一千零一夜-天方夜谭-1001 Nights(英文版)-第21部分

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Then　he　went　to　the　market　and　bought　what　he　needed　of　victual　and　other　necessaries　for　the　voyage　and　returned　to　the　captain；　who　said　to　him；　〃O　my　son；　what　is　that　thou　hast　with　thee？'　'My　provisions　and　that　whereof　I　have　need　for　the　voyage；'　answered　Noureddin。　'O　my　son；'　said　the　old　man；　laughing；　'art　thou　going　apleasuring　to　Pompey's　Pillar？　Verily；　between　thee　and　that　thou　seekest　is　two　months'　journey；　if　the　wind　be　favourable　and　the　weather　fair。'　Then　he　took　of　him　somewhat　of　money　and　going　to　the　market；　bought　him　all　that　he　needed　for　the　voyage　and　filled　him　a　cask　with　fresh　water。　Noureddin　abode　in　the　ship　three　days；　till　the　merchants　had　made　an　end　of　their　preparations　and　embarked；　when　they　set　sail　and　putting　out　to　sea；　fared　on　oneandfifty　days。　After　this；　there　came　out　upon　them　corsairs；　who　sacked　the　ship　and　taking　Noureddin　and　the　rest　prisoners；　carried　them　to　the　city　of　France　and　showed　them　to　the　king；　who　bade　cast　them　into　prison。

At　this　moment　the　galleon　arrived　with　the　Princess　Meryem　and　the　oneeyed　vizier；　and　when　it　reached　the　harbour；　the　latter　landed　and　going　up　to　the　king；　gave　him　the　glad　news　of　his　daughter's　safe　return：　whereupon　they　beat　the　drums　for　good　tidings　and　decorated　the　city　after　the　goodliest　fashion。　Then　the　king　took　horse；　with　all　his　guards　and　nobles；　and　rode　down　to　the　sea　to　meet　her。　Presently；　she　landed　and　the　king　embraced　her　and　mounting　her　on　a　horse；　carried　her　to　the　palace；　where　her　mother　received　her　with　open　arms　and　asked　her　how　she　did　and　whether　she　was　yet　a　maid。　'O　my　mother；'　replied　Meryem；　'how　should　a　girl　who　has　been　sold　from　merchant　to　merchant　in　the　land　of　the　Muslims；　＇a　slave＇　manded；　abide　a　maid　？　The　merchant　who　bought　me　threatened　me　with　beating　and　forced　me　and　did　away　my　maidenhead；　after　which　he　sold　me　to　another　and　he　fain　to　a　third。'

When　the　queen　heard　this；　the　light　in　her　eyes　became　darkness　and　she　repeated　her　words　to　the　king；　who　was　sore　chagrined　thereat　and　his　affair　was　grievous　to　him。　So　he　expounded　her　case　to　his　grandees　and　patriarchs；　（82）　who　said　to　him；　'O　king；　she　hath　been　defiled　by　the　Muslims；　and　nothing　will　purify　her　save　the　striking　off　of　a　hundred　of　their　heads。'　Whereupon　the　king　sent　for　the　prisoners　and　manded　to　strike　off　their　heads。　So　they　beheaded　them；　one　after　another；　beginning　with　the　captain；　till　there　was　none　left　but　Noureddin。　They　tore　off　a　strip　of　his　skirt　and　binding　his　eyes　therewith；　set　him　on　the　carpet　of　blood　and　were　about　to　cut　off　his　head；　when　an　old　woman　came　up　to　the　king　and　said；　'O　my　lord；　thou　didst　vow　to　bestow　upon　the　church　five　Muslim　captives；　to　help　us　in　the　service　thereof；　so　God　would　restore　thee　thy　daughter　the　Princess　Meryem；　and　now　she　is　restored　to　thee；　so　do　thou　fulfil　thy　vow。'　'O　my　mother；'　replied　the　king；　'by　the　virtue　of　the　Messiah　and　the　True　Faith；　there　remaih　to　me　but　this　one　captive；　whom　they　are　about　to　put　to　death：　so　take　him　to　help　thee　in　the　service　of　the　church；　till　there　e　to　me　＇other＇　prisoners　of　the　Muslims；　when　I　will　send　thee　other　four。　Hadst　thou　e　earlier；　before　they　cut　of　the　heads　of　these；　I　had　given　thee　as　many　as　thou　wouldst。'

The　old　woman　thanked　him　and　wished　him　continuance　Of　life　and　glory　and　prosperity。　Then　she　went　up　to　Noureddin　and　seeing　him　to　be　a　ely　and　elegant　youth；　with　a　delicate　skin　and　a　face　like　the　moon　at　her　full；　carried　him　to　the　church；　where　she　said　to　him；　'O　my　son；　put　of　these　clothes　that　are　upon　thee；　for　they　are　fit　only　for　the　king's　service。'　So　saying；　she　brought　him　a　gown　and　cowl　of　black　wool　and　a　broad　girdle；　in　which　she　clad　him；　and　bade　him　do　the　service　of　the　church。　Accordingly；　he　tended　the　church　seven　days；　at　the　end　of　which　time　the　old　woman　came　up　to　him　and　said；　'O　Muslim；　don　thy　silken　clothes　and　take　these　ten　dirhems　and　go　out　forthright　and　divert　thyself　abroad　this　day；　and　tarry　not　here　a　moment；　lest　thou　lose　thy　life。'　Quoth　he；　'What　is　to　do；　O　my　mother？'　And　she　answered；　'Know；　O　my　son；　that　the　king's　daughter；　the　Princess　Meryem；　hath　a　mind　to　visit　the　church　today；　to　seek　a　blessing　thereof　and　to　make　oblation　thereto；　by　way　of　thankoffering　for　her　deliverance　from　the　land　of　the　Muslims　and　in　fulfilment　of　the　vows　she　made　to　the　Messiah；　so　he　would　deliver　her。　With　her　are　four　hundred　damsels；　not　one　of　whom　but　is　perfect　in　beauty　and　grace；　and　they　will　be　here　forthwith；　and　if　their　eyes　fall　on　thee；　they　will　hew　thee　in　pieces　with　swords。'

So　Noureddin　took　the　ten　dirhems　and　donning　his　own　clothes；　went　out　to　the　market　and　walked　about　the　city；　till　he　knew　its　highways　and　gates；　after　which　he　returned　to　the　church　and　saw　the　Princess　Meryem　e　up；　attended　by　four　hundred　damsels；　highbosomed　maids　like　moons；　amongst　whom　was　the　daughter　of　the　oneeyed　vizier　and　those　of　the　amirs　and　grandees　of　the　realm；　and　she　walked　in　their　midst　as　she　were　the　moon　among　the　stars。　When　he　saw　her；　he　could　not　contain　himself　but　cried　out　from　the　bottom　of　his　heart；　saying；　'O　Meryem！　O　Meryem！'　Which　when　the　damsels　heard；　they　ran　at　him　with　shining　swords　like　flashes　of　lightning　and　would　have　killed　him　forthright。　But　the　princess　turned　and　looking　on　him；　knew　him　but　too　well　and　said　to　her　maidens；　'Leave　this　youth；　doubtless　he　is　mad；　for　the　signs　of　madness　appear　on　his　face。'

When　Noureddin　heard　this；　he　uncovered　his　head　and　made　signs　with　his　hands　and　twisted　his　legs；　rolling　his　eyes　and　foaming　at　the　mouth。　'Did　I　not　tell　you　he　was　mad？'　said　the　princess。　'Bring　him　to　me　and　stand　off　from　him；　that　I　may　hear　what　he　saith；　for　I　know　the　speech　of　the　Arabs　and　will　look　into　his　case　and　see　if　his　madness　be　curable　or　not。'　So　they　laid　hold　of　him　and　brought　him　to　her；　after　which　they　withdrew　to　a　distance　and　she　said　to　him；　'Hast　thou　e　hither　on　my　account　and　ventured　thy　life　and　feignest　thyself　mad？'　'O　my　lady；'　answered　he；　'hast　thou　not　heard　the　saying　of　the　poet：

　　Quoth　they；　〃Thou'rt　surely　raving　mad　for　her　thou　lov'st；〃　and　I；　〃There　is　no　pleasantness　in　life　but　for　the　mad；〃　reply。
　　〃pare　my　madness　with　herself　for　whom　I　rave；　if　she　Accord　therewith；　then　blame　me　not　for　that　which　I　aby。〃'　
'By　Allah；　O　Noureddin；'　rejoined　she；　'thou　hast　sinned　against　thyself；　for　I　warned　thee　of　this　before　it　fell　out；　yet　wouldst　thou　not　hearken　to　me；　but　followedst　thine　own　inclinations；　albeit　that　whereof　I　gave　thee　to　know　I　learnt　not　by　means　of　divination　nor　augury　nor　dreams；　but　by　eyewitness　and　very　sight；　for　I　saw　the　oneeyed　vizier　and　knew　that　he　was　not　e　to　Alexandria　but　in　quest　of　me。'　'O　my　lady　Meryem；'　replied　he；　'we　seek　refuge　with　God　from　the　error　of　the　intelligent！'　（83）　Then　his　affliction　redoubled　on　him　and　he　recited　these　verses：

　　Pardon　his　fault　whose　slipping　feet　caused　bite　in　error　fall；　And　let　the　master's　clemency　embrace　his　erring　thrall。
　　All　that　an　evildoer　can　is　to　repent　his　fault；　Although　too　late　repentance　e　to　profit　him　at　all。
　　Lo；　by　confession　I　have　done　what　courtesy　requires：　Where　then　is　that　for　which　good　grace　and　generous　mercy　call？　
And　they　ceased　not　from　lovers'　chiding；　which　to　set　out　would　be　tedious；　relating　to　each　other　that　which　had　befallen　them　and　reciting　verses　and　making　moan；　one　to　the　other；　of　the　violence　of　passion　and　the　pangs　of　longing　and　desire；　whilst　the　tears　ran　down　their　cheeks　like　rivers；　till　there　was　left　them　no　strength　to　say　a　word。　Now　the　princess　was　clad　in　a　green　dress；　inwoven　with　red　gold　and　broidered　with　pearls　and　jewels；　which　added　to　her　beauty　and　grace；　and　right　well　saith　the　poet　of　her：

　　Like　the　full　moon　she　shih　in　garments　all　of　green；　With　loosened　vest　and　collars　and　flowing　hair　beseen。
　　'What　is　thy　name？'　I　asked　her；　and　she　replied；　'I'm　she　Who　roasts　the　hearts　of　lovers　on　coals　of　love　and　teen。
　　I　am　the　pure　white　silver；　ay；　and　the　gold　wherewith　The　bondmen　from　strait　prison　and　dour　released　been。'
　　Quoth　I；　'I'm　all　with　rigours　consumed；'　but　'On　a　rock；'　Said　she；　'such　as　my　heart　is；　thy　plaints　are　wasted　clean。'
　　'Even　if　thy　heart；'　I　answered；　'be　rock　in　very　deed；　Yet　hath　God　caused　fair　water　well　from　the　rock；　I　ween。'　
They　abode　thus　till　the　day　departed　and　night　darkened　on　them；　when　Meryem　went　up　to　her　women　and　said　to　them；　'Have　ye　locked　the　door？'　And　they　answered；　'We　have　locked　it。'　So　she　took　them　and　went　with　them　to　a　place　called　the　Chapel　of　the　Lady　Mary　the　Virgin；　Mother　of　Light；　because　the　Christians　pretend　that　her　heart　and　soul　are　there。　The　girls　betook　themselves　to　prayer　and　worship　and　made　the　round　of　all　the　church；　and　when　they　had　made　an　end　of　their　visitation；　the　princess　said　to　them；　'I　desire　to　pass　the　night　alone　in　the　Virgin's　chapel　and　seek　a　blessing　thereof；　for　that　yearning　thereafter　hath　betided　me；　by　reason　of　my　long　absence　in　the　land　of　the　Muslims：　and　as　for　you；　when　ye　have　made　an　end　of　your　visitation；　do　ye　sleep　where　ye　will。'　'Be　it　as　thou　wilt；'　replied　they；　and　leaving　her　alone　in　the　chapel；　dispersed　about　the　church　and　slept。

The　lady　Meryem　waited　till　they　were　out　of　sight　and　hearing；　then　went　in　search　of　Noureddin；　whom　she　found　sitting　on　coals　of　fire　in　a　corner；　awaiting　her。　He　rose　and　kissed　her　hands　and　she　sat　down　and　made　him　sit　by　her　side。　Then　she　pulled　off　all　that　was　upon　her　of　clothes　and　ornaments　and　fine　linen　and　taking　Noureddin　in　her　arms；　strained　him　to　her　bosom。　And　they　ceased　not　from　kissing　and　clipping　and　clicketing　to　the　tune　of　'In　and　out；'　saying　the　while；　'How　short　are　the　nights　of　union　and　how　long　the　nights　of　separation！'　and　reciting　the　following　cinquains：

　　O　night　of　delight　and　first　fruits　of　fair　fate；　Forefront　of　white　nights；　with　glad　fortune　elate；　
　　Thou　brought'st　me　the　morn　（84）　in　the　afternoon　late。　Thee　as　kohl　in　the　eyes　of　the　dawn　shall　we　rate　
　　Or　as　slumber　on　eyes　of　ophthalmiac　shed？
　　The　night　of　estrangement；　how　lonesome　was　it！　Its　first　and　its　last；　one　with　other；　were　knit；
　　As　a　ring；　sans　beginning　or　ending　to　wit；　And　the　Day　of　Uprising　broke；　ere　it　would　flit；　
　　For　estrangement；　thereafter；　（85）　the　lover　is　dead。　
As　they　were　in　this　great　delight　and　engrossing　joy；　they　heard　one　of　the　servants　of　the　Saint　（86）　smite　the　gong　（87）　upon　the　roof；　to　call　the　folk　to　the　rites　of　their　worship；　and　he　was　even　as　saith　the　poet：

　　I　saw　him　smite　upon　the　gong　and　unto　him　did　say；　'Who　taught　the　antelope　（88）　to　smite　upon　the　gong；　I　pray？'
　　And　to　my　soul；　'Which　irks　thee　most；　the　smiting　of　the　gongs　Or　signal　for　departure　given？　（89）　Decide　betwixt　the　tway。'　
Then　she　rose　forthwith　and　donned　her　clothes　and　ornaments：　but　this　was　grievous　to　Noureddin；　and　his　gladness　was　troubled；　the　tears　streamed　from　his　eyes　and　he　recited　the　following　verses：

　　The　rose　of　a　soft　cheek；　all　through　the　livelong　night；　I　stinted　not　to　kiss　and　bite