Strona 475 z 1116

Then she said to him, "Show this lady the most costly stuffs thou

hast by thee;" and he replied, "Hearkening and obedience!" Then

she whispered me, "Say a civil word to him!"; but I replied, "I

am pledged to address no man save my lord. And as she began to

sound his praise I said sharply to her, We want nought of thy

sweet speeches; our wish is to buy of him whatsoever we need, and

return home." So he brought me all I sought and I offered him his

money, but he refused to take it saying, "Let it be a gift

offered to my guest this day!" Then quoth I to the old woman, "If

he will not take the money, give him back his stuff." "By Allah,"

cried he, "not a thing will I take from thee: I sell it not for

gold or for silver, but I give it all as a gift for a single

kiss; a kiss more precious to me than everything the shop

containeth." Asked the old woman, "What will the kiss profit

thee?"; and, turning to me, whispered, "O my daughter, thou

hearest what this young fellow saith?