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What ailed them my weakness with rigour to smite？ In passion the shedding my blood they deem right；
Yet justly they me with injustice entreat。
I wonder who charged you to drive to despair A youth who still loves and will love you fore'er？
By my life and by Him your Creator I swear； If a saying of you should the backbiters bear；
By Allah； they lie in the tale they repeat！
May God not dispel from me sickness and pain Nor my heart of its thirst and its longing assain；
Of your love for satiety when I plain！ Indeed； to none other that you am I fain。
Wring my heart or show favour； as seems to you meet。
My heart to your mem'ry shall ever be true； Though your rigours should rack it and cause it to rue；
Rejection abides and acceptance with you： So whatever you will with your bondman； that do；
He'll grudge not his life to lay down at your feet。
The princess marvelled at his song and thanked him therefor； saying； 'Him whose case is thus it behoveth to walk the ways of men and eschew the fashion of losers and poltroons。' Now she was stout of heart and versed in the sailing of ships over the salt sea； and she knew all the winds and their changes and all the courses of the sea。 'O my lady；' said Noureddin； 'hadst thou prolonged this case on me； （91） I had surely died for excess of fear and chagrin； more by token of the fire of passion and love longing and the cruel anguish of separation。' She laughed at his speech and presently rising； brought out somewhat of meat and drink； and they ate and drank and made merry。 Then she brought out rubies and other gems and precious stones and trinkets of gold and silver and all manner things of price； light of carriage and great of worth； that she had taken from the palace of her father and his treasuries； and showed them to Noureddin； who rejoiced therein with an exceeding joy。
Meanwhile the wind blew fair for them and they sailed on； without hindrance； till they drew near the city of Alexandria and sighted its landmarks； old and new； and Pompey's Pillar。 When they reached the port； Noureddin landed and making the ship fast to one of the Fulling Stones； took somewhat of the treasures that Meryem had brought with her； and said to her； 'O my lady； abide in the ship against I ＇return and＇ carry thee up into the city on such wise as I should wish。' Quoth she； 'It behoves that this be done quickly； for tardiness in affairs engenders repentance。' 'There is no tardiness in me；' answered he and leaving her in the ship； went up into the city to the druggist's house； to borrow of his wife for Meryem veil and muffler and mantle and walking boots； after the usage of the women of Alexandria； knowing not that there was appointed to betide him of the vicissitudes of time； the father of wonders； that which was not in his reckoning。
Meanwhile； when the King of France arose in the morning； he missed his daughter and questioned her eunuchs and women of her。 'O our lord；' answered they； 'she went out last night； to go to the church； and after that we know nothing of her。' But； as the king talked with them； there arose a great clamour of cries without the palace； that the place rang thereto； and he said； 。What is to do？' 'O king；' answered the folk； 'we have found ten men slain on the seashore； and thy ship is missing。 Moreover； we found the postern of the church； that gives upon the alley leading to the sea； open and the Muslim prisoner； who serves in the church； missing。' Quoth the king； 'If my ship be missing； without doubt my daughter is in it。' So he summoned the captain of the port and cried out at him； saying； 'By the virtue of the Messiah and the True Faith； except thou overtake my ship forthright with troops and bring it back to me； with those who are therein； I will put thee to death after the foulest fashion and make an example of thee！'
The captain went out from before him； trembling； and betook himself to the old woman of the church； to whom said he； 'Heardest thou aught from the captive； that was with thee； concerning his native land and what countryman he was？' And she answered； 'He used to say； 〃I e from the town of Alexandria。〃' When the captain heard this； he returned forthright to the port and cried out to the sailors to make sail。 So they did his bidding and straightway putting out to sea； sailed night and day till they came in sight of the city of Alexandria； what time Noureddin landed； leaving the princess in the ship。 They soon espied the king's bark and knew it； so they moored their own vessel at a distance therefrom and putting off in a little ship they had with them； which drew but three feet of water and in which were a hundred fightingmen； amongst them the oneeyed vizier （for that he was a stubborn tyrant and a froward devil and a wily thief； none could avail against his craft； as he were Abou Mohammed el Bettal （92）） rowed up to the bark and boarding her； all at once； found none therein save the Princess Meryem。 So they took her and the ship； and returning to their own vessel； after they had landed and waited a long while； （93） set sail forthright for the land of the Franks； having acplished their errand； without drawing sword。
The wind blew fair for them and they sailed on； without hindrance； till they reached the city of France and landing with the princess； carried her to her father； who received her； seated on the throne of his kingship。 As soon as he saw her； he said to her； 'Out on thee； O traitress！ What ailed thee to leave the faith of thy forefathers and the safeguard of the Messiah； on whom is our reliance； and follow after the faith of the vagabonds； （94） to wit； the faith of Islam； the which arose with the sword against the Cross and the Images？' 'I am not at fault；' replied Meryem。 'I went out by night to the church； to visit the Lady Mary and seek a blessing of her； when there fell upon me； at unawares； a band of Muslim robbers； who gagged me and bound me fast and carrying me on board the bark； set sail with me for their own country。 However； I beguiled them and talked with them of their religion； till they loosed my bonds； and before I knew what was toward； thy men overtook me and delivered me。 And by the virtue of the Messiah and the True Faith and the Cross and Him who was crucified thereof I rejoiced with an exceeding joy in my release from them and my bosom expanded and I was glad fob my deliverance from the bondage of the Muslims！' 'Thou liest； O shameless baggage！' rejoined the king。 'By the virtue of that which is revealed of prohibition and allowance in the manifest evangel； （95） I will assuredly slay thee after the foulest fashion and make of thee the vilest of examples！ Did it not suffice thee to do as thou didst the first time and put off thy lies upon us； but thou must return upon us with thy falsehoods？'
Then he manded to slay her and crucify her over the gate of the palace： but the oneeyed vizier； who had long been enamoured of the princess； came in to him and said； 'Slay her not； but give her to me to wife； and I will watch over her with the utmost vigilance； nor will I go in to her； till I have built her a palace of solid stone； exceeding high of fashion； so no thieves may avail to climb up to its roof； and when I hav