only skin and bones remained; the hair of their heads and their nails were quite overgrown, and they sat with their heads reclined on their breasts; two ugly negroes, completely armed, were standing on each side [of the cages].  The young merchant was struck with amazement, and exclaimed, “God bless us.”  When she looked round the other way, she saw another shop, where carpets were spread, on which an ivory stool was placed, with a velvet cushion, and a dog sat thereon, with a collar set with precious stones around his neck, and chained by a chain of gold; and two young handsome servants waited on the dog.  One was shaking [over him] a morchhal [269] with a golden handle, set with precious stones, and the other held an embroidered handkerchief in his hand, with which he [from time to time] wiped the dog’s mouth and feet.  The young merchant, having looked at the animal with great attention, perceived on its collar the twelve large rubies, as she had heard [them described].  She praised God, and began to consider thus:  “By what means can I carry those rubies to the king, and show them to him, and get my father released?” She was plunged in these perplexing reflections; meanwhile, all the people in the square and on the road, seeing her beauty and comeliness, were struck with astonishment, and remained utterly confounded.  All the people said one to another, “Even unto this day, we have never seen a human being of this form and beauty.”  The khwaja [270] also perceived her, and sent a slave, saying, “Go thou and entreat that young merchant to come to me.”

The slave went up to her and delivered his master’s message, and said, “If you will have the kindness, then my master is desirous of [seeing] your honour; pray come and have an interview with him.”  The young merchant indeed wished this very thing, and said in reply, “Very well.” [271] The moment she came near the khwaja, and he had a full view of her, the dart of attachment pierced his breast; he rose up to receive her respectfully, but his senses were utterly bewildered.  The young merchant perceived that “now he is entangled in the net” [of my charms].  They mutually embraced one another; the khwaja kissed the young merchant’s forehead, and made him sit down near him; and asked with much kindness, “inform me of your name and lineage? whence have you come, and where do you intend to go?” The young merchant replied, “This humble servant’s country is Rum, and Constantinople has been for ages the birth-place [of my ancestors.] My father is a merchant; and as he is now from old age unable to travel [from country to country on his mercantile concerns] on this account he has sent me abroad to learn the affairs of commerce.  Until now I had not put my foot out of our door; this is the very first journey that has occurred to me.  I had not courage [272] to come here by sea, I therefore travelled by land; but your excellence and good name is so renowned in this country of ’Ajam [273] that to have the pleasure only of meeting you I have come so far.  At last, by the favour of God, I have had the honour of [sitting in] your noble presence, and have found your good qualities exceed your renown; the wish of my heart is accomplished; God preserve you in safety, I will now set out from hence.”