ink-horn from his girdle, and taking a small reed out of it, neatly cut for writing, he presented it to him, with a piece of paper he took out of his letter-case, and, whilst he held the ink-horn, Bedreddin Hassan wrote these words:  ’This writing is to testify, that Bedreddin Hassan of Balsora has sold to Isaac the Jew, for the sum of one thousand sequins, received in hand, the lading of the first of his ships that shall arrive in this port.’  This note he delivered to the Jew, who put it in his letter-case, and then took leave of him.

While Isaac pursued his journey to the city, Bedreddin made the best of his way to his father’s tomb.  When he came to it, he bowed his face to the ground, and, with his eyes full of tears, deplored his miserable condition.  Alas! said he, unfortunate Bedreddin, what will become of thee?  Whither canst thou fly for refuge against the unjust prince who persecutes thee?  Was it not enough to be afflicted for the death of so dear a father?  Must fate add new misfortunes to just complaints?  He continued a long time in this posture; but at last rose up again, and, leaning his head upon his father’s sepulchre, his sorrows returned more violently than before; so that he sighed and mourned, till, overcome with heaviness, he stretched himself upon the floor, and fell asleep.  He had not slept long when a genius, who had retired to the church-yard during the day, and was intending, according to custom, to range about the world at night, espying this young man in Noureddin’s tomb, entered, and finding Bedreddin lying on his back, was surprised at his beauty.  When he had attentively considered Bedreddin, he said to himself, To judge of this creature by his good mien, he seems to be an angel of the terrestrial paradise, whom God has sent to put the world in a flame with his beauty.  At last, after he had satisfied himself with looking upon him, he took a flight into the air, where meeting by chance with a fairy, they saluted each other; after which he said to her, Descend with me into the church-yard where I stay, and I will show you a prodigious beauty, who is worthy of your admiration as well as mine.  The fairy consented, and both descended in an instant; they came into the tomb:  Look ye, said the genius to the fairy, showing him Bedreddin, did you ever see a young man of a better shape, and more beautiful than this?  The fairy, having attentively observed Bedreddin, answered, I must confess that he is a very handsome man, but I am just come from seeing an object at Cairo still more admirable; and if you hear me, I will tell you a strange story concerning her.  You will very much oblige me by so doing, answered the genius.  You must know then, said the fairy, that the sultan of Egypt has a vizier called Schemseddin Mohammed, who has a daughter of about twenty years of age, the most beautiful and complete person that ever was known.  The sultan having heard of this young lady’s beauty, sent the other day for her father, and said, I understand you have a daughter;