Noureddin[Footnote:  Noureddin signifies, in Arabic, the light of religion.] Ali and of his son Bedreddin[Footnote:  Bedreddin signifies the full moon of religion.] Hassan of Balsora; and as your majesty delights to hear such things, I am ready to tell it on this condition, that if your majesty find it more astonishing than that which gives me occasion to tell it, you will be pleased to pardon my slave.  I am content, said the caliph; but you undertake a hard task, for I do not believe you can save your slave, the story of the apples being so very singular.  Upon this Giafar began his story thus: 

The story of Noureddin Ali and Bedreddin
Hassan.

Commander of the faithful, there was in former days a sultan of Egypt, a strict observer of justice, gracious, merciful, and liberal; and his valour made him terrible to his neighbours.  He loved the poor, and protected the learned, whom he advanced to the highest dignities.  This sultan had a vizier, who was prudent, wise, sagacious, and well versed in the sciences.  This minister had two sons, very handsome men, and who in every thing followed his own footsteps.  The eldest was called Schemseddin[Footnote:  That is to say, the sun of religion.] Mohammed, and the younger Noureddin Ali.  The last especially was endowed with all the good qualities that any man could have.  The vizier their father being dead, the sultan sent for them; and after he had caused them both to put on the usual robes of a vizier, I am as sorry, says he, for the loss of your father as yourselves; and because I know you live together, and love one another entirely, I will bestow his dignity upon you conjunctly; go and imitate your father’s conduct.  The two new viziers humbly thanked the sultan, and went home to their house to make due preparation for their father’s interment.  They did not go abroad for a month, and then went to court, where they appeared continually on council-days; when the sultan went a hunting, one of the brothers went along with him and this honour they had by turns.  One evening, as they were talking after supper, the next day being the elder brother’s turn to go a hunting with the sultan, he said to his younger brother, since neither of us is yet married, and as we live so lovingly together, a thought is come into my head; Let us both marry in one day, and let us choose two sisters out of some family that may suit our quality:  What do you think of this fancy?  I must tell you, brother, answered Noureddin, that it is very suitable to our friendship; there cannot be a better thought; for my part, I am ready to agree to any thing you shall think fit.  But hold, this is not all, says Schemseddin; my fancy carries me further.  Suppose both our wives should conceive the first night of marriage, and should happen to be brought to bed on one day, yours of a son and mine of a daughter, we will give them to one another in marriage when they