he set before me that which was with him and I ate a single
mouthful and went out, running, so haply I might overtake that
which had escaped me.[FN#179] When I came to the palace, I saw
over against it eight-and-thirty gibbets set up, whereon were
eight-and-thirty men crucified, and under them eight-and-thirty
concubines as they were moons. So I enquired of the reason of the
crucifixion of the men and concerning the women in question, and
it was said unto me, 'The men [whom thou seest] crucified the
Khalif found with yonder damsels, who are his favourites.' When I
heard this, I prostrated myself in thanksgiving to God and said,
'God requite thee with good, O my friend!' For that, had he not
invited me [and kept me perforce in his house] that night, I had
been crucified with these men, wherefore praise be to God!


Thus," continued Shehrzad, "none is safe from the calamities of
fortune and the vicissitudes of time, and [in proof of this], I
will relate unto thee yet another story still rarer and more
extraordinary than this. Know, O King, that one said to me, 'A
friend of mine, a merchant, told me the following story. Quoth
he,





THE MERCHANT OF CAIRO AND THE FAVOURITE
OF THE KHALIF EL MAMOUN EL HAKIM BI
AMRILLAH.[FN#180]