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The people of this city and of the four islands every night when

it's half passed lift their heads from the tank in which thou

hast turned them to fishes and cry to Heaven and call down its

anger on me and thee; and this is the reason why my body's

baulked from health. Go at once and set them free then come to me

and take my hand, and raise me up, for a little strength is

already back in me." When she heard the King's words (and she

still supposed him to be the slave) she cried joyously, "O my

master, on my head and on my eyes be thy command,

Bismillah[FN#136]!" So she sprang to her feet and, full of joy

and gladness, ran down to the tarn and took a little of its water

in the palm of her hand-And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day

and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it Was the Ninth Night,