Zobeide, having no regard to the sad countenance of the animal, nor to its cries that resounded through the house, whipped her with the rod till she was out of breath; and having spent her strength, threw down the rod, and taking the chain from the porter, lifted up the dog by her paws, and looking upon her with a sad and pitiful countenance, they both wept; after which, Zobeide, with her handkerchief, wiped the tears from the dog’s eyes, kissed her, returned the chain to the porter, desired him to carry her to the place whence he took her, and to bring the other. Then taking the whip, she served this in the same manner; she then wept with it, dried its tears, kissed it, and returned it to the porter.
The three calenders, with the caliph and his companions, were extremely surprised at this exhibition, and could not comprehend why Zobeide, after having beaten the two dogs, should weep with them, wipe off their tears, and kiss them. They muttered among themselves; and the caliph, being more impatient than the rest, could not forbear making signs to the vizier to ask the question. The vizier turned his head another way; but being pressed by repeated signs, he answered by others, that it was not yet time for the caliph to satisfy his curiosity.
Zobeide sat still some time in the middle of the room, where she had whipped the two dogs, to recover herself of her emotion; and Safie called to her, “Dear sister, will you not be pleased to return to your place, that I may also act
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