THE WHORISH WIFE WHO VAUNTED HER VIRTUE.
It is related that once upon a time there was a man which was an astronomer[396] and he had a wife who was singular in beauty and loveliness. Now she was ever and aye boasting and saying to him, "O man, there is not amongst womankind my peer in nobility[397] and chastity;" and as often as she repeated this saying to him he would give credit to her words and cry, "Walláhi, no man hath a wife like unto the lady my wife for high caste and continence!" Now he was ever singing her praises in every assembly; but one day of the days as he was sitting in a séance of the great, who all were saying their says anent womankind and feminine deeds and misdeeds, the man rose up and exclaimed, "Amongst women there is none like my wife, for that she is pure of blood and behaviour;" hereat one of those present said to him, "Thou liest, O certain person!"—And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and fell silent and ceased saying her permitted say. Then quoth her sister Dunyazad, "How sweet and tasteful is thy tale, O sister mine, and how enjoyable and delectable!" Quoth she, "And where is this compared with that I would relate to you on the coming night an the Sovran suffer me to survive?" Now when it was the next night and that was