One night, the Caliph feeling restless, began to walk on the by-ways of his palace, until he came across a chamber whose doorway had a curtain moving with the flow of air.
Raising it, he found something black lay upon the bed, as if it were a man asleep with a wax taper on his both hands. When he came nearer, to his surprise, he saw a girl lying asleep with her face covered by her long hair. He uncovered his hair by his hands and was mesmerized with her moonlit beauty.
Gently did he kiss her on her cheek, when she woke up and asked him about the reason for his presence. Haroon replied he was her guest seeking her hospitality to which she happily offered him drinks.
They both drank together. He played him songs with a few couplets. When her verses were ended, she informed the Commander that she had been wronged. Perceiving the dawn of day, Shahrazad stopped.
