Opening, part 29 · page 21 2101While I dress myself as a citizen, go and disguise yourself, and then come with me."102When they reached the garden gate they found it open, to the great indignation of the Caliph.103The door of the pavilion being also open, he went softly upstairs, and looked in at the half-closed door of the saloon.104Great was his surprise to see Scheih Ibrahim, whose sobriety he had never doubted, drinking and singing with a young man and a beautiful lady.105The Caliph, before giving way to his anger, determined to watch and see who the people were and what they did.106Presently Scheih Ibrahim asked the beautiful Persian if anything were wanting to complete her enjoyment of the evening.107"If only," she said, "I had an instrument upon which I might play."108Scheih Ibrahim immediately took a lute from a cup-board and gave it to the Persian, who began to play on it, singing the while with such skill and taste that the Caliph was enchanted.109When she ceased he went softly downstairs and said to the vizir:110"Never have I heard a finer voice, nor the lute better played.111I am determined to go in and make her play to me."112"Commander of the Faithful," said the vizir, "if Scheih Ibrahim recognises you he will die of fright."1 2← previousOpening, part 28next →Opening, part 30↑ back to The Arabian Nights EntertainmentsThis page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg128/29/page/2/