一千零一夜-天方夜谭-1001 Nights(英文版)-第27部分

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ut　off　his　head　and　arms　and　sent　him　after　his　brothers　and　God　hurried　his　soul　to　the　fire　and　ill　is　the　abidingplace　＇to　which　he　went＇。

When　the　knights　and　horsemen　who　rode　with　her　father　saw　his　three　sons　slain；　who　were　the　doughtiest　of　the　folk　of　their　day；　there　fell　on　their　hearts　terror　of　the　Princess　Meryem　and　they　bowed　their　heads　in　affright　and　confusion　and　made　sure　of　destruction。　So　they　turned　their　backs　and　addressed　themselves　to　flight。　When　the　king　saw　his　sons　slain　and　his　troops　in　full　flight；　there　fell　on　him　dismay　and　bewilderment　and　his　heart　was　on　fire。　'Verily；'　quoth　he；　'the　Princess　Meryem　hath　the　better　of　us；　and　if　I　venture　myself　and　go　out　against　her　alone；　most　like　she　will　overe　me　and　slay　me　without　pity；　even　as　she　slew　her　brothers；　and　make　of　me　the　foulest　of　examples；　for　she　hath　no　longer　any　desire　for　us　nor　have　we　any　hope　of　her　return。　Wherefore；　meseemeth　I　were　better　guard　my　honour　and　return　to　my　capital　city。'　So　he　gave　reins　to　his　horse　and　returned　to　the　city。

When　he　found　himself　in　his　palace；　fire　was　loosed　in　his　heart　for　rage　and　chagrin　for　the　death　of　his　sons　and　the　defeat　of　his　troops　and　the　violation　of　his　honour；　nor　did　he　abide　half　an　hour　before　he　summoned　his　grandees　and　officers　of　state　and　plained　to　them　of　that　which　his　daughter　had　done　with　him　of　the　slaughter　of　her　brothers　and　all　he　suffered　of　grief　and　chagrin　therefrom；　and　sought　counsel　of　them。　They　all　counselled　him　to　write　to　the　Vicar　of　God　in　His　earth；　the　mander　of　the　Faithful；　Haroun　er　Reshid；　and　acquaint　him　with　the　case。　So　he　wrote　a　letter　to　the　Khalif　containing；　after　the　usual　salutations；　the　following　words：　'Know　that　we　have　a　daughter　called　Meryem；　and　a　Muslim　captive；　by　name　Noureddin　Ali；　son　of　the　merchant　Tajeddin　of　Cairo；　hath　debauched　her　from　us　and　taken　her　by　night　and　gone　forth　with　her　to　his　own　country：　wherefore　I　beg　of　the　favour　of　our　lord　the　mander　of　the　Faithful　that　he　write　to　all　the　lands　of　the　Muslims　to　seize　her　and　send　her　back　to　us　by　a　trusty　messenger　of　the　servants　of　His　Highness。　And　in　requital　of　thy　help　in　this　matter；　we　will　appoint　to　thee　half　of　the　city　of　Rome　the　Great；　that　thou　mayst　build　therein　mosques　for　the　Muslims；　and　the　tribute　thereof　shall　be　sent　to　thee。'

Then　he　folded　the　letter　and　calling　his　vizier；　whom　he　bad　appointed　in　the　stead　of　the　oneeyed　vizier；　bade　him　seal　it　with　the　seal　of　the　kingdom；　and　the　officers　of　state　also　set　their　hands　and　seals　thereto；　after　which　the　king　bade　the　vizier　carry　the　letter　to　Baghdad；　the　abode　of　peace；　and　deliver　it　into　the　Khalif's　own　hand；　saying；　'If　thou　bring　her　back；　thou　shalt　have　of　me　the　fiefs　of　two　Amirs　and　I　will　bestow　on　thee　a　robe　of　honour　with　fringes　＇of　gold＇。'　The　vizier　set　out　with　the　letter　and　fared　on　over　hill　and　dale；　till　he　came　to　the　city　of　Baghdad；　where　he　abode　three　days；　till　he　was　rested；　when　he　sought　out　the　palace　of　the　mander　of　the　Faithful　and　craved　an　audience　of　him。　The　Khalif　bade　admit　him；　so　he　entered　and　kissing　the　ground　before　him；　presented　him　with　the　letter　of　the　King　of　France；　together　with　rich　and　rare　gifts　beseeming　the　mander　of　the　Faithful。

When　the　Khalif　read　the　letter　and　apprehended　its　purport；　he　manded　his　viziers　to　write　despatches　to　all　the　lands　of　the　Muslims；　setting　out　the　name　and　favour　of　Noureddin　and　the　princess　and　bidding　all　who　found　them　lay　hands　on　them　and　send　them　to　the　mander　of　the　Faithful；　and　warning　them　to　use　no　delay　or　neglect　in　that　manner。　So　the　viziers　wrote　the　letters　and　sealing　them；　despatched　them　by　couriers　to　the　different　governors；　who　hastened　to　obey　the　Khalif's　mandment　and　addressed　themselves　to　make　search　in　all　the　lands　for　the　persons　in　question。

Meanwhile；　Noureddin　and　Meryem　fared　on　and　＇God＇　the　Protector　protected　them；　till　they　came　to　the　land　of　Syria　and　entered　the　city　of　Damascus。　Now　the　Khalif's　messengers　had　foregone　them　thither　by　a　day　and　the　governor　of　Damascus　knew　that　he　was　manded　to　lay　hands　on　them；　so；　when　they　entered　the　city；　the　police　accosted　them　and　asked　them　their　names。　They　told　them　the　truth　and　acquainted　them　with　their　story；　whereupon　they　knew　them　for　those　of　whom　they　were　in　search　and　seizing　them；　carried　them　before　the　governor　of　the　city。　He　despatched　them　to　the　city　of　Baghdad　＇under　escort　of　some　of　his　officers＇；　who；　when　they　came　thither；　sought　an　audience　of　the　Khalif　and　kissing　the　earth　before　him；　said；　'O　mander　of　the　Faithful；　this　is　Meryem；　daughter　of　the　King　of　France；　and　this　is　the　captive　Noureddin；　son　of　the　merchant　Tajeddin　of　Cairo；　who　debauched　her　from　her　father　and　fled　with　her　to　Damascus；　where　we　came　upon　them；　as　they　entered　the　city；　and　questioned　them。　They　told　us　the　truth　of　their　case：　so　we　laid　hands　on　them　and　brought　them　to　thee。'

The　Khalif　looked　at　Meryem　and　saw　that　she　was　slender　and　elegant　of　form　and　figure；　the　handsomest　of　the　folk　of　her　day　and　the　unique　pearl　of　her　age　and　her　time。　Moreover；　＇he　spoke　with　her　and　found　her＇　sweet　of　speech　and　fluent　of　tongue；　stable　of　soul　and　stout　of　heart。　So　she　kissed　the　earth　before　him　and　wished　him　continuance　of　glory　and　prosperity　and　cease　of　evil　and　enmity。　He　was　charmed　with　the　beauty　of　her　shape　and　the　sweetness　of　her　voice　and　the　quickness　of　her　answers　and　said　to　her；　'Art　thou　Meryem；　daughter　of　the　King　of　France？'　'Yes；'　answered　she；　'O　mander　of　the　Faithful　and　High　Priest　of　those　that　believe　in　the　Unity　of　God　and　Defender　of　the　Faith　and　Cousin　of　the　Prince　of　Apostles！'

Then　the　Khalif　turned　to　Noureddin　and　seeing　him　to　be　a　ely　youth；　as　he　were　the　shining　full　moon　on　its　fourteenth　night；　said　to　him；　'And　thou；　art　thou　Ali　Noureddin；　son　of　the　merchant　Tajeddin　of　Cairo？'　'Yes；　O　mander　of　the　Faithful　and　stay　of　those　who　seek　＇after　righteousness＇！'　replied　he。　'How　es　it；'　asked　the　Khalif；　'that　thou　hast　taken　this　young　lady　and　fled　forth　with　her　of　her　father's　kingdom？'　So　Noureddin　proceeded　to　relate　to　the　mander　of　the　Faithful　all　that　had　befallen　him；　first　and　last；　whereat　the　latter　was　beyond　measure　astonished　and　diverted　and　exclaimed；　'How　manifold　are　the　things　that　men　suffer！'

Then　he　turned　to　the　princess　and　said　to　her；　'Know；　O　Meryem；　that　thy　father；　the　King　of　France；　hath　written　to　me；　concerning　thee。　What　sayst　thou？'　'O　Vicar　of　God　in　His　earth；'　replied　she；　'and　Executor　of　His　ordinances　and　the　precepts　of　His　prophet；　may　He　vouchsafe　thee　eternal　happiness　and　preserve　thee　from　evil　and　enmity！　Thou　art　Vicar　of　God　in　His　earth　and　I　have　entered　thy　faith；　for　that　it　is　the　true　and　righteous　one；　and　have　left　the　religion　of　the　infidels；　who　make　the　Messiah　a　liar　（112）　and　I　am　bee　a　true　believer　in　God　the　Bountiful　and　in　the　revelation　of　His　passionate　Apostle。　I　serve　God　（blessed　and　exalted　be　He！）　and　acknowledge　Him　to　be　the　One　God　and　prostrate　myself　humbly　before　Him　and　glorify　Him；　and　I　say　before　the　Khalif；　'Verily；　I　testify　that　there　is　no　god　but　God　and　I　testify　that　Mohammed　is　the　apostle　of　God；　whom　He　sent　with　guidance　＇into　the　right　way＇　and　the　true　faith。　that　he　might　cause　it　to　prevail　over　faiths；　all　of　them；　in　despite　of　the　idolaters。〃　（113）　Is　it；　therefore；　permitted　to　thee；　O　mander　of　the　Faithful；　to　ply　with　the　letter　of　the　king　of　the　heretics　and　send　me　back　to　the　land　of　those　who　deny　the　Faith　and　give　partners　to　the　Allwise　King；　who　magnify　the　Cross　and　believe　in　the　divinity　of　Jesus；　for　all　he　was　＇but＇　a　creature？　If　thou　deal　thus　with　me；　O　Vicegerent　of　God；　I　will　lay　hold　upon　thy　skirts　on　the　day　of　appearing　before　God　and　make　my　plaint　of　thee　to　thy　cousin　the　Apostle　of　Allah　（whom　God　bless　and　preserve！）　on　the　day　when　wealth　availeth　not　neither　children　＇nor　aught＇；　except　one　e　unto　God　with　a　whole　heart。'　（114）

'O　Meryem；'　answered　the　Khalif；　'God　forbid　that　I　should　do　this　ever！　How　can　I　send　back　a　Muslim　woman　and　a　true　believer　in　the　unity　of　God　and　in　His　Apostle　to　that　which　they　have　forbidden？'　Quoth　she；　'I　testify　that　there　is　no　god　but　God　and　that　Mohammed　is　His　Apostle！'　'O　Meryem；'　rejoined　the　Khalif；　'may　God　bless　and　stablish　thee　in　the　way　of　righteousness！　Since　thou　art　a　Muslim　and　a　believer　in　the　unity　of　God；　I　owe　thee　an　imperative　duty；　and　it　is　that　I　should　never　transgress　against　thee　nor　forsake　thee；　though　the　world　full　of　gold　and　jewels　be　lavished　unto　me　on　thine　account。　So　be　of　good　heart　and　cheerful　eye　and　be　thy　breast　dilated　and　thy　mind　at　ease。　Art　thou　willing　that　this　youth　Ali　of　Cairo　should　be　thy　husband　and　thou　his　wife？'　'How　should　I　be　other　than　willing；'　replied　Meryem；　'seeing　that　he　bought　me　with　his　money　and　hath　entreated　me　with　the　utmost　kindness　and　for　crown　of　his　good　offices；　he　hath　ventured　his　life　many　times　for　my　sake？'

So　the　Khalif　summoned　the　Cadi　and　the　witnesses　and　married　her　to　him。　Moreover；　he　assigned　her　a　dowry　and　caused　the　grandees　of　his　realm　be　present　at　their　marriage；　and　it　was　a　notable　day。　Then　he　turned　to　the　French　king's　vizier；　who　was　present；　and　said　to　him；　'Hast　thou　heard　her　words？　How　can　I　send　her　back　to　her　father　the　infidel；　seeing　that　she　is　a　Muslim　and　a　believer　in　the　Unity　of　God？　Belike　he　will　evil　entreat　her　and　deal　harshly　with　her；　more　by　token　that　she　hath　slain　his　sons；　and　I　shall　be　accountable　to　her　therefor　on　the　Day　of　Resurrection。　And　indeed　quoth　God　the　Most　High；　〃God　shall　in　nowise　give　the　infidels　power　over　the　truebelievers。'　（115）　So　return　to　thy　king　and　say　to　him；　〃Turn　from　this　thing　and　hope　not　to　e　at　thy　desire　thereof。〃'

Now　this　vizier　was　a　fool：　so　he　said　to　the　Khalif；　'O　mander　of　the　Faithful；　by　the　virtue　of　the　Messiah　and　the　true　faith；　were　she　forty　times　a　Muslim　and　forty　times　thereto；　I　may　not　depart　from　thee　without　Meryem！　And　if　thou　send　her　not　back　with　me　of　free　will；　I　will　return　to　her　father　and　cause　him　despatch　thee　an　army；　wherewith　I　will　e　upon　you　from　the　landward　and　the　seaward　and　the　van　whereof　shall　be　at　your　capital　city；　whilst　the　rear　is　yet　on　the　Euphrates；　and　they　shall　lay　waste　thy　dominions。'　When　the　Khalif　heard　these　words　from　the　vizier　of　the　King　of　France；　the　light　in　his　face　became　darkness　and　he　was　exceeding　wroth　at　his　speech　and　said　to　him；　'O　accursed　one；　O　dog　of　the　Nazarenes；　who　art　thou　that　thou　shouldst　dare　to　e　out　against　me　with　the　King　of　the　Franks？'　＇Then　to　his　guards；＇　'Take　this　accursed　fellow　and　put　him　to　death；'　and　he　repeated　the　following　verse：

　　This　is　the　repense　of　those　Who　their　superiors'　will　oppose。　
Then　he　manded　to　cut　off　the　vizier's　head　and　burn　his　body；　but　Meryem　said；　'O　mander　of　the　Faithful；　defile　not　thy　sword　with　the　blood　of　this　accursed　wretch。'　So　saying；　she　drew　her　sword　and　smote　him　and　made　his　head　fly　from　his　body；　and　he　went　to　the　house　of　perdition；　his　abode　was　Gehenna　and　evil　is　the　abidingplace　＇to　wh