your highness; whether you may apply it or not, that you only know.”  At last the Almighty [164] softened the heart of that stony-hearted one; she became gracious and said, “Send immediately for the royal physicians.”  In a short time they came and assembled [around me]; they felt my pulse and examined my urine with much deliberation; at last it was settled in their praegnosis, that “this person is in love with some one; except the being united with the beloved object, there is no other cure; whenever he possesses her he will be well.”  When from the declaration of the physicians my complaint was thus confirmed, the fair lady said, “Carry this young man to the warm bath, and after bathing him and dressing him in fine clothes, bring him to me.”  They instantly carried me out, and after bathing me and clothing me well, they led me before the lovely angel; then that beautiful creature said with kindness, “Thou hast constantly, and for nothing, got me censured and dishonoured; now what more dost thou wish?  Whatever is in thy heart, speak it out quite plainly?”

O, Darweshes! [165] at that moment my emotions were such that [I thought] I should have died with joy, and- swelled so greatly with pleasure, that my jama [166] could hardly contain me, and my countenance and appearance became changed; I praised God, and said to her, this moment all the art of physic is centered in you, who have restored a corpse like me to life with a single word; behold, from that time to this, what a change has taken place in my circumstances [by the kindness you have shewn].”  After saying this, I went round her three times, [167] and standing before her, I said, “your commands are that I should speak whatever I have in my heart; this boon is more precious to your slave than the empire of the seven climes; then be generous and accept this wretch! keep me at your feet and elevate me,” On hearing this ejaculation, she became thoughtful for a moment; then regarding me askance, she said, “Sit down; your services and fidelity have been such that whatever you say becomes you; they are also engraven on my heart.  Well; I comply with your request.”

The same day, in a happy hour, and under a propitious star the kazi [168] quite privately performed the marriage rites.  After so much trouble and afflictions, God shewed me this happy day, when I gained the desires of my heart; but in the same degree that my heart wished to possess this angelic lady, it felt equally anxious and uneasy to know the explication of those strange events [which had occurred]; for, up to that day I knew nothing about who she was; or who was that brown, handsome negro, who on seeing a bit of paper, delivered to me so many bags of gold; and how that princely entertainment was prepared in the space of one pahar; and why those two innocent persons were put to death after the entertainment; and the cause of the anger and ingratitude she showed me after all my services and kindnesses; and then all at once to elevate this wretch [to the height of happiness.].  In short, I was so anxious to develop these strange circumstances and doubts, that for eight days after the marriage ceremonies, notwithstanding my great affection for her, I did not attempt to consummate the rites of wedlock.  I merely slept with her at night, and got up in the morning “re non effecta.”