And whenas came the night, quoth Dunyazad to her sister, “O sister mine, an thou incline not unto sleep, pray finish thy tale which shall beguile our watching through the dark hours.” She replied: — With love and gladness! It hath reached me, O generous King, that the young merchant betook himself to the place before the citadel, where he foregathered with the dancers, the drummers and pipers and instructed them how they should do, promising them a mighty fine reward. They received his word with “Hearing and obeying;” and he betook himself on the morrow, after the morning prayer, to the presence of the Judge, who received him with humble courtesy and seated him by his side. Then he addressed him and began questioning him of matters of selling and buying and of the price current of the various commodities which were carried to Baghdad from all quarters, whilst his son-in-law replied to all whereof he was questioned. As they were thus conversing, behold, up came the dancers and drummers with their drums and pipers with their pipes, whilst one of their number preceded them, with a long pennon-like banner in his hand, and played all manner antics with voice and limbs. When they came to the Court-house, the Kazi cried, “I seek refuge with Allah from yonder Satans!” and the young merchant laughed but said naught. Then they entered and saluting his worship the Kazi, kissed Ala al-Din’s hands and said, “A blessing on thee, O son of our uncle! Indeed, thou coolest our eyes in whatso thou doest, and we beseech Allah for the enduring greatness of our lord the Kazi, who hath honoured us by admitting thee to his connection and hath allotted to us a portion in his high rank and degree.” When the Judge heard this talk, it bewildered his wit and he was dazed and his face flushed with rage, and quoth he to his son-in-law, “What words are these?” Quoth the merchant, “Knowest thou not, O my lord, that I am of this tribe? Indeed this man is the son of my maternal uncle and that other the son of my paternal uncle, and if I be reckoned of the merchants, ’tis but by courtesy!” When the Kazi heard these words his colour changed — And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, whereupon cried Dunyazad her sister, “O sister mine, how delectable is thy story and how desirable!” She replied, saying, “And where is its first compared with its last? But I will forthwith relate it to you an I be spared and suffered to live by the King, whom may Allah the Most High keep!” Quoth the King within himself, “By the Almighty, I will not slay her until I hear the end of her tale!”
Richard Francis Burton’s translation: detailed table of contents