Note 72 — THE STORY OF THE THREE SHARPERS.[17]

MS. vol. iii., pp. 142–168. Scott, “Story of the First Lunatic,” pp. 31–44. Gauttier, Histoire du Premier Fou, vol. vi. 187. It is identical with No. ii. of Chavis and Cazotte, translated by C. de Perceval, Le Bimaristan (i.e. the Hospital), ou Histoire du jeune Marchand de Bagdad et de la Dame inconnue (vol. viii. pp. 179–180). Heron terms it the “Story of Halechalbe (Ali Chelebi?) and the Unknown Lady,” and the narrative is provided with a host of insipid and incorrect details, such as “A gentleman enjoying his pipe.” The motif of this tale is common in Arab folk-lore, and it first appears in the “Tale of Azíz and Azízah,” ii 328. A third variant will occur further on.