and destroy him, him and his hosts, and take him prisoner.  But, if my device succeed not with him and we avail not to deliver Tuhfeh, he will assuredly go about to slay her, without recourse, and regret for her will abide in our hearts.’  Quoth Iblis, ‘This is the right counsel,’ and let call among the troops to departure, whereupon an hundred thousand cavaliers, doughty men of war, joined themselves to him and set out for Meimoun’s country.

As for Queen Kemeriyeh, she flew off to the palace of her sister Wekhimeh and told her what Meimoun had done and how [he avouched that], whenas he saw defeat [near at hand], he would slay Tuhfeh; ‘and indeed,’ added she, ’he is resolved upon this; else had he not dared to commit this outrage.  So do thou contrive the affair as thou deemest well, for thou hast no superior in judgment.’  Then they sent for Queen Zelzeleh and Queen Sherareh and sat down to take counsel, one with another, of that which they should do in the matter.  Then said Wekhimeh, ’We were best fit out a ship in this island [wherein is my palace] and embark therein, in the guise of mortals, and fare on till we come to a little island, that lieth over against Meimoun’s palace.  There will we [take up our abode and] sit drinking and smiting the lute and singing.  Now Tuhfeh will of a surety be sitting looking upon the sea, and needs must she see us and come down to us, whereupon we will take her by force and she will be under our hands, so that none shall avail more to molest her on any wise.  Or, if Meimoun be gone forth to do battle with the Jinn, we will storm his stronghold and take Tuhfeh and raze his palace and put to death all who are therein.  When he hears of this, his heart will be rent in sunder and we will send to let our father know, whereupon he will return upon him with his troops and he will be destroyed and we shall be quit of him.’  And they answered her, saying, ’This is a good counsel.’  Then they bade fit out a ship from behind the mountain,[FN#244] and it was fitted out in less than the twinkling of an eye.  So they launched it on the sea and embarking therein, together with four thousand Afrits, set out, intending for Meimoun’s palace.  Moreover, they bade other five thousand Afrits betake themselves to the island under the Crescent Mountain and lie in wait for them there.

Meanwhile, the Sheikh Aboultawaif Iblis and his son Es Shisban set out, as we have said, with their troops, who were of the doughtiest of the Jinn and the most accomplished of them in valour and horsemanship, [and fared on till they drew near the Crescent Mountain], When the news of their approach reached Meimoun, he cried out with a great cry to the troops, who were twenty thousand horse, [and bade them make ready for departure].  Then he went in to Tuhfeh and kissing her, said to her, ’Know that thou art presently my life of the world, and indeed the Jinn are gathered together to wage war on me on thine account.  If I am vouchsafed the victory over them and am preserved alive, I will set all the kings of the Jinn under thy feet and thou shall become queen of the world.’  But she shook her head and wept; and he said, ’Weep not, for, by the virtue of the mighty inscription engraven on the seal-ring of Solomon, thou shall never again see the land of men!  Can any one part with his life?  So give ear unto that which I say; else will I kill thee.’  And she was silent.