صفحة 247 من 1116

Once upon a time there was a Porter in Baghdad, who was a

bachelor and who would remain unmarried. It came to pass on a

certain day, as he stood about the street leaning idly upon his

crate, behold, there stood before him an honourable woman in a

mantilla of Mosul[FN#138] silk, broidered with gold and bordered

with brocade; her walking shoes were also purfled with gold and

her hair floated in long plaits. She raised her face veil[FN#139]

and, showing two black eyes fringed with jetty lashes, whose

glances were soft and languishing and whose perfect beauty was

ever blandishing, she accosted the Porter and said in the suavest

tones and choicest language, "Take up thy crate and follow me."

The Porter was so dazzled he could hardly believe that he heard

her aright, but he shouldered his basket in hot haste saying in

himself, "O day of good luck! O day of Allah's grace!" and walked

after her till she stopped at the door of a house.