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hearing; how would it be, if we heard it from behind a curtain?’ ‘Come, O Jaafer,’ said the Khalif, ‘let us go up and intrude upon the master of the house; it may be we shall look upon the songstress, face to face.’ ‘I hear and obey,’ answered Jaafer. So they landed and sought admittance; whereupon there came out to them a young man, fair of favour, sweet of speech and eloquent of tongue, who said to them, ‘Welcome and fair welcome, O lords that favour me [with your presence!] Enter in all ease and liberty.’
They followed him into a saloon, four-square, whose roof was decorated with gold and its walls adorned with ultramarine.[1] At its upper end was an estrade, whereon stood a goodly settle[2] and thereon sat a hundred damsels like moons. The young man cried out to them and they came down from their seats. Then he turned to Jaafer and said to him, ‘O my lord, I know not the worshipful of you from the more worshipful, but, in God’s name, let him that is highest in rank among you favour me by taking the highest room, and let his brethren sit each in his several station.’ So they sat down, each according to his rank, whilst Mesrour abode standing to do them service; and the host said to them, ‘O my guests, with your leave, shall I set food before you?’ ‘Yes,’ answered they. So he called for food, whereupon four damsels with girded waists set before them a table, whereon were rare meats of that which flies and walks the earth and swims the seas, sand-grouse and quails and chickens and pigeons [and what not else], and written on the marges of the tray were verses such as sorted with the entertainment.
They ate till they had enough and washed their hands,
