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as they were ingots of virgin silver. Then they plunged into the lake and swam about, laughing and frolicking. Quoth the eldest, ‘O my sister, I fear lest there be some one lying in wait for us in the pavilion.’ ‘O sister, answered the second, ‘since the days of King Solomon, none hath entered the pavilion, be he man or genie. ‘By Allah, O my sisters,’ added the youngest, laughing, ‘if there be any hidden there, he will assuredly take none but me.’
Then they swam out to the middle of the lake, and when Janshah, who was watching them, with a heart fluttering for stress of passion, saw them at a distance from their clothes, he sprang to his feet and running like the darting lightning [to the brink of the lake,] snatched up the feather-vest of the youngest damsel, her on whom his heart was set and whose name was Snemseh. At this, the girls turned and seeing him, were affrighted and veiled themselves from him with the water. Then they swam towards the shore and looking on him, saw that he was bright of face as the moon at her full and said to him, ‘Who art thou and how comest thou hither and why hast thou taken the clothes of the lady Shemseh?’ ‘Come hither to me,’ replied he, ‘and I will tell you my story.’ Quoth Shemseh, ‘Why hast thou taken my clothes, rather than those of my sisters?’ ‘O light of mine eyes,’ answered he. ‘come forth of the water, and I will tell thee my case and why I chose thee out.’ ‘O my lord and solace of my eyes and fruit of my heart,’ rejoined she, ‘give me my clothes, that I may put them on and cover my nakedness withal; then will I come forth to thee.’ But he replied, saying, ‘O princess of fair ones, how can I give thee back thy clothes and slay myself for love-longing? Verily, I will not give them to thee, till Sheikh Nesr, the king of the birds, returns.’ ‘If thou wilt not give me my clothes,’ quoth she, ‘withdraw a little
