“My wife had [already] heard of the [former] conduct and precious qualities of these [brothers of mine,] and of all the treachery they had practised towards me; hearing now from these liars the events [that had occurred], she instantly stabbed herself to death with her dagger, and restored her soul to her Maker.”  O darweshes! [321] when the dog-worshipping khwaja had thus far told us of the adventures and misfortunes, I wept involuntarily on hearing them.  The merchant having perceived [my grief,] said, “Lord of the world! if it were not a want of respect, I would strip myself naked, and show the whole of my body.”  Even on this, to [prove] the truth [of what he had related,] he tore his dress off his shoulders, and showed to us [his person].  In truth, there was not the space of four fingers on it free from wounds; and he took off his turban before me from his head, and there was such a great dint in his skull, that a whole pomegranate might be put into it.  All the officers of state who were present shut their eyes, they had not the power of beholding [the shocking sight].

The khwaja then continued his narrative, saying, “O blessed majesty! when these brothers, as they thought, had finished their work and went away; on the one side, I lay wounded, and on the other side, this dog lay wounded near me.  I lost so much blood from my body, that I had not the least strength or sensation left, and I cannot conceive how life remained.  The spot where I lay was on the boundary of the kingdom of Sarandip, and a very populous city was situated near the place; in that city there was a great pagoda, and the king of that country had a daughter extremely well-favoured and beautiful.

“Many kings and princes were desperately in love with her.  There, the custom of [wearing] the veil was unknown; for which reason the princess used to roam about, hunting all day with her companions.  Near [the spot where I lay] was a royal garden; she had on that day got leave from her father, and had come to that same garden.  Walking about by way of recreation, she chanced to pass over that plain; some female attendants also accompanied her on horseback.  They came to the spot where I lay, hearing my groans, they stopped near me.  Seeing me in this condition, they rode off to the princess, and said, that ’a miserable man and a dog are lying weltering in their blood.’  On hearing this from them, the princess herself came near me, and, afflicted [at the sight,] she said, ‘See if any life still remains.’  Two or three of the attendants dismounted and having examined me, replied, ‘He still breathes.’  The princess instantly ordered them to lay me carefully on a carpet and carry me to the garden.