t2 THE ARABIAN NIGHTS.

We lived together thirty years without having any cnildren;
this, however, was no drawback upon my kindness and regard.
Still my desire of offspring was so great, that for this purpose,
and for this only, I purchased a female slave, who had a son of
great promise and expectation. Soon after my wife became in-
fected with jealousy, and consequently took a great aversion
to both mother and child; yet she so well concealed her senti-
ments, that I became acquainted with them, alas, too late.

In the meantime my son grew up; and he was about ten
years old when I was obliged to make a journey. I recom-
mended both the slave and the child to my wife before my
departure, as I had no distrust of her; and prayed her to take
great care of them during my absence, which would not be less
than a year. During this time, she endeavoured to satiate her
hatred. She applied herself to the study of magic; and when
she was sufficiently skilled in that diabolical art to execute the
horrible design she meditated, the wretch carried my son to a
distant place. When there, by her enchantments, she changed
him into a calf, gave him to my steward, and ordered him to
bring him up as a calf, which she said she had bought. She was
not, however, satisfied with this infamous action, but metamor-
phosed the slave into a cow, which she also sent to my steward,

Immediately on my return, I inquired after my child and his
mother. “Your slave is dead,” said she, “and it is now more
than two months since I have beheld your son; nor do J know
what is become of him.” I was sensibly affected at the death
of the slave; but as my son had only disappeared, I flattered
myself that he would soon be found. Eight months, however,
passed, and he did not return; nor could I learn any tidings of
him. In order to celebrate the festival of the great Bairam,
which was approaching, I ordered my steward to bring me the
fattest cow I possessed for a sacrifice. He obeyed my com-
mands, and the cow he brought me was my own slave, the un-
fortunate mother of my son. Having-bound her, I was about to
make the sacrifice, when at the very instant she lowed most
sorrowfully, and the tears even fell from her eyes. This seemed
to me so extraordinary, that I could not but feel compassion for
her, and was unable to give the fatal blow. I therefore ordered
her to be taken away, and another brought.

My wife, who was presents Seemed angry at my compassion.