The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Volume II

Produced by JC Byers and Cameron Fruit
Editorial Note: Project Gutenberg also has the translation of this work by Richard F. Burton in 16 volumes.
Now First Completely Done Into English Prose and Verse, From The Original Arabic,
By John Payne (Author of The Masque of Shadows, Intaglios: Sonnets, Songs of Life and Death, Lautrec, The Poems of Master Francis Villon of Paris, New Poems, Etc, Etc.).
In Nine Volumes:
1901
Delhi Edition
Contents of The Second Volume.
9. The History of King Omar Ben Ennuman and His Sons Sherkan and Zoulmekan a. Story of Taj El Mulouk and the Princess Dunya aa. Story of Aziz and Azizeh b. Bakoun's Story of the Hashish-Eater c. Hemmand the Bedouin's Story
Earth has no fairer sight to show than this its blossom-time, With all the gently running streams that wander o'er its face. It is indeed the handiwork of God Omnipotent, The Lord of every noble gift and Giver of all grace!
Midmost the meadow stood a monastery, and within the enclosure was a citadel that rose high into the air in the light of the moon. The stream passed through the midst of the monastery and therenigh sat ten damsels like moons, high-bosomed maids, clad in dresses and ornaments that dazzled the eyes, as says of them the poet:
The meadow glitters with the troops Of lovely ones that wander there. Its grace and beauty doubled are By these that are so passing fair. Virgins that, with their swimming gait, The hearts of all that see ensnare; Along whose necks, like trails of grapes, Stream down the tresses of their hair: Proudly they walk, with eyes that dart The shafts and arrows of despair, And all the champions of the world Are slain by their seductive air.