第55章 THE PORTER AND THE THREE LADIES OF BAGHDAD.(30)

Right in my midst a springing fountain wellsWhose waters banish anguish and despite，Whose marge with rosenarcissuscamomileAnemone and myrtle，is bedight.

The old woman knocked at the gatewhich opened；and we entered a carpeted vestibule hung with lighted lamps and candles and adorned with pendants of precious stones and minerals. Through this we passed into a saloonwhose like is not to be found in the worldhung and carpeted with silken stuffs and lighted by hanging lamps and wax candles in rows. At the upper end stood a couch of juniper-woodset with pearls and jewels and canopied with curtains of satinlooped up with pearls. Hardly had I taken note of all thiswhen there came out from the alcove a young lady more perfect than the moon at its fullwith a forehead brilliant as the morningwhen it shines fortheven as says the poet：

Upon the imperial necks she walksa loveling brightFor bride-chambers of kings and emperors bedight.

The blossom of her cheek is red as dragon's bloodAnd all her face is flowered with roses red and white.

Slender and sleepy-eyed and languorous of gaitAll manner loveliness is in her sweetest sight.

The locks upon her brow are like a troubled nightFrom out of which there shines a morning of delight.

She came down from the dais and said to me'Welcomea thousand times welcome to the dear and illustrious sister！'and she recited the following verses：

If the house knew who visits itit would indeed rejoice And stoop to kiss the happy place whereon her feet have stood；

And in the voice with which the casethough muteyet speaks，exclaim'Welcome and many a welcome to the generous and good！'

Then she sat down and said to me'O my sisterI have a brother，who is handsomer than I；and he saw thee at certain festivals and assemblies and fell passionately in love with theefor that thou art possessed of beauty and grace beyond thy share. He heard that thou wast thine own mistresseven as he also is the head of his familyand wished to make thine acquaintance；wherefore he used this device to bring thee in company with me；for he desires to marry thee according to the law of God and His prophetand there is no shame in what is lawful.'When I heard what she saidI bethought me that I was fairly entrapped and answered'I hear and obey.'At this she was glad and clapped her handswhereupon a door opened and out came the handsomest of young menelegantly dressed and perfect in beauty and symmetry and winning grace，with eyebrows like a bended bow and eyes that ravished hearts with lawful enchantmentseven as says a poetdescribing the like of him：

His face is like unto the new moon's face With signs like pearlsof fortune and of grace.

And God bless him who said：

He hath indeed been blest with beauty and with graceAnd blest be He who shaped and fashioned forth his face！

All rarest charms that be unite to make him fairHis witching loveliness distracts the human race.

Beauty itself hath set these words upon his brow'Except this youth there's none that's fair in any place.'

When I looked at himmy heart inclined to him and I loved him；and he sat down by me and talked with me awhile. Presently the young lady clapped her hands a second timeand beholda side door opened and there came out a Cadi and four witnesseswho saluted and sitting downdrew up the contract of marriage between me and the young man and retired. Then he turned to me and said'May our night be blessed！O my mistressI have a condition to lay on thee.'Quoth I'O my lordwhat is it？'