Once upon a time Al-Malik al-Nбsir399 sent for the Wбlis or Chiefs of Police of Cairo, Bulak, and Fostat400 and said to them, “I desire each of you to recount me the marvellousest thing that hath befallen him during his term of office.” — And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
When it was the Three Hundred and Forty-third Night,
She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that quoth Al-Malik al-Nasir to the three Walis, “I desire each of you to recount me the marvellousest thing which hath befallen him during his term of office.” So they answered, “We hear and we obey.” Then said the Chief of the Police of Cairo, “Know thou, O our lord the Sultan, the most wonderful thing that befel me, during my term of office, was on this wise:” and he began
Richard Francis Burton’s translation: detailed table of contents