THE SYRIAN AND THE THREE WOMEN OF CAIRO.376

THE SYRIAN AND THE THREE WOMEN OF CAIRO.376

There was a man, a Shámí, who came to the God-guarded city of Misr al-Káhirah—Misr of Mars—and with him was a store of money and merchandize and sumptuous clothing. He hired for himself a room in a caravanserai, and having no slave, he was wont to go forth every day and roam about the city-thoroughfares and cater for himself. Now this continued for a while of time till one day of the days, as he was wandering and diverting his mind by looking to the right and to the left, he was met on the way by three women who were leaning and swaying one towards other as they walked on laughing aloud; and each and every of the three surpassed her fellow in beauty and loveliness. When he looked at them his mustachios curled377 at the sight and he accosted them and addressed the trio, saying, "May it be that ye will drink coffee in my lodging?" "Indeed we will," said they, "and we will make mirth with thee and exceeding merriment, passing even the will of thee." Quoth he, "When shall it be?" and quoth they, "To-night we will come to thy place." He continued, "I am living in a room of Such-and-such a Wakálah."378 and they rejoined, "Do thou make ready for us supper and we will visit thee after the hour of night-prayers." He cried, "These words are well; " so they left him and went their ways; and he, on the return way home, bought flesh and greens and wine and perfumes; then, having reached his room, he cooked five kinds of meats without including rice and conserves, and made ready whatso for the table was suitable. Now when it was supper-time behold, the women came in to him, all three wearing capotes379 over their dresses, and when they had entered they threw these cloaks off their shoulders and took their seats as they were moons. Hereupon the Syrian arose and set before them the food-trays and they ate their sufficiency, after which he served to them the table of wine, whereat they filled and passed to him and he accepted and swilled until his head whirled round, and as often as he looked at any one of them and considered her in her mould of beauty and loveliness he was perplext and his wits were wildered. They ceased not to be after such fashion until the noon o' night.—And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and fell silent and ceased to say her permitted say. Then quoth her sister Dunyazad, "How sweet is thy story, O sister mine, and how enjoyable and delectable!" Quoth she, "And where is this compared with that I would relate to you on the coming night an the King suffer me to survive?" Now when it was the next night and that was