my son and make him a bride-feast, and it is my wish that ye assemble, all of you, in one place.  I also will be present, I and my company, and do ye relate that which ye have heard of extraordinary occurrences and that which hath betided you of experiences.’  And the captains and sergeants and agents of police made answer to him, saying, ’It is well:  in the name of God!  We will cause thee see all this with thine eyes and hear it with thine ears.’  Then the master of police arose and going up to El Melik ez Zahir, informed him that the assembly would take place on such a day at his house; and the Sultan said, ’It is well,’ and gave him somewhat of money for his expenses.

When the appointed day arrived, the chief of the police set apart for his officers a saloon, that had windows ranged in order and giving upon the garden, and El Melik ez Zahir came to him, and he seated himself, he and the Sultan, in the alcove.  Then the tables were spread unto them for eating and they ate; and when the cup went round amongst them and their hearts were gladdened with meat and drink, they related that which was with them and discovered their secrets from concealment.  The first to relate was a man, a captain of the watch, by name Muineddin, whose heart was engrossed with the love of women; and he said, ’Harkye, all ye people of [various] degree, I will acquaint you with an extraordinary affair which befell me aforetime.  Know that

The first officer’s story.

When I entered the service of this Amir,[FN#88] I had a great repute and every lewd fellow feared me of all mankind, and whenas I rode through the city, all the folk would point at me with their fingers and eyes.  It befell one day, as I sat in the house of the prefecture, with my back against a wall, considering in myself, there fell somewhat in my lap, and behold, it was a purse sealed and tied.  So I took it in my hand and behold, it had in it a hundred dirhems,[FN#89] but I found not who threw it and I said, “Extolled be the perfection of God, the King of the Kingdoms!"[FN#90] Another day, [as I sat on like wise,] somewhat fell on me and startled me, and behold, it was a purse like the first.  So I took it and concealing its affair, made as if I slept, albeit sleep was not with me.

One day, as I was thus feigning sleep, I felt a hand in my lap, and in it a magnificent purse.  So I seized the hand and behold, it was that of a fair woman.  Quoth I to her, “O my lady, who art thou?” And she said, “Rise [and come away] from here, that I may make myself known to thee.”  So I arose and following her, fared on, without tarrying, till she stopped at the door of a lofty house, whereupon quoth I to her,"O my lady, who art thou?  Indeed, thou hast done me kindness, and what is the reason of this?” “By Allah,” answered she, “O Captain Mum, I am a woman on whom desire and longing are sore for the love of the daughter of the Cadi Amin el Hukm.  Now there was between us what was and the love of her fell upon my heart and I agreed with her upon meeting, according to possibility and convenience.  But her father Amin el Hukm took her and went away, and my heart cleaveth to her and love-longing and distraction are sore upon me on her account.”