Pagina 768 van 1116

During this year news came to me that my father was dead and the

Wazir despatched a courier, with letters bearing the royal sign

manual, to fetch me the money which my father had left behind

him, and now I am living in all the solace of life. Such was the

manner of the cutting off my right hand." I marvelled at his

story (continued the Jew), and I abode with him three days after

which he gave me much wealth, and I set out and travelled

Eastward till I reached this your city and the sojourn suited me

right well; so I took up my abode here and there befell me what

thou knowest with the Hunchback. There upon the King of China

shook his head[FN#600] and said, "This story of thine is not

stranger and more wondrous and marvellous and delectable than the

tale of the Hunchback; and so needs must I hang the whole number

of you.