of their dust healed all my hurt
     of eyne. 
With one embrace again I bound the banner of our loves[FN#351] *
     And loosed the knot of my delight that bound in bonds
     malign: 
Then bade I make high festival, and straight came flocking in *
     Pure joys that know not grizzled age[FN#352] nor aught of
     pain and pine: 
The full moon dotted with the stars the lips and pearly teeth *
     That dance right joyously upon the bubbling face of wine: 
So in the prayer-niche of their joys I yielded me to what *
     Would make the humblest penitent of sinner most indign. 
I swear by all the signs[FN#353] of those glories in his face *
     I’ll ne’er forget the Chapter entituled Al-Ikhlas."[FN#354]

Then Queen Budur told Kamar al-Zaman all that had befallen her from beginning to end and he did likewise; after which he began to upbraid her, saying, “What moved thee to deal with me as thou hast done this night?” She replied, “Pardon me! for I did this by way of jest, and that pleasure and gladness might be increased.”  And when dawned the morn and day arose with its sheen and shone, she sent to King Armanus, sire of the Lady Hayat al-Nufus, and acquainted him with the truth of the case and that she was wife to Kamar al-Zaman.  Moreover, she told him their tale and the cause of their separation, and how his daughter was a virgin, pure as when she was born.  He marvelled at their story with exceeding marvel and bade them chronicle it in letters of gold.  Then he turned to Kamar al-Zaman and said, “O King’s son, art thou minded to become my son-in-law by marrying my daughter?” Replied he, “I must consult the Queen Budur, as she hath a claim upon me for benefits without stint.”  And when he took counsel with her, she said, “Right is thy recking; marry her and I will be her handmaid; for I am her debtor for kindness and favour and good offices, and obligations manifold, especially as we are here in her place and as the King her father hath whelmed us with benefits."[FN#355] Now when he saw that she inclined to this and was not jealous of Hayat al-Nufus, he agreed with her upon this matter.—­And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

       When it was the Two Hundred and Seventeenth Night,

She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Kamar al-Zaman agreed with his wife, Queen Budur, upon this matter and told King Armanus what she had said; whereat he rejoiced with great joy.  Then he went out and, seating himself upon his chair of estate, assembled all the Wazirs, Emirs, Chamberlains and Grandees, to whom he related the whole story of Kamar al-Zaman and his wife, Queen Budur, from first to last; and acquainted them with his desire to marry his daughter Hayat al-Nufus to the Prince and make him King in the stead of Queen Budur.  Whereupon said they all, “Since he is the husband of Queen Budur, who hath been our King till now, whilst we