goodliest and chiefest place. Then I went forth and brought them
what they should eat at the first of the day; moreover, I went
out also and fetched them what they should eat at the last of the
day and brought them wine and dessert and fruits and flowers. On
this wise I abode in their service, standing on my feet, and she
said not unto me, "Sit," nor "Take, eat" nor "Take, drink," what
while she and the young man sat toying and laughing, and he fell
to kissing her and pinching her and hopping about upon the ground
and laughing.

They abode thus awhile and presently she said, "Up to now we have
not become drunken; let me pour out." So she took the cup and
gave him to drink and plied him with liquor, till he became
drunken, when she took him and carried him into a closet. Then
she came out, with his head in her hand, what while I stood
silent, fixing not mine eyes on hers neither questioning her of
this; and she said to me, "What is this?" "I know not," answered
I; and she said, "Take it and cast it into the river." I obeyed
her commandment and she arose and stripping herself of her
clothes, took a knife and cut the dead man's body in pieces,
which she laid in three baskets, and said to me, "Throw them into
the river."

I did as she bade me and when I returned, she said to me, "Sit,
so I may relate to thee yonder fellow's case, lest thou be
affrighted at that which hath befallen him. Thou must know that I
am the Khalif's favourite, nor is there any more in honour with
him than I; and I am allowed six nights in each month, wherein I
go down [into the city and take up my abode] with my [former]
mistress, who reared me; and when I go down thus, I dispose of