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delectable without the melodious sound of the strings. ‘By Allah,’ replied Enis el Jelis, ‘if we had but some musical instrument, our joy would be complete!’ When the old man heard what she said, he rose to his feet, and the Khalif said to Jaafer, ‘I wonder what he is going to do.’ ‘I know not,’ replied Jaafer. Then Ibrahim went out and returned with a lute; and the Khalif looked at it and knew it for that of Isaac the boon-companion. ‘By Allah,’ said he, ‘if this damsel sing ill, I will crucify you, all of you; but if she sing well, I will pardon them and crucify thee.’ ‘God grant she may sing ill!’ said Jaafer ‘Why so?’ asked the Khalif. ‘Because,’ replied Jaafer ‘if thou crucify us all together, we shall keep each other company.’ The Khalif laughed at his speech; then the damsel took the lute and tuning it, played a measure which made all hearts yearn to her, then sang the following verses:
O ye that to help unhappy lovers are fain! We burn with the fire of love and longing in vain.
Whatever ye do, we merit it: see, we cast Ourselves on your ruth! Do not exult in our pain.
For we are children of sadness and low estate. Do with us what you will; we will not complain.
What were your glory to slay us within your courts? Our fear is but lest you sin in working us bane.
‘By Allah,’ said the Khalif, ‘it is good, O Jaafer! Never in my life have I heard so enchanting a voice!’ ‘Belike,’ said Jaafer, ‘the Khalif’s wrath hath departed from him.’ ‘Yes,’ said the Khalif, ‘it is gone.’ Then they descended from the tree, and the Khalif said to Jaafer, ‘I wish to go in and sit with them and hear the damsel sing before me.’ ‘O Commander of the Faithful,’ replied Jaafer, ‘if thou go in to them, they will most like be troubled and Gaffer Ibrahim will assuredly die of fright.’ ‘O Jaafer,’ said the Khalif, ‘thou must teach me some device, whereby I may foregather with them, without being
