Pagina 136 di 1116

Then I kissed her hand and said, "I wish thou wouldest transform

my wife even as she transformed me." Thereupon she gave me some

water, saying, "As soon as thou see her asleep, sprinkle this

liquid upon her and speak what words thou heardest me utter, so

shall she become whatsoever thou desirest." I went to my wife and

found her fast asleep; and, while sprinkling the water upon her,

I said, "Come forth from that form into the form of a mare mule."

So she became on the instant a she mule, and she it is whom thou

seest with thine eyes, O Sultan and head of the Kings of the

Jann! Then the Jinni turned towards her and said, "Is this

sooth?" And she nodded her head and replied by signs, "Indeed,

'tis the truth: for such is my tale and this is what hath

befallen me." Now when the old man had ceased speaking the Jinni

shook with pleasure and gave him the third of the merchant's

blood. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying

her permitted say. Then quoth Dunyazad, "O.