Thousand & One Nights 185th Night: The Wealthy Man & The Slave Girl - 15

The following night Shahrazad said:

I heard, O happy King, that Abu al-Hasan, the druggist related later:

After I told the jeweler my plan, and asked him to keep it a secret, I prepared myself at once, and set out for Basra.

Four days later, the jewele came to the shop and  found it closed.

Later, the jeweler related the following:

I think of a way to gain Ali ibn Bakkar's confidence and going to his

house, I said to one of his servants, "Ask your master Ali ibn Bakkar to grant me leave to go in."

The leave was granted, and when I went in, I found Ali ibn Bakkar lying back on a pillow.  When he saw me, he raised himself, and standing up, received me with a cheerful mien and  bade me welcome.  I inquired about his health and apologized for the delay of my visit, and he thanked me profusely, and said, "Perhaps there is something you would like me to give you or do for you?"

I replied, "For sometime there has been between me and Abu al-Hasan Al Attar - May God save him- a business as well as personal relationship based on friendship and 

mutual affection.  I have liked him and trusted him and have confided in him and received his confidence.  It happened that I had to be away from him for several days on some business with some colleagues, and when I came back, and went to his shop and usual, I found it closed and was told by one of his neighbours that he had gone to Basra on some business that required his personal attention.  But I am not satisfied with this explanation, and knowing what close friends you two have been, tell me truly and in detail all you know, for I have come to you to plead, investigate and find out."  When Ali ibn-Bakkar heard what I said, his colour changed, and looked visibly shaken.

He replied, "I have never heard or had any inkling of his departure until you told me.  What you say, if it is true, makes me feel sobered, alarmed, discouraged, and worn out."  Then he sobbed and recited the following verses:

I weep for the errors of past

While those I love were present 

Now the fate has taken them away

I shed my tears for them and will.

The tears of no man like mine

To be shared by living and dead.

He lowered his head pensively, and a while later he turned to one of his servants, and said, "Go to Abu al-Hasan ibn Tahir's house and inquire whether he is at home or whether, as has been claimed, he is gone on a journey.  If so, find out where he went and for what purpose."

The servant went out, while I sat conversing with Ali ibn Bakkar, who.seemed perplexed as he asked and answered questions, now paying ayy to me, now listening absentmindedly.  After a while the servant came back and said, "My lord, when I inquired about Abu al-Hasan, his people told me that he went to Basra two days ago.  There I saw a girl standing at the door, and she too was inquiring about him.  She saw me, and recognised me, and although I myself did not recognise her.  She inquired whether I was a servant of Ali ibn-Bakkar, and I said that I was.  Then she claimed that she was carrying a message for you from one who is the dearest to you.  She is now standing at the door.  Ali ibn Bakkar said, "Bring her in."  And in came a girl whom the jeweler recognised from an earlier description of her hy Abu al-Hasan ibn Tahir al Attar, except that she looked even lovelier.  She advanced and greeted Ali ibn Bakkar.

But morning overtook and Shahrazad lapsed into silence.