whom the randy motts entrap * Shall never see deliverance! Though build he forts a thousand-fold, * Whose mighty strength lead-plates enhance, [1] Their force shall be of no avail; * These fortresses have not a chance! Women aye deal in treachery * To far and near o'er earth's expanse With fingers dipt in Henna-blood * And locks in braids that mad the glance; And eyelids painted o'er with Kohl * They gar us drink of dire mischance.' And how excellently saith another,
'Women, for all the chastity they claim, * Are offal cast by kites where'er they list: This night their talk and secret charms are shine, * That night another joyeth calf and wrist: Like inn, whence after night thou far'st at dawn, * And lodges other wight thou hast not wist.'" [2]
Now when King Shahriman heard these his son's words and learnt the import of his verses and poetical quotations, he made no answer, of his excessive love for him, but redoubled in graciousness and kindness to him. He at once broke up the audience and, as soon as the seance was over, he summoned his Minister and taking him apart, said to him, "O thou the Wazir! tell me how I shall deal with my son in the matter of marriage."--And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted stay.
When it was the One Hundred and Seventy-second Night,
She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the King summoned his Minister; and, taking him apart, said to him, "O thou the Wazir, tell me what I shall do with my son in the matter of marriage. Of a truth I took counsel with thee thereon and thou didst counsel me to marry him, before making him King. I have spoken with him of wedlock time after time and he still gainsaid me; so do thou, O Wazir, forthright advise me what to do." Answered the Minister, "O King, wait another year and, if after that thou be minded to speak to him on the matter of marriage, speak not to him privily, but address him on a day of state, when
