136
wept sore, whilst Beloukiya wept and laughed by turns. Then all his friends and kindred came and gave him joy of his safe return, and the good news was noised abroad in the land and there came to him presents from all parts. Moreover, they beat the drums and blew the flutes and rejoiced mightily. Then Beloukiya related to them his adventures, at which they marvelled exceedingly and wept, till all were weary of weeping.
All this the Queen of the Serpents related to Hasib Kerimeddin, and he said to her, ‘But how knowest thou of these things?’ ‘O Hasib,’ answered she, ‘it was on this wise. Thou must know that I once had occasion, some five-and-twenty years ago, to send one of my serpents to Egypt and gave her a letter for Beloukiya, saluting him. So she carried the letter to him and he read it and said to the messenger, “I have a mind to go with thee to the Queen of the Serpents, for I have an occasion to her.” Quoth she, “Close thine eyes.” So he closed them and opening them again, found himself on the mountain where I now am. Then his guide carried him to a great serpent, and he saluted the latter and asked for me. “She hath gone to the Mountain Caf,” answered the serpent, “as is her wont in the winter; but next summer she will come hither again. As often as she goeth thither, she appointeth me to reign in her room, during her absence; and if thou have any occasion to her, I will accomplish it for thee.” Quoth he, “I beg thee to bring me the herb, which whoso crusheth and drinketh the juice thereof sickeneth not neither groweth grey nor dieth.” “Tell me first,” said the serpent, “what befell thee since thou leftest the Queen of the Serpents, to go with Uffan in quest of King Solomon’s tomb.” So he related to her all his travels and adventures, including the history of Janshah, and besought her to grant
