conversation! Haply he would lighten thy burthen, so we might enjoy
thy singing: but his being on board is far from possible.” However she
said, “I cannot smite lute-string or sing sundry airs I was wont to sing
whilst my lord is with us.” Quoth the Hashimi, “Let us ask the sailors;”
and quoth she, “Do so.” He questioned them, saying, “Have ye carried
anyone with you?”; and they answered, “No.” Then I feared lest the
enquiry should end there; so I laughed and said, “Yes; I am her master
and taught her whenas I was her lord.” Cried she, “By Allah, that is my
lord’s voice!” Thereupon the pages carried me to the Hashimi, who knew
me at first sight and said to me, “Out on thee! What plight is this in
which I see thee and what hath brought thee to such condition?” I
related to him all that had befallen me of my affair, weeping the while,
and the damsel made loud wail from behind the curtain. The Hashimi wept
with sore weeping, he and his brethren, for pity of me, and he said, “By
Allah, I have not drawn near this damsel nor enjoyed her, nor have I
even heard her sing till this day! I am a man to whom Allah hath been
ample and I came to Baghdad but to hear singing and seek my allowances
of the Commander of the Faithful. I accomplished both my needments and
being about to return home, said to myself, ‘Let us hear some what of
the singing of Baghdad.’ Wherefore I bought this damsel, knowing not
that such was the case with you twain; and I take Allah to witness that,
when I reach Bassorah I will free her and marry her to thee and assign
you what shall suffice you, and more; but on condition that, whenever I
have a mind to hear music, a curtain shall be hung for her and she shall
sing to me from behind it, and thou shalt be of the number of my
brethren and boon-companions.” Hereat I rejoiced and the Hashimi put his
head within the curtain and said to her, “Will that content thee?”;
whereupon she fell to blessing and thanking him. Then he called a
servant and said to him, “T