ord Noureddin； but she dissembled with the vizier's daughter and said to her； 'By the virtue of the Messiah and the True Faith I thought not thou knewest of my sadness！' Then she withdrew from the window and returned to her own place； whilst the vizier's daughter went about her occasions。 The princess waited awhile； then returned to the window and sat there； gazing upon her beloved Noureddin and feasting her eyes on his beauty and grace。 And indeed； she saw that he was like unto the moon at its full； but he was ever sighing and pouring forth tears； for that he recalled what was past。 Then he recited the following verses：
Union with my beloved for ever I await； But gain not； whilst life's bitter for ever is my mate。
My tears are like the ocean in their unending flow； But； when I meet my censors I force them （102） still abate。
Out upon him who cursed us with parting by his spells！ （103） Could I but win to meet him； I'd tear his tongue out straight。
To blame the days availeth no whit； for that they've wrought： With bitterness unmingled they've blent my cup of fate。
To whom shall I address me but you； to whom repair； Since in your courts； a hostage； I left my heart of late？
e of a despot； a tyrant in unright； Who waxes； when I plain me for justice as his （104） gate？
King o'er my soul I made him； his realm to keep； but me He ruined and his kingdom laid waste and desolate。
My life I have expended for love of him； alas！ y spent estate！
O fawn that in my bosom hast made thy nest； let that I've tasted of estrangement suffice thy wrath to sate。
Thou'rt he whose face uniteth all charms； on whose account I've parted with my patience and am disconsolate。
Within my heart I lodged him； woe on it fell； and I To that which I permitted submit without debate。
My tears flow on for ever； like to a swollen sea： Knew I the road to solace； I would ensue it straight。
I fear to die of sorrow； for he still 'scapes from me； Oft as I think to reach him； ah me unfortunate！
When Meryem heard her lover's verses； they kindled a fire in her entrails and she recited the following； whilst her eyes ran over with tears：
I longed for him I love； but when I saw him； for surprise I was amazed and had no power to move or tongue or eyes。
Volumes of chiding and reproach I had prepared； but when We met； no syllable thereof unto my lips would rise。
When Noureddin heard her voice； he knew it and wept sore； saying； 'By Allah； this is assuredly the voice of the Princess Meryem！ I wonder if my thought be true and if it be indeed she herself or another！' And regrets redoubled upon him and he bemoaned himself and recited the following verses：
When my blamer for love saw me meet with my dear In a place wide and open to eye and to ear
And I said not at meeting a word of reproach Though reproach to the sad oft brings solace and cheer；
'What manner of silence is this that prevents Thee from making due answer？' he said with a sneer。
'Misbeliever；' quoth I； 'that ignorest the case Of the people of passion； a word in thine ear；
The sign of the lover whose love is sincere Is his silence when she whom he loveth draws near。'
When he had made an end of these verses； the princess fetched inkhorn and paper and wrote the following letter。 'In the name of God the passionate； the Merciful！ The peace of God be upon thee and His mercy and Blessings！ Thy slavegirl Meryem salutes thee； who longeth sore for thee； and this is her message to thee。 As soon as this letter falls into thy hands； do thou arise and apply thyself with all diligence to that she would have of thee； and beware with all wariness of transgressing her mandment and of sleeping。 When the first watch of the night is past； （for that hour is of the most favourable of times；） saddle the two horses ＇that the vizier had of the king＇ and go forth with them to the Sultan's Gate； ＇where do thou await me＇。 If any ask thee whither thou goest； answer； 〃I am going to exercise them；〃 （105） and none will hinder thee； for the folk of this city trust to the locking of the gates。'
Then she folded the letter in a silken handkerchief and threw it out of the window to Noureddin； who took it and reading it； knew it for the handwriting of the Indy Meryem。 So he kissed the letter and laid it between his eyes； then； calling to mind that which had betided him with her of the sweets of lovedelight； he recited the following verses； whilst the tears streamed from his eyes：
A letter came to me from thee by favour of the night： At once It healed me and in me lovelonging did excite。
It minds me of the life I lived with thee in days of yore。 Glory to Him who did us twain with separation smite！
As soon as it was dark he busied himself with making ready the horses and waited till the first watch of the night was past； when he saddled them with saddles of the goodliest； and leading them forth of the stable； locked the door after him and repaired with them to the citygate； where he sat down to await the princess's ing。
Meanwhile； Meryem returned to her apartment； where she found the oneeyed vizier seated； leaning upon a cushion stuffed with ostrichdown； but he was ashamed to put out his hand to her or bespeak her。 When she saw him； she appealed to God in her heart； saying； 'O my God； bring him not to his will of me neither decree Thou to me defilement after purity！' Then she went up to him and made a show of affection for him and sat down by his side and caressed him； saying； 'O my lord； what is this aversion thou discovereth to me？ Is it pride or coquetry on thy part？ But the current byword saith； 〃If the salutation be little in demand； the sitters salute the standers。〃 So I； O my lord； thou e not to me neither accost me； I will go to thee and accost thee。' 'To thee belong favour and kindness； O queen of the earth in its length and breadth；' answered he； 'nor am I but one of thy slaves and the least of thy servants。 Indeed； I was ashamed to intrude upon thine illustrious presence； O unique pearl； and my face is in the dust at thy feet。' 'Leave this talk；' rejoined she； 'and bring us to eat and drink。'
So he called to his eunuchs and women to bring food； and they set before them a tray containing birds of all kinds that walk and fly and couple in the nests； such as grouse and quails and pigeons and lambs and fat geese and fricasseed fowls and other dishes of all sorts and colours。 The princess put out her hand to the tray and began to eat and feed the vizier and kiss him on the mouth。 They ate till they had enough and washed their hands； after which the servants removed the table of food and set on the table of wine。 So the princess filled the cup and drank and gave the vizier to drink and served him with the utmost assiduity； so that he was transported for joy and his breast expanded and he was glad。
When she saw that the wine had gotten the mastery of his senses； she brought out of her bosom a pastille of Moorish henbane； which she had provided against this oration； whereof if an elephant smelt the least whiff； he would sleep from year to year。 She took him at unawares and crumbled the henbane into the cup； then； filling it up； handed it to the vizier； who could hardly credit his senses for joy。 So he took it and kissing her hand； drank it off； but hardly had it reached his stomach when he fell prostrate on the earth。 Then she rose and filling two great pairs of saddlebags with what was light of carriage and great of price of jewels and jacinths and precious stones； together with somewhat of meat and drink； donned harness of war and armed herself for battle。 Moreover； she took with her for Noureddin what should rejoice him of rich and royal apparel and splendid arms and armour； and shouldering the bags； （for indeed she was both strong and valiant）； went forth of the palace to join her lover。
Meanwhile the latter sat at the citygate； with the horses' halters in his hand； till God （to whom belong might and majesty） sent a sleep upon him and he slept； glory be to Him who sleepeth not！ Now； in those days； the Kings of the Islands had spent much measure in bribing folk to steal the two horses or one of them； and there was a black slaver who had been reared in the islands and was skilled in horsestealing； wherefore the kings of the Franks bribed him with wealth galore to steal one of the chargers and promised him； if he could avail to steal the two that they would give him a whole island and invest him with a splendid dress of honour。 He had long gone about the city of France in disguise； but availed not to take the horses； whilst they were with the king； but； when he gave them to the vizier and the latter carried them to his own stable； the thief rejoiced with an exceeding joy and made sure of success； saying in himself； 'By the virtue of the Messiah and the True Faith； I will certainly steal them！'
Now he had gone out that very night； intending for the stable； to steal them； but； as he went along； he came upon Noureddin lying asleep； with the halters in his hands。 So he went up to the horses and loosing the halters from their heads； was about to mount one of them and drive the other before him； when up came the Princess Meryem； carrying the two pairs of saddlebags。 She took the black for Noureddin and handed him one pair of bags； which he laid on one of the horses： after which she gave him the other pair and he laid it on the other horse； without word said。 Then they mounted and rode out of the gate （106） in silence。 'O my lord Noureddin；' quoth she； 'what aileth thee to be silent？' Whereupon the black turned to her and said angrily； 'What sayst thou； O damsel？' When she heard his outlandish speech； she knew that he was not Noureddin： so she looked at him and saw that he was a black slave； snubnosed and widemouthed； with nostrils like ewers； whereupon the light in her eyes became darkness and she said to him； 'Who art thou； O sheikh of the sons of Ham and what is thy name among men？' 'O daughter of the base；' replied he； 'my name is Mesoud； and I steal horses； when folk are asleep。' She made him no answer； but drawing her sabre forthright； smote him on the nape and the blade came out； gleaming； from the tendons of his throat； whereupon he fell to the ground； weltering in his blood； and God hurried his soul to the fire and ill is the abiding place ＇to which he went＇。
Then she took the other horse by the bridle and retraced her steps in search of Noureddin； whom she found lying； asleep and snoring； in the place where she had appointed him to meet her； with the halters in his hand and knowing not his hands from his feet。 So she dismounted and gave him a cuff； whereupon he awoke in affright and said to her； 'O my lady； praised be God for thy safe ing！' 'Rise；' answered she； 'and mount this steed and speak not。' So he rose and mounted one of the horses； whilst she bestrode the other； and they went forth the city and rode on awhile in silence。 Then said she to him； 'Did I not bid thee beware of sleeping？ Verily； he prospers not who sleeps。' 'O my lady；' answered he； 'I slept not but because of the solacement of my heart by reason of thy promise。 But what hath happened； O my lady？' So she told him her adventure with the black； and he said； 'Praised be God for safety！'
Then they fared on at f