Pagina 242 di 1116

She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the

young woman, the sorceress, took in hand some of the tarn water

and spake over it words not to be understood, the fishes lifted

their heads and stood up on the instant like men, the spell on

the people of the city having been removed. What was the lake

again became a crowded capital; the bazars were thronged with

folk who bought and sold; each citizen was occupied with his own

calling and the four hills became islands as they were whilome.

Then the young woman, that wicked sorceress, returned to the King

and (still thinking he was the negro) said to him, O my love!

stretch forth thy honoured hand that I may assist thee to rise."

"Nearer to me," quoth the King in a faint and feigned tone. She

came close as to embrace him when he took up the sword lying hid

by his side and smote her across the breast, so that the point

showed gleaming behind her back.