He then gently drew off a ring which the princess had on her finger, and immediately replaced it with one of his own.  After this he fell into a more profound sleep than before, through the enchantment of the genies.

Danhasch now transformed himself into a flea in his turn, and bit the princess so rudely on the lip, that she awoke, started up, and on opening her eyes, was not a little surprised to see a man lying by her side.  From surprise she proceeded to admiration, and from admiration to a transport of joy, at beholding so beautiful and lovely a youth.

“What!” cried she, “is it you the king my father has designed me for a husband?  Would that I had known it, for then I should not have displeased him, nor been deprived of a husband whom I cannot forbear loving.  Wake then, awake!”

So saying, she took the prince by the arm, and shook him so violently, that he would have awaked, had not Maimoune increased his sleep by her enchantment.  She shook him several times, and finding he did not awake, exclaimed, “What is come to thee? what jealous rival, envying thy happiness and mine, has had recourse to magic to throw thee into this unconquerable drowsiness when thou shouldst be most awake?” Tired at length with her fruitless endeavours to awaken the prince; “Since,” said she, “I find it is not in my power to awake thee, I will no longer disturb thy repose, but wait our next meeting.”  After having kissed his cheek, she lay down and fell asleep by enchantment.

Maimoune now cried out to Danhasch, “Ah, cursed genie, art thou not now convinced how much thy princess is inferior to my prince?  Another time believe me when I assert any thing.”  Then turning to Caschcasch, “As for you,” said she, “I thank you for your trouble; take the princess, in conjunction with Danhasch, and convey her back again to her bed, from whence he has taken her.”  Danhasch and Caschcasch did as they were commanded, and Maimoune retired to her well.

Kummir al Zummaun on waking next morning, looked if the lady whom he had seen the night before were by him.  When he found she was gone, he cried out, “I thought indeed this was a trick the king my father designed to play me.  I am glad I was aware of it.”  He then awaked the slave, who was still asleep, and after he had washed and said his prayers, took a book and read some time.

After these usual exercises, he called the slave, and said to him, “Come hither, and be sure you do not tell me a lie.  How came the lady hither who lay with me to-night, and who brought her?”

“My lord,” answered the slave with great astonishment, “I know not what lady your highness speaks of.”  “I speak,” said the prince, “of her who came, or rather was brought hither, and lay with me to-night.”  “My lord,” replied the slave, “I swear I know of no such lady; and how should she come in without my knowledge, since I lay at the door?”

“You are a lying knave,” replied the prince, “and in the plot to vex and provoke me.”  He then gave him a box on the ear, which knocked him down; and after having stamped upon him for some time, he tied the well-rope under his arms, and plunged him several times into the water, neck and heels.  “I will drown thee,” cried he, “if thou dost not tell me directly who this lady was, and who brought her.”