242 THE ARABIAN NIGHTS’ ENTERTAINMENTS,

 

the elder or the younger of the brothers ever accompanied him, and
this honour they had by turns. Not long after their elevation to the
viziership, as they were conversing together in private after their
evening repast, the next day being the elder brother’s turn to hunt
with the sultan, he said to his younger brother, ‘ Since neither of us is
yet married, and we live so affectionately together, let us both wed the
same day sisters out of some noble family. What do you think of this
plan?’ ‘ Brother,’ answered the other vizier, ‘ there cannot be a better
thought ; I will agree to anything you approve.’ ‘ But this is not all,’
said the elder. ‘Suppose we both have families, you a son and I a
daughter, we will give them to each other in marriage.’ ‘Yea,’ said
Noureddin aloud, ‘such a marriage will perfect our union, and I will-
ingly consent to it. But then, brother,’ said he, further, ‘if thig
marriage should happen, would you expect that my son should settle a
jointure on your daughter?’ ‘There is no difficulty in that,’ replied the
other; ‘for I am persuaded that, besides the usual articles of the
marriage-contract, you will not fail to promise in his name at least
three thousand sequins, three landed estates, and three slaves,’ ‘No,’
said the younger, ‘I will not consent to that. Are we not brethren
and joint viziers? Do not you and I know what is just? The boy
being nobler than the girl, it is your part to give a large dowry with
your daughter. By what I perceive, you are a man that would have
your business done at another’s charge.’

Although Noureddin spoke these words in jest his brother was
offended, and said, ‘A plague upon your son, since you prefer him before
my daughter; you must needs have lost your judgment to think you
are my equal because we are colleagues. I would have you to know
that, since you are so vain, I would not marry my daughter to your son
though you would give him more than you are worth. It does not
become a younger brother to speak so insolently to his elder as you
have done tome.’ Upon this he retired to his apartment in anger.

Schemseddin, rising early next morning, attended the sultan, who
went to hunt near the Pyramids. As for Noureddin, he, supposing it
would not be possible to live longer with a brother who had spoken go
roughly to him, provided a stout mule, furnished himself with money
and jewels, and having told his people that he was going on a private
journey for two or three days, departed from the city. és

When out of Cairo, he rode by way of the desert towards Arabia ;
but on his mule becoming lame, he was forced to continue hig journey
on foot. A courier who was going to Bussorah, by good fortune over-
taking him, took him up behind him. As soon as the courier reached
that city Noureddin alighted, and returned him thanks for his kindness.
As he went about to seek for a lodging, he saw an officer of high rank
with a numerous retinue, to whom all the people showed the greatest
respect, and stood still till he had passed. This was the grand vizier
to the Sultan of Bussorah, who was going through the city to see that
the inhabitants kept good order and discipline,