The Richard Burton Library

In which the noble youth Nur al-Din Ali, armed with a letter from the Caliph, journeys to Bassorah to claim his rightful place, only to meet suspicion, imprisonment, and a trial of fortune and forgiveness; meanwhile, the Caliph’s loyal minister Ja’afar undertakes a perilous mission to uphold justice in the city of Bassorah. The narrative then gently turns to the tale of Ghanim bin Ayyub, a merchant’s son famed for beauty and love, heralding a new story of passion and intrigue yet to unfold.

In which a prosperous merchant’s son journeys to Baghdad to trade his father’s goods, yet finds himself in a dire nocturnal predicament amidst tombs, overhearing the eerie plans of sinister slaves who share their tragic histories. The narrative unfolds with a sombre and contemplative tone, revealing the haunting solitude and unexpected tales interwoven with the mercantile life in an ancient city.

In which a timely warning prompts two travellers to flee by sea and seek refuge in the peaceful city of Baghdad, where they find rest and unexpected kindness within a magnificent garden guarded by a venerable keeper. Therein, amid sumptuous surroundings and gentle hospitality, they partake in wine and merriment, weaving a brief respite from their trials beneath the watchful eyes of a forbearing gardener.

In which the Caliph Harun al-Rashid, curious and incognito, visits a brightly lit garden palace to observe a convivial gathering that contrasts with his expectations of pious behaviour, and is enraptured by the music and poetry of a captivating damsel. Amidst the festivities and disguised encounters, a young man named Nur al-Din begins to reveal a poignant tale of loss and exile, setting the stage for a narrative rich in romance and adversity.

In which the vicissitudes of fortune befall the Wazir’s son, Nur al-Din Ali, who squanders his inheritance and faces the dire prospect of parting from his beloved slave-girl, Anis al-Jalis, amidst the intrigues and enmities of court life. The narrative unfolds with a poignant dance of generosity and betrayal, as Nur al-Din’s fall from grace provokes both scorn and sympathy within the marketplace and the palace alike.

In which a benevolent king of Bassorah desires a peerless slave-girl, whose acquisition and fate become intertwined with the contrasting fortunes of his generous and malevolent ministers. The narrative delicately unfolds amidst courtly intrigues and tender passions, as a mysterious maiden and the wily scion of the Wazir encounter one another under watchful eyes and restless hopes.

In which the fifth and sixth brothers of the Barber endure fortunes both rising and falling through ventures, betrayals, and brutal hardships, revealing a tapestry of human pride, resilience, and misadventure within the bustling life of Baghdad. Their fates intertwine with merciless foes and unexpected kindnesses, all recounted with a mix of wry humour and sombre reflection, as the narrative pauses before another tale unfolds.

In which a loquacious barber, known as The Silent Man to distinguish him from his many talkative brothers, insists on shaving the young man’s head despite the latter’s impatience, intertwining tales of advice, wit, and the perils of haste amid preparations for a secretive meeting. The ensuing uproar at the house reveals misunderstandings and leads the youth into flight and reflection upon the barber’s strange kindness, setting the stage for the barber’s own curious account of his life and brothers.

In which the Barber recounteth with a blend of melancholy and humour the various calamities and follies that befell his brothers—each marked by peculiar afflictions and misfortunes—while they endeavoured, with differing degrees of success and dignity, to eke out their livelihoods in Baghdad’s bustling streets. These narratives, drifting like smoke through markets and courts, reveal the precariousness of fate and the subtle tyranny of fortune’s caprices upon the humblest of men.

In which a youth recounts the grievous misfortune that befell him when he was falsely accused of theft, leading to the loss of his right hand and subsequent marriage to a devoted mistress who bequeaths him her wealth before her untimely death. Following this lamentable tale, another narrator begins to relate his curious adventures involving love, commerce, and painful punishment within the confines of a sumptuous palace.

In which a young Jewish physician recounts his strange fortunes from Damascus to Cairo, marked by love, loss, and grave injustice, culminating in a peculiar misadventure involving a jewelled necklace and a wrongful accusation. Thereafter, a tailor begins to relate his own uncanny tale of love and ill omen, introducing a cast of characters entwined by fate and mystery.

In which a grievous quarrel over conserve of pomegranate-grains triggers a series of trials that lead to the revelation of familial bonds and the restoration of honour through poetic wit and royal favour. Thereafter, the narrative shifts to the comedic introduction of a Tailor and a Hunchback, portending a tale brimful of misadventure and dark humour.

In which a series of hapless individuals unwittingly become entangled in the tragic fate of a hunchback whose untimely demise precipitates a tangled web of accusations and confessions, each more extraordinary than the last. Following this curious affair, the tale shifts to the poignant and poetic narrative of a young Coptic merchant whose heart is ensnared by an enchanting lady amidst the bustling bazaars and splendours of a grand city.

In which the heartbroken youth Hasan falls into a deep slumber at his father’s tomb and is discovered by mystical beings who reveal a strange tale of enforced marriage involving his fair cousin and a hunchbacked groom, leading to a bewildering journey across cities and hidden identities. Amidst splendour and sorrow, the lady of beauty and Hasan are united in secrecy, whilst the hapless hunchback faces a comic yet cruel fate, leaving all to ponder the curious workings of fate and fortune.

In which the intricate tale of vanished kinship and veiled lineage unfolds through the lamentations and long journeys of a Wazir seeking his lost nephew, entwined with the poignant youth of Ajib, a child whose noble birth is clouded by mystery and schoolyard scorn. The narrative gently reveals the tender yearnings and unexpected reunions amid the bustling cities and ornate households of the East, where fate’s gentle hand guides even the most wayward hearts.

In which a tale unfolds concerning two brothers who share the Wazirate of Egypt, their quarrel over marriage alliances, and the younger’s journey that leads him to Bassorah where he gains favour and wedlock with a minister’s daughter; their offspring flourish under careful nurture and royal admiration. The narrative further conveys paternal counsel and the vicissitudes of fortune as the young heir faces peril and exile, entwined with poetic reflections on loyalty and the fleeting nature of worldly estate.

In which a young lady recounts the grievous tribulations of a misguided oath and cruel chastisement by her husband, revealing the complex interplay of love, honour, and human frailty amid the shadows of mistaken trust. Subsequently, the Caliph Harun al-Rashid embarks upon an evening journey through his city, encountering a sorrowful case of a slain woman found in a chest, thus setting in motion a quest for justice entwined with layers of confession, sorrow, and unexpected revelations.

In which a youth recounts his grievous fortunes, wandering from a tragic island and encountering a mysterious company of one-eyed youths whose sombre rituals and secrets embroil him in a fateful adventure, leading to wondrous palaces, alluring maidens, and perilous choices. Amidst enchantments and warnings, he confronts the shadowy consequences of curiosity, and the telling pause leaves one yearning for the unfolding of these beguiling tales.

In which a resourceful and compassionate lady recounts the sorrowful fates of her sisters and her own perilous voyage to a ghost city where she encounters a solitary, devout youth amidst petrified souls, and together they contemplate a journey to Baghdad. Subsequently, treachery by her kin casts her adrift, only for a grateful Jinniyah to restore her fortune and compel her to chastise her deceitful sisters; then the narrative turns to another lady whose tale begins with a mysterious invitation leading her to a splendid palace and the prospect of a destined union.

In which a valiant princess confronts and ultimately defeats a fearsome Ifrit through a shape-shifting and fiery battle fraught with dire consequences for all present, leading to profound grief and the bitter parting of a repentant king and narrator alike. Following this, a king named Ajíb recounts his perilous sea voyage brought low by the mysterious and deadly Magnet Mountain, where fate intertwines with prophecy and loneliness in a tale marked by friendship, tragic error, and the inscrutable decrees of destiny.

In which a woodcutter’s fortuitous meeting with a mysterious lady held captive by an Ifrit unfolds into a tale of enchantment and transformation, blending sorrow with the marvels of magic and wisdom. Their strange journey leads through spellbound shapes and poetic cunning, revealing noble grace and the tender interplay of fate and mercy amidst the hidden realms beneath the earth.

In which a humble porter of Baghdad is drawn into the company of three striking and enigmatical ladies, who entertain him in a lavish mansion with sumptuous fare, lively song, and playful banter, all under the strict condition of discretion. The scene grows more curious as unexpected guests arrive and a masked Caliph himself enters, while the mystery deepens with the unveiling of veiled sorrows and secret rituals unknown to the ordinary onlooker.

In which a mysterious lady’s haunting odes move the household to deep sorrow and fainting, provoking curious guests to demand the story behind her grievous afflictions and those of her sister. The tale unfolds of regal fortunes dashed by treachery, tragic love, and flight, as one-eyed Kalandars recount their harrowing misfortunes to a sceptical yet intrigued assembly.

In which a wise physician cures a king of a grievous malady, only to fall victim to the envious machinations of a jealous minister whose counsel leads the sovereign to a fateful decision; and in turn, strange and enchanting tales are recounted, woven with marvels of talking birds, apparitions, and the binding power of ancient covenants. Thus unfolds a tapestry of trust, betrayal, and the unforeseeable workings of destiny, all set within courts and wildernesses where human frailty and supernatural wonder intermingle.

In which a curious Sultan, led by his own restless spirit, ventures alone to a mysterious palace and discovers a young prince cursed to be half-man, half-stone, who recounts a grievous tale of betrayal and enchantment tied to a tarn and its wondrous fishes. The narrative unfolds with a blend of sorrow and courage as the Sultan resolves to break the dark spell and restore the afflicted prince and the enchanted city to their rightful state.

In which a merchant blessed with the secret understanding of animals overhears a dispute between his bull and ass, leading to clever stratagems that reveal the nature of toil and deception, and his wife's relentless curiosity compels him to disclose his secret despite grave warnings. Subsequently, as night falls, the tale unfolds of a merchant’s fateful encounter with a fearsome Jinni, interwoven with enigmatic stories told by mysterious elders who seek to save him from a dire fate.

In which a merchant recounts the tale of his two brothers and his own ventures, encompassing fortunes won and lost, a mysterious maiden of otherworldly origin, and the dire consequences of jealousy and betrayal among kin. Following this, the narrative unfolds the story of a fisherman's encounter with a powerful and vengeful Jinni, setting the stage for further marvels and moral reflections as revealed in the ensuing discourse.

In which the esteemed translator recounts his ardent dedication to presenting the Arabian Nights in a manner faithful to the original spirit, language, and rhythm, taking great pains to preserve its intricate prose rhyme, cultural nuances, and unabashed candour. With erudite reflections on previous translations and a candid discourse on the Nights’ unique blend of coarse wit and sublime morality, he sets forth the purpose and challenges of his unexpurgated and annotated version for an English readership.

In which two noble brothers, sovereigns of distant realms, reunite under sombre circumstances that reveal the treacheries hidden within their families, prompting a grim resolve born of sorrow and profound disillusionment. The tale proceeds to introduce the learned and resolute daughter of a high minister, who contemplates a bold and perilous design to end a terrible reign of distrust and bloodshed.

In which the fortunes of an Eastern manuscript are traced through translators, copyists, omissions, glosses, and learned hands, until a rare book emerges half restored and half confessedly imperfect. The editor, with traveller’s candour and scholar’s caution, defends both the blemishes and the beauties of the text, leaving fuller treasures to whatever Arabophile shall next dare the labour.

In which the venerable Sheikh imparts ancient culinary and medicinal lore to invigorate the passions and enhance the duration of coitus, illustrated by remarkable feats of endurance and vigour, before unfolding the curious tale of Princess Zohra and her formidable challenges to suitors. This episode intertwines recipes and romance with tales of steadfast resolve, honourable oaths, and the triumphant pursuit of love amidst sumptuous and secretive surroundings.

In which the author dispenses ancient and curious recipes for removing unpleasant odours and for contracting the female sexual parts, relying upon natural concoctions and remedies drawn from the vegetation and substances of the earth. In which he further elucidates the signs and symptoms by which pregnancy may be known and the sex of the unborn child divined, offering observations gleaned from learned sages and experience.

In which the learned discourse turns to the intricate maladies afflicting the reproductive organs of both women and men, discussing diverse causes of sterility and impotence alongside a variety of curious and traditional remedies. The exposition continues with earnest advice on enhancing the virile member’s size and vigour through an assortment of preparations and practices, all conveyed with an air of reverence for the mysteries of nature and the Almighty’s will.

In which the wise Moârbeda imparts her intimate insights into the anatomy and temperaments of women and men, elucidating their desires and dispositions with an eye both keen and discreet. And in which various remedies and practices for augmenting vigour and pleasure in the act of generation are revealed, blending the practical with the arcane in a manner most evocative of ancient wisdom.

In which a series of tales unfold, illustrating the manifold cunning and stratagems of women, as they navigate love and desire with wit and guile. These narratives, rich with human foibles and clever ruses, gently reveal the intricate dance of passion and deception within the delicate confines of marriage and courtship.

In which a learned discourse is given upon the distinctive sexual organs of various beasts, classified according to their species and particular natures, with quaint appellations bestowed upon them. Amongst these creatures, the lion is celebrated for his sagacious and jealous nature in matters of coition, exhibiting a singular ritual of examination and unmatched temper, yet curiously abides by the invocation of the Prophet Daniel’s name.

In which a detailed catalogue of the various names and characteristics attributed to the female sexual organ is presented with a blend of poetic imagery, cultural beliefs, and practical advice, accompanied by interpretations of dreams concerning sexual organs as omens. The narrative then unfolds into the intimate tale of Djoâidi and Fadehat el Djemal, wherein the interplay of desire, longing, and eloquent verse reveals both the mysteries and delights of human passion.

In which the manifold and colourful nomenclature of the male virile member is expounded with both wit and sagacity, revealing the intimate qualities and behaviours ascribed to it in various states of passion and repose. Moreover, the text ventures into the realm of dreams and omens, decoding the symbolism of diverse natural objects and bodily features as portents of fortune, misfortune, and personal destiny.

In which the wise and prudent counsel of the ancients is tenderly unfolded, warning of the various ills that may befall the man who does not temper his embraces with care and moderation. The discourse proceeds to expound on the delicate balance of pleasures and perils attendant upon the act of generation, with attention to posture, timing, diet, and the choice of partner, all woven with proverbial wisdom and sage verse.

In which the art of coition is explored with attentive care, detailing the preliminary caresses and a multitude of positions adapted to diverse physiques and conditions, each designed to maximise mutual pleasure and satisfaction. The narrative further emphasises the essential union of embrace and kiss with the act itself, underscoring the intimacy and varied methods by which lovers may attune to one another’s desires and corporeal particularities.