一千零一夜-天方夜谭-1001 Nights(英文版)-第8部分

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　　Time　bore　him　off　and　rent　his　loves　apart　and　cleft　His　entrails　with　a　shaft　of　severance　in　twain。〃
　　Give　them　to　know　of　all　my　transport　for　their　loss　And　what　I　bear　for　love　and　longing　all　in　vain。
　　Yea；　by　the　love　of　you；　I　swear　I　will　fulfil　The　covenant　of　love；　whatever　Fate　ordain。
　　I'll　never　change　nor　yet　fet　your　love：　how　shall　Fetfulness　betide　the　wistful；　longing　swain？
　　Peace；　salutationwise；　from　me；　with　musk　mixt　In　letters；　be　on　you　again　and　yet　again！'　
Nesim　marvelled　at　his　eloquence　and　the　goodliness　of　his　speech　and　the　elegance　of　his　verses　and　was　moved　to　passion　for　him。　Then　she　sealed　the　letter　with　virgin　musk　and　incensed　it　with　aloeswood　and　ambergris；　after　which　she　mitted　it　to　a　merchant；　bidding　him　deliver　it　not　save　to　Zein　el　Mewasif　or　her　maid　Huboub。

When　the　letter　reached　her　sister；　she　knew　it　for　Mesrour's　inditing　and　recognized　himself　in　the　grace　of　its　expression。　So　she　kissed　it　and　laid　it　on　her　eyes；　whilst　the　tears　streamed　from　her　lids　and　she　gave　not　over　weeping；　till　she　fainted。　When　she　came　to　herself；　she　called　for　pen　and　paper　and　wrote　him　the　following　answer：　'This　letter　is　to　my　lord　and　master；　the　king　of　my　heart　and　my　secret　soul。　Indeed；　wakefulness　agitateth　me　and　melancholy　increaseth　on　me　and　I　have　no　patience　to　endure　thine　absence；　O　thou　whose　beauty　excels　the　sun　and　moon！　Desire　deprives　me　of　rest　and　passion　destroys　me；　and　how　should　it　be　otherwise　with　me；　seeing　that　I　am　of　the　number　of　the　perishing？　O　glory　of　the　world　and　ornament　of　life；　shall　her　cup　be　sweet；　whose　vital　spirits　are　cut　off？　For　that　she　is　neither　with　the　quick　nor　with　the　dead。'　And　she　added　these　verses：

　　Thy　letter；　O　Mesrour；　hath　stirred　affliction　up　in　me；　I　have　no　patience　for　thy　loss　nor　solacement；　perdie。
　　My　bowels；　when　I　read　the　script；　yearn　and　the　desert　herbs　I　water　with　my　tears　that　flow　for　ever　like　a　sea。
　　Were　I　a　bird；　I'd　fly　to　thee；　upon　the　wings　of　night：　I　know　not；　after　thee；　if　wine　or　sweet　or　bitter　be。
　　Forbidden　unto　me　is　life；　since　thy　departure　hence：　I　have　no　power　to　brook　the　fire　of　severance　from　thee。　
Then　she　sprinkled　the　letter　with　powdered　musk　and　ambergris　and　mitted　it　to　a　merchant；　bidding　him　deliver　it　to　none　save　her　sister　Nesim。　When　it　reached　the　latter；　she　sent　it　to　Mesrour；　who　kissed　it　and　laid　it　on　his　eyes　and　wept　till　he　fainted。

Presently；　the　Jew　heard　of　their　correspondence　and　began　again　to　travel　from　place　to　place　with　Zein　el　Mewasif　and　her　damsels；　till　she　said　to　him；　'Glory　to　God！　How　long　wilt　thou　journey　with　us　and　carry　us　afar　from　our　homes？'　Quoth　he；　'I　will　fare　on　with　you　a　year's　journey；　so　no　more　letters　may　reach　you　from　Mesrour。　I　see　how　you　take　all　my　good　and　give　it　to　him；　so　all　that　I　miss　I　shall　take　from　you：　and　I　shall　see　if　Mesrour　will　profit　you　or　avail　to　deliver　you　from　my　hand。'　Then　he　stripped　her　and　her　damsels　of　their　silken　apparel　and　clad　them　in　raiment　of　haircloth；　after　which　he　repaired　to　a　blacksmith　and　bade　him　make　three　pairs　of　iron　shackles。　When　they　were　ready；　he　brought　the　smith　in　to　his　wife　and　said　to　him；　'Put　the　shackles　on　the　legs　of　these　three　damsels。'

The　first　that　came　forward　was　Zein　el　Mewasif；　and　when　the　blacksmith　saw　her；　his　reason　forsook　him　and　he　bit　his　fingers　and　his　wit　fled　forth　his　head　and　sore　was　his　transport。　So　he　said　to　the　Jew；　'What　is　these　women's　crime？'　'They　are　my　slavegirls；'　answered　the　other；　'and　have　stolen　my　good　and　fled　from　me。'　'May　God　disappoint　thine　expectation！'　cried　the　smith。　'Were　this　girl　before　the　Chief　Cadi；　he　would　not　reprove　her；　though　she　mitted　a　hundred　offences　a　day。　Indeed；　she　hath　no　thief's　favour　and　she　may　not　brook　the　laying　of　irons　on　her　legs。'　And　he　went　on　to　intercede　with　him；　beseeching　him　not　to　fetter　her。　When　she　saw　this；　she　said　to　her　husband；　'I　conjure　thee　by　Allah；　bring　me　not　forth　before　yonder　strange　man！'　Quoth　he；　'Why　then　camest　thou　out　before　Mesrour？'　And　she　made　him　no　reply。　Then　he　accepted　the　blacksmith's　intercession；　so　far　as　to　allow　him　to　put　a　light　pair　of　shackles　on　her　legs；　for　that　she　had　a　delicate　body；　which　might　not　brook　harshness；　whilst　he　laid　her　handmaids　in　heavy　irons；　and　they　ceased　not；　all　three；　to　wear　haircloth　day　and　night；　till　their　bodies　became　wasted　and　their　colour　changed。

As　for　the　blacksmith；　he　returned　home　in　great　concern；　for　that　exceeding　love　was　fallen　on　his　heart　for　Zein　el　Mewasif；　and　he　fell　to　reciting　the　following　verses：

　　Blacksmith；　may　thy　right　hand　wither；　in　that　it　did　ill　entreat　Yon　fair　maid　by　clapping　fetters　on　her　ankles　and　her　feet。
　　Thou　hast　chained　a　lovely　lady；　gentle；　soft　and　delicate：　Of　the　wonderful'st　of　wonders　was　she　fashioned　and　plete。
　　Not　of　iron　were　her　anklets；　were　she　justly　used；　I　trow：　Gold；　indeed；　alone　were　worthy　of　that　loveling　fair　and　sweet。
　　If　the　Cadi　of　the　Cadis　saw　her　charms；　he'd　pity　her　And　upon　the　highest　places　in　her　glory　would　her　seat。　
Now　it　chanced　that　the　Chief　Cadi　passed　by　the　smith's　house　and　heard　him　repeat　these　lines；　so　he　sent　for　him　and　said　to　him；　'O　blacksmith；　who　is　she　on　whom　thou　callest　so　instantly　and　with　whose　love　thy　heart　is　occupied？'　The　smith　rose　to　his　feet　and　kissing　the　Cadi's　hand；　answered；　'May　God　prolong　the　days　of　our　lord　the　Cadi　and　give　him　ease　of　his　life！'　Then　he　set　forth　to　him　Zein　el　Mewasif's　beauty　and　grace　and　symmetry　and　elegance　and　perfection　and　how　she　had　a　lovely　face　and　a　slender　waist　and　heavy　buttocks　and　acquainted　him　with　the　sorry　plight　in　which　she　was　for　abasement　and　duresse　and　lack　of　victual。

When　the　Cadi　heard　this；　he　said；　'O　blacksmith；　send　her　to　us；　that　we　may　do　her　justice；　for　thou　art　bee　accountable　for　her；　and　except　thou　guide　her　to　us；　God　will　punish　thee　at　the　Day　of　Resurrection。'　'I　hear　and　obey；'　replied　the　smith　and　betook　himself　forthright　to　Zein　el　Mewasif's　lodging；　but　found　the　door　locked　and　heard　her　reciting　the　following　verses；　in　a　plaintive　voice；　that　came　from　a　sorrowful　heart：

　　In　mine　own　land　I　was；　conjoined　with　those　I　hold　most　dear；　And　my　belovéd　filled　me　cups　of　gladness　bright　and　clear。
　　They　passed　'twixt　us　with　what　we　would　of　solace　and　of　mirth；　Nor　knew　we；　morn　or　even；　aught　of　dreariment　or　fear。
　　Indeed；　a　time　we　did　fulfil；　that　gladdened　us　whilere　With　cup　and　lute　and　dulcimer　and　festival　and　cheer；
　　Till　fortune　and　its　shifts　dissolved　our　fellowship；　my　love　Departed　and　the　time　of　peace　with　him　evanished　sheer。
　　Would　that　the　crow　of　parting　might　be　caused　forbear　our　stead　And　would　the　dawn　of　my　delight　in　passion　might　appear！　
When　he　heard　this；　he　wept　like　the　downpouring　of　the　clouds。　Then　he　knocked　at　the　door　and　the　women　said；　'Who　is　at　the　door？'　'It　is　I；　the　blacksmith；'　answered　he　and　told　them　what　the　Cadi　had　said　and　how　he　would　have　them　appear　before　him　and　make　their　plaint　to　him；　that　he　might　do　them　justice　on　their　adversary。　'How　can　we　go　to　him；'　replied　Zein　el　Mewasif；　'seeing　the　door　is　locked　on　us　and　our　feet　shackled　and　the　Jeith；　'I　will　make　keys　for　the　locks　and　open　the　door　and　the　shackles　therewith。'　'But　who　will　show　us　the　Cadi's　house？'　asked　she；　and　he　said；　'I　will　describe　it　to　you。'　'But　how；'　continued　she；　'can　we　appear　before　him；　clad　as　we　are　in　haircloth；　smoked　with　sulphur？'　And　he　answered；　'He　will　not　reproach　this　to　you；　considering　your　case。'　So　saying；　he　went　forthright　and　made　keys　for　the　locks；　wherewith　he　opened　the　door　and　the　shackles；　and　loosing　the　latter　from　their　legs；　carried　them　forth　and　directed　them　to　the　Cadi's　house。　Then　Huboub　did　off　the　haircloth　garments　from　her　mistress's　body　and　carried　her　to　the　bath；　where　she　washed　her　and　clad　her　in　silken　raiment；　and　her　colour　returned　to　her。

Now；　as　luck　would　have　it；　her　husband　was　abroad　at　a　bridefeast　in　the　house　of　one　of　the　merchants；　so　she　adorned　herself　after　the　fairest　fashion　and　betook　herself　to　the　Cadi；　who　rose　to　receive　her。　She　saluted　him　with　dulcet　speech　and　sweet　words；　transfixing　him　the　while　with　the　arrows　of　her　glances；　and　said；　'May　God　prolong　the　life　of　our　lord　the　Cadi　and　strengthen　him　to　do　justice！'　Then　she　acquainted　him　with　the　affair　of　the　blacksmith　and　that　which　he　had　done　them　of　kindness　and　with　the　heartconfounding　torments　that　the　Jew　had　inflicted　on　her　and　her　women　and　how　they　had　been　like　to　perish；　nor　was　there　any　deliverance　found　for　them　＇till　the　smith　set　them　free＇。　'O　damsel；'　said　the　Cadi；　'what　is　thy　name？'　'My　name　is　Zein　el　Mewasif；'　answered　she；　'and　this　my　maid's　name　is　Huboub。'　Quoth　he；　'Thy　name　accordeth　with　its　owner　and　its　words　conform　to　its　meaning。'　Whereupon　she　smiled　and　veiled　her　face；　and　he　said　to　her；　'O　Zein　el　Mewasif；　hast　thou　a　husband　or　not？'　'I　have　no　husband；'　answered　she。　'And　what　is　thy　faith？'　asked　he。　'That　of　Islam；'　replied　she；　'and　the　religion　of　the　best　of　men。'　Quoth　he；　'Swear　to　me　by　the　Law；　full　of　instances　and　admonitions；　that　thou　art　a　Muslim。'　So　she　swore　to　him　and　pronounced　the　profession　of　the　faith。

Then　said　he；　'How　es　it　that　thou　wastest　thy　youth　with　this　Jew？'　And　she　answered；　'Know；　O　Cadi　（may　God　prolong　thy　days　in　contentment　and　bring　thee　to　thy　hopes　and　seal　thine　acts　with　benefits！）；　that　my　father　left　me；　after　his　death；　fifteen　thousand　dinars；　which　he　put　into　the　hands　of　this　Jew；　that　he　might　trade　therewith　and　share　the　profit　with　me；　the　capital　being　secured　by　acknowledgment　according　to　law。　When　my　father　died；　the　Jew　coveted　me　and　sought　me　in　marriage　of　my　mother；　who　said；　〃How　shall　I　cause　her　leave　her　faith　and　bee　a　Jewess？　By　Allah；　I　will　denounce　thee　to　the　authorities！〃　He　was　affrighted　at　her　words　and　taking　the　money；　fled　to　the　town　of　Aden。　When　we　heard　where　he　was；　we　came　to　Aden　in　search　of　him；　and　when　we　foregathered　with　him；　he　told　us　that　he　was　trading　in　stuffs　＇with　the　money＇　and　buying　goods　upon　goods。　So　we　believed　him　and　he　ceased　not　to　beguile　us　till　he　cast　us　into　prison　and　fettered　us　and　tortured　us　exceeding　sore；　and　we　are　strangers　and　have　no　helper　save　God　the　Most　High　and　our　lord　the　Cadi。'

When　the　Cadi　heard　this；　he　said　to　Huboub；　'Is　this　indeed　thy　mistress　and　are　ye　strangers　and　is　she　unmarried？'　And　she　ansarry　her　to　me　and　be　manumission　＇of　my　slaves＇　and　fasting　and　pilgrimage　and　almsgiving　＇of　all　my　estate＇　incumbent　on　me；　if　I　do　you　not　justice　on　this　dog　and　punish　him　for　that　which　he　hath　done！'　And　she　answered；　'I　hear　and　obey。'　Then　said　he；　'Go；　fort　thy　heart　and　that　of　thy　lady；　and　tomorrow；　if　it　please　God　the　Most　High；　I　will　send　for　this　infidel　and　do　you　justice　on　him　and　ye　shall　see　wonders　of　his　punishment。'　So　Huboub　called　down　blessings　upon　him　and　went　forth　from　him；　＇she　and　her　mistress；＇　leaving　him　distracted　with　passion　and　lovelonging　and　desire。　Then　they　enquired　for　the　house　of　the　second　Cadi　and　pres