I know of a surety that the Almighty hath made obedience to thee a duty in religion；but，Allah upon thee！ press me not in this matter of marriage，nor fancy that I will ever marry my life long；for that I have read the books both of the ancients and the moderns，and have come to know all the mischiefs and miseries which have befallen them through women and their endless artifices. And how excellent is the saying of the poet，'He whom the randy motts entrap Shall never see deliverance！
Though build he forts a thousandfold，
Whose mighty strength leadplates enhance，[227]
Their force shall be of no avail；
These fortresses have not a chance！
Women aye deal in treachery
To far and near o'er earth's expanse With fingers dipt in Hennablood
And locks in braids that mad the glance；
And eyelids painted o'er with Kohl
They gar us drink of dire mischance.'
And how excellently saith another，'Women，for all the chastity they claim，
Are offal cast by kites where'er they list：
This night their talk and secret charms are shine，
That night another joyeth calf and wrist：
Like inn，whence after night thou far'st at dawn，
And lodges other wight thou hast not wist.'[228]
Now when King Shahriman heard these his son's words and learnt the import of his verses and poetical quotations，he made no answer，of his excessive love for him，but redoubled in graciousness and kindness to him. He at once broke up the audience and，as soon as the seance was over，he summoned his Minister and taking him apart，said to him，'O thou the Wazir！
tell me how I shall deal with my son in the matter of marriage.'
And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted stay.