human
O, Prince of the Faithful! it is the hour of morning prayer, said a beautiful slave girl, stepping forward. Abu-l-Hasan laughed, for he knew not what to make of it. Then he rubbed his eyes and gazed around upon the sumptuous magnificence of the apartment with its gorgeous roof and walls, its rich silk hangings, its vessels of gold and sparkling crystal, its jewelled furniture, ornaments and luxurious carpets.
gpt
By Allah! he gasped;
human
O, Prince of the Faithful! he said, humbly;
gpt
At this Abu-l-Hasan, sorely perplexed, opened his eyes again very slowly, and saw the rich trappings of the couch whereon he lay. Little by little he opened them until at last they were wide with wonder, for this was no dream--the voice of the eunuch who had spoken, the faces and forms of the attendants, the royal splendour of the place--all were as real as he could wish; and yet--yet--he raised his hand to his mouth and bit one of his fingers--hard; then cried out with sudden pain. Angrily he raised himself on one elbow, and, addressing one of the female slaves,
human
Come here! he said.
gpt
My lord, I am always at thy service, she answered, drawing near.
human
What is thy will, O Prince of the Faithful?
gpt
Tell me, he said,
human
gpt
Thou art the Prince of the Faithful, answered she.
human
Thou art in thy palace and upon thy royal couch.
gpt
Nay, nay, said he;
human
I sleep. Methinks I dream, or-- he went on, half to himself,--
gpt
Can it be? My guest--he bade me drink and--what subtle enchantment is this? Am I now Abu-l-Hasan dreaming I am the Khalifeh, or was I, last night and heretofore for many nights, the Khalifeh dreaming he was Abu-l-Hasan?