There is no avail in a

thrice told tale. The Sultan hearing it marvelled and was moved

to mirth and commanded the story to be written in letters of

liquid gold, saying to those present, "Did ye ever hear a more

wondrous tale than that of my Hunchback?" Thereupon the Nazarene

broker came forward and said, "O King of the age, with thy leave

I will tell thee a thing which happened to myself and which is

still more wondrous and marvellous and pleasurable and delectable

than the tale of the Hunchback." Quoth the King "Tell us what

thou hast to say!" So he began in these words

The Nazarene Broker's Story.