书城公版Volume Three
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第113章 ALAEDDIN ABOU ESH SHAMAT.(23)

Meanwhile,the Kings son went in to waken his father,but found him slain and seeing the scroll,took it and read. Then he sought his sister and finding her not,betook himself to the old woman in the church,of whom he enquired of her,but she said,I have not seen her since yesterday.'So he returned to the troops and cried out,saying,To horse,cavaliers!'Then he told them what had happened,and they mounted and rode after the fugitives,till they drew near the pavilion. Presently,Husn Meryem looked up and saw a cloud of dust,which spread till it covered the prospect,then lifted and discovered her brother and his troops,crying aloud and saying,Whither will ye fly,and we on your track!'

Then said she to Alaeddin,Art thou steadfast in battle?Even as the stake in bran,'answered he;I know not war nor battle,neither swords nor spears.'So she pulled out the jewel and rubbed the fifth face,that on which were depictured a horse and his rider,and straightway a horseman appear out of the desert and driving at the pursuing host,ceased not to do battle with them and smite them with the sword,till he routed them and put them to flight. Then said the princess to Alaeddin,Wilt thou go to Cairo or to Alexandria?And he answered,To Alexandria.'

So they mounted the couch and she pronounced over it the conjuration,whereupon it set off with them and brought them to Alexandria in the twinkling of an eye. They alighted without the city and Alaeddin hid the women in a cavern,whilst he went into Alexandria and fetched them veils and outer clothing,wherewith he covered them. Then he carried them to his ship and leaving them in the room behind it,went forth to fetch them the morning meal,when he met Ahmed ed Denef coming from Baghdad. He saw him in the street and received him with open arms,embracing him and welcoming him. Ed Denef gave him the good news of his son Aslan and how he was now come to the age of twenty;and Alaeddin,in his turn,told the captain of the guard all that had befallen him,whereat he marvelled exceedingly. Then he brought him to his lodging,where they passed the night;and next day he sold his shop and laid its price with his other monies. Now Ed Denef had told him that the Khalif sought him;but he said,I am bound first for Cairo,to salute my father and mother and the people of my house.'So they all mounted the couch and it carried them to Cairo the Happy,where they alighted in the street called Yellow,where stood Shemseddins house. Alaeddin knocked at the door,and his mother said,Who is at the door,now that we have lost our beloved?It is I,Alaeddin,'replied he;whereupon they came down and embraced him. Then he sent his wives and baggage into the house and entering himself with Ahmed ed Denef,rested there three days,after which he was minded to set out for Baghdad and his father said,O my son,abide with me.'But he answered,I cannot brook to be parted from my son Aslan.'So he took his father and mother and set out for Baghdad. When they came thither,Ahmed ed Denef went in to the Khalif and gave him the glad tidings of Alaeddins arrival and told him his story;

whereupon the Prince went forth to meet him,accompanied by his son Aslan,and they met and embraced each other. Then the Khalif sent for Ahmed Kemakim and said to Alaeddin,Up and avenge thee of thine enemy!'So he drew his sword and smote off Ahmeds head.

Then the Khalif held festival for Alaeddin and summoning the Cadis and the witnesses,married him to the princess Husn Meryem;

and he went in to her and found her an unpierced pearl. Moreover,the Khalif made Aslan Chief of the Sixty and bestowed upon him and his father sumptuous dresses of honour;and they abode in the enjoyment of all the comforts and pleasures of life,till there came to them the Destroyer of Delights and the Sunderer of Companies.