be some high-born lady and doubted not but the Prince had brought
her thither on the horse and left her in the pavilion, whilst he
went to the city, to make ready for her entry in state procession
with all splendor. Then he went up to her and kissed the earth
between her hands, whereupon she raised her eyes to him and,
finding him exceedingly foul of face and favour, asked, "Who art
thou?"; and he answered, "O my lady, I am a messenger sent by the
Prince who hath bidden me bring thee to another pleasance nearer
the city; for that my lady the Queen cannot walk so far and is
unwilling, of her joy in thee, that another should forestall her
with thee." Quoth she, "Where is the Prince?"; and quoth the
Persian, "He is in the city, with his sire and forthwith he shall
come for thee in great state." Said she, "O thou! say me, could
he find none handsomer to send to me?"; whereat loud laughed the
Sage and said, "Yea verily, he hath not a Mameluke as ugly as I
am; but, O my lady, let not the ill-favour of my face and the
foulness of my form deceive thee. Hadst thou profited of me as
hath the Prince, verily thou wouldst praise my affair. Indeed, he
chose me as his messenger to thee, because of my uncomeliness and
loathsomeness in his jealous love of thee; else hath he Mamelukes
and negro slaves, pages, eunuchs and attendants out of number,
each goodlier than other." Whenas she heard this, it commended
itself to her reason and she believed him; so she rose
forthright;--And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased
saying her permitted say.

When it was the Three Hundred and Sixty-seventh Night,

She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the
Persian sage acquainted the Princess with the case of the King's