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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 5666 ***
+
+
+
+
+                    The "Aldine" Edition of
+
+               The Arabian Nights Entertainments
+
+                   Illustrated by S. L. Wood
+
+              FROM THE TEXT OF DR. JONATHAN SCOTT
+
+                        In Four Volumes
+
+                            Volume 3
+
+
+                             London
+                      Pickering and Chatto
+                              1890
+
+
+
+
+
+                    Contents of Volume III.
+
+
+
+The Story of Beder, Prince of Persia, and Jehaunara, Prince of
+     Samandal, or Summunder
+The History of Prince Zeyn Alasnam and the Sultan of the Genii
+The History of Codadad, and His Brothers
+     The History of the Princess of Deryabar
+The Story of Abu Hassan, or the Sleeper Awakened
+The Story of Alla Ad Deen; Or, the Wonderful Lamp
+Adventure of the Caliph Haroon Al Rusheed
+     The Story of Baba Abdoollah
+     The Story of Syed Naomaun
+     The Story of Khaujeh Hassan Al Hubbaul
+The Story of Ali Aba and the Forty Robbers Destroyed by a Slave
+The Story of Ali Khujeh, a Merchand of Bagdad
+
+
+
+
+
+           THE STORY OF BEDER, PRINCE OF PERSIA, AND
+              JEHAUN-ARA, PRINCESS OF SAMANDAL, OR
+                           SUMMUNDER.
+
+
+
+Persia was an empire of such vast extent, that its ancient
+monarchs, not without reason, assumed the haughty title of King
+of kings. For not to mention those subdued by their arms, there
+were kingdoms and provinces whose kings were not only tributary,
+but also in as great subjection as governors in other nations are
+to the monarchs.
+
+One of these kings, who in the beginning of his reign had
+signalized himself by many glorious and successful conquests,
+enjoyed so profound a peace and tranquillity, as rendered him the
+happiest of princes. The only point in which he thought himself
+unfortunate was, that amongst all his wives, not one had brought
+him a son; and being now far advanced in years, he was desirous
+of an heir. He had above a hundred ladies, all lodged in separate
+apartments, with women-slaves to wait upon and eunuchs to guard
+them; yet, notwithstanding all his endeavours to please their
+taste, and anticipate their wishes, there was not one that
+answered his expectation. He had women frequently brought him
+from the most remote countries; and if they pleased him, he not
+only gave the merchants their full price, but loaded them with
+honours and benedictions, in hopes that at last he might be so
+happy as to meet with one by whom he might have a son. There was
+scarcely an act of charity but he performed, to prevail with
+heaven. He gave immense sums to the poor, besides large donations
+to the religious; building for their use many noble colleges
+richly endowed, in hopes of obtaining by their prayers what he so
+earnestly desired.
+
+One day, according to the custom of his royal predecessors,
+during their residence in their capital, he held an assembly of
+his courtiers, at which all the ambassadors and strangers of
+quality about the court were present; and where they not only
+entertained one another with news and politics, but also by
+conversing on the sciences, history, poetry, literature, and
+whatever else was capable of diverting the mind. On that day a
+eunuch came to acquaint him with the arrival of a certain
+merchant from a distant country, who, having brought a slave with
+him, desired leave to shew her to his majesty. "Give him
+admittance instantly," said the king, "and after the assembly is
+over I will talk with him." The merchant was introduced, and
+seated in a convenient place, from whence he might easily have a
+full view of the king, and hear him talk familiarly to those that
+stood near his person. The king observed this rule to all
+strangers, in order that by degrees they might grow acquainted
+with him; so that, when they saw with what freedom and civility
+he addressed himself to all, they might be encouraged to talk to
+him in the same manner, without being abashed at the pomp and
+splendour of his appearance, which was enough to deprive those of
+their power of speech who were not used to it. He treated the
+ambassadors also after the same manner. He ate with them, and
+during the repast asked them several questions concerning their
+health, their journey, and the peculiarities of their country.
+After they had been thus encouraged, he gave them audience.
+
+When the assembly was over, and all the company had retired, the
+merchant, who was the only person left, fell prostrate before the
+king's throne, with his face to the earth, wishing his majesty an
+accomplishment of all his desires As soon as he arose, the king
+asked him if the report of his having brought a slave for him was
+true, and whether she were handsome.
+
+"Sire," replied the merchant, "I doubt not but your majesty has
+many very beautiful women, since you search every corner of the
+earth for them; but I may boldly affirm, without overvaluing my
+merchandise, that you never yet saw a woman that could stand in
+competition with her for shape and beauty, agreeable
+qualifications, and all the perfections that she is mistress of."
+"Where is she?" demanded the king; "bring her to me instantly."
+"Sire," replied the merchant, "I have delivered her into the
+hands of one of your chief eunuchs; and your majesty may send for
+her at your pleasure."
+
+The fair slave was immediately brought in; and no sooner had the
+king cast his eyes on her, but he was charmed with her beautiful
+and easy shape. He went directly into a closet, and was followed
+by the merchant and a few eunuchs. The fair slave wore, over her
+face, a red satin veil striped with gold; and when the merchant
+had taken it off, the king of Persia beheld a female that
+surpassed in beauty, not only his present ladies, but all that he
+had ever had before. He immediately fell passionately in love
+with her, and desired the merchant to name his price.
+
+"Sire," said he, "I gave a thousand pieces of gold to the person
+of whom I bought her; and in my three years' journey to your
+court, I reckon I have spent as much more: but I shall forbear
+setting any price to so great a monarch; and therefore, if your
+majesty likes her, I humbly beg you would accept of her as a
+present." "I am highly obliged to you," replied the king; "but it
+is never my custom to treat merchants, who come hither for my
+pleasure, in so ungenerous a manner; I am going to order thee ten
+thousand pieces of gold; will that be sufficient?" "Sire,"
+answered the merchant, "I should have esteemed myself happy in
+your majesty's acceptance of her; yet I dare not refuse so
+generous an offer. I will not fail to publish your liberality in
+my own country, and in every place through which I may pass." The
+money was paid; and before he departed, the king made him put on
+a rich suit of cloth of gold.
+
+The king caused the fair slave to be lodged in the apartment next
+his own, and gave particular orders to the matrons, and the
+female slaves appointed to attend her, that after bathing they
+should dress her in the richest habit they could find, and carry
+her the finest pearl necklaces, the brightest diamonds, and other
+richest precious stones, that she might choose those she liked
+best.
+
+The officious matrons, whose only care was to please the king,
+were astonished at her beauty; and being good judges, they told
+his majesty, that if he would allow them but three days, they
+would engage to make her so much handsomer than she was at
+present, that he would scarcely know her again. The king could
+hardly prevail with himself to delay so long the pleasure of
+seeing her, but at last he consented.
+
+The king of Persia's capital was situated in an island; and his
+palace, which was very magnificent, was built on the shore: his
+apartment looked on the water; the fair slave's, which was near
+it, had also the same prospect, and was the more agreeable, on
+account of the sea's beating almost against the walls.
+
+At the three days' end, the fair slave, magnificently dressed,
+was alone in her chamber, sitting on a sofa, and leaning against
+one of the windows that faced the sea, when the king, being
+informed that he might visit her, came in. The slave, hearing
+somebody walk in the room with an air quite different from that
+of the female slaves, who had hitherto attended her, immediately
+turned her head about to see who it was. She knew him to be the
+king, but without discovering the least surprise, or so much as
+rising from her seat to salute or receive him, as if he had been
+the most indifferent person in the world, she put herself in the
+same posture again.
+
+The king of Persia was extremely surprised to see a slave of so
+beauteous a form so ignorant of the world. He attributed this to
+the narrowness of her education, and the little care that had
+been taken to instruct her in the first rules of civility. He
+went to her at the window, where, notwithstanding the coldness
+and indifference with which she had received him, she suffered
+herself to be admired, caressed, and embraced, as much as he
+pleased.
+
+In the midst of these amorous embraces and tender endearments,
+the king paused awhile, to gaze upon, or rather to devour her
+with his eyes. "My lovely fair one! my charmer!" exclaimed he;
+"whence came you, and where do those happy parents live who
+brought into the world so surprising a masterpiece of nature? How
+do I love thee, and shall always continue to do. Never did I feel
+for a woman what I now feel for you; and though I have seen, and
+every day behold a vast number of beauties, yet never did my eyes
+contemplate so many charms in one person--charms which have so
+transported me, that I shall entirely devote myself to you. My
+dearest life," continued he, "you neither answer, nor by any
+visible token give me the least reason to believe that you are
+sensible of the demonstrations I have given you of the ardour of
+my passion; neither will you turn your eyes on me, to afford mine
+the pleasure of meeting them, and to convince you that it is
+impossible to love in a higher degree than I do you. Why will you
+still preserve this obstinate silence, which chills me, and
+whence proceeds the seriousness, or rather sorrow, that torments
+me to the soul? Do you mourn for your country, your friends or
+your relations? Alas! Is not the king of Persia, who loves and
+adores you, capable of comforting you, and making you amends for
+every loss?"
+
+Notwithstanding all the protestations of love the king of Persia
+made the fair slave, and all he could say to induce her to speak
+to him, she remained unaltered; and keeping her eyes still fixed
+upon the ground, would neither look at him, nor utter a word.
+
+The king of Persia, delighted with the purchase he had made of a
+slave that pleased him so well, pressed her no farther, in hopes
+that by treating her kindly he might prevail upon her to change
+her behaviour. He clapped his hands; and the women who waited in
+an outward room entered: he commanded them to bring in supper.
+When it was arranged, "My love," said he to the slave, "come
+hither and sup with me." She rose from her seat; and being seated
+opposite the king, his majesty helped her, before he began eating
+himself; and did so of every dish during supper. The slave ate as
+well as the king, but still with downcast eyes, and without
+speaking a word; though he often asked her how she liked the
+entertainment, and whether it was dressed according to her taste.
+
+The king, willing to change the conversation, asked her what her
+name was, how she liked the clothes and the jewels she had on,
+what she thought of her apartment and the rich furniture, and
+whether the prospect of the sea was not very agreeable? But to
+all these questions she made no reply; so that the king was at a
+loss what to think of her silence. He imagined at first, that she
+might perhaps be dumb: "But then," said he to himself, "can it be
+possible that heaven should forge a creature so beautiful, so
+perfect, and so accomplished, and at the same time with so great
+an imperfection? Were it however so, I could not love her with
+less passion than I do." When the king of Persia rose, he washed
+his hands on one side, while the fair slave washed hers on the
+other. He took that opportunity to ask the woman who held the
+basin and napkin, if ever they had heard her speak. One of them
+replied, "Sire, we have neither seen her open her lips, nor heard
+her speak any more than your majesty has; we have rendered her
+our services in the bath; we have dressed her head, put on her
+clothes, and waited upon her in her chamber; but she has never
+opened her lips, so much as to say, that is well, or I like this.
+We have often asked her, "Madam, do you want anything? Is there
+anything you wish for? Do but ask, and command us," but we have
+never been able to draw a word from her. We cannot tell whether
+her sorrow proceeds from pride, sorrow, stupidity, or dumbness."
+
+The king was more astonished at hearing this than he had been
+before: however, believing the slave might have some cause of
+sorrow, he was willing to endeavour to divert and amuse her.
+Accordingly he appointed a very splendid assembly, which all the
+ladies of the court attended; and those who were skilful in
+playing upon musical instruments performed their parts, while
+others sung or danced, or did both together: they played at all
+sorts of games, which much diverted the king. The fair slave was
+the only person who took no pleasure in these attempts to amuse
+her; she never moved from her place, but remained with her eyes
+fixed on the ground with so much indifference, that all the
+ladies were not less surprised than the king. After the assembly
+was over, every one retired to her apartment; and the king was
+left alone with the fair slave.
+
+The next morning the king of Persia rose more pleased than he had
+been with all the women he had seen before, and more enamoured
+with the fair slave than ever. Indeed, he soon made it appear, by
+resolving henceforth to attach himself to her alone; and
+performed his resolution. On the same day he dismissed all his
+other women, giving every one of them their jewels, and other
+valuables, besides a considerable fortune, with free leave to
+marry whom they thought fit; and only kept the matrons and a few
+other elderly women to wait upon the fair slave. However, for a
+whole year together, she never afforded him the pleasure of one
+single word; yet the king continued his assiduities to please
+her, and to give her the most signal proofs of sincere love.
+
+After the expiration of the year, the king sitting one day by his
+mistress, protested to her that his love, instead of being
+diminished, grew every day more violent. "My queen," said he, "I
+cannot divine what your thoughts are; but nothing is more true,
+and I swear to you, that having the happiness of possessing you,
+there remains nothing for me to desire. I esteem my kingdom,
+great as it is, less than an atom, when I have the pleasure of
+beholding you, and of telling you a thousand times that I adore
+you. I desire not that my words alone should oblige you to
+believe me. Surely you can no longer doubt of my devotion to you
+after the sacrifice which I have made to your beauty of so many
+women, whom I before kept in my palace. You may remember it is
+about a year since I sent them all away; and I as little repent
+of it now, as I did the moment of their departure; and I never
+shall repent. Nothing would be wanting to complete my happiness
+and crown my joy, would you but speak one single word to me, by
+which I might be assured that you thought yourself at all
+obliged. But how can you speak to me if you are dumb? and alas! I
+feel but too apprehensive that this is the case. How can I doubt,
+since you still torment me with silence, after having for a whole
+year in vain supplicated you to speak? If it is possible for me
+to obtain of you that consolation, may heaven at least grant me
+the blessing of a son by you, to succeed me. I every day find
+myself growing old, and I begin already to want one to assist me
+in bearing the weight of my crown. Still I cannot conceal the
+desire I have of hearing you speak; for something within me tells
+me you are not dumb: and I beseech, I conjure you, dear madam, to
+break through this long silence, and speak but one word to me;
+after that I care not how soon I die."
+
+At this discourse the fair slave, who, according to her usual
+custom, had hearkened to the king with downcast eyes, and had
+given him cause to believe not only that she was dumb, but that
+she had never laughed, began to smile. The king of Persia
+perceived it with a surprise that made him break forth into an
+exclamation of joy; and no longer doubting but that she was going
+to speak, he waited for that happy moment with an eagerness and
+attention that cannot easily be expressed
+
+At last the fair slave thus addressed herself to the king: "Sire,
+I have so many things to say to your majesty, that, having once
+broken silence, I know not where to begin. However, in the first
+place, I think myself bound to thank you for all the favours and
+honours you have been pleased to confer upon me, and to implore
+heaven to bless and prosper you, to prevent the wicked designs of
+your enemies, and not suffer you to die after hearing me speak,
+but to grant you a long life. After this, sire, I cannot give you
+greater satisfaction than by acquainting you that I am with
+child; and I wish, as you do, it may be a son. Had it never been
+my fortune to be pregnant, I was resolved (I beg your majesty to
+pardon the sincerity of my intention) never to have loved you,
+and to have kept an eternal silence; but now I love you as I
+ought to do."
+
+The king of Persia, ravished to hear the fair slave not only
+speak, but tell him tidings in which he was so nearly concerned,
+embraced her tenderly. "Staining light of my eyes," said he, "it
+is impossible for me to receive greater delight than you have now
+given me: you have spoken to me, and you have declared your being
+with child, which I did not expect. After these two occasions of
+joy I am transported out of myself."
+
+The king of Persia, in the transport of his feelings, said no
+more to the fair slave. He left her, but in such a manner as made
+her perceive his intention was speedily to return: and being
+willing that the occasion of his joys should be made public, he
+declared it to his officers, and sent for the grand vizier. As
+soon as he came, he ordered him to distribute a thousand pieces
+of gold among the holy men of his religion, who made vows of
+poverty; as also among the hospitals and the poor, by way of
+returning thanks to heaven: and his will was obeyed by the
+direction of that minister.
+
+After the king of Persia had given this order, he returned to the
+fair slave again. "Madam," said he, "pardon me for leaving you so
+abruptly, since you have been the occasion of it; but I hope you
+will indulge me with some conversation, since I am desirous to
+know of you several things of much greater consequence. Tell me,
+my dearest soul, what were the powerful reasons that induced you
+to persist in that obstinate silence for a whole year together,
+though every day you saw me, heard me talk to you, ate and drank
+with me, and every night slept with me? I shall pass by your not
+speaking; but how you could carry yourself so as that I could
+never discover whether you were sensible of what I said to you or
+no, I confess, surpasses my understanding; and I cannot yet
+comprehend how you could contain yourself so long; therefore I
+must conclude the occasion of it to be very extraordinary."
+
+"To satisfy the king of Persia's curiosity," replied the lady,
+"think whether or no to be a slave, far from my own country,
+without any hopes of ever seeing it again, to have a heart torn
+with grief, at being separated forever from my mother, my
+brother, my friends, and my acquaintance, are not these
+sufficient reasons for the silence your majesty has thought so
+strange and unaccountable?
+
+The love of our native country is as natural to us as that of our
+parents; and the loss of liberty is insupportable to everyone who
+is not wholly destitute of common sense, and knows how to set a
+value on it. The body indeed may be enslaved, and under the
+subjection of a master, who has the power and authority in his
+hands; the will can never be conquered, but remains free and
+unconfined, depending on itself alone, as your majesty has found
+in my case; and it is a wonder that I have not followed the
+example of many unfortunate wretches, whom the loss of liberty
+has reduced to the melancholy resolution of procuring their own
+deaths in a thousand ways, by a liberty which cannot be taken
+from them."
+
+"Madam," replied the king, "I am convinced of the truth of what
+you say; but till this moment I was of opinion, that a person
+beautiful, of good understanding, like yourself, whom her evil
+destiny had condemned to be a slave, ought to think herself very
+happy in meeting with a king for her master."
+
+"Sire," replied the lady, "whatever the slave be, as I have
+already observed to your majesty, there is no king on earth can
+tyrannize over her will. When indeed you speak of a slave
+mistress of charms sufficient to captivate a monarch, and induce
+him to love her; if she be of a rank infinitely below him, I am
+of your opinion, she ought to think herself happy in her
+misfortunes: still what happiness can it be, when she considers
+herself only as a slave, torn from a parent's arms, and perhaps
+from those of a lover, her passion for whom death only can
+extinguish; but when this very slave is in nothing inferior to
+the king who has purchased her, your majesty shall judge yourself
+of the rigour of her destiny, her misery and her sorrow, and to
+what desperate attempts the anguish of despair may drive her."
+
+The king of Persia, astonished at this discourse, "Madam," said
+he, "can it be possible that you are of royal blood, as by your
+words you seem to intimate? Explain the whole secret to me, I
+beseech you, and no longer augment my impatience. Let me
+instantly know who are the happy parents of so great a prodigy of
+beauty; who are your brothers, your sisters, and your relations;
+but, above all, tell me your name?"
+
+"Sire," said the fair slave, "my name is Gulnare of the Sea: and
+my father, who is dead, was one of the most potent monarchs of
+the ocean. When he died, he left his kingdom to a brother of
+mine, named Saleh, and to the queen, my mother, who is also a
+princess, the daughter of another puissant monarch of the sea. We
+enjoyed profound peace and tranquillity through the whole
+kingdom, till a neighbouring prince, envious of our happiness,
+invaded our dominions with a mighty army; and penetrating as far
+as our capital, made himself master of it; and we had but just
+time to save ourselves in an impenetrable and inaccessible place,
+with a few trusty officers, who did not forsake us in our
+distress.
+
+"In this retreat my brother was not negligent in contriving means
+to drive the unjust invaders from our dominions. One day taking
+me into his closet, 'Sister,' said he, 'the events of the
+smallest undertakings are always dubious. For my own part, I may
+fail in the attempt I design to make to recover my kingdom; and I
+shall be less concerned for my own disgrace than what may
+possibly happen to you. To secure you from all accident, I would
+fain see you married. But in the present miserable condition of
+our affairs, I see no probability of matching you to any of the
+princes of the sea; and therefore I should be glad if you would
+concur in my opinion, and think of marrying one of the princes of
+the earth. I am ready to contribute all that lies in my power
+towards accomplishing this; and am certain there is not one of
+them, however powerful, but, considering your beauty, would be
+proud of sharing his crown with you.'
+
+"At this discourse of my brother's, I fell into a violent
+passion. 'Brother,' said I, 'you know that I am descended, as
+well as you, from the kings and queens of the sea, without any
+mixture of alliance with those of the earth; therefore I do not
+design to marry below myself, and I have taken an oath to that
+effect. The condition to which we are reduced shall never oblige
+me to alter my resolution; and if you perish in the execution of
+your design, I am prepared to fall with you, rather than follow
+the advice I so little expected from you.'
+
+"My brother, who was still earnest for my marriage, however
+improper for me, endeavoured to make me believe that there were
+kings of the earth who were no ways inferior to those of the sea.
+This put me into a more violent passion, which occasioned him to
+say several bitter reflecting things, that nettled me to the
+quick. He left me, as much dissatisfied with myself as he could
+possibly be with me; and in this peevish mood I gave a spring
+from the bottom of the sea up to the Island of the Moon.
+
+"Notwithstanding the violent discontent that made me cast myself
+upon that island, I lived content in retirement. But in spite of
+all my precautions, a person of distinction, attended by his
+servants, surprised me sleeping, and carried me to his own house.
+He expressed much love to me, and omitted nothing which he
+thought might induce me to return his passion. When he saw that
+fair means would not prevail upon me, he attempted to use force:
+but I soon made him repent of his insolence. He resolved to sell
+me, which he did to the merchant who brought me hither, and sold
+me to your majesty. He was a prudent, courteous, humane man; and
+during the whole of the long journey, never gave me the least
+reason to complain.
+
+"As for your majesty," continued the princess Gulnare, "if you
+had not shown me all the respect you have hitherto done (for
+which I am extremely obliged to your goodness), and given me such
+undeniable marks of your affection, that I can no longer doubt of
+it; if you had not immediately sent away your women; I hesitate
+not to tell you, that I should not have remained with you. I
+would have thrown myself into the sea out of this window, where
+you accosted me when you first came into this apartment; and have
+gone in search of my mother, my brother, and the rest of my
+relations. I should have persisted in that design, and would have
+put it in execution, if after a certain time I had found myself
+deceived in the hopes of being with child; but in the condition I
+am in, all I could say to my mother or my brother would never
+convince them that I have been a slave to a king like your
+majesty. They would never believe it, but would for ever upbraid
+me with the crime I have voluntarily committed against my honour.
+However, sire, be it a prince or princess that I may bring into
+the world, it will be a pledge to engage me never to be parted
+from your majesty; and therefore I hope you will no longer regard
+me as a slave, but as a princess worthy your alliance."
+
+In this manner the Princess Gulnare discovered herself to the
+king of Persia, and finished her story. "My charming, my adorable
+princess," cried he, "what wonders have I heard! and what ample
+matter for my curiosity, to ask a thousand questions concerning
+those strange and unheard of things which you have related! But
+first, I ought to thank you for your goodness and patience in
+making trial of the truth and constancy of my passion. I thought
+it impossible for me to love you more than I did; but since I
+know you to be a princess, I love you a thousand times more.
+Princess! did I say, madam? you are no longer so; but you are my
+queen, the queen of Persia; and by that title you shall soon be
+proclaimed throughout the whole kingdom. To-morrow the ceremony
+shall be performed in my capital with a pomp and magnificence
+never yet beheld; which will plainly shew that you are my queen
+and my lawful wife. This should long ago have been done, had you
+sooner convinced me of my error: for from the first moment of my
+seeing you, I have been of the same opinion as now, to love you
+always, and never to place my affections on any other.
+
+"But that I may satisfy myself, and pay you all the respect that
+is your due, I beseech you, madam, to inform me more particularly
+of the kingdom and people of the sea, who are altogether unknown
+to me. I have heard much talk, indeed, of the inhabitants of the
+sea, but I always looked upon such accounts merely as tales or
+fables; by what you have told me, I am convinced there is nothing
+more true; and I have a proof of it in your own person, who are
+one of them, and are pleased to condescend to be my wife; which
+is an honour no other inhabitant on the earth can boast. There is
+one point however which yet perplexes me; therefore I must beg
+the favour of you to explain it; that is, I cannot comprehend how
+it is possible for you to live or move in water without being
+drowned. There are few amongst us who have the art of staying
+under water; and they would surely perish, if, after a certain
+time, according to their activity and strength, they did not come
+up again."
+
+"Sire," replied the Queen Gulnare, "I shall with pleasure satisfy
+the king of Persia. We can walk at the bottom of the sea with as
+much ease as you can upon land; and we can breathe in the water
+as you do in the air; so that instead of suffocating us, as it
+does you, it absolutely contributes to the preservation of our
+lives. What is yet more remarkable is, that it never wets our
+clothes; so that when we wish to visit the earth, we have no
+occasion to dry them. Our language is the same with that of the
+writing engraved upon the seal of the great prophet Solomon the
+son of David.
+
+"I must not forget to inform you further, that the water does not
+in the least hinder us from seeing: for we can open our eyes
+without any inconvenience: and as we have quick, piercing sight,
+we can discern any objects as clearly in the deepest part of the
+sea as upon land. We have also there a succession of day and
+night; the moon affords us her light; and even the planets and
+the stars appear visible to us. I have already spoken of our
+kingdoms; but as the sea is much more spacious than the earth, so
+there are a great number of them, and of great extent. They are
+divided into provinces; and in each province are several great
+cities well peopled. In short there is an infinite number of
+nations differing in manners and customs, as they do on the
+earth.
+
+"The palaces of the kings and princes are sumptuous and
+magnificent. Some of them are constructed of marble of various
+colours; others of rock-crystal, with which the sea abounds,
+mother of pearl, coral, and of other materials more valuable;
+gold, silver, and all sorts of precious stones are more plentiful
+there than on earth. I say nothing of the pearls, since the
+largest that ever were seen upon earth would not be valued
+amongst us; and none but the very lowest rank of citizens would
+wear them.
+
+"As we have a marvellous and incredible agility to transport
+ourselves whither we please in the twinkling of an eye, we have
+no occasion for carriages or horses; not but the king has his
+stables and his stud of sea horses; but they are seldom used,
+except upon public feasts or rejoicing days. Some, after they
+have trained them, take delight in riding and shewing their skill
+and dexterity in races; others put them to chariots of mother of
+pearl, adorned with an infinite number of shells of all sorts, of
+the liveliest colours. These chariots are open; and in the middle
+is a throne on which the king sits, and shows himself to the
+public view of his subjects. The horses are trained to draw by
+themselves; so that there is no occasion for a charioteer to
+guide them. I pass over a thousand other curious particulars
+relating to these submarine countries, which would be very
+entertaining to your majesty; but you must permit me to defer
+them to a future opportunity, to speak of something of much
+greater consequence, which is, that the method of delivering, and
+the way of managing the women of the sea in their lying-in, is
+very different from those of the women of the earth; and I am
+afraid to trust myself in the hands of the midwives of this
+country: therefore, since my safe delivery equally concerns us
+both, with your majesty's permission, I think it proper, for
+greater security, to send for my mother and my cousins, to assist
+at my labour; at the same time to desire the king my brother's
+company, to whom I have a great desire to be reconciled. They
+will be glad to see me again, when they understand I am wife to
+the mighty king of Persia. I beseech your majesty to give me
+leave to send for them. I am sure they will be happy to pay their
+respects to you; and I venture to say you will be pleased to see
+them."
+
+"Madam," replied the king of Persia, "you are mistress; do
+whatever you please; I will endeavour to receive them with all
+the honours they deserve. But I would fain know how you will
+acquaint them with what you desire, and when they will arrive,
+that I may give orders to make preparation for their reception,
+and go myself in person to meet them." "Sire," replied the Queen
+Gulnare, "there is no need of these ceremonies; they will be here
+in a moment; and if your majesty will but step into the closet,
+and look through the lattice, you shall see the manner of their
+arrival."
+
+As soon as the king of Persia was in the closet, Queen Gulnare
+ordered one of her women to bring her a fire-pan with a little
+fire. After that she bade her retire, and shut the door. When she
+was alone, she took a piece of aloes-wood out of a box, and put
+it into the fire-pan. As soon as she saw the smoke rise, she
+repeated some words unknown to the king of Persia, who observed
+with great attention all that she did. She had no sooner ended,
+than the sea began to be disturbed. The closet the king was in
+was so contrived, that looking through the lattice on the same
+side with the windows that faced the sea, he could plainly
+perceive it.
+
+At length the sea opened at some distance; and presently there
+arose out of it a tall, handsome young man, with whiskers of a
+sea-green colour; a little behind him, a lady, advanced in years,
+but of a majestic air, attended by five young ladies, nothing
+inferior in beauty to the Queen Gulnare.
+
+Queen Gulnare immediately came to one of the windows, and saw the
+king her brother, the queen her mother, and the rest of her
+relations, who at the same time perceived her also. The company
+advanced, supported, as it were, upon the waves. When they came
+to the edge, they nimbly, one after another, sprung in at the
+window. King Saleh, the queen her mother, and the rest of her
+relations, embraced her tenderly on their first entrance, with
+tears in their eyes.
+
+After Queen Gulnare had received them with all imaginable honour,
+and made them sit down upon a sofa, the queen her mother
+addressed herself to her: "Daughter," said she, "I am overjoyed
+to see you again after so long an absence; and I am confident
+that your brother and your relations are no less so. Your leaving
+us without acquainting any one with your intention, involved us
+in inexpressible concern; and it is impossible to tell you how
+many tears we have shed on your account. We know of no reason
+that could induce you to take such a resolution, but what your
+brother related to us respecting the conversation that passed
+between him and you. The advice he gave you seemed to him at that
+time advantageous for settling you in the world, and suitable to
+the then posture of our affairs. If you had not approved of his
+proposal, you ought not to have been so much alarmed; and give me
+leave to tell you, you took his advice in a different light from
+what you ought to have done. But no more of this; it serves only
+to renew the occasion of our sorrow and complaint, which we and
+you ought to bury forever in oblivion; give us now an account of
+all that has happened to you since we saw you last, and of your
+present situation, but especially let us know if you are
+married."
+
+Gulnare immediately threw herself at her mother's feet, and
+kissing her hand, "Madam," said she, "I own I have been guilty of
+a fault, and I am indebted to your goodness for the pardon which
+you are pleased to grant me. What I am going to say, in obedience
+to your commands, will soon convince you, that it is often in
+vain for us to have an aversion for certain measures; I have
+myself experienced that the only thing I had an abhorrence to, is
+that to which my destiny has led me." She then related the whole
+of what had befallen her since she quitted the sea for the earth.
+As scon as she had concluded, and acquainted them with her having
+been sold to the king of Persia, in whose palace she was at
+present; "Sister," said the king her brother, "you have been
+wrong to suffer so many indignities, but you can properly blame
+nobody but yourself; you have it in your power now to free
+yourself, and I cannot but admire your patience, that you could
+endure so long a slavery. Rise, and return with us into my
+kingdom, which I have reconquered from the proud usurper who had
+made himself master of it."
+
+The king of Persia, who heard these words from the closet where
+he stood, was in the utmost alarm; "Ah!" said he to himself, "I
+am ruined, and if my queen, my Gulnare, hearken to this advice,
+and leave me, I shall surely die, for it is impossible for me to
+live without her." Queen Gulnare soon put him out of his fears.
+
+"Brother," said she smiling, "what I have just heard gives me a
+greater proof than ever of the sincerity of your affection; I
+could not brook your proposing to me a match with a prince of the
+earth: now I can scarcely forbear being angry with you for
+advising me to break the engagement I have made with the most
+puissant and most renowned monarch in the world. I do not speak
+here of an engagement between a slave and her master; it would be
+easy to return the ten thousand pieces of gold he gave for me;
+but I speak now of a contract between a wife and a husband--and a
+wife who has not the least reason to complain. He is a religious,
+wise, and temperate king, and has given me the most essential
+demonstrations of his love. What can be a greater proof of the
+sincerity of his passion, than sending away all his women (of
+which he had a great number) immediately upon my arrival, and
+confining himself to me alone? I am now his wife, and he has
+lately declared me queen of Persia, to share with him in his
+councils; besides, I am pregnant, and if heaven permit me to give
+him a son, that will be another motive to engage my affections to
+him the more."
+
+"So that, brother," continued the queen Gulnare, "instead of
+following your advice, you see I have all the reason in the
+world, not only to love the king of Persia as passionately as he
+loves me, but also to live and die with him, more out of
+gratitude than duty. I hope then neither my mother, nor you, nor
+any of my cousins, will disapprove of the resolution or the
+alliance I have made, which will do equal honour to the kings of
+the sea and earth. Excuse me for giving you the trouble of coming
+hither from the bottom of the deep, to communicate it to you; and
+to enjoy the pleasure of seeing you after so long a separation."
+
+"Sister," replied King Saleh, "the proposal I made you of going
+back with us into my kingdom, upon the recital of your adventures
+(which I could not hear without concern), was only to let you see
+how much we all love you, and how much I in particular honour
+you, and that nothing is so dear to me as your happiness. Upon
+the same account then, for my own part, I cannot condemn a
+resolution so reasonable and so worthy of yourself, after what
+you have told us of the king of Persia your husband, and the
+great obligations you owe him; and I am persuaded that the queen
+our mother will be of the same opinion."
+
+The queen confirmed what her son had spoken, and addressing
+herself to Gulnare, said, "I am glad to hear you are pleased; and
+I have nothing to add to what your brother has said. I should
+have been the first to condemn you, had you not expressed all the
+gratitude you owe to a monarch. that loves you so passionately."
+
+As the king of Persia had been extremely concerned under the
+apprehension of losing his beloved queen, so now he was
+transported with joy at her resolution never to forsake him; and
+having no room to doubt of her love after so open a declaration,
+he resolved to evince his gratitude in every possible way.
+
+While the king was indulging incredible pleasure, Queen Gulnare
+clapped her hands, and immediately some of her slaves entered,
+whom she had ordered to bring in a collation: as soon as it was
+served up, she invited the queen her mother, the king her
+brother, and her cousins to partake. They began to reflect that
+they were in the palace of a mighty king, who had never seen or
+heard of them, and that it would be rudeness to eat at his table
+without him. This reflection raised a blush in their faces, and
+in their emotion, their eyes glowing like fire, they breathed
+flames at their mouths and nostrils.
+
+This unexpected sight put the king of Persia, who was totally
+ignorant of the cause of it, into a dreadful consternation. Queen
+Gulnare, suspecting this, and understanding the intention of her
+relations, rose from her seat, and told them she would be back in
+a moment. She went directly to the closet, and by her presence
+recovered the king of Persia from his surprise; "Sir," said she,
+"I doubt not but that your majesty is well pleased with the
+acknowledgment I have made of the many favours for which I am
+indebted to you. I might have complied with the wishes of my
+relations, and gone back with them into their dominions; but I am
+not capable of such ingratitude, for which I should have been the
+first to condemn myself." "Ah! my queen,"cried the king of
+Persia, "speak no more of your obligations to me; you have none;
+I am under so many to you, that I shall never be able to repay
+them. I never thought it possible you could have loved me so
+tenderly as you do, and as you have made appear to me in the most
+endearing manner." "Ah! sir," replied Gulnare "could I do less? I
+fear I have not done enough, considering all the honours that
+your majesty has heaped upon me; and it is impossible for me to
+remain insensible of your love, after so many convincing proofs
+as you have given me."
+
+"But, sir," continued Gulnare, "let us drop this subject, and
+give me leave to assure you of the sincere friendship the queen
+my mother and the king my brother are pleased to honour you with;
+they earnestly desire to see you, and tell you so themselves: I
+intended to have had some conversation with them by ordering a
+banquet for them, before I introduced them to your majesty; but
+they are impatient to pay their respects to you; and therefore I
+beseech your majesty to be pleased to honour them with your
+presence."
+
+"Madam," said the king of Persia, "I should be glad to salute
+persons who have the honour to be so nearly related to you, but I
+am afraid of the flames they breathe at their mouths and
+nostrils." "Sir," replied the queen laughing, "you need not in
+the least fear those flames, which are nothing but a sign of
+their unwillingness to eat in your palace, without your honouring
+them with your presence, and eating with them."
+
+The king of Persia, encouraged by these words, rose and went into
+the apartment with his Queen Gulnare She presented him to the
+queen her mother, to the king her brother, and to her other
+relations; who instantly threw themselves at his feet, with their
+faces to the ground. The king of Persia ran to them, and lifting
+them up, embraced them one after another. After they were all
+seated, King Saleh began: "Sir;" said he to the king of Persia,
+"we are at a loss for words to express our joy, to think that the
+queen my sister, in her disgrace, should have the happiness of
+falling under the protection of so powerful a monarch. We can
+assure you, she is not unworthy of the high rank to which you
+have been pleased to raise her; and we have always had so much
+love and tenderness for her, that we could never think or parting
+with her to any of the puissant princes of the sea, who have
+often demanded her in marriage before she came of age. Heaven has
+reserved her for you, and we have no better way of testifying our
+gratitude for the favour it has done her, than beseeching it to
+grant your majesty a long and happy life with her, and to crown
+you with prosperity and satisfaction.
+
+"Certainly," replied the king of Persia, "heaven reserved her for
+me, as you observe. I love her with so tender and ardent a
+passion, that I am satisfied I never loved any woman till I saw
+her. I cannot sufficiently thank either the queen her mother or
+you, prince, or your whole family, for the generosity with which
+you have consented to receive me into an alliance so glorious to
+me as yours." So saying he invited them to take part of the
+collation, and he and his queen sat down with them. After the
+collation, the king of Persia conversed with them till it was
+very late; and when they thought it convenient to retire, he
+waited upon them himself to the several apartments he had ordered
+to be prepared for them.
+
+The king of Persia treated his illustrious guests with continual
+feasts; in which he omitted nothing that might shew his grandeur
+and magnificence, and insensibly prevailed with them to stay with
+him till the queen was brought to bed. When the time of her
+lying-in drew near, he gave particular orders that nothing should
+be wanting proper for such an occasion. At length she was brought
+to bed of a son, to the great joy of the queen her mother, who
+assisted at the labour, and presented him to the king.
+
+The king of Persia received this present with a joy easier to be
+imagined than expressed. The young prince being of a beautiful
+countenance, he thought no name so proper for him as that of
+Beder, which in the Arabian language signifies the Full Moon. To
+return thanks to heaven, he was very liberal in his alms to the
+poor, caused the prison doors to be set open, and gave all his
+slaves of both sexes their liberty. He distributed vast sums
+among the ministers and holy men of his religion. He also gave
+large donations to his courtiers, besides a considerable sum that
+was thrown amongst the people; and by proclamation, ordered
+rejoicings to be kept for several days through the whole city.
+
+One day, after the queen was recovered, as the king of Persia,
+Gulnare, the queen her mother, King Saleh her brother, and the
+princesses their relations, were discoursing together in her
+majesty's bed-chamber, the nurse came in with the young prince
+Beder in her arms. King Saleh as soon as he saw him, ran to
+embrace him, and taking him in his arms, kissed and caressed him
+with the greatest demonstrations of tenderness. He took several
+turns with him about the room, dancing and tossing him about,
+when all of a sudden, through a transport of joy, the window
+being open, he sprung out, and plunged with him into the sea.
+
+The king of Persia, who expected no such sight, believing he
+should either see the prince his son no more, or else that he
+should see him drowned, was overwhelmed in affliction. "Sir,"
+said queen Gulnare (with a quiet and undisturbed countenance, the
+better to comfort him), "let your majesty fear nothing; the young
+prince is my son as well as yours, and I do not love him less
+than yourself. You see I am not alarmed; neither in truth ought I
+to be. He runs no risk, and you will soon see the king his uncle
+appear with him again, and bring him back safe. Although he be
+born of your blood, he is equally of mine, and will have the same
+advantage his uncle and I possess, of living equally in the sea,
+and upon the land." The queen his mother and the princesses his
+relations affirmed the same thing; yet all they said had no
+effect on the king, who could not recover from his alarm till he
+again saw prince Beder.
+
+The sea at length became troubled, when immediately King Saleh
+arose with the young prince in his arms, and holding him up in
+the air, reentered at the window from which he had leaped. The
+king of Persia being overjoyed to see Prince Beder again, and
+astonished that he was as calm as before he lost sight of him;
+King Saleh said, "Sir, was not your majesty in alarm, when you
+first saw me plunge into the sea with the prince my nephew?"
+"Alas prince," answered the king of Persia, "I cannot express my
+concern. I thought him lost from that very moment, and you now
+restore life to me by bringing him again." "I thought as much,"
+replied King Saleh, "though you had not the least reason to
+apprehend danger; for before I plunged into the sea, I pronounced
+over him certain mysterious words, which were engraved on the
+seal of the great Solomon the son of David. We practise the like
+in relation to all those children that are born in the regions at
+the bottom of the sea, by virtue whereof they receive the same
+privileges as we have over those people who inhabit the earth.
+From what your majesty has observed, you may easily see what
+advantage your son Prince Beder has acquired by his birth on the
+part of his mother Gulnare my sister: for as long as he lives,
+and as often as he pleases, he will be at liberty to plunge into
+the sea, and traverse the vast empires it contains in its bosom."
+
+Having so spoken, King Saleh, who had restored Prince Beder to
+his nurse's arms, opened a box he had fetched from his palace in
+the little time he had disappeared, which was filled with three
+hundred diamonds, as large as pigeons' eggs; a like number of
+rubies of extraordinary size; as many emerald wands, each half a
+foot long, and thirty strings or necklaces of pearl consisting
+each of ten feet. "Sir," said he to the king of Persia,
+presenting him with this box, "when I was first summoned by the
+queen my sister, I knew not what part of the earth she was in, or
+that she had the honour to be married to so great a monarch. This
+made us come without a present. As we cannot express how much we
+have been obliged to your majesty, I beg you to accept this small
+token of gratitude in acknowledgment of the many favours you have
+been pleased to shew her, wherein we take equal interest."
+
+It is impossible to express how greatly the king of Persia was
+surprised at the sight of so much riches, enclosed in so little
+compass. "What! prince," cried he, "do you call so inestimable a
+present a small token of your gratitude, when you never have been
+indebted to me? I declare once more you have never been in the
+least obliged to me, neither the queen your mother nor you. I
+esteem myself but too happy in the consent you have given to the
+alliance I have contracted with you. Madam," continued he,
+turning to Gulnare, "the king your brother has put me into the
+greatest confusion; and I would beg of him to permit me to refuse
+his present, were I not afraid of disobliging him: do you
+therefore endeavour to obtain his leave that I may be excused
+accepting it."
+
+"Sir," replied King Saleh, "I am not at all surprised that your
+majesty thinks this present so extraordinary. I know you are not
+accustomed upon earth to see precious stones of this quality and
+number: but if you knew, as I do, the mines whence these jewels
+were taken, and that it is in my power to form a treasure greater
+than those of all the kings of the earth, you would wonder we
+should have the boldness to make you so small a present. I
+beseech you therefore not to regard its trifling value, but
+consider the sincere friendship which obliges us to offer it to
+you, and not give us the mortification of refusing it." These
+engaging expressions obliged the king of Persia to accept the
+present, for which he returned many thanks both to King Saleh and
+the queen his mother.
+
+A few days after, King Saleh gave the king of Persia to
+understand, that the queen his mother, the princesses his
+relations, and himself, could have no greater pleasure than to
+spend their whole lives at his court; but that having been so
+long absent from their own kingdom, where their presence was
+absolutely necessary, they begged of him to excuse them if they
+took leave of him and Queen Gulnare. The king of Persia assured
+them, he was sorry it was not in his power to return their visit
+in their own dominions; but added, "As I am persuaded you will
+not forget Gulnare, I hope I shall have the honour to see you
+again more than once."
+
+Many tears were shed on both sides upon their separation. King
+Saleh departed first; but the queen his mother and the princesses
+his relations were obliged to force themselves from the embraces
+of Gulnare, who could not prevail with herself to let them go.
+This royal company were no sooner out of sight, than the king of
+Persia said to Gulnare, "Madam, I should have looked upon the
+person who had pretended to pass those upon me for true wonders,
+of which I myself have been eye-witness from the time I have been
+honoured with your illustrious family at my court, as one who
+would have abused my credulity. But I cannot refuse to believe my
+senses; and shall remember them while I live, and never cease to
+bless heaven for directing you to me, in preference to any other
+prince."
+
+Beder was brought up and educated in the palace under the care of
+the king and queen of Persia, who both saw him grow and increase
+in beauty to their great satisfaction. He gave them yet greater
+pleasure as he advanced in years, by his continual sprightliness,
+his agreeable manners, and the justness and vivacity of his wit;
+and this satisfaction was the more sensible, because King Saleh
+his uncle, the queen his grandmother, and the princesses his
+relations, came from time to time to partake of it.
+
+He was easily taught to read and write, and was instructed with
+the same facility in all the sciences that became a prince of his
+rank.
+
+When he arrived at the age of fifteen, he acquitted himself in
+all his exercises with infinitely better address and grace than
+his masters. He was withal wise and prudent. The king, who had
+almost from his cradle discovered in him virtues so necessary for
+a monarch, and who moreover began to perceive the infirmities of
+old age coming upon himself every day, would not stay till death
+gave him possession of his throne, but purposed to resign it to
+him. He had no great difficulty to make his council consent to
+this arrangement: and the people heard his resolution with so
+much the more joy, as they conceived Prince Beder worthy to
+govern them. In a word, as the king had not for a long time
+appeared in public, they had the opportunity of observing that he
+had not that disdainful, proud, and distant air, which most
+princes have, who look upon all below them with scorn and
+contempt. They saw, on the contrary, that he treated all mankind
+with that goodness which invited them to approach him; that he
+heard favourably all who had anything to say to him; that he
+answered everybody with a goodness that was peculiar to him; and
+that he refused nobody any thing that had the least appearance of
+justice.
+
+The day for the ceremony was appointed, when in the midst of the
+whole assembly, which was then more numerous than ordinary, the
+king of Persia came down from his throne, took the crown from his
+head, put it on that of Prince Beder, and having seated him in
+his place, kissed his hand as a token that he resigned his
+authority to him. After which he took his place among the crowd
+of viziers and emirs below the throne.
+
+Hereupon the viziers, emirs, and other principal officers, came
+immediately and threw themselves at the new king's feet, taking
+each the oath of fidelity according to their rank. Then the grand
+vizier made a report of divers important matters, on which the
+young king gave judgment with that admirable prudence and
+sagacity that surprised all the council. He next turned out
+several governors convicted of mal-administration, and put others
+in their room, with such wonderful and just discernment, as
+exalted the acclamations of every body, which were so much the
+more honourable, as flattery had no share in them. He at length
+left the council, accompanied by his father, and went to wait on
+his mother Queen Gulnare at her apartment. The queen no sooner
+saw him coming with his crown upon his head, than she ran to him
+and embraced him with tenderness, wishing him a long and
+prosperous reign.
+
+The first year of his reign King Beder acquitted himself of all
+his royal functions with great assiduity. Above all, he took care
+to inform himself of the state of his affairs, and all that might
+any way contribute towards the happiness of his people. Next
+year, having left the administration to his council, under the
+direction of his father, he left his capital, under pretence of
+diverting himself with hunting; but his real intention was to
+visit all the provinces of his kingdom, that he might reform
+abuses, establish good order, and deprive all ill-minded princes,
+his neighbours, of any opportunities of attempting anything
+against the security and tranquillity of his subjects, by shewing
+himself on his frontiers.
+
+It required no less than a whole year for the young monarch to
+execute a design so worthy of him. Soon after his return, the old
+king his father fell so dangerously ill, that he knew at once he
+should never recover. He waited for his last moment with great
+tranquillity, and his only care was to recommend to the ministers
+and other lords of his son's court, to persevere in the fidelity
+they had sworn to him: and there was not one but willingly
+renewed his oath as freely as at first. He died at length, to the
+great grief of King Beder and Queen Gulnare, who caused his
+corpse to be borne to a stately mausoleum, worthy of his rank and
+dignity.
+
+The funeral obsequies ended, King Beder found no difficulty to
+comply with that ancient custom in Persia to mourn for the dead a
+whole month and not to be seen by anybody during that time. He
+had mourned the death of his father his whole life, had he
+yielded to his excessive affliction, and had it been right for a
+great prince thus to abandon himself to sorrow. During this
+interval the Queen Gulnare's mother, and King Saleh, together
+with the princesses their relations, arrived at the Persian court
+to condole with their relations.
+
+When the month was expired, the king could not refuse admittance
+to the grand vizier and the other lords of his court, who
+besought him to lay aside his mourning, to shew himself to his
+subjects, and take upon him the administration of affairs as
+before.
+
+He shewed so much reluctance to comply with their request, that
+the grand vizier was forced to take upon himself to say; "Sir, it
+were needless to represent to your majesty, that it belongs only
+to women to persist in perpetual mourning. We doubt not but you
+are fully convinced of this, and that it is not your intention to
+follow their example. Neither our tears nor yours are capable of
+restoring life to the good king your father, though we should
+lament him all our days. He has submitted to the common law of
+all men, which subjects them to pay the indispensable tribute of
+death. Yet we cannot say absolutely that he is dead, since we see
+in him your sacred person. He did not himself doubt, when he was
+dying, but he should revive in you, and to your majesty it
+belongs to show that he was not deceived."
+
+King Beder could no longer oppose such pressing instances; he
+laid aside his mourning; and after he had resumed the royal habit
+and ornaments, began to provide for the necessities of his
+kingdom and subjects with the same assiduity as before his
+father's death. He acquitted himself with universal approbation:
+and as he was exact in maintaining the ordinances of his
+predecessor, the people did not perceive they had changed their
+sovereign.
+
+King Saleh, who was returned to his dominions in the sea with the
+queen his mother and the princesses, no sooner saw that King
+Beder had resumed the government, but he at the end of the year
+came alone to visit him; and King Beder and Queen Gulnare were
+overjoyed to see him. One evening, talking of various matters,
+King Saleh fell insensibly on the praises of the king his nephew,
+and expressed to the queen his sister how glad he was to see him
+govern so prudently, as to acquire such high reputation, not only
+among his neighbours, but more remote princes. King Beder, who
+could not bear to hear himself so well spoken of, and not being
+willing, through good manners, to interrupt the king his uncle,
+turned on one side, and feigned to be asleep, leaning his head
+against a cushion that was behind him.
+
+From these commendations, which regarded only the conduct and
+genius of Beder, King Saleh came to speak of the perfections of
+his person, which he extolled as prodigies, having nothing equal
+to them upon earth, or in all the kingdoms under the waters, with
+which he was acquainted.
+
+"Sister," said he, "I wonder you have not thought of marrying
+him: if I mistake not, he is in his twentieth year; and, at that
+age, no prince ought to be suffered to be without a wife. I will
+think of a match for him myself, since you will not, and marry
+him to some princess of our lower world that may be worthy of
+him."
+
+"Brother," replied queen Gulnare, "you call to my attention what
+I must own has never occurred to me. As he discovered no
+inclination for marriage, I never thought of mentioning it to
+him. I like your proposal of one of our princesses; and I desire
+you to name one so beautiful and accomplished that the king my
+son may be obliged to love her."
+
+"I know one," replied king Saleh, softly; "but before I tell you
+who she is, let us see if the king my nephew be asleep, and I
+will tell you afterwards why it is necessary we should take that
+precaution." Queen Gulnare turned about and looked at her son,
+and thought she had no reason to doubt but he was in a profound
+sleep. King Beder, nevertheless, far from sleeping, redoubled his
+attention, unwilling to lose any thing the king his uncle said
+with so much secrecy. "There is no necessity for your speaking so
+low," said the queen to the king her brother; "you may speak out
+with freedom, without fear of being heard."
+
+"It is by no means proper," replied King Saleh, "that the king my
+nephew should as yet have any knowledge of what I am going to
+say. Love, you know, sometimes enters at the ear, and it is not
+necessary he should thus conceive a passion for the lady I am
+about to name. Indeed I see many difficulties to be surmounted,
+not on the lady's part, as I hope, but on that of her father. I
+need only mention to you the princess Jehaun-ara, daughter of the
+king of Samandal."
+
+"How! brother," replied Queen Gulnare, "is not the princess yet
+married? I remember to have seen her before I left your palace;
+she was then about eighteen months old, surprisingly beautiful,
+and must needs be the wonder of the world, if her charms have
+increased with her years. The few years she is older than the
+king my son ought not to prevent us from doing our utmost to
+effect the match. Let me but know the difficulties in the way,
+and we will surmount them."
+
+"Sister," replied King Saleh, "the greatest difficulty is, that
+the king of Samandal is insupportably vain, looking upon all
+others as his inferiors: it is not likely we shall easily get him
+to enter into this alliance. I will however go to him in person,
+and demand of him the princess his daughter; and, in case he
+refuses her, we will address ourselves elsewhere, where we shall
+be more favourably heard. For this reason, as you may perceive,"
+added he, "it is as well for the king my nephew not to know any
+thing of our design, till we have the consent of the king of
+Samandal." They discoursed a little longer upon this point and,
+before they parted, agreed that King Saleh should forthwith
+return to his own dominions, and demand the princess for the king
+of Persia his nephew.
+
+This done, Queen Gulnare and King Saleh, who believed King Beder
+asleep, agreed to awake him before they retired; and he
+dissembled so well that he seemed to awake from a profound sleep.
+He had heard every word, and the character they gave of the
+princess had inflamed his heart with a new passion. He had
+conceived such an idea of her beauty, that the desire of
+possessing her made him pass the night very uneasy without
+closing his eyes.
+
+Next day King Saleh proposed taking leave of Gulnare and the king
+his nephew. The young king, who knew his uncle would not have de-
+parted so soon but to go and promote without loss of time his
+happiness, changed colour when he heard him mention his
+departure. His passion was become so violent, it would not suffer
+him to wait so long for the sight of his mistress as would be
+required to accomplish the marriage. He more than once resolved
+to desire his uncle to bring her away with him: but as he did not
+wish to let the queen his mother understand he knew anything of
+what had passed, he desired him only to stay with him one day
+more, that they might hunt together, intending to take that
+opportunity to discover his mind to him.
+
+The day for hunting was fixed, and King Beder had many
+opportunities of being alone with his uncle; but he had not
+courage to acquaint him with his design.
+
+In the heat of the chase, when King Saleh was separated from him,
+and not one of his officers or attendants was near him, he
+alighted by a rivulet; and having tied his horse to a tree,
+which, with several others growing along the banks, afforded a
+very pleasing shade, he laid himself on the grass, and gave free
+course to his tears, which flowed in great abundance, accompanied
+with many sighs.
+
+He remained a good while in this condition, absorbed in thought,
+without speaking a word. King Saleh, in the meantime, missing the
+king his nephew, began to be much concerned to know what was
+become of him; but could meet no one who could give any tidings
+of him. He therefore left his company to seek for him, and at
+length perceived him at a distance. He had observed the day
+before, and more plainly that day, that he was not so lively as
+he used to be; and that, if he was asked a question, he either
+answered not at all, or nothing to the purpose; but never in the
+least suspected the cause. As soon as he saw him dying in that
+disconsolate posture, he immediately guessed he had not only
+heard what had passed between him and Queen Gulnare, but was
+become passionately in love. He alighted at some distance from
+him, and having tied his horse to a tree, came upon him so
+softly, that he heard him pronounce the following words:
+
+"Amiable princess of the kingdom of Samandal, I have no doubt had
+but an imperfect sketch of your incomparable beauty; I hold you
+to be still more beautiful in preference to all the princesses in
+the world, and to excel them as much as the sun does the moon and
+stars. I would this moment go and offer you my heart, if I knew
+where to find you; it belongs to you, and no princess shall be
+possessor of it but yourself!"
+
+King Saleh would hear no more; he advanced immediately, and
+discovered himself to Beder. "From what I see, nephew," said he,
+"you heard what the queen your mother and I said the other day of
+the princess Jehaun-ara. It was not our intention you should have
+known any thing respecting her, and we thought you were asleep."
+"My dear uncle," replied King Beder, "I heard every word, and
+have sufficiently experienced the effect you foretold; which it
+was not in your power to prevent. I detained you on purpose to
+acquaint you with my love before your departure; but the shame of
+disclosing my weakness, if it be any to love a princess so worthy
+of my affection, sealed up my mouth. I beseech you then, by the
+friendship you profess for a prince who has the honour to be so
+nearly allied to you, that you would pity me, and not wait to
+procure me the consent of the divine Jehaun-ara, till you have
+gained that of the king of Samandal that I may marry his
+daughter, unless you had rather see me die with love, before I
+behold her."
+
+These words of the king of Persia greatly embarrassed King Saleh.
+He represented to him how difficult it was to give him the
+satisfaction he desired, and that he could not do it without
+carrying him along with him; which might be of dangerous
+consequence, since his presence was so absolutely necessary in
+his kingdom. He conjured him, therefore, to moderate his passion,
+till such time as he had put things into a train to satisfy him,
+assuring him he would use his utmost diligence, and would come to
+acquaint him in a few days. But these reasons were not sufficient
+to satisfy the king of Persia. "Cruel uncle," said he. "I find
+you do not love me so much as you pretended, and that you had
+rather see me die than grant the first request I ever made."
+
+"I am ready to convince your majesty," replied King Saleh, "that
+I would do any thing to serve you; but as for carrying you along
+with me, I cannot do that till I have spoken to the queen your
+mother. What would she say of you and me? If she consents, I am
+ready to do all you would have me, and will join my entreaties to
+yours." "You cannot be ignorant," replied the king of Persia,
+"that the queen my mother would never willingly part with me; and
+therefore this excuse does but farther convince me of your
+unkindness. If you really love me, as you would have me believe,
+you must return to your kingdom immediately, and take me with
+you."
+
+King Saleh, finding himself obliged to yield to his nephew's
+importunity, drew from his finger a ring, on which were engraved
+the same mysterious names of God that were upon Solomon's seal,
+which had wrought so many wonders by their virtue. "Here, take
+this ring," said he, "put it on your finger, and fear neither the
+waters of the sea, nor their depth." The king of Persia took the
+ring, and when he had put it on his finger, King Saleh said to
+him, "Do as I do." At the same time they both mounted lightly up
+into the air, and made towards the sea, which was not far
+distant, and they both plunged into it.
+
+The sea-king was not long in arriving at his palace, with the
+king of Persia, whom he immediately carried to the queen's
+apartments, and presented to her. The king of Persia kissed the
+queen his grandmother's hands, and she embraced him with great
+demonstrations of joy. "I do not ask you how you do," said she,
+"I see you are very well, and am rejoiced at it; but I desire to
+know how my daughter your mother Queen Gulnare does." The king of
+Persia took great care not to let her know that he had come away
+with out taking leave of her; on the contrary he told her, the
+queen his mother was in perfect health, and had enjoined him to
+pay her duty to her. The queen then presented him to the
+princesses; and while he was in conversation with them, she left
+him, and went with King Saleh into a closet, who told her how the
+king of Persia was fallen in love with the Princess Jehaun-ara,
+upon the bare relation of her beauty, and contrary to his
+intention; that he had, against his own wishes, brought him along
+with him, and that he was going to concert measures to procure
+the princess for him in marriage.
+
+Although King Saleh was, to do him justice, perfectly innocent of
+the king of Persia's passion, yet the queen could hardly forgive
+his indiscretion in mentioning the princess Jehaun- ara before
+him, "Your imprudence is not to be forgiven," said she; "can you
+think that the king of Samandal, whose character is so well
+known, will have greater consideration for you, than the many
+other kings to whom he has refused his daughter, with such
+evident contempt? Would you have him send you away with the same
+confusion?
+
+"Madam," replied King Saleh, "I have already told you it was
+contrary to my intention that the king my nephew heard what I
+related of the beauty of the princess to the queen my sister. The
+fault is committed, and we must consider what a violent passion
+he has for this princess, and that he will die with grief and
+affliction, if we do not speedily obtain her for him. For my
+part, I shall omit nothing that can contribute to effect their
+union: since I was, though innocently, the cause of the malady, I
+will do all I can to remedy it. I hope, madam, you will approve
+of my resolution, to go myself and wait on the king of Samandal,
+with a rich present of precious stones, and demand the princess
+his daughter of him for the king of Persia. I have some reason to
+believe he will not refuse, but will be pleased with an alliance
+with one of the greatest potentates of the earth."
+
+"It were to have been wished," replied the queen, "that we had
+not been under a necessity of making this demand, since the
+success of our attempt is not so certain as we could desire; but
+since my grandson's peace and content depend upon it, I freely
+give my consent. But, above all, I charge you, since you well
+know the humour of the king of Samandal, that you take care to
+speak to him with due respect, and in a manner that cannot
+possibly offend him."
+
+The queen prepared the present herself, composing it of diamonds,
+rubies, emeralds, and strings of pearl, all which she put into a
+rich box. Next morning King Saleh took leave of her majesty and
+the king of Persia, and departed with a chosen and small troop of
+officers, and attendants. He soon arrived at the kingdom, and the
+palace of the king of Samandal, who delayed not to give him
+audience. He rose from his throne as soon as he perceived him;
+and King Saleh, forgetting his character for some moments,
+knowing whom he had to deal with, prostrated himself at his feet,
+wishing him the accomplishment of all his desires. The king of
+Samandal stooped to raise him, and after he had placed him on his
+left hand, told him he was welcome, and asked him if there was
+any thing he could do to serve him.
+
+"Sir," answered King Saleh, "though I should have no other motive
+than that of paying my respects to the most potent, most prudent,
+and most valiant prince in the world, feeble would be my language
+to express how much I honour your majesty. Could you penetrate
+into my inmost soul, you would be convinced of the great
+veneration I have for you, and of my ardent desire to testify my
+attachment." Having spoke these words, he took the box of jewels
+from one of his servants, and having opened it, presented it to
+the king, imploring him to accept of it for his sake.
+
+"Prince," replied the king of Samandal, "you would not make me
+such a present unless you had a request proportionable to it to
+propose. If there be any thing in my power to grant, you may
+freely command me, and I shall feel the greatest pleasure in
+complying with your wishes. Speak, and tell me frankly, wherein I
+can serve you?"
+
+"I must own ingenuously," replied King Saleh, "I have a boon to
+ask of your majesty; and I shall take care to ask nothing but
+what is in your power to bestow. The thing depends so absolutely
+on yourself, that it would be to no purpose to ask it of any one
+else. I ask it then with all possible earnestness, and I beg of
+you not to refuse me." "If it be so," replied the king of
+Samandal, "you have nothing to do but acquaint me what it is, and
+you shall see after what manner I can oblige when it is in my
+power."
+
+"Sir," said King Saleh, "after the confidence with which your
+majesty has been pleased to inspire me, I will not dissemble any
+longer, that I came to beg of you to honour our house with your
+alliance by the marriage of your daughter, and to strengthen the
+good understanding that has so long subsisted between our two
+crowns."
+
+At these words the king of Samandal burst into a loud laugh,
+falling back in his throne against a cushion that supported him,
+and with an imperious and scornful air, said, "King Saleh, I have
+always hitherto thought you a prince of great wisdom, and
+prudence; but what you say convinces me I was mistaken. Tell me,
+I beseech you, where was your wit or discretion, when you formed
+to yourself such a chimera as you have proposed to me? Could you
+conceive a thought of aspiring in marriage to a princess, the
+daughter of so powerful a monarch as myself? You ought to have
+considered the great distance between us, and not run the risk of
+losing in a moment the esteem I always had for you."
+
+King Saleh was hurt at this affronting answer, and could scarcely
+restrain his resentment; however he replied with all possible
+moderation, "God reward your majesty as you deserve! I have the
+honour to inform you, I do not demand the princess your daughter
+in marriage for myself; had I done even that, your majesty and
+the princess, so far from being offended, should have thought it
+an honour done to both. Your majesty well knows I am one of the
+kings of the sea as well as yourself; that my ancestors yield not
+in antiquity to any royal house; and that the kingdom I inherit
+is no less potent and flourishing than your own. If your majesty
+had not interrupted me, you had soon understood that the favour I
+asked was not for myself, but for the young king of Persia my
+nephew, whose power and grandeur, no less than his personal good
+qualities, cannot be unknown to you. Everybody acknowledges the
+Princess Jehaun-ara to be the most beautiful under ocean: but it
+is no less true, that the king of Persia is the handsomest and
+most accomplished prince on earth. Thus the favour that is asked
+being likely to redound to the honour both of your majesty and
+the princess your daughter, you ought not to doubt that your
+consent to an alliance so equal will be unanimously approved in
+all the kingdoms of the sea. The princess is worthy of the king
+of Persia, and the king of Persia is no less worthy of her."
+
+The king of Samandal had not permitted King Saleh to speak so
+long, but that rage deprived him of all power of speech. At
+length, however, he broke out into outrageous and insulting
+expressions, unworthy of a great king. "Dog," cried he, "dare you
+talk to me after this manner, and so much as mention my
+daughter's name in my presence Can you think the son of your
+sister Gulnare worthy to come in competition with my daughter?
+Who are you? Who was your father? Who is your sister? And who
+your nephew? Was not his father a dog, and the son of a dog, like
+you? Guards, seize the insolent wretch, and strike off his head."
+
+The few officers who were about the king of Samandal were
+immediately going to obey his orders, when King Saleh, who was in
+the flower of his age, nimble and vigorous, got from them, before
+they could draw their sabres; and having reached the palace-gate,
+found there a thousand men of his relations and friends, well
+armed and equipped, who were just arrived. The queen his mother
+having considered the small number of attendants he had taken
+with him, and foreseeing the reception he would probably meet
+from the king of Samandal, had sent these troops to protect and
+defend him in case of danger, ordering them to make haste. Those
+of his relations who were at the head of this troop had reason to
+rejoice at their seasonable arrival, when they beheld him and his
+attendants running in great disorder, and pursued. "Sire," cried
+his friends, the moment he joined them, "who has insulted you? We
+are ready to revenge you: you need only command us."
+
+King Saleh related his case to them in few words, and putting
+himself at the head of a troop, while some seized the gates, he
+re-entered the palace. The few officers and guards who had
+pursued him, being soon dispersed, he forced the king of
+Samandal's apartment, who, being abandoned by his attendants, was
+soon seized. King Saleh left sufficient guards to secure his
+person, and then went from apartment to apartment, to search
+after the Princess Jehaun-ara. But she, on the first alarm, had,
+together with her women, sprung up to the surface of the sea, and
+escaped to a desert island.
+
+While this passed in the palace of the king of Samandal, those of
+King Saleh's attendants who had fled at the first menaces of that
+king, put the queen mother into terrible consternation, on
+relating the danger of her son. King Beder, who was present at
+the time, was the more concerned, as he looked upon himself as
+the principal author of the mischief that might ensue: therefore,
+not caring to abide the queen's presence any longer, whilst she
+was giving the orders necessary at that conjuncture, he darted up
+from the bottom of the sea; and not knowing how to find his way
+to the kingdom of Persia, happened to land on the island where
+the Princess Jehaun-ara had saved herself.
+
+The prince, not a little disturbed in mind, seated himself under
+the shade of a large tree, surrounded by others. Whilst he was
+endeavouring to recover himself, he heard somebody talking, but
+was too far off to understand what was said. He arose, and
+advanced softly towards the place whence the sound proceeded,
+where, among the branches, he perceived a beauty that dazzled
+him. "Doubtless," said he, within himself, stopping and
+considering her with great attention, "this must be the princess
+Jehaun-ara, whom fear has obliged to abandon her father's palace;
+or if it be not, she no less deserves my love." This said, he
+came forward, and discovering himself, approached the princess
+with profound reverence. "Madam," said he, "I can never
+sufficiently thank Heaven for the favour it has done me in
+presenting to my eyes so much beauty. A greater happiness could
+not have befallen me than this opportunity to offer you my
+services. I beseech you, therefore, madam, to accept them, it
+being impossible that a lady in this solitude should not want
+assistance."
+
+"True, my lord," replied Jehaun-ara, sorrowfully; "it is not a
+little extraordinary for a lady of my quality to be in this
+situation. I am a princess, daughter of the king of Samandal, and
+my name is Jehaun-ara. I was at ease in my father's palace, in my
+apartment, when suddenly I heard a dreadful noise: news was
+immediately brought me, that king Saleh, I know not for what
+reason, had forced the palace, seized the king my father, and
+murdered all the guards who made any resistance. I had only time
+to save myself, and escape hither from his violence."
+
+At these words King Beder began to be concerned that he had
+quitted his grandmother so hastily, without staying to hear from
+her an explanation of the news that had been brought. But he was,
+on the other hand, overjoyed to find that the king his uncle had
+rendered himself master of the king of Samandal's person, not
+doubting but he would consent to give up the princess for his
+liberty. "Adorable princess," continued he, "your concern is most
+just, but it
+
+is easy to put an end both to that and your father's captivity.
+You will agree with me, when I shall tell you that I am Beder,
+king of Persia, and King Saleh is my uncle: I assure you, madam,
+he has no design to seize the king your father's dominions; his
+only intention is to obtain your father's consent, that I may
+have the honour and happiness of being his son-in- law. I had
+already given my heart to you, upon the bare relation of your
+beauty and charms; and now, far from repenting, I beg of you to
+accept it, and to be assured that I will love you as long as I
+live. I dare flatter myself you will not refuse this favour, but
+be ready to acknowledge that a king, who quitted his dominions
+purely on your account, deserves some acknowledgment. Permit me
+then, beauteous princess! to have the honour to present you to
+the king my uncle; and the king your father shall no sooner have
+consented to our marriage, than King Saleh will leave him
+sovereign of his dominions as before."
+
+This declaration of King Beder did not produce the effect he
+expected. It is true, the princess no sooner saw him, than his
+person, air, and the grace wherewith he accosted her, led her to
+regard him as one who would not have been disagreeable to her;
+but when she heard that he had been the occasion of all the ill
+treatment her father had suffered, of the grief and fright she
+had endured, and especially the necessity she was reduced to of
+flying her country; she looked upon him as an enemy with whom she
+ought to have no connection. Whatever inclination she might have
+to agree to the marriage which he desired, she determined never
+to consent, reflecting that one of the reasons her father might
+have against this match might be, that King Beder was son of a
+king of the earth.
+
+She would not, however, let King Beder know her resentment; but
+sought an occasion to deliver herself dexterously out of his
+hands; and seeming in the meantime to have a great kindness for
+him, "Are you then," said she, with all possible civility, "son
+of the Queen Gulnare, so famous for her wit and beauty? I am glad
+of it, and rejoice that you are the son of so worthy a mother.
+The king my father was much in the wrong so strongly to oppose
+our union: had he but seen you, he must have consented to make us
+happy." Saying so, she reached forth her hand to him as a token
+of friendship.
+
+King Beder, believing himself arrived at the very pinnacle of
+happiness, held forth his hand, and taking that of the princess,
+stooped down to kiss it, when she, pushing him back, and spitting
+in his face for want of water to throw at him, said, "Wretch,
+quit the form of a man, and take that of a white bird, with a red
+bill and feet." Upon her pronouncing these words, King Beder was
+immediately changed into a bird of that description, to his great
+surprise and mortification. "Take him," said she to one of her
+women, "and carry him to the Dry Island." This island was only
+one frightful rock, where not a drop of water was to be had.
+
+The waiting-woman took the bird, but in executing her princess's
+orders, had compassion on King Beder's misfortune. "It would be
+great pity," said she to herself, "to let a prince so worthy to
+live die of hunger and thirst. The princess, who is good and
+gentle, will, it may be, repent of this cruel order, when she
+comes to herself; it were better that I carried him to a place
+where he may die a natural death." She accordingly carried him to
+a well-frequented island, and left him in a charming plain,
+planted with all sorts of fruit- trees, and watered by divers
+rivulets.
+
+Let us return to King Saleh. After he had sought for the princess
+Jehaun-ara to no purpose, he caused the king of Samandal to be
+shut up in his own palace, under a strong guard; and having given
+the necessary orders for governing the kingdom in his absence,
+returned to give the queen his mother an account of what he had
+done. The first question he asked on his arrival was, "Where was
+the king his nephew?" and he learned with great surprise and
+vexation that he could not be found. "News being brought me,"
+said the queen, "of the danger you were in at the palace of the
+king of Samandal, whilst I was giving orders to send you other
+troops to avenge you, he disappeared. He must have been alarmed
+at hearing of your being in such great danger, and did not think
+himself in sufficient security with us."
+
+This news exceedingly afflicted King Saleh, who now repented
+being so easily wrought upon by King Beder as to carry him away
+with him without his mother's consent. He sent everywhere to seek
+for him, but could hear no tidings of him; and instead of the joy
+he felt at having carried on so far the marriage, which he looked
+upon as his own work, his grief for this accident was more
+mortifying. Whilst he was under this suspense about his nephew,
+he left his kingdom under the administration of his mother, and
+went to govern that of the king of Samandal, whom he continued to
+keep with great vigilance, though with all due respect to his
+character.
+
+The same day that King Saleh returned to the kingdom of Samandal,
+Queen Gulnare arrived at the court of the queen her mother. The
+princess was not at all surprised to find her son did not return
+the same day he set out: it being not uncommon for him to go
+farther than he proposed in the heat of the chase; but when she
+saw he neither returned the next day, nor the day after, she
+began to be alarmed, as may easily be imagined from her affection
+for him. This alarm was augmented, when the officers, who had
+accompanied the king, and were obliged to return after they had
+for a long time sought in vain both for him and his uncle, came
+and told her majesty they must of necessity have come to some
+harm, or must be together in some place which they could not
+guess; since, notwithstanding all the diligence they had used,
+they could hear no tidings of them. Their horses indeed they had
+found, but as for their persons, they knew not where to look for
+them. The queen hearing this, had resolved to dissemble and
+conceal her affliction, bidding the officers to search once more
+with their utmost diligence; but in the meantime she plunged into
+the sea, to satisfy herself as to the suspicion she had
+entertained that king Saleh must have carried his nephew with
+him.
+
+This great queen would have been more affectionately received by
+her mother, had she not, on first seeing her, guessed the
+occasion of her coming. "Daughter," said she, "I plainly perceive
+you are not come hither to visit me; you come to inquire after
+the king your son; and the only news I can tell you will augment
+both your grief and mine. I no sooner saw him arrive in our
+territories, than I rejoiced; yet when I came to understand he
+had come away without your knowledge, I began to participate with
+you the concern you must needs suffer." Then she related to her
+with what zeal King Saleh went to demand the Princess Jehaun-ara
+in marriage for King Beder, and what had happened, till her son
+disappeared. "I have sought diligently after him," added she,
+"and the king my son, who is but just gone to govern the kingdom
+of Samandal, has done all that lay in his power. All our
+endeavours have hitherto proved unsuccessful, but we must hope
+nevertheless to see him again, perhaps when we least expect it."
+
+Queen Gulnare was not satisfied with this hope: she looked upon
+the king her son as lost, and lamented him bitterly, laying all
+the blame on the king his uncle. The queen her mother made her
+consider the necessity of not yielding too much to grief. "The
+king your brother," said she, "ought not, it is true, to have
+talked to you so inconsiderately about that marriage, nor ever
+have consented to carry away the king my grandson, without
+acquainting you; yet, since it is not certain that the king of
+Persia is absolutely lost, you ought to neglect nothing to
+preserve his kingdom for him: lose then no more time, but return
+to your capital; your presence there will be necessary, and it
+will not be difficult for you to preserve the public peace, by
+causing it to be published, that the king of Persia was gone to
+visit his grandmother."
+
+This was sufficient to oblige Queen Gulnare to yield. She took
+leave of the queen her mother, and returned to the palace of the
+capital of Persia before she had been missed. She immediately
+despatched persons to recall the officers she had sent after the
+king, to tell them that she knew where his majesty was, and that
+they should soon see him again. She also caused the same report
+to be spread throughout the city, and governed, in concert with
+the prime minister and council, with the same tranquillity as if
+the king had been present.
+
+To return to King Beder, whom the Princess Jehaun-ara's
+waiting-woman had left in the island before mentioned; that
+monarch was not a little surprised when he found himself alone,
+and under the form of a bird. He esteemed himself yet more
+unhappy, in that he knew not where he was, or in what part of the
+world the kingdom of Persia lay. But if he had known, and had
+tried the force of his wings, to hazard the traversing so many
+extensive watery regions, and had reached it, what could he have
+gained, but the mortification to continue still in the same form,
+and not to be accounted even a man, much less acknowledged king
+of Persia? He was forced to remain where he was, live upon such
+food as birds of his kind were wont to have, and to pass the
+night on a tree.
+
+A few days afterwards, a peasant, skilled in taking birds with
+nets, chanced to come to the place where he was; when perceiving
+so fine a bird, the like of which he had never seen, though he
+had followed that employment for a long while, he began greatly
+to rejoice. He employed all his art to ensnare him; and at length
+succeeded and took him. Overjoyed at so great a prize, which he
+looked upon to be of more worth than all the other birds he
+commonly took, he shut it up in a cage, and carried it to the
+city. As soon as he was come into the market, a citizen stops
+him, and asked how much he would have for his bird?
+
+Instead of answering, the peasant demanded of the citizen what he
+would do with him in case he should buy him? "What wouldst thou
+have me to do with him," answered the citizen, "but roast and eat
+him?" "If that be the case," replied the peasant, "I suppose you
+would think me very well paid, if you should give me the smallest
+piece of silver for him. I set a much higher value upon him, and
+you should not have him for a piece of gold. Although I am
+advanced in years, I never saw such a bird in my life. I intend
+to make a present of him to the king; he will know its value
+better than you."
+
+Without staying any longer in the market, the peasant went
+directly to the palace, and placed himself exactly before the
+king's apartment. His majesty, being at a window where he could
+see all that passed in the court, no sooner cast his eyes on this
+beautiful bird, than he sent an officer of his eunuchs to buy it
+for him. The officer going to the peasant, demanded of him how
+much he would have for the bird? "If it be for his majesty,"
+answered the. peasant, "I humbly beg of him to accept it of me as
+a present, and I desire you to carry it to him." The officer took
+the bird to the king, who found it so great a rarity, that he
+ordered the same officer to take ten pieces of gold, and carry
+them to the peasant, who departed very well satisfied. The king
+ordered the bird to be put into a magnificent cage, and gave it
+corn and water in rich vessels.
+
+The king being then ready to mount on horseback to go a hunting,
+had not time to consider the bird, therefore had it brought to
+him as soon as he returned. The officer brought the cage, and the
+king, that he might the better view the bird, took it out
+himself; and perched it upon his hand. Looking earnestly upon it,
+he demanded of the officer, if he had seen it eat. "Sir," replied
+the officer, "your majesty may observe the vessel with his food
+is still full, and I have not observed that he has touched any of
+it." Then the king ordered him meat of divers sorts, that he
+might take what he liked best.
+
+The table being spread, and dinner served up just as the king had
+given these orders, as soon as the dishes were placed, the bird,
+clapping his wings, leaped off the king's hand, flew upon the
+table, where he began to peck the bread and victuals, sometimes
+on one plate and sometimes on another. The king was so surprised
+that he immediately sent the officer of the eunuchs to desire the
+queen to come and see this wonder. The officer related it to her
+majesty, and she came forthwith; but she no sooner saw the bird,
+than she covered her face with her veil, and would have retired.
+The king, surprised at her proceeding, as there was none present
+in the chamber but the eunuchs and the women who attended her,
+asked the reason of her conduct.
+
+"Sir," answered the queen, "your majesty will no longer be
+surprised, when you understand, that this is not as you suppose a
+bird, but a man." "Madam," said the king, more astonished than
+before, "you mean to banter me; but you shall never persuade me
+that a bird can be a man." "Sir," replied the queen, "far be it
+from me to banter your majesty; nothing is more certain than what
+I have had the honour to tell you. I can assure your majesty, it
+is the king of Persia, named Beder, son of the celebrated
+Gulnare, princess of one of the largest kingdoms of the sea,
+nephew of Saleh, king of that kingdom, and grandson of Queen
+Farasche, mother of Gulnare and Saleh; and it was the Princess
+Jehaun-ara, daughter of the king of Samandal, who thus
+metamorphosed him into a bird." That the king might no longer
+doubt of what she affirmed, she told him the whole story, and
+stated that the Princess Jehaun-ara had thus revenged herself for
+the ill treatment which King Saleh had used towards the king of
+Samandal her father.
+
+The king had the less difficulty to believe this assertion of the
+queen, as he knew her to be a skilful magician. And as she knew
+everything which passed in every part of the world, he was always
+by her means timely informed of the designs of the kings his
+neighbours against him, and prevented them. His majesty had
+compassion on the king of Persia, and earnestly besought his
+queen to break the enchantment, that he might return to his own
+form.
+
+The queen consented with great willingness. "Sir," said she to
+the king, "be pleased to take the bird into your closet, and I
+will shew you a king worthy of the consideration you have for
+him." The bird, which had ceased eating, and attended to what the
+king and queen said, would not give his majesty the trouble to
+take him, but hopped into the closet before him; and the queen
+came in soon after, with a vessel full of water in her hand. She
+pronounced over the vessel some words unknown to the king, till
+the water began to boil; when she took some of it in her hand,
+and sprinkling a little upon the bird, said, "By virtue of those
+holy and mysterious words I have just pronounced, and in the name
+of the Creator of heaven and earth, who raises the dead, and
+supports the universe, quit the form of a bird, and re-assume
+that received from thy Creator."
+
+The words were scarcely out of the queen's mouth, when, instead
+of a bird, the king saw a young prince of good shape, air, and
+mien. King Beder immediately fell on his knees, and thanked God
+for the favour that had been bestowed upon him. He then took the
+king's hand, who helped him up, and kissed it in token of
+gratitude; but the king embraced him with great joy, and
+testified to him the satisfaction he had to see him. He would
+then have made his acknowledgments to the queen, but she was
+already retired to her apartment. The king made him sit at the
+table with him, and prayed him to relate how the Princess
+Jehaun-ara could have the inhumanity to transform into a bird so
+amiable a prince; and the king of Persia immediately satisfied
+him. When he had ended, the king, provoked at the proceeding of
+the princess, could not help blaming her. "It was commendable,"
+said he, "in the princess of Samandal not to be insensible of the
+king her father's ill treatment; but to carry her vengeance so
+far, and especially against a prince who was not culpable, was
+what she could never be able to ,justify herself for. But let us
+have done with this subject, and tell me, I beseech you, in what
+I can farther serve you."
+
+"Sir," answered King Beder, "my obligation to your majesty is so
+great, that I ought to remain with you all my life to testify my
+gratitude; but since your majesty sets no limits to your
+generosity, I entreat you to grant me one of your ships to
+transport me to Persia, where I fear my absence, which has been
+but too long, may have occasioned some disorder, and that the
+queen my mother, from whom I concealed my departure, may be
+distracted under the uncertainty whether I am alive or dead."
+
+The king readily granted what he desired, and immediately gave
+orders for equipping one of his largest ships, and the best
+sailors in his numerous fleet. The ship was soon furnished with
+all its complement of men, provisions, and ammunition; and as
+soon as the wind became fair, King Beder embarked, after having
+taken leave of the king, and thanked him for all his favours.
+
+The ship sailed before the wind for ten days together, but on the
+eleventh the wind changed, and there followed a furious tempest.
+The ship was not only driven out of its course, but so violently
+tossed, that all its masts were brought by the board; and driving
+along at the pleasure of the wind, it at length struck against a
+rock and bulged.
+
+The greatest part of the people were instantly drowned. Some few
+were saved by swimming, and others by getting on pieces of the
+wreck. King Beder was among the latter, when, after having been
+tossed about for some time by the waves and torrents, under great
+uncertainty of his fate, he at length perceived himself near the
+shore, and not far from a city that seemed of great extent. He
+exerted his remaining strength to reach the land, and was at
+length so fortunate as to be able to touch the ground with his
+feet. He immediately abandoned his piece of wood, which had been
+of such great service to him; but when he came pretty near the
+shore, was greatly surprised to see horses, camels, mules, asses,
+oxen, cows, bulls, and other animals crowding to the shore, and
+putting themselves in a posture to oppose his landing. He had the
+utmost difficulty to conquer their obstinacy and force his way,
+but at length he succeeded, and sheltered himself among the rocks
+till he had recovered his breath, and dried his clothes in the
+sun.
+
+When the prince advanced to enter the city, he met with the same
+opposition from these animals, who seemed to intend to make him
+forego his design, and give him to understand it was dangerous to
+proceed.
+
+King Beder, however, entered the city, and saw many fair and
+spacious streets, but was surprised to find no human beings. This
+made him think it was not without cause that so many animals had
+opposed his passage. Going forward, nevertheless, he observed
+divers shops open, which gave him reason to believe the place was
+not so destitute of inhabitants as he imagined. He approached one
+of these shops, where several sorts of fruits were exposed for
+sale, and saluted very courteously an old man who was sitting
+within.
+
+The old man, who was busy about something, lifted up his head,
+and seeing a youth who had an appearance of grandeur in his air,
+started, asked him whence he came, and what business had brought
+him there? King Beder satisfied him in a few words; and the old
+man farther asked him if he had met anybody on the road? "You are
+the first person I have seen," answered the king, "and I cannot
+comprehend how so fine and large a city comes to be without
+inhabitants." "Come in, sir; stay no longer upon the threshold,"
+replied the old man, "or peradventure some misfortune may happen
+to you. I will satisfy your curiosity at leisure, and give you a
+reason why it is necessary you should take this precaution."
+
+King Beder entered the shop, and sat down by the old man. The
+latter, who had received from him an account of his misfortunes,
+knew he must want nourishment, therefore immediately presented
+him what was necessary to recover his strength; and although King
+Beder was very earnest to know why he had taken the precaution to
+make him enter the shop, he would nevertheless not be prevailed
+upon to tell him anything till he had done eating, for fear the
+sad things he had to relate might spoil his appetite. When he
+found he ate no longer, he said to him, "You have great reason to
+thank God that you got hither without any accident." "Alas! why?"
+demanded King Beder, much surprised and alarmed.
+
+"Because," answered he, "this city is the City of Enchantments,
+and is governed by a queen, who is not only one of the finest of
+her sex, but likewise a notorious and dangerous sorceress. You
+will be convinced of this," added he, "when you know that these
+horses, mules, and other animals which you have seen, are so many
+men, like ourselves, whom she has transformed by her diabolical
+art. And when young men, like you, enter the city, she has
+persons planted to stop and bring them, either by fair means or
+force, before her. She receives them in the most obliging manner;
+caresses them, regales them, lodges them magnificently, and gives
+them so many reasons to believe that she loves them, that she
+never fails of success. But she does not suffer them long to
+enjoy this happiness. There is not one of them but she has
+transformed into some animal or bird at the end of forty days.
+You told me all these animals presented themselves to oppose your
+landing, and hinder you entering the city. This was the only way
+in which they could make you comprehend the danger you were going
+to expose yourself to, and they did all in their power to prevent
+you."
+
+This account exceedingly afflicted the young king of Persia:
+"Alas!" cried he, "to what extremities has my ill fortune reduced
+me! I am hardly freed from one enchantment, which I look back
+upon with horror, but I find myself exposed to another much more
+terrible." This gave him occasion to relate his story to the old
+man more at length, and to acquaint him of his birth, quality,
+his passion for the princess of Samandal, .and her cruelty in
+changing him into a bird the very moment he had seen her and
+declared his love to her.
+
+When the prince came to speak of his good fortune in finding a
+queen who broke the enchantment, the old man to encourage him
+said, "Notwithstanding all I have told you of the magic queen is
+true, that ought not to give you the least disquiet, since I am
+generally beloved throughout the city, and am not unknown to the
+queen herself, who has much respect for me; therefore it was your
+peculiar good fortune which led you to address yourself to me
+rather than to anyone else. You are secure in my house, where I
+advise you to continue, if you think fit; and, provided you .do
+not stray from hence, I dare assure you, you will have no just
+cause to complain of my insincerity."
+
+King Beder thanked the old man for his kind reception, and the
+protection he was pleased so readily to afford him. He sat down
+at the entrance of the shop, where he no sooner appeared, but his
+youth and good person attracted the eyes of all who passed that
+way. Many stopped and complimented the old man on his having
+acquired so fine a slave, as they imagined the king to be; and
+they were the more surprised as they could not comprehend how so
+beautiful a youth could escape the queen's knowledge. "Believe
+not," said the old man, "this is a slave: you all know that I am
+not rich enough nor of rank to have one of this consequence. He
+is my nephew, son of a brother of mine who is dead; and as I had
+no children of my own, I sent for him to keep me company." They
+congratulated his good fortune in having so fine a young man for
+his relation; but could not help telling him they feared the
+queen would take him from him. "You know her well," said they to
+him, "and you cannot be ignorant of the danger to which you are
+exposed, after all the examples you have seen. How grieved would
+you be if she should serve him as she has done so many others
+whom we knew."
+
+"I am obliged to you," replied the old man, "for your good will
+towards me, and I heartily thank you for the care you seem to
+take of my interest; but I shall never entertain the least
+thought that the queen will do me any injury, after all the
+kindness she has professed for me. In case she happens to hear of
+this young man, and speaks to me about him, I doubt not she will
+cease to think of him, as soon as she comes to know he is my
+nephew."
+
+The old man was exceedingly glad to hear the commendations they
+bestowed on the young king of Persia. He was as much affected
+with them as if he had been his own son, and he conceived a
+kindness for him, which augmented every day during the stay he
+made with him.
+
+They had lived about a month together, when, as King Beder was
+sitting at the shop-door, after his ordinary manner, Queen Labe
+(so was this magic queen named) happened to come by with great
+pomp. The young king no sooner perceived the guards advancing
+before her, than he arose, and going into the shop, asked the old
+man what all that show meant. "The queen is coming by," answered
+he, "but stand still and fear nothing."
+
+The queen's guards, clothed in purple uniform, and well armed and
+mounted, marched to the number of a thousand in four files, with
+their sabres drawn, and every one of their officers, as they
+passed by the shop, saluted the old man. Then followed a like
+number of eunuchs, habited in brocaded silk, and better mounted,
+whose officers did the old man the like honour. Next came as many
+young ladies on foot, equally beautiful, richly dressed, and
+ornamented with precious stones. They marched gravely, with half
+pikes in their hands; and in the midst of them appeared Queen
+Labe, on a horse glittering with diamonds, with a golden saddle,
+and a housing of inestimable value. All the young ladies saluted
+the old man as they passed him; and the queen, struck with the
+good mien of King Beder, stopped as soon as she came before the
+shop. "Abdallah," (so was the old man named) said she to him,
+"tell me, I beseech thee, does that beautiful and charming slave
+belong to thee? and hast thou long been in possession of him?"
+
+Abdallah, before he answered the queen, threw himself on the
+ground, and rising again, said, "Madam, he is my nephew, son of a
+brother, who has not long been dead. Having no children, I look
+upon him as my son, and sent for him to come and comfort me,
+intending to leave him what I have when I die."
+
+Queen Labe, who had never yet seen any one to compare with King
+Beder, began to conceive a passion for him, and thought
+immediately of getting the old man to abandon him to her.
+"Father," said she, "will you not oblige me so far as to make me
+a present of this young man? Do not refuse me, I conjure you; and
+I swear by the fire and the light, I will make him so great and
+powerful, that no individual in the world ever arrived at such
+good fortune. Although my purpose be to do evil to all mankind,
+he shall be an exception. I trust you will grant me what I
+desire, more on account of the friendship I am assured you have
+for me, than for the esteem you know I always had, and shall ever
+have for you."
+
+"Madam," replied the good Abdallah, "I am infinitely obliged to
+your majesty for all the kind- ness you have for me, and the
+honours you propose to do my nephew. He is not worthy to approach
+so great a queen, and I humbly beseech your majesty to excuse
+him."
+
+"Abdallah," replied the queen, "I all along flattered myself you
+loved me, and I could never have thought you would have shewn me
+so much disrespect as to slight my request. But I here swear once
+more by the fire and light, and even by whatsoever is most sacred
+in my religion, that I will pass on no farther till I have
+conquered your obstinacy. I understand well what raises your
+apprehensions; but I promise, you shall never have any occasion
+to repent having obliged me in so sensible a manner."
+
+Old Abdallah was exceeding grieved, both on his own account and
+King Beder's, at being in a manner forced to obey the queen.
+"Madam," replied he, "I would not willingly have your majesty
+entertain an ill opinion of the respect I have for you, and my
+zeal always to contribute whatever I can to oblige you. I put
+entire confidence in your royal word, and I do not in the least
+doubt you will keep it. I only beg of your majesty, to delay
+doing this great honour to my nephew till you shall again pass
+this way." "That shall be to-morrow," said the queen; who
+inclined her head, as a token of her being pleased, and so went
+forward towards her palace.
+
+When queen Labe and all her attendants were out of sight, the
+good Abdallah said to King Beder, "Son" (for so he was wont to
+call him, for fear of some time or other discovering him when he
+spoke of him in public), "it has not been in my power, as you may
+have observed, to refuse the queen what she demanded of me with
+so much earnestness, to the end I might not force her to employ
+her magic against both you and myself openly or secretly, and
+treat you as much from resentment to you as to me with more
+signal cruelty than all those she has had in her power, as I have
+already told you. But I have some reason to believe she will use
+you well, as she promised me, on account of that particular
+esteem she professes for me. This you may have seen by the
+respect shewn, and the honours paid, me by all her court. She
+would be a vile creature indeed, if she should deceive me; but
+she shall not deceive me unpunished, for I know how to revenge
+myself."
+
+These assurances, which appeared very doubtful, were not
+sufficient to support King Beder's spirits. "After all you have
+told me of this queen's wickedness," replied he, "you cannot
+wonder if I am somewhat fearful to approach her: I should, it may
+be, slight all you could tell me of her, and suffer myself to be
+dazzled by the lustre of grandeur that surrounds her, did I not
+know by experience what it is to be at the mercy of a sorceress.
+The condition I was in, through the enchantment of the Princess
+Jehaun-ara, and from which I was delivered only to fall almost
+immediately into the power of another, has made me look upon such
+a fate with horror." His tears hindered him from going on, and
+sufficiently shewed with what repugnance he beheld himself under
+the fatal necessity of being delivered to queen Labe.
+
+"Son," replied old Abdallah, "do not afflict yourself; for though
+I must own, there is no great stress to be laid upon the promises
+and oaths of so perfidious a queen, yet I must withal acquaint
+you, her power extends not to me. She knows this full well; and
+that is the reason, and no other, why she pays me so much
+respect. I can quickly hinder her from doing you the least harm,
+if she should be perfidious enough to attempt it. You may depend
+upon me, and, provided you follow exactly the advice I shall give
+you, before I abandon you to her, she shall have no more power
+over you than she has over myself."
+
+The magic queen did not fail to pass by the old man's shop the
+next day, with the same pomp as the preceding, and Abdallah
+waited for her with great respect. "Father," cried she, "you may
+judge of my impatience to have your nephew with me, by my
+punctually coming to remind you of your promise. I know you are a
+man of your word, and I cannot think you will break it with me."
+
+Abdallah, who fell on his face as soon as he saw the queen
+approaching, rose up when she had done speaking; and as he would
+have no one hear what he had to say to her, he advanced with
+great respect as far as her horse's head, and then said softly,
+"Puissant queen! I am persuaded your majesty will not be offended
+at my seeming unwillingness to trust my nephew with you
+yesterday, since you cannot be ignorant of the reasons I had for
+it; but I conjure you to lay aside the secrets of that art which
+you possess in so wonderful a degree. I regard my nephew as my
+own son; and your majesty would reduce me to despair, if you
+should deal with him as you have done with others."
+
+"I promise you I will not," replied the queen; "and I once more
+repeat the oath I made yesterday, that neither you nor your
+nephew shall have any cause to be offended at me. I see plainly,"
+added she, "you are not yet well enough acquainted with me; you
+never saw me yet but through my veil; but as I find your nephew
+deserving of my friendship, I will shew you I am not any ways
+unworthy of his." With that she threw off her veil, and
+discovered to King Beder, who came near her with Abdallah, an
+incomparable beauty. But King Beder was little charmed: "It is
+not enough," said he within himself, "to be beautiful; one's
+actions ought to correspond in regularity with one's features."
+
+Whilst King Beder was making these reflections with his eyes
+fixed on queen Labe, the old man turned towards him, and taking
+him by the arm, presented him to her: "Madam," said he, "I beg of
+your majesty once more to remember he is my nephew, and to let
+him come and see me sometimes." The queen promised he should; and
+to give a further mark of her gratitude, she caused a bag of a
+thousand pieces of gold to be given him. He excused himself at
+first from receiving them, but she insisted absolutely upon it,
+and he could not refuse. She had caused a horse to be brought as
+richly caparisoned as her own, for the king of Persia. Whilst he
+was mounting, "I forgot," said the queen to Abdallah, "to ask you
+your nephew's name; pray how is he called?" He answering his name
+was Beder (the full moon), her majesty replied, "Surely your
+ancestors were mistaken, they ought to have given you the name of
+Shems (the sun)."
+
+When King Beder was mounted, he would have taken his station
+behind the queen, but she would not suffer him, and made him ride
+on her left hand. She looked at Abdallah, and after having made
+him an inclination with her head, departed.
+
+Instead of observing a satisfaction in the people's faces, at the
+sight of their sovereign, King Beder took notice that they looked
+at her with contempt, and even cursed her. "The sorceress," said
+some, "has got a new subject to exercise her wickedness upon;
+will heaven never deliver the world from her tyranny?" "Poor
+stranger!" exclaimed others, "thou art much deceived, if thou
+thinkest thy happiness will last long. It is only to render thy
+fall more terrible, that thou art raised so high." These
+exclamations gave King Beder to understand Abdallah had told him
+nothing but the truth of Queen Labe; but as it now depended no
+longer on himself to escape the mischief, he committed himself to
+the will of heaven.
+
+The magic queen arrived at her palace, immediately alighted, and
+giving her hand to King Beder, entered with him, accompanied by
+her women and the officers of her eunuchs. She herself shewed him
+all her apartments, where there was nothing to be seen but
+massive gold, precious stones, and furniture of wonderful
+magnificence. When she had carried him into her closet, she led
+him out into a balcony, from whence he observed a garden of
+surprising beauty. King Beder commended all he saw, but
+nevertheless so that he might not be discovered to be any other
+than old Abdallah's nephew. They discoursed of indifferent
+matters, till the queen was informed that dinner was served.
+
+The queen and King Beder arose, and went to place themselves at
+the table, which was of massive gold, and the dishes of the same
+metal. They began to eat, but drank hardly at all till the
+dessert came, when the queen caused a cup to be filled for her
+with excellent wine. She took it and drank to King Beder's
+health; then without putting it out of her hand, caused it to be
+filled again, and presented it to him. King Beder received it
+with profound respect, and by a very low bow signified to her
+majesty that he in return drank to her health.
+
+At the same time, ten of Queen Labe's women entered with musical
+instruments, with which and their voices they made an agreeable
+concert, while they continued drinking till late at night. At
+length both began so to be heated with wine; that King Beder
+insensibly forgot he had to do with a magic queen, and looked
+upon her only as the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. As
+soon as the queen perceived she had wrought him to the pitch she
+desired, she made a sign to her eunuchs and women to retire.
+
+Next morning the queen and King Beder went to the bath; the women
+who had served the king there, presented him with fine linen and
+a magnificent habit. The queen likewise, who was more splendidly
+dressed than the day before, came to receive him, and they went
+together to her apartments, where they had a repast brought them,
+and spent the remainder of the day in walking in the garden and
+in various other amusements.
+
+Queen Labe treated King Beder after this manner for forty days,
+as she had been accustomed to do all her lovers. The fortieth
+night, as they were in bed together, she, believing he was really
+asleep, arose without making any noise; but he was awake, and
+perceiving she had some design upon him watched all her motions.
+Being up, she opened a chest, from whence she took a little box
+full of a yellow powder; taking some of the powder, she Iaid a
+train of it across the chamber, and it immediately flowed in a
+rivulet of water, to the great astonishment of King Beder. He
+trembled with fear, but still pretended to sleep.
+
+Queen Labe next took up some of the water in a vessel, poured it
+into a basin that contained some flour; with which she made a
+paste, and kneaded it for a long time: then she mixed with it
+certain drugs which she took from different boxes, and made a
+cake, which she put into a covered baking-pan. As she had taken
+care first of all to make a good fire, she took some of the
+coals, and set the pan upon them; and while the cake was baking,
+she put up the vessels and boxes in their places again; and on
+her pronouncing certain words, the rivulet disappeared. When the
+cake was baked, she took it off the coals, carried it into her
+closet, and afterwards returned to King Beder, who dissembled so
+well, that she had not the least suspicion of his having seen
+what she had done.
+
+King Beder, whom the pleasures and amusements of a court had made
+to forget his good host Abdallah, began now to think of him
+again, and believed he had more than ordinary occasion for his
+advice, after all he had seen the queen do that night. As soon as
+he was up, therefore, he expressed a great desire to go and see
+his uncle, and begged of her majesty to permit him. "What! my
+dear Beder," cried the queen, "are you then already tired, I will
+not say with living in so superb a palace as mine is, where you
+must find so many pleasures, but with the company of a queen, who
+loves you so passionately as I do, and has given you so many
+marks of affection?"
+
+"Great queen!" answered king Beder, "how can I be tired of so
+many favours and graces as your majesty perpetually heaps upon
+me? So far from it, I desire this permission, madam, purely to go
+and give my uncle an account of the mighty obligations I have to
+your majesty. I must own, likewise, that my uncle loving me so
+tenderly, as I well know he does, having been absent from him now
+forty days, I would not give him reason to think, that I consent
+to remain longer without seeing him." "Go," said the queen, "you
+have my consent; but you will not be long before you return, if
+you consider I cannot possibly live without you." This said, she
+ordered him a horse richly caparisoned, and he departed.
+
+Old Abdallah was overjoyed to see king Beder. Without regard to
+his quality, he embraced him tenderly, and King Beder returned
+his embrace, that nobody might doubt but that he was his nephew.
+As soon as they were sat down, "well," said Abdallah to the king,
+"and how have you passed your time with that abominable
+sorceress"
+
+"Hitherto," answered King Beder, "I must needs own she has been
+extraordinarily kind to me, and has done all she could to
+persuade me that she loves me faithfully; but I observed
+something last night, which gives me just reason to suspect that
+all her kindness was but dissimulation. Whilst she thought me
+asleep, although I was really awake, she stole from me with a
+great deal of precaution, which made me suspect her intention,
+and therefore I resolved to watch her, still feigning myself
+asleep." He then related to Abdallah in what manner he had seen
+her make the cake; and then added, "Hitherto," said he, "I must
+needs confess, I had almost forgotten, not only you, but all the
+advice you gave me concerning the wickedness of this queen; but
+this last action of hers gives me reason to fear she intends to
+observe none of her promises or solemn oaths .to you. I thought
+of you immediately, and I esteem myself happy that I have
+obtained permission to come to you."
+
+"You are not mistaken," replied old Abdallah with a smile, which
+showed he did not himself believe she would have acted otherwise;
+"nothing is capable of obliging a perfidious woman to amend. But
+fear nothing. I know how to make the mischief she intends you
+fall upon herself. You are alarmed in time; and you could not
+have done better than to have recourse to me. It is her ordinary
+practice to keep her lovers only forty days; and after that time,
+instead of seeding them home, to turn them into animals, to stock
+her forests and parks; but I thought of measures yesterday to
+prevent her doing you the same harm. The earth has borne this
+monster long enough, and it is now high time she should be
+treated as she deserves."
+
+So saying, Abdallah put two cakes into king Beder's hands,
+bidding him keep them to be used as he should direct. "You told
+me," continued he, "the sorceress made a cake last night; it was
+for you to eat; but do not touch it. Nevertheless, do not refuse
+to receive it, when she offers it you; but instead of tasting it,
+break off part of one of the two I shall give you, unobserved,
+and eat that. As soon as she thinks you have swallowed it, she
+will not fail to attempt transforming you into some animal, but
+she shall not succeed; when she sees that she has failed, she
+will immediately turn her proceeding into pleasantry, as if what
+she had done was only out of joke to frighten you; but she will
+conceal a mortal grief in her heart, and think she has omitted
+something in the composition of her cake. As for the other cake,
+you shall make a present of it to her, and press her to eat it;
+which she will not refuse to do, were it only to convince you she
+does not mistrust you, though she has given you so much reason to
+mistrust her. When she has eaten of it, take a little water in
+the hollow of your hand, and throwing it in her face, say, "Quit
+that form you now wear, and take that of such or such animal," as
+you shall think fit; which done, come to me with the animal, and
+I will tell you what you shall do afterwards."
+
+King Beder expressed to Abdallah, in the warmest terms, his great
+obligations to him, for his endeavours to defend him from the
+power of a pestilent sorceress; and after some further
+conversation took his leave of him, and returned to the palace.
+Upon his arrival, he understood that the queen waited for him
+with great impatience in the garden. He went to her, and she no
+sooner perceived him, than she came in great haste to meet him.
+"My dear Beder!" exclaimed she, "it is said, with a great deal of
+reason, that nothing more forcibly shews the excess of love than
+absence from the object beloved. I have had no quiet since I saw
+you, and it seems ages since I have been separated from you. If
+you had stayed ever so little longer, I was preparing to come and
+fetch you once more to my arms."
+
+"Madam," replied king Beder, "I can assure your majesty, I was no
+less impatient to rejoin you; but I could not refuse to stay with
+an uncle who loves me, and had not seen me for so long a time. He
+would have kept me still longer, but I tore myself away from him,
+to come where love calls me. Of all the collations he prepared
+for me, I have only brought away this cake, which I desire your
+majesty to accept." King Beder, having wrapped up one of the two
+cakes in a handkerchief, took it out, and presented it to the
+queen, saying, "I beg your majesty to accept of it."
+
+"I do accept it with all my heart," replied the queen, receiving
+it, "and will eat it with pleasure for yours and your good
+uncle's sake; but before I taste of it, I desire you will, for my
+sake, eat a piece of this, which I have made for you during your
+absence." "Fair queen," answered king Beder, receiving it with
+great respect, "such hands as your majesty's can never make
+anything but what is excellent, and I cannot sufficiently
+acknowledge the favour you do me."
+
+King Beder then artfully substituted in the place of the queen's
+cake the other which old Abdallah had given him, and having
+broken off a piece, he put it in his mouth, and cried, while he
+was eating, "Ah! queen, I never tasted anything so excellent in
+my life." They being near a cascade, the sorceress seeing him
+swallow one bit of the cake, and ready to eat another, took a
+little water in the palm of her hand, and throwing it in the
+king's face, said, "Wretch! quit that form ofa man, and take that
+of a vile horse, blind and lame."
+
+These words not having the desired effect, the sorceress was
+strangely surprised to find King Beder still in the same form,
+and that he only started for fear. Her cheeks reddened; and as
+she saw that she had missed her aim, "Dear Beder," cried she,
+"this is nothing; recover yourself. I did not intend you any
+harm; I only did it to see what you would say. I should be the
+most miserable and most execrable of women, should I attempt so
+black a deed; not only on account of all the oaths I have sworn,
+but also of the many testimonies of love I have given you."
+
+"Puissant queen," replied King Beder, "persuaded as I am, that
+what your majesty did was only to divert yourself, I could not
+help being surprised. What could hinder me from being a little
+moved at the pronouncing of so strange a transformation? But,
+madam," continued he, "let us drop this discourse; and since I
+have eaten of your cake, would you do me the favour to taste
+mine?"
+
+Queen Labe, who could not better justify herself than by showing
+this mark of confidence in the king of Persia, broke off a piece
+of his cake and ate it. She had no sooner swallowed it than she
+appeared much troubled, and remained as it were motionless. King
+Beder lost no time, but took water out of the same basin, and
+throwing it in her face, cried, "Abominable sorceress ! quit the
+form of woman, and be turned instantly into a mare."
+
+The same moment, Queen Labe was transformed into a very beautiful
+mare; and her confusion was so great to find herself in that
+condition, that she shed tears in great abundance. She bowed her
+head to the feet of King Beder, thinking to move him to
+compassion; but though he could have been so moved, it was
+absolutely out of his power to repair the mischief he had done.
+He led her into the stable belonging to the palace, and put her
+into the hands of a groom, to bridle and saddle; but of all the
+bridles which the groom tried upon her, not one would fit. This
+made him cause two horses to be saddled, one for the groom and
+the other for himself; and the groom led the mare after him to
+old Abdallah's.
+
+Abdallah seeing at a distance King Beder coming with the mare,
+doubted not but he had done what he had advised him. "Cursed
+sorceress!" said he immediately to himself in a transport of joy,
+"heaven has at length punished thee as thou deservest." King
+Beder alighted at Abdallah's door and entered with him into the
+shop, embracing and thanking him for all the signal services he
+had done him. He related to him the whole matter, with all its
+circumstances, and moreover told him, he could find no bridle fit
+for the mare. Abdallah bridled the mare himself, and as soon as
+King Beder had sent back the groom with the two horses, he said
+to him, "My lord, you have no reason to stay any longer in this
+city: mount the mare, and return to your kingdom. I have but one
+thing more to recommend to you; and that is, if you should ever
+happen to part with the mare, be sure not to give up the bridle."
+King Beder promised to remember this; and having taken leave of
+the good old man, he departed.
+
+The young king of Persia had no sooner got out of the city, than
+he began to reflect with joy on his deliverance, and that he had
+the sorceress in his power, who had given him so much cause to
+tremble. Three days after he arrived at a great city, where,
+entering the suburbs, he met a venerable old man, walking towards
+a pleasure- house. "Sir," said the old man, stopping him, "may I
+presume to ask from what part of the world you come?" The king
+halted to satisfy him, and as they were conversing together, an
+old woman came up; who, stopping likewise, wept and sighed
+heavily at the sight of the mare.
+
+King Beder and the old man left off discoursing, to look at the
+old woman, whom the king asked, what cause she had to be so much
+afflicted? "Alas ! sir," replied she, "it is because your mare
+resembles so perfectly one my son had, and which I still mourn
+the loss of on his account, and should think yours were the same,
+did I not know she was dead. Sell her to me, I beseech you; I
+will give you more than she is worth and thank you too.'
+
+"Good woman," replied King Beder, "I am heartily sorry I cannot
+comply with your request: my mare is not to be sold." "Alas!
+sir," continued the old woman, "do not refuse me this favour for
+the love of God. My son and I shall certainly die with grief, if
+you do not grant it." "Good mother," replied the king, "I would
+grant it with all my heart, if I were disposed to part with so
+good a beast; but if I were so disposed, I believe you would
+hardly give a thousand pieces of gold for her, and I could not
+sell her for less." "Why should I not give so much?" replied the
+old woman: "if that be the lowest price, you need only say you
+will take it, and I will fetch you the money."
+
+King Beder, seeing the old woman so poorly dressed, could not
+imagine she could find such a sum; and said, to try her, "Go,
+fetch me the money, and the mare is yours." The old woman
+immediately unloosed a purse she carried fastened to her girdle,
+and desiring him to alight, bade him tell over the money, and in
+case he found it came short of the sum demanded, she said her
+house was not far off; and she could quickly fetch the rest.
+
+The surprise of King Beder, at the sight of the purse, was not
+small. "Good woman," said he, "do you not perceive I have
+bantered you all this while? I assure you my mare is not to be
+sold."
+
+The old man, who had been witness to all that had passed, now
+began to speak. "Son," said he to King Beder, "it is necessary
+you should know one thing, which I find you are ignorant of; and
+that is, that in this city it is not permitted to any one to tell
+a lie, on any account whatsoever, on pain of death. You cannot
+refuse taking this good woman's money, and delivering your mare,
+when she gives you the sum according to the agreement; and this
+you had better do without any noise, than expose yourself to what
+may ensue."
+
+King Beder, mortified to find himself thus trapped by his rash
+proffer, alighted with great regret. The old woman stood ready to
+seize the reins, immediately unbridled the mare, and taking some
+water in her hand, from a stream that ran in the middle of the
+street, threw it in the mare's face, uttering these words,
+"Daughter, quit that strange shape, and re-assume thy own." The
+transformation was effected in a moment, and king Beder, who
+swooned as soon as he saw Queen Labe appear, would have fallen to
+the ground, if the old man had not hindered him.
+
+The old woman, who was the mother of queen Labe, and had
+instructed her in all her magic secrets, had no sooner embraced
+her daughter, than to shew her fury, she in an instant by
+whistling, caused to rise a genie of a gigantic form and stature.
+This genie immediately took King Beder on one shoulder, and the
+old woman with the magic queen on the other, and transported them
+in a few minutes to the palace of Queen Labe in the City of
+Enchantments.
+
+The magic queen immediately fell upon King Beder, reproaching him
+violently. "Is it thus," said she, "ungrateful wretch! that thy
+unworthy uncle and thou repay me for all the kindnesses I have
+done you? I shall soon make you both feel what you deserve." She
+said no more, but taking water in her hand, threw it in his face
+with these words, "Quit the form of man, and take that of an
+owl." These words were soon followed by the effect, and
+immediately she commanded one of her women to shut up the owl in
+a cage, and give him neither meat nor drink.
+
+The woman took the cage, but without regarding what the queen had
+ordered, gave him both meat and drink; and being old Abdallah's
+friend, sent him word privately how the queen had treated his
+nephew, and apprised him of her design to destroy both him and
+King Beder, that he might take measures to prevent her
+intentions, and secure himself.
+
+Abdallah knew no common means would do with Queen Labe: he
+therefore whistled in a peculiar manner, and there immediately
+arose a giant, with four wings, who presenting himself before
+him, asked what he would have?" Lightning," said Abdallah to him
+(for so was the genie called), "I command you to preserve the
+life of King Beder, son of Queen Gulnare. Go to the palace of the
+magic queen, and transport immediately to the capital of Persia
+the compassionate woman who has the cage in custody, to the end
+she may inform Queen Gulnare of the danger the king her son is
+in, and the occasion he has for her assistance. Take care not to
+frighten her when you come before her, and acquaint her from me
+what she ought to do."
+
+Lightning immediately disappeared, and in an instant reached the
+palace of the magic queen. He instructed the woman, lifted her up
+into the air, and transported her to the capital of Persia, where
+he placed her on the terrace of Gulnare's palace. She descended
+into her apartment, and there found Queen Gulnare and Queen
+Farasche her mother lamenting their mutual misfortunes. She made
+them a profound reverence, and by the relation she gave them,
+they soon understood the great need King Beder had of their
+assistance.
+
+Queen Gulnare was so overjoyed at the news, that rising from her
+seat, she went and embraced the good woman, telling her how much
+she was obliged to her for the service she had done her. Then
+going immediately out, she commanded the trumpets to sound, and
+the drums to beat, to acquaint the city, that the king of Persia
+would suddenly return safe to his kingdom. She then went, and
+found King Saleh her brother, whom Farasche had caused to come
+speedily thither by a certain fumigation. "Brother," said she to
+him, "the king your nephew, my dear son, is in the City of
+Enchantments, under the power of Queen Labe. Both you and I must
+go to deliver him, for there is no time to be lost."
+
+King Saleh forthwith assembled a puissant body of his marine
+troops, who soon rose out of the sea. He also called to his
+assistance the genii his allies, who appeared with a much more
+numerous army than his own. As soon as the two armies were
+joined, he put himself at the head of them, with Queen Farasche,
+Queen Gulnare, and the princesses, who would all have their share
+in this enterprize. They then ascended into the air, and soon
+poured down on the palace and City of Enchantments, where the
+magic queen, her mother, and all the adorers of fire, were
+destroyed in an instant.
+
+Queen Gulnare had ordered the woman who brought the account of
+queen Labe's transforming and imprisoning her son, to follow her
+close, and bade her, in the confusion, go and seize the cage, and
+bring it to her. This order was executed as she wished, and queen
+Gulnare was no sooner in possession of the cage, than she opened
+it, and took out the owl, saying, as she sprinkled a little water
+upon him, "My dear son, quit that strange form, and resume thy
+natural one of a man."
+
+In a moment Queen Gulnare, instead of the hideous owl, beheld
+King Beder her son. She immediately embraced him with an excess
+of joy, her tears supplying more forcibly the place of words. She
+could not let him go; and Queen Farasche was obliged to force him
+from her in her turn. After her, he was likewise embraced by the
+king his uncle and his relations.
+
+Queen Gulnare's first care was to look out for old Abdallah, to
+whom she had been obliged for the recovery of the king of Persia;
+and who being brought to her, she said to him, "My obligations to
+you have been so great, that there is nothing within my power but
+I would freely do for you, as a token of my acknowledgment. Do
+but inform me in what I can serve you." "Great queen," replied
+Abdallah, "if the lady whom I sent to your majesty will but
+consent to the marriage I offer her, and the king of Persia will
+give me leave to reside at his court, I will spend the remainder
+of my days in his service." The queen then turned to the lady who
+was present, and finding by her modest shame that she was not
+averse to the match proposed, she caused them to join hands, and
+the king of Persia and she took care of their fortune.
+
+This marriage occasioned the king of Persia to speak thus to the
+queen: "Madam," said he, "I am heartily glad of this match which
+your majesty has just made. There remains one more, which I
+desire you to think of." Queen Gulnare did not at first
+comprehend what marriage he meant; but after a little
+considering, she said, "Of yours, you mean, son. I consent to it
+with all my heart." Then turning, and looking at her brother's
+sea attendants, and the genii who were still present, "Go," said
+she, "and traverse both sea and land, to seek the most lovely and
+amiable princess, worthy of the king my son, and when you have
+found her, come and tell us."
+
+"Madam," replied king Beder, "it is to no purpose for them to
+take all that trouble. You have no doubt heard that I have
+already given my heart to the princess of Samandal upon the bare
+relation of her beauty. I have seen her, and do not repent of the
+present I then made her. In a word, neither earth nor sea, in my
+opinion, can furnish a princess like her. It is true upon my
+declaring my love, she treated me in a way that would have
+extinguished any flame less strong than mine. But I hold her
+excused; she could not treat me with less rigour, after your
+imprisoning the king her father, of which I was the innocent
+cause. But the king of Samandal may, perhaps, have changed his
+resolution; and his daughter the princess may consent to love me,
+when she sees her father has agreed to it."
+
+"Son," replied queen Gulnare, "if only the Princess Jehaun-ara
+can make you happy, it is not my design to oppose you. The king
+your uncle need only have the king of Samandal brought, and we
+shall see whether he be still of the same untractable temper."
+
+Strictly as the king of Samandal had been kept during his
+captivity by King Saleh's orders, yet he always had great respect
+shewn him. King Saleh caused a chafing-dish of coals to be
+brought, into which he threw a certain composition, uttering at
+the same time some mysterious words. As soon as the smoke began
+to arise, the palace shook, and immediately the king of Samandal,
+with King Saleh's officers, appeared. The king of Persia cast
+himself at the king of Samandal's feet, and, kneeling, said, "It
+is no longer King Saleh that demands of your majesty the honour
+of your alliance for the king of Persia; it is the king of Persia
+himself that humbly begs that boon; and I persuade myself your
+majesty will not persist in being the cause of the death of a
+king, who can no longer live if he does not share life with the
+amiable Princess Jehaun-ara."
+
+The king of Samandal did not long suffer the king of Persia to
+remain at his feet. He embraced him, and obliging him to rise,
+said, "I shall be sorry to have contributed in the least to the
+death of a monarch who is so worthy to live. If it be true that
+so precious a life cannot be preserved without the possession of
+my daughter, live, sir, she is yours. She has always been
+obedient to my will, and I cannot think she will now oppose it."
+Speaking these words, he ordered one of his officers, whom King
+Saleh had permitted to attend him, to go for the princess, and
+bring her to him immediately.
+
+The princess continued where the king of Persia had left her. The
+officer perceived her, and brought her soon with her women. The
+king of Samandal embraced her, and said, "Daughter, I have
+provided a husband for you; it is the king of Persia, the most
+accomplished monarch at present in the universe. The preference
+he has given you over all other princesses obliges us both to
+express our gratitude."
+
+"Sir," replied the princess Jehaun-ara, "your majesty well knows
+I never have presumed to disobey your will: I shall always be
+ready to obey you; and I hope the king of Persia will forget my
+ill treatment of him, and consider it was duty, not inclination,
+that forced me to it."
+
+The nuptials were celebrated in the palace of the City of
+Enchantments, with the greatest solemnity, as all the lovers of
+the magic queen, who had resumed their pristine forms as soon as
+she ceased to live, assisted at them, and came to return their
+thanks to the king of Persia, Queen Gulnare, and King Saleh. They
+were all sons of kings, princes, or persons of high rank.
+
+King Saleh conducted the king of Samandal to his dominions, and
+put him again in possession of his throne. The king of Persia, at
+the height of his wishes, returned to his capital with Queen
+Gulnare, Queen Farasche, and the princesses; the Queen Farasche
+and the princesses continued there till King Saleh came to
+reconduct them to his kingdom under the waves of the sea.
+
+
+
+
+
+             THE HISTORY OF PRINCE ZEYN ALASNAM AND
+                    THE SULTAN OF THE GENII.
+
+
+
+A sultan of Bussorah, who possessed great wealth, and was well
+beloved by his subjects, had no children, which occasioned him
+great affliction; and therefore he made presents to all the holy
+persons in his dominions, to engage them to beg a son for him of
+Heaven: and their prayers being effectual, the queen proved with
+child, and was happily delivered of a prince who was named Zeyn
+Alasnam, which signifies Ornament of the Statues.
+
+The sultan caused all the astrologers in his kingdom to be
+assembled, and ordered them to calculate the infant's nativity.
+They found by their observations that he would live long, and be
+very brave; but that all his courage would be little enough to
+carry him through the misfortunes that threatened him.  The
+sultan was not daunted at this prediction: "My son," said he, "is
+not to be pitied, since he will be brave: it is fit that princes
+should have a taste of misfortunes; for adversity tries virtue,
+and they are the better qualified to reign."
+
+He rewarded the astrologers, and dismissed them; and caused Zeyn
+to be educated with the greatest care, appointing him able
+masters as soon as he was of age to receive their instructions.
+In short, he proposed to make him an accomplished prince, when on
+a sudden this good sultan fell sick of a disorder, which all the
+skill of his physicians could not cure. Perceiving his disease
+was mortal, he sent for his son, and among other things advised
+him rather to endeavour to be loved, than to be feared by his
+people; not to give ear to flatterers; to be as slow in rewarding
+as in punishing, because it often happens that monarchs misled by
+false appearances, load wicked men with favours, and oppress the
+innocent.
+
+As soon as the sultan was dead, prince Zeyn went into mourning,
+which he wore seven days, and on the eighth he ascended the
+throne, taking his father's seal off the royal treasury, and
+putting on his own, beginning thus to taste the sweets of ruling,
+the pleasure of seeing all his courtiers bow down before him, and
+make it their whole study to shew their zeal and obedience.  In a
+word, the sovereign power was too agreeable to him.  He only
+regarded what his subjects owed to him, without considering what
+was his duty towards them, and consequently took little care to
+govern them well.  He revelled in all sorts of debauchery among
+the voluptuous youth, on whom he conferred the prime employments
+in the kingdom.  He lost all command of his power.  Being
+naturally prodigal, he set no bounds to his grants, so that his
+women and his favourites insensibly drained his treasury.
+
+The queen his mother was still living, a discreet, wise princess.
+She had several times unsuccessfully tried to check her son's
+prodigality and debauchery, giving him to understand, that, if he
+did not soon take another course, he would not only squander his
+wealth, but also alienate the minds of his people, and occasion
+some revolution, which perhaps might cost him his crown and his
+life.  What she had predicted had nearly happened: the people
+began to murmur against the government, and their murmurs had
+certainly been followed by a general revolt, had not the queen
+had the address to prevent it.  That princess being acquainted
+with the ill posture of affairs, informed the sultan, who at last
+suffered himself to be prevailed upon.  He committed the
+government to discreet aged men, who knew how to keep the people
+within the bounds of duty.
+
+Zeyn, seeing all his wealth consumed, repented that he had made
+no better use of it.  He fell into a profound melancholy, and
+nothing could comfort him.  One night he saw in a dream a
+venerable old man coming towards him, who with a smiling
+countenance said, "Know, Zeyn, that there is no sorrow but what
+is followed by mirth, no misfortune but what in the end brings
+some happiness.  If you desire to see the end of your affliction,
+set out for Egypt, go to Grand Cairo, where great prosperity
+awaits you."
+
+The young sultan was struck with his dream, and spoke of it very
+seriously to his mother, who only laughed at it.  "My son," said
+she to him, "would you go into Egypt on the faith of an illusive
+dream?"  "Why not, madam," answered Zeyn, "do you imagine all
+dreams are chimerical?  No, no, some of them are mysterious.  My
+preceptors have told me a thousand incidents, which will not
+permit me to doubt of it.  Besides, though I were not otherwise
+convinced, I could not forbear giving some credit to my dreams.
+The old man who appeared to me had something supernatural, he was
+not one of those men whom nothing but age makes venerable; there
+appeared a divine air about his person.  In short, he was such a
+one as our great prophet is represented; and if you will have me
+tell you what I think, I believe it was he, who, pitying my
+affliction, designs to relieve it. I rely on the confidence he
+has inspired me with.  I am full of his promises, and have
+resolved to follow his advice."  The queen endeavoured to
+dissuade him, but in vain.  The sultan committed to her the
+government of the kingdom, set out one night very privately from
+his palace, and took the road to Cairo, without suffering any
+person to attend him.
+
+After much trouble and fatigue, he arrived at that famous city,
+like which there are few in the world, either for extent or
+beauty.  He alighted at the gate of a mosque, where, being spent
+with weariness, he lay down.  No sooner was he fallen asleep,
+than he saw the same old man, who said to him, "I am pleased with
+you, my son, you have given credit to my words.  You are come
+hither, without being deterred by the length or the difficulties
+of the way: but know I have not put you upon undertaking such a
+long journey, with any other design than to try you.  I find you
+have courage and resolution.  You deserve I should make you the
+richest and happiest prince in the world.  Return to Bussorah,
+and you shall find immense wealth in your palace.  No king ever
+possessed so rich a treasure."
+
+The sultan was not pleased with this dream.  "Alas!" thought he
+to himself, when he awoke, "how much was I mistaken?  That old
+man, whom I took for our prophet, is no other than the production
+of my disturbed imagination.  My fancy was so full of him, that
+it is no wonder I have seen him again.  I had best return to
+Bussorah; what should I do here any longer?  It is fortunate that
+I told none but my mother the motive of my journey: I should
+become a jest to my people, if they knew it."
+
+Accordingly, he set out again for his kingdom, and as soon as he
+arrived there, the queen asked him, whether he returned well
+pleased?  He told her all that had happened, and was so much
+concerned for having been so credulous, that the queen, instead
+of adding to his vexation, by reproving or laughing at him,
+comforted him. "Forbear afflicting yourself, my son," said she;
+"if God has appointed you riches, you will have them without any
+trouble.  Be contented; all that I recommend to you is, to be
+virtuous; renounce the delights of dancing, music, and wine: shun
+all these pleasures, they have already almost ruined you; apply
+yourself to make your subjects happy; by securing their
+happiness, you will establish your own."
+
+Sultan Zeyn vowed that he would for the future follow his
+mother's advice, and be directed by the wise viziers she had
+chosen to assist him in supporting the weight of government.  But
+the very night after he returned to his palace, he saw the old
+man the third time in a dream, who said to him, "The time of your
+prosperity is come, brave Zeyn: to-morrow morning, as soon as you
+are up, take a little pick-axe, and dig in the late sultan's
+closet; you will there find a rich treasure."
+
+As soon as the sultan awoke, he got up, ran to the queen's
+apartment, and with much eagerness told her the new dream of that
+night.  "Really, my son," said the queen smiling, "this is a very
+positive old man; he is not satisfied with having deceived you
+twice: have you a mind to believe him again?"  "No, madam,"
+answered Zeyn, "I give no credit to what he has said; but I will,
+for my own satisfaction, search my father's closet."  "I really
+fancied so," cried the queen, laughing heartily: "go, my son,
+satisfy yourself; my comfort is, that work is not so fatiguing as
+the journey to Egypt."
+
+"Well madam," answered the sultan, "I must own, that this third
+dream has restored my confidence, for it is connected with the
+two others; let us examine the old man's words.  He first
+directed me to go into Egypt; there he told me, he had put me
+upon taking that journey, only to try me.  'Return to Bussorah,'
+said he, 'that is the place where you are to find treasures;'
+this night he has exactly pointed out to me the place where they
+are: these three dreams in my opinion, are connected.  After all,
+they may be chimerical: but I would rather search in vain, than
+blame myself as long as I live, for having perhaps missed great
+riches, by being unseasonably incredulous."
+
+Having spoken thus, he left the queen's apartment, caused a
+pick-axe to be brought him, and went alone into the late sultan's
+closet.  He immediately began to break up the ground, and took up
+above half the square stones it was paved with, but yet saw not
+the least appearance of what he sought.  He ceased working to
+take a little rest, thinking within himself, "I am much afraid my
+mother had cause enough to laugh at me."  However, he took heart,
+and went on with his labour, nor had he cause to repent; for on a
+sudden he discovered a white slab, which he took up, and under it
+found a door, made fast with a steel padlock, which he broke with
+the pick-axe, and opened the door, which covered a staircase of
+white marble.  He immediately lighted a lamp, and went down the
+stairs into a room, the floor whereof was laid with tiles of
+chinaware, and the roof and walls were of crystal; but he
+particularly fixed his eyes on four shelves, a little raised
+above the rest of the floor, on each of which were ten urns of
+porphyry.  He fancied they were full of wine: "Well," said he,
+"that wine must be very old, I do not question but it is
+excellent."  He went up to one of the urns, took off the cover,
+and with no less joy than surprise perceived it was full of
+pieces of gold.  He searched all the forty, one after another,
+and found them full of the same coin, took out a handful, and
+carried it to the queen.
+
+The princess, it may be imagined, was amazed, when the sultan
+gave her an account of what he had discovered.  "O! my son," said
+she, "take heed you do not lavish away all this wealth foolishly,
+as you have already done the royal treasure.  Let not your
+enemies have so much occasion to rejoice."  "No, madam," answered
+Zeyn, "I will from henceforward live in such a manner as shall be
+pleasing to you."
+
+The queen desired her son to conduct her to the wonderful
+subterraneous place, which the late sultan her husband had made
+with such secrecy, that she had never heard of it.  Zeyn led her
+to the closet, down the marble stairs, and into the chamber where
+the urns were.  She observed every thing with the eye of
+curiosity, and in a corner spied a little urn of the same sort of
+stone as the others.  The prince had not before taken notice of
+it, but opening, found in it a golden key.  "My son," said the
+queen, "this key certainly belongs to some other treasure; let us
+search well, perhaps we may discover the use it is designed for."
+
+They examined the chamber with the utmost exactness, and at
+length found a key-hole in one of the panels of the wall.  The
+sultan immediately tried, and as readily opened the door, which
+led into a chamber, in the midst of which were nine pedestals of
+massive gold, on eight of which stood as many statues, each of
+them made of a single diamond, and from them darted such a
+brightness, that the whole room was perfectly light.
+
+"O Heavens!" cried Zeyn, in astonishment, "where could my father
+find such rarities?"  The ninth pedestal redoubled this
+amazement, for it was covered with a piece of white satin, on
+which were written these words, "Dear son, it cost me much toil
+to procure these eight statues; but though they are
+extraordinarily beautiful, you must understand that there is a
+ninth in the world, which surpasses them all: that alone is worth
+more than a thousand such as these: if you desire to be master of
+it, go to the city of Cairo in Egypt; one of my old slaves, whose
+name is Mobarec, lives there, you will easily find him; the first
+person you meet will shew you his house; visit him, and tell him
+all that has befallen you: he will know you to be my son, and
+conduct you to the place where that wonderful statue is, which
+you will obtain with safety."
+
+The young sultan having read these words, said to the queen, "I
+should be sorry to be without that ninth statue; it must
+certainly be a very rare piece, since all these together are not
+of so much value.  I will set out for Grand Cairo; nor do I
+believe, madam, that you will now oppose my design."  "No, my
+son," answered the queen, "I am not against it: you are certainly
+under the special protection of our great prophet, he will not
+suffer you to perish in this journey.  Set out when you think
+fit: your viziers and I will take care of the government during
+your absence." The prince made ready his equipage, but would take
+only a small number of slaves with him.
+
+Nothing remarkable befell him by the way, but arriving at Cairo,
+he inquired for Mobarec.  The people told him he was one of the
+wealthiest inhabitants of the city; that he lived like a great
+lord, and that his house was open, especially for strangers.
+Zeyn was conducted thither, knocked at the gate, which a slave
+opened, and demanded, "What is it you want, and who are you?"  "I
+am a stranger," answered the prince, "and having heard much of
+the lord Mobarec's generosity, am come to take up my lodging with
+him."  The slave desired Zeyn to wait while he went to acquaint
+his master, who ordered him to request the stranger to walk in.
+The slave returned to the gate, and told the prince he was
+welcome.
+
+Zeyn went in, crossed a large court, and entered a hall
+magnificently furnished, where Mobarec expected him, and received
+him very courteously, returning thanks for the honour he did him
+in accepting a lodging in his house.  The prince, having answered
+his compliment, said to Mobarec, "I am the son of the late sultan
+of Bussorah, and my name is Zeyn Alasnam."  "That sovereign,"
+said Mobarec, "was formerly my master; but, my lord, I never knew
+of any children he had: what is your age?"  "I am twenty years
+old," answered the sultan.  "How long is it since you left my
+father's court?"  "Almost two-and-twenty years," replied Mobarec;
+"but how can you convince me that you are his son?"  "My father,"
+rejoined Zeyn, "had a subterraneous place under his closet, in
+which I have found forty porphyry urns full of gold."  "And what
+more is there?" said Mobarec.  "There are," answered the prince,
+"nine pedestals of massive gold: on eight whereof are as many
+diamond statues; and on the ninth a piece of white satin, on
+which my father has written what I am to do to procure another
+statue, more valuable than all those together.  You know where
+that statue is; for it is mentioned on the satin, that you will
+conduct me to it."
+
+As soon as he had spoke these words, Mobarec fell down at his
+feet, and kissing one of his hands several times, said, "I bless
+God for having brought you hither: I know you to be the sultan of
+Bussorah's son.  If you will go to the place where the wonderful
+statue is, I will conduct you; but you must first rest here a few
+days.  This day I treat the great men of the court; we were at
+table when word was brought me of your being at the door.  Will
+you vouchsafe to come and be merry with us?"  "I shall be very
+glad," replied Zeyn, "to be admitted to your feast."  Mobarec
+immediately led him under a dome where the company was, seated
+him at the table, and served him on the knee.  The nobles of
+Cairo were surprised, and whispered to one another, "Who is this
+stranger, to whom Mobarec pays so much respect?"
+
+When they had dined, Mobarec directing his discourse to the
+company, said, "Nobles of Cairo, do not think much to see me
+serve this young stranger in this manner: know that he is the son
+of the sultan of Bussorah, my master.  His father purchased me,
+and died without making me free; so that I am still a slave, and
+consequently all I have of right belongs to this young prince,
+his sole heir."  Here Zeyn interrupted him: "Mobarec," said he,
+"I declare, before all these lords, that I make you free from
+this moment, and that I renounce all right to your person, and
+all you possess.  Consider what you would have me do more for
+you."  Mobarec kissed the ground, and returned the prince most
+hearty thanks.  Wine was then brought in, they drank all day, and
+towards evening presents were distributed among the guests, who
+departed.
+
+The next day Zeyn said to Mobarec, "I have taken rest enough.  I
+came not to Cairo to take my pleasure; my design is to obtain the
+ninth statue; it is time for us to set out in search of it."
+"Sir," said Mobarec, "I am ready to comply with your desires; but
+you know not what dangers you must encounter to make this
+precious acquisition."  "Whatsoever the danger may be," answered
+the prince, "I have resolved to make the attempt; I will either
+perish or succeed.  All that happens in this world is by God's
+direction.  Do you but bear me company, and let your resolution
+be equal to mine."
+
+Mobarec, finding him determined to set out, called his servants,
+and ordered them to make ready his equipage.  The prince and he
+then performed the ablution, and the prayer enjoined, which is
+called Farz; and that done, they set out.  On their way they took
+notice of abundance of strange and wonderful things, and
+travelled many days, at length, being come to a delightful spot,
+they alighted from their horses. Mobarec then said to all the
+servants that attended them, "Do you remain in this place, and
+take care of our equipage till we return."  Then he said to Zeyn,
+"Now, sir, let us advance by ourselves.  We are near the dreadful
+place, where the ninth statue is kept.  You will stand in need of
+all your courage."
+
+They soon came to a vast lake: Mobarec set down on the brink of
+it, saying to the prince, "We must cross this sea."  "How can
+we," answered Zeyn, "when we have no boat?"  "You will see one
+appear in a moment," replied Mobarec; "the enchanted boat of the
+sultan of the genii will come for us.  But do not forget what I
+am going to say to you: you must observe a profound silence: do
+not speak to the boatman, though his figure seem strange to you:
+whatever extraordinary circumstance you observe, say nothing; for
+I tell you beforehand, that if you utter one word when we are
+embarked, the boat will sink."  "I shall take care to hold my
+peace," said the prince; "you need only tell me what I am to do,
+and I will strictly comply."
+
+Whilst they were talking, he spied on a sudden a boat in the
+lake, made of red sandal wood.  It had a mast of fine amber, and
+a blue satin flag: there was only one boatman in it, whose head
+was like an elephant's, and his body like that of a tiger. When
+the boat was come up to the prince and Mobarec, the monstrous
+boatman took them up one after another with his trunk, put them
+into his boat, and carried them over the lake in a moment.  He
+then again took them up with his trunk, set them ashore, and
+immediately vanished with his boat.
+
+"Now we may talk," said Mobarec: "the island we are in belongs to
+the sultan of the genii.  Look round you, prince; can there be a
+more delightful spot?  It is certainly a lively representation of
+the charming place God has appointed for the faithful observers
+of our law.  Behold the fields adorned with all sorts of flowers
+and odoriferous plants: admire those beautiful trees whose
+delicious fruit makes the branches bend down to the ground; enjoy
+the pleasure of those harmonious songs formed in the air by a
+thousand birds of as many various sorts, unknown in other
+countries."  Zeyn could not sufficiently admire the beauties with
+which he was surrounded, and still found something new, as he
+advanced farther into the island.
+
+At length they came before a palace built of emeralds,
+encompassed by a wide moat, on the banks whereof, at certain
+distances, were planted such tall trees, that they shaded the
+whole palace. Before the gate, which was of massive gold, was a
+bridge, formed of one single shell of a fish, though it was at
+least six fathoms long, and three in breadth.  At the head of the
+bridge stood a company of genii, of a prodigious height, who
+guarded the entrance into the castle with great clubs of China
+steel.
+
+"Let us at present proceed no farther," said Mobarec, "these
+genii will destroy us: and in order to prevent their coming to
+us, we must perform a magical ceremony."  He then drew out of a
+purse which he had under his garment, four long slips of yellow
+taffety; one he put about his middle, and laid the other on his
+back, giving the other two to the prince, who did the like.  Then
+Mobarec laid on the ground two large table-cloths, on the edges
+whereof he scattered some precious stones, musk, and amber.
+Afterwards he sat down on one of the cloths, and Zeyn on the
+other; and Mobarec said to the prince, "I shall now, sir, conjure
+the sultan of the genii, who lives in the palace that is before
+us; may he come in a peaceable mood to us!  I confess I am not
+without apprehension about the reception he may give us. If our
+coming into this island is displeasing to him, he will appear in
+the shape of a dreadful monster; but if he approves of your
+design, he will shew himself in the shape of a handsome man.  As
+soon as he appears before us, you must rise and salute him,
+without going off your cloth; for you would certainly perish,
+should you stir from it.  You must say to him, 'Sovereign lord of
+the genii, my father, who was your servant, has been taken away
+by the angel of death; I wish your majesty may protect me, as you
+always protected my father.'  If the sultan of the genii," added
+Mobarec, "ask you what favour you desire of him, you must answer,
+'I most humbly beg of you to give me the ninth statue.'"
+
+Mobarec, having thus instructed prince Zeyn, began his
+conjuration.  Immediately their eyes were dazzled by a long flash
+of lightning, which was followed by a clap of thunder.  The whole
+island was covered with a thick darkness, a furious storm of wind
+blew, a dreadful cry was heard, the island felt a shock, and
+there was such an earthquake, as that which Asrayel is to cause
+on the day of judgment.
+
+Zeyn was startled, and began to regard these concussions of the
+elements as a very ill omen, when Mobarec, who knew better than
+he what to judge, began to smile, and said, "Take courage, my
+prince, all goes well."  In short, that very moment, the sultan
+of the genii appeared in the shape of a very handsome man, yet
+there was something of a sternness in his air.
+
+As soon as sultan Zeyn had made him the compliment he had been
+taught by Mobarec, the sultan of the genii smiling, answered, "My
+son, I loved your father, and every time he came to pay me his
+respects, I presented him with a statue, which he carried away
+with him.  I have no less kindness for you.  I obliged your
+father, some days before he died, to write that which you read on
+the piece of white satin.  I promised him to receive you under my
+protection, and to give you the ninth statue, which in beauty
+surpasses those you have already.  I had begun to perform my
+promise to him.  It was I whom you saw in a dream in the shape of
+an old man; I caused you to open the subterraneous place, where
+the urns and the statues are deposited: I have a great share in
+all that has befallen you, or rather am the occasion of all.  I
+know the motive that brought you hither; you shall obtain what
+you desire.  Though I had not promised your father to give it, I
+would willingly grant it to you: but you must first swear to me
+by all that is sacred, that you will return to this island, and
+that you will bring me a maid who is in her fifteenth year, has
+never loved, nor desired to.  She must also be perfectly
+beautiful: and you so much a master of yourself, as not even to
+desire her as you are conducting her hither."
+
+Sultan Zeyn took the rash oath demanded of him.  "But, my lord,"
+said he, "suppose I should be so fortunate as to meet with such a
+maid as you require, how shall I know that I have found her?"  "I
+own," answered the sultan of the genii, smiling, "that you might
+be mistaken in her appearance: that knowledge is above the sons
+of Adam, and therefore I do not mean to depend upon your judgment
+in that particular: I will give you a looking-glass which will be
+more certain than your conjectures.  When you shall have seen a
+maiden fifteen years of age, perfectly beautiful, you need only
+look into the glass in which you shall see her figure.  If she be
+chaste, the glass will remain clean and unsullied; but if, on the
+contrary, it sullies, that will be a certain sign that she has
+not always been prudent, or at least that she has desired to
+cease to be so.  Do not forget the oath you have taken: keep it
+like a man of honour; otherwise I will take away your life,
+notwithstanding the kindness I have for you."  Zeyn Alasnam
+protested again that he would faithfully keep his word.  The
+sultan of the genii then delivered to him a looking-glass,
+saying, "My son, you may return when you please, there is the
+glass you are to use." Zeyn and Mobarec took leave of the sultan
+of the genii, and went towards the lake.  The boatman with the
+elephant's head brought the boat, and ferried them over the lake
+as he had done before.  They joined their servants, and returned
+with them again to Cairo.
+
+The young sultan rested a few days at Mobarec's house, and then
+said to him, "Let us go to Bagdad, to seek a maiden for the
+sovereign of the genii."  "Why, are we not at Grand Cairo?" said
+Mobarec: "shall we not there find beautiful maidens?"  "You are
+in the right," answered the prince; "but how shall we explore
+where they are?"  "Do not trouble yourself about that," answered
+Mobarec; "I know a very shrewd old woman, whom I will entrust
+with the affair, and she will acquit herself well."
+
+Accordingly the old woman found means to shew the sultan a
+considerable number of beautiful maidens of fifteen years of age;
+but when he had viewed them, and came to consult his
+looking-glass, the fatal touchstone of their virtue, the glass
+always appeared sullied.  All the maidens in the court and city,
+who were in their fifteenth year, underwent the trial one after
+another, but the glass never remained bright and clear.
+
+When they saw there were no chaste maidens to be found in Cairo,
+they went to Bagdad, where they hired a magnificent palace in one
+of the chief quarters of the city, and began to live splendidly.
+They kept open house; and after all people had eaten in the
+palace, the fragments were carried to the dervises, who by that
+means had comfortable subsistence.
+
+There lived in that quarter a pedant, whose name was Boubekir
+Muezin, a vain, haughty, and envious person: he hated the rich,
+only because he was poor, his misery making him angry at his
+neighbour's prosperity.  He heard talk of Zeyn Alasnam, and of
+the plenty his house afforded.  This was enough for him to take
+an aversion to that prince; and it proceeded so far, that one day
+after the evening prayer in the mosque, he said to the people,
+"Brethren, I have been told there is come to live in our ward a
+stranger, who every day gives away immense sums.  How do we know
+but that this unknown person is some villain, who has committed a
+robbery in his own country, and comes hither to enjoy himself?
+Let us take care, brethren; if the caliph should be informed that
+such a man is in our ward, it is to be feared he will punish us
+for not acquainting him with it.  I declare for my part I wash my
+hands of the affair, and if any thing should happen amiss, it
+shall not lie at my door." The multitude, who are easily led
+away, with one voice cried to Boubekir, "It is your business, do
+you acquaint the council with it."  The muezin went home well
+pleased, and drew up a memorial, resolving to present it to the
+caliph next day.
+
+But Mobarec, who had been at prayers, and heard all that was said
+by the muezin, put five hundred pieces of gold into a
+handkerchief, made up with a parcel of several silks, and went to
+Boubekir's house.  The muezin asked him in a harsh tone what he
+wanted.  "Holy father," answered Mobarec with an obliging air,
+and at the same time putting into his hand the gold and the silk,
+"I am your neighbour and your servant: I come from prince Zeyn,
+who lives in this ward: he has heard of your worth, and has
+ordered me to come and tell you, that he desires to be acquainted
+with you, and in the mean time desires you to accept of this
+small present."  Boubekir was transported with joy, and answered
+Mobarec thus: "Be pleased, sir, to beg the prince's pardon for
+me: I am ashamed I have not yet been to see him, but I will atone
+for my fault, and wait on him to-morrow."
+
+Accordingly the next day after morning prayer he said to the
+people, "You must know from your own experience, brethren, that
+no man is without some enemies: envy pursues those chiefly who
+are very rich.  The stranger I spoke to you about yesterday in
+the evening is no bad man, as some ill-designing persons would
+have persuaded me: he is a young prince, endowed with every
+virtue. It behoves us to take care how we give any injurious
+report of him to the caliph."
+
+Boubekir having thus wiped off the impression he had the day
+before given the people concerning Zeyn, returned home, put on
+his best apparel and went to visit the young prince, who gave him
+a courteous reception.  After several compliments had passed on
+both sides, Boubekir said to the prince, "Sir, do you design to
+stay long at Bagdad?"  "I shall stay," answered Zeyn, "till I can
+find a maid fifteen years of age, perfectly beautiful, and so
+chaste, that she has not only never loved a man, but even never
+desired to do so."  "You seek after a great rarity," replied the
+muezin; "and I should be apt to fear your search would prove
+unsuccessful, did I not know where there is a maid of that
+character.  Her father was formerly vizier; but has left the
+court, and lived a long time in a lone house, where he applies
+himself solely to the education of his daughter.  If you please,
+I will ask her of him for you: I do not question but he will be
+overjoyed to have a son-in-law of your quality."  "Not so fast,"
+said the prince, "I shall not marry the maid before I know
+whether I like her.  As for her beauty, I can depend on you; but
+what assurance can you give me in relation to her virtue?"  "What
+assurance do you require?" said Boubekir.  "I must see her face,"
+answered Zeyn; "that is enough to determine my resolution."  "You
+are skilled then in physiognomy?" replied the muezin, smiling.
+"Well, come along with me to her father's: I will desire him to
+let you see her one moment in his presence."
+
+The muezin conducted the prince to the vizier's; who, as soon as
+he was acquainted with the prince's birth and design, called his
+daughter, and made her take off her veil.  Never had the young
+sultan of Bussorah beheld such a perfect and striking beauty.  He
+stood amazed; and since he could then try whether the maid was as
+chaste as fair, he pulled out his glass, which remained bright
+and unsullied.
+
+When he perceived he had at length found such a person as he
+desired, he entreated the vizier to grant her to him.
+Immediately the cauzee was sent for, the contract signed, and the
+marriage prayer said.  After this ceremony, Zeyn conducted the
+vizier to his house, where he treated him magnificently, and gave
+him considerable presents.  Next day he sent a prodigious
+quantity of jewels by Mobarec, who conducted the bride home,
+where the wedding was kept with all the pomp that became Zeyn's
+quality. When all the company was dismissed Mobarec said to his
+master, "Let us begone, sir, let us not stay any longer at
+Bagdad, but return to Cairo: remember the promise you made the
+sultan of the genii."  "Let us go," answered the prince; "I must
+take care to perform it exactly; yet I must confess, my dear
+Mobarec, that, if I obey the sultan of the genii, it is not
+without reluctance.  The damsel I have married is so charming,
+that I am tempted to carry her to Bussorah, and place her on the
+throne."  "Alas! sir," answered Mobarec, "take heed how you give
+way to your inclination: make yourself master of your passions,
+and whatever it costs you, be as good as your word to the sultan
+of the genii."  "Well, then, Mobarec," said the prince, "do you
+take care to conceal the lovely maid from me; let her never
+appear in my sight; perhaps I have already seen too much of her."
+
+Mobarec made all ready for their departure; they returned to
+Cairo, and thence set out for the island of the sultan of the
+genii.  When they were arrived, the maid who had performed the
+journey in a horse-litter, and whom the prince had never seen
+since his wedding-day, said to Mobarec, "Where are we?  Shall we
+be soon in the dominions of the prince my husband?"  "Madam,"
+answered Mobarec, "it is time to undeceive you.  Prince Zeyn
+married you only in order to get you from your father: he did not
+engage his faith to make you sovereign of Bussorah, but to
+deliver you to the sultan of the genii, who has asked of him a
+virgin of your character."  At these words, she began to weep
+bitterly, which moved the prince and Mobarec.  "Take pity on me,"
+said she; "I am a stranger, you will be accountable to God for
+your treachery towards me."
+
+Her tears and complaints were of no effect, for she was presented
+to the sultan of the genii, who having gazed on her with
+attention, said to Zeyn, "Prince, I am satisfied with your
+behaviour; the virgin you have brought me is beautiful and
+chaste, and I am pleased with the restraint you have put upon
+yourself to be as good as your promise to me.  Return to your
+dominions, and when you shall enter the subterraneous room, where
+the eight statues are, you shall find the ninth which I promised
+you.  I will make my genii carry it thither."  Zeyn thanked the
+sultan, and returned to Cairo with Mobarec, but did not stay long
+in Egypt, for his impatience to see the ninth statue made him
+hasten his departure.  However, he could not but often think
+regretfully of the young virgin he had married; and blaming
+himself for having deceived her, he looked upon himself as the
+cause and instrument of her misfortune.  "Alas!" said he to
+himself, "I have taken her from a tender father, to sacrifice her
+to a genie.  O incomparable beauty! you deserve a better fate."
+
+Sultan Zeyn, disturbed with these thoughts, at length reached
+Bussorah, where his subjects made extraordinary rejoicings for
+his return.  He went directly to give an account of his journey
+to his mother, who was in a rapture to hear that he had obtained
+the ninth statue.  "Let us go, my son," said she, "let us go and
+see it, for it is certainly in the subterraneous chamber, since
+the sultan of the genii told you you should find it there."  The
+young sultan and his mother, being both impatient to see the
+wonderful statue, went down into the room of the statues; but how
+great was their surprise, when, instead of a statue of diamonds,
+they beheld on the ninth pedestal a most beautiful virgin, whom
+the prince knew to be the same whom he had conducted into the
+island of the genii!  "Prince," said the young maid, "you are
+surprised to see me here; you expected to have found something
+more precious than me, and I question not but that you now repent
+having taken so much trouble: you expected a better reward."
+"Madam," answered Zeyn, "heaven is my witness, that I more than
+once had nearly broken my word with the sultan of the genii, to
+keep you to myself. Whatever be the value of a diamond statue, is
+it worth the satisfaction of having you mine?  I love you above
+all the diamonds and wealth in the world."
+
+Just as he had done speaking, a clap of thunder was heard, which
+shook the subterranean place. Zeyn's mother was alarmed, but the
+sultan of the genii immediately appearing, dispelled her fear.
+"Madam," said he to her, "I protect and love your son: I had a
+mind to try, whether, at his age, he could subdue his passions.
+I know the charms of this young lady have wrought on him, and
+that he did not punctually keep the promise he had made me, not
+to desire her; but I am well acquainted with the frailty of human
+nature.  This is the ninth statue I designed for him; it is more
+rare and precious than the others.  "Live," said he (directing
+his discourse to the young prince), "live happy, Zeyn, with this
+young lady, who is your wife; and if you would have her true and
+constant to you, love her always, and love her only.  Give her no
+rival, and I will answer for her fidelity."  Having spoken these
+words, the sultan of the genii vanished, and Zeyn, enchanted with
+the young lady, the same day caused her to be proclaimed queen of
+Bussorah, over which they reigned in mutual happiness to an
+advanced age.
+
+
+
+
+
+           THE HISTORY OF CODADAD, AND HIS BROTHERS.
+
+
+
+Those who have written the history of Diarbekir inform us that
+there formerly reigned in the city of Harran a most magnificent
+and potent sultan, who loved his subjects, and was equally
+beloved by them.  He was endued with all virtues, and wanted
+nothing to complete his happiness but an heir.  Though he had the
+finest women in the world in his seraglio, yet was he destitute
+of children.  He continually prayed to heaven for them; and one
+night in his sleep, a comely person, or rather a prophet,
+appeared to him, and said, "Your prayers are heard; you have
+obtained what you have desired; rise as soon as you awake, go to
+your prayers, and make two genuflexions, then walk into the
+garden of your palace, call your gardener, and bid him bring you
+a pomegranate, eat as many of the seeds as you please, and your
+wishes shall be accomplished."
+
+The sultan calling to mind his dream when he awoke, returned
+thanks to heaven, got up, prayed, made two genuflexions, and then
+went into his garden, where he took fifty pomegranate seeds,
+which he counted, and ate.  He had fifty wives who shared his
+bed; they all proved with child; but there was one called
+Pirouzè, who did not appear to be pregnant.  He took an aversion
+to this lady, and would have her put to death.  "Her barrenness,"
+said he, "is a certain token that heaven does not judge Pirouzè
+worthy to bear a prince; it is my duty to deliver the world from
+an object that is odious to the Lord."  He would have executed
+his cruel purpose had not his vizier prevented him; representing
+to him that all women were not of the same constitution, and that
+it was not impossible but that Pirouzè might be with child,
+though it did not yet appear.  "Well," answered the sultan, "let
+her live; but let her depart my court; for I cannot endure her."
+"Your majesty," replied the vizier, "may send her to sultan
+Samer, your cousin."  The sultan approved of this advice; he sent
+Pirouzè to Samaria, with a letter, in which he ordered his cousin
+to treat her well, and, in case she proved with child, to give
+him notice of her being brought to bed.
+
+No sooner was Pirouzè arrived in that country, than it appeared
+that she was pregnant, and at length she was delivered of a most
+beautiful prince.  The prince of Samaria wrote immediately to the
+sultan of Harran, to acquaint him with the birth of a son, and to
+congratulate him on the occasion.  The sultan was much rejoiced
+at this intelligence, and answered prince Samer as follows:
+"Cousin, all my other wives have each been delivered of a prince.
+I desire you to educate that of Pirouzè, to give him the name of
+Codadad, and to send him to me when I may apply for him."
+
+The prince of Samaria spared nothing that might improve the
+education of his nephew.  He taught him to ride, draw the bow,
+and all other accomplishments becoming the son of a sovereign; so
+that Codadad, at eighteen years of age, was looked upon as a
+prodigy.  The young prince, being inspired with a courage worthy
+of his birth, said one day to his mother, "Madam, I begin to grow
+weary of Samaria; I feel a passion for glory; give me leave to
+seek it amidst the perils of war.  My father, the sultan of
+Harran, has many enemies.  Why does he not call me to his
+assistance?  Why does he leave me here so long in obscurity?
+Must I spend my life in sloth, when all my brothers have the
+happiness to be fighting by his side?"  "My son," answered
+Pirouzè, "I am no less impatient to have your name become famous;
+I could wish you had already signalized yourself against your
+father's enemies; but we must wait till he requires it."  "No,
+madam," replied Codadad, "I have already waited but too long.  I
+burn to see the sultan, and am tempted to offer him my service,
+as a young stranger: no doubt but he will accept of it, and I
+will not discover myself, till I have performed some glorious
+actions: I desire to merit his esteem before he knows who I am."
+Pirouzè approved of his generous resolutions, and Codadad
+departed from Samaria, as if he had been going to the chase,
+without acquainting prince Samer, lest he should thwart his
+design.
+
+He was mounted on a white charger, who had a bit and shoes of
+gold, his housing was of blue satin embroidered with pearls; the
+hilt of his scimitar was of one single diamond, and the scabbard
+of sandal-wood, adorned with emeralds and rubies, and on his
+shoulder he carried his bow and quiver.  In this equipage, which
+greatly set off his handsome person, he arrived at the city of
+Harran, and soon found means to offer his service to the sultan;
+who being charmed with his beauty and promising appearance, and
+perhaps indeed by natural sympathy, gave him a favourable
+reception, and asked his name and quality.  "Sir," answered
+Codadad, "I am son to an emir of Grand Cairo; an inclination to
+travel has made me quit my country, and understanding, in my
+passage through your dominions, that you were engaged in war, I
+am come to your court to offer your majesty my service."  The
+sultan shewed him extraordinary kindness, and gave him a command
+in his army.
+
+The young prince soon signalized his bravery.  He gained the
+esteem of the officers, and was admired by the soldiers.  Having
+no less wit than courage, he so far advanced himself in the
+sultan's esteem, as to become his favourite.  All the ministers
+and other courtiers daily resorted to Codadad, and were so eager
+to purchase his friendship, that they neglected the sultan's
+sons.  The princes could not but resent this conduct, and
+imputing it to the stranger, all conceived an implacable hatred
+against him; but the sultan's affection daily increasing, he was
+never weary of giving him fresh testimonies of his regard.  He
+always would have him near his person; admired his conversation,
+ever full of wit and discretion; and to shew his high opinion of
+his wisdom and prudence, committed to his care the other princes,
+though he was of the same age as they; so that Codadad was made
+governor of his brothers.
+
+This only served to heighten their hatred.  "Is it come to this,"
+said they, "that the sultan, not satisfied with loving a stranger
+more than us, will have him to be our governor, and not allow us
+to act without his leave? this is not to be endured.  We must rid
+ourselves of this foreigner."  "Let us go together," said one of
+them, "and dispatch him."  "No, no," answered another; "we had
+better be cautious how we sacrifice ourselves.  His death would
+render us odious to the sultan, who in return would declare us
+all unworthy to reign.  Let us destroy him by some stratagem.  We
+will ask his permission to hunt, and when at a distance from the
+palace, proceed to some other city, and stay there some time.
+The sultan will wonder at our absence, and perceiving we do not
+return, perhaps put the stranger to death, or at least will
+banish him from court, for suffering us to leave the palace."
+
+All the princes applauded this artifice.  They went together to
+Codadad, and desired him to allow them to take the diversion of
+hunting, promising to return the same day.  Pirouzè's son was
+taken in the snare, and granted the permission his brothers
+desired.  They set out, but never returned.  They had been three
+days absent, when the sultan asked Codadad where the princes
+were, for it was long since he had seen them.  "Sir," answered
+Codadad, after making a profound reverence, "they have been
+hunting these three days, but they promised me they would return
+sooner."  The sultan grew uneasy, and his uneasiness increased
+when he perceived the princes did not return the next day.  He
+could not check his anger: "Indiscreet stranger," said he to
+Codadad, "why did you let my sons go without bearing them
+company?  Is it thus you discharge the trust I have reposed in
+you?  Go, seek them immediately, and bring them to me, or your
+life shall be forfeited."
+
+These words chilled with alarm Pirouzè's unfortunate son.  He
+armed himself, departed from the city, and like a shepherd, who
+had lost his flock, searched the country for his brothers,
+inquiring at every village whether they had been seen: but
+hearing no news of them, abandoned himself to the most lively
+grief.  "Alas! my brothers," said he, "what is become of you?
+Are you fallen into the hands of our enemies?  Am I come to the
+court of Harran to be the occasion of giving the sultan so much
+anxiety?"  He was inconsolable for having given the princes
+permission to hunt, or for not having borne them company.
+
+After some days spent in fruitless search, he came to a plain of
+prodigious extent, in the midst whereof was a palace built of
+black marble.  He drew near, and at one of the windows beheld a
+most beautiful lady; but set off with no other ornament than her
+own charms; for her hair was dishevelled, her garments torn, and
+on her countenance appeared all the marks of the greatest
+affliction.  As soon as she saw Codadad, and judged he might hear
+her, she directed her discourse to him, saying, "Young man,
+depart from this fatal place, or you will soon fall into the
+hands of the monster that inhabits it: a black, who feeds only on
+human blood, resides in this palace; he seizes all persons whom
+their ill-fate conducts to this plain, and shuts them up in his
+dark dungeons, whence they are never released, but to be devoured
+by him."
+
+"Madam," answered Codadad, "tell me who you are, and be not
+concerned for myself."  "I am a young woman of quality of Grand
+Cairo," replied the lady; "I was passing by this castle
+yesterday, in my way to Bagdad, and met with the black, who
+killed all my attendants, and brought me hither; I wish I had
+nothing but death to fear, but to add to my calamity, this
+monster would persuade me to love him, and, in case I do not
+yield to-morrow to his brutality, I must expect the last
+violence.  Once more," added she, "make your escape: the black
+will soon return; he is gone out to pursue some travellers he
+espied at a distance on the plain.  Lose no time; I know not
+whether you can escape him by a speedy flight."
+
+She had scarcely done speaking before the black appeared.  He was
+of monstrous bulk, and of a dreadful aspect, mounted on a large
+Tartar horse, and bore such a heavy scimitar, that none but
+himself could wield.  The prince seeing him, was amazed at his
+gigantic stature, directed his prayers to heaven to assist him,
+then drew his scimitar, and firmly awaited his approach.  The
+monster, despising so inconsiderable an enemy, called to him to
+submit without fighting.  Codadad by his conduct shewed that he
+was resolved to defend his life; for rushing upon him, he wounded
+him on the knee.  The black, feeling himself wounded, uttered
+such a dreadful yell as made all the plain resound.  He grew
+furious and foamed with rage, and raising himself on his
+stirrups, made at Codadad with his dreadful scimitar.  The blow
+was so violent, that it would have put an end to the young
+prince, had not he avoided it by a sudden spring.  The scimitar
+made a horrible hissing in the air: but, before the black could
+have time to make a second blow, Codadad struck him on his right
+arm, with such force, that he cut it off.  The dreadful scimitar
+fell with the hand that held it, and the black yielding under the
+violence of the stroke, lost his stirrups, and made the earth
+shake with the weight of his fall.  The prince alighted at the
+same time, and cut off his enemy's head.  Just then, the lady,
+who had been a spectator of the combat, and was still offering up
+her earnest prayers to heaven for the young hero, whom she
+admired, uttered a shriek of joy, and said to Codadad, "Prince
+(for the dangerous victory you have obtained, as well as your
+noble air, convinces me that you are of no common rank), finish
+the work you have begun; the black has the keys of this castle,
+take them and deliver me out of prison."  The prince searched the
+wretch as he lay stretched on the ground, and found several keys.
+
+He opened the first door, and entered a court, where he saw the
+lady coming to meet him; she would have cast herself at his feet,
+the better to express her gratitude, but he would not permit her.
+She commended his valour, and extolled him above all the heroes
+in the world.  He returned her compliments; and she appeared
+still more lovely to him near, than she had done at a distance.
+I know not whether she felt more joy at being delivered from the
+desperate danger she had been in, than he for having done so
+considerable a service to so beautiful a person.
+
+Their conversation was interrupted by dismal cries and groans.
+"What do I hear?" said Codadad: "Whence come these miserable
+lamentations, which pierce my ears?"  "My lord," said the lady to
+him, pointing to a little door in the court, "they come from
+thence.  There are I know not how many wretched persons whom fate
+has thrown into the hands of the black.  They are all chained,
+and the monster drew out one every day to devour."
+
+"It is an addition to my joy," answered the young prince, "to
+understand that my victory will save the lives of those
+unfortunate beings.  Come along with me, madam, to partake in the
+satisfaction of giving them their liberty.  You may judge by your
+own feelings how welcome we shall be to them."  Having so said,
+they advanced towards the door of the dungeon, and the nearer
+they drew, the more distinctly they heard the lamentations of the
+prisoners.  Codadad pitying them, and impatient to put an end to
+their sufferings, presently put one of the keys into the lock.
+The noise made all the unfortunate captives, who concluded it was
+the black coming, according to custom, to seize one of them to
+devour, redouble their cries and groans.  Lamentable voices were
+heard, which seemed to come from the centre of the earth.
+
+In the mean time, the prince had opened the door; he went down a
+very steep staircase into a large and deep vault, which received
+some feeble light from a little window, and in which there were
+above a hundred persons, bound to stakes, and their hands tied.
+"Unfortunate travellers," said he to them,  "wretched victims,
+who only expected the moment of an approaching cruel death, give
+thanks to heaven, which has this day delivered you by my means.
+I have slain the black by whom you were to be devoured, and am
+come to knock off your chains."  The prisoners hearing these
+words, gave a shout of mingled joy and surprise.  Codadad and the
+lady began to unbind them; and as soon as any of them were loose,
+they helped to take off the fetters from the rest; so that in a
+short time they were all at liberty.
+
+They then kneeled down, and having returned thanks to Codadad for
+what he had done for them, went out of the dungeon; but when they
+were come into the court, how was the prince surprised to see
+among the prisoners, those he was in search of, and almost
+without hopes to find!  "Princes," cried he, "am I not deceived?
+Is it you whom I behold?  May I flatter myself that it may be in
+my power to restore you to the sultan your father, who is
+inconsolable for the loss of you?  But will he not have some one
+to lament?  Are you all here alive?  Alas! the death of one of
+you will suffice to damp the joy I feel for having delivered
+you!"
+
+The forty-nine princes all made themselves known to Codadad, who
+embraced them one after another, and told them how uneasy their
+father was on account of their absence.  They gave their
+deliverer all the commendations he deserved, as did the other
+prisoners, who could not find words expressive enough to declare
+their gratitude.  Codadad, with them, searched the whole castle,
+where was immense wealth; curious silks, gold brocades, Persian
+carpets, China satins, and an infinite quantity of other goods,
+which the black had taken from the caravans he had plundered, a
+considerable part whereof belonged to the prisoners Codadad had
+then liberated.  Every man knew and claimed his property.  The
+prince restored them their own, and divided the rest of the
+merchandise among them.  Then he said to them, "How will you
+carry away your goods?  We are here in a desert place, and there
+is no likelihood of your getting horses."  "My lord," answered
+one of the prisoners, "the black robbed us of our camels as well
+as our goods, and perhaps they may be in the stables of this
+castle."  "This is not unlikely," replied Codadad; "let us
+examine."  Accordingly they went to the stables, where they not
+only found the camels, but also the horses belonging to the
+sultan of Harran's sons.  There were some black slaves in the
+stables, who seeing all the prisoners released, and guessing
+thereby that their master had been killed, fled through by-ways
+well known to them.  Nobody minded to pursue them.  All the
+merchants, overjoyed that they had recovered their goods and
+camels, together with their liberty, thought of nothing but
+prosecuting their journey; but first repeated their thanks to
+their deliverer.
+
+When they were gone, Codadad, directing his discourse to the
+lady, said, "What place, madam, do you desire to go to?  Whither
+were you bound when you were seized by the black?  I intend to
+bear you company to the place you shall choose for your retreat,
+and I question not but that all these princes will do the same."
+The sultan of Harran's sons protested to the lady, that they
+would not leave her till she was restored to her friends.
+
+"Princes," said she, "I am of a country too remote from hence;
+and, besides that, it would be abusing your generosity to oblige
+you to travel so far.  I must confess that I have left my native
+country for ever.  I told you that I was a lady of Grand Cairo;
+but since you have shewn me so much favour, and I am so highly
+obliged to you," added she, looking upon Codadad, "I should be
+much in the wrong in concealing the truth from you; I am a
+sultan's daughter.  An usurper has possessed himself of my
+father's throne, after having murdered him, and I have been
+forced to fly to save my life."
+
+Codadad and his brothers requested the princess to tell them her
+story, assuring her they felt a particular interest in her
+misfortunes, and were determined to spare nothing that might
+contribute to render her more happy.  After thanking them for
+their repeated protestations of readiness to serve her, she could
+not refuse to satisfy their curiosity, and began the recital of
+her adventures in the following manner.
+
+
+
+
+
+The History of the Princess of Deryabar.
+
+
+
+There was in a certain island a great city called Deryabar,
+governed by a potent, magnificent, and virtuous sultan, who had
+no children, which was the only blessing wanting to make him
+happy.  He continually addressed his prayers to heaven, but
+heaven only partially granted his requests, for the queen his
+wife, after a long expectation, brought forth a daughter.
+
+I am the unfortunate princess; my father was rather grieved than
+pleased at my birth; but he submitted to the will of God, and
+caused me to be educated with all possible care, being resolved,
+since he had no son, to teach me the art of ruling, that I might
+supply his place after his death.
+
+One day when he was taking the diversion of hunting, he espied a
+wild ass, which he chased, lost his company, and was carried away
+so far by his eagerness as to ride on till night.  He then
+alighted, and sat down at the entrance of a wood, in which the
+ass had sheltered.  No sooner was the day shut in than he
+discovered among the trees a light, which made him conclude that
+he was not far from some village; he rejoiced at this, hoping
+that he might pass the night there, and find some person to send
+to his followers and acquaint them where he was; accordingly he
+rose and walked towards the light, which served to guide him.
+
+He soon found he had been deceived, the light being no other than
+a fire blazing in a hut; however, he drew near, and, with
+amazement, beheld a black man, or rather a giant, sitting on a
+sofa.  Before the monster was a great pitcher of wine, and he was
+roasting an ox he had newly killed.  Sometimes he drank out of
+the pitcher, and sometimes cut slices off the ox and greedily
+devoured them.  But what most attracted my father's attention was
+a beautiful woman whom he saw in the hut.  She seemed overwhelmed
+with grief; her hands were bound, and at her feet was a little
+child about two or three years old, who, as if he was sensible of
+his mother's misfortunes, wept without ceasing, and rent the air
+with his cries.
+
+My father, moved with this pitiable object, thought at first to
+enter the hut and attack the giant; but considering how unequal
+the combat would be, he stopped, and resolved, since he had not
+strength enough to prevail by open force, to use art.  In the
+mean time, the giant having emptied the pitcher, and devoured
+above half the ox, turned to the woman and said, "Beautiful
+princess, why do you oblige me by your obstinacy to treat you
+with severity?  It is in your own power to be happy.  You need
+only resolve to love, and be true to me, and I shall treat you
+with more mildness."  "Thou hideous satyr," answered the lady,
+"never expect that time should wear away my abhorrence of thee.
+Thou wilt ever be a monster in my eyes."  To these words she
+added so many reproaches, that the giant grew enraged.  "This is
+too much," cried he, in a furious tone; "my love despised is
+turned into rage.  Your hatred has at last excited mine; I find
+it triumphs over my desires, and that I now wish your death more
+ardently than your enjoyment."  Having spoken these words, he
+took the wretched lady by the hair, held her up with one hand in
+the air, and drawing his scimitar with the other, was just going
+to strike off her head, when the sultan my father let fly an
+arrow which pierced the giant's breast, so that he staggered, and
+dropped down dead.
+
+My father entered the hut, unbound the lady's hands, inquired who
+she was, and how she came thither.  "My lord," said she, "there
+are along the sea-coast some families of Saracens, who live under
+a prince who is my husband; this giant you have killed was one of
+his principal officers.  The wretch fell desperately in love with
+me, but took care to conceal his passion, till he could put in
+execution the design he had formed of forcing me from home.
+Fortune oftener favours wicked designs than virtuous resolutions.
+The giant one day surprised me and my child in a by-place.  He
+seized us both, and to disappoint the search he well knew my
+husband would cause to be made for me, removed from the country
+inhabited by those Saracens, and brought us into this wood, where
+he has kept me some days.  Deplorable as my condition is, it is
+still a great satisfaction to me to think that the giant, though
+so brutal, never used force to obtain what I always refused to
+his entreaties.  Not but that he has a hundred times threatened
+that he would have recourse to the worst of extremities, in case
+he could not otherwise prevail upon me; and I must confess to
+you, that awhile ago, when I provoked his anger by my words, I
+was less concerned for my life than for my honour.
+
+"This, my lord," said the prince of the Saracens' wife, "is the
+faithful account of my misfortunes, and I question not but you
+will think me worthy of your compassion, and that you will not
+repent having so generously relieved me."  "Madam," answered my
+father, "be assured your troubles have affected me, and I will do
+all in my power to make you happy.  To-morrow, as soon as day
+appears, we will quit this wood, and endeavour to fall into the
+road which leads to the great city of Deryabar, of which I am
+sovereign; and if you think fit, you shall be lodged in my
+palace, till the prince your husband comes to claim you."
+
+The Saracen lady accepted the offer, and the next day followed
+the sultan my father, who found all his retinue upon the skirts
+of the wood, they having spent the night in searching for him,
+and being very uneasy because they could not find him.  They were
+no less rejoiced to meet with, than amazed to see him with a
+lady, whose beauty surprised them.  He told them how he had found
+her, and the risk he had run in approaching the hut, where he
+must certainly have lost his life had the giant discovered him.
+One of his servants took up the lady behind him, and another
+carried the child.
+
+Thus they arrived at the palace of my father, who assigned the
+beautiful Saracen lady an apartment, and caused her child to be
+carefully educated.  The lady was not insensible of the sultan's
+goodness to her, and expressed as much gratitude as he could
+desire.  She had at first appeared very uneasy and impatient that
+her husband did not claim her; but by degrees she lost that
+uneasiness.  The respect my father paid her dispelled her
+impatience; and I am of opinion she would at last have blamed
+fortune more for restoring her to her kindred, than she did for
+removing her from them.
+
+In the mean time the lady's son grew up; he was very handsome,
+and not wanting ability, found means to please the sultan my
+father, who conceived a great friendship for him.  All the
+courtiers perceived it, and guessed that the young man might in
+the end be my husband.  In this idea, and looking on him already
+as heir to the crown, they made their court to him, and every one
+endeavoured to gain his favour.  He soon saw into their designs,
+grew conceited of himself, and forgetting the distance there was
+between our conditions, flattered himself with the hopes that my
+father was fond enough of him, to prefer him before all the
+princes in the world.  He went farther; for the sultan not
+offering me to him as soon as he could have wished, he had the
+boldness to ask me of him.  Whatever punishment his insolence
+deserved, my father was satisfied with telling him he had other
+thoughts in relation to me, and shewed him no further resentment.
+The youth was incensed at this refusal; he resented the contempt,
+as if he had asked some maid of ordinary extraction, or as if his
+birth had been equal to mine.  Nor did he stop here, but resolved
+to be revenged on the sultan, and with unparalleled ingratitude
+conspired against him.  In short, he murdered him, and caused
+himself to be proclaimed sovereign of Deryabar.  The first thing
+he did after the murder of my father was to come into my
+apartment, at the head of a party of the conspirators.  His
+design was either to take my life or oblige me to marry him.  The
+grand vizier, however, who had been always loyal to his master,
+while the usurper was butchering my father, came to carry me away
+from the palace, and secured me in a friend's house, till a
+vessel he had provided was ready to sail.  I then left the
+island, attended only by a governess and that generous minister,
+who chose rather to follow his master's daughter, and share her
+misfortunes, than to submit to a tyrant.
+
+The grand vizier designed to carry me to the courts of the
+neighbouring sultans, to implore their assistance, and excite
+them to revenge my father's death; but heaven did not concur in a
+resolution we thought so just.  When we had been but a few days
+at sea, there arose such a furious storm, that, in spite of all
+the mariners' art, our vessel, carried away by the violence of
+the winds and waves, was dashed in pieces against a rock.  I will
+not spend time in describing our shipwreck.  I can but faintly
+represent to you how my governess, the grand vizier, and all that
+attended me, were swallowed up by the sea.  The dread I was
+seized with did not permit me to observe all the horror of our
+condition.  I lost my senses; and whether I was thrown upon the
+coast upon any part of the wreck, or whether heaven, which
+reserved me for other misfortunes, wrought a miracle for my
+deliverance, I found myself on shore when my senses returned.
+
+Misfortunes very often make us forget our duty.  Instead of
+returning thanks to God for so singular a favour shewn me, I only
+lifted up my eyes to heaven, to complain because I had been
+preserved.  I was so far from bewailing the vizier and my
+governess, that I envied their fate, and dreadful imaginations by
+degrees prevailing over my reason, I resolved to cast myself into
+the sea; I was on the point of doing so, when I heard behind me a
+great noise of men and horses.  I looked about to see what it
+might be, and espied several armed horsemen, among whom was one
+mounted on an Arabian horse.  He had on a garment embroidered
+with silver, a girdle set with precious stones, and a crown of
+gold on his head.  Though his habit had not convinced me that he
+was chief of the company, I should have judged it by the air of
+grandeur which appeared in his person.  He was a young man
+extraordinarily well shaped, and perfectly beautiful.  Surprised
+to see a young lady alone in that place, he sent some of his
+officers to ask who I was.  I answered only by weeping.  The
+shore being covered with the wreck of our ship, they concluded
+that I was certainly some person who had escaped from the vessel.
+This conjecture, and my inconsolable condition, excited the
+curiosity of the officers, who began to ask me a thousand
+questions, with assurances, that their master was a generous
+prince, and that I should receive protection at his court.
+
+The sultan, impatient to know who I was, grew weary of waiting
+the return of his officers, and drew near to me.  He gazed on me
+very earnestly, and observing that I did not cease weeping and
+afflicting myself, without being able to return an answer to
+their questions, he forbad them troubling me any more; and
+directing his discourse to me, "Madam," said he, "I conjure you
+to moderate your excessive affliction.  Though heaven in its
+dispensations has laid this calamity upon you, it does not behove
+you to despair.  I beseech you shew more resolution.  Fortune,
+which has hitherto persecuted you, is inconstant, and may soon
+change.  I dare assure you, that, if your misfortunes are capable
+of receiving any relief, you shall find it in my dominions.  My
+palace is at your service.  You shall live with the queen my
+mother, who will endeavour by her kindness to ease your
+affliction.  I know not yet who you are; but I find I already
+take an interest in your welfare."
+
+I thanked the young sultan for his goodness to me, accepted his
+obliging offers; and to convince him that I was not unworthy of
+them, told him my condition.  I described to him the insolence of
+the young Saracen, and found it was enough to recount my
+misfortunes, to excite compassion in him and all his officers,
+who heard me.  When I had done speaking, the prince began again,
+assuring me that he was deeply concerned at my misfortunes.  He
+then conducted me to his palace, and presented me to the queen
+his mother, to whom I was obliged again to repeat my misfortunes
+and to renew my tears.  The queen seemed very sensible of my
+trouble, and conceived extreme affection for me.  On the other
+hand, the sultan her son fell desperately in love with me, and
+soon offered me his person and his crown.  I was so taken up with
+the thoughts of my calamities, that the prince, though so lovely
+a person, did not make so great an impression on me as he might
+have done at another time.  However, gratitude prevailing, I did
+not refuse to make him happy, and our nuptials were concluded
+with all imaginable splendour.
+
+While the people were taken up with the celebration of their
+sovereign's nuptials, a neighbouring prince, his enemy, made a
+descent by night on the island with a great number of troops.
+That formidable enemy was the king of Zanguebar.  He surprised
+and cut to pieces my husband's subjects.  He was very near taking
+us both.  We escaped very narrowly, for he had already entered
+the palace with some of his followers, but we found means to slip
+away, and to get to the seacoast, where we threw ourselves into a
+fishing boat which we had the good fortune to meet with.  Two
+days we were driven about by the winds, without knowing what
+would become of us.  The third day we espied a vessel making
+towards us under sail.  We rejoiced at first, believing it had
+been a merchant ship which might take us aboard; but what was our
+consternation, when, as it drew near, we saw ten or twelve armed
+pirates appear on the deck.  Having boarded, five or six of them
+leaped into our boat, seized us, bound the prince, and conveyed
+us into their ship, where they immediately took off my veil.  My
+youth and features touched them, and they all declared how much
+they were charmed at the sight of me.  Instead of casting lots,
+each of them claimed the preference, and me as his right.  The
+dispute grew warm, they came to blows, and fought like madmen.
+The deck was soon covered with dead bodies, and they were all
+killed but one, who being left sole possessor of me, said, "You
+are mine.  I will carry you to Grand Cairo, to deliver you to a
+friend of mine, to whom I have promised a beautiful slave.  But
+who," added he, looking upon the sultan my husband, "is that man?
+What relation does he bear to you?  Are you allied by blood or
+love?"  "Sir," answered I, "he is my husband."  "If so," replied
+the pirate, "in pity I must rid myself of him: it would be too
+great an affliction to him to see you in my friend's arms."
+Having spoken these words, he took up the unhappy prince, who was
+bound, and threw him into the sea, notwithstanding all my
+endeavours to prevent him.
+
+I shrieked in a dreadful manner at the sight of what he had done,
+and had certainly cast myself headlong into the sea, but that the
+pirate held me.  He saw my design, and therefore bound me with
+cords to the main-mast, then hoisting sail, made towards the
+land, and got ashore.  He unbound me and led me to a little town,
+where he bought camels, tents, and slaves, and then set out for
+Grand Cairo, designing, as he still said, to present me to his
+friend, according to his promise.
+
+We had been several days upon the road, when, as we were crossing
+this plain yesterday, we descried the black who inhabited this
+castle.  At a distance we took him for a tower, and when near us,
+could scarcely believe him to be a man.  He drew his huge
+scimitar, and summoned the pirate to yield himself prisoner, with
+all his slaves, and the lady he was conducting.  The pirate was
+daring; and being seconded by his slaves, who promised to stand
+by him, he attacked the black.  The combat lasted a considerable
+time; but at length the pirate fell under his enemy's deadly
+blows, as did all his slaves, who chose rather to die than
+forsake him.  The black then conducted me to the castle, whither
+he also brought the pirate's body, which he devoured that night.
+After his inhuman repast, perceiving that I ceased not weeping,
+he said to me, "Young lady, prepare to love me, rather than
+continue thus to afflict yourself.  Make a virtue of necessity,
+and comply.  I will give you till to-morrow to consider.  Let me
+then find you comforted for all your misfortunes, and overjoyed
+at having been reserved for me."  Having spoken these words, he
+conducted me to a chamber, and withdrew to his own, after locking
+up the castle gates.  He opened them this morning, and presently
+locked them after him again, to pursue some travellers he
+perceived at a distance; but it is likely they made their escape,
+since he was returning alone, and without any booty, when you
+attacked him.
+
+As soon as the princess had finished the recital of her
+adventures, Codadad declared to her that he was deeply concerned
+at her misfortunes.  "But, madam," added he, "it shall be your
+own fault if you do not live at ease for the future.  The sultan
+of Harran's sons offer you a safe retreat in the court of their
+father; be pleased to accept of it.  You will be there cherished
+by that sovereign, and respected by all; and if you do not
+disdain the affection of your deliverer, permit me to assure you
+of it, and to espouse you before all these princes; let them be
+witnesses to our contract."  The princess consented, and the
+marriage was concluded that very day in the castle, where they
+found all sorts of provisions.  The kitchens were full of flesh
+and other eatables the black used to feed on, when he was weary
+of feeding on human bodies.  There was also a variety of fruits,
+excellent in their kinds; and, to complete their pleasure,
+abundance of delicious wine and other liquors.
+
+They all sat down at table; and after having eaten and drunk
+plentifully, took with them the rest of the provisions, and set
+out for the sultan of Harran's court: they travelled several
+days, encamping in the pleasantest places they could find, and
+were within one day's journey of Harran, when having halted and
+drunk all their wine, being under no longer concern to make it
+hold out, Codadad directing his discourse to all his company,
+said "Princes, I have too long concealed from you who I am.
+Behold your brother Codadad!  I have received my being, as well
+as you, from the sultan of Harran, the prince of Samaria brought
+me up, and the princess Pirouzè is my mother.  Madam," added he,
+addressing himself to the Princess of Deryabar, "do you also
+forgive me for having concealed my birth from you?  Perhaps, by
+discovering it sooner, I might have prevented some disagreeable
+reflections, which may have been occasioned by a match you may
+have thought unequal."  "No, sir," answered the princess,  "the
+opinion I at first conceived of you heightened every moment, and
+you did not stand in need of the extraction you now discover to
+make me happy."
+
+The princes congratulated Codadad on his birth, and expressed
+much satisfaction at being made acquainted with it.  But in
+reality, instead of rejoicing, their hatred of so amiable a
+brother was increased.  They met together at night, whilst
+Codadad and the princess his wife lay asleep in their tent.
+Those ungrateful, those envious brothers, forgetting that had it
+not been for the brave son of Pirouzè they must have been
+devoured by the black, agreed among themselves to murder him.
+"We have no other course to choose," said one of them, "for the
+moment our father shall come to understand that this stranger of
+whom he is already so fond, is our brother, and that he alone has
+been able to destroy a giant, whom we could not all of us
+together conquer, he will declare him his heir, to the prejudice
+of all his brothers, who will be obliged to obey and fall down
+before him."  He added much more, which made such an impression
+on their envious and unnatural minds, that they immediately
+repaired to Codadad, then asleep, stabbed him repeatedly, and
+leaving him for dead in the arms of the princess of Deryabar,
+proceeded on their journey for the city of Harran, where they
+arrived the next day.
+
+The sultan their father conceived the greater joy at their
+return, because he had despaired of ever seeing them again: he
+asked what had been the occasion of their stay?  But they took
+care not to acquaint him with it, making no mention either of the
+black or of Codadad; and only said, that, being curious to see
+different countries, they had spent some time in the neighbouring
+cities.
+
+In the mean time Codadad lay in his tent weltering in his blood,
+and little differing from a dead man, with the princess his wife,
+who seemed to be in not much better condition than himself.  She
+rent the air with her dismal shrieks, tore her hair, and bathing
+her husband's body with her tears, "Alas! Codadad, my dear
+Codadad," cried she, "is it you whom I behold just departing this
+life?  What cruel hands have put you into this condition?  Can I
+believe these are your brothers who have treated you so
+unmercifully, those brothers whom thy valour had saved?  No, they
+are rather devils, who under characters so dear came to murder
+you.  O barbarous wretches! how could you make so ungrateful a
+return for the service he has done you?  But why should I
+complain of your brothers, unfortunate Codadad! I alone am to
+blame for your death.  You would join your fate with mine, and
+all the ill fortune that has attended me since I left my father's
+palace has fallen upon you.  O Heaven! which has condemned me to
+lead a life of calamities, if you will not permit me to have a
+consort, why did you permit me to find one?  Behold you have now
+robbed me of two, just as I began to be attached to them."
+
+By these and other moving expressions, the afflicted princess of
+Deryabar vented her sorrow, fixing her eyes on the unfortunate
+Codadad, who could not hear her; but he was not dead, and his
+consort observing that he still breathed, ran to a large town she
+espied in the plain, to inquire for a surgeon.  She was directed
+to one, who went immediately with her; but when they came to the
+tent, they could not find Codadad, which made them conclude he
+had been dragged away by some wild beast to be devoured.  The
+princess renewed her complaints and lamentations in a most
+affecting manner.  The surgeon was moved and being unwilling to
+leave her in so distressed a condition, proposed to her to return
+to the town offering her his house and service.
+
+She suffered herself to be prevailed on.  The surgeon conducted
+her to his house, and without knowing, as yet, who she was,
+treated her with all imaginable courtesy and respect.  He used
+all his endeavours to comfort her, but it was vain to think of
+removing her sorrow, which was rather heightened than diminished.
+"Madam," said he to her one day, "be pleased to recount to me
+your misfortunes; tell me your country and your condition.
+Perhaps I may give you some good advice, when I am acquainted
+with all the circumstances of your calamity.  You do nothing but
+afflict yourself, without considering that remedies may be found
+for the most desperate diseases."
+
+The surgeon's words were so efficacious, that they wrought on the
+princess, who recounted to him all her adventures: and when she
+had done, the surgeon directed his discourse to her; "Madam,"
+said he, "you ought not thus to give way to your sorrow; you
+ought rather to arm yourself with resolution, and perform what
+the name and the duty of a wife require of you.  You are bound to
+avenge your husband.  If you please, I will wait on you as your
+attendant.  Let us go to the sultan of Harran's court; he is a
+good and a just prince.  You need only represent to him in lively
+colours, how prince Codadad has been treated by his brothers.  I
+am persuaded he will do you justice."  "I submit to your
+reasons," answered the princess; "it is my duty to endeavour to
+avenge Codadad; and since you are so generous as to offer to
+attend me, I am ready to set out."  No sooner had she fixed this
+resolution, than the surgeon ordered two camels to be made ready,
+on which the princess and he mounted, and repaired to Harran.
+
+They alighted at the first caravanserai they found, and inquired
+of the host the news at court.  "It is," said he, "in very great
+perplexity.  The sultan had a son, who lived long with him as a
+stranger, and none can tell what is become of the young prince.
+One of the sultan's wives, named Pirouzè, is his mother; she has
+made all possible inquiry, but to no purpose.  All are concerned
+at the loss of this prince, because he had great merit.  The
+sultan has forty-nine other sons, all by different mothers, but
+not one of them has virtue enough to comfort him for the death of
+Codadad; I say, his death, because it is impossible he should be
+still alive, since no intelligence has been heard of him,
+notwithstanding so much search has been made."
+
+The surgeon having heard this account from the host, concluded
+that the best course the princess of Deryabar could take was to
+wait upon Pirouzè; but that step was not without some danger, and
+required much precaution: for it was to be feared, that if the
+sultan of Harran's sons should happen to hear of the arrival of
+their sister-in-law, and her design, they might cause her to be
+conveyed away before she could discover herself to Codadad's
+mother.  The surgeon weighed all these circumstances, considered
+what risk he might run himself, and therefore, that he might
+manage matters with discretion, desired the princess to remain in
+the caravanserai, whilst he repaired to the palace, to observe
+which might be the safest way to conduct her to Pirouzè.
+
+He went accordingly into the city, and was walking towards the
+palace, like one led only by curiosity to see the court, when he
+beheld a lady mounted on a mule richly accoutred.  She was
+followed by several ladies mounted also on mules, with a great
+number of guards and black slaves.  All the people formed a lane
+to see her pass along, and saluted her by prostrating themselves
+on the ground.  The surgeon paid her the same respect, and then
+asked a calender, who happened to stand by him, "Whether that
+lady was one of the sultan's wives?"  "Yes, brother," answered
+the calender, "she is, and the most honoured and beloved by the
+people, because she is the mother of prince Codadad, of whom you
+must have heard."
+
+The surgeon asked no more questions, but followed Pirouzè to a
+mosque, into which she went to distribute alms, and assist at the
+public prayers which the sultan had ordered to be offered up for
+the safe return of Codadad.  The people, who were highly
+concerned for that young prince, ran in crowds to join their vows
+to the prayers of the priests, so that the mosque was quite full.
+The surgeon broke through the throng, and advanced to Pirouzè's
+guards.  He waited the conclusion of the prayers, and when the
+princess went out, stepped up to one of her slaves, and whispered
+him in the ear, "Brother, I have a secret of moment to impart to
+the princess Pirouzè; may not I, by your means, be introduced
+into her apartment?"  "If that secret," answered the slave,
+"relate to prince Codadad, I dare promise you shall have audience
+of her this very day; but if it concern not him, it is needless
+for you to endeavour to be introduced; for her thoughts are all
+engrossed by her son, and she will not hear of any other
+subject."  "It is only about that dear son," replied the surgeon,
+"that I wish to speak to her."  "If so," said the slave, "you
+need only follow us to the palace, and you shall soon have the
+opportunity."
+
+Accordingly, as soon as Pirouzè was returned to her apartment,
+the slave acquainted her that a person unknown had some important
+information to communicate to her, and that it related to prince
+Codadad.  No sooner had he uttered these words, than Pirouzè
+expressed her impatience to see the stranger.  The slave
+immediately conducted him into the princess's closet, who ordered
+all her women to withdraw, except two, from whom she concealed
+nothing.  As soon as she saw the surgeon, she asked him eagerly,
+what news he had to tell her of Codadad?  "Madam," answered the
+surgeon, after having prostrated himself on the ground, "I have a
+long account to give you, and such as will surprise you."  He
+then related all the particulars of what had passed between
+Codadad and his brothers, which she listened to with eager
+attention; but when he came to speak of the murder, the tender
+mother fainted away on her sofa, as if she had herself been
+stabbed like her son.  Her two women used proper means, and soon
+brought her to herself.  The surgeon continued his relation; and
+when he had concluded, Pirouzè said to him, "Go back to the
+princess of Deryabar, and assure her from me that the sultan
+shall soon own her for his daughter-in-law; and as for yourself,
+be satisfied, that your services shall be rewarded as liberally
+as they deserve."
+
+When the surgeon was gone, Pirouzè remained on the sofa, in such
+a state of affliction as may easily be imagined; and yielding to
+her tenderness at the recollection of Codadad, "O my son," said
+she, "I must never then expect to see you more!  Alas! when I
+gave you leave to depart from Samaria, and you took leave of me,
+I did not imagine that so unfortunate a death awaited you at such
+a distance from me.  Unfortunate Codadad!  Why did you leave me?
+You would not, it is true, have acquired so much renown, but you
+had been still alive, and not have cost your mother so many
+tears."  While she uttered these words, she wept bitterly, and
+her two attendants moved by her grief, mingled their tears with
+hers.
+
+Whilst they were all three in this manner vying in affliction,
+the sultan came into the closet, and seeing them in this
+condition, asked Pirouzè whether she had received any bad news
+concerning Codadad?  "Alas! sir," said she, "all is over, my son
+has lost his life, and to add to my sorrow, I cannot pay him the
+funeral rites; for, in all probability, wild beasts have devoured
+him."  She then told him all she had heard from the surgeon, and
+did not fail to enlarge on the inhuman manner in which Codadad
+had been murdered by his brothers.
+
+The sultan did not give Pirouzè time to finish her relation, but
+transported with anger, and giving way to his passion, "Madam,"
+said he to the princess, "those perfidious wretches who cause you
+to shed these tears, and are the occasion of mortal grief to
+their father, shall soon feel the punishment due to their guilt."
+The sultan having spoken these words, with indignation in his
+countenance, went directly to the presence-chamber where all his
+courtiers attended, and such of the people as had petitions to
+present to him.  They were alarmed to see him in passion, and
+thought his anger had been kindled against his people.  Their
+hearts were chilled with fear.  He ascended the throne, and
+causing his grand vizier to approach, "Hassan," said he, "go
+immediately, take a thousand of my guards, and seize all the
+princes, my sons; shut them up in the tower used as a prison for
+murderers, and let this be done in a moment."  All who were
+present trembled at this extraordinary command; and the grand
+vizier, without uttering a word, laid his hand on his head, to
+express his obedience, and hastened from the hall to execute his
+orders.  In the mean time the sultan dismissed those who attended
+for audience, and declared he would not hear of any business for
+a month to come.  He was still in the hall when the vizier
+returned.  "Are all my sons," demanded he, "in the tower?"  "They
+are, sir," answered the vizier, "I have obeyed your orders."
+"This is not all," replied the sultan, "I have further commands
+for you;" and so saying he went out of the hall of audience, and
+returned to Pirouzè's apartment, the vizier following him.  He
+asked the princess where Codadad's widow had taken up her
+lodging?  Pirouzè's women told him, for the surgeon had not
+forgotten that in his relation.  The sultan then turning to his
+minister, "Go," said he,  "to this caravanserai, and conduct a
+young princess who lodges there, with all the respect due to her
+quality, to my palace."
+
+The vizier was not long in performing what he was ordered.  He
+mounted on horseback with all the emirs and courtiers, and
+repaired to the caravanserai, where the princess of Deryabar was
+lodged, whom he acquainted with his orders; and presented her,
+from the sultan, a fine white mule, whose saddle and bridle were
+adorned with gold, rubies, and diamonds.  She mounted, and
+proceeded to the palace.  The surgeon attended her, mounted on a
+beautiful Tartar horse which the vizier had provided for him.
+All the people were at their windows, or in the streets, to see
+the cavalcade; and it being given out that the princess, whom
+they conducted in such state to court, was Codadad's wife, the
+city resounded with acclamations, the air rung with shouts of
+joy, which would have been turned into lamentations had that
+prince's fatal adventure been known; so much was he beloved by
+all.
+
+The princess of Deryabar found the sultan at the palace-gate,
+waiting to receive her: he took her by the hand, and led her to
+Pirouzè's apartment, where a very moving scene took place.
+Codadad's wife found her affliction redouble at the sight of her
+husband's father and mother; as, on the other hand, those parents
+could not look on their son's wife without being much affected.
+She cast herself at the sultan's feet, and having bathed them
+with tears, was so overcome with grief, that she was not able to
+speak.  Pirouzè was in no better state.  And the sultan, moved by
+these affecting objects, gave way to his own feelings, and wept.
+All three, mingling their tears and sighs, for some time observed
+a silence, equally tender and pitiful.  At length the princess of
+Deryabar, being somewhat recovered, recounted the adventure of
+the castle, and Codadad's disaster.  Then she demanded justice
+for the treachery of the princes.  "Yes, madam," said the sultan,
+"those ungrateful wretches shall perish; but Codadad's death must
+be first made public, that the punishment of his brothers may not
+cause my subjects to rebel; and though we have not my son's body,
+we will not omit paying him the last duties."  This said, he
+directed his discourse to the vizier, and ordered him to cause to
+be erected a dome of white marble, in a delightful plain, in the
+midst of which the city of Harran stands.  Then he appointed the
+princess of Deryabar a suitable apartment in his palace,
+acknowledging her for his daughter-in-law.
+
+Hassan caused the work to be carried on with such diligence, and
+employed so many workmen, that the dome was soon finished.
+Within it was erected a tomb, which was covered with gold
+brocade.  When all was completed, the sultan ordered prayers to
+be said, and appointed a day for the obsequies of his son.
+
+On that day all the inhabitants of the city went out upon the
+plain to see the ceremony performed, which was after the
+following manner.  The sultan, attended by his vizier and the
+principal lords of the court, proceeded towards the dome, and
+being come to it, he went in and sat down with them on carpets of
+black satin embroidered with gold flowers.  A great body of
+horse-guards hanging their heads, drew up close about the dome,
+and marched round it twice, observing a profound silence; but at
+the third round they halted before the door, and all of them with
+a loud voice pronounced these words: "O prince! son to the
+sultan, could we by dint of sword, and human valour, repair your
+misfortune, we would bring you back to life; but the King of
+kings has commanded, and the angel of death has obeyed."  Having
+uttered these words, they drew off, to make way for a hundred old
+men, all of them mounted on black mules, and having long grey
+beards.  These were anchorites, who had lived all their days
+concealed in caves.  They never appeared in sight of the world,
+but when they were to assist at the obsequies of the sultans of
+Harran, and of the princes of their family.  Each of these
+venerable persons carried on his head a book, which he held with
+one hand.  They took three turns round the dome without uttering
+a word; then stopping before the door, one of them said, "O
+prince! what can we do for thee?  If thou couldst be restored to
+life by prayer or learning, we would rub our grey beards at thy
+feet, and recite prayers; but the King of the universe has taken
+thee away for ever."
+
+This said, the old men moved to a distance from the dome, and
+immediately fifty beautiful young maidens drew near to it; each
+of them mounted on a little white horse; they wore no veils, and
+carried gold baskets full of all sorts of precious stones.  They
+also rode thrice round the dome, and halting at the same place as
+the others had done, the youngest of them spoke in the name of
+all, as follows: "O prince! once so beautiful, what relief can
+you expect from us?  If we could restore you to life by our
+charms, we would become your slaves.  But you are no longer
+sensible to beauty, and have no more occasion for us."
+
+When the young maids were withdrawn, the sultan and his courtiers
+arose, and having walked thrice around the tomb, the sultan spoke
+as follows: "O my dear son, light of my eyes, I have then lost
+thee for ever!"  He accompanied these words with sighs, and
+watered the tomb with his tears; his courtiers weeping with him.
+The gate of the dome was then closed, and all the people returned
+to the city.  Next day there were public prayers in all the
+mosques, and the same was continued for eight days successively.
+On the ninth the king resolved to cause the princes his sons to
+be beheaded.  The people incensed at their cruelty towards
+Codadad, impatiently expected to see them executed.  The
+scaffolds were erecting, but the execution was respited, because,
+on a sudden, intelligence was brought that the neighbouring
+princes, who had before made war on the sultan of Harran, were
+advancing with more numerous forces than on the first invasion,
+and were then not far from the city.  It had been long known that
+they were preparing for war, but their preparations caused no
+alarm.  This news occasioned general consternation, and gave new
+cause to lament the loss of Codadad, who had signalized himself
+in the former war against the same enemies.  "Alas!" said they,
+"were the brave Codadad alive, we should little regard those
+princes who are coming to surprise us."  The sultan, nothing
+dismayed, raised men with all possible speed, formed a
+considerable army, and being too brave to await the enemy's
+coming to attack him within his walls, marched out to meet them.
+They, on their side, being informed by their advanced parties
+that the sultan of Harran was marching to engage them, halted in
+the plain, and formed their army.
+
+As soon as the sultan discovered them, he also drew up his
+forces, and ranged them in order of battle.  The signal was given
+and he attacked them with extraordinary vigour; nor was the
+opposition inferior.  Much blood was shed on both sides, and the
+victory remained long dubious; but at length it seemed to incline
+to the sultan of Harran's enemies, who, being more numerous, were
+upon the point of surrounding him, when a great body of cavalry
+appeared on the plain, and approached the two armies.  The sight
+of this fresh party daunted both sides, neither knowing what to
+think of them: but their doubts were soon cleared; for they fell
+upon the flank of the sultan of Harran's enemies with such a
+furious charge, that they soon broke and routed them.  Nor did
+they stop here; they pursued them, and cut most of them in
+pieces.
+
+The sultan of Harran, who had attentively observed all that
+passed, admired the bravery of this strange body of cavalry,
+whose unexpected arrival had given the victory to his army.  But,
+above all, he was charmed with their chief, whom he had seen
+fighting with a more than ordinary valour.  He longed to know the
+name of the generous hero.  Impatient to see and thank him, he
+advanced towards him, but perceived he was coming to prevent him.
+The two princes drew near, and the sultan of Harran discovering
+Codadad in the brave warrior who had just assisted him, or rather
+defeated his enemies, became motionless with joy and surprise.
+"Father," said Codadad to him, "you have sufficient cause to be
+astonished at the sudden appearance before your majesty of a man,
+whom perhaps you concluded to be dead.  I should have been so had
+not heaven preserved me still to serve you against your enemies."
+"O my son!" cried the sultan, "is it possible that you are
+restored to me?  Alas! I despaired of seeing you more."  So
+saying he stretched out his arms to the young prince, who flew to
+such a tender embrace.
+
+"I know all, my son," said the sultan again, after having long
+held him in his arms.  "I know what return your brothers have
+made you for delivering them out of the hands of the black; but
+you shall be revenged to-morrow.  Let us now go to the palace
+where your mother, who has shed so many tears on your account,
+expects me to rejoice with us for the defeat of our enemies.
+What a joy will it be to her to be informed, that my victory is
+your work!"  "Sir," said Codadad, "give me leave to ask how you
+could know the adventure of the castle?  Have any of my brothers,
+repenting, owned it to you?"  "No," answered the sultan; "the
+princess of Deryabar has given us an account of every thing, for
+she is in my palace and came thither to demand justice against
+your brothers."  Codadad was transported with joy, to learn that
+the princess his wife was at the court.  "Let us go, sir," cried
+he to his father in rapture, "let us go to my mother, who waits
+for us.  I am impatient to dry up her tears, as well as those of
+the princess of Deryabar."
+
+The sultan immediately returned to the city with his army, and
+re-entered his palace victorious, amidst the acclamations of the
+people, who followed him in crowds, praying to heaven to prolong
+his life, and extolling Codadad to the skies.  They found Pirouzè
+and her daughter-in-law waiting to congratulate the sultan; but
+words cannot express the transports of joy they felt, when they
+saw the young prince with him: their embraces were mingled with
+tears of a very different kind from those they had before shed
+for him.  When they had sufficiently yielded to all the emotions
+that the ties of blood and love inspired, they asked Codadad by
+what miracle he came to be still alive?
+
+He answered, that a peasant mounted on a mule happening
+accidentally to come into the tent, where he lay senseless, and
+perceiving him alone, and stabbed in several places, had made him
+fast on his mule, and carried him to his house, where he applied
+to his wounds certain herbs chewed, which recovered him.  "When I
+found myself well," added he, "I returned thanks to the peasant,
+and gave him all the diamonds I had.  I then made for the city of
+Harran; but being informed by the way, that some neighbouring
+princes had gathered forces, and were on their march against the
+sultan's subjects, I made myself known to the villagers, and
+stirred them up to undertake his defence.  I armed a great number
+of young men, and heading them, happened to arrive at the time
+when the two armies were engaged."
+
+When he had done speaking, the sultan said, "Let us return thanks
+to God for having preserved Codadad; but it is requisite that the
+traitors, who would have destroyed him, should perish."  "Sir,"
+answered the generous prince, "though they are wicked and
+ungrateful, consider they are your own flesh and blood: they are
+my brothers; I forgive their offence, and beg you to pardon
+them."  This generosity drew tears from the sultan, who caused
+the people to be assembled and declared Codadad his heir.  He
+then ordered the princes, who were prisoners, to be brought out
+loaded with irons.  Pirouzè's son struck off their chains, and
+embraced them all successively, with as much sincerity and
+affection as he had done in the court of the black's castle.  The
+people were charmed with Codadad's generosity, and loaded him
+with applause.  The surgeon was next nobly rewarded in requital
+of the services he had done the princess of Deryabar.
+
+
+
+
+
+            THE STORY OF ABOU HASSAN, OR THE SLEEPER
+                           AWAKENED.
+
+
+
+In the reign of the caliph Haroon al Rusheed, there lived at
+Bagdad a very rich merchant, who, having married a woman advanced
+in years, had but one son, whom he named Abou Hassan, and
+educated with great restraint: when his son was thirty years old,
+the merchant dying, left him his sole heir, and master of great
+riches, amassed together by much frugality and close application
+to business. Abou Hassan, whose views and inclinations were very
+different from those of his father, determined to make another
+use of his wealth; for as his father had never allowed him any
+money but what was just necessary for subsistence, and he had
+always envied those young persons of his age who wanted for
+nothing, and who debarred themselves from none of those pleasures
+to which youth are so much addicted, he resolved in his turn to
+distinguish himself by extravagancies proportionable to his
+fortune. To this end he divided his riches into two parts; with
+one half he bought houses in town, and land in the country, with
+a resolution never to touch the income of his real estate, which
+was considerable enough to live upon .very handsomely, but lay it
+all by as he received it. With the other half, which consisted of
+ready money, he designed to make himself amends for the time he
+had lost by the severe restraint in which his father had always
+kept him.
+
+With this intent, Abou Hassan formed a society with youths of his
+own age and condition, who thought of nothing but how to make
+their time pass agreeably. Every day he gave them splendid
+entertainments, at which the most delicate viands were served up,
+and the most exquisite wines flowed in profusion, while concerts
+of the best vocal and instrumental music by performers of both
+sexes heightened their pleasures, and this young band of
+debauchees with the glasses in their hands, joined their songs
+with the music. These feasts were accompanied by ballets, for
+which the best dancers of both sexes were engaged. These
+entertainments, renewed every day, were so expensive to Abou
+Hassan, that he could not support the extravagance above a year:
+and the great sum which he had appropriated to this prodigality
+and the year ended together. As soon as he discontinued keeping
+this table, his friends forsook him; whenever they saw him they
+avoided him, and if by chance he met any of them, and went to
+stop them, they always excused themselves on some presence or
+other.
+
+Abou Hassan was more affected by this behaviour of his friends,
+who had forsaken him so basely and ungratefully, after all the
+protestations they had made him, of inviolable attachment, than
+by the loss of all the money he had so foolishly squandered. He
+went melancholy and thoughtful, his countenance expressive of
+deep vexation, into his mother's apartment, and sat down on the
+end of a sofa at a distance from her. "What is the matter with
+you, son?" said his mother, seeing him thus depressed. "Why are
+you so altered, so dejected, and so different from yourself? You
+could not certainly be more concerned, if you had lost all you
+had. I know you have lived very extravagantly, and believe all
+your money is spent; you have still, however, a good estate; and
+the reason that I did not so much oppose your irregular way of
+living was, that I knew the wise precaution you had taken to
+preserve half your property. I do not, therefore, see why you
+should plunge yourself into this deep melancholy."
+
+At these words Abou Hassan melted into tears; and in the midst of
+his sighs exclaimed, "Ah! mother, I see at last how insupportable
+poverty must be; I am sensible that it deprives us of joy, as the
+setting of the sun does of light. As poverty makes us forget all
+the commendations passed upon us before our fall, it makes us
+endeavour to conceal ourselves, and spend our nights in tears and
+sorrow. In short, a poor man is looked upon, both by friends and
+relations, as a stranger. You know, mother, how I have treated my
+friends for this year past; I have entertained them with all
+imaginable generosity, till I have spent all my money, and now
+they have left me, when they suppose I can treat them no longer.
+For my real estate, I thank heaven for having given me grace to
+keep the oath I made not to encroach upon that. I shall now know
+how to use what is left. But I will, however, try how far my
+friends, who deserve not that I should call them so, will carry
+their ingratitude. I will go to them one after another, and when
+I have represented to them what I have done on their account, ask
+them to make up a sum of money, to relieve me, merely to try if I
+can find any sentiment of gratitude remaining in them."
+
+"I do not pretend, son," said Abou Hassan's mother, "to dissuade
+you from your design; but I can tell you beforehand, that you
+have no ground for hope. Believe me, you will kind no relief but
+from the estate you have reserved. I see you do not, but will
+soon, know those people, who, among persons of your sort, are
+generally called friends, and I wish to heaven you may know it in
+the manner I desire, for your own good." "Mother," replied Abou
+Hassan, "I am persuaded of the truth of what you say, but shall
+be more certain of a fact which concerns me so nearly, when I
+shall have informed myself fully of their baseness and
+insensibility." Abou Hassan went immediately to his friends, whom
+he found at home; represented to them the great need he was in,
+and begged of them to assist him. He promised to give bonds to
+pay them the money they might lend him; giving them to understand
+at the same time, that it was, in a great measure, on their
+account that he was so distressed. That he might the more
+powerfully excite their generosity, he forgot not to allure them
+with the hopes of being once again entertained in the same manner
+as before.
+
+Not one of his companions was affected with the arguments which
+the afflicted Abou Hassan used to persuade them; and he had the
+mortification to find, that many of them told him plainly they
+did not know him.
+
+He returned home full of indignation; and going into his mother's
+apartment, said, "Ah! madam, you were right; instead of friends,
+I have found none but perfidious ungrateful wretches, who deserve
+not my friendship; I renounce them, and promise you I will never
+see them more." He resolved to be as good as his word, and took
+every precaution to avoid falling again into the inconvenience
+which his former prodigality had occasioned; taking an oath never
+to give an inhabitant of Bagdad any entertainment while he lived.
+He drew the strong box into which he had put the rents received
+from his estates from the recess where he had placed it in
+reserve, put it in the room of that he had emptied, and resolved
+to take out every day no more than was sufficient to defray the
+expense of a single person to sup with him, who, according to the
+oath he had taken, was not of Bagdad, but a stranger arrived in
+the city the same day, and who must take his leave of him the
+following morning.
+
+Conformably to this plan, Abou Hassan took care every morning to
+provide whatever was necessary, and towards the close of the
+evening, went and sat at the end of Bagdad bridge; and as soon as
+he saw a stranger, accosted him civilly invited him to sup and
+lodge with him that night, and after having informed him of the
+law he had imposed upon himself, conducted him to his house. The
+repast with which Abou Hassan regaled his guests was not costly,
+but well dressed, with plenty of good wine, and generally lasted
+till the night was pretty far advanced; instead of entertaining
+his guests with the affairs of state, his family, or business, as
+is too frequent, he conversed on different agreeable subjects. He
+was naturally of so gay and pleasant a temper, that he could give
+the most agreeable turns to every subject, and make the most
+melancholy persons merry. When he sent away his guest the next
+morning, he always said, "God preserve you from all sorrow
+wherever you go; when I invited you yesterday to come and sup
+with me, I informed you of the law I have imposed on myself;
+therefore do not take it ill if I tell you that we must never see
+one another again, nor drink together, either at home or any
+where else, for reasons best known to myself: so God conduct
+you."
+
+Abou Hassan was very exact in the observance of this oath, and
+never looked upon or spoke to the strangers he had once
+entertained; if he met them afterwards in the streets, the
+squares, or any public assemblies, he affected not to see them,
+and turned away to avoid them, that they might not speak to him,
+or he have any communication with them. He had acted for a long
+time in this manner, when, one afternoon, a little before sunset,
+as he sat upon the bridge according to custom, the caliph Haroon
+al Rusheed came by, but so disguised that it was impossible to
+know him; for that monarch, though his chief ministers and
+officers of justice acquitted themselves of their duty very
+punctually, would nevertheless inform himself of every thing, and
+for that purpose often disguised himself in different ways, and
+walked through the city and suburbs of Bagdad, sometimes one way
+and sometimes another. That day, being the first of the month, he
+was dressed like a merchant of Moussul, and was followed by a
+tall stout slave.
+
+As the caliph had in his disguise a grave and respectable
+appearance, Abou Hassan, who thought him to be a Moussul
+merchant, rose up, and after having saluted him with a graceful
+air, said to him, "Sir, I congratulate you on your happy arrival
+in Bagdad, I beg you to do me the honour to sup with me, and
+repose yourself at my house for this night, after the fatigue of
+your journey." He then told him his custom of entertaining the
+first stranger he met with. The caliph found something so odd and
+singular in Abou Hassan's whim, that he was very desirous to know
+the cause; and told him that he could not better merit a
+civility, which he did not expect as a stranger, than by
+accepting the obliging offer made him; that he had only to lead
+the way, and he was ready to follow him.
+
+Abou Hassan treated the caliph as his equal, conducted him home,
+and led him into a room very neatly furnished, where he set him
+on a sofa, in the most honourable place. Supper was ready, and
+the cloth laid. Abou Hassan's mother, who took upon herself the
+care of the kitchen, sent up three dishes; the first contained a
+capon and four large pullets, which was set in the middle; and
+the second and third, placed on each side, contained, one a fat
+roasted goose, and the other broiled pigeons. This was all; but
+they were good of the kind and well flavoured, with proper
+sauces.
+
+Abou Hassan sat down opposite his guest, and he and the caliph
+began to eat heartily of what they liked best, without speaking
+or drinking, according to the custom of the country. When they
+had done eating, the caliph's slave brought them water to wash
+their hands: and in the mean time Abou Hassan's mother cleared
+the table, and brought up a dessert of all the various sorts or
+fruits then in season; as grapes, peaches, apples, pears, and
+various pastes of dried almonds, &c. As soon as it grew dark, wax
+candles were lighted, and Abou Hassan, after requesting his
+mother to take care of the caliph's slave, set on bottles and
+glasses.
+
+Abou Hassan sitting down with the pretended Moussul merchant
+again, filled out a glass of wine before he touched the fruit;
+and holding it in his hand, said to the caliph, "You know, sir,
+that the cock never drinks before he calls to his hens to come
+and drink with him; I invite you to follow my example. I do not
+know what you may think; but, for my part, I cannot reckon him a
+wise man who does not love wine. Let us leave that sort of people
+to their dull melancholy humours, and seek for mirth, which is
+only to be found in a bumper."
+
+While Abou Hassan was drinking' the caliph taking the glass that
+was set for him, said, "You are an honest fellow; I like your
+pleasant temper, and expect you will fill me as much." Abou
+Hassan, as soon as he had drunk, filled the caliph's glass, and
+giving it to him, "Taste this wine, sir," said he, "I will
+warrant it good." "I am well persuaded of that," replied the
+caliph, laughing, "you know how to choose the best." "O," replied
+Abou Hassan, while the caliph was drinking his glass, "one need
+only look in your face to be assured that you have seen the
+world, and know what good living is. If," added he in Arabic
+verse, "my house could think and express its joy, how happy would
+it be to possess you, and, bowing before you, would exclaim, ‘How
+overjoyed am I to see myself honoured with the company of so
+accomplished and polite a personage, and for meeting with a man
+of your merit.'"
+
+The caliph, naturally fond of merriment, was highly diverted with
+these sallies of Abou Hassan, and artfully promoted drinking,
+often asking for wine, thinking that when it began to operate, he
+might from his talkativeness satisfy his curiosity. He asked him
+his name, his business, and how he spent his life. "My name,
+sir," replied he, "is Abou Hassan. I lost my father, who was a
+merchant of Bagdad, and though not the richest, yet lived very
+comfortably. When he died, he left me money enough to live free
+from business; but as he always kept a very strict hand over me,
+I was willing, when he was gone, to make up for the time I
+thought I had lost. Notwithstanding this," continued Abou Hassan,
+"I was more prudent than most young people who give themselves up
+to debauchery, without any thought, pursue it till they reduce
+themselves to the utmost poverty, and are forced to do penance
+during the rest of their lives. To avoid this misfortune, I
+divided what I had left me into two parts, landed estate and
+ready money. I destined the ready money to supply the expenses of
+entertaining my acquaintance. I meditated, and took a fixed
+resolution not to touch my rents. I associated with young people
+of my own age, and with my ready money, which I spent profusely,
+treated them splendidly every day; and in short, spared for no
+sort of pleasure. But this course did not last long; for by the
+time the year was out, I had got to the bottom of my box, and
+then all my table-friends vanished. I made a visit to every one
+of them successively, and represented to them the miserable
+condition I was in, but none of them offered to relieve me. Upon
+this I renounced their friendship, and retrenched so far, as to
+live within the compass of my income, bound myself to keep
+company with none but the first stranger I might meet with coming
+every day into Bagdad, and to entertain him but one day and one
+night. I have told you the rest before; and I thank my good
+fortune this day for having met with a stranger of so much
+worth."
+
+The caliph was well satisfied with this information, and said to
+Abou Hassan, "I cannot enough commend the measures you have
+taken, and the prudence with which you have acted, by forsaking
+your debauchery; a conduct rarely to be met with in young
+persons; and I esteem you the more for being steady to your
+resolution. It was a slippery path you trod in, and I cannot but
+admire your self-command, that, after having seen the end of your
+ready money, you could so far refrain as not to enter upon your
+rents, or even your estate. In short, I must own, I envy your
+situation. You are the happiest man in the world, to enjoy every
+day the company of some one with whom you can discourse freely
+and agreeably, and to whom you give an opportunity to declare,
+wherever he goes, how handsome he was received by you. But we
+talk too long without drinking; come, drink, and pour out a glass
+for me."
+
+In this manner the caliph and Abou Hassan conversed together,
+drinking and talking of indifferent subjects, till the night was
+pretty far advanced; when the caliph, pretending to be fatigued
+after his journey, told his host he stood in need of a little
+rest. "But," added he, "as I would not deprive you of yours on my
+account, before we part (because to-morrow I may be gone before
+you are stirring), I should be glad to shew you how sensible I am
+of your civility, and the good cheer and hospitality you have
+strewn me. The only thing that troubles me is, that I know not
+which way to make you any acknowledgment. I beg of you,
+therefore, to let me understand how I may do it' and you shall
+see I will not be ungrateful; for it is impossible but a man like
+you must have some business, some want, or wish for something
+agreeable to you. Speak freely, and open your mind; for though I
+am but a merchant, it may be in my power to oblige you myself, or
+by some friend."
+
+To these offers of the caliph, Abou Hassan, taking him still for
+a Moussul merchant, replied, "I am very well persuaded, sir, that
+it is not out of compliment that you make me these generous
+tenders; but upon the word of an honest man, I assure you, I have
+nothing that troubles me, no business, nor desires, and I ask
+nothing of any body. I have not the least ambition, as I told you
+before; and am satisfied with my condition: therefore, I can only
+thank you for your obliging proffers, and the honour you have
+done me in condescending to partake of my frugal fare. Yet I must
+tell you," pursued Abou Hassan, "there is one thing gives me
+uneasiness, without, however, disturbing my rest. You must know
+the town of Bagdad is divided into quarters, in each of which
+there is a mosque with an imaum to perform service at certain
+hours, at the head of the quarter which assembles there. The
+imaum of the division I live in is a surly curmudgeon, of an
+austere countenance, and the greatest hypocrite in the world.
+Four old men of this neighbourhood, who are people of the same
+stamp, meet regularly every day at this imaum's house. There they
+vent their slander, calumny, and malice against me and the whole
+quarter, to the disturbance of the peace of the neighbourhood,
+and the promotion of dissension. Some they threaten, others they
+frighten; and, in short, would be lords paramount, and have every
+one govern himself according to their caprice, though they know
+not how to govern themselves. Indeed, I am sorry to see that they
+meddle with any thing but their Koraun, and will not let the
+world live quietly."
+
+"Well, I suppose," said the caliph, "you wish to have a stop put
+to this disorder?" "You have guessed right," answered Abou
+Hassan; "and the only thing I should pray for, would be to be
+caliph but for one day, in the stead of our sovereign lord and
+master Haroon al Rusheed, commander of the faithful." "What would
+you do if you were?" said the caliph. "I would make examples of
+them," answered Abou Hassan, "to the satisfaction of all honest
+men. I would punish the four old men with each a hundred
+bastinadoes on the soles of their feet, and the imaum with four
+hundred, to teach them not to disturb and abuse their neighbours
+in future."
+
+The caliph was extremely pleased with this thought of Abou
+Hassan's; and as he loved adventures, resolved to make this a
+very singular one. "Indeed," said he, "I approve much of your
+wish, which proceeds from an upright heart, that cannot bear the
+malice of such officious hypocrites; I could like to see it
+realized, and it is not so impossible as you may imagine. I am
+persuaded that the caliph would willingly put his authority for
+twenty-four hours into your hands if he knew your intentions, and
+the good use you would make of it. Though a foreign merchant, I
+have credit enough to contribute in some degree to the execution
+of this plan." "I see," said Abou Hassan, "you laugh at my
+foolish fancy, and the caliph himself would laugh at my
+extravagance if he knew it: yet it would be a means of informing
+him of the behaviour of the imaum and his companions, and induce
+him to chastise them."
+
+"Heaven forbid," replied the caliph, "that I, who have been so
+handsomely entertained by you, should laugh at you; neither do I
+believe, as much a stranger as I am to you, that the caliph would
+be displeased: but let us leave off talking; it is almost
+midnight, and time to go to bed." "With all my heart," said Abou
+Hassan; "I would not be any hindrance to your going to rest; but
+there is still some wine in the bottle, and if you please we will
+drink it off first, and then retire. The only thing that I have
+to recommend to you is, that when you go out in the morning, if I
+am not up, you will not leave the door open, but give yourself
+the trouble of shutting it after you." This the caliph promised
+to do: and while Abou Hassan was talking, took the bottle and two
+glasses, filled his own first, saying, "Here is a cup of thanks
+to you," and then filling the other, put into it artfully a
+little opiate powder, which he had about him and giving it to
+Abou Hassan, said, "You have taken the pains to fill for me all
+night, and it is the least I can do to save you the trouble once:
+I beg you to take this glass; drink it off for my sake."
+
+Abou Hassan took the glass, and to shew his guest with how much
+pleasure he received the honour, drank it off at once; but had
+scarcely set the glass upon the table, when the powder began to
+operate; he fell into so sound a sleep, and his head knocked
+against his knees so suddenly, that the caliph could not help
+laughing. The caliph commanded the slave he had brought with him,
+who entered the room as soon as he had supped, and had waited to
+receive orders, to take Abou Hassan upon his back, and follow
+him; but to be sure to observe the house, that he might know it
+again. In this manner the caliph, followed by the slave with his
+sleeping load, went out of the house, but without shutting the
+door after him as he had been desired, went directly to his
+palace, and by a private door into his own apartment, where the
+officers of his chamber were in waiting, whom he ordered to
+undress Abou Hassan, and put him into his bed, which they
+immediately performed.
+
+The caliph then sent for all the officers and ladies of the
+palace, and said to them, "I would have all those whose business
+it is to attend my levee wait to-morrow morning upon the man who
+lies in my bed, pay the same respect to him as to myself, and
+obey him in whatever he may command; let him be refused nothing
+that he asks, and be addressed and answered as if he were the
+commander of the faithful. In short, I expect that you attend to
+him as the true caliph, without regarding me; and disobey him not
+in the least circumstance."
+
+
+The officers and ladies, who understood that the caliph meant to
+divert himself, answered by low bows, and then withdrew, every
+one preparing to contribute to the best of their power to perform
+their respective parts adroitly.
+
+The caliph next sent for the grand vizier: "Jaaffier," said he,
+"I have sent for you to instruct you, and to prevent your being
+surprised to-morrow when you come to audience, at seeing this man
+seated on my throne in the royal robes: accost him with the same
+reverence and respect as you pay to myself: observe and
+punctually execute whatever he bids you do, the same as if I
+commanded you. He will exercise great liberality, and commission
+you with the distribution of it. Do all he commands; even if his
+liberality should extend so far as to empty all the coffers in my
+treasury; and remember to acquaint all my emirs, and the officers
+without the palace, to pay him the same honour at audience as to
+myself, and to carry on the matter so well, that he may not
+perceive the least thing that may interrupt the diversion which I
+design myself."
+
+After the grand vizier had retired, the caliph went to bed in
+another apartment, and gave Mesrour, the chief of his eunuchs,
+the orders which he was to execute, that every thing should
+succeed as he intended, so that he might see how Abou Hassan
+would use the power and authority of the caliph for the short
+time he had desired to have it. Above all, he charged him not to
+fail to awaken him at the usual hour, before he awakened Abou
+Hassan, because he wished to be present when he arose.
+
+Mesrour failed not to do as the caliph had commanded, and as soon
+as the caliph went into the room where Abou Hassan lay, he placed
+himself in a little raised closet, from whence he could see all
+that passed. All the officers and ladies, who were to attend Abou
+Hassan's levee, went in at the same time, and took their posts
+according to their rank, ready to acquit themselves of their
+respective duties, as if the caliph himself had been going to
+rise.
+
+As it was just day-break, and time to prepare for the morning
+prayer before sun rise, the officer who stood nearest to the head
+of the bed put a sponge steeped in vinegar to Abou Hassan's nose,
+who immediately turning his head about, without opening his eyes,
+discharged a kind of phlegm, which was received in a little
+golden basin before it fell on the carpet. This was the usual
+effect of the caliph's powder, the sleep lasting longer or
+shorter, in proportion to the dose. When Abou Hassan laid down
+his head on the bolster, he opened his eyes; and by the dawning
+light that appeared, found himself in a large room, magnificently
+furnished, the ceiling of which was finely painted in Arabesque,
+adorned with vases of gold and silver, and the floor covered with
+a rich silk tapestry. He saw himself surrounded by many young and
+handsome ladies, many of them having instruments of music in
+their hands, and black eunuchs richly clothed, all standing with
+great modesty and respect. After casting his eyes on the covering
+of the bed, he perceived it was cloth of gold richly embossed
+with pearl and diamonds; and near the bed lay, on a cushion, a
+habit of tissue embroidered with jewels, with a caliph's turban.
+
+At the sight of these glittering objects, Abou Hassan was in the
+most inexpressible amazement, and looked upon all he saw as a
+dream; yet a dream he wished it not to be. "So," said he to
+himself, "I am caliph; but," added he, recollecting himself, "it
+is only a dream, the effect of the wish I entertained my guest
+with last night ;" and then he turned himself about and shut his
+eyes to sleep. At the same time the eunuch said very
+respectfully, "Commander of the faithful, it is time for your
+majesty to rise to prayers, the morning begins to advance."
+
+These words very much surprised Abou Hassan. "Am I awake, or do I
+sleep?" said he to himself. "Ah, certainly I am asleep!"
+continued he, keeping his eyes shut; "there is no reason to doubt
+of it."
+
+Immediately the eunuch, who saw he had no inclination to get up,
+said again, "Your majesty must permit me to repeat once more that
+it is time to rise to morning prayer, unless you choose to let it
+pass; the sun is just rising, and you never neglect this duty."
+"I am mistaken," said Abou Hassan immediately, "I am not asleep,
+but awake; for those who sleep do not hear, and I hear somebody
+speak to me;" then opening his eyes again, he saw plainly by
+broad day-light, what he had seen but indistinctly before; and
+started up, with a smiling countenance, like a man overjoyed at
+sudden promotion. The caliph, from his recess, penetrated his
+thoughts with great delight.
+
+The young ladies of the palace now prostrated themselves with
+their faces to the ground before Abou Hassan, and those who had
+instruments of music in their hands wished him a good morrow, by
+a concert of soft flutes, hautboys, theorboes, and other
+harmonious instruments, with which he was enchanted, and in such
+an ecstacy, that he knew not whether he was himself; but
+reverting to his first idea, he still doubted whether what he saw
+and heard was a dream or reality. He clapped his hands before his
+eyes, and lowering his head, said to himself, "What means all
+this? Where am I? and to whom does this palace belong? What can
+these eunuchs, handsome well-dressed officers, beautiful ladies,
+and musicians mean: How is it possible for me to distinguish
+whether I am in my right senses or in a dream?"
+
+When he took his hands from his eyes, opened them, and lifted up
+his head, the sun shone full in at the chamber window; and at
+that instant Mesrour, the chief of the eunuchs, came in,
+prostrated himself before Abou Hassan, and said, "Commander of
+the faithful, your majesty will excuse me for representing to
+you, that you used not to rise so late, and that the time of
+prayer is over. If your majesty has not had a bad night, it is
+time to ascend your throne and hold a council as usual; all your
+generals, governors, and other great officers of state, wait your
+presence in the council-hall."
+
+At this discourse, Abou Hassan was persuaded that he was neither
+asleep nor in a dream; but at the same time was not less
+embarrassed and confused under his uncertainty what steps to
+take: at last, looking earnestly at Mesrour, he said to him in a
+serious tone, "Whom is it you speak to, and call the commander of
+the faithful? I do not know you, and you must mistake me for
+somebody else."
+
+Any person but Mesrour would have been puzzled at these questions
+of Abou Hassan; but he had been so well instructed by the caliph,
+that he played his part admirably. "My imperial lord and master,"
+said he, "your majesty only speaks thus to try me. Is not your
+majesty the commander of the faithful, monarch of the world from
+east to west, and vicar on earth to the prophet sent of God?
+Mesrour, your poor slave, has not forgotten you, after so many
+years that he has had the honour and happiness to serve and pay
+his respects to your majesty. He would think himself the most
+unhappy of men, if he has incurred your displeasure, and begs of
+you most humbly to remove his fears; but had rather suppose that
+you have been disturbed by some troublesome dream."
+
+Abou Hassan burst out laughing at these words, and fell backwards
+upon the bolster, which pleased the caliph so much that he would
+have laughed as loud himself, if he had not been afraid of
+putting a stop too soon to the pleasant scene he had promised
+himself.
+
+Abou Hassan, when he had tired himself with laughing, sat up
+again, and speaking to a little eunuch that stood by him, black
+as Mesrour, said, "Hark ye, tell me whom I am?" "Sir," answered
+the little boy, modestly, "your majesty is the commander of the
+believers, and God's vicar on earth." "You are a little liar,
+black face," said Abou Hassan. Then he called the lady that stood
+nearest to him; "Come hither, fair one," said he, holding out his
+hand, "bite the end of my finger, that I may feel whether I am
+asleep or awake."
+
+The lady, who knew the caliph saw all that passed, was overjoyed
+to have an opportunity of strewing her power of diverting him,
+went with a grave countenance, and putting his finger between her
+teeth, bit it so hard that she put him to violent pain. Snatching
+his hand quickly back again, he said, "I find I am awake and not
+asleep. But by what miracle am I become caliph in a night's time!
+this is certainly the most strange and surprising event in the
+world!" Then addressing himself to the same lady, he said, "I
+conjure you, by the protection of God, in whom you trust as well
+as I, not to hide the truth from me; am I really the commander of
+the faithful?" "It is so true," answered the lady, "that we who
+are your slaves are amazed to find that you will not believe
+yourself to be so." "You are a deceiver," replied Abou Hassan: "I
+know very well who I am."
+
+As the chief of the eunuchs perceived that Abou Hassan now wished
+to rise, he offered him his hand, and helped him to get out of
+bed. No sooner were his feet set on the floor, than the chamber
+rang with the repeated acclamations of the officers and ladies,
+who cried out all together, "Commander of the faithful, God give
+your majesty a good day." "O heaven!" cried Abou Hassan, "what a
+strange thing this is! Last night I was Abou Hassan, and this
+morning I am the commander of the believers! I cannot comprehend
+this sudden and surprising change." Presently some of the
+officers began to dress him; and when they had done, Mesrour led
+him through all the eunuchs and ladies, who were ranged on both
+sides, quite to the council chamber door, which was opened by one
+of the officers. Mesrour walked before him to the foot of the
+throne, where he stopped, and putting one hand under one arm,
+while another officer who followed did the same by the other,
+they helped him to ascend the throne. Abou Hassan sat down amidst
+the acclamations of the officers, who wished him all happiness
+and prosperity, and turning to the right and left he saw the
+officers of the guards ranged in order, and making a fine
+appearance.
+
+The caliph in the mean time came out of the closet, and went into
+another, which looked into the hall, from whence he could see and
+hear all that passed in council, where his grand vizier presided
+in his place. What pleased him highly, was to see Abou Hassan
+fill his throne with almost as much gravity as himself.
+
+As soon as Abou Hassan had seated himself, the grand vizier
+prostrated himself at the foot of the throne, and rising, said,
+"Commander of the faithful, God shower down blessings on your
+majesty in this life, receive you into his paradise in the other
+world, and confound your enemies."
+
+Abou Hassan, after all that had happened that morning, at these
+words of the grand vizier, never doubted but that he was caliph,
+as he wished to be; and without examining any farther, how or by
+what adventure, or sudden change of fortune, he had become so,
+immediately began to exercise his power, and looking very gravely
+at the vizier, asked him what he had to say? "Commander of the
+faithful," replied the grand vizier, "the emirs, Vizier, and
+other officers of your council, wait without till your majesty
+gives them leave to pay their accustomed respects." Abou Hassan
+ordered the door to be opened, and the grand vizier addressing
+himself to the officers in waiting, said, "Chief of the door-
+keepers, the commander of the faithful orders you to do your
+duty."
+
+When the door was opened, the viziers, emirs, and principal
+officers of the court, all dressed magnificently in their habits
+of ceremony, went in their order to the foot of the throne, paid
+their respects to Abou Hassan; and bowing their heads down to the
+carpet, saluted him with the title of commander of the faithful,
+according to the instructions of the grand vizier, and afterwards
+took their seats.
+
+When this ceremony was over, and they were all placed, there was
+a profound silence. The grand vizier always standing before the
+throne, began according to the order of papers in his hand to
+make his report of affairs, which at that time were of very
+little consequence. Nevertheless, the caliph could not but admire
+how Abou Hassan acquitted himself in his exalted station without
+the least hesitation or embarrassment, and decided well in all
+matters, as his own good sense suggested. But before the grand
+vizier had finished his report, Abou Hassan perceived the judge
+of the police, whom he knew by sight, sitting in his place.
+"Stop," said he, to the grand vizier, interrupting him; "I have
+an order of consequence to give to the judge of the police." The
+judge of the police perceiving that Abou Hassan looked at him,
+and hearing his name mentioned, arose from his seat, and went
+gravely to the foot of the throne, where he prostrated himself
+with his face to the ground. "Judge of the police," said Abou
+Hassan, "go immediately to such a quarter, where you will find a
+mosque, seize the imaum and four old grey beards, give each of
+the old men a hundred bastinadoes, and the imaum four hundred.
+After that, mount them all five, clothed in rags, on camels, with
+their faces to the tails, and lead them through the whole city,
+with a crier before them, who shall proclaim with a loud voice,
+‘This is the punishment of all those who trouble their heads with
+other people's affairs, make it their business to create
+disturbances and misunderstandings in families in their
+neighbourhood, and do them all the mischief in their power.' My
+intention is also, that you enjoin them to leave that quarter,
+and never to set foot in it more: and while your lieutenant is
+conducting them through the town, return, and give me an account
+of the execution of my orders." The judge of the police laid his
+hand upon his head, to shew his obedience, and prostrating
+himself a second time retired to execute the mandate.
+
+The caliph was highly pleased at the firmness with which this
+order was given, and perceived that Abou Hassan was resolved not
+to lose the opportunity of punishing the imaum and the other four
+old hypocrites of his quarter. In the mean time the grand vizier
+went on with his report, and had just finished, when the judge of
+the police came back from executing his commission. He approached
+the throne with the usual ceremony, and said, "Commander of the
+faithful, I found the imaum and his four companions in the
+mosque, which your majesty pointed out; and as a proof that I
+have punctually obeyed your commands, I have brought an
+instrument signed by the principal inhabitants of the ward." At
+the same time he pulled a paper out of his bosom, and presented
+it to the pretended caliph.
+
+Abou Hassan took the paper, and reading it over cautiously with
+the names of the witnesses, who were all people he knew, said to
+the judge of the police, smiling, "It is well; I am satisfied;
+return to your seat." "These old hypocrites," said he to himself,
+with an air of satisfaction "who thought fit to censure my
+actions, and find fault with my entertaining honest people,
+deserved this punishment." The caliph all the time penetrated his
+thoughts, and felt inconceivable delight at his frolic.
+
+Abou Hassan, then addressing himself to the grand vizier, said,
+"Go to the high treasurer for a purse of a thousand pieces of
+gold, and carry it to the mother of one Abou Hassan, who is known
+by the name of the debauchee; she lives in the same quarter to
+which I sent the judge of the police. Go, and return
+immediately."
+
+The grand vizier, after laying his hand upon his head, and
+prostrating himself before the throne, went to the high
+treasurer, who gave him the money, which he ordered a slave to
+take, and to follow him to Abou Hassan's mother, to whom he gave
+it, saying only, "The caliph makes you this present." She
+received it with the greatest surprise imaginable.
+
+During the grand vizier's absence, the judge of the police made
+the usual report of his office, which lasted till the vizier
+returned. As soon as he came into the council-chamber, and had
+assured Abou Hassan that he had executed his orders, Mesrour, the
+chief of the eunuchs, made a sign to the viziers, the emirs, and
+other officers, that the council was over, and that they might
+all retire; which they did, by making the same prostration at the
+foot of the throne as when they entered.
+
+Abou Hassan descended from the caliph's throne, and Mesrour went
+before him, to shew him the way into an inner apartment, where
+there was a table spread; several eunuchs ran to tell the
+musicians that the sham caliph was coming, when they immediately
+began a concert of vocal and instrumental music, with which Abou
+Hassan was so charmed and transported, that he could not tell
+what to think of all he saw and heard. "If this is a dream," said
+he, "it is a long one. But certainly," continued he, "it is no
+dream; for I can see and feel, walk and hear, and argue
+reasonably; whatever it is, I trust in God; I cannot but believe
+that I am the commander of the faithful, for no other person
+could live in this splendour. The honour and respect that has
+been strewn me, and the obedience paid to my commands, are
+sufficient proofs of my exaltation."
+
+In short, Abou Hassan took it for granted that he was the
+commander of the faithful; but was still more convinced of it
+when he entered a magnificent and spacious hall, which was finely
+painted with the brightest colours intermixed with gold. Seven
+bands of female musicians, more beautiful than the others, were
+placed round the hall, and as many gold chandeliers hung from the
+ceiling, which was painted with blue and gold, intermixed with
+wonderful effect. In the middle of the hall was spread a table
+covered with massive gold plates and dishes, which scented the
+apartment with the spices and amber wherewith the meat was
+seasoned; and seven young and most beautiful ladies, dressed in
+the richest habits of the most vivid colours, stood round this
+table, each with a fan in her hand, to fan Abou Hassan when at
+dinner.
+
+If ever mortal was charmed, Abou Hassan was when he entered this
+stately hall. At every step he took, he could not help stopping
+to contemplate at leisure all the wonders that regaled his eyes,
+and turned first to one side, and then to the other; which gave
+the caliph, who viewed him with attention, very great pleasure.
+At last he sat down at the table, and presently all the ladies
+began to fan the new caliph. He looked first at one, then at
+another, and admired the grace with which they acquitted
+themselves. He told them with a smile, that he believed one of
+them was enough to give him all the air he wanted, and would have
+six of the ladies sit at table with him, three on his right hand,
+and three on his left; and he placed them so, that as the table
+was round, which way soever he turned, his eyes might be saluted
+with agreeable objects.
+
+The six ladies obeyed; and Abou Hassan taking notice, that out of
+respect they did not eat, helped them himself, and invited them
+to eat in the most pressing and obliging terms. Afterwards he
+asked their names, which they told him were Alabaster Neck, Coral
+Lips, Moon Face, Sunshine, Eye's Delight, Heart's Delight, and
+she who fanned him was Sugar Cane. The many soft things he said
+upon their names shewed him to be a man of sprightly wit, and it
+is not to be conceived how much it increased the esteem which the
+caliph (who saw every thing) had already conceived for him.
+
+When the ladies observed that Abou Hassan had done eating, one of
+them said to the eunuchs who waited, "The commander of the
+faithful will go into the hall where the dessert is laid; bring
+some water;" upon which they all rose from the table, and taking
+from the eunuch, one a gold basin, another an ewer of the same
+metal, and a third a towel, kneeled before Abou Hassan, and
+presented them to him to wash his hands. As soon as he had done,
+he got up, and after an eunuch had opened the door, went,
+preceded by Mesrour, who never left him, into another hall, as
+large as the former, adorned with paintings by the best masters,
+and furnished with gold and silver vessels, carpets, and other
+rich furniture. There seven different bands of music began a
+concert as soon as Abou Hassan appeared. In this hall there were
+seven large lustres, a table in the middle covered with dried
+sweetmeats, the choicest and most exquisite fruits of the season,
+raised in pyramids, in seven gold basins; and seven ladies more
+beautiful than the others standing round it, each with a fan in
+her hand.
+
+These new objects raised still greater admiration in Abou Hassan;
+who, after he had made a full stop, and given the most sensible
+marks of surprise and astonishment, went directly to the table,
+where sitting down, he gazed a considerable time at the seven
+ladies, with an embarrassment that plainly shewed he knew not to
+which to give the preference. At last he ordered them all to lay
+aside their fans and sit down, and eat with him, telling them
+that it was not so hot, but he could spare them that trouble.
+
+When the ladies were all placed about him, the first thing he did
+was to ask their names, which were different from the other
+seven, and expressed some perfection of mind or body, which
+distinguished them from one another: upon which he took an
+opportunity, when he presented them with fruit, &c., to say
+something gallant. "Eat this fig for my sake," said he to Chain
+of Hearts, who sat on his right hand; "and render the fetters,
+with which you loaded me the first moment I saw you, more
+supportable." Then, presenting a bunch of grapes to Soul's
+Torment, "Take this cluster of grapes," said he, "on condition
+you instantly abate the torments which I suffer for your sake;"
+and so on to the rest. By these sallies Abou Hassan more and more
+amused the caliph, who was delighted with his words and actions,
+and pleased to think he had found in him a man who diverted him
+so agreeably.
+
+After Abou Hassan had tasted all the fruits in the basin, he got
+up and followed Mesrour into a third hall, much more
+magnificently furnished than the other two; where he was received
+by the same number of musicians and ladies, who stood round a
+table covered with all manner of wet sweetmeats. After he had
+looked about him with new wonder, he advanced to the table, the
+music playing all the time till he sat down. The seven ladies, by
+his order, sat down with him, helped themselves, as he desired,
+to what they liked best; and he afterwards informed himself of
+their names, which pleased him as much as the others had done,
+and led him to say as many soft things to them, to the great
+diversion of the caliph, who lost not a word.
+
+By this time the day beginning to close, Abou Hassan was
+conducted into a fourth hall, much more superb and magnificently
+furnished, lighted with wax in seven gold lustres, which gave a
+splendid light. Abou Hassan found the same number of musicians
+here as he had done in the three other halls, performing in
+concert in the most agreeable manner, and seeming to inspire
+greater joy; and he saw as many ladies standing round a table
+covered with seven gold basins filled with cakes, dried
+sweetmeats, and all such relishes as were calculated to promote
+drinking. There he saw, which he had not observed in any of the
+other halls, a sideboard set out with seven large silver flagons
+full of the choicest wines, and by them seven crystal glasses of
+the finest workmanship.
+
+Hitherto, in the three first halls, Abou Hassan had drunk nothing
+but water, according to the custom observed at Bagdad, from the
+highest to the lowest and at the caliph's court, never to drink
+wine till the evening; all who transgress this rule being
+accounted debauchees, who dare not shew themselves in the day-
+time. This custom is the more laudable, as it requires a clear
+head to apply to business in the course of the day; and as no
+wine is drunk till evening, no drunken people are seen in the
+streets in open day creating disturbance in the city.
+
+As soon as Abou Hassan entered the fourth hall, he went to the
+table, sat down, and was a long time in a kind of ecstasy at the
+sight of the seven ladies who surrounded him, and were much more
+beautiful than any he had beheld in the other halls. He was very
+desirous to know their names; but as the music played so loud,
+and particularly the tambour, that he could not hear them speak,
+he clapped his hands for the musicians to cease, when a profound
+silence ensued. Taking by the hand the lady who stood on the
+right next to him, he made her sit down by him, and presenting
+her with a cake, asked her name. "Commander of the faithful,"
+said the lady, "I am called Cluster of Pearls." "No name,"
+replied Abou Hassan, "could have more properly expressed your
+worth; and indeed your teeth exceed the finest pearls. Cluster of
+Pearls," added he, "since that is your name, oblige me with a
+glass of wine from your fair hand." The lady went to the
+sideboard and brought him a glass of wine, which she presented to
+him with a pleasant air. Abou Hassan took the glass with a smile,
+and looking passionately at her, said, "Cluster of Pearls, I
+drink your health; I desire you to fill out as much for yourself,
+and pledge me." She ran to the sideboard, and returned with a
+glass in her hand; but before she drank, she sung a song, which
+charmed him as much by the sweetness of her voice as by its
+novelty.
+
+After Abou Hassan had drunk, he made another lady sit down by
+him, and presenting her with what she chose in the basins, asked
+her name, which she told him was Morning Star. "Your bright
+eyes," said he, "shine with greater lustre than that star whose
+name you bear. Do me the pleasure to bring me some wine," which
+she did with the best grace in the world. Then turning to the
+third lady, whose name was Day-light, he ordered her to do the
+same, and so on to the seventh, to the extreme satisfaction of
+the caliph.
+
+When they had all filled him a glass round, Cluster of Pearls,
+whom he had just addressed, went to the sideboard, poured out a
+glass of wine, and putting in a pinch of the same powder the
+caliph had used the night before, presented it to Abou Hassan;
+"Commander of the faithful," said she, "Il beg of your majesty to
+take this glass of wine, and before you drink it, do me the
+favour to hear a song I have composed to-day, and which I flatter
+myself will not displease you. I never sung it before." "With all
+my heart," said Abou Hassan, taking the glass, "and, as commander
+of the faithful, I command you to sing it; for I am persuaded
+that so beautiful a lady cannot compose a song which does not
+abound with wit and pleasantry." The lady took a lute, and tuning
+it to her voice, sung with so much justness, grace, and
+expression, that Abou Hassan was in perfect ecstasy all the time,
+and was so much delighted, that he ordered her to sing it again,
+and was as much charmed with it as at first.
+
+When the lady had concluded, Abou Hassan drank off his glass, and
+turned his head towards her to give her those praises which he
+thought she merited, but was prevented by the opiate, which
+operated so suddenly, that his mouth was instantly wide open, and
+his eyes close shut, and dropping his head on the cushions, he
+slept as profoundly as the day before when the caliph had given
+him the powder. One of the ladies stood ready to catch the glass,
+which fell out of his hand; and then the caliph, who enjoyed
+greater satisfaction in this scene than he had promised himself,
+and was all along a spectator of what had passed, came into the
+hall to them, overjoyed at the success of his plan. He ordered
+Abou Hassan to be dressed in his own clothes, and carried back to
+his house by the slave who had brought him, charging him to lay
+him on a sofa in the same room, without making any noise, and to
+leave the door open when he came away.
+
+The slave took Abou Hassan upon his shoulders, carried him home
+by a back door of the palace, placed him in his own house as he
+was ordered, and returned with speed, to acquaint the caliph.
+"Well," said the caliph, "Abou Hassan wished only to be caliph
+for one day, to punish the imaum of the mosque of his quarter,
+and the four old men who had displeased him: I have procured him
+the means of doing this, and he ought to be content."
+
+In the mean time, Abou Hassan, who was laid upon his sofa by the
+slave, slept till very late the next morning. When the powder was
+worked off, he awoke, opened his eyes, and finding himself at
+home, was in the utmost surprise. "Cluster of Pearls! Morning
+Star! Coral Lips! Moon Face!" cried he, calling the ladies of the
+palace by their names, as he remembered them; "where are you?
+come hither."
+
+Abou Hassan called so loud, that his mother, who was in her own
+apartment, heard him, and running to him upon the noise he made,
+said "What ails you, son? what has happened to you?" At these
+words Abou Hassan lifted up his head, and looking haughtily at
+his mother, said, "Good woman! who is it you call son?" "Why
+you," answered his mother very mildly; "are not you Abou Hassan
+my son? It is strange that you have forgotten yourself so soon."
+"I your son! old bull!" replied Abou Hassan; "you are a liar, and
+know not what you say! I am not Abou Hassan, I tell you, but the
+commander of the faithful!"
+
+"Hold your tongue, son," answered the mother "one would think you
+are a fool, to hear you talk thus." "You are an old fool
+yourself," replied Abou Hassan; "I tell you once more I am the
+commander of the faithful, and God's vicar on earth!" "Ah!
+child," cried the mother, "is it possible that I should hear you
+utter such words that shew you are distracted! What evil genius
+possesses you, to make you talk at this rate? God bless you, and
+preserve you from the power of Satan. You are my son Abou Hassan,
+and I am your mother."
+
+After she had used all the arguments she could think of to bring
+him to himself, and to shew how great an error he was in, she
+said, "Do not you see that the room you are now in is your own,
+and is not like a chamber in a palace fit for the commander of
+the believers? and that you have never left it since you were
+born, but lived quietly at home with me. Think seriously of what
+I say, and do not fancy things that are not, nor ever can be.
+Once more, my son, think seriously of it."
+
+Abou Hassan heard all these remonstrances of his mother very
+patiently, holding down his eyes, and clapping his hands under
+his chin, like a man recollecting himself, to examine the truth
+of what he saw and heard. At last, he said to his mother, just as
+if he was awaking out of a deep sleep, and with his hand in the
+same posture, "I believe you are right, methinks I am Abou
+Hassan, you are my mother, and I am in my own room." Then looking
+at her again, and at every object before him, he added, "I am
+Abou Hassan, there is no doubt of it, and I cannot comprehend how
+this fancy came into my head."
+
+The mother really believed that her son was cured of the disorder
+of his mind, which she ascribed to a dream, began to laugh with
+him, and ask him questions about it; when suddenly he started up,
+and looking crossly at his mother, said, "Old sorceress, you know
+not what you say. I am not your son, nor you my mother. You
+deceive yourself and would deceive me. I tell you I am the
+commander of the faithful, and you shall never persuade me to the
+contrary!" "For heaven's sake, son," said the mother, "let us
+leave off this discourse; recommend yourself to God, for fear
+some misfortune should happen to us; let us talk of something
+else. I will tell you what happened yesterday in our quarter to
+the imaum of the mosque, and the four scheiks our neighbours: the
+judge of the police came and seized them, and gave each of them I
+know not how many strokes with a bastinado, while a crier
+proclaimed, ‘That such was the punishment of all those who
+troubled themselves about other people's business, and employed
+themselves in setting their neighbours at variance:' he
+afterwards led them through all the streets, and ordered them
+never to come into our quarter again." Abou Hassan's mother
+little thought her son had any share in this adventure, and
+therefore had turned the discourse on purpose to put him out of
+the conceit of being the commander of the faithful; but instead
+of effacing that idea, she recalled it, and impressed the more
+deeply in his mind, that it was not imaginary but real.
+
+Abou Hassan no sooner heard this relation, but he cried out, "I
+am neither thy son, nor Abou Hassan, but certainly the commander
+of the believers. I cannot doubt after what you have told me.
+Know then that it was by my order the imaum and the four scheiks
+were punished, and I tell you I am certainly the commander of the
+faithful: therefore say no more of its being a dream. I was not
+asleep, but as much awake as I am now. You do me much pleasure to
+confirm what the judge of the police told me he had executed
+punctually according to my order; I am overjoyed that the imaum
+and the four scheiks, those great hypocrites, were so chastised,
+and I should be glad to know how I came here. God be praised for
+all things! I am certainly commander of the faithful, and all thy
+arguments shall not convince me of the contrary."
+
+The mother, who could not imagine why her son so strenuously and
+positively maintained himself to be caliph, no longer doubted but
+that he had lost his senses, when she found he insisted so much
+on a thing that was so incredible; and in this thought said, "I
+pray God, son, to have mercy upon you! Pray do not talk so madly.
+Beseech God to forgive you, and give you grace to talk more
+reasonably. What would the world say to hear you rave in this
+manner? Do you not know that ‘walls have ears?'"
+
+These remonstrances only enraged Abou Hassan the more; and he was
+so provoked at his mother, that he said, "Old woman, I have
+desired you once already to hold your tongue. If you do not, I
+shall rise and give you cause to repent all your lifetime. I am
+the caliph and the commander of the believers; and you ought to
+credit me when I say so."
+
+The good woman supposing that he was more distracted than ever,
+abandoned herself to tears, and beating her face and breast,
+expressed the utmost grief and astonishment to see her son in
+such a state. Abou Hassan, instead of being appeased or moved by
+his mother's tears, lost all the respect due from a son to his
+mother. Getting up hastily, and laying hold of a switch, he ran
+to his mother in great fury, and in a threatening manner that
+would have frightened any one but a mother so partial to him,
+said, "Tell me directly, wicked woman, who I am." "I do not
+believe, son," replied she, looking at him tenderly, and without
+fear, "that you are so abandoned by God as not to know your
+mother, who brought you into the world, and to mistake yourself.
+You are indeed my son Abou Hassan, and are much in the wrong to
+arrogate to yourself the title which belongs only to our
+sovereign lord the caliph Haroon al Rusheed, especially after the
+noble and generous present the monarch made us yesterday. I
+forgot to tell you, that the grand vizier Jaaffier came to me
+yesterday, and putting a purse of a thousand pieces of gold into
+my hands, bade me pray for the commander of the faithful, who had
+sent me that present; and does not this liberality concern you
+more than me, who have but a short time to live?"
+
+At these words Abou Hassan grew quite mad. The circumstance of
+the caliph's liberality persuaded him more than ever that he was
+caliph, remembering that he had sent the vizier. "Well, old hag,"
+cried he, "will you be convinced when I tell you that I sent you
+those thousand pieces of gold by my grand vizier Jaaffier, who
+obeyed my commands, as I was commander of the faithful? But
+instead of believing me, you endeavour to distract me by your
+contradictions, and maintain with obstinacy that I am your son;
+but you shall not go long unpunished." After these words, he was
+so unnatural, in the height of his frenzy, as to beat her cruelly
+with his cane.
+
+The poor mother, who could not have thought that her son would
+have come so soon from words to blows, called out for help so
+loud, that the neighbours ran in to her assistance. Abou Hassan
+continued to beat her, at every stroke asking her if he was the
+commander of the faithful? to which she always answered tenderly,
+that he was her son.
+
+By the time the neighbours came in Abou Hassan's rage began to
+abate. The first who entered the room got between him and his
+mother, and taking the switch out of his hand, said to him, "What
+are you doing, Abou Hassan? have you lost all fear of God and
+your reason? Did ever a son so well brought up as you dare to
+strike his mother? are you not ashamed so to treat yours, who
+loves you so tenderly?" Abou Hassan, still full of fury, looked
+at him who spoke without returning an answer; and then staring on
+all the rest of his neighbours who had followed, said, "Who is
+that Abou Hassan you speak of? Is it me you call by that name?"
+
+This question disconcerted the neighbours. "How!" said he who
+spoke first, "do not you know your mother who brought you up, and
+with whom you have always lived?" "Be gone, you are impertinent
+vagabonds," replied Abou Hassan; "I neither knew her nor you, and
+will not know her. I am not Abou Hassan; I am the commander of
+the faithful, and will make you feel it to your cost."
+
+At this speech the neighbours no longer doubted that he was mad:
+and to prevent his repeating his outrages, seized him,
+notwithstanding his resistance, and bound him hand and foot, But
+though apparently disabled from doing any mischief, they did not
+choose to leave him alone with his mother. Two of them ran for
+the keeper of the hospital for insane persons, who came presently
+with chains, handcuffs, a bastinado, and many attendants. When
+they entered the room, Abou Hassan, who little expected such
+treatment, struggled to unloose himself; but after his keeper had
+given him two or three smart strokes upon the shoulders, he lay
+so quiet, that the keeper and his people did what they pleased
+with him. As soon as they had bound and manacled him, they took
+him with them to the hospital. When he was got out of the house
+into the street, the people crowded round him, one buffeted him,
+another boxed him, and others called him fool and madman. To all
+this treatment he replied, "There is no greatness and power but
+in God most high and almighty. I am treated as a fool, though I
+am in my right senses. I suffer all these injuries and
+indignities for the love of God." He was conducted to the
+hospital, where he was lodged in a grated cell; but before he was
+shut up, the keeper, who was hardened to such terrible execution,
+regaled him without pity with fifty strokes of the bastinado on
+his shoulders, which he repeated every day for three weeks,
+bidding him remember that he was not the commander of the
+faithful. "I am not mad," said Abou Hassan, "but if I wanted your
+assistance, nothing would so effectually make me mad as your
+cruel treatment. I want not your advice."
+
+Abou Hassan's mother went every day to visit her son, and could
+not forbear weeping at beholding him fall away, and sigh and
+complain at the hardships he endured. In short, his shoulders,
+back, and sides were so black and bruised, that he could not turn
+himself. His mother would willingly have talked with him, to
+comfort him, and to sound him whether he still retained the
+notion of being caliph; but whenever she opened her mouth, he
+stopped her with so much fury, that she was forced to leave him,
+and return home inconsolable at his obstinacy.
+
+By degrees, however, those strong and lively ideas, which Abou
+Hassan had entertained, of having been clothed in the caliph's
+habit, having exercised his authority, and been punctually obeyed
+and treated like the true caliph, the assurance of which had
+persuaded him that he was so, began to wear away. Sometimes he
+would say to himself, "If I was the caliph and commander of the
+believers, how came I, when I awoke, to find myself at home
+dressed in my own apparel? Why should I not have been attended by
+eunuchs, and their chief, and a crowd of beautiful ladies? Why
+should the grand vizier, and all those emirs and governors of
+provinces, who prostrated themselves at my feet, forsake me?
+Undoubtedly if I had any authority over them, they would have
+delivered me long ago out of the miserable condition I am in;
+certainly I ought to look upon all as a dream. It is true,
+however, that I commanded the judge of the police to punish the
+imaum, and the four old men his companions; I ordered the grand
+vizier to carry my mother a thousand pieces of gold; and my
+commands were executed. All these points are obstacles to my
+believing it a dream; but there are so many things that I cannot
+comprehend, nor ever shall, that I will put my trust in God, who
+knows all things."
+
+Abou Hassan was taken up with these thoughts and reflections when
+his mother came to see him. She found him so much altered and
+emaciated that she shed a torrent of tears; in the midst of which
+she saluted him as she used to do, and he returned her
+salutation, which he had never done before since he had been in
+the hospital. This she looked upon to be a good sign. "Well, my
+son," said she, wiping her tears, "how do you do, and how do you
+find yourself? Have you renounced all those whims and fancies
+which the devil had put into your head?" "Indeed, mother,"
+replied Abou Hassan, very rationally and calmly, and in a tone
+expressive of his grief for the excesses he had been transported
+to against her, "I acknowledge my error, and beg of you to
+forgive the execrable crime which I have been guilty of towards
+you, and which I detest. I ask pardon also of my neighbours whom
+I have abused. I have been deceived by a dream; but by so
+extraordinary a one, and so like to truth, that I venture to
+affirm any other person, to whom such a thing might have
+happened, would have been guilty of as great or greater
+extravagancies; and I am this instant so much perplexed about it,
+that while I am speaking I can hardly persuade myself but that
+what befell me was matter of fact, so like was it to what happens
+to people who are broad awake. But whatever it was, I do, and
+shall always regard it as a dream and an illusion. I am convinced
+that I am not that shadow of a caliph and commander of the
+faithful, but Abou Hassan your son, the son of a person whom I
+always honoured till that fatal day, the remembrance of which
+will cover me with confusion, and whom in future I shall honour
+and respect all my life as I ought."
+
+At this rational declaration, the tears of sorrow and affliction
+which the mother of Abou Hassan had so long shed were changed
+into those of joy. "My son!" cried she, transported with
+pleasure, "my satisfaction and comfort to hear you talk so
+reasonably is inexpressible: and it gives me as much joy as if I
+had brought you into the world a second time; but I must tell you
+my opinion of this adventure, and observe one thing which you may
+not have noticed; the stranger whom you brought home the evening
+before your illness to sup with you went away without shutting
+your chamber-door after him, as you desired; which I believe gave
+the devil an opportunity to enter, and throw you into the
+horrible illusion you have been in: therefore, my son, you ought
+to return God thanks for your deliverance, and beseech him to
+keep you from falling again into the snares of the evil spirit."
+
+"You have found out the source of our misfortunes," answered Abou
+Hassan. "It was that very night I had this dream which turned my
+brain. I bade the merchant expressly to shut the door after him;
+and now I find he did not do it. I am persuaded, as well as you,
+the devil finding it open came in, and filled my head full of
+these fancies. The people of Moussul, from whence this merchant
+came, may not know how we at Bagdad are convinced from experience
+that the devil is the cause of troublesome dreams when we leave
+our chamber-doors open. But since, mother, you see I am, by the
+grace of God, so well recovered, for God's sake get me out of
+this horrible place, which will infallibly shorten my days if I
+stay here any longer." The mother, glad to hear her son was so
+well cured of his foolish imagination of being caliph, went
+immediately to the keeper, and assuring him that he was very
+sensible and well, he came, examined, and released him in her
+presence.
+
+When Abou Hassan came home, he stayed within doors some days to
+recover his health by better living than he had found at the
+hospital. But when he had recovered his strength, and felt no
+longer the effect of the harsh treatment he had suffered in his
+confinement, he began to be weary of spending his evenings alone.
+He accordingly entered again upon the same plan as he had before
+pursued; which was, to provide enough every day to regale a
+stranger at night.
+
+The day on which Abou Hassan renewed his custom of going about
+sun-set to the end of Bagdad bridge to stop the first stranger
+thee offered, and invite him to do him the honour of supping with
+him, happened to be the first day of the month, that which the
+caliph always set apart to go in disguise out of some one of the
+gates to observe what was committed contrary to the good
+government of the city, as established and regulated at the
+beginning of his reign. Abou Hassan had not been long arrived at
+the bridge, when, looking about him, he perceived the Moussul
+merchant, followed by the same slave. Persuaded that all his
+misfortunes were owing to the merchant's having left his door
+open, he shuddered at the sight of him. "God preserve me," said
+he to himself; "if I am not deceived, there is again the magician
+who enchanted me!" He trembled with agitation, and looked over
+the side railing into the river, that he might not see him till
+he was past.
+
+The caliph, who wished to renew the diversion he had received,
+had taken care to inform himself of all that had happened to Abou
+Hassan, and enjoyed much pleasure at the relation given him,
+especially at his being sent to a mad-house. But as this monarch
+was both just and generous, and had taken a great liking to Abou
+Hassan, as capable of contributing further to his amusement, and
+had doubted whether, after renouncing his frenzied character of a
+caliph, he would return to his usual manner of living; with a
+view therefore to bring him to his palace, he disguised himself
+again like a merchant of Moussul, the better to execute his plan.
+He perceived Abou Hassan at the same time that he saw him, and
+presently guessed by his action that he was angry, and wished to
+shun him. This made him walk close to the side railing; and when
+he came nigh him, he put his head over to look him in the face.
+"Ho, brother Abou Hassan," said he, "is it you? I greet you! Give
+me leave to embrace you?"
+
+"Not I," replied Abou Hassan, pettishly, without looking at the
+pretended Moussul merchant; "I do not greet you; I will have
+neither your greeting nor your embraces. Go along!"
+
+"What!" answered the caliph, "do you not know me? Do you not
+remember the evening we spent together at your house this day
+month, where you did me the honour to treat me very generously?"
+"No," replied Abou Hassan in the same tone, "I do not know you,
+nor what you talk about; go, I say again, about your business."
+
+The caliph was not to be diverted from his purpose by this rude
+behaviour. He well knew the law Abou Hassan had imposed on
+himself, never to have commerce again with a stranger he had once
+entertained; but pretended to be ignorant of it. "I cannot
+believe," said he, "but you must know me again; it is not
+possible that you should have forgotten me in so short a time.
+Certainly some misfortune has befallen you, which inspires you
+with this aversion for me. However, you ought to remember, that I
+shewed my gratitude by my good wishes, and that I offered you my
+interest, which is not to be slighted, in an affair which you had
+much at heart."
+
+"I do not know," replied Abou Hassan, "what your interest may be,
+and I have no desire to make use of it: but I am sensible the
+utmost of your good wishes ended in making me mad. In God's name,
+I say once more, go your way, and trouble me no more."
+
+"Ah! brother Abou Hassan," replied the caliph, embracing him, "I
+do not intend to part with you thus, since I have had the good
+fortune to meet with you a second time; you must exercise the
+same hospitality towards me again that you shewed me a month ago,
+when I had the honour to drink with you."
+
+"I have protested against this," said Abou Hassan, "and have so
+much power over myself, as to decline receiving a second time as
+my guest, a man like you who carries misfortunes with him. You
+know the proverb, ‘Take up your drum and begone.' Make the
+application to yourself. How often must I repeat my refusal. God
+be with you! You have been the cause of my sufferings, and I will
+not trust myself with you again." "My good friend Abou Hassan,"
+said the caliph, embracing him, "you treat me in a way I little
+expected. I beg of you not to speak to me thus harshly, but be
+persuaded of my friendship. Do me the favour to tell me what has
+happened to you; for I assure you I wished you well, and still do
+so; and would be glad of an opportunity to make you any amends
+for the trouble I have caused you, if it has been really my
+fault." Abou Hassan yielded to the solicitations of the caliph.
+"Your incredulity and importunity," said he, "have tired my
+patience; and what I am going to relate will shew you that I do
+not accuse you wrongfully."
+
+The caliph seated himself by Abou Hassan, while he told him all
+that had happened to him, from his waking in the palace to his
+waking again in his own house, all which he described as a mere
+dream, and recounted all the circumstances, which the caliph knew
+as well as himself, and which renewed his pleasure. He enlarged
+afterwards on the impression which the dream of being caliph and
+commander of the faithful had made upon him, which, he said,
+threw him into such extravagancies, that his neighbours were
+obliged to carry him to a mad-house, where he was treated in a
+manner which he deemed most barbarous and inhuman. "But," said
+he, "what will surprise you, and what you little think of, is,
+that it was altogether your fault that these things happened to
+me; for, if you remember, I desired you to shut the door after
+you, which you neglected, and the devil, finding it open, entered
+and put this dream into my head, which, though it was very
+agreeable, was the cause of the misfortune I complain of: you
+therefore, for your negligence, are answerable for the horrid and
+detestable crime I have committed in lifting my hand against my
+mother, whom I might have killed (I blush for shame when I think
+of it), because she said I was her son, and would not acknowledge
+me for commander of the faithful, as I thought and positively
+insisted on to her that I was. You are the cause of the offence I
+have given my neighbours, when, running in at the cries of my
+poor mother, they surprised me in the horrid act of felling her
+at my feet; which would never have happened, if you had taken
+care to shut my door when you went away, as I desired you. They
+would not have come into my house without my leave; and, what
+troubles me most of all, they would not have been witnesses of my
+folly. I should not have been obliged to strike them in my own
+defence, and they would not have bound and fettered me, to carry
+and shut me up in the hospital for madmen, where I assure you
+every day that I remained confined in that hell, I received a
+score of strokes with a bastinado." Abou Hassan recounted his
+complaints with great warmth and vehemence to the caliph, who
+knew as well as himself what had passed, and was delighted to
+find that he had succeeded so well in his plan to throw him into
+the vagaries from which he still was not entirely free. He could
+not help laughing at the simplicity wherewith he related them.
+
+Abou Hassan, who thought that his story should rather have moved
+compassion, and that every one ought to be as much concerned at
+it as himself, warmly resented the pretended Moussul merchant's
+laughter. "What!" said he, "do you make a jest of me and laugh in
+my face, or do you believe I laugh at you when I speak seriously?
+If you want proof of what I advance, look yourself and see
+whether or no I tell you the truth ;" with that, stooping down
+and baring his shoulders, he shewed the caliph the scars and
+weals which the bastinado had left.
+
+The caliph could not behold these marks of cruelty without
+horror. He pitied Abou Hassan, and felt sorry he had carried the
+jest so far. "Come, rise, dear brother," said he to him eagerly,
+and embracing Abou Hassan heartily in his arms; "let me go to
+your house, and enjoy the happiness of being merry with you to-
+night; and to-morrow, if it please God, all things will go well."
+
+Abou Hassan, notwithstanding his resolution never to admit the
+same stranger a second time, could not resist the caresses of the
+caliph, whom he still took for a merchant of Moussul. "I will
+consent," said he, "if you will swear to shut my door after you,
+that the devil may not come in to distract my brain again." The
+caliph promised that he would; upon which they both arose, walked
+towards the city, and, followed by the caliph's slave, reached
+Abou Hassan's house by the time it was dark.
+
+The caliph, the more to blind Abou Hassan, said to him, "Place
+confidence in me; I promise you on my honour I will not break my
+word. You need not hesitate to trust a person who wishes you all
+happiness and prosperity, of which confidence you will see the
+effects." "I desire not that," said Abou Hassan, stopping him
+short. "I yield to your importunity; but I dispense with your
+good wishes, and beg you in God's name to form none for me. All
+the mischief that has hitherto befallen me arose from those you
+expressed for me, and from your leaving the door open." "Well,"
+replied the caliph, still laughing at the misguided imagination
+of Abou Hassan, "since you will have it so, I promise you I will
+form none." "You give me pleasure by speaking so," said Abou
+Hassan; "I desire no more; I shall be more than satisfied
+provided you keep your word, and I shall forgive you all the
+rest."
+
+As soon as Abou Hassan entered his house, he called for his
+mother and for candles, desired his guest to sit down upon a
+sofa, and then placed himself by him. A little time after, supper
+was brought up, and they both began to eat without ceremony. When
+they had done, Abou Hassan's mother cleared the table, set on a
+small dessert of fruit, wine, and glasses by her son, then
+withdrew, and appeared no more. Abou Hassan first filled out his
+own glass, and then the caliph's: and after they had drunk some
+time, and talked of indifferent matters, the caliph, perceiving
+that his host grew warm with liquor, began to talk of love, and
+asked him if he had ever felt that passion.
+
+"Brother," replied Abou Hassan, familiarly thinking his guest was
+his equal, "I never looked upon love or marriage but as a
+slavery, to which I was always unwilling to submit; and must own
+to you, that I never loved any thing but good cheer and good
+wine; in short, to divert and entertain myself agreeably with my
+friends. Yet I do not tell you that I am indifferent to marriage,
+or incapable of attachment, if I could meet with a woman of such
+beauty and sweetness of temper as her I saw in my dream that
+fatal night in which I first received you into my house, and you,
+to my misfortune, left my door open, who would pass the whole
+night with me drinking, singing, and playing on some instrument,
+and in agreeable conversation, and who would study to please and
+divert me: I believe, on the contrary, I should change all my
+indifference into a perfect attachment to such a person, and, I
+think, should live very happily with her. But where is such a
+woman to be found except in the caliph's palace, or in those of
+the grand vizier or some great lords of the court, who want not
+money to provide them? I choose therefore to stick to my bottle,
+which is a much cheaper pleasure, and which I can enjoy as well
+as the greatest." Saying these words, he filled out his own and
+the caliph's glass, and said, "Come, take your glass, and let us
+pursue this charming pleasure."
+
+When they had drunk off their wine, "It is great pity," said the
+caliph, "that so gallant a man as you, who owns himself not
+insensible of love, should lead so solitary a life." "I prefer
+the easy quiet life I live," replied Abou Hassan, "before the
+company of a wife, whose beauty might not please me, and who,
+besides, might create me a great deal of trouble by her
+imperfections and ill-humour." The conversation lasted a long
+time, and the caliph seeing Abou Hassan had drunk to the pitch he
+desired, said, "Let me alone, since you have the same good taste
+as every other honest man, I warrant you I will find you a wife
+that shall please you." Then taking Abou Hassan's glass, and
+putting a pinch of the same powder into it, filled him up a
+bumper, and presenting it to him, said, "Come, let us drink
+beforehand the fair lady's health, who is to make you happy. I am
+sure you will like her."
+
+Abou Hassan took the glass laughing, and shaking his head, said,
+"Be it so; since you desire it, I cannot be guilty of so great a
+piece of incivility, nor disoblige a guest of so much merit in
+such a trifling matter. I will drink the health of the lady you
+promise me, though I am very well contented as I am, and do not
+rely on your keeping your word." No sooner had Abou Hassan drank
+off his bumper, than he was seized with as deep a sleep as
+before; and the caliph ordered the same slave to take him and
+carry him to the palace. The slave obeyed, and the caliph, who
+did not intend to send back Abou Hassan as before, shut the door
+after him, as he had promised, and followed.
+
+When they arrived at the palace, the caliph ordered Abou Hassan
+to be laid on a sofa, in the fourth hall, from whence he had been
+carried home fast asleep a month before; but first he bade the
+attendants to put him on the same habit in which he had acted the
+caliph, which was done. He then charged all the eunuchs,
+officers, ladies, and musicians who were in the hall, when he
+drank the last glass of wine which had put him to sleep, to be
+there by daybreak, and to take care to act their parts well when
+he should awake. He then retired to rest, charging Mesrour to
+awake him before they went into the hall, that he might conceal
+himself in the closet as before.
+
+Mesrour, at the hour appointed, awakened the caliph, who
+immediately rose, and went to the hall where Abou Hassan lay
+still asleep, and when he had placed himself in his closet,
+Mesrour and the other officers, ladies, and musicians, who waited
+for him, went in, and placed themselves about the sofa, so as not
+to hinder the caliph from seeing what passed, and noticing all
+his actions.
+
+Things being thus disposed, and the caliph's powder having had
+its effect, Abou Hassan began to awake without opening his eyes,
+and threw off the phlegm, which was received in a gold basin as
+before. At that instant, the seven bands of singers joined their
+voices to the sound of hautboys, fifes, flutes, and other
+instruments, forming a very agreeable concert. Abou Hassan was in
+great surprise to hear the delightful harmony; but when he opened
+his eyes, and saw the ladies and officers about him, whom he
+thought he recognized, his amazement increased. The hall that he
+was in seemed to be the same he had seen in his first dream, and
+he observed the same lustres, and the same furniture and
+ornaments.
+
+The concert ceased, to give the caliph an opportunity of
+attending to the countenance of his guest, and all that he might
+say in his surprise. The ladies, Mesrour, and all the officers of
+the chamber, waited in profound and respectful silence. Abou
+Hassan bit his finger, and cried loud enough for the caliph to
+hear him, "Alas! I am fallen again into the same dream and
+illusion that happened to me a month ago, and must expect again
+the bastinado and grated cell at the mad-house. Almighty God,"
+added he, "I commit myself into the hands of thy divine
+providence. He was a wicked man that I entertained at my house
+last night, who has been the cause of this illusion, and the
+hardships I must again undergo. The base wretch swore to shut the
+door after him, but did not, and the devil came in and has turned
+my brain with this wicked dream of being commander of the
+faithful, and other phantoms which bewitch my eyes. God confound
+thee, Satan? and crush thee under some mountain of stones."
+
+After these words, Abou Hassan closed his eyes, and remained some
+time thoughtful and much perplexed; then opening them again, and
+looking about him, cried out a second time with less surprise,
+and smiling at the various objects before him, "Great God! I
+commit myself into the hands of thy providence, preserve me from
+the temptation of Satan." Then shutting them again, he said, "I
+will go to sleep until Satan leaves me, and returns as he came,
+were I to wait till noon." They did not give him time to go to
+sleep again as he promised himself; for Strength of Hearts, one
+of the ladies whom he had seen before, approached, and sitting
+down on the sofa by him, said to him respectfully, "Commander of
+the faithful, I entreat your majesty to forgive me for taking the
+liberty to tell you not to go to sleep; day appears, and it is
+time to rise." "Begone, Satan!" answered Abou Hassan, raising his
+voice; but looking at the lady, he said, "Is it me you call the
+commander of the faithful? Certainly you take me for somebody
+else." "It is to your majesty I give that title," replied the
+lady, "to whom it belongs, as you are sovereign of the world, and
+I am your most humble slave. Undoubtedly," added she, "your
+majesty means to divert yourself by pretending to have forgotten
+yourself, or this is the effect of some troublesome dream; but if
+you would but open your eyes, the mists which disturb your
+imagination would soon be dispelled, and you would find yourself
+in your own palace, surrounded by your officers and slaves, who
+all wait your commands: and that your majesty may not be
+surprised to find yourself in this hall, and not in bed, I beg
+leave to inform you, that you fell so suddenly asleep last night,
+that we were unwilling to awake you, to conduit you to your
+chamber, but laid you carefully upon this sofa." In short, she
+said to him so many things which appeared probable, that at last
+he sat up, opened his eyes, and recollected her and all the
+ladies again. They all approached him, and she who spoke first,
+resuming the discourse, said, "Commander of the faithful, and
+vicar of the prophet on earth, be not displeased if I acquaint
+your majesty once more that it is time to rise, for day appears."
+
+"You are very troublesome and importunate," replied Abou Hassan,
+rubbing his eyes; "I am not the commander of the faithful, but
+Abou Hassan; I know it well, and you shall not persuade me
+otherwise." "We do not know that Abou Hassan you majesty speaks
+of, nor desire to know him," answered the lady; "but we know you
+to be the commander of the believers, and you cannot persuade us
+to the contrary."
+
+Abou Hassan looking about, and finding himself in the same hall,
+attributed all he saw and heard to such a dream as he had had
+before, and greatly feared the dreadful consequences. "Allah have
+mercy on me!" said he, lifting up his hands and eyes, like a man
+who knew not where he was; "I commit myself into his hands. I
+cannot doubt, after what I have seen, but that the devil, who
+came into my chamber, possesses me, and fills my imagination full
+of all these visions."
+
+The caliph, who saw him all the time, and heard these
+exclamations, began to shake so heartily, that he had much
+difficulty to forbear bursting into loud laughter.
+
+Abou Hassan laying himself down again, and shutting his eyes, the
+same lady said, "Commander of the faithful, since your majesty
+does not rise, after we have, according to our duty, informed you
+it is day, and the dispatch of business requires your presence,
+we shall use the liberty you give us in such cases." Then taking
+him by one arm, and calling to one of the other ladies to do the
+same by the other, they lifted him up, and carried him into the
+middle of the hall, where they seated him, and all taking hands,
+danced and skipped round him while the music played and sounded
+loudly in his ears.
+
+Abou Hassan was in inexpressible perplexity, and exclaimed,
+"What! am I indeed caliph, and commander of the faithful!" And in
+his uncertainty, would have said more, but the music was so loud,
+that he could not be heard. At last he made a sign to String of
+Pearls and Morning Star, two of the ladies who were dancing, that
+he wanted to speak with them; upon which they forbore, and went
+to him. "Do not lie now," said he, "but tell me truly who I am?"
+
+"Commander of the faithful," replied Morning Star, "your majesty
+means either to surprise us, by asking this question, as if you
+did not know that you are commander of the faithful, and vicar on
+earth of the prophet of God, master of both worlds, that whereon
+we now are and that to come after death, or else you must have
+had some extraordinary dream that has made you forget who you
+are; which may well be, considering that your majesty has slept
+longer than ordinary; however, if you will give me leave, I will
+refresh your memory with what passed yesterday." She then told
+him how he went to council, punished the imaum, and the four old
+men, and had sent a present by his grand vizier of a thousand
+pieces of gold to the mother of one Abou Hassan; what he did in
+the inner part of the palace, and what passed at the three meals
+which he took in the three halls, adding, "In the fourth your
+majesty did us the honour to make us sit down by you, to hear our
+songs, and received wine from our hands, until your majesty fell
+asleep, as Strength of Hearts has told you. From that time your
+majesty has continued, contrary to custom, in a sound sleep until
+now. Strength of Hearts, all your other slaves, and the officers
+present, can confirm what I say, and it is now time you should go
+to prayers."
+
+"Very well," replied Abou Hassan, shaking his head, "you would
+have me believe all this; but I tell you, you are all fools, or
+mad, and that is great pity, for you are very handsome. Since I
+saw you I have been at home, where I used my mother so ill that
+they sent me to a mad-house, and kept me there three weeks
+against my will, beat me unmercifully every day, and yet you
+would make me believe all this to be a dream." "Commander of the
+faithful," answered Morning Star, "you are mistaken, we are ready
+to swear by all your majesty holds most dear, that all you relate
+can be only a dream. You have never stirred out of this hall
+since yesterday, but slept here all night."
+
+The confidence with which the lady assured Abou Hassan that all
+she said was truth, and that he had never been out of the hall
+since that time, bewildered his senses so that he was at a loss
+what to believe. "O Heaven!" said he to himself, "am I Abou
+Hassan, or the commander of the faithful! Almighty God, enlighten
+my understanding, and inform me of the truth, that I may know
+what to trust." He then uncovered his shoulders, and shewed the
+ladies the livid weals of the blows he had received. "Look," said
+he, "judge whether these strokes could come to me in a dream, or
+when I was asleep. For my part, I can affirm, that they were real
+blows; I feel the smart of them yet, and that is a testimonial
+there is no room to doubt. Now if I received these strokes in my
+sleep, it is the most extraordinary thing in the world, and
+surpasses my comprehension."
+
+In this uncertainty Abou Hassan called to one of the officers
+that stood near him: "Come hither," said he, "and bite the tip of
+my ear, that I may know whether I am asleep or awake." The
+officer obeyed, and bit so hard, that he made him cry out loudly
+with the pain; the music struck up at the same time, and the
+officers and ladies all began to sing, dance, and skip about Abou
+Hassan, and made such a noise, that he was in a perfect ecstasy,
+and played a thousand ridiculous pranks. He threw off his
+caliph's habit, and his turban, jumped up in his shirt and
+drawers, and taking hold of two of the ladies' hands, began
+singing, jumping and cutting capers, so that the caliph could not
+contain himself, but burst into such violent laughter, that he
+fell backwards, and was heard above the noise of all the
+musicians. He was so long before he could check himself, that it
+had like to have been fatal. At last he got up, opened the
+lattice, and putting out his head, cried "Abou Hassan, Abou
+Hassan, have you a mind to kill me with laughing?"
+
+As soon as the caliph's voice was heard, every body was silent,
+and Abou Hassan, among the rest, who, turning his head to see
+from whence the voice came, knew the caliph, and in him
+recognised the Moussul merchant, but was not in the least
+daunted; on the contrary he became convinced that he was awake,
+and that all that had happened to him had been real, and not a
+dream. He entered into the caliph's pleasantry. "Ha! ha!" said
+he, looking at him with good assurance, "you are a merchant of
+Moussul, and complain that I would kill you; you have been the
+occasion of my using my mother so ill, and of my being sent to a
+mad-house. It was you who treated the imaum and the four scheiks
+in the manner they were used, and not me; I wash my hands of it.
+It is you who have been the cause of all my disorders and
+sufferings: in short, you are the aggressor, and I the injured
+person."
+
+"Indeed, you are in the right, Abou Hassan," answered the caliph,
+laughing all the while; "but to comfort you, and make you amends
+for all your troubles, I call Heaven to witness, I am ready and
+willing to make you what reparation you please to ask." After
+these words, he came out of the closet into the hall, ordered one
+of his most magnificent habits to be brought, commanded the
+ladies to dress Abou Hassan in it, and when they had done, he
+said, embracing him, "Thou art my brother; ask what thou wilt,
+and thou shalt have it."
+
+"Commander of the faithful," replied Abou Hassan, "I beg of your
+majesty to do me the favour to tell me what you did to disturb my
+brain in this manner, and what was your design; for it is a thing
+of the greatest importance for me to know, that I may perfectly
+recover my senses."
+
+The caliph was ready to give him this satisfaction, and said,
+"First, you are to know, that I often disguise myself, and
+particularly at night, to observe if all goes right in Bagdad;
+and as I wish to know what passes in its environs, I set apart
+the first day of every month to make an excursion, sometimes on
+one side, sometimes on another, and always return by the bridge.
+The evening that you invited me to supper, I was beginning my
+rounds, and in our conversation you told me, that the only thing
+you wished for was to be caliph for four-and-twenty hours, to
+punish the imaum of your mosque and his four counsellors. I
+fancied that this desire of yours would afford me diversion, and
+thought immediately how I might procure you the satisfaction you
+wished. I had about me a certain powder, which immediately throws
+the person who takes it into a sound sleep for a certain time. I
+put a dose of it, without being perceived by you, into the last
+glass I presented to you, upon which you fell fast asleep, and I
+ordered my slave to carry you to my palace, and came away without
+shutting the door. I have no occasion to repeat what happened
+when you awoke, nor during the whole day till evening, but after
+you had been regaled by my orders, one of the ladies put another
+dose of the same powder into a glass she gave you; you fell
+asleep as before, and the same slave carried you home, and left
+the door open. You have told me all that happened to you
+afterwards. I never imagined that you could have suffered so much
+as you have done. But as I have a great regard for you, I will do
+every thing to comfort you, and make you forget all your
+sufferings; think of what I can do to serve you, and ask me
+boldly what you wish."
+
+"Commander of the faithful," replied Abou Hassan, "how great
+soever my tortures may have been, they are all blotted out of my
+remembrance, since I understand my sovereign lord and master had
+a share in them. I doubt not in the least of your majesty's
+bounty; but as interest never governed me, and you give me
+liberty to ask a favour, I beg that it may be that of having
+access to your person, to enjoy the happiness of admiring, all my
+lifetime, your virtues."
+
+This proof of disinterestedness in Abou Hassan confirmed the
+esteem the caliph had entertained for him. "I am pleased with
+your request," said he, "and grant you free access to my person
+at all times and all hours." At the same time he assigned him an
+apartment in the palace, and, in regard to his pension, told him,
+that he would not have him apply to his treasurer, but come
+always to him for an order upon him, and immediately commanded
+his private treasurer to give him a purse containing a thousand
+pieces of gold. Abou Hassan made a low prostration, and the
+caliph left him to go to council.
+
+Abou Hassan took this opportunity to go and inform his mother of
+his good fortune, and that what had happened was not a dream; for
+that he had actually been caliph, had acted as such, and received
+all the honours; and that she had no reason to doubt of it, since
+he had this confirmed by the caliph himself.
+
+It was not long before this story of Abou Hassan was spread
+throughout Bagdad, and carried into all the provinces both far
+and near, without the omission of a single circumstance.
+
+The new favourite Abou Hassan was always with the caliph; for, as
+he was a man of a pleasent temper, and created mirth wherever he
+went by his wit and drollery, the caliph formed no party of
+diversion without him, and sometimes carried him to visit his
+consort Zobeide, to whom he had related his story. Zobeide, who
+observed that every time he came with the caliph, he had his eyes
+always fixed upon one of her slaves, called Nouzhatoul-aouadat,
+resolved to tell the caliph of it. "Commander of the faithful,"
+said she one day, "you do not observe that every time Abou Hassan
+attends you in your visits to me, he never keeps his eyes off
+Nouzhatoul-aouadat, and makes her blush, which is almost a
+certain sign that she entertains no aversion for him. If you
+approve of it, we will make a match between them."
+
+"Madam," replied the caliph, "you remind me of what I ought to
+have done before. I know Abou Hassan's opinion respecting
+marriage from himself, and have always promised him a wife that
+should please him. I am glad you mentioned the circumstance; for
+I know not how I came to forget it. But it is better that Abou
+Hassan should follow his own inclination, and choose for himself.
+If Nouzhatoul-aouadat is not averse to it, we ought not to
+hesitate upon their marriage; and since they are both present,
+they have only to say that they consent."
+
+Abou Hassan threw himself at the caliph's and Zobeide's feet, to
+shew the sense he had of their goodness; and rising up, said, "I
+cannot receive a wife from better hands, but dare not hope that
+Nouzhatoul-aouadat will give me her hand as readily as I give her
+mine." At these words he looked at the princess's slave, who
+shewed by her respectful silence, and the sudden blush that arose
+in her cheeks, that she was disposed to obey the caliph and her
+mistress Zobeide.
+
+The marriage was solemnized, and the nuptials celebrated in the
+palace, with great rejoicings, which lasted several days. Zobeide
+made her slave considerable presents, and the caliph did the same
+to Abou Hassan. The bride was conducted to the apartment the
+caliph had assigned Abou Hassan, who waited for her with all the
+impatience of a bridegroom, and received her with the sound of
+all sorts of instruments, and musicians of both sexes, who made
+the air echo with their concert.
+
+After these feasts and rejoicings, which lasted several days, the
+newly-married couple were left to pursue their loves in peace.
+Abou Hassan and his spouse were charmed with each other, lived
+together in perfect union, and seldom were asunder, but when
+either he paid his respects to the caliph, or she hers to
+Zobeide. Indeed, Nouzhatoul-aouadat was endued with every
+qualification capable of gaining Abou Hassan's love and
+attachment, was just such a wife as he had described to the
+caliph, and fit to sit at the head of his table. With these
+dispositions they could not fail to pass their lives agreeably.
+They kept a good table covered with the nicest and choicest
+rarities in season, by an excellent cook, who took upon him to
+provide every thing. Their sideboard was always stored with
+exquisite wines placed within their reach when at table, where
+they enjoyed themselves in agreeable conversation, and afterwards
+entertained each other with some pleasantry or other, which made
+them laugh more or less, as they had in the day met with
+something to divert them; and in the evenings, which they
+consecrated to mirth, they had generally some slight repast of
+dried sweetmeats, choice fruits, and cakes, and at each glass
+invited each other by new songs to drink, and sometimes
+accompanied their voices with a lute, or other instruments which
+they could both touch.
+
+Abou Hassan and Nouzhatoul-aouadat led this pleasant life
+unattentive to expense, until at length the caterer, who had
+disbursed all his and their money for these expenses, brought
+them in a long bill in hope of having an advance of cash. They
+found the amount to be so considerable, that all the presents
+which the caliph and Zobeide had given them at their marriage
+were but just enough to pay him. This made them reflect seriously
+on what was passed, which, however, was no remedy for the present
+evil. But they agreed to pay the caterer; and having sent for
+him, gave him all they owed him, without considering the
+difficulty they should be in immediately after.
+
+The caterer went away highly pleased at receiving so large a sum,
+though Abou Hassan and his wife were not so well satisfied with
+seeing the bottom of their purse, but remained a long time
+silent, and very much embarrassed, to find themselves reduced to
+poverty the very first year of their marriage. Abou Hassan
+remembered that the caliph, when he took him into the palace, had
+promised never to let him want. But when he considered how
+prodigal he had been of his money, was unwilling to expose
+himself to the shame of letting the caliph know the ill use he
+had made of his bounty, and that he wanted a supply. Besides, he
+had made over his patrimony to his mother, when the caliph had
+received him near his person, and was afraid to apply to her,
+lest she should discover that he had returned to the same
+extravagance he had been guilty of after his father's death. His
+wife, on the other hand, regarded Zobeide's generosity, and the
+liberty she had given her to marry, as more than a sufficient
+recompense for her service, and thought she had no right to ask
+more.
+
+Abou Hassan at last broke silence, and looking at his wife, said,
+"I see you are in the same embarrassment as myself, and thinking
+what we must do in this unhappy juncture, when our money fails us
+so unexpectedly. I do not know what your sentiments may be; but
+mine are, let what will happen, not to retrench our expenses in
+the least; and I believe you will come into my opinion. The point
+is, how to support them without stooping to ask the caliph or
+Zobeide: and I think I have fallen on the means; but we must
+assist each other."
+
+This discourse of Abou Hassan very much pleased his wife, and
+gave her some hopes. "I was thinking so as well as you," said
+she; "but durst not explain my thoughts, because I do not know
+how we can help ourselves; and must confess, that what you tell
+me gives me a revival of pleasure. Since you say you have found
+out a resource, and my assistance is necessary, you need but tell
+me in what way, and I will do all that lies in my power."
+
+"I was sure," replied Abou Hassan, "that you would not fail me in
+a business which concerns us both; and therefore I must tell you,
+this want of money has made me think of a plan which will supply
+us, at least for a time. It consists in a little trick we must
+put, I upon the caliph and you upon Zobeide, and at which, as I
+am sure they will both be diverted, it will answer advantageously
+for us. You and I will both die." "Not I indeed," interrupted
+Nouzhatoul-aouadat; "you may die by yourself, if you please, but
+I am not so weary of this life; and whether you are pleased or
+not, will not die so soon. If you have nothing else to propose,
+you may die by yourself; for I assure you I shall not join you."
+
+"You are a woman of such vivacity and wonderful quickness,"
+replied Abou Hassan, "that you scarcely give me time to explain
+my design. Have but a little patience, and you shall find that
+you will be ready enough to die such a death as I intend; for
+surely you could not think I meant a real death?" "Well," said
+his wife, "if it is but a sham death you design, I am at your
+service, and you may depend on my zeal to second you in this
+manner of dying; but I must tell you truly, I am very unwilling
+to die, as I apprehended you at first."
+
+"Be but silent a little," said Abou Hassan, "and I will tell you
+what I promise. I will feign myself dead, and you shall lay me
+out in the middle of my chamber, with my turban upon my face, my
+feet towards Mecca, as if ready to be carried out to burial. When
+you have done this, you must lament, and weep bitterly, as is
+usual in such cases, tear your clothes and hair, or pretend to do
+it, and go all in tears, with your locks dishevelled, to Zobeide.
+The princess will of course inquire the cause of your grief; and
+when you have told her, with words intermixed with sobs, she will
+pity you, give you money to defray the expense of my funeral, and
+a piece of good brocade to cover my body, that my interment may
+be the more magnificent, and to make you a new dress in the room
+of that you will have torn. As soon as you return with the money
+and the brocade, I will rise, lay you in my place, and go and act
+the same part with the caliph, who I dare say will be as generous
+to me as Zobeide will have been to you."
+
+Nouzhatoul-aouadat highly approved the project, and said to Abou
+Hassan, "Come, lose no time; strip to your shirt and drawers,
+while I prepare a winding sheet. I know how to bury as well as
+any body; for while I was in Zobeide's service, when any of my
+fellow-slaves died, I had the conducting of the funeral." Abou
+Hassan did as his wife mentioned, and laid himself on the sheet
+which she had spread on the carpet in the middle of the room. As
+soon as he had crossed his arms, his wife wrapped him up, turned
+his feet towards Mecca, and put a piece of fine muslin and his
+turban upon his face, so that nothing seemed wanting but to carry
+him out to be buried. After this she pulled off her head-dress,
+and with tears in her eyes, her hair dishevelled, and seeming to
+tear it off, with a dismal cry and lamentation, beating her face
+and breast with all the marks of the most lively grief, ran
+across the court to Zobeide's apartments, who, hearing the voice
+of a person crying very loud, commanded some of her women to see
+who it was; they returned and told her that it was Nouzhatoul-
+aouadat, who was approaching in a deplorable condition.
+
+The princess, impatient to know what had happened to her, rose up
+immediately, and went to meet her at the door of her ante-
+chamber. Nouzhatoul-aouadat played her part to perfection. As
+soon as she saw Zobeide, who held the door open, she redoubled
+her cries, tore her hair off by handfuls, beat her face and
+breast, and threw herself at her feet, bathing them with her
+tears.
+
+Zobeide, amazed to see her slave in such extraordinary
+affliction, asked what had happened; but, instead of answering,
+she continued her sobs; and at last feigning to strive to check
+them, said, with words interrupted with sighs, "Alas! my most
+honoured lady and mistress, what greater misfortune could have
+befallen me than this, which obliges me to throw myself at your
+highness's feet)' God prolong your days, my most respectable
+princess, in perfect health, and grant you many happy years! Abou
+Hassan! poor Abou Hassan! whom you honoured with your esteem, and
+gave me for a husband, is no more!"
+
+At these words Nouzhatoul-aouadat redoubled her tears and sighs,
+and threw herself again at the princess's feet. Zobeide was
+extremely concerned at this news. "Abou Hassan dead!" cried she;
+"that agreeable, pleasant man! I did not expect his death so
+soon; he seemed to promise a long life, and well deserved to
+enjoy it!" She then also burst into tears, as did all her women,
+who had been often witnesses of Abou Hassan's pleasantries when
+the caliph brought him to amuse the princess Zobeide, and all
+together continued for some time bewailing his loss. At length
+the princess Zobeide broke silence: "Wicked woman!" cried she,
+addressing herself to the false widow, "perhaps you may have
+occasioned his death. Your ill temper has given him so much
+vexation, that you have at last brought him to his grave."
+Nouzhatoul-aouadat seemed much hurt at the reproaches of Zobeide:
+"Ah, madam," cried she, "I do not think I ever gave your majesty,
+while I was your slave, reason to entertain so disadvantageous an
+opinion of my conduct to a husband who was so dear to me. I
+should think myself the most wretched of women if you were
+persuaded of this. I behaved to Abou Hassan as a wife should do
+to a husband for whom she has a sincere affection; and I may say,
+without vanity, that I had for him the same regard he had for me.
+I am persuaded he would, were he alive, justify me fully to your
+majesty; but, madam," added she, renewing her tears, "his time
+was come, and that was the only cause of his death."
+
+Zobeide, as she had really observed in her slave a uniformly
+equal temper, mildness, great docility and zeal for her service,
+which shewed she was rather actuated by inclination than duty,
+hesitated not to believe her on her word, and ordered her
+treasurer to fetch a hundred pieces of gold and a piece of rich
+brocade.
+
+The slave soon returned with the purse and piece of brocade,
+which, by Zobeide's order, she delivered to Nouzhatoul-aouadat,
+who threw herself again at the princess's feet, and thanked her
+with great self-satisfaction at finding she had succeeded so
+well. "Go," said Zobeide, "use that brocade to cover the corpse
+of your husband, and with the money bury him handsomely, as he
+deserves. Moderate the transport of your afflictions: I will take
+care of you."
+
+As soon as Nouzhatoul-aouadat got out of the princess's presence,
+she dried up her tears, and returned with joy to Abou Hassan, to
+give him an account of her good success. When she came home she
+burst out a laughing on seeing her husband still stretched out in
+the middle of the floor; she ran to him, bade him rise and see
+the fruits of his stratagem. He arose, and rejoiced with his wife
+at the sight of the purse and brocade. Unable to contain herself
+at the success of her artifice, "Come, husband," said she,
+laughing, "let me act the dead part, and see if you can manage
+the caliph as well as I have done Zobeide."
+
+"That is the temper of all women," replied Abou Hassan, "who, we
+may well say, have always the vanity to believe they can do
+things better than men, though at the same time what good they do
+is by their advice. It would be odd indeed, if I, who laid this
+plot myself, could not carry it on as well as you. But let us
+lose no time in idle discourse; lie down in my place, and witness
+if I do not come off with as much applause."
+
+Abou Hassan wrapped up his wife as she had done him, and with his
+turban unrolled, like a man in the greatest affliction, ran to
+the caliph, who was holding a private council with Jaaffier and
+other confidential viziers. He presented himself at the door, and
+the officer, knowing he had free access, opened it. He entered
+holding with one hand his handkerchief before his eyes, to hide
+the feigned tears, which trickled down his cheeks, and striking
+his breast with the other, with exclamations expressing
+extraordinary grief.
+
+The caliph, always used to see Abou Hassan with a merry
+countenance, was very much surprised to behold him in so much
+distress. He interrupted the business of the council to inquire
+the cause of his grief. "Commander of the faithful," answered
+Abou Hassan, with repeated sighs and sobs, "God preserve your
+majesty on the throne, which you fill so gloriously! a greater
+calamity could not have befallen me than what I now lament. Alas!
+Nouzhatoul-aouadat whom you in your bounty gave me for a wife to
+gladden my existence, alas!" at this exclamation Abou Hassan
+pretended to have his heart so full, that he could not utter
+more, but poured forth a flood of tears.
+
+The caliph, who now understood that Abou Hassan came to tell him
+of the death of his wife, seemed much concerned, and said to him
+with an air which shewed how much he regretted her loss, "God be
+merciful to her: she was a good slave, and we gave her to you
+with an intention to make you happy: she deserved a longer life."
+The tears then ran down his face, so that he was obliged to pull
+out his handkerchief to wipe them off. The grief of Abou Hassan,
+and the tears of the caliph, excited those of Jaaffier and the
+other viziers. They bewailed the death of Nouzhatoul- aouadat,
+who, on her part, was only impatient to hear how Abou Hassan
+succeeded.
+
+The caliph had the same suspicion of the husband that Zobeide had
+of the wife, and imagined that he had occasioned her death.
+"Wretch!" said he, in a tone of indignation, "have not you been
+the cause of your wife's death by your ill treatment of her? You
+ought at least to have had some regard for the princess my
+consort, who loved her more than the rest of her slaves, yet
+consented to give her to you. What a return for her kindness!"
+
+"Commander of the faithful," replied Abou Hassan, affecting to
+weep more bitterly than before, "can your majesty for a moment
+suppose that Abou Hassan, whom you have loaded with your favours
+and kindness, and on whom you have conferred honours he could
+never have aspired to, can have been capable of such ingratitude?
+I loved Nouzhatoul-aouadat my wife as much on these accounts, as
+for the many good qualities she possessed, and which drew from me
+all the attachment, tenderness, and love she deserved. But, my
+lord," added he, "she was to die, and God would no longer suffer
+me to enjoy a happiness for which I was indebted to your majesty
+and your beloved consort."
+
+Abou Hassan dissembled so well, that the caliph, who had never
+heard how extravagantly he and his wife had lived, no longer
+doubting his sincerity, ordered his treasurer, who was present,
+to give Abou Hassan a purse of a hundred pieces of gold and a
+piece of brocade. Abou Hassan immediately cast himself at the
+caliph's feet, and thanked him for his present. "Follow the
+treasurer," said the monarch; "throw the brocade over the corpse,
+and with the money shew the last testimony of thy love for thy
+wife."
+
+Abou Hassan made no reply to these obliging words of the caliph,
+but retiring with a low prostration, followed the treasurer; and
+as soon as he had got the purse and piece of brocade, went home,
+well pleased with having found out so quick and easy a way of
+supplying the necessity which had given him so much uneasiness.
+
+Nouzhatoul-aouadat, weary with lying so long in one posture,
+waited not till Abou Hassan bade her rise; but as soon as she
+heard the door open, sprang up, ran to her husband, and asked him
+if he had imposed on the caliph as cleverly as she had done on
+Zobeide. "You see," said he, shewing her the stuff, and shaking
+the purse, "that I can act a sorrowful husband for a living wife,
+as well as you can a weeping widow for a husband not dead." Abou
+Hassan, however, was not without his fears that this double plot
+might be attended with some ill consequences. He thought it would
+not be amiss to put his wife on her guard as to what might
+happen, that they might aft in concert. "For," added he, "the
+better we succeed in embarrassing the caliph and Zobeide, the
+more they will be pleased at last, and perhaps may shew their
+satisfaction by greater liberality." This last consideration
+induced them to carry on their stratagem farther.
+
+The caliph, though he had important affairs to decide, was so
+impatient to condole with the princess on the death of her slave,
+that he rose up as soon as Abou Hassan was gone, and put off the
+council to another day. "Follow me," said he to Mesrour, who
+always attended him wherever he went, and was in all his
+councils, "let us go and share with the princess the grief which
+the death of her slave Nouzhatoul-aouadat must have occasioned."
+
+Accordingly they went to Zobeide's apartment, whom the caliph
+found sitting on a sofa, much afflicted, and still in tears.
+"Madam," said the caliph, going up to her, "it is unnecessary to
+tell you how much I partake with you in your affliction; since
+you must be sensible that what gives you pleasure or trouble, has
+the same effect on me. But we are all mortal, and must surrender
+up to God that life he has given us, when he requires it.
+Nouzhatoul-aouadat, your faithful slave, was endued with
+qualifications that deserved your esteem, and I cannot but
+approve your expressing it after her death; but consider all your
+grief will not restore her to life. Therefore, madam, if you love
+me, and will take my advice, be comforted for this loss, take
+care of a life which you know is precious to me, and constitutes
+all the happiness of mine. "
+
+If the princess was charmed with these tender sentiments which
+the caliph expressed in his compliments, she was amazed to hear
+of Nouzhatoulaouadat's death. This news threw her into such
+astonishment, that she was not able to return an answer for some
+time. At last recovering, she replied with an air expressive of
+surprise, "Commander of the faithful, I am very sensible of all
+your tender sentiments; but give me leave to say, I cannot
+comprehend the news you tell me of the death of my slave, who is
+in perfect health. My affliction is for the death of Abou Hassan,
+her husband, your favourite, whom I esteemed, as much for the
+regard you had for him, as his having so often diverted me
+agreeably, and for whom I had as great a value as yourself. But
+the little concern you shew for his death, and your so soon
+forgetting a man in whose company you have so often told me you
+took so much pleasure, surprises me; and this insensibility seems
+the greater, from the deception you would put upon me in changing
+his death for that of my slave."
+
+The caliph, who thought that he was perfectly well informed of
+the death of the slave, and had just reason to believe so,
+because he had both seen and heard Abou Hassan, laughed, and
+shrugged up his shoulders, to hear Zobeide talk in this manner.
+"Mesrour," said he, to the eunuch, "what do you think of the
+princess's discourse? Do not women sometimes lose their senses;
+for you have heard and seen all as well as myself?" Then turning
+to Zobeide, "Madam," said he, "shed no more tears for Abou
+Hassan, for I can assure you he is well; but rather bewail the
+death of your dear slave. It is not many moments since her
+husband came in the most inexpressible affliction, to tell me of
+the death of his wife. I gave him a purse of a hundred pieces of
+gold and a piece of brocade, to comfort him, and bury her; and
+Mesrour, who was present, can tell you the same."
+
+The princess took this discourse of the caliph's to be all a
+jest, and thought he had a mind to impose upon her. "Commander of
+the faithful," replied she, "though you are used to banter, I
+must tell you, this is not a proper time for pleasantry. What I
+tell you is very serious; I do not talk of my slave's death, but
+of Abou Hassan's, her husband, whose fate I bewail, and so ought
+you too." "Madam," said the caliph, putting on a grave
+countenance, "I tell you without raillery that you are deceived;
+Nouzhatoul-aouadat is dead, and Abou Hassan is alive, and in
+perfect health."
+
+Zobeide was much piqued at this dry answer of the caliph.
+"Commander of the faithful," replied she smartly, "God preserve
+you from continuing longer in this mistake, surely you would make
+me think your mind is not as usual. Give me leave to repeat to
+you once more, that it is Abou Hassan who is dead, and that my
+slave Nouzhatoul-aouadat, his widow, is living. It is not an hour
+since she went from hence. She came here in so disconsolate a
+state, that the sight of her was enough to have drawn tears from
+my eyes, if she had not told me her affliction. All my women, who
+wept with me, can bear me witness, and tell you also that I made
+her a present of a hundred pieces of gold and a piece of brocade;
+the grief which you found me in, was on account of the death of
+her husband; and just at the instant you entered, I was going to
+send you a compliment of condolence."
+
+At these words of Zobeide, the caliph cried out in a fit of
+laughter, "This, madam, is a strange piece of obstinacy; but,"
+continued he seriously, "you may depend upon Nouzhatoul-aouadat's
+being dead." "I tell you no, sir," replied Zobeide sharply; "it
+is Abou Hassan that is dead, and you shall never make me believe
+otherwise."
+
+Upon this the caliph's anger rose in his countenance. He seated
+himself on the sofa at some distance from the princess, and
+speaking to Mesrour, said, "Go immediately, see which it is, and
+bring me word; for though I am certain that it is Nouzhatoul-
+aouadat, I would rather take this method than be any longer
+obstinately positive about the matter, though of its certainty I
+am perfectly satisfied." No sooner had the caliph commanded than
+Mesrour was gone. "You will see," continued he, addressing
+himself to Zobeide, "in a moment, which of us is right." "For my
+part," replied Zobeide, "I know very well that I am in the right,
+and you will find it to be Abou Hassan." "And for myself,"
+returned the caliph, "I am so sure that it is Nouzhatoul-aouadat,
+that I will lay you what wager you please that Abou Hassan is
+well."
+
+"Do not think to come off so," said Zobeide; "I accept your
+wager, and I am so well persuaded of his death, that I would
+willingly lay the thing dearest to me in the world against what
+you will, though it were of less value. You know what I have in
+my disposal, and what I value most; propose the bet, and I will
+stand to it."
+
+"Since it is so," said the caliph, "I will lay my garden of
+pleasures against your palace of paintings, though the one is
+worth much more than the other." "Is the question at present,"
+replied Zobeide, "if your garden is more valuable than my palace?
+That is not the point. You have made choice of what you thought
+fit belonging to me, as an equivalent against what you lay; I
+accept the wager, and that I will abide by it, I take God to
+witness." The caliph took the same oath, and both waited
+Mesrour's return.
+
+While the caliph and Zobeide were disputing so earnestly, and
+with so much warmth, Abou Hassan, who foresaw their difference,
+was very attentive to whatever might happen. As soon as he
+perceived Mesrour through a window, at which he sat talking with
+his wife, and observed that he was coming directly to their
+apartment, he guessed his commission, and bade his wife make
+haste to act the dead part once more, as they had agreed, without
+loss of time; but they were so pressed, that Abou Hassan had much
+ado to wrap up his wife, and lay the piece of brocade which the
+caliph had given him upon her, before Mesrour reached the house.
+This done, he opened the door of his apartment, and with a
+melancholy, dejected countenance, and his handkerchief before his
+eyes, went and sat down at the head of the pretended deceased.
+
+By the time he was seated, Mesrour came into the room. The dismal
+sight which met his eyes, gave him a secret joy on account of the
+errand the caliph had sent him on. Abou Hassan rose up to meet
+him, and kissing his hand out of respect, said, sighing and
+sobbing, "You see me under the greatest calamity that ever could
+have befallen me the death of my dear wife, Nouzhatoul-aouadat,
+whom you honoured with your favours."
+
+Mesrour, affected by this discourse, could not refuse some tears
+to the memory of the deceased. He lifted up the cloth a little at
+the head, and peeping under it, let it down again, and said, with
+a deep sigh, "There is no other God but Allah, we must all submit
+to his will, and every creature must return to him. Nouzhatoul-
+aouadat, my good sister," added he, sighing, "thy days have been
+few: God have mercy on thee." Then turning to Abou Hassan, who
+was all the time in tears, "We may well say," added he, "that
+women sometimes have whims, and lose their senses in a most
+unpardonable manner; for Zobeide, good mistress as she is, is in
+that situation at present; she will maintain to the caliph that
+you are dead, and not your wife; and whatever the caliph can say
+to the contrary, he cannot persuade her otherwise. He called me
+to witness and confirm this truth; for you know I was present
+when you came and told him the sorrowful news: but all signifies
+nothing. They are both positive; and the caliph, to convince
+Zobeide, has sent me to know the truth, but I fear I shall not be
+believed; for when women once take up a thing, they are not to be
+beaten out of it."
+
+"God keep the commander of the faithful in the possession and
+right use of his senses," replied Abou Hassan, still sighing and
+weeping; "you see how it is, and that I have not imposed upon his
+majesty. And I wish to Heaven," continued he, to dissemble the
+better, "that I had no occasion to have told him the melancholy
+and afflicting news. Alas! I cannot enough express my irreparable
+loss!" "That is true," replied Mesrour, "and I can assure you I
+take a great share in your affliction; but you must be comforted,
+and not abandon yourself to your grief. I leave you with
+reluctance, to return to the caliph; but I beg the favour of you
+not to bury the corpse till I come again; for I will assist at
+the interment, and accompany it with my prayers." Mesrour went to
+give an account of his visit. Abou Hassan attended him to the
+door, told him he did not deserve the honour he intended him: and
+for fear Mesrour should return to say something else, followed
+him with his eyes for some time, and when he saw him at a
+distance, returned to his wife and released her. "This is
+already," said he, "a new scene of mirth, but I fancy it will not
+be the last; for certainly the princess Zobeide will not believe
+Mesrour, but will laugh at him, since she has too substantial a
+reason to the contrary; therefore we must expect some new event."
+While Abou Hassan was talking thus, Nouzhatoul-aouadat had time
+to put on her clothes again, and both went and sat down on a sofa
+opposite to the window, where they could see all that passed.
+
+In the mean time, Mesrour reached Zobeide's apartment, and going
+into her closet laughing, clapped his hands like one who had
+something very agreeable to tell.
+
+The caliph, naturally impatient, and piqued a little at the
+princess's contradiction, as soon as he saw Mesrour, "Vile
+slave," said he, "is this a time to laugh? Why do not you tell me
+which is dead, the husband or the wife?"
+
+"Commander of the faithful," answered Mesrour, putting on a
+serious countenance, "it is Nouzhatoul-aouadat who is dead, for
+the loss of whom About Hassan is as much afflicted as when he
+appeared before your majesty." The caliph not giving him time to
+pursue his story, interrupted him, and cried out, laughing
+heartily, "Good news! Zobeide, your mistress, was a moment ago
+possessed of the palace of paintings, and now it is mine. She
+staked it against my garden of pleasures, since you went;
+therefore you could not have done me greater pleasure. I will
+take care to reward you: but give me a true account of what you
+saw."
+
+"Commander of the faithful," said Mesrour, "when I came to Abou
+Hassan's apartment, I found the door open, and he was bewailing
+the death of his wife. He sat at the head of the deceased, who
+was laid out in the middle of the room, with her feet towards
+Mecca, and was covered with the piece of brocade which your
+majesty presented to Abou Hassan. After I had expressed the share
+I took in his grief, I went and lifted up the pall at the head,
+and knew Nouzhatoul-aouadat, though hr face was much swelled and
+changed. I exhorted Abou Hassan in the best manner I could to be
+comforted; and when I came away, told him I would attend at his
+wife's funeral, and desired him not to remove the corpse till I
+came. This is all I can tell your majesty." "I ask no more," said
+the caliph, laughing heartily, "and I am well satisfied with your
+exactness." Then addressing himself to Zobeide, "Well, madam,"
+said he, "have you yet any thing to say against so certain a
+truth? Will you still believe that Nouzhatoul-aouadat is alive,
+and that Abou Hassan is dead? And will you not own that you have
+lost your wager?"
+
+"How, sir," replied Zobeide, who would not believe one word
+Mesrour said, "do you think that I regard that impertinent fellow
+of a slave, who knows not what he says? I am not blind or mad.
+With these eyes I saw Nouzhatoul-aouadat in the greatest
+affliction; I spoke to her myself, and she told me that her
+husband was dead." "Madam," replied Mesrour, "I swear to you by
+your own life, and that of the commander of the faithful, which
+are both dear to me, that Nouzhatoul-aouadat is dead, and Abou
+Hassan is living."
+
+"Thou liest, base despicable slave," said Zobeide in a rage, "and
+I will confound thee immediately." Clapping her hands together,
+she called her women, who all approached. "Come hither," said the
+princess to them, "and speak the truth. Who was that who came and
+spoke with me a little before the caliph entered?" The women all
+answered that it was poor afflicted Nouzhatoul-aouadat. "And
+what," added she, addressing herself to her treasurer, "did I
+order you to give her?" "Madam," answered the treasurer, "I gave
+Nouzhatoul-aouadat, by your orders, a purse of a hundred pieces
+of gold and a piece of brocade, which she carried away with her."
+"Well, then, sorry slave," said Zobeide to Mesrour, in passion,
+"what have you to say to all this? Whom do you think now I ought
+to believe, you or my treasurer, my women, and myself?"
+
+Mesrour did not want for arguments to contradict the princess;
+but, as he was afraid of provoking her too much, chose rather to
+be silent, though he was satisfied that the wife was dead, and
+not the husband.
+
+During the whole of this dispute between Zobeide and Mesrour, the
+caliph, who heard the evidence on both sides, and was persuaded
+of the contrary of what the princess asserted, because he had
+himself seen and spoken to Abou Hassan, and from what Mesrour had
+told him, laughed heartily to see Zobeide so exasperated.
+"Madam," said he to her, "once more I repeat that I know not who
+was the author of that saying, that ‘Women sometimes lose their
+wits,' but I am sure you make it good. Mesrour has just come from
+Abou Hassan's, and tells you that he saw Nouzhatoul-aouadat lying
+dead in the middle of the room, Abou Hassan alive, and sitting by
+her; and yet you will not believe this evidence, which nobody can
+reasonably refuse; I cannot comprehend this conduit."
+
+Zobeide would not hear the caliph. "Pardon me, commander of the
+faithful," replied she, "if I suspect you: I see that you have
+contrived with Mesrour to vex me, and to try my patience. And as
+I perceive that this report was concerted between you, I beg
+leave to send a person to Abou Hassan's, to know whether or not I
+am in the wrong."
+
+The caliph consented, and the princess charged with this
+important commission an old nurse, who had lived with her from
+her infancy. "Hark you nurse," said she, "you see my dispute with
+the commander of the faithful, and Mesrour; I need tell you no
+more. Go to Abou Hassan's or rather to Nouzhatoul-aouadat's, for
+Abou Hassan is dead, and clear up this matter for me. If you
+bring me good news, a handsome present is your reward: make
+haste, and return immediately."
+
+The nurse set out, to the great joy of the caliph, who was
+delighted to see Zobeide in this embarrassment; but Mesrour,
+extremely mortified to find the princess so angry with him, did
+all he could to appease her, and to make her and the caliph both
+satisfied with him. He was overjoyed when Zobeide sent the nurse;
+because he was persuaded that the report she must make would
+agree with his, justify him, and restore him to her favour.
+
+In the mean time Abou Hassan, who watched at the window,
+perceived the nurse at a distance, and guessing that she was sent
+by Zobeide, called his wife, and told her that the princess's
+nurse was coming to know the truth. "Therefore," said he, "make
+haste and lay me out." Accordingly Nouzhatoul-aouadat covered him
+with the brocade Zobeide had given her, and put his turban upon
+his face. The nurse, eager to acquit herself of her commission,
+hobbled as fast as age would allow her, and entering the room,
+perceived Nouzhatoul-aouadat in tears, her hair dishevelled, and
+seated at the head of her husband, beating her breast, with all
+the expressions of violent grief.
+
+The good old nurse went directly to the false widow. "My dear
+Nouzhatoul-aouadat," said she, with a sorrowful countenance, "I
+come not to interrupt your grief and tears for a husband whom you
+loved so tenderly." "Ah! good mother," replied the counterfeit
+widow, "you see my misfortune, and how unhappy I am from the loss
+of my beloved Abou Hassan. Abou Hassan, my dear husband!" cried
+she, "what have I done that you should leave me so soon? Have I
+not always preferred your will to my own? Alas! what will become
+of poor Nouzhatoul-aouadat?"
+
+"This black-faced Mesrour," cried the nurse, lifting up her
+hands, "deserves to be punished for having caused so great a
+difference between my good mistress and the commander of the
+faithful, by the falsehood he has told them. Daughter," continued
+she, "that villain Mesrour has asserted, with inconceivable
+impudence, before our good mistress, that you were dead, and Abou
+Hassan was alive."
+
+"Alas! my good mother," cried Nouzhatoul-aouadat, "I wish to
+Heaven that it was true! I should not be in this sorrowful state,
+nor bewail a husband so dear to me!" At these words she wept
+afresh, and with redoubled tears and cries feigned the deepest
+sorrow.
+
+The nurse was so much moved by her tears, that she sat down by
+her, and cried too. Then gently lifting up the turban and cloth,
+looked at the face of the corpse. "Ah! poor Abou Hassan," she
+cried, covering his face again, "God have mercy upon thee. Adieu,
+child," said she to Nouzhatoul-aouadat: "if I could stay longer
+with you, I would with all my heart; but I am obliged to return
+immediately, to deliver my mistress from the uneasiness that
+black villain has occasioned her, by his impudent lie, assuring
+her with an oath that you were dead."
+
+As soon as the nurse was gone, Nouzhatoul-aouadat wiped her eyes
+and released Abou Hassan; they both went and sat down on a sofa
+against the window, expecting what would be the end of this
+stratagem, and to be ready to act according as circumstances
+might require.
+
+
+The nurse, in the mean time, made all the haste she could to
+Zobeide. The pleasure of carrying the princess news favourable to
+her wager, but still more the hopes of a good reward, added wings
+to her feet, and running into the princess's closet quite out of
+breath, she gave her a true account of all she had seen. Zobeide
+hearkened to the old woman's relation with a most sensible
+pleasure; and when she had done, said, with a tone which shewed
+triumph at having, as she supposed, won her wager: "Repeat it
+once more before the caliph, who looks upon us all to be fools,
+would make us believe we have no sense of religion, nor fear of
+God; and tell your story to that wicked black slave, who had the
+insolence to assert a wilful falsehood."
+
+Mesrour, who expected the nurse's report would prove favourable
+on his side, was much mortified to find it so much the contrary,
+and so vexed at the anger Zobeide expressed against him, for a
+thing which he thought himself surer of than any body, that he
+was glad of an opportunity of speaking his mind freely to the old
+women, which he durst not do to the princess. "Old toothless,"
+said he to the nurse, "you are a liar, and there is no truth in
+what you say; for I saw with my own eyes Nouzhatoul-aouadat laid
+out in the middle of the room."
+
+"You are a notorious liar yourself," replied the nurse, with an
+insulting air, "to dare maintain so great a falsity before my
+face, who am just come from seeing Abou Hassan dead, laid out,
+and have left his wife alive." "I am not an impostor," replied
+Mesrour; "it is you who endeavour to lead us all into error."
+
+"What impudence," said the nurse, "to dare tell me I lie in the
+presence of their majesties, when I saw just now with my own eyes
+what I have had the honour to tell them." "Indeed, nurse,"
+answered Mesrour again, "you had better hold your tongue, for you
+certainly doat."
+
+Zobeide, who could no longer endure this want of respect in
+Mesrour, who, without any regard to her, treated her nurse so
+injuriously in her presence, without giving the old lady time to
+reply to so gross an affront, said to the caliph, "Commander of
+the faithful, I demand justice for this insolence to us both."
+She was so enraged she could say no more, but burst into tears.
+
+The caliph, who had heard all the dispute, thought it very
+intricate. He mused some time, and could not tell what to think
+of so many contradictions. The princess on her part, as well as
+Mesrour, the nurse, and all the women slaves, who were present,
+were as much puzzled, and remained silent. At last the caliph,
+addressing himself to Zobeide, said, "I see we are all liars;
+myself first, then you, Mesrour, and you, nurse; or at least it
+seems not one can be believed more than the other; therefore let
+us go ourselves to examine the truth, for I can see no other way
+to clear up these doubts."
+
+So saying, the caliph arose, the princess followed him, and
+Mesrour went before to open the doors. "Commander of the
+faithful," said he, "I am overjoyed that your majesty has taken
+this course; and shall be much more, when I shall make it plainly
+appear to the nurse, not that she doats, since the expression is
+unfortunately displeasing to my good mistress, but that her
+report is not true."
+
+The nurse wanted not a reply; "Hold your tongue, black face,"
+said she; "you doat yourself."
+
+Zobeide, who was much provoked at Mesrour, could not bear to hear
+him attack her nurse again without taking her part: "Vile slave,"
+said she, "say what you will, I maintain my nurse speaks the
+truth, and look upon you as a mere liar." "Madam," replied
+Mesrour, "if nurse is so very certain that Nouzhatoul-aouadat is
+alive, and Abou Hassan dead, I will lay her what she dares of
+it." The nurse was as ready as he; "I dare," said she, "take you
+at your word: let us see if you dare unsay it." Mesrour stood to
+his word; and they laid a piece of gold brocade with silver
+flowers before the caliph and the princess.
+
+The apartment from which the caliph and Zobeide set out, though
+distant from Abou Hassan's, was nevertheless just opposite, so
+that he perceived them coming, and told his wife that he was much
+mistaken if the caliph and Zobeide, preceded by Mesrour, and
+followed by a great number of women, were not about to do them
+the honour of a visit. She looked through a lattice and saw them,
+seemed frightened, and cried out, "What shall we do? we are
+ruined." "Fear nothing," replied Abou Hassan. "Have you forgotten
+already what we agreed on? We will both feign ourselves dead, and
+you shall see all will go well. At the slow rate they are coming,
+we shall be ready before they reach the door." Accordingly, Abou
+Hassan and his wife wrapped up and covered themselves with the
+pieces of brocade, and waited patiently for their visitors.
+
+Mesrour, who came first, opened the door, and the caliph and
+Zobeide, followed by their attendants, entered the room; but were
+struck with horror, and stood motionless, at the spectacle which
+presented itself to their view, not knowing what to think. At
+length Zobeide breaking silence, said to the caliph, "Alas! they
+are both dead! You have done much," continued she, looking at the
+caliph and Mesrour, "to endeavour to make me believe that my dear
+slave was dead, and I find it is true: grief at the loss of her
+husband has certainly killed her." "Say rather, madam," answered
+the caliph, prepossessed to the contrary, that Nouzhatoul-aoudat
+died first, "the afflicted Abou Hassan sunk under his grief, and
+could not survive his dear wife; you ought, therefore, to confess
+that you have lost your wager, and that your palace of paintings
+is mine."
+
+"Hold there," answered Zobeide, warmed at being contradicted by
+the caliph; "I will maintain you have lost your garden of
+pleasures. Abou Hassan died first; since my nurse told you, as
+well as me, that she saw her alive, and weeping for the death of
+her husband."
+
+The dispute of the caliph and Zobeide brought on another between
+Mesrour and the nurse, who had wagered as well as they; each
+affirmed to have won, and at length they proceeded to abuse each
+other very grossly.
+
+At last the caliph, reflecting on what had passed, began to think
+that Zobeide had as much reason as himself to maintain that she
+had won. In this embarrassment of not being able to find out the
+truth, he advanced towards the corpses, and sat down at the head,
+searching for some expedient that might gain him the victory over
+Zobeide. "I swear," cried he presently after, "by the holy name
+of God, that I will give a thousand pieces of gold to him who can
+tell me which of these two died first."
+
+
+No sooner were these words out of the caliph's mouth, than he
+heard a voice under Abou Hassan's piece of brocade say,
+"Commander of the faithful, I died first, give me the thousand
+pieces of gold." At the same instant Abou Hassan threw off the
+piece of brocade, and springing up, prostrated himself at his
+feet, while his wife did the same to Zobeide, keeping on her
+piece of brocade out of decency. The princess at first shrieked
+out, but recovering herself, expressed great joy to see her dear
+slave rise again, just when she was almost inconsolable at having
+seen her dead. "Ah! wicked Nouzhatoul-aouadat," cried she, "what
+have I suffered for your sake? However, I forgive you from my
+heart, since you are not dead."
+
+The caliph was not so much surprised, when he heard Abou Hassan's
+voice: but thought he should have died with laughing at this
+unravelling of the mystery, and to hear Abou Hassan ask so
+seriously for the thousand pieces of gold. "What, Abou Hassan,"
+said he, continuing to laugh aloud, "hast thou conspired against
+my life, to kill me a second time with laughing? How came this
+thought into your head, to surprise Zobeide and me thus, when we
+least thought of such a trick?"
+
+"Commander of the faithful," replied Abou Hassan, "I will declare
+to your majesty the whole truth, without the least reserve. Your
+majesty knows that I always loved to eat and drink well' and the
+wife you gave me rather increased than restrained this
+propensity. With these dispositions your majesty may easily
+suppose we might spend a good estate; and to make short of my
+story, we were not sparing of what your majesty so generously
+gave us. This morning, accounting with our caterer, who took care
+to provide every thing for us, and paying what we owed him, we
+found we had nothing left. Then, reflections on what was past,
+and resolutions to manage better for the future, crowded into our
+thoughts; we formed a thousand projects, all of which we
+rejected. At last, the shame of seeing ourselves reduced to so
+low a condition, and not daring to tell your majesty, made us
+contrive this stratagem to relieve our necessities, and to divert
+you, which we hope your majesty will be pleased to pardon."
+
+The caliph was satisfied with Abou Hassan's sincerity, and
+Zobeide, who had till now been very serious, began to laugh at
+the thought of Abou Hassan's scheme. The caliph, who had not
+ceased laughing at the singularity of the adventure, rising, said
+to Abou Hassan and his wife, "Follow me; I will give you the
+thousand pieces of gold I promised, for joy to find you are not
+dead." Zobeide desired him to let her make her slave a present of
+the same sum, for the same reason. By this means Abou Hassan and
+his wife Nouzhatoul-aouadat preserved the favour of the caliph
+Haroon al Rusheed and the princess Zobeide, and by their
+liberalities were enabled to pursue their pleasures.
+
+
+
+
+
+               THE STORY OF ALLA AD DEEN; OR, THE
+                        WONDERFUL LAMP.
+
+
+
+In the capital of one of the large and rich provinces of the
+kingdom of China, the name of which I do not recollect, there
+lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who was so poor, that he could
+hardly, by his daily labour, maintain himself and his family,
+which consisted of a wife and son.
+
+His son, who was called Alla ad Deen, had been brought up in a
+very careless and idle manner, and by that means had contracted
+many vicious habits. He was wicked, obstinate, and disobedient to
+his father and mother, who, when he grew up, could not keep him
+within doors. He was in the habit of going out early in the
+morning, and would stay out all day, playing in the streets and
+public places with idle children of his own age.
+
+When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father not being
+able to put him out to any other, took him into his own shop, and
+taught him how to use his needle: but neither fair words nor the
+fear of chastisement were capable of fixing his lively genius.
+All his father's endeavours to keep him to his work were in vain;
+for no sooner was his back turned, than he was gone for that day.
+Mustapha chastised him, but Alla ad Deen was incorrigible, and
+his father, to his great grief, was forced to abandon him to his
+idleness: and was so much troubled at not being able to reclaim
+him, that it threw him into a fit of sickness, of which he died
+in a few months.
+
+The mother, finding that her son would not follow his father's
+business, shut up the shop, sold off the implements of trade, and
+with the money she received for them, and what she could get by
+spinning cotton, thought to maintain herself and her son. Alla ad
+Deen, who was now no longer restrained by the fear of a father,
+and who cared so little for his mother, that whenever she chid
+him, he would abuse her, gave himself entirely over to his idle
+habits, and was never out of the streets from his companions.
+This course he followed till he was fifteen years old, without
+giving his mind to any useful pursuit, or the least reflection on
+what would become of him. In this situation, as he was one day
+playing according to custom in the street, with his vagabond
+associates, a stranger passing by stood to observe him.
+
+This stranger was a sorcerer, called by the writer of this story,
+the African magician; he was a native of Africa, and had been but
+two days arrived from thence.
+
+The African magician, who was a good physiognomist, observing in
+Alla ad Deen's countenance something absolutely necessary for the
+execution of the design he was engaged in, inquired artfully
+about his family, who he was, and what were his inclinations; and
+when he had learned all he desired to know, went up to him, and
+taking him aside from his comrades, said, "Child, was not your
+father called Mustapha the tailor?" "Yes, sir," answered the boy;
+"but he has been dead a long time."
+
+At these words, the African magician threw his arms about Alla ad
+Deen's neck, and kissed him several times with tears in his eyes.
+Alla ad Deen, who observed his tears, asked him what made him
+weep. "Alas! my son," cried the African magician with a sigh,
+"how can I forbear?
+
+"I am your uncle; your worthy father was my own brother. I have
+been many years abroad, and now I am come home with the hopes of
+seeing him, you tell me he is dead. I assure you it is a sensible
+grief to me to be deprived of the comfort I expected. But it is
+some relief to my affliction, that as far as I can remember him,
+I knew you at first sight, you are so like him; and I see I am
+not deceived." Then he asked Alla ad Deen, putting his hand into
+his purse, where his mother lived; and as soon as he had informed
+him, gave him a handful of small money, saying, "Go, my son, to
+your mother, give my love to her, and tell her that I will visit
+her to-morrow, if I have time, that I may have the satisfaction
+of seeing where my good brother lived so long, and ended his
+days."
+
+As soon as the African magician left his newly-adopted nephew,
+Alla ad Deen ran to his mother, overjoyed at the money his uncle
+had given him. "Mother," said he, "have I an uncle?" "No, child,"
+replied his mother, "you have no uncle by your father's side, or
+mine." "I am just now come," said Alla ad Deen, "from a man who
+says he is my uncle by my father's side, assuring me that he is
+his brother. He cried and kissed me when I told him my father was
+dead; and to shew you that what I tell you is truth," added he,
+pulling out the money, "see what he has given me. He charged me
+to give his love to you, and to tell you, if he has any time to-
+morrow, he will come and pay you a visit, that he may see the
+house my father lived and died in." "Indeed, child," replied the
+mother, "your father had a brother, but he has been dead a long
+time, and I never heard of another."
+
+The mother and son talked no more then of the African magician;
+but the next day Alla ad Deen's uncle found him playing in
+another part of the town with other children, and embracing him
+as before, put two pieces of gold into his hand, and said to him,
+"Carry this, child, to your mother, tell her that I will come and
+see her tonight, and bid her get us something for supper; but
+first shew me the house where you live."
+
+After Alla ad Deen had shewed the African magician the house, he
+carried the two pieces of gold to his mother, and when he had
+told her of his uncle's intention, she went out and bought
+provisions; and considering she wanted various utensils, borrowed
+them of her neighbours. She spent the whole day in preparing the
+supper; and at night when it was ready, said to her son, "Perhaps
+your uncle knows not how to find our house; go and bring him if
+you meet with him."
+
+Though Alla ad Deen had shewed the magician the house, he was
+ready to go, when somebody knocked at the door, which he
+immediately opened: and the magician came in loaded with wine,
+and all sorts of fruits, which he brought for a dessert.
+
+After the African magician had given what he brought into Alla ad
+Deen's hands, he saluted his mother, and desired her to shew him
+the place where his brother Mustapha used to sit on the sofa; and
+when she had so done, he fell down and kissed it several times,
+crying out with tears in his eyes, "My poor brother! How unhappy
+am I, not to have come soon enough to give you one last embrace."
+Alla ad Deen's mother desired him to sit down in the same place,
+but he declined. "No," said he, "I shall take care how I do that;
+but give me leave to sit opposite to it, that although I am
+deprived of the satisfaction of seeing the master of a family so
+dear to me, I may at least have the pleasure of beholding the
+place where he used to sit." The widow pressed him no farther,
+but left him at liberty to sit where he pleased.
+
+When the magician had made choice of a place, and sat down, he
+began to enter into discourse with Alla ad Deen's mother. "My
+good sister," said he, "do not be surprised at your never having
+seen me all the time you have been married to my brother Mustapha
+of happy memory. I have been forty years absent from this
+country, which is my native place, as well as my late brother's;
+and during that time have travelled into the Indies, Persia,
+Arabia, Syria, and Egypt, have resided in the finest towns of
+those countries; and afterwards crossed over into Africa, where I
+made a longer stay. At last, as it is natural for a man, how
+distant soever it may be, to remember his native country,
+relations, and acquaintance, I was desirous to see mine again,
+and to embrace my dear brother; and finding I had strength enough
+to undertake so long a journey, I immediately made the necessary
+preparations, and set out. I will not tell you the length of time
+it took me, all the obstacles I met with, and what fatigues I
+have endured, to come hither; but nothing ever mortified and
+afflicted me so much, as hearing of my brother's death, for whom
+I always had a brotherly love and friendship. I observed his
+features in the face of my nephew, your son, and distinguished
+him among a number of children with whom he was at play; he can
+tell you how I received the most melancholy news that ever
+reached my ears. But God be praised for all things! It is a
+comfort for me to find, as it were, my brother in a son, who has
+his most remarkable features."
+
+The African magician perceiving that the widow began to weep at
+the remembrance of her husband, changed the conversation, and
+turning towards her son, asked him his name. "I am called Alla ad
+Deen," said he. "Well, Alla ad Deen," replied the magician, "what
+business do you follow? Are you of any trade?"
+
+At this question the youth hung down his head, and was not a
+little abashed when his mother answered, "Alla ad Deen is an idle
+fellow; his father, when alive, strove all he could to teach him
+his trade, but could not succeed; and since his death,
+notwithstanding all I can say to him, he does nothing but idle
+away his time in the streets, as you saw him, without considering
+he is no longer a child; and if you do not make him ashamed of
+it, I despair of his ever coming to any good. He knows that his
+father left him no fortune, and sees me endeavour to get bread by
+spinning cotton; for my part, I am resolved one of these days to
+turn him out of doors, and let him provide for himself."
+
+After these words, Alla ad Deen's mother burst into tears; and
+the magician said, "This is not well, nephew; you must think of
+helping yourself, and getting your livelihood. There are many
+sorts of trades, consider if you have not an inclination to some
+of them; perhaps you did not like your father's, and would prefer
+another: come, do not disguise your sentiments from me; I will
+endeavour to help you." But finding that Alla ad Deen returned no
+answer, "If you have no mind," continued he, "to learn any
+handicraft, I will take a shop for you, furnish it with all sorts
+of fine stuffs and linens; and with the money you make of them
+lay in fresh goods, and then you will live in an honourable way.
+Consult your inclination, and tell me freely what you think of my
+proposal: you shall always find me ready to keep my word."
+
+This plan greatly flattered Alla ad Deen, who hated work, but had
+sense enough to know that such shops were much frequented, and
+the owners respected. He told the magician he had a greater
+inclination to that business than to any other, and that he
+should be much obliged to him for his kindness. "Since this
+profession is agreeable to you," said the African magician, "I
+will carry you with me to-morrow, clothe you as handsomely as the
+best merchants in the city, and afterwards we will think of
+opening a shop as I mentioned."
+
+The widow, who never till then could believe that the magician
+was her husband's brother, no longer doubted after his promises
+of kindness to her son. She thanked him for his good intentions;
+and after having exhorted Alla ad Deen to render himself worthy
+of his uncle's favour by good behaviour, served up supper, at
+which they talked of several indifferent matters; and then the
+magician, who saw that the night was pretty far advanced, took
+his leave, and retired.
+
+He came again the next day, as he had promised, and took Alla ad
+Deen with him to a merchant, who sold all sorts of clothes for
+different ages and ranks ready made, and a variety of fine
+stuffs. He asked to see some that suited Alla ad Deen in size;
+and after choosing a suit for himself which he liked best, and
+rejecting others which he did not think handsome enough, he bade
+Alla ad Deen choose those he preferred. Alla ad Deen, charmed
+with the liberality of his new uncle, made choice of one, and the
+magician immediately paid for it.
+
+When Alla ad Deen found himself so handsomely equipped, he
+returned his uncle thanks; who promised never to forsake him, but
+always to take him along with him; which he did to the most
+frequented places in the city, and particularly where the
+principal merchants kept their shops.
+
+When he brought him into the street where they sold the richest
+stuffs, and finest linens, he said to Alla ad Deen, "As you are
+soon to be a merchant, it is proper you should frequent these
+shops, and be acquainted with them." He then shewed him the
+largest and finest mosques, carried him to the khans or inns
+where the merchants and travellers lodged, and afterwards to the
+sultan's palace, where he had free access; and at last brought
+him to his own khan, where meeting with some merchants he had
+become acquainted with since his arrival, he gave them a treat,
+to bring them and his pretended nephew acquainted.
+
+This entertainment lasted till night, when Alla ad Deen would
+have taken leave of his uncle to go home; the magician would not
+let him go by himself, but conducted him to his mother, who, as
+soon as she saw him so well dressed, was transported with joy,
+and bestowed a thousand blessings upon the magician, for being at
+so great an expense upon her child. "Generous relation!" said
+she, "I know not how to thank you for your liberality! I know
+that my son is not deserving of your favours; and were he ever so
+grateful, and answered your good intentions, he would be unworthy
+of them. I thank you with all my soul, and wish you may live long
+enough to witness my son's gratitude, which he cannot better shew
+than by regulating his conduct by your good advice." "Alla ad
+Deen," replied the magician, "is a good boy, and I believe we
+shall do very well; but I am sorry for one thing, which is, that
+I cannot perform to-morrow what I promised, because, as it is
+Friday, the shops will be shut up, and therefore we cannot hire
+or furnish one, but must wait till Saturday. I will, however,
+call on him to-morrow and take him to walk in the gardens, where
+people of the best fashion generally resort. Perhaps he has never
+seen these amusements, he has only hitherto been among children;
+but now he must see men." The African magician took his leave of
+the mother and the son, and retired. Alla ad Deen, who was
+overjoyed to be so well clothed, anticipated the pleasure of
+walking in the gardens. He had never been out of the town, nor
+seen the environs, which were very beautiful and pleasant.
+
+Alla ad Deen rose early the next morning, dressed himself, to be
+ready when his uncle called on him; and after he had waited some
+time, began to be impatient, and stood watching at the door; but
+as soon as he perceived him coming, he told his mother, took his
+leave of her, and ran to meet him.
+
+The magician caressed Alla ad Deen, and said, "Come, my dear
+child, and I will shew you fine things." He then led him out at
+one of the gates of the city, to some magnificent houses, or
+rather palaces, to each of which belonged beautiful gardens, into
+which anybody might enter. At every building he came to, he asked
+Alla ad Deen if he did not think it fine; and the youth was ready
+to answer when any one presented itself, crying out, "Here is a
+finer house, uncle, than any we have seen yet." By this artifice,
+the cunning magician led Alla ad Deen some way into the country;
+and as he meant to carry him farther, to execute his design, he
+took an opportunity to sit down in one of the gardens on the
+brink of a fountain of clear water, which discharged itself by a
+lion's mouth of bronze into a basin, pretending to be tired.
+"Come, nephew," said he, "you must be weary as well as I; let us
+rest ourselves, and we shall be better able to pursue our walk."
+
+After they had sat down, the magician pulled from his girdle a
+handkerchief with cakes and fruit, which he had provided, and
+laid them on the edge of the basin. He broke a cake in two, gave
+one half to Alla ad Deen, and ate the other himself; and in
+regard to the fruit, left him at liberty to take which sort he
+liked best. During this short repast, he exhorted his nephew to
+leave off keeping company with vagabonds, and seek that of wise
+and prudent men, to improve by their conversation. "For," said
+he, "you will soon be at man's estate, and you cannot too early
+begin to imitate their example." When they had eaten as much as
+they liked, they got up, and pursued their walk through gardens
+separated from one another only by small ditches, which marked
+out the limits without interrupting the communication; so great
+was the confidence the inhabitants reposed in each other. By this
+means, the African magician drew Alla ad Deen insensibly beyond
+the gardens, and crossed the country, till they nearly reached
+the mountains.
+
+Alla ad Deen, who had never been so far before, began to find
+himself much tired with so long a walk, and said to the magician,
+"Where are we going, uncle? We have left the gardens a great way
+behind us, and I see nothing but mountains; if we go much
+further, I do not know whether I shall be able to reach the town
+again?" "Never fear, nephew," said the false uncle; "I will shew
+you another garden which surpasses all we have yet seen; it is
+not far off; and when we come there, you will say that you would
+have been sorry to have been so nigh, and not seen it." Alla ad
+Deen was soon persuaded; and the magician, to make the way seem
+shorter and less fatiguing, told him a great many stories.
+
+At last they arrived between two mountains of moderate height,
+and equal size, divided by a narrow valley, which was the place
+where the magician intended to execute the design that had
+brought him from Africa to China. "We will go no farther now,"
+said he to Alla ad Deen: "I will shew you here some extraordinary
+things, which, when you have seen, you will thank me for: but
+while I strike a light, gather up all the loose dry sticks you
+can see, to kindle a fire with."
+
+Alla ad Deen found so many dried sticks, that before the magician
+had made a light, he had collected a great heap. The magician
+presently set them on fire, and when they were in a blaze, threw
+in some incense which raised a cloud of smoke. This he dispersed
+on each side, by pronouncing several magical words which Alla ad
+Deen did not understand.
+
+At the same time the earth trembling, opened just before the
+magician, and uncovered a stone, laid horizontally, with a brass
+ring fixed into the middle. Alla ad Deen was so frightened at
+what he saw, that he would have run away; but the magician caught
+hold of him, abused him, and gave him such a box on the ear, that
+he knocked him down. Alla ad Deen got up trembling, and with
+tears in his eyes, said to the magician, "What have I done,
+uncle, to be treated in this severe manner?" "I have my reasons,"
+answered the magician: "I am your uncle, I supply the place of
+your father, and you ought to make no reply. But, child," added
+he, softening, "do not be afraid; for I shall not ask any thing
+of you, but that you obey me punctually, if you would reap the
+advantages which I intend you." These fair promises calmed Alla
+ad Deen's fears and resentment; and when the magician saw that he
+was appeased, he said to him, "You see what I have done by virtue
+of my incense, and the words I pronounced. Know then, that under
+this stone there is hidden a treasure, destined to be yours, and
+which will make you richer than the greatest monarch in the
+world: no person but yourself is permitted to lift this stone, or
+enter the cave; so you must punctually execute what I may
+command, for it is a matter of great consequence both to you and
+me."
+
+Alla ad Deen, amazed at all he saw and heard the magician say of
+the treasure which was to make him happy, forgot what was past,
+and rising, said, "Well, uncle, what is to be done? Command me, I
+am ready to obey." "I am overjoyed, child," said the African
+magician, embracing him; "take hold of the ring, and lift up that
+stone." "Indeed, uncle," replied Alla ad Deen, "I am not strong
+enough, you must help me." "You have no occasion for my
+assistance," answered the magician; "if I help you, we shall be
+able to do nothing; take hold of the ring, pronounce the names of
+your father and grandfather, then lift it up, and you will find
+it will come easily." Alla ad Deen did as the magician bade him,
+raised the stone with ease, and laid it on one side.
+
+When the stone was pulled up, there appeared a cavity of about
+three or four feet deep, with a little door, and steps to go down
+lower. "Observe, my son," said the African magician, "what I
+direct. Descend into the cave, and when you are at the bottom of
+those steps you will find a door open, which will lead you into a
+spacious vault, divided into three great halls, in each of which
+you will see four large brass cisterns placed on each side, full
+of gold and silver; but take care you do not meddle with them.
+Before you enter the first hall, be sure to tuck up your vest,
+wrap it about you, and then pass through the second into the
+third without stopping. Above all things, have a care that you do
+not touch the walls, so much as with your clothes; for if you do,
+you will die instantly. At the end of the third hall, you will
+find a door which opens into a garden planted with fine trees
+loaded with fruit; walk directly across the garden by a path
+which will lead you to five steps that will bring you upon a
+terrace, where you will see a niche before you, and in that niche
+a lighted lamp. Take the lamp down, and extinguish it: when you
+have thrown away the wick, and poured out the liquor, put it in
+your vestband and bring it to me. Do not be afraid that the
+liquor will spoil your clothes, for it is not oil; and the lamp
+will be dry as soon as it is thrown out. If you should wish for
+any of the fruit of the garden, you may gather as much as you
+please."
+
+After these words, the magician drew a ring off his finger, and
+put it on one of Alla ad Deen's, telling him that it was a
+preservative against all evil, while he should observe what he
+had prescribed to him. After this instruction he said, "Go down
+boldly, child, and we shall both be rich all our lives."
+
+Alla ad Deen jumped into the cave, descended the steps, and found
+the three halls just as the African magician had described. He
+went through them with all the precaution the fear of death could
+inspire; crossed the garden without stopping, took down the lamp
+from the niche, threw out the wick and the liquor, and, as the
+magician had desired, put it in his vestband. But as he came down
+from the terrace, seeing it was perfectly dry, he stopped in the
+garden to observe the fruit, which he only had a glimpse of in
+crossing it. All the trees were loaded with extraordinary fruit,
+of different colours on each tree. Some bore fruit entirely
+white, and some clear and transparent as crystal; some pale red,
+and others deeper; some green, blue, and purple, and others
+yellow: in short, there was fruit of all colours. The white were
+pearls; the clear and transparent, diamonds; the deep red,
+rubies; the paler, rubies; the green, emeralds; the blue,
+turquoises; the purple, amethysts; and those that were of yellow
+cast, sapphires. Alla ad Deen was altogether ignorant of their
+worth, and would have preferred figs and grapes, or any other
+fruits. But though he took them only for coloured glass of little
+value, yet he was so pleased with the variety of the colours, and
+the beauty and extraordinary size of the seeming fruit, that he
+resolved to gather some of every sort; and accordingly filled the
+two new purses his uncle had bought for him with his clothes.
+Some he wrapped up in the skirts of his vest, which was of silk,
+large and wrapping, and crammed his bosom as full as it could
+hold.
+
+Alla ad Deen, having thus loaded himself with riches he knew not
+the value of, returned through the three halls with the same
+precaution, made all the haste he could, that he might not make
+his uncle wait, and soon arrived at the mouth of the cave, where
+the African magician expected him with the utmost impatience. As
+soon as Alla ad Deen saw him, he cried out, "Pray, uncle, lend me
+your hand, to help me out." "Give me the lamp first," replied the
+magician; "it will be troublesome to you." "Indeed, uncle,"
+answered Alla ad Deen, "I cannot now; it is not troublesome to
+me: but I will as soon as I am up." The African magician was so
+obstinate, that he would have the lamp before he would help him
+up; and Alla ad Deen, who had encumbered himself so much with his
+fruit that he could not well get at it, refused to give it to him
+till he was out of the cave. The African magician, provoked at
+this obstinate refusal, flew into a passion, threw a little of
+his incense into the fire, which he had taken care to keep in,
+and no sooner pronounced two magical words, than the stone which
+had closed the mouth of the cave moved into its place, with the
+earth over it in the same manner as it lay at the arrival of the
+magician and Alla ad Deen.
+
+This action of the African magician's plainly shewed him to be
+neither Alla ad Deen's uncle, nor Mustapha the tailor's brother;
+but a true African. Africa is a country whose inhabitants delight
+most in magic of any in the whole world, and he had applied
+himself to it from his youth. After forty years' experience in
+enchantments, geomancy, fumigations, and reading of magic books,
+he had found out that there was in the world a wonderful lamp,
+the possession of which would render him more powerful than any
+monarch; and by a late operation of geomancy, he had discovered
+that this lamp lay concealed in a subterraneous place in the
+midst of China, in the situation already described. Fully
+persuaded of the truth of this discovery, he set out from the
+farthest part of Africa; and after a long and fatiguing journey,
+came to the town nearest to this treasure. But though he had a
+certain knowledge of the place where the lamp was, he was not
+permitted to take it himself, nor to enter the .subterraneous
+place, but must receive it from the hands of another person. For
+this reason he had addressed himself to Alla ad Deen, whom he
+looked upon as a young lad whose life was of no consequence, and
+fit to serve his purpose, resolving, as soon as he should get the
+lamp into his hands, to sacrifice him to his avarice and
+wickedness, by making the fumigation mentioned before, and
+repeating two magical words, the effect of which would remove the
+stone into its place, so that no witness would remain of the
+transaction.
+
+The blow he had given Alla ad Deen was intended to make him obey
+the more readily, and give him the lamp as soon as he should ask
+for it. But his too great precipitation, and his fear lest
+somebody should come that way during their dispute, and discover
+what he wished to keep secret, produced an effect quite contrary
+to what he had proposed to himself.
+
+When the African magician saw that all his hopes were frustrated
+forever, he returned the same day for Africa; but went quite
+round the town, and at some distance from it, lest some persons
+who had observed him walk out with the boy, on seeing him come
+back without him, should entertain any suspicions, and stop him.
+
+According to all appearances, there was no prospects of Alla ad
+Deen being any more heard of. But the magician, when he had
+contrived his death, forgot the ring he had put upon his finger,
+which preserved him, though he knew not its virtue. It may seem
+astonishing that the loss of that, together with the lamp, did
+not drive the magician to despair; but magicians are so much used
+to misfortunes, and events contrary to their wishes, that they do
+not lay them to heart, but still feed themselves, to the end of
+life, with unsubstantial notions and chimeras.
+
+The surprise of Alla ad Deen, who had never suspected this
+treachery from his pretended uncle, after all his caresses and
+what he had done for him, is more easily to be imagined than
+expressed. When he found himself buried alive, he cried, and
+called out to his uncle, to tell him he was ready to give him the
+lamp; but in vain, since his cries could not be heard. He
+descended to the bottom of the steps, with a design to get into
+the garden, but the door, which was opened before by enchantment,
+was now shut by the same means. He then redoubled his cries and
+tears, sat down on the steps, without any hopes of ever seeing
+light again, and in a melancholy certainty of passing from the
+present darkness into that of a speedy death.
+
+Alla ad Deen remained in this state two days, without eating or
+drinking, and on the third looked upon death as inevitable.
+Clasping his hands with an entire resignation to the will of God,
+he said, "There is no strength or power but in the great and high
+God." In this action of joining his hands he rubbed the ring
+which the magician had put on his finger, and of which he knew
+not yet the virtue. Immediately a genie of enormous size and
+frightful aspect rose out of the earth, his head reaching the
+roof of the vault, and said to him, "What wouldst thou have? I am
+ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of all who may
+possess the ring on thy finger; I, and the other slaves of that
+ring."
+
+At another time, Alla ad Deen, who had not been used to such
+appearances, would have been so frightened at the sight of so
+extraordinary a figure that he would not have been able to speak;
+but the danger he was in made him answer without hesitation,
+"Whoever thou art, deliver me from this place, if thou art able."
+He had no sooner spoken these words, than he found himself on the
+very spot where the magician had caused the earth to open.
+
+It was some time before his eyes could bear the light, after
+being so long in total darkness: but after he had endeavoured by
+degrees to support it, and began to look about him, he was much
+surprised not to find the earth open, and could not comprehend
+how he had got so soon out of its bowels. There was nothing to be
+seen but the place where the fire had been, by which he could
+nearly judge the situation of the cave. Then turning himself
+towards the town, he perceived it at a distance in the midst of
+the gardens that surrounded it, and saw the way by which the
+magician had brought him. Returning God thanks to find himself
+once more in the world, he made the best of his way home. When he
+got within his mother's door, the joy to see her and his weakness
+for want of sustenance for three days made him faint, and he
+remained for a long time as dead. His mother, who had given him
+over for lost, seeing him in this condition, omitted nothing to
+bring him to himself. As soon as he recovered, the first words he
+spoke, were, "Pray, mother, give me something to eat, for I have
+not put a morsel of anything into my mouth these three days." His
+mother brought what she had, and set it before him. "My son,"
+said she, "be not too eager, for it is dangerous; eat but little
+at a time, and take care of yourself. Besides, I would not have
+you talk; you will have time enough to tell me what has happened
+to you when you are recovered. It is a great comfort to me to see
+you again, after the affliction I have been in since Friday, and
+the pains I have taken to learn what was become of you."
+
+Alla ad Deen took his mother's advice, and ate and drank
+moderately. When he had done, "Mother," said he to her, "I cannot
+help complaining of you, for abandoning me so easily to the
+discretion of a man who had a design to kill me. and who at this
+very moment thinks my death certain. You believed he was my
+uncle, as well as I; and what other thoughts could we entertain
+of a man who was so kind to me, and made such advantageous
+proffers? But I must tell you, mother, he is a rogue and a cheat,
+and only made me those promises to accomplish my death; but for
+what reason neither you nor I can guess. For my part, I can
+assure you, I never gave him any cause to justify the least ill
+treatment from him. You shall judge yourself, when you have heard
+all that passed from the time I left you, till he came to the
+execution of his wicked design."
+
+Alla ad Deen then related to his mother all that had happened to
+him from the Friday, when the magician took him to see the
+palaces and gardens about the town, and what fell out in the way,
+till they came to the place between the two mountains where the
+great prodigy was to be performed; how, with incense which the
+magician threw into the fire, and some magical words which he
+pronounced, the earth opened, and discovered a cave, which led to
+an inestimable treasure. He forgot not the blow the magician had
+given him, in what manner he softened again, and engaged him by
+great promises, and putting a ring to his finger, to go down into
+the cave. He did not omit the least circumstance of what he saw
+in crossing the three halls and the garden, and his taking the
+lamp, which he pulled out of his bosom and shewed to his mother,
+as well as the transparent fruit of different colours, which he
+had gathered in the garden as he returned. But, though these
+fruits were precious stones, brilliant as the sun, and the
+reflection of a lamp which then lighted the room might have led
+them to think they were of great value, she was as ignorant of
+their worth as her son, and cared nothing for them. She had been
+bred in a low rank of life, and her husband's poverty prevented
+his being possessed of jewels, nor had she, her relations, or
+neighbours, ever seen any; so that we must not wonder that she
+regarded them as things of no value, and only pleasing to the eye
+by the variety of their colours.
+
+Alla ad Deen put them behind one of the cushions of the sofa, and
+continued his story, telling his mother, that when he returned to
+the mouth of the cave, upon his refusal to give the magician the
+lamp till he should get out, the stone, by his throwing some
+incense into the fire, and using two or three magical words, shut
+him in, and the earth closed. He could not help bursting into
+tears at the representation of the miserable condition he was in,
+at finding himself buried alive in a dismal cave, till by the
+touching of his ring, the virtue of which he was till then an
+entire stranger to, he, properly speaking, came to life again.
+When he had finished his story, he said to his mother, "I need
+say no more, you know the rest. This is my adventure, and the
+danger I have been exposed to since you saw me."
+
+Alla ad Deen's mother heard with so much patience as not to
+interrupt him this surprising and wonderful relation,
+notwithstanding it could be no small affliction to a mother, who
+loved her son tenderly: but yet in the most moving part which
+discovered the perfidy of the African magician, she could not
+help shewing, by marks of the greatest indignation, how much she
+detested him; and when her son had finished his story, she broke
+out into a thousand reproaches against that vile impostor. She
+called him perfidious traitor, barbarian, assassin, deceiver,
+magician, and an enemy and destroyer of mankind. "Without doubt,
+child," added she, "he is a magician, and they are plagues to the
+world, and by their enchantments and sorceries have commerce with
+the devil. Bless God for preserving you from his wicked designs;
+for your death would have been inevitable, if you had not called
+upon him, and implored his assistance." She said a great deal
+more against the magician's treachery; but finding that whilst
+she talked, Alla ad Deen, who had not slept for three days and
+nights, began to doze, she left him to his repose and retired.
+
+Alla ad Deen, who had not closed his eyes while he was in the
+subterraneous abode, slept very soundly till late the next
+morning; when the first thing he said to his mother was that he
+wanted something to eat, and that she could not do him a greater
+kindness than to give him his breakfast. "Alas! child," said she,
+"I have not a bit of bread to give you, you ate up all the
+provisions I had in the house yesterday; but have a little
+patience, and it shall not be long before I will bring you some:
+I have a little cotton, which I have spun; I will go and sell it,
+buy bread, and something for our dinner." "Mother," replied Alla
+ad Deen, "keep your cotton for another time, and give me the lamp
+I brought home with me yesterday; I will go and sell it, and the
+money I shall get for it will serve both for breakfast and
+dinner, and perhaps supper too."
+
+Alla ad Deen's mother took the lamp, and said to her son, "Here
+it is, but it is very dirty; if it was a little cleaner I believe
+it would bring something more." She took some fine sand and water
+to clean it; but had no sooner begun to rub it, than in an
+instant a hideous genie of gigantic size appeared before her, and
+said to her in a voice like thunder, "What wouldst thou have? I
+am ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of all those
+who have that lamp in their hands; I and the other slaves of the
+lamp."
+
+Alla ad Deen's mother, terrified at the sight of the genie,
+fainted; when Alla ad Deen, who had seen such a phantom in the
+cavern, snatched the lamp out of his mother's hand, and said to
+the genie boldly, "I am hungry, bring me something to eat." The
+genie disappeared immediately, and in an instant returned with a
+large silver tray, holding twelve covered dishes of the same
+metal, which contained the most delicious viands; six large white
+bread cakes on two plates, two flagons of wine, and two silver
+cups. All these he placed upon a carpet, and disappeared; this
+was done before Alla ad Deen's mother recovered from her swoon.
+
+Alla ad Deen had fetched some water, and sprinkled it in her
+face, to recover her: whether that or the smell of the meat
+brought her to life again, it was not long before she came to
+herself. "Mother," said Alla ad Deen, "do not mind this; get up,
+and come and eat; here is what will put you in heart, and at the
+same time satisfy my extreme hunger: do not let such delicious
+meat get cold."
+
+His mother was much surprised to see the great tray, twelve
+dishes, six loaves, the two flagons and cups, and to smell the
+savoury odour which exhaled from the dishes. "Child," said she,
+"to whom are we obliged for this great plenty and liberality? Has
+the sultan been made acquainted with our poverty, and had
+compassion on us?" "It is no matter, mother," said Alla ad Deen,
+"let us sit down and eat; for you have almost as much need of a
+good breakfast as myself; when we have done, I will tell you."
+Accordingly both mother and son sat down, and ate with the better
+relish as the table was so well furnished. But all the time Alla
+ad Deen's mother could not forbear looking at and admiring the
+tray and dishes, though she could not judge whether they were
+silver or any other metal, and the novelty more than the value
+attracted her attention.
+
+The mother and son sat at breakfast till it was dinner-time, and
+then they thought it would be best to put the two meals together;
+yet after this they found they should have enough left for
+supper, and two meals for the next day.
+
+When Alla ad Deen's mother had taken away and set by what was
+left, she went and sat down by her son on the sofa, saying, "I
+expect now that you should satisfy my impatience, and tell me
+exactly what passed between the genie and you while I was in a
+swoon;" which he readily complied with.
+
+She was in as great amazement at what her son told her, as at the
+appearance of the genie; and said to him, "But, son, what have we
+to do with genii? I never heard that any of my acquaintance had
+ever seen one. How came that vile genie to address himself to me,
+and not to you, to whom he had appeared before in the cave?"
+"Mother," answered Alla ad Deen, "the genie you saw is not the
+one who appeared to me, though he resembles him in size; no, they
+had quite different persons and habits; they belong to different
+masters. If you remember, he that I first saw, called himself the
+slave of the ring on my finger; and this you saw, called himself
+the slave of the lamp you had in your hand: but I believe you did
+not hear him, for I think you fainted as soon as he began to
+speak."
+
+"What!" cried the mother, "was your lamp then the occasion of
+that cursed genie addressing himself rather to me than to you?"
+Ah my son, take it out of my sight, and put it where you please.
+I will never touch it. I had rather you would sell it, than run
+the hazard of being frightened to death again by touching it: and
+if you would take my advice, you would part also with the ring,
+and not have any thing to do with genii, who, as our prophet has
+told us, are only devils."
+
+"With your leave, mother," replied Alla ad Deen, "I shall now
+take care how I sell a lamp, which may be so serviceable both to
+you and me. Have not you been an eye-witness of what it has
+procured us? and it shall still continue to furnish us with
+subsistence and maintenance. You may suppose as I do, that my
+false and wicked uncle would not have taken so much pains, and
+undertaken so long and tedious a journey, if it had not been to
+get into his possession this wonderful lamp, which he preferred
+before all the gold and silver which he knew was in the halls,
+and which I have seen with my own eyes. He knew too well the
+worth of this lamp, not to prefer it to so great a treasure; and
+since chance hath discovered the virtue of it to us, let us make
+a profitable use of it, without making any great shew, and
+exciting the envy and jealousy of our neighbours. However, since
+the genii frighten you so much, I will take it out of your sight,
+and put it where I may find it when I want it. The ring I cannot
+resolve to part with; for without that you had never seen me
+again; and though I am alive now, perhaps, if it was gone, I
+might not be so some moments hence; therefore I hope you will
+give me leave to keep it, and to wear it always on my finger. Who
+knows what dangers you and I may be exposed to, which neither of
+us can foresee, and from which it may deliver us." As Alla ad
+Deen's arguments were just, his mother had nothing to say against
+them; she only replied, that he might do what he pleased, for her
+part, she would have nothing to do with genii, but would wash her
+hands of them, and never say anything more about them.
+
+By the next night they had eaten all the provisions the genie had
+brought; and the next day Alla ad Deen, who could not bear the
+thoughts of hunger, putting one of the silver dishes under his
+vest, went out early to sell it, and addressing himself to a Jew
+whom he met in the streets, took him aside, and pulling out the
+plate, asked him if he would buy it. The cunning Jew took the
+dish, examined it, and as soon as he found that it was good
+silver, asked Alla ad Deen at how much he valued it. Alla ad
+Deen, who knew not its value, and never had been used to such
+traffic, told him he would trust to his judgment and honour. The
+Jew was somewhat confounded at this plain dealing; and doubting
+whether Alla ad Deen understood the material or the full value of
+what he offered to sell, took a piece of gold out of his purse
+and gave it him, though it was but the sixtieth part of the worth
+of the plate. Alla ad Deen, taking the money very eagerly,
+retired with so much haste, that the Jew, not content with the
+exorbitancy of his profit, was vexed he had not penetrated into
+his ignorance, and was going to run after him, to endeavour to
+get some change out of the piece of gold; but he ran so fast, and
+had got so far, that it would have been impossible for him to
+overtake him.
+
+Before Alla ad Deen went home, he called at a baker's, bought
+some cakes of bread, changed his money, and on his return gave
+the rest to his mother, who went and purchased provisions enough
+to last them some time. After this manner they lived, till Alla
+ad Deen had sold the twelve dishes singly, as necessity pressed,
+to the Jew, for the same money; who, after the first time, durst
+not offer him less, for fear of losing so good a bargain. When he
+had sold the last dish, he had recourse to the tray, which
+weighed ten times as much as the dishes, and would have carried
+it to his old purchaser, but that it was too large and
+cumbersome; therefore he was obliged to bring him home with him
+to his mother's, where, after the Jew had examined the weight of
+the tray, he laid down ten pieces of gold, with which Alla ad
+Deen was very well satisfied.
+
+They lived on these ten pieces in a frugal manner, and Alla ad
+Deen, though used to an idle life, had left off playing with
+young lads of his own age ever since his adventure with the
+African magician. He spent his time in walking about, and
+conversing with decent people, with whom he gradually got
+acquainted. Sometimes he would stop at the principal merchants'
+shops, where people of distinction met, and listen to their
+discourse, by which he gained some little knowledge of the world.
+
+When all the money was spent, A]la ad Deen had recourse again to
+the lamp. He took it in his hand, looked for the part where his
+mother had rubbed it with the sand, rubbed it also, when the
+genie immediately appeared, and said, "What wouldst thou have?" I
+am ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of all those
+who have that lamp in their hands; I, and the other slaves of the
+lamp." "I am hungry," said Alla ad Deen, "bring me something to
+eat." The genie disappeared, and presently returned with a tray,
+the same number of covered dishes as before, set them down, and
+vanished.
+
+Alla ad Deen's mother, knowing what her son was going to do, went
+out about some business, on purpose to avoid being in the way
+when the genie came; and when she returned, was almost as much
+surprised as before at the prodigious effect of the lamp.
+However, she sat down with her son, and when they had eaten as
+much as they liked, she set enough by to last them two or three
+days.
+
+As soon as Alla ad Deen found that their provisions were
+expended, he took one of the dishes, and went to look for his Jew
+chapman; but passing by a goldsmith's shop, who had the character
+of a very fair and honest man, the goldsmith perceiving him,
+called to him, and said, "My lad, I have often observed you go
+by, loaded as you are at present, and talk with such a Jew, and
+then come back again empty handed. I imagine that you carry
+something which you sell to him; but perhaps you do not know that
+he is the greatest rogue even among the Jews, and is so well
+known, that nobody of prudence will have anything to do with him.
+What I tell you is for your own good. If you will shew me what
+you now carry, and it is to be sold, I will give you the full
+worth of it; or I will direct you to other merchants who will not
+cheat you."
+
+The hopes of getting more money for his plate induced Alla ad
+Deen to pull it from under his vest, and shew it to the
+goldsmith, who at first sight saw that it was made of the finest
+silver, asked him if he had sold such as that to the Jew, when
+Alla ad Deen told him that he had sold him twelve such, for a
+piece of gold each. "What a villain!" cried the goldsmith; "but,"
+added he, "my son, what is passed cannot be recalled. By shewing
+you the value of this plate, which is of the finest silver we use
+in our shops, I will let you see how much the Jew has cheated
+you."
+
+The goldsmith took a pair of scales, weighed the dish, and after
+he had mentioned how much an ounce of fine silver cost, assured
+him that his plate would fetch by weight sixty pieces of gold,
+which he offered to pay down immediately. "If you dispute my
+honesty," said he, "you may go to any other of our trade, and if
+he gives you more, I will be bound to forfeit twice as much; for
+we gain only the fashion of the plate we buy, and that the
+fairest dealing Jews are not contented with."
+
+Alla ad Deen thanked him for his fair dealing, so greatly to his
+advantage, took the gold, and never after went to any other
+person, but sold him all his dishes and the tray, and had as much
+for them as the weight came to.
+
+Though Alla ad Deen and his mother had an inexhaustible treasure
+in their lamp, and might have had whatever they wished for, yet
+they lived with the same frugality as before, except that Alla ad
+Deen dressed better; as for his mother, she wore no clothes but
+what she earned by spinning cotton. After their manner of living,
+it may easily be supposed, that the money for which Alla ad Deen
+had sold the dishes and tray was sufficient to maintain them some
+time.
+
+During this interval, Alla ad Deen frequented the shops of the
+principal merchants, where they sold cloth of gold and silver,
+linens, silk stuffs, and jewellery, and oftentimes joining in
+their conversation, acquired a knowledge of the world, and
+respectable demeanour. By his acquaintance among the jewellers,
+he came to know that the fruits which he had gathered when he
+took the lamp were, instead of coloured glass, stones of
+inestimable value; but he had the prudence not to mention this to
+any one, not even to his mother.
+
+One day as Alla ad Deen was walking about the town, he heard an
+order proclaimed, commanding the people to shut up their shops
+and houses, and keep within doors, while the princess Buddir al
+Buddoor, the sultan's daughter, went to the baths and returned.
+
+This proclamation inspired Alla ad Deen with eager curiosity to
+see the princess's face, which he could not do without admission
+into the house of some acquaintance, and then only through a
+window; which did not satisfy him, when he considered that the
+princess, when she went to the baths, would be closely veiled;
+but to gratify his curiosity, he presently thought of a scheme,
+which succeeded; it was to place himself behind the door of the
+bath, which was so situated that he could not fail of seeing her
+face.
+
+Alla ad Deen had not waited long before the princess came, and he
+could see her plainly through a chink of the door without being
+discovered. She was attended by a great crowd of ladies, slaves
+and eunuchs, who walked on each side, and behind her. When she
+came within three or four paces of the door of the baths, she
+took off her veil, and gave Alla ad Deen an opportunity of a full
+view.
+
+As soon as Alla ad Deen had seen the princess, his heart could
+not withstand those inclinations so charming an object always
+inspires. The princess was the most beautiful brunette in the
+world; her eyes were large, lively, and sparkling; her looks
+sweet and modest; her nose was of a just proportion and without a
+fault, her mouth small, her lips of a vermilion red and
+charmingly agreeable symmetry; in a word, all the features of her
+face were perfectly regular. It is not therefore surprising that
+Alla ad Deen, who had never before seen such a blaze of charms,
+was dazzled, and his senses ravished by such an assemblage. With
+all these perfections the princess had so fine a form, and so
+majestic an air, that the sight of her was sufficient to inspire
+love and admiration.
+
+After the princess had passed by, and entered the baths, Alla ad
+Deen remained some time astonished, and in a kind of ecstacy,
+retracing and imprinting the idea of so charming an object deeply
+in his mind. But at last, considering that the princess was gone
+past him, and that when she returned from the bath her back would
+be towards him, and then veiled, he resolved to quit his hiding
+place and go home. He could not so far conceal his uneasiness but
+that his mother perceived it, was surprised to see him so much
+more thoughtful and melancholy than usual; and asked what had
+happened to make him so, or if he was ill? He returned her no
+answer, but sat carelessly down on the sofa, and remained silent,
+musing on the image of the charming Buddir al Buddoor. His
+mother, who was dressing supper, pressed him no more. When it was
+ready, she served it up, and perceiving that he gave no attention
+to it, urged him to eat, but had much ado to persuade him to
+change his place; which when he did, he ate much less than usual,
+all the time cast down his eyes, and observed so profound a
+silence, that she could not obtain a word in answer to all the
+questions she put, in order to find the reason of so
+extraordinary an alteration.
+
+After supper, she asked him again why he was so melancholy, but
+could get no information, and he determined to go to bed rather
+than give her the least satisfaction. Without examining how he
+passed the night, his mind full as it was with the charms of the
+princess, I shall only observe that as he sat next day on the
+sofa, opposite his mother, as she was spinning cotton, he spoke
+to her in these words: "I perceive, mother, that my silence
+yesterday has much troubled you; I was not, nor am I sick, as I
+fancy you believed; but I assure you, that what I felt then, and
+now endure, is worse than any disease. I cannot explain what ails
+me; but doubt not what I am going to relate will inform you.
+
+"It was not proclaimed in this quarter of the town, and therefore
+you could know nothing of it, that the sultan's daughter was
+yesterday to go to the baths. I heard this as I walked about the
+town, and an order was issued that all the shops should be shut
+up in her way thither, and everybody keep within doors, to leave
+the streets free for her and her attendants. As I was not then
+far from the bath, I had a great curiosity to see the princess's
+face; and as it occurred to me that the princess, when she came
+nigh the door of the bath, would pull her veil off, I resolved to
+conceal myself behind the door. You know the situation of the
+door, and may imagine that I must have had a full view of her.
+The princess threw off her veil, and I had the happiness of
+seeing her lovely face with the greatest security. This, mother,
+was the cause of my melancholy and silence yesterday; I love the
+princess with more violence than I can express; and as my passion
+increases every moment, I cannot live without the possession of
+the amiable Buddir al Buddoor, and am resolved to ask her in
+marriage of the sultan her father."
+
+Alla ad Deen's mother listened with surprise to what her son told
+her; but when he talked of asking the princess in marriage, she
+could not help bursting out into a loud laugh. Alla ad Deen would
+have gone on with his rhapsody, but she interrupted him. "Alas!
+child," said she, "what are you thinking of? you must be mad to
+talk thus."
+
+"I assure you, mother," replied Alla ad Deen, "that I am not mad,
+but in my right senses; I foresaw that you would reproach me with
+folly and extravagance; but I must tell you once more that I am
+resolved to demand the princess of the sultan in marriage, and
+your remonstrances shall not prevent me."
+
+"Indeed, son," replied the mother seriously, "I cannot help
+telling you that you have forgotten yourself; and if you would
+put this resolution of yours in execution, I do not see whom you
+can prevail upon to venture to make the proposal for you." "You
+yourself," replied he immediately. "I go to the sultan!" answered
+the mother, amazed and surprised. "I shall be cautious how I
+engage in such an errand. Why, who are you, son," continued she,
+"that you can have the assurance to think of your sultan's
+daughter? Have you forgotten that your father was one of the
+poorest tailors in the capital, and that I am of no better
+extraction; and do not you know that sultans never marry their
+daughters but to princes, sons of sovereigns like themselves?"
+
+"Mother," answered Alla ad Deen, "I have already told you that I
+foresaw all that you have said, or can say: and tell you again,
+that neither your discourse nor your remonstrances shall make me
+change my mind. I have told you that you must ask the princess in
+marriage for me: it is a favour I desire of you, and I beg of you
+not to refuse, unless you would rather see me in my grave, than
+by your compliance give me new life."
+
+The good old woman was much embarrassed, when she found Alla ad
+Deen obstinately persisting in so wild a design. "My son," said
+she again, "I am your mother, who brought you into the world, and
+there is nothing that is reasonable but I would readily do for
+you. If I were to go and treat about your marriage with some
+neighbour's daughter, whose circumstances were equal with yours,
+I would do it with all my heart; and even then they would expect
+you should have some little estate or fortune, or be of some
+trade. When such poor folks as we are wish to marry, the first
+thing they ought to think of, is how to live. But without
+reflecting on the meanness of your birth, and the little merit
+and fortune you have to recommend you, you aim at the highest
+pitch of exaltation; and your pretensions are no less than to
+demand in marriage the daughter of your sovereign, who with one
+single word can crush you to pieces. I say nothing of what
+respects yourself. I leave you to reflect on what you have to do,
+if you have ever so little thought. I come now to consider what
+concerns myself. How could so extraordinary a thought come into
+your head, as that I should go to the sultan and make a proposal
+to him to give his daughter in marriage to you? Suppose I had,
+not to say the boldness, but the impudence to present myself
+before the sultan, and make so extravagant a request, to whom
+should I address myself to be introduced to his majesty? Do you
+not think the first person I should speak to would take me for a
+mad woman, and chastise me as I should deserve? Suppose, however,
+that there is no difficulty in presenting myself for an audience
+of the sultan, and I know there is none to those who go to
+petition for justice, which he distributes equally among his
+subjects; I know too that to those who ask a favour he grants it
+with pleasure when he sees it is deserved, and the persons are
+worthy of it. But is that your case? Do you think you have
+merited the honour you would have me ask for you? Are you worthy
+of it? What have you done to claim such a favour, either for your
+prince or country? How have you distinguished yourself? If you
+have done nothing to merit so high a distinction, nor are worthy
+of it, with what face shall I ask it? How can I open my mouth to
+make the proposal to the sultan? His majestic presence and the
+lustre of his court would absolutely confound me, who used even
+to tremble before my dear husband your father, when I asked him
+for any thing. There is another reason, my son, which you do not
+think of, which is that nobody ever goes to ask a favour of the
+sultan without a present. But what presents have you to make? And
+if you had any that were worthy of the least attention of so
+great a monarch, what proportion could they bear to the favour
+you would ask? Therefore, reflect well on what you are about, and
+consider, that you aspire to an object which it is impossible for
+you to obtain."
+
+Alla ad Deen heard very calmly all that his mother could say to
+dissuade him from his design, and after he had weighed her
+representations in all points, replied: "I own, mother, it is
+great rashness in me to presume to carry my pretensions so far;
+and a great want of consideration to ask you with so much heat
+and precipitancy to go and make the proposal to the sultan,
+without first taking proper measures to procure a favourable
+reception, and therefore beg your pardon. But be not surprised
+that through the violence of my passion I did not at first see
+every measure necessary to procure me the happiness I seek. I
+love the princess, or rather I adore her, and shall always
+persevere in my design of marrying her. I am obliged to you for
+the hint you have given me, and look upon it as the first step I
+ought to take to procure the happy issue I promise myself.
+
+"You say it is not customary to go to the sultan without a
+present, and that I have nothing worthy of his acceptance. As to
+the necessity of a present, I agree with you, and own that I
+never thought of it; but as to what you say that I have nothing
+fit to offer, do not you think, mother, that what I brought home
+with me the day on which I was delivered from an inevitable
+death, may be an acceptable present? I mean what you and I both
+took for coloured glass: but now I am undeceived, and can tell
+you that they are jewels of inestimable value, and fit for the
+greatest monarchs. I know the worth of them by frequenting the
+shops; and you may take my word that all the precious stones
+which I saw in the most capital jewellers' possessions were not
+to be compared to those we have, either for size or beauty, and
+yet they value theirs at an excessive price. In short, neither
+you nor I know the value of ours; but be it as it may, by the
+little experience I have, I am persuaded that they will be
+received very favourably by the sultan: you have a large
+porcelain dish fit to hold them; fetch it, and let us see how
+they will look, when we have arranged them according to their
+different colours."
+
+Alla ad Deen's mother brought the china dish, when he took the
+jewels out of the two purses in which he had kept them, and
+placed them in order according to his fancy. But the brightness
+and lustre they emitted in the day-time, and the variety of the
+colours, so dazzled the eyes both of mother and son, that they
+were astonished beyond measure; for they had only seen them by
+the light of a lamp; and though the latter had beheld them
+pendant on the trees like fruit beautiful to the eye, yet as he
+was then but a boy, he looked on them only as glittering
+playthings.
+
+After they had admired the beauty of the jewels some time, Alla
+ad Deen said to his mother, "Now you cannot excuse yourself from
+going to the sultan, under pretext of not having a present to
+make him, since here is one which will gain you a favourable
+reception."
+
+Though the good widow, notwithstanding the beauty and lustre of
+the precious stones, did not believe them so valuable as her son
+estimated them, she thought such a present might nevertheless be
+agreeable to the sultan, but still she hesitated at the request.
+"My son," said she, "I cannot conceive that your present will
+have its desired effect, or that the sultan will look upon me
+with a favourable eye; I am sure, that if I attempt to deliver
+your strange message, I shall have no power to open my mouth;
+therefore I shall not only lose my labour, but the present, which
+you say is so invaluable, and shall return home again in
+confusion, to tell you that your hopes are frustrated. I have
+represented the consequence, and you ought to believe me; but,"
+added she, "I will exert my best endeavour to please you, and
+wish I may have power to ask the sultan as you would have me; but
+certainly he will either laugh at me, send me back like a fool,
+or be in so great a rage, as to make us both the victims of his
+fury."
+
+She used many other arguments to endeavour to make him change his
+mind; but the charms of the princess had made too great an
+impression on his heart for him to be dissuaded from his design.
+He persisted in importuning his mother to execute his resolution,
+and she, as much out of tenderness as for fear he should be
+guilty of greater extravagance, complied with his request.
+
+As it was now late, and the time for admission to the palace was
+passed, it was put off till the next day. The mother and son
+talked of different matters the remaining part of the day; and
+Alla ad Deen strove to encourage her in the task she had
+undertaken; while she, notwithstanding all his arguments, could
+not persuade herself she should succeed; and it must be confessed
+she had reason enough to doubt. "Child," said she to Alla ad
+Deen, "if the sultan should receive me as favourably as I wish
+for your sake, should even hear my proposal with calmness, and
+after this scarcely-to-be-expected reception should think of
+asking me where lie your riches and your estate (for he will
+sooner inquire after these than your person), if, I say, he
+should ask me these questions, what answer would you have me
+return him?"
+
+"Let us not be uneasy, mother," replied Alla ad Deen, "about what
+may never happen. First, let us see how the sultan receives, and
+what answer he gives you. If it should so fall out, that he
+desires to be informed of what you mention, I have thought of an
+answer, and am confident that the lamp which hath supported us so
+long will not fail me in time of need."
+
+The tailor's widow could not say any thing against what her son
+then proposed; but reflected that the lamp might be capable of
+doing greater wonders than just providing victuals for them. This
+consideration satisfied her, and at the same time removed all the
+difficulties which might have prevented her from undertaking the
+service she had promised her son with the sultan. Alla ad Deen,
+who penetrated into his mother's thoughts, said to her, "Above
+all things, mother, be sure to keep secret our possession of the
+lamp, for thereon depends the success we have to expect;" and
+after this caution, Alla ad Deen and his mother parted to go to
+rest. But violent love, and the great prospect of so immense a
+fortune, had so much possessed the son's thoughts, that he could
+not repose himself so well as he could have wished. He rose
+before day-break, awakened his mother, pressing her to get
+herself dressed to go to the sultan's palace, and to get
+admittance, if possible, before the grand vizier, the other
+viziers, and the great officers of state went in to take their
+seats in the divan, where the sultan always assisted in person.
+
+Alla ad Deen's mother took the china dish, in which they had put
+the jewels the day before, wrapped in two napkins, one finer than
+the other, which was tied at the four corners for more easy
+carriage, and set forward for the sultan's palace. When she came
+to the gates, the grand vizier, the other viziers and most
+distinguished lords of the court, were just gone in; but,
+notwithstanding the crowd of people who had business was great,
+she got into the divan, a spacious hall, the entrance into which
+was very magnificent. She placed herself just before the sultan,
+grand vizier, and the great lords, who sat in council, on his
+right and left hand. Several causes were called, according to
+their order, pleaded and adjudged, until the time the divan
+generally broke up, when the sultan rising, returned to his
+apartment, attended by the grand vizier; the other viziers and
+ministers of state then retired, as also did those whose business
+had called them thither; some pleased with gaining their causes,
+others dissatisfied at the sentences pronounced against them, and
+some in expectation of theirs being heard the next sitting.
+
+Alla ad Deen's mother, seeing the sultan retire, and all the
+people depart, judged rightly that he would not sit again that
+day, and resolved to go home. When Alla ad Deen saw her return
+with the present designed for the sultan, he knew not what to
+think of her success, and in his fear lest she should bring him
+some ill news, had not courage to ask her any questions; but she,
+who had never set foot in the sultan's palace before, and knew
+not what was every day practised there, freed him from his
+embarrassment, and said to him, with a great deal of simplicity,
+"Son, I have seen the sultan, and am very well persuaded he has
+seen me too; for I placed myself just before him; but he was so
+much taken up with those who attended on all sides of him, that I
+pitied him, and wondered at his patience. At last I believe he
+was heartily tired, for he rose up suddenly, and would not hear a
+great many who were ready prepared to speak to him, but went
+away, at which I was well pleased, for indeed I began to lose all
+patience, and was extremely fatigued with staying so long. But
+there is no harm done; I will go again to-morrow; perhaps the
+sultan may not be so busy."
+
+Though his passion was very violent, Alla ad Deen was forced to
+be satisfied with this delay, and to fortify himself with
+patience. He had at least the satisfaction to find that his
+mother had got over the greatest difficulty, which was to procure
+access to the sultan, and hoped that the example of those she saw
+speak to him would embolden her to acquit herself better of her
+commission when a favourable opportunity might offer to speak to
+him.
+
+The next morning she repaired to the sultan's palace with the
+present, as early as the day before, but when she came there, she
+found the gates of the divan shut, and understood that the
+council sat but every other day, therefore she must come again
+the next. This news she carried to her son, whose only relief was
+to guard himself with patience. She went six times afterwards on
+the days appointed, placed herself always directly before the
+sultan, but with as little success as the first morning, and
+might have perhaps come a thousand times to as little purpose, if
+luckily the sultan himself had not taken particular notice of
+her: for only those who came with petitions approached the
+sultan, when each pleaded their cause in its turn, and Alla ad
+Deen's mother was not one of them.
+
+On the sixth day, however, after the divan was broken up, when
+the sultan returned to his own apartment, he said to his grand
+vizier, "I have for some time observed a certain woman, who
+attends constantly every day that I give audience, with something
+wrapped up in a napkin: she always stands up from the beginning
+to the breaking up of the audience, and affects to place herself
+just before me. Do you know what she wants?"
+
+"Sir," replied the grand vizier, who knew no more than the sultan
+what she wanted, but did not wish to seem uninformed, "your
+majesty knows that women often make complaints on trifles;
+perhaps she may come to complain to your majesty that somebody
+has sold her some bad flour, or some such trifling matter." The
+sultan was not satisfied with this answer, but replied, "If this
+woman comes to our next audience, do not fail to call her, that I
+may hear what she has to say." The grand vizier made answer by
+lowering his hand, and then lifting it up above his head,
+signifying his willingness to lose it if he failed.
+
+By this time, the tailor's widow was so much used to go to
+audience, and stand before the sultan, that she did not think it
+any trouble, if she could but satisfy her son that she neglected
+nothing that lay in her power to please him: the next audience
+day she went to the divan, placed herself in front of the sultan
+as usual; and before the grand vizier had made his report of
+business, the sultan perceived her, and compassionating her for
+having waited so long, said to the vizier, "Before you enter upon
+any business, remember the woman I spoke to you about; bid her
+come near, and let us hear and dispatch her business first." The
+grand vizier immediately called the chief of the mace-bearers who
+stood ready to obey his commands; and pointing to her, bade him
+go to that woman, and tell her to come before the sultan.
+
+The chief of the officers went to Alla ad Deen's mother, and at a
+sign he gave her, she followed him to the foot of the sultan's
+throne, where he left her, and retired to his place by the grand
+vizier. The old woman, after the example of others whom she saw
+salute the sultan, bowed her head down to the carpet, which
+covered the platform of the throne, and remained in that posture
+till the sultan bade her rise, which she had no sooner done, than
+he said to her, "Good woman, I have observed you to stand a long
+time, from the beginning to the rising of the divan; what
+business brings you here?"
+
+After these words, Alla ad Deen's mother prostrated herself a
+second time; and when she arose, said, "Monarch of monarchs,
+before I tell your majesty the extraordinary and almost
+incredible business which brings me before your high throne, I
+beg of you to pardon the boldness or rather impudence of the
+demand I am going to make, which is so uncommon, that I tremble,
+and am ashamed to propose it to my sovereign." In order to give
+her the more freedom to explain herself, the sultan ordered all
+to quit the divan but the grand vizier, and then told her she
+might speak without restraint.
+
+Alla ad Deen's mother, not content with this favour of the
+sultan's to save her the trouble and confusion of speaking before
+so many people, was notwithstanding for securing herself against
+his anger, which, from the proposal she was going to make, she
+was not a little apprehensive of; therefore resuming her
+discourse, she said, "I beg of your majesty, if you should think
+my demand the least injurious or offensive, to assure me first of
+your pardon and forgiveness." "Well," replied the sultan, "I will
+forgive you, be it what it may, and no hurt shall come to you:
+speak boldly."
+
+When Alla ad Deen's mother had taken all these precautions, for
+fear of the sultan's anger, she told him faithfully how Alla ad
+Deen had seen the princess Buddir al Buddoor, the violent love
+that fatal sight had inspired him with, the declaration he had
+made to her of it when he came home, and what representations she
+had made "to dissuade him from a passion no less disrespectful,"
+said she, "to your majesty, as sultan, than to the princess your
+daughter. But," continued she, "my son, instead of taking my
+advice and reflecting on his presumption, was so obstinate as to
+persevere, and to threaten me with some desperate act, if I
+refused to come and ask the princess in marriage of your majesty;
+and it was not without the greatest reluctance that I was led to
+accede to his request, for which I beg your majesty once more to
+pardon not only me, but also Alla ad Deen my son, for
+entertaining so rash a project as to aspire to so high an
+alliance."
+
+The sultan hearkened to this discourse with mildness, and without
+shewing the least anger; but before he gave her any answer, asked
+her what she had brought tied up in the napkin. She took the
+china dish, which she had set down at the foot of the throne,
+before she prostrated herself before him; untied it, and
+presented it to the sultan.
+
+The sultan's amazement and surprise were inexpressible, when he
+saw so many large, beautiful, and valuable jewels collected in
+the dish. He remained for some time motionless with admiration.
+At last, when he had recovered himself, he received the present
+from Alla ad Deen's mother's hand, crying out in a transport of
+joy, "How rich, how beautiful!" After he had admired and handled
+all the jewels, one after another, he turned to his grand vizier,
+and shewing him the dish, said, "Behold, admire, wonder, and
+confess that your eyes never beheld jewels so rich and beautiful
+before." The vizier was charmed. "Well," continued the sultan,
+"what sayst thou to such a present? Is it not worthy of the
+princess my daughter? And ought I not to bestow her on one who
+values her at so great price?"
+
+These words put the grand vizier into extreme agitation. The
+sultan had some time before signified to him his intention of
+bestowing the princess on a son of his; therefore he was afraid,
+and not without grounds, that the sultan, dazzled by so rich and
+extraordinary a present, might change his mind. Therefore going
+to him, and whispering him in the ear, he said, "I cannot but own
+that the present is worthy of the princess; but I beg of your
+majesty to grant me three months before you come to a final
+resolution. I hope, before that time, my son, on whom you have
+had the goodness to look with a favourable eye, will be able to
+make a nobler present than Alla ad Deen, who is an entire
+stranger to Your majesty."
+
+The sultan, though he was fully persuaded that it was not
+possible for the vizier to provide so considerable a present for
+his son to make the princess, yet as he had given him hopes,
+hearkened to him, and granted his request. Turning therefore to
+the old widow, he said to her, "Good woman, go home, and tell
+your son that I agree to the proposal you have made me; but I
+cannot marry the princess my daughter, till the paraphernalia I
+design for her be got ready, which cannot be finished these three
+months; but at the expiration of that time come again."
+
+Alla ad Deen's mother returned home much more gratified than she
+had expected, since she had met with a favourable answer, instead
+of the refusal and confusion she had dreaded. From two
+circumstances Alla ad Deen, when he saw his mother returning,
+judged that she brought him good news; the one was, that she
+returned sooner than ordinary; and the other, the gaiety of her
+countenance. "Well, mother," said he, "may I entertain any hopes,
+or must I die with despair?" When she had pulled off her veil,
+and had seated herself on the sofa by him, she said to him, "Not
+to keep you long in suspense, son, I will begin by telling you,
+that instead of thinking of dying, you have every reason to be
+well satisfied." Then pursuing her discourse, she told him, that
+she had an audience before everybody else which made her come
+home so soon; the precautions she had taken lest she should have
+displeased the sultan, by making the proposal of marriage between
+him and the princess Buddir al Buddoor, and the condescending
+answer she had received from the sultan's own mouth; and that as
+far as she could judge, the present had wrought a powerful
+effect. "But when I least expected it," said she, "and he was
+going to give me an answer, and I fancied a favourable one, the
+grand vizier whispered him in the ear, and I was afraid might be
+some obstacle to his good intentions towards us, and so it
+happened, for the sultan desired me to come to audience again
+this day three months."
+
+Alla ad Deen thought himself the most happy of all men at hearing
+this news, and thanked his mother for the pains she had taken in
+the affair, the good success of which was of so great importance
+to his peace. Though from his impatience to obtain the object of
+his passion, three months seemed an age, yet he disposed himself
+to wait with patience, relying on the sultan's word, which he
+looked upon to be irrevocable. But all that time he not only
+counted the hours, days, and weeks, but every moment. When two of
+the three months were past, his mother one evening going to light
+the lamp, and finding no oil in the house, went out to buy some,
+and when she came into the city, found a general rejoicing. The
+shops, instead of being shut up, were open, dressed with foliage,
+silks, and carpeting, every one striving to show their zeal in
+the most distinguished manner according to his ability. The
+streets were crowded with officers in habits of ceremony, mounted
+on horses richly caparisoned, each attended by a great many
+footmen. Alla ad Deen's mother asked the oil-merchant what was
+the meaning of all this preparation of public festivity." Whence
+came you, good woman," said he, "that you don't know that the
+grand vizier's son is to marry the princess Buddir al Buddoor,
+the sultan's daughter, to-night? She will presently return from
+the baths; and these officers whom you see are to assist at the
+cavalcade to the palace, where the ceremony is to be solemnized."
+
+This was news enough for Alla ad Deen's mother. She ran till she
+was quite out of breath home to her son, who little suspected any
+such event. "Child," cried she, "you are undone! You depend upon
+the sultan's fine promises, but they will come to nothing." Alla
+ad Deen was alarmed at these words. "Mother," replied he, "how do
+you know the sultan has been guilty of a breach of promise?"
+"This night," answered the mother, "the grand vizier's son is to
+marry the princess Buddir al Buddoor." She then related how she
+had heard it; so that from all circumstances, he had no reason to
+doubt the truth of what she said.
+
+At this account, Alla ad Deen was thunder-struck. Any other man
+would have sunk under the shock; but a sudden hope of
+disappointing his rival soon roused his spirits, and he bethought
+himself of the lamp, which had on every emergence been so useful
+to him; and without venting his rage in empty words against the
+sultan, the vizier, or his son, he only said, "Perhaps, mother,
+the vizier's son may not be so happy to-night as he promises
+himself: while I go into my chamber a moment, do you get supper
+ready." She accordingly went about it, but guessed that her son
+was going to make use of the lamp, to prevent, if possible, the
+consummation of the marriage.
+
+When Alla ad Deen had got into his chamber, he took the lamp,
+rubbed it in the same place as before, when immediately the genie
+appeared, and said to him, "What wouldst thou have? I am ready to
+obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of all those who have that
+lamp in their possession; I and the other slaves of the lamp."
+"Hear me," said Alla ad Deen; "thou hast hitherto brought me
+whatever I wanted as to provisions; but now I have business of
+the greatest importance for thee to execute. I have demanded the
+princess Buddir al Buddoor in marriage of the sultan her father;
+he promised her to me, only requiring three months delay; but
+instead of keeping that promise, has this night married her to
+the grand vizier's son. What I ask of you is, that as soon as the
+bride and bridegroom are retired, you bring them both hither in
+their bed." "Master," replied the genie, "I will obey you. Have
+you any other commands?" "None at present," answered Alla ad
+Deen; the genie then disappeared.
+
+Alla ad Deen having left his chamber, supped with his mother,
+with the same tranquillity of mind as usual; and after supper
+talked of the princess's marriage as of an affair wherein he had
+not the least concern'; he then retired to his own chamber again,
+and left his mother to go to bed; but sat up waiting the
+execution of his orders to the genie.
+
+In the meantime, everything was prepared with the greatest
+magnificence in the sultan's palace to celebrate the princess's
+nuptials; and the evening was spent with all the usual ceremonies
+and great rejoicings till midnight, when the grand vizier's son,
+on a signal given him by the chief of the princess's eunuchs,
+slipped away from the company, and was introduced by that officer
+into the princess's apartment, where the nuptial bed was
+prepared. He went to bed first, and in a little time after, the
+sultaness, accompanied by her own women, and those of the
+princess, brought the bride, who, according to the custom of new-
+married ladies, made great resistance. The sultaness herself
+helped to undress her, put her into bed by a kind of violence:
+and after having kissed her, and wished her good night, retired
+with the women to her own apartments.
+
+No sooner was the door shut, than the genie, as the faithful
+slave of the lamp, and punctual in executing the command of those
+who possessed it, without giving the bridegroom the least time to
+caress his bride, to the great amazement of them both, took up
+the bed, and transported it in an instant into Alla ad Deen's
+chamber, where he set it down.
+
+Alla ad Deen, who had waited impatiently for this moment, did not
+suffer the vizier's son to remain long in bed with the princess.
+"Take this new-married man," said he to the genie, "shut him up
+in the out-house, and come again tomorrow morning before day-
+break." The genie instantly forced the vizier's son out of bed,
+carried him whither Alla ad Deen had commanded him; and after he
+had breathed upon him, which prevented him stirring, left him
+there.
+
+Passionate as was Alla ad Deen's love for the princess, he did
+not talk much to her when they were alone; but only said with a
+respectful air, "Fear nothing, adorable princess, you are here in
+safety; for, notwithstanding the violence of my passion, which
+your charms have kindled, it shall never exceed the bounds of the
+profound adoration I owe you. If I have been forced to come to
+this extremity, it is not with any intention of affronting you,
+but to prevent an unjust rival's possessing you, contrary to the
+sultan your father's promise in favour of myself."
+
+The princess, who knew nothing of these particulars, gave very
+little attention to what Alla ad Deen could say. The fright and
+amazement of so surprising and unexpected an adventure had
+alarmed her so much that he could not get one word from her.
+However, he undressed himself, took the bridegroom's place, but
+lay with his back to the princess, putting a sabre between
+himself and her, to shew that he deserved to be put to death, if
+he attempted anything against her honour. Alla ad Deen, satisfied
+with having thus deprived his rival of the happiness he had
+flattered himself with, slept very soundly, though the princess
+Buddir al Buddoor never passed a night so ill in her life; and if
+we consider the condition in which the genie left the grand
+vizier's son, we may imagine that the new bridegroom spent it
+much worse.
+
+Alla ad Deen had no occasion the next morning to rub the lamp to
+call the genie; who appeared at the hour appointed, just when he
+had done dressing himself, and said to him, "I am here, master,
+what are your commands?" "Go," said Alla ad Deen, "fetch the
+vizier's son out of the place where you left him, put him into
+his bed again, and carry it to the sultan's palace, from whence
+you brought it." The genie presently returned with the vizier's
+son. Alla ad Deen took up his sabre, the bridegroom was laid by
+the princess, and in an instant the nuptial-bed was transported
+into the same chamber of the palace from whence it had been
+brought. But we must observe, that all this time the genie never
+was visible either to the princess or the grand vizier's son. His
+hideous form would have made them die with fear. Neither did they
+hear any thing of the discourse between Alla ad Deen and him;
+they only perceived the motion of the bed, and their
+transportation from one place to another; which we may well
+imagine was enough to alarm them.
+
+As soon as the genie had set down the nuptial bed in its proper
+place, the sultan tapped at the door to wish her good morning.
+The grand vizier's son, who was almost perished with cold, by
+standing in his thin under garment all night, and had not had
+time to warm himself in bed, no sooner heard the knocking at the
+door than he got out of bed, and ran into the robing-chamber,
+where he had undressed himself the night before.
+
+The sultan having opened the door, went to the bed-side, kissed
+the princess between the eyes, according to custom, wishing her a
+good morrow, but was extremely surprised to see her so
+melancholy. She only cast at him a sorrowful look, expressive of
+great affliction or great dissatisfaction. He said a few words to
+her; but finding that he could not get a word from her,
+attributed it to her modesty, and retired. Nevertheless, he
+suspected that there was something extraordinary in this silence,
+and thereupon went immediately to the sultaness's apartment, told
+her in what a state he had found the princess, and how she had
+received him. "Sir," said the sultaness, "your majesty ought not
+to be surprised at this behaviour; new-married people have
+naturally a reserve about them; two or three days hence she will
+receive the sultan her father as she ought: but I will go and see
+her," added she; "I am much deceived if she receives me in the
+same manner."
+
+As soon as the sultaness was dressed, she went to the princess's
+apartment, who was still in bed. She undrew the curtain, wished
+her good morrow, and kissed her. But how great was her surprise
+when she returned no answer; and looking more attentively at her,
+she perceived her to be much dejected, which made her judge that
+something had happened, which she did not understand "How comes
+it, child," said the sultaness, "that you do not return my
+caresses? Ought you to treat your mother after this manner? I am
+induced to believe something extraordinary has happened; come,
+tell me freely, and leave me no longer in a painful suspense."
+
+At last the princess broke silence with a deep sigh, and said,
+"Alas! most honoured mother, forgive me if I have failed in the
+respect I owe you. My mind is so full of the extraordinary
+circumstances which have befallen me this night, that I have not
+yet recovered my amazement and alarm." She then told her, how the
+instant after she and her husband were together, the bed was
+transported into a dark dirty room, where he was taken from her
+and carried away, but where she knew not; and that she was left
+alone with a young man, who, after he had said something to her,
+which her fright did not suffer her to hear, laid himself in her
+husband's place, but first put his sabre between them; and in the
+morning her husband was brought to her again, when the bed was
+transported back to her own chamber in an instant. "All this,"
+said she, "was but just done, when the sultan my father came into
+my chamber. I was so overwhelmed with grief, that I had not power
+to speak, and am afraid that he is offended at the manner in
+which I received the honour he did me; but I hope he will forgive
+me, when he knows my melancholy adventure, and the miserable
+state I am in at present."
+
+The sultaness heard all the princess told her very patiently, but
+would not believe it. "You did well, child," said she, "not to
+speak of this to your father: take care not to mention it to
+anybody; for you will certainly be thought mad if you talk in
+this manner." "Madam," replied the princess, "I can assure you I
+am in my right senses; ask my husband, and he will tell you the
+same circumstances." "I will," said the sultaness, "but if he
+should talk in the same manner, I shall not be better persuaded
+of the truth. Come, rise, and throw off this idle fancy; it will
+be a strange event, if all the feasts and rejoicings in the
+kingdom should be interrupted by such a vision. Do not you hear
+the trumpets of congratulation, and concerts of the finest music?
+Cannot these inspire you with joy and pleasure, and make you
+forget the fancies of an imagination disturbed by what can have
+been only a dream?" At the same time the sultaness called the
+princess's women, and after she had seen her get up, and begin
+dressing, went to the sultan's apartment, told him that her
+daughter had got some odd notions in her head, but that there was
+nothing in them but idle phantasy.
+
+She then sent for the vizier's son, to know of him something of
+what the princess had told her; but he, thinking himself highly
+honoured to be allied to the sultan, and not willing to lose the
+princess, denied what had happened. "That is enough," answered
+the sultaness, "I ask no more, I see you are wiser than my
+daughter."
+
+The rejoicings lasted all that day in the palace, and the
+sultaness, who never left the princess, forgot nothing to divert
+her, and induce her to take part in the various diversions and
+shows; but she was so struck with the idea of what had happened
+to her in the night, that it was easy to see her thoughts were
+entirely taken up with it. Neither was the grand vizier's son in
+less tribulation, though his ambition made him disguise his
+feelings so well, that nobody doubted of his being a happy
+bridegroom.
+
+Alla ad Deen, who was well acquainted with what passed in the
+palace, was sure the new-married couple were to sleep together
+again, notwithstanding the troublesome adventure of the night
+before; and therefore, having as great an inclination to disturb
+them, had recourse to his lamp, and when the genie appeared, and
+offered his service, he said to him, "The grand vizier's son and
+the princess Buddir al Buddoor are to sleep together again to-
+night: go, and as soon as they are in bed, bring the bed hither,
+as thou didst yesterday."
+
+The genie obeyed as faithfully and exactly as the day before; the
+grand vizier's son passed the night as coldly and disagreeably,
+and the princess had the mortification again to have Alla ad Deen
+for her bed-fellow, with the sabre between them. The genie,
+according to orders, came the next morning, brought the
+bridegroom, laid him by his bride, and then carried the bed and
+new-married couple back again to the palace.
+
+The sultan, after the reception the princess had given him, was
+very anxious to know how she had passed the second night, and
+therefore went into her chamber as early as the morning before.
+The grand vizier's son, more ashamed and mortified with the ill
+success of this last night, no sooner heard him coming, than he
+jumped out of bed, and ran hastily into the robing-chamber. The
+sultan went to the princess's bed-side, and after the same
+caresses he had given her the former morning, bade her good
+morrow. "Well daughter," said he, "are you in a better humour
+than yesterday?" Still the princess was silent, and the sultan
+perceiving her to be more troubled, and in greater confusion than
+before, doubted not that something very extraordinary was the
+cause; but provoked that his daughter should conceal it, he said
+to her in a rage, with his sabre in his hand, "Daughter, tell me
+what is the matter, or I will cut off your head immediately."
+
+The princess, more frightened at the menaces and tone of the
+enraged sultan than at the sight of the drawn sabre, at last
+broke silence, and said with tears in her eyes, "My dear father
+and sultan, I ask your majesty's pardon if I have offended you,
+and hope, that out of your goodness and clemency you will have
+compassion on me, when I shall have told you in what a miserable
+condition I have spent this last night, as well as the
+preceding."
+
+After this preamble, which appeased and affected the sultan, she
+told him what had happened to her in so moving a manner, that he,
+who loved her tenderly, was most sensibly grieved. She added, "If
+your majesty doubts the truth of this account, you may inform
+yourself from my husband, who, I am persuaded, will tell you the
+same thing."
+
+The sultan immediately felt all the extreme uneasiness so
+surprising an adventure must have given the princess. "Daughter,"
+said he, "you are much to blame for not telling me this
+yesterday, since it concerns me as much as yourself. I did not
+marry you with an intention to make you miserable, but that you
+might enjoy all the happiness you deserve and might hope for from
+a husband who to me seemed agreeable to you. Efface all these
+troublesome ideas from your memory; I will take care that you
+shall have no more disagreeable and insupportable nights."
+
+As soon as the sultan had returned to his own apartment, he sent
+for the grand vizier: "Vizier," said he, "have you seen your son,
+and has he told you anything?" The vizier replied, "No." The
+sultan related all the circumstances of which the princess had
+informed him, and afterwards said, "I do not doubt but that my
+daughter has told me the truth; but nevertheless I should be glad
+to have it confirmed by your son, therefore go and ask him how it
+was."
+
+The grand vizier went immediately to his son, communicated what
+the sultan had told him, and enjoined him to conceal nothing, but
+to relate the whole truth. "I will disguise nothing from you,
+father," replied the son, "for indeed all that the princess has
+stated is true; but what relates particularly to myself she knows
+nothing of. Since my marriage, I have passed two nights beyond
+imagination or expression disagreeable, not to mention the fright
+I was in at finding my bed lifted four times, transported from
+one place to another, without being able to guess how it was
+done. You may judge of the miserable condition I was in, passing
+two whole nights in nothing but my under vestments, standing in a
+kind of closet, unable to stir out of the place or to make the
+least movement, though I could not perceive any obstacle to
+prevent me. Yet I must tell you, that all this ill usage does not
+in the least lessen those sentiments of love, respect, and
+gratitude I entertain for the princess, and of which she is so
+deserving; but I must confess, that notwithstanding all the
+honour and splendour that attends marrying my sovereign's
+daughter, I would much rather die, than continue in so exalted an
+alliance if I must undergo nightly much longer what I have
+already endured. I do not doubt but that the princess entertains
+the same sentiments, and that she will readily agree to a
+separation, which is so necessary both for her repose and mine.
+Therefore, father, I beg, by the same tenderness which led you to
+procure me so great an honour, to obtain the sultan's consent
+that our marriage may be declared null and void."
+
+Notwithstanding the grand vizier's ambition to have his son
+allied to the sultan, the firm resolution he saw he had formed to
+be separated from the princess made him not think it proper to
+propose to him to have patience for a few days, to see if this
+disappointment would not have an end; but he left him to give an
+account of what he had related to him, and without waiting till
+the sultan himself, whom he found disposed to it, spoke of
+setting aside the marriage, he begged of him to give his son
+leave to retire from the palace, alleging it was not just that
+the princess should be a moment longer exposed to so terrible a
+persecution upon his son's account.
+
+The grand vizier found no great difficulty to obtain what he
+asked, as the sultan had determined already; orders were given to
+put a stop to all rejoicings in the palace and town, and
+expresses dispatched to all parts of his dominions to countermand
+them; and, in a short time, all rejoicings ceased.
+
+This sudden and unexpected change gave rise both in the city and
+kingdom to various speculations and inquiries; but no other
+account could be given of it, except that both the vizier and his
+son went out of the palace very much dejected. Nobody but Alla ad
+Deen knew the secret. He rejoiced within himself at the happy
+success procured by his lamp, which now he had no more occasion
+to rub, to produce the genie to prevent the consummation of the
+marriage, as he had certain information it was broken off, and
+that his rival had left the palace. Neither the sultan nor the
+grand vizier, who had forgotten Alla ad Deen and his request, had
+the least thought that he had any concern in the enchantment
+which caused the dissolution of the marriage.
+
+Alla ad Deen waited till the three months were completed, which
+the sultan had appointed for the consummation of the marriage
+between the princess Buddir al Buddoor and himself; and the next
+day sent his mother to the palace, to remind the sultan of his
+promise.
+
+Alla ad Deen's mother went to the palace, and stood in the same
+place as before in the hall of audience. The sultan no sooner
+cast his eyes upon her than he knew her again, remembered her
+business, and how long he had put her off: therefore when the
+grand vizier was beginning to make his report, the sultan
+interrupted him, and said, "Vizier, I see the good woman who made
+me the present of jewels some months ago; forbear your report,
+till I have heard what she has to say." The vizier looking about
+the divan, perceived the tailor's widow, and sent the chief of
+the mace-bearers to conduct her to the sultan.
+
+Alla ad Deen's mother came to the foot of the throne, prostrated
+herself as usual, and when she rose, the sultan asked her what
+she would have. Sir," said she, "I come to represent to your
+majesty, in the name of my son Alla ad Deen, that the three
+months, at the end of which you ordered me to come again, are
+expired; and to beg you to remember your promise."
+
+The sultan, when he had fixed a time to answer the request of
+this good woman, little thought of hearing any more of a
+marriage, which he imagined must be very disagreeable to the
+princess, when he considered the meanness and poverty of her
+dress and appearance; but this summons for him to fulfill his
+promise was somewhat embarrassing; he declined giving an answer
+till he had consulted his vizier, and signified to trim the
+little inclination he had to conclude a match for his daughter
+with a stranger, whose rank he supposed to be very mean.
+
+The grand vizier freely told the sultan his thoughts, and said to
+him, "In my opinion, sir, there is an infallible way for your
+majesty to avoid a match so disproportionable, without giving
+Alla ad Deen, were he known to your majesty, any cause of
+complaint; which is, to set so high a price upon the princess,
+that, however rich he may be, he cannot comply with. This is the
+only evasion to make him desist from so bold, not to say rash, an
+undertaking, which he never weighed before he engaged in it."
+
+The sultan, approving of the grand vizier's advice, turned to the
+tailor's widow, and said to her, "Good woman, it is true sultans
+ought to abide by their word, and I am ready to keep mine, by
+making your son happy in marriage with the princess my daughter.
+But as I cannot marry her without some further valuable
+consideration from your son, you may tell him, I will fulfill my
+promise as soon as he shall send me forty trays of massive gold,
+full of the same sort of jewels you have already made me a
+present of, and carried by the like number of black slaves, who
+shall be led by as many young and handsome white slaves, all
+dressed magnificently. On these conditions I am ready to bestow
+the princess my daughter upon him; therefore, good woman, go and
+tell him so, and I will wait till you bring me his answer."
+
+Alla ad Deen's mother prostrated herself a second time before the
+sultan's throne, and retired. In her way home, she laughed within
+herself at her son's foolish imagination. "Where," says she, "can
+he get so many large gold trays, and such precious stones to fill
+them? Must he go again to that subterraneous abode, the entrance
+into which is stopped up, and gather them off the trees? But
+where will he get so many such slaves as the sultan requires? It
+is altogether out of his power, and I believe he will not be much
+pleased with my embassy this time." When she came home, full of
+these thoughts, she said to her son, "Indeed, child, I would not
+have you think any farther of your marriage with the princess.
+The sultan received me very kindly, and I believe he was well
+inclined to you; but if I am not much deceived the grand vizier
+has made him change his mind, as you will guess from what I have
+to tell you. After I had represented to his majesty that the
+three months were expired, and begged of him to remember his
+promise, I observed that he whispered with his grand vizier
+before he gave me his answer." She then gave her son an exact
+account of what the sultan had said to her, and the conditions on
+which he consented to the match. Afterwards she said to him, "The
+sultan expects your answer immediately; but," continued she,
+laughing, "I believe he may wait long enough."
+
+"Not so long, mother, as you imagine," replied Alla ad Deen: "the
+sultan is mistaken, if he thinks by this exorbitant demand to
+prevent my entertaining thoughts of the princess. I expected
+greater difficulties, and that he would have set a higher price
+upon her incomparable charms. I am very well pleased; his demand
+is but a trifle to what I could have done for her. But while I
+think of satisfying his request, go and get something for our
+dinner, and leave the rest to me."
+
+As soon as his mother was gone out to market, Alla ad Deen took
+the lamp, and rubbing it, the genie appeared, and offered his
+service as usual. "The sultan," said Alla ad Deen to him, "gives
+me the princess his daughter in marriage; but demands first forty
+large trays of massive gold, full of the fruits of the garden
+from whence I took this lamp; and these he expects to have
+carried by as many black slaves, each preceded by a young
+handsome white slave, richly clothed. Go, and fetch me this
+present as soon as possible, that I may send it to him before the
+divan breaks up."
+
+The genie told him his command should be immediately obeyed, and
+disappeared.
+
+In a little time afterwards the genie returned with forty black
+slaves, each bearing on his head a heavy tray of pure gold, full
+of pearls, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and every sort of precious
+stones, all larger and more beautiful than those presented to the
+sultan. Each tray was covered with silver tissue, embroidered
+with flowers of gold; these, together with the white slaves,
+quite filled the house, which was but a small one, the little
+court before it, and a small garden behind. The genie asked if he
+had any other commands, and Alla ad Deen telling him that he
+wanted nothing farther, he disappeared.
+
+When Alla ad Deen's mother came from market, she was much
+surprised to see so many people and such vast riches. As soon as
+she had laid down her provisions, she was going to pull off her
+veil; but he prevented her, and said, "Mother, let us lose no
+time; before the sultan and the divan rise, I would have you
+return to the palace with this present as the dowry demanded for
+the princess, that he may judge by my diligence and exactness of
+the ardent and sincere desire I have to procure myself the honour
+of this alliance." Without waiting for his mother's reply, Alla
+ad Deen opened the street-door, and made the slaves walk out;
+each white slave followed by a black with a tray upon his head.
+When they were all out, the mother followed the last black slave;
+he shut the door, and then retired to his chamber, full of hopes
+that the sultan, after this present, which was such as he
+required, would receive him as his son-in-law.
+
+The first white slave who went out made all the people who were
+going by stop; and before they were all clear of the house, the
+streets were crowded with spectators, who ran to see so
+extraordinary and magnificent a procession. The dress of each
+slave was so rich, both for the stuff and the jewels, that those
+who were dealers in them valued each at no less than a million of
+money; besides the neatness and propriety of the dress, the noble
+air, fine shape and proportion of each slave were unparalleled;
+their grave walk at an equal distance from each other, the lustre
+of the jewels curiously set in their girdles of gold, in
+beautiful symmetry, and the egrets of precious stones in their
+turbans, which were of an unusual but elegant taste, put the
+spectators into such great admiration, that they could not avoid
+gazing at them, and following them with their eyes as far as
+possible; but the streets were so crowded with people, that none
+could move out of the spot they stood on. As they had to pass
+through several streets to the palace, a great part of the city
+had an opportunity of seeing them. As soon as the first of these
+slaves arrived at the palace gate, the porters formed themselves
+into order, taking him for a prince from the richness and
+magnificence of his habit, and were going to kiss the hem of his
+garment; but the slave, who was instructed by the genie,
+prevented them, and said, "We are only slaves, our master will
+appear at a proper time."
+
+The first slave, followed by the rest, advanced into the second
+court, which was very spacious, and in which the sultan's
+household was ranged during the sitting of the divan. The
+magnificence of the officers, who stood at the head of their
+troops, was considerably eclipsed by the slaves who bore Alla ad
+Deen's present, of which they themselves made a part. Nothing was
+ever seen so beautiful and brilliant in the sultan's palace; and
+all the lustre of the lords of his court was not to be compared
+to them.
+
+As the sultan, who had been informed of their march, and approach
+to the palace, had given orders for them to be admitted, they met
+with no obstacle, but went into the divan in regular order, one
+part filing to the right, and the other to the left. After they
+were all entered, and had formed a semicircle before the sultan's
+throne, the black slaves laid the golden trays on the carpet,
+prostrated themselves, touching the carpet with their foreheads,
+and at the same time the white slaves did the same. When they
+rose, the black slaves uncovered the trays, and then all stood
+with their arms crossed over their breasts.
+
+In the meantime Alla ad Deen's mother advanced to the foot of the
+throne, and having paid her respects, said to the sultan, "Sir,
+my son is sensible this present, which he has sent your majesty,
+is much below the princess Buddir al Buddoor's worth; but hopes,
+nevertheless, that your majesty will accept of it, and make it
+agreeable to the princess, and with the greater confidence since
+he has endeavoured to conform to the conditions you were pleased
+to impose."
+
+The sultan was not able to give the least attention to this
+compliment. The moment he cast his eyes on the forty trays, full
+of the most precious, brilliant, and beautiful jewels he had ever
+seen, and the fourscore slaves, who appeared by the elegance of
+their persons, and the richness and magnificence of their dress,
+like so many princes, he was so struck, that he could not recover
+from his admiration. Instead of answering the compliment of Alla
+ad Deen's mother, he addressed himself to the grand vizier, who
+could not any more than the sultan comprehend from whence such a
+profusion of richness could come. "Well, vizier," said he aloud,
+"who do you think it can be that has sent me so extraordinary a
+present, and neither of us know? Do you think him worthy of the
+princess Buddir al Buddoor, my daughter?"
+
+The vizier, notwithstanding his envy and grief to see a stranger
+preferred to be the sultan's son-in-law before his son, durst not
+disguise his sentiments. It was too visible that Alla ad Deen's
+present was more than sufficient to merit his being received into
+royal alliance; therefore, consulting his master's feelings, he
+returned this answer: "I am so far from having any thoughts that
+the person who has made your majesty so noble a present is
+unworthy of the honour you would do him, that I should say he
+deserved much more, if I was not persuaded that the greatest
+treasure in the world ought not to be put in competition with the
+princess your majesty's daughter." This speech was applauded by
+all the lords who were then in council.
+
+The sultan made no longer hesitation, nor thought of informing
+himself whether Alla ad Deen was endowed with all the
+qualifications requisite in one who aspired to be his son-in-law.
+The sight alone of such immense riches, and Alla ad Deen's
+quickness in satisfying his demand, without starting the least
+difficulty at the exorbitant conditions he had imposed, easily
+persuaded him, that he could want nothing to render him
+accomplished, and such as he desired. Therefore, to send Alla ad
+Deen's mother back with all the satisfaction she could desire, he
+said to her, "My good lady, go and tell your son that I wait with
+open arms to embrace him, and the more haste he makes to come and
+receive the princess my daughter from my hands, the greater
+pleasure he will do me."
+
+As soon as the tailor's widow had retired, overjoyed as a woman
+in her condition must have been, to see her son raised beyond all
+expectations to such exalted fortune, the sultan put an end to
+the audience; and rising from his throne, ordered that the
+princess's eunuchs should come and carry the trays into their
+mistress's apartment, whither he went himself to examine them
+with her at his leisure. The fourscore slaves were conducted in
+to the palace; and the sultan, telling the princess of their
+magnificent appearance, ordered them to be brought before her
+apartment, that she might see through the lattices he had not
+exaggerated in his account of them.
+
+In the meantime Alla ad Deen's mother got home, and shewed in her
+air and countenance the good news she brought her son "My son,"
+said she to him, "you have now all the reason in the world to be
+pleased: you are, contrary to my expectations, arrived at the
+height of your desires. Not to keep you too long in suspense, the
+sultan, with the approbation of the whole court, has declared
+that you are worthy to possess the princess Buddir al Buddoor,
+waits to embrace you and conclude your marriage; therefore, you
+must think of making some preparations for your interview, which
+may answer the high opinion he has formed of your person; and
+after the wonders I have seen you do, I am persuaded nothing can
+be wanting. But I must not forget to tell you the sultan waits
+for you with great impatience, therefore lose no time in paying
+your respects."
+
+Alla ad Deen, enraptured with this news, and full of the object
+which possessed his soul, made his mother very little reply, but
+retired to his chamber. There, after he had rubbed his lamp,
+which had never failed him in whatever he wished for, the
+obedient genie appeared. "Genie," said Alla ad Deen, "I want to
+bathe immediately, and you must afterwards provide me the richest
+and most magnificent habit ever worn by a monarch." No sooner
+were the words out of his mouth than the genie rendered him, as
+well as himself, invisible, and transported him into a hummum of
+the finest marble of all sorts of colours; where he was
+undressed, without seeing by whom, in a magnificent and spacious
+hall. From the hall he was led to the bath, which was of a
+moderate heat, and he was there rubbed and washed with various
+scented waters. After he had passed through several degrees of
+heat, he came out, quite a different man from what he was before.
+His skin was clear white and red, his body lightsome and free;
+and when he returned into the hall, he found, instead of his own,
+a suit, the magnificence of which astonished him. The genie
+helped him to dress, and when he had done, transported him back
+to his own chamber, where he asked him if he had any other
+commands. "Yes," answered Alla ad Deen, "I expect you to bring me
+as soon as possible a charger, that surpasses in beauty and
+goodness the best in the sultan's stables, with a saddle, bridle,
+and other caparisons worth a million of money. I want also twenty
+slaves, as richly clothed as those who carried the present to the
+sultan, to walk by my side and follow me, and twenty more to go
+before me in two ranks. Besides these, bring my mother six women
+slaves to attend her, as richly dressed at least as any of the
+princess Buddir al Buddoor's, each carrying a complete dress fit
+for any sultaness. I want also ten thousand pieces of gold in ten
+purses; go, and make haste."
+
+As soon as Alla ad Deen had given these orders, the genie
+disappeared, but presently returned with the horse, the forty
+slaves, ten of whom carried each a purse containing ten thousand
+pieces of gold, and six women slaves, each carrying on her head a
+different dress for Alla ad Deen's mother, wrapped up in a piece
+of silver tissue, and presented them all to Alla ad Deen.
+
+Of the ten purses Alla ad Deen took four, which he gave to his
+mother, telling her, those were to supply her with necessaries;
+the other six he left in the hands of the slaves who brought
+them, with an order to throw them by handfuls among the people as
+they went to the sultan's palace. The six slaves who carried the
+purses he ordered likewise to march before him, three on the
+right hand and three on the left. Afterwards he presented the six
+women slaves to his mother, telling her they were her slaves, and
+that the dresses they had brought were for her use.
+
+When Alla ad Deen had thus settled matters, he told the genie he
+would call for him when he wanted him, and thereupon the genie
+disappeared. Alla ad Deen's thoughts now were only upon
+answering, as soon as possible, the desire the sultan had shown
+to see him. He dispatched one of the forty slaves to the palace,
+with an order to address himself to the chief of the porters, to
+know when he might have the honour to come and throw himself at
+the sultan's feet. The slave soon acquitted himself of his
+commission, and brought for answer, that the sultan waited for
+him with impatience.
+
+Alla ad Deen immediately mounted his charger, and began his
+march, in the order we have already described; and though he
+never was on horseback before, appeared with such extraordinary
+grace, that the most experienced horseman would not have taken
+him for a novice. The streets through which he was to pass were
+almost instantly filled with an innumerable concourse of people,
+who made the air echo with acclamations, especially every time
+the six slaves who carried the purses threw handfuls of gold
+among the populace. Neither did these acclamations and shouts of
+joy come from those alone who scrambled for the money, but from a
+superior rank of people, who could not forbear applauding Alla ad
+Deen's generosity. Not only those who knew him when he played in
+the streets like a vagabond did not recollect him, but those who
+saw him but a little while before hardly recognised him, so much
+were his features altered: such were the effects of the lamp, as
+to procure by degrees to those who possessed it perfections
+suitable to the rank to which the right use of it advanced them.
+Much more attention was paid to Alla ad Deen's person than to the
+pomp and magnificence of his attendants, as a similar show had
+been seen the day before when the slaves walked in procession
+with the present to the sultan. Nevertheless the horse was much
+admired by good judges, who knew how to discern his beauties,
+without being dazzled by the jewels and richness of the
+furniture. When the report was everywhere spread, that the sultan
+was going to give the princess in marriage to Alla ad Deen,
+nobody regarded his birth, nor envied his good fortune, so worthy
+he seemed of it in the public opinion.
+
+When he arrived at the palace, everything was prepared for his
+reception; and when he came to the gate of the second court, he
+would have alighted from his horse, agreeably to the custom
+observed by the grand vizier, the commander in chief of the
+empire, and governors of provinces of the first rank; but the
+chief of the mace-bearers who waited on him by the sultan's order
+prevented him, and attended him to the grand hall of audience,
+where he helped him to dismount; though Alla ad Deen endeavoured
+to prevent him, but could not prevail. The officers formed
+themselves into two ranks at the entrance of the hall. The chief
+put Alla ad Deen on his right hand, and through the midst of them
+led him to the sultan's throne.
+
+As soon as the sultan perceived Alla ad Deen, he was no less
+surprised to see him more richly and magnificently habited than
+ever he had been himself, than struck at his good mien, fine
+shape, and a certain air of unexpected dignity, very different
+from the meanness of his mother's late appearance.
+
+But, notwithstanding, his amazement and surprise did not hinder
+him from rising off his throne, and descending two or three
+steps, quick enough to prevent Alla ad Deen's throwing himself at
+his feet. He embraced him with all the demonstrations of joy at
+his arrival. After this civility Alla ad Deen would have thrown
+himself at his feet again; but he held him fast by the hand, and
+obliged him to sit close to the throne.
+
+Alla ad Deen then addressed the sultan, saying, "I receive the
+honour which your majesty out of your great condescension is
+pleased to confer; but permit me to assure you, that I have not
+forgotten that I am your slave; that I know the greatness of your
+power, and that I am not in sensible how much my birth is below
+the splendour and lustre of the high rank to which I am raised.
+If any way," continued he, "I could have merited so favourable a
+reception, I confess I owe it merely to the boldness which chance
+inspired in me to raise my eyes, thoughts, and desires to the
+divine princess, who is the object of my wishes. I ask your
+majesty's pardon for my rashness, but I cannot dissemble, that I
+should die with grief were I to lose my hopes of seeing them
+accomplished."
+
+"My son," answered the sultan, embracing him a second time, "you
+would wrong me to doubt for a moment of my sincerity: your life
+from this moment is too dear to me not to preserve it, by
+presenting you with the remedy which is at my disposal. I prefer
+the pleasure of seeing and hearing you before all your treasure
+added to my own."
+
+After these words, the sultan gave a signal, and immediately the
+air echoed with the sound of trumpets, hautboys, and other
+musical instruments: and at the same time the sultan led Alla ad
+Deen into a magnificent hall, where was laid out a most splendid
+collation. The sultan and Alla ad Deen ate by themselves, while
+the grand vizier and the great lords of the court, according to
+their dignity and rank, sat at different tables. The conversation
+turned on different subjects; but all the while the sultan took
+so much pleasure in looking at his intended son-in-law, that he
+hardly ever took his eyes off him; and throughout the whole of
+their conversation Alla ad Deen showed so much good sense, as
+confirmed the sultan in the high opinion he had formed of him.
+
+After the feast, the sultan sent for the chief judge of his
+capital, and ordered him to draw up immediately a contract of
+marriage between the princess Buddir al Buddoor his daughter and
+Alla ad Deen. In the mean time the sultan and he entered into
+another conversation on various subjects, in the presence of the
+grand vizier and the lords of the court, who all admired the
+solidity of his wit, the great ease and freedom wherewith he
+delivered himself, the justness of his remarks, and his energy in
+expressing them.
+
+When the judge had drawn up the contract in all the requisite
+forms, the sultan asked Alla ad Deen if he would stay in the
+palace, and solemnize the ceremonies of marriage that day. To
+which he answered, "Sir, though great is my impatience to enjoy
+your majesty's goodness, yet I beg of you to give me leave to
+defer it till I have built a palace fit to receive the princess;
+therefore I petition you to grant me a convenient spot of ground
+near your palace, that I may the more frequently pay my respects,
+and I will take care to have it finished with all diligence."
+"Son," said the sultan, "take what ground you think proper, there
+is space enough on every quarter round my palace; but consider, I
+cannot see you too soon united with my daughter, which alone is
+wanting to complete my happiness." After these words he embraced
+Alla ad Deen again, who took his leave with as much politeness as
+if he had been bred up and had always lived at court.
+
+Alla ad Deen returned home in the order he had come, amidst the
+acclamations of the people, who wished him all happiness and
+prosperity. As soon as he dismounted, he retired to his own
+chamber, took the lamp, and called the genie as before, who in
+the usual manner made him a tender of his service. "Genie," said
+Alla ad Deen, "I have every reason to commend your exactness in
+executing hitherto punctually whatever I have demanded; but now
+if you have any regard for the lamp your protector, you must
+show, if possible, more zeal and diligence than ever. I would
+have you build me, as soon as you can, a palace opposite, but at
+a proper distance from the sultan's, fit to receive my spouse the
+princess Buddir al Buddoor. I leave the choice of the materials
+to you, that is to say, porphyry, jasper, agate, lapis lazuli, or
+the finest marble of various colours, and also the architecture
+of the building. But I expect that on the terraced roof of this
+palace you will build me a large hall crowned with a dome, and
+having four equal fronts; and that instead of layers of bricks,
+the walls be formed of massive gold and silver, laid alternately;
+that each front shall contain six windows, the lattices of all
+which, except one, which must be left unfinished, shall be so
+enriched in the most tasteful workmanship, with diamonds, rubies,
+and emeralds, that they shall exceed every thing of the kind ever
+seen in the world. I would have an inner and outer court in front
+of the palace, and a spacious garden; but above all things, take
+care that there be laid in a place which you shall point out to
+me a treasure of gold and silver coin. Besides, the edifice must
+be well provided with kitchens and offices, storehouses, and
+rooms to keep choice furniture in, for every season of the year.
+I must have stables full of the finest horses, with their
+equerries and grooms, and hunting equipage. There must be
+officers to attend the kitchens and offices, and women slaves to
+wait on the princess. You understand what I mean; therefore go
+about it, and come and tell me when all is finished."
+
+By the time Alla ad Deen had instructed the genie resetting the
+building of his palace, the sun was set. The next morning, before
+break of day, our bridegroom, whose love for the princess would
+not let him sleep, was up, when the genie presented himself, and
+said, "Sir, your palace is finished, come and see how you like
+it." Alla ad Deen had no sooner signified his consent, than the
+genie transported him thither in an instant, and he found it so
+much beyond his expectation, that he could not enough admire it.
+The genie led him through all the apartments, where he met with
+nothing but what was rich and magnificent, with officers and
+slaves, all habited according to their rank and the services to
+which they were appointed. The genie then showed him the
+treasury, which was opened by a treasurer, where Alla ad Deen saw
+heaps of purses, of different sizes, piled up to the top of the
+ceiling, and disposed in most excellent order. The genie assured
+him of the treasurer's fidelity, and thence led him to the
+stables, where he showed him some of the finest horses in the
+world, and the grooms busy in dressing them; from thence they
+went to the store-houses, which were filled with all things
+necessary, both for food and ornament.
+
+When Alla ad Deen had examined the palace from top to bottom, and
+particularly the hall with the four-and-twenty windows, and found
+it much beyond whatever he could have imagined, he said, "Genie,
+no one can be better satisfied than I am; and indeed I should be
+much to blame if I found any fault. There is only one thing
+wanting which I forgot to mention; that is, to lay from the
+sultan's palace to the door of the apartment designed for the
+princess, a carpet of fine velvet for her to walk upon." The
+genie immediately disappeared, and Alla ad Deen saw what he
+desired executed in an instant. The genie then returned, and
+carried him home before the gates of the sultan's palace were
+opened.
+
+When the porters, who had always been used to an open prospect,
+came to open the gates, they were amazed to find it obstructed,
+and to see a carpet of velvet spread from the grand entrance.
+They did not immediately look how far it extended; but when they
+could discern Alla ad Deen's palace distinctly, their surprise
+was increased. The news of so extraordinary a wonder was
+presently spread through the palace. The grand vizier, who
+arrived soon after the gates were open, being no less amazed than
+others at this novelty, ran and acquainted the sultan, but
+endeavoured to make him believe it to be all enchantment.
+"Vizier," replied the sultan, "why will you have it to be
+enchantment? You know as well as I that it must be Alla ad Deen's
+palace, which I gave him leave to build, for the reception of my
+daughter. After the proof we have had of his riches, can we think
+it strange, that he should raise a palace in so short a time? He
+wished to surprise us, and let us see what wonders are to be done
+with money in only one night. Confess sincerely that the
+enchantment you talk of proceeds from a little envy on account of
+your son's disappointment." The hour of going to council put an
+end to the conversation.
+
+When Alla ad Deen had been conveyed home, and had dismissed the
+genie, he found his mother up, and dressing herself in one of
+those suits which had been brought her. By the time the sultan
+rose from the council, Alla ad Deen had prepared his mother to go
+to the palace with her slaves, and desired her, if she saw the
+sultan, to tell him she should do herself the honour to attend
+the princess towards evening to her palace. Accordingly she went;
+but though she and the women slaves who followed her were all
+dressed like sultanesses, yet the crowd was not near so great as
+the preceding day, because they were all veiled, and had each an
+upper garment on agreeable to the richness and magnificence of
+their habits. Alla ad Deen mounted his horse, and took leave of
+his paternal house forever, taking care not to forget his
+wonderful lamp, by the assistance of which he had reaped such
+advantages, and arrived at the utmost height of his wishes, and
+went to the palace in the same pomp as the day before.
+
+As soon as the porters of the sultan's palace saw Alla ad Deen's
+mother, they went and informed the sultan, who immediately
+ordered the bands of trumpets, cymbals, drums, fifes and
+hautboys, placed in different parts of the palace, to play, so
+that the air resounded with concerts which inspired the whole
+city with joy: the merchants began to adorn their shops and
+houses with fine carpets and silks, and to prepare illuminations
+against night. The artisans of every description left their work,
+and the populace repaired to the great space between the royal
+palace and that of Alla ad Deen; which last drew all their
+attention, not only because it was new to them, but because there
+was no comparison between the two buildings. But their amazement
+was to comprehend by what unheard-of miracle so magnificent a
+palace could have been so soon erected, it being apparent to all
+that there were no prepared materials, or any foundations laid
+the day before.
+
+Alla ad Deen's mother was received in the palace with honour, and
+introduced into the princess Buddir al Buddoor's apartment by the
+chief of the eunuchs. As soon as the princess saw her, she rose,
+saluted, and desired her to sit down on a sofa; and while her
+women finished dressing and adorning her with the jewels which
+Alla ad Deen had presented to her, a collation was served up. At
+the same time the sultan, who wished to be as much with his
+daughter as possible before he parted with her, came in and paid
+the old lady great respect. Alla ad Deen's mother had talked to
+the sultan in public, but he had never seen her with her veil
+off, as she was then; and though she was somewhat advanced in
+years, she had the remains of a good face, which showed what she
+had been in her youth. The sultan, who had always seen her
+dressed very meanly, not to say poorly, was surprised to find her
+as richly and magnificently attired as the princess his daughter.
+This made him think Alla ad Deen equally prudent and wise in
+whatever he undertook.
+
+When it was night, the princess took her leave of the sultan her
+father: their adieus were tender, and accompanied with tears.
+They embraced each other several times, and at last the princess
+left her own apartment for Alla ad Deen's palace, with his mother
+on her left hand carried in a superb litter, followed by a
+hundred women slaves, dressed with surprising magnificence. All
+the bands of music, which had played from the time Alla ad Deen's
+mother arrived, being joined together, led the procession,
+followed by a hundred state ushers, and the like number of black
+eunuchs, in two files, with their officers at their head. Four
+hundred of the sultan's young pages carried flambeaux on each
+side, which, together with the illuminations of the sultan's and
+Alla ad Deen's palaces, made it as light as day.
+
+In this order the princess proceeded in her litter on the carpet,
+which was spread from the sultan's palace, preceded by bands of
+musicians, who, as they advanced, joining with those on the
+terraces of Alla ad Deen's palace, formed a concert, which
+increased the joyful sensations not only of the crowd assembled
+in the great square, but of the metropolis and its environs.
+
+At length the princess arrived at the new palace. Alla ad Deen
+ran with all imaginable joy to receive her at the grand entrance.
+His mother had taken care to point him out to the princess, in
+the midst of the officers who surrounded him, and she was charmed
+with his person. "Adorable princess," said Alla ad Deen,
+accosting her, and saluting her respectfully, as soon as she had
+entered her apartment, "if I have the misfortune to have
+displeased you by my boldness in aspiring to the possession of so
+lovely a princess, and my sultan's daughter, I must tell you,
+that you ought to blame your bright eyes and charms, not me."
+"Prince (as I may now call you)," answered the princess, "I am
+obedient to the will of my father; and it is enough for me to
+have seen you to tell you that I obey without reluctance."
+
+Alla ad Deen, charmed with so agreeable and satisfactory an
+answer, would not keep the princess standing; but took her by the
+hand, which he kissed with the greatest demonstration of joy, and
+led her into a large hall, illuminated with an infinite number of
+wax candles, where, by the care of the genie, a noble feast was
+served up. The dishes were of massive gold, and contained the
+most delicate viands. The vases, basins, and goblets, were gold
+also, and of exquisite workmanship, and all the other ornaments
+and embellishments of the hall were answerable to this display.
+The princess, dazzled to see so much riches collected in one
+place, said to Alla ad Deen, "I thought, prince, that nothing in
+the world was so beautiful as the sultan my father's palace, but
+the sight of this hall alone is sufficient to show I was
+deceived."
+
+Alla ad Deen led the princess to the place appointed for her, and
+as soon as she and his mother were seated, a band of the most
+harmonious instruments, accompanied with the voices of beautiful
+ladies, began a concert, which lasted without intermission to the
+end of the repast. The princess was so charmed, that she declared
+she had never heard anything like it in the sultan her father's
+court; but she knew not that these musicians were fairies chosen
+by the genie, the slave of the lamp.
+
+When the supper was ended, there entered a company of female
+dancers, who performed, according to the custom of the country,
+several figure dances, singing at the same time verses in praise
+of the bride and bridegroom. About midnight Alla ad Deen's mother
+conducted the bride to the nuptial apartment, and he soon after
+retired.
+
+The next morning when Alla ad Deen left the bridal chamber, his
+attendants presented themselves to dress him, and brought him
+another habit as rich and magnificent as that worn the day
+before. He then ordered one of the horses appointed for his use
+to be got ready, mounted him, and went in the midst of a large
+troop of slaves to the sultan's palace. The sultan received him
+with the same honours as before, embraced him, placed him on the
+throne near him, and ordered a collation. Alla ad Deen said, "I
+beg your majesty will dispense with my eating with you to-day; I
+came to entreat you to take a repast in the princess's palace,
+attended by your grand vizier, and all the lords of your court."
+The sultan consented with pleasure, rose up immediately, and,
+preceded by the principal officers of his palace, and followed by
+all the great lords of his court, accompanied Alla ad Deen.
+
+The nearer the sultan approached Alla ad Deen's palace, the more
+he was struck with its beauty, but was much more amazed when he
+entered it; and could not forbear breaking out into exclamations
+of approbation. But when he came into the hall, and cast his eyes
+on the windows, enriched with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, all
+large perfect stones, he was so much surprised, that he remained
+some time motionless. After he recovered himself, he said to his
+vizier, "Is it possible that there should be such a stately
+palace so near my own, and I be an utter stranger to it till
+now?" "Sir," replied the grand vizier, "your majesty may remember
+that the day before yesterday you gave Alla ad Deen, whom you
+accepted for your son-in-law, leave to build a palace opposite
+your own, and that very day at sunset there was no palace on this
+spot, but yesterday I had the honour first to tell you that the
+palace was built and finished." "I remember," replied the sultan,
+"but never imagined that the palace was one of the wonders of the
+world; for where in all the world besides shall we find walls
+built of massive gold and silver, instead of brick, stone, or
+marble; and diamonds, rubies, and emeralds composing the
+windows!"
+
+The sultan would examine and admire the beauty of all the
+windows, and counting them, found that there were but three-and-
+twenty so richly adorned, and he was greatly astonished that the
+twenty-fourth was left imperfect. "Vizier," said he, for that
+minister made a point of never leaving him, "I am surprised that
+a hall of this magnificence should be left thus imperfect."
+"Sir," replied the grand vizier, "without doubt Alla ad Deen only
+wanted time to finish this window like the rest; for it is not to
+be supposed but that he has sufficient jewels for the purpose, or
+that he will not complete it the first opportunity."
+
+Alla ad Deen, who had left the sultan to go and give some orders,
+returned just as the vizier had finished his remark. "Son," said
+the sultan to him, "this hall is the most worthy of admiration of
+any in the world; there is only one thing that surprises me,
+which is to find one of the windows unfinished. Is it from the
+forgetfulness or negligence of the workmen, or want of time, that
+they have not put the finishing stroke to so beautiful a piece of
+architecture?" "Sir," answered Alla ad Deen, "it was for none of
+these reasons that your majesty sees it in this state. The
+omission was by design, it was by my orders that the workmen left
+it thus, since I wished that your majesty should have the glory
+of finishing this hall, and of course the palace." "If you did it
+with this intention," replied the sultan, "I take it kindly, and
+will give orders about it immediately." He accordingly sent for
+the most considerable jewellers and goldsmiths in his capital.
+
+Alla ad Deen then conducted the sultan into the saloon where he
+had regaled his bride the preceding night. The princess entered
+immediately afterwards, and received the sultan her father with
+an air that showed how happy she was with her marriage. Two
+tables were immediately spread with the most delicious meats, all
+served up in gold dishes. The sultan, princess, Alla ad Deen, his
+mother, and the grand vizier, sat down at the first, and all the
+lords of the court at the second, which was very long. The sultan
+was much pleased with the cookery, and owned he had never eaten
+anything more excellent. He said the same of the wines, which
+were delicious; but what he most of all admired, were four large
+sideboards, profusely furnished with large flagons, basins, and
+cups, all of massive gold, set with jewels. He was besides
+charmed with several bands of music, which were ranged along the
+hall, and formed most agreeable concerts.
+
+When the sultan rose from table, he was informed that the
+jewellers and goldsmiths attended; upon which he returned to the
+hall, and showed them the window which was unfinished. "I sent
+for you," said he, "to fit up this window in as great perfection
+as the rest; examine them well and make all the dispatch you
+can."
+
+The jewellers and goldsmiths examined the three-and-twenty
+windows with great attention, and after they had consulted
+together, to know what each could furnish, they returned, and
+presented themselves before the sultan, whose principal jeweller,
+undertaking to speak for the rest, said, "Sir, we are all willing
+to exert our utmost care and industry to obey your majesty; but
+among us all we cannot furnish jewels enough for so great a
+work." "I have more than are necessary," said the sultan; "come
+to my palace, and you shall choose what may answer your purpose."
+
+When the sultan returned to his palace, he ordered his jewels to
+be brought out, and the jewellers took a great quantity,
+particularly those Alla ad Deen had made him a present of, which
+they soon used, without making any greet advance in their work.
+They came again several times for more, and in a month's time had
+not finished half their work. In short, they used all the jewels
+the sultan had, and borrowed of the vizier, but yet the work was
+not half done.
+
+A]]a ad Deen, who knew that all the sultan's endeavours to make
+this window like the rest were in vain, sent for the jewellers
+and goldsmiths, and not only commanded them to desist from their
+work, but ordered them to undo what they had begun, and to carry
+all their jewels back to the sultan and to the vizier. They undid
+in a few hours what they had been six weeks about, and retired,
+leaving Alla ad Deen alone in the hall. He took the lamp which he
+carried about him, rubbed it, and presently the genie appeared.
+"Genie," said Alla ad Deen, "I ordered thee to leave one of the
+four-and-twenty windows of this hall imperfect, and thus hast
+executed my commands punctually; now I would have thee make it
+like the rest." The genie immediately disappeared. Alla ad Deen
+went out of the hall, and returning soon after, found the window,
+as he wished it to be, like the others.
+
+In the meantime, the jewellers and goldsmiths repaired to the
+palace, and were introduced into the sultan's presence; where the
+chief jeweller, presenting the precious stones which he had
+brought back, said, in the name of all the rest, "Your majesty
+knows how long we have been upon the work you were pleased to set
+us about, in which we used all imaginable industry. It was far
+advanced, when prince Alla ad Deen commanded us not only to leave
+off, but to undo what we had already begun, and bring your
+majesty your jewels back." The sultan asked them if Alla ad Deen
+had given them any reason for so doing, and they answering that
+he had given them none, he ordered a horse to be brought, which
+he mounted, and rode to his son-in law's palace, with some few
+attendants on foot. When he came there, he alighted at the stair-
+case, which led up to the hall with the twenty-four windows, and
+went directly up to it, without giving previous notice to Alla ad
+Deen; but it happened that at that very juncture Alla ad Deen was
+opportunely there, and had just time to receive him at the door.
+
+The sultan, without giving Alla ad Deen time to complain
+obligingly of his not having given notice, that he might have
+acquitted himself with the more becoming respect, said to him,
+"Son, I come myself to know the reason why you commanded the
+jewellers to desist from work, and take to pieces what they had
+done."
+
+Alla ad Deen disguised the true reason, which was, that the
+sultan was not rich enough in jewels to be at so great an
+expense, but said, "I beg of you now to see if any thing is
+wanting."
+
+The sultan went directly to the window which was left imperfect,
+and when he found it like the rest, fancied that he was mistaken,
+examined the two windows on each side, and afterwards all the
+four-and-twenty; but when he was convinced that the window which
+several workmen had been so long about was finished in so short a
+time, he embraced Alla ad Deen, and kissed him between his eyes.
+"My son," said he, "what a man you are to do such surprising
+things always in the twinkling of an eye; there is not your
+fellow in the world; the more I know, the more I admire you."
+
+Alla ad Deen received these praises from the sultan with modesty,
+and replied in these words: "Sir, it is a great honour to me to
+deserve your majesty's good-will and approbation, and I assure
+you, I shall study to deserve them more."
+
+The sultan returned to his palace, but would not let Alla ad Deen
+attend him. When he came there, he found his grand vizier
+waiting, to whom he related the wonder he had witnessed, with the
+utmost admiration, and in such terms as left the minister no room
+to doubt but that the facet was as the sultan related it; though
+he was the more confirmed in his belief, that Alla ad Deen's
+palace was the effect of enchantment, as he had told the sultan
+the first moment he saw it. He was going to repeat the
+observation, but the sultan interrupted him, and said, "You told
+me so once before; I see, vizier, you have not forgotten your
+son's espousals to my daughter." The frank vizier plainly saw how
+much the sultan was prepossessed, therefore avoided disputes and
+let him remain in his own opinion. The sultan as soon as he rose
+every morning went into the closet, to look at Alla ad Deen's
+palace, and would go many times in a day to contemplate and
+admire it.
+
+Alla ad Deen did not confine himself in his palace; but took care
+to shew himself once or twice a week in the town, by going
+sometimes to one mosque, and sometimes to another, to prayers, or
+to visit the grand vizier, who affected to pay his court to him
+on certain days, or to do the principal lords of the court the
+honour to return their visits after he had regaled them at his
+palace. Every time he went out, he caused two slaves, who walked
+by the side of his horse, to throw handfuls of money among the
+people as he passed through the streets and squares, which were
+generally on those occasions crowded. Besides, no one came to his
+palace gates to ask alms, but returned satisfied with his
+liberality. In short, he so divided his time, that not a week
+passed but he went either once or twice a hunting, sometimes in
+the environs of the city, sometimes farther off; at which time
+the villages through which he passed felt the effects of his
+generosity, which gained him the love and blessings of the
+people: and it was common for them to swear by his head. Thus,
+without giving the ]east umbrage to the sultan, to whom he paid
+all imaginable respect, Alla ad Deen, by his affable behaviour
+and liberality, had won the affections of the people, and was
+more beloved than the sultan himself. With all these good
+qualities he shewed a courage and a zeal for the public good
+which could not be sufficiently applauded. He gave sufficient
+proofs of both in a revolt on the borders of the kingdom; for he
+no sooner understood that the sultan was levying an army to
+disperse the rebels than he begged the command of it, which he
+found not difficult to obtain. As soon as he was empowered, he
+marched with so much expedition, that the sultan heard of the
+defeat of the rebels before he had received an account of his
+arrival in the army. And though this action rendered his name
+famous throughout the kingdom, it made no alteration in his
+disposition; but he was as affable after his victory as before.
+
+Alla ad Deen had conducted himself in this manner several years,
+when the African magician, who undesignedly had been the
+instrument of raising him to so high a pitch of prosperity,
+recalled him to his recollection in Africa, whither, after his
+expedition, he had returned. And though he was almost persuaded
+that Alla ad Deen must have died miserably in the subterraneous
+abode where he had left him, yet he had the curiosity to inform
+himself about his end with certainty; and as he was a great
+geomancer, he took out of a cupboard a square covered box, which
+he used in his geomantic observations: then sat himself down on
+the sofa, set it before him, and uncovered it. After he had
+prepared and levelled the sand which was in it, with an intention
+to discover whether or no Alla ad Deen had died in the
+subterraneous abode, he cast the points, drew the figures, and
+formed a horoscope, by which, when he came to examine it, he
+found that Alla ad Deen, instead of dying in the cave, had made
+his escape, lived splendidly, was in possession of the wonderful
+lamp, had married a princess, and was much honoured and
+respected.
+
+The magician no sooner understood by the rules of his diabolical
+art, that Alla ad Deen had arrived to this height of good
+fortune, than his face became inflamed with anger, and he cried
+out in a rage, "This sorry tailor's son has discovered the secret
+and virtue of the lamp! I believed his death to be certain; but
+find that he enjoys the fruit of my labour and study! I will,
+however, prevent his enjoying it long, or perish in the attempt."
+He was not a great while deliberating on what he should do, but
+the next morning mounted a barb, set forwards, and never stopped
+but to refresh himself and horse, till he arrived at the capital
+of China. He alighted, took up his lodging in a khan, and stayed
+there the remainder of the day and the night, to refresh himself
+after so long a journey.
+
+The next day, his first object was to inquire what people said of
+Alla ad Deen; and, taking a walk through the town, he went to the
+most public and frequented places, where persons of the best
+distinction met to drink a certain warm liquor, which he had
+drunk often during his former visit.
+
+As soon as he had seated himself, he was presented with a cup of
+it, which he took; but listening at the same time to the
+discourse of the company on each side of him, he heard them
+talking of Alla ad Deen's palace. When he had drunk off his
+liquor, he joined them, and taking this opportunity, inquired
+particularly of what palace they spoke with so much commendation.
+"From whence come you?" said the person to whom he addressed
+himself; "you must certainly be a stranger not to have seen or
+heard talk of Prince Alla ad Deen's palace" (for he was called so
+after his marriage with the princess). "I do not say," continued
+the man, "that it is one of the wonders of the world, but that it
+is the only wonder of the world; since nothing so grand, rich,
+and magnificent was ever beheld. Certainly you must have come
+from a great distance, or some obscure corner, not to have heard
+of it, for it must have been talked of all over the world. Go and
+see it, and then judge whether I have told you more than the
+truth." "Forgive my ignorance," replied the African magician; "I
+arrived here but yesterday, and came from the farthest part of
+Africa, where the fame of this palace had not reached when I came
+away. The business which brought me hither was so urgent, that my
+sole objets was to arrive as soon as I could, without stopping
+anywhere, or making any acquaintance. But I will not fail to go
+and see it; my impatience is so great, I will go immediately and
+satisfy my curiosity, if you will do me the favour to shew me the
+way thither."
+
+The person to whom the African magician addressed himself took a
+pleasure in shewing him the way to Alla ad Deen's palace, and he
+got up and went thither instantly. When he came to the palace,
+and had examined it on all sides, he doubted not but that Alla ad
+Deen had made use of the lamp to build it. Without attending to
+the inability of a poor tailor's son, he knew that none but the
+genii, the slaves of the lamp, the attaining of which he had
+missed, could have performed such wonders; and piqued to the
+quick at Alla ad Deen's happiness and splendour, he returned to
+the khan where he lodged.
+
+The next point was to ascertain where the lamp was; whether Alla
+ad Deen carried it about with him, or where he kept it; and this
+he was to discover by an operation of geomancy. As soon as he
+entered his lodging, he took his square box of sand, which he
+always carried with him when he travelled, and after he had
+performed some operations, he found that the lamp was in Alla ad
+Deen's palace, and so great was his joy at the discovery that he
+could hardly contain himself. "Well," said he, "I shall have the
+lamp, and defy Alla ad Deen's preventing my carrying it off, and
+making him sink to his original meanness, from which he has taken
+so high a flight."
+
+It was Alla ad Deen's misfortune at that time to be absent in the
+chase for eight days, and only three were expired, which the
+magician came to know by this means. After he had performed the
+magical operation, which gave him so much joy, he went to the
+superintendent of the khan, entered into conversation with him on
+indifferent subjects, and among the rest, told him he had been to
+see Alla ad Deen's palace; and after exaggerating on all that he
+had seen most worthy of observation, added, "But my curiosity
+leads me farther, and I shall not be satisfied till I have seen
+the person to whom this wonderful edifice belongs." "That will be
+no difficult matter," replied the master of the khan, "there is
+not a day passes but he gives an opportunity when he is in town,
+but at present he is not at the palace, and has been gone these
+three days on a hunting-match, which will last eight.
+
+The magician wanted to know no more; he took his leave of the
+superintendent of the khan, and returning to his own chamber,
+said to himself, "This is an opportunity I ought by no means to
+neglect, but must make the best use of it." To that end, he went
+to a coppersmith, and asked for a dozen copper lamps: the master
+of the shop told him he had not so many by him, but if he would
+have patience till the next day, he would have them ready. The
+magician appointed his time, and desired him to take care that
+they should be handsome and well polished. After promising to pay
+him well, he returned to his inn.
+
+The next day the magician called for the twelve lamps, paid the
+man his full price, put them into a basket which he bought on
+purpose, and with the basket hanging on his arm, went directly to
+Alla ad Deen's palace: as he approached he began crying, "Who
+will change old lamps for new ones?" As he went along, a crowd of
+children collected, who hooted, and thought him, as did all who
+chanced to be passing by, a madman or a fool, to offer to change
+new lamps for old ones.
+
+The African magician regarded not their scoffs, hootings, or all
+they could say to him, but still continued crying, "Who will
+change old lamps for new?" He repeated this so often, walking
+backwards and forwards in front of the palace, that the princess,
+who was then in the hall with the four-and-twenty windows,
+hearing a man cry something, and not being able to distinguish
+his words, owing to the hooting of the children and increasing
+mob about him, sent one of her women slaves to know what he
+cried.
+
+The slave was not long before she returned, and ran into the
+hall, laughing so heartily, that the princess could not forbear
+herself. "Well, giggler," said the princess, "will you tell me
+what you laugh at?" "Madam," answered the slave, laughing still,
+"who can forbear laughing, to see a fool with a basket on his
+arm, full of fine new lamps, ask to change them for old ones; the
+children and mob, crowding about him so that he can hardly stir,
+make all the noise they can in derision of him."
+
+Another female slave hearing this, said, "Now you speak of lamps,
+I know not whether the princess may have observed it, but there
+is an old one upon a shelf of the prince's robing-room, and
+whoever owns it will not be sorry to find a new one in its stead.
+If the princess chooses, she may have the pleasure of trying if
+this fool is so silly as to give a new lamp for an old one,
+without taking any thing for the exchange."
+
+The lamp this slave spoke of was the wonderful lamp, which Alla
+ad Deen had laid upon the shelf before he departed for the chase;
+this he had done several times before; but neither the princess,
+the slaves, nor the eunuchs, had ever taken notice of it. At all
+other times except when hunting he carried it about his person.
+
+The princess, who knew not the value of this lamp, and the
+interest that Alla ad Deen, not to mention herself, had to keep
+it safe, entered into the pleasantry, and commanded a eunuch to
+take it, and make the exchange. The eunuch obeyed, went out of
+the hall, and no sooner got to the palace gates than he saw the
+African magician, called to him, and shewing him the old lamp,
+said, "Give me a new lamp for this."
+
+The magician never doubted but this was the lamp he wanted. There
+could be no other such in this palace, where every utensil was
+gold or silver. He snatched it eagerly out of the eunuch's hand,
+and thrusting it as far as he could into his breast, offered him
+his basket, and bade him choose which he liked best. The eunuch
+picked out one, and carried it to the princess; but the exchange
+was no sooner made than the place rung with the shouts of the
+children, deriding the magician's folly.
+
+The African magician gave everybody leave to laugh as much as
+they pleased; he stayed not long near the palace, but made the
+best of his way, without crying any longer, "New lamps for old
+ones." His end was answered, and by his silence he got rid of the
+children and the mob.
+
+As soon as he was out of the square between the two palaces, he
+hastened down the streets which were the least frequented; and
+having no more occasion for his lamps or basket, set all down in
+an alley where nobody saw him: then going down another street or
+two, he walked till he came to one of the city gates, and
+pursuing his way through the suburbs, which were very extensive,
+at length reached a lonely spot, where he stopped for a time to
+execute the design he had in contemplation, never caring for his
+horse which he had left at the khan, but thinking himself
+perfectly compensated by the treasure he had acquired.
+
+In this place the African magician passed the remainder of the
+day, till the darkest time of night, when he pulled the lamp out
+of his breast and rubbed it. At that summons the genie appeared,
+and said, "What wouldst thou have? I am ready to obey thee as thy
+slave, and the slave of all those who have that lamp in their
+hands; both I and the other slaves of the lamp." "I command
+thee," replied the magician, "to transport me immediately and the
+palace which thou and the other slaves of the lamp have built in
+this city, with all the people in it, to Africa." The genie made
+no reply, but with the assistance of the other genii, the slaves
+of the lamp immediately transported him and the palace entire, to
+the spot whither he was desired to convey it.
+
+As soon as the sultan rose the next morning, according to custom,
+he went into his closet, to have the pleasure of contemplating
+and admiring Alla ad Deen's palace; but when he first looked that
+way, and instead of a palace saw an empty space such as it was
+before the palace was built, he thought he was mistaken, and
+rubbed his eyes; but when he looked again, he still saw nothing
+more the second time than the first, though the weather was fine,
+the sky clear, and the dawn advancing had made all objects very
+distinct. He looked again in front, to the right and left, but
+beheld nothing more than he had formerly been used to see from
+his window. His amazement was so great, that he stood for some
+time turning his eyes to the spot where the palace had stood, but
+where it was no longer to be seen. He could not comprehend how so
+large a palace as Alla ad Deen's, which he had seen plainly every
+day for some years, and but the day before, should vanish so
+soon, and not leave the least remains behind. "Certainly," said
+he to himself, "I am not mistaken; it stood there: if it had
+fallen, the materials would have lain in heaps; and if it had
+been swallowed up by an earthquake, there would be some mark
+left." At last, though he was convinced that no palace stood now
+opposite his own, he could not help staying some time at his
+window, to see whether he might not be mistaken. At last he
+retired to his apartment, not without looking behind him before
+he quitted the spot ordered the grand vizier to be sent for with
+expedition, and in the meantime sat down, his mind agitated by so
+many different conjectures that he knew not what to resolve.
+
+The grand vizier did not make the sultan wait long for him, but
+came with so much precipitation, that neither he nor his
+attendants, as they passed, missed Alla ad Deen's palace; neither
+did the porters, when they opened the palace gates observe any
+alteration.
+
+When he came into the sultan's presence, he said to him, ‘"The
+haste in which your majesty sent for me makes me believe
+something extraordinary has happened, since you know that this is
+a day of public audience, and I should not have failed of
+attending at the usual time." "Indeed," said the sultan, "it is
+something very extraordinary, as you say, and you will allow it
+to be so: tell me what is become of Alla ad Deen's palace?" "His
+palace!" replied the grand vizier, in amazement, "I thought as I
+passed it stood in its usual place; such substantial buildings
+are not so easily removed." "Go into my closet," said the sultan,
+"and tell me if you can see it."
+
+The grand vizier went into the closet, where he was struck with
+no less amazement than the sultan had been. When he was well
+assured that there was not the least appearance of this palace,
+he returned to the sultan. "Well," said the sultan, :have you
+seen Alla ad Deen's palace?" "No," answered the vizier; "but your
+majesty may remember that I had the honour to tell you, that
+palace, which was the subject of your admiration, with all its
+immense riches, was only the work of magic and a magician; but
+your majesty would not pay the least attention to what I said."
+
+The sultan, who could not deny what the grand vizier had
+represented to him, flew into the greater passion: "Where is that
+impostor, that wicked wretch," said he, "that I may have his head
+taken off immediately?" "Sir," replied the grand vizier, "it is
+some days since he came to take his leave of your majesty, on
+pretence of hunting; he ought to be sent for, to know what is
+become of his palace, since he cannot be ignorant of what has
+been transacted." "That is too great an indulgence," replied the
+sultan: "command a detachment of horse to bring him to me loaded
+with chains." The grand vizier gave orders for a detachment, and
+instructed the officer who commanded them how they were to act,
+that Alla ad Deen might not escape. The detachment pursued their
+orders; and about five or six leagues from the town met him
+returning from the chase. The officer advanced respectfully, and
+informed him the sultan was so impatient to see him, that he had
+sent his party to accompany him home.
+
+Alla ad Deen had not the least suspicion of the true reason of
+their meeting him; but when he came within half a league of the
+city, the detachment surrounded him, when the officer addressed
+himself to him, and said, "Prince, it is with great regret that I
+declare to you the sultan's order to arrest you, and to carry you
+before him as a criminal: I beg of you not to take it ill that we
+acquit ourselves of our duty, and to forgive us."
+
+Alla ad Deen, who felt himself innocent, was much surprised at
+this declaration, and asked the officer if he knew what crime he
+was accused of; who replied, he did not. Then Alla ad Deen,
+finding that his retinue was much interior to this detachment,
+alighted off his horse, and said to the officers, "Execute your
+orders; I am not conscious that I have committed any offence
+against the sultan's person or government." A heavy chain was
+immediately put about his neck, and fastened round his body, so
+that both his arms were pinioned down; the officer then put
+himself at the head of the detachment, and one of the troopers
+taking hold of the end of the chain and proceeding after the
+officer, led Alla ad Deen, who was obliged to follow him on foot,
+into the city.
+
+When this detachment entered the suburbs, the people, who saw
+Alla ad Deen thus led as a state criminal, never doubted but that
+his head was to be cut off; and as he was generally beloved, some
+took sabres and other arms; and those who had none gathered
+stones, and followed the escort. The last division faced about to
+disperse them; but their numbers presently increased so much,
+that the soldiery began to think it would be well if they could
+get into the sultan's palace before Alla ad Deen was rescued; to
+prevent which, according to the different extent of the streets,
+they took care to cover the ground by extending or closing. In
+this manner they with much difficulty arrived at the palace
+square, and there drew up in a line, till their officer and
+troopers with Alla ad Deen had got within the gates, which were
+immediately shut.
+
+Alla ad Deen was carried before the sultan, who waited for him,
+attended by the grand vizier, in a balcony; and as soon as he saw
+him, he ordered the executioner, who waited there for the
+purpose, to strike off his head without hearing him or giving him
+leave to clear himself.
+
+As soon as the executioner had taken off the chain that was
+fastened about Alla ad Deen's neck and body, and laid down a skin
+stained with the blood of the many he had executed, he made the
+supposed criminal kneel down, and tied a bandage over his eyes.
+Then drawing his sabre, took his aim by flourishing it three
+times in the air, waiting for the sultan's giving the signal to
+strike.
+
+At that instant the grand vizier perceiving that the populace had
+forced the guard of horse, crowded the great square before the
+palace, and were scaling the walls in several places, and
+beginning to pull them down to force their way in; he said to the
+sultan, before he gave the signal, "I beg of your majesty to
+consider what you are going to do, since you will hazard your
+palace being destroyed; and who knows what fatal consequence may
+follow?" "My palace forced!" replied the sultan; "who can have
+that audacity?" "Sir," answered the grand vizier, "if your
+majesty will but cast your eyes towards the great square, and on
+the palace walls, you will perceive the truth of what I say."
+
+The sultan was so much alarmed when he saw so great a crowd, and
+how enraged they were, that he ordered the executioner to put his
+sabre ;immediately into the scabbard, to unbind Alla ad Deen, and
+at the same time commanded the porters to declare to the people
+that the sultan had pardoned him, and that they might retire.
+
+Those who had already got upon the walls, and were witnesses of
+what had passed, abandoned their design and got quickly down,
+overjoyed that they had saved the life of a man they dearly
+loved, and published the news amongst the rest, which was
+presently confirmed by the mace-bearers from the top of the
+terraces. The justice which the sultan had done to Alla ad Deen
+soon disarmed the populace of their rage; the tumult abated, and
+the mob dispersed.
+
+When Alla ad Deen found himself at liberty, he turned towards the
+balcony, and perceiving the sultan, raised his voice, and said to
+him in a moving manner, "I beg of your majesty to add one favour
+more to that which I have already received, which is, to let me
+know my crime?" "Your crime," answered the sultan; "perfidious
+wretch! Do you not know it? Come hither, and I will shew it you."
+
+Alla ad Deen went up, when the sultan, going before him without
+looking at him, said, "Follow me;" and then led him into his
+closet. When he came to the door, he said, "Go in; you ought to
+know whereabouts your palace stood: look round and tell me what
+is become of it?"
+
+Alla ad Deen looked, but saw nothing. He perceived the spot upon
+which his palace had stood; but not being able to divine how it
+had disappeared, was thrown into such great confusion and
+amazement, that he could not return one word of answer.
+
+The sultan growing impatient, demanded of him again, "Where is
+your palace, and what is become of my daughter?" Alla ad Deen,
+breaking silence, replied, "Sir, I perceive and own that the
+palace which I have built is not in its place, but is vanished;
+neither can I tell your majesty where it may be, but can assure
+you I had no concern in its removal."
+
+"I am not so much concerned about your palace," replied the
+sultan, "I value my daughter ten thousand times more, and would
+have you find her out, otherwise I will cause your head to be
+struck off, and no consideration shall divert me from my
+purpose."
+
+"I beg of your majesty," answered Alla ad Deen, "to grant me
+forty days to make my inquiries; and if in that time I have not
+the success I wish, I will offer my head at the foot of your
+throne, to be disposed of at your pleasure." "I give you the
+forty days you ask," said the sultan; "but think not to abuse the
+favour I shew you, by imagining you shall escape my resentment;
+for I will find you out in whatsoever part of the world you may
+conceal yourself."
+
+Alla ad Deen went out of the sultan's presence with great
+humiliation, and in a condition worthy of pity. He crossed the
+courts of the palace, hanging down his head, and in such great
+confusion, that he durst not lift up his eyes. The principal
+officers of the court, who had all professed themselves his
+friends, and whom he had never disobliged, instead of going up to
+him to comfort him, and offer him a retreat in their houses,
+turned their backs to avoid seeing him. But had they accosted him
+with a word of comfort or offer of service, they would have no
+more known Alla ad Deen. He did not know himself, and was no
+longer in his senses, as plainly appeared by his asking everybody
+he met, and at every house, if they had seen his palace, or could
+tell him any news of it.
+
+These questions made the generality believe that Alla ad Deen was
+mad. Some laughed at him, but people of sense and humanity,
+particularly those who had had any connection of business or
+friendship with him, really pitied him. For three days he rambled
+about the city in this manner, without coming to any resolution,
+or eating anything but what some compassionate people forced him
+to take out of charity.
+
+At last, as he could no longer in his unhappy condition stay in a
+city where he had lately been next to the sultan, he took the
+road to the country; and after he had traversed several fields in
+wild uncertainty, at the approach of night came to the bank of a
+river. There, possessed by his despair, he said to himself,
+"Where shall I seek my palace? In what province, country, or part
+of the world, shall I find that and my dear princess, whom the
+sultan expects from me? I shall never succeed; I had better free
+myself at once from fruitless endeavours, and such bitter grief
+as preys upon me." He was just going to throw himself into the
+river, but, as a good Moosulmaun, true to his religion, he
+thought he should not do it without first saying his prayers.
+Going to prepare himself, he went to the river's brink, in order
+to perform the usual ablutions. The place being steep and
+slippery, from the water beating against it, he slid down, and
+had certainly fallen into the river, but for a little rock which
+projected about two feet out of the earth. Happily also for him
+he still had on the ring which the African magician had put on
+his finger before he went down into the subterraneous abode to
+fetch the precious lamp. In slipping down the bank he rubbed the
+ring so hard by holding on the rock, that immediately the same
+genie appeared whom he had seen in the cave where the magician
+had left him. "What wouldst thou have?" said the genie. "I am
+ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of all those that
+have that ring on their finger; both I and the other slaves of
+the ring."
+
+Alla ad Deen, agreeably surprised at an apparition he so little
+expected in his present calamity, replied, "Save my life, genie,
+a second time, either by shewing me to the place where the palace
+I caused to be built now stands, or immediately transporting it
+back where it first stood." "What you command me," answered the
+genie, "is not wholly in my power; I am only the slave of the
+ring; you must address yourself to the slave of the lamp." "If
+that be the case," replied Alla ad Deen, "I command thee, by the
+power of the ring, to transport me to the spot where my palace
+stands, in what part of the world soever it may be, and set me
+down under the window of the princess Buddir al Buddoor." These
+words were no sooner out of his mouth, than the genie transported
+him into Africa, to the midst of a large plain, where his palace
+stood, at no great distance from a city, and placing him exactly
+under the window of the princess's apartment, left him. All this
+was done almost in an instant.
+
+Alla ad Deen, notwithstanding the darkness of the night, knew his
+palace and the princess Buddir al Buddoor's apartment again; but
+as the night was far advanced, and all was quiet in the palace,
+he retired to some distance, and sat down at the foot of a large
+tree. There, full of hopes, and reflecting on his happiness, for
+which he was indebted to chance, he found himself in a much more
+comfortable situation than when he was arrested and carried
+before the sultan; being now delivered from the immediate danger
+of losing his life. He amused himself for some time with these
+agreeable thoughts; but not having slept for two days, was not
+able to resist the drowsiness which came upon him, but fell fast
+asleep.
+
+The next morning, as soon as day appeared, Alla ad Deen was
+agreeably awakened by the singing not only of the birds which had
+roosted in the tree under which he had passed the night, but also
+of those which frequented the thick groves of the palace garden.
+When he cast his eyes on that wonderful edifice, he felt
+inexpressible joy at thinking he might possibly soon be master of
+it again, and once more possess his dear princess Buddir al
+Buddoor. Pleased with these hopes, he immediately arose, went
+towards the princess's apartment, and walked some time under her
+window in expectation of her rising, that he might see her.
+During this expectation, he began to consider with himself whence
+the cause of his misfortune had proceeded; and after mature
+reflection, no longer doubted that it was owing to having trusted
+the lamp out of his sight. He accused himself of negligence in
+letting it be a moment away from him. But what puzzled him most
+was, that he could not imagine who had been so envious of his
+happiness. He would soon have guessed this, if he had known that
+both he and his palace were in Africa, the very name of which
+would soon have made him remember the magician his declared
+enemy; but the genie, the slave of the ring, had not made the
+least mention of the name of the country, nor had Alla ad Deen
+inquired.
+
+The princess rose earlier that morning than she had done since
+her transportation into Africa by the magician, whose presence
+she was forced to support once a day, because he was master of
+the palace; but she had always treated him so harshly that he
+dared not reside in it. As she was dressing, one of the women
+looking through the window, perceived Alla ad Deen, and instantly
+told her mistress. The princess, who could not believe the joyful
+tidings, hastened herself to the window, and seeing Alla ad Deen,
+immediately opened it. The noise of opening the window made Alla
+ad Deen turn his head that way, and perceiving the princess he
+saluted her with an air that expressed his joy. "To lose no
+time," said she to him, "I have sent to have the private door
+opened for you; enter, and come up."
+
+The private door, which was just under the princess's apartment,
+was soon opened, and Alla ad Deen conducted up into the chamber.
+It is impossible to express the joy of both at seeing each other,
+after so cruel a separation. After embracing and shedding tears
+of joy, they sat down, and Alla ad Deen said, "I beg of you,
+princess, in God's name, before we talk of anything else, to tell
+me, both for your own sake, the sultan your father's, and mine,
+what is become of an old lamp which I left upon a shelf in my
+robing-chamber, when I departed for the chase."
+
+"Alas! dear husband," answered the princess, "I was afraid our
+misfortune might be owing to that lamp: and what grieves me most
+is, that I have been the cause of it." "Princess," replied Alla
+ad Deen, "do not blame yourself, since it was entirely my fault,
+for I ought to have taken more care of it. But let us now think
+only of repairing the loss; tell me what has happened, and into
+whose hands it has fallen."
+
+The princess then related how she had changed the old lamp for a
+new one, which she ordered to be fetched, that he might see it,
+and how the next morning she found herself in the unknown country
+they were then in, which she was told was Africa, by the traitor,
+who had transported her thither by his magic art.
+
+"Princess," said Alla ad Deen, interrupting her, "you have
+informed me who the traitor is, by telling me we are in Africa.
+He is the most perfidious of men; but this is neither a time nor
+place to give you a full account of his villanies. I desire you
+only to tell me what he has done with the lamp, and where he has
+put it?" "He carries it carefully wrapped up in his bosom," said
+the princess; "and this I can assure you, because he pulled it
+out before me, and shewed it to me in triumph."
+
+"Princess," said Alla ad Deen, "do not be displeased that I
+trouble you with so many questions, since they are equally
+important to us both. But to come to what most particularly
+concerns me; tell me, I conjure you, how so wicked and perfidious
+a man treats you?" "Since I have been here," replied the
+princess, "he repairs once every day to see me; and I am
+persuaded the little satisfaction he receives from his visits
+makes him come no oftener. All his addresses tend to persuade me
+to break that faith I have pledged to you, and to take him for my
+husband; giving me to understand, I need not entertain hopes of
+ever seeing you again, for that you were dead, having had your
+head struck off by the sultan my father's order. He added, to
+justify himself, that you were an ungrateful wretch; that your
+good fortune was owing to him, and a great many other things of
+that nature which I forbear to repeat: but as he received no
+other answer from me but grievous complaints and tears, he was
+always forced to retire with as little satisfaction as he came. I
+doubt not his intention is to allow me time to overcome my grief,
+in hopes that afterwards I may change my sentiments; and if I
+persevere in an obstinate refusal, to use violence. But my dear
+husband's presence removes all my apprehensions."
+
+"I am confident my attempts to punish the magician will not be in
+vain," replied Alla ad Deen, "since my princess's fears are
+removed, and I think I have found the means to deliver you from
+both your enemy and mine; to execute this design, it is necessary
+for me to go to the town. I shall return by noon, will then
+communicate my design, and what must be done by you to ensure
+success. But that you may not be surprised, I think it proper to
+acquaint you, that I shall change my apparel, and beg of you to
+give orders that I may not wait long at the private door, but
+that it may be opened at the first knock;" all which the princess
+promised to observe.
+
+When Alla ad Deen was out of the palace, he looked round him on
+all sides, and perceiving a peasant going into the country,
+hastened after him; and when he had overtaken him, made a
+proposal to him to change habits, which the man agreed to. When
+they had made the exchange, the countryman went about his
+business, and Alla ad Deen to the city. After traversing several
+streets, he came to that part of the town where all descriptions
+of merchants and artisans had their particular streets, according
+to their trades. He went into that of the druggists; and going
+into one of the largest and best furnished shops, asked the
+druggist if he had a certain powder which he named.
+
+The druggist, judging Alla ad Deen by his habit to be very poor,
+and that he had not money enough to pay for it, told him he had
+it, but that it was very dear; upon which Alla ad Deen penetrated
+his thoughts, pulled out his purse, and shewing him some gold,
+asked for half a dram of the powder; which the druggist weighed,
+wrapped up in paper, and gave him, telling him the price was a
+piece of gold. Alla ad Deen put the money into his hand, and
+staying no longer in the town than just to get a little
+refreshment, returned to the palace, where he waited not long at
+the private door. When he came into the princess's apartment, he
+said to her, "Princess, perhaps the aversion you tell me you have
+for your ravisher may be an objection to your executing what I am
+going to propose; but permit me to say it is proper that you
+should at this juncture dissemble a little, and do violence to
+your inclinations, if you would deliver yourself from him, and
+give my lord the sultan your father the satisfaction of seeing
+you again. "If you will take my advice," continued he, "dress
+yourself this moment in one of your richest habits, and when the
+African magician comes, make no difficulty to give him the best
+reception; receive him with a cheerful countenance, so that he
+may imagine time has removed your affliction and disgust at his
+addresses. In your conversation, let him understand that you
+strive to forget me; and that he may be the more fully convinced
+of your sincerity, invite him to sup with you, and tell him you
+should be glad to taste of some of the best wines of his country.
+He will presently go to fetch you some. During his absence, put
+into one of the cups you are accustomed to drink out of this
+powder, and setting it by, charge the slave you may order that
+night to attend you, on a signal you shall agree upon, to bring
+that cup to you. When the magician and you have eaten and drunk
+as much as you choose, let her bring you the cup, and then change
+cups with him. He will esteem it so great a favour that he will
+not refuse, but eagerly quaff it off; but no sooner will he have
+drunk, than you will see him fall backwards. If you have any
+reluctance to drink out of his cup, you may pretend only to do
+it, without fear of being discovered; for the effect of the
+powder is so quick, that he will not have time to know whether
+you drink or not."
+
+When Alla ad Deen had finished, "I own," answered the princess,
+"I shall do myself great violence in consenting to make the
+magician such advances as I see are absolutely necessary; but
+what cannot one resolve to do against a cruel enemy? I will
+therefore follow your advice, since both my repose and yours
+depend upon it. "After the princess had agreed to the measures
+proposed by Alla ad Deen, he took his leave, and went and spent
+the rest of the day in the neighbourhood of the palace till it
+was night, and he might safely return to the private door.
+
+The princess, who had remained inconsolable at being separated
+not only from her husband, whom she had loved from the first
+moment, and still continued to love more out of inclination than
+duty, but also from the sultan her father, who had always showed
+the most tender and paternal affection for her, had, ever since
+their cruel separation, lived in great neglect of her person. She
+had almost forgotten the neatness so becoming persons of her sex
+and quality, particularly after the first time the magician paid
+her a visit; and she had understood by some of the women, who
+knew him again, that it was he who had taken the old lamp in
+exchange for a new one, which rendered the sight of him more
+abhorred. However, the opportunity of taking the revenge he
+deserved made her resolve to gratify Alla ad Deen. As soon,
+therefore, as he was gone, she sat down to dress, and was attired
+by her women to the best advantage in the richest habit of her
+wardrobe. Her girdle was of the finest and largest diamonds set
+in gold, her necklace of pearls, six on a side, so well
+proportioned to that in the middle, which was the largest ever
+seen, and invaluable, that the greatest sultanesses would have
+been proud to have been adorned with only two of the smallest.
+Her bracelets, which were of diamonds and rubies intermixed,
+corresponded admirably to the richness of the girdle and
+necklace.
+
+When the princess Buddir al Buddoor was completely dressed, she
+consulted her glass and women upon her adjustment; and when she
+found she wanted no charms to flatter the foolish passion of the
+African magician, she sat down on a sofa expecting his arrival.
+
+The magician came at the usual hour, and as soon as he entered
+the great hall where the princess waited to receive him, she rose
+with an enchanting grace and smile, and pointed with her hand to
+the most honourable place, waiting till he sat down, that she
+might sit at the same time which was a civility she had never
+shown him before.
+
+The African magician, dazzled more with the lustre of the
+princess's eyes than the glittering of the jewels with which she
+was adorned, was much surprised. The smiling and graceful air
+with which she received him, so opposite to her former behaviour,
+quite fascinated his heart.
+
+When he was seated, the princess, to free him from his
+embarrassment, broke silence first, locking at him all the time
+in such a manner as to make him believe that he was not so odious
+to her as she had given him to understand hitherto and said, "You
+are doubtless amazed to find me so much altered to-day; but your
+surprise will not be so great when I acquaint you, that I am
+naturally of a disposition so opposite to melancholy and grief,
+sorrow and uneasiness, that I always strive to put them as far
+away as possible when I find the subject of them is past. I have
+reflected on what you told me of Alla ad Deen's fate, and know my
+father's temper so well, that I am persuaded with you he could
+not escape the terrible effects of the sultan's rage; therefore,
+should I continue to lament him all my life, my tears cannot
+recall him. For this reason, since I have paid all the duties
+decency requires of me to his memory, now he is in the grave I
+think I ought to endeavour to comfort myself. These are the
+motives of the change you see in me; I am resolved to banish
+melancholy entirely; and, persuaded that you will bear me company
+tonight, I have ordered a supper to be prepared; but as I have no
+wines but those of China, I have a great desire to taste of the
+produce of Africa, and doubt not your procuring some of the
+best."
+
+The African magician, who had looked upon the happiness of
+getting so soon and so easily into the princess Buddir al
+Buddoor's good graces as impossible, could not think of words
+expressive enough to testify how sensible he was of her favours:
+but to put an end the sooner to a conversation which would have
+embarrassed him, if he had engaged farther in it, he turned it
+upon the wines of Africa, and said, "Of all the advantages Africa
+can boast, that of producing the most excellent wines is one of
+the principal. I have a vessel of seven years old, which has
+never been broached; and it is indeed not praising it too much to
+say it is the finest wine in the world. If my princess," added
+he, "will give me leave, I will go and fetch two bottles, and
+return again immediately." "I should be sorry to give you that
+trouble," replied the princess; "you had better send for them."
+"It is necessary I should go myself," answered the African
+magician; "for nobody but myself knows where the key of the
+cellar is laid, or has the secret to unlock the door." "If it be
+so," said the princess, "make haste back; for the longer you
+stay, the greater will be my impatience, and we shall sit down to
+supper as soon as you return."
+
+The African magician, full of hopes of his expected happiness,
+rather flew than ran, and returned quickly with the wine. The
+princess, not doubting but he would make haste, put with her own
+hand the powder Alla ad Deen had given her into the cup set apart
+for that purpose. They sat down at the table opposite to each
+other, the magician's back towards the sideboard. The princess
+presented him with the best at the table, and said to him, "If
+you please, I will entertain you with a concert of vocal and
+instrumental music; but, as we are only two, I think conversation
+maybe more agreeable." This the magician took as a new favour.
+
+After they had eaten some time, the princess called for some
+wine, drank the magician's health, and afterwards said to him,
+"Indeed you had a full right to commend your wine, since I never
+tasted any so delicious." "Charming princess," said he, holding
+in his hand the cup which had been presented to him," my wine
+becomes more exquisite by your approbation." "Then drink my
+health," replied the princess; "you will find I understand
+wines." He drank the princess's health, and returning the cup,
+said, "I think myself fortunate, princess, that I reserved this
+wine for so happy an occasion; and own I never before drank any
+in every respect so excellent."
+
+When they had each drunk two or three cups more, the princess,
+who had completely charmed the African magician by her civility
+and obliging behaviour, gave the signal to the slave who served
+them with wine, bidding her bring the cup which had been filled
+for her, and at the same time bring the magician a full goblet.
+When they both had their cups in their hands, she said to him, "I
+know not how you express your loves in these parts when drinking
+together? With us in China the lover and his mistress
+reciprocally exchange cups, and drink each other's health." At
+the same time she presented to him the cup which was in her hand,
+and held out her hand to receive his. He hastened to make the
+exchange with the more pleasure, because he looked upon this
+favour as the most certain token of an entire conquest over the
+princess, which raised his rapture to the highest pitch. Before
+he drank, he said to her, with the cup in his hand, "Indeed,
+princess, we Africans are not so refined in the art of love as
+you Chinese: and your instructing me in a lesson I was ignorant
+of, informs me how sensible I ought to be of the favour done me.
+I shall never, lovely princess, forget my recovering, by drinking
+out of your cup, that life, which your cruelty, had it continued,
+must have made me despair of."
+
+The princess, who began to be tired with this impertinent
+declaration of the African magician, interrupted him, and said,
+"Let us drink first, and then say what you will afterwards;" at
+the same time she set the cup to her lips, while the African
+magician, who was eager to get his wine off first, drank up the
+very last drop. In finishing it, he had reclined his head back to
+shew his eagerness, and remained some time in that state. The
+princess kept the cup at her lips, till she saw his eyes turn in
+his head, when he fell backwards lifeless on the sofa.
+
+The princess had no occasion to order the private door to be
+opened to Alla ad Deen; for her women were so disposed from the
+great hall to the foot of the staircase, that the word was no
+sooner given that the African magician was fallen backwards, than
+the door was immediately opened.
+
+As soon as Alla ad Deen entered the hall, he saw the magician
+stretched backwards on the sofa. The princess rose from her seat,
+and ran overjoyed to embrace him; but he stopped her, and said,
+"Princess, it is not yet time; oblige me by retiring to your
+apartment; and let me be left alone a moment, while I endeavour
+to transport you back to China as speedily as you were brought
+from thence."
+
+When the princess, her women and eunuchs, were gone out of the
+hall, Alla ad Deen shut the door, and going directly to the dead
+body of the magician, opened his vest, took out the lamp, which
+was carefully wrapped up, as the princess had told him, and
+unfolding and rubbing it, the genie immediately appeared.
+"Genie," said Alla ad Deen, "I have called to command thee, on
+the part of thy good mistress this lamp, to transport this palace
+instantly into China, to the place from whence it was brought
+hither." The genie bowed his head in token of obedience, and
+disappeared. Immediately the palace was transported into China,
+and its removal was only felt by two little shocks, the one when
+it was lifted up, the other when it was set down, and both in a
+very short interval of time.
+
+Alla ad Deen went to the princess's apartment, and embracing her,
+said, "I can assure you, princess, that your joy and mine will be
+complete tomorrow morning." The princess, guessing that Alla ad
+Deen must be hungry, ordered the dishes, served up in the great
+hall, to be brought down. The princess and Alla ad Deen ate as
+much as they thought fit, and drank of the African magician's old
+wine; during which time their conversation could not be otherwise
+than satisfactory, and then they retired to their own chamber.
+
+>From the time of the transportation of Alla ad Deen's palace,
+the princess's father had been inconsolable for the loss of her.
+He could take no rest, and instead of avoiding what might
+continue his affliction, he indulged it without restraint. Before
+the disaster he used to go every morning into his closet to
+please himself with viewing the palace, he went now many times in
+the day to renew his tears, and plunge himself into the deepest
+melancholy, by the idea of no more seeing that which once gave
+him so much pleasure, and reflecting how he had lost what was
+most dear to him in this world.
+
+The very morning of the return of Alla ad Deen's palace, the
+sultan went, by break of day, into his closet to indulge his
+sorrows. Absorbed in himself, and in a pensive mood, he cast his
+eyes towards the spot, expecting only to see an open space; but
+perceiving the vacancy filled up, he at first imagined the
+appearance to be the effect of a fog; looking more attentively,
+he was convinced beyond the power of doubt it was his son-in-
+law's palace. Joy and gladness succeeded to sorrow and grief. He
+returned immediately into his apartment, and ordered a horse to
+be saddled and brought to him without delay, which he mounted
+that instant, thinking he could not make haste enough to the
+palace.
+
+Alla ad Deen, who foresaw what would happen, rose that morning by
+day-break, put on one of the most magnificent habits his wardrobe
+afforded, and went up into the hall of twenty-four windows, from
+whence he perceived the sultan approaching, and got down soon
+enough to receive him at the foot of the great staircase, and to
+help him to dismount. "Alla ad Deen," said the sultan, "I cannot
+speak to you till I have seen and embraced my daughter."
+
+He led the sultan into the princess's apartment. The happy father
+embraced her with his face bathed in tears of joy; and the
+princess, on her side, shewed him all the testimonies of the
+extreme pleasure the sight of him afforded her.
+
+The sultan was some time before he could open his lips, so great
+was his surprise and joy to find his daughter again, after he had
+given her up for lost; and the princess, upon seeing her father,
+let fall tears of rapture and affection.
+
+At last the sultan broke silence, and said, "I would believe,
+daughter, your joy to see me makes you seem as little changed as
+if no misfortune had befallen you; yet I cannot be persuaded but
+that you have suffered much alarm; for a large palace cannot be
+so suddenly transported as yours has been, without causing great
+fright and apprehension I would have you tell me all that has
+happened, and conceal nothing from me."
+
+The princess, who took great pleasure in giving the sultan the
+satisfaction he demanded, said, "If I appear so little altered, I
+beg of your majesty to consider that I received new life
+yesterday morning by the presence of my dear husband and
+deliverer Alla ad Deen, whom I looked upon and bewailed as lost
+to me; and the happiness of seeing and embracing of whom has
+almost recovered me to my former state of health. My greatest
+suffering was only to find myself forced from your majesty and my
+dear husband; not only from the love I bore my husband, but from
+the uneasiness I laboured under through fear that he, though
+innocent, might feel the effects of your anger, to which I knew
+he was left exposed. I suffered but little from the insolence of
+the wretch who had carried me off; for having secured the
+ascendant over him, I always put a stop to his disagreeable
+overtures, and was as little constrained as I am at present.
+
+"As to what relates to my transportation, Alla ad Deen had no
+concern in it; I was myself the innocent cause of it." To
+persuade the sultan of the truth of what she said, she gave him a
+full account of how the African magician had disguised himself,
+and offered to change new lamps for old ones; how she had amused
+herself in making that exchange, being entirely ignorant of the
+secret and importance of the wonderful lamp; how the palace and
+herself were carried away and transported into Africa, with the
+African magician, who was recognised by two of her women and the
+eunuch who made the exchange of the lamp, when he had the
+audacity, after the success of his daring enterprise, to propose
+himself for her husband; how he persecuted her till Alla ad
+Deen's arrival; how they had concerted measures to get the lamp
+from him again, and the success they had fortunately met with by
+her dissimulation in inviting him to supper, and giving him the
+cup with the powder prepared for him. "For the rest," added she,
+"I leave it to Alla ad Deen to recount."
+
+Alla ad Deen had not much to tell the sultan, but only said,
+"When the private door was opened I went up into the great hall,
+where I found the magician lying dead on the sofa, and as I
+thought it not proper for the princess to stay there any longer,
+I desired her to go down into her own apartment, with her women
+and eunuchs. As soon as I was alone, and had taken the lamp out
+of the magician's breast, I made use of the same secret he had
+done, to remove the palace, and carry off the princess; and by
+that means the palace was re-conveyed to the place where it stood
+before; and I have the happiness to restore the princess to your
+majesty, as you commanded me. But that your majesty may not think
+that I impose upon you, if you will give yourself the trouble to
+go up into the hall, you may see the magician punished as he
+deserved."
+
+The sultan, to be assured of the truth, rose instantly, and went
+into the hall, where, when he saw the African magician dead, and
+his face already livid by the strength of the poison, he embraced
+Alla ad Deen with great tenderness, and said, "My son, be not
+displeased at my proceedings against you; they arose from my
+paternal love; and therefore you ought to forgive the excesses to
+which it hurried me." "Sir," replied Alla ad Deen, "I have not
+the least reason to complain of your majesty's conduct, since you
+did nothing but what your duty required. This infamous magician,
+the basest of men, was the sole cause of my misfortune. When your
+majesty has leisure, I will give you an account of another
+villanous action he was guilty of towards me, which was no less
+black and base than this, from which I was preserved by the
+providence of God in a very miraculous way." "I will take an
+opportunity, and that very shortly," replied the sultan, "to hear
+it; but in the mean time let us think only of rejoicing, and the
+removal of this odious object."
+
+Alla ad Deen ordered the magician's corpse to be removed and
+thrown upon a dunghill, for birds and beasts to prey upon. In the
+mean time, the sultan commanded the drums, trumpets, cymbals, and
+other instruments of music to announce his joy to the public, and
+a festival of ten days to be proclaimed for the return of the
+princess and Alla ad Deen.
+
+Thus Alla ad Deen escaped once more the almost inevitable danger
+of losing his life; but this was not the last, since he ran as
+great a hazard a third time.
+
+The African magician had a younger brother, who was equally
+skilful as a necromancer, and even surpassed him in villany and
+pernicious designs. As they did not live together, or in the same
+city, but oftentimes when one was in the east, the other was in
+the west, they failed not every year to inform themselves, by
+their art, each where the other resided, and whether they stood
+in need of one another's assistance.
+
+Some time after the African magician had failed in his enterprise
+against Alla ad Deen, his younger brother, who had heard no
+tidings of him, and was not in Africa, but in a distant country,
+had the wish to know in what part of the world he sojourned, the
+state of his health, and what he was doing; and as he, as well as
+his brother, always carried a geomantic square instrument about
+him, he prepared the sand, cast the points, and drew the figures.
+On examining the planetary mansions, he found that his brother
+was no longer living, but had been poisoned; and by another
+observation, that he was in the capital of the kingdom of China;
+also that the person who had poisoned him was of mean birth,
+though married to a princess, a sultan's daughter.
+
+When the magician had informed himself of his brother's fate, he
+lost no time in useless regret, which could not restore him to
+life; but resolving immediately to revenge his death, departed
+for China; where, after crossing plains, rivers, mountains,
+deserts, and a long tract of country without delay, he arrived
+after incredible fatigues.
+
+When he came to the capital of China, he took a lodging. The next
+day he walked through the town, not so much to observe the
+beauties, which were indifferent to him, as to take proper
+measures to execute his pernicious designs. He introduced himself
+into the most frequented places, where he listened to everybody's
+discourse. In a place where people resort to divert themselves
+with games of various kinds, and where some were conversing,
+while others played, he heard some persons talk of the virtue and
+piety of a woman called Fatima, who was retired from the world,
+and of the miracles she wrought. As he fancied that this woman
+might be serviceable to him in the project he had conceived, he
+took one of the company aside, and requested to be informed more
+particularly who that holy woman was, and what sort of miracles
+she performed.
+
+"What!" said the person whom he addressed, "have you never seen
+or heard of her? She is the admiration of the whole town, for her
+fasting, her austerities, and her exemplary life. Except Mondays
+and Fridays, she never stirs out of her little cell; and on those
+days on which she comes into the town she does an infinite deal
+of good; for there is not a person that has the headache but is
+cured by her laying her hand upon them."
+
+The magician wanted no further information. He only asked the
+person in what part of the town this holy woman's cell was
+situated. After he had informed himself on this head, he
+determined on the detestable design of murdering her and assuming
+her character. With this view he watched all her steps the first
+day she went out after he had made this inquiry, without losing
+sight of her till evening, when he saw her re-enter her cell.
+When he had fully observed the place, he went to one of those
+houses where they sell a certain hot liquor, and where any person
+may pass the night, particularly in the great heats, when the
+people of that country prefer lying on a mat to a bed. About
+midnight, after the magician had satisfied the master of the
+house for what little he had called for, he went out, and
+proceeded directly to the cell of Fatima. He had no difficulty to
+open the door, which was only fastened with a latch, and he shut
+it again after he had entered, without any noise. When he entered
+the cell, he perceived Fatima by moonlight lying in the air on a
+sofa covered only by an old mat, with her head leaning against
+the wall. He awakened her, and clapped a dagger to her breast.
+
+The pious Fatima opening her eyes, was much surprised to see a
+man with a dagger at her breast ready to stab her, and who said
+to her, "If you cry out, or make the least noise, I will kill
+you; but get up, and do as I shall direct you."
+
+Fatima, who had lain down in her habit, got up, trembling with
+fear. "Do not be so much frightened," said the magician; "I only
+want your habit, give it me and take mine." Accordingly Fatima
+and he changed clothes. He then said to her, "Colour my face,
+that I may be like you;" but perceiving that the poor creature
+could not help trembling, to encourage her he said, "I tell you
+again you need not fear anything: I swear by the name of God I
+will not take away your life." Fatima lighted her lamp, led him
+into the cell, and dipping a soft brush in a certain liquor,
+rubbed it over his face, assured him the colour would not change,
+and that his face was of the same hue as her own: after which,
+she put her own head-dress on his head, also a veil, with which
+she shewed him how to hide his face as he passed through the
+town. After this, she put a long string of beads about his neck,
+which hung down to the middle of his body, and giving him the
+stick she used to walk with in his hand, brought him a looking-
+glass, and bade him look if he was not as like her as possible.
+The magician found himself disguised as he wished to be; but he
+did not keep the oath he so solemnly swore to the good Fatima;
+but instead of stabbing her, for fear the blood might discover
+him, he strangled her; and when he found she was dead, threw her
+body into a cistern just by the cell.
+
+The magician, thus disguised like the holy woman Fatima, spent
+the remainder of the night in the cell. The next morning, two
+hours after sunrise, though it was not a day the holy woman used
+to go out on, he crept out of the cell, being well persuaded that
+nobody would ask him any questions; or, if they should, he had an
+answer ready for them. As one of the first things he did after
+his arrival was to find out Alla ad Deen's palace, where he was
+to complete his designs, he went directly thither.
+
+As soon as the people saw the holy woman, as they imagined him to
+be, they presently gathered about him in a great crowd. Some
+begged his blessing, others kissed his hand, and others, more
+reserved, only the hem of his garment; while others, whether
+their heads ached, or they wished to be preserved against that
+disorder, stooped for him to lay his hands upon them; which he
+did, muttering some words in form of prayer; and, in short,
+counterfeited so well, that everybody took him for the holy
+woman.
+
+After frequently stopping to satisfy people of this description,
+who received neither good nor harm from this imposition of hands,
+he came at last to the square before Alla ad Deen's palace. The
+crowd was so great that the eagerness to get at him increased in
+proportion. Those who were the most zealous and strong forced
+their way through the crowd. There were such quarrels, and so
+great a noise, that the princess, who was in the hall of four-
+and-twenty windows, heard it, and asked what was the matter; but
+nobody being able to give her an answer, she ordered them to
+inquire and inform her. One of her women looked out of a window,
+and then told her it was a great crowd of people collected about
+the holy woman to be cured of the headache by the imposition of
+her hands.
+
+The princess, who had long heard of this holy woman, but had
+never seen her, was very desirous to have some conversation with
+her, which the chief of the eunuchs perceiving, told her it was
+an easy matter to bring her to her, if she desired and commanded
+it; and the princess expressing her wishes, he immediately sent
+four eunuchs for the pretended holy woman.
+
+As soon as the crowd saw the eunuchs, they made way, and the
+magician perceiving also that they were coming for him, advanced
+to meet them, overjoyed to find his plot proceeded so well. "Holy
+woman," said one of the eunuchs, "the princess wants to see you,
+and has sent us for you." "The princess does me too great an
+honour," replied the false Fatima; "I am ready to obey her
+command," and at the same time followed the eunuchs to the
+palace.
+
+When the magician, who under a holy garment disguised a wicked
+heart, was introduced into the great hall, and perceived the
+princess, he began a prayer, which contained a long enumeration
+of vows and good wishes for the princess's health and prosperity,
+and that she might have every thing she desired. He then
+displayed all his hypocritical rhetoric, to insinuate himself
+into the princess's favour under the cloak of piety, which it was
+no hard matter for him to do; for as the princess herself was
+naturally good, she was easily persuaded that all the world were
+like her, especially those who made profession of serving God in
+solitude.
+
+When the pretended Fatima had finished his long harangue, the
+princess said to him, "I thank you, good mother, for your
+prayers: I have great confidence in them, and hope God will hear
+them. Come, and sit by me." The false Fatima sat down with
+affected modesty: the princess then resuming her discourse, said,
+"My good mother, I have one thing to request, which you must not
+refuse me; it is to stay with me, that you may edify me with your
+way of living; and that I may learn from your good example how to
+serve God." "Princess," said the counterfeit Fatima, "I beg of
+you not to ask what I cannot consent to, without neglecting my
+prayers and devotion." "That shall be no hinderance to you,"
+answered the princess; "I have a great many apartments
+unoccupied; you shall choose which you like best, and have as
+much liberty to perform your devotions as if you were in your own
+cell."
+
+The magician, who desired nothing more than to introduce himself
+into the palace, where it would be a much easier matter for him
+to execute his designs, under the favour and protection of the
+princess, than if he had been forced to come and go from the cell
+to the palace, did not urge much to excuse himself from accepting
+the obliging offer which the princess made him. "Princess," said
+he, "whatever resolution a poor wretched woman as I am may have
+made me renounce the pomp and grandeur of this world, I dare not
+presume to oppose the will and commands of so pious and
+charitable a princess."
+
+Upon this the princess, rising up, said, "Come with me, I will
+shew you what vacant apartments I have, that you may make choice
+of that you like best." The magician followed the princess, and
+of all the apartments she shewed him, made choice of that which
+was the worst furnished, saying it was too good for him, and that
+he only accepted of it to please her.
+
+Afterwards the princess would have brought him back again into
+the great hall to make him dine with her; but he considering that
+he should then be obliged to shew his face, which he had always
+taken care to conceal; and fearing that the princess should find
+out that he was not Fatima, he begged of her earnestly to excuse
+him, telling her that he never ate anything but bread and dried
+fruits, and desiring to eat that slight repast in his own
+apartment. The princess granted his request, saying, "You may be
+as free here, good mother, as if you were in your own cell: I
+will order you a dinner, but remember I expect you as soon as you
+have finished your repast."
+
+After the princess had dined, and the false Fatima had been
+informed by one of the eunuchs that she was risen from table, he
+failed not to wait upon her. "My good mother," said the princess,
+"I am overjoyed to have the company of so holy a woman as
+yourself, who will confer a blessing upon this palace. But now I
+am speaking of the palace, pray how do you like it? And before I
+shew it all to you, tell me first what you think of this hall."
+
+Upon this question, the counterfeit Fatima, who, to act his part
+the better, affected to hang down his head, without so much as
+ever once lifting it, at last looked up, and surveyed the hall
+from one end to the other. When he had examined it well, he said
+to the princess, "As far as such a solitary being as I am, who am
+unacquainted with what the world calls beautiful, can judge, this
+hall is truly admirable and most beautiful; there wants but one
+thing." "What is that, good mother?" demanded the princess; "tell
+me, I conjure you. For my part, I always believed, and have heard
+say, it wanted nothing; but if it does, it shall be supplied."
+
+"Princess," said the false Fatima, with great dissimulation,
+"forgive me the liberty I have taken; but my opinion is, if it
+can be of any importance, that if a roe's egg were hung up in the
+middle of the dome, this hall would have no parallel in the four
+quarters of the world, and your palace would be the wonder of the
+unit verse."
+
+"My good mother," said the princess, "what bird is a roe, and
+where may one get an egg?" "Princess," replied the pretended
+Fatima, "it is a bird of prodigious size, which inhabits the
+summit of mount Caucasus; the architect who built your palace can
+get you one."
+
+After the princess had thanked the false Fatima for what she
+believed her good advice, she conversed with her upon other
+matters; but could not forget the roe's egg, which she resolved
+to request of Alla ad Deen when he returned from hunting. He had
+been gone six days, which the magician knew, and therefore took
+advantage of his absence; but he returned that evening after the
+false Fatima had taken leave of the princess, and retired to his
+apartment. As soon as he arrived, he went directly to the
+princess's apartment, saluted and embraced her, but she seemed to
+receive him coldly. "My princess," said he, "I think you are not
+so cheerful as you used to be; has any thing happened during my
+absence, which has displeased you, or given you any trouble or
+dissatisfaction In the name of God, do not conceal it from me; I
+will leave nothing undone that is in my power to please you." "It
+is a trifling matter," replied the princess, "which gives me so
+little concern that I could not have thought you could have
+perceived it in my countenance; but since you have unexpectedly
+discovered some alteration, I will no longer disguise a matter of
+so little consequence from you."
+
+"I always believed," continued the princess," that our palace was
+the most superb, magnificent, and complete in the world: but I
+will tell you now what I find fault with, upon examining the hall
+of four-and-twenty windows. Do not you think with me, that it
+would be complete if a roe's egg were hung up in the midst of the
+dome?" "Princess," replied Alla ad Deen, "it is enough that you
+think there wants such an ornament; you shall see by the
+diligence used to supply that deficiency, that there is nothing
+which I would not do for your sake."
+
+Alla ad Deen left the princess Buddir al Buddoor that moment, and
+went up into the hall of four-and-twenty windows, where pulling
+out of his bosom the lamp, which, after the danger he had been
+exposed to, he always carried about him, he rubbed it; upon which
+the genie immediately appeared. "Genie," said Alla ad Deen,
+"there wants a roe's egg to be hung up in the midst of the dome;
+I command thee, in the name of this lamp, to repair the
+deficiency." Alla ad Deen had no sooner pronounced these words,
+than the genie gave so loud and terrible a cry, that the hall
+shook, and Alla ad Deen could scarcely stand upright. "What!
+wretch," said the genie, in a voice that would have made the most
+undaunted man tremble, "is it not enough that I and my companions
+have done every thing for you, but you, by an unheard-of
+ingratitude, must command me to bring my master, and hang him up
+in the midst of this dome? This attempt deserves that you, your
+wife, and your palace, should be immediately reduced to ashes:
+but you are happy that this request does not come from yourself.
+Know then, that the true author is the brother of the African
+magician, your enemy, whom you have destroyed as he deserved. He
+is now in your palace, disguised in the habit of the holy woman
+Fatima, whom he has murdered; and it is he who has suggested to
+your wife to make this pernicious demand. His design is to kill
+you, therefore take care of yourself." After these words, the
+genie disappeared.
+
+Alla ad Deen lost not a word of what the genie had said. He had
+heard talk of the holy woman Fatima, and how she pretended to
+cure the headache. He returned to the princess's apartment, and
+without mentioning a word of what had happened, sat down, and
+complained of a great pain which had suddenly seized his head;
+upon which the princess ordered the holy woman to be called, and
+then told him how she had invited her to the palace, and that she
+had appointed her an apartment.
+
+When the pretended Fatima came, Alla ad Deen said, "Come hither,
+good mother; I am glad to see you here at so fortunate a time; I
+am tormented with a violent pain in my head, and request your
+assistance, by the confidence I have in your good prayers, and
+hope you will not refuse me that favour which you do to so many
+persons afflicted with this complaint." So saying, he arose, but
+held down his head. The counterfeit Fatima advanced towards him,
+with his hand all the time on a dagger concealed in his girdle
+under his gown; which Alla ad Deen observing, he seized his hand
+before he had drawn it, pierced him to the heart with his own
+dagger, and then pushed him down on the floor.
+
+"My dear husband, what have you done?" cried the princess in
+surprise. "You have killed the holy woman." "No, my princess,"
+answered Alla ad Deen, with emotion, "I have not killed Fatima,
+but a villain, who would have assassinated me, if I had not
+prevented him. This wicked wretch," added he, uncovering his
+face, "has strangled Fatima, whom you accuse me of killing, and
+disguised himself in her clothes with intent to murder me: but
+that you may know him better, he is brother to the African
+magician." Alla ad Deen then informed her how he came to know
+these particulars, and afterwards ordered the dead body to be
+taken away.
+
+Thus was Alla ad Deen delivered from the persecution of two
+brothers, who were magicians. Within a few years afterwards, the
+sultan died in a good old age, and as he left no male children,
+the princess Buddir al Buddoor, as lawful heir of the throne,
+succeeded him, and communicating the power to Alla ad Deen, they
+reigned together many years, and left a numerous and illustrious
+posterity.
+
+
+
+
+
+               ADVENTURE OF THE CALIPH HAROON AL
+                            RUSHEED.
+
+
+
+The caliph Haroon al Rusheed was one day suffering from
+depression of spirits, when his faithful and favourite grand
+vizier Jaaffier came to him. This minister finding him alone,
+which was seldom the case, and perceiving as he approached that
+he was in a very melancholy humour, and never lifted up his eyes,
+stopped till he should vouchsafe to look at him.
+
+At last the caliph turned his eyes towards him, but presently
+withdrew them again, and remained in the same posture motionless
+as before.
+
+The grand vizier, observing nothing in the caliph's eyes which
+regarded him personally, took the liberty to speak to him, and
+said, "Commander of the faithful, will your majesty give me leave
+to ask whence proceeds this melancholy, of which you always
+seemed to me so little susceptible?"
+
+"Indeed, vizier," answered the caliph, brightening up his
+countenance, "I am very little subject to it, and had not
+perceived it but for you, but I will remain no longer in this
+hippish mood. If no new affair brought you hither, you will
+gratify me by inventing something to dispel it."
+
+"Commander of the faithful," replied the grand vizier, "my duty
+obliged me to wait on you, and I take the liberty to remind your
+majesty, that this is the day which you have appointed to inform
+yourself of the good government of your capital and its environs;
+and this occasion very opportunely presents itself to dispel
+those clouds which obscure your natural gaiety."
+
+"You do well to remind me," replied the caliph, "for I had
+entirely forgotten it; go and change your dress, while I do the
+same."
+
+They each put on the habit of a foreign merchant, and under that
+disguise went out by a private door of the palace-garden, which
+led into the country. After they had gone round part of the city
+to the banks of the Euphrates, at some distance from the walls,
+without having observed anything disorderly, they crossed the
+river in the first boat they met, and making a tour on the other
+side, crossed the bridge, which formed the communication betwixt
+the two parts of the town.
+
+At the foot of this bridge they met an old blind man, who asked
+alms of them; the caliph turned about, and put a piece of gold
+into his hand. The blind man instantly caught hold of his hand,
+and stopped him; "Charitable person," said he, "whoever you are,
+whom God hath inspired to bestow alms on me, do not refuse the
+favour I ask of you, to give me a box on the ear, for I deserve
+that, and a greater punishment." Having thus spoken, he let the
+caliph's hand go, that he might strike, but for fear he should
+pass on without doing it, held him fast by his clothes.
+
+The caliph, surprised both at the words and action of the blind
+man, said, "I cannot comply with your request. I will not lessen
+the merit of my charity, by treating you as you would have me."
+After these words, he endeavoured to get away from the blind man.
+
+
+The blind man, who expected this reluctance of his benefactor,
+exerted himself to detain him. "Sir," said he, "forgive my
+boldness and importunity; I desire you would either give me a box
+on the ear, or take your alms back again, for I cannot receive it
+but on that condition, without breaking a solemn oath, which I
+have sworn to God; and if you knew the reason, you would agree
+with me that the punishment is very slight."
+
+The caliph, unwilling to be detained any longer, yielded to the
+importunity of the blind man, and gave him a very slight blow:
+whereupon he immediately let him go, thanked and blessed him.
+When the caliph and vizier had got so me small distance from the
+blind man, the caliph said to Jaaffier, "This blind man must
+certainly have some very uncommon reasons, which make him behave
+himself in this manner to all who give him alms. I should be glad
+to know them; therefore return, tell him who I am, and bid him
+not fail to come to my palace about prayer-time in the afternoon
+of to-morrow, that I may have some conversation with him."
+
+The grand vizier returned, bestowed his alms on the blind man,
+and after he had given him a box on the ear, told him the
+caliph's order, and then returned to the caliph.
+
+When they came into the town, they found in a square a great
+crowd of spectators, looking at a handsome well-shaped young man,
+who was mounted on a mare, which he drove and urged full speed
+round the place, spurring and whipping the poor creature so
+barbarously, that she was all over sweat and blood.
+
+The caliph, amazed at the inhumanity of the rider, stopped to ask
+the people if they knew why he used the mare so ill; but could
+learn nothing, except that for some time past he had every day,
+at the same hour, treated her in the same manner.
+
+At they went along, the caliph bade the grand vizier take
+particular notice of the place, and not fail to order the young
+man to attend the next day at the hour appointed to the blind
+man. But before the caliph got to his palace, he observed in a
+street, which he had not passed through a long time before, an
+edifice newly built, which seemed to him to be the palace of some
+one of the great lords of the court. He asked the grand vizier if
+he knew to whom it belonged; who answered he did not, but would
+inquire; and thereupon asked a neighbour, who told him that the
+house was that of one Khaujeh Hassan, surnamed Al Hubbaul, on
+account of his original trade of rope-making, which he had seen
+him work at himself, when poor; that without knowing how fortune
+had favoured him, he supposed he must have acquired great wealth,
+as he defrayed honourably and splendidly the expenses he had been
+at in building.
+
+The grand vizier rejoined the caliph, and gave him a full account
+of what he had heard. "I must see this fortunate rope-maker,"
+said the caliph, "therefore go and tell him to come to my palace
+at the same hour you have ordered the other two." Accordingly the
+vizier obeyed.
+
+The next day, after afternoon prayers, the caliph retired to his
+own apartment, when the grand vizier introduced the three persons
+we have been speaking of, and presented them to the caliph.
+
+They all three prostrated themselves before the throne, and when
+they rose up, the caliph asked the blind man his name, who
+answered, it was Baba Abdoollah.
+
+"Baba Abdoollah," replied the caliph, "your manner of asking alms
+seemed so strange to me yesterday, that if it had not been for
+some private considerations I should not have complied with your
+request, but should have prevented you from giving any more
+offence to the public. I ordered you to come hither, to know from
+yourself what could have induced you to make the indiscreet oath
+you told me of, that I may judge whether you have done well, and
+if I ought to suffer you to continue a practice that appears to
+me to set so ill an example. Tell me freely how so extravagant a
+thought came into your head, and do not disguise any thing from
+me, for I will absolutely know the truth."
+
+Baba Abdoollah, intimidated by this reprimand, cast himself a
+second time at the foot of the caliph's throne, with his face to
+the ground, and when he rose up, said, "Commander of the
+faithful, I most humbly ask your majesty's pardon for my
+presumption, in daring to have required, and almost forced you to
+do a thing which indeed appears so contrary to reason. I
+acknowledge my offence, but as I did not then know your majesty,
+I implore your clemency, and hope you will consider my ignorance.
+
+"As to the extravagance of my action, I own it, and own also that
+it must seem strange to mankind; but in the eye of God it is a
+slight penance I have enjoined myself for an enormous crime of
+which I have been guilty, and for which, if all the people in the
+world were each to give me a box on the ear, it would not be a
+sufficient atonement. Your majesty will judge of this yourself,
+when, in telling my story, in obedience to your commands I shall
+inform you what that heinous crime was."
+
+
+
+
+The Story of Baba Abdoollah.
+
+
+
+Commander of the faithful, I was born at Bagdad, had a moderate
+fortune left me by my father and mother, who died within a few
+days of each other. Though I was then but young, I did not
+squander away my fortune as most young men do, in idle expenses
+and debauchery; on the contrary, I neglected no opportunity to
+increase it by my industry. At last I became rich enough to
+purchase fourscore camels, which I let out to merchants for
+caravans, who paid me well for every journey I went with them
+throughout the extent of your majesty's dominions.
+
+In the midst of this prosperity, and with an ardent desire of
+growing much richer, as I was returning one day with my camels
+unloaded from Bussorah, whither I had carried some bales that
+were to be embarked for the Indies, I met with good pasturage, at
+some distance from any habitation; made a halt, and let my beasts
+graze for some time. While I was seated, a dervish, who was
+walking to Bussorah, came and sat down by me to rest himself: I
+asked him whence he came, and where he was going; he put the same
+questions to me: and when we had satisfied each other's
+curiosity, we produced our provisions and ate together.
+
+During our repast, after we had talked on many indifferent
+subjects, the dervish told me that he knew of a spot a small
+distance from thence, where there were such immense riches, that
+if all my fourscore camels were loaded with the gold and jewels
+that might be taken from it, they would not be missed.
+
+This intelligence surprised and charmed me; and I was so
+overjoyed, that I could scarcely contain myself. I could not
+believe that the dervish was capable of telling me a falsehood;
+therefore I fell upon his neck, and said, "Good dervish, I know
+you value not the riches of this world, therefore of what service
+can the knowledge of this treasure be to you? You are alone, and
+cannot carry much of it away; shew me where it is, I will load
+all my camels, and as an acknowledgment of the favour done me,
+will present you with one of them."
+
+Indeed I offered very little, but after he had communicated the
+secret to me, my desire of riches was become so violent, that I
+thought it a great deal, and looked upon the seventy-nine camel
+loads which I reserved for myself as nothing in comparison of
+what I allowed him.
+
+The dervish, though he saw my avarice, was not however angry at
+the unreasonable return I proposed to make him, but replied
+without the least concern, "You are sensible, brother, that what
+you offer me is not proportionable to the valuable favour you ask
+of me. I might have chosen whether I would communicate my secret
+to you or not, and have kept the treasure to myself: but what I
+have told you is sufficient to shew my good intentions; it is in
+my power to oblige you, and make both our fortunes. I have,
+however, another proposition more just and equitable to make to
+you; it lies in your own breast whether or no you will agree to
+it.
+
+"You say," continued the dervish, "that you have fourscore
+camels: I am ready to conduct you to the place where the treasure
+lies, and we will load them with as much jewels and gold as they
+can carry, on condition that when they are so loaded you will let
+me have one half, and you be contented with the other; after
+which we will separate, and take our camels where we may think
+fit. You see there is nothing but what is strictly equitable in
+this division; for if you give me forty camels, you will procure
+by my means wherewithal to purchase thousands."
+
+I could not but agree there was a great deal of justice in what
+the dervish said: but without considering what riches I should
+gain in accepting of the condition he proposed, I could not
+without reluctance think of parting with my forty camels,
+especially when I reflected that the dervish would then be as
+rich as myself. Avarice made me unmindful that I was beforehand
+making an ungrateful return for a favour, purely gratuitous. But
+there was no time to hesitate; I must either accept of the
+proposal, or resolve to repent all my lifetime of losing, by my
+own fault, an opportunity of obtaining an immense fortune. That
+instant I collected all my camels, and after we had travelled
+some time, we came into a valley, the pass into which was so
+narrow, that two camels could not go a-breast. The two mountains
+which bounded this valley formed nearly a circle, but were so
+high, craggy, and steep, that there was no fear of our being seen
+by any body.
+
+When we came between these two mountains, the dervish said to me,
+"Stop your camels, make them kneel that we may load them the
+easier, and I will proceed to discover the treasure."
+
+I did as the dervish directed; and going to him soon after, found
+him with a match in one hand, gathering sticks to light a fire;
+which he had no sooner done, than he cast some incense into it,
+and pronouncing certain words which I did not understand, there
+presently arose a thick cloud. He divided this cloud, when the
+rock, though of a prodigious perpendicular height, opened like
+two folding doors, and exposed to view a magnificent palace in
+the hollow of the mountain, which I supposed to be rather the
+workmanship of genii than of men; for man could hardly have
+attempted such a bold and surprising work.
+
+But this, I must tell your majesty, was an afterthought which did
+not occur to me at the moment; so eager was I for the treasures
+which displayed themselves to my view, that I did not even stop
+to admire the magnificent columns and arcades which I saw on all
+sides; and, without attention to the regularity with which the
+treasures were ranged, like an eagle seizing her prey, I fell
+upon the first heap of golden coin that was near me. My sacks
+were all large, and with my good will I would have filled them
+all; but I was obliged to proportion my burden to the strength of
+my camels. The dervish did the same; but I perceived he paid more
+attention to the jewels, and when he told me the reason, I
+followed his example, so that we took away much more jewels than
+gold. When we had filled our sacks, and loaded our camels, we had
+nothing left to do but to shut up the treasure and go our way.
+
+But before we parted, the dervish went again into the treasury,
+where there were a great many wrought vessels of gold of
+different forms. I observed that he took out of one of these
+vessels a little box of a certain wood, which I knew not, and put
+it into his breast; but first shewed me that it contained only a
+kind of glutinous ointment.
+
+The dervish used the same incantations to shut the treasury as he
+had done to open it; and after he pronounced certain words, the
+doors closed, and the rock seemed as solid and entire as before.
+
+We now divided our camels. I put myself at the head of the forty
+which I had reserved for myself, and the dervish placed himself
+at the head of the rest which I had given him. We came out of the
+valley by the way we had entered, and travelled together till we
+came to the great road, where we were to part; the dervish to go
+to Bussorah, and I to Bagdad. To thank him for so great a
+kindness, I made use of the most expressive terms, testifying my
+gratitude for the preference he had given me before all other men
+in letting me have a share of such riches. We embraced each other
+with great joy, and taking our leave, pursued our different
+routes.
+
+I had not gone far, following my camels, which paced quietly on
+in the track I had put them into, before the demon of ingratitude
+and envy took possession of my heart, and I deplored the loss of
+my other forty, but much more the riches wherewith they were
+loaded. "The dervish," said I to myself, "has no occasion for all
+this wealth, since he is master of the treasure, and may have as
+much as he pleases;" so I gave myself up to the blackest
+ingratitude, and determined immediately to take the camels with
+their loading from him.
+
+To execute this design, I first stopped my own camels, then ran
+after the dervish, and called to him as loud as I could, giving
+him to understand that I had something material to say to him,
+and made a sign to him to stop, which he accordingly did.
+
+When I came up to him, I said, "Brother, I had no sooner parted
+from you, but a thought came into my head, which neither of us
+had reflected on before. You are a recluse dervish, used to live
+in tranquillity, disengaged from all the cares of the world, and
+intent only upon serving God. You know not, perhaps, what trouble
+you have taken upon yourself, to take care of so many camels. If
+you would take my advice, you would keep but thirty; you will
+find them sufficiently troublesome to manage. Take my word; I
+have had experience."
+
+"I believe you are right," replied the dervish, who found he was
+not able to contend with me;" I own I never thought of this. I
+begin already to be uneasy at what you have stated. Choose which
+ten you please, and take them, and go on in God's keeping."
+
+I set ten apart, and after I had driven them off, I put them in
+the road to follow my others. I could not have imagined that the
+dervish would be so easily persuaded to part with his camels,
+which increased my covetousness, and made me flatter myself, that
+it would be no hard matter to get ten more: wherefore, instead of
+thanking him for his present, I said to him again; "Brother, the
+interest I take in your repose is so great, that I cannot resolve
+to part from you without desiring you to consider once more how
+difficult a thing it is to govern thirty loaded camels,
+especially for you who are not used to such work: you will find
+it much better to return me as many more back as you have done
+already. What I tell you is not for my own sake and interest, but
+to do you the greater kindness. Ease yourself then of the camels,
+and leave them to me, who can manage a hundred as well as one."
+
+My discourse had the desired effect upon the dervish, who gave
+me, without any hesitation, the other ten camels; so that he had
+but twenty left and I was master of sixty, and might boast of
+greater riches than any sovereign princes. Any one would have
+thought I should now have been content; but as a person afflicted
+with a dropsy, the more he drinks the more thirsty he is, so I
+became more greedy and desirous of the other twenty camels.
+
+I redoubled my solicitations and importunities, to make the
+dervish condescend to grant me ten of the twenty, which he did
+with a good grace: and as to the other ten he had left, I
+embraced him, kissed his feet, and caressed him, conjuring him
+not to refuse me, but to complete the obligation I should ever
+have to him, so that at length he crowned my joy, by giving me
+them also. "Make a good use of them, brother," said the dervish,
+"and remember that God can take away riches as well as give them,
+if we do not assist the poor, whom he suffers to be in want, on
+purpose that the rich may merit by their charity a recompense in
+the other world."
+
+My infatuation was so great that I could not profit by such
+wholesome advice. I was not content, though I had my forty camels
+again, and knew they were loaded with an inestimable treasure.
+But a thought came into my head, that the little box of ointment
+which the dervish shewed me had something in it more precious
+than all the riches which I was obliged to him for: the place
+from whence the dervish took it, said I to myself, and his care
+to secure it, makes me believe there is something mysterious in
+it. This determined me to obtain it. I had just embraced him and
+bade him adieu; but as I turned about from him, I said, "What
+will you do with that little box of ointment? It seems such a
+trifle, it is not worth your carrying away. I entreat you to make
+me a present of it; for what occasion has a dervish, as you are,
+who has renounced the vanities of the world, for perfumes, or
+scented ointments?"
+
+Would to heaven he had refused me that box; but if he had, I was
+stronger than he, and resolved to have taken it from him by
+force; that for my complete satisfaction it might not be said he
+had carried away the smallest part of the treasure.
+
+The dervish, far from denying me, readily pulled it out of his
+bosom, and presenting it to me with the best grace in the world,
+said, "Here, take it, brother, and be content; if I could do more
+for you, you needed but to have asked me; I should have been
+ready to satisfy you."
+
+When I had the box in my hand, I opened it, and looking at the
+ointment, said to him, "Since you are so good, I am sure you will
+not refuse me the favour to tell me the particular use of this
+ointment."
+
+"The use is very surprising and wonderful," replied the dervish:
+"if you apply a little of it round the left eye, and upon the
+lid, you will see at once all the treasures contained in the
+bosom of the earth; but if you apply it to the right eye, it will
+make you blind."
+
+"I would make the experiment myself. Take the box," said I to the
+dervish, "and apply some to my left eye. You understand how to do
+it better than I, and I long to experience what seems so
+incredible." Accordingly I shut my left eye, and the dervish took
+the trouble to apply the unguent; I opened my eye, and was
+convinced he had told me truth. I saw immense treasures, and such
+prodigious riches, so diversified, that it is impossible for me
+to give an account of them; but as I was obliged to keep my right
+eye shut with my hand, and that tired me, I desired the dervish
+to apply some of the pomatum to that eye.
+
+"I am ready to do it," said the dervish; "but you must remember
+what I told you, that if you put any of it upon your right eye,
+you would immediately be blind; such is the virtue of the
+ointment."
+
+Far from being persuaded of the truth of what the dervish said, I
+imagined, on the contrary, that there was some new mystery, which
+he meant to hide from me. "Brother," replied I, smiling, "I see
+plainly you wish to mislead me; it is not natural that this
+ointment should have two such contrary effects."
+
+"The matter is as I tell you," replied the dervish, taking the
+name of God to bear witness; "you ought to believe me, for I
+cannot disguise the truth."
+
+I would not believe the dervish, who spoke like an honest man. My
+insurmountable desire of seeing at my will all the treasures in
+the world and perhaps of enjoying those treasures to the extent I
+coveted, had such an effect upon me, that I could not hearken to
+his remonstrances, nor be persuaded of what was however but too
+true, as to my lasting misfortune I soon experienced.
+
+I persuaded myself that if the ointment, by being applied to the
+left eye, had the virtue of shewing me all the treasures of the
+earth, by being applied to the right, it might have the power of
+putting them in my disposal. Possessed with this thought, I
+obstinately pressed the dervish to apply the ointment to my right
+eye; but he as positively refused. "Brother," said he, "after l
+have done you so much service, I cannot resolve to do you so
+great an injury; consider with yourself what a misfortune it is
+to be deprived of one's eye-sight: do not reduce me to the hard
+necessity of obliging you in a thing which you will repent of all
+your life."
+
+I persisted in my obstinacy, and said to him in strong terms,
+"Brother, I earnestly desire you to lay aside all your
+difficulties. You have granted me most generously all that I have
+asked of you hitherto, and would you have me go away dissatisfied
+with you at last about a thing of so little consequence? For
+God's sake grant me this last favour; whatever happens I will not
+lay the blame on you, but take it upon myself alone."
+
+The dervish made all the resistance possible, but seeing that I
+was able to force him to do it, he said, "Since you will
+absolutely have it so, I will satisfy you;" and thereupon he took
+a little of the fatal ointment, and applied it to my right eye,
+which I kept shut; but alas! when I came to open it, I could
+distinguish nothing with either eye but thick darkness, and
+became blind as you see me now.
+
+"Ah! dervish," I exclaimed in agony, "what you forewarned me of
+has proved but too true. Fatal curiosity," added I, "insatiable
+desire of riches, into what an abyss of miseries have they cast
+me! I am now sensible what a misfortune I have brought upon
+myself; but you, dear brother," cried I, addressing myself to the
+dervish, "who are so charitable and good, among the many
+wonderful secrets you are acquainted with, have you not one to
+restore to me my sight again?"
+
+"Miserable wretch!" answered the dervish, "if you would have been
+advised by me, you would have avoided this misfortune, but you
+have your deserts; the blindness of your mind was the cause of
+the loss of your eyes. It is true I have secrets, some of which,
+during the short time we have been together, you have by my
+liberality witnessed; but I have none to restore to you your
+sight. Pray to God, therefore, if you believe there is one; it is
+he alone that can restore it to you. He gave you riches, of which
+you were unworthy, on that account takes them from you again, and
+will by my hands give them to men not so ungrateful as yourself."
+
+The dervish said no more, and I had nothing to reply. He left me
+to myself overwhelmed with confusion, and plunged in
+inexpressible grief. After he had collected my camels, he drove
+them away, and pursued the road to Bussorah.
+
+I cried out loudly as he was departing, and entreated him not to
+leave me in that miserable condition, but to conduct me at least
+to the first caravanserai; but he was deaf to my prayers and
+entreaties. Thus deprived of sight and all I had in the world, I
+should have died with affliction and hunger, if the next day a
+caravan returning from Bussorah had not received me charitably,
+and brought me back to Bagdad.
+
+After this manner was I reduced without remedy from a condition
+worthy the envy of princes for riches and magnificence, though
+not for power, to beggary without resource. I had no other way to
+subsist but by asking charity, which I have done till now. But to
+expiate my offence against God, I enjoined myself, by way of
+penance, a box on the ear from every charitable person who should
+commiserate my condition.
+
+"This, commander of the faithful, is the motive which seemed so
+strange to your majesty yesterday, and for which I ought to incur
+your indignation. I ask your pardon once more as your slave, and
+submit to receive the chastisement I deserve. And if you
+vouchsafe to pronounce any thing beyond the penance I have
+imposed upon myself, I am ready to undergo it, since I am
+persuaded you must think it too slight and much too little for my
+crime."
+
+The blind man having concluded his story, the caliph said, "Baba
+Abdoollah, your sin has been great; but God be praised, you feel
+the enormity of your guilt, and your penance proves your
+repentance. You must continue it, not ceasing to ask of God
+pardon in every prayer your religion obliges you to say daily:
+but that you may not be prevented from your devotions by the care
+of getting your living, I will settle a charity on you during
+your life, of four silver dirhems a day, which my grand vizier
+shall give you daily with the penance, therefore do not go away,
+but wait till he has executed my orders."
+
+At these words, Baba Abdoollah prostrated himself before the
+caliph's throne, returned him thanks, and wished him all
+happiness and prosperity.
+
+The caliph, very well satisfied with the story of Baba Abdoollah
+and the dervish, addressed himself to the young man who used his
+mare so ill, and asked him his name; to which he replied, it was
+Syed Naomaun.
+
+"Syed Naomaun," resumed the caliph, "I have seen horses exercised
+all my life, and have often exercised them myself, but never in
+so barbarous a manner as you yesterday treated your mare in the
+full square, to the great offence of all the spectators, who
+murmured loudly at your conduct. I myself was not less
+displeased, and had nearly, contrary to my intention, discovered
+who I was, to have punished your cruelty. By your air and
+behaviour you do not seem to be a barbarous or cruel man; and
+therefore I would fain believe that you had reason for what you
+did, since I am informed that this was not the first time, but
+that you practise the same treatment every day. I would know what
+is the cause, and sent for you for that purpose, that you should
+tell me the truth, and disguise nothing from me."
+
+Syed Naomaun understood what the caliph demanded of him. The
+relation was painful to him. He changed colour several times, and
+could not help shewing how greatly he was embarrassed. However,
+he must resolve to tell his story; but before he spoke, he
+prostrated himself before the caliph's throne, and after he rose
+up, endeavoured to speak to satisfy the caliph, but was so
+confounded, not so much at the presence of the caliph, as by the
+nature of his relation, that he was speechless.
+
+The caliph, notwithstanding his natural impatience to be obeyed,
+shewed not the least anger at Syed Naomaun's silence: he saw
+plainly, that he either had not assurance to speak before him, or
+was intimidated by the tone of his voice; or, in short, that
+there was something to be concealed in his story.
+
+"Syed Naomaun," said the caliph, to encourage him, "recollect
+yourself, but tell your story as if you were speaking not to me,
+but to your most familiar friend. If there is any thing in your
+relation which troubles you, and you think I may be offended at
+it, I pardon you beforehand: therefore be not uneasy, but speak
+boldly and freely, and disguise nothing."
+
+Syed Naomaun, encouraged by these words, said, "Commander of the
+faithful, whatever apprehensions a man may be under at your
+majesty's presence, I am sensible those respectful sensations
+would not deprive me of the use of my speech, so as to fail in my
+obedience, in giving you satisfaction in any other matter but
+this you now ask of me. I dare not say I am the most perfect of
+men; yet I am not wicked enough to have committed, or to have had
+an intention of committing any thing against the laws to fear
+their severity; and yet I cannot say I am exempt from sin through
+ignorance. In this case I do not say that I depend upon your
+majesty's pardon, but will submit myself to your justice, and
+receive the punishment I deserve. I own, that the manner in which
+I have for some time treated my mare, and which your majesty has
+witnessed, is strange, and sets an ill example: but I hope you
+will think the motive well grounded, and that I am more worthy of
+compassion than chastisement: but not to keep your majesty any
+longer in suspense by a long preamble, I will tell you my story."
+
+
+
+
+
+The Story of Syed Naomaun.
+
+
+
+I shall not trouble your majesty with my birth, which is not
+illustrious enough to merit your attention. For my situation, my
+parents, by their good economy, left me enough to live on like an
+honest man, free from ambition, or being burdensome to any one.
+
+With these advantages, the only blessing I wanted to render my
+happiness complete was an amiable wife, who might share them with
+me; but that was a blessing it did not please God to grant me: on
+the contrary, it was my misfortune to have one, who, the very
+next day after our wedding, began to exercise my patience in a
+manner not to be conceived by any one who has not had the same
+trial.
+
+As it is the custom for us to marry without seeing or knowing
+whom we are to espouse, your majesty is sensible that a husband
+has no reason to complain, when he finds that the wife who has
+been chosen for him is not horribly ugly and deformed, and that
+her carriage, wit, and behaviour make amends for any slight
+bodily imperfections.
+
+The first time I saw my wife with her face uncovered, after she
+was brought home with the usual ceremonies to my house, I
+rejoiced to find that I had not been imposed upon in the
+description of her person, which pleased me, and she was
+perfectly agreeable to my inclination.
+
+The next day after our wedding, when our dinner was served up,
+which consisted of several dishes, I went into the room where the
+cloth was ]aid, and not finding my wife there, ordered her to be
+called. After making me wait a long time, she came. I dissembled
+my impatience, we sat down, and I began with the rice, which I
+took up as usual.
+
+On the other hand, my wife, instead of using her hand as
+everybody does, pulled a little case out of her pocket, and took
+out of it a kind of bodkin, with which she picked up the rice,
+and put it into her mouth, grain by grain.
+
+Surprised at this manner of eating, I said to her, "Ameeneh,"
+(which was her name,) "are you used to eat rice so in your
+family, or do you do it because you are a little eater, or would
+you count the grains, that you may not eat more at one time than
+another? If you do it out of frugality, or to teach me not to be
+extravagant, you have no reason to fear, as I can assure you we
+shall not ruin ourselves that way. We have, God be thanked!
+enough to live at our ease, without depriving ourselves of
+necessaries. Do not restrain yourself, my dear Ameeneh, but eat
+as you see me eat." The kind manner in which I made these
+remonstrances might have produced some obliging answer; but she,
+without saying a word, continued to eat as she had begun. At
+last, to make me the more uneasy, she ate a grain of rice at
+intervals only; and instead of eating any of the other meats with
+me, she only now and then put some crumbs of bread into her
+mouth, but not so much as a sparrow would have pecked.
+
+I was much provoked at her obstinacy; but yet, to indulge and
+excuse her, I imagined that she had not been used to eat with
+men, before whom she might perhaps have been taught to restrain
+herself; but at the same time thought she carried it too far out
+of pure simplicity. I fancied again that she might have
+breakfasted late, or that she might have a wish to eat alone, and
+more at liberty. These considerations prevented me from saying
+more to her then, to ruffle her temper, by shewing any sign of
+dissatisfaction. After dinner I left her, but not with an air
+that shewed any displeasure.
+
+At supper, and the next day, and every time we ate together, she
+behaved herself in the same manner. I knew it was impossible for
+a woman to live on so little food as she took, and that there
+must be some mystery in her conduct, which I did not understand.
+This made me resolve to dissemble; I appeared to take no notice
+of her actions, in hopes that time would bring her to live with
+me as I desired she should. But my hopes were in vain, and it was
+not long before I was convinced they were so.
+
+One night, when Ameeneh thought me fast asleep, she got out of
+bed softly, dressed herself with great precaution, not to make a
+noise for fear of awaking me. I could not comprehend her design,
+but curiosity made me feign a sound sleep. As soon as she had
+dressed herself, she went softly out of the room.
+
+When she was gone, I arose, threw my cloak over my shoulders, and
+had time enough to see from a window that looked into my court-
+yard, that she opened the street-door and went out.
+
+I immediately ran down to the door, which she had left half open,
+and followed her by moonlight, till I saw her enter a burying-
+ground just by our house. I got to the end of the wall, taking
+care not to be seen, and looking over, saw Ameeneh with a ghoul.
+
+Your majesty knows that the ghouls of both sexes are wandering
+demons, which generally infest old buildings; from whence they
+rush out, by surprise, on people that pass by, kill them, and eat
+their flesh; and for want of such prey, will sometimes go in the
+night into burying-grounds, and feed on dead bodies which they
+dig up.
+
+I was struck with astonishment and horror to see my wife with
+this ghoul. They dug up a dead body which had been buried but
+that day, and the ghoul cut off pieces of the flesh, which they
+ate together by the grave-side, conversing during their shocking
+and inhuman repast. But I was too far off to hear their
+discourse, which must have been as strange as their meal, the
+remembrance of which still makes me shudder.
+
+When they had finished this horrible feast, they threw the
+remains of the dead body into the grave again, and filled it up
+with the earth which they had dug out. I left them at their work,
+made haste home, and leaving the door half open as I had found
+it, went into my chamber, and to bed again, where I pretended to
+be fast asleep.
+
+Soon afterwards Ameeneh returned without the least noise,
+undressed herself, and came to bed, rejoicing, as I imagined,
+that she had succeeded so well without being discovered.
+
+My mind was so full of the idea of such an abominable action as I
+had witnessed, that I felt great reluctance to lie by a person
+who could have had any share in the guilt of it, and was a long
+time before I could fall asleep. However, I got a short nap; but
+waked at the first call to public prayers at day-break, got up,
+dressed myself, and went to the mosque.
+
+After prayers I went out of the town, spent the morning in
+walking in the gardens, and thinking what I should do to oblige
+my wife to change her mode of living. I rejected all the violent
+measures that suggested themselves to my thoughts, and resolved
+to use gentle means to cure her unhappy and depraved inclination.
+In this state of reverie I insensibly reached home by dinner-
+time.
+
+As soon as Ameeneh saw me enter the house, she ordered dinner to
+be served up; and as I observed she continued to eat her rice in
+the same manner, by single grains, I said to her, with all the
+mildness possible, "You know, Ameeneh, what reason I had to be
+surprised, when the day after our marriage I saw you eat rice in
+so small a quantity, and in a manner which would have offended
+any other husband but myself: you know also, I contented myself
+with telling you that I was uneasy at it, and desired you to eat
+of the other meats, which I had ordered to be dressed several
+ways to endeavour to suit your taste, and I am sure my table did
+not want for variety: but all my remonstrances have had no
+effect, and you persist in your sullen abstemiousness. I have
+said nothing, because I would not constrain you, and should be
+sorry that any thing I now say should make you uneasy; but tell
+me, Ameeneh, I conjure you, are not the meats served up at my
+table better than the flesh of a human corpse?"
+
+I had no sooner pronounced these words than Ameeneh, who
+perceived that I had discovered her last night's horrid
+voraciousness with the ghoul, flew into a rage beyond
+imagination. Her face became as red as scarlet, her eyes ready to
+start out of her head, and she foamed with passion.
+
+The terrible state in which she appeared alarmed me so much, that
+I stood motionless, and was not able to defend myself against the
+horrible wickedness she meditated against me, and which will
+surprise your majesty. In the violence of her passion, she dipped
+her hand into a basin of water, which stood by her, and muttering
+between her teeth some words, which I could not hear, she threw
+some water in my face, and exclaimed, in a furious tone, "Wretch,
+receive the punishment of thy prying curiosity, and become a
+dog!"
+
+Ameeneh, whom I did not before know to be a sorceress, had no
+sooner pronounced these diabolical words, than I was immediately
+transformed into a dog. My amazement and surprise at so sudden
+and unexpected a metamorphosis prevented my thinking at first of
+providing for my safety. Availing herself of this suspense, she
+took up a great stick, with which she laid on me such heavy
+blows, that I wonder they did not kill me. I thought to have
+escaped her rage, by running into the yard; but she pursued me
+with the same fury, and notwithstanding all my activity I could
+not avoid her blows. At last, when she was tired of running after
+and beating me, and enraged that she had not killed me, as she
+desired, she thought of another method to effect her purpose: she
+half opened the street-door, that she might endeavour to squeeze
+me to death, as I ran out to preserve my life. Dog as I was, I
+instantly perceived her pernicious design; and as present danger
+inspires a presence of mind, to elude her vigilance I watched her
+face and motions so well, that I took my opportunity, and passed
+through quick enough to save myself and escape her malice, though
+she pinched the end of my tail.
+
+The pain I felt made me cry out and howl as I ran along the
+streets, which collected all the dogs about me, and I got bit by
+several of them; but to avoid their pursuit, I ran into the shop
+of a man who sold boiled sheep's heads, tongues, and feet, where
+I saved myself.
+
+The man at first took my part with much compassion, by driving
+away the dogs that followed me, and would have run into his
+house. My first care was to creep into a corner to hide myself;
+but I found not the sanctuary and protection I hoped for. My host
+was one of those extravagantly superstitious persons who think
+dogs unclean creatures, and if by chance one happens to touch
+them in the streets, cannot use soap and water enough to wash
+their garments clean. After the dogs who chased me were all
+dispersed and gone, he did all he could to drive me out of his
+house, but I was concealed out of his reach, and spent that night
+in his shop in spite of him; and indeed I had need of rest to
+recover from Ameeneh's ill-treatment.
+
+Not to weary your majesty with trifling circumstances, I shall
+not particularize the melancholy reflections I made on my
+metamorphosis; but only tell you, that my host having gone out
+the next morning to lay in a stock of sheep's heads, tongues, and
+trotters, when he returned, he opened his shop, and while he was
+laying out his goods, I crept from my corner, and got among some
+other dogs of the neighbourhood, who had followed my host by the
+scent of his meat, and surrounded the shop, in expectation of
+having some offal thrown to them. I joined them, and put myself
+among them in a begging posture. My host observing me, and
+considering that I had eaten nothing while I lay in the shop,
+distinguished me from the rest, by throwing me larger pieces of
+meat, and oftener than the other dogs. After he had given me as
+much as he thought fit, I looked at him earnestly, and wagged my
+tail, to shew him I begged he would repeat his favours. But he
+was inflexible, and opposed my entrance with a stick in his hand,
+and with so stern a look, that I felt myself obliged to seek a
+new habitation.
+
+I stopped at the shop of a baker in the neighbourhood, who was of
+a lively gay temper, quite the reverse of the offal butcher. He
+was then at breakfast, and though I made no sign that I wanted
+any thing, threw me a piece of bread. Instead of catching it up
+greedily, as dogs usually do, I looked at him, moving my head and
+wagging my tail, to shew my gratitude; at which he was pleased,
+and smiled. Though I was not hungry, I ate the piece of bread to
+please him, and I ate slowly to shew him that it was out of
+respect to him. He observed this, and permitted me to continue
+near the shop. I sat down and turned myself to the street, to
+shew him I then only wanted his protection; which he not only
+granted, but by his caresses encouraged me to come into the
+house. This I did in a way that shewed it was with his leave. He
+was pleased, and pointed me out a place where to lie, of which I
+took possession, and kept while I lived with him. I was always
+well treated; and whenever he breakfasted, dined, or supped, I
+had my share of provisions; and, in return, I loved him, and was
+faithful, as gratitude required of me. I always had my eyes upon
+him, and he scarcely stirred out of doors, or went into the city
+on business, but I was at his heels. I was the more exact,
+because I perceived my attention pleased him; for whenever he
+went out, without giving me time to see him, he would call
+Chance, which was the name he gave me.
+
+At this name I used to spring from my place, jump, caper, run
+before the door, and never cease fawning on him, till he went
+out; and then I always either followed him, or ran before him,
+continually looking at him to shew my joy.
+
+I had lived some time with this baker, when a woman came one day
+into the shop to buy some bread, who gave my master a piece of
+bad money among some good, which he returned, and requested her
+to exchange.
+
+The woman refused to take it again, and affirmed it to be good.
+The baker maintained the contrary, and in the dispute told the
+woman, he was sure that the piece of money was so visibly bad,
+that his dog could distinguish it; upon which he called me by
+name. I immediately jumped on the counter, and the baker throwing
+the money down before me, said, "See, and tell me which of these
+pieces is bad?" I looked over all the pieces of money, and then
+set my paw upon that which was bad, separated it from the rest,
+looking in my master's face, to shew it him.
+
+The baker, who had only called me to banter the woman, was much
+surprised to see me so immediately pitch upon the bad money. The
+woman thus convicted had nothing to say for herself, but was
+obliged to give another piece instead of the bad one. As soon as
+she was gone, my master called in some neighbours, and enlarged
+very much on my capacity, telling them what had happened.
+
+The neighbours desired to make the experiment, and of all the bad
+money they shewed me, mixed with good, there was not one which I
+did not set my paw upon, and separate from the rest.
+
+The woman also failed not to tell everybody she met what had
+happened; so that the fame of my skill in distinguishing good
+money from bad was not only spread throughout the neighbourhood,
+but over all that part of the town, and insensibly through the
+whole city.
+
+I had business enough every day; for I was obliged to shew my
+skill to all customers who came to buy bread of my master. In
+short, my reputation procured my master more business than he
+could manage, and brought him customers from the most distant
+parts of the town; this run of business lasted so long, that he
+owned to his friends and neighbours, that I was a treasure to
+him.
+
+My little knowledge made many people envy my master's good
+fortune, and lay snares to steal me away, which obliged him
+always to keep me in his sight. One day a woman came like the
+rest out of curiosity to buy some bread, and seeing me sit upon
+the counter, threw down before me six pieces of money, among
+which was one that was bad. I separated it presently from the
+others, and setting my paw upon it, looked in the woman's face,
+as much as to say, "Is it not so?" The woman looking at me
+replied, "Yes, you are in the right, it is bad:" and staying some
+time in the shop, to look at and admire me, at last paid my
+master for his bread, but when she went out of the shop, made a
+sign, unknown to him, for me to follow her.
+
+I was always attentive to any means likely to deliver me out of
+so strange a metamorphosis, and had observed that the woman
+examined me with an extraordinary attention. I imagined that she
+might know something of my misfortune, and the melancholy
+condition I was reduced to: however, I let her go, and contented
+myself with looking at her. After walking two or three steps, she
+turned about, and seeing that I only looked at her, without
+stirring from my place, made me another sign to follow her.
+
+Without deliberating any longer, and observing that my master was
+busy cleaning his oven, and did not mind me, I jumped off the
+counter, and followed the woman, who seemed overjoyed.
+
+After we had gone some way, she stopped at a house, opened the
+door, and called to me to come in, saying, "You will not repent
+following me." When I had entered, she shut the door, and
+conduded me to her chamber, where I saw a beautiful young lady
+working embroidery. This lady, who was daughter to the charitable
+woman who had brought me from the baker's, was a very skilful
+enchantress, as I found afterwards.
+
+"Daughter," said the mother, "I have brought you the much-talked-
+of baker's dog, that can tell good money from bad. You know I
+gave you my opinion respecting him when I first heard of him, and
+told you, I fancied he was a man changed into a dog by some
+wicked magician. To-day I determined to go to that baker for some
+bread, and was myself a witness of the wonders performed by this
+dog, who has made such a noise in Bagdad. What say you, daughter,
+am I deceived in my conjecture?" "Mother, you are not," answered
+the daughter, "and I will disenchant him immediately."
+
+The young lady arose from her sofa, put her hand into a basin of
+water, and throwing some upon me, said, "If thou wert born a dog,
+remain so, but if thou wert born a man, resume thy former shape,
+by the virtue of this water." At that instant the enchantment was
+broken, and I became restored to my natural form.
+
+Penetrated with the greatness of this kindness, I threw myself at
+my deliverer's feet; and after I had kissed the hem of her
+garment, said, "My dear deliverer, I am so sensible of your
+unparalleled humanity towards a stranger, as I am, that I beg of
+you to tell me yourself what I can do to shew my gratitude; or
+rather dispose of me as a slave, to whom you have a just right,
+since I am no more my own, but entirely yours: and that you may
+know who I am, I will tell you my story in as few words as
+possible."
+
+After I had informed her who I was, I gave her an account of my
+marriage with Ameeneh, of the complaisance I had shewn her, my
+patience in bearing with her humour, her extraordinary behaviour,
+and the savage inhumanity with which she had treated me out of
+her inconceivable wickedness, and finished my story with my
+transformation, and thanking her mother for the inexpressible
+happiness she had procured me.
+
+"Syed Naomaun," said the daughter to me, "let us not talk of the
+obligation you say you owe me; it is enough for me that I have
+done any service to so honest a man. But let us talk of Ameeneh
+your wife. I was acquainted with her before your marriage; and as
+I know her to be a sorceress, she also is sensible that I have
+some of the same kind of knowledge as herself, since we both
+learnt it of the same mistress. We often meet at the baths, but
+as our tempers are different, I avoid all opportunities of
+contracting an intimacy with her, which is no difficult matter,
+as she does the same by me. I am not at all surprised at her
+wickedness: but what I have already done for you is not
+sufficient; I must complete what I have begun. It is not enough
+to have broken the enchantment by which she has so long excluded
+you from the society of men. You must punish her as she deserves,
+by going home again, and assuming the authority which belongs to
+you. I will give you the proper means. Converse a little with my
+mother till I return to you."
+
+My deliveress went into a closet, and while she was absent, I
+repeated my obligations to the mother as well as the daughter.
+She said to me, "You see my daughter has as much skill in the
+magic art as the wicked Ameeneh; but makes such use of it, that
+you would be surprised to know the good she has done, and daily
+does, by exercising her science. This induces me to let her
+practise it; for I should not permit her, if I perceived she made
+an improper application of it in the smallest instance."
+
+The mother then related some of the wonders she had seen her
+perform: by this time the daughter returned with a little bottle
+in her hand. "Syed Naomaun," said she, "my books which I have
+been consulting tell me that Ameeneh is now abroad, but will be
+at home presently. They also inform me that she pretended before
+your servants to be very uneasy at your absence, and made them
+believe, that at dinner you recollected some business which
+obliged you to go out immediately; that as you went, you left the
+door open, and a dog running into the hall where she was at
+dinner, she had beaten him out with a great stick.
+
+"Take this little bottle, go home immediately, and wait in your
+own chamber till Ameeneh comes in, which she will do shortly. As
+soon as she returns, run down into the court, and meet her face
+to face. In her surprise at seeing you so unexpectedly, she will
+turn her back to run away; have the bottle ready, and throw some
+of the liquor it contains upon her, pronouncing at the same time
+these words: ‘Receive the chastisement of thy wickedness.' I will
+tell you no more; you will see the effect."
+
+After these instructions I took leave of my benefactress, and her
+mother, with all the testimonies of the most perfect gratitude,
+and a sincere protestation never to forget my obligation to them;
+and then went home.
+
+All things happened as the beautiful and humane enchantress had
+foretold. Ameeneh was not long before she came home. As she
+entered the court, I met her with the bottle in my hand. Upon
+seeing me, she shrieked; and as she turned to run towards the
+door, I threw the liquor upon her, pronouncing the words which
+the young lady had taught me, when she was instantly transformed
+into the mare which your majesty saw me upon yesterday.
+
+At that instant, owing to the surprise she was in, I easily
+seized her by the mane, and notwithstanding her resistance, led
+her into the stable, where I put a halter upon her head, and when
+I had tied her to the rack, reproaching her with her baseness, I
+chastised her with a whip till I was tired, and have punished her
+every day since in the manner which your majesty has witnessed.
+
+"I hope, commander of the faithful," concluded Syed Naomaun,
+"your majesty will not disapprove of my conduct, but will rather
+think I have shewn so wicked and pernicious a woman more
+indulgence than she deserved."
+
+When the caliph found that Syed Naomaun had ended his story, he
+said to him, "Your adventure is very singular, and the wickedness
+of your wife inexcusable; therefore I do not condemn the
+chastisement you have hitherto given her; but I would have you
+consider how great a punishment it is to be reduced to the
+condition of beasts, and wish you would be content with the
+chastisement you have already inflicted. I would order you to go
+and address yourself to the young enchantress, to end the
+metamorphosis she has inflicted, but that I know the obstinacy
+and incorrigible cruelty of magicians of both sexes, who abuse
+their art; which makes me apprehensive that a second effect of
+your wife's revenge might be more fatal than the first."
+
+The caliph, who was naturally mild and compassionate to all
+criminals, after he had declared his mind to Syed Naomaun,
+addressed himself to the third person the grand vizier had
+summoned to attend him. "Khaujeh Hassan," said he, "passing
+yesterday by your house, it seemed so magnificent that I felt a
+curiosity to know to whom it belonged, and was told that you,
+whose trade is so mean that a man can scarcely get his bread by
+it, have built this house after you had followed this trade some
+years. I was likewise informed that you make a good use of the
+riches God has blessed you with, and your neighbours speak well
+of you.
+
+"All this pleases me well," added the caliph, "but I am persuaded
+that the means by which Providence has been pleased to bestow
+these gifts on you must have been very extraordinary. I am
+curious to know the particulars from your own mouth, and sent for
+you on purpose to have that satisfaction. Speak truly, that when
+I know your story, I may rejoice in your good fortune.
+
+"But that you may not suspect my curiosity, and believe I have
+any other interest than what I tell you, I declare, that far from
+having any pretensions, I give you my word you shall enjoy freely
+all you possess."
+
+On these assurances of the caliph, Khaujeh Hassan prostrated
+himself before the throne, with his forehead down to the carpet,
+and when he rose up, said, "Commander of the faithful, some
+persons might have been alarmed at having been summoned to appear
+before your majesty; but knowing that my conscience was clear,
+and that I had committed nothing against the laws or your
+majesty, but, on the contrary, had always the most respectful
+sentiments and the profoundest veneration for your person, my
+only fear was, that I should not be able to support the splendour
+of your presence. But nevertheless on the public report of your
+majesty's receiving favourably, and hearing the meanest of your
+subjects, I took courage, and never doubted but I should have
+confidence enough to give you all the satisfaction you might
+require of me. Besides, your majesty has given me a proof of your
+goodness, by granting me your protection before you know whether
+I deserve it. I hope, however, you will retain the favourable
+sentiments you have conceived of me, when, in obedience to your
+command, I shall have related my adventures."
+
+After this compliment to conciliate the caliph's good-will and
+attention, and after some moments' recollection, Khaujeh Hassan
+related his story in the following manner:
+
+
+
+
+
+The Story of Khaujeh Hassan al Hubbaul.
+
+
+
+Commander of the faithful, that your majesty may the better
+understand by what means I arrived at the happiness I now enjoy,
+I must acquaint you, there are two intimate friends, citizens of
+Bagdad, who can testify the truth of what I shall relate, and to
+whom, after God, the author of all good, I owe my prosperity.
+
+These two friends are called, the one Saadi, the other Saad.
+Saadi, who is very rich, was always of opinion that no man could
+be happy in this world without wealth, to live independent of
+every one.
+
+Saad was of a different opinion; he agreed that riches were
+necessary to comfort, but maintained that the happiness of a
+man's life consisted in virtue, without any farther eagerness
+after worldly goods than what was requisite for decent
+subsistence, and benevolent purposes.
+
+Saad himself is one of this number, and lives very happily and
+contentedly in his station: but though Saadi is infinitely more
+opulent, their friendship is very sincere, and the richest sets
+no more value on himself than the other. They never had any
+dispute but on this point; in all other things their union of
+opinion has been very strict.
+
+One day as they were talking upon this subject, as I have since
+been informed by them both, Saadi affirmed, that poverty
+proceeded from men's being born poor, or spending their fortunes
+in luxury and debauchery, or by some of those unforeseen
+fatalities which do not often occur. "My opinion," said he, "is,
+that most people's poverty is owing to their wanting at first a
+sufficient sum of money to raise them above want, by employing
+their industry to improve it; for," continued he, "if they once
+had such a sum, and made a right use of it, they would not only
+live well, but would in time infallibly grow rich."
+
+Saad could not agree in this sentiment: "The way," said he,
+"which you propose to make a poor man rich, is not so certain as
+you imagine. Your plan is very hazardous, and I can bring many
+good arguments against your opinion, but that they would carry us
+too far into dispute, I believe, with as much probability, that a
+poor man may become rich by other means as well as by money: and
+there are people who have raised as large and surprising fortunes
+by mere chance, as others have done by money, with all their good
+economy and management to increase it by the best conducted
+trade."
+
+"Saad," replied Saadi, "I see we shall not come to any
+determination by my persisting to oppose my opinion against
+yours. I will make an experiment to convince you, by giving, for
+example, a sum of money to some artisan, whose ancestors from
+father to son have always been poor, lived only from day to day,
+and died as indigent as they were born. If I have not the success
+I expect, you shall try if you will have better by the means you
+shall employ."
+
+Some days after this dispute, the two friends happened to walk
+out together, and passing through the street where I was at work
+at my trade of rope-making, which I learnt of my father, who
+learnt of his, and he of his ancestors; and by my dress and
+appearance, it was no hard matter for them to guess my poverty.
+
+Saad, remembering Saadi's engagement, said, "If you have not
+forgotten what you said to me, there is a man," pointing to me,
+"whom I can remember a long time working at his trade of rope-
+making, and in the same poverty: he is a worthy subject for your
+liberality, and a proper person to make your experiment upon." "I
+so well remember the conversation," replied Saadi, "that I have
+ever since carried a sufficient sum about me for the purpose, but
+only waited for an opportunity of our being together, that you
+might be witness of the fact. Let us go to him, and know if he is
+really necessitous."
+
+The two friends came to me, and I, seeing that they wished to
+speak to me, left off work: they both accosted me with the common
+salutation, and Saadi, wishing me peace, asked me my name.
+
+I returned their salutation, and answered Saadi's question,
+saying to him, "Sir, my name is Hassan; but by reason of my
+trade, I am commonly known by the name of Hassan al Hubbaul."
+
+"Hassan," replied Saadi, "as there is no occupation but what a
+man may live by, I doubt not but yours produces enough for you to
+live well upon; and I am amazed, that during the long time you
+have worked at your trade, you have not saved enough to lay in a
+good stock of hemp to extend your manufacture and employ more
+hands, by the profit of whose work you would soon increase your
+income."
+
+"Sir," replied I, "you will be no longer amazed that I have not
+saved money and taken the way you mention to become rich, when
+you come to know that, let me work as hard as I may from morning
+till night, I can hardly get enough to keep my family in bread
+and pulse. I have a wife and five children, not one of whom is
+old enough to be of the least assistance to me. I must feed and
+clothe them, and in our poor way of living, they still want many
+necessaries, which they can ill do without And though hemp is not
+very dear, I must have money to buy it. This is the first thing I
+do with any money I receive for my work; otherwise I and my
+family must starve.
+
+"Now judge, sir," added I, "if it be possible that I should save
+any thing for myself and family: it is enough that we are content
+with the little God sends us, and that we have not the knowledge
+or desire of more than we want, but can live as we have been
+always bred up, and are not reduced to beg."
+
+When I had given Saadi this account, he said to me, "Hassan, I am
+not so much surprised as I was, for I comprehend what obliges you
+to be content in your station. But if I should make you a present
+of a purse of two hundred pieces of gold, would not you make a
+good use of it? and do not you believe, that with such a sum you
+could become soon as rich as the principal of your occupation?"
+
+"Sir," replied I, "you seem to be so good a gentleman, that I am
+persuaded you would not banter me, but that the offer you make me
+is serious; and I dare say, without presuming too much upon
+myself, that a considerably less sum would be sufficient to make
+me not only as rich as the first of our trade, but that in time I
+should be richer than all of them in this city together, though
+Bagdad is so large and populous."
+
+The generous Saadi showed me immediately that in what he said he
+was serious. He pulled a purse out of his bosom, and putting it
+into my hands, said, "Here, take this purse; you will find it
+contains two hundred pieces of gold: I pray God bless you with
+them, and give you grace to make the good use of them I desire;
+and believe me, my friend Saad, whom you see here, and I shall
+both take great pleasure in finding they may contribute towards
+making you more happy than you now are."
+
+When I had got the purse, the first thing I did was to put it
+into my bosom; but the transport of my joy was so great, and I
+was so much penetrated with gratitude, that my speech failed me
+and I could give my benefactor no other tokens of my feelings
+than by laying hold of the hem of his garment and kissing it; but
+he drew it from me hastily, and he and his friend pursued their
+walk.
+
+As soon as they were gone, I returned to my work, and my first
+thought was, what I should do with my purse to keep it safe. I
+had in my poor house neither box nor cupboard to lock it up in,
+nor any other place where I could be sure it would not be
+discovered if I concealed it.
+
+In this perplexity, as I had been used, like many poor people of
+my condition, to put the little money I had in the folds of my
+turban, I left my work, and went into the house, under pretence
+of wrapping my turban up anew. I took such precautions that
+neither my wife nor children saw what I was doing. But first I
+laid aside ten pieces of gold for present necessaries, and
+wrapped the rest up in the folds of the linen which went about my
+cap.
+
+The principal expense I was at that day was to lay in a good
+stock of hemp, and afterwards, as my family had eaten no flesh
+meat a long time, I went to the shambles, and bought something
+for supper.
+
+As I was carrying home the meat I had bought, a famished vulture
+flew upon me, and would have taken it away, if I had not held it
+very fast; but, alas! I had better have parted with it than lost
+my money; the faster I held my meat, the more the bird struggled
+to get it, drawing me sometimes on one side, and sometimes on
+another, but would not quit the prize; till unfortunately in my
+efforts my turban fell on the ground.
+
+The vulture immediately let go his hold, but seizing my turban,
+flew away with it. I cried out so loud, that I alarmed all the
+men, women, and children in the neighbourhood, who joined their
+shouts and cries to make the vulture quit his hold; for by such
+means these voracious birds are often frightened so as to quit
+their prey. But our cries did not avail; he carried off my
+turban, and we soon lost sight of him, and it would have been in
+vain for me to fatigue myself with running after him.
+
+I went home very melancholy at the loss of my money. I was
+obliged to buy a new turban, which diminished the small remainder
+of the ten pieces; for I had laid out several in hemp. The little
+that was left was not sufficient to give me reason to indulge the
+great hopes I had conceived.
+
+But what troubled me most, was the little satisfaction I should
+be able to give my benefactor for his ineffectual generosity,
+when he should come to hear what a misfortune I had met with,
+which he would perhaps regard as incredible, and consequently an
+idle excuse.
+
+While the remainder of the ten pieces lasted, my little family
+and I lived better than usual; but I soon relapsed into the same
+poverty, and the same inability to extricate myself from
+wretchedness. However, I never murmured nor repined; "God," said
+I, "was pleased to give me riches when I least expelled them; he
+has thought fit to take them from me again almost at the same
+time, because it so pleased him, and they were at his disposal;
+yet I will praise his name for all the benefits I have received,
+as it was his good pleasure, and submit myself, as I have ever
+done hitherto, to his will."
+
+These were my sentiments, while my wife, from whom I could not
+keep secret the loss I had sustained, was inconsolable. In my
+trouble I had told my neighbours, that when I lost my turban I
+lost a hundred and ninety pieces of gold; but as they knew my
+poverty, and could not comprehend how I should have got so great
+a sum by my work, they only laughed at me.
+
+About six months after this misfortune, which I have related to
+your majesty, the two friends walking through that part of the
+town where I lived, the neighbourhood brought me to Saad's
+recollection. "We are now," said he to Saadi, "not far from the
+street where Hassan the ropemaker lives; let us call and see what
+use he has made of the two hundred pieces of gold you gave him,
+and whether they have enabled him to take any steps towards
+bettering his fortune."
+
+"With all my heart," replied Saadi; "I have been thinking of him
+some days, and it will be a great pleasure and satisfaction to me
+to have you with me, as a witness of the proof of my argument.
+You will see undoubtedly a great alteration. I expect we shall
+hardly know him again."
+
+Just as Saadi said this, the two friends turned the corner of the
+street, and Saad, who perceived me first at a distance, said to
+his friend, "I believe you reckon without your host. I see
+Hassan, but can discern no change in his person, for he is as
+shabbily dressed as when we saw him before; the only difference
+that I can perceive is, that his turban looks something better.
+Observe him yourself, and see whether I am in the wrong."
+
+As they drew nearer to me, Saadi saw me too, and found Saad was
+in the right, but could not tell to what he should attribute the
+little alteration he saw in my person; and was so much amazed,
+that he could not speak when he came up to me. "Well, Hassan,"
+said Saad, "we do not ask you how affairs go since we saw you
+last; without doubt they are in a better train."
+
+"Gentlemen," replied I, addressing myself to them both, "I have
+the great mortification to tell you, that your desires, wishes,
+and hopes, as well as mine, have not had the success you had
+reason to expect, and I had promised myself; you will scarcely
+believe the extraordinary adventure that has befallen me. I
+assure you nevertheless, on the word of an honest man, and you
+ought to believe me, for nothing is more true than what I am
+going to tell you." I then related to them my adventure, with the
+same circumstances I had the honour to tell your majesty.
+
+Saadi rejected my assertion, and said, "Hassan, you joke, and
+would deceive me; for what you say is a thing incredible. What
+have vultures to do with turbans? They only search for something
+to satisfy their hunger. You have done as all such people as
+yourself generally do. If they have made any extraordinary gain,
+or any good fortune happens to them, which they never expected,
+they throw aside their work, take their pleasure, make merry,
+while the money lasts; and when they have eaten and drunk it all
+out, are reduced to the same necessity and want as before. You
+would not be so miserable, but because you deserve it, and render
+yourself unworthy of any service done to you."
+
+"Sir," I replied, "I bear all these reproaches, and am ready to
+bear as many more, if they were more severe, and all with the
+greater patience because I do not think I deserve them. The thing
+is so publicly known in this part of the town, that there is
+nobody but can satisfy you of the truth of my assertions. If you
+inquire, you will find that I do not impose upon you. I own, I
+never heard of vultures flying away with turbans; but this has
+actually happened to me, like many other things, which do not
+fall out every day, and yet have actually happened."
+
+Saad took my part, and told Saadi a great many as surprising
+stories of vultures, some of which he affirmed he knew to be
+true, insomuch that at last he pulled his purse out of his
+vestband, and counted out two hundred pieces of gold into my
+hand, which I put into my bosom for want of a purse.
+
+When Saadi had presented me with this sum, he said, "Hassan, I
+make you a present of these two hundred pieces; but take care to
+put them in a safer place, that you may not lose them so
+unfortunately as you have done the others, and employ them in
+such a manner that they may procure you the advantages which the
+others would have done." I told him that the obligation of this
+his second kindness was much greater than I deserved, after what
+had happened, and that I should be sure to make good use of his
+advice. I would have said a great deal more, but he did not give
+me time, for he went away, and continued his walk with his
+friend.
+
+As soon as they were gone, I left off work, and went home, but
+finding neither my wife nor children within, I pulled out my
+money, put ten pieces by, and wrapped up the rest in a clean
+linen cloth, tying it fast with a knot; but then I was to
+consider where I should hide this linen cloth that it might be
+safe. After I had considered some time, I resolved to put it in
+the bottom of an earthen vessel full of bran, which stood in a
+corner, which I imagined neither my wife nor children would look
+into. My wife came home soon after, and as I had but little hemp
+in the house, I told her I should go out to buy some, without
+saying any thing to her about the two friends.
+
+While I was absent, a sandman, who sells scouring earth for the
+hair and body, which women use in the baths, passed through our
+street, and called, "Cleansing, ho!" My wife, who wanted some,
+beckoned to him: but as she had no money, asked him if he would
+make an exchange of some earth for some bran. The sandman asked
+to see the bran. My wife shewed him the pot; the bargain was
+made; she had the cleansing earth, with which she filled a dust
+hole I had made to the house, and the sandman took the pot and
+bran along with him.
+
+Not long after I came home with as much hemp as I could carry,
+and followed by five porters loaded also with hemp. After I had
+satisfied them for their trouble, I sat down to rest myself; and
+looking about me, could not see the pot of bran.
+
+It is impossible for me to express to your majesty my surprise
+and the effect it had on me at the moment. I asked my wife
+hastily what was become of it; when she told me the bargain she
+had made with the sandman, which she thought to be a very good
+one.
+
+"Ah! unfortunate woman!" cried I, "you know not the injury you
+have done me, yourself, and our children, by making that bargain,
+which has ruined us for ever. You thought you only sold the bran,
+but with the bran you have enriched the sandman with a hundred
+and ninety pieces of gold, which Saadi with his friend came and
+made me a second present of."
+
+My wife was like one distracted, when she knew what a fault she
+had committed through ignorance. She cried, beat her breast, and
+tore her hair and clothes. "Unhappy wretch that I am," cried she,
+"am I fit to live after so dreadful a mistake! Where shall I find
+this sandman? I know him not, I never saw him in our street
+before. Oh! husband," added she, "you were much to blame to be so
+reserved in a matter of such importance This had never happened,
+if you had communicated the secret to me." In short, I should
+never finish my story were I to tell your majesty what her grief
+made her say. You are not ignorant how eloquent women often are
+in their afflictions.
+
+"Wife," said I, "moderate your grief: by your weeping and howling
+you will alarm the neighbourhood, and there is no reason they
+should be informed of our misfortunes. They will only laugh at,
+instead of pitying us. We had best bear our loss patiently, and
+submit ourselves to the will of God, and bless him, for that out
+of two hundred pieces of gold which he had given us, he has taken
+back but a hundred and ninety, and left us ten, which, by the use
+I shall make of them will be a great relief to us."
+
+My wife at first did not relish my arguments; but as time softens
+the greatest misfortunes, and makes them more supportable, she at
+last grew easy, and had almost forgotten them. "It is true," said
+I to her, "we live but poorly; but what have the rich which we
+have not? Do not we breathe the same air, enjoy the same light
+and the same warmth of the sun? Therefore what conveniences have
+they more than we, that we should envy their happiness? They die
+as well as we. In short, while we live in the fear of God, as we
+should always do, the advantage they have over us is so very
+inconsiderable, that we ought not to covet it."
+
+I will not tire your majesty any longer with my moral
+reflections. My wife and I comforted ourselves, and I pursued my
+trade with as much alacrity as before these two mortifying
+losses, which followed one another so quickly. The only thing
+that troubled me sometimes was, how I should look Saadi in the
+face when he should come and ask me how I had improved his two
+hundred pieces of gold, and advanced my fortune by means of his
+liberality. I saw no remedy but to resolve to submit to the
+confusion I should feel, though it was by no fault of mine this
+time, any more than before, that our misfortune had happened.
+
+The two friends stayed away longer this time than the former,
+though Saad had often spoken to Saadi, who always put it off;
+for, said he, "The longer we stay away, the richer Hassan will
+be, and I shall have the greater satisfaction."
+
+Saad, who had not the same opinion of the effect of his friend's
+generosity, replied, "You fancy then that your last present will
+have been turned to a better account than the former. I would
+advise you not to flatter yourself too much, for fear you may be
+more sensibly mortified if it should prove otherwise." "Why,"
+replied Saadi, "vultures do not fly away with turbans every day;
+and Hassan will have been more cautious this time."
+
+"I do not doubt it," replied Saad; "but," added he, "there are
+other accidents that neither you nor I can think of; therefore, I
+say again, moderate your expectations, and do not depend too much
+on Hassan's success; for to tell you what I think, and what I
+always thought (whether you like to hear it or not), I have a
+secret presentiment that you will not have accomplished your
+purpose, and that I shall succeed better in proving that a poor
+man may sooner become rich by other means than money."
+
+One day, when Saad and Saadi were disputing upon this subject,
+Saad observed that enough had been said; "I am resolved,"
+continued he, "to inform myself this very day what has passed; it
+is a pleasing time for walking, let us not lose it, but go and
+see which of us has lost the wager." I saw them at a distance,
+was overcome with confusion, and was just going to leave my work,
+to run and hide myself. However I refrained, appeared very
+earnest at work, made as if I had not seen them, and never lifted
+up my eyes till they were close to me and had saluted me, and
+then I could not help myself. I hung down my head, told them my
+last misfortune, with all the circumstances, and that I was as
+poor as when they first saw me.
+
+"After that," I added, "you may say that I ought to have hidden
+my money in another place than in a pot of bran, which was
+carried out of my house the same day: but that pot had stood
+there many years, and had never been removed, whenever my wife
+parted with the bran. Could I guess that a sandman should come by
+that very day, my wife have no money, and would make such an
+exchange? You may indeed allege, that I ought to have told my
+wife of it; but I will never believe that such prudent persons,
+as I am persuaded you are, would have given me that advice; and
+if I had put my money anywhere else, what certainty could I have
+had that it would be more secure?"
+
+"I see, sir," said I, addressing myself to Saadi, "that it has
+pleased God, whose ways are secret and impenetrable, that I
+should not be enriched by your liberality, but that I must remain
+poor: however, the obligation is the same as if it had wrought
+the desired effect."
+
+After these words I was silent; and Saadi replied, "Though I
+would persuade myself, Hassan, that all you tell us is true, and
+not owing to your debauchery or ill management, yet I must not be
+extravagant, and ruin myself for the sake of an experiment. I do
+not regret in the least the four hundred pieces of gold I gave
+you to raise you in the world. I did it in duty to God, without
+expecting any recompense but the pleasure of doing good. If any
+thing makes me repent, it is, that I did not address myself to
+another, who might have made a better use of my charity." Then
+turning about to his friend, "Saad," continued he, "you may know
+by what I have said that I do not entirely give up the cause. You
+may now make your experiment, and let me see that there are ways,
+besides giving money, to make a poor man's fortune. Let Hassan be
+the man. I dare say, whatever you may give him he will not be
+richer than he was with four hundred pieces of gold." Saad had a
+piece of lead in his hand, which he shewed Saadi. "You saw me,"
+said he, "take up this piece of lead, which I found on the
+ground; I will give it Hassan, and you shall see what it is
+worth."
+
+Saadi, burst out laughing at Saad. "What is that bit of lead
+worth," said he, "a farthing? What can Hassan do with that?" Saad
+presented it to me, and said, "Take it, Hassan; let Saadi laugh,
+you will tell us some news of the good luck it has brought you
+one time or another." I thought Saad was in jest, and had a mind
+to divert himself: however I took the lead, and thanked him. The
+two friends pursued their walk, and I fell to work again.
+
+At night when I pulled off my clothes to go to bed, the piece of
+lead, which I had never thought of from the time he gave it me,
+tumbled out of my pocket. I took it up, and laid it on the place
+that was nearest me. The same night it happened that a fisherman,
+a neighbour, mending his nets, found a piece of lead wanting; and
+it being too late to buy any, as the shops were shut, and he must
+either fish that night, or his family go without bread the next
+day, he called to his wife and bade her inquire among the
+neighbours for a piece. She went from door to door on both sides
+of the street, but could not get any, and returned to tell her
+husband her ill success. He asked her if she had been to several
+of their neighbours, naming them, and among the rest my house.
+"No indeed," said the wife, "I have not been there; that was too
+far off, and if I had gone, do you think I should have found any?
+I know by experience they never have any thing when one wants
+it." "No matter," said the fisherman, "you are an idle hussy; you
+must go there; for though you have been there a hundred times
+before without getting any thing, you may chance to obtain what
+we want now. You must go."
+
+The fisherman's wife went out grumbling, came and knocked at my
+door, and waked me out of a sound sleep. I asked her what she
+wanted. "Hassan," said she, as loud as she could bawl, "my
+husband wants a bit of lead to load his nets with; and if you
+have a piece, desires you to give it him."
+
+The piece of lead which Saad had given me was so fresh in my
+memory, and had so lately dropped out of my clothes, that I could
+not forget it. I told my neighbour I had some; and if she would
+stay a moment my wife should give it to her. Accordingly, my
+wife, who was wakened by the noise as well as myself, got up, and
+groping about where I directed her, found the lead, opened the
+door, and gave it to the fisherman's wife, who was so overjoyed
+that she promised my wife, that in return for the kindness she
+did her and her husband, she would answer for him we should have
+the first cast of the nets.
+
+The fisherman was so much rejoiced to see the lead, which he so
+little expected, that he much approved his wife's promise. He
+finished mending his nets, and went a-fishing two hours before
+day, according to custom. At the first throw he caught but one
+fish, about a yard long, and proportionable in thickness; but
+afterwards had a great many successful casts; though of all the
+fish he took none equalled the first in size.
+
+When the fisherman had done fishing, he went home, where his
+first care was to think of me. I was extremely surprised, when at
+my work, to see him come to me with a large fish in his hand.
+"Neighbour," said he, "my wife promised you last night, in return
+for your kindness, whatever fish I should catch at my first
+throw; and I approved her promise. It pleased God to send me no
+more than this one for you, which, such as it is, I desire you to
+accept. I wish it had been better. Had he sent me my net full,
+they should all have been yours."
+
+"Neighbour," said I, "the bit of lead which I sent you was such a
+trifle, that it ought not to be valued at so high a rate:
+neighbours should assist each other in their little wants. I have
+done no more for you than I should have expected from you had I
+been in your situation; therefore I would refuse your present, if
+I were not persuaded you gave it me freely, and that I should
+offend you; and since you will have it so, I take it, and return
+you my hearty thanks."
+
+After these civilities, I took the fish, and carried it home to
+my wife. "Here," said I, "take this fish, which the fisherman our
+neighbour has made me a present of, in return for the bit of lead
+he sent to us for last night: I believe it is all we can expect
+from the present Saad made me yesterday, promising me that it
+would bring me good luck;" and then I told her what had passed
+between the two friends.
+
+My wife was much startled to see so large a fish. "What would you
+have me do with it?" said she. "Our gridiron is only fit to broil
+small fish; and we have not a pot big enough to boil it." "That
+is your business," answered I; "dress it as you will, I shall
+like it either way." I then went to my work again.
+
+In gutting the fish, my wife found a large diamond, which, when
+she washed it, she took for a piece of glass: indeed she had
+heard talk of diamonds, but if she had ever seen or handled any
+she would not have known how to distinguish them. She gave it to
+the youngest of our children for a plaything, and his brothers
+and sisters handed it about from one to another, to admire its
+brightness and beauty.
+
+At night when the lamp was lighted, and the children were still
+playing with the diamond, they perceived that it gave a light,
+when my wife, who was getting them their supper, stood between
+them and the lamp; upon which they snatched it from one another
+to try it; and the younger children fell a-crying, that the elder
+would not let them have it long enough. But as a little matter
+amuses children, and makes them squabble and fall out, my wife
+and I took no notice of their noise, which presently ceased, when
+the bigger ones supped with us, and my wife had given the younger
+each their share.
+
+After supper the children got together again, and began to make
+the same noise. I then called to the eldest to know what was the
+matter, who told me it was about a piece of glass, which gave a
+light when his back was to the lamp. I bade him bring it to me,
+made the experiment myself, and it appeared so extraordinary,
+that I asked my wife what it was. She told me it was a piece of
+glass, which she had found in gutting the fish.
+
+I thought no more than herself but that it was a bit of glass,
+but I was resolved to make a farther experiment of it; and
+therefore bade my wife put the lamp in the chimney, which she
+did, and still found that the supposed piece of glass gave so
+great a light, that we might see to go to bed without the lamp.
+So I put it out, and placed the bit of glass upon the chimney to
+light us. "Look," said I, "this is another advantage that Saad's
+piece of lead procures us: it will spare us the expense of oil."
+
+When the children saw the lamp was put out, and the bit of glass
+supplied the place, they cried out so loud, and made so great a
+noise from astonishment, that it was enough to alarm the
+neighbourhood; and before my wife and I could quiet them we were
+forced to make a greater noise, nor could we silence them till we
+had put them to bed; where after talking a long while in their
+way about the wonderful light of a bit of glass, they fell
+asleep. After they were asleep, my wife and I went to bed by
+them; and next morning, without thinking any more of the glass, I
+went to my work as usual; which ought not to seem strange for
+such a man as I, who had never seen any diamonds, or if I had,
+never attended to their value.
+
+But before I proceed, I must tell your majesty that there was but
+a very slight partition-wall between my house and my next
+neighbour's, who was a very rich Jew, and a jeweller; and the
+chamber that he and his wife lay in joined to ours. They were
+both in bed, and the noise my children made awakened them.
+
+The next morning the jeweller's wife came to mine to complain of
+being disturbed out of their first sleep. "Good neighbour
+Rachel," (which was the Jew's wife's name,) said my wife, "I am
+very sorry for what happened, and hope you will excuse it: you
+know it was caused by the children, and they will laugh and cry
+for a trifle. Come in, and I will shew you what was the occasion
+of the noise."
+
+The Jewess went in with her, and my wife taking the diamond (for
+such it really was, and a very extraordinary one) out of the
+chimney, put it into her hands. "See here," said she, "it was
+this piece of glass that caused all the noise;" and while the
+Jewess, who understood all sorts of precious stones, was
+examining the diamond with admiration, my wife told her how she
+found it in the fish's belly, and what happened.
+
+"Indeed, Ayesha," (which was my wife's name,) said the jeweller's
+wife, giving her the diamond again, "I believe as you do it is a
+piece of glass; but as it is more beautiful than common glass,
+and I have just such another piece at home, I will buy it, if you
+will sell it."
+
+The children, who heard them talking of selling their plaything,
+presently interrupted their conversation, crying and begging
+their mother not to part with it, who, to quiet them, promised
+she would not.
+
+The Jewess being thus prevented in her intended swindling bargain
+by my children, went away, but first whispered my wife, who
+followed her to the door, if she had a mind to sell it, not to
+shew it to anybody without acquainting her.
+
+The Jew went out early in the morning to his shop in that part of
+the town where the jewellers sell their goods. Thither his wife
+followed, and told him the discovery she had made. She gave him
+an account of the size and weight of the diamond as nearly as she
+could guess, also of its beauty, water, and lustre, and
+particularly of the light which it gave in the night according to
+my wife's account, which was the more credible as she was
+uninformed.
+
+The Jew sent his wife immediately to treat, to offer her a trifle
+at first, as she should think fit, and then to raise her price by
+degrees; but be sure to bring it, cost what it would. Accordingly
+his wife came again to mine privately, and asked her if she would
+take twenty pieces of gold for the piece of glass she had shown
+her.
+
+My wife, thinking the sum too considerable for a mere piece of
+glass as she had thought it, would not make any bargain; but told
+her, she could not part with it till she had spoken to me. In the
+mean time I came from my work to dinner. As they were talking at
+the door, my wife stopped me, and asked if I would sell the piece
+of glass she had found in the fish's belly for twenty pieces of
+gold, which our neighbour offered her. I returned no answer; but
+reflected immediately on the assurance with which Saad, in giving
+me the piece of lead, told me it would make my fortune. The
+Jewess, fancying that the low price she had offered was the
+reason I made no reply, said, "I will give you fifty, neighbour,
+if that will do."
+
+As soon as I found that she rose so suddenly from twenty to
+fifty, I told her that I expected a great deal more. "Well,
+neighbour," said she, "I will give you a hundred, and that is so
+much, I know not whether my husband will approve my offering it."
+At this new advance, I told her I would have a hundred thousand
+pieces of gold for it; that I saw plainly that the diamond, for
+such I now guessed it must be, was worth a great deal more, but
+to oblige her and her husband, as they were neighbours, I would
+limit myself to that price, which I was determined to have; and
+if they refused to give it, other jewellers should have it, who
+would give a great deal more.
+
+The Jewess confirmed me in this resolution, by her eagerness to
+conclude a bargain; and by coming up at several biddings to fifty
+thousand pieces, which I refused. "I can offer you no more," said
+she, "without my husband's consent. He will be at home at night;
+and I would beg the favour of you to let him see it, which I
+promised."
+
+At night when the Jew came home, his wife told him what she had
+done; that she had got no forwarder with my wife or me; that she
+offered, and I had refused, fifty thousand pieces of gold; but
+that I had promised to stay till night at her request. He
+observed the time when I left off work, and came to me.
+"Neighbour Hassan", said he, "I desire you would shew me the
+diamond your wife shewed to mine." I brought him in, and shewed
+it to him. As it was very dark, and my lamp was not lighted, he
+knew instantly, by the light the diamond gave, and by the lustre
+it cast in my hand, that his wife had given him a true account of
+it. He looked at and admired it a long time. "Well, neighbour,"
+said he, "my wife tells me she offered you fifty thousand pieces
+of gold: I will give you twenty thousand more."
+
+"Neighbour," said I, "your wife can tell you that I valued my
+diamond at a hundred thousand pieces, and I will take nothing
+less." He haggled a long time with me, in hopes that I would make
+some abatement: but finding at last that I was positive, and for
+fear that I should shew it to other jewellers, as I certainly
+should have done, he would not leave me till the bargain was
+concluded on my own terms. He told me that he had not so much
+money at home, but would pay it all to me on the morrow, that
+very instant fetched two bags of a thousand pieces each, as an
+earnest; and the next day, though I do not know how he raised the
+money, whether he borrowed it of his friends, or let some other
+jewellers into partnership with him, he brought me the sum we had
+agreed for at the time appointed, and I delivered to him the
+diamond.
+
+Having thus sold my diamond, and being rich, infinitely beyond my
+hopes, I thanked God for his bounty; and would have gone and
+thrown myself at Saad's feet to express my gratitude, if I had
+known where he lived; as also at Saadi's, to whom I was first
+obliged, though his good intention had not the same success.
+
+Afterwards I thought of the use I ought to make of so
+considerable a sum. My wife, with the vanity natural to her sex,
+proposed immediately to buy rich clothes for herself and
+children; to purchase a house, and furnish it handsomely. I told
+her we ought not to begin with such expenses; "for," said I,
+"money should only be spent, so that it may produce a fund from
+which we may draw without its failing. This I intend, and shall
+begin to-morrow."
+
+
+I spent all that day and the next in going to the people of my
+own trade, who worked as hard every day for their bread as I had
+done; and giving them money beforehand, engaged them to work for
+me in different sorts of rope-making, according to their skill
+and ability, with a promise not to make them wait for their
+money, but to pay them as soon as their work was done.
+
+By this means I engrossed almost all the business of Bagdad, and
+everybody was pleased with my exactness and punctual payment.
+
+As so great a number of workmen produced, as your majesty may
+judge, a large quantity of work, I hired warehouses in several
+parts of the town to hold my goods, and appointed over each a
+clerk, to sell both wholesale and retail; and by this economy
+received considerable profit and income. Afterwards, to unite my
+concerns in one spot, I bought a large house, which stood on a
+great deal of ground, but was ruinous, pulled it down, and built
+that your majesty saw yesterday, which, though it makes so great
+an appearance, consists, for the most part, of warehouses for my
+business, with apartments absolutely necessary for myself and
+family.
+
+Some time after I had left my old mean habitation, and removed to
+this, Saad and Saadi, who had scarcely thought of me from the
+last time they had been with me, as they were one day walking
+together, and passing by our street, resolved to call upon me:
+but great was their surprise when they did not see me at work.
+They asked what was become of me, and if I was alive or dead.
+Their amazement was redoubled, when they were told I was become a
+great manufacturer, and was no longer called plain Hassan, but
+Khaujeh Hassan al Hubbaul, and that I had built in a street,
+which was named to them, a house like a palace.
+
+The two friends went directly to the street, and in the way, as
+Saadi could not imagine that the bit of lead which Saad had given
+me could have been the raising of my fortune, he said to him, "I
+am overjoyed to have made Hassan's fortune: but I cannot forgive
+the two lies he told me, to get four hundred pieces instead of
+two; for I cannot attribute it to the piece of lead you gave
+him."
+
+"So you think," replied Saad: "but so do not I. I do not see why
+you should do Khaujeh Hassan so much injustice as to take him for
+a liar. You must give me leave to believe that he told us the
+truth, disguised nothing from us, that the piece of lead which I
+gave him is the cause of his prosperity: and you will find he
+will presently tell us so."
+
+During their discourse the two friends came into the street where
+I lived, asked whereabouts my house stood; and being shewn it,
+could hardly believe it to be mine.
+
+They knocked at the door, and my porter opened it; when Saadi,
+fearing to be guilty of rudeness in taking the house of a
+nobleman for that he was inquiring after, said to the porter, "We
+are informed that this is the house of Khaujeh Hassan al Hubbaul:
+tell us if we are mistaken." "You are very right, sir," said the
+porter, opening the door wider; "it is the same; come in; he is
+in the hall, and any of the slaves will point him out to you."
+
+I had no sooner set my eyes upon the two friends, than I knew
+them. I rose from my seat, ran to them, and would have kissed the
+hem of their garments; but they would not suffer it, and embraced
+me. I invited them to a sofa made to hold four persons, which was
+placed full in view of my garden. I desired them to sit down, and
+they would have me take the place of honour. I assured them I had
+not forgotten that I was poor Hassan the ropemaker, nor the
+obligations I had to them; but were this not the case, I knew the
+respect due to them, and begged them not to expose me. They sat
+down in the proper place, and I seated myself opposite to them.
+
+Then Saadi, addressing himself to me, said, "Khaujeh Hassan, I
+cannot express my joy to see you in the condition I wished you,
+when I twice made you a present of two hundred pieces of gold,
+for I mean not to upbraid you; though I am persuaded that those
+four hundred pieces have made this wonderful change in your
+fortune, which I behold with pleasure. One thing only vexes me,
+which is, that you should twice disguise the truth from me,
+pretending that your losses were the effect of misfortunes which
+now seem to me more than ever incredible. Was it not because,
+when we were together the last time, you had so little advanced
+your small income with the four hundred pieces of gold, that you
+were ashamed to own it? I am willing to believe this, and wait to
+be confirmed in my opinion."
+
+Saad heard this speech of Saadi's with impatience, not to say
+indignation, which he shewed by casting down his eyes and shaking
+his head: he did not, however, interrupt him. When he had done,
+he said to him, "Forgive me, Saadi, if I anticipate Khaujeh
+Hassan, before he answers you, to tell you, that I am vexed at
+your prepossession against his sincerity, and that you still
+persist in not believing the assurances he has already given you.
+I have told you before, and I repeat it once more, that I believe
+those two accidents which befell him, upon his bare assertion;
+and whatever you may say, I am persuaded they are true; but let
+him speak himself, and say which of us does him justice."
+
+After this discourse of the two friends, I said, addressing
+myself to them both, "Gentlemen, I should condemn myself to
+perpetual silence, on the explanation you ask of me, if I were
+not certain the dispute you have had on my account cannot break
+that friendship which subsists between you; therefore I will
+declare to you the truth, since you require it; and with the same
+sincerity as before." I then told them every circumstance your
+majesty has heard, without forgetting the least.
+
+All my protestations had no effect on Saadi, to cure him of his
+prejudice. "Khaujeh Hassan," replied he, "the adventure of the
+fish, and diamond found in his belly, appears to me as incredible
+as the vulture's flying away with your turban, and the exchange
+of the scouring earth. Be it as it may, I am equally convinced
+that you are no longer poor, but rich as I intended you should
+be, by my means; and I rejoice sincerely."
+
+As it grew late, they arose up to depart; when I stopped them,
+and said, "Gentlemen, there is one favour I have to ask; I beg of
+you not to refuse to do me the honour to stay and take a slight
+supper with me, also a bed to-night, and to-morrow I will carry
+you by water to a small country-house, which I bought for the
+sake of the air, and we will return the same day on my horses."
+
+"If Saad has no business that calls him elsewhere," said Saadi,
+"I consent." Saad told him that nothing should prevent his
+enjoying his company. We have only to send a slave to my house,
+that we may not be waited for. I provided a slave; and while they
+were giving him their orders, I went and ordered supper.
+
+While it was getting ready, I shewed my benefactors my house, and
+all my offices, which they thought very extensive considering my
+fortune: I call them both benefactors without distinction,
+because without Saadi, Saad would never have given me the piece
+of lead; and without Saad, Saadi would not have given me the four
+hundred pieces of gold. Then I brought them back again into the
+hall, where they asked me several questions about my concerns;
+and I gave them such answers as satisfied them.
+
+During this conversation, my servants came to tell me that supper
+was served up. I led them into another hall, where they admired
+the manner in which it was lighted, the furniture, and the
+entertainment I had provided. I regaled them also with a concert
+of vocal and instrumental music during the repast, and afterwards
+with a company of dancers, and other entertainments, endeavouring
+as much as possible to shew them my gratitude.
+
+The next morning, as we had agreed to set out early to enjoy the
+fresh air, we repaired to the river-side by sun-rise, and went on
+board a pleasure-boat well carpeted that waited for us; and in
+less than an hour and a half, with six good rowers, and the
+stream, we arrived at my country house.
+
+When we went ashore, the two friends stopped to observe the
+beauty of the architecture of my house, and to admire its
+advantageous situation for prospects, which were neither too much
+limited nor too extensive, but such as made it very agreeable. I
+then conducted them into all the apartments, and shewed them the
+out-houses and conveniences; with all which they were very well
+pleased
+
+Afterwards we walked in the gardens, where what they were most
+struck with was a grove of orange and lemon trees, loaded with
+fruit and flowers, which were planted at equal distances, and
+watered by channels cut from a neighbouring stream. The close
+shade, the fragrant smell which perfumed the air, the soft
+murmurings of the water, the harmonious notes of an infinite
+number of birds, and many other agreeable circumstances, struck
+them in such a manner, that they frequently stopped to express
+how much they were obliged to me for bringing them to so
+delightful a place, and to congratulate me on my great
+acquisitions, with other compliments. I led them to the end of
+the grove, which was very long and broad, where I shewed them a
+wood of large trees, which terminated my garden, and afterwards a
+summer-house, open on all sides, shaded by a clump of palm-trees,
+but not so as to injure the prospect; I then invited them to walk
+in, and repose themselves on a sofa covered with carpets and
+cushions.
+
+Two of my boys, whom I had sent into the country, with a tutor,
+for the air, had gone just then into the wood, and seeing a nest
+which was built in the branches of a lofty tree, they attempted
+to get at it; but as they had neither strength nor skill to
+accomplish their object, they shewed it to the slave who waited
+on them, and bade him climb the tree for it. The slave, when he
+came to it, was much surprised to find it composed of a turban:
+however he took it, brought it down, and shewed it to my
+children; and as he thought that I might like to see a nest that
+was so uncommon, he gave it to the eldest boy to bring to me.
+
+I saw the children at a distance, coming back to us, overjoyed to
+have procured a nest. "Father," said the eldest, "we have found a
+nest in a turban." The two friends and I were very much surprised
+at the novelty; but I much more, when I recognized the turban to
+be that which the vulture had flown away with. After I had
+examined it well, and turned it about, I said to my guests,
+"Gentlemen, have you memories good enough to remember the turban
+I had on the day you did me the honour first to speak to me?" "I
+do not think," said Saad, "that either my friend or I gave any
+attention to it; but if the hundred and ninety pieces of gold are
+in it, we cannot doubt of it."
+
+"Sir," replied I, "there is no doubt but it is the same turban;
+for besides that I know it perfectly well, I feel by the weight
+it is too heavy to be any other, and you will perceive this if
+you give yourself the trouble to take it in your hand." Then
+after taking out the birds, and giving them to the children, I
+put it into his hands, and he gave it to Saadi. "Indeed," said
+Saadi, "I believe it to be your turban; which I shall, however,
+be better convinced of when I see the hundred and ninety pieces
+of gold."
+
+"Now, sir," added I, taking the turban again, "observe well
+before I unwrap it, that it is of no very fresh date in the tree;
+and the state in which you see it, and the nest so neatly made in
+it, without having been touched by the hand of man, are
+sufficient proofs that the vulture drops or laid it in the tree
+upon the day it was seized; and that the branches hindered it
+from falling to the ground. Excuse my making this remark, since
+it concerns me so much to remove all suspicions of fraud." Saad
+backed me in what I urged; and said, "Saadi, this regards you and
+not me, for I am verily persuaded that Khaujeh Hassan does not
+impose upon us."
+
+While Saad was talking, I pulled off the linen cloth which was
+wrapped about the cap of the turban, and took out the purse,
+which Saadi knew to be the same he had given me. I emptied it on
+the carpet before them, and said, "There, gentlemen, there is the
+money, count it, and see if it be right;" which Saad did, and
+found it to be one hundred and ninety pieces of gold. Then Saadi,
+who could not deny so manifest a truth, addressing himself to me
+said, "I agree, Khaujeh Hassan, that this money could not serve
+to enrich you; but the other hundred and ninety pieces, which you
+would make me believe you hid in a pot of bran, might." "Sir,"
+answered I, "I have told you the truth in regard to both sums:
+you would not have me retract, to make myself a liar."
+
+"Khaujeh Hassan," said Saad, "leave Saadi to his own opinion; I
+consent with all my heart that he believes you are obliged to him
+for one part of your good fortune, by means of the last sum he
+gave you, provided he will agree that I contributed to the other
+half by the bit of lead, and will not pretend to dispute the
+valuable diamond found in the fish's belly." "I agree to it,"
+answered Saadi, "but still you must give me liberty to believe
+that money is not to be amassed without money."
+
+"What," replied Saad, "if chance should throw a diamond in my way
+worth fifty thousand pieces of gold, and I should have that sum
+given me for it, can it be said I got that sum by money?"
+
+They disputed no farther at this time; we rose, and went into the
+house, just as dinner was serving up. After dinner, I left my
+guests together, to pass away the heat of the day more at their
+liberty, and with great composure, while I went to give orders to
+my housekeeper and gardener,
+
+Afterwards I returned to them again, and we talked of indifferent
+matters till it grew a little cooler; when we returned into the
+garden for fresh air, and stayed till sun-set. We then mounted on
+horseback, and got to Bagdad by moonlight, two hours after,
+followed by one of my slaves.
+
+It happened, I know not by what negligence of my servants, that
+we were then out of grain for the horses, and the storehouses
+were all shut up; when one of my slaves seeking about the
+neighbourhood for some, met with a pot of bran in a shop; bought
+the bran, and brought the pot along with him, promising to carry
+it back again the next day. The slave emptied the bran, and
+dividing it with his hands among the horses, felt a linen cloth
+tied up, and very heavy; he brought the cloth to me in the
+condition that he found it, and presented it to me, telling me,
+that it might perhaps be the cloth he had often heard me talk of
+among my friends.
+
+Overjoyed, I said to my two benefactors, "Gentlemen, it has
+pleased God that you should not part from me without being fully
+convinced of the truth of what I have assured you. There are the
+other hundred and ninety pieces of gold which you gave me,"
+continued I, addressing myself to Saadi; "I know it well by the
+cloth, which I tied up with my own hands;" and then I told out
+the money before them. I ordered the pot to be brought to me,
+knew it to be the same; and sent to my wife to ask if she
+recognized it, ordering them to say nothing to her of what had
+happened. She knew it immediately, and sent me word that it was
+the same pot she had exchanged full of bran for the scouring-
+earth.
+
+Saadi readily submitted, renounced his incredulity; and said to
+Saad, "I yield to you, and acknowledge that money is not always
+the means of becoming rich."
+
+When Saadi had spoken, I said to him, "I dare not propose to
+return you the three hundred and eighty pieces of gold which it
+hath pleased God should be found, to undeceive you as to the
+opinion of my honesty. I am persuaded that you did not give them
+to me with an intention that I should return them; but as I ought
+to be content with what Providence has sent me from other
+quarters, and I do not design to make use of them; if you approve
+of my proposal, to-morrow I will give them to the poor, that God
+may bless us both."
+
+The two friends lay at my house that night also; and next day,
+after embracing me, returned home, well pleased with the
+reception I had given them, and to find I did not make an
+improper use of the riches Heaven had blessed me with. I thanked
+them both, and regarded the permission they gave me to cultivate
+their friendship, and to visit them, as a great honour.
+
+The caliph was so attentive to Khaujeh Hassan's story, that he
+had not perceived the end of it, but by his silence. "Khaujeh
+Hassan," said he, "I have not for a long time heard any thing
+that has given me so much pleasure, as having been informed of
+the wonderful ways by which God gave thee thy riches to make thee
+happy in this world. Thou oughtest to continue to return him
+thanks by the good use thou makest of his blessings. I am glad I
+can tell thee, that the same diamond which made thy fortune is
+now in my treasury; and I am happy to learn how it came there:
+but because there may remain in Saadi some doubts on the
+singularity of this diamond, which I esteem the most precious and
+valuable jewel I possess, I would have you carry him with Saad to
+my treasurer, who shall shew it them, to remove Saadi's unbelief,
+and to let him see that money is not the only means of making a
+poor man rich in a short time, without labour. I would also have
+you tell the keeper of my treasury this story, that he may have
+it put into writing, and that it may be kept with the diamond."
+
+After these words the caliph signified to Khaujeh Hassan, Syed
+Naomaun, and Baba Abdoollah, by bowing of his head, that he was
+satisfied with them; they all took their leaves, by prostrating
+themselves at the throne, and then retired.
+
+
+
+
+
+              THE STORY OF ALI BABA AND THE FORTY
+                 ROBBERS DESTROYED BY A SLAVE.
+
+
+
+In a town in Persia, there lived two brothers, one named Cassim,
+the other Ali Baba. Their father left them scarcely any thing;
+but as he had divided his little property equally between them,
+it should seem their fortune ought to have been equal; but chance
+determined otherwise.
+
+Cassim married a wife who soon after became heiress to a large
+sum, and a warehouse full of rich goods; so that he all at once
+became one of the richest and most considerable merchants, and
+lived at his ease.
+
+Ali Baba on the other hand, who had married a woman as poor as
+himself, lived in a very wretched habitation, and had no other
+means to maintain his wife and children but his daily labour of
+cutting wood, and bringing it upon three asses, which were his
+whole substance, to town to sell.
+
+One day, when Ali Baba was in the forest, and had just cut wood
+enough to load his asses, he saw at a distance a great cloud of
+dust, which seemed to be driven towards him: he observed it very
+attentively, and distinguished soon after a body of horse. Though
+there had been no rumour of robbers in that country, Ali Baba
+began to think that they might prove such, and without
+considering what might become of his asses, was resolved to save
+himself. He climbed up a large, thick tree, whose branches, at a
+little distance from the ground, were so close to one another
+that there was but little space between them. He placed himself
+in the middle, from whence he could see all that passed without
+being discovered; and the tree stood at the base of a single
+rock, so steep and craggy that nobody could climb up it.
+
+The troop, who were all well mounted and armed, came to the foot
+of this rock, and there dismounted. Ali Baba counted forty of
+them, and, from their looks and equipage, was assured that they
+were robbers. Nor was he mistaken in his opinion: for they were a
+troop of banditti, who, without doing any harm to the
+neighbourhood, robbed at a distance, and made that place their
+rendezvous; but what confirmed him in his opinion was, that every
+man unbridled his horse, tied him to some shrub, and hung about
+his neck a bag of corn which they brought behind them. Then each
+of them took his saddle wallet, which seemed to Ali Baba to be
+full of gold and silver from its weight. One, who was the most
+personable amongst them, and whom he took to be their captain,
+came with his wallet on his back under the tree in which Ali Baba
+was concealed, and making his way through some shrubs, pronounced
+these words so distinctly, "Open, Sesame," that Ali Baba heard
+him. As soon as the captain of the robbers had uttered these
+words, a door opened in the rock; and after he had made all his
+troop enter before him, he followed them, when the door shut
+again of itself.
+
+The robbers stayed some time within the rock, and Ali Baba, who
+feared that some one, or all of them together, might come out and
+catch him, if he should endeavour to make his escape, was obliged
+to sit patiently in the tree. He was nevertheless tempted to get
+down, mount one of their horses, and lead another, driving his
+asses before him with all the haste he could to town; but the
+uncertainty of the event made him choose the safest course.
+
+At last the door opened again, and the forty robbers came out. As
+the captain went in last, he came out first, and stood to see
+them all pass by him; when Ali Baba heard him make the door close
+by pronouncing these words, "Shut, Sesame." Every man went and
+bridled his horse, fastened his wallet, and mounted again; and
+when the captain saw them all ready, he put himself at their
+head, and they returned the way they had come.
+
+Ali Baba did not immediately quit his tree; for, said he to
+himself, they may have forgotten something and may come back
+again, and then I shall be taken. He followed them with his eyes
+as far as he could see them; and afterwards stayed a considerable
+time before he descended. Remembering the words the captain of
+the robbers used to cause the door to open and shut, he had the
+curiosity to try if his pronouncing them would have the same
+effect. Accordingly, he went among the shrubs, and perceiving the
+door concealed behind them, stood before it, and said, "Open,
+Sesame." The door instantly flew wide open.
+
+Ali Baba, who expected a dark dismal cavern, was surprised to see
+it well lighted and spacious, in form of a vault, which received
+the light from an opening at the top of the rock. He saw all
+sorts of provisions, rich bales of silk, stuff, brocade, and
+valuable carpeting, piled upon one another; gold and silver
+ingots in great heaps, and money in bags. The sight of all these
+riches made him suppose that this cave must have been occupied
+for ages by robbers, who had succeeded one another.
+
+Ali Baba did not stand long to consider what he should do, but
+went immediately into the cave, and as soon as he had entered,
+the door shut of itself. But this did not disturb him, because he
+knew the secret to open it again. He never regarded the silver,
+but made the best use of his time in carrying out as much of the
+gold coin, which was in bags, at several times, as he thought his
+three asses could carry. He collected his asses, which were
+dispersed, and when he had loaded them with the bags, laid wood
+over in such a manner that they could not be seen. When he had
+done he stood before the door, and pronouncing the words, "Shut,
+Sesame," the door closed after him, for it had shut of itself
+while he was within, but remained open while he was out. He then
+made the best of his way to town.
+
+When Ali Baba got home, he drove his asses into a little yard,
+shut the gates very carefully, threw off the wood that covered
+the bags, carried them into his house, and ranged them in order
+before his wife, who sat on a sofa.
+
+His wife handled the bags, and finding them full of money,
+suspected that her husband had been robbing, insomuch that she
+could not help saying, "Ali Baba, have you been so unhappy as
+to______." "Be quiet, wife," interrupted Ali Baba, "do not
+frighten yourself, I am no robber, unless he may be one who
+steals from robbers. You will no longer entertain an ill opinion
+of me, when I shall tell you my good fortune." He then emptied
+the bags, which raised such a great heap of gold, as dazzled his
+wife's eyes; and when he had done, told her the whole adventure
+from beginning to end; and, above all, recommended her to keep it
+secret.
+
+The wife, cured of her fears, rejoiced with her husband at their
+good fortune, and would count all the gold, piece by piece.
+"Wife," replied Ali Baba, "you do not know what you undertake,
+when you pretend to count the money; you will never have done. I
+will dig a hole, and bury it; there is no time to be lost". "You
+are in the right, husband," replied she; "but let us know, as
+nigh as possible, how much we have. I will borrow a small measure
+in the neighbourhood, and measure it, while you dig the hole."
+"What you are going to do is to no purpose, wife," said Ali Baba;
+"if you would take my advice, you had better let it alone, but
+keep the secret, and do what you please."
+
+Away the wife ran to her brother-in-law Cassim, who lived just
+by, but was not then at home; and addressing herself to his wife,
+desired her to lend her a measure for a little while. Her sister-
+in-law asked her, whether she would have a great or a small one?
+The other asked for a small one. She bade her stay a little, and
+she would readily fetch one.
+
+The sister-in-law did so, but as she knew Ali Baba's poverty, she
+was curious to know what sort of grain his wife wanted to
+measure, and artfully putting some suet at the bottom of the
+measure, brought it to her with an excuse, that she was sorry
+that she had made her stay so long, but that she could not find
+it sooner.
+
+Ali Baba's wife went home, set the measure upon the heap of gold,
+filled it and emptied it often upon the sofa, till she had done:
+when she was very well satisfied to find the number of measures
+amounted to so many as they did, and went to tell her husband,
+who had almost finished digging the hole. While Ali Baba was
+burying the gold, his wife, to shew her exactness and diligence
+to her sister-in-law, carried the measure back again, but without
+taking notice that a piece of gold had stuck to the bottom.
+"Sister," said she, giving it to her again, "you see that I have
+not kept your measure long; I am obliged to you for it, and
+return it with thanks."
+
+As soon as Ali Baba's wife was gone, Cassim's looked at the
+bottom of the measure, and was in inexpressible surprise to find
+a piece of gold stuck to it. Envy immediately possessed her
+breast. "What!" said she, "has Ali Baba gold so plentiful as to
+measure it? Where has that poor wretch got all this wealth?
+"Cassim, her husband, was not at home, but at his counting-house,
+which he left always in the evening. His wife waited for him, and
+thought the time an age; so great was her impatience to tell him
+the circumstance, at which she guessed he would be as much
+surprised as herself.
+
+When Cassim came home, his wife said to him, "Cassim, I know you
+think yourself rich, but you are much mistaken; Ali Baba is
+infinitely richer than you; he does not count his money but
+measures it." Cassim desired her to explain the riddle, which she
+did, by telling him the stratagem she had used to make the
+discovery, and shewed him the piece of money, which was so old
+that they could not tell in what prince's reign it was coined.
+
+Cassim, instead of being pleased, conceived a base envy at his
+brother's prosperity; he could not sleep all that night, and went
+to him in the morning before sun-rise. Cassim, after he had
+married the rich widow, had never treated Ali Baba as a brother,
+but neglected him. "All Baba," said he, accosting him, "you are
+very reserved in your affairs; you pretend to be miserably poor,
+and yet you measure gold." "How, brother?" replied Ali Baba; "I
+do not know what you mean: explain yourself." "Do not pretend
+ignorance," replied Cassim, shewing him the piece of gold his
+wife had given him. "How many of these pieces," added he, "have
+you? My wife found this at the bottom of the measure you borrowed
+yesterday."
+
+By this discourse, Ali Baba perceived that Cassim and his wife,
+through his own wife's folly, knew what they had so much reason
+to conceal; but what was done could not be recalled; therefore,
+without shewing the least surprise or trouble, he confessed all,
+told his brother by what chance he had discovered this retreat of
+the thieves, in what place it was; and offered him part of his
+treasure to keep the secret. "I expect as much," replied Cassim
+haughtily; "but I must know exactly where this treasure is, and
+how I may visit it myself when I choose; otherwise I will go and
+inform against you, and then you will not only get no more, but
+will lose all you have, and I shall have a share for my
+information."
+
+Ali Baba, more out of his natural good temper, than frightened by
+the insulting menaces of his unnatural brother, told him all he
+desired, and even the very words he was to use to gain admission
+into the cave.
+
+Cassim, who wanted no more of Ali Baba, left him, resolving to be
+beforehand with him, and hoping to get all the treasure to
+himself. He rose the next morning, long before the sun, and set
+out for the forest with ten mules bearing great chests, which he
+designed to fill; and followed the road which Ali Baba had
+pointed out to him. He was not long before he reached the rock,
+and found out the place by the tree, and other marks which his
+brother had given him. When he reached the entrance of the
+cavern, he pronounced the words, "Open, Sesame," the door
+immediately opened, and when he was in, closed upon him. In
+examining the cave, he was in great admiration to find much more
+riches than he had apprehended from Ali Baba's relation. He was
+so covetous, and greedy of wealth, that he could have spent the
+whole day in feasting his eyes with so much treasure, if the
+thought that he came to carry some away had not hindered him. He
+laid as many bags of gold as he could carry at the door of the
+cavern, but his thoughts were so full of the great riches he
+should possess, that he could not think of the necessary word to
+make it open, but instead of Sesame, said "Open, Barley," and was
+much amazed to find that the door remained fast shut. He named
+several sorts of grain, but still the door would not open.
+
+Cassim had never expected such an incident, and was so alarmed at
+the danger he was in, that the more he endeavoured to remember
+the word Sesame, the more his memory was confounded, and he had
+as much forgotten it as if he had never heard it mentioned. He
+threw down the bags he had loaded himself with, and walked
+distractedly up and down the cave, without having the least
+regard to the riches that were round him.
+
+About noon the robbers chanced to visit their cave, and at some
+distance from it saw Cassim's mules straggling about the rock,
+with great chests on their backs. Alarmed at this novelty, they
+galloped full speed to the cave. They drove away the mules, which
+Cassim had neglected to fasten, and they strayed through the
+forest so far, that they were soon out of sight. The robbers
+never gave themselves the trouble to pursue them, being more
+concerned to know who they belonged to. And while some of them
+searched about the rock, the captain and the rest went directly
+to the door, with their naked sabres in their hands, and
+pronouncing the proper words, it opened.
+
+Cassim, who heard the noise of the horses' feet from the middle
+of the cave, never doubted of the arrival of the robbers, and his
+approaching death; but was resolved to make one effort to escape
+from them. To this end he rushed to the door, and no sooner heard
+the word Sesame, which he had forgotten, and saw the door open,
+than he ran out and threw the leader down, but could not escape
+the other robbers, who with their sabres soon deprived him of
+life.
+
+The first care of the robbers after this was to examine the cave.
+They found all the bags which Cassim had brought to the door, to
+be ready to load his mules, and carried them again to their
+places, without missing what Ali Baba had taken away before. Then
+holding a council, and deliberating upon this occurrence, they
+guessed that Cassim, when he was in, could not get out again; but
+could not imagine how he had entered. It came into their heads
+that he might have got down by the top of the cave; but the
+aperture by which it received light was so high, and the rock so
+inaccessible without, besides that nothing shewed that he had
+done so, that they gave up this conjecture. That he came in at
+the door they could not believe however, unless he had the secret
+of making it open. In short, none of them could imagine which way
+he had entered; for they were all persuaded nobody knew their
+secret, little imagining that Ali Baba had watched them. It was a
+matter of the greatest importance to them to secure their riches.
+They agreed therefore to cut Cassim's body into four quarters, to
+hang two on one side and two on the other, within the door of the
+cave, to terrify any person who should attempt the same thing,
+determining not to return to the cave till the stench of the body
+was completely exhaled. They had no sooner taken this resolution
+than they put it in execution, and when they had nothing more to
+detain them, left the place of their hoards well closed. They
+mounted their horses, went to beat the roads again, and to attack
+the caravans they might meet.
+
+In the mean time, Cassim's wife was very uneasy when night came,
+and her husband was not returned. She ran to Ali Baba in alarm,
+and said, "I believe, brother-in-law, that you know Cassim, your
+brother, is gone to the forest, and upon what account; it is now
+night, and he is not returned; I am afraid some misfortune has
+happened to him." Ali Baba, who had expected that his brother,
+after what he had said, would go to the forest, had declined
+going himself that day, for fear of giving him any umbrage;
+therefore told her, without any reflection upon her husband's
+unhandsome behaviour, that she need not frighten herself, for
+that certainly Cassim would not think it proper to come into the
+town till the night should be pretty far advanced.
+
+Cassim's wife, considering how much it concerned her husband to
+keep the business secret, was the more easily persuaded to
+believe her brother-in-law. She went home again, and waited
+patiently till midnight. Then her fear redoubled, and her grief
+was the more sensible because she was forced to keep it to
+herself. She repented of her foolish curiosity, and cursed her
+desire of penetrating into the affairs of her brother and sister-
+in-law. She spent all the night in weeping; and as soon as it was
+day, went to them, telling them, by her tears, the cause of her
+coming.
+
+Ali Baba did not wait for his sister-in-law to desire him to go
+to see what was become of Cassim, but departed immediately with
+his three asses, begging of her first to moderate her affliction.
+He went to the forest, and when he came near the rock, having
+seen neither his brother nor the mules in his way, was seriously
+alarmed at finding some blood spilt near the door, which he took
+for an ill omen; but when he had pronounced the word, and the
+door had opened, he was struck with horror at the dismal sight of
+his brother's quarters. He was not long in determining how he
+should pay the last dues to his brother, but without adverting to
+the little fraternal affection he had shown for him, went into
+the cave, to find something to enshroud his remains, and having
+loaded one of his asses with them, covered them over with wood.
+The other two asses he loaded with bags of gold, covering them
+with wood also as before; and then bidding the door shut, came
+away; but was so cautious as to stop some time at the end of the
+forest, that he might not go into the town before night. When he
+came home, he drove the two asses loaded with gold into his
+little yard, and left the care of unloading them to his wife,
+while he led the other to his sister-in-law's house.
+
+Ali Baba knocked at the door, which was opened by Morgiana, an
+intelligent slave, fruitful in inventions to insure success in
+the most difficult undertakings: and Ali Baba knew her to be
+such. When he came into the court, he unloaded the ass, and
+taking Morgiana aside, said to her, "The first thing I ask of you
+is an inviolable secrecy, which you will find is necessary both
+for your mistress's sake and mine. Your master's body is
+contained in these two bundles, and our business is, to bury him
+as if he had died a natural death. Go, tell your mistress I want
+to speak with her; and mind what I have said to you."
+
+Morgiana went to her mistress, and Ali Baba followed her. "Well,
+brother," said she, with great impatience, "what news do you
+bring me of my husband? I perceive no comfort in your
+countenance." "Sister," answered Ali Baba, "I cannot satisfy your
+inquiries unless you hear my story from the beginning to the end,
+without speaking a word; for it is of as great importance to you
+as to me to keep what has happened secret." "Alas!" said she,
+"this preamble lets me know that my husband is not to be found;
+but at the same time I know the necessity of the secrecy you
+require, and I must constrain myself: say on, I will hear you."
+
+Ali Baba then detailed the incidents of his journey, till he came
+to the finding of Cassim's body. "Now," said he, "sister, I have
+something to relate which will afflict you the more, because it
+is perhaps what you so little expect; but it cannot now be
+remedied; if my endeavours can comfort you, I offer to put that
+which God hath sent me to what you have, and marry you: assuring
+you that my wife will not be jealous, and that we shall live
+happily together. If this proposal is agreeable to you, we mast
+think of acting so as that my brother should appear to have died
+a natural death. I think you may leave the management of the
+business to Morgiana, and I will contribute all that lies in my
+power to your consolation."
+
+What could Cassim's widow do better than accept of this proposal?
+For though her first husband had left behind him a plentiful
+substance, his brother was now much richer, and by the discovery
+of this treasure might be still more so. Instead, therefore, of
+rejecting the offer, she regarded it as the sure means of
+comfort; and drying up her tears, which had begun to flow
+abundantly, and suppressing the outcries usual with women who
+have lost their husbands, shewed Ali Baba that she approved of
+his proposal. Ali Baba left the widow, recommended to Morgiana to
+act her part well, and then returned home with his ass.
+
+Morgiana went out at the same time to an apothecary, and asked
+for a sort of lozenges, which he prepared, and were very
+efficacious in the most dangerous disorders. The apothecary
+inquired who was ill at her master's? She replied with a sigh,
+"Her good master Cassim himself: that they knew not what his
+disorder was, but that he could neither eat nor speak." After
+these words, Morgiana carried the lozenges home with her, and the
+next morning went to the same apothecary's again, and with tears
+in her eyes, asked for an essence which they used to give to sick
+people only when at the last extremity. "Alas!" said she, taking
+it from the apothecary, "I am afraid that this remedy will have
+no better effect than the lozenges; and that I shall lose my good
+master."
+
+On the other hand, as Ali Baba and his wife were often seen to go
+between Cassim's and their own house all that day, and to seem
+melancholy, nobody was surprised in the evening to hear the
+lamentable shrieks and cries of Cassim's wife and Morgiana, who
+gave out every where that her master was dead.
+
+The next morning, soon after day appeared, Morgiana, who knew a
+certain old cobbler that opened his stall early, before other
+people, went to him, and bidding him good morrow, put a piece of
+gold into his hand. "Well," said Baba Mustapha, which was his
+name, and who was a merry old fellow, looking at the gold, though
+it was hardly day-light, and seeing what it was, "this is good
+hansel: what must I do for it? I am ready."
+
+"Baba Mustapha," said Morgiana, "you must take with you your
+sewing tackle, and go with me; but I must tell you, I shall
+blindfold you when you come to such a place."
+
+Baba Mustapha seemed to hesitate a little at these words. "Oh!
+oh!" replied he, "you would have me do something against my
+conscience, or against my honour?" "God forbid!" said Morgiana,
+putting another piece of gold into his hand, "that I should ask
+any thing that is contrary to your honour; only come along with
+me, and fear nothing."
+
+Baba Mustapha went with Morgiana, who, after she had bound his
+eyes with a handkerchief at the place she had mentioned, conveyed
+him to her deceased master's house, and never unloosed his eyes
+till he had entered the room where she had put the corpse
+together. "Baba Mustapha," said she, "you must make haste and sew
+these quarters together; and when you have done, I will give you
+another piece of gold."
+
+After Baba Mustapha had finished his task, she blindfolded him
+again, gave him the third piece of gold as she had promised, and
+recommending secrecy to him, carried him back to the place where
+she first bound his eyes, pulled off the bandage, and let him go
+home, but watched him that he returned towards his stall, till he
+was quite out of sight, for fear he should have the curiosity to
+return and dodge her; she then went home.
+
+By the time Morgiana had warmed some water to wash the body, Ali
+Baba came with incense to embalm it, after which it was sewn up
+in a winding sheet. Not long after, the joiner, according to Ali
+Baba's orders, brought the bier, which Morgiana received at the
+door, and helped Ali Baba to put the body into it; when she went
+to the mosque to inform the imaum that they were ready. The
+people of the mosque, whose business it was to wash the dead,
+offered to perform their duty, but she told them that it was done
+already.
+
+Morgiana had scarcely got home before the imaum and the other
+ministers of the mosque arrived. Four neighbours carried the
+corpse on their shoulders to the burying-ground, following the
+imaum, who recited some prayers. Morgiana, as a slave to the
+deceased, followed the corpse, weeping, beating her breast, and
+tearing her hair: and Ali Baba came after with some neighbours,
+who often relieved the others in carrying the corpse to the
+burying-ground.
+
+Cassim's wife stayed at home mourning, uttering lamentable cries
+with the women of the neighbourhood, who came according to custom
+during the funeral, and joining their lamentations with hers,
+filled the quarter far and near with sorrow.
+
+In this manner Cassim's melancholy death was concealed, and
+hushed up between Ali Baba, his wife, Cassim's widow, and
+Morgiana, with so much contrivance, that nobody in the city had
+the least knowledge or suspicion of the cause of it.
+
+Three or four days after the funeral, Ali Baba removed his few
+goods openly to the widow's house; but the money he had taken
+from the robbers he conveyed thither by night; soon after the
+marriage with his sister-in-law was published, and as these
+marriages are common, nobody was surprised.
+
+As for Cassim's warehouse, Ali Baba gave it to his own eldest
+son, promising that if he managed it well, he would soon give him
+a fortune to marry very advantageously according to his
+situation.
+
+Let us now leave Ali Baba to enjoy the beginning of his good
+fortune, and return to the forty robbers.
+
+They came again at the appointed time to visit their retreat in
+the forest; but great was their surprise to find Cassim's body
+taken away, with some of their bags of gold. "We are certainly
+discovered," said the captain, "and if we do not speedily apply
+some remedy, shall gradually lose all the riches which our
+ancestors and ourselves have, with so much pains and danger, been
+so many years amassing together. All that we can think of the
+loss which we have sustained is, that the thief whom we surprised
+had the secret of opening the door, and we came luckily as he was
+coming out: but his body being removed, and with it some of our
+money, plainly shews that he had an accomplice; and as it is
+likely that there were but two who had discovered our secret, and
+one has been caught, we must look narrowly after the other. What
+say you, my lads?"
+
+All the robbers thought the captain's proposal so advisable, that
+they unanimously approved of it, and agreed that they must lay
+all other enterprises aside, to follow this closely, and not give
+it up till they had succeeded.
+
+"I expected no less," said the captain, "from your fidelity to
+our cause: but, first of all, one of you who is bold, artful, and
+enterprising, must go into the town, disguised as a traveller and
+a stranger, to try if he can hear any talk of the strange death
+of the man whom we have killed, as he deserved; and endeavour to
+find out who he was, and where he lived. This is a matter of the
+first importance for us to ascertain, that we may do nothing
+which we may have reason to repent of, by discovering ourselves
+in a country where we have lived so long unknown, and where we
+have so much reason to continue: but to warn him who shall take
+upon himself this commission, and to prevent our being deceived
+by his giving us a false report, which may be the cause of our
+ruin; I ask you all, if you do not think that in case of
+treachery, or even error of judgment, he should suffer death?"
+
+Without waiting for the suffrages of his companions, one of the
+robbers started up, and said, "I submit to this condition, and
+think it an honour to expose my life, by taking the commission
+upon me; but remember, at least, if I do not succeed, that I
+neither wanted courage nor good will to serve the troop."
+
+After this robber had received great commendations from the
+captain and his comrades, he disguised himself so that nobody
+would take him for what he was; and taking his leave of the troop
+that night, went into the town just at day-break; and walked up
+and down, till accidentally he came to Baba Mustapha's stall,
+which was always open before any of the shops.
+
+Baba Mustapha was seated with an awl in his hand, just going to
+work. The robber saluted him, bidding him good morrow; and
+perceiving that he was old, said, "Honest man, you begin to work
+very early: is it possible that one of your age can see so well?
+I question, even if it were somewhat lighter, whether you could
+see to stitch."
+
+"Certainly," replied Baba Mustapha," you must be a stranger, and
+do not know me; for old as I am, I have extraordinary good eyes;
+and you will not doubt it when I tell you that I sewed a dead
+body together in a place where I had not so much light as I have
+now."
+
+The robber was overjoyed to think that he had addressed himself,
+at his first coming into the town, to a man who in all
+probability could give him the intelligence he wanted. "A dead
+body!" replied he with affected amazement, to make him explain
+himself. "What could you sew up a dead body for? You mean, you
+sewed up his winding sheet." "No, no," answered Baba Mustapha, "I
+perceive your meaning; you want to have me speak out, but you
+shall know no more."
+
+The robber wanted no farther assurance to be persuaded that he
+had discovered what he sought. He pulled out a piece of gold, and
+putting it into Baba Mustapha's hand, said to him, "I do not want
+to learn your secret, though I can assure you I would not divulge
+it, if you trusted me with it. The only thing which I desire of
+you is, to do me the favour to shew me the house where You
+stitched up the dead body."
+
+"If I were disposed to do you that favour," replied Baba
+Mustapha, holding the money in his hand, ready to return it, "I
+assure you I cannot; and you may believe me, on my word. I was
+taken to a certain place, where I was blinded, I was then led to
+the house, and afterwards brought back again in the same manner;
+you see, therefore, the impossibility of my doing what you
+desire."
+
+"Well," replied the robber, "you may, however, remember a little
+of the way that you were led blindfolded. Come, let me blind your
+eyes at the same place. We will walk together; perhaps you may
+recognize some part; and as every body ought to be paid for their
+trouble, there is another piece of gold for you; gratify me in
+what I ask you." So saying, he put another piece of gold into his
+hand.
+
+The two pieces of gold were great temptations to Baba Mustapha.
+He looked at them a long time in his hand, without saying a word,
+thinking with himself what he should do; but at last he pulled
+out his purse, and put them in. "I cannot assure you," said he to
+the robber, "that I can remember the way exactly; but since you
+desire, I will try what I can do." At these words Baba Mustapha
+rose up, to the great joy of the robber, and without shutting his
+shop, where he had nothing valuable to lose, he led the robber to
+the place where Morgiana had bound his eyes. "It was here," said
+Baba Mustapha, "I was blindfolded; and I turned as you see me."
+The robber, who had his handkerchief ready, tied it over his
+eyes, walked by him till he stopped, partly leading, and partly
+guided by him. "I think," said Baba Mustapha, "I went no
+farther," and he had now stopped directly at Cassim's house,
+where Ali Baba then lived. The thief, before he pulled off the
+band, marked the door with a piece of chalk, which he had ready
+in his hand; and then asked him if he knew whose house that was?
+to which Baba Mustapha replied, that as he did not live in that
+neighbourhood he could not tell.
+
+The robber, finding he could discover no more from Baba Mustapha,
+thanked him for the trouble he had taken, and left him to go back
+to his stall, while he returned to the forest, persuaded that he
+should be very well received.
+
+A little after the robber and Baba Mustapha had parted, Morgiana
+went out of Ali Baba's house upon some errand, and upon her
+return, seeing the mark the robber had made, stopped to observe
+it. "What can be the meaning of this mark?" said she to herself;
+"somebody intends my master no good: however, with whatever
+intention it was done, it is advisable to guard against the
+worst." Accordingly, she fetched a piece of chalk, and marked two
+or three doors on each side, in the same manner, without saying a
+word to her master or mistress.
+
+In the mean time the thief rejoined his troop in the forest, and
+recounted to them his success; expatiating upon his good fortune,
+in meeting so soon with the only person who could inform him of
+what he wanted to know. All the robbers listened to him with the
+utmost satisfaction; when the captain, after commending his
+diligence, addressing himself to them all, said, "Comrades, we
+have no time to lose: let us set off well armed, without its
+appearing who we are; but that we may not excite any suspicion,
+let only one or two go into the town together, and join at our
+rendezvous, which shall be the great square. In the mean time our
+comrade, who brought us the good news, and I, will go and find
+out the house, that we may consult what had best be done."
+
+This speech and plan were approved of by all, and they were soon
+ready. They filed off in parties of two each, after some interval
+of time, and got into the town without being in the least
+suspected. The captain and he who had visited the town in the
+morning as spy, came in the last. He led the captain into the
+street where he had marked Ali Baba's residence; and when they
+came to the first of the houses which Morgiana had marked, he
+pointed it out. But the captain observed that the next door was
+chalked in the same manner, and in the same place; and shewing it
+to his guide, asked him which house it was, that, or the first?
+The guide was so confounded, that he knew not what answer to
+make; but still more puzzled, when he and the captain saw five or
+six houses similarly marked. He assured the captain, with an
+oath, that he had marked but one, And could not tell who had
+chalked the rest, so that he could not distinguish the house
+which the cobbler had stopped at.
+
+The captain, finding that their design had proved abortive, went
+directly to the place of rendezvous, and told the first of his
+troops whom he met that they had lost their labour, and must
+return to their cave. He himself set them the example, and they
+all returned as they had come.
+
+When the troop was all got together, the captain told them the
+reason of their returning; and presently the conductor was
+declared by all worthy of death. He condemned himself,
+acknowledging that he ought to have taken better precaution, and
+prepared to receive the stroke from him who was appointed to cut
+off his head.
+
+But as the safety of the troop required that an injury should not
+go unpunished, another of the gang, who promised himself that he
+should succeed better, presented himself, and his offer being
+accepted, he went and corrupted Baba Mustapha, as the other had
+done; and being shewn the house, marked it in a place more remote
+from sight, with red chalk.
+
+Not long after Morgiana, whose eyes nothing could escape, went
+out, and seeing the red chalk, and arguing with herself as she
+had done before, marked the other neighbours' houses in the same
+place and manner.
+
+The robber, at his return to his company, valued himself much on
+the precaution he had taken, which he looked upon as an
+infallible way of distinguishing Ali Baba's house from the
+others; and the captain and all of them thought it must succeed.
+They conveyed themselves into the town with the same precaution
+as before; but when the robber and his captain came to the
+street, they found the same difficulty; at which the captain was
+enraged, and the robber in as great confusion as his predecessor.
+
+Thus the captain and his troop were forced to retire a second
+time, and much more dissatisfied; while the robber, who had been
+the author of the mistake, underwent the same punishment; which
+he willingly submitted to.
+
+The captain, having lost two brave fellows of his troop, was
+afraid of diminishing it too much by pursuing this plan to get
+information of the residence of their plunderer. He found by
+their example that their heads were not so good as their hands on
+such occasions; and therefore resolved to take upon himself the
+important commission.
+
+Accordingly he went and addressed himself to Baba Mustapha, who
+did him the same service he had done to the other robbers. He did
+not set any particular mark on the house, but examined and
+observed it so carefully, by passing often by it, that it was
+impossible for him to mistake it.
+
+The captain, well satisfied with his attempt, and informed of
+what he wanted to know, returned to the forest; and when he came
+into the cave, where the troop waited for him, said, "Now,
+comrades, nothing can prevent our full revenge, as I am certain
+of the house, and in my way hither I have thought how to put it
+into execution, but if any one can form a better expedient, let
+him communicate it." He then told them his contrivance; and as
+they approved of it, ordered them to go into the villages about,
+and buy nineteen mules, with thirty-eight large leather jars, one
+full of oil, and the others empty.
+
+In two or three days' time the robbers had purchased the mules
+and jars, and as the mouths of the jars were rather too narrow
+for his purpose, the captain caused them to be widened; and after
+having put one of his men into each, with the weapons which he
+thought fit, leaving open the seam which had been undone to leave
+them room to breathe, he rubbed the jars on the outside with oil
+from the full vessel.
+
+Things being thus prepared, when the nineteen mules were loaded
+with thirty-seven robbers in jars, and the jar of oil, the
+captain, as their driver, set out with them, and reached the town
+by the dusk of the evening, as he had intended. He led them
+through the streets till he came to Ali Baba's, at whose door he
+designed to have knocked; but was prevented by his sitting there
+after supper to take a little fresh air. He stopped his mules,
+addressed himself to him, and said, "I have brought some oil a
+great way, to sell at to-morrow's market; and it is now so late
+that I do not know where to lodge. If I should not be troublesome
+to you, do me the favour to let me pass the night with you, and I
+shall be very much obliged by your hospitality."
+
+Though Ali Baba had seen the captain of the robbers in the
+forest, and had heard him speak, it was impossible to know him in
+the disguise of an oil-merchant. He told him he should be
+welcome, and immediately opened his gates for the mules to go
+into the yard. At the same time he called to a slave, and ordered
+him, when the mules were unloaded, not only to put them into the
+stable, but to give them fodder; and then went to Morgiana, to
+bid her get a good supper for his guest.
+
+He did more. To make his guest as welcome as possible, when he
+saw the captain had unloaded his mules, and that they were put
+into the stables as he had ordered, and he was looking for a
+place to pass the night in the air, he brought him into the hall
+where he received his company, telling him he would not suffer
+him to be in the court. The captain excused himself on pretence
+of not being troublesome; but really to have room to execute his
+design, and it was not till after the most pressing importunity
+that he yielded. Ali Baba, not content to keep company with the
+man who had a design on his life till supper was ready, continued
+talking with him till it was ended, and repeating his offer of
+service.
+
+The captain rose up at the same time with his host; and while Ali
+Baba went to speak to Morgiana he withdrew into the yard, under
+pretence of looking at his mules. Ali Baba, after charging
+Morgiana afresh to take care of his guest, said to her, "To-
+morrow morning I design to go to the bath before day; take care
+my bathing-linen be ready, give them to Abdoollah," which was the
+slave's name, "and make me some good broth against I return."
+After this he went to bed.
+
+In the mean time the captain of the robbers went from the stable
+to give his people orders what to do; and beginning at the first
+jar, and so on to the last, said to each man: "As soon as I throw
+some stones out of the chamber window where I lie, do not fail to
+cut the jar open with the knife you have about you for the
+purpose, and come out, and I will immediately join you." After
+this he returned into the house, when Morgiana taking up a light,
+conducted him to his chamber, where she left him; and he, to
+avoid any suspicion, put the light out soon after, and laid
+himself down in his clothes, that he might be the more ready to
+rise.
+
+Morgiana, remembering Ali Baba's orders, got his bathing-linen
+ready, and ordered Abdoollah to set on the pot for the broth; but
+while she was preparing it, the lamp went out, and there was no
+more oil in the house, nor any candles. What to do she did not
+know, for the broth must be made. Abdoollah seeing her very
+uneasy, said, "Do not fret and teaze yourself, but go into the
+yard, and take some oil out of one of the jars."
+
+Morgiana thanked Abdoollah for his advice, took the oil-pot, and
+went into the yard; when as she came nigh the first jar, the
+robber within said softly, "Is it time?"
+
+Though the robber spoke low, Morgiana was struck with the voice
+the more, because the captain, when he unloaded the mules, had
+taken the lids off this and all the other jars to give air to his
+men, who were ill enough at their ease, almost wanting room to
+breathe.
+
+As much surprised as Morgiana naturally was at finding a man in a
+jar instead of the oil she wanted, many would have made such a
+noise as to have given an alarm, which would have been attended
+with fatal consequences; whereas Morgiana comprehending
+immediately the importance of keeping silence, from the danger
+Ali Baba, his family, and herself were in, and the necessity of
+applying a speedy remedy without noise, conceived at once the
+means, and collecting herself without shewing the least emotions,
+answered, "Not yet, but presently." She went in this manner to
+all the jars, giving the same answer, till she came to the jar of
+oil.
+
+By this means, Morgiana found that her master Ali Baba, who
+thought that he had entertained an oil merchant, had admitted
+thirty-eight robbers into his house, regarding this pretended
+merchant as their captain. She made what haste she could to fill
+her oil-pot, and returned into her kitchen; where, as soon as she
+had lighted her lamp, she took a great kettle, went again to the
+oil-jar, filled the kettle, set it on a large wood-fire, and as
+soon as it boiled went and poured enough into every jar to stifle
+and destroy the robber within.
+
+When this action, worthy of the courage of Morgiana, was executed
+without any noise, as she had projected, she returned into the
+kitchen with the empty kettle; and having put out the great fire
+she had made to boil the oil, and leaving just enough to make the
+broth, put out the lamp also, and remained silent; resolving not
+to go to rest till she had observed what might follow through a
+window of the kitchen, which opened into the yard.
+
+She had not waited long before the captain of the robbers got up,
+opened the window, and finding no light, and hearing no noise, or
+any one stirring in the house, gave the appointed signal, by
+throwing little stones, several of which hit the jars, as he
+doubted not by the sound they gave. He then listened, but not
+hearing or perceiving any thing, whereby he could judge that his
+companions stirred, he began to grow very uneasy, threw stones
+again a second and also a third time, and could not comprehend
+the reason that none of them should answer his signal. Much
+alarmed, he went softly down into the yard, and going to the
+first jar, whilst asking the robber whom he thought alive if he
+was in readiness, smelt the hot boiled oil, which sent forth a
+steam out of the jar. Hence he suspected that his plot to murder
+Ali Baba and plunder his house was discovered. Examining all the
+jars one after another, he found that all his gang were dead; and
+by the oil he missed out of the last jar guessed the means and
+manner of their death. Enraged to despair at having failed in his
+design, he forced the lock of a door that led from the yard to
+the garden, and climbing over the walls, made his escape.
+
+When Morgiana heard no noise, and found, after waiting some time,
+that the captain did not return, she concluded that he had chosen
+rather to make his escape by the garden than the street-door,
+which was double locked. Satisfied and pleased to have succeeded
+so well, in saving her master and family, she went to bed.
+
+Ali Baba rose before day, and, followed by his slave, went to the
+baths, entirely ignorant of the important event which had
+happened at home; for Morgiana had not thought it safe to wake
+him before, for fear of losing her opportunity; and after her
+successful exploit she thought it needless to disturb him.
+
+When he returned from the baths, the sun was risen; he was very
+much surprised to see the oil-jars, and that the merchant was not
+gone with the mules. He asked Morgiana, who opened the door, and
+had let all things stand as they were, that he might see them,
+the reason of it? "My good master," answered she, "God preserve
+you and all your family; you will be better informed of what you
+wish to know when you have seen what I have to shew you, if you
+will but give yourself the trouble to follow me."
+
+As soon as Morgiana had shut the door, Ali Baba followed her;
+when she requested him to look into the first jar and see if
+there was any oil. Ali Baba did so, and seeing a man, started
+back in alarm, and cried out. "Do not be afraid," said Morgiana,
+"the man you see there can neither do you nor any body else any
+harm. He is dead." "Ah, Morgiana!" said Ali Baba, "what is it you
+shew me? Explain yourself." "I will," replied Morgiana; "moderate
+your astonishment, and do not excite the curiosity of your
+neighbours; for it is of great importance to keep this affair
+secret. Look into all the other jars."
+
+Ali Baba examined all the other jars, one after another: and when
+he came to that which had the oil in, found it prodigiously sunk,
+and stood for some time motionless, sometimes looking at the
+jars, and sometimes at Morgiana, without saying a word, so great
+was his surprise: at last, when he had recovered himself, he
+said, "And what is become of the merchant?"
+
+"Merchant!" answered she, "he is as much one as I am; I will tell
+you who he is, and what is become of him; but you had better hear
+the story in your own chamber; for it is time for your health
+that you had your broth after your bathing."
+
+While Ali Baba retired to his chamber, Morgiana went into the
+kitchen to fetch the broth, but before he would drink it, he
+first entreated her to satisfy his impatience, and tell him what
+had happened, with all the circumstances; and she obeyed him.
+
+"Last night, sir," said she, "when you were gone to bed, I got
+your bathing- linens ready, and gave them to Abdoollah;
+afterwards I set on the pot for the broth, but as I was preparing
+the materials, the lamp, for want of oil, went out; and as there
+was not a drop more in the house, I looked for a candle, but
+could not find one: Abdoollah seeing me vexed, put me in mind of
+the jars of oil which stood in the yard. I took the oil-pot, went
+directly to the jar which stood nearest to me; and when I came to
+it, heard a voice within, saying, ‘Is it time?' Without being
+dismayed, and comprehending immediately the malicious intention
+of the pretended oil-merchant, I answered, ‘Not yet, but
+presently.' I then went to the next, when another voice asked me
+the same question, and I returned the same answer; and so on,
+till I came to the last, which I found full of oil; with which I
+filled my pot.
+
+"When I considered that there were thirty seven robbers in the
+yard, who only waited for a signal to be given by the captain,
+whom you took to be an oil-merchant, and entertained so
+handsomely, I thought there was no time to be lost; I carried my
+pot of oil into the kitchen, lighted the lamp, afterwards took
+the biggest kettle I had, went and filled it full of oil, set it
+on the fire to boil, and then poured as much into each jar as was
+sufficient to prevent them from executing the pernicious design
+they had meditated: after this I retired into the kitchen, and
+put out the lamp; but before I went to bed, waited at the window
+to know what measures the pretended merchant would take.
+
+"After I had watched some time for the signal, he threw some
+stones out of the window against the jars, but neither hearing
+nor perceiving any body stirring, after throwing three times, he
+came down, when I saw him go to every jar, after which, through
+the darkness of the night, I lost sight of him. I waited some
+time longer, and finding that he did not return, doubted not but
+that, seeing he had missed his aim, he had made his escape over
+the walls of the garden. Persuaded that the house was now safe, I
+went to bed.
+
+"This," said Morgiana, "is the account you asked of me; and I am
+convinced it is the consequence of what I observed some days ago,
+but did not think fit to acquaint you with: for when I came in
+one morning early, I found our street door marked with white
+chalk, and the next morning with red; upon which, both times,
+without knowing what was the intention of those chalks, I marked
+two or three neighbours' doors on each side in the same manner.
+If you reflect on this, and what has since happened, you will
+find it to be a plot of the robbers of the forest, of whose gang
+there are two wanting, and now they are reduced to three: all
+this shews that they had sworn your destruction, and it is proper
+you should be upon your guard, while there is one of them alive:
+for my part I shall neglect nothing necessary to your
+preservation, as I am in duty bound."
+
+When Morgiana had left off speaking, Ali Baba was so sensible of
+the great service she had done him, that he said to her, "I will
+not die without rewarding you as you deserve: I owe my life to
+you, and for the first token of my acknowledgment, give you your
+liberty from this moment, till I can complete your recompense as
+I intend. I am persuaded with you, that the forty robbers have
+laid snares for my destruction. God, by your means, has delivered
+me from them as yet, and I hope will continue to preserve me from
+their wicked designs, and by averting the danger which threatened
+me, will deliver the world from their persecution and their
+cursed race. All that we have to do is to bury the bodies of
+these pests of mankind immediately, and with all the secrecy
+imaginable, that nobody may suspect what is become of them. But
+that labour Abdoollah and I will undertake."
+
+Ali Baba's garden was very long, and shaded at the farther end by
+a great number of large trees. Under these he and the slave dug a
+trench, long and wide enough to hold all the robbers, and as the
+earth was light, they were not long in doing it. Afterwards they
+lifted the bodies out of the jars, took away their weapons,
+carried them to the end of the garden, laid them in the trench,
+and levelled the ground again. When this was done, Ali Baba hid
+the jars and weapons; and as he had no occasion for the mules, he
+sent them at different times to be sold in the market by his
+slave.
+
+While Ali Baba took these measures to prevent the public from
+knowing how he came by his riches in so short a time, the captain
+of the forty robbers returned to the forest with inconceivable
+mortification; and in his agitation, or rather confusion, at his
+ill success, so contrary to what he had promised himself, entered
+the cave, not being able, all the way from the town, to come to
+any resolution how to revenge himself of Ali Baba.
+
+The loneliness of the gloomy cavern became frightful to him.
+"Where are you, my brave lads," cried he, "old companions of my
+watchings, inroads, and labour? What can I do without you? Did I
+collect you only to lose you by so base a fate, and so unworthy
+of your courage! Had you died with your sabres in your hands,
+like brave men, my regret had been less! When shall I enlist so
+gallant a troop again? And if I could, can I undertake it without
+exposing so much gold and treasure to him who hath already
+enriched himself out of it? I cannot, I ought not to think of it,
+before I have taken away his life. I will undertake that alone
+which I could not accomplish with your powerful assistance; and
+when I have taken measures to secure this treasure from being
+pillaged, I will provide for it new masters and successors after
+me, who shall preserve and augment it to all posterity." This
+resolution being taken, he was not at a loss how to execute his
+purpose; but easy in his mind, and full of hopes, slept all that
+night very quietly.
+
+When he awoke early next morning, he dressed himself, agreeably
+to the project he had formed, went to the town, and took a
+lodging in a khan. As he expected what had happened at Ali Baba's
+might make a great noise, he asked his host what news there was
+in the city? Upon which the inn-keeper told him a great many
+circumstances, which did not concern him in the least. He judged
+by this, that the reason why Ali Baba kept his affairs so secret,
+was for fear people should know where the treasure lay; and
+because he knew his life would be sought on account of it. This
+urged him the more to neglect nothing to rid himself of so
+cautious an enemy.
+
+The captain now assumed the character of a merchant, and conveyed
+gradually a great many sorts of rich stuffs and fine linen to his
+lodging from the cavern, but with all the necessary precautions
+imaginable to conceal the place whence he brought them. In order
+to dispose of the merchandizes, when he had amassed them
+together, he took a warehouse, which happened to be opposite to
+Cassim's, which Ali Baba's son had occupied since the death of
+his uncle.
+
+He took the name of Khaujeh Houssain, and as a new-comer, was,
+according to custom, extremely civil and complaisant to all the
+merchants his neighbours. Ali Baba's son was from his vicinity
+one of the first to converse with Khaujeh Houssain, who strove to
+cultivate his friendship more particularly, when, two or three
+days after he was settled, he recognized Ali Baba, who came to
+see his son, and stopped to talk with him as he was accustomed to
+do. When he was gone, the impostor learnt from his son who he
+was. He increased his assiduities, caressed him in the most
+engaging manner, made him some small presents, and often asked
+him to dine and sup with him; when he treated him very
+handsomely.
+
+Ali Baba's son did not choose to lie under such obligation to
+Khaujeh Houssain, without making the like return; but was so much
+straitened for want of room in his house, that he could not
+entertain him so well as he wished; he therefore acquainted his
+father Ali Baba with his intention, and told him that it did not
+look well for him to receive such favours from Khaujeh Houssain,
+without inviting him in return.
+
+Ali Baba, with great pleasure, took the treat upon himself.
+"Son," said he, "to-morrow being Friday, which is a day that the
+shops of such great merchants as Khaujeh Houssain and yourself
+are shut, get him to take a walk with you, and as you come back,
+pass by my door, and call in. It will look better to have it
+happen accidentally, than if you gave him a formal invitation. I
+will go and order Morgiana to provide a supper."
+
+The next day Ali Baba's son and Khaujeh Houssain met by
+appointment, took their walk, and as they returned, Ali Baba's
+son led Khaujeh Houssain through the street where his father
+lived; and when they came to the house, stopped and knocked at
+the door. "This, sir," said he, "is my father's house; who, from
+the account I have given him of your friendship, charged me to
+procure him the honour of your acquaintance; and I desire you to
+add this pleasure to those for which I am already indebted to
+you."
+
+Though it was the sole aim of Khaujeh Houssain to introduce
+himself into Ali Baba's house, that he might kill him without
+hazarding his own life or making any noise; yet he excused
+himself, and offered to take his leave. But a slave having opened
+the door, Ali Baba's son took him obligingly by the hand, and in
+a manner forced him in.
+
+Ali Baba received Khaujeh Houssain with a smiling countenance,
+and in the most obliging manner he could wish. He thanked him for
+all the favours he had done his son; adding withal, the
+obligation was the greater, as he was a young man not much
+acquainted with the world, and that he might contribute to his
+information.
+
+Khaujeh Houssain returned the compliment, by assuring Ali Baba,
+that though his son might not have acquired the experience of
+older men, he had good sense equal to the experience of many
+others. After a little more conversation on different subjects,
+he offered again to take his leave; when Ali Baba, stopping him,
+said, "Where are you going, sir, in so much haste? I beg you
+would do me the honour to sup with me, though what I have to give
+you is not worth your acceptance; but such as it is, I hope you
+will accept it as heartily as I give it." "Sir," replied Khaujeh
+Houssain, "I am thoroughly persuaded of your good-will; and if I
+ask the favour of you not to take it ill that I do not accept
+your obliging invitation, I beg of you to believe that it does
+not proceed from any slight or intention to affront, but from a
+reason which you would approve if you knew it."
+
+"And what may that reason be, sir," replied Ali Baba, "if I may
+be so bold as to ask you?" "It is," answered Khaujeh Houssain,
+"that I can eat no victuals that have any salt in them; therefore
+judge how I should feel at your table." "If that is the only
+reason," said Ali Baba, "it ought not to deprive me of the honour
+of your company at supper; for, in the first place, there is no
+salt ever put into my bread, and as to the meat we shall have to-
+night, I promise you there shall be none in that. Therefore you
+must do me the favour to stay. I will return immediately."
+
+Ali Baba went into the kitchen, and ordered Morgiana to put no
+salt to the meat that was to be dressed that night; and to make
+quickly two or three ragouts besides what he had ordered, but be
+sure to put no salt in them.
+
+Morgiana, who was always ready to obey her master, could not
+help, this time, seeming somewhat dissatisfied at his strange
+order. "Who is this difficult man," said she, "who eats no salt
+with his meat? Your supper will be spoiled, if I keep it back so
+long." "Do not be angry, Morgiana," replied Ali Baba: "he is an
+honest man; therefore do as I bid you."
+
+Morgiana obeyed, though with no little reluctance, and had a
+curiosity to see this man who ate no salt. To this end, when she
+had finished what she had to do in the kitchen, she helped
+Abdoollah to carry up the dishes; and looking at Khaujeh
+Houssain, knew him at first sight, notwithstanding his disguise,
+to be the captain of the robbers, and examining him very
+carefully, perceived that he had a dagger under his garment. "I
+am not in the least amazed," said she to herself, "that this
+wicked wretch, who is my master's greatest enemy, would eat no
+salt with him, since he intends to assassinate him; but I will
+prevent him".
+
+Morgiana, while they were eating, made the necessary preparations
+for executing one of the boldest acts ever meditated, and had
+just determined, when Abdoollah came for the dessert of fruit,
+which she carried up, and as soon as Abdoollah had taken the meat
+away, set it upon the table; after that, she placed three glasses
+by Ali Baba, and going out, took Abdoollah with her to sup, and
+to give Ali Baba the more liberty of conversation with his guest.
+
+Khaujeh Houssain, or rather the captain of the robbers, thought
+he had now a favourable opportunity of being revenged on Ali
+Baba. "I will," said he to himself, "make the father and son both
+drunk: the son, whose life I intend to spare, will not be able to
+prevent my stabbing his father to the heart; and while the slaves
+are at supper, or asleep in the kitchen, I can make my escape
+over the gardens as before."
+
+Instead of going to supper, Morgiana, who had penetrated the
+intentions of the counterfeit Khaujeh Houssain, would not give
+him time to put his villanous design into execution, but dressed
+herself neatly with a suitable head-dress like a dancer, girded
+her waist with a silver-gilt girdle, to which there hung a
+poniard with a hilt and guard of the same metal, and put a
+handsome mask on her face. When she had thus disguised herself,
+she said to Abdoollah, "Take your tabor, and let us go and divert
+our master and his son's guest, as we do sometimes when he is
+alone."
+
+Abdoollah took his tabor and played all the way into the hall
+before Morgiana, who, when she came to the door, made a low
+obeisance, with a deliberate air, in order to draw attention, and
+by way of asking leave to exhibit her skill. Abdoollah, seeing
+that his master had a mind to say something, left off playing.
+"Come in, Morgiana," said Ali Baba, "and let Khaujeh Houssain see
+what you can do, that he may tell us what he thinks of you."
+"But, sir," said he, turning towards his guest, "do not think
+that I put myself to any expense to give you this diversion,
+since these are my slave and my cook and housekeeper; and I hope
+you will not find the entertainment they give us disagreeable."
+
+Khaujeh Houssain, who did not expect this diversion after supper,
+began to fear he should not be able to improve the opportunity he
+thought he had found; but hoped, if he now missed his aim, to
+secure it another time, by keeping up a friendly correspondence
+with the father and son; therefore, though he could have wished
+Ali Baba would have declined the dance, he pretended to be
+obliged to him for it, and had the complaisance to express his
+satisfaction at what he saw pleased his host.
+
+As soon as Abdoollah saw that Ali Baba and Khaujeh Houssain had
+done talking, he began to play on the tabor, and accompanied it
+with an air; to which Morgiana, who was an excellent performer,
+danced in such a manner as would have created admiration in any
+other company besides that before which she now exhibited, among
+whom, perhaps, none but the false Khaujeh Houssain was in the
+least attentive to her, the rest having seen her so frequently.
+
+After she had danced several dances with equal propriety and
+grace, she drew the poniard, and holding it in her hand, began a
+dance, in which she outdid herself, by the many different
+figures, light movements, and the surprising leaps and wonderful
+exertions with which she accompanied it. Sometimes she presented
+the poniard to one's breast, sometimes to another's, and
+oftentimes seeming to strike her own. At last, as if she was out
+of breath, she snatched the tabor from Abdoollah with her left
+hand, and holding the dagger in her right, presented the other
+side of the tabor, after the manner of those who get a livelihood
+by dancing, and solicit the liberality of the spectators.
+
+Ali Baba put a piece of gold into the tabor, as did also his son;
+and Khaujeh Houssain seeing that she was coming to him, had
+pulled his purse out of his bosom to make her a present; but
+while he was putting his hand into it, Morgiana, with a courage
+and resolution worthy of herself, plunged the poniard into his
+heart.
+
+Ali Baba and his son, shocked at this action, cried out aloud.
+"Unhappy wretch!" exclaimed Ali Baba, "what have you done to ruin
+me and my family?" "It was to preserve, not to ruin you,"
+answered Morgiana; "for see here," continued she (opening the
+pretended Khaujeh Houssain's garment, and shewing the dagger),
+"what an enemy you had entertained! Look well at him, and you
+will find him to be both the fictitious oil-merchant, and the
+captain of the gang of forty robbers. Remember, too, that he
+would eat no salt with you; and what would you have more to
+persuade you of his wicked design? Before I saw him I suspected
+him as soon as you told me you had such a guest. I knew him, and
+you now find that my suspicion was not groundless."
+
+Ali Baba, who immediately felt the new obligation he had to
+Morgiana for saving his life a second time, embraced her:
+"Morgiana," said he, "I gave you your liberty, and then promised
+you that my gratitude should not stop there, but that I would
+soon give you higher proofs of its sincerity, which I now do by
+making you my daughter-in-law." Then addressing himself to his
+son, he said, "I believe you, son, to be so dutiful a child, that
+you will not refuse Morgiana for your wife. You see that Khaujeh
+Houssain sought your friendship with a treacherous design to take
+away my life; and, if he had succeeded, there is no doubt but he
+would have sacrificed you also to his revenge. Consider, that by
+marrying Morgiana you marry the preserver of my family and your
+own."
+
+The son, far from shewing any dislike, readily consented to the
+marriage; not only because he would not disobey his father, but
+also because it was agreeable to his inclination.
+
+After this, they thought of burying the captain of the robbers
+with his comrades, and did it so privately that nobody discovered
+their bones till many years after, when no one had any concern in
+the publication of this remarkable history.
+
+A few days afterwards, Ali Baba celebrated the nuptials of his
+son and Morgiana with great solemnity, a sumptuous feast, and the
+usual dancing and spectacles; and had the satisfaction to see
+that his friends and neighbours, whom he invited, had no
+knowledge of the true motives of the marriage; but that those who
+were not unacquainted with Morgiana's good qualities commended
+his generosity and goodness of heart.
+
+Ali Baba forbore, after this marriage, from going again to the
+robbers' cave, as he had done from the time he had brought away
+his brother Cassim's mangled remains, for fear of being
+surprised. He kept away after the death of the thirty-seven
+robbers and their captain, supposing the other two, whom he could
+get no account of, might be alive.
+
+At the year's end, when he found they had not made any attempt to
+disturb him, he had the curiosity to make another journey, taking
+the necessary precautions for his safety. He mounted his horse,
+and when he came to the cave, and saw no footsteps of men or
+horses, looked upon it as a good sign. He alighted, tied his
+horse to a tree, then approaching the entrance, and pronouncing
+the words, Open, Sesame, the door opened. He entered the cavern,
+and by the condition he found things in, judged that nobody had
+been there since the false Khaujeh Houssain, when he had fetched
+the goods for his shop, that the gang of forty robbers was
+completely destroyed, and no longer doubted that he was the only
+person in the world who had the secret of opening the cave, so
+that all the treasure was at his sole disposal. Having brought
+with him a wallet, he put into it as much gold as his horse would
+carry, and returned to town.
+
+Afterwards Ali Baba carried his son to the cave, taught him the
+secret, which they handed down to their posterity, who, using
+their good fortune with moderation, lived in great honour and
+splendour.
+
+
+
+
+
+            THE STORY OF ALI KHAUJEH, A  MERCHANT OF
+                            BAGDAD.
+
+
+
+In the reign of the caliph Haroon al Rusheed, there lived at
+Bagdad a merchant whose name was Ali Khaujeh, who was neither one
+of the richest nor poorest of his line. He was a bachelor, and
+lived in the house which had been his father's, independent and
+content with the profit he made by his trade. But happening to
+dream for three successive nights that a venerable old man came
+to him, and, with a severe look, reprimanded him for not having
+made a pilgrimage to Mecca, he was much troubled.
+
+As a good Mussulmaun, he knew he was obliged to undertake a
+pilgrimage; but as he had a house, shop, and goods, he had always
+believed that they might stand for a sufficient reason to excuse
+him, endeavouring by his charity, and other good works, to atone
+for that neglect. After this dream, however, his conscience was
+so much pricked, that the fear lest any misfortune should befall
+him made him resolve not to defer it any longer; and to be able
+to go that year, he sold off his household goods, his shop, and
+with it the greatest part of his merchandize, reserving only some
+articles, which he thought might turn to a better account at
+Mecca; and meeting with a tenant for his house, let that also.
+
+His affairs being thus disposed, he was ready to depart when the
+Bagdad caravan set out for Mecca: the only thing he had to do was
+to lodge in some place of security a sum of a thousand pieces of
+gold, which would have been troublesome to carry with him, with
+the money he had set apart to defray his expenses on the road,
+and for other purposes. To this end, he made choice of a jar of a
+suitable size, put the thousand pieces of gold into it, and
+covered them over with olives. When he had closed the mouth of
+the jar, he carried it to a merchant, a particular friend of his,
+and said to him, "You know, brother, that in a few days I mean to
+depart with the caravan, on my pilgrimage to Mecca. I beg the
+favour of you to take charge of a jar of olives, and keep it for
+me till I return." The merchant promised him he would, and in an
+obliging manner said, "Here, take the key of my warehouse, and
+set your jar where you please. I promise you shall find it there
+when you return."
+
+On the day the caravan was to set out Ali Khaujeh joined it, with
+a camel loaded with what goods he had thought fit to carry, which
+also served him to ride on. He arrived safe at Mecca, where he
+visited, with other pilgrims, the temple so much celebrated and
+frequented by the faithful of all nations every year, who came
+from all parts of the world, and observed religiously the
+ceremonies prescribed them. When he had acquitted himself of the
+duties of his pilgrimage, he exposed the merchandize he had
+brought with him for sale or barter, as might be most profitable.
+
+Two merchants passing by, and seeing Ali Khaujeh's goods, thought
+them so choice, that they stopped some time to look at, though
+they had no occasion for them; and when they had satisfied their
+curiosity, one of them said to the other, as they were going
+away, "If this merchant knew to what profit these goods would
+turn at Cairo he would carry them thither, and not sell them
+here, though this is a good mart."
+
+
+Ali Khaujeh heard these words; and as he had often heard talk of
+the beauties of Egypt, he was resolved to take the opportunity of
+seeing them, by performing a journey thither. Therefore, after
+having packed up his goods again, instead of returning to Bagdad,
+he set out for Egypt, with the caravan of Cairo. When he came
+thither, he found his account in his journey, and in a few days
+sold all his goods to a greater advantage than he had hoped for.
+With the money he bought others, with an intent to go to
+Damascus: and while he waited for the opportunity of a caravan,
+which was to depart in six weeks, visited all the curiosities of
+Cairo, as also the pyramids, and sailing up the Nile, viewed the
+famous towns on each side of that river.
+
+As the Damascus caravan took Jerusalem in their way, our Bagdad
+merchant had the opportunity of visiting the temple, regarded by
+the Mussulmauns to be the most holy, after that of Mecca, whence
+this city takes its name of Biel al Mukkuddus, or most sacred
+mansion.
+
+Ali Khaujeh found Damascus so delicious a place, being environed
+by verdant meadows, pleasantly watered, and delightful gardens,
+that it exceeded the descriptions given of it in the journals of
+travellers. Here he made a long abode, but, nevertheless, did not
+forget his native Bagdad: for which place he at length set out,
+and arrived at Aleppo, where he made some stay; and from thence,
+after having passed the Euphrates, he bent his course to
+Moussoul, with an intention, in his return, to come by a shorter
+way down the Tigris.
+
+When Ali Khaujeh came to Moussoul, some Persian merchants, with
+whom he had travelled from Aleppo, and with whom he had
+contracted a great friendship, had obtained so great an influence
+over him by their civilities and agreeable conversation, that
+they easily persuaded him not to leave them till he should have
+visited Sheerauz, from whence he might easily return to Bagdad
+with a considerable profit. They led him through the towns of
+Sultania, Rei, Coam, Caschan, Ispahan, and from thence to
+Sheerauz; from whence he had the complaisance to bear them
+company to Hindoostan, and then returned with them again to
+Sheerauz; insomuch, that including the stay made in every town,
+he was seven years absent from Bagdad, whither he then resolved
+to return.
+
+All this time his friend, with whom he had left his jar of
+olives, neither thought of him nor them; but at the time when he
+was on the road with a caravan from Sheerauz, one evening as this
+merchant was supping with his family, the discourse happened to
+fall upon olives, and his wife was desirous to eat some, saying,
+she had not tasted any for a long while. "Now you speak of
+olives," said the merchant, "you put me in mind of a jar which
+Ali Khaujeh left with me seven years ago, when he went to Mecca;
+and put it himself in my warehouse to be kept for him against he
+returned. What is become of him I know not; though, when the
+caravan came back, they told me he was gone for Egypt. Certainly
+he must be dead, since he has not returned in all this time; and
+we may eat the olives, if they prove good. Give me a plate and a
+candle, I will go and fetch some of them, and we will taste
+them."
+
+"For God's sake, husband," said the wife, "do not commit so base
+an action; you know that nothing is more sacred than what is
+committed to one's care and trust. You say Ali Khaujeh has left
+Mecca, and is not returned; but you have been told that he is
+gone into Egypt; and how do you know but that he may be gone
+farther? As you have no intelligence of his death, he may return
+to-morrow for any thing you can tell: and what a disgrace would
+it be to you and your family if he should come, and you not
+restore him his jar in the same condition he left it? I declare I
+have no desire for the olives, and will not taste them, for when
+I mentioned them it was only by way of conversation; besides, do
+you think that they can be good, after they have been kept so
+long? They most be all mouldy, and spoiled; and if Ali Khaujeh
+should return, as I have a strong persuasion he will, and should
+find they had been opened, what will he think of your honour? I
+beg of you to let them alone."
+
+The wife had not argued so long with her husband, but that she
+read his obstinacy in his face. In short, he never regarded what
+she said, but got up, took a candle and a plate, and went into
+the warehouse. "Well, husband," said the wife again, "remember I
+have no hand in this business; and that you cannot lay any thing
+to my charge, if you should have cause to repent of your
+conduit."
+
+The merchant's ears were deaf to these remonstrances of his wife,
+and he persisted in his design. When he came into the warehouse,
+he opened the jar, and found the olives mouldy; but to see if
+they were all so to the bottom, he turned some of them upon the
+plate; and by shaking the jar, some of the gold tumbled out.
+
+At the sight of the gold, the merchant, who was naturally
+covetous, looked into the jar, perceived that he had shaken out
+almost all the olives, and what remained was gold coin. He
+immediately put the olives into the jar again, covered it up, and
+returned to his wife. "Indeed, wife," said he, "you were in the
+right to say that the olives were all mouldy; for I found them
+so, and have made up the jar just as Ali Khaujeh left it; so that
+he will not perceive that they have been touched, if he should
+return." "You had better have taken my advice," said the wife,
+"and not have meddled with them. God grant no mischief happens in
+consequence!"
+
+The merchant was not more affected with his wife's last words
+than he had been by her former, but spent almost the whole night
+in thinking how he might appropriate Ali Khaujeh's gold to his
+own use, and keep possession of it in case he should return and
+ask him for the jar. The next morning he went and bought some
+olives of that year, took out the old with the gold, and filled
+the jar with the new, covered it up, and put it in the place
+where Ali Khaujeh had left it.
+
+About a month after the merchant had committed this unworthy
+action, Ali Khaujeh arrived at Bagdad; and as he had let his
+house, alighted at a khan, choosing to stay there till he had
+announced his arrival to his tenant, and given him time to
+provide himself with another residence.
+
+The next morning Ali Khaujeh went to pay a visit to the merchant
+his friend, who received him in the most obliging manner; and
+expressed great joy at his return, after so many years absence;
+telling him, that he had begun to lose all hopes of ever seeing
+him again.
+
+After the usual compliments on both sides on such a meeting, Ali
+Khaujeh desired the merchant to return him the jar of olives
+which he had left. with him, and to excuse the liberty he had
+taken in giving him so much trouble.
+
+"My dear friend," replied the merchant, "you are to blame to make
+these apologies, your vessel has been no inconvenience to me; on
+such an occasion I should have made as free with you: there is
+the key of my warehouse, go and fetch your jar ; you will find it
+in the place where you deft it."
+
+Ali Khaujeh went into the merchant's warehouse, took his jar; and
+after having returned him the key with thanks for the favour he
+had done: him, returned with it to the khan where he lodged; but
+on opening the jar, and putting his hand down as low as the
+pieces of gold had lain, was greatly surprised to find none. At
+first he thought he might perhaps be mistaken; and, to discover
+the truth, poured out all the olives into his travelling
+kitchen-utensils, but without so much as finding one single piece
+of money. His astonishment was so great, that he stood for some
+time motionless; then lifting up his hands and eyes to Heaven, he
+exclaimed, "Is it possible that a man, whom I took for my friend,
+should be guilty of such baseness?"
+
+Ali Khaujeh, alarmed at the apprehension of so considerable a
+loss, returned immediately to the merchant. "My good friend,"
+said he, "be not surprised to see me come back so soon. I own the
+jar of olives to be the same I placed in your warehouse; but with
+the olives I put into it a thousand pieces of gold, which I do
+not find. Perhaps you might have occasion for them, and have
+employed them in trade: if so they are at your service till it
+may be convenient for you to return them; only put me out of my
+pain, and give me an acknowledgment, after which you may pay me
+at your own convenience."
+
+The merchant, who had expected that Ali Khaujeh would come with
+such a complaint, had meditated an answer. "Friend Ali Khaujeh,"
+said he, "when you brought your jar to me did I touch it? did not
+I give you the key of my warehouse, did not you carry it there
+yourself, and did not you find it in the same place, covered in
+the same manner as when you left it? And if you had put gold in
+it, you must have found it. You told me it contained olives, and
+I believed you. This is all I know of the matter: you may
+disbelieve me if you please; but I never touched them."
+
+Ali Khaujeh used all the mild methods he could think of to oblige
+the merchant to restore his property. "I love peace and
+quietness," said he to him, "and shall be sorry to come to those
+extremities which will bring the greatest disgrace upon you;
+consider, that merchants, as we are, ought to abandon all
+interest to preserve a good reputation. Once again I tell you, I
+shall be greatly concerned if your obstinacy oblige me to force
+you to do me justice; for I would rather almost lose what is my
+right than have recourse to law."
+
+"Ali Khaujeh," replied the merchant, "you agree that you left a
+jar of olives with me; and now you have taken it away, you come
+and ask me for a thousand pieces of gold. Did you ever tell me
+that such a sum was in the jar? I did not even know that they
+were olives, for you never showed them to me. I wonder you do not
+ask me for diamonds and pearls instead of gold; be gone about
+your business, and do not raise a mob about my warehouse;" for
+some persons had already collected. These words were pronounced
+in such great heat and passion, as not only made those who stood
+about the warehouse already stay longer, and create a greater
+mob, but the neighbouring merchants came out of their shops to
+learn what the dispute was between Ali Khaujeh and the merchant,
+and endeavoured to reconcile them; but when Ali Khaujeh had
+informed them of his grievance, they asked the merchant what he
+had to say.
+
+The merchant owned that he had kept the jar for Ali Khaujeh in
+his warehouse, but denied that ever he had meddled with it; swore
+that he knew it contained olives, only because Ali Khaujeh told
+him so, and requested them all to bear witness of the insult and
+affront offered him. "You bring it upon yourself," said Ali
+Khaujeh taking him by the arm; "but since you use me so basely, I
+cite you to the law of God: let us see whether you will have the
+assurance to say the same thing before the cauzee."
+
+The merchant could not refuse the summons, which every Mussulmaun
+is bound to observe, or be declared a rebel against religion; but
+said, "With all my heart; we shall soon see who is in the wrong."
+
+Ali Khaujeh carried the merchant before the magistrate, where he
+accused him of having, by breach of trust, defrauded him of a
+thousand pieces of gold, which he had left with him. The cauzee
+demanded if he had any witnesses; to which he replied, that he
+had not taken that precaution, because he had believed the person
+he trusted his money with to be his friend, and always took him
+for an honest man.
+
+The merchant made the same defence he had done before the
+merchants his neighbours, offering to make oath that he never had
+the money he was accused of, and that he did not so much as know
+there was such a sum; upon which the cauzee took his oath, and
+dismissed him acquitted for want of evidence.
+
+Ali Khaujeh, extremely mortified to find that he must sit down
+with so considerable a loss, protested against the sentence,
+declaring to the cauzee that he would appeal to the caliph, who
+would do him justice; which protestation the magistrate regarded
+as the effect of the common resentment of those who lose their
+cause; and thought he had done his duty in acquitting a person
+who had been accused without witnesses.
+
+While the merchant returned home triumphing over Ali Khaujeh and
+overjoyed at his good fortune, the latter went and drew up a
+petition; and the next day observing the time when the caliph
+came from noon tide prayers, placed himself in the street he was
+to pass through; and holding out his hand with the petition, an
+officer appointed for that purpose, who always goes before the
+caliph, came and took it to present it.
+
+As Ali Khaujeh knew that it was the caliph's custom to read the
+petitions at his return to the palace, he went into the court,
+and waited till the officer who had taken the petition came out
+of the caliph's apartment, who told him that the caliph had
+appointed an hour to hear him next day; and then asking him where
+the merchant lived, he sent to notify to him to attend at the
+same time.
+
+That same evening, the caliph, accompanied by the grand vizier
+Jaaffier, and Mesrour the chief of the eunuchs, went disguised
+through the town, as it was his custom occasionally to do; when,
+on passing through a street, the caliph heard a noise, and
+mending his pace, came to a gateway, which led into a little
+court, in which he perceived ten or twelve children playing by
+moonlight.
+
+The caliph, who was curious to know at what play the children
+were engaged, sat down on a stone bench just by; and heard one of
+the liveliest of the children say, "Let us play at the cauzee I
+will be the magistrate; bring Ali Khaujeh and the merchant who
+cheated him of the thousand pieces of gold before me."
+
+These words of the child put the caliph in mind of the petition
+Ali Khaujeh had given him that day, and made him redouble his
+attention to see the issue of the trial.
+
+As the affair of Ali Khaujeh and the merchant had made a great
+noise in Bagdad, it had not escaped the children, who all
+accepted the proposition with joy, and agreed on the part each
+was to act: not one of them refused him who made the proposal to
+be cauzee: and when he had taken his seat, which he did with all
+the seeming gravity of a judge, another, as an officer of the
+court, presented two boys before him; one as Ali Khaujeh, and the
+other as the merchant against whom he complained.
+
+The pretended cauzee then directing his discourse to the feigned
+Ali Khaujeh, asked him what he had to lay to that merchant's
+charge?
+
+Ali Khaujeh after a low obeisance, informed the young cauzee of
+the fact, related every particular, and afterwards begged that he
+would use his authority, that he might not lose so considerable a
+sum of money.
+
+The feigned cauzee, turning about to the merchant, then asked him
+why he did not return the money which Ali Khaujeh demanded of
+him?
+
+The feigned merchant alleged the same reasons as the real
+merchant had done before the cauzee himself, and offered to
+confirm by oath that what he had said was truth.
+
+"Not so fast," replied the pretended cauzee; "before you come to
+your oath, I should be glad to see the jar of olives. Ali
+Khaujeh," said he, addressing himself to the boy who acted that
+part, "have you brought the jar?" "No," replied he. "Then go and
+fetch it immediately," said the other.
+
+The pretended Ali Khaujeh went immediately, and returning,
+feigned to set a jar before the cauzee, telling him that it was
+the same he had left with the accused person, and received from
+him again. But to omit no part of the formality, the supposed
+cauzee asked the merchant if it was the same; and as by his
+silence he seemed not to deny it, he ordered it to be opened. He
+that represented Ali Khaujeh seemed to take off the cover, and
+the pretended cauzee made as if he looked into it. "They are fine
+olives," said he, "let me taste them;" and then pretending to eat
+some, added, "They are excellent: but," continued he, "I cannot
+think that olives will keep seven years, and be so good,
+therefore send for some olive-merchants, and let me hear what is
+their opinion." Two boys, as olive-merchants, then presented
+themselves. "Are you olive-merchants?" said the sham cauzee.
+"Tell me how long olives will keep fit to eat."
+
+"Sir," replied the two merchants, "let us take what care we can,
+they will hardly be worth any thing the third year; for then they
+have neither taste nor colour." "If it be so," answered the
+cauzee, "look into that jar, and tell me how long it is since
+those olives were put into it?"
+
+The two merchants pretended to examine and to taste the olives,
+and told the cauzee they were new and good. "You are mistaken,"
+said the young cauzee; "Ali Khaujeh says he put them into the jar
+seven years ago."
+
+"Sir," replied the merchants, "we can assure you they are of this
+year's growth: and we will maintain there is not a merchant in
+Bagdad but will say the same."
+
+The feigned merchant who was accused would have objected against
+the evidence of the olive-merchants; but the pretended cauzee
+would not suffer him. "Hold your tongue," said he, "you are a
+rogue; let him be impaled." The children then concluded their
+play, clapping their hands with great joy, and seizing the
+feigned criminal to carry him to execution.
+
+Words cannot express how much the caliph Haroon al Rusheed
+admired the sagacity and sense of the boy who had passed so just
+a sentence, in an affair which was to be pleaded before himself
+the next day. He withdrew, and rising off the bench, asked the
+grand vizier, who heard all that had passed, what he thought of
+it. "Indeed, commander of the true believers," answered the grand
+vizier Jaaffier, "I am surprised to find so much sagacity in one
+so young."
+
+"But," answered the caliph, "do you know one thing? I am to
+pronounce sentence in this very cause to-morrow; the true Ali
+Khaujeh presented his petition to me to-day; and do you think,"
+continued he, "that I can give a better sentence?" "I think not,"
+answered the vizier, " if the case is as the children represented
+it." "Take notice then of this house," said the caliph, "and
+bring the boy to me to-morrow, that he may try this cause in my
+presence; and also order the cauzee, who acquitted the merchant,
+to attend to learn his duty from a child. Take care likewise to
+bid Ali Khaujeh bring his jar of olives with him, and let two
+olive-merchants attend." After this charge he pursued his rounds,
+without meeting with any thing worth his attention.
+
+The next day the vizier went to the house where the caliph had
+been a witness of the children's play, and asked for the master;
+but he being abroad, his wife appeared thickly veiled. He asked
+her if she had any children. To which she answered, she had
+three; and called them. "My brave boys," said the vizier, "which
+of you was the cauzee when you played together last night?" The
+eldest made answer, it was he: but, not knowing why he asked the
+question, coloured. "Come along with me, my lad," said the grand
+vizier; "the commander of the faithful wants to see you."
+
+The mother was alarmed when she saw the grand vizier would take
+her son with him, and asked, upon what account the caliph wanted
+him? The grand vizier encouraged her, and promised that he should
+return again in less than an hour's time, when she would know it
+from himself. "If it be so, sir," said the mother, "give me leave
+to dress him first, that he may be fit to appear before the
+commander of the faithful:" which the vizier readily complied
+with.
+
+As soon as the child was dressed, the vizier carried him away and
+presented him to the caliph, at the time he had appointed to hear
+Ali Khaujeh and the merchant.
+
+The caliph, who saw that the boy was much abashed, in order to
+encourage him, said, "Come to me, child, and tell me if it was
+you that determined the affair between Ali Khaujeh and the
+merchant who had cheated him of his money? I saw and heard the
+decision, and am very well pleased with you." The boy answered
+modestly, that it was he. "Well, my son," replied the caliph,
+"come and sit down by me, and you shall see the true Ali Khaujeh,
+and the true merchant."
+
+The caliph then took him by the hand, seated him on the throne by
+him, and asked for the two parties. When they were introduced,
+they prostrated themselves before the throne, bowing their heads
+quite down to the carpet that covered it. Afterwards the caliph
+said to them, "Plead each of you your causes before this child,
+who will hear and do you justice: and if he should be at a loss I
+will assist him."
+
+Ali Khaujeh and the merchant pleaded one after the other; but
+when the merchant proposed his oath as before, the child said,
+"It is too soon; it is proper that we should see the jar of
+olives."
+
+At these words Ali Khaujeh presented the jar, placed it at the
+caliph's feet, and opened it. The caliph looked at the olives,
+took one and tasted it, giving another to the boy. Afterwards the
+merchants were called, who examined the olives, and reported that
+they were good, and of that year. The boy told them, that Ali
+Khaujeh affirmed that it was seven years since he had put them
+up; when they returned the same answer as the children, who had
+represented them the night before.
+
+Though the wretch who was accused saw plainly that these
+merchants' opinion must convict him, yet he would say something
+in his own justification. But the child, instead of ordering him
+to be impaled, looked at the caliph, and said "Commander of the
+faithful, this is no jesting matter; it is your majesty that must
+condemn him to death, and not I, though I did it yesterday in
+play."
+
+The caliph, fully satisfied of the merchant's villany, delivered
+him into the hands of the ministers of justice to be impaled. The
+sentence was executed upon him, after he had confessed where he
+had concealed the thousand pieces of gold, which were restored to
+Ali Khaujeh. The monarch, most just and equitable, then turning
+to the cauzee, bade him learn of that child to acquit himself
+more exactly of his duty; and embracing the boy, sent him home
+with a purse of a hundred pieces of gold as a token of his
+liberality and admiration of his acuteness.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Volume 3.
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 5666 ***