6 THE ARABIAN NIGHTS.

The sultan, when Scheherazadé was presented to him, was
charmed with her beauty, and readily agreed to her wish re-
specting Dinarzadé, who, having awoke about an hour before
day, did not fail to do what her sister had ordered her. “ My
dear sister,” she said, “if you are not asleep, I entreat you, as it
will soon be light, to relate to me one of those delightful tales you
know. It will, alas, be the last time I shall receive that pleasure.”

Instead of returning any answer to her sister, Scheherazadé
addressed these words to the sultan :—“ Will your majesty per-
mit me to indulge my sister in her request?” “Freely,” re-
plied he. Scheherazadé then desired her sister to attend, and,
addressing herself to the sultan, began as follows :—

CORA ONO DIO~

THE STORY OF THE MERCHANT AND THE
GENIUS.

 
 
  

FS WHERE was formerly a merchant, who was possessed of
great wealth in land, merchandise, and ready money.
He had a numerous set of clerks, factors, and slaves ;
and, from the great extent of his commercial trans-
actions, he was from time to time obliged to take various journeys
in order to arrange his affairs in person with his correspondents,
Having one day an affair of great importance to settle at a con-
siderable distance from home, he mounted his horse, and with
only 2,sart of cloak-bag behind him, in which he had put a few
biscuits and dates, he began his journey. This provision was
absolutely necessary, as he was obliged to pass over a desert,
where it was impossible to procure any kind of food. He arrived
without any accident at the place of his destination ; and having
finished his business, he set out on his return.

On the fourth day of his journey, he felt himself so incom-
moded by the sun, and the heated surface of the earth, that he
turned out of his road, in order to rest and refresh himself
under some trees, which he saw at a distance. At the foot of
a large walnut-tree he perceived a very transparent and cool
fountain. He immediately alighted, and tying his horse to a
branch of the tree, sat down on its ,bank, having first taken
some biscuits and dates from his little store. While he was