out the wishes of any who required aught of them.
And when the mound was removed they dispread in its
site a garden wide of sides in whose midst they edified
a palace choice-builded of base, and all this was
done within the space of fifteen days, whilst the Fisherman’s
son ever repaired thither and inspected the work.
But when he had perfected his intent he entered to
the Sultan and kissing ground between his hands and
having prayed for his glory and permanence, said,
“O King of the Age, deign open the lattices of
thy Palace!” So he went to them and threw them
open when lo and behold, he found in lieu of the mound
a mighty fine garden wherein were trees and rills
and blooms and birds hymning the praises of their
Creator; moreover he saw in that garden a palace, an
edifice choice-builded of base which is not to be
found with any King or Kaysar. Seeing this he
wondered at the circumstance and his wits were wildered
and he was perplext as to his affair; after which
he sent for the Minister and summoned him and said,
“Counsel me, O Wazir, as to what I shall do
in the case of this youth and in what way shall I
fend him from me.” Replied the Councillor,
“How shall I advise thee, seeing that thou madest
condition with him that should he fail in his undertaking
thou wouldst strike off his head? Now there is
no contrivance in this matter and there is naught
to do save marrying him with the girl.”
By these words the King was persuaded and caused the
knot to be knotted and bade them lead the bridegroom
in procession to the bride, after which the youth
set her in the garden-palace and cohabited with her
in all joy and enjoyment and pleasure and disport.
On this wise fared it with them; but as regards the
case of the Jew, when he lost the cock he went forth
in sore disappointment like unto one Jinn-mad; and
neither was his sleep sound and good nor were meat
and drink pleasant food, and he ceased not wandering
about till the Fates threw him into that garden.
Now he had noted in past time that a huge heap of
ashes stood under the palace-windows and when he looked
he cried, “Verily, the youth hath been here and
all this work is the work of the signet-ring, for that
none other than the Marids of the Jann could remove
such a hillock.” So saying, the Jew returned
to his place, where he brought out a parcel of fine
pearls and some few emeralds and specimens of coral
and other precious minerals, and set them for sale
in a tray. Then he approached the palace which
was builded in the garden and cried out saying, “The
pearls! and the emeralds! and the corals! and various
kinds of fine jewels!” and he kept up this cry.—And
Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and fell
silent and ceased to say her permitted say. Then
quoth her sister Dunyazad, “How sweet is thy
story, O sister mine, and how enjoyable and delectable!”
Quoth she, “And where is this compared with
that I should relate to you on the coming night an
the King suffer me to survive?” Now when it
was the next night and that was