She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the Wazir reached the merchant’s counting-house he asked for the box.  The man accordingly repaired in haste to his pavilion, contrary to his custom and knocked at the door.  When his wife was ware of him, she hurried the Prince back into the chest, but, in her confusion, forgot to lock it.  The merchant bade the porters take it up and carry it to his house in the town.  So they took up the box by the lid, whereupon it flew open and lo! the Prince was lying within.  When the merchant saw him and knew him for the King’s son, he went out to the Wazir and said to him, “Go in, thou, and take the King’s son; for none of us may lay hands on him.”  So the Minister went in and taking the Prince, went away with him.  As soon as they were gone, the merchant put away his wife and swore that he would never marry again.  “And,” continued the damsel, “I have heard tell, also, O King, a tale of

The Page who Feigned to Know the Speech of Birds.[FN#207]

A certain man of rank once entered the slave-market and saw a page being cried for sale; so he bought him and carrying him home, said to his wife, “Take good care of him.”  The lad abode there for a while till, one day, the man said to his wife, “Go forth to-morrow to the garden and take thy solace therein and amuse thyself and enjoy thyself.”  And she replied, “With love and gladness!” Now when the page heard this, he made ready in secret meat and drink and fruits and desert, and sallied forth with them privily that night to the garden, where he laid the meat under one tree, the wine under another and the fruit and conserves under a third, in the way his mistress must pass.  When morning morrowed the husband bade him accompany the lady to that garden carrying with him all the provisions required for the day; so she took horse and riding thither with him, dismounted and entered.  Presently, as they were walking about, a crow croaked,[FN#208] and the page said, “Thou sayst sooth;” whereupon his mistress asked him, “Dost thou know what the crow said?”; and he answered, “Yes, O my lady, he said, Under yonder tree is meat; go and eat it.”  So she said, “I see thou really dost understand them;” then she went up to the tree and, finding a dish of meat ready dressed, was assured that the youth told the truth and marvelled with exceeding marvel.  They ate of the meat and walked about awhile, taking their pleasure in the garden, till the crow croaked a second time, and the page again replied, “Thou sayst sooth.”  “What said he?” quoth the lady, and quoth the page, “O my lady, he saith that under such a tree are a gugglet of water flavoured with musk and a pitcher of old wine.”  So she went up with him to the tree and, finding the wine and water there, redoubled in wonderment and the page was magnified in her eyes.  They sat down and drank, then arose and walked in another part of the garden.  Presently the crow croaked again and the page said, “Thou sayst sooth.”  Said