and sat upon his throne. The grand vizier entered soon after, and made his obeisance. “Vizier,” said the caliph, “go, bring those ladies and the calenders; make haste, and remember that I impatiently expect your return.”
The vizier, who knew his master’s quick and fiery temper, hastened to obey.
When they had arrived, the caliph turned toward the ladies and said, “I was last night in your house, disguised in a merchant’s habit; but I am Haroun al Raschid, the fifth caliph of the glorious house of Abbas, and hold the place of our great prophet. I have sent for you to know who you are, and to ask for what reason one of you, after severely whipping the two black dogs, wept with them. And I am no less curious to know why another of you has her bosom scarred.”
Upon hearing these words, Zobeide thus related her story.
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