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daughter in the assemblies,[1] saying that the son of thy sister Julnar is a match for her? Who art thou and who are thy sister and her son and who was his father, that thou shouldst dare to say these things to me? What are ye all, in comparison with my daughter, but dogs?’ And he cried out to his servants, saying, ‘Take yonder good-for-nought’s head!’ So they drew their swords and fell upon Salih, but he fled and made for the palace gate, where he found more than a thousand horse of his cousins and kinsfolk and servants, armed cap-a-pie in iron and strait-knit coats of mail, with spears and naked swords in their hands, whom his mother had despatched to his succour.
When they saw Salih come running out of the palace, they questioned him and he told them what was to do; whereupon they knew that the king was a violent-tempered fool. So they alighted and drawing their swords, went in to King Es Semendel, whom they found seated upon the throne of his kingship, unaware of their coming and violently enraged against Salih; and they saw his guards and servants and officers unprepared. When the king saw them enter, sword in hand, he cried out to his people, saying, ‘Out on you! Take me these dogs’ heads!’ But, before long, Es Semendel’s party were put to the rout and addressed themselves to flight, and Salih and his kinsfolk seized upon the king and bound his hands behind him. Night dccxlviii When Jauhereh awoke and knew that her father was a captive and his guards slain, she fled forth the palace to a certain island and climbing up into a high tree, hid herself therein.
- ↑ It is a breach of good manners to name to or before an Arab the women of his family in so many words. When it is desired to enquire after their health, the proper form of question is not, “How is thy wife, thy daughter, etc.?” but “How is thy house?” (Keif hal ahluk) or some similar periphrasis.
