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accompanied by ten others of the same colour, which went up to the dead serpent and tore it in pieces, till but the head was left. Then they went their ways and I fell prostrate for weariness on the ground where I stood; but, as I lay, pondering my case, I heard a voice repeat the following verses, though I saw no one:
Let destiny with slackened rein its course appointed fare And lie thou down by night to sleep with heart devoid of care.
For, ’twixt the closing of the eyes and th’ opening thereof, God hath it in His power to change a case from foul to fair.
When I heard this, great concern got hold of me and I was beyond measure troubled; and I heard a voice from behind me repeat these verses also:
Muslim, whose guide’s the Koran and his due, Rejoice, for succour cometh thee unto.
Let not the wiles of Satan make thee rue, For we’re a folk whose creed’s the One, the True.
Then said I, “I conjure thee by Him whom thou worshippest, let me know who thou art!” Thereupon the unseen speaker appeared to me, in the likeness of a man, and said, “Fear not; for the report of thy good deed hath reached us, and we are a people of the true-believing Jinn. So, if thou lack aught, let us know it, that we may have the pleasure of fulfilling thy need.” “Indeed,” answered I, “I am in sore need, for there hath befallen me a grievous calamity, whose like never yet befell man.” Quoth he, “Surely, thou art Abou Mohammed the Lazy?” And I answered, “Yes.” “O Abou Mohammed,” rejoined the genie, “I am the brother of the white serpent, whose enemy thou slewest. We are four brothers, by one father and mother, and we are all indebted to thee for thy kindness. Know that he who played this trick on thee, in the likeness of an ape, is a Marid of the Marids of the Jinn; and had he not used this artifice, he had never been able to take the girl; for
