Pagina 331 van 1116

"This is a thing wherein destruction lies * I rede thee shun it

an thy wits be wise."

And these also:-

"O thou who seekest severance, draw the rein * Of thy swift steed

nor seek o'ermuch t' advance; Ah stay! for treachery is the rule

of life, * And sweets of meeting end in severance."

I heard her verse but paid no heed to her words, nay, I raised my

foot and administered to the alcove a mighty kick. And Shahrazad

perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Thirteenth Night,