One day, as I stood in my shop, there came up to me a woman and stopped before me; and she as she were the full moon rising from among the stars, and the place was illumined by her light.  When I saw her, I fixed my eyes on her and stared in her face; and she bespoke me with soft speech.  When I heard her words and the sweetness of her speech, I lusted after her; and when she saw that I lusted after her, she did her occasion and promising me [to come again], went away, leaving my mind occupied with her and fire kindled in my heart.  Then I abode, perplexed and pondering my affair, whilst fire flamed in my heart, till the third day, when she came again and I scarce credited her coming.  When I saw her, I talked with her and cajoled her and courted her and strove to win her favour with speech and invited her [to my house]; but she answered, saying, ‘I will not go up into any one’s house.’  Quoth I, ‘I will go with thee;’ and she said, ’Arise and come with me.’

So I arose and putting in my sleeve a handkerchief, wherein was a good sum of money, followed the woman, who went on before me and gave not over walking till she brought me to a by-street and to a door, which she bade me open.  I refused and she opened it and brought me into the vestibule.  As soon as I had entered, she locked the door of entrance from within and said to me, ’Sit [here] till I go in to the slave-girls and cause them enter a place where they shall not see me.’  ‘It is well,’ answered I and sat down; whereupon she entered and was absent from me a moment, after which she returned to me, without a veil, and said, ’Arise, [enter,] in the name of God.’[FN#127] So I arose and went in after her and we gave not over going till we entered a saloon.  When I examined the place, I found it neither handsome nor agreeable, but unseemly and desolate, without symmetry or cleanliness; nay, it was loathly to look upon and there was a foul smell in it.

I seated myself amiddleward the saloon, misdoubting, and as I sat, there came down on me from the estrade seven naked men, without other clothing than leather girdles about their waists.  One of them came up to me and took my turban, whilst another took my handkerchief, that was in my sleeve, with my money, and a third stripped me of my clothes; after which a fourth came and bound my hands behind me with his girdle.  Then they all took me up, pinioned as I was, and casting me down, fell a-dragging me towards a sink-hole that was there and were about to cut my throat, when, behold, there came a violent knocking at the door.  When they heard this, they were afraid and their minds were diverted from me by fear; so the woman went out and presently returning, said to them, ’Fear not; no harm shall betide you this day.  It is only your comrade who hath brought you your noon-meal.’  With this the new-comer entered, bringing with him a roasted lamb; and when he came in to them, he said to them, ’What is to do with you, that ye have tucked up [your sleeves and trousers]?’ Quoth they, ’[This is] a piece of game we have caught.’