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And quoth he likewise of his yard:
I have a yard that sleeps on base and shameful wise, Whenever one I love with my desire complies;
But, when I’m by myself, at home, it’s all agog To thrust and ply its lone the amorous exercise.
And again quoth he thereof:
I have an ill yard, passing froward, to wit: Him who honoureth it, with reproach it doth quit.
If I sleep, it stands up; if I rise, it lies down; God no ruth have on him who hath ruth upon it!’
When the old merchant heard this scurvy gibing from the damsel, he was exceeding wroth and said to the broker, ‘O unluckiest of brokers, thou hast not brought this ill-conditioned wench into the market but to flout me and make mock of me before the merchants.’ Then the broker took her aside and said to her, ‘O my lady, be not lacking in manners. The old man whom thou didst mock at is the syndic of the bazaar and inspector of weights and measures thereof and one of the council of the merchants.’ But she laughed and said:
‘It behoveth the folk that bear rule in our time, Yea, ’tis one of the duties of magistrateship,
To hang up the chief of police o’er his door And beat the inspector of weights with a whip.
By Allah, O my lord,’ added she, ‘I will not be sold to yonder old man; so sell me to other than him, for belike he will be abashed at me and sell me again and I shall become a servant and it beseems not that I sully myself with menial service; and indeed thou knowest that the matter of my sale is committed to myself.’ ‘I hear and obey,’ answered he and carried her to one of the chief merchants. ‘How sayst thou, O my lady?’ asked he. ‘Shall I sell thee to my lord Sherifeddin here for nine
