Strona 734 z 1116

They put forth their hands to open it, but my mistress the

handmaid made haste and said to the Caliph, "This one thou shalt

see only in the presence of the Lady Zubaydah, for that which is

in it is her secret." When he heard this he gave orders to carry

in the chests; so they took up that wherein I was and bore it

with the rest into the Harim and set it down in the midst of the

saloon; and indeed my spittle was dried up for very fear.[FN#566]

Then my mistress opened the box and took me out, saying, "Fear

not: no harm shall betide thee now nor dread; but broaden thy

breast and strengthen thy heart and sit thee down till the Lady

Zubaydah come, and surely thou shalt win thy wish of me." So I

sat down and, after a while, in came ten hand maidens, virgins

like moons, and ranged themselves in two rows, five facing five;

and after them twenty other damsels, high bosomed virginity,

surrounding the Lady Zubaydah who could hardly walk for the

weight of her raiment and ornaments.