and drew back bellowing; and then made at the labourer, as if he would have gored him with his horns.  In a word, he did all that the ass had advised him.  The day following, the labourer came as usual, to take the ox to his labour; but finding the stall full of beans, the straw that he had put in the night before not touched, and the ox lying on the ground with his legs stretched out, and panting in a strange manner, he believed him to be unwell, pitied him, and thinking that it was not proper to take him to work, went immediately and acquainted his master with his condition.  The merchant perceiving that the ox had followed all the mischievous advice of the ass, determined to punish the latter, and accordingly ordered the labourer to go and put him in the ox’s place, and to he sure to work him hard.  The labourer did as he was desired.  The ass was forced to draw the plough all that day, which fatigued him so much the more, as he was not accustomed to that kind of labour; besides he had been so soundly beaten, that he could scarcely stand when he came back.

Meanwhile, the ox was mightily pleased; he ate up all that was in his stall, and rested himself the whole day.  He rejoiced that he had followed the ass’s advice, blessed him a thousand times for the kindness he had done him, and did not fail to express his obligations when the ass had returned.  The ass made no reply, so vexed was he at the ill treatment he had received; but he said within himself, “It is by my own imprudence I have brought this misfortune upon myself.  I lived happily, every thing smiled upon me; I had all that I could wish; it is my own fault that I am brought to this miserable condition; and if I cannot contrive some way to get out of it, I am certainly undone.”  As he spoke, his strength was so much exhausted that he fell down in his stall, as if he had been half dead.

Here the grand vizier, himself to Scheherazade, and said, “Daughter, you act just like this ass; you will expose yourself to destruction by your erroneous policy.  Take my advice, remain quiet, and do not seek to hasten your death.”  “Father,” replied Scheherazade, “the example you have set before me will not induce me to change my resolution.  I will never cease importuning you until you present me to the sultan as his bride.”  The vizier, perceiving that she persisted in her demand, replied, “Alas! then, since you will continue obstinate, I shall be obliged to treat you in the same manner as the merchant whom I before referred to treated his wife a short time after.”

The merchant understanding that the ass was in a lamentable condition, was desirous of knowing what passed between him and the ox, therefore after supper he went out by moonlight, and sat down by them, his wife bearing him company.  After his arrival, he heard the ass say to the ox “Comrade, tell me, I pray you, what you intend to do to-morrow, when the labourer brings you meat?” “What will I do?” replied the ox, “I will continue to act as you