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four fishes were therein exactly like the first. These he at once

carried to the Wazir, who went in with them to the cook maiden

and said, "Up with thee and fry these in my presence, that I may

see this business." The damsel arose and cleansed the fish, and

set them in the frying pan over the fire; however they remained

there but a little while ere the wall clave asunder and the young

lady appeared, clad as before and holding in hand the wand which

she again thrust into the frying pan, saying, "O fish! O fish! be

ye constant to your olden covenant?" And behold, the fish lifted

their heads, and repeated "Yes! Yes!" and recited this couplet:

Come back and so will I! Keep faith and so will I! * But if ye

fain forsake, I'll requite till quits we cry!

And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her

permitted say.

When it was the Seventh Night,