The Arabian Nights Entertainments — Volume 04 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 317 pages of information about The Arabian Nights Entertainments — Volume 04.

The Arabian Nights Entertainments — Volume 04 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 317 pages of information about The Arabian Nights Entertainments — Volume 04.

Mazin now began to despair, and at the remembrance of his wife and children to weep bitterly, insomuch that he fainted, which, when Abd al Sulleeb beheld, his heart sympathized with his unhappy condition.  He perceived that he would not return from his pursuit, or be controlled, and therefore thought it best to assist his progress towards the islands.  Going into another apartment, he kindled a fire, over which he sprinkled some perfumes, and uttered incantations; when, lo! ten genii presented themselves before him, and said, “Inform us, my lord, what thou desirest, and we will bring it thee in an instant.”  He replied, “May God be gracious unto you!” and related to them the story of Maxin, his wife, and children.

When the ten genii had heard the narration, they exclaimed, “This affair is wonderful and miraculous; however, we will take and convey him safely over the mountains and deserts, to the extent of our country and dominion, and leave him there, but cannot promise further assistance, as we dare not pass a step beyond our own territories, for the land belongs to others.  In it are innumerable horrors, and we dread the inhabitants.”  Mazin having heard what they said, exclaimed, “I accept your offer with gratitude.”

The ten genii now took up Mazin, soared with him through tnc air for a night and day, till they came to the limits of their territories, and then set him down in a country called the land of Kafoor, took, their leaves, and vanished from his sight.  He walked onwards, and did not neglect to employ his tongue in prayer, beseeching from God deliverance and the attainment of his wishes.  Often would he exclaim, “O God, deliverer from bondage, who canst guide in safety over mountains, who feedest the wild beasts of the forest, who decreest life and death, thou canst grant me if thou choosest relief from all my distress, and free me from all my sorrows.”

In this manner did he travel onwards during ten days; on the last of which he beheld three persons contending with each other, each man trying to kill his fellow.  He was astonished at their conduit, but advanced towards them.  Upon his approach they desisted from combat, and one and all exclaimed, “We will be judged before his young man, and whoever contradicts his opinion shall be deemed in the wrong.”  To this they agreed, and coming up to Mazin, demanded from him a just arbitration in their dispute.  They then displayed before him a cap, a small copper drum, and a wooden ball, saying, “We are three brothers, by the same father and mother, who are both received into the mercy of God, leaving behind them these articles.  They are three, and we are three; but a dispute hath fallen out among us respecting their allotment, as each of us says, ‘I will have the cap.’  Our contention made us proceed to blows, but now we are desirous that thou shouldst arbitrate between us, and allot an article to each of us as thou shall judge best, when we will rest satisfied with thy decision, but should either contradict it he shall be adjuged an offender.”

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The Arabian Nights Entertainments — Volume 04 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.