The Richard Burton Library

In which the Caliph learns of a grievous misjudgement involving Ni’amah and Naomi, leading to a heartfelt reconciliation marked by song and intercession, followed by a series of fortuitous reunions among royal kin and their hosts amid encircling armies. Subsequently, the tale shifts to the introduction of a deeply contemplative merchant named Shams al-Din, whose domestic life is shadowed by an unf...

In which a devoted youth assumes a delicate disguise to gain entry into the Caliph’s palace and seek reunion with his beloved slave-girl, aided by a resourceful old woman whose cunning and courage prove vital. Amidst the splendour of the court, a gracious princess and the Commander of the Faithful lend their favour, while song and poetry weave a momentary balm for those entwined in love’s trials a...

In which the tale unfolds of a fair slave-girl named Naomi who, amid the majesty and intrigue of Damascus, suffers the ache of separation and mysterious captivity, her beauty and tale stirring concern and fever in the hearts of those who cherish her. Her devoted young lord Ni'amah, stricken with sorrow and ill, embarks upon a journey under the guise of a Persian physician’s son, seeking reunion an...

In which a noble youth named Ni'amah and a captivating slave-girl, Naomi, are reared together in the city of Cufa, nurturing a tender companionship that blossoms amid the strains of poetry and music. Their peaceful existence is soon shadowed by the schemes of a powerful viceroy whose covetous designs set in motion events of considerable consequence.

In which Queen Marjanah's deep affections for Prince As’ad lead to his captivity and peril at the hands of the Magian Bahram, while fate interweaves the fortunes of prisoners, love, and faith in a city shadowed by locked gates and burial grounds. As As’ad encounters both suffering and unexpected kindness, the interplay of loyalty and conversion unfolds softly amidst the stirring of kinship and the...

In which the prince Amjad is sheltered by Bahadur, the loyal Master of the Horse, whose fidelity and kind service endure even amidst grave misunderstandings and perilous circumstances; and meanwhile, the captive As’ad is conveyed by the Magian Bahram upon a treacherous voyage that leads them to the realm of a devout queen, where appearances veil deeper truths. The tale unfolds night by night with...

In which the noble brothers Amjad and As’ad endure arduous travels through a mysterious mountain and encounter strange customs and dangers in a city given to fire-worship, leading to As’ad’s harsh captivity while Amjad seeks sustenance and counsel among strangers. The tale unfolds with poetic lamentations and cautious interactions, revealing a world of cryptic rites and uncertain hospitality, all...

In which King Kamar al-Zaman, persuaded by mournful accusations, condemns his sons Amjad and As’ad to death, yet through a series of harrowing events and heartfelt verse, their fate hangs in delicate balance amid the harsh desert and the malice of falsehood. The tale unfolds with poignant reflections on justice, familial love, and the inscrutable workings of fortune, as sorrow and hope entwine ben...

In which the lamentations of parted love lead to the gardener's death and the arrival of a ship bearing a wondrous cargo, unveiling treasures that rekindle hope amid despair. The royal favour bestowed upon Kamar al-Zaman is marked by an intricate dance of devotion and virtue, culminating in a solemn covenant that reveals profound truths of identity and affection.

In which the tale unfolds with tender yet troubled exchanges of secret letters illuminating the tangled affections and ire of royal personages, their passions and jealousies weaving a complex tapestry of love and betrayal within the palace walls. The narrative delicately reveals the escalating strife between two queens and their sons, framed by regal duty and human frailty, all set beneath the eve...

In which the Lady Budur, through a display of love as fierce as it is tender, breaks free from her bonds and reunites with Prince Kamar al-Zaman, leading to a joyous marriage and elaborate celebrations overseen by her father, King Ghayur. Subsequently, the Prince embarks upon a mysterious journey pursued by a strange bird, while the Lady Budur, disguised in her husband's attire, ventures forth alo...

In which Queen Budur, disguised in male guise, rules wisely and with kindness in the Ebony Islands, while the young Princess Hayat al-Nufus grows in awareness and compassion, and King Shahriman mourns deeply for his missing son, Kamar al-Zaman. Meanwhile, Kamar al-Zaman labours under melancholy in a mysterious garden until a miraculous discovery ignites a glimmer of hope for reunion and return.

In which the adventurous Kamar al-Zaman, clothed in astrological guise and accompanied by his faithful companion Marzawan, embarks upon a secret quest beyond the confines of paternal affection, employing cunning stratagems to allay his royal sire’s fears. Arriving at the distant realm of King Ghayur, the prince boldly proclaims his learned art beneath the palace walls, setting in motion a delicate...

In which Princess Budur reveals her deep and unrelenting love-sickness to Marzawan, who sets forth on a quest to find a cure and fatefully arrives amidst the distressed court of Kamar al-Zaman. There, through a series of fortuitous events and mutual recognition, he brings solace and recovery to the enamoured prince, weaving a gentle narrative of hope and healing in the face of love’s trials.

In which Kamar al-Zaman awakens to find a mysterious absence that sets him afire with suspicion and leads to harsh treatment of his eunuch servant until the truth is pressed forth under duress. The Prince’s fervent insistence upon the reality of a visit from a fair maiden challenges the wiles of his wary advisers and the patience of his sovereign father in a tale woven with doubt and accusation.

In which the young Prince Kamar al-Zaman recounts a mystifying encounter at night that leaves him both bewitched and heart-stricken, provoking deep concern and tender ministrations from his father, the King. Meanwhile, Princess Budur languishes in a strange affliction, locked away and shrouded in sorrow, until the arrival of her devoted foster-brother who seeks to unravel the enigma of her conditi...

In which the enchanted discourse of love and beauty is passed between a poetical lady and mystical Ifrit, culminating in a weighty adjudication by a hideous judge of their rival claims; thereafter, the wondrous Kamar al-Zaman awakes beside the fair Princess Budur, whose beauty and desire kindle a tender and impassioned encounter. Thus the quiet intimacy of sleeping lovers unfolds amidst veiled enc...

In which a benevolent and beautiful ifritah named Maymunah discovers a young man of incomparable charm and protects him while engaging in a spirited contest of praise and affection with the daring ifrit Dahnash, who recounts the story of the Princess Budur, a sovereign maiden of extraordinary loveliness and spirit. Their encounter unfolds amidst rich descriptions of beauty and valor, setting the s...

In which the jeweller recounts a grievous tale of flight, loss, and the poignant demise of Ali bin Bakkar and his devoted companions, amidst the intrigue of betrayal and mournful lamentations in Baghdad. And in a gentle turn, the narrative introduces the striking youth Kamar al-Zaman, whose beauty and nature both charm and confound his father, King Shahriman, as the issue of marriage and obedience...

In which the tender bounds of filial obedience and paternal command are tested upon a young prince whose refusal to wed brings both chiding and confinement before a waiting counsel of ministers. Amidst the shadowed solitude of his chamber, a mysterious Jinniyah is drawn by a curious light, setting the stage for wonders yet unseen.

In which the slave-girl recounts her harrowing capture and rescue from rogues to the jeweller, who in turn finds his other house restored and visits the ailing Ali bin Bakkar to offer comfort and aid. The jeweller learns of the Caliph’s suspicion and the resulting confinement of Shams al-Nahar, leaving the slave-girl fearful and uncertain of their fates.

In which a distressed jeweller recounts a mysterious journey through unknown quarters and an encounter with enigmatic men who reveal the fate of his stolen goods and captives, culminating in an unexpected riverbank reunion fraught with perilous suspicion. The narrative continues with a tense awakening to fear and relief, a covert meeting with a loyal slave-girl, and a perilous search that rekindle...

In which the jeweller becomes entwined in an affair of delicate intrigue involving Shams al-Nahar’s handmaiden and the troubled youth Ali bin Bakkar, orchestrating a secret meeting adorned with music and tender reunion. Yet, this fragile happiness is shattered when masked men violently invade the jeweller’s lodge, compelling him to seek counsel and concealment amidst the ensuing chaos.

In which a lamenting merchant, burdened by secret love and the fear of disgrace, departs hastily for Bassorah, leaving behind his concerned confidants who navigate a delicate web of mistrust and hidden messages between lovers and their emissaries. The story reveals a tapestry of cautious meetings, poetic laments, and heartfelt exchanges that underscore the enduring, if perilous, ties of affection...

In which the tender poetry of love and the sweet strains of song weave a delicate tapestry of passion and longing amidst the resplendent surroundings of Shams al-Nahar’s chamber, whilst hidden observers witness the intertwining of hearts with a mixture of joy and apprehension. The scene unfolds with the arrival of the Caliph and his retinue, prompting careful concealments and stratagems as affecti...