There is many a misfortune that oppresses us, But from which God will rescue us. When the noose was drawn to its tightest, Contrary to my fears, it was then relaxed. Morning now dawned and Shahrazad broke off from what she had been allowed to say. Then, when it was the eight hundred and twentieth night, SHE CONTINUED: I have heard, O fortunate king, that Queen Nur al- Huda ordered her sister, Manar al-Sana, to be fetched. She was brought before her with her hands tied behind her back and then recited the lines that have been quoted. At this point Nur al-Huda had a wooden ladder brought in, along which she had her sister laid out on her back, ordering her eunuchs to tie her to it. When her arms had been stretched out and tied with ropes, Nur al-Huda had her head uncovered and wound her hair around the wooden rungs, as all pity had been removed from her heart. When Manar al-Sana saw herself in such a humiliating and degraded state, she cried out tearfully, but no one helped her. ‘Sister,’ she called, ‘why have you hardened your heart against me and why have you no pity for me or for these little children?’