第78章 NOUREDDIN ALI OF CAIRO AND HIS SON BEDREDDIN HASSA

Then said the King'Thou hast done wellO Hassanand hast acquitted thyself most excellently. But tell me how many meanings hath the word khal in the Arabic language.'Fifty，'replied Hassan'and some say eight and-fifty.'Quoth the King，'Thou art right. Canst thou tell me the points of excellence in beauty？'Yes，'answered Bedreddin'Brightness of facepurity of skinshapeliness in the nosesoftness in the eyessweetness in the mouthelegance in speechslenderness of shape and quickness of wit；and the perfection of beauty is in the hair.

And indeed Es Shihab el Hijazi has brought them all together in the following doggrel：

Say to the face'Be bright，'and to the skinsay'SeeI show thee what befits thee best： 'tis purity.'

For elegance of shape the nose we chiefly prizeAnd languor soft it isthat best becomes the eyes.

Then say unto the mouth'Sweetnessbut mark thou me；Let fragrancy of breath fail never unto thee.'

Chaste be the speechthe shape be slender and well knitAnd quickness mark the thoughtthe manners and the wit.

Then say that in the hair is ever beauty's prime. Give ear to me and eke forgive my doggrel rhyme.'

The Sultan rejoiced in his converse and said to him 'What is the meaning of the popular saying'Shureih is more cunning than the fox'？'KnowO King，'answered Bedreddin'may God aid thee！

that Shureih was wont during the days of the plagueto go out to Nejefand whenever he stood up to praythere came a fox，which would plant itself over against him and distract him from his devotions by mimicking his movements. This went on for some timetill the man became weary of it；so one day he took off his shirt and put it on a cane and shook out the sleeves. Then he set his turban on top of the cane and tied a girdle round the middle of the effigy and planted it in the place where he used to say his prayers. Presently up came the foxaccording to his wont，and stood over against the figure；whereupon Shureih came behind him and took him： hence the saying.'When the Sultan heard Bedreddin's explanationhe said to his uncle Shemseddin，'Verilythis thy nephew is perfect in all kinds of culture. I do not believe that his like is to be found in Egypt.'At this，Bedreddin arose and kissed the earth and sat down again in the posture of a servant before his master. When the Sultan had thus assured himself of his proficiency in the liberal arts，he rejoiced greatly and bestowing on him a splendid dress of honourinvested him with an officewhereby he might better his condition. Then Bedreddin arose and kissing the earth before the Kingwished him enduring glory and craved leave to retire. The Sultan gave him leave；so he returned home with his uncle and they set food before them and they ateafter which Bedreddin repaired to his wife's apartment and told her what had passed between the Sultan and himself. Quoth she'He cannot fail to make thee his boon-companion and load thee with favours and presents；and by the grace of Godthe splendours of thy perfections shall shine like the greater lightwherever thou goestby land or sea.'Then said he'I purpose to make an ode in the King's praisethat he may redouble in affection for me.'That is well thought，'replied she. 'Consider it well and word thy thought elegantlyand I doubt not but it will procure thee his favour.'So Bedreddin shut himself up and composed the following verseswhich he copied in an ornamental hand：

My King hath reached the height of lordlihead；The shining path of virtue he cloth tread.

His justice blocks the ways against his foes And peace and plenty showers on every stead.

Bold as a lionpiousquick of witAngel or Kinghe's whichsoe'er is said.

He sends the suppliant content away. Words failindeedto paint his goodlihead.

In time of giftshe's like the brilliant moon；Like nightin battlelowering and dread.

Our necks are girt with his munificence；He rules by favours on the noble shed.

May God prolong his life for our behoof And ward the blows of Fortune from his head.

When he had finished transcribing the poemhe despatched it by one of his uncle's slaves to the Kingwho perused itand it gladdened his heart；so he read it out to those present before him and they praised it exceedingly. Then he sent for Bedreddin to his sitting-chamber and said to him'Henceforth thou art my boon-companion and I appoint thee a stipend of a thousand dirhems a monthover and above what I have already given thee.'

So he arose and kissing the earth three times before the Sultan，wished him abiding glory and length of life. Then Bedreddin increased in honour and estateso that his report spread into all countriesand he abode in the enjoyment of all the delights and comforts of lifehe and his uncle and familytill Death overtook him.'

When the Khalif Haroun er Reshid heard this story from the mouth of his Vizier Jaaferhe wondered and said'It behoves that these stories be written in letters of gold.'Then he set the slave at liberty and assigned the young man who had killed his wife such a monthly allowance as sufficed to make his life easy.

Moreover he gave him one of his female slaves to wifeand he became one of his boon-companions.