fulfilled all the conditions you have imposed upon us. It is now for you to accord me the favours which, according to our agreement, was to be the price if we succeeded." "It is but too true!" answered the princess, and she gave herself up to him, and he found her excelling the most excellent.[1]
As to the negro, Mimoun, he married Mouna. Abou el Heiloukh chose, amongst all the virgins, the one whom he had found most attractive.
They all remained in the palace, giving themselves up to good cheer and all possible pleasures, until death put an end to their happy existence and dissolved their union. God be merciful to them[2] as well as to all Mussulmans! Amen!
It is to this story that the verses cited previously make allusion.[3] I have given it here, because it testifies to the efficacy of the dishes and remedies, the use of which I have recommended, for giving vigour for coition, and all learned men agree in acknowledging their salutary effects.
There are still other beverages of excellent virtue. I will describe the following: "Take one part of the juice pressed out of pounded onions, and mix it with two parts of purified honey. Heat the mixture over a fire until the
- ↑ Note in the autograph edition.—Another version says here: "The performance of Mimoun filled all the world with admiration. They then took possession of everything contained in the castle; treasures, women, servants, the girls and all. They divided the whole into equal parts, of which each took his share; then Abou el Heidja had his pleasure with Zohra, and he found her, etc."
- ↑ When pronouncing the name of a dead co-religionist, the Mussulmans never fail to add, "God be merciful to him!"
- ↑ Note in the autograph edition.—It must be observed that certain particulars as given in the verses are not in perfect accordance with the corresponding parts in the story.
