'*1001 nights~Greek King and Physician*'
1001 NIGHTS
The story of the Greek King and the Physician
"In the country of Zouman, in Persia, there lived a King whose subjects were Greek origin. The King was sorely afflicted with a leprosy, and his physicians had unsuccessfully tried every remedy they knew, when a very learned physician, called Douban, arrivet at the court."
"As soon as he was informed of the King's illness, and heard that physicians had given their master up, he dressed himself as neatly as possible, and obtained an audience of King.
'Sir,' said he, ' i know that all the physicians who have attendet your Majesty have been unable to remove your leprosy, but if you will do me the honour to accept of my services, i will engage to cure you without medicines or ointments.'
The King, pleased with proposal, replied,
'if you are really skilful as you pretendet, i promise to shower wealth on you, and in adition to the presents you shall have, you shall be my first favourite. But dont you tell me earlier, that you will remove my leprosy without making me swallow any potion or applying any remedy externally?'
'Yes, sir,' replied the physician, 'i flatter myself, i shall succed with the help of God, and tomorrow i will begine my cure.'"
"Douban returned to his house and made a sort of racket or bat, with a hollow in the handle to admit the arug he meant to use. That being done, he also prepaered a sort of round ball or bowl, and the following day he presented himself before the King, and prostrating himself at the monarch's feet, kissed the ground before him."
"Douban then arose, and told the King, that he must ride on horseback to the place where he was accustomed to play at bowls. The King did as he was recomended, and when he had reached the bowling green the physician approached him, and putting into his hand the bat, which had been prepared, said, 'o King, exercise youself with striking ball with this bat, untill you find yourself in a profuse perspiration. When the remedy i have enclosed in the handle of the bat is warmed by your hand, it will penetrate through your whole body. You may then leave off playing, for the drug will have taken effect, and when you return to your palace get into a warm bath, and be well rubbed and washed, then go to bed and tomorrow you will be quite cured.'"
"The King took the bat, and spurred his horse after the ball untill he struck it. It was sent back to him by the officers who were playing with him, and he struck it again, and thus the game continued for a considerable time, untill he found his hand as well as his whole body through heated, and the remedy in the bat began to operate as the physician had prophesied. The King then ceased playing, returned to the palace, bathed, and observed very punctualy all the directions that had been given him."
"He soon found the good effects of the prescription, for when he arose the next morning he perceived with equal surprise an joy that leprosy was entirely cured, and that his body was as clear as if he had neves been attacked by that malady. As soon as he was dressed he went into the audience chamber, where he mounted his throne and received the congratulations of all his courtiers, who had assembled on that day partly to gratify their curiosity, and partly to testify their joy at their master recovery."
"Douban entered, and went to prostrate himself at the foot of the throne, with his face towards the ground. The King when he saw him called to him and made him sit by his side, and poiting him out to the assembly, gave him in that public way all the prise the physician so well deserved. Nor did the King stop here, for at a grand entertainment at court on that day he placed the physiciat at his ow table to dine with him alone."
"The great King," continued fisherman," was not satisfied with admitting the physician to his own table, towards evening. When the courtiers were about to depart, he caused him to be dressed in a long robe resembling that which the courtiers usually wore in King's presence, and in addition, made him a present of two thousand sequins. For the next few days this prince thinking he could never repay the obligations he owned to the skilful physician, was continually conferring on him some fresh proof of his gratitude."
"The King had a grand vizier, who was avaricious, envious, and prone by nature to every species of crime. This man observed with malicious fury the presents which had been bestowed upon the physician, whose great character and merit he was determined to lessen and destroy in the mind of the King. To accomplish this purpose, he went to monarch, and said in private that he had some intelligence of the greatest moment to communicate. The King asked him what it was. 'Sir,' replied he, 'it is very dangerous for a monarch to place confidence in a man, of whose fidelity he is not assured. While you overwhelm the physician Douban with your favours and bestow all this kindness and regard upon him, you are ignorant, that he is a trator, who has introduced himself into the court, in order to assassinate you.'
'What is this you dare tell me?' cried the King. 'Recollect to whom you speak, and that you advance and assertion, which i shall not easely belive.'
'O King,' resumed the vizier, 'i am accurately informed, of what i have the honour to represent to you, do not therefore continue to repose such a dangerous confidence in Douban. I repeat, that the physician Douban has travelled from the farthest part of Greece, his own country, to carry out the horrible design i have mentioned.'"
"'No, no vizier', interrupted the King, 'i am sure this whow you consider hypocrite and trator, is one of the most virtuous and best men. You know by what remedy, or rather by what miracle, he cured me of my leprosy, and why did he save me? Cease then from endeavouring to instil unjust suspicions into my mind instead of listening to them, i now inform you that from this very day i bestow upon him a pension of one thousand sequins a month, for the rest of his life, and were i to share all my riches, and even my kingdoms with him, i could never sufficiently repay what he has done for me. I see the reason of this virtue excites your envy, but do not suppose that i shall suffer myself to be prejudiced against him'"
"The vizier was too desirus of the death of Douban to let the matter where it was. 'O King,' replied he, 'it is not envy that makes me hostile to him, it is interest alone that i take in your majesty's preservation. Douban is a spy, sent by your enemies to attempt your majesty's life. He has cured you, you say, but who can tell that? He has perhaps, only cured you in appearance, and not in truth, and who can tell whether this remedy, in the end, will not produce the most pernicious effects?'"
"The Greek King was naturaley rather weak, and had neither penetration enough to discover the wicked intention of his vizies, nor firmness to persist in his first opinion.
'You are right vizier,' said he, 'he may have come for the express purpose of taking my life, an object he can easly accomplish. We must consider what to be done in this difficulty!'"
"When the vizier perceived the King in the desposition he wished to produce, he said to him, 'the best and most certain means, great King, to ensure your repose, and put your person in safety, is instantly to send to Douban, and on his appearance, to couse him to be beheaded!'
'Indeed,' replied the King, 'i think i ought to prevent his designs.'
Having said this, he called one of his officers, and ordered him to summon the physician. The latter, quite unsuspicius of the King's design, hastened to the palace."
"'Do you know,' said the King as soon as he saw him, 'why i sent for you?'
'No sir,' answered Douban.
'I have order you to come,' replied the King,' that i may free myself from my snares by taking my life.'"
"Its impossible to express the astonishment of Douban when he heard himsele thus adressed.
'For what reason, o King,' replied he, 'does your Majesty condemn me to death? What crime have i commited?'
'I have been informed,' said the King, 'that you are a spy, and that you have come to my court to take away my life. Strike!' Added he to an officer who was present, and deliver me from a treacherous wretch who has introduced himself here only to assassinate me!'"
"On hearing this, physician began to think, that the honours and riches which have been heaped upon him excited some enemies, and that the King, through weaknes, he suffered himself to be quided by these. He began to repent having cured the King, but this repentance came too late.
'Is that,' he cried, 'how you repay the good i have done for you?'
The King however paid no attention to his remonstrances, and second time desired the officer to execute his orders. The physician had the recourse to prayers.
'Ah sir,' he cried, 'if you prolong my life, god will prolong yours, do not kill me, lest god should treat you in the same manner.'"
"'You see then,' said the fisherman to the Genie, 'that what has passed between the Greek King and physician Douban, is exactly similiar to what happenee between us.'"
"The Greek King however," he continued, "instead of regarding the entreaties of the physician, exclaimed
'no, no, you must die, or you will take away my liff more mysteriously even than you have cured me.'
The officer then put a bandage over prisoner eyes, tied Douban's hands, and was going to draw his scimitar. But the courtmens who were present felt so much for the physician that they entreated the King to pardon him, assuring his Majesty that they would answer for his innocence. But the King was inflexible, and spoke so peremptorily that they dare not to reply."
"On his knees, his eyes bandaged, and ready to receive the stroke that was to terminate his existence, the physician once more addressed the King in these words
'Since your Majesty refuses to revoke the order for my death, i entreat you at least to give me leave to return home, to arrange my funeral, take a last farewell of my family, bestow some money in charity and leave my books to those who will know how to make a good use of them. There is one among them which i wish to present to your Majesty. It is a very rear and curious work, and worth of being kept even in your treasury with the greatest care.'
'What book can there be,' replied the King, 'so valuable as to deserve such honour?'
'Sir!' answered physician, 'its contains powers of the most curios nature, and one of the principal effect it can produce is, that when my head shall be cut off, if your Majesty will take the trouble to open the book at the sixth leaf, and read the third line on the left hand page, my head will answer every question you wish to ask.'
The King was so desirous of seeing such a wonderful thing, that he put off the physician's death untill the next day, and sent him home under a strong guard."
"The unfortunate prisoner then arranged all his affairs and as the news got abroad that an unheard of prodigy was to happen after his execution, all the court flocked next day to the hall of audience to witness the extraordinary event."
"Douban appeared presently, and advanced to the foot of the throne with very large volume in his hand. He then placed the book on a vase, and unfolding the cover in which the book was wrapped, presented it to the monarch, and then addressed him,
'May it please your Majesty to receive this book, and directly my had shall have been struck off, order one of your officers to place the head on the vase upon the cover of the book. As soon as it is there, the blood will cease flow, then open the book, and my head shall answer all your questions. But sir, permit me once more to implore your mercy. I protest to you, i am inocent!'
'Your prayers,' answered the King, 'are useless, and where it only to hear your head speak after your death, i would wish for your execution.'
So saying, he took the book from the physician, and ordered the headsman to do his duty."
"The head was so cleverly cut off, that it fell into the vase, and had hardly been on the cover an instant before the blood ceased to qun. Then, to the astonishment of the King and all of the spectators, it opened its eyes, and said,
'Will your Majesty now open the book?'
The King did so, and finding that the first leaf stuck to the second, put his finger to his mouth, and moistened it, in order to turn over the leaves more easly. He turned them over, one by one, till he came to the sixth leaf, and observing nothing written upon appointed page. He said to the head, 'physician, there is no writing!'
'Turn over a few more leaves.' replied the head.
The King continued turning them over, still putting his finger frequently to his mouth, till the poison, in which each leaf had been dipped, began to produce its effect. The monarch then felt himself suddenly agitated in a most extraordinary manner, his sight failed him, and he rolled to the foot of the throne."
"When the physician Douban, or rather his head, sow that his poison had begun to work, and the King had only a few moments to live, he exclaimed: 'Tyrant, behold how those princes are treated who abuse their power, and sacrifice the innocent! Sooner or later Allah punishes their injustice and their cruelty.'
As soon as the head had finished those words, the King expired, and at the same moment, the small remnant of life that remained in the head itself flickered away."
"Such, my lord," continued Sheherazade, "was the end of the Greek King and the physician Douban. I shall now return to the fisherman and the Genie."
"When the fisherman finished the history of the Greek King and the physician, he applied it to the Genie, whom he still kept confined in the vase.
'If,' said he, 'the Greek King had permited Douban to live, Allah would have bestowed the same benefit of the King, but rejected the humblle prayers of the physician, and Allah punished him. This, o Genie, is the case with you. If i had been able to make you relent, and could have obtained the favour i asked of you, i should have pitied the state in which you now are, but as you did persist in my determination to kill me, in spite of the grand service, did you in setting you at liberty, ought, in my turn, to show no mercy. By leaving you within this vase, and casting you into the sea, i shall deprive you of the use of your being untill the end of time.'"
"'Once more, my good friend,' replies the Genie, 'i entreat you no to be guilty of so cruel an act. Remember that revenge is not a part of virtue, on the contrary, it is praiseworthy to return good for evil.'
'No, no!' said the fisherman, 'i will not release you, it is better for me to cast you to the botton of the sea!'
'One word more, fisherman,' cried the Genie, 'i will teach you how to be become rich beyond your imagining.'"
"'I would listen to you,' cried fisherman, 'if i had the least ground to beleive you. Swear to me by the great name of Allah that you will faithfully observe your promise, and i will open the vase. I do not believe that you will dare to violate such an oath.'
The Genie took the oath, the fisherman immediately removed the covering of the vase, and the smoke instantly poured from it. The first thing the Genie did, after had reassured his usual form, was to kick the vase into the sea. This action rather alarmed the fisherman.
"The fear expressed by the fisherman made the Genie laugh. 'Be of good cheer fisherman,' answered he, 'to show i intend to keep my word, take your nets and follow me.'
So, they went out, and passed by the city and crossed the summit of a mountain, from whence they descended into a vast plain, which led them to a lake, situated between four small hills."
"When they had arrived on the borders of the lake, the Genie said to the fisherman, 'Throw your nets, and catch fish.'
The fisherman did not doubt that he should take some, for he saw a great quantity in the lake, but he was greatly surprised to notice that they were four different colours, white, red, blue and yellow. He throw his nets and cough four fish, one of each colour. 'Carry these fish to the palace,' said the Genie, 'and offer them to the Sultan, and he will give you more money that you have seen in your life. Come here every day and fish in this lake, but be careful to throw your nets only once each day. If you neglect my warning, some evil will befall you, therefore take care.' Having said this, he struck his foot against the ground, the earth opened and he disappeared. The ground closing over him."
"The fisherman resolved to observe the advise and instructions of the Genie in every poind, and to take case never to throw his nets a secont time. He went back to the town very well satisfied with his success, and present himself with his fish at the Sultan's palace."
"Your Majesty may imagine how much Sultan was surprised when he saw the four fish. He took them up one by one, examined them very attentively and after admiring them a long time he said to his first vizier, 'take these fish, and carry them to that excelent cook, whom the emperor of the Greek send me. I think they must be as delicious as they are beautiful.'"
"The vizier took them, and delivered them himself into the hands of the cook. 'Here are four fish,' said he, 'which have been presented by the Sultan, he commands you, to cook them.'
He then returned to the Sultan, who desired him to give the fisherman, who had never before behold so large a sum of money at once, could not conceal his joy, an thought the whole adventure a dream. He soon however, proved it to be a reality, and applied the gold to a good purpose in relieving the wants of his family."
"We must now, my Lord," continue Sheherazade, "give account of what passed in the Sultan's kitchen."
"Ass soon as the cook had cleaned the fish, which the vizier had brought, she put them to fry over the fire in a vessel with some oil. When he thought they were sufficiently done on one side, she turned them. She had hardly done so when the wall of the kitchen appeared to seperate and beautiful youn damsel came out of the opening. She was dressed in a satin robe, embroidered with flowers after the Egyptian manner, and adorned with ear rings and a necklase of large pearls, and gold braceless, set with rubies. She held a rod of myrtle of her hand. To the great astonishent of the cook, she approached the pan, and striking one of the fish with her rod, she said, 'fish, fish, are you doing your duty?'
Fish answered not a word. She replied the question, when the four fishes all raised themselves up and said very distincty, 'yes, yes, if you reckon, we reckon, if you pay your debts, we pay ours, if you fly, we conquer.'
As soon as they spoken these words, the damsel overturned the vessel, and went back through the wall, which immediately closed up, and was as if it had never been disturbed."
"When the cook, who was greatly alarmed at all these wonders, had in some measure recovered from her fright, she went to take up the fish, which had fallen upon the hot ashes, but she found them blacker and more burnt than the coals themselves, an not at all in a fit state to be put before the Sultan. At this she was greatly distressed, and began to weep lament bitterly. 'Alas!' saimd she, 'What will become of me? I am sure, when i relate to the Sultan what i have seen, he will not believe me.'"
"While she was in this distress the grand vizier entered, and asked if the fish were ready. The cook then related all that had taken place, at whom the vizier are greatly astonished, but without telling the Sultan any thing about the matter, he invented some excuse for the non appearance of the fish, which satisfied his master. He then sent directly for the fisherman, on whose arrival he said, 'bring me four more fish, like those you brought before, for an accident has happened, which prevents their being served up to the Sultan.'
The fisherman pleaded the lenght of the way as an excuse for not being able to procure any more fish that day, he promised, however, to bring some next morning."
"The fisherman in order to be in time, set out before it was day and went to the lake. He throw his nets, and upon drawing them out, found four more fishes, like those he had taken the day before, each of a different colour. He returned directly and brought them to grand vizier. The vizier took them, and carried them into kitchen, wher he shut up himself with the cook, who prepaered to fry them in his presence. She put them on the fire as she gad done with others on the preceding day. When they were cooked on one side, she turned them, and immediately the wall of the kitchen opened, and the same damsel appeared. With her myrtle wand in her hand. She approached the pan, in which the fish were, and striking one of them, repeated the words she had used on the preceding day, and all the fish raised their heads, and made the same answer. The damsel overturned the vessel with her rod, as she had done before, and went away through the wall. The grand vizier witnessed all that passed. 'This is very surprising,' he cried,' and too extraordinary to be kept a secret from the Sultan's ears. I will myself go and inform him of this prodigy.'
Accordingly he went directly, and gave an exact account of all that had passed."
"The Sultan was much astonished, and became very anxious to see this wonderful sight. For this purpose, he sent for the fisherman. 'Friend,' said he to him, 'can you bring me four more fish of different colours?'
'If your Majesty,' answered the fisherman, 'will gave me time, i can promise to do so.'
He obtain the time he wished, and went again for the third time to the lake. Not less successful than before, he caught four fishes of different colours, the first time he throw his nets. The fisherman hastened to carry them to Sultan, who ordered four hundred pieces of money to be given to the man."
"As soon as the Sultan had obtained the fish, he had them brought into his own cabinet, together with the different things that were necessary for preparing them. He shut himself up with the grand vizier, who began to cook the fish, and put them on the fire in a proper vessel. As soon as they were done on one side, he turned them on the other. The wall of the cabinet immediately opened, but instead of the beautiful damsel, there appeared a negro, in the dress of a slave. This negro was gigantic stature, and held a large green rod in his hand. He advanced towards the vessel and touching one of the fish with his rod. He cried out in a terible tone, 'fish, fish, are you doing your duty?'
At these words, the fish lifted up their heads and answered, 'yes, yes, we are, if you reckon, we reckon, if you pay your debts, we pay ours, if you fly, we conquer.'
The fish scarcely said this when the negro overturned the vessel into the middle of the cabinet, and reduced the fish to cinders. Having done this, he retired through the opening in the wall which instantly closed, and appeared as perfect as before."
"'After what i have seen,' said the Sultan to his grand vizier, 'i cannot think of letting this matter rest. It is certain that these fish signify something very extraordinary, and i must discover what it is. He sent for the fisherman, and when the man arrived, the Sultan said to him, 'the fish you have brought to me have caused great uneasiness. Where did you catch them?'
'I cought them, o Sultan,' answered he, 'in a lake, which is situated in the middle of four small hills beyond the mountains you may see from hence.'
'Do you know that lake?' said the Sultan to the vizier.
'No my Lord,' answered he, 'i have never even heard it mentioned, though, i have hunted in the vicinity of the mountain, and beyond it, for nearly sixty years.'
The sultan asked the fisherman about what distance the lake was from the palace. He replied that it was not more than three hour journey. On hearing this, as there was still time to arrive there before night, the Sultan ordered his whole court to accompany him, while the fisherman served as a guide."
"They all ascended the mountain, and on going down on the other side, they are much surprised at the appearance of a large plain, which no one had ever before remarked. They at lenght arrived at the lake, which they found situated exactly as the fisherman had reported. Its water was so transparent that they could see that all the fish were of the same colours as those the fisherman had brought to the palace."
"The Sultan halted at the side of lake, and after contemplating the fish with looks of great admiration. He inquired of his courtiers, if it could be possible that they never seen this lake, which was so close to the city? They said they had never heard it mentioned. 'Since you all agree, then,' said he, 'that you have never heard it spoken of, and since i am not less astonished then yourselves at this novelty, i am resolved not to return to my palace till i have discovered for what reason this lake is now placed here, and why there are fish only four colours in it.'
Thereupon he ordered them to encamp."
"When the day closed the Sultan retired to his pavilion, and began an important conversation with his vizier. 'My mind,' said he, 'is much disturbet. This lake suddenly placed here, this black who appeared to us in my cabinet, these fish too, which we heard speak, all this so much excites my curiosity, that i am determined to be satisfied. Therefore i have made up my mind to execute the design i mediate. I shall go quite alone from my camp, and order you to keep my departure a profound secret. Remain in my pavilion, and when my courtiers present themselves at the entrance tomorrow morning, send them away and say i am somewhat indisposed, and wish to remain alone. You will continue to do so every day till my return.'"
"The grand vizier endeavoured by many arguments to dissuade the Sultan from carrying out this design. But all his eloquence was exhausted to no effect. The Sultan did not listen to him, but prepared to set out. He put on a dress proper for walking, and armed himself with a sabre, and as soon as he found everything in the camp was quiet, he departed quite alone."
"The Sultan bent his course towards one of the small hills, which he ascended without much difficulty, and the descent on the other side was still easier. He then pursued his way over a plain till the sun rose. He now perceived before him, in the distance, a large building, the sight of which filled him wath joy, for he hoped to gain some inteligence of what he wished to know. When he came near he remarked that the building was a magnificent palace built of polished black marble, and covered with steel, so bright that it showe like a mirror. Delighted to have so soon met with something, at least, worth investigation. He stopped opposite the front of the castle, and examined it with much attention, he then advanced towards the folding dors, one of which was open. Though he might have entered, he thought it better to knock. At first he knocked gently, and waited some time, but finding that no one answered his summons, he knocked a second time, much louder then before, still no one came, at this he was much astonished, for he could not imagine that a castle so well built could not be deserted.
'If there is no person there,' said the Sultan himself, 'i have nothing to fear, and if anyone comes, i have arms to defend myself with.'"
"At last he entered, and pausing in the vestibule, he called out, 'is there no one here to receive a stranger, who is in want of refreshment on his journey?'
He repeated this call two or three times, as loudly as he could, still there was no answer. This silence increased his astonishment. He passed to a very spacious court, and looking on every side, he could not discover a living creature. He then passed through some large halls, in which were spread carpets of silk, while the recesses were full of sofas entirely covered with the stuffs of Mecca, the curtains hung before the doors were of the richest manufactures of India, embroidered with a gold and silver. The Sultan went on and came to a most splendid saloon in the midst of which there was a large resorvoir, with a lion of massive gold at each corner. Streams of water issued from the mouth of the four lions, and formed a goodly addition to fountain that spring from the middle of the basin, rising almost to the top of a dome, beautifully painted in the arabesque style."
"The castle was surrounded on three sides by a garden, radiant with all kinds of flowers, with fountains, groves and many other beauties, but what more than all else rendered this spot enchanting, was the multitude of birds, which filled the air with their constant habitation, for nets were thrown entirely over the trees, which prevented the escape of the beautiful songsters. The Sultan continued a long time walking from one apartment to another, and everything around him was grand and magnificient.. Being somewhat fatigued, he sat down in an open cabinet, which looked into the garden. Here he sat meditating upon all he had seen, when suddenly a plaintive voice, uttering the most heart rending cries, struck his ear. He listened attentively, and heard these melancholy words: 'O Fortune, you have not suffered me long to enjoy my happy lot, but have rendered me the most wretched of men, cease, i entreat you that to persecute me, and rather by a speedy death put an end to my sufferings!'"
"The Sultan, much affected by these lamentable complaints, immediately rose and went towards the spot whence they issued. He came to the entrance of a large hall. Drawing the curtain aside, he saw a young man seated upon a sort of throne, raised a little from the ground. This man was handsome to behold, and was very richly dressed. A look of a sorrow was impressed on his countenance. The Sultan aprroached and saluted the stranger. The youth returned the compliment by a deep bending of his head, but did not rise. 'Certainly,' said to the Sultan, 'i ougt to rise to receive you, and show you all possible respect, but most powerful reason prevents me, you will not, i trust, take it amiss.'
'Whatever may be your motive not to rising,' said the Sultan, 'i wilingly receive your apologies. Attrached by your complains, and hoping to receive your sufferings, i come to offer you my assistance. But, in the first place, i beg you to inform me, what is the meaning of that lake in which there ase fish of four different colours. Tell me also how this castle came here and how you came to be in it here alone?'"
"Instead of answering these questions, the young man began to weep most bitterly. 'How inconstant is Fortune!' he cried, 'she delights in hurling down those whom she raised up. Who can say he has ever enjoyed from her, a life of calm and pure happiness?'"
"The Sultan, touched with compassion at the youth's condition, again reguested him to relate cause of such sorrow. 'Alas, my Lord,' answered the youth, 'can i be otherwise than sorrowful?'
With these words he lifted up his robe, and the Sultan perceived he was a man only to his waist, and that from thence to his fnnt he had been changed into black marble.
"The Sultan's surprise maybe readily imagined when he saw the deplorable state of the young man. 'What you show me,' said to him, 'fills me with horror, but at the same time excites my interest. I am impatient to learn your history, and c am convinced that the lake and the fish have some conection with it. I entreat you, therefore, to relate your story.'
'I will not refuse your satisfaction,' replied the young man, 'but i must forewarn you to prepare your ears and your mind, even your eyes, for something that passes all belief.'"
Please continue to Story of the Young King of the Black isles.
