"Knave, what about Jehovah?" interposed the chair with just indignation.
"Jehovah, your honor, does not forbid polygamy. The patriarch Jacob had two wives; David had four; Solomon the wise had one thousand four hundred. But, it would be a pity to waste precious time over dogmatic discussion. Besides, my wondering resulted in nothing. One hundred and ten days and nights I passed in the society of my charming bride; we ate at the same table; slept under the same canopy; but not once did I clasp her hand, or kiss her lovely lips."
"I am curious to know how you managed not to do either," observed the prince.
"Does your highness desire me to relate what happened on every one of the one-hundred and ten days and nights?"
"Not by any means!" hastily interrupted the chair. "We want only a summary of your doings out yonder."
The prisoner bowed, and resumed his confession:
I determined that I would not again drink the sort of sleeping potion which had sent me speeding among the clouds on Danesh's back, and communicated my decision to Zeib Alnissa.
"Very well," said she, "then I will prepare a drink for you that will keep you awake all night."
That would suit me.
In India the preparation of elixirs of all sorts has reached a high grade. There is a drug which, if taken by a man of mild disposition, will make him warlike and fierce; it is called "bangue."