' 'O my lady,' answered he, 'I
cannot sell him, for he is the only slave I have left.' Quoth
she, 'I must have him of thee, either by purchase or as a gift.'
But Behram said, 'I will neither sell him nor give him.' Whereat
she was wroth and taking Asaad by the hand, carried him up to the
palace and sent to Behram, saying, 'Except thou set sail and
depart our city this very night, I will seize all thy goods and
break up thy ship.' When the message reached the Magian, he was
sore troubled and said, 'Verily, this voyage is every way
unfortunate.' Then he made ready and took all he needed and
awaited the coming of the night, to resume his voyage, saying to
the sailors, 'Provide yourselves and fill the waterskins, that we
may set sail at the last of the night.' So the sailors did their
occasions and awaited the coming of the night.
To return to Queen Merjaneh. When she had brought Asaad into the
palace, she opened the windows overlooking the sea and bade her
handmaids bring food. Accordingly, they set food before Asaad
and herself, and they ate, after which the queen called for wine
and fell to drinking with him. Now God (may He be exalted and
glorified!) filled her heart with love for Asaad and she plied
him with wine, till his reason fled and presently he rose and
left the hall, to do an occasion.
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