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opened the door of the closet, and he entered and brought out the chest. Then he took therefrom the feather-dress and wrapping it in a handkerchief, carried it to the princess Zubeideh, who took it and turned it about, marvelling at the beauty of its fashion; after which she gave it to the damsel, saying, ‘Is this thy dress of feathers?’ ‘Yes, O my lady,’ answered she, and took it joyfully. Then she examined it and rejoiced to find it whole as it was, not a feather missing. So she came down from beside the lady Zubeideh and taking her sons in her bosom, wrapped herself in the feather-dress and became a bird, by the ordinance of God (to whom belong might and majesty), whereat Zubeideh and all who were present marvelled. Then she walked with a proud and graceful gait and danced and sported and flapped her wings, whilst all eyes were fixed on her and all marvelled at what she did.
Then said she with fluent tongue, ‘Is this goodly, O my ladies?’ And they answered, ‘Yes, O princess of the fair! All that thou dost is goodly.’ ‘And this,’ said she, ‘that I am about to do is goodlier yet.’ Then she spread her wings and flying up with her children to the dome of the palace, perched on the cornice of the saloon, whilst they all looked at her, wide-eyed and said, ‘By Allah, this is indeed a rare and goodly fashion! Never saw we its like.’ Then, as she was about to take flight for her own land, she bethought her of Hassan and said, ‘Hark ye, my mistresses!’ and she recited the following verses:
Thou that hast left these lands and tow’rds the countries, where Thy loved ones[1] dwell, with swift and fleeting feet dost fare,
Think’st thou that I ’midst you abided in content And deem’st thou that my days by you untroubled were?
When in Love’s snare I fell, Love’s self my gaol he made And did unto the place of rendezvous repair.
- ↑ i.e. the seven princesses.
