343
and it is only fitting that thou comply with our wishes; so bring us what we require.’ ‘O my son,’ replied he, ‘there is my buttery before thee.’ (Now this was the store-room provided for the Commander of the Faithful.) ‘Enter and take what thou wilt; there is more there than thou needest.’ So Noureddin entered the pantry and found therein vessels of gold and silver and crystal, incrusted with all kinds of jewels, and was amazed and delighted at what he saw. Then he took what he wanted and set it on and poured the wine into flagons and decanters, whilst Ibrahim brought them fruits and flowers and withdrew and sat down at a distance. So they drank and made merry, till the wine got the mastery of them, so that their cheeks flushed and their eyes sparkled and their hair became dishevelled. Then said Ibrahim to himself, ‘What ails me to sit apart? Why should I not sit with them? When shall I find myself in company with the like of these two, who are like two moons?’ So he came and sat down at the corner of the dais, and Noureddin said to him, ‘O my lord, my life on thee, come and sit with us!’ So he came and sat by them, and Noureddin filled a cup and said to him, ‘Drink, that thou mayst know the flavour of it.’ ‘God forbid!’ replied he. ‘I have not done such a thing these thirteen years.’ Noureddin did not press him, but drank off the cup, and throwing himself on the ground, feigned to be overcome with drunkenness. Then said the damsel, ‘O Gaffer Ibrahim, see how he serves me!’ ‘O my lady,’ replied he, ‘what ails him?’ ‘This is how he always treats me,’ said she; ‘he drinks awhile, then falls asleep and leaves me alone, with none to bear me company over my cup nor to whom I may sing whilst he drinks.’ ‘By Allah,’ said he (and indeed her words touched his heart and made his soul incline to her), ‘this is not well!’ Then she looked at him and filling a cup said to him, ‘I conjure thee, on my life, not to
