The Richard Burton Library

In which three fair damsels of differing complexions extol their virtues and disparage each other’s charms in a contest of poetic praise, under the watchful eye of their master who mediates their strife with patient authority. Following this, the tale moves to the Caliph Harun al-Rashid, whose restless night leads to an encounter with a lovely damsel wronged by courtly intrigue, setting the stage...

In which Jubayr’s long-awaited reunion with his beloved Budur is tenderly recounted, accompanied by the discreet attendance of their loyal companion Ibn Mansur, and the narrative gracefully transitions to the tales of a Yemenite gentleman and his six enchanting slave-girls, each boasting distinct charms and poetic eloquence. The master’s whimsical decree sets the stage for a playful and learned co...

In which a bearer of letters becomes ensnared in the delicate intricacies of love and communication between two ardent lovers, while enduring hospitality, music, and poetic entreaties of the heart. The narrative unfolds amidst shifting passions and poignant verses, capturing the subtle changes wrought by time and the mercurial nature of affection.

In which the lovesick Ali Shar, guided by a kindly old woman’s care, embarks upon a quest through strange lands to find his lost beloved, encountering the courtly splendours and enigmas of the city ruled by the mysterious Zumurrud. Meanwhile, the restless Caliph Harun al-Rashid seeks solace in the tales of a jocund storyteller, whose wanderings bring him to a lamenting lady whose tale of love and...

In which Queen Zumurrud, wielding geomantic divination, presides over monthly banquets marked by a mysterious dish of sweet rice that portends doom for those who partake thereof, leading to the grim fates of several infamous visitors in her city. As the tale unfolds, the Queen’s steadfast dignity is matched only by her longing for her beloved Ali Shar, whose reappearance stirs a tender hope amid t...

In which a fortuitous encounter with a thief leads to a daring escape, and a clever young woman assumes a new guise to find refuge in a distant city, where her unexpected arrival is greeted with respect and honour. There she ascends to sovereign power, governs with justice and generosity, and amidst her rule, uncovers a familiar figure whose true purpose provokes her keen curiosity.

In which the cunning Christian ensnares Ali Shar through a drugged offering, leading to Zumurrud’s harsh captivity and steadfast faith amidst cruel persecution, whilst Ali Shar languishes in despair and madness over her loss. An old neighbour takes pity upon Ali Shar’s sorrow and devises a kindly plan to seek out the imprisoned Zumurrud, setting the stage for a delicate nocturnal rescue under cove...

In which a young and accomplished damsel of great beauty and learning chooses to be bought by a modest merchant named Ali Shar, who finds himself lacking the means to pay for her until she generously aids him with her own purse; together they transform his barren dwelling into a home adorned with exquisite silken curtains, fostering a quiet love between them that flourishes amid simple pleasures a...

In which the wise and learned Caliph Al-Maamun graciously discovers a mysterious stranger amongst his assembly, whose humility and discernment earn him honour beyond measure. Also related is the tale of Ali Shar, a youth guided by paternal counsel to shun wickedness and maintain prudence, whose fortunes fall and lead him to an unexpected encounter with the enchanting Zumurrud, a damsel famed for h...

In which the noble Yahya bin Khalid the Barmecide displays his renowned generosity by rescuing a debtor from ruin and later magnanimously reconciles with an old foe through a forged letter, demonstrating a magnanimity that tempers enmity and restores fortunes. Throughout these proceedings, the narrative wends gently between the realms of princely favour, human frailty, and the gracious acts that e...

In which Abu Mohammed Lazybones, emboldened by wealth and verse, seeks the hand of the Sharif’s daughter and unwittingly releases a malign Marid through the destruction of a talisman, thus setting forth a chain of strange encounters with serpents and the unseen aid of Jinn. His perilous journey leads him to the fabled City of Brass, where, aided by mystical allies, he confronts the sorcery that ho...

In which the idle and unassuming Abu Mohammed Lazybones is summoned to the court of Harun al-Rashid to present a jewel befitting the Lady Zubaydah’s illustrious crown, revealing a wealth and skill that belie his humble origins. And in a tale richly embroidered with marvels and mysteries, he recounts the curious adventures that transformed his life from slothful obscurity to prosperous eminence wit...

In which the Caliph Harun al-Rashid and his courtiers engage in affairs of wit and law, where clever devices and sharp judgements are employed to resolve delicate matters concerning a captivating slave-girl and the sanctity of marriage. Further, the narrative unfolds with the tale of a noble youth falsely accused of theft, whose steadfast honour and the intercession of love invoke both compassion...

In which a tale unfolds of a jeweller’s fervent love and betrayal, marked by poetic expressions of passion and a dramatic turn of events involving jealous rage and harsh punishment. Subsequently, the Caliph Harun al-Rashid, moved by the young man’s plight, summons him to his court and invites a Persian storyteller to lighten his own restless spirit with amusing anecdotes.

In which Harun al-Rashid, clad in disguise, ventures forth by night with his faithful Wazir and sworder to witness a strange mimicry of his own grand state upon the Tigris, encountering a splendid counterfeit Caliph and marvels at the curious entertainments and poetic musings that accompany the scene. As the false ruler and his retinue revel amid dazzling courtiers and enchanting music, a thoughtf...

In which a youth, marked by mysterious scars and cloaked under the guise of a caliph, captivates the court with his tale of love and loss, prompting a generous display of largesse among nobles. His narrative unfolds with the enchanting arrival of a lady of high birth, whose beauty and proposal lead to a bond sealed by marriage and dulcet songs that fill the air with melody and longing.

In which the venerable Isaac of Mosul recounts his secret sojourn with the noble Caliph Al-Maamun and a captivating lady of surpassing beauty, revealing a tale of clandestine encounters and royal favour. Following this, a humble sweep is forcibly drawn into the opulent world of a bewitching noblewoman, where he experiences a bewildering transformation from rags to splendour and secrets enshrouded...

In which a chance encounter with a mysterious basket leads a merchant of Baghdad into a wondrous mansion, where he is welcomed by fair damsels and enchanted with fine music, poetry, and rare delights of the palate and perfumed air. Amidst night-long discourse and secretive meetings, the merchant’s adventures unfold with that delicate blend of curiosity and cautious respect befitting the telling of...

In which the tale unfolds of Abdullah bin Abi Kilabah’s accidental discovery of the magnificent, deserted city of Iram, adorned with palaces and jewels beyond mortal comparison, stirring wonder and dread in equal measure. The history of this wondrous city is recounted by the learned Ka'ab al-Ahbar, revealing its sumptuous construction by King Shaddad and its ultimate obliteration by a divine calam...

In which a man disguised in women's attire flees peril and finds refuge with a kind stranger before being betrayed and brought before the Caliph, where eloquence and humility seek to sway the judgement of life and death. The ruler, moved by wise counsel and heartfelt verses, opts for mercy, restoring favour and meting out justice to those who aided or betrayed the fugitive.

In which the tale unfolds of a king in the city of Labtayt who resolutely unbars a tower sealed by many locks, revealing wondrous treasures and a dire prophecy, whilst across the lands the Caliph Hisham encounters a fearless Arab youth whose bold speech shifts the course of his wrath. Elsewhere, the exile Ibrahim bin al-Mahdi finds unexpected solace and camaraderie in the humble quarters of a barb...

In which the tale unfolds of Ala al-Din’s miraculous adventures with his beloved Princess Husn Maryam, accompanied by wondrous magical jewels that summon a couch, a pavilion, and lush greenery in a barren valley, leading them through narrow escapes and joyful reunions. Thereafter, the narrative gracefully turns to the laudable generosity of noble figures such as Hatim of the tribe of Tayy and Ma’a...

In which the tale unfolds of Ahmad Kamakim’s cunning restoration to favour and his subsequent entanglement in a treacherous theft that unsettles the Caliph’s court and leads to grave consequences for Ala al-Din Abu al-Shamat and his household. In the quiet aftermath, tender lives are nurtured amid shadows of betrayal and disguise, weaving a complex portrait of honour, loyalty, and the shaping of d...

In which Aslan seeks justice for his father’s purported murder, leading to revelations and reckonings within the Caliph’s court that restore lost honour and estate. In which Ala al-Din Abu al-Shamat’s fate unfolds through captivity, servitude, and a poignant reunion with his wife, accompanied by enchantments and stratagems amid distant lands and courtly intrigue.

In which Ala al-Din attains high office and honours at the Caliph’s court, but soon finds his heart heavy with grief following the loss of his beloved wife, leading to the Caliph’s attempt to console him with a lute-player and a gift. Meanwhile, the lives of various city folk intertwine in the marketplace and prison, setting the stage for intrigues involving love, loyalty, and pleas for mercy in t...