When the vizier had conducted Ganem to the foot of the throne, the young merchant paid his obeisance, prostrating himself with his face to the ground, and then rising, made a handsome compliment in verse, which, though the effusion of the moment, met with the approbation of the whole court.  After his compliment, the caliph caused him to approach, and said, “I am glad to see you, and desire to hear from your own mouth where you found my favourite, and all that you have done for her.”  Ganem obeyed, and appeared so sincere, that the caliph was convinced of his veracity.  He ordered a very rich vest to be given him, according to the custom observed towards those who are admitted to audience.  After which he said to him, “Ganem, I will have you live in my court.”  “Commander of the true believers,” answered the young merchant, “a slave has no will but his master’s, on whom his life and fortune depend.”  The caliph was highly pleased with Ganem’s reply, and assigned him a considerable pension.  He then descended from his throne, and causing only Ganem and the grand vizier, follow him, retired into his own apartment.

Not questioning but that Fetnah was in waiting, with Abou Ayoub’s widow and daughter, he caused them to be called in.  They prostrated themselves before him:  he made them rise; and was so charmed by Jalib al Koolloob’s beauty, that, after viewing her very attentively, he said, “I am so sorry for having treated your charms so unworthily, that I owe them such a satisfaction as may surpass the injury I have done.  I take you to wife; and by that means shall punish Zobeide, who shall become the first cause of your good fortune, as she was of your past sufferings.  This is not all,” added he, turning towards Ganem’s mother; “you are still young, I believe you will not disdain to be allied to my grand vizier, I give you to Jaaffier, and you, Fetnah, to Ganem.  Let a cauzee and witnesses be called, and the three contracts be drawn up and signed immediately.”  Ganem would have represented to the caliph, that it would be honour enough for his sister to be one of his favourites; but he was resolved to marry her.

Haroon thought this such an extraordinary story, that he ordered his historiographer to commit it to writing with all its circumstances.  It was afterwards laid up in his library, and many copies being transcribed, it became public.

End of Volume 1.

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