The last one who went into the boat--he, unlucky man, had by accident wandered into the court of the House of Women and seen some of the ladies there unveiled--only lived for twelve days, but you, being so strong, may hope to last for eighteen.

Is there anything more that I can tell you?
If so, ask it quickly for we draw near to the river." Now when I heard this and understood all the horror of my fate, I forgot the vision of my great uncle, the holy Tanofir, and his comfortable prophecies, and my heart failed me altogether, so that I stood stock still.
"What, Lion-hunter and Bearder of kings, do you think it is too early to go to bed ?" mocked this devilish eunuch.

"On with you!" and he began to beat me about the face with the handle of his fly-whisk.
Then my manhood came back to me.
"When did the King tell you to touch me, you fatted swine ?" I roared, and turning, since I could not reach him with my bound hands, kicked him in the body with all my strength, so that he fell down, writhing and screaming with agony.

Indeed, had not the executioners leapt upon me, I would have trampled the life out of him where he lay.

But they held me fast and presently, after he had been sick, Houman recovered enough to come forward leaning on the shoulders of two guards.