Pagina 496 de 1116

As for himself he took to wife the procuratrix and lay with her

that night: and next day he set apart for her an apartment in his

Serraglio, with handmaidens for her service and a fixed daily

allowance. And the people marvelled at their Caliph's generosity

and natural beneficence and princely widsom; nor did he forget to

send all these histories to be recorded in his annals. When

Shahrazad ceased speaking Dunyazad exclaimed, "O my own sister,

by Allah in very sooth this is a right pleasant tale and a

delectable; never was heard the like of it, but prithee tell me

now another story to while away what yet remaineth of the waking

hours of this our night." She replied, "With love and gladness if

the King give me leave;" and he said, "Tell thy tale and tell it

quickly." So she began, in these words,

THE TALE OF THE THREE APPLES