I am a doctor, I am an astrologer

Nights 192-209

Another short section, it is tied for the shortest for this project overall, except for the previous week’s.

We get some good drama before the lovers are united: Prince Qamar is depressed, but at least the kingdom believes his story. Princess Budur is considered insane. When one of the princess’s duennas refuses to believe Budur, she gets so mad that she kills the duenna! (night 193, p. 728). But eventually, the prince finds Budur. He gets props from a friend to look like an astrologer: “a geomantic table made of gold” and “a silver astrolabe overlaid with gold.” He reaches Budur by repeating the words “I am a doctor, I am an astrologer” to anyone who will listen. (night 202, p. 741)

The lovers are married but soon separated. On their way to Qamar’s father, Qamar is overcome with lust when he finds Budur “sleeping in a transparent chemise of apricot-coloured silk.” (night 206, p. 748). In a lovingly written scene, he starts to disrobe her and finds a “ring with a stone as red as the dragon’s blood gum that was fastened to [her waistband].” He examines the ring, but a bird snatches it and flies away. He follows the bird. It reminded me of the kind of mythical impulses you see in Greek myths: like Atalanta or Pandora.

When Budur awakens to find him gone, she decides she must dress as her husband. Otherwise, she says, the servants “will lust after me.” (night 208, p. 752). Through a convoluted circumstance, she makes the king of the Ebony City think she is a man and marries the king’s daughter. Our section ends with the king vowing to kill Budur if she doesn’t deflower his  daughter the next day. Good cliffhanger!