Unknown

“ Be merciful to men, as thou on mercy reckonest;
For no hand is there but the hand of God is over it And no oppressor but shall be with worse than he opprest.
Quoth the cook, ‘Nothing will serve but I must slay thee, O fellow; for, if I spare thee, I shall myself be slain.’ But Selim said, ‘O my brother, I will counsel thee somewhat [7] other than this.’ ‘What is it?’ asked the cook. ”

“ Moreover, I will address myself to the slaughter of whosoever knoweth that which is between yonder fellow and my mother.’ But Selma said, ‘I fear lest, if thou slay him in our dwelling-place and he savour not of robberhood, [2] suspicion will revert upon ourselves, and we cannot be assured but that he belongeth unto folk whose mischief is to be feared and their hostility dreaded, [3] and thus wilt thou have fled from privy shame to open shame and abiding public dishonour.’ ‘How then deemest thou we should do?’ asked Selim and she said, ‘Is there nothing for it but to slay him? ”

“ But now, behold, God hath reunited me with my brother, and it is no longer lawful to me that I be king and bear rule over the people, and I a woman; for that there is no governance for women, whenas men are present. ”

“ Then she resolved to take up her abode in the city and making choice of a dwelling, removed thither. The folk resorted to her from all parts, to sit with her and hearken to her speech and witness her good breeding; nor was it but a little while ere the king of the city died and the folk fell out concerning whom they should invest with the kingship after him, so that strife was like to betide between them. However, the men of judgment and understanding and the folk of experience counselled them to make the youth king who had lost his brother, for that they doubted not but Selma was a man. ”

“ So he said to him, ‘O youth, wilt thou that I release thee from this thy plight, on condition that thou be reasonable and discover not aught of thine affair ever?’ And Selim answered, ‘I will swear to thee by whatsoever oath thou choosest that I will keep thy secret and will not speak one syllable against thy due, what while I abide on life.’ Quoth the cook, ‘I purpose to send thee forth with my brother and cause thee travel with him on the sea, on condition that thou be unto him a boughten slave ”

“ When the former arose in the morning and her husband returned not to her with break of day, she forebode all manner of calamity and straightway despatched her servants and all who were with her in quest of him; but they happened not on any trace of him neither fell in with aught of his news. So she bethought herself concerning her affair and complained and wept and groaned and sighed and blamed perfidious fortune, bewailing that sorry chance and reciting these verses:
God keep the days of love-delight! ”

“ They all consented unto this and betaking themselves to Selma, proffered her the kingship. She refused, but they were instant with her, till she consented, saying in herself, ‘My sole desire in [accepting] the kingship is [to find] my brother.’ Then they seated her on the throne of the kingdom and set the crown on her head, whereupon she addressed herself to the business of administration and to the ordinance of the affairs of the people; and they rejoiced in her with the utmost joy.
Meanwhile, Selim abode with the cook a whole year’s space, earning him two dinars every day ”

“ Then he looked on her and when he saw her, he knew her for his wife; so he cried out and wept and groaned and lamented; whereupon she came up to him and cast herself upon him; for indeed she knew him with all knowledge, even as he knew her. ”

“ God made him forget all that He had decreed [unto him] , [5] and he said to the cook, ‘Why dost thou this thing, O man? Be mindful of God the Most High and fear Him. Seest thou not that I am a stranger? And indeed [I have left] behind me a defenceless woman. Why wilt thou slay me?’ Quoth the cook, ‘Needs must I slay thee, so I may take thy good.’ And Selim said, ‘Take my good, but slay me not, neither enter into sin against me ”

“ Then Selim turned to Selma and said to her, ‘O sister mine, how deemest thou of this calamity and what counsellest thou thereanent?’ ‘O my brother,’ answered she, ‘indeed I know not what I shall say concerning the like of this; but he is not disappointed who seeketh direction [of God] , nor doth he repent who taketh counsel. One getteth not the better of the traces of burning by [1] haste, and know that this is an affliction that hath descended on us ”

“ She bade them do suit and service to Selim, and they consented and paid him homage; after which they kept silence awhile, so they might hear what the king should command. Then said Selma, ‘Harkye, all ye soldiers and subjects, ye know that ye enforced me to [accept] the kingship and besought me thereof and I consented unto your wishes concerning my investment [with the royal dignity] ; and I did this [against my will] ; for know that I am a woman and that I disguised myself and donned man’s apparel, so haply my case might be hidden, whenas I lost my brother. ”

“ They approved of her proposal and when she had discovered the secret to the last of them [and assured herself of their support] , she published the news abroad and sent for the cadis and assessors, who drew up the contract of marriage between Selim and the princess, and they lavished gifts upon the troops and overwhelmed them with bounties. Then was the bride carried in procession to the young man and the kingship was stablished unto him and the governance of the realm. ”

“ So she took precaution for herself against her children and Selma said to Selim, ‘Thou seest that whereinto we have fallen through this woman, and indeed she hath gotten wind of our purpose and knoweth that we have discovered her secret. So, doubtless, she will plot against us the like of that which we plot for her ”

“ Then she gave out among the folk that the king’s father’s brother’s son was come and bade the grandees and troops go forth to meet him. Moreover, she decorated the city in his honour and the drums of good tidings beat for him, whilst all the king’s household [went out to meet him and] dismounting before him, [escorted him to the city and] lodged him with the queen-mother in her palace. ”

“ Away! This may no wise be.’ However, Selim ceased not to conjure him and make supplication to him and weep, while the cook persisted in his intent to slaughter him. Then he wept and recited the following verses:
Haste not to that thou dost desire, for haste is still unblest ”