一千零一夜-天方夜谭-1001 Nights(英文版)-第25部分

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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