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he set before me that which was with him and I ate a single mouthful and went out, running, so haply I might overtake that which had escaped me.[1] When I came to the palace, I saw over against it eight-and-thirty gibbets set up, whereon were eight-and-thirty men crucified, and under them eight-and-thirty concubines as they were moons. So I enquired of the reason of the crucifixion of the men and concerning the women in question, and it was said unto me, ‘The men [whom thou seest] crucified the Khalif found with yonder damsels, who are his favourites.’ When I heard this, I prostrated myself in thanksgiving to God and said, ‘God requite thee with good, O my friend!’ For that, had he not invited me [and kept me perforce in his house] that night, I had been crucified with these men, wherefore praise be to God!
Thus,” continued Shehrzad, “none is safe from the calamities of fortune and the vicissitudes of time, and [in proof of this], I will relate unto thee yet another story still rarer and more extraordinary than this. Know, O King, that one said to me, ‘A friend of mine, a merchant, told me the following story. Quoth he,
- ↑ i.e. yet arrive in time for the rendezvous.
