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diff --git a/5668.txt b/5668.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e39df4c --- /dev/null +++ b/5668.txt @@ -0,0 +1,54575 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Arabian Nights Entertainments Complete, by Anonymous + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Arabian Nights Entertainments Complete + +Author: Anonymous + +Posting Date: January 24, 2009 [EBook #5668] +Release Date: May, 2004 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ARABIAN NIGHTS COMPLETE *** + + + + +Produced by J. C. Byers, Sally Gellert, Renate Preuss, and +Christine Sturrock. + + + + + + + + + + The "Aldine" Edition of + + The Arabian Nights Entertainments + + Illustrated by S. L. Wood + + FROM THE TEXT OF DR. JONATHAN SCOTT + + In Four Volumes + + Volume 1 + + Only 500 copies of the Small Paper Edition are printed + for America, of which this is No. 217 + + + London + Pickering and Chatto + 1890 + + + + + The Publishers' Preface. + + + +This, the "Aldine Edition" of "The Arabian Nights +Entertainments," forms the first four volumes of a proposed +series of reprints of the Standard works of fiction which have +appeared in the English language. + +It is our intention to publish the series in an artistic way, +well illustrating a text typographically as perfect as possible. +The texts in all cases will be carefully chosen from approved +editions. + +The series is intended for those who appreciate well printed and +illustrated books, or who are in want of a handy and handsome +edition of such works to place upon their bookshelves. + +The exact origin of the Tales, which appear in the Arabic as "The +Thousand and One Nights," is unknown. The Caliph Haroon al +Rusheed, who, figures in so lifelike a manner in many of the +stories, was a contemporary of the Emperor Charlemagne, and there +is internal evidence that the collection was made in the Arabic +language about the end of the tenth century. + +They undoubtedly convey a picturesque impression of the manners, +sentiments, and customs of Eastern Mediaeval Life. + +The stories were translated from the Arabic by M. Galland and +first found their way into English in 1704, when they were +retranslated from M. Galland's French text and at once became +exceedingly popular. + +This process of double translation had great disadvantages; it +induced Dr. Jonathan Scott, Oriental Professor, to publish in +1811, a new edition, revised and corrected from the Arabic. + +It is upon this text that the present edition is formed. + +It will be found free from that grossness which is unavoidable in +a strictly literal translation of the original into English; and +which has rendered the splendid translations of Sir R. Burton and +Mr. J. Payne quite unsuitable as the basis of a popular edition, +though at the same time stamping the works as the two most +perfect editions for the student. + +The scholarly translation of Lane, by the too strict an adherence +to Oriental forms of expression, and somewhat pedantic rendering +of the spelling of proper names, is found to be tedious to a very +large number of readers attracted by the rich imagination, +romance, and humour of these tales. + + + + Contents of Volume I. + +The Ass, the Ox, and the Labourer. +THE MERCHANT AND THE GENIE. +The Story of the First Old Man and the Hind. +The Story of the Second old Man and the Two Black Dogs. +THE STORY OF THE FISHERMAN. +The Story of the Grecian King and the Physician Douban. +The Story of the Husband and the Parrot. +The Story of the Vizier that was Punished. +The History of the Young King of the Black Isles. +STORY OF THE THREE CALENDERS, SONS OF SULTANS; AND OF THE FIVE + LADIES OF BAGDAD. +The History of the First Calender. +The Story of the Second Calender. +The Story of the Envious Man, and of him that he Envied. +The History of the Third Calender. +The Story of Zobeide. +The Story of Amene. +THE STORY OF SINBAD THE VOYAGER. +The First Voyage. +The Second Voyage. +The Third Voyage. +The Fourth Voyage. +The Fifth Voyage. +The Sixth Voyage. +The Seventh and Last Voyage. +THE THREE APPLES. +The Story of the Lady who was Murdered, and of the Young Man her Husband. +The Story of Noor ad Deen Ali and Buddir ad Deen Houssun. +THE HISTORY OF GANEM, SON OF ABOU AYOUB, AND KNOWN BY THE SURNAME + OF LOVE'S SLAVE. + + + + + The Arabian Nights Entertainments. + + + +The chronicles of the Sassanians, ancient kings of Persia, who +extended their empire into the Indies, over all the adjacent +islands, and a great way beyond the Ganges, as far as China, +acquaint us, that there was formerly a king of that potent +family, who was regarded as the most excellent prince of his +time. He was as much beloved by his subjects for his wisdom and +prudence, as he was dreaded by his neighbours, on account of his +velour, and well-disciplined troops. He had two sons; the elder +Shier-ear, the worthy heir of his father, and endowed with all +his virtues; the younger Shaw-zummaun, a prince of equal merit. + +After a long and glorious reign, this king died; and Shier-ear +mounted his throne. Shaw-zummaun, being excluded from all share +in the government by the laws of the empire, and obliged to live +a private life, was so far from envying the happiness of his +brother, that he made it his whole business to please him, and in +this succeeded without much difficulty. Shier-ear, who had +naturally a great affection the prince his brother, gave him the +kingdom of Great Tartary. Shaw-zummaun went immediately and took +possession of it, and fixed the seat of his government at +Samarcand, the metropolis of the country. + +After they had been separated ten years, Shier-ear, being very +desirous of seeing his brother, resolved to send an ambassador to +invite him to his court. He made choice of his prime vizier for +the embassy, and sent him to Tartary, with a retinue answerable +to his dignity. The vizier proceeded with all possible expedition +to Samarcand. When he came near the city, Shaw-zummaun was +informed of his approach, and went to meet him attended by the +principal lords of his court, who, to shew the greater honour to +the sultan's minister, appeared in magnificent apparel. The king +of Tartary received the ambassador with the greatest +demonstrations of joy; and immediately asked him concerning the +welfare of the sultan his brother. The vizier having acquainted +him that he was in health, informed him of the purpose of his +embassy. Shaw-zummaun was much affected, and answered: "Sage +vizier, the sultan my brother does me too much honour; nothing +could be more agreeable to me, for I as ardently long to see him +as he does to see me. Time has not diminished my friendship more +than his. My kingdom is in peace, and I want no more than ten +days to get myself ready to return with you. There is therefore +no necessity for your entering the city for so short a period. I +pray you to pitch your tents here, and I will order everything +necessary to be provided for yourself and your attendants." The +vizier readily complied; and as soon as the king returned to the +city, he sent him a prodigious quantity of provisions of all +sorts, with presents of great value. + +In the meanwhile, Shaw-zummaun prepared for his journey, gave +orders about his most important affairs, appointed a council to +govern in his absence, and named a minister, of whose wisdom he +had sufficient experience, and in whom he had entire confidence, +to be their president. At the end of ten days, his equipage being +ready, he took leave of the queen his wife, and went out of town +in the evening with his retinue. He pitched his royal pavilion +near the vizier's tent, and conversed with him till midnight. +Wishing once more to see the queen, whom he ardently loved, he +returned alone to his palace, and went directly to her majesty's +apartments. But she, not expecting his return, had taken one of +the meanest officers of her household to her bed. + +The king entered without noise, and pleased himself to think how +he should surprise his wife who he thought loved him with +reciprocal tenderness. But how great was his astonishment, when, +by the light of the flambeau, he beheld a man in her arms! He +stood immovable for some time, not knowing how to believe his own +eyes. But finding there was no room for doubt, "How!" said he to +himself, "I am scarcely out of my palace, and but just under the +walls of Samarcand, and dare they put such an outrage upon me? +Perfidious wretches! your crime shall not go unpunished. As a +king, I am bound to punish wickedness committed in my dominions; +and as an enraged husband, I must sacrifice you to my just +resentment." The unfortunate prince, giving way to his rage, then +drew his cimeter, and approaching the bed killed them both with +one blow, their sleep into death; and afterwards taking them up, +he threw them out of a window into the ditch that surrounded the +palace. + +Having thus avenged himself, he returned to his pavilion without +saying one word of what had happened, gave orders that the tents +should be struck, and everything made ready for his journey. All +was speedily prepared, and before day he began his march, with +kettle-drums and other instruments of music, that filled everyone +with joy, excepting the king; he was so much afflicted by the +disloyalty of his wife, that he was seized with extreme +melancholy, which preyed upon his spirits during the whole of his +journey. + +When he drew near the capital of the Indies, the sultan Shier-ear and +all his court came out to meet him. The princes were overjoyed to see +one another, and having alighted, after mutual embraces and other +marks of affection and respect, remounted, and entered the city, +amidst the acclamations of the people. The sultan conducted his +brother to the palace provided for him, which had a communication with +his own by a garden. It was so much the more magnificent as it was set +apart as a banqueting-house for public entertainments, and other +diversions of the court, and its splendour had been lately augmented +by new furniture. + +Shier-ear immediately left the king of Tartary, that he might +give him time to bathe, and to change his apparel. As soon as he +had done, he returned to him again, and they sat down together on +a sofa or alcove. The courtiers out of respect kept at a +distance, and the two princes entertained one another suitably to +their friendship, their consanguinity, and their long separation. +The time of supper being come, they ate together, after which +they renewed their conversation, which continued till Shier-ear, +perceiving that it was very late, left his brother to repose. + +The unfortunate Shaw-zummaun retired to bed. Though the +conversation of his brother had suspended his grief for some +time, it returned again with increased violence; so that, instead +of taking his necessary rest, he tormented himself with the +bitterest reflections. All the circumstances of his wife's +disloyalty presented themselves afresh to his imagination, in so +lively a manner, that he was like one distracted being able to +sleep, he arose, and abandoned himself to the most afflicting +thoughts, which made such an impression upon his countenance, as +it was impossible for the sultan not to observe. "What," said he, +"can be the matter with the king of Tartary that he is so +melancholy? Has he any cause to complain of his reception? No, +surely; I have received him as a brother whom I love, so that I +can charge myself with no omission in that respect. Perhaps it +grieves him to be at such a distance from his dominions, or from +the queen his wife? If that be the case, I must forthwith give +him the presents I designed for him, that he may return to +Samarcand." Accordingly the next day Shier-ear sent him part of +those presents, being the greatest rarities and the richest +things that the Indies could afford. At the same time he +endeavoured to divert his brother every day by new objects of +pleasure, and the most splendid entertainments. But these, +instead of affording him ease, only increased his sorrow. + +One day, Shier-ear having appointed a great hunting-match, about +two days journey from his capital, in a place that abounded with +deer, Shaw-zummaun besought him to excuse his attendance, for his +health would not allow him to bear him company. The sultan, +unwilling to put any constraint upon him, left him at his +liberty, and went a-hunting with his nobles. The king of Tartary +being thus left alone, shut himself up in his apartment, and sat +down at a window that looked into the garden. That delicious +place, and the sweet harmony of an infinite number of birds, +which chose it for their retreat, must certainly have diverted +him, had he been capable of taking pleasure in anything; but +being perpetually tormented with the fatal remembrance of his +queen's infamous conduct, his eyes were not so much fixed upon +the garden, as lifted up to heaven to bewail his misfortune. + +While he was thus absorbed in grief, a circumstance occurred +which attracted the whole of his attention. A secret gate of the +sultan's palace suddenly opened, and there came out of it twenty +women, in the midst of whom walked the sultaness, who was easily +distinguished from the rest by her majestic air. This princess +thinking that the king of Tartary was gone a-hunting with his +brother the sultan, came with her retinue near the windows of his +apartment. For the prince had so placed himself that he could see +all that passed in the garden without being perceived himself. He +observed, that the persons who accompanied the sultaness threw +off their veils and long robes, that they might be more at their +ease, but he was greatly surprised to find that ten of them were +black men, and that each of these took his mistress. The +sultaness, on her part, was not long without her gallant. She +clapped her hands, and called "Masoud, Masoud," and immediately a +black descended from a tree, and ran towards her with great +speed. + +Modesty will not allow, nor is it necessary, to relate what +passed between the blacks and the ladies. It is sufficient to +say, that Shaw-zummaun saw enough to convince him, that his +brother was as much to be pitied as himself. This amorous company +continued together till midnight, and having bathed together in a +great piece of water, which was one of the chief ornaments of the +garden, they dressed themselves, and re-entered the palace by the +secret door, all except Masoud, who climbed up his tree, and got +over the garden wall as he had come in. + +These things having passed in the king of Tartary's sight, filled +him with a multitude of reflections. "How little reason had I," +said he, "to think that none was so unfortunate as myself? It is +surely the unavoidable fate of all husbands, since even the +sultan my brother, who is sovereign of so-many dominions, and the +greatest prince of the earth, could not escape. Such being the +case, what a fool am I to kill myself with grief? I am resolved +that the remembrance of a misfortune so common shall never more +disturb my peace." + +From that moment he forbore afflicting himself. He called for his +supper, ate with a better appetite than he had done since his +leaving Samarcand, and listened with some degree of pleasure to +the agreeable concert of vocal and instrumental music that was +appointed to entertain him while at table. + +He continued after this very cheerful; and when he was informed +that the sultan was returning, went to meet him, and paid him his +compliments with great gaiety. Shier-ear at first took no notice +of this alteration. He politely expostulated with him for not +bearing him company, and without giving him time to reply, +entertained him with an account of the great number of deer and +other game they had killed, and the pleasure he had received in +the chase. Shaw-zummaun heard him with attention; and being now +relieved from the melancholy which had before depressed his +spirits, and clouded his talents, took up the conversation in his +turn, and spoke a thousand agreeable and pleasant things to the +sultan. + +Shier-ear, who expected to have found him in the same state as he +had left him, was overjoyed to see him so cheerful: "Dear +brother," said he, "I return thanks to heaven for the happy +change it has wrought in you during my absence. I am indeed +extremely rejoiced. But I have a request to make to you, and +conjure you not to deny me." "I can refuse you nothing," replied +the king of Tartary; "you may command Shaw-zummaun as you please: +speak, I am impatient to know what you desire of me." "Ever since +you came to my court," resumed Shier-ear, "I have found you +immersed in a deep melancholy, and I have in vain attempted to +remove it by different diversions. I imagined it might be +occasioned by your distance from your dominions, or that love +might have a great share in it; and that the queen of Samarcand, +who, no doubt, is an accomplished beauty, might be the cause. I +do not know whether I am mistaken in my conjecture; but I must +own, that it was for this very reason I would not importune you +upon the subject, for fear of making you uneasy. But without +myself contributing anything towards effecting the change, I find +on my return that your mind is entirely delivered from the black +vapour which disturbed it. Pray do me the favour to tell me why +you were so melancholy, and wherefore you are no longer so." + +The king of Tartary continued for some time as if he had been +meditating and contriving what he should answer; but at last replied, +"You are my sultan and master; but excuse me, I beseech you, from +answering your question." "No, dear brother," said the sultan, "you +must answer me, I will take no denial." Shaw-zummaun, not being able +to withstand these pressing entreaties, replied, "Well then, brother, +I will satisfy you, since you command me;" and having told him the +story of the queen of Samarcand's treachery "This," said he, "was the +cause of my grief; judge whether I had not sufficient reason for my +depression." + +"O! my brother," said the sultan, (in a tone which shewed what +interest he took in the king of Tartary's affliction), "what a +horrible event do you tell me! I commend you for punishing the +traitors who offered you such an outrage. None can blame you for +what you have done. It was just; and for my part, had the case +been mine, I should scarcely have been so moderate. I could not +have satisfied myself with the life of one woman; I should have +sacrificed a thousand to my fury. I now cease to wonder at your +melancholy. The cause was too afflicting and too mortifying not +to overwhelm you. O heaven! what a strange adventure! Nor do I +believe the like ever befell any man but yourself. But I must +bless God, who has comforted you; and since I doubt not but your +consolation is well-grounded, be so good as to inform me what it +is, and conceal nothing from me." Shaw-zummaun was not so easily +prevailed upon in this point as he had been in the other, on his +brother's account. But being obliged to yield to his pressing +instances, answered, "I must obey you then, since your command is +absolute, yet I am afraid that my obedience will occasion your +trouble to be greater than my own. But you must blame yourself, +since you force me to reveal what I should otherwise have buried +in eternal Oblivion." "What you say," answered Shier-ear, "serves +only to increase my curiosity. Discover the secret, whatever it +be." The king of Tartary being no longer able to refuse, related +to him the particulars of the blacks in disguise, of the +ungoverned passion of the sultaness, and her ladies; nor did he +forget Masoud. After having been witness to these infamous +actions, he continued, "I believed all women to be naturally +lewd; and that they could not resist their inclination. Being of +this opinion, it seemed to me to be in men an unaccountable +weakness to place any confidence in their fidelity. This +reflection brought on many others; and in short, I thought the +best thing I could do was to make myself easy. It cost me some +pains indeed, but at last I grew reconciled; and if you will take +my advice, you will follow my example." + +Though the advice was good, the sultan could not approve of it, but +fell into a rage. "What!" said he, "is the sultaness of the Indies +capable of prostituting herself in so base a manner! No, brother, I +cannot believe what you state unless I beheld it with my own eyes. +Yours must needs have deceived you; the matter is so important that I +must be satisfied of it myself." "Dear brother," answered +Shaw-zummaun, "that you may without much difficulty. Appoint another +hunting-match, and when we are out of town with your court and mine, +we will rest under our tents, and at night let you and I return +unattended to my apartments. I am certain the next day you will see a +repetition of the scene." The sultan approving the stratagem, +immediately appointed another hunting-match. And that same day the +tents were pitched at the place appointed. + +The next day the two princes set out with all their retinue; they +arrived at the place of encampment, and stayed there till night. +Shier-ear then called his grand vizier, and, without acquainting +him with his design, commanded him during his absence to suffer +no person to quit the camp on any presence whatever. As soon as +he had given this order, the king of Grand Tartary and he took +horse, passed through the camp incognito, returned to the city, +and went to Shaw-zummaun's apartment. They had scarcely placed +themselves in the window whence the king of Tartary had beheld +the scene of the disguised blacks, when the secret gate opened, +the sultaness and her ladies entered the garden with the blacks, +and she having called to Masoud, the sultan saw more than enough +fully to convince him of his dishonour and misfortune. + +"Oh heavens!" he exclaimed, "what indignity! What horror! Can the +wife of a sovereign be capable of such infamous conduct? After +this, let no prince boast of being perfectly happy. Alas! my +brother," continued he, embracing the king of Tartery, "let us +both renounce the world, honour is banished out of it; if it +flatter us one day, it betrays us the next. Let us abandon our +dominions, and go into foreign countries, where we may lead an +obscure life, and conceal our misfortunes." Shaw-zummaun did not +at all approve of this plan, but did not think fit to contradict +Shierear in the heat of his passion. "Dear brother," he replied, +"your will shall be mine. I am ready to follow you whithersoever +you please: but promise me that you will return, if we meet with +any one more unhappy than ourselves." "To this I agree," said the +sultan, "but doubt much whether we shall." "I am not of your +opinion in this," replied the king of Tartary; "I fancy our +journey will be but short." Having thus resolved, they went +secretly out of the palace. They travelled as long as day-light +continued; and lay the first night under trees. They arose about +break of day, went on till they came to a fine meadow on the +seashore, that was be-sprinkled with large trees They sat down +under one of them to rest and refresh themselves, and the chief +subject of their conversation was the infidelity or their wives. + +They had not rested long, before they heard a frightful noise +from the sea, and a terrible cry, which filled them with fear. +The sea then opened, and there arose something like a great black +column, which reached almost to the clouds. This redoubled their +terror, made them rise with haste, and climb up into a tree to +bide themselves. They had scarcely got up, when looking to the +place from whence the noise proceeded, and where the sea had +opened, they observed that the black column advanced, winding +about towards the shore, cleaving the water before it. They +could not at first think what this could mean, but in a little +time they found that it was one of those malignant genies that +are mortal enemies to mankind, and are always doing them +mischief. He was black and frightful, had the shape of a giant, +of a prodigious stature, and carried on his head a large glass +box, fastened with four locks of fine steel. He entered the +meadow with his burden, which he laid down just at the foot of +the tree where the two princes were concealed, who gave +themselves over as lost. The genie sat down by his box, and +opening it with four keys that he had at his girdle, there came +out a lady magnificently appareled, of a majestic stature, and +perfect beauty. The monster made her sit down by him, and eyeing +her with an amorous look, said, "Lady, nay, most accomplished of +all ladies who are admired for their beauty, my charming +mistress, whom I carried off on your wedding-day, and have loved +so constantly ever since, let me sleep a few moments by you; for +I found myself so very drowsy that I came to this place to take a +little rest." Having spoken thus, he laid down his huge head upon +the lady's knees, and stretching out his legs, which reached as +far as the sea, he fell asleep presently, and snored so loud that +he made the shores echo. + +The lady happening at this time to look up, saw the two princes +in the tree, and made a sign to them with her hand to come down +without making any noise. Their fear was extreme when they found +themselves discovered, and they prayed the lady, by other signs, +to excuse them. But she, after having laid the monster's head +softly on the ground, rose up and spoke to them, with a low but +eager voice, to come down to her; she would take no denial. They +informed her by signs that they were afraid of the genie, and +would fain have been excused. Upon which she ordered them to come +down, and threatened if they did not make haste, to awaken the +genie, and cause him to put them to death. + +These words so much intimidated the princes, that they began to +descend with all possible precaution lest they should awake the +genie. When they had come down, the lady took them by the hand, +and going a little farther with them under the trees, made them a +very urgent proposal. At first they rejected it, but she obliged +them to comply by her threats. Having obtained what she desired, +she perceived that each of them had a ring on his finger, which +she demanded. As soon as she had received them, she pulled out a +string of other rings, which she shewed the princes, and asked +them if they knew what those jewels meant? "No," said they, "we +hope you will be pleased to inform us." "These are," she replied, +"the rings of all the men to whom I have granted my favours. +There are fourscore and eighteen, which I keep as memorials of +them; and I asked for yours to make up the hundred. So that I +have had a hundred gallants already, notwithstanding the +vigilance of this wicked genie, who never leaves me. He may lock +me up in this glass box and hide me in the bottom of the sea; but +I find methods to elude his vigilance. You may see by this, that +when a woman has formed a project, there is no husband or lover +that can prevent her from putting it in execution. Men had better +not put their wives under such restraint, as it only serves to +teach them cunning." Having spoken thus to them, she put their +rings on the same string with the rest, and sitting down by the +monster, as before, laid his head again upon her lap, end made a +sign to the princes to depart. + +They returned immediately the way they had come, and when they +were out of sight of the lady and the genie Shier-ear said to +Shaw-zummaun "Well, brother, what do you think of this adventure? +Has not the genie a very faithful mistress? And do you not agree +that there is no wickedness equal to that of women?" "Yes, +brother," answered the king of Great Tartary; "and you must also +agree that the monster is more unfortunate, and more to be pitied +than ourselves. Therefore, since we have found what we sought +for, let us return to our dominions, and let not this hinder us +from marrying. For my part, I know a method by which to preserve +the fidelity of my wife inviolable. I will say no more at +present, but you will hear of it in a little time, and I am sure +you will follow my example." The sultan agreed with his brother; +and continuing their journey, they arrived in the camp the third +night after their departure. + +The news of the sultan's return being spread, the courtiers came +betimes in the morning before his pavilion to wait his pleasure. +He ordered them to enter, received them with a more pleasant air +than he had formerly done, and gave each of them a present. After +which, he told them he would go no farther, ordered them to take +horse, and returned with expedition to his palace. + +As soon as he arrived, he proceeded to the sultaness's apartment, +commanded her to be bound before him, and delivered her to his +grand vizier, with an order to strangle her, which was +accordingly executed by that minister, without inquiring into her +crime. The enraged prince did not stop here, but cut off the +heads of all the sultaness's ladies with his own hand. After this +rigorous punishment, being persuaded that no woman was chaste, he +resolved, in order to prevent the disloyalty of such as he should +afterwards marry, to wed one every night, and have her strangled +next morning. Having imposed this cruel law upon himself, he +swore that he would put it in force immediately after the +departure of the king of Tartary, who shortly took leave of him, +and being laden with magnificent presents, set forward on his +journey. + +Shaw-zummaun having departed, Shier-ear ordered his grand vizier +to bring him the daughter of one of his generals. The vizier +obeyed. The sultan lay with her, and putting her next morning +into his hands again in order to have her strangled, commanded +him to provide him another the next night. Whatever reluctance +the vizier might feel to put such orders in execution, as he owed +blind obedience to the sultan his master, he was forced to +submit. He brought him then the daughter of a subaltern, whom he +also put to death the next day. After her he brought a citizen's +daughter; and, in a word, there was every day a maid married, and +a wife murdered. + +The rumour of this unparalleled barbarity occasioned a general +consternation in the city, where there was nothing but crying and +lamentation. Here, a father in tears, and inconsolable for the +loss of his daughter; and there, tender mothers dreating lest +their daughters should share the same fate, filling the air with +cries of distress and apprehension. So that, instead of the +commendation and blessings which the sultan had hitherto received +from his subjects, their mouths were now filled with +imprecations. + +The grand vizier who, as has been already observed, was the +unwilling executioner of this horrid course of injustice, had two +daughters, the elder called Scheherazade, and the younger +Dinarzade. The latter was highly accomplished; but the former +possessed courage, wit, and penetration, infinitely above her +sex. She had read much, and had so admirable a memory, that she +never forgot any thing she had read. She had successfully applied +herself to philosophy, medicine, history, and the liberal arts; +and her poetry excelled the compositions of the best writers of +her time. Besides this, she was a perfect beauty, and all her +accomplishments were crowned by solid virtue. + +The vizier loved this daughter, so worthy of his affection. One +day, as they were conversing together, she said to him, "Father, +I have one favour to beg of you, and most humbly pray you to +grant it." "I will not refuse," answered he, "provided it be just +and reasonable." "For the justice of it," resumed she, "there can +be no question, and you may judge of this by the motive which +obliges me to make the request. I wish to stop that barbarity +which the sultan exercises upon the families of this city. I +would dispel those painful apprehensions which so many mothers +feel of losing their daughters in such a fatal manner." "Your +design, daughter," replied the vizier "is very commendable; but +the evil you would remedy seems to me incurable. How do you +propose to effect your purpose?" "Father," said Scheherazade, +"since by your means the sultan makes every day a new marriage, I +conjure you, by the tender affection you bear me, to procure me +the honour of his bed." The vizier could not hear this without +horror. "O heaven!" he replied in a passion, "have you lost your +senses, daughter, that you make such a dangerous request? You +know the sultan has sworn, that he will never lie above one night +with the same woman, and to command her to be killed the next +morning; would you then have me propose you to him? Consider well +to what your indiscreet zeal will expose you." "Yes, dear +father," replied the virtuous daughter, "I know the risk I run; +but that does not alarm me. If I perish, my death will be +glorious; and if I succeed, I shall do my country an important +service." "No, no," said the vizier "whatever you may offer to +induce me to let you throw yourself into such imminent danger, do +not imagine that I will ever consent. When the sultan shall +command me to strike my poniard into your heart, alas! I must +obey; and what an employment will that be for a father! Ah! if +you do not dread death, at least cherish some fears of afflicting +me with the mortal grief of imbuing my hands in your blood." +"Once more father," replied Scheherazade, "grant me the favour I +solicit." "Your stubbornness," resumed the vizier "will rouse my +anger; why will you run headlong to your ruin? They who do not +foresee the end of a dangerous enterprise can never conduct it to +a happy issue. I am afraid the same thing will happen to you as +befell the ass, which was well off, but could not remain so." +"What misfortune befell the ass?" demanded Scheherazade. "I will +tell you," replied the vizier, "if you will hear me." + + + + + The Ass, the Ox, and the Labourer. + + + +A very wealthy merchant possessed several country-houses, where +he kept a large number of cattle of every kind. He retired with +his wife and family to one of these estates, in order to improve +it under his own direction. He had the gift of understanding the +language of beasts, but with this condition, that he should not, +on pain of death, interpret it to any one else. And this hindered +him from communicating to others what he learned by means of this +faculty. + +He kept in the same stall an ox and an ass. One day as he sat +near them, and was amusing himself in looking at his children who +were playing about him, he heard the ox say to the ass, +"Sprightly, O! how happy do I think you, when I consider the ease +you enjoy, and the little labour that is required of you. You are +carefully rubbed down and washed, you have well-dressed corn, and +fresh clean water. Your greatest business is to carry the +merchant, our master, when he has any little journey to make, and +were it not for that you would be perfectly idle. I am treated in +a very different manner, and my condition is as deplorable as +yours is fortunate. Daylight no sooner appears than I am fastened +to a plough, and made to work till night, which so fatigues me, +that sometimes my strength entirely fails. Besides, the labourer, +who is always behind me, beats me continually. By drawing the +plough, my tail is all flayed; and in short, after having +laboured from morning to night, when I am brought in they give me +nothing to eat but sorry dry beans, not so much as cleansed from +dirt, or other food equally bad; and to heighten my misery, when +I have filled my belly with such ordinary stuff, I am forced to +lie all night in my own dung: so that you see I have reason to +envy your lot." + +The ass did not interrupt the ox; but when he had concluded, +answered, "They that called you a foolish beast did not lie. You +are too simple; you suffer them to conduct you whither they +please, and shew no manner of resolution. In the mean time, what +advantage do you reap from all the indignities you suffer. You +kill yourself for the ease, pleasure, and profit of those who +give you no thanks for your service. But they would not treat you +so, if you had as much courage as strength. When they come to +fasten you to the stall, why do you not resist? why do you not +gore them with your horns, and shew that you are angry, by +striking your foot against the ground? And, in short, why do not +you frighten them by bellowing aloud? Nature has furnished you +with means to command respect; but you do not use them. They +bring you sorry beans and bad straw; eat none of them, only smell +and then leave them. If you follow my advice, you will soon +experience a change, for which you will thank me." + +The ox took the ass's advice in very good part, and owned he was +much obliged to him. "Dear Sprightly," added he, "I will not fail +to do as you direct, and you shall see how I will acquit myself." +Here ended their conversation, of which the merchant lost not a +word. + +Early the next morning the labourer went for the ox. He fastened +him to the plough and conducted him to his usual work. The ox, +who had not forgotten the ass's counsel, was very troublesome and +untowardly all that day, and in the evening, when the labourer +brought him back to the stall, and began to fasten him, the +malicious beast instead of presenting his head willingly as he +used to do, was restive, and drew back bellowing; and then made +at the labourer, as if he would have gored him with his horns. In +a word, he did all that the ass had advised him. The day +following, the labourer came as usual, to take the ox to his +labour; but finding the stall full of beans, the straw that he +had put in the night before not touched, and the ox lying on the +ground with his legs stretched out, and panting in a strange +manner, he believed him to be unwell, pitied him, and thinking +that it was not proper to take him to work, went immediately and +acquainted his master with his condition. The merchant perceiving +that the ox had followed all the mischievous advice of the ass, +determined to punish the latter, and accordingly ordered the +labourer to go and put him in the ox's place, and to be sure to +work him hard. The labourer did as he was desired. The ass was +forced to draw the plough all that day, which fatigued him so +much the more, as he was not accustomed to that kind of labour; +besides he had been so soundly beaten, that he could scarcely +stand when he came back. + +Meanwhile, the ox was mightily pleased; he ate up all that was in +his stall, and rested himself the whole day. He rejoiced that he +had followed the ass's advice, blessed him a thousand times for +the kindness he had done him, and did not fail to express his +obligations when the ass had returned. The ass made no reply, so +vexed was he at the ill treatment he had received; but he said +within himself, "It is by my own imprudence I have brought this +misfortune upon myself. I lived happily, every thing smiled upon +me; I had all that I could wish; it is my own fault that I am +brought to this miserable condition; and if I cannot contrive +some way to get out of it, I am certainly undone." As he spoke, +his strength was so much exhausted that he fell down in his +stall, as if he had been half dead. + +Here the grand vizier, himself to Scheherazade, and said, +"Daughter, you act just like this ass; you will expose yourself +to destruction by your erroneous policy. Take my advice, remain +quiet, and do not seek to hasten your death." "Father," replied +Scheherazade, "the example you have set before me will not induce +me to change my resolution. I will never cease importuning you +until you present me to the sultan as his bride." The vizier, +perceiving that she persisted in her demand, replied, "Alas! +then, since you will continue obstinate, I shall be obliged to +treat you in the same manner as the merchant whom I before +referred to treated his wife a short time after." + +The merchant understanding that the ass was in a lamentable +condition, was desirous of knowing what passed between him and +the ox, therefore after supper he went out by moonlight, and sat +down by them, his wife bearing him company. After his arrival, he +heard the ass say to the ox "Comrade, tell me, I pray you, what +you intend to do to-morrow, when the labourer brings you meat?" +"What will I do?" replied the ox, "I will continue to act as you +taught me. I will draw back from him and threaten him with my +horns, as I did yesterday: I will feign myself ill, and at the +point of death." "Beware of that," replied the ass, "it will ruin +you; for as I came home this evening, I heard the merchant, our +master, say something that makes me tremble for you." "Alas! what +did you hear?" demanded the ox; "as you love me, withhold nothing +from me, my dear Sprightly." "Our master," replied the ass, +"addressed himself thus to the labourer: Since the ox does not +eat, and is not able to work, I would have him killed to-morrow, +and we will give his flesh as an alms to the poor for God's sake, +as for the skin, that will be of use to us, and I would have you +give it the currier to dress; therefore be sure to send for the +butcher.' This is what I had to tell you," said the ass. "The +interest I feel in your preservation, and my friendship for you, +obliged me to make it known to you, and to give you new advice. +As soon as they bring you your bran and straw, rise up and eat +heartily. Our master will by this think that you are recovered, +and no doubt will recall his orders for killing you; but, if you +act otherwise, you will certainly be slaughtered." + +This discourse had the effect which the ass designed. The ox was +greatly alarmed, and bellowed for fear. The merchant, who heard +the conversation very attentively, fell into a loud fit of +laughter. His wife was greatly surprised, and asked, "Pray, +husband, tell me what you laugh at so heartily, that I may laugh +with you." "Wife," replied he, "you must content yourself with +hearing me laugh." "No," returned she, "I will know the reason." +"I cannot afford you that satisfaction," he, "and can only inform +you that I laugh at what our ass just now said to the ox. The +rest is a secret, which I am not allowed to reveal." "What," +demanded she "hinders you from revealing the secret?" "If I tell +it you," replied he, "I shall forfeit my life." "You only jeer +me," cried his wife, "what you would have me believe cannot be +true. If you do not directly satisfy me as to what you laugh at, +and tell me what the ox and the ass said to one another, I swear +by heaven that you and I shall never bed together again." + +Having spoken thus, she went into the house, and seating herself +in a corner, cried there all night. Her husband lay alone, and +finding next morning that she continued in the same humour, told +her, she was very foolish to afflict herself in that manner; that +the thing was not worth so much; that it concerned her very +little to know while it was of the utmost consequence to him to +keep the secret: "therefore," continued he, "I conjure you to +think no more of it." "I shall still think so much of it," +replied she, "as never to forbear weeping till you have satisfied +my curiosity." "But I tell you very seriously," answered he, +"that it will cost me my life if I yield to your indiscreet +solicitations." "Let what will happen," said she, "I do insist +upon it." "I perceive," resumed the merchant, "that it is +impossible to bring you to reason, and since I foresee that you +will occasion your own death by your obstinacy, I will call in +your children, that they may see you before you die." Accordingly +he called for them, and sent for her father and mother, and other +relations. When they were come and had heard the reason of their +being summoned, they did all they could to convince her that she +was in the wrong, but to no purpose: she told them she would +rather die than yield that point to her husband. Her father and +mother spoke to her by herself, and told her that what she +desired to know was of no importance to her; but they could +produce no effect upon her, either by their authority or +intreaties. When her children saw that nothing would prevail to +draw her out of that sullen temper, they wept bitterly. The +merchant himself was half frantic, and almost ready to risk his +own life to save that of his wife, whom he sincerely loved. + +The merchant had fifty hens and one cock, with a dog that gave +good heed to all that passed. While the merchant was considering +what he had best do, he saw his dog run towards the cock as he +was treading a hen, and heard him say to him: "Cock, I am sure +heaven will not let you live long; are you not ashamed to ad thus +to-day?" The cock standing up on tiptoe, answered fiercely: "And +why not to-day as well as other days?" "If you do not know," +replied the dog, "then I will tell you, that this day our master +is in great perplexity. His wife would have him reveal a secret +which is of such a nature, that the disclosure would cost him his +life. Things are come to that pass, that it is to be feared he +will scarcely have resolution enough to resist his wife's +obstinacy; for he loves her, and is affected by the tears she +continually sheds. We are all alarmed at his situation, while you +only insult our melancholy, and have the impudence to divert +yourself with your hens." + +The cock answered the dog's reproof thus: "What, has our master +so little sense? he has but one wife, and cannot govern her, and +though I have fifty, I make them all do what I please. Let him +use his reason, he will soon find a way to rid himself of his +trouble." "How?" demanded the dog; "what would you have him do?" +"Let him go into the room where his wife is," resumed the cock, +"lock the door, and take a stick and thrash her well; and I will +answer for it, that will bring her to her senses, and make her +forbear to importune him to discover what he ought not to +reveal." The merchant had no sooner heard what the cock said, +than he took up a stick, went to his wife, whom he found still +crying, and shutting the door, belaboured her so soundly, that +she cried out, "Enough, husband, enough, forbear, and I will +never ask the question more." Upon this, perceiving that she +repented of her impertinent curiosity, he desisted; and opening +the door, her friends came in, were glad to find her cured of her +obstinacy, and complimented her husband upon this happy expedient +to bring his wife to reason. + +"Daughter," added the grand vizier, "you deserve to be treated as +the merchant treated his wife." + +"Father," replied Scheherazade, "I beg you would not take it ill +that I persist in my opinion. I am nothing moved by the story of +this woman. I could relate many, to persuade you that you ought +not to oppose my design. Besides, pardon me for declaring, that +your opposition is vain; for if your paternal affection should +hinder you from granting my request, I will go and offer myself +to the sultan." In short, the father, being overcome by the +resolution of his daughter, yielded to her importunity, and +though he was much grieved that he could not divert her from so +fatal a resolution, he went instantly to acquaint the sultan, +that next night he would bring him Scheherazade. + +The sultan was much surprized at the sacrifice which the grand +vizier proposed to make. "How could you", said he, "resolve to +bring me your own daughter?" "Sir," answered the vizier, "it is +her own offer. The sad destiny that awaits her could not +intimidate her; she prefers the honour of being your majesty's +wile for one night, to her life." "But do not act under a +mistake, vizier," said the sultan; "to-morrow when I place +Scheherazade in your hands, I expect you will put her to death; +and if you fail, I swear that your own life shall answer." "Sir," +rejoined the vizier "my heart without doubt will be full of grief +to execute your commands; but it is to no purpose for nature to +murmur. Though I am her father, I will answer for the fidelity of +my hand to obey your order." Shier-ear accepted his minister's +offer, and told him he might bring his daughter when he pleased. + +The grand vizier went with the intelligence to Schcherazade, who +received it with as much joy as if it had been the most agreeable +information she could have received. She thanked her father for +having so greatly obliged her; and perceiving that he was +overwhelmed with grief, told him for his consolation, that she +hoped he would never repent of having married her to the sultan; +and that, on the contrary, he should have reason to rejoice at +his compliance all his days. + +Her business now was to adorn herself to appear before the sultan; but +before she went, she took her sister Dinarzade apart, and said to her, +"My dear sister, I have need of your assistance in a matter of great +importance, and must pray you not to deny it me. My father is going to +conduct me to the sultan; do not let this alarm you, but hear me with +patience. As soon as I am in his presence, I will pray him to allow +you to lie in the bride-chamber, that I may enjoy your company this +one night more. If I obtain that favour, as I hope to do, remember to +awake me to-morrow an hour before day, and to address me in these or +some such words: 'My sister, if you be not asleep, I pray you that +till day-break, which will be very shortly, you will relate to me one +of the entertaining stories of which you have read so many.' I will +immediately tell you one; and I hope by this means to deliver the city +from the consternation it is under at present." Dinarzade answered +that she would with pleasure act as she required her. + +The grand vizier conducted Schcherazade to the palace, and +retired, after having introduced her into the sultan's apartment. +As soon as the sultan was left alone with her, he ordered her to +uncover her face: he found her so beautiful that he was perfectly +charmed; but perceiving her to be in tears, demanded the reason. +"Sir," answered Scheherazade, "I have a sister who loves me +tenderly, and I could wish that she might be allowed to pass the +night in this chamber, that I might see her, and once more bid +her adieu. Will you be pleased to allow me the consolation of +giving her this last testimony of my affection?" Shier-ear having +consented, Dinarzade was sent for, who came with all possible +expedition. + +An hour before day, Dinarzade failed not to do as her sister had +ordered. "My dear sister," cried she, "if you be not asleep, I +pray that until daybreak, which will be very shortly, you will +tell me one of those pleasant stories you have read. Alas! this +may perhaps be the last time that I shall enjoy that pleasure." + +Scheherazade, instead of answering her sister, addressed herself +to the sultan: "Sir, will your majesty be pleased to allow me to +afford my sister this satisfaction?" "With all my heart," replied +the sultan. Scheherazade then bade her sister attend, and +afterwards, addressing herself to Shier-ear, proceeded as +follows. + + + + + THE MERCHANT AND THE GENIE. + + + +There was formerly a merchant who possessed much property in +lands, goods, and money, and had a great number of clerks, +factors, and slaves. He was obliged from time to time to visit +his correspondents on business; and one day being under the +necessity of going a long journey on an affair of importance, he +took horse, and carried with him a wallet containing biscuits and +dates, because he had a great desert to pass over, where he could +procure no sort of provisions. He arrived without any accident at +the end of his journey; and having dispatched his affairs, took +horse again, in order to return home. + +The fourth day of his journey, he was so much incommoded by the +heat of the sun, and the reflection of that heat from the earth, +that he turned out of the road, to refresh himself under some +trees. He found at the root of a large tree a fountain of very +clear running water. Having alighted, he tied his horse to a +branch, and sitting down by the fountain, took some biscuits and +dates out of his wallet. As he ate his dates, he threw the shells +carelessly in different directions. When he had finished his +repast, being a good Moosulmaun, he washed his hands, face, and +feet, and said his prayers. Before he had finished, and while he +was yet on his knees, he saw a genie, white with age, and of a +monstrous bulk, advancing towards him with a cimeter in his hand. +The genie spoke to him in a terrible voice: "Rise, that I may +kill thee with this cimeter, as thou hast killed my son;" and +accompanied these words with a frightful cry. The merchant being +as much alarmed at the hideous shape of the monster as at his +threatening language, answered him, trembling, "Alas! my good +lord, of what crime can I be guilty towards you, that you should +take away my life?" "I will," replied the genie, "kill thee, as +thou hast killed my son." "Heavens," exclaimed the merchant, "how +could I kill your son? I never knew, never saw him." "Did not you +sit down when you came hither?" demanded the genie: "did you not +take dates out of your wallet, and as you ate them, did not you +throw the shells about in different directions?" "I did all that +you say," answered the merchant, "I cannot deny it." "If it be +so," resumed the genie, "I tell thee that thou hast killed my +son; and in this manner: When thou wert throwing the shells +about, my son was passing by, and thou didst throw one into his +eye, which killed him; therefore I must kill thee." "Ah! my lord! +pardon me!" cried the merchant. "No pardon," exclaimed the genie, +"no mercy. Is it not just to kill him that has killed another?" +"I agree it is," replied the merchant, "but certainly I never +killed your son; and if I have, it was unknown to me, and I did +it innocently; I beg you therefore to pardon me, and suffer me to +live." "No, no," returned the genie, persisting in his +resolution, "I must kill thee, since thou hast killed my son." +Then taking the merchant by the arm, he threw him with his face +on the ground, and lifted up his cimeter to cut off his head. + +The merchant, with tears, protested he was innocent, bewailed his +wife and children, and supplicated the genie, in the most moving +expressions. The genie, with his cimeter still lifted up, had the +patience to hear his unfortunate victims to the end of his +lamentations, but would not relent. "All this whining," said the +monster, "is to no purpose; though you should shed tears of +blood, they should not hinder me from killing thee, as thou hast +killed my son." "What!" exclaimed the merchant, "can nothing +prevail with you? Will you absolutely take away the life of a +poor innocent?" "Yes," replied the genie, "I am resolved." + +As soon as she had spoken these words, perceiving it was day, and +knowing that the sultan rose early in the morning to say his +prayers, and hold his council, Scheherazade discontinued her +story. "Dear sister," said Dinarzade, "what a wonderful story is +this!" "The remainder of it," replied Scheherazade "is more +surprising, and you will be of this opinion, if the sultan will +but permit me to live over this day, and allow me to proceed with +the relation the ensuing night." Shier-ear, who had listened to +Scheherazade with much interest, said to himself, "I will wait +till to-morrow, for I can at any time put her to death when she +has concluded her story." Having thus resolved not to put +Scheherazade to death that day, he rose and went to his prayers, +and to attend his council. + +During this time the grand vizier was in the utmost distress. +Instead of sleeping, he spent the night in sighs and groans, +bewailing the lot of his daughter, of whom he believed he should +himself shortly be the executioner. As, with this melancholy +prospect before him, he dreaded to meet the sultan, he was +agreeably surprised when he found the prince entered the council +chamber without giving him the fatal orders he expected. + +The sultan, according to his custom, spent the day in regulating +his affairs; and when the night had closed in, retired with +Scheherazade. The next morning before day, Dinarzade failed not +to call to her sister: "My dear sister, if you be not asleep, I +pray you till day-break, which is very near, to go on with the +story you began last night." The sultan, without waiting for +Scheherazade to ask his permission, bade her proceed with the +story of the genie and the merchant; upon which Scheherazade +continued her relation as follows. [FN: In the original work +Scheherazade continually breaks off to ask the sultan to spare +her life for another day, that she may finish the story she is +relating. As these interruptions considerably interfere with the +continued interest of the stories, it has been deemed advisable +to omit them.] + +When the merchant saw that the genie was going to cut off his +head, he cried out aloud to him, "For heaven's sake hold your +hand! Allow me one word. Have the goodness to grant me some +respite, to bid my wife and children adieu, and to divide my +estate among them by will, that they may not go to law after my +death. When I have done this, I will come back and submit to +whatever you shall please to command." "But," said the genie, "if +I grant you the time you ask, I doubt you will never return?" "If +you will believe my oath," answered the merchant, "I swear by all +that is sacred, that I will come and meet you here without fail." +"What time do you require then?" demanded the genie. "I ask a +year," said the merchant; "I cannot in less settle my affairs, +and prepare myself to die without regret. But I promise you, that +this day twelve months I will return under these trees, to put +myself into your hands." "Do you take heaven to be witness to +this promise?" said the genie. "I do," answered the merchant, +"and you may rely on my oath." Upon this the genie left him near +the fountain, and disappeared. + +The merchant being recovered from his terror, mounted his horse, +and proceeded on his journey, glad on the one hand that he had +escaped so great a danger, but grieved on the other, when he +reflected on his fatal oath. When he reached home, his wife and +children received him with all the demonstrations of perfect joy. +But he, instead of returning their caresses, wept so bitterly, +that his family apprehended something calamitous had befallen +him. His wife enquire reason of his excessive grief and tears; +"We are all overjoyed," said she, "at your return; but you alarm +us by your lamentations; pray tell us the cause of your sorrow." +"Alas!" replied the husband, "I have but a year to live." He then +related what had passed betwixt him and the genie, and informed +her that he had given him his oath to return at the end of the +year, to receive death from his hands. + +When they heard this afflicting intelligence, they all began to +lament in the most distressing manner. His wife uttered the most +piteous cries, beat her face, and tore her hair. The children, +all in tears, made the house resound with their groans; and the +father, not being able to resist the impulse of nature, mingled +his tears with theirs: so that, in a word, they exhibited the +most affecting spectacle possible. + +On the following morning the merchant applied himself to put his +affairs in order; and first of all to pay his debts. He made +presents to his friends, gave liberal alms to the poor, set his +slaves of both sexes at liberty, divided his property among his +children, appointed guardians for such of them as were not of +age; and after restoring to his wife all that was due to her by +their marriage contract, he gave her in addition as much as the +law would allow him. + +At last the year expired, and he was obliged to depart. He put +his burial clothes in his wallet; but when he came to bid his +wife and children adieu, their grief surpassed description. They +could not reconcile their minds to the separation, but resolved +to go and die with him. When, however, it became necessary for +him to tear himself from these dear objects, he addressed them in +the following terms: "My dear wife and children, I obey the will +of heaven in quitting you. Follow my example, submit with +fortitude to this necessity, and consider that it is the destiny +of man to die." Having thus spoken, he went out of the hearing of +the cries of his family; and pursuing his journey, arrived on the +day appointed at the place where he had promised to meet the +genie. He alighted, and seating himself down by the fountain, +waited the coming of the genie, with all the sorrow imaginable. +Whilst he languished under this painful expectation, an old man +leading a hind appeared and drew near him. After they had saluted +one another, the old man said to him, "Brother, may I ask why you +are come into this desert place, which is possessed solely by +evil spirits, and where consequently you cannot be safe? From the +beautiful trees which are seen here, one might indeed suppose the +place inhabited; but it is in reality a wilderness, where it is +dangerous to remain long." + +The merchant satisfied his curiosity, and related to him the +adventure which obliged him to be there. The old man listened +with astonishment, and when he had done, exclaimed, "This is the +most surprising thing in the world! and you are bound by the most +inviolable oath. However, I will be witness of your interview +with the genie." He then seated himself by the merchant, and they +entered into conversation. + +"But I see day," said Scheherazade, "and must leave off; yet the +best of the story is to come." The sultan resolving to hear the +end of it, suffered her to live that day also. + +The next morning Dinarzade made the same request to her sister as +before: "My dear sister," said she, "if you be not asleep, tell +me one of those pleasant stories that you have read." But the +sultan, wishing to learn what followed betwixt the merchant and +the genie, bade her proceed with that, which she did as follows. + +Sir, while the merchant and the old man who led the hind were +conversing, they saw another old man coming towards them, +followed by two black dogs; after they had saluted one another, +he asked them what they did in that place? The old man with the +hind told him the adventure of the merchant and genie, with all +that had passed between them, particularly the merchant's oath. +He added, that it was the day agreed on, and that he was resolved +to stay and see the issue. + +The second old man thinking it also worth his curiosity, resolved +to do the same, and took his seat by them. They had scarcely +begun to converse together, when there arrived a third old man +leading a mule. He addressed himself to the two former, and asked +why the merchant who sat with them looked so melancholy? They +told him the reason, which appeared to him so extraordinary, that +he also resolved to witness the result; and for that purpose sat +down with them. + +In a short time they perceived a thick vapour, like a cloud of +dust raised by a whirlwind, advancing towards them. When it had +come up to them it suddenly vanished, and the genie appeared; +who, without saluting them, went to the merchant with a drawn +cimeter, and taking him by the arm, said, "Get thee up, that I +may kill thee, as thou didst my son." The merchant and the three +old men began to lament and fill the air with their cries. + +When the old man who led the hind saw the genie lay hold of the +merchant, and about to kill him, he threw himself at the feet of +the monster, and kissing them, said to him, "Prince of genies, I +most humbly request you to suspend your anger, and do me the +favour to hear me. I will tell you the history of my life, and of +the hind you see; and if you think it more wonderful and +surprising than the adventure of the merchant, I hope you will +pardon the unfortunate man a third of his offence." The genie +took some time to deliberate on this proposal, but answered at +last, "Well then, I agree." + + + + + The Story of the First Old Man and the Hind. + + + +I shall begin my story then; listen to me, I pray you, with +attention. This hind you see is my cousin; nay, what is more, my +wife. She was only twelve years of age when I married her, so +that I may justly say, she ought to regard me equally as her +father, her kinsman, and her husband. + +We lived together twenty years, without any children. Her +barrenness did not effect any change in my love; I still treated +her with much kindness and affection. My desire of having +children only induced me to purchase a slave, by whom I had a +son, who was extremely promising. My wife being jealous, +cherished a hatred for both mother and child, but concealed her +aversion so well, that I knew nothing of it till it was too late. + +Mean time my son grew up, and was ten years old, when I was +obliged to undertake a long journey. Before I went, I recommended +to my wife, of whom I had no mistrust, the slave and her son, and +prayed her to take care of them during my absence, which was to +be for a whole year. She however employed that time to satisfy +her hatred. She applied herself to magic, and when she had learnt +enough of that diabolical art to execute her horrible design, the +wretch carried my son to a desolate place, where, by her +enchantments, she changed him into a calf, and gave him to my +farmer to fatten, pretending she had bought him. Her enmity did +not stop at this abominable action, but she likewise changed the +slave into a cow, and gave her also to my farmer. + +At my return, I enquired for the mother and child. "Your slave," +said she, "is dead; and as for your son, I know not what is +become of him, I have not seen him this two months." I was +afflicted at the death of the slave, but as she informed me my +son had only disappeared, I was in hopes he would shortly return. +However, eight months passed, and I heard nothing of him. When +the festival of the great Bairam was to be celebrated, I sent to +my farmer for one of the fattest cows to sacrifice. He +accordingly sent me one, and the cow which was brought me proved +to be my slave, the unfortunate mother of my son. I bound her, +but as I was going to sacrifice her, she bellowed piteously, and +I could perceive tears streaming from her eyes. This seemed to me +very extraordinary, and finding myself moved with compassion, I +could not find in my heart to give her a blow, but ordered my +farmer to get me another. + +My wife, who was present, was enraged at my tenderness, and +resisting an order which disappointed her malice, she cried out, +"What are you doing, husband? Sacrifice that cow; your farmer has +not a finer, nor one fitter for the festival." Out of deference +to my wife, I came again to the cow, and combating my compassion, +which suspended the sacrifice, was going to give her the fatal +blow, when the victim redoubling her tears, and bellowing, +disarmed me a second time. I then put the mallet into the +farmer's hands, and desired him to take it and sacrifice her +himself, for her tears and bellowing pierced my heart. + +The farmer, less compassionate than myself; sacrificed her; but +when he flayed her, found her to be nothing except bones, though +to she seemed very fat. "Take her yourself," said I to him, +"dispose of her in alms, or any way you please: and if you have a +very fat calf, bring it me in her stead." I did not enquire what +he did with the cow, but soon after he had taken her away, he +returned with a fat calf. Though I knew not the calf was my son, +yet I could not forbear being moved at the sight of him. On his +part, as soon as he beheld me, he made so great an effort to come +near me, that he broke his cord, threw himself at my feet, with +his head against the ground, as if he meant to excite my +compassion, conjuring me not to be so cruel as to take his life; +and did as much as was possible for him, to signify that he was +my son. + +I was more surprised and affected with this action, than with the +tears of the cow. I felt a tender pity, which interested me on +his behalf, or rather, nature did its duty. "Go," said I to the +farmer, "carry home that calf, take great care of him, and bring +me another in his stead immediately." + +As soon as my wife heard me give this order, she exclaimed, "What +are you about, husband? Take my advice, sacrifice no other calf +but that." "Wife," I replied, "I will not sacrifice him, I will +spare him, and pray do not you oppose me." The wicked woman had +no regard to my wishes; she hated my son too much to consent that +I should save him. I tied the poor creature, and taking up the +fatal knife, was going to plunge it into my son's throat, when +turning his eyes bathed with tears, in a languishing manner, +towards me, he affected me so much that I had not strength to +kill him. I let the knife fall, and told my wife positively that +I would have another calf to sacrifice, and not that. She used +all her endeavours to persuade me to change my resolution; but I +continued firm, and pacified her a little, by promising that I +would sacrifice him against the Bairam of the following year. + +The next morning my farmer desired to speak with me alone. "I +come," said he, "to communicate to you a piece of intelligence, +for which I hope you will return me thanks. I have a daughter +that has some skill in magic. Yesterday, as I carried back the +calf which you would not sacrifice, I perceived she laughed when +she saw him, and in a moment after fell a weeping. I asked her +why she acted two such opposite parts at one and the same time. +'rather,' replied she, 'the calf you bring back is our landlord's +son; I laughed for joy to see him still alive, and wept at the +remembrance of the sacrifice that was made the other day of his +mother, who was changed into a cow. These two metamorphoses were +made by the enchantments of our master's wife, who hated both the +mother and son.' This is what my daughter told me," said the +farmer, "and I come to acquaint you with it." + +I leave you to judge how much I was surprised. I went immediately +to my farmer, to speak to his daughter myself. As soon as I +arrived, I went forthwith to the stall where my son was kept; he +could not return my embraces, but received them in such a manner, +as fully satisfied me he was my son. + +The farmer's daughter then came to us: "My good maid," said I, +"can you restore my son to his former shape?" "Yes," she replied, +"I can." "Ah!" said I, "if you do, I will make you mistress of +all my fortune." She answered me, smiling, "You are our master, +and I well know what I owe to you; but I cannot restore your son +to his former shape, except on two conditions: the first is, that +you give him to me for my husband; and the second, that you allow +me to punish the person who changed him into a calf." "As to the +first," I replied, "I agree with all my heart: nay, I promise you +more, a considerable fortune for yourself, independently of what +I design for my son: in a word, you shall see how I will reward +the great service I expect from you. As to what relates to my +wife, I also agree; a person who has been capable of committing +such a criminal action, justly deserves to be punished. I leave +her to your disposal, only I must pray you not to take her life." +"I am going then," answered she, "to treat her as she treated +your son." "To this I consent," said I, "provided you first of +all restore to me my son." + +The damsel then took a vessel full of water, pronounced over it +words that I did not understand, and addressing herself to the +calf, "O calf, if thou west created by the almighty and sovereign +master of the world such as thou appearest at this time, continue +in that form; but if thou be a man, and art changed into a calf +by enchantment, return to thy natural shape, by the permission of +the sovereign Creator." As she spoke, she threw water upon him, +and in an instant he recovered his natural form. + +"My son, my dear son," cried I, immediately embracing him with +such a transport of joy that I knew not what I was doing, "it is +heaven that hath sent us this young maid, to remove the horrible +charm by which you were enchanted, and to avenge the injury done +to you and your mother. I doubt not but in acknowledgment you +will make your deliverer your wife, as I have promised." He +joyfully consented; but before they married, she changed my wife +into a hind; and this is she whom you see here. I desired she +might have this shape, rather than another less agreeable, that +we might see her in the family without horror. + +Since that time, my son is become a widower, and gone to travel. +It being now several years since I heard of him, I am come abroad +to inquire after him; and not being willing to trust anybody with +my wife, till I should return home, I thought fit to take her +everywhere with me. + +"This is the history of myself and this hind: is it not one of +the most wonderful and surprising?" "I admit it is," said the +genie, "and on that account forgive the merchant one third of his +crime." + +When the first old man had finished his story, the second, who +led the two black dogs, addressed the genie, and said: "I am +going to tell you what happened to me, and these two black dogs +you see by me; and I am certain you will say, that my story is +yet more surprising than that which you have just heard. But when +I have done this, I hope you will be pleased to pardon the +merchant another third of his offence." "I will," replied the +genie, "provided your story surpass that of the hind." Then the +second old man began in this manner-- + + + + + The Story of the Second old Man and the Two Black Dogs. + + + +Great prince of genies, you must know that we are three brothers, +the two black dogs and myself. Our father, when he died, left +each of us one thousand sequins. With that sum, we all became +merchants. A little time after we had opened shop, my eldest +brother, one of these two dogs, resolved to travel and trade in +foreign countries. With this view, he sold his estate, and bought +goods suited to the trade intended to follow. + +He went away, and was absent a whole year. At the expiration of +this time, a poor man, who I thought had come to ask alms, +presented himself before me in my shop. I said to him, "God help +you." He returned my salutation, and continued, "Is it possible +you do not know me?" Upon this I looked at him narrowly, and +recognised him: "Ah, brother," cried I, embracing him, "how could +I know you in this condition?" I made him come into my house, and +asked him concerning his health and the success of his travels. +"Do not ask me that question," said he; "when you see me, you see +all: it would only renew my grief, to relate to you the +particulars of the misfortunes I have experienced since I left +you, which have reduced me to my present condition." + +I immediately shut up my shop, and taking him to a bath, gave him +the best clothes I had. Finding on examining my books, that I had +doubled my stock, that is to say, that I was worth two thousand +sequins, I gave him one half; "With that," said I, "brother, you +may make up your loss." He joyfully accepted the present, and +having repaired his fortunes, we lived together, as before. + +Some time after, my second brother, who is the other of these two +dogs, would also sell his estate. His elder brother and myself +did all we could to divert him from his purpose, but without +effect. He disposed of it, and with the money bought such goods +as were suitable to the trade which he designed to follow. He +joined a caravan, and departed. At the end of the year he +returned in the same condition as my other brother. Having myself +by this time gained another thousand sequins, I made him a +present of them. With this sum he furnished his shop, and +continued his trade. + +Some time after, one of my brothers came to me to propose that I +should join them in a trading voyage; I immediately declined. +"You have travelled," said I, "and what have you gained by it? +Who can assure me, that I shall be more successful than you have +been?" It was in vain that they urged open me all the +considerations they thought likely to gain me over to their +design, for I constantly refused; but after having resisted their +solicitations five whole years, they importuned me so much, that +at last they overcame my resolution. When, however, the time +arrived that we were to make preparations for our voyage, to buy +the goods necessary to the undertaking, I found they had spent +all, and had not one dirhem left of the thousand sequins I had +given to each of them. I did not, on this account, upbraid them. +On the contrary, my stock being still six thousand sequins, I +shared the half of it with them, telling them, "My brothers, we +must venture these three thousand sequins, and hide the rest in +some secure place: that in case our voyage be not more successful +than yours was formerly, we may have wherewith to assist us, and +to enable us to follow our ancient way of living." I gave each of +them a thousand sequins, and keeping as much for myself, I buried +the other three thousand in a corner of my house. We purchased +goods, and having embarked them on board a vessel, which we +freighted betwixt us, we put to sea with a favourable wind. + +After two months sail, we arrived happily at port, where we +landed, and had a very good market for our goods. I, especially, +sold mine so well, that I gained ten to one. With the produce we +bought commodities of that country, to carry back with us for +sale. + +When we were ready to embark on our return, I met on the sea-shore a +lady, handsome enough, but poorly clad. She walked up to me +gracefully, kissed my hand, besought me with the greatest earnestness +imaginable to marry her, and take her along with me. I made some +difficulty to agree to this proposal; but she urged so many things to +persuade me that I ought not to object to her on account of her +poverty, and that I should have all the reason in the world to be +satisfied with her conduct, that at last I yielded. I ordered proper +apparel to be made for her; and after having married her, according to +form, I took her on board, and we set sail. I found my wife possessed +so many good qualities, that my love to her every day increased. In +the mean time my two brothers, who had not managed their affairs as +successfully as I had mine, envied my prosperity; and suffered their +feelings to carry them so far, that they conspired against my life; +and one night, when my wife and I were asleep, threw us both into the +sea. + +My wife proved to be a fairy, and, by consequence, a genie, so +that she could not be drowned; but for me, it is certain I must +have perished, without her help. I had scarcely fallen into the +water, when she took me up, and carried me to an island. When day +appeared, she said to me, "You see, husband, that by saving your +life, I have not rewarded you ill for your kindness to me. You +must know, that I am a fairy, and being upon the sea-shore, when +you were going to embark, I felt a strong desire to have you for +my husband; I had a mind to try your goodness, and presented +myself before you in disguise. You have dealt generously by me, +and I am glad of an opportunity of returning my acknowledgment. +But I am incensed against your brothers, and nothing will satisfy +me but their lives." + +I listened to this discourse with admiration; I thanked the fairy +the best way I could, for the great kindness she had done me; +"But, Madam," said I, "as for my brothers, I beg you to pardon +them; whatever cause of resentment they have given me, I am not +cruel enough to desire their death." I then informed her what I +had done for them, but this increased her indignation; and she +exclaimed, "I must immediately pursue those ungrateful traitors, +and take speedy vengeance on them. I will destroy their vessel, +and sink them into the bottom of the sea." "My good lady," +replied I, "for heaven's sake forbear; moderate your anger, +consider that they are my brothers, and that we ought to return +good for evil." + +I pacified her by these words; and as soon as I had concluded, +she transported me in a moment from the island to the roof of my +own house, which was terraced, and instantly disappeared. I +descended, opened the doors, and dug up the three thousand +sequins I had formerly secreted. I went afterwards to my shop, +which I also opened; and was complimented by the merchants, my +neighbours, upon my return. When I went back to my house, I +perceived there two black dogs, which came up to me in a very +submissive manner: I could not divine the meaning of this +circumstance, which greatly astonished me. But the fairy, who +immediately appeared, said, "Husband, be not surprised to see +these dogs, they are your brothers." I was troubled at this +declaration, and asked her by what power they were so +transformed. "I did it," said she, "or at least authorised one of +my sisters to do it, who at the same time sunk their ship. You +have lost the goods you had on board, but I will compensate you +another way. As to your two brothers, I have condemned them to +remain five years in that shape. Their perfidiousness too well +deserves such a penance." Having thus spoken and told me where I +might hear of her, she disappeared. + +"The five years being now nearly expired, I am travelling in quest +of her; and as I passed this way, I met this merchant, and the +good old man who led the hind, and sat down by them. This is my +history, O prince of genies! do not you think it very +extraordinary?" + +"I own it is," replied the genie, "and on that account I remit the +merchant the second third of the crime which he has committed against +me." + +As soon as the second old man had finished, the third began his +story, after repeating the request of the two former, that the +genie would pardon the merchant the other third of his crime, +provided what he should relate surpassed in singularity of +incidents the narratives he had already heard. The genie made him +the same promise as he had given the others. + +The third old man related his story to the genie; and it exceeded +the two former stories so much, in the variety of wonderful +adventures, that the genie was astonished; and no sooner heard +the conclusion, than he said to the old man, "I remit the other +third of the merchant's crime on account of your story. He is +greatly obliged to all of you, for having delivered him out of +his danger by what you have related, for to this he owes his +life." Having spoken thus he disappeared, to the great +contentment of the company. + +The merchant failed not to make due acknowledgment to his +deliverers. They rejoiced to see him out of danger; and bidding +him adieu, each of them proceeded on his way. The merchant +returned to his wife and children, and passed the rest of his +days with them in peace. + + + + + THE STORY OF THE FISHERMAN. + + + +There was an aged fisherman, who was so poor, that he could +scarcely as much as would maintain himself, his wife, and three +children. He went every day to fish betimes in the morning; and +imposed it as a law upon himself, not to cast his nets above four +times a-day. He went one morning by moon-light, and coming to the +seaside, undressed himself, and cast in his nets. As he drew them +towards the shore, he found them very heavy, and thought he had a +good draught of fish, at which he rejoiced; but in a moment +after, perceiving that instead of fish his nets contained nothing +but the carcass of an ass, he was much vexed. + +When the fisherman had mended his nets, which the carcass of the +ass had broken in several places, he threw them in a second time; +and when he drew them, found a great deal of resistance, which +made him think he had taken abundance of fish; but he found +nothing except a basket full of gravel and slime, which grieved +him extremely. "O fortune!" cried he, with a lamentable tone, "be +not angry with me, nor persecute a wretch who prays thee to spare +him. I came hither from my house to seek for my livelihood, and +thou pronouncest against me a sentence of death. I have no other +trade but this to subsist by: and notwithstanding all my care, I +can scarcely provide what is absolutely necessary for my family. +But I am to blame to complain of thee; thou takest pleasure to +persecute honest people, and to leave great men in obscurity, +while thou shewest favour to the wicked, and advancest those who +have no virtue to recommend them." + +Having finished this complaint, he fretfully threw away the +basket, and washing his nets from the slime, cast them the third +time; but brought up nothing, except stones, shells, and mud. No +language can express his disappointment; he was almost +distracted. However, when day began to appear, he did not forget +to say his prayers, like a good Moosulmaun, and he added to them +this petition: "Lord, thou knowest that I cast my nets only four +times a day; I have already drawn them three times, without the +least reward for my labour: I am only to cast them once more; I +pray thee to render the sea favourable to me, as thou didst to +Moses." + +The fisherman having finished this prayer, cast his nets the +fourth time; and when he thought it was proper, drew them as +formerly, with great difficulty; but instead of fish, found +nothing in them but a vessel of yellow copper, which from its +weight seemed not to be empty; and he observed that it was shut +up and sealed with lead, having the impression of a seal upon it. +This turn of fortune rejoiced him; "I will sell it," said he, "to +the founder, and with the money buy a measure of corn." He +examined the vessel on all sides, and shook it, to try if its +contents made any noise, but heard nothing. This circumstance, +with the impression of the seal upon the leaden cover, made him +think it inclosed something precious. To try this, he took a +knife, and opened it with very little labour. He turned the mouth +downward, but nothing came out; which surprised him extremely. He +placed it before him, but while he viewed it attentively, there +came out a very thick smoke, which obliged him to retire two or +three paces back. + +The smoke ascended to the clouds, and extending itself along the +sea and upon the shore formed a great mist, which we may well +imagine filled the fisherman with astonishment. When the smoke +was all out of the vessel, it re-united and became a solid body, +of which was formed a genie twice as high as the greatest of +giants. At the sight of a monster of such an unwieldy bulk, the +fisherman would fain have fled, but was so frightened, that he +could not move. + +"Solomon," cried the genie immediately, "Solomon, the great +prophet, pardon, pardon; I will never more oppose your will, I +will obey all your commands." + +When the fisherman heard these words of the genie, he recovered +his courage, and said to him, "Thou proud spirit, what is it you +say? It is above eighteen hundred years since the prophet Solomon +died, and we are now at the end of time. Tell me your history, +and how you came to be shut up in this vessel." + +The genie turning to the fisherman, with a fierce look, said. +"Thou must speak to me with more respect; thou art a presumptuous +fellow to call me a proud spirit." "Very well," replied the +fisherman, "shall I speak to you more civilly, and call you the +owl of good luck?" "I say," answered the genie, "speak to me more +respectfully, or I will kill thee." "Ah!" replied the fisherman, +"why would you kill me? Did I not just now set you at liberty, +and have you already forgotten my services?" "Yes, I remember +it," said the genie, "but that shall not save thy life: I have +only one favour to grant thee." "And what is that?" asked the +fisherman. "It is," answered the genie, "to give thee thy choice, +in what manner thou wouldst have me put thee to death." "But +wherein have I offended you?" demanded the fisherman. "Is that +your reward for the service I have rendered you?" "I cannot treat +thee otherwise," said the genie; "and that thou mayest know the +reason, hearken to my story." + +"I am one of those rebellious spirits that opposed the will of +heaven; nearly all the other genies owned Solomon, the great +prophet, and yielded to his authority. Sabhir and I were the only +two that would never be guilty of a mean submission: and to +avenge himself, that great monarch sent Asaph, the son of +Barakhia, his chief minister, to apprehend me. That was +accordingly done. Asaph seized my person, and brought me by force +before his master's throne. + +"Solomon, the son of David, commanded me to acknowledge his +power, and to submit to his commands: I bravely refused, and told +him, I would rather expose myself to his resentment, than swear +fealty as he required. To punish me, he shut me up in this copper +vessel; and that I might not break my prison, he himself stamps +upon this leaden cover, his seal with the great name of God +engraver upon it. He then gave the vessel to one of the genies +who had submitted, with orders to throw me into the sea, which to +my sorrow were executed. + +"During the first hundred years of my imprisonment, I swore that +if any one should deliver me before the expiration of that +period, I would make him rich, even after his death: but that +century ran out, and nobody did me that good office. During the +second, I made an oath, that I would open all the treasures of +the earth to any one that might set me at liberty; but with no +better success. In the third, I promised to make my deliverer a +potent monarch, to be always near him in spirit, and to grant him +every day three requests, of what nature soever they might be: +but this century passed as well as the two former, and I +continued in prison. At last being angry, or rather mad, to find +myself a prisoner so long, I swore, that if afterwards any one +should deliver me, I would kill him without mercy, and grant him +no other favour but to choose the manner of his death; and +therefore, since thou hast delivered me to-day, I give thee that +choice." + +This discourse afflicted the fisherman extremely: "I am very +unfortunate," cried he, "to come hither to do such a kindness to +one that is so ungrateful. I beg you to consider your injustice, +and revoke such an unreasonable oath; pardon me, and heaven will +pardon you; if you grant me my life, heaven will protest you from +all attempts against your own." "No, thy death is resolved on," +said the genie, "only choose in what manner you will die." The +fisherman perceiving the genie to be resolute, was extremely +grieved, not so much for himself, as on account of his three +children; and bewailed the misery they must be reduced to by his +death. He endeavoured still to appease the genie, and said, +"Alas! be pleased to take pity on me, in consideration of the +service I have done you." "I have told thee already," replied the +genie, "it is for that very reason I must kill thee." "That is +strange," said the fisherman, "are you resolved to reward good +with evil? The proverb says, 'That he who does good to one who +deserves it not is always ill rewarded.' I must confess, I +thought it was false; for certainly there can be nothing more +contrary to reason, or the laws of society. Nevertheless, I find +now by cruel experience that it is but too true." "Do not lose +time," interrupted the genie; "all thy reasonings shall not +divert me from my purpose: make haste, and tell me what kind of +death thou preferest?" + +Necessity is the mother of invention. The fisherman bethought +himself of a stratagem. "Since I must die then," said he to the +genie, "I submit to the will of heaven; but before I choose the +manner of my death, I conjure you by the great name which was +engraver upon the seal of the prophet Solomon, the son of David, +to answer me truly the question I am going to ask you." + +The genie finding himself obliged to a positive answer by this +adjuration, trembled; and replied to the fisherman, "Ask what +thou wilt, but make haste." + +The fisherman then said to him, "I wish to know if you were +actually in this vessel: Dare you swear it by the name of the +great God?" "Yes," replied the genie, "I do swear by that great +name, that I was." "In good faith," answered the fisherman, "I +cannot believe you; the vessel is not capable of holding one of +your size, and how should it be possible that your whole body +should lie in it?" "I swear to thee, notwithstanding," replied +the genie, "that I was there just as you see me here: Is it +possible, that thou cost not believe me after the solemn oath I +have taken?" "Truly not I," said the fisherman; "nor will I +believe you, unless you go into the vessel again." + +Upon which the body of the genie dissolved and changed itself +into smoke, extending as before upon the sea shore; and at last, +being collected, it began to re-enter the vessel, which it +continued to do by a slow and equal motion, till no part remained +out; when immediately a voice came forth, which said to the +fisherman, "Well now, incredulous fellow, I am in the vessel, do +not you believe me now?" + +The fisherman, instead of answering the genie, took the cover of +lead, and having speedily replaced it on the vessel, "Genie," +cried he, "now it is your turn to beg my favour, and to choose +which way I shall put you to death; but not so, it is better that +I should throw you into the sea, whence I took you: and then I +will build a house upon the shore, where I will reside and give +notice to all fishermen who come to throw in their nets, to +beware of such a wicked genie as thou art, who hast made an oath +to kill him that shall set thee at liberty." + +The genie, enraged at these expressions, struggled to set himself +at liberty; but it was impossible, for the impression of +Solomon's seal prevented him. Perceiving that the fisherman had +got the advantage of him, for he thought fit to dissemble his +anger; "Fishermen," said he, "take heed you do not what you +threaten; for what I spoke to you was only by way of jest." "O +genie!" replied the fisherman, "thou who wast but a moment ago +the greatest of all genies, and now art the least of them, thy +crafty discourse will signify nothing, to the sea thou shalt +return. If thou hast been there already so long as thou hast told +me, thou may'st very well stay there till the day of judgment. I +begged of thee in God's name not to take away my life, and thou +didst reject my prayers; I am obliged to treat thee in the same +manner." + +The genie omitted nothing that he thought likely to prevail with +the fisherman: "Open the vessel," said he, "give me my liberty, +and I promise to satisfy thee to thy own content." "Thou art a +traitor," replied the fisherman, "I should deserve to lose my +life, if I were such a fool as to trust thee: thou wilt not fail +to treat me in the same manner as a certain Grecian king treated +the physician Douban. It is a story I have a mind to tell thee, +therefore listen to it." + + + + + The Story of the Grecian King and the Physician Douban. + + + +There was in the country of Yunaun or Greece, a king who was +leprous, and his physicians had in vain endeavoured his cure; +when a very able physician, named Douban, arrived at his court. + +This physician had learnt the theory of his profession in Greek, +Persian, Turkish, Arabic, Latin, Syriac, and Hebrew books; he was +an experienced natural philosopher, and fully understood the good +and bad qualities of plants and drugs. As soon as he was informed +of the king's distemper, and understood that his physicians had +given him over, he found means to present himself before him. "I +know," said he, after the usual ceremonials, "that your majesty's +physicians have not been able to heal you of the leprosy; but if +you will accept my service, I will engage to cure you without +potions, or external applications." + +The king listened to what he said, and answered, "If you be able +to perform what you promise, I will enrich you and your +posterity. Do you assure me that you will cure my leprosy without +potion, or applying any external medicine?" "Yes, Sire," replied +the physician, "I promise myself success, through God's +assistance, and to-morrow, with your majesty's permission, I will +make the trial." + +The physician returned to his quarters, made a hollow mace, and +at the handle he put in his drugs; he made also a ball in such a +manner as suited his purpose, with which next morning he +presented himself before the king, and falling down at his feet, +kissed the ground. + +The physician Douban rose up, and after a profound reverence, said to +the king, he judged it meet that his majesty should take horse, and go +to the place where he used to play at mall. The king did so, and when +he arrived there, the physician came to him with the mace, and said, +"Exercise yourself with this mace, and strike the ball until you find +your hands and body perspire. When the medicine I have put up in the +handle of the mace is heated with your hand, it will penetrate your +whole body; and as soon as you perspire, you may leave off the +exercise, for then the medicine will have had its effect. Immediately +on your return to your palace, go into the bath, and cause yourself to +be well washed and rubbed; then retire to bed, and when you rise +to-morrow you will find yourself cured." + +The king took the mace, and struck the ball, which was returned +by his officers who played with him; he played so long, that his +hands and his whole body were in a sweat, and then the medicine +shut up in the handle of the mace had its operation, as the +physician had said. Upon this the king left off play, returned to +his palace, entered the bath, and observed very exactly his +physician had prescribed to him. + +The next morning when he arose, he perceived with equal wonder +and joy, that his leprosy was cured, and his body as clean as if +it had never been affected. As soon as he was dressed, he came +into the hall of audience, where he ascended his throne, and +shewed himself to his courtiers: who, eager to know the success +of the new medicine, came thither betimes, and when they saw the +king perfectly cured, expressed great joy. The physician Douban +entering the hall, bowed himself before the throne, with his face +to the ground. The king perceiving him, made him sit down by his +side, presented him to the assembly, and gave him all the +commendation he deserved. His majesty did not stop here: but as +he treated all his court that day, made him eat at his table +alone with him. + +The Grecian king was not satisfied with having admitted the +physician Douban to his table, but caused him to be clad in a +rich robe, ordered him two thousand pieces of gold, and thinking +that he could never sufficiently acknowledge his obligations to +him, continued every day to load him with new favours. But this +king had a vizier, who was avaricious, envious, and naturally +capable of every kind of mischief. He could not behold without +envy the presents that were given to the physician, whose other +merits had already begun to make him jealous, and he therefore +resolved to lessen him in the king's esteem. To effect this, he +went to the king, and told him in private, that he had some +information of the greatest consequence to communicate. The king +having asked what it was? "Sire," said he, "it is highly +dangerous for a monarch to confide in a man whose fidelity he has +never tried. Though you heap favours upon the physician Douban, +your majesty does not know that he is a traitor, sent by your +enemies to take away your life." "From whom," demanded the king, +"have you the suggestion which you dare pronounce? Consider to +whom you are speaking, and that you are advancing what I shall +not easily believe." "Sire," replied the vizier, "I am well +informed of what I have had the honour to reveal to your majesty; +therefore do not rest in dangerous security: if your majesty be +asleep, be pleased to awake; for I once more repeat, that the +physician Douban left his native country, and came to settle +himself at your court, for the sole purpose of executing the +horrible design which I have intimated." + +"No, no, vizier," interrupted the king; "I am certain, that this +physician, whom you suspect to be a villain and a traitor, is one +of the best and most virtuous of men. You know by what medicine, +or rather by what miracle, he cured me of my leprosy: If he had +had a design upon my life, why did he save me then? He needed +only to have left me to my disease; I could not have escaped it, +as life was fast decaying. Forbear then to fill me with unjust +suspicions: instead of listening to you, I tell you, that from +this day forward I will give that great man a pension of a +thousand pieces of gold per month for his life; nay, though I +were to share with him all my riches and dominions, I should +never pay him sufficiently for what he has done. I perceive it to +be his virtue that raises your envy; but do not think I will be +unjustly prejudiced against him. I remember too well what a +vizier said to king Sinbad, his master, to prevent his putting to +death the prince his son." + +What the Grecian king said about king Sinbad raised the vizier's +curiosity, who said, "I pray your majesty to pardon me, if I have +the boldness to ask what the vizier of king Sinbad said to his +master to divert him from putting the prince his son to death." +The Grecian king had the condescension to satisfy him: "That +vizier," said he, "after having represented to king Sinbad, that +he ought to beware, lest on the accusation of a mother-in-law he +should commit an action of which he might afterwards repent, told +him this story." + + + + + The Story of the Husband and the Parrot. + + + +A certain man had a beautiful wife, whom he loved so dearly, that +he could scarcely allow her to be out of his sight. One day, some +urgent affairs obliging him to go from home, he went to a place +where all sorts of birds were sold, and bought a parrot, which +not only spoke well, but could also give an account of every +thing that was done in its presence. He brought it in a cage to +his house, desired his wife to put it in his chamber, and take +care of it during his absence, and then departed. + +On his return, he questioned the parrot concerning what had passed +while he was from home, and the bird told him such things as gave him +occasion to upbraid his wife. She concluded some of her slaves had +betrayed her, but all of them swore they had been faithful, and agreed +that the parrot must have been the tell-tale. + +Upon this, the wife began to devise how she might remove her +husband's jealousy, and at the same time revenge herself on the +parrot. Her husband being gone another journey, she commanded a +slave in the night-time to turn a hand-mill under the parrot's +cage; she ordered another to sprinkle water, in resemblance of +rain, over the cage; and a third to move a looking-glass, +backward and forward against a candle, before the parrot. The +slaves spent a great part of the night in doing what their +mistress desired them, and acquitted themselves with much skill. + +Next night the husband returned, and examined the parrot again +about what had passed during his absence. The bird answered, +"Good master, the lightning, thunder, and rain so much disturbed +me all night, that I cannot tell how much I suffered." The +husband, who knew that there had been neither thunder, lightning, +nor rain in the night, fancied that the parrot, not having spoken +truth in this, might also have lied in the other relation; upon +which he took it out of the cage, and threw it with so much force +to the ground that he killed it. Yet afterwards he understood +from his neigbours, that the poor parrot had not deceived him in +what it had stated of his wife's base conduct, made him repent +that he had killed it. + +When the Grecian king had finished the story of the parrot, he +added, "And you, vizier, because of the hatred you bear to the +physician Douban, who never did you any injury, you would have me +cut him off; but I will beware lest I should repent as the +husband did after killing his parrot." + +The mischievous vizier was too desirous of effecting the ruin of +the physician Douban to stop here. "Sir," said he, "the death of +the parrot was but a trifle, and I believe his master did not +mourn for him long: but why should your fear of wronging an +innocent man, hinder your putting this physician to death? Is it +not sufficient justification that he is accused of a design +against your life? When the business in question is to secure the +life of a king, bare suspicion ought to pass for certainty; and +it is better to sacrifice the innocent than to spare the guilty. +But, Sir, this is not a doubtful case; the physician Douban has +certainly a mind to assassinate you. It is not envy which makes +me his enemy; it is only my zeal, with the concern I have for +preserving your majesty's life, that makes me give you my advice +in a matter of this importance. If the accusation be false, I +deserve to be punished in the same manner as a vizier formerly +was." "What had the vizier done," demands the Grecian king, "to +deserve punishment?" "I will inform your majesty," said the +vizier, "if you will be pleased to hear me." + + + + + The Story of the Vizier that was Punished. + + + +There was a king who had a son that loved hunting. He allowed him +to pursue that diversion often; but gave orders to his grand +vizier always to attend him. + +One hunting day, the huntsman having roused a deer, the prince, +who thought the vizier followed him, pursued the game so far, and +with so much earnestness, that he separated himself from the +company. Perceiving he had lost his way he stopped, and +endeavoured to return to the vizier; but not knowing the country +he wandered farther. + +Whilst he was thus riding about, he met on his way a handsome +lady, who wept bitterly. He stopped his horse, and enquired who +she was, how she came to be alone in that place, and what she +wanted. "I am," replied she, "the daughter of an Indian king. As +I was taking the air on horseback, in the country, I grew sleepy, +and fell from my horse, who is run away, and I know not what is +become of him." The young prince taking compassion on her, +requested her to get up behind him, which she willingly did. + +As they were passing by the ruins of a house, the lady expressed +a desire to alight. The prince stopped, and having put her down, +dismounted himself, and went near the building, leading his horse +after him. But you may judge how much he was surprised, when he +heard the pretended lady utter these words: "Be glad, my +children, I bring you a young man for your repast;" and other +voices, which answered immediately, "Where is he, for we are very +hungry?" + +The prince heard enough to convince him of his danger. He +perceived that the lady, who called herself the daughter of an +Indian king, was one of those savage demons, called Gholes, who +live in desolated places, and employ a thousand wiles to surprise +passengers, whom they afterwards devour. The prince instantly +remounted his horse, and luckily escaped. + +The pretended princess appeared that very moment, and perceiving +she had missed her prey, exclaimed, "Fear nothing, prince: Who +are you? Whom do you seek?" "I have lost my way," replied he, +"and am endeavouring to find it." "If you have lost your way," +said she, "recommend yourself to God, he will deliver you out of +your perplexity." + +After the counterfeit Indian princess had bidden the young prince +recommend himself to God, he could not believe she spoke +sincerely, but thought herself sure of him; and therefore lifting +up his hands to heaven, said, "Almighty Lord, cast shine eyes +upon me, and deliver me from this enemy." After this prayer, the +ghole entered the ruins again, and the prince rode off with all +possible haste. He happily found his way, and arrived safe at the +court of his father, to whom he gave a particular account of the +danger he had been in through the vizier's neglect: upon which +the king, being incensed against that minister, ordered him to be +immediately strangled. + +"Sir," continued the Grecian king's vizier, "to return to the +physician Douban, if you do not take care, the confidence you put +in him will be fatal to you; I am very well assured that he is a +spy sent by your enemies to attempt your majesty's life. He has +cured you, you will say: but alas! who can assure you of that? He +has perhaps cured you only in appearance, and not radically; who +knows but the medicine he has given you, may in time have +pernicious effects?" + +The Grecian king was not able to discover the wicked design of +his vizier, nor had he firmness enough to persist in his first +opinion. This discourse staggered him: "Vizier," said he, "thou +art in the right; he may be come on purpose to take away my life, +which he may easily do by the smell of his drugs." + +When the vizier found the king in such a temper as he wished, +"Sir," said he, "the surest and speediest method you can take to +secure your life, is to send immediately for the physician +Douban, and order his head to be struck off." "In truth," said +the king, "I believe that is the way we must take to frustrate +his design." When he had spoken thus, he called for one of his +officers, and ordered him to go for the physician; who, knowing +nothing of the king's purpose, came to the palace in haste. + +"Knowest thou," said the king, when he saw him, "why I sent for +thee?" "No, Sir," answered he; "I wait till your majesty be +pleased to inform me." "I sent for thee," replied the king, "to +rid myself of thee, by taking away thy life." + +No man can express the surprise of the physician, when he heard +the sentence of death pronounced against him. "Sir," said he, +"why would your majesty take my life? What crime have I +committed?" "I am informed," replied the king, "that you came to +my court only to attempt my life; but to prevent you, I will be +sure of yours. Give the blow," said he to the executioner, who +was present, "and deliver me from a perfidious wretch, who came +hither on purpose to assassinate me." + +When the physician heard this cruel order, he readily judged that +the honours and presents he had received from the king had +procured him enemies, and that the weak prince was imposed on. He +repented that he had cured him of his leprosy; but it was now too +late. "Is it thus," asked the physician, "that you reward me for +curing you?" The king would not hearken to him, but a second time +ordered the executioner to strike the fatal blow. The physician +then had recourse to his prayers; "Alas, Sir," cried he, "prolong +my days, and God will prolong yours; do not put me to death, lest +God treat you in the same manner." + +The fisherman broke off his discourse here, to apply it to the +genie. "Well, genie," said he, "you see that what passed betwixt +the Grecian king and his physician Douban is acted just now by +us." + +The Grecian king, continued he, instead of having regard to the +prayers of the physician, who begged him to spare his life, +cruelly replied, "No, no; I must of necessity cut you off, +otherwise you may assassinate with as much art as you cured me." +The physician, without bewailing himself for being so ill +rewarded by the king, prepared for death. The executioner tied +his hands, and was going to draw his cimeter. + +The courtiers who were present, being moved with compassion, +begged the king to pardon him, assuring his majesty that he was +not guilty of the crime laid to his charge, and that they would +answer for his innocence: but the king was inflexible. + +The physician being on his knees, his eyes tied up, and ready to +receive the fatal blow, addressed himself once more to the king: +"Sir," said he, "since your majesty will not revoke the sentence +of death, I beg, at least, that you would give me leave to return +to my house, to give orders about my burial, to bid farewell to +my family, to give alms, and to bequeath my books to those who +are capable of making good use of them. I have one particularly I +would present to your majesty; it is a very precious book, and +worthy of being laid up carefully in your treasury." "What is +it," demanded the king, "that makes it so valuable?" "Sir," +replied the physician, "it possesses many singular and curious +properties; of which the chief is, that if your majesty will give +yourself the trouble to open it at the sixth leaf, and read the +third line of the left page, my head, after being cut off, will +answer all the questions you ask it." The king being curious, +deferred his death till next day, and sent him home under a +strong guard. + +The physician, during that time, put his affairs in order; and +the report being spread, that an unheard of prodigy was to happen +after his death, the viziers, emirs, officers of the guard, and, +in a word, the whole court, repaired next day to the hall of +audience, that they might be witnesses of it. + +The physician Douban was brought in, and advancing to the foot of +the throne, with a book in his hand, he called for a basin, and +laid upon it the cover in which the book was wrapped; then +presenting the book to the king, "Take this," said he, "and after +my head is cut off, order that it be put into the basin upon that +cover; as soon as it is placed there, the blood will stop; then +open the book, and my head will answer your questions. But permit +me once more to implore your majesty's clemency; for God's sake +grant my request, I protest to you that I am innocent." "Your +prayers," answered the king, "are in vain; and were it for +nothing but to hear your head speak after your death, it is my +will you should die." As he said this, he took the book out of +the physician's hand, and ordered the executioner to do his duty. + +The head was so dexterously cut off that it fell into the basin, +and was no sooner laid upon the cover of the book than the blood +stopped; then to the great surprise of the king, and all the +spectators, its eyes, and said, "Sir, will your majesty be +pleased to open the book?" The king proceeded to do so; but +finding that the leaves adhered to each other, that he might turn +them with more ease, he put his finger to his mouth, and wetted +it with spittle. He did thus till he came to the sixth leaf, and +finding no writing on the place where he was desired to look for +it, "Physician," said he, "there is nothing written." "Turn over +some more leaves," replied the head. The king went on, putting +always his finger to his mouth, until the poison with which each +leaf was imbued, coming to have its effect, the prince found +himself suddenly taken with an extraordinary fit, his eye-sight +failed, and he fell down at the foot of the throne in violent +convulsions. + +When the physician Douban, or rather his head, saw that the +poison had taken effect, and that the king had but a few moments +to live; "Tyrant," it cried, "now you see how princes are +treated, who, abusing their authority, cut off innocent men: God +punishes soon or late their injustice and cruelty." Scarcely had +the head spoken these words, when the king fell down dead, and +the head itself lost what life it had. + +As soon as the fisherman had concluded the history of the Greek +king and his physician Douban, he made the application to the +genie, whom he still kept shut up in the vessel. "If the Grecian +king," said he, "had suffered the physician to live, God would +have continued his life also; but he rejected his most humble +prayers, and the case is the same with thee, O genie! Could I +have prevailed with thee to grant me the favour I supplicated, I +should now take pity on thee; but since, notwithstanding the +extreme obligation thou west under to me, for having set thee at +liberty, thou didst persist in thy design to kill me, I am +obliged, in my turn, to be equally hard-hearted to thee." + +"My good friend fisherman," replied the genie, "I conjure thee +once more, not to be guilty of such cruelty; consider, that it is +not good to avenge one's self, and that on the other hand, it is +commendable to do good for evil; do not treat me as Imama +formerly treated Ateca." "And what did Imama to Ateca?" enquired +the fisherman. "Ho!" says the genie, "if you have a mind to be +informed, open the vessel: do you think that I can be in an +humour to relate stories in so strait a prison? I will tell you +as many as you please, when you have let me out." "No," said the +fisherman, "I will not let thee out; it is in vain to talk of it; +I am just going to throw thee into the bottom of the sea." "Hear +me one word more," cried the genie; "I promise to do thee no +hurt; nay, far from that, I will shew thee a way to become +exceedingly rich." + +The hope of delivering himself from poverty, prevailed with the +fisherman. "I could listen to thee," said he, "were there any +credit to be given to thy word; swear to me by the great name of +God, that you will faithfully perform what you promise, and I +will open the vessel; I do not believe you will dare to break +such an oath." + +The genie swore to him, upon which the fisherman immediately took +off the covering of the vessel. At that instant the smoke +ascended, and the genie having resumed his form, the first thing +he did was to kick the vessel into the sea. This action alarmed +the fisherman. "Genie," said he, "will not you keep the oath you +just now made? And must I say to you, as the physician Douban +said to the Grecian king, suffer me to live, and God will prolong +your days." + +The genie laughed at the fisherman's fear, and answered, "No, +fisherman, be not afraid, I only did it to divert myself, and to +see if thou wouldst be alarmed at it: but to convince thee that I +am in earnest, take thy nets and follow me." As he spoke these +words, he walked before the fisherman, who having taken up his +nets, followed him, but with some distrust. They passed by the +town, and came to the top of a mountain, from whence they +descended into a vast plain, which brought them to a lake, that +lay betwixt four hills. + +When they reached the side of the lake, the genie said to the +fisherman, "Cast in thy nets, and catch fish;" the fisherman did +not doubt of taking some, because he saw a great number in the +water; but he was extremely surprised, when he found they were of +four colours, that is to say, white, red, blue, and yellow. He +threw in his nets, and brought out one of each colour. Having +never seen the like before, he could not but admire them, and +judging that he might get a considerable sum for them, he was +very joyful. "Carry those fish," said the genie to him, "and +present them to thy sultan; he will give thee more money for +them. Thou mayest come every day to fish in this lake; but I give +thee warning not to throw in thy nets above once a day, otherwise +thou wilt repent." Having spoken thus, he struck his foot upon +the ground, which opened, and after it had swallowed him up +closed again. + +The fisherman being resolved to follow the genie's advice, +forbore casting in his nets a second time; and returned to the +town very well satisfied; and making a thousand reflections upon +his adventure. He went immediately to the sultan's palace, to +offer his fish. + +The sultan was much surprised, when he saw the four fish which +the fisherman presented. He took them up one after another, and +viewed them with attention; and after having admired them a long +time, "Take those fish," said he to his vizier, "and carry them +to the cook, whom the emperor of the Greeks has sent me. I cannot +imagine but that they must be as good as they are beautiful." + +The vizier, carried them as he was directed, and delivering them +to the cook, said, "Here are four fish just brought to the +sultan; he orders you to dress them:" he then returned to the +sultan his master, who ordered him to give the fisherman four +hundred pieces of gold of the coin of that country, which he did +accordingly. + +The fisherman, who had never seen so much money, could scarcely +believe his good fortune, but thought the whole must be a dream, +until he found it otherwise, by being able to provide necessaries +for his family with the produce of his fish. + +As soon as the sultan's cook had gutted the fish, she put them +upon the fire in a frying-pan, with oil, and when she thought +them fried enough on one side, she turned them upon the other; +but, O monstrous prodigy! scarcely were they turned, when the +wall of the kitchen divided, and a young lady of wonderful beauty +entered from the opening. She was clad in flowered satin, after +the Egyptian manner, with pendants in her ears, a necklace of +large pearls, and bracelets of gold set with rubies, with a rod +in her hand. She moved towards the frying-pan, to the great +amazement of the cook, who continued fixed by the sight, and +striking one of the fish with the end of the rod, said, "Fish, +fish, are you in duty?" The fish having answered nothing, she +repeated these words, and then the four fish lifted up their +heads, and replied, "Yes, yes: if you reckon, we reckon; if you +pay your debts, we pay ours; if you fly, we overcome, and are +content." As soon as they had finished these words, the lady +overturned the frying-pan, and returned into the open part of the +wall, which closed immediately, and became as it was before. + +The cook was greatly frightened at what had happened, and coming +a little to herself, went to take up the fish that had fallen on +the hearth, but found them blacker than coal, and not fit to be +carried to the sultan. This grievously troubled her, and she fell +to weeping most bitterly. "Alas!" said she, "what will become of +me? If I tell the sultan what I have seen, I am sure he will not +believe me, but will be enraged against me." + +While she was thus bewailing herself, the grand vizier entered, +and asked her if the fish were ready? She told him all that had +occurred, which we may easily imagine astonished him; but without +speaking a word of it to the sultan, he invented an excuse that +satisfied him, and sending immediately for the fisherman, bid him +bring four more such fish, for a misfortune had befallen the +others, so that they were not fit to be carried to the sultan. +The fisherman, without saying any thing of what the genie had +told him, in order to excuse himself from bringing them that day, +told the vizier, he had a great way to go for them, but would +certainly bring them on the morrow. + +Accordingly the fisherman went away by night, and coming to the +lake, threw in his nets betimes next morning, took four fish like +the former, and brought them to the vizier, at the hour +appointed. The minister took them himself, carried them to the +kitchen, and shutting himself up with the cook, she gutted them, +and put them on the fire, as she had done the four others the day +before. When they were fried on one side, and she had turned them +upon the other, the kitchen wall again opened, and the same lady +came in with the rod in her hand, struck one of the fish, spoke +to it as before, and all four gave her the same answer. + +After the four fish had answered the young lady, she overturned +the frying-pan with her rod, and retired into the wall. The grand +vizier, being witness to what had passed: "This is too wonderful +and extraordinary," said he, "to be concealed from the sultan; I +will inform him of this prodigy." + +The sultan, being much surprised, sent immediately for the +fisherman, and said to him, "Friend, cannot you bring me four +more such fish?" The fisherman replied, "If your majesty will be +pleased to allow me three days, I will do it." Having obtained +his time, he went to the lake immediately, and at the first +throwing in of his net, he caught four fish, and brought them +directly to the sultan; who was so much the more rejoiced, as he +did not expect them so soon, and ordered him four hundred pieces +of gold. As soon as the sultan had the fish, he ordered them to +be carried into his closet, with all that was necessary for +frying them; and having shut himself up with the vizier, the +minister gutted them, put them into the pan, and when they were +fried on one side, turned them upon the other; then the wall of +the closet opened, but instead of the young lady, there came out +a black, in the habit of a slave, and of a gigantic stature, with +a great green staff in his hand. He advanced towards the pan, and +touching one of the fish with his staff, said with a terrible +voice, "Fish, are you in your duty?" At these words, the fish +raised up their heads, and answered, "Yes, yes; we are: if you +reckon, we reckon; if you pay your debts, we pay ours; if you +fly, we overcome, and are content." + +The fish had no sooner finished these words, than the black threw +the pan into the middle of the closet, and reduced the fish to a +coal. Having done this, he retired fiercely, and entering again +into the aperture, it closed, and the wall appeared just as it +did before. + +"After what I have seen," said the sultan to the vizier, "it will +not be possible for me to be easy: these fish, without doubt, +signify something extraordinary." He sent for the fisherman, and +when he came, said to him, "Fisherman, the fish you have brought +us, make me very uneasy; where did you catch them?" "Sir," +answered he, "I fished for them in a lake situated betwixt four +hills, beyond the mountain that we see from hence." "Knowst thou +not that lake?" said the sultan to the vizier. "No," replied the +vizier. "I never so much as heard of it, although I have for +sixty years hunted beyond that mountain." The sultan asked the +fisherman, how far the lake might be from the palace? The +fisherman answered, it was not above three hours journey; upon +this assurance, the sultan commanded all his court to take horse, +and the fisherman served them for a guide. They all ascended the +mountain, and at the foot of it they saw, to their great +surprise, a vast plain, that nobody had observed till then, and +at last they came to the lake, which they found to be situated +betwixt four hills as the fisherman had described. The water was +so transparent, that they observed all the fish to be like those +which the fisherman had brought to the palace. + +The sultan stood upon the bank of the lake, and after beholding +the fish with admiration, demanded of his courtiers, if it were +possible they had never seen this lake, which was within so short +a distance of the town. They all answered, that they had never so +much as heard of it. + +"Since you all agree that you never heard of it, and as I am no +less astonished than you are, at this novelty, I am resolved not +to return to my palace till I learn how this lake came here, and +why all the fish in it are of four colours." Having spoken thus, +he ordered his court to encamp; and immediately his pavilion and +the tents of his household were planted upon the banks of the +lake. + +When night came, the sultan retired under his pavilion, and spoke +to the grand vizier thus: "Vizier, my mind is uneasy: this lake +transported hither; the black that appeared to us in my closet, +and the fish that we heard speak; all these things so much excite +my curiosity, that I cannot resist my impatient desire to have it +satisfied. To this end, I am resolved to withdraw alone from the +camp, and I order you to keep my absence secret: stay in my +pavilion, and to-morrow morning, when the emirs and courtiers +come to attend my levee, send them away, and tell them, that I am +somewhat indisposed, and wish to be alone; and the following days +tell them the same thing, till I return." + +The grand vizier endeavoured to divert the sultan from this +design; he represented to him the danger to which he might be +exposed, and that all his labour might perhaps be in vain: but it +was to no purpose; the sultan was resolved. He put on a suit fit +for walking, and took his cimeter; and as soon as he found that +all was quiet in the camp, went out alone, and passed over one of +the hills without much difficulty; he found the descent still +more easy, and when he came to the plain, walked on till the sun +arose, and then he saw before him, at a considerable distance, a +vast building. He rejoiced at the sight, in hopes of receiving +there the information he sought. When he drew near, he found it +was a magnificent palace, or rather a strong castle, of black +polished marble, and covered with fine steel, as smooth as glass. +Being highly pleased that he had so speedily met with something +worthy his curiosity, he stopped before the front of the castle, +and considered it with attention. + +He then advanced towards the gate, which had two leaves, one of +them open; though he might immediately have entered, yet he +thought it best to knock. This he did at first softly, and waited +for some time; but seeing no one, and supposing he had not been +heard, he knocked harder the second time, and after that he +knocked again and again, but no one yet appearing, he was +exceedingly surprised; for he could not think that a castle in +such repair was without inhabitants. "If there be no one in it," +said he to himself, "I have nothing to fear; and if it be +inhabited, I have wherewith to defend myself." + +At last he entered, and when he came within the porch, he cried, +"Is there no one here to receive a stranger, who comes in for +some refreshment as he passes by?" He repeated the same words two +or three times; but though he spoke very loud, he was not +answered. The silence increased his astonishment: he came into a +spacious court, and looked on every side for inhabitants, but +discovered none. + +The sultan entered the grand halls, which were hung with silk +tapestry, the alcoves and sofas were covered with stuffs of +Mecca, and the porches with the richest stuffs of India, mixed +with gold and silver. He came afterwards into a superb saloon, in +the middle of which was a fountain, with a lion of massy gold at +each angle: water issued from the mouths of the four lions; and +as it fell, formed diamonds and pearls, resembling a jet d'eau, +which springing from the middle of the fountain, rose nearly to +the top of a cupola painted in Arabesque. + +The castle, on three sides, was encompassed by a garden, with +parterres of flowers, shrubbery, and whatever could concur to +embellish it; and to complete the beauty of the place, an +infinite number of birds filled the air with their harmonious +notes, and always remained there, nets being spread over the +garden, and fastened to the palace to confine them. The sultan +walked from apartment to apartment, where he found every thing +rich and magnificent. Being tired with walking, he sat down in a +verandah or arcade closet, which had a view over the garden, +reflecting what he had already seen, and then beheld: when +suddenly he heard the voice of one complaining, in lamentable +tones. He listened with attention, and heard distinctly these +words: "O fortune! thou who wouldst not suffer me longer to enjoy +a happy lot, forbear to persecute me, and by a speedy death put +an end to my sorrows. Alas! is it possible that I am still alive, +after so many torments as I have suffered!" + +The sultan rose up, advanced toward the place whence he heard the +voice; and coming to the door of a great hall, opened it, and saw +a handsome young man, richly habited, seated upon a throne raised +a little above the ground. Melancholy was painted on his +countenance. The sultan drew near, and saluted him; the young man +returned his salutation by an inclination of his head, not being +able to rise, at the same time saying, "My lord, I should rise to +receive you; but am hindered by sad necessity, and therefore hope +you will not be offended." "My lord," replied the sultan, "I am +much obliged to you for having so good an opinion of me: as to +the reason of your not rising, whatever your apology be, I +heartily accept it. Being drawn hither by your complaints, and +afflicted by your grief, I come to offer you my help; would to +God that it lay in my power to ease you of your trouble! I would +do my utmost to effect it. I flatter myself that you will relate +to me the history of your misfortunes; but inform me first of the +meaning of the lake near the palace, where the fish are of four +colours? whose this castle is? how you came to be here? and why +you are alone?" + +Instead of answering these questions, the young man began to weep +bitterly. "How inconstant is +fortune!" cried he; "she takes pleasure to pull down those she +had raised. Where are they who enjoy quietly the happiness which +they hold of her, and whose day is always clear and serene?" + +The sultan, moved with compassion to see him in such a condition, +prayed him to relate the cause of his excessive grief. "Alas! my +lord," replied the young man, "how is it possible but I should +grieve, and my eyes be inexhaustible fountains of tears?" At +these words, lifting up his robe, he shewed the sultan that he +was a man only from the head to the girdle, and that the other +half of his body was black marble. + +The sultan was much surprised, when he saw the deplorable +condition of the young man. "That which you shew me," said he, +"while it fills me with horror, excites my curiosity, so that I +am impatient to hear your history, which, no doubt, must be +extraordinary, and I am persuaded that the lake and the fish make +some part of it; therefore I conjure you to relate it. You will +find some comfort in so doing, since it is certain, that the +unfortunate find relief in making known their distress." "I will +not refuse your request," replied the young man, "though I cannot +comply without renewing my grief. But I give you notice before +hand, to prepare your ears, your mind, and even your eyes, for +things which surpass all that the imagination can conceive." + + + + + The History of the Young King of the Black Isles. + + + +You must know that my father, named Mahmoud, was king of this +country. This is the kingdom of the Black Isles, which takes its +name from the four small neighbouring mountains; for these +mountains were formerly isles: the capital where the king my +father resided was situated on the spot now occupied by the lake +you have seen. The sequel of my history will inform you of those +changes. + +The king my father died when he was seventy years of age; I had +no sooner succeeded him, than I married, and the lady I chose to +share the royal dignity with me, was my cousin. I had so much +reason to be satisfied with her affection, and, on my part, loved +her with so much tenderness, that nothing could surpass the +harmony and pleasure of our union. This lasted five years, at the +end of which time, I perceived the queen, my cousin, ceased to +delight in my attentions. + +One day, after dinner, while she was at the bath, I found myself +inclined to repose and lay down upon a sofa. Two of her ladies, +who were then in my chamber, came and sat down, one at my head, +and the other at my feet, with fans in their hands to moderate +the heat, and to prevent the flies from disturbing me. They +thought I was asleep, and spoke in whispers; but as I only closed +my eyes, I heard all their conversation. + +One of them said to the other, "Is not the queen wrong, not to +love so amiable a prince?" "Certainly," replied the other; "I do +not understand the reason, neither can I conceive why she goes +out every night, and leaves him alone!" "Is it possible that he +does not perceive it?" "Alas!" said the first, "how should he? +she mixes every evening in his liquor, the juice of a certain +herb, which makes him sleep so sound all night, that she has time +to go where she pleases, and as day begins to appear, she comes +and lies down by him again, and wakes him by the smell of +something she puts under his nostrils." + +You may guess, my lord, how much I was surprised at this +conversation, and with what sentiments it inspired me; yet, +whatever emotion it excited, I had sufficient self-command to +dissemble, and feigned to awake without having heard a word. + +The queen returned from the bath, we supped together and she +presented me with a cup full of such water as I was accustomed to +drink; but instead of putting it to my mouth, I went to a window +that was open, and threw out the water so quickly, that she did +not perceive it, and returned. + +We went to bed together, and soon after, believing that I was +asleep, she got up with so little precaution, that she said loud +enough for me to hear her distinctly, "Sleep on, and may you +never wake again!" She dressed herself, and went out of the +chamber. + +As soon as the queen my wife was gone, I dressed myself in haste, +took my cimeter, and followed her so quickly, that I soon heard +the sound of her feet before me, and then walked softly after +her, for fear of being heard. She passed through several gates, +which opened upon her pronouncing some magical words, and the +last she opened was that of the garden, which she entered. I +stopt at this gate, that she might not perceive me, as she passed +along a parterre; then looking after her as far as the darkness +of the night permitted, I saw her enter a little wood, whose +walks were guarded by thick palisadoes. I went thither by another +way, and concealing myself behind the palisadoes of a long walk, +I saw her walking there with a man. + +I did not fail to lend the most attentive ear to their discourse, +and heard her address herself thus to her gallant: "I do not +deserve to be reproached by you for want of diligence. You well +know the reason; but if all the proofs of affection I have +already given you be not sufficient to convince you of my +sincerity, I am ready to give you others more decisive: you need +but command me, you know my power; I will, if you desire it, +before sun-rise convert this great city, and this superb palace, +into frightful ruins, inhabited only by wolves, owls, and ravens. +If you would have me transport all the stones of those walls so +solidly built, beyond mount Caucasus, or the bounds of the +habitable world, speak but the word, and all shall be changed." + +As the queen finished these words she and her lover came to the +end of the walk, turned to enter another, and passed before me. I +had already drawn my cimeter, and her lover being next me, I +struck him on the neck, and brought him to the ground. I +concluded I had killed him, and therefore retired speedily +without making myself known to the queen, whom I chose to spare, +because she was my kinswoman. + +The wound I had given her lover was mortal; but by her +enchantments she preserved him in an existence in which he could +not be said to be either dead or alive. As I crossed the garden +to return to the palace, I heard the queen loudly lamenting, and +judging by her cries how much she was grieved, I was pleased that +I had spared her life. + +As soon as I had reached my apartment, I went to bed, and being +satisfied with having punished the villain who had injured me, +fell asleep; and when I awoke next morning, found the queen +lying. I cannot tell you whether she slept or not; but I arose, +went to my closet, and dressed myself. I afterwards held my +council. At my return, the queen, clad in mourning, her hair +dishevelled, and part of it torn off, presented herself before +me, and said; "I come to beg your majesty not to be surprised to +see me in this condition. My heavy affliction is occasioned by +intelligence of three distressing events which I have just +received." "Alas! what are they, madam?" said I. "The death of +the queen my dear mother," she replied, "that of the king my +father killed in battle, and of one of my brothers, who has +fallen down a precipice." + +I was not displeased that she used this pretext to conceal the +true cause of her grief, and I concluded she had not suspected me +of being the author of her lover's death. "Madam," said I, "so +far from blaming, I assure you I heartily commiserate your +sorrow. I should feel surprise if you were insensible to such +heavy calamities: weep on; your tears are so many proofs of your +tenderness; but I hope that time and reflection will moderate +your grief." + +She retired into her apartment, where, giving herself wholly up +to sorrow, she spent a whole year in mourning and lamentation. At +the end of that period, she begged permission to erect a burying +place for herself, within the bounds of the palace, where she +would continue, she told me, to the end of her days: I consented, +and she built a stately edifice, crowned by a cupola, which may +be seen from hence, and called it the Palace of Tears. When it +was finished, she caused her lover to be conveyed thither, from +the place to which she had caused him to be carried the night I +wounded him: she had hitherto prevented his dying, by potions +which she had administered to him; and she continued to convey +them to him herself every day after he came to the Palace of +Tears. + +Yet, with all her enchantments, she could not cure him; he was +not only unable to walk or support himself, but had also lost the +use of his speech, and exhibited no sign of life except in his +looks. Though the queen had no other consolation but to see him, +and to say to him all that her senseless passion could inspire, +yet every day she made him two long visits. I was well apprised +of this, but pretended ignorance. + +One day my curiosity induced me to go to the Palace of Tears, to +observe how the princess employed herself, and from a place where +she could not see me, I heard her thus address her lover: "I am +afflicted to the highest degree to behold you in this condition; +I am as sensible as yourself of the tormenting pain you endure; +but, dear soul, I am continually speaking to you, and you do not +answer me: how long will you remain silent? Speak only one word: +alas! the sweetest moments of my life are these I spend here in +partaking of your grief. I cannot live at a distance from you, +and would prefer the pleasure of having you always before me, to +the empire of the universe." + +At these words, which were several times interrupted by her sighs +and sobs, I lost all patience: and discovering myself, came up to +her, and said, "Madam, you have wept enough, it is time to give +over this sorrow, which dishonours both; you have too much +forgotten what you owe to me and to yourself." "Sire," said she, +"if you have any kindness or compassion for me left, I beseech +you to put no restraint upon me; allow me to indulge my grief, +which it is impossible for time to assuage." + +When I perceived that my remonstrance, instead of restoring her +to a sense of duty, served only to increase her anguish, I gave +over and retired. She continued every day to visit her lover, and +for two whole years abandoned herself to grief and despair. + +I went a second time to the Palace of Tears, while she was there. +I concealed myself again, and heard her thus address her lover: +"It is now three years since you spoke one word to me; you answer +not the proofs I give you of my love by my sighs and +lamentations. Is it from insensibility, or contempt? O tomb! hast +thou destroyed that excess of affection which he bare me? Hast +thou closed those eyes that evinced so much love, and were all my +delight? No, no, this I cannot think. Tell me rather, by what +miracle thou becamest the depositary of the rarest treasure the +world ever contained." + +I must confess, my lord, I was enraged at these expressions; for, +in truth, this beloved, this adored mortal, was by no means what +you would imagine him to have been. He was a black Indian, one of +the original natives of this country. I was so enraged at the +language addressed to him, that I discovered myself, and +apostrophising the tomb in my turn; I cried, "O tomb! why dost +not thou swallow up that monster so revolting to human nature, or +rather why dost not thou swallow up both the lover and his +mistress?" + +I had scarcely uttered these words, when the queen, who sat by +the black, rose up like a fury. "Miscreant!" said she "thou art +the cause of my grief; do not think I am ignorant of this, I have +dissembled too long. It was thy barbarous hand that brought the +objets of my fondness into this lamentable condition; and thou +hast the cruelty to come and insult a despairing lover." "Yes," +said I, in a rage, "it was I that chastised that monster, +according to his desert; I ought to have treated thee in the same +manner; I now repent that I did not; thou hast too long abused my +goodness." As I spoke these words, I drew out my cimeter, and +lifted up my hand to punish her; but regarding me stedfastly, she +said with a jeering smile, "Moderate thy anger." At the same +time, she pronounced words I did not understand; and afterwards +added, "By virtue of my enchantments, I command thee to become +half marble and half man." Immediately, my lord, I became what +you see, a dead man among the living, and a living man among the +dead. + +After the cruel sorceress, unworthy of the name of queen, had +metamorphosed me thus, and brought me into this hall, by another +enchantment she destroyed my capital, which was very flourishing +and populous; she annihilated the houses, the public places and +markets, and reduced the site of the whole to the lake and desert +plain you have seen; the fishes of four colours in the lake are +the four kinds of inhabitants of different religions, which the +city contained. The white are the Moosulmauns; the red, the +Persians, who worship fire; the blue, the Christians and the +yellow, the Jews. The four little hills were the four islands +that gave name to this kingdom. I learned all this from the +enchantress, who, to add to my affliction, related to me these +effects of her rage. But this is not all; her revenge not being +satisfied with the destruction of my dominions, and the +metamorphosis of my person, she comes every day, and gives me +over my naked shoulders a hundred lashes with a whip until I am +covered with blood. When she has finished this part of my +punishment, she throws over me a coarse stuff of goat's hair, and +over that this robe of brocade, not to honour, but to mock me. + +When he came to this part of the narrative, the young king could +not restrain his tears; and the sultan was himself so affected by +the relation, that he could not find utterance for any words of +consolation. Shortly after, the young king, lifting up his eyes +to heaven, exclaimed, "Mighty creator of all things, I submit +myself to thy judgments, and to the decrees of thy providence: I +endure my calamities with patience, since it is thy will things +should be as they are; but I hope thy infinite goodness will +ultimately reward me." + +The sultan, greatly moved by the recital of this affecting story, +and anxious to avenge the sufferings of the unfortunate prince, +said to him, "Inform me whither this perfidious sorceress +retires, and where may be found her vile paramour, who is +entombed before his death." "My lord," replied the prince, "her +lover, as I have already told you, is lodged in the Palace of +Tears, in a superb tomb constructed in the form of a dome: this +palace joins the castle on the side in which the gate is placed. +As to the queen, I cannot tell you precisely whither she retires, +but every day at sun-rise she goes to visit her paramour, after +having executed her bloody vengeance upon me; and you see I am +not in a condition to defend myself. She carries to him the +potion with which she had hitherto prevented his dying, and +always complains of his never having spoken to her since he was +wounded." + +"Prince," said the sultan, "your condition can never be +sufficiently deplored: no one can be more sensibly affected by +your misfortunes than I am. Never did any thing so extraordinary +befall any man, and those who write your history will have the +advantage of relating what surpasses all that has hitherto been +recorded. One thing only is wanting; the revenge to which you are +entitled, and I will omit nothing in my power to effect it." + +In his subsequent conversation with the young prince, the sultan +told him who he was, and for what purpose he had entered the +castle; and afterwards informed him of a mode of revenge which he +had devised. They agreed upon the measures they were to take for +accomplishing their design, but deferred the execution of it till +the following day. In the mean time, the night being far spent, +the sultan took some rest; but the young prince passed the night +as usual, without sleep, having never slept since he was +enchanted, still indulging some hopes of being speedily delivered +from his misery. + +Next morning the sultan arose with the dawn, and prepared to +execute his design, hiding his upper garment, which might +encumber him; he then proceeded to the Palace of Tears. He found +it lighted up with an infinite number of flambeaux of white wax, +and perfumed by a delicious scent issuing from several censers of +fine gold of admirable workmanship. As soon as he perceived the +bed where the black lay, he drew his cimeter, and without +resistance deprived him of his wretched life, dragged his corpse +into the court of the castle, and threw it into a well. After +this, he went and lay down in the black's bed, placed his cimeter +under the covering, and waited to complete his design. + +The queen arrived shortly after. She first went into the chamber +of her husband, the king of the Black Islands, stripped him, and +with unexampled barbarity gave him a hundred stripes. The +unfortunate prince filled the palace with his lamentations, and +conjured her in the most affecting tone to take pity on him; but +the cruel wretch ceased not till she had given the usual number +of blows. "You had no compassion on my lover," said she, "and you +are to expect none from me." + +After the enchantress had given the king, her husband, a hundred +blows with the whip, she put on again his covering of goat's +hair, and his brocade gown over all; she went afterwards to the +Palace of Tears, and as she entered renewed her tears and +lamentations: then approaching the bed, where she thought her +paramour lay, "What cruelty," cried she, "was it to disturb the +satisfaction so tender and passionate a lover as I am? O cruel +prince, who reproachest me that I am inhuman, when I make thee +feel the effects of my resentment! Does not thy barbarity surpass +my vengeance? Traitor! in attempting the life of the object which +I adore, hast thou not robbed me of mine? Alas!" said she, +addressing herself to the sultan, conceiving him to be the black +"My sun, my life, will you always be silent! Are you resolved to +let me die, without affording me the comfort of hearing again +from your own lips that you love me? My soul, speak one word to +me at least, I conjure you." + +The sultan, as if he had awaked out of a deep sleep, and +counterfeiting the pronunciation of the blacks, answered the +queen with a grave tone, "There is no strength or power but in +God alone, who is almighty." At these words the enchantress, who +did not expect them, uttered a loud exclamation of joy. "My dear +lord," cried she, "do not I deceive myself; is it certain that I +hear you, and that you speak to me?" "Unhappy woman," said the +sultan, "art thou worthy that I should answer thee?" "Alas!" +replied the queen, "why do you reproach me thus?" "The cries," +returned the sultan, "the groans and tears of thy husband, whom +thou treatest every day with so much indignity and barbarity, +prevent my sleeping night or day. Hadst thou disenchanted him, I +should long since have been cured, and have recovered the use of +my speech. This is the cause of my silence, of which you +complain." "Well," said the enchantress, "to pacify you, I am +ready to execute your commands; would you have me restore him?" +"Yes," replied the sultan; "make haste to set him at liberty, +that I be no longer disturbed by his lamentations." + +The enchantress went immediately out of the Palace of Tears; she +took a cup of water, and pronounced some words over it, which +caused it to boil, as if it had been on the fire. She afterwards +proceeded to the young king her husband, and threw the water upon +him, saying, "If the creator of all things did form thee as thou +art at present; or if he be angry with thee, do not change; but +if thou art in that condition merely by virtue of my +enchantments, resume thy natural shape, and become what thou west +before." She had scarcely spoken these words, when the prince, +finding himself restored to his former condition, rose up and +returned thanks to God. The enchantress then said to him, "Get +thee from this castle, and never return on pain of death." The +young king, yielding to necessity, went away from the +enchantress, without replying a word; and retired to a remote +place, where he patiently awaited the event of the design which +the sultan had so happily begun. Meanwhile, the enchantress +returned to the Palace of Tears, and supposing that she still +spoke to the black, said, "Dear love, I have done what you +required; nothing now prevents your rising and giving me the +satisfaction of which I have so long been deprived." + +The sultan, still counterfeiting the pronunciation of the blacks, +said, "What you have now done is by no means sufficient for my +cure; you have only removed a part of the evil; you must cut it +up by the root." "My lovely black," resumed the queen, "what do +you mean by the root?" "Wretched woman," replied the sultan, +"understand you not that I allude to the town, and its +inhabitants, and the four islands, destroyed by thy enchantments? +The fish every night at midnight raise their heads out of the +lake, and cry for vengeance against thee and me. This is the true +cause of the delay of my cure. Go speedily, restore things to +their former state, and at thy return I will give thee my hand, +and thou shalt help me to arise." + +The enchantress, inspired with hope from these words, cried out +in a transport of joy, "My heart, my soul, you shall soon be +restored to your health, for I will immediately do as you command +me." Accordingly she went that instant, and when she came to the +brink of the lake, she took a little water in her hand, and +sprinkling it, had no sooner pronounced some words over the fish +and the lake, than the city was immediately restored. The fish +became men, women, and children; Mahummedans, Christians, +Persians, or Jews; freemen or slaves, as they were before: every +one having recovered his natural form. The houses and shops were +immediately filled with their inhabitants, who found all things +as they were before the enchantment. The sultan's numerous +retinue, who found themselves encamped in the largest square, +were astonished to see themselves in an instant in the middle of +a large, handsome, well-peopled city. + +To return to the enchantress: As soon as she had effected this +wonderful change, she returned with all expedition to the Palace +of Tears, that she might receive her reward. "My dear lord," +cried she, as she entered, "I come to rejoice with you in the +return of your health: I have done all that you required of me, +then pray rise, and give me your hand." "Come near," said the +sultan, still counterfeiting the pronunciation of the blacks. She +did so. "You are not near enough," he continued, "approach +nearer." She obeyed. He then rose up, and seizing her by the arm +so suddenly, that she had not time to discover him, he with a +blow of his cimeter cut her in two, so that one half fell one way +and the other another. This done he left the body on the spot, +and going out of the Palace of Tears, went to seek the young king +of the Black Isles, who waited for him with great impatience. +When he found him, "Prince," said he, embracing him, "rejoice; +you have now nothing to fear; your cruel enemy is dead." + +The young prince returned thanks to the sultan in a manner that +sufficiently the sincerity of his gratitude, and in return wished +him long life and happiness. "You may henceforward," said the +sultan, "dwell peaceably in your capital, unless you will +accompany me to mine, which is near: you shall there be welcome, +and have as much honour and respect shown you as if you were in +your own kingdom." "Potent monarch, to whom I am so much +indebted," replied the king, "you think then that you are near +your capital?" "Yes," said the sultan, "I know it is not above +four or five hours' journey." "It will take you a whole year to +return," said the prince "I do indeed believe that you came +hither from your capital in the time you mention, because mine +was enchanted; but since the enchantment is taken off, things are +changed: however, this shall not prevent my following you, were +it to the utmost corners of the earth. You are my deliverer, and +that I may give you proofs of my acknowledging this during my +whole life, I am willing to accompany you, and to leave my +kingdom without regret." + +The sultan was extremely surprised to understand that he was so +far from his dominions, and could not imagine how it could be. +But the young king of the Black Islands convinced him beyond a +possibility of doubt. Then the sultan replied, "It is no matter; +the trouble of returning to my own country is sufficiently +recompensed by the satisfaction of having obliged you, and by +acquiring you for a son; for since you will do me the honour to +accompany me, as I have no child, I look upon you as such, and +from this moment appoint you my heir and successor." + +The conversation between the sultan and the king of the Black +Islands concluded with most affectionate embraces, after which +the young prince employed himself in making preparations for his +journey, which were finished in three weeks, to the great regret +of his court and subjects, who agreed to receive at his hands one +of his nearest kindred for their monarch. + +At length, the sultan and the young prince began their journey, +with a hundred camels laden with inestimable riches from the +treasury of the young king, followed by fifty handsome gentlemen +on horseback, perfectly well mounted and dressed They had a +pleasant journey; and when the sultan, who had sent couriers to +give advice of his delay, and of the adventure which had +occasioned it, approached his capital, the principal officers +came to receive him, and to assure him that his long absence had +occasioned no alteration in his empire. The inhabitants also came +out in great crowds, received him with acclamations, and made +public rejoicings for several days. + +The day after his arrival the sultan gave all his courtiers a +very ample account of the circumstances, which, contrary to his +expectation, had detained him so long. He acquainted them with +his having adopted the king of the Four Black Islands, who was +willing to leave a great kingdom, to accompany and live with him; +and, in reward for their loyalty, he made each of them presents +according to their rank. + +As for the fisherman, as he was the first cause of the +deliverance of the young prince, the sultan gave him a plentiful +fortune, which made him and his family happy the rest of their +days. + + + + + STORY OF THE THREE CALENDERS, SONS OF + SULTANS; AND OF THE FIVE LADIES OF BAGDAD. + + + +In the reign of Caliph Haroon al Rusheed, there was at Bagdad, a +porter, who, notwithstanding his mean and laborious business, was +a fellow of wit and good humour. One morning as he was at the +place where he usually plyed, with a great basket, waiting for +employment, a handsome young lady, covered with a great muslin +veil, accosted him, and said with a pleasant air, "Hark you, +porter, take your basket and follow me." The porter, charmed with +these words, pronounced in so agreeable a manner, took his basket +immediately, set it on his head, and followed the lady, +exclaiming, "O happy day, O day of good luck!" + +In a short time the lady stopped before a gate that was shut, and +knocked: a Christian, with a venerable long white beard, opened +it; and she put money into his hand, without speaking; but the +Christian, who knew what she wanted, went in, and in a little +time, brought a large jug of excellent wine. "Take this jug," +said the lady to the porter, "and put it in your basket." This +being done, she commanded him to follow her; and as she +proceeded, the porter continued his exclamation, "O happy day! +This is a day of agreeable surprise and joy." + +The lady stopped at a fruit-shop, where she bought several sorts +of apples, apricots, peaches, quinces, lemons, citrons, oranges; +myrtles, sweet basil, lilies, jessamin, and some other flowers +and fragrant plants; she bid the porter put all into his basket, +and follow her. As she went by a butcher's stall, she made him +weigh her twenty five pounds of his best meat, which she ordered +the porter to put also into his basket. At another shop, she took +capers, tarragon, cucumbers, sassafras, and other herbs, +preserved in vinegar: at another, she bought pistachios, walnuts, +filberts, almonds, kernels of pine-apples, and such other fruits; +and at another, all sorts of confectionery. When the porter had +put all these things into his basket, and perceived that it grew +full, "My good lady," said he, "you ought to have given me notice +that you had so much provision to carry, and then I would have +brought a horse, or rather a camel, for the purpose; for if you +buy ever so little more, I shall not be able to bear it." The +lady laughed at the fellow's pleasant humour, and ordered him +still to follow her. + +She then went to a druggist, where she furnished herself with all +manner of sweet-scented waters, cloves, musk, pepper, ginger, and +a great piece of ambergris, and several other Indian spices; this +quite filled the porter's basket, and she ordered him to follow +her. They walked till they came to a magnificent house, whose +front was adorned with fine columns, and had a gate of ivory. +There they stopped, and the lady knocked softly. + +While the young lady and the porter waited for the opening of the +gate, the porter made a thousand reflections. He wondered that +such a fine lady should come abroad to buy provisions; he +concluded she could not be a slave, her air was too noble, and +therefore he thought she must needs be a woman of quality. Just +as he was about to ask her some questions upon this head, another +lady came to open the gate, and appeared to him so beautiful, +that he was perfectly surprised, or rather so much struck with +her charms, that he had nearly suffered his basket to fall, for +he had never seen any beauty that equalled her. + +The lady who brought the porter with her, perceiving his +disorder, and knowing the cause, was greatly diverted, and took +so much pleasure in watching his looks, that she forgot the gate +was opened. "Pray, Sister," said the beautiful portress, "come +in, what do you stay for? Do not you see this poor man so heavy +laden, that he is scarcely able to stand." + +When she entered with the porter, the lady who had opened the +gate shut it, and all three, after having passed through a +splendid vestibule, entered a spacious court, encompassed with an +open gallery, which had a communication with several apartments +of extraordinary magnificence. At the farther end of the court +there was a platform, richly furnished, with a throne of amber in +the middle, supported by four columns of ebony, enriched with +diamonds and pearls of an extraordinary size, and covered with +red satin embroidered with Indian gold of admirable workmanship. +In the middle of the court there was a fountain, faced with white +marble, and full of clear water, which was copiously supplied out +of the mouth of a lion of brass. + +The porter, though heavy laden, could not but admire the +magnificence of this house, and the excellent order in which +every thing was placed; but what particularly captivated his +attention, was a third lady, who seemed to be more beautiful than +the second, and was seated upon the throne just mentioned; she +descended as soon as she saw the two others, and advanced towards +them: he judged by the respect which the other ladies showed her, +that she was the chief, in which he was not mistaken. This lady +was called Zobeide, she who opened the gate Safie, and she who +went to buy the provisions was named Amene. + +Zobeide said to the two ladies, when she came to them, "Sisters, +do not you see that this honest man is ready to sink under his +burden, why do not you ease him of it?" Then Amene and Safie took +the basket, the one before and the other behind; Zobeide also +assisted, and all three together set it on the ground; then +emptied it; and when they had done, the beautiful Amene took out +money, and paid the porter liberally. + +The porter was well satisfied with the money he had received; but +when he ought to have departed, he could not summon sufficient +resolution for the purpose. He was chained to the spot by the +pleasure of beholding three such beauties, who appeared to him +equally charming; for Amene having now laid aside her veil, +proved to be as handsome as either of the others. What surprised +him most was, that he saw no man about the house, yet most of the +provisions he had brought in, as the dry fruits, and the several +sorts of cakes and confections, were adapted chiefly for those +who could drink and make merry. + +Zobeide thought at first, that the porter staid only to take +breath, but perceiving that he remained too long, "What do you +wait for," said she, "are you not sufficiently paid?" And turning +to Amene, she continued, "Sister, give him something more, that +he may depart satisfied." "Madam," replied the porter, "it is not +that which detains me, I am already more than paid for my +services; I am sensible that I act rudely in staying longer than +I ought, but I hope you will the goodness to pardon me, when I +tell you, that I am astonished not to see a man with three ladies +of such extraordinary beauty: and you know that a company of +women without men is as melancholy as a company of men without +women." To this he added several other pleasant things, to prove +what he said, and did not forget the Bagdad proverb, "That the +table is not completely furnished, except there be four in +company:" and so concluded, that since they were but three, they +wanted another. + +The ladies fell a laughing at the porter's reasoning; after which +Zobeide gravely addressed him, "Friend, you presume rather too +much; and though you do not deserve that I should enter into any +explanation with you, I have no objection to inform you that we +are three sisters, who transact our affairs with so much secrecy +that no one knows any thing of them. We have but too much reason +to be cautious of acquainting indiscreet persons with our +counsel; and a good author that we have read, says, 'Keep thy own +secret, and do not reveal it to any one. He that makes his secret +known it no longer its master. If thy own breast cannot keep thy +counsel, how canst thou expect the breast of another to be more +faithful?'" + +"My ladies," replied the porter, "by your very air, I judged at +first that you were persons of extraordinary merit, and I +conceive that I am not mistaken. Though fortune has not given me +wealth enough to raise me above my mean profession, yet I have +not omitted to cultivate my mind as much as I could, by reading +books of science and history; and allow me, I beseech you, to +say, that I have also read in another author a maxim which I have +always happily followed: 'We conceal our secret from such persons +only as are known to all the world to want discretion, and would +abuse our confidence; but we hesitate not to discover it to the +prudent, because we know that with them it is safe.' A secret in +my keeping is as secure as if it were locked up in a cabinet, the +key of which is lost, and the door sealed up." + +Zobeide perceiving that the porter was not deficient in wit, but +thinking he wished to share in their festivity, answered him, +smiling, "You know that we have been making preparations to +regale ourselves, and that, as you have seen, at a considerable +expense; it is not just that you should now partake of the +entertainment without contributing to the cost." The beautiful +Safie seconded her sister, and said to the porter, "Friend, have +you never heard the common saying, 'If you bring something with +you, you shall carry something away, but if you bring nothing, +you shall depart empty?'" + +The porter, notwithstanding his rhetoric, must, in all +probability, have retired in confusion, if Amene had not taken +his part, and said to Zobeide and Safie, "My dear sisters, I +conjure you to let him remain; I need not tell you that he will +afford us some diversion, of this you perceive he is capable: I +assure you, had it not been for his readiness, his alacrity, and +courage to follow me, I could not have done so much business, in +so short a time; besides, where I to repeat to you all the +obliging expressions he addressed to me by the way, you would not +feel surprised at my taking his part." + +At these words of Amene, the porter was so transported with joy, +that he fell on his knees, kissed the ground at her feet, and +raising himself up, said, "Most beautiful lady, you began my good +fortune to-day, and now you complete it by this generous conduct; +I cannot adequately express my acknowledgments. As to the rest, +ladies," said he, addressing himself to all the three sisters, +"since you do me so great an honour, do not think that I will +abuse it, or look upon myself as deserving of the distinction. +No, I shall always look upon myself as one of your most humble +slaves." When he had spoken these words he would have returned +the money he had received, but Zobeide ordered him to keep it. +"What we have once given," said she, "to reward those who have +served us, we never take back. My friend, in consenting to your +staying with us, I must forewarn you, that it is not the only +condition we impose upon you that you keep inviolable the secret +we may entrust to you, but we also require you to attend to the +strictest rules of good manners." During this address, the +charming Amene put off the apparel she went abroad with, and +fastened her robe to her girdle that she might act with the +greater freedom; she then brought in several sorts of meat, wine, +and cups of gold. Soon after, the ladies took their places, and +made the porter sit down by them, who was overjoyed to see +himself seated with three such admirable beauties. After they had +eaten a little, Amene took a cup, poured some wine into it, and +drank first herself; she then filled the cup to her sisters, who +drank in course as they sat; and at last she filled it the fourth +time for the porter, who, as he received it, kissed Amene's hand; +and before he drank, sung a song to this purpose. That as the +wind bears with it the sweet scents of the perfumed places over +which it passes, so the wine he was going to drink, coming from +her fair hands, received a more exquisite flavour than it +naturally possessed. The song pleased the ladies much, and each +of them afterwards sung one in her turn. In short, they were all +very pleasant during the repast, which lasted a considerable +time, and nothing was wanting that could serve to render it +agreeable. The day drawing to a close, Safie spoke in the name of +the three ladies, and said to the porter, "Arise, it is time for +you to depart." But the porter, not willing to leave good +company, cried, "Alas! ladies, whither do you command me to go in +my present condition? What with drinking and your society, I am +quite beside myself. I shall never find the way home; allow me +this night to recover myself, in any place you please, but go +when I will, I shall leave the best part of myself behind." + +Amene pleaded the second time for the porter, saying, "Sisters, +he is right, I am pleased with the request, he having already +diverted us so well; and, if you will take my advice, or if you +love me as much as I think you do, let us keep him for the +remainder of the night." "Sister," answered Zobeide, "we can +refuse you nothing;" and then turning to the porter, said, "We +are willing once more to grant your request, but upon this new +condition, that, whatever we do in your presence relating either +to ourselves or any thing else, you do not so much as open your +mouth to ask the reason; for if you put any questions respecting +what does not concern you, you may chance to hear what you will +not like; beware therefore, and be not too inquisitive to pry +into the motives of our actions. + +"Madam," replied the porter, "I promise to abide by this +condition, that you shall have no cause to complain, and far less +to punish my indiscretion; my tongue shall be immovable on this +occasion, and my eye like a looking-glass, which retains nothing +of the objets that is set before it." "To shew you," said Zobeide +with a serious countenance, "that what we demand of you is not a +new thing among us, read what is written over our gate on the +inside." + +The porter went and read these words, written in large characters +of gold: "He who speaks of things that do not concern him, shall +hear things that will not please him." Returning again to the +three sisters, "Ladies," said he, "I swear to you that you shall +never hear me utter a word respecting what does not relate to me, +or wherein you may have any concern." + +These preliminaries being settled, Amene brought in supper, and +after she had lighted up the room with tapers, made of aloe-wood +and ambergris, which yield a most agreeable perfume, as well as a +delicate light, she sat down with her sisters and the porter. +They began again to eat and drink, to sing, and repeat verses. +The ladies diverted themselves in intoxicating the porter, under +pretext of making him drink their healths, and the repast was +enlivened by reciprocal flashes of wit. When they were all in the +best humour possible, they heard a knocking at the gate. + +When the ladies heard the knocking, they all three got up to open +the gate; but Safie was the nimblest; which her sisters +perceiving, they resumed their seats. Safie returning, said, +"Sisters, we have a very fine opportunity of passing a good part +of the night pleasantly, and if you agree with me, you will not +suffer it to go by. There are three calenders at our gate, at +least they appear to be such by their habit; but what will +surprise you is, they are all three blind of the right eye, and +have their heads, beards, and eye-brows shaved. They say, they +are but just come to Bagdad, where they never were before; it +being night, and not knowing where to find a lodging, they +happened by chance to knock at this gate, and pray us, for the +love of heaven, to have compassion on them, and receive them into +the house. They care not what place we put them in, provided they +may be under shelter; they would be satisfied with a stable. They +are young and handsome, and seem not to want spirit. But I cannot +without laughing think of their amusing and uniform figure." Here +Safie laughed so heartily, that the two sisters and the porter +could not refrain from laughing also. "My dear sisters," said +she, "you will permit them to come in; it is impossible but that +with such persons as I have described them to be, we shall finish +the day better than we began it; they will afford us diversion +enough, and put us to no charge, because they desire shelter only +for this night, and resolve to leave us as soon as day appears." + +Zobeide and Amene made some difficulty to grant Safie's request, +for reasons which she herself well knew. But being very desirous +to obtain this favour, they could not refuse her; "Go then," said +Zobeide, "and bring them in, but do not forget to acquaint them +that they must not speak of any thing which does not concern +them, and cause them to read what is written over the gate." +Safie ran out with joy, and in a little time after returned with +the three calenders. + +At their entrance they made a profound obeisance to the ladies, +who rose up to receive them, and told them courteously that they +were welcome, that they were glad of the opportunity to oblige +them, and to contribute towards relieving the fatigues of their +journey, and at last invited them to sit down with them. + +The magnificence of the place, and the civility they received, +inspired the calenders with high respect for the ladies: but, +before they sat down, having by chance cast their eyes upon the +porter, whom they saw clad almost like those devotees with whom +they have continual disputes respecting several points of +discipline, because they never shave their beards nor eye-brows; +one of them said, "I believe we have got here one of our revolted +Arabian brethren." + +The porter having his head warm with wine, took offence and with +a fierce look, without stirring from his place, answered, "Sit +you down, and do not meddle with what does not concern you: have +you not read the inscription over the gate? Do not pretend to +make people live after your fashion, but follow ours." + +"Honest man," said the calender, "do not put yourself in a +passion; we should be sorry to give you the least occasion; on +the contrary, we are ready to receive your commands." Upon which, +to put an end to the dispute, the ladies interposed, and pacified +them. When the calenders were seated, the ladies served them with +meat; and Safie, being highly pleased with them, did not let them +want for wine. + +After the calenders had eaten and drunk liberally, they signified +to the ladies, that they wished to entertain them with a concert +of music, if they had any instruments in the house, and would +cause them to be brought: they willingly accepted the proposal, +and fair Safie going to fetch them, returned again in a moment, +and presented them with a flute of her own country fashion, +another of the Persian, and a tabor. Each man took the instrument +he liked, and all three together began to play a tune The ladies, +who knew the words of a merry song that suited the air, joined +the concert with their voices; but the words of the song made +them now and then stop, and fall into excessive laughter. + +In the height of this diversion, when the company were in the +midst of their jollity, a knocking was heard at the gate; Safie +left off singing, and went to see who it was. The caliph Haroon +al Rusheed was frequently in the habit of walking abroad in +disguise by night, that he might discover if every thing was +quiet in the city, and see that no disorders were committed. + +This night the caliph went out on his rambles, accompanied by +Jaaffier his grand vizier, and Mesrour the chief of the eunuchs +of his palace, all disguised in merchants' habits; and passing +through the street where the three ladies dwelt, he heard the +sound of music and fits of loud laughter; upon which he commanded +the vizier, to knock, as he wished to enter to ascertain the +reason. The vizier, in vain represented to him that the noise +proceeded from some women who were merry-making, that without +question their heads were warm with wine, and that it would not +be proper he should expose himself to be affronted by them: +besides, it was not yet an unlawful hour, and therefore he ought +not to disturb them in their mirth. "No matter," said the caliph, +"I command you to knock." Jaaffier complied; Safie opened the +gate, and the vizier, perceiving by the light in her hand, that +she was an incomparable beauty, with a very low salutation said, +"We are three merchants of Mossoul, who arrived here about ten +days ago with rich merchandise, which we have in a warehouse at a +caravan-serai, where we have also our lodging. We happened this +evening to be with a merchant of this city, who invited us to his +house, where we had a splendid entertainment: and the wine having +put us in good humour, he sent for a company of dancers. Night +being come on, and the music and dancers making a great noise, +the watch, passing by, caused the gate to be opened and some of +the company to be taken up; but we had the good fortune to escape +by getting over the wall. Being strangers, and somewhat overcome +with wine, we are afraid of meeting that or some other watch, +before we get home to our khan. Besides, before we can arrive +there the gates will be shut, and will not be opened till +morning: wherefore, hearing, as we passed by this way, the sound +of music, we supposed you were not yet going to rest, and made +bold to knock at your gate, to beg the favour of lodging +ourselves in the house till morning; and if you think us worthy +of your good company, we will endeavour to contribute to your +diversion to the best of our power, to make some amends for the +interruption we have given you; if not, we only beg the favour of +staying this night in your vestibule." + +Whilst Jaaffier was speaking, Safie had time to observe the +vizier, and his two companions, who were said to be merchants +like himself, and told them that she was not mistress of the +house; but if they would have a minute's patience, she would +return with an answer. + +Safie made the business known to her sisters, who considered for +some time what to do: but being naturally of a good disposition, +and having granted the same favour to the three calenders, they +at last consented to let them in. + +The caliph, his grand vizier, and the chief of the eunuchs, being +introduced by the fair Safie, very courteously saluted the ladies +and the calenders. The ladies returned their salutations, +supposing them to be merchants. Zobeide, as the chief, addressed +them with a grave and serious countenance, which was natural to +her, and said, "You are welcome. But before I proceed farther, I +hope you will not take it ill if we desire one favour of you." +"Alas!" said the vizier, "what favour? We can refuse nothing to +such fair ladies." Zobeide continued, "It is that, while here, +you would have eyes, but no tongues; that you question us not for +the reason of any thing you may see, and speak not of any thing +that does not concern you, lest you hear what will by no means +please you." + +"Madam," replied the vizier, "you shall be obeyed. We are not +censorious, nor impertinently curious; it is enough for us to +notice affairs that concern us, without meddling with what does +not belong to us." Upon this they all sat down, and the company +being united, they drank to the health of the new-comers. + +While the vizier, entertained the ladies in conversation, the +caliph could not forbear admiring their extraordinary beauty, +graceful behaviour, pleasant humour, and ready wit; on the other +hand, nothing struck him with more surprise than the calenders +being all three blind of the right eye. He would gladly have +learnt the cause of this singularity; but the conditions so +lately imposed upon himself and his companions would not allow +him to speak. These circumstances, with the richness of the +furniture, the exact order of every thing, and the neatness of +the house, made him think they were in some enchanted place. + +Their conversation happening to turn upon diversions, and the +different ways of making merry; the calenders arose, and danced +after their fashion, which augmented the good opinion the ladies +had conceived of them, and procured them the esteem of the caliph +and his companions. + +When the three calenders had finished their dance, Zobeide arose, +and taking Amene by the hand, said, "Pray, sister, arise, for the +company will not be offended if we use our freedom, and their +presence need not hinder the performance of our customary +exercise." Amene understanding her sister's meaning, rose from +her seat, carried away the dishes, the flasks and cups, together +with the instruments which the calenders had played upon. + +Safie was not idle, but swept the room, put every thing again in +its place, trimmed the lamps, and put fresh aloes and ambergris +to them; this being done, she requested the three calenders to +sit down upon the sofa at one side, and the caliph with his +companions on the other: then addressing herself to the porter, +she said, "Get up, and prepare yourself to assist us in what we +are going to do; a man like you, who is one of the family, ought +not to be idle." The porter, being somewhat recovered from his +wine, arose immediately, and having tied the sleeve of his gown +to his belt, answered, "Here am I, ready to obey your commands." +"Very well," replied Safie, "stay till you are spoken to; and you +shall not be idle long." A little time after, Amene came in with +a chair, which she placed in the middle of the room; and then +went towards a closet. Having opened the door, she beckoned to +the porter, and said, "Come hither and assist me." He obeyed, and +entered the closet, and returned immediately, leading two black +bitches, each of them secured by a collar and chain; they +appeared as if they had been severely whipped with rods, and he +brought them into the middle of the apartment. + +Zobeide, rising from her seat between the calenders and the +caliph, moved very gravely towards the porter; "Come," said she, +heaving a deep sigh, "let us perform our duty:" she then tucked +up her sleeves above her elbows, and receiving a rod from Safie, +"Porter," said she, "deliver one of the bitches to my sister +Amene, and bring the other to me." + +The porter did as he was commanded. Upon this the bitch that he +held in his hand began to howl, and turning towards Zobeide, held +her head up in a supplicating posture; but Zobeide, having no +regard to the sad countenance of the animal, which would have +moved pity, nor to her cries that resounded through the house, +whipped her with the rod till she was out of breath; and having +spent her strength, threw down the rod, and taking the chain from +the porter, lifted up the bitch by her paws, and looking upon her +with a sad and pitiful countenance, they both wept: after which, +Zobeide, with her handkerchief, wiped the tears from the bitch's +eye, kissed her, returned the chain to the porter, desired him to +carry her to the place whence he took her, and bring her the +other. The porter led back the whipped bitch to the closet, and +receiving the other from Amene, presented her to Zobeide, who +requested him to hold her as he had done the first, took up the +rod, and treated her after the same manner; and when she had wept +over her, she dried her eyes, kissed her, and returned her to the +porter: but Amene spared him the trouble of leading her back into +the closet, and did it herself. The three calenders, with the +caliph and his companions, were extremely surprised at this +exhibition, and could not comprehend why Zobeide, after having so +furiously beaten those two bitches, that by the moosulman +religion are reckoned unclean animals, should weep with them, +wipe off their tears, and kiss them. They muttered among +themselves, and the caliph, who, being more impatient than the +rest, longed exceedingly to be informed of the cause of so +strange a proceeding, could not forbear making signs to the +vizier to ask the question: the vizier turned his head another +way; but being pressed by repeated signs, he answered by others, +that it was not yet time for the caliph to satisfy his curiosity. + +Zobeide sat still some time in the middle of the room, where she +had whipped the two bitches, to recover herself of her fatigue; +and Safie called to her, "Dear sister, will you not be pleased to +return to your place, that I may also aft my part?" "Yes, +sister," replied Zobeide; and then went, and sat down upon the +sofa, having the caliph, Jaaffier, and Mesrour, on her right +hand, and the three calenders, with the porter, on her left. + +After Zobeide had taken her seat, the whole company remained +silent for some time; at last, Safie, sitting on a chair in the +middle of the room, spoke to her sister Amene, "Dear sister, I +conjure you to rise; you know what I would say." Amene rose, and +went into another closet, near to that where the bitches were, +and brought out a case covered with yellow satin, richly +embroidered with gold and green silk. She went towards Safie and +opened the case, from whence she took a lute, and presented it to +her: and after some time spent in tuning it, Safie began to play, +and accompanying the instrument with her voice, sung a song about +the torments that absence creates to lovers, with so much +sweetness, that it charmed the caliph and all the company. Having +sung with much passion and action, she said to Amene, "Pray take +it, sister, for my voice fails me; oblige the company with a +tune, and a song in my stead." "Very willingly," replied Amene, +who, taking the lute from her sister Safie, sat down in her +place. + +Amene played and sung almost as long upon the same subject, but +with so much vehemence, and was so much affected, or rather +transported, by the words of the song, that her strength failed +her as she finished. + +Zobeide, desirous of testifying her satisfaction, said, "Sister, +you have done wonders, and we may easily see that you feel the +grief you have expressed in so lively a manner." Amene was +prevented from answering this civility, her heart being so +sensibly touched at the moment, that she was obliged, for air, to +uncover her neck and bosom, which did not appear so fair as might +have been expected; but, on the contrary, were black and full of +scars, which surprised and affected all the spectators. However, +this gave her no ease, for she fell into a fit. + +When Zobeide and Safie had run to help their sister, one of the +calenders could not forbear saying, "We had better have slept in +the streets than have come hither to behold such spectacles." The +caliph, who heard this, came to him and the other calenders, and +asked them what might be the meaning of all this? They answered, +"We know no more than you do." "What," said the caliph, "are you +not of the family? Can you not resolve us concerning the two +black bitches and the lady that fainted away, who appears to have +been so basely abused?" "Sir," said the calenders, "this is the +first time of our being in the house; we came in but a few +minutes before you." + +This increased the caliph's astonishment: "Probably," said he, +"this man who is with you may know something of the matter." One +of the calenders beckoned the porter to come near; and asked him, +whether he knew why those two black bitches had been whipped, and +why Amene's bosom was so scarred. "Sir," said the porter, "I can +swear by heaven, that if you know nothing of all this, I know as +little as you do. It is true, I live in this city, but I never +was in the house until now, and if you are surprised to see me I +am as much so to find myself in your company; and that which +increases my wonder is, that I have not seen one man with these +ladies." + +The caliph and his company, as well as the calenders, had +supposed the porter to be one of the family, and hoped he would +have been able to give them the information they sought; but +finding he could not, and resolving to satisfy his curiosity, the +caliph said to the rest, "We are seven men, and have but three +women to deal with; let us try if we can oblige them to explain +what we have seen, and if they refuse by fair means, we are in a +condition to compel them by force." + +The grand vizier Jaaffier objected to this, and shewed the caliph +what might be the consequence. Without discovering the prince to +the calenders, he addressed him as if he had been a merchant, and +said, "Consider, I pray you, that our reputation is at stake. You +know the conditions on which these ladies consented to receive +us, and which we agreed to observe; what will they say of us if +we break them? We shall be still more to blame, if any mischief +befall us; for it is not likely that they would have extorted +such a promise from us, without knowing themselves to be in a +condition to punish us for its violation." + +Here the vizier took the caliph aside, and whispered to him, "The +night will soon be at an end, and if your majesty will only be +pleased to have so much patience, I will to-morrow morning bring +these ladies before your throne, where you may be informed of all +that you desire to know." Though this advice was very judicious, +the caliph rejected it, desired the vizier to hold his tongue, +and said, he would not wait so long, but would immediately have +his curiosity satisfied. + +The next business was to settle who should carry the message. The +caliph endeavoured to prevail with the calenders to speak first; +but they excused themselves, and at last they agreed that the +porter should be the man: as they were consulting how to word +this fatal question, Zobeide returned from her sister Amene, who +was recovered of her fit. She drew near them, and having +overheard them speaking pretty loud, said, "Gentlemen, what is +the subject of your conversation? What are you disputing about?" + +The porter answered immediately, "Madam, these gentlemen beseech +you to inform them why you wept over your two bitches after you +had whipped them so severely, and how the bosom of that lady who +lately fainted away came to be so full of scars? These are the +questions I am ordered to ask in their name." + +At these words, Zobeide put on a stern countenance, and turning +towards the caliph and the rest of the company, "Is it true, +gentlemen," said she, "that you desired him to ask me these +questions?" All of them, except the vizier Jaaffier, who spoke +not a word, answered, "Yes." On which she exclaimed, in a tone +that sufficiently expressed her resentment, "Before we granted +you the favour of receiving you into our house, and to prevent +all occasion of trouble from you, because we are alone, we +imposed the condition that you should not speak of any thing that +did not concern you, lest you might hear that which would not +please you; and yet after having received and entertained you, +you make no scruple to break your promise. It is true that our +easy temper has occasioned this, but that shall not excuse your +rudeness." As she spoke these words, she gave three stamps with +her foot, and clapping her hands as often together, cried, "Come +quickly:" upon this, a door flew open, and seven black slaves +rushed in; every one seized a man, threw him on the ground, and +dragged him into the middle of the room, brandishing a cimeter +over his head. + +We may easily conceive the caliph then repented, but too late, +that he had not taken the advice of his vizier, who, with +Mesrour, the calenders and porter, was from his ill-timed +curiosity on the point of forfeiting his life. Before they would +strike the fatal blow, one of the slaves said to Zobeide, and her +sisters: "High, mighty, and adorable mistresses, do you command +us to strike off their heads?" "Stay," said Zobeide, "I must +examine them first." The frightened porter interrupted her thus: +"In the name of heaven, do not put me to death for another man's +crime. I am innocent; they are to blame." "Alas!" said he, +weeping, "how pleasantly did we pass our time! those blind +calenders are the cause of this misfortune; there is no town in +the world but suffers wherever these inauspicious fellows come. +Madam, I beg you not to destroy the innocent with the guilty, and +consider, that it is more glorious to pardon such a wretch as I +am, who have no way to help myself, than to sacrifice me to your +resentment." + +Zobeide, notwithstanding her anger, could not but laugh within +herself at the porter's lamentation: but without replying to him, +she spoke a second time to the rest; "Answer me, and say who you +are, otherwise you shall not live one moment longer: I cannot +believe you to be honest men, or persons of authority or +distinction in your own countries; for if you were, you would +have been more modest and more respectful to us." + +The caliph, naturally warm, was infinitely more indignant than +the rest, to find his life depending upon the command of a woman: +but he began to conceive some hopes, when he found she wished to +know who they all were; for he imagined she would not put him to +death, when informed of his quality; therefore he spoke with a +low voice to the vizier, who was near him, to declare it +speedily: but the vizier, more prudent, resolved to save his +master's honour, and not let the world know the affront he had +brought upon himself by his own imprudence; and therefore +answered, "We have what we deserve." But if he had intended to +speak as the caliph commanded him, Zobeide would not have allowed +him time: for having turned to the calenders, and seeing them all +blind with one eye, she asked if they were brothers. One of them +answered, "No, madam, no otherwise than as we are calenders; that +is to say, as we observe the same rules." "Were you born blind of +the right eye," continued she? "No, madam," answered he; "I lost +my eye in such a surprising adventure, that it would be +instructive to every body were it in writing: after that +misfortune I shaved my beard and eyebrows, and took the habit of +a calender which I now wear." + +Zobeide asked the other two calenders the same question, and had +the same answers; but the last who spoke added, "Madam, to shew +you that we are no common fellows, and that you may have some +consideration for us, be pleased to know, that we are all three +sons of sultans; and though we never met together till this +evening, yet we have had time enough to make that known to one +another; and I assure you that the sultans from whom we derive +our being were famous in the world." + +At this discourse Zobeide suppressed her anger, and said to the +slaves, "Give them their liberty a while, but remain where you +are. Those who tell us their history, and the occasion of their +coming, do them no hurt, let them go where they please; but do +not spare those who refuse to give us that satisfaction." + +The three calendars, the caliph, the grand vizier, Jaaffier, the +eunuch Mesrour, and the porter, were all in the middle of the +hall, seated upon a carpet in the presence of the three ladies, +who reclined upon a sofa, and the slaves stood ready to do +whatever their mistresses should command. + +The porter, understanding that he might extricate himself from +danger by telling his history, spoke first, and said, "Madam, you +know my history already, and the occasion of my coming hither; so +that what I have to say will be very short. My lady, your sister, +called me this morning at the place where I plyed as porter to +see if any body would employ me, that I might get my bread; I +followed her to a vintner's, then to a herb-shop, then to one +where oranges, lemons, and citrons were sold, then to a grocer's, +next to a confectioner's, and a druggist's, with my basket upon +my head as full as I was able to carry it; then I came hither, +where you had the goodness to suffer me to continue till now, a +favour that I shall never forget. This, madam, is my history." + +When the porter had done, Zobeide said to him, "Depart, let us +see you here no more." "Madam," replied the porter, "I beg you to +let me stay; it would not be just, after the rest have had the +pleasure to hear my history, that I should not also have the +satisfaction of hearing theirs." And having spoken thus, he sat +down at the end of the sofa, glad at heart to have escaped the +danger that had frightened him so much. After him, one of the +three calenders directing his speech to Zobeide, as the principal +of the three ladies, began thus: + + + + + The History of the First Calender. + + + +Madam, in order to inform you how I lost my right eye, and why I +was obliged to put myself into a calender's habit, I must tell +you, that I am a sultan's son born: my father had a brother who +reigned over a neighbouring kingdom; and the prince his son and I +were nearly of the same age. + +After I had learned my exercises, the sultan my father granted me +such liberty as suited my dignity. I went regularly every year to +see my uncle, at whose court I amused myself for a month or two, +and then returned again to my father's. These journeys cemented a +firm and intimate friendship between the prince my cousin and +myself. The last time I saw him, he received me with greater +demonstrations of tenderness than he had done at any time before; +and resolving one day to give me a treat, he made great +preparations for that purpose. We continued a long time at table, +and after we had both supped; "Cousin," said he, "you will hardly +be able to guess how I have been employed since your last +departure from hence, about a year past. I have had a great many +men at work to perfect a design I have formed; I have caused an +edifice to be built, which is now finished so as to be habitable: +you will not be displeased if I shew it you. But first you are to +promise me upon oath, that you will keep my secret, according to +the confidence I repose in you." + +The affection and familiarity that subsisted between us would not +allow me to refuse him any thing. I very readily took the oath +required of me: upon which he said to me, "Stay here till I +return, I will be with you in a moment;" and accordingly he came +with a lady in his hand, of singular beauty, and magnificently +apparelled: he did not intimate who she was, neither did I think +it would be polite to enquire. We sat down again with this lady +at table, where we continued some time, conversing upon +indifferent subjects; and now and then filling a glass to each +other's health. After which the prince said, "Cousin, we must +lose no time; therefore pray oblige me by taking this lady along +with you, and conducting her to such a place, where you will see +a tomb newly built in form of a dome: you will easily know it; +the gate is open; enter it together, and tarry till I come, which +will be very speedily." + +Being true to my oath, I made no farther enquiry, but took the +lady by the hand, and by the directions which the prince my +cousin had given me, I brought her to the place. We were scarcely +got thither, when we saw the prince following us, carrying a +pitcher of water, a hatchet, and a little bag of mortar. + +The hatchet served him to break down the empty sepulchre in the +middle of the tomb; he took away the stones one after another, +and laid them in a corner; he then dug up the ground, where I saw +a trap-door under the sepulchre, which he lifted up, and +underneath perceived the head of a staircase leading into a +vault. Then my cousin, speaking to the lady, said, "Madam, it is +by this way that we are to go to the place I told you of:" upon +which the lady advanced, and went down, and the prince began to +follow; but first turning to me, said, "My dear cousin, I am +infinitely obliged to you for the trouble you have taken; I thank +you. Adieu." "Dear cousin," I cried, "what is the meaning of +this?" "Be content," replied he; "you may return the way you +came." + +I could get nothing farther from him, but was obliged to take my +leave. As I returned to my uncle's palace, the vapours of the +wine got up into my head; however, I reached my apartment, and +went to bed. Next morning, when I awoke, I began to reflect upon +what had happened, and after recollecting all the circumstances +of such a singular adventure, I fancied it was nothing but a +dream. Full of these thoughts, I sent to enquire if the prince my +cousin was ready to receive a visit from me; but when they +brought word back that he did not lie in his own lodgings that +night, that they knew not what was become of him, and were in +much trouble in consequence, I conceived that the strange event +of the tomb was too true. I was sensibly afflicted, and went to +the public burying-place, where there were several tombs like +that which I had seen: I spent the day in viewing them one after +another, but could not find that I sought for, and thus I spent +four days successively in vain. + +You must know, that all this while the sultan my uncle was +absent, and had been hunting for several days; I grew weary of +waiting for him, and having prayed his ministers to make my +apology at his return, left his palace, and set out towards my +father's court. I left the ministers of the sultan my uncle in +great trouble, surmising what was become of the prince: but +because of my oath to keep his secret, I durst not tell them what +I had seen. + +I arrived at my father's capital, where, contrary to custom, I +found a numerous guard at the gate of the palace, who surrounded +me as I entered. I asked the reason, and the commanding officer +replied, "Prince, the army has proclaimed the grand vizier, +instead of your father, who is dead, and I take you prisoner in +the name of the new sultan." At these words the guards laid hold +of me, and carried me before the tyrant: I leave you to judge, +madam, how much I was surprised and grieved. + +This rebel vizier, had long entertained a mortal hatred against +me; for this reason. When I was a stripling, I loved to shoot +with a cross-bow; and being one day upon the terrace of the +palace with my bow, a bird happening to come by, I shot but +missed him, and the ball by misfortune hit the vizier, who was +taking the air upon the terrace of his own house, and put out one +of his eyes. As soon as I understood this, I not only sent to +make my excuse to him, but did it in person: yet he never forgave +me, and, as opportunity offered, made me sensible of his +resentment. But now that he had me in his power, he expressed his +feelings; for he came to me like a madman, as soon as he saw me, +and thrusting his finger into my right eye, pulled it out, and +thus I became blind of one eye. + +But the usurper's cruelty did not stop here; he ordered me to be +shut up in a machine, and commanded the executioner to carry me +into the country, to cut off my head, and leave me to be devoured +by birds of prey. The executioner conveyed me thus shut up into +the country, in order to execute the barbarous sentence; but by +my prayers and tears, I moved the man's compassion: "Go," said he +to me, "get you speedily out of the kingdom, and take heed of +returning, or you will certainly meet your own ruin, and be the +cause of mine." I thanked him for the favour he did me; and as +soon as I was left alone, comforted myself for the loss of my +eye, by considering that I had very narrowly escaped a much +greater evil. + +Being in such a condition, I could not travel far at a time; I +retired to remote places during the day, and travelled as far by +night as my strength would allow me. At last I arrived in the +dominions of the sultan my uncle, and came to his capital. + +I gave him a long detail of the tragical cause of my return, and +of the sad condition he saw me in. "Alas!" cried he, "was it not +enough for me to have lost my son, but must I have also news of +the death of a brother I loved so dearly, and see you reduced to +this deplorable condition?" He told me how uneasy he was that he +could hear nothing of his son, notwithstanding all the enquiry he +could make. At these words, the unfortunate father burst into +tears, and was so much afflicted, that pitying his grief, it was +impossible for me to keep the secret any longer; so that, +notwithstanding my oath to the prince my cousin, I told the +sultan all that I knew. + +His majesty listened to me with some sort of comfort, and when I +had done, "Nephew," said he, "what you tell me gives me some +hope. I knew that my son ordered that tomb to be built, and I can +guess pretty nearly the place; and with the idea you still have +of it, I fancy we shall find it: but since he ordered it to be +built privately, and you took your oath to keep his secret, I am +of opinion, that we ought to go in quest of it without other +attendants." But he had another reason for keeping the matter +secret, which he did not then tell me, and an important one it +was, as you will perceive by the sequel of my story. + +We disguised ourselves and went out by a door of the garden which +opened into the fields, and soon found what we sought for. I knew +the tomb, and was the more rejoiced, because I had formerly +sought it a long time in vain. We entered, and found the iron +trap pulled down at the head of the staircase; we had great +difficulty in raising it, because the prince had fastened it +inside with the water and mortar formerly mentioned, but at last +we succeeded. + +The sultan my uncle descended first, I followed, and we went down +about fifty steps. When we came to the foot of the stairs, we +found a sort of antechamber, full of thick smoke of an ill scent, +which obscured the lamp, that gave a very faint light. + +From this antechamber we came into another, very large, supported +by columns, and lighted by several branched candlesticks. There +was a cistern in the middle, and provisions of several sorts +stood on one side of it; but we were much surprised not to see +any person. Before us there appeared a high estrade, which we +mounted by several steps, and upon this there was a large bed, +with curtains drawn. The sultan went up, and opening the +curtains, perceived the prince his son and the lady in bed +together, but burnt and changed to cinder, as if they had been +thrown into a fire, and taken out before they were consumed. + +But what surprised me most was, that though this spectacle filled +me with horror, the sultan my uncle, instead of testifying his +sorrow to see the prince his son in such a condition, spat on his +face, and exclaimed, with a disdainful air, "This is the +punishment of this world, but that of the other will last to +eternity;" and not content with this, he pulled off his sandal, +and gave the corpse of his son a blow on the cheek. + +I cannot adequately express how much I was astonished when I saw +the sultan my uncle abuse his son thus after he was dead. "Sir," +said I, "whatever grief this dismal sight has impressed upon me, +I am forced to suspend it, to enquire of your majesty what crime +the prince my cousin may have committed, that his corpse should +deserve such indignant treatment?" "Nephew," replied the sultan, +"I must tell you, that my son (who is unworthy of that name) +loved his sister from his infancy, as she did him: I did not +check their growing fondness, because I did not foresee its +pernicious consequence. This tenderness increased as they grew in +years, and to such a height, that I dreaded the end of it. At +last, I applied such remedies as were in my power: I not only +gave my son a severe reprimand in private, laying before him the +horrible nature of the passion he entertained, and the eternal +disgrace he would bring upon my family, if he persisted; but I +also represented the same to my daughter, and shut her up so +close that she could have no conversation with her brother. But +that unfortunate creature had swallowed so much of the poison, +that all the obstacles which by my prudence I could lay in the +way served only to inflame her love. + +"My son being persuaded of his sister's constancy, on presence of +building a tomb, caused this subterraneous habitation to be made, +in hopes of finding one day or other an opportunity to possess +himself of that objets which was the cause of his flame, and to +bring her hither. He took advantage of my absence, to enter by +force into the place of his sister's confinement; but this was a +circumstance which my honour would not suffer me to make public. +And after so damnable an action, he came and shut himself up with +her in this place, which he has supplied, as you see, with all +sorts of provisions, that he might enjoy detestable pleasures, +which ought to be a subject of horror to all the world; but God, +who would not suffer such an abomination, has justly punished +them both." At these words, he melted into tears, and I joined +mine with his. + +After a while, casting his eyes upon me, "Dear nephew," cried he, +embracing me, "if I have lost that unworthy son, I shall happily +find in you what will better supply his place." The reflections +he made on the doleful end of the prince and princess his +daughter made us both weep afresh. + +We ascended the stairs again, and departed at last from that +dismal place. We let down the trap door, and covered it with +earth, and such other materials as the tomb was built of, on +purpose to hide, as much as lay in our power, so terrible an +effect of the wrath of God. + +We had not been long returned to the palace, unperceived by any +one, but we heard a confused noise of trumpets, drums, and other +instruments of war. We soon understood by the thick cloud of +dust, which almost darkened the air, that it was the arrival of a +formidable army: and it proved to be the same vizier that had +dethroned my father, and usurped his place, who with a vast +number of troops was come to possess himself of that also of the +sultan my uncle. + +My uncle, who then had only his usual guards about him, could not +resist so numerous an enemy; they invested the city, and the +gates being opened to them without any resistance, soon became +masters of it, and broke into the palace where my uncle defended +himself, and sold his life at a dear rate. I fought as valiantly +for a while; but seeing we were forced to submit to a superior +power, I thought on my retreat, which I had the good fortune to +effect by some back ways, and got to one of the sultan's servants +on whose fidelity I could depend. + +Being thus surrounded with sorrows and persecuted by fortune, I +had recourse to a stratagem, which was the only means left me to +save my life: I caused my beard and eye-brows to be shaved, and +putting on a calender's habit, I passed, unknown by any, out of +the city; after that, by degrees, I found it easy to quit my +uncle's kingdom, by taking the bye-roads. + +I avoided passing through towns, until I had reached the empire +of the mighty governor of the Moosulmauns, the glorious and +renowned caliph Haroon al Rusheed, when I thought myself out of +danger; and considering what I was to do, I resolved to come to +Bagdad, intending to throw myself at the feet of that monarch, +whose generosity is renowned throughout the world. "I shall move +him to compassion," said I to myself, "by the relation of my +uncommon misfortunes, and without doubt he will take pity on a +persecuted prince, and not suffer me to implore his assistance in +vain." + +In short, after a journey of several months, I arrived yesterday +at the gate of this city, into which I entered about the dusk of +evening; and stopping a little while to consider which way I was +to turn, another calender came up; he saluted me, and I him: "You +appear," said I, "to be a stranger, as I am." "You are not +mistaken," replied he. He had no sooner returned this answer, +than a third calender overtook us. He saluted us, and told us he +was a stranger newly come to Bagdad; so that as brethren we +joined together, resolving not to separate from one another. + +It was now late, and we knew not where to seek a lodging in the +city, where we had never been before. But good fortune having +brought us to your gate, we made bold to knock, when you received +us with so much kindness, that we are incapable of rendering +suitable thanks. "This, madam," said he, "is, in obedience to +your commands, the account I was to give how I lost my right eye, +wherefore my beard and eye-brows are shaved, and how I came to be +with you at this time." + +"It is enough," said Zobeide; "you may retire to what place you +think fit." The calender begged the ladies' permission to stay +till he had heard the relations of his two comrades, "Whom I +cannot," said he, "leave with honour;" and that he might also +hear those of the three other persons in company. + +The story of the first calender seemed wonderful to the whole +company, but especially to the caliph, who, notwithstanding the +slaves stood by with their cimeters drawn, could not forbear +whispering to the vizier "Many stories have I heard, but never +any that equalled in surprising incident that of the calender." +Whilst he was saying this, the second calender began, addressing +himself to Zobeide. + + + + + The Story of the Second Calender. + + + +Madam, to obey your commands, and to shew you by what strange +accident I became blind of the right eye, I must of necessity +give you the account of my life. + +I was scarcely past my infancy, when the sultan my father (for +you must know I am a prince by birth) perceived that I was +endowed with good natural ability, and spared nothing proper for +improving it. + +No sooner was I able to read and write, but I learned the Koraun +from beginning to end by heart, that admirable book, which +contains the foundation, the precepts, and the rules of our +religion; and that I might be thoroughly instructed in it, I read +the works of the most approved divines, by whose commentaries it +had been explained. I added to this study, that of all the +traditions collected from the mouth of our prophet, by the great +men that were contemporary with him. I was not satisfied with the +knowledge of all that had any relation to our religion, but made +also a particular search into our histories. I made myself +perfect in polite learning, in the works of poets, and +versification. I applied myself to geography, chronology, and to +speak the Arabian language in its purity; not forgetting in the +meantime all such exercises as were proper for a prince to +understand. But one thing which I was fond of, and succeeded in, +was penmanship; wherein I surpassed all the celebrated scribes of +our kingdom. + +Fame did me more honour than I deserved, for she not only spread +the renown of my talents through all the dominions of the sultan +my father, but carried it as far as the empire of Hindoostan, +whose potent monarch, desirous to see me, sent an ambassador with +rich presents: my father, who rejoiced at this embassy for +several reasons, was persuaded, that nothing could be more +improving to a prince of my age than to travel and visit foreign +courts; and he wished to gain the friendship of the Indian +monarch. I departed with the ambassador, but with no great +retinue. + +When we had travelled about a month, we discovered at a distance +a cloud of dust, and under that we saw very soon fifty horsemen +well armed, who were robbers, advancing towards us at full speed. + +As we had ten horses laden with baggage, and presents to the +sultan of Hindoostan, from my father, and my retinue was but +small, you may easily judge that these robbers came boldly up to +us; and not being in a posture to make any opposition, we told +them, that we were ambassadors, and hoped they would attempt +nothing contrary to the respect due to such sacred characters, +thinking by this means to save our equipage and our lives: but +the robbers most insolently replied, "For what reason would you +have us shew any respect to the sultan your master? We are none +of his subjects, nor are we upon his territories:" having spoken +thus, they surrounded and fell upon us: I defended myself as long +as I could; but finding myself wounded, and seeing the ambassador +with his attendants and mine lying on the ground, I made use of +what strength was yet remaining in my horse, who was also very +much wounded, and rode away as fast as he could carry me; but he +shortly after, from weariness and the loss of blood, fell down +dead. I cleared myself from him unhurt, and finding that I was +not pursued, judged the robbers were not willing to quit the +booty they had obtained. + +Here you see me, alone, wounded, destitute of help, and in a strange +country. I durst not take the high road, fearing I might fall again +into the hands of these robbers. When I had bound up my wound, which +was not dangerous, I walked on the rest of the day, and arrived at the +foot of the mountain, where I perceived a passage into a cave; I went +in, and staid there that night with little satisfaction, after I had +eaten some fruits that I had gathered by the way. + +I continued my journey for several days following, without +finding any place of abode: but after a month's time, I came to a +large town well inhabited, and situated so much the more +advantageously, as it was surrounded by several streams, so that +it enjoyed perpetual spring. + +The pleasant objects which then presented themselves to my view +afforded me some joy, and suspended for a time the sorrow with +which I was overwhelmed. My face, hands, and feet were black and +sun-burnt; and, by my long journey, my boots were quite worn out, +so that I was forced to walk bare-footed; and besides, my clothes +were all in rags I entered the town to inform myself where I was, +and addressed myself to a tailor that was at work in his shop; +who, perceiving by my air that I was a person of more note than +my outward appearance bespoke, made me sit down by him, and asked +me who I was, from whence I came, and what had brought me +thither? I did not conceal anything that had befallen me, nor +made I any scruple to discover my quality. + +The tailor listened to me with attention; but after had done +speaking, instead of giving me any consolation, he augmented my +sorrow: "Take heed," said he, "how you discover to any person +what you have related to me; for the prince of this country is +the greatest enemy your father has, and he will certainly do you +some mischief, should he hear of your being in this city." I made +no doubt of the tailor's sincerity, when he named the prince: but +since that enmity which is between my father and him has no +relation to my adventures, I pass it over in silence. + +I returned the tailor thanks for his advice, expressed himself +disposed to follow his counsel, and assured him that his favours +should never be forgotten. He ordered something to be brought for +me to eat, and offered me at the same time a lodging in his +house, which I accepted. Some days after, finding me tolerably +well recovered of the fatigue I had endured by a long and tedious +journey, and reflecting that most princes of our religion applied +themselves to some art or calling that might be serviceable to +them upon occasion, he asked me, if I had learned any whereby I +might get a livelihood, and not be burdensome to others? I told +him that I understood the laws, both divine and human; that I was +a grammarian and poet; and above all, that I could write with +great perfection. "By all this," said he, "you will not be able, +in this country, to purchase yourself one morsel of bread; +nothing is of less use here than those sciences; but if you will +be advised by me, dress yourself in a labourer's habit; and since +you appear to be strong, and of a good constitution, you shall go +into the next forest and cut fire-wood, which you may bring to +the market to be sold; and I can assure you this employment will +turn to so good an account that you may live by it, without +dependence upon any man; and by this means you will be in a +condition to wait for the favourable minute, when heaven shall +think fit to dispel those clouds of misfortune that thwart your +happiness, and oblige you to conceal your birth; I will take care +to supply you with a rope and a hatchet." + +The fear of being known, and the necessity I was under of getting +a livelihood, made me agree to this proposal, notwithstanding the +meanness and hardships that attended it. The day following the +tailor brought me a rope, a hatchet, and a short coat, and +recommended me to some poor people who gained their bread after +the same manner, that they might take me into their company. They +conducted me to the wood, and the first day I brought in as much +upon my head as procured me half a piece of gold, of the money of +that country; for though the wood was not far distant from the +town, yet it was very scarce, by reason that few would be at the +trouble of fetching it for themselves. I gained a good sum of +money in a short time, and repaid my tailor what he had advanced +to me. + +I continued this way of living for a whole year. One day, having +by chance penetrated farther into the wood than usual, I happened +to light on a pleasant spot, where I began to cut; and in pulling +up the root of a tree, I espied an iron ring, fastened to a trap +door of the same metal. I took away the earth that covered it, +and having lifted it up, discovered a flight of stairs, which I +descended with my axe in my hand. + +When I had reached the bottom, I found myself in a palace, and +felt great consternation, on account of a great light which +appeared as clear in it as if it had been above ground in the +open air. I went forward along a gallery, supported by pillars of +jasper, the base and capitals of messy gold: but seeing a lady of +a noble and graceful air, extremely beautiful, coming towards me, +my eyes were taken off from every other objets. + +Being desirous to spare the lady the trouble of coming to me, I +hastened to meet her; and as I was saluting her with a low +obeisance, she asked me, "What are you, a man or a genie?" "A +man, madam," said I; "I have no correspondence with genies." "By +what adventure," said she, fetching a deep sigh, "are you come +hither? I have lived here twenty-five years, and you are the +first man I have beheld in that time." + +Her great beauty, which had already smitten me, and the sweetness +and civility wherewith she received me, emboldened me to say, +"Madam, before I have the honour to satisfy your curiosity, give +me leave to tell you, that I am infinitely gratified with this +unexpected meeting, which offers me an occasion of consolation in +the midst of my affliction; and perhaps it may give me an +opportunity of making you also more happy than you are." I +related to her by what strange accident she beheld me, the son of +a sultan, in such a condition as I appeared in her presence; and +how fortune had directed that I should discover the entrance into +that magnificent prison where I had found her, according to +appearance, in an unpleasant situation. + +"Alas! prince," said she, sighing once more, "you have just cause +to believe this rich and pompous prison cannot be otherwise than +a most wearisome abode: the most charming place in the world +being no way delightful when we are detained there contrary to +our will. It is not possible but you have heard of the sultan of +the isle of Ebene, so called from that precious wood which it +produces in abundance; I am the princess his daughter. + +"The sultan, my father, had chosen for me a husband, a prince who +was my cousin; but on my wedding-night, in the midst of the +rejoicings of the court and capital, before I was conducted to my +husband, a genie took me away. I fainted with alarm, and when I +recovered, found myself in this place. I was long inconsolable, +but time and necessity have accustomed me to see and receive the +genie. Twenty-five years I have continued in this place, where, I +must confess, I have all that I can wish for necessary to life, +and also every thing that can satisfy a princess fond of dress +and splendour. + +"Every ten days," continued the princess, "the genie comes +hither, and remains with me one night, which he never exceeds; +and the excuse he makes for it is, that he is married to another +wife, who would grow jealous if she should know his infidelity. +Meanwhile, if I have occasion for him by day or night, as soon as +I touch a talisman, which is at the entrance into my chamber, the +genie appears. It is now the fourth day since he was here, and I +do not expect him before the end of six more; so, if you please, +you may stay five days, and I will endeavour to entertain you +according to your quality and merit." I thought myself too +fortunate, to have obtained so great a favour without asking, to +refuse so obliging an offer. The princess made me go into a bath, +the most commodious, and the most sumptuous imaginable; and when +I came forth, instead of my own clothes I found another very +costly suit, which I did not esteem so much for its richness, as +because it made me appear worthy to be in her company. We sat +down on a sofa covered with rich tapestry, with cushions of the +rarest Indian brocade; and some time after she covered a table +with several dishes of delicate meats. We ate, and passed the +remaining part of the day with much satisfaction, as also the +evening, together. + +The next day, as she contrived every means to please me, she +brought in, at dinner, a bottle of old wine, the most excellent +that ever was tasted, and out of complaisance drank some part of +it with me. When my head grew warm with the agreeable liquor, +"Fair princess," said I, "you have been too long thus buried +alive; follow me, enjoy the real day, of which you have been +deprived so many years, and abandon this artificial though +brilliant glare." "Prince," replied she, with a smile, "leave +this discourse; if you out of ten days will grant me nine, and +resign the last to the genie, the fairest day would be nothing in +my esteem." "Princess," said I, "it is the fear of the genie that +makes you speak thus; for my part, I value him so little, that I +will break in pieces his talisman, with the conjuration that is +written about it. Let him come, I will expect him; and how brave +or redoubtable soever he be, I will make him feel the weight of +my arm: I swear solemnly that I will extirpate all the genies in +the world, and him first." The princess, who knew the +consequence, conjured me not to touch the talisman. "For that +would be the means," said she, "of ruining both you and me; I +know what belongs to genies better than you." The fumes of the +wine did not suffer me to hearken to her reasons; but I gave the +talisman a kick with my foot, and broke it in several pieces. + +The talisman was no sooner broken than the palace began to shake, +and seemed ready to fall, with a hideous noise like thunder, +accompanied with flashes of lightning, and alternate darkness. +This terrible noise in a moment dispelled the fumes of my wine, +and made me sensible, but too late, of the folly I had committed. +"Princess," cried I, "what means all this?" She answered, without +any concern for her own misfortune, "Alas! you are undone, if you +do not fly immediately." + +I followed her advice, but my fears were so great, that I forgot +my hatchet and cords. I had scarcely reached the stairs by which +I had descended, when the enchanted palace opened at once, and +made a passage for the genie: he asked the princess in great +anger, "What has happened to you, and why did you call me?" "A +violent spasm," said the princess, "made me fetch this bottle +which you see here, out of which I drank twice or thrice, and by +mischance made a false step, and fell upon the talisman, which is +broken, and that is all." + +At this answer, the furious genie told her, "You are a false +woman, and speak not the truth; how came that axe and those cords +there?" "I never saw them till this moment," said the princess. +"Your coming in such an impetuous manner has, it may be, forced +them up in some place as you came along, and so brought them +hither without your knowing it." + +The genie made no other answer but what was accompanied with +reproaches and blows, of which I heard the noise. I could not +endure to hear the pitiful cries of the princess so cruelly +abused. I had already taken off the suit she had presented to me, +and put on my own, which I had laid on the stairs the day before, +when I came out of the bagnio: I made haste upstairs, the more +distracted with sorrow and compassion, as I had been the cause of +so great a misfortune; and by sacrificing the fairest princess on +earth to the barbarity of a merciless genie, I was becoming the +most criminal and ungrateful of mankind. "It is true," said I, +"she has been a prisoner these twenty-five years; but, liberty +excepted she wanted nothing that could make her happy. My folly +has put an end to her happiness, and brought upon her the cruelty +of an unmerciful devil." I let down the trap-door, covered it +again with earth, and returned to the city with a burden of wood, +which I bound up without knowing what I did, so great was my +trouble and sorrow. + +My landlord, the tailor, was very much rejoiced to see me: "Your +absence," said he, "has disquieted me much, as you had entrusted +me with the secret of your birth, and I knew not what to think; I +was afraid somebody had discovered you; God be praised for your +return." I thanked him for his zeal and affection, but not a word +durst I say of what had passed, nor of the reason why I came back +without my hatchet and cords. + +I retired to my chamber, where I reproached myself a thousand +times for my excessive imprudence: "Nothing," said I, "could have +paralleled the princess's good fortune and mine, had I forborne +to break the talisman." + +While I was thus giving myself over to melancholy thoughts, the +tailor came in and said, "An old man, whom I do not know, brings +your hatchet and cords, which he found in his way as he tells me, +and says he understood from your comrades that you lodge here; +come out and speak to him, for he will deliver them to none but +yourself." + +At these words I changed colour, and fell a trembling. While the +tailor was asking me the reason, my chamber-door opened, and the +old man, having no patience to stay, appeared to us with my +hatchet and cords. This was the genie, the ravisher of the fair +princess of the isle of Ebene, who had thus disguised himself, +after he had treated her with the utmost barbarity. "I am a +genie," said he, speaking to me, "son of the daughter of Eblis, +prince of genies: is not this your hatchet, and are not these +your cords?" + +After the genie had put the question to me, he gave me no time to +answer, nor was it in my power, so much had his terrible aspect +disordered me. He grasped me by the middle, dragged me out of the +chamber, and mounting into the air, carried me up to the skies +with such swiftness, that I was not able to take notice of the +way he conveyed me. He descended again in like manner to the +earth, which on a sudden he caused to open with a stroke of his +foot, and sunk down at once, when I found myself in the enchanted +palace, before the fair princess of the isle of Ebene. But, alas! +what a spectacle was there! I saw what pierced me to the heart; +this poor princess was quite naked, weltering in her blood, and +laid upon the ground, more like one dead than alive, with her +cheeks bathed in tears. + +"Perfidious wretch!" said the genie to her, pointing at me, "is +not this your gallant?" She cast her languishing eyes upon me, +and answered mournfully, "I do not know him, I never saw him till +this moment." "What!" said the genie, "he is the cause of thy +being in the condition thou art justly in; and yet darest thou +say thou cost not know him?" "If I do not know him," said the +princess, "would you have me lie on purpose to ruin him?" "Oh +then," said the genie, pulling out a cimeter and presenting it to +the princess, "if you never saw him before, take this, and cut +off his head." "Alas," replied the princess, "how is it possible +that I should execute such an act? My strength is so far spent +that I cannot lift up my arm; and if I could, how should I have +the heart to take away the life of an innocent man, and one whom +I do not know?" "This refusal," said the genie to the princess, +"sufficiently informs me of your crime." Upon which, turning to +me, "And thou," said he, "dost thou not know her?" + +I should have been the most ungrateful wretch, and the most +perfidious of all mankind, if I had not strewn myself as faithful +to the princess as she had been to me, who had been the cause of +her misfortunes. I therefore answered the genie, "How should I +know her, when I never saw her till now?" "If it be so," said he, +"take the cimeter and cut off her head: on this condition I will +set thee at liberty, for then I shall be convinced that thou hast +never seen her till this moment, as thou gayest." "With all my +heart," replied I, and took the cimeter in my hand. + +Do not think, madam, that I drew near to the fair princess of the +isle of Ebene to be the executioner of the genie's barbarity. I +did it only to demonstrate by my behaviour, as much as possible, +that as she had strewn her resolution to sacrifice her life for +my sake, I would not refuse to sacrifice mine for hers. The +princess, notwithstanding her pain and suffering, understood my +meaning; which she signified by an obliging look, and made me +understand her willingness to die for me; and that she was +satisfied to see how ready I was also to die for her. Upon this I +stepped back, and threw the cimeter on the ground. "I should for +ever," said I to the genie, "be hateful to all mankind were I to +be so base as to murder, not only a person whom I do not know, +but a lady like this, who is already on the point of expiring: do +with me what you please, since I am in your power; I cannot obey +your barbarous commands." + +"I see," said the genie, "that you both out-brave me, and insult +my jealousy; but both of you shall know by my treatment of you of +what I am capable." At these words the monster took up the +cimeter and cut off one of her hands, which left her only so much +life as to give me a token with the other that she bade me for +ever adieu. For the blood she had lost before, and that which +gushed out then, did not permit her to live above one or two +moments after this barbarous cruelty; the sight of which threw me +into a fit. When I was come to myself again, I expostulated with +the genie, why he made me languish in expectation of death: +"Strike," cried I, "for I am ready to receive the mortal blow, +and expect it as the greatest favour you can show me." But +instead of agreeing to that, "Behold," said he, "how genies treat +their wives whom they suspect of unfaithfulness; she has received +thee here, and were I certain that she had put any further +affront upon me, I would put thee to death this minute: but I +will content myself with transforming thee into a dog, ape, lion, +or bird; take thy choice of any of these, I will leave it to +thyself." + +These words gave me some hopes of being able to appease him: "O +genie," said I, "moderate your passion, and since you will not +take away my life, give it me generously. I shall always remember +your clemency, if you pardon me, as one of the best men in the +world pardoned one of his neighbours that bore him a mortal +hatred." The genie asked me what had passed between those two +neighbours, and said, he would have patience till he heard the +story, which I related to him; and I believe, madam, you will not +be displeased if I now repeat it. + + + + + The Story of the Envious Man, and of him that he Envied. + + + +In a considerable town two persons dwelt in adjoining houses. One +of them conceived such a violent hatred against the other, that +the hated party resolved to remove to a distance, being persuaded +that their being neighbours was the only cause of this animosity; +for though he had done him several pieces of service, he found +that his hatred was not diminished; he therefore sold his house, +with what goods he had left, and retired to the capital city of a +kingdom which was not far distant. Here he bought a little spot +of ground, which lay about half a league from the city; where he +had a convenient house, with a garden, and a pretty spacious +court, wherein there was a deep well, which was not in use. + +The honest man having made this purchase put on a dervise's +habit, intending to lead a retired life, and caused several cells +to be made in the house, where in a short time he established a +numerous society of dervises. He soon came to be publicly known +by his virtue, through which he acquired the esteem of many +people, as well of the commonalty as of the chief of the city. In +short, he was much honoured and courted by all ranks. People came +from afar to recommend themselves to his prayers; and all who +visited him, published what blessings they received through his +means. + +The great reputation of this honest man having spread to the town +from whence he had come, it touched the envious man so much to +the quick, that he left his house and affairs with a resolution +to ruin him. With this intent he went to the new convent of +dervises, of which his former neighbour was the head, who +received him with all imaginable tokens of friendship. The +envious man told him that he was come on purpose to communicate a +business of importance, which he could not do but in private; and +"that nobody may hear us, let us," said he, "take a walk in your +court; and seeing night begins to draw on, command your dervises +to retire to their cells." The chief of the dervises did as he +was required. + +When the envious man saw that he was alone with this good man, he +began to tell him his errand, walking side by side in the court, +till he saw his opportunity; and getting the good man near the +brink of the well, he gave him a thrust, and pushed him into it, +without being seen by any one. Having done thus, he returned, got +out at the gate of the convent without being known, and reached +his own house well satisfied with his journey, being fully +persuaded that the object of his hatred was no more; but he found +himself mistaken. + +This old well was inhabited by fairies and genies, which happened +luckily for the relief of the head of the convent; for they +received and supported him, and carried him to the bottom, so +that he got no hurt. He perceived that there was something +extraordinary in his fall, which must otherwise have cost him his +life; but he neither saw nor felt anything. He soon heard a +voice, however, which said, "Do you know what honest man this is, +to whom we have done this piece of service?" Another voice +answered, "No." To which the first replied, "Then I will tell +you. This man out of charity, the purest ever known, left the +town he lived in, and has established himself in this place, in +hopes to cure one of his neighbours of the envy he had conceived +against him; he had acquired such a general esteem, that the +envious man, not able to endure it, came hither on purpose to +ruin him; and he would have accomplished his design, had it not +been for the assistance we have given this honest man, whose +reputation is so great, that the sultan, who keeps his residence +in the neighbouring city, was to pay him a visit to-morrow, to +recommend the princess his daughter to his prayers." + +Another voice asked, "What need had the princess of the dervise's +prayers?" To which the first answered, "You do not know, it +seems, that she is possessed by genie Maimoun, the son of Dimdim, +who is fallen in love with her. But I well know how this good +head of the dervises may cure her; the thing is very easy, and I +will explain it to you. He has a black cat in his convent, with a +white spot at the end of her tail, about the bigness of a small +piece of Arabian money; let him only pull seven hairs out of the +white spot, burn them, and smoke the princess's head with the +fume, she will not only be immediately cured, but be so safely +delivered from Maimoun, the son of Dimdim, that he will never +dare to approach her again." + +The head of the dervises remembered every word of the +conversation between the fairies and the genies, who remained +silent the remainder of the night. The next morning, as soon as +daylight appeared, and he could discern the nature of his +situation, the well being broken down in several places, he saw a +hole, by which he crept out with ease. + +The other dervises, who had been seeking for him, were rejoiced +to see him; he gave them a brief account of the wickedness of the +man to whom he had given so kind a reception the day before, and +retired into his cell. Shortly after the black cat, which the +fairies and the genies had mentioned the night before, came to +fawn upon her master, as she was accustomed to do; he took her +up, and pulled seven hairs from the white spot that was upon her +tail, and laid them aside for his use when occasion should serve. + +Soon after sunrise the sultan, who would leave no means untried +that he thought likely to restore the princess to perfect health, +arrived at the gate of the convent. He commanded his guards to +halt, whilst he with his principal officers went in. The dervises +received him with profound respect. + +The sultan called their chief aside, and said, "Good Sheik, you +may probably be already acquainted with the cause of my visit." +"Yes, Sir," replied he gravely, "if I do not mistake, it is the +disease of the princess which procures me this unmerited honour." +"That is the real case," replied the sultan. "You will give me +new life if your prayers, as I hope they may, restore my +daughter's health." "Sir," said the good man, "if your majesty +will be pleased to let her come hither, I am in hopes, through +God's assistance and favour, that she will be effectually cured." + +The prince, transported with joy, sent immediately for his +daughter, who soon appeared with a numerous train of ladies and +eunuchs, but veiled, so that her face was not seen. The chief of +the dervises caused a pall to be held over her head, and he had +no sooner thrown the seven hairs upon the burning coals, than the +genie Maimoun, the son of Dimdim, uttered a great cry, and +without being seen, left the princess at liberty; upon which, she +took the veil from her face, and rose up to see where she was, +saying, "Where am I, and who brought me hither?" At these words +the sultan, overcome with excess of joy, embraced his daughter, +and kissed her eyes; he also kissed the chief of the dervises' +hands, and said to his officers, "What reward does he deserve +that has thus cured my daughter?" They all cried, "He deserves +her in marriage." "That is what I had in my thoughts," said the +sultan; "and I make him my son-in-law from this moment." Some +time after the prime vizier died, and the sultan conferred the +place on the dervise. The sultan himself also died without heirs +male; upon which the religious orders and the militia consulted +together, and the good man was declared and acknowledged sultan +by general consent. + +The honest dervise, having ascended the throne of his father-in-law, +as he was one day in the midst of his courtiers on a march, espied the +envious man among the crowd that stood as he passed along, and calling +one of the viziers that attended him, whispered him in his ear, "Go, +bring me that man you see there; but take care you do not frighten +him." The vizier obeyed, and when the envious man was brought into his +presence, the sultan said, "Friend, I am extremely glad to see you." +Upon which he called an officer, "Go immediately," said he, "and cause +to be paid to this man out of my treasury, one hundred pieces of gold: +let him have also twenty loads of the richest merchandize in my +storehouses, and a sufficient guard to conduit him to his house." +After he had given this charge to the officer, he bade the envious man +farewell, and proceeded on his march. + +When I had finished the recital of this story to the genie, the +murderer of the princess of the isle of Ebene, I made an +application of it to himself: "O genie!" said I, "this bountiful +sultan was not satisfied with merely overlooking the design of +the envious man to take away his life, but also treated him +kindly, and sent him back loaded with the favours I have +enumerated." In short, I employed all my eloquence to persuade +him to imitate so good an example, and to grant me pardon; but it +was impossible to move his compassion. + +"All that I can do for thee," said he, "is, to grant thee thy +life; but do not flatter thyself that I will allow thee to return +safe and well; I must let thee feel what I am able to do by my +enchantments." So saying, he seized me violently, and carried me +through the arched roof of the subterraneous palace, which opened +to give him passage; he ascended with me into the air to such a +height, that the earth appeared like a little white cloud; he +then descended again like lightning, and alighted upon the summit +of a mountain. + +Here he took up a handful of earth, and pronouncing, or rather +muttering, some words which I did not understand, threw it upon +me. "Quit," said he, "the form of a man, and take that of an +ape." He instantly disappeared, and left me alone, transformed +into an ape, and overwhelmed with sorrow in a strange country, +not knowing whether I was near or far from my father's dominions. + +I descended the mountain, and entered a plain level country, which +took me a month to travel over, and then I came to the sea-side. It +happened at the time to be perfectly calm, and I espied a vessel about +half a league from the shore: unwilling to lose so good an +opportunity, I broke off a large branch from a tree, carried it into +the sea, and placed myself astride upon it, with a stick in each hand +to serve me for oars. + +I launched out in this posture, and rowed towards the ship. When +I had approached sufficiently near to be seen, I exhibited to the +seamen and passengers on the deck an extraordinary spectacle, and +all of them regarded me with astonishment. In the meantime I got +on board, and laying hold of a rope, jumped upon the deck, but +having lost my speech I found myself in great perplexity: and +indeed the risk I ran was not less than when I was at the mercy +of the genie. + +The merchants, being both superstitious and scrupulous, thought +if they received me on board I should be the occasion of some +misfortune to them during their voyage. On this account one of +them said, "I will destroy him with a blow of this handspike;" +another, "I will shoot an arrow through his body;" and a third, +"Let us throw him into the sea." Some one of them would not have +failed to carry his threat into execution had I not gone to the +captain, thrown myself at his feet, and taken hold of his skirt +in a supplicating posture. This action, together with the tears +which he saw gush from my eyes, moved his compassion. He took me +under his protection, threatened to be revenged on any one that +would do me the least hurt, and loaded me with a thousand +caresses. On my part, though I had not power to speak, I showed +by my gestures every mark of gratitude in my power. + +The wind that succeeded the calm was not strong, but favourable; +it continued to blow in the same direction for fifty days, and +brought us safe to the port of a city, well peopled, and of great +trade, the capital of a powerful state, where we came to anchor. + +Our vessel was instantly surrounded with an infinite number of +boats full of people, who came to congratulate their friends on +their safe arrival, or to inquire for those they had left behind +them in the country from whence they had come, or out of +curiosity to see a ship that had performed so long a voyage. + +Amongst the rest, some officers came on board, desiring in the +name of the sultan to speak with the merchants. The merchants +appearing, one of the officers told them, "The sultan our master +hath commanded us to acquaint you, that he rejoices in your safe +arrival, and beseeches each of you to take the trouble to write a +few lines upon this roll. That you may understand the design of +this request, you must know that we had a prime vizier, who +besides possessing great abilities for the management of public +affairs could write in the highest perfection. This minister a +few days since died. The event has greatly affected the sultan; +and since he can never behold his writing without admiration, he +has made a solemn vow, not to give the place to any one who +cannot write equally well. Many have presented specimens of their +skill; but to this day, no one in the empire has been judged +worthy to supply the vizier's place." + +Those of the merchants who thought they could write well enough +to aspire to this high dignity, wrote one after another what they +thought fit. After they had done, I advanced, and took the roll +out of the gentleman's hand; but all the people, especially the +merchants, cried out, that I would tear it, or throw it into the +sea, till they saw how properly I held the roll, and made a sign +that I would write in my turn: their apprehensions then changed +into wonder. However, as they had never seen an ape that could +write, and could not be persuaded that I was more ingenious than +others of my kind, they wished to take the roll out of my hand; +but the captain took my part once more. "Let him alone," said he, +"allow him to write. If he only scribbles the paper, I promise +you that I will immediately punish him. If, on the contrary, he +writes well, as I hope he will, because I never saw an ape so +clever and ingenious, and so quick of apprehension, I declare +that I will adopt him as my son." Perceiving that no one opposed +my design, I took the pen, and wrote six sorts of hands used +among the Arabians, and each specimen contained an extemporary +distich or quatrain in praise of the sultan. My writing not only +excelled that of the merchants, but was such as they had not +before seen in that country. When I had done, the officers took +the roll, and carried it to the sultan. + +The sultan took little notice of any of the writings, except +mine, which pleased him so much that he said to the officers, +"Take the finest horse in my stable, with the richest trappings, +and a robe of the most sumptuous brocade to put on the person who +wrote the six hands, and bring him thither." At this command the +officers could not forbear laughing. The sultan was incensed at +their rudeness, and would have punished them had they not +explained: "Sir," said they, "we humbly beg your majesty's +pardon: these hands were not written by a man, but by an ape." +"What do you say?" exclaimed the sultan. "Those admirable +characters, are they not written by the hands of a man?" "No, +Sir," replied the officers; "we assure your majesty that it was +an ape, who wrote them in our presence." The sultan was too much +surprised at this account not to desire a sight of me, and +therefore said, "Do what I command you, and bring me speedily +that wonderful ape." + +The officers returned to the vessel and shewed the captain their +order, who answered, "The sultan's command must be obeyed." +Whereupon they clothed me with the rich brocade robe, and carried +me ashore, where they set me on horseback, whilst the sultan +waited for me at his palace with a great number of courtiers, +whom he gathered together to do me the more honour. + +The procession commenced; the harbour, the streets, the public +places, windows, terraces, palaces, and houses, were filled with +an infinite number of people of all ranks, who flocked from every +part of the city to see me; for the rumour was spread in a +moment, that the sultan had chosen an ape to be his grand vizier, +and after having served for a spectacle to the people, who could +not forbear to express their surprise by redoubling their shouts +and cries, I arrived at the sultan's palace. + +I found the prince on his throne in the midst of the grandees; I +made my obeisance three times very low, and at last kneeled and +kissed the ground before him, and afterwards took my seat in the +posture of an ape. The whole assembly viewed me with admiration, +and could not comprehend how it was possible that an ape should +so well understand how to pay the sultan his due respect; and he +himself was more astonished than any. In short, the usual +ceremony of the audience would have been complete, could I have +added speech to my behaviour; but apes never speak, and the +advantage I had of having been a man did not now yield me that +privilege. + +The sultan dismissed his courtiers, and none remained by him but +the chief of the eunuchs, a little young slave, and myself. He +went from his chamber of audience into his own apartment, where +he ordered dinner to be brought. As he sat at table he made me a +sign to approach and eat with them: to shew my obedience I kissed +the ground, arose, and placed myself at the table, and ate with +discretion and moderation. + +Before the table was cleared, I espied a standish, which I made a +sign to have brought me; having got it, I wrote upon a large +peach some verses expressive of my acknowledgment to the sultan; +who having read them after I had presented the peach to him, was +still more astonished. When the things were removed, they brought +him a particular liquor, of which he caused them to give me a +glass. I drank, and wrote upon the glass some new verses, which +explained the state I was reduced to, after many sufferings. The +sultan read these likewise, and said, "A man that was capable of +doing so much would be above the greatest of his species." + +The sultan caused to be brought to him a chessboard, and asked me +by a sign if I understood that game, and would play with him? I +kissed the ground, and laying my hand upon my head, signified +that I was ready to receive that honour. He won the first game, +but I won the second and third; and perceiving he was somewhat +displeased at my success, I made a quatrain to satisfy him; in +which I told him that two potent armies had been fighting +furiously all day, but that they concluded a peace towards the +evening, and passed the remaining part of the night very amicably +together upon the field of battle. + +So many circumstances appearing to the sultan beyond whatever had +either been seen or known of the cleverness or sense of apes, he +determined not to be the only witness of these prodigies himself, +but having a daughter, called the Lady of Beauty, on whom the +chief of the eunuchs, then present, waited; "Go," said the sultan +to him, "and bid your lady come hither: I am desirous she should +share my pleasure." + +The eunuch went, and immediately brought the princess, who had +her face uncovered; but she had no sooner come into the room, +than she put on her veil, and said to the sultan, "Sir, your +majesty must needs have forgotten yourself; I am surprised that +your majesty has sent for me to appear among men." "How, +daughter!" said the sultan, "you do not know what you say: there +is no one here, but the little slave, the eunuch your governor, +and myself, who have the liberty to see your face; and yet you +lower your veil, and blame me for having sent for you." "Sir," +said the princess, "your majesty shall soon understand that I am +not in the wrong. That seeming ape is a young prince, son of a +powerful sultan, and has been metamorphosed into an ape by +enchantment. A genie, son of the daughter of Eblis, has +maliciously done him this wrong, after having cruelly taken away +the life of the princess of the isle of Ebene." + +The sultan, astonished at this declaration, turned towards me, +and speaking no more by signs, but in plain words, asked me, if +what his daughter said was true? Finding I could not speak, I put +my hand to my head' to signify that what the princess spoke was +correct. Upon this the sultan said again to his daughter, "How do +you know that this prince has been transformed by enchantments +into an ape?" "Sir," replied the Lady of Beauty, "your majesty +may remember that when I was past my infancy I had an old lady +who waited on me; she was a most expert magician, and taught me +seventy rules of magic, by virtue of which I can, in the +twinkling of an eye, transport your capital into the midst of the +sea, or beyond mount Caucasus. By this science I know all +enchanted persons at first sight: I know who they are, and by +whom they have been enchanted; therefore do not be surprised if I +should forthwith relieve this prince, in spite of the +enchantments, from that which prevents his appearing in your +sight in his natural form." "Daughter," said the sultan, "I did +not believe you to have understood so much." "Sir," replied the +princess, "these things are curious and worth knowing; but I +think I ought not to boast of them." "Since it is so," said the +sultan, "you can dispel the prince's enchantment." "Yes, sir," +said the princess, "I can restore him to his original shape." "Do +it then," said the sultan, "you cannot do me a greater pleasure; +for I will have him to be my vizier, and he shall marry you." +"Sir," said the princess, "I am ready to obey you in all that you +should be pleased to command me." + +The princess, the Lady of Beauty, went into her apartment, and +brought thence a knife, which had some Hebrew words engraven on +the blade: she made the sultan, the master of the eunuchs, the +little slave, and myself, descend into a private court of the +palace, and there left us under a gallery that went round it. She +placed herself in the middle of the court, where she made a great +circle, and within it she wrote several words in Arabian +characters, some of them ancient. + +When she had finished and prepared the circle as she thought fit, +she placed herself in the centre of it, where she began +incantations, and repeated verses of the Koraun. The air grew +insensibly dark, as if it had been night, and the whole world +were about to be dissolved: we found ourselves struck with +consternation, and our fear increased when we saw the genie, the +son of the daughter of Eblis, appear suddenly in the shape of a +lion of a gigantic size. + +As soon as the princess perceived this monster, "Dog," said she, +"instead of creeping before me, dare you present yourself in this +shape, thinking to frighten me?" "And thou," replied the lion, +"art thou not afraid to break the treaty which was solemnly made +and confirmed between us by oath, not to wrong or do one another +any injury?" "Wretch," replied the princess, "I justly may +reproach thee with having done so." The lion answered fiercely, +"Thou shalt quickly have thy reward for the trouble thou hast +given me:" with that he opened his monstrous jaws, and sprang +forward to devour her; but she, being on her guard, stepped back, +got time to pull out one of her hairs, and by pronouncing three +or four words, changed it into a sharp sword, with which she cut +the lion in two through the middle. + +The two parts of the lion disappeared, while the head changed +into a large scorpion. Immediately the princess turned herself +into a serpent, and fought the scorpion, who, finding himself +worsted, took the shape of an eagle, and flew away: but the +serpent at the same time took also the shape of an eagle, that +was black and much stronger, and pursued him, so that we lost +sight of them both. + +Some time after they had disappeared, the ground opened before +us, and out of it came forth a black and white cat, with her hair +standing on end, and mewing in a frightful manner; a black wolf +followed close after her, and gave her no time to rest. The cat, +being thus hard pressed, changed into a worm, and being near a +pomegranate accidentally fallen from a tree on the side of a +canal which was deep, but not broad, pierced the pomegranate in +an instant, and hid itself, but the pomegranate swelled +immediately, and became as big as a gourd, which, mounting up to +the roof of the gallery, rolled there for some time backward and +forward; it then fell down again into the court, and broke into +several pieces. + +The wolf had in the meanwhile transformed itself into a cock, and +now fell to picking up the seeds of the pomegranate one after +another; but finding no more, he came towards us with his wings +spread, making a great noise, as if he would ask us whether there +were any more seed. There was one lying on the brink of the +canal, which the cock perceiving as he went back, ran speedily +thither; but just as he was going to pick it up, the seed rolled +into the river, and turned into a little fish. + +The cock leaped into the river, turned into a pike, and pursued +the small fish; they continued both under water above two hours, +and we knew not what was become of them, but suddenly we heard +terrible cries, which made us tremble, and a little while after +we saw the genie and princess all in flames. They threw flashes +of fire out of their mouths at each other, till they came to +close combat; then the two fires increased, with a thick burning +smoke which mounted so high that we had reason to apprehend it +would set the palace on fire. But we very soon had a more +pressing occasion of fear, for the genie having got loose from +the princess, came to the gallery where we stood, and blew flames +of fire upon us. We must all have perished had not the princess, +running to our assistance, forced him to retire, and defend +himself against her; yet, notwithstanding all her exertions, she +could not hinder the sultan's beard from being burnt, and his +face scorched, the chief of the eunuchs from being stifled, and a +spark from entering my right eye, and making it blind. The sultan +and I expected but death, when we heard a cry of "Victory! +Victory!" and instantly the princess appeared in her natural +shape, but the genie was reduced to a heap of ashes. + +The princess approached us, and hastily called for a cup-full of +water, which the young slave, who had received no hurt, brought +her. She took it, and after pronouncing some words over it, threw +it upon me, saying, "If thou art become an ape by enchantment, +change thy shape, and take that of a man which thou hadst +before." These words were hardly uttered, when I again became a +man, in every respect as I was before my transformation, +excepting the loss of my eye. + +I was prepared to return the princess my thanks, but she +prevented me by addressing herself to her father: "Sir, I have +gained the victory over the genie, as your majesty may see; but +it is a victory that costs me dear; I have but a few minutes to +live, and you will not have the satisfaction to make the match +you intended; the fire has pierced me during the terrible combat, +and I find it is gradually consuming me. This would not have +happened, had I perceived the last of the pomegranate seeds, and +swallowed it, as I did the others when I was changed into a cock: +the genie had fled thither as to his last intrenchment, and upon +that the success of the combat depended, which would have been +successful, and without danger to me. This oversight obliged me +to have recourse to fire, and to fight with those mighty arms as +I did, between heaven and earth, in your presence; for, in spite +of all his redoubtable art and experience, I made the genie know +that I understood more than he; I have conquered and reduced him +to ashes, but I cannot escape death, which is approaching." + +The sultan suffered the princess, the Lady of Beauty, to go on +with the recital of her combat, and when she had done, addressed +her in a tone that sufficiently testified his grief; "My +daughter," said he, "you see in what condition your father is; +alas! I wonder that I am yet alive! Your governor, the eunuch, is +dead, and the prince whom you have delivered from his enchantment +has lost one of his eyes." He could say no more, for his tears, +sighs, and sobs, deprived him of the power of utterance. + +Suddenly the princess exclaimed, "I burn! I burn!" She found that +the fire had at last seized upon her vital parts, which made her +still cry "I burn!" until death had put an end to her intolerable +pains. The effect of that fire was so extraordinary, that in a +few moments she was wholly reduced to ashes, as the genie had +been. + +I cannot tell you, madam, how much I was grieved at so dismal a +spectacle; I had rather all my life have continued an ape or a +dog, than to have seen my benefactress thus miserably perish. The +sultan being afflicted all that can be imagined, cried piteously, +and beat himself on his head and breast, until being quite +overcome with grief, he fainted away, which made me fear for his +life. In the mean time, the eunuchs and officers came running at +the sultan's lamentations, and with much difficulty brought him +to himself. It was not necessary that the prince or myself should +relate the circumstances of the adventure, to convince them of +the affliction it had occasioned us. The two heaps of ashes, to +which the princess and the genie had been reduced, were a +sufficient demonstration. The sultan was hardly able to stand, +but was under the necessity of being supported to his apartment. + +When the knowledge of this tragical event had spread through the +palace and the city, all the people bewailed the misfortune of +the princess, the Lady of Beauty, and commiserated the sultan's +affliction. Public mourning was observed for seven days, and many +ceremonies were performed. The ashes of the genie were thrown +into the air, but those of the princess were collected into a +precious urn, to be preserved, and the urn was deposited in a +superb mausoleum, constructed for that purpose on the spot where +the princess had been consumed. + +The grief of the sultan for the loss of his daughter confined him +to his chamber for a whole month. Before he had fully recovered +his strength he sent for me: "Prince," said he, "attend to the +commands I now give you; your life must answer if you do not +carry them into execution." I assured him of exalt obedience; +upon which he went on thus: "I have constantly lived in perfect +felicity, but by your arrival all the happiness I possessed has +vanished; my daughter is dead, her governor is no more, and it is +only through a miracle that I am myself yet alive You are the +cause of all these misfortunes, under which it is impossible that +I should be comforted; depart hence therefore in peace, without +farther delay, for I must myself perish if you remain any longer. +I am persuaded that your presence brings misfortune with it. +Depart, and take care never to appear again in my dominions. No +consideration whatever shall hinder me from making you repent +your temerity should you violate my injunction." I was going to +speak, but he prevented me by words full of anger; and I was +obliged to quit the palace, rejected, banished, an outcast from +the world. Before I left the city I went into a bagnio, here I +caused my beard and eyebrows to be shaved, and put on a +calender's habit. I began my journey, not so much deploring my +own miseries, as the death of the two fair princesses, of which I +have been the occasion. I passed through many countries without +making myself known; at last I resolved to come to Bagdad, in +hopes of getting myself introduced to the commander of the +faithful, to move his compassion by relating to him my +unfortunate adventures. I arrived this evening, and the first man +I met was this calender, our brother, who spoke before me. You +know the remaining part, madam, and the cause of my having the +honour to be here. + +When the second calender had concluded his story, Zobeide, to +whom he had addressed his speech, said, "It is well, you are at +liberty." But instead of departing, he also petitioned the lady +to shew him the same favour vouchsafed to the first calender, and +went and sat down by him. + + + + + The History of the Third Calender. + + + +My story, most honourable lady, very much differs from what you +have already heard. The two princes who have spoken before me +have each lost an eye by the pure effects of their destiny, but +mine I lost through my own fault, and by hastening to seek my own +misfortune, as you shall hear by the sequel of the story. + +My name is Agib, and I am the son of a sultan who was called +Cassib. After his death I took possession of his dominions, and +continued in the city where he had resided. It is situated on the +sea-coast, has one of the finest and safest harbours in the +world, an arsenal capable of fitting out for sea one hundred and +fifty men of war, besides merchantmen and light vessels. My +kingdom is composed of several fine provinces upon the main land, +besides a number of valuable islands, which lie almost in sight +of my capital. + +My first object was to visit the provinces: I afterwards caused +my whole fleet to be fitted out, and went to my islands to gain +the hearts of my subjects by my presence, and to confirm them in +their loyalty. These voyages gave me some taste for navigation, +in which I took so much pleasure, that I resolved to make some +discoveries beyond my own territories; to which end I caused ten +ships to be fitted out, embarked, and set sail. + +Our voyage was very pleasant for forty days successively, but on +the forty-first night the wind became contrary, and withal so +boisterous that we were near being lost: about break of day the +storm abated, the clouds dispersed, and the weather became fair. +We reached an island, where we remained two days to take in fresh +provisions; and then put off again to sea. After ten days' sail +we were in hopes of seeing land, for the tempests we had +experienced had so much abated my curiosity, that I gave orders +to steer back to my own coast; but I perceived at the same time +that my pilot knew not where we were. Upon the tenth day, a +seaman being sent to look out for land from the mast head, gave +notice that on starboard and larboard he could see nothing but +sky and sea, but that right a-head he perceived a great +blackness. + +The pilot changed colour at this account, and throwing his turban +on the deck with one hand, and beating his breast with the other, +cried, "Oh, Sir, we are all lost; not one of us can escape; and +with all my skill it is not in my power to effect our +deliverance." Having spoken thus, he lamented like a man who +foresaw unavoidable ruin; his despondence threw the whole ship's +crew into consternation. I asked him what reason he had thus to +despair? He exclaimed, "The tempest has brought us so far out of +our course, that to-morrow about noon we shall be near the black +mountain, or mine of adamant, which at this very minute draws all +your fleet towards it, by virtue of the iron in your ships; and +when we approach within a certain distance, the attraction of the +adamant will have such force, that all the nails will be drawn +out of the sides and bottoms of the ships, and fasten to the +mountain, so that your vessels will fall to pieces and sink. + +"This mountain," continued the pilot, "is inaccessible. On the +summit there is a dome of fine brass, supported by pillars of the +same metal, and on the top of that dome stands a horse, likewise +of brass, with a rider on his back, who has a plate or lead fixed +to his breast, upon which some talismanic characters are +engraver. Sir, the tradition is, that this statue is the chief +cause why so many ships and men have been lost and sunk in this +place, and that it will ever continue to be fatal to all those +who have the misfortune to approach, until it shall be thrown +down." + +The pilot having finished his discourse, began to weep afresh, +and all the rest of the ship's company did the same. I had no +other thought but that my days were there to terminate. In the +mean time every one began to provide for his own safety, and to +that end took all imaginable precaution; and being uncertain of +the event, they all made one another their heirs, by virtue of a +will, for the benefit of those that should happen to be saved. + +The next morning we distinctly perceived the black mountain. +About noon we were so near, that we found what the pilot had +foretold to be true; for all the nails and iron in the ships flew +towards the mountain, where they fixed, by the violence of the +attraction, with a horrible noise; the ships split asunder, and +their cargoes sunk into the sea. All my people were drowned, but +God had mercy on me, and permitted me to save myself by means of +a plank, which the wind drove ashore just at the foot of the +mountain. I did not receive the least hurt, and my good fortune +brought me to a landing place, where there were steps that led up +to the summit of the mountain. + +At the sight of these steps, for there was not a space of ground +either on the right or left whereon a man could set his foot, I +gave thanks to God; and recommended myself to his holy +protection, as I began to ascend the steps, which were so narrow, +that had the wind raged it would have thrown me into the sea. +But, at last, I reached the top, without accident. I went into +the dome, and kneeling on the ground, gave God thanks for his +mercies. + +I passed the night under the dome. In my sleep an old grave man +appeared to me, and said, "Hearken, Agib; as soon as thou art +awake dig up the ground under thy feet: thou wilt find a bow of +brass, and three arrows of lead, that are made under certain +constellations, to deliver mankind from the many calamities that +threaten them. Shoot the three arrows at the statue, and the +rider will fall into the sea, but the horse will fall by thy +side; thou must bury it in the place where thou findest the bow +and arrows: this being done, the sea will swell and rise to the +foot of the dome. When it has come so high, thou wilt perceive a +boat with one man holding an oar in each hand; this man is also +of metal, but different from that thou hast thrown down; step on +board, but without mentioning the name of God, and let him +conduct thee. He will in ten days' time bring thee into another +sea, where thou shalt find an opportunity to return to thy +country, provided, as I have told thee, thou dost not mention the +name of God during the whole voyage." + +This was the substance of the old man's discourse. When I awoke I +felt much comforted by the vision, and did not fail to observe +everything that he had commanded me. I took the bow and arrows +out of the ground, shot at the horseman, and with the third arrow +I overthrew him; he fell into the sea, and the horse fell by my +side; I buried it in the place whence I took the bow and arrows. +In the mean time, the sea swelled and rose up by degrees. When it +came as high as the foot of the dome upon the top of the +mountain, I saw, afar off, a boat rowing towards me, and I +returned God thanks that everything succeeded according to my +dream. + +At last the boat made land, and I perceived the man was made of +metal, as I had dreamt. I stept aboard, and took great heed not +to pronounce the name of God, neither spoke I one word. I sat +down, and the man of metal began to row off from the mountain. He +rowed without ceasing till the ninth day, when I saw some +islands, which gave me hopes that I should escape all the danger +that I feared. The excess of my joy made me forget what I was +forbidden: "Blessed be God," said I; "God be praised." + +I had no sooner spoken these words, than the boat sunk with the +man of metal, leaving me upon the surface. I swam the remaining +part of the day towards that land which appeared nearest. A very +dark night succeeded, and not knowing where I was, I swam at +random. My strength at last began to fail, and I despaired of +being able to save myself, but the wind began to blow hard, and a +wave vast as a mountain threw me on a flat, where it left me, and +retreated. I made haste ashore, fearing another wave might wash +me back. The first thing I did was to strip, wring the water out +of my clothes, and lay them on the dry sand, which was still warm +from the heat of the day. + +Next morning the sun dried my clothes; I put them on, and went +forward to discover what sort of country I was in. I had not +walked far before I found I was upon a desert, though a very +pleasant, island, as it displayed several sorts of trees and wild +shrubs bearing fruit; but I perceived it was far from the +continent, which much diminished the joy I felt at having escaped +the danger of the seas. Nevertheless, I recommended myself to God +and prayed him to dispose of me according to his will. +Immediately after, I saw a vessel coming from the main land, +before the wind, directly towards the island. I doubted not but +they were coming to anchor there; and being uncertain what sort +of people they might be, whether friends or foes, I thought it +not safe to be seen. I got up into a very thick tree, from whence +I might safely view them. The vessel came into a little creek, +where ten slaves landed, carrying a spade and other instruments +for digging up the ground. They went towards the middle of the +island, where I saw them stop, and dig for a considerable time, +after which I thought I perceived them lift up a trap door. They +returned again to the vessel, and unloaded several sorts of +provisions and furniture, which they carried to the place where +they had been digging: they then descended, which made me suppose +it led to a subterraneous dwelling. + +I saw them once more go to the ship, and return soon after with +an old man, who led in his hand a handsome lad of about fourteen +or fifteen years of age. They all descended when the trap door +had been opened. After they had again come up, they let down the +trap door, covered it over with earth, and returned to the creek +where the ship lay, but I saw not the young man in their company. +This made me believe that he had staid behind in the +subterraneous place, a circumstance which exceedingly surprised +me. + +The old man and the slaves went on board, and getting the vessel +under weigh, steered their course towards the main land. When I +perceived they had proceeded to such a distance that I could not +be seen by them, I came down from the tree, and went directly to +the place where I had seen the ground broken. I removed the earth +by degrees, till I came to a stone that was two or three feet +square. I lifted it up, and found that it covered the head of a +flight of stairs, which were also of stone. I descended, and at +the bottom found myself in a large room, furnished with a carpet, +a couch covered with tapestry, and cushions of rich stuff, upon +which the young man sat, with a fan in his hand. These things, +together with fruits and flower-pot standing about him, I saw by +the light of two wax tapers. The young man, when he perceived me +was considerably alarmed; but to quiet his apprehensions, I said +to him as I entered, "Whoever you are, Sir, do not fear; a +sultan, and the son of a sultan, as I am, is not capable of doing +you any injury: on the contrary, it is probable that your good +destiny may have brought me hither to deliver you out of this +tomb, where it seems you have been buried alive, for reasons to +me unknown. But what surprises me (for you must know that I have +been witness to all that hath passed since your coming into this +island), is, that you suffered yourself to be entombed in this +place without any resistance." + +The young man felt assured at these words, and with a smiling +countenance requested me to take a seat by him. When I had +complied, he said "Prince, I am to acquaint you with what will +surprise you by its singularity. + +"My father is a merchant jeweller, who, by his industry and +professional skill, has acquired considerable property. He has +many slaves, and also agents, whom he employs as supercargoes in +his own ships, to maintain his correspondence at the several +courts, which he furnishes with precious stones. + +"He had been long married without having issue, when it was +intimated to him in a dream that he should have a son, though his +life would be but short; at which he was much concerned when he +awoke. Some days after, my mother acquainted him that she was +with child, and what she supposed to be the time of her +conception agreed exactly with the day of his dream. At the end +of nine months she was brought to bed of me; which occasioned +great joy in the family. + +"My father, who had observed the very moment of my birth, +consulted astrologers about my nativity; and was answered, 'Your +son shall live happily till the age of fifteen, when his life +will be exposed to a danger which he will hardly be able to +escape. But if his good destiny preserve him beyond that time, he +will live to a great age. It will be' (said they) 'when the +statue of brass, that stands upon the summit of the mountain of +adamant, shall be thrown into the sea by prince Agib, son of king +Cassib; and, as the stars prognosticate, your son will be killed +fifty days afterwards by that prince.' + +"My father took all imaginable care of my education until this +year, which is the fifteenth of my age. He had notice given him +yesterday, that the statue of brass had been thrown into the sea +about ten days ago. This news alarmed him much. + +"Upon the prediction the astrologers, he sought by all means +possible to falsify my horoscope, and to preserve my life. He +took the precaution to form this subterranean habitation to hide +me in, till the expiration of the fifty days after the throwing +down of the statue; and therefore, as it is ten days since this +happened, he came hastily hither to conceal me, and promised at +the end of forty days to return and fetch me away. For my own +part I am sanguine in my hopes, and cannot believe that prince +Agib will seek for me in a place under ground, in the midst of a +desert island." + +While the jeweller's son was relating this story, I laughed at +the astrologers who had foretold that I should take away his +life; for I thought myself so far from being likely to verify +their prediction, that he had scarcely done speaking, when I told +him with great joy, "Dear Sir, trust in the goodness of God, and +fear nothing; consider it as a debt you had to pay; but that you +are acquitted of it from this hour. I rejoice that after my +shipwreck I came so fortunately hither to defend you against all +who would attempt your life. I will not leave you till the forty +days have expired, of which the foolish astrologers have made you +apprehensive; and in the mean while I will do you all the service +in my power: after which, with leave of your father and yourself, +I shall have the benefit of getting to the main land in your +vessel; and when I am returned into my kingdom, I will remember +the obligations I owe you, and endeavour to demonstrate my +gratitude by suitable acknowledgments." + +This discourse encouraged the jeweller's son, and inspired him +with confidence. I took care not to inform him I was the very +Agib whom he dreaded, lest I should alarm his fears, and used +every precaution not to give him any cause to suspect who I was. +We passed the time in various conversation till night came on. I +found the young man of ready wit, and partook with him of his +provisions, of which he had enough to have lasted beyond the +forty days, though he had had more guests than myself. After +supper we conversed for some time; and at last retired to bed. + +The next morning, when he arose, I held the basin of water to +him; I also provided dinner, and at the proper time placed it on +the table: after we had dined I invented a play for our +amusement, not only for that day, but for those that followed. I +prepared supper after the same manner as I had done the dinner; +and having supped, we retired to bed as before. We had sufficient +time to contrast mutual friendship and esteem for each other. I +found he loved me; and I on my part regarded him with so much +affection, that I often said to myself, "Those astrologers who +predicted to his father that his son should die by my hand were +impostors; for it is not possible that I could commit so base a +crime." In short, madam, we spent thirty-nine days in the +pleasantest manner possible in this subterraneous abode. + +The fortieth day appeared: and in the morning, when the young man +awoke, he said to me with a transport of joy that he could not +restrain, "Prince, this is the fortieth day, and I am not dead, +thanks to God and your good company. My father will not fail to +make you, very shortly, every acknowledgment of his gratitude for +your attentions, and will furnish you with every necessary +accommodation for your return to your kingdom: but," continued +he, "while we are waiting his arrival, I beg you will provide me +some warm water in that portable bath, that I may wash my body +and change my dress, to receive my father with the more respect." + +I set the water on the fire, and when it was hot poured it into +the moveable bath; the youth went in, and I both washed and +rubbed him. At last he came out, and laid himself down in his bed +that I had prepared. After he had slept a while, he awoke, and +said, "Dear prince, pray do me the favour to fetch me a melon and +some sugar, that I may eat some to refresh me." + +Out of several melons that remained I took the best, and laid it +on a plate; and as I could not find a knife to cut it with, I +asked the young man if he knew where there was one. "There is +one," said he, "upon this cornice over my head:" I accordingly +saw it there, and made so much haste to reach it, that, while I +had it in my hand, my foot being entangled in the carpet, I fell +most unhappily upon the young man, and the knife pierced his +heart. + +At this spectacle I cried out with agony. I beat my head, my +face, and breast; I tore my clothes; I threw myself on the ground +with unspeakable sorrow and grief! "Alas!" I exclaimed, "there +were only some hours wanting to have put him out of that danger +from which he sought sanctuary here; and when I thought the +danger past, then I became his murderer, and verified the +prediction. But, O Lord!" said I, lifting up my face and my hands +to heaven, "I intreat thy pardon, and if I be guilty of his +death, let me not live any longer." + +After this misfortune I would have embraced death without any +reluctance, had it presented itself to me. But what we wish, +whether it be good or evil, will not always happen according to +our desire. Nevertheless, considering that all my tears and +sorrows would not restore the young man to life, and, the forty +days being expired, I might be surprised by his father, I quitted +the subterranean dwelling, laid down the great stone upon the +entrance, and covered it with earth. + +I had scarcely done, when, casting my eyes upon the sea towards +the main land, I perceived the vessel coming to fetch away the +young man. I began then to consider what I had best do. I said to +myself, "If I am seen by the old man, he will certainly seize me, +and perhaps cause me to be massacred by his slaves, when he has +discovered that his son is killed: all that I can allege to +justify myself will not convince him of my innocence. It is +better then to withdraw while it is in my power, than to expose +myself to his resentment." + +There happened to be near a large tree thick with leaves, which I +ascended in hopes of concealment, and was no sooner fixed in a +place where I could not be perceived, than I saw the vessel come +to the creek where she lay the first time. + +The old man with his slaves landed immediately, and advanced +towards the subterranean dwelling, with a countenance that shewed +some hope; but when they saw the earth had been newly removed, +they changed colour, particularly the old man. They lifted up the +stone, and went down; they called the young man by his name, but +he not answering, their fears increased. They proceeded to seek +him; and at length found him lying upon the bed with the knife in +his heart, for I had not power to take it out. At this sight they +cried out lamentably, which increased my sorrow: the old man fell +down in a swoon. The slaves, to give him air, brought him up in +their arms, and laid him at the foot of the tree where I was +concealed; but notwithstanding all the pains they took to recover +him, the unfortunate father continued a long while insensible, +and made them more than once despair of his life; but at last he +came to himself. The slaves then brought up his son's corpse, +dressed in his best apparel, and when they had made a grave they +buried it. The old man, supported by two slaves, and his face +covered with tears, threw the first earth upon the body, after +which the slaves filled up the grave. + +This being done, all the furniture was brought up, and, with the +remaining provisions, put on board the vessel. The old man, +overcome with sorrow, and not being able to stand, was laid upon +a litter, and carried to the ship, which stood out to sea, and in +a short time was out of sight. + +After the old man and his slaves were gone, I was left alone upon +the island. I lay that night in the subterranean dwelling, which +they had shut up, and when the day came, I walked round the +island, and stopped in such places as I thought most proper for +repose. + +I led this wearisome life for a whole month. At the expiration of +this time I perceived that the sea had receded; that the island +had increased in dimensions; the main land too seemed to be +drawing nearer. In fact, the water sunk so low, that there +remained between me and the continent but a small stream, which I +crossed, and the water did not reach above the middle of my leg. +I walked so long a way upon the slime and sand that I was very +weary: at last I got upon more firm ground, and when I had +proceeded some distance from the sea, I saw a good way before me +something that resembled a great fire, which afforded me some +comfort; for I said to myself, I shall find here some persons, it +not being possible that this fire should kindle of itself. As I +drew nearer, however, I found my error, and discovered that what +I had taken for a fire was a castle of red copper, which the +beams of the sun made to appear at a distance like flames. + +I stopped in the neighbourhood of the castle, and sat down to +admire its noble structure, and to rest myself. Before I had +taken such a view of this magnificent building as it deserved, I +saw ten handsome young men coming along, as if they had been +taking a walk; but what surprised me was, that they were all +blind of the right eye. They were accompanied by an old man, who +was very tall, and of a venerable aspect. + +I could not suppress my astonishment at the sight of so many half +blind men in company, and every one deprived of the same eye. As +I was conjecturing by what adventure these men could come +together, they approached, and seemed glad to see me. After the +first salutations, they inquired what had brought me thither. I +told them my story would be somewhat tedious, but if they would +take the trouble to sit down, I would satisfy their curiosity. +They did so, and I related to them all that had happened to me +since I had left my kingdom, which filled them with astonishment. + +After I had concluded my account, the young gentlemen prayed me +to accompany them into the castle. I accepted their offer, and we +passed through a great many halls, ante-chambers, bed-chambers, +and closets, very well furnished, and came at last into a +spacious hall, where there were ten small blue sofas set round, +separate from one another, on which they sat by day and slept at +night. In the middle of this circle stood an eleventh sofa, not +so high as the rest, but of the same colour, upon which the old +man before-mentioned sat down, and the young gentlemen occupied +the other ten. But as each sofa could only contain one man, one +of the young men said to me, "Comrade, sit down upon that carpet +in the middle of the room, and do not inquire into anything that +concerns us, nor the reason why we are all blind of the right +eye; be content with what you see, and let not your curiosity +extend any farther." + +The old man having sat a short time, arose, and went out; but he +returned in a minute or two, brought in supper, distributed to +each man separately his proportion, and likewise brought me mine, +which I ate apart, as the rest did; and when supper was almost +ended, he presented to each of us a cup of wine. + +They thought my story so extraordinary, that they made me repeat +it after supper, and it furnished conversation for a good part of +the night. One of the gentlemen observing that it was late, said +to the old man, "You do not bring us that with which we may +acquit ourselves of our duty." At these words the old man arose, +and went into a closet, and brought out thence upon his head ten +basins, one after another, all covered with blue stuff; he placed +one before every gentleman, together with a light. + +They uncovered their basins, which contained ashes, coal-dust, +and lamp-black; they mixed all together, and rubbed and bedaubed +their faces with it in such a manner as to make themselves look +very frightful. After having thus blackened themselves, they wept +and lamented, beating their heads and breasts, and crying +continually, "This is the fruit of our idleness and debauches." + +They continued this strange employment nearly the whole of the +night, and when they left off, the old man brought them water, +with which they washed their faces and hands; they changed all +their clothes, which were spoiled, and put on others; so that +they exhibited no appearance of what they had been doing. + +You may judge how uneasy I felt all this time. I wished a +thousand times to break the silence which had been imposed upon +me, and ask questions; nor was it possible for me to sleep that +night. + +The next day, soon after we had arisen, we went out to walk, and +then I said to them, "Gentlemen, I declare to you, that I must +renounce the law which you prescribed to me last night, for I +cannot observe it. You are men of sense, you have convinced me +that you do not want understanding; yet, I have seen you do such +actions as none but madmen could be capable of. Whatever +misfortune befalls me, I cannot forbear asking, why you bedaubed +your faces with black? How it has happened that each of you has +but one eye? Some singular circumstance must certainly be the +cause; therefore I conjure you to satisfy my curiosity." To these +pressing instances they answered only, that it was no business of +mine to make such inquiries, and that I should do well to hold my +peace. + +We passed that day in conversation upon indifferent subjects; and +when night was come and every man had supped, the old man brought +in the blue basins, and the young gentlemen as before bedaubed +their faces, wept and beat themselves, crying, "This is the fruit +of our idleness and debauches," and continued the same actions +the following night. At last, not being able to resist my +curiosity, I earnestly prayed them to satisfy me, or to shew me +how to return to my own kingdom; for it was impossible for me to +keep them company any longer, and to see every night such an odd +exhibition, without being permitted to know the reason. + +One of the gentlemen answered on behalf of the rest, "Do not +wonder at our conduit in regard to yourself, and that hitherto we +have not granted your request: it is out of kindness, to save you +the pain of being reduced to the same condition with ourselves. +If you have a mind to try our unfortunate destiny, you need but +speak, and we will give you the satisfaction you desire." I told +them I was resolved on it, let what would be the consequence. +"Once more," said the same gentleman, "we advise you to restrain +your curiosity: it will cost you the loss of your right eye." "No +matter," I replied; "be assured that if such a misfortune befall +me, I will not impute it to you, but to myself." + +He farther represented to me, that when I had lost an eye I must +not hope to remain with them, if I were so disposed, because +their number was complete, and no addition could be made to it. I +told them, that it would be a great satisfaction to me never to +part from such agreeable gentlemen, but if there were a necessity +for it, I was ready to submit; and let it cost me what it would, +I begged them to grant my request. + +The ten gentlemen perceiving that I was so fixed in my +resolution, took a sheep, killed it, and after they had taken off +the skin, presented me with a knife, telling me it would be +useful to me on an occasion which they would soon explain. "We +must sew you in this skin," said they, "and then leave you; upon +which a bird of a monstrous size, called a roc, will appear in +the air, and taking you for a sheep, will pounce upon you, and +soar with you to the sky: but let not that alarm you; he will +descend with you again, and lay you on the top of a mountain. +When you find yourself on the ground, cut the skin with your +knife, and throw it off. As soon as the roc sees you, he will fly +away for fear, and leave you at liberty. Do not stay, but walk on +till you come to a spacious castle, covered with plates of gold, +large emeralds, and other precious stones: go up to the gate, +which always stands open, and walk in. We have each of us been in +that castle; but will tell you nothing of what we saw, or what +befell us there; you will learn by your own experience. All that +we can inform you is, that it has cost each of us our right eye, +and the penance which you have been witness to, is what we are +obliged to observe in consequence of having been there. The +history of each of us is so full of extraordinary adventures, +that a large volume would not contain them. But we cannot explain +ourselves farther." + +When the gentleman had thus spoken, I wrapt myself in the sheep's +skin, held fast the knife which was given me; and after the young +gentlemen had been at the trouble to sew the skin about me, they +retired into the hall, and left me alone. The roc they spoke of +soon arrived; he pounced upon me, took me in his talons like a +sheep, and carried me up the summit of the mountain. + +When I found myself on the ground, I cut the skin with the knife, +and throwing it off, the roc at the sight of me flew sway. This +roc is a white bird, of a monstrous size; his strength is such, +that he can lift up elephants from the plains, and carry them to +the tops of mountains, where he feeds upon them. + +Being impatient to reach the castle, I lost no time; but made so +much haste, that I got thither in half a day's journey, and I +must say that I found it surpassed the description they had given +me of its magnificence. + +The gate being open, I entered a square court, so large that +there were round it ninety-nine gates of wood of sanders and +aloes, and one of gold, without reckoning those of several superb +staircases, that led to apartments above, besides many more which +I could not see. The hundred doors I spoke of opened into gardens +or store-houses full of riches, or into apartments which +contained many things wonderful to be seen. + +I saw a door standing open just before me, through which I +entered into a large hall. Here I found forty young ladies of +such perfect beauty as imagination could not surpass: they were +all most sumptuously appareled. As soon as they saw me they +arose, and without waiting my salutations, said to me, with +demonstrations of joy, "Noble Sir, you are welcome." And one thus +addressed me in the name of the rest, "We have long been in +expectation of such a gentleman as you; your mien assures us, +that you are master of all the good qualities we can desire; and +we hope you will not find our company disagreeable or unworthy of +yours." + +They obliged me, notwithstanding all the opposition I could make, +to sit down on a seat that was higher than their own; and when I +expressed my uneasiness, "That is your place," said they, "you +are at present our lord, master, and judge, and we are your +slaves, ready to obey your commands." + +Nothing, madam, so much astonished me, as the solicitude and +eagerness of those fair ladies to do me all possible service. One +brought hot water to wash my feet, a second poured sweet scented +water on my hands; others brought me all kinds of necessaries, +and change of apparel; others again brought in a magnificent +collation; and the rest came with glasses in their hands to fill +me delicious wines, all in good order, and in the most charming +manner possible. I ate and drank; after which the ladies placed +themselves about me, and desired an account of my travels. I gave +them a full relation of my adventures, which lasted till night +came on. + +When I had finished my narrative to the forty ladies, some of +them who sat nearest me staid to keep me company, whilst the +rest, seeing it was dark, rose to fetch tapers. They brought a +prodigious number, which by the wonderful light they emitted +exhibited the resemblance of day, and they disposed them with so +much taste as to produce the most beautiful effect possible. + +Other ladies covered a table with dry fruits, sweetmeats, and +everything proper to relish the liquor; a side-board was set out +with several sorts of wine and other liquors. Some of the ladies +brought in musical instruments, and when everything was ready, +they invited me to sit down to supper. The ladies sat down with +me, and we continued a long while at our repast. They that were +to play upon the instruments and sing arose, and formed a most +charming concert. The others began a kind of ball, and danced two +and two, couple after couple, with admirable grace. + +It was past midnight ere these amusements ended. At length one of +the ladies said to me, "You are doubtless wearied by the journey +you have taken to-day; it is time for you to retire to rest; your +lodging is prepared: but before you depart choose which of us you +like best to be your bedfellow." I answered, "That I knew not how +to make my own choice, as they were all equally beautiful, witty, +and worthy of my respects and service, and that I would not be +guilty of so much incivility as to prefer one before another." + +The lady who had spoken to me before answered, "We are very well +satisfied of your civility, and find it is your fear to create +jealousy among us that occasions your diffidence; but let not +this hinder you. We assure you, that the good fortune of her whom +you choose shall cause no feeling of the kind; for we are agreed +among ourselves, that every one of us shall in her turn have the +same honour; and when forty days are past, to begin again; +therefore make your selection, and lose no time to take the +repose you need." I was obliged to yield to their entreaties, and +offered my hand to the lady who spoke, and who, in return, gave +me hers. We were conducted to a sumptuous apartment, where they +left us; and then every one retired to her own chamber. + +I was scarcely dressed next morning, when the other thirty-nine +ladies came into my chamber, all in different dresses from those +they had worn the day before: they bade me good-morrow, and +inquired after my health. After which they conveyed me to a bath, +where they washed me themselves, and whether I would or no, +served me with everything I needed; and when I came out of the +bath, they made me put on another suit much richer than the +former. + +We passed the whole day almost constantly at table; and when it +was bed-time, they prayed me again to make choice of one of them +for my companion In short, madam, not to weary you with +repetitions, I must tell you that I continued a whole year among +those forty ladies, and received them into my bed one after +another: and during all the time of this voluptuous life, we met +not with the least kind of trouble. When the year was expired, I +was greatly surprised that these forty ladies, instead of +appearing with their usual cheerfulness to ask me how I did, +entered my chamber one morning all in tears. They embraced me +with great tenderness one after another, saying, "Adieu, dear +prince, adieu! for we must leave you." Their tears affected. I +prayed them to tell me the reason of their grief, and of the +separation they spoke of. "Fair ladies, let me know," said I, "if +it be in my power to comfort you, or if my assistance can be any +way useful to you." Instead of returning a direct answer, +"Would," said they, "we had never seen or known you! Several +gentlemen have honoured us with their company before you; but +never one of them had that comeliness, that sweetness, that +pleasantness of humour, and that merit which you possess; we know +not how to live without you." After they had spoken these words, +they began to weep bitterly. "My dear ladies," said I, "have the +kindness not to keep me any longer in suspense: tell me the cause +of your sorrow." "Alas!" said they, "what but the necessity of +parting from you could thus afflict us? Perhaps we shall never +see you more; but if it be your wish we should, and if you +possess sufficient self-command for the purpose, it is not +impossible but that we may again enjoy the pleasure of your +company." "Ladies," I replied, "I understand not what you mean; +pray explain yourselves more clearly." + +"Well," said one of them, "to satisfy you, we must acquaint you +that we are all princesses, daughters of kings. We live here +together in the manner you have seen; but at the end of every +year we are obliged to be absent forty days upon indispensable +duties, which we are not permitted to reveal: and afterwards we +return again to this castle. Yesterday was the last of the year; +to day we must leave you, and this circumstance is the cause of +our grief. Before we depart we will leave you the keys of +everything, especially those of the hundred doors, where you will +find enough to satisfy your curiosity, and to relieve your +solitude during our absence. But for your benefit, and our own +personal interests, we recommend you to forbear opening the +golden door; for if you do we shall never see you again; and the +apprehension of this augments our grief. We hope, nevertheless, +that you will attend to our advice; your own peace, and the +happiness of your life, depends upon your compliance; therefore +take heed. If you suffer yourself to be swayed by a foolish +curiosity, you will do yourself a considerable injury. We conjure +you to avoid the indiscretion, and to give us the satisfaction +finding you here again at the end of forty days. We would +willingly take the key of the golden door with us; but that it +would be an affront to a prince like you to question your +discretion and firmness." + +This speech of the fair princesses grieved me extremely. I +omitted not to declare how much their absence would afflict me. I +thanked then for their good advice, assuring them that I would +follow it, and expressed my willingness to perform what was much +more difficult, to secure the happiness of passing the rest of my +days with ladies of such beauty and accomplishments. We separated +with much tenderness, and after I had embraced them all, they +departed, and I remained alone in the castle. + +The agreeableness of their company, their hospitality, their +musical entertainments, and other amusements, had so much +absorbed my attention during the whole year, that I neither had +time nor desire to see the wonders contained in this enchanted +palace. I did not even notice a thousand curious objects that +every day offered themselves to my view, so much was I charmed by +the beauty of those ladies, and the pleasure they seemed to take +in promoting my gratification. Their departure sensibly afflicted +me; and though their absence was to be only forty days, it seemed +to me an age to live without them. + +I determined not to forget the important advice they had given +me, not to open the golden door; but as I was permitted to +satisfy my curiosity in everything else, I took the first of the +keys of the other doors, which were hung in regular order. + +I opened the first door, and entered an orchard, which I believe +the universe could not equal. I could not imagine any thing to +surpass it, except that which our religion promises us after +death. The symmetry, the neatness, the admirable order of the +trees, the abundance and diversity of unknown fruits, their +freshness and beauty, delighted my senses. + +Nor must I omit to inform you, that this delicious orchard was +watered in a very particular manner. There were channels so +artificially and proportionately dug, that they carried water in +considerable quantities to the roots of such trees as required +much moisture. Others conveyed it in smaller quantities to those +whose fruits were already formed: some carried still less to +those whose fruits were swelling, and others carried only so much +as was just requisite to water those which had their fruits come +to perfection, and only wanted to be ripened. They far exceeded +in size the ordinary fruits of our gardens. Lastly, those +channels that watered the trees whose fruit was ripe had no more +moisture than just what would preserve them from withering. + +I should never have tired in examining and admiring so delightful +a place; nor have left it, had I not conceived a still higher +idea of the other things which I had not seen. I went out at last +with my mind filled with the wonders I had viewed: I shut the +door, and opened the next. + +Instead of an orchard, I found here a flower garden, which was no +less extraordinary in its kind. It contained a spacious plot, not +watered so profusely as the former, but with greater niceness, +furnishing no more water than just what each flower required. The +roses, jessamines, violets, daffodils, hyacinths, anemonies, +tulips, pinks, lilies, and an infinite number of flowers, which +do not grow in other places but at certain times, were there +flourishing all at once, and nothing could be more delicious than +the fragrant smell which they emitted. + +I opened the third door, and found a large aviary, paved with +marble of several fine and uncommon colours. The trellis work was +made of sandal wood and wood of aloes. It contained a vast number +of nightingales, gold-finches, canary birds, larks, and other +rare singing-birds, which I had never heard of; and the vessels +that held their seed and water were of the most precious jasper +or agate. + +Besides, this aviary was so exceedingly neat, that, considering +its extent, I judged there must be not less than a hundred +persons to keep it clean; but all this while not one appeared, +either here or in the gardens I had before examined; and yet I +could not perceive a weed, or any thing superfluous or offensive +to sight. The sun went down, and I retired, charmed with the +chirping notes of the multitude of birds, who then began to perch +upon such places as suited them for repose during the night. I +went to my chamber, resolving on the following days to open all +the rest of the doors, excepting that of gold. + +The next day I opened the fourth door. If what I had seen before +was capable of exciting my surprise, what I now beheld +transported me into perfect ecstacy. I entered a large court +surrounded with buildings of an admirable structure, the +description of which I will omit, to avoid prolixity. + +This building had forty doors, all open, and through each of them +was an entrance into a treasury: several of these treasuries +contained as much wealth as the largest kingdoms. The first was +stored with heaps of pearls: and, what is almost incredible, the +number of those stones which are most precious, and as large as +pigeons' eggs, exceeded the number of those of the ordinary size. +In the second treasury, there were diamonds, carbuncles, and +rubies; in the third, emeralds; in the fourth, ingots of gold; in +the fifth, money; in the sixth, ingots of silver; and in the two +following, money. The rest contained amethysts, chrysolites, +topazes, opals, turquoises, and hyacinths, with all the other +stones known to us, without mentioning agate, jasper, cornelian, +and coral, of which there was a store house filled, not only with +branches, but whole trees. + +Filled with astonishment and admiration at the view of all these +riches, I exclaimed, "If all the treasures of the kings of the +universe were gathered together in one place, they could not +equal the value of these. How fortunate am I to possess all this +wealth with so many admirable princesses!" + +I will not tire you, madam, with a detail of all the other +objects of curiosity and value which I discovered on the +following day. I shall only say, that thirty-nine days afforded +me but just as much time as was necessary to open ninety-nine +doors, and to admire all that presented itself to my view, so +that there was only the hundredth door left, which I was +forbidden to open. + +The fortieth day after the departure of those charming princesses +arrived, and had I but retained so much self-command as I ought +to have had, I should have been this day the happiest of all +mankind, whereas now I am the most unfortunate. They were to +return the next day, and the pleasure of seeing them again ought +to have restrained my curiosity: but through my weakness, which I +shall ever repent, I yielded to the temptations of the evil +spirit, who allowed me no rest till I had involved myself in the +misfortunes I have since suffered. + +I opened that fatal door! But before I had moved my foot to +enter, a smell pleasant enough, but too powerful for my senses, +made me faint away. However, I soon recovered: but instead of +taking warning from this incident to close the door, and restrain +my curiosity, after waiting some time for the external air to +correct the effluvia of the place, I entered, and felt myself no +longer incommoded. I found myself in a spacious vaulted +apartment, the pavement of which was strewed with saffron. It was +illuminated by several large tapers which emitted the perfume of +aloes and ambergris, and were placed in candlesticks of solid +gold. This light was augmented by gold and silver lamps, burning +perfumed oils of various kinds. + +Among the many objects that attracted my attention was a black +horse, of the most perfect symmetry and beauty that ever was +beheld. I approached in order the better to observe him, and +found he had on a saddle and bridle of massive gold, curiously +wrought. One part of his manger was filled with clean barley and +sesame, and the other with rose-water. I laid hold of his bridle, +and led him out to view him by daylight. I mounted, and +endeavoured to make him move: but finding he did not stir, I +struck him with a switch I had taken up in his magnificent +stable. He had no sooner felt the blow, than he began to neigh in +a most horrible manner, and extending his wings, which I had not +before perceived, flew up with me into the air. My thoughts were +fully in keeping my seat; and considering the fear that had +seized me, I sat well. At length he directed his course towards +the earth, and lighted upon the terrace of a castle, and, without +giving me time to dismount, shook me out of the saddle with such +force, as to throw me behind him, and with the end of his tail he +struck out my eye. + +Thus it was I became blind of one eye. I then recollected the +predictions of the ten young gentlemen. The horse again took +wing, and soon disappeared. I got up much vexed at the misfortune +I had brought upon myself. I walked upon the terrace, covering my +eye with one of my hands, for it pained me exceedingly, and then +descended, and entered into a hall. I soon discovered by the ten +sofas in a circle, and the eleventh in the middle, lower than the +rest, that I was in the castle whence I had been carried by the +roc. + +The ten young gentlemen were not in the hall when I entered; but +came in soon after, attended by the old man. They seemed not at +all surprised to see me, nor at the loss of my eye; but said, "We +are sorry that we cannot congratulate you on your return, as we +could wish; but we are not the cause of your misfortune." "I +should do you wrong," I replied, "to lay it to your charge; I +have only myself to accuse." "If," said they, "it be a subject of +consolation to the afflicted to know that others share their +sufferings, you have in us this alleviation of your misfortune. +All that has happened to you we have also endured; we each of us +tasted the same pleasures during a year; and we had still +continued to enjoy them, had we not opened the golden door, when +the princesses were absent. You have been no wiser than we, and +have incurred the same punishment. We would gladly receive you +into our company, to join with us in the penance to which we are +bound, and the duration of which we know not. But we have already +stated to you the reasons that render this impossible: depart, +therefore, and proceed to the court of Bagdad, where you will +meet with the person who is to decide your destiny." After they +had explained to me the road I was to travel, I departed. + +On the road I caused my beard and eye-brows to be shaven, and +assumed a calender's habit. I have had a long journey, but at +last I arrived this evening, and met these my brother calenders +at the gate, being strangers as well as myself. We were mutually +surprised at one another, to see that we were all blind of the +same eye; but we had not leisure to converse long on the subject +of our misfortunes. We have only had time enough to bring us +hither, to implore those favours which you have been generously +pleased to grant us. + +The third calender having finished this relation of his +adventures, Zobeide addressed him and his fellow calenders thus: +"Go wherever you think proper, you are at liberty." But one of +them answered, "Madam, we beg you to pardon our curiosity, and +permit us to hear the stories of those gentlemen who have not yet +spoken." Then the lady turned to the caliph, the vizier Jaaffier, +and Mesrour, and said to them, "It is now your turn to relate +your adventures, therefore speak." + +The grand vizier who had all along been the spokesman, answered +Zobeide: "Madam, in order to obey you, we need only repeat what +we have already said. We are merchants of Moussol come to Bagdad +to sell our merchandize, which lies in the khan where we lodge. +We dined today with several other persons of our condition, at a +merchant's house of this city; who, after he had treated us with +choice dainties and excellent wines, sent for men and women +dancers, and musicians. The great noise we made brought in the +watch, who arrested some of the company, and we had the good +fortune to escape: but it being already late, and the door of our +khan shut up, we knew not whither to retire. We chanced as we +passed along this street to hear mirth at your house, which made +us determine to knock at your gate. This is all the account that +we can give you, in obedience to your commands." + +Zobeide having heard this statement, seemed to hesitate what to +say, which the calenders perceiving, prayed her to grant the same +favour to the three Moussol merchants as she had done to them. +"Well then," said she, "you shall all be equally obliged to me; I +pardon you all, provided you immediately depart." + +Zobeide having given this command in a tone that signified she +would be obeyed, the caliph, the vizier Mesrour, the three +calenders, and the porter departed, without saying one word: for +the presence of the seven slaves with their weapons awed them +into silence. As soon as they had quitted the house, and the gate +was closed after them, the caliph said to the calenders, without +making himself known, "You gentlemen, who are newly come to town, +which way do you design to go, since it is not yet day?" "It is +this," they replied, "that perplexes us." "Follow us," resumed +the caliph, "and we will convey you out of danger." He then +whispered to the vizier, "Take them along with you, and tomorrow +morning bring them to me; I will cause their history to be put in +writing, for it deserves a place in the annals of my reign." + +The vizier Jaaffier took the three calenders along with him; the +porter went to his quarters, and the caliph and Mesrour returned +to the palace. The caliph went to bed, but could not sleep, being +perplexed by the extraordinary things he had seen and heard. But +above all, he was most concerned to know the history of Zobeide; +what reason she could have to be so severe to the two black +bitches, and why Amene had her bosom so scarred. Day began to +appear whilst he was thinking upon these things; he arose and +went to his council chamber, and sat upon his throne. + +The grand vizier entered soon after, and paid his respects as +usual. "Vizier," said the caliph, "the affairs that we have to +consider at present are not very pressing; that of the three +ladies and the two black bitches is the most urgent: my mind +cannot rest till I am thoroughly satisfied, in all those matters +that have so much surprised me. Go, bring those ladies and the +calenders at the same time; make haste, and remember that I +impatiently expect your return." + +The vizier who knew his master's quick and fiery temper, hastened +to obey, and went to the ladies, to whom he communicated, in a +civil way, the orders with which he was charged, to bring them +before the caliph, without taking any notice of what had passed +the night before at their house. + +The ladies put on their veils, and went with the vizier As he +passed his own house, he took along with him the three calenders, +who in the interval had learnt that they had seen and spoken with +the caliph, without knowing him. The vizier conducted them to the +palace with so much expedition, that the caliph was much pleased. +This prince, that he might observe proper decorum before the +officers of his court who were then present, ordered that the +ladies should be placed behind the hangings of the door which led +to his own chamber, and placed the three calenders near his +person, who, by their respectful behaviour, sufficiently evinced +that they were not ignorant before whom they had the honour to +appear. + +When the ladies were thus disposed of, the caliph turned towards +them, and said, "When I acquaint you that I was last night in +your house, disguised in a merchant's habit, you may probably be +alarmed, lest you may have given me offence; you may perhaps +believe that I have sent for you for no other purpose than to +shew some marks of my resentment; but be not afraid; you may rest +assured that I have forgotten all that has past, and am well +satisfied with your conduct. I wish that all the ladies of Bagdad +had as much discretion as you evinced before me. I shall always +remember the moderation with which you acted, after the rudeness +of which we were guilty. I was then a merchant of Moussol, but am +at present Haroon al Rusheed, the fifth caliph of the glorious +house of Abbas, and hold the place of our great prophet. I have +only sent for you to know who you are, and to ask for what reason +one of you, after severely whipping the two black bitches, wept +with them? And I am no less curious to know, why another of you +has her bosom so full of scars." + +Though the caliph pronounced these words very distinctly, the +three ladies heard him well enough, yet the vizier out of +ceremony, repeated them. + +Zobeide, after the caliph by his address had encouraged her, +began thus: + + + + + The Story of Zobeide. + + + +Commander of the faithful, the relation which I am about to give +your majesty is singularly extraordinary. The two black bitches +and myself are sisters by the same father and mother; and I shall +acquaint you by what strange accident they came to be +metamorphosed. The two ladies who live with me, and are now here, +are also my sisters by the father's side, but by another mother: +she that has the scars upon her breast is named Amene; the name +of the other is Safie, and my own Zobeide. + +After our father's death, the property that he left was equally +divided among us, and as soon as these two sisters received their +portions, they left me to live with their mother. My other two +sisters and myself stayed with our mother, who was then alive, +and who when she afterwards died left each of us a thousand +sequins. As soon as we had received our portions, the two eldest +(for I am the youngest) married, and left me alone. Some time +after, my eldest sister's husband sold all that he had, and with +that money and my sister's portion they went both into Africa, +where her husband, by riotous living and debauchery' spent all; +and finding himself reduced to poverty, found a pretext for +divorcing my sister, and put her away. + +She returned to this city, and having suffered incredible +hardships by the way, came to me in so lamentable a condition +that it would have moved the hardest heart to compassion to +behold her. I received her with every possible tenderness, and +inquiring into the cause of her distress, she told me with tears +how inhumanly her husband had behaved towards her. Her +misfortunes affected me: and I mingled my tears with hers. I took +her to a bath, clothed her with my own apparel, and thus +addressed her: "Sister, you are the elder, and I esteem you as my +mother: during your absence, God has blest the portion that fell +to my share, and the employment I follow of breeding silk-worms. +Assure yourself there is nothing I have but is at your service, +and as much at your disposal as my own." + +We lived very comfortably together for some months. As we were +one day conversing about our third sister, and wondering we +received no intelligence of her, she came in as bad a condition +as the eldest: her husband had treated her after the same manner; +and I received her likewise with the same affection as I had done +the former. + +Some time after, my two sisters, on presence that they would not +be chargeable to me, told me they intended to marry again. I +observed, that if putting me to expense was the only reason, they +might lay those thoughts aside, and be welcome to remain: for +what I had would be sufficient to maintain us all three, in a +manner answerable to our condition. "But," I added, "I rather +believe you wish to marry again; I shall feel much surprised if +such be the case. After the experience you have had of the little +satisfaction there is in wedlock, is it possible you dare venture +a second time? You know how rare it is to meet with a husband +perfectly virtuous and deserving. Believe what I say, and let us +live together as comfortably as we can." All my persuasion was in +vain; they were resolved to marry, and soon accomplished their +wishes. But after some months were past, they returned again, and +begged my pardon a thousand times for not following my advice. +"You are our youngest sister," said they, "but abundantly more +wise than we; if you will vouchsafe to receive us once more into +your house, and account us your slaves, we shall never commit a +similar fault again." My answer was, "Dear sisters, I have not +altered my mind with respect to you since we last parted: come +again, and take part of what I have." Upon this I embraced them, +and we lived together as before. + +We continued thus a whole year in perfect love and harmony. +Seeing that God had increased my small stock, I projected a +voyage, to embark some of it in a commercial speculation. To this +end, I went with my two sisters to Bussorah, where I bought a +ship ready fitted for sea, and laded her with such merchandise as +I had carried with me from Bagdad. We set sail with a fair wind, +and soon cleared the Persian gulf; when we had reached the open +sea, we steered our course to the Indies; and the twentieth day +saw land. It was a very high mountain, at the bottom of which we +perceived a great town: having a fresh gale, we soon reached the +harbour, and cast anchor. + +I had not patience to wait till my sisters were dressed to go +along with me, but went ashore alone in the boat. Making directly +to the gate of the town, I saw there a great number of men upon +guard, some sitting, and others standing with sticks in their +hands; and they had all such dreadful countenances that I was +greatly alarmed; but perceiving they remained stationary, and did +not so much as move their eyes, I took courage, and went nearer, +when I found they were all turned into stones. I entered the town +and passed through several streets, where at different intervals +stood men in various attitudes, but all motionless and petrified. +In the quarter inhabited by the merchants I found most of the +shops shut, and in such as were open I likewise found the people +petrified. + +Having reached a vast square, in the heart of the city, I +perceived a large folding gate, covered with plates of gold, +which stood open; a curtain of silk stuff seemed to be drawn +before it: a lamp hung over the entrance. After I had surveyed +the building, I made no doubt but it was the palace of the prince +who reigned over that country: and being much astonished that I +had not met with one living creature, I approached in hopes to +find some. I lifted up the curtain, and was surprised at +beholding no one but the guards in the vestibule all petrified; +some standing, some sitting, and some lying. + +I came to a large court, where I saw before me a stately +building, the windows of which were inclosed with gates of messy +gold: I concluded it to be the queen's apartments. I entered; and +in a large hall I found several black eunuchs turned into stone. +I went from thence into a room richly furnished, where I +perceived a lady in the same situation. I knew it to be the +queen, by the crown of gold on her head, and a necklace of pearls +about her neck, each of them as large as a nut; I approached her +to have a nearer view of it, and never beheld a finer objets. + +I stood some time admiring the riches and magnificence of the +room; but above all, the carpet, the cushions, and the sofas, +which were all ornamented with Indian stuff of gold, and +representations of men and beasts in silver, admirably executed. + +I quitted the chamber where the petrified queen was, and passed +through several other apartments and closets richly furnished, +and at last came into a large room, where there was a throne of +massive gold, raised several steps above the floor, and enriched +with large enchased emeralds, and upon the throne there was a bed +of rich stuff embroidered with pearls. What surprised me most was +a sparkling light which came from above the bed. Being curious to +know whence it proceeded, I ascended the steps, and lifting up my +head, saw a diamond as large as the egg of an ostrich, lying upon +a low stool; it was so pure, that I could not find the least +blemish in it, and it sparkled with so much brilliancy, that when +I saw it by day-light I could not endure its lustre. + +At the head of the bed there stood on each side a lighted +flambeau, but for what use I could not comprehend; however, it +made me imagine that there was some living creature in this +place; for I could not believe that the torches continued thus +burning of themselves. Several other rarities detained my +curiosity in this room, which was inestimable in value, were it +only for the diamond I mentioned. + +The doors being all open, or but half shut, I surveyed some other +apartments, that were as beautiful as those I had already seen. I +looked into the offices and store-rooms, which were full of +riches. In short, the wonders that everywhere appeared so wholly +engrossed my attention, that I forgot my ship and my sisters, and +thought of nothing but gratifying my curiosity. In the mean time +night came on, which reminded me that it was time to retire. I +proposed to return the way I had entered, but I could not find +it; I lost myself among the apartments; and perceiving I was come +back again to the large room, where the throne, the couch, the +large diamond, and the torches stood, I resolved to take my +night's lodging there, and to depart the next morning early, to +get aboard my ship. I laid myself down upon a couch, not without +some dread to be alone in a desolate place; and this fear +hindered my sleep. + +About midnight I heard a voice like that of a man reading the +Koraun, after the same manner, and in the same tone as it is read +in our mosques. Being extremely glad to hear it, I immediately +arose, and taking a torch in my hand, passed from one chamber to +another on that side from whence the sound proceeded. I came to +the closet-door, and stood still, not doubting that it came from +thence. I set down my torch upon the ground, and looking through +a window, found it to be an oratory. It had, as we have in our +mosques, a niche, to direct us whither we are to turn to say our +prayers: there were also lamps hung up, and two candlesticks with +large tapers of white wax burning. + +I saw a little carpet laid down like those we have to kneel upon +when we say our prayers, and a comely young man sat on this +carpet reading with great devotion the Koraun, which lay before +him on a desk. At this sight I was transported with admiration. I +wondered how it came to pass that he should be the only living +creature in a town where all the people were turned into stones, +and I did not doubt but there was something in the circumstance +very extraordinary. + +The door being only half shut, I opened it, went in, and standing +upright before the niche, I repeated this prayer aloud: "Praise +be to God, who has favoured us with a happy voyage, and may he be +graciously pleased to protect us in the same manner, until we +arrive again in our own country. Hear me, O Lord, and grant my +request." + +The young man turned his eyes towards me, and said, "My good +lady, pray let me know who you are, and what has brought you to +this desolate city? And, in return, I will you who I am, what has +happened to me, why the inhabitants of this city are reduced to +the state you see them in, and why I alone am safe in the midst +of such a terrible disaster." + +I told him in a few words whence I had come, what had made me +undertake the voyage, and how I safely arrived at the port after +twenty days' sailing; when I had done, I prayed him to perform +his promise, and told him how much I was struck by the frightful +desolation which I had seen in the city. + +"Lady," said the young man, "have patience for a moment." At +these words he shut the Koraun, put it into a rich case, and laid +it in the niche. I took that opportunity to observe him, and +perceiving in him so much good nature and beauty, I felt emotions +I had never known before. He made me sit down by him, and before +he began his discourse, I could not forbear saying, with an air +that discovered the sentiments I felt, "Amiable sir, dear object +of my soul, I can scarcely have patience to wait for an account +of all these wonderful objects that I have seen since I came into +your city; and my curiosity cannot be satisfied too soon: +therefore pray, sir, let me know by what miracle you alone are +left alive among so many persons that have died in so strange a +manner." + +"Madam," said the young man, "by the prayer you just now +addressed to him, you have given me to understand that you have a +knowledge of the true God. I will acquaint you with the most +remarkable effect of his greatness and power. You must know, that +this city was the metropolis of a mighty kingdom, over which the +sultan my father reigned. That prince, his whole court, the +inhabitants of the city, and all his other subjects, were magi, +worshippers of fire, and of Nardoun, the ancient king of the +giants, who rebelled against God. + +"But though I was born of an idolatrous father and mother, I had +the good fortune in my youth to have a governess who was a good +Moosulmaun. 'Dear prince,' would she oftentimes say, 'there is +but one true God; take heed that you do not acknowledge and adore +any other.' She taught me to read Arabic, and the book she gave +me to study was the Koraun. As soon as I was capable of +understanding it, she explained to me all the passages of this +excellent book, and infused piety into my mind, unknown to my +father or any other person. She happened to die, but not before +she had perfectly instructed me in all that was necessary to +convince me of the truth of the Moosulmaun religion. After her +death I persisted with constancy in the belief of its divinity: +and I abhor the false god Nardoun, and the adoration of fire. + +"About three years and some months ago, a thundering voice was +suddenly sounded so distinctly, through the whole city, that +nobody could miss hearing it. The words were these: 'Inhabitants, +abandon the worship of Nardoun, and of fire, and worship the only +God who shews mercy.' + +"This voice was heard three years successively, but no one was +converted. On the last day of that year, at four o'clock in the +morning, all the inhabitants were changed in an instant into +stone, every one in the condition and posture they happened to be +in. The sultan, my father, shared the same fate, for he was +metamorphosed into a black stone, as he is to be seen in this +palace, and the queen, my mother, had the like destiny. + +"I am the only person who did not suffer under that heavy +judgment, and ever since I have continued to serve God with more +fervency than before. I am persuaded, dear lady, that he has sent +you hither for my comfort, for which I render him infinite +thanks; for I must own that this solitary life is extremely +irksome." + +All these expressions, and particularly the last, greatly +increased my love for him. "Prince," said I, "there is no doubt +but Providence has brought me into your port, to afford you an +opportunity of withdrawing from this dismal place. The ship I +came in may serve in some measure to convince you that I am in +some esteem at Bagdad, where I have left considerable property; +and I dare engage to promise you sanctuary there, until the +mighty commander of the faithful, vicegerent to our prophet whom +you acknowledge, shew you the honour that is due to your merit. +This renowned prince lives at Bagdad, and as soon as he is +informed of your arrival in his capital, you will find that it is +not in vain to implore his assistance. It is impossible you can +stay any longer in a city where all the objects you behold must +renew your grief: my vessel is at your service, where you may +absolutely command as you shall think fit." He accepted the +offer, and we conversed the remainder of the night concerning our +embarkation. + +As soon as it was day we left the palace, and went aboard my +ship, where we found my sisters, the captain, and the slaves, all +much troubled at my absence. After I had presented my sisters to +the prince, I told them what had hindered my return the day +before, how I had met with the young prince, his story, and the +cause of the desolation of so fine a city. + +The seamen were taken up several days in unlading the merchandize +I brought with me, and embarking in its stead all the precious +things in the palace, such as jewels, gold, and money. We left +the furniture and goods, which consisted of an infinite quantity +of plate, &c., because our vessel could not carry it, for it +would have required several vessels more to convey to Bagdad all +the riches that we might have chosen to take with us. + +After we had laden the vessel with what we thought most +desirable, we took such provisions and water aboard as were +necessary for our voyage (for we had still a great deal of those +provisions left that we had taken in at Bussorah); at last we set +sail with a wind as favourable as we could wish. + +The young prince, my sisters and myself, enjoyed ourselves for +some time very agreeably. But alas! this good understanding did +not last long, for my sisters grew jealous of the friendship +between the prince and myself, and maliciously asked me one day, +what we should do with him when we came to Bagdad? I perceived +immediately that they put this question on purpose to discover my +inclinations; therefore, resolving to put it off with a jest, I +answered, "I will take him for my husband;" and upon that, +turning myself to the prince, said, "Sir, I humbly beg of you to +give your consent, for as soon as we come to Bagdad I desire to +offer you my person to be your slave, to do you all the service +that is in my power, and to resign myself wholly to your +commands." + +The prince replied, "I know not, madam, whether you be in jest or +no; but for my part, I seriously declare before these ladies, +your sisters, that from this moment I heartily accept your offer, +not with any intention to have you as a slave, but as my lady and +mistress: nor will I pretend to have any power over your +actions." At these words my sisters changed colour, and I could +perceive afterwards that they did not love me as before. + +We entered the Persian gulf, and had come within a short distance +of Bussorah (where I hoped, considering the fair wind, we might +have arrived the day following), when in the night, while I was +asleep, my sisters watched their opportunity, and threw me +overboard. They did the same to the prince, who was drowned. I +floated some minutes on the water, and by good fortune, or rather +miracle, I felt ground. I went towards a dark spot, that, by what +I could discern, seemed to be land, and proved to be a flat on +the coast, which, when day appeared, I found to be a desert +island, lying about twenty miles from Bussorah. I soon dried my +clothes in the sun, and as I walked along I found several kinds +of fruit, and likewise fresh water, which gave me some hopes of +preserving my life. + +I had just laid myself down to rest in a shade, when I perceived +a very large winged serpent coming towards me, with an irregular +waving movement, and hanging out its tongue, which induced me to +conclude it had received some injury. I instantly arose, and +perceived that it was pursued by a larger serpent which had hold +of its tail, and was endeavouring to devour it. This perilous +situation of the first serpent excited my pity, and instead of +retreating I assumed courage to take up a stone that lay near me, +and to throw it with all my strength at the other, which I hit +upon the head and killed. The other, finding itself at liberty, +took wing and flew away. I looked after it for some time till it +disappeared. I then sought another shady spot for repose, and +fell asleep. + +Judge what was my surprise when I awoke, to see standing by me a +black woman of lively and agreeable features, who held in her +hand two bitches of the same colour, fastened together. I sat up, +and asked her who she was? "I am," said she, "the serpent whom +you lately delivered from my mortal enemy. I did not know in what +way I could better requite the important services you have +rendered me than by what I have just done. The treachery of your +sisters was well known to me, and to avenge your wrongs, as soon +as I was liberated by your generous assistance, I called together +several of my companions, fairies like myself, conveyed into your +storehouses at Bagdad all the lading of your vessel, and +afterwards sunk it. + +"These two black bitches are your sisters, whom I have +transformed into this shape. But this punishment will not +suffice; and my will is that you treat them hereafter in the way +I shall direst." + +As soon as she had thus spoken the fairy took me under one of her +arms, and the two bitches under the other, and conveyed us to my +house in Bagdad; where I found in my storehouses all the riches +with which my vessel had been laden. Before she left me, she +delivered to me the two bitches, and said, "If you would not be +changed into a similar form, I command you, in the name of him +that governs the sea, to give each of your sisters every night +one hundred lashes with a rod, as the punishment of the crime +they have committed against yourself, and the young prince, whom +they have drowned." I was forced to promise obedience. Since that +time I have whipped them every night, though with regret, whereof +your majesty has been a witness. My tears testify with how much +sorrow and reluctance I perform this painful duty; and in this +your majesty may see I am more to be pitied than blamed. If there +be any thing else relating to myself that you desire to know, my +sister Amene will give you full information in the relation of +her story. + +After the caliph had heard Zobeide with much astonishment, he +desired his grand vizier to request Amene to acquaint him +wherefore her breast was disfigured with so many scars. + +Amene addressed herself to the caliph, and began her story after +this manner: + + + + + The Story of Amene. + + + +Commander of the faithful, to avoid repeating what your majesty +has already heard in my sister's story, I shall only add, that +after my mother had taken a house for herself to live in, during +her widowhood, she gave me in marriage, with the portion my +father left me, to a gentleman who had one of the best estates in +the city. + +I had scarcely been a year married when I became a widow, and was +left in possession of all my husband's property, which amounted +to 90,000 sequins. The interest of this money was sufficient to +maintain me very honourably. When the first six months of my +mourning was over, I caused to be made for me ten different +dresses, of such magnificence that each came to a thousand +sequins; and at the end of the year I began to wear them. + +One day, while I was alone engaged in my domestic affairs, I was +told that a lady desired to speak to me. I gave orders that she +should be admitted. She was a person advanced in years; she +saluted me by kissing the ground, and said to me kneeling, "Dear +lady, excuse the freedom I take to trouble you, the confidence I +have in your charity makes me thus bold. I must acquaint your +ladyship that I have an orphan daughter, who is to be married +this day. She and I are both strangers, and have no acquaintance +in this town; which much perplexes me, for we wish the numerous +family with whom we are going to ally ourselves to think we are +not altogether unknown and without credit: therefore, most +beautiful lady, if you would vouchsafe to honour the wedding with +your presence, we shall be infinitely obliged, because the ladies +of our country, when informed that a lady of your rank has strewn +us this respect, will then know that we are not regarded here as +unworthy and despised persons. But, alas! madam, if you refuse +this request, how great will be our mortification! we know not +where else to apply." + +This poor woman's address, which she spoke with tears, moved my +compassion. "Good woman," said I, "do not afflict yourself, I +will grant you the favour you desire; tell me whither I must go, +and I will meet you as soon as I am dressed." The old woman was +so transported with joy at my answer, that she kissed my feet +before I had time to prevent her. "My compassionate lady," said +she, rising, "God will reward the kindness you have shewed to +your servants, and make your heart as joyful as you have made +theirs. You need not at present trouble yourself; it will be time +enough for you to go when I call for you in the evening. So +farewell, madam, till I have the honour to see you again." + +As soon as she was gone, I took the suit I liked best, with a +necklace of large pearls, bracelets, pendents for my ears, and +rings set with the finest and most sparkling diamonds; for my +mind presaged what would befall me. + +When the night closed in, the old woman called upon me, with a +countenance full of joy. She kissed my hands, and said, "My dear +lady, the relations of my son-in-law, who are the principal +ladies of the city, are now met together; you may come when you +please; I am ready to conduct you." We immediately set out; she +walked before me, and I was followed by a number of my women and +slaves properly dressed for the occasion. We stopt in a wide +street, newly swept and watered, at a spacious gate with a lamp, +by the light of which I read this inscription in golden letters +over the entrance: "This is the everlasting abode of pleasure and +joy." The old woman knocked, and the gate was opened immediately. + +I was conducted towards the lower end of the court, into a large +hall, where I was received by a young lady of admirable beauty. +She drew near, and after having embraced me, made me sit down by +her upon a sofa, on which was raised a throne of precious wood +set with diamonds. "Madam," said she, "you are brought hither to +assist at a wedding; but I hope it will be a different wedding +from what you expected. I have a brother, one of the handsomest +men in the world: he is fallen so much in love with the fame of +your beauty, that his fate depends wholly upon you, and he will +be the unhappiest of men if you do not take pity on him. He knows +your quality, and I can assure you he is in no respect unworthy +of your alliance. If my prayers, madam, can prevail, I shall join +them with his, and humbly beg you will not refuse the proposal of +being his wife." + +After the death of my husband I had not thought of marrying +again. But I had no power to refuse the solicitation of so +charming a lady. As soon as I had given consent by my silence, +accompanied with a blush, the young lady claps her hands, and +immediately a closet-door opened, out of which came a young man +of a majestic air, and so graceful a behaviour, that I thought +myself happy to have made so great a conquest. He sat down by me, +and I found from his conversation that his merits far exceeded +the eulogium of his sister. + +When she perceived that we were satisfied with one another, she +claps her hands a second time, and out came a Cauzee, who wrote +our contract of marriage, signed it himself, and caused it to be +attested by four witnesses he brought along with him. The only +condition that my new husband imposed upon me was, that I should +not be seen by nor speak to any other man but himself, and he +vowed to me that, if I complied in this respect, I should have no +reason to complain of him. Our marriage was concluded and +finished after this manner; so I became the principal actress in +a wedding to which I had only been invited as a guest. + +About a month after our marriage, having occasion for some +stuffs, I asked my husband's permission to go out to buy them, +which he granted; and I took with me the old woman of whom I +spoke before, she being one of the family, and two of my own +female slaves. + +When we came to the street where the merchants reside, the old +woman said, "Dear mistress, since you want silk stuffs, I must +take you to a young merchant of my acquaintance, who has a great +variety; and that you may not fatigue yourself by running from +shop to shop, I can assure you that you will find in his what no +other can furnish." I was easily persuaded, and we entered a shop +belonging to a young merchant who was tolerably handsome. I sat +down, and bade the old woman desire him to shew me the finest +silk stuffs he had. The woman desired me to speak myself; but I +told her it was one of the articles of my marriage contract not +to speak to any man but my husband, which I ought to keep. + +The merchant shewed me several stuffs, of which one pleased me +better than the rest; but I bade her ask the price. He answered +the old woman, "I will not sell it for gold or money, but I will +make her a present of it, if she will give me leave to kiss her +cheek." I ordered the old woman to tell him, that he was very +rude to propose such a freedom. But instead of obeying me, she +said, "What the merchant desires of you is no such great matter; +you need not speak, but only present him your cheek." The stuff +pleased me so much, that I was foolish enough to take her advice. +The old woman and my slaves stood up, that nobody might see, and +I put up my veil; but instead of kissing me, the merchant bit me +so violently as to draw blood. + +The pain and my surprise were so great, that I fell down in a +swoon, and continued insensible so long, that the merchant had +time to escape. When I came to myself, I found my cheek covered +with blood: the old woman and my slaves took care to cover it +with my veil, that the people who came about us could not +perceive it, but supposed I had only had a fainting fit. + +The old woman who accompanied me being extremely troubled at this +accident, endeavoured to comfort me. "My dear mistress," said +she, "I beg your pardon, for I am the cause of this misfortune, +having brought you to this merchant, because he is my countryman: +but I never thought he would be guilty of such a villainous +action. But do not grieve; let us hasten home, I will apply a +remedy that shall in three days so perfectly cure you, that not +the least mark shall be visible." The fit had made me so weak, +that I was scarcely able to walk. But at last I got home, where I +again fainted, as I went into my chamber. Meanwhile, the old +woman applied her remedy; I came to myself, and went to bed. + +My husband came to me at night, and seeing my head bound up, +asked me the reason. I told him I had the head-ache, which I +hoped would have satisfied him, but he took a candle, and saw my +cheek was hurt: "How comes this wound?" said he. Though I did not +consider myself as guilty of any great offence, yet I could not +think of owning the truth. Besides, to make such an avowal to a +husband, I considered as somewhat indecorous; I therefore said, +"That as I was going, under his permission, to purchase some silk +stuff, a porter, carrying a load of wood, came so near to me, in +a narrow street, that one of the sticks grazed my cheek; but had +not done me much hurt." This account put my husband into a +violent passion. "This act," said he, "shall not go unpunished. I +will to-morrow order the lieutenant of the police to seize all +those brutes of porters, and cause them to be hanged." Fearful of +occasioning the death of so many innocent persons, I said, "Sir, +I should be sorry so great a piece of injustice should be +committed. Pray refrain; for I should deem myself unpardonable, +were I to be the cause of so much mischief." "Then tell me +sincerely," said he, "how came you by this wound." I answered, +"That it was occasioned by the inadvertency of a broom-seller +upon an ass, who coming behind me, while he was looking another +way, his ass came against me with so much violence, that I fell +down, and hurt my cheek upon some glass." "If that is the case," +said my husband, "to-morrow morning, before sun-rise, the grand +vizier Jaaffier shall be informed of this insolence, and cause +all the broom-sellers to be put to death." "For the love of God, +Sir," said I, "let me beg of you to pardon them, for they are not +guilty." "How, madam," he demanded, "what then am I to believe? +Speak, for I am resolved to know the truth from your own mouth." +"Sir," I replied, "I was taken with a giddiness, and fell down, +and that is the whole matter." + +At these words my husband lost all patience. "I have," said he, +"too long listened to your falsehoods." As he spoke he clapped +his hands, and in came three slaves: "Pull her out of bed," said +he, "and lay her in the middle of the floor." The slaves obeyed, +one holding me by the head, another by the feet; he commanded the +third to fetch a cimeter, and when he had brought it, "Strike," +said he, "cut her in two, and then throw her into the Tygris. +This is the punishment I inflict on those to whom I have given my +heart, when they falsify their promise." When he saw that the +slave hesitated to obey him, "Why do you not strike?" said he. +"What do you wait for?" + +"Madam," said the slave then, "you are near the last moment of +your life, consider if you have any thing to dispose of before +you die." I begged permission to speak one word, which was +granted me. I lifted up my head, and casting an affectionate look +on my husband, said, "Alas! to what a condition am I reduced! +must I then die in the prime of my youth!" I could say no more, +for my tears and sighs choked my utterance. My husband was not at +all moved, but, on the contrary, went on to reproach me; and it +would have been in vain to attempt a reply. I had recourse to +intreaties and prayers; but he had no regard to them, and +commanded the slaves to proceed to execution. The old woman, who +had been his nurse, came in just at that moment, fell down upon +her knees, and endeavoured to appease his wrath. "My son," said +she, "since I have been your nurse and brought you up, let me beg +the favour of you to grant me her life. Consider, that he who +kills shall be killed, and that you will stain your reputation, +and forfeit the esteem of mankind. What will the world say of +such sanguinary violence?" She spoke these words in such an +affecting manner, accompanied with tears, that she prevailed upon +him at last to abandon his purpose. + +"Well then," said he to his nurse, "for your sake I will spare +her life; but she shall bear about her person some marks to make +her remember her offence." When he had thus spoken, one of the +slaves, by his order, gave me upon my sides and breast so many +blows, with a little cane, that he tore away both skin and flesh, +which threw me into a swoon. In this state he caused the same +slaves, the executioners of his fury, to carry me into a house, +where the old woman took care of me. I kept my bed four months; +at last I recovered: the scars which, contrary to my wish, you +saw yesterday, have remained ever since. + +As soon as I was able to walk, and go abroad, I resolved to +retire to the house which was left me by my first husband, but I +could not find the site whereon it had stood. My second husband, +in the heat of his resentment, was not satisfied with the +demolition of that, but caused every other house in the same +street to be razed to the ground. I believe such an act of +violence was never heard of before; but against whom could I +complain? The perpetrator had taken good care to conceal himself. +But suppose I had discovered him, is it not easily seen that his +conduct must have proceeded from absolute power? How then could I +dare to complain? + +Being left thus destitute and helpless, I had recourse to my dear +sister Zobeide, whose adventures your majesty has just heard. To +her I made known my misfortune; she received me with her +accustomed goodness, and advised me to bear my ambition patience. +"This is the way of the world," said she, "which either robs us +of our property, our friends, or our lovers; and some times of +all together." In confirmation of her remark, she at the same +time gave me an account of the loss of the young prince, +occasioned by the jealousy of her two sisters. She told me also +by what accident they were transformed into bitches: and in the +last place, after a thousand testimonials of her love towards me, +she introduced me to my youngest sister, who had likewise taken +sanctuary with her after the death of her mother. + +Having returned our grateful acknowledgments to God for having +thus brought us together, we resolved to preserve our freedom, +and never again to separate. We have now long enjoyed this +tranquil life. As it was my business to manage the affairs of the +house, I always took pleasure in going myself to purchase what we +wanted. I happened to go abroad yesterday for this purpose, and +the things I bought I caused to be carried home by a porter, who +proving to be a sensible and jocose fellow, we kept with us for a +little diversion. Three calenders happened to come to our door as +it began to grow dark, and prayed us to give them shelter till +the next morning We admitted them upon certain conditions which +they agreed to observe; and after we had made them sit at table +with us, they in their own way entertained us with a concert of +music. At this time we heard knocking at our gate. This proceeded +from three merchants of Moussol, men of good appearance, who +begged the same favour which the calenders had obtained before. +We consented upon the same conditions, but neither of them kept +their promise. Though we had power, as well as justice on our +side, to punish them, yet we contented ourselves with demanding +from them the history of their lives; and afterwards confined our +revenge to dismissing them, after they had done, and denying them +the asylum they requested. + +The caliph was well pleased to be thus informed of what he +desired to know; and publicly expressed his admiration of what he +had heard. + +The caliph having satisfied his curiosity, thought himself +obliged to shew his generosity to the calender princes, and also +to give the three ladies some proof of his bounty. He himself, +without making use of his minister, the grand vizier, spoke to +Zobeide. "Madam, did not this fairy, that shewed herself to you +in the shape of a serpent, and imposed such a rigorous command +upon you, tell you where her place of abode was? Or rather, did +she not promise to see you, and restore those bitches to their +natural shape?" + +"Commander of the faithful," answered Zobeide, "I forgot to tell +your majesty that the fairy left with me a bundle of hair, +saying, that her presence would one day be of use to me; and +then, if I only burnt two tufts of this hair, she would be with +me in a moment, though she were beyond mount Caucasus." "Madam," +demanded the caliph, "where is the bundle of hair?" She answered, +"Ever since that time I have been so careful of it, that I always +carry it about me." Upon which she pulled it out, opened the case +which contained it, and shewed it to him. "Well then," said the +caliph, "let us bring the fairy hither; you could not call her in +a better time, for I long to see her." + +Zobeide having consented, fire was brought in, and she threw the +whole bundle of hair into it. The palace at that instant began to +shake, and the fairy appeared before the caliph in the form of a +lady very richly dressed. + +"Commander of the faithful," said she to the prince, "you see I +am ready to receive your commands. The lady who gave me this call +by your order did me essential service. To evince my gratitude, I +revenged her of her sisters' inhumanity, by changing them to +bitches; but if your majesty commands me, I will restore them to +their former shape." + +"Generous fairy," replied the caliph, "you cannot do me a greater +pleasure; vouchsafe them that favour, and I will find some means +to comfort them for their hard penance. But besides, I have +another boon to ask in favour of that lady, who has had such +cruel usage from an unknown husband. As you undoubtedly know all +things, oblige me with the name of this barbarous wretch, who +could not be contented to exercise his outrageous and unmanly +cruelty upon her person, but has also most unjustly taken from +her all her substance. I only wonder how such an unjust and +inhuman action could be performed under my authority, and even in +my residence, without having come to my knowledge." + +"To oblige your majesty," answered the fairy, "I will restore the +two bitches to their former state, and I will so cure the lady of +her scars, that it shall never appear she was so beaten; and I +will also tell you who it was that abused her." + +The caliph sent for the two bitches from Zobeide's house, and +when they came, a glass of water was brought to the fairy by her +desire. She pronounced over it some words which nobody +understood; then throwing some part of it upon Amene, and the +rest upon the bitches, the latter became two ladies of surprising +beauty, and the scars that were upon Amene disappeared. After +which the fairy said to the caliph, "Commander of the faithful, I +must now discover to you the unknown husband you enquire after. +He is very nearly related to yourself, for it is prince Amin, +your eldest son, who falling passionately in love with this lady +from the fame of her beauty, by stratagem had her brought to his +house, where he married her. As to the blows he caused to be +given her, he is in some measure excusable; for the lady his +spouse had been a little too easy, and the excuses she had made +were calculated to lead him to believe she was more faulty than +she really was. This is all I can say to satisfy your curiosity." +At these words she saluted the caliph, and vanished. + +The prince being filled with admiration, and having much +satisfaction in the changes that had happened through his means, +acted in such a manner as will perpetuate his memory to all ages. +First, he sent for his son Amin, told him that he was informed of +his secret marriage, and how he had ill-treated Amene upon a very +slight cause. Upon this the prince did not wait for his father's +commands, but received her again immediately. + +After which the caliph declared that he would give his own heart +and hand to Zobeide, and offered the other three sisters to the +calenders, sons of sultans, who accepted them for their brides +with much joy. The caliph assigned each of them a magnificent +palace in the city of Bagdad, promoted them to the highest +dignities of his empire, and admitted them to his councils. + +The chief Cauzee of Bagdad being called, with witnesses, wrote +the contracts of marriage; and the caliph in promoting by his +patronage the happiness of many persons who had suffered such +incredible calamities, drew a thousand blessings upon himself. + + + + + THE STORY OF SINBAD THE VOYAGER. + + + +In the reign of the same caliph Haroun al Rusheed, whom I have +already mentioned, there lived at Bagdad a poor porter called +Hindbad. One day, when the weather was excessively hot, he was +employed to carry a heavy burden from one end of the town to the +other. Being much fatigued, and having still a great way to go, +he came into a street where a refreshing breeze blew on his face, +and the pavement was sprinkled with rose-water. As he could not +desire a better place to rest and recruit himself, he took off +his load and sat upon it, near a large mansion. + +He was much pleased that he stopped in this place; for the +agreeable smell of wood of aloes, and of pastils that came from +the house, mixing with the scent of the rose-water, completely +perfumed and embalmed the air. Besides, he heard from within a +concert of instrumental music, accompanied with the harmonious +notes of nightingales, and other birds, peculiar to the climate. +This charming melody, and the smell of several sorts of savoury +dishes, made the porter conclude there was a feast, with great +rejoicings within. His business seldom leading him that way, he +knew not to whom the mansion belonged; but to satisfy his +curiosity, he went to some of the servants, whom he saw standing +at the gate in magnificent apparel, and asked the name of the +proprietor. "How," replied one of them, "do you live in Bagdad, +and know not that this is the house of Sinbad, the sailor, that +famous voyager, who has sailed round the world?" The porter, who +had heard of this Sinbad's riches, could not but envy a man whose +condition he thought to be as happy as his own was deplorable: +and his mind being fretted with these reflections, he lifted up +his eyes to heaven, and said loud enough to be heard, "Almighty +creator of all things, consider the difference between Sinbad and +me! I am every day exposed to fatigues and calamities, and can +scarcely get coarse barley-bread for myself and my family, whilst +happy Sinbad profusely expends immense riches, and leads a life +of continual pleasure. What has he done to obtain from thee a lot +so agreeable? And what have I done to deserve one so wretched?" +Having finished his expostulation, he struck his foot against the +ground, like a man absorbed in grief and despair. + +Whilst the porter was thus indulging his melancholy, a servant +came out of the house, and taking him by the arm, bade him follow +him, for Sinbad, his master, wanted to speak to him. + +Sir, your majesty may easily imagine, that the repining Hindbad +was not a little surprised at this compliment. For, considering +what he had said, he was afraid Sinbad had sent for him to punish +him: therefore he would have excused himself, alleging, that he +could not leave his burden in the middle of the street. But +Sinbad's servants assured him they would look to it, and were so +urgent with him, that he was obliged to yield. + +The servants brought him into a great hall, where a number of +people sat round a table, covered with all sorts of savoury +dishes. At the upper end sat a comely venerable gentleman, with a +long white beard, and behind him stood a number of officers and +domestics, all ready to attend his pleasure. This personage was +Sinbad. The porter, whose fear was increased at the sight of so +many people, and of a banquet so sumptuous, saluted the company +trembling. Sinbad bade him draw near, and seating him at his +right hand, served him himself, and gave him excellent wine, of +which there was abundance upon the sideboard. + +When the repast was over, Sinbad addressed his conversation to +Hindbad; and calling him brother, according to the manner of the +Arabians, when they are familiar one with another, enquired his +name and employment. + +"My lord," answered he, "my name is Hindbad." "I am very glad to +see you," replied Sinbad; "and I daresay the same on behalf of +all the company: but I wish to hear from your own mouth what it +was you lately said in the street." Sinbad had himself heard the +porter complain through the window, and this it was that induced +him to have him brought in. + +At this request, Hindbad hung down his head in confusion, and +replied, "My lord, I confess that my fatigue put me out of +humour, and occasioned me to utter some indiscreet words, which I +beg you to pardon." "Do not think I am so unjust," resumed +Sinbad, "as to resent such a complaint. I consider your +condition, and instead of upbraiding, commiserate you. But I must +rectify your error concerning myself. You think, no doubt, that I +have acquired, without labour and trouble, the ease and +indulgence which I now enjoy. But do not mistake; I did not +attain to this happy condition, without enduring for several +years more trouble of body and mind than can well be imagined. +Yes, gentlemen," he added, speaking to the whole company, "I can +assure you, my troubles were so extraordinary, that they were +calculated to discourage the most covetous from undertaking such +voyages as I did, to acquire riches. Perhaps you have never heard +a distinct account of my wonderful adventures, and the dangers I +encountered, in my seven voyages; and since I have this +opportunity, I will give you a faithful account of them, not +doubting but it will be acceptable." + +As Sinbad wished to relate his adventures chiefly on the porter's +account, he ordered his burden to be carried to the place of its +destination, and then proceeded. + + + + + The First Voyage. + + + +I inherited from my father considerable property, the greater +part of which I squandered in my youth in dissipation; but I +perceived my error, and reflected that riches were perishable, +and quickly consumed by such ill managers as myself. I farther +considered, that by my irregular way of living I wretchedly +misspent my time; which is, of all things, the most valuable. I +remembered the saying of the great Solomon, which I had +frequently heard from my father; That death is more tolerable +than poverty. Struck with these reflections, I collected the +remains of my fortune, and sold all my effects by public auction. +I then entered into a contract with some merchants, who traded by +sea. I took the advice of such as I thought most capable of +assisting me: and resolving to improve what money I had, I went +to Bussorah, and embarked with several merchants on board a ship +which we had jointly fitted out. + +We set sail, and steered our course towards the Indies, through +the Persian gulf, which is formed by the coasts of Arabia Felix +on the right, and by those of Persia on the left, and, according +to common opinion is seventy leagues wide at the broadest place. +The eastern sea, as well as that of the Indies, is very spacious. +It is bounded on one side by the coasts of Abyssinia, and is +4,500 leagues in length to the isles of Vakvak. At first I was +troubled with the sea-sickness, but speedily recovered my health, +and was not afterwards subject to that complaint. + +In our voyage we touched at several islands, where we sold or +exchanged our goods. One day, whilst under sail, we were becalmed +near a small island, but little elevated above the level of the +water, and resembling a green meadow. The captain ordered his +sails to be furled, and permitted such persons as were so +inclined to land; of this number I was one. + +But while we were enjoying ourselves in eating and drinking, and +recovering ourselves from the fatigue of the sea, the island on a +sudden trembled, and shook us terribly. + +The trembling of the island was perceived on board the ship, and +we were called upon to re-embark speedily, or we should all be +lost; for what we took for an island proved to be the back of a +sea monster. The nimblest got into the sloop, others betook +themselves to swimming; but for myself I was still upon the back +of the creature, when he dived into the sea, and I had time only +to catch hold of a piece of wood that we had brought out of the +ship to make a fire. Meanwhile, the captain, having received +those on board who were in the sloop, and taken up some of those +that swam, resolved to improve the favourable gale that had just +risen, and hoisting his sails pursued his voyage, so that it was +impossible for me to recover the ship. + +Thus was I exposed to the mercy of the waves. I struggled for my +life all the rest of the day and the following night. By this +time I found my strength gone, and despaired of saving my life, +when happily a wave threw me against an island, The bank was high +and rugged; so that I could scarcely have got up, had it not been +for some roots of trees, which fortune seemed to have preserved +in this place for my safety. Having reached the land, I lay down +upon the ground half dead, until the sun appeared. Then, though I +was very feeble, both from hard labour and want of food, I crept +along to find some herbs fit to eat, and had the good luck not +only to procure some, but likewise to discover a spring of +excellent water, which contributed much to recover me. After this +I advanced farther into the island, and at last reached a fine +plain, where at a great distance I perceived a horse feeding. I +went towards it, fluctuating between hope and fear, for I knew +not whether in advancing I was more likely to endanger or to +preserve my life. As I approached, I perceived it to be a very +fine mare, tied to a stake. Whilst I was admiring its beauty, I +heard from beneath the voice of a man, who immediately appeared, +and asked me who I was? I related to him my adventure, after +which, taking me by the hand, he led me into a cave, where there +were several other people, no less amazed to see me than I was to +see them. + +I partook of some provisions which they offered me. I then asked +them what they did in such a desert place? to which they +answered, that they were grooms belonging to Maha-raja, sovereign +of the island; that every year, at the same season, they brought +thither the king's mares, and fastened them as I had seen, until +they were covered by a sea-horse, who afterwards endeavoured to +destroy the mares; but was prevented by their noise, and obliged +to return to the sea. The mares when in foal were taken back, and +the horses thus produced were kept for the king's use, and called +seahorses. They added, that they were to return home on the +morrow, and had I been one day later, I must have perished, +because the inhabited part of the island was at a great distance, +and it would have been impossible for me to have got thither +without a guide. + +While they entertained me thus, the horse came out of the sea, as +they had told me, covered the mare, and afterwards would have +devoured her; but upon a great noise made by the grooms, he left +her, and plunged into the sea. + +Next morning they returned with their mares to the capital of the +island, took me with them, and presented me to the Maha-raja. He +asked me who I was, and by what adventure I had come into his +dominions? After I had satisfied him, he told me he was much +concerned for my misfortune, and at the same time ordered that I +should want nothing; which commands his officers were so generous +and careful as to see exactly fulfilled. + +Being a merchant, I frequented men of my own profession, and +particularly enquired for those who were strangers, that perchance I +might hear news from Bagdad, or find an opportunity to return. For the +Maha-raja's capital is situated on the sea-coast, and has a fine +harbour, where ships arrive daily from the different quarters of the +world. I frequented also the society of the learned Indians, and took +delight to hear them converse; but withal, I took care to make my +court regularly to the Maha-raja, and conversed with the governors and +petty kings, his tributaries, that were about him. They put a thousand +questions respecting my country; and I being willing to inform myself +as to their laws and customs, asked them concerning every thing which +I thought worth knowing. + +There belongs to this king an island named Cassel. They assured +me that every night a noise of drums was heard there, whence the +mariners fancied that it was the residence of Degial. I +determined to visit this wonderful place, and in my way thither +saw fishes of 100 and 200 cubits long, that occasion more fear +than hurt; for they are so timorous, that they will fly upon the +rattling of two sticks or boards. I saw likewise other fish about +a cubit in length, that had heads like owls. + +As I was one day at the port after my return, a ship arrived, and +as soon as she cast anchor, they began to unload her, and the +merchants on board ordered their goods to be carried into the +customhouse. As I cast my eye upon some bales, and looked to the +name, I found my own, and perceived the bales to be the same that +I had embarked at Bussorah. I also knew the captain; but being +persuaded that he believed me to be drowned, I went, and asked +him whose bales these were? He replied, that they belonged to a +merchant at Bagdad, called Sinbad, who came to sea with him; but +one day, being near an island, as was supposed, he went ashore, +with several other passengers, upon this island, which was only a +monstrous fish, that lay asleep upon the the sur-face of the +water: but as soon as he felt the heat of the fire they had +kindled upon his back, to dress some victuals, began to move, and +dived under water. Most of the persons who were upon him +perished, and among them the unfortunate Sinbad. Those bales +belonged to him, and I am resolved to trade with them until I +meet with some of his family, to whom I may return the profit. "I +am that Sinbad," said I, "whom you thought to be dead, and those +bales are mine." + +When the captain heard me speak thus, "Heavens!" he exclaimed, +"whom can we trust in these times? There is no faith left among +men. I saw Sinbad perish with my own eyes, as did also the +passengers on board, and yet you tell me you are that Sinbad. +What impudence is this? To look on you, one would take you to be +a man of probity, and yet you tell a horrible falsehood, in order +to possess yourself of what does not belong to you." "Have +patience," replied I; "do me the favour to hear what I have to +say." "Very well," said he, "speak, I am ready to hear you." Then +I told him how I had escaped, and by what adventure I met with +the grooms of Maha-raja, who had brought me to his court. + +His confidence began to abate upon this declaration, and he was +at length persuaded that I was no cheat: for there came people +from his ship who knew me, paid me great compliments, and +expressed much joy at seeing me alive. At last he recollected me +himself, and embracing me, "Heaven be praised," said he, "for +your happy escape. I cannot express the joy it affords, me; there +are your goods, take and do with them as you please." I thanked +him, acknowledged his probity, and in requital, offered him part +of my goods as a present, which he generously refused. + +I took out what was most valuable in my bales, and presented them +to the Maha-raja, who, knowing my misfortune, asked me how I came +by such rarities. I acquainted him with the circumstance of their +recovery. He was pleased at my good luck, accepted my present, +and in return gave me one much more considerable. Upon this, I +took leave of him, and went aboard the same ship, after I had +exchanged my goods for the commodities of that country. I carried +with me wood of aloes, sandal, camphire, nutmegs, cloves, pepper, +and ginger. We passed by several islands, and at last arrived at +Bussorah, from whence I came to this city, with the value of +100,000 sequins. My family and I received one another with all +the transports of sincere affection. I bought slaves of both +sexes, and a landed estate, and built a magnificent house. Thus I +settled myself, resolving to forget the miseries I had suffered, +and to enjoy the pleasures of life. + +Sinbad stopped here, and ordered the musicians to proceed with +their concert, which the story had interrupted. The company +continued enjoying themselves till the evening, and it was time +to retire, when Sinbad sent for a purse of 100 sequins and giving +it to the porter, said, "Take this, Hindbad, return to your home, +and come back to-morrow to hear more of my adventures." The +porter went away, astonished at the honour done, and the present +made him. The account of this adventure proved very agreeable to +his wife and children, who did not fail to return thanks to God +for what providence had sent him by the hand of Sinbad. + +Hindbad put on his best apparel next day, and returned to the +bountiful traveller, who received him with a pleasant air, and +welcomed him heartily. When all the guests had arrived, dinner +was served, and continued a long time. When it was ended, Sinbad, +addressing himself to the company, said, "Gentlemen, be pleased +to listen to the adventures of my second voyage; they deserve +your attention even more than those of the first." Upon which +every one held his peace, and Sinbad proceeded. + + + + + The Second Voyage. + + + +I designed, after my first voyage, to spend the rest of my days +at Bagdad, as I had the honour to tell you yesterday; but it was +not long ere I grew weary of an indolent life. My inclination to +trade revived. I bought goods proper for the commerce I intended, +and put to sea a second time with merchants of known probity. We +embarked on board a good ship, and after recommending ourselves +to God, set sail. We traded from island to island, and exchanged +commodities with great profit. One day we landed in an island +covered with several sorts of fruit-trees, but we could see +neither man nor animal. We went to take a little fresh air in the +meadows, along the streams that watered them. Whilst some +diverted themselves with gathering flowers, and other fruits, I +took my wine and provisions, and sat down near a stream betwixt +two high trees, which formed a thick shade. I made a good meal, +and afterwards fell asleep. I cannot tell how long I slept, but +when I awoke the ship was gone. + +I was much alarmed at finding the ship gone. I got up and looked +around me, but could not see one of the merchants who landed with +me. I perceived the ship under sail, but at such a distance, that +I lost sight of her in a short time. + +I leave you to guess at my melancholy reflections in this sad +condition: I was ready to die with grief. I cried out in agony; +beat my head and breast, and threw myself upon the ground, where +I lay some time in despair, one afflicting thought being +succeeded by another still more afflicting. I upbraided myself a +hundred times for not being content with the produce of my first +voyage, that might have sufficed me all my life. But all this was +in vain, and my repentance too late. + +At last I resigned myself to the will of God. Not knowing what to +do, I climbed up to the top of a lofty tree, from whence I looked +about on all sides, to see if I could discover any thing that +could give me hopes. When I gazed towards the sea I could see +nothing but sky and water; but looking over the land I beheld +something white; and coming down, I took what provision I had +left, and went towards it, the distance being so great, that I +could not distinguish what it was. + +As I approached, I thought it to be a white dome, of a prodigious +height and extent; and when I came up to it, I touched it, and +found it to be very smooth. I went round to see if it was open on +any side, but saw it was not, and that there was no climbing up +to the top as it was so smooth. It was at least fifty paces +round. + +By this time the sun was about to set, and all of a sudden the +sky became as dark as if it had been covered with a thick cloud. +I was much astonished at this sudden darkness, but much more when +I found it occasioned by a bird of a monstrous size, that came +flying toward me. I remembered that I had often heard mariners +speak of a miraculous bird called Roc, and conceived that the +great dome which I so much admired must be its egg. In short, the +bird alighted, and sat over the egg. As I perceived her coming, I +crept to the egg, so that I had before me one of the legs of the +bird, which was as big as the trunk of a tree. I tied myself +strongly to it with my turban, in hopes that the roc next morning +would carry me with her out of this desert island. After having +passed the night in this condition, the bird flew away as soon as +it was daylight, and carried me so high, that I could not discern +the earth; she afterwards descended with so much rapidity that I +lost my senses. But when I found myself on the ground, I speedily +untied the knot, and had scarcely done so, when the roc, having +taken up a serpent of a monstrous length in her bill, flew away. + +The spot where it left me was encompassed on all sides by +mountains, that seemed to reach above the clouds, and so steep +that there was no possibility of getting out of the valley. This +was a new perplexity: so that when I compared this place with the +desert island from which the roc had brought me, I found that I +had gained nothing by the change. + +As I walked through this valley, I perceived it was strewed with +diamonds, some of which were of a surprising bigness. I took +pleasure in looking upon them; but shortly saw at a distance such +objects as greatly diminished my satisfaction, and which I could +not view without terror, namely, a great number of serpents, so +monstrous, that the least of them was capable of swallowing an +elephant. They retired in the day-time to their dens, where they +hid themselves from the roc their enemy, and came out only in the +night. + +I spent the day in walking about in the valley, resting myself at +times in such places as I thought most convenient. When night +came on, I went into a cave, where I thought I might repose in +safety. I secured the entrance, which was low and narrow, with a +great stone to preserve me from the serpents; but not so far as +to exclude the light. I supped on part of my provisions, but the +serpents, which began hissing round me, put me into such extreme +fear, that you may easily imagine I did not sleep. When day +appeared, the serpents retired, and I came out of the cave +trembling. I can justly say, that I walked upon diamonds, without +feeling any inclination to touch them. At last I sat down, and +notwithstanding my apprehensions, not having closed my eyes +during the night, fell asleep, after having eaten a little more +of my provision. But I had scarcely shut my eyes, when something +that fell by me with a great noise awaked me. This was a large +piece of raw meat; and at the same time I saw several others fall +down from the rocks in different places. + +I had always regarded as fabulous what I had heard sailors and +others relate of the valley of diamonds, and of the stratagems +employed by merchants to obtain jewels from thence; but now I +found that they had stated nothing but truth. For the fact is, +that the merchants come to the neighbourhood of this valley, when +the eagles have young ones, and throwing great joints of meat +into the valley, the diamonds, upon whose points they fall, stick +to them; the eagles, which are stronger in this country than any +where else, pounce with great force upon those pieces of meat, +and carry them to their nests on the precipices of the rocks to +feed their young: the merchants at this time run to their nests, +disturb and drive off the eagles by their shouts, and take away +the diamonds that stick to the meat. + +Until I perceived the device I had concluded it to be impossible +for me to get from this abyss, which I regarded as my grave; but +now I changed my opinion, and began to think upon the means of my +deliverance. + +I began to collect together the largest diamonds I could find, +and put them into the leather bag in which I used to carry my +provisions. I afterwards took the largest of the pieces of meat, +tied it close round me with the cloth of my turban, and then laid +myself upon the ground with my face downward, the bag of diamonds +being made fast to my girdle. + +I had scarcely placed myself in this posture when the eagles +came. Each of them seized a piece of meat, and one of the +strongest having taken me up, with the piece of meat to which I +was fastened, carried me to his nest on the top of the mountain. +The merchants immediately began their shouting to frighten the +eagles; and when they had obliged them to quit their prey, one of +them came to the nest where I was. He was much alarmed when he +saw me; but recovering himself, instead of enquiring how I came +thither began to quarrel with me, and asked, why I stole his +goods? "You will treat me," replied I, "with more civility, when +you know me better. Do not be uneasy, I have diamonds enough for +you and myself, more than all the other merchants together. +Whatever they have they owe to chance, but I selected for myself +in the bottom of the valley those which you see in this bag." I +had scarcely done speaking, when the other merchants came +crowding about us, much astonished to see me; but they were much +more surprised when I told them my story. Yet they did not so +much admire my stratagem to effect my deliverance, as my courage +in putting it into execution. + +They conducted me to their encampment, and there having opened my +bag, they were surprised at the largeness of my diamonds, and +confessed that in all the courts which they had visited they had +never seen any of such size and perfection. I prayed the +merchant, who owned the nest to which I had been carried (for +every merchant had his own), to take as many for his share as he +pleased. He contented himself with one, and that too the least of +them; and when I pressed him to take more, without fear of doing +me any injury, "No," said he, "I am very well satisfied with +this, which is valuable enough to save me the trouble of making +any more voyages, and will raise as great a fortune as I desire." + +I spent the night with the merchants, to whom I related my story +a second time, for the satisfaction of those who had not heard +it. I could not moderate my joy when I found myself delivered +from the danger I have mentioned. I thought myself in a dream, +and could scarcely believe myself out of danger. + +The merchants had thrown their pieces of meat into the valley for +several days. And each of them being satisfied with the diamonds +that had fallen to his lot, we left the place the next morning, +and travelled near high mountains, where there were serpents of a +prodigious length, which we had the good fortune to escape. We +took shipping at the first port we reached, and touched at the +isle of Roha, where the trees grow that yield camphire. This tree +is so large, and its branches so thick, that one hundred men may +easily sit under its shade. The juice, of which the camphire is +made, exudes from a hole bored in the upper part of the tree, is +received in a vessel, where it thickens to a consistency, and +becomes what we call camphire; after the juice is thus drawn out, +the tree withers and dies. + +In this island is also found the rhinoceros, an animal less than +the elephant, but larger than the buffalo. It has a horn upon its +nose, about a cubit in length; this horn is solid, and cleft +through the middle, upon this may be seen white lines, +representing the figure of a man. The rhinoceros fights with the +elephant, runs his horn into his belly, and carries him off upon +his head but the blood and the fat of the elephant running into +his eyes, and making him blind, he falls to the ground; and then, +strange to relate! the roc comes and carries them both away in +her claws, for food for her young ones. + +I pass over many other things peculiar to this island, lest I +should be troublesome to you. Here I exchanged some of my +diamonds for merchandize. From hence we went to other islands, +and at last, having touched at several trading towns of the +continent, we landed at Bussorah, from whence I proceeded to +Bagdad. There I immediately gave large presents to the poor, and +lived honourably upon the vast riches I had brought, and gained +with so much fatigue. + +Thus Sinbad ended the relation of the second voyage, gave Hindbad +another hundred sequins, and invited him to come the next day to +hear the account of the third. The rest of the guests returned to +their homes, and came again the following day at the same hour, +and one may be sure the porter did not fail, having by this time +almost forgotten his former poverty. When dinner was over, Sinbad +demanded attention, and gave them an account of his third voyage, +as follows. + + + + + The Third Voyage. + + + +I soon lost in the pleasures of life the remembrance of the +perils I had encountered in my two former voyages; and being in +the flower of my age, I grew weary of living without business, +and hardening myself against the thought of any danger I might +incur, went from Bagdad to Bussorah with the richest commodities +of the country. There I embarked again with some merchants. We +made a long voyage, and touched at several ports, where we +carried on a considerable trade. One day, being out in the main +ocean, we were overtaken by a dreadful tempest, which drove us +from our course. The tempest continued several days, and brought +us before the port of an island, which the captain was very +unwilling to enter; but we were obliged to cast anchor. When we +had furled our sails, the captain told us, that this, and some +other neighbouring islands, were inhabited by hairy savages, who +would speedily attack us; and though they were but dwarfs, yet +our misfortune was such, that we must make no resistance, for +they were more in number than the locusts; and if we happened to +kill one of them, they would all fall upon us and destroy us. + +This account of the captain, continued Sinbad put the whole +company into great consternation and we soon found that what he +had told us was but too true; an innumerable multitude of +frightful savages, about two feet high, covered all over with red +hair, came swimming towards us, and encompassed our ship. They +spoke to us as they came near, but we understood not their +language; they climbed up the sides of the ship with such agility +as surprised us. We beheld all this with dread, but without +daring to defend ourselves, or to divert them from their +mischievous design. In short, they took down our sails, cut the +cable, and hauling to the shore, made us all get out, and +afterwards carried the ship into another island from whence they +had come. All voyagers carefully avoided the island where they +left us, it being very dangerous to stay there, for a reason you +shall presently hear; but we were forced to bear our affliction +with patience. + +We went forward into the island, where we gathered some fruits +and herbs to prolong our lives as long as we could; but we +expected nothing but death. As we advanced, we perceived at a +distance a vast pile of building, and made towards it. We found +it to be a palace, elegantly built, and very lofty, with a gate +of ebony of two leaves, which we forced open. We entered the +court, where we saw before us a large apartment, with a porch, +having on one side a heap of human bones, and on the other a vast +number of roasting spits. We trembled at this spectacle, and +being fatigued with travelling, fell to the ground, seized with +deadly apprehension, and lay a long time motionless. + +The sun set, and whilst we were in the lamentable condition I +have described, the gate of the apartment opened with a loud +crash, and there came out the horrible figure of a black man, as +tall as a lofty palm-tree. He had but one eye, and that in the +middle of his forehead, where it looked as red as a burning coal. +His fore-teeth were very long and sharp, and stood out of his +mouth, which was as deep as that of a horse. His upper lip hung +down upon his breast. His ears resembled those of an elephant, +and covered his shoulders; and his nails were as long and crooked +as the talons of the greatest birds. At the sight of so frightful +a giant, we became insensible, and lay like dead men. + +At last we came to ourselves, and saw him sitting in the porch +looking at us. When he had considered us well, he advanced +towards us, and laying his hand upon me, took me up by the nape +of my neck, and turned round as a butcher would do a sheep's +head. After having examined me, and perceiving me to be so lean +that I had nothing but skin and bone, he let me go. He took up +all the rest one by one, and viewed them in the same manner. The +captain being the fattest, he held him with one hand, as I would +do a sparrow, and thrust a spit through him; he then kindled a +great fire, roasted, and ate him in his apartment for his supper. +Having finished his repast, he returned to his porch, where he +lay and fell asleep, snoring louder than thunder. He slept thus +till morning. As to ourselves, it was not possible for us to +enjoy any rest, so that we passed the night in the most painful +apprehension that can be imagined. When day appeared the giant +awoke, got up, went out, and left us in the palace. + +When we thought him at a distance, we broke the melancholy +silence we had preserved the whole of the night, and filled the +palace with our lamentations and groans. Though we were several +in number, and had but one enemy, it never occurred to us to +effect our deliverance by putting him to death. This enterprize +however, though difficult of execution, was the only design we +ought naturally to have formed. + +We thought of several other expedients, but determined upon none; +and submitting ourselves to what it should please God to order +concerning us, we spent the day in traversing the island, +supporting ourselves with fruits and herbs as we had done the day +before. In the evening we sought for some place of shelter, but +found none; so that we were forced, whether we would or not, to +return to the palace. + +The giant failed not to return, and supped once more upon one of +our companions, after which he slept, and snored till day, and +then went out and left us as before. Our situation appeared to us +so dreadful, that several of my comrades designed to throw +themselves into the sea, rather than die so painful a death; and +endeavoured to persuade the others to follow their example. Upon +which one of the company answered, "That we were forbidden to +destroy ourselves: but even if that were not the case, it was +much more reasonable to devise some method to rid ourselves of +the monster who had destined us to so horrible a fate." + +Having thought of a project for this purpose, I communicated it +to my comrades, who approved it. "Brethren," said I, "you know +there is much timber floating upon the coast; if you will be +advised by me, let us make several rafts capable of bearing us, +and when they are done, leave them there till we find it +convenient to use them. In the mean time, we will carry into +execution the design I proposed to you for our deliverance from +the giant, and if it succeed, we may remain here patiently +awaiting the arrival of some ship to carry us out of this fatal +island; but if it happen to miscarry, we will take to our rafts, +and put to sea. I admit that by exposing ourselves to the fury of +the waves, we run a risk of losing our lives; but is it not +better to be buried in the sea than in the entrails of this +monster, who has already devoured two of our number?" My advice +was approved, and we made rafts capable of carrying three persons +on each. + +We returned to the palace towards the evening, and the giant +arrived shortly after. We were forced to submit to seeing another +of our comrades roasted. But at last we revenged ourselves on the +brutish giant in the following manner. After he had finished his +cursed supper, he lay down on his back, and fell asleep. As soon +as we heard him snore, according to his custom, nine of the +boldest among us, and myself, took each of us a spit, and putting +the points of them into the fire till they were burning hot, we +thrust them into his eye all at once, and blinded him. The pain +made him break out into a frightful yell: he started up, and +stretched out his hands, in order to sacrifice some of us to his +rage: but we ran to such places as he could not reach; and after +having sought for us in vain, he groped for the gate, and went +out, howling in agony. + +We quitted the palace after the giant, and came to the shore, +where we had left our rafts, and put them immediately to sea. We +waited till day, in order to get upon them, in case the giant +should come towards us with any guide of his own species, but we +hoped if he did not appear by sun-rising, and gave over his +howling, which we still heard, that he would prove to be dead; +and if that happened to be the case, we resolved to stay in that +island, and not to risk our lives upon the rafts: but day had +scarcely appeared, when we perceived our cruel enemy, accompanied +with two others almost of the same size, leading him; and a great +number more coming before him at a quick pace. + +We did not hesitate to take to our rafts, and put to sea with all +the speed we could. The giants, who perceived this, took up great +stones, and running to the shore, entered the water up to the +middle, and threw so exactly, that they sunk all the rafts but +that I was upon; and all my companions, except the two with me, +were drowned. We rowed with all our might, and got out of the +reach of the giants. But when we got out to sea, we were exposed +to the mercy of the waves and winds, and tossed about, sometimes +on one side, and sometimes on another, and spent that night and +the following day under the most painful uncertainty as to our +fate; but next morning we had the good fortune to be thrown upon +an island, where we landed with much joy. We found excellent +fruit, which afforded us great relief, and recruited our +strength. + +At night we went to sleep on the sea-shore but were awakened by +the noise of a serpent of surprising length and thickness, whose +scales made a rustling noise as he wound himself along. It +swallowed up one of my comrades, notwithstanding his loud cries, +and the efforts he made to extricate himself from it; dashing him +several times against the ground, it crushed him, and we could +hear it gnaw and tear the poor wretch's bones, though we had fled +to a considerable distance. The following day, to our great +terror, we saw the serpent again, when I exclaimed, "O heaven, to +what dangers are we exposed! We rejoiced yesterday at having +escaped from the cruelty of a giant and the rage of the waves, +now are we fallen into another danger equally dreadful." + +As we walked about, we saw a large tall tree upon which we +designed to pass the following night, for our security; and +having satisfied our hunger with fruit, we mounted it according. +Shortly after, the serpent came hissing to the foot of the tree; +raised himself up against the trunk of it, and meeting with my +comrade, who sat lower than I, swallowed him at once, and went +off. + +I remained upon the tree till it was day, and then came down, +more like a dead man than one alive, expecting the same fate with +my two companions. This filled me with horror, and I advanced +some steps to throw myself into the sea; but the natural love of +life prompting us to prolong it as long as we can, I withstood +this dictate of despair, and submitted myself to the will of God, +who disposes of our lives at his pleasure. + +In the mean time I collected together a great quantity of small +wood, brambles, and dry thorns, and making them up into +faggots, made a wide circle with them round the tree, and also +tied some of them to the branches over my head. Having done this, +when the evening came, I shut myself up within this circle, with +the melancholy satisfaction, that I had neglected nothing which +could preserve me from the cruel destiny with which I was +threatened. The serpent failed not to come at the usual hour, and +went round the tree, seeking for an opportunity to devour me, but +was prevented by the rampart I had made; so that he lay till day, +like a cat watching in vain for a mouse that has fortunately +reached a place of safety. When day appeared, he retired, but I +dared not to leave my fort until the sun arose. + +I felt so much fatigued by the labour to which it had put me, and +suffered so much from his poisonous breath, that death seemed +more eligible to me than the horrors of such a state. I came down +from the tree, and, not thinking of the resignation I had the +preceding day resolved to exercise, I ran towards the sea, with a +design to throw myself into it. + +God took compassion on my hopeless state; for just as I was going +to throw myself into the sea, I perceived a ship at a +considerable distance. I called as loud as I could, and taking +the linen from my turban, displayed it, that they might observe +me. This had the desired effect; the crew perceived me, and the +captain sent his boat for me. As soon as I came on board, the +merchants and seamen flocked about me, to know how I came into +that desert island; and after I had related to them all that had +befallen me, the oldest among them said to me, they had several +times heard of the giants that dwelt in that island, that they +were cannibals, and ate men raw as well as roasted; and as to the +serpents, they added, that there were abundance in the island +that hid themselves by day, and came abroad by night. After +having testified their joy at my escaping so many dangers, they +brought me the best of their provisions; and the captain, seeing +that I was in rags, was so generous as to give me one of his own +suits. We continued at sea for some time, touched at several +islands, and at last landed at that of Salabat, where sandal wood +is obtained, which is of great use in medicine. We entered the +port, and came to anchor. The merchants began to unload their +goods, in order to sell or exchange them. In the mean time, the +captain came to me, and said, "Brother, I have here some goods +that belonged to a merchant, who sailed some time on board this +ship, and he being dead, I design to dispose of them for the +benefit of his heirs, when I find who they are." The bales he +spoke of lay on the deck, and shewing them to me, he said, "There +are the goods; I hope you will take care to sell them, and you +shall have factorage." I thanked him for thus affording me an +opportunity of employing myself, because I hated to be idle. + +The clerk of the ship took an account of all the bales, with the +names of the merchants to whom they belonged. And when he asked +the captain in whose name he should enter those he had given me +the charge of; "Enter them," said the captain, "in the name of +Sinbad." I could not hear myself named without some emotion; and +looking stedfastly on the captain, I knew him to be the person +who, in my second voyage, had left me in the island where I fell +asleep, and sailed without me, or sending to see for me. But I +could not recollect him at first, he was so much altered since I +had seen him. + +I was not surprised that he, believing me to be dead, did not +recognize me. "Captain," said I, "was the merchant's name, to +whom those bales belonged, Sinbad?" "Yes," replied he, "that was +his name; he came from Bagdad, and embarked on board my ship at +Bussorah. One day, when we landed at an island to take in water +and other refreshments, I knew not by what mistake, I sailed +without observing that he did not re-embark with us; neither I +nor the merchants perceived it till four hours after. We had the +wind in our stern, and so fresh a gale, that it was not then +possible for us to tack about for him." "You believe him then to +be dead?" said I. "Certainly," answered he. "No, captain," I +resumed; "look at me, and you may know that I am Sinbad, whom you +left in that desert island." + +The captain, continued Sinbad, having considered me attentively, +recognized me. "God be praised," said he, embracing me; "I +rejoice that fortune has rectified my fault. There are your +goods, which I always took care to preserve." I took them from +him, and made him the acknowledgments to which he was entitled. + +From the isle of Salabat, we went to another, where I furnished +myself with cloves, cinnamon, and other spices. As we sailed from +this island, we saw a tortoise twenty cubits in length and +breadth. We observed also an amphibious animal like a cow, which +gave milk; its skin is so hard, that they usually make bucklers +of it. I saw another, which had the shape and colour of a camel. + +In short, after a long voyage, I arrived at Bussorah, and from +thence returned to Bagdad, with so much wealth that I knew not +its extent. I gave a great deal to the poor, and bought another +considerable estate in addition to what I had already. + +Thus Sinbad finished the history of his third voyage; gave +another hundred sequins to Hindbad, invited him to dinner again +the next day, to hear the story of his fourth voyage. Hindbad and +the company retired; and on the following day, when they +returned, Sinbad after dinner continued the relation of his +adventures. + + + + + The Fourth Voyage. + + + +The pleasures and amusements which I enjoyed after my third +voyage had not charms sufficient to divert me from another. My +passion for trade, and my love of novelty, again prevailed. I +therefore settled my affairs, and having provided a stock of +goods fit for the traffic I designed to engage in, I set out on +my journey. I took the route of Persia, travelled over several +provinces, and then arrived at a port, where I embarked. We +hoisted our sails, and touched at several ports of the continent, +and some of the eastern islands, and put out to sea: we were +overtaken by such a sudden gust of wind, as obliged the captain +to lower his yards, and take all other necessary precautions to +prevent the danger that threatened us. But all was in vain our +endeavours had no effect; the sails were split in a thousand +pieces, and the ship was stranded; several of the merchants and +seamen were drowned and the cargo was lost. + +I had the good fortune, with several of the merchants and +mariners, to get upon some planks, and we were carried by the +current to an island which lay before us. There we found fruit +and spring water, which preserved our lives. We staid all night +near the place where we had been cast ashore, without consulting +what we should do; our misfortune had so much dispirited us that +we could not deliberate. + +Next morning, as soon as the sun was up, we walked from the +shore, and advancing into the island, saw some houses, which we +approached. As soon as we drew near, we were encompassed by a +great number of negroes, who seized us, shared us among them, and +carried us to their respective habitations. + +I, and five of my comrades, were carried to one place; here they +made us sit down, and gave us a certain herb, which they made +signs to us to eat. My comrades not taking notice that the blacks +ate none of it themselves, thought only of satisfying their +hunger, and ate with greediness. But I, suspecting some trick, +would not so much as taste it, which happened well for me; for in +little time after, I perceived my companions had lost their +senses, and that when they spoke to me, they knew not what they +said. + +The negroes fed us afterwards with rice, prepared with oil of +cocoa-nuts; and my comrades, who had lost their reason, ate of it +greedily. I also partook of it, but very sparingly. They gave us +that herb at first on purpose to deprive us of our senses, that +we might not be aware of the sad destiny prepared for us; and +they supplied us with rice to fatten us; for, being cannibals, +their design was to eat us as soon as we grew fat. This +accordingly happened, for they devoured my comrades, who were not +sensible of their condition; but my senses being entire, you may +easily guess that instead of growing fat, as the rest did, I grew +leaner every day. The fear of death under which I laboured, +turned all my food into poison. I fell into a languishing +distemper, which proved my safety; for the negroes, having killed +and eaten my companions, seeing me to be withered, lean, and +sick, deferred my death. + +Meanwhile I had much liberty, so that scarcely any notice was taken of +what I did, and this gave me an opportunity one day to get at a +distance from the houses, and to make my escape. An old man, who saw +me, and suspected my design, called to me as loud as he could to +return; but instead of obeying him, I redoubled my speed, and quickly +got out of sight. At that time there was none but the old man about +the houses, the rest being abroad, and not to return till night, which +was usual with them. Therefore, being sure that they could not arrive +time enough to pursue me, I went on till night, when I stopped to rest +a little, and to eat some of the provisions I had secured; but I +speedily set forward again, and travelled seven days, avoiding those +places which seemed to be inhabited, and lived for the most part upon +cocoa-nuts, which served me both for meat and drink. On the eighth day +I came near the sea, and saw some white people like myself, gathering +pepper, of which there was great plenty in that place. This I took to +be a good omen, and went to them without any scruple. + +The people who gathered pepper came to meet me as soon as they +saw me, and asked me in Arabic who I was, and whence I came? I +was overjoyed to hear them speak in my own language, and +satisfied their curiosity, by giving them an account of my +shipwreck, and how I fell into the hands of the negroes. "Those +negroes," replied they, "eat men, and by what miracle did you +escape their cruelty?" I related to them the circumstances I have +just mentioned, at which they were wonderfully surprised. + +I staid with them till they had gathered their quantity of +pepper, and then sailed with them to the island from whence they +had come. They presented me to their king, who was a good prince. +He had the patience to hear the relation of my adventures, which +surprised him; and he afterwards gave me clothes, and commanded +care to be taken of me. + +The island was very well peopled, plentiful in everything, and +the capital a place of great trade. This agreeable retreat was +very comfortable to me after my misfortunes, and the kindness of +this generous prince completed my satisfaction. In a word, there +was not a person more in favour with him than myself; and, +consequently, every man in court and city sought to oblige me; so +that in a very little time I was looked upon rather as a native +than a stranger. + +I observed one thing, which to me appeared very extraordinary. +All the people, the king himself not excepted, rode their horses +without saddle, bridle, or stirrups. This made me one day take +the liberty to ask the king how it came to pass? His majesty +answered, that I talked to him of things which nobody knew the +use of in his dominions. + +I went immediately to a workman, and gave him a model for making +the stock of a saddle. When that was done, I covered it myself +with velvet and leather, and embroidered it with gold. I +afterwards went to a smith, who made me a bit, according to the +pattern I shewed him, and also some stirrups. When I had all +things completed, I presented them to the king, and put them upon +one of his horses. His majesty mounted immediately, and was so +pleased with them, that he testified his satisfaction by large +presents. I could not avoid making several others for the +ministers and principal officers of his household, who all of +them made me presents that enriched me in a little time. I also +made some for the people of best quality in the city, which +gained me great reputation and regard. + +As I paid my court very constantly to the king, he said to me one +day, "Sinbad, I love thee; and all my subjects who know thee, +treat thee according to my example. I have one thing to demand of +thee, which thou must grant." "Sir," answered I, "there is +nothing but I will do, as a mark of my obedience to your majesty, +whose power over me is absolute." "I have a mind thou shouldst +marry," replied he, "that so thou mayst stay in my dominions, and +think no more of thy own country." I durst not resist the +prince's will, and he gave me one of the ladies of his court, +noble, beautiful, and rich. The ceremonies of marriage being +over, I went and dwelt with my wife, and for some time we lived +together in perfect harmony. I was not, however, satisfied with +my banishment, therefore designed to make my escape the first +opportunity, and to return to Bagdad; which my present +settlement, how advantageous soever, could not make me forget. + +At this time the wife of one of my neighbours, with whom I had +contrasted a very strict friendship, fell sick, and died. I went +to see and comfort him in his affliction, and finding him +absorbed in sorrow, I said to him as soon as I saw him, "God +preserve you and grant you a long life." "Alas!" replied he, "how +do you think I should obtain the favour you wish me? I have not +above an hour to live." "Pray," said I, "do not entertain such a +melancholy thought; I hope I shall enjoy your company many +years." "I wish you," he replied, "a long life; but my days are +at an end, for I must be buried this day with my wife. This is a +law which our ancestors established in this island, and it is +always observed inviolably. The living husband is interred with +the dead wife, and the living wife with the dead husband. Nothing +can save me; every one must submit to this law." + +While he was giving me an account of this barbarous custom, the very +relation of which chilled my blood, his kindred, friends, and +neighbours, came in a body to assist at the funeral. They dressed the +corpse of the woman in her richest apparel, and all her jewels, as if +it had been her wedding-day; then they placed her on an open coffin, +and began their march to the place of burial. The husband walked at +the head of the company, and followed the corpse. They proceeded to a +high mountain, and when they had reached the place of their +destination, they took up a large stone, which covered the mouth of a +deep pit, and let down the corpse with all its apparel and jewels. +Then the husband, embracing his kindred and friends, suffered himself +to be put into another open coffin without resistance, with a pot of +water, and seven small loaves, and was let down in the same manner. +The mountain was of considerable length, and extended along the +sea-shore, and the pit was very deep. The ceremony being over, the +aperture was again covered with the stone, and the company returned. + +It is needless for me to tell you that I was a most melancholy +spectator this funeral, while the rest were scarcely moved, the +custom was to them so familiar. I could not forbear communicating +to the king my sentiment respecting the practice: "Sir," I said, +"I cannot but feel astonished at the strange usage observed in +this country, of burying the living with the dead. I have been a +great traveller, and seen many countries, but never heard of so +cruel a law." "What do you mean, Sinbad?" replied the king: "it +is a common law. I shall be interred with the queen, my wife, if +she die first." "But, Sir," said I, "may I presume to ask your +majesty, if strangers be obliged to observe this law?" "Without +doubt," returned the king (smiling at the occasion of my +question), "they are not exempted, if they be married in this +island." + +I returned home much depressed by this answer; for the fear of my +wife's dying first, and that I should be interred alive with her, +occasioned me very uneasy reflections. But there was no remedy; I +must have patience, and submit to the will of God. I trembled +however at every little indisposition of my wife. Alas! in a +little time my fears were realized, for she fell sick, and died. + +Judge of my sorrow; to be interred alive, seemed to me as +deplorable a termination of life as to be devoured by cannibals. +It was necessary, however, to submit. The king and all his court +expressed their wish to honour the funeral with their presence, +and the most considerable people of the city did the same. When +all was ready for the ceremony, the corpse was put into a coffin, +with all her jewels and her most magnificent apparel. The +procession began, and as second actor in this doleful tragedy, I +went next the corpse, with my eyes full of tears, bewailing my +deplorable fate. Before we reached the mountain, I made an +attempt to affect the minds of the spectators: I addressed myself +to the king first, and then to all those that were round me; +bowing before them to the earth, and kissing the border of their +garments, I prayed them to have compassion upon me. "Consider," +said I, "that I am a stranger, and ought not to be subject to +this rigorous law, and that I have another wife and children in +my own country." Although I spoke in the most pathetic manner, no +one was moved by my address; on the contrary, they ridiculed my +dread of death as cowardly, made haste to let my wife's corpse +into the pit, and lowered me down the next moment in an open +coffin, with full of water and seven loaves. In short, the fatal +ceremony being performed, they covered over the mouth of the pit, +notwithstanding my grief and piteous lamentations. + +As I approached the bottom, I discovered by the aid of the little +light that came from above the nature of this subterranean place, +it seemed an endless cavern, and might be about fifty fathom +deep. I was annoyed by an insufferable stench proceeding from the +multitude of bodies which I saw on the right and left; nay, I +fancied that I heard some of them sigh out their last. However, +when I got down, I immediately left my coffin, and getting at a +distance from the bodies, held my nose, and lay down upon the +ground, where I stayed a considerable time, bathed in tears. At +last, reflecting on my melancholy case, "It is true," said I, +"that God disposes all things according to the degrees of his +providence; but, unhappy Sinbad, hast thou any but thyself to +blame that thou art brought to die so strange a death? Would to +God thou hadst perished in some of those tempests which thou hast +escaped! then thy death had not been so lingering, and so +terrible in all its circumstances. But thou hast drawn all this +upon thyself by thy inordinate avarice. Ah, unfortunate wretch! +shouldst thou not rather have remained at home, and quietly +enjoyed the fruits of thy labour?" + +Such were the vain complaints with which I filled the cave, +beating my head and breast out of rage and despair, and +abandoning myself to the most afflicting thoughts. Nevertheless, +I must tell you, that instead of calling death to my assistance +in that miserable condition, I felt still an inclination to live, +and to do all I could to prolong my days. I went groping about, +with my nose stopped, for the bread and water that was in my +coffin, and took some of it. Though the darkness of the cave was +so great that I could not distinguish day and night, yet I always +found my coffin again, and the cave seemed to be more spacious +and fuller of bodies than it had appeared to be at first. I lived +for some days upon my bread and water, which being all spent, I +at last prepared for death. + +As I was thinking of death, I heard the stone lifted up from the +mouth of the cave, and immediately the corpse of a man was let +down When reduced to necessity, it is natural to come to extreme +resolutions. While they let down the woman I approached the place +where her coffin was to be put, and as soon as I perceived they +were again covering the mouth of the cave, gave the unfortunate +wretch two or three violent blows over the head, with a large +bone; which stunned, or, to say the truth, killed her. I +committed this inhuman action merely for the sake of the bread +and water that was in her coffin, and thus I had provision for +some days more. When that was spent, they letdown another dead +woman, and a living man; I killed the man in the same manner, +and, as there was then a sort of mortality in the town, by +continuing this practice I did not want for provisions. + +One day after I had dispatched another woman, I heard something +tread, and breathing or panting as it walked. I advanced towards +that side from whence I heard the noise, and on my approach the +creature puffed and blew harder, as if running away from me. I +followed the noise, and the thing seemed to stop sometimes, but +always fled and blew as I approached. I pursued it for a +considerable time, till at last I perceived a light, resembling a +star; I went on, sometimes lost sight of it, but always found it +again, and at last discovered that it came through a hole in the +rock, large enough to admit a man. + +Upon this, I stopped some time to rest, being much fatigued with +the rapidity of my progress: afterwards coming up to the hole, I +got through, and found myself upon the sea shore. I leave you to +guess the excess of my joy: it was such, that I could scarcely +persuade myself that the whole was not a dream. + +But when I was recovered from my surprise, and convinced of the +reality of my escape, I perceived what I had followed to be a +creature which came out of the sea, and was accustomed to enter +the cavern and feed upon the bodies of the dead. + +I examined the mountain, and found it to be situated betwixt the +sea and the town, but without any passage to or communication +with the latter; the rocks on the sea side being high and +perpendicularly steep. I prostrated myself on the shore to thank +God for this mercy, and afterwards entered the cave again to +fetch bread and water, which I ate by daylight with a better +appetite than I had done since my interment in the dark cavern. + +I returned thither a second time, and groped among the coffins +for all the diamonds, rubies, pearls, gold bracelets, and rich +stuffs I could find; these I brought to the shore, and tying them +up neatly into bales, with the cords that let down the coffins, I +laid them together upon the beach, waiting till some ship might +appear, without fear of rain, for it was then the dry season. + +After two or three days, I perceived a ship just come out of the +harbour, making for the place where I was. I made a sign with the +linen of my turban, and called to the crew as loud as I could. +They heard me, and sent a boat to bring me on board, when they +asked by what misfortune I came thither; I told them that I had +suffered shipwreck two days before, and made shift to get ashore +with the goods they saw. It was fortunate for me that these +people did not consider the place where I was, nor enquire into +the probability of what I told them; but without hesitation took +me on board with my goods. When I came to the ship, the captain +was so well pleased to have saved me, and so much taken up with +his own affairs, that he also took the story of my pretended +shipwreck upon trust, and generously refused some jewels which I +offered him. + +We passed by several islands, and among others that called the +isle of Bells, about ten days' sail from Serendib, with a regular +wind, and six from that of Kela, where we landed. This island +produces lead mines, Indian canes, and excellent camphire. + +The king of the isle of Kela is very rich and powerful, and the +isle of Bells, which is about two days journey in extent, is also +subject to him. The inhabitants are so barbarous that they still +eat human flesh. After we had finished our traffic in that +island, we put to sea again, and touched at several other ports; +at last I arrived happily at Bagdad with infinite riches, of +which it is needless to trouble you with the detail. Out of +gratitude to God for his mercies, I contributed liberally towards +the support of several mosques, and the subsistence of the poor, +gave myself up to the society of my kindred and friends, enjoying +myself with them in festivities and amusements. + +Here Sinbad finished the relation of his fourth voyage, which +appeared more surprising to the company than the three former. He +made a new present of one hundred sequins to Hindbad, whom he +requested to return with the rest next day at the same hour to +dine with him, and hear the story of his fifth voyage. Hindbad +and the other guests took their leave and retired. Next morning +when they all met, they sat down at table, and when dinner was +over, Sinbad began the relation of his fifth voyage as follows. + + + + + The Fifth Voyage. + + + +The pleasures I enjoyed had again charms enough to make me forget +all the troubles and calamities I had undergone, but could not +cure me of my inclination to make new voyages. I therefore bought +goods, departed with them for the best sea-port; and there, that +I might not be obliged to depend upon a captain, but have a ship +at my own command, I remained till one was built on purpose, at +my own charge. When the ship was ready, I went on board with my +goods; but not having enough to load her, I agreed to take with +me several merchants of different nations with their merchandize. + +We sailed with the first fair wind, and after a long navigation +the first place we touched at was a desert island, where we found +an egg of a roe, equal in size to that I formerly mentioned. +There was a young roc it just ready to be hatched, and its bill +had begun to appear. + +The merchants whom I had taken on board, and who landed with me, +broke the egg with hatchets, and made a hole in it, pulled out +the young roc piecemeal, and roasted it. I had earnestly +intreated them not to meddle with the egg, but they would not +listen to me. + +Scarcely had they finished their repast, when there appeared in +the air at a considerable distance from us two great clouds. The +captain whom I had hired to navigate my ship, knowing by +experience what they meant, said they were the male and female +roc that belonged to the young one, and pressed us to re-embark +with all speed, to prevent the misfortune which he saw would +otherwise befall us. We hastened on board, and set sail with all +possible expedition. + +In the mean time, the two roes approached with a frightful noise, +which they redoubled when they saw the egg broken, and their +young one gone. They flew back in the direction they had come, +and disappeared for some time, while we made all the sail we +could to endeavour to prevent that which unhappily befell us. + +They soon returned, and we observed that each of them carried between +its talons stones, or rather rocks, of a monstrous size. When they +came directly over my ship, they hovered, and one of them let fall a +stone, but by the dexterity of the steersman it missed us, and falling +into the sea, divided the water so that we could almost see the +bottom. The other roe, to our misfortune, threw his messy burden so +exactly upon the middle of the ship, as to split it into a thousand +pieces. The mariners and passengers were all crushed to death, or +sunk. I myself was of the number of the latter; but as I came up +again, I fortunately caught hold of a piece of the wreck, and swimming +sometimes with one hand, and sometimes with the other, but always +holding fast my board, the wind and the tide favouring me, I came to +an island, whose shore was very steep. I overcame that difficulty, +however, and got ashore. + +I sat down upon the grass, to recover myself from my fatigue, +after which I went into the island to explore it. It seemed to be +a delicious garden. I found trees everywhere, some of them +bearing green, and others ripe fruits, and streams of fresh pure +water running in pleasant meanders. I ate of the fruits, which I +found excellent; and drank of the water, which was very light and +good. + +When night closed in, I lay down upon the grass in a convenient +spot, but could not sleep an hour at a time, my mind being +apprehensive of danger. I spent best part of the night in alarm, +and reproached myself for my imprudence in not remaining at home, +rather than undertaking this last voyage. These reflections +carried me so far, that I began to form a design against my life; +but daylight dispersed these melancholy thoughts. I got up, and +walked among the trees, but not without some fears. + +When I was a little advanced into the island, I saw an old man, +who appeared very weak and infirm. He was sitting on the bank of +a stream, and at first I took him to be one who had been +shipwrecked like myself. I went towards him and saluted him, but +he only slightly bowed his head. I asked him why he sat so still, +but instead of answering me, he made a sign for me to take him +upon my back, and carry him over the brook, signifying that it +was to gather fruit. + +I believed him really to stand in need of my assistance, took him +upon my back, and having carried him over, bade him get down, and +for that end stooped, that he might get off with ease; but +instead of doing so (which I laugh at every time I think of it) +the old man, who to me appeared quite decrepit, clasped his legs +nimbly about my neck, when I perceived his skin to resemble that +of a cow. He sat astride upon my shoulders, and held my throat so +tight, that I thought he would have strangled me, the +apprehension of which make me swoon and fall down. + +Notwithstanding my fainting, the ill-natured old fellow kept fast +about my neck, but opened his legs a little to give me time to +recover my breath. When I had done so, he thrust one of his feet +against my stomach, and struck me so rudely on the side with the +other, that he forced me to rise up against my will. Having +arisen, he made me walk under the trees, and forced me now and +then to stop, to gather and eat fruit such as we found. He never +left me all day, and when I lay down to rest at night, laid +himself down with me, holding always fast about my neck. Every +morning he pushed me to make me awake, and afterwards obliged me +to get up and walk, and pressed me with his feet. You may judge +then, gentlemen, what trouble I was in, to be loaded with such a +burden of which I could not get rid. + +One day I found in my way several dry calebashes that had fallen +from a tree. I took a large one, and after cleaning it, pressed +into it some juice of grapes, which abounded in the island; +having filled the calebash, I put it by in a convenient place, +and going thither again some days after, I tasted it, and found +the wine so good, that it soon made me forget my sorrow, gave me +new vigour, and so exhilarated my spirits, that I began to sing +and dance as I walked along. + +The old man, perceiving the effect which this liquor had upon me, +and that I carried him with more ease than before, made me a sign +to give him some of it. I handed him the calebash, and the liquor +pleasing his palate, he drank it all off. There being a +considerable quantity of it, he became drunk immediately, and the +fumes getting up into his head, he began to sing after his +manner, and to dance with his breech upon my shoulders. His +jolting made him vomit, and he loosened his legs from about me by +degrees. Finding that he did not press me as before, I threw him +upon the ground, where he lay without motion; I then took up a +great stone, and crushed his head to pieces. + +I was extremely glad to be thus freed for ever from this +troublesome fellow. I now walked towards the beach, where I met +the crew of a ship that had cast anchor, to take in water. They +were surprised to see me, but more so at hearing the particulars +of my adventures. "You fell," said they, "into the hands of the +old man of the sea, and are the first who ever escaped strangling +by his malicious tricks. He never quitted those he had once made +himself master of, till he had destroyed them, and he has made +this island notorious by the number of men he has slain; so that +the merchants and mariners who landed upon it, durst not advance +into the island but in numbers at a time." + +After having informed me of these things, they carried me with +them to the ship; the captain received me with great kindness, +when they told him what had befallen me. He put out again to sea, +and after some days' sail, we arrived at the harbour of a great +city, the houses of which were built with hewn stone. + +One of the merchants who had taken me into his friendship invited +me to go along with him, and carried me to a place appointed for +the accommodation of foreign merchants. He gave me a large bag, +and having recommended me to some people of the town, who used to +gather cocoa-nuts, desired them to take me with them. "Go," said +he, "follow them, and act as you see them do, but do not separate +from them, otherwise you may endanger your life." Having thus +spoken, he gave me provisions for the journey, and I went with +them. + +We came to a thick forest of cocoa-trees, very lofty, with trunks +so smooth that it was not possible to climb to the branches that +bore the fruit. When we entered the forest we saw a great number +of apes of several sizes, who fled as soon as they perceived us, +and climbed up to the top of the trees with surprising swiftness. + +The merchants with whom I was, gathered stones and threw them at +the apes on the trees. I did the same, and the apes out of +revenge threw cocoa-nuts at us so fast, and with such gestures, +as sufficiently testified their anger and resentment. We gathered +up the cocoa-nuts, and from time to time threw stones to provoke +the apes; so that by this stratagem we filled our bags with +cocoa-nuts, which it had been impossible otherwise to have done. + +When we had gathered our number, we returned to the city, where +the merchant, who had sent me to the forest, gave me the value of +the cocoas I brought: "Go on," said he, "and do the like every +day, until you have got money enough to carry you home." I +thanked him for his advice, and gradually collected as many +cocoa-nuts as produced me a considerable sum. + +The vessel in which I had come sailed with some merchants, who +loaded her with cocoa-nuts. I expected the arrival of another, +which anchored soon after for the like loading. I embarked in her +all the cocoa-nuts I had, and when she was ready to sail, took +leave of the merchant who had been so kind to me; but he could +not embark with me, because he had not finished his business at +the port. + +We sailed towards the islands, where pepper grows in great +plenty. From thence we went to the isle of Comari, where the best +species of wood of aloes grows, and whose inhabitants have made +it an inviolable law to themselves to drink no wine, and suffer +no place of debauch. I exchanged my cocoa in those two islands +for pepper and wood of aloes, and went with other merchants a +pearl-fishing. I hired divers, who brought me up some that were +very large and pure. I embarked in a vessel that happily arrived +at Bussorah; from thence I returned to Bagdad, where I made vast +sums of my pepper, wood of aloes, and pearls. I gave the tenth of +my gains in alms, as I had done upon my return from my other +voyages, and endeavoured to dissipate my fatigues by amusements +of different kinds. + +When Sinbad had finished his story, he ordered one hundred +sequins to be given to Hindbad, who retired with the other +guests; but next morning the same company returned to dine with +rich Sinbad; who, after having treated them as formerly, +requested their attention, and gave the following account of his +sixth voyage. + + + + + The Sixth Voyage. + + + +Gentlemen, you long without doubt to know, how, after having been +shipwrecked five times, and escaped so many dangers, I could +resolve again to tempt fortune, and expose myself to new +hardships? I am, myself, astonished at my conduct when I reflect +upon it, and must certainly have been actuated by my destiny. But +be that as it may, after a year's rest I prepared for a sixth +voyage, notwithstanding the intreaties of my kindred and friends, +who did all in their power to dissuade me. + +Instead of taking my way by the Persian gulf, I travelled once +more through several provinces of Persia and the Indies, and +arrived at a sea-port, where I embarked in a ship, the captain of +which was bound on a long voyage. It was long indeed, and at the +same time so unfortunate, that the captain and pilot lost their +course. They however at last discovered where they were, but we +had no reason to rejoice at the circumstance. Suddenly we saw the +captain quit his post, uttering loud lamentations. He threw off +his turban, pulled his beard, and beat his head like a madman. We +asked him the reason, and he answered, that he was in the most +dangerous place in all the ocean. "A rapid current carries the +ship along with it, and we shall all perish in less than a +quarter of an hour. Pray to God to deliver us from this peril; we +cannot escape, if he do not take pity on us." At these words he +ordered the sails to be lowered; but all the ropes broke, and the +ship was carried by the current to the foot of an inaccessible +mountain, where she struck and went to pieces, yet in such a +manner that we saved our lives, our provisions, and the best of +our goods. + +This being over, the captain said to us, "God has done what +pleased him. Each of us may dig his grave, and bid the world +adieu; for we are all in so fatal a place, that none shipwrecked +here ever returned to their homes." His discourse afflicted us +sensibly, and we embraced each other, bewailing our deplorable +lot. + +The mountain at the foot of which we were wrecked formed part of +the coast of a very large island. It was covered with wrecks, and +from the vast number of human bones we saw everywhere, and which +filled us with horror, we concluded that multitudes of people had +perished there. It is also incredible what a quantity of goods +and riches we found cast ashore. All these objects served only to +augment our despair. In all other places, rivers run from their +channels into the sea, but here a river of fresh water runs out +of the sea into a dark cavern, whose entrance is very high and +spacious. What is most remarkable in this place is, that the +stones of the mountain are of crystal, rubies, or other precious +stones. Here is also a sort of fountain of pitch or bitumen, that +runs into the sea, which the fish swallow, and evacuate soon +afterwards, turned into ambergris: and this the waves throw up on +the beach in great quantities. Trees also grow here, most of +which are wood of aloes, equal in goodness to those of Comari. + +To finish the description of this place, which may well be called +a gulf, since nothing ever returns from it, it is not possible +for ships to get off when once they approach within a certain +distance. If they be driven thither by a wind from the sea, the +wind and the current impel them; and if they come into it when a +land-wind blows, which might seem to favour their getting out +again, the height of the mountain stops the wind, and occasions a +calm, so that the force of the current carries them ashore: and +what completes the misfortune is, that there is no possibility of +ascending the mountain, or of escaping by sea. + +We continued upon the shore in a state of despair, and expected +death every day. At first we divided our provisions as equally as +we could, and thus every one lived a longer or shorter time, +according to his temperance, and the use he made of his +provisions. + +Those who died first were interred by the survivors, and I paid +the last duty to all my companions: nor are you to wonder at +this; for besides that I husbanded the provision that fell to my +share better than they, I had some of my own which I did not +share with my comrades; yet when I buried the last, I had so +little remaining, that I thought I could not long survive: I dug +a grave, resolving to lie down in it, because there was no one +left to inter me. I must confess to you at the same time, that +while I was thus employed, I could not but reproach myself as the +cause of my own ruin, and repented that I had ever undertaken +this last voyage. Nor did I stop at reflections only, but had +well nigh hastened my own death, and began to tear my hands with +my teeth. + +But it pleased God once more to take compassion on me, and put it +in my mind to go to the bank of the river which ran into the +great cavern. Considering its probable course with great +attention, I said to myself, "This river, which runs thus under +ground, must somewhere have an issue. If I make a raft, and leave +myself to the current, it will convey me to some inhabited +country, or I shall perish. If I be drowned, I lose nothing, but +only change one kind of death for another; and if I get out of +this fatal place, I shall not only avoid the sad fate of my +comrades, but perhaps find some new occasion of enriching myself. +Who knows but fortune waits, upon my getting off this dangerous +shelf, to compensate my shipwreck with usury." + +I immediately went to work upon large pieces of timber and +cables, for I had choice of them, and tied them together so +strongly, that I soon made a very solid raft. When I had +finished, I loaded it with some bulses of rubies, emeralds, +ambergris, rock-crystal, and bales of rich stuffs. Having +balanced my cargo exactly, and fastened it well to the raft, I +went on board with two oars that I had made, and leaving it to +the course of the river, resigned myself to the will of God. + +As soon as I entered the cavern, I lost all light, and the stream +carried me I knew not whither. Thus I floated some days in +perfect darkness, and once found the arch so low, that it very +nearly touched my head, which made me cautious afterwards to +avoid the like danger. All this while I ate nothing but what was +just necessary to support nature; yet, notwithstanding my +frugality, all my provisions were spent. Then a pleasing stupor +seized upon me. I cannot tell how long it continued; but when I +revived, I was surprised to find myself in an extensive plain on +the brink of a river, where my raft was tied, amidst a great +number of negroes. I got up as soon as I saw them, and saluted +them. They spoke to me, but I did not understand their language. +I was so transported with joy, that I knew not whether I was +asleep or awake; but being persuaded that I was not asleep, I +recited the following words in Arabic aloud: "Call upon the +Almighty, he will help thee; thou needest not perplex thyself +about any thing else: shut thy eyes, and while thou art asleep, +God will change thy bad fortune into good." + +One of the blacks, who understood Arabic, hearing me speak thus, +came towards me, and said, "Brother, be not surprised to see us, +we are inhabitants of this country, and came hither to-day to +water our fields, by digging little canals from this river, which +comes out of the neighbouring mountain. We observed something +floating upon the water, went to see what it was, and, perceiving +your raft, one of us swam into the river, and brought it thither, +where we fastened it, as you see, until you should awake. Pray +tell us your history, for it must be extraordinary; how did you +venture yourself into this river, and whence did you come?" "I +begged of them first to give me something to eat, and then I +would satisfy their curiosity. They gave me several sorts of +food, and when I had satisfied my hunger, I related all that had +befallen me, which they listened to with attentive surprise. As +soon as I had finished, they told me, by the person who spoke +Arabic and interpreted to them what I said, that it was one of +the most wonderful stories they had ever heard, and that I must +go along with them, and tell it their king myself; it being too +extraordinary to be related by any other than the person to whom +the events had happened. I assured them that I was ready to do +whatever they pleased." + +They immediately sent for a horse, which was brought in a little +time; and having helped me to mount, some of them walked before +to shew the way, while the rest took my raft and cargo and +followed. + +We marched till we came to the capital of Serendib, for it was in +that island I had landed. The blacks presented me to their king; +I approached his throne, and saluted him as I used to do the +kings of the Indies; that is to say, I prostrated myself at his +feet. The prince ordered me to rise, received me with an obliging +air, and made me sit down near him. He first asked me my name, +and I answered, "People call me Sinbad the voyager, because of +the many voyages I have undertaken, and I am a citizen of +Bagdad." "But," resumed he, "how came you into my dominions, and +from whence came you last?" + +I concealed nothing from the king; I related to him all that I +have told you, and his majesty was so surprised and pleased, that +he commanded my adventures to be written in letters of gold, and +laid up in the archives of his kingdom. At last my raft was +brought in, and the bales opened in his presence; he admired the +quantity of wood of aloes and ambergris, but, above all, the +rubies and emeralds, for he had none in his treasury that +equalled them. + +Observing that he looked on my jewels with pleasure, and viewed +the most remarkable among them one after another, I fell +prostrate at his feet, and took the liberty to say to him, "Sir, +not only my person is at your majesty's service, but the cargo of +the raft, and I would beg of you to dispose of it as your own." +He answered me with a smile, "Sinbad, I will take care not to +covet any thing of yours, or to take any thing from you that God +has given you; far from lessening your wealth, I design to +augment it, and will not let you quit my dominions without marks +of my liberality." All the answer I returned were prayers for the +prosperity of that nobly minded prince, and commendations of his +generosity and bounty. He charged one of his officers to take +care of me, and ordered people to serve me at his own expence. +The officer was very faithful in the execution of his commission, +and caused all the goods to be carried to the lodgings provided +for me. + +I went every day at a set hour to make my court to the king, and +spent the rest of my time in viewing the city, and what was most +worthy of notice. + +The isle of Serendib is situated just under the equinoctial line; +so that the days and nights there are always of twelve hours +each, and the island is eighty parasangs in length, and as many +in breadth. + +The capital stands at the end of a fine valley, in the middle of +the island, encompassed by mountains the highest in the world. +They are seen three days' sail off at sea. Rubies and several +sorts of minerals abound, and the rocks are for the most part +composed of a metalline stone made use of to cut and polish other +precious stones. All kinds of rare plants and trees grow there, +especially cedars and cocoa-nut. There is also a pearl-fishing in +the mouth of its principal river; and in some of its valleys are +found diamonds. I made, by way of devotion, a pilgrimage to the +place where Adam was confined after his banishment from Paradise, +and had the curiosity to go to the top of the mountain. + +When I returned to the city, I prayed the king to allow me to +return to my own country, and he granted me permission in the +most obliging and most honourable manner. He would needs force a +rich present upon me; and when I went to take my leave of him, he +gave me one much more considerable, and at the same time charged +me with a letter for the commander of the faithful, our +sovereign, saying to me, "I pray you give this present from me, +and this letter to the caliph, and assure him of my friendship." +I took the present and letter in a very respectful manner, and +promised his majesty punctually to execute the commission with +which he was pleased to honour me. Before I embarked, this prince +sent for the captain and the merchants who were to go with me, +and ordered them to treat me with all possible respect. + +The letter from the king of Serendib was written on the skin of a +certain animal of great value, because of its being so scarce, +and of a yellowish colour. The characters of this letter were of +azure, and the contents as follows: + +"The king of the Indies, before whom march one hundred elephants, +who lives in a palace that shines with one hundred thousand +rubies, and who has in his treasury twenty thousand crowns +enriched with diamonds, to caliph Haroon al Rusheed. + +"Though the present we send you be inconsiderable, receive it +however as a brother and a friend, in consideration of the hearty +friendship which we bear for you, and of which we are willing to +give you proof. We desire the same part in your friendship, +considering that we believe it to be our merit, being of the same +dignity with yourself. We conjure you this in quality of a +brother. Adieu." + +The present consisted first, of one single ruby made into a cup, +about half a foot high, an inch thick, and filled with round +pearls of half a drachm each. 2. The skin of a serpent, whose +scales were as large as an ordinary piece of gold, and had the +virtue to preserve from sickness those who lay upon it. 3. Fifty +thousand drachms of the best wood of aloes, with thirty grains of +camphire as big as pistachios. 4. A female slave of ravishing +beauty, whose apparel was all covered over with jewels. + +The ship set sail, and after a very successful navigation we +landed at Bussorah, and from thence I went to Bagdad, where the +first thing I did was to acquit myself of my commission. + +Scheherazade stopped, because day appeared, and next night +proceeded thus. + +I took the king of Serendib's letter, and went to present myself +at the gate of the commander of the faithful, followed by the +beautiful slave, and such of my own family as carried the +presents. I stated the reason of my coming, and was immediately +conducted to the throne of the caliph. I made my reverence, and, +after a short speech, gave him the letter and present. When he +had read what the king of Serendib wrote to him, he asked me, if +that prince were really so rich and potent as he represented +himself in his letter? I prostrated myself a second time, and +rising again, said, "Commander of the faithful, I can assure your +majesty he doth not exceed the truth. I bear him witness. Nothing +is more worthy of admiration than the magnificence of his palace. +When the prince appears in public, he has a throne fixed on the +back of an elephant, and marches betwixt two ranks of his +ministers, favourites, and other people of his court; before him, +upon the same elephant, an officer carries a golden lance in his +hand; and behind the throne there is another, who stands upright, +with a column of gold, on the top of which is an emerald half a +foot long, and an inch thick; before him march a guard of one +thousand men, clad in cloth of gold and silk, and mounted on +elephants richly caparisoned. + +"While the king is on his march, the officer, who is before him on the +same elephant, cries from time to time, with a loud voice, 'Behold the +great monarch, the potent and redoubtable sultan of the Indies, whose +palace is covered with one hundred thousand rubies, and who possesses +twenty thousand crowns of diamonds. Behold the monarch greater than +Solomon, and the powerful Maha-raja.' After he has pronounced those +words, the officer behind the throne cries in his turn, 'This monarch, +so great and so powerful, must die, must die, must die.' And the +officer before replies, 'Praise be to him who lives for ever.' + +"Farther, the king of Serendib is so just, that there are no +judges in his dominions. His people have no need of them. They +understand and observe justice rigidly of themselves." + +The caliph was much pleased with my account. "The wisdom of that +king," said he, "appears in his letter, and after what you tell +me, I must confess, that his wisdom is worthy of his people, and +his people deserve so wise a prince." Having spoken thus, he +dismissed me, and sent me home with a rich present. + +Sinbad left off, and his company retired, Hindbad having first +received one hundred sequins; and next day they returned to hear +the relation of his seventh and last voyage. + + + + + The Seventh and Last Voyage. + + + +Being returned from my sixth voyage, said Sinbad, I absolutely +laid aside all thoughts of travelling; for, besides that my age +now required rest, I was resolved no more to expose myself to +such risks as I had encountered; so that I thought of nothing but +to pass the rest of my days in tranquillity. One day as I was +treating my friends, one of my servants came and told me that an +officer of the caliph's enquired for me. I rose from table, and +went to him. "The caliph," he said, "has sent me to tell you, +that he must speak with you." I followed the officer to the +palace, where being presented to the caliph, I saluted him by +prostrating myself at his feet. "Sinbad," said he to me, "I stand +in need of your service; you must carry my answer and present to +the king of Serendib. It is but just I should return his +civility." + +This command of the caliph was to me like a clap of thunder. +"Commander of the faithful," I replied, "I am ready to do +whatever your majesty shall think fit to command; but I beseech +you most humbly to consider what I have undergone. I have also +made a vow never to go out of Bagdad." Hence I took occasion to +give him a full and particular account of all my adventures, +which he had the patience to hear out. + +As soon as I had finished, "I confess," said he, "that the things +you tell me are very extraordinary, yet you must for my sake +undertake this voyage which I propose to you. You will only have +to go to the isle of Serendib, and deliver the commission which I +give you. After that you are at liberty to return. But you must +go; for you know it would not comport with my dignity, to be +indebted to the king of that island." Perceiving that the caliph +insisted upon my compliance, I submitted, and told him that I was +willing to obey. He was very well pleased, and ordered me one +thousand sequins for the expences of my journey. + +I prepared for my departure in a few days, and as soon as the +caliph's letter and present were delivered to me, I went to +Bussorah, where I embarked, and had a very happy voyage. Having +arrived at the isle of Serendib, I acquainted the king's +ministers with my commission, and prayed them to get me speedy +audience. They did so, and I was conducted to the palace in an +honourable manner, where I saluted the king by prostration, +according to custom. That prince knew me immediately, and +testified very great joy at seeing me. "Sinbad," said he, "you +are welcome; I have many times thought of you since you departed; +I bless the day on which we see one another once more." I made my +compliment to him, and after having thanked him for his kindness, +delivered the caliph's letter and present, which he received with +all imaginable satisfaction. + +The caliph's present was a complete suit of cloth of gold, valued +at one thousand sequins; fifty robes of rich stuff, a hundred of +white cloth, the finest of Cairo, Suez, and Alexandria; a vessel +of agate broader than deep, an inch thick, and half a foot wide, +the bottom of which represented in bass relief a man with one +knee on the ground, who held bow and an arrow, ready to discharge +at a lion. He sent him also a rich tablet, which, according to +tradition, belonged to the great Solomon. The caliph's letter was +as follows: + +"Greeting, in the name of the sovereign guide of the right way, +from the dependent on God, Haroon al Rusheed, whom God hath set +in the place of vicegerent to his prophet, after his ancestors of +happy memory, to the potent and esteemed Raja of Serendib. + +"We received your letter with joy, and send you this from our +imperial residence, the garden of superior wits. We hope when you +look upon it, you will perceive our good intention and be pleased +with it. Adieu." + +The king of Serendib was highly gratified that the caliph +answered his friendship. A little time after this audience, I +solicited leave to depart, and had much difficulty to obtain it. +I procured it however at last, and the king, when he dismissed +me, made me a very considerable present. I embarked immediately +to return to Bagdad, but had not the good fortune to arrive there +so speedily as I had hoped. God ordered it otherwise. + +Three or four days after my departure, we were attacked by +corsairs, who easily seized upon our ship, because it was no +vessel of force. Some of the crew offered resistance, which cost +them their lives. But for myself and the rest, who were not so +imprudent, the corsairs saved us on purpose to make slaves of us. + +We were all stripped, and instead of our own clothes, they gave +us sorry rags, and carried us into a remote island, where they +sold us. + +I fell into the hands of a rich merchant, who, as soon as he +bought me, carried me to his house, treated me well, and clad me +handsomely for a slave. Some days after, not knowing who I was, +he asked me if I understood any trade? I answered, that I was no +mechanic, but a merchant, and that the corsairs, who sold me, had +robbed me of all I possessed. "But tell me," replied he, "can you +shoot with a bow?" I answered, that the bow was one of my +exercises in my youth. He gave me a bow and arrows, and, taking +me behind him upon an elephant, carried me to a thick forest some +leagues from the town. We penetrated a great way into the wood, +and when he thought fit to stop, he bade me alight; then shewing +me a great tree, "Climb up that," said he, "and shoot at the +elephants as you see them pass by, for there is a prodigious +number of them in this forest, and if any of them fall, come and +give me notice." Having spoken thus, he left me victuals, and +returned to the town, and I continued upon the tree all night. + +I saw no elephant during that time, but next morning, as soon as +the sun was up, I perceived a great number. I shot several arrows +among them, and at last one of the elephants fell, when the rest +retired immediately, and left me at liberty to go and acquaint my +patron with my booty. When I had informed him, he gave me a good +meal, commended my dexterity, and caressed me highly. We went +afterwards together to the forest, where we dug a hole for the +elephant; my patron designing to return when it was rotten, and +take his teeth to trade with. + +I continued this employment for two months, and killed an +elephant every day, getting sometimes upon one tree, and +sometimes upon another. One morning, as I looked for the +elephants, I perceived with extreme amazement, that, instead of +passing by me across the forest as usual, they stopped, and came +to me with a horrible noise, in such number that the plain was +covered, and shook under them. They encompassed the tree in which +I was concealed, with their trunks extended, and all fixed their +eyes upon. At this alarming spectacle I continued immoveable, and +was so much terrified, that my bow and arrows fell out of my +hand. + +My fears were not without cause; for after the elephants had +stared upon me some time, one of the largest of them put his +trunk round the foot of the tree, plucked it up, and threw it on +the ground; I fell with the tree, and the elephant taking me up +with his trunk, laid me on his back, where I sat more like one +dead than alive, with my quiver on my shoulder. He put himself +afterwards at the head of the rest, who followed him in troops, +carried me a considerable way, then laid me down on the ground, +and retired with all his companions. Conceive, if you can, the +condition I was in: I thought myself in a dream. After having +lain some time, and seeing the elephants gone, I got up, and +found I was upon a long and broad hill, almost covered with the +bones and teeth of elephants. I confess to you, that this object +furnished me with abundance of reflections. I admired the +instinct of those animals; I doubted not but that was their +burying place, and that they carried me thither on purpose to +tell me that I should forbear to persecute them, since I did it +only for their teeth. I did not stay on the hill, but turned +towards the city, and, after having travelled a day and a night, +I came to my patron. I met no elephant in my way, which made me +think they had retired farther into the forest, to leave me at +liberty to come back to the hill without any obstacle. + +As soon as my patron saw me; "Ah, poor Sinbad," exclaimed he, "I +was in great trouble to know what was become of you. I have been +at the forest, where I found a tree newly pulled up, and a bow +and arrows on the ground, and after having sought for you in +vain, I despaired of ever, seeing you more. Pray tell me what +befell you, and by what good chance thou art still alive." I +satisfied his curiosity, and going both of us next morning to the +hill, he found to his great joy that what I had told him was +true. We loaded the elephant which had carried us with as many +teeth as he could bear; and when we were returned, "Brother," +said my patron, "for I will treat you no more as my slave, after +having made such a discovery as will enrich me, God bless you +with all happiness and prosperity. I declare before him, that I +give you your liberty. I concealed from you what I am now going +to tell you. + +"The elephants of our forest have every year killed us a great +many slaves, whom we sent to seek ivory. For all the cautions we +could give them, those crafty animals destroyed them one time or +other. God has delivered you from their fury, and has bestowed +that favour upon you only. It is a sign that he loves you, and +has some use for your service in the world. You have procured me +incredible wealth. Formerly we could not procure ivory but by +exposing the lives of our slaves, and now our whole city is +enriched by your means. Do not think I pretend to have rewarded +you by giving you your liberty, I will also give you considerable +riches. I could engage all our city to contribute towards making +your fortune, but I will have the glory of doing it myself." + +To this obliging declaration I replied, "Patron, God preserve +you. Your giving me my liberty is enough to discharge what you +owe me, and I desire no other reward for the service I had the +good fortune to do to you and your city, but leave to return to +my own country." "Very well," said he, "the monsoon will in a +little time bring ships for ivory. I will then send you home, and +give you wherewith to bear your charges." I thanked him again for +my liberty and his good intentions towards me. I staid with him +expecting the monsoon; and during that time, we made so many +journeys to the hill, that we filled all our warehouses with +ivory. The other merchants, who traded in it, did the same, for +it could not be long concealed from them. + +The ships arrived at last, and my patron, himself having made +choice of the ship wherein I was to embark, loaded half of it +with ivory on my account, laid in provisions in abundance for my +passage, and besides obliged me to accept a present of some +curiosities of the country of great value. After I had returned +him a thousand thanks for all his favours, I went aboard. We set +sail, and as the adventure which procured me this liberty was +very extraordinary, I had it continually in my thoughts. + +We stopped at some islands to take in fresh provisions. Our +vessel being come to a port on the main land in the Indies, we +touched there, and not being willing to venture by sea to +Bussorah, I landed my proportion of the ivory, resolving to +proceed on my journey by land. I made vast sums of my ivory, +bought several rarities, which I intended for presents, and when +my equipage was ready, set out in company with a large caravan of +merchants. I was a long time on the way, and suffered much, but +endured all with patience, when I considered that I had nothing +to fear from the seas, from pirates, from serpents, or from the +other perils to which I had been exposed. + +All these fatigues ended at last, and I arrived safe at Bagdad. I +went immediately to wait upon the caliph, and gave him an account +of my embassy. That prince said he had been uneasy, as I was so +long in returning, but that he always hoped God would preserve +me. When I told him the adventure of the elephants, he seemed +much surprised, and would never have given any credit to it had +he not known my veracity. He deemed this story, and the other +relations I had given him, to be so curious, that he ordered one +of his secretaries to write them in characters of gold, and lay +them up in his treasury. I retired well satisfied with the +honours I received, and the presents which he gave me; and ever +since I have devoted myself wholly to my family, kindred, and +friends. + +Sinbad here finished the relation of his seventh and last voyage, +and then addressing himself to Hindbad, "Well, friend," said he, +"did you ever hear of any person that suffered so much as I have +done, or of any mortal that has gone through so many +vicissitudes? Is it not reasonable that, after all this I should +enjoy a quiet and pleasant life?" As he said this, Hindbad drew +near to him, and kissing his hand, said, "I must acknowledge, +sir, that you have gone through many imminent dangers; my +troubles are not comparable to yours: if they afflict me for a +time, I comfort myself with the thoughts of the profit I get by +them. You not only deserve a quiet life, but are worthy of all +the riches you enjoy, because you make of them such a good and +generous use. May you therefore continue to live in happiness and +joy till the day of your death!" Sinbad gave him one hundred +sequins more, received him into the number of his friends, +desired him to quit his porter's employment, and come and dine +every day with him, that he might have reason to remember Sinbad +the voyager. + + + + + THE THREE APPLES. + + + +The Caliph Haroon al Rusheed one day commanded the grand vizier +Jaffier to come to his palace the night following. "Vizier," said +he, "I will take a walk round the town, to inform myself what +people say, and particularly how they are pleased with my +officers of justice. If there be any against whom they have cause +of just complaint, we will turn them out, and put others in their +stead, who shall officiate better. If, on the contrary, there be +any that have gained their applause, we will have that esteem for +them which they deserve." The grand vizier being come to the +palace at the hour appointed, the caliph, he, and Mesrour the +chief of the eunuchs, disguised themselves so that they could not +be known, and went out all three together. + +They passed through several places, and by several markets. As +they entered a small street, they perceived by the light of the +moon, a tall man, with a white beard, who carried nets on his +head, and a staff in his hand. "To judge from his appearance," +said the caliph, "that old man is not rich; let us go to him and +inquire into his circumstances." "Honest man," said the vizier, +"who art thou?" The old man replied, "Sir, I am a fisher, but one +of the poorest and most miserable of the trade. I went from my +house about noon a fishing, and from that time to this I have not +been able to catch one fish; at the same time I have a wife and +small children, and nothing to maintain them." + +The caliph, moved with compassion, said to the fisherman, "Hast +thou the courage to go back and cast thy net once more? We will +give thee a hundred sequins for what thou shalt bring up." At +this proposal, the fisherman, forgetting all his day's toil, took +the caliph at his word, and returned to the Tigris, accompanied +by the caliph, Jaaffier, and Mesrour; saying to himself as he +went, "These gentlemen seem too honest and reasonable not to +reward my pains; and if they give me the hundredth part of what +they promise, it will be an ample recompence." + +They came to the bank of the river, and the fisherman, having +thrown in his net, when he drew it again, brought up a trunk +close shut, and very heavy. The caliph made the grand vizier pay +him one hundred sequins immediately, and sent him away. Mesrour, +by his master's order, carried the trunk on his shoulder, and the +caliph was so very eager to know what it contained, that he +returned to the palace with all speed. When the trunk was opened, +they found in it a large basket made of palm-leaves, shut up, and +the covering of it sewed with red thread. To satisfy the caliph's +impatience, they would not take time to undo it, but cut the +thread with a knife, and took out of the basket a package wrapt +up in a sorry piece of hanging, and bound about with a rope; +which being untied, they found, to their great amazement, the +corpse of a young lady, whiter than snow, all cut in pieces. + +The astonishment of the caliph was great at this dreadful +spectacle. His surprise was instantly changed into passion, and +darting an angry look at the vizier, "Thou wretch," said he, "is +this your inspection into the actions of my people? Do they +commit such impious murders under thy ministry in my capital, and +throw my subjects into the Tigris, that they may cry for +vengeance against me at the day of judgment? If thou dost not +speedily avenge the murder of this woman, by the death of her +murderer, I swear by heaven, that I will cause thee and forty +more of thy kindred to be impaled." "Commander of the faithful," +replied the grand vizier, "I beg your majesty to grant me time to +make enquiry." "I will allow thee no more," said the caliph, +"than three days." + +The vizier Jaaffier went home in great perplexity. "Alas!" said +he "how is it possible that in such a vast and populous city as +Bagdad, I should be able to detect a murderer, who undoubtedly +committed the crime without witness, and perhaps may be already +gone from hence? Any other vizier than I would take some wretched +person out of prison, and cause him to be put to death to satisfy +the caliph; but I will not burden my conscience with such a +barbarous action; I will rather die than preserve my life by the +sacrifice of another innocent person." + +He ordered the officers of the police and justice to make strict +search for the criminal. They sent their servants about, and they +were not idle themselves, for they were no less concerned in this +matter than the vizier. But all their endeavours were to no +purpose; what pains soever they took they could not discover the +murderer; so that the vizier concluded his life to be lost. + +The third day being arrived, an officer came to the unfortunate +minister, with a summons to follow him, which the vizier obeyed. +The caliph asked him for the murderer. He answered, "Commander of +the faithful, I have not found any person that could give me the +least account of him." The caliph, full of fury and rage, gave +him many reproachful words, and ordered that he and forty +Bermukkees should be impaled at the gate of the palace. + +In the mean while the stakes were preparing, and orders were sent +to seize forty Bermukkees in their houses; a public crier was +sent about the city by the caliph's order, to cry thus: "Those +who have a desire to see the grand vizier Jaaffier impaled, with +forty of his kindred, let them come to the square before the +palace." + +When all things were ready, the criminal judge, and many officers +belonging to the palace, having brought out the grand vizier with +the forty Bermukkees, set each by the stake designed for him. The +multitude of people that filled the square could not without +grief and tears behold this tragical sight; for the grand vizier +and the Bermukkees were loved and honoured on account of their +probity, bounty, and impartiality, not only in Bagdad, but +through all the dominions of the caliph. + +Nothing could prevent the execution of this prince's severe and +irrevocable sentence, and the lives of the most deserving people +in the city were just going to be sacrificed, when a young man of +handsome mien pressed through the crowd till he came up to the +grand vizier, and after he had kissed his hand, said, "Most +excellent vizier, chief of the emirs of this court, and comforter +of the poor, you are not guilty of the crime for which you stand +here. Withdraw, and let me expiate the death of the lady that was +thrown into the Tigris. It is I who murdered her, and I deserve +to be punished for my offence." + +Though these words occasioned great joy to the vizier, yet he +could not but pity the young man, in whose look he saw something +that instead of evincing guilt was engaging: but as he was about +to answer him, a tall man advanced in years, who had likewise +forced his way through the crowd, came up to him, saying, "Do not +believe what this young man tells you, I killed that lady who was +found in the trunk, and this punishment ought only to fall upon +me. I conjure you in the name of God not to punish the innocent +for the guilty." "Sir," said the young man to the vizier, "I do +protest that I am he who committed this vile act, and nobody else +had any concern in it." "My son," said the old man, "it is +despair that brought you hither, and you would anticipate your +destiny. I have lived a long while in the world, and it is time +for me to be gone; let me therefore sacrifice my life for yours." +"Sir," said he again to the vizier, "I tell you once more I am +the murderer; let me die without delay." + +The controversy between the old and the young man induced the +grand vizier to carry them both before the caliph, to which the +judge criminal consented, being glad to serve the vizier. When he +came before the prince, he kissed the ground seven times, and +spake after this manner: "Commander of the faithful, I have +brought here before your majesty this old and this young man, +each of whom declares himself to be the sole murderer of the +lady." The caliph asked the criminals which of them it was that +so cruelly murdered the lady, and threw her into the Tigris? The +young man assured him it was he, but the old man maintained the +contrary. "Go," said the caliph to the grand vizier, "and cause +them both to be impaled." "But, Sir," said the vizier, "if only +one of them be guilty, it would be unjust to take the lives of +both." At these words the young man spoke again, "I swear by the +great God, who has raised the heavens so high, that I am the man +who killed the lady, cut her in pieces, and about four days ago +threw her into the Tigris. I renounce my part of happiness +amongst the just at the day of judgment, if what I say be not +truth; therefore I am he that ought to suffer." The caliph being +surprised at this oath, believed him; especially since the old +man made no answer. Whereupon, turning to the young man, +"Wretch," said he, "what made thee commit that detestable crime, +and what is it that moves thee to offer thyself voluntarily to +die?" "Commander of the faithful," said he, "if all that has past +between that lady and me were set down in writing, it would be a +history that might be useful to other men." "I command thee then +to relate it," said the caliph. The young man obeyed, and began +his history. + + + + + The Story of the Lady who was Murdered, and of the Young Man her + Husband. + + + +Commander of the faithful, this murdered lady was my wife, +daughter of this old man, who is my uncle by the father's side. +She was not above twelve years old, when eleven years ago he gave +her to me. I have three children by her, all boys, yet alive, and +I must do her the justice to say, that she never gave me the +least occasion for offence; she was chaste, of good behaviour, +and made it her whole business to please me. And on my part I +ardently loved her, and in every thing rather anticipated than +opposed her wishes. + +About two months ago she fell sick; I took all imaginable care of +her, and spared nothing that could promote her speedy recovery. +After a month thus passed she began to grow better, and expressed +a wish to go to the bath. Before she went, "Cousin," said she +(for so she used to call me out of familiarity), "I long for some +apples; if you would get me any, you would greatly please me. I +have longed for them a great while, and I must own it is come to +that height, that if I be not satisfied very soon, I fear some +misfortune will befall me." "I will cheerfully try," said I, "and +do all in my power to make you easy." + +I went immediately round all the markets and shops in the town to +seek for apples, but I could not get one, though I offered to pay +a sequin a piece. I returned home much dissatisfied at my +failure; and for my wife, when she returned from the bagnio, and +saw no apples, she became so very uneasy, that she could not +sleep all night. I got up by times in the morning, and went +through all the gardens, but had no better success than the day +before; only I happened to meet an old gardener, who told me, +that all my pains would signify nothing, for I could not expect +to find apples any where but in your majesty's garden at +Bussorah. As I loved my wife passionately, and would not neglect +to satisfy her, I dressed myself in a traveller's habit, and +after I had told her my design, went to Bussorah, and made my +journey with such speed, that I returned at the end of fifteen +days with three apples, which cost me a sequin apiece, for as +there were no more left, the gardener would not let me have them +for less. As soon as I came home, I presented them to my wife, +but her longing had ceased, she satisfied herself with receiving +them, and laid them down by her. In the mean time she continued +sickly, and I knew not what remedy to procure for her relief. + +Some few days after I returned from my journey, sitting in my +shop in the public place where all sorts of fine stuffs are sold, +I saw an ugly, tall, black slave come in, with an apple in his +hand, which I knew to be one of those I had brought from +Bussorah. I had no reason to doubt it, because I was certain +there was not one to be had in Bagdad, nor in any of the gardens +in the vicinity. I called to him, and said, "Good slave, pr'ythee +tell me where thou hadst this apple?" "It is a present" (said he, +smiling) "from my mistress. I went to see her to-day, and found +her out of order. I saw three apples lying by her, and asked her +where she had them. She told me the good man, her husband, had +made a fortnight's journey on purpose, and brought them to her. +We had a collation together; and, when I took my leave of her, I +brought away this apple." + +This account rendered me distracted. I rose, shut up my shop, ran +home with all speed, and going to my wife's chamber, looked +immediately for the apples, and seeing only two, asked what was +become of the third. My wife, turning her head to the place where +the apples lay, and perceiving there were but two, answered me +coldly, "Cousin, I know not what is become of it." At this reply +I was convinced what the slave had told me was true; and giving +myself up to madness and jealousy, drew my knife from my girdle, +and thrust it into the unfortunate creature's throat. I +afterwards cut off her head, and divided her body into four +quarters, which I packed up in a bundle, sewed it up with a +thread of red yarn, put all together in a trunk, and when night +came, carried it on my shoulder down to the Tigris, where I sunk +it. + +The two youngest of my children were asleep, the third was out; +but at my return, I found him sitting by my gate, weeping. I +asked him the reason; "Father," said he, "I took this morning +from my mother, without her knowledge, one of those three apples +you brought her, and kept it a long while; but, as I was playing +some time ago with my little brother in the street, a tall slave +passing by snatched it out of my hands, and carried it away. I +ran after him, demanding it back, and besides told him, that it +belonged to my mother, who was sick; and that you had made a +fortnight's journey to procure it; but all to no purpose, he +would not restore it. And as I still followed him, crying out, he +turned and beat me, and then ran away as fast as he could from +one lane to another, till at length I lost sight of him. I have +since been walking without the town expecting your return, to +pray you, dear father, not to tell my mother of it, lest it +should make her worse!" When he had thus spoken he fell a weeping +again more bitterly than before. + +My son's account afflicted me beyond measure. I then found myself +guilty of an enormous crime, and repented too late of having so +easily believed the calumnies of a wretched slave, who, from what +he had learnt of my son, had invented that fatal falsehood. + +My uncle here present came just at that time to see his daughter, +but instead of finding her alive, understood from me that she was +dead, for I concealed nothing from him; and without staying for +his censure, declared myself the greatest criminal in the world. + +Upon this, instead of reproaching me, he joined his tears with +mine, and we together wept three days without intermission, he +for the loss of a daughter whom he had loved tenderly; and I for +the loss of a beloved wife, of whom I had deprived myself in so +cruel a manner by giving too easy credit to the report of a lying +slave. + +This, commander of the faithful, is the sincere confession your +majesty required from me. You have now heard all the +circumstances of my crime, and I must humbly beg of you to order +the punishment due for it; how severe soever it may be, I shall +not in the least complain, but esteem it too easy and light. + +The caliph was much astonished at the young man's relation. But +this just prince, finding he was rather to be pitied than +condemned, began to speak in his favour: "This young man's +crime," said he, "is pardonable before God, and excusable with +men. The wicked slave is the sole cause of this murder; it is he +alone that must be punished: wherefore," continued he, looking +upon the grand vizier, "I give you three days' time to find him +out; if you do not bring him within that space, you shall die in +his stead." The unfortunate Jaaffier, had thought himself out of +danger, was perplexed at this order of the caliph; but as he +durst not return any answer to the prince, whose hasty temper he +knew too well, he departed from his presence, and retired +melancholy to his house, convinced that he had but three days to +live; for he was so fully persuaded that he should not find the +slave, that he made not the least enquiry after him. "Is it +possible," said he, "that in such a city as Bagdad, where there +is an infinite number of negro slaves, I should be able to find +him out that is guilty? Unless God be pleased to interpose as he +hath already to detest the murderer, nothing can save my life." + +He spent the first two days in mourning with his family, who sat +round him weeping and complaining of the caliph's cruelty. The +third day being arrived, he prepared himself to die with courage, +as an honest minister, and one who had nothing to trouble his +conscience; he sent for notaries and witnesses' who signed his +will. After which he took leave of his wife and children, and +bade them farewell. All his family were drowned in tears, so that +there never was a more sorrowful spectacle. At last a messenger +came from the caliph to tell him that he was out of all patience, +having heard nothing from him concerning the negro slave whom he +had commanded him to search for; "I am therefore ordered," said +the messenger, "to bring you before his throne." The afflicted +vizier, obeyed the mandate, but as he was going out, they brought +him his youngest daughter, about five or six years of age, to +receive his last blessing. + +As he had a particular affection for that child, he prayed the +messenger to give him leave to stop a moment, and taking his +daughter in his arms, kissed her several times: as he kissed her, +he perceived she had something in her bosom that looked bulky, +and had a sweet scent. "My dear little one," said he, "what hast +thou in thy bosom?" "My dear father," she replied, "it is an +apple which our slave Rihan sold me for two sequins." + +At these words apple and slave, the grand vizier, uttered an +exclamation of surprise, intermixed with joy, and putting his +hand into the child's bosom, pulled out the apple. He caused the +slave, who was not far off, to be brought immediately, and when +he came, "Rascal," said he, "where hadst thou this apple?" "My +lord," replied the slave, "I swear to you that I neither stole it +in your house, nor out of the commander of the faithful's garden; +but the other day, as I was passing through a street where three +or four children were at play, one of them having it in his hand, +I snatched it from him, and carried it away. The child ran after +me, telling me it was not his own, but belonged mother, who was +sick; and that his father, to satisfy her longing, had made a +long journey, and brought home three apples, whereof this was +one, which he had taken from his mother without her knowledge. He +said all he could to prevail upon me to give it him back, but I +refused, and so brought it home, and sold it for two sequins to +the little lady your daughter." + +Jaaffier could not reflect without astonishment that the +mischievousness of a slave had been the cause of an innocent +woman's death, and nearly of his own. He carried the slave along +with him, and when he came before the caliph, gave the prince an +exact account of what the slave had told him, and the chance +which led him to the discovery of his crime. + +Never was any surprise so great as that of the caliph, yet he +could not refrain from falling into excessive fits of laughter. +At last he recovered himself, and with a serious air told the +vizier, that since his slave had been the occasion of murder, he +deserved an exemplary punishment. "I must own it," said the +vizier, "but his guilt is not unpardonable: I remember the +wonderful history of a vizier, of Cairo, and am ready to relate +it, upon condition that if your majesty finds it more astonishing +than that which gives me occasion to tell it, you will be pleased +to pardon my slave." "I consent," said the caliph; "but you +undertake a hard task, for I do not believe you can save your +slave, the story of the apples being so very singular." Upon +this, Jaaffier began his story thus: + + + + + The Story of Noor ad Deen Ali and Buddir ad Deen Houssun. + + + +Commander of the faithful, there was formerly a sultan of Egypt, +a strict observer of justice, gracious, merciful, and liberal, +and his valour made him terrible to his neighbours. He loved the +poor, and protected the learned, whom he advanced to the highest +dignities. This sultan had a vizier, who was prudent, wise, +sagacious, and well versed in all sciences. This minister had two +sons, who in every thing followed his footsteps. The eldest was +called Shumse ad Deen Mahummud, and the younger Noor ad Deen Ali. +The latter was endowed with all the good qualities that man could +possess. + +The vizier their father being dead, the sultan caused them both +to put on the robes of a vizier, "I am as sorry," said he, "as +you are for the loss of your father; and because I know you live +together, and love one another cordially, I will bestow his +dignity upon you conjointly; go, and imitate your father's +conduct." + +The two new viziers humbly thanked the sultan, and retired to +make due preparation for their father's interment. They did not +go abroad for a month, after which they repaired to court, and +attended their duties. When the sultan hunted, one of the +brothers accompanied him, and this honour they had by turns. One +evening as they were conversing together after a cheerful meal, +the next day being the elder brother's turn to hunt with the +sultan, he said to his younger brother, "Since neither of us is +yet married, and we live so affectionately together, let us both +wed the same day sisters out of some family that may suit our +quality. What do you think of this plan?" "Brother," answered the +other vizier, "there cannot be a better thought; for my part, I +will agree to any thing you approve." "But this is not all," said +the elder; "my fancy carries me farther: Suppose both our wives +should conceive the first night of our marriage, and should +happen to be brought to bed on one day, yours of a son, and mine +of a daughter, we will give them to each other in marriage." +"Nay," said Noor ad Deen aloud, "I must acknowledge that this +prospect is admirable; such a marriage will perfect our union, +and I willingly consent to it. But then, brother," said he +farther, "if this marriage should happen, would you expect that +my son should settle a jointure on your daughter?" "There is no +difficulty in that," replied the other; "for I am persuaded, that +besides the usual articles of the marriage contract, you will not +fail to promise in his name at least three thousand sequins, +three landed estates, and three slaves." "No," said the younger +"I will not consent to that; are we not brethren, and equal in +title and dignity? Do not you and I know what is just? The male +being nobler than the female, it is your part to give a large +dowry with your daughter. By what I perceive, you are a man that +would have your business done at another's charge." + +Although Noor ad Deen spoke these words in jest, his brother +being of a hasty temper, was offended, and falling into a passion +said, "A mischief upon your son, since you prefer him before my +daughter. I wonder you had so much confidence as to believe him +worthy of her; you must needs have lost your judgment to think +you are my equal, and say we are colleagues. I would have you to +know, that since you are so vain, I would not marry my daughter +to your son though you would give him more than you are worth." +This pleasant quarrel between two brothers about the marriage of +their children before they were born went so far, that Shumse ad +Deen concluded by threatening: "Were I not to-morrow," said he, +"to attend the sultan, I would treat you as you deserve; but at +my return, I will make you sensible that it does not become a +younger brother to speak so insolently to his elder as you have +done to me." Upon this he retired to his apartment in anger. + +Shumse ad Deen rising early next morning, attended the sultan, +who went to hunt near the pyramids. As for Noor ad Deen, he was +very uneasy all night, and supposing it would not be possible to +live longer with a brother who had treated him with so much +haughtiness, he provided a stout mule, furnished himself with +money and jewels, and having told his people that he was going on +a private journey for two or three days, departed. + +When out of Cairo, he rode by way of the desert towards Arabia; +but his mule happening to tire, was forced to continue his +journey on foot. A courier who was going to Bussorah, by good +fortune overtaking him, took him up behind him. As soon as the +courier reached that city, Noor ad Deen alighted, and returned +him thanks for his kindness. As he went about to seek for a +lodging, he saw a person of quality with a numerous retinue, to +whom all the people shewed the greatest respect, and stood still +till he had passed. This personage was grand vizier, to the +sultan of Bussorah, who was passing through the city to see that +the inhabitants kept good order and discipline. + +This minister casting his eyes by chance on Noor ad Deen Ali, +perceiving something extraordinary in his aspect, looked very +attentively upon him, and as he saw him in a traveller's habit, +stopped his train, asked him who he was, and from whence he came? +"Sir," said Noor ad Deen, "I am an Egyptian, born at Cairo, and +have left my country, because of the unkindness of a near +relation, resolved to travel through the world, and rather to die +than return home." The grand vizier, who was a good-natured man, +after hearing these words, said to him, "Son, beware; do not +pursue your design; you are not sensible of the hardships you +must endure. Follow me; I may perhaps make you forget the +misfortunes which have forced you to leave your own country." + +Noor ad Deen followed the grand vizier, who soon discovered his +good qualities, and conceived for him so great an affection, that +one day he said to him in private, "My son, I am, as you see, so +far gone in years, that it is not probable I shall live much +longer. Heaven has bestowed on me only one daughter, who is as +beautiful as you are handsome, and now fit for marriage. Several +nobles of the highest rank at this court have sought her for +their sons, but I would not grant their request. I have an +affection for you, and think you so worthy to be received into my +family, that, preferring you before all those who have demanded +her, I am ready to accept you for my son-in-law. If you like the +proposal, I will acquaint the sultan my master that I have +adopted you by this marriage, and intreat him to grant you the +reversion of my dignity of grand vizier in the kingdom of +Bussorah. In the mean time, nothing being more requisite for me +than ease in my old age, I will not only put you in possession of +great part of my estate, but leave the administration of public +affairs to your management." + +When the grand vizier had concluded this kind and generous +proposal, Noor ad Deen fell at his feet, and expressing himself +in terms that demonstrated his joy and gratitude, assured him, +that he was at his command in every way. Upon this the vizier +sent for his chief domestics, ordered them to adorn the great +hall of his palace, and prepare a splendid feast. He afterwards +sent to invite the nobility of the court and city, to honour him +with their company; and when they were all met (Noor ad Deen +having made known his quality), he said to the noblemen present, +for he thought it proper to speak thus on purpose to satisfy +those to whom he had refused his alliance, "I am now, my lords, +to discover a circumstance which hitherto I have keep a secret. I +have a brother, who is grand vizier to the sultan of Egypt. This +brother has but one son, whom he would not marry in the court of +Egypt, but sent him hither to wed my daughter in order that both +branches of our family may be united. His son, whom I knew to be +my nephew as soon as I saw him, is the young man I now present to +you as my son-in-law. I hope you will do me the honour to be +present at his wedding, which I am resolved to celebrate this +day." The noblemen, who could not be offended at his preferring +his nephew to the great matches that had been proposed, allowed +that he had very good reason for his choice, were willing to be +witnesses to the ceremony, and wished that God might prolong his +days to enjoy the satisfaction of the happy match. + +The lords met at the vizier of Bussorah's palace, having +testified their satisfaction at the marriage of his daughter with +Noor ad Deen Ali, sat down to a magnificent repast, after which, +notaries came in with the marriage contrast, and the chief lords +signed it; and when the company had departed, the grand vizier +ordered his servants to have every thing in readiness for Noor ad +Deen Ali, to bathe. He had fine new linen, and rich vestments +provided for him in the greatest profusion. Having bathed and +dressed, he was perfumed with the most odoriferous essences, and +went to compliment the vizier, his father-in-law, who was +exceedingly pleased with his noble demeanour. Having made him sit +down, "My son," said he, "you have declared to me who you are, +and the office you held at the court of Egypt. You have also told +me of a difference betwixt you and your brother, which occasioned +you to leave your country. I desire you to make me your entire +confidant, and to acquaint me with the cause of your quarrel; for +now you have no reason either to doubt my affection, or to +conceal any thing from me." + +Noor ad Deen informed him of every circumstance of the quarrel; at +which the vizier, burst out into a fit of laughter, and said, "This is +one of the strangest occurrences I ever heard. Is it possible, my son, +that your quarrel should rise so high about an imaginary marriage? I +am sorry you fell out with your elder brother upon such a frivolous +matter; but he was also wrong in being angry at what you only spoke in +jest, and I ought to thank heaven for that difference which has +procured me such a son-in-law. But," continued the vizier, "it is +late, and time for you to retire; go to your bride, my son, she +expects you: to-morrow, I will present you to the sultan, and hope he +will receive you in such a manner as shall satisfy us both." Noor ad +Deen Ali took leave of his father-in-law, and retired to his bridal +apartment. + +It is remarkable that Shumse ad Deen Mahummud happened also to +marry at Cairo the very same day that this marriage was +solemnized at Bussorah, the particulars of which are as follow: + +After Noor ad Deen Ali left Cairo, with an intention never to +return, his elder brother, who was hunting with the sultan of +Egypt, was absent for a month; for the sultan being fond of the +chase, continued it often for so long a period. At his return, +Shumse ad Deen was much surprised when he understood, that under +presence of taking a short journey his brother departed from +Cairo on a mule the same day as the sultan, and had never +appeared since. It vexed him so much the more, because he did not +doubt but the harsh words he had used had occasioned his flight. +He sent a messenger in search of him, who went to Damascus, and +as far as Aleppo, but Noor ad Deen was then at Bussorah. When the +courier returned and brought no news of him, Shumse ad Deen +intended to make further inquiry after him in other parts; but in +the meantime matched with the daughter of one of the greatest +lords in Cairo, upon the same day in which his brother married +the daughter of the grand vizier, of Bussorah. + +At the end of nine months the wife of Shumse ad Deen was brought +to bed of a daughter at Cairo, and on the same day the lady of +Noor ad Deen was delivered of a son at Bussorah, who was called +Buddir ad Deen Houssun. + +The grand vizier, of Bussorah testified his joy for the birth of +his grandson by gifts and public entertainments. And to shew his +son-in-law the great esteem he had for him, he went to the +palace, and most humbly besought the sultan to grant Noor ad Deen +Ali his office, that he might have the comfort before his death +to see his son in-law made grand vizier, in his stead. + +The sultan, who had conceived a distinguished regard for Noor ad +Deen when the vizier, had presensed him upon his marriage, and +had ever since heard every body speak well of him, readily +granted his father-in-law's request, and caused Noor ad Deen +immediately to be invested with the robe and insignia of the +vizarut, such as state drums, standards, and writing apparatus of +gold richly enamelled and set with jewels. + +The next day, when the father saw his son-in-law preside in +council, as he himself had done, and perform all the offices of +grand vizier, his joy was complete. Noor ad Deen Ali conducted +himself with that dignity and propriety which shewed him to have +been used to state affairs, and engaged the approbation of the +sultan, and reverence and affection of the people. + +The old vizier of Bussorah died about four years afterwards with +great satisfaction, seeing a branch of his family that promised +so fair to support its future consequence and respectability. + +Noor ad Deen Ali, performed his last duty to him with all +possible love and gratitude. And as soon as his son Buddir ad +Deen Houssun had attained the age of seven years, provided him an +excellent tutor, who taught him such things as became his birth. +The child had a ready wit, and a genius capable of receiving all +the good instructions that could be given. + +After Buddir ad Deen had been two years under the tuition of his +master, who taught him perfectly to read, he learnt the Koran by +heart. His father put him afterwards to other tutors, by whom his +mind was cultivated to such a degree, that when he was twelve +years of age he had no more occasion for them. And then, as his +physiognomy promised wonders, he was admired by all who saw him. + +Hitherto his father had kept him to study, but now he introduced +him to the sultan, who received him graciously. The people who +saw him in the streets were charmed with his demeanour, and gave +him a thousand blessings. + +His father proposing to render him capable of supplying his +place, accustomed him to business of the greatest moment, on +purpose to qualify him betimes. In short, he omitted nothing to +advance a son he loved so well. But as he began to enjoy the +fruits of his labour, he was suddenly seized by a violent fit of +sickness; and finding himself past recovery, disposed himself to +die a good Mussulmaun. + +In that last and precious moment he forgot not his son, but +called for him, and said, "My son, you see this world is +transitory; there is nothing durable but in that to which I shall +speedily go. You must therefore from henceforth begin to fit +yourself for this change, as I have done; you must prepare for it +without murmuring, so as to have no trouble of conscience for not +having acted the part of a really honest man. As for your +religion, you are sufficiently instructed in it, by what you have +learnt from your tutors, and your own study; and as to what +belongs to an upright man, I shall give you some instructions, of +which I hope you will make good use. As it is a necessary thing +to know one's self, and you cannot come to that knowledge without +you first understand who I am, I shall now inform you. + +"I am a native of Egypt; my father, your grandfather, was first +minister to the sultan of that kingdom. I had myself the honour +to be vizier, to that sultan, and so has my brother, your uncle, +who I suppose is yet alive; his name is Shumse ad Deen Mahummud. +I was obliged to leave him, and come into this country, where I +have raised myself to the high dignity I now enjoy. But you will +understand all these matters more fully by a manuscript that I +shall give you." + +At the same time, Noor ad Deen Ali gave to his son a memorandum +book, saying, "Take and read it at your leisure; you will find, +among other things, the day of my marriage, and that of your +birth. These are circumstances which perhaps you may hereafter +have occasion to know, therefore you must keep it very +carefully." + +Buddir ad Deen Houssun being sincerely afflicted to see his +father in this condition, and sensibly touched with his +discourse, could not but weep when he received the memorandum +book, and promised at the same time never to part with it. + +That very moment Noor ad Deen fainted, so that it was thought he +would have expired; but he came to himself again, and spoke as +follows: + +"My son, the first instruction I give you, is, Not to make +yourself familiar with all sorts of people. The way to live happy +is to keep your mind to yourself, and not to tell your thoughts +too easily. + +"Secondly, Not to do violence to any body whatever, for in that +case you will draw every body's hatred upon you. You ought to +consider the world as a creditor, to whom you owe moderation, +compassion, and forbearance. + +"Thirdly, Not to say a word when you are reproached; for, as the +proverb says, 'He that keeps silence is out of danger.' And in +this case particularly you ought to practice it. You also know +what one of our poets says upon this subject, 'That silence is +the ornament and safe-guard of life'; That our speech ought not +to be like a storm of hail that spoils all. Never did any man yet +repent of having spoken too little, whereas many have been sorry +that they spoke so much. + +"Fourthly, To drink no wine, for that is the source of all vices. + +"Fifthly, To be frugal in your way of living; if you do not +squander your estate, it will maintain you in time of necessity. +I do not mean you should be either profuse or niggardly; for +though you have little, if you husband it well, and lay it out on +proper occasions, you will have many friends; but if on the +contrary you have great riches, and make but a bad use of them, +all the world will forsake you, and leave you to yourself." + +In short, the virtuous Noor ad Deen continued till the last +aspiration of his breath to give good advice to his son; and when +he was dead he was magnificently interred. + +Noor ad Deen was buried with all the honours due to his rank. +Buddir ad Deen Houssun of Bussorah, for so he was called, because +born in that city, was with grief for the death of his father, +that instead of a month's time to mourn, according to custom, he +kept himself shut up in tears and solitude about two months, +without seeing any body, or so much as going abroad to pay his +duty to his sovereign. The sultan being displeased at his +neglect, and looking upon it as a alight, suffered his passion to +prevail, and in his anger, called for the new grand vizier, (for +he had created another on the death of Noor ad Deen), commanded +him to go to the house of the deceased, and seize upon it, with +all his other houses, lands, and effects, without leaving any +thing for Buddir ad Deen Houssun, and to confine his person. + +The new grand vizier, accompanied by his officers, went +immediately to execute his commission. But one of Buddir ad Deen +Houssun's slaves happening accidentally to come into the crowd, +no sooner understood the vizier's errand, than he ran before to +give his master warning. He found him sitting in the vestibule of +his house, as melancholy as if his father had been but newly +dead. He fell down at his feet out of breath, and alter he had +kissed the hem of his garment, cried out, "My lord, save yourself +immediately." The unfortunate youth lifting up his head, +exclaimed, "What news dost thou bring?" "My lord," said he, +"there is no time to be lost; the sultan is incensed against you, +has sent to confiscate your estates, and to seize your person." + +The words of this faithful and affectionate slave occasioned +Buddir ad Deen Houssun great alarm. "May not I have so much +time," said he, "as to take some money and jewels along with me?" +"No, Sir," replied the slave, "the grand vizier, will be here +this moment; be gone immediately, save yourself." The unhappy +youth rose hastily from his sofa, put his feet in his sandals, +and after he had covered his head with the skirt of his vest, +that his face might not be known, fled, without knowing what way +to go, to avoid the impending danger. + +He ran without stopping till he came to the public burying-ground, and +as it was growing dark, resolved to pass that night in his father's +tomb. It was a large edifice, covered by a dome, which Noor ad Deen +Ali, as is common with the Mussulmauns, had erected for his sepulture. +On the way Buddir ad Deen met a Jew, who was a banker and merchant, +and was returning from a place where his affairs had called him, to +the city. + +The Jew, knowing Buddir ad Deen, stopped, and saluted him very +courteously. + +Isaac the Jew, after he had paid his respects to Buddir ad Deen +Houssun, by kissing his hand, said, "My lord, dare I be so bold +as to ask whither you are going at this time of night alone, and +so much troubled? Has any thing disquieted you?" "Yes," said +Buddir ad Deen, "a while ago I was asleep, and my father appeared +to me in a dream, looking very fiercely upon me, as if much +displeased. I started out of my sleep in alarm, and came out +immediately to go and pray upon his tomb." + +"My lord," said the Jew (who did not know the true reason why +Buddir ad Deen had left the town), "your father of happy memory, +and my good lord, had store of merchandize in several vessels, +which are yet at sea, and belong to you; I beg the favour of you +to grant me the refusal of them before any other merchant. I am +able to pay down ready money for all the goods that are in your +ships: and to begin, if you will give me those that happen to +come in the first that arrives in safety, I will pay you down in +part of payment a thousand sequins," and drawing out a bag from +under his vest, he shewed it him sealed up with one seal. + +Buddir ad Deen Houssun being banished from home, and dispossessed +of all that he had in the world, looked on this proposal of the +Jew as a favour from heaven, and therefore accepted it with joy. +"My lord," said the Jew, "then you sell me for a thousand sequins +the lading of the first of your ships that shall arrive in port?" +"Yes," answered Buddir ad Deen, "I sell it to you for a thousand +sequins; it is done." Upon this the Jew delivered him the bag of +a thousand sequins, and offered to count them, but Buddir ad Deen +said he would trust his word. "Since it is so, my lord," said he, +"be pleased to favour me with a small note of the bargain we have +made." As he spoke, he pulled the inkhorn from his girdle, and +taking a small reed out of it neatly cut for writing, presented +it to him with a piece of paper. Buddir ad Deen Houssun wrote +these words: + +"This writing is to testify, that Buddir ad Deen Houssun of +Bussorah, has sold to Isaac the Jew, for the sum of one thousand +sequins, received in hand, the lading of the first of his ships +that shall arrive in this port." + +This note he delivered to the Jew, after having stamped it with +his seal, and then took his leave of him. + +While Isaac pursued his journey to the city, Buddir ad Deen made +the best of his way to his father's tomb. When he came to it, he +prostrated himself to the ground, and, with his eyes full of +tears, deplored his miserable condition. "Alas!" said he, +"unfortunate Buddir ad Deen, what will become of thee? Whither +canst thou fly for refuge against the unjust prince who +persecutes thee? Was it not enough to be afflicted by the death +of so dear a father? Must fortune needs add new misfortunes to +just complaints?" He continued a long time in this posture, but +at last rose up, and leaning his head upon his father's +tombstone, his sorrows returned more violently than before; so +that he sighed and mourned, till, overcome with heaviness, he +sunk upon the floor, and drops asleep. + +He had not slept long, when a genie, who had retired to the +cemetery during the day, and was intending, according to his +custom, to range about the world at night, entered the sepulchre, +and finding Buddir ad Deen lying on his back, was surprised at +his beauty. + +When the genie had attentively considered Buddir ad Deen Houssun, +he said to himself, "To judge of this creature by his beauty, he +would seem to be an angel of the terrestrial paradise, whom God +has sent to put the world in a flame by his charms." At last, +after he had satisfied himself with looking at him, he tool; a +flight into the air, where meeting by chance with a perie, they +saluted one another; after which he said to her, "Pray descend +with me into the cemetery, where I dwell, and I will shew you a +beauty worthy your admiration." The perie consented, and both +descended in an instant; they came into the tomb. "Look," said +the genie, shewing her Buddir ad Deen Houssun, "did you ever see +a youth more beautiful?" + +The perie having attentively observed Buddir ad Deen, replied, "I +must confess that he is a very handsome man, but I am just come +from seeing an objets at Cairo, more admirable than this; and if +you will hear me, I will relate her unhappy fate." "You will very +much oblige me," answered the genie. "You must know then," said +the perie, "that the sultan of Egypt has a vizier, Shumse ad Deen +Mahummud, who has a daughter most beautiful and accomplished. The +sultan having heard of this young lady's beauty, sent the other +day for her father, and said, 'I understand you have a daughter +to marry; I would have her for my bride: will not you consent?' +The vizier, who did not expect this proposal, was troubled, and +instead of accepting it joyfully, which another in his place +would certainly have done, he answered the sultan: 'May it please +your majesty, I am not worthy of the honour you would confer upon +me, and I most humbly beseech you to pardon me, if I do not +accede to your request. You know I had a brother, who had the +honour, as well as myself, to be one of your viziers: we had some +difference together, which was the cause of his leaving me +suddenly. Since that time I have had no account of him till +within these four days, that I heard he died at Bussorah, being +grand vizier to the sultan of that kingdom. + +"'He has left a son, and there having been an agreement between +us to match our children together, I am persuaded he intended +that match when he died; and being desirous to fulfil the promise +on my part, I conjure your majesty to grant me permission.' + +"The sultan of Egypt, provoked at this denial of his vizier said +to him in anger which he could not restrain: 'Is this the way in +which you requite my condescension in stooping so low as to +desire your alliance? I know how to revenge your presumption in +daring to prefer another to me, and I swear that your daughter +shall be married to the most contemptible and ugly of my slaves.' +Having thus spoken, he angrily commanded the vizier to quit his +presence. The vizier retired to his palace full of confusion, and +overwhelmed in despair. + +"This very day the sultan sent for one of his grooms, who is +hump-backed, big-bellied, crook legged, and as ugly as a +hobgoblin; and after having commanded the vizier to marry his +daughter to this ghastly slave, he caused the contract to be made +and signed by witnesses in his own presence. The preparations for +this fantastical wedding are all ready, and this very moment all +the slaves belonging to the lords of the court of Egypt are +waiting at the door of a bath, each with a flambeau in his hand, +for the crook-back groom, who is bathing, to go along with them +to his bride, who is already dressed to receive him; and when I +departed from Cairo, the ladies met for that purpose were going +to conduct her in her nuptial attire to the hall, where she is to +receive her hump-backed bridegroom, and is this minute expecting +him. I have seen her, and do assure you, that no person can +behold her without admiration." + +When the perie left off speaking, the genie said to her, "Whatever you +think or say, I cannot be persuaded that the girl's beauty exceeds +that of this young man." "I will not dispute it with you," answered +the perie; "for I must confess he deserves to be married to that +charming creature, whom they design for hump-back; and I think it were +a deed worthy of us to obstruct the sultan of Egypt's injustice, and +put this young gentleman in the room of the slave." "You are in the +right," answered the genie; "I am extremely obliged to you for so good +a thought; let us deceive him. I consent to your revenge upon the +sultan of Egypt; let us comfort a distressed father, and make his +daughter as happy as she thinks herself miserable. I will do my utmost +endeavours to make this project succeed, and I am persuaded you will +not be backward. I will be at the pains to carry him to Cairo before +he awakes, and afterwards leave it to your care to carry him +elsewhere, when we have accomplished our design." + +The perie and the genie having thus concerted what they had to do, the +genie lifted up Buddir ad Deen Houssun gently, and with an +inconceivable swiftness conveyed him through the air and set him down +at the door of a building next to the bath, whence hump-back was to +come with a train of slaves that waited for him. Buddir ad Deen awoke, +and was naturally alarmed at finding himself in the middle of a city +he knew not; he was going to cry out, but the genie touched him gently +on the shoulder, and forbad him to speak. He then put a torch in his +hand, saying, "Go, and mix with the crowd at the door of the bath; +follow them till you come into a hall, where they are going to +celebrate a marriage. The bridegroom is a hump-backed fellow, and by +that you will easily know him. Put yourself at the right hand as you +go in, open the purse of sequins you have in your bosom, distribute +them among the musicians and dancers as they go along; and when you +are got into the hall, give money also to the female slaves you see +about the bride; but every time you put your hand in your purse, be +sure to take out a whole handful, and do not spare them. Observe to do +everything exactly as I have desired you; be not afraid of any person, +and leave the rest to a superior power, who will order matters as he +thinks fit." + +Buddir ad Deen, being well instructed in all that he was to do, +advanced towards the door of the bath. The first thing he did was +to light his torch at that of a slave; and then mixing among them +as if he belonged to some noblemen of Cairo, he marched along as +they did, and followed humpback, who came out of the bath, and +mounted a horse from the sultan's own stable. + +Buddir ad Deen coming near to the musicians, and men and women +dancers, who went just before the bridegroom, pulled out time +after time whole handfuls of sequins, which he distributed among +them: and as he thus gave his money with an unparalleled grace +and engaging mien, all who received it fixed their eyes upon him; +and after they had a full view of his face, they found him so +handsome that they could not withdraw their attention. + +At last they came to the gates of the vizier who little thought +his nephew was so near. The doorkeepers, to prevent any disorder, +kept back all the slaves that carried torches, and would not +admit them. Buddir ad Deen was likewise refused; but the +musicians, who had free entrance, stood still, and protested they +would not go in, if they hindered him from accompanying them. "He +is not one of the slaves'" said they; "look upon him, and you +will soon be satisfied. He is certainly a young stranger, who is +curious to see the ceremonies observed at marriages in this +city;" and saying thus, they put him in the midst of them, and +carried him with them in spite of the porters. They took his +torch out of his hand, gave it to the first they met, and having +brought him into the hall, placed him at the right hand of the +hump-backed bridegroom, who sat near the vizier's daughter on a +throne most richly adorned. + +She appeared very lovely, but in her face there was nothing to be +seen but vexation and grief. The cause of this was easily to be +guessed, when she had by her side a bridegroom so very deformed, +and so unworthy of her love. The nuptial seat was in the midst of +an estrade. The ladies of the emirs, viziers, those of the +sultan's bed-chamber, and several other ladies of the court and +city, were placed on each side, a little lower, every one +according to her rank, and richly dressed, holding a large wax +taper in her hands. + +When they saw Buddir ad Deen Houssun, all fixed their eyes upon +him, and admiring his shape, his behaviour, and the beauty of his +face, they could not forbear looking upon him. When he was seated +every one deft their seats, came near him to have a full view of +his face, and all found themselves moved with love and +admiration. + +The disparity between Buddir ad Deen Houssun and the hump-backed +groom, who made such a contemptible figure, occasioned great +murmuring among the company; insomuch that the ladies cried out, +"We must give our bride to this handsome young gentleman, and not +to this ugly humpback." Nor did they rest here, but uttered +imprecations against the sultan, who, abusing his absolute power, +would unite ugliness and beauty together. They also mocked the +bridegroom, so as to put him out of countenance, to the great +satisfaction of the spectators, whose shouts for some time put a +stop to the concert of music in the hall. At last the musicians +began again, and the women who had dressed the bride surrounded +her. + +Each time that the bride retired to change her dress, she on her +return passed by hump-back without giving him one look, and went +towards Buddir ad Deen, before whom she presented herself in her +new attire. On this occasion, Buddir ad Deen, according to the +instructions given him by the genie, failed not to put his hands +in his purse, and pulled out handfuls of sequins, which he +distributed among the women that followed the bride. Nor did he +forget the players and dancers, but also threw money to them. It +was pleasant to see how they pushed one another to gather it up. +They shewed themselves thankful for his liberality. + +When the ceremony of changing habits was passed, the music ceased +and the company retired. The bride repaired to the nuptial +chamber, whither her attendants followed to undress her, and none +remained in the hall but the hump-back groom, Buddir ad Deen, and +some of the domestics. + +Hump-back, who was enraged at Buddir ad Deen, suspecting him to +be his rival, gave him a cross look, and said, "And thou, what +dost thou wait for? Why art thou not gone as well as the rest? +Depart!" Buddir ad Deen having no pretence to stay, withdrew, not +knowing what to do with himself. But before he got out of the +vestibule, the genie and the perie met and stopped him. "Whither +are you going?" said the perie; "stay, hump-back is not in the +hall, return, and introduce yourself into the bride's chamber. As +soon as you are alone with her, tell her boldly that you are her +husband, that the sultan's intention was only to make sport with +the groom. In the mean time we will take care that the hump-back +shall not return, and let nothing hinder your passing the night +with your bride, for she is yours and not his." + +While the perie thus encouraged Buddir ad Deen, and instructed +him how he should behave himself, hump-back had really gone out +of the room for a moment. The genie went to him in the shape of a +monstrous cat, mewing at a most fearful rate. Hump-back called to +the cat, he clapped his hands to drive her away, but instead of +retreating, she stood upon her hinder feet, staring with her eyes +like fire, looking fiercely at him, mewing louder than she did at +first, and increasing in size till she was as large as an ass. At +this sight, hump-back would have cried out for help, but his fear +was so great, that he stood gaping and could not utter one word. +That he might have no time to recover, the genie changed himself +immediately into a large buffalo, and in this stripe called to +him, with a voice that redoubled his fear, "Thou hump-backed +villain!" At these words the affrighted groom cast himself upon +the ground, and covering his face with his vest, that he might +not see this dreadful beast, "Sovereign prince of buffaloes," +said he, "what is it you want of me?" "Woe be to thee," replied +the genie, "hast thou the presumption to venture to marry my +mistress?" "O my lord," said hump-back, "I pray you to pardon me, +if I am guilty, it is through ignorance. I did not know that this +lady had a buffalo to her sweetheart: command me in anything you +please, I give you my oath that I am ready to obey you." "By +death," replied the genie; "if thou goest out from hence, or +speakest a word till the sun rises, I will crush thy head to +pieces. I warn thee to obey, for if thou hast the impudence to +return, it shall cost thee thy life." When the genie had done +speaking, he transformed himself into the shape of a man, took +hump-back by the legs, and after having set him against the wall +with his head downwards, "If thou stir," said he, "before the sun +rise, as I have told thee already, I will take thee by the heels +again, and dash thy head in a thousand pieces against the wall." + +To return to Buddir ad Deen. Prompted by the genie and the +presence of the perie, he returned to the hall, from whence he +slips into the bride-chamber, where he sat down, expecting the +success of his adventure. After a while the bride arrived, +conducted by an old matron, who came no farther than the door, +without looking in to see whether it were hump-back or another +that was there, and then retired. + +The beautiful bride was agreeably surprised to find instead of +hump-back a handsome youth, who gracefully addressed her. "What! +my dear friend," said she, "by your being here at this time of +night you must be my husband's comrade?" "No, madam," said Buddir +ad Deen, "I am of another quality than that ugly hump-back." +"But," said she, "you do not consider that you speak degradingly +of my husband." "He your husband," replied he: "can you retain +those thoughts so long? Be convinced of your mistake, for so much +beauty must never be sacrificed to the most contemptible of +mankind. It is I that am the happy mortal for whom it is +reserved. The sultan had a mind to make himself merry, by putting +this trick upon the vizier your father, but he chose me to be +your real husband. You might have observed how the ladies, the +musicians, the dancers, your women, and all the servants of your +family, were pleased with this comedy. We have sent hump-back to +his stable again." + +At this discourse the vizier's daughter (who was more like one +dead than alive when she came into the bride-chamber) put on a +gay air, which made her so handsome, that Buddir ad Deen was +charmed with her graces. + +"I did not expect," said she, "to meet with so pleasing a +surprise; and I had condemned myself to live unhappy all my days. +But my good fortune is so much the greater, that I possess in you +a man worthy of my tenderest affection." + +Buddir ad Deen, overjoyed to see himself possessor of so many +charms, retired with his bride, and laid his vesture aside, with +the bag that he had from the Jew; which, notwithstanding all the +money he had dispersed, was still full. + +Towards morning, while the two lovers were asleep, the genie, who had +met again with the perie, said, "It is time to finish what we have so +successfully carried on; let us not be overtaken by day-light, which +will soon appear; go you and bring off the young man again without +awaking him." + +The perie went into the bed-chamber where the two lovers were +fast asleep, took up Buddir ad Deen in his under vest and +drawers; and in company with the genie with wonderful swiftness +fled away with him to the gates of Damascus in Syria, where they +arrived just at the time when the officers of the mosques, +appointed for that end, were calling the people to prayers at +break of day. The perie laid Buddir ad Deen softly on the ground, +close by the gate, and departed with the genie. + +The gate of the city being opened, and many people assembled, +they were surprised to see a youth lying in his shirt and drawers +upon the ground. One said, "He has been hard put to it to get +away from his mistress, that he could not get time to put on his +clothes." "Look," said another, "how people expose themselves; +sure enough he has spent most part of the night in drinking with +his friends, till he has got drunk, and then, perhaps, having +occasion to go out, instead of returning, is come this length, +and not having his senses about him, was overtaken with sleep." +Others were of another opinion; but nobody could guess what had +been the real occasion of his coming thither. + +A small puff of wind happening to blow at this time, uncovered +his breast, which was whiter than snow. Every one being struck +with admiration at the fineness of his complexion, they spoke so +loud that they awaked him. + +His surprise was as great as theirs, when he found himself at the +gate of a city where he had never been before, and encompassed by +a crowd of people gazing at him. "Inform me," said he, "for God's +sake, where I am, and what you would have?" One of the crowd +spoke to him saying, "Young man, the gates of the city were just +now opened, and as we came out we found you lying here in this +condition: have you lain here all night? and do not you know that +you are at one of the gates of Damascus?" "At one of the gates of +Damascus!" answered Buddir ad Deen, "surely you mock me. When I +lay down to sleep last night I was at Cairo." When he had said +this, some of the people, moved with compassion for him, +exclaimed, "It is a pity that such a handsome young man should +have lost his senses;" and so went away. + +"My son," said an old man to him, "you know not what you say. How +is it possible that you, being this morning at Damascus, could be +last night at Cairo?" "It is true," said Buddir ad Deen, "and I +swear to you, that I was all day yesterday at Bussorah." He had +no sooner said this than all the people fell into a fit of +laughter, and cried out, "He's a fool, he's a madman." There were +some, however, that pitied him because of his youth; and one +among the company said to him, "My son, you must certainly be +crazed, you do not consider what you say. Is it possible that a +man could yesterday be at Bussorah, the same night at Cairo, and +this morning at Damascus? Surely you are asleep still, come rouse +up your spirits." "What I say," answered Buddir ad Deen Houssun, +"is so true that last night I was married in the city of Cairo." +All those who laughed before, could not forbear again at this +declaration. "Recollect yourself," said the same person who spoke +before; "you must have dreamt all this, and the fancy still +possesses your brain." "I am sensible of what I say," answered +the young man. "Pray can you tell me how it was possible for me +to go in a dream to Cairo, where I am very certain I was in +person, and where my bride was seven times brought before me, +each time dressed in a different habit, and where I saw an ugly +hump backed fellow, to whom they intended to give her? Besides, I +want to know what is become of my vest, my turban, and the bag of +sequins I had at Cairo?" + +Though he assured them that all these things were matters of +fact, yet they could not forbear to laugh at him: which put him +into such confusion, that he knew not what to think of all those +adventures. + +After Buddir ad Deen Houssun had confidently affirmed all that he +said to be true, he rose up to go into the town, and every one +who followed him called out, "A madman, a fool." Upon this some +looked out at their windows, some came to their doors, and others +joined with those that were about him, calling out as they did, +"A madman;" but not knowing for what. In this perplexity the +affrighted young man happened to come before a pastry-cook's +shop, and went into it to avoid the rabble. + +This pastry-cook had formerly been captain to a troop of Arabian +robbers, who plundered the caravans; and though he was become a +citizen of Damascus, where he behaved himself to every one's +satisfaction, yet he was dreaded by all who knew him; wherefore, +as soon as he came out to the rabble who followed Buddir ad Deen, +they dispersed. + +The pastry-cook asked him who he was, and what brought him +thither. Buddir ad Deen told him all, not concealing his birth, +nor the death of his father the grand vizier. He afterwards gave +him an account why he had left Bussorah; how, after he had fallen +asleep the night following upon his father's tomb, he found +himself when he awoke at Cairo, where he had married a lady; and +at last, in what amazement he was, when he found himself at +Damascus, without being able to penetrate into all those +wonderful adventures. + +"Your history is one of the most surprising," said the pastry-cook; +"but if you will follow my advice, you will let no man know those +matters you have revealed to me, but patiently wait till heaven thinks +fit to put an end to your misfortunes. You shall be welcome to stay +with me till then; and as I have no children, I will own you for my +son, if you consent; after you are so adopted, you may freely walk the +city, without being exposed any more to the insults of the rabble." + +Though this adoption was below the son of a grand vizier, Buddir ad +Deen was glad to accept of the pastry-cook's proposal, judging it the +best thing he could do, considering his circumstances. The cook +clothed him, called for witnesses, and went before a notary, where he +acknowledged him for his son. After this, Buddir ad Deen lived with +him under the name of Houssun, and learned the pastry-trade. + +While this passed at Damascus, the daughter of Shumse ad Deen +awoke, and finding Buddir ad Deen gone, supposed he had risen +softly for fear of disturbing her, but would soon return. As she +was in expectation of him, her father the vizier, (who was vexed +at the affront put upon him by the sultan) came and knocked at +her chamber-door, to bewail her sad destiny. He called her by her +name, and she knowing him by his voice, immediately got up, and +opened the door. She kissed his hand, and received him with so +much pleasure in her countenance, that she surprised the vizier +who expected to find her drowned in tears, and as much grieved as +himself. "Unhappy wretch!" said he in a passion, "do you appear +before me thus? after the hideous sacrifice you have just +consummated, can you see me with so much satisfaction?" + +The new bride seeing her father angry at her pleasant +countenance, said to him, "For God's sake, sir, do not reproach +me wrongfully; it is not the hump-back fellow, whom I abhor more +than death, it is not that monster I have married. Every body +laughed him to scorn, and put him so out of countenance, that he +was forced to run away and hide himself, to make room for a noble +youth, who is my real husband." "What fable do you tell me?" said +Shumse ad Deen, roughly. "What! Did not crook-back lie with you +tonight?" "No, sir," said she, "it was the youth I mentioned, who +has large eyes and black eyebrows." At these words the vizier, +lost all patience, and exclaimed in anger, "Ah, wicked woman! you +will make me distracted!" "It is you, father," said she, "that +put me out of my senses by your incredulity." "So, it is not +true," replied the vizier, "that hump-back----" "Let us talk no +more of hump-back," said she, "a curse upon hump-back. Father, I +assure you once more, that I did not bed with him, but with my +dear spouse, who, I believe, is not far off." + +Shumse ad Deen went out to seek him, but, instead of seeing +Buddir ad Deen, was surprised to find hump-back with his head on +the ground, and his heels uppermost, as the genie had set him +against the wall. "What is the meaning of this?" said he; "who +placed you thus?" Crookback, knowing it to be the vizier +answered, "Alas! alas! it is you then that would marry me to the +mistress of a genie in the form of a buffalo." + +Shumse ad Deen Mahummud, when he heard hump-back speak thus, +thought he was raving, bade him move, and stand upon his legs. "I +will take care how I stir," said hump-back, "unless the sun be +risen. Know, sir, that when I came last night to your palace, +suddenly a black cat appeared to me, and in an instant grew as +big as a buffalo. I have not forgotten what he enjoined me, +therefore you may depart, and leave me here." The vizier instead +of going away, took him by the heels, and made him stand up, when +hump-back ran off, without looking behind him; and coming to the +palace presented himself to the sultan, who laughed heartily when +informed how the genie had served him. + +Shumse ad Deen returned to his daughter's chamber, more +astonished than before. "My abused daughter," said he, "can you +give me no farther light in this miraculous affair?" "Sir," +replied she, "I can give you no other account than I have done +already. Here are my husband's clothes, which he put off last +night; perhaps you may find something among them that may solve +your doubt." She then shewed him Buddir ad Deen's turban, which +he examined narrowly on all sides, saying, "I should take this to +be a vizier's turban, if it were not made after the Bussorah +fashion." But perceiving something to be sewed between the stuff +and the lining, he called for scissors, and having unripped it, +found the paper which Noor ad Deen Ali had given to his son upon +his deathbed, and which Buddir ad Deen Houssun had sewn in his +turban for security. + +Shumse ad Deen having opened the paper, knew his brother's hand, +and found this superscription, "For my son Buddir ad Deen +Houssun." Before he could make any reflections upon it, his +daughter delivered him the bag, that lay under the garments, +which he likewise opened, and found it full of sequins: for, +notwithstanding all the liberality of Buddir ad Deen, it was +still kept full by the genie and perie. He read the following +words upon a note in the bag: "A thousand sequins belonging to +Isaac the Jew." And these lines underneath, which the Jew had +written, "Delivered to my lord Buddir ad Deen Houssun, for the +cargo of the first of those ships that formerly belonged to the +noble vizier, his father, of blessed memory, sold to me upon its +arrival in this place." He had scarcely read these words, when he +groaned heavily, and fainted away. + +The vizier Shumse ad Deen being recovered from his fit by the aid +of his daughter, and the women she called to her assistance; +"Daughter," said he, "do not alarm yourself at this accident, +occasioned by what is scarcely credible. Your bridegroom is your +cousin, the son of my beloved and deceased brother. The thousand +sequins in the bag reminds me of a quarrel I had with him, and is +without the dowry he gives you. God be praised for all things, +and particularly for this miraculous adventure, which +demonstrates his almighty power." Then looking again upon his +brother's writing, he kissed it several times, shedding abundance +of tears. + +He looked over the book from beginning to end. In it he found the +date of his brother's arrival at Bussorah, of his marriage, and +of the birth of his son; and when he compared them with the day +of his own marriage, and the birth of his daughter at Cairo, he +wondered at the exact coincidence which appeared in every +circumstance. + +The happy discovery put him into such a transport of joy, that he +took the book, with the ticket of the bag, and shewed them to the +sultan, who pardoned what was past, and was so much pleased with +the relation of this adventure, that he caused it with all its +circumstances to be put in writing for the information of +posterity. + +Meanwhile, the vizier. Shumse ad Deen could not comprehend the +reason why his nephew did not appear; he expected him every +moment, and was impatient to receive him to his arms. After he +had waited seven days in vain, he searched through all Cairo, but +could procure no intelligence of him, which threw him into great +perplexity. "This is the strangest occurrence," said he, "that +ever happened." In order to certify it, he thought fit to draw up +in writing with his own hand an account of the manner in which +the wedding had been solemnized; how the hall and his daughter's +bed-chamber were furnished, with the other circumstances. He +likewise made the turban, the bag, and the rest of Buddir ad +Deen's raiment into a bundle, and locked them up. + +After some days were past, the vizier's daughter perceived +herself pregnant, and after nine months was brought to bed of a +son. A nurse was provided for the child, besides other women and +slaves to wait upon him; and his grandfather called him Agib. + +When young Agib had attained the age of seven, the vizier, +instead of teaching him to read at home, put him to school with a +master who was in great esteem; and two slaves were ordered to +wait upon him. Agib used to play with his schoolfellows, and as +they were all inferior to him in rank, they shewed him great +respect, according to the example of their master, who many times +would pass by faults in him that he would correct in his other +pupils. This indulgence spoiled Agib; he became proud and +insolent, would have his play-fellows bear all from him, and +would submit to nothing from them, but be master every where; and +if any took the liberty to thwart him, he would call them a +thousand names, and many times beat them. + +In short, all the scholars grew weary of his insolence, and +complained of him to their master. He answered, "That they must +have patience." But when he saw that Agib grew still more and +more overbearing, and occasioned him much trouble, "Children," +said he to his scholars, "I find Agib is a little insolent +gentleman; I will shew you how to mortify him, so that he shall +never torment you any more. Nay, I believe it will make him leave +the school. When he comes again to-morrow, place yourselves round +him, and let one of you call out, 'Come, let us play, but upon +condition, that every one who desires to play shall tell his own +name, and the names of his father and mother; they who refuse +shall be esteemed bastards, and not be suffered to play in our +company.'" + +Next day when they were gathered together, they failed not to +follow their master's instructions. They placed themselves round +Agib, and one of them called out, "Let us begin a play, but on +condition that he who cannot tell his own name, and that of his +father and mother, shall not play at all." They all cried out, +and so did Agib, "We consent." Then he that spoke first asked +every one the question, and all fulfilled the condition except +Agib, who answered, "My name is Agib, my mother is called the +lady of beauty, and my father Shumse ad Deen Mahummud, vizier to +the sultan." + +At these words all the children cried out, "Agib, what do you +say? That is not the name of your father, but your grandfather." +"A curse on you," said he in a passion. "What! dare you say that +the vizier is not my father?" "No, no," cried they with great +laughter, "he is your grandfather, and you shall not play with +us. Nay we will take care how we come into your company." Having +spoken thus, they all left him, scoffing him, and laughing among +themselves, which mortified Agib so much that he wept. + +The schoolmaster who was near, and heard all that passed, came +up, and speaking to Agib, said, "Agib, do not you know that the +vizier is not your father, but your grandfather, and the father +of your mother the lady of beauty? We know not the name of your +father any more than you do. We only know that the sultan was +going to marry your mother to one of his grooms, a humpback +fellow; but a genie lay with her. This is hard upon you, but +ought to teach you to treat your schoolfellows with less +haughtiness." + +Agib being nettled at this, ran hastily out of the school. He +went directly sobbing to his mother's chamber, who being alarmed +to see him thus grieved, asked the reason. He could not answer +for tears, so great was his mortification, and it was long ere he +could speak plain enough to repeat what had been said to him, and +had occasioned his sorrow. + +When he came to himself. "Mother," said he "for the love of God +be pleased to tell me who is my father?" "My son," she replied, +"Shumse ad Deen Mahummud, who every day caresses you so kindly, +is your father." "You do not tell me truth," returned Agib; "he +is your father, and none of mine. But whose son am I?" At this +question, the lady of beauty calling to mind her wedding night, +which had been succeeded by a long widowhood, began to shed +tears, repining bitterly at the loss of so handsome a husband as +Buddir ad Deen. + +Whilst the lady of beauty and Agib were both weeping, the vizier +entered, who demanded the reason of their sorrow. The lady told +him the shame Agib had undergone at school, which so much +affected the vizier that he joined his tears with theirs, and +judging from this that the misfortune which had happened to his +daughter was the common discourse of the town, he was mortified +to the quick. + +Being thus afflicted, he went to the sultan's palace, and falling +prostrate at his feet, most humbly intreated permission to make a +journey in search of his nephew Buddir ad Deen Houssun. For he +could not bear any longer that the people of the city should +believe a genie had disgraced his daughter. + +The sultan was much concerned at the vizier's affliction, +approved his resolution, and gave him leave to travel. He caused +a passport also to be written for him, requesting in the +strongest terms all kings and princes in whose dominions Buddir +ad Deen might sojourn, to grant that the vizier might conduct him +to Cairo. + +Shumse ad Deen, not knowing how to express his gratitude to the +sultan, fell down before him a second time, while the floods of +tears he shed bore sufficient testimony to his feelings. At last, +having wished the sultan all manner of prosperity, he took his +leave and returned to his house, where he disposed every thing +for his journey; and the preparations were carried on with so +much diligence, that in four days after he left the city, +accompanied with his daughter the lady of beauty, and his +grandson Agib. + +They travelled nineteen days without intermission; but on the +twentieth, arriving at a pleasant mead, a small distance from the +gate of Damascus, they halted, and pitched their tents upon the +banks of a river which fertilizes the vicinity, and runs through +the town, one of the pleasantest in Syria, once the capital of +the caliphs; and celebrated for its elegant buildings, the +politeness of its inhabitants, and the abundance of its +conveniences. + +The vizier declared he would stay in that pleasant place two +days, and pursue his journey on the third. In the mean time he +gave his retinue leave to go to Damascus; and almost all of them +made use of it: some influenced by curiosity to see a city they +had heard so much of, and others by the opportunity of vending +the Egyptian goods they had brought with them, or buying stuffs, +and the rarities of the country. The beautiful lady desiring her +son Agib might share in the satisfaction of viewing that +celebrated city, ordered the black eunuch, who acted in quality +of his governor, to conduct him thither. + +Agib, in magnificent apparel, went with the eunuch, who had a +large cane in his hand. They had no sooner entered the city, than +Agib, fair and glorious as the day, attracted the eyes of the +people. Some got out of their houses to gain a nearer and +narrower view of him; others put their heads out of the windows, +and those who passed along the street were not satisfied in +stopping to look upon him, but kept pace with him, to prolong the +pleasure of the agreeable sight: in fine, there was not a person +that did not admire him, and bestow a thousand benedictions on +the father and mother that had given being to so fine a child. By +chance the eunuch and he passed by the shop of Buddir ad Deen +Houssun, and there the crowd was so great, that they were forced +to halt. + +The pastry-cook who had adopted Buddir ad Deen Houssun had died +some years before, and left him his shop and all his property, +and he conducted the pastry trade so dexterously, that he had +gained great reputation in Damascus. Buddir ad Deen seeing so +great a crowd before his door, who were gazing so attentively +upon Agib and the black eunuch, stepped out to see them himself. + +Having cast his eyes upon Agib, Buddir ad Deen found himself +moved, he knew not how, nor for what reason. He was not struck +like the people with the brilliant beauty of the boy; another +cause unknown to him gave rise to the uneasiness and emotion he +felt. It was the force of blood that wrought in this tender +father; who, laying aside his business, made up to Agib, and with +an engaging air, said to him: "My little lord, who hast won my +soul, be so kind as to come into my shop, and eat a bit of such +fare as I have; that I may have the pleasure of admiring you at +my ease." These words he pronounced with such tenderness, that +tears trickled from his eyes. Little Agib was moved when he saw +his emotion; and turning to the eunuch, said, "This honest man +speaks in such an affectionate manner, that I cannot avoid +complying with his request; let us step into his house, and taste +his pastry." "It would be a fine thing truly," replied the slave, +"to see the son of a vizier go into a pastry-cook's shop to eat; +do not imagine that I will suffer any such thing." "Alas! my +lord," cried Buddir ad Deen, "it is cruelty to trust the conduct +of you in the hands of a person who treats you so harshly." Then +applying himself to the eunuch, "My good friend," continued he, +"pray do not hinder this young lord from granting me the favour I +ask; do not put such mortification upon me: rather do me the +honour to walk in along with him, and by so doing, you will let +the world know, that, though your outside is brown like a +chestnut, your inside is as white. Do you know," continued he, +"that I am master of the secret to make you white, instead of +being black as you are?" This set the eunuch a laughing, and then +he asked what that secret was. "I will tell you," replied Buddir +ad Deen, who repeated some verses in praise of black eunuchs, +implying, that it was by their ministry that the honour of +princes and of all great men was secured. The eunuch was so +charmed with these verses, that, without further hesitation, he +suffered Agib to go into the shop, and went in with him himself. + +Buddir ad Deen Houssun was overjoyed at having obtained what he +had so passionately desired, and, falling again to the work he +had discontinued "I was making," said he, "cream-tarts; and you +must, with submission, eat of them. I am persuaded you will find +them good; for my own mother, who made them incomparably well, +taught me, and the people send to buy them of me from all +quarters of the town." This said, he took a cream-tart out of the +oven, and after strewing upon it some pomegranate kernels and +sugar, set it before Agib, who found it very delicious. + +Another was served up to the eunuch, and he gave the same +judgment. + +While they were both eating, Buddir ad Deen viewed Agib very +attentively; and after looking upon him again and again, it came +into his mind that possibly he might have such a son by his +charming wife, from whom he had been so soon and so cruelly +separated; and the very thought drew tears from his eyes. He +intended to have put some questions to little Agib about his +journey to Damascus; but the child had no time to gratify his +curiosity, for the eunuch pressing him to return to his +grandfather's tent, took him away as soon as he had done eating. +Buddir ad Deen Houssun, not contented with looking after him, +shut up his shop immediately, and followed him. + +Buddir ad Deen Houssun ran after Agib and the eunuch, and +overtook them before they had reached the gate of the city. The +eunuch perceiving he followed them, was extremely surprised: "You +impertinent fellow," said he, with an angry tone, "what do you +want?" "My dear friend," replied Buddir ad Deen, "do not trouble +yourself; I have a little business out of town, and I must needs +go and look after it." This answer, however, did not at all +satisfy the eunuch, who turning to Agib, said, "This is all owing +to you; I foresaw I should repent of my complaisance; you would +needs go into the man's shop; it was not wisely done in me to +give you leave." "Perhaps," replied Agib, "he has real business +out of town, and the road is free to every body." While this +passed they kept walking together, without looking behind them, +till they came near the vizier's tents, upon which they turned +about to see if Buddir ad Deen followed them. Agib, perceiving he +was within two paces of him, reddened and whitened alternately, +according to the different emotions that affected him. He was +afraid the grand vizier his grandfather should come to know he +had been in the pastry shop, and had eaten there. In this dread, +he took up a large stone that lay at his foot and throwing it at +Buddir ad Deen, hit him in the forehead, and wounded him so that +his face was covered with blood. The eunuch gave Buddir ad Deen +to understand, he had no reason to complain of a mischance that +he had merited and brought upon himself. + +Buddir ad Deen turned towards the city staunching the blood of +the wound with his apron, which he had not put off. "I was a +fool," said he within himself, "for leaving my house, to take so +much pains about this brat; for doubtless he would never have +used me after this manner, if he had not thought I had some ill +design against him." When he got home, he had his wound dressed, +and softened the sense of his mischance by the reflection that +there was an infinite number of people upon the earth, who were +yet more unfortunate than he. + +Buddir ad Deen kept on the pastry-trade at Damascus, and his +uncle Shumse ad Deen Mahummud went from thence three days after +his arrival. He went by way of Emaus, Hanah, and Halep; then +crossed the Euphrates, and after passing through Mardin, +Moussoul, Singier, Diarbeker, and several other towns, arrived at +last at Bussorah. Immediately after his arrival he desired +audience of the sultan, who was no sooner informed of his quality +than he admitted him to his presence, received him very +favourably, and inquired the occasion of his journey to Bussorah. +"Sire," replied the vizier "I come to know what is become of the +son of my brother, who has had the honour to serve your majesty." +"Noor ad Deen Ali," said the sultan, "has been long dead; as for +his son, all I can tell you of him is, that he disappeared +suddenly, about two months after his father's death, and nobody +has seen him since, notwithstanding all the inquiry I ordered to +be made. But his mother, who is the daughter of one of my +viziers, is still alive." Shumse ad Deen Mahummud desired leave +of the sultan to take her to Egypt; and having obtained +permission, without waiting till the next day, inquired after her +place of abode, and that very hour went to her house, accompanied +with his daughter and his grandson. + +The widow of Noor ad Deen Ali resided still in the same place +where her husband had lived. It was a stately fabric, adorned +with marble pillars: but Shumse ad Deen did not stop to view it. +At his entry he kissed the gate, and the piece of marble upon +which his brother's name was written in letters of gold. He asked +to speak with his sister-in-law, and was told by her servants, +that she was in a small building covered by a dome, to which they +directed in the middle of a very spacious court. This tender +mother used to spend the greatest part of the day and night in +that room which she had built as a representation of the tomb of +her son Buddir ad Deen Houssun, whom she supposed to be dead +after so long an absence. She was pouring tears over his memorial +when Shumse ad Deen entering, found her buried in the deepest +affliction. + +He made his compliment, and after beseeching her to suspend her +tears and sighs, informed her he had the honour to be her +brother-in-law, and acquainted her with the reason of his journey +from Cairo to Bussorah. + +Shumse ad Deen Mahummud, after acquainting his sister-in-law with +all that had passed at Cairo on his daughter's wedding-night, and +informing her of the surprise occasioned by the discovery of the +paper sewed up in Buddir ad Deen's turban, presented to her Agib +and the beautiful lady. + +The widow of Noor ad Deen, who had still continued sitting like a +woman dejected, and weaned from the affairs of this world, no +sooner understood by his discourse that her dear son, whom she +lamented so bitterly, might still be alive, than she arose, and +repeatedly embraced the beautiful lady and her grandchild Agib; +and perceiving in the youth the features of Buddir ad Deen, drops +tears different from what she had been so long accustomed to +shed. She could not forbear kissing the youth, who, for his part, +received her embraces with all the demonstrations of joy he was +capable of shewing. "Sister," said Shumse ad Deen, "it is time to +dry your tears, and suppress your sighs; you must think of going +with us to Egypt. The sultan of Bussorah gives me leave to carry +you thither, and I doubt not you will consent. I am in hopes we +shall at last find out your son my nephew; and if we do, the +history of him, of you, of my own daughter, and of my own +adventures, will deserve to be committed to writing, and +transmitted to posterity." + +The widow of Noor ad Deen heard this proposal with pleasure, and +ordered preparations to be made for her departure. While they +were making, Shumse ad Deen desired a second audience, and after +taking leave of the sultan, who dismissed him with ample marks of +respect, and gave him a considerable present for himself, and +another of great value for the sultan of Egypt, he set out from +Bussorah once more for the city of Damascus. + +When he arrived in the neighbourhood of Damascus, he ordered his +tents to be pitched without the gate, at which he designed to +enter the city; and gave out he would tarry there three days, to +give his suit rest, and buy up curiosities to present to the +sultan of Egypt. + +While he was employed in selecting the finest stuffs which the +principal merchants had brought to his tents, Agib begged the +black eunuch his governor to carry him through the city, in order +to see what he had not had leisure to view before; and to inquire +what was become of the pastry cook whom he had wounded. The +eunuch complying with his request, went along with him towards +the city, after leave obtained of the beautiful lady his mother. + +They entered Damascus by the Paradise-gate, which lay next to the +tents of the vizier They walked through the great squares and the +public places where the richest goods were sold, and took a view of +the superb mosque at the hour of prayer, between noon and sun-set. +When they passed by the shop of Buddir ad Deen Houssun, whom they +still found employed in making cream tarts, "I salute you sir," said +Agib; "do you know me? Do you remember you ever saw me before?" Buddir +ad Deen hearing these words, fixed his eyes upon him, and recognizing +him (such was the surprising effect of paternal love!), felt the same +emotion as when he saw him first; he was confused, and instead of +making any answer, continued a long time without uttering a word. At +length, recovering himself, "My lord," said he, "be so kind as to come +once more with your governor into my house, and taste a cream-tart. I +beg your lordship's pardon, for the trouble I gave you in following +you out of town; I was at that time not myself, I did not know what I +did. You drew me after you, and the violence of the attraction was so +soft, that I could not withstand it." + +Agib, astonished at what Buddir ad Deen said, replied: "There is +an excess in the kindness you express, and unless you engage +under oath not to follow me when I go from hence, I will not +enter your house. If you give me your promise, and prove a man of +your word, I will visit you again to-morrow, since the vizier my +grandfather, is still employed in buying up rarities for a +present to the sultan of Egypt." "My lord," replied Buddir ad +Deen, "I will do whatever you would have me." This said, Agib and +the eunuch went into the shop. + +Presently after, Buddir ad Deen set before them a cream-tart, +that was full as good as what they had eaten before; "Come," said +Agib, "sit down by me, and eat with us." Buddir ad Deen sat down, +and attempted to embrace Agib, as a testimony of the joy he +conceived upon sitting by him. But Agib pushed him away, desiring +him not to be too familiar. Buddir ad Deen obeyed, and repeated +some extempore verses in praise of Agib: he did not eat, but made +it his business to serve his guests. When they had done, he +brought them water to wash, and a very white napkin to wipe their +hands. Then he filled a large china cup with sherbet, and put +snow into it; and offering it to Agib, "This," said he, "is +sherbet of roses; and I am sure you never tasted better." Agib +having drunk of it with pleasure, Buddir ad Deen took the cup +from him, and presented it to the eunuch, who drank it all off at +once. + +In fine, Agib and his governor having fared well, returned thanks +to the pastry-cook for their good entertainment, and moved +homewards, it being then late. When they arrived at the tents of +Shumse ad Deen Mahummud, Agib's grandmother received him with +transports of joy: her son ran always in her mind, and in +embracing Agib, the remembrance of him drew tears from her eyes. +"Ah, my child!" said she, "my joy would be perfect, if I had the +pleasure of embracing your father as I now embrace you." She made +Agib sit by her, and put several questions to him, relating to +the walk he had been taking with the eunuch; and when he +complained of being hungry, she gave him a piece of cream-tart, +which she had made for herself, and was indeed very good: she +likewise gave some to the eunuch. + +Agib no sooner touched the piece of cream-tart that had been set +before him, than he pretended he did not like it, and left it uncut; +and Shubbaunee (which was the eunuch's name) did the same. The widow +of Noor ad Deen Ali observed with regret that her grandson did not +like the tart. "What!" said she, "does my child thus despise the work +of my hands? Be it known to you, no one in the world can make such +besides myself and your father, whom I taught." "My good mother," +replied Agib, "give me leave to tell you, if you do not know how to +make better, there is a pastry-cook in this town that outdoes you. We +were at his shop, and ate of one much better than yours." + +On hearing this, the grandmother, frowning upon the eunuch, said, +"How now, Shubbaunee, was the care of my grandchild committed to +you, to carry him to eat at pastry-shops like a beggar?" "Madam," +replied the eunuch, "it is true, we did stop a little while and +talked with the pastry-cook, but we did not eat with him." +"Pardon me," said Agib, "we went into his shop, and there ate a +cream-tart." Upon this, the lady, more incensed against the +eunuch than before, rose in a passion from the table, and running +to the tent of Shumse ad Deen, informed him of the eunuch's +crime; and that in such terms, as tended more to inflame the +vizier than to dispose him to excuse it. + +The vizier who was naturally passionate, did not fail on this occasion +to display his anger. He went forthwith to his sister-in-law's tent, +and said to the eunuch, "Wretch, have you the impudence to abuse the +trust I repose in you?" Shubbaunee, though sufficiently convicted by +Agib's testimony, denied the fact still. But the child persisting in +what he had affirmed, "Grandfather," said he, "I can assure you we not +only ate, but that so very heartily, that we have no occasion for +supper: besides, the pastry-cook treated us also with a great bowl of +sherbet." "Well," cried Shumse ad Deen, "after all this, will you +continue to deny that you entered the pastry-cook's house, and ate +there?" Shubbaunee had still the impudence to swear it was not true. +"Then you are a liar," said the vizier "I believe my grandchild; but +after all, if you can eat up this cream-tart I shall be persuaded you +have truth on your side." + +Though Shubbaunee had crammed himself up to the throat before, he +agreed to stand that test, and accordingly took a piece of tart; +but his stomach rising against it, he was obliged to spit it out +of his mouth. Yet he still pursued the lie, and pretended he had +over-eaten himself the day before, and had not recovered his +appetite. The vizier irritated with all the eunuch's frivolous +presences, and convinced of his guilt, ordered him to be soundly +bastinadoed. In undergoing this punishment, the poor wretch +shrieked out aloud, and at last confessed the truth; "I own," +cried he, "that we did eat a cream-tart at the pastry cook's, and +that it was much better than that upon the table." + +The widow of Noor ad Deen thought it was out of spite to her, and +with a desire to mortify her, that Shubbaunee commended the +pastry-cook's tart; and accordingly said, "I cannot believe the +cook's tarts are better than mine; I am resolved to satisfy +myself upon that head. Where does he live? Go immediately and buy +me one of his tarts." The eunuch repaired to Buddir ad Deen's +shop, and said, "Let me have one of your cream-tarts; one of our +ladies wants to taste them." Buddir ad Deen chose one of the +best, and gave it to the eunuch. + +Shubbaunee returned speedily to the tents, gave the tart to Noor +ad Deen's widow, who, snatching it greedily, broke a piece off; +but no sooner put it to her mouth, than she cried out and swooned +away. The vizier was extremely surprised at the accident; he +threw water upon her face, and was very active in recovering her. +As soon as she came to herself, "My God!" cried she, "it must +needs be my son, my dear Buddir ad Deen who made this tart." + +When the vizier Shumse ad Deen heard his sister-in-law say, that +the maker of the tart, brought by the eunuch, must needs be her +son, he was overjoyed; but reflecting that his joy might prove +groundless, and the conjecture of Noor ad Deen's widow be false, +"Madam," said he, "do you think there may not be a pastry-cook in +the world, who knows how to make cream-tarts as well as your +son?" "I own," replied she, "there may be pastry-cooks that can +make as good tarts as he; but as I make them in a peculiar +manner, and only my son was let into the secret, it must +absolutely be he that made this. Come, my brother," added she in +a transport, "let us call up mirth and joy; we have at last found +what we have been so long looking for." "Madam," said the vizier +answer, "I entreat you to moderate your impatience, for we shall +quickly know the truth. All we have to do, is to bring the +pastry-cook hither; and then you and my daughter will readily +distinguish whether he be your son or not. But you must both be +concealed so as to have a view of Buddir ad Deen while he cannot +see you; for I would not have our interview and mutual discovery +happen at Damascus. My design is to delay the discovery till we +return to Cairo." + +This said, he left the ladies in their tent, and retired to his +own; where he called for fifty of his men, and said to them: +"Take each of you a stick in your hands, and follow Shubbaunee, +who will conduct you to a pastry-cook in this city. When you +arrive there, break and dash in pieces all you find in the shop: +if he demand the reason of your outrage, only ask him in return +if it was not he that made the cream-tart that was brought from +his house. If he answer in the affirmative, seize his person, +fetter him, and bring him along with you; but take care you do +not beat him, nor do him the least harm. Go, and lose no time." + +The vizier's orders were immediately executed. The detachment, +conducted by the black eunuch, went with expedition to Buddir ad +Deen's house, broke in pieces the plates, kettles, copper pans, +and all the other moveables and utensils they met with, and +inundated the sherbet-shop with cream and comfits. Buddir ad +Deen, astonished at the sight, said with a pitiful tone, "Pray, +good people, why do you serve me so? What is the matter? What +have I done?" "Was it not you," said they, "that sold this eunuch +the cream-tart?" "Yes," replied he, "I am the man; and who says +any thing against it? I defy any one to make a better." Instead +of giving him an answer, they continued to break all round them, +and the oven itself was not spared. + +In the mean time the neighbours took the alarm, and surprised to +see fifty armed men committing such a disorder, asked the reason +of such violence; and Buddir ad Deen said once more to the +rioters, "Pray tell me what crime I have committed to deserve +this usage?" "Was it not you," replied they, "that made the +cream-tart you sold to the eunuch?" "Yes, yes, it was I," replied +he; "I maintain it is a good one. I do not deserve this +treatment." However, without listening to him, they seized his +person, and, snatching the cloth off his turban, tied his hands +with it behind his back, and, after dragging him by force out of +his shop, marched off. + +The mob gathering, from compassion to Buddir ad Deen, took his +part; but officers from the governor of the city dispersed the +people, and favoured the carrying off of Buddir ad Deen, for +Shumse ad Deen Mahummud had in the mean time gone to the +governor's house to acquaint him with the order he had given, and +to demand the interposition of force to favour the execution; and +the governor, who commanded all Syria in the name of the sultan +of Egypt, was unwilling to refuse any thing to his master's +vizier. + +It was in vain for Buddir ad Deen to ask those who carried him +off, what fault had been found with his cream-tart: they gave him +no answer. In short, they conducted him to the tents, and made +him wait there till Shumse ad Deen returned from the governor of +Damascus. + +Upon the vizier's return, the pretended culprit was brought +before him. "My lord," said Buddir ad Deen, with tears in his +eyes, "pray do me the favour to let me know wherein I have +displeased you." "Why, you wretch," exclaimed the vizier "was it +not you that made the cream-tart you sent me?" "I own I am the +man," replied Buddir ad Deen, "but pray what crime is that?" "I +will punish you according to your deserts," said Shumse ad Deen, +"it shall cost you your life, for sending me such a sorry tart." +"Ah!" exclaimed Buddir ad Deen, "is it a capital crime to make a +bad cream-tart?" "Yes," said the vizier "and you are to expect no +other usage from me." + +While this interview lasted, the ladies, who were concealed +behind curtains, saw Buddir ad Deen, and recognized him, +notwithstanding he had been so long absent. They were so +transported with joy, that they swooned away; and when they +recovered, would fain have run up and fallen upon his neck, but +the promise they had made to the vizier of not discovering +themselves, restrained the tender emotions of love and of nature. + +Shumse ad Deen having resolved to set out that night, ordered the +tents to be struck, and the necessary preparations to be made for +his journey. He ordered Buddir ad Deen to be secured in a sort of +cage, and laid on a camel. The vizier and his retinue began their +march, and travelled the rest of that night, and all the next +day, without stopping In the evening they halted, and Buddir ad +Deen was taken out of his cage, in order to be served with the +necessary refreshments, but still carefully kept at a distance +from his mother and his wife; and during the whole expedition, +which lasted twenty days, was served in the same manner. + +When they arrived at Cairo, they encamped in the neighbourhood of +the city; Shumse ad Deen called for Buddir ad Deen, and gave +orders, in his presence, to prepare a stake. "Alas!" said Buddir +ad Deen, "what do you mean to do with a stake?" "Why, to impale +you," replied Shumse ad Deen, "and then to have you carried +through all the quarters of the town, that the people may have +the spectacle of a worthless pastry-cook, who makes cream-tarts +without pepper." This said, Buddir ad Deen cried out so +ludicrously, that Shumse ad Deen could hardly keep his +countenance: "Alas!" said he, "must I suffer a death as cruel as +it is ignominious, for not putting pepper in a cream-tart?" + +"How," said Buddir ad Deen, "must I be rifled; must I be imprisoned in +a chest, and at last impaled, and all for not putting pepper in a +cream-tart? Are these the actions of Moosulmauns, of persons who make +a profession of probity, justice, and good works?" With these words he +shed tears, and then renewing his complaint; "No," continued he, +"never was a man used so unjustly, nor so severely. Is it possible +they should be capable of taking a man's life for not putting pepper +in a cream-tart? Cursed be all cream-tarts, as well as the hour in +which I was born! Would to God I had died that minute!" + +The disconsolate Buddir ad Deen did not cease his lamentations; +and when the stake was brought, cried out bitterly at the horrid +sight. "Heaven!" said he, "can you suffer me to die an +ignominious and painful death? And all this, for what crime? not +for robbery or murder, or renouncing my religion, but for not +putting pepper in a cream tart." + +Night being then pretty far advanced, the vizier ordered Buddir +ad Deen to be conveyed again to his cage, saying to him, "Stay +there till to-morrow; the day shall not elapse before I give +orders for your death." The chest or cage then was carried away +and laid upon the camel that had brought it from Damascus: at the +same time all the other camels were loaded again; and the vizier +mounting his horse, ordered the camel that carried his nephew to +march before him, and entered the city with all his suit. After +passing through several streets, where no one appeared, he +arrived at his palace, where he ordered the chest to be taken +down, but not opened till farther orders. + +While his retinue were unlading the other camels, he took Buddir +ad Deen's mother and his daughter aside; and addressed himself to +the latter: "God be praised," said he, "my child, for this happy +occasion of meeting your cousin and your husband! You remember, +of course, what order your chamber was in on your wedding night: +go and put all things as they were then placed; and if your +memory do not serve you, I can aid it by a written account, which +I caused to be taken upon that occasion." + +The beautiful lady went joyfully to execute her father's orders; and +he at the same time commanded the hall to be adorned as when Buddir ad +Deen Houssun was there with the sultan of Egypt's hunch-backed groom. +As he went over his manuscript, his domestics placed every moveable in +the described order. The throne was not forgotten, nor the lighted wax +candles. When every thing was arranged in the hall, the vizier went +into his daughter's chamber and put in their due place Buddir ad +Deen's apparel, with the purse of sequins. This done, he said to the +beautiful lady, "Undress yourself, my child, and go to bed. As soon as +Buddir ad Deen enters your room, complain of his being from you so +long, and tell him, that when you awoke, you were astonished you did +not find him by you. Press him to come to bed again; and to-morrow +morning you will divert your mother-in-law and me, by giving us an +account of your interview." This said, he went from his daughter's +apartment, and left her to undress herself and go to bed. + +Shumse ad Deen Mahummud ordered all his domestics to depart the +hall, excepting two or three, whom he desired to remain. These he +commanded to go and take Buddir ad Deen out of the cage, to strip +him to his under vest and drawers, to conduct him in that +condition to the hall, to leave him there alone, and shut the +door upon him. + +Buddir ad Deen, though overwhelmed with grief, was asleep so +soundly, that the vizier's domestics had taken him out of the +chest and stripped him before he awoke; and they carried him so +suddenly into the hall, that they did not give him time to see +where he was. When he found himself alone in the hall, he looked +round him, and the objects he beheld recalling to his memory the +circumstances of his marriage, he perceived, with astonishment, +that it was the place where he had seen the sultan's groom of the +stables. His surprise was still the greater, when approaching +softly the door of a chamber which he found open, he spied his +own raiments where he remembered to have left them on his wedding +night. "My God!" said he, rubbing his eyes, "am I asleep or +awake?" + +The beautiful lady, who in the mean time was diverting herself +with his astonishment, opened the curtains of her bed suddenly, +and bending her head forward, "My dear lord," said she, with a +soft, tender air, "what do you do at the door? You have been out +of bed a long time. I was strangely surprised when I awoke in not +finding you by me." Buddir ad Deen was enraptured; he entered the +room, but reverting to all that had passed during a ten years' +interval, and not being able to persuade himself that it could +all have happened in the compass of one night, he went to the +place where his vestments lay with the purse of sequins; and +after examining them very carefully, exclaimed, "By Allah these +are mysteries which I can by no means comprehend!" The lady, who +was pleased to see his confusion, said, once more, "My lord, what +do you wait for?" He stepped towards the bed, and said to her, +"Is it long since I left you?" "The question," answered she, +"surprises me. Did not you rise from me but now? Surely your mind +is deranged." "Madam," replied Buddir ad Deen, "I do assure you +my thoughts are not very composed. I remember indeed to have been +with you, but I remember at the same time, that I have since +lived ten years at Damascus. Now, if I was actually in bed with +you this night, I cannot have been from you so long. These two +points are inconsistent. Pray tell me what I am to think; whether +my marriage with you is an illusion, or whether my absence from +you is only a dream?" "Yes, my lord," cried she, "doubtless you +were light-headed when you thought you were at Damascus." Upon +this Buddir ad Deen laughed heartily, and said, "What a comical +fancy is this! I assure you, madam, this dream of mine will be +very pleasant to you. Do but imagine, if you please, that I was +at the gate of Damascus in my shirt and drawers, as I am here +now; that I entered the town with the halloo of a mob who +followed and insulted me; that I fled to a pastry cook who +adopted me, taught me his trade, and left me all he had when he +died; that after his death I kept a shop. In fine, I had an +infinity of other adventures, too tedious to recount: and all I +can say is, that it was well that I awoke, for they were going to +impale me!" "And for what," cried the lady, feigning +astonishment, "would they have used you so cruelly? Surely you +must have committed some enormous crime." "Not the least," +replied Buddir ad Deen; "it was for nothing but a mere trifle, +the most ridiculous thing you can imagine. All the crime I was +charged with, was selling a cream-tart that had no pepper in it." +"As for that matter," said the beautiful lady laughing heartily, +"I must say they did you great injustice." "Ah!" replied he, +"that was not all. For this cursed cream-tart was every thing in +my shop broken to pieces, myself bound and fettered, and flung +into a chest, where I lay so close, that methinks I am there +still, but thanks be to God all was a dream." + +Buddir ad Deen was not easy all night. He awoke from time to time, and +put the question to himself, whether he dreamed or was awake. He +distrusted his felicity; and, to be sure whether it was true or not, +looked round the room. "I am not mistaken," said he; "this is the same +chamber where I entered instead of the hunch-backed groom of the +stables; and I am now in bed with the fair lady designed for him." +Day-light, which then appeared, had not yet dispelled his uneasiness, +when the vizier Shumse ad Deen, his uncle, knocked at the door, and at +the same time went in to bid him good morrow. + +Buddir ad Deen was extremely surprised to see a man he knew so +well, and who now appeared with a different air from that with +which he pronounced the terrible sentence of death against him. +"Ah!" cried Buddir ad Deen, "it was you who condemned me so +unjustly to a kind of death, the thoughts of which make me +shudder, and all for a cream-tart without pepper." The vizier +fell a laughing, and to put him out of suspense, told him how, by +the ministry of a genie (for hunch-back's relation made him +suspect the adventure), he had been at his palace, and had +married his daughter instead of the sultan's groom of the +stables; then he acquainted him that he had discovered him to be +his nephew by the memorandum of his father, and pursuant to that +discovery had gone from Cairo to Bussorah in quest of him. "My +dear nephew," added he, embracing him with every expression of +tenderness, "I ask your pardon for all I have made you undergo +since I discovered you. I resolved to bring you to my palace +before I told you your happiness; which ought now to be so much +the dearer to you, as it has cost you so much perplexity and +distress. To atone for all your afflictions, comfort yourself +with the joy of being in the company of those who ought to be +dearest to you. While you are dressing yourself I will go and +acquaint your mother, who is beyond measure impatient to see you; +and will likewise bring to you your son, whom you saw at +Damascus, and for whom, without knowing him, you shewed so much +affection." + +No words can adequately express the joy of Buddir ad Deen, when +he saw his mother and his son. They embraced, and shewed all the +transports that love and tenderness could inspire. The mother +spoke to Buddir ad Deen in the most moving terms; she mentioned +the grief she had felt for his long absence, and the tears she +had shed. Little Ajib, instead of flying his father's embraces, +as at Damascus, received them with all the marks of pleasure. And +Buddir ad Deen Houssun, divided between two objects so worthy of +his love, thought he could not give sufficient testimonies of his +affection. + +While this passed, the vizier was gone to the palace, to give the +sultan an account of the happy success of his travels; and the +sultan was so moved with the recital of the story, that he +ordered it to be taken down in writing, and carefully preserved +among the archives of the kingdom. After Shumse ad Deen's return +to his palace, he sat down with his family, and all the household +passed the day in festivity and mirth. + +The vizier Jaaffier having thus concluded the story of Buddir ad +Deen, told the caliph that this was what he had to relate to his +majesty. The caliph found the story so surprising, that without +farther hesitation he granted his slave Rihan's pardon; and to +console the young man for the grief of having unhappily deprived +himself of a woman whom he had loved so tenderly, married him to +one of his slaves, bestowed liberal gifts upon him, and +maintained him till he died. + + + + + THE HISTORY OF GANEM, SON OF ABOU AYOUB, + AND KNOWN BY THE SURNAME OF LOVE'S SLAVE. + + + +There was formerly at Damascus a merchant, who had by care and +industry acquired great wealth, on which he lived in a very +honourable manner. His name was Abou Ayoub, and he had one son +and a daughter. The son was called Ganem, but afterwards surnamed +Love's slave. His person was graceful, and the excellent +qualities of his mind had been improved by able masters. The +daughter's name was Alcolom, signifying Ravisher of hearts, +because her beauty was so perfect that whoever saw her could not +avoid loving her. + +Abou Ayoub died, and left immense riches: a hundred loads of +brocades and other silks that lay in his warehouse were the least +part. The loads were ready made up, and on every bale was written +in large characters, "For Bagdad." + +Mahummud, the son of Soliman, surnamed Zinebi, reigned at that +time at Damascus, the capital of Syria. His kinsman, Haroon al +Rusheed, had bestowed that kingdom on him as his tributary. + +Soon after the death of Abou Ayoub, Ganem conversed with his +mother about their domestic affairs, and concerning the loads of +merchandize in the warehouse, asked her the meaning of what was +written upon each bale. "My son," answered his mother, "your +father used to travel sometimes into one province, and sometimes +into another; and it was customary with him, before he set out, +to write the name of the city he designed to repair to on every +bade. He had provided all things to take a journey to Bagdad, and +was on the point of setting out, when death"----She had not power +to finish; the lively remembrance of the loss of her husband +would not permit her to say more, and drew from her a shower of +tears. + +Ganem could not see his mother so sensibly affected, without +being equally so himself. They continued some time silent; but at +length he recovered himself, and as soon as he found his mother +calm enough to listen to him, said, "Since my father designed +these goods for Bagdad, I will prepare myself to perform that +journey; and I think it will be proper for me to hasten my +departure, for fear those commodities should perish, or that we +should lose the opportunity of selling them to the best +advantage." + +Abou Ayoub's widow, who tenderly loved her son, was much +concerned at this resolution, and replied, "My dear child, I +cannot but commend you for designing to follow your father's +example; but consider, that you are too young, inexperienced, and +unaccustomed to the fatigue of travelling. Besides, can you think +of leaving me, and adding to that sorrow with which I am already +oppressed? Is it not better to sell those goods to the merchants +of Damascus, and take up with a moderate profit, than expose +yourself to the danger of perishing?" + +It was in vain for her to oppose Ganem's resolution by the +strongest arguments; they had no weight with him. An inclination +to travel, and to accomplish himself by a thorough knowledge of +the world, urged him to set out, and prevailed over all his +mother's remonstrances, her entreaties, and even her tears. He +went to the market where slaves were sold, and bought such as +were able-bodied, hired a hundred camels, and having provided all +other necessaries, entered upon his journey, with five or six +merchants of Damascus, who were going to trade at Bagdad. + +Those merchants, attended by their slaves, and accompanied by +several other travellers, made up such a considerable caravan, +that they had nothing to fear from the Bedouin Arabs, who make it +their only profession to range the country; and attack and +plunder the caravans when they are not strong enough to repulse +them. They had no other difficulty to encounter, than the usual +fatigues of a long journey, which were easily forgotten when they +came in sight of the city of Bagdad, where they arrived in +safety. + +They alighted at the most magnificent and most frequented khan in +the city; but Ganem chose to be lodged conveniently, and by +himself. He only left his goods there in a warehouse for their +greater security, and hired a spacious house in the +neighbourhood, richly furnished, having a garden which was very +delightful, on account of its many waterworks and shady groves. + +Some days after this young merchant had been settled in his +house, and perfectly recovered of the fatigue of his journey, he +dressed himself richly, and repaired to the public place, where +the merchants met to transact business. A slave followed him, +carrying a parcel of fine stuffs and silks. + +The merchants received Ganem very courteously, and their syndic, +or chief, to whom he first made application, bought all his +parcel, at the price set down in the ticket annexed to every +piece of stuff. Ganem continued his trade so successfully, that +he every day sold all the goods he exposed. + +He had but one bale left, which he had caused to be carried from +the warehouse to his own house; he then went to the public +rendezvous, where he found all the shops shut. This seemed +somewhat extraordinary to him and having asked the cause, he was +told, that one of the first merchants, whom he knew, was dead, +and that all his brother traders were gone to his funeral. + +Ganem inquired for the mosque, where prayer was to be said, and +whence the body was to be conducted to the grave; and having been +informed, sent back his slave with the goods, and walked towards +the mosque. He got thither before the prayers were ended, which +were said in a hall hung with black satin. The corpse was taken +up, and followed by the kindred, the merchants, and Ganem, to the +place of burial, which was at some distance without the city. It +was a stone structure, in form of a dome, purposely built to +receive the bodies of all the family of the deceased, and being +very small, they had pitched tents around, that all the company +might be sheltered during the ceremony. The monument was opened, +and the corpse laid in it, after which it was shut up. Then the +imam, and other ministers of the mosque, sat down in a ring on +carpets, in the largest tent, and recited the rest of the +prayers. They also read the Fateah, or introductory chapter of +the Koraun, appointed for the burial of the dead. The kindred and +merchants sat round, in the same manner, behind the ministers. + +It was near night before all was ended: Ganem who had not +expected such a long ceremony, began to be uneasy, and the more +so, when he saw meat served up, in memory of the deceased, +according to the custom of the Mahummedans. He was also told that +the tents had been set up not only against the heat of the sun, +but also against the evening dew, because they should not return +to the city before the next morning. These words perplexed Ganem. +"I am a stranger," said he to himself, "and have the reputation +of being a rich merchant; thieves may take the opportunity of my +absence, and rob my house. My slaves may be tempted by so +favourable an opportunity; they may run away with all the gold I +have received for my goods, and whither shall I go to look for +them?" Full of these thoughts, he ate a few mouthfuls hastily, +and slipped away from the company. + +He made all possible haste; but, as it often happens that the +more a man hurries the less he advances, he went astray in the +dark, so that it was near midnight when he came to the city gate; +which, to add to his misfortune, was shut. This was a fresh +affliction to him, and he was obliged to look for some convenient +place in which to pass the rest of the night till the gate was +opened. He went into a burial-place, so spacious, that it reached +from the city to the very place he had left. He advanced to some +high walls, which enclosed a small field, being the mausoleum of +a family, and in which there was a palm-tree. Ganem, finding that +the burial-place where the palm-tree grew was open, went into it, +and shut the door after him. He lay down on the grass and tried +to sleep; but his uneasiness at being absent from home would not +permit him. He got up, and after having passed before the door +several times, opened it, without knowing why, and immediately +perceived at a distance a light, which seemed to come towards +him. He was startled at the sight, closed the door, which had +nothing to secure it but a latch, and got up as fast as he could +to the top of the palm-tree; looking upon that as the safest +retreat under his present apprehensions. + +No sooner was he up, than by the help of the light which had +alarmed him, he plainly perceived three men, whom, by their +habit, he knew to be slaves, enter into the burial-place. One of +them advanced with a lantern, and the two others followed him, +loaded with a chest, between five and six feet long, which they +carried on their shoulders. They set it down, and then one of the +three slaves said to his comrades, "Brethren, if you will be +advised by me, we will leave the chest here, and return to the +city." "No, no," replied another, "that would not be executing +our mistress's orders; we may have cause to repent not doing as +we were commanded. Let us bury the chest, since we are enjoined +so to do." The two other slaves complied. They began to break +ground with the tools they had brought for that purpose. When +they had made a deep trench, they put the chest into it, and +covered it with the earth they had taken out, and then departed. + +Ganem, who from the top of the palm-tree had heard every word the +slaves had spoken, could not tell what to think of the adventure. He +concluded that the chest must contain something of value, and that the +person to whom it belonged had some particular reasons for causing it +to be buried in the cemetery. He resolved immediately to satisfy his +curiosity, came down from the palm-tree, the departure of the slaves +having dissipated his fear, and fell to work upon the pit, plying his +hands and feet so well, that in a short time he uncovered the chest, +but found it secured by a padlock. This new obstacle to the satisfying +of his curiosity was no small mortification to him, yet he was not +discouraged, but the day beginning then to appear, he saw several +great stones about the burial-place. He picked out one, with which he +easily knocked off the padlock, and then with much impatience opened +the chest. Ganem was strangely surprised, when, instead of money, he +discovered a young lady of incomparable beauty. Her fresh and rosy +complexion, and her gentle regular breathing, satisfied him she was +alive, but he could not conceive why, if she were only asleep, she had +not awaked at the noise he made in forcing off the padlock. Her habit +was so costly, with bracelets and pendants of diamonds, and a necklace +of pearls, so large, that he made not the least doubt of her being one +of the principal ladies of the court. At the sight of so beautiful an +object, not only compassion and natural inclination to relieve persons +in danger, but something more powerful, which Ganem could not then +account for, prevailed on him to afford the unfortunate beauty all the +assistance in his power. + +He first shut the gate of the burial-place, which the slaves had +left open; then, returning, took the lady in his arms, and laid +her on the soft earth which he had thrown off the chest. As soon +as she was exposed to the air, she sneezed, and, by the motion in +turning her head, there came from her mouth a liquor, with which +her stomach seemed to have been loaded; then opening and rubbing +her eyes, she with such a voice as charmed Ganem, whom she did +not see, cried out, "Zohorob Bostan, Shijher al Mirjaun, Casabos +Souccar, Nouron Nihar, Nagmatos Sohi, Nonzbetos Zaman, why do you +not answer? where are you?" These were the names of six female +slaves that used to wait on her. She called them, and wondered +that nobody answered; but at length looking about, and perceiving +she was in a burial-place, was seized with fear. "What," cried +she, much louder than before, "are the dead raised? Is the day of +judgment come? What a wonderful change is this from evening to +morning?" + +Ganem did not think fit to leave the lady any longer in her +perplexity, but presented himself before her with all possible +respect, and in the most courteous manner. "Madam," said he, "I +am not able to express my joy at having happened to be here to do +you the service I have, and to offer you all the assistance you +may need under your present circumstances." + +In order to persuade the lady to repose confidence in him, he, in +the first place, told her who he was, and what accident had +brought him to that place. Next he acquainted her with the coming +of the three slaves, and how they had buried the chest. The lady, +who had covered her face with her veil as soon as Ganem appeared, +was extremely sensible of the obligations she owed him. "I return +thanks to God," said she "for having sent so worthy a person as +you are to deliver me from death; but since you have begun so +charitable a work, I conjure you not to leave it imperfect. Let +me beg of you to go into the city, and provide a muleteer, to +come with his mule, and carry me to your house in this chest; +for, should I go with you on foot, my dress being different from +that of the city ladies, some one might take notice of it, and +follow me, which it highly concerns me to prevent. When I shall +be in your house, I will give you an account of myself; and in +the mean time be assured that you have not obliged an ungrateful +person." + +Before the young merchant left the lady, he drew the chest out of +the pit, which he filled up with earth, laid her again in the +chest, and shut it in such a manner, that it did not look as if +the padlock had been forced off; but for fear of stifling her, he +did not put it quite close, leaving room for the admittance of +air. Going out of the burial-place, he drew the door after him; +and the city gate being then open, soon found what he sought. He +returned with speed to the burial place, and helped the muleteer +to lay the chest across his mule, telling him, to remove all +cause of suspicion, that he came to that place the night before, +with another muleteer, who, being in haste to return home, had +laid down the chest where he saw it. + +Ganem, who, since his arrival at Bagdad, had minded nothing but +his business, was still unacquainted with the power of love, and +now felt its first attacks. It had not been in his power to look +upon the young lady without being dazzled; and the uneasiness he +felt at following the muleteer at a distance, and the fear lest +any accident might happen by the way that should deprive him of +his conquest, taught him to unravel his thoughts. He was more +than usually delighted, when, being arrived safe at home, he saw +the chest unloaded. He dismissed the muleteer, and having caused +a slave to shut the door of his house, opened the chest, helped +the lady out, gave her his hand, and conducted her to his +apartment, lamenting how much she must have endured in such close +confinement. "If I have suffered," said she, "I have satisfaction +sufficient in what you have done for me, and in the pleasure of +seeing myself out of danger." + +Though Ganem's apartment was very richly furnished, the lady did +not so much regard its appearance, as she did the handsome +presence and engaging mien of her deliverer, whose politeness and +obliging behaviour heightened her gratitude. She sat down on a +sofa, and to give the merchant to understand how sensible she was +of the service done her, took off her veil. Ganem on his part was +sensible of the favour so lovely a lady did in uncovering her +face to him, or rather felt he had already a most violent passion +for her. Whatever obligations she owed him, he thought himself +more than requited by so singular a favour. + +The lady dived into Ganem's thoughts, yet was not at all alarmed, +because he appeared very respectful. He, judging she might have +occasion to eat, and not willing to trust any but himself with +the care of entertaining so charming a guest, went out with a +slave to an eating-house, to give directions for an +entertainment. From thence he went to a fruiterer, where he chose +the finest and best fruit; buying also the choicest wine, and the +same bread that was eaten at the caliph's table. + +As soon as he returned home, he with his own hands made a pyramid +of the fruit he had bought, and serving it up himself to the lady +in a large dish, of the finest china-ware, "Madam," said he, "be +pleased to make choice of some of this fruit, while a more solid +entertainment, and more worthy yourself, is preparing." He would +have continued standing before her, but she declared she would +not touch any thing, unless he sat down and ate with her. He +obeyed; and when they had eaten a little, Ganem observing that +the lady's veil, which she laid down by her on a sofa, was +embroidered along the edge with golden letters, begged her +permission to look on the embroidery. The lady immediately took +up the veil, and delivered it to him, asking him whether he could +read? "Madam," replied he, with a modest air, "a merchant would +be ill-qualified to manage his business if he could not at least +read and write." "Well, then," said she, "read the words which +are embroidered on that veil, which gives me an opportunity of +telling you my story." + +Ganem took the veil, and read these words, "I am yours, and you +are mine, thou descendant from the prophet's uncle." That +descendant from the prophet's uncle was the caliph Haroon al +Rusheed, who then reigned, and was descended from Abbas, +Mahummud's uncle. + +When Ganem perceived these words, "Alas! madam," said he, in a +melancholy tone, "I have just saved your life, and this writing +is my death! I do not comprehend all the mystery; but it +convinces me I am the most unfortunate of men. Pardon, madam, the +liberty I take, but it was impossible for me to see you without +giving you my heart. You are not ignorant yourself, that it was +not in my power to refuse it you, and that makes my presumption +excusable. I proposed to myself to touch your heart by my +respectful behaviour, my care, my assiduity, my submission, my +constancy; and no sooner have I formed the flattering design, +than I am robbed of all my hopes. I cannot long survive so great +a misfortune. But, be that as it will, I shall have the +satisfaction of dying entirely yours. Proceed, madam, I conjure +you, and give me full information of my unhappy fate." + +He could not utter those words without letting fall some tears. +The lady was moved; but was so far from being displeased at the +declaration he made, that she felt secret joy; for her heart +began to yield. However, she concealed her feelings, and as if +she had not regarded what Ganem had said. "I should have been +very cautious," answered she, "of shewing you my veil, had I +thought it would have given you so much uneasiness; but I do not +perceive that what I have to say to you can make your condition +so deplorable as you imagine." + +"You must understand," proceeded she, "in order to acquaint you +with my story, that my name is Fetnah (which signifies +disturbance), which was given me at my birth, because it was +judged that the sight of me would one day occasion many +calamities. Of this you cannot be ignorant, since there is nobody +in Bagdad but knows that the caliph, my sovereign lord and yours, +has a favourite so called. + +"I was carried into his palace in my tenderest years, and I have +been brought up with all the care that is usually taken with such +persons of my sex as are destined to reside there. I made no +little progress in all they took the pains to teach me; and that, +with some share of beauty, gained me the affection of the caliph, +who allotted me a particular apartment adjoining to his own. That +prince was not satisfied with such a mark of distinction; he +appointed twenty women to wait on me, and as many eunuchs; and +ever since he has made me such considerable presents, that I saw +myself richer than any queen in the world. You may judge by what +I have said, that Zobeide, the caliph's wife and kinswoman, could +not but be jealous of my happiness. Though Haroon has all the +regard imaginable for her, she has taken every possible +opportunity to ruin me. + +"Hitherto I had secured myself against all her snares, but at +length I fell under the last effort of her jealousy; and, had it +not been for you, must now have been exposed to inevitable death. +I question not but she had corrupted one of my slaves, who last +night, in some lemonade, gave me a drug, which causes such a dead +sleep, that it is easy to dispose of those who have taken it; for +that sleep is so profound, that nothing can dispel it for the +space of seven or eight hours. I have the more reason to judge +so, because naturally I am a very bad sleeper, and apt to wake at +the least noise. + +"Zobeide, the better to put her design in execution, has availed +herself of the absence of the caliph, who went lately to put +himself at the head of his troops, to chastise some neighbouring +kings, who have formed a league of rebellion. Were it not for +this opportunity, my rival, outrageous as she is, durst not have +presumed to attempt any thing against my life. I know not what +she will do to conceal this action from the caliph, but you see +it highly concerns me that you should keep my secret. My life +depends on it. I shall be safe in your house as long as the +caliph is from Bagdad. It concerns you to keep my adventure +private; for should Zobeide know the obligation I owe you, she +would punish you for having saved me. + +"When the caliph returns, I shall not need to be so much upon my +guard. I shall find means to acquaint him with all that has +happened, and I am fully persuaded he will be more earnest than +myself to requite a service which restores me to his love." + +As soon as Haroon al Rusheed's beautiful favourite had done +speaking, Ganem said, "Madam, I return you a thousand thanks for +having given me the information I took the liberty to desire of +you; and I beg of you to believe, that you are here in safety; +the sentiments you have inspired are a pledge of my secrecy. + +"As for my slaves, they may perhaps fail of the fidelity they owe +me, should they know by what accident and in what place I had the +happiness to find you. I dare assure you, however, that they will +not have the curiosity to inquire. It is so natural for young men +to purchase beautiful slaves, that it will be no way surprising +to them to see you here, believing you to be one, and that I have +bought you. They will also conclude that I have some particular +reasons for bringing you home as they saw I did. Set your heart, +therefore, at rest, as to that point, and remain satisfied that +you shall be served with all the respect that is due to the +favourite of so great a monarch as our sovereign the caliph. But +great as he is, give me leave, madam, to declare, that nothing +can make me recall the present I have made you of my heart. I +know, and shall never forget, 'that what belongs to the master is +forbidden to the slave;' but I loved you before you told me that +you were engaged to the caliph; it is not in my power to overcome +a passion which, though now in its infancy, has all the force of +a love strengthened by a perfect of situation. I wish your august +and most fortunate lover may avenge you of the malice of Zobeide, +by calling you back to him; and when you shall be restored to his +wishes, that you may remember the unfortunate Ganem, who is no +less your conquest than the caliph. Powerful as that prince is, I +flatter myself he will not be able to blot me out of your +remembrance. He cannot love you more passionately than I do; and +I shall never cease to love you into whatever part of the world I +may go to expire, after having lost you." + +Fetnah perceived that Ganem was under the greatest of +afflictions, and his situation affected her; but considering the +uneasiness she was likely to bring upon herself, by prosecuting +the conversation on that subject, which might insensibly lead her +to discover the inclination she felt for him; "I perceive," said +she, "that this conversation gives you too much uneasiness; let +us change the subject, and talk of the infinite obligation I owe +you. I can never sufficiently express my gratitude, when I +reflect that, without your assistance, I should never again have +beheld the light of the sun." + +It was happy for them both, that somebody just then knocked at +the door; Ganem went to see who it was, and found it to be one of +his slaves come to acquaint him that the entertainment was ready. +Ganem, who, by way of precaution, would have none of his slaves +come into the room where Fetnah was, took what was brought, and +served it up himself to his beautiful guest, whose soul was +ravished to behold what attention he paid her. + +When they had eaten, Ganem took away, as he had covered the +table; and having delivered all things at the door of the +apartment to his slaves, "Madam," said he to Fetnah, "you may now +perhaps desire to take some rest; I will leave you, and when you +have reposed yourself, you shall find me ready to receive your +commands." + +Having thus spoken, he left her, and went to purchase two +women-slaves. He also bought two parcels, one of fine linen, and the +other of all such things as were proper to make up a toilet fit for +the caliph's favourite. Having conducted home the two women-slaves, he +presented them to Fetnah, saying, "Madam, a person of your quality +cannot be without two waiting-maids, at least, to serve you; be +pleased to accept of these." + +Fetnah, admiring Ganem's attention, said, "My lord, I perceive +you are not one that will do things by halves: you add by your +courtesy to the obligations I owe you already; but I hope I shall +not die ungrateful, and that heaven will soon place me in a +condition to requite all your acts of generosity." + +When the women-slaves were withdrawn into a chamber adjoining, he +sat down on the sofa, but at some distance from Fetnah, in token +of respect. He then began to discourse of his passion. "I dare +not so much as hope," said he, "to excite the least sensibility +in a heart like yours, destined for the greatest prince in the +world. Alas! it would be a comfort to me in my misfortune, if I +could but flatter myself, that you have not looked upon the +excess of my love with indifference." "My lord," answered Fetnah +"Alas! madam," said Ganem, interrupting her at the word lord, +"this is the second time you have done me the honour to call me +lord; the presence of the women-slaves hindered me the first time +from taking notice of it to you: in the name of God, madam, do +not give me this title of honour; it does not belong to me; treat +me, I beseech you, as your slave: I am, and shall never cease to +be so." + +"No, no," replied Fetnah, interrupting him in her turn, "I shall +be cautious how I treat with such disrespect a man to whom I owe +my life. I should be ungrateful, could I say or do any thing that +did not become you. Leave me, therefore, to follow the dictates +of my gratitude, and do not require of me, that I should +misbehave myself towards you, in return for the benefits I have +received. I shall never be guilty of such conduct; I am too +sensible of your respectful behaviour to abuse it; and I will not +hesitate to own, that I do not regard your care with +indifference. You know the reasons that condemn me to silence." + +Ganem was enraptured at this declaration; he wept for joy, and +not being able to find expressions significant enough, in his own +opinion, to return Fetnah thanks, was satisfied with telling her, +that as she knew what she owed to the caliph, he, on his part, +was not ignorant "that what belongs to the master is forbidden to +the slave." + +Night drawing on, he rose up to fetch a light, which he brought +in himself, as also a collation. + +They both sat down at table, and at first complimented each other +on the fruit as they presented it reciprocally. The excellence of +the wine insensibly drew them both to drink; and having drunk two +or three glasses, they agreed that neither should take another +glass without first singing some air. Ganem sung verses ex +tempore, expressive of the vehemence of his passion; and Fetnah, +encouraged by his example, composed and sung verses relating to +her adventure, and always containing something which Ganem might +take in a sense favourable to himself; except in this, she most +exactly observed the fidelity due to the caliph. The collation +continued till very late, and the night was far advanced before +they thought of parting. Ganem then withdrew to another +apartment, leaving Fetnah where she was, the women slaves he had +bought coming in to wait upon her. + +They lived together in this manner for several days. The young +merchant went not abroad, unless upon of the utmost consequence, +and even for that took the time when the lady was reposing; for +he could not prevail upon himself to lose a moment that might be +spent in her company. All his thoughts were taken up with his +dear Fetnah, who, on her side, gave way to her inclination, +confessed she had no less affection for him than he had for her. +However, fond as they were of each other, their respect for the +caliph kept them within due bounds, which still heightened their +passion. + +Whilst Fetnah, thus snatched from the jaws of death, passed her +time so agreeably with Ganem, Zobeide was not without some +apprehensions in the palace of Haroon al Rusheed. + +No sooner had the three slaves, entrusted with the execution of +her revenge, carried away the chest, without knowing what it +contained, or so much as the least curiosity to inquire (being +used to pay a blind obedience to her commands), than she was +seized with a tormenting uneasiness; a thousand perplexing +thoughts disturbed her rest; sleep fled from her eyes, and she +spent the night in contriving how to conceal her crime. "My +consort," said she, "loves Fetnah more than ever he did any of +his favourites. What shall I say to him at his return, when he +inquires of me after her?" Many contrivances occurred to her, but +none were satisfactory. Still she met with difficulties, and knew +not where to fix. There lived with her a lady advanced in years, +who had bred her up from her infancy. As soon as it was day, she +sent for her, and having entrusted her with the secret, said, "My +good mother, you have always assisted me with your advice; if +ever I stood in need of it, it is now, when the business before +you is to still my thoughts, distracted by a mortal anxiety, and +to show me some way to satisfy the caliph." + +"My dear mistress," replied the old lady, "it had been much +better not to have run yourself into the difficulties you labour +under; but since the thing is done, the best consolation is to +think no more of it. All that must now be thought of, is how to +deceive the commander of the believers; and I am of opinion, that +you should immediately cause a wooden image resembling a dead +body to be carved. We will shroud it up in linen, and when shut +up in a coffin, it shall be buried in some part of the palace; +you shall then immediately cause a marble mausoleum to be built, +in the form of a dome, over the burial place, and erect a tomb, +which shall be covered with embroidered cloth, and set about with +great candlesticks and large wax tapers. There is another thing," +added the old lady, "which ought not to be forgotten; you must +put on mourning, and cause the same to be done by your own and +Fetnah's women, your eunuchs, and all the officers of the palace. +When the caliph returns, and sees you all and the palace in +mourning, he will not fail to ask the occasion of it. You will +then have an opportunity of insinuating yourself into his favour, +by saying, it was out of respect to him that you paid the last +honours to Fetnah, snatched away by sudden death. You may tell +him, you have caused a mausoleum to be built, and, in short, that +you have paid all the last honours to his favourite, as he would +have done himself had he been present. His passion for her being +extraordinary, he will certainly go to shed tears upon her grave; +and perhaps," added the old woman, "he will not believe she is +really dead. He may, possibly, suspect you have turned her out of +the palace through jealousy, and look upon all the mourning as an +artifice to deceive him, and prevent his making inquiries after +her. It is likely he will cause the coffin to be taken up and +opened, and it is certain he will be convinced of her death, as +soon as he shall see the figure of a dead body buried. He will be +pleased with all you shall have done, and express his gratitude. +As for the wooden image, I will myself undertake to have it cut +by a carver in the city, who shall not know the purpose for which +it is designed. As for your part, madam, order Fetnah's woman, +who yesterday gave her the lemonade, to give out, among her +companions, that she has just found her mistress dead in her bed; +and in order that they may only think of lamenting, without +offering to go into her chamber, let her add, she has already +acquainted you with the circumstance, and that you have ordered +Mesrour to cause her to be buried." + +As soon as the old lady had spoken, Zobeide took a rich diamond +ring out of her casket, and putting it on her finger, and +embracing her in a transport of joy, said, "How infinitely am I +beholden to you, my good mother! I should never have thought of +so ingenious a contrivance. It cannot fail of success, and I +begin to recover my peace. I leave the care of the wooden figure +to you, and will go myself to order the rest." + +The wooden image was got ready with as much expedition as Zobeide +could have wished, and then conveyed by the old lady herself into +Fetnah's bed-chamber, where she dressed it like a dead body, and +put it into a coffin. Then Mesrour, who was himself deceived by +it, caused the coffin and the representation of Fetnah to be +carried away, and buried with the usual ceremonies in the place +appointed by Zobeide, the favourite's women weeping and +lamenting, she who had given her the lemonade setting them an +example by her cries and lamentations. + +That very day Zobeide sent for the architect of the palace, and, +according to orders, the mausoleum was finished in a short time. +Such potent princesses as the consort of a monarch, whose power +extended from east to west, are always punctually obeyed in +whatsoever they command. She soon put on mourning with all the +court; so that the news of Fetnah's death was quickly spread over +the city. + +Ganem was one of the last who heard of it; for, as I have before +observed, he hardly ever went abroad. Being, however, at length +informed of it, "Madam," said he to the caliph's fair favourite, +"you are supposed in Bagdad to be dead, and I do not question but +that Zobeide herself believes it. I bless heaven that I am the +cause, and the happy witness of your being alive; would to God, +that, taking advantage of this false report, you would share my +fortune, and go far from hence to reign in my heart! But whither +does this pleasing transport carry me? I do not consider that you +are born to make the greatest prince in the world happy; and that +only Haroon al Rusheed is worthy of you. Supposing you could +resolve to give him up for me, and that you would follow me, +ought I to consent? No, it is my part always to remember, 'that +what belongs to the master is forbidden to the slave.'" + +The lovely Fetnah, though moved by the tenderness of the passion +he expressed, yet prevailed with herself not to encourage it. "My +lord," said she to him, "we cannot obstruct the momentary triumph +of Zobeide. I am not surprised at the artifice she uses to +conceal her guilt: but let her go on; I flatter myself that +sorrow will soon follow her triumph. The caliph will return, and +we shall find the means privately to inform him of all that has +happened. In the mean time let us be more cautious than ever, +that she may not know I am alive. I have already told you the +consequences to be apprehended from such a discovery." + +At the end of three months the caliph returned to Bagdad with +glory, having vanquished all his enemies. He entered the palace +with impatience to embrace Fetnah; but was amazed to see all the +officers in mourning; and his concern was redoubled when, +approaching the apartment of Zobeide, he beheld that princess +coming to meet him in mourning with all her women. He immediately +asked her the cause, with much agitation. "Commander of the +believers," answered Zobeide, "I am in mourning for your slave +Fetnah; who died so suddenly that it was impossible to apply any +remedy to her disorder." She would have proceeded, but the caliph +did not give her time, being so agitated at the news, that he +uttered a feeble exclamation, and fainted. On recovering himself, +he, with a feeble voice, which sufficiently expressed his extreme +grief, asked where his dear Fetnah had been buried. "Sir," said +Zobeide, "I myself took care of her funeral, and spared no cost +to make it magnificent. I have caused a marble mausoleum to be +built over her grave, and will attend you thither if you desire." + +The caliph would not permit Zobeide to take that trouble, but +contented himself to have Mesrour to conduct him. He went thither just +as he was, in his camp dress. When he saw the tomb, the wax-lights +round it, and the magnificence of the mausoleum, he was amazed that +Zobeide should have performed the obsequies of her rival with so much +pomp; and being naturally of a jealous temper, suspected his wife's +generosity and fancied his mistress might perhaps be yet alive; that +Zobeide, taking advantage of his long absence, might have turned her +out of the palace, ordering those she had entrusted to conduct her, to +convey her so far off that she might never more be heard of. This was +all he suspected; for he did not think Zobeide wicked enough to have +attempted the life of his favourite. + +The better to discover the truth himself, he ordered the tomb to +be removed, and caused the grave and the coffin to be opened in +his presence; but when he saw the linen wrapped round the wooden +image, he durst not proceed any farther. This devout caliph +thought it would be a sacrilegious act to suffer the body of the +dead lady to be touched; and this scrupulous fear prevailed over +his love and curiosity. He doubted not of Fetnah's death. He +caused the coffin to be shut up again, the grave to be filled, +and the tomb to be made as it was before. + +The caliph thinking himself obliged to pay some respect to the +grave of his favourite, sent for the ministers of religion, the +officers of the palace, and the readers of the Koraun; and, +whilst they were collecting together, he remained in the +mausoleum, moistening with his tears the marble that covered the +phantom of his mistress. When all the persons he had sent for +were come, he stood before the tomb, and recited long prayers; +after which the readers of the Koraun read several, chapters. + +The same ceremony was performed every day for a whole month, +morning and evening, the caliph being always present, with the +grand vizier, and the principal officers of the court, all of +them in mourning, as well as the caliph himself, who all the time +ceased not to honour the memory of Fetnah with his tears, and +would not hear of any business. + +The last day of the month, the prayers and reading of the Koraun +lasted from morning till break of day the next morning. The +caliph, being tired with sitting up so long, went to take some +rest in his apartment, and fell asleep upon a sofa, between two +of the court ladies, one of them sitting at the bed's-head, and +the other at the feet, who, whilst he slept, were working some +embroidery, and observed a profound silence. + +She who sat at the bed's-head, and whose name was Nouron-Nihar, +perceiving the caliph was asleep, whispered to the other, called +Nagmatos Sohi, "There is great news! The commander of the +believers our master will be overjoyed when he awakes, and hears +what I have to tell him; Fetnah is not dead, she is in perfect +health." "O heavens!" cried Nagmatos Sohi, in a transport of joy, +"is it possible, that the beautiful, the charming, the +incomparable Fetnah should be still among the living?" She +uttered these words with so much vivacity, and so loud, that the +caliph awoke. He asked why they had disturbed his rest? "Alas! my +sovereign lord," answered the slave, "pardon me this +indiscretion; I could not without transport hear that Fetnah is +still alive; it caused such emotion in me, as I could not +suppress." "What then is become of her," demanded the caliph, "if +she is not dead?" "Chief of the believers," replied the other, "I +this evening received a note from a person unknown, written with +Fetnah's own hand; she gives me an account of her melancholy +adventure, and orders me to acquaint you with it. I thought fit, +before I fulfilled my commission, to let you take some few +moments' rest, believing you must stand in need of it, after your +fatigue; and----" + +"Give me that note," said the caliph, interrupting her eagerly, +"you were wrong to defer delivering it to me." + +The slave immediately presented to him the note, which he opened +with much impatience, and in it Fetnah gave a particular account +of all that had befallen her, but enlarged a little too much on +the attentions of Ganem. The caliph, who was naturally jealous, +instead of being provoked at the inhumanity of Zobeide, was more +concerned at the infidelity he fancied Fetnah had been guilty of +towards him. "Is it so?" said he, after reading the note; "the +perfidious wretch has been four months with a young merchant, and +has the effrontery to boast of his attention to her. Thirty days +are past since my return to Bagdad, and she now thinks of sending +me news of herself. Ungrateful creature! whilst I spend the days +in bewailing her, she passes them in betraying me. Go to, let us +take vengeance of a bold woman, and that bold youth who affronts +me." Having spoken these words, the caliph rose, and went into a +hall where he used to appear in public, and give audience to his +court. The first gate was opened, and immediately all the +courtiers, who were waiting without, entered. The grand vizier, +came in, and prostrated himself before the throne. Then rising, +he stood before his master, who, in a tone which denoted he would +be instantly obeyed, said to him, "Jaaffier, your presence is +requisite, for putting in execution an important affair I am +about to commit to you. Take four hundred men of my guards with +you, and first inquire where a merchant of Damascus lives whose +name is Ganem, the son of Abou Ayoub. When you have learnt this, +repair to his house, and cause it to be razed to the foundations; +but first secure Ganem, and bring him hither, with my slave +Fetnah, who has lived with him these four months. I will punish +her, and make an example of that insolent man, who has presumed +to fail in respell to me." + +The grand vizier, having received this positive command, made a +low prostration to the caliph, having his hand on his head, in +token that he would rather lose it than disobey him, and +departed. The first thing he did, was to send to the syndic of +the dealers in foreign stuffs and silks, with strict orders to +find out the house of the unfortunate merchant. The officer he +sent with these orders brought him back word, that he had +scarcely been seen for some months, and no man knew what could +keep him at home, if he was there. The same officer likewise told +Jaaffier where Ganem lived. + +Upon this information, that minister, without losing time, went to the +judge of the police, whom he caused to bear him company, and attended +by a great number of carpenters and masons, with the necessary tools +for razing a house, came to Ganem's residence; and finding it stood +detached from any other, he posted his soldiers round it, to prevent +the young merchant's making his escape. + +Fetnah and Ganem had just dined: the lady was sitting at a window +next the street; hearing a noise, she looked out through the +lattice, and seeing the grand vizier, approach with his +attendants, concluded she was their object as well as Ganem. She +perceived her note had been received, but had not expected such a +consequence, having hoped that the caliph would have taken the +matter in a different light. She knew not how long the prince had +been returned from his campaign, and though she was acquainted +with his jealous temper, yet apprehended nothing on that account. +However, the sight of the grand vizier, and the soldiers made her +tremble, not indeed for herself, but for Ganem: she did not +question clearing herself, provided the caliph would but hear +her. As for Ganem, whom she loved less out of gratitude than +inclination, she plainly foresaw that his incensed rival might be +apt to condemn him, on account of his youth and person. Full of +this thought, she turned to the young merchant and said, "Alas! +Ganem, we are undone." Ganem looked through the lattice, and was +seized with dread, when he beheld the caliph's guards with their +naked cimeters, and the grand vizier, with the civil magistrate +at the head of them. At this sight he stood motionless, and had +not power to utter one word. "Ganem," said the favourite, "there +is no time to be lost; if you love me, put on the habit of one of +your slaves immediately, and disfigure your face and arms with +soot. Then put some of these dishes on your head; you may be +taken for a servant belonging to the eating house, and they will +let you pass. If they happen to ask you where the master of the +house is, answer, without any hesitation, that he is within." +"Alas! madam," answered Harem, concerned for himself than for +Fetnah, "you only take care of me, what will become of you?" "Let +not that trouble you," replied Fetnah, "it is my part to look to +that. As for what you leave in this house, I will take care of +it, and I hope it will be one day faithfully restored to you, +when the caliph's anger shall be over; but at present avoid his +fury. The orders he gives in the heat of passion are always +fatal." The young merchant's affliction was so great, that he +knew not what course to pursue, and would certainly have suffered +himself to be seized by the caliph's soldiers, had not Fetnah +pressed him to disguise himself. He submitted to her persuasions, +put on the habit of a slave, daubed himself with soot, and as +they were knocking at the door, all they could do was to embrace +each other tenderly. They were both so overwhelmed with sorrow, +that they could not utter a word. Thus they parted. Ganem went +out with some dishes on his head: he was taken for the servant of +an eating-house, and no one offered to stop him. On the contrary, +the grand vizier, who was the first that met him, gave way and +let him pass, little thinking that he was the man he looked for. +Those who were behind the grand vizier, made way as he had done, +and thus favoured his escape He soon reached one of the gates, +and got clear of the city. + +Whilst he was making the best of his way from the grand vizier, +that minister came into the room where Fetnah was sitting on a +sofa, and where there were many chests full of Ganem's clothes, +and of the money he had made of his goods. + +As soon as Fetnah saw the grand vizier, come into the room, she +fell upon her face, and continuing in that posture, as it were to +receive her death; "My lord," said she, "I am ready to undergo +the sentence passed against me by the commander of the believers; +you need only make it known to me." "Madam," answered Jaaffier, +falling also down till she had raised herself, "God forbid any +man should presume to lay profane hands on you. I do not intend +to offer you the least harm. I have no farther orders, than to +intreat you will be pleased to go with me to the palace, and to +conduct you thither, with the merchant that lives in this house." +"My lord," replied the favourite, "let us go; I am ready to +follow you. As for the young merchant, to whom I am indebted for +my life, he is not here, he has been gone about a month since to +Damascus, whither his business called him, and has left these +chests you see under my care, till he returns. I conjure you to +cause them to be carried to the palace, and order them to be +secured, that I may perform the promise I made him to take all +possible care of them." + +"You shall be obeyed," said Jaaffier, and immediately sent for +porters, whom he commanded to take up the chests, and carry them +to Mesrour. + +As soon as the porters were gone, he whispered the civil +magistrate, committing to him the care of seeing the house razed, +but first to cause diligent search to be made for Ganem, who, he +suspected, might be hidden, notwithstanding what Fetnah had told +him. He then went out, taking her with him, attended by the two +slaves who waited on her. As for Ganem's slaves, they were not +regarded; they ran in among the crowd, and it was not known what +became of them. + +No sooner was Jaaffier out of the house, than the masons and +carpenters began to demolish it, and did their business so +effectually, that in a few hours none of it remained. But the +civil magistrate, not finding Ganem, after the strictest search, +sent to acquaint the grand vizier, before that minister reached +the palace. "Well," said Haroon al Rusheed, seeing him come into +his closet, "have you executed my orders?" "Yes," answered +Jaaffier "the house Ganem lived in is levelled with the ground, +and I have brought you your favourite Fetnah; she is at your +closet door, and I will call her in, if you command me. As for +the young merchant, we could not find him, though every place has +been searched, and Fetnah affirms that he has been gone a month +to Damascus." + +Never was passion equal to that of the caliph, when he heard that +Ganem had made his escape. As for his favourite, believing that +she had been false to him, he would neither see nor speak to her. +"Mesrour," said he to the chief of the eunuchs, who was then +present, "take the ungrateful and perfidious Fetnah, and shut her +up in the dark tower." That tower was within the precinct of the +palace, and commonly served as a prison for the favourites who +any way offended the caliph. + +Mesrour being used to execute his sovereign's orders, however +unjust, without making any answer, obeyed this with some +reluctance. He signified his concern to Fetnah, who was the more +grieved because she had assured herself, that the caliph would +not refuse to speak to her. She was obliged to submit to her hard +fate, and to follow Mesrour, who conducted her to the dark tower, +and there left her. + +In the mean time, the enraged caliph dismissed his grand vizier, +and only hearkening to his passion, wrote the following letter +with his own hand to the king of Syria, his cousin and tributary, +who resided at Damascus. + +"This letter is to inform you, that a merchant of Damascus, whose +name is Ganem, the son of Abou Ayoub, has seduced the most +amiable of my women slaves, called Fetnah, and is fled. It is my +will, that when you have read my letter, you cause search to be +made for Ganem, and secure him. When he is in your power, you +shall cause him to be loaded with irons, and for three days +successively let him receive fifty strokes of the bastinado. Then +let him be led through all parts of the city by a crier, +proclaiming, 'This is the smallest punishment the commander of +the believers inflicts on him that offends his lord, and +debauches one of his slaves.' After that you shall send him to me +under a strong guard. It is my will that you cause his house to +be plundered; and after it has been razed, order the materials to +be carried out of the city into the middle of the plain. Besides +this, if he has father, mother, sister, wives, daughters, or +other kindred, cause them to be stripped; and when they are +naked, expose them three days to the whole city, forbidding any +person on pain of death to afford them shelter. I expect you will +without delay execute my command." + +The caliph having written this letter, dispatched it by an +express, ordering him to make all possible speed, and to take +pigeons along with him, that he might the sooner hear what had +been done by Mahummud Zinebi. + +The pigeons of Bagdad have this peculiar quality, that from +wherever they may be carried to, they return to Bagdad as soon as +they are set at liberty, especially when they have young ones. A +letter rolled up is made fast under their wing, and by that means +advice is speedily received from such places as it is desired. + +The caliph's courier travelled night and day, as his master's +impatience required; and being come to Damascus, went directly to +king Zinebi's palace, who sat upon his throne to receive the +caliph's letter. The courier having delivered it, Mahummud +looking at it, and knowing the hand, stood up to shew his +respect, kissed the letter, and laid it on his head, to denote he +was ready submissively to obey the orders it contained. He opened +it, and having read it, immediately descended from his throne, +and without losing time, mounted on horseback with the principal +officers of his household. He sent for the civil magistrate; and +went directly to Ganem's house, attended by all his guards. + +Ganem's mother had never received any letter from him since he +had left Damascus; but the other merchants with whom he went to +Bagdad were returned, and all of them told her they had left her +son in perfect however, seeing he did not return, she could not +but be persuaded that he was dead, and was so fully convinced of +this in her imagination, that she went into mourning. She +bewailed Ganem as if she had seen him die, and had herself closed +his eyes: never mother expressed greater sorrow; and so far was +she from seeking any comfort, that she delighted in indulging her +grief. She had caused a dome to be built in the middle of the +court belonging to her house, in which she placed a tomb. She +spent the greatest part of the days and nights in weeping under +that dome, as if her son had been buried there: her daughter bore +her company, and mixed her tears with hers. + +It was now some time since they had thus devoted themselves to +sorrow, and the neighbourhood, hearing their cries and +lamentations, pitied such tender relations, when king Mahummud +Zinebi knocked at the door, which being opened by a slave +belonging to the family, he hastily entered the house, inquiring +for Ganem, the son of Abou Ayoub. + +Though the slave had never seen king Zinebi, she guessed by his +retinue that he must be one of the principal officers of +Damascus. "My lord," said she, "that Ganem you inquire for is +dead; my mistress, his mother, is in that monument, lamenting +him." The king, not regarding what was said by the slave, caused +all the house to be diligently searched by his guards for Ganem. +He then advanced towards the monument, where he saw the mother +and daughter sitting on a mat, and their faces appeared to him +bathed in tears. These poor women immediately veiled themselves, +as soon as they beheld a man at the door of the dome; but the +mother, knowing the king of Damascus, got up, and ran to cast +herself at his feet. "My good lady," said he, "I was looking for +your son, Ganem, is he here?" "Alas! sir," cried the mother, "it +is a long time since he has ceased to be: would to God I had at +least put him into his coffin with my own hands, and had had the +comfort of having his bones in this monument! O my son, my dear +son!" She would have said more, but was oppressed with such +violent sorrow that she was unable to proceed. + +Zinebi was moved; for he was a prince of a mild nature, and had +much compassion for the sufferings of the unfortunate. "If Ganem +alone be guilty," thought he to himself, "why should the mother +and the daughter, who are innocent, be punished? Ah! cruel Haroon +al Rusheed! what a mortification do you put upon me, in making me +the executioner of your vengeance, obliging me to persecute +persons who have not offended you." + +The guards whom the king had ordered to search for Ganem, came +and told him their search had been vain. He was fully convinced +of this; the tears of those two women would not leave him any +room to doubt. It distracted him to be obliged to execute the +caliph's order. "My good lady," said he to Ganem's mother, "quit +this monument with your daughter, it is no place of safety for +you." They went out, and he, to secure them against any insult, +took off his own robe, and covered them both with it, bidding +them keep close to him. He then ordered the populace to be let in +to plunder, which was performed with the utmost rapaciousness, +and with shouts which terrified Ganem's mother and sister the +more, because they knew not the reason. The rabble carried off +the richest goods, chests full of wealth, fine Persian and Indian +carpets, cushions covered with cloth of gold and silver, fine +China ware; in short, all was taken away, till nothing remained +but the bare walls of the house: and it was a dismal spectacle +for the unhappy ladies, to see all their goods plundered, without +knowing why they were so cruelly treated. + +When the house was plundered, Mahummud ordered the civil +magistrate to raze the house and monument; and while that was +doing, he carried away the mother and daughter to his palace. +There it was he redoubled their affliction, by acquainting them +with the caliph's will. "He commands me," said he to them, "to +cause you to be stripped, and exposed naked for three days to the +view of the people. It is with the utmost reluctance that I +execute such a cruel and ignominious sentence." The king +delivered these words with such an air, as plainly made it appear +his heart was really pierced with grief and compassion. Though +the fear of being dethroned prevented his following the dictates +of his pity, yet he in some measure moderated the rigour of the +caliph's orders, by causing large shifts, without sleeves, to be +made of coarse horse-hair for Ganem's mother, and his sister. + +The next day, these two victims of the caliph's rage were +stripped of their clothes, and their horse-hair shifts put upon +them; their head-dress was also taken away, so that their +dishevelled hair hung floating on their backs. The daughter had +the finest hair, and it hung down to the ground. In this +condition they were exposed to the people. The civil magistrate, +attended by his officers, were along with them, and they were +conducted through the city. A crier went before them, who every +now and then cried, "This is the punishment due to those who have +drawn on themselves the indignation of the commander of the +believers." + +Whilst they walked in this manner along the streets of Damascus, +with their arms and feet naked, clad in such a strange garment, +and endeavouring to hide their confusion under their hair, with +which they covered their faces, all the people were dissolved in +tears; more especially the ladies, considering them as innocent +persons, as they beheld them through their lattice windows, and +being particularly moved by the daughter's youth and beauty, they +made the air ring with their shrieks, as they passed before their +houses. The very children, frightened at those shrieks, and at +the spectacle that occasioned them, mixed their cries with the +general lamentation. In short, had an enemy been in Damascus, +putting all to fire and sword, the consternation could not have +been greater. + +It was near night when this dismal scene concluded. The mother +and daughter were both conducted back to king Mahummud's palace. +Not being used to walk bare-foot, they were so spent, that they +lay a long time in a swoon. The queen of Damascus, highly +afflicted at their misfortunes, notwithstanding the caliph's +prohibition to relieve them, sent some of her women to comfort +them, with all sorts of refreshments and wine, to recover their +spirits. + +The queen's women found them still in a swoon, and almost past +receiving any benefit by what they offered them. However, with +much difficulty they were brought to themselves. Ganem's mother +immediately returned them thanks for their courtesy. "My good +madam," said one of the queen's ladies to her, "we are highly +concerned at your affliction, and the queen of Syria, our +mistress, has done us a favour in employing us to assist you. We +can assure you, that princess is much afflicted at your +misfortunes, as well as the king her consort." Ganem's mother +entreated the queen's women to return her majesty a thousand +thanks from her and her daughter, and then directing her +discourse to the lady who spoke to her, "Madam," said she, "the +king has not told me why the chief of the believers inflicts so +many outrages on us: pray be pleased to tell us what crimes we +have been guilty of." "My good lady," answered the other, "the +origin of your misfortunes proceeds from your son Ganem. He is +not dead, as you imagine. He is accused of having seduced the +beautiful Fetnah, the best beloved of the caliph's favourites; +but having, by flight, withdrawn himself from that prince's +indignation, the punishment is fallen on you. All condemn the +caliph's resentment, but all fear him; and you see king Zinebi +himself dares not resist his orders, for fear of incurring his +displeasure. All we can do is to pity you, and exhort you to have +patience." + +"I know my son," answered Ganem's mother; "I have educated him +carefully, and in that respect which is due to the commander of +the believers. He cannot have committed the crime he is accused +of; I dare answer for his innocence. But I will cease to murmur +and complain, since it is for him that I suffer, and he is not +dead. O Ganem!" added she, in a transport of affection and joy, +"my dear son Ganem! is possible that you are still alive? I am no +longer concerned for the loss of my fortune; and how harsh and +unjust soever the caliph's orders may be, I forgive him, provided +heaven has preserved my son. I am only concerned for my daughter; +her sufferings alone afflict me; yet I believe her to be so good +a sister as to follow my example." + +On hearing these words, the young lady, who till then had +appeared insensible, turned to her mother, and clasping her arms +about her neck, "Yes, dear mother," said she, "I will always +follow your example, whatever extremity your love for my brother +may reduce us to." + +The mother and daughter thus interchanging their sighs and tears, +continued a considerable time in such moving embraces. In the +mean time the queen's women, who were much affected at the +spectacle, omitted no persuasions to prevail with Ganem's mother +to take some sustenance. She ate a morsel out of complaisance, +and her daughter did the like. + +The caliph having ordered that Ganem's kindred should be exposed +three days successively to the sight of the people, in the +condition already mentioned, the unhappy ladies afforded the same +spectacle the second time next day, from morning till night. But +that day and the following, the streets, which at first had been +full of people, were now quite empty. All the merchants, incensed +at the ill usage of Abou Ayoub's widow and daughter, shut up +their shops, and kept themselves close within their houses. The +ladies, instead of looking through their lattice windows, +withdrew into the back parts of their houses. There was not a +person to be seen in the public places through which those +unfortunate women were carried. It seemed as if all the +inhabitants of Damascus had abandoned their city. + +On the fourth day, the king resolving punctually to obey the +caliph's orders, though he did not approve of them, sent criers +into all quarters of the city to make proclamation, strictly +commanding all the inhabitants of Damascus, and strangers, of +what condition soever, upon pain of death, and having their +bodies cast to the dogs to be devoured, not to receive Ganem's +mother and sister into their houses, or give them a morsel of +bread or a drop of water, and, in a word, not to afford them the +least support, or hold the least correspondence with them. + +When the criers had performed what the king had enjoined them, +that prince ordered the mother and the daughter to be turned out +of the palace, and left to their choice to go where they thought +fit. As soon as they appeared, all persons fled from them, so +great an impression had the late prohibition made upon all. They +easily perceived that every body shunned them; but not knowing +the reason, were much surprised; and their amazement was the +greater, when coming into any street, or among any persons, they +recollected some of their best friends, who immediately retreated +with as much haste as the rest. "What is the meaning of this," +said Ganem's mother; "do we carry the plague about us? Must the +unjust and barbarous usage we have received render us odious to +our fellow-citizens? Come, my child," added she, "let us depart +from Damascus with all speed; let us not stay any longer in a +city where we are become frightful to our very friends." + +The two wretched ladies, discoursing in this manner, came to one +of the extremities of the city, and retired to a ruined house to +pass the night. Thither some Mussulmauns, out of charity and +compassion, resorted to them after the day was shut in. They +carried them provisions, but durst not stay to comfort them, for +fear of being discovered, and punished for disobeying the +caliph's orders. + +In the mean time king Zinebi had let fly a pigeon to give the +caliph an account of his exact obedience. He informed him of all +that had been executed, and conjured him to direct what he would +have done with Ganem's mother and sister. He soon received the +caliph's answer in the same way, which was, that he should banish +them from Damascus for ever. Immediately the king of Syria sent +men to the old house, with orders to take the mother and +daughter, and to conduct them three days' journey from Damascus, +and there to leave them, forbidding them ever to return to the +city. + +Zinebi's men executed their commission, but being less exact +their master, in the strict performance of the caliph's orders, +they in pity gave the wretched ladies some small pieces of money, +and each of them a scrip, which they hung about their necks, to +carry their provisions. + +In this miserable state they came to the first village. The +peasants' wives flocked about them, and, as it appeared through +their disguise that they were people of some condition, asked +them what was the occasion of their travelling in a habit that +did not seem to belong to them. Instead of answering the +question, they fell to weeping, which only served to heighten the +curiosity of the peasants, and to move their compassion. Ganem's +mother told them what she and her daughter had endured; at which +the good countrywomen were sensibly afflicted, and endeavoured to +comfort them. They treated them as well as their poverty would +permit, took off their horse-hair shifts, which were very uneasy +to them, and put on them others which they gave them, with shoes, +and something to cover their heads, and save their hair. + +Having expressed their gratitude to those charitable women, Jalib +al Koolloob and her mother departed from that village, taking +short journeys towards Aleppo. They used at dusk to retire near +or into the mosques, where they passed the night on the mat, if +there was any, or else on the bare pavement; and sometimes rested +in the public places appointed for the use of travellers. As for +sustenance, they did not want, for they often came to places +where bread, boiled rice, and other provisions are distributed to +all travellers who desire it. + +At length they came to Aleppo, but would not stay there, and +continuing their journey towards the Euphrates, crossed the +river, and entered Mesopotamia, which they traversed as far as +Moussoul. Thence, notwithstanding all they had endured, they +proceeded to Bagdad. That was the place they had fixed their +thoughts upon, hoping to find Ganem, though they ought not to +have fancied that he was in a city where the caliph resided; but +they hoped, because they wished it; their affection for him +increasing instead of diminishing, with their misfortunes. Their +conversation was generally about him, and they inquired for him +of all they met. But let us leave Jalib al Koolloob and her +mother, and return to Fetnah. + +She was still confined closely in the dark tower, since the day +that had been so fatal to Ganem and herself. However, +disagreeable as her prison was to her, it was much less grievous +than the thoughts of Ganem's misfortune, the uncertainty of whose +fate was a killing affliction. There was scarcely a moment in +which she did not lament him. + +The caliph was accustomed to walk frequently at night within the +enclosure of his palace, for he was the most inquisitive prince +in the world, and sometimes, by those night-walks, came to the +knowledge of things that happened in his court, which would +otherwise never have reached his ear. One of those nights, in his +walk, he happened to pass by the dark tower, and fancying he +heard somebody talk, stops, and drawing near the door to listen, +distinctly heard these words, which Fetnah, whose thoughts were +always on Ganem, uttered with a loud voice: "O Ganem, too +unfortunate Ganem! where are you at this time, whither has thy +cruel fate led thee? Alas! it is I that have made you wretched! +why did you not let me perish miserably, rather than afford me +your generous relief? What melancholy return have you received +for your care and respect? The commander of the faithful, who +ought to have rewarded, persecutes you; and in requital for +having always regarded me as a person reserved for his bed, you +lose your fortune, and are obliged to seek for safety in flight. +O caliph, barbarous caliph, how can you exculpate yourself, when +you shall appear with Ganem before the tribunal of the Supreme +Judge, and the angels shall testify the truth before your face? +All the power you are now invested with, and which makes almost +the whole world tremble, will not prevent your being condemned +and punished for your violent and unjust proceedings." Here +Fetnah ceased her complaints, her sighs and tears putting a stop +to her utterance. + +This was enough to make the caliph reflect. He plainly perceived, +that if what he had heard was true, his favourite must be +innocent, and that he had been too hasty in giving such orders +against Ganem and his family. Being resolved to be rightly +informed in an affair which so nearly concerned him in point of +equity, on which he valued himself, he immediately returned to +his apartment, and that moment ordered Mesrour to repair to the +dark tower, and bring Fetnah before him. + +By this command, and much more by the caliph's manner of +speaking, the chief of the eunuchs guessed that his master +designed to pardon his favourite, and take her to him again. He +was overjoyed at the thought, for he respected Fetnah, and had +been much concerned at her disgrace; therefore flying instantly +to the tower, "Madam," said he to the favourite, with such an air +as expressed his satisfaction, "be pleased to follow me; I hope +you will never more return to this melancholy abode: the +commander of the faithful wishes to speak with you, and I draw +from this a happy omen." + +Fetnah followed Mesrour, who conducted her into the caliph's +closet. She prostrated herself before him, and so continued, her +face bathed in tears. "Fetnah," said the caliph, without bidding +her rise, "I think you charge me with violence and injustice. Who +is he, that, notwithstanding the regard and respell he had for +me, is in a miserable condition? Speak freely, you know the +natural goodness of my disposition, and that I love to do +justice." + +By these words the favourite was convinced that the caliph had +heard what she had said, and availed herself of so favourable an +opportunity to clear Ganem. "Commander of the true believers," +said she, "if I have let fall any word that is not agreeable to +your majesty, I most humbly beseech you to forgive me; but he +whose innocence and wretched state you desire to be informed of +is Ganem, the unhappy son of Abou Ayoub, late a rich merchant of +Damascus. He saved my life from a grave, and afforded me a +sanctuary in his house. I must own, that, from the first moment +he saw me, he perhaps designed to devote himself to me, and +conceived hopes of engaging me to admit his love. I guessed at +this, by the eagerness which he shewed in entertaining me, and +doing me all the good offices I so much wanted under the +circumstances I was then in; but as soon as he heard that I had +the honour to belong to you, 'Ah, madam,' said he, 'that which +belongs to the master is forbidden to the slave.' From that +moment, I owe this justice to his virtue to declare, his +behaviour was always suitable to his words. You, commander of the +true believers, well know with what rigour you have treated him, +and you will answer for it before the tribunal of God." + +The caliph was not displeased with Fetnah for the freedom of +these words; "But may I," said he, "rely on the assurance you +give me of Ganem's virtue?" "Yes," replied Fetnah, "you may. I +would not for the world conceal the truth from you; and to prove +to you that I am sincere, I must make a confession, which perhaps +may displease you, but I beg pardon of your majesty beforehand." +"Speak, daughter," said Haroon al Rusheed, "I forgive you all, +provided you conceal nothing from me." "Well, then," replied +Fetnah, "let me inform you, that Ganem's respectful behaviour, +joined to all the good offices he did me, gained him my esteem. I +went further yet: you know the tyranny of love: I felt some +tender inclination rising in my breast. He perceived it; but far +from availing himself of my frailty, and notwithstanding the +flame which consumed him, he still remained steady in his duty, +and all that his passion could force from him were the words I +have already repeated to your majesty, 'That which belongs to the +master is forbidden to the slave.'" + +This ingenuous confession might have provoked any other man than +the caliph; but it completely appeased that prince. He commanded +her to rise, and making her sit by him, "Tell me your story," +said he, "from the beginning to the end." She did so, with +artless simplicity, passing slightly over what regarded Zobeide, +and enlarging on the obligations she owed to Ganem; but above +all, she highly extolled his discretion, endeavouring by that +means to make the caliph sensible that she had been under the +necessity of remaining concealed in Ganem's house, to deceive +Zobeide. She concluded with the young merchant's escape, which +she plainly told the caliph she had compelled him to, that he +might avoid his indignation. + +When she had done speaking, the caliph said to her, "I believe +all you have told me; but why was it so long before you let me +hear from you? Was there any need of staying a whole month after +my return, before you sent me word where you were?" "Commander of +the true believers," answered Fetnah, "Ganem went abroad so very +seldom, that you need not wonder we were not the first that heard +of your return. Besides, Ganem, who took upon him to deliver the +letter I wrote to Nouron Nihar, was a long time before he could +find an opportunity of putting it into her own hands." + +"It is enough, Fetnah," replied the caliph; "I acknowledge my +fault, and would willingly make amends for it, by heaping favours +on the young merchant of Damascus. Consider, therefore, what I +can do for him. Ask what you think fit, and I will grant it." +Hereupon the favourite fell down at the caliph's feet, with her +face to the ground; and rising again, said, "Commander of the +true believers, after returning your majesty thanks for Ganem, I +most humbly entreat you to cause it to be published throughout +your do minions, that you pardon the son of Abou Ayoub, and that +he may safely come to you." "I must do more," rejoined the +prince, "in requital for having saved your life, and the respect +he has strewn for me, to make amends for the loss of his fortune. +In short, to repair the wrong I have done to himself and his +family, I give him to you for a husband." Fetnah had no words +expressive enough to thank the caliph for his generosity: she +then withdrew into the apartment she had occupied before her +melancholy adventure. The same furniture was still in it, nothing +had been removed; but that which pleased her most was, to find +Ganem's chests and bales, which Mesrour had received the caliph's +orders to convey thither. + +The next day Haroon al Rusheed ordered the grand vizier, to cause +proclamation to be made throughout all his dominions, that he +pardoned Ganem the son of Abou Ayoub; but this proved of no +effect, for a long time elapsed without any news of the young +merchant. Fetnah concluded, that he had not been able to survive +the pain of losing her. A dreadful uneasiness seized her mind; +but as hope is the last thing which forsakes lovers, she +entreated the caliph to give her leave to seek for Ganem herself; +which being granted, she took a purse containing a thousand +pieces of gold, and went one morning out of the palace, mounted +on a mule from the caliph's stables, very richly caparisoned. +Black eunuchs attended her, with a hand placed on each side of +the mule's back. + +Thus she went from mosque to mosque, bestowing her alms among the +devotees of the Mahummedan religion, desiring their prayers for +the accomplishment of an affair, on which the happiness of two +persons, she told them, depended. She spend the whole day and the +thousand pieces of gold in giving alms at the mosques, and +returned to the palace in the evening. + +The next day she took another purse of the same value, and in the like +equipage as the day before, went to the square of the jewellers' +shops, and stopping at the gateway without alighting, sent one of her +black eunuchs for the syndic or chief of them. The syndic, who was a +most charitable man, and spent above two-thirds of his income in +relieving poor strangers, sick or in distress, did not make Fetnah +wait, knowing by her dress that she was a lady belonging to the +palace. "I apply myself to you," said she, putting the purse into his +hands, "as a person whose piety is celebrated throughout the city. I +desire you to distribute that gold among the poor strangers you +relieve, for I know you make it your business to assist those who +apply to your charity. I am also satisfied that you prevent their +wants, and that nothing is more grateful to you, than to have an +opportunity of relieving their misery." "Madam," answered the syndic, +"I shall obey your commands with pleasure; but if you desire to +exercise your charity in person, and will be pleased to step to my +house, you will there see two women worthy of your compassion; I met +them yesterday as they were coming into the city; they were in a +deplorable condition, and it moved me the more, because I thought they +were persons of rank. Through all the rags that covered them, +notwithstanding the impression the sun has made on their faces, I +discovered a noble air, not to be commonly found in those people I +relieve. I carried them both to my house, and delivered them to my +wife, who was of the same opinion with me. She caused her slaves to +provide them good beds, whilst she herself led them to our warm bath, +and gave them clean linen. We know not as yet who they are, because we +wish to let them take some rest before we trouble them with our +questions." + +Fetnah, without knowing why, felt a curiosity to see them. The +syndic would have conducted her to his house, but she would not +give him the trouble, and was satisfied that a slave should shew +her the way. She alighted at the door, and followed the syndic's +slave, who was gone before to give notice to his mistress, she +being then in the chamber with Jalib al Koolloob and her mother, +for they were the persons the syndic had been speaking of to +Fetnah. + +The syndic's wife being informed by the slave, that a lady from +the palace was in her house, was hastening to meet her; but +Fetnah, who had followed the slave, did not give her time: on her +coming into the chamber, the syndic's wife prostrated herself +before her, to express the respect she had for all who belonged +to the caliph. Fetnah raised her up, and said, "My good lady, I +desire you will let me speak with those two strangers that +arrived at Bagdad last night." "Madam," answered the syndic's +wife, "they lie in those beds you see by each other." The +favourite immediately drew near the mother's, and viewing her +carefully, "Good woman," said she, "I come to offer you my +assistance: I have considerable interest in this city, and may be +of service to you and your companion." "Madam," answered Ganem's +mother, "I perceive by your obliging offers, that Heaven has not +quite forsaken us, though we had cause to believe it had, after +so many misfortunes as have befallen us." Having uttered these +words, she wept so bitterly that Fetnah and the syndic's wife +could not forbear letting fall some tears. + +The caliph's favourite having dried up hers, said to Ganem's +mother, "Be so kind as to tell us your misfortunes, and recount +your story. You cannot make the relation to any persons better +disposed to use all possible means to comfort you." "Madam," +replied Abou Ayoub's disconsolate widow, "a favourite of the +commander of the true believers, a lady whose name is Fetnah, is +the occasion of all our misfortunes." These words were like a +thunderbolt to the favourite; but suppressing her agitation and +concern, she suffered Ganem's mother to proceed in the following +manner: "I am the widow of Abou Ayoub, a merchant of Damascus; I +had a son called Ganem, who, coming to trade at Bagdad, has been +accused of carrying off Fetnah. The caliph caused search to be +made for him every where, to put him to death; but not finding +him, he wrote to the king of Damascus, to cause our house to be +plundered and razed, and to expose my daughter and myself three +days successively, naked, to the populace, and then to banish us +out of Syria for ever. But how unworthy soever our usage has +been, I should be still comforted were my son alive, and I could +meet with him. What a pleasure would it be for his sister and me +to see him again! Embracing him we should forget the loss of our +property, and all the evils we have suffered on his account. +Alas! I am fully persuaded he is only the innocent cause of them; +and that he is no more guilty towards the caliph than his sister +and myself." + +"No doubt of it," said Fetnah, interrupting her there, "he is no +more guilty than you are; I can assure you of his innocence; for +I am that very Fetnah, you so much complain of; who, through some +fatality in my stars, have occasioned you so many misfortunes. To +me you must impute the loss of your son, if he is no more; but if +I have occasioned your misfortune, I can in some measure relieve +it. I have already justified Ganem to the caliph; who has caused +it to be proclaimed throughout his dominions, that he pardons the +son of Abou Ayoub; and doubt not he will do you as much good as +he has done you injury. You are no longer his enemies. He waits +for Ganem, to requite the service he has done me, by uniting our +fortunes; he gives me to him for his consort, therefore look on +me as your daughter, and permit me to vow eternal duty and +affection." Having so said, she bowed down on Ganem's mother, +who was so astonished that she could return no answer. Fetnah +held her long in her arms, and only left her to embrace the +daughter, who, sitting up, held out her arms to receive her. + +When the caliph's favourite had strewn the mother and daughter +all tokens of affection, as Ganem's wife, she said to them, "The +wealth Ganem had in this city is not lost, it is in my apartment +in the palace; but I know all the treasure of the world cannot +comfort you without Ganem, if I may judge of you by myself. Blood +is no less powerful than love in great minds; but why should we +despair of seeing him again? We shall find him; the happiness of +meeting with you makes me conceive fresh hopes. Perhaps this is +the last day of your sufferings, and the beginning of a greater +felicity than you enjoyed in Damascus, when Ganem was with you." + +Fetnah would have proceeded, but the syndic of the jewellers coming in +interrupted her: "Madam," said he to her, "I come from seeing a very +moving object, it is a young man, whom a camel-driver had just carried +to an hospital: he was bound with cords on a camel, because he had not +strength enough to sit. They had already unbound him, and were +carrying him into the hospital, when I happened to pass by. I went up +to the young man, viewed him attentively, and fancied his countenance +was not altogether unknown to me. I asked him some questions +concerning his family and his country; but all the answers I could get +were sighs and tears. I took pity on him, and being so much used to +sick people, perceived that he had need to have particular care taken +of him. I would not permit him to be put into the hospital; for I am +too well acquainted with their way of managing the sick, and am +sensible of the incapacity of the physicians. I have caused him to be +brought to my own house, by my slaves; and they are now in a private +room where I placed him, putting on some of my own linen, and treating +him as they would do myself." + +Fetnah's heart beat at these words of the jeweller, and she felt +a sudden emotion, for which she could not account: "Shew me," +said she to the syndic, "into the sick man's room; I should be +glad to see him." The syndic conducted her, and whilst she was +going thither, Ganem's mother said to Jalib al Koolloob, "Alas! +daughter, wretched as that sick stranger is, your brother, if he +be living, is not perhaps in a more happy condition." + +The caliph's favourite coming into the chamber of the sick +stranger, drew near the bed, in which the syndic's slaves had +already laid him. She saw a young man, whose eyes were closed, +his countenance pale, disfigured, and bathed in tears. She gazed +earnestly on him, her heart beat, and she fancied she beheld +Ganem; but yet she would not believe her eyes. Though she found +something of Ganem in the objets she beheld, yet in other +respects he appeared so different, that she durst not imagine it +was he that lay before her. Unable, however, to withstand the +earnest desire of being satisfied, "Ganem," said she, with a +trembling voice, "is it you I behold?" Having spoken these words, +she stopped to give the young man time to answer, but observing +that he seemed insensible; "Alas! Ganem," added she, "it is not +you that I address! My imagination being overcharged with your +image, has given to a stranger a deceitful resemblance. The son +of Abou Ayoub, however indisposed, would know the voice of +Fetnah." At the name of Fetnah, Ganem (for it was really he) +opened his eyes, sprang up, and knowing the caliph's favourite; +"Ah! madam," said he, "by what miracle" He could say no more; +such a sudden transport of joy seized him that he fainted away. +Fetnah and the syndic did all they could to bring him to himself; +but as soon as they perceived he began to revive, the syndic +desired the lady to withdraw, lest the sight of her should +heighten his disorder. + +The young man having recovered, looked all around, and not seeing +what he sought, exclaimed, "What is become of you, charming +Fetnah? Did you really appear before my eyes, or was it only an +illusion?" "No, sir," said the syndic, "it was no illusion. It +was I that caused the lady to withdraw, but you shall see her +again, as soon as you are in a condition to bear the interview. +You now stand in need of rest, and nothing ought to obstruct your +taking it. The situation of your affairs is altered, since you +are, as I suppose, that Ganem, in favour of whom the commander of +the true believers has caused a proclamation to be made in +Bagdad, declaring, that he forgives him what is passed. Be +satisfied, for the present, with knowing so much; the lady, who +just now spoke to you, will acquaint you with the rest, therefore +think of nothing but recovering your health; I will contribute +all in my power towards it." Having spoke these words, he left +Ganem to take his rest, and went himself to provide for him such +medicines as were proper to recover his strength, exhausted by +hard living and toil. + +During this time Fetnah was in the room with Jalib al Koolloob +and her mother, where almost the same scene was acted over again; +for when Ganem's mother understood that the sick stranger whom +the syndic had brought into his house was Ganem himself, she was +so overjoyed, that she also swooned away, and when, with the +assistance of Fetnah and the syndic's wife, she was again come to +herself, she would have arisen to go and see her son; but the +syndic coming in, hindered her, representing that Ganem was so +weak and emaciated, that it would endanger his life to excite in +him those emotions, which must be the consequence of the +unexpected sight of a beloved mother and sister. There was no +occasion for the syndic's saying any more to Ganem's mother; as +soon as she was told that she could not converse with her son, +without hazarding his life, she ceased insisting to go and see +him. Fetnah then said, "Let us bless Heaven for having brought us +all together. I will return to the palace to give the caliph an +account of these adventures, and tomorrow morning I will return +to you." This said, she embraced the mother and the daughter, and +went away. As soon as she came to the palace, she sent Mesrour to +request a private audience of the caliph, which was immediately +granted; and being brought into the prince's closet, where he was +alone, she prostrated herself at his feet, with her face on the +ground, according to custom. He commanded her to rise, and having +made her sit down, asked whether she had heard any news of Ganem? +"Commander of the true believers," said she, "I have been so +successful, that I have found him, and also his mother and +sister." The caliph was curious to know how she had discovered +them in so short a time, and she satisfied his inquiries, saying +so many things in commendation of Ganem's mother and sister, he +desired to see them as well as the young merchant. + +Though Haroon al Rusheed was passionate, and in his heat +sometimes guilty of cruel actions; yet he was just, and the most +generous prince in the world, when the storm of anger was over, +and he was made sensible of the wrong he had done. Having +therefore no longer cause to doubt but that he had unjustly +persecuted Ganem and his family, and had publicly wronged them, +he resolved to make them public satisfaction. "I am overjoyed," +said he to Fetnah, "that your search has proved so successful; it +is a real satisfaction to me, not so much for your sake as for my +own. I will keep the promise I have made you. You shall marry +Ganem, and I here declare you are no longer my slave; you are +free. Go back to that young merchant, and as soon as he has +recovered his health, you shall bring him to me with his mother +and sister." + +The next morning early Fetnah repaired to the syndic of the +jewellers, being impatient to hear of Ganem's health, and tell +the mother and daughter the good news she had for them. The first +person she met was the syndic, who told her that Ganem had rested +well that night; and that his disorder proceeding altogether from +melancholy, the cause being removed, he would soon recover his +health. + +Accordingly the son of Abou Ayoub was speedily much amended. +Rest, and the good medicines he had taken, but above all the +different situation of his mind, had wrought so good an effect, +that the syndic thought he might without danger see his mother, +his sister, and his mistress, provided he was prepared to receive +them; because there was ground to fear, that, not knowing his +mother and sister were at Bagdad, the sight of them might +occasion too great surprise and joy. It was therefore resolved, +that Fetnah should first go alone into Ganem's chamber, and then +make a sign to the two other ladies to appear, when she thought +it was proper. + +Matters being so ordered, the syndic announced Fetnah's coming to +the sick man, who was so transported to see her, that he was +again near fainting away, "Well, Ganem," said she, drawing near +to his bed, "you have again found your Fetnah, whom you thought +you had lost for ever." "Ah! madam," exclaimed he, eagerly +interrupting her, "what miracle has restored you to my sight? I +thought you were in the caliph's palace; he has doubtless +listened to you. You have dispelled his jealousy, and he has +restored you to his favour." + +"Yes, my dear Ganem," answered Fetnah, "I have cleared myself +before the commander of the true believers, who, to make amends +for the wrong he has done you, bestows me on you for a wife." +These last words occasioned such an excess of joy in Ganem, that +he knew not for a while how to express himself, otherwise than by +that passionate silence so well known to lovers. At length he +broke out in these words: "Beautiful Fetnah, may I give credit to +what you tell me? May I believe that the caliph really resigns +you to Abou Ayoub's son?" "Nothing is more certain," answered the +lady. "The caliph, who before caused search to be made for you, +to take away your life, and who in his fury caused your mother +and your sister to suffer a thousand indignities, desires now to +see you, that he may reward the respect you had for him; and +there is no question but that he will load your family with +favours." + +Ganem asked, what the caliph had done to his mother and sister, +which Fetnah told him; and he could not forbear letting fall some +tears at the relation, notwithstanding the thoughts which arose +in his mind at the prospect of being married to his mistress. But +when Fetnah informed him, that they were actually in Bagdad, and +in the same house with him, he appeared so impatient to see them, +that the favourite could no longer defer giving him the +satisfaction; and accordingly called them in. They were at the +door waiting for that moment. They entered, went up to Ganem, and +embracing him in their turns, kissed him a thousand times. What +tears were shed amidst those embraces! Ganem's face was bathed +with them, as well as his mother's and sisters; and Fetnah let +fall abundance. The syndic himself and his wife were so moved at +the spectacle, that they could not forbear weeping, nor +sufficiently admire the secret workings of Providence which had +brought together into their house four persons, whom fortune had +so cruelly persecuted. + +When they had dried up their tears, Ganem drew them afresh, by +the recital of what he had suffered from the day he left Fetnah, +till the moment the syndic brought him to his house. He told +them, that having taken refuge in a small village, he there fell +sick; that some charitable peasants had taken care of him, but +finding he did not recover, a camel-driver had undertaken to +carry him to the hospital at Bagdad. Fetnah also told them all +the uneasiness of her imprisonment, how the caliph, having heard +her talk in the tower, had sent for her into his closet, and how +she had cleared herself. In conclusion, when they had related +what accidents had befallen them, Fetnah said, "Let us bless +Heaven, which has brought us all together again, and let us think +of nothing but the happiness that awaits us. As soon as Ganem has +recovered his health, he must appear before the caliph, with his +mother and sister; but I will go and make some provision for +them." + +This said, she went to the palace, and soon returned with a purse +containing a thousand pieces of gold, which she delivered to the +syndic, desiring him to buy apparel for the mother and daughter. +The syndic, who was a man of a good taste, chose such as were +very handsome, and had them made up with all expedition. They +were finished in three days, and Ganem finding himself strong +enough, prepared to go abroad; but on the day he had appointed to +pay his respects to the caliph, while he was making ready, with +his mother and sister, the grand vizier, Jaaffier came to the +syndic's house. + +He had come on horseback, attended by a great number of officers. +"Sir," said he to Ganem, as soon as he entered, "I am come from +the commander of the true believers, my master and yours; the +orders I have differ much from those which I do not wish to +revive in your memory; I am to bear you company, and to present +you to the caliph, who is desirous to see you." Ganem returned no +other answer to the vizier's compliment, than by profoundly +bowing his head, and then mounted a horse brought from the +caliph's stables, which he managed very gracefully. The mother +and daughter were mounted on mules belonging to the palace, and +whilst Fetnah on another mule led them by a bye-way to the +prince's court, Jaaffier conducted Ganem, and brought him into +the hall of audience. The caliph was sitting on his throne, +encompassed with emirs, viziers, and other attendants and +courtiers, Arabs, Persians, Egyptians, Africans, and Syrians, of +his own dominions, not to mention strangers. + +When the vizier had conducted Ganem to the foot of the throne, +the young merchant paid his obeisance, prostrating himself with +his face to the ground, and then rising, made a handsome +compliment in verse, which, though the effusion of the moment, +met with the approbation of the whole court. After his +compliment, the caliph caused him to approach, and said, "I am +glad to see you, and desire to hear from your own mouth where you +found my favourite, and all that you have done for her." Ganem +obeyed, and appeared so sincere, that the caliph was convinced of +his veracity. He ordered a very rich vest to be given him, +according to the custom observed towards those who are admitted +to audience. After which he said to him, "Ganem, I will have you +live in my court." "Commander of the true believers," answered +the young merchant, "a slave has no will but his master's, on +whom his life and fortune depend." The caliph was highly pleased +with Ganem's reply, and assigned him a considerable pension. He +then descended from his throne, and causing only Ganem and the +grand vizier, follow him, retired into his own apartment. + +Not questioning but that Fetnah was in waiting, with Abou Ayoub's +widow and daughter, he caused them to be called in. They +prostrated themselves before him: he made them rise; and was so +charmed by Jalib al Koolloob's beauty, that, after viewing her +very attentively, he said, "I am so sorry for having treated your +charms so unworthily, that I owe them such a satisfaction as may +surpass the injury I have done. I take you to wife; and by that +means shall punish Zobeide, who shall become the first cause of +your good fortune, as she was of your past sufferings. This is +not all," added he, turning towards Ganem's mother; "you are +still young, I believe you will not disdain to be allied to my +grand vizier, I give you to Jaaffier, and you, Fetnah, to Ganem. +Let a cauzee and witnesses be called, and the three contracts be +drawn up and signed immediately." Ganem would have represented to +the caliph, that it would be honour enough for his sister to be +one of his favourites; but he was resolved to marry her. + +Haroon thought this such an extraordinary story, that he ordered +his historiographer to commit it to writing with all its +circumstances. It was afterwards laid up in his library, and many +copies being transcribed, it became public. + + + + +End of Volume 1. + + + + + + + The "Aldine" Edition of + + The Arabian Nights Entertainments + + Illustrated by S. L. Wood + + FROM THE TEXT OF DR. JONATHAN SCOTT + + In Four Volumes + + Volume 2 + + + London + Pickering and Chatto + 1890 + + + + + Contents of Volume II. + + +The Story of the Little Hunch-Back + The Story Told by the Christian Merchant + The Story Told by the Sultan of Casgar's Purveyor + The Story Told by the Jewish Physician + The Story Told by the Tailor + The Story Told by the Barber + The Story Told by the Barber's Eldest Brother + The Story Told by the Barber's Second Brother + The Story Told by the Barber's Third Brother + The Story Told by the Barber's Fourth Brother + The Story Told by the Barber's Fifth Brother + The Story Told by the Barber's Sixth Brother + +The History of Aboulhassen Ali Ebn Ecar, and Schemselnihar, +Favourite of Caliph Haroon Al Rusheed + +The Story of the Loves of Kummir Al Zummaun, Prince of the Isles +of the Children of +Khaledan, and of Badoura, Princess of China + +The Story of the Princes Amgiad and Assad + The Story of the Prince Amgiad and a Lady of the City of +Magicians + +The Story of Noor Ad Deen and the Fair Persian + + + + + THE STORY OF THE LITTLE HUNCH-BACK. + + + +There was in former times at Casgar, on the extreme boundaries of +Tartary, a tailor who had a pretty wife, whom he affectionately +loved, and by whom he was beloved with reciprocal tenderness. One +day while he was at work, a little hunch-back seated himself at +the shop door and began to sing, and play upon a tabor. The +tailor was pleased with his performance, and resolved to take him +to his house to entertain his wife: "This little fellow," said +he, "will divert us both this evening." He accordingly invited +him, and the other readily accepted the invitation: so the tailor +shut up his shop, and carried him home. Immediately after their +arrival the tailor's wife placed before them a good dish of fish; +but as the little man was eating, he unluckily swallowed a bone, +which, notwithstanding all that the tailor and his wife could do, +choked him. This accident greatly alarmed them both, dreading, if +the magistrates should hear of it, that they would be punished as +murderers. However, the husband devised a scheme to get rid of +the corpse. He reflected that a Jewish doctor lived just by, and +having formed his plan, his wife and he took the corpse, the one +by the feet and the other by the head, and carried it to the +physician's house. They knocked at the door, from which a steep +flight of stairs led to his chamber. The servant maid came down +without any light, and opening the door, asked what they wanted. +"Have the goodness," said the tailor, "to go up again, and tell +your master we have brought him a man who is very ill, and wants +his advice. Here," continued he, putting a piece of money into +her hand, "give him that beforehand, to convince him that we do +not mean to impose." While the servant was gone up to inform her +master, the tailor and his wife hastily conveyed the hunchbacked +corpse to the head of the stairs, and leaving it there, hurried +away. + +In the mean time, the maid told the doctor, that a man and woman +waited for him at the door, desiring he would come down and look +at a sick man whom they had brought with them, and clapped into +his hand the money she had received. The doctor was transported +with joy; being paid beforehand, he thought it must needs be a +good patient, and should not be neglected. "Light, light," cried +he to the maid; "follow me quickly." As he spoke, he hastily ran +towards the head of the stairs without waiting for a light, and +came against the corpse with so much violence that he +precipitated it to the bottom, and had nearly fallen with it. +"Bring me a light," cried he to the maid; "quick, quick." At last +she brought one, and he went down stairs with her; but when he +saw that what he had kicked down was a dead man, he was so +frightened, that he invoked Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Esdras, and all +the other prophets of his nation. "Unhappy man that I am," said +he, "why did I attempt to come without a light! I have killed the +poor fellow who was brought to me to be cured: doubtless I am the +cause of his death, and unless Esdras's ass come to assist me, I +am ruined: Mercy on me, they will be here out of hand, and drag +me out of my house for a murderer." + +Notwithstanding the perplexity and confusion into which he was +thrown, he had the precaution to shut his door, for fear any one +passing by should observe the accident of which he reckoned +himself to be the author. He then took the corpse into his wife's +chamber, who was ready to swoon at the sight. "Alas," cried she, +"we are utterly ruined and undone, unless we can devise some +expedient to get the corpse out of our house this night. If we +harbour it till morning we are lost. What a deplorable misfortune +is this! What have you done to kill this man?" "That is not now +the question," replied the Jew; "our business at present is, to +find a remedy for the evil which threatens us." + +The doctor and his wife consulted how to dispose of the corpse +that night. The doctor racked his brain in vain, he could not +think of any stratagem to relieve his embarrassment; but his +wife, who was more fertile in invention, said, "A thought is just +come into my head; let us carry the corpse to the terrace of our +house, and throw it down the chimney of our Mussulmaun +neighbour." + +This Mussulmaun was one of the sultan's purveyors for furnishing +oil, butter, and articles of a similar nature, and had a magazine +in his house, where the rats and mice made prodigious havoc. + +The Jewish doctor approving the proposed expedient, the wife and +he took the little hunch-back up to the roof of the house; and +clapping ropes under his arm-pits, let him down the chimney into +the purveyor's chamber so dexterously that he stood upright +against the wall, as if he had been alive. When they found he had +reached the bottom, they pulled up the ropes, and left the corpse +in that posture. They were scarcely got down into their chamber, +when the purveyor, who had just returned from a wedding feast, +went into his room, with a lanthorn in his hand. He was not a +little surprised to discover a man standing in his chimney; but +being a stout fellow, and apprehending him to be a thief, he took +up a stick, and making straight up to the hunch-back, "Ah!" said +he, "I thought the rats and mice ate my butter and tallow; but it +is you who come down the chimney to rob me? However, I think you +will have no wish to come here again." Upon this he attacked +hunch-back, and struck him several times with his stick. The +corpse fell down flat on the ground, and the purveyor redoubled +his blows. But, observing that the body did not move, he stood a +little time to regard it; and then, perceiving it to be dead, +fear succeeded his anger. "Wretched man that I am," said he, +"what have I done! I have killed a man; alas, I have carried my +revenge too far. Good God, unless thou pity me my life is gone! +Cursed, ten thousand times accursed, be the fat and the oil that +occasioned me to commit so criminal an action." He stood pale and +thunderstruck; he fancied he already saw the officers come to +drag him to condign punishment, and could not tell what +resolution to take. + +The sultan of Casgar's purveyor had never noticed the little +man's hump-back when he was beating him, but as soon as he +perceived it, he uttered a thousand imprecations against him. +"Ah, thou cursed hunch-back," cried he, "thou crooked wretch, +would to God thou hadst robbed me of all my fat, and I had not +found thee here. I then should not have been thrown into this +perplexity on account of this and thy vile hunch. Ye stars that +twinkle in the heavens, give your light to none but me in this +dangerous juncture." As soon as he had uttered these words, he +took the crooked corpse upon his shoulders, and carried it to the +end of the street, where he placed it in an upright posture +against a shop; he then returned without once looking behind him. + +A few minutes before day-break, a Christian merchant, who was +very rich, and furnished the sultan's palace with various +articles, having sat up all night at a debauch, happened to come +from his house in this direction on his way to the bath. Though +he was intoxicated, he was sensible that the night was far spent, +and that the people would soon be called to morning prayers; he +therefore quickened his pace to get to the bath in time, lest +some Mussulmaun, in his way to the mosque, should meet him and +carry him to prison for a drunkard. When he came to the end of +the street, he had occasion to stop by the shop where the +sultan's purveyor had put the hunch-backed corpse; which being +jostled by him, tumbled upon the merchant's back. The merchant +thinking he was attacked by a robber, knocked it down, and after +redoubling his blows, cried out "Thieves!" + +The outcry alarmed the watch, who came up immediately, and +finding a Christian beating a Mussulmaun (for hump-back was of +our religion), "What reason have you," said he, "to abuse a +Mussulmaun in this manner?" "He would have robbed me," replied +the merchant, "and jumped upon my back in order to take me by the +throat." "If he did," said the watch, "you have revenged yourself +sufficiently; come, get off him." At the same time he stretched +out his hand to help little hump-back up, but observing he was +dead, "Oh!" said he, "is it thus that a Christian dares to +assassinate a Mussulmaun?" So saying, he laid hold of the +Christian, and carried him to the house of the officer of the +police, where he was kept till the judge was stirring, and ready +to examine him. In the mean time, the Christian merchant became +sober, and the more he reflected upon his adventure, the less +could he conceive how such slight blows of his fist could have +killed the man. + +The judge having heard the report of the watch, and viewed the +corpse, which they had taken care to bring to his house, +interrogated the Christian merchant, who could not deny the +crime, though he had not committed it. But the judge considering +that little hump-back belonged to the sultan, for he was one of +his buffoons, would not put the Christian to death till he knew +the sultan's pleasure. For this end he went to the palace, and +acquainted the sultan with what had happened; and received this +answer: "I have no mercy to show to a Christian who kills a +Mussulmaun." Upon this the judge ordered a stake to be prepared, +and sent criers all over the city to proclaim that they were +about to impale a Christian for killing a Mussulmaun. + +At length the merchant was brought to the place of execution; and +the executioner was about to do his duty, when the sultan's +purveyor pushed through the crowd, calling to him to stop for +that the Christian had not committed the murder, but he himself +had done it. Upon that, the officer who attended the execution +began to question the purveyor, who told him every circumstance +of his having killed the little hunchback, and how he had +conveyed his corpse to the place where the Christian merchant had +found it. "You were about," added he, "to put to death an +innocent person; for how can he be guilty of the death of a man +who was dead before he touched him? It is enough for me to have +killed a Mussulmaun without loading my conscience with the death +of a Christian who is not guilty." + +The sultan of Casgar's purveyor having publicly charged himself +with the death of the little hunchbacked man, the officer could +do no less than execute justice on the merchant. "Let the +Christian go," said he to the executioner, "and impale this man +in his stead, since it appears by his own confession that he is +guilty." Thereupon the executioner released the merchant, and +seized the purveyor; but just as he was going to impale him, he +heard the voice of the Jewish doctor, earnestly intreating him to +suspend the execution, and make room for him to approach. + +When he appeared before the judge, "My lord," said he, "this +Mussulmaun you are going to execute is not guilty. I am the +criminal. Last night a man and a woman, unknown to me, came to my +door with a sick man; my maid went and opened it without a light, +and received from them a piece of money with a commission to come +and desire me, in their name, to step down and look at the +patient. While she was delivering her message, they conveyed the +sick person to the stair-head, and disappeared. I went, without +staying till my servant had lighted a candle, and in the dark +happened to stumble upon the sick person, and kick him down +stairs. At length I saw he was dead, and that it was the crooked +Mussulmaun whose death you are now about to avenge. My wife and I +took the corpse, and, after conveying it up to the roof of the +purveyor, our next neighbour, whom you were going to put to death +unjustly, let it down the chimney into his chamber. The purveyor +finding it in his house, took the little man for a thief, and +after beating him concluded he had killed him. But that it was +not so you will be convinced by this my deposition; I am the sole +author of the murder; and though it was committed undesignedly, I +am resolved to expiate my crime, that I may not have to charge +myself with the death of two Mussulmauns." + +The chief justice being persuaded that the Jewish doctor was the +murderer, gave orders to the executioner to seize him and release +the purveyor. Accordingly the doctor was just going to be +impaled, when the tailor appeared, crying to the executioner to +hold his hand, and make room for him, that he might come and make +his confession to the chief judge. Room being made, "My lord," +said he, "you have narrowly escaped taking away the lives of +three innocent persons; but if you will have the patience to hear +me, I will discover to you the real murderer of the crook backed +man. If his death is to be expiated by another, that must be +mine. Yesterday, towards the evening, as I was at work in my +shop, and was disposed to be merry, the little hunch-back came to +my door half-drunk, and sat down. He sung a little, and so I +invited him to pass the evening at my house. He accepted the +invitation and went in with me. We sat down to supper and I gave +him a plate of fish; but in eating, a bone stuck in his throat, +and though my wife and I did our utmost to relieve him, he died +in a few minutes. His death afflicted us extremely, and for fear +of being charged with it, we carried the corpse to the Jewish +doctor's house and knocked. The maid came and opened the door; I +desired her to go up again and ask her master to come down and +give his advice to a sick person whom we had brought along with +us; and withal, to encourage him, I charged her to give him a +piece of money, which I put into her hand. When she was gone, I +carried the hunch-back up stairs, and laid him upon the uppermost +step, and then my wife and I made the best of our way home. The +doctor coming, threw the corpse down stairs, and concluded +himself to be the author of his death. This being the case," +continued he, "release the doctor, and let me die in his stead." + +The chief justice, and all the spectators, wondered at the +strange events which had ensued upon the death of the little +hunch-back. "Let the Jewish doctor go," said the judge, "and +seize the tailor, since he confesses the crime. It is certain +this history is very uncommon, and deserves to be recorded in +letters of gold." The executioner having dismissed the doctor +prepared to impale the tailor. + +While the executioner was making ready to impale the tailor, the +sultan of Casgar, wanting the company of his crooked jester, asked +where he was; and one of his officers told him; "The hunch-back, Sir, +whom you inquire after, got drunk last night, and contrary to his +custom slipped out of the palace, and went strolling about the city, +and this morning was found dead. A man was brought before the chief +justice, and charged with the murder of him; but when he was going to +be impaled, up came a man, and after him another, who took the charge +upon themselves and cleared one another, and the judge is now +examining a third, who gives himself out for the real author of the +murder." + +Upon this intelligence the sultan of Casgar sent an officer to +the place of execution. "Go," said he, "with all expedition, and +tell the judge to bring the accused persons before me immediately +and bring also the corpse of poor hunch-back, that I may see him +once more." Accordingly the officer went, and happened to arrive +at the place of execution at the very time that the executioner +had laid his hands upon the tailor. He called aloud to him to +suspend the execution. The executioner knowing the officer, did +not dare to proceed, but released the tailor; and then the +officer acquainted the judge with the sultan's pleasure. The +judge obeyed, and went directly to the palace accompanied by the +tailor, the Jewish doctor, and the Christian merchant; and made +four of his men carry the hunch-backed corpse along with him. + +When they appeared in the sultan's presence, the judge threw +himself at the prince's feet and after recovering himself, gave +him a faithful relation of what he knew of the story of the +hunch-backed man. The story appeared so extraordinary to the +sultan, that he ordered his own historian to write it down with +all its circumstances. Then addressing himself to the audience; +"Did you ever hear," said he, "such a surprising event as has +happened on the account of my little crooked buffoon?" The +Christian merchant, after falling down, and touching the earth +with his forehead, spoke as follows: "Most puissant monarch, I +know a story yet more astonishing than this; if your majesty will +give me leave, I will relate it. The circumstances are such, that +no one can hear them without emotion." "Well," said the sultan, +"you have my permission:" and the merchant went on as follows: + + + + + The Story told by the Christian Merchant. + + + +Sir, before I commence the recital of the story you have +permitted me to relate, I beg leave to acquaint you, that I have +not the honour to be born in any part of your majesty's empire. I +am a stranger, born at Cairo in Egypt, a Copt by nation, and by +religion a Christian. My father was a broker, and realized +considerable property, which he left me at his death. I followed +his example, and pursued the same employment. While I was +standing in the public inn frequented by the corn merchants, +there came up to me a handsome young man, well dressed, and +mounted on an ass. He saluted me, and pulling out a handkerchief, +in which he had a sample of sesame or Turkey corn, asked me how +much a bushel of such sesame would fetch. + +I examined the corn the young man shewed me, and told him it was +worth a hundred dirhems of silver per bushel. "Pray," said he, +"look out for some merchant to take it at that price, and come to +me at the Victory gate, where you will see a khan at a distance +from the houses." So saying, he left me the sample, and I shewed +it to several merchants, who told me, that they would take as +much as I could spare at a hundred and ten dirhems per bushel, so +that I reckoned on getting ten dirhems per bushel for my +commission. Full of the expectation of this profit, I went to the +Victory gate, where I found the young merchant expecting me, and +he took me into his granary, which was full of sesame. He had +then a hundred and fifty bushels, which I measured out, and +having carried them off upon asses, sold them for five thousand +dirhems of silver. "Out of this sum," said the young man, "there +are five hundred dirhems coming to you, at the rate of ten +dirhems per bushel. This I give you; and as for the rest which +pertains to me, take it out of the merchants' hands, and keep it +till I call or send for it, for I have no occasion for it at +present." I answered, it should be ready for him whenever he +pleased to demand it; and so, kissing his hand, took leave of +him, with a grateful sense of his generosity. + +A month passed before he came near me: then he asked for the sum +he had committed to my trust. I told him it was ready, and should +be counted to him immediately. He was mounted on his ass, and I +desired him to alight, and do me the honour to eat a mouthful +with me before he received his money. "No," said he, "I cannot +alight at present, I have urgent business that obliges me to be +at a place just by; but I will return this way, and then take the +money which I desired you would have in readiness." This said, he +disappeared, and I still expected his return, but it was a full +month before I saw him again. "This young merchant," thought I, +"has great confidence in me, leaving so great a sum in my hands +without knowing me; any other man would have been afraid I should +have run away with it." To be short, he came again at the end of +the third month, and was still mounted on his ass, but more +handsomely dressed than before. + +As soon as I saw the young man, I intreated him to alight, and +asked him if he would not take his money? "There is no hurry," +said he, with a pleasant easy air, "I know it is in good hands; I +will come and take it when my other money is all gone. Adieu," +continued he, "I will return towards the end of the week." With +that he struck the ass, and soon disappeared. "Well," thought I, +"he says he will see me towards the end of the week, but he may +not perhaps return for a great while; I will make the most I can +of his money, which may bring me much profit." + +As it happened, I was not deceived in my conjecture; for it was a +full year before I saw my young merchant again. He then appeared +as richly appareled as before, but seemed to have something on +his spirits. I asked him to do me the honour to walk into my +house. "For this time," replied he, "I will: but on this +condition, that you shall put yourself to no extraordinary charge +on my account." "I will do just as you please," said I, "only do +me the favour to alight and walk in." Accordingly he complied. I +gave orders to have a repast prepared, and while this was doing, +we entered into conversation. All things being ready, we sat +down. I observed he took the first mouthful with his left hand, +and not with the right. I was at a loss what to think of this. +"Ever since I have known this young man," said I inwardly, "he +has always appeared very polite; is it possible he can do this +out of contempt? What can be the reason he does not use his right +hand?" + +After we had done eating, and every thing was taken away, we sat +upon a sofa, and I presented him with a lozenge by way of dainty; +but still he took it with his left hand. I said to him, "Pardon, +Sir, the liberty I take in asking you what reason you have for +not using your right hand? Perhaps you have some complaint in +that hand." Instead of answering, he heaved a deep sigh, and +pulling out his right arm, which he had hitherto kept under his +vest, shewed me, to my great astonishment, that it had been cut +off. "Doubtless you were displeased," said he, "to see me feed +myself with the left hand; but I leave you to judge, whether it +was in my power to do otherwise." "May one ask," said I, "by what +mischance you lost your right hand?" Upon that he burst into +tears, and after wiping his eyes, gave me the following relation. + +You must know that I am a native of Bagdad, the son of a rich +merchant, the most eminent in that city for rank and opulence. I +had scarcely launched into the world, when falling into the +company of travellers, and hearing their wonderful accounts of +Egypt, especially of Grand Cairo, I was interested by their +discourse, and felt a strong desire to travel. But my father was +then alive, and would not grant me permission. At length he died; +and being then my own master, I resolved to take a journey to +Cairo. I laid out a large sum of money in the purchase of several +sorts of fine stuffs of Bagdad and Moussol and departed. + +Arriving at Cairo, I went to the khan, called the khan of +Mesrour, and there took lodgings, with a warehouse for my bales, +which I had brought with me upon camels. This done, I retired to +my chamber to rest, after the fatigue of my journey, and gave +some money to my servants, with orders to buy some provisions and +dress them. After I had eaten, I went to view the castle, some +mosques, the public squares, and the other most remarkable +places. + +Next day I dressed myself, and ordered some of the finest and +richest of my bales to be selected and carried by my slaves to +the Circassian bazaar, whither I followed. I had no sooner made +my appearance, than I was surrounded with brokers and criers who +had heard of my arrival. I gave patterns of my stuffs to several +of the criers, who shewed them all over the bazaar; but none of +the merchants offered near so much as prime cost and carriage. +This vexed me, and the criers observing I was dissatisfied, said, +"If you will take our advice, we will put you in a way to sell +your goods without loss." + +The brokers and the criers, having thus promised to put me in a +way of losing nothing by my goods, I asked them what course they +would have me pursue. "Divide your goods," said they, "among +several merchants, they will sell them by retail; and twice a +week, that is on Mondays and Thursdays, you may receive what +money they may have taken. By this means, instead of losing, you +will turn your goods to advantage, and the merchants will gain by +you. In the mean while you will have time to take your pleasure +about the town or go upon the Nile." + +I took their advice, and conducted them to my warehouse; from +whence I brought all my goods to the bazaar, and there divided +them among the merchants whom they represented as most reputable +and able to pay; and the merchants gave me a formal receipt +before witnesses, stipulating that I should not making any +demands upon them for the first month. + +Having thus regulated my affairs, my mind was occupied with +ordinary pleasures. I contracted acquaintance with divers persons +of nearly the same age with myself, which made the time pass +agreeably. After the first month had expired, I began to visit my +merchants twice a week, taking with me a public officer to +inspect their books of sale, and a banker to see that they paid +me in good money, and to regulate the value of the several coins. +Every pay-day, I had a good sum of money to carry home to my +lodging at the khan of Mesrour. I went on other days to pass the +morning sometimes at one merchant's house, and sometimes at that +of another. In short, I amused myself in conversing with them, +and seeing what passed in the bazaar. + +One Monday, as I was sitting in a merchant's shop, whose name +was Buddir ad Deen, a lady of quality, as might easily be +perceived by her air, her apparel, and by a well-dressed slave +attending her, came into the shop, and sat down by me. Her +external appearance, joined to a natural grace that shone in all +her actions, prepossessed me in her favour, and inspired me with +a desire to be better acquainted with her. I know not whether she +observed that I took pleasure in gazing on her, and whether this +attention on my part was not agreeable to her; but she let down +the crepe that hung over the muslin which covered her face, and +gave me the opportunity of seeing her large black eyes; which +perfectly charmed me. In fine, she inflamed my love to the height +by the agreeable sound of her voice, her graceful carriage in +saluting the merchant, and asking him how he did since she had +seen him last. + +After conversing with him some time upon indifferent subjects, she +gave him to understand that she wanted a particular kind of stuff with +a gold ground; that she came to his shop, as affording the best choice +of any in all the bazaar; and that if he had any such as she asked +for, he would oblige her in showing them. Buddir ad Deen produced +several pieces, one of which she pitched upon, and he asked for it +eleven hundred dirhems of silver. "I will," said she, "give you your +price for it, but I have not money enough about me; so I hope you will +give me credit till to-morrow, and in the mean time allow me to carry +home the stuff. I shall not fail," added she, "to send you tomorrow +the eleven hundred dirhems." "Madam," said Buddir ad Deen, "I would +give you credit with all my heart if the stuff were mine; but it +belongs to the young man you see here, and this is the day on which we +settle our accounts." "Why," said the lady in surprise, "do you use me +so? Am not I a customer to your shop And when I have bought of you, +and carried home the things without paying ready money for them, did I +in any instance fail to send you your money next morning?" "Madam," +said the merchant, "all this is true, but this very day I have +occasion for the money." "There," said she, throwing the stuff to him, +"take your stuff, I care not for you nor any of the merchants. You are +all alike; you respect no one." As she spoke, she rose up in anger, +and walked out. + +When I saw that the lady walked away, I felt interested on her +behalf, and called her back, saying, "Madam, do me the favour to +return, perhaps I can find a way to satisfy you both." She +returned, saying, it was on my account that she complied. "Buddir +ad Deen," said I to the merchant, "what is the price you must +have for this stuff that belongs to me?" "I must have," replied +he, "eleven hundred dirhems, I cannot take less." "Give it to the +lady then," said I, "let her take it home with her; I allow a +hundred dirhems profit to yourself, and shall now write you a +note, empowering you to deduct that sum upon the produce of the +other goods you have of mine." In fine, I wrote, signed, and gave +him the note, and then delivered the stuff to the lady. "Madam," +said I, "you may take the stuff with you, and as for the money, +you may either send it to-morrow or the next day; or, if you +will, accept it as a present from me." "Pardon me," returned she, +"I mean no such thing. You treat me with so much politeness, that +I should be unworthy to appear in the world again, were I to omit +making you my best acknowledgments. May God reward you, by an +increase of your fortune; may you live many years after I am +dead; may the gate of paradise be open to you when you remove to +the other world, and may all the city proclaim your generosity." + +These words inspired me with some assurance. "Madam," I replied, +"I desire no other reward for the service I have done you than +the happiness of seeing your face; which will repay me with +interest." I had no sooner spoken than she turned towards me, +took off her veil, and discovered to me a wonderful beauty. I +became speechless with admiration. I could have gazed upon her +for ever; but fearing any one should observe her, she quickly +covered her face, and letting down the crepe, took up the piece +of stuff, and went away, leaving me in a very different state of +mind from that in which I had entered the shop. I continued for +some time in great confusion and perplexity. Before I took leave +of the merchant, I asked him, if he knew the lady; "Yes," said +he, "she is the daughter of an emir." + +I went back to the khan of Mesrour, and sat down to supper, but +could not eat, neither could I shut my eyes all the night, which +seemed the longest in my life. As soon as it was day I arose, in +hopes of once more beholding the object that disturbed my repose: +and to engage her affection, I dressed myself much richer than I +had done the day before. + +I had but just reached Buddir ad Deen's shop, when I saw the lady +coming in more magnificent apparel than before, and attended by +her slave. When she entered, she did not regard the merchant, but +addressing herself to me, said, "Sir, you see I am punctual to my +word. I am come for the express purpose of paying the sum you +were so kind as to pass your word for yesterday, though you had +no knowledge of me. Such uncommon generosity I shall never +forget." + +"Madam," said I, "you had no occasion to be in such haste; I was +well satisfied as to my money, and am sorry you should put +yourself to so much trouble." "I had been very unjust," answered +she, "if I had abused your generosity." With these words she put +the money into my hand, and sat down by me. + +Having this opportunity of conversing with her, I determined to +improve it, and mentioned to her the love I had for her; but she +rose and left me very abruptly, as if she had been angry with the +declaration I had made. I followed her with my eyes as long as +she continued in sight; then taking leave of the merchant walked +out of the bazaar, without knowing where I went. I was musing on +this adventure, when I felt somebody pulling me behind, and +turning to see who it was, I was agreeably surprised to perceive +it was the lady's slave. "My mistress," said she, "I mean the +young lady you spoke to in the merchant's shop, wants to speak +with you, if you please to give yourself the trouble to follow +me." Accordingly I followed her, and found her mistress sitting +waiting for me in a banker's shop. + +She made me sit down by her, and spoke to this purpose. "Do not +be surprised, that I left you so abruptly. I thought it not +proper, before that merchant, to give a favourable answer to the +discovery you made of your affection for me. But to speak the +truth, I was so far from being offended at it, that it gave me +pleasure; and I account myself infinitely happy in having a man +of your merit for my lover. I do not know what impression the +first sight of me may have made on you, but I assure you, I had +no sooner beheld you than I found my heart moved with the +tenderest emotions of love. Since yesterday I have done nothing +but think of what you said to me; and my eagerness to seek you +this morning may convince you of my regard." "Madam," I replied, +transported with love and joy, "nothing can be more agreeable to +me than this declaration. No passion can exceed that with which I +love you. My eyes were dazzled with so many charms, that my heart +yielded without resistance." "Let us not trifle away the time in +needless discourse," said she, interrupting me; "make no doubt of +your sincerity, and you shall quickly be convinced of mine. Will +you do me the honour to come to my residence? Or if you will I +will go to yours." "Madam," I returned, "I am a stranger lodged +in a khan, which is not the proper place for the reception of a +lady of your quality. It is more proper, madam, that I should +visit you at your house; have the goodness to tell me where it +is." The lady consented; "Come," said she, "on Friday, which is +the day after to-morrow, after noon-prayers, and ask for the +house of Abou Schama, surnamed Bercour, late master of the emirs; +there you will find me." This said, we parted; and I passed the +next day in great impatience. + +On Friday I put on my richest apparel, and took fifty pieces of +gold in my purse. I mounted an ass I had bespoken the day before, +and set out, accompanied by the man who let me the ass. I +directed the owner of the ass to inquire for the house I wanted; +he found it, and conducted me thither. I paid him liberally, +directing him to observe narrowly where he left me, and not to +fail to return next morning with the ass, to carry me again to +the khan of Mesrour. + +I knocked at the door, and presently two little female slaves, +white as snow, and neatly dressed came and opened it. "Be pleased +to come in, Sir," said they, "our mistress expects you +impatiently; these two days she has talked of nothing but you." I +entered the court, and saw a pavilion raised seven steps, and +surrounded with iron rails that parted it from a very pleasant +garden. Besides the trees which only embellished the place, and +formed an agreeable shade, there was an infinite number of others +loaded with all sorts of fruit. I was charmed with the warbling +of a great number of birds, that joined their notes to the +murmurings of a fountain, in the middle of a parterre enamelled +with flowers. This fountain formed a very agreeable object; four +large gilded dragons at the angles of the basin, which was of a +square form, spouted out water clearer than rock-crystal. This +delicious place gave me a charming idea of the conquest I had +made. The two little slaves conducted me into a saloon +magnificently furnished; and while one of them went to acquaint +her mistress with my arrival, the other tarried with me, and +pointed out to me the beauties of the hall. + +I did not wait long in the hall, ere the lady I loved appeared, +adorned with pearls and diamonds; but the splendour of her eyes +far outshone that of her jewels. Her shape, which was now not +disguised by the habit she wore in the city, appeared the most +slender and delicate. I need not mention with what joy we met +once more; it far exceeded all expression. When the first +compliments were over, we sat down upon a sofa, and there +conversed together with the highest satisfaction. We had the most +delicious refreshments served up to us; and after eating, +continued our conversation till night. We then had excellent wine +brought up, and fruit adapted to promote drinking, and timed our +cups to the sound of musical instruments, joined to the voices of +the slaves. The lady of the house sung herself, and by her songs +raised my passion to the height. In short, I passed the night in +full enjoyment. + +Next morning I slipped under the bolster of the bed the purse +with the fifty pieces of gold I had brought with me, and took +leave of the lady, who asked me when I would see her again. +"Madam," said I, "I give you my promise to return this night." +She seemed to be transported with my answer, and conducting me to +the door, conjured me at parting to be mindful of my promise. + +The same man who had carried me thither waited for me with his +ass, which I mounted, and went directly to the khan; ordering the +man to come to me again in the afternoon at a certain hour, to +secure which, I deferred paying him till that time came. + +As soon as I arrived at my lodging, my first care was to order my +people to buy a lamb, and several sorts of cakes, which I sent by +a porter as a present to the lady. When that was done I attended +to my business till the owner of the ass arrived. I then went +along with him to the lady's house, and was received by her with +as much joy as before, and entertained with equal magnificence. + +Next morning I took leave, left her another purse with fifty +pieces of gold, and returned to my khan. + +I continued to visit the lady every day, and to leave her every +time a purse with fifty pieces of gold, till the merchants whom I +employed to sell my goods, and whom I visited regularly twice a +week, had paid me the whole amount of my goods and, in short, I +came at last to be moneyless, and hopeless of having any more. + +In this forlorn condition I walked out of my lodging, not knowing +what course to take, and by chance went towards the castle, where +there was a great crowd to witness a spectacle given by the +sultan of Egypt. As soon as I came up, I wedged in among the +crowd, and by chance happened to stand by a horseman well mounted +and handsomely clothed, who had upon the pommel of his saddle a +bag, half open, with a string of green silk hanging out of it. I +clapped my hand to the bag, concluding the silk-twist might be +the string of a purse within: in the mean time a porter, with a +load of wood upon his back, passed by on the other side of the +horse so near, that the rider was forced to turn his head towards +him, to avoid being hurt, or having his clothes torn by the wood. +In that moment the devil tempted me; I took the string in one +hand, and with the other pulled out the purse so dexterously, +that nobody perceived me. The purse was heavy, and I did not +doubt but it contained gold or silver. + +As soon as the porter had passed, the horseman, who probably had +some suspicion of what I had done while his head was turned, +presently put his hand to his bag, and finding his purse was +gone, gave me such a blow, that he knocked me down. This violence +shocked all who saw it. Some took hold of the horse's bridle to +stop the gentleman, and asked him what reason he had to strike +me, or how he came to treat a Mussulmaun so rudely. "Do not you +trouble yourselves," said he briskly, "I had reason for what I +did; this fellow is a thief." At these words I started up, and +from my appearance every one took my part, and cried out he was a +liar, for that it was incredible a young man such as I was should +be guilty of so base an action: but while they were holding his +horse by the bridle to favour my escape, unfortunately passed by +the judge, who seeing such a crowd about the gentleman on +horseback, came up and asked what the matter was. Every body +present reflected on the gentleman for treating me so unjustly +upon the presence of robbery. + +The judge did not give ear to all that was said; but asked the +cavalier if he suspected any body else beside me? The cavalier +told him he did not, and gave his reasons why he believed his +suspicions not to be groundless. Upon this the judge ordered his +followers to seize me, which they presently did; and finding the +purse upon me, exposed it to the view of all the people. The +disgrace was so great, I could not bear it, and I swooned away. +In the mean time the judge called for the purse. + +When the judge had got the purse in his hand, he asked the +horseman if it was his, and how much money it contained. The +cavalier knew it to be his own, and assured the judge he had put +twenty sequins into it. Upon which the judge called me before +him; "Come, young man," said he, "confess the truth. Was it you +that took the gentleman's purse from him? Do not wait for the +torture to extort confession." Then with downcast eyes, thinking +that if I denied the fact, they, having found the purse upon me, +would convict me of a lie, to avoid a double punishment I looked +up and confessed my guilt. I had no sooner made the confession, +than the judge called people to witness it, and ordered my hand +to be cutoff. This sentence was immediately put in execution, to +the great regret of all the spectators; nay, I observed, by the +cavalier's countenance, that he was moved with pity as much as +the rest. The judge would likewise have ordered my foot to be cut +off, but I begged the cavalier to intercede for my pardon; which +he did, and obtained it. + +When the judge was gone, the cavalier came up to me, and holding +out the purse, said, "I see plainly that necessity drove you to +an action so disgraceful and unworthy of such a young man as you +appear. Here, take that fatal purse; I freely give it you, and am +heartily sorry for the misfortune you have undergone." Having +thus spoken, he went away. Being very weak by loss of blood, some +of the good people of the neighbourhood had the kindness to carry +me into a house and give me a glass of cordial; they likewise +dressed my arm, and wrapped up the dismembered hand in a cloth, +which I carried away with me fastened to my girdle. + +Had I returned to the khan of Mesrour in this melancholy condition, I +should not have found there such relief as I wanted; and to offer to +go to the young lady was running a great hazard, it being likely she +would not look upon me after being informed of my disgrace. I +resolved, however, to put her to the trial; and to tire out the crowd +that followed me, I turned down several by-streets, and at last +arrived at the lady's house very weak, and so much fatigued, that I +presently threw myself down upon a sofa, keeping my right arm under my +garment, for I took great care to conceal my misfortune. + +In the mean time the lady, hearing of my arrival, and that I was +not well, came to me in haste; and seeing me pale and dejected, +said, "My dear love, what is the matter with you?" "Madam," I +replied, dissembling, "I have a violent pain in my head." The +lady seemed to be much concerned, and asked me to sit down, for I +had arisen to receive her. "Tell me," said she, "how your illness +was occasioned. The last time I had the pleasure to see you, you +were very well. There must be something that you conceal from me, +let me know what it is." I stood silent, and instead of an +answer, tears trickled down my cheeks. "I cannot conceive," +resumed she, "what it is that afflicts you. Have I unthinkingly +given you any occasion of uneasiness? Or do you come on purpose +to tell me you no longer love me?" "It is not that, madam," said +I, heaving a deep sigh; "your unjust suspicion adds to my +misfortune." + +I could not think of discovering to her the true cause. When +night came, supper was brought, and she pressed me to eat; but +considering I could only feed myself with my left hand, I begged +to be excused upon the plea of having no appetite. "It will +return," said she, "if you would but discover what you so +obstinately conceal from me. Your want of appetite, without +doubt, is only owing to your irresolution." + +"Alas! madam," returned I, "I find I must resolve at last." I had +no sooner spoken, than she filled me a cup full of wine, and +offering it to me, "Drink that," said she, "it will give you +courage." I reached out my left hand, and took the cup. + +When I had taken the cup in my hand, I redoubled my tears and +sighs. "Why do you sigh and weep so bitterly?" asked the lady; +"and why do you take the cup with your left hand, rather than +your right?" "Ah! madam," I replied, "I beseech you excuse me; I +have a swelling in my right hand." "Let me see that swelling," +said she; "I will open it." I desired to be excused, alleging it +was not ripe enough for such an operation; and drank off the cup, +which was very large. The fumes of the wine, joined to my +weakness and weariness, set me asleep, and I slept very soundly +till morning. + +In the mean time the lady, curious to know what ailed my right +hand, lifted up my garment that covered it; and saw to her great +astonishment that it was cut off, and that I had brought it along +with me wrapped up in a cloth. She presently apprehended what was +my reason for declining a discovery, notwithstanding all her +pressing solicitation; and passed the night in the greatest +uneasiness on account of my disgrace, which she concluded had +been occasioned only by the love I bore to her. + +When I awoke, I discerned by her countenance that she was +extremely grieved. However, that she might not increase my +uneasiness she said not a word. She called for jelly-broth of +fowl, which she had ordered to be prepared, and made me eat and +drink to recruit my strength. After that, I offered to take leave +of her; but she declared I should not go out of her doors. +"Though you tell me nothing of the matter," said she, "I am +persuaded I am the cause of the misfortune that has befallen you. +The grief that I feel on that account will soon end my days, but +before I die, I must execute a design for your benefit." She had +no sooner spoken, than she called for a judge and witnesses, and +ordered a writing to be drawn up, putting me in possession of her +whole property. After this was done, and every body dismissed, +she opened a large trunk where lay all the purses I had given her +from the commencement of our amour. "There they are all entire," +said she; "I have not touched one of them. Here is the key; take +it, for all is yours." After I had returned her thanks for her +generosity and goodness; "What I have done for you," said she, +"is nothing; I shall not be satisfied unless I die, to show how +much I love you." I conjured her, by all the powers of love, to +relinquish such a fatal resolution. But all my remonstrances were +ineffectual: she was so afflicted to see me have but one hand, +that she sickened, and died after five or six weeks' illness. + +After mourning for her death as long as was decent, I took +possession of all her property, a particular account of which she +gave me before she died; and the corn you sold for me was part of +it. + +"What I have now told you," said he, "will plead my excuse for +eating with my left hand. I am highly obliged to you for the +trouble you have given yourself on my account. I can never +sufficiently recompense your fidelity. Since I have still, thanks +to God, a competent estate, notwithstanding I have spent a great +deal, I beg you to accept of the sum now in your hand, as a +present from me. I have besides a proposal to make to you. As I +am obliged, on account of this fatal accident, to quit Cairo, I +am resolved never to return to it again. If you choose to +accompany me, we will trade together as equal partners, and share +the profits." + +I thanked the young man for the present he had made me, and I +willingly embraced the proposal of travelling with him, assuring +him, that his interest should always be as dear to me as my own. + +We fixed a day for our departure, and accordingly entered upon +our travels. We passed through Syria and Mesopotamia, travelled +over Persia, and after stopping at several cities, came at last, +sir, to your capital. Some time after our arrival here, the young +man having formed a design of returning to Persia, and settling +there, we balanced our accounts, and parted very good friends. He +went from hence, and I, sir, continue here in your majesty's +service. This is the story I had to relate. Does not your majesty +find it more surprising than that of the hunch-back buffoon? + +The sultan of Casgar fell into a passion against the Christian +merchant. "Thou art a presumptuous fellow," said he, "to tell me +a story so little worth hearing, and then to compare it to that +of my jester. Canst thou flatter thyself so far as to believe +that the trifling adventures of a young debauchee are more +interesting than those of my jester? I will have you all four +impaled, to revenge his death." + +Hearing this, the purveyor prostrated himself at the sultan's +feet. "Sir," said he, "I humbly beseech your majesty to suspend +your wrath, and hear my story; and if it appears to be more +extraordinary than that of your jester, to pardon us." The sultan +having granted his request, the purveyor began thus. + + + + + The Story told by the Sultan of Casgar's Purveyor. + + + +Sir, a person of quality invited me yesterday to his daughter's +wedding. I went to his house in the evening at the hour +appointed, and found there a large company of men of the law, +ministers of justice, and others of the first rank in the city. +After the ceremony was over, we partook of a splendid feast. +Among other dishes set upon the table, there was one seasoned +with garlic, which was very delicious, and generally relished. We +observed, however, that one of the guests did not touch it, +though it stood just before him. We invited him to taste it, but +he intreated us not to press him. "I will take good care," said +he, "how I touch any dish that is seasoned with garlic; I have +not yet forgotten what the tasting of such a dish once cost me." +We requested him to inform us what the reason was of his aversion +to garlic. But before he had time to answer, the master of the +house exclaimed, "Is it thus you honour my table? This dish is +excellent, do not expect to be excused from eating of it; you +must do me that favour as well as the rest." "Sir," said the +gentleman, who was a Bagdad merchant, "I hope you do not think my +refusal proceeds from any mistaken delicacy; if you insist on my +compliance I will submit, but it must be on this condition, that +after having eaten, I may, with your permission, wash my hands +with alkali forty times, forty times more with ashes, and forty +times again with soap. I hope you will not feel displeased at +this stipulation, as I have made an oath never to taste garlic +but on these terms." + +As the master of the house, continued the purveyor of the sultan +of Casgar, would not dispense with the merchant's partaking of +the dish seasoned with garlic, he ordered his servants to provide +a basin of water, together with some alkali, the ashes, and soap, +that the merchant might wash as often as he pleased. After he had +given these instructions, he addressed the merchant and said, "I +hope you will now do as we do." + +The merchant, apparently displeased with the constraint put upon +him, took up a bit, which he put to his mouth trembling, and ate +with a reluctance that astonished us. But what surprised us yet +more was, that he had no thumb; which none of us had observed +before, though he had eaten of other dishes. "You have lost your +thumb," said the master of the house. "This must have been +occasioned by some extraordinary accident, a relation of which +will be agreeable to the company." "Sir," replied the merchant, +"I have no thumb on either the right or the left hand." As he +spoke he put out his left hand, and shewed us that what he said +was true. "But this is not all," continued he: "I have no great +toe on either of my feet: I was maimed in this manner by an +unheard-of adventure, which I am willing to relate, if you will +have the patience to hear me. The account will excite at once +your astonishment and your pity. Only allow me first to wash my +hands." With this he rose from the table, and after washing his +hands a hundred and twenty times, reseated himself, and proceeded +with his narrative as follows. + +In the reign of the caliph Haroon al Rusheed, my father lived at +Bagdad, the place of my nativity, and was reputed one of the +richest merchants in the city. But being a man addicted to his +pleasures, and neglecting his private affairs, instead of leaving +me an ample fortune, he died in such embarrassed circumstances, +that I was reduced to the necessity of using all the economy +possible to discharge the debts he had contracted. I at last, +however, paid them all; and by care and good management my little +fortune began to wear a smiling aspect. + +One morning, as I opened my shop, a lady mounted upon a mule, and +attended by an eunuch and two slaves, stopped near my door, and +with the assistance of the eunuch alighted. "Madam," said the +eunuch, "I told you you would be too early; you see there is no +one yet in the bazaar: had you taken my advice, you might have +saved yourself the trouble of waiting here." The lady looked and +perceiving no shop open but mine, asked permission to sit in it +till the other merchants arrived. With this request I of course +readily complied. + +The lady took a seat in my shop, and observing there was no one +in the bazaar but the eunuch and myself, uncovered her face to +take the air. I had never beheld any thing so beautiful. I became +instantly enamoured, and kept my eyes fixed upon her. I flattered +myself that my attention was not unpleasant to her; for she +allowed me time to view her deliberately, and only concealed her +face so far as she thought necessary to avoid being observed. + +After she had again lowered her veil, she told me she wanted +several sorts of the richest and finest stuffs, and asked me if I +had them. "Alas! madam," I replied, "I am but a young man just +beginning the world; I have not capital sufficient for such +extensive traffic. I am much mortified not to be able to +accommodate you with the articles you want. But to save you the +trouble of going from shop to shop, when the merchants arrive, I +will, if you please, go and get those articles from them, and +ascertain the lowest prices." She assented to this proposal, and +entered into conversation with me, which I prolonged, making her +believe the merchants that could furnish what she wanted were not +yet come. + +I was not less charmed with her wit than I had been before with +the beauty of her face; but was obliged to forego the pleasure of +her conversation. I ran for the stuffs she wanted, and after she +had fixed upon what she liked, we agreed for five thousand +dirhems of coined silver; I wrapped up the stuffs in a small +bundle, and gave it to the eunuch, who put it under his arm. She +then rose and took leave. I followed her with my eyes till she +had reached the bazaar gate, and even after she had remounted her +mule. + +The lady had no sooner disappeared, than I perceived that love +had led me to a serious oversight. It had so engrossed my +thoughts, that I did not reflect that she went away without +paying, and that I had not informed myself who she was, or where +she resided. I soon felt sensible, however, that I was +accountable for a large sum to the merchants, who, perhaps, would +not have patience to wait for their money: I went to them, and +made the best excuse I could, pretending that I knew the lady; +and then returned home, equally affected with love, and with the +burden of such a heavy debt. + +I had desired my creditors to wait eight days for their money: +when this period had elapsed, they did not fail to dun me. I then +intreated them to give me eight days more, to which they +consented; but the next day I saw the lady enter the bazaar, +mounted on her mule, with the same attendants as before, and +exactly the same hour of the day. + +She came straight to my shop. "I have made you wait some time," +said she, "but here is your money at last; carry it to the +banker, and see that it is all good and right." The eunuch who +carried the money went along with me to the banker, and we found +it quite right. I returned, and had the happiness of conversing +with the lady till all the shops of the bazaar were open. Though +we talked but of ordinary things, she gave them such a turn, that +they appeared new and uncommon; and convinced me that I was not +mistaken in admiring her wit at our first interview. + +As soon as the merchants had arrived and opened their shops, I +carried to the respective owners the money due for their stuffs, +and was readily intrusted with more, which the lady had desired +to see. She chose some from these to the value of one thousand +pieces of gold, and carried them away as before without paying; +nay, without speaking a word, or informing me who she was. What +distressed me was the consideration that while at this rate she +risked nothing, she left me without any security against being +made answerable for the goods in case she did not return. "She +has paid me," thought I, "a considerable sum; but she leaves me +responsible for a greater, Surely she cannot be a cheat. The +merchants do not know her, they will all come upon me." In short, +my love was not so powerful as to stifle the uneasiness I felt, +when I reflected upon the circumstances in which I was placed. A +whole month passed before I heard any thing of the lady again; +and during that time my alarm increased. The merchants were +impatient for their money, and to satisfy them, I was going to +sell off all I had, when one morning the lady returned with the +same equipage as before. + +"Take your weights," said she, "and weigh the gold I have brought +you." These words dispelled my fear, and inflamed my love. Before +we counted the money, she asked me several questions, and +particularly if I was married. I answered I never had been. Then +reaching out the gold to the eunuch, "Let us have your +interposition," said she, "to accommodate our matters." Upon +which the eunuch fell a laughing, and calling me aside, made me +weigh the gold. While I was thus occupied, the eunuch whispered +in my ear, "I know by your eyes you love this lady, and I am +surprised that you have not the courage to disclose your passion. +She loves you more ardently than you do her. Do not imagine that +she has any real occasion for your stuffs. She only makes this +her presence to come here, because you have inspired her with a +violent passion. It was for this reason she asked you if you were +married. It will be your own fault, if you do not marry her." "It +is true," I replied, "I have loved her since I first beheld her; +but I durst not aspire to the happiness of thinking my attachment +could meet her approbation. I am entirely hers, and shall not +fail to retain a grateful sense of your good offices in this +affair." + +I finished weighing the gold, and while I was putting it into the +bag, the eunuch turned to the lady, and told her I was satisfied; +that being the word they had agreed upon between themselves. +Presently after, the lady rose and took her leave; telling me she +would send her eunuch to me, and that I had only to obey the +directions he might give me in her name. + +I carried each of the merchants their money, and waited some days +with impatience for the eunuch. At last he came. + +I received the eunuch very kindly, and inquired after his +mistress's health. "You are," said he, "the happiest lover in the +world; she is impatient to see you; and were she mistress of her +own conduct, would not fail to come to you herself, and willingly +pass in your society all the days of her life." "Her noble mien +and graceful carriage," I replied, "convinced me, that she was a +lady beyond the common rank." "You have not erred in your +judgment on that head," said the eunuch; "she is the favourite of +Zobeide the caliph's wife, who is the more affectionately +attached to her from having brought her up from her infancy, and +intrusts her with all her affairs. Having a wish to marry, she +has declared to her mistress that she has fixed her affections +upon you, and has desired her consent. Zobeide told her, she +would not withhold her consent; but that she would see you first, +in order to judge if she had made a good choice; in which case +she meant herself to defray the expenses of the wedding. Thus you +see your felicity is certain; since you have pleased the +favourite, you will be equally agreeable to the mistress, who +seeks only to oblige her, and would by no means thwart her +inclination. All you have to do is to come to the palace. I am +sent hither to invite you." "My resolution is already formed," +said I, "and I am ready to follow you whithersoever you please." +"Very well," said the eunuch; "but you know men are not allowed +to enter the ladies' apartments in the palace, and you must be +introduced with great secrecy. The favourite lady has contrived +the matter well. On your side you must act your part discreetly; +for if you do not, your life is at stake." + +I gave him repeated assurances punctually to perform whatever he +might require. "Then," said he, "in the evening, you must be at +the mosque built by the caliph's lady on the bank of the Tigris, +and wait there till somebody comes to conduct you." To this I +agreed; and after passing the day in great impatience, went in +the evening to the prayer that is said an hour and a half after +sun-set in the mosque, and remained there after all the people +had departed. + +Soon after I saw a boat making up to the mosque, the rowers of +which were all eunuchs, who came on shore, put several large +trunks into the mosque, and then retired. One of them stayed +behind, whom I perceived to be the eunuch that had accompanied +the lady, and had been with me that morning. I saw the lady also +enter the mosque; and approaching her, told her I was ready to +obey her orders. "We have no time to lose," said she; and opening +one of the trunks, desired me to get into it, that being +necessary both for her safety and mine. "Fear nothing," added +she, "leave the management of all to me." I considered with +myself that I had gone too far to recede, and obeyed her orders; +when she immediately locked the trunk. This done, the eunuch her +confidant called the other eunuchs who had brought in the trunks, +and ordered them to carry them on board again. The lady and the +eunuch re-embarked, and the boatmen rowed to Zobeide's apartment. + +In the meantime I reflected very seriously upon the danger to +which I had exposed myself, and made vows and prayers, though it +was then too late. + +The boat stopped at the palace-gate, and the trunks were carried +into the apartment of the officer of the eunuchs, who keeps the +key of the ladies' apartments, and suffers nothing to enter +without a narrow inspection. The officer was then in bed, and it +was necessary to call him up. + +The officer of the eunuchs was displeased at having his rest +disturbed, and severely chid the favourite lady for coming home +so late. "You shall not come off so easily as you think," said +he: "not one of these trunks shall pass till I have opened it." +At the same time he commanded the eunuchs to bring them before +him, and open them one by one. The first they took was that +wherein I lay, which put me into inexpressible fear. + +The favourite lady, who had the key, protested it should not be +opened. "You know very well," said she, "I bring nothing hither +but what is for the use of Zobeide, your mistress and mine. This +trunk is filled with rich goods, which I purchased from some +merchants lately arrived, besides a number of bottles of Zemzem +water sent from Mecca; and if any of these should happen to +break, the goods will be spoiled, and you must answer for them; +depend upon it, Zobeide will resent your insolence." She insisted +upon this in such peremptory terms, that the officer did not dare +to open any of the trunks. "Let them go," said he angrily; "you +may take them away." Upon this the door of the women's apartment +was opened, and all the trunks were carried in. + +This had been scarcely accomplished, when I heard the people cry, +"Here is the caliph! Here comes the caliph!" This put me in such +alarm, that I wonder I did not die upon the spot; for as they +announced, it proved to be the caliph. "What hast thou got in +these trunks?" said he to the favourite. "Some stuffs," she +replied, "lately arrived, which the empress wishes to see." "Open +them," cried he, "and let me see them." She excused herself, +alleging the stuffs were only proper for ladies, and that by +opening them, his lady would be deprived of the pleasure of +seeing them first. "I say open them," resumed the caliph; "I will +see them." She still represented that her mistress would be angry +with her, if she complied: "No, no," said he, "I will engage she +shall not say a word to you. Come, come, open them, and do not +keep me waiting." + +It was necessary to obey, which gave me such alarm, that I +tremble every time I recollect my situation. The caliph sat down; +and the favourite ordered all the trunks to be brought before him +one after another. She opened some of them; and to lengthen out +the time, displayed the beauties of each particular stuff, +thinking in this manner to tire out his patience; but her +stratagem did not succeed. Being as unwilling as myself to have +the trunk where I lay opened, she left that to the last. When all +the rest were viewed, "Come," said the caliph, "let us see what +is in that." I am at a loss to tell you whether I was dead or +alive that moment; for I little thought of escaping such imminent +danger. + +When Zobeide's favourite saw that the caliph persisted in having +this trunk opened: "As for this," said she, "your majesty will +please to dispense with the opening of it; there are some things +in it which I cannot shew you without your lady be present." +"Well, well," said the caliph, "since that is the case, I am +satisfied; order the trunks to be carried away." The words were +no sooner spoken than they were moved into her chamber, where I +began to revive again. + +As soon as the eunuchs, who had brought them, were gone, she +opened the trunk in which I was confined. "Come out," said she; +"go up these stairs that lead to an upper room, and wait there +till I come to you." The door, which led to the stairs, she +locked after me; and that was no sooner done, than the caliph +came and sat down on the very trunk which had been my prison. The +occasion of this visit did not respect me. He wished to question +the lady about what she had seen or heard in the city. So they +conversed together some time; he then left her, and retired to +his apartment. + +When she found the coast clear, she came to the chamber where I +lay concealed, and made many apologies for the alarms she had +given me. "My uneasiness," said she, "was no less than yours; you +cannot well doubt of that, since I have run the same risk out of +love to you. Perhaps another person in my situation would not, +upon so delicate an occasion, have had the presence of mind to +manage so difficult a business with so much dexterity; nothing +less than the love I had for you could have inspired me with +courage to do what I have. But come, take heart, the danger is +now over." After much tender conversation, she told me it was +time to go to rest, and that she would not fail to introduce me +to Zobeide her mistress, some hour on the morrow, "which will be +very easy," added she; "for the caliph never sees her but at +night." Encouraged by these words, I slept very well, or if my +sleep was interrupted, it was by agreeable disquietudes, caused +by the hopes of possessing a lady blest with so much wit and +beauty. + +The next day, before I was introduced to Zobeide, her favourite +instructed me how to conduct myself, mentioning what questions +she would probably put to me, and dictating the answers I was to +return. She then carried me into a very magnificent and richly +furnished hall. I had no sooner entered, than twenty female +slaves, advanced in age, dressed in rich and uniform habits, came +out of Zobeide's apartment, and placed themselves before the +throne in two equal rows; they were followed by twenty other +younger ladies, clothed after the same fashion, only their habits +appeared somewhat gayer. In the middle of these appeared Zobeide +with a majestic air, and so laden with jewels, that she could +scarcely walk. She ascended the throne, and the favourite lady, +who had accompanied her, stood just by her right hand; the other +ladies, who were slaves, being placed at some distance on each +side of the throne. + +As soon as the caliph's lady was seated, the slaves who came in +first made a sign for me to approach. I advanced between the two +rows they had formed, and prostrated myself upon the carpet that +was under the princess's feet. She ordered me to rise, did me the +honour to ask my name, my family, and the state of my fortune; to +all which I gave her satisfactory answers, as I perceived, not +only by her countenance, but by her words. "I am glad," said she, +"that my daughter," (so she used to call the favourite lady,) +"for I look upon her as such after the care I have take of her +education, has made this choice; I approve of it, and consent to +your marriage. I will myself give orders for having it +solemnized; but I wish my daughter to remain with me ten days +before the solemnity; in that time I will speak to the caliph, +and obtain his consent: mean while do you remain here; you shall +be taken care of." + +Pursuant to the commands of the caliph's lady, I remained ten +days in the women's apartments, and during that time was deprived +of the pleasure of seeing the favourite lady: but was so well +used by her orders, that I had no reason to be dissatisfied. + +Zobeide told the caliph her resolution of marrying the favourite +lady; and the caliph leaving to her the liberty to act in the +business as she thought proper, granted the favourite a +considerable sum by way of settlement. When the ten days were +expired, Zobeide ordered the contract of marriage to be drawn up +and brought to her, and the necessary preparations being made for +the solemnity, the musicians and the dancers, both male and +female, were called in, and there were great rejoicings in the +palace for nine days. The tenth day being appointed for the last +ceremony of the marriage, the favourite lady was conducted to a +bath, and I to another. At night I had all manner of dishes +served up to me, and among others, one seasoned with garlic, such +as you have now forced me to eat. This I liked so well, that I +scarcely touched any of the other dishes. But to my misfortune, +when I rose from table, instead of washing my hands well, I only +wiped them; a piece of negligence of which I had never before +been guilty. + +As it was then night, the whole apartment of the ladies was +lighted up so as to equal the brightness of day. Nothing was to +be heard through the palace but musical instruments, dances, and +acclamations of joy. My bride and I were introduced into a great +hall, where we were placed upon two thrones. The women who +attended her made her robe herself several times, according to +the usual custom on wedding days; and they shewed her to me every +time she changed her habit. + +All these ceremonies being over, we were conducted to the nuptial +chamber: as soon as the company retired, I approached my wife; +but instead of returning my transports, she pushed me away, and +cried out, upon which all the ladies of the apartment came +running in to inquire the cause: and for my own part, I was so +thunderstruck, that I stood like a statue, without the power of +even asking what she meant. "Dear sister," said they to her, +"what has happened since we left you? Let us know, that we may +try to relieve you." "Take," said she, "take that vile fellow out +of my sight." "Why, madam?" I asked, "wherein have I deserved +your displeasure?" "You are a villain," said she in a furious +passion, "to eat garlic, and not wash your hands! Do you think I +would suffer such a polluted wretch to poison me? Down with him, +down with him on the ground," continued she, addressing herself +to the ladies, "and bring me a bastinado." They immediately did +as they were desired; and while some held my hands, and others my +feet, my wife, who was presently furnished with a weapon, laid on +me as long as she could stand. She then said to the ladies, "Take +him, send him to the judge, and let the hand be cut off with +which he fed upon the garlic dish." + +"Alas!" cried I, "must I be beaten unmercifully, and, to complete +my affliction, have my hand cut off, for partaking of a dish +seasoned with garlic, and forgetting to wash my hands? What +proportion is there between the punishment and the crime? Curse +on the dish, on the cook who dressed it, and on him who served it +up." + +All the ladies who had seen me receive the thousand strokes, +took pity on me, when they heard the cutting off of my hand +mentioned. "Dear madam, dear sister," said they to the favourite +lady, "you carry your resentment too far. We own he is a man +quite ignorant of the world, of your quality, and the respect +that is due to you: but we beseech you to overlook and pardon his +fault." "I have not received adequate satisfaction," said she; "I +will teach him to know the world; I will make him bear sensible +marks of his impertinence, and be cautious hereafter how he +tastes a dish seasoned with garlic without washing his hands." +They renewed their solicitations, fell down at her feet, and +kissing her fair hands, said, "Good madam, moderate your anger, +and grant us the favour we supplicate." She made no reply, but +got up, and after uttering a thousand reproaches against me, +walked out of the chamber: all the ladies followed her, leaving +me in inconceivable affliction. + +I continued thus ten days, without seeing any body but an old +female slave that brought me victuals. I asked her what was +become of the favourite lady. "She is sick," said the old woman; +"she is sick of the poisoned smell with which you infected her. +Why did you not take care to wash your hands after eating of that +cursed dish?" "Is it possible," thought I, "that these ladies +can be so nice, and so vindictive for such a trifling fault!" I +loved my wife notwithstanding all her cruelty, and could not help +pitying her. + +One day the old woman told me my spouse was recovered, and gone +to bathe, and would come to see me the next day. "So," said she, +"I would have you call up your patience, and endeavour to +accommodate yourself to her humour. For she is in other respects +a woman of good sense and discretion, and beloved by all the +ladies about the court of our respected mistress Zobeide." + +My wife accordingly came on the following evening, and accosted +me thus: "You perceive that I must possess much tenderness to +you, after the affront you have offered me: but still I cannot be +reconciled till I have punished you according to your demerit, in +not washing your hands after eating of the garlic dish." She then +called the ladies, who, by her order, threw me upon the ground; +and after binding me fast, she had the barbarity to cut off my +thumbs and great toes herself, with a razor. One of the ladies +applied a certain root to staunch the blood; but by bleeding and +by the pain, I swooned away. + +When I came to myself, they gave me wine to drink, to recruit my +strength. "Ah! madam," said I to my wife, "if ever I again eat of +a dish with garlic in it, I solemnly swear to wash my hands a +hundred and twenty times with alkali, with ashes, and with soap." +"Well," replied she, "upon that condition I am willing to forget +what is past, and live with you as my husband." + +"This," continued the Bagdad merchant, addressing himself to the +company, "is the reason why I refused to eat of the dish seasoned +with what is now on the table." + +The ladies applied to my wounds not only the root I mentioned, +but likewise some balsam of Mecca, which they were well assured +was not adulterated, because they had it out of the caliph's own +dispensatory. By virtue of that admirable balsam, I was in a few +days perfectly cured, and my wife and I lived together as +agreeably as if I had never eaten of the garlic dish. But having +been all my lifetime used to enjoy my liberty, I grew weary of +being confined to the caliph's palace; yet I said nothing to my +wife on the subject, for fear of displeasing her. However, she +suspected my feelings; and eagerly wished for liberty herself, +for it was gratitude alone that made her continue with Zobeide. +She represented to her mistress in such lively terms the +constraint I was under, in not living in the city with people of +my own rank, as I had always done, that the good princess chose +rather to deprive herself of the pleasure of having her favourite +about her than not to grant what we both equally desired. + +A month after our marriage, my wife came into my room with +several eunuchs, each carrying a bag of silver. When the eunuchs +were gone; "You never told me," said she, "that you were uneasy +in being confined to court; but I perceived it, and have happily +found means to make you contented. My mistress Zobeide gives us +permission to quit the palace; and here are fifty thousand +sequins, of which she has made us a present, in order to enable +us to live comfortably in the city. Take ten thousand of them, +and go and buy us a house." + +I quickly found a house for the money, and after furnishing it +richly, we went to reside in it, kept a great many slaves of both +sexes, and made a good figure. We thus began to live in a very +agreeable manner: but my felicity was of short continuance; for +at the end of a year my wife fell sick and died. + +I might have married again, and lived honourably at Bagdad; but +curiosity to see the world put me upon another plan. I sold my +house, and after purchasing several kinds of merchandize, went +with a caravan to Persia; from Persia I travelled to Samarcand, +and from thence to this city. + +"This," said the purveyor to the sultan of Casgar, "is the story +that the Bagdad merchant related in a company where I was +yesterday." "This story," said the sultan, "has something in it +extraordinary; but it does not come near that of the little +hunch-back." The Jewish physician prostrated himself before the +sultan's throne, and addressed the prince in the following +manner: "Sir, if you will be so good as to hear me, I flatter +myself you will be pleased with a story I have to tell you." +"Well spoken," said the sultan; "but if it be not more surprising +than that of little hunch-back, you must not expect to live." + +The Jewish physician, finding the sultan of Casgar disposed to +hear him, gave the following relation. + + + + + The Story told by the Jewish Physician. + + + +When I was studying physic at Damascus, and was just beginning to +practise that noble profession with some reputation, a slave +called me to see a patient in the governor of the city's family. +Accordingly I went, and was conducted into a room, where I found +a very handsome young man, much dejected by his disorder. I +saluted him, and sat down by him; but he made no return to my +compliments, only a sign with his eyes that he heard me, and +thanked me. "Pray, sir," said I, "give me your hand, that I may +feel your pulse." But instead of stretching out his right, he +gave me his left hand, at which I was extremely surprised. +However, I felt his pulse, wrote him a prescription, and took +leave. + +I continued my visits for nine days, and every time I felt his +pulse, he still gave me his left hand. On the tenth day he seemed +to be so far recovered, that I only deemed it necessary to +prescribe bathing to him. The governor of Damascus, who was by, +in testimony of his satisfaction with my service, invested me +with a very rich robe, saying, he had appointed me a physician of +the city hospital, and physician in ordinary to his house, where +I might eat at his table when I pleased. + +The young man likewise shewed me many civilities, and asked me to +accompany him to the bath. Accordingly we went together, and when +his attendants had undressed him, I perceived he wanted the right +hand, and that it had not long been cut off, which had been the +occasion of his disorder, though concealed from me; for while the +people about him were applying proper remedies externally, they +had called me to prevent the ill consequence of the fever which +was on him. I was much surprised and concerned on seeing his +misfortune; which he observed by my countenance. "Doctor," cried +he, "do not be astonished that my hand is cut off; some day or +other I will tell you the cause; and in that relation you will +hear very surprising adventures." + +After we had returned from the bath, we sat down to a collation; +and he asked me if it would be any prejudice to his health if he +went and took a walk out of town in the governor's garden? I made +answer, that the air would be of service to him. "Then," said he, +"if you will give me your company, I will recount to you my +history." I replied I was at his command for all that day. Upon +which he presently called his servants, and we went to the +governor's garden. Having taken two or three turns there, we +seated ourselves on a carpet that his servants had spread under a +tree, which gave a pleasant shade. The young man then gave me his +history in the following terms: + +I was born at Moussol, of one of the most considerable families +in the city. My father was the eldest of ten brothers, who were +all alive and married when my grandfather died. All the brothers +were childless, except my father; and he had no child but me. He +took particular care of my education; and made me learn every +thing proper for my rank. + +When I was grown up, and began to enter into the world, I +happened one Friday to be at noon-prayers with my father and my +uncles in the great mosque of Moussol. After prayers were over, +the rest of the company going away, my father and my uncles +continued sitting upon the best carpet in the mosque; and I sat +down by them. They discoursed of several things, but the +conversation fell insensibly, I know not how, upon the subject of +travelling. They extolled the beauties and peculiar rarities of +some kingdoms, and of their principal cities. But one of my +uncles said, that according to the uniform report of an infinite +number of voyagers, there was not in the world a pleasanter +country than Egypt, on account of the Nile; and the description +he gave infused into me such high admiration, that from that +moment I had a desire to travel thither. Whatever my other uncles +said, by way of preference to Bagdad and the Tigris, in calling +Bagdad the residence of the Mussulmaun religion, and the +metropolis of all the cities of the earth, made no impression +upon me. My father joined in opinion with those of his brothers +who had spoken in favour of Egypt; which filled me with joy. "Say +what you will," said he, "the man that has not seen Egypt has not +seen the greatest rarity in the world. All the land there is +golden; I mean, it is so fertile, that it enriches its +inhabitants. All the women of that country charm you by their +beauty and their agreeable carriage. If you speak of the Nile, +where is there a more wonderful river? What water was ever +lighter or more delicious? The very slime it carries along in its +overflowing fattens the fields, which produce a thousand times +more than other countries that are cultivated with the greatest +labour. Observe what a poet said of the Egyptians, when he was +obliged to depart from Egypt: 'Your Nile loads you with blessings +every day; it is for you only that it runs from such a distance. +Alas! in removing from you, my tears will flow as abundantly as +its waters; you are to continue in the enjoyment of its +sweetnesses, while I am condemned to deprive myself of them +against my will.' + +"If you look," added my father, "towards the island that is +formed by the two greatest branches of the Nile, what variety of +verdure! What enamel of all sorts of flowers! What a prodigious +number of cities, villages, canals, and a thousand other +agreeable objects! If you turn your eyes on the other side, up +towards Ethiopia, how many other subjects of admiration! I cannot +compare the verdure of so many plains, watered by the different +canals of the island, better than to brilliant emeralds set in +silver. Is not Grand Cairo the largest, the most populous, and +the richest city in the world? What a number of magnificent +edifices both public and private! If you view the pyramids, you +will be filled with astonishment at the sight of the masses of +stone of an enormous thickness, which rear their heads to the +skies! You will be obliged to confess, that the Pharaohs, who +employed such riches, and so many men in building them, must have +surpassed in magnificence and invention all the monarchs who have +appeared since, not only in Egypt, but in all the world, for +having left monuments so worthy of their memory: monuments so +ancient, that the learned cannot agree upon the date of their +erection; yet such as will last to the end of time. I pass over +in silence the maritime cities of the kingdom of Egypt, such as +Damietta, Rosetta, and Alexandria, where nations come for various +sorts of grain, cloth, and an infinite number of commodities +calculated for accommodation and delight. I speak of what I know; +for I spent some years there in my youth, which I shall always +reckon the most agreeable part of my life." + +My uncles could make no reply, and assented to all my father had +said of the Nile, of Cairo, and of the whole kingdom of Egypt. My +imagination was so full of these subjects, I could not sleep that +night. Soon after, my uncles declared how much they were struck +with my father's account. They made a proposal to him, that they +should travel all together into Egypt. To this he assented; and +being rich merchants, they resolved to carry with them such +commodities as were likely to suit the market. When I found that +they were making preparations for their departure, I went to my +father, and begged of him, with tears in my eyes, that he would +suffer me to make one of the party, and allow me some stock of +goods to trade with on my own account. "You are too young," said +he, "to travel into Egypt; the fatigue is too great for you; and, +besides, I am sure you will come off a loser in your traffic." +These words, however, did not suppress my eager desire to travel. +I made use of my uncles' interest with my father, who at last +granted me permission to go as far as Damascus, where they were +to leave me, till they had travelled through Egypt. "The city of +Damascus," said my father, "may likewise glory in its beauties, +and my son must be content with leave to go so far." Though my +curiosity to see Egypt was very pressing, I considered he was my +father, and submitted to his will. + +I set out from Moussol in company with him and my uncles. We +travelled through Mesopotamia, passed the Euphrates, and arrived +at Aleppo, where we stayed some days. From thence we went to +Damascus, the first sight of which struck me with agreeable +surprise We lodged all together in one khan; and I had the view +of a city that was large, populous, full of handsome people, and +well fortified. We employed some days in walking up and down the +delicious gardens that surrounded it; and we all agreed that +Damascus was justly said to be seated in a paradise. At last my +uncles thought of pursuing their journey; but took care, before +they went, to sell my goods so advantageously for me, that I +gained by them five hundred per cent. This sale brought me a sum +so considerable, as to fill me with delight. + +My father and my uncles left me in Damascus, and pursued their +journey. After their departure, I used great caution not to lay +out my money idly. But at the same time I took a stately house, +built of marble, adorned with paintings of gold, silver foliage, +and a garden with fine water-works. I furnished it, not so richly +indeed as the magnificence of the place deserved, but at least +handsomely enough for a young man of my rank. It formerly +belonged to one of the principal lords of the city; but was then +the property of a rich jewel-merchant, to whom I paid for it only +two sherifs a month. I had a number of domestics, and lived +honourably; sometimes I gave entertainments to such people as I +had made an acquaintance with, and sometimes was treated by them. +Thus did I spend my time at Damascus, waiting for my father's +return; no passion disturbed my repose, and my only employment +was conversing with people of credit. + +One day, as I sat taking the cool air at my gate, a very +handsome, well-dressed lady came to me, and asked if I did not +sell stuffs? She had no sooner spoken the words, than she went +into my house. + +When I saw that the lady had entered the house, I rose, and +having shut the gate, conducted into a hall, and prayed her to +sit down. "Madam," said I, "I have had stuffs fit to be strewn to +you, but at present, I am sorry to say, I have none." She removed +the veil from her face, and discovered such beauty as affected me +with emotions I had never felt before. "I have no occasion for +stuffs," replied she, "I only come to see you, and, if you +please, to pass the evening in your company; all I ask of you is +a light collation." + +Transported with joy, I ordered the servants to bring us several sorts +of fruit, and some bottles of wine. These being speedily served, we +ate, drank, and made merry till midnight. In short, I had not before +passed a night so agreeably as this. Next morning I would have put ten +sherifs into the lady's hands, but she drew back instantly. "I am not +come to see you," said she, "from interested motives; you therefore do +me wrong. So far from receiving money from you, I must insist on your +taking some from me, or else I will see you no more." In speaking +this, she put her hand into her purse, took out ten sherifs, and +forced me to take them, saying, "You may expect me three days hence +after sun-set. She then took leave of me, and I felt that when she +went she carried my heart along with her." + +She did not fail to return at the appointed hour three days +after; and I received her with all the joy of a person who waited +impatiently for her arrival. The evening and the night we spent +as before; and next day at parting she promised to return the +third day after. She did not, however, leave me without forcing +me to take ten sherifs more. + +She returned a third time; and at that interview, when we were +both warm with wine, she spoke thus: "My dear love, what do you +think of me? Am I not handsome and agreeable?" "Madam," I +replied, "I think this an unnecessary question: the love which I +shew you ought to persuade you that I admire you; I am charmed to +see and to possess you. You are my queen, my sultaness; in you +lies all the felicity of my life." "Ah!" returned she, "I am sure +you would speak otherwise, if you saw a certain lady of my +acquaintance, who is younger and handsomer than I am. She is of +such a pleasant lively temper, that she would make the most +melancholy people merry: I must bring her hither; I spoke of you +to her, and from the account I have given of you she is dying +with desire to see you. She intreated me to procure her that +pleasure, but I did not dare to promise her without speaking to +you beforehand." "Madam," said I, "do what you please; but +whatever you may say of your friend, I defy all her charms to +tear my heart from you, to whom it is so inviolably attached, +that nothing can disengage it." "Be not too positive," returned +she; "I now tell you, I am about to put your heart to a severe +trial." + +We continued together all night, and next morning at parting, +instead of ten sherifs she gave me fifteen, which I was forced to +accept. "Remember," said she, "that in two days' time you are to +have a new guest; pray take care to give her a good reception: we +will come at the usual hour." I had my hall put in great order, +and a handsome collation prepared against they came. + +I waited for the two ladies with impatience and at last they +arrived at the close of the day. They both unveiled, and as I had +been surprised with the beauty of the first, I had reason to be +much more so when I saw her friend. She had regular features, an +elegant person, and such sparkling eyes, that I could hardly bear +their splendour. I thanked her for the honour she did me, and +entreated her to excuse me if I did not give her the reception +she deserved. "No compliments," replied she; "it should be my +part to make them to you, for allowing my friend to bring me +hither. But since you are pleased to suffer it, let us lay aside +all ceremony, and think only of amusing ourselves." + +I had given orders, as soon as the ladies arrived, to have the +collation served up, and we soon sat down to our entertainment. I +placed myself opposite the stranger, who never ceased looking +upon me with a smiling countenance. I could not resist her +conquering eyes, and she made herself mistress of my heart, +without opposition. But while she inspired me with a flame, she +caught it herself; and so far from appearing to be under any +constraint, she conversed in very free and lively language. + +The other lady, who observed us, did nothing at first but laugh. +"I told you," said she, addressing herself to me, "you would find +my friend full of charms; and I perceive you have already +violated the oath you made of being faithful to me." "Madam," +replied I, laughing as well as she, "you would have reason to +complain, if I were wanting in civility to a lady whom you +brought hither, and who is your intimate friend; both of you +might then upbraid me for not performing duly the rites of +hospitality." + +We continued to drink; but as the wine warmed us, the strange +lady and I ogled one another with so little reserve, that her +friend grew jealous, and quickly gave us a dismal proof of the +inveteracy of her feelings. She rose from the table and went out, +saying, she would be with us presently again: but in a few +moments after, the lady who stayed with me changed countenance, +fell into violent convulsions, and expired in my arms while I was +calling for assistance to relieve her. I went out immediately, +and enquired for the other lady; when my people told me, she had +opened the street door and was gone. I then suspected what was +but too true, that she had been the cause of her friend's death. +She had the dexterity, and the malice, to put some very strong +poison into the last glass, which she gave her with her own hand. + +I was afflicted beyond measure with the accident. "What shall I +do?" I exclaimed in agony. "What will become of me?" I considered +there was no time to lose, and it being then moon-light, I +ordered my servants to take up one of the large pieces of marble, +with which the court of my house was paved, dig a hole, and there +inter the corpse of the young lady. After replacing the stone, I +put on a travelling suit, took what money I had; and having +locked up every thing, affixed my own seal on the door of my +house. This done I went to the jewel-merchant my landlord, paid +him what I owed, with a year's rent in advance and giving him the +key, prayed him to keep it for me. "A very urgent affair," said +I, "obliges me to be absent for some time; I am under the +necessity of going to visit my uncles at Cairo." I took my leave +of him, immediately mounted my horse, and departed with my +attendants from Damascus. + +I had a good journey, and arrived at Cairo without any accident. +There I met with my uncles, who were much surprised to see me. To +excuse myself, I pretended I was tired of waiting; and hearing +nothing of them, was so uneasy, that I could not be satisfied +without coming to Cairo. They received me kindly, and promised +that my father should not be displeased with me for leaving +Damascus without his permission. I lodged in the same khan with +them, and saw all the curiosities of Cairo. + +Having finished their traffic, they began to talk of returning to +Moussol, and to make preparations for their departure; but I, +having a wish to view in Egypt what I had not yet seen, left my +uncles, and went to lodge in another quarter at a distance from +their khan, and did not appear any more till they were gone. They +sought for me all over the city; but not finding me, supposed +remorse for having come to Egypt without my father's consent had +occasioned me to return to Damascus, without saying any thing to +them. So they began their journey, expecting to find me at +Damascus, and there to take me up. + +After their departure I continued at Cairo three years, more +completely to indulge my curiosity in seeing all the wonders of Egypt. +During that time I took care to remit money to the jewel-merchant, +ordering him to keep my house for me; for I designed to return to +Damascus, and reside there some years longer. I had no adventure at +Cairo worth relating; but doubtless you will be much surprised at that +which befell me on my return to Damascus. + +Arriving at this city, I went to the jewel-merchant's, who +received me joyfully, and would accompany me to my house, to shew +me that no one had entered it whilst I was absent. The seal was +still entire upon the lock; and when I went in, I found every +thing in the order in which I had left it. + +In sweeping and cleaning out the hall where I had eaten with the +ladies, one of my servants found a gold chain necklace, with ten +very large and perfect pearls strung upon it at certain +distances. He brought it to me, when I knew it to be the same I +had seen upon the lady's neck who was poisoned; and concluded it +had broken off and fallen. I could not look upon it without +shedding tears, when I called to mind the lovely creature I had +seen die in such a shocking manner. I wrapped it up, and put it +in my bosom. + +I rested some days to recover from the fatigues of my journey; +after which, I began to visit my former acquaintance. I abandoned +myself to every species of pleasure, and gradually squandered +away all my money. Being thus reduced, instead of selling my +furniture, I resolved to part with the necklace; but I had so +little skill in pearls, that I took my measures very ill, as you +shall hear. + +I went to the bazaar, where I called a crier aside, and shewing +him the necklace, told him I wished to sell it, and desired him +to show it to the principal jewellers. The crier was surprised to +see such a valuable ornament. "How beautiful," exclaimed he, +gazing upon it with admiration, "never did our merchants see any +thing so rich; I am sure I shall oblige them highly in shewing +it to them; and you need not doubt they will set a high price +upon it, in emulation of each other." He carried me to a shop +which proved to be my landlord's: "Stop here," said the crier, "I +will return presently and bring you an answer." + +While he was running about to shew the necklace, I sat with the +jeweller, who was glad to see me, and we conversed on different +subjects. The crier returned, and calling me aside, instead of +telling me the necklace was valued at two thousand sherifs, +assured me nobody would give me more than fifty. "The reason is," +added he, "the pearls are false; consider if you will part with +it at that price." I took him at his word, wanting money. "Go," +said I, "I take your word, and that of those who know better than +myself; deliver it to them, and bring me the money immediately." + +The crier had been ordered to offer me fifty sherifs by one of +the richest jewellers in town who had only made that offer to +sound me, and try if I was well acquainted with the value of the +pearls. He had no sooner received my answer, than he carried the +crier to the judge, and shewing him the necklace; "Sir," said he, +"here is a necklace which was stolen from me, and the thief, +under the character of a merchant, has had the impudence to offer +it to sale, and is at this minute in the bazaar. He is willing to +take fifty sherifs for a necklace that is worth two thousand +which is a clear proof of his having stolen it." + +The Judge sent immediately to seize me, and when I came before +him, he asked me if the necklace he had in his hand was not the +same that I had exposed to sale in the bazaar. I told him it was. +"Is it true," demanded he, "that you are willing to sell it for +fifty sherifs?" I answered I was. "Well," continued he, in a +scoffing way "give him the bastinado; he will quickly confess +notwithstanding his merchant's disguise, that he is only an +artful thief; let him be beaten till he owns his guilt." The pain +of the torture made me tell a lie; I confessed, though it was not +true that I had stolen the necklace; and the judge ordered my +hand to be cut off according to the sentence of our law. + +This made a great noise in the bazaar, and I was scarcely +returned to my house when my landlord came. "My son," said he, +"you seem to be a young man well educated, and of good sense; how +is it possible you could be guilty of such an unworthy action, as +that I hear talked of? You gave me an account of your property +yourself, and I do not doubt but the account was just. Why did +not you request money of me, and I would have lent it you? +However, after what has happened, I cannot allow you to remain +longer in my house; you must go and seek for other lodgings." I +was extremely troubled at this; and entreated the jeweller, with +tears in my eyes, to let me stay three days longer; which he +granted. + +"Alas," thought I, "this misfortune and affront are unsufferable; +how shall I dare to return to Moussol? Nothing I can say to my +father will persuade him that I am innocent." + +Three hours after this fatal accident my house was forcibly +entered by the judge's officers, accompanied by my landlord, and +the merchant who had falsely accused me of having stolen the +necklace. I asked them, what brought them there? But instead of +giving me any answer, they bound and gagged me, calling me a +thousand abusive names, and telling me the necklace belonged to +the governor of Damascus, who had lost it above three years +before, and that one of his daughters had not been heard of +since. Judge of my sensations when I heard this intelligence. +However, I summoned all my resolution, "I will," thought I, "tell +the governor the truth, and it will rest with him either to put +me to death, or to protect my innocence." + +When I was brought before him, I observed he looked upon me with +an eye of compassion, from whence I augured well. He ordered me +to be untied, and addressing himself to the jeweller who accused +me, and to my landlord: "Is this the man," asked he, "that sold +the pearl necklace?" They had no sooner answered yes, than he +continued, "I am sure he did not steal the necklace, and I am +much astonished at the injustice that has been done him." These +words giving me courage: "Sir," said I, "I do assure you I am +perfectly innocent. I am likewise fully persuaded the necklace +never did belong to my accuser, whom I never saw, and whose +horrible perfidy is the cause of my unjust treatment. It is true, +I made a confession as if I had stolen it; but this I did +contrary to my conscience, through the force of torture, and for +another reason that I am ready to give you, if you will have the +goodness to hear me." "I know enough of it already," replied the +governor, "to do you one part of the justice to which you are +entitled. Take from hence," continued he, "the false accuser; let +him undergo the same punishment as he caused to be inflicted on +this young man, whose innocence is known to myself." + +The governor's orders were immediately put in execution; the +jeweller was punished as he deserved. Then the governor, having +ordered all present to withdraw, said to me: "My son, tell me +without fear how this necklace fell into your hands, conceal +nothing from me." I related plainly all that had passed, and +declared I had chosen rather to pass for a thief than to reveal +that tragical adventure. "Good God," exclaimed the governor, "thy +judgments are incomprehensible, and we ought to submit to them +without murmuring. I receive, with entire submission, the stroke +thou hast been pleased to inflict upon me." Then directing his +discourse to me: "My son," said he, "having now heard the cause +of your disgrace, for which I am truly concerned, I will give you +an account of the affliction which has befallen myself. Know +then, that I am the father of both the young ladies you were +speaking of. The first lady, who had the impudence to come to +your house, was my eldest daughter. I had given her in marriage +at Cairo to one of her cousins, my brother's son. Her husband +died, and she returned home corrupted by every vice too often +contracted in Egypt. Before I took her home, her younger sister, +who died in that deplorable manner in your arms, was a truly +virtuous girl, and had never given me any occasion to complain of +her conduce. But after that, the elder sister became very +intimate with her, and insensibly made her as wicked as herself. +The day after the death of the younger not finding her at home, I +asked her elder sister what was become of her; but she, instead +of answering, affected to weep bitterly; from whence I formed a +fatal presage. I pressed her to inform me of what she knew +respecting her sister 'Father,' replied she, sobbing, 'I can tell +you no more than that my sister put on yesterday her richest +dress, with her valuable pearl necklace, went out, and has not +been heard of since.' I searched for her all over the town, but +could learn nothing of her unhappy fate. In the mean time the +elder, who doubtless repented of her jealous fury, became +melancholy, and incessantly bewailed the death of her sister; she +denied her self all manner of food, and so put an end to her +deplorable days. Such is the condition of mankind! such are the +misfortunes to which we are exposed! However, my son," added he, +"since we are both of us equally unfortunate, let us unite our +sorrow, and not abandon one another. I will give you in marriage +a third daughter I have still left, she is younger than her +sisters, and in no respect imitates their conduct; besides, she +is handsomer, and I assure you is of a disposition calculated to +make you happy. You shall have no other house but mine, and, +after my death, you and she shall be heirs to all my property." +"My lord," I replied, "I am overcome by your favours, and shall +never be able to make a sufficient acknowledgment." "Enough," +said he, interrupting me, "let us not waste time in idle words." +He then called for witnesses, ordered the contract of marriage to +be drawn, and I became the husband of his third daughter. He was +not satisfied with punishing the jeweller, who had falsely +accused me, but confiscated for my use all his property, which +was very considerable. As for the rest, since you have been +called to the governor's house, you may have seen what respect +they pay me there. I must tell you further, that a person +despatched by my uncles to Egypt, on purpose to inquire for me +there, passing through this city found me out last night, and +delivered me a letter from them. They inform me of my father's +death, and invite me to come and take possession of his property +at Moussol. But as the alliance and friendship of the governor +have fixed me here, and will not suffer me to leave him, I have +sent back the express with a power, which will secure to me my +inheritance. After what you have heard, I hope you will pardon my +seeming incivility during the course of my illness, in giving you +my left instead of my right hand. + +"This," said the Jewish physician, "is the story I heard from +the young man of Moussol. I continued at Damascus as long as the +governor lived; after his death, being still in the vigour of my +age, I had the curiosity to travel. Accordingly I went through +Persia to the Indies, and came at last to settle in this your +capital, where I have practised physic with reputation." + +The sultan of Casgar was well pleased with this story. "I must +confess," said he to the Jew, "the story you have told me is very +singular; but I declare freely, that of the little hump-back is: +yet more extraordinary, and much more diverting; so you are not +to expect that I will give you your life, any more than the rest. +I will have you all four executed." "Pray, sir, stay a minute," +said the tailor, advancing, and prostrating himself at the +sultan's feet. "Since your majesty loves pleasant stories, I have +one to tell you that will not displease you." "Well, I will hear +thee too," said the sultan; "but do not flatter thyself that I +will suffer thee to live, unless thou tellest me some adventure +that is yet more diverting than that of my hump-backed jester." +Upon this the tailor, as if he had been sure of success, spoke +boldly to the following purpose. + + + + + The Story told by the Tailor. + + + +A citizen of this city did me the honour two days ago to invite +me to an entertainment, which he was to give to his friends +yesterday morning. Accordingly I went early, and found there +about twenty persons. + +The master of the house was gone out upon some business, but in a +short time returned, and brought with him a young man, a +stranger, very well dressed, and handsome, but lame. When he +entered, we all rose, and out of respect to the master of the +house, invited the young man to sit down with us upon the +estrade. He was going to comply; but suddenly perceiving a barber +in our company, flew backwards, and made towards the door. The +master of the house, surprised at his behaviour, stopped him. +"Where are you going?" demanded he. "I bring you along with me to +do me the honour of being my guest among the rest of my friends, +and you are no sooner got into my house, than you are for running +away." "Sir," replied the young man, "for God's sake do not stop +me, let me go, I cannot without horror look upon that abominable +barber, who, though he was born in a country where all the +natives are white, resembles an Ethiopian; and his soul is yet +blacker and more horrible than his face." + +We were all surprised to hear the young man speak in this manner, +and began to have a very bad opinion of the barber, without +knowing what ground the young man had for what he said. Nay, we +protested we would not suffer any one to remain in our company, +who bore so horrid a character. The master of the house intreated +the stranger to tell us what reason he had for hating the barber. +"Gentlemen," resumed the young man, "you must know this cursed +barber is the cause of my being lame, and having fallen into the +most ridiculous and teasing situation you can imagine. For this +reason I have sworn to avoid all the places where he is, and even +not to stay in the cities where he resides. It was for this +reason that I left Bagdad, where he then dwelt; and travelled so +far to settle in this city, at the extremity of Tartary; a place +where I flattered myself I should never see him. And now, after +all, contrary to my expectation, I find him here. This obliges +me, gentlemen, against my will, to deprive myself of the honour +of being merry with you. This very day I shall take leave of your +town, and go, if I can, to hide my head where he cannot come." +This said, he would have left us, but the master of the house +earnestly intreated him to stay, and tell us the cause of his +aversion for the barber, who all this while looked down and said +not a word. We joined with the master of the house in his +request; and at last the young man, yielding to our +importunities, sat down; and, after turning his back on the +barber, that he might not see him, gave us the following +narrative of his adventures. + +My father's quality might have entitled him to the highest posts +in the city of Bagdad, but he always preferred a quiet life to +the honours of a public station. I was his only child, and when +he died I had finished my education, and was of age to dispose of +the plentiful fortune he had left me; which I did not squander +away foolishly, but applied to such uses as obtained for me +everybody's respect. I had not yet been disturbed by any passion: +I was so far from being sensible of love, that I bashfully +avoided the conversation of women. One day, walking in the +streets, I saw a large party of ladies before me; and that I +might not meet them, I turned down a narrow lane, and sat down +upon a bench by a door. I was placed opposite a window, where +stood a pot of beautiful flowers, on which I had my eyes fixed, +when the window opened, and a young lady appeared, whose beauty +struck me. Immediately she fixed her eyes upon me; and in +watering the flowerpot with a hand whiter than alabaster, looked +upon me with a smile, that inspired me with as much love for her +as I had formerly aversion for all women. After having watered +her flowers, and darted upon me a glance full of charms that +pierced my heart, she shut the window, and left me in +inconceivable perplexity, from which I should not have recovered, +if a noise in the street had not brought me to myself. I lifted +up my head, and turning, saw the first cauzee of the city, +mounted on a mule, and attended by five or six servants: he +alighted at the door of the house, where the young lady had +opened the window, and went in; from whence I concluded he was +her father. I went home in an altered state of mind; agitated by +a passion the more violent, as I had never felt its assaults +before: I retired to bed in a violent fever, at which all the +family were much concerned. My relations, who had a great +affection for me, were so alarmed by the sudden disorder, that +they importuned me to tell the cause; which I took care not to +discover. My silence created an uneasiness that the physicians +could not dispel, because they knew nothing of my distemper, and +by their medicines rather inflamed than checked it. My relations +began to despair of my life, when an old lady of our +acquaintance, hearing I was ill, came to see me. She considered +me with great attention, and after having examined me, +penetrated, I know not how, into the real cause of my illness. +She took my relations aside, and desired all my people would +retire out of the room, and leave her with me alone. + +When the room was clear, she sat down on the side of my bed. "My +son," said she, "you have obstinately concealed the cause of your +illness; but you have no occasion to reveal it to me. I have +experience enough to penetrate into a secret; you will not deny +when I tell you it is love that makes you sick. I can find a way +to cure you, if you will but inform me who that happy lady is, +that could move a heart so insensible as yours; for you have the +character of a woman-hater, and I was not the last who perceived +that such was your disposition; but what I foresaw has come to +pass, and I am now glad of the opportunity to employ my talents +in relieving your pain." + +The old lady having thus spoken, paused, expecting my answer; but +though what she had said had made a strong impression upon me, I +durst not lay open to her the bottom of my heart; I only turned +to her, and heaved a deep sigh, without replying a word. "Is it +bashfulness," said she, "that keeps you silent? Or is it want of +confidence in me? Do you doubt the effect of my promise? I could +mention to you a number of young men of your acquaintance, who +have been in the same condition with yourself, and have received +relief from me." + +The good lady told me so many more circumstances that I broke +silence, declared to her my complaint, pointed out to her the +place where I had seen the object which occasioned it, and +unravelled all the circumstances of my adventure. "If you +succeed," added I, "and procure me the happiness of seeing that +charming beauty, and revealing to her the passion with which I +burn for her, you may depend upon it I will be grateful." "My +son," replied the old woman, "I know the lady you speak of; she +is, as you rightly judged, the daughter of the first cauzee of +this city: I am not surprised that you are in love with her. She +is the handsomest and most lovely lady in Bagdad, but very proud, +and of difficult access. You know how strict our judges are, in +enjoining the punctual observance of the severe laws that confine +women; and they are yet more strict in the observation of them in +their own families; the cauzee you saw is more rigid in that +point than any of the other magistrates. They are always +preaching to their daughters what a heinous crime it is to shew +themselves to men; and the girls themselves are so prepossessed +with the notion, that they make no other use of their own eves +but to conduct them along the street, when necessity obliges them +to go abroad. I do not say absolutely that the first cauzee's +daughter is of that humour; but that does not hinder my fearing +to meet with as great obstacles on her side, as on her father's. +Would to God you had loved any other, then I should not have had +so many difficulties to surmount. However, I will employ all my +wits to compass the matter; but it requires time. In the mean +while take courage and trust to me." + +The old woman took leave; and as I weighed within myself all the +obstacles she had been talking of, the fear of her not succeeding +in her undertaking inflamed my disorder. Next day she came again, +and I read in her countenance that she had no favourable news to +impart. She spoke thus: "My son, I was not mistaken, I have +somewhat else to conquer besides the vigilance of a father. You +love an insensible object, who takes pleasure in making every one +miserable who suffers himself to be charmed by her; she will not +deign them the least comfort: she heard me with pleasure, when I +spoke of nothing but the torment she made you undergo; but I no +sooner opened my mouth to engage her to allow you to see her, and +converse with her, but casting at me a terrible look, 'You are +very presumptuous,' said she, 'to make such a proposal to me; I +charge you never to insult me again with such language.' + +"Do not let this cast you down," continued she; "I am not easily +disheartened, and am not without hope but I shall compass my +end." To shorten my story, this good woman made several fruitless +attacks in my behalf on the proud enemy of my rest. The vexation +I suffered inflamed my distemper to that degree, that my +physicians gave me over. I was considered as a dead man, when the +old woman came to recall me to life. + +That no one might hear what was said, she whispered in my ear; +"Remember the present you owe for the good news I bring you." +These words produced a marvellous effect; I raised myself up in +the bed, and with transport replied, "You shall not go without a +present; but what is the news you bring me?" "Dear sir," said she +"you shall not die; I shall speedily have the pleasure to see you +in perfect health, and very well satisfied with me. Yesterday I +went to see the lady you love, and found her in good humour. As +soon as I entered, I put on a sad countenance heaved many deep +sighs, and began to squeeze out some tears. 'My good mother,' +demanded she 'what is the matter with you, why are you so cast +down?' 'Alas, my dear and honourable lady,' I replied, 'I have +just been with the young gentleman of whom I spoke to you the +other day, who is dying on your account.' 'I am at a loss to +know,' said she, 'how you make me to be the cause of his death. +How can I have contributed to it?' 'How?' replied I; 'did not you +tell me the other day, that he sat down before your window when +you opened it to water your flower-pot? He then saw that prodigy +of beauty, those charms that your mirror daily represents to you. +From that moment he languished, and his disorder has so +increased, that he is reduced to the deplorable condition I have +mentioned.' + +"'You well remember,' added I, 'how harshly you treated me at our +last interview; when I was speaking to you of his illness, and +proposing a way to save him from the threatened consequences of +his complaint. After I left you I went directly to his house, and +he no sooner learnt from my countenance that I had brought no +favourable answer than his distemper increased. From that time, +madam, he has been at the point of death; and I doubt whether +your compassion would not now come too late to save his life.' +The fear of your death alarmed her, and I saw her face change +colour. 'Is your account true?' she asked. 'Has he actually no +other disorder than what is occasioned by his love of me?' 'Ah, +madam!' I replied, 'it is too true; would it were false!' 'Do you +believe,' said she, 'that the hopes of seeing me would at all +contribute to rescue him from his danger?' I answered, 'Perhaps +it may, and if you will permit me, I will try the remedy.'? +'Well,' resumed she, sighing, 'give him hopes of seeing me; but +he must pretend to no other favours, unless he aspire to marry +me, and obtains my father's consent.' 'Madam,' replied I. 'your +goodness overcomes me; I will instantly seek the young gentleman, +and tell him he is to have the pleasure of an interview with +you.' 'The best opportunity I can think of,' said she, 'for +granting him that favour, will be next Friday at the hour of noon +prayers. Let him observe when my father goes out, and then, if +his health permits him to be abroad, come and place himself +opposite the house. I shall then see him from my window, and will +come down and open the door for him: we will converse together +during prayer-time; but he must depart before my father returns.' + +"It is now Tuesday," continued the old lady "you have the +interval between this and Friday to recover your strength, and +make the necessary dispositions for the interview." While the +good old lady was speaking, I felt my illness decrease, or +rather, by the time she had done, I found myself perfectly +recovered. "Here, take this," said I, reaching out to her my +purse, which was full, "it is to you alone that I owe my cure. I +reckon this money better employed than all that I gave the +physicians, who have only tormented me during my illness." + +When the lady was gone, I found I had strength enough to get up: +and my relations finding me so well, complimented me on the +occasion, and went home. + +On Friday morning the old woman came, just as I was dressing, and +choosing out the richest clothes in my wardrobe, said, "I do not +ask you how you are, what you are about is intimation enough of +your health; but will not you bathe before you go?" "That will +take up too much time," I replied; "I will content myself with +sending for a barber, to shave my head." Immediately I ordered +one of my slaves to call a barber that could do his business +cleverly and expeditiously. + +The slave brought me the wretch you see here, who came, and after +saluting me, said, "Sir, you look as if you were not well." I +told him I was just recovered from a fit of sickness. "May God," +resumed he, "deliver you from all mischance; may his grace always +go along with you." "I hope he will grant your wish, for which I +am obliged to you." "Since you are recovering from a fit of +sickness," he continued, "I pray God preserve your health; but +now let me know what I am to do; I have brought my razors and my +lancets, do you desire to be shaved or to be bled?" I replied, "I +am just recovered from a fit of sickness, and you may readily +judge I only want to be shaved: come, do not lose time in +prattling; for I am in haste, and have an appointment precisely +at noon." + +The barber spent much time in opening his case, and preparing his +razors Instead of putting water into the basin, he took a very +handsome astrolabe out of his case, and went very gravely out of +my room to the middle of the court to take the height of the sun: +he returned with the same grave pace, and entering my room, said, +"Sir, you will be pleased to know this day is Friday the 18th of +the moon Suffir, in the year 653, from the retreat of our great +prophet from Mecca to Medina, and in the year 7320 of the epocha +of the great Iskender with two horns; and that the conjunction of +Mars and Mercury signifies you cannot choose a better time than +this very day and hour for being shaved. But, on the other hand, +the same conjunction is a bad presage to you. I learn from it, +that this day you run a great risk, not indeed of losing your +life, but of an inconvenience which will attend you while you +live. You are obliged to me for the advice I now give you, to +avoid this accident; I shall be sorry if it befall you." + +You may guess, gentlemen, how vexed I was at having fallen into +the hands of such a prattling, impertinent fellow; what an +unseasonable adventure was it for a lover preparing for an +interview with his mistress! I was quite irritated. "I care not," +said I, in anger, "for your advice and predictions; I did not +call you to consult your astrology; you came hither to shave me; +shave me, or begone." "I will call another barber, sir," replied +he, with a coolness that put me out of all patience; "what reason +have you to be angry with me? You do not know, that all of my +profession are not like me; and that if you made it your business +to search, you would not find such another. You only sent for a +barber; but here, in my person, you have the best barber in +Bagdad, an experienced physician, a profound chemist, an +infallible astrologer, a finished grammarian, a complete orator, +a subtle logician, a mathematician perfectly well versed in +geometry, arithmetic, astronomy, and all the refinements of +algebra; an historian fully master of the histories of all the +kingdoms of the universe. Besides, I understand all parts of +philosophy. I have all our sacred traditions by heart. I am a +poet, I am an architect; and what is it I am not? There is +nothing in nature hidden from me. Your deceased father, to whose +memory I pay a tribute of tears every time I think of him, was +fully convinced of my merit; he was fond of me, and spoke of me +in all companies as the first man in the world. Out of gratitude +and friendship for him, I am willing to attach myself to you, to +take you under my protection, and guard you from all the evils +that your stars may threaten." + +When I heard all this jargon, I could not forbear laughing, +notwithstanding my anger. "You impertinent prattler!" said I, +"will you have done, and begin to shave me?" + +"Sir," replied the barber, "you affront me in calling me a +prattler; on the contrary, all the world gives me the honourable +title of Silent. I had six brothers, whom you might justly have +called prattlers. These indeed were impertinent chatterers, but +for me, who am a younger brother, I am grave and concise in my +discourse." + +For God's sake, gentlemen, do but suppose you had been in my +place. What could I say when I saw myself so cruelly delayed? +"Give him three pieces of gold," said I to the slave who was my +housekeeper, "and send him away, that he may disturb me no more; +I will not be shaved this day." "Sir," said the barber, "pray +what do you mean? I did not come to seek for you, you sent for +me; and as that is the case I swear by the faith of a Moosulmaun, +I will not stir out of these doors till I have shaved you. If you +do not know my value, it is not my fault. Your deceased father +did me more justice. Every time he sent for me to let him blood, +he made me sit down by him, and was charmed with hearing what +witty things I said. I kept him in a continual strain of +admiration; I elevated him; and when I had finished my discourse, +'My God,' he would exclaim, 'you are an inexhaustible source of +science, no man can reach the depth of your knowledge.' 'My dear +sir,' I would answer, 'you do me more honour than deserve. If I +say anything that is worth hearing, it is owing to the favourable +audience you vouchsafe me; it is your liberality that inspires me +with the sublime thoughts which have the happiness to please +you.' One day, when he was charmed with an admirable discourse I +had made him, he said, 'Give him a hundred pieces of gold, and +invest him with one of my richest robes.' I instantly received +the present. I then drew his horoscope, and found it the happiest +in the world. Nay I carried my gratitude further; I let him +blood with cupping-glasses." + +This was not all; he spun out another harangue that was a full +half hour long. Tired with hearing him, and fretted at the loss +of time, which was almost spent before I was half ready, I did +not know what to say. "It is impossible," I exclaimed, "there +should be such another man in the world who takes pleasure, as +you do, in making people mad." + +I thought I might perhaps succeed better if I dealt mildly with +my barber. "In the name of God," said I, "leave off talking, and +shave me directly: business of the last importance calls me, as I +have already told you." At these words he fell a laughing: "It +would be fortunate," said he, "if our minds were always in the +same state; if we were always wise and prudent. I am willing, +however, to believe, that if you are angry with me, it is your +disorder that has caused the change in your temper, for which +reason you stand in need of some instructions, and you cannot do +better than follow the example of your father and grandfather. +They came and consulted me upon all occasions, and I can say, +without vanity, that they always highly prized my advice. Pray +observe, sir, men never succeed in their undertakings without the +counsel of persons of understanding. A man cannot, says the +proverb, be wise without receiving advice from the wise. I am +entirely at service, and you have only to command me." + +"What! cannot I prevail with you then," I demanded, interrupting +him, "to leave off these long speeches, that tend to nothing but +to distract my head, and detain me from my business? Shave me, I +say, or begone:" with that I started up in anger, stamping my +foot against the ground. + +When he saw I was in earnest, he said, "Sir, do not be angry, we +are going to begin." He lathered my head, and began to shave me; +but had not given four strokes with his razor before he stopped, +and addressed me, "Sir, you are hasty, you should avoid these +transports that only come from the devil. I am entitled to some +consideration on account of my age, my knowledge, and my great +virtues." + +"Go on and shave me," said I, interrupting him again, "and talk +no more." "That is to say," replied he, "you have some urgent +business to go about; I will lay you a wager I guess right." "Why +I told you two hours ago," I returned, "you ought to have shaved +me before." "Moderate your passion," replied he; "perhaps you +have not maturely weighed what you are going about; when things +are done precipitately, they are generally repented of. I wish +you would tell me what mighty business this is you are so earnest +upon. I would tell you my opinion of it; besides, you have time +enough, since your appointment is not till noon, and it wants +three hours of that yet." "I do not mind that," said I; "persons +of honour and of their word are rather before their time than +after. But I forget that by reasoning with you, I give into the +faults of you prattling barbers; have done, have done; shave me." + +The more haste I was in, the less speed he made. He laid down the +razor, and took up his astrolabe; then laid down his astrolabe, +and took up his razor again. + +The barber quitted his razor again, and took up his astrolabe a +second time; and so left me half shaved, to go and see precisely +what hour it was. Back he came, and exclaimed, "Sir, I knew I was +not mistaken, it wants three hours of noon. I am sure of it, or +else all the rules of astronomy are false." "Just heaven!" cried +I, "my patience is exhausted, I can bear this no longer. You +cursed barber, you barber of mischief, I can scarcely forbear +falling upon you and strangling you." "Softly, sir," said he, +very calmly, without being moved by my anger: "are you not afraid +of a relapse? Be not in a passion, I am going to shave you this +minute." In speaking these words, he clapped his astrolabe in his +case, took up his razor, and passing it over the strap which was +fixed to his belt, fell to shaving me again; but all the while he +was thus employed, the dog could not forbear prattling. "If you +would be pleased, sir," said he, "to tell me what the business is +you are going about at noon, I could give you some advice that +might be of use to you." To satisfy the fellow, I told him I was +going to meet some friends at an entertainment at noon, to make +merry with me on the recovery of my health. + +When the barber heard me talk of regaling; "God bless you this +day, as well as all other days!" he cried: "you put me in mind +that yesterday I invited four or five friends to come and eat +with me as this day; indeed I had forgotten the engagement, and +have made no preparation for them." "Do not let that trouble +you," said I; "though I dine abroad, my larder is always well +furnished. I make you a present of all that it contains; and +besides, I will order you as much wine as you have occasion for; +I have excellent wine in my cellar; only you must hasten to +finish shaving me: and pray remember, as my father made you +presents to encourage you to speak, I give you mine to induce you +to be silent." + +He was not satisfied with my promise, but exclaimed, "God reward +you, sir, for your kindness: pray shew me these provisions now, +that I may see if there will be enough to entertain my friends. I +would have them satisfied with the good fare I make them." "I +have," said I, "a lamb, six capons, a dozen chickens, and enough +to make four courses." I ordered a slave to bring all before him, +with four great pitchers of wine. "It is very well," returned the +barber; "but we shall want fruit, and sauce for the meat." These +I ordered likewise; but then he left off shaving, to look over +every thing one after another; and this survey lasted almost half +an hour. I raged and stormed like a madman; but it signified +nothing, the wretch made no more haste. However, he took up his +razor again, and shaved me for some minutes; then stopping +suddenly, exclaimed, "I could not have believed, sir, that you +would have been so liberal; I begin to perceive that your +deceased father lives again in you. Most certainly, I do not +deserve the favours with which you have loaded me; and I assure +you I shall have them in perpetual remembrance; for, sir, to let +you know, I have nothing but what I obtain from the generosity of +such gentlemen as you: in which respect, I am like to Zantout, +who rubs the people in the baths; to Sali, who cries boiled peas +in the streets; to Salout, who sells beans; to Akerscha, who +sells greens; to Aboumecarez, who sprinkles the streets to lay +the dust; and to Cassem, the caliph's lifeguard man. Of all these +persons, not one is apt so be melancholy; they are neither +impertinent nor quarrelsome; they are more contented with their +lot, than the caliph in the midst of his court; they are always +gay, ready to sing and dance, and have each of them their +peculiar song and dance, with which they divert the city of +Bagdad; but what I esteem most in them is, that they are no great +talkers, any more than your slave, that has bow the honour to +speak to you. Here, sir, is the song and dance of Zantout, who +rubs the people in the baths; mind me, pray, and see if I do not +imitate it exactly." + +The barber sung the song, and danced the dance of Zantout; and +let me say what I could to oblige him to finish his buffooneries, +he did not cease till he had imitated, in like manner, the songs +and dances of the other persons he had named. "After that," +addressing himself to me, "I am going," said he, "to invite all +these honest men to my house; if you will take my advice you will +join us, and disappoint your friends, who perhaps are great +talkers. They will only teaze you to death with their impertinent +discourse, and make you relapse into a disorder worse than that +from which you are so lately recovered; whereas at my house you +shall have nothing but pleasure." + +Notwithstanding my anger, I could not forbear laughing at the +fellow's impertinence. "I wish I had no business upon my hands," +I replied, "I would accept your invitation, and go with all my +heart to partake of your entertainment; but I beg to be excused, +I am too much engaged; another day I shall be more at leisure, +and then we will make up the same party. Come, finish shaving me, +and make haste home; perhaps your friends are already arrived at +your house." "Sir," replied he, "do not refuse me the favour I +ask of you; were you but once in our company, it would afford you +so much pleasure as abundantly to compensate you for forsaking +your friends." "Let us talk no more of that," said I; "I cannot +be your guest." + +I found I gained no ground by mild terms. "Since you will not +come to my house," replied the barber, "you must allow me to go +along with you: I will carry these things to my house, where my +friends may eat of them if they like, and I will return +immediately; I would not be so uncivil as to leave you alone. You +deserve this piece of complaisance at my hands." "Heavens!" cried +I, "then I shall not get clear of this troublesome fellow to-day. +In the name of the living God, leave off your unreasonable +jargon; go to your friends, drink, eat, and be merry with them, +and leave me at liberty to go to mine. I must go alone, I have no +occasion for company; besides, I must needs tell you, the place +to which I go is not one where you can be received." "You jest, +sir," said he; "if your friends have invited you to a feast, what +should prevent you from allowing me to go with you? You will +please them, I am sure, by introducing to them a man who can talk +wittily like me, and knows how to divert company. But say what +you will, I am determined to accompany you." + +These words, gentlemen, perplexed me much. "How," thought I, +"shall I get rid of this cursed barber? If I persist in +contradicting him, we shall never have done." + +Besides, I heard at this instant the first call to noon-prayers, +and it was time for me to go. In fine, I resolved to say nothing, +and to make as if I consented to his accompanying me. He then +finished shaving me, and I said to him, "Take some of my servants +to carry these provisions along with you, and return hither; I +will stay for you, and shall not go without you." + +At last he went, and I dressed myself as expeditiously as I +could. I heard the last call to prayers, and hastened to set out: +but the malicious barber, who guessed my intention, went with my +servants only within sight of the house and stood there till he +saw them enter it, after which he concealed himself at the corner +of the street, with an intent to observe and follow me. In fine, +when I arrived at the cauzee's door, I looked back and saw him at +the head of the street which alarmed me to the last degree. + +The cauzee's door was half open, and as I went in I saw an old +woman waiting for me, who, after she had shut the door, conducted +me to the chamber of the young lady who was the object of my +love; but we had scarcely begun to converse, when we heard a +noise in the streets. The young lady put her head to the window, +and saw through the gate that it was her father already returning +from prayers. At the same time I looked, and saw the barber +sitting over-against the house, on the bench from which I had +first seen the young lady. + +I had then two things to fear, the arrival of the cauzee, and the +presence of the barber. The young lady mitigated my apprehension +on the first head, by assuring me the cauzee, came but seldom to +her chamber, and as she had forseen that this misadventure might +happen, she had contrived a way to convey me out safely: but the +indiscretion of the accursed barber made me very uneasy; and you +shall hear that my uneasiness was not without ground. + +As soon as the cauzee was come in, he caned one of his slaves, +who had deserved chastisement. This slave made a horrid noise, +which was heard in the streets; the barber thought it was I who +cried out, and was maltreated. Prepossessed with this thought, he +roared out aloud, rent his clothes, threw dust upon his head, and +called the neighbourhood to his assistance. The neighbours +collected, and asked what assistance he wanted? "Alas!" cried he, +"they are assassinating my master, my dear patron;" and without +saying anything more, he ran all the way to my house, with the +very same cry in his mouth. From thence he returned, followed by +all my domestics armed with sticks. They knocked with +inconceivable fury at the door, and the cauzee sent slave to see +what was the matter; but the slave being frightened, returned to +his master, crying, "Sir, above ten thousand men are going to +break into your house by force." + +Immediately the cauzee himself ran, opened the door, and asked +what they wanted. His venerable presence could not inspire them +with respect. They insolently said to him, "You cursed cauzee, +what reason have you to assassinate our master? What has he done +to you?" "Good people," replied the magistrate, "for what should +I assassinate your master, whom I do not know and who has done me +no harm? my house is open to you, come and search." "You +bastinadoed him," said the barber; "I heard his cries not a +minute ago." "What harm could your master do to me," replied the +cauzee, "to oblige me to abuse him at that rate? Is he in my +house? If he is, how came he in, or who could have introduced +him?" "Ah! wretched cauzee," cried the barber, "you and your long +beard shall never make me believe you; I know your daughter is in +love with our master, and appointed him a meeting during the time +of noon-prayer, you without doubt have had notice of it, returned +home, and surprised him, and made your slaves bastinado him: but +this your wicked action shall not pass with impunity; the caliph +shall be acquainted with it, and he will give true and brief +justice. Let him come out, deliver him to us immediately; or if +you do not, we will go in and take him out to your shame." "There +is no occasion for so many words," replied the cauzee, "nor to +make so great a noise: if what you say is true, go and find him +out, I give you free liberty." Thereupon the barber and my +domestics rushed into the house like furies, and looked for me +all about. + +As I heard all that the barber said to the cauzee, I sought for a +place to conceal myself, and could find nothing but a large empty +trunk, in which I lay down, and shut it upon me. The barber, +after he had searched everywhere, came into the chamber where I +was, and opened the trunk. As soon as he saw me, he took it upon +his head and carried it away. He descended a high staircase into +a court, which he crossed hastily, and at length reached the +street door. While he was carrying me, the trunk unfortunately +flew open, and not being able to endure the shame of being +exposed to the view and shouts of the mob who followed us, I +leaped out into the street with so much haste, that I have been +lame ever since. I was not sensible of the hurt at first, and +therefore got up quickly to avoid the people, who laughed at me; +nay, I threw handfuls of gold and silver among them, and whilst +they were gathering it up, I made my escape by cross streets and +alleys. But the cursed barber followed me close, crying, "Stay, +sir; why do you run so fast? If you knew how much I am afflicted +at the ill treatment you received from the cauzee, you, who are +so generous, and to whom I and my friends are so much obliged! +Did I not tell you truly, that you would expose your life by your +obstinate refusal to let me go with you? See what has happened to +you, by your own fault; and if I had not resolutely followed, to +see whither you went, what would have become of you? Whither do +you go, sir? Stay for me." + +Thus the barber cried aloud in the street it was not enough for +him to have occasioned so great a scandal in the quarter where +the cauzee lived, but he would have it known through the whole +town. I was in such a rage, that I had a great mind to stop and +cut his throat; but considering this would have perplexed me +farther, I chose another course. Perceiving that his calling +after me exposed me to vast numbers of people, who crowded to the +doors or windows, or stopped in the street to gaze at me, I +entered an inn, the chamberlain of which knew me, and finding him +at the gate, whither the noise had brought him, I prayed him, for +the sake of heaven, to hinder that madman from coming in after +me. He promised to do so, and was as good as his word, but not +without a great deal of trouble; for the obstinate barber would +enter in spite of him, and did not retire without calling him a +thousand names. After the chamberlain had shut the gate, the +barber continued telling all he met what great service he had +done me. Thus I rid myself of that troublesome fellow. After +this, the chamberlain prayed me to tell him my adventure, which I +did, and then desired him to let me have an apartment until I was +cured. "But sir," said he, "will it not be more convenient for +you to go home?" "I will not return thither," replied I: "for the +detestable barber will continue plaguing me there, and I shall +die of vexation to be continually teazed by him. Besides, after +what has befallen me to-day, I cannot think of staying any longer +in this town; I must go whither my ill-fortune leads me." +Accordingly, when I was cured, I took all the money I thought +necessary for my travels, and divided the rest of my property +among my kindred. + +Thus, gentlemen, I left Bagdad, and came hither. I had ground to +hope that I should not meet this pernicious barber in a country +so far from my own, and yet I find him amongst you. Be not +surprised then at my haste to be gone: you may easily judge how +unpleasant to me is the sight of a man who was the occasion of my +lameness, and of my being reduced to the melancholy necessity of +living so far from my kindred, friends, and country. + +When he had spoken these words, the lame young man rose up and +went out; the master of the house conducted him to the gate, and +told him, he was sorry that he had given him, though innocently, +so great a subject of mortification. + +When the young man was gone, continued the tailor, we were all +astonished at the story, and turning to the barber, told him he +was very much to-blame, if what we had just heard was true. +"Gentlemen," answered he, raising up his head, which till then he +had held down, "my silence during the young man's discourse is +sufficient to testify that he advanced nothing that was not true: +but for all that he has said to you, I maintain that I ought to +have done what I did; I leave you to be judges. Did not he throw +himself into danger, and could he have come off so well without +my assistance? He may think himself happy to have escaped with +the lame leg Did not I expose myself to greater danger to get him +out of a house where I thought he was ill-treated? Has he any +reason to complain of and abuse me? This is what one gets by +serving unthankful people. He accuses me of being a prattling +fellow, which is a mere slander: of seven brothers, I speak +least, and have most wit to my share; and to convince you of +this, gentlemen, I need only relate my own story and theirs. +Honour me, I beseech you, with your attention." + + + + + The Story of the Barber. + + + +In the reign of the caliph Mustunsir Billah, that is, seeking +victory of God, a prince so famous for his liberality towards the +poor, ten highwaymen infested the roads about Bagdad, and for a +long time committed unheard-of robberies and cruelties. The +caliph, having notice of this, sent for the judge of the police, +some days before the feast of Bairam, and ordered him, on pain of +death, to bring all the ten to him. + +The judge of the police used so much diligence, and sent so many +people in pursuit of the ten robbers, that they were taken on the +very day of Bairam. I was walking at the time on the banks of the +Tigris, and saw ten men richly appareled go into a boat. Had I +but observed the guards who had them in custody, I might have +concluded they were robbers; but my attention was fixed on the +men themselves, and thinking they were people who designed to +spend the festival in jollity, I entered the boat with them, +hoping they would not object to my making one of the company. We +descended the Tigris, and landed before the caliph's palace: I +had by this time had leisure to reflect, and to discover my +mistake. When we quitted the boat, we were surrounded by a new +troop of the judge of the police's guard, who bound us all, and +carried us before the caliph. I suffered myself to be bound as +well as the rest, without speaking one word: for what would it +have availed to have spoken, or made any resistance? That had +been the way to have got myself ill-treated by the guards, who +would not have listened to me, for they are brutish fellows, who +will hear no reason: I was with the robbers, and that was enough +to make them believe me to be one of their number. + +When we had been brought before the caliph, he ordered the ten +highwaymen's heads to be cut off immediately. The executioner +drew us up in a file within reach of his arm, and by good fortune +I was placed last. He cut off the heads of the ten highwaymen, +beginning at the first; and when he came to me, he stopped. The +caliph perceiving that he did not strike me, grew angry: "Did not +I command thee," said he, "to cut off the heads of ten +highwaymen, and why hast thou cut off but nine?" "Commander of +the faithful," he replied, "Heaven preserve me from disobeying +your majesty's orders: here are ten bodies upon the ground, and +as many heads which I have cut off; your majesty may count them." +When the caliph saw that what the executioner said was true, he +looked at me with amazement, and perceiving that I had not the +face of a highwayman, said to me, "Good old man, how came you to +be among those wretches, who have deserved a thousand deaths?" I +answered, "Commander of the faithful, I will make a true +confession. This morning I saw those ten persons, whose +punishment is a proof of your majesty's justice, take boat: I +embarked with them, thinking they were men going to celebrate +this day, which is the most distinguished in our religion." The +caliph could not forbear laughing at my adventure; and instead of +treating me as a prattling fellow, as this lame young man did, he +admired my discretion and taciturnity. "Commander of the +faithful," I resumed, "your majesty need not wonder at my silence +on such an occasion, as would have made another apt to speak. I +make a particular profession of holding my peace, and on that +account have acquired the glorious title of Silent; by which I am +distinguished from my six brothers. This is the effect of my +philosophy; and, in a word, in this virtue consists my glory and +happiness." "I am glad," said the caliph, smiling, "that they +gave you a title which you know so well how to use. But tell me +what sort of men were your brothers, were they like you?" "By no +means," I replied; "they were all of them loquacious, prating +fellows. And as to their persons, there was still a greater +difference betwixt them and me. The first was hump-backed; the +second had rotten teeth; the third had but one eye; the fourth +was blind; the fifth had his ears cut off; and the sixth had +hare-lips. They had met with such adventures as would enable you +to judge of their characters, had I the honour of relating them +to your majesty:" and the caliph seemed desirous to hear their +several stories, I went on without waiting his commands. + + + + + The Story of the Barber's Eldest Brother. + + + +My eldest brother, whose name was Bacbouc the hump-back, was a +tailor: when he came out of his apprenticeship, he hired a shop +opposite a mill, and having but very little business, could +scarcely maintain himself. The miller, on the contrary, was very +wealthy, and had a handsome wife. One day as my brother was at +work in his shop, he saw the miller's wife looking out of the +window, and was charmed with her beauty. The woman took no notice +of him, but shut her window, and made her appearance no more that +day The poor tailor did nothing all day long but lift up his eyes +towards the mill. He pricked his finger oftener than once, and +his work was not very regular. At night, when he was to shut his +shop, he could scarcely tell how to do it, because he still hoped +the miller's wife would once more come to the window; but at last +he was forced to shut up, and go home, where he passed but a very +uncomfortable night. He arose betimes in the morning, and ran to +his shop, in hopes to see his mistress; but he was no happier +than the day before, for the miller's wife did not appear at the +window above a minute in the course of the day, but that minute +made the tailor the most amorous man that ever lived. The third +day he had more ground of satisfaction, for the miller's wife +cast her eyes upon him by chance, and surprised him as he was +gazing at her, which convinced her of what passed in his mind. + +No sooner did the miller's wife perceive my brother's +inclination, than, instead of allowing it to excite her +resentment, she resolved to divert herself with it. She looked at +him with a smiling countenance, and my brother returned her +smile, but in so ludicrous a way, that the miller's wife hastily +shut her window, lest her loud laughter should make him sensible +that she only ridiculed him. Poor Bacbouc interpreted her +carriage to his own advantage, and flattered himself that she +looked upon him with pleasure. + +The miller's wife resolved to have sport with my brother: she had +a piece of very fine stuff, with which she had a long time +designed to make a vest; she wrapped it up in a fine embroidered +silk handkerchief, and sent it to him by a young slave whom she +kept; who being taught her lesson, went to the tailor's shop, and +told him, "My mistress gives you her service, and prays you to +make her a vest of this stuff according to this pattern; she +changes her dress often, so that her custom will be profitable to +you." My brother doubted not but the miller's wife loved him, and +thought she had sent him work so soon after what had passed +betwixt them, only to signify that she knew his mind, and +convince him that he had obtained her favour. He charged the +slave to tell her mistress, that he would lay aside all work for +hers and that the vest should be ready next morning. He worked at +it with so much diligence, that he finished it in the course of +the same day. Next morning the young slave came to see if the +vest was ready. Bacbouc delivered it to her neatly folded up, +telling her, "I am too much concerned to please your mistress to +neglect her work; I would engage her by my diligence to employ no +other than myself for the time to come." The young slave went +some steps as if she had intended to go away, and then coming +back, whispered to my brother, "I had forgotten part of my +commission; my mistress charged me to make her compliments to +you, and to ask how you passed the night; as for her, poor woman, +she loves you to that degree that she could not sleep." "Tell +her," answered my silly brother, "I have so strong a passion for +her, that for these four nights I have not slept one wink." After +such a compliment from the miller's wife, my brother thought she +would not let him languish long in expectation of her favours. + +About a quarter of an hour after, the slave returned to my +brother with a piece of satin: "My mistress," said she, "is very +well pleased with her vest, nothing in the world can fit her +better, and as it is very handsome, she will not wear it without +a new pair of drawers; she prays you to make her one, as soon as +you can, of this piece of satin." "Enough," said Bacbouc, "I will +do it before I leave my shop: you shall have it in the evening." +The miller's wife shewed herself often at her window, and was +very prodigal of her charms, to encourage my brother. You would +have laughed to see him work. The pair of drawers was soon made, +and the slave came for it, but brought the tailor no money, +neither for the trimming he had bought for the vest, nor for the +making. In the mean time, this unfortunate lover, whom they only +amused, though he could not see it, had eaten nothing all that +day, and was forced to borrow money at night to buy his supper. +Next morning, as soon as he arrived at his shop, the young slave +came to tell him that the miller wanted to speak to him. "My +mistress," said she, "spoke to him so much in your praise, when +she shewed him your work, that he has a mind you should work for +him also; she does this on purpose, that the connection she +wishes to form betwixt you and him may crown your mutual wishes +with success." My brother was easily persuaded, and went to the +mill with the slave. The miller received him very kindly, and +shewed him a piece of cloth, and told him he wanted shirts, bade +him make it into twenty, and return him again what was left. + +My brother had work enough for five or six days to make twenty +shirts for the miller, who afterwards gave him another piece of +cloth to make him as many pair of drawers. When they were +finished, Bacbouc carried them to the miller, who asked him what +he must have for his pains. My brother answered, he would be +content with twenty dirhems of silver. The miller immediately +called the young slave, and bade her bring him his weights to see +if his money was right. The slave, who had her lesson, looked at +my brother with an angry countenance, to signify to him, that he +would spoil all if he took money. He knew her meaning, and +refused to take any, though he wanted it so much that he was +forced to borrow some to buy the thread to sew the shirts and +drawers. When he left the miller, he came to me to borrow money +to purchase provisions, and told me they did not pay him. I gave +him some copper money I had in my purse, and upon that he +subsisted for some days. It is true, indeed, he lived upon +nothing but broth, nor had he his fill of that. + +One day he went to the miller, who was busy at his work, and +thinking my brother came for money, offered him some; but the +young slave being present, made him another sign not to take it, +which he complied with, and told the miller he did not come for +his money, but only to know how he did. The miller thanked him, +and gave him an upper garment to make. Bacbouc carried it to him +the next day. When the miller drew out his purse, the young slave +gave my brother the usual sign, on which he said to the miller, +"Neighbour, there is no haste, we will reckon another time;" so +that the poor ninny went to his shop again, with three terrible +distempers, love, hunger, and an empty purse. The miller's wife +was not only avaricious, but ill-natured; for, not content with +cheating my brother of his due, she provoked her husband to +revenge himself upon him for making love to her, which they +accomplished thus. The miller invited Bacbouc one night to +supper, and after giving him a very sorry treat, said to him, +"Brother, it is too late for you to return home, you had better +stay here all night," and then took him to a place in the mill, +where there was a bed; there he left him, and went to bed with +his wife. About the middle of the night, the miller came to my +brother, and said, "Neighbour, are you asleep? My mule is ill, +and I have a quantity of corn to grind; you will do me a great +kindness if you will turn the mill in her stead." Bacbouc, to +shew his good nature, told him, he was ready to do him that +service, if he would shew him how. The miller tied him by the +middle in the mule's place, and whipping him soundly over the +back, said to him, "Go on, neighbour." "Ho!" exclaimed my +brother, "why do you beat me?" "It is to make you brisk," replied +the miller, "for without a whip my mule will not go." Bacbouc was +amazed at this treatment, but durst not complain. When he had +gone five or six rounds, he would fain have rested; but the +miller gave him a dozen sound lashes, saying, "Courage, +neighbour! do not stop, pray; you must go on without taking +breath, otherwise you will spoil my meal." + +The miller obliged my brother to turn the mill thus all night. +About break of day he left him without untying him, and went to +his wife's chamber. Bacbouc continued there for some time, and at +last the young slave came and untied him. "Ah!" said the +treacherous wretch, "how my mistress and I pitied you! We had no +hand in this wicked trick which her husband has played you." The +wretched Bacbouc answered not a word, he was so much fatigued +with work and blows; but crept home to his house, resolving never +to think more of the miller's wife. + +The telling of this story, continued the barber, made the caliph +laugh. "Go home," said he to me, "I have ordered something to be +given you to make up for the loss of the good dinner you +expected." "Commander of the faithful," I replied, "I pray your +majesty to let me stay till I have told the story of my other +brothers." The caliph having signified by his silence that he was +willing to hear me, I went on thus. + + + + + The Story of the Barber's Second Brother. + + + +My second brother, who was called Backbarah the Toothless, going +one day through the city, met in a distant street an old woman, +who came up to him, and said, "I want one word with you, pray +stop a moment." He did so, and asked what she would have. "If you +have time to come with me," said she, "I will bring you into a +stately palace, where you shall see a lady as fair as the day. +She will receive you with much pleasure, and treat you with +excellent wine. I need say no more." "But is what you say true?" +demanded my brother. "I am no lying hussy," replied the old +woman. "I say nothing to you but what is true. But hark, I have +something to ask of you. You must be prudent, say but little, and +be extremely polite." Backbarah agreed to all this. The old woman +went on, and he followed her. They came to the gate of a great +palace, where there was a number of officers and domestics. Some +of them would have stopped my brother, but no sooner did the old +woman speak to them than they let him pass. Then turning to my +brother, she said to him, "You must remember that the young lady +I bring you to loves good-nature and modesty, and cannot endure +to be contradicted; if you please her in these respects, you may +be sure to obtain of her what you please." Backbarah thanked her +for this advice, and promised to follow it. + +She brought him into a superb court, answerable to the +magnificence of the palace. There was a gallery round it, and a +garden in the middle. The old woman made him sit down on a +handsome sofa, and bade him stay a moment, till she went to +acquaint the young lady with his arrival. + +My brother, who had never been in such a stately palace before, +gazed on the fine things that he saw; and judging of his good +fortune by the magnificence of the palace, he was scarcely able +to contain himself for joy. In a short time he heard a great +noise, occasioned by a troop of merry slaves, who came towards +him with loud fits of laughter; and in the middle of them he +perceived a young lady of extraordinary beauty, who was easily +known to be their mistress by the respect they paid her. +Backbarah, who expected private conversation with the lady, was +extremely surprised when he saw so much company with her. In the +mean time, the slaves, as they drew near, put on a grave +countenance; and when the young lady came up to the sofa, my +brother rose and made her a low obeisance. She took the upper +seat, prayed him to sit down, and said to him with a smiling +countenance, "I am much pleased to see you, and wish you all the +happiness you can desire." "Madam," replied Backbarah, "I cannot +desire a greater happiness than to be in your company." "You seem +to be of a pleasant humour," said she, "and to be disposed to +pass the time agreeably." + +She commanded a collation to be brought; and immediately a table +was covered with several baskets of fruit and sweetmeats. The +lady sat down at the table with the slaves and my brother; and he +being placed just opposite to her, when he opened his mouth to +eat, she perceived he had no teeth; and taking notice of this to +her slaves, she and they laughed heartily. Backbarah, from time +to time, lifted up his head to look at her, and perceiving her +laugh, concluded it was from the pleasure she derived from his +company, and flattered himself that she would speedily send away +her slaves, and remain with him alone. She guessed his thoughts, +and amusing herself to flatter him in this mistake, addressed him +in the most pleasant language, and presented him the best of +every thing with her own hand. The entertainment being finished, +they rose from the table; ten slaves took musical instruments, +and began to play and sing, and others to dance. My brother, to +please them, danced likewise, and the lady danced with them. +After they had danced some time, they sat down to take breath, +and the young lady calling for a glass of wine, looked upon my +brother with a smiling countenance, to signify that she was going +to drink his health. He rose and stood while she drank. When she +had done instead of giving back the glass, she ordered it to be +filled, and presented it to my brother, that he might pledge her. + +My brother took the glass from the young lady's hand, which he +kissed at the same time and stood and drank to her, in return for +the favour she had done him. The lady then made him sit down by +her, and began to caress him. She put her hand behind his head, +and gave him some tips from time to time with her fingers: +ravished with these favours, he thought himself the happiest man +in the world, and felt disposed to kiss the charming lady, but +durst not take that liberty before so many slaves, who had their +eyes upon him, and laughed at their lady's wanton tricks. The +young lady continued to tip him with her fingers, but at last +gave him such a sound box on the ear, that he grew angry; the +colour came into his face, and he rose up to remove to a greater +distance from such a rude playfellow. Then the old woman, who +brought him thither, gave him a look, to let him know that he was +in the wrong, and that he had forgotten her advice, to be very +complaisant. He owned his fault, and to make amends, went near +the young lady again, pretending that he did not remove out of +any ill-humour. She drew him by the arm, made him sit down by +her, and gave him a thousand malicious squeezes. Her slaves took +their part in the diversion; one gave poor Backbarah several +fillips on the nose with all her might; another pulled him by the +ears, as if she would have pulled them off; and others boxed him +in a manner that might have made it appear they were not in jest. +My brother bore all this with admirable patience, affecting a gay +air, and looking at the old woman, said to her with a forced +smile, "You told me, indeed, that I should find the lady +perfectly kind, pleasant, and charming; I am mightily obliged to +you!" "All this is nothing," replied the old woman; "let her go +on, you will see other things by and by." Then the young lady +said to him, "Brother, you are a brave man; I am glad to find you +are so good-humoured and complaisant to bear with my little +caprices, and that your humour is so conformable to mine." +"Madam," replied Backbarah, who was charmed with this address, "I +am no more at my own disposal, I am wholly yours, you may do with +me as you please." "How you oblige me," returned the lady, "by +such submission! I am well pleased with you, and would have you +be so with me: bring him perfume, and rose-water." Upon this, two +slaves went out and returned speedily, one with a silver casket, +filled with the best of aloes wood, with which she perfumed him; +and the other with rose-water, which she sprinkled on his face +and hands. My brother was quite enraptured with this handsome +treatment. After this ceremony, the young lady commanded the +slaves, who had already played on their instruments and sung, to +renew their concerts. They obeyed, and while they were thus +employed, the lady called another slave, and ordered her to take +my brother with her, and do what she knew, and bring him back to +her again. Backbarah, who heard this order, got up quickly, and +going to the old woman, who also rose to accompany him and the +slave, prayed her to inform him what they were to do with him. +"My mistress is only curious," replied the old woman softly; "she +has a mind to see how you look in a woman's dress, and this +slave, who is desired to take you with her, has orders to paint +your eyebrows, to cut off your whiskers, and to dress you like a +woman." "You may paint my eyebrows as much as you please," said +my brother, "I consent to that, because I can wash it off again; +but to shave me, you know I must not permit. How can I appear +abroad again without moustaches?" "Beware of refusing what is +asked of you," returned the old woman, "you will spoil your +fortune, which is now in as favourable a train as heart can wish. +The lady loves you, and has a mind to make you happy; and will +you, for a nasty whisker, renounce the most delicious favours +that man can obtain?" Backbarah listened to the old woman, and +without saying a word went to a chamber with the slave, where +they painted his eyebrows with red, cut off his whiskers, and +were going to do the like with his beard. My brother's patience +then began to fail: "Oh!" said he, "I will never part with my +beard." The slave told him, that it was to no purpose to have +parted with his whiskers, if he would not also part with his +beard, which could never comport with "woman's dress;" and she +wondered that a man, who was upon the point of being loved by the +finest lady in Bagdad, should be concerned about his beard. The +old woman threatened him with the loss of the young lady's +favour; so that at last he allowed them to do what they would. +When he was dressed in female attire, they brought him before the +young lady, who laughed so heartily when she saw him, that she +fell backward on the sofa. The slaves laughed and clapped their +hands, so that my brother was quite out of countenance. The young +lady got up, and still laughing, said to him, "After so much +complaisance, I should be very much to blame not to love you with +all my heart: but there is one thing more you must do for me, and +that is, to dance as we do." He obeyed, and the young lady and +her slaves danced with him, laughing as if they had been mad. +After they had danced some time, they all fell upon the poor +wretch, and did so box and kick him, that he fell down like one +out of his senses. The old woman helped him up again: and that he +might not have time to think of his ill-treatment, bade him take +courage, and whispered in his ear, that all his sufferings were +at an end, and that he was just about to receive his reward. + +The old woman continued her discourse to Backbarah thus: "You +have only one thing more to do, and that is but a small one. You +must know that my mistress has a custom, when she has drunk a +little, as you see she has done to-day, to let no one that she +loves come near her, except they be stripped to their shirt; and +when they have done so, she takes a little advantage of them and +begins running before them through the gallery, and from chamber +to chamber, till they catch her. This is one more of her humours: +what advantage soever she takes of you, considering your +nimbleness, you will soon overtake her; strip yourself then to +your shirt, undress yourself without ceremony." + +My silly brother had done too much to hesitate at anything now. +He undressed himself; and in the mean time the young lady was +stripped to her shift and drawers, that she might run the more +nimbly. When they were ready, the young lady took the advantage +of twenty paces, and then began to run with surprising swiftness: +my brother followed as fast as he could, the slaves in the mean +time laughing heartily and clapping their hands. The young lady, +instead of losing ground, gained upon my brother: she made him +run two or three times round the gallery, and then entering a +long dark passage, made her escape. Backbarah, who still +followed, having lost sight of her in the passage, was obliged to +slacken his pace, because of the darkness of the place: at last +perceiving a light, he ran towards it, and went out at a door, +which was immediately shut after him. You may imagine how he was +surprised to find himself in a street inhabited by curriers, and +they were no less surprised to see him in his shirt, his eyes +painted red, and without beard or moustaches: they began to clap +their hands and shout at him, and some of them ran after him and +lashed his back with leather straps. They then took him and set +him upon an ass which they met by chance, and carried him through +the town exposed to the laughter of the people. + +To complete his misfortune, as he went by the judge's house, he +would needs know the cause of the tumult. The curriers told him, +that they saw him come in that condition from the gate of the +apartments of the grand vizier's women, which opened into their +street; upon which the judge ordered unfortunate Backbarah to +have a hundred blows with a cane on the soles of his feet, and +sent him out of the town with orders never to return. + +"Thus, commander of the faithful," said I to the caliph, "I have +given an account of the adventure of my second brother, who did +not know that our greatest ladies divert themselves sometimes by +putting such tricks upon young people, who are so foolish as to +be caught in the snare." + +The barber, without breaking off, told the story of his third +brother in the following manner. + + + + + The Story of the Barber's Third Brother. + + + +Commander of the faithful, my third brother, whose name was +Backbac, was blind, and his evil destiny reduced him to beg from +door to door. He had been so long accustomed to walk through the +streets alone, that he wanted none to lead him: he had a custom +to knock at people's doors, and not to answer till they opened to +him. One day he knocked thus, and the master of the house, who +was alone, cried, "Who is there?" My brother made no answer, and +knocked a second time: the master of the house asked again and +again, "Who is there?" but to no purpose, no one answered; upon +which he came down, opened the door, and asked my brother what he +wanted? "Give me something for Heaven's sake," said Backbac. "You +seem to be blind," replied the master of the house. "Yes, to my +sorrow," answered my brother. "Give me your hand," resumed the +master of the house. My brother did so, thinking he was going to +give him alms; but he only took him by the hand to lead him up to +his chamber. Backbac thought he had been carrying him to dine +with him, as many other people had done. When they reached the +chamber, the man let go his hand, and sitting down, asked him +again what he wanted? "I have already told you," said Backbac, +"that I want something for God's sake." "Good blind man," replied +the master of the house, "all that I can do for you is to wish +that God may restore you your sight." "You might have told me +that at the door," replied my brother, "and not have given me the +trouble to come up stairs." "And why, fool," said the man of the +house, "do not you answer at first, when people ask you who is +there? Why do you give any body the trouble to come and open the +door when they speak to you?" "What will you do with me then?" +asked my brother. "I tell you again," said the man of the house, +"I have nothing to give you." "Help me down the stairs then, as +you brought me up." "The stairs are before you," said the man of +the house, "and you may go down by yourself if you will." My +brother attempted to descend, but missing a step about the middle +of the stairs, fell to the bottom and hurt his head and his back: +he got up again with much difficulty, and went out cursing the +master of the house who laughed at his fall. + +As my brother went out of the house, two blind men, his +companions, were going by, knew him by his voice, and asked him +what was the matter? He told them what had happened; and +afterwards said, "I have eaten nothing to-day; I conjure you to +go along with me to my house, that I may take some of the money +that we three have in common to buy me something for supper." The +two blind men agreed, and they went home with him. + +You must know that the master of the house where my brother was +so ill used was a robber, and of a cunning and malicious +disposition. He overheard from his window what Backbac had said +to his companions, and came down and followed them to my +brother's house. The blind men being seated, Backbac said to +them, "Brothers, we must shut the door, and take care there be no +stranger with us." At this the robber was much perplexed, but +perceiving a rope hanging down from a beam, he caught hold of it, +and hung by it, while the blind men shut the door, and felt about +the room with their sticks. When they had done, and had sat down +again in their places, the robber left his rope, and seated +himself softly by my brother, who thinking himself alone with his +blind comrades, said to them, "Brothers, since you have trusted +me with the money, which we have been a long time gathering, I +will show you that I am not unworthy of the confidence you repose +in me. The last time we reckoned, you know we had ten thousand +dirhems, and that we put them into ten bags; I will shew you that +I have not touched one of them:" having so said, he put his hand +among some old clothes, and taking out the bags one after +another, gave them to his comrades, saying, "There they are; you +may judge by their weight that they are whole, or you may tell +them if you please." His comrades answered there was no need, +they did not mistrust him; so he opened one of the bags, and took +out ten dirhems, and each of the other blind men did the like. + +My brother put the bags into their place again: after which, one +of the blind men said to him, "There is no need to lay out +anything for supper, for I have collected as much victuals from +good people as will serve us all." At the same time he took out +of his bag bread and cheese, and some fruit, and putting all upon +the table, they began to eat, The robber, who sat at my brother's +right hand, picked out the best, and eat with them; but whatever +care he took to make no noise, Backbac heard his chaps going, and +cried out immediately, "We are undone, there is a stranger among +us:" having so said, he stretched out his hand, and caught hold +of the robber by the arm, cried out "Thieves!" fell upon him, and +struck him. The other blind men fell upon him in like manner; the +robber defended himself as well as he could, and being young and +vigorous, besides having the advantage of his eyes, gave furious +blows, sometimes to one, sometimes to another, and cried out +"Thieves!" louder than they did. The neighbours came running at +the noise, broke open the door, and had much ado to separate the +combatants; but having at last succeeded, they asked the cause of +their quarrel. My brother, who still had hold of the robber, +cried out, "Gentlemen, this man I have hold of is a thief, and +stole in with us on purpose to rob us of the little money we +have." The thief, who shut his eyes as soon as the neighbours +came, feigned himself blind, and exclaimed, "Gentlemen, he is a +liar. I swear to you by heaven, and by the life of the caliph, +that I am their companion, and they refuse to give me my just +share. They have all three fallen upon me, and I demand justice." +The neighbours would not interfere in their quarrel, but carried +them all before the judge. + +When they came before the magistrate, the robber, without staying +to be examined, cried out, still feigning himself blind, "Sir, +since you are deputed to administer justice by the caliph, whom +God prosper, I declare to you that we are equally criminal, my +three comrades and I; but we have all engaged, upon oath, to +confess nothing except we be bastinadoed; so that if you would +know our crime, you need only order us to be bastinadoed, and +begin with me." My brother would have spoken, but was not allowed +to do so: and the robber was put under the bastinado. + +The robber being under the bastinado, had the courage to bear +twenty or thirty blows; when, pretended to be overcome with pain, +he first opened one eve, and then the other, and crying out for +mercy, begged the judge would put a stop to the blows. The judge +perceiving that he looked upon him with his eyes open, was much +surprised, and said to him, "Rogue, what is the meaning of this +miracle?" "Sir," replied the robber, "I will discover to you an +important secret, if you will pardon me, and give me, as a pledge +that you will keep your word, the seal-ring which you have on +your finger." The judge consented, gave him his ring, and +promised him pardon. "Under this promise," continued the robber, +"I must confess to you sir, that I and my three comrades do all +of us see very well. We feigned ourselves to be blind, that we +might freely enter people's houses, and women's apartments, where +we abuse their weakness. I must farther confess to you, that by +this trick we have gained together ten thousand dirhems. This day +I demanded of my partners two thousand five hundred that belonged +to my share, but they refused because I told them I would leave +them; and they were afraid I should accuse them. Upon my pressing +still to have my share, they fell upon me; for which I appeal to +those people who brought us before you. I expect from your +justice, sir, that you will make them deliver me the two thousand +five hundred dirhems which is my due; and if you have a mind that +my comrades should confess the truth, you must order them three +times as many blows as I have had, and you will find they will +open their eyes as well as I have done." + +My brother and the other two blind men would have cleared +themselves of this horrid charge, but the judge would not hear +them: "Villains," said he, "do you feign yourselves blind then, +and, under that pretext of moving their compassion, cheat people, +and commit such crimes?" "He is an impostor," cried my brother, +"and we take God to witness that none of us can see." + +All that my brother could say was in vain, his comrades and he +received each of them two hundred blows. The judge expected them +to open their eyes, and ascribed to their obstinacy what really +they could not do. All the while the robber said to the blind +men, "Poor fools that you are, open your eyes, and do not suffer +yourselves to be beaten to death." Then addressing himself to the +judge, said, "I perceive, sir, that they will be maliciously +obstinate to the last, and will never open their eyes. They wish +certainly to avoid the shame of reading their own condemnation in +the face of every one that looks upon them; it were better, if +you think fit, to pardon them, and to send some person along with +me for the ten thousand dirhems they have hidden." + +The judge consented to give the robber two thousand five hundred +dirhems, and kept the rest himself; and as for my brother and his +two companions, he thought he shewed them pity by sentencing them +only to be banished. As soon as I heard what had befallen my +brother, I went to him; he told me his misfortune, and I brought +him back secretly to the town. I could easily have justified him +to the judge, and have had the robber punished as he deserved, +but durst not make the attempt, for fear of bringing myself into +danger of assassination. Thus I finished the sad adventure of my +honest blind brother. The caliph laughed at it, as much as at +those he had heard before, and ordered again that something +should be given me; but without staying for it, I began the story +of my fourth brother. + + + + + The Story of the Barber's Fourth Brother. + + + +Alcouz was the name of the fourth brother who lost one of his +eyes, upon an occasion that I shall have the honour to relate to +your majesty. He was a butcher by profession, and had a +particular way of teaching rams to fight, by which he gained the +acquaintance and friendship of the chief lords of the country, +who loved that sport, and for that end kept rams at their houses. +He had besides a very good trade, and had his shop always full of +the best meat, because he spared no cost for the prime of every +sort. One day when he was in his shop, an old man with a long +white beard came and bought six pounds of meat of him, gave him +money for it, and went his way. My brother thought the money so +pure and well coined, that he put it apart by itself: the same +old man came every day for five months together, bought a like +quantity of meat, and paid for it in the same kind of money, +which my brother continued to lay apart. + +At the end of five months, Alcouz having a mind to buy a lot of +sheep, and to pay for them in this money, opened his chest; but +instead of finding his money, was extremely surprised to see +nothing in the place where he had laid it, but a parcel of leaves +clipped round. He beat his head, and cried out aloud, which +presently brought the neighbours about him, who were as much +surprised as he, when he told them the story. "O!" cried my +brother, weeping, "that this treacherous old fellow would come +now with his hypocritical looks!" He had scarcely spoken, when he +saw him at a distance; he ran to him, and laid hands on him; +"Moosulmauns," cried he, as loud as he could, "help! hear what a +cheat this wicked fellow has put upon me," and at the same time +told a great crowd of people, who came about him, what he had +formerly told his neighbours. When he had done, the old man said +to him very gravely and calmly, "You had better let me go, and by +that means make amends for the affront you have put upon me +before so many people, for fear I should put a greater affront +upon you, which I should be sorry to do." "How," said my brother, +"what have you to say against me? I am an honest man in my +business, and fear not you, nor any body." "You would have me +speak out then," resumed the old man in the same tone; and +turning to the crowd, said to them, "Know, good people, that this +fellow, instead of selling mutton as he ought to do, sells human +flesh." "You are a cheat," said my brother. "No, no," continued +the old man; "good people, this very minute while I am speaking +to him, there is a man with his throat cut hung up in the shop +like a sheep; do any of you go thither, and see if what I say be +not true." + +Just before my brother had opened his chest he had killed a +sheep, dressed it, and exposed it in the shop, according to +custom: he protested that what the old man said was false; but +notwithstanding all his protestations, the credulous mob, +prejudiced against a man accused of such a heinous crime, would +go to see whether the charge were true. They obliged my brother +to quit the old man, laid hold of him, and ran like madmen into +his shop, where they saw, to all appearance, a man hung up with +his throat cut, as the old man had told them; for he was a +magician, and deceived the eyes of all people, as he did my +brother, when he made him take leaves instead of money. At this +sight, one of those who held Alcouz gave him a violent blow with +his fist, and said to him, "Thou wicked villain, dost thou make +us eat man's flesh instead of mutton?" And at the same time the +old man gave him another blow, which beat out one of his eyes. +Every body that could get near him struck him; and not content +with that, they carried him before a judge, with the pretended +carcase of the man, to be evidence against him. "Sir," said the +old magician to the judge, "we have brought you a man, who is so +barbarous as to murder people, and to sell their flesh instead of +mutton. The public expects that you will punish him in an +exemplary manner." The judge heard my brother with patience, but +would believe nothing of the story of the money changed into +leaves, called my brother a cheat, told him he would believe his +own eyes, and ordered him to receive five hundred blows. He +afterwards made him tell him where his money was, took it all +from him, and banished him for ever, after having made him ride +three days through the city upon a camel, exposed to the insults +of the people. + +I was not at Bagdad when this tragical adventure befell my fourth +brother. He retired into a remote place, where he lay concealed +till he was cured of the blows with which his back was terribly +mangled. When he was able to walk, he went by night to a certain +town where nobody knew him; and there he took a lodging, from +whence he seldom moved; but being weary of this confined life, he +went to walk in one of the suburbs, where suddenly he heard a +noise of horsemen coming behind him. He was then by chance near +the gate of a house, and fearing, after what had befallen him, +that these horsemen were pursuing him, he opened the gate in +order to hide himself, and after he had shut it, entered a court, +where immediately two servants came and collared him, saying, +"Heaven be praised, that you have come of your own accord to +surrender yourself; you have alarmed us so much these three last +nights, that we could not sleep; nor would you have spared our +lives, if we had not prevented your design." You may well imagine +my brother was much surprised. "Good people," said he, "I know +not what you mean; you certainly take me for somebody else." "No, +no," replied they, "we know that you and your comrades are +robbers: you were not contented to rob our master of all that he +had, and to reduce him to beggary, but you conspired to take his +life. Let us see if you have not a knife about you, which you had +in your hand when you pursued us last night." Having said thus, +they searched him, and found he had a knife. "Ho! ho!" cried +they, laying hold of him, "and dare you say that you are not a +robber?" "Why," said my brother, "cannot a man carry a knife +about him without being a robber? If you will hearken to my +story, instead of having so bad an opinion of me, you will be +touched with compassion at my misfortunes." But far from +attending to him, they fell upon him, trod upon him, took away +his clothes, and tore his shirt. Then seeing the scars on his +back, "O dog," said they, redoubling their blows, "would you have +us believe you are an honest man, when your back shews us the +contrary?" "Alas!" said my brother, "my crimes must be very +great, since, after having been abused already so unjustly, I am +thus treated a second time without being more culpable!" + +The two servants, no way moved with his complaint, carried him +before the judge, who asked him how he durst presume to go into +their house, and pursue them with a drawn knife? "Sir," replied +the unfortunate Alcouz, "I am the most innocent man in the world, +and am undone if you will not be pleased to hear me patiently: no +one deserves more compassion." "Sir," exclaimed one of the +domestics, "will you listen to a robber, who enters people's +houses to plunder and murder them? If you will not believe us, +only look upon his back;" and while he said so he uncovered my +brother's back, and shewed it to the judge, who, without any +other information, commanded his officers immediately to give him +a hundred lashes over the shoulders, and made him afterwards be +carried through the town on a camel, with one crying before him, +"Thus are men punished who enter people's houses by force." After +having treated him thus, they banished him the town, and forbad +him ever to return. Some people, who met him after the second +misfortune, brought me word where he was; I went, brought him to +Bagdad privately, and gave him all the assistance I could. The +caliph did not laugh so much at this story as at the other. He +was pleased to pity the unfortunate Alcouz, and ordered something +to be given me. But without giving his servants time to obey his +orders, I continued my discourse, and said to him: "My sovereign +lord and master, you see that I do not talk much; and since your +majesty has been pleased to do me the favour to listen to me so +far, I beg you would likewise hear the adventures of my two other +brothers; I hope they will be as diverting as those of the +former. You may make a complete history of them, that will not be +unworthy of your library: I shall do myself the honour then to +acquaint you, that the fifth brother was called Alnaschar." + + + + + The Story of the Barber's Fifth Brother. + + + +Alnaschar, as long as our father lived, was very lazy; instead of +working he used to beg in the evening, and live upon what he got. +Our father died at a very old age, and left among us seven +hundred dirhems: we divided equally, so that each of us had a +hundred for his share. Alnaschar, who had never before possessed +so much money, was much perplexed to know what he should do with +it. He consulted a long time with himself, and at last resolved +to lay it out in glass-ware which he bought of a wholesale +dealer. He put all in an open basket, and sat with it before him, +and his back against a wall, in a place where he might sell it. +In this posture, with his eyes fixed on his basket, he began to +meditate; during which he spoke as follows: "This basket cost me +a hundred dirhems, which is all I have in the world. I shall make +two hundred of them by retailing my glass, and of these two +hundred, which I will again lay out in glass-ware, I shall make +four hundred; and going on thus, I shall at last make four +thousand dirhems; of four thousand I shall easily make eight +thousand, and when I come to ten thousand, I will leave off +selling glass and turn jeweller; I will trade in diamonds, +pearls, and all sorts of precious stones: then when I am as rich +as I can wish, I will buy a fine mansion, a great estate, slaves, +eunuchs, and horses. I will keep a good house, and make a great +figure in the world; I will send for all the musicians and +dancers of both sexes in town. Nor will I stop here, for, I will, +by the favour of Heaven, go on till I get one hundred thousand +dirhems, and when I have amassed so much, I will send to demand +the grand vizier's daughter in marriage; and represent to that +minister, that I have heard much of the wonderful beauty, +understanding, wit, and all the other qualities of his daughter; +in a word, that I will give him a thousand pieces of gold the +first night after we are married; and if the vizier be so uncivil +as to refuse his daughter, which cannot be supposed, I will go +and carry her off before his face, and take her to my house +whether he will or no. As soon as I have married the grand +vizier's daughter, I will buy her ten young black eunuchs, the +handsomest that can be had; I will clothe my self like a prince, +and mounted upon a fine horse, with a saddle of fine gold, with +housings of cloth of gold, finely embroidered with diamonds and +pearls, I will ride through the city, attended by slaves before +and behind. I will go to the vizier's palace in view of all the +people great and small, who will show me the most profound +respect. When I alight at the foot of the vizier's staircase, I +will ascend through my own people, ranged in files on the right +and left; and the grand vizier, receiving me as his son-in-law, +shall give me the right hand and set me above him, to do me the +more honour. If this comes to pass, as I hope it will, two of my +people shall each of them have a purse with a thousand pieces of +gold, which they shall carry with them. I will take one, and +presenting it to the grand vizier, tell him, 'There is the +thousand pieces of gold that I promised the first night of +marriage:' and I will offer him the other and say to him, 'There +is as much more, to shew you that I am a man of my word, and even +better than my promise.' After such an action as this, all the +world will talk of my generosity. I will return to my own house +in the same pomp. My wife will send some officer to compliment +me, on account of my visit to the vizier, her father: I will +honour the officer with a fine robe, and send him back with a +rich present. If she send me a present, I will not accept it, but +dismiss the bearer. I will not suffer her to go out of her +apartment on any account whatever, without giving me notice: and +when I have a mind to come to her apartment, it shall be in such +a manner as to make her respect me. In short, no house shall be +better ordered than mine. I will be always richly clad. When I +retire with my wife in the evening, I will sit on the upper seat, +I will affect a grave air, without turning my head to one side or +the other. I will speak little; and whilst my wife, beautiful as +the full moon, stands before me in all her charms, I will make as +if I did not see her. Her women about her will say to me, 'Our +dear lord and master, here is your spouse, your humble servant, +before you, ready to receive your caresses, but much mortified +that you do not vouchsafe to look upon her; she is wearied with +standing so long, bid her, at least, sit down.' I will make no +answer, which will increase their surprise and grief. They will +prostrate themselves at my feet; and after they have for a +considerable time entreated me to relent, I will at last lift up +my head, give her a careless look, and resume my former posture: +they will suppose that my wife is not handsomely enough dressed, +and will carry her to her closet to change her apparel. At the +same time I will get up and put on a more magnificent suit; they +will return and address me as before, but I will not so much as +look upon my wife, till they have prayed and entreated as long as +they did at first. Thus I will begin on the first day of +marriage, to teach her what she is to expect during the rest of +her life. + +"After the ceremonies of the marriage, I will take from one of my +servants, who shall be about me, a purse of five hundred pieces +of gold, which I will give to the tire-women, that they may leave +me alone with my spouse: when they are gone, my wife shall go to +bed first; then I will lie down by her with my back towards her, +and will not say one wore to her all night. The next morning she +will certainly complain of my contempt and of my pride, to her +mother the grand vizier's wife, which will rejoice my heart. Her +mother will come to wait upon me, respectfully kiss my hands, and +say to me, 'Sir' (for she will not dare to call me son-in-law, +for fear of provoking me by such a familiar style), 'I entreat +you not to disdain to look on my daughter, and refuse to come +near her. I assure you that her chief delight is to please you, +and that she loves you with all her soul.' But in spite of all my +mother-in-law can say, I will not answer her one word, but keep +an obstinate gravity. Then she will throw herself at my feet, +kiss them repeatedly, and say to me, 'Sir, is it possible that +you can suspect my daughter's virtue? You are the first man who +ever saw her face: do not mortify her so much; do her the favour +to look upon her, to speak to her, and confirm her in her good +intentions to satisfy you in every thing.' But nothing of this +shall prevail with me. Upon which my mother-in-law will take a +glass of wine, and putting it in the hand of her daughter my +wife, will say, 'Go, present him this glass of wine yourself; +perhaps he will not be so cruel as to refuse it from so fair a +hand.' My wife will come with the glass and stand trembling +before me; and when she finds that I do not look towards her, but +that I continue to disdain her, she will say to me with tears in +her eyes, 'My heart, my dear soul, my amiable lord, I conjure +you, by the favours which heaven heaps upon you, to receive this +glass of wine from the hand of your most humble servant:' but I +will not look upon her still, nor answer her. 'My charming +spouse,' will she say, redoubling her tears, and putting the +glass to my mouth, 'I will never cease till I prevail with you to +drink;' then, wearied with her entreaties, I will dart a terrible +look at her, shake my hand in her face, and spurn her from me +with my foot." + +My brother was so full of these chimerical visions, that he acted +with his foot as if she had been really before him, and +unfortunately gave such a push to his basket and glasses, that +they were thrown down, and broken into a thousand pieces. + +On this fatal accident, he came to himself, and perceiving that +he had brought misfortune upon himself by his insupportable +pride, beat his face, tore his clothes, and cried so loud, that +the neighbours came about him; and the people, who were going to +their noon prayers, stopped to know what was the matter. Being on +a Friday, more people went to prayers than usual; some of them +took pity on Alnaschar, and others only laughed at his +extravagance. In the mean time, his vanity being dispersed with +his property, he bitterly bewailed his loss; and a lady of rank +passing by upon a mule richly caparisoned, my brother's situation +moved her compassion. She asked who he was, and what he cried +for? They told her, that he was a poor man, who had laid out the +little money he possessed in the purchase of a basket of +glassware, that the basket had fallen, and all his glasses were +broken. The lady immediately turned to an eunuch who attended +her, and said to him, "Give the poor man what you have about +you." The eunuch obeyed, and put into my brother's hands a purse +with five hundred pieces of gold. Alnaschar was ready to die with +joy when he received it. He gave a thousand blessings to the +lady, and shutting up his shop, where he had no more occasion to +sit, went to his house. + +While he was pondering over his good luck, he heard somebody +knock at his door. Before he opened, he asked who it was, and +knowing by the voice that it was a woman, he let her in. "My +son," said she, "I have a favour to beg of you: the hour of +prayer is come, let me perform my ablutions in your house, that I +may be fit to say my prayers." My brother looking at her, and +seeing that she was well advanced in years, though he knew her +not, granted her request, and sat down again still full of his +new adventure. He put his gold in a long strait purse, proper to +carry at his girdle. The old woman in the mean time said her +prayers, and when she had done, came to my brother and bowed +twice to the ground, so low, that she touched it with her +forehead: then rising up, she wished him all happiness. + +The old woman then bowed again, and thanked him for his civility. +Being meanly clad, and very humble, he thought she asked alms; +upon which he offered her two pieces of gold. The old woman +stepped back in a sort of surprise, as if my brother had +affronted her. "Good God!" said she, "what is the meaning of +this? Is it possible, sir, that you took me for one of those +impudent beggars who push into people's houses to ask alms? Take +back your money: thank heaven, I need it not. I belong to a young +lady of this city, who is a perfect beauty, and very rich; she +lets me want for nothing." + +My brother was not cunning enough to perceive the craft of the +old woman, who only refused the two pieces of gold, that she +might catch more. He asked her, if she could not procure him the +honour of seeing that lady. "With all my heart," she replied; +"she will be very glad to marry you, and to put you in possession +of her fortune, by making you master of her person. Take up your +money, and follow me." My brother, transported with his good luck +in finding so great a sum of money, and almost at the same time a +beautiful and rich wife, shut his eyes to all other +considerations; so that he took his five hundred pieces of gold, +and followed the old woman. She walked on, and he followed at a +distance, to the gate of a great house, where she knocked. He +came up just as a young Greek slave opened the gate. The old +woman made him enter first, crossed a well-paved court, and +introduced him into a hall, the furniture of which confirmed him +in the good opinion he had conceived of the mistress of the +house. While the old woman went to acquaint the lady, he sat +down, and the weather being hot, put off his turban, and laid it +by him. He speedily saw the young lady enter: her beauty and rich +apparel perfectly surprised him; he arose as soon as he saw her. +The lady, with a smiling countenance, prayed him to sit down +again, and placed herself by him. She told him, she was very glad +to see him; and after having spoken some engaging words, said, +"We do not sit here at our ease. Come, give me your hand." At +these words she presented him hers, and conducted him into an +inner chamber, where she conversed with him for some time: she +then left him, saying that she would be with him in a moment. He +waited for her; but instead of the lady came in a great black +slave with a cimeter in his hand, and looking upon my brother +with a terrible aspect, said to him fiercely, "What have you to +do here?" Alnaschar was so frightened, that he had no power to +answer. The black stripped him, carried off his gold, and gave +him several flesh wounds with his cimeter. My unhappy brother +fell to the ground, where he lay without motion, though he had +still the use of his senses. The black thinking him to be dead, +asked for salt: the Greek slave brought him a basin full: they +rubbed my brother's wounds with it, but he had so much command of +himself, notwithstanding the intolerable pain it put him to, that +he lay still without giving any sign of life. The black and the +Greek slave having retired, the old woman, who had enticed my +brother into the snare, came and dragged him by the feet to a +trapdoor, which she opened, and threw him into a place under +ground, among the bodies of several other people who had been +murdered. He perceived this as soon as he came to himself, for +the violence of the fall had taken away his senses. The salt +rubbed into his wounds preserved his life, and he recovered +strength by degrees, so as to be able to walk. After two days he +opened the trap-door in the night, and finding in the court a +place proper to hide himself in, continued there till break of +day, when he saw the cursed old woman open the street gate, and +go out to seek another victim. He stayed in the place some time +after she was gone, that she might not see him, and then came to +me for shelter, when he told me of his adventures. + +In a month's time he was perfectly cured of his wounds by +medicines that I gave him, and resolved to avenge himself of the +old woman, who had put such a barbarous cheat upon him. To this +end he took a bag, large enough to contain five hundred pieces of +gold, and filled it with pieces of glass. + +My brother fastened the bag of glass about him, disguised himself +like an old woman, and took a cimeter under his gown. One morning +he met the old woman walking through the town to seek her prey; +he went up to her, and counterfeiting a woman's voice, said, +"Cannot you lend me a pair of scales? I am newly come from +Persia, have brought five hundred pieces of gold with me, and +would know if they are weight." "Good woman," answered the old +hag, "you could not have applied to a fitter person: follow me, I +will conduct you to my son, who changes money, and will weigh +them himself to save you the trouble. Let us make haste, for fear +he should go to his shop." My brother followed her to the house +where she carried him at first, and the Greek slave opened the +door. + +The old woman took my brother to the hall where she desired him +to wait till she called her son. The pretended son came, and +proved to be the villainous black slave. "Come, old woman," said +he to my brother, "rise and follow me:" having spoken thus, he +went before to conduct him to the place where he designed to +murder him. Alnaschar got up, followed him, and drawing his +cimeter, gave him such a dexterous blow behind on the neck, that +he cut off his head, which he took in one hand, and dragging the +corpse with the other, threw them both into the place under +ground before-mentioned. The Greek slave, who was accustomed to +the trade, came presently with a basin of salt; but when she saw +Alnaschar with his cimeter in his hand, and without his veil, she +laid down the basin, and fled. But my brother overtaking her, cut +off her head also. The wicked old woman came running at the +noise, and my brother seizing her, said to her, "Treacherous +wretch, do not you know me?" "Alas, Sir!" answered she trembling, +"who are you? I do not remember that I ever saw you." "I am," +replied he, "the person to whose house you came the other day to +wash and say your prayers. Hypocritical hag, do not you +remember?" Then she fell on her knees to beg his pardon, but he +cut her in four pieces. + +There remained only the lady, who knew nothing of what had +passed: he sought her out, and found her in a chamber, where she +was ready to sink when she saw him: she begged her life, which he +generously granted. "Madam," said he, "how could you live with +such wicked people, as I have so justly revenged myself upon?" "I +was," she answered, "wife to an honest merchant; and the old +woman, whose wickedness I did not then know, used sometimes to +come to see me; 'Madam,' said she to me one day, 'we have a +wedding at our house, which you will be pleased to see, if you +will give us the honour of your company:' I was persuaded by her, +put on my best apparel, and took with me a hundred pieces of +gold. I followed her; she brought me to this house, where the +black has since kept me by force, and I have been three years +here to my great sorrow." "By the trade which that cursed black +followed," replied my brother, "he must have gathered together a +vast deal of riches." "There is so much," said she "that you will +be made for ever, if you can carry them off: follow me, and you +shall see them." Alnaschar followed her to a chamber, where she +shewed him several coffers full of gold, which he beheld with +admiration. "Go," said she, "and fetch people to carry it all +off." My brother went out, got ten men together, and brought them +with him, but was much surprised to find the gate open, the lady +and the coffers gone, for she being more diligent than he, had +conveyed them all off and disappeared. However, being resolved +not to return empty-handed, he carried off all the furniture of +the house, which was a great deal more than enough to make up the +five hundred pieces of gold he had been robbed of; but when he +went out of the house, he forgot to shut the gate. The +neighbours, who saw my brother and the porters come and go, went +and acquainted the magistrate, for they looked upon my brother's +conduct as suspicious. Alnaschar slept well enough all night, but +the next morning, when he came out of his house, twenty of the +magistrate's men seized him. "Come along with us," said they, +"our master would speak with you." My brother prayed them to have +patience for a moment, and offered them a sum of money to let him +escape; but instead of listening to him, they bound him, and +forced him to go with them. They met in the street an old +acquaintance of my brother's, who stopped them awhile, asked them +why they had seized my brother, offered them a considerable sum +to let him escape, and tell the magistrate they could not find +him, but in vain. + +When the officers brought him before the magistrate, he asked him +where he had the goods which he had carried home the preceding +evening? "Sir," replied Alnaschar, "I am ready to tell you all +the truth; but allow me first to have recourse to your clemency, +and to beg your promise, that I shall not be punished." "I give +it you," said the magistrate. My brother then told him the whole +story without disguise, from the period the old woman came into +his house to say her prayers, to the time the lady made her +escape, after he had killed the black, the Greek slave, and the +old woman: and as for what he had carried to his house, he prayed +the judge to leave him part of it, for the five hundred pieces of +gold of which he had been robbed. + +The judge, without promising any thing, sent his officers to +bring off the whole, and having put the goods into his own +warehouse, commanded my brother to quit the town immediately, and +never to return, for he was afraid, if he had stayed in the city, +he would have found some way to represent this injustice to the +caliph. In the mean time, Alnaschar obeyed without murmuring, and +left that town to go to another. By the way, he met with +highwaymen, who stripped him naked; and when the ill news was +brought to me, I carried him a suit, and brought him secretly +into the town, where I took the like care of him as I did of his +other brothers. + + + + + The Story of the Barber's Sixth Brother. + + + +I have now only to relate the story of my sixth brother, called +Schacabac, with the hare lips. At first he was industrious enough +to improve the hundred dirhems of silver which fell to his share, +and went on very well; but a reverse of fortune brought him to +beg his bread, which he did with a great deal of dexterity. He +studied chiefly to get into great men's houses by means of their +servants and officers, that he might have access to their +masters, and obtain their charity. One day as he passed by a +magnificent house, whose high gate shewed a very spacious court, +where there was a multitude of servants, he went to one of them, +and asked him to whom that house belonged? "Good man," replied +the servant, "whence do you come that you ask me such a question? +Does not all that you behold point out to you that it is the +palace of a Barmecide?" My brother, who very well knew the +liberality and generosity of the Barmecides, addressed himself to +one of his porters (for he had more than one), and prayed him to +give him alms. "Go in," said he, "nobody hinders you, and address +yourself to the master of the house; he will send you back +satisfied." + +My brother, who expected no such civility, thanked the porters, +and with their permission entered the palace, which was so large, +that it took him a considerable time to reach the Barmecide's +apartment; at last he came to an arcade square building of an +excellent architecture, and entered by parterres of flowers +intersected by walks of several colours, extremely pleasant to +the eye: the lower apartments round this square were most of them +open, and were shut only with great curtains to keep out the sun, +which were opened again when the heat was over to let in the +fresh air. + +Such an agreeable place would have struck my brother with +admiration, even if his mind had been more at ease than it was. +He went on till he came into a hall richly furnished and adorned +with painting of gold and azure foliage, where he saw a venerable +man with a long white beard, sitting at the upper end on a sofa, +whence he concluded him to be the master of the house; and in +fact it was the Barmecide himself, who said to my brother in a +very civil manner, that he was welcome; and asked him what he +wanted? "My lord," answered my brother, in a begging tone, "I am +a poor man who stands in need of the help of such rich and +generous persons as yourself." He could not have addressed +himself to a fitter person than this lord, who had a thousand +good qualities. + +The Barmecide seemed to be astonished at my brother's answer, and +putting both his hands to his stomach, as if he would rend his +clothes for grief, "Is it possible," cried he, "that I am at +Bagdad, and that such a man as you is so poor as you say? this is +what must never be." My brother, fancying that he was going to +give him some singular mark of his bounty, blessed him a thousand +times, and wished him all happiness. "It shall not be said," +replied the Barmecide, "that I will abandon you, nor will I have +you leave me." "Sir," replied my brother, "I swear to you I have +not eaten one bit to-day." "Is it true," demanded the Barmecide, +"that you are fasting till now? Alas, poor man! he is ready to +die for hunger. Ho, boy," cried he, with a loud voice, "bring a +basin and water presently, that we may wash our hands." Though no +boy appeared, and my brother saw neither water nor basin, the +Barmecide fell to rubbing his hands as if one had poured water +upon them, and bade my brother come and wash with him. Schacabac +judged by this, that the Barmecide lord loved to be merry, and he +himself understanding raillery, and knowing that the poor must be +complaisant to the rich, if they would have any thing from them, +came forward and did as he was required. + +"Come on," said the Barmecide, "bring us something to eat, and do +not let us wait." When he had spoken, though nothing appeared, he +began to cut as if something had been brought him upon a plate, +and putting his hand to his mouth began to chew, and said to my +brother, "Come, friend, eat as freely as if you were at home; +come, eat; you said you were like to die of hunger, but you eat +as if you had no appetite." "Pardon me, my lord," said Schacabac, +who perfectly imitated what he did, "you see I lose no time, and +that I play my part well enough." "How like you this bread," said +the Barmecide; "do not you find it very good?" "O! my lord," +replied my brother, who saw neither bread nor meat, "I have never +eaten anything so white and so fine." "Eat your belly-full," said +the Barmecide; "I assure you the woman who bakes me this good +bread cost me five hundred pieces of gold to purchase her." + +The Barmecide, after having boasted so much of his bread, which +my brother ate only in idea, cried, "Boy, bring us another dish:" +and though no boy appeared, "Come, my good friend," continued he, +"taste this new dish; and tell me if ever you ate better mutton +and barley-broth than this." "It is admirably good," replied my +brother, "and therefore you see I eat heartily." "You oblige me +highly," resumed the Barmecide; "I conjure you then, by the +satisfaction I have to see you eat so heartily, that you eat all +up, since you like it so well." A little while after he called +for a goose and sweet sauce, made up of vinegar, honey, dry +raisins, grey peas, and dry figs, which were brought just in the +same manner as the others had. "The goose is very fat," said the +Barmecide, "eat only a leg and a wing; we must save our stomachs, +for we have abundance of other dishes to come." He actually +called for several others, of which my brother, who was ready to +die of hunger, pretended to eat; but what he boasted of more than +all the rest was a lamb fed with pistachio nuts, which he ordered +to be brought up in the same manner. "Here is a dish," said the +Barmecide "that you will see at nobody's table but my own; I +would have you eat your belly-full of it." Having spoken thus, he +stretched out his hand as if he had had a piece of lamb in it, +and putting it to my brother's mouth, "There," said he, "swallow +that, and you will judge whether I had not reason to boast of +this dish." My brother thrust out his head, opened his mouth, and +made as if he took the piece of lamb, and eat it with extreme +pleasure. "I knew you would like it," said the Barmecide. "There +is nothing in the world finer," replied my brother; "your table +is most delicious." "Come, bring the ragout; I fancy you will +like that as well as you did the lamb: Well, how do you relish +it?" "O! it is wonderful," replied Schacabac; "for here we taste +all at once, amber, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, pepper, and the most +odoriferous herbs, and all these delicacies are so well mixed, +that one does not prevent our tasting the other." "How pleasant! +Honour this ragout," said the Barmecide, "by eating heartily of +it. Ho, boy, bring us another ragout." "No, my lord, if it please +you," replied my brother, "for indeed I can eat no more." + +"Come, take away then," said the Barmecide, "and bring the +fruit." He stayed a moment as it were to give time for his +servants to carry away; after which, he addressed my brother, +"Taste these almonds, they are good and fresh gathered." Both of +them made as if they had peeled the almonds, and eaten them; +after this, the Barmecide invited my brother to eat something +else. "Look," said he, "there are all sorts of fruits, cakes, dry +sweetmeats, and conserves, take what you like;" then stretching +out his hand, as if he had reached my brother something, "Look," +he continued, "there is a lozenge, very good for digestion." +Schacabac made as if he ate it, and said, "My lord, there is no +want of musk here." "These lozenges," replied the Barmecide, "are +made at my own house, where nothing is wanting to make every +article good." He still bade my brother eat, and said to him, +"Methinks you do not eat as if you had been so hungry as you +complained you were when you came in." "My lord," replied +Schacabac, whose jaws ached with moving and having nothing to +eat, "I assure you I am so full that I cannot eat one bit more." + +"Well, then, friend," resumed the Barmecide, "we must drink now, +after we have eaten so well." "You may drink wine, my lord," +replied my brother, "but I will drink none if you please, because +I am forbidden." "You are too scrupulous," rejoined the +Barmecide; "do as I do." "I will drink then out of complaisance," +said Schacabac, "for I see you will have nothing wanting to make +your treat complete; but since I am not accustomed to drink wine, +I am afraid I shall commit some error in point of good breeding, +and contrary to the respect that is due to you; therefore I pray +you, once more, to excuse me from drinking any wine; I will be +content with water." "No, no," said the Barmecide, "you shall +drink wine," and at the same time he commanded some to be +brought, in the same manner as the meat and fruit had been served +before. He made as if he poured out wine, and drank first +himself, and then pouring out for my brother, presented him the +glass, saying, "Drink my health, and let us know if you think +this wine good." My brother made as if he took the glass, and +looked as if the colour was good, and put it to his nose to try +the flavour: he then made a low salute to the Barmecide, to +signify that he took the liberty to drink his health, and lastly +he appeared to drink with all the signs of a man that drinks with +pleasure: "My lord," said he, "this is very excellent wine, but I +think it is not strong enough." "If you would have stronger," +answered the Barmecide, "you need only speak, for I have several +sorts in my cellar. Try how you like this." Upon which he made as +if he poured out another glass for himself, and one for my +brother; and did this so often, that Schacabac, feigning to be +intoxicated with the wine, and acting a drunken man, lifted up +his hand, and gave the Barmecide such a box on the ear as made +him fall down. He was going to give him another blow, but the +Barmecide holding up his hand to ward it off, cried, "Are you +mad?" Then my brother, making as if he had come to himself again, +said, "My lord, you have been so good as to admit your slave into +your house, and give him a treat; you should have been satisfied +with making me eat, and not have obliged me to drink wine; for I +told you beforehand, that it might occasion me to fail in my +respect for you. I am very sorry for it, and beg you a thousand +pardons." + +Scarcely had he finished these words, when the Barmecide, instead +of being in a passion, fell a laughing with all his might. "I +have been long," said he, "seeking a man of your character." + +The Barmecide caressed Schacabac mightily, and told him, "I not +only forgive the blow you have given me, but I desire +henceforward we should be friends, and that you take my house for +your home: you have had the complaisance to accommodate yourself +to my humour, and the patience to keep the jest up to the last; +we will now eat in good earnest." When he had finished these +words, he clapped his hands, and commanded his servants, who then +appeared, to cover the table; which was speedily done, and my +brother was treated with all those dishes in reality, which he +ate of before in fancy. At last they cleared the table, and +brought in the wine, and at the same time a number of handsome +slaves, richly appareled, came and sung some agreeable airs to +their musical instruments. In a word, Schacabac had all the +reason in the world to be satisfied with the Barmecide's civility +and bounty; for he treated him as his familiar friend, and +ordered him a suit from his wardrobe. + +The Barmecide found my brother to be a man of so much wit and +understanding, that in a few days after he entrusted him with the +care of his household and all his affairs. My brother acquitted +himself very well in that employment for twenty years; at the end +of which the generous Barmecide died, and leaving no heirs, all +his property was confiscated to the use of the prince; and my +brother lost all he had acquired. Being reduced to his first +condition, he joined a caravan of pilgrims going to Mecca, +designing to accomplish that pilgrimage by their charity; but +unfortunately the caravan was attacked and plundered by a number +of Bedouins, superior to that of the pilgrims. My brother was +then taken as a slave by one of the Bedouins, who put him under +the bastinado for several days, to oblige him to ransom himself. +Schacabac protested that it was all in vain. "I am your slave," +said he, "you may dispose of me as you please; but I declare to +you that I am extremely poor, and not able to redeem myself." In +a word, my brother discovered to him all his misfortunes, and +endeavoured to soften him with tears; but the Bedouin was not to +be moved, and being vexed to find himself disappointed of a +considerable sum of which he reckoned himself sure, he took his +knife and slit my brother's lips, to avenge himself by this +inhumanity for the loss that he thought he had sustained. + +The Bedouin had a handsome wife, and frequently when he went on +his excursions left my brother alone with her. At such times she +used all her endeavours to comfort my brother under the rigour of +his slavery. She gave him tokens enough that she loved him, but +he durst not return her passion, for fear he should repent; and +therefore avoided being alone with her, as much as she sought the +opportunity to be alone with him. She was so much in the habit of +caressing and playing with the miserable Schacabac, whenever she +saw him, that one day she happened to act in the same manner, in +the presence of her husband. My brother, without taking notice +that he observed them (so his sins would have it), played +likewise with her. The Bedouin, immediately supposing that they +lived together in a criminal manner, fell upon my brother in a +rage, and after he had mutilated him in a barbarous manner, +carried him on a camel to the top of a desert mountain, where he +left him. The mountain was on the road to Bagdad, so that the +passengers who saw him there informed me where he was. I went +thither speedily, and found unfortunate Schacabac in a deplorable +condition: I gave him what help he stood in need of, and brought +him back to the city. + +This is what I told the caliph; that prince applauded me with new +fits of laughter. "Now," said he, "I cannot doubt but they justly +give you the surname of Silent. No one can say the contrary for +certain reasons, however, I command you to depart this town +immediately, and let me hear no more of you." I yielded to +necessity, and travelled for several years in distant countries. +Understanding at last that the caliph was dead, I returned to +Bagdad, where I found not one of my brothers alive. It was on my +return to this city that I did the lame young man the important +service which you have heard. You are, however, witnesses of his +ingratitude, and of the injurious manner in which he treated me; +instead of testifying his obligation, he rather chose to fly from +me and leave his own country. When I understood that he was not +at Bagdad, though no one could tell me whither he was gone, I +determined to seek him. I travelled from province to province a +long time; and when I least expected, met him this day, but I +little thought to find him so incensed against me. + +When the barber had concluded his story, we found that the young +man was not to blame for calling him a great chatterer. However, +he wished him to stay with us, and partake of the entertainment +which the master of the house had prepared. We sat down to table, +and were merry together till afternoon prayers; when all the +company parted, and I went to my shop, till it was time to return +home. It was during this interval that humpback came half drunk +before my shop, where he sung and played on his tabor. I thought +that, by carrying him home with me, I should divert my wife, +therefore I took him in: my wife gave us a dish of fish, and I +presented humpback with some, which he ate, without taking notice +of a bone. He fell down dead before us, and after having in vain +essayed to help him, in the trouble and fear occasioned by such +an unlucky accident, we carried the corpse out, and dexterously +lodged him with the Jewish doctor. The Jewish doctor put him into +the chamber of the purveyor, and the purveyor carried him out +into the street, where it was believed the merchant had killed +him. "This sir," added the tailor, "is what I had to say to +satisfy your majesty, who must pronounce whether we be worthy of +mercy or wrath, life or death." + +The sultan of Casgar shewed a satisfaction in his countenance, +which restored the tailor and his comrades to life. "I cannot but +acknowledge," said he, "that I am more struck with the history of +the young cripple, with that of the barber, and with the +adventures of his brothers, than with the story of my jester: but +before I send you all away, and we proceed to bury humpback, I +should like to see the barber who is the occasion of my pardoning +you; since he is in my capital, it is easy to satisfy my +curiosity." At the same time he sent an officer with the tailor +to find him. + +The officer and the tailor went immediately and brought the +barber, whom they presented to the sultan: the barber was a +venerable man about ninety years of age; his eye-brows and beard +were white as snow, his ears hanging down, and his nose very +long. The sultan could not forbear laughing when he saw him. +"Silent man," said he to him, "I understand that you know +wonderful stories, will you tell me some of them?" + +"Sir," answered the barber, "let us forbear the stories, if you +please, at present. I most humbly beg your majesty to permit me +to ask what that Christian, that Jew, that Moosulmaun and that +dead humpback, who ties on the ground, do here before your +majesty?" The sultan smiled at the barber's freedom, and replied, +"Why do you ask?" "Sir," replied the barber, "it concerns me to +ask, that your majesty may know I am not so great a talker as +some represent me, but a man justly called Silent." + +The sultan commanded them to tell him the story of the humpback, +which he seemed earnestly to wish for. When the barber heard it, +he shook his head, as if he would say, there was something under +this which he did not understand. "Truly," cried he, "this is a +surprising story; but I wish to examine humpback a little +nearer." He approached him, sat down on the ground, took his head +between his knees, and after he had looked upon him steadfastly, +fell into so great a fit of laughter, and had so little command +of himself, that he fell backwards on the ground, without +considering that he was before the sultan of Casgar. As soon as +he came to himself, "It is said," cried he, "and not without +reason, that no man dies without a cause. If ever any history +deserved to be written in letters of gold, it is that of this +humpback." + +At this all the people looked on the barber as a buffoon, or an +old dotard. "Silent man," said the sultan, "why do you laugh?" +"Sir," answered the barber, "I swear by your majesty's +benevolence, that humpback is not dead: he is yet alive, and I +shall be content to pass for a madman if I do not convince you +this minute." So saying, he took a box wherein he had several +medicines that he carried about him to use as occasion might +require; and drew out a little phial of balsam, with which he +rubbed humpback's neck a long time; then he took out of his case +a neat iron instrument, which he put betwixt his teeth, and after +he had opened his mouth, he thrust down his throat a pair of +small pincers, with which he took out a bit of fish and bone, +which he shewed to all the people. Immediately humpback sneezed, +stretched forth his arms and feet, opened his eyes, and shewed +several other signs of life. + +The sultan of Casgar, and all who were witnesses of this +operation, were less surprised to see humpback revive, after he +had passed a whole night, and great part of a day, without giving +any sign of life, than at the merit and capacity of the barber, +who performed this; and notwithstanding all his faults, began to +look upon him as a great physician. The sultan, transported with +joy and admiration, ordered the story of humpback to be written +down, with that of the barber, that the memory of them might, as +it deserved, be preserved for ever. Nor did he stop here; but, +that the tailor, Jewish doctor, purveyor, and Christian merchant +might remember the adventure, which the accident of humpback had +occasioned to them, with pleasure, he did not send them away till +he had given each of them a very rich robe, with which he caused +them to be clothed in his presence. As for the barber, he +honoured him with a great pension, and kept him near his person. + + + + + The History of Aboulhassen Ali Ebn Becar, and + Schemselnihar, Favourite of Caliph Maroon Al Rusheed. + + + +In the reign of the caliph Haroon al Rusheed, there lived at +Bagdad a druggist, named Alboussan Ebn Thaher, a very rich +handsome man. He had more wit and politeness than people of his +profession generally possess: his integrity, sincerity, and good +humour made him beloved and sought after by all sorts of people. +The caliph, who knew his merit, had entire confidence in him. He +held him in such high esteem, that he entrusted him to provide +his favourite ladies with all the things they stood in need of. +He chose for them their clothes, furniture, and jewels, with +admirable taste. + +His good qualities, and the favour of the caliph, occasioned the +sons of emirs, and other officers of the first rank, to be always +about him: his house was the rendezvous of all the nobility of +the court Among the young lords that went daily to visit him, was +one whom he took more notice of than the rest, and with whom he +contrasted a particular friendship, called Aboulhassen Ali Ebn +Becar, originally of an ancient royal family of Persia. This +family had continued at Bagdad ever since the conquest of that +kingdom. Nature seemed to have taken pleasure in endowing this +young prince with the rarest qualities of body and mind: his face +was so very beautiful, his shape so fine, his air so easy, and +his physiognomy so engaging, that it was impossible to see him +without immediately loving him. When he spoke, he expressed +himself in terms proper and well chosen, with a new and agreeable +turn, and his voice charmed all that heard him: he had besides so +much wit and judgment, that he thought and spoke of all subjects +with admirable exactness. He was so reserved and modest, that he +advanced nothing till after he had taken all possible care to +avoid giving any ground of suspicion that he preferred his own +opinion to that of others. + +Being such a person as I have represented him, we need not wonder +that Ebn Thaher distinguished him from all the other young +noblemen of the court, most of whom had the vices which composed +the opposites to his virtues. One day, when the prince was with +Ebn Thaher, there came a lady mounted on a piebald mule, in the +midst of ten female slaves who accompanied her on foot, all very +handsome, as far as could be judged by their air, and through +their veils which covered their faces. The lady had a girdle of a +rose colour, four inches broad, embroidered with pearls and +diamonds of an extraordinary bigness; and for beauty it was easy +to perceive that she surpassed all her women, as far as the full +moon does that of two days old. She came to buy something, and as +she wanted to speak to Ebn Thaher, entered his shop, which was +very neat and spacious; and he received her with all the marks of +the most profound respect, entreating her to sit down, and +directing her to the most honourable place. + +In the mean time, the prince of Persia, unwilling to lose such an +opportunity of shewing his good breeding and gallantry, adjusted +the cushion of cloth of gold, for the lady to lean on; after +which he hastily retired, that she might sit down; and having +saluted her, by kissing the carpet under her feet, rose and stood +before her at the lower end of the sofa. It being her custom to +be free with Ebn Thaher, she lifted up her veil, and discovered +to the prince of Persia such an extraordinary beauty as struck +him to the heart. On the other hand, the lady could not refrain +from looking upon the prince, the sight of whom had made the same +impressions upon her. "My lord," said she to him, with an +obliging air, "pray sit down." The prince of Persia obeyed, and +sat on the edge of the sofa. He had his eyes constantly fixed +upon her, and swallowed large draughts of the sweet poison of +love. She quickly perceived what passed in his heart, and this +discovery served to inflame her the more towards him. She arose, +went to Ebn Thaher, and after she had whispered to him the cause +of her coming, asked the name and country of the prince. "Madam," +answered Ebn Thaher, "this young nobleman's name is Aboulhassen +Ali Ebn Becar, and he is a prince of the blood royal of Persia." + +The lady was transported at hearing that the person she already +loved so passionately was of so high a rank. "Do you really +mean," said she, "that he is descended from the kings of Persia?" +"Yes, madam," replied Ebn Thaher, "the last kings of Persia were +his ancestors, and since the conquest of that kingdom, the +princes of his family have always made themselves very acceptable +at the court of our caliphs." "You will oblige me much," added +she, "by making me acquainted with this young nobleman: when I +send this woman," pointing to one of her slaves, "to give you +notice to come and see me, pray bring him with you; I shall be +glad to afford him the opportunity of seeing the magnificence of +my house, that he may have it in his power to say, that avarice +does not reign at Bagdad among persons of quality. You know what +I mean." + +Ebn Thaher was a man of too much penetration not to perceive the +lady's mind by these words: "My princess, my queen," replied he, +"God preserve me from giving you any occasion of anger: I shall +always make it a law to obey your commands." At this answer, the +lady bowed to Ebn Thaher, and took her leave; and after she had +given a favorable look to the prince of Persia, she remounted her +mule, and departed. + +The prince of Persia was so deeply in love with the lady, that he +looked after her as far as he could; and long after she was out +of sight directed his eyes that way. Ebn Thaher told him, that he +remarked several persons observing him, and began to laugh to see +him in this posture. "Alas!" said the prince, "the world and you +would pity me, if you knew that the beautiful lady, who is just +gone from you, has carried with her the best part of me, and that +the remaining part seeks for an opportunity to go after her. Tell +me, I conjure you," added he, "what cruel lady is this, who +forces people to love her, without giving them time to reflect?" +"My lord," answered Ebn Thaher, "this is the celebrated +Schemselnihar, the principal favourite of the caliph, our +master." "She is justly so called," added the prince, "since she +is more beautiful than the sun at noonday." "True," replied Ebn +Thaher; "therefore the commander of the faithful loves, or rather +adores her. He gave me express orders to furnish her with all +that she asked for, and to anticipate her wishes as far as lies +in my power." + +He spoke thus to hinder him from engaging in a passion which +could not but prove unfortunate to him; but this served only to +inflame it the more. "I feared, charming Schemselnihar," cried +he, "I should not be allowed so much as to think of you; I +perceive, however, that without hopes of being loved in return, I +cannot forbear loving you; I will love you then, and bless my lot +that I am the slave of an object fairer than the meridian sun." + +While the prince of Persia thus consecrated his heart to the fair +Schemselnihar, this lady, as she went home, contrived how she +might see, and have free converse with him. She no sooner entered +her palace, than she sent to Ebn Thaher the woman she had pointed +out to him, and in whom she placed all her confidence, to tell +him to come and see her without delay, and bring the prince of +Persia with him. The slave came to Ebn Thaher's shop, while he +was speaking to the prince, and endeavouring to dissuade him, by +very strong arguments, from loving the caliph's favourite. When +she saw them together, "Gentlemen," said she, "my honourable +mistress Schemselnihar the chief favourite of the commander of +the faithful, entreats you to come to her palace, where she waits +for you." Ebn Thaher, to testify his obedience, rose up +immediately, without answering the slave, and followed her, not +without some reluctance. The prince also followed he, without +reflecting on the danger there might be in such a visit. The +presence of Ebn Thaher, who had liberty to go to the favourite +when he pleased, made the prince very easy: they followed the +slave, who went a little before them, and entered after her into +the caliph's palace, and joined her at the gate of +Schemselnihar's pavilion, which was ready open. She introduced +them into a great hall, where she prayed them to be seated. + +The prince of Persia thought himself in one of those delicious +palaces that are promised to us in the other world: he had never +seen any thing that came near the magnificence of the place. The +carpets, cushions, and other appendages of the sofa, the +furniture, ornaments, and architecture, were surprisingly rich +and beautiful. A little time after Ebn Thaher and he had seated +themselves, a very handsome black slave brought in a table +covered with several delicacies, the admirable smell of which +evinced how deliciously they were seasoned. While they were +eating, the slave who brought them in waited upon them; she took +particular care to invite them to eat of what she knew to be the +greatest dainties. The other slaves brought them excellent wine +after they had eaten. When they had done, there was presented to +each of them a gold basin full of water to wash their hands; +after which, they brought them a golden pot full of the wood of +aloes, with which they perfumed their beards and clothes. +Odoriferous water was not forgotten, but served in a golden +vessel enriched with diamonds and rubies, and it was thrown upon +their beards and faces according to custom; they then resumed +their places, but had scarcely sat down, when the slave entreated +them to arise and follow her. She opened a door, and conducted +them into a large saloon of wonderful structure. It was a dome of +the most agreeable form, supported by a hundred pillars of +marble, white as alabaster. The bases and chapiters of the +pillars were adorned with four-footed beasts, and birds of +various sorts, gilded. The carpet of this noble saloon consisted +of one piece of cloth of gold, embroidered with bunches of roses +in red and white silk; and the dome painted in the same manner, +after the Arabian fashion, presented to the mind one of the most +charming objects. In every space between the columns was a little +sofa adorned in the same manner, and great vessels of china, +crystal, jasper, jet, porphyry, agate, and other precious +materials, garnished with gold and jewels; in these spaces were +also so many large windows, with balconies projecting breast +high, fitted up as the sofas, and looking out into the most +delicious garden; the walks were of little pebbles of different +colours, of the same pattern as the carpet of the saloon; so +that, looking upon the carpet within and without it seemed as if +the dome and the garden with all its ornaments had been upon the +same carpet. The prospect was, at the end of the walks, +terminated by two canals of clear water, of the same circular +figure as the dome, one of which being higher than the other, +emptied its water into the lowermost, in form of a sheet; and +curious pots of gilt brass, with flowers and shrubs, were set +upon the banks of the canals at equal distances. Those walks lay +betwixt great plots of ground planted with straight and bushy +trees, where a thousand birds formed a melodious concert, and +diverted the eye by flying about, and playing together, or +fighting in the air. + +The prince of Persia and Ebn Thaher were a long time engaged in +viewing the magnificence of the place, and expressed their +surprise at every thing thing saw, especially the prince, who had +never beheld any thing like it. Ebn Thaher, though he had been +several times in that delicious place, could not but observe many +new beauties, In a word they never grew weary in admiring so many +singularities, and were thus agreeably employed, when they +perceived a company of ladies richly appareled sitting without, +at some distance from the dome, each of them upon a seat of +Indian plane wood inlaid with silver filigree in compartments, +with instruments of music in their hands, waiting for orders to +play. They both went forward, and had a full view of the ladies, +and on the right they saw a great court with a stair up from the +garden, encompassed with beautiful apartments. The slave had left +them, and being alone, they conversed together; "For you, who are +a wise man," said the prince of Persia, "I doubt not but you look +with a great deal of satisfaction upon all these marks of +grandeur and power; for my part, I do not think there is any +thing in the world more surprising. But when I consider that this +is the glorious habitation of the lovely Schemselnihar, and that +the greatest monarch of the earth keeps her here, I confess to +you that I look upon myself to be the most unfortunate of all +mankind, and that no destiny can be more cruel than mine, to love +an object possessed by my rival, and that too in a place where he +is so potent, that I cannot think myself sure of my life one +moment." + +Ebn Thaher, hearing the prince of Persia speak, replied, "Sir, I +wish you could give me as good assurance of the happy success of +your passion, as I can give you of the safety of your life. +Though this stately palace belongs to the caliph, who built it on +purpose for Schemselnihar, and called it the palace of eternal +pleasures, and though it makes part of his own palace, yet you +must know that this lady lives here at absolute liberty. She is +not beset by eunuchs to be spies upon her; this is her private +house, absolutely at her disposal. She goes into the city when +she pleases, and returns again, without asking leave of any body: +and the caliph never comes to see her, but he sends Mesrour, the +chief of his eunuchs, to give her notice, that she may be +prepared to receive him. Therefore you may be easy, and give full +attention to the concert of music, which, I perceive, +Schemselnihar is preparing for you." + +Just as Ebn Thaher had spoken these words, the prince of Persia, +and he, saw the favourite's trusty slave giving orders to the +ladies to begin to sing, and play with the instruments: they all +began immediately to play together as a prelude, and after they +had played some time, one of them began to sing alone, and +accompanied herself at the same time admirably upon her lute, +being informed beforehand upon what subject she was to sing. The +words were so agreeable to the prince of Persia's sentiments, +that he could not forbear applauding her at the end of the +couplet. "Is it possible," cried he, "that you have the gift of +knowing people's hearts, and that the knowledge of what is +passing in my mind has occasioned you to give us a taste of your +charming voice by those words? I should not express myself +otherwise, were I to choose." The lady made no reply, but went on +and sung several other stanzas, with which the prince was so +affected, that he repeated some of them with tears in his eyes; +which discovered plainly enough that he applied them to himself. +When she had finished, she and her companions rose up and sung a +chorus, signifying by their words, that the full moon was going +to rise in all her splendour, and that they should speedily see +her approach the sun. Intimating, that Schemselnihar was coming, +and that the prince of Persia would soon have the pleasure of +beholding her. + +In fact, as they looked towards the court, they saw +Schemselnihar's confidant coming towards them, followed by ten +black women, who, with much difficulty, carried a throne of +massive silver curiously wrought, which they set down before them +at a certain distance; the black slaves then retired behind the +trees, to the entrance of a walk. After this came twenty handsome +ladies richly appareled alike; they advanced in two rows, each +singing and playing upon instruments which she held in her hands, +and placed themselves on each side of the throne. + +All these things kept the prince of Persia and Ebn Thaher in so +much the greater expectation, as they were curious to know how +they would end. At length they saw advancing from the gate +through which the ten black women had proceeded ten other ladies +equally handsome, and well dressed, who halted a few moments, +expecting the favourite, who came out last, and placed herself in +the midst of them. + +Schemselnihar was easily distinguished from the rest, by her fine +shape and majestic air, as well as by a sort of mantle, of a very +fine stuff of gold and sky-blue, fastened to her shoulders, over +her other apparel, which was the most handsome, most magnificent, +and best contrived that could be imagined. + +The pearls, rubies, and diamonds, which adorned her, were well +disposed; not many in number, but chosen with taste, and of +inestimable value. She came forward, with a majesty resembling +the sun in its course amidst the clouds, which receive his +splendour without hiding his lustre, and sat upon the silver +throne that had been brought for her. + +As soon as the prince of Persia saw Schemselnihar, his eyes were +rivetted on her. "We cease inquiring," said he to Ebn Thaher, +"after what we seek, when once it is in view; and no doubt +remains, when once the truth is made apparent. Do you see this +charming beauty? She is the cause of all my sufferings, which I +bless, and will never forbear to bless, however severe and +lasting. At the sight of this objets, I am not my own master; my +soul is disturbed, and rebels, and seems disposed to leave me. Go +then, my soul, I allow thee; but let it be for the welfare and +preservation of this weak body. It is you, cruel Ebn Thaher, who +are the cause of this disorder, in bringing me hither. You +thought to do me a great pleasure; but I perceive I am only come +to complete my ruin. Pardon me," he continued, interrupting +himself; "I am mistaken. I would come, and can blame no one but +myself;" and at these words he burst into tears. "I am glad," +said Ebn Thaher, "that you do me justice. When I told you at +first, that Schemselnihar was the caliph's chief favourite, I did +it on purpose to prevent that fatal passion which you please +yourself with entertaining. All that you see here ought to +disengage you, and you are to think of nothing but of +acknowledging the honour which Schemselnihar has done you, by +ordering me to bring you with me; recall then your wandering +reason, and prepare to appear before her, as good breeding +requires. See, she advances: were we to begin again, I would take +other measures, but since the thing is done, I pray God we may +not have cause to repent. All that I have now to say to you is, +that love is a traitor, who may involve you in difficulties from +which you will never be able to extricate yourself." + +Ebn Thaher had no time to say more, because Schemselnihar +approached, and sitting down upon her throne, saluted them both +by bowing her head; but she fixed her eyes on the prince of +Persia, and they spoke to one another in a silent language +intermixed with sighs; by which in a few moments they spoke more +than they could have done by words in a much longer time. The +more Schemselnihar, looked upon the prince, the more she found in +his looks to confirm her opinion that he was in love with her; +and being thus persuaded of his passion, thought herself the +happiest woman in the world. At last she turned her eyes from +him, to command the women, who began to sing first, to come near; +they rose, and as they advanced, the black women, who came out of +the walk into which they had retired, brought their seats, and +placed them near the window, in the front of the dome where Ebn +Thaher and the prince of Persia stood, and their seats were so +disposed, that, with the favourite's throne and the women on each +side of her, they formed a semicircle before them. + +The women, who were sitting before she came resumed their places, +with the permission of Schemselnihar, who ordered them by a sign; +that charming favourite chose one of those women to sing, who, +after she had spent some moments in tuning her lute, sung a song, +the meaning whereof was, that when two lovers entirely loved one +another with affection boundless, their hearts, though in two +bodies, were united; and, when any thing opposed their desires, +could say with tears in their eyes, "If we love because we find +one another amiable, ought we to be blamed? Let destiny bear the +blame." + +Schemselnihar evinced so plainly by her eyes and gestures that +those words were applicable to herself and the prince of Persia, +that he could not contain himself. He arose, and advancing to a +balustrade, which he leaned upon, beckoned to one of the +companions of the woman who had just done singing, to approach. +When she had got near enough, he said to her, "Do me the favour +to accompany me with your lute, in a song which you shall hear me +sing." He then sung with an air so tender and passionate, as +perfectly expressed the violence of his love. As soon as he had +done, Schemselnihar, following his example, said to one of the +women, "Attend to me likewise, and accompany my song." At the +same time she sung in such a manner, as more deeply to penetrate +the heart of the prince of Persia, who answered her by a new air, +more passionate than the former. + +The two lovers having declared their mutual affection by their +songs, Schemselnihar yielded to the force of hers. She arose from +her throne in transport, and advanced towards the door of the +hall. The prince, who perceived her design, rose up immediately, +and went to meet her. They met at the door, where they took one +another by the hand, and embraced with so much passion, that they +fainted, and would have fallen, if the woman who followed +Schemselnihar had not hindered them. They supported them to a +sofa, where they were brought to themselves, by throwing +odoriferous water on their faces, and applying pungent odours to +their nostrils. + +When they had recovered, the first thing Schemselnihar did was to +look about: and not seeing Ebn Thaher, she asked, with eagerness, +where he was? He had withdrawn out of respect whilst her women +were engaged in recovering her, and dreaded, not without reason, +that some disagreeable consequence might follow what he had seen; +but as soon as he heard Schemselnihar inquire for him, he came +forward. + +Schemselnihar was much pleased to see Ebn Thaher, and expressed +her joy in the most obliging terms: "Ebn Thaher, I know not how +to make you proper returns for the great obligations you have put +upon me; without you, I should never have seen the prince of +Persia, nor have loved the most amiable person in the world. +Assure yourself I shall not die ungrateful, and that my +gratitude, if possible, shall be equal to the obligation." Ebn +Thaher answered this compliment by a low obeisance, and wished +the favourite the accomplishment of all her desires. + +Schemselnihar, turning towards the prince of Persia, who sat by +her, and looking upon him with some confusion after what had +passed, said to him, "I am well assured you love me, and how +great soever your love may be to me, you need not doubt but mine +is as great towards you: but let us not flatter ourselves; for, +notwithstanding this conformity of our sentiments, I see nothing +for you and me but trouble, impatience, and tormenting grief. +There is no other remedy for our evils but to love one another +constantly, to refer ourselves to the disposal of Heaven, and to +wait its determination of our destiny." "Madam," replied the +prince of Persia, "you will do me the greatest injustice, if you +doubt for a moment the continuance of my love. It is so +interwoven with my soul, that I can justly say it makes the best +part of it, and will continue so after death. Pains, torments, +obstacles, nothing shall prevent my loving you." Speaking these +words he shed tears in abundance, and Schemselnihar was not able +to restrain hers. + +Ebn Thaher took this opportunity to speak to the favourite. +"Madam, allow me to represent to you, that, instead of melting +into tears, you ought to rejoice that you are now together. I +understand not this grief. What will it be when you are obliged +to part? But why do I talk of that? We have been a long while +here, and you know, madam, it is time for us to be going." "Ah! +how cruel are you!" replied Schemselnihar, "You, who know the +cause of my tears, have you no pity for my unfortunate condition? +Oh! sad fatality! What have I done to subject myself to the +severe law of not being able to join with the only person I +love?" + +Persuaded as she was that Ebn Thaher spoke to her only out of +friendship, she did not take amiss what he said, but made a +proper use of his intimation She made a sign to the slave her +confidant, who immediately went out, and in a little time brought +a collation of fruits upon a small silver table, which she set +down betwixt her mistress and the prince of Persia. Schemselnihar +took some of the best, and presented it to the prince, praying +him to eat it for her sake; he took it, and put to his mouth that +part which she had touched; and then he presented some to her, +which she took, and ate in the same manner. She did not forget to +invite Ebn Thaher to eat with them; but he thinking himself not +safe in that place, and wishing himself at home, ate only out of +complaisance. After the collation was taken away, they brought a +silver basin, with water in a vessel of gold, and washed +together; they afterwards returned to their places, and three of +the ten black women brought each a cup of rock crystal full of +exquisite wine, upon a golden salver; which they placed before +Schemselnihar, the prince of Persia, and Ebn Thaher. That they +might be the more private, Schemselnihar kept with her only ten +black women, with ten others who began to sing, and play upon +instruments; and after she had sent away all the rest, she took +up one of the cups, and holding it in her hand sung some tender +words, which one of her women accompanied with her lute. When she +had done, she drank, and afterwards took up one of the other cups +and presented it to the prince, praying him to drink for love of +her, as she had drunk for love of him. He received the cup with a +transport of love and joy; but before he drank, he sung also a +song, which another woman accompanied with an instrument: and as +he sang the tears fell from his eyes in such abundance, that he +could not forbear expressing in his song, that he knew not +whether he was going to drink the wine she had presented to him, +or his own tears. Schemselnihar at last presented the third cup +to Ebn Thaher, who thanked her for her kindness, and for the +honour she did him. + +After this she took a lute from one of her women, and sung to it +in such a passionate manner, that she seemed to be transported +out of herself: and the prince of Persia stood with his eyes +fixed upon her, as if he had been enchanted. At this instant, her +trusty slave came in great alarm, and addressing herself to her +mistress, said, "Madam Mesrour and two other officers, with +several eunuchs that attend them, are at the gate, and want to +speak with you from the caliph." When the prince of Persia and +Ebn Thaher heard these words, they changed colour, and began to +tremble as if they had been undone: but Schemselnihar who +perceived their agitation, revived their courage by a sigh. + +After Schemselnihar had quieted the fears of the prince of Persia +and Ebn Thaher, she ordered the slave, her confidant, to go and +speak to Mesrour, and the two other officers, till she had put +herself in a condition to receive them, and could send her to +introduce them. Immediately she ordered all the windows of' the +saloon to be shut, and the painted cloth on the side of the +garden to be let down: and after having assured the prince and +Ebn Thaher that they might continue there without any fear, she +went out at the gate leading to the garden, and closed it upon +them: but whatever assurance she had given them of their safety, +they were full of apprehension all the while they remained there. + +As soon as Schemselnihar had reached the garden with the women +that had followed her, she ordered all the seats, which served +the women who played on the instruments, to be placed near the +window, where the prince of Persia and Ebn Thaher heard them; and +having got things in order, she sat down upon her silver throne: +she then sent notice to the slave her confidant to bring in the +chief of the eunuchs, and his two subaltern officers. + +They appeared, followed by twenty black eunuchs all handsomely +clothed, with cimeters by their sides, and gold belts of four +inches broad. As soon as they perceived the favourite +Schemselnihar at a distance, they made her a profound reverence, +which she returned them from her throne. When they approached, +she arose and went to meet Mesrour, who advanced first; she asked +what news he brought? He answered, "Madam, the commander of the +faithful has sent me to signify that he cannot live longer +without seeing you; he designs to do himself that pleasure this +night, and I am come to give you notice, that you may be ready to +receive him. He hopes, madam, that you will receive him with as +much pleasure as he feels impatience to see you." + +At these words the favourite Schemselnihar prostrated herself to +the ground, as a mark of that submission with which she received +the caliph's order. When she rose, she said, "Pray tell the +commander of the faithful, that I shall always reckon it my glory +to execute his majesty's commands, and that his slave will do her +utmost to receive him with all the respect that is due to him." +At the same time she ordered the slave her confidant to tell the +black women appointed for that service to get the palace ready to +receive the caliph, and dismissing the chief of the eunuchs, said +to him, "You see it requires some time to get all things ready, +therefore I entreat you to curb his majesty's impatience, that, +when he arrives, he may not find things out of order." + +The chief of the eunuchs and his retinue being gone, +Schemselnihar returned to the saloon, extremely concerned at the +necessity she was under of sending back the prince of Persia +sooner than she had intended. She came up to him again with tears +in her eyes, which heightened Ebn Thaher's fear, who thought it +no good omen. "Madam," said the prince to her, "I perceive you +are come to tell me that we must part: if there be nothing more +to dread, I hope Heaven will give me the patience which is +necessary to support your absence." "Alas!" replied the too +tender Schemselnihar, "how happy do I think you, and how unhappy +do I think myself, when I compare your lot with my sad destiny! +No doubt you will suffer by my absence, but that is all, and you +may comfort yourself with hopes of seeing me again; but as for +me, just Heaven! what a terrible trial am I brought to! I must +not only be deprived of the sight of the only person whom I love, +but I must be tormented with the presence of one whom you have +made hateful to me. Will not the arrival of the caliph put me in +mind of your departure? And how can I, when I am taken up with +your dear image, express to that prince the joy which he always +observed in my eyes whenever he came to see me? I shall have my +mind perplexed when I speak to him, and the least complaisance +which I shew to his love will stab me to the heart. Can I relish +his kind words and caresses? Think, prince, to what torments I +shall be exposed when I can see you no more." Her tears and sighs +hindered her from going on, and the prince of Persia would have +replied, but his own grief, and that of his mistress, deprived +him of the power of speech. + +Ebn Thaher, who only wished to get out of the palace, was obliged +to comfort them, and to exhort them to have patience: but the +trusty slave again interrupted them. "Madam," said she to +Schemselnihar, "you have no time to lose; the eunuchs begin to +arrive, and you know the caliph will be here immediately." "O +Heaven! how cruel is this separation!" cried the favourite. "Make +haste," said she to the confidant, "take them both to the gallery +which looks into the garden on the one side, and to the Tigris on +the other; and when the night grows dark, let them out by the +back gate, that they may retire with safety." Having spoken thus, +she tenderly embraced the prince of Persia, without being able to +say one word more, and went to meet the caliph in such disorder +as cannot well be imagined. + +In the mean time, the trusty slave conducted the prince and Ebn +Thaher to the gallery, as Schemselnihar had appointed; and left +them there, assuring them, as she closed the door upon them, that +they had nothing to fear, and that she would come for them when +it was time. + +When Schemselnihar's trusty slave had left the prince of Persia +and Ebn Thaher, they forgot she had assured them they had nothing +to apprehend. They examined the gallery, and were seized with +extreme fear, because they knew no means of escape, if the caliph +or any of his officers should happen to come there. + +A great light, which they suddenly beheld through the lattices on +the garden side, caused them to approach them to see from whence +it came. It was occasioned by a hundred flambeaux of white wax, +carried by as many young eunuchs: these were followed by more +than a hundred others, who guarded the ladies of the caliph's +palace, clothed, and armed with cimeters, in the same manner as +those I spoke of before; and the caliph came after them, betwixt +Mesrour their captain on his right, and Vassif their second +officer on his left hand. + +Schemselnihar waited for the caliph at the entrance of a walk, +accompanied by twenty women all of surprising beauty, adorned +with necklaces and ear-rings of large diamonds; they played and +sung on their instruments, and formed a charming concert. The +favourite no sooner saw the prince appear, but she advanced and +prostrated herself at his feet; and while she was doing this, +"Prince of Persia," said she, within herself, "if your sad eyes +witness what I do, judge of my hard lot; if I were humbling +myself so before you, my heart would feel no reluctance." + +The caliph was delighted to see Schemselnihar: "Rise, madam," +said he to her, "come near, I am angry with myself that I should +have deprived myself so long of the pleasure of seeing you." As +he spoke, he took her by the hand, and, with many tender +expressions, went and sat down upon the silver throne which +Schemselnihar caused to be brought for him, and she sat down on a +seat before him. The twenty women made a circle round them upon +other seats, while the young eunuchs, who carried flambeaux, +dispersed themselves at a certain distance from one another, that +the caliph might the better enjoy the cool of the evening. + +When the caliph had seated himself, he looked round him, and +beheld with great satisfaction the garden illuminated with many +other lights, besides those flambeaux which the young eunuchs +held; but taking notice that the saloon was shut, expressed his +surprise, and demanded the reason. It was done on purpose to +surprise him; for he had no sooner spoken, than all the windows +flew open at once, and he saw it illuminated within and without, +in a much better manner than ever he had beheld it before. +"Charming Schemselnihar," cried he, at this sight, "I understand +you; you would have me know there are as fine nights as days. +After what I have seen, I cannot deny this." + +Let us return to the prince of Persia and Ebn Thaher, whom we +left in the gallery. Ebn Thaher could not enough admire all that +he saw: "I am not young," said he, "and I have seen great +entertainments in my time; but I do not think any thing can be +seen so surprising and magnificent! All that is said of enchanted +palaces does not come up to the prodigious spectacle we now +behold. What riches and magnificence united!" + +The prince of Persia was not at all interested by the objects +which so delighted Ebn Thaher; he could look on nothing but +Schemselnihar, and the presence of the caliph threw him into +inconceivable grief. "Dear Ebn Thaher," he exclaimed, "would to +God I had my mind as much at liberty to attend to those objects +of admiration as you! But alas! I am in a quite different +situation, all these things serve only to increase my torment. +Can I see the caliph familiar with the objets of my love, and not +die of grief? Must so ardent a passion as mine be disturbed with +so potent a rival? O heavens! How cruel and strange is my +destiny! It is but a moment since I esteemed myself the most +fortunate lover in the world, and at this instant I feel a death +stroke to my heart. I cannot resist it, my dear Ebn Thaher; my +patience is exhausted, my disorder overwhelms me, and my courage +fails." While he was speaking, he saw something pass in the +garden, which obliged him to be silent and to turn all his +attention that way. + +The caliph had ordered one of the women, who was near him, to +play upon her lute, and she began to sing. The words she sung +were very passionate, and the caliph, persuaded that she sung +thus by order of Schemselnihar, who had frequently entertained +him with the like testimonies of her affection, interpreted them +in his own favour. But this was not now Schemselnihar's meaning; +she applied them to her dear Ali Ebn Becar, and was so sensibly +touched with grief, to have before her an object whose presence +she could no longer enjoy, that she fainted and fell backwards +upon her seat, which having no arms to support her, she must have +fallen, had not some of the women given her timely assistance, +taken her up, and carried her into the saloon. + +Ebn Thaher, who was in the gallery, being surprised at this +accident, turned towards the prince of Persia; but instead of +finding him standing, and looking through the window as before, +he was extremely amazed to discover him lying at his feet +motionless. This convinced him of the violence of the prince's +passion for Schemselnihar, and he admired that strange effect of +sympathy, which put him into a mortal fear on account of the +place they were in. He did all he could to recover the prince, +but in vain. Ebn Thaher was in this perplexity, when +Schemselnihar's confidant opened the gallery door, and entered +out of breath, as one who knew not where she was. "Come +speedily," cried she "that I may let you out; all is in confusion +here; and I fear this will be the last of our days." "Alas! how +would you have us go?" replied Ebn Thaher, with a mournful voice; +"approach, and see what a condition the prince of Persia is in." +When the slave saw him in a swoon, she ran for water, and +returned in an instant. + +At last the prince of Persia, after they had thrown water on his +face, recovered. "Prince," said Ebn Thaher to him, "we run the +risk of perishing if we stay here any longer; exert yourself, +therefore, let us endeavour to save our lives." He was so feeble, +that he could not rise alone; Ebn Thaher and the confidant lent +him their hands, and supported him on each side. They reached a +little iron gate which opened towards the Tigris, went out at it, +and came to the side of a little canal which communicated with +the river. The confidant clapped her hands, and immediately a +little boat appeared, and came towards them with one rower. Ali +Ebn Becar and his comrade went aboard, and the confidant remained +at the side of the canal. As soon as the prince was seated in the +boat, he stretched out one hand towards the palace, and laying +the other on his heart, exclaimed with a feeble voice, "Dear +object of my soul, receive my faith with this hand, while I +assure you with the other, that my heart shall for ever preserve +the fire with which it burns for you." + +In the mean time the boatman rowed with all his might, and +Schemselnihar's confidant accompanied the prince of Persia and +Ebn Thaher walking along the side of the canal, until they came +to the Tigris, and when she could go no farther she took leave of +them and returned. + +The prince of Persia continued very feeble. Ebn Thaher comforted +him, and exhorted him to take courage. "Consider," said he, "that +when we are landed, we have a great way to walk before we reach +my house, and I would not advise you to go to your palace, which +is a great deal farther, at this hour and in this condition." At +last they went out of the boat, but the prince had so little +strength that he could not walk, which put Ebn Thaher into great +perplexity. He recollected he had a friend in the neighbourhood, +and carried the prince thither with great difficulty. His friend +received him very cheerfully, and when he had made them sit down, +he asked them where they had been so late. Ebn Thaher answered, +"I heard this evening that a man who owed me a considerable sum +of money was setting out on a long voyage. I lost no time to find +him, and by the way I met with this young nobleman, to whom I am +under a thousand obligations; for knowing my debtor, he did me +the favour to go along with me. We had a great deal of trouble to +bring the man to reason. We have at length succeeded, and that is +the cause of our being so late. In our return home, this good +lord, to whom I am for ever bound to shew all possible respect, +was attacked by a sudden illness, which made me take the liberty +to knock at your door, flattering myself that you would be +pleased to lodge us this night." + +Ebn Thaher's friend took all this for truth, told them they were +welcome, and offered the prince of Persia, whom he knew not, all +the assistance he could desire; but Ebn Thaher spoke for the +prince, and said, that his distemper was of such a nature as to +require nothing but rest. His friend understood by this that they +desired to go to bed. Upon which he conducted them to an +apartment, where he left them. + +Though the prince of Persia slept, he was interrupted by +troublesome dreams, which represented Schemselnihar in a swoon at +the caliph's feet, and increased his affliction. Ebn Thaher was +very impatient to be at home, and doubted not but his family was +under great apprehension, because he never used to sleep out. He +arose and departed early in the morning, after he had taken leave +of his friend, who rose at break of day to prayers At last he +reached his house, and the first thing the prince of Persia did, +who had walked so far with much trouble, was to lie down upon a +sofa, as weary as if he had been a long journey. Not being in a +state to go to his own palace, Ebn Thaher ordered a chamber to be +prepared for him, and sent to acquaint his friends with his +condition, and where he was. In the mean time he begged him to +compose himself, to command in his house, and to dispose of all +things as he pleased. "I thank you heartily for your obliging +offers," said the prince; "but that I may not be any ways +troublesome to you, I conjure you to deal with me as if I were +not at your house. I would not stay one moment, if I thought my +presence would incommode you in the least." + +As soon as Ebn Thaher had time to recollect himself, he told his +family all that had passed at Schemselnihar's palace, and +concluded by thanking God, who had delivered him from the danger +he had been in. The prince of Persia's principal domestics came +to receive his orders at Ebn Thaher's house, and in a little time +there arrived several of his friends, who had notice of his +indisposition. Those friends passed the greatest part of the day +with him; and though their conversation could not extinguish +those melancholy ideas which were the cause of his trouble, yet +it afforded him some relief. He would have taken his leave of Ebn +Thaher towards the evening; but this faithful friend found him +still so weak, that he obliged him to stay till next day, and in +the mean time, to divert him, gave a concert of vocal and +instrumental music in the evening; but this concert served only +to remind him of the preceding night, and renewed his trouble, +instead of assuaging it; so that next day his distemper seemed to +increase. Upon this Ebn Thaher did not oppose his going home, but +took care to accompany him; and when he was with him alone in his +chamber, he represented to him all those arguments which might +influence him to a generous effort to overcome his passion, which +in the end would neither prove fortunate to himself nor to the +favourite. "Ah! dear Ebn Thaher," exclaimed the prince, "how easy +is it for you to give this advice, but how hard for me to follow +it! I am sensible of its importance, but am not able to profit by +it. I have said already, that I shall carry to the grave the love +I bear to Schemselnihar." When Ebn Thaher saw that he could gain +nothing upon the prince, he took his leave, and would have +retired. + +The prince of Persia interrupted him, and said, "Kind Ebn Thaher, +since I have declared to you that it is not in my power to follow +your wise counsels, I beg you would not charge it on me as a +crime, nor forbear to give me the usual testimonies of your +friendship. You cannot do me a greater favour than to inform me +of the destiny of my dear Schemselnihar, when you hear of her. +The uncertainty I am in concerning her fate, and the +apprehensions her fainting have occasioned in me, keep me in this +languishing condition you reproach me with." "My lord," answered +Ebn Thaher, "you have reason to hope that her fainting was not +attended with any bad consequences: her confidant will quickly +come and inform me of the issue; and as soon as I know the +particulars, I will not fail to impart them." + +Ebn Thaher left the prince in this hope, and returned home, where +he expected Schemselnihar's confidant all the rest of the day, +but in vain, nor did she come on the following. His uneasiness to +know the state of the prince of Persia's health would not suffer +him to wait any longer without seeing him. He went to his palace +to exhort him to patience, and found him lying on his bed as ill +as ever, surrounded by a great many of his friends, and several +physicians, who used all their art to discover the cause of his +disorder. As soon as he saw Ebn Thaher, he looked at him with a +smile, to signify that he had two things to tell him; the one, +that he was glad to see him; the other how much the physicians, +who could not discover the cause of his illness, were out in +their reasonings. + +His friends and physicians retired one after another, so that Ebn +Thaher being alone with him, approached his bed to ask him how he +had been since he had last seen him. "I must tell you," answered +the prince, "that my passion, which continually gathers new +strength, and the uncertainty of the lovely Schemselnihar's fate, +augment my disorder every moment, and cast me into such a state +as afflicts my kindred and friends, and breaks the measures of my +physicians, who do not understand it. You cannot think," he +added, "how much I suffer by seeing so many people about me, who +importune me, and whom I cannot in civility put away. Your +company alone relieves me; but I conjure you not to dissemble +with me: what news do you bring of Schemselnihar? Have you seen +her confidant? What says she to you?" Ebn Thaher answered, that +he had not seen her yet. No sooner had he communicated to the +prince of Persia this sad intelligence, than the tears came into +his eyes; he could not answer one word, his heart was so +oppressed. "Prince," added Ebn Thaher, "suffer me to tell you, +that you are too ingenious in tormenting yourself. In the name of +God, wipe away your tears: if any of your people should come in, +they would discover you by this, notwithstanding the care you +ought to take to conceal your thoughts." Whatever his judicious +adviser could say, it was not possible for the prince to refrain +from weeping. "Wise Ebn Thaher," said he, when he had recovered +his speech, "I may indeed hinder my tongue from revealing the +secrets of my heart, but I have no power over my tears, upon such +an alarming subject as Schemselnihar's danger. If that adorable +and only objets of my desires be no longer in the world, I shall +not survive her a moment." "Reject so afflicting a thought," +replied Ebn Thaher; "Schemselnihar is yet alive, you need not +doubt it: if you have heard no news of her, it is because she +could find no opportunity to send to you, and I hope you will +hear from her to-day." To this he added several other consoling +arguments, and then withdrew. + +Ebn Thaher had scarcely reached his own house, when +Schemselnihar's confidant arrived with a melancholy countenance, +which he reckoned a bad omen. He asked news of her mistress. +"Tell me yours first," said the confidant, "for I was in great +trouble to see the prince of Persia go away in that condition." +Ebn Thaher told her all that she wished to know, and when he had +done, the slave began thus: "If the prince of Persia has +suffered, and does still suffer for my mistress, she suffers no +less for him. After I departed from you, I returned to the +saloon, where I found Schemselnihar not yet recovered from her +swoon, notwithstanding all the assistance they endeavoured to +give her. The caliph was sitting near her with all the signs of +real grief. He asked all the women, and me in particular, if we +knew the cause of her disorder; but we kept all secret, and told +him we were altogether ignorant of it. In the mean time we all +wept to see her suffer so long, and forgot nothing that might any +ways relieve her. In a word, it was almost midnight before she +came to herself. The caliph, who had the patience to wait the +event, was rejoiced at her recovery, and asked Schemselnihar the +cause of her illness. As soon as she heard him speak, she +endeavoured to recover her seat; and after she had kissed his +feet, before he could hinder her, 'Sir,' said she, 'I have reason +to complain of heaven, that it did not allow me to expire at your +majesty's feet to testify thereby how sensible I am of your +favours.' + +"'I am persuaded you love me,' replied the caliph, 'and I command +you to preserve yourself for my sake. You have probably exceeded +in something to-day, which has occasioned this indisposition; +take care, I entreat you; abstain from it for the future. I am +glad to see you better, and advise you to stay here to-night, and +not return to your chamber, for fear the motion should affect +you.' He then commanded a little wine to be brought to strengthen +her; and taking leave of her, returned to his apartment. + +"As soon as the caliph had departed, my mistress gave me a sign +to come near her. She asked me earnestly concerning you: I +assured her that you had been gone a long time, which made her +easy on that head. I took care not to speak of the prince of +Persia's fainting, lest she should fall into the same state, from +which we had so much trouble to recover her: but my precautions +were in vain, as you shall hear. 'Prince,' exclaimed she, 'I +henceforth renounce all pleasure as long as I am deprived of the +sight of you. If I have understood your heart right, I only +follow your example. You will not cease to weep and mourn until I +see you.' At these words, which she uttered in a manner +expressive of the violence of her passion, she fainted a second +time in my arms. + +"My companions and I were a long time recovering her; at last she +came to herself; and then I said to her, 'Madam, are you resolved +to kill yourself, and to make us also die with you? I entreat +you, in the name of the prince of Persia, who is so deeply +interested in your life, to preserve it.' 'I am much obliged to +you,' replied she, 'for your care, your zeal, and your advice; +but alas! they are useless to me: you are not to flatter us with +any hopes, for we can expect no end of our torment but in the +grave.' + +"One of my companions would have diverted these sad thoughts by +playing on the lute, but she commanded her to be silent, and +ordered all of them to retire, except me, whom she kept all night +with her. O heavens! what a night it was! she passed it in tears +and groans, and incessantly naming the prince of Persia. She +lamented her lot, that had destined her to the caliph, whom she +could not love, and not for him whom she loved so dearly. + +"Next morning, as she was not commodiously lodged in the saloon, +I helped her to her chamber, which she had no sooner reached, +than all the physicians of the palace came to see her, by order +of the caliph, who was not long before he arrived himself. The +medicines which the physicians prescribed to Schemselnihar were +ineffectual, because they were ignorant of the cause of her +malady, which was augmented by the presence of the caliph. She +got a little rest however this night, and as soon as she awoke, +she charged me to come to you, to learn some news of the prince +of Persia." "I have already informed you of his case," said Ebn +Thaher; "so return to your mistress, and assure her, that the +prince of Persia waits for some account of her with an impatience +equal to her own. Above all, exhort her to moderation, and to +overcome her feelings, for fear she should drop before the caliph +some word, which may prove fatal to us all." "As for me," replied +the confidant, "I confess I dread her transports. I have taken +the liberty to tell her my mind, and am persuaded that she will +not take it ill that I tell her this from you." + +Ebn Thaher, who had but just come from the prince of Persia's +lodgings, thought it not convenient to return so soon, and +neglect his own important affairs; he therefore went not till the +evening. The prince was alone, and no better than in the morning. +"Ebn Thaher," said he to him, as soon as he saw him, "you have +doubtless many friends, but they do not know your worth, which +you discover to me by your zeal, your care, and the trouble you +give yourself to oblige me. I am confounded with all that you do +for me with so much affection, and I know not how I shall be able +to express my gratitude." "Prince," answered Ebn Thaher, "do not +speak thus, I entreat you. I am ready, not only to give one of my +eyes to save one of yours, but to sacrifice my life for you. But +this is not the present business. I come to tell you that +Schemselnihar sent her confidant to ask me about you, and at the +same time to inform me of her condition. You may assure yourself +that I said nothing but what might confirm the excess of your +passion for her mistress, and the constancy with which you love +her." Then Ebn Thaher gave him a particular account of all that +had passed betwixt the trusty slave and him. The prince listened +with all the different emotions of fear, jealousy, affection, and +compassion, which this conversation could inspire, making, upon +every thing which he heard, all the afflicting or comforting +reflections that so passionate a lover was capable of. + +Their conversation continued so long that the night was far +advanced, so that the prince of Persia obliged Ebn Thaher to stay +with him. The next morning, as this trusty friend returned home, +there came a woman to him whom he knew to be Schemselnihar's +confidant, and immediately she spoke to him thus: "My mistress +salutes you, and I am come to entreat you in her name to deliver +this letter to the prince of Persia." The zealous Ebn Thaher took +the letter, and returned to the prince, accompanied by the +confidant slave. + +When Ebn Thaher entered the prince of Persia's house with +Schemselnihar's confidant, he prayed her to stay, and wait for +him a moment in the ante-room. As soon as the prince saw him, he +asked earnestly what news he had to communicate? "The best you +can expect," answered Ebn Thaher: "you are as dearly beloved as +you love; Schemselnihar's confidant is in your anteroom; she has +brought you a letter from her mistress, and waits for your orders +to come in." "Let her enter," cried the prince, with a transport +of joy; and so saying, sat up to receive her. + +The prince's attendants retired as soon as they saw Ebn Thaher, +and left him alone with their master. Ebn Thaher opened the door +himself, and brought in the confidant. The prince knew her, and +received her with great politeness. "My lord," said she to him, +"I am sensible of the affliction you have endured since I had the +honour to conduct you to the boat which waited to bring you back; +but I hope the letter I have brought will contribute to your +cure." So saying, she presented him the letter. He took it, and +after he had kissed it several times, opened it, and read as +follows: + + +Letter from Schemselnihar to the Prince of Persia. + +"The person who will deliver to you this letter will give you more +correct information concerning me than I can, for I have not been +myself since I saw you. Deprived of your presence, I endeavour to +deceive myself by conversing with you by these ill-written lines, with +the same pleasure as if I had the happiness of speaking to you in +person. + +"It is said that patience is a cure for all evils, but instead of +relieving it heightens my sufferings. Although your picture is +deeply engraver in my heart, my eyes desire to have the original +continually before them; and they will lose all their light, if +they be any considerable time deprived of this felicity. May I +flatter myself that yours have the same impatience to see me? +Yes, I can; their tender glances have sufficiently assured me of +this. How happy, prince, would it be for you, how happy for +Schemselnihar, if our united desires were not thwarted by +invincible obstacles; obstacles which afflict me the more +sensibly as they affect you. + +"These thoughts which my fingers write, and which I express with +incredible pleasure, repeating them again and again, proceed from +the bottom of my heart, and from the incurable wound which you +have made in it; a wound which I bless a thousand times, +notwithstanding the cruel torments I endure through your absence. +I would reckon all that opposes our love nothing, were I only +allowed to see you sometimes with freedom; I should then enjoy +your company, and what could I desire more? + +"Do not imagine that I say more than I think. Alas! whatever +expressions I use, I feel that I think more than I can tell you. +My eyes, which are continually watching and weeping for your +return; my afflicted heart, which desires you alone; the sighs +that escape me as often as I think on you, and that is every +moment; my imagination, which represents no other object to me +than my dear prince; the complaints that I make to heaven for the +rigour of my destiny; in a word, my grief, my distress, my +torments, which have allowed me no ease since I was deprived of +your presence, will vouch for what I write. + +"Am not I unhappy to be born to dove, without hope of enjoying +the object of my passion? This afflicting thought oppresses me so +that I should die, were I not persuaded that you love me: but +this sweet comfort balances my despair, and preserves my life. +Tell me that you love me always. I will keep your letter +carefully, and read it a thousand times a-day: I shall endure my +afflictions with less impatience: I pray heaven may cease to be +angry at us, and grant us an opportunity to say that we love one +another without fear; and that we shall never cease thus to love. +Adieu. I salute Ebn Thaher, to whom we are so much obliged." + +The prince of Persia was not satisfied with reading the letter +once; he thought he had perused it with too little attention, and +therefore read it again with more leisure; and while so doing, +sometimes heaved deep sighs, sometimes shed tears, and sometimes +broke out into transports of joy and tenderness as the contents +affected him. In short, he could not keep his eyes off those +characters drawn by so beloved a hand, and was beginning to read +it a third time, when Ebn Thaher observed to him that the +confidant had no time to lose, and that he ought to think of +giving an answer. "Alas!" cried the prince, "how would you have +me reply to so kind a letter! In what terms shall I express +myself in my present disturbed state! My mind is tossed with a +thousand tormenting thoughts, which are lost the moment they are +conceived, to make way for others. So long as my body is +influenced by the impressions of my mind, how shall I be able to +hold the paper, or guide a reed to write." + +So saying, he took out of a little desk which was near him, +paper, a cane ready cut, and an inkhorn. + +The prince of Persia, before he began to write, gave +Schemselnihar's letter to Ebn Thaher, and prayed him to hold it +open while he wrote, that by casting his eyes upon it he might +the better see what to answer. He began to write; but the tears +that fell from his eyes upon the paper obliged him several times +to stop, that they might fall the more freely. At last he +finished his letter, and giving it to Ebn Thaher, "Read it, I +pray," said he, "and do me the favour to see if the disorder of +my mind has allowed me to give a favourable answer." Ebn Thaher +took it, and read as follows: + + +The Prince of Persia's Answer to Schemselnihar's Letter. + +"I was plunged in the deepest grief when I received your letter, +but at the sight of it I was transported with unspeakable joy. +When I beheld the characters written by your fair hand, my eyes +were enlightened by a stronger light than they lost, when yours +were suddenly closed at the feet of my rival. The words contained +in your kind epistle are so many rays which have dispelled the +darkness wherewith my soul was obscured; they shew me how much +you suffer from your love of me, and that you are not ignorant of +what I endure on your account. Thus they comfort me in my +afflictions. On the one hand they cause me to shed tears in +abundance; and on the other, inflame my heart with a fire which +supports it, and prevents my dying of grief. I have not had one +moment's rest since our cruel separation. Your letter alone gave +me some ease. I kept a mournful silence till the moment I +received it, and then recovered my speech. I was buried in +profound melancholy, but it inspired me with joy, which +immediately appeared in my eyes and countenance. But my surprise +at receiving a favour which I had not yet deserved was so great, +that I knew not how to begin to testify my thankfulness. In a +word, after having kissed it several times, as a precious pledge +of your goodness, I read it over and over, and was confounded at +the excess of my good fortune. You would have me declare that I +always love you. Ah! did I not love you so perfectly as I do, I +could not forbear adoring you, after all the marks you have given +me of an affection so uncommon: yes, I love you, my dear soul, +and shall account it my glory to burn all my days with that sweet +fire you have kindled in my heart. I will never complain of that +ardour with which I feel it consumes me: and how rigorous soever +the evils I suffer, I will bear them with fortitude, in hopes +some time or other to see you. Would to heaven it were to-day, +and that, instead of sending you my letter, I might be allowed to +come and assure you in person, that I die for you! My tears +hinder me from saying more. Adieu." + + +Ebn Thaher could not read these last lines without weeping. He +returned the letter to the prince of Persia, and assured him it +wanted no correction. The prince closed it, and when he had +sealed it, he desired the trusty slave to come near, and said to +her, "This is my answer to you dear mistress's letter. I conjure +you to carry it to her, and to salute her in my name." The slave +took the letter, and retired with Ebn Thaher. + +After Ebn Thaher had walked some way with the slave, he left her, +and went to his house, and began to think in earnest upon the +amorous intrigue in which he found himself unhappily engaged. He +considered, that the prince of Persia and Schemselnihar, +notwithstanding their interest to conceal their correspondence, +conducted themselves with so little discretion, that it could not +be long a secret. He drew all the consequences from it, which a +man of good sense might have anticipated. "Were Schemselnihar," +said he to himself, "a lady of common rank, I would contribute +all in my power to make her and her lover happy; but she is the +caliph's favourite, and no man can without danger attempt to +engage the affections of the objets of his choice. His anger +would fall in the first instance on Schemselnihar; it will next +cost the prince of Persia his life, and I should be involved in +his misfortune. In the mean time I have my honour, my quiet, my +family, and my property to preserve. I must, while I can, +extricate myself out of such a perilous situation." + +These thoughts occupied his mind all that day. Next morning he +went to the prince of Persia, with a design of making one more +effort to induce him to conquer his passion. He represented to +him what he had before urged in vain; that it would be much +better for him to summon all his resolution, to overcome his +inclination for Schemselnihar, than to suffer himself to be +hurried away by it; and that his passion was so much the more +dangerous, as his rival was powerful. "In short, sir," added he, +"if you will hearken to me, you ought to think of nothing but to +triumph over your love; otherwise you run the risk of destroying +yourself with Schemselnihar, whose life ought to be dearer to you +than your own. I give you this advice as a friend, for which you +will some time or other thank me." + +The prince heard Ebn Thaher with great impatience, but suffered +him to speak his mind, and then replied to him thus: "Ebn Thaher, +do you think I can cease to love Schemselnihar, who loves me so +tenderly? She is not afraid to expose her life for me, and would +you have me regard mine? No; whatever misfortunes befall me, I +will love Schemselnihar to my last breath." + +Ebn Thaher, shocked at the obstinacy of the prince of Persia, +left him hastily, and going to his own house, recalled his former +reflections, and began to think seriously what he should do. In +the mean time a jeweller, one of his intimate friends, came to +see him. The jeweller had perceived that Schemselnihar's +confidant came oftener to Ebn Thaher than usual, and that he was +constantly with the prince of Persia, whose sickness was known to +every one, though not the cause. This had awakened the jeweller's +suspicions, and finding Ebn Thaher very pensive, he presently +judged that he was perplexed with some important affair, and +fancying that he knew the cause, he asked what Schemselnihar's +confidant wanted with him? Ebn Thaher being struck with this +question, would have dissembled, and told him, that it was on +some trifling errand she came so frequently to him. "You do not +tell me the truth," said the jeweller, "and your dissimulation +only serves to prove to me that this trifle is a more important +affair than at first I thought it to be." + +Ebn Thaher, perceiving that his friend pressed him so much, said +to him, "It is true, that it is an affair of the greatest +consequence. I had resolved to keep it secret, but since I know +how much you are my friend, I choose rather to make you my +confidant, than to suffer you to be under a mistake about it. I +do not bind you to secrecy, for you will easily judge by what I +am going to tell you how impossible it is to keep it unknown." +After this preamble, he told him the amour between Schemselnihar +and the prince of Persia. "You know," he continued, "in what +esteem I am at court, in the city, and with lords and ladies of +the greatest quality; what a disgrace would it be for me, should +this rash amour come to be discovered? But what do I say; should +not I and my family be completely ruined! That is what perplexes +my mind; but I have just formed my resolution: I will go +immediately and satisfy my creditors, and recover my debts, and +when I have secured my property, will retire to Bussorah, and +stay till the storm, that I foresee, is blown over. My friendship +for Schemselnihar and the prince of Persia makes me very sensible +to what dangers they are exposed. I pray heaven to convince them +of their peril, and to preserve them; but if their evil destiny +should bring their attachment to the knowledge of the caliph, I +shall, at least, be out of the reach of his resentment; for I do +not think them so wicked as to design to involve me in their +misfortunes. It would be the height of ingratitude, and a bad +reward for the service I have done them, and the good advice I +have given, particularly to the prince of Persia, who may save +both himself and his mistress from this precipice. He may as +easily leave Bagdad as I; and absence will insensibly disenage +him from a passion, which will only increase whilst he continues +in this place." + +The jeweller was extremely surprised at what Ebn Thaher told him. +"What you say," said he, "is of so much importance, that I cannot +understand how Schemselnihar and the prince could have abandoned +themselves to such a violent passion. What inclination soever +they may have for one another, instead of yielding to it, they +ought to resist it, and make a better use of their reason. Is it +possible they can be insensible of the danger of their +correspondence? How deplorable is their blindness! I anticipate +all its consequences as well as yourself; but you are wise and +prudent, and I approve your resolution; as it is the only way to +deliver yourself from the fatal events which you have reason to +fear." After this conversation the jeweller rose, and took his +leave of Ebn Thaher. + +Before the jeweller retired, Ebn Thaher conjured him by the +friendship betwixt them, to say nothing of what he had heard. +"Fear not," replied the jeweller, "I will keep this secret at the +peril of my life." + +Two days after, the jeweller went to Ebn Thaher's shop, and +seeing it shut, he doubted not but he had executed his design; +but, to be more sure, he asked a neighbour, if he knew why it was +not opened? The neighbour answered that he knew not, unless Ebn +Thaher was gone a journey. There was no need of his enquiring +farther, and he immediately thought of the prince of Persia: +"Unhappy prince," said he to himself, "what will be your grief +when you hear this news? How will you now carry on your +correspondence with Schemselnihar? I fear you will die of +despair. I pity you, and must repair your loss of a too timid +confidant." + +The business that obliged him to come abroad was of no +consequence, so that he neglected it, and though he had no +knowledge of the prince of Persia, only by having sold him some +jewels, he went to his house. He addressed himself to one of his +servants, and desired him to tell his master, that he wished to +speak with him about business of very great importance. The +servant returned immediately to the jeweller, and introduced him +to the prince's chamber. He was leaning on a sofa, with his head +on a cushion. As soon as the prince saw him, he rose up to +receive and welcome him, and entreated him to sit down; asked him +if he could serve him in any thing, or if he came to tell him any +thing interesting concerning himself. "Prince," answered the +jeweller, "though I have not the honour to be particularly +acquainted with you, yet the desire of testifying my zeal has +made me take the liberty to come to your house, to impart to you +a piece of news that concerns you. I hope you will pardon my +boldness for my good intention." + +After this introduction, the jeweller entered upon the matter, +and continued: "Prince, I shall have the honour to tell you, that +it is a long time since conformity of disposition, and some +business we have had together, united Ebn Thaher and myself in +strict friendship. I know you are acquainted with him, and that +he has employed himself in obliging you to his utmost. I have +learnt this from himself, for he keeps nothing secret from me, +nor I from him. I went just now to his shop, and was surprised to +find it shut. I addressed myself to one of his neighbours, to ask +the reason; he answered me, that two days ago Ebn Thaher took +leave of him, and other neighbours, offering them his service at +Bussorah, whither he is gone, said he, about an affair of great +importance. Not being satisfied with this answer, my concern for +his welfare determined me to come and ask if you knew any thing +particular concerning this his sudden departure." + +At this discourse, which the jeweller accommodated to the +subject, the better to compass his design, the prince of Persia +changed colour, and looked at the jeweller in a manner which +convinced him how much he was disconcerted at the intelligence. +"I am surprised at what you inform me," said he; "a greater +misfortune could not befall me: Ah!" he continued, with tears in +his eyes, "if what you tell me be true, I am undone! Has Ebn +Thaher, who was all my comfort, in whom I put all my confidence, +left me? I cannot think of living after so cruel a blow." + +The jeweller needed no more to convince him fully of the prince +of Persia's violent passion, which Ebn Thaher had told him of: +mere friendship would not make him speak so; nothing but love +could produce such lively sensations. + +The prince continued some moments absorbed in melancholy +thoughts; at last he lifted up his head, and calling one of his +servants, said, "Go, to Ebn Thaher's house, and ask some of his +domestics if he be gone to Bussorah: run, and come back quickly +with the answer." While the servant was gone, the jeweller +endeavoured to entertain the prince of Persia with indifferent +subjects; but the prince gave little heed to him. He was a prey +to fatal grief: sometimes he could not persuade himself that Ebn +Thaher was gone, and at others he did not doubt of it, when he +reflected upon the conversation he had had with him the last time +he had seen him, and the abrupt manner in which he had left him. + +At last the prince's servant returned, and reported that he had +spoken with one of Ebn Thaher's servants, who assured him that he +had been gone two days to Bussorah. "As I came from Ebn Thaher's +house," added the servant, "a slave well dressed met me, and +after she had asked me if I had the honour to belong to you, told +me she wanted to speak with you, and begged at the same time that +she might accompany me: she is in the outer room, and I believe +has a letter to deliver to you from some person of consequence." +The prince commanded her to be immediately introduced, not +doubting but it was Schemselnihar's confidant slave, as indeed it +was. The jeweller knew her, having seen her several times at Ebn +Thaher's house: she could not have come at a better time to save +the prince from despair. She saluted him. The prince of Persia +returned the salute of Schemselnihar's confidant. The jeweller +arose as soon as he saw her and retired, to leave them at liberty +to converse together. The confidant, after she had spoken some +time with the prince, took her leave and departed. She left him +quite another person from what he was before; his eyes appeared +brighter, and his countenance more gay, which satisfied the +jeweller that the good slave came to tell him something +favourable to his amour. + +The jeweller having taken his place again near the prince, said +to him smiling, "I see, prince, you have business of importance +at the caliph's palace." The prince of Persia, astonished and +alarmed at these words, answered the jeweller, "What leads you to +suppose that I have business at the caliph's palace?" "I judge +so," replied the jeweller, "by the slave who has just left you." +"And to whom, think you, belongs this slave?" demanded the +prince. "To Schemselnihar the caliph's favourite," answered the +jeweller: "I know," continued he, "both the slave and her +mistress, who has several times done me the honour to come to my +house, and buy jewels. Besides, I know that Schemselnihar keeps +nothing secret from this slave; and I have seen her pass +backwards and forwards for several days along the streets, as I +thought very much troubled; I imagined that it was for some +affair of consequence concerning her mistress." + +The jeweller's words greatly troubled the prince of Persia. "He +would not say so," said he to himself, "if he did not suspect, or +rather were not acquainted with my secret." He remained silent +for some time, not knowing what course to take. At last he began, +and said to the jeweller, "You have told me things which make me +believe that you know yet more than you have acquainted me with; +it concerns my repose that I be perfectly informed; I conjure you +therefore not to conceal any thing from me." + +Then the jeweller, who desired nothing more, gave him a +particular account of what had passed betwixt Ebn Thaher and +himself. He informed him that he was apprised of his +correspondence with Schemselnihar and forgot not to tell him +that Ebn Thaher, alarmed at the danger of being his confidant in +the matter, had communicated to him his intention of retiring to +Bussorah, until the storm which he dreaded should be blown over. +"This he has executed," added the jeweller, "and I am surprised +how he could determine to abandon you, in the condition he +informed me you were in. As for me, prince, I confess, I am moved +with compassion towards you, and am come to offer you my service. +If you do me the favour to accept of it, I engage myself to be as +faithful to you as Ebn Thaher; besides, I promise to be more +resolute. I am ready to sacrifice my honour and life for you: +and, that you may not doubt of my sincerity, I swear by all that +is sacred in our religion, to keep your secret inviolable. Be +persuaded then, prince, that you will find in me the friend whom +you have lost." This declaration encouraged the prince, and +comforted him under Ebn Thaher's absence. "I am glad," said he to +the jeweller, "to find in you a reparation of my loss; I want +words to express the obligations I am under to you. I pray God to +recompense your generosity, and I accept your obliging offer with +all my heart. Believe me," continued he, "Schemselnihar's +confidant came to speak to me concerning you. She told me that it +was you who advised Ebn Thaher to go from Bagdad; these were the +last words she spoke to me, as she went away, and she seemed +persuaded of what she said; but they do not do you justice. I +doubt not, after what you have told me, she is deceived." +"Prince" replied the jeweller, "I have had the honour to give you +a faithful account of my conversation with Ebn Thaher. It is +true, when he told me he meant to retire to Bussorah, I did not +oppose his design; but let not this prevent your putting +confidence in me. I am ready to serve you with all imaginable +zeal. If you do not use my service, this shall not hinder me from +keeping your secret religiously, according to my oath." "I have +already told you," replied the prince, "that I did not believe +what the confidant said: it is her zeal which inspired her with +this groundless suspicion, and you ought to excuse it, as I do." + +They continued their conversation for some time, and consulted +together about the most convenient means to keep up the prince's +correspondence with Schemselnihar. They agreed to begin by +undeceiving the confidant, who was so unjustly prepossessed +against the jeweller. The prince engaged to remove her mistake +the first time he saw her again, and to intreat her to address +herself to the jeweller whenever she might bring letters, or any +other information from her mistress to him. In short, they +determined, that she ought not to come so frequently to the +prince's house, because thereby she might lead to the discovery +of what it was of so great importance to conceal. At last the +jeweller arose, and, after having again intreated the prince of +Persia to place an unreserved confidence in him, withdrew. + +The jeweller returning to his house perceived before him a +letter, which somebody had dropped in the street. He took it up, +and as it was not sealed, he opened it, and read as follows: + + +Letter from Schemselnihar to the Prince of Persia. + +"I have received from my confidant intelligence which gives me no +less concern than it must give you. In Ebn Thaher, we have indeed +sustained a great loss; but let this not hinder you, dear prince, +from thinking of your own preservation. If our friend has +abandoned us through fear, let us consider that it is a +misfortune which we could not avoid. I confess Ebn Thaher has +left us at a time when we most needed his assistance; but let us +bear this unexpected stroke with patience, and let us not forbear +to love one another constantly. Fortify your heart under this +misfortune. The object of our wishes is not to be obtained +without trouble. Let us not be discouraged, but hope that heaven +will favour us, and that, after so many afflictions, we shall see +a happy accomplishment of our desires. Adieu." + + +While the jeweller was conversing with the prince of Persia, the +confidant had time to return to the palace and communicate to her +mistress the ill news of Ebn Thaher's departure. Schemselnihar +immediately wrote this letter, and sent back her confidant with +it to the prince of Persia, but she negligently dropped it on her +way. + +The jeweller was glad to find it, for it furnished him with an +opportunity of justifying himself to the confidant, and bringing +her to the point he desired. When he had read it, he perceived +the slave seeking for it with the greatest anxiety. He closed it +again quickly, and put it into his bosom; but the slave observed +him, and running to him, said, "Sir, I have dropped a letter, +which you had just now in your hand; I beseech you to restore +it." The jeweller, pretending not to hear her, continued his way +till he came to his house. He left his door open, that the +confidant, who followed him, might enter after him. She followed +him in, and when she came to his apartment, said, "Sir, you can +make no use of that letter you have found, and you would not +hesitate to return it to me, if you knew from whom it came, and +to whom it is directed. Besides, allow me to tell you, you cannot +honestly keep it." + +Before the jeweller returned her any answer he made her sit down, +and then said to her, "Is not this letter from Schemselnihar, and +is it not directed to the prince of Persia?" The slave, who +expected no such question, blushed. "The question embarrasses +you," continued he; "but I assure you I do not put it rashly: I +could have given you the letter in the street, but I wished you +to follow me, on purpose that I might come to some explanation +with you. Is it just, tell me, to impute a misfortune to persons +who have no ways contributed towards it? Yet this you have done, +in telling the prince of Persia that it was I who advised Ebn +Thaher to leave Bagdad for his own safety. I do not intend to +waste time in justifying myself; it is enough that the prince of +Persia is fully persuaded of my innocence; I will only tell you, +that instead of contributing to Ebn Thaher's departure, I have +been extremely afflicted at it, not so much from my friendship to +him, as out of compassion for the condition in which he left the +prince of Persia, whose correspondence with Schemselnihar he has +discovered to me. As soon as I knew certainly that Ebn Thaher was +gone from Bagdad, I went and presented myself to the prince, in +whose house you found me, to inform him of this event, and to +offer to undertake the service in which he had been employed; and +provided you put the same confidence in me, that you did in Ebn +Thaher, it will be your own fault if you do not make my +assistance of use to you. Inform your mistress of what I have +told you, and assure her, that though I should die for engaging +in so dangerous an intrigue, I should not repent of having +sacrificed myself for two lovers so worthy of one another." + +The confidant, after having heard the jeweller with great +satisfaction, begged him to pardon the ill opinion she had +conceived of him, for the zeal she had for her mistress's +interest. "I am beyond measure glad," she added, "that +Schemselnihar and the prince have found in you a person so fit to +supply Ebn Thaher's place I will not fail to convince my mistress +of the good-will you bear her." + +After the confidant had testified to the jeweller her joy to see +him so well disposed to serve Schemselnihar and the prince of +Persia, the jeweller took the letter out of his bosom, and +restored it to her, saying, "Go, carry it quickly to the prince, +and return this way that I may see his reply. Forget not to give +him an account of our conversation." + +The confidant took the letter and carried it to the prince, who +answered it immediately. She returned to the jeweller's house to +shew him the answer, which was in these words: + + +The Prince of Persia's Answer to Schemselnihar. + +"Your precious letter has had a great effect upon me, but not so +great as I could have wished. You endeavour to comfort me for the +loss of Ebn Thaher; alas! however sensible I am of this, it is +but the least of my troubles. You know these troubles, and you +know also that your presence alone can cure me. When will the +time come that I shall enjoy it without fear of a separation? How +distant does it seem to me! or shall we flatter ourselves that we +may ever see it? You command me to preserve myself; I will obey +you, since I have renounced my own will to follow only yours. +Adieu." + +After the jeweller had read this letter, he returned it to the +confidant, who said, as she was going away, "I will desire my mistress +to put the same confidence in you that she did in Ebn Thaher. You +shall hear of me to-morrow." Accordingly, next day she returned with a +pleasant countenance. "Your very looks," said he to her, "inform me +that you have brought Schemselnihar to the point you wished." "It is +true," replied the confidant, "and you shall hear how I succeeded. I +found yesterday, on my return, Schemselnihar expecting me with +impatience, I gave her the prince of Persia's letter, and she read it +with tears in her eyes. When she had done, I saw that she had +abandoned herself to her usual sorrow. 'Madam,' said I to her, 'it is +doubtless Ebn Thaher's removal that troubles you; but suffer me to +conjure you in the name of God, to alarm yourself no farther on this +account. We have found another Ebn Thaher, who offers to oblige you +with equal zeal; and, what is yet more important, with greater +courage.' Then I spoke to her of you," continued the slave, "and +acquainted her with the motive which led you to the prince of Persia's +house. In short, I assured her that you would keep inviolably the +secret betwixt her and the prince of Persia, and that you were +resolved to favour their amour with all your might. She seemed to be +much relieved by my discourse. 'Ah! what obligations,' said she, 'are +the prince of Persia and I under to that honest man you speak of! I +must be acquainted with him and see him, that I may hear from his own +mouth what you tell me, and thank him for such unheard-of generosity +towards persons on whose account he is no way obliged to interest +himself. The sight of him will give me pleasure, and I shall omit +nothing to confirm him in those good sentiments. Fail not to bring him +to me to-morrow.' Therefore, sir, be so good as to accompany me to the +palace." + +The confidant's proposal perplexed the jeweller. "Your mistress," +replied he, "must allow me to say that she has not duly +considered what she requires of me. Ebn Thaher's access to the +caliph gave him admission every where; and the officers who knew +him, allowed him free access to Schemselnihar's palace; but as +for me, how dare I enter? You see clearly that it is impossible. +I entreat you to represent to Schemselnihar the reasons which +prevent me from affording her that satisfaction; and acquaint her +with all the ill consequences that would attend my compliance. If +she considered it ever so little, she would find that it would +expose me needlessly to very imminent danger." + +The confidant endeavoured to encourage the jeweller. "Can you +believe," said she, "that Schemselnihar is so unreasonable as to +expose you to the least danger by bringing you to her, from whom +she expects such important services? Consider with yourself that +there is not the least appearance of risk. My mistress and I are +too much interested in this affair to involve you in any danger. +You may depend upon me, and leave yourself to my conduit. After +the thing is over you will be the first to confess that your +apprehensions were groundless." + +The jeweller yielded to the confidant's assurances, and rose up +to follow her, but notwithstanding his boasted courage, he was +seized with such terror that his whole body trembled. "In your +present state," said she, "I perceive it will be better for you +to remain at home, and that Schemselnihar should take other +measures to see you. It is not to be doubted but that to satisfy +her desire she will come hither herself: the case being so, sir, +I would not have you go: I am persuaded it will not be long ere +you see her here." The confidant foresaw this; for she no sooner +informed Schemselnihar of the jeweller's fear, but she prepared +to go to his house. + +He received her with all the expressions of profound respect. +When she sat down, being a little fatigued, she unveiled herself, +and exhibited to the jeweller such beauty as convinced him that +the prince of Persia was excusable in giving his heart to the +caliph's favourite. Then she saluted the jeweller with a graceful +air, and said to him, "I could not hear with what zeal you have +engaged in the prince of Persia's concerns and mine, without +immediately determining to express my gratitude in person. I +thank heaven for having so soon made up to us the loss of Ebn +Thaher." + +Schemselnihar said many other obliging things to the jeweller, +after which she returned to her palace. The jeweller went +immediately to give an account of this visit to the prince of +Persia; who said to him, as soon as he saw him, "I have expected +you impatiently. The trusty slave has brought me a letter from +her mistress, but it does not relieve me. Whatever the lovely +Schemselnihar says, I dare not hope, and my patience is +exhausted; I know not now what measures to pursue; Ebn Thaher's +departure reduces me to despair. He was my only support: in him I +have lost every thing. I had flattered myself with some hopes by +reason of his access to Schemselnihar." + +After these words, which the prince spoke with so much eagerness, +that he gave the jeweller no time to interrupt him, he said to +the prince, "No man can take more interest in your affliction +than I do; and if you will have patience to hear me you will +perceive that I can relieve you." Upon this the prince became +silent, and listened to him. "I see," said the jeweller, "that +the only way to give you satisfaction is to devise a plan that +will afford you an opportunity of conversing freely with +Schemselnihar. This I wish to procure you, and to-morrow will +make the attempt. You must by no means expose yourself to enter +Schemselnihar's palace; you know by experience the danger of that +step. I know a fitter place for this interview, where you will be +safe." When the jeweller had finished, the prince embraced him +with transports of joy. "You revive," said he, "by this promise, +a wretched lover, who was condemned to die. You have fully +repaired the loss of Ebn Thaher; whatever you do will be well +performed; I leave myself entirely to your conduct." + +After the prince had thus thanked him for his zeal, the jeweller +returned home, and next morning Schemselnihar's confidant came to +him. He told her that he had given the prince of Persia hopes +that he should shortly see her mistress. "I am come on purpose," +answered she, "to concert measures with you for that end. I think +this house will be convenient enough for their interview." "I +could receive them very well here," replied he, "but I think they +will have more liberty in another house of mine where no one +resides at present; I will immediately furnish it for their +reception." "There remains nothing then for me to do," replied +the confidant, "but to bring Schemselnihar to consent to this. I +will go and speak to her, and return speedily with an answer." + +She was as diligent as her promise, and returning to the +jeweller, told him that her mistress would not fail to keep the +appointment in the evening. In the mean time she gave him a +purse, and told him it was to prepare a collation. He carried her +immediately to the house where the lovers were to meet, that she +might know whither to bring her mistress: and when she was gone, +he went to borrow from his friends gold and silver plate, +tapestry, rich cushions, and other furniture, with which he +furnished the house very magnificently; and when he had put all +things in order, went to the prince of Persia. + +You may easily conceive the prince of Persia's joy, when the +jeweller told him that he came to conduct him to the house he had +prepared to receive him and Schemselnihar. This news made him +forget all his former trouble. He put on a magnificent robe, and +went without his retinue along with the jeweller; who led him +through several by-streets that nobody might observe them, and at +last brought him to the house, where they conversed together +until Schemselnihar's arrival. + +They did not wait long for this passionate lover. She came after +evening prayer, with her confidant, and two other slaves. It is +impossible to express the excess of joy that seized these two +lovers when they saw one another. They sat down together upon a +sofa, looking upon one another for some time, without being able +to speak, they were so much overjoyed: but when their speech +returned, they soon made up for their silence. They said to each +other so many tender things, as made the jeweller, the confidant, +and the two other slaves weep. The jeweller however restrained +his tears, to attend the collation, which he brought in himself. +The lovers ate and drank little, after which they sat down again +upon the sofa: Schemselnihar asked the jeweller if he had a lute, +or any other instrument, The jeweller, who took care to provide +all that could please her, brought her a lute: she spent some +time in tuning it, and then sung. + +While Schemselnihar was charming the prince of Persia, and +expressing her passion by words composed extempore, a great noise +was heard; and immediately the slave, whom the jeweller had +brought with him, came in great alarm to tell him that some +people were breaking in at the gate; that he asked who they were, +but instead of any answer the blows were redoubled. The jeweller, +being alarmed, left Schemselnihar and the prince to inform +himself of the truth of this intelligence. No sooner had he got +to the court, than he perceived, notwithstanding the darkness of +the night, a company of men armed with spears and cimeters, who +had broken the gate, and came directly towards him. He stood +close to a wall for fear of his life, and saw ten of them pass +without being perceived by them. Finding he could give no great +assistance to the prince of Persia and Schemselnihar, he +contented himself with lamenting their fate, and fled for refuge +to a neighbour's house, who was not yet gone to bed. He did not +doubt but this unexpected violence was by the caliph's order, +who, he thought, had been informed of his favourite's meeting the +prince of Persia there. He heard a great noise in his house, +which continued till midnight: and when all was quiet, as he +thought, he desired his neighbour to lend him a cimeter; and +being thus armed, went on till he came to the gate of his own +house: he entered the court full of fear, and perceived a man, +who asked him who he was; he knew by his voice that it was his +own slave. "How did you manage," said he, "to avoid being taken +by the watch?" "Sir," answered the slave, "I hid myself in a +corner of the court, and I went out as soon as I heard the noise. +But it was not the watch who broke into your house: they were +robbers, who within these few days robbed another house in this +neighbourhood. They doubtless had notice of the rich furniture +you brought hither, and had that in view." + +The jeweller thought his slave's conjecture probable enough. He +entered the house, and saw that the robbers had taken all the +furniture out of the apartment where he received Schemselnihar +and her lover, that they had also carried off the gold and silver +plate, and, in a word, had left nothing. Perceiving this +desolation, he exclaimed, "O heaven! I am irrecoverably ruined! +What will my friends say, and what excuse can I make when I shall +tell them that the robbers have broken into my house, and robbed +me of all they had generously lent me? I shall never be able to +make up their loss. Besides, what is become of Schemselnihar and +the prince of Persia? This business will be so public, that it +will be impossible but it must reach the caliph's ears. He will +get notice of this meeting, and I shall fall a sacrifice to his +fury." The slave, who was very much attached to him, endeavoured +to comfort him. "As to Schemselnihar," said he, "the robbers +would probably consent themselves with stripping her, and you +have reason to think that she is retired to her palace with her +slaves. The prince of Persia too has probably escaped, so that +you have reason to hope the caliph will never know of this +adventure. As for the loss your friends have sustained, that is a +misfortune that you could not avoid. They know very well the +robbers are numerous, that they have not only pillaged the house +I have already spoken of, but many other houses of the principal +noblemen of the court: and they are not ignorant that, +notwithstanding the orders given to apprehend them, nobody has +been yet able to seize any of them. You will be acquitted by +restoring your friends the value of the things that are stolen, +and, blessed be God, you will have enough left." + +While they were waiting for day-light, the jeweller ordered the +slave to mend the street door, which was broken, as well as he +could: after which he returned to his usual residence with his +slave, making melancholy reflections on what had happened. "Ebn +Thaher," said he to himself, "has been wiser than I; he foresaw +the misfortune into which I have blindly thrown myself: would to +God I had never meddled in this intrigue, which will, perhaps, +cost me my life!" + +It was scarcely day when the report of the robbery spread through +the city, and a great many of his friends and neighbours came to +his house to express their concern for his misfortune; but were +curious to know the particulars. He thanked them for their +affection, and had at least the consolation, that he heard no one +mention Schemselnihar or the prince of Persia: which made him +believe they were at their houses, or in some secure place. + +When the jeweller was alone, his servants brought him something +to eat, but he had no appetite. About noon one of his slaves came +to tell him there was a man at the gate, whom he knew not, that +desired to speak with him. The jeweller, not choosing to receive +a stranger into his house, rose up, and went to speak to him. +"Though you do not know me," said the man; "I know you, and I am +come to talk to you about an important affair." The jeweller +desired him to come in. "No," answered the stranger "if you +please, rather take the trouble to go with me to your other +house." "How know you," asked the jeweller, "that I have another +house?" "I know very well," answered the stranger; "follow me, +and do not fear any thing: I have something to communicate which +will please you." The jeweller went immediately with him; and +after he had considered by the way how the house they were going +to had been robbed, he said to him that it was not fit to receive +him. + +When they were before the house, and the stranger saw the gate +half broken down, he said to the jeweller, "I see you have told +me the truth. I will conduct you to a place where we shall be +better accommodated." When he had thus spoken, he went on, and +walked all the rest of the day without stopping. The jeweller +being fatigued with his walk, vexed to see night approach, and +that the stranger went on without telling him where he was going, +began to lose his patience, when they came to a path which led to +the Tigris. As soon as they reached the river, they embarked in a +little boat, and went over. The stranger led the jeweller through +a long street, where he had never been before; and after he had +brought him through several by-streets, he stopped at a gate, +which he opened. He made the jeweller go in before him, he then +shut and bolted the gate, with a huge iron bolt, and conducted +him to a chamber, where there were ten other men, all of them as +great strangers to the jeweller as he who had brought him hither. + +These ten men received him without much ceremony. They desired +him to sit down, of which he had great need; for he was not only +out of breath with walking so far, but his terror at finding +himself with people whom he thought he had reason to fear would +have disabled him from standing. They waited for their leader to +go to supper, and as soon as he came it was served up. They +washed their hands, obliged the jeweller to do the like, and to +sit at table with them. After supper the men asked him, if he +knew whom he spoke to? He answered, "No; and that he knew not the +place he was in." "Tell us your last night's adventure," said +they to him, "and conceal nothing from us." The jeweller, being +astonished at this request, answered, "Gentlemen, it is probable +you know it already." "That is true," replied they; "the young +man and the young lady, who were at your house yesternight, told +it us; but we would know it from your own mouth." The jeweller +needed no more to inform him that he spoke to the robbers who had +broken into and plundered his house. "Gentlemen," said he, "I am +much troubled for that young man and lady; can you give me any +tidings of them?" + +Upon the jeweller's inquiry of the thieves, if they knew any +thing of the young man and the young lady, they answered, "Be not +concerned for them, they are safe and well," so saying, they +shewed him two closets, where they assured him they were +separately shut up. They added, "We are informed you alone know +what relates to them, which we no sooner came to understand, but +we shewed them all imaginable respect, and were so far from doing +them any injury, that we treated them with all possible kindness +on your account. We answer for the same," proceeded they, "for +your own person, you may put unlimited confidence in us." + +The jeweller being encouraged by this assurance, and overjoyed to +hear that the prince of Persia and Schemselnihar were safe, +resolved to engage the robbers yet farther in their interest. He +commended them, flattered them, and gave them a thousand +benedictions. "Gentlemen," said he, "I must confess I have not +the honour to know you, yet it is no small happiness to me that I +am not wholly unknown to you; and I can never be sufficiently +grateful for the favours which that knowledge has procured me at +your hands. Not to mention your great humanity, I am fully +persuaded now, that persons of your character are capable of +keeping a secret faithfully, and none are so fit to undertake a +great enterprise, which you can best bring to a good issue by +your zeal, courage, and intrepidity. Confiding in these +qualities, which are so much your due, I hesitate not to tell you +my whole history, with that of those two persons you found in my +house, with all the fidelity you desire me." + +After the jeweller had thus secured, as he thought, the +confidence of the robbers, he made no scruple to relate to them +the whole amour of the prince of Persia and Schemselnihar, from +the beginning of it to the time he had received them into his +house. + +The robbers were greatly astonished at all the particulars they +heard, and could not forbear exclaiming, "How! is it possible +that the young man should be the illustrious Ali Ebn Becar, +prince of Persia, and the young lady the fair and celebrated +beauty Schemselnihar?" The jeweller assured them nothing was more +certain, and that they need not think it strange, that persons of +so distinguished a character should wish not to be known. + +Upon this assurance of their quality, the robbers went +immediately, one after another, and threw themselves at their +feet, imploring their pardon, and protesting that nothing of the +kind would have happened to them, had they been informed of the +quality of their persons before they broke into the house; and +that they would by their future conduct endeavour to make amends +for the crime they had thus ignorantly committed. Then turning to +the jeweller, they told him, they were heartily sorry they could +not restore to him all that had been taken from him, part of it +being no longer in their possession, but as for what remained, if +he would content himself with his plate, it should be forthwith +put into his hand. + +The jeweller was overjoyed at the favour done him, and after the +robbers had delivered to him the plate, they required of the +prince, Schemselnihar, and him, to promise them upon oath, that +they would not betray them, and they would carry them to a place +whence they might easily return to their respective homes. The +prince, Schemselnihar, and the jeweller, replied, that they might +rely on their words, but since they desired an oath of them, they +solemnly swore not to discover them. The thieves, satisfied with +this, immediately went out with them. + +On the way, the jeweller, uneasy at not seeing the confidant and +the two slaves, came up to Schemselnihar, and begged her to +inform him what was become of them. She answered, she knew +nothing of them, and that all she could tell him was, that she +was carried away from his house, ferried over the river, and +brought to the place from whence they were just come. + +Schemselnihar and the jeweller had no farther conversation; they +let the robbers conduit them with the prince to the river's side, +when the robbers immediately took boat, and carried them over to +the opposite bank. + +While the prince, Schemselnihar, and the jeweller were landing, +they heard the noise of the horse patrol coming towards them, +just as the boat had conveyed the robbers back. + +The commander of the brigade demanded of the prince, +Schemselnihar, and the jeweller, who they were, and whence they +had come so late? Frightened as they were, and apprehensive of +saying any thing that might prejudice them, they could not speak; +but at length it was necessary they should. The jeweller's mind +being most at ease, he said, "Sir, I can assure you, we are +respectable people of the city. The persons who have just landed +us, and are now returned to the other side of the water, are +thieves, who having last night broke open the house where we +were, pillaged it, and afterwards carried us to their quarters, +whence by fair words, we prevailed on them to let us have our +liberty; and they brought us hither. They have restored us part +of the booty they had taken from us." At which words he shewed +the parcel of plate he had recovered. + +The commander, not satisfied with what the jeweller had told him, +came up to him and the prince of Persia, and looking steadfastly +at them, said, "Tell me truly, who is this lady? How came you to +know her?" + +These questions embarrassed them so much that neither of them +could answer; till at length Schemselnihar extricated them from +their difficulty, and taking the commander aside, told him who +she was; which he no sooner heard, than he alighted with +expressions of great respect and politeness, and ordered his men +to bring two boats. + +When the boats were come, he put Schemselnihar into one, and the +prince of Persia and the jeweller into the other, with two of his +people in each boat; with orders to accompany each of them +whithersoever they were bound. The boats took different routes, +but we shall at present speak only of that which contained the +prince and the jeweller. + +The prince, to save his guides trouble, bade them land the +jeweller at his house, naming the place. The guide, by this +direction, stopped just before the caliph's palace, which put +both him and the jeweller into great alarm; for although they had +heard the commander's orders to his men, they could not help +imagining they were to be delivered up to the guard, to be +brought before the caliph next morning. + +This nevertheless was not the intention of the guides. For after +they had landed them, they, by their master's command, +recommended them to an officer of the caliph's guard who assigned +them two soldiers to conduct them by land to the prince's house, +which was at some distance from the river. They arrived there, +but so tired and weary that they could hardly move. + +The prince being come home, with the fatigue of his journey, and +this misadventure to himself and Schemselnihar, which deprived +him of all hope of ever seeing her more, fell into a swoon on his +sofa. While the greatest part of his servants were endeavoring to +recover him, the rest gathered about the jeweller, and begged him +to tell them what had happened to the prince their lord, whose +absence had occasioned them such inexpressible uneasiness. + +While the greatest part of the prince's domestics were +endeavouring to recover him from his swoon, others of them got +about the jeweller, desiring to know what had happened to their +lord. The jeweller, who took care to discover nothing that was +not proper for them to know, told them that it was an +extraordinary case, but that it was not a time to relate it, and +that they would do better to go and assist the prince. By good +fortune the prince came to himself that moment, and those that +but just before required his history with so much earnestness +retreated to a respectful distance. + +Although the prince had in some measure recovered his +recollection, he continued so weak that he could not open his +mouth to speak. He answered only by signs, even to his nearest +relations, when they spoke to him. He remained in this condition +till next morning, when the jeweller came to take leave of him. +He could answer only by a movement of his eyes, and holding out +his right hand; but when he saw he was laden with a bundle of +plate, which the thieves had returned to him, he made a sign to +his servants that they should take it and carry it to his house. + +The jeweller had been expected with great impatience by his +family the day he departed with the stranger; but now he was +quite given over, and it was no longer doubted but some disaster +had befallen him. His wife, children, and servants, were in the +greatest alarm, and lamenting him. When he arrived, their joy was +excessive; yet they were troubled to see that he was so much +altered in the short interval, that he was hardly to be known. +This was occasioned by the great fatigue of the preceding day, +and the fears he had undergone all night, which would not permit +him to sleep. Finding himself much indisposed, he continued at +home two days, and would admit only one of his intimate friends +to visit him. + +The third day, finding himself something better, he thought he +might recover strength by going abroad to take the air; and +therefore went to the shop of a rich merchant of his +acquaintance, with whom he continued long in conversation. As he +was rising to take leave of his friend to return home, he +observed a woman making a sign to him, whom he presently knew to +be the confidant of Schemselnihar. Between fear and joy, he made +what haste he could away, without looking at her; but she +followed him, as he feared she would, the place they were in +being by no means proper to converse in. As he quickened his +pace, she, not being able to overtake him, every now and then +called out to him to stay. + +He heard her; but after what had happened, he did not think fit +to speak to her in public, for fear of giving cause to suspect +that he was connected with Schemselnihar. It was known to every +body in Bagdad, that this woman belonged to her, and executed all +her little commissions. He continued the same pace, and at length +reached a mosque, where he knew but few people came. He entered, +and she followed him, and they had a long conversation together, +without any body overhearing them. + +Both the jeweller and confidant expressed much joy at seeing each +other, after the strange adventure of the robbers, and their +reciprocal apprehension for each other, without regarding their +own particular persons. + +The jeweller wished her to relate to him how she escaped with the +two slaves, and what she knew of Schemselnihar from the time he +lost sight of her; but so great was her eagerness to know what +had happened to him from the time of their unexpected separation, +that he found himself obliged to satisfy her. "Having given you +the detail you desired," said he, "oblige me in your turn," which +she did in the following manner. + +"When I first saw the robbers, I hastily imagined that they were +soldiers of the caliph's guard, and that the caliph being +informed of Schemselnihar's going out, had sent them to put her, +the prince, and all of us to death. Under this impression I +immediately got up to the terrace of your house, when the thieves +entered the apartment where the prince and Schemselnihar were, +and I was soon after followed by that lady's two slaves. From +terrace to terrace, we came at last to a house of very honest +people, who received us with much civility, and with whom we +lodged that night. + +"Next morning, after thanking the master of the house for our +good usage, we returned to Schemselnihar's palace, where we +entered in great disorder and distress, because we could not +learn the fate of the two unfortunate lovers. The other women of +Schemselnihar were astonished to see me return without their +lady. We told them, we had left her at the house of one of her +female friends, and that she would send for us when she wished to +come home; with which excuse they seemed well satisfied. + +"For my part, I spent the day in great uneasiness, and when night +arrived, opening a small private gate, I espied a little boat on +the canal which seemed driven by the stream. I called to the +waterman, and desired him to row up each side of the river, and +look if he could not see a lady; and if he found her, to bring +her along with him. The two slaves and I waited impatiently for +his return, and at length, about midnight, we saw the boat coming +down with two men in it, and a woman lying along in the stern. +When the boat was come up, the two men helped the woman to rise, +and then it was I knew her to be Schemselnihar. I cannot express +my joy at seeing her. + +"I gave my hand to Schemselnihar to help her out of the boat; she +had great need of my assistance, for she could hardly stand. When +she was landed, she whispered me in a tone expressive of her +affliction, and bade me go and take a purse of one thousand +pieces of gold and give it to the two soldiers that had +accompanied her. I left her to the care of the two slaves to +support her, and having ordered the two soldiers to wait for me a +moment, I took the purse, and returned instantly; I gave it to +them, and having paid the waterman, shut the door. + +"I then followed my lady, and overtook her before she had reached +her chamber. We immediately undressed her, and put her to bed, +where she had not long been, before she became so ill that for +the whole of the night we almost despaired of her life. The day +following, her other women expressed a great desire to see her; +but I told them she had been greatly fatigued, and wanted rest. +The other two women and I gave her all the assistance in our +power; but we should have given over every hope of her recovery, +had I not at last perceived that the wine which we every now and +then gave her had a sensible effect in recruiting her strength. +By importunity we at length prevailed with her to eat. + +"When she recovered the use of her speech, for she had hitherto +only wept, groaned, and sighed, I begged of her to tell me how +she had escaped out of the hands of the robbers. 'Why would you +require of me,' said she, with a profound sigh, 'to renew my +grief? Would to God the robbers had taken away my life, rather +than have preserved it; my misfortunes would then have had an +end, whereas I live but to increase my sufferings.' + +"Madam,' I replied, 'I beg you would not refuse me this favour. +You cannot but know that the wretched feel a consolation in +relating their greatest misfortunes; what I ask would alleviate +yours, if you would have the goodness to gratify me.' + +"'Hear then,' said she, 'the most afflicting adventure that could +possibly have happened to one so deeply in love as myself, who +considered myself as at the utmost point of my wishes. You must +know, when I first saw the robbers enter, sword in hand, I +considered it as the last moment of our lives. But death was not +an object of regret, since I thought I was to die with the prince +of Persia. However, instead of murdering us, as I expected, two +of the robbers were ordered to take care of us, whilst their +companions were busied in packing up the goods they found in the +house. When they had done, and got their bundles upon their +backs, they went out, and took us with them. + +"'As we went along, one of those that had charge of us demanded +of me who I was? I answered, I was a dancer. He put the same +question to the prince, who replied, he was a citizen. + +"'When we had reached the place of our destination, a new alarm +seized us. They gathered about us, and after having considered my +dress, and the rich jewels I was adorned with, they seemed to +suspect I had disguised my quality." "Dancers," said they, "do not +use to be dressed as you are. Tell us truly who you are?" + +"'When they saw I made no reply, they asked the prince once more +who he was, for they told him they plainly perceived he was not +the person he pretended to be. He did not satisfy them much more +than I had done; he only told them he came to see the jeweller, +naming him, who was the owner of the house where they found us." +"I know this jeweller," replied one of the rogues, who seemed to +have some authority over the rest: "I owe him some obligations, +which he knows nothing of, and I take upon me to bring him hither +to-morrow morning; but you must not expect," continued he, "to be +released till he arrives and tells us who you are; in the mean +time, I promise you there shall be no injury offered to you." + +"The jeweller was brought next morning, who thinking to oblige +us, as he really did, declared to the robbers the whole truth. +They immediately came and asked my pardon, and I believe did the +like to the prince, who was shut up in another room. They +protested to me, they would not have broken open the house where +we were, had they known it was the jeweller's. They soon after +took us (the prince, the jeweller, and myself), carried us to the +river side, put us aboard a boat, and rowed us across the water; +but we were no sooner landed, than a party of horse-patrol came +up to us. + +"The robbers fled; I took the commander aside, and told him my +name, and that the night before I had been seized by robbers, who +forced me along with them; but having been told who I was, +released me, and the two persons he saw with me, on my account. +He alighted out of respect to me; and expressing great joy at +being able to oblige me, caused two boats to be brought: putting +me and two of his soldiers, whom you have seen, into one, he +escorted me hither: but what is become of the prince and his +friend I cannot tell. + +"'I trust,' added she, melting into tears, 'no harm has befallen +them since our separation; and I do not doubt but the prince's +concern for me is equal to mine for him. The jeweller, to whom we +have been so much obliged, ought to be recompensed for the loss +he has sustained on our account. Fail not, therefore, to take two +purses of a thousand pieces of gold in each, and carry them to +him to-morrow morning in my name, and be sure to inquire after +the prince's welfare.' + +"When my good mistress had done speaking, I endeavoured, as to +the last article of inquiring into the prince's welfare, to +persuade her to endeavour to triumph over her passion, after the +danger she had so lately escaped almost by miracle. 'Make me no +answer,' said she, 'but do what I require.' + +"I was obliged to be silent, and am come hither to obey her +commands. I have been at your house, but not finding you at home, +and uncertain as I was of where you might be found, was about +going to the prince of Persia; but not daring to attempt the +journey, I have left the two purses with a particular friend, and +if you will wait here, I will go and fetch them immediately." + +The confidant soon returned to the jeweller in the mosque, where +she had left him, and giving him the two purses, bade him out of +them satisfy his friends. "They are much more than is necessary," +said he, "but I dare not refuse the present from so good and +generous a lady to her most humble servant; I beseech you to +assure her from me, that I shall preserve an eternal remembrance +of her goodness." He then agreed with the confidant, that she +should find him at the house where she had first seen him, +whenever she had occasion to impart any thing from Schemselnihar, +or to hear any tidings of the prince of Persia: and so they +parted. + +The jeweller returned home well pleased, not only that he had got +wherewithal so fully to satisfy his friends, but also to think +that no person in Bagdad could possibly know that the prince and +Schemselnihar had been in his other house when it was robbed. It +is true, he had acquainted the thieves with it, but on their +secrecy he thought he might very well depend. Next morning he +visited the friends who had obliged him, and found no difficulty +in satisfying them. He had money in hand to furnish his other +house, in which he placed servants. Thus he forgot all his past +danger, and the next evening waited on the prince of Persia. + +The prince's domestics told the jeweller, that he came very +opportunely, as the prince, since he had parted with him, was +reduced to such a state that his life was in danger. They +introduced him softly into his chamber, and he found him in a +condition that excited his pity. He was lying on his bed, with +his eyes closed; but when the jeweller saluted him, and exhorted +him to take courage, he recollected him, opened his eyes, and +gave him a look that sufficiently declared the greatness of his +affliction, infinitely beyond what he felt after he first saw +Schemselnihar. He grasped him by the hand, to testify his +friendship, and told him, in a feeble voice, that he was +extremely obliged to him for coming so far to visit one so +unhappy and wretched. + +"Prince," replied the jeweller, "mention not, I beseech you, any +obligations you owe to me. I wish the good offices I have +endeavoured to do you had had a better effect; but at present, +let us talk only of your health; which, in the state I see you, I +fear you greatly injure by unreasonably abstaining from proper +nourishment." + +The prince's servants took this opportunity to tell him, it was +with the greatest difficulty they had prevailed on their master +to take the smallest refreshment, and that for some time he had +taken nothing. This obliged the jeweller to entreat the prince to +let his servants bring him something to eat. + +After the prince had, through the persuasion of the jeweller, +eaten more than he had hitherto done, he commanded the servants +to leave him alone with his friend. When the room was clear, he +said, "Besides the misfortune that distracts me, I have been +exceedingly concerned to think what a loss you have sustained on +my account; and it is but just I should make you some recompence. +But before I do this, after begging your pardon a thousand times, +I conjure you to tell me whether you have learnt any tidings of +Schemselnihar, since I had the misfortune to be parted from her." + +Here the jeweller, instructed by the confidant, related to him +all that he knew of Schemselnihar's arrival at her palace, her +state of health from that time till she recovered, and how she +had sent her confidant to him to inquire after his welfare. + +To all this the prince replied only by sighs and tears. He made +an effort to get up, and calling his servants, went himself to +his wardrobe, and having caused several bundles of rich furniture +and plate to be packed up, he ordered them to be carried to the +jeweller's house. + +The jeweller would fain have declined this kind offer; but +although he represented that Schemselnihar had already made him +more than sufficient amends for what he had lost, the prince +would be obeyed. The jeweller was therefore obliged to make all +possible acknowledgments, and protested how much he was +confounded at his highness's liberality. He would then have taken +his leave, but the prince desired him to stay, and they passed +good part of the night in conversation. + +Next morning the jeweller waited again on the prince, who made +him sit down by him. "You know," said he, "there is an end +proposed in all things: that which the lover proposes, is to +enjoy the beloved object in spite of all opposition. If once he +loses that hope, he must not think to live. Such is my hard case; +for twice when I have been at the very point of fulfilling my +desires, I have suddenly been torn from her I loved in the most +cruel manner imaginable. It remains for me only to think of +death, and I had sought it, but that our holy religion forbids +suicide; but I need not anticipate it; I need not wait long." +Here he stopped, and vented his passion in groans, sighs, sobs, +and tears, which flowed abundantly. + +The jeweller, who knew no better way of diverting him from his +despair than by bringing Schemselnihar into his mind, and giving +him some shadow of hope, told him, he feared the confidant might +be come from her lady, and therefore it would not be proper to +stay any longer from home. "I will let you go," said the prince, +"but conjure you, that if you see her, you recommend to her to +assure Schemselnihar, that if I die, as I expect to do shortly, I +shall love her to the last moment, even in the grave." + +The jeweller returned home, and waited in expectation of seeing +the confidant, who came some hours after, but all in tears, and +in great affliction. The jeweller alarmed, asked her what was the +matter? She answered, that Schemselnihar, the prince, herself, +and he, were all ruined. "Hear the sad news," said she, "as it +was told me just upon my entering the palace after I had left you. + +"Schemselnihar had for some fault chastised one of the slaves you +saw with her when you met in your other house. The slave, enraged +at the ill treatment, ran immediately away, and finding the gate +open, went out; so that we have just reason to believe she has +discovered all to an eunuch of the guard, who gave her +protection. + +"But this is not all; the other slave her companion has fled too, +and has taken refuge in the caliph's palace. So that we may well +fear she has borne her part in this discovery: for just as I came +away, the caliph had sent twenty of his eunuchs for +Schemselnihar, who have carried her to the palace. I just found +means to come and tell you this. I know not what has passed, yet +I fear no good; but above all, I recommend to you to keep the +secret inviolate." + +The confidant added to what she had related before to the +jeweller, that it was proper he should go immediately and +acquaint the prince with the whole affair, that he might be +prepared for every event, and keep faithful to the common cause. +She went away in haste, without staying for any answer. + +What answer could the jeweller have made in the condition he was +in? He stood motionless as if thunderstruck. He found, however, +that there was no time to be lost, and immediately went to give +the prince information. He addressed him with an air, that +sufficiently shewed the bad news he brought. "Prince," said he, +"arm yourself with courage and patience, and prepare to receive +the most terrible shock that ever you had to encounter." + +"Tell me in a few words," replied the prince, "what is the +matter, without keeping me in suspense; I am, if necessary, +prepared to die." + +Then the jeweller repeated all that he had learnt from the +confidant. "You see," continued he, "your destruction is +inevitable. Rise, save yourself by flight, for the time is +precious. You, of all men, must not expose yourself to the anger +of the caliph, and, less than any, confess in the midst of +torture." + +At these words the prince was ready to expire through grief, +affliction, and fear. However, he recovered himself, and asked +the jeweller what resolution he would advise him to take in this +conjuncture, every moment of which ought to be employed. The +jeweller told him, he thought nothing remained, but that he +should immediately take horse, and hasten away towards Anbar, +that he might get thither before day. "Take what servants and +swift horses you think necessary," continued he, "and suffer me +to escape with you." + +The prince, seeing nothing more to be done, immediately gave +orders to prepare such an equipage as would be least troublesome; +took money and jewels, and having taken leave of his mother, +departed with the jeweller and such servants as he had chosen. + +They travelled all night without stopping, till at length, both +their horses and themselves being spent with so long a journey, +they halted to rest themselves. + +They had hardly alighted before they found themselves surrounded +and assaulted by a band of robbers. They defended their lives for +some time courageously; but at length the prince's servants being +all killed, both he and the jeweller were obliged to yield at +discretion. The robbers, however, spared their dives, but after +they had seized the horses and baggage, they took away their +clothes and left them naked. + +When the thieves were gone, the prince said to the jeweller, +"What think you of our adventure and condition? Had I not better +have tarried in Bagdad, and awaited my death?" "Prince," replied +the jeweller, "it is the decree of Heaven that we should thus +suffer. It has pleased God to add affliction to affliction and +we must not murmur, but receive his chastisements with +submission. Let us stay no longer here, but seek for some retreat +where we may perhaps be relieved." + +"Let me die," said the prince; "for what signifies it whether I +die here or elsewhere. Perhaps while we are talking, +Schemselnihar is no more, and why should I endeavour to live +after she is dead!" The jeweller, by his entreaty, at length +prevailed on him, and they had not gone far before they came to a +mosque, which was open; they entered it, and passed there the +remainder of the night. + +At day-break a man came into the mosque. When he had ended his +prayer, as he turned about to go away, he perceived the prince +and jeweller, who were sitting in a corner. He came up to them, +and after having saluted them with a great deal of civility, +said, "I perceive you are strangers." + +The jeweller answered, "You are not deceived. We have been robbed +to-night in coming from Bagdad, as you may see, and have retired +hither for shelter, but we know not to whom to apply." "If you +think fit to accompany me to my house," answered the man, "I will +give you all the assistance in my power." + +Upon this obliging offer, the jeweller turned to the prince, and +whispered, "This man, as you perceive, sir, does not know us, and +we have reason to fear that somebody else may come who does. We +cannot, I think, refuse his offer." "Do as you please," said the +prince; "I am willing to be guided by your discretion." + +The man observing the prince and jeweller consulting together, +and thinking they made some difficulty to accept his offer, asked +them if they were resolved what to do? The jeweller answered "We +are ready to follow you; all we hesitate about is that we are +ashamed to appear thus naked." + +Fortunately the man had it in his power to cover them +sufficiently till they could get to his house. As soon as they +had entered, he brought a very handsome suit for each of them. As +he thought they must be hungry, and might wish to be alone, he +had several dishes brought to them by a slave; but they ate +little, especially the prince who was so dejected and dispirited, +that he gave the jeweller cause to fear he would die. Their host +visited them several times in the course of the day, and in the +evening, as he knew they wanted rest, he left them early. But he +was no sooner in bed, than the jeweller was forced to call him +again to assist at the death of the prince of Persia. He found +him breathe short, and with difficulty, which gave him reason to +fear he had but few minutes to live. Coming near him, the prince +said, "It is all over, and I am glad you are witness of my last +words. I quit life with a great deal of satisfaction; I need not +tell you the reason, for you know it already. All my concern is, +that I cannot die in the arms of my dear mother, who has always +loved me tenderly, and for whom I had a reciprocal affection. Let +her know how much I was concerned at this, and request her in my +name to have my body removed to Bagdad, that she may have an +opportunity to bedew my tomb with her tears, and assist my +departed soul with her prayers." He then took notice of the +master of the house, and thanked him for his kindness in taking +him in; and after desiring him to let his body rest with him till +it should be conveyed to Bagdad, he expired. + +The day after the prince's death, the jeweller took the +opportunity of a numerous caravan that was going to Bagdad, and +arrived there in safety. He first went home to change his +clothes, and then hastened to the prince's palace, where every +body was alarmed at not seeing the prince with him. He desired +them to acquaint the prince's mother that he wished to speak with +her, and it was not long before he was introduced to her in a +hall, with several of her women about her. "Madam," said he to +her, with an air that sufficiently denoted the ill news he +brought, "God preserve you, and shower down upon you the choicest +of his blessings. You cannot be ignorant that he alone disposes +of us at his pleasure." + +The princess would not permit him to proceed, but exclaimed, +"Alas! you bring me the news of my son's death?" She and her +women at the same time wept and sobbed loudly. At length she +checked her sighs and groans, and begged of him to continue +without concealing from her the least circumstance of such a +melancholy separation. He satisfied her, and when he had done, +she farther demanded of him, if her son the prince had not given +him in charge something more particular in his last moments? He +assured her his last words were, that it was to him the most +afflicting circumstance that he must die so far distant from his +dear mother, and that the only thing he wished was, that she +would have his corpse transported to Bagdad. Accordingly early +next morning the princess set out with her women and great part +of her slaves, to bring her son's body to her own palace. + +When the jeweller, whom she had detained, had seen her depart, he +returned home very sad and melancholy, at the reflection that so +accomplished and amiable a prince was thus cut off in the flower +of his age. + +As he walked towards his house, dejected and musing, he saw a +woman standing before him. He recognized her to be +Schemselnihar's confidant. At the sight of her, his tears began +to flow afresh but he said nothing to her; and going into his own +house, she followed him. + +They sat down; when the jeweller beginning the conversation, +asked the confidant, with a deep sigh, if she had heard of the +death of the prince of Persia, and if it was on his account that +she grieved. "Alas!" answered she, "What! is that charming prince +then dead? He has not lived long after his dear Schemselnihar. +Beauteous souls," continued she, "in whatsoever place ye now are, +ye must be happy that your loves will no more be interrupted. +Your bodies were an obstacle to your wishes; but Heaven has +delivered you from them; ye may now form the closest union." + +The jeweller, who had heard nothing of Schemselnihar's death, and +had not reflected that the confidant was in mourning, suffered +fresh grief at this intelligence. "Is Schemselnihar then dead?" +cried he. "She is," replied the confidant, weeping afresh, "and +it is for her I wear these weeds. The circumstances of her death +were extraordinary," continued she, "and deserve to be known to +you: but before I give you an account of them, I beg you to +acquaint me with those of the prince of Persia, whom, with my +dearest friend and mistress, I shall lament as long as I live." + +The jeweller then gave the confidant the information she desired; +and after he had told her all, even to the departure of the +prince's mother to bring her son's body to Bagdad, she began and +said, "You have not forgotten that I told you the caliph had sent +for Schemselnihar to his palace. He had, as we had every reason +to believe, been informed of the amour betwixt her and the prince +by the two slaves, whom he had examined apart. You may imagine, +he would be exceedingly enraged at Schemselnihar's conduct, and +give striking proofs of his jealousy and of his impending +vengeance against the prince. But this was by no means the case. +He pitied Schemselnihar, and in some measure blamed himself for +what had happened, in giving her so much freedom to walk about +the city without being attended by his eunuchs. This is the only +conclusion that could be drawn from his extraordinary behavior +towards her, as you will hear. + +"He received her with an open countenance; and when he observed +that the melancholy which oppressed her did not lessen her beauty +(for she appeared thus before him without surprise or fear), with +a goodness worthy himself, he said 'Schemselnihar, I cannot bear +your appearing before me thus with an air which gives me infinite +pain. You must needs be sensible how much I have always loved +you, and be convinced of the sincerity of my passion by the +continued demonstrations I have given of it. I can never change +my mind, for I love you more than ever. You have enemies, +Schemselnihar,' proceeded he, 'and those enemies have insinuated +things against your conduct, but all they have said against you +has not made the least impression upon me. Shake off then this +melancholy, and prepare to entertain me this night with some +amusing conversation, after your accustomed manner.' He said many +other obliging things to her, and then desired her to step into a +magnificent apartment near her own, and wait for him. + +"The afflicted Schemselnihar was very sensible of the caliph's +kindness; but the more she thought herself obliged to him, the +more she was concerned that she was so far removed, perhaps for +ever, from her prince, without whom she could not live. + +"This interview between the caliph and Schemselnihar," continued +the confidant, "took place whilst I was come to speak to you, and +I learned the particulars of it from my companions who were +present. But I had no sooner left you," proceeded she, "than I +went to my dear mistress again, and was eye-witness to what +happened in the evening. I found her in the apartment I told you +of; and as she though I came from you, she drew near me, and +whispering me, said, 'I am much obliged to you for the service +you have done me, but I feel it will be the last.' She said no +more; but I was not in a place proper to offer any thing to +comfort her. + +"The caliph was introduced at night with the sound of instruments +which her women played upon, and the collation was immediately +served up. He took his mistress by the hand, and made her sit +down with him on the sofa; she put such a force upon herself to +please him, that she expired a few minutes after. In short, she +was hardly set down, when she fell backwards. The caliph believed +she had only fainted, and so we all thought; but she never +recovered, and in this manner we lost her. + +"The caliph did her the honour to weep over her, not being able +to refrain from tears; and before he left the room ordered all +the musical instruments to be broken; this was immediately done. +I stayed with her corpse all night, and next morning washed and +dressed her for her funeral, bathing her with my tears. The +caliph had her interred in a magnificent tomb he had erected for +her in her lifetime, in a place she had desired to be buried in. +Now since you tell me," said she, "the prince of Persia's body is +to be brought to Bagdad, I will use my best endeavours that he +shall be interred in the same tomb." + +The jeweller was much surprised at this resolution of the +confidant, and said, "Certainly you do not consider that the +caliph will never suffer this?" "You think the thing impossible," +replied she; "it is not. You will alter your opinion when I tell +you that the caliph has given liberty to all her slaves, with a +pension to each for their support. He has committed to me the +care and keeping of my mistress's tomb, and allotted me an annual +income for that purpose, and for my maintenance. Besides, the +caliph, who was not ignorant of the amour between Schemselnihar +and the prince, as I have already told you, without being +offended, will not be sorry if after her death he be buried with +her." To all this the jeweller had not a word to say. He +earnestly entreated the confidant to conduct him to her +mistress's tomb, that he might say his prayers over her. When he +came in sight of it, he was not a little surprised to find a vast +concourse of people of both sexes, who were come thither from all +parts of Bagdad. As he could not come near the tomb, he said his +prayers at a distance; and then going to the confidant, who was +waiting hard by, said to her, "I am now so far from thinking that +what you proposed cannot be put in execution, that you and I need +only publish abroad what we know of the amour of this unfortunate +couple, and how the prince died much about the same time with his +mistress. Before his corpse arrives, all Bagdad will concur to +desire that two such faithful lovers, whom nothing could divide +in affection whilst they lived, should not be separated when +dead." It happened as he said; for as soon as it was known that +the corpse was within a day's journey of the city, an infinite +number of people went above twenty miles to meet it, and +afterwards walked before it till it came to the city gate; where +the confidant, waiting for that purpose, presented herself before +the prince's mother, and begged of her in the name of the whole +city, who earnestly desired it, that she would be pleased to +consent that the bodies of the two lovers, who had but one heart +whilst they lived, from the time their mutual passion commenced, +might be buried in the same tomb. The princess immediately +consented; and the corpse of the prince, instead of being +deposited in his own burying-place, was laid by Schemselnihar's +side, after it had been carried along in procession at the head +of an infinite number of people of all ranks. From that time all +the inhabitants of Bagdad, and even strangers from all parts of +the world where the Mahummedan religion prevails have held that +tomb in the highest veneration, and pay their devotions at it. + + + + + The Story of the Loves of Kummir Al Zummaun, Prince of + the Isles of the Children of Khaledan, and of Badoura, + Princess of China. + + + +About twenty days' sail from the coast of Persia, there are +islands in the main ocean called the Islands of the Children of +Khaledan. These islands are divided into four great provinces, +which have all of them very flourishing and populous cities, +forming together a powerful kingdom. It was formerly governed by +a king named Shaw Zummaun, who had four lawful wives, all +daughters of kings, and sixty concubines. + +Shaw Zummaun thought himself the most happy monarch of the world, +on account of his peaceful and prosperous reign. One thing only +disturbed his happiness; which was, that he was advanced in +years, and had no children, though he had so many wives. He knew +not to what to attribute this barrenness; and what increased his +affliction was, that he was likely to leave his kingdom without a +successor. He dissembled his discontent, and this dissimulation +only heightened his uneasiness. At length he broke silence; and +one day after he had complained bitterly of his misfortune to his +grand vizier, he asked him if he knew any remedy for it? + +That wise minister replied, "If what your majesty requires of me +had depended on the ordinary rules of human wisdom, you had soon +had an answer to your satisfaction; but my experience and +knowledge fall far short of your question. It is to God only that +we can apply in cases of this kind. In the midst of our +prosperities, which often tempt us to forget him, he is pleased +to mortify us in some instance, that we may address our thoughts +to him, acknowledge his omnipotence, and ask of him what we ought +to expect from him alone. Your majesty has subjects," proceeded +he "who make a profession of honouring and serving God, and +suffering great hardships for his sake; to them I would advise +you to have recourse, and engage them, by alms, to join their +prayers with yours. Perhaps some one among them may be so pure +and pleasing to God as to obtain a hearing for your prayers." + +Shaw Zummaun approved this advice, and thanked his vizier. He +immediately caused alms to be given to every community of these +holy men in his dominions: and having sent for the superiors, +declared to them his intention, and desired them to acquaint +their devout men with it. + +The king obtained of Heaven what he requested, for in nine +months' time he had a son by one of his wives. To express his +gratitude to Heaven, he sent fresh alms to the communities of +devotees, and the prince's birth-day was celebrated not only in +his capital, but throughout his dominions, for a whole week. The +prince was brought to him as soon as born, and he found him so +beautiful that he gave him the name of Kummir al Zummaun, or Moon +of the Age. + +He was brought up with all imaginable care; and when he had +arrived at a proper age, his father appointed him an experienced +governor and able preceptors. These persons, distinguished by +their capacity, found in him a ready wit capable of receiving all +the instructions that were proper to be given him, as well in +relation to morals as other knowledge which a prince ought to +possess. As he grew up, he learned all his exercises, and +acquitted himself with such grace and wonderful address, as to +charm all that saw him, and particularly the sultan his father. + +When he had attained the age of fifteen, the sultan, who tenderly +loved him, and gave him every day new marks of his affection, +proposed to afford a still higher demonstration by resigning his +throne to him, and he accordingly acquainted his grand vizier +with his intentions. "I fear," said he, "lest my son should lose +in the inactivity of youth those advantages which nature and my +education have give him; therefore, since I am advanced in age, +and ought to think of retirement I propose to resign the +government to him, and pass the remainder of my days in the +satisfaction of seeing him reign. I have borne the fatigue of a +crown till I am weary of it, and think it is now proper for me to +retire." + +The grand vizier declined offering all the reasons he could have +alleged to dissuade the sultan from such a proceeding; on the +contrary, he appeared to acquiesce with him in his opinion. +"Sir," replied he, "the prince is yet but young, and it would +not, in my humble opinion, be advisable to burden him with the +weight of a crown so soon. Your majesty fears, with great reason, +his youth may be corrupted by indolence: but to avoid this +danger, do not you think it would be proper to marry him? +Marriage forms attachment, and prevents dissipation. Your majesty +might then admit him of your council, where he would learn by +degrees the art of reigning; and so be prepared to receive your +authority, whenever by your own experience you shall think him +qualified." + +Shaw Zummaun approved the advice of his prime minister; and +summoned the prince to appear before him, at the same time that +he dismissed the grand vizier. + +The prince, who had been accustomed to see his father only at +certain times without being sent for, was a little startled at +this summons; when, therefore, he came into his presence, he +saluted him with great respect, and stood with his eyes fixed on +the ground. + +The sultan perceiving his constraint, addressed him with great +mildness, "Do you know, son, for what reason I have sent for +you?" The prince modestly replied, "God alone knows the heart: I +shall hear it from your majesty with pleasure." "I sent for you," +resumed the sultan, "to inform you that it is my intention to +provide a proper marriage for you: what do you think of my +design?" + +The prince heard this with great uneasiness: he was greatly +agitated, and knew not what answer to make. After a few moments +silence, he replied, "Sir, I beseech you to pardon me if I seem +surprised at the declaration you have made. I did not expect such +proposals at my present age. I know not whether I could prevail +on myself to marry, on account of the trouble incident to a +married life, and the many treacheries of women, which I have +read of. I may not be always of the same mind, yet I conceive it +will require time to determine on what your majesty requires of +me." + +The prince's answer extremely afflicted his father. He was not a +little grieved to discover his aversion to marriage; yet would +not charge him with disobedience, nor exert his paternal +authority. He contented himself with telling him, he would not +force his inclinations, but give him time to consider of the +proposal; and reflect, that a prince destined to govern a great +kingdom ought to take some care to leave a successor; and that in +giving himself that satisfaction he communicated it to his +father, who would be glad to see himself revive in his son and +his issue. + +Shaw Zummaun said no more to the prince but admitted him into his +council, and gave him every reason to be satisfied. At the end of +the year he took him aside, and said to him; "My son, have you +thoroughly considered what I proposed to you last year about +marrying? Will you still refuse me that pleasure I expect from +your obedience, and suffer me to die without affording me that +satisfaction?" + +The prince seemed less disconcerted than before; and was not long +answering his father to this effect: "Sir, I have not neglected +to consider of your proposal; but after the maturest reflection +find myself more confirmed in my resolution to continue in a +state of celibacy. The infinite mischief which women have caused +in the world, and which are on record in our histories, and the +accounts I daily hear to their disadvantage, are the motives +which powerfully influence me against having any thing to do with +them; so that I hope your majesty will pardon me if I presume to +tell you, it will be in vain to solicit me any further upon this +subject." As soon as he had thus spoken, he quitted the sultan +abruptly without waiting his answer. + +Any monarch but Shaw Zummaun would have been angry at such +freedom in a son, and would have made him repent; but he loved +him, and preferred gentle methods before he proceeded to +compulsion. He communicated this new cause of discontent to his +prime minister. "I have followed your advice," said he, "but +Kummir al Zummaun is farther than ever from complying with my +desires. He delivered his determination in such free terms, that +it required all my reason and moderation to keep my temper. +Fathers who so earnestly desire children as I did this son are +fools, who seek to deprive themselves of that rest which it is in +their own power to enjoy without control. Tell me, I beseech you, +how I shall reclaim a disposition so rebellious to my will?" + +"Sir," answered the grand vizier, "patience brings many things +about that before seemed impracticable; but it may be this affair +is of a nature not likely to succeed that way. Your majesty will +have no cause to reproach yourself for precipitation, if you +would give the prince another year to consider your proposal. If +in this interval he return to his duty, you will have the greater +satisfaction, as you will have employed only paternal love to +induce him; and if he still continue averse when this is expired, +your majesty may in full council observe, that it is highly +necessary for the good of the state that he should marry; and it +is not likely he will refuse to comply before so grave an +assembly, which you honour with your presence." + +The sultan, who so anxiously desired to see his son married, +thought this long delay an age; however, though with much +difficulty, he yielded to his grand vizier's reasons, which he +could not disapprove. + +After the grand vizier was gone, the sultan went to the apartment +of the mother of prince Kummir al Zummaun, to whom he had often +expressed his desire to see the prince married. When he had told +her, with much concern, how his son had a second time refused to +comply with his wishes, and the indulgence which, by the advice +of his grand vizier, he was inclined to shew him; he said, "I +know he has more confidence in you than he has in me, and will be +more likely to attend to your advice. I therefore desire you +would take an opportunity to talk to him seriously, and urge upon +him, that if he persists in his obstinacy, he will oblige me to +have recourse to measures which would be disagreeable to me, and +which would give him cause to repent having disobeyed me." + +Fatima, for so was the lady called, told the prince the first +time she saw him, that she had been informed of his second +refusal to marry; and how much chagrin his resolution had +occasioned his father. "Madam," replied the prince, "I beseech +you not to renew my grief upon that head. I fear, under my +present uneasiness, something may escape me, which may not be +consistent with the respect I owe you." Fatima judged from this +answer that this was not a proper time to speak to him, and +therefore deferred what she had to say to another opportunity. + +Some considerable time after, Fatima thought she had found a more +favourable season, which gave her hopes of being heard upon that +subject. "Son," said she, "I beg of you, if it be not +disagreeable, to tell me what reason you have for your great +aversion to marriage? If it be the wickedness of some women, +nothing can be more unreasonable and weak. I will not undertake +the defence of those that are bad; there are a great number of +them undoubtedly; but it would be the height of injustice on +their account to condemn all the sex. Alas! my son, you have in +your books read of many bad women, who have occasioned great +mischief, and I will not excuse them: but you do not consider how +many monarchs, sultans, and other princes there have been in the +world, whose tyrannies, barbarities, and cruelties astonish those +that read of them, as well as myself. Now, for one wicked woman, +you will meet with a thousand tyrants and barbarians; and what +torment do you think must a good woman undergo, who is matched +with any of these wretches?" + +"Madam," replied the prince, "I doubt not there are a great +number of wise, virtuous, good, affable, and well-behaved women +in the world; would to God they all resembled you! But what +deters me is, the hazardous choice a man is obliged to make, and +oftentimes one has not the liberty of following his inclination. + +"Let us suppose then, madam," continued he, "that I had a mind to +marry, as the sultan my father so earnestly desires; what wife, +think you, would he be likely to provide for me? Probably a +princess whom he would demand of some neighbouring prince, and +who would think it an honour done him to send her. Handsome or +ugly, she must be taken; nay, suppose no other princess excelled +her in beauty, who can be certain that her temper would be good; +that she would be affable, complaisant, easy, obliging, and the +like? That her conversation would generally turn on solid +subjects, and not on dress, fashions, ornaments, and a thousand +such fooleries, which would disgust any man of sense? In a word, +that she would not be haughty, proud, arrogant, impertinent, +scornful, and waste an estate in frivolous expenses, such as gay +clothes, jewels, toys, and foolish mistaken magnificence? + +"You see, madam," continued he, "by one single article, how many +reasons a man may have to be disgusted at marriage. Let this +princess be ever so perfect, accomplished, and irreproachable in +her conduct, I have yet a great many more reasons not to alter my +opinion and resolution." + +"What, son," exclaimed Fatima; "have you then more reasons after +those you have already alleged? I do not doubt of being able to +answer them, and stop your mouth with a word." "You may proceed, +madam," returned the prince, "and perhaps I may find a reply to +your answer." + +"I mean, son," said Fatima, "that it is easy for a prince, who +has had the misfortune to marry such a wife as you describe, to +get rid of her, and take care that she may not ruin the state." +"Ah, madam," replied the prince, "but you do not consider what a +mortification it would be to a person of my quality to be obliged +to come to such an extremity. Would it not have been more for his +honour and quiet that he had never run such a risk?" + +"But, son," said Fatima once more, "as you take the case, I +apprehend you have a mind to be the last king of your race, who +have reigned so long and gloriously over the isles of the +children of Khaledan?" + +"Madam," replied the prince, "for myself I do not desire to +survive the king my father; and if I should die before him, it +would be no great matter of wonder, since so many children have +died before their parents. But it is always glorious to a race of +kings, that it should end with a prince worthy to be so, as I +should endeavour to make myself like my predecessors, and like +the first of our race." + +From that time Fatima had frequent conferences with her son the +prince on the same subject; and she omitted no opportunity or +argument to endeavour to root out his aversion to the fair sex; +but he eluded all her reasonings by such arguments as she could +not well answer, and continued unaltered. + +The year expired, and, to the great regret of the sultan, prince +Kummir al Zummaun gave not the least proof of having changed his +sentiments. One day, therefore, when there was a great council +held, the prime vizier, the other viziers, the principal officers +of the crown, and the generals of the army being present, the +sultan thus addressed the prince: "My son, it is now a long while +since I expressed to you my earnest desire to see you married, +and I imagined you would have had more complaisance for a father, +who required nothing unreasonable of you, than to oppose him so +long. But after such a resistance on your part, which has almost +worn out my patience, I have thought fit to propose the same +thing once more to you in the presence of my council. It is not +merely to oblige a parent that you ought to have acceded to my +wish, the well-being of my dominions requires your compliance, +and this assembly join with me in expecting it: declare yourself, +then; that your answer may regulate my proceedings." + +The prince answered with so little reserve, or rather with so +much warmth, that the sultan, enraged to see himself thwarted by +him in full council, exclaimed, "How, unnatural son! have you the +insolence to talk thus to your father and sultan?" He ordered the +guards to take him away, and carry him to an old tower that had +been long unoccupied; where he was shut up, with only a bed, a +little furniture, some books, and one slave to attend him. + +Kummir al Zummaun, thus deprived of liberty, was nevertheless +pleased that he had the freedom to converse with his books, which +made him regard his confinement with indifference. In the evening +he bathed and said his prayers; and after having read some +chapters in the Koraun, with the same tranquillity of mind as if +he had been in the sultan's palace, he undressed himself and went +to bed, leaving his lamp burning by him while he slept. + +In this tower was a well, which served in the daytime for a +retreat to a certain fairy, named Maimoune, daughter of Damriat, +king or head of a legion of genies. It was about midnight when +Maimoune sprung lightly to the mouth of the well, to wander about +the world after her wonted custom, where her curiosity led her. +She was surprised to see a light in the prince's chamber. She +entered, and without stopping at the slave who lay at the door, +approached the bed. + +The prince had but half covered his face with the bed-clothes, +which Maimoune lifted up, and perceived the finest young man she +had ever seen in her rambles through the world. "What beauty, or +rather what prodigy of beauty," said she within herself, "must +this youth appear, when the eyes, concealed by such well-formed +eyelids, shall be open? What crime can he have committed, that a +man of his high rank can deserve to be treated thus rigorously?" +for she had already heard his story, and could hardly believe it. + +She could not forbear admiring the prince, till at length having +kissed him gently on both cheeks, and in the middle of the +forehead, without waking him, she laid the bed-clothes in the +order they were in before, and took her flight into the air. As +she was ascending into the middle region, she heard a great +flapping of wings, towards which she directed her course; and +when she approached, she knew it was a genie who made the noise, +but it was one of those that are rebellious against God. As for +Maimoune, she belonged to that class whom the great Solomon had +compelled to acknowledge him. + +This genie, whose name was Danhasch, and son of Schamhourasch, +knew Maimoune, and was seized with fear, being sensible how much +power she had over him by her submission to the Almighty. He +would fain have avoided her, but she was so near him, he must +either fight or yield. He therefore broke silence first. + +"Brave Maimoune," said he, in the tone of a suppliant, "swear to +me in the name of the great God, that you will not hurt me; and I +swear also on my part not to do you any harm." + +"Cursed genie," replied Maimoune, "what hurt canst thou do me? I +fear thee not; but I will grant thee this favour; I will swear +not to do thee any harm. Tell me then, wandering spirit, whence +thou comest, what thou hast seen, and what thou hast done this +night?" "Fair lady," answered Danhasch, "you meet me in a good +time to hear something very wonderful." + +Danhasch, the genie rebellious against God, proceeded and said to +Maimoune, "Since you desire, I will inform you that I have come +from the utmost limits of China, which comprise the remotest +islands of this hemisphere. . . . . But, charming Maimoune," said +Danhasch, who trembled with fear at the sight of this fairy, so +that he could hardly speak, "promise me at least you will forgive +me, and let me proceed after I have satisfied your request." + +"Go on, cursed spirit," replied Maimoune; "go on, and fear +nothing. Dost thou think I am as perfidious as thyself, and +capable of breaking the solemn oath I have made? Be sure you +relate nothing but what is true, or I shall clip thy wings, and +treat thee as thou deserves." + +Danhasch, a little encouraged by the words of Maimoune, said, "My +dear lady, I will tell you nothing but what is strictly true, if +you will but have the goodness to hear me. The country of China, +from whence I come, is one of the largest and most powerful +kingdoms of the earth, on which depend the remotest islands of +this hemisphere, as I have already told you. The king of this +country is at present Gaiour, who has an only daughter, the +finest woman that ever was seen in the world since it has been a +world. Neither you nor I, neither your class nor mine, nor all +our respective genies, have expressions forcible enough, nor +eloquence sufficient to convey an adequate description of her +charms. Her hair is brown, and of such length as to trail on the +ground; and so thick, that when she has fastened it in buckles on +her head, it may be fitly compared to one of those fine clusters +of grapes whose fruit is so very large. Her forehead is as smooth +as the best polished mirror, and admirably formed. Her eyes are +black, sparkling, and full of fire. Her nose is neither too long +nor too short, and her mouth small and of a vermilion colour. Her +teeth are like two rows of pearls, and surpass the finest in +whiteness. When she moves her tongue to speak, she utters a sweet +and most agreeable voice; and expresses herself in such terms, as +sufficiently indicate the vivacity of her wit. The whitest +alabaster is not fairer than her neck. In a word, by this +imperfect sketch, you may guess there is no beauty likely to +exceed her in the world. + +"Any one that did not know the king, the father of this +incomparable princess, would be apt to imagine, from the great +respect and kindness he shews her, that he was enamoured with +her. Never did a lover more for the most beloved mistress than he +has been seen to do for her. The most violent jealousy never +suggested such measures as his care has led him to adopt, to keep +her from every one but the man who is to marry her: and that the +retreat in which he has resolved to place her may not seem +irksome, he has built for her seven palaces, the most +extraordinary and magnificent that ever were known. + +"The first palace is of rock crystal, the second of brass, the +third of fine steel, the fourth of another kind of brass more +valuable than the former and also than steel, the fifth of +touchstone, the sixth of silver, and the seventh of massive gold. +He has furnished these palaces most sumptuously, each in a manner +corresponding to the materials of the structure. He has +embellished the gardens with parterres of grass and flowers, +intermixed with pieces of water, water-works, jets d'eau, canals, +cascades, and several great groves of trees, where the eye is +lost in the perspective, and where the sun never enters, and all +differently arranged. King Gaiour, in a word, has shewn that his +paternal love has led him to spare no expense. + +"Upon the fame of this incomparable princess's beauty, the most +powerful neighbouring kings have sent ambassadors to solicit her +in marriage. The king of China received them all in the same +obliging manner; but as he resolved not to marry his daughter +without her consent, and she did not like any of the parties, the +ambassadors were forced to return as they came, as to the subject +of their embassy; they were perfectly satisfied with the great +honours and civilities they had received. + +"'Sir,' said the princess to the king her father, 'you have an +inclination to see me married, and think to oblige me by it; but +where shall I find such stately palaces and delicious gardens as +are furnished me by your majesty? Through your good pleasure I am +under no constraint, and have the same honours shewn to me as are +paid to yourself. These are advantages I cannot expect to find +any where else, whoever may be my husband; men love to be +masters, and I have no inclination to be commanded.' + +"After several other embassies on the same occasion, there +arrived one from a king more opulent and powerful than any of the +preceding. This prince the king of China recommended to his +daughter for her husband, urging many forcible arguments to shew +how much it would be to her advantage to accept him, but she +entreated her father to excuse her compliance for the reasons she +had before urged. He pressed her; but instead of consenting, she +lost all the respect due to the king her father: 'Sir,' said +she, in anger, 'talk to me no more of this or any other match, +unless you would have me plunge this dagger in my bosom, to +deliver myself from your importunities.' + +"The king, greatly enraged, said, 'Daughter, you are mad, and I +must treat you accordingly.' In a word, he had her shut up in a +single apartment of one of his palaces, and allowed her only ten +old women to wait upon her, and keep her company, the chief of +whom had been her nurse That the kings his neighbours, who had +sent embassies to him on her account, might not think any more of +her, he despatched envoys to them severally, to let them know how +averse his daughter was to marriage; and as he did not doubt but +she was really mad, he charged them to make known in every court, +that if there were any physician that would undertake to cure +her, he should, if he succeeded, have her for his pains. + +"Fair Maimoune," continued Danhasch, "all that I have told you is +true; and I have gone every day regularly to contemplate this +incomparable beauty, to whom I would be sorry to do the least +harm, notwithstanding my natural inclination to mischief. Come +and see her, I conjure you; it would be well worth your while. +When you have seen from your own observation that I am no liar, I +am persuaded you will think yourself obliged to me for the sight +of a princess unequalled in beauty." + +Instead of answering Danhasch, Maimoune burst out into violent +laughter, which lasted for some time; and Danhasch, not knowing +what might be the occasion of it, was astonished beyond measure. +When she had done laughing, she exclaimed, "Good, good, very +good! You would have me then believe all you have told me? I +thought you designed to tell me something surprising and +extraordinary, and you have been talking all this while of a mad +woman. Fie, fie! what would you say, cursed genie, if you had +seen the beautiful prince from whom I am just come, and whom I +love as he deserves. I am confident you would soon give up the +contest, and not pretend to compare your choice with mine." + +"Agreeable Maimoune," replied Danhasch, "may I presume to ask who +this prince you speak of is?" "Know," answered Maimoune, "the +same thing has happened to him as to your princess. The king his +father would have married him against his will; but after much +importunity, he frankly told him he would have nothing to do with +a wife. For this reason he is at this moment imprisoned in an old +tower where I reside." + +"I will not absolutely contradict you," replied Danhasch; "but, +my pretty lady, you must give me leave to be of opinion, till I +have seen your prince, that no mortal upon earth can equal my +princess in beauty." "Hold thy tongue, cursed sprite," replied +Maimoune. "I tell thee once more thou art wrong." "I will not +contend with you," said Danhasch, "but the way to be convinced, +whether what I say be true or false, is to accept of my proposal +to go and see my princess, and after that I will go with you to +your prince." + +"There is no need I should be at so much trouble," replied Maimoune; +"there is another way to satisfy us both; and that is, for you to +bring your princess, and place her at my prince's bed-side: by this +means it will be easy for us to compare them together, and determine +the dispute." + +Danhasch consented, and determined to set out immediately for +China. But Maimoune drew him aside, and told him, she must first +shew him the tower whither he was to bring the princess. They +flew together to the tower, and when Maimoune had strewn it to +Danhasch, she cried, "Go fetch your princess, and do it quickly, +you will find me here." + +Danhasch left Maimoune, and flew towards China, whence he soon +returned with incredible speed, bringing the fair princess along +with him asleep. Maimoune received him, and introduced him into +the chamber of Kummir al Zummaun, where they placed the princess +by the prince's side. + +When the prince and princess were thus laid together, there arose +a sharp contest between the genie and the fairy about the +preference of their beauty. They were some time admiring and +comparing them without speaking; at length Danhasch said to +Maimoune, "You see, and I have already told you, my princess was +handsomer than your prince; now, I hope, you are convinced." + +"How! convinced!" replied Maimoune; "I am not convinced, and you +must be blind, if you cannot see that my prince excels in the +comparison. That the princess is fair, I do not deny; but if you +compare them together without prejudice, you will soon see the +difference." + +"How much soever I may compare them," returned Danhasch, "I shall +never change my opinion. I saw at first sight what I now behold, +and time will not make me see differently: however, this shall +not hinder my yielding to you, charming Maimoune, if you desire +it." "What! have you yield to me as a favour! I scorn it," said +Maimoune, "I would not receive a favour at the hand of such a +wicked genie. I will refer the matter to an umpire, and if you do +not consent, I shall win by your refusal." + +Danhasch, who was ready to have shewn a different kind of +complaisance, no sooner gave his consent, than Maimoune stamped with +her foot. The earth opened, and out came a hideous, hump-backed, +squinting, and lame genie, with six horns upon his head, and claws on +his hands and feet. As soon as he was come out, and the earth had +closed, perceiving Maimoune, he threw himself at her feet, and then +rising on one knee, inquired her commands. + +"Rise, Caschcasch," said Maimoune, "I brought you hither to +determine a difference between me and this cursed Danhasch. Look +on that bed, and tell me without partiality who is the handsomer +of those two that lie there asleep, the young man or the young +lady." + +Caschcasch looked on the prince and princess with great +attention, admiration, and surprise; and after he had considered +them a good while, without being able to determine, he turned to +Maimoune, and said, "Madam, I must confess I should deceive you, +and betray myself, if I pretended to say one was handsomer than +the other. The more I examine them, the more clearly it appears +to me each possesses, in a sovereign degree, the beauty of which +both partake. Neither of them appears to have the least defect, +to yield to the other the palm of superiority; but if there be +any difference, the best way to determine it is, to awaken them +one after the other, and to agree that the person who shall +express most love for the other by ardour, eagerness, and +passion, shall be deemed to have in some respect less beauty." + +This proposal of Caschcasch's pleased both Maimoune and Danhasch. +Maimoune then changed herself into a flea, and leaping on the +prince's neck, stung him so smartly, that he awoke, and put up +his hand to the place; but Maimoune skipped away, and resumed her +pristine form, which, like those of the two genies, was +invisible, the better to observe what he would do. + +In drawing back his hand, the prince chanced to let it fall on +that of the princess of China. He opened his eyes, and was +exceedingly surprised to find lying by him a lady of the greatest +beauty. He raised his head, and leaned on his elbow, the better +to observe her. Her blooming youth and incomparable beauty fired +him in a moment with a flame of which he had never yet been +sensible, and from which he had hitherto guarded himself with the +greatest attention. + +Love seized on his heart in the most lively manner, and he +exclaimed, "What beauty! what charms! my heart! my soul!" As he +spoke he kissed her forehead, her cheeks, and her mouth with so +little caution, that he would have awakened her, had she not +slept sounder than ordinary, through the enchantment of Danhasch. + +"How!" said the prince, "do you not awake at these testimonies of +love?" He was going to awake her, but suddenly refrained. "Is not +this she," said he, "that the sultan my father would have had me +marry? He was in the wrong not to let me see her sooner. I should +not have offended him by my disobedience and passionate language +to him in public, and he would have spared himself the confusion +which I have occasioned him." + +The prince began to repent sincerely of the fault he had +committed, and was once more on the point of awaking the princess +of China. "It may be," said he, "that the sultan my father has a +mind to surprise me; and has sent this young lady to try if I had +really that aversion to marriage which I pretended. Who knows but +he has brought her himself, and is hidden behind the hangings, to +observe me, and make me ashamed of my dissimulation? The second +fault would be greater than the first. At all events, I will +content myself with this ring, as a remembrance of her." + +He then gently drew off a ring which the princess had on her +finger, and immediately replaced it with one of his own. After +this he fell into a more profound sleep than before, through the +enchantment of the genies. + +Danhasch now transformed himself into a flea in his turn, and bit +the princess so rudely on the lip, that she awoke, started up, +and on opening her eyes, was not a little surprised to see a man +lying by her side. From surprise she proceeded to admiration, and +from admiration to a transport of joy, at beholding so beautiful +and lovely a youth. + +"What!" cried she, "is it you the king my father has designed me +for a husband? Would that I had known it, for then I should not +have displeased him, nor been deprived of a husband whom I cannot +forbear loving. Wake then, awake!" + +So saying, she took the prince by the arm, and shook him so +violently, that he would have awaked, had not Maimoune increased +his sleep by her enchantment. She shook him several times, and +finding he did not awake, exclaimed, "What is come to thee? what +jealous rival, envying thy happiness and mine, has had recourse +to magic to throw thee into this unconquerable drowsiness when +thou shouldst be most awake?" Tired at length with her fruitless +endeavours to awaken the prince; "Since," said she, "I find it is +not in my power to awake thee, I will no longer disturb thy +repose, but wait our next meeting." After having kissed his +cheek, she lay down and fell asleep by enchantment. + +Maimoune now cried out to Danhasch, "Ah, cursed genie, art thou +not now convinced how much thy princess is inferior to my prince? +Another time believe me when I assert any thing." Then turning to +Caschcasch, "As for you," said she, "I thank you for your +trouble; take the princess, in conjunction with Danhasch, and +convey her back again to her bed, from whence he has taken her." +Danhasch and Caschcasch did as they were commanded, and Maimoune +retired to her well. + +Kummir al Zummaun on waking next morning, looked if the lady whom +he had seen the night before were by him. When he found she was +gone, he cried out, "I thought indeed this was a trick the king +my father designed to play me. I am glad I was aware of it." He +then awaked the slave, who was still asleep, and after he had +washed and said his prayers, took a book and read some time. + +After these usual exercises, he called the slave, and said to +him, "Come hither, and be sure you do not tell me a lie. How came +the lady hither who lay with me to-night, and who brought her?" + +"My lord," answered the slave with great astonishment, "I know +not what lady your highness speaks of." "I speak," said the +prince, "of her who came, or rather was brought hither, and lay +with me to-night." "My lord," replied the slave, "I swear I know +of no such lady; and how should she come in without my knowledge, +since I lay at the door?" + +"You are a lying knave," replied the prince, "and in the plot to +vex and provoke me." He then gave him a box on the ear, which +knocked him down; and after having stamped upon him for some +time, he tied the well-rope under his arms, and plunged him +several times into the water, neck and heels. "I will drown +thee," cried he, "if thou dost not tell me directly who this lady +was, and who brought her." + +The slave, perplexed and half dead, said within himself, "The +prince must have lost his senses through grief, and I shall not +escape if I do not tell him a falsehood. My lord," cried he, in a +suppliant tone, "I beseech your highness to spare my life, and I +will tell you the truth." + +The prince drew the slave up, and pressed him to tell him. As +soon as he was out of the well, "My lord," said he, trembling, +"your highness must perceive it is impossible for me to satisfy +you in my present condition; I beg you to give me leave first to +go and change my clothes." "I permit you, but do it quickly," +said the prince; "and be sure you conceal nothing." + +The slave went out, and having locked the door upon the prince, +ran to the palace just as he was. The king was at that time in +discourse with his prime vizier, to whom he had just related the +grief in which he had passed the night on account of his son's +disobedience and opposition to his will. + +The minister endeavoured to comfort his master, by telling him, +the prince himself had given him cause for his severity. "Sir," +said he, "your majesty need not repent of having treated your son +in this manner. Have but patience to let him continue a while in +prison, and assure yourself his heat will abate, and he will +submit to all you require." + +The grand vizier had but just done speaking when the slave came +in, and cast himself at the feet of the sovereign. "My lord," +said he, "I am sorry to be the messenger of ill news to your +majesty, which I know must occasion you fresh affliction. The +prince is distracted; he raves of a lady having lain with him all +night, and his treatment of me, as you may see, too plainly +proves the state of his mind." Then he proceeded to relate the +particulars of what the prince had said, and the violence with +which he had been treated. + +The king, who did not expect to hear any thing of this afflicting +kind, said to the prime minister, "This is a melancholy turn, +very different from the hopes you gave me: go immediately and +examine the condition of my son." + +The grand vizier obeyed; and coming into the prince's chamber, +found him sitting on his bed with a book in his hand, which he +was reading. + +After mutual salutations, the vizier said, "My lord, I wish that +a slave of yours were punished for coming to alarm the king your +father by news that he has brought him." + +"What is it," demanded the prince, "that could give my father so +much uneasiness?" + +"Prince," answered the vizier, "God forbid that the intelligence +he has conveyed to your father concerning you should be true; +indeed, I find it to be false, by the calm temper in which I +observe you, and which I pray you to continue." + +"It may be," replied the prince, "he did not make himself well +understood; but since you are come, who ought to know something +of the matter, permit me to ask you who that lady was that lay +with me last night?" + +The grand vizier was thunderstruck at this question; he recovered +himself and said, "My lord, be not surprised at my astonishment +at your question. Is it possible, that a lady or any other person +should penetrate by night into this place without entering at the +door, and walking over the body of your slave? I beseech you, +recollect yourself, and you will find it is only a dream which +has made this impression on you." + +"I give no ear to what you say," replied the prince, raising his +voice. "I must know from you absolutely what is become of the +lady; and if you hesitate, I am in a place where I shall soon be +able to force you to obey me." + +At this stern language, the grand vizier began to feel more +alarmed than before, and to think how he could extricate himself. +He endeavoured to pacify the prince, and begged of him, in the +most humble and guarded manner, to tell him if he had seen this +lady. + +"Yes, yes," answered the prince, "I have seen her, and am very +well satisfied you sent her here to tempt me. She played the part +in which you had instructed her admirably well. She pretended to +be asleep, and I had no sooner fallen into a slumber, than she +arose and left me. You know all this; for I doubt not she has +been to make her report to you." + +"My lord," replied the vizier, "I swear to you nothing of this +kind has been acted; neither your father nor I sent this lady you +speak of; permit me therefore once more to suggest to your +highness, that you have only seen this lady in a dream." + +"Do you come to affront and contradict me," said the prince in a +rage, "and to tell me to my face, that what I have told you is a +dream?" At the same time he took him by the beard, and loaded him +with blows, as long as he could stand. + +The grand vizier endured with respectful patience all the +violence of the prince's indignation, and could not help saying +within himself, "Now am I in as bad a condition as the slave, and +shall think myself happy, if I can, like him, escape from any +further danger." In the midst of repeated blows, he cried out but +for a moment's audience, which the prince, after he had nearly +tired himself with beating him, consented to give him. + +"I own, my prince," said the grand vizier dissembling, "there is +something in what your highness suspects; but you cannot be +ignorant of the necessity a minister is under to obey his royal +master's commands: yet, if you will but be pleased to set me at +liberty, I will go and tell him any thing on your behalf that you +shall think fit to require." "Go then," said the prince, "and +tell him from me, if he pleases, I will marry the lady he sent +me, or, rather, that was brought to me last night. Do this +immediately, and bring me a speedy answer." The grand vizier made +a profound reverence and went away, not thinking himself +altogether safe till he had got out of the tower, and had closed +the door on the prince. + +He came and presented himself before Shaw Zummaun, with a +countenance that sufficiently shewed he had been ill used, and +which the king could not behold without concern. "Well," said the +king, "in what condition did you find my son?" "Sir," answered +the vizier, "what the slave reported to your majesty is but too +true." He then began to relate his interview with the prince, how +he flew into a passion upon his endeavouring to persuade him it +was impossible the lady he spoke of should have been introduced; +the ill treatment he had received from him; how he had used him, +and by what means he had made his escape. + +The king, the more concerned as he loved the prince with +excessive tenderness, resolved to find out the truth, and +therefore proposed to go himself and see his son in the tower, +accompanied by the grand vizier. + +The prince received his father in the tower, where he was +confined, with great respect. The king put several questions to +him, which he answered calmly. The king every now and then looked +on the grand vizier, as intimating he did not find his son had +lost his wits, but rather thought he had lost his. + +The king at length spoke of the lady to the prince. "My son," +said he, "I desire you to tell me what lady it was who lay with +you last night." + +"Sir," answered the prince, "I beg of your majesty not to give me +more vexation on that head, but rather to oblige me by letting me +have her in marriage; whatever aversion I may hitherto have +discovered for women, this young lady has charmed me to that +degree, that I cannot help confessing my weakness. I am ready to +receive her at your majesty's hands, with the deepest gratitude." + +Shaw Zummaun was surprised at this answer of the prince, so +remote, as he thought, from the good sense he had strewn before. +"My son," said he, "you fill me with the greatest astonishment by +what you say: I swear to you I know nothing of the lady you +mention; and if any such has come to you, it was without my +knowledge or privily. But how could she get into this tower +without my consent? For whatever my grand vizier told you, it was +only to appease your anger, it must therefore be a mere dream; +and I beg of you not to believe otherwise, but recover your +senses." + +"Sir," replied the prince, "I should be for ever unworthy of your +majesty's favour, if I did not give entire credit to what you are +pleased to say but I humbly beseech you at the same time to give +a patient hearing to what I shall relate, and then to judge +whether what I have the honour to tell you be a dream or not." + +The prince then related to his father how he had been awaked, +exaggerating the beauty and charms of the lady he found by his +side, the instantaneous love he conceived for her, and the pains +he took to awaken her without effect. Shewing the king the ring +he had taken from her finger he added, "After this, I hope you +will be convinced that I have not lost my senses, as you have +been almost made to believe." + +Shaw Zummaun was so perfectly convinced of the truth of what his +son had been telling him, that he could make no reply, remaining +astonished for some time, and not being able to utter a syllable. + +The prince took advantage of this opportunity, and said, "The +passion I have conceived for this charming lady, whose lovely +image I bear continually in my mind, is so ardent, that I cannot +resist it. I entreat you therefore to have compassion, and +procure me the happiness of being united to her." + +"Son," replied the king, "after what I have just heard, and what +I see by the ring on your finger, I cannot doubt but that your +passion is real, and that you have seen this lady, who is the +object of it. Would to God I knew who she was. I would instantly +comply with your wishes, and should be the happiest father in the +world! But where shall I seek her? How came she here, and by what +conveyance, without my consent? Why did she come to sleep with +you only to display her beauty, to kindle a flame of love while +she slept, and then leave you while you were in a slumber? These +things, I must confess, I do not understand; and if heaven do not +favour us in our perplexity, I fear we must both go down to the +grave together." As he spoke, he took the prince by the hand, and +said, "Come then, my son, let us go and grieve together; you with +hopeless love, and I with seeing your affliction, without being +able to afford you relief." + +Shaw Zummaun then led his son out of the tower, and conveyed him +to the palace, where he had no sooner arrived, than in despair at +loving an unknown object he fell sick, and took to his bed; the +king shut himself up with him, without attending to the affairs +of his kingdom for many days. + +The prime minister, who was the only person that had admittance, +at length informed him, that the whole court, and even the +people, began to murmur at not seeing him, and that he did not +administer justice every day as he was wont to do; adding, he +knew not what disorder it might occasion. "I humbly beg your +majesty, therefore," proceeded he, "to pay some attention. I am +sensible your majesty's company is a great comfort to the prince, +and that his tends to relieve your grief; but you must not run +the risk of letting all be lost. Permit me to propose to your +majesty, to remove with the prince to the castle near the port, +where you may give audience to your subjects twice a week only. +During these absences the prince will be so agreeably amused with +the beauty, prospect, and good air of the place, that he will +bear them with the less uneasiness." + +The king approved this proposal: he removed thither with the +prince; and, excepting when he gave audience, never left him, but +passed all his time endeavouring to comfort him by sharing his +distress. + +Whilst matters passed thus in the capital of Shaw Zummaun, the +two genies, Danhasch and Caschcasch, had carried the princess of +China back to the palace where the king her father had confined +her, and laid her in her bed as before. + +When she awoke next morning, and found that prince Kummir al +Zummaun was not by her, she cried out in such a manner to her +women, that she soon brought them to her bed. Her nurse, who +arrived first, desired to be informed if any thing disagreeable +had happened to her. + +"Tell me," said the princess, "what is become of the young man +that has passed the night with me, and whom I love with all my +soul?" "Madam," replied the nurse, "we cannot understand your +highness, unless you will be pleased to explain yourself." + +"A young man, the handsomest and most amiable," said the +princess, "slept with me last night, whom, with all my caresses, +I could not awake; I ask you where he is?"' + +"Madam," answered the nurse, "your highness asks us these +questions in jest. I beseech you to rise." "I am in earnest," +said the princess, "and I must know where this young man is." +"Madam," insisted the nurse, "you were alone when you went to bed +last night; and how any man could come to you without our +knowledge we cannot imagine, for we all lay about the door of +your chamber, which was locked, and I had the key in my pocket." + +At this the princess lost all patience, and taking her nurse by +the hair of her head, and giving her two or three sound cuffs, +cried, "You shall tell me where this young man is, you old +sorceress, or I will put you to death." + +The nurse struggled to get from her, and at last succeeded. She +went immediately with tears in her eyes, and her face all bloody, +to complain to the queen, who was not a little surprised to see +her in this condition, and asked who had misused her. + +"Madam," began the nurse, "you see how the princess has treated +me; she had certainly murdered me, if I had not had the good +fortune to escape out of her hands." She then related what had +been the cause of all that violent passion in the princess. The +queen was surprised at her account, and could not guess how she +came to be so infatuated as to take that for a reality which +could be no other than a dream. "Your majesty must conclude from +all this," continued the nurse, "that the princess is out of her +senses. You will think so yourself if you will go and see her." + +The queen's affection for the princess deeply interested her in +what she heard; she ordered the nurse to follow her; and they +immediately went together to the princess's palace. + +The queen of China sat down by her daughter's bed-side on her +arrival in her apartment, and after she had informed herself +about her health began to ask her what had made her so angry with +her nurse, as to treat her in the manner she had done. +"Daughter," said she, "this is not right, and a great princess +like you should not suffer herself to be so transported by +passion." + +"Madam," replied the princess, "I plainly perceive your majesty +is come to mock me; but I declare I will never let you rest till +you consent to my marrying the young man who lay with me last +night. You must know where he is, and therefore I beg of your +majesty to let him come to me again." + +"Daughter," answered the queen, "you surprise me; I do not +understand your meaning." The princess now forgot all respect for +the queen; "Madam," replied she, "the king my father and you have +persecuted me about marrying, when I had no inclination; I now +have an inclination, and I will have this young man I told you of +for my husband, or I will destroy myself." + +The queen endeavoured to calm the princess by conciliatory +language: "Daughter," said she, "you know well you are guarded in +this apartment, how then could any man come to you?" But instead +of attending to her, the princess interrupted her, by such +extravagancies as obliged the queen to leave her, and retire in +great affliction, to inform the king of all that had passed. + +When the king had heard the account, he wished likewise to be +satisfied in person, and coming to his daughter's apartment, +asked her, if what he had been told was true? "Sir," replied the +princess, "let us talk no more of that; I only beseech your +majesty to grant me the favour, that I may marry the young man I +lay with last night." + +"What! daughter," said the king, "has any one lain with you last +night?" "How, sir," replied the princess, without giving him time +to go on, "do you ask me if any one lay with me last night? Your +majesty knows that but too well. He was the most beautiful youth +the sun ever saw: I ask him of you for my husband; I entreat you +do not refuse me. But that your majesty may not longer doubt +whether I have seen this young man, whether he has lain with me, +whether I have caressed him, or whether I did not my utmost to +awake him without succeeding, see, if you please, this ring." She +then reached forth her hand, and shewed the king a man's ring on +her finger. The king was perplexed what to think. He had confined +his daughter as mad, he began now to think her more insane than +ever. Without saying any thing more to her, lest she might do +violence to herself or somebody about her, he had her chained, +and confined more closely than before, allowing her only the +nurse to wait on her, with a good guard at the door. + +The king, exceedingly concerned at this indisposition of his +daughter, sought all possible means to effect her cure. He +assembled his council, and after having acquainted them with her +condition "If any of you," said he, "is capable of undertaking to +restore her to health, and succeed, I will give her to him in +marriage, and make him heir to my dominions." + +The desire of obtaining a handsome young princess, and the hopes +of one day governing so great a kingdom as that of China, had a +powerful effect on an emir, already advanced in years, who was +present at this council. As he was well skilled in magic, he +offered the king to recover his daughter, and flattered himself +with success. "I consent to the trial," said the king; "but I +forgot to tell you one condition, and that is, that if you do not +succeed, you shall lose your head. It would not be reasonable you +should have so great a reward, and yet run no risk: and what I +say to you," continued the king, "I say to all others who shall +come after you, that they may consider beforehand what they +undertake." + +The emir accepted the condition, and the king conducted him to +the princess's place of confinement. She covered her face as soon +as she saw them enter, and exclaimed, "Your majesty surprises me, +in bringing with you a man whom I do not know, and by whom my +religion forbids me to let myself be seen." "Daughter," replied +the king, "you need not be scandalized, it is only one of my +emirs who is come to demand you in marriage." "It is not, I +perceive, the person that you have already given me, and whose +faith is plighted by the ring I wear," replied the princess; "be +not offended that I will never marry any other." + +The emir expected the princess would have said or done some +extravagant thing, and was not a little disappointed when he +heard her talk so calmly and rationally; for he then concluded +that her disease was nothing but a violent and deep-rooted +passion. He therefore threw himself at his majesty's feet, and +said, "After what I have heard and observed, sir, it will be to +no purpose for me to think of curing the princess, since I have +no remedies proper for her malady; for which reason I humbly +submit my life to your majesty's pleasure." The king, enraged at +his incapacity, and the trouble he had given him, caused him to +be immediately beheaded. + +Some days after, unwilling to have it said that he had neglected +his daughter's cure, the king put forth a proclamation in his +capital, importing, that if there were any physician, astrologer, +or magician who would undertake to restore the princess to her +senses, he needed only to offer himself, and he should be +employed, on condition of losing his head if he failed. He had +the same published in the other principal cities and towns of his +dominions, and in the courts of the princes his neighbours. + +The first that presented himself was an astrologer and magician, +whom the king caused to be conducted to the princess's prison by +an eunuch. The astrologer drew forth, out of a bag he carried +under his arm, an astrolabe, a small sphere, a chafing-dish, +several sorts of drugs proper for fumigations, a brass pot, with +many other articles, and desired he might have a fire. + +The princess demanded what all these preparations were for. +"Madam," answered the eunuch, "they are to exorcise the evil +spirit that possesses you, to shut him up in this pot, and throw +him into the sea." + +"Foolish astrologer," replied the princess, "I have no occasion +for any of your preparations, but am in my perfect senses, and +you alone are mad. If your art can bring him I love to me, I +shall be obliged to you; otherwise you may go about your +business, for I have nothing to do with you." "Madam," said the +astrologer, "if your case be so, I shall desist from all +endeavours, believing the king your father only can remove your +disorder:" so putting up his trinkets again, he marched away, +much concerned that he had so easily undertaken to cure an +imaginary malady. + +The eunuch conducted the astrologer to the king, whom the +astrologer thus addressed: "According to what your majesty +published in your proclamation, and what you were pleased to +confirm to me yourself, I thought the princess was insane, and +depended on being able to recover her by the secrets I have long +been acquainted with; but I soon found she had no other disease +but that of love, over which my art has no power: your majesty +alone is the physician who can cure her, by giving her in +marriage the person whom she desires." + +The king was much enraged at the astrologer, and had his head +instantly cut off. A hundred and fifty astrologers, physicians, +and magicians, came on this account, who all underwent the same +fate; and their heads were set upon poles on every gate of the +city. + +The princess of China's nurse had a son whose name was Marzavan, +who had been foster-brother to the princess, and brought up with +her, The friendship was so great during their childhood, and all +the time they had been together, that as they grew up, even some +time after their separation, they treated each other as brother +and sister. + +Marzavan, among other studies, had from his youth been much +addicted to judicial astrology, geomancy, and the like secret +arts, wherein he became exceedingly skilful. Not satisfied with +what he had learned from masters, he travelled, and there was +hardly any person of note in any science or art, but he sought +him in the most remote cities, to obtain information, so great +was his thirst after knowledge. + +After several years' absence in foreign parts, he returned to the +capital of his native country, where, seeing so many heads on the +gate by which he entered, he was exceedingly surprised, and +demanded for what reason they had been placed there; but he more +particularly inquired after the princess his foster-sister. As he +could not receive an answer to one inquiry without the other, he +heard at length a general account of what had happened, and +waited for further particulars till he could see his mother, the +princess's nurse. + +Although the nurse, the mother of Marzavan, was much employed +about the princess, yet she no sooner heard her son was returned, +than she found time to come out, embrace him, and converse with +him a little. Having told him, with tears in her eyes, the +unhappy condition of the princess, and for what reason the king +her father had confined her; her son desired to know if she could +not procure him a private view of her royal mistress, without the +king's knowledge. After some pause, she told him she could give +him no answer for the present; but if he would meet her the next +day at the same hour, she would inform him. + +The nurse knowing none could approach the princess but herself; +without leave of the eunuch, who commanded the guard at the gate, +addressed: herself to him, and said, "You know I have brought up +and suckled the princess, and you may likewise have heard that I +had a daughter whom I brought up along with her. This daughter +has been since married, yet the princess still does her the +honour to love her, and wishes to see her, without any person's +observing her enter or depart." + +The nurse was proceeding, but the eunuch interrupted her and +exclaimed, "Say no more, I will with pleasure do any thing to +oblige the princess; go and fetch your daughter, or send for her +about midnight, and the gate shall be open for you." + +As soon as it was dark, the nurse went to Marzavan, and having +dressed him so well in women's clothes, that nobody could suspect +he was a man, carried him along with her; and the eunuch +believing it was her daughter, admitted them. + +The nurse, before she presented Marzavan, went to the princess, +and said, "Madam, this is not a woman I have brought to you, it +is my son Marzavan in disguise, newly arrived from his travels; +having a great desire to kiss your hand, I hope your highness +will vouchsafe him that honour." + +"What! my brother Marzavan," exclaimed the princess, with great +joy; "approach, and take off that veil; for it is not +unreasonable that a brother and a sister should see each other +without covering their faces." + +Marzavan saluted her with profound respect, while, without giving +him time to speak, she continued, "I rejoice to see you returned +in good health, after so many years' absence, and without sending +any account of your welfare, even to your good mother." + +"Madam," replied Marzavan, "I am infinitely obliged to your +goodness. I hoped to have heard a better account of your health +than has been given me, and which I lament to find confirmed by +your appearance. It gives me pleasure, however, to have come so +seasonably to bring your highness that remedy which your +situation requires. Should I reap no other benefit from my +studies and travels, I should think myself amply recompensed." + +Having thus spoken, Marzavan drew out of his pocket a book and +some other things, which from the account he had had from his +mother of the princess's distemper, he thought he might want. The +princess, observing these preparations, exclaimed, "What! +brother, are you one of those who believe me mad? Undeceive +yourself, and hear me." + +The princess then related to Marzavan all the particulars of her +story, without omitting the least circumstance, even to the ring +which was exchanged for hers, and which she shewed him. "I have +not concealed the least incident from you," continued she; "there +is something in this business which I cannot comprehend, and +which has given occasion for some persons to think me mad. But no +one will attend to the rest, which is literally as I have +stated." + +After the princess had concluded, Marzavan, filled with wonder +and astonishment, remained for some time with his eyes fixed on +the ground, without speaking a word; but at length he lifted up +his head, and said, "If it be as your highness says, and which I +do not in the least doubt, I do not despair of being able to +procure you the gratification of your wishes. But I must first +entreat your highness to arm yourself with patience, till I have +travelled over kingdoms which I have not yet visited, and when +you hear of my return, be assured the object of your desire is +not far distant." Having thus spoken, Marzavan took leave of the +princess, and set out the next morning on his intended travels. + +He journeyed from city to city, from province to province, and +from island to island; and in every place he visited, he could +hear of nothing but the princess Badoura (which was the princess +of China's name) and her history. + +About four months after, our traveller arrived at Torf, a sea-port +town, large and populous, where the theme was changed; he no more +heard of the princess Badoura, but all the talk was of prince Kummir +al Zummaun, who was sick, and whose history greatly resembled hers. +Marzavan was extremely delighted on hearing this, and informed himself +where the prince was to be found. There were two ways to it; one, by +land and sea; the other, by sea only, which was the shortest. + +Marzavan chose the latter; and embarking on board a merchant +ship, arrived safely in sight of Shaw Zummaun's capital; but just +before it entered the port, the ship struck upon a rock, by the +unskilfulness of the pilot, and foundered: it went down in sight +of the castle, where at that time were the king and his grand +vizier. + +Marzavan, who could swim well, immediately upon the ship's +sinking cast himself into the sea, and got safe on shore under +the castle, where he was soon relieved by the grand vizier's +order. After he had changed his clothes, and been well treated, +he was introduced to the grand vizier, who lead sent for him. + +Marzavan being a young man of good address, the minister received +him with great politeness; and was induced, from the just and +pertinent answers he returned to the questions put to him, to +regard him with great esteem. Finding by degrees that he +possessed great variety and extent of information, he said to +him, "From what I can understand, I perceive you are no common +man; you have travelled much: would to God you had discovered +some remedy for a malady which has been long a source of great +affliction at this court." + +Marzavan replied, if he knew what malady it was, he might perhaps +find a remedy applicable to it. + +The grand vizier then related to him the story of prince Kummir +al Zummaun. He concealed nothing relating to his birth, which had +been so earnestly desired, his education, the wish of the king +his father to see him early married, his resistance and +extraordinary aversion from marriage, his disobeying his father +in full council, his imprisonment, his extravagancies in prison, +which were afterwards changed into a violent passion for some +unknown lady, who, he pretended, had exchanged a ring with him, +though, for his part, he verily believed there was no such person +in the world. + +Marzavan gave great attention to all the grand vizier said, and +was infinitely rejoiced to find that, by means of his shipwreck, +he had so fortunately lighted on the person he was seeking. He +saw no reason to doubt that the prince was the man whom the +princess of China so ardently loved, and that this princess was +equally the object of his passion. Without explaining himself +farther to the vizier, he desired to see the prince, that he +might be better able to judge of his disorder and its cure. +"Follow me," said the grand vizier, "and you will find the king +with him, who has already desired I should introduce you." + +On entering the prince's chamber, the first thing Marzavan +observed was the prince upon his bed languishing, and with his +eyes shut. Notwithstanding his condition, and regardless of the +presence of the king his father, who was sitting by him, he could +not avoid exclaiming, "Heavens! was there ever a greater +resemblance?" He meant to the princess of China; for it seems the +princess and the prince were much alike. + +This exclamation of Marzavan excited the prince's curiosity; he +opened his eyes and looked at him. Marzavan, who had a ready wit, +seized that opportunity, and made his compliment in extempore +verse; but in such a disguised manner, that neither the king nor +the grand vizier under stood his meaning. He represented so +exactly what had happened to him with the princess of China, that +the prince had no reason to doubt he knew her, and could give him +tidings of her. His countenance immediately brightened up with +joy. + +After Marzavan had finished his compliment in verse, which +surprised Kummir al Zummaun so agreeably, the prince took the +liberty of making a sign to the king his father, to give his +place to Marzavan, and allow him to sit by him. + +The king, overjoyed at this alteration, which inspired him with +hopes of his son's speedy recovery, quitted his place, and taking +Marzavan by the hand, led him to it, obliging him to sit. He then +demanded of him who he was, and whence he had come? And upon +Marzavan's answering he was a subject of China, and came from +that kingdom, the king exclaimed, "Heaven grant you may be able +to recover my son from this profound melancholy; I shall be +eternally obliged to you, and all the world shall see how +handsomely I will reward you." Having said thus, he left the +prince to converse at full liberty with the stranger, whilst he +went and rejoiced with the grand vizier on this happy incident. + +Marzavan leaning down to the prince, addressed him in a low +voice: "Prince, it is time you should cease to grieve. The lady, +for whom you suffer, is the princess Badoura, daughter of Gaiour, +king of China. This I can assure your highness from what she has +told me of her adventure, and what I have learned of yours. She +has suffered no less on your account than you have on hers." Here +he related all that he knew of the princess's story, from the +night of their extraordinary interview. + +He omitted not to acquaint him how the king had treated those who +had failed in their endeavours to cure the princess of her +indisposition. "But your highness is the only person," added he, +"that can cure her effectually, and you may present yourself +without fear. However, before you undertake so long a voyage, I +would have you perfectly recovered, and then we will take what +measures may be necessary. Think then immediately of the recovery +of your health." + +This account had a marvellous effect on the prince. The hopes of +speedily fulfilling his desires so much relieved him, that he +felt he had strength sufficient to rise, and begged permission of +his father to dress himself, with such an air as gave him +incredible pleasure. + +Shaw Zummaun, without inquiring into the means he had used to +produce this wonderful effect, could not refrain from embracing +Marzavan, and soon after went out of the prince's chamber with +the grand vizier, to publish the agreeable tidings. He ordered +public rejoicings for several days together, gave great largesses +to his officers and the people, and alms to the poor, and caused +the prisoners to be set at liberty throughout his kingdom The joy +was soon general in the capital, and in every part of his +dominions. + +Kummir al Zummaun, though extremely weakened by almost continual +privation of sleep and long abstinence, soon recovered his +health. When he found himself in a condition to undertake the +voyage, he took Marzavan aside, and said, "Dear Marzavan, it is +now time to perform the promise you have made me. My impatience +to behold the charming princess, and to relieve her of the +torments she is now suffering on my account, is such, that if we +do not shortly depart, I shall relapse into my former +indisposition. One thing still afflicts me," continued he, "and +that is the difficulty I shall find, from his tender affection +for me, to obtain my father's permission to travel into a distant +country. You observe he scarcely allows me to be a moment out of +his sight." + +At these words the prince wept. Marzavan then replied, "I foresaw +this difficulty, and I will take care it shall not obstruct us. +My principal design in this voyage was to cure the princess of +China of her malady, and this on account of the mutual affection +which we have borne to each other from our birth, as well as from +the zeal and affection I otherwise owe her. I should therefore be +wanting in my duty to her, if I did not use my best endeavours to +effect her cure and yours. This is then the mode I have devised +to obtain the king your father's consent. You have not stirred +abroad for some time, therefore request his permission to go upon +a hunting party with me. He will no doubt comply. When you have +obtained his leave, obtain two fleet coursers for each of us to +be got ready, one to mount, the other to change, and leave the +rest to me." + +The following day the prince did as he had been instructed. He +acquainted the king he was desirous of taking the air, and, if he +pleased, would go and hunt for two or three days with Marzavan. +The king gave his consent, but wished him not to be absent more +than one night, since too much exercise at first might impair his +health and a longer absence would make him uneasy. He then +ordered him to choose the best horses in the royal stable, and +took particular care that nothing should be wanting for his +accommodation. When all was ready, he embraced the prince, and +having recommended to Marzavan to be careful of him, he let him +go. Kummir al Zummaun and Marzavan were soon mounted, when, to +amuse the two grooms who led the spare horses, they made as if +they were going to hunt, and under this pretence got as far from +the city and out of the high road as was possible. When night +began to approach, they alighted at a caravanserai or inn, where +they supped, and slept till about midnight; when Marzavan +awakened the prince, and desired his highness to let him have his +dress, and to take another for himself, which was brought in his +baggage. Thus equipped, they mounted the fresh horses, and after +Marzavan had taken one of the grooms' horses by the bridle, they +left the caravanserai. + +At day-break they found themselves in a forest, where four roads +met. Here Marzavan, desiring the prince to wait for him a little, +went into the wood. He then cut the throat of the groom's horse, +and after having torn the suit which the prince had taken off, +and besmeared it with blood, threw it into the highway. + +The prince inquired his reason for what he had done. He replied, +he was sure that when the king his father found he did not +return, and should learn that he had departed without the grooms, +he would suspect something wrong, and immediately send in quest +of them, "they who may come this way, finding this bloody habit, +will conclude you are devoured by wild beasts, and that I have +escaped to avoid the king's anger. The king, concluding you are +dead, will stop further pursuit, and we may have leisure to +continue our journey without fear of being followed." "I must +confess," continued Marzavan, "it is a violent way of proceeding, +to alarm a fond father with the death of his son, but his joy +will be the greater when he shall hear you are alive and happy." +"Breve Marzavan," replied the prince, "I cannot but approve such +an ingenious stratagem, or sufficiently admire your conduct: you +place me under fresh obligations to you." + +The prince and Marzavan being well provided for their expenses, +continued their journey both by land and sea, and found no other +obstacle but the length of the time which it necessarily took up. +They arrived at length at the capital of China, where Marzavan, +instead of going to his house, carried the prince to a public +inn. They remained there incognito three days, to rest themselves +after the fatigue of the voyage; during which time Marzavan +caused an astrologer's habit to be made for the prince. The three +days being expired, they went together to the bath, where the +prince put on his astrologer's dress: from thence Marzavan +conducted him to the neighbourhood of the king of China's palace, +where he left him, to go and inform his mother of his arrival. + +Kummir al Zummaun, instructed by Marzavan what he was to do, came +next morning to the gate of the king's palace, and cried aloud, +"I am an astrologer, and am come to cure the illustrious princess +Badoura, daughter of the most high and mighty monarch Gaiour king +of China, on the conditions proposed by his majesty, to marry her +if I succeed, or else to lose my life for my fruitless and +presumptuous attempt." + +Besides the guards and porters at the gate, this incident drew +together a great number of people about the prince. There had no +physician, astrologer, or magician appeared for a long time on +this account, being deterred by the many tragical examples of ill +success that appeared before; it was therefore thought there +remained no more of these professions in the world, or none so +mad as those that had already forfeited their lives. + +The prince's appearance, his noble air, and blooming youth, made +every one who saw him pity him. "What mean you, sir," said some +that were nearest to him, "thus to expose a life of such +promising expectations to certain death? Cannot the heads you see +on all the gates of this city deter you from such an undertaking? +In the name of God consider what you do! abandon this rash +attempt, and depart." + +The prince continued firm, notwithstanding all these +remonstrances; and as he saw no one coming to introduce him, he +repeated the same cry with a boldness that made every body +tremble. They all then exclaimed, "Let him alone, he is resolved +to die; God have mercy on his youth and his soul!" He then +proceeded to cry a third time in the same manner, when the grand +vizier came in person, and introduced him to the king of China. + +As soon as the prince came into the presence, he bowed and kissed +the ground. The king, who, among all that had hitherto +presumptuously exposed their lives on this occasion, had not +before seen one worthy of his attention, felt real compassion for +Kummir al Zummaun, on account of the danger to which he exposed +himself. "Young man," said he, "I can hardly believe that at this +age you can have acquired experience enough to dare attempt the +cure of my daughter. I wish you may succeed, and would give her +to you in marriage with all my heart, and with the greatest joy, +more willingly than I should have done to others that have +offered themselves before you; but I must declare to you at the +same time, though with great concern, that if you fail, +notwithstanding your noble appearance and your youth, you must +lose your head." + +"Sir," replied the prince, "I have infinite obligations to your +majesty for the honour you design me, and the great goodness you +shew to a stranger; but I desire your majesty to believe I would +not have come from so remote a country as I have done, the name +of which perhaps may be unknown in your dominions, if I had not +been certain of the cure I propose. What would not the world say +of my fickleness, if, after such great fatigues and so many +dangers as I have undergone in the pursuit, I should abandon this +generous enterprise? Even your majesty would lose that esteem you +have conceived for me. If I perish, I shall die with the +satisfaction of not having forfeited your good opinion. I beseech +your majesty therefore to keep me no longer from displaying the +certainty of my art, by the proof I am ready to afford." + +The king now commanded the eunuch, who had the custody of the +princess, to introduce Kummir al Zummaun into her apartment: but +before he would let him go, reminded him once more that he was at +liberty to renounce his design; but the prince paid no regard to +this, and with astonishing resolution and eagerness followed the +eunuch. + +When they had entered a long gallery, at the end of which was the +princess's apartment, the prince, who saw himself so near the +objets of his wishes, who had occasioned him so many tears, +pushed on, and got before the eunuch. + +The eunuch redoubling his pace, with difficulty got up to him, +"Wither so fast?" cried he, taking him by the arm; "you cannot +get in without me; and it should seem you have a great desire for +death, thus to run to it headlong. Not one of all those many +astrologers and magicians I have introduced before made such +haste as yourself, to a place whence I fear you will come but too +soon." + +"Friend," replied the prince, looking earnestly on the eunuch, +and continuing his pace, "this was because none of the +astrologers you speak of were so confident in their art as I am: +they were certain indeed they should die, if they did not +succeed, but they had no certainty of their success. On this +account they had reason to tremble on approaching this spot, +where I am sure to find my happiness." He had just spoken these +words when he reached the door. The eunuch opened it, and +introduced him into a great hall, whence was an entrance into the +princess's apartment, divided from it only by a piece of +tapestry. + +The prince stopped before he entered, speaking more softly to the +eunuch for fear of being heard by the princess. "To convince +you," said he; "there is neither presumption, nor whim, nor +youthful conceit in my undertaking, I leave it to your choice +whether I shall cure the princess in her presence, or where we +are, without going any farther, or seeing her?" + +The eunuch was amazed to hear the prince talk to him with such +confidence: he left off jeering, and said seriously to him, "It +is no matter where it is done, provided it be effected: cure her +how you will, if you succeed you will gain immortal honour, not +only in this court, but over all the world." + +The prince replied, "It will be best then to cure her without +seeing her, that you may be witness of my skill; notwithstanding +my impatience to see a princess of her rank, who is to be my +wife, yet out of respect to you, I will deprive myself of that +pleasure for a little while." Being furnished with every thing +proper for an astrologer to carry about him, he took pen, ink, +and paper our of his pocket, and wrote the following billet to +the princess. + + +"The impassioned Kummir al Zummaun cannot recite the +inexpressible pain he has endured since that fatal night in which +your charms deprived him of the liberty which he had resolved to +preserve. He only tells you that he devoted his heart to you in +your charming slumbers; those obstinate slumbers which hindered +him from beholding the brightness of your piercing eyes, +notwithstanding all his endeavours to oblige you to open them. He +presumed to present you with his ring as a token of his passion; +and to take yours in exchange, which he encloses. If you +condescend to return his as a reciprocal pledge of love, he will +esteem himself the happiest of mankind. If not, the sentence of +death, which your refusal must draw upon him, will be received +with resignation, since he will perish on account of his love for +you." + +When the prince had finished his billet, he folded it up, and +enclosed in it the princess's ring. "There, friend," said he to +the eunuch, "carry this to your mistress; if it does not cure her +as soon as she reads it, and sees what it contains, I give you +leave to tell every body, that I am the most ignorant and +impudent astrologer that ever existed." + +The eunuch entering the princess of China's apartment, gave her +the packet, saying, "The boldest astrologer that ever lived is +arrived here, and pretends, that on reading this letter and +seeing what it encloses, you will be cured; I wish he may prove +neither a liar nor an impostor." + +The princess Badoura took the billet, and opened it with +indifference: but when she saw the ring, she had not patience to +read it through: she rose hastily, broke the chain that held her, +ran to the door and opened it. They immediately recognized each +other, tenderly embraced, and without being able to speak for +excess of joy, looked at one another, wondering how they met +again after their first interview. The princess's nurse, who ran +to the door with her, made them come into her apartment, where +the princess Badoura gave the prince her ring, saying, "Take it, +I cannot keep it without restoring yours; which I will never part +with; neither can it be in better hands." + +The eunuch went immediately to inform the king of China of what +had happened: "Sir," said he, "all the astrologers and doctors +who have hitherto pretended to cure the princess were fools +compared with the present. He made use neither of schemes nor +conjurations, of perfumes, nor any thing else, but cured her +without seeing her." The monarch was agreeably surprised at this +intelligence, and going to the princess's apartment, he embraced +her, and afterwards the prince, and taking his hand joined it to +the princess's, saying, "Happy stranger, whoever you are, I will +keep my word, and give you my daughter for your wife; though, by +what I see in you, it is impossible for me to believe you are +really what you pretend, and would have me take you to be." + +Kummir al Zummaun thanked the king in the most humble +expressions, that he might the better shew his gratitude. "As for +my condition," said he, "I must own I am not an astrologer, as +your majesty has guessed; I only put on the habit of one, that I +might succeed the more easily in my ambition to be allied to the +most potent monarch in the world. I was born a prince, and the +son of a king and of a queen; my name is Kummir al Zummaun; my +father is Shaw Zummaun, who now reigns over the islands that are +well known by the name of the Islands of the Children of +Khaledan." He then related to him his history, and how wonderful +had been the origin of his love; that the princess's was +altogether as marvellous; and that both were confirmed by the +exchange of the two rings. + +When the prince had done speaking, the king said to him, "This +history is so extraordinary, it deserves to be known to +posterity; I will take care it shall; and the original being +deposited in my royal archives, I will spread copies of it +abroad, that my own kingdoms and the kingdoms around me may know +it." + +The marriage was solemnized the same day, and the rejoicings were +universal all over the empire of China. Nor was Marzavan +forgotten: the king gave him an honourable post in his court, and +a promise of further advancement. + +The prince and princess enjoyed the fulness of their wishes in +the sweets of marriage; and the king kept continual feastings for +several months, to manifest his joy on the occasion. + +In the midst of these pleasures Kummir al Zummaun dreamt one +night that he saw his father on his bed at the point of death, +and heard him thus address his attendants: "My son, to whom I +gave birth; my son, whom I so tenderly loved whom I bred with so +much fondness, so much care, has abandoned me, and is himself the +cause of my death." He awoke with a profound sigh, which alarmed +the princess, who asked him the cause. + +"Alas! my love," replied the prince, "perhaps at the very moment +while I am speaking, the king my father is no more." He then +acquainted her with his melancholy dream, which occasioned him so +much uneasiness. The princess, who studied to please him in every +thing, went to her father the next day, kissed his hand, and thus +addressed him: "I have a favour to beg of your majesty, and I +beseech you not to deny me; but that you may not believe I ask it +at the solicitation of the prince my husband, I assure you +beforehand he knows nothing of my request: it is, that you will +grant me your permission to go with him and visit his father." + +"Daughter," replied the king, "though I shall be sorry to part with +you for so long a time as a journey to a place so distant will +require, yet I cannot disapprove of your resolution; it is worthy of +yourself: go, child, I give you leave, but on condition that you stay +no longer than a year in Shaw Zummaun's court. I hope the king will +agree to this, that we shall alternately see, he his son and his +daughter-in-law, and I my daughter and my son-in-law." + +The princess communicated the king of China's consent to her +husband, who was transported to receive it, and returned her +thanks for this new token of her love. + +The king of China gave orders for preparations to be made for +their departure; and when all things were ready, he accompanied +the prince and princess several days' journey on their way; they +parted at length with much affliction on both sides: the king +embraced them; and having desired the prince to be kind to his +daughter, and to love her always with the same tenderness he now +did, he left them to proceed, and to divert himself, hunted as he +returned to his capital. + +When the prince and princess had recovered from their grief, they +comforted themselves with considering how glad Shaw Zummaun would +be to see them, and how they should rejoice to see the king. + +After travelling about a month, they one day entered a plain of +great extent, planted at convenient distances with tall trees, +forming an agreeable shade. The day being unusually hot, the +prince thought it best to encamp there, and proposed it to +Badoura, who, having the same wish, the more readily consented. +They alighted in one of the finest spots; a tent was presently +set up; the princess, rising from the shade under which she had +sat down, entered it. The prince then ordered his attendants to +pitch their tents, and went himself to give directions. The +princess, weary with the fatigues of the journey, bade her women +untie her girdle, which they laid down by her; and she falling +asleep, they left her alone. + +Kummir al Zummaun having seen all things in order, came to the +tent where the princess was sleeping: he entered, and sat down +without making any noise, intending to repose himself; but +observing the princess's girdle lying by her, he took it up, and +looked at the diamonds and rubies one by one. In viewing it he +observed a little purse hanging to it, sewed neatly on the stuff, +and tied fast with a riband; he felt it, and found it contained +something solid. Desirous to know what it was, he opened the +purse, and took out a cornelian, engraven with unknown figures +and characters. "This cornelian," said the prince to himself, +"must be something very valuable, or my princess would not carry +it with so much care." It was Badoura's talisman, which the queen +of China had given her daughter as a charm, that would keep her, +as she said, from any harm as long as she had it about her. + +The prince, the better to look at the talisman, took it out to +the light, the tent being dark; and while he was holding it up in +his hand, a bird darted down from the air and snatched it away +from him. + +One will easily conceive the concern and grief of the prince, +when he saw the bird fly away with the talisman. He was more +troubled than words can express, and cursed his unseasonable +curiosity, by which his dear princess had lost a treasure, that +was so precious, and so valued by her. + +The bird having got its prize, settled on the ground not far off, +with the talisman in its mouth. The prince drew near it, hoping +it would drop it; but as he approached, the bird took wing, and +settled again on the ground further off. Kummir al Zummaun +followed, and the bird took a further flight: the prince being +very dexterous at a mark, thought to kill it with a stone, and +still pursued; the further it flew, the more eager he grew in +pursuing, keeping it always in view. Thus the bird drew him along +from hill to valley, and valley to hill, all the day, every step +leading him out of the way from the plain where he had left his +camp and the princess Badoura: and instead of perching at night +on a bush, where he might probably have taken it, roosted on a +high tree, safe from his pursuit. The prince, vexed to the heart +at having taken so much pains to no purpose, thought of +returning; "But," said he to himself, "which way shall I return? +Shall I go down the hills and valleys which I have passed overt' +Shall I wander in darkness? and will my strength bear me out? How +shall I dare appear before my princess without her talisman?" +Overwhelmed with such thoughts, and tired with the pursuit, sleep +came upon him, and he lay down under a tree, where he passed the +night. + +He awoke the next morning before the bird had left the tree, and +as soon as he saw it on the wing, followed it again the whole of +that day, with no better success than he had done the last, +eating nothing but herbs and fruits as he went. He did the same +for ten days together, pursuing the bird, and keeping it in view +from morning to night, lying always under the tree where it +roosted. On the eleventh day, the bird continued flying, and +Kummir al Zummaun pursuing it, came near a great city. When the +bird had reached the walls, it flew over them, and the prince saw +no more of it; so that he despaired of ever recovering the +princess Badoura's talisman. + +The prince, whose grief was beyond expression, went into the +city, which was built on the seaside, and had a fine port; he +walked up and down the streets without knowing where he was, or +where to stop. At last he came to the port, in as great +uncertainty as ever what he should do. Walking along the shore, +he perceived the gate of a garden open, and an old gardener at +work in it; the good man looking up, saw he was a stranger and a +Moosulmaun, and asked him to come in, and shut the door after +him. + +Kummir al Zummaun entered, and demanded of the gardener why he +was so cautious? "Because," replied the old man, "I see you are a +stranger newly arrived; and this city is inhabited for the most +part by idolaters, who have a mortal aversion to us Moosulmauns, +and treat a few of us that are here with great barbarity. I +suppose you did not know this, and it is a miracle that you have +escaped as you have thus far: these idolaters being very apt to +fall upon strangers, or draw them into a snare. I bless God, who +has brought you into a place of safety." + +Kummir al Zummaun thanked the honest gardener for his advice, and +the security he offered him in his house; he would have said +more, but the good man interrupted him, saying, "Let us leave +complimenting; you are weary, and must want to refresh yourself. +Come in, and rest." He conducted him into his little hut; and +after the prince had eaten heartily of what he set before him, +with a cordiality that charmed him, he requested him to relate +how he had come there. + +The prince complied; and when he had finished his story, without +concealing any part of it, asked him which was the nearest route +to his father's territories; saying, "It is in vain for me to +think of finding my princess where I left her, after wandering +eleven days from the spot by so extraordinary an adventure. Ah!" +continued he, "how do I know she is alive?" and saying this, he +burst into tears. The gardener replied, "There was no possibility +of his going thither by land, the ways were so difficult, and the +journey so long; besides, there was no accommodation for his +subsistence; or, if there were, he must necessarily pass through +the countries of so many barbarous nations, that he would never +reach his father's. It was a year's journey from the city where +he then was to any country inhabited only by Moosulmauns; that +the quickest passage for him would be to go to the isle of Ebene, +whence he might easily transport himself to the isles of the +children of Khaledan; that a ship sailed from the port every year +to Ebene, and he might take that opportunity of returning to +those islands." "The ship departed," said he, "but a few days ago; +if you had come a little sooner, you might have taken your +passage in it. You must wait till it makes the voyage again, and +if you will stay with me and accept of my house, such as it is, +you shall be as welcome to it as to your own." + +The prince was glad he had met with such an asylum, in a place +where he had no acquaintance. He accepted the offer, and lived +with the gardener till the time arrived that the ship was to sail +to the isle of Ebene. He spent the interval in working by day in +the garden, and passing the night in sighs, tears, and +complaints, thinking of his dear princess Badoura. We must leave +him in this place, to return to the princess, whom we left asleep +in her tent. + +The princess slept a long time, and when she awoke, wondered that +the prince was not with her; she called her women, and asked if +they knew where he was. They told her they saw him enter the +tent, but did not see him go out. While they were talking to her, +she took up her girdle, found her little purse open, and that the +talisman was gone. She did not doubt but that the prince had +taken it to see what it was, and that he would bring it back with +him. She waited for him impatiently till night, and could not +imagine what made him stay away from her so long. + +When it was quite dark, and she could hear no tidings of him, she +fell into violent grief: she cursed the talisman, and him that +made it; and, had not she been restrained by duty, would have +cursed the queen her mother, who had given her such a fatal +present. She was the more troubled, because she could not imagine +how her talisman should have caused the prince's separation from +her; she did not however lose her judgment, and came to a +courageous resolution, not common with persons of her sex. + +Only herself and her women knew of the prince's absence; for his +men were reposing or asleep in their tents. The princess, fearing +they would betray her, if they had any knowledge of this +circumstance, moderated her grief, and forbade her women to say +or do any thing that might create the least suspicion. She then +laid aside her own habit, and put on one of Kummir al Zummaun's. +She was so much like him, that the next day, when she came +abroad, the male attendants took her for the prince. + +She commanded them to pack up their baggage and begin their +march; and when all things were ready, she ordered one of her +women to go into her litter, she herself mounting on horseback, +and riding by her side. + +She travelled several months by land and sea; the princess +continuing the journey under the name of Kummir al Zummaun. They +touched at Ebene in their way to the isles of the children of +Khaledan, and went to the capital of the island, where a king +reigned, whose name was Armanos. The persons who first landed, +giving out that the ship carried prince Kummir al Zummaun, who +was returning from a long voyage, and was forced in by a storm, +the news of his arrival was soon carried to court. + +King Armanos, accompanied by his courtiers' went immediately to +wait on the prince, and met the princess just as she was landing, +and going to the palace that had been prepared for her. He +received her as the son of a king, who was his friend, and with +whom he always kept up a good understanding: he conducted her to +the palace, where an apartment was prepared for her and all her +attendants; though she would fain have excused herself. He shewed +her all possible honour, and entertained her three days together +with extraordinary magnificence. At the end of this time king +Armanos understanding that the princess intended proceeding on +her voyage, charmed with the air and qualities of such an +accomplished prince, as he supposed her, took an opportunity when +she was alone, and spoke to her in this manner: "You see, prince, +that I am old, and to my great mortification have not a son to +whom I may leave my crown. Heaven has only blest me with one +daughter, whose beauty cannot be better matched than with a +prince of your rank and accomplishments. Instead of going home, +stay and accept my crown, which I will resign in your favour. It +is time for me to rest, and nothing could be a greater pleasure +to me in my retirement, than to see my people ruled by so worthy +a successor to my throne." + +The king's offer to bestow his only daughter in marriage, and +with her his kingdom, on the princess Badoura, put her into +unexpected perplexity. She thought it would not become a princess +of her rank to undeceive the king, and to own that she was not +prince Kummir al Zummaun, whose part she had hitherto acted so +well. She was also afraid to decline the honour he offered her, +lest, being so much bent upon the conclusion of the marriage, his +kindness might turn to aversion, and he might attempt something +even against her life. + +These considerations, added to the prospect of obtaining a +kingdom for the prince her husband, in case she found him again, +determined her to accept the proposal of king Armanos, and marry +his daughter. After having stood silent for some minutes, she +with blushes, which the king took for a sign of modesty, +answered, "I am infinitely obliged to your majesty for your good +opinion of me, for the honour you do me, and the great favour you +offer, which I cannot pretend to merit, and dare not refuse." + +"But," continued she, "I cannot accept this great alliance on any +other condition, than that your majesty will assist me with your +counsels, and that I do nothing without having first obtained +your approbation." + +The marriage treaty being thus concluded, the ceremony was put +off till the next day. In the mean time princess Badoura gave +notice to her officers, who still took her for their prince, of +what she was about to do, that they might not be surprised, +assuring them the princess Badoura consented. She talked also to +her women, and charged them to continue to keep the secret she +had entrusted to them. + +The king of the isle of Ebene, rejoicing that he had found a +son-in-law so much to his satisfaction, next morning summoned his +council, and acquainted them with his design of marrying his daughter +to prince Kummir al Zummaun, whom he introduced to them, and told them +he resigned the crown to him, and required them to acknowledge him for +their king, and swear fealty to him. Having said this, he descended +from his throne, and the princess Badoura, by his order, ascended it. +As soon as the council broke up, the new king was proclaimed through +the city, rejoicings were appointed for several days, and couriers +despatched over all the kingdom, to see the same ceremonies observed +with the usual demonstrations of joy. + +At night there were extraordinary feastings at the palace, and +the princess Haiatalnefous was conducted to the princess Badoura, +whom every body took for a man, dressed like a royal bride: the +wedding was solemnized with the utmost splendour: they were left +together, and retired to bed. In the morning, while the princess +Badoura went to receive the compliments of the nobility in the +hall of audience, where they congratulated her on her marriage +and accession to the throne, king Armanos and his queen went to +the apartment of their daughter to inquire after her health. +Instead of answering, she held down her head, and by her looks +they saw plainly enough that she was disappointed. + +King Armanos, to comfort the princess Haiatalnefous, bade her not +be troubled. "Prince Kummir al Zummaun," said he, "when he landed +here might think only of going to his father's court. Though we +have engaged him to stay by arguments, with which he ought to be +well satisfied, yet it is probable he grieves at being so +suddenly deprived of the hopes of seeing either his father or any +of his family. You must wait till those first emotions of filial +love are over; he will then conduct himself towards you as a good +husband ought to do." + +The princess Badoura, under the name and character of Kummir al +Zummaun, the king of Ebene, spent the whole day in receiving the +compliments of the courtiers and the nobility of the kingdom who +were in and about the city, and in reviewing the regular troops +of her household; and entered on the administration of affairs +with so much dignity and judgment, that she gained the general +applause of all who were witnesses of her conduct. + +It was evening before she returned to queen Haiatalnefous's +apartment, and she perceived by the reception she gave her, that +the bride was not at all pleased with the preceding night. She +endeavoured to dissipate her grief by a long conversation, in +which she employed all the wit she had (and she possessed a good +share), to persuade her she loved her entirely. She then gave her +time to go to bed, and while she was undressing she went to her +devotions; her prayers were so long, that queen Haiatalnefous was +asleep before they were ended. She then left off, and lay down +softly by the new queen, without waking her, and was as much +afflicted at being forced to act a part which did not belong to +her, as in the loss of her dear Kummir al Zummaun, for whom she: +ceased not to sigh. She rose as soon as it was day, before +Haiatalnefous was awake; and, being dressed in her royal robes as +king, went to council. + +King Armanos, as he had done the day before, came early to visit +the queen his daughter, whom he found in tears; he wanted nothing +more to be informed of the cause of her trouble. Provoked at the +contempt, as he thought, put upon his daughter, of which he could +not imagine the reason: "Daughter," said he, "have patience for +another night. I raised your husband to the throne, and can pull +him down again, and drive him thence with shame, unless he shews +you proper regard. His treatment of you has provoked me so much, +I cannot tell to what my resentment may transport me; the affront +is as great to me as to you." + +It was late again before the princess Badoura came to queen +Haiatalnefous. She talked to her as she had done the night before, and +after the same manner went to her devotions, desiring the queen to go +to bed. But Haiatalnefous would not be so served; she held her back, +and obliged her to sit down. "Tell me, I beseech you," said she, "what +can you dislike in a princess of my youth and beauty, who not only +loves but adores you, and thinks herself the happiest of women in +having so amiable a prince for her husband. Any body but me would be +not merely offended but shocked by the slight, or rather the +unpardonable affront you have put upon me, and abandon you to your +evil destiny. However, though I did not love you so well as I do, yet +out of pure good-nature and humanity, which makes me pity the +misfortunes of persons for whom I am less concerned, I cannot forbear +telling you, that the king my father is enraged against you for your +behaviour towards me, and to-morrow will make you feel the weight of +his just anger, if you continue to neglect me as you have hitherto +done. Do not therefore drive to despair a princess, who, +notwithstanding all your ill usage, cannot help loving you." + +This address embarrassed the princess Badoura inexpressibly. She +did not doubt the truth of what Haiatalnefous had said. King +Armanos's coldness to her the day before had given her but too +much reason to see he was highly dissatisfied with her. The only +way to justify her conduit was, to communicate her sex to the +princess Haiatalnefous. But though she had foreseen she should be +under a necessity of making such a discovery to her, yet her +uncertainty as to the manner in which she would receive it, made +her tremble; but, considering that if Kummir al Zummaun was +alive, he must necessarily touch at the isle of Ebene in his way +to his father's kingdom, she ought to preserve herself for his +sake; and that it was impossible to do this, if she did not let +the princess Haiatalnefous know who and what she was, she +resolved to venture the experiment. + +The princess Badoura stood as one who had been struck dumb, and +Haiatalnefous being impatient to hear what she could say, was +about to speak to her again, when she prevented her by these +words: "Lovely and too charming princess! I own I have been in +the wrong, and I condemn myself for it; but I hope you will +pardon me, and keep the secret I am going to reveal to you for my +justification." + +She then opened her bosom, and proceeded thus: "See, princess, if +a woman like yourself does not deserve to be forgiven. I believe +you will be so generous, at least when you know my story, and the +afflicting circumstance that forced me to act the part I have +done." + +The princess Badoura having discovered her sex to the princess of +the isle of Ebene, she again prayed her to keep the secret, and +to pretend to be satisfied with her as a husband, till the +prince's arrival, which she hoped would be in a little time. + +"Princess," replied Haiatalnefous, "your fortune is indeed +strange, that a marriage, so happy as yours, should be shortened +by so unaccountable an accident, after a passion so reciprocal +and full of wonders. Pray heaven you may soon meet with your +husband again, and assure yourself I will keep religiously the +secret committed to me. It will be to me the greatest pleasure in +the world to be the only person in the great kingdom of the isle +of Ebene who knows what and who you are, while you go on +governing the people as happily as you have begun. I only ask of +you at present to be your friend." Then the two princesses +tenderly embraced each other, and after a thousand expressions of +mutual friendship lay down to rest. + +The two princesses having decided on a way to make belief that +the marriage had been consummated: queen Haiatalnefous's women +were deceived themselves next morning, and it deceived Armanos, +his queen, and the whole court. From this time the princess +Badoura rose in the king's esteem and affection, governing the +kingdom peaceably and prosperously. + +While things passed as already mentioned in the court of the isle +of Ebene, prince Kummir al Zummaun remained in the city of +idolaters with the gardener, who had offered him his house for a +retreat till the ship should sail to convey him away. + +One morning early, when the prince was as usual preparing to work +in the garden, the gardener prevented him, saying, "This day is a +great festival among the idolaters, and because they abstain from +all work themselves, to spend the time in their assemblies and +public rejoicings, they will not let the Moosulmauns labour; who, +to gain their favour, generally attend their shows, which are +worth seeing. You will therefore have nothing to do to-day: I +leave you here. As the time approaches, at which it is usual for +the ship to sail for the isle of Ebene, I will call on some of my +friends to know when it will depart, and secure you a passage." +The gardener put on his best apparel, and went out. + +When the prince was alone, instead of going out to share in the +public joy of the city, his solitude brought to his mind, with +more than usual violence, the loss of his dear princess. He +walked up and down the garden sighing and lamenting, till the +noise which two birds made on a neighbouring tree led him to lift +up his head, to see what was the matter. + +Kummir al Zummaun was surprised to observe that the birds were +fighting furiously: in a very little while, one of them fell down +dead at the foot of the tree; the victorious bird took wing +again, and flew away. + +In an instant, two other large birds, that had beheld the battle +at a distance, came from the other side of the garden, and +pitched on the ground, one at the feet, and the other at the head +of the dead bird: they looked at it for some time, shaking their +heads in token of grief; after which they dug a grave with their +talons, and buried it. + +When they had filled up the grave with the earth they had turned +up, they flew away, but returned in a few minutes, bringing with +them the bird that had committed the murder, one holding one of +its wings in its beak, and the other one of its legs; the +criminal all the while crying out in a doleful manner, and +struggling to escape. They carried it to the grave of the bird +which it had lately sacrificed to its rage, and there killed it +in just revenge for the murder it had committed. They opened its +belly, tore out the entrails, left the body on the spot unburied, +and flew away. + +The prince had remained in astonishment all the time that he +stood beholding this singular spectacle. He now drew near the +tree where this scene had passed, and casting his eyes on the +scattered entrails of the bird that had been last killed, spied +something red hanging out of the stomach. He took it up, and +found it was his beloved princess Badoura's talisman, which had +cost him so much pain and sorrow, and so many sighs, since the +bird had snatched it out of his hand. "Ah, cruel!" said he to +himself; still looking on the bird, "thou took'st delight in +doing mischief, so I have the less reason to complain of that +which thou didst to me: but the greater it was, the more do I +wish well to those that revenged my quarrel, punishing thee for +the murder of one of their own kind." + +It is impossible to express the prince's joy: "Dear princess," +continued he to himself, "this happy minute, which restores to me +a treasure so precious to thee, is, without doubt, a presage of +our meeting again, and perhaps sooner than I think of. Thank +heaven who sent me this good fortune, and gives me hope of the +greatest felicity that my heart can desire." + +Saying this, he kissed the talisman, wrapped it up in a riband, +and tied it carefully about his arm. He had been almost every +night a stranger to rest, the recollection of his misfortunes +keeping him awake, but this night he enjoyed calm repose: he rose +somewhat later the next morning than he used to do, and went to +the gardener for orders. The good man bade him root up an old +tree which bore no fruit. + +Kummir al Zummaun took an axe and began his work. In cutting off +a branch of the root, he found his axe struck against something +that resisted the blow. He removed the earth, and discovered a +broad plate of brass, under which was a staircase of ten steps. +He went down, and at the bottom saw a cavity about six yards +square with fifty brass urns placed in order, each with a cover +over it. He opened them all, one after another, and found they +were all of them full of gold-dust. He came out of the cave, +rejoicing that he had found such a vast treasure, put the brass +plate on the staircase, and had the tree rooted up by the +gardener's return. + +The gardener had ascertained that the ship which was bound for +the isle of Ebene, would sail in a few days, but the exact time +was not yet fixed. His friend promised to let him know the day, +if he called upon him on the morrow; and while the prince was +rooting up the tree, he went to have his answer. He returned with +a joyful countenance, by which the prince guessed he brought him +good news. "Son," said the old man (so he always called him on +account of the difference of years between him and the prince) +"be joyful, and prepare to embark in three days; the ship will +then certainly sail; I have agreed with the captain for your +passage." + +"In my present situation," replied Kummir al Zummaun, "you could +not bring me more agreeable intelligence; and in return, I have +also tidings that will be as welcome to you: come along with me, +and you shall see what good fortune heaven has in store for you." + +The prince led the gardener to the place where he had rooted up +the tree, made him go down into the cave, shewed him what a +treasure he had discovered, thanking Providence for rewarding his +virtue, and the pains he had been at for so many years. "What do +you mean?" replied the gardener: "do you imagine I will take +these riches as mine? The property is yours: I have no right to +it. For fourscore years, since my father's death, I have done +nothing but dig in this garden, and could not discover this +treasure, which is a sign it was destined for you, since God has +permitted you to find it. It is better suited to a prince like +you than to me; I have one foot in the grave, and am in no want +of any thing. Providence has bestowed it upon you, just when you +are returning to that country, which will one day be your own, +where you will make good use of it." + +Kummir al Zummaun would not be surpassed in generosity by the +gardener. They disputed for some time. At last the prince +solemnly protested, that he would have none of it, unless the +gardener would divide it with him. The good man, to please the +prince, consented; so they shared it between them, and each had +twenty-five urns. + +"Having thus divided it, son," said the gardener to the prince, +"it is not enough that you have got this treasure; we must now +contrive to carry it privately aboard, otherwise you will run the +risk of losing it. There are no olives in the isle of Ebene, +those that are exported hence are a good commodity there: you +know I have plenty of them, take what you will; fill fifty pots, +half with the gold-dust and half with olives, and I will get them +carried to the ship when you embark." + +The prince followed this advice, and spent the rest of the day in +packing up the gold and the olives in the fifty pots, and fearing +the talisman, which he wore on his arm, might be lost again, he +carefully put it into one of the pots, with a particular mark to +distinguish it from the rest. When they were all ready to be +shipped, night coming on, the prince retired with the gardener, +and related to him the battle of the birds, with the circumstance +by which he had found the talisman. The gardener was equally +surprised and joyful to hear it on his account. Whether the old +man was quite worn out with age, or had exhausted himself too +much that day, the gardener had a very bad night; he grew worse +the next day, and on the third day, when the prince was to +embark, was so ill, that it was plain he was near his end. As +soon as day broke, the captain of the ship came with several +seamen to the gardener's; they knocked at the garden-door, which +the prince opened to them. They asked him for the passenger who +was to go with them. The prince answered, "I am he; the gardener +who agreed with you for my passage is sick, and cannot be spoken +with; come in, and let your men carry those pots of olives and my +baggage aboard for me; I will only take leave of the gardener, +and follow you." + +The seamen took the pots and the baggage, and the captain bade +the prince make haste, the wind being fair. + +When the captain and his men were gone, Kummir al Zummaun went to +the gardener to take his leave of him, and thanked him for all +his good offices; but found him in the agonies of death, and had +scarcely time to bid him rehearse the articles of his faith, +which all good Moosulmauns do before they die, before the +gardener expired. + +The prince being under the necessity of embarking immediately, +hastened to pay the last duty to the deceased. He washed his +body, buried him in his own garden, and having nobody to assist +him, it was almost evening before he had put him into the ground. +As soon as he had done, he ran to the water-side, carrying with +him the key of the garden, designing, if he had time, to give it +to the landlord; otherwise to deposit it in some trusty person's +hand before a witness, that he might have it after he was gone. +When he reached the port, he was told the ship had sailed several +hours, and was already out of sight. It had waited three hours +for him, and the wind standing fair, the captain durst not stay +longer. + +It is easy to imagine that Kummir al Zummaun was exceedingly grieved +at being forced to remain longer in a country where he neither had, +nor wished to have, any acquaintance; to think that he must wait +another year for the opportunity he had lost. But the greatest +affliction of all was, his having parted with the princess Badoura's +talisman, which he now considered lost. The only course left him was +to return to the garden from whence he had come, to rent it of the +landlord and continue to cultivate it by himself, deploring his misery +and misfortunes. He hired a boy to assist him to do some part of the +drudgery: that he might not lose the other half of the treasure which +came to him by the death of the gardener, who died without heirs, he +put the gold-dust into fifty other jars, which he filled up with +olives, to be ready against the ship's return. + +While the prince was beginning another year of labour, sorrow, +and impatience, the ship having a fair wind, continued her voyage +to the isle of Ebene, and happily arrived at the capital. + +The palace being by the sea side, the new king, or rather the +princess Badoura, espying the ship as she was entering into the +port, with all her flags, asked what vessel it was: she was +answered, that it came annually from the city of the idolaters, +and was generally richly laden. + +The princess, who always had Kummir al Zummaun in her mind, +imagined that the prince might be aboard; and resolved to visit +the ship and meet him, without discovering herself; but to +observe him, and take proper measures for their making themselves +mutually known. Under pretence of inquiring what merchandize was +on board, and having the first sight of the goods, she commanded +a horse to be brought, which she mounted, accompanied by several +officers in waiting, and arrived at the port, just as the captain +came ashore. She ordered him to be brought before her, asked +whence he had come, how long he had been on his voyage, and what +good or bad fortune he had met with: if he had no stranger of +quality aboard, and particularly with what his ship was laden. + +The captain gave a satisfactory answer to all her demands; and as +to passengers, assured her there were none but merchants in his +ship, who used to come every year, and bring rich stuffs from +several parts of the world to trade with, the finest linens +painted and plain, diamonds, musk, ambergris, camphire, civet, +spices, drugs, olives, and many other articles. + +The princess Badoura loved olives extremely when she heard the +captain speak of them, "Land them," said she, "I will take them +off your hands; as to the other goods, tell the merchants to +bring them to me, and let me see them before they dispose of, or +shew them to any one." + +The captain taking her for the king of the isle of Ebene, +replied, "Sire, there are fifty great jars of olives, but they +belong to a merchant whom I was forced to leave behind. I gave +him notice myself that I stayed for him, and waited a long time, +but he not coming, and the wind offering, I was afraid of losing +the opportunity, and so set sail." The princess answered, "No +matter, bring them ashore; we will nevertheless make a bargain +for them." + +The captain sent the boat, which in a little time returned with +the olives. The princess demanded how much the fifty jars might +be worth in the isle of Ebene? "Sir," replied the captain, "the +merchant is very poor, and your majesty will do him a singular +favour if you give him one thousand pieces of silver." + +"To satisfy him," said the princess, "and because you tell me he +is poor, I will order you one thousand pieces of gold for him, +which do you take care to give him." The money was accordingly +paid, and the jars carried to the palace. + +Night drawing on the princess withdrew into the inner palace, and +went to the princess Haiatalnefous's apartment, ordering the +olives to be brought thither. She opened one jar to let the +princess Haiatalnefous taste them, and poured them into a dish. +Great was her astonishment, when she found the olives were +mingled with gold-dust. "What can this mean!" said she, "It is +wonderful beyond comprehension." Her curiosity increasing from so +extraordinary an adventure, she ordered Haiatalnefous's women to +open and empty all the jars in her presence; and her wonder was +still greater, when she saw that the olives in all of them were +mixed with gold-dust; but when she saw her talisman drop out, she +was so surprised that she fainted away. Haiatalnefous and her +women brought the princess to herself, by throwing cold water in +her face. When she recovered, she took the talisman, and kissed +it again and again; but not being willing that the princess +Haiatalnefous's women, who were ignorant of her disguise, should +hear what she said, and it growing late, she dismissed them. +"Princess," said she to Haiatalnefous, as soon as they were gone, +"you who have heard my story, doubtless, guessed it was at the +sight of the talisman that I fainted. This is that talisman, and +the fatal cause of my dosing my husband; but as it was that which +caused our separation, so I foresee it will be the means of our +meeting." + +The next day, as soon as it was light, she sent for the captain +of the ship; and when he came, spoke to him thus: "I want to know +something more of the merchant to whom the olives belong, that I +bought of you yesterday. I think you told me you left him behind +in the city of the idolaters; can you tell me what is his +employment there?" + +"Yes," replied the captain, "I can speak from my own knowledge. I +agreed for his passage with a very old gardener, who told me I +should find him in his garden, where he worked under him. He +shewed me the place, and for that reason I told your majesty he +was poor. I went thither to call him. I told him what haste I was +in, spoke to him myself in the garden, and cannot be mistaken in +the man." + +"If what you say is true," replied the princess, "you must set +sail this very day for the city of idolaters, and bring me that +gardener's man, who is my debtor; else I will not only confiscate +all your goods and those of your merchants, but your life and +theirs shall answer for his. I have ordered my seal to be put on +the warehouses where their goods are deposited, which shall not +be taken off till your return: this is all I have to say to you; +go and do as I command you." + +The captain could make no reply to this order, the disobeying of +which must have proved of such loss to him and his merchants. He +acquainted them with it; and they hastened him away as fast as +they could, after he had laid in a stock of provisions and fresh +water for his voyage. + +They were so diligent, that he set sail the same day. He had a +prosperous voyage to the city of the idolaters, where he arrived +in the night. When he was got as near the city as he thought +convenient, he would not cast anchor, but lay to off shore; and +going into his boat, with six of his stoutest seamen, landed a +little way off the port, whence he went directly to the garden of +Kummir al Zummaun. + +Though it was about midnight when he came there, the prince was +not asleep. His separation from the fair princess of China his +wife afflicted him as usual. He cursed the minute in which his +curiosity tempted him to touch the fatal girdle. + +Thus was he passing those hours which are devoted to rest, when he +heard somebody knock at the garden-door: he ran hastily to it; but he +had no sooner opened it than the captain and his seamen took hold of +him, and carried him to the boat, and so on ship-board. As soon as he +was safely lodged, they set sail, and made the best of their way to +the isle of Ebene. + +Hitherto Kummir al Zummaun, the captain, and his men, had not +said a word to one another; at last the prince asked the captain, +whom he knew again, why they had taken him away by force? The +captain in his turn demanded of the prince, whether he was not a +debtor of the king of Ebene? "I the king of Ebene's debtor!" +replied the prince in amazement; "I do not know him, and have +never set foot in his kingdom." The captain answered, "You should +know that better than I; you will talk to him yourself in a +little while; till then stay here and have patience." + +The captain was not long on his voyage back to the isle of Ebene. +Though it was night when he cast anchor in the port, he landed +immediately, and taking his prisoner with him, hastened to the +palace, where he demanded to be introduced to the king. + +The princess Badoura had withdrawn into the inner palace, but as +soon as she heard of the captain's return, she came out to speak +to him. Immediately as she cast her eyes on the prince, for whom +she had shed so many tears, she recognized him in his gardener's +habit. As for the prince, who trembled in the presence of a king, +as he thought her, to whom he was to answer for an imaginary +debt, it could not enter into his thoughts, that the person whom +he so earnestly desired to see stood before him. If the princess +had followed the dictates of her inclination, she would have run +to him, and, by embracing, discovered herself to him; but she put +a constraint on herself, believing that it was for the interest +of both that she should act the king a little longer before she +made herself known. She contented herself for the present to put +him into the hands of an officer, who was then in waiting, +charging him to take care of him, and use him well, till the next +day. + +When the princess Badoura had provided for Kummir al Zummaun, she +turned to the captain, whom she was now to reward for the +important service he had done her. She commanded another officer +to go immediately to take the seal off the warehouse which +contained his goods, and gave him a rich diamond, worth much more +than the expense he had been at in both his voyages. She also +bade him keep the thousand pieces of gold she had given for the +olives, telling him she would make up the account with the +merchant whom he had brought with him. + +This done, she returned to the princess of the isle of Ebene's +apartment, to whom she communicated her joy, praying her to keep +the secret still. She told how she intended to manage the +discovering of herself to Kummir al Zummaun, and resignation of +the kingdom to him; adding, there was so vast a distance between +a gardener, as he would appear to the public, and a great prince, +that it might be dangerous to raise him at once from the lowest +condition of the people to the highest honour, however justice +might require it should be done. The princess of the isle of +Ebene was so far from betraying her, that she rejoiced with her, +and entered into the design. + +The next morning the princess of China ordered Kummir al Zummaun +to be conducted early to the bath, and then to be appareled in +the robes of an emir or governor of a province. She commanded him +to be introduced into the council, where his fine person and +majestic air drew upon him the eyes of all the lords present. + +The princess Badoura herself was charmed to see him look as +lovely as ever, and her pleasure inspired her to speak the more +warmly in his praise. When she spoke to the council, having +ordered the prince to take his seat among the emirs, she +addressed them thus: "My lords, Kummir al Zummaun, whom I have +advanced to the same dignity with yourselves, is not unworthy of +the place assigned him. I have known enough of him in my travels +to answer for him, and I can assure you he will make his merit +known to all of you, as well by his velour, as by a thousand +other brilliant qualities, and the extent of his genius." + +The prince was extremely amazed to hear the king of the isle of +Ebene, whom he was far from taking for a woman, much less for his +dear princess, name him, and declare that he knew him, while he +thought himself certain he had never seen him before. He was much +more surprised when he heard him praise him so highly. Those +praises however from the mouth of majesty did not disconcert him, +though he received them with such modesty, as shewed that he +deserved them. He prostrated himself before the throne of the +king, and rising again, said, "Sire, I want words to express my +gratitude to your majesty for the honour you have done me; I +shall do all in my power to render myself worthy of your royal +favour." + +From the council-board the prince was conducted to a palace, +which the princess Badoura had ordered to be fitted up for him; +where he found officers and domestics ready to obey his commands, +a stable full of fine horses, and every thing suitable to the +quality of an emir. When he was in his closet, the steward of his +household brought him a strong box full of gold for his expenses. + +The less he could conceive whence his happiness proceeded, the +more he wondered, but he never once imagined that he owed it to +the princess of China. + +Two or three days after, the princess Badoura, that he might be +nearer her person and in a more distinguished post, made him high +treasurer, which office had lately become vacant. He conducted +himself in his new charge with so much integrity, yet obliging +every body, that he not only gained the friendship of the great, +but also the affections of the people, by his uprightness and +bounty. + +Kummir al Zummaun had been the happiest man in the world, to see +himself in so high favour with a foreign king as he conceived, +and increasing in the esteem of all his subjects, if he had had +his princess with him. In the midst of his good fortune he never +ceased lamenting her, and grieved that he could hear no tidings +of her, especially in a country which she must necessarily have +visited in her way to his father's court after their separation. +He would have mistrusted something, had the princess still gone +by the name of Kummir al Zummaun, which she took with his habit; +but on her accession to the throne, she had changed it, and taken +that of Armanos, in honour of the old king her father-in-law. + +The princess desiring that her husband should owe the discovery +of her to herself alone, resolved to put an end to her own +torments and his; for she had observed, that as often as she +discoursed with him about the affairs of office, he heaved such +deep sighs, as could be addressed to nobody but her. While she +herself lived in such a constraint, that she could endure it no +longer. + +The princess Badoura had no sooner formed her resolution in +concert with the princess Haiatalnefous, than she the same day +took Kummir al Zummaun aside, saying, "I must talk with you about +an affair which requires much consideration, and on which I want +your advice. As I do not see how it can be done so conveniently +as in the night, come hither in the evening, and leave word at +home not to be waited for; I will take care to provide you a +lodging." + +Kummir al Zummaun came punctually to the palace at the hour +appointed by the princess; she took him with her into the inner +apartment, and having told the chief eunuch, who prepared to +follow her, that she had no occasion for his service, conducted +him into a different apartment from that of the princess +Haiatalnefous, where she used to sleep. + +When the prince and princess entered the chamber, she shut the +door, and taking the talisman out of a little box, gave it to +Kummir al Zummaun, saying, "It is not long since an astrologer +presented me with this talisman; you being skilful in all things, +may perhaps tell me its use." + +Kummir al Zummaun took the talisman, and drew near a lamp to view +it. As soon as he recollected it, with an astonishment which gave +the princess great pleasure, "Sire," said he to the prince, "your +majesty asked me the use of this talisman. Alas! its only purpose +is to kill me with grief and despair, if I do not quickly find +the most charming and lovely princess in the world to whom it +belonged, whose loss it occasioned me by a strange adventure, the +recital of which will move your majesty to pity such an +unfortunate husband and lover as I am." + +"You shall tell me the particulars another time," replied the +princess; "I know something of them already: remain here a +little, and I will soon return to you." + +At these words she went into her closet, put off her royal +turban, and in a few minutes dressed herself in her female +attire; and having the girdle round her, which she had on the day +of their separation, re-entered the chamber. + +Kummir al Zummaun immediately recognized his dear princess, ran +to her, and tenderly embraced her, exclaiming, "How much am I +obliged to the king who has so agreeably surprised me!" "Do not +expect to see the king any more," replied the princess, embracing +him in her turn, with tears in her eyes: "you see him in me; sit +down, and I will explain this enigma to you." + +They seated themselves, and the princess related the plan she had +formed in the plain where they were encamped the last time they +were together, as soon as she perceived she waited for him to no +purpose; how she went through with it till she arrived at the +isle of Ebene, where she had been obliged to marry the princess +Haiatalnefous, and accept of the crown, which king Armanos +offered her as a condition of the marriage: how the princess, +whose merit she highly extolled, had obliged her to make +declaration of her sex: and how she found the talisman in the +pots of olives mingled with the gold-dust, which she had bought, +and how this circumstance had proved the cause of her sending for +him from the city of the idolaters. + +When she had concluded her adventure, she obliged the prince to +tell her by what means the talisman had occasioned their +separation. He satisfied her inquiries; after which, it growing +late, they retired to rest. + +The princess Badoura and Kummir al Zummaun rose next morning as soon +as it was light, but the princess would no more put on her royal robes +as king; she dressed herself in her female attire, and then sent the +chief eunuch to king Armanos, her father-in-law, to desire he would +oblige her by coming to her apartment. + +When the king entered the chamber, he was amazed at seeing a lady +who was unknown to him, and the high treasurer with her, who was +not by etiquette permitted to come within the inner palace. He +sat down, and asked where the king was. + +The princess answered, "Yesterday I was king, but to-day I am +only princess of China, wife to the true prince Kummir al +Zummaun. If your majesty will have patience to hear our +adventures, I hope you will not condemn me for putting an +innocent deceit upon you." The king bade her go on, and heard her +narrative from beginning to end with astonishment. The princess +on finishing said to him, "Sir, though women do not easily comply +with the liberty assumed by men to have several wives; yet if +your majesty will consent to give your daughter the princess +Haiatalnefous in marriage to the prince, I will with all my heart +yield up to her the rank and quality of queen, which of right +belongs to her, and content myself with the second place. If this +precedence were not her due, I would resign it to her, after the +obligation I have to her for keeping my secret so generously. If +your majesty refer it to her consent, I am sure of that, having +already consulted her; and I will pass my word that she will be +very well satisfied." + +King Armanos listened to the princess with astonishment, and when +she had done, turned to Kummir al Zummaun, saying, "Son, since +the princess Badoura your wife, whom I have all along thought to +be my son-in-law, through a deceit of which I cannot complain, +assures me, that she will divide your bed with my daughter; I +would know if you are willing to marry her, and accept of the +crown, which the princess Badoura would deservedly wear, if she +did not quit it out of love to you." "Sir," replied Kummir al +Zummaun, "though I desire nothing so earnestly as to see the king +my father, yet the obligations I have to your majesty and the +princess Haiatalnefous are so weighty, I can refuse her nothing." +The prince was then proclaimed king, and married the same day +with all possible demonstrations of joy; and had every reason to +be well pleased with the princess Haiatalnefous's beauty, wit, +and love for him. + +The two queens lived together afterwards on the same friendly +terms and in the same cordiality as they had done before, both +being contented with Kummir al Zummaun's equal carriage towards +them. + +The next year each brought him a son at the same time, and the +births of the two princes were celebrated with extraordinary +rejoicings: the first, whom the princess Badoura was delivered +of, was named Amgiad (most illustrious); and the other, born of +queen Haiatalnefous, Assad (most virtuous). + + + + + The Story of the Princes Amgiad and Assad. + + + +The two princes were brought up with great care; and, when they +were old enough, had the same governor, the same instructors in +the arts and sciences, and the same master for each exercise. The +affection which from their infancy they conceived for each other +occasioned an uniformity of manners and inclination, which +increased it. When they were of an age to have separate +households, they loved one another so tenderly, that they begged +the king to let them live together. He consented, and they had +the same domestics, the same equipages, the same apartment, and +the same table. Kummir al Zummaun had formed so good an opinion +of their capacity and integrity, that he made no scruple of +admitting them into his council at the age of eighteen, and +letting them, by turns, preside there, while he took the +diversion of hunting, or amused himself with his queens at his +houses of pleasure. + +The princes being equally handsome, the two queens loved them +with incredible tenderness; but the princess Badoura had a +greater kindness for prince Assad, queen Haiatalnefous's son, +than for her own; and queen Haiatalnefous loved Amgiad, the +princess Badoura's son, better than her own son Assad. + +The two queens thought at first this inclination was nothing but a +regard which proceeded from an excess of their own friendship for each +other, which they still preserved: but as the two princes advanced in +years, that friendship grew into a violent love, when they appeared in +their eyes to possess graces that blinded their reason. They knew how +criminal their passion was, and did all they could to resist it; but +the familiar intercourse with them, and the habit of admiring, +praising, and caressing them from their infancy, which they could not +restrain when they grew up, inflamed their desires to such a height as +to overcome their reason and virtue. It was their and the princes' +ill-fortune, that the latter being used to be so treated by them, had +not the least suspicion of their infamous passion. + +The two queens had not concealed from each other this passion, +but had not the boldness to declare it to the princes they loved; +they at last resolved to do it by a letter, and to execute their +wicked design, availed themselves of the king's absence, when he +was gone on a hunting party for three or four days. + +Prince Amgiad presided at the council on the day of his father's +departure, and administered justice till two or three o'clock in the +afternoon. As he returned to the palace from the council-chamber, an +eunuch took him aside, and gave him a letter from queen Haiatalnefous. +Amgiad took it, and read it with horror. "Traitor," said he, to the +eunuch as soon as he had perused it through, "is this the fidelity +thou owest thy master and thy king?" At these words he drew his sabre +and cut off his head. + +Having done this in a transport of anger he ran to the princess +Badoura his mother, shewed her the letter, told her the contents +of it, and from whom it came. Instead of hearkening to him, she +fell into a passion, and said, "Son, it is all a calumny and +imposture; queen Haiatalnefous is a very discreet princess, and +you are very bold to talk to me against her." The prince, enraged +at his mother, exclaimed, "You are both equally wicked, and were +it not for the respect I owe my father, this day should have been +the last of Haiatalnefous's life." + +Queen Badoura might have imagined by the example of her son +Amgiad, that prince Assad, who was not less virtuous, would not +receive more favourably a declaration of love, similar to that +which had been made to his brother. Yet that did not hinder her +persisting in her abominable design; she, the next day, wrote him +a letter, which she entrusted to an old woman who had access to +the palace, to convey to him. + +The old woman watched her opportunity to put it into his hands as +he was coming from the council-chamber, where he presided that +day in his turn. The prince took it, and reading it, fell into +such a rage, that, without giving himself time to finish it, he +drew his sabre and punished the old woman as she deserved. He ran +immediately to the apartment of his mother queen Haiatalnefous, +with the letter in his hand: he would have shewn it to her, but +she did not give him time, crying out, "I know what you mean; you +are as impertinent as your brother Amgiad: be gone, and never +come into my presence again." + +Assad stood as one thunder-struck at these words, so little +expected. He was so enraged, that he had like to have given fatal +demonstrations of his anger; but he contained himself, and +withdrew without making any reply, fearing if he stayed he might +say something unworthy the greatness of his soul. Amgiad had not +mentioned to him the letter which he had received the preceding +day; and finding by what his mother had said to him that she was +altogether as criminal as queen Haiatalnefous, he went to his +brother, to chide him for not communicating the hated secret to +him, and to mingle his own sorrow with his. + +The two queens, rendered desperate by finding in the two princes +such virtue as should have made them look inwardly on themselves, +renounced all sentiments of nature and of mothers and conspired +together to destroy them. They made their women believe the two +princes had attempted their virtue: they counterfeited the matter +to the life by their tears, cries, and curses; and lay in the +same bed, as if the resistance they pretended to have made had +reduced them almost to death's-door. + +When Kummir al Zummaun returned to the palace from hunting, he +was much surprised to find them in bed together, in tears, acting +despondency so well, that he was touched with compassion. He +asked them with earnestness what had happened to them. + +At this question, the dissembling queens wept and sobbed more +bitterly than before; and after he had pressed them again and +again to tell him, queen Badoura at last answered him: "Sir, our +grief is so well founded, that we ought not to see the light of +the sun, or live a day, after the violence that has been offered +us by the unparalleled brutality of the princes your sons. They +formed a horrid design, encouraged by your absence, and had the +boldness and insolence to attempt our honour. Your majesty will +excuse us from saying any more; you may guess the rest by our +affliction." + +The king sent for the two princes, and would have killed them both +with his own hand, had not old king Armanos his father-in-law, who was +present, held his hand: "Son," said he, "what are you going to do? +Will you stain your hands and your palace with your own blood? There +are other ways of punishing them, if they are really guilty." + +He endeavoured thus to appease him, and desired him to examine +whether they did indeed commit the crime of which they were +accused. + +It was no difficult matter for Kummir al Zummaun to restrain himself +so far as not to butcher his own children. He ordered them to be put +under arrest, and sent for an emir called Jehaun-dar, whom he +commanded to conduct them out of the city, and put them to death, at a +great distance, and in what place he pleased, but not to see him +again, unless he brought their clothes with him, as a token of his +having executed his orders. + +Jehaun-dar travelled with them all night, and early next morning +made them alight, telling them, with tears in his eyes, the +commands he had received. "Believe me, princes," said he, "it is +a trying duty imposed on me by your father, to execute this cruel +order: would to heaven I could avoid it!" The princes replied, +"Do your duty; we know well you are not the cause of our death, +and forgive you with all our hearts." + +They then embraced, and bade each other a last adieu with so much +tenderness, that it was a long time before they could leave one +another's arms. Prince Assad was the first who prepared himself +for the fatal stroke. "Begin with me," said he "that I may not +have the affliction to see my dear brother Amgiad die." To this +Amgiad objected; and Jehaun-dar could not, without weeping more +than before, be witness of this dispute between them; which +shewed how perfect and sincere was their affection. + +At last they determined the contest, by desiring Jehaun-dar to +tie them together, and put them in the most convenient posture +for him to give them the fatal stroke at one blow. "Do not refuse +the comfort of dying together to two unfortunate brothers, who +from their birth have shared every thing, even their innocence," +said the generous princes. + +Jehaun-dar granted their request; he tied them to each other, +breast to breast; and when he had placed them so that he thought +he might strike the blow with more certainty, asked them if they +had any thing to command him before they died. + +"We have only one thing to desire of you," replied the princes, +"which is, to assure the king our father on your return, that we +are innocent; but that we do not charge him with our deaths, +knowing he is not well informed of the truth of the crime of +which we are accused." + +Jehaun-dar promised to do what they desired and drew his sabre, +when his horse, being tied to a tree just by, started at the +sight of the sabre, which glittered against the sun, broke his +bridle, and ran away into the country. + +He was a very valuable horse, and so richly caparisoned, that the +emir could not bear the loss of him. This accident so vexed him, +that instead of beheading the two princes, he threw away his +sabre, and ran after his horse. + +The horse galloped on before him, and led him several miles into +a wood. Jehaun-dar followed him, and the horse's neighing roused +a lion that was asleep. The lion started up, and instead of +running after the horse, made directly towards Jehaun-dar, who +thought no more of his horse, but how to save his life. He ran +into the thickest of the wood, the lion keeping him in view, +pursuing him among the trees. In this extremity he said to +himself, "Heaven had not punished me in this manner, but to shew +the innocence of the princes whom I was commanded to put to +death; and now, to my misfortune, I have not my sabre to defend +myself." + +While Jehaun-dar was gone, the two princes were seized with a +violent thirst, occasioned by the fear of death, notwithstanding +their noble resolution to submit to the king their father's cruel +order. + +Prince Amgiad told the prince his brother there was a spring not +far off. "Ah! brother," said Assad, "we have so little time to +live, what need have we to quench our thirst? We can bear it a +few minutes longer." + +Amgiad taking no notice of his brother's remonstrance, unbound +himself, and the prince his brother. They went to the spring, and +having refreshed themselves, heard the roaring of the lion. They +also heard Jehaun-dar's dreadful cries in the wood, which he and +the horse had entered. Amgiad took up the sabre which lay on the +ground, saying to Assad, "Come, brother, let us go and save the +unfortunate Jehaun-dar; perhaps we may arrive soon enough to +deliver him from the danger to which he is now exposed." + +The two princes ran to the wood, and entered it just as the lion +was going to fall on Jehaun-dar. The beast seeing prince Amgiad +advancing towards him with a sabre in his hand, left his prey, +and rushed towards him with great fury. The prince met him +intrepidly, and gave him a blow so forcibly and dexterously, that +it felled him to the ground. + +When Jehaun-dar saw that he owed his life to the two princes, he +threw himself at their feet, and thanked them for the obligation, +in words which sufficiently testified his gratitude. "Princes," +said he, rising up and kissing their hands, with tears in his +eyes, "God forbid that ever I should attempt any thing against +your lives, after you have so kindly and bravely saved mine. It +shall never be said that the emir Jehaun-dar was guilty of such +ingratitude." + +"The service we have done you," answered the princes, "ought not +to prevent you from executing the orders you have received: let +us first catch your horse, and then return to the place where you +left us."--They were at no great trouble to take the horse, whose +mettle was abated with running. When they had restored him to +Jehaun-dar, and were come near the fountain, they begged of him +to do as their father had commanded; but all to no purpose. "I +only take the liberty to desire," said Jehaun-dar, "and I pray +you not to deny me, that you will divide my clothes between you, +and give me yours; and go to such a distance, that the king your +father may never hear of you more." + +The princes were forced to comply with his request. Each of them +gave him his clothes, and covered themselves with what he could +spare them of his. He also gave them all the money he had about +him, and took his leave of them. + +After the emir Jehaun-dar had parted from the princes, he passed +through the wood where Amgiad had killed the lion, in whose blood +he dipped their clothes: which having done, he proceeded on his +way to the capital of the isle of Ebene. + +On his arrival there, Kummir al Zummaun inquired if he had done +as commanded? Jehaun-dar replied, "Behold, sir, the proofs of my +obedience;" giving him at the same time the princes' clothes. + +"How did they bear their punishment?" Jehaun-dar answered, "With +wonderful constancy and resignation to the decrees of heaven, +which shewed how sincerely they made profession of their +religion: but particularly with great respect towards your +majesty, and an inconceivable submission to the sentence of +death. 'We die innocent,' said they; 'but we do not murmur: we +take our death from the hand of heaven, and forgive our father; +for we know he has not been rightly informed of the truth.'" + +Kummir al Zummaun was sensibly touched at Jehaun-dar's relation. +A thought occurred to him to search the princes' pockets; he +began with prince Amgiad's where he found a letter open, which he +read. He no sooner recognized the hand-writing than he was +chilled with horror. He then, trembling, put his hand into that +of Assad, and finding there queen Badoura's letter, his horror +was so great, that he fainted. + +Never was grief equal to Kummir all Zummaun's, when he recovered +from his fit: "Barbarous father," cried he, "what hast thou done? +Thou hast murdered thy own children, thy innocent children! Did +not their wisdom, their modesty, their obedience, their +submission to thy will in all things, their virtue, all plead in +their behalf? Blind and insensible father! dost thou deserve to +live after the execrable crime thou hast committed? I have +brought this abomination on my own head; and heaven chastises me +for not persevering in that aversion to women with which I was +born. And, oh ye detestable wives! I will not, no, I will not, as +ye deserve, wash off the guilt of your sins with your blood; ye +are unworthy of my rage: but I will never see you more!" + +Kummir al Zummaun was a man of too much religion to break his +vow: he commanded the two queens to be lodged in separate +apartments that very day, where they were kept under strong +guards, and he never saw them again as long as he lived. + +While the king of the isle of Ebene was afflicting himself for +the loss of his sons, of whose death he thought he had been the +author by his too rashly condemning them, the royal youths +wandered through deserts, endeavouring to avoid all places that +were inhabited, and shun every human creature. They lived on +herbs and wild fruits, and drank only rain-water, which they +found in the crevices of the rocks. They slept and watched by +turns at night, for fear of wild beasts. + +When they had travelled about a month, they came to the foot of a +frightful mountain of black stones, and to all appearance +inaccessible. They at last espied a kind of path, but so narrow +and difficult that they durst not venture to follow it: this +obliged them to go along by the foot of the mountain, in hopes of +finding a more easy way to reach the summit, but could discover +nothing like a path, so they were forced to return to that which +they had neglected. They still thought it would be in vain for +them to attempt it. They deliberated for a long time what they +should do, and at last, encouraging one another, resolved to +ascend. + +The more they advanced the higher and steeper the mountain +appeared, which made them think several times of giving over +their enterprise. When the one was weary, the other stopped, and +they took breath together; sometimes they were both so tired, +that they wanted strength to proceed: then despairing of being +able to reach the top they thought they must lie down and die of +fatigue and weariness. A few minutes after, when they found they +recovered strength, they animated each other and went on. + +Notwithstanding all their endeavours, their courage and +perseverance, they could not reach the summit that day; night +came on, and prince Assad was so spent, that he stopped and said +to Amgiad, "Brother, I can go no farther, I am just dying." "Let +us rest ourselves," replied prince Amgiad, "as long as you will, +and have a good heart: it is but a little way to the top, and the +moon befriends us." + +They rested about half an hour, and then Assad making a new +effort, they ascended what remained of the way to the summit, +where they both at last arrived, and lay down. Amgiad rose first, +and advancing, saw a tree at a little distance. He went to it, +and found it was a pomegranate, with large fruit upon it, and he +perceived there was a spring at its foot: he ran to his brother +Assad to tell him the good news, and conduct him to the tree by +the fountain side. Here they refreshed themselves by eating each +a pomegranate, after which they fell asleep. + +When they awoke the next morning, "Come, brother," said Amgiad to +Assad, "let us go on; I see the mountain is easier to be +travelled over on this side than the other, all our way now is +down hill." But Assad was so tired with the preceding day's +exertions, that he wanted three days' repose to recover himself. + +They spent these days as they had done many before, in conversing +on their mothers' inordinate passion, which had reduced them to +such a deplorable state: but, said they, "Since heaven has so +visibly declared itself in our favour, we ought to bear our +misfortunes with patience, and comfort ourselves with hopes that +we shall see an end of them." + +After having rested three days, the two brothers continued their +travels. As the mountain on that side was composed of several +shelves of extensive flat, they were five days in descending +before they came into the plain. They then discovered a large +city, at which they rejoiced: "Brother," said Amgiad to Assad, +"are not you of my opinion that you should stay in some place out +of the city, where I may find you again, while I go and inform +myself what country we are in, and when I come back I will bring +provisions with me? It may not be safe for us to go there +together." + +"Brother," replied Assad, "your plan is both safe and prudent, +and I approve of what you say but if one of us must part from the +other on that account, I will not suffer it shall be you; you +must allow me to go; for what shall I suffer, if any accident +should befall you?" + +"But, brother," answered Amgiad, "the very accident you fear +would befall me, I have as much reason to fear would happen to +you: I entreat you to let me go, and do you remain here +patiently." "I will never consent to this," said Assad; "if any +ill happen to me, it will be some comfort to think you are safe." +Amgiad was forced to submit, and Assad going towards the city, he +stayed under the trees at the foot of the mountain. + +Prince Assad took the purse of money which Amgiad had in charge, +and went forwards towards the city. He had not proceeded far in +the first street, before he met with a reverend old man with a +cane in his hand. He was neatly dressed, and the prince took him +for a man of note in the place, who would not put a trick upon +him, so he accosted him thus: "Pray, my lord, which is the way to +the market-place?" The old man looked at prince Assad smiling; +"Child," said he, "it is plain you are a stranger, or you would +not have asked that question." + +"Yes, my lord, I am a stranger," replied Assad. The old man +answered, "You are welcome then; our country will be honoured by +the presence of so handsome a young man as you are: tell me what +business you have at the market-place." + +"My lord," replied Assad, "it is near two months since my brother +and I set out from our own country: we have not ceased +travelling, and we arrived here but to-day; my brother, tired +with such a long journey, stays at the foot of the mountain, and +I am come to buy some provisions for him and myself." + +"Son," said the old man, "you could not have come in a better +time, and I am glad of it for your and your brother's sake. I +made a feast today for some friends of mine: come along with me; +you shall eat as much as you please; and when you have done, I +will give you enough to last your brother and yourself several +days. Do not spend your money, when there is no occasion; +travellers are always in want of it: while you are eating I will +give you an account of our city, which no one can do better than +myself, who have borne all the honourable offices in it. It is +well for you that you happen to light upon me; for I must tell +you, all our citizens cannot so well assist and inform you. I can +assure you some of them are very wicked. Come, you shall see the +difference between a real honest man, as I am, and such as boast +of being so, and are not." + +"I am infinitely obliged to you," replied Assad, "for your +kindness; I put myself entirely into your hands, and am ready to +go with you where you please." + +The old man, as he walked along by his side, laughed inwardly, to +think he had got the prince in his clutches; and all the way, +lest he should perceive his dissimulation, talked of various +subjects, to preserve the favourable opinion Assad had of him. +Among other things, he said, "It must be confessed you were very +fortunate to have spoken to me, rather than to any one else: I +thank God I met with you; you will know why, when you come to my +house." + +At length they arrived at the residence of the old man, who +introduced Assad into a hall, where there were forty such old +fellows as himself, who made a circle round a flaming fire, which +they were adoring. The prince was not less struck with horror at +the sight of so many men mistakenly worshipping the creature for +the Creator, than he was with fear at finding himself betrayed +into so abominable a place. + +While the prince stood motionless with astonishment, the old +cheat saluted the forty gray-headed men. "Devout adorers of +fire," said he to them, "this is a happy day for us; where is +Gazban? call him." + +He spake these words aloud, when a negro who waited at the lower +end of the hall immediately came up to him. This black was +Gazban, who, as soon as he saw the disconsolate Assad, imagined +for what purpose he was called. He rushed upon him immediately, +threw him down, and bound his hands with wonderful activity. When +he had done, "Carry him down," said the old man, "and fail not to +order my daughters, Bostama and Cavama, to give him every day a +severe bastinado, with only a loaf morning and night for his +subsistence; this is enough to keep him alive till the next ship +departs for the blue sea and the fiery mountain, where he shall +be offered up an acceptable sacrifice to our divinity." + +As soon as the old man had given the cruel order, Gazban hurried +prince Assad under the hall, through several doors, till they +came to a dungeon, down to which led twenty steps; there he left +him in chains of prodigious weight and bigness, fastened to his +feet. When he had done, he went to give the old man's daughters +notice: but their father had before sent for them, and given them +their instructions himself: "Daughters," said he to them, "go +down and give the Mussulmaun I just now brought in the bastinado: +do not spare him; you cannot better shew your zeal for the +worship of the fire." + +Bostama and Cavama, who were bred up in their hatred to the +faithful, received this order with joy. They descended into the +dungeon that instant, stripped Assad, and bastinadoed him +unmercifully, till the blood issued out of his wounds and he was +almost dead. After this cruel treatment, they put a loaf of bread +and a pot of water by him, and retired. + +Assad did not come to himself again for a long time; when he +revived, he burst out into a flood of tears, deploring his +misery. His comfort however was, that this misfortune had not +happened to his brother. + +Amgiad waited for his brother till evening with impatience; as +two, three, or four of the clock in the morning arrived, and +Assad did not return, he was in despair. He spent the night in +extreme uneasiness; and as soon as it was day went to the city, +where he was surprised to see but very few Mussulmauns. He +accosted the first he met, and asked him the name of the place. +He was told it was the city of the Magicians, so called from the +great number of magicians, who adored the fire; and that it +contained but few Mussulmauns. Amgiad then demanded how far it +was to the isle of Ebene? He was answered, four months' voyage by +sea, and a year's journey by land. The man he talked to left him +hastily, having satisfied him as to these two questions. + +Amgiad, who had been but six weeks coming from the isle of Ebene +with his brother Assad, could not comprehend how they had reached +this city in so short a time, unless it was by enchantment, or +that the way across the mountain was a much shorter one, but not +frequented because of its difficulty. + +Going farther into the town, he stopped at a tailor's shop, whom +he knew to be a Mussulmaun by his dress. Having saluted him, he +sat down, and told him the occasion of the trouble he was in. + +When prince Amgiad had done talking, the tailor replied, "If your +brother has fallen into the hands of some magicians, depend upon +it you will never see him more. He is lost past all recovery; and +I advise you to comfort yourself as well as you can, and to +beware of falling into the same misfortune: to which end, if you +will take my advice, you shall stay at my house, and I will tell +you all the tricks of these magicians, that you may take care of +yourself, when you go out." Amgiad, afflicted for the loss of his +brother, accepted the tailor's offer and thanked him a thousand +times for his kindness to him. + + + + + The Story of the Prince Amgiad and a Lady of the City of the + Magicians. + + + +For a whole month prince Amgiad never went out of the tailor's +house without being accompanied by his host. At last he ventured +to go alone to the bath. As he was returning home, he met a lady +on the way. Seeing a handsome young man, she lifted up her veil, +asked him with a smiling air, and bewitching look, whither he was +going? Amgiad was overpowered by her charms, and replied, "Madam, +I am going to my own house, or, if you please, I will go to +yours." + +"My lord," resumed the lady, with a smile, "ladies of my quality +never take men to their houses, they always accompany them to +theirs." + +Amgiad was much perplexed by this unexpected reply. He durst not +venture to take her home to his landlord's house, lest he should +give him offence, and thereby lose his protection, of which he +had so much need, in a city which required him to be always on +his guard. He knew so little of the town, that he could not tell +where to convey her, and he could not make up his mind to suffer +the adventure to go unimproved. In this uncertainty, he +determined to throw himself upon chance; and without making any +answer, went on, and the lady followed him. Amgiad led her from +street to street, from square to square, till they were both +weary with walking. At last they entered a street, at the end of +which was a closed gateway leading to a handsome mansion. On each +side of the gateway was a bench. Amgiad sat down on one of them, +as if to take breath: and the lady, more weary than he, seated +herself on the other. + +When she had taken her seat, she asked him, whether that was his +house? "You see it, madam," said Amgiad. "Why do you not open the +gate then," demanded the lady; "what do you wait for?" "Fair +lady," answered Amgiad, "I have not the key; I left it with my +slave, when I sent him on an errand, and he cannot be come back +yet: besides, I ordered him afterwards to provide something good +for dinner; so that I am afraid we shall wait a long time for +him." + +The prince, meeting with so many obstacles to the satisfying of +his passion, began to repent of having proceeded so far, and +contrived this answer, in hopes that the lady would take the +hint, would leave him out of resentment, and seek elsewhere for a +lover; but he was mistaken. + +"This is a most impertinent slave," said the lady, "to make us +wait so long. I will chastise him myself as he deserves, if you +do not, when he comes back. It is not decent that I should sit +here alone with a man." Saying this, she arose, and took up a +stone to break the lock, which was only of wood, and weak, +according to the fashion of the country. + +Amgiad gave himself over for a lost man, when he saw the door +forced open. He paused to consider whether he should go into the +house or make off as fast as he could, to avoid the danger which +he believed was inevitable; and he was going to fly when the lady +returned. + +Seeing he did not enter, she asked, "Why do not you come into +your house?" The prince answered, "I am looking to see if my +slave is coming, fearing we have nothing ready." "Come in, come +in," resumed she, "we had better wait for him within doors than +without." + +Amgiad, much against his will, followed her into the house. +Passing through a spacious court, neatly paved, they ascended by +several steps into a grand vestibule, which led to a large open +hall very well furnished, where he and the lady found a table +ready spread with all sorts of delicacies, another heaped with +fruit, and a sideboard covered with bottles of wine. + +When Amgiad beheld these preparations, he gave himself up for +lost. "Unfortunate Amgiad," said he to himself, "thou wilt soon +follow thy dear brother Assad." + +The lady, on the contrary, transported at the sight, exclaimed, +"How, my lord, did you fear there was nothing ready? You see your +slave has done more than you expected. But, if I am not mistaken, +these preparations were made for some other lady, and not for me: +no matter, let her come, I promise you I will not be jealous; I +only beg the favour of you to permit me to wait on her and you." + +Amgiad, greatly as he was troubled at this accident, could not +help laughing at the lady's pleasantry. "Madam," said he, +thinking of something else that tormented his mind, "there is +nothing in what you imagine; this is my common dinner, and no +extraordinary preparation, I assure you." As he could not bring +himself to sit down at a table which was not provided for him, +he would have taken his seat on a sofa, but the lady would not +permit him. "Come, sir," said she, "you must be hungry after +bathing, let us eat and enjoy ourselves." + +Amgiad was forced to comply: they both sat down, and began to +regale themselves. After having taken a little, the lady took a +bottle and glass, poured out some wine, and when she had drunk +herself, filled another glass, and gave it to Amgiad, who pledged +her. The more the prince reflected on this adventure, the more he +was amazed that the master of the house did not appear; and that +a mansion, so rich and well provided, should be left without a +servant. "It will be fortunate," said he to himself, "if the +master of the house do not return till I am got clear of this +intrigue." While he was occupied with these thoughts, and others +more troublesome, she ate and drank heartily, and obliged him to +do the same. Just as they were proceeding to the dessert, the +master of the house arrived. + +It happened to be Bahader, master of the horse to the king of the +magicians. This mansion belonged to him, but he commonly resided +in another; and seldom came to this, unless to regale himself +with two or three chosen friends He always sent provisions from +his other house on such occasions, and had done so this day by +some of his servants, who were just gone when the lady and Amgiad +entered. + +Bahader came as he used to do, in disguise, and without +attendants, and a little before the time appointed for the +assembling of his friends. He was not a little surprised to find +the door broken open; he entered, making no noise, and hearing +some persons talking and making merry in the hall, he stole along +under the wall, and put his head half way within the door to see +who they were. + +Perceiving a young man and a young lady eating at his table the +victuals that had been provided for his friends and himself, and +that there was no great harm done, he resolved to divert himself +with the adventure. + +The lady's back was a little turned towards him, and she did not +see the master of the horse, but Amgiad perceived him +immediately. The glass was at the time in his hand, and he was +going to drink; he changed colour at the sight of Bahader, who +made a sign to him not to say a word, but to come and speak to +him. + +Amgiad drank and rose: "Where are you going?" inquired the lady. +The prince answered, "Pray, madam, stay here a little; I shall +return directly." Bahader waited for him in the vestibule, and +led him into the court to talk to him without being overheard by +the lady. + +When Bahader and Amgiad were in the court, Bahader demanded of +the prince, how the lady came into his house? and why they broke +open his door? "My lord," replied Amgiad, "you may very +reasonably think me guilty of a very unwarrantable action: but if +you will have patience to hear me, I hope I shall convince you of +my innocence." He then related, in a few words, what had +happened, without disguising any part of the truth; and to shew +him that he was not capable of committing such an action as to +break into a house, told him he was a prince, and informed him of +the reason of his coming to the city of the magicians. + +Bahader, who was a good man, was pleased with an opportunity of +obliging one of Amgiad's rank: for by his air, his actions, and +his well-turned conversation, he did not in the least doubt the +truth of what he had asserted. "Prince," said Bahader, "I am glad +I can oblige you in so pleasant an adventure. Far from disturbing +the feast, it will gratify me to contribute to your satisfaction +in any thing. Before I say any more on this subject, I must +inform you my name is Bahader; I am master of the horse to the +king of the magicians; I commonly reside in another house, which +I have in the city, and come here sometimes to have the more +liberty with my friends. You have made this lady believe you have +a slave, though you have none; I will personate that slave, and +that this may not make you uneasy, and to prevent your excuses, I +repeat again, that I will positively have it to be so; you will +soon know my reason. Go to your place, and continue to divert +yourself. When I return again, and come to you in a slave's +habit, chide me for staying so long, do not be afraid even to +strike me. I will wait upon you while you are at table till +night; you shall sleep here, and so shall the lady, and to-morrow +morning you may send her home with honour. I shall afterwards +endeavour to do you more important services: go, and lose no +time." Amgiad would have made him an answer, but the master of +the horse would not suffer him, forcing him to return to the +lady. He had scarcely reentered the hall before Bahader's +friends, whom he had invited, arrived. Bahader excused himself +for not entertaining them that day, telling them they would +approve of his reason when they should be informed of it, which +they should be in due time. When they were gone, he went and +dressed himself in a slave's habit. + +Prince Amgiad returned to the lady much pleased at finding the +house belonged to a man of quality, who had received him so +courteously. When he sat down again, he said, "Madam, I beg a +thousand pardons for my rudeness. I was vexed that my slave +should tarry so long; the rascal shall pay for it when he comes: +I will teach him to make me wait so for him." + +"Let not that trouble you," said the lady. "The evil is his; if +he is guilty of any faults, let him pay for it: but do not let us +think of him, we will enjoy ourselves without him." + +They continued at the table with the more pleasure, as Amgiad was +under no apprehensions of the consequence of the lady's +indiscretion in breaking open the door. The prince was now as +merry as the lady: they said a thousand pleasant things, and +drank more than they ate, till Bahader arrived in his disguise. + +Bahader entered like a slave who feared his master's displeasure +for staying out when he had company with him. He fell down at his +feet and kissed the ground, to implore his clemency; and when he +had done, stood behind him with his hands across, waiting his +commands. + +"Sirrah," said Amgiad, with a fierce tone, and angry look, "where +have you been? What have you been doing, that you came no +sooner?" + +"My lord," replied Bahader, "I ask your pardon; I was executing +your orders, and did not think you would return home so early." + +"You are a rascal," said Amgiad, "and I will break your bones, to +teach you to lie, and disappoint me." He then rose up, took a +stick, and gave him two or three slight blows; after which he sat +down again. + +The lady was not satisfied with this chastisement. She also rose, +took the stick, and fell upon Bahader so unmercifully, that the +tears came into his eyes. Amgiad, offended to the last degree at +the freedom she took, and that she should use one of the king's +chief officers so ill, called out to her in vain to forbear. "Let +me alone," said she "I will give him enough, and teach him to be +absent so long another time." She continued beating him with +great fury, till Amgiad rose from the table, and forced the stick +out of her hand which she did not relinquish without much +struggling. When she found she could beat Bahader no longer, she +sat down, railed at and cursed him. + +Bahader wiped his eyes, and stood up to fill out wine When he saw +they had done eating and drinking, he took away the cloth, +cleared the hall, put every thing in its place; and night coming +on, lighted up the lamps. Every time he came in, or went out, the +lady muttered, threatened him, and gave him abusive language, to +Amgiad's great regret, who would have hindered her, but could +not. When it was time for them to retire to bed, Bahader prepared +one for them on the sofa, and withdrew into a chamber, where he +laid himself down, and soon fell asleep, having been fatigued +with his beating. Amgiad and the lady entertained one another for +some time afterwards. The lady before she went to bed having +occasion to go to another part of the house, passing through the +vestibule, heard Bahader snore, and having seen a sabre hanging +up in the hall, turned back, and said to Amgiad, "My lord, as you +love me, do one thing for me." "In what can I serve you?" asked +the prince. "Oblige me so far as to take down this sabre and cut +off your slave's head." Amgiad was astonished at such a proposal +from a lady, and made no doubt but it was the wine she had drunk +that induced her to make it. "Madam," said he, "let us suffer him +to rest, he is not worthy of your farther notice: I have beaten +him, and you have beaten him: that ought to be sufficient; +besides, I am in other respects well satisfied with him." + +"That shall not satisfy me," replied the lady, in a violent +passion; "the rascal shall die, if not by your hands, by mine." +As she spoke, she took down the sabre from the place where it +hung, drew it out of the scabbard, and prepared to execute her +wicked design. + +Amgiad met her in the vestibule, saying, "You shall be satisfied, +madam, since you will have it so; but I should be sorry that any +one besides myself should kill my slave." When she had given him +the sabre, "Come, follow me," said he; "make no noise, lest we +should awaken him." They went into Bahader's chamber, where +Amgiad, instead of striking him, aimed his blow at the lady, and +cut off her head, which fell upon Bahader. + +Bahader was awakened by the head of the lady falling upon him. He +was amazed to see Amgiad standing by him with a bloody sabre, and +the body of the lady lying headless on the ground. The prince +told him what had passed, and said, "I had no other way to +prevent this furious woman from killing you, but to take away her +life." "My lord," replied Bahader, full of gratitude, "persons of +your rank and generosity are incapable of doing such a wicked +action: as she desired of you. You are my deliverer, and I cannot +sufficiently thank you." After having embraced him, to evince the +sense he entertained of his obligations to him, he said, "We must +carry this corpse out before it is quite day; leave it to me, I +will do it." Amgiad would not consent to this, saying, "He would +carry it away himself, since he had struck the blow." Bahader +replied, "You are a stranger in this city, and cannot do it so +well as one who is acquainted with the place. I must do it, if +for no other reason, yet for the safety of both of us, to prevent +our being questioned about her death. Remain you here, and if I +do not return before day, you may be sure the watch has seized +me; and for fear of the worst, I will by writing give this house +and furniture for your habitation." + +When he had written, signed, and delivered the paper to prince +Amgiad, he put the lady's body in a bag, head and all; laid it on +his shoulder, and went out with it from one street to another, +taking the way to the sea-side. He had not proceeded far before +he met one of the judges of the city, who was going the rounds in +person. Bahader was stopped by the judge's followers, who, +opening the bag, found the body of a murdered lady, bundled up +with the head. The judge, who knew the master of the horse +notwithstanding his disguise, took him home to his house, and not +daring to put him to death without telling the king, on account +of his rank, carried him to court as soon as it was day. When the +king had been informed by the judge of the crime Bahader had, as +he believed from the circumstances, committed, he addressed +himself to the master of the horse as follows: "It is thus then +that thou murderess my subjects, to rob them, and then wouldst +throw their dead bodies into the sea, to hide thy villainy? Let +us get rid of him; execute him immediately." + +Innocent as Bahader was, he received sentence of death with +resignation, and said not a word in his justification. The judge +carried him to his house, and while the pale was preparing, sent +a crier to publish throughout the city, that at noon the master +of the horse was to be impaled for a murder. + +Prince Amgiad, who had in vain expected Bahader's return, was +struck with consternation when he heard the crier publish the +approaching execution of the master of the horse. "If," said he +to himself, "any one ought to die for the murder of such a wicked +woman, it is I, and not Bahader; I will never suffer an innocent +man to be punished for the guilty." Without deliberating, he then +hastened to the place of execution, whither the people were +running from all parts. + +When Amgiad saw the judge bringing Bahader to the pale, he went +up to him, and said, "I am come to assure you, that the master of +the horse, whom you are leading to execution, is wholly innocent +of the lady's death; I alone am guilty of the crime, if it be +one, to have killed a detestable woman, who would have murdered +Bahader." He then related to him how it had happened. + +The prince having informed the judge of the manner in which he +had met her coming from the bath; how she had occasioned his +going into the master of the horse's pleasure-house, and all that +had passed to the moment in which he was forced to cut off her +head, to save Bahader's life; the judge ordered execution to be +stopped, and conducted Amgiad to the king, taking the master of +the horse with them. + +The king wished to hear the story from Amgiad himself; and the +prince, the better to prove his own innocence and that of the +master of the horse, embraced the opportunity to discover who he +was, and what had driven him and his brother Assad to that city, +with all the accidents that had befallen them, from their +departure from the Isle of Ebene. + +The prince having finished his account, the king said to him, "I +rejoice that I have by this means been made acquainted with you; +I not only give you your own life, and that of my master of the +horse, whom I commend for his kindness to you, but I restore him +to his office; and as for you, prince, I declare you my grand +vizier, to make amends for your father's unjust usage, though it +is also excusable, and I permit you to employ all the authority +with which I now invest you to find out prince Assad." + +Amgiad having thanked the king for the honour he had done him, on +taking possession of his office of grand vizier used every +possible means to find out the prince his brother. He ordered the +common criers to promise a great reward to any who should +discover him, or give any tidings of him. He sent men up and down +the country to the same purpose; but in vain. + +Assad in the meanwhile continued in the dungeon in chains; +Bostama and Cavama, the cunning old conjuror's daughters, +treating him daily with the same cruelty and inhumanity as at +first. + +The solemn festival of the adorers of fire approached; and a ship +was fitted out for the fiery mountain as usual: the captain's +name was Behram, a great bigot to his religion. He loaded it with +proper merchandize; and when it was ready to sail, put Assad in a +chest, which was half full of goods, a few crevices being left +between the boards to give him air. + +Before the ship sailed, the grand vizier Amgiad, who had been +told that the adorers of fire used to sacrifice a Mussulmaun +every year on the fiery mountain, suspecting that Assad might +have fallen into their hands, and be designed for a victim, +resolved to search the ship in person. He ordered all the +passengers and seamen to be brought upon deck, and commanded his +men to search all over the ship, which they did, but Assad could +not be found, he was so well concealed. + +When the grand vizier had done searching the vessel, she sailed. +As soon as Behram was got out to sea, he ordered prince Assad to +be taken out of the chest, and fettered, to secure him, lest he +should throw himself into the sea in despair since he knew he was +going to be sacrificed. + +The wind was very favourable for a few days, after which there +arose a furious storm. The vessel was driven out of her course, +so that neither Behram nor his pilot knew where they were. They +were afraid of being wrecked on the rocks, for in the violence of +the storm they discovered land, and a dangerous shoal before +them. Behram perceived that he was driven into the port and +capital of queen Margiana, which occasioned him great +mortification. + +This queen Margiana was a devout professor of the Mahummedan +faith, and a mortal enemy to the adorers of fire. She had +banished all of them out of her dominions, and would not suffer +their ships to touch at her ports. + +It was no longer in the power of Behram to avoid putting into the +harbour, for he had no alternative but to be dashed to pieces +against the frightful rocks that lay off the shore. In this +extremity he held a council with his pilot and seamen. "My lads," +said he, "you see to what a necessity we are reduced. We must +choose one of two things; either to resolve to be swallowed up by +the waves, or put into queen Margiana's port, whose hatred to all +persons of our religion you well know. She will certainly seize +our vessel and put us all to death, without mercy. I see but one +way to escape her, which is, to take off the fetters from the +Mussulmaun we have aboard, and dress him like a slave. When queen +Margiana commands me to come before her, and asks what trade I +follow, I will tell her I deal in slaves; that I have sold all I +had, but one, whom I keep to be my clerk, because he can read and +write. She will by this means see him, and he being handsome, and +of her own religion, will have pity on him. No doubt she will +then ask to buy him of me, and on this account will let us stay +in the port till the weather is fair. If any of you have any +thing else to propose that will be preferable, I am ready to +attend to it." The pilot and seamen applauded his judgment, and +agreed to follow his advice. + +Behram commanded prince Assad's chains to be taken off, and had +him neatly habited like a slave, as became one who was to pass +for his clerk before the queen of the country. They had scarcely +time to do this, before the ship drove into the port, and dropped +anchor. + +Queen Margiana's palace was so near the sea, that her garden +extended down to the shore. She saw the ship anchor, and sent to +the captain to come to her, and the sooner to satisfy her +curiosity waited for him in her garden. + +Behram landed with prince Assad, whom he required to confirm what +he had said of his being a slave, and his clerk. When he was +introduced to the queen, he threw himself at her feet, and +informed her of the necessity he was under to put into her port: +that he dealt in slaves, and had sold all he had but one, who was +Assad, whom he kept for his clerk. + +The queen was taken with Assad from the moment she first saw him, +and was extremely glad to hear that he was a slave; resolving to +buy him, cost what he would. She asked Assad what was his name. + +"Great queen," he replied, with tears in his eyes, "does your +majesty ask what my name was formerly, or what it is now?" The +queen answered, "Have you two names then?" "Alas! I have," said +Assad: "I was once called Assad (most happy); and now my name is +Motar" (devoted to be sacrificed). + +Margiana not being able to comprehend the meaning of his answer, +interpreted it to refer to his condition of a slave. "Since you +are clerk to the captain," said she, "no doubt you can write +well; let me see your hand." + +Behram had furnished Assad with pen, ink, and paper, as a token +of his office, that the queen might take him for what he designed +she should. + +The prince stepped a little aside, and wrote as follows, suitable +to his wretched circumstances: + +"The blind man avoids the ditch into which the clear-sighted +falls. Fools advance themselves to honours, by discourses which +signify nothing, while men of sense and eloquence live in poverty +and contempt. The Mussulmaun with all his riches is miserable. +The infidel triumphs. We cannot hope things will be otherwise. +The Almighty has decreed it shall be so." + +Assad presented the paper to queen Margiana, who admired alike +the moral of the sentences, and the goodness of the writing. She +needed no more to have her heart inflamed, and to feel a sincere +concern for his misfortunes. She had no sooner read the lines, +than she addressed herself to Behram, saying, "Do which you will, +either sell me this slave, or make me a present of him; perhaps +it will turn most to your account to do the latter." + +Behram answered insolently, that he could neither give nor sell +him; that he wanted his slave, and would keep him. + +Queen Margiana, provoked at his rudeness, would not talk to him +any more on the subject. She took the prince by the arm, and +turned him before her to the palace, sending Behram word, that if +he stayed the night in her port, she would confiscate his goods, +and burn his ship. He was therefore forced to return to his +vessel, and prepare to put to sea again, notwithstanding the +tempest had not yet subsided. + +Queen Margiana, on entering her palace, commanded supper to be +got ready; and while it was providing, she ordered Assad to be +brought into her apartment, where she bade him sit down. Assad +would have excused himself: "It becomes not a slave," said he, +"to presume to this honour." + +"To a slave!" replied the queen: "you were so a moment ago; +henceforward you are no more a slave. Sit down near me, and tell +me the story of your life; for by what you wrote, and the +insolence of that slave-merchant, I guess there is something +extraordinary in your history." + +Prince Assad obeyed her; and sitting down, began thus: "Mighty +queen, your majesty is not mistaken, in thinking there is +something extraordinary in the story of my life: it is indeed +more so than you can imagine. The ills, the incredible torments I +have suffered, and the death to which I was devoted, and from +which I am delivered by your royal generosity, will shew the +greatness of my obligation to you, never to be forgotten. But +before I enter into particulars of my miseries, which will strike +horror into the hearts of all that hear them, I must trace the +origin of them to its source." + +This preamble increased queen Margiana's curiosity. The prince +then told her of his royal birth; of his brother Amgiad, and +their mutual friendship; of their mothers' criminal passion, the +cause of all their sufferings; of the king his father's rage; how +miraculously their lives were saved; how he had lost his brother; +how he had been long imprisoned and tortured, and was devoted to +be sacrificed on the fiery mountain. + +When Assad had finished his recital' the queen was more than ever +enraged at the adorers of fire. "Prince," said she, "though I +have always had an aversion to the adorers of fire, yet hitherto +I have had some humanity for them: but after their barbarous +usage of you, and their execrable design to sacrifice you, I will +henceforth wage perpetual war against them." + +She was proceeding, but supper being served in, she made prince +Assad sit down at table with her, being charmed with his beauty +and eloquence, and touched with a passion which she hoped soon to +have an opportunity of making known to him "Prince," said she, +"we must make you amends for so many fasts and wretched meals, to +which the pitiless adorers of fire made you submit; you must want +nourishment after such sufferings." With conversation of this +kind she helped him at supper; and ordered him to drink a good +deal of wine to recover his spirits; by which means he drank more +than he could well bear. + +The cloth being taken away, Assad having occasion to go out, took +an opportunity when the queen did not observe him. He descended +into the court, and seeing the garden-door open, went into it. +Being tempted by the pleasantness of the place, he walked there +for some time. At last he came to a fountain, where he washed his +face and hands to refresh himself, and lying down on the turf by +the fountain, fell asleep. + +Behram, to prevent the queen from executing her threats, had +weighed anchor, vexed at the loss of Assad, by which he was +disappointed of a most acceptable sacrifice. He comforted himself +as well as he could, with the thoughts that the storm was over, +and that a land breeze favoured his getting off the coast. As +soon as he was towed out of the port by the help of his boat, +before it was hoisted up into the ship again, "Stop, my lads," +said he to the seamen, "do not come on board yet; I will give you +some casks to fill with water, and wait for you." Behram had +observed, while he was talking to the queen in the garden, that +there was a fountain at the end of it, near the port. "Go," said +he, "land before the palace-garden; the wall is not above breast +high, you may easily get over; there is a basin in the middle of +the garden, where you may fill all your barrels, and hand them +aboard without difficulty." + +The sailors went ashore at the place he directed them to, and +laying their casks on their shoulders easily got over the wall. + +As they approached the basin, they perceived a man sleeping on +the grass, and knew him to be Assad. They immediately divided +themselves; and while some of the crew filled their barrels with +as little noise as possible, others surrounded Assad, and watched +to seize him if he should awake. + +He slept on undisturbed, giving them time to fill all their +casks; which they afterwards handed over the wall to others of +the crew who waited to carry them aboard. + +They next seized Assad, and conveyed him away, without giving him +time to recollect himself. They got him over the wall into their +boat with the casks, and rowed to the ship. When they drew near +her they cried out for joy, "Captain, sound your trumpets, beat +your drums, we have brought you your slave." + +Behram, who could not imagine how the seamen could find and take +him again, and did not see Assad in the boat, it being night, +waited their arrival with impatience, to ask what they meant; but +when he saw him, he could not contain himself for joy. He +commanded him to be chained, without staying to inquire how they +came by him; and having hoisted the boat on board, set sail for +the fiery mountain. + +In the meanwhile queen Margiana was in alarm. She was not at +first apprehensive when she found prince Assad was gone out, +because she did not doubt but he would soon return When some time +had passed without his appearing, she began to be uneasy, and +commanded her women to look for him. They sought for him in every +direction, and at night renewed their search by torch-light, but +all to no purpose. + +Queen Margiana was so impatient and alarmed, that she went +herself with lights, and finding the garden-door open, entered, +and walked all over it with her women to seek for him. Passing by +the fountain and basin, she espied a slipper, which she took up, +and knew it to be prince Assad's, her women also recognized it to +be his. This circumstance, together with the water being spilt +about the edge of the basin, induced her to believe that Behram +had carried him off. She sent immediately to see if he was still +in the port; and hearing he had sailed a little before it was +dark, that he lay-to some time off the shore, while he sent his +boat for water from the fountain, she sent word to the commander +of ten ships of war, which lay always ready in the harbour, to +sail on the shortest notice, that she would embark herself next +morning as soon as it was day. The commander lost no time, +ordered the captains, seamen and soldiers aboard, and was ready +to sail at the time appointed. She embarked, and when the +squadron was at sea, told the commander her intention. "Make all +the sail you can," said she, "and chase the merchantman that +sailed last night out of this port. If you capture it, I assign +it to you as your property; but if you fail, your life shall +answer." + +The ten ships chased Behram's vessel two whole days without +seeing her. The third day in the morning they discovered her, and +at noon had so surrounded her, that she could not escape. + +As soon as Behram espied the ten ships of war, he made sure it +was queen Margiana's squadron in pursuit of him; and upon that he +ordered Assad to be bastinadoed, which he had done every day. He +was much perplexed what to do, when he found he was surrounded. +To keep Assad, was to declare himself guilty; to kill him was as +dangerous, for he feared some marks of the murder might be seen. +He therefore commanded him to be unfettered and brought from the +bottom of the hold where he lay. When he came before him, "It is +thou," said he, "that art the cause of my being pursued;" and so +saying, he flung him into the sea. + +Prince Assad being an expert swimmer, made such good use of his +feet and hands, that he reached the shore in safety. The first +thing he did after he had landed, was to thank God who had +delivered him from so great a danger, and once more rescued him +out of the hands of the adorers of fire. He then stripped +himself, and wringing the water out of his clothes, spread them +on a rock, where, by the heat of the sun, and of the rock, they +soon dried. After this he lay down to rest himself, deploring his +miserable condition, not knowing in what country he was nor which +way to direct his course. He dressed himself again and walked on, +keeping as near the sea-side as he could. At last he entered a +kind of path, which he followed, and travelled on ten days +through an uninhabited country, living on herbs, plants, and wild +fruits. At last he approached a city, which he recognized to be +that of the magicians, where he had been so ill used and where +his brother Amgiad was grand vizier. + +He rejoiced to discover where he was, but resolved not to +approach any of the adorers of fire, and to converse only with +Moosulmauns, for he remembered he had seen some the first time he +entered the town. It being late, and knowing the shops were +already shut, and few people in the streets, he resolved to +remain in a burying ground near the city, where there were +several tombs built in the form of mausoleums. He found the door +of one of them open, which he entered, designing to pass the +night there. + +We must now return to Behram's ship, which, after he had thrown +prince Assad overboard, was soon surrounded on all sides by queen +Margiana's squadron. The ship in which queen Margiana was in +person first came up with him, and Behram, being in no condition +of defence against so many, furled his sails as a mark of his +submission. + +The queen herself boarded his ship, and demanded where the clerk +was, whom he had the boldness to take or cause to be taken out of +her palace. Behram replied, "O queen! I swear by your majesty, he +is not in my ship; you will, by searching, be convinced of my +innocence." + +Margiana ordered the ship to be searched as narrowly as possible, +but she could not find the man, whom she so much wished to +recover, as well on account of her love for him, as of the +generosity for which she was distinguished. She once resolved to +kill Behram with her own hand, but refrained, and contented +herself with seizing his ship and cargo, and turning him and his +men on shore in their boat. + +Behram and his seamen arrived at the city of the magicians the +same night as Assad, and stopped at the same burying-ground, the +city gates being shut, intending to stay in some tomb till the +next day, when they should be opened again. + +To Assad's misfortune, Behram came to that in which the prince +was sleeping with his head wrapped up in his habit, and entered +it. Assad awoke at the noise of his footsteps, and demanded who +was there. + +Behram immediately recognized him. "Hah, hah," said he, "thou art +the man who has ruined me for ever; thou hast escaped being +sacrificed this year, but depend on it thou shalt not be so +fortunate the next." Saying this, he flew upon him, clapped his +handkerchief into his mouth to prevent his making a noise, and +with the assistance of his seamen bound him. + +The next morning as soon as the city gates were open, Behram and +his men easily carried Assad through streets, where no one was +yet stirring, to the old man's house, where he had been so +inhumanly treated. As soon as he was brought in, he was again +thrown into the same dungeon. Behram acquainted the old man with +the unfortunate circumstances of his return, and the ill success +of his voyage. The old savage, upon this, commanded his two +daughters Bostama and Cavama to treat him, if possible, more +cruelly than before. + +Assad was overwhelmed with terror at seeing himself again in the +hands of persecutors from whom he had suffered so much, and +expected the repetition of the torments from which he hoped that +he had been delivered. He was lamenting the severity of his fate, +when Bostama entered with a stick in her hand, a loaf and a +pitcher of water. He trembled at the sight of this unmerciful +wretch, and at the very thoughts of the sufferings he was to +endure for another year, at the conclusion of which he was to die +the most horrible death. + +Bostama treated prince Assad as inhumanly as she had done during +his first confinement. But his cries, lamentations, and earnest +entreaties to her to spare him, joined with his tears, were so +affecting, that she could not help shedding tears. "My lord," +said she, covering his shoulders again, "I ask a thousand pardons +for my inhuman treatment of you formerly, and for making you once +more feel its effect. Till now I was afraid of disobeying a +father, who is unjustly enraged against you, and resolved on your +destruction, but at last I abhor this barbarity. Be comforted, +your evil days are over. I will endeavour by better treatment to +make amends for all my crimes, of the enormity of which you will +find I am duly sensible. You have hitherto regarded me as an +infidel; henceforth believe me one of your own religion; having +been taught it by a slave, I hope your lessons will complete my +conversion. To convince you of my sincerity, I first beg pardon +of the true God for all my sins, in dealing so cruelly by you, +and I trust he will put it in my power to set you entirely at +liberty." + +This address afforded the prince much comfort. He thanked the +Almighty for the change wrought in her heart, He also thanked her +for her favourable disposition towards him, and omitted no +arguments which he thought would have any effect in confirming +her conversion to the Moosulmaun religion. He afterwards related +to her the whole story of his life to that time. When he was +fully assured of her good intentions respecting him, he asked her +how she could continue to keep her sister Cavama in ignorance of +them; and prevent her treating him as barbarously as she used to +do? "Let not that trouble you," replied Bostama; "I know how to +order matters so that she shall never come near you." + +She accordingly every day prevented her sister's coming down into +the dungeon, where she often visited the prince. Instead of +carrying him bread and water, she now brought him the best wine +and the choicest victuals she could procure, which were prepared +by her twelve Mahommedan slaves. She ate with him herself from +time to time, and did all in her power to alleviate his +misfortunes. + +A few days afterwards, Bostama, as she stood at her father's +door, observed the public crier making proclamation, but she +could not hear what it was about, being too far off. As he was +proceeding in the direction of her father's house, she went in, +and holding the door half open, perceived that he went before the +grand vizier Amgiad, brother to Assad; who was accompanied by +several officers, and other attendants. + +The crier, a few steps from the house, repeated the proclamation +with a loud voice, as follows: "The most excellent and +illustrious grand vizier is come in person to seek for his dear +brother, from whom he was separated about a year ago. He is a +young man of such an appearance; if any one has him in keeping, +or knows where he is, his excellency commands that they bring him +forth, or give him notice where to find him, promising a great +reward to the person that shall give the information. If any one +conceal him, and he be hereafter found, his excellency declares' +he shall be punished with death, together with his wife, +children, and all his family, and his house to be razed to the +ground." + +Bostama, as soon as she had heard this, shut the door as fast as +she could, and ran to Assad in the dungeon. "Prince," said she, +with joy, "your troubles are at an end; follow me immediately." +She had taken off his fetters the day he was brought in, and the +prince followed her into the street, where she cried, "There he +is, there he is!" + +The grand vizier, who was not far from the house, returned. Assad +knew him to be his brother, ran to him, and embraced him. Amgiad, +who immediately recollected him, returned his embrace with all +possible tenderness; made him mount one of his officers' horses, +who alighted for that purpose; and conducted him in triumph to +the palace, where he presented him to the king, by whom he was +advanced to the post of a vizier. + +Bostama not wishing to return to her father's house, which was +the next day razed to the ground, was sent to the queen's +apartments. + +The old man her father, Behram, and all their families were +brought before the king, who condemned them to be beheaded. They +threw themselves at his feet, and implored his mercy. "There is +no mercy for you to expect," said the king, "unless you renounce +the adoration of fire, and profess the Mahummedan religion." + +They accepted the condition, and were pardoned at the +intercession of Assad, in consideration of Bostama's friendship; +for whose sake Cavama's life, and the lives of the rest of their +families were saved. + +Amgiad, in consideration of Behram turning Mussulmaun, and to +compensate for the loss which he had suffered before he deserved +his favour, made him one of his principal officers, and lodged +him in his house. Behram, being informed of Amgiad and his +brother Assad's story, proposed to his benefactor, to fit out a +vessel to convey them to their father's court: "For," said he, +"the king must certainly have heard of your innocence, and +impatiently desire to see you: otherwise we can easily inform him +of the truth before we land, and if he is still in the same mind, +you can but return." + +The two brothers accepted the proposal, communicated it to the +king of the city of the magicians, who approved of it; and +commanded a ship to be equipped. Behram undertook the employment +cheerfully, and soon got in readiness to sail. The two princes, +when they understood the ship was ready, waited upon the king to +take leave. While they were making their compliments, and +thanking the king for his favours, they were interrupted by a +great tumult in the city: and presently an officer came to give +them notice that a numerous army was advancing against the city, +nobody knowing who they were, or whence they had come. + +The king being alarmed at the intelligence, Amgiad addressed him +thus: "Sir, though I have just resigned into your majesty's hands +the dignity of your first minister, with which you were pleased +to honour me, I am ready to do you all the service in my power. I +desire therefore that you would be pleased to let me go and see +who this enemy is, that comes to attack you in your capital, +without having first declared war." + +The king desired him to do so. Amgiad departed immediately, with +a very small retinue, to see what enemy approached, and what was +the reason of their coming. + +It was not long before prince Amgiad descried the army, which +appeared very formidable, and which approached nearer and nearer. +The advanced guards received him favourably, and conducted him to +a princess, who stopped, and commanded her army to halt, while +she talked with the prince; who, bowing profoundly to her, +demanded if she came as a friend or an enemy: if as an enemy, +what cause of complaint she had against the king his master? + +"I come as a friend," replied the princess, "and have no cause of +complaint against the king of the city of the magicians. His +territories and mine are so situated, that it is almost +impossible for us to have any dispute. I only come to require a +slave named Assad, to be delivered up to me. He was carried away +by one Behram, a captain of a ship belonging to this city, the +most insolent man in the world. I hope your king will do me +justice, when he knows I am Margiana." + +The prince answered, "Mighty queen, the slave whom you take so +much pains to seek is my brother: I lost him, and have found him +again. Come, and I will deliver him up to you myself; and will do +myself the honour to tell you the rest of the story: the king my +master will rejoice to see you." + +The queen ordered her army to pitch their tents, and encamp where +they were; and accompanied prince Amgiad to the city and palace, +where he presented her to the king; who received her in a manner +becoming her dignity. Assad, who was present, and knew her as +soon as he saw her, also paid his respects to her. She appeared +greatly rejoiced to see him. While they were thus engaged, +tidings came, that an army more powerful than the former +approached on the other side of the city. + +The king of the magicians was more terrified than before, +understanding the second army was more numerous than the first, +for he saw this by the clouds of dust they raised, which hid the +face of the heavens. "Amgiad," cried he, "what shall we do now? a +new army comes to destroy us." Amgiad guessed what the king +meant; he mounted on horseback again, and galloped towards the +second army. He demanded of the advanced guards to speak with +their general, and they conducted him to their king. When he drew +near him, he alighted, prostrated himself to the ground, and +asked what he required of the king his master. + +The monarch replied, "I am Gaiour, king of China; my desire to +learn tidings of a daughter, whose name is Badoura, whom I +married to Kummir al Zummaun, son of Shaw Zummaun, king of the +isles of the children of Khaledan, obliged me to leave my +dominions. I suffered that prince to go to see his father, on +condition that he came back in a year with my daughter; from that +time I have heard nothing of them. Your king will lay an infinite +obligation on an afflicted father, by telling him if he knows +what is become of them." + +Prince Amgiad, perceiving by his discourse that the king was his +grandfather, kissed his hand with tenderness, and answered him +thus: "I hope your majesty will pardon my freedom, when you know +that I only pay my duty to my grandfather. I am the son of Kummir +al Zummaun, king of the isle of Ebene, and of queen Badoura, for +whom you are thus troubled; and I doubt not but they are both in +good health in their kingdom." + +The king of China, overjoyed to see his grandson, tenderly +embraced him. Such a meeting, so happy and unexpected, drew tears +from both. The king inquiring on what occasion he had come into a +strange country, the prince told him all that had happened to him +and his brother Assad. When he had finished his relation, "My +son," replied the king of China, "it is not just that such +innocent princes as you are should be longer ill used. Comfort +yourself, I will carry you and your brother home, and make your +peace. Return, and acquaint your brother with my arrival." + +While the king of China encamped in the place where prince Amgiad +met him, the prince returned to inform the king of the magicians, +who waited for him impatiently, how he had succeeded. + +The king was astonished that so mighty a king as that of China +should undertake such a long and troublesome journey, out of a +desire to see his daughter. He gave orders to make preparations +for his reception, and went forth to meet him. + +While these things were transacting, a great dust was seen on +another side of the town; and suddenly news was brought of the +arrival of a third army, which obliged the king to stop, and to +desire prince Amgiad once more to see who they were, and on what +account they came. + +Amgiad went accordingly, and prince Assad accompanied him. They +found it was Kummir al Zummaun their father's army, with whom he +was coming to seek for them. He was so grieved for the loss of +his sons, that at last emir Jehaun-dar declared that he had saved +their lives, which made him resolve to seek for them wherever he +was likely to find them. + +The afflicted father embraced the two princes with tears of joy, which +put an end to those he had a long time shed for grief. The princes had +no sooner told him the king of China, his father-in-law, was arrived, +than, accompanied by them and a small party, he rode to wait upon him +in his camp. They had not gone far, before they saw a fourth army +advancing in good order, which seemed to come from Persia. + +Kummir al Zummaun desired the two princes to go and see what army +it was, and he would in the meanwhile wait for them. They +departed immediately, and coming up to it, were presented to the +king to whom the army belonged; and, after having saluted him +with due reverence, they demanded on what design he approached so +near the king of the magicians' capital. The grand vizier, who +was present, answered in the name of the king his master, "The +monarch to whom you speak is Shaw Zummaun, king of the isles of +the children of Khaledan, who has a longtime travelled, thus +attended, to seek his son, who left his dominions many years ago: +if you know any thing of him, you cannot oblige him more than by +communicating to him all the information in your power." + +The princes only replied, that they would shortly bring him an +answer, and galloping back as fast as they could, told Kummir al +Zummaun that the king his father was approaching with his army. + +Wonder, surprise, joy, and grief, had such an effect on Kummir al +Zummaun, that he fainted as soon as he heard he was so near. +Prince Amgiad and prince Assad, by their assiduities, at length +brought him to himself; and when he had recovered his strength, +he went to his father's tent, and threw himself at his feet. + +Never was there a more affecting interview. Shaw Zummaun gently +upbraided his son with unkindness in so cruelly leaving him; and +Kummir al Zummaun discovered a hearty sorrow for the fault which +love had urged him to commit. + +The three kings, and queen Margiana, stayed three days at the +court of the king of the magicians, who treated them +magnificently. These three days were rendered more remarkable by +prince Assad's marriage with queen Margiana, and prince Amgiad +with Bostama, for the service she had done his brother Assad. + +At length the three kings, and queen Margiana, with her husband +Assad, returned to their respective kingdoms. As for Amgiad, the +king of the magicians had such an affection for him, he could not +part with him; and being very old, he resigned his crown to him. +Amgiad, when he had the supreme authority, did his utmost to +exterminate the worship of fire, and establish the Mahummedan +religion throughout his dominions. + + + + + THE STORY OF NOOR AD DEEN AND THE FAIR + PERSIAN. + + + +The city of Bussorah was for many years the capital of a kingdom +tributary to the caliphs of Arabia. The king who governed it in +the days of the caliph Haroon al Rusheed was named Zinebi, who +not thinking it proper to commit the administration of his +affairs to a single vizier, made choice of two, Khacan and Saouy. + +Khacan was of a sweet, generous, and affable temper, and took +pleasure in obliging, to the utmost of his power, those with whom +he had any business to transact, without violating the justice +which it became him to dispense to all. He was therefore +universally respected, at court, in the city, and throughout the +whole kingdom; and the praises he so highly deserved were the +general theme. + +Saouy was of a very different character: he was always sullen and +morose, and disgusted every body, without regard to their rank or +quality. Instead of commanding respect by the liberal +distribution of his immense wealth, he was so perfect a miser as +to deny himself the necessaries of life. In short, nobody could +endure him; and nothing good was said of him. But what rendered +him most hateful to the people, was his implacable aversion to +Khacan. He was always putting the worst construction on the +actions of that worthy minister, and endeavouring as much as +possible to prejudice him with the king. + +One day after council, the king of Bussorah amused himself with +his two viziers and some other members. The conversation turned +upon the female slaves that are daily bought and sold, and who +hold nearly the same rank as the lawful wives. Some were of +opinion, that personal beauty in slaves so purchased was of +itself sufficient to render them proper substitutes for wives, +which, often on account of alliance or interest in families, men +are obliged to marry, though they are not always possessed of any +perfection, either of mind or body. + +Others maintained, and amongst the rest Khacan, that personal +charms were by no means the only qualifications to be desired in +a slave; but that they ought to be accompanied with a great share +of wit, a cultivated understanding, modesty, and, if possible, +every agreeable accomplishment. The reason they gave was, that +nothing could be more gratifying to persons on whom the +management of important affairs devolved, than, after having +spent the day in fatiguing employment, to have a companion in +their retirement, whose conversation would be not only pleasing, +but useful and instructive: for, in short, continued they, there +is but little difference between brutes and those men who keep a +slave only to look at, and to gratify a passion that we have in +common with them. + +The king entirely concurred in this opinion, and accordingly +ordered Khacan to buy him a slave, of perfect beauty, mistress of +all the qualifications they had enumerated, and possessed, above +all things, of an enlightened understanding. + +Saouy, jealous of the honour the king had done Khacan, and +differing widely with him in opinion, said, "Sire, it will be +very difficult to find a slave so accomplished as your majesty +requires; and should such a one be discovered, which I scarcely +believe possible, she will be cheap at ten thousand pieces of +gold." "Saouy," replied the king, "I perceive plainly you think +the sum too great; it may be so for you, though not for me." Then +turning to his high treasurer, he ordered him to send the ten +thousand pieces of gold to the vizier's house. + +Khacan, as soon as he had returned home, sent for all the brokers +who used to deal in women-slaves, and strictly charged them, +that, if ever they met with one who answered the description he +gave them, they should immediately apprise him. The brokers, +partly to oblige the vizier, and partly for their own interest, +promised to use their utmost endeavours to procure for him one +that would accord with his wishes. Scarcely a day passed but they +brought him a slave for his inspection, but he always discovered +in each something defective. + +One day, early in the morning, as Khacan was mounting his horse +to go to court, a broker came to him, and, taking hold of the +stirrup with great eagerness, told him a Persian merchant had +arrived very late the day before, who had a slave to sell, so +surprisingly beautiful that she excelled all the women his eyes +had ever beheld; "And for wit and knowledge," added he, "the +merchant engages she shall match the most acute and learned +persons of the age." + +Khacan, overjoyed at this intelligence, which promised him a +favourable opportunity for making his court, ordered him to bring +the slave to his palace against his return, and departed. + +The broker failed not to be at the vizier's at the appointed +hour; and Khacan, finding the lovely slave so much beyond his +expectation, immediately gave her the name of the fair Persian. +As he had himself much wit and learning, he soon perceived by her +conversation, that it was in vain to search further for a slave +that surpassed her in any of the qualifications required by the +king; and therefore he asked the broker at what sum the Persian +merchant valued her. + +"Sir," replied the broker, "he is a man of few words in +bargaining, and he tells me, that the very lowest price he will +take for her is ten thousand pieces of gold: he has also sworn to +me, that, without reckoning his care and pains from the time of +his first taking her under his charge, he has laid out nearly +that sum on her education in masters to improve her form and +cultivate her mind, besides what she has cost him in clothes and +maintenance. As he always thought her fit for a king, he has from +her infancy, when he first bought her, been sparing of nothing +that might contribute towards advancing her to that high +distinction. She plays upon all kinds of instruments to +perfection; she sings, dances, writes better than the most +celebrated authors, makes verses, and there is scarcely any book +but she has read; so that there never was a slave so accomplished +heard of before." + +The vizier Khacan, who could estimate the merits of the fair +Persian better than the broker, who only reported what he had +heard from the merchant, was unwilling to defer the bargain to a +future opportunity, and therefore sent one of his servants to +look for the merchant, where the broker told him he was to be +found. + +As soon as the Persian merchant arrived, "It is not for myself, +but for the king," said the vizier Khacan, "that I buy your +slave; but, nevertheless, you must let him have her at a more +reasonable price than you have set upon her." + +"Sir," replied the merchant, "I should do myself unspeakable +honour in offering her as a present to his majesty, if it became +a person in my situation to make him one of such inestimable +value. I ask no more than her education and accomplishments have +cost me; and all I have to say is, that I believe his majesty +will be extremely pleased with the purchase." + +The vizier Khacan would stand no longer bargaining with the +merchant, but paid him the money immediately. "Sir," said he to +the vizier, upon taking his leave of him, "since the slave is +designed for the king's use, give me leave to tell you, that +being extremely fatigued with our long journey, you see her at +present under great disadvantage. Though she has not her equal in +the world for beauty, yet if you please to keep her at your own +house for a fortnight, she will appear quite another creature. +You may then present her to the king with honour and credit; for +which I hope you will think yourself much obliged to me. The sun, +you perceive, has a little injured her complexion; but after two +or three times bathing, and when you have dressed her as you +think proper, she will be so changed, that she will appear +infinitely more charming." + +Khacan was pleased with the instructions the merchant gave him, +and resolved to abide by them. He assigned the fair Persian a +particular apartment near his lady's, whom he desired to invite +her to an entertainment, and thenceforth to treat her as a person +designed for the king: he also provided for her several suits of +the richest clothes that could be had, and would become her best. +Before he took his leave of the fair Persian, he said "Your +happiness, madam, cannot be greater than what I am about to +procure for you; you shall judge for yourself; it is for the king +I have purchased you; and I hope he will be even more pleased +with possessing you than I am in having discharged the commission +with which his majesty has honoured me. I think it, however, my +duty to warn you that I have a son, who, though he does not want +wit, is yet young, insinuating, and forward; and to caution you +how you suffer him to come near you." The fair Persian thanked +him for his advice; and after she had given him assurance of her +intention to follow it, he withdrew. + +Noor ad Deen, for so the vizier's son was named, had free access +to the apartment of his mother, with whom he usually ate his +meals. He was young, handsome in person, agreeable in manners, +and firm in his temper; and having great readiness of wit, and +fluency of language, was perfect master of the art of persuasion. +He saw the fair Persian; and from their first interview, though +he knew his father had bought her purposely for the king, and had +so informed him, yet he never used the least endeavour to check +the violence of his passion. In short, he resigned himself wholly +to the power of her charms, by which his heart was at first +captivated; and, from his first conversation with her, resolved +to use his utmost endeavours to keep her from the king. + +The fair Persian, on her part, had no dislike to Noor ad Deen. +"The vizier," said she to herself, "has done me honour in +purchasing me for the king; but I should have thought myself very +happy if he had designed me only for his own son." + +Noor ad Deen was not remiss in improving the advantage he enjoyed +of seeing and conversing with a beauty of whom he was so +passionately enamoured; for he would never leave her till obliged +by his mother. "My son," she would say, "it is not proper for a +young man like you to be always in the women's apartments; go, +mind your studies, and endeavour to qualify yourself to succeed +to the honours of your father." + +The fair Persian not having bathed for a considerable time on +account of the length of her journey, the vizier's lady, five or +six days after she was purchased, ordered the bath in her own +house to be got ready purposely for her. She sent her to it +accompanied by many other women-slaves, who were charged by the +vizier's lady to be as attentive to her as to herself, and, after +bathing, to put her on a very rich suit of clothes that she had +provided for her. She was the more careful in order to ingratiate +herself with her husband, by letting him see how much she +interested herself in every thing that contributed to his +pleasure. + +As soon as she came out of the bath, the fair Persian, a thousand +times more beautiful than she had appeared to Khacan when he +bought her, went to visit his lady, who at first hardly knew her. +The fair Persian gracefully kissed her hand, and said, "Madam, I +know not how you like me in this dress you have been pleased to +order for me; but your women, who tell me it becomes me so +extremely well they should scarcely know me, certainly flatter +me. From you alone I expect to hear the truth; but, if what they +say be really so, I am indebted to you, madam, for the advantage +it has given me." + +"Oh! my daughter," cried the vizier's lady, transported with joy, +"you have no reason to believe my women have flattered you; I am +better skilled in beauty than they; and, setting aside your +dress, which becomes you admirably well, your beauty is so much +improved by the bath, that I hardly knew you myself. If I thought +the bath was warm enough, I would take my turn; for I am now of +an age to require its frequent use." "Madam," replied the fair +Persian, "I have nothing to say to the undeserved civilities you +have been pleased to shew me. As for the bath, it is in fine +order; and if you design to go in, you have no time to lose, as +your women can inform you." + +The vizier's lady, considering that she had not bathed for some +days, was desirous to avail herself of that opportunity; and +accordingly acquainted her women with her intention, who +immediately prepared all things necessary for the occasion. The +fair Persian withdrew to her apartment; and the vizier's lady, +before she went to bathe, ordered two little female slaves to +stay with her, with a strict charge that if Noor ad Deen came, +they should not give him admittance. + +While the vizier's lady was bathing, and the fair slave was alone +in her apartment, Noor ad Deen came in, and not finding his +mother in her chamber, went directly towards the fair Persian's, +and found the two little slaves in the antechamber. He asked them +where his mother was? They told him in the bath. "Where is the +fair Persian, then?" demanded Noor ad Deen. "In her chamber," +answered the slaves; "but we have positive orders from your +mother not to admit you." + +The entrance into the fair Persian's chamber being only covered +with a piece of tapestry, Noor ad Deen went to lift it up, in +order to enter, but was opposed by the two slaves, who placed +themselves before it, to stop his passage. He presently caught +them both by the arms, and, thrusting them out of the +antechamber, locked the door upon them. They immediately ran with +loud lamentations to the bath, and with tears in their eyes, told +their lady, that Noor ad Deen, having driven them away by force, +had gone into the fair Persian's chamber. + +The vizier's lady received the account of her son's presumption +with the greatest concern. She immediately left the bath, and +dressing herself with all possible speed, came directly to the +fair Persian's chamber; but before she could get thither, Noor ad +Deen had gone away. + +The fair Persian was extremely surprised to see the vizier's lady +enter her chamber in tears, and in the utmost confusion. "Madam," +said she, "may I presume to ask you the occasion of your concern; +and what accident has happened in the bath, to make you leave it +so soon?" + +"What!" cried the vizier's lady, "can you so calmly ask that +question, after my son has been with you alone in your chamber? +Can there happen a greater misfortune to him or me?" + +"I beseech you, madam," replied the fair slave, "what prejudice +can this action of Noor ad Deen's do to you or him?" + +"How," returned the vizier's lady, "did not my husband tell you +that you were designed for the king, and sufficiently caution you +to beware of our son?" + +"I have not forgotten that, madam," replied the fair Persian; +"but your son came to tell me the vizier his father had changed +his purpose, and instead of reserving me for the king, as he +first designed, had made him a present of my person. I easily +believed him; for, oh! think how a slave as I am, accustomed from +my infant years to the laws of servitude, could or ought to +resist him! I must own I did it with the less reluctance, on +account of the affection for him, which the freedom of our +conversation and daily intercourse has excited in my heart. I +could without regret resign the hope of ever being the king's, +and think myself perfectly happy in spending my whole life with +Noor ad Deen." + +At this discourse of the fair Persian's, the vizier's lady +exclaimed, "Would to God that what you say were true! I should +hear it with joy; but, believe me, Noor ad Deen has deceived you; +for it is impossible his father should ever make him such a +present. Ah! wretched youth, how miserable has he made me! and +more especially his father, by the dismal consequences we must +all expect to share with him! Neither my prayers nor tears will +be able to prevail, or obtain a pardon for him; for as soon as +his father hears of his violence to you, he will inevitably +sacrifice him to his resentment." At these words she wept +bitterly; and the slaves, who were as much alarmed for Noor ad +Deen as herself, joined in her tears. + +Shortly after the vizier Khacan entered; and being surprised to +find his lady and her slaves all in tears, and the fair Persian +very melancholy asked the reason; but instead of answering him +his wife and the slaves continued weeping and lamenting. This +astonished him still more; at last, addressing himself to his +wife, "I command you," said he, "to let me know the reason of +your tears, and to tell me the whole truth." + +The disconsolate lady could no longer refuse to satisfy her +husband. "Sir," said she, "first promise not to use me unkindly +on account of what I shall inform you, since I assure you, that +what has happened has not been occasioned by any fault of mine." +Without waiting for his answer, she then proceeded, "whilst I was +bathing with my women, your son seizing that fatal opportunity to +ruin us both, came hither, and made the fair Persian believe, +that instead of reserving her for the king, you had given her to +him as a present. I will not say what he did after such a wicked +falsehood, but shall leave you to judge. This is the cause of my +affliction, on your account, and his, for whom I want confidence +to implore your pardon." + +It is impossible to express the vizier Khacan's distraction at +this account of the insolence of his son. "Ah!" cried he, beating +his breast, and tearing his beard, "miserable son! unworthy of +life! hast thou at last thrown thy father from the highest +pinnacle of happiness into a misfortune that must inevitably +involve thee also in his ruin? neither will the king be satisfied +with thy blood or mine, to avenge the affront offered to his +royal person." + +His lady endeavoured to comfort him. "Afflict yourself no more," +said she; "I shall easily raise, with part of my jewels, ten +thousand pieces of gold, and you may buy another slave, more +beautiful and more worthy of the king." + +"Ah!" replied the vizier, "could you think me capable of being so +extremely afflicted at losing ten thousand pieces of gold? It is +not that loss, nor the loss of all I am worth, for that I should +not feel; but the forfeiting my honour, more precious than all +the riches in the world, that distresses me." "However," replied +the lady, "a loss that can be repaired by money cannot be so very +great." + +"How!" exclaimed the vizier; "do you not know that Saouy is my +mortal enemy; and as soon as this affair comes to his knowledge, +do you think he will not exult over me before the king? 'Your +majesty,' will he not say to him, is always talking of Khacan's +zeal and affection for your service; but see what a proof he has +lately given of his claim to the regard you have hitherto shewn +him. He has received ten thousand pieces of gold to buy a slave; +and, to do him justice, he has most honourably acquitted himself +of that commission, by purchasing the most beautiful that ever +eyes beheld; but, instead of bringing her to your majesty, he has +thought it better to make a present of her to his son. "Here, my +son," said he, "take this slave, since thou art more worthy of +her than the king." Then, with his usual malice, will he not go +on. His son has her now entirely in his possession, and every +day revels in her arms, without the least disturbance. This, sir, +is the exact truth, that I have done myself the honour of +acquainting you with; and if your majesty questions my veracity, +you may easily satisfy yourself. Do you not plainly see," +continued the vizier, "how, upon such a malicious insinuation as +this, I am every moment liable to have my house forced by the +king's guards, and the fair Persian taken from me, besides a +thousand other misfortunes that will unavoidably follow?" "Sir," +replied the vizier's lady to her husband, "I am sensible the +malice of Saouy is very great, and that, if he have but the least +intimation of this affair, he will certainly give it a turn very +disadvantageous to your interest; but how is it possible that he +or any one else should know what has been privately transacted in +your family? Suppose it comes to the king's ears, and he should +ask you about it; cannot you say, that upon a strict examination +you did not deem the slave so fit for his majesty's use as you +had at first thought her; that the merchant has cheated you; +that, indeed, she has considerable beauty, but is by no means so +accomplished as she had been represented. The king will certainly +believe what you say, and Saouy be vexed to the soul, to see all +his malicious design of ruining you disappointed. Take courage +then, and, if you will follow my advice, send for all the +brokers, tell them you do not like the fair Persian, and order +them to be as expeditious as possible in procuring for you +another slave." + +As this advice appeared rational to the vizier Khacan, and as his +passion began to cool, he resolved to abide by it, but his +indignation against his son remained as violent as ever. + +Noor ad Deen did not make his appearance during the whole of that +day, and not daring to hide himself among his young companions, +lest his father should search for him in their houses, he went a +little way out of town, and took sanctuary in a garden, where he +had never been before, and where he was totally unknown. He did +not return home till it was very late, when he knew his father +was in bed; and then his mother's women, opening the door very +softly; admitted him without any noise. He quitted the house +again next morning before his father was stirring; and this plan +he pursued for a whole month, to his great mortification. Indeed, +the women never flattered him, but told him plainly, his father's +anger was not at all diminished, and that he protested if he came +into his sight he would certainly kill him. + +The vizier's lady learnt from her women that Noor ad Deen slept +every night in the house, but she could not summon resolution to +supplicate her husband for his pardon. At last, however, she +ventured. One day she said to him, "I have hitherto been silent, +sir, not daring to take the liberty of talking to you about your +son; but now give me leave to ask what you design to do with him? +It is impossible for a son to have acted more criminally towards +a father than he has done, in depriving you of the honour and +gratification of presenting to the king a slave so accomplished +as the fair Persian. This I acknowledge; but, after all, are you +resolved to destroy him, and, instead of a light evil no more to +be thought of, to draw upon yourself a far greater than perhaps +you at present apprehend? Are you not afraid that the malicious +world, which inquires after the reason of your son's absconding, +may find out the true cause, which you are so desirous of +concealing? Should that happen, you would justly fall into a +misfortune, which it is so much your interest to avoid." + +"Madam," returned the vizier, "there is much reason in what you +have urged; but I cannot think of pardoning our son, till I have +mortified him as he deserves." "He will be sufficiently +mortified," replied the lady, "if you will only do what has just +suggested itself to my mind. Your son comes home every night +after you have retired; he sleeps here, and steals out every +morning before you are stirring. Wait for his coming in to-night, +make as if you designed to kill him, upon which I will run to his +assistance, and when he finds he owes his life entirely to my +prayers and entreaties, you may oblige him to take the fair +Persian on what condition you please. He loves her, and I am well +satisfied the fair slave has no aversion for him." + +Khacan readily consented to this stratagem. Accordingly, when +Noor ad Deen came at the usual hour, before the door was opened, +he placed himself behind it: as soon as he entered, he rushed +suddenly upon him, and got him down under his feet. Noor ad Deen, +lifting up his head, saw his father with a dagger in his hand, +ready to stab him. + +At that instant his mother arrived, and catching hold of the +vizier's arm, cried, "Sir, what are you doing?" "Let me alone," +replied the vizier, "that I may kill this base, unworthy son." +"You shall kill me first," returned the mother; "never will I +suffer you to imbue your hands in your own blood." Noor ad Deen +improved this moment. "My father," cried he with tears in his +eyes, "I implore your clemency and compassion; nor must you deny +me pardon, since I ask it in his name before whom we must all +appear at the last day." + +Khacan suffered the dagger to be taken out of his hand; and as +soon as Noor ad Deen was released, he threw himself at his +father's feet and kissed them, to shew how sincerely he repented +of having offended him. "Son," said the vizier, "return thanks to +your mother, since it is for her sake I pardon you. I propose +also to give you the fair Persian, on condition that you will +bind yourself by an oath not to regard her any longer as a slave, +but as your wife; that you will not sell her, nor ever be +divorced from her. As she possesses an excellent understanding, +and abundantly more wit and prudence than yourself, I doubt not +but that she will be able to moderate those rash sallies of +youth, which are otherwise so likely to effect your ruin." + +Noor ad Deen, who little expected such indulgent treatment, +returned his father a thousand thanks, and the fair Persian and +he were well pleased with being united to each other. + +The vizier Khacan, without waiting for the king's inquiries about +the success of the commission he had given him, took particular +care to mention the subject often, representing to his majesty +the many difficulties he met, and how fearful he was of not +acquitting himself to his majesty's satisfaction. In short, he +managed the business with so much address, that the king +insensibly forgot it. Though Saouy had gained some intimation of +the transaction, yet Khacan was so much in the king's favour, +that he was afraid to divulge what he had heard. + +This delicate affair had now been kept rather more than a year +with greater secrecy than the vizier at first expected, when +being one day in the bath, and some important business obliging +him to leave it, warm as he was, the air, which was then cold, +struck to his breast, caused a defluxion to fall upon his lungs, +which threw him into a violent fever, and confined him to his +bed. His illness increasing every day, and perceiving he had not +long to live, he thus addressed himself to his son, who never +quitted him during the whole of his illness: "My son," said he, +"I know not whether I have well employed the riches heaven has +blessed me with, but you see they are not able to save me from +the hands of death. The last thing I desire of you with my dying +breath is, that you would be mindful of the promise you made me +concerning the fair Persian, and in this assurance I shall die +content." + +These were the vizier Khacan's last words. He expired a few +moments after, and left his family, the court, and the whole +city, in great affliction, The king lamented him as a wise, +zealous, and faithful minister; and the people bewailed him as +their protector and benefactor.. Never was there a funeral in +Bussorah solemnized with greater pomp and magnificence. The +viziers, emirs, and in general all the grandees of the court, +strove for the honour of bearing his coffin, one after another, +upon their shoulders, to the place of burial; and both rich and +poor accompanied him, dissolved in tears. + +Noor ad Deen exhibited all the demonstrations of a sorrow +proportioned to the loss he had sustained, and long refrained +from seeing any company. At last he admitted of a visit from an +intimate acquaintance. His friend endeavoured to comfort him; and +finding him inclined to hear reason, told him, that having paid +what was due to the memory of his father, and fully satisfied all +that decency required of him, it was now high time to appear +again in the world, to converse with his friends, and maintain a +character suitable to his birth and talents. "For," continued he, +"though we should sin against the laws both of nature and +society, and be thought insensible, if on the death of our +fathers we neglected to pay them the duties which filial love +imposes upon us; yet having performed these, and put it out of +the power of any to reproach us for our conduct, it behoves us to +return to the world, and our customary occupations. Dry up your +tears then, and reassume that wonted air of gaiety which has +always inspired with joy those who have had the honour of your +friendship." + +This advice seemed too reasonable to be rejected, and had Noor ad +Deen strictly abided by it, he would certainly have avoided all +the misfortunes that afterwards befell him. He entertained his +friend honourably; and when he took his leave, desired him to +come again the next day, and bring with him three or four friends +of their acquaintance. By this means he insensibly fell into the +society of about ten young men nearly of his own age, with whom +he spent his time in continual feasting and entertainments; and +scarcely a day passed but he made every one of them some +considerable present. + +The fair Persian, who never approved of his extravagant way of +living, often spoke her mind freely. "I question not," said she, +"but the vizier your father has left you an ample fortune: but +great as it may be, be not displeased with your slave for telling +you, that at this rate of living you will quickly see an end of +it. We may sometimes indeed treat our friends, and be merry with +them; but to make a daily practice of it, is certainly the high +road to ruin and destruction: for your own honour and reputation, +you would do better to follow the footsteps of your deceased +father, that in time you may rise to that dignity by which he +acquired so much glory and renown." + +Noor ad Deen hearkened to the fair Persian with a smile: and when +she had done, "My charmer," said he, with the same air of gaiety, +"say no more of that; let us talk of nothing but mirth and +pleasure. In my father's lifetime I was always under restraint; +and I am now resolved to enjoy the liberty I so much sighed for +before his death. It will be time enough for me hereafter to +think of leading the sober, regular life you talk of; and a man +of my age ought to taste the pleasures of youth." + +What contributed still more to the ruin of Noor ad Deen's +fortune, was his unwillingness to reckon with his steward; for +whenever he brought in his accounts, he still sent him away +without examining them: "Go, go," said he, "I trust wholly to +your honesty; only take care to provide good entertainments for +my friends." + +"You are the master, sir," replied he, "and I but the steward; +however, you would do well to think upon the proverb, 'He that +spends much, and has but little, must at last insensibly be +reduced to poverty.' You are not contented with keeping an +extravagant table, but you must lavish away your estate with both +hands: and were your coffers as large as mountains, they would +not be sufficient to maintain you." "Begone," replied Noor ad +Deen, "I want not your grave lessons; only take care to provide +good eating and drinking, and trouble your head no farther about +the rest." + +In the meantime, Noor ad Deen's friends were constant guests at +his table, and never failed to take advantage of the easiness of +his temper. They praised and flattered him, extolling his most +indifferent actions; but, above all, they took particular care to +commend whatever belonged to him; and in this they found their +account. "Sir," said one of them, "I came the other day by your +estate that lies in such a place; nothing can be so magnificent +or so handsomely furnished as your house; and the garden +belonging to it is a paradise upon earth." "I am very glad it +pleases you," replied Noor ad Deen: "bring me pen, ink, and +paper; without more words, it is at your service; I make you a +present of it." No sooner had others commended one of his houses, +baths, or public buildings erected for the use of strangers, the +yearly revenue of which was very considerable, than he +immediately gave them away. The fair Persian could not forbear +stating to him how much injury he did himself; but, instead of +paying any regard to her remonstrances, he continued his +extravagances, and the first opportunity that offered, squandered +away the little he had left. + +In short, Noor ad Deen did nothing for a whole year but feast and +make merry, wasting and consuming, with the utmost prodigality, +the great wealth that his predecessors, and the good vizier his +father, had with so much pains and care acquired and preserved. + +The year was but just expired, when a person one day knocked at +the door of the hall, where he and his friends were at dinner +together by themselves, having sent away the slaves, that they +might enjoy the greater liberty. + +One of his friends offered to rise; but Noor ad Deen stepping +before him, opened the door himself. It was the steward; and Noor +ad Deen, going a little out of the hall to know his business, +left the door half open. + +The friend that offered to rise from his seat, seeing it was the +steward, and being curious to know what he had to say, placed +himself between the hangings and the door, where he plainly +overheard the steward's discourse to his master. "Sir," said he, +"I ask a thousand pardons for coming to disturb you in the height +of your pleasure; but what I have to say is of such importance, +that I thought myself bound in duty to acquaint you with it. I am +come, sir, to make up my last accounts, and to tell you, that +what I all along foresaw, and have often warned you of, is at +last come to pass. I have not the smallest piece left of all the +sums I have received from you for your expenses; the other funds +you assigned me are all exhausted. The farmers, and those that +owe you rent, have made it so plainly appear to me, that you have +assigned over to others what they held of you, that it is +impossible for me to get any more from them on your account. Here +are my books; if you please, examine them; and if you wish I +should continue useful to you, assign me other funds, or else +give me leave to quit your service." Noor ad Deen was so +astonished at his statement, that he gave him no answer. + +The friend who had been listening all this while, and had heard +every syllable of what the steward said, immediately came in, and +told the company what he had overheard. "It is your business, +gentlemen," said he, "to make your use of this caution; for my +part, I declare to you, this is the last visit I design ever to +make Noor ad Deen." "Nay," replied they, "if matters go thus, we +have as little business here as you; and for the future shall +take care not to trouble him with our company." + +Noor ad Deen returned presently after; notwithstanding all his +efforts to appear gay to his guests, he could not so dissemble +his concern, but they plainly perceived the truth of what they +had heard. He was scarcely sat down in his place, when one of his +friends arose: "Sir," said he, "I am sorry I cannot have the +honour of keeping you company any longer; and therefore I hope +you will excuse my rudeness in leaving you so soon." "What urgent +affair," demanded Noor ad Deen, "obliges you to be going so +soon?" "My wife, sir," he replied, "is brought to bed to-day; and +upon such an occasion, you know a husband's company is always +necessary." So making a very low bow, he went away. A minute +afterwards a second took his leave, with another excuse. The rest +did the same, one after another, till at last not one of the ten +friends that had hitherto kept Noor ad Deen company remained. + +As soon as they were gone, Noor ad Deen, little suspecting the +resolution they had formed never to see him again, went directly +to the fair Persian's apartment; to whom he related all the +steward had told him, and seemed extremely concerned at the ill +state of his affairs. "Sir," said the fair Persian, "allow me to +say, you would never take my advice, but always managed your +concerns after your own way, and now you see the fatal +consequences. I find I was not mistaken, when I presaged to what +a miserable condition you would bring yourself at last: but what +afflicts me the more is, that at present you do not see the worst +of your misfortunes. Whenever I presumed freely to remonstrate +with you, 'Let us be merry,' you replied, 'and improve the time +that Fortune offers us; perhaps she will not always be so +prodigal of her favours:' but was I to blame in telling you, that +we are ourselves the makers of our own fortunes by a prudent +management of them? You would not hearken to me; and I was +forced, however reluctantly, to let you go on." + +"I must own," replied Noor ad Deen, "I was extremely in the wrong +in not following the advice which with such admirable prudence +you gave me. It is true, I have spent my estate; but do you not +consider, it is among a chosen set of friends, whom I have long +known, and who, I am persuaded, have more generosity and +gratitude than to abandon me in distress?" "Sir," replied the +fair Persian, "if you have nothing but the gratitude of your +friends to depend on, your case is desperate; for, believe me, +that hope is ill-grounded, and you will tell me so yourself in +time." + +To this Noor ad Deen replied, "Charming Persian, I have a better +opinion of my friends' generosity: to-morrow I design to visit +them all, before the usual time of their coming hither; and you +shall see me return with a round sum that they will assist me +with. I am resolved to alter my way of living, and, with the +money they lend me, to set up in some business." + +Next morning, Noor ad Deen visited his ten friends, who lived in +the same street. He knocked at the first door, where one of the +richest of them resided. A slave came to the door: but before he +would open it, asked who was there. "Tell your master," said he +to the slave, "it is Noor ad Deen, the late vizier Khacan's son." +The slave opened the door, and shewed him into a hall, where he +left him, in order to inform his master, who was in an inner +room, that Noor ad Deen was come to wait on him, "Noor ad Deen!" +cried he, in a disdainful tone, loud enough for him to hear: "go +tell him I am not at home; and whenever he may come again, be +sure you give him the same answer." The slave returned, and told +Noor ad Deen he thought his master was within, but was mistaken. + +Noor ad Deen came away in the greatest confusion. "Ah! base, +ungrateful wretch!" cried he, "to treat me so to-day after the +vows and protestations of friendship that he made me yesterday." +He went to another door, but that friend ordered his slave also +to say he was gone out. He had the same answer at the third; and, +in short, all the rest denied themselves, though every one was at +home. + +Noor ad Deen now began in earnest to reflect with himself, and +see the folly of relying upon the protestations of attachment +that his false friends had solemnly made him in the time of his +prosperity, when he could treat them sumptuously, and load them +with favours. "It is true," said he to himself, "that a fortunate +man, as I was, may be compared to a tree laden with fruit, which, +as long as there is any on its boughs, people will be crowding +round, and gathering; but as soon as it is stripped of all, they +immediately leave it, and go to another." He smothered his +passion as much as possible while he was abroad; but no sooner +was he got home than he gave a loose to his affliction, and +discovered it to the fair Persian. + +The fair Persian seeing him so extremely concerned, guessed he +had not found his friends so ready to assist him as he expected. +"Well, sir," said she, "are you now convinced of the truth of +what I told you?" "Ah!" cried he, "thou hast been too true a +prophetess; for not one of them would know me, see me, or speak +to me. Who could ever have believed, that persons so highly +obliged to me, and on whom I have spent my estate, could have +used me so ungratefully? I am distracted; and I fear shall commit +some action unworthy myself, in the deplorable and desperate +condition I am reduced to, unless you assist me with your prudent +advice." "Sir," replied the fair Persian, "I see no other way of +supporting yourself in your misfortunes, but selling off your +slaves and furniture, and living on the money they produce, till +heaven points out some other means to deliver you from your +present misery." + +Noor ad Deen was loth to resort to this expedient; but what could +he do in the necessitous circumstances to which he was reduced? +He first sold off his slaves, those unprofitable mouths, which +would have been a greater expense to him than in his present +condition he could bear. He lived on the money for some time; and +when it was spent, ordered his goods to be carried into the +market-place, where they were sold for half their value, though +there were among them several articles that had cost immense +sums. Upon the produce of these he lived a considerable time; but +this supply failing at last, he had nothing left by which he +could raise any more money, of which he informed the fair Persian +in the most sorrowful expressions. + +Noor ad Deen little expected the answer this prudent woman made +him. "Sir," said she, "I am your slave; and the late vizier your +father gave ten thousand pieces of gold for me. I know I am a +little sunk in value since that time; but I believe I shall sell +for pretty near that sum. Let me entreat you then instantly to +carry me to the market, and expose me to sale; and with the money +that you get for me, which will be very considerable, you may +turn merchant in some city where you are not known, and by that +means find a way of living, if not in splendour, yet with +happiness and content." + +"Lovely and adorable Persian!" cried Noor ad Deen, "is it +possible you can entertain such a thought? Have I given you such +slender proofs of my love, that you should think me capable of so +base an action? But suppose me so vile a wretch, could I do it +without being guilty of perjury, after the oath I have taken to +my late father never to sell you? I would sooner die than break +it, and part with you, whom I love infinitely beyond myself; +though, by the unreasonable proposal you have made me, you shew +me that your love is by no means reciprocal." + +"Sir," replied the fair Persian, "I am convinced that your +passion for me is as sincere as you express; and heaven, who +knows with what reluctance I have made this proposal which +induces you to think so hardly of me, is my witness, that mine is +as great as yours; but to silence your reasons, I need only bid +you remember, that necessity has no law. I love you to that +degree that it is impossible for you to love me more; and be +assured, that to what master soever I shall belong, my love for +you will continue undiminished; and if you are ever able to +redeem me, as I hope you may, it will be the greatest pleasure in +the world to be restored to you again. I confess it is a fatal +and cruel necessity to which we are driven; but I see no other +way of freeing ourselves from the misery that involves us both." + +Noor ad Deen, convinced of the truth of what the fair Persian had +said, and that there was no other way of avoiding a shameful +poverty, was forced to yield to her proposal. Accordingly he led +her to the market where the women-slaves are exposed to sale, +with a regret that cannot easily be expressed. He applied himself +to a broker, named Hagi Hassan. "Hagi Hassan," said he, "here is +a slave whom I mean to sell; what will they give for her?" + +Hagi Hassan desired Noor ad Deen and the fair Persian to walk +into a room; and when she had pulled off the veil that covered +her face, "Sir," said Hagi Hassan, in surprise, "if I am not +mistaken, this is the slave your father, the late vizier, gave +ten thousand pieces of gold for?" Noor ad Deen assured him she +was the same and Hagi Hassan gave him some hopes of selling her +at a high price, and promised to use all his art to raise her +value as high as he could. + +Hagi Hassan and Noor ad Deen went out of the room; and Hagi +Hassan locked the fair Persian in. He went immediately to the +merchants; but they being busy in buying slaves from different +countries, Greeks, Franks, Africans, Tartars, and others, he was +forced to wait till the market was over. When the sale was ended, +and the greatest part of them were got together again, "My +masters," said he to them, with an air of gaiety in his looks and +actions, "every thing that is round is not a nut, every thing +that is long is not a fig, all that is red is not flesh, and all +eggs are not fresh; it is true you have seen and bought a great +many slaves in your lives, but you never yet saw one comparable +to her I am going to tell you of. She is the very pearl of +slaves. Come, follow me, you shall see her yourselves, and judge +at what rate I shall cry her." + +The merchants followed Hagi Hassan into the apartment where he +had left the fair Persian, and as soon as they beheld her were so +surprised at her beauty, that they unanimously agreed, four +thousand pieces of gold was the very lowest price they could set +upon her. The merchants left the room; and Hagi Hassan, who came +out with them, without going any farther, proclaimed with a loud +voice, "Four thousand pieces of gold for a Persian slave." + +None of the merchants had yet offered anything, and were +consulting together about what they might afford to give for her, +when the vizier Saouy appeared. Perceiving Noor ad Deen in the +market, he said to himself, "Noor ad Deen is certainly still +making money of his goods" (for he knew he had exposed them to +sale), "and is come hither to buy a slave with the product." He +advanced forward just as Hagi Hassan began to proclaim a second +time, "Four thousand pieces of gold for a Persian slave." + +The vizier Saouy, who concluded by the high price, that the slave +must be extraordinarily beautiful, was very desirous to see her; +so spurring his horse forward, he rode up to Hagi Hassan, who was +surrounded by the merchants. "Open the door," said he, "and let +me see the slave." It was not the custom to shew a slave to a +particular person after the merchants had seen her, and were +treating for her; but none of them durst dispute their right with +the vizier; and Hagi Hassan was obliged to open the door, and he +made a sign to the fair Persian to come forward, that Saouy might +see her, without alighting from his horse. + +The vizier was astonished at the sight of so beautiful a slave; +and knowing the broker's name (having formerly dealt with him), +"Hagi Hassan," said he, "is it not at four thousand pieces of +gold that you cry her?" "Yes, sir," answered he; "the merchants +just now agreed that I should put her up at that price: I wait +their advance; and I question not but they will give a great deal +more." + +"If no one offers more, I will give that sum," replied Saouy, +looking at the merchants at the same time with a countenance that +forbad them to advance the price. He was so universally dreaded, +that no one durst speak a word, even to complain of his +encroaching upon their privilege. + +The vizier having stayed some time, and finding none of the +merchants outbid him, "What do you stay for?" said he to Hagi +Hassan. "Inquire after the seller, and strike a bargain with him +at four thousand pieces of gold, or ask if he demands more." + +Hagi Hassan having locked the chamber-door, went to confer with +Noor ad Deen. "Sir," said he to him, "I am very sorry to bring +you the ill news of your slave's going to be sold for nothing." +"How so?" replied Noor ad Deen. "Why sir," continued Hagi Hassan, +"you must know that the business at first went on well; for as +soon as the merchants had seen your slave, they ordered me, +without hesitation, to cry her at four thousand pieces of gold; +accordingly I cried her at that price, but presently the vizier +Saouy came, and his presence has stopped the mouths of all the +merchants, who seemed disposed to raise her, at least to the same +price your deceased father gave for her. Saouy will give no more +than four thousand pieces; and it is much against my inclination +that I am come to tell you his despicable offer. The slave indeed +is your own; but I will never advise you to part with her upon +those terms, since you and every one else are sensible of her +being worth infinitely more; besides, he is base enough to +contrive a way to trick you out of the money." + +"Hagi Hassan," replied Noor ad Deen, "I am highly obliged to thee +for thy advice: do not think I will ever sell my slave to any +enemy of our family; my necessities, indeed, are at present very +great; but I would sooner die in the utmost poverty than consent +to delivering her up to him. I have only one thing to beg of +thee, who art skilful in all the turns and shifts of sale, that +thou wouldst put me in a way to prevent the completion of the +bargain." + +"Sir," said Hagi Hassan, "nothing is more easy: you must pretend +that, being in a violent passion with your slave, you swore to +expose her in the market, and for the sake of your oath have now +brought her hither, without any intention of selling her. This +will satisfy every one; and Saouy will have nothing to say +against it. Come along with me then; and just as I am presenting +her to Saouy as if it were by your own consent, pull her to you, +give her two or three blows, and send her home." "I thank thee +for thy counsel," said Noor ad Deen, "and will make use of it." + +Hagi Hassan went back to the chamber; and having privately +acquainted the fair Persian with their design, that she might not +be surprised, took her by the hand, and led her to the vizier +Saouy, who was still on horseback at the door "Sir," said he, +"here is the slave, she is yours; take her." + +The words were scarcely out of Hagi Hassan's mouth, when Noor ad +Deen, catching hold of the fair Persian, pulled her to him, and +giving her a box on the ear, "Come hither, impertinence," said +he, "and get you home again; for though your ill-humour obliged +me to swear I should bring you hither, yet I never intended to +sell you: I have business for you to do yet; and it will be time +enough to part with you when I have nothing else left." + +This conduct of Noor ad Deen put the vizier Saouy into a violent +passion. "Miserable debauchee," cried he, "wouldst thou have me +believe thou hast any thing else left to make money of but thy +slave?" and at the same instant, spurring his horse directly +against him, endeavoured to carry off the fair Persian. Noor ad +Deen nettled to the quick at the affront the vizier had put upon +him, quitted the fair Persian, and laying hold of his horse's +bridle, made him run two or three paces backwards. "Vile dotard," +said he to the vizier, "I would tear thy soul out of thy body +this moment, were it not out of respect for the crowd of people +here present." + +The vizier Saouy being hated by all, there was not one among them +but was pleased to see Noor ad Deen mortify him; and by signs +they gave him to understand, that he might revenge himself upon +him as much as he pleased, for nobody would interfere in their +quarrel. + +Saouy endeavoured to force Noor ad Deen to quit the bridle; but +he being a lusty, vigorous man, and encouraged by those that +stood by, pulled him off his horse, gave him several blows, and +dashed his head against the stones, till it was all over blood. +The slaves who waited upon the vizier would have drawn their +cimeters, and fallen upon Noor ad Deen; but the merchants +interposing prevented them. "What do you mean?" said they to +them; "do you not see that one is a vizier, the other a vizier's +son? Let them fight it out; perhaps they will be reconciled one +time or another; whereas, if you had killed Noor ad Deen, your +master, with all his greatness, could not have been able to +protest you against the law?" + +Noor ad Deen having given over beating the vizier Saouy, left him +in the mire, and taking the fair Persian, marched home with her, +attended by the people, with shouts and acclamations for the +action he had performed. + +The vizier, cruelly bruised with the blows he had received, made +shift to get up, with the assistance of his slaves, and had the +mortification to see himself besmeared with blood and dirt. He +leaned on the shoulders of two slaves, and in that condition went +straight to the palace in the sight of all the people, with the +greater confusion, because no one pitied him. As soon as he +reached the king's apartment, he began to cry out, and call for +justice in a lamentable tone. The king ordered him to be +admitted; and asked who it was that had abused and put him into +that miserable plight. "Sire," cried Saouy, "it is the favour of +your majesty, and being admitted into your sacred councils, that +has occasioned me to be so barbarously treated." "Say no more of +that," replied the king, "only let me hear the whole story +simply, and who the offender is; and if he is in the wrong, you +may depend upon it he shall be severely punished." + +"Sire," said Saouy, telling the whole matter to his own +advantage, "having occasion for a cook, I went to the market of +women-slaves to buy one: when I came thither, there was a slave +just cried at four thousand pieces of gold; I ordered them to +bring her before me, and I think my eyes never did nor will +behold a more beautiful creature: I had no sooner examined her +beauty with the highest satisfaction, than I immediately asked to +whom she belonged; and upon inquiry found that Noor ad Deen, son +to the late vizier Khacan, had the disposing of her. + +"Your majesty may remember, that about two or three years ago, +you gave that vizier ten thousand pieces of gold, strictly +charging him to buy you a slave with that sum. The money, indeed, +was laid out upon this very slave; but instead of bringing her to +your majesty, thinking his son deserved her better, he made him a +present of her. Noor ad Deen, since his father's death, having +wasted his whole fortune in riot and feasting, has nothing left +but this slave, whom he at last resolved to part with; and she +was to be sold in his name, I sent for him; and, without +mentioning any thing of his father's prevarication, or rather +treachery to your majesty, I in the civilest manner said to him, +'Noor ad Deen, the merchants, I perceive, have put your slave up +at four thousand pieces of gold; and I question not, but, in +emulation of each other, they will raise the price considerably: +let me have her for the four thousand pieces; I am going to buy +her for the king our lord and master; this will be a handsome +opportunity of making your court to him: and his favour will be +worth far more than the merchants can propose to give you.' + +"Instead of returning me a civil answer, the insolent wretch, +beholding me with a fierce air, "Impotent villain," said he, 'I +would rather give my slave to a Jew for nothing than to thee for +money.' 'Noor ad Deen,' I replied, without passion, though I had +some reason to be a little warm, 'you do not consider, that by +talking in this manner you affront the king, who raised both your +father and me to the honours we have enjoyed.' + +"This admonition, instead of softening him, only provoked him to +a higher degree; so that, falling upon me like a madman, without +regard to my age or rank, he pulled me off my horse, and put me +into this miserable plight. I beseech your majesty to consider, +that it is on your account I have been so publicly affronted." + +The abused king, highly incensed against Noor ad Deen by this +relation, so full of malice and artifice, discovered by his +countenance the violence of his anger; and turning to the captain +of his guards, who stood near him, "Take forty of your soldiers," +said he, "immediately plunder Noor ad Deen's house, and having +ordered it to be razed to the ground, bring him and his slave to +the presence." + +Before the captain of the guards was gone out of the king's +presence, an officer belonging to the court, who overheard the +order given, hastened out. His name was Sangiar; and he had been +formerly a slave of the vizier Khacan who had introduced him at +court, where by degrees he had raised himself. + +Sangiar, full of gratitude to his old master and affection for +Noor ad Deen, whom he remembered a child, being no stranger to +Saouy's hatred of Khacan's family, could not hear the order +without concern. "This action," said he to himself, "may not be +altogether so black as Saouy has represented it. He has +prejudiced the king against him, who will certainly put him to +death, without allowing him time to justify himself." He made so +much haste to Noor ad Deen's house, as to get thither soon enough +to acquaint him with what had passed at court, and give him time +to provide for his own and the fair Persian's safety. He knocked +so violently at the door, that Noor ad Deen, who had been a great +while without any servant, ran immediately to open it. "My dear +lord," said Sangiar, "there is no safety for you in Bussorah; you +must lose no time, but depart hence this moment." + +"How so?" demanded Noor ad Deen. "What is the reason I must be +gone so soon?" "Make haste away, sir," replied Sangiar, "and take +your slave with you. In short, Saouy has been just now +acquainting the king, after his own way of telling it, all that +passed between you and him; and the captain of the guards will be +here in an instant, with forty soldiers, to seize you and the +fair Persian. Take these forty pieces of gold to assist you in +repairing to some place of safety. I would give you more if I had +it about me. Excuse my not staying any longer; I leave you with +reluctance." Sangiar gave Noor ad Deen but just time to thank +him, and departed. + +Noor ad Deen acquainted the fair Persian with the absolute +necessity of their going that moment. She only put on her veil; +they both stole out of the house, and were fortunate enough not +only to get clear of the city, but also safely to arrive at the +Euphrates, which was not far off, where they embarked in a vessel +that lay ready to weigh anchor. + +As soon as they were on board, the captain came on deck amongst +his passengers. "Children," said he to them, "are you all here? +have any of you any more business to do in the city? or have you +left any thing behind you?" They were all there, they answered +him, and ready; so that he might sail as soon as he pleased. When +Noor ad Deen came aboard, the first question he asked was, +whither the vessel was bound? and being told for Bagdad, he +rejoiced at it. The captain, having weighed anchor, set sail; and +the vessel, with a very favourable wind, lost sight of Bussorah. + +The captain of the guards came to Noor ad Deen's house, and +knocked at the door; but no one answering, he ordered his +soldiers to break it open, who immediately obeyed him, and rushed +in. They searched the house; but neither he nor the fair Persian +were to be found. The captain of the guards made them inquire of +the neighbours; and he himself asked if they had seen them +lately. It was all in vain; for if they had seen him go out of +his house, so universally beloved was Noor ad Deen by the people, +that not one of them would have said the least word to his +prejudice. While they were rifling the house, and levelling it to +the ground, he went to acquaint the king with the news. "Look for +them," said he, "every where; for I am resolved to have them." + +The captain of the guards made a second search, and the king +dismissed the vizier Saouy with honour. "Go home," said he, +"trouble yourself no farther to punish Noor ad Deen; I will +revenge your injuries." + +Without delay the king ordered to be proclaimed throughout the +whole city a reward of a thousand pieces of gold for any person +that should apprehend Noor ad Deen and the fair Persian, also a +severe punishment upon those who should conceal them. No tidings +however could be heard of them; and the vizier Saouy had only the +comfort of seeing the king espouse his quarrel. + +In the mean time, Noor ad Deen and the fair Persian, after a +prosperous voyage, landed safe at Bagdad. As soon as the captain +came within sight of that city, pleased that his voyage was at an +end, "Rejoice, my children," cried he to the passengers; "yonder +is that great and wonderful city, where there is a perpetual +concourse of people from all parts of the world: there you shall +meet with innumerable crowds, and never feel the extremity of +cold in winter, nor the excess of heat in summer, but enjoy an +eternal spring with all its flowers, and the delicious fruits of +autumn." + +When the vessel came to anchor, a little below the city, the +passengers went ashore, each to their respective place of abode. +Noor ad Deen gave the captain five pieces of gold for his +passage, and went ashore also with the fair Persian; but being a +perfect stranger in Bagdad, was at a loss for a lodging. They +rambled a considerable time along the gardens that bordered on +the Tigris, and keeping close to one of them that was enclosed +with a very long wall, at the end of it they turned into a street +well paved, where they perceived a magnificent gateway and a +fountain near it. + +The inner door happened to be shut, but the portal was open, in +which there was an estrade on each side. "This is a very +convenient place for us," said Noor ad Deen to the fair Persian; +"night comes on apace; and though we have eaten nothing since our +landing, I am for passing the night here, and to-morrow we shall +have time enough to look for a lodging." "Sir," replied the fair +Persian, "you know your wishes are mine; let us go no farther, +since you are willing to stay here." Each of them having drunk a +draught of water at the fountain, they laid themselves down upon +one of the estrades; and after a little chat, being soothed by +the agreeable murmur of the water, fell asleep. + +The garden belonged to the caliph: and in the middle of it there +was a pavilion, called the pavilion of pictures, because its +chief ornaments were pictures after the Persian manner, drawn by +the most celebrated painters in Persia, whom the caliph had sent +for on purpose. The stately hall within this pavilion was lighted +by fourscore arches and a lustre in each; but these were lighted +only when the caliph came thither to spend the evening. On such +occasions they made a glorious illumination, and could be seen at +a great distance in the country on that side, and by great part +of the city. + +The office of keeper of this pleasure house was at this time held +by a very aged officer, named Scheich Ibrahim, whom the caliph, +for some important service, had put into that employment, with +strict charge not to let all sorts of people in, but especially +to suffer no one either to sit or lie down on the estrades at the +outward door, that they might always be clean; and whenever he +found any body there, to punish them severely. + +Some business had obliged this officer to go abroad, and he was +not yet returned. When he came back, there was just day-light +enough for him to discern two persons asleep upon one of the +estrades, with their heads under a piece of linen, to defend them +from the gnats. "Very well," said Scheich Ibrahim to himself; +"these people disobey the caliph's orders: but I will take care +to teach them better manners." Upon this he opened the door very +softly, and a moment after returned with a cane in his hand, and +his sleeve tucked up to the elbow: he was just going to lay on +them both with all his might, but withholding his arm, began to +reason with himself after this manner: "Thou wast going, without +reflection, to strike these people, who perhaps are strangers, +destitute of a lodging, and utterly ignorant of the caliph's +order; so that it would be advisable to know first who they are." +Upon this he gently lifted up the linen that covered their heads, +and was astonished to see a young man so well shaped, and a young +woman so beautiful; he then waked Noor ad Deen, by pulling him +softly by the feet. + +Noor ad Deen, lifting up his head, and seeing an old man with a +long white beard standing at his feet, got up, and throwing +himself upon his knees, and taking his hand, kissed it. "Good +father," said he, "Heaven preserve you!" "What do you want, my +son?" replied Scheich Ibrahim; "who are you, and whence came +you?" "We are strangers newly arrived," answered Noor ad Deen, +"and would fain tarry here till to-morrow." "This is not a proper +place for you," said Scheich Ibrahim; "come in with me, and I +will find one fitter for you to sleep in than this; and the sight +of the garden, which is very fine, will please you, when you see +it to-morrow by day light." "Is this garden your own?" asked Noor +ad Deen. "Yes," replied Scheich Ibrahim, smiling; "it is an +inheritance left me by my father: pray walk in, for I am sure you +will not repent seeing it." + +Noor ad Deen rose to thank Scheich Ibrahim for the civility he +had strewn, as did afterwards the fair Persian; and they entered +the garden. Scheich Ibrahim locked the door, and going before, +led them to a spot from whence, at one view, they might see the +disposition, grandeur, and beauty of the whole. + +Noor ad Deen had seen very fine gardens, but never any comparable +to this. Having satisfied his curiosity, as he was walking in one +of the walks, he turned about to the officer, and asked his name. +As soon as he had told him it was Scheich Ibrahim; "Scheich +Ibrahim," said he to him, "I must confess this is a charming +garden indeed. Heaven send you long to enjoy the pleasures of it; +we cannot sufficiently thank you for the favour you have done by +shewing us a place so well worth seeing; however, it is but just +that we should make you some amends for your kindness; here are +two pieces of gold; take them and get us something to eat, that +we may be merry together." + +At the sight of the two pieces of gold, Scheich Ibrahim, who was a +great admirer of that metal, laughed in his sleeve: he took them, and +leaving Noor ad Deen and the fair Persian by themselves, went to +provide what was necessary; for he was alone. Said he to himself with +great joy, "these are generous people; I should have done very wrong, +if, through imprudence, I had ill-treated and driven them away. A +tenth part of the money will suffice to treat them; and the rest I +will keep for my pains." + +While Scheich Ibrahim was gone to fetch something for his own +supper, as well as for his guests Noor ad Deen and the fair +Persian walked up and down the garden, till at last they came to +the pavilion of pictures. They stood awhile to admire its +wonderful structure, size, and loftiness; and after taking a full +view of it on every side, went up many steps of fine white marble +to the hall-door, which they found locked. + +They were but just returned to the bottom of the steps, when +Scheich Ibrahim arrived, loaded with provisions. "Scheich +Ibrahim," said Noor ad Deen, in great surprise, "did you not tell +us that this was your garden?" "I did," replied Scheich Ibrahim, +"and do so still." "And does this magnificent pavilion also +belong to you?" Scheich Ibrahim was staggered at this unexpected +question. "If," said he to himself, 'I should say it is none of +mine, they will ask me how I can be master of the garden and not +of the pavilion.' As he had made them believe the garden was his, +he said the same of the pavilion. "My son," said he, "the +pavilion is not distinct from the garden; but they both belong to +me." "If so," said Noor ad Deen, "since you invite us to be your +guests to-night, do us the favour to shew us the inside of it; +for if we may judge by the outward appearance, it must certainly +be extraordinarily magnificent." + +It would have been a great piece of incivility in Scheich Ibrahim +to refuse this favour, after what he had already done: moreover, +he considered that the caliph not having given him notice, +according to his usual custom, it was likely he would not be +there that night, and therefore resolved to treat his guests, and +sup with them in the pavilion. He laid the provisions on the +first step, while he went to his apartment for the key: he soon +returned with a light, and opened the door. + +Noor ad Deen and the fair Persian entered the hall, and were +never tired with admiring the beauty and richness of the place. +Indeed, without saying anything of the pictures which were +admirably well drawn, the sofas were very noble and costly; and +besides lustres suspended from every arch, there was between each +a silver branch supporting a wax candle. Noor ad Deen could not +behold these glorious objects without recollecting his former +splendour, and sighing. + +In the mean time Scheich Ibrahim was getting supper ready; and +the cloth being laid upon a sofa, and every thing in order, Noor +ad Deen, the fair Persian, and he sat down and ate together. When +supper was finished, and they had washed their hands, Noor ad +Deen opened a lattice, and calling the fair Persian to him, "Come +hither," said he, "and with me admire the charming prospect and +beauty of the garden by moon-light; nothing can be more +agreeable." She came to him; and they both enjoyed the view, +while Scheich Ibrahim was busy in taking away the cloth. + +When Scheich Ibrahim came to his guests again, Noor ad Deen asked +him whether he had any liquor to treat them with. "What liquor +would you have?" replied Scheich Ibrahim--"Sherbet? I have the +best in the world; but sherbet, you know, my son, is never drunk +after supper." + +"I know that very well," said Noor ad Deen; "it is not sherbet, +but another sort of liquor that we ask you for, and I am +surprised at your not understanding me." "It is wine then you +mean?" said Scheich Ibrahim. "You guess right," replied Noor ad +Deen, "and if you have any, oblige us with a bottle: you know a +bottle after supper is a very proper companion to spend the hours +with till bed-time." + +"Heaven defend me from keeping wine in my house," cried Scheich +Ibrahim, "and from ever coming to a place where any is found! A +man who, like me, has been a pilgrimage four times to Mecca, has +renounced wine for ever." + +"You would do us a singular kindness," said Noor ad Deen, "in +getting a little for our own drinking; and if it be not too much +trouble, I will put you in a way how you may do it, without going +into a vintner's shop, or so much as laying your hand upon the +vessel that contains it." "Upon that condition I will do it," +replied Scheich Ibrahim, "only let me know what I am to do." + +"Why then," said Noor ad Deen, "we just now saw an ass tied at +the entrance of your garden, which certainly must be yours, and +which you may make use of in this extremity: here are two pieces +of gold more; take them, and lead your ass with the panniers to +the next vintner's; you may stand at as great a distance as you +please, do but give something to the first person that comes by, +and desire him to go with your ass, and procure two pitchers of +wine; put one in one pannier, in another, another, which he must +pay for out of the money you give him, and so let him bring the +ass back to you: you will have nothing to do, but to drive the +beast hither before you; we will take the wine out of the +panniers: by this means you will do nothing that will give you +any scruple." + +The two last pieces of gold that Scheich Ibrahim was going to +receive wrought wonderfully upon his mind. "Ah! my son," cried +he, "you have an excellent contrivance; and had it not been for +your invention, I should never have thought of this way of +getting you some wine without any scruple of conscience." Away he +went to execute the orders, which he did in a little time; and, +upon his return, Noor ad Deen taking the pitchers out of the +panniers, carried them into the hall. + +Scheich Ibrahim having led the ass to the place from whence he +took him, came back again, "Scheich Ibrahim," said Noor ad Deen, +"we cannot enough thank you for the trouble we have already given +you; but we want something yet." "What is that?" replied Scheich: +"what more service can I do you?" "We have no cups to drink out +of," said Noor ad Deen, "and a little fruit, if you had any, +would be very acceptable." "Do but say what you have a mind to," +replied Scheich Ibrahim, "and you shall have every thing to your +heart's content." + +Down went Scheich Ibrahim, and in a short time spread a carpet +for them with beautiful porcelain dishes, full of all sorts of +delicious fruits, besides gold and silver cups to drink out of; +and having asked them if they wanted any thing else, he withdrew, +though they pressed him earnestly to stay. + +Noor ad Deen and the fair Persian sat down again, and drank each +a cup. They were pleased with the wine, which was excellent. +"Well, my dear," said Noor ad Deen to the fair Persian, "are we +not the most fortunate persons in the world, after so many +dangers, to meet with so charming and agreeable a place? Let us +be merry, and think no more on the hardships of our voyage. Can +my happiness be greater in this world, than to have you on one +side of me, and my glass on the other?" They drank freely, and +diverted themselves with agreeable conversation, each singing a +song. + +Both having very fine voices, but especially the fair Persian, +their singing attracted Scheich Ibrahim, who had stood hearkening +a great while on the steps, without discovering himself. He could +contain himself no longer; but thrusting his head in at the door, +"Courage, sir," said he to Noor ad Deen, whom he took to be quite +drunk, "I am glad to see you so pleased." + +"Ah! Scheich Ibrahim," cried Noor ad Deen, turning to him, "you +are a glorious man, and we are extremely obliged to you. We dare +not ask you to drink a cup; but walk in; come, sit down, and let +us have the honour at least of your company." "Go on, go on," +said Scheich Ibrahim; "the pleasure of hearing your songs is +sufficient for me." Upon this he immediately retired. + +The fair Persian perceiving Scheich Ibrahim, through one of the +windows, standing upon the steps, told Noor ad Deen of it. "Sir," +said she, "you see what an aversion he has for wine; yet I +question not in the least to make him drink, if you will do as I +would have you." Noor ad Deen asked her what it was. "Do but say +the word," replied he, "and I am ready to do what you please." +"Prevail with him then only to come in, and bear us company; some +time after fill up a bumper, and give it him; if he refuses, +drink it yourself, pretend to be asleep, and leave the rest to +me." + +Noor ad Deen understood the fair Persian's design, and called to +Scheich Ibrahim, who came again to the door. "Scheich Ibrahim," +said he, "we are your guests; you have entertained us in the most +obliging manner, and will you now refuse our solicitations to +honour us with your company? We do not ask you to drink, but only +the favour of seeing you." + +Scheich Ibrahim being at last prevailed upon, came into the hall, +and sat down on the edge of a sofa nearest to the door. "You do +not sit well there," said Noor ad Deen, "and we cannot have the +honour of seeing you; pray come nearer, and sit you down by the +lady; she will like it much." "I will obey you," replied Scheich +Ibrahim, so coming forward, simpering, to think he should be +seated near so beautiful a creature, he placed himself at some +distance from the fair Persian. Noor ad Deen desired a song of +her, in return for the honour Scheich Ibrahim had done them; and +she sung one that charmed him. + +When the fair Persian had ended her song, Noor ad Deen poured out +a cup of wine, and presented it to Scheich Ibrahim. "Scheich +Ibrahim," said he, "I entreat you, drink this to our healths." +"Sir," replied he, starting back, as if he abhorred the very +sight of the wine, "I beseech you to excuse me; I have already +told you that I have forsworn the use of wine these many years." +"Then since you will not drink our healths," said Noor ad Deen, +"give me leave to drink yours." + +While Noor ad Deen was drinking, the fair Persian cut half an +apple, and presented it to Scheich Ibrahim. "Though you refused +drinking," said she, "yet I believe you will not refuse tasting +this apple; it is very excellent." Scheich Ibrahim had no power +to refuse it from so fair a hand; but taking it with a very low +bow, put it in his mouth. She said a great many pleasant things +on the occasion; and Noor ad Deen, falling back upon a sofa, +pretended to fall fast asleep. The fair Persian presently +advanced towards Scheich Ibrahim, and speaking in a low voice, +"Look at him," said she, "thus in all our merry parties he +constantly serves me; and no sooner has he drunk a cup or two, +but he falls asleep, and leaves me alone; but I hope you will +have the goodness to keep me company till he awakes." + +At this the fair Persian took a cup, and filling it with wine, +offered it to Scheich Ibrahim. "Here," said she, "drink off this +to my health; I am going to pledge you." Scheich Ibrahim made a +great many difficulties, and begged her to excuse him from +drinking; but she pressed him so, that overcome by her charms and +entreaties he took the cup, and drank off every drop of the wine. + +The good old man loved a chirruping cup to his heart, but was +ashamed to drink among strangers. He often went to the tavern in +private, as many other people do; and he did not take the +precaution recommended, but went directly where he was well known +(night serving him instead of a cloak), and saved the money that +Noor ad Deen had ordered him to give the messenger who was to +have gone for the wine. + +While Scheich Ibrahim was eating fruit after his draught, the +fair Persian filled him out another, which he received with less +difficulty than the former, but made none at all at the third. In +short, a fourth was quaffing, when Noor ad Deen started up from +his pretended sleep; and bursting out into a violent fit of +laughter, and looking at him, "Ha! ha!" said he, "Scheich +Ibrahim, have I caught you at last? did you not tell me you had +forsworn wine? and now you have drunk it all up from me." + +Scheich Ibrahim, not expecting to be surprised, blushed a little; +however, that did not spoil his draught; but when he had done, +"Sir," said he laughing, "if there is any crime in what I have +done, it lies at this fair lady's door, not mine: for who could +possibly resist so many charms?" + +The fair Persian, who perfectly understood Noor ad Deen, took +Scheich Ibrahim's part. "Let him talk," said she, "Scheich +Ibrahim, take no notice of him, but let us drink on and be +merry." Awhile after Noor ad Deen filled out a cup for himself +and the fair Persian; but when Scheich Ibrahim saw that Noor ad +Deen had forgotten him in his turn, he took his cup, and +presenting it to the fair Persian, "Madam," said he, "do you +suppose I cannot drink as well as you?" + +At these words Noor ad Deen and the fair Persian laughed very +heartily. They poured him out some wine; and sat laughing, chatting, +and drinking, till near midnight. About that hour the fair Persian +began to notice that there was but one candle on the carpet. "Scheich +Ibrahim," said she to the good old officer, "you have afforded us but +one candle, when there are so many wax-lights yonder; pray do us the +favour to light some of them, that we may see a little better what we +are doing." + +Scheich Ibrahim making use of the liberty that wine inspires when +it gets into the head, and not caring to be interrupted in his +discourse, bade the fair Persian light them herself. "It is +fitter for a young person like you to do it," said he, "than for +me; but be sure not to light above five or six" Up rose the fair +Persian immediately, and taking a wax candle in her hand, lighted +it with that which stood upon the carpet, and without any regard +to Scheich Ibrahim's order, lighted up the whole fourscore. + +By and by, while Scheich Ibrahim was entertaining the fair +Persian with some discourse, Noor ad Deen took his turn to desire +him to light up some of the candles in the lustres, not taking +notice that all the wax-lights were already in a blaze. +"Certainly," replied Scheich Ibrahim, "you must be very lazy, or +less vigorous than I am, that you are not able to light them +yourself; get you gone, and light them; but be sure you light no +more than three." To work he went; but instead of that number, he +lighted them all, and opened the shutters of the fourscore +windows, before Scheich Ibrahim, who was deeply engaged with the +fair Persian, knew any thing of the matter. + +The caliph Haroon al Rusheed being not yet gone to rest, was in a +room of his palace on the river Tigris, from whence he could +command a view both of the garden and pavilion. He accidentally +opened the casement, and was extremely surprised at seeing the +pavilion illuminated; and at first, by the greatness of the +light, thought the city was on fire. The grand vizier Jaaffier +was still with him, waiting for his going to rest. The caliph, in +a great rage, called the vizier to him. "Careless vizier," said +he, "come hither, come hither; look at the pavilion of pictures, +and tell me the reason of its being illuminated at this hour, now +I am not there." + +The grand vizier at this account fell into a violent trembling; +but when he came nearer, and with his own eyes saw the truth of +what the caliph had told him, he was more alarmed than before. +Some excuse must be made to appease the caliph's anger. +"Commander of the true believers," said he, "all that I can say +to your majesty about this matter is, that some five or six days +ago Scheich Ibrahim came to acquaint me, that he had a design to +assemble the ministers of his mosque, to assist at a ceremony he +was ambitious of performing in honour of your majesty's +auspicious reign. I asked him if I could be any way serviceable +to him in this affair; upon which he entreated me to get leave of +your majesty to perform the ceremony in the pavilion. I sent him +away with leave to hold the assembly, telling him I would take +care to acquaint your majesty with it; and I ask pardon for +having quite forgotten it." "Scheich Ibrahim," continued he, "has +certainly made choice of this day for the ceremony; and after +treating the ministers of his mosque, was willing to indulge them +with the sight of this illumination." + +"Jaaffier," said the caliph, with a tone that plainly shewed his +anger was a little mollified, "according to your own account, you +have committed three faults; the first, in giving Scheich Ibrahim +leave to perform this ceremony in my pavilion, for a person in +such an office is not worthy of so great an honour; the second, +in not acquainting me with it; and the third, in not diving into +the bottom of the good old man's intention. For my part, I am +persuaded he only did it to try if he could get any money towards +bearing the charge of it; but that never came into your head." + +The grand vizier, overjoyed to hear the caliph put the matter +upon that footing, very willingly owned the faults he reproached +him with, and freely confessed he was to blame in not giving +Scheich Ibrahim a few pieces of gold. "Since the case is so," +added the caliph, "it is just that thou shouldst be punished for +thy mistakes, but thy punishment shall be light: thou shalt spend +the remainder of the night as I mean to do, with these honest +people, whose company I shall be well pleased with; and while I +am putting on a citizen's habit, go thou and disguise thyself +with Mesrour, and come both of you along with me." + +The vizier would have persuaded him it was late, and that all the +company would be gone before he could get thither: but the caliph +said he would positively go. The vizier, who knew that not a +syllable of what he had said was true, began to be in great +consternation; but there was no reply to be made, and go he must. + +The caliph then, disguised like a citizen, with the grand vizier +Jaaffier and Mesrour, chief of the eunuchs, stole out of the +palace together. They rambled through the streets of Bagdad till +they came to the garden; the door, through the carelessness of +Scheich Ibrahim, was open, he having forgotten to shut it when he +came back with the wine. The caliph was very angry at this. +"Jaaffier," said he to the grand vizier, "what excuse have you +for the door's being open at this unseasonable hour?" "Is it +possible that Scheich Ibrahim makes a custom of leaving it thus +all night? I rather believe the hurry of the feast has been the +occasion of this neglect." + +The caliph went into the garden; and when he came to the +pavilion, resolving not to go into the hall till he knew what was +doing, consulted with the grand vizier whether it was not his +best way to climb up into one of the trees that was near, to +observe what was going forward. The grand vizier casting his eyes +upon the door, perceived it stood half open, and told the caliph. +It seems Scheich Ibrahim had left it so, when he was prevailed +upon to come in and bear Noor ad Deen and the fair Persian +company. + +The caliph laying aside his first design, stole softly up to the +hall-door, which standing half open, he could see all the company +within, without being discovered himself. + +But how was he surprised, when he saw a lady of incomparable +beauty and a handsome young man sitting, with Scheich Ibrahim by +them. Scheich Ibraham held a cup in his hand. "My fair lady," +said he to the fair Persian, "a true toper never drinks without +singing a song first: if you please to hear, I will give you one +of my best songs." + +Scheich Ibrahim sung, and the caliph was the more surprised, +because till that moment he never knew of his drinking wine, but +always took him for a grave, solid man, as he seemed to be to +outward appearance. The caliph retired from the door with the +same caution as he had made his approaches to it; and coming to +the grand vizier, who was standing on the steps a little lower, +"Come up," said he to him, "and see if those within are the +ministers of the mosque, as you would have made me believe." + +By the tone of voice in which the caliph spoke these last words, +the vizier understood that things went ill on his side: however, +he went up the steps; but when he had peeped in at the door, and +saw the three sitting in that condition, he trembled for his +life. He returned to the caliph, but in such confusion, that he +knew not what to say. "What riotous doings are here?" said the +caliph to him: "who are these people that have presumed to take +the liberty of diverting themselves in my garden and pavilion? +and how durst Scheich Ibrahim give them admittance, and partake +of the diversion with them? I must, however, confess, I never saw +two persons more beautiful or better paired in my life; and +therefore, before I discover my anger, I will inform myself +better, and know who they are, and the reason of their being +here." He went to the door again to observe them more narrowly; +and the vizier, who followed, stood behind him, while he fixed +his eyes upon them. They both plainly heard every word that +Scheich Ibrahim said to the fair Persian. "Is there any thing, my +charming lady, wanting to render the pleasure of the evening more +complete?" "Nothing but a lute," replied the fair Persian, "and +methinks, if you could get me one, all would be well." "Can you +play upon it?" said Scheich Ibrahim. "Fetch me one," replied the +fair Persian, "and you shall hear whether I can or not." + +Scheich Ibrahim, without stirring very far from his place, took a +lute out of a press, and presented it to the fair Persian, who +begun to tune it. The caliph, in the mean time, turning to the +grand vizier, "Jaaffier," said he, "the young lady is going to +play upon the lute; and if she performs well, I will forgive her, +and the young man for her sake; but as for thee, I will have thee +impaled." "Commander of the true believers," replied the grand +vizier, "if that is your intention, I wish to God she may play +ill." "Why so?" said the caliph. "Because," replied the grand +vizier, "the longer we live in this world, the more reason we +shall have to comfort ourselves with the hopes of dying in good +sociable company." The caliph, who loved a repartee, began to +laugh at this; and putting his ear to the opening of the door, +listened to hear the fair Persian play. + +The fair Persian began in such a style, that, from the first +moment of her touching the lute, the caliph perceived she did it +with a masterly hand. Afterwards accompanying the lute with her +voice, which was admirably fine, she sung and played with so much +skill and sweetness, that the caliph was quite ravished to hear +her. + +As soon as the fair Persian had finished her song, the caliph +went down the steps, and the vizier followed him. When he came to +the bottom, "I never," said he to the vizier, "heard a more +charming voice, or a lute better touched. Isaac, whom I thought +the most skilful player in the world, does not come up to her. I +am so charmed with her music, that I will go in, and hear her +play before me. We must, therefore, consider how I can do it." + +"Commander of the true believers," said the grand vizier, "if you +should go in, and Scheich Ibrahim chance to know you, he would +infallibly die with the fright." "It is that which hurts me," +replied the caliph, "and I should be loth to be the occasion of +his death, after so many years service. A thought is just come +into my head, that may succeed; stay here with Mesrour, and wait +for me in the next walk." + +The neighbourhood of the Tigris had given the caliph an +opportunity of turning the stream under a stately bridge into his +garden, through a piece of water, whither the choicest fish of +the river used to retire. The fishermen knew it well; but the +caliph had expressly charged Scheich Ibrahim not to suffer any of +them to come near it. However, that night, a fisherman passing by +the garden-door, which the caliph had left open as he found it, +made use of the opportunity, and going in, went directly to the +canal. + +The fisherman immediately fell to work with his nets, and was +just ready to draw them, when the caliph, fearing what would be +the effect of Scheich Ibrahim's negligence, but willing to make +use of it to bring his design about, came to the same place. The +fisherman, in spite of his disguise, knew him, and throwing +himself at his feet, humbly implored his pardon, and excused +himself on account of his poverty. "Rise," said the caliph, "and +be not afraid; only draw your nets, that I may see what fish you +have got." + +The fisherman, recovered of his fright, quickly obeyed the +caliph's orders. He drew out five or six very large fishes; and +the caliph choosing the two biggest, tied them together by the +head, with the twig of a tree. "After this," said he to the +fisherman, "give me thy clothes, and take mine." The exchange was +soon made; and the caliph being dressed like a fisherman, even to +his boots and turban, "Take thy nets," said he to the fisherman, +"and get thee about thy business." + +When the fisherman, well pleased with his good fortune, was gone, +the caliph, taking the two fishes in his hand, went to look after +the grand vizier and Mesrour; he first met Jaaffier, who, not +knowing him, asked what he wanted, and bade him go about his +business. The caliph fell a laughing; by which the vizier +recognising him, "Commander of the true believers," said he, "is +it possible it can be you? I knew you not; and I ask a thousand +pardons for my rudeness. You are so disguised that you may +venture into the hall without any fear of being discovered by +Scheich Ibrahim." "Stay you here with Mesrour," said the caliph, +"while I go and play my part." + +The caliph went up to the hall, and knocked at the door. Noor ad +Deen hearing him first, told Scheich Ibrahim of it, who asked who +was there? The caliph opened the door, and stepping a little way +into the hall to shew himself, "Scheich Ibrahim," said he, "I am +the fisherman Kerim, who being informed of your design to treat +some of your friends, have brought you two very fine fishes, +fresh caught, to ask if you have any occasion for them." + +Noor ad Deen and the fair Persian were pleased to hear him name +fish. "Pray," said the latter to Scheich Ibrahim, "let him come +in, that we may look at them." Scheich Ibrahim, by this time, was +incapable of asking this counterfeit fisherman how or which way +he came thither, his whole thought being only to oblige the fair +Persian. With much ado he turned his head towards the door, being +quite drunk, and, in a stammering tone, calling to the caliph, +whom he took to be a fisherman, "Come hither, thou nightly +thief," said he, "and let us see what thou hast got." + +The caliph went forwards, and counterfeiting all the actions of a +fisherman, presented the two fishes. "These are very fine ones +indeed," said the fair Persian, "and if they were well dressed +and seasoned, I should be glad to eat some of them." "The lady is +in the right," answered Scheich Ibrahim; "but what can you do +with your fish, unless it were dressed? Go, dress it thyself, and +bring it to us; thou wilt find every thing necessary in my +kitchen." + +The caliph went back to the grand vizier. "Jaaffier," said he, "I +have been very well received; but they want the fish to be +dressed." "I will take care to dress it myself," said the grand +vizier, "and they shall have it in a moment." "Nay," replied the +caliph, "so eager am I to accomplish my design, that I will take +that trouble myself; for since I have personated the fisherman so +well, surely I can play the cook for once; in my younger days, I +dealt a little in cookery, and always came off with credit." So +saying, he went directly towards Scheich Ibrahim's lodgings, and +the grand vizier and Mesrour followed him. + +They all fell to work; and though Scheich Ibrahim's kitchen was +not very large, yet there was every thing in it that they wanted. +The fish was quickly cooked; and the caliph served it up, putting +to every one's place a lemon to squeeze into the sauce, if they +thought proper. They all ate very heartily, but especially Noor +ad Deen and the fair Persian; and the caliph stood before them. + +As soon as the repast was over, Noor ad Deen looking at the +caliph, "Fisherman," said he, "there never was better fish eaten; +and you have done us the greatest favour." At the same time, +putting his hand into his bosom, and pulling out a purse of +thirty pieces of gold, the remainder of forty that Sangiar, the +officer of the king of Bussorah, had given him just upon his +departure, "Take it," said he to him; "if I had any more, thou +shouldst have it; had I known thee in my prosperity, I would have +taken care to secure thee from want: do not refuse the small +present I make thee, but accept of it as kindly as if it were +much greater." + +The caliph took the purse, thanked Noor ad Deen, and perceiving +by the weight that it contained gold, "Sir," said he to him, "I +cannot enough thank you for your liberality, and I think myself +very fortunate in having to do with a person of your generosity; +but before I take my leave I have a favour to ask, which I beg +you not to deny me. Yonder is a lute, which makes me believe that +the lady understands playing upon it; and if you can prevail with +her to play but one tune, I shall go away perfectly satisfied; +for a lute, sir, is an instrument I am particularly fond of." + +"Fair Persian," said Noor ad Deen, immediately addressing himself +to her, "I ask that favour of you, and I hope you will not refuse +me." She took up the lute without more entreaties, and putting it +presently in tune, played and sung with such an air, as charmed +the very soul of the caliph. Afterwards she played upon the lute +without singing, but with so much strength and softness, as to +transport him into an ecstasy. + +When the fair Persian had given over playing, the caliph cried +out, "What a voice! what a hand! what skill! Was there ever finer +singing, or better playing upon the lute? Never was there any +seen or heard like it." + +Noor ad Deen, who was accustomed to give all that belonged to him +to persons who praised him, said, "Fisherman, I find thou hast +some taste for music; since thou art so delighted with her +performance, she is thine, I make thee a present of her." At the +same time he rose up, and taking his robe which he had laid by, +was going away, and leaving the caliph, whom he believed to be no +other than a fisherman, in possession of the fair Persian. + +The fair Persian was extremely surprised at Noor ad Deen's +liberality; she took hold of him, and looking tenderly at him, +"Whither, sir," said she, "are you going? sit down in your place, +I entreat you, and hearken to what I am going to sing and play." +He did as she desired him, and then the fair Persian, touching +the lute, and looking upon him with tears in her eyes, sung some +verses that she had made ex tempore, to reproach him with his +indifference, and the easiness as well as cruelty with which he +resigned her to Kerim. She only hinted, without explaining +herself any farther to a fisherman; for she, as well as Noor ad +Deen, was ignorant of his being the caliph. When she had done +playing, she put the lute down by her, and clapped a handkerchief +to her face, to hide the tears she could not repress. + +Noor ad Deen made no answer to all these reproaches, but by his +silence seemed to declare he did not repent of what he had done +The caliph, surprised at what he had heard, said, "Sir, as far as +I see, this beautiful, rare, and accomplished lady, of whom so +generously you have made me a present, is your slave?" "It is +very true, Kerim," replied Noor ad Deen, "and thou wouldst be +more surprised than thou art now, should I tell thee all the +misfortunes that have happened to me upon her account." "Ah! I +beseech you, sir," replied the caliph, still behaving like a +fisherman, "oblige me so far as to let me hear part of your +story." + +Noor ad Deen, who had already obliged him in several things of +more consequence, was so complaisant as to relate the whole story +to him. He began with the vizier his father's buying the fair +Persian for the king of Bussorah, and omitted nothing of what he +had done, or what had happened to him, from that time to their +arrival at Bagdad, and to the very moment he was talking to him. + +When Noor ad Deen had ended his story, "And whither are you going +now?" asked the caliph. "Where Heaven shall direct me," answered +Noor ad Deen. "If you will believe me," replied the caliph, "you +shall go no farther, but, on the contrary, you must return to +Bussorah: I will write a short letter, which you shall give the +king in my name: you shall see upon the reading it, he will give +you a very handsome reception, and nobody will dare to speak +against you." + +"Kerim," said Noor ad Deen, "what thou hast told me is very +singular; I never heard that a poor fisherman, as thou art, had +any correspondence with a king?" "Be not astonished at that," +replied the caliph: "you must know, that we both studied together +under the same masters, and were always the best friends in the +world: it is true, fortune has not been equally favourable to us; +she has made him a king, and me a fisherman. But this inequality +has not lessened our friendship. He has often expressed a +readiness and desire to advance my fortune, but I always refused; +and am better pleased with the satisfaction of knowing that he +will never deny me whatever I ask for the service and advantage +of my friends: let me do it, and you shall see the success." + +Noor ad Deen consented to what the caliph had proposed; and there +being every thing necessary for writing in the hall, the caliph +wrote a letter to the king of Bussorah; at the top of which he +placed this form, "In the name of the most merciful God," to shew +he would be absolutely obeyed. + +"Haroon al Rusheed, son of Mhadi, sends this letter to Zinebi, +his cousin. As soon as Noor ad Deen, son to the late vizier +Khacan, the bearer, has delivered you this letter, and you have +read it, pull off the royal vestments, put them on his shoulders, +and place him in thy seat without fail. Farewell." + +The caliph folded up the letter, sealed it, and giving it to Noor +ad Deen, without saying any thing of what was in it, "Go," said +he, "embark immediately in a vessel that is ready to go off (as +there did constantly every day at the same hour); you may sleep +when you are aboard." + +Noor ad Deen took the letter, and departed with the little money +he had about him when Sangiar gave him his purse; and the fair +Persian, distracted with grief at his departure, retired to one +of the sofas, and wept bitterly. + +Noor ad Deen was scarcely gone out of the hall, when Scheich +Ibrahim, who had been silent during the whole transaction, +looking steadfastly upon the caliph, whom he still took for the +fisherman Kerim, "Hark'e," said he, "Kerim, thou hast brought us +two fishes, that are worth twenty pieces of copper at most, and +thou hast got a purse and a slave: but dost thou think to have +all for thyself? I here declare, that I will go halves with thee +in the slave; and as for the purse, shew me what is in the +inside: if it is silver, thou shalt have one piece for thyself; +but if it is gold, I will have it all, and give thee in exchange +some pieces of copper which I have in my purse." + +The caliph, before his serving up the fish, had dispatched the +grand vizier to his palace, with orders to get four slaves with a +rich habit, and to wait on the other side of the pavilion till he +gave a signal with his finger against the window. The grand +vizier performed his commission; and he, Mesrour, and the four +slaves, waited at the appointed place, expecting the sign. + +The caliph, still personating the fisherman, answered Scheich +Ibrahim boldly, "I know not what there is in the purse; gold or +silver, you shall freely go my halves: but as to the slave, I +will have her all to myself; and if you will not accept these +conditions, you shall have nothing." + +Scheich Ibrahim, enraged to the last degree at this insolence, +considering him only as a fisherman, snatched up one of the china +dishes which were on the table, and flung it at the caliph's +head. The caliph easily avoided the blow, being thrown by a +person in liquor; but the dish striking against the wall, was +dashed into a thousand pieces. Scheich Ibrahim grew more enraged +at having missed his aim, and catching up the candle that stood +upon the table, rose from his seat, and went staggering down a +pair of back-stairs to look for a cane. + +The caliph took this opportunity, and striking his hands against +the window, the grand vizier, Mesrour, and the four slaves were +with him in an instant: the slaves quickly pulled off the +fisherman's clothes, and put him on the habit they had brought. +They had not quite dressed the caliph, who had seated himself on +the throne that was in the hall, but were busy about him when +Scheich Ibrahim, spurred on by interest, came back with a cane in +his hand, with which he designed to pay the pretended fisherman +soundly; but instead of finding him, he saw his clothes in the +middle of the hall, and the caliph on his throne, with the grand +vizier and Mesrour on each side of him. He stood awhile gazing on +this unexpected sight, doubting whether he was awake or asleep. +The caliph fell a laughing at his astonishment; and calling to +him, "Scheich Ibrahim," said he, "What dost thou want? whom dost +thou look after?" + +Scheich Ibrahim, no longer doubting that it was the caliph, +immediately threw himself at his feet, with his face and long +beard to the ground. "Commander of the true believers," cried he, +"your vile slave has offended you; but he implores your clemency, +and asks a thousand pardons for his offence." As soon as the +slaves had finished dressing him, he came down from his throne, +and advancing towards him, "Rise," said he, "I forgive thee." + +The caliph then addressed himself to the fair Persian, who had +suspended her sorrow as soon as she understood that the garden +and pavilion belonged to that prince, and not to Scheich Ibrahim, +as he had all along made her believe, and that it was he himself +disguised in the fisherman's clothes. "Fair Persian," said he, +"rise, and follow me: by what you have lately seen, you ought to +know who I am, and to believe that I am above taking any +advantage of the present which Noor ad Deen, with a generosity +not to be paralleled, has made me of your person. I have sent him +to Bussorah as king; and when I have given him the dispatches +necessary for his establishment, you shall go thither and be +queen. In the mean time I am going to order an apartment for you +in my palace, where you shall be treated according to your +desert." + +This discourse encouraged the fair Persian, and comforted her +very sensibly. The joy for the advancement of Noor ad Deen, whom +she passionately loved, to so high an honour, made her sufficient +amends for her affliction. The caliph kept his promise, and +recommended her to the care of his empress Zobeide, whom he +acquainted with the esteem he had entertained for Noor ad Deen. + +Noor ad Deen's return to Bussorah was more fortunate, and +speedier by some days than he could have expected. Upon his +arrival, without visiting any of his friends or relations he went +directly to the palace, where the king at that time was giving +public audience. With the letter held up in his hand, he pressed +through the crowd, who presently made way for him to come forward +and deliver it. The king took and opened it, and his colour +changed in reading it; he kissed it thrice, and was just about to +obey the caliph's orders, when he bethought himself of shewing +it to the vizier Saony, Noor ad Deen's irreconcilable enemy. + +Saouy, who had discovered Noor ad Deen, and began to conjecture, +with great uneasiness, what might be the design of his coming, +was no less surprised than the king at the order contained in the +letter; and being as much concerned in it, he instantly devised a +method to evade it. He pretended not to have read the letter +quite through, and therefore desiring a second view of it, turned +himself a little on one side as if he wanted a better light, and, +without being perceived by any body, dexterously tore off from +the top of it the form which shewed the caliph would be +absolutely obeyed, and putting it into his mouth, swallowed it. + +After this egregious piece of villainy, Saouy turned to the king, +and giving him the letter, "Sir," said he to him in a low voice, +"what does your majesty intend to do?" "What the caliph has +commanded me," replied the king. "Have a care, sir," said the +wicked vizier, "what you do. It is true this is the caliph's +hand, but the form is not to it." The king had observed it, but +in his confusion thought his eyes had deceived him when he saw it +was gone. + +"Sir," continued the vizier, "we have no reason to doubt but that +the caliph, on the complaints he has made against your majesty +and myself, has granted him this letter to get rid of him, and +not with any intention of having the order contained in it +executed. Besides, we must consider he has sent no express with a +patent; and without that the order is of no force. And since a +king like your majesty was never deposed without that formality, +any other man as well as Noor ad Deen might come with a forged +letter: let who will bring such a letter as this, it ought not to +be put in execution. Your majesty may depend upon it, that is +never done; and I will take upon myself all the consequence of +disobeying this order." + +King Zinebi, easily persuaded by this pernicious counsel, left +Noor ad Deen entirely to the discretion of the vizier Saouy, who +led him to his house in a very insulting manner; and after +causing him to be bastinadoed till he was almost dead, he ordered +him to a prison, where he commanded him to be put into the +darkest and deepest dungeon, with a strict charge to the gaoler +to give him nothing but bread and water. + +When Noor ad Deen, half dead with the strokes, came to himself, +and found what a dismal dungeon he was in, he bewailed his +misfortunes in the most pathetic manner. "Ah! fisherman," cried +he, "how hast thou cheated me; and how easy have I been in +believing thee! Could I, after the civility I shewed thee, expect +such inhuman and barbarous usage? However, may Heaven reward +thee; for I cannot persuade myself that thy intention was so +base; and I will with patience wait the end of my afflictions." + +The disconsolate Noor ad Deen remained six whole days in this +miserable condition; and Saouy did not forget that he had +confined him there; but being resolved to put him to a shameful +death, and not daring to do it by his own authority, to +accomplish his villainous design, loaded some of his slaves with +rich presents, which he, at the head of them, went and presented +to the king. "Behold, sire," said he, with the blackest malice, +"what the new king has sent you upon his accession to the crown, +and begs your majesty to accept." + +The king taking the matter just as Saouy intended, "What!" +replied he, "is that wretch still living? I thought you had put +him to death already." "Sire, I have no power," answered the +vizier, "to take any person's life; that only belongs to your +majesty." "Go," said the king, "behead him instantly; I give you +full authority." "Sire," replied the vizier Saouy, "I am +infinitely obliged to your majesty for the justice you do me; but +since Noor ad Deen has publicly affronted me, I humbly beg the +favour, that his execution may be performed before the palace; +and that the criers may publish it in every quarter of the city, +so that every body may be satisfied he has made a sufficient +reparation for the affront." The king granted his request; and +the criers in performing their office diffused universal sorrow +through the whole city. The memory of his father's virtues being +yet fresh among them, no one could hear, without horror and +indignation, that the son was going to suffer an ignominious +death. + +Saouy went in person to the prison, accompanied by twenty slaves, +ministers of his cruelty, who took Noor ad Deen out of the +dungeon, and put him upon a shabby horse without a saddle. When +Noor ad Deen saw himself in the hands of his enemy, "Thou +triumphest now," said he, "and abusest thy power; but I trust in +the truth of what is written in our scripture, 'You judge +unjustly, and in a little time you shall be judged yourself.'" +The vizier Saouy triumphed in his heart. "What! insolent," said +he, "darest thou insult me yet? but I care not what may happen to +me, so I have the pleasure of seeing thee lose thy head in the +public view of all Bussorah. Thou oughtest also to remember what +another of our books says, 'What signifies if one dies the next +day after the death of his enemy?'" + +The vizier, implacable in his hatred and enmity, surrounded by +his slaves in arms, conducted Noor ad Deen towards the palace. +The people were ready to fall upon him as he passed; and if any +one had set the example, would certainly have stoned him to +death. When he had brought him to the place of suffering, which +was to be in sight of the king's apartment, he left him in the +executioner's hands, and went straight to the king, who was in +his closet, ready to glut his eyes with the bloody spectacle he +had prepared. + +The king's guard and the vizier's slaves, who made a circle round +Noor ad Deen, had much trouble to withstand the people, who made +all possible efforts to break through, and carry him off by +force. The executioner coming up to him, said, "I hope you will +forgive me, I am but a slave, and cannot help doing my duty. If +you have no occasion for any thing more, I beseech you to prepare +yourself; for the king is just going to give me orders to strike +the blow." + +The unfortunate Noor ad Deen, at that moment, looking round upon +the people, "Will no charitable body," cried he, "bring me a +little water to quench my thirst?" Which immediately they did, +and handed it up to him upon the scaffold. The vizier Saouy +perceiving this delay, called out to the executioner from the +king's closet window, where he had planted himself, "Strike, what +dost thou stay for?" At these inhuman words the whole place +echoed with loud imprecations against him; and the king, jealous +of his authority, made it appear, by enjoining him to stop +awhile, that he was angry at his presumption. But there was +another reason; for the king that very moment casting his eye +towards a street that faced him, saw a troop of horsemen +advancing full speed towards the palace. "Vizier," said the king +immediately, "look yonder; what is the meaning of those +horsemen?" Saouy, who knew not who they might be, earnestly +pressed the king to give the executioner the sign. "No," replied +the king; "I will first know who those horsemen are." It was the +vizier Jaaffier, with his train, who came in person from Bagdad +by the caliph's order. + +To understand the occasion of this minister's coming to Bussorah, +we must observe, that after Noor ad Deen's departure with the +letter, the caliph the next day, nor for several days after, +thought not of sending him the patent which he mentioned to the +fair Persian. He happened one day to be in the inner palace, +which was that of the women, and passing by her apartment, heard +the sound of a fine voice: he listened to it; and he had no +sooner heard the words of one complaining for the absence of +somebody, than he asked the officer of the eunuchs who attended +him who the woman was that lived in that apartment? The officer +told him it was the young stranger's slave whom he had sent to +Bussorah to be king in the room of Mahummud Zinebi. + +"Ah! poor Noor ad Deen," cried the caliph, "I had forgotten thee; but +hasten," said he to the officer, "and bid Jaaffier come to me." The +vizier was with him in an instant. As soon as he came, "Jaaffier," +said he, "I have hitherto neglected sending the patent which was to +confirm Noor ad Deen king of Bussorah; but we have no time now to draw +up one; therefore immediately take post-horses, and with some of your +servants, make what haste you can to that city. If Noor ad Deen is no +longer alive, but put to death by them, order the vizier Saouy to be +impaled; but if he is living, bring him to me with the king and the +vizier." + +The grand vizier stayed no longer than just to get on horseback; +and being attended by a great train of officers belonging to his +household departed for Bussorah, where he arrived in the manner +and at the time already mentioned. As soon as he came to the +palace-yard, the people cleared the way for him, crying out, "A +pardon for Noor ad Deen!" and with his whole train he rode into +the palace, even to the very stairs, where he alighted. + +The king of Bussorah, knowing him to be the caliph's chief +minister, went to meet him, and received him at the entrance of +his apartment. The first question the vizier asked was, If Noor +ad Deen was living? and if he was, he desired that he might be +sent for. The king made answer, he was alive, and gave orders to +have him brought in. Accordingly he soon made his appearance as +he was, bound with cords. The grand vizier Jaaffier caused him to +be unbound, and setting him at liberty, ordered the vizier Saouy +to be seized, and bound him with the same cords. + +The grand vizier remained but one night at Bussorah; and, according to +the order he had received, carried Saouy, the king of Bussorah, and +Noor ad Deen, along with him. Upon his arrival at Bagdad, he presented +them to the caliph: and after he had given him an account of his +journey, and particularly the miserable condition in which he found +Noor ad Deen, and his ill-usage by the advice and malice of Saony, the +caliph desired Noor ad Deen to behead the vizier himself. "Commander +of the true believers," said the generous youth, "notwithstanding the +injury this wicked man has done me, and the mischief he endeavoured to +do my deceased father, I should think myself the basest of mankind if +I stained my hands with his blood." The caliph was pleased with his +generosity, and ordered justice to be done by the executioner. + +The caliph would fain have sent Noor ad Deen to Bussorah as king: +but he humbly begged to be excused from accepting the offer. +"Commander of the true believers," said Noor ad Deen, "the city +of Bussorah, after the misfortunes that have happened to me +there, will be so much my aversion, that I beseech your majesty +to give me leave to keep the oath which I have made, of never +returning thither again; and I shall think it my greatest glory +to serve near your royal person, if you are pleased to allow me +the honour." The caliph consented; and placing him among the +number of those courtiers who were his greatest favourites, +restored the fair Persian to him again. To all these favours he +added a plentiful fortune; and he and the fair Persian lived +together thenceforth, with all the happiness this world could +afford. + +As for the king of Bussorah, the caliph contented himself with +hinting how careful he ought to be in the choice of his viziers, +and sent him back to his kingdom. + + + + +End of Volume 2. + + + + + + + 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 Merchant 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 soon 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 +departed 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 kindness 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 laid 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 of a 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 +Pirouze, 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 Pirouze +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 Pirouze 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 +Pirouze 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 Pirouze 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 Pirouze, 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 +Pirouze, "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." +Pirouze 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. Pirouze'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 Pirouze'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 Pirouze 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 Pirouze 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 Pirouze, 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 Pirouze; 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 Pirouze. + +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 Pirouze 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 Pirouze'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 Pirouze; 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 Pirouze 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 Pirouze +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, Pirouze 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, Pirouze 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 Pirouze 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 Pirouze 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 Pirouze's apartment, the vizier following him. He +asked the princess where Codadad's widow had taken up her +lodging? Pirouze'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 +Pirouze'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. Pirouze 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 Pirouze +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. Pirouze'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 shewing 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, "I 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 pleasant 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 her 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-aouadat +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, Alla 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. + +Alla 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 least 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 villainies. 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 I +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 laid, 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 +conducted 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 left 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. + + + + + + + + The "Aldine" Edition of + + The Arabian Nights Entertainments + + Illustrated by S. L. Wood + + FROM THE TEXT OF DR. JONATHAN SCOTT + + In Four Volumes + + Volume 4 + + + London + Pickering and Chatto + 1890 + + + + + Contents of Volume IV. + + +The Story of the Enchanted Horse +The Story of Prince Ahmed, and the Fairy Perie Banou +The Story of the Sisters Who Envied Their Younger Sister +Story of the Three Sharpers and the Sultan + The Adventures of the Abdicated Sultan + History of Mahummud, Sultan of Cairo + Story of the First Lunatic + Story of the Second Lunatic + Story of the Retired Sage and His Pupil, Related to the + Sultan by the Second Lunatic + Story of the Broken-backed Schoolmaster + Story of the Wry-mouthed Schoolmaster + Story of the Sisters and the Sultana Their Mother +Story of the Bang-eater and the Cauzee + Story of the Bang-eater and His Wife +The Sultan and the Traveller Mhamood Al Hyjemmee + The Koord Robber + Story of the Husbandman + Story of the Three Princes and Enchanting Bird + Story of a Sultan of Yemen and His Three Sons + Story of the First Sharper in the Cave + History of the Sultan of Hind +Story of the Fisherman's Son +Story of Abou Neeut and Abou Neeuteen; Or, the Well-intentioned + and the Double-minded +Adventure of a Courtier, Related by Himself to His Parton, an +Ameer of Egypt +Story of the Prince of Sind, and Fatima, Daughter of Amir Bin +Naomaun +Story of the Lovers of Syria; Or, the Heroine +Story of Hyjauje, the Tyrannical Governor of Coufeh, and the +Young Syed +Story of Ins Alwujjood and Wird Al Ikmaum, Daughter of Ibrahim, + Vizier to Sultan Shamikh +The Adventures of Mazin of Khorassaun +Story of the Sultan the Dervish, and the Barber's Son +Adventures of Aleefa Daughter of Mherejaun Sultan of Hind, and + Eusuff, Son of Sohul, Sultan of Sind +Adventures of the Three Princes, Sons of the Sultan of China +Story of the Good Vizier Unjustly Imprisoned +Story of the Lady of Cairo and Her Four Gallants + The Cauzee's Story +Story of the Merchant, His Daughter, and the Prince of Eerauk +Adventures of the Cauzee, His Wife, &c + The Sultan's Story of Himself +Conclusion + + + + + THE STORY OF THE ENCHANTED HORSE. + + + +The Nooroze, or the new day, which is the first of the year and +spring, is observed as a solemn festival throughout all Persia, +which has been continued from the time of idolatry; and our +prophet's religion, pure as it is, and true as we hold it, has +not been able to abolish that heathenish custom, and the +superstitious ceremonies which are observed, not only in the +great cities, but celebrated with extraordinary rejoicings in +every little town, village, and hamlet. + +But the rejoicings are the most splendid at the court, for the +variety of new and surprising spectacles, insomuch that strangers +are invited from the neighbouring states, and the most remote +parts, by the rewards and liberality of the sovereign, towards +those who are the most excellent in their invention and +contrivance. In short, nothing in the rest of the world can +compare with the magnificence of this festival. + +One of these festival days, after the most ingenious artists of +the country had repaired to Sheerauz, where the court then +resided, had entertained the king and all the court with their +productions, and had been bountifully and liberally rewarded +according to their merit and to their satisfaction by the +monarch; when the assembly was just breaking up, a Hindoo +appeared at the foot of the throne, with an artificial horse +richly caparisoned, and so naturally imitated, that at first +sight he was taken for a living animal. + +The Hindoo prostrated himself before the throne; and pointing to the +horse, said to the emperor, "Though I present myself the last before +your majesty, yet I can assure you that nothing shewn to-day is so +wonderful as this horse, on which I beg your majesty would be pleased +to cast your eyes." "I see nothing more in the horse," said the +emperor, "than the natural resemblance the workman has given him; +which the skill of another workman may possibly execute as well or +better." + +"Sir," replied the Hindoo, "it is not for his outward form and +appearance that I recommend my horse to your majesty's +examination as wonderful, but the use to which I can apply him, +and which, when I have communicated the secret to them, any other +persons may make of him. Whenever I mount him, be it where it +may, if I wish to transport myself through the air to the most +distant part of the world, I can do it in a very short time. +This, sir, is the wonder of my horse; a wonder which nobody ever +heard speak of, and which I offer to shew your majesty, if you +command me." + +The emperor of Persia, who was fond of every thing that was +curious, and notwithstanding the many prodigies of art he had +seen had never beheld or heard of anything that came up to this, +told the Hindoo, that nothing but the experience of what he +asserted could convince him: and that he was ready to see him +perform what he had promised. + +The Hindoo instantly put his foot into the stirrup, mounted his +horse with admirable agility, and when he had fixed himself in +the saddle, asked the emperor whither he pleased to command him. + +About three leagues from Sheerauz there was a lofty mountain +discernible from the large square before the palace, where the +emperor, his court, and a great concourse of people, then were. +"Do you see that mountain?" said the emperor, pointing to it; "it +is not a great distance from hence, but it is far enough to judge +of the speed you can make in going and returning. But because it +is not possible for the eye to follow you so far, as a proof that +you have been there, I expect that you will bring me a branch of +a palm-tree that grows at the bottom of the hill." + +The emperor of Persia had no sooner declared his will than the +Hindoo turned a peg, which was in the hollow of the horse's neck, +just by the pummel of the saddle; and in an instant the horse +rose off the ground and carried his rider into the air with the +rapidity of lightning to such a height, that those who had the +strongest sight could not discern him, to the admiration of the +emperor and all the spectators. Within less than a quarter of an +hour they saw him returning with the palm branch in his hand; but +before he descended, he took two or three turns in the air over +the spot, amid the acclamations of all the people; then alighted +on the spot whence he had set off, without receiving the least +shock from the horse to disorder him. He dismounted, and going up +to the throne, prostrated himself, and laid the branch of the +palm-tree at the feet of the emperor. + +The emperor, who had viewed with no less admiration than +astonishment this unheard-of sight which the Hindoo had +exhibited, conceived a great desire to have the horse; and as he +persuaded himself that he should not find it a difficult matter +to treat with the Hindoo, for whatever sum of money he should +value it at, began to regard it as the most valuable thing in his +treasury. "Judging of thy horse by his outward appearance," said +he to the Hindoo, "I did not think him so much worth my +consideration. As you have shewn me his merits, I am obliged to +you for undeceiving me; and to prove to you how much I esteem it, +I will purchase him of you, if he is to be sold." + +"Sir," replied the Hindoo, "I never doubted that your majesty, +who has the character of the most liberal prince on earth, would +set a just value on my work as soon as I had shewn you on what +account he was worthy your attention. I also foresaw that you +would not only admire and commend it, but would desire to have +it. Though I know his intrinsic value, and that my continuing +master of him would render my name immortal in the world; yet I +am not so fond of fame but I can resign him, to gratify your +majesty; however, in making this declaration, I have another to +add, without which I cannot resolve to part with him, and perhaps +you may not approve of it. + +"Your majesty will not be displeased," continued the Hindoo, "if +I tell you that I did not buy this horse, but obtained him of the +inventor, by giving him my only daughter in marriage, and +promising at the same time never to sell him; but if I parted +with him to exchange him for something that I should value beyond +all else." + +The Hindoo was proceeding, when at the word exchange, the emperor +of Persia interrupted him. "I am willing," said he, "to give you +whatever you may ask in exchange. You know my kingdom is large, +and contains many great, rich, and populous cities; I will give +you the choice of which you like best, in full sovereignty for +life." + +This exchange seemed royal and noble to the whole court; but was +much below what the Hindoo had proposed to himself, who had +raised his thoughts much higher. "I am infinitely obliged to your +majesty for the offer you make me," answered he, "and cannot +thank you enough for your generosity; yet I must beg of you not +to be displeased if I have the presumption to tell you, that I +cannot resign my horse, but by receiving the hand of the princess +your daughter as my wife: this is the only price at which I can +part with my property." + +The courtiers about the emperor of Persia could not forbear +laughing aloud at this extravagant demand of the Hindoo; but the +prince Firoze Shaw, the eldest son of the emperor, and +presumptive heir to the crown, could not hear it without +indignation. The emperor was of a very different opinion, and +thought he might sacrifice the princess of Persia to the Hindoo, +to satisfy his curiosity. He remained however undetermined, +considering what he should do. + +Prince Firoze Shaw, who saw his father hesitated what answer to +make, began to fear lest he should comply with the Hindoo's +demand, and regarded it as not only injurious to the royal +dignity, and to his sister, but also to himself; therefore to +anticipate his father, he said, "Sir, I hope your majesty will +forgive me for daring to ask, if it is possible your majesty +should hesitate about a denial to so insolent a demand from such +an insignificant fellow, and so scandalous a juggler? or give him +reason to flatter himself a moment with being allied to one of +the most powerful monarchs in the world? I beg of you to consider +what you owe to yourself, to your own blood, and the high rank of +your ancestors." + +"Son," replied the emperor of Persia, "I much approve of your +remonstrance, and am sensible of your zeal for preserving the +lustre of your birth; but you do not consider sufficiently the +excellence of this horse; nor that the Hindoo, if I should refuse +him, may make the offer somewhere else, where this nice point of +honour may be waived. I shall be in the utmost despair if another +prince should boast of having exceeded me in generosity, and +deprived me of the glory of possessing what I esteem as the most +singular and wonderful thing in the world. I will not say I +consent to grant him what he asked. Perhaps he has not well +considered his exorbitant demand: and putting my daughter the +princess out of the question, I may make another agreement with +him that will answer his purpose as well. But before I conclude +the bargain with him, I should be glad that you would examine the +horse, try him yourself, and give me your opinion." + +As it is natural for us to flatter ourselves in what we desire, +the Hindoo fancied, from what he had heard, that the emperor was +not entirely averse to his alliance, and that the prince might +become more favourable to him; therefore, he expressed much joy, +ran before the prince to help him to mount, and shewed him how to +guide and manage the horse. + +The prince mounted without the Hindoo's assisting him; and no +sooner had he got his feet in both stirrups, but without staying +for the artist's advice, he turned the peg he had seen him use, +when instantly the horse darted into the air, quick as an arrow +shot out of a bow by the most adroit archer; and in a few moments +the emperor his father and the numerous assembly lost sight of +him. Neither horse nor prince were to be seen. The Hindoo, +alarmed at what had happened, prostrated himself before the +throne, and said, "Your majesty must have remarked the prince was +so hasty, that he would not permit me to give him the necessary +instructions to govern my horse. From what he saw me do, he was +ambitious of shewing that he wanted not my advice. He was too +eager to shew his address, but knows not the way, which I was +going to shew him, to turn the horse, and make him descend at the +wish of his rider. Therefore, the favour I ask of your majesty +is, not to make me accountable for what accidents may befall him; +you are too just to impute to me any misfortune that may attend +him." + +This address of the Hindoo much surprised and afflicted the +emperor, who saw the danger his son was in to be inevitable, if, +as the Hindoo said, there was a secret to bring him back, +different from that which carried him away; and asked, in a +passion, why he did not call him the moment he ascended? + +"Sir," answered the Hindoo, "your majesty saw as well as I with +what rapidity the horse flew away. The surprise I was then, and +still am in, deprived me of the use of my speech; but if I could +have spoken, he was got too far to hear me. If he had heard me, +he knew not the secret to bring him back, which, through his +impatience, he would not stay to learn. But, sir," added he, +"there is room to hope that the prince, when he finds himself at +a loss, will perceive another peg, and as soon as he turns that, +the horse will cease to rise, and descend to the ground, when he +may turn him to what place he pleases by guiding him with the +bridle." + +Notwithstanding all these arguments of the Hindoo, which carried +great appearance of probability, the emperor of Persia was much +alarmed at the evident danger of his son. "I suppose," replied +he, "it is very uncertain whether my son may perceive the other +peg, and make a right use of it; may not the horse, instead of +lighting on the ground, fall upon some rock, or tumble into the +sea with him?" + +"Sir," replied the Hindoo, "I can deliver your majesty from this +apprehension, by assuring you, that the horse crosses seas +without ever falling into them, and always carries his rider +wherever he may wish to go. And your majesty may assure yourself, +that if the prince does but find out the other peg I mentioned, +the horse will carry him where he pleases. It is not to be +supposed that he will stop any where but where he can find +assistance, and make himself known." + +"Be it as it may," replied the emperor of Persia, "as I cannot +depend upon the assurance you give me, your head shall answer for +my son's life, if he does not return safe in three days' time, or +I should hear that he is alive." He then ordered his officers to +secure the Hindoo, and keep him close prisoner; after which he +retired to his palace in affliction that the festival of Nooroze +should have proved so inauspicious. + +In the mean time the prince was carried through the air with +prodigious velocity; and in less than an hour's time had ascended +so high, that he could not distinguish any thing on the earth, +but mountains and plains seemed confounded together. It was then +he began to think of returning, and conceived he might do this by +turning the same peg the contrary way, and pulling the bridle at +the same time. But when he found that the horse still rose with +the same swiftness, his alarm was great. He turned the peg +several times, one way and the other, but all in vain. It was +then he grew sensible of his fault, in not having learnt the +necessary precautions to guide the horse before he mounted. He +immediately apprehended the great danger he was in, but that +apprehension did not deprive him of his reason. He examined the +horse's head and neck with attention, and perceived behind the +right ear another peg, smaller than the other. He turned that +peg, and presently perceived that he descended in the same +oblique manner as he had mounted, but not so swiftly. + +Night had overshadowed that part of the earth over which the +prince was when he found out and turned the small peg; and as the +horse descended, he by degrees lost sight of the sun, till it +grew quite dark; insomuch that, instead of choosing what place he +would go to, he was forced to let the bridle lie upon the horse's +neck, and wait patiently till he alighted, though not without the +dread lest it should be in the desert, a river, or the sea. + +At last the horse stopped upon some solid substance about +midnight, and the prince dismounted very faint and hungry, having +eaten nothing since the morning, when he came out of the palace +with his father to assist at the festival. He found himself to be +on the terrace of a magnificent palace, surrounded with a +balustrade of white marble, breast high; and groping about, +reached a staircase, which led down into an apartment, the door +of which was half open. + +Few but prince Firoze Shaw would have ventured to descend those +stairs dark as it was, and in the danger he exposed himself to +from friends or foes. But no consideration could stop him. "I do +not come," said he to himself, "to do anybody harm; and +certainly, whoever meets or sees me first, and finds that I have +no arms in my hands, will not attempt any thing against my life, +before they hear what I have to say for myself." After this +reflection, he opened the door wider, without making any noise, +went softly down the stairs, that he might not awaken anybody; +and when he came to a landing-place on the staircase, found the +door of a great hall, that had a light in it, open. + +The prince stopped at the door, and listening, heard no other noise +than the snoring of some people who were fast asleep. He advanced a +little into the room, and by the light of a lamp saw that those +persons were black eunuchs, with naked sabres laid by them; which was +enough to inform him that this was the guard-chamber of some sultan or +princess; which latter it proved to be. + +In the next room to this the princess lay, as appeared by the light, +the door being open, through a silk curtain, which drew before the +door-way, whither prince Firoze Shaw advanced on tip-toe, without +waking the eunuchs. He drew aside the curtain, went in, and without +staying to observe the magnificence of the chamber, gave his attention +to something of greater importance. He saw many beds; only one of them +on a sofa, the rest on the floor. The princess slept in the first, and +her women in the others. + +This distinction was enough to direct the prince. He crept softly +towards the bed, without waking either the princess or her women, +and beheld a beauty so extraordinary, that he was charmed, and +inflamed with love at the first sight. "O heavens!" said he to +himself, "has my fate brought me hither to deprive me of my +liberty, which hitherto I have always preserved? How can I avoid +certain slavery, when those eyes shall open, since, without +doubt, they complete the lustre of this assemblage of charms! I +must quickly resolve, since I cannot stir without being my own +murderer; for so has necessity ordained." + +After these reflections on his situation, and on the princess's +beauty, he fell on his knees, and twitching gently the princess's +sleeve, pulled it towards him. The princess opened her eyes, and +seeing a handsome man on his knees, was in great surprise; yet +seemed to shew no sign of fear. + +The prince availed himself of this favourable moment, bowed his +head to the ground, and rising said, "Beautiful princess, by the +most extraordinary and wonderful adventure, you see at your feet +a suppliant prince, son of the emperor of Persia, who was +yesterday morning in his court, at the celebration of a solemn +festival, but is now in a strange country, in danger of his life, +if you have not the goodness and generosity to afford him your +assistance and protection. These I implore, adorable princess, +with confidence that you will not refuse me. I have the more +ground to persuade myself, as so much beauty and majesty cannot +entertain inhumanity." + +The personage to whom prince Firoze Shaw so happily addressed +himself was the princess of Bengal, eldest daughter of the Rajah +of that kingdom, who had built this palace at a small distance +from his capital, whither she went to take the benefit of the +country air. After she had heard the prince with all the candour +he could desire, she replied with equal goodness, "Prince, you +are not in a barbarous country; take courage; hospitality, +humanity, and politeness are to be met with in the kingdom of +Bengal, as well as in that of Persia. It is not merely I who +grant you the protection you ask; you not only have found it in +my palace, but will meet it throughout the whole kingdom; you may +believe me, and depend on what I say." + +The prince of Persia would have thanked the princess for her +civility, and had already bowed down his head to return the +compliment; but she would not give him leave to speak. +"Notwithstanding I desire," said she, "to know by what miracle +you have come hither from the capital of Persia in so short a +time; and by what enchantment you have been able to penetrate so +far as to come to my apartment, and to have evaded the vigilance +of my guards; yet, as it is impossible but you must want some +refreshment, and regarding you as a welcome guest, I will waive +my curiosity, and give orders to my women to regale you, and shew +you an apartment, that you may rest yourself after your fatigue, +and be better able to satisfy my curiosity." + +The princess's women, who awoke at the first words which the +prince addressed to the princess, were in the utmost surprise to +see a man at the princess's feet, as they could not conceive how +he had got thither, without waking them or the eunuchs. They no +sooner comprehended the princess's intentions, than they were +ready to obey her commands. They each took a wax candle, of which +there were great numbers lighted up in the room; and after the +prince had respectfully taken leave, went before and conducted +him into a handsome chamber; where, while some were preparing the +bed, others went into the kitchen; and notwithstanding it was so +unseasonable an hour, they did not make prince Firoze Shaw wait +long, but brought him presently a collation; and when he had +eaten as much as he chose, removed the trays, and left him to +taste the sweets of repose. + +In the mean time, the princess of Bengal was so struck with the +charms, wit, politeness, and other good qualities which she had +discovered in her short interview with the prince, that she could +not sleep: but when her women came into her room again asked them +if they had taken care of him, if he wanted any thing; and +particularly, what they thought of him? + +The women, after they had satisfied her as to the first queries, +answered to the last: "We do not know what you may think of him, +but, for our parts, we are of opinion you would be very happy if +your father would marry you to so amiable a youth; for there is +not a prince in all the kingdom of Bengal to be compared to him; +nor can we hear that any of the neighbouring princes are worthy +of you." + +This flattering compliment was not displeasing to the princess of +Bengal; but as she had no mind to declare her sentiments, she +imposed silence, telling them that they talked without +reflection, bidding them return to rest, and let her sleep. + +The next day the princess took more pains in dressing and +adjusting herself at the glass than she had ever done before. She +never tired her women's patience so much, by making them do and +undo the same thing several times. She adorned her head, neck, +arms, and waist, with the finest and largest diamonds she +possessed. The habit she put on was one of the richest stuffs of +the Indies, of a most beautiful colour, and made only for kings, +princes, and princesses. After she had consulted her glass, and +asked her women, one after another, if any thing was wanting to +her attire, she sent to know, if the prince of Persia was awake; +and as she never doubted but that, if he was up and dressed, he +would ask leave to come and pay his respects to her, she charged +the messenger to tell him she would make him the visit, and she +had her reasons for this. + +The prince of Persia, who by the night's rest had recovered the +fatigue he had undergone the day before, had just dressed +himself, when he received the princess of Bengal's compliments by +one of her women. Without giving the lady who brought the message +leave to communicate it, he asked her, if it was proper for him +then to go and pay his respects to the princess; and when the +lady had acquitted herself of her errand, he replied, "It shall +be as the princess thinks fit; I came here to be solely at her +pleasure." + +As soon as the princess understood that the prince of Persia +waited for her, she immediately went to pay him a visit. After +mutual compliments, the prince asking pardon for having waked the +princess out of a profound sleep, and the princess inquiring +after his health, and how he had rested, the princess sat down on +a sofa, as did also the prince, though at some distance, out of +respect. + +The princess then resuming the conversation, said, "I would have +received you, prince, in the chamber in which you found me last +night; but as the chief of my eunuchs has the liberty of entering +it, and never comes further without my leave, from my impatience +to hear the surprising adventure which procured me the happiness +of seeing you, I chose to come hither, that we may not be +interrupted; therefore I beg of you to give me that satisfaction, +which will highly oblige me." + +Prince Firoze Shaw, to gratify the princess of Bengal, began with +describing the festival of the Nooroze, and mentioned the shows +which had amazed the court of Persia, and the people of Sheerauz. +Afterwards he came to the enchanted horse; the description of +which, with the account of the wonders which the Hindoo had +performed before so august an assembly, convinced the princess +that nothing of that kind could be imagined more surprising in +the world. "You may well think, charming princess," continued the +prince of Persia, "that the emperor my father, who cares not what +he gives for any thing that is rare and curious, would be very +desirous to purchase such a curiosity. He asked the Hindoo what +he would have for him; who made him an extravagant reply, telling +him, that he had not bought him, but taken him in exchange for +his only daughter, and could not part with him but on the like +condition, which was to have his consent to marry the princess my +sister. + +"The crowd of courtiers, who stood about the emperor my father, +hearing the extravagance of this proposal, laughed loudly; I for +my part conceived such great indignation, that I could not +disguise it; and the more, because I saw that my father was +doubtful what answer he should give. In short, I believe he would +have granted him what he asked, if I had not represented to him +how injurious it would be to his honour; yet my remonstrance +could not bring him entirely to quit his design of sacrificing +the princess my sister to so despicable a person. He fancied he +should bring me over to his opinion, if once I could comprehend, +as he imagined he did, the singular worth of this horse. With +this view he would have me mount, and make a trial of him myself. + +"To please my father, I mounted the horse, and as soon as I was +upon his back, put my hand on a peg, as I had seen the Hindoo do +before, to make the horse mount into the air, without stopping to +take instructions of the owner for his guidance or descent. The +instant I touched the peg, the horse ascended, as swift as an +arrow shot out of a bow, and I was presently at such a distance +from the earth that I could not distinguish any object. From the +swiftness of the motion I was for some time unapprehensive of the +danger to which I was exposed; when I grew sensible of it, I +endeavoured to turn the peg the contrary way. But the experiment +would not answer my expectation, for still the horse rose, and +carried me a greater distance from the earth. At last I perceived +another peg, which I turned, and then I grew sensible that the +horse descended towards the earth, and presently found myself so +surrounded with darkness, that it was impossible for me to guide +the machine. In this condition I laid the bridle on his neck, and +trusted myself to the will of God to dispose of my fate. + +"At length the horse stopped, I got off his back, and examining +whereabouts I might be, perceived myself on the terrace of this +palace, and found the door of the staircase half open. I came +softly down the stairs, and seeing a door open, put my head into +the room, perceived some eunuchs asleep, and a great light in an +adjoining chamber. The necessity I was under, notwithstanding the +inevitable danger to which I should be exposed, if the eunuchs +had waked, inspired me with the boldness, or rather rashness, to +cross that room to get to the other. + +"It is needless," added the prince, "to tell you the rest, since +you are not unacquainted with all that passed afterwards. But I +am obliged in duty to thank you for your goodness and generosity, +and to beg of you to let me know how I may shew my gratitude. +According to the law of nations I am already your slave, and +cannot make you an offer of my person; there only remains my +heart: but, alas! princess, what do I say? My heart is no longer +my own, your charms have forced it from me, but in such a manner, +that I will never ask for it again, but yield it up; give me +leave, therefore, to declare you mistress both of my heart and +inclination." + +These last words of the prince were pronounced with such an air +and tone, that the princess of Bengal never doubted of the effect +she had expected from her charms; neither did she seem to resent +the precipitate declaration of the prince of Persia. Her blushes +served but to heighten her beauty, and render her more amiable in +his eyes. + +As soon as she had recovered herself, she replied, "Prince, you +have given me sensible pleasure, by telling me your wonderful +adventure. But, on the other hand, I can hardly forbear +shuddering, when I think on the height you were in the air; and +though I have the good fortune to see you here safe and well, I +was in pain till you came to that part where the horse +fortunately descended upon the terrace of my palace. The same +thing might have happened in a thousand other places. I am glad +that chance has given me the preference to the whole world, and +of the opportunity of letting you know, that it could not have +conducted you to any place where you could have been received +with greater pleasure. + +"But, prince," continued she, "I should think myself offended, if +I believed that the thought you mentioned of being my slave was +serious, and that it did not proceed from your politeness rather +than from a sincerity of sentiment; for, by the reception I gave +you yesterday, you might assure yourself you are here as much at +liberty as in the midst of the court of Persia. + +"As to your heart," added the princess, in a tone which shewed +nothing less than a refusal, "as I am persuaded that you have not +lived so long without disposing of it, and that you could not +fail of making choice of a princess who deserves it, I should be +sorry to give you an occasion to be guilty of infidelity to her." + +Prince Firoze Shaw would have protested that when he left Persia +he was master of his own heart: but, at that instant, one of the +princess's ladies in waiting came to tell that a collation was +served up. + +This interruption delivered the prince and princess from an +explanation, which would have been equally embarrassing to both, +and of which they stood in need. The princess of Bengal was fully +convinced of the prince of Persia's sincerity; and the prince, +though the princess had not explained herself, judged +nevertheless from some words she had let fall, that he had no +reason to complain. + +As the lady held the door open, the princess of Bengal said to +the prince, rising off her seat, as he did also from his, "I am +not used to eat so early; but as I fancied you might have had but +an indifferent supper last night, I ordered breakfast to be got +ready sooner than ordinary." After this compliment she led him +into a magnificent hall, where a cloth was laid covered with +great plenty of choice and excellent viands; and as soon as they +were seated, many beautiful slaves of the princess, richly +dressed, began a most agreeable concert of vocal and instrumental +music, which lasted the whole time of eating. + +This concert was so sweet and well managed, that it did not in +the least interrupt the prince and princess's conversation. The +prince served the princess with the choicest of every thing, and +strove to outdo her in civility, both by words and actions, which +she returned with many new compliments: and in this reciprocal +commerce of civilities and attentions, love made a greater +progress in both than a concerted interview would have promoted. + +When they rose, the princess conducted the prince into a large +and magnificent saloon, embellished with paintings in blue and +gold, and richly furnished; there they both sat down in a +balcony, which afforded a most agreeable prospect into the palace +garden, which prince Firoze Shaw admired for the vast variety of +flowers, shrubs, and trees, which were full as beautiful as those +of Persia, but quite different. Here taking the opportunity of +entering into conversation with the princess, he said, "I always +believed, madam, that no part of the world but Persia afforded +such stately palaces and beautiful gardens; but now I see, that +other great monarchs know as well how to build mansions suitable +to their power and greatness; and if there is a difference in the +manner of building, there is none in the degree of grandeur and +magnificence." + +"Prince," replied the princess of Bengal, "as I have no idea of +the palaces of Persia, I cannot judge of the comparison you have +made of mine. But, however sincere you seem to be, I can hardly +think it just, but rather incline to believe it a compliment: I +will not despise my palace before you; you have too good an eye, +too good a taste not to form a sound judgment. But I assure you, +I think it very indifferent when I compare it with the king my +father's, which far exceeds it for grandeur, beauty, and +richness; you shall tell me yourself what you think of it, when +you have seen it: for since a chance has brought you so nigh to +the capital of this kingdom, I do not doubt but you will see it, +and make my father a visit, that he may pay you all the honour +due to a prince of your rank and merit." + +The princess flattered herself, that by exciting in the prince of +Persia a curiosity to see the capital of Bengal, and to visit her +father, the king, seeing him so handsome, wise, and accomplished +a prince, might perhaps resolve to propose an alliance with him, +by offering her to him as a wife. And as she was well persuaded +she was not indifferent to the prince, and that he would be +pleased with the proposal, she hoped to attain to the utmost of +her wishes, and preserve all the decorum becoming a princess, who +would appear resigned to the will of her king and father; but the +prince of Persia did not return her an answer according to her +expectation. + +"Princess," he replied, "the preference which you give the king +of Bengal's palace to your own is enough to induce me to believe +it much exceeds it: and as to the proposal of my going and paying +my respects to the king your father, I should not only do myself +a pleasure, but an honour. But judge, princess, yourself, would +you advise me to present myself before so great a monarch, like +an adventurer, without attendants, and a train suitable to my +rank?" + +"Prince," replied the princess, "let not that give you any pain; +if you will but go, you shall want no money to have what train +and attendants you please: I will furnish you; and we have +traders here of all nations in great numbers, and you may make +choice of as many as you please to form your household." + +Prince Firoze Shaw penetrated the princess of Bengal's intention, +and this sensible mark of her love still augmented his passion, +which, notwithstanding its violence, made him not forget his +duty. Without any hesitation he replied, "Princess, I should most +willingly accept of the obliging offer you make me, for which I +cannot sufficiently shew my gratitude, if the uneasiness my +father must feel on account of my absence did not prevent me. I +should be unworthy of the tenderness he has always had for me, if +I should not return as soon as possible to calm his fears. I know +him so well, that while I have the happiness of enjoying the +conversation of so lovely a princess, I am persuaded he is +plunged into the deepest grief, and has lost all hopes of seeing +me again. I trust you will do me the justice to believe, that I +cannot, without ingratitude, and being guilty of a crime, +dispense with going to restore to him that life, which a too long +deferred return may have endangered already. + +"After this, princess," continued the prince of Persia, "if you +will permit me, and think me worthy to aspire to the happiness of +becoming your husband, as my father has always declared that he +never would constrain me in my choice, I should find it no +difficult matter to get leave to return, not as a stranger, but +as a prince, to contract an alliance with your father by our +marriage; and I am persuaded that the emperor will be overjoyed +when I tell him with what generosity you received me, though a +stranger in distress." + +The princess of Bengal was too reasonable, after what the prince +of Persia had said, to persist any longer in persuading him to +pay a visit to the raja of Bengal, or to ask any thing of him +contrary to his duty and honour. But she was much alarmed to find +he thought of so sudden a departure; fearing, that if he took his +leave of her so soon, instead of remembering his promise, he +would forget when he ceased to see her. To divert him from his +purpose, she said to him, "Prince, my intention of proposing a +visit to my father was not to oppose so just a duty as that you +mention, and which I did not foresee. But I cannot approve of +your going so soon as you propose; at least grant me the favour I +ask of a little longer acquaintance; and since I have had the +happiness to have you alight in the kingdom of Bengal, rather +than in the midst of a desert, or on the top of some steep craggy +rock, from which it would have been impossible for you to +descend, I desire you will stay long enough to enable you to give +a better account at the court of Persia of what you may see +here." + +The sole end the princess had in this request was, that the +prince of Persia, by a longer stay, might become insensibly more +passionately enamoured of her charms; hoping thereby that his +ardent desire of returning would diminish, and then he might be +brought to appear in public, and pay a visit to the Rajah of +Bengal. The prince of Persia could not well refuse her the favour +she asked, after the kind reception she had given him; and +therefore politely complied with her request; and the princess's +thoughts were directed to render his stay agreeable by all the +amusements she could devise. + +Nothing went forward for several days but concerts of music, +accompanied with magnificent feasts and collations in the +gardens, or hunting-parties in the vicinity of the palace, which +abounded with all sorts of game, stags, hinds, and fallow deer, +and other beasts peculiar to the kingdom of Bengal, which the +princess could pursue without danger. After the chase, the prince +and princess met in some beautiful spot, where a carpet was +spread, and cushions laid for their accommodation. There resting +themselves, after their violent exercise, they conversed on +various subjects. The princess took pains to turn the +conversation on the grandeur, power, riches, and government of +Persia; that from the prince's replies she might have an +opportunity to talk of the kingdom of Bengal, and its advantages, +and engage him to resolve to make a longer stay there; but she +was disappointed in her expectations. + +The prince of Persia, without the least exaggeration, gave so +advantageous an account of the extent of the kingdom of Persia, +its magnificence and riches, its military force, its commerce by +sea and land with the most remote parts of the world, some of +which were unknown even to him; the vast number of large cities +it contained, almost as populous as that which the emperor had +chosen for his residence, where he had palaces furnished ready to +receive him at all seasons of the year; so that he had his choice +always to enjoy a perpetual spring; that before he had concluded, +the princess found the kingdom of Bengal to be very much inferior +to that of Persia in a great many respects. When he had finished +his relation, he begged of her to entertain him with a +description of Bengal. + +The princess after much entreaty gave prince Firoze Shaw that +satisfaction; but by lessening a great many advantages the +kingdom of Bengal was well known to have over that of Persia, she +betrayed the disposition she felt to accompany him, so that he +believed she would consent at the first proposition he should +make; but he thought it would not be proper to make it till he +had shewed her so much deference as to stay with her long enough +to make the blame fall on herself, in case she wished to detain +him from returning to his father. + +Two whole months the prince of Persia abandoned himself entirely +to the will of the princess of Bengal, yielding to all the +amusements she contrived for him, for she neglected nothing to +divert him, as if she thought he had nothing else to do but to +pass his whole life with her in this manner. But he now declared +seriously he could not stay longer, and begged of her to give him +leave to return to his father; repeating again the promise he had +made her to come back soon in a style worthy of her and himself, +and to demand her in marriage of the Rajah of Bengal. + +"And, princess," observed the prince of Persia, "that you may not +suspect the truth of what I say; and that by my asking this +permission you may not rank me among those false lovers who +forget the object of their affection as soon as absent from them; +to shew that my passion is real, and not feigned, and that life +cannot be pleasant to me when absent from so lovely a princess, +whose love to me I cannot doubt is mutual; I would presume, were +I not afraid you would be offended at my request, to ask the +favour of taking you along with me." + +As the prince saw that the princess blushed at these words, +without any mark of anger, he proceeded, and said, "Princess, as +for my father's consent, and the reception he will give you, I +venture to assure you he will receive you with pleasure into his +alliance; and as for the Rajah of Bengal, after all the love and +tender regard he has always expressed for you, he must be the +reverse of what you have described him, an enemy to your repose +and happiness, if he should not receive in a friendly manner the +embassy which my father will send to him for his approbation of +our marriage." + +The princess returned no answer to this address of the prince of +Persia; but her silence, and eyes cast down, were sufficient to +inform him that she had no reluctance to accompany him into +Persia. The only difficulty she felt was, that the prince knew +not well enough how to govern the horse, and she was apprehensive +of being involved with him in the same difficulty as when he +first made the experiment. But the prince soon removed her fear, +by assuring her she might trust herself with him, for that after +the experience he had acquired, he defied the Hindoo himself to +manage him better. She thought therefore only of concerting +measures to get off with him so secretly, that nobody belonging +to the palace should have the least suspicion of their design. + +The next morning, a little before day-break, when all the +attendants were asleep, they went upon the terrace of the palace. +The prince turned the horse towards Persia, and placed him where +the princess could easily get up behind him; which she had no +sooner done, and was well settled with her arms about his waist, +for her better security, than he turned the peg, when the horse +mounted into the air, and making his usual haste, under the +guidance of the prince, in two hours time the prince discovered +the capital of Persia. + +He would not alight at the great square from whence he had set +out, nor in the palace, but directed his course towards a +pleasure-house at a little distance from the capital. He led the +princess into a handsome apartment, where he told her, that to do +her all the honour that was due to her, he would go and inform +his father of their arrival, and return to her immediately. He +ordered the housekeeper of the palace, who was then present, to +provide the princess with whatever she had occasion for. + +After the prince had taken his leave of the princess, he ordered +a horse to be saddled, which he mounted, after sending back the +housekeeper to the princess, with orders to provide her +refreshments immediately, and then set forwards for the palace. +As he passed through the streets he was received with +acclamations by the people, who were overjoyed to see him again. +The emperor his father was giving audience, when he appeared +before him in the midst of his council. He received him with +ecstacy, and embracing him with tears of joy and tenderness, +asked him, what was become of the Hindoo's horse. + +This question gave the prince an opportunity of describing the +embarrassment and danger he was in when the horse ascended into +the air, and how he had arrived at last at the princess of +Bengal's palace, the kind reception he had met with there, and +that the motive which had induced him to stay so long with her +was the affection she had shewn him; also, that after promising +to marry her, he had persuaded her to accompany him into Persia. +"But, sir," added the prince, "I felt assured that you would not +refuse your consent, and have brought her with me on the +enchanted horse, to a palace where your majesty often goes for +your pleasure; and have left her there, till I could return and +assure her that my promise was not in vain." + +After these words, the prince prostrated himself before the +emperor to obtain his consent, when his father raised him up, +embraced him a second time, and said to him, "Son, I not only +consent to your marriage with the princess of Bengal, but will go +and meet her myself, and thank her for the obligation I in +particular have to her, and will bring her to my palace, and +celebrate your nuptials this day." + +The emperor now gave orders for his court to make preparations +for the princess's entry; that the rejoicings should be announced +by the royal band of military music, and that the Hindoo should +be fetched out of prison and brought before him. When the Hindoo +was conducted before the emperor, he said to him, "I secured thy +person, that thy life, though not a sufficient victim to my rage +and grief, might answer for that of the prince my son, whom, +however, thanks to God! I have found again: go, take your horse, +and never let me see your face more." + +As the Hindoo had learned of those who brought him out of prison +that prince Firoze Shaw was returned with a princess, and was +also informed of the place where he had alighted and left her, +and that the emperor was making preparations to go and bring her +to his palace; as soon as he got out of the presence, he +bethought himself of being revenged upon the emperor and the +prince. Without losing any time, he went directly to the palace, +and addressing himself to the keeper, told him, he came from the +prince of Persia for the princess of Bengal, and to conduct her +behind him through the air to the emperor, who waited in the +great square of his palace to gratify the whole court and city of +Sheerauz with that wonderful sight. + +The palace-keeper, who knew the Hindoo, and that the emperor had +imprisoned him, gave the more credit to what he said, because he +saw that he was at liberty. He presented him to the princess of +Bengal; who no sooner understood that he came from the prince of +Persia than she consented to what the prince, as she thought, had +desired of her. + +The Hindoo, overjoyed at his success, and the ease with which he +had accomplished his villany, mounted his horse, took the +princess behind him, with the assistance of the keeper, turned +the peg, and instantly the horse mounted into the air. + +At the same time the emperor of Persia, attended by his court, +was on the road to the palace where the princess of Bengal had +been left, and the prince of Persia was advanced before, to +prepare the princess to receive his father; when the Hindoo, to +brave them both, and revenge himself for the ill-treatment he had +received, appeared over their heads with his prize. + +When the emperor of Persia saw the ravisher, he stopped. His +surprise and affliction were the more sensible, because it was +not in his power to punish so high an affront. He loaded him with +a thousand imprecations, as did also all the courtiers, who were +witnesses of so signal a piece of insolence and unparalleled +artifice and treachery. + +The Hindoo, little moved with their curses, which just reached +his ears, continued his way, while the emperor, extremely +mortified at so great an insult, but more so that he could not +punish the author, returned to his palace in rage and vexation. + +But what was prince Firoze Shaw's grief at beholding the Hindoo +hurrying away the princess of Bengal, whom he loved so +passionately that he could not live without her! At a spectacle +so little expected he was confounded, and before he could +deliberate with himself what measures to pursue, the horse was +out of sight. He could not resolve how to act, whether he should +return to his father's palace, and shut himself in his apartment, +to give himself entirely up to his affliction, without attempting +to pursue the ravisher. But as his generosity, love, and courage, +would not suffer this, he continued on his way to the palace +where he had left his princess. + +When he arrived, the palace-keeper, who was by this time +convinced of his fatal credulity, in believing the artful Hindoo, +threw himself at his feet with tears in his eyes, accused himself +of the crime, which unintentionally he had committed, and +condemned himself to die by his hand. "Rise," said the prince to +him, "I do not impute the loss of my princess to thee, but to my +own want of precaution. But not to lose time, fetch me a +dervish's habit, and take care you do not give the least hint +that it is for me." + +Not far from this palace there stood a convent of dervishes, the +superior of which was the palace-keeper's particular friend. He +went to his chief, and telling him that a considerable officer at +court and a man of worth, to whom he had been very much obliged +and wished to favour, by giving him an opportunity to withdraw +from some sudden displeasure of the emperor, readily obtained a +complete dervish's habit, and carried it to prince Firoze Shaw. +The prince immediately pulled off his own dress, put it on, and +being so disguised, and provided with a box of jewels, which he +had brought as a present to the princess, left the palace, +uncertain which way to go, but resolved not to return till he had +found out his princess, and brought her back again, or perish in +the attempt. + +But to return to the Hindoo; he governed his enchanted horse so +well, that he arrived early next morning in a wood, near the +capital of the kingdom of Cashmeer. Being hungry, and concluding +the princess was so also, he alighted in that wood, in an open +part of it, and left the princess on a grassy spot, close to a +rivulet of clear fresh water. + +During the Hindoo's absence, the princess of Bengal, who knew +that she was in the power of a base ravisher, whose violence she +dreaded, thought of escaping from him, and seeking out for some +sanctuary. But as she had eaten scarcely any thing on her arrival +at the palace, was so faint, that she could not execute her +design, but was forced to abandon it and stay where she was, +without any other resource than her courage, and a firm +resolution rather to suffer death than be unfaithful to the +prince of Persia. When the Hindoo returned, she did not wait to +be entreated, but ate with him, and recovered herself enough to +answer with courage to the insolent language he now began to hold +to her. After many threats, as she saw that the Hindoo was +preparing to use violence, she rose up to make resistance, and by +her cries and shrieks drew towards them a company of horsemen, +which happened to be the sultan of Cashmeer and his attendants, +who, as they were returning from hunting, happily for the +princess of Bengal, passed through that part of the wood, and ran +to her assistance, at the noise she made. + +The sultan addressed himself to the Hindoo, demanded who he was, +and wherefore he ill treated the lady? The Hindoo, with great +impudence, replied, "That she was his wife, and what had any one +to do with his quarrel with her?" + +The princess, who neither knew the rank nor quality of the person +who came so seasonably to her relief, told the Hindoo he was a +liar; and said to the sultan, "My lord, whoever you are whom +Heaven has sent to my assistance, have compassion on a princess, +and give no credit to that impostor. Heaven forbid that I should +be the wife of so vile and despicable a Hindoo! a wicked +magician, who has forced me away from the prince of Persia, to +whom I was going to be united, and has brought me hither on the +enchanted horse you behold there." + +The princess of Bengal had no occasion to say more to persuade +the sultan of Cashmeer that what she told him was truth. Her +beauty, majestic air, and tears, spoke sufficiently for her. +Justly enraged at the insolence of the Hindoo, he ordered his +guards to surround him, and strike off his head: which sentence +was immediately executed. + +The princess, thus delivered from the persecution of the Hindoo, +fell into another no less afflicting. The sultan conducted her to +his palace, where he lodged her in the most magnificent +apartment, next his own, commanded a great number of women slaves +to attend her, and ordered a guard of eunuchs. He led her himself +into the apartment he had assigned her; where, without giving her +time to thank him for the great obligation she had received, he +said to her, "As I am certain, princess, that you must want rest, +I will take my leave of you till to-morrow, when you will be +better able to relate to me the circumstances of this strange +adventure;" and then left her. + +The princess of Bengal's joy was inexpressible at finding herself +delivered from the violence of the Hindoo, of whom she could not +think without horror. She flattered herself that the sultan of +Cashmeer would complete his generosity by sending her back to the +prince of Persia when she should have told him her story, and +asked that favour of him; but she was much deceived in these +hopes; for her deliverer had resolved to marry her himself the +next day; and for that end had ordered rejoicings to be made by +day-break, by beating of drums, sounding of trumpets, and other +instruments expressive of joy; which not only echoed through the +palace, but throughout the whole city. + +The princess of Bengal was awakened by these tumultuous concerts; +but attributed them to a very different cause from the true one. +When the sultan of Cashmeer, who had given orders that he should +be informed when the princess was ready to receive a visit, came +to wait upon her; after he had inquired after her health, he +acquainted her that all those rejoicings were to render their +nuptials the more solemn; and at the same time desired her assent +to the union. This declaration put her into such agitation that +she fainted away. + +The women-slaves, who were present, ran to her assistance; and +the sultan did all he could to bring her to herself, though it +was a long time before they succeeded. But when she recovered, +rather than break the promise she had made to prince Firoze Shaw, +by consenting to marry the sultan of Cashmeer, who had proclaimed +their nuptials before he had asked her consent, she resolved to +feign madness. She began to utter the most extravagant +expressions before the sultan, and even rose off her seat as if +to attack him; insomuch that he was greatly alarmed and +afflicted, that he had made such a proposal so unseasonably. + +When he found that her frenzy rather increased than abated, he +left her with her women, charging them never to leave her alone, +but to take great care of her. He sent often that day to inquire +how she did; but received no other answer than that she was +rather worse than better. At night she seemed more indisposed +than she had been all day, insomuch that the sultan deferred the +happiness he had promised himself. + +The princess of Bengal continued to talk wildly, and shew other +marks of a disordered mind, next day and the following; so that +the sultan was induced to send for all the physicians belonging +to his court, to consult them upon her disease, and to ask if +they could cure her. + +The physicians all agreed that there were several sorts and +degrees of this disorder, some curable and others not; and told +the sultan, that they could not judge of the princess of Bengal's +unless they might see her; upon which the sultan ordered the +eunuchs to introduce them into the princess's chamber, one after +another, according to their rank. + +The princess, who foresaw what would happen, and feared, that if +she let the physicians feel her pulse, the least experienced of +them would soon know that she was in good health, and that her +madness was only feigned, flew into such a well-dissembled rage +and passion, that she appeared ready to injure those who came +near her; so none of them durst approach her. + +Some who pretended to be more skilful than the rest, and boasted +of judging of diseases only by sight, ordered her some potions, +which she made the less difficulty to take, well knowing she +could be sick or well at pleasure, and that they could do her no +harm. + +When the sultan of Cashmeer saw that his court physicians could +not cure her, he called in the most celebrated and experienced of +the city, who had no better success. Afterwards he sent for the +most famous in the kingdom, who met with no better reception than +the others from the princess, and what they prescribed had no +effect. Afterwards he dispatched expresses to the courts of +neighbouring sultans, with the princess's case, to be distributed +among the most famous physicians, with a promise of a munificent +reward to any of them who should come and effect her cure. + +Various physicians arrived from all parts, and tried their skill; +but none could boast of better success than their predecessors, +or of restoring the princess's faculties, since it was a case +that did not depend on medicine, but on the will of the princess +herself. + +During this interval Firoze Shaw, disguised in the habit of a +dervish, travelled through many provinces and towns, involved in +grief; and endured excessive fatigue, not knowing which way to +direct his course, or whether he might not be pursuing the very +opposite road from what he ought, in order to hear the tidings he +was in search of. He made diligent inquiry after her at every +place he came to; till at last passing through a city of +Hindoostan, he heard the people talk much of a princess of +Bengal, who ran mad on the day of the intended celebration of her +nuptials with the sultan of Cashmeer. At the name of the princess +of Bengal, and supposing that there could exist no other princess +of Bengal than her upon whose account he had undertaken his +travels, he hastened towards the kingdom of Cashmeer, and upon +his arrival at the capital took up his lodging at a khan, where +the same day he was informed of the story of the princess, and +the fate of the Hindoo magician, which he had so richly deserved. +From the circumstances, the prince was convinced that she was the +beloved object he had sought so long. + +Being informed of all these particulars, he provided himself +against the next day with a physician's habit, and having let his +beard grow during his travels, he passed the more easily for the +character he assumed, went to the palace, impatient to behold his +beloved, where he presented himself to the chief of the officers, +and observed modestly, that perhaps it might be looked upon as a +rash undertaking to attempt the cure of the princess, after so +many had failed; but that he hoped some specifics, from which he +had experienced success, might effect the desired relief. The +chief of the officers told him he was welcome, that the sultan +would receive him with pleasure, and that if he should have the +good fortune to restore the princess to her former health, he +might expect a considerable reward from his master's liberality: +"Stay a moment," added he, "I will come to you again +immediately." + +Some time had elapsed since any physician had offered himself; +and the sultan of Cashmeer with great grief had begun to lose all +hope of ever seeing the princess restored to health, that he +might marry, and shew how much he loved her. He ordered the +officer to introduce the physician he had announced. + +The prince of Persia was presented, when the sultan, without +wasting time in superfluous discourse, after having told him the +princess of Bengal could not bear the sight of a physician +without falling into most violent transports, which increased her +malady, conducted him into a closet, from whence, through a +lattice, he might see her without being observed. + +There Firoze Shaw beheld his lovely princess sitting melancholy, +with tears in her eyes, and singing an air in which she deplored +her unhappy fate, which had deprived her, perhaps, for ever, of +the object she loved so tenderly. + +The prince was sensibly affected at the melancholy condition in +which he found his dear princess, but he wanted no other signs to +comprehend that her disorder was feigned, or that it was for love +of him that she was under so grievous an affliction. When he came +out of the closet, he told the sultan that he had discovered the +nature of the princess's complaint, and that she was not +incurable; but added withal, that he must speak with her in +private, and alone, as, notwithstanding her violent agitation at +the sight of physicians, he hoped she would hear and receive him +favourably. + +The sultan ordered the princess's chamber door to be opened, and +Firoze Shaw went in. As soon as the princess saw him (taking him +by his habit to be a physician), she rose up in a rage, +threatening him, and giving him the most abusive language. He +made directly towards her, and when he was nigh enough for her to +hear him, for he did not wish to be heard by any one else, said +to her, in a low voice, "Princess, I am not a physician, but the +prince of Persia, and am come to procure you your liberty." + +The princess, who knew the sound of the voice, and the upper +features of his face, notwithstanding he had let his beard grow +so long, grew calm at once, and a secret joy and pleasure +overspread her face, the effect of seeing the person so much +desired so unexpectedly. Her agreeable surprise deprived her for +some time of the use of speech, and gave Firoze Shaw time to tell +her as briefly as possible, how despair had seized him when he +saw the Hindoo carry her away; the resolution he afterwards had +taken to leave every thing to find her out, and never to return +home till he had regained her out of the hands of the perfidious +wretch; and by what good fortune, at last, after a long and +fatiguing journey, he had the satisfaction to find her in the +palace of the sultan of Cashmeer. He then desired the princess to +inform him of all that happened to her, from the time she was +taken away, till that moment when he had the happiness to +converse with her, telling her, that it was of the greatest +importance to know this, that he might take the most proper +measures to deliver her from the tyranny of the sultan of +Cashmeer. + +The princess informed him how she was delivered from the Hindoo's +violence by the sultan, as he was returning from hunting; how she +was alarmed the next day, by a declaration he had made of his +precipitate design to marry her, without even the ceremony of +asking her consent; that this violent and tyrannical conduct put +her into a swoon; after which she thought she had no other way +than what she had taken, to preserve herself for a prince to whom +she had given her heart and faith; or die, rather than marry the +sultan, whom she neither loved, nor could ever love. + +The prince of Persia then asked her, if she knew what became of +the horse, after the death of the Hindoo magician. To which she +answered, that she knew not what orders the sultan had given; but +supposed, after the account she had given him of it, he would +take care of it as a curiosity. + +As Firoze Shaw never doubted but that the sultan had the horse, +he communicated to the princess his design of making use of it to +convey them both into Persia; and after they had consulted +together on the measures they should take, they agreed that the +princess should dress herself the next day, and receive the +sultan civilly, but without speaking to him. + +The sultan of Cashmeer was overjoyed when the prince of Persia +stated to him what effect his first visit had had towards the +cure of the princess. On the following day, when the princess +received him in such a manner as persuaded him her cure was far +advanced, he regarded him as the greatest physician in the world; +and seeing her in this state, contented himself with telling her +how rejoiced he was at her being likely soon to recover her +health. He exhorted her to follow the directions of so skilful a +physician, in order to complete what he had so well begun; and +then retired without waiting for her answer. + +The prince of Persia, who attended the sultan of Cashmeer out of +the princess's chamber, as he accompanied him, asked if, without +failing in due respect, he might inquire, how the princess of +Bengal came into the dominions of Cashmeer thus alone, since her +own country was far distant? This he said on purpose to introduce +some conversation about the enchanted horse, and to know what was +become of it. + +The sultan, who could not penetrate into the prince's motive, +concealed nothing from him; but informed him of what the princess +had related, when he had delivered her from the Hindoo magician: +adding, that he had ordered the enchanted horse to be kept safe +in his treasury as a great curiosity, though he knew not the use +of it. + +"Sir," replied the pretended physician, "the information which +your majesty has given your devoted slave affords me a means of +curing the princess. As she was brought hither on this horse, and +the horse is enchanted, she hath contracted something of the +enchantment, which can be dissipated only by a certain incense +which I am acquainted with. If your majesty would entertain +yourself, your court, and the people of your capital, with the +most surprising sight that ever was beheld, let the horse be +brought into the great square before the palace, and leave the +rest to me. I promise to show you, and all that assembly, in a +few moments time, the princess of Bengal completely restored in +body and mind. But the better to effect what I propose, it will +be requisite that the princess, should be dressed as +magnificently as possible, and adorned with the most valuable +jewels your majesty may possess." The sultan would have +undertaken much more difficult things to have arrived at the +enjoyment of his desires, which he expected soon to accomplish. + +The next day, the enchanted horse was, by his order, taken out of +the treasury, and placed early in the great square before the +palace. A report was spread through the town that there was +something extraordinary to be seen, and crowds of people flocked +thither from all parts, insomuch that the sultan's guards were +placed to prevent disorder, and to keep space enough round the +horse. + +The sultan of Cashmeer, surrounded by all his nobles and +ministers of state, was placed on a scaffold erected on purpose. +The princess of Bengal, attended by a number of ladies whom the +sultan had assigned her, went up to the enchanted horse, and the +women helped her to mount. When she was fixed in the saddle, and +had the bridle in her hand, the pretended physician placed round +the horse at a proper distance many vessels full of lighted +charcoal, which he had ordered to be brought, and going round +them with a solemn pace, cast in a strong and grateful perfume; +then collected in himself, with downcast eyes, and his hands upon +his breast, he ran three times about the horse, making as if he +pronounced some mystical words. The moment the pots sent forth a +dark cloud of pleasant smell, which so surrounded the princess, +that neither she nor the horse could be discerned, watching his +opportunity, the prince jumped nimbly up behind her, and reaching +his hand to the peg, turned it; and just as the horse rose with +them into the air, he pronounced these words, which the sultan +heard distinctly, "Sultan of Cashmeer, when you would marry +princesses who implore your protection, learn first to obtain +their consent." + +Thus the prince delivered the princess of Bengal, and carried her +the same day to the capital of Persia, where he alighted in the +square of the palace, before the emperor his father's apartment, +who deferred the solemnization of the marriage no longer than +till he could make the preparations necessary to render the +ceremony pompous and magnificent, and evince the interest he took +in it. + +After the days appointed for the rejoicings were over, the +emperor of Persia's first care was to name and appoint an +ambassador to go to the Rajah of Bengal with an account of what +had passed, and to demand his approbation and ratification of the +alliance contracted by this marriage; which the Rajah of Bengal +took as an honour, and granted with great pleasure and +satisfaction. + + + + + THE STORY OF PRINCE AHMED, AND THE FAIRY + PERIE BANOU. + + + +There was a sultan who had peaceably filled the throne of India +many years, and had the satisfaction in his old age to have three +sons the worthy imitators of his virtues, who, with the princess +his niece, were the ornaments of his court. The eldest of the +princes was called Houssain, the second Ali, the youngest Ahmed, +and the princess his niece Nouronnihar. + +The princess Nouronnihar was the daughter of the younger brother +of the sultan, to whom in his lifetime he had allowed a +considerable revenue. But that prince had not been married long +before he died, and left the princess very young. The sultan, in +consideration of the brotherly love and friendship that had +always subsisted between them, besides a great attachment to his +person, took upon himself the care of his daughter's education, +and brought her up in his palace with the three princes; where +her singular beauty and personal accomplishments, joined to a +lively wit and irreproachable virtue, distinguished her among all +the princesses of her time. + +The sultan, her uncle, proposed to marry her when she arrived at +a proper age, and by that means to contract an alliance with some +neighbouring prince; and was thinking seriously on the subject, +when he perceived that the three princes his sons loved her +passionately. This gave him much concern, though his grief did +not proceed from a consideration that their passion prevented his +forming the alliance he designed, but the difficulty he foresaw +to make them agree, and that the two youngest should consent to +yield her up to their eldest brother. He spoke to each of them +apart; and remonstrated on the impossibility of one princess +being the wife of three persons, and the troubles they would +create if they persisted in their attachment. He did all he could +to persuade them to abide by a declaration of the princess in +favour of one of them; or to desist from their pretensions, to +think of other matches which he left them free liberty to choose, +and suffer her to be married to a foreign attachment. But as he +found them obstinate, he sent for them all together, and said, +"My children, since I have not been able to dissuade you from +aspiring to marry the princess your cousin; and as I have no +inclination to use my authority, to give her to one in preference +to his brothers, I trust I have thought of an expedient which +will please you all, and preserve harmony among you, if you will +but hear me, and follow my advice. I think it would not be amiss +if you were to travel separately into different countries, so +that you might not meet each other: and as you know I am very +curious, and delight in every thing that is rare and singular, I +promise my niece in marriage to him who shall bring me the most +extraordinary rarity; chance may lead you to form your own +judgment of the singularity of the things which you bring, by the +comparison you make of them, so that you will have no difficulty +to do yourselves justice by yielding the preference to him who +has deserved it; and for the expense of travelling, I will give +each of you a sum suited to your rank, and for the purchase of +the rarity you shall search after; which shall not be laid out in +equipage and attendants, as much display, by discovering who you +are, would not only deprive you of the liberty to acquit +yourselves of your charge, but prevent your observing those +things which may merit your attention, and may be most useful to +you." + +As the three princes were always submissive and obedient to the +sultan's will, and each flattered himself fortune might prove +favourable to him, and give him possession of the princess +Nouronnihar, they all consented to the proposal. The sultan gave +them the money he promised; and that very day they issued orders +for the preparations for their travels, and took leave of their +father, that they might be ready to set out early next morning. +They all went out at the same gate of the city, each dressed like +a merchant, attended by a trusty officer, habited as a slave, and +all well mounted and equipped. They proceeded the first day's +journey together; and slept at a caravanserai, where the road +divided into three different tracks. At night when they were at +supper together, they all agreed to travel for a year, to make +their present lodging their rendezvous; and that the first who +came should wait for the rest; that as they had all three taken +leave together of the sultan, they might return in company. The +next morning by break of day, after they had embraced and wished +each other reciprocally good success, they mounted their horses, +and took each a different road. + +Prince Houssain, the eldest brother, who had heard wonders of the +extent, power, riches, and splendour of the kingdom of Bisnagar, +bent his course towards the Indian coast; and after three months' +travelling, joining himself to different caravans, sometimes over +deserts and barren mountains, and sometimes through populous and +fertile countries, arrived at Bisnagar, the capital of the +kingdom of that name, and the residence of its maharajah. He +lodged at a khan appointed for foreign merchants; and having +learnt that there were four principal divisions where merchants +of all sorts kept their shops, in the midst of which stood the +castle, or rather the maharajah's palace, on a large extent of +ground, as the centre of the city, surrounded by three courts, +and each gate distant two leagues from the other, he went to one +of these quarters the next day. + +Prince Houssain could not view this quarter without admiration. +It was large, divided into several streets, all vaulted and +shaded from the sun, but yet very light. The shops were all of +the same size and proportion; and all who dealt in the same sort +of goods, as well as all the artists of the same profession, +lived in one street. + +The number of shops stocked with all kinds of merchandizes, such +as the finest linens from several parts of India, some painted in +the most lively colours, and representing men, landscapes, trees, +and flowers; silks and brocades from Persia, China, and other +places; porcelain from Japan and China; foot carpets of all +sizes; surprised him so much, that he knew not how to believe his +eyes: but when he came to the shops of the goldsmiths and +jewellers (for those two trades were exercised by the same +merchants), he was in a kind of ecstasy, at beholding such +prodigious quantities of wrought gold and silver, and was dazzled +by the lustre of the pearls, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and +other precious stones exposed to sale. But if he was amazed at +seeing so many treasures in one place, he was much more surprised +when he came to judge of the wealth of the whole kingdom, by +considering, that except the brahmins, and ministers of the +idols, who profess a life retired from worldly vanity, there was +not an Indian, man or woman, through the extent of the kingdom, +but wore necklaces, bracelets, and ornaments about their legs and +feet, made of pearls, and precious stones, which appeared with +the greater lustre, as they were blacks, which colour admirably +set off their brilliancy. + +Another object which prince Houssain particularly admired was the +great number of flower-sellers who crowded the streets; for the +Indians are such great lovers of flowers that not one will stir +without a nosegay of them in his hand, or a garland of them on +his head; and the merchants keep them in pots in their shops, so +that the air of the whole quarter, however extensive, is +perfectly perfumed. + +After prince Houssain had passed through that quarter, street by +street, his thoughts fully employed on the riches he had seen, he +was much fatigued; which a merchant perceiving, civilly invited +him to sit down in his shop. He accepted his offer; but had not +been seated long, before he saw a crier pass with a piece of +carpeting on his arm, about six feet square, and crying it at +thirty purses. The prince called to the crier, and asked to see +the carpeting, which seemed to him to be valued at an exorbitant +price, not only for the size of it, but the meanness of the +materials. When he had examined it well, he told the crier that +he could not comprehend how so small a piece of carpeting, and of +so indifferent an appearance, could be set at so high a price. + +The crier, who took him for a merchant, replied, "Sir, if this +price seems so extravagant to you, your amazement will be greater +when I tell you, I have orders to raise it to forty purses, and +not to part with it under." "Certainly," answered prince +Houssain, "it must have something very extraordinary in it, which +I know nothing of." "You have guessed right, sir," replied the +crier, "and will own it when you come to know, that whoever sits +on this piece of carpeting may be transported in an instant +wherever he desires to be, without being stopped by any +obstacle." + +At this account, the prince of the Indies, considering that the +principal motive of his tour was to carry the sultan his father +home some singular rarity, thought that he could not meet with +any which would afford him more satisfaction. "If the carpeting," +said he to the crier, "has the virtue you attribute to it, I +shall not think forty purses too much; but shall make you a +present besides." "Sir," replied the crier, "I have told you the +truth; and it will be an easy matter to convince you of it, as +soon as you have made the bargain for forty purses, on condition +I shew you the experiment. But as I suppose you have not so much +with you, and to receive them, I must go with you to the khan +where you lodge; with the leave of the master of this shop we +will go into the back warehouse, where I will spread the +carpeting; and when we have both sat down, and you have formed +the wish to be transported into your apartment at the khan, if we +are not conveyed thither, it shall be no bargain, and you shall +be at your liberty. As to your present, as I am paid for my +trouble by the seller, I shall receive it as a favour, and feel +much obliged by your liberality." + +On this assurance of the crier, the prince accepted the +conditions, and concluded the bargain; then having obtained the +master's leave, they went into his back-shop, where they both sat +down on the carpeting; and as soon as the prince had formed his +wish to be transported into his apartment at the khan, he in an +instant found himself and the crier there: as he wanted not a +more convincing proof of the virtue of the carpeting, he counted +to the crier forty purses of gold, and gave him twenty pieces for +himself. + +In this manner prince Houssain became the possessor of the +carpeting, and was overjoyed that at his arrival at Bisnagar he +had found so rare a curiosity, which he never doubted must of +course gain him the possession of Nouronnihar. In short, he +thought it impossible for the princes, his younger brothers, to +meet with any thing to be compared with it. It was in his power, +by sitting on this carpeting, to be at the place of rendezvous +that very day; but as he would be obliged to wait there for his +brothers, as they had agreed, and as he was desirous of seeing +the maharajah of Bisnagar and his court, and to inform himself of +the strength, laws, customs, and religion of the kingdom, he +chose to make a longer abode in this capital, and to spend some +months in satisfying his curiosity. + +It was the custom of the maharajah of Bisnagar to give all +foreign merchants access to his person once a week; so that in +his assumed character prince Houssain saw him often: and as this +prince was of an engaging presence, sensible and accomplished, he +distinguished himself among the merchants, and was preferred +before them all by the maharajah, who addressed himself to him to +be informed of the person of the sultan of the Indies, and of the +government, strength, and riches of his dominions. + +The rest of his time the prince employed in viewing what was most +remarkable in and about the city; and among the objects which +were most worthy of admiration, he visited a temple remarkable +for being built all of brass. It was ten cubits square, and +fifteen high; but its greatest ornament was an idol of the height +of a man, of massive gold; its eyes were two rubies, set so +artificially, that it seemed to look at those who viewed it, on +which side soever they turned: besides this, there was another +not less curious, in the environs of the city, in the midst of a +lawn of about ten acres, which was like a delicious garden full +of roses and the choicest flowers, surrounded by a low wall, +breast high, to keep out the cattle. In the midst of this lawn +was raised a terrace, a man's height, and covered with such +beautiful cement, that the whole pavement seemed to be but one +single stone, most highly polished. A temple was erected in the +middle of this terrace, having a spire rising about fifty cubits +high from the building, which might be seen for several leagues +round. The temple was thirty cubits long, and twenty broad; built +of red marble, highly polished. The inside of the spire was +adorned with three compartments of fine paintings: and there was +not a part in the whole edifice but what was embellished with +paintings, or relievos, and gaudy idols from top to bottom. + +Every night and morning there were superstitious ceremonies +performed in this temple, which were always succeeded by sports, +concerts of music, dancing, singing, and feasts. The brahmins of +the temple, and the inhabitants of this suburb, had nothing to +subsist on but the offerings of pilgrims, who came in crowds from +the most distant parts of the kingdom to perform their vows. + +Prince Houssain was also spectator of a solemn festival, which +was celebrated every year at the court of Bisnagar, at which all +the governors of provinces, commanders of fortified places, all +heads and magistrates of towns, and the brahmins most celebrated +for their learning, were usually present; and some lived so far +off, that they were four months in coming. This assembly, +composed of such innumerable multitudes of Hindoos encamped in +variously coloured tents, on a plain of vast extent, was a +splendid sight, as far as the eye could reach. In the centre of +this plain was a square of great length and breadth, closed on +one side by a large scaffolding of nine stories, supported by +forty pillars, raised for the maharajah and his court, and those +strangers whom he admitted to audience once a week: within, it +was adorned and furnished magnificently with rich carpets and +cushions; and on the outside were painted landscapes, wherein all +sorts of beasts, birds, and insects, even flies and gnats, were +drawn very naturally. Other scaffolds of at least four or five +stories, and painted almost all with the same fanciful +brilliancy, formed the other three sides. But what was more +particular in these scaffolds, they could turn, and make them +change their fronts so as to present different decorations to the +eye every hour. + +On each side of the square, at some little distance from each +other, were ranged a thousand elephants, sumptuously caparisoned, +each having upon his back a square wooden stage, finely gilt, +upon which were musicians and buffoons. The trunks, ears, and +bodies of these elephants were painted with cinnabar and other +colours, representing grotesque figures. + +But what prince Houssain most of all admired, as a proof of the +industry, address, and inventive genius of the Hindoos, was to +see the largest of these elephants stand with his four feet on a +post fixed into the earth, and standing out of it above two feet, +playing and beating time with his trunk to the music. Besides +this, he admired another elephant as large as the former, placed +upon a plank, laid across a strong beam about ten feet high, with +a sufficiently heavyweight at the other end, which balanced him, +while he kept time, by the motions of his body and trunk, with +the music, as well as the other elephant. The Hindoos, after +having fastened on the counterpoise, had drawn the other end of +the board down to the ground, and made the elephant get upon it. + +Prince Houssain might have made a longer stay in the kingdom and +court of Bisnagar, where he would have been agreeably diverted by +a great variety of other wonders, till the last day of the year, +whereon he and his brothers had appointed to meet. But he was so +well satisfied with what he had seen, and his thoughts ran so +much upon the object of his love, that after such success in +meeting with his carpet, reflecting on the beauty and charms of +the princess Nouronnihar increased every day the violence of his +passion, and he fancied he should be the more easy and happy the +nearer he was to her. After he had satisfied the master of the +khan for his apartment, and told him the hour when he might come +for the key, without mentioning how he should travel, he shut the +door, put the key on the outside, and spreading the carpet, he +and the officer he had brought with him sat down upon it, and as +soon as he had formed his wish, were transported to the +caravanserai at which he and his brothers were to meet, and where +he passed for a merchant till their arrival. + +Prince Ali, the second brother, who had designed to travel into +Persia, in conformity with the intention of the sultan of the +Indies, took that road, having three days after he parted with +his brothers joined a caravan; and in four months arrived at +Sheerauz, which was then the capital of the empire of Persia; and +having in the way contracted a friendship with some merchants, +passed for a jeweller, and lodged in the same khan with them. + +The next morning, while the merchants opened their bales of +merchandises, prince Ali, who travelled only for his pleasure, +and had brought nothing but necessaries with him, after he had +dressed himself, took a walk into that quarter of the town where +they sold precious stones, gold and silver works, brocades, +silks, fine linens, and other choice and valuable articles, and +which was at Sheerauz called the bezestein. It was a spacious and +well-built street, arched over, within the arcades of which were +shops. Prince Ali soon rambled through the bezestein, and with +admiration judged of the riches of the place by the prodigious +quantities of the most precious merchandises exposed to view. + +But among the criers who passed backwards and forwards with +several sorts of goods, offering to sell them, he was not a +little surprised to see one who held in his hand an ivory tube, +of about a foot in length, and about an inch thick, which he +cried at forty purses. At first he thought the crier mad, and to +inform himself, went to a shop, and said to the merchant who +stood at the door, "Pray, sir, is not that man" (pointing to the +crier, who cried the ivory tube at forty purses) "mad? If he is +not, I am much deceived." "Indeed, sir," answered the merchant, +"he was in his right senses yesterday; and I can assure you he is +one of the ablest criers we have, and the most employed of any, +as being to be confided in when any thing valuable is to be sold; +and if he cries the ivory tube at forty purses, it must be worth +as much or more, on some account or other which does not appear. +He will come by presently, when we will call him, and you shall +satisfy yourself: in the mean time sit down on my sofa, and rest +yourself." + +Prince Ali accepted the merchant's obliging offer, and presently +afterwards the crier arrived. The merchant called him by his +name, and pointing to the prince, said to him, "Tell that +gentleman, who asked me if you were in your right senses, what +you mean by crying that ivory tube, which seems not to be worth +much, at forty purses? I should indeed be much amazed myself, if +I did not know you were a sensible man." The crier, addressing +himself to prince Ali, said, "Sir, you are not the only person +that takes me for a madman, on account of this tube; you shall +judge yourself whether I am or no, when I have told you its +property; and I hope you will value it at as high a price as +those I have shewed it to already, who had as bad an opinion of +me as you have. + +"First, sir," pursued the crier, presenting the ivory tube to the +prince, "observe, that this tube is furnished with a glass at +both ends; by looking through one of them, you will see whatever +object you wish to behold." "I am," said the prince, "ready to +make you all proper reparation for the reflection I have cast +upon you, if you can make the truth of what you advance appear; +and" (as he had the ivory tube in his hand, after he had looked +at the two glasses), he said, "shew me at which of these ends I +must look, that I may be satisfied." The crier presently shewed +him, and he looked through; wishing, at the same time, to see the +sultan his father, whom he immediately beheld in perfect health, +sitting on his throne, in the midst of his council. Next, as +there was nothing in the world so dear to him, after the sultan, +as the princess Nouronnihar, he wished to see her; and instantly +beheld her laughing, and in a gay humour, with her women about +her. + +Prince All wanted no other proof to persuade him that this tube +was the most valuable article, not only in the city of Sheerauz, +but in all the world; and believed, that if he should neglect to +purchase it, he should never meet with an equally wonderful +curiosity. He said to the crier, "I am very sorry that I have +entertained so erroneous an opinion of you, but hope to make +amends by buying the tube, for I should be sorry if any body else +had it; so tell me the lowest price the owner has fixed; and do +not give yourself any farther trouble to hawk it about, but go +with me and I will pay you the money." The crier assured him, +with an oath, that his last orders were to take no less than +forty purses; and if he disputed the truth of what he said, he +would carry him to his employer. The prince believed him, took +him to the khan where he lodged, told him out the money, and +received the tube. + +Prince Ali was overjoyed at his purchase; and persuaded himself, +that as his brothers would not be able to meet with any thing so +rare and admirable, the princess Nouronnihar must be the +recompense of his fatigue and travels. He thought now of only +visiting the court of Persia incognito, and seeing whatever was +curious in and about Sheerauz, till the caravan with which he +came might be ready to return to the Indies. He satisfied his +curiosity, and when the caravan took its departure, the prince +joined the former party of merchants his friends, and arrived +happily without any accident or trouble, further than the length +of the journey and fatigue of travelling, at the place of +rendezvous, where he found prince Houssain, and both waited for +prince Ahmed. + +Prince Ahmed took the road of Samarcand, and the day after his +arrival, went, as his brothers had done, into the bezestein; +where he had not walked long before he heard a crier, who had an +artificial apple in his hand, cry it at five-and-thirty purses. +He stopped the crier, and said to him, "Let me see that apple, +and tell me what virtue or extraordinary property it possesses, +to be valued at so high a rate?" "Sir," replied the crier, giving +it into his hand, "if you look at the mere outside of this apple +it is not very remarkable; but if you consider its properties, +and the great use and benefit it is of to mankind, you will say +it is invaluable, and that he who possesses it is master of a +great treasure. It cures all sick persons of the most mortal +diseases, whether fever, pleurisy, plague, or other malignant +distempers; for even if the patient is dying, it will recover him +immediately, and restore him to perfect health: and this merely +by the patient's smelling to it." + +"If one may believe you," replied prince Ahmed, "the virtues of +this apple are wonderful, and it is indeed invaluable: but what +ground has the purchaser to be persuaded that there is no +exaggeration in the high praises you bestow on it?" "Sir," +replied the crier, "the truth is known by the whole city of +Samarcand; but without going any farther, ask all these merchants +you see here, and hear what they say; you will find several of +them will tell you they had not been alive this day had they not +made use of this excellent remedy; and that you may the better +comprehend what it is, I must tell you it is the fruit of the +study and experience of a celebrated philosopher of this city, +who applied himself all his lifetime to the knowledge of the +virtues of plants and minerals, and at last attained to this +composition, by which he performed such surprising cures, as will +never be forgotten; but died suddenly himself, before he could +apply his own sovereign remedy; and left his wife and a great +many young children behind in very indifferent circumstances, +who, to support her family, and to provide for her children, has +resolved to sell it." + +While the crier was detailing to prince Ahmed the virtues of the +artificial apple, many persons came about them, and confirmed +what he declared; and one amongst the rest said he had a friend +dangerously ill, whose life was despaired of; which was a +favourable opportunity to shew the experiment. Upon which prince +Ahmed told the crier he would give him forty purses for the apple +if it cured the sick person by smelling to it. + +The crier, who had orders to sell it at that price, said to +prince Ahmed, "Come, sir, let us go and make the experiment, and +the apple shall be yours; and I say this with the greater +confidence, as it is an undoubted fact that it will always have +the same effect, as it already has had whenever it has been +applied to save from death so many persons whose lives were +despaired of." In short, the experiment succeeded; and the +prince, after he had counted out to the crier forty purses, and +had received the apple from him, waited with the greatest +impatience for the departure of a caravan for the Indies. In the +mean time he saw all that was curious at and about Samarcand, and +principally the valley of Sogd, which is reckoned by the Arabians +one of the four paradises of this world, for the beauty of its +fields, gardens, and palaces, and for its fertility in fruit of +all sorts, and all the other pleasures enjoyed there in the fine +season. + +Ahmed joined himself to the first caravan that set out for the +Indies, and notwithstanding the inevitable inconveniences of so +long a journey, arrived in perfect health at the caravanserai, +where the princes Houssain and Ali waited for him. + +Ali, who had arrived some time before Ahmed, asked Houssain how +long he had been there? who told him, "Three months;" to which he +replied, "Then certainly you have not been very far." "I will +tell you nothing now," said prince Houssain, "of where I have +been, but only assure you, I was above three months travelling to +the place I went to." "But then," replied prince Ali, "you made a +short stay there." "Indeed, brother," said prince Houssain, "you +are mistaken; I resided at one place above four months, and might +have stayed longer." "Unless you flew back," returned Ali again, +"I cannot comprehend how you can have been three months here, as +you would make me believe." + +"I tell you the truth," added Houssain, "and it is a riddle which +I shall not explain to you, till our brother Ahmed joins us; when +I will let you know what rarity I have purchased in my travels. I +know not what you have got, but believe it to be some trifle, +because I do not perceive that your baggage is increased." "And +pray what have you brought?" demanded prince Ali, "for I can see +nothing but an ordinary piece of carpeting, with which you cover +your sofa; and therefore I think I may return your raillery; and +as you seem to make what you have brought a secret, you cannot +take it amiss that I do the same with respect to what I have +procured." + +"I consider the rarity I have purchased," replied Houssain, "to +excel all others whatever, and should not make any difficulty to +shew it you, and make you allow that it is so, and at the same +time tell you how I came by it, without being in the least +apprehensive that what you have got is to be preferred to it: but +it is proper that we should wait till our brother Ahmed arrives, +when we may communicate our good fortune to each other." + +Prince All would not enter into a dispute with prince Houssain on +the preference he gave his rarity, but was persuaded, that if his +perspective glass was not preferable, it was impossible it should +be inferior to it; and therefore agreed to stay till prince Ahmed +arrived, to produce his purchase. + +When prince Ahmed joined his brothers, they embraced with +tenderness, and complimented each other on the happiness of +meeting together at the same place they had set out from. +Houssain, as the eldest brother, then assumed the discourse, and +said to them, "Brothers, we shall have time enough hereafter to +entertain ourselves with the particulars of our travels. Let us +come to that which is of the greatest importance for us to know; +and as I do not doubt you remember the principal motive which +engaged us to travel, let us not conceal from each other the +curiosities we have brought, but shew them, that we may do +ourselves justice beforehand, and judge to which of us the sultan +our father may give the preference. + +"To set the example," continued Houssain, "I will tell you, that +the rarity which I have brought from the kingdom of Bisnagar is +the carpeting on which I sit, which looks but ordinary, and makes +no shew; but when I have declared its virtues, you will be struck +with admiration, and confess you never heard of any thing like +it. Whoever sits on it, as we do, and desires to be transported +to any place, be it ever so far distant, he is immediately +carried thither. I made the experiment myself, before I paid the +forty purses, which I most readily gave for it; and when I had +fully satisfied my curiosity at the court of Bisnagar, and wished +to return here, I made use of no other conveyance than this +wonderful carpet for myself and servant, who can tell you how +long we were on our journey. I will shew you both the experiment +whenever you please. I expect now that you should tell me whether +what you have brought is to be compared with this carpet." + +Here prince Houssain finished his commendations of the excellency +of his carpet; and prince Ali, addressing himself to him, said, +"I must own, brother, that your carpet is one of the most +surprising curiosities, if it has, as I do not doubt, the +property you speak of. But you must allow that there may be other +rarities, I will not say more, but at least as wonderful, in +another way; and to convince you there are, here is an ivory +tube, which appears to the eye no more a prodigy than your +carpet; it cost me as much, and I am as well satisfied with my +purchase as you can be with yours; and you will be so just as to +own that I have not been imposed upon, when you shall know by +experience, that by looking at one end you see whatever object +you wish to behold. I would not have you take my word," added +prince Ali, presenting the tube to him; "take it, make trial of +it yourself." + +Houssain took the ivory tube from prince Ali, and put that end to +his eye which Ali directed, with an intention to see the princess +Nouronnihar; when Ali and prince Ahmed, who kept their eyes fixed +upon him, were extremely surprised to see his countenance change +in such a manner, as expressed extraordinary alarm and +affliction. Prince Houssain did not give them time to ask what +was the matter, but cried out, "Alas! princes, to what purpose +have we undertaken such long and fatiguing journeys, but with the +hopes of being recompensed by the possession of the charming +Nouronnihar, when in a few moments that lovely princess will +breathe her last. I saw her in her bed, surrounded by her women +and eunuchs, all in tears, who seem to expect her death. Take the +tube, behold yourselves the miserable state she is in, and mingle +your tears with mine." + +Prince Ali took the tube out of Houssain's hand, and after he had +seen the same object with sensible grief, presented it to Ahmed, +who took it, to behold the melancholy sight which so much +concerned them all. + +When prince Ahmed had taken the tube out of Ali's hands, and saw +that the princess Nouronnihar's end was so near, he addressed +himself to his two brothers, and said, "Princes, the princess +Nouronnihar, equally the object of our vows, is indeed just at +death's door; but provided we make haste and lose no time, we may +preserve her life." He then took the artificial apple out of his +bosom, and shewing it to his brothers, resumed, "This apple cost +me as much and more than either the carpet or tube. The +opportunity which now presents itself to shew you its wonderful +property makes me not regret the forty purses I gave for it. But +not to keep you longer in suspense, it has this virtue; if a sick +person smells to it, though in the last agonies, it will restore +him to perfect health immediately. I have made the experiment, +and can show you its wonderful effect on the person of the +princess Nouronnihar, if we hasten to assist her." + +"If that be all," replied prince Houssain, "we cannot make more +dispatch than by transporting ourselves instantly into her +chamber by means of my carpet. Come, lose no time, sit down, it +is large enough to hold us all: but first let us give orders to +our servants to set out immediately, and join us at the palace." + +As soon as the order was given, the princes Ali and Ahmed sat +down by Houssain, and as their interest was the same, they all +framed the same wish, and were transported instantaneously into +the princess Nouronnihar's chamber. + +The presence of the three princes, who were so little expected, +alarmed the princess's women and eunuchs, who could not +comprehend by what enchantment three men should be among them; +for they did not know them at first; and the eunuchs were ready +to fall upon them, as people who had got into a part of the +palace where they were not allowed to come; but they presently +found their mistake. + +Prince Ahmed no sooner saw himself in Nouronnihar's chamber, and +perceived the princess dying, but he rose off the carpet, as did +also the other two princes, went to the bed-side, and put the +apple to her nostrils. The princess instantly opened her eyes, +and turned her head from one side to another, looking at the +persons who stood about her; she then rose up in the bed, and +asked to be dressed, with the same freedom and recollection as if +she had awaked out of a sound sleep. Her women presently informed +her, in a manner that shewed their joy, that she was obliged to +the three princes her cousins, and particularly to prince Ahmed, +for the sudden recovery of her health. She immediately expressed +her joy at seeing them, and thanked them all together, but +afterwards prince Ahmed in particular. As she desired to dress, +the princes contented themselves with telling her how great a +pleasure it was to them to have come soon enough to contribute +each in any degree towards relieving her from the imminent danger +she was in, and what ardent prayers they had offered for the +continuance of her life; after which they retired. + +While the princess was dressing, the princes went to throw +themselves at the sultan their father's feet; but when they came +to him, they found he had been previously informed of their +unexpected arrival by the chief of the princess's eunuchs, and by +what means the princess had been so suddenly cured. The sultan +received and embraced them with the greatest joy, both for their +return, and the wonderful recovery of the princess his niece, +whom he loved as if she had been his own daughter, and who had +been given over by the physicians. After the usual compliments, +the princes presented each the rarity which he had brought: +prince Houssain his carpet, prince Ali his ivory tube, and prince +Ahmed the artificial apple; and after each had commended his +present, as he put it into the sultan's hands, they begged of him +to pronounce their fate, and declare to which of them he would +give the princess Nouronnihar, according to his promise. + +The sultan of the Indies having kindly heard all that the princes +had to say in favour of their rarities, without interrupting +them, and being well informed of what had happened in relation to +the princess Nouronnihar's cure, remained some time silent, +considering what answer he should make. At last he broke silence, +and said to them in terms full of wisdom, "I would declare for +one of you, my children, if I could do it with justice; but +consider whether I can? It is true, Ahmed, the princess my niece +is obliged to your artificial apple for her cure: but let me ask +you, whether you could have been so serviceable to her if you had +not known by Ali's tube the danger she was in, and if Houssain's +carpet had not brought you to her so soon? Your tube, Ali, +informed you and your brothers that you were likely to lose the +princess your cousin, and so far she is greatly obliged to you. +You must also grant, that the knowledge of her illness would have +been of no service without the artificial apple and the carpet. +And as for you, Houssain, the princess would be very ungrateful +if she did not show her sense of the value of your carpet, which +was so necessary a means towards effecting her cure. But +consider, it would have been of little use, if you had not been +acquainted with her illness by Ali's tube, or if Ahmed had not +applied his artificial apple. Therefore, as neither the carpet, +the ivory tube, nor the artificial apple has the least preference +to the other articles, but as, on the contrary, their value has +been perfectly equal, I cannot grant the princess to any one of +you; and the only fruit you have reaped from your travels is the +glory of having equally contributed to restore her to health. + +"As this is the case," added the sultan, "you see that I must +have recourse to other means to determine me with certainty in +the choice I ought to make; and as there is time enough between +this and night, I will do it to-day. Go and procure each of you a +bow and arrow, repair to the plain where the horses are +exercised; I will soon join you, and will give the princess +Nouronnihar to him who shoots the farthest. + +"I do not, however, forget to thank you all in general, and each +in particular, for the present you have brought me. I have many +rarities in my collection already, but nothing that comes up to +the miraculous properties of the carpet, the ivory tube, and the +artificial apple, which shall have the first places among them, +and shall be preserved carefully, not only for curiosity, but for +service upon all proper occasions." + +The three princes had nothing to object to the decision of the +sultan. When they were dismissed his presence, they each provided +themselves with a bow and arrow, which they delivered to one of +their officers, and went to the plain appointed, followed by a +great concourse of people. + +The sultan did not make them wait long for him: as soon as he +arrived, prince Houssain, as the eldest, took his bow and arrow, +and shot first. Prince Ali shot next, and much beyond him; and +prince Ahmed last of all; but it so happened, that nobody could +see where his arrow fell; and notwithstanding all the search made +by himself and all the spectators, it was not to be found. Though +it was believed that he had shot the farthest, and had therefore +deserved the princess Nouronnihar, it was however necessary that +his arrow should be found, to make the matter more evident and +certain; but notwithstanding his remonstrances, the sultan +determined in favour of prince Ali, and gave orders for +preparations to be made for the solemnization of the nuptials, +which were celebrated a few days after with great magnificence. + +Prince Houssain would not honour the feast with his presence; his +passion for the princess Nouronnihar was so sincere and ardent, +that he could scarcely support with patience the mortification of +seeing her in the arms of prince Ali: who, he said, did not +deserve her better nor love her more than himself. In short, his +grief was so violent and insupportable, that he left the court, +and renounced all right of succession to the crown, to turn +dervish, and put himself under the discipline of a famous chief, +who had gained great reputation for his exemplary life; and had +taken up his abode, and that of his disciples, whose number was +great, in an agreeable solitude. + +Prince Ahmed, urged by the same motive, did not assist at prince +Ali and the princess Nouronnihar's nuptials, any more than his +brother Houssain, yet did not renounce the world as he had done. +But as he could not imagine what could have become of his arrow, +he resolved to search for it, that he might not have any thing to +reproach himself with. With this intent he went to the place +where the princes Houssain's and Ali's were gathered up, and +proceeding straight forwards from thence looked carefully on both +sides as he advanced. He went so far, that at last he began to +think his labour was in vain; yet he could not help proceeding +till he came to some steep craggy rocks, which would have obliged +him to return, had he been ever so desirous to continue his +course. + +As he approached these rocks, he perceived an arrow, which he +took up, looked earnestly at it, and was in the greatest +astonishment to find it was the same he had shot. "Certainly," +said he to himself, "neither I, nor any man living, could shoot +an arrow so far; and finding it laid flat, not sticking into the +ground, he judged that it had rebounded from the rock. There must +be some mystery in this, said he to himself again, and it may be +to my advantage. Perhaps fortune, to make amends for depriving me +of what I thought the greatest happiness of my life, may have +reserved a greater blessing for my comfort." + +As these rocks were full of sharp points and indentures between +them, the prince meditating, entered into one of the cavities, +and looking about, beheld an iron door, which seemed to have no +lock. He feared it was fastened; but pushing against it, it +opened, and discovered an easy descent, which he walked down with +his arrow in his hand. At first he thought he was going into a +dark place, but presently a light quite different from that which +he had quitted succeeded; and entering into a spacious square, +he, to his surprise, beheld a magnificent palace, the admirable +structure of which he had not time to look at: for at the same +instant, a lady of majestic air, and of a beauty to which the +richness of her habit and the jewels which adorned her person +added no advantage, advanced, attended by a troop of ladies, or +whom it was difficult to distinguish which was the mistress, as +all were so magnificently dressed. + +As soon as Ahmed perceived the lady, he hastened to pay his +respects; and the lady seeing him coming, prevented him. +Addressing him first, she said, "Come near, prince Ahmed, you are +welcome." + +It was with no small surprise that the prince heard himself named +in a palace he had never heard of, though so nigh to his father's +capital, and he could not comprehend how he should be known to a +lady who was a stranger to him. At last he returned the lady's +compliment, by throwing himself at her feet, and rising up, said +to her, "Lady, I return you a thousand thanks for the assurance +you give me of welcome to a place where I had reason to believe +my imprudent curiosity had made me penetrate too far. But may I, +without being guilty of rudeness, presume to inquire by what +adventure you know me? and how you who live in the same +neighbourhood should be so little known by me?" "Prince," said +the lady, "let us go into the hall; there I will gratify you in +your request more commodiously for us both." + +After these words, the lady led prince Ahmed into the hall, the +noble structure of which, displaying the gold and azure which +embellished the dome, and the inestimable richness of the +furniture, appeared so great a novelty to him, that he could not +forbear his admiration, but exclaimed, that he had never beheld +its equal. "I can assure you," replied the lady, "that this is +but a small part of my palace, as you will judge when you have +seen all the apartments." She then sat down on a sofa; and when +the prince at her entreaty had seated himself by her, she +continued, "You are surprised, you say, that I know you, and am +not known by you; but you will be no longer surprised when I +inform you who I am. You cannot be ignorant, as the Koran informs +you, that the world is inhabited by genii as well as men: I am +the daughter of one of the most powerful and distinguished of +these genii, and my name is Perie Banou; therefore you ought not +to wonder that I know you, the sultan your father, the princes +your brothers, and the princess Nouronnihar. I am no stranger to +your loves or your travels, of which I could tell you all the +circumstances, since it was I myself who exposed to sale the +artificial apple which you bought at Samarcand, the carpet which +prince Houssain purchased at Bisnagar, and the tube which prince +Ali brought from Sheerauz. This is sufficient to let you know +that I am not unacquainted with every thing that relates to you. +I have to add, that you seemed to me worthy of a more happy fate +than that of possessing the princess Nouronnihar; and that you +might attain to it, I was present when you drew your arrow, and +foresaw it would not go beyond prince Houssain's. I seized it in +the air, and gave it the necessary motion to strike against the +rocks near which you found it. It is in your power to avail +yourself of the favourable opportunity which presents itself to +make you happy." + +As the fairy Perie Banou pronounced the last words with a +different tone, and looked at the same time tenderly at the +prince, with downcast eyes and a modest blush upon her cheeks, it +was not difficult for him to comprehend what happiness she meant. +He reflected that the princess Nouronnihar could never be his, +saw that Perie Banou excelled her infinitely in beauty and +accomplishments, and, as far as he could conjecture by the +magnificence of the palace, in immense riches. He blessed the +moment that he thought of seeking after his arrow a second time, +and yielding to his inclination, which drew him towards the new +object which had fired his heart: he then replied, "Should I, all +my life, have the happiness of being your slave, and the admirer +of the many charms which ravish my soul, I should think myself +the happiest of men. Pardon the presumption which inspires me to +ask this favour, and do not refuse to admit into your court a +prince who is entirely devoted to you." + +"Prince," answered the fairy, "as I have been, long my own +mistress, and have no dependence on a parent's consent, it is not +as a slave that I would admit you into my court, but as master of +my person, and all that belongs to me, by pledging your faith to +me, and taking me as your wife. I hope you will not think it +indecorous, that I anticipate you in this proposal. I am, as I +said, mistress of my will; and must add, that the same customs +are not observed among fairies as with human-kind, in whom it +would not have been decent to have made such advances: but it is +what we do, and we suppose we confer obligation by the practice." + +Ahmed made no answer to this declaration, but was so penetrated +with gratitude, that he thought he could not express it better +than by prostration to kiss the hem of her garment; which she +would not give him time to do, but presented her hand, which he +kissed a thousand times, and kept fast locked in his. "Well, +prince Ahmed," said she, "will you pledge your faith to me, as I +do mine to you?" "Yes, madam," replied the prince, in an ecstacy +of joy. "What can I do more fortunate for myself, or with greater +pleasure? Yes, my sultaness, I give it you with my heart without +the least reserve." "Then," answered the fairy, "you are my +husband, and I am your wife. Our fairy marriages are contracted +with no other ceremonies, and yet are more firm and indissoluble +than those among men, with all their formalities. But as I +suppose," pursued she, "that you have eaten nothing to-day, a +slight repast shall be served up for you while preparations are +making for our nuptial feast this evening, and then I will shew +you the apartments of my palace." + +Some of the fairy's women who came into the hall with them, and +guessed her intentions, went immediately out, and returned with +some excellent viands and wines. + +When Ahmed had refreshed himself, the fairy led him through all +the apartments, where he saw diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and all +sorts of fine jewels, intermixed with pearls, agate, jasper, +porphyry, and all kinds of the most precious marbles; not to +mention the richness of the furniture, which was inestimable; the +whole disposed in such elegant profusion, that the prince +acknowledged there could not be any thing in the world equal to +it. "Prince," said the fairy, "if you admire my humble abode so +much, what would you say to the palaces of the chiefs of our +genii, which are much more beautiful, spacious, and magnificent? +I could also shew you my garden; but we will leave that till +another time. Night draws near, and it will be time to go to +supper." + +The next hall which the fairy led the prince into, where the +cloth was laid for the feast, was the only apartment he had not +seen, and it was not in the least inferior to the others. At his +entrance, he admired the infinite number of wax candles perfumed +with amber, the multitude of which, instead of being confused, +were placed with so just a symmetry, as to form an agreeable and +pleasant light. A large beaufet was set out with all sorts of +gold plate, so finely wrought, that the workmanship was much more +valuable than the weight of the gold. Several bands of beautiful +women richly dressed, and whose voices were ravishing, began a +concert, accompanied by the most harmonious instruments he had +ever heard. When they were seated, the fairy took care to help +prince Ahmed to the most delicious meats, which she named as she +invited him to eat of them, and which the prince had never heard +of, but found so exquisite, that he commended them in the highest +terms, saying, that the entertainment which she gave him far +surpassed those among men. He found also the same excellence in +the wines, which neither he nor the fairy tasted till the dessert +was served up, which consisted of the choicest sweetmeats and +fruits. + +After the dessert, the fairy Perie Banou and prince Ahmed rose +and repaired to a sofa, with cushions of fine silk, curiously +embroidered with all sorts of large flowers, laid at their backs. +Presently after a great number of genii and fairies danced before +them to the chamber where the nuptial bed was prepared; and when +they came to the entrance, divided themselves into two rows, to +let them pass, after which they made obeisance and retired. + +The nuptial festivity was renewed the next day; or rather, every +day following the celebration was a continued feast, which the +fairy Perie Banou knew how to diversify, by new delicacies, new +concerts, new dances, new shows, and new diversions; which were +all so gratifying to his senses, that Ahmed, if he had lived a +thousand years among men, could not have experienced equal +enjoyment. + +The fairy's intention was not only to give the prince convincing +proofs of the sincerity of her love, by so many attentions; but +to let him see, that as he had no pretensions at his father's +court, he could meet with nothing comparable to the happiness he +enjoyed with her, independently of her beauty and attractions, +and to attach him entirely to herself. In this attempt she +succeeded so well, that Ahmed's passion was not in the least +diminished by possession; but increased so much, that if he had +been so inclined, it was not in his power to forbear loving her. + +At the end of six months, prince Ahmed, who always loved and +honoured the sultan his father, felt a great desire to know how +he was; and as that desire could not be satisfied without his +absenting himself, he mentioned his wish to the fairy, and +requested she would give him leave to visit the sultan. + +This request alarmed the fairy, and made her fear it was only an +excuse to leave her. She said to him, "What disgust can I have +given to you to ask me this permission? Is it possible you should +have forgotten that you have pledged your faith to me, or have +you ceased to love one who is so passionately fond of you? Are +not the proofs I have repeatedly given you of my affection +sufficient?" + +"My queen," replied the prince, "I am perfectly convinced of your +love, and should be unworthy of it, if I did not testify my +gratitude by a reciprocal affection. If you are offended at the +permission I solicit, I entreat you to forgive me, and I will +make all the reparation in my power. I did not make the request +with any intention of displeasing you, but from a motive of +respect towards my father, whom I wish to free from the +affliction in which my so long absence must have overwhelmed him, +and which must be the greater, as, I have reason to presume, he +believes that I am dead. But since you do not consent that I +should go and afford him that comfort, I will deny myself the +pleasure, as there is nothing to which I would not submit to +please you." + +Ahmed did not dissemble, for he loved her at heart as much as he +had assured her by this declaration; and the fairy expressed her +satisfaction. But as he could not absolutely abandon his design, +he frequently took an opportunity to speak to her of the great +qualifications of the sultan his father: and above all, of his +particular tenderness towards himself, in hopes he might at +length be able to move her. + +As the prince had supposed, the sultan of the Indies, in the +midst of the rejoicings on account of the nuptials of prince Ali +and the princess Nouronnihar, was sensibly afflicted at the +absence of the other two princes his sons, though it was not long +before he was informed of the resolution Houssain had taken to +forsake the world, and the place he had chosen for his retreat. +As a good father, whose happiness consists in seeing his children +about him, especially when they are deserving of his tenderness, +he would have been better pleased had he stayed at his court, +near his person; but as he could not disapprove of his choice of +the state of perfection which he had entered, he supported his +absence more patiently. He made the most diligent search after +Ahmed, and dispatched couriers to all the provinces of his +dominions, with orders to the governors to stop him, and oblige +him to return to court: but all the pains he took had not the +desired success, and his affliction, instead of diminishing, +increased. He would make it the subject of his conversation with +his grand vizier; and would say to him, "Vizier, thou knowest I +always loved Ahmed the most of all my sons; and thou art not +insensible of the means I have in vain used to find him out. My +grief is so heavy, I shall sink under it, if thou hast not +compassion on me; if thou hast any regard for the preservation of +my life, I conjure thee to assist and advise me." + +The grand vizier, no less attached to the person of the sultan +than zealous to acquit himself well of the administration of the +affairs of state, considering how to give his sovereign some +ease, recollected a sorceress, of whom he had heard wonders, and +proposed to send for and consult her. The sultan consented, and +the grand vizier, upon her arrival, introduced her into the +presence. + +The sultan said to the sorceress, "The affliction I have been in +since the marriage of my son prince Ali to the princess +Nouronnihar, my niece, on account of the absence of prince Ahmed, +is so well known, and so public, that thou canst be no stranger +to it. By thy art and skill canst thou tell me what is become of +him? If he be alive, where he is? what he is doing? and if I may +hope ever to see him again?" To this the sorceress replied, "It +is impossible, sir, for me, however skilful in my profession, to +answer immediately the questions your majesty asks; but if you +allow me till to-morrow, I will endeavour to satisfy you." The +sultan granted her the time, and permitted her to retire, with a +promise to recompense her munificently, if her answer proved +agreeable to his hopes. + +The sorceress returned the next day, and the grand vizier +presented her a second time to the sultan. "Sir," said she, +"notwithstanding all the diligence I have used in applying the +rules of my art to obey your majesty in what you desire to know, +I have not been able to discover any thing more than that prince +Ahmed is alive. This is certain, and you may depend upon it; but +as to where he is I cannot discover." + +The sultan of the Indies was obliged to remain satisfied with +this answer; which left him in the same uneasiness as before as +to the prince's situation. + +To return to prince Ahmed. He so often entertained the fairy +Perie Banou with talking about his father, though without +speaking any more of his desire to visit him, that she fully +comprehended what he meant; and perceiving the restraint he put +upon himself, and his fear of displeasing her after her first +refusal, she inferred, from the repeated proofs he had given her, +that his love for her was sincere; and judging by herself of the +injustice she committed in opposing a son's tenderness for his +father, and endeavouring to make him renounce that natural +affection, she resolved to grant him the permission which she knew +he so ardently desired. One day she said to him, "Prince, the +request you made to be allowed to go and see the sultan your +father gave me apprehension that it was only a pretext to conceal +inconstancy, and that was the sole motive of my refusal; but now, +as I am fully convinced by your actions and words that I can +depend on your honour and the fidelity of your love, I change my +resolution, and grant you the permission you seek, on condition +that you will first swear to me that your absence shall not be +long. You ought not to be uneasy at this condition, as if I asked +it out of distrust. I impose it only because I know that it will +give you no concern, convinced, as I have already told you I am, +of the sincerity of your love." + +Prince Ahmed would have thrown himself at the fairy's feet to +shew his gratitude, but she prevented him. "My sultaness," said +he, "I am sensible of the great favour you grant me; but want +words to express my thanks. Supply this defect, I conjure you, by +your own feelings, and be persuaded I think much more. You may +believe that the oath will give me no uneasiness, and I take it +more willingly, since it is not possible for me to live without +you. I go, but the haste I will make to return shall shew you, +that it is not the fear of being foresworn, but my inclination, +which is to live with you for ever, that urges me; and if with +your consent I now and then deprive myself of your society, I +shall always avoid the pain a too long absence would occasion +me." + +"Prince," replied Perie Banou, delighted with his sentiments, "go +when you please; but do not take it amiss that I give you some +advice how you shall conduct yourself. First, I do not think it +proper for you to inform your father of our marriage, neither of +my quality, nor the place of our residence. Beg of him to be +satisfied with knowing that you are happy, that you want nothing +from him, and let him know that the sole end of your visit is to +make him easy respecting your fate." + +Perie Banou then appointed twenty horsemen, well mounted and +equipped, to attend him. When all was ready, prince Ahmed took +his leave of the fairy, embraced her, and renewed his promise to +return soon. A charger, which was most richly caparisoned, and as +beautiful a creature as any in the sultan of the Indies' stables, +was brought to him, which he mounted with extraordinary grace, +which gave great pleasure to the fairy; and after he had bidden +her adieu, he set forward on his journey. + +As it was no great distance to his father's capital, prince Ahmed +soon arrived there. The people, rejoiced to see him again, +received him with acclamations, and followed him in crowds to the +palace. The sultan received and embraced him with great joy; +complaining at the same time, with a fatherly tenderness, of the +affliction his long absence had occasioned; which, he said, was +the more distressing, as fortune having decided in favour of +prince Ali his brother, he was afraid he might have committed +some act of despair. + +"Sir," replied prince Ahmed, "I leave it to your majesty to +consider, if after having lost the princess Nouronnihar, who was +the only object of my desires, I could bear to be a witness of +Ali's happiness. If I had been capable of such unworthy apathy, +what would the court and city have thought of my love, or what +your majesty? Love is a passion we cannot suppress at our will; +while it lasts, it rules and governs us in spite of our boasted +reason. Your majesty knows, that when I shot my arrow, the most +extraordinary accident that ever befell mortal happened to me, +for surely it was such, that in so large and level a plain as +that where the horses are exercised, it should not be possible to +find my arrow. I lost your decision in my favour, which was as +much due to my love, as to that of the princes my brothers. +Though thus vanquished by the caprice of fate, I lost no time in +vain complaints; but to satisfy my perplexed mind, upon what I +could not comprehend, I left my attendants, and returned alone to +look for my arrow. I sought all about the place where Houssain's +and Ali's arrows were found, and where I imagined mine must have +fallen, but all my labour was in vain. I was not discouraged, but +continued my search in a direct line, and after this manner had +gone above a league, without being able to meet with any thing +like an arrow, when I reflected that it was not possible that +mine should have flown so far. I stopped, and asked myself +whether I was in my right senses, to flatter myself with having +had strength to shoot an arrow so much farther than any of the +strongest archers in the world were able to do. After I had +argued thus with myself, I was ready to abandon my enterprise; +but when on the point of putting my resolution in execution, I +found myself drawn forward against my will; and after having gone +four leagues, to that part of the plain where it is bounded by +rocks, I perceived an arrow. I ran, took it up, and knew it to be +the same which I had shot. Far from thinking your majesty had +done me any injustice in declaring for my brother Ali, I +interpreted what had happened to me quite otherwise, and never +doubted there was a mystery in it to my advantage; the discovery +of which I ought not to neglect, and which I found out without +going from the spot. But as to this mystery I beg your majesty +will not be offended if I remain silent, and that you will be +satisfied to know from my own mouth that I am happy, and content +with my fate. + +"In the midst of my happiness, the only thing that troubled me, +or was capable of disturbing me, was the uneasiness I feared your +majesty would experience on account of my leaving the court, and +your not knowing what was become of me. I thought it my duty to +satisfy you in this point. This was the only motive which brought +me hither; the only favour I ask of your majesty is to give me +leave to come occasionally to pay you my duty, and inquire after +your health." + +"Son," answered the sultan of the Indies, "I cannot refuse you +the permission you ask, but I should much rather you would +resolve to stay with me. At least tell me where I may hear of +you, if you should fail to come, or when I may think your +presence necessary." "Sir," replied the prince, "what your +majesty requires is part of the mystery I spoke of. I beg of you +to allow me to remain silent on this head; for I shall come so +frequently where my duty calls, that I am afraid I shall sooner +be thought troublesome than be accused of negligence, when my +presence may be necessary." + +The sultan of the Indies pressed Ahmed no more, but said to him, +"Son, I wish to penetrate no farther into your secrets, but leave +you at your liberty. I can only tell you, that you could not have +done me greater pleasure than by your presence, having restored +to me the joy I have not felt for a long time; and that you shall +always be welcome when you can come, without interrupting your +business or your pleasure." + +Prince Ahmed stayed but three days at his father's court, and on +the fourth returned to the fairy Perie Banou, who received him +with the greater joy, as she did not expect him so soon. His +expedition made her condemn herself for suspecting his want of +fidelity. She never dissembled, but frankly owned her weakness to +the prince, and asked his pardon. So perfect was the union of the +two lovers, that they had but one will. + +A month after prince Ahmed's return from visiting his father, as +the fairy had observed that since the time when he gave her an +account of his journey, and his conversation with his father, in +which he asked his permission to come and see him from time to +time, he had never spoken of the sultan, whereas before he was +frequently mentioning him, she thought he forebore on her +account, and therefore took an opportunity to say to him one day, +"Tell me, prince, have you forgotten the sultan your father? Do +not you remember the promise you made to pay your duty to him +occasionally? I have not forgotten what you told me at your +return, and put you in mind of it, that you may acquit yourself +of your promise when you may feel inclined." + +"Madam," replied Ahmed, with equal animation, "as I know I am not +guilty of the forgetfulness you lay to my charge, I rather choose to +be thus reproached, however undeservedly, than expose myself to a +refusal, by manifesting a desire for what it might have given you pain +to grant." "Prince," said the fairy, "I would not have you in this +affair have so much consideration for me, since it is a month since +you have seen the sultan your father. I think you should not be longer +in renewing your visits. Pay him one to-morrow, and after that, go and +visit once a month, without speaking to me, or waiting for my +permission. I readily consent to such an arrangement." + +Prince Ahmed went the next morning with the same attendants as +before, but much more magnificently mounted, equipped, and +dressed, and was received by the sultan with the same joy and +satisfaction. For several months he constantly paid him visits, +and always in a richer and more brilliant equipage. + +At last the sultan's favourites, who judged of prince Ahmed's +power by the splendour of his appearance, abused the privilege +the sultan accorded them of speaking to him with freedom, to make +him jealous of his son. They represented that it was but common +prudence to discover where the prince had retired, and how he +could afford to live so magnificently, since he had no revenue +assigned for his expenses; that he seemed to come to court only +to insult him, by affecting to shew that he wanted nothing from +his father to enable him to live like a prince; and that it was +to be feared he might court the people's favour and dethrone him. + +The sultan of the Indies was so far from thinking that prince +Ahmed could be capable of so wicked a design, that he said to +them in displeasure, "You are mistaken, my son loves me, and I am +the more assured of his tenderness and fidelity, as I have given +him no reason to be disgusted." + +At these words, one of the favourites took an opportunity to say, +"Your majesty, in the opinion of the most sensible people, could +not have taken a better method than you did with the three +princes, respecting their marriage with the princess Nouronnihar; +but who knows whether prince Ahmed has submitted to his fate with +the same resignation as prince Houssain? May not he imagine that +he alone deserved her; and that your majesty, by leaving the +match to be decided by chance, has done him injustice? + +"Your majesty may say," added the malicious favourite, "that +prince Ahmed has manifested no appearance of dissatisfaction; +that our fears are vain; that we are too easily alarmed, and are +to blame in suggesting to you suspicions of this kind, which may, +perhaps, be unfounded, against a prince of your blood. But, sir," +pursued the favourite, "it may be also, that these suspicions are +well grounded. Your majesty must be sensible, that in so nice and +important an affair you cannot be too much on your guard, and +should take the safest course. Consider, it is the prince's +interest to dissemble, amuse, and deceive you; and the danger is +the greater, as he resides not far from your capital; and if your +majesty give but the same attention that we do, you may observe +that every time he comes his attendants are different, their +habits new, and their arms clean and bright, as if just come from +the maker's hands; and their horses look as if they had only been +walked out. These are sufficient proofs that prince Ahmed does +not travel far, so that we should think ourselves wanting in our +duty did we not make our humble remonstrances, in order that, for +your own preservation and the good of your people, your majesty +may take such measures as you shall think advisable." + +When the favourite had concluded these insinuations, the sultan +said, "I do not believe my son Ahmed is so wicked as you would +persuade me he is; however, I am obliged to you for your advice, +and do not doubt that it proceeds from good intention and loyalty +to my person." + +The sultan of the Indies said this, that his favourites might not +know the impressions their observations had made on his mind. He +was, however, so much alarmed by them, that he resolved to have +prince Ahmed watched, unknown to his grand vizier. For this end +he sent for the sorceress, who was introduced by a private door +into his closet. "You told me the truth," said he, "when you +assured me my son Ahmed was alive, for which I am obliged to you. +You must do me another kindness. I have seen him since, and he +comes to my court every month; but I cannot learn from him where +he resides, and do not wish to force his secret from him; but +believe you are capable of satisfying my curiosity, without +letting him, or any of my court, know any thing of the discovery. +You know that he is at this time with me, and usually departs +without taking leave of me, or any of my court. Place yourself +immediately upon the road, and watch him so as to find out where +he retires, and bring me information." + +The sorceress left the sultan, and knowing the place where prince +Ahmed had found his arrow, went immediately thither, and +concealed herself near the rocks, so as not to be seen. + +The next morning prince Ahmed set out by daybreak, without taking +leave either of the sultan or any of his court, according to +custom. The sorceress seeing him coming, followed him with her +eyes, till suddenly she lost sight of him and his attendants. + +The steepness of the rocks formed an insurmountable barrier to +men, whether on horseback or on foot, so that the sorceress +judged that the prince retired either into some cavern, or some +subterraneous place, the abode of genies or fairies. When she +thought the prince and his attendants must have far advanced into +whatever concealment they inhabited, she came out of the place +where she had hidden herself, and explored the hollow way where +she had lost sight of them. She entered it, and proceeding to the +spot where it terminated after many windings, looked carefully on +all sides. But notwithstanding all her acuteness she could +perceive no opening, nor the iron gate which prince Ahmed had +discovered. For this door was to be seen by or opened to none but +men, and only to those whose presence was agreeable to the fairy +Perie Banou, but not at all to women. + +The sorceress, who saw it was in vain for her to search any +farther, was obliged to be satisfied with the insufficient +discovery she had made, and returned to communicate it to the +sultan. When she had told him what she had explored, she added, +"Your majesty may easily understand, after what I have had the +honour to tell you, that it will be no difficult matter to obtain +you the satisfaction you desire concerning prince Ahmed's +conduct. To do this, I only ask time, that you will have +patience, and give me leave to act, without inquiring what +measures I design to take." + +The sultan was pleased with the conduct of the sorceress, and +said to her, "Do you as you think fit; I will wait patiently the +event of your promises:" and to encourage her, he presented her +with a diamond of great value, telling her, it was only an +earnest of the ample recompense she should receive when she +should have performed the important service which he left to her +management. + +As prince Ahmed, after he had obtained the fairy Perie Banou's +leave, never failed once a month to visit his father, the +sorceress knowing the time, went a day or two before to the foot +of the rock where she had lost sight of him and his attendants, +and waited there to execute the project she had formed. + +The next morning prince Ahmed went out as usual at the iron gate, +with the same attendants as before, passed the sorceress, and +seeing her lie with her head on the rock, complaining as if she +was in great pain, he pitied her, turned his horse, and asked +what he could do to relieve her? + +The artful sorceress, without lifting up her head, looked at the +prince in such a manner as to increase his compassion, and +answered in broken accents and sighs, as if she could hardly +breathe, that she was going to the city; but in the way was taken +with so violent a fever, that her strength failed her, and she +was forced to stop and lie down where he saw her, far from any +habitation, and without any hopes of assistance. + +"Good woman," replied the prince, "you are not so far from help +as you imagine. I will assist you, and convey you where you shall +not only have all possible care taken of you, but where you will +find a speedy cure: rise, and let one of my people take you +behind him." + +At these words, the sorceress, who pretended sickness only to +explore where the prince resided, and his situation, did not +refuse the charitable offer, and to shew her acceptance rather by +her actions than her words, made many affected efforts to rise, +pretending that the violence of her illness prevented her. At the +same time, two of the prince's attendants alighting, helped her +up, and placed her behind another. They mounted their horses +again, and followed the prince, who turned back to the iron gate, +which was opened by one of his retinue. When he came into the +outward court of the fairy's palace, without dismounting himself, +he sent to tell her he wanted to speak with her. + +The fairy came with all imaginable haste, not knowing what had +made prince Ahmed return so soon; who, not giving her time to +ask, said, "My princess, I desire you would have compassion on +this good woman," pointing to the sorceress, who was taken off +the horse by two of his retinue; "I found her in the condition +you see her, and promised her the assistance she requires. I +recommend her to your care, and am persuaded that you, from +inclination, as well as my request, will not abandon her." + +The fairy, who had her eyes fixed on the pretended sick woman all +the time the prince was speaking, ordered two of her women to +take her from the men who supported her, conduct her into an +apartment of the palace, and take as much care of her as they +would of herself. + +Whilst the two women were executing the fairy's commands, she +went up to prince Ahmed, and whispering him in the ear, said, +"Prince, I commend your compassion, which is worthy of you and +your birth. I take great pleasure in gratifying your good +intention; but permit me to tell you I am afraid it will be but +ill rewarded. This woman is not so sick as she pretends to be; +and I am much mistaken if she is not sent hither on purpose to +occasion you great trouble. But do not be concerned, let what +will be devised against you; be persuaded that I will deliver you +out of all the snares that shall be laid for you. Go and pursue +your journey." + +This address of the fairy's did not in the least alarm prince +Ahmed. "My princess," said he, "as I do not remember I ever did, +or designed to do, any body injury, I cannot believe any one can +have a thought of injuring me; but if they have, I shall not +forbear doing good whenever I have an opportunity." So saying, he +took leave of the fairy, and set forward again for his father's +capital, where he soon arrived, and was received as usual by the +sultan, who constrained himself as much as possible, to disguise +the anxiety arising from the suspicions suggested by his +favourites. + +In the mean time, the two women to whom Perie Banou had given her +orders conveyed the sorceress into an elegant apartment, richly +furnished. They first set her down upon a sofa, with her back +supported by a cushion of gold brocade, while they made a bed on +the same sofa, the quilt of which was finely embroidered with +silk, the sheets of the finest linen, and the coverlid cloth of +gold. When they had put her into bed (for the old sorceress +pretended that her fever was so violent she could not help +herself in the least), one of the women went out, and returned +soon with a china cup in her hand, full of a certain liquor, +which she presented to the sorceress, while the other helped her +to sit up. "Drink this," said the attendant, "it is the water of +the fountain of lions, and a sovereign remedy against fevers. You +will find the effect of it in less than an hour's time." + +The sorceress, the better to dissemble, took it, after a great +deal of entreaty, as if she did it with reluctance. When she was +laid down again, the two women covered her up: "Lie quiet," said +she, who brought her the china cup, "and get a little sleep, if +you can: we will leave you, and hope to find you perfectly +recovered when we return an hour hence." + +The sorceress, who came not to act a sick part long, but to +discover prince Ahmed's retreat, being fully satisfied in what +she wanted to know, would willingly have declared that the potion +had then had its effect, so great was her desire to return to the +sultan, to inform him of the success of her commission: but as +she had been told that the potion did not operate immediately, +she was forced to wait the women's return. + +The two women came again at the time they had mentioned, and +found the sorceress seated on the sofa; who, when she saw them +open the door of the apartment, cried out, "O the admirable +potion! it has wrought its cure much sooner than you told me it +would, and I have waited with impatience to desire you to conduct +me to your charitable mistress, to thank her for her kindness, +for which I shall always feel obliged; but being thus cured as by +a miracle, I would not lose time, but prosecute my journey." + +The two women, who were fairies as well as their mistress, after +they had told the sorceress how glad they were that she was cured +so soon, walked before her, and conducted her through several +apartments, all more superb than that wherein she had lain, into +a large hall, the most richly and magnificently furnished of all +the palace. + +Perie Banou was seated in this hall, upon a throne of massive +gold, enriched with diamonds, rubies, and pearls of an +extraordinary size, and attended on each hand by a great number +of beautiful fairies, all richly dressed. At the sight of so much +splendour, the sorceress was not only dazzled, but so struck, +that after she had prostrated herself before the throne, she +could not open her lips to thank the fairy, as she had proposed. +However, Perie Banou saved her the trouble, and said, "Good +woman, I am glad I had an opportunity to oblige you, and that you +are able to pursue your journey. I will not detain you; but +perhaps you may not be displeased to see my palace: follow my +women, and they will shew it you." + +The old sorceress, who had not power nor courage to say a word, +prostrated herself a second time, with her head on the carpet +that covered the foot of the throne, took her leave, and was +conducted by the two fairies through the same apartments which +were shewn to prince Ahmed at his first arrival, and at sight of +their uncommon magnificence she made frequent exclamations. But +what surprised her most of all was, that the two fairies told +her, that all she saw and so much admired was a mere sketch of +their mistress's grandeur and riches; for that in the extent of +her dominions she had so many palaces that they could not tell +the number of them, all of different plans and architecture, but +equally magnificent. In speaking of many other particulars, they +led her at last to the iron gate at which prince Ahmed had +brought her in; and after she had taken her leave of them, and +thanked them for their trouble, they opened it, and wished her a +good journey. + +After the sorceress had gone a little way, she turned to observe +the door, that she might know it again, but all in vain; for, as +was before observed, it was invisible to her and all other women. +Except in this circumstance, she was very well satisfied with her +success, and posted away to the sultan. When she came to the +capital, she went by many by-ways to the private door of the +palace. The sultan being informed of her arrival, sent for her +into his apartment, and perceiving a melancholy hang upon her +countenance, thought she had not succeeded, and said to her, "By +your looks, I guess that your journey has been to no purpose, and +that you have not made the discovery I expected from your +diligence." "Sir," replied the sorceress, "your majesty must give +me leave to represent that you ought not to judge by my looks +whether or no I have acquitted myself well in the execution of +the commands you were pleased to honour me with; but by the +faithful report I shall make you of all that has happened to me, +and by which you will find that I have not neglected any thing +that could render me worthy of your approbation. The melancholy +you observe proceeds from another cause than the want of success, +which I hope your majesty will have ample reason to be satisfied +with. I do not tell you the cause; the relation I shall give will +inform you." + +The sorceress now related to the sultan of the Indies how, +pretending to be sick, prince Ahmed compassionating her, had her +carried into a subterraneous abode, and presented and recommended +her to a fairy of incomparable beauty, desiring her by her care +to restore her health. She then told him with how much +condescension the fairy had immediately ordered two women to take +care of her, and not to leave her till she was recovered; which +great condescension, said she, could proceed from no other +female, but from a wife to a husband. Afterwards the old +sorceress failed not to dwell on her surprise at the front of the +palace, which she said had not its equal for magnificence in the +world. She gave a particular account of the care they took of +her, after they had led her into an apartment; of the potion they +made her drink, and of the quickness of her cure; which she had +pretended as well as her sickness, though she doubted not the +virtue of the draught; the majesty of the fairy seated on a +throne, brilliant with jewels, the value of which exceeded all +the riches of the kingdom of the Indies, and all the other +treasures beyond computation contained in that vast palace. + +Here the sorceress finishing the relation of the success of her +commission, and continuing her discourse, said, "What does your +majesty think of these unheard-of riches of the fairy? Perhaps +you will say, you are struck with admiration, and rejoice at the +good fortune of prince Ahmed your son, who enjoys them in common +with the fairy. For my part, sir, I beg of your majesty to +forgive me if I take the liberty to say that I think otherwise, +and that I shudder when I consider the misfortunes which may +happen to you from his present situation. And this is the cause +of the melancholy which I could not so well dissemble, but that +you soon perceived it. I would believe that prince Ahmed, by his +own good disposition, is incapable of undertaking anything +against your majesty; but who can answer that the fairy, by her +attractions and caresses, and the influence she has over him, may +not inspire him with the unnatural design of dethroning your +majesty, and seizing the crown of the Indies? This is what your +majesty ought to consider as of the utmost importance." + +Though the sultan of the Indies was persuaded that prince Ahmed's +natural disposition was good, yet he could not help being moved +at the representations of the old sorceress, and said, "I thank +you for the pains you have taken, and your wholesome caution. I +am so sensible of its great importance that I shall take advice +upon it." + +He was consulting with his favourites, when he was told of the +sorceress's arrival. He ordered her to follow him to them. He +acquainted them with what he had learnt, communicated to them the +reason he had to fear the fairy's influence over the prince, and +asked them what measures they thought most proper to be taken to +prevent so great a misfortune as might possibly happen. One of +the favourites, taking upon himself to speak for the rest, said, +"Your majesty knows who must be the author of this mischief. In +order to prevent it, now he is in your court, and in your power, +you ought not to hesitate to put him under arrest; I will not say +take away his life, for that would make too much noise; but make +him a close prisoner." This advice all the other favourites +unanimously applauded. + +The sorceress, who thought it too violent, asked the sultan leave +to speak, which being granted, she said, "I am persuaded it is +the zeal of your counsellors for your majesty's interest that +makes them propose arresting prince Ahmed. But they will not take +it amiss if I offer to your and their consideration, that if you +arrest the prince you must also detain his retinue. But they are +all genies. Do they think it will be so easy to surprise, seize, +and secure their persons? will they not disappear, by the +property they possess of rendering themselves invisible, and +transport themselves instantly to the fairy, and give her an +account of the insult offered her husband? And can it be supposed +she will let it go unrevenged? Would it not be better, if by any +other means which might not make so great a noise, the sultan +could secure himself against any ill designs prince Ahmed may +have, and not involve his majesty's honour? If his majesty has +any confidence in my advice, as genies and fairies can do things +impracticable to men, he will rather trust prince Ahmed's honour, +and engage him by means of the fairy to procure certain +advantages, by flattering his ambition, and at the same time +narrowly watching him. For example; every time your majesty takes +the field, you are obliged to be at a great expense, not only in +pavilions and tents for yourself and army, but likewise in mules +and camels, and other beasts of burden, to carry their baggage. +Request the prince to procure you a tent, which can be carried in +a man's hand, but so large as to shelter your whole army. + +"I need say no more to your majesty. If the prince brings such a +tent, you may make other demands of the same nature, so that at +last he may sink under the difficulties and the impossibility of +executing them, however fertile in means and inventions the +fairy, who has enticed him from you by her enchantments, may be; +so that in time he will be ashamed to appear, and will be forced +to pass the rest of his life with the fairy, excluded from any +commerce with this world; when your majesty will have nothing to +fear from him, and cannot be reproached with so detestable an +action as the shedding of a son's blood, or confining him for +life in a prison." + +When the sorceress had finished her speech, the sultan asked his +favourites if they had any thing better to propose; and finding +them all silent, determined to follow her advice, as the most +reasonable and most agreeable to his mild manner of government. + +The next day when the prince came into his father's presence, who +was talking with his favourites, and had sat down by him, after a +conversation on different subjects, the sultan, addressing +himself to prince Ahmed, said, "Son, when you came and dispelled +those clouds of melancholy which your long absence had brought +upon me, you made the place you had chosen for your retreat a +mastery. I was satisfied with seeing you again, and knowing that +you were content with your condition, sought not to penetrate +into your secret, which I found you did not wish I should. I know +not what reason you had thus to treat a father, who ever was and +still continues anxious for your happiness. I now know your good +fortune. I rejoice with you, and much approve of your conduct in +marrying a fairy so worthy of your love, and so rich and powerful +as I am informed she is. Powerful as I am, it was not possible +for me to have procured for you so great a match. Now you are +raised to so high a rank, as to be envied by all but a father, I +not only desire to preserve the good understanding which has +hitherto subsisted between us, but request that you will use your +influence with your wife, to obtain her assistance when I may +want it. I will therefore make a trial of your interest this day. + +"You are not insensible at what a great expense, not to say +trouble to my generals, officers, and myself, every time I take +the field, they provide tents, mules, camels, and other beasts of +burden, to carry them. If you consider the pleasure you would do +me, I am persuaded you could easily procure from the fairy a +pavilion that might be carried in a man's hand, and which would +extend over my whole army; especially when you let her know it is +for me. Though it may be a difficult thing to procure, she will +not refuse you. All the world knows fairies are capable of +executing most extraordinary undertakings." + +Prince Ahmed never expected that the sultan his father would have +made a demand like this, which appeared to him so difficult, not +to say impossible. Though he knew not absolutely how great the +power of genii and fairies was, he doubted whether it extended so +far as to furnish such a tent as his father desired. Moreover, he +had never asked any thing of the fairy Perie Banou, but was +satisfied with the continual proofs she had given him of her +passion, and had neglected nothing to persuade her that his heart +perfectly corresponded without any views beyond maintaining +himself in her good graces: he was therefore in the greatest +embarrassment what answer to make. At last he replied, "If, sir, +I have concealed from your majesty what has happened to me, and +what course I took after finding my arrow, the reason was, that I +thought it of no great importance to you to be informed of such +circumstances; and though I know not how this mystery has been +revealed to you, I cannot deny but your information is correct. I +have married the fairy you speak of. I love her, and am persuaded +she loves me in return. But I can say nothing as to the influence +your majesty believes I have over her. It is what I have not yet +proved, nor thought of trying, but could wish you would dispense +with my making the experiment, and let me enjoy the happiness of +loving and being beloved, with all that disinterestedness I had +proposed to myself. However, the demand of a father is a command +upon every child, who, like me, thinks it his duty to obey him in +every thing. And though it is with the greatest reluctance, I +will not fail to ask my wife the favour your majesty desires, but +cannot promise you to obtain it; and if I should not have the +honour to come again to pay you my respects, it will be the sign +that I have not been able to succeed in my request: but +beforehand, I desire you to forgive me, and consider that you +yourself have reduced me to this extremity." + +"Son," replied the sultan of the Indies, "I should be sorry that +what I ask should oblige you to deprive me of the gratification +of seeing you as usual. I find you do not know the power a +husband has over a wife; and yours would shew that her love to +you was very slight, if, with the power she possesses as a fairy, +she should refuse so trifling a request as that I have begged you +to make. Lay aside your fears, which proceed from your believing +yourself not to be loved so well as you love her. Go; only ask +her. You will find the fairy loves you better than you imagine; +and remember that people, for want of requesting, often lose +great advantages. Think with yourself, that as you love her, you +could refuse her nothing; therefore, if she loves you, she will +not deny your requests." + +All these representations of the sultan of the Indies could not +satisfy prince Ahmed, who would rather he had asked anything else +than, as he supposed, what must expose him to the hazard of +displeasing his beloved Perie Banou; and so great was his +vexation that he left the court two days sooner than he used to +do. + +When he returned, the fairy, to whom he always before had +appeared with a gay countenance, asked him the cause of the +alteration she perceived in his looks; and finding that instead +of answering he inquired after her health, to avoid satisfying +her, she said to him, "I will answer your question when you have +answered mine." The prince declined a long time, protesting that +nothing was the matter with him; but the more he denied the more +she pressed him, and said, "I cannot bear to see you thus: tell +me what makes you uneasy, that I may remove the cause, whatever +it may be; for it must be very extraordinary if it is out of my +power, unless it be the death of the sultan your father; in that +case, time, with all that I will contribute on my part, can alone +comfort you." + +Prince Ahmed could not long withstand the pressing instances of +the fairy. "Madam," said he, "God prolong the sultan my father's +life, and bless him to the end of his days. I left him alive and +in perfect health; therefore that is not the cause of the +melancholy you perceive in me. The sultan, however, is the +occasion of it, and I am the more concerned because he has +imposed upon me the disagreeable necessity of importuning you. +You know the care I have at your desire taken to conceal from him +the happiness I have enjoyed in living with you, and of having +received the pledge of your faith after having pledged my love to +you. How he has been informed of it I cannot tell." + +Here the fairy interrupted prince Ahmed, and said, "But I know. +Remember what I told you of the woman who made you believe she +was sick, on whom you took so much compassion. It is she who has +acquainted your father with what you have taken so much care to +hide from him. I told you that she was no more sick than you or +I, and she has made it appear so; for, in short, after the two +women, whom I charged to take care of her, had given her the +water sovereign against all fevers, but which however she had no +occasion for, she pretended that it had cured her, and was +brought to take her leave of me that she might go the sooner to +give an account of the success of her undertaking. She was in so +much haste, that she would have gone away without seeing my +palace if I had not, by bidding my two women shew it her, given +her to understand that it was worth her seeing. But proceed and +tell me what is the necessity your father has imposed on you to +be so importunate, which, be persuaded, however, you can never be +to your affectionate wife." + +"Madam," pursued prince Ahmed, "you may have observed that +hitherto I have been content with your love, and have never asked +you any other favour: for what, after the possession of so +amiable a wife, can I desire more? I know how great your power +is, but I have taken care not to make proof of it to please +myself. Consider then, I conjure you, that it is not myself, but +the sultan my father, who, indiscreetly as I think, asks of you a +pavilion large enough to shelter him, his court, and army, from +the violence of the weather, when he takes the field, and which a +man may carry in his hand. Once more remember it is not I, but +the sultan my father who asks this favour." + +"Prince," replied the fairy smiling, "I am sorry that so trifling +a matter should disturb and make you so uneasy as you appear. I +see plainly two things have contributed towards it: one is, the +law you have imposed on yourself, to be content with loving me, +being beloved by me, and deny yourself the liberty of soliciting +the least favour that might try my power. The other, I do not +doubt, whatever you may say, was, that you thought that what your +father asked was out of my power. As to the first, I commend you, +and shall love you the better, if possible, for it; and for the +second, I must tell you that what the sultan your father requests +is a trifle; as upon occasion I can do him more important +service. Therefore be easy in your mind, and persuaded that far +from thinking myself importuned I shall always take real pleasure +in performing whatever you can desire." Perie Banou then sent for +her treasurer, to whom, when she came, she said, "Noor-Jehaun" +(which was her name), "bring me the largest pavilion in my +treasury." Noor-Jehaun returned presently with a pavilion, which +could not only be held, but concealed in the palm of the hand, +when it was closed, and presented it to her mistress, who gave it +prince Ahmed to look at. + +When prince Ahmed saw the pavilion, which the fairy called the +largest in her treasury, he fancied she had a mind to banter him, +and his surprise soon appeared in his countenance; which Perie +Banou perceiving, she burst out a laughing. "What! prince," cried +she, "do you think I jest with you? You will see that I am in +earnest. Noor-Jehaun," said she to her treasurer, taking the tent +out of prince Ahmed's hands, "go and set it up, that he may judge +whether the sultan his father will think it large enough." + +The treasurer went out immediately with it from the palace, and +carried it to such a distance, that when she had set it up, one +end reached to the palace. The prince, so far from thinking it +small, found it large enough to shelter two armies as numerous as +that of the sultan his father; and then said to Perie Banou, "I +ask my princess a thousand pardons for my incredulity: after what +I have seen, I believe there is nothing impossible to you." "You +see," said the fairy, "that the pavilion is larger than your +father may have occasion for; but you are to observe that it has +one property, that it becomes larger or smaller, according to the +extent of the army it is to cover, without applying any hands to +it." + +The treasurer took down the tent again, reduced it to its first +size, brought it and put it into the prince's hands. He took it, +and without staying longer than till the next day, mounted his +horse, and went with the usual attendants to the sultan his +father. + +The sultan, who was persuaded that such a tent as he had asked +for was beyond all possibility, was in great surprise at the +prince's speedy return. He took the tent, but after he had +admired its smallness, his amazement was so great that he could +not recover himself when he had set it up in the great plain +before-mentioned, and found it large enough to shelter an army +twice as large as he could bring into the field. Regarding this +excess in its dimension as what might be troublesome in the use, +prince Ahmed told him that its size would always be +proportionable to his army. + +To outward appearance the sultan expressed great obligation to +the prince for so noble a present, desiring him to return his +thanks to the fairy; and to shew what a value he set upon it, +ordered it to be carefully laid up in his treasury. But within +himself he felt greater jealousy than his flatterers and the +sorceress had suggested to him; considering, that by the fairy's +assistance the prince his son might perform things infinitely +above his own power, notwithstanding his greatness and riches; +therefore, more intent upon his ruin, he went to consult the +sorceress again, who advised him to engage the prince to bring +him some of the water of the fountain of lions. + +In the evening, when the sultan was surrounded as usual by all +his court, and the prince came to pay his respects among the +rest, he addressed himself to him in these words: "Son, I have +already expressed to you how much I am obliged for the present of +the tent you have procured me, which I esteem the most valuable +curiosity in my treasury: but you must do one thing more, which +will be no less agreeable to me. I am informed that the fairy +your spouse makes use of a certain water, called the water of the +fountain of lions, which cures all sorts of fevers, even the most +dangerous; and as I am perfectly well persuaded my health is dear +to you, I do not doubt but you will ask her for a bottle of that +water, and bring it me as a sovereign remedy, which I may use as +I have occasion. Do me this important service, and complete the +duty of a good son towards a tender father." + +Prince Ahmed, who believed that the sultan his father would have +been satisfied with so singular and useful a tent as that which +he had brought, and that he would not have imposed any new task +upon him which might hazard the fairy's displeasure, was +thunderstruck at this new request, notwithstanding the assurance +she had given him of granting him whatever lay in her power. +After a long silence, he said, "I beg of your majesty to be +assured, that there is nothing I would not undertake to procure +which may contribute to the prolonging of your life, but I could +wish it might not be by the means of my wife. For this reason I +dare not promise to bring the water. All I can do is, to assure +you I will request it of her; but it will be with as great +reluctance as I asked for the tent." + +The next morning prince Ahmed returned to the fairy Perie Banou, +and related to her sincerely and faithfully all that had passed +at his father's court from the giving of the tent, which he told +her he received with the utmost gratitude, to the new request he +had charged him to make. He added: "But, my princess, I only tell +you this as a plain account of what passed between me and my +father. I leave you to your own pleasure, whether you will +gratify or reject this his new desire. It shall be as you +please." + +"No, no," replied the fairy, "I am glad that the sultan of the +Indies knows that you are not indifferent to me. I will satisfy +him, and whatever advice the sorceress may give him (for I see +that he hearkens to her counsel), he shall find no fault with you +or me. There is much wickedness in this demand, as you will +understand by what I am going to tell you. The fountain of lions +is situated in the middle of a court of a great castle, the +entrance into which is guarded by four fierce lions, two of which +sleep alternately, while the other two are awake. But let not +that frighten you. I will supply you with means to pass by them +without danger." + +The fairy Perie Banou was at that time at work with her needle; +and as she had by her several clues of thread, she took up one, +and presenting it to prince Ahmed, said, "First take this clue of +thread, I will tell you presently the use of it. In the second +place, you must have two horses; one you must ride yourself, and +the other you must lead, which must be loaded with a sheep cut +into four quarters, that must be killed to-day. In the third +place, you must be provided with a bottle, which I will give you, +to bring the water in. Set out early to-morrow morning, and when +you have passed the iron gate throw before you the clue of +thread, which will roll till it reaches the gates of the castle. +Follow it, and when it stops, as the gates will be open, you will +see the four lions. The two that are awake will, by their +roaring, wake the other two. Be not alarmed, but throw each of +them a quarter of the sheep, and then clap spurs to your horse, +and ride to the fountain. Fill your bottle without alighting, and +return with the same expedition. The lions will be so busy eating +they will let you pass unmolested." + +Prince Ahmed set out the next morning at the time appointed him +by the fairy, and followed her directions punctually. When he +arrived at the gates of the castle, he distributed the quarters +of the sheep among the four lions, and passing through the midst +of them with intrepidity, got to the fountain, filled his bottle, +and returned safe. When he had got a little distance from the +castle gates, he turned about; and perceiving two of the lions +coming after him, drew his sabre, and prepared himself for +defence. But as he went forwards, he saw one of them turn out of +the road at some distance, and shewed by his head and tail that +he did not come to do him any harm, but only to go before him, +and that the other stayed behind to follow. He therefore put his +sword again into its scabbard. Guarded in this manner he arrived +at the capital of the Indies; but the lions never left him till +they had conducted him to the gates of the sultan's palace; after +which they returned the way they had come, though not without +alarming the populace, who fled or hid themselves to avoid them, +notwithstanding they walked gently and shewed no signs of +fierceness. + +A number of officers came to attend the prince while he +dismounted, and conduct him to the sultan's apartment, who was at +that time conversing with his favourites. He approached the +throne, laid the bottle at the sultan's feet, kissed the rich +carpet which covered the footstool, and rising, said, "I have +brought you, sir, the salutary water which your majesty so much +desired to store up among other rarities in your treasury; but at +the same time wish you such health as never to have occasion to +make use of it." + +After the prince had concluded his compliment, the sultan placed +him on his right hand, and said, "Son, I am much obliged to you +for this valuable present; as also for the great danger you have +exposed yourself to on my account (which I have been informed of +by the sorceress, who knows the fountain of lions); but do me the +pleasure, continued he, to inform me by what address, or rather +by what incredible power, you have been preserved." + +"Sir," replied prince Ahmed, "I have no share in the compliment +your majesty is pleased to make me; all the honour is due to the +fairy my spouse, and I take no other merit than that of having +followed her advice." Then he informed the sultan what that +advice was, by the relation of his expedition, and how he had +conducted himself. When he had done, the sultan, who shewed +outwardly all the demonstrations of joy, but secretly became more +and more jealous, retired into an inward apartment, whence he +sent for the sorceress. + +The sorceress, on her arrival, saved the sultan the trouble of +telling her of the success of prince Ahmed's journey, which she +had heard before she came, and therefore was prepared with a new +request. This she communicated to the sultan, who declared it the +next day to the prince, in the midst of all his courtiers, in +these words: "Son, I have one thing yet to ask of you; after +which, I shall expect nothing more from your obedience, nor your +interest with your wife. This request is, to bring me a man not +above a foot and a half high, whose beard is thirty feet long, +who carries upon his shoulders a bar of iron of five hundred +weight, which he uses as a quarter-staff, and who can speak." + +Prince Ahmed, who did not believe that there was such a man in +the world as his father had described, would gladly have excused +himself; but the sultan persisted in his demand, and told him the +fairy could do more incredible things. + +Next day the prince returned to the subterraneous kingdom of +Perie Banou, to whom he related his father's new demand, which, +he said, he looked upon to be a thing more impossible than the +two first. "For," added he, "I cannot imagine there is or can be +such a man in the world; without doubt he has a mind to try +whether I am silly enough to search, or if there is such a man he +seeks my ruin. In short, how can we suppose that I should lay +hold of a man so small, armed as he describes? what arms can I +use to reduce him to submission? If there are any means, I beg +you will tell me how I may come off with honour this time also." + +"Do not alarm yourself, prince," replied the fairy: "you ran a +risk in fetching the water of the fountain of the lions for your +father; but there is no danger in finding this man. It is my +brother Schaibar, who is so far from being like me, though we +both had the same father, that he is of so violent a nature, that +nothing can prevent his giving bloody marks of his resentment for +a slight offence; yet, on the other hand, is so liberal as to +oblige any one in whatever they desire. He is made exactly as the +sultan your father has described him; and has no other arms than +a bar of iron of five hundred pounds weight, without which he +never stirs, and which makes him respected. I will send for him, +and you shall judge of the truth of what I tell you; but prepare +yourself not to be alarmed at his extraordinary figure." "What! +my queen," replied prince Ahmed, "do you say Schaibar is your +brother? Let him be ever so ugly or deformed I shall be so far +from being frightened at his appearance, that I shall love and +honour him, and consider him as my nearest relation." + +The fairy ordered a gold chafing-dish to be set with a fire in it +under the porch of her palace, with a box of the same metal: out +of the latter she took some incense, and threw it into the fire, +when there arose a thick cloud of smoke. + +Some moments after, the fairy said to prince Ahmed, "Prince, +there comes my brother; do you see him?" The prince immediately +perceived Schaibar, who was but a foot and a half high, coming +gravely with his heavy bar on his shoulder; his beard thirty feet +long, which supported itself before him, and a pair of thick +moustaches in proportion, tucked up to his ears, and almost +covering his face: his eyes were very small, like a pig's, and +deep sunk in his head, which was of an enormous size, and on +which he wore a pointed cap: besides all this, he had a hump +behind and and before. + +If prince Ahmed had not known that Schaibar was Perie Banou's +brother, he would not have been able to behold him without fear; +but knowing who he was, he waited for him with the fairy, and +received him without the least concern. + +Schaibar, as he came forwards, looked at the prince with an eye +that would have chilled his soul in his body, and asked Perie +Banou, when he first accosted her, who that man was? To which she +replied, "He is my husband, brother; his name is Ahmed; he is a +son of the sultan of the Indies. The reason why I did not invite +you to my wedding was, I was unwilling to divert you from the +expedition you were engaged in, and from which I heard with +pleasure you returned victorious; on his account I have taken the +liberty now to call for you." + +At these words, Schaibar, looking at prince Ahmed with a +favourable eye, which however diminished neither his fierceness +nor savage look, said, "Is there any thing, sister, wherein I can +serve him? he has only to speak. It is enough for me that he is +your husband, to engage me to do for him whatever he desires." +"The sultan his father," replied Perie Banou, "has a curiosity to +see you, and I desire he may be your guide to the sultan's +court." "He needs but lead the way; I will follow him," replied +Schaibar. "Brother," resumed Perie Banou, "it is too late to go +to-day, therefore stay till to-morrow morning; and in the mean +time, as it is fit you should know all that has passed between +the sultan of the Indies and prince Ahmed since our marriage, I +will inform you this evening." + +The next morning, after Schaibar had been informed of all that +was proper for him to know, he set out with prince Ahmed, who was +to present him to the sultan. When they arrived at the gates of +the capital, the people, as soon as they saw Schaibar, ran and +hid themselves in their shops and houses, shutting their doors, +while others taking to their heels, communicated their fear to +all they met, who stayed not to look behind them; insomuch, that +Schaibar and prince Ahmed, as they went along, found all the +streets and squares desolate, till they came to the palace, where +the porters, instead of preventing Schaibar from entering, ran +away too; so that the prince and he advanced without any obstacle +to the council-hall, where the sultan was seated on his throne +and giving audience. Here likewise the officers, at the approach +of Schaibar, abandoned their posts, and gave them free +admittance. + +Schaibar, carrying his head erect, went fiercely up to the +throne, without waiting to be presented by prince Ahmed, and +accosted the sultan of the Indies in these words: "You have asked +for me," said he; "see, here I am, what would you have with me?" + +The sultan, instead of answering, clapped his hands before his +eyes, and turned away his head, to avoid the sight of so terrible +an object. Schaibar was so much provoked at this uncivil and rude +reception, after he had given him the trouble to come so far, +that he instantly lifted up his iron bar, saying, "Speak, then;" +let it fall on his head, and killed him, before prince Ahmed +could intercede in his behalf. All that he could do was to +prevent his killing the grand vizier, who sat not far from him on +his right hand, representing to him that he had always given the +sultan his father good advice. "These are they then," said +Schaibar, "who gave him bad;" and as he pronounced these words, +he killed all the other viziers on the right and left, flatterers +and favourites of the sultan, who were prince Ahmed's enemies. +Every time he struck he crushed some one or other, and none +escaped but those who, not rendered motionless by fear, saved +themselves by flight. + +When this terrible execution was over, Schaibar came out of the +council-hall into the court-yard with the iron bar upon his +shoulder, and looking at the grand vizier, who owed his life to +prince Ahmed, said, "I know there is here a certain sorceress, +who is a greater enemy of the prince my brother-in-law than all +those base favourites I have chastised; let her be brought to me +immediately." The grand vizier instantly sent for her, and as +soon as she was brought, Schaibar, knocking her down with his +iron bar, said, "Take the reward of thy pernicious counsel, and +learn to feign sickness again;" he left her dead on the spot. + +After this he said, "This is not yet enough; I will treat the +whole city in the same manner, if they do not immediately +acknowledge prince Ahmed my brother-in-law as sultan of the +Indies." Then all who were present made the air ring with the +repeated acclamations of "Long life to sultan Ahmed;" and +immediately after, he was proclaimed through the whole +metropolis. Schaibar caused him to be clothed in the royal +vestments, installed him on the throne, and after he had made all +swear homage and fidelity, returned to his sister Perie Banou, +whom he brought with great pomp, and made her to be owned +sultaness of the Indies. + +As for prince Ali and princess Nouronnihar, as they had no +concern in the conspiracy, prince Ahmed assigned them a +considerable province, with its capital, where they spent the +rest of their lives. Afterwards he sent an officer to Houssain, +to acquaint him with the change, and make him an offer of any +province he might choose; but that prince thought himself so +happy in his solitude, that he desired the officer to return his +brother thanks for the kindness he designed him, assuring him of +his submission; but that the only favour he desired was, to be +indulged with leave to live retired in the place he had chosen +for his retreat. + + + + + THE STORY OF THE SISTERS WHO ENVIED THEIR + YOUNGER SISTER. + + + +There was an emperor of Persia named Khoosroo Shaw, who, when he +first came to his crown, in order to obtain a knowledge of +affairs, took great pleasure in night adventures, attended by a +trusty minister. He often walked in disguise through the city, +and met with many adventures. + +After the ceremonies of his father's funeral-rites and his own +inauguration were over, the new sultan, as well from inclination +as duty, went out one evening attended by his grand vizier, +disguised like himself, to observe what was transacting in the +city. As he was passing through a street in that part of the town +inhabited only by the meaner sort, he heard some people talking +very loud; and going close to the house whence the noise +proceeded, and looking through a crack in the door, perceived a +light, and three sisters sitting on a sofa, conversing together +after supper. By what the eldest said, he presently understood +the subject of their conversation was wishes: "For," said she, +"since we have got upon wishes, mine shall be to have the +sultan's baker for my husband, for then I shall eat my fill of +that bread, which by way of excellence is called the sultan's: +let us see if your tastes are as good as mine." "For my part," +replied the second sister, "I wish I was wife to the sultan's +chief cook, for then I should eat of the most excellent dishes; +and as I am persuaded that the sultan's bread is common in the +palace, I should not want any of that; therefore you see," +addressing herself to her eldest sister, "that I have a better +taste than you." + +The youngest sister, who was very beautiful, and had more charms +and wit than the two elder, spoke in her turn: "For my part, +sisters," said she, "I shall not limit my desires to such +trifles, but take a higher flight; and since we are upon wishing, +I wish to be the emperor's queen consort. I would make him father +of a prince, whose hair should be gold on one side of his head, +and silver on the other; when he cried, the tears from his eyes +should be pearl; and when he smiled, his vermilion lips should +look like a rose-bud fresh blown." + +The three sisters' wishes, particularly that of the youngest, +seemed so singular to the sultan, that he resolved to gratify +them in their desires; but without communicating his design to +his grand vizier, he charged him only to take notice of the +house, and bring the three sisters before him the following day. + +The grand vizier, in executing the emperor's orders, would but +just give the sisters time to dress themselves to appear before +him, without telling them the reason. He brought them to the +palace, and presented them to the emperor, who said to them, "Do +you remember the wishes you expressed last night, when you were +all in so pleasant a mood? Speak the truth; I must know what they +were." + +At these unexpected words of the emperor, the three sisters were +much confounded. They cast down their eyes and blushed, and the +colour which rose in the cheeks of the youngest quite captivated +the emperor's heart. Modesty, and fear lest they might have +offended the emperor by their conversation, kept them silent. The +emperor perceiving their confusion, said, to encourage them, +"Fear nothing, I did not send for you to distress you; and since +I see that is the effect of the question I asked, without my +intending it, as I know the wish of each, I will relieve you from +your fears. You," added he, "who wished to be my wife shall have +your desire this day; and you," continued he, addressing himself +to the two elder sisters, "shall also be married to my chief +baker and cook." + +As soon as the sultan had declared his pleasure, the youngest +sister, setting her eldest an example, threw herself at the +emperor's feet, to express her gratitude. "Sir," said she, "my +wish, since it is come to your majesty's knowledge, was expressed +only in the way of conversation and amusement. I am unworthy of +the honour you do me, and supplicate your pardon for my +presumption." The two other sisters would have excused themselves +also; but the emperor interrupting them, said, "No, no; it shall +be as I have declared; every one's wish shall be fulfilled." + +The nuptials were all celebrated that day, as the emperor had +resolved, but in a different manner. The youngest sister's were +solemnized with all the rejoicings usual at the marriages of the +emperors of Persia; and those of the other two sisters according +to the quality and distinction of their husbands; the one as the +sultan's chief baker, and the other as head cook. + +The two elder felt strongly the disproportion of their marriages +to that of their younger sister. This consideration made them far +from being content, though they were arrived at the utmost height +of their late wishes, and much beyond their hopes. They gave +themselves up to an excess of jealousy, which not only disturbed +their joy, but was the cause of great troubles and afflictions to +the queen consort their younger sister. They had not an +opportunity to communicate their thoughts to each other on the +preference the emperor had given her, but were altogether +employed in preparing themselves for the celebration of their +marriages. Some days afterwards, when they had an opportunity of +seeing each other at the public baths, the eldest said to the +other, "Well, what say you to our sister's great fortune? Is not +she a fine person to be a queen!" "I must own," said the other +sister, "I cannot conceive what charms the emperor could discover +to be so bewitched by the young gipsy. Was it a reason sufficient +for him not to cast his eyes on you, because she was somewhat +younger? You were as worthy of his bed; and in justice he ought +to have preferred you." + +"Sister," said the elder, "I should not have regretted if his +majesty had but pitched upon you; but that he should choose that +hussy really grieves me. But I will revenge myself; and you, I +think, are as much concerned as me; therefore I propose that we +should contrive measures, and act in concert in a common cause: +communicate to me what you think the likeliest way to mortify +her, while I, on my side, will inform you what my desire of +revenge shall suggest to me." + +After this wicked agreement, the two sisters saw each other +frequently, and consulted how they might disturb and interrupt +the happiness of the queen. They proposed a great many ways, but +in deliberating about the manner of executing them, found so many +difficulties, that they durst not attempt them. In the mean time, +they often went together to make her visits with a detestable +dissimulation, and every time shewed her all the marks of +affection they could devise, to persuade her how overjoyed they +were to have a sister raised to so high a fortune. The queen, on +her part, constantly received them with all the demonstrations of +esteem they could expect: from a sister who was not puffed up +with her high dignity, and loved them as cordially as before. + +Some months after her marriage, the queen found herself to be +with child. The emperor expressed great joy, which was +communicated to all the court, and spread throughout the empire +of Persia. Upon this news the two sisters came to pay their +compliments, and proffered their service to deliver her, desiring +her, if not provided with a midwife, to accept of them. + +The queen said to them most obligingly, "Sisters, I should desire +nothing more, if it was absolutely in my power to make the +choice. I am however obliged to you for your good-will, but must +submit to what the emperor shall order on this occasion. Let your +husbands employ their friends to make interest, and get some +courtier to ask this favour of his majesty; and if he speaks to +me about it, be assured that I shall not only express the +pleasure he does me, but thank him for making choice of you." + +The two husbands applied themselves to some courtiers their +patrons, and begged of them to use their interest to procure +their wives the honour they aspired to. Those patrons exerted +themselves so much in their behalf, that the emperor promised +them to consider of the matter, and was as good as his word; for +in conversation with the queen, he told her, that he thought her +sisters were the most proper persons to assist her in her labour; +but would not name them before he had asked her consent. The +queen, sensible of the deference the emperor so obligingly paid +her, said to him, "Sir, I was prepared to do as your majesty +might please to command. But since you have been so kind as to +think of my sisters, I thank you for the regard you have shewn +them for my sake; and therefore I shall not dissemble, that I had +rather have them than strangers." + +The emperor named the queen's two sisters to be her midwives; and +from that time they went frequently to the palace, overjoyed at +the opportunity they should have of executing the detestable +wickedness they had meditated against the queen. + +When the queen's time was up she was safely delivered of a young +prince, as bright as the day; but neither his innocence nor +beauty could move the cruel hearts of the merciless sisters. They +wrapped him up carelessly in his cloths, and put him into a +basket, which they abandoned to the stream of a small canal, that +ran under the queen's apartment, and declared that she was +delivered of a little dead dog, which they produced. This +disagreeable intelligence was announced to the emperor, who +became so angry at the circumstance, that he was likely to have +occasioned the queen's death, if his grand vizier had not +represented to him, that he could not, without injustice, make +her answerable for the caprices of nature. + +In the mean time, the basket in which the little prince was +exposed was carried by the stream beyond a wall, which bounded +the prospect of the queen's apartment, and from thence floated +with the current down the gardens. By chance the intendant of the +emperor's gardens, one of the principal and most considerable +officers of the kingdom, was walking in the garden by the side of +this canal, and perceiving a basket floating, called to a +gardener, who was not far off, to bring it to shore, that he +might see what it contained. The gardener, with a rake which he +had in his hand, drew the basket to the side of the canal, took +it up, and gave it to him. + +The intendant of the gardens was extremely surprised to see in +the basket a child, which, though he knew it could be but just +born, had very fine features. This officer had been married +several years, but though he had always been desirous of having +children, Heaven had never blessed him with any. This accident +interrupted his walk: he made the gardener follow him with the +child; and when he came to his own house, which was situated at +the entrance into the gardens of the palace, went into his wife's +apartment. "Wife," said he, "as we have no children of our own, +God has sent us one. I recommend him to you; provide him a nurse, +and take as much care of him as if he were our own son; for, from +this moment, I acknowledge him as such." The intendant's wife +received the child with great joy, and took particular pleasure +in the care of him. The intendant himself would not inquire too +narrowly whence the child came. He saw plainly it came not far +off the queen's apartment; but it was not his business to examine +too closely into what had passed, nor to create disturbances in a +place where peace was so necessary. + +The following year the queen consort was brought to bed of +another prince, on whom the unnatural sisters had no more +compassion than on his brother; but exposed him likewise in a +basket, and set him adrift in the canal, pretending this time +that the sultaness was delivered of a cat. It was happy also for +this child that the intendant of the gardens was walking by the +canal side, who had it carried to his wife, and charged her to +take as much care of it as of the former; which was as agreeable +to her inclination as it was to that of the intendant. + +The emperor of Persia was more enraged this time against the +queen than before, and she had felt the effects of his anger if +the grand vizier's remonstrances had not prevailed. + +The third time the queen lay in she was delivered of a princess, +which innocent babe underwent the same fate as the princes her +brothers; for the two sisters being determined not to desist from +their detestable schemes, till they had seen the queen their +younger sister at least cast off, turned out, and humbled, +exposed this infant also on the canal. But the princess, as well +as the two princes her brothers, was preserved from death by the +compassion and charity of the intendant of the gardens. + +To this inhumanity the two sisters added a lie and deceit as +before. They produced a piece of wood, and affirmed it to be a +false birth of which the queen had been delivered. + +Khoosroo Shaw could no longer contain himself, when he was +informed of the new extraordinary birth. "What!" said he; "this +woman, unworthy of my bed, will fill my palace with monsters, if +I let her live any longer! No, it shall not be; she is a monster +herself, and I must rid the world of her." He pronounced sentence +of death, and ordered the grand vizier to see it executed. + +The grand vizier and the courtiers who were present cast +themselves at the emperor's feet, to beg of him to revoke the +sentence. "Your majesty, I hope, will give me leave," said the +grand vizier, "to represent to you, that the laws which condemn +persons to death were made to punish crimes; the three +extraordinary labours of the queen are not crimes; for in what +can she be said to have contributed towards them? Many other +women have had, and have the same every day, and are to be +pitied, but not punished. Your majesty may abstain from seeing +her, but let her live. The affliction in which she will spend the +rest of her life, after the loss of your favour, will be a +punishment sufficiently distressing." + +The emperor of Persia considered with himself, and reflecting +that it was unjust to condemn the queen to death for what had +happened, said, "Let her live then; I will spare her life; but it +shall be on this condition, that she shall desire to die more +than once every day. Let a wooden shed be built for her at the +gate of the principal mosque, with iron bars to the windows, and +let her be put into it, in the coarsest habit; and every +Mussulmaun that shall go into the mosque to prayers shall spit in +her face. If any one fail, I will have him exposed to the same +punishment; and that I maybe punctually obeyed, I charge you, +vizier, to appoint persons to see this done." + +The emperor pronounced his sentence in such a tone that the grand +vizier durst not further remonstrate; and it was executed, to the +great satisfaction of the two envious sisters. A shed was built, +and the queen, truly worthy of compassion, was put into it, and +exposed ignominiously to the contempt of the people; which usage, +as she did not deserve it, she bore with a patient resignation +that excited the admiration as well as compassion of those who +judged of things better than the vulgar. + +The two princes and the princess were, in the mean time, nursed +and brought up by the intendant of the gardens and his wife with +all the tenderness of a father and mother; and as they advanced +in age, they all shewed marks of superior dignity, but the +princess in particular, which discovered itself every day by +their docility and inclinations above trifles, different from +those of common children, and by a certain air which could only +belong to exalted birth. All this increased the affections of the +intendant and his wife, who called the eldest prince Bahman, and +the second Perviz, both of them names of the most ancient +emperors of Persia, and the princess, Perie-zadeh, which name +also had been borne by several queens and princesses of the +kingdom. + +As soon as the two princes were old enough, the intendant +provided proper masters to teach them to read and write; and the +princess their sister, who was often with them, shewing a great +desire to learn, the intendant, pleased with her quickness, +employed the same master to teach her also. Her emulation, +vivacity, and piercing wit, made her in a little time as great a +proficient as her brothers. + +From that time the brothers and sister had the same masters in +geography, poetry, history, and even the secret sciences; and +made so wonderful a progress, that their tutors were amazed, and +frankly owned that they could teach them no farther. At the hours +of recreation, the princess learned to sing and play upon all +sorts of instruments; and when the princes were learning to ride +she would not permit them to have that advantage over her, but +went through all the exercises with them, learning to ride also, +to bend the bow, and dart the reed or javelin, and often-times +outdid them in the race, and other contests of agility. + +The intendant of the gardens was so overjoyed to find his adopted +children so accomplished in all the perfections of body and mind, +and that they so well requited the expense he had been at in +their education, that he resolved to be at a still greater: for +as he had till then been content only with his lodge at the +entrance of the garden, and kept no country house, he purchased a +country seat at a short distance from the city, surrounded by a +large tract of arable land, meadows, and woods. As the house was +not sufficiently handsome nor convenient, he pulled it down, and +spared no expense in building a mansion more magnificent. He went +every day to hasten, by his presence, the great number of workmen +he employed; and as soon as there was an apartment ready to +receive him, passed several days together there when his presence +was not necessary at court; and by the same exertions, the +interior was furnished in the richest manner, answerably to the +magnificence of the edifice. Afterwards he made gardens, +according to a plan drawn by himself. He took in a large extent +of ground, which he walled round, and stocked with fallow deer, +that the princes and princess might divert themselves with +hunting when they chose. + +When this country seat was finished and fit for habitation, the +intendant of the gardens went and cast himself at the emperor's +feet, and after representing how long he had served, and the +infirmities of age which he found growing upon him, begged he +would permit him to resign his charge into his majesty's +disposal, and retire. The emperor gave him leave, with the more +pleasure because he was satisfied with his long services, both in +his father's reign and his own; and when he granted it, asked +what he should do to recompense him? "Sir," replied the intendant +of the gardens, "I have received so many obligations from your +majesty and the late emperor your father of happy memory, that I +desire no more than the honour of dying in your favour." + +He took his leave of the emperor, and retired with the two +princes and the princess to the country retreat he had built. His +wife had been dead some years, and he himself had not lived above +six months with them before he was surprised by so sudden a +death, that he had not time to give them the least account of the +manner in which he had discovered them. + +The princes Bahman and Perviz, and the princess Perie-zadeh, who +knew no other father than the intendant of the emperor's gardens, +regretted and bewailed him as such, and paid all the honours in +his funeral obsequies which love and filial gratitude required of +them. Satisfied with the plentiful fortune he had left them, they +lived together in perfect union, free from the ambition of +distinguishing themselves at court, or aspiring to places of +honour and dignity, which they might easily have obtained. + +One day when the two princes were hunting, and the princess had +remained at home, a religious old woman came to the gate, and +desired leave to go in to say her prayers, it being then the +hour. The servants asked the princess's permission, who ordered +them to shew her into the oratory, which the intendant of the +emperor's gardens had taken care to fit up in his house, for want +of a mosque in the neighbourhood. She bade them also, after the +good woman had finished her prayers, shew her the house and +gardens, and then bring her to her. + +The old woman went into the oratory, said her prayers, and when +she came out two of the princess's women invited her to see the +house and gardens; which civility she accepted, followed them +from one apartment to another, and observed, like a person who +understood what belonged to furniture, the nice arrangement of +every thing. They conducted her also into the garden, the +disposition of which she found so well planned, that she admired +it, observing that the person who had formed it must have been an +excellent master of his art. Afterwards she was brought before +the princess, who waited for her in the great hall, which in +beauty and richness exceeded all that she had admired in the +other apartments. + +As soon as the princess saw the devout woman, she said to her, +"My good mother, come near and sit down by me. I am overjoyed at +the happiness of having the opportunity of profiting for some +moments by the good example and conversation of such a person as +you, who have taken the right way by dedicating yourself to the +service of God. I wish every one were as wise." + +The devout woman, instead of sitting on a sofa, would only sit +upon the edge of one. The princess would not permit her to do so, +but rising from her seat,'and taking her by the hand, obliged her +to come and sit by her. The good woman, sensible of the civility, +said, "Madam, I ought not to have so much respect shewn me; but +since you command, and are mistress of your own house, I will +obey you." When she had seated herself, before they entered into +any conversation, one of the princess's women brought a little +low stand of mother of pearl and ebony, with a china dish full of +cakes upon it, and many others set round it full of fruits in +season, and wet and dry sweetmeats. + +The princess took up one of the cakes, and presenting her with +it, said, "Eat, good mother, and make choice of what you like +best; you had need to eat after coming so far." "Madam," replied +the good woman, "I am not used to eat such delicacies; but will +not refuse what God has sent me by so liberal a hand as yours." + +While the devout woman was eating, the princess ate a little too, +to bear her company, and asked her many questions upon the +exercise of devotion which she practised, and how she lived: all +which she answered with great modesty. Talking of several things, +at last she asked her what she thought of the house, and how she +liked it. + +"Madam," answered the devout woman, "I must certainly have very +bad taste to disapprove any thing in it, since it is beautiful, +regular, and magnificently furnished with exactness and judgment, +and all its ornaments adjusted in the best manner. Its situation +is an agreeable spot, and no garden can be more delightful; but +yet if you will give me leave to speak my mind freely, I will +take the liberty to tell you, that this house would be +incomparable if it had three things which are wanting to complete +it." "My good mother," replied the princess Perie-zadeh, "what are +those? I conjure you, in God's name, to tell me what they are: I +will spare nothing to get them, if it be possible." + +"Madam," replied the devout woman, "the first of these three +things is the speaking bird, so singular a creature, that it +draws round it all the singing birds of the neighbourhood, which +come to accompany his song. The second is the singing tree, the +leaves of which are so many mouths, which form an harmonious +concert of different voices, and never cease. The third is the +yellow water of a gold colour, a single drop of which being +poured into a vessel properly prepared, it increases so as to +fill it immediately, and rises up in the middle like a fountain, +which continually plays, and yet the basin never overflows." + +"Ah! my good mother," cried the princess, "how much am I obliged +to you for the knowledge of these curiosities! They are +surprising, and I never before heard there were such wonderful +rarities in the world; but as I am persuaded that you know, I +expect that you should do me the favour to inform me where they +are to be found." + +"Madam," replied the good woman, "I should be unworthy the +hospitality you have with so much goodness shewn me, if I should +refuse to satisfy your curiosity in that point; and am glad to +have the honour to tell you, that these curiosities are all to be +met with in the same spot on the confines of this kingdom, +towards India. The road to it lies before your house, and whoever +you send needs but follow it for twenty days, and on the +twentieth let him only ask the first person he meets where the +speaking bird, singing tree, and yellow water are, and he will be +informed." After saying this, she rose from her seat, took her +leave, and went her way. + +The princess Perie-zadeh's thoughts were so taken up with what +the devout woman had told her of the speaking bird, singing tree, +and yellow water, that she never perceived her departure, till +she wanted to ask her some question for her better information; +for she thought that what she had told her was not a sufficient +reason for exposing herself by undertaking a long journey, +possibly to no purpose. However, she would not send after her, +but endeavoured to remember all she had told her; and when she +thought she had recollected every word, took real pleasure in +thinking of the satisfaction she should have if she could get +these wonderful curiosities into her possession; but the +difficulties she apprehended, and the fear of not succeeding, +made her very uneasy. + +She was absorbed in these thoughts when her brothers returned +from hunting; who, when they entered the great hall, instead of +finding her lively and gay, as she used to be be, were amazed to +see her so pensive, and hanging down her head as if something +troubled her. + +"Sister," said prince Bahman, "what is become of all your mirth +and gaiety? Are you not well? or has some misfortune befallen +you? Has any body given you reason to be so melancholy? Tell us, +that we may know how to act, and give you some relief. If any one +has affronted you, we will resent his insolence." + +The princess remained in the same posture some time without +answering; but at last lifted up her eyes to look at her +brothers, and then held them down again, telling them nothing +disturbed her. + +"Sister," said prince Bahman, "you conceal the truth from us; +there must be something of consequence. It is impossible we could +observe so sudden a change if nothing was the matter with you. +You would not have us satisfied with the evasive answer you have +given: do not conceal any thing, unless you would have us suspect +that you renounce the strict union which has hitherto subsisted +between us from our infancy." + +The princess, who had not the smallest intention to offend her +brothers, would not suffer them to entertain such a thought, but +said, "When I told you nothing disturbed me, I meant nothing that +was of importance to you; but to me it is of some consequence; +and since you press me to tell you by our strict union and +friendship, which are so dear to me, I will. You think, and I +always believed so too, that this house was so complete that +nothing was wanting. But this day I have learned that it wants +three rarities, which would render it so perfect that no country +seat in the world could be compared with it. These three things +are, the speaking bird, the singing tree, and the yellow water. +After she had informed them wherein consisted the excellency of +these rarities," "A devout woman," added she, "has made this +discovery to me, told me the place where they are to be found, +and the way thither. Perhaps you may imagine these things to be +trifles, and of little consequence to render our house complete, +that without these additions it will always be thought +sufficiently elegant with what it already contains, and that we +can do without them. You may think as you please; but I cannot +help telling you that I am persuaded they are absolutely +necessary, and I shall not be easy without them. Therefore, +whether you value them or not, I desire you to consider what +person you may think proper for me to send in search of the +curiosities I have mentioned." + +"Sister," replied prince Bahman, "nothing can concern you in +which we have not an equal interest. It is enough that you have +an earnest desire for the things you mention to oblige us to take +the same interest; but if you had not, we feel ourselves inclined +of our own accord and for our own individual satisfaction. I am +persuaded my brother is of the same opinion, and therefore we +ought to undertake this conquest; for the importance and +singularity of the undertaking deserve that name. I will take +that charge upon myself; only tell me the place, and the way to +it, and I will defer my journey no longer than till to-morrow." + +"Brother," said prince Perviz, "it is not proper that you, who +are the head and director of our family, should be absent. I +desire my sister would join with me to oblige you to abandon your +design, and allow me to undertake it. I hope to acquit myself as +well as you, and it will be a more regular proceeding." "I am +persuaded of your good-will, brother," replied prince Bahman, +"and that you would succeed as well as myself in this journey; +but I have resolved, and will undertake it. You shall stay at +home with our sister, and I need not recommend her to you." He +spent the remainder of the day in making preparations for his +journey, and informing himself from the princess of the +directions which the devout woman had left her. + +The next morning Bahman mounted his horse, and Perviz and the +princess embraced, and wished him a good journey. But in the +midst of their adieus, the princess recollected what she had not +thought of before. "Brother," said she, "I had quite forgotten +the accidents which attend travellers. Who knows whether I shall +ever see you again? Alight, I beseech you, and give up this +journey. I would rather be deprived of the sight and possession +of the speaking bird, singing tree, and yellow water, than run +the risk of never seeing you more." + +"Sister," replied Bahman, smiling at the sudden fears of the +princess, "my resolution is fixed, but were it not, I should +determine upon it now, and you must allow me to execute it. The +accidents you speak of befall only those who are unfortunate; but +there are more who are not so. However, as events are uncertain, +and I may fail in this undertaking, all I can do is to leave you +this knife." + +Bahman, pulling a knife from his vestband, and presenting it in +the sheath to the princess, said, "Take this knife, sister, and +give yourself the trouble sometimes to pull it out of the sheath: +while you see it clean as it is now, it will be a sign that I am +alive; but if you find it stained with blood, then you may +believe me dead, and indulge me with your prayers." + +The princess could obtain nothing more of Bahman. He bade adieu +to her and prince Perviz for the last time, and rode away. When +he got into the road he never turned to the right hand nor to the +left, but went directly forward towards India. The twentieth day +he perceived on the road side a hideous old man, who sat under a +tree some small distance from a thatched house, which was his +retreat from the weather. + +His eye-brows were as white as snow, as was also the hair of his +head; his whiskers covered his mouth, and his beard and hair +reached down to his feet. The nails of his hands and feet were +grown to an extensive length; a flat broad umbrella covered his +head. He had no clothes, but only a mat thrown round his body. + +This old man was a dervish, for many years retired from the +world, to give himself up entirely to the service of God; so that +at last he became what we have described. + +Prince Bahman, who had been all that morning very attentive to +see if he could meet with any body who could give him information +of the place he was in search of, stopped when he came near the +dervish, alighted, in conformity to the directions which the +devout woman had given the princess Perie-zadeh, and leading his +horse by the bridle, advanced towards him, and saluting him, +said, "God prolong your days, good father, and grant you the +accomplishment of your desires." + +The dervish returned the prince's salutation, but so +unintelligibly that he could not understand one word he said: +prince Bahman perceiving that this difficulty proceeded from the +dervish's whiskers hanging over his mouth, and unwilling to go +any farther without the instructions he wanted, pulled out a pair +of scissors he had about him, and having tied his horse to a +branch of the tree, said, "Good dervish, I want to have some talk +with you: but your whiskers prevent my understanding what you +say: and if you will consent, I will cut off some part of them +and of your eye-brows, which disfigure you so much that you look +more like a bear than a man." + +The dervish did not oppose the offer; and when the prince had cut +off as much hair as he thought fit, he perceived that the dervish +had a good complexion, and that he did not seem so old as he +really was. "Good dervish," said he, "if I had a glass I would +shew you how young you look: you are now a man, but before nobody +could tell what you were." + +The kind behaviour of prince Bahman made the dervish smile, and +return his compliment. "Sir," said he, "whoever you are, I am +obliged by the good office you have performed, and am ready to +shew my gratitude by doing any thing in my power for you. You +must have alighted here upon some account or other. Tell me what +it is, and I will endeavour to serve you." + +"Good dervish," replied prince Bahman, "I am in search of the +speaking bird, the singing tree, and the yellow water; I know +these three rarities are not far from hence, but cannot tell +exactly the place where they are to be found; if you know, I +conjure you to shew me the way, that I may not lose my labour +after so long a journey." + +The prince, while he spoke, observed that the dervish changed +countenance, held down his eyes, looked very serious, and instead +of making any reply, remained silent; which obliged him to say to +him again, "Good father, I fancy you heard me; tell me whether +you know what I ask you, that I may not lose my time, but inform +myself somewhere else." + +At last the dervish broke silence. "Sir," said he to prince +Bahman, "I know the way you ask of me; but the regard which I +conceived for you the first moment I saw you, and which is grown +stronger by the service you have done me, kept me in suspense, +whether I should give you the satisfaction you desire." "What +motive can hinder you?" replied the prince; "and what +difficulties do you find in so doing?" "I will tell you," replied +the dervish; "the danger you are going to expose yourself to is +greater than you may suppose. A number of gentlemen of as much +bravery and courage as you can possibly possess have passed this +way, and asked me the same question. When I had used all my +endeavours to persuade them to desist, they would not believe me; +at last, I yielded, to their importunities; I was compelled to +shew them the way, and I can assure you they have all perished, +for I have not seen one come back. Therefore, if you have any +regard for your life, take my advice, go no farther, but return +home." + +Prince Bahman persisted in his resolution. "I will not suppose," +said he to the dervish, "but that your advice is sincere. I am +obliged to you for the friendship you express for me; but +whatever may be the danger, nothing shall make me change my +intention: whoever attacks me, I am well armed, and can say I am +as brave as any one." "But they who will attack you are not to be +seen," replied the dervish; "how will you defend yourself against +invisible persons?" "It is no matter," answered the prince; "all +you say shall not persuade me to do any thing contrary to my +duty. Since you know the way, I conjure you once more to inform +me." + +When the dervish found he could not prevail upon prince Bahman, +and that he was obstinately bent to pursue his journey +notwithstanding his friendly remonstrance, he put his hand into a +bag that lay by him and pulled out a bowl, which he presented to +him. "Since I cannot prevail on you to attend to my advice," said +he, "take this bowl; when you are on horseback throw it before +you, and follow it to the foot of a mountain, where it will stop. +As soon as the bowl stops, alight, leave your horse with the +bridle over his neck, and he will stand in the same place till +you return. As you ascend you will see on your right and left a +great number of large black stones, and will hear on all sides a +confusion of voices, which will utter a thousand injurious abuses +to discourage you, and prevent your reaching the summit of the +mountain. Be not afraid; but above all things, do not turn your +head to look behind you; for in that instant you will be changed +into such a black stone as those you see, which are all youths +who have failed in this enterprise. If you escape the danger of +which I give you but a faint idea, and get to the top of the +mountain, you will see a cage, and in that cage is the bird you +seek; ask him which are the singing tree and the yellow water, +and he will tell you. I have nothing more to say; this is what +you have to do, and the danger you have to avoid; but if you are +prudent, you will take my advice, and not expose your life. +Consider once more while you have time that the difficulty is +almost insuperable." + +"I am obliged to you for your repeated advice," replied prince +Bahman, after he had received the bowl, "but cannot follow it. +However, I will endeavour to conform myself to that part of it +which bids me not look behind me as I shall ascend the mountain, +and I hope to come and see you again soon, and thank you when I +have obtained what I am seeking." After these words, to which the +dervish made no other answer than that he should be overjoyed to +see him again, the prince mounted his horse, took his leave of +the dervish with a respectful salute, and threw the bowl before +him. + +The bowl rolled away unceasingly with as much swiftness as when +prince Bahman first hurled it from his hand, which obliged him to +put his horse to the same pace to avoid losing sight of it, and +when it had reached the foot of the mountain it stopped. The +prince alighted from his horse, laid the bridle on his neck; and +having first surveyed the mountain, and seen the black stones, +began to ascend; but had not gone four steps, before he heard the +voices mentioned by the dervish, though he could see nobody. Some +said, "Where is that fool going? where is he going? what would he +have? do not let him pass." Others, "Stop him, catch him, kill +him;" and others with a voice like thunder, "Thief! assassin! +murderer!" while some in a gibing tone cried, "No, no, do not +hurt him; let the pretty fellow pass, the cage and bird are kept +for him." + +Notwithstanding all these troublesome voices, prince Bahman +ascended with courage and resolution for some time, but the +voices redoubled with so loud a din near him, both behind and +before, that at last he was seized with dread, his legs trembled +under him, he staggered, and finding that his strength failed +him, he forgot the dervish's advice, turned about to run down the +hill, and was that instant changed into a black stone; a +metamorphosis which had happened to many before him, who had +attempted the ascent. His horse likewise underwent the same +change. + +From the time of prince Bahman's departure, the princess Perie-zadeh +always wore the knife and sheath in her girdle, and pulled it out +several times in a day, to know whether her brother was alive. She had +the consolation to understand he was in perfect health, and to talk of +him frequently with prince Perviz, who sometimes prevented her by +asking her what news. + +On the fatal day that prince Bahman was transformed into a stone, +as prince Perviz and the princess were talking together in the +evening, as usual, the prince desired his sister to pull out the +knife to know how their brother did. The princess readily +complied, and seeing the blood run down the point was seized with +so much horror that she threw it down. "Ah! my dear brother," +cried she, "I have been the cause of your death, and shall never +see you more! Why did I tell you of the speaking bird, singing +tree, and yellow water; or rather, of what importance was it to +me to know whether the devout woman thought this house ugly or +handsome, or complete or not? I wish to Heaven she had never +addressed herself to me? Deceitful hypocrite!" added she, "is +this the return you have made for the kind reception I gave you? +Why did you tell me of a bird, a tree, and a water, which, +imaginary as I am persuaded they are, by my dear brother's death, +yet disturb me by your enchantment?" + +Prince Perviz was as much afflicted at the death of prince Bahman +as the princess; but not to waste time in needless regret, as he +knew that she still passionately desired possession of the +speaking bird, the singing tree, and the golden water, he +interrupted her, saying, "Sister, our regret for our brother is +vain and useless; our grief and lamentations cannot restore him +to life; it is the will of God, we must submit to it, and adore +the decrees of the Almighty without searching into them. Why +should you now doubt of the truth of what the holy woman told +you? do you think she spoke to you of three things that were not +in being? and that she invented them on purpose to deceive you, +who had given her no cause to do so, but received her with so +much goodness and civility? Let us rather believe that our +brother's death is owing to some error on his part, or some +accident which we cannot conceive. It ought not therefore to +prevent us from pursuing our object. I offered to go this +journey, and am now more resolved than ever; his example has no +effect upon my resolution; to-morrow I will depart." + +The princess did all she could to dissuade prince Perviz, +conjuring him not to expose her to the danger of losing two +brothers; but he was obstinate, and all the remonstrances she +could urge had no effect upon him. Before he went, that she might +know what success he had, he left her a string of a hundred +pearls, telling her, that if they would not run when she should +count them upon the string, but remain fixed, that would be a +certain sign he had undergone the same fate as his brother; but +at the same time told her he hoped it would never happen, but +that he should have the happiness to see her again to their +mutual satisfaction. + +Prince Perviz, on the twentieth day after his departure, met the +same dervish in the same place as his brother Bahman had done +before him. He went directly up to him, and after he had saluted, +asked him, if he could tell him where to find the speaking bird, +the singing tree, and the golden water? The dervish urged the +same difficulties and remonstrances as he had done to prince +Bahman, telling him, that a young gentleman, who very much +resembled him, was with him a short time before; that, overcome +by his importunity and pressing instances, he had shewn him the +way, given him a guide, and told him how he should act to +succeed; but that he had not seen him since, and doubted not but +he had shared the same fate as all other adventurers. + +"Good dervish," answered prince Perviz, "I know whom you speak +of; he was my elder brother, and I am informed of the certainty +of his death, but know not the cause." "I can tell you," replied +the dervise; "he was changed into a black stone, as all I speak +of have been; and you must expect the same transformation, unless +you observe more exactly than he has done the advice I gave him, +in case you persist in your resolution, which I once more entreat +you to renounce." + +"Dervish," said prince Perviz, "I cannot sufficiently express how +much I am obliged for the concern you take in my life, who am a +stranger to you, and have done nothing to deserve your kindness: +but I thoroughly considered this enterprise before I undertook +it, and I cannot now relinquish it: therefore I beg of you to do +me the same favour you have done my brother. Perhaps I may have +better success in following your directions." "Since I cannot +prevail with you," said the dervish, "to give up your obstinate +resolution, if my age did not prevent me, and I could stand, I +would get up to reach you a bowl I have here, which will shew you +the way." + +Without giving the dervish time to say more, the prince alighted +from his horse and went to the dervish, who had taken a bowl out +of his bag, in which he had a great many, and gave it him, with +the same directions he had given prince Bahman; and after warning +him not to be discouraged by the voices he should hear without +seeing any body, however threatening they might be, but to +continue his way up the hill till he saw the cage and bird, he +let him depart. + +Prince Perviz thanked the dervish, and when he had remounted, and +taken leave, threw the bowl before his horse, and spurring him at +the same time, followed it. When the bowl came to the bottom of +the hill it stopped, the prince alighted, and stood some time to +recollect the dervish's directions. He encouraged himself, and +began to walk up with a resolution to reach the summit; but +before he had gone above six steps, he heard a voice, which +seemed to be near, as of a man behind him, say in an insulting +tone, "Stay, rash youth, that I may punish you for your +presumption." + +Upon this affront the prince, forgetting the dervish's advice, +clapped his hand upon his sword, drew it, and turned about to +revenge himself; but had scarcely time to see that nobody +followed him before he and his horse were changed into black +stones. + +In the mean time the princess Perie-zadeh, several times a day +after her brother's departure, counted her chaplet. She did not +omit it at night, but when she went to bed put it about her neck; +and in the morning when she awoke counted over the pearls again +to see if they would slide. + +The day that prince Perviz was transformed into a stone, she was +counting over the pearls as she used to do, when all at once they +became immoveably fixed, a certain token that the prince her +brother was dead. As she had determined what to do in case it +should so happen, she lost no time in outward demonstrations of +grief, which she concealed as much as possible; but having +disguised herself in man's apparel, armed and equipped, she +mounted her horse the next morning, having told her servants she +should return in two or three days, and took the same road her +brothers had done. + +The princess, who had been used to ride on horseback in hunting, +supported the fatigue of so long a journey better than most +ladies could have done; and as she made the same stages as her +brothers, she also met with the dervish on the twentieth day. +When she came near him, she alighted off her horse, leading him +by the bridle, went and sat down by the dervish, and after she +had saluted him, said, "Good dervish, give me leave to rest +myself; and do me the favour to tell me if you have not heard +that there are somewhere in this neighbourhood a speaking bird, a +singing tree, and golden water." + +"Princess," answered the dervish, "for so I must call you, since +by your voice I know you to be a woman disguised in man's +apparel, I thank you for your compliment, and receive the honour +you do me with great pleasure. I know the place well where these +things are to be found: but what makes you ask me this question?" + +"Good dervish," replied the princess, "I have had such a +flattering relation of them given me, that I have a great desire +to possess them." "Madam," replied the dervish, "you have been +told the truth. These curiosities are more singular and +surprising than they have been represented to you: but you have +not been made acquainted with the difficulties which must be +surmounted in order to obtain them. If you had been fully +informed of these, you would not have undertaken so troublesome +and dangerous an enterprise. Take my advice, go no farther, +return, and do not urge me to contribute towards your ruin." + +"Good father," said the princess, "I have travelled a great way, +and should be sorry to return without executing my design. You +talk of difficulties, and danger of life; but you do not tell me +what those difficulties are, and wherein the danger consists. +This is what I desire to know, that I may consider and judge +whether I can trust my courage and strength to brave them." + +The dervish repeated to the princess what he had said to the +princes Bahman and Perviz, exaggerating the difficulties of +climbing up to the top of the mountain, where she was to make +herself mistress of the bird, which would inform her of the +singing tree and golden water. He magnified the noise and din of +the terrible threatening voices which she would hear on all sides +of her, without seeing any body, and the great number of black +stones, alone sufficient to strike terror. He entreated her to +reflect that those stones were so many brave gentlemen, so +metamorphosed for having omitted to observe the principal +condition of success in the perilous undertaking, which was not +to look behind them before they had got possession of the cage. + +When the dervish had done, the princess replied, "By what I +comprehend from your discourse, the difficulties of succeeding in +this affair are, first, the getting up to the cage without being +frightened at the terrible din of voices I shall hear; and +secondly, not to look behind me: for this last, I hope I shall be +mistress enough of myself to observe it. As to the first, I own +that those voices, such as you represent them to be, are capable +of striking terror into the most undaunted; but as in all +enterprises and dangers every one may use stratagem, I desire to +know of you if I may use any in one of so great importance." "And +what stratagem is it you would employ?" said the dervish. "To +stop my ears with cotton," answered the princess, "that the +voices, however loud and terrible, may make the less impression +upon my imagination, and my mind remain free from that +disturbance which might cause me to lose the use of my reason." + +"Princess," replied the dervish, "of all the persons who have +addressed themselves to me for information, I do not know that +ever one made use of the contrivance you propose. All I know is, +that they all perished. If you persist in your design, you may +make the experiment. You will be fortunate if it succeeds; but I +would advise you not to expose yourself to the danger." + +"My good father," replied the princess, "nothing can hinder my +persisting in my design. I am sure my precaution will succeed, +and am resolved to try the experiment. Nothing remains for me but +to know which way I must go; I conjure you not to deny me the +favour of that information." The dervish exhorted her again, for +the last time, to consider well what she was going to do; but +finding her resolute, he took out a bowl, and presenting it to +her, said, "Take this bowl; mount your horse again, and when you +have thrown it before you, follow it through all its windings, +till it stops at the bottom of the mountain, there alight, and +ascend the hill. Go; you know the rest." + +After the princess had thanked the dervish, and taken her leave +of him, she mounted her horse, threw the bowl before her, and +followed it till it stopped at the foot of the mountain. + +The princess alighted, stopped her ears with cotton; and after +she had well examined the path leading to the summit, began with +a moderate pace, and walked up with intrepidity. She heard the +voices, and perceived the great service the cotton was to her. +The higher she went, the louder and more numerous the voices +seemed; but they were not capable of making any impression upon +her. She heard a great many affronting speeches and raillery very +disagreeable to a woman, which she only laughed at. "I mind not," +said she to herself, "all that can be said, were it worse; I only +laugh at them, and shall pursue my way." At last she got so high, +that she could perceive the cage and the bird, which endeavoured, +with the voices, to frighten her, crying in a thundering tone, +notwithstanding the smallness of its size, "Retire, fool, and +approach no nearer." + +The princess, encouraged by this object, redoubled her speed, and +by effort gained the summit of the mountain, where the ground was +level; then running directly to the cage, and clapping her hand +upon it, cried, "Bird, I have you, and you shall not escape me." + +While Perie-zadeh was pulling the cotton out of her ears, the +bird said to her, "Heroic princess, be not angry with me for +joining with those who exerted themselves to preserve my liberty. +Though in a cage, I was content with my condition; but since I am +destined to be a slave, I would rather be yours than any other +person's, since you have obtained me so courageously. From this +instant, I swear inviolable fidelity, and an entire submission to +all your commands. I know who you are; you do not: but the time +will come when I shall do you essential service, which I hope you +will think yourself obliged to me for. As a proof of my +sincerity, tell me what you desire, and I am ready to obey you." + +The princess's joy was the more inexpressible, because the +conquest she had made had cost her the lives of two beloved +brothers, and given her more trouble and danger than she could +have imagined, notwithstanding what the dervish had represented +to her. "Bird," said she, "it was my intention to have told you +that I wish for many things which are of importance; but I am +overjoyed that you have shewn your good-will and prevented me. I +have been told that there is not far off a golden water, the +property of which is very wonderful; before all things, I ask you +to tell me where it is." The bird shewed her the place, which was +just by, and she went and filled a little silver flagon which she +had brought with her. She returned to the bird and said, "Bird, +this is not enough; I want also the singing tree; tell me where +it is." "Turn about," said the bird, "and you will see behind you +a wood, where you will find this tree." The princess went into +the wood, and by the harmonious concert she heard soon knew the +tree among many others, but it was very large and high. She came +back to the bird, and said to it, "Bird, I have found the singing +tree, but I can neither pull it up by the roots, nor carry it." +The bird replied, "It is not necessary that you should take it up +by the roots; it will be sufficient to break off a branch, and +carry it to plant in your garden; it will take root as soon as it +is put into the earth, and in a little time will grow to as fine +a tree as that you have seen." + +When the princess had obtained possession of the three things +which the devout woman had told her of, and for which she had +conceived so great a desire, she said again to the bird, "Bird, +what you have yet done for me is not sufficient. You have been +the cause of the death of my two brothers, who must be among the +black stones which I saw as I ascended the mountain. I wish to +take them home with me." + +The bird seemed reluctant to satisfy the princess in this point, +and indeed made some difficulty to comply. "Bird," said the +princess, "remember you told me that you were my slave. You are +so; and your life is in my disposal." "That I cannot deny," +answered the bird; "but although what you now ask is more +difficult than all the rest, yet I will do it for you. Cast your +eyes around," added he, "and look if you can see a little +pitcher." "I see it already," said the princess. "Take it then," +said he, "and as you descend the mountain, sprinkle a little of +the water that is in it upon every black stone." + +The princess took up the pitcher accordingly, carried with her +the cage and bird, the flagon of golden water, and the branch of +the singing tree, and as she descended the mountain, threw a +little of the water on every black stone, which was changed +immediately into a man; and as she did not miss one stone, all +the horses, both of the princes her brothers, and of the other +gentlemen, resumed their natural forms. She instantly recognized +Bahman and Perviz, as they did her, and ran to embrace her. She +returned their embraces, and expressed her amazement. "What do +you here, my dear brothers?" said she; they told her they had +been asleep. "Yes," replied she, "and if it had not been for me, +perhaps you might have slept till the day of judgment. Do not you +remember that you came to fetch the speaking bird, the singing +tree, and the yellow water? and did not you see, as you came +along, the place covered with black stones? Look and see if there +be any now. The gentlemen and their horses who surround us, and +you yourselves, were these black stones. If you desire to know +how this wonder was performed," continued she, shewing the +pitcher, which she set down at the foot of the mountain, having +no further use for it, "it was done by virtue of the water which +was in this pitcher, with which I sprinkled every stone. After I +had made the speaking bird (which you see in this cage) my slave, +by his directions I found out the singing tree, a branch of which +I have now in my hand; and the yellow water, which this flagon is +filled with; but being still unwilling to return without taking +you with me, I constrained the bird, by the power I had over him, +to afford me the means. He told me where to find this pitcher, +and the use I was to make of it." + +The princes Bahman and Perviz learnt by this relation the +obligation they had to the princess their sister; as did all the +other gentlemen, who were collected round, and expressed to the +princess, that, far from envying her happiness in the conquest +she had made, and which they all had aspired to, they thought +they could not any otherwise acknowledge the favour she had done +them, or better express their gratitude to her for restoring them +to life again, than by declaring themselves all her slaves, and +that they were ready to obey her in whatever she should command. + +"Gentlemen," replied the princess, "if you had given any +attention to my words you might have observed that I had no other +intention in what I have done than to recover my brothers; +therefore, if you have received any benefit, you owe me no +obligation, and I have no further share in your compliment than +your politeness towards me, for which I return you my thanks. In +other respects, I regard each of you individually as free as you +were before your misfortunes, and I rejoice with you at the +happiness which has accrued to you by my means. Let us however +stay no longer in a place where we have nothing to detain us; but +mount our horses, and return to our respective homes." + +The princess took her horse, which stood in the place where she +had left him.--Before she mounted, prince Bahman desired her to +give him the cage to carry. "Brother," replied the princess, "the +bird is my slave, and I will carry him myself; if you will take +the pains to carry the branch of the singing tree, there it is; +only hold the cage while I get on horseback." When she had +mounted her horse; and prince Bahman had given her the cage, she +turned about and said to prince Perviz, "I leave the flagon of +golden water to your care, if it will not be too much trouble for +you to carry it." Prince Perviz took charge of it with pleasure. + +When Bahman, Perviz, and all the gentlemen had mounted their +horses, the princess waited for some of them to lead the way. The +two princes paid that compliment to the gentlemen, and they again +to the princess, who, finding that none of them would accept of +the honour, but that it was reserved for her, addressed herself +to them and said, "Gentlemen, I expect that some of you should +lead the way;" to which one who was nearest to her, in the name +of the rest, replied, "Madam, were we ignorant of the respect due +to your sex, yet after what you have done for us there is no +deference we would not willingly pay you, notwithstanding your +modesty; we entreat you no longer to deprive us of the happiness +of following you." + +"Gentlemen," said the princess, "I do not deserve the honour you +do me, and accept it only because you desire it." At the same +time she led the way, and the two princes and the gentlemen +followed. + +This illustrious company called upon the dervish as they passed, +to thank him for his reception and wholesome advice, which they +had all found to be sincere. But he was dead: whether of old age, +or because he was no longer necessary to shew the way to the +obtaining the three rarities which the princess Perie-zadeh had +secured, did not appear. They pursued their route, but lessened +in their numbers every day. The gentlemen who, as we said before, +had come from different countries, after severally repeating +their obligations to the princess and her brothers, took leave of +them one after another as they approached the road they had come. + +As soon as the princess reached home, she placed the cage in the +garden; and the bird no sooner began to warble than he was +surrounded by nightingales, chaffinches, larks, linnets, +goldfinches, and every species of birds of the country. And the +branch of the singing tree was no sooner set in the midst of the +parterre, a little distance from the house, than it took root, +and in a short time became a large tree, the leaves of which gave +as harmonious a concert as those of the tree from which it was +gathered. A large basin of beautiful marble was placed in the +garden; and when it was finished, the princess poured into it all +the yellow water from the flagon, which instantly increased and +swelled so much that it soon reached up to the edges of the +basin, and afterwards formed in the middle a fountain twenty feet +high, which fell again into the basin perpetually without running +over. + +The report of these wonders was presently spread abroad, and as +the gates of the house and those of the gardens were shut to +nobody, a great number of people came to admire them. + +Some days after, when the princes Bahman and Perviz had recovered +from the fatigue of their journey, they resumed their former way +of living; and as their usual diversion was hunting, they mounted +their horses and went for the first time since their return, not +to their own demesne, but two or three leagues from their house. +As they pursued their sport, the emperor of Persia came in +pursuit of game upon the same ground. When they perceived by the +number of horsemen in different places that he would soon be up, +they resolved to discontinue their chase, and retire to avoid +encountering him; but in the very road they took they chanced to +meet him in so narrow a way that they could not retreat without +being seen. In their surprise they had only time to alight, and +prostrate themselves before the emperor, without lifting up their +heads to look at him. The emperor, who saw they were as well +mounted and dressed as if they had belonged to his court, had the +curiosity to see their faces. He stopped, and commanded them to +rise. The princes rose up, and stood before him with an easy and +graceful air, accompanied with respectful modest countenances. +The emperor took some time to view them before he spoke: and +after he had admired their good air and mien, asked them who they +were, and where they lived. + +"Sir," said prince Bahman, "we are the sons of the late intendant +of your majesty's gardens: and live in a house which he built a +little before he died, till we should be fit to serve your +majesty, and ask of you some employ when opportunity offered." + +"By what I perceive," replied the emperor, "you love hunting." +"Sir," replied prince Bahman, "it is our common exercise, and +what none of your majesty's subjects who intend to bear arms in +your armies ought, according to the ancient custom of the +kingdom, to neglect." The emperor, charmed with so prudent an +answer, said, "Since it is so, I should be glad to see your +expertness in the chase; choose your own game." + +The princes mounted their horses again, and followed the emperor; +but had not gone far before they saw many wild beasts together. +Prince Bahman chose a lion, and prince Perviz a bear; and pursued +them with so much intrepidity, that the emperor was surprised. +They came up with their game nearly at the same time, and darted +their javelins with so much skill and address, that they pierced, +the one the lion, and the other the bear, so effectually, that +the emperor saw them fall one after the other. Immediately +afterwards prince Bahman pursued another bear, and prince Perviz +another lion, and killed them in a short time, and would have +beaten out for fresh game, but the emperor would not let them, +and sent to them to come to him. When they approached he said, +"If I would have given you leave, you would soon have destroyed +all my game: but it is not that which I would preserve, but your +persons; for I am so well assured your bravery may one time or +other be serviceable to me, that from this moment your lives will +be always dear to me." + +The emperor, in short, conceived so great a kindness for the two +princes, that he invited them immediately to make him a visit: to +which prince Bahman replied, "Your majesty does us an honour we +do not deserve; and we beg you will excuse us." + +The emperor, who could not comprehend what reason the princes +could have to refuse this token of his favour, pressed them to +tell him why they excused themselves. "Sir," said prince Bahman, +"we have a sister younger than ourselves, with whom we live in +such perfect union, that we undertake nothing before we consult +her, nor she any thing without asking our advice." "I commend +your brotherly affection," answered the emperor. "Consult your +sister, meet me here tomorrow, and give me an answer." + +The princes went home, but neglected to speak of their adventure +in meeting the emperor, and hunting with him, and also of the +honour he had done them, by asking them to go home with him; yet +did not the next morning fail to meet him at the place appointed. +"Well," said the emperor, "have you spoken to your sister? And +has she consented to the pleasure I expect of seeing you?" The +two princes looked at each other and blushed. "Sir," said prince +Bahman, "we beg your majesty to excuse us: for both my brother +and I forgot." "Then remember to-day," replied the emperor, "and +be sure to bring me an answer to-morrow." + +The princes were guilty of the same fault a second time, and the +emperor was so good-natured as to forgive their negligence; but +to prevent their forgetfulness the third time, he pulled three +little golden balls out of a purse, and put them into prince +Bahman's bosom. "These balls," said he, smiling, "will prevent +your forgetting a third time what I wish you to do for my sake; +since the noise they will make by falling on the floor, when you +undress, will remind you, if you do not recollect it before." The +event happened just as the emperor foresaw; and without these +balls the princes had not thought of speaking to their sister of +this affair. For as prince Bahman unloosed his girdle to go to +bed the balls dropped on the floor, upon which he ran into prince +Perviz's chamber, when both went into the princess Perie-zadeh's +apartment, and after they had asked her pardon for coming at so +unseasonable a time, they told her all the circumstances of their +meeting the emperor. + +The princess was somewhat surprised at this intelligence. "Your +meeting with the emperor," said she, "is happy and honourable, +and may in the end be highly advantageous to you, but it is very +disagreeable and distrustful to me. It was on my account, I know, +you refused the emperor, and I am infinitely obliged to you for +doing so. I know by this your affection is equal to my own, since +you would rather be guilty of incivility towards the emperor than +violate the brotherly union we have sworn to each other. You +judge right, for if you had once gone you would insensibly have +been engaged to leave me, to devote yourselves to him. But do you +think it an easy matter absolutely to refuse the emperor what he +seems so earnestly to desire? Monarchs will be obeyed in their +desires, and it may be dangerous to oppose them; therefore, if to +follow my inclination I should dissuade you from shewing the +complaisance he expects from you, it may expose you to his +resentment, and may render myself and you miserable. These are my +sentiments: but before we conclude upon any thing let us consult +the speaking bird, and hear what he says; he is penetrating, and +has promised his assistance in all difficulties." + +The princess sent for the cage, and after she had related the +circumstances to the bird in the presence of her brothers, asked +him what they should do in this perplexity? The bird answered, +"The princes your brothers must conform to the emperor's +pleasure, and in their turn invite him to come and see your +house." + +"But, bird," replied the princess, "my brothers and I love one +another, and our friendship is yet undisturbed. Will not this +step be injurious to that friendship?" "Not at all," replied the +bird; "it will tend rather to cement it." "Then," answered the +princess, "the emperor will see me." The bird told her it was +necessary he should, and that everything would go better +afterwards. + +Next morning the princes met the emperor hunting, who, at as +great a distance as he could make himself be heard, asked them if +they had remembered to speak to their sister? Prince Bahman +approached, and answered, "Sir, your majesty may dispose of us as +you please; we are ready to obey you; for we have not only +obtained our sister's consent with great ease, but she took it +amiss that we should pay her that deference in a matter wherein +our duty to your majesty was concerned. But if we have offended, +we hope you will pardon us." "Do not be uneasy on that account," +replied the emperor; "so far from taking amiss what you have +done, I highly approve of your conduct, and hope you will have +the same deference and attachment to my person, if I have ever so +little share in your friendship." The princes, confounded at the +emperor's goodness, returned no other answer but a low obeisance, +to shew the great respect with which they received it. + +The emperor, contrary to his usual custom, did not hunt long that +day. Presuming that the princes possessed wit equal to their +courage and bravery, he longed with impatience to converse with +them more at liberty. He made them ride on each side of him, an +honour which, without speaking of the principal courtiers who +accompanied him, was envied by the grand vizier, who was much +mortified to see them preferred before him. + +When the emperor entered his capital, the eyes of the people, who +stood in crowds in the streets, were fixed upon the two princes +Bahman and Perviz; and they were earnest to know who they might +be, whether foreigners or natives. + +All, however, agreed in wishing that the emperor had been blessed +with two such handsome princes, and said, "He might have had +children as old, if the queen, who had suffered the punishment of +her misfortune, had been more fortunate in her lyings-in." + +The first thing that the emperor did when he arrived at his +palace was to conduct the princes into the principal apartments; +who praised without affectation, like persons conversant in such +matters, the beauty and symmetry of the rooms, and the richness +of the furniture and ornaments. Afterwards a magnificent repast +was served up, and the emperor made them sit with him, which they +at first refused; but finding it was his pleasure, they obeyed. + +The emperor, who had himself much learning, particularly in +history, foresaw that the princes, out of modesty and respect, +would not take the liberty of beginning any conversation. +Therefore, to give them an opportunity, he furnished them with +subjects all dinner-time. But whatever subject he introduced, +they shewed so much wit, judgment, and discernment, that he was +struck with admiration. "Were these my own children," said he to +himself, "and I had improved their talents by suitable education, +they could not have been more accomplished or better informed." +In short, he took such great pleasure in their conversation, that +after having sat longer than usual he led them into his closet, +where he pursued his conversation with them, and at last said, "I +never supposed that there were among my subjects in the country +youths so well brought up, so lively, so capable; and I never was +better pleased with any conversation than yours: but it is time +now we should relax our minds with some diversion; and as nothing +is more capable of enlivening the mind than music, you shall hear +a vocal and instrumental concert which may not be disagreeable to +you." + +The emperor had no sooner spoken for them than the musicians, who +had orders to attend, entered, and answered fully the +expectations the princes had been led to entertain of their +abilities. After the concerts, an excellent farce was acted, and +the entertainment was concluded by dancers of both sexes. + +The two princes seeing night approach, prostrated themselves at +the emperor's feet; and having first thanked him for the favours +and honours he had heaped upon them, asked his permission to +retire; which was granted by the emperor, who, in dismissing +them, said, "I give you leave to go; but remember I brought you +to the palace myself only to shew you the way; you will be always +welcome, and the oftener you come the greater pleasure you will +do me." + +Before they went out of the emperor's presence, prince Bahman +said, "Sir, may we presume to request that your majesty will do +us and our sister the honour to pass by our house, and rest and +refresh yourself after your fatigue, the first time you take the +diversion of hunting in that neighbourhood? It is not worthy your +presence; but monarchs sometimes have vouchsafed to take shelter +in a cottage." "My children," replied the emperor; "your house +cannot be otherwise than beautiful, and worthy of its owners. I +will call and see it with pleasure, which will be the greater for +having for my hosts you and your sister, who is already dear to +me from the account you give me of the rare qualities with which +she is endowed; and this satisfaction I will defer no longer than +to-morrow. Early in the morning I will be at the place where I +shall never forget that I first saw you. Meet me, and you shall +be my guides." + +When the princes Bahman and Perviz had returned home, they gave +the princess an account of the distinguished reception the +emperor had given them; and told her that they had invited him to +do them the honour, as he passed by, to call at their house; and +that he had appointed the next day. + +"If it be so," replied the princess, "we must think of preparing +a repast fit for his majesty; and for that purpose I think it +would be proper we should consult the speaking bird, he will tell +us perhaps what meats the emperor likes best." The princes +approved of her plan, and after they had retired she consulted +the bird alone. "Bird," said she, "the emperor will do us the +honour to-morrow to come and see our house, and we are to +entertain him; tell us what we shall do to acquit ourselves to +his satisfaction." + +"Good mistress," replied the bird, "you have excellent cooks, let +them do the best they can; but above all things, let them prepare +a dish of cucumbers stuffed full of pearls, which must be set +before the emperor in the first course before all the other +dishes." + +"Cucumbers stuffed full of pearls!" cried princess Perie-zadeh, +with amazement; "surely, bird, you do not know what you say; it +is an unheard-of dish. The emperor may admire it as a piece of +magnificence, but he will sit down to eat, and not to admire +pearls; besides, all the pearls I possess are not enough for such +a dish." + +"Mistress," said the bird, "do what I say, and be not uneasy +about what may happen. Nothing but good will follow. As for the +pearls, go early to-morrow morning to the foot of the first tree +on your right hand in the park, dig under it, and you will find +more than you want." + +That night the princess ordered a gardener to be ready to attend +her, and the next morning early led him to the tree which the +bird had told her of, and bade him dig at its foot. When the +gardener came to a certain depth, he found some resistance to the +spade, and presently discovered a gold box about a foot square, +which he shewed the princess. "This," said she, "is what I +brought you for; take care not to injure it with the spade." + +When the gardener took up the box, he gave it into the princess's +hands, who, as it was only fastened with neat little hasps, soon +opened it, and found it full of pearls of a moderate size, but +equal, and fit for the use that was to be made of them. Very well +satisfied with having found this treasure, after she had shut the +box again she put it under her arm, and went back to the house, +while the gardener threw the earth into the hole at the foot of +the tree as it had been before. + +The princes Bahman and Perviz, who, as they were dressing +themselves in their own apartments, saw the princess their sister +in the garden earlier than usual, as soon as they could get out +went to her, and met her as she was returning, with a gold box +under her arm, which much surprised them. "Sister," said Bahman, +"you carried nothing with you when we saw you before with the +gardener, and now we see you have a golden box: is this some +treasure found by the gardener, and did he come and tell you of +it?" + +"No, brother," answered the princess; "I took the gardener to the +place where this casket was concealed, and shewed him where to +dig: but you will be more amazed when you see what it contains." + +The princess opened the box, and when the princes saw that it was +full of pearls, which, though small, were of great value; they +asked her how she came to the knowledge of this treasure? +"Brothers," said she, "if nothing more pressing calls you +elsewhere, come with me, and I will tell you." "What more +pressing business," said prince Perviz, "can we have than to be +informed of what concerns us so much? We have nothing to do to +prevent our attending you." The princess, as they returned to the +house, gave them an account of her having consulted the bird, as +they had agreed she should, and the answer he had given her; the +objection she had raised to preparing a dish of cucumbers stuffed +full of pearls, and how he had told her where to find this box. +The princes and princess formed many conjectures to penetrate +into what the bird could mean by ordering them to prepare such a +dish; and after much conversation, though they could not by any +means guess at his reason, they nevertheless agreed to follow his +advice exactly. + +As soon as the princess entered the house, she called for the +head cook; and after she had given him directions about the +entertainment for the emperor, said to him, "Besides all this, +you must dress an extraordinary dish for the emperor's own +eating, which nobody else must have any thing to do with besides +yourself. This dish must be of cucumbers stuffed with these +pearls;" and at the same time she opened him the box, and shewed +him the pearls. + +The chief cook, who had never heard of such a dish, started back, +and shewed his thoughts by his looks; which the princess +penetrating, said, "I see you take me to be mad to order such a +dish, which you never heard of, and which one may say with +certainty was never made. I know this as well as you; but I am +not mad, and give you these orders with the most perfect +recollection. You must invent and do the best you can, and bring +me back what pearls are left." The cook could make no reply, but +took the box and retired: and afterwards the princess gave +directions to all the domestics to have every thing in order, +both in the house and gardens, to receive the emperor. + +Next day the two princes went to the place appointed; and as soon +as the emperor of Persia arrived the chase began, which lasted +till the heat of the sun obliged him to leave off. While prince +Bahman stayed to conduit the emperor to their house, prince +Perviz rode before to shew the way, and when he came in sight of +the house, spurred his horse, to inform the princess Perie-zadeh +that the emperor was approaching; but she had been told by some +servants whom she had placed to give notice, and the prince found +her waiting ready to receive him. + +When the emperor had entered the court-yard, and alighted at the +portico, the princess came and threw herself at his feet, and the +two princes informed him she was their sister, and besought him +to accept her respects. + +The emperor stooped to raise her, and after he had gazed some +time on her beauty, struck with her fine person and dignified +air, he said, "The brothers are worthy of the sister, and she +worthy of them; since, if I may judge of her understanding by her +person, I am not amazed that the brothers would do nothing +without their sister's consent; but," added he, "I hope to be +better acquainted with you, my daughter, after I have seen the +house." + +"Sir," said the princess, "it is only a plain country residence, +fit for such people as we are, who live retired from the great +world. It is not to be compared with houses in great cities, much +less with the magnificent palaces of emperors." "I cannot +perfectly agree with you in opinion," said the emperor very +obligingly, "for its first appearance makes me suspect you; +however, I will not pass my judgment upon it till I have seen it +all; therefore be pleased to conduct me through the apartments." + +The princess led the emperor through all the rooms except the +hall; and, after he had considered them very attentively and +admired their variety, "My daughter," said he to the princess, +"do you call this a country house? The finest and largest cities +would soon be deserted, if all country houses were like yours. I +am no longer surprised that you take so much delight in it, and +despise the town. Now let me see the garden, which I doubt not is +answerable to the house." + +The princess opened a door which led into the garden; and the +first object which presented itself to the emperor's view was the +golden fountain. Surprised at so rare an object, he asked from +whence that wonderful water, which gave so much pleasure to +behold, had been procured; where was its source; and by what art +it was made to play so high, that he thought nothing in the world +was to be compared to it? He said he would presently take a +nearer view of it. + +The princess then led him to the spot where the harmonious tree +was planted; and there the emperor heard a concert, different +from all he had ever heard before; and stopping to see where the +musicians were, he could discern nobody far or near; but still +distinctly heard the music, which ravished his senses. "My +daughter," said he to the princess, "where are the musicians whom +I hear? Are they under ground, or invisible in the air? Such +excellent performers will hazard nothing by being seen; on the +contrary, they would please the more." + +"Sir," answered the princess smiling, "they are not musicians, +but the leaves of the trees your majesty sees before you, which +form this concert; and if you will give yourself the trouble to +go a little nearer, you will be convinced, and the voices will be +the more distinct." + +The emperor went nearer, and was so charmed with the sweet +harmony, that he would never have been tired with hearing it, but +that his desire to have a nearer view of the fountain of yellow +water forced him away. "Daughter," said he, "tell me, I pray you, +whether this wonderful tree was found in your garden by chance, +or was a present made to you, or have you procured it from some +foreign country? It must certainly have come from a great +distance, otherwise, curious as I am after natural rarities, I +should have heard of it. What name do you call it by?" + +"Sir," replied the princess, "this tree has no other name than +that of the singing tree, and is not a native of this country. It +would at present take up too much time to tell your majesty by +what adventures it came here; its history is connected with the +yellow water, and the speaking bird, which came to me at the same +time, and which your majesty may see after you have taken a +nearer view of the golden water. But if it be agreeable to your +majesty, after you have rested yourself, and recovered the +fatigue of hunting, which must be the greater because of the +sun's intense heat, I will do myself the honour of relating it to +you." + +"My daughter," replied the emperor, "my fatigue is so well +recompensed by the wonderful things you have shewn me, that I do +not feel it the least. I think only of the trouble I give you. +Let us finish by seeing the yellow water. I am impatient to see +and admire the speaking bird." + +When the emperor came to the yellow water, his eyes were fixed so +steadfastly upon the fountain, that he could not take them off. +At last, addressing himself to the princess, he said, "As you +tell me, daughter, that this water has no spring or +communication, I conclude that it is foreign, as well as the +singing tree." + +"Sir," replied the princess, "it is as your majesty conjectures; +and to let you know that this water has no communication with any +spring, I must inform you that the basin is one entire stone, so +that the water cannot come in at the sides or underneath. But +what your majesty will think most wonderful is, that all this +water proceeded but from one small flagon, emptied into this +basin, which increased to the quantity you see, by a property +peculiar to itself, and formed this fountain." "Well," said the +emperor, going from the fountain, "this is enough for one time. I +promise myself the pleasure to come and visit it often; but now +let us go and see the speaking bird." + +As he went towards the hall, the emperor perceived a prodigious +number of singing birds in the trees around, filling the air with +their songs and warblings, and asked, why there were so many +there, and none on the other trees in the garden? "The reason, +sir," answered the princess, "is, because they come from all +parts to accompany the song of the speaking bird, which your +majesty may see in a cage in one of the windows of the hall we +are approaching; and if you attend, you will perceive that his +notes are sweeter than those of any of the other birds, even the +nightingale." + +The emperor went into the hall; and as the bird continued +singing, the princess raised her voice, and said, "My slave, here +is the emperor, pay your compliments to him." The bird left off +singing that instant, when all the other birds ceased also, and +it said, "The emperor is welcome; God prosper him, and prolong +his life." As the entertainment was served on the sofa near the +window where the bird was placed, the sultan replied, as he was +taking his seat, "Bird, I thank you, and am overjoyed to find in +you the sultan and king of birds." + +As soon as the emperor saw the dish of cucumbers set before him, +thinking it was stuffed in the best manner, he reached out his +hand and took one; but when he cut it, was in extreme surprise to +find it stuffed with pearls. "What novelty is this?" said he "and +with what design were these cucumbers stuffed thus with pearls, +since pearls are not to be eaten?" He looked at the two princes +and princess to ask them the meaning: when the bird interrupting +him, said, "Can your majesty be in such great astonishment at +cucumbers stuffed with pearls, which you see with your own eyes, +and yet so easily believe that the queen your wife was delivered +of a dog, a cat, and a piece of wood?" "I believed these things," +replied the emperor, "because the midwives assured me of the +facts." "Those midwives, sir," replied the bird, "were the +queen's two sisters, who, envious of her happiness in being +preferred by your majesty before them, to satisfy their envy and +revenge, have abused your majesty's credulity. If you interrogate +them, they will confess their crime. The two brothers and the +sister whom you see before you are your own children, whom they +exposed, and who were taken in by the intendant of your gardens, +who provided nurses for them, and took care of their education." + +This speech of the bird's presently cleared up the emperor's +understanding. "Bird," cried he, "I believe the truth which you +discover to me. The inclination which drew me to them told me +plainly they must be my own blood. Come then, my sons, come, my +daughter, let me embrace you, and give you the first marks of a +father's love and tenderness." The emperor then rose, and after +having embraced the two princes and the princess, and mingled his +tears with theirs, said, "It is not enough, my children; you must +embrace each other, not as the children of the intendant of my +gardens, to whom I have been so much obliged for preserving your +lives, but as my own children, of the royal blood of the monarchs +of Persia, whose glory, I am persuaded, you will maintain." + +After the two princes and princess had embraced mutually with new +satisfaction, the emperor sat down again with them, and finished +his meal in haste; and when he had done, said, "My children, you +see in me your father; to-morrow I will bring the queen your +mother, therefore prepare to receive her." + +The emperor afterwards mounted his horse, and returned with +expedition to his capital. The first thing he did, as soon as he +had alighted and entered his palace, was to command the grand +vizier to seize the queen's two sisters. They were taken from +their houses separately, convicted, and condemned to be +quartered; which sentence was put in execution within an hour. + +In the mean time the emperor Khoosroo Shaw, followed by all the +lords of his court who were then present, went on foot to the +door of the great mosque; and after he had taken the queen out of +the strict confinement she had languished under for so many +years, embracing her in the miserable condition to which she was +then reduced, said to her with tears in his eyes, "I come to +entreat your pardon for the injustice I have done you, and to +make you the reparation I ought; which I have begun, by punishing +the unnatural wretches who put the abominable cheat upon me; and +I hope you will look upon it as complete, when I present to you +two accomplished princes, and a lovely princess, our children. +Come and resume your former rank, with all the honours which are +your due." All this was done and said before great crowds of +people, who flocked from all parts at the first news of what was +passing, and immediately spread the joyful intelligence through +the city. + +Next morning early the emperor and queen, whose mournful +humiliating dress was changed for magnificent robes, went with +all their court to the house built by the intendant of the +gardens, where the emperor presented the princes Bahman and +Perviz, and the princess Perie-zadeh, to their enraptured mother. +"These, much injured wife," said he, "are the two princes your +sons, and this princess your daughter; embrace them with the same +tenderness I have done, since they are worthy both of me and +you." The tears flowed plentifully down their cheeks at these +tender embraces, especially the queen's, from the comfort and joy +of having two such princes for her sons, and such a princess for +her daughter, on whose account she had so long endured the +severest afflictions. + +The two princes and the princess had prepared a magnificent +repast for the emperor and queen, and their court. As soon as +that was over, the emperor led the queen into the garden, and +shewed her the harmonious tree and the beautiful effect of the +yellow fountain. She had seen the bird in his cage, and the +emperor had spared no panegyric in his praise during the repast. + +When there was nothing to detain the emperor any longer, he took +horse, and with the princes Bahman and Perviz on his right hand, +and the queen consort and the princess at his left, preceded and +followed by all the officers of his court, according to their +rank, returned to his capital. Crowds of people came out to meet +them, and with acclamations of joy ushered them into the city, +where all eyes were fixed not only upon the queen, the two +princes, and the princess, but also upon the bird, which the +princess carried before her in his cage, admiring his sweet +notes, which had drawn all the other birds about him, which +followed him, flying from tree to tree in the country, and from +one house-top to another in the city. The princes Bahman and +Perviz, and the princess Perie-zadeh, where at length brought to +the palace with this pomp, and nothing was to be seen or heard +all that night but illuminations and rejoicings both in the +palace and in the utmost parts of the city, which lasted many +days, and were continued throughout the empire of Persia, as +intelligence of the joyful event reached the several provinces. + + + + + STORY OF THE SULTAN OF YEMEN AND HIS THREE + SONS. + + + +There was in the land of Yemen (Arabia Felix) a sultan, under +whom were three tributary princes. He had four children, three +sons and a daughter. He possessed greater treasures than could be +estimated, as well as innumerable camels, horses, and flocks of +sheep; and was held in awe by all contemporary sovereigns. + +After a long and prosperous reign, age brought with it infirmity, +and he at length became incapable of appearing in his hall of +audience; upon which he commanded his sons to his presence, and +said to them, "My wish is to divide among you, before my death, +all my possessions, that you may be satisfied, and live in +unanimity and brotherly affection with each other, and in +obedience to my dying commands." They exclaimed, "To hear is to +obey." + +The sultan then said, "My will is, that the eldest be sovereign +in my room; that the second possess my treasures; and the third +every description of animals. Let no, one encroach upon another, +but all assist each other." He then caused them to sign an +agreement to abide by his bequests, and shortly afterwards was +received into the mercy of the Almighty; upon which his sons +prepared what was suitable to his dignity for his funeral. They +washed the corpse, enshrouded it, prayed over it, and having +committed it to the earth, returned to their palaces; where the +viziers, officers of state, and inhabitants of the metropolis, +high and low, rich and poor, attended to console with them on the +loss of their father. The news of the death of the sultan was +soon spread abroad into all the provinces, and deputations from +every city came to condole with the princes. + +After these ceremonies, the eldest prince demanded that he should +be inaugurated sultan in the room of the deceased monarch, +agreeably to his will; but this was not possible, as each of the +other brothers was ambitious of being sovereign. Contention and +disputes now arose between them for the government, till at +length the elder brother, wishing to avoid civil war, said, "Let +us go and submit to the arbitration of one of the tributary +sultans, and to let him whom he adjudges the kingdom peaceably +enjoy it." To this they assented, as did also the viziers; and +they departed, unattended, towards the capital of one of the +tributary sultans. + +When the princes had proceeded about half way on their journey, +they reached a verdant spot, abounding in herbage and flowers, +with a clear rivulet running through it, the convenience of which +made them halt to refresh themselves. They sat down and were +eating, when one of the brothers casting his eyes on the grass, +said, "A camel has lately passed this way loaded, half with +sweetmeats and half with grain." "True," cried another, "and he +was blind of one eye." "Yes," exclaimed the third, "and he had +lost his tail." They had scarcely concluded their remarks, when +the owner of the camel came up to them (for he had heard what +they had said, and was convinced, as they had described the beast +and his load, that they must have stopped him), crying out, that +they had stolen his camel. "We have not seen him," answered the +princes, "nor touched him." "By Allah!" replied he, "none but you +can have taken him; and if you will not deliver him up, I will +complain of you to the sultan." They rejoined, "It is well; let +us go to the sultan." + +When all four had reached the palace, information was given of +the arrival of the princes, and they were admitted to an +audience, the owner of the camel following, who bawled out, +"These men, my lord, by their own confession, have stolen my +property, for they described him and the load he carried." + +The man then related what each of the princes, had said; upon +which the sultan demanded if it was true. They answered, "My +lord, we have not seen the camel; but we chanced, as we were +sitting on the grass taking some refreshment, to observe that +part of the pasture had been grazed; upon which we supposed that +the camel must have been blind of an eye, as the grass was only +eaten on one side. We then observed the dung of a camel in one +heap on the ground, which made us agree that its tail must have +been cut off, as it is the custom for camels to shake their +tails, and scatter it abroad. On the grass where the camel had +lain down, we saw on one side flies collected in great numbers, +but none on the other: this made us conclude that one of the +panniers must have contained sweets, and the other only grain." +Upon hearing the above, the sultan said to the complainant, +"Friend, go and look for thy camel, for these observations do not +prove the theft on the accused, but only the strength of their +understandings and penetration." + +The sultan now ordered apartments for the princes, and directed +that they should be entertained in a manner befitting their rank; +after which he left them to their repose. In the evening, when +the usual meal was brought in, the elder prince having taken up a +cake of bread, said, "This bread, I am sure, was made by a sick +woman." The second, on tasting some kid, exclaimed, "This kid was +suckled by a bitch:" and the third cried out, "Certainly this +sultan must be illegitimate." At this instant the sultan, who had +been listening, entered hastily, and exclaimed, "Wherefore utter +ye these affronting speeches?" "Inquire," replied the princes, +"into what you have heard, and you will find all true." + +The sultan now retired to his haram, and on inquiry, found that +the woman who had kneaded the bread was sick. He then sent for +the shepherd, who owned that the dam of the kid having died, he +had suckled it upon a bitch. Next, in a violent passion, he +proceeded to the apartments of the sultana mother, and +brandishing his cimeter--threatened her with death, unless she +confessed whether he was son to the late sultan or not. + +The sultana was alarmed, and said, "To preserve my life, I must +speak truth. Know then that thou art the son of a cook. Thy +father had no male offspring, at which he was uneasy: on the same +day myself and the wife of the cook lay in, I of a daughter and +she of a son. I was fearful of the coolness of the sultan, and +imposed upon him the son of the cook for his own: that son art +thou, who now enjoyest an empire." + +The spurious sultan left the sultana in astonishment at the +penetration of the brothers, whom he summoned to his presence, +and inquired of them on what grounds they had founded their just +suspicions respecting the bread, the kid, and himself. "My +lord," replied the elder prince, "when I broke the cake, the +flour fell out in lumps; and hence I guessed that she who made it +had not strength to knead it sufficiently, and must have been +unwell." "It is as thou hast said," replied the sultan. "The fat +of the kid," continued the second brother, "was all next the +bone, and the flesh of every other animal but the dog has it next +the skin. Hence my surmise that it must have been suckled by a +bitch." "Thou wert right," answered the sultan; "but now for +myself." + +"My reason for supposing thee illegitimate," said the youngest +prince, "was, because thou didst not associate with us, who are +of the same rank with thyself. Every man has properties which he +inherits from his father, his grandfather, or his mother. From +his father, generosity, or avarice; from his grandfather, valour +or cowardice; from his mother, bashfulness or impudence." "Thou +hast spoken justly," replied the sultan; "but why came ye to ask +judgment of me, since ye are so much better able to decide +difficult questions than myself? Return home, and agree among +yourselves." The princes did so; and obeyed the will of their +father. + + + + + STORY OF THE THREE SHARPERS AND THE + SULTAN. + + + +Three very ingenious sharpers who associated together, being much +distressed, agreed, in hopes of obtaining immediate relief, that +they would go to the sultan, and pretend each to superior ability +in some occupation. Accordingly they proceeded to the metropolis, +but found admission to the presence difficult; the sultan being +at a garden palace surrounded by guards, who would not let them +approach. Upon this they consulted, and agreed to feign a +quarrel, in hopes that their clamour would draw the notice of the +sultan. It did so: he commanded them to be brought before him, +inquired who they were, and the cause of their dispute. "We were +disputing," said they, "concerning the superiority of our +professions; for each of us possesses complete skill in his own." +"What are your professions?" replied the sultan. "I am," said +one, "O sovereign, a lapidary of wonderful skill." "I fear thou +art an astonishing rascal," exclaimed the sultan. + +"I am," said the second sharper, "a genealogist of horses." "And +I," continued the third, "a genealogist of mankind, knowing every +one's true descent; an art much more wonderful than that of +either of my companions, for no one possesses it but myself, nor +ever did before me." The sultan was astonished, but gave little +credit to their pretensions: yet he said to himself, "If these +men speak truth, they are worthy of encouragement. I will keep +them near me till I have occasion to try them; when, if they +prove their abilities, I will promote them; but if not, I will +put them to death." He then allotted them an apartment, with an +allowance of three cakes of bread and a mess of pottage daily; +but placed spies over them, fearing lest they might escape. + +Not long after this, a present of rarities was brought to the +sultan, among which were two precious stones; one of them +remarkably clear in its water, and the other with a flaw. The +sultan now bethought himself of the lapidary, and sent for him to +his presence, when he gave him the clear jewel to examine, and +demanded what he thought it was worth. + +The sharper took the stone, and with much gravity turned it +backwards and forwards in his hands, examining it with minute +attention on every part; after which he said, "My lord, this +jewel has a flaw in the very centre of it." When the sultan heard +this, he was enraged against the sharper, and gave orders to +strike off his head; saying, "This stone is free from blemish, +and yet thou pretendest it hath a flaw." The executioner now +advanced, laid hold of the sharper, bound him, and was going to +strike, when the vizier entered, and seeing the sultan enraged, +and the sharper under the cimeter, inquired the cause. Being +informed, he advanced towards the sultan, and said, "My lord, act +not thus, but first break the stone: should a flaw appear in it, +the words of this man are true; but if it be found free from +blemish, put him to death." The sultan replied, "Thy advice is +just:" and broke it in two with his mace. In the middle he found +a flaw, at which he was astonished, and exclaimed to the sharper, +"By what means couldst thou discover the blemish?" He replied, +"By the acuteness of my sight." The sultan then released him, and +said, "Take him back to his companions, allow him a mess of +pottage to himself, and two cakes of bread." + +Some time after this a tribute came from one of the provinces, +part of which consisted of a beautiful black colt, in colour +resembling the hue of the darkest night. The sultan was delighted +with the animal, and spent whole days in admiring him. At length +he bethought himself of the sharper who had pretended to be a +genealogist of horses, and commanded him to his presence. When he +appeared, the sultan said, "Art thou a judge of horses?" He +replied, "Yes, my lord," upon which the sultan exclaimed, "It is +well! but I swear by him who appointed me guardian of his +subjects, and said to the universe, Be! and it was, that should I +find untruth in thy declaration, I will strike off thy head." The +man replied, "To hear is to submit." After this they brought out +the colt, that he might examine him. + +The sharper desired the groom to mount the colt and pace him +before him, which he did backwards and forwards, the fiery animal +all the while plunging and rearing. At length the genealogist +said, "It is enough:" and turning to the sultan exclaimed, "My +lord, this colt is singularly beautiful, of true blood by his +sire, his paces exquisite and proportions just; but in him there +is one blemish; could that be done away, he would be all +perfection; nor would there be upon the face of the earth his +equal among all the various breeds of horses." "What can that +blemish be?" said the sultan. "His sire," rejoined the +genealogist, "was of true blood, but his dam of another species +of animal; and, if commanded, I will inform you." "Speak," said +the sultan. "The dam of this beautiful colt," continued the +genealogist, "was a buffalo." + +When the sultan heard this he flew into a rage, and commanded an +executioner to strike off the head of the sharper; exclaiming, +"Thou accursed dog! how could a buffalo bring forth a colt?" "My +lord," replied the sharper, "the executioner is in attendance; +but send for the person who presented the colt, and inquire of +him the truth. If my words prove just, my skill will be +ascertained; but if what I have said be false, then let my head +pay the forfeit for my tongue." Upon this the sultan sent for the +master of the colt to attend his presence. + +When the master of the colt appeared before him, the sultan +inquired whether it was purchased of another person, or had been +bred by himself? To which the man replied, "My lord, I will +relate nothing but the truth. The production of this colt is +surprising. His sire belonged to me, and was of the true breed of +sea-horses: he was always kept in an enclosure by himself, as I +was fearful of his being injured; but it happened one day in the +spring, that the groom took him for air into the country, and +picqueted him in the plain. By chance a cow-buffalo coming near +the spot, the stallion became outrageous, broke his heel-ropes, +joined the buffalo, which after the usual period of gestation, +produced this colt, to our great astonishment." + +The sultan was surprised at this relation. He commanded the +genealogist to be sent for, and upon his arrival said, "Thy words +have proved true, and thy wonderful skill in the breed of horses +is ascertained; but by what mark couldst thou know that the dam +of this colt was a buffalo?" The man replied, "My lord, the mark +is visible in the colt itself. It is not unknown to any person of +observation, that the hoof of a horse is nearly round, but the +hoof of a buffalo thick and longish, like this colt's: hence I +judged that the dam must certainly have been a buffalo." The +sultan now dismissed him graciously, and commanded that he should +be allowed daily a mess of pottage, and two cakes of bread. + +Not long after this the sultan bethought himself of the third +sharper, who pretended that he was the genealogist of man, and +sent for him to the presence. On his appearance he said, "Thou +canst trace the descent of man?" "Yes, my lord," replied the +genealogist. Upon this the sultan commanded an eunuch to take him +into his haram, that he might examine the descent of his +favourite mistress. Upon his introduction, he looked at the lady +on this side and on that, through her veil, till he was +satisfied, when he came out; and the sultan exclaimed, "Well, +what hast thou discovered in my mistress?" He replied, "My lord, +she is all perfect in elegance, beauty, grace, stature, bloom, +modesty, accomplishments, and knowledge, so that every thing +desirable centres in herself; but still there is one point that +disgraces her, from which if she was free, it is not possible she +could be excelled in anything among the whole of the fair sex." +When the sultan had heard this, he rose up angrily, and drawing +his cimeter, ran towards the genealogist, intending to strike off +his head. + +Just as he was going to strike, some of the attendants said, "My +lord, put not the man to death before thou art convinced of his +falsehood." Upon which the sultan exclaimed, "What fault appeared +to thee in my mistress?" "O sultan," replied the man, "she is, as +to herself, all perfect; but her mother was a rope-dancer." Upon +this the sultan immediately sent for the father of the lady, and +said, "Inform me truly who was the mother of thy daughter, or I +will put thee to death." "Mighty prince," replied the father, +"there is no safety for man but in the truth. Her mother was a +rope-dancer, whom I took when very young from a company of +strolling mummers, and educated. She grew up most beautiful and +accomplished: I married her, and she produced me the girl whom +thou hast chosen." + +When the sultan heard this, his rage cooled, but he was filled with +astonishment; and said to the genealogist, "Inform me what could shew +thee that my mistress was the daughter of a rope-dancer?" "My lord," +replied the man, "this cast of people have always their eyes very +black, and their eyebrows bushy; such are hers: and from them I +guessed her descent." The sultan was now convinced of his skill, +dismissed him graciously, and commanded that he should be allowed a +mess of pottage and three cakes of bread daily, which was done +accordingly. + +Some time after this the sultan reflected on the three sharpers, +and said to himself, "These men have proved their skill in +whatever I have tried them. The lapidary was singularly excellent +in his art, the horse genealogist in his, and the last has proved +his upon my mistress. I have an inclination to know my own +descent beyond a doubt." He then ordered the genealogist into his +presence, and said, "Dost thou think thou canst prove my +descent?" "Yes, my lord," replied the man, "but on condition that +you spare my life after I shall have informed you; for the +proverb says, 'When the sultan is present, beware of his anger, +as there is no delay when he commands to strike.'" "There shall +be safety for thee," exclaimed the sultan, "in my promise, an +obligation that can never be forfeited." + +"O sultan," continued the genealogist, "when I shall inform thee +of thy parentage and descent, let not there be any present who +may hear me." "Wherefore?" replied the sultan. "My lord," +answered the sharper, "you know the attributes of the Deity +should be veiled in mystery." The sultan now commanded all his +attendants to retire, and when they were alone, the genealogist +advanced and said, "Mighty prince, thou art illegitimate, and the +son of an adulteress." + +As soon as the sultan heard this, his colour changed, he turned +pale, and fainted away. When he was recovered, he remained some +time in deep contemplation, after which he exclaimed, "By him who +constituted me the guardian of his people, I swear that if thy +assertion be found true I will abdicate my kingdom, and resign it +to thee, for royalty cannot longer become me; but should thy +words prove void of foundation, I will put thee to instant +death." "To hear is to assent," replied the sharper. + +The sultan now arose, entered the haram, and bursting into his +mother's apartment with his cimeter drawn, exclaimed, "By him who +divided the heavens from the earth, shouldst thou not answer +faithfully to what I shall inquire, I will cut thee to pieces +with this cimeter." The queen, trembling with alarm, said, "What +dost thou ask of me?" "Inform me," replied the sultan, "of whom +am I the son?" "Since truth only can save me," cried the +princess, "know that thou art the offspring of a cook. My husband +had no children either male or female, on which account he became +sad, and lost his health and appetite. In a court of the haram we +had several sorts of birds, and one day the sultan fancying he +should relish one of them, ordered the cook to kill and dress it. +I happened then to be in the bath alone. + +"As I was in the bath," continued the sultana, "I saw the cook +endeavouring to catch the birds. At that instant it occurred to +my mind from the instigation of Satan, that if I bore not a son, +after the death of the sultan my influence would be lost. I +tempted the man, and thou art the produce of my crime. The signs +of my pregnancy soon appeared; and when the sultan was informed +of them, he recovered his health, and rejoiced exceedingly, and +conferred favours and presents on his ministers and courtiers +daily, till the time of my delivery. On that day he chanced to be +upon a hunting excursion at a country palace; but when +intelligence was brought him of the birth of a son, he instantly +returned to me, and issued orders for the city to be decorated, +which was done for forty days together, out of respect to the +sultan. Such was my crime, and such was thy birth." + +The sultan now returned to the adventurer, and commanded him to +pull off his clothes, which he did; when the sultan, disrobing +himself, habited him in the royal vestments, after which he said, +"Inform me whence thou judgest that I was a bastard?" + +"My lord," replied the adventurer, "when each of us shewed our +skill in what was demanded, you ordered him only an allowance of +a mess of pottage and three cakes of bread. Hence I judged you to +be the offspring of a cook, for it is the custom of princes to +reward the deserving with wealth and honours, but you only +gratified us with victuals from your kitchen." The sultan +replied, "Thou hast spoken truly." He then made him put on the +rest of the royal robes and ornaments, and seated him upon the +throne; after which he disguised himself in the habit of a +dervish, and wandered from his abdicated dominions. When the +lucky adventurer found himself in possession of the throne, he +sent for his companions; and finding they did not recognize him +in his royal habiliments, dismissed them with liberal presents, +but commanded them to quit his territories with the utmost +expedition, lest they should discover him. After this, with a +satisfied mind, he fulfilled the duties of his new station with a +liberality and dignity that made the inhabitants of the +metropolis and all the provinces bless him, and pray for the +prolongation of his reign. + + + + + The Adventures of the Abdicated Sultan. + + + +The abdicated prince, disguised as a dervish, did not cease +travelling in a solitary mood till he came to the city of Cairo, +which he perceived to be in repose and security, and well +regulated. Here he amused himself with walking through several +streets, till he had reached the royal palace, and was admiring +its magnificent architecture and extent, and the crowds passing +in and out, when the sultan with his train appeared in sight +returning from a hunting excursion, upon which he retired to one +side of the road. The sultan observing his dignified demeanour, +commanded one of his attendants to invite him to the palace, and +entertain him till he should inquire after him. + +When the sultan had reposed himself from the fatigue of his +exercise, he sent for the supposed dervish to his presence, and +said, "From what kingdom art thou arrived?" He answered, "I am, +my lord, a wandering dervish." "Well," replied the sultan, "but +inform me on what account thou art come here." On which he said, +"My lord, this cannot be done but in privacy." "Let it be so," +rejoined the sultan; and rising up, led him into a retired +apartment of the palace. The supposed dervish then related what +had befallen him, the cause of his having abdicated his kingdom, +and taken upon himself the character of a religious. The sultan +was astonished at his self-denial, and exclaimed, "Blessed be his +holy name, who exalteth and humbleth whom he will by his almighty +power; but my history is more surprising than thine. I will +relate it to thee, and conceal nothing." + + + + + History of Mahummud, Sultan of Cairo. + + + +At my first outset in the world I was an indigent man, and +possessed none of the conveniences of life, till at length I +became possessed of ten pieces of silver, which I resolved to +expend in amusing myself. With this intention, I one day walked +into the principal market, intending first to purchase somewhat +delicate to feast upon. While I was looking about me, a man +passed by, with a great crowd following and laughing at him, for +he led in an iron chain a monstrous baboon, which he cried for +sale at the price of ten pieces of silver. Something +instinctively impelled me to purchase the creature, so I paid him +the money, and took my bargain to my lodging; but on my arrival, +was at a loss how to procure a meal for myself or the baboon. +While I was considering what I should do, the baboon having made +several springs, became suddenly transformed into a handsome +young man, beautiful as the moon at the fourteenth night of its +appearance, and addressed me, saying, "Shekh Mahummud, thou hast +purchased me for ten pieces of silver, being all thou hadst, and +art now thinking how thou canst procure food for me and thyself." +"That is true," replied I; "but in the name of Allah, from whence +dost thou come?" "Ask no questions," replied my companion, "but +take this piece of gold, and purchase us somewhat to eat and +drink." I took the gold, did as he had desired, and we spent the +evening merrily together in feasting and conversation, till it +was time to repose. + +In the morning the young man said, "My friend, this lodging is +not fitting for us; go, and hire a better." "To hear is to obey," +replied I, and departed to the principal serai, where I hired an +upper apartment, to which we removed. He then gave me ten +deenars, with orders to purchase carpets and cushions, which I +did, and on my return found before him a package, containing +princely vestments. These he gave to me, desiring that I would go +to the bath, and, after bathing, put them on. I obeyed his +commands, dressed myself, and found in each pocket a hundred +deenars. I was not a little proud of my improved appearance in +the rich robes. On my return, he praised my figure, and seated me +by him, when we refreshed ourselves, and chatted on various +subjects. At length he gave me a bundle, desiring that I would +present it to the sultan, and at the same time demand his +daughter in marriage for myself, assuring me that my request +would meet a ready compliance. + +The young man commanded a slave he had bought to attend me, who +carried the bundle, and I set out for the palace; near which I +found a great crowd of grandees, officers, and guards, who seeing +me so richly habited, inquired respectfully what I wanted. Upon +my replying that my business was with the sultan, they informed +the ushers, who introduced me to the presence. I made the +customary obeisance, and the sultan returned my salute; after +which I presented the bundle before him, saying, "Will my lord +accept this trifle, becoming my humble situation to offer, but +certainly not worthy the royal dignity to receive?" The sultan +commanded the package to be opened; when, lo! it contained a +complete dress of royal apparel, richer than had ever been before +seen, at which the sultan was astonished, and exclaimed, +"Heavens! I have nothing like this, nor ever possessed so +magnificent a suit; it shall be accepted: but inform me, Shekh, +what thou requirest in return for so valuable an offering." +"Mighty sovereign," replied I, "my wish is to become thy relation +by espousing that precious gem of the casket of beauty, thy +incomparable daughter." + +When the sultan had heard this request, he turned towards his +vizier and said, "Advise me how I should act in this affair." +Upon which the minister replied, "Shew him, my lord, your most +valuable diamond, and inquire if he has any one equally precious +to match it as a marriage present for your daughter." The sultan +did so; when I said, "If I present two, will you give me your +daughter?" To which he assented, and I took my leave, carrying +with me the diamond, to shew the young man as a model. Upon my +arrival at our serai, I informed him of what passed, when he +examined the diamond, and said, "The day is now far spent, but +tomorrow I will procure ten like it, which thou shalt present to +the sultan." Accordingly in the morning he walked out, and in the +space of an hour returned with ten diamonds, which he gave me, +and I hastened with them to the sultan. When he beheld the +precious stones he was enraptured at their brilliancy, and again +consulted his vizier how he should act in this business. "My +lord," replied the minister, "you only required one diamond of +the Shekh, and he has presented you with ten: it is therefore +incumbent upon you to give him your daughter." + +The sultan now sent for the cauzees and effendis, who drew up the +deed of espousals, which they gave me, when I returned to our +serai, and shewed it to the young man, who said, "It is well; go +and complete thy marriage; but I entreat that thou wilt not +consummate thy nuptials till I shall give thee permission." "To +hear is to obey," replied I. When it was night I entered the +princess's apartment, but sat down at a distance from her, and +did not speak till morning, when I bade her farewell, and took my +leave for the day. I observed the same conduct the second night +and the third, upon which, offended at my coldness, she +complained to her mother, who informed the sultan of my +affronting behaviour. + +The sultan sent for me to his presence, and with much anger +threatened, if I should continue my coldness to the princess +another evening, that he would put me to death. Upon this I +hastened to inform my friend at the serai, who commanded, that +when I should next be alone with my wife I should demand of her a +bracelet which she wore upon her right arm, and bring it to him, +after which I might consummate my nuptials. I replied, "To hear +is to obey;" and the next evening, when I entered the apartment, +said to my wife, "If thou desirest that we should live happily +together, give me the bracelet on thy right arm." She did so +immediately, when I carried it to the young man, and, returning +to the palace, slept, as I supposed, with the princess till +morning. Guess, however, what was my surprise, when on awaking I +found myself lying in my first humble lodging, stripped of my +rich vestments, and saw on the ground my former mean attire; +namely, an old vest, a pair of tattered drawers, and a ragged +turban, as full of holes as a sieve. When I had somewhat +recovered my senses, I put them on and walked out in a melancholy +mood, regretting my lost happiness, and not knowing what I should +do to recover it. As I strolled towards the palace, I beheld +sitting in the street a fortune-teller, who had some written +papers before him, and was casting omens for the bystanders. I +advanced, and made him a salute, which he returned kindly; and +after looking attentively in my face, exclaimed, "What! has that +accursed wretch betrayed thee, and torn thee from thy wife?" I +replied, "Yes." Upon this he desired me to wait a little, and +seated me by him. When his employers were departed, he said, "My +friend, the ape which you purchased for ten pieces of silver, and +who soon after was transformed into a young man, is not of human +race, but a genie deeply in love with the princess whom you +married. However, he could not approach her while she wore the +bracelet, containing a powerful charm, upon her right arm, and +therefore made use of thee to obtain it. He is now with her, but +I will soon effect his destruction, that genii and men may be +secure from his wickedness, for he is one of the rebellious and +accursed spirits who disobeyed our lord Solomon, son of David." + +After this, the fortune-teller wrote a note, which having sealed +and directed, he gave it to me, saying, "Go to a certain spot, +wait there, and observe those who may approach. Fortify thy mind, +and when thou shall see a great personage attended by a numerous +train, present to him this letter, when he will accomplish thy +desires." I took the note, immediately departed for the place to +which the fortune-teller had directed me, and after travelling +all night and half the next day reached it, and sat down to wait +for what might happen. The evening shut in, and about a fourth +part of the night had passed, when a great glare of lights +appeared advancing towards me from a distance; and as it shone +nearer, I perceived persons carrying flambeaux and lanterns, also +a numerous train of attendants, as if belonging to some mighty +sultan. My mind was alarmed, but I recovered myself, and resolved +to stay where I was. A great concourse passed by me, marching two +and two, and at length there appeared a sultan of the genii, +surrounded by a splendid attendance; upon which I advanced as +boldly as I could, and having prostrated myself, presented the +letter, which he opened, and read aloud, as follows: + +"Be it known unto thee, O sultan of the genii, that the bearer of +this is in distress, from which thou must relieve him by +destroying his enemy. Shouldst thou not assist him, beware of thy +own safety. Farewell." + +When the sultan of the genii had read the note, he called out to +one of his messengers, who immediately attended before him, and +commanded him to bring into his presence without delay the genie +who had enchanted the daughter of the sultan of Cairo. "To hear +is to obey," replied the messenger, and instantly disappearing, +was absent for about an hour, when he returned with the criminal, +and placed him before the sultan of the genii, who exclaimed, +"Accursed wretch, hast thou ill-treated this man?" + +"Mighty sovereign," replied the genie, "my crime proceeded from +love of the princess, who wore a charm in her bracelet which +prevented my approaching her, and therefore I made use of this +man. He procured me the charm, and I now have her in my power; +but I love her tenderly, and have not injured her." "Return the +bracelet instantly," replied the sultan of the genii, "that the +man may recover his wife, or I will command an executioner to +strike off thy head." The offending genie, who was of an accursed +and obstinate race, upon hearing these words was inflamed with +passion, and insolently cried out, "I will not return the +bracelet, for no one shall possess the princess but myself." +Having said thus, he attempted to fly away, but in vain. + +The sultan of the genii now commanded his attendants to bind the +criminal in chains, which they did, and having forced the +bracelet from him, struck off his head. The sultan then presented +me the charm, which was no sooner in my hand than all the genii +vanished from my sight, and I found myself dressed as before, in +the rich habit given me by the pretended young man. I proceeded +to the city, which I entered, and when I came near the palace was +recognized by the guards and courtiers, who cried out in raptures +of joy, "Our lost prince is at length returned." They paid their +respects, and I entered the apartment of the princess, whom I +found in a deep sleep, in which state she had been ever since my +departure. On my replacing the bracelet on her arm, she awoke. +After this we lived together in all happiness till the death of +her father, who appointed me his successor, having no son, so +that I am what I am. + +When the sultan of Cairo had finished his narrative, the +abdicated prince expressed his surprise at his adventures: upon +which the sultan said, "Wonder not, my brother, at the +dispensations of the Almighty, for he worketh in secret, and when +he pleaseth revealeth his mysteries. Since thou hast quitted thy +kingdom, if thou choosest, thou shalt be my vizier, and we will +live together as friends and brothers." "To hear is to obey," +replied the prince. The sultan then constituted him vizier, +enrobed him in a rich uniform, and committed to him his seal, the +inkstand, and other insignia of office, at the same time +conferring upon him a magnificent palace, superbly furnished with +gorgeous carpets, musnuds, and cushions: belonging to it were +also extensive gardens. The vizier entered immediately upon his +new office; held his divans regularly twice every day, and judged +so equitably on all appeals brought before him, that his fame for +justice and impartiality was soon spread abroad; insomuch, that +whoever had a cause or dispute willingly referred it to his +decision, and was satisfied with it, praying for his life and +prosperity. In this state he remained for many years, the +sovereign pleased with him, and he happy under the protection of +the sultan of Cairo, so that he did not regret his abdicated +kingdom. + +It happened one evening that the mind of the sultan was +depressed, upon which he sent for the vizier, who attended; when +he said, "Vizier, my mind is so uneasy that nothing will amuse +me." "Enter then," replied the minister, "into thy cabinet, and +look at thy jewels, the examination of which may perhaps +entertain thee." The sultan did so, but it had no effect on his +lassitude; when he said, "Vizier, this dispiritedness will not +quit me, and nothing gives me pleasure within my palace; let us, +therefore, walk out in disguise." "To hear is to obey," replied +the vizier. They then retired into a private chamber, and putting +on the habits of dervishes of Arabia, strolled through the city +till they reached a hospital for lunatics, which they entered. +Here they beheld two men, one reading and the other listening to +him; when the sultan said to himself, "This is surprising;" and +addressed the men, saying, "Are you really mad?" They replied, +"We are not mad, but our stories are so wonderful, that were they +recorded on a tablet of adamant, they would remain for examples +to them who would be advised." "Let us hear them," said the +sultan; upon which, the man who had been reading exclaimed, "Hear +mine first!" and thus began. + + + + + Story of the First Lunatic. + + + +I was a merchant, and had a warehouse in which were Indian goods +of all sorts, and of the highest value, and I bought and sold to +great advantage. One day as I was sitting in my warehouse, +according to custom, busy in buying and selling, an old woman +came in, telling her beads, and greeted me. I returned her +salute, when she sat down, and said, "Sir, have you any choice +Indian cloths?" "Yes, my mistress," replied I, "of all sorts that +you can possibly wish for." "Bring them," said she. I showed her +a piece of great value, with which she was highly pleased, and +inquired the price. "Five hundred deenars," replied I: she took +out her purse, paid me the money, and went away with the cloth; +upon which I had a profit of one hundred and fifty deenars. She +returned the next day, bought another piece, paid for it, and, in +short, did the same for fifteen days successively, paying me +regularly for each purchase. On the sixteenth day she came to my +shop as usual, chose the cloth and was going to pay me, but +missed her purse; upon which she said, "Sir, I have unfortunately +left my purse at home." "Mistress," replied I, "it is of no +consequence; take the cloth, and if you return, well, if not, you +are welcome to this trifle:" she would not take it: I pressed +her, but in vain. Much friendly argument passed between us, till +at length she said, "Sir, you contradict, and I contradict, but +we shall never agree unless you will favour me by accompanying me +to my house to receive the value of your goods; so lock up your +warehouse, lest any thing should be lost in your absence." +Accordingly I fastened my doors, and accompanied her; we walked +on conversing, till we came near her house, when she pulled out a +handkerchief from her girdle, and said, "My desire is to tie this +over thy eyes." "On what account?" replied I. "Because," said +she, "in our way are several houses, the gates of which are open, +and the women sitting in their balconies, so that possibly thy +eyes may glance upon some one of them, and thy heart be +distracted with love; for in this part are many beautiful +damsels, who would fascinate even a religious, and therefore I am +alarmed for thy peace." + +Upon this I said to myself, "This old woman advises me properly," +and I consented to her demand; when she bound the handkerchief +over my eyes, and we proceeded till we arrived at her house. She +knocked at the door, which was opened by a damsel, and we +entered. The old lady then took the handkerchief from my eyes, +when I looked around me, and perceived that I was in a mansion +having several quadrangles, highly ornamented, and resembling the +palaces of the sultan. + +The old lady now desired me to retire into a room, which I did, +and there beheld heaped together all the pieces of cloth which +she had purchased of me, at which I was surprised, but still more +so when two damsels beautiful as resplendent moons approached, +and having divided a piece of cloth into halves, each took one, +and wrapped it round her hand. They then sprinkled the floor with +rose water and other scents, wiping it with the cloth, and +rubbing it till it became bright as silver; after which they +withdrew into an adjoining room, and brought out at least fifty +stools, which they set down, and placed over each a rich +covering, with cushions of tissue. They then fetched a large +stool of gold, and having put upon it a carpet and cushions of +gold brocade, retired. Not long after this, there descended from +the staircase by two and two, as many damsels in number as the +stools; upon each of which one sat down. At last descended a lady +attended by ten damsels, who placed herself upon the larger +stool. When I beheld her, my lord, my senses forsook me, and I +was in raptures at her beauty, her stature, and elegance, as she +chatted and laughed with her companions. + +At length she exclaimed, "My dear mother!" when the old woman +entered; to whom she said, "Hast thou brought the young man?" She +replied, "Yes, my daughter, he is ready to attend thee." Upon +which the lady said, "Introduce him to me." When I heard this I +was alarmed, and said to myself, "There is no refuge but in the +most high God; doubtless she has discovered my being here, and +will command me to be put to death." The old woman came to me, +and leading me by the hand, took me before the lady seated on the +golden stool, who, on seeing me, smiled, made a graceful salute, +and waved her hand for a seat to be brought, which was done, and +placed close to her own. She then commanded me to sit down, which +I did with much confusion. + +When I was seated, the lady began to chat and joke with me, +saying, "What think you of my appearance and my beauty, do you +judge me worthy of your affection? shall I be your partner and +you mine?" When I had heard these words, I replied, "How, dear +lady, dare I presume, who am not worthy to be your servant, to +arrive at such an honour?" Upon this, she said, "Young man, my +words have no evasion in them; be not discouraged, or fearful of +returning me an answer, for my heart is devoted to thy love." I +now perceived, my lord, that the lady was anxious to marry me; +but could not conceive on what account, or who could have given +her intelligence concerning me. She continued to shew me so many +pleasing attentions, that at length I was emboldened to say, +"Lady, if your words to me are sincere, according to the proverb, +no time is so favourable as the present." "There cannot," said +she, "be a more fortunate day than this for our union." Upon this +I replied, "My dear lady, how can I allot for you a proper +dowry?" "The value of the cloth you intrusted to the old lady, +who is my mother," answered she, "is sufficient." "That cannot be +enough," rejoined I. "Nothing more shall be added," exclaimed the +lady; "and my intention is this instant to send for the cauzee +and witnesses, and I will choose a trustee, that they may unite +us without delay. We will celebrate our nuptials this very +evening, but upon one condition." "What is that?" replied I. She +answered, "That you bind yourself not to address or hold +conversation with any woman but myself." My lord, I was eager to +be in possession of so beautiful a woman, and therefore said to +her, "I agree, and will never contradict thee either by my words +or actions." She then sent for the cauzee and witnesses, and +appointed a trustee, after which we were married. After the +ceremony, she ordered coffee and sherbet, gave money to the +cauzee, a dress of honour to her trustee, and they departed. + +I was lost in astonishment, and said to myself, "Do I dream, or +am I awake?" She now commanded her damsels to empty the warm +bath, fill it afresh, and prepare cloths and necessaries for +bathing. When they had done as she desired, she ordered the +eunuchs in waiting to conduct me to the hummaum, and gave them a +rich dress. They led me into an elegant apartment, difficult for +speech to describe. They spread many-coloured carpets, upon which +I sat down and undressed; after which I entered the hummaum, and +perceived delightful odours from sandal wood, of comorin, and +other sweets diffusing from every part. Here they seated me, +covered me with perfumed soaps, and rubbed me till my body became +bright as silver; when they brought the basins, and I washed with +warm water, after which they gave me rose-water, and I poured it +over me. They next brought in sweet-smelling salves, which I +rubbed over me, and then repaired to the hummaum, where I found a +royal dress, in which the eunuchs arrayed me; and after perfuming +me with incense of sandal wood, brought in confections, coffee, +and sherberts of various sorts, with which I refreshed myself. I +then left the bath with my attendants, who shewed me into the +grand hall of the palace, which was spread with most magnificent +carpets, stools, and cushions. Here the lady met me, attired in a +new habit, more sumptuous than I had seen her in before. + +When I beheld my bride, she appeared to me, from the richness of +her ornaments, like a concealed treasure from which the talisman +had just been removed. She sat down by me, and smiled so +fascinatingly upon me, I could no longer contain my rapture. In a +short time she retired, but soon returned again in a dress richer +than her last. I again embraced her, and in short, my lord, we +remained together for ten days in the height of happiness and +enjoyment. At the end of this period I recollected my mother, and +said to my wife, "It is so long since I have been absent from +home, and since my mother has not seen me, that I am certain she +must be anxious concerning me. Will you permit me to visit her +and look after my warehouse?" "There can be no impediment," +replied she; "you may visit your mother daily, and employ +yourself in your warehouse, but the old woman must conduct you +and bring you back;" to which I assented. + +The old lady then came in, tied a handkerchief over my eyes, +conducted me to the spot where she had first blindfolded me, and +said, "You will return here about the time of evening prayer, and +will find me waiting." I left her, and repaired to my mother, +whom I found in great affliction at my absence, and weeping +bitterly. Upon seeing me, she ran and embraced me with tears of +joy. I said, "Weep not, my dear mother, for my absence has been +owing to the highest good fortune." I then informed her of my +lucky adventure, when she exclaimed, "May Allah protect thee, my +son, but visit me at least every two days, that my affection for +thee may be gratified." I then went to my warehouse, and employed +myself as usual till evening, when I returned to the place +appointed, where I found the old lady, who blindfolded me as +before, and conducted me to the palace of my wife, who received +me with fondness. For three months I continued to go and come in +this manner, but I could not help wishing to know whom I had +married, and wondering at the affluence, splendour, and +attendance that appeared around her. + +At length I found an opportunity of being in private with one of +her black slaves, and questioned her concerning her mistress. "My +lord," replied she, "the history of my mistress is wonderful; but +I dare not relate it, lest she should put me to death." Upon +this, I assured her, that if she would inform me, no one should +know it but myself, and I took an oath of secrecy, when she began +as follows: + +"My mistress one day went to a public bath, intending to amuse +herself, for which purpose she made such preparations of +delicacies and rarities, as were worth a camel's load of +treasure, and when she left the hummaum, made an excursion to a +garden, where a splendid collation was laid out. Here she +continued enjoying herself till evening, when she ordered her +retinue to make ready for departure, and the fragments of the +entertainment to be distributed among the poor. On her return, +she passed through the street in which is your warehouse. It was +upon a Friday, when you were sitting in conversation with a +friend, arrayed in your best attire. She beheld you, her heart +was stricken with love, but no one perceived her emotion. +However, she had no sooner reached her palace than she became low +and melancholy, and her appetite failed her. At length she took +to her bed, her colour left her, sleep forsook her, and she +became very weak. Upon this her mother went to call in a +physician, that he might consider what might be the cause of her +daughter's indisposition; but on the way she met a skilful old +lady, with whom she returned home. + +"The old lady on feeling the pulse of her patient, and after +asking several questions, could perceive in her no bodily ailment +or pain; upon which she judged she was in love, but did not +venture to speak to her before her mother of her suspicions. She +took leave, and said, 'By God's blessing thou wilt soon recover; +I will return tomorrow, and bring with me an infallible +medicine.' She then took her mother aside, and said, 'My good +lady, be not angry at what I shall remark, but thy daughter has +no bodily disorder; she is in love, and there can be no cure for +her but by a union with her beloved.' The mother, on the +departure of the old lady, repaired to her daughter, and with +much difficulty, after twenty days of denial (for my mistress's +modesty was hurt), obtained from her a description of your +person, and the street in which you lived; upon which she behaved +to you in the manner you are well acquainted with, brought you +here, and you know what followed. Such is her history," concluded +the black slave, "which you must not reveal." "I will not," +replied I; and after this I continued to live very happily with +my wife, going daily to see my mother, to attend in my warehouse, +and return in the evening, conducted as usual by the old lady my +mother-in-law. + +One day, after the expiration of some months, as I was sitting in +my warehouse, a damsel came into the street with the image of a +cock, composed of jewelry. It was set with pearls, diamonds, and +other precious stones, and she offered it to the merchants for +sale; when they began bidding for it at five hundred deenars, and +went to nine hundred and fifty; all which I observed in silence +and did not interfere by speaking or bidding. At length the +damsel came up to me, and said, "My lord, all the merchants have +increased in bidding for my precious toy, but you have neither +bidden, nor taken any notice of me." "I have no occasion for it," +replied I. "Nay," exclaimed she, "but you must bid something +more." "Since I must," I answered, "I will give fifty deenars +more, which will be just a thousand." She accepted the price, and +I went into my warehouse to fetch the money to pay her, saying to +myself, "I will present this curiosity to my wife, as it may +please her." When I was going to pay the money, the damsel would +not take it, but said, "My lord, I have a request to make, which +is, that I may snatch one kiss from your cheek as the price of my +jewelry, for I want nothing else." Upon this, I thought to +myself, a single kiss of my cheek is an easy price for the value +of a thousand deenars, and consented; when she came up to me and +gave me a kiss, but at the same time a most severe bite; left the +piece of jewelry, and went away with the greatest haste. + +In the evening I repaired to the house of my wife, and found the +old lady waiting as usual at the accustomed spot. She tied the +handkerchief over my eyes, and when she had conducted me home, +took it off. I found my wife sitting upon her golden stool, but +dressed in scarlet, and with an angry countenance; upon which I +said to myself, "God grant all may be well." I approached her, +took out the toy set with diamonds and rubies (thinking that on +sight of it her ill-humour would vanish), and said, "My mistress, +accept this, for it is curious, and I purchased it for thee." She +took it into her hand, and examined it on all sides; after which +she exclaimed, "Didst thou really purchase this on my account?" +"By heavens," replied I, "I bought it for thy sake, for a +thousand deenars." Upon this she frowned angrily upon me, and +exclaimed, "What means that wound upon thy cheek?" I was +overwhelmed with confusion. + +While I was in this state, she called out to her attendants, who +immediately descended the staircase, carrying the headless corpse +of a young girl, the head placed upon the middle of the body. I +looked, and knew it to be the head of the damsel who had sold me +the piece of jewelry for a kiss, and had bitten my cheek. My wife +now exclaimed, "I had no occasion for such baubles, for I have +many of them; but I wished to know if thou wert so faithful to +thy agreement with me, as not to address another woman than +myself, and sent the girl to try thee. Since thy promise has been +broken, begone, and return no more." + +When my wife had finished her speech, the old woman took me by +the hand, tied the handkerchief over my eyes, and conducted me to +the usual spot, when she said, "Begone!" and disappeared. I was +so overcome by the sad adventure, and the loss of my wife, that I +ran through the streets like one frantic, crying, "Ah, what +beauty, what grace, what elegance did she possess!" upon which, +the people, supposing me distracted, conducted me to this +hospital, and bound me in fetters, as you see. + +When the sultan had heard the young man's story, he was much +affected, inclined his head for some instants in deep thought, +then said to his vizier, "By Allah, who has intrusted me with +sovereignty, if thou dost not discover the lady who married this +young man, thy head shall be forfeited." The vizier was alarmed, +but recovering himself, replied, "Allow me three days to search," +to which the sultan consented. The vizier then took with him the +young man, and for two days was at a loss how to find out the +house. At length he inquired if he should know the spot where the +handkerchief was tied over his eyes, and the gateway at which it +was taken off, of both which the youth professed to be certain. +He conducted the minister to the street where he was blindfolded, +and they reached a gateway, at which the vizier knocked. It was +opened by the domestics, who knowing the vizier, and seeing the +young man with him, were alarmed, and ran to communicate the +quality of the visitants to their mistress. She desired to know +the commands of the vizier, who informed her, that it was the +sultan's pleasure she should be reconciled to her husband; to +which she replied, "Since the sultan hath commanded, my duty is +obedience." The young man was reunited to his wife, who was the +daughter of a former sultan of Cairo. + +Such were the adventures of the young man who was reading in the +hospital. We now recite those of the youth who was listening to +him. Upon the sultan's inquiring his story, he began as follows. + + + + + Story of the Second Lunatic. + + + +My lord, I was by profession a merchant, and on my commencing +business the youngest of my trade, having but just entered my +sixteenth year. As I was one day busy in my warehouse, a damsel +entering, put into my hands a packet, which, on opening, I found +to contain several copies of verses in praise of myself, with a +letter expressive of ardent affection for my person. Supposing +them meant only as banter, I foolishly flew into a passion, +seized the bearer, and beat her severely. On her departure, I +reflected on my improper behaviour, dreaded lest she should +complain to her relations, and that they might revenge themselves +upon me by some sudden assault. I repented of what I had done, +but alas! it was when repentance would not avail. + +Ten days had passed, when, as I was sitting in my warehouse as +usual, a young lady entered most superbly dressed, and +odoriferously perfumed. She resembled in brightness the moon on +its fourteenth night, so that when I gazed upon her my senses +forsook me, and I was incapable of attention to any thing but +herself. She addressed me, saying, "Young man, have you in your +warehouse any female ornaments?" to which I replied, "Of all +sorts, my lady, that you can possibly require." Upon this she +desired to see some bracelets for the ankles, which I shewed her, +when holding out her foot, she desired me to try them on. I did +so. After this, she asked for a necklace, and opening her veil, +made me tie it on. She then chose a pair of bracelets, and +extending her hands, desired me to put them on her wrists, which +I did; after which, she inquired the amount of the whole, when I +exclaimed, "Fair lady, accept them as a present, and inform me +whose daughter thou art." She replied, "I am the daughter of the +chief magistrate;" when I said, "My wish is to demand thee in +marriage of thy father." She consented that I should, but +observed, "When you ask me of my father, he will say, I have only +one daughter, who is a cripple, and wretchedly deformed. Do thou, +however, reply, that thou art willing to accept her, and if he +remonstrates, still insist upon wedding her." I then asked when I +should make my proposals. She replied, "The best time to visit my +father is on the Eed al Koorbaun, which is three days hence, as +thou wilt then find with him all his relations and friends, and +our espousals will add to his festivity." + +Agreeably to the lady's instructions, on the third day following +I repaired with several of my friends to the house of the chief +magistrate, and found him sitting in state, receiving the +compliments of the day from the chief inhabitants of the city. We +made our obeisance, which he graciously noticed, received us with +kindness, and entered familiarly into conversation. A collation +was brought in, the cloth spread, and we partook with him of the +viands, after which we drank coffee. I then stood up, saying, "My +lord, I am desirous of espousing the chaste lady your daughter, +more precious than the richest gem." + +When the chief magistrate heard my speech, he inclined his head +for some time towards the earth in deep thought, after which he +said, "Son, my daughter is an unfortunate cripple, miserably +deformed." To this I replied, "To have her for my wife is all I +wish." The magistrate then said, "If thou wilt have a wife of +this description, it must be on condition that she shall not be +taken from my house, that thou shalt consummate the marriage +here, and abide with me." I replied, "To hear is to obey;" +believing that she was the beautiful damsel who had visited my +warehouse, and whose charms I had so rapturously beheld. In +short, the nuptial ceremony was performed, when I said to myself, +"Heavens! is it possible that I am become master of this +beautiful damsel, and shall possess her charms!" + +When night set in, the domestics of the chief magistrate +introduced me into the chamber of my bride. I ran eagerly to gaze +upon her beauty, but guess my mortification when I beheld her a +wretched dwarf, a cripple, and deformed, as her father had +represented. I was overcome with horror at the sight of her, +distracted with disappointment, and ashamed of my own foolish +credulity, but I dared not complain, as I had voluntarily +accepted her as my wife from the magistrate: I sat down silently +in one corner of the chamber, and she in another, for I could not +bring myself to approach her, as she was disgusting to the sight +of man, and my soul could not endure her company. + +At day-break I left the house of my father-in-law, repaired to my +warehouse, which I opened, and sat down much distressed in mind, with +my head dizzy, like one suffering from intoxication, when lo! who +should appear before me but the lady who had put upon me so mortifying +a trick. She entered, and paid me the customary salute. I was enraged, +and began to abuse her, saying, "Wherefore hast thou put upon me such +a stratagem?" when she replied, "Wretch, recollect the day that I +brought thee a packet, in return for which you seized, beat, reviled, +and drove me scornfully away. In retaliation for such treatment, I +have taken revenge by giving thee such a delectable bride." I now fell +at her feet, entreated her forgiveness, and expressed my repentance; +upon which, smiling upon me, she said, "Be not uneasy, for as I have +plunged thee into a dilemma, I will also relieve thee from it. Go to +the aga of the leather-dressers, give him a sum of money, and desire +him to call thee his son; then repair with him, attended by his +followers and musicians, to the house of the chief magistrate. When he +inquires the cause of their coming, let the aga say, 'My lord, we are +come to congratulate thy son-in-law, who is my beloved child, on his +marriage with thy daughter, and to rejoice with him.' The magistrate +will be furiously enraged, and exclaim, 'Dog, is it possible that, +being a leather-dresser, thou durst marry the daughter of the chief +magistrate?' Do thou then reply, 'My lord, my ambition was to be +ennobled by your alliance, and as I have married your lordship's +daughter, the mean appellation of leather-dresser will soon be +forgotten and lost in the glorious title of the son-in-law of your +lordship; I shall be promoted under your protection, and purified from +the odour of the tan-pit, so that my offspring will smell as sweet as +that of a syed." + +I did as the lady had directed me, and having bribed the chief of +the leather-dressers, he accompanied me with the body of his +trade, and a numerous party of musicians, vocal and instrumental, +to my father-in-law's house, before which they began to sing and +dance with great clamour every now and then crying out, "Long +live our noble kinsman! Long live the son-in-law of the chief +magistrate!" The magistrate inquired into the cause of our +intrusive rejoicing, when I told him my kinsfolk were +congratulating me upon my alliance with his illustrious house, +and come to thank him for the honour he had done the whole body +of leather-dressers in my person. The chief magistrate on hearing +this was passionately enraged, and abused me; but reflecting that +without my consent the supposed disgrace of his noble house could +not be done away, he became calm, and offered me money to divorce +his daughter. At first I pretended unwillingness, but at length +affecting to be moved by his earnest entreaties, accepted forty +purses of gold, which he gave me to repudiate my deformed wife, +and I returned home with a lightened heart. The day following, +the lady came to my warehouse, when I thanked her for having +freed me from my ridiculous marriage, and begged her to accept of +me as a husband. To this she consented, but said she was, she +feared, too meanly born for me to marry, as her father was but a +cook, though of eminence in his way, and very rich. I replied, +"Even though he were a leather-dresser, thy charms would grace a +throne." In short, my lord, we were married, and have lived +together very happily from the day of our union to the present +time. + +Such is my story, but it is not so surprising as that of the +learned man and his pupil, whose adventures were among the +miracles of the age, which I will relate. + + + + + Story of the retired Sage and his Pupil, related to the Sultan + by the Second Lunatic, + + + +There was a learned and devout sage, who in order to enjoy his +studies and contemplations uninterrupted, had secluded himself +from the world in one of the cells of the principal mosque of the +city, which he never left but upon the most pressing occasions. +He had led this retired life some years, when a boy one day +entered his cell, and earnestly begged to be received as his +pupil and domestic. The sage liked his appearance, consented to +his request, inquired who were his parents, and whence he came; +but the lad could not inform him, and said, "Ask not who I am, +for I am an orphan, and know not whether I belong to heaven or +earth." The shekh did not press him, and the boy served him with +the most undeviating punctuality and attention for twelve years, +during which he received his instructions in every branch of +learning, and became a most accomplished youth. At the end of the +twelve years, the youth one day heard some young men praising the +beauty of the sultan's daughter, and saying that her charms were +unequalled by those of all the princesses of the age. This +discourse excited his curiosity to behold so lovely a creature. +He repaired to his master, saying, "My lord, I understand that +the sultan hath a most beautiful daughter, and my soul longs +ardently for an opportunity of beholding her, if only for an +instant." The sage exclaimed, "What have such as we to do, my +son, with the daughters of sovereigns or of others? We are a +secluded order, and should refrain ourselves from associating +with the great ones of this world." The old man continued to warn +his pupil against the vanities of the age, and to divert him from +his purpose; but the more he advised and remonstrated, the more +intent the youth became on his object, which affected his mind so +much, that he grew very uneasy, and was continually weeping. + +The sage observing his distress was afflicted at it, and at +length said to the youth, "Will one look at the princess satisfy +thy wishes?" "It shall," replied the pupil. The sage then +anointed one of his eyes with a sort of ointment; when lo! he +became to appearance as a man divided into half, and the sage +ordered him to go and hop about the city. The youth obeyed his +commands, but he had no sooner got into the street than he was +surrounded by a crowd of passengers, who gazed with astonishment +at his appearance. The report of so strange a phenomenon as a +half man soon spread throughout the city, and reached the palace +of the sultan, who sent for the supposed monster to the presence. +The youth was conveyed to the palace, where the whole court gazed +upon him with wonder; after which he was taken into the haram, to +gratify the curiosity of the women. He beheld the princess, and +was fascinated by the brilliancy of her charms, insomuch, that he +said to himself, "If I cannot wed her, I will put myself to +death." + +The youth being at length dismissed from the palace, returned +home; his heart tortured with love for the daughter of the +sultan. On his arrival, the sage inquired if he had seen the +princess. "I have," replied the youth, "but one look is not +enough, and I cannot rest until I shall sit beside her, and feast +my eyes till they are wearied with gazing upon her." "Alas! my +son," exclaimed the old man, "I fear for thy safety: we are +religious men, and should avoid temptations; nor does it become +us to have any thing to do with the sultan." To this the youth +replied, "My lord, unless I shall sit beside her, and touch her +neck with my hands, I shall, through despair, put myself to +death." + +At these words, the sage was alarmed for the safety of his pupil, +and said to himself, "I will, if possible, preserve this amiable +youth, and perchance Allah may gratify his wishes." He then +anointed both his eyes with an ointment, which had the effect of +rendering him invisible to human sight. After this, he said, "Go, +my son, and gratify thy wishes, but return again, and be not too +long absent from thy duty." + +The youth hastened towards the royal palace, which he entered +unperceived, and proceeded into the haram, where he seated +himself near the daughter of the sultan. For some time he +contented himself with gazing on her beauty, but at length +extending his hands, touched her softly on the neck. As soon as +she felt his touch, the princess, alarmed, shrieked out +violently, and exclaimed, "I seek refuge with Allah, from Satan +the accursed." Her mother and the ladies present, affrighted at +her outcries, eagerly inquired the cause; when she said, "Eblees, +or some other evil spirit, hath this instant touched me on the +neck." + +Upon this, the mother was alarmed and sent for her nurse, who, +when informed of what had happened, declared, "That nothing was +so specific to drive away evil spirits as the smoke of camel's +hair;" a quantity of which was instantly brought, and being set +fire to, the smoke of it filled the whole apartment, and so +affected the eyes of the young man, that they watered +exceedingly, when he unthinkingly wiped them with his +handkerchief, so that with his tears the ointment was soon washed +off. + +The ointment was no sooner wiped away from his eyes than the +young man became visible, and the princess, her mother, and the +ladies, all at once uttered a general cry of astonishment and +alarm; upon which the eunuchs rushed into the apartment. Seeing +the youth, they surrounded him, beat him unmercifully, then bound +him with cords, and dragged him before the sultan, whom they +informed of his having been found in the royal haram. The sultan, +enraged, sent for an executioner, and commanded him to seize the +culprit, to clothe him in a black habit patched over with flame +colour, to mount him upon a camel, and after parading with him +through the streets of the city, to put him to death. + +The executioner took the young man, dressed him as he had been +directed, placed him upon the camel, and led him through the +city, preceded by guards and a crier, who bawled out, "Behold the +merited punishment of him who has dared to violate the sanctuary +of the royal haram." The procession was followed by an +incalculable crowd of people, who were astonished at the beauty +of the young man, and the little concern he seemed to feel at his +own situation. + +At length the procession arrived in the square before the great +mosque, when the sage, disturbed by the noise and concourse of +the people, looked from the window of his cell, and beheld the +disgraceful situation of his pupil. He was moved to pity, and +instantly calling upon the genii (for by his knowledge of magic +and every abstruse science he had them all under his control), +commanded them to bring him the youth from the camel, and place +in his room, without being perceived, some superannuated man. +They did so, and when the multitude saw the youth, as it were, +transformed into a well-known venerable shekh, they were stricken +with awe, and said, "Heavens! the young man turns out to be our +reverend chief of the herb-sellers;" for the old man had long +been accustomed to dispose of greens and sugarcane at the college +gate near the great mosque, and was the oldest in his trade. + +The executioner, on beholding the change of appearance in his +prisoner, was confounded. He returned to the palace with the old +man upon the camel, and followed by the crowd. He hastened or +contrive my death to the sultan, and said, "My lord, the young +man is vanished, and in his room became seated upon the camel +this venerable shekh, well known to the whole city." On hearing +this, the sultan was alarmed, and said to himself, "Whoever has +been able to perform this, can do things much more surprising He +may depose me from my kingdom." + +The sultan's fears increased so much, that he was at a loss how +to act. He summoned his vizier, and said, "Advise me what to do +in the affair of this strange youth, for I am utterly +confounded." The vizier for some time inclined his head towards +the ground in profound thought, then addressing the sultan, said, +"My lord, no one could have done this but by the help of genii, +or by a power which we cannot comprehend, and he may possibly, if +irritated, do you in future a greater injury respecting your +daughter. I advise, therefore, that you cause it to be proclaimed +throughout the city, that whoever has done this, if he will +appear before you shall have pardon on the word of a sultan, +which can never be broken. Should he then surrender himself, +espouse him to your daughter, when perhaps his mind may be +reconciled by her love. He has already beheld her, and seen the +ladies of the haram, so that nothing can save your honour but his +union with the princess." + +The sultan approved the advice of his vizier, the proclamation was +issued, and the crier proceeded through several streets, till at +length he reached the square of the great mosque. The pupil +hearing the proclamation, was enraptured, and running to his +patron, declared his intention of surrendering himself to the +sultan. "My son," said the sage, "why shouldst thou do so? Hast +thou not already suffered sufficiently?" The youth replied, +"Nothing shall prevent me." Upon which the sage exclaimed, "Go +then, my son, and my midnight prayers shall attend thee." + +The youth now repaired to the hummaum, and having bathed, dressed +himself in his richest habit; after which he discovered himself +to the crier, who conducted him to the palace. He made a profound +obeisance to the sultan, at the same time uttering an eloquent +prayer for his long life and prosperity. The sultan was struck +with his manly beauty, the gracefulness of his demeanour, and the +propriety of his delivery, and said, "Young stranger, who art +thou, and from whence dost thou come?" "I am," replied the youth, +"the half man whom you saw, and have done what you are already +acquainted with." + +The sultan now requested him to sit in the most honourable place, +and entered into conversation on various subjects. He put to him +several difficult questions in science, to which the youth +replied with such judgment, that his abilities astonished him, +and he said to himself, "This young man is truly worthy of my +daughter." He then addressed him, saying, "Young man, my wish is +to unite thee to my daughter, for thou hast already seen her, +also her mother, and after what has passed no one will marry +her." The youth replied, "I am ready in obedience, but must +advise with my friends." "Go then," said the sultan, "consult +with thy friends, and return quickly." + +The young man repaired to the sage, and having informed him of +what had passed between himself and the sultan, signified his +wish to marry the princess, when the shekh replied, "Do so, my +son; there can be in the measure no crime, as it is a lawful +alliance." "But I wish," said the youth, "to invite the sultan to +visit you." "By all means," answered the sage. "My lord," +rejoined the pupil, "since I first came, and you honoured me in +your service, I have beheld you in no other residence but this +confined cell, from which you have never stirred night or day. +How can I invite the sultan here?" "My son," exclaimed the shekh, +"go to the sultan, rely upon Allah, who can work miracles in +favour of whom he chooseth, and say unto him, 'My patron greets +thee, and requests thy company to an entertainment five days +hence.'" The youth did as he was directed, and having returned to +his master, waited upon him as before, but anxiously wishing for +the fifth day to arrive. + +On the fifth day, the sage said to his impatient pupil, "Let us +remove to our own house, that we may prepare for the reception of +the sultan, whom you must conduct to me." They arose, and walked, +till on coming to a ruinous building about the middle of the +city, the walls of which were fallen in heaps, the shekh said, +"My son, this is my mansion, hasten and bring the sultan." The +pupil, in astonishment, exclaimed, "My lord, this abode is a heap +of ruins, how can I invite the sultan here, it would only +disgrace us?" "Go," repeated the sage, "and dread not the +consequences." Upon this the youth departed, but as he went on +could not help saying to himself, "Surely my master must be +insane, or means to make a jest of us." When he had reached the +palace he found the sultan expecting him; upon which he made his +obeisance, and said, "Will my lord honour me by his company?" + +The sultan arose, mounted his horse, and attended by his whole +court, followed the youth to the place chosen by the venerable +shekh. It now appeared a royal mansion, at the gates of which +were ranged numerous attendants in costly habits, respectfully +waiting. The young man, at sight of this transformed appearance, +was confounded in such a manner that he could hardly retain his +senses. He said to himself, "It was but this instant that I +beheld this place a heap of ruins, yet now it is a palace far +more magnificent than any belonging to this sultan. I am +astonished, but must keep the secret to myself." + +The sultan alighted, as did also his courtiers, and entered the +palace. They were surprised and delighted at the splendour of the +first court, but much more so at the superior magnificence of a +second; into which they were ushered, and introduced into a +spacious hall, where they found the venerable shekh sitting to +receive them. The sultan made a low obeisance; upon which the +sage just moved his head, but did not rise. The sultan then sat +down, when the shekh greeted him, and they entered into +conversation on various subjects; but the senses of the sultan +were confounded at the dignified demeanour of his host, and the +splendid objects around him. At length the shekh desired his +pupil to knock at a door and order breakfast to be brought in, +which he did: when lo! the door opened, and there entered a +hundred slaves, bearing upon their heads golden trays, on which +were placed dishes of agate, cornelian, and other stones, filled +with various eatables, which they arranged in order before the +sultan. He was astonished, for he had nothing so magnificent in +his own possession. He then partook of the sumptuous collation, +as did also the venerable shekh, and all the courtiers, till they +were satisfied; after which they drank coffee and sherbets of +various sorts, when the sultan and the sage conversed on +religious and literary subjects, and the former was edified by +the remarks of the latter. + +When it was noon the shekh again desired his pupil to knock at +another door, and order dinner to be brought in. He had no sooner +done so, than immediately a hundred slaves, different from the +former, entered, bearing trays of the richest viands. They spread +the cloth before the sultan, and arranged the dishes, which were +each thickly set with precious stones, at which he was more +astonished than before. When all had eaten till they were +satisfied, basins and ewers, some of gold and others of agate, +were carried round, and they washed their hands; after which the +shekh said to the sultan, "Have you fixed what my son must give +as the dower of your daughter?" To this, the sultan replied, "I +have already received it." This he said out of compliment; but +the shekh replied, "My lord, the marriage cannot be valid without +a dower." He then presented a vast sum of money, with many +jewels, for the purpose to his pupil; after which he retired with +the sultan into a chamber, and arrayed him in a splendid habit; +rich dresses were also given to each of his attendants according +to their rank. The sultan then took leave of the shekh, and +returned with his intended son-in-law to the palace. + +When evening arrived the young man was introduced into the +apartment of the princess, which he found spread with the richest +carpets, and perfumed with costly essences, but his bride was +absent: at which he was somewhat surprised, but supposed her +coming was put off till midnight, for which he waited with +impatience. Midnight came, but no bride appeared; when a thousand +uneasy sensations afflicted his mind, and he continued in +restless anxiety till morning: nor were the father and mother of +the princess less impatient; for supposing she was with her +husband, they waited anxiously, and were mortified at the delay. + +At daylight, the mother, unable to bear longer suspense, entered +the chamber; when the young man, rather angrily, inquired what +had delayed the coming of his bride. "She entered before thee," +replied the mother. "I have not seen her," answered the +bridegroom. Upon this the sultana shrieked with affright, calling +aloud on her daughter, for she had no other child but her. Her +cries alarmed the sultan, who rushing into the apartment, was +informed that the princess was missing, and had not been seen +since her entrance in the evening. Search was now made in every +quarter of the palace, but in vain; and the sultan, sultana, and +the bridegroom, were involved in the deepest distress. + +To account for the sudden disappearance of the princess, be it +known, that a genie used often to divert himself with visiting +the haram of the sultan; and happening to be there on the +marriage night, was so captivated by the charms of the bride, +that he resolved to steal her away. Accordingly, having rendered +himself invisible, he waited in the nuptial chamber, and upon her +entering bore her off, and soared into the air. At length he +alighted with his prey in a delightful garden, far distant from +the city; placed the princess in a shady arbour, and set before +her delicious fruits; but contented himself with gazing upon her +beauty. + +The young bridegroom, when recovered from his first alarm, +bethought himself of his tutor, and, together with the sultan, +repaired to the palace where the splendid entertainment had been +given. Here they found every thing in the same order as on the +day of festivity, and were kindly received by the venerable +shekh; who on hearing of the loss of the princess, desired them +to be comforted. He then commanded a chafing-dish of lighted +charcoal to be set before him, and after some moments of +contemplation, cast into it some perfumes, over which he +pronounced incantations. He had scarcely ended them, when lo! the +earth shook, whirlwinds arose, lightnings flashed, and clouds of +dust darkened the air, from which speedily descended winged +troops, bearing superb standards and massive spears. In the +centre of them appeared three sultans of the genii, who bowing +low before the shekh, exclaimed all at once, "Master, hail! we +are come to obey thy commands." + +The shekh now addressed them, saying, "My orders are, that you +instantly bring me the accursed spirit who hath carried off the +bride of my son;" when the genii replied, "To hear is to obey:" +and immediately detached fifty of their followers to reconduct +the princess to her chamber, and drag the culprit to the presence +of the sage. These commands were no sooner issued than they were +performed. Ten of the genii carefully conveyed the bride to her +apartment, while the rest having seized the offending genie, +dragged him before the sage, who commanded the three sultans to +burn him to ashes, which was executed in an instant. All this was +done in the presence of the sultan, who was wrapt in +astonishment, and viewed with awe the tremendously gigantic +figures of the genii, wondering at the submissive readiness with +which they obeyed the commands of the venerable shekh. When the +offending genie was consumed to ashes, the shekh renewed his +incantations; during which the sultans of the genii, with their +followers, bowed themselves before him, and when he had ended, +vanished from sight. + +The sultan and the bridegroom having taken leave of the shekh, +returned to the palace, where all was now gladness for the safe +return of the princess. The marriage was consummated, and the +young man was so happy with his bride, that he did not quit the +haram for seven days. On the eighth, the sultan ordered public +rejoicings to be made, and invited all the inhabitants of the +city to feast at the royal cost; causing it to be proclaimed, +that no one, either rich or poor, should for three days presume +to eat at home, light a fire, or burn a lamp in his own house, +but all repair to the nuptial festival of the daughter of the +sultan. Ample provision was made for all comers in the courts of +the palace, and the officers of the household attended day and +night to serve the guests according to their quality. During one +of the nights of this grand festival, the sultan being anxious to +know if his proclamation was generally obeyed, resolved to walk +through the city in disguise. Accordingly he and his vizier, in +the habit of dervishes of Persia, having quitted the palace +privately, began their excursion, and narrowly examined several +streets. At length they came to a close alley, in one of the +houses of which they perceived a light, and heard the sound of +voices. When they had reached the door, they heard a person say +to another, "Our sultan understands not how to treat properly, +nor is he liberal, since the poor have it not in their option to +partake of the costly feast he has prepared for his daughter's +nuptials. He should have distributed his bounty among the +wretched, who dare not presume to enter the palace in their +ragged garments, by sending it to their home." + +The sultan, upon hearing this, said to the vizier, "We must enter +this house;" and knocked at the door, when a person cried out, +"Who is there?" "Guests," replied the sultan. "You shall be +welcome to what we have," answered the person, and opened the +door. On entering, the sultan beheld three mean-looking old men, +one of whom was lame, the second broken-backed, and the third +wry-mouthed. He then inquired the cause of their misfortunes; to +which they answered, "Our infirmities proceeded from the weakness +of our understandings." The sultan upon this replied in a whisper +to his vizier, that at the conclusion of the festival he should +bring the three men to his presence, in order that he might learn +their adventures. + +When they had tasted of their homely fare, the sultan and vizier +rose up, and having presented the three maimed companions with a +few deenars, took leave and departed. They strolled onwards. It +was now near midnight when they reached a house in which, through +a lattice, they could perceive three girls with their mother +eating a slender meal; during which, at intervals, one of them +sung, and the other two laughed and talked. The sultan resolved +to enter the house, and commanded the vizier to knock at the +door, which he did; when one of the sisters cried out, "Who +knocks at our door at this advanced time of night?" "We are two +foreign dervishes," replied the vizier; to which the ladies +answered, "We are women of virtue, and have no men in our house +to whom you can be introduced: repair to the festival of the +sultan, who will entertain you!" "Alas!" continued the vizier, +"we are strangers unacquainted with the way to the palace, and +dread lest the magistrate of the police should meet and apprehend +us. We beg that you will afford us lodging till daylight: we will +then depart, and you need not apprehend from us any improper +behaviour." + +When the mother of the ladies heard this she pitied the +strangers, and commanded them to open the door: upon which the +sultan and vizier having entered, paid their respects and sat +down; but the former, on observing the beauty of the sisters and +their elegant demeanour, could not contain himself, and said, +"How comes it that you dwell by yourselves, have no husbands or +any male to protect you?" The younger sister replied, +"Impertinent dervish, withhold thy inquiries! our story is +surprising; but unless thou wert sultan, and thy companion +vizier, you could not appreciate our adventures." The sultan upon +this remark became silent on the subject, and they discoursed +upon indifferent matters till near daylight, when the pretended +dervishes took a respectful leave, and departed. At the door the +sultan commanded the vizier to mark it, so that he might know it +again, being resolved, when the nuptial festivities should be +concluded, to send for the ladies and hear their story. + +On the last evening of the festival the sultan bestowed dresses +of honour on all his courtiers; and on the following day, affairs +returning to their usual course, he commanded his vizier to bring +before him the three maimed men, and ordered them to relate the +cause of their misfortunes, which they did as follows. + + + + + Story of the Broken-backed Schoolmaster. + + + +Formerly, O mighty sultan, was a schoolmaster, and had under my +tuition nearly seventy scholars, of whose manners I was as +careful as of their learning: so much did I make them respect me, +that whenever I sneezed they laid down their writing boards, +stood up with arms crossed, and with one voice exclaimed, "God +have mercy upon our tutor!" to which I replied, "May he have +mercy upon me and you, and all who have children." If any one of +the boys did not join in this prayer, I used to beat him +severely. One fine afternoon my scholars requested leave to visit +a certain garden some distance from the town, which I granted; +and they clubbed their pittances to purchase sweetmeats and +fruits. I attended them on this excursion, and was as much +delighted as themselves with the pleasure they enjoyed, and their +childish gambols. When evening approached we returned homewards, +and on the way, my boys having fatigued themselves with play, as +well as eaten much sweets and fruit, were seized with extreme +thirst, of which they heavily complained. At length we reached a +draw-well, but, alas! it had no bucket or cord. I pitied their +situation, and resolved, if possible, to relieve them. I +requested them to give me their turbans, which I tied to each +other; but as they were altogether not long enough to reach the +water, I fixed one of the turbans round my body, and made them +let one down into the well, where I filled a small cup I had with +me, which they drew up repeatedly till their thirst was +satisfied. I then desired them to draw me up again, which they +attempted; and I had reached nearly the mouth of the well, when I +was unfortunately seized with a fit of sneezing; upon which the +boys mechanically, as they had been accustomed to do in school, +one and all let go their hold, crossed their arms, and exclaimed, +"God have mercy upon our venerable tutor!" while I tumbled at +once to the bottom of the well, and broke my back. I cried out +from the agony of pain, and the children ran on all sides for +help. At length some charitable passengers drew me out, and +placing me upon an ass, carried me home; where I languished for a +considerable time, and never could recover my health sufficiently +again to attend to my school. Thus did I suffer for my foolish +pride: for had I not been so tenacious of respect from my +scholars, they would not upon my sneezing have let go their hold +and broken my back. + +When the broken-backed schoolmaster had finished his story, the +old man with the wry-mouth thus began: + + + + + Story of the Wry-mouthed Schoolmaster. + + + +I also, O sultan, was a schoolmaster; and so strict with my +pupils, that I allowed them no indulgence, but even kept them to +their studies frequently after the usual hours. At length, one +more cunning than the rest resolved, in revenge, to play me a +trick. He instructed the lads as they came into school to say to +me, "Dear master, how pale you look!" Not feeling myself ill, I, +though surprised at their remarks, did not much regard them on +the first day; but a second, and so on to a fifth passing, on +each of which all the pupils on entrance uttered the same +exclamation, I began to think some fatal disorder had seized me, +and resolved, by way of prevention, to take physic. I did so the +following morning, and remained in my wife's apartments; upon +which the unlucky lads, clubbing their pittances together to the +amount of about a hundred faloose, requested my acceptance of the +money as an offering for my recovery; and I was so pleased with +the present that I gave them a holiday. The receipt of cash in so +easy a manner was so agreeable to me, that I feigned illness for +some days; my pupils made an offering as usual, and were allowed +to play. On the tenth day the cunning urchin who had planned the +scheme came into my chamber, as customary, with an offering of +faloose. I happened then to have before me a boiled egg, which, +upon seeing him enter, I clapped into my mouth, supposing, that +if he perceived me well enough to eat he might not give me the +money. He, however, observed the trick, and coming up to me with +affected condolence, exclaimed, "Dear master, how your cheeks are +swelled!" at the same time pressing his hands upon my face. The +egg was boiling hot, and gave me intolerable pain, while the +young wit pretended compassionately to stroke my visage. At +length, he pressed my jaws together so hard that the egg broke, +when the scalding yolk ran down my throat, and over my beard: +upon which the artful lad cried out in seeming joy, "God be +praised, my dear master, that the dreadful imposthume has +discharged itself; we, your pupils, will all return thanks for +your happy recovery." My mouth was contracted by the scald in the +manner you behold, and I became so ridiculed for my folly, that I +was obliged to shut up my school. + +The sultan having heard the other man's story, which was of but +little interest, dismissed the three foolish schoolmasters with a +present, commanded the vizier to go and recognize the house of +the three ladies and their mother, it being his intention to +visit them again in disguise and hear their adventures. The +vizier hastened to the street, but to his surprise and +mortification found all the houses marked in the same manner, for +the youngest sister having overheard the sultan's instructions, +had done this to prevent a discovery of their residence. The +vizier returned to the sultan, and informed him of the trick +which had been played. He was much vexed, but the circumstance +excited his curiosity in a greater degree. At length the vizier +bethought himself of a stratagem, and said, "My lord, let a +proclamation be issued for four days successively throughout the +city, that whoever presumes after the first watch of the night to +have a lamp lighted in his house, shall have his head struck off, +his goods confiscated, his house razed to the ground, and his +women dishonoured. It is possible, as these ladies did not regard +your proclamation at the nuptials of the princess, they may +disobey this, and by that means we may discover their residence." + +The sultan approved the contrivance of the vizier, caused the +proclamation to be made, and waited impatiently for the fourth +night, when he and his minister having disguised themselves as +before, proceeded to the street in which the ladies lived. A +light appeared only in one house, which it being now tolerably +certain was that they were in quest of, they knocked at the door. + +Immediately on their knocking the youngest sister called out, +"Who is at the door?" and they replied, "We are dervishes, and +entreat to be your guests." She exclaimed, "What can you want at +such a late hour, and where did you lodge last night?" They +answered, "Our quarters are at a certain serai, but we have lost +our way, and are fearful of being apprehended by the officers of +police. Let your kindness then induce you to open the door, and +afford us shelter for the remainder of the night: it will be a +meritorious act in the eye of heaven." The mother overhearing +what was said, ordered the door to be opened. + +When they were admitted, the old lady and her daughters rose up, +received them respectfully, and having seated them, placed +refreshments before them, of which they partook, and were +delighted with their treatment. At length the sultan said, +"Daughters, you cannot but know of the royal proclamation; how +comes it that you alone of all the inhabitants of the city have +disobeyed it by having lights in your house after the first watch +of the night?" Upon this the youngest sister replied, "Good +dervish, even the sultan should not be obeyed but in his +reasonable commands, and as this proclamation against lighting +our lamps is tyrannical, it ought not to be complied with, +consistently with the law of scripture; for the Koraun says, +'Obedience to a creature in a criminal matter, is a sin against +the Creator.' The sultan (may God pardon him!) acts against +scripture, and obeys the dictates of Satan. We three sisters, +with our good mother, make it a rule to spin every night a +certain quantity of cotton, which in the morning we dispose of, +and of the price of our labour we lay out a part in provisions, +and the remainder in a new supply of materials for working to +procure us a subsistence." + +The sultan now whispered to his vizier, saying, "This damsel +astonishes me by her answers; endeavour to think of some question +that may perplex her." "My lord," replied the vizier, "we are +here in the characters of strangers and dervishes as their +guests: how then can we presume to disturb them by improper +questions?" The sultan still insisted upon his addressing them: +upon which, the vizier said to the ladies, "Obedience to the +sultan's orders is incumbent upon all subjects." "It is true he +is our sovereign," exclaimed the youngest sister, "but how can he +know whether we are starving or in affluence?" "Suppose," replied +the vizier, "he should send for you to the presence, and question +you concerning your disobedience to his commands, what could you +advance in excuse for yourselves?" "I would say to the sultan," +rejoined she, "'Your majesty has acted in contradiction to the +divine law.'" + +The vizier upon this turned towards the sultan, and said in a +whisper, "Let us leave off disputing further with this lady on +points of law or conscience, and inquire if she understands the +fine arts." The sultan put the question; upon which she replied, +"I am perfect in all:" and he then requested her to play and +sing. She retired immediately, but soon returning with a lute, +sat down, tuned it, and played in a plaintive strain, which she +accompanied with the following verses: + +"It is praiseworthy in subjects to obey their sovereigns, but his +reign will continue long who gains their affections by kindness. +Be liberal in thy manners, and he who is dependent upon thee will +pray for thy life, for the free man alone can feel gratitude. To +him who confers gifts man will ever resort, for bounty is +fascinating. Sadden not with denial the countenance of the man of +genius, for the liberal mind is disgusted at stinginess and +haughty demeanour. Not a tenth part of mankind understand what is +right, for human nature is ignorant, rebellious, and ungrateful." + +When the sultan had heard these verses, he remained for some time +immersed in thought; then whispering his vizier, said, "This +quotation was certainly meant in allusion to ourselves, and I am +convinced they must know that I am their sultan, and thou vizier, +for the whole tenor of their conversation shews their knowledge +of us." He then addressed the lady, saying, "Your music, your +performance, your voice, and the subject of your stanzas have +delighted me beyond expression." Upon this she sang the following +verse: + +"Men endeavour to attain station and riches during an age of toil +and oppression, while, alas! their accounts to heaven and their +graves are decreed from their very birth." + +The sultan, from the purport of these last verses, was more +assured than ever that she knew his quality. She did not leave +off singing and playing till day-light, when she retired, and +brought in a breakfast, of which the sultan and the vizier +partook; after which she said, "I hope you will return to us this +night at the conclusion of the first watch, and be our guests." +The sultan promised, and departed in admiration at the beauty of +the sisters, their accomplishments, and graceful manners; saying +to the vizier, "My soul is delighted with the charms of these +elegant women." + +The following evening the sultan and vizier, disguised as usual, +repaired to the house of the sisters, taking with them some +purses of deenars, and were received with the same respectful +welcome. Being seated, supper was set before them, and after it +basins and ewers to wash their hands. Coffee was then served up, +and conversation on various subjects amused them till the prayer +time of the first watch; they then arose, performed their +ablutions, and prayed. When, their devotions were ended, the +sultan presented a purse of a thousand deenars to the youngest +sister, and said, "Expend this upon your necessary occasions." +She took the purse with a profound obeisance, kissed his hands, +and was convinced, as she had before suspected, that he must be +the sultan; at the same time hinting privately to her mother and +sisters the quality of their guests, and prostrating herself +before him. + +The other ladies upon this arose, and followed the example of +their sister; when the sultan said aside to his vizier, "They +certainly know us:" and then turning to the ladies, addressed +them saying, "We are merely dervishes, and you pay us a respect +only due to sovereigns; I beseech you refrain." The youngest +sister again fell at his feet, and repeated the following verse: + +"May prosperous fortune daily accompany thee in spite of the +malice of the envious! May thy days be bright and those of thy +enemies gloomy!" + +"I am convinced thou art the sultan, and thy companion thy +vizier." The sultan replied, "What reason have you for such a +supposition?" She answered, "From your dignified demeanour and +liberal conduct, for the signs of royalty cannot be concealed +even in the habit of a recluse." + +The sultan replied, "You have indeed judged truly, but inform me +how happens it, that you have with you no male protectors?" She +answered, "My lord the sultan, our history is so wonderful, that +were it written on a tablet of adamant it might serve as an +example in future ages to such as would be advised." The sultan +requested her to relate it, which she did in the following +manner. + + + + + Story of the Sisters and the Sultana their Mother. + + + +We are not, my lord the sultan, natives of this city, but of +Eerauk, of which country our father was sovereign, and our mother +his sultana the most beautiful woman of her time, insomuch that +her fame was celebrated throughout distant regions. It chanced +that in our infancy our father the sultan marched upon a hunting +excursion throughout his dominions, for some months, leaving his +vizier to conduct affairs at the capital. Not long after the +departure of the sultan, our mother, taking the air on the roof +of the palace, which adjoined that of the vizier, who was then +sitting upon his terrace, her image was reflected in a mirror +which he held in his hand. He was fascinated with her beauty, and +resolved, if possible, to seduce her to infidelity and compliance +with his wishes. + +The day following he sent the female superintendant of his haram +with a package, containing a most superb dress, and many +inestimable jewels, to the sultana, requesting her acceptance of +them, and that she would allow him to see her either at the +palace or at his own house. My mother, when the old woman was +admitted into her apartments, received her with kindness, +supposing that she must be intrusted with some confidential +message from the vizier respecting the affairs of her husband, or +with letters from him. + +The old woman having paid her obeisance, opened the bundle, and +displayed the rich dress and dazzling jewels; when my mother, +admiring them much, inquired the value, and what merchant had +brought them to dispose of. The wretched old woman, supposing +that the virtue of the sultana would not be proof against such a +valuable present, impudently disclosed the passion of the vizier: +upon which my mother, indignant with rage at this insult offered +to her virtue and dignity, drew a sabre, which was near, and +exerting all her strength, struck off the head of the procuress, +which, with the body, she commanded her attendants to cast into +the common sewer of the palace. + +The vizier finding his messenger did not return, the next day +despatched another, to signify that he had sent a present to the +sultana, but had not heard whether it had been delivered. My +mother commanded the infamous wretch to be strangled, and the +corpse to be thrown into the same place as that of the old woman, +but she did not make public the vizier's baseness, hoping that he +would reform. He, however, continued every day to send a female +domestic, and my mother to treat her in the same way as the +others till the sultan's return; but my mother, not wishing to +destroy the vizier, and still trusting that he would repent of +his conduct, for in other respects he was a faithful and prudent +minister, kept his treachery a secret from my father. + +Some years after this, the sultan my father resolved on a +pilgrimage to Mecca, and having, as before, left the vizier in +charge of his kingdom, departed. When he had been gone ten days, +the vizier, still rapturously in love, and yet presumtuously +hoping to attain his wishes, sent a female domestic, who, being +admitted into the apartment of the sultana, said, "For Heaven's +sake have compassion on my master, for his heart is devoted to +love, his senses are disturbed, and his body is wasted away. Pity +his condition, revive his heart, and restore his health by the +smiles of condescension." + +When my mother heard this insolent message, she in a rage +commanded her attendants to seize the unfortunate bearer, and +having strangled her, to leave the carcase for public view in the +outer court of the palace, but without divulging the cause of her +displeasure. Her orders were obeyed. When the officers of state +and others saw the body they informed the vizier, who, resolving +to be revenged, desired them for the present to be silent, and on +the sultan's return he would make known on what account the +sultana had put to death his domestic, of which they could bear +testimony. + +When the time of the sultan's return from Mecca approached, and +the treacherous vizier judged he was on his march, he wrote and +despatched to him the following letter: + +"After prayers for thy health, be it known, that since thy +absence the sultana has sent to me five times, requesting +improper compliances, to which I would not consent, and returned +for answer, that however she might wish to abuse my sovereign, I +could not do it, for I was left by him guardian of his honour and +his kingdom: to say more would be superfluous." + +The messenger reached the sultan's camp when distant eight days' +journey from the city, and delivered the letter. On reading it +the countenance of my father became pale, his eyes rolled with +horror, he instantly ordered his tents to be struck, and moved by +forced marches till he arrived within two days' journey of his +capital. He then commanded a halting day, and despatched two +confidential attendants with orders to conduct our innocent and +unfortunate mother, with us three sisters, a day's distance from +the city, and then to put us to death. They accordingly dragged +us from the haram, and carried us into the country; but on +arriving at the spot intended for our execution, their hearts +were moved with compassion, for our mother had conferred many +obligations on these men and their families. They said one to +another, "By heavens, we cannot murder them!" and informed us of +what the vizier had written to our father: upon which the sultana +exclaimed, "God knows that he hath most falsely accused me;" and +she then related to them all that she had done, with the +strictest fidelity. + +The men were moved even to tears at her misfortunes, and said, +"We are convinced that thou hast spoken truly." They then caught +some fawns of the antelope, killed them, and having required an +under garment from each of us, dipped it in the blood, after +which they broiled the flesh, with which we satisfied our hunger. +Our preservers now bade us farewell, saying, "We intrust you to +the protection of the Almighty, who never forsaketh those who are +committed to his care;" and then departed from us. We wandered +for ten days in the desert, living on such fruits as we could +find, without beholding any signs of population, when, at length, +fortunately we reached a verdant spot, abounding in various sorts +of excellent vegetables and fruits. Here also was a cave, in +which we resolved to shelter ourselves till a caravan might pass +by. On the fourth day of our arrival one encamped near our +asylum. We did not discover ourselves, but when the caravan +marched, speedily followed its track at some distance, and after +many days of painful exertion reached this city, where, having +taken up our lodging in a serai, we returned thanks to the +almighty assister of the distressed innocent for our miraculous +escape from death and the perils of the desert. + +We must now quit for awhile the unfortunate sultana and her +daughters, to learn the adventures of the sultan her husband. As +he drew near his capital, the treacherous vizier, attended by the +officers of government and the principal inhabitants of the city, +came out to meet him; and both high and low congratulated his +safe return from the sacred pilgrimage. + +The sultan, as soon as he had alighted at his palace, retired +with the vizier alone, and commanded him to relate the +particulars of the atrocious conduct of his wife; upon which he +said, "My lord, the sultana in your absence despatched to me a +slave, desiring me to visit her, but I would not, and I put the +slave to death that the secret might be hidden; hoping she might +repent of her weakness, but she did not, and repeated her wicked +invitation five times. On the fifth I was alarmed for your +honour, and acquainted you of her atrocious behaviour." + +The sultan, on hearing the relation of the vizier, held down his +head for some time in profound thought, then lifting it up, +commanded the two attendants whom he had despatched with orders +to put his wife and children to death to be brought before him. +On their appearance, he said, "What have you done in execution of +the charge I gave you?" they replied, "We have performed that +which you commanded to be done, and as a testimony of our +fidelity, behold these garments dyed with the blood of the +offenders!" The sultan took the garments; but the recollection of +his beauteous consort, her former affectionate endearments, of +the happiness he had enjoyed with her, and of the innocence of +his guiltless children, so affected his mind, that he wept +bitterly and fainted away. On his recovery he turned to the +vizier, and said, "Is it possible thou canst have spoken the +truth?" He replied, "I have." + +The sultan, after a long pause, again said to the two attendants, +"Have you really put to death my innocent children with their +guilty mother?" They remained silent. The sultan exclaimed, "Why +answer ye not, and wherefore are ye silent?" They replied, "My +lord, the honest man cannot support a lie, for lying is the +distinction of traitors." When the vizier heard these words his +colour changed, his whole frame was disordered, and a trembling +seized him, which the sultan perceiving, he said to the +attendants, "What mean you by remarking that lying is the +distinction of traitors? Is it possible that ye have not put them +to death? Declare the truth instantly, or by the God who hath +appointed me guardian of his people, I will have you executed +with the most excruciating torments." + +The two men now fell at the feet of the sultan, and said, "Dread +sovereign, we conveyed, as thou commandest us, the unfortunate +sultana and thy daughters to the middle of the desert, when we +informed them of the accusation of the vizier and thy orders +concerning them. The sultana, after listening to us with +fortitude, exclaimed, 'There is no refuge or asylum but with the +Almighty; from God we came, and to God we must return; but if you +put us to death, you will do it wrongfully, for the treacherous +vizier hath accused me falsely, and he alone is guilty.' She then +informed us of his having endeavoured to corrupt her by rich +presents, and that she had put his messengers to death." + +The sultan at these words exclaimed in agony, "Have ye slain +them, or do they yet live?" "My lord," replied the attendants, +"We were so convinced of the innocence of the sultana, that we +could not put her to death. We caught some fawn antelopes, killed +them, and having dipped these garments belonging to the abused +mother and your children in their blood, dressed the flesh, and +gave it to our unfortunate mistress and thy daughters, after +which we said to them, 'We leave you in charge of a gracious God +who never deserts his trust; your innocence will protect you.' We +then left them in the midst of the desert, and returned to the +city." + +The sultan turned in fury towards the vizier, and exclaimed, +"Wretched traitor! and is it thus thou hast estranged from me my +beloved wife and innocent children?" The self-convicted minister +uttered not a word, but trembled like one afflicted with the +palsy. The sultan commanded instantly an enormous pile of wood to +be kindled, and the vizier, being bound hand and foot, was forced +into an engine, and cast from it into the fire, which rapidly +consumed him to ashes. His house was then razed to the ground, +his effects left to the plunder of the populace, and the women of +his haram and his children sold for slaves. + +We now return to the three princesses and their mother. When the +sultan had heard their adventures, he sympathized with their +misfortunes, and was astonished at the fortitude with which they +had borne their afflictions, saying to his vizier, "How sad has +been their lot! but blessed be Allah, who, as he separateth +friends, can, when he pleaseth, give them a joyful meeting." He +then caused the sultana and the princesses to be conveyed to his +palace, appointed them proper attendants and apartments suitable +to their rank, and despatched couriers to inform the sultan their +father of their safety. The messengers travelled with the +greatest expedition, and on their arrival at the capital, being +introduced, presented their despatches. The sultan opened them, +and began to read; but when he perceived the contents, was so +overcome with joy, that, uttering a loud exclamation of rapture, +he fell to the ground and fainted away. His attendants were +alarmed, lifted him up, and took means for his recovery. When he +was revived, he informed them of his sultana and daughters being +still alive, and ordered a vessel to be prepared to convey them +home. + +The ship was soon ready, and being laden with every necessary for +the accommodation of his family, also rich presents for the +friendly sultan who had afforded them protection, sailed with a +favourable wind, and speedily arrived at the desired haven. + +The commander of the vessel was welcomely received by the sultan, +who issued orders for his entertainment and that of his whole +crew at the royal cost, and at the expiration of three days the +sultana and her daughters, being anxious to return home after so +long an absence, and that so unfortunate, took leave and +embarked. The sultan made them valuable presents, and the wind +being fair they set sail. For three days the weather was +propitious, but on the evening of the last a contrary gale arose, +when they cast anchor, and lowered their topmasts. At length the +storm increased to such violence that the anchor parted, the +masts fell overboard, and the crew gave themselves over for lost. +The vessel was driven about at the mercy of the tempest till +midnight, all on board weeping and wailing, when at length she +struck upon the rocks, and went to pieces. Such of the crew whose +deaths were decreed perished, and those whose longer life was +predestined escaped to shore, some on planks, some on chests, and +some on the broken timbers of the ship, but all separated from +each other. + +The sultana mother was tossed about till daylight on a plank, +when she was perceived by the commander of the vessel, who with +three of his crew had taken to the ship's boat. He took her in, +and after three days' rowing they reached a mountainous coast, on +which they landed, and advanced into the country. They had not +proceeded far when they perceived a great dust, which clearing +up, displayed an approaching army. To their joyful surprise it +proved to be that of the sultan, who, after the departure of the +vessel, dreading lest an accident might happen, had marched in +hopes of reaching the city where they were before his wife and +daughters should sail, in order to conduct them home by land. It +is impossible to describe the meeting of the sultan and his +consort, but their joy was clouded by the absence of their +daughters, and the dreadful uncertainty of their fate. When the +first raptures of meeting were over, they wept together, and +exclaimed, "We are from God, and to God we must return." After +forty days' march they arrived at their capital, but continually +regretting the princesses, saying, "Alas, alas! most probably +they have been drowned, but even should they have escaped to +shore, perhaps they may have been separated; and ah! what +calamities may have befallen them!" Constantly did they bemoan +together in this manner, immersed in grief, and taking no +pleasure in the enjoyments of life. + +The youngest princess, after struggling with the waves till +almost exhausted, was fortunately cast ashore on a pleasant +coast, where she found some excellent fruits and clear fresh +water. Being revived, she reposed herself awhile, and then walked +from the beach into the country; but she had not proceeded far, +when a young man on horseback with some dogs following him met +her, and upon hearing that she had just escaped shipwreck, +mounted her before him, and having conveyed her to his house, +committed her to the care of his mother. She received her with +compassionate kindness, and during a whole month assiduously +attended her, till by degrees she recovered her health and +beauty. + +The young man was legal heir to the kingdom, but his succession +had been wrested from him by a usurper, who, however, dying soon +after the arrival of the princess, he was reinstated in his +rights and placed on the throne, when he offered her his hand; +but she said, "How can I think of marriage while I know not the +condition of my unfortunate family, or enjoy repose while my +mother and sisters are perhaps suffering misery? When I have +intelligence of their welfare I will be grateful to my +deliverer." + +The young sultan was so much in love with the princess, that the +most distant hope gave him comfort, and he endeavoured to wait +patiently her pleasure; but the nobles of the country were +anxious to see him wedded, he being the last of his race, and +importuned him to marry. He promised to conform to their wishes, +but much time elapsing, they became importunate and discontented, +when his mother, dreading a rebellion, earnestly entreated the +princess to consent to a union as the only measure that could +prevent disturbances. The princess, who really loved her +preserver, was unwilling to endanger the safety of one to whom +she owed such important obligations, and at length consented, +when the marriage was celebrated with the greatest pomp and +rejoicings. At the expiration of three years the sultana was +delivered of two sons, whose birth added to the felicity of the +union. + +The second princess, after being long driven about by the waves +upon a plank, was at length cast on shore near a large city, +which she entered, and was fortunately compassionated by a +venerable matron, who invited her to her house, and adopted her +as a daughter in the room of her own, who had lately died. Here +she soon recovered her health and beauty. It chanced that the +sultan of this city, who was much beloved for his gentle +government and liberality, was taken ill, and not withstanding +the skill of the most celebrated physicians, daily became worse, +insomuch that his life was despaired of, to the general grief of +the people. The princess having heard her venerable protectress +lament the danger of the sultan, said, "My dear mother, I will +prepare a dish of pottage, which, if you will carry to the +sultan, and he can be prevailed upon to eat it, will, by the +blessing of Allah, recover him from his disorder." "I fear," +replied the matron, "I shall hardly be allowed admittance to the +palace, much less to present him the pottage." "You can but try," +answered the princess; "and even the attempt at a good action is +acceptable to God." "Well," rejoined the old woman, "prepare your +pottage, my dear daughter, and I will endeavour to get +admission." + +The princess prepared the dish of pottage, composed of various +minerals, herbs, and perfumes, and when it was ready the old +woman took it to the sultan's palace. The guards and eunuchs +inquired what she had brought, when she said, "A dish of pottage, +which I request you will present to the sultan, and beg him to +eat as much of it as he can, for by God's help it will restore +him to health." The eunuchs introduced her into the chamber of +their sick sovereign, when the old woman taking off the cover of +the dish, such a grateful perfume exhaled from the contents as +revived his spirits. Being informed what the venerable matron had +brought, he thanked her and tasted the pottage, which was so +agreeably flavoured that he ate part of it with an appetite to +which he had been long a stranger. He then presented the bearer +with a purse of deenars, when she returned home, informed the +princess of her welcome reception, and of the present she had +received. + +The sultan had no sooner eaten part of the pottage than he felt +an inclination to repose, and sunk into a refreshing sleep, which +lasted for some hours. On his awakening he found himself +wonderfully revived, and having a desire afresh to eat, finished +the whole. He now wished for more, and inquired after the old +woman, but none of his attendants could inform him where she +lived. However, in the evening she brought another mess, which +the princess had prepared, and the sultan ate it with renewed +appetite; after which, though before quite helpless, he was now +able to sit up and even to walk. He inquired of the old woman if +it was her own preparation; to which she replied, "No, my lord, +but my daughter dressed it, and entreated me to bring it." The +sultan exclaimed, "She cannot be thy own daughter, as her skill +shews her of much higher quality." He then made her a present, +and requested that she would bring him every morning a fresh +supply, to which she said, "To hear is to obey;" and retired. + +The princess sent regularly for seven mornings successively a +dish of pottage, and the sultan as regularly presented her +adopted mother with a purse of deenars; for such was the rapidity +of his recovery, that at the expiration of the sixth day he was +perfectly well, and on the seventh he mounted his horse and +repaired to his country palace to make the absolution of health +and enjoy the fresh air. During her visits he had questioned the +old lady concerning her adopted daughter, and she so described +her beauty, virtues, and accomplishments, that his heart was +smitten, and he became anxious to see her. + +The sultan, in order to gratify his curiosity, disguised himself +one day in the habit of a dervish, and repairing to the house of +the old woman, knocked at the door. On being questioned what he +wanted, he replied, "I am a wandering dervish, a stranger in this +city, and distressed with hunger." The old woman being fearful of +admitting an unknown person, would have sent him away, but the +princess exclaimed, "Hospitality to strangers is incumbent upon +us, especially to the religious poor." Upon this he was admitted, +and the princess having seated him respectfully, set victuals +before him, of which he ate till he was satisfied, and having +washed, rose up, thanked the old woman and her supposed daughter +for their bounty, and retired, but his sight was fascinated with +her beauty, and his heart devoted to her love. + +The sultan on his return to the palace sent for the old woman, +and on her arrival presented her with a rich dress and valuable +jewels, desiring that she would give them to her daughter, and +prevail upon her to put them on. The old lady promised obedience, +and as she walked homewards, said to herself, "If this adopted +daughter of mine is wise, she will comply with the sultan's +desires, and put on the dress, but if she does not, I will expel +her from my house." When she reached home, she displayed the +superb habit and the dazzling ornaments; but the princess at +first refused to accept them, till at length, moved by the +entreaties of her protectress, whom she could not disoblige, she +put them on, and the old lady was delighted with her appearance. + +The sultan, who had slipped on a female dress, having covered +himself with a close veil, followed the old woman to her house, +and listened at the door to know if the daughter would accept his +present. When he found that she had put on the dress, he was +overcome with rapture, and hastening back to his palace, sent +again for the old lady, to whom he signified his wish to marry +her daughter. When the princess was informed of the offer she +consented, and the sultan, attended by a splendid cavalcade, +conducted her that evening to his palace, where the cauzee united +them in marriage. A general feast was made for all the +inhabitants of the city for seven days successively, and the +sultan and the princess enjoyed the height of felicity. In the +course of five years the Almighty blessed them with a son and two +daughters. + +The eldest princess on the wreck of the ship having clung to a +piece of timber, was after much distress floated on shore, where +she found a man's habit, and thinking it a safe disguise for the +protection of her honour, she dressed herself in it, and +proceeded to a city which appeared near the coast. On her +entrance she was accosted by a maker of cotton wallets for +travelling, who observing that she was a stranger, and supposing +her a man, asked if she would live with him, as he wanted an +assistant. Being glad to secure any asylum, she accepted his +offer of maintenance, and daily wages of half a dirhem. He +conducted her to his house, and treated her with kindness. The +next day she entered upon her business, and so neat was the work +she executed, that in a short time her master's shop was more +frequented than any other. + +It happened that the shop was situated near the palace of the +sultan. One morning the princess his daughter looking through the +lattice of a balcony beheld the seeming young man at work, with +the sleeves of his vest drawn up to his shoulder: his arms were +white and polished as silver, and his countenance brilliant as +the sun unobscured by clouds. The daughter of the sultan was +captivated in the snare of love. + +The sultan's daughter continued gazing at the supposed young man +till he withdrew from work, when she retired to her apartment; +but so much was she fascinated by his charms, that she became +restless, and at length indisposed. Her nurse who attended her +felt her pulse, and asked her several questions, but could find +no symptoms of bodily illness upon her. She said, "My dear +daughter, I am convinced that nothing has afflicted thee but +desire of some youth with whom thou art in love." The princess +exclaimed, "My dear mother, as thou hast discovered my secret, +thou wilt, I trust, not only keep it sacred, but bring to me the +man I love." The nurse replied, "No one can keep a secret closer +than myself, so that you may safely confide it to my care." The +princess then said, "Mother, my heart is captivated by the young +man who works in the shop opposite my windows, and if I cannot +meet him I shall die of grief." + +The nurse replied, "My dear mistress, he is the most beautiful +youth of the age, and the women of the whole city are distracted +with his charms; yet he is so bashful as to answer no advances, +and shrinks from notice like a school-boy, but I will endeavour +to overcome his shyness, and procure you a meeting." Having said +thus, she went immediately to the wallet-maker's, and giving him +a piece of gold, desired he would let his assistant accompany her +home with two of his best wallets. The man was pleased with her +generosity, and selecting his choicest manufacture, commanded his +journeyman to accompany the nurse. + +The old woman led the disguised princess through by-paths to a +private passage of the palace, and introduced her into the +apartments of the daughter of the sultan, who received her +supposed beloved with emotions of joy too violent to be +concealed. Pretending to admire the goods, she asked some +questions, and giving him twenty pieces of gold, desired him to +return with more goods on the following evening, to which the +seeming journeyman replied, "To hear is to obey." + +The disguised princess on her return home delivered the twenty +pieces of gold to her employer, who was alarmed, and inquired +from whence they came: upon which she informed him of her +adventure, when the wallet-maker was in greater terror than +before, and said to himself, "If this intrigue goes on, the +sultan will discover it, I shall be put to death, and my family +ruined on account of this young man and his follies." He then +besought him not to repeat his visit, but he answered, "I cannot +forbear, though I dread my death may be the consequence." In +short, the disguised princess went every evening with the old +nurse to the apartments of the sultan's daughter, till at length +the sultan one night suddenly entered, and perceiving, he +supposed, a man with the princess, commanded him to be seized and +bound hand and foot. + +The sultan then sent for an executioner, resolved to put the +culprit to death. The executioner on his arrival seized the +disguised princess; but what was the surprise of all present, +when, on taking off the turban and vest, they discovered her sex. +The sultan commanded her to be conducted to his haram, and +inquired her story, when having no resource but the truth, she +related her adventures. + +When the princess had informed the sultan of the treachery of the +vizier, the consequent conduct of her father, the distress of her +mother, her sisters and herself, their being relieved, and her +escape from shipwreck, with what had happened since, he was +filled with wonder and compassion, and ordered his daughter to +accommodate her in the haram. The love of the latter was now +changed to sincere friendship, and under her care and attentions +the unfortunate princess in a few months recovered her former +beauty. It chanced that the sultan visiting his daughter was +fascinated with the charms of the princess, but unwilling to +infringe the rules of hospitality concealed his love, till at +length he became dangerously ill, when the daughter suspecting +the matter, prevailed upon him to reveal the cause of his +complaint. She then informed her friend, and entreated her to +accept her father in marriage; but the princess said, at the same +time weeping bitterly, "Misfortune hath separated me from my +family; I know not whether my sisters, my father and my mother, +are living, or, if so, what is their condition. How can I be +happy or merry, while they are perhaps involved in misery?" + +The daughter of the sultan did not refrain from comforting the +unfortunate princess, at the same time representing the hopeless +condition of her father, till at length she consented to the +marriage. This joyful intelligence speedily revived the love-lorn +sultan, and the nuptials were celebrated with the utmost joy and +magnificence. + +The aged sultan and sultana continued to lament the loss of their +daughters for some years, when at length the former resolved to +travel in search of them, and having left the government in +charge of his wife, departed, attended only by his vizier. They +both assumed the habit of dervishes, and after a month's +uninterrupted travelling reached a large city extending along the +sea coast, close upon which the sultan of it had erected a +magnificent pleasure house, where the pretended dervishes beheld +him sitting in one of the pavilions with his two sons, one six +and the other seven years old. They approached, made their +obeisance, and uttered a long invocation, agreeably to the usage +of the religious, for his prosperity. The sultan returned their +compliment, desired them to be seated, and having conversed with +them till evening, dismissed them with a present, when they +repaired to a caravanserai, and hired an apartment. On the +following day, after amusing themselves with viewing the city, +they again repaired to the beach, and saw the sultan sitting with +his children, as before. While they were admiring the beauty of +the structure, the younger prince, impelled by an unaccountable +impulse, came up to them, gazed eagerly at them, and when they +retired followed them to their lodging, which they did not +perceive till he had entered with them and sat down. The old +sultan was astonished at the child's behaviour, took him in his +arms, kissed and fondled him, after which he desired him to +return to his parents, but the boy insisted upon staying, and +remained four days, during which the pretended dervishes did not +stir from their caravanserai. + +The sultan missing his son, supposed that he had gone to his +mother, and she imagined that he was still with his father; but +on the latter entering the haram the loss was discovered. +Messengers were despatched every way, but no tidings of the boy +could be obtained. The miserable parents now supposed that he had +fallen into the sea and was drowned. Nets were dragged, and +divers employed for three days, but in vain. On the fifth day +orders were issued to search every house in the city, when the +infant prince was at length discovered at the caravanserai in the +apartment of the pretended dervishes, who were ignominiously +dragged before the sultan. + +The sultan was transported with joy at the recovery of his son, +but supposing the dervishes had meant to steal him away, he +ordered them instantly to be put to death. The executioners +seized them, bound their hands behind them, and were going to +strike, when the child with loud outcries ran up, and clinging to +the knees of the elder victim could not be forced away. The +sultan was astonished, and ordering the execution for the present +to be delayed, went and informed the mother of the child of his +wonderful behaviour. + +The sultana, on hearing it, was no less surprised than the +sultan, and felt a curiosity to hear from the dervish himself on +what account he had enticed away her son. She said, "It is truly +extraordinary that the boy should express such affection for a +strange dervish. Send for him to your closet, and order him to +relate his adventures, to which I will listen from behind a +curtain." + +The sultan sent for the supposed dervish, and commanding all his +attendants to retire, withdrew with him into his closet, and +desired him to be seated; after which he said, "Wicked dervish, +what could have induced thee to entice away my son, or to visit +my kingdom?" He replied, "Heaven knows, O sultan, I did not +entice him. The boy followed me to my lodging, when I said, 'My +son, return to thy father,' but he would not; and I remained in +continual dread till what was decreed occurred." The sultan was +softened, spoke kindly to him, and begged him to relate his +adventures, when the pretended dervish wept, and said, "My +history is a wonderful one. I had a friend whom I left as my +agent and guardian to my family, while I was performing a +pilgrimage to Mecca; but had scarcely left my house ten days, +when accidently seeing my wife he endeavoured to debauch her, and +sent an old woman with a rich present to declare his adulterous +love. My wife was enraged, and put the infamous messenger to +death. He sent a second, and a third, whom she also killed." + +These last words were scarcely spoken, when the sultana bursting +from her concealment ran up to the dervish, fell upon his neck, +and embraced him: upon which, the sultan her husband was enraged, +put his hand to his cimeter, and exclaimed, "What means this +shameless behaviour?" The sultana, at once laughing and crying +with rapture, informed him that the supposed dervish was her +father: upon which the sultan also fell at his feet and welcomed +him. He then ordered the other dervish his vizier to be released, +commanded royal robes to be brought for his father-in-law, and a +suite of apartments in the palace to be prepared for his +reception, with an attendance befitting his dignity. + +When the old sultan had spent some time with his youngest +daughter thus happily recovered, he became anxious to search +after the others, and signified his intention of departing; but +his son-in-law declared that he would accompany him on the +expedition with a number of his nobles, and an army, lest some +fatal accident might occur from his being unattended. +Preparations were accordingly made for march, the two sultans +encamped without the city, and in a few days began their +expedition, which proved successful to their wishes. The aged +monarch having recovered his children retired to his own kingdom, +where he reigned prosperously till the angel of death summoned +him to Paradise. + + + + + STORY OF THE BANG-EATER AND THE CAUZEE. + + + +In a certain city there was a vagabond fellow much addicted to +the use of bang, who got his livelihood by fishing. When he had +sold the product of his day's labour, he laid part of it out in +provisions and part in bang, with which (his day's, work over) he +solaced himself till he became intoxicated, and such was his +constant practice. One night, having indulged more than ordinary, +his senses were unusually stupefied; and in this, condition he +had occasion to come down into the square in which was his +lodging. It happened to be the fourteenth night of the moon, when +she shone uncommonly bright, and shed such a lustre upon the +ground, that the bang-eater from the dizziness of his head +mistook the bright undulations of her reflection on the pavement +for water, and fancied he was upon the brink of the river. He +returned to his chamber, and brought down his line, supposing +that he should catch his usual prey. + +The bang-eater threw out his line, made of strong cord, and +baited on several hooks with bits of flesh, into the square, when +a dog, allured by the scent, swallowed one of the pieces, and +feeling pain from the hook which stuck in his throat, pulled +strongly at the cord. The bang-eater, supposing he had caught a +monstrous fish, lugged stoutly, but in vain. The dog, agonized by +the hook, resisted; at the same time yelping hideously, when the +bang-eater, unwilling to quit his prey, yet fearing he should be +dragged into the imaginary river, bellowed aloud for help. The +watch came up, seized him, and perceiving him intoxicated, +carried him bound to the cauzee. + +It happened that the cauzee often privately indulged himself with +bang. Seeing the intoxicated situation of the fisherman, he +pitied his condition, and ordered him to be put into a chamber to +sleep off his disorder; at the same time saying to himself, "This +is a man after my own heart, and to-morrow evening I will enjoy +myself with him." The fisherman was well taken care of during the +day, and at night the cauzee sent for him to his apartment; +where, after eating, they took each a powerful dose of bang, +which soon operating upon their brains, they began to sing, +dance, and commit a thousand extravagancies. + +The noise which they made attracted the notice of the sultan, who +with his vizier was traversing the city, disguised as merchants. +Finding the doors open, they entered, and beheld the cauzee and +his companion in the height of their mirth, who welcomed them, +and they sat down. At length, after many ridiculous tricks, the +fisherman starting up, exclaimed, "I am the sultan!" "And I," +rejoined the cauzee, "am my lord the bashaw!" "Bashaw!" continued +the fisherman, "if I choose I can strike off thy head." "I know +it," returned the cauzee, "but at present I am not worth +beheading; give me first a rich government, that I may be worth +punishing." "Thou sayest true," answered the fisherman; "I must +make thee fat before thou wilt be fit for killing." + +The sultan laughed at their extravagancies, and said to his +vizier, "I will amuse myself with these vagabonds to-morrow +evening:" then rising up, he and his minister departed. + +The next evening the cauzee and the fisherman indulged themselves +as before, and while they were making merry, the sultan and his +vizier entered, but in different disguises from those they had +worn on the former night. They brought with them a strong +confection of opium, which they presented to their hosts, who, +highly delighted, greedily devoured it, and such were the effects +that they became madder than ever. At length, the fisherman +starting up, exclaimed, "The sultan is deposed, and I am +sovereign in his stead." "Suppose the sultan should hear thee," +replied the prince. "If he opposes me," cried the fisherman, "I +will order my bashaw to strike off his head; but I will now +punish thee for thy insolent question." He then ran up and seized +the sultan by the nose, the cauzee at the same time attacking the +vizier: it was with difficulty that they made their escape from +the house. + +The sultan, notwithstanding his tweak by the nose, resolved to divert +himself further with the bang-eaters, and the next evening putting on +a fresh disguise, repaired to the cauzee's house with his vizier; +where he found the happy companions in high glee. They had taken it +into their heads to dance, which they did with such vehemence, and for +so long a time, that at length they fell down with fatigue. When they +had rested a little, the fisherman perceiving the sultan, said, +"Whence comest thou?" "We are strangers," replied the sultan, "and +only reached this city to-night; but on our way through the streets, +hearing your mirth, we made bold to enter, that we might participate +it with you. Are ye not, however, fearful lest the sultan should hear +you on his rounds, and punish you for an infringement of the laws?" +"How should the sultan hear us?" answered the fisherman; "he is in his +palace, and we in our own house, though, perhaps, much merrier than +he, poor fellow, with the cares of state upon his mind, +notwithstanding his splendour." + +"How comes it," rejoined the sovereign, "that you have not +visited the sultan? for you are merry fellows, and I think he +would encourage you." "We fear," replied the fisherman, "his +guards would beat us away." "Never mind them," said the sultan; +"if you choose I will give you a letter of recommendation, which +I am sure he will pay attention to, for we were intimate when +youths." "Let us have it," cried the fisherman. The sultan wrote +a note, directed to himself, and departed. + +In the morning the cauzee and the fisherman repaired to the +palace, and delivered the note to one of the guards, who, on +sight of it, placed it on his head, prostrated himself to the +ground, and then introduced them to the sultan. Having read the +letter, the sultan commanded them to be led into separate +apartments, and to be treated respectfully. At noon a handsome +collation was served up to each, and at sunset a full service, +after which they were presented with coffee. When about two hours +of the night had passed, the sultan ordered them into his +presence, and on their making their obeisance returned their +salutes, and desired them to be seated, saying, "Where is the +person who gave you this letter?" + +"Mighty sultan," replied the fisherman, "two men who last night +visited our house inquired why we did not repair to your majesty, +and partake of your bounty. We replied, that we feared the guards +would drive us away; when one of them gave us this note, saying, +'Fear not; take this recommendation to the sultan, with whom in +my youth I was intimate.' We followed his direction, and have +found his words to be true. We inquired whence they came; but +they would not tell us more than that they were strangers in this +city." "It is," continued the sultan, "absolutely necessary that +you should bring them to my presence, for it is long since I have +beheld my old friends." "Permit us then to return home, where +they may possibly visit us again," said the fisherman, "and we +will oblige them to come with us." "How can you do that," replied +the sultan, "when the other evening you could not prevent your +guest escaping, though you had him by the nose?" + +The poor fisherman, and his companion the cauzee, were now +confounded at the discovery that it was the sultan himself who +had witnessed their intoxication and ridiculous transports. They +trembled, turned pale, and fell prostrate to the ground, crying, +"Pardon, pardon, gracious sovereign, for the offences we have +committed, and the insult which in our madness we offered to the +sacred person of your majesty." + +The sultan, after laughing heartily at their distress, replied, +"Your pardon is granted, for the insult was involuntary, though +deserved, as I was an impertinent intruder on your privacy; make +yourselves easy, and sit down; but you must each of you relate to +me your adventures, or some story that you have heard." The +cauzee and the fisherman, having recovered from their confusion, +obeyed the commands of the sultan, and being seated, the latter +related the following tale. + + + + + Story of the Bang-eater and His Wife. + + + +There lived formerly, near Bagdad, a half-witted fellow, who was +much addicted to the use of bang. Being reduced to poverty, he +was obliged to sell his stock. One day he went to the market to +dispose of a cow; but the animal being in bad order, no one would +bid for it, and after waiting till he was weary he returned +homewards. On the way he stopped to repose himself under a tree, +and tied the cow to one of the branches while he ate some bread, +and drank of an infusion of his beloved bang, which he always +carried with him. In a short time it began to operate, so as to +bereave him of the little sense he possessed, and his head was +filled with ridiculous reveries. While he was musing, a magpie +beginning to chatter from her nest in the tree, he fancied it was +a human voice, and that some woman had asked to purchase his cow: +upon which he said, "Reverend mother of Solomon, dost thou wish +to buy my cow?" The bird croaked again. "Well," replied he, "what +wilt thou give if I will sell her a bargain." The bird repeated +her croak. "Never mind," said the foolish fellow, "for though +thou hast forgotten to bring thy purse, yet, as I dare say thou +art an honest woman, and hast bidden me ten deenars, I will trust +thee with the cow, and call on Friday for the money." The bird +renewed her croaking, which he fancied to be thanks for his +confidence; so leaving the cow tied to the branch of the tree, he +returned home exulting in the good bargain he had made for the +animal. + +When he entered the house, his wife inquired what he had gotten +for the cow; to which he replied, that he had sold her to an +honest woman named Am Solomon, who had promised to pay him on the +next Friday ten pieces of gold. The wife was contented, and when +Friday arrived, her idiot of a husband having, as usual, taken a +dose of bang, repaired to the tree, and hearing the bird +chattering, as before, said, "Well, my good mother, hast thou +brought the gold?" The bird croaked. Supposing the imaginary +woman refused to pay him, he became angry, and threw up his +spade, which frightening the bird, it flew from the nest, and +alighted on a heap of soil at some distance. He fancied that Am +Solomon had desired him to take his money from the heap, into +which he dug with his spade, and found a brazen vessel full of +gold coin. This discovery convinced him he was right, and being, +notwithstanding his weakness, naturally honest, he only took ten +pieces; then replacing the soil, said, "May Allah requite thee +for thy punctuality, good mother!" and returned to his wife, to +whom he gave the money, informing her at the same time of the +great treasure his friend Am Solomon possessed, and where it was +concealed. The wife waited till night, when she went and brought +away the pot of gold; which her husband observing, said, "It is +dishonest to rob one who has paid us so punctually, and if thou +dost not return it to its place, I will inform the (walee) +officer of police." + +The wife laughed at his folly; but fearing the ill consequences +of his executing his threat, she planned a stratagem to prevent +them. Going to the market, she purchased some broiled meat and +fish ready dressed, which she brought privately home, and +concealed in the house. At night, the husband having regaled +himself with his beloved bang, retired to sleep off his +intoxication; but about midnight she strewed the provisions she +had brought at the door, and awakening her partner, cried out, in +pretended astonishment, "Dear husband, a most wonderful +phenomenon has occurred; there has been a violent storm while you +slept, and, strange to tell, it has rained pieces of broiled meat +and fish, which now lie at the door!" The husband, still in a +state of stupefaction from the bang, got up, went to the door, +and seeing the provisions, was persuaded of the truth of his +wife's story. The fish and flesh were gathered up, and he partook +with much glee of the miraculous treat; but he still threatened +to inform the walee of her having stolen the treasure of the good +old woman Am Solomon. + +In the morning the foolish bang-eater actually repaired to the +walee, and informed him that his wife had stolen a pot of gold, +which she had still in her possession. The walee upon this +apprehended the woman, who denied the accusation, when she was +threatened with death. She then said, "My lord, the power is in +your hands; but I am an injured woman, as you will find by +questioning my unfortunate husband; who, alas! is deranged in his +intellects. Ask him when I committed the theft." The walee did +so; to which he replied, "It was on the evening of that night on +which it rained broiled flesh and fish ready dressed." "Wretch!" +exclaimed the walee, "dost thou dare to utter falsehoods before +me? Who ever saw it rain any thing but water?" "As I hope for +life, my lord," replied the bang-eater, "I speak the truth; for +my wife and myself ate of the fish and flesh which fell from the +clouds." The woman being appealed to, denied the assertion of her +husband. + +The walee being now convinced that the man was crazy, released +his wife, and sent the husband to the madhouse; where he remained +some days, till the wife, pitying his condition, contrived to get +him released by the following stratagem. She visited her husband, +and desired him when any one inquired of him if he had seen it +rain flesh and fish, to answer, "No: who ever saw it rain any +thing but water?" She then informed the keeper that he was come +to his senses, and desired him to put the question. On his +answering properly he was released. + +The fisherman had not long been in the service of the sultan, +when walking one day near the house of a principal merchant, his +daughter chanced to look through a window, and the buffoon was so +struck with her beauty that he became devoted to love. Daily did +he repair to the same spot for weeks together in hopes of once +seeing her, but in vain; for she did not again appear at the +window. At length, his passion had such an effect upon him that +he fell sick, kept his bed, and began to rave, exclaiming, "Ah! +what charming eyes, what a beautiful complexion, what a graceful +stature has my beloved!" In this situation he was attended by an +old woman, who, compassionating his case, desired him to reveal +the cause of his uneasiness. + +"My dear mother," replied he, "I thank thee for thy kindness; but +unless thou canst assist me I must soon die." He then related +what he had seen, and described to her the house of the merchant. +When she said, "Son, be of good cheer; for no one could so +readily have assisted thee in this dilemma as myself. Have +patience, and I will speedily return with intelligence of thy +beloved." Having spoken thus, she departed, and upon reaching her +own house disguised herself as a devotee. Throwing over her +shoulders a coarse woollen gown, holding in one hand a long +string of beads, in the other a walking staff, she proceeded to +the merchant's house, at the gate of which she cried, "God is +God, there is no God but God; may his holy name be praised, and +may God be with you," in a most devout tone. + +The merchant's daughter, on hearing this devout ejaculation, came +to the door, saluted the old woman with great respect, and said, +"Dear mother, pray for me:" when she exclaimed, "May Allah +protect thee, my beloved child, from all injury!" The young lady +then introduced her into the house, seated her in the most +honourable place, and with her mother sat down by her. They +conversed on religious subjects till noon, when the old woman +called for water, performed her ablutions, and recited prayers of +an unusual length: upon which the mother and daughter remarked to +one another that the aged matron must certainly be a most +religious character. When prayers were ended, they set a +collation before her; but she declined partaking, saying, "I am +to day observing a fast." This increased their respect and +admiration of her sanctity, so that they requested her to remain +with them till sunset, and break her fast with them, to which she +consented. At sunset she prayed again, after which she ate a +little, and then uttered many pious exhortations. In short, the +mother and daughter were so pleased with her, that they invited +her to stay all night. In the morning, she rose early, made her +ablutions, prayed for a considerable time, and concluded with a +blessing upon her entertainers in learned words, which they could +not understand. When she rose up, they supported her by the arms +respectfully, and entreated her longer stay; but she declined it, +and having taken leave, departed; promising, however, with the +permission of Allah, to make them soon another visit. + +On the second day following, the old woman repaired again to the +merchant's house, and was joyfully received by the mother and +daughter; who, kissing her hands and feet, welcomed her return. +She behaved the same as before, and inspired them with stronger +veneration for her sandity. Her visits now grew frequent, and she +was always a welcome guest in the merchant's family. At length, +one evening she entered, and said, "I have an only daughter, +whose espousals are now celebrating, and this night the bride +goes in state to her husband's house. My desire is that my good +young lady should attend the ceremony, and receive the benefit of +my prayers." The mother replied, "I am unwilling to let her go, +lest some accident should befall her:" upon which the pretended +religious exclaimed, "What canst thou fear, while I and other +devout women shall be with her?" The daughter expressing great +eagerness to attend the nuptials, her mother at length consented. + +When the merchant's daughter had adorned herself in her richest +habit, she accompanied the old woman; who, after leading her +through several streets, conducted her to the lodging of the late +fisherman, but now favourite to the sultan, who was eagerly +expecting her arrival. The young lady was astonished on her +entrance at beholding a comely looking man; who, she saw, could +hardly restrain his raptures at the sight of her. Her first alarm +was great at finding herself betrayed into such a snare by the +hypocritical beldam; but having naturally much presence of mind, +she concealed her fears, and considered how she might escape. She +sat down, and after looking round the apartment affected to +laugh, saying to the gallant, "It is commonly usual when a lover +invites his mistress to his house to have an entertainment +prepared; for what is love without the accompaniment of a feast? +If you wish, therefore, that I should spend the evening here, go +and bring in some good cheer, that our joy may be complete. I +will with my good mother wait your return." + +The gallant, rejoiced at her commands, exclaimed, "Thou hast +spoken truly, and to hear is to obey;" after which, he went +towards the market to order a splendid entertainment. When he was +gone, the young lady locked the door after him, and thanking the +old woman for introducing her to so handsome a lover, threw her +off her guard, while she walked about the apartment meditating +her escape. At length she found in one corner of it a sharp +sabre, and drawing up her sleeve to her elbow, she grasped the +weapon, which she struck with such force at her false friend, who +was reclining on a sofa, as to cleave the head of the abandoned +procuress in two, and she fell down weltering in her blood, to +rise no more. + +The merchant's daughter now searched the room, and finding a rich +dress which the favourite usually wore when he visited the +sultan, rolled it up in a bundle, and carrying it under her veil, +unlocked the door, and hastened homewards. Luckily she reached +her father's house without interruption. Her mother welcomed her +with joy; but on perceiving the bundle, said, "My dear daughter, +what can have been given thee at the nuptials of a poor +religious?" The daughter, whose mind had been over agitated with +her late adventure, was not able to answer; her spirits sunk at +the recollection of her narrow escape, and she fainted away. The +mother shrieked aloud with affright, which brought in her husband +and attendants, who used various means for the young lady's +recovery; and at length, having regained her senses, she related +what had passed. The merchant having cursed the memory of the old +woman for her hypocritical deception, comforted his virtuous +daughter, and taking up the dress which he knew, and to whom it +belonged, hastened to make his complaint to the sultan. + +When the sultan had heard the complaint of the merchant, he was +enraged against his unworthy favourite, and commanded him to be +apprehended; but he could no where be found, for having on his +return home seen the old woman weltering in her blood, he guessed +what had happened; and apprehensive of being called to an +account, putting on a mean disguise, made his escape from the +city. Fortunately for him a caravan was just taking its +departure, and with it he travelled for five days successively, +with a mind tortured by disappointed love, and the fear of +discovery. At length the caravan passed the confines of his late +master, and encamped before a large city, which he entered, and +having hired a room at a caravanserai, he resolved to repose, and +seek out for some employment less dangerous than making love, or +serving princes. + +When he had rested himself for some days, he repaired to a +market, where labourers stood to be hired; and had not waited +long, when a woman coming up asked if he wanted work, to which he +replied in the affirmative. She then said, "Part of the wall +round the court of my house is so much decayed, that I must have +it taken down and rebuilt, and if thou art willing to undertake +the job I will employ thee." On his consenting, she led him to +her house, and shewing him the wall, gave him a pick-axe, +directing him as he went on to place the stones in one heap and +the rubbish in another. He replied, "To hear is to obey." She +then brought him some provision and water, when he refreshed +himself, and having thanked God that he had escaped, and was able +to get his living, began his task, which he continued till +sunset. His employer paid him ten pieces of silver for his day's +work, and he returned contented to his lodging. + +The following morning he again went to labour, and was treated +with the same kindness as before. About noon, as he was stocking +up the foundation of the wall he found a copper vessel, which +upon examination proved to be full of golden coin. He carried the +vessel to his lodging, where he counted the money, upwards of a +hundred deenars, and returned to his work. As he was coming home +in the evening, he saw a crowd following a man who carried upon +his head a large chest, which he offered for sale at a hundred +deenars, but refused to mention the contents. + +The fisherman was seized with an irresistible impulse to purchase +the chest, and having a small silver coin of not more value than +a silver penny, said to himself, "I will try my fate, possibly it +may contain something valuable; but if not, I will disregard the +disappointment;" ordered it to be conveyed to his lodging, and +paid the price demanded. He then locked his door and opened the +chest, when, to his astonishment, he beheld in it a beautiful +girl very richly dressed, but apparently lifeless. However, on +putting his hand to her mouth, he perceived that she breathed, +and was only in a deep sleep, from which he endeavoured to awake +her, but in vain. He then took her out of the chest, laid her +gently on his carpet, and continued to gaze at her charms; till +at length about midnight she awoke, and in an exclamation of +alarm and surprise exclaimed, "Gracious Allah, where am I?" + +When the lady's first alarm had subsided, she asked the fisherman +how he had brought her to his lodging, and on being informed of +the circumstances her mind became easy; for he behaved towards +her with respectful attention. Concealing for the present her +condition and adventures, she said, "This lodging is too mean, on +the morrow you must hire a better. Serve me with fidelity, do as +I desire, and you shall be amply rewarded." The fisherman, who, +cautioned by his last love adventure, was fearful of taking +liberties, and awed by her dignified demeanour, made a profound +obeisance, and professed himself her slave. He set before her the +best refreshments he could procure, and when she had supped left +her, and retired to sleep in a separate chamber. + +Early the next morning he went and hired a decent house, to which +he conveyed her in a covered litter, and did not cease to attend +upon her in all her commands for twenty days, she supplying him +with money to purchase necessaries. + +It is proper now to mention, that the lady bought by the +fisherman in the chest was the favourite mistress of the sultan: +having deserted for her all his other women, they had become +envious; but the sultana, who, before the arrival of Koout al +Koolloob (for such was her name) had presided over the haram, was +more mortified than the rest, and had resolved to effect her +removal. For this a favourable opportunity soon occurred, owing +to the sultan's departure for twenty days upon a hunting +excursion. In a day or two after his absence, the sultana invited +Koout al Koolloob to an entertainment, and having mixed a strong +soporific in some sherbet, presented it her to drink. The effect +of the potion was instantaneous, and she sunk into a trance; when +the sultana putting her into the chest, commanded it to be given +to a broker, and sold without examination of the contents, for a +hundred deenars; hoping, that whoever might be the purchaser, he +would be so fascinated with the charms of the beautiful Koout al +Koolloob, as to enjoy his good fortune in secrecy; and that she +should thus get rid of a rival without the crime of +assassination. + +When the sultan returned from his excursion, immediately on +entering the palace he inquired for his favourite; when the +sultana entering with affected sadness, said, "Alas! my lord, the +beautiful and affectionate Koout al Koolloob, unable to bear the +pangs of absence, three days after your departure fell sick, and +having lingered for seven days, was gathered to the mercy of the +Almighty." The sultan, on hearing this, burst into an agony of +grief, and exclaimed, "There is no asylum or refuge but with God; +from God we came, and to God we must return." He was overcome +with affliction, and remained the whole night involved in +melancholy. In the morning he sent for his vizier, and commanded +him to look out for a spot on the bank of the river for the +erection of a building in which he might sit retired, and +meditate on his beloved Koout al Koolloob. + +The vizier replied, "To hear is to obey;" and taking with him an +architect, fixed upon a pleasant spot, on which he ordered him to +mark out a space of ninety yards in length and seventy in breadth +for the intended building. The necessary materials, of stone and +marbles, were soon collected, and the work was begun upon; which +the minister for two days superintended in person. On the third +the sultan came to view the progress. He approved of the plan, +and said, "It is truly beautiful; but, alas! only worthy of the +residence of Koout al Koolloob;" after which he wept bitterly. +Seeing the distress of the sultan, his vizier said, "My lord, be +resigned under distress; for the wise have written, Be moderate +when prosperity occurs, and when calamity afflicts thee exercise +patience.'" + +The sultan replied, "It is true, O vizier, that resignation is +praiseworthy, and impatience blamable; for a poet has justly +said, 'Be calm under adversity; for calmness can alone extricate +from danger.' To affliction joy often succeeds, and after trouble +we generally enjoy repose; but, alas! human nature cannot divest +itself of feeling; and Koout al Koolloob was so dear to me, and +so delighted my soul, that I dread I shall never find another +mistress her equal in beauty and accomplishments." The vizier +consoled his master, and at length prevailed upon him to submit +to his misfortune with some degree of resignation. + +The sultan and vizier daily repaired to view the progress of the +new edifice, the report of which had spread through the city, and +at length reached Koout al Koolloob, who said to the fisherman, +"We are every day expending our money, and getting nothing: +suppose, therefore, you seek employment in the building which the +sultan is erecting. Report says that he is liberal, so that +possibly advantage may accrue." The fisherman replied, "My dear +mistress, how shall I bear the least absence from you?" for he +loved her, and she perceiving it, often dreaded that he would +have made advances; but the remembrance of what he had endured +from the conduct of the merchant's daughter had made him +cautious. She replied, "Dost thou really love me?" "Canst thou +doubt it?" answered he; "thou art my life, and the light of my +eyes!" "If so," exclaimed she, "take this necklace, and when you +think of me as you are working, look at it, and it will console +you till your return home." + +The fisherman obeyed the commands of Koout al Koolloob, repaired +to the spot where the edifice was erecting, and beheld the sultan +and vizier observing the workmen. The former inquired if he +wanted employment, to which he replied in the affirmative, and +was hired. He began his labour; but so much was his mind engaged +with his mistress, that every now and then, dropping his +implements, he drew out the necklace, and looking upon it heaved +a deep sigh, which the sultan observing, said to his vizier, +"This man, perchance, is more unhappy than myself; let us call +him to us, and inquire into his circumstances." The vizier +brought him to the presence, and desired him to tell honestly why +he had sighed so deeply. "Alas!" replied he, "I am absent from my +beloved, who gave me this necklace to look at whenever I might +think upon her; and my mind is so taken up with her, that I +cannot help laying down my tools, and admiring it constantly." + +When the sultan saw the necklace, he recollected that it was one +which he had purchased for Koout al Koolloob for a thousand +deenars. He concealed his agitation, and said, "To whom does this +necklace belong?" "To my slave," replied the labourer, "whom I +purchased for a hundred deenars." "Canst thou admit us to thy +lodging," rejoined the sultan, "that we may see her?" "I dread," +answered the labourer, "that her modesty may be offended; but I +will consult her, and if she assents, I will invite you to my +lodging." "That is but just," said the sultan, "and no more than +what is proper." + +The labourer at sunset returned home, and informed Koout al +Koolloob of his adventure, when she desired him on the morrow to +purchase what was requisite for a decent entertainment, at the +same time giving him five deenars. In the morning he bought what +she had desired, and going to his work, informed the sultan and +vizier that they were welcome to his homely fare, and to see his +slave; or rather, said he, "My divinity, for as such I have at +humble distance adored her." + +The sultan and vizier accompanied the labourer to his house where +they were astonished to find prepared an elegant collation, of +which they partook; after which they drank sherbet and coffee. +The sultan then desired to see his slave, who just made her +appearance, but retired immediately. However, the sultan knew +her; and said to the labourer, "Wilt thou dispose of this +damsel?" "I cannot, my lord," replied the labourer, "for my soul +is wholly occupied with her love, though as yet unreturned." "May +thy love be rewarded!" exclaimed the sultan; "but bring her with +thee at sunset to the palace." "To hear is to obey," replied the +labourer. + +At sunset the labourer conducted his slave to the palace, when +the eunuchs attended, and would have led her into the haram; but +he clung round her, and exclaimed, "She is my beloved, and I +cannot part with her." Upon this the sultan related the +circumstances of his having lost her; and requested him to give +her up. Knowing that he durst not oppose the sovereign, he +submitted to his commands with resignation, when the sultan +presented him with fifteen hundred deenars, and a beautiful +slave, also a rich dress, at the same time receiving him among +the most distinguished of his officers. So well did he conduct +himself in his new station, that in a short time he was promoted +to the rank of prime minister, and fulfilled the duties of it +with such ability and integrity, that he became celebrated by the +title of the Just Vizier. + +Such was the celebrity of the vizier's decisions, that in a short +time appeals were made from the most distant provinces to his +judgment. One of the most remarkable cases was the following. Two +women belonging to one man conceived on the same day, and were +delivered, one of a boy, the other of a girl, at the same time, +and in one apartment. The female infant died, when each laid +claim to the male child. The magistrates, unable to decide +between the mothers, referred the decision to the just vizier; +who, on hearing the circumstances, commanded two eggs to be +brought, and the contents to be drawn out without breaking the +shells; after which he ordered them to be filled with milk from +the breast of each woman. This being done, he placed the shells +in separate scales, and finding one outweigh the other, declared +that she whose milk was heaviest must be the mother of the male +child; but the other woman was not satisfied with this decision, +and still affirmed she was the mother of the boy. + +The vizier, vexed at her obstinacy, now commanded the infant to +be cut in two; when she, whom he had said was the mother, fell +into agonies, and besought its life; but the other was unmoved, +and assented to the death of the child. He then ordered her to be +severely punished, and committed the boy to its afflicted mother. +On being asked on what proofs he had grounded his decision, he +replied, "On two: the first, because the milk of a woman having +produced a male child is always heavier than that of the mother +of a female infant: the second, because the pretended mother +consented to the boy's death; and I supposed it impossible for a +woman to agree to the destruction of her offspring, which is a +part of herself." + + + + + THE SULTAN AND THE TRAVELLER MHAMOOD AL + HYJEMMEE. + + + +There was a sultan, who one evening being somewhat low-spirited, +sent for his vizier, and said, "I know not the cause, but my mind +is uneasy, and I want something to divert it." "If so," replied +the vizier, "I have a friend, named Mhamood al Hyjemmee, a +celebrated traveller, who has witnessed many wonderful +occurrences, and can relate a variety of astonishing narratives. +Shall I send for him to the presence?" "By all means," answered +the sultan, "that I may hear his relations." The minister +departed, and informed his friend that the sultan desired to see +him. "To hear is to obey," replied Mhamood, and hastened with the +vizier to the palace. + +When they had entered the palace, Mhamood made the obeisance +usual to the caliphs, and uttered a poetical invocation for the +prosperity of the sultan, who returned his salute; and after +desiring him to be seated, said, "Mhamood, my mind is uneasy, and +as I hear you are acquainted with many curious events, I wish you +to relate some of them to amuse me." Mhamood replied, "To hear is +to obey;" and thus began an adventure of his own. + + + + + The Koord Robber. + + + +Some years ago I took a journey from my own country to the land +of Yemen, accompanied by a slave, who was a lad of much ready +wit, and who carried a wallet containing a few necessaries. As we +were entering a town, a rascally koord snatched the wallet from +his hands, and asserted that it was his own, which we had stolen +from him: upon which, I called out to some passengers to assist +me in the recovery of my property, and they helped me to carry +the sharper before the cauzee, to whom I complained of his +assault. The magistrate asked the koord what he had to allege in +his defence; to which he replied, "My lord, I lost this wallet +some days since, and found it in possession of the complainant, +who pretends that it is his own, and will not resign it." "If it +be thine," rejoined the cauzee, "describe to me what it contains, +when I shall be satisfied that thou speakest the truth." + +The koord assented, and with a loud voice cried out, "In this +wallet, my lord, are two chests, in which are collyrium for the +eyes, a number of rich napkins, drinking vessels of gold, lamps, +cooking utensils, dishes, basins, and ewers; also bales of +merchandize, jewels, gold, silks, and other precious articles, +with a variety of wearing apparel, carpets, cushions, eating +cloths, and other things too tedious to enumerate; besides, I can +bring a number of my brother koords to testify to the truth of +what I have said, and that the wallet is mine." + +When the koord had finished, the cauzee smiled, and asked me and +my slave what we could describe to be in the wallet: upon which, +my slave said, "My lord, there is nothing in it of what the koord +has mentioned, for it contains only both worlds, with all their +lands, seas, cities, habitations, men, animals, and productions +of every kind." The cauzee laughed, and turning to the koord, +said, "Friend, thou hast heard what has past; what further canst +thou say?" "The bag is mine," continued the koord: upon which, +the cauzee ordered it to be emptied; when, lo! there were found +in it some cakes of bread, a few limes, a little pepper, and a +cruet of oil. Seeing this, the koord exclaimed, "Pardon me, my +lord the cauzee, I have been mistaken, the wallet is not mine; +but I must away and search for the thief who has stolen my +valuable property." Having said this, he ran off, leaving the +cauzee, myself, and the spectators bursting with laughter at his +impudent knavery. + +The sultan was much diverted with the relation of Mhamood, and +requested him to relate another story, which he did as follows. + + + + + Story of the Husbandman. + + + +A certain husbandman having reared some choice vegetables and +fruits earlier than usual, resolved to present them to the +sultan, in hopes of receiving a handsome present. He accordingly +loaded his ass and set off for the capital, on the road to which +he met the sultan, whom he had never before seen; and who being +on a hunting excursion had separated from his attendants. The +sultan inquired where he was going, and what he carried. "I am +repairing," said the husbandman, "to our lord the sultan, in +hopes that he will reward me with a handsome price for my fruits +and vegetables, which I have reared earlier than usual." "What +dost thou mean to ask him?" replied the sultan. "A thousand +deenars," answered the husbandman; "which if he refuses to give, +I will demand five hundred; should he think that sum too much, I +will come down to two hundred; and if he declines to give so +much, I will ask thirty deenars, from which price I will not +depart." + +The sultan now left the husbandman, and hastening to the city, +entered the palace, where the latter soon after arrived with his +fruits, and was introduced to the presence. Having made his +obeisance, the sultan returning his salute, said, "Father, what +hast thou brought with thee?" "Fruits, reared earlier than +usual," answered the husbandman: to which the sultan replied, +"They are acceptable," and uncovering them, sent a part by the +eunuchs into his haram, and distributed the rest to his +courtiers, excepting a few which he ate himself, talking all the +while to the countryman, whose sensible remarks gave him much +pleasure. He presented him with two hundred deenars, and the +ladies of the haram sent him a present of half that sum. The +sultan then desired him to return home, give the money to his +family, and come back with speed, as he wished to enjoy his +conversation. The husbandman having replied, "To hear is to +obey," blessed the sultan for his bounty, and hastening home gave +the deenars to his wife, informing her that he was invited to +spend the evening at court, and took his leave. It was sunset +when he arrived at the palace, and the sultan being at his +evening meal invited him to partake. When they were satisfied, +they performed their ablutions, and having said the evening +prayer, and read a portion of the Koraun, the sultan, desiring +him to be seated, commanded the husbandman to relate him some +narrative. The husbandman being seated, thus began. + + + + + Story of the Three Princes and Enchanting Bird. + + + +It has been lately related that there was formerly a sovereign of +the East who had three sons, the eldest of whom had heard some +traveller describe a particular country where there was a bird +called Bulbul al Syach, who transformed any passenger who came +near him into stone. The prince resolved to see this wonderful +bird; and requested leave to travel from his father, who +endeavoured in vain to divert him from his purpose. He took +leave, and on his departure, pulling off a ring set with a +magical gem, gave it to his second brother, saying, "Whenever you +perceive this ring press hard upon your finger, be assured that I +am lost beyond recovery." Having begun his journey, he did not +cease travelling till he reached the spot where was the bird's +cage, in which it used to pass the night, but in the daytime it +flew about for exercise and food. + +It was the custom of the bird to return about sunset to the cage; +when, if it perceived any person near, it would cry out in a +plaintive tone, "Who will say to a poor wanderer, Lodge? who will +say to an unhappy Bulbul, Lodge?" and if the person replied, +"Lodge, poor bird!" it immediately hovered over his head, and +scattering upon him some earth from its bill, the person became +transformed into a stone. Such proved the fate of the unfortunate +prince. + +The transformation of the eldest prince had no sooner taken place +than the ring pressed hard upon the finger of the second, who +exclaimed, "Alas! alas! my brother is lost; but I will travel, +and endeavour to find out his condition." It was in vain that the +sultan his father, and the sultana his mother, remonstrated. He +departed after he had delivered the magical ring to his younger +brother, and journeyed till he reached the cage of the bird; who +having ensnared him to pronounce the word lodge, scattered some +earth upon his head, when he, also, immediately became +transformed into stone. + +At this instant the youngest prince was sitting at a banquet with +his father; when the ring pressed so hard to his finger, as to +put him to much pain. He rose up, and exclaimed, "There is no +refuge or asylum but with God; for his we are, and to him we must +return." The sultan, upon this, inquired the cause of his grief; +when he said, "My brother has perished." + +The old sultan was loudly lamenting the loss of his two children, +when the youngest continued, "I will travel and learn the fate of +my brothers." "Alas!" said the father, "is it not enough that I +have lost them, but thou also wilt rush into destruction? I +entreat thee not to leave me." "Father," replied the prince, +"fate impels me to search for my brothers, whom, perhaps, I may +recover; but if I fail, I shall only have done my duty." Having +said this, he departed, in spite of the tears and lamentations of +his parents, and travelled till he had reached the residence of +the bird; where he found his brothers transformed into images of +stone. At sunset the bird began its usual tone; but the prince +suspecting some deceit, forbore to speak, till at length the +Bulbul retired to his cage, and fell asleep; when watching the +opportunity, the prince darted upon it, and fastened the door. +The bird awoke at the noise, and seeing himself caught, said, +"Thou hast won the prize, O glorious son of a mighty sultan!" "If +so," exclaimed the prince, "inform me by what means thou hast +enchanted so many persons as I see around me changed into images +of marble, and how I may release them from their unhappy state." +"Behold," replied the bird, "yonder two heaps of earth, one white +and the other blue. The blue enchants, and the other will recover +from transformation." + +The prince immediately took up handfuls of the white earth, and +scattering it over the numerous images, they instantly became +animated and restored to all their functions. He embraced his two +brothers, and received their thanks; also those of the sons of +many sultans, bashaws, and great personages, for giving them new +life. They informed him that near the spot was a city, all the +inhabitants of which had been, like them, transformed into stone. +To this he repaired, and having relieved them from their +enchantment, the people out of gratitude made him rich presents, +and would have chosen him for their sovereign, but he declined +their offer, and resolved to conduct his brothers in safety to +their father. + +The two elder princes, notwithstanding they owed the restoration +of their lives to their brother, became envious of the valuable +presents he had received, and of the fame he would acquire at +home for his achievement. They said to one another, "When we +reach the capital the people will applaud him, and say, 'Lo! the +two elder brothers have been rescued from destruction by the +youngest.'" + +The youngest prince being supplied with horses, camels, and +carriages, for himself and companions, began his march homewards, +and proceeded by easy stages towards the capital of his father; +within one day's journey of which was a reservoir of water lined +with marble. On the brink of this he ordered his tents to be +pitched, resolving to pass the night and enjoy himself in +feasting with his brothers. An elegant entertainment was +prepared, and he sat with them till it was time to repose; when +they retired to their tents, and he lay down to sleep, having on +his finger a ring, which he had found in the cage of the Bulbul. + +The envious brothers thinking this a fit opportunity to destroy +their generous preserver, arose in the dead of night, and taking +up the prince, cast him into the reservoir, and escaped to their +tents undiscovered. In the morning they issued orders of march, +the tents were struck, and the camels loaded; but the attendants +missing the youngest prince, inquired after him; to which the +brothers replied, that being asleep in his tent, they were +unwilling to disturb him. This satisfied them, and having pursued +their march they reached the capital of their father, who was +overjoyed at their return, and admired the beauty of the Bulbul, +which they had carried with them; but he inquired with eagerness +what was become of their brother. + +The brothers replied, "We know nothing of him, and did not till +now hear of his departure in search of the bird, which we have +brought with us." The sultan dearly loved his youngest son; and +on hearing that his brothers had not seen him, beat his hands +together, exclaiming, "Alas! alas! there is no refuge or asylum +but with the Almighty, from whom we came, and to whom we must +return." + +We must now return to the youngest brother. When he was cast into +the reservoir he awoke, and finding himself in danger, exclaimed, +"I seek deliverance from that God who relieveth his servants from +the snares of the wicked." His prayer was heard, and he reached +the bottom of the reservoir unhurt; where he seated himself on a +ledge, when he heard persons talking. One said to another, "Some +son of man is near." "Yes," replied the other, "he is the +youngest son of our virtuous sultan; who, after having delivered +his two brothers from enchantment, hath been treacherously cast +into this reservoir." "Well," answered the first voice, "he may +easily escape, for he has a ring upon his finger, which if he +will rub a genie will appear to him and perform whatever he may +command." + +The prince no sooner heard these words than he rubbed his hand +over the ring, when a good genie appearing, said, "Prince, what +are thy commands?" + +"I command," replied the prince, "that thou instantly prepare me +tents, camels, domestics, guards, and every thing suitable to my +condition." "All is ready," answered the genie; who, at the same +instant taking him from the ledge, conducted him into a splendid +encampment, where the troops received him with acclamations. He +ordered signals of march to be sounded, and proceeded towards the +capital of his father. When he had arrived near the city, he +commanded his tents to be pitched on the plain. Immediately his +orders were obeyed, the tents were raised (a most magnificent one +for himself), before which the servants raised a gorgeous awning, +and sprinkled water to lay the dust. The cooks lighted their +fires, and a great smoke ascended, which filled the plain. + +The inhabitants of the city were astonished at the approach of +the army, and when they saw the encampment pitched, supposed it +to be that of a powerful enemy preparing for assaulting them. +Intelligence of this unexpected host was conveyed to the sultan; +who, on hearing it, instead of alarm, felt a pleasure which he +could not account for, and said, "Gracious Allah! my heart is +filled with delight; but why I know not." Immediately he +commanded his suite to attend, and repaired to the encampment of +his son, to whom he was introduced; but the prince being habited +very richly, and differently from what he had seen him in, was +not known by the sultan. + +The prince received his father with the honours due to his rank, +and when they were seated, and had entered into conversation, +said, "What is become of thy youngest son?" The words were +scarcely uttered, when the old sultan fell fainting to the earth. +On his recovery, he exclaimed, "Alas! my son's imprudence led him +to travel, and he has fallen a prey to the beasts of the forest." +"Be comforted," replied the prince; "the disasters of fortune +have not reached thy son, for he is alive and in health." "Is it +possible?" cried the sultan; "ah! tell me where I shall find +him!" "He is before thee," replied the prince: upon which, the +sultan looking more closely, knew him, fell upon his neck, wept, +and sunk to the earth overpowered with ecstacy. + +When the sultan had recovered, he desired his son to relate his +adventures, which he did from first to last. Just as he had +finished the elder brothers arrived, and seeing him in such +splendour, hung down their heads, abashed and unable to speak; +but yet more envious than ever. The old sultan would have put +them to death for their treachery, but the youngest prince said, +"Let us leave them to the Almighty, for whoever commits sin will +meet its punishment in himself." + +When the husbandman had concluded the above story, the sultan was +so highly pleased that he presented him with a large sum of +money, and a beautiful slave, inquiring at the same time if he +could divert him with another story, to which he replied in the +affirmative. + +On another night, when the sultan and the countryman had sat down +to converse, the former desired him to relate some ancient story, +when the latter began as follows. + + + + + Story of a Sultan of Yemen and his three Sons. + + + +It has been related, that in the kingdom of Yemen there was a +sultan who had three sons, two of whom were born of the same +mother, and the third of another wife, with whom becoming +disgusted from some caprice, and having degraded her to the +station of a domestic, he suffered her and her son to live +unnoticed among the servants of the haram. The two former, one +day, addressed their father, requesting his permission to hunt: +upon which he presented them each with a horse of true blood, +richly caparisoned, and ordered proper domestics to attend them +to the chase. + +When they had departed, the unfortunate youngest brother repaired +to his unhappy mother, and expressed his wishes to enjoy, like +the elder princes, the pleasures of the field. "My son," replied +she, "it is not in my power to procure thee a horse or other +necessaries." Upon this he wept bitterly; when she gave him some +of her silver ornaments, which he took, and having sold them, +with the price purchased a foundered steed. Having mounted it, +and provided himself with some bread, he followed the track of +his brothers for two days, but on the third lost his way. After +wandering two days more he beheld upon the plain a string of +emeralds and pearls, which shone with great lustre. Having taken +it up, he wreathed it round his turban, and returned homewards +exulting in his prize; but when he had arrived near the city his +brothers met him, pulled him from his horse, beat him, and forced +it from him. He excelled them both in prowess and vigour, but he +was fearful of the sultan's displeasure, and his mother's safety, +should he punish his insulters. He therefore submitted to the +indignity and loss, and retired. + +The two cowardly princes entered the palace, and presented the +string of jewels to the sultan; who, after admiring it, said, "I +shall not rest satisfied till the bird arrives to whom this +certainly must have belonged:" upon which the brothers replied, +"We will travel in search of it, and bring it to our august +father and sultan." + +Preparations being made, the brothers departed, and the youngest +prince having mounted his lame steed followed them. After three +days' journey he reached an arid desert, which having passed over +by great exertion, he arrived almost exhausted at a city; which +on entering he found resounding with the shrieks of lamentation +and woe. At length he met with a venerable old man, to whom +having made a respectful salute, he inquired of him the cause of +such universal mourning. "My son," replied the old man, "on a +certain day during the last forty-three years, a terrible monster +has appeared before our city, demanding a beautiful virgin to be +delivered up to him, threatening to destroy it in case of +refusal. Unable to defend ourselves, we have complied with his +demand, and the damsels of the city have drawn lots for the +dreadful sacrifice; but this year the chance has fallen upon the +beautiful daughter of our sultan. This is the day of the +monster's usual arrival, and we are involved in universal +lamentation for her unhappy fate." + +When the young prince heard the above, he, under the direction of +the old man, repaired to the place of the monster's resort, +resolved to conquer him or die. Scarcely had he reached it, when +the princess approached it, splendidly habited, but with a +dejected head, and drowned in tears. He made a respectful salute, +which she returned, saying, "Hasten, young man, from this spot, +for a monster will soon appear, to whom, by my unhappy fate, I am +destined. Should he discover thee, he will tear thee in pieces." +"Princess," replied he, "I know the circumstance, and am resolved +to become a ransom for thy beauty." + +The prince had hardly uttered these words, when a column of dust +arose; from which with dreadful howlings and fury the monster +issued, lashing his gigantic sides with his thick tail. The +princess shrieked, and wept in the agonies of fear; but the +prince drawing his sabre, put himself in the way of the savage +monster; who, enraged, snorted fire from his wide nostrils, and +made a spring at the prince. The gallant youth with wonderful +agility evaded his talons, and darting from side to side of the +monster, watched his opportunity, till rushing upon him, he cleft +his head asunder just between his eyes, when the huge creature +fell down and growled his last in a tremendous roar. + +The princess, on seeing the monster expire, ran to her deliverer, +wiped the dust and sweat from his face with her veil, uttering +grateful thanks, to which he replied, "Return to thy lamenting +parents;" but she would not, and said, "My lord, and light of my +eyes, thou must be mine and I thine." "That is perhaps +impossible," rejoined the prince; and hastening from her, he +returned to the city, where he took up his lodging in an obscure +corner. She now repaired to the palace. On her entrance, the +sultan and her mother were astonished, and inquired in alarm the +cause of her return; fearing that she had escaped from the +monster, who would in revenge destroy the city. + +The princess related the story of her deliverance by a handsome +youth: upon which, the sultan, with his attendants, and most of +the inhabitants of the place, repaired to view the monster, whom +they found extended dead on the earth. The whole city was now +filled with grateful thanksgivings and universal rejoicing. The +sultan, eager to shew his gratitude to the gallant youth, said to +the princess, "Shouldst thou know thy deliverer wert thou to see +him again?" "Certainly!" replied she; for love had impressed his +image on her mind too strongly to be ever erased. + +The sultan, upon this, issued a proclamation, commanding every +male in the city to pass under the windows of his daughter's +apartment; which was done successively for three days; but she +did not recognize her beloved champion. The sultan then inquired +if all the men of the city had obeyed his commands, and was +informed that all had done so, except a young man at a certain +serai, who was a foreigner, and therefore had not attended. The +sultan ordered him to appear; and he had no sooner approached the +window than the princess threw down upon his head an embroidered +handkerchief, exclaiming, "This is our deliverer from the fangs +of the monster." + +The sultan now ordered the young prince to be introduced to his +presence, to which he advanced, making the obeisances customary +to royal personages in a graceful manner. "Art thou the destroyer +of the monster?" exclaimed the sultan. "I am," answered the +prince. "Tell me how I can reward thee?" replied the sultan. "My +request to God and your majesty," answered the prince, "is, that +the princess thy daughter may be given me in marriage." "Rather +ask me a portion of my treasures," rejoined the sultan. Upon +this, the officers of the court observed, that as he had saved +the princess from death, he was worthy of her; and the sultan at +length consenting, the marriage knot was tied. The young prince +received his bride, and the nuptials were consummated. Towards +the close of night he arose, and having taken off her ring, put +his own in its room on her finger, and wrote upon the palm of her +hand, "I am called Alla ad Deen, the son of a potent sultan, who +rules in Yemen; if thou canst come to me there, well; otherwise +remain with thy father." + +When the prince had done as above related, he left his bride +asleep, and quitting the palace and city, pursued his travels; +during which he married another wife, whom he had saved from an +elephant in a similar way: he left her in the same manner as the +first. + +When the prince had left his second wife, he proceeded in search +of the bird to whom the string of emeralds and pearls had +belonged, and at length reached the city of its mistress, who was +daughter to the sultan, a very powerful monarch. Having entered +the capital, he walked through several streets, till at last he +perceived a venerable old man, whose age seemed to be, at least, +that of a hundred years, sitting alone. He approached him, and +having paid his respects, sat down, and entering into +conversation, at length said, "Canst thou, my uncle, afford me +any information respecting a bird, whose chain is composed of +pearls and emeralds, or of its mistress?" + +The old man remained silent, involved in thought, for some +instants; after which, he said, "My son, many sultans and princes +have wished to attain this bird and the princess, but failed in +the attempt; however, do thou procure seven lambs, kill them, +flay and cut them up into halves. In the palace are eight courts, +at the gates of seven of which are placed two hungry lions; and +in the latter, where the princess resides, are stationed forty +slaves. Go, and try thy fortune." + +The prince having thanked the old man, took his leave, procured +the lambs, cut them up as directed, and towards midnight, when +the step of man had ceased from passing, repaired to the first +gate of the palace, before which he beheld two monstrous lions, +their eyes flaming like the mouth of a lighted oven. He cast +before each half a lamb, and while they were devouring it passed +on. By the same stratagem he arrived safely into the eighth +court: at the gate of which lay the forty slaves sunk in profound +sleep. He entered cautiously, and beheld the princess in a +magnificent hall, reposing on a splendid bed; near which hung her +bird in a cage of gold wire strung with valuable jewels. He +approached gently, and wrote upon the palm of her hand, "I am +Alla ad Deen, son of a sultan of Yemen. I have seen thee +sleeping, and taken away thy bird. Shouldst thou love me, or wish +to recover thy favourite, come to my father's capital." He then +departed from the palace, and having reached the plain, stopped +to repose till morning. + +The prince being refreshed, at day-light having invoked Allah to +protect him from discovery, travelled till sunset, when he +discovered an Arab encampment, to which he repaired and requested +shelter. His petition was readily attended to by the chief; who +seeing him in possession of the bird, which he knew, said to +himself, "This young man must be a favourite of heaven, or he +could not have obtained a prize for which so many potent sultans, +princes, and viziers, have vainly fallen sacrifices." He +entertained him with hospitality, but asked no questions, and in +the morning dismissed him with prayers for his welfare, and a +present of a beautiful horse. Alla ad Deen having thanked his +generous host took leave, and proceeded unceasingly till he +arrived within sight of his father's capital. On the plain he was +again overtaken by his two brothers, returning from their +unsuccessful expedition, who seeing the bird and splendid cage in +his possession, dragged him suddenly from his horse, beat him +cruelly, and left him. They entered the city, and presenting the +cage to their father, framed an artful tale of danger and escapes +that they had undergone in procuring it; on hearing which, the +sultan loaded them with caresses and praises, while the +unfortunate Alla ad Deen retired bruised and melancholy to his +unhappy mother. + +The young prince informed his mother of his adventures, +complained heavily of his loss, and expressed his resolves to be +revenged upon his envious brothers. She comforted him, entreated +him to be patient, and wait for the dispensations of Allah; who, +in proper season, would shew his power in the revealment of +justice. We now return to the princess who had lost her bird. + +When she awoke in the morning, and missed her bird, she was +alarmed; but on perceiving what was written upon her palm still +more so. She shrieked aloud; her attendants ran in, and finding +her in a frantic state, informed the sultan; who, anxious for her +safety, hastened to the apartment. The princess being somewhat +recovered, related the loss of her bird, shewed the writing on +her hand, and declared that she would marry no one but him who +had seen her asleep. The sultan finding remonstrances vain, +agreed to accompany his daughter in search of the prince, and +issued orders for his army to prepare for a march to Yemen. + +When the troops were assembled, the sultan conducted his daughter +to the camp, and on the day following marched; the princess with +her ladies being conveyed in magnificent equipages. No halt was +made till the army arrived near the city, where Alia ad Deen had +delivered the daughter of its sultan by killing the elephant. A +friendly ambassador being dispatched to request permission to +encamp and purchase a supply of provisions, he was honourably +received, and the sultan of the city proceeded in great pomp to +visit his brother monarch, who then informed him of the object of +his expedition. This convinced the other sultan that the stealer +of the bird must also have been the deliverer of his daughter, +and he resolved to join in the search. Accordingly, after three +days of splendid entertainments and rejoicings, the two sultans, +with the two princesses, and their united forces, moved towards +Yemen. Their route lay through the capital, the daughter of whose +sultan Alla ad Deen had saved from the fangs of the savage +monster. + +On the arrival of the allies at this city an explanation similar +to the last took place, and the third sultan resolved to +accompany them in search of the husband of his daughter, who +readily agreed to join the other princesses. They marched; and on +the route the princess who had lost her bird was fully informed +by the others of the beauty, prowess, and manly vigour of Alla ad +Deen; which involved her more than ever in anxious impatience to +meet him. At length, by continued and uninterrupted movements, +the three sultans reached Yemen, and pitched their encampments +about sunset on a verdant plain well watered, near the capital. + +It was with much dread and apprehension that the sultan of Yemen +beheld such a numerous host encamped so near his residence; but +he concealed his fears, and gave proper orders for securing it +from surprise during the night. With the morning his alarms were +removed, as the allied sultans dispatched an ambassador with rich +presents, assurances that they had no hostile intentions, and a +request that he would honour them by a visit to their camp, and +furnish it with supplies. The sultan complied with the +invitation, and the suite being prepared, he proceeded, attended +by all his courtiers in the highest magnificence, to the +encampment; where he was received with due honours. At the +outposts the three sultans met him, and after the usual greetings +of ceremony conducted him to a splendid tent made of crimson +velvet, the fringes and ropes of which were composed of gold +threads, the pins of solid silver, and the lining of the richest +silver tissue, embroidered with flowers of raised work in silks +of all colours, intermixed with foils and gold. It was covered +with superb carpets, and at the upper end on a platform spread +with gold brocade were placed four stools, the coverings of +which, and the cushions, were magnificent beyond description, +being made of Persian velvet, fringed and flowered with costly +pearls. + +When the four sultans were seated, and some conversation had +taken place, in which the latter was informed of the occasion of +the others having marched into his country, the cloth was spread, +and a magnificent entertainment served up in dishes of agate, +crystal, and gold. The basins and ewers for washing were of pure +gold set with jewels. Such was the richness of every thing, that +the sultan with difficulty refrained from shewing his surprise, +and inwardly exclaimed, "By Allah, till now I never have beheld +such a profusion of splendour, elegance, and valuable furniture!" +When the meal was ended, coffee, various sorts of confections, +and sherbets were brought in; after which the company conversed. +The three sultans inquired of their royal guest if he had any +children, to which he replied that he had two sons. + +The sultans then requested that he would send for them: upon +which, their father dispatched a messenger to summon them to his +presence. They repaired to the camp, mounted on chargers richly +caparisoned, and most splendidly dressed. On their entering the +tent, the princesses, who were seated in a recess concealed from +view by blinds of gold wire, gazed eagerly at them; and she who +had lost her bird inquired of the other two if either of them was +their husband. They replied in the negative, remarking that he +was of personal beauty, and dignified appearance, far superior to +these princes. The three sultans, also, questioned their +daughters on the subject, and received similar answers. + +The sultans, upon this, inquired of the father of the princes if +he had any other sons; to which he replied that he had one; but +that he had long rejected him, and also his mother, from notice; +and that they lived among the domestics of the palace. The +sultans entreated to see him, and he was introduced, but in a +mean habit. The two princesses whom he had delivered from the +monsters and married immediately recognized him, and exclaimed +together, "This is truly our beloved husband!" He was then +embraced by the sultans, and admitted to his wives; who fell upon +his neck in transports of joy and rapture, kissing him between +his eyes, while the princess who had lost the bird prostrated +herself before him, covered with a veil, and kissed his hand. + +After this scene the young prince returned to his father, and the +other sultans, who received him respectfully, and seated him by +them, at which the father was astonished; but more so, when, +turning to his brothers, he addressed them, saying, "Which of you +first found the string of emeralds and pearls?" To this they made +no reply: when he continued, "Who of you killed the monster, +destroyed the elephant, or, fortifying his mind, dared to enter +the palace of this sultan, and bring away the cage with the bird? +When you both, coward-like, rushed upon me, robbed me of my +prizes, and wounded me, I could easily have overcome you; but I +felt that there was a season appointed by Providence for justice +upon you and my wretched father, who rejected my mother and +myself, depriving us of our just claims." Having thus spoken, he +drew his sabre, and rushing upon the two guilty princes struck +them dead, each at one blow. He would, in his rage, have attacked +his father; but the sultans prevented him, and having reconciled +them, the old sultan promised to leave him his heir, and to +restore his mother to her former rank and consequence. His +nuptials with the third princess were then celebrated; and their +fathers, after participating for forty days in the magnificent +entertainments given on the occasion, took leave, and returned to +their several kingdoms. The old sultan finding himself, from age, +incapable of the cares of government, resigned the throne to his +son, whose authority was gladly submitted to by the people, who +admired his prowess and gallantry. + +Some time after his accession to the kingdom, attended only by +some select courtiers, and without the cumbrous appendages of +royalty, he left his capital upon a hunting excursion. In the +course of the sport, passing over a desert plain, he came to a +spot where was the opening of a cave, into which he entered, and +observed domestic utensils and other marks of its being +inhabited; but no one was then within it. + +The curiosity of the sultan being excited, he resolved to wait +until the owners of the cave should appear, and cautioned his +attendants not to mention his rank. He had not sat long, when a +man was seen advancing with a load of provisions and two skins of +water. On his coming to the mouth of the cave, the sultan +addressed him, saying, "Whence comest thou, where art thou going, +and what dost thou carry?" "I am," replied the man, "one of three +companions, who inhabit this cave, having fled from our city to +avoid imprisonment, and every ten days one of us goes to purchase +provisions: to-day was my turn, and my friends will be here +presently." "What was the cause of your flight?" rejoined the +sultan. "As to that," answered the man, "it can only be +communicated by the relation of our adventures, which are +curious, and if you wish to hear them, stay with us to-night, and +we will each, in our turn, relate his own story." + +The sultan upon this, said to himself, "I will not move from this +spot until I have heard their adventures;" and immediately +dispatched his attendants, excepting a few, with orders to bring +from the city some necessaries for the night. "For," thought he, +"hearing these stories will be pleasanter than hunting, as they +may, perhaps, inform my mind." He remained in the cave with his +few followers; and soon after arrived the two other inmates, who +were succeeded by the sultan's messengers with the requisites for +a substantial repast, of which all partook without ceremony. When +it was finished, the sultan desired the owners of the cave to +relate their adventures; and they replied, "To hear is to obey:" +the first beginning as follows. + + + + + Story of the First Sharper in the Cave. + + + +My father died when I was a youth, leaving my mother and myself +with little property, but an old she-goat, which we sold, and +with the price bought a calf, and nourished her as well as we +could for a whole year; when my mother desired me to go and +dispose of her in the market. Accordingly I went, and soon +perceived that there was not a fatter or finer beast in the +market. The company of butchers, composed of forty persons, fixed +their eyes upon the calf, and supposing me an ignorant lad, +resolved to have her for little or nothing, and feast themselves +upon her flesh. After concerting among themselves, one of them +coming up, said, "My lad, dost thou mean to sell this she-goat?" +"Goat!" replied I, "it is a calf." "Nay," answered he, "surely +thou must be blind or under enchantment; but, old as the goat is, +if thou wilt sell it, I will give thee a koorsh for her." I +angrily refused, and he went away; when presently up came +another; and, in short, in regular succession the whole forty, +the last of whom was the chief of the butchers. I perceived the +connivance to cheat me, and resolving to be revenged, said, "I am +convinced I am deceived, so you shall have the goat, if such she +is, for the koorsh, provided you let me have her tail." This was +agreed to, and it being cut off, I delivered my calf to the chief +of the butchers, received the money, and returned home. + +On my arrival at home, my mother asked if I had sold the calf; to +which I replied, "Yes, for a koorsh, and her tail into the +bargain." She thought me stupid or mad, and inquired what I would +do with the latter. I answered, "I will be amply revenged on the +sharpers, who pretended that my calf was a she-goat, and force +from them, at least, a thousand times the price they gave me." +After this, I skinned the tail, cut the leather into thongs, and +twisted them into a whip with hard thick knots. I then disguised +myself in female attire, taking pains to make myself look as +handsome as possible with the assistance of my mother, who put +soorma into my eyelids, and arranged my eyebrows, stained my +hands with hinna, and directed me how to ogle and smile. In +short, as I was then a beardless lad, and reckoned comely, I +appeared as a very desirable maiden in my disguise. + +On my arrival at the house of the chief of the butchers, I found +him sitting with his companions in the court. The whole of my +calf had been cooked in various ways, and they were just going to +spread the cloth and feast upon it. On my entrance I made a +profound salutation: upon which they all rose up to return it, +and having treated me welcomely, whispered one to another, +saying, "By Allah, this will be a night of glorious festivity, +illumined by so much beauty! however, our chief must have the +preference, this night shall be his; after which we will all cast +lots for his turn of enjoyment." + +When we had feasted on my calf, and the night was far advanced, +the butchers took leave, departed to their homes, and I remained +alone with the chief, who began to entertain me with amusing +conversation. Observing a rope hanging from the ceiling of an +apartment, I, as if ignorant of its purpose, inquired the use of +it; when the venerable chief of the butchers informed me it was +for suspending animals to cut up; also, occasionally his +dependants, whose crimes required the punishment of flogging. +Upon this I expressed a great desire to be tied with the rope, +drawn up, and swung for amusement. "My dear lady," replied he, +"the cord will hurt thy delicate skin; but thou shall put it +round me, draw me up, and see the use without injuring thyself." + +I consented to the wish of the chief butcher, placed the cord +under his arms, and drew him up till the ends of his toes +scarcely touched the ground. I then secured the rope, and for +some moments kept running playfully round him, and tickling his +sides, which made him laugh with delight. At length, tired of his +posture, he desired me to release him; but I refused, saying, "My +dear chief, I have not yet finished my amusement;" after which I +tore the clothes from his back, as if in merriment. When I had +done this, I pulled out my whip, which was well knotted, saying, +"This is the tail of a she-goat, and not of a calf." The butcher +now began to be somewhat alarmed, asking me who I was, and whence +I came? to which I replied, "I am the owner of the fat calf, of +which thou and thy villanous companions so rascally cheated me." +I then bared my arm to my elbow, and so belaboured his back and +sides with my whip that he roared in agony; nor did I leave off +till his skin was completely flayed, and he fainted from the +pain. After this I searched the apartment, found a bag containing +three hundred deenars, some handsome dresses, and other valuable +articles, all of which I bundled up, and carried off; leaving the +chief of the butchers, suspended, to his fate. When I had reached +home, I gave my prize to my mother, saying, "This is only part of +the value of my calf, which I have just received of the +purchaser." + +Early in the morning the butchers repaired, as usual, to the +residence of their chief, and finding the door of the court-yard +locked, joked one with another, saying, "Our old gentleman has +been so fatigued with his happiness that he sleeps longer than +ordinary." They waited till near noon, when they called out for +admittance; but receiving no answer, became apprehensive of some +disaster, and forcing the door, found their chief suspended, +almost lifeless, and his scars dropping blood. To their inquiries +into the cause of his doleful situation, he replied, "That +pretended vixen was no woman, but a brawny youth, the owner of +the calf; who, in return for our roguery, has flogged me thus, +and carried off all he could find in my chamber worth having." +The butchers vowed revenge, saying, "We will seize and put him to +death;" but their chief requested them for the present to be +patient, and carry him to a warm bath, that he might wash and get +his wounds dressed. + +I observed the chief butcher enter the bathing house alone, while +his followers waited at the gate: upon which I went to a +slaughter-house, poured over my back the blood of a sheep, dabbed +it with plaisters of cotton, and leaning on a crutch, as if in +agony of pain, repaired to the bath. At first the butchers +refused me admittance, saying their chief was within; but on my +entreating their compassion for my miserable condition, they at +length permitted me to enter. Passing through the different +rooms, I came to the bath, in which I found the unfortunate chief +washing his scars. I pulled out my whip, and having said to him, +"Shekh, this is the tail of my calf!" flogged him again so +severely that he fainted; after which I made my escape by another +entrance to the hummaum, which opened into a different street. + +The butchers growing impatient at the long stay of their chief in +the bath, at length entered, and found him in extreme agony. He +informed them of this second revenge of the owner of the calf, +and requested that he would take him into the country, pitch a +tent for his reception, and remain to guard him till he should be +cured of his wounds. They did so; but I watched their motions, +and disguising myself, repaired in the evening towards the tent. +Here I found a Bedouin Arab, whom I bribed with a piece of gold +to cry out, "I am the owner of the calf, and will have the life +of your chief!" cautioning him at the same time, after he had so +exclaimed, to make his escape as quickly as possible from the +butchers, who would pursue him. "I shall not heed them," replied +he, "though they may be mounted on the fleetest coursers." + +Having said this, the Bedouin went up close to the tents, bawling +out vociferously, as I had directed him: upon which all the +butchers started up and pursued him, but in vain, to a great +distance. I then entered the tent in which the chief was reposing +alone, and pulling out my whip, once more flogged him till he +roared with agony. When I was tired I bundled up such articles as +I could lay my hands on; and returning home, presented them to my +mother, saying, "Here is the balance of the price of our calf." + +The butchers having attempted to overtake the Bedouin, till they +were wearied with running, but in vain, returned to their chief, +whom they found in a fainting fit from the pain of his wounds. +Having sprinkled water on his face, they recovered him so far +that he was able to inform them of what had happened; and to +request them to convey him once more to his own house, to give +out that he was dead of his wounds, and make a mock funeral; +when, possibly, the owner of the calf, believing him departed +this life, might cease to torment him. + +The butchers obeyed the commands of their chief, and reporting +that he was dead, laid him in a litter, and marched in mournful +procession towards the burying ground, followed by a great +concourse of people. Mixing with the crowd, in disguise, I at +length stooped under the litter, and giving the chief, who lay +extended in a winding sheet, a smart poke with a pointed stick, +up he jumped, to the astonishment of the beholders; who cried +out, "A miracle! a miracle! the dead is raised to life!" while I +made my escape in the throng; but being fearful that the many +tricks I had played, especially this last, might excite inquiry, +and lead to a discovery, I fled from the city, and resolved to +remain in this cave till curiosity should subside. + +The sultan exclaimed, "These adventures are surprising;" when the +second inhabitant of the cave said, "My lord, my story is much +more wonderful than the last; for I contrived not only to be dead +and buried, but to escape from the tomb." "Possibly," said the +sultan, "thy adventures may have been stranger than those of this +man; but if any of you are acquainted with the memoirs of ancient +monarchs, I could wish you to relate them; however, at present, I +must take you with me to the palace, that I may make you +welcome." When the men heard this proposition, they were alarmed, +and cried out, "What, my lord, would you carry us to the city +from which we have escaped to save our lives?" "Fear not," +replied he, "I am the sultan, and was amusing myself with hunting +when I chanced to discover your cave." They bowed themselves +before him, and exclaimed, "To hear is to obey;" after which they +attended him to the city. On their arrival, the sultan ordered +them proper apartments and suitable entertainment, and invested +each of them with a rich habit. For some days they remained +enjoying themselves; when, at length, one evening the sultan +commanded them to his presence, and requested a narrative, when +one of them related the following story. + + + + + History of the Sultan of Hind. + + + +In ancient days there lived a sultan of Hind, than whom no prince +of the age was greater in extent of territory, riches, or force; +but Heaven had not allotted to him offspring, either male or +female: on which account he was involved in sorrow. One morning, +being even more melancholy than usual, he put on a red habit, and +repaired to his divan; when his vizier, alarmed at the robes of +mourning, said, "What can have occasioned my lord to put on this +gloomy habit?" "Alas!" replied the sultan, "my soul is this +morning overclouded with melancholy." "Repair then to the +treasury," said the vizier, "and view thy wealth; as, perhaps, +the lustre of gold, and the brilliant sparkling of jewels, may +amuse thy senses and disperse thy sorrow." "Vizier," answered the +sultan, "this world to me is all vanity; I regard nothing but the +contemplation of the Deity: yet how can I be relieved from +melancholy, since I have lived to this age and he has not blessed +me with children, either sons or daughters, who are the ornaments +of manhood in this world?" + +The sultan had scarcely ceased speaking, when a human figure of a +dusky hue appeared before him, and said, "My sovereign, here is a +confection left me by my ancestors, with an assurance, that +whoever might eat of it would have offspring." The sultan eagerly +took the confection, and by the blessing of Allah, one of the +ladies of his haram conceived that very night. When her pregnancy +was made known to him, the sultan was overjoyed, distributed +large sums in charity to the poor, and every day comforted the +distressed by his bounty. + +When the sultana had gone her full time, she was delivered of a +son beautiful in aspect, and of graceful person; at which the +sultan became overjoyed, and on that day set apart one half of +his treasures for the use of the infant prince, who was intrusted +to the charge of experienced nurses. After he had thrived +sufficiently at the breast he was weaned, and at six years of age +put under the care of learned tutors, who taught him to write, to +read the Koran, and instructed him in the other several branches +of literature. When he had completed his twelfth year, he was +accomplished in horsemanship, archery, and throwing the lance, +till at length he became a distinguished cavalier, and excelled +the most celebrated equestrians. + +The young prince being on a certain day hunting in the vicinity +of the capital, there suddenly appeared soaring and wheeling in +the air a bird, whose plumage was of the most beautiful and +glossy green. The prince let fly an arrow, but without effect, +and the bird suddenly disappeared. It was in vain that he turned +his eye to all quarters, in hopes of again discovering his +wished-for prey, for the bird had flown out of sight, and the +prince after searching in all directions till the close of day, +returned vexed and much disappointed to his father's palace. On +his entrance, the sultan and sultana perceiving his countenance +gloomy, inquired the cause of his melancholy, when he informed +them of the bird: upon which, they said, "Dear son, the creatures +of the Almighty are innumerably diversified; and, doubtless, +there are many birds as beautiful, and wonderfully more so than +this, whose escape you so much regret." "It may be so," replied +the prince; "but unless I shall be able to take this, which has +so captivated my fancy, I will abstain from food." + +On the following morning the prince repaired again to the chase, +and having reached the same spot on the plain, to his great joy +beheld the green bird. Having taken a cautious aim, he let fly an +arrow; but she evaded it, and soared before him in the air. The +prince spurred his courser and followed, keeping his desired prey +in sight unceasingly till sunset; when both himself and his horse +being exhausted he gave up the pursuit, and returned towards the +city. As he was riding slowly, and almost fainting with hunger +and fatigue, there met him a venerable looking personage, who +said, "Prince, both thyself and thy charger seem exhausted; what +can have been the cause of such over exercise?" "Father," +answered the prince, "I have been pursuing, but in vain, a +beautiful green bird, on which I had set my mind." "Son," replied +the sage, "if thou wert to follow it for a whole year's journey, +thy pursuit would be useless; for thou couldst never take it. +This bird comes from a city in the country of Kafoor, in which +are most delightful gardens abounding in such birds as this, and +many other species still more beautiful, some of which sing +enchantingly, and others talk like human beings; but, alas thou +canst never reach that happy spot. Give up then all thoughts of +the bird, and seek some other object for a favourite that thou +mayst enjoy repose, and no longer vex thyself for +impossibilities." When the prince heard this from the old man, he +exclaimed, "By Allah! nothing shall prevent me from visiting the +charming country thou hast mentioned;" and leaving the sage, he +rode homewards, his mind wholly taken up in meditating on the +land of Kafoor. + +When the prince had reached the palace, the sultan perceiving his +disordered state, inquired the adventures of the day; and being +informed of his fruitless pursuit, and the remarks of the old +man, said, "My son, discharge this idle chimera from thy mind, +nor perplex thyself longer, since he who wishes for an +impossibility may pine himself to death, but can never gain his +desires: calm then thy soul, nor vex thyself longer in vain." "By +Allah!" answered the prince, "my soul, O my father, is captivated +with the desire of possessing this bird more strongly than ever, +from the words of the venerable old man; nor is it possible I can +enjoy repose till I have travelled to the island of Kafoor, and +beheld the gardens containing such a wonderful feathered +species." "Alas! my dear son," exclaimed the sultan, "think how +afflicting must be to myself and thy mother thy absence from our +sight, and for our sakes give up such a fruitless expedition." + +The prince, notwithstanding the remonstrances of his father, +continued obstinate, and said, "My travelling is inevitable: +grant me then permission, or I will put myself to death." "If +so," exclaimed the affrighted sultan, "there is no refuge or help +but from the omnipotent Allah: well has the proverb remarked, +that the nestling would not be restrained from the air, when +suddenly the raven pounced upon it and bore it away. Heaven guard +my son from the consequences of his imprudence." Having said +thus, the sultan commanded preparations for the requisites of +travel, and ordered a force to accompany the headstrong prince; +who, having taken leave of his afflicted parents, began his +expedition towards the country of Kafoor. + +The prince pursued his journey without any extraordinary +adventure for a whole month, and at the expiration of it arrived +at a spot from which branched out three roads. At the junction of +them was erected a lofty pyramid, each face fronting one of the +roads. On one face was inscribed, "This is named the Path of +Safety:" on the second, "This is called the Way of Repentance:" +and on the third, "Whoever follows this road will not probably +return." "I will pursue this last," said the prince to himself, +and accordingly striking into it, proceeded onwards for twenty +days, at the end of which he encamped near a desolated city, +crumbling into ruin, wholly destitute of inhabitants. He +commanded his attendants, as no provisions could be found in the +city, to kill five sheep of the flocks he had brought with him, +and dress them for their refreshment in various ways. When all +were ready, and the simmaut was spread out, having performed his +ablutions, he sat down with his principal followers. + +The prince and his company had scarcely seated themselves, when, +lo! there advanced from the desolated city a Genie, whom the +prince seeing, stood up, and thus accosted, "Hail! and welcome to +the sovereign of the Aoon, friendly to his brethren, and ruler of +this extensive desert." He then addressed him, flatteringly, in +fluent language and eloquent expression. The hair of this Oone +Genie hung shaggily over his eyes, and flowed in matted tresses +upon his shoulders. The prince took out a pair of scissors, and +having condescendingly cut his hair, pared his nails, and washed +him, seated him at the cloth, and placed before him the dish +dressed peculiarly for himself. + +The Oone ate, and was delighted with the affability of the +prince, whom he addressed, saying, "By Allah, O Mahummud, son of +a sultan! I am doomed to death by thy arrival here; but what, my +lord, was thy object in coming?" Upon this the prince informed +him of his having seen the bird, his vain attempts to take her, +the account he had received from the old man, and his resolution, +in consequence of his information, to penetrate to the kingdom of +Kafoor, to visit the gardens, and bring away some of the +wonderful birds. + +When the Oone heard this, he said, "O son of a sultan, that +country to thee is impenetrable, thou canst not reach it; for the +distance from hence is a journey of three hundred years to the +most laborious traveller; how then canst thou hope to arrive at +it, much more return? But, my son, the good old proverb remarks, +that kindness should be returned with kindness, and evil with +evil, and that none are so cruel or so benevolent as the +inhabitants of the desert. As thou hast treated me kindly, so, +God willing, shalt thou have a return for thy goodness; but thou +must leave here thy attendants and thy effects. Thou and I only +will go together, and I will accomplish thy wish in gratitude for +what thou hast done for me." The prince immediately retired from +his encampment with the Oone, who said, "Mount upon my +shoulders." + +The prince obeyed the commands of the Oone, who having first +stopped his rider's ears with cotton, mounted into the air, and +after soaring for some hours descended; when the prince found +himself in the island of Kafoor, and near the desired garden. +Having alighted from the shoulders of the generous Oone, he +examined the spot, beheld groves, blooming shrubs, flowers +bordering clear streams, and beautiful birds chanting various +melodies. The Oone said, "Behold the object, of thy search, enter +the garden!" Upon this the prince left him, passed the gate, +which was open, and entered. He walked on every quarter, and +depending from the branches of flowering shrubs saw cages holding +a variety of beautiful birds, two birds in each cage. + +The prince took down a large cage, and having examined the birds, +placed in it such as pleased him to the number of six, with which +he was preparing to leave the garden; when at the gate a watchman +met him, who cried out loudly, "A robber! a robber!" Instantly +numerous guards rushing out, seized the prince, bound, and +carried him before the sultan, to whom they complained, saying, +"We found in the garden this young man, carrying off a cage with +six birds. He must certainly be a robber." + +The sultan addressed the prince, saying, "What induced thee, +youthful stranger, to violate my property, trespass on the +garden, and attempt stealing these birds?" The prince returned no +answer: upon which the sultan exclaimed, "Young man, thou art +verging upon death; yet still, if thy soul is bent upon having +these birds, bring me from the Black Island some bunches of +grapes, which are composed of emeralds and diamonds, and I will +give thee six birds in addition to those thou hast stolen." +Having said this, the sultan released the prince, who repaired to +his generous friend the Oone, whom he informed of the unlucky +conclusion of his adventure. "Our task is an easy one," answered +the Oone; "mount upon my shoulders." + +The prince did as he was desired, and after two hours flight the +Oone descended and alighted, when the prince found himself in the +Black Island. He immediately advanced towards the garden in which +was the fruit composed of emeralds and diamonds. On the way a +monster met him of terrible appearance. + +The monster sprung at the prince, who, with surprising agility, +drawing his sword, wounded the furious beast on the forehead with +such effect, that, uttering a dreadful groan, he fell dead at his +feet. It happened, by divine decree, that the sultan's daughter +looking from a window of the haram, beheld the combat, and, +stricken with the manly beauty and prowess of the prince, +exclaimed, "Who can withstand thy courage, or who resist thy all +conquering charms?" But he did not see the princess, or hear her +applause. + +The prince, after having slain the monster, proceeded to the +garden, the gate of which he found open, and on entering, +perceived variety of artificial trees composed of precious +stones. Among them was one resembling the vine, the fruits of +which were of emeralds and diamonds. He plucked off six bunches, +and was quitting the garden when a sentinel met him; who, being +alarmed, cried out, "A robber! a robber!" The guards rushed out, +and having bound him, carried him before the sultan, saying, "My +lord, we found this youth stealing the fruit from the garden of +jewels." + +The sultan was enraged, and on the point of ordering him to be +put to death, when a number of persons entered, crying out, "Good +tidings to our sovereign." "On what account?" exclaimed the +sultan. "The horrible monster," replied they, "who used annually +to appear and devour our sons and daughters, we have just now +found dead and cloven in two." The sultan was so rejoiced at this +happy event, that he refrained from the blood of the prince, and +exclaimed, "Whoever has destroyed this monster let him come to +me, and I swear by Allah, who has invested me with royalty, that +I will give him my daughter in marriage; and whatever else he may +desire, even to the half of my empire." + +Upon the sultan's declaration being proclaimed, several young men +appeared, pretending that they had killed the monster, and gave +various accounts of the combat, which made the prince smile. "By +Allah! it is strange," said the sultan, "that a youth in such a +perilous situation should be so unconcerned as to smile." While +the sultan was ruminating on this occurrence, a eunuch entered +from the haram, requesting that he would come and speak to the +princess his daughter, who had business of importance to +communicate; upon which the sultan arose, and retired from the +hall of audience. + +When the sultan had entered the princess's apartment, he said, +"What can have happened which has occasioned you to send for me +so suddenly?" She replied, "Is it thy wish to know who slew the +monster, and to reward the courageous hero?" "By Allah," answered +the sultan, "who created subjects and their sovereigns, if I can +discover him, my first offer to him shall be to espouse thee, +whatever be his condition, or though he dwell in the most distant +region." The princess rejoined, "No one slew the monster but the +youth who entered the garden of gems, and was bearing off the +fruit, whom thou wast just now on the point of putting to death." + +When the sultan heard the above from his daughter, he returned to +the divan, and calling the prince before him, said, "Young man, I +grant thee thy pardon; art thou he who destroyed the monster?" "I +am," replied the prince. The sultan would instantly have summoned +the cauzee to perform the espousals; but the prince said, "I have +a friend to consult; permit me to retire, and I will soon +return." The sultan consented, saying, "Thy request is but +reasonable; but come back quickly." The prince having repaired to +his friend the Oone, informed him of what had happened to him, +and of the offer of the sultan's daughter in marriage: upon which +the Oone said, "Accept the princess; but on condition that, if +you marry her, you shall be allowed to carry her to your own +kingdom." The prince having returned to the sultan, proposed his +terms, which were readily agreed to, and the nuptials were +celebrated with the most splendid magnificence. After abiding in +the palace of the sultan for a month and three days, he requested +permission to depart with his bride towards his own country, +which was granted. + +On the departure of the prince, his father-in-law presented him +with a hundred bunches of the grapes composed of emeralds and +diamonds, and he repaired to his friend the Oone; who, having +first stopped their ears with cotton, mounted them upon his +shoulders, and soaring into the air, after two hours descended +near the capital of the island of Kafoor. The prince, taking four +bunches of the jewelled fruit, hastened to the palace, and laid +them before the sultan; who, in astonishment, exclaimed, "Surely, +this young stranger must be a powerful magician, or how could he +have travelled the distance of three hundred years' journey, and +have accomplished his purpose in less time than three months! +Such an action is truly miraculous. Hast thou, indeed, young +man," said the sultan, "been at the Black Island?" "I have," +answered the prince. "Describe it to me," replied the sultan, +"its appearance, its buildings, its gardens, and rivers." The +prince having answered all his queries, the sultan said, "Noble +youth, you may assuredly ask of me whatever you wish!" "I want +nothing but the birds," rejoined the prince. "They are thine," +returned the sultan; "but annually on a certain day, and this is +it, there descends from yonder mountain a monstrous vulture, +which tears in pieces our men, women, and children; and having +flown away with them in his gigantic talons devours their flesh. +I have a beautiful daughter, whom, if thou canst overcome this +calamitous monster, I will give to thee in marriage." + +The prince replied, "I will consult my friend;" and then returned +to the Oone, whom he informed of the offer; but he had scarcely +done speaking, when, lo! the vulture appeared: upon which the +Oone, ascending into the air, attacked the monster, and after a +fierce combat, tore him into halves; after which he descended to +the prince, and said, "Go to the sultan, and acquaint him that +his destructive enemy is slain." + +The prince did as he was directed: upon which the sultan with his +train, and an immense crowd of the inhabitants of the city, came +out on horseback, and beheld the monstrous vulture, stretched +dead on the ground, torn in halves. The sultan then conducted the +prince of Hind to the palace; where his marriage with the +princess was instantly celebrated, amid the highest festivity and +rejoicings; and after remaining a full month at the sultan's +court, he requested leave to depart; when his father-in-law +presented him with ten cages, in each of which were four of the +beautiful birds of variously coloured plumage, and dismissed him, +after an affectionate farewell, with his daughter. + +The prince having departed from the sultan repaired to his +faithful friend the Oone, who welcomed his return; and having +mounted him upon his back with his two brides, his jewel fruit, +and the cages, immediately ascended into the air, from whence, +after soaring for some hours, he gradually descended, and +alighted near the ruined city, where the prince had left his +tents, cattle, and followers, whom he found anxiously expecting +his arrival. The friendly Oone had scarcely set him down, when he +said to the prince, "My young friend Mahummud, the obligation +already conferred upon me by thy coming here was great; but I +have one more favour to request." "What can that be?" replied the +prince. "That thou leave not this spot," continued the Oone, +"until thou hast washed my corpse, enshrouded, and laid it in the +grave." Having said thus, the Oone suddenly uttered one loud +groan, and instantly his soul took its flight from the body. The +astonished prince stood for some time overpowered with sorrow; +but at length recovering himself, he, with the assistance of his +domestics, washed the corpse, wrapped it in a winding sheet, and +having prayed over it, deposited it in the earth. + +The funeral ceremonies of his friend being over, he commenced his +march homewards, and after three days arrived in sight of the +inscribed pyramid, near which he perceived an extensive +encampment, which, on reconnoitring, he found to be that of his +father. The aged sultan, unable to bear the absence of his son, +had marched from his capital in hopes of overtaking him; but on +his arrival at the junction of the three ways, being confounded +at the sight of the inscriptions, he had halted, not knowing +where to proceed. Great was his joy on discovering the prince +advancing towards that face of the pyramid on which was engraved, +"Whoever travels this road will probably never return." When the +raptures of meeting and mutual congratulations were over, the +prince informed the sultan of his wonderful and successful +adventures, which overpowered him with astonishment and joy. +After reposing a few days, they proceeded towards the capital of +the sultan; where tidings having arrived of their approach, the +inhabitants ornamented the city with silks, carpets, and +transparent paintings; and the nobles and respectable persons +issued forth with splendid trains to meet and congratulate their +sovereign and the prince, who entered in triumphal procession, +amid the greatest rejoicings and prayers for their welfare and +prosperity. + + + + + STORY OF THE FISHERMAN'S SON. + + + +A fisherman's son having in company with his father caught a +large fish, the latter proposed to present it to the sultan, in +hopes of receiving a great reward. While he was gone home to +fetch a basket, the son, moved by compassion, returned the fish +into the water; but fearful of his father's anger, fled from his +country, and repaired to a distant city, where he was entertained +by a person as a servant. Strolling one day in the market, he saw +a Jew purchase of a lad a cock at a very high price, and send it +by his slave to his wife, with orders to keep it safely till his +return home. The fisherman's son supposing that as the Jew gave +so great a price for the cock it must possess some extraordinary +property, resolved to obtain it; and, accordingly, having bought +two large fowls, carried them to the Jew's wife, whom he informed +that her husband had sent him for the cock, which he had +exchanged for the fowls. She gave it him; and he having retired, +killed the bird, in whose entrails he found a magical ring; which +being rubbed by his touch, a voice proceeded from it demanding +what were the commands of its possessor, which should be +immediately executed by the genii who were servants of the ring. +The fisherman's son was rejoiced at his good fortune, and while +meditating what use he should make of his ring, passed by the +sultan's palace, at the gates of which were suspended many human +heads. He inquired the reason, and was informed that they were +those of unfortunate princes, who having failed in performing the +conditions on which the sultan's daughter was offered them in +marriage, had been put to death. Hoping to be more fortunate than +them by the aid of his ring, he resolved to demand the princess's +hand. He rubbed the ring, when the voice asked his commands: upon +which he required a rich dress, and it was instantly laid before +him. He put it on, repaired to the palace, and being introduced +to the sultan, demanded his daughter to wife. The sultan +consented, on condition that his life should be forfeited unless +he should remove a lofty and extensive mound of sand that lay on +one side of the palace, which must be done before he could wed +the princess. He accepted the condition; but demanded an interval +of forty days to perform the task. This being agreed to, he took +his leave, and having repaired to his lodging, rubbed his ring, +commanded the genii to remove the mound, and erect on the space +it covered a magnificent palace, and to furnish it suitably for a +royal residence. In fifteen days the task was completed; he was +wedded to the princess, and declared heir to the sultan. In the +mean while, the Jew whom he had tricked of the cock and the +magical ring resolved to travel in search of his lost prize, and +at last arrived at the city, where he was informed of the +wonderful removal of the mound, and the erection of the palace. +He guessed that it must have been done by means of his ring, to +recover which he planned the following stratagem. Having +disguised himself as a merchant, he repaired to the palace, and +cried for sale valuable jewels. The princess hearing him, sent an +attendant to examine them and inquire their price, when the Jew +asked in exchange only old rings. This being told to the +princess, she recollected that her husband kept an old shabby +looking ring in his writing stand, and he being asleep, she took +it out, and sent it to the Jew; who, knowing it to be the one he +had so long sought for, eagerly gave for it all the jewels in his +basket. He retired with his prize, and having rubbed the ring, +commanded the genii to convey the palace and all its inhabitants, +excepting the fisherman's son, into a distant desert island, +which was done instantly. The fisherman's son, on awaking in the +morning, found himself lying on the mound of sand, which had +reoccupied its old spot. He arose, and in alarm lest the sultan +should put him to death in revenge for the loss of his daughter, +fled to another kingdom as quickly as possible. Here he endured a +disconsolate life, subsisting on the sale of some jewels, which +he happened to have upon his dress at his flight. Wandering one +day through a town, a man offered him for sale a dog, a cat, and +a rat, which he purchased, and kept, diverting his melancholy +with their tricks, and uncommon playfulness together. These +seeming animals proved to be magicians; who, in return for his +kindness, agreed to recover for their master his lost prize, and +informed him of their intention. He eagerly thanked them, and +they all set out in search of the palace, the ring, and the +princess. At length they reached the shore of the ocean, after +much travel, and descried the island on which it stood, when the +dog swam over, carrying on his back the cat and the rat. Being +landed, they proceeded to the palace; when the rat entered, and +perceived the Jew asleep upon a sofa, with the ring laid before +him, which he seized in his mouth, and then returned to his +companions. They began to cross the sea, as before, but when +about half over the dog expressed a wish to carry the ring in his +mouth. The rat refused, lest he should drop it; but the dog +threatened, unless he would give it him, to dive and drown them +both in the sea. The rat, alarmed for his life, complied with his +demand: but the dog missed his aim in snatching at the ring, +which fell into the ocean. They landed, and informed the +fisherman's son of his loss: upon which he, in despair, resolved +to drown himself; when suddenly, as he was going to execute his +purpose, a great fish appearing with the ring in his mouth, swam +close to shore, and having dropped it within reach of the +despairing youth, miraculously exclaimed, "I am the fish which +you released from captivity, and thus reward you for your +generosity." The fisherman's son, overjoyed, returned to his +father-in-law's capital, and at night rubbing the ring, commanded +the genii to convey the palace to its old site. This being done +in an instant, he entered the palace, and seized the Jew, whom he +commanded to be cast alive into a burning pile, in which he was +consumed. From this period he lived happily with his princess, +and on the death of the sultan succeeded to his dominions. + + + + + STORY OF ABOU NEEUT AND ABOU NEEUTEEN; + OR, THE WELL-INTENTIONED AND THE DOUBLE-MINDED. + + + +A person named Abou Neeut, or the well-intentioned, being much +distressed in his own country, resolved to seek a better livelihood in +another. Accordingly he took with him all he possessed, being only one +single sherif, and began his journey. He had not travelled far when +there overtook him a man, who entertained him with his conversation; +in the course of which it appeared that his name was Abou Neeuteen, or +double-minded. Being upon the same scheme, they agreed to seek their +fortunes together, and it was settled that Abou Neeut should be the +purse-bearer of the common stock. The other possessed ten sherifs. + +After some days of toilsome journey they reached a city; on +entering which, a beggar accosted them, crying out, "Worthy +believers, disburse your alms and ye shall be rewarded ten-fold." +Upon this, Abou Neeut gave him a sherif; when his companion, +enraged at what he thought prodigality, demanded back his money, +which was given him, and he marched off leaving his new friend +without any thing. Abou Neeut, resigned to his fate, and relying +on Providence, proceeded to a mosque to pay his devotions, hoping +to meet some charitable person who would relieve his necessities; +but he was mistaken. For a night and day he remained in the +mosque, but no one offered him charity. Pressed by hunger, he in +the dusk of evening stole out, and wandered with fainting steps +through the streets. At length perceiving a servant throwing the +fragments from an eating cloth, he advanced, and gathering them +up, sat down in a corner, and gnawed the bones and half-eaten +morsels with eagerness; after which, lifting up his eyes towards +heaven, he thanked God for his scanty meal. The servant, who had +observed his motions, was surprised and affected at his wretched +condition and devotion, of which he informed his master; who, +being a charitable man, took from his purse ten sherifs, which he +ordered the servant to give to Abou Neeut. + +The servant, through avarice, having retained one sherif as a +perquisite, delivered the rest to Abou Neeut; who, having counted +the money, thanked God for his bounty; but said, agreeably to the +scriptural declaration he ought to have had ten-fold for the +sherif he had given to the beggar. The master of the servant +overhearing this, called Abou Neeut up stairs; and having seated +him, inquired his story, which he faithfully related to his host, +who was a capital merchant, and was so much pleased at his pious +simplicity, that he resolved to befriend him, and desired him to +abide for the present in his house. + +Abou Neeut had resided some days with his friendly host, when the +season arrived at which the merchant, who was punctual in +discharging the duties of religion, having examined his stock, +set apart the tenth of it in kind, and bestowed it upon his +guest, whom he advised to open a shop and try his fortune in +trade. Abou Neeut did so, and was so successful, that in a few +years he became one of the most reputable merchants in the place. + +At the end of this period, sitting one day in his warehouse, he +saw in the streets wretchedly habited, lean, and with eyes sunken +and dim, his old companion Abou Neeuteen, begging alms of +passengers with the importunate cry of distress. Abou Neeut +compassionating his miserable situation, ordered a servant to +call him to him; and on his arrival, having seated him, sent for +refreshments to relieve his immediate want. He then invited him +to spend the night at his house; and in the evening, having shut +up his warehouse, conducted him home, where a bath was made warm +for him, and when he had bathed, he was presented with a change +of handsome apparel. Supper was served, and when they had eaten +till they were satisfied they conversed on several subjects. At +length Abou Neeut exclaimed, "Dost thou not recollect me, my +brother?" "No, by Allah, most liberal host," replied the other; +"but who art thou?" "I was," answered Abou Neeut, "the companion +of thy travel at such a period; but my disposition is still +unchanged, nor have I forgotten our old connection. Half of what +I possess is thine." + +Having said this, Abou Neeut balanced his accounts, and gave half +of his property to his distressed fellow traveller; who with it +stocked a warehouse, and traded for himself with good success. +For some time the two friends lived near each other in great +repute, when Abou Neeuteen growing restless, requested Abou Neeut +to quit their present abode, and travel for recreation and +profit. "My dear friend," replied Abou Neeut, "why should we +travel? have we not here affluence and ease, and what more can we +enjoy in any part of the world?" This remonstrance had no effect +on Abou Neeuteen, who became so importunate, that at length his +kind friend yielded to his whim; they loaded an ample stock of +merchandize on mules and camels, and departed for the city of +Moussul. + +After travelling ten days, they one evening encamped near a deep +well, round which they took up their lodging. In the morning Abou +Neeut, by his own desire, was let down into the well, more +readily to fill the water bags for the use of the caravan, men +and cattle, little apprehending what was by Providence decreed to +befall him; for his ungrateful friend, who envied his prosperity, +and coveted his wealth, having loaded the beasts, cut the rope at +the top of the well, and leaving him to his fate, departed. + +Abou Neeut remained all day without food, but humbly putting his +trust in Allah for deliverance. About the middle of the following +night he overheard two Afreets in conversation with each other, +when one said, "I am now perfectly happy: for at length I have +possessed the beautiful princess of Moussul, and no one can drive +me away, unless by sprinkling the infusion of wormwood under her +feet on a Friday during divine service in the great mosque, a +recipe which will hardly be found out." "I," continued the other +Afreet, "have been as fortunate as yourself: for I am in +possession of such a hidden treasure of gold and jewels, under +the mound near Moussul, as cannot be computed, the talisman of +which cannot be opened to any one unless by killing on the mound +a white cock, and pouring over it the blood; which secret I +judge, will not be found out by man." Having said this, the +Afreets took their flight from the well. + +Abou Neeut treasured up in his mind the conversation of the +Afreets, and at day-light was happily delivered from the well by +the arrival of a caravan, some of the followers of which were let +down to fill water, and having discovered him, charitably drew +him up, and gave him some refreshments. When he was somewhat +revived by them, they inquired by what accident he had remained +in the well; and he, concealing the treachery of his ungrateful +companion, informed them that having reposed to sleep on the edge +he had fallen in, and not being missed at the time by his fellow +travellers, the caravan had proceeded on its journey. He then +begged leave to accompany his generous deliverers to Moussul, to +which they agreed, and liberally furnished him with a conveyance. + +On entering the city Abou Neeut perceived all the people in +motion, and on inquiring the reason, was informed that they were +hastening to the great square before the palace, to see the +beheading of a physician, who had failed in attempting to expel +an evil spirit that had long possessed the daughter of the +sultan, and that such had been the fate of many unhappy men who +had tried their skill upon the unfortunate princess. Upon this +intelligence he hastened with all speed to the palace, and having +obtained admission to the sultan, made the usual prostrations; +after which he offered to expel the evil spirit, and begged as +part of his reward the sparing of the life of the unsuccessful +physician. To this the sultan for the present agreed; but +declared, that should Abou Neeut fail in his undertaking, he +would execute them together, as ignorant pretenders in their art. +Abou Neeut then begged that the trial of his skill might be +deferred till the Friday, which he requested of the sultan might +be solemnly observed, as the devout prayers of all true believers +would draw down a blessing on his operations. The sultan +consented; the unfortunate physician was released from the +executioner, and commanded to be kept in the palace, in which +Abou Neeut had also an apartment allotted him. Proclamation was +then made through the city for the strict celebration of the +approaching sabbath, under pain of the royal displeasure on those +who should neglect it. + +Friday being arrived, and the whole city assembled at prayers, +Abou Neeut prepared his infusion of wormwood, as the Afreet had +mentioned. Being introduced into the apartment of the princess, +who lay in a melancholy stupor, he poured the infusion upon her +feet, when a loud yell was heard near her, and she starting up, +as if from sleep, called upon her attendants to assist her in +rising. News was immediately conveyed to the sultan of the +princess's recovery, and he came overjoyed to witness her +returned senses. He commanded public rejoicings to be made, large +sums to be distributed in alms, and desired Abou Neeut to demand +what he chose in reward for his important service, at the same +time ordering the unsuccessful physician to be set at liberty, +with a handsome present. + +Abou Neeut, who had been captivated by the beauty of the princess, +asked, as his reward, her hand in marriage: upon which the sultan +consulted with his viziers, who advised him to dismiss the petitioner +for the present, with orders to return in the morning, when he should +receive the sultan's decision on a request which demanded much +consideration. When Abou Neeut had retired, the viziers represented to +the sultan, that it was fitting the husband of his daughter should at +least possess great wealth: for though Abou Neeut had expelled the +evil spirit, yet if he could not support her in a manner becoming her +rank, he was not worthy to marry her. They, therefore, advised him to +select a number of his most valuable jewels, to shew them to Abou +Neeut, and demand as a dowry for the princess some of equal +estimation; which if he could produce he was ready to receive him as +his son-in-law; but if not, he must accept a compensation for his +services more suited to his condition than the royal alliance. + +On Abou Neeut's appearance at court the next morning the sultan +displayed the jewels, and made the proposal advised by his +viziers; when looking with the utmost indifference upon the +brilliant stones before him, he assured the sultan that he would +the next day present him with ten times the number, of superior +value and lustre; which declaration astonished the whole court, +as it was known that no prince possessed richer gems than those +in possession of the sultan of Moussul. + +Abou Neeut having taken leave of the sultan proceeded to the +poultry market, and having purchased a cock entirely white and +free from blemish, brought it to his lodgings, where he continued +till the rising of the moon, when he walked out of the city +alone, and speeded to the mound of blueish earth mentioned by the +Afreet of the well to contain the invaluable hidden treasure. +Being arrived at the mound, he ascended it, cut the throat of the +cock, whose blood began to flow, when, lo! the earth shook, and +soon made an opening, through which, to his great satisfaction, +he perceived such heaps of inestimable precious stones, of all +sorts, as are not to be adequately described, Abou Neeut now went +back to the city, where, having procured ten camels, with two +panniers on each, he returned and loaded them with his treasure, +which he conveyed to his lodging, having first filled up the +cavity of the mound. + +In the morning Abou Neeut repaired with his loaded camels to the +palace, and entering the court of the divan, in which the sultan +sat expecting him, after a profound obeisance, cried out, +"Descend for a moment, my lord, and examine the dowry of the +princess." The sultan, arising from his throne, came down the +steps of the hall, and the camels being made to kneel, he +examined the panniers, and was so astonished at the richness of +their contents, being jewels far surpassing his own in size and +lustre, that he exclaimed, "By Allah! if the treasuries of all +the sultans of the world were brought together they could not +afford gems equal to these." When somewhat recovered from his +surprise, he inquired of his viziers how he should now act +towards Abou Neeut; when they all unanimously cried out, "By all +means give him your daughter." The marriage was then immediately +celebrated with great splendour, and Abou Neeut conducted himself +so well in his high station, that the sultan his father-in-law +committed to him the giving public audience in his stead, and the +decision of all appeals, three days in each week. + +Some time had elapsed after his elevation, when Abou Neeut one +day giving audience in the magnificent hall of one of his country +palaces, beheld a man among the crowd of a sorrowful aspect, +dressed in a wretched habit, who cried, "O true believers, O +charitable gentlemen, relieve the distressed!" Abou Neeut +commanded one of his mace-bearers to bring him to his presence, +and on his appearance recognized his treacherous companion who +had left him in the well. Without making himself known, or +betraying any emotion but that of compassion, he ordered +attendants to conduct him to the warm bath; in which being +refreshed, he was arrayed in a magnificent habit, and again +brought to the divan. Abou Neeut having retired with him into a +closet, said, "Knowest them me not, my old friend?" "No, by +Allah," replied the other. "Know then," returned he, "that I am +Abou Neeut, thy benefactor and companion, whom you treacherously +left in the well." He then related all his adventures, concluding +them with an assurance, that so far from resenting his treachery, +he regarded his conduit as the impulse of fate, and as the means +by which he, himself, had attained his present dignity and +affluence, which he would share with him. The envious heart of +Abou Neeuteen was unconquerable; and instead of thanking the +noble-minded Abou Neeut for his forgiveness and liberality, he +exclaimed, "Since the well has been to thee so fortunate, why +should it not prove so also to me?" Having said this, he hastily +rose up and quitted Abou Neeut, who would not punish such +rudeness, even without taking leave. + +Abou Neeuteen hastened with all speed to the well, and having +descended by a rope, sat down, impatiently expecting the arrival +of the Afreets, who about midnight alighted, and resting +themselves on the terrace above, began to inquire each other's +adventures. "Since we met last," said one, "I have been rendered +miserable; for a cunning Mussulmaun found out the secret of +overpowering me, and has married my princess, nor can I revenge +myself, for he is under the protection of a converted genie, whom +the prophet has appointed to watch over him." "I," continued the +other Afreet, "have been equally unfortunate with thyself; for +the same man who has wedded thy mistress discovered my hidden +treasure, and keeps it in spite of my attempts to recover it: but +let us fill up this abominable well, which must have been the +cause of all our disasters." Having said thus, the two Afreets +immediately hurled the terrace and large stones into the well, +which crushed the ungrateful and envious Abou Neeuteen to atoms. +Some days after this, the good Abou Neeut, finding he did not +return, repaired to the well, and seeing it fallen in, ordered it +to be cleared; when the discovery of the body proved to him that +the malicious spirit of the wretch had been the cause of his own +destruction. He with reverence exclaimed, "There is no refuge but +with the Almighty; may he preserve us from envy, which is +destructive to the envious alone!" + +Abou Neeut returned to the capital, where, not long after, his +father-in-law the sultan dying, left him heir to his kingdom. His +succession was disputed by the husbands of the two elder sisters +of his wife; but the ministers and people being in favour of the +sultan's will, they resigned their pretensions and submitted to +his authority. His wife being brought to bed of a son, her +sisters bribed the midwife to pretend that the sultana had +produced a dog. They did the same by another son. At the third +lying-in of the sultana Abou Neeut resolved to be present, and a +beautiful princess appeared. The two infant princes having been +thrown at the gate of one of the royal palaces, were taken up by +the gardener and his wife, who brought them up as their own. Abou +Neeut in visiting the garden with his daughter, who shewed an +instinctive affection for them, from this, and their martial play +with each other (having made horses of clay, bows and arrows, +&c.), was induced to inquire of the gardener whether they were +really his own children. The gardener upon this related the +circumstance of his having found them exposed at the gate of the +palace, and mentioned the times, which agreed exactly with those +of the sultana's delivery. Abou Neeut then questioned the +midwife, who confessed the imposition and wickedness of the +sisters, whom he left to be punished by the pangs of their own +consciences, convinced that envy is its own severest tormentor. +The young princes were acknowledged; and the good Abou Neeut had +the satisfaction of seeing them grow up to follow his example. + + + + + ADVENTURE OF A COURTIER, RELATED BY + HIMSELF TO HIS PATRON, AN AMEER OF EGYPT. + + + +It is related by an historian that there was an ameer of the land +of Egypt, whose mind being one night unusually disturbed, he sent +for one of his courtiers, a convivial companion, and said to him, +"To-night my bosom, from what cause I know not, is uncommonly +restless, and I wish thee to divert me by some amusing +narrative." The courtier replied, "To hear is to obey: I will +describe an adventure which I encountered in the youthful part of +my life." + +When a very young man I was deeply in love with a beautiful Arab +maiden, adorned by every elegance and grace, who resided with her +parents; and I used frequently to visit their camp, for her +family was one of the desert tribes. One day my mind felt +uncommonly anxious concerning her, and I resolved to seek relief +by a visit; but when I reached the spot found neither my beloved +nor any of her kindred. I questioned some passengers, who +informed me that the family had removed their encampment from +scarcity of forage for their herds and camels. I remained for +some time on the ground; but observing no signs of their return, +my impatience of absence became intolerable, and my love +compelled me to travel in search of my charmer. Though the shades +of evening were falling, I replaced the saddle upon my camel, put +on my vestments, and girding on my sabre proceeded. I had +advanced some distance, when the night became dismally black, and +from the darkness I now sunk into sands and hollows, and now +ascended declivities, while the yells of wild beasts resounded on +every quarter. My heart beat with apprehension, and my tongue did +not cease to repeat the attributes of the Almighty, our only +defender in time of need. At length stupor overcame my senses, +and I slept; while my camel quitted the track, and wandered from +the route I had meant to pursue all night. Suddenly my head was +violently intercepted by the branch of a tree, and I was awakened +by the blow, which gave me infinite pain. As I recovered myself I +beheld trees, verdure sprinkled with flowers, and a clear +rivulet; also a variety of birds, whose notes were melodiously +sweet. I alighted from my camel, and laid the bridle on my arm, +as the underwood of the thicket was closely entwined. + +I did not cease leading my camel till I was out of the thicket, +when I remounted; but at a loss which way to go, and unknowing +where Providence might direct me, I reached the desert, and cast +my eyes over the expanse; when, lo! at length a smoke appeared in +the midst of it. I whipped my camel, and at length reached a +fire, and near it observed a handsome tent, before which was a +standard planted, surrounded by spears, horses picketted, and +camels grazing. I said to myself, "What can mean this tent, which +has a grand appearance, in so solitary a plain?" I then went to +the rear of the tent, and exclaimed, "Health to you, O +inhabitants of this tent, and may the Almighty to you be +merciful!" Upon this there advanced from it a youth, seemingly +about nineteen, who appeared graceful as the rising moon, and +valour and benevolence gleamed upon his aspect. He returned my +salutation, and said, "Brother Arab, perchance thou hast missed +thy way." I answered, "Yes, shew it, and may God requite thee!" +upon which he replied, "My dwelling, brother Arab, is at present +in this wild spot; but the night is dreary, and shouldst thou +proceed there is no surety against wild beasts tearing thee in +pieces. Lodge, then, at present with me in safety, and repose, +and when day shall appear I will direct thee on thy way." I +alighted, when he took my camel, picketted her, and gave her +water and fodder. He then retired for a while; but returned with +a sheep, which he killed, flayed, and cut up; then lighted a +fire, and when it was of a proper glow broiled part of the sheep, +which he had previously seasoned with sundry dried herbs, seeds, +and spices, and when ready presented his cookery to me. + +During his hospitalities I observed that my kind host sometimes +beat his breast and wept, from which I guessed that he was in +love, and a wanderer, like myself. My curiosity was raised; but I +said within myself, "I am his guest, why should I intrude upon +him by painful questions?" and refrained from inquiry. When I had +eaten as much as sufficed me, the youth arose, went into his +tent, and brought out a basin and ewer, with a napkin embroidered +with silk and fringed with gold; also a cruet of rose water, in +which musk had been infused. I was astonished at his proceedings, +and the politeness of his demeanour, and exclaimed inwardly, "How +wonderful is the abode of so accomplished a personage in this +wild desert." We made our ablutions, and conversed awhile upon +various subjects; after which my gentle host went to his tent, +from whence he brought out a piece of red silk damask, which he +divided between us, saying, "Brother Arab, go into my tent and +choose thy place of repose, for last night and to-day great must +have been thy hardship and fatigue." + +I entered the tent, and in one partition of it found a mattress +of green damask: upon which, having pulled off my upper garments, +I lay down, and slept so soundly that I never enjoyed, before or +since, so refreshing a repose. At length I awoke, when night was +far advanced, and became involved in thought respecting my +hospitable host; but knew not what to conjecture, and was sinking +again into slumber, when, lo! gentle murmurs struck my ears, than +which I never heard sound more soft or tenderly affecting. I +lifted up the curtain of my partition, and looked around, when I +beheld a damsel more beautiful than any I had ever seen, seated +by the generous owner of the tent. They wept and complained of +the agonies of love, of separation and interruptions to their +desire of frequent meetings. Then I said within myself, "There is +a wonderfully dignified appearance in this amiable youth, yet he +lives alone, and I have seen no other tent on the plain. What can +I conjecture, but that this damsel must be a daughter of one of +the good genii, who has fallen in love with him, and upon her +account he has retired to this solitary spot?" Respect for their +love made me drop the curtain; I drew the coverlid over me, and +again fell asleep. + +When the morning dawned I awoke, dressed, and having performed my +ablutions and prayers, said to the young man, who had already +risen, "Brother Arab, if in addition to thy hospitalities already +shewn thou wilt put me in my way, my obligations will be +complete." He looked kindly, and said, "If convenient, my +brother, let me entertain thee as my guest for three days." I +could not refuse his hospitable request, and abode with him. On +the third day I ventured to inquire his name and family, when he +replied, "I am of the noble tribe of Azzra," and I discovered +that he was the son of my father's brother. "Son of my uncle," +exclaimed I, "what can have induced thee to court the seclusion +of this desert spot, and to quit thy kinsmen, neighbours, and +dependents?" + +Upon hearing these words, the eyes of the youth became suffused +with tears, he sighed, and said, "Ah! my cousin, I passionately +admired the daughter of my uncle, and was so devoted to her love +that I asked her in marriage; but he refused me, and wedded her +to another of our tribe richer than myself, who carried her to +his abode. When she was thus torn from me, despair agitated my +soul, I quitted my relations, friends, and companions, became +enamoured of solitude, and retired to this lonely spot." + +When he had finished his communication, I said, "But where is the +abode of thy beloved and thy successful rival?" He replied, "Near +the summit of yonder mountain, from whence, as frequently as +opportunity will allow, in the stillness of night, when sleep +hath overpowered the eyes of the village, she ventures to my +tent, and we enjoy the company of each other; but believe me, my +brother, our passion is innocent as devotional love. Hence I +dwell here in the manner you have witnessed, and while she visits +me delightful will pass the hours, until Allah shall execute his +appointed decrees, and reward our constancy in this world, or +consign us to the grave together." + +When the unfortunate youth had concluded his narration, at which +I was affected with sincere compassion for his circumstances, an +eager desire to relieve the lovers from their oppressors occupied +my mind, and after much consideration I addressed him thus: "If +thou choosest, I think I can point out a plan which, under the +blessing of Allah, may end the sufferings of thyself and thy +beloved." He replied, "O son of my uncle, reveal it to me!" and I +continued, saying, "When night shall arrive, and the damsel +cometh, let us seat her upon my camel; for she is sure-footed and +swift of pace; do thou then mount thy steed, and I will accompany +you upon one of your camels. We will travel all night, and ere +morning shall have passed the forest, when you will be safe, and +thy heart will be rendered happy with thy beloved. The land of +God is wide enough to afford us an asylum; and by Heaven I swear, +that while life remains I will be thy friend." The youth replied, +"Son of my uncle, I will consult upon thy plan with my beloved, +for she is prudent and well-informed." + +When night had shut in, and the usual hour of the damsel's coming +approached, my kind host impatiently expected her arrival; but in +vain, for she did not appear. He rose, stood in the doorway of +the tent, opened his mouth, and drew in the exhalations of the +gale, then returned, sat down pensively for a few minutes, and at +last bursting into tears, exclaimed, "Ah! my cousin, there are no +tidings of the daughter of my uncle, some, mishap must have +befallen her. Remain here while I go in search of intelligence." +Having said thus, he took up his sabre, his lance, and departed. + +When somewhat more than an hour had elapsed, I heard his +footstep, and soon perceived him advancing, bearing something +bulky in his arms, while he called loudly upon me in a +distressful tone. I hastened towards him, and upon my arrival he +exclaimed, "Alas, alas! the beloved daughter of my uncle is no +more, and I bear her remains. She was hastening, as usual, to my +tent, when suddenly a lion sprung upon her in the path, and tore +her in pieces. These relics are all that remain of my beloved." +He then laid them down, and, lo! the thigh bones of the damsel +and part of her ribs. He wept piteously, and said, "Remain here +till I return;" after which he departed with the swiftness of an +arrow. In about an hour he returned, and in his hand was the head +of the lion, which he threw down, and asked eagerly for water, +which I brought him. He then washed his hands, cleansed the mouth +of the lion, which he rapturously kissed, and wept bitterly for +some moments. He then exclaimed, "By Allah, I conjure thee, O son +of my uncle, and by the ties of relationship between us, that +thou observe my will; for within this hour I shall follow my +beloved; be thou our mourner, and bury her remains with mine in +the same grave." Having said this, he retired into the sleeping +partition of the tent; where he remained at his devotions for an +hour, then came out, beat his breast, sighed deeply, and at +length heaved his expiring groan, saying, "I come, I come, my +beloved, I come!" and his pure soul took flight for the mansions +of Paradise. + +When I beheld his corpse, sad indeed was my condition, and from +excess of sorrow I found it difficult to perform my promise; but +at length I arose, washed, enshrouded, and laid the remains of +these constant lovers in the same grave, near which I remained +for three days in prayer and lamentation; after which I departed +homewards: but have not failed annually to visit the spot, to +bedew their grave with my tears, and pray for the mercy of Allah +to their souls and my own errors. + + + + + STORY OF THE PRINCE OF SIND, AND FATIMA, + DAUGHTER OF AMIR BIN NAOMAUN. + + + +Some ages back a certain sultan of Sind had a son by a concubine, +who behaved so rudely to his sultana, that she became dispirited +and lost her health, which her favourite woman observing, +resolved by stratagem to get rid of the prince. She advised her +mistress, when he might next insult her, to say to him, "That he +would never appear becoming his rank till he was beloved by +Fatima, daughter of a sultan named Amir bin Naomaun." The queen +having followed the woman's directions, the prince resolved to +travel to the country of the princess, and demand her in +marriage. Accordingly, having obtained the consent of the sultan +his father, he departed with an attendance suitable to his rank. +After marching for some time he entered a desert, which was +covered with a numberless flight of locusts, that had fallen +exhausted for want of food. Pitying their distress, he ordered +meal to be spread on the ground, when the locusts having +refreshed themselves flew away. Some days after this incident he +reached a thick forest crowded with elephants, and herds of wild +animals of every description; but as they did not attempt to +attack him, and were in a starving condition, he ordered some of +his cattle to be killed, and distributed to them for food. Having +satisfied themselves they retired, shewing every sign that +dumbness would allow of being pleased with his kind treatment. On +his march onwards the prince met a venerable old man, of whom he +inquired the route to the territories of Amir bin Naomaun, and +was informed that they were at no great distance; but only to be +entered by a range of rugged and steep mountains composed of +iron-stone, and next to impassable; also, that should he succeed +in overcoming this difficulty, it was in vain to hope to attain +the princess. The prince inquiring the reason, the old man +continued, "Sultan Amir bin Naomaun has resolved that no one +shall wed his daughter unless he can perform three tasks which he +will impose, and these are of so difficult a nature as not to be +executed by the labour or ingenuity of man, and many unhappy +princes have lost their heads in the attempt; for he puts them to +death instantly on failure: be advised, therefore, and give up so +fruitless an expedition." The prince, instead of listening to the +admonition of the old man, resolved to proceed; and having +requested his prayers and benedictions, continued his march. In a +short time, having entered the passes of the mountains, he +discovered vast caverns inhabited by a species of genii, who were +employed in working upon masses of iron-stone, which they dug +from the rock. The prince having entertained them with a +hospitable feast, they, in return, shewed him the easiest route +through the stupendous mountains, and he at length arrived in +safety before the capital of sultan Amir bin Naomaun, to whom he +sent an envoy, requesting leave to encamp on the plain, and to +offer himself as a candidate for the beautiful princess his +daughter. The sultan, in reply, acceded to his petition, and +invited him to the palace; where, in the evening, he was led into +a court, in which was placed an immense vessel filled with three +kinds of grain mixed together, which (as his first task towards +obtaining the princess) he was to separate entirely from each +other, and put into three heaps; which if not accomplished before +sunrise, he was then to forfeit his head in punishment for his +temerity. It being now too late to recede, the prince resigned +himself to Providence; and the gates of the court being locked +upon him, he prayed to Allah, and began to separate the grains; +but finding his progress vain, his spirits deserted him about +midnight, and he left off his fruitless labour in despair, +endeavouring to reconcile himself to death. While he was praying +for fortitude to bear him up in his last moments, a voice was +heard, saying, "Be comforted, and receive the reward of thy +charity to famished insects." Immediately after this the heavens +were obscured, as if by thick clouds, which descended on the +court, when, lo! this phenomenon proved to be myriads of locusts; +who, alighting on the vessel, in a few hours emptied it of all +the grain, which they disposed of, each in its kind, in three +several heaps, and having given a general buzzing of salutation, +took flight, and vanished into the air. The prince was overjoyed +at the miraculous accomplishment of his task by the grateful +locusts, and having offered up thanks to Allah and the prophet +for his deliverance from impending destruction, composed himself +to rest, doubting not but that they would assist him to overcome +the two remaining labours. Great was the surprise of the sultan +Amir bin Naomaun, when, on coming at daylight to the court, he +beheld his intended victim in a profound sleep, and the grain in +three separate heaps, neatly piled up in the form of domes. The +prince awaking, saluted him, and demanded to be informed of his +next task; but the sultan put him off to the evening, until when +he entertained him at the palace with a most magnificent feast; +and his obdurate heart was so softened by the noble address and +demeanour of his guest, that he wished he might be able to +overcome the remaining impositions and become his son-in-law. The +princess, also, who had the curiosity to look at him through the +blinds of her apartments, was so fascinated with his appearance +that she prayed for his success. + +When night had set in, the prince was conducted to an open plain +in front of the palace, in the centre of which was a large +reservoir full of clear water, which the sultan commanded him to +drain off before sunrise, or forfeit his life. The prince +remained alone on the brink of the reservoir with rather somewhat +more hope of success than he had felt of overcoming his task of +the preceding night; nor was he disappointed, for about midnight +a voice was heard exclaiming, "Prince, benevolence is never +unrequited:" and, lo! the plain was filled with elephants, +rhinoceroses, camels, dromedaries, lions, tigers, and every +species of wild beasts, in such immense droves as could not be +numbered, who, advancing in turn to the reservoir, drank in such +quantity that it, at length, was completely emptied, and became +as dry as if just finished. The beasts then expressing pleasure +by their varying natural noises at having served their benefactor +departed, and left him to enjoy the deliverance from the labour +imposed upon him. + +The prince, now more assured than ever that he was the favourite +of Allah and the prophet, after offering up prayers with a +relieved heart, slept comfortably in a building creeled on the +margin of the reservoir, and was only awakened by the call of the +sultan at sun-rise, who was more astonished at the accomplishment +of this labour than the former, though certainly each was equally +difficult. He conducted the prince to his palace, and the day was +spent in the highest festivity. + +At the approach of night the prince was conducted to his third +task, which was to complete and fit up before daylight from a +vast mass of planks of the choicest timber ready stored the +doors, windows, and balconies of an unfinished palace, much +larger than that which the sultan inhabited. The prince at the +apprehension of the consequences of failure was somewhat alarmed; +but the recollection of his former aids supported him, and after +offering up his devotions he sat down, composedly waiting for the +decision of Providence on his fate. His resignation was accepted, +for at midnight he was roused from his contemplations by the +sounds of sawing, planing, hammering, nailing, and the songs of +happy work-men. Looking up he perceived his friends of the iron +mountains; who, all saluting him, cried out, "Prince, set your +heart at rest, for we are come to repay you for your hospitable +feast." Before daylight the palace was fitted up in a manner more +elegant than can be described, and every door, window, and +balcony painted with the most brilliant colours, flowered with +silver and gold. The grateful labourers of the iron mountains +having finished their work, respectfully saluted the prince and +departed. + +The prince having taken a grateful leave of his useful friends, walked +through the palace, and was eagerly employed in admiring its elegance +and the magnificence of their finishing hand, when the sultan Amir bin +Naomaun, who from his apartments at sun-rise had observed the +miraculous completion, appeared, having hastened to examine the superb +workmanship, and to congratulate his son-in-law, for as such he now +acknowledged him, and as the favoured of Allah, and of the last of +prophets. He conducted the prince to the palace, and the most +magnificent preparations being made, the nuptials with his daughter +were celebrated in the new edifice, where the bride and bridegroom +enjoyed themselves for three months, at the expiration of which the +prince begged permission to return to his father's dominions, which he +reached just in time to release him from the attack of an inimical +sultan, who had invaded the country, and laid close siege to his +capital. His father received him with rapture, and the prince having +made an apology to the sultana for his former rude behaviour, she +received his excuses, and having no child of her own readily adopted +him as her son; so that the royal family lived henceforth in the +utmost harmony, till the death of the sultan and sultana, when the +prince succeeded to the empire. + + + + + STORY OF THE LOVERS OF SYRIA; OR, THE + HEROINE. + + + +There formerly dwelt in the city of Damascus two brothers, one +poor and the other rich, the former of whom had a son, and the +latter a daughter. The poor man dying left his son, just emerging +from infancy, to the protection of his wealthy uncle, who behaved +to his unfortunate charge with paternal tenderness, till the +youth, who had exchanged vows of love with his cousin, requested +her in marriage; when the father refused, and expelled him from +his house. The young lady, however, who ardently loved him, +agreed to elope, and having one night escaped from her father's +dwelling, repaired to the object of her affection; who, having +had notice of her intentions, had prepared two horses and a mule +to carry their baggage. They travelled all night, and by morning +reached a sea-port, where they found a ship ready to sail, in +which, having secured a passage, the lady immediately embarked; +but the lover remained on shore to dispose of the horses and +mule. While he was seeking for a purchaser in the market, a fair +wind sprung up, and the master of the ship having weighed anchor, +hoisted sail and departed: the lady in vain entreating him to +wait the return of her beloved, or send her on shore, for he was +captivated with her beauty. Finding herself thus ensnared, as she +was a woman of strong mind, instead of indulging in unavailing +complaint, she assumed a satisfied air; and as the only way to +preserve her honour, received the addresses of the treacherous +master with pretended complacency, and consented to receive him +as a husband at the first port at which the ship might touch. +With these assurances he was contented, and behaved to her with +honourable deference, and affectionate respect. At length the +vessel anchored near a city, to which the captain went to make +preparations for his marriage; but the lady, while he was on +shore, addressed the ship's crew, setting forth with such force +his treacherous conduct to herself, and offering such rewards if +they would convey her to her lover at the port they had left, +that the honest sailors were moved in her favour, agreed to obey +her as their mistress, and hoisting sail, left the master to +shift for himself. After some days of favourable weather, a +contrary gale blowing hard, the vessel was driven far out of her +course, and for shelter obliged to anchor in the first haven that +offered, which proved to be that of a large city, the capital of +a potent sultan, whose officers came on board to examine the +vessel, and inquire into her cargo and destination. These men, to +their great surprise, finding it commanded by a lady of exquisite +beauty, reported her charms to the sultan, who resolved to +possess them, and sent her an offer of marriage; to which she +seemingly consented, and the sultan commanded the most splendid +preparations to be made for the nuptials. When all was ready, he +sent onboard the vessel the daughter of his vizier, with other +ladies, thirty-nine in number, magnificently attired, to wait +upon his bride, and attend her on shore. They were graciously +received by the politic lady, and invited to refresh themselves +in the grand cabin, which she had elegantly adorned with costly +hangings, and prepared in it a superb collation, to which they +sat down. She then dismissed the boats in which they came, +sending a message to the sultan that she should entertain the +ladies on board till the next morning, when she would repair on +shore and conclude their marriage. She behaved towards her new +guests with such winning affability, that they one and all +admired their expected sultana, and partook of the entertainment +with the highest satisfaction; but what was their surprise when, +in the middle of the night, she commanded the crew to weigh +anchor, having first warned them, on pain of her displeasure and +immediate death, to keep silence, and raise no alarm in the +harbour. The vessel sailed, and put to sea without being +molested, when the intrepid commandress consoled the affrighted +ladies, related to them her own adventures, and assured them that +when she should have rejoined her lover, they should, if they +chose it, be honourably restored to their homes; but in the mean +time she hoped they would contentedly share her fortunes. This +behaviour, by degrees, so won upon their minds, that the ladies +forgot their sorrows, became pleased with their situation, and in +a short time were so attached to their new mistress, that they +would not have left her had it been in their power. After some +weeks sail, it became necessary to steer towards the first coast +that should present itself, to lay in a supply of fresh water and +provisions, and land appearing, the vessel anchored, when the +lady with her companions went on shore. Here they were surrounded +by forty robbers, who threatened to take them prisoners; when the +heroic lady, desiring her friends to conceal their fears, assumed +a smiling countenance, and addressing the chief of the banditti, +assured him there would be no occasion for force, as she and her +companions were ready to share their love, being women who were +above the prejudices of their sex, and had devoted themselves to +pleasure, in search of which they roved on board their vessel +from one coast to another, and would now stay with them as long +as they might wish for their company. This declaration suiting +the depraved minds of the robbers, they laid aside their fierce +looks and warlike weapons, bringing abundance of all sorts of +provisions to regale their expected mistresses, with whom they +sat down to a plentiful repast, which was heightened by a store +of wines which the lady had brought in her boats from the ship. +Mirth and jollity prevailed; but the fumes of the liquors, in +which the politic lady had infused strong opiates, suddenly +operated upon their senses, and they fell down one and all in a +state of stupefaction. She then with her companions drew the +sabres of their brutal admirers and put them all to death +excepting the chief, whom they bound hand and foot with strong +cords, and after cutting off his beard and mustachios, tied his +own cimeter round his neck, leaving him to feel mortification +worse than death on the recovery of his senses, namely, the sight +of his slaughtered fellows, and regret at the loss of his +imagined happiness. The ladies then stripped the caves of the +robbers of the vast wealth which they had hoarded up from their +plunders, and having carried it on board their boats, with a +stock of water and provisions, returned to the ship, weighed +anchor, and sailed triumphant and rejoicing from such a dangerous +coast. After some weeks' sail they again descried land, to which +they approached, and discovered a spacious harbour, round which +rose a vast city, the buildings of which were sublimely lofty, +adorned with flights of marble steps to the water's edge, and +crowned with domes and minarets topped with pinnacles of gold. +The enterprising lady having anchored, clothed herself and her +companions in magnificent male habits; after which she ordered +the boats to be hoisted out, and they were rowed ashore by part +of their crew richly dressed. On landing, they found all the +inhabitants of the city in mourning, and making doleful +lamentation for their late sultan, who had died only a few days +before. The gallant appearance of a stranger so nobly attended +created much surprise, and intelligence of the arrival was +instantly conveyed to the vizier, who acted as regent till the +election of a new monarch, which ceremony was just on the point +of taking place. The minister, who thought he perceived in such a +critical arrival the work of fate, immediately waited on the now +supposed prince, whom he invited to be present at the election; +at the same time informing him that when in this kingdom a sultan +died without issue, the laws appointed that his successor should +be chosen by the alighting of a bird on his shoulder, which bird +would be let fly among the crowd assembled in the square before +the palace. The seeming prince accepted the invitation, and with +the disguised ladies was conducted to a gorgeous pavilion, open +on all sides, to view the ceremony. The ominous bird being +loosened from his chain, soared into the air to a great height, +then gradually descending, flew round and round the square +repeatedly, even with the faces of the spectators. At length it +darted into the pavilion, where the lady and her companions were +seated, fluttered around her head, and at length rested upon her +shoulder, giving at the same time a cry of exultation, stretching +its neck, and flapping its wings. Immediately upon this, the +viziers and courtiers bowed themselves to the ground, and the +assembled crowd prostrated themselves on the earth, crying out, +"Long live our glorious sultan, the chosen of Providence, the +elected by the decrees of fate!" The disguised lady was instantly +conducted to the palace, seated on a splendid throne, and +proclaimed amidst the acclamations of the people, sovereign of an +extensive empire; nor were the abilities of her mind unequal to +the task of government. In a few days the vizier offered to the +supposed sultan his daughter in marriage; and his offer being +accepted, the nuptials were celebrated with the utmost +magnificence; but what was the astonishment of the bride, when, +instead of being caressed, the sultan on retiring with her became +cold and reserved, rose from her, and spent the night in prayer. +In the morning the sultana was questioned by her mother; who, on +her relating the behaviour of the husband, observed, that +possibly from his youth he might be over reserved; but that love +would naturally in time operate its effect. Several evenings past +in the same manner, when the bride, mortified at such coldness, +could no longer restrain herself, and said, "Why, my lord, if you +disliked me, did you take me to wife? but if you love not as +other men, tell me so, and I will suffer my misfortune in +silence." The lady, moved by this remonstrance, replied, "Most +virtuous princess, would that for your sake I were of the sex you +suppose me; but, alas! I am like you a woman, disappointed in +love." She then related to her the wonderful adventures she had +undergone since leaving her father's house, at which the vizier's +daughter was so affected that she vowed for her a lasting +friendship, agreed to keep her secret, and live with her till +such times as chance should restore her lover. In return for this +kindness the lady promised that should the object of her +affections ever arrive, he should marry them both, and that she +should have the precedence in the ceremony of union. The two +friends having thus agreed, the vizier's daughter regained her +cheerfulness, and means were taken to convince her father, +mother, and friends of the consummation of the nuptials. From +this time they lived in perfect happiness together, one +exercising the authority of sultan to the satisfaction of the +subject, and the other acting the part of a satisfied and +obedient wife; but still both were anxious to meet their mutual +husband. As the capital of the kingdom was a mart for most +nations of the world, the pretended sultan formed the following +stratagem for discovering her beloved, not doubting but that he +would travel over all parts of the world in search of the object +of his affection. She erected a most magnificent caravanserai, +furnished with baths hot and cold, and every convenience for the +weary traveller. When it was finished, she issued a proclamation, +that sojourners from all parts should be welcome to lodge in it, +and be provided with every necessary till they could accommodate +themselves in the city, or pursued, if only travellers, their +journey to another part. Over the gate of this edifice she placed +an exact statue of herself, and gave orders to the guards that +whatever stranger, on looking at it, should shew signs of +agitation, or utter words signifying that he knew the original, +should be immediately seized and confined in the palace. Many +weeks had not passed when the father of this enterprising lady, +who had travelled many thousands of miles in search of his +daughter, arrived at the gate, and on seeing the statue, +exclaimed, "Alas! alas! how like my poor, lost child!" He was +immediately carried to the palace, lodged in a magnificent +apartment, treated with the highest respect; but kept in complete +ignorance as to the cause of his confinement and his future fate. +Not long after this, his disconsolate nephew, who, on the +departure of the treacherous captain, had wandered from city to +city in hopes of finding his mistress, arrived, and repaired to +the caravanserai. + +On sight of the statue his feelings overcame him; he sighed and +fainted: when he was taken up by the guards and lodged in the +palace, where being come to himself, he was astonished at the +respect and attention paid him by the domestics, and the splendid +manner in which he was entertained; but it was in vain that he +inquired the cause of his detention, the only answer he could get +being, "Have patience, my lord, and repose yourself till +Providence shall free you from our confinement." Soon after this +the master of the ship, who had visited port after port in hopes +of recovering his vessel, reached the city, and hearing of the +hospitality with which all strangers were received at the +caravanserai of the sultan, repaired to the gateway; but no +sooner had he cast his eyes on the statue, than he exclaimed, +"Ah! how like to the artful yet virtuous woman who cheated me of +my property by stealing my ship." Immediately he was seized by +the guards, and conveyed to the palace, but treated with +kindness. Many days had not succeeded to this event, when the +sultan and the vizier, whose daughter with the thirty-nine ladies +had been so artfully carried away from them by the enterprising +heroine of this history, made their appearance at the gateway of +the caravanserai, and on beholding the statue, cried out, "Surely +this is the likeness of her who deprived us of our children; ah! +that we could find her and be revenged on her hypocrisy!" On +saying this they were apprehended and taken to the palace, where +they were conducted to apartments suitable to their rank. In a +few days afterwards the chief of the banditti, who, burning with +the ireful resolution of revenging the deaths of his associates, +had travelled from place to place in hopes of finding the object +of his fury, arrived at the gateway, and observing the statue, +roared out in a rage, "Surely this is the resemblance of my +tormenter; oh! that I could meet thy original, so that I might +have the satisfaction of making her blood atone for the murder of +my friends!" Instantly, as he had spoken, the guards at the gate +rushing upon him, bound him hand and foot, conveyed him to the +palace, where he was confined in a loathsome dungeon, and fed on +the coarsest viands. + +The pretended sultan having now all the parties in her power, one +morning ascended her throne in full audience, and commanded them +to be brought before her. When they had made their obeisance, she +commanded them to relate the cause of their having journeyed to +her capital; but the royal presence rendered them incapable of +uttering a word: upon which she exclaimed, "Since you cannot +speak, I will;" and then discovered to their astonished minds the +adventures of each, which had occasioned their travelling. She +then discovered herself, and fell upon the necks of her father +and lover, with whom she retired into the private apartments. The +sultan and his vizier were made happy in the company of the +daughter of the latter and the other ladies. The master of the +ship, as his troubles had atoned for his irregular behaviour, was +received into favour, and had his vessel restored; but the savage +chief of the banditti was put to death, by being cast into a +burning pile, that no further injury might be offered to mankind. +In a few days, the most magnificent preparations being made, the +double nuptials of the heroic lady and her friend the vizier's +daughter were celebrated with her constant lover, to whom she +resigned her throne, and the happy wives lived together in +felicity, undisturbed by jealousy of the husband's attention to +either, so equally did they share his love. The sultan and +vizier, after being long entertained at the court, took leave, +and returned, under an escort, to their own country; but the +daughter and the thirty-nine ladies could not be prevailed upon +to accompany them, only to visit and bid farewell to their +parents, for such was their attachment to their gallant mistress, +that they came back immediately, and were espoused to the +principle nobles of her court. Years of unusual happiness passed +over the heads of the fortunate adventurers of this history, +until death, the destroyer of all things, conducted them to a +grave which must one day be the resting-place for ages of us all, +till the receiving angel shall sound his trumpet. + + + + + STORY OF HYJAUJE, THE TYRANNICAL GOVERNOR + OF COUFEH, AND THE YOUNG SYED. + + + +As Hyjauje (the Ommiad caliph) was was one day seated in his hall +of audience, surrounded by his nobles and dependents, tremblingly +awaiting his commands, for his countenance resembled that of an +enraged lion, there suddenly entered, unceremoniously, into the +assembly a beardless youth of noble but sickly aspect, arrayed in +tattered garments, for misfortune had changed his original +situation, and poverty had withered the freshness of his opening +youth. He made the customary obeisance to the governor, who +returned his salute, and said, "Who art thou, boy? what hast thou +to say, and wherefore hast thou intruded thyself into the company +of princes, as if thou wert invited? who art thou, and of whom +art thou the son?" "Of my father and mother," replied the youth. +"But how earnest thou here?" "In my clothes." "From whence?" +"From behind me." "Where art thou going?" "Before me." "Upon what +dost thou travel?" "Upon the earth" Hyjauje, vexed at the +pertness of the youth, exclaimed, "Quit this trifling, and inform +me whence thou comest." "From Egypt." "Art thou from Cairo?" "Why +askest thou?" said the boy? "Because," replied Hyjauje, "her +sands are of gold, and her river Nile miraculously fruitful; but +her women are wanton, free to every conqueror, and her men +unstable." "I am not from thence, but from Damascus," cried the +youth. "Then," said Hyjauje, "thou art from a most rebellious +place, filled with wretched inhabitants, a wavering race, neither +Jews nor Christians." "But I am not from thence," replied the +youth, "but from Khorassan." "That is a most impure country," +said Hyjauje, "whose religion is worthless, for the inhabitants +are of all barbarians the most savage. Plunderers of flocks, they +know not mercy, their poor are greedy, and their rich men +misers." "I am not of them," cried the youth, "but of Moussul." +"Then," exclaimed Hyjauje, "thou art of an unnatural and +adulterous race, whose youths are catamites, and whose old men +are obstinate as asses." "But I am from Yemen," said the boy. "If +so," answered the tyrant, "thou belongest to a comfortless +region, where the most honourable profession is robbery, where +the middling ranks tan hides, and where a wretched poor spin wool +and weave coarse mantles." "But I am from Mecca," said the boy. +"Then," replied Hyjauje, "thou comest from a mine of +perverseness, stupidity, ignorance, and slothfulness; for from +among its people God raised up his prophet, whom they +disbelieved, rejected, and forced away to a strange nation, who +loved, venerated, and assisted him in spite of the men of Mecca. +But whence comest thou, youth? for thy pertness is become +troublesome, and my inclination leads me to punish thee for thy +impertinence." "Had I been assured that thou durst kill me," +cried the youth, "I should not have appeared before thee; but +thou canst not." "Woe to thee, rash boy," exclaimed Hyjauje; "who +is he that can prevent my executing thee instantly?" "To thee be +thy woe," replied the youth: "he can prevent thee who directs man +and his inmost thoughts, and who never falsifieth his gracious +promises." "He it is," cried the tyrant, "who instigates me to +put thee to death." "Withhold thy blaspheming," replied the +youth; "it is not God, but Satan that prompts thy mind to my +murder, and with God I hope for refuge from the accursed: but +know, that I am from the glorious Medina, the seat of religion, +virtue, respectability, and honour, descended of the race of Bin +Ghalib, and family of Ali, son of Abou Talib, whom God has +glorified and approved, and will protect all his posterity, which +you would extirpate; but you cannot root it out, for it will +flourish even to the last day of the existence of this world." + +The tyrant was now overcome with rage, and commanded the youthful +Syed to be slain; but his nobles and officers interceded for him, +saying, while they bowed their necks before him, "Pardon, pardon; +behold our heads and our lives a ransom for his! For God's sake +accept our intercession, O ameer, for this youth is not deserving +of death." "Forbear your entreaties," exclaimed the tyrant, "for +were an angel to cry from Heaven, 'Do not slay him!' I would not +attend." Upon this the young Syed said, "Thou ravest, O Hyjauje; +who art thou that an angel should be commissioned for thy sake?" +The tyrant, struck with his magnanimity, became calm, and +commanding the executioner to release the youth, said, "For the +present I forbear, and will not kill thee unless thy answers to +my further questions shall deserve it." They then entered on the +following dialogue; Hyjauje hoping to entrap him in discourse. + +Hyjauje. How can the creature approach the perfection of the +Almighty? + +Syed. By prayer, by fasting, by the commanded alms, by +pilgrimage, and fighting for the cause of God. + +H. I serve him by shedding the blood of infidel man. You pretend +that Hassan and Houssain, your ancestors, were descendants of the +prophet; but how can that be, when God has declared in the Koran +Mahummud was not of your obstinate race; but the prophet of God, +and last of divine messengers? + +S. Hear the answer to that in the verse following it. "Hath not a +prophet come unto you of your own nation? Receive him, and from +what he hath forbidden be forbidden." Surely, then, God hath +forbidden the shedding of the blood of him whom he sanctified. + +H. Thou hast spoken justly, young man; but inform me what God +hath daily and nightly commanded us as obligatory to do? + +S. To pray five times. + +H. What to observe in each year? + +S. To keep the month of Ramzaun as a fast. + +H. What to perform in the course of life? + +S. To make a pilgrimage to Mecca, the temple of God. + +H. Truly said; but what hath mostly dignified and enlightened +Arabia? + +S. The tribe of Koreish. + +H. Wherefore? + +S. Because of our holy prophet's being a member of it. + +H. Who were the most skilful in horsemanship in all Arabia, the +most valiant, and of best conduct in war? + +S. The tribe of Hashim. + +H. Why think you so? + +S. Because my grandfather Imaum Ali, son of Abou Talib, was one +of it. + +H. What tribe of Arabs is most famous for benevolence, and +celebrated for liberality? + +S. The family of Tai. + +H. Wherefore? + +S. Because Hatim belonged to it. + +H. Which of the tribes have been most disgraceful to Arabia, and +most oppressive to its inhabitants? + +S. The tribe of Sukkeef. + +H. Why so? + +S. Because thou belongest to it. + +The tyrant could scarcely now contain his anger; but said, hoping +to cut the youth off from reply, "Tell me, is the Capricorn of +the heavens male or female?" To which he answered, "Shew me its +tail, that I may inform thee." The tyrant laughed, and continued +his questions as follows: + +H. Wert thou ever in love? + +S. Yes, completely immersed in it. + +H. With whom? + +S. With my God, who will, I trust, pardon me for my errors, and +deliver me from thee this day. + +H. Knowest thou thy God? + +S. Yes. + +H. By what means? + +S. By the scriptures, which he caused to descend to his prophet. + +H. Dost thou guard the Koran? + +S. Does it fly from me, that I should guard it? + +H. What dost thou learn from it? + +S. That God commanded its rules to be obeyed. + +H. Hast thou read and understood it? + +S. Yes. + +H. If so, tell me, first, What passage in it is most sublime. +Secondly, Which most commanding. Thirdly, Which most just. +Fourthly, Which most alarming. Fifthly, Which most encouraging. +Sixthly, That which Jews and Christians both believe in. +Seventhly, That in which God has spoken purely of himself; that +where he speaks of the angels; that in which he mentions the +prophets; that where he alludes to those destined to Paradise; +and that in which he speaks of those devoted to hell; that which +includes ten points; and that which Eblis the accursed delivered. + +S. By God's help I will answer thee. The most sublime passage is +the Koorsee: the most commanding, "God insisteth on justice:" the +most just, "Whoever diminishes the least of a measure, God will +requite him doubly, and the same to whoever addeth the least:" +the most alarming, "All expect to enter Paradise:" the most +encouraging, "O my servants, who have mortified yourselves, +despair not of the mercy of God!" that in which are ten points, +"God created the heavens and the earth, the revolutions of night +and day; also, the firmament over the waters that it might profit +man:" that which is believed alike by jews and christians, "The +Jew saith that the Christian is in error, and the Christian saith +that the Jew is mistaken, they both believe so; and both are in +error:" that in which God hath spoken purely of himself, "I have +not created genii and men but to worship me:" that in which he +speaks of the angels, "They said, we have no knowledge, but what +thou hast taught us; for thou only art wise and all-knowing:" +that which speaks of the prophets, "How could we deliver you a +verse without the order of God, on whom the faithful will rely:" +that which mentions the devoted to hell, "God hath cast us down +from heaven, for we were transgressors:" that which describes the +blessed, "Praised be God, who hath divested us of all sorrow, for +our Lord is merciful and gracious:" that which satan spoke, "None +will profit by thy mercy but thy servants the blessed." + +Hyjauje involuntarily exclaimed, "Praised be God, who giveth +wisdom to whom it pleaseth him; but I have found none so learned +of such tender age." Having thus spoken, he put many other +questions to the youth in every science, and he answered them so +readily that the tyrant was overcome with admiration, and offered +him a residence at his court; but the young man declined it, and +requested his dismission, which he granted, conferring upon him a +beautiful female slave richly habited, a thousand pieces of gold, +and a steed elegantly caparisoned. The courtiers were astonished +at the bounty of the tyrant, which he perceiving, said, "Be not +surprised, for the advice he hath given me was worthy of reward, +and 'Cursed is he who doth not requite a sincere adviser,' +declareth our sacred Koran." + + + + + STORY OF INS AL WUJJOOD AND WIRD AL + IKMAUM, DAUGHTER OF IBRAHIM, VIZIER TO + SULTAN SHAMIKH. + + + +Many ages past there was a very powerful sultan who had a vizier +named Ibrahim, and this minister had a daughter the most +beautiful of her sex and accomplished of her age, so that she +became distinguished by the appellation of Wird al Ikmaum, or the +rose among flowers. It was the custom of sultan Shamikh to hold +annually a general assembly of all the nobles of his kingdom, and +persons eminent for science or the arts, during which they were +magnificently entertained at the royal expense. The former +displayed their prowess in martial exercises before the +sovereign, and the latter the productions of their genius and +skill; when valuable prizes were bestowed by the arbitration of +appointed judges on those who deserved them. On one of the days +of this festival, the vizier's daughter from a latticed balcony +of the palace, in which she sat to view the sports, was so struck +with the manly figure and agility of a young nobleman named Ins +al Wujjood (or the perfection of human nature), that love took +possession of her mind. She pointed him out to a female +confidant, and gave her a letter to convey to the object of her +affections. The young nobleman, who had heard her praises, was +enraptured by his good fortune, and the next day, having obtained +as full a sight of her beauties as could be had through the +golden wires of the balcony, retired overcome by love. Letters +now passed daily, and almost hourly, between them; but they were +impatient for a meeting, which was at length planned; but the +note fixing the place and time was unfortunately dropped by the +confidant and carried to the vizier; who, alarmed for the honour +of his family, sent his daughter the same night to a far distant +castle belonging to himself, and situated on an island in a vast +lake, surrounded by mountainous deserts thinly inhabited. The +unfortunate lady was obliged to submit to her fate, but before +her departure contrived to write on the outside of her balcony +the following words, "They are carrying me off, but I know not +where." In the morning her lover repairing, as usual, in hopes of +seeing his mistress in the balcony, read the unwelcome +intelligence, which for a time deprived him of his senses. When +somewhat recovered he resolved to leave the court, though then +the chief favourite of the sultan, and go in search of his +beloved. Having put on the habit of a wandering devotee, he, on +the following evening, quitted the city, and recommending himself +to Providence, set out, but knew not whither. Many weeks did he +travel, but could find no traces of his beloved object; when +suddenly, passing through a thick forest, there met him a +monstrous lion, from whom he thought it impossible to escape, and +having uttered a prayer for the happiness of his beloved, and +repeated the testimony of martyrdom, he resigned himself to his +fate, and waited the spring of his expected devourer. What was +his surprise when the majestic animal, instead of making him his +prey, on approaching close to him, having looked compassionately +in his face, licked his hands, and turning round, walked gently +onwards, moving his head, as if to signify the youth should +follow him. Ins al Wujjood did so, and was conducted through the +forest by the lion; who, ascending a high mountain, suddenly +stopped at the entrance of a cave, to which was a door of iron, +then moving his head, and once more licking the hands of his +companion, the generous animal left him, and retired back to the +woods. The youth now went to the cave, and having knocked at the +door, it was opened by a venerable hermit, who bade him welcome, +brought him warm water to wash his feet, and set before him +refreshments of various kinds. When he had eaten, he inquired the +cause of his coming to such a desolate country; and Ins al +Wujjood having related his adventures, the old man exclaimed, +"Thou art a favourite of Heaven, or the lion would have devoured +thee; despair not, therefore, of success, for my mind presages +that thou wilt be happy, nor shalt thou want my assistance." Ins +al Wujjood having thanked him for his hospitality and generous +offers, the hermit informed him, that for nearly twenty years +past he had not beheld a human face till a few days prior to his +coming, when, wandering over the mountains, he had seen an +encampment on the margin of the great lake below, in which +appeared a crowd of men and women, some very richly habited, part +of whom had embarked on board a stately yacht, and the remainder +having taken leave of them, struck their tents, and returned by +the road they had come. "Most probably," said the hermit, "the +yacht may have conveyed thy mistress to the castle which stands +on an island in the middle of the lake, and if so thou shalt soon +be safely landed: for the rest Providence must be thy guide. I +will this night remember thee in my prayers, and meditate on what +can be done for thy benefit." Having said this, the hermit +conducted the wanderer to a chamber, and left him to his repose. + +The beautiful Wird al Ikmaum during this time remained +overwhelmed with uneasiness in her confinement, and it was in +vain that her attendants tried to amuse her. She wandered +melancholy through the magnificent gardens of the castle, the +groves of which were filled with every variety of birds, whose +harmony was delightful; but the soft cooing of the turtle dove +and the plaintive note of the lovelorn nightingale alone caught +her attention. To these she would listen for hours together, +reclined on a mossy bank, and fancy their pensive strains the +language of her beloved. Such was her daily employment, nor would +she quit the garden till forced by her attendants to take shelter +from the falling dews of night. We now return to her lover. + +Fatigue and the consoling assurances of the friendly hermit had +greatly composed the mind of Ins al Wujjood, who enjoyed a +refreshing sleep, nor did he awake till the sun was mounted high +in the heavens, when he joined his venerable host in his +devotions; after which they partook of a repast of bread, milk, +and fresh fruits. This ended, the old man requested him to fetch +from the forest a bundle of the filaments of palm bark, which, +when brought to him, he plaited into a shape resembling a little +boat, and giving it to Ins al Wujjood, said, "Repair to the lake, +and put this into the water, when it will become instantly large +enough to hold thee, then embark in it, and trust to Heaven for +the rest. Farewell!" + +Ins al Wujjood having taken leave of his venerable friend the +hermit, with many thanks, did as he had been commanded, and soon +arrived on the margin of the lake, into which he launched his +little vessel, when, to his great surprise, it instantaneously +became a handsome boat with the sails set. He got into it, and a +fair wind springing up was soon out of sight of land. For some +days he was wafted over the deep; but at length the shore of an +island appeared, on which he landed, and made his boat fast to +the trunk of a large tree. He then walked into the country, and +found it beautifully interspersed with green meadows, clear +streams, and shady groves of bending fruit trees, on the branches +of which all sorts of birds were warbling in their different +strains. Having refreshed himself with several fruits, he +proceeded onwards, and at length came in sight of a superb +edifice, to the gateway of which he advanced; but found it +locked. For three days he waited in hopes of seeing some of its +inhabitants, but in vain. However on the fourth morning the gate +was opened by a man, who seeing Ins al Wujjood, advanced towards +him, and inquired who he was, whence he came, and what was his +reason for waiting at the gate. "I am of Ispahaun," replied Ins +al Wujjood, "and was shipwrecked in a trading voyage upon this +coast, to the shore of which I alone of all my companions had the +good fortune to escape." Upon hearing this the man burst into +tears, embraced him, and said, "May God preserve thee from future +calamities! I am also a native of Ispahaun, where also dwelt my +cousin, whom I dearly loved, and by whom I was beloved. At this +happy period of my youth a nation stronger than ours made war +against us, overcame us, and among other captives forced me from +my country; after which they sold me as a slave to my present +master: but come, my dear countryman, enter the palace, and +repose thyself in my apartment, where we will endeavour to +console each other under our misfortunes till Providence shall +restore us to our homes." + +Ins al Wujjood gladly accepted such a friendly invitation, and on +entering the court beheld a lofty and wide-spreading tree, from +the branches of which were suspended several golden cages, each +inhabited by a beautiful bird, and each striving to rival the +other in melody, as if in welcome of his approach. He inquired of +his host to whom the splendid edifice belonged, and was informed +to the vizier of sultan Shamikh; who, to secure his daughter from +the vicissitudes of fortune, had lodged her here, and only +visited her annually to inquire after her health, and bring the +necessary supplies for her convenience and the support of her +attendants in the castle. Upon hearing the above circumstances, +Ins al Wujjood was nearly overcome with ecstacy; but restraining +his feelings, exclaimed to himself, "At length I have reached the +abode of my beloved, and may hope for success;" which was yet, +however, afar off. His charming mistress, little thinking that +her lover was so near, and weary of absence and the solitude of +her abode, had that very evening resolved to escape from +confinement. In the darkness of night she accordingly let herself +down from the battlements by a silken rope, which she had twisted +from slips of various robes, and reached the ground unhurt. With +haste she fled towards the sea shore, where she perceived a +fishing boat, the owner of which, though at first alarmed, +supposing her, from her dazzling appearance (for she was covered +with jewels), to be an ensnaring genie, at length, on her +assurances that she was really a woman, admitted her into his +vessel. She thanked him for his kindness, which she rewarded by +the gift of many rich jewels, and requested to be conveyed across +the lake. The fisherman hoisted sail, and for some hours the wind +was prosperous; but now a heavy tempest arose, which tossed them +constantly in imminent danger for three days, and drove them far +from their intended course. At length the gale subsided, the sea +became assuaged, and land appeared. As they approached the shore +a stately city rose to their view, the buildings of which seemed +unusually magnificent. Under the terrace of the sultan's palace +they safely, at last, cast anchor; and it chanced that the +prince, who was named Dara, was then sitting with his daughter in +a balcony to enjoy the fresh sea breeze, and the view of the +extensive harbour, crowded with the vessels of every country. +Perceiving the boat, the sultan commanded his officers to bring +the master and his crew to the presence. Great was his surprise +at the introduction of the beautiful Wird al Ikmaum. From her +rich dress, dignified air, and demeanour, he concluded her to be +of superior rank, and having seated her near his daughter, he +graciously requested to be informed of the name of her country, +and the cause of her having travelled to his capital; to which +she replied in eloquent language, giving a summary detail of all +her adventures. The sultan consoled her by encouraging assurances +of his protection, promised to exert his authority to effect a +union with her beloved, and immediately dispatched his vizier +with costly presents to sultan Shamikh, requesting him to send +Ins al Wujjood to his court. + +The vizier, after a prosperous voyage, having reached the capital +of sultan Shamikh, presented his offerings, and made known the +request of his master; to which the sultan replied, That nearly a +year had elapsed since Ins al Wujjood had, to his great regret, +absented himself from his court, nor had any tidings been +obtained of the place of his retirement; but that he would order +his vizier to accompany the ambassador in search of his retreat, +being willing to oblige his master the sultan to the utmost of +his power. Accordingly, after a repose of some days, the two +viziers departed in search of Ins al Wujjood, but without knowing +where to bend their journey. At length they reached the shore of +the ocean of Kunnooz, on which they embarked in a hired vessel, +and sailed to the mountainous island of Tukkalla, of which the +vizier of sultan Shamikh gave to his companion the following +account. "This island was some ages back inhabited by genii; a +princess of whom became violently enamoured of a handsome young +man, a son of an ameer of the city of Misr, or Cairo, whom she +beheld in her flight sleeping in his father's garden in the heat +of the day. She sat down by him, and having gently awoke him, the +youth, on looking up, to his astonishment and rapture saw a most +beautiful damsel who courted his addresses: he was not backward +in offering them; and mutual protestations of love and constancy +took place. After some hours of happiness the genie princess took +an affectionate leave, promising soon to visit him again, and +vanished from sight. The youth remained musing on his fortunate +adventure till the dews of night began to fall, when his parents, +fearful of some injury, sent attendants to conduct him to their +palace, but he refused to go; and talked, as it appeared to them, +so incoherently concerning his beloved, that they thought him +distracted; seized him roughly, and forced him homewards. His +father and mother were alarmed: it was in vain that they courted +him to partake of refreshment; he was sullen and gloomy, and at +length abruptly retired to his chamber, where he remained in +restless anxiety all night, waiting impatiently for morning, that +he might revisit the happy spot where his charmer had promised +again to meet him. + +"At early dawn the ameer's son repaired to the garden, and was +soon gratified with the sight of his beloved; but while they were +exchanging mutual protestations of regard, the mother of the +genie princess, who had suspected from her daughter's conduct +that she was carrying on some intrigue, and had followed her in +the air unperceived, suddenly appeared. Rushing upon the lovers, +she seized her daughter by the hair, beat, and abused her in the +harshest language for having disgraced the honour of the genii by +an amour with a wretched son of mortality: to all which the genie +princess replied, that her remonstrances were vain; she had fixed +her affections, and would rather be torn into a thousand pieces +than desert the object of her heart. The mother upon this finding +the case desperate, and being herself softened by the uncommon +beauty of the youth, who had fallen at her feet, entreating mercy +for his beloved, at length relented, and agreed to sanctify their +loves by her consent to their marriage. It was accordingly +celebrated; and this island, which after the name of the genie +princess was called Tukkalla, was fixed upon for the place of +their residence. Its magnificent palace still remains, after the +lapse of many ages, and is at present in my possession. Here I +hope to meet my only daughter, whom I brought to reside in it +nearly a year ago, to secure her from the attempts of a young +courtier, on whom she had, against my consent, fixed her +affections." + +The two viziers now disembarked, and proceeded up the island; but +what was the astonishment and mortification of Ibrahim on +learning, when he arrived at the palace, that his daughter had +escaped, nor had the attendants heard of her since her departure, +though they had repeatedly searched every quarter of the island. +Perceiving among his attendants whom he had left at the palace a +strange young man of pallid countenance, wasted frame, and +melancholy air, the vizier inquired how he had come among them; +and received for reply, that he was a shipwrecked merchant of +Ispahaun, whom they had taken in for the sake of charity. Ibrahim +now requested of the vizier of sultan Dara that he would return +to his master, and inform him of their vain search after Ins al +Wujjood; at the same time desiring him to receive into his suite +the supposed merchant as far as the city of Ispahaun, which lay +in his route. To this the vizier of sultan Dara consented: and +the two ministers having taken a friendly leave of each other +separated, and departed for their several capitals. + +The vizier of sultan Dara, in the course of the journey, became +so pleased with the agreeable manners of the supposed merchant, +that he often conversed with him familiarly; and at length the +young man, emboldened by his condescending attention, ventured to +inquire the cause of his travels to regions so distant from his +own country: upon which he was informed of the arrival of the +beautiful Wird al Ikmaum at the court of sultan Dara; of the +compassion of that sultan for her misfortunes; his generous +protection; and his own fruitless mission in search of her lover +Ins al Wujjood. A this happy intelligence, the latter, overcome +with ecstacy, could no longer contain himself, but discovered who +he was; and the vizier was also overjoyed at knowing, when least +expected, that he had found the despaired of object of his long +journey. He embraced the young man, congratulated him upon the +speedy termination of absence from his beloved, and the happy +union which awaited him. He then made him an inmate of his own +tents, supplied him with rich attire, and every necessary +becoming the condition of a person for whose fortunes he knew his +sovereign to be so highly concerned. Ins al Wujjood, now easy in +mind, and renovated by the happy prospects before him, daily +recovered health and strength, so that by the time of their +arrival at the capital of sultan Dara he had regained his +pristine manliness and vigour. + +When the vizier waited upon his master the sultan Dara to +communicate his successful commission, the sultan commanded the +youth to his presence. Ins al Wujjood performed the usual +obeisance of kissing the ground before the throne, with the +graceful demeanour of one who had been used to a court. The +sultan graciously returned his salutation, and commanded him to +be seated; after which he requested him to relate his adventures, +which he did in eloquent language, interspersing in his narrative +poetical quotations, and extempore verses applicable to the +various incidents and situations. The sultan was charmed with his +story; and when he had finished its relation, sent for a cauzee +and witnesses to tie the marriage knot between the happy Ins al +Wujjood and the beautiful Wird al Ikmaum; at the same time +dispatching a messenger to announce the celebration of the +nuptials to sultan Shamikh and Ibrahim his vizier, who were +bewailing their supposed irrecoverable losses; one that of his +favourite, and the latter that of his daughter. Sultan Dara +detained the happy couple at his court for some time, after which +he dismissed them with valuable presents to their own country, +which they reached in safety, and were received with the most +heart-felt rejoicings by the sultan and the repentant vizier, who +now recompensed them by his kindness for the former cruelty of +his behaviour towards them; so that in favour with the sultan, +and happy in their own family, the lovers henceforth enjoyed +every earthly felicity, sweetened by the reflection on past +distresses, till the angel of death summoned them to submit to +the final destination of mortality. + + + + + THE ADVENTURES OF MAZIN OF KHORASSAUN. + + + +In ancient days there resided in the city of Khorassaun a youth +named Mazin, who, though brought up by his mother, a poor widow, +to the humble occupation of a dyer, was so celebrated for his +personal accomplishments and capacity as to become the admiration +of crowds, who daily flocked to his shop to enjoy the pleasure of +his conversation. This young man was as good as he was able, nor +did flattery take away his humility, or make him dissatisfied +with his laborious occupation, which he followed with industry +unceasing, and maintained his mother and himself decently from +the fruits of his labour. So delicate was his taste in the choice +of colours, that veils, turbans, and vests of Mazin's dyeing were +sought after by all the young and gay of Khorassaun; and many of +the females would often cast a wishful glance at him from under +their veils as they gave him their orders. Mazin, however, was +destined by fate not always to remain a dyer, but for higher +fortunes and surprising adventures. + +As he was one day busy in his occupation, a man of Hijjem came to +his shop, and after looking at him earnestly for some moments, +exclaimed, "Alas, that such a noble youth should be confined to +drudge at so mean an employment!" "I thank you, father, for your +compassion," replied Mazin, "but honest industry can never be +disgraceful." "True," said the old man of Hijjem, "yet if +Providence puts affluence and distinction in our way, should we +refuse it?" "By no means," said Mazin; "canst thou point me out +the way to it without making me forfeit my integrity? If so, I +assure thee I am not so fond of my trade but I would be glad to +live at ease in an honest manner without it; for I should like to +enjoy leisure to follow my studies, which have already gained me +some little celebrity." "Son," said the Hijjemmee, "thy wishes +shall be satisfied: thou hast no father, but I will be one to +thee; from this instant I adopt thee as my son. I possess the art +of transmuting common metals into gold: be ready at thy shop +early in the morning, when I will meet thee. Farewell!" Having +thus said, the old man took leave. + +Mazin's curiosity and ambition were raised: he shut up his shop +sooner than usual, and returned with a full heart to his mother, +to whom he communicated the offered kindness of the Hijjemmee. +The good woman, after some moments of reflection, said, "Son, I +fear some evil lurks under this apparent kindness, for we live in +wicked days, when men profess more than they mean to do for the +sake of attaining an object; be cautious then, and do not till +thou hast proof of his sincerity regard his office. We have at +present all we want, and what can riches give more?" Mazin agreed +to the propriety of his mother's advice, and promised to be wary. +They ate their usual cheerful meal, and retired to rest; but the +young man could sleep but little, and he longed with impatience +for the morning that was to put him into possession of the art of +transmuting metals into gold. + +The morning arrived, and Mazin repaired impatiently to his shop, +where he had soon after the satisfaction of seeing his adopted +father, who came bearing in his hands a crucible. "Welcome, son!" +"Welcome, father!" was the mutual salutation; after which the +Hijjemmee desired Mazin to kindle a fire: he did so, when the old +man inquired of Mazin if he had any old metal, iron, brass, +copper, &c. Mazin produced some pieces of an old pot of the +latter metal, which were put into the crucible. When melted, the +Hijiemmee took from his turban a paper containing powder of a +yellowish hue, which he threw into the crucible, over which he +repeated some cabalistic words while he stirred the melting +metal. At length he took it from the fire, and to his +astonishment Mazin beheld a large lump of pure gold, which the +Hijiemmee desired him to carry to a goldsmith's and get it +exchanged for coin He did did so, and received a handsome sum, +with which he returned to his adopted father. + +"Well, my son," said the Hijjemmee, "art thou now convinced of my +skill, and my sincerity in offering to promote thy fortunes?" "I +am," said Mazin, "and am ready to follow wherever thou choosest, +in hopes of learning this invaluable secret" "That shall soon be +thine," replied the transmuter of metals; "I will sup with thee +this evening, and in the privacy of retirement give thee the +necessary instruction." Mazin, overjoyed, immediately shut up his +shop, and with his adopted father repaired to his own house, +where he seated him in his best apartment. He then went to his +mother, desiring that she would go and spend the night at a +neighbour's, shewing her the gold which his broken copper had +procured, as a proof of the sincerity of his new friend. The old +lady no longer doubted upon such evidence, and cheerfully took +leave and departed to a friend's house. + +Mazin next went to a cook's shop, from which he returned laden +with every sort of refreshment, nor was wine forgotten, though +forbidden to the faithful. The adopted father and son ate +heartily, at the same time pushing about the spirit-stirring +liquor, till at last Mazin, who had not been used to drink wine, +became intoxicated. The wily magician, for such in fact was his +pretended friend, watching his opportunity, infused into the +goblet of his unsuspecting host a certain potent drug, which +Mazin had scarcely drunk oft, when he fell back upon his cushion +totally insensible, the treacherous wizard tumbled him into a +large chest, and shutting the lid, locked it. He then ransacked +the apartments of the house of every thing portable worth having, +which, with the gold, he put into another chest, then fetching in +porters, he made them take up the chests and follow him to the +seaside, where a vessel waited his orders to sail, and embarked +with the unfortunate Mazin and his plunder. The anchor was +weighed, and the wind being fair, the ship was soon out of sight +of the land. + +Mazin's mother early in the morning returning to her house found the +door open, her son missing, and the rooms ransacked of all her +valuables. She gave a loud shriek, tore her hair, beat her bosom, and +threw herself on the ground, crying out for her son, who she thought +must have been murdered by the treacherous magician, against whose +professions she had warned him to be cautious, till the sight of the +transmuted gold had deceived her, as well as the unfortunate victim of +his accursed arts. Some neighbours hearing her lamentations rushed in, +lifted her from the ground, and inquired the cause of her distress; +which, when informed of, they endeavoured to alleviate by every +consolation in their power, but in vain: the afflicted old lady was +not to be comforted. She commanded a tombstone to be raised in the +court-yard, over which she sat night and day bewailing her son, taking +scarcely food sufficient to preserve her miserable existence. + +The infidel Hijjemmee, who was a wicked magician and a worshipper +of fire, by name Bharam, hated the true believers, one of whom +annually for several years past he had inveigled by his offers of +instructing in the science of transmuting metals into his power; +and after making him subservient to his purposes in procuring the +ingredients necessary for his art, had treacherously put him to +death, lest the secret should be divulged: such was now his +intention towards the unfortunate Mazin. + +On the evening of the second day after the sailing of the vessel, +Bharam thought proper to awaken his victim to a sense of his +misery. He opened the chest, which had been placed in his cabin, +and poured a certain liquid down the throat of Mazin, who +instantly sneezed several times; then opening his eyes, gazed for +some minutes wildly around him. At length, seeing the magician, +observing the sea, and feeling the motion of the ship, his mind +surmised to him the misfortune which had happened; and he guessed +his having fallen into the snares of the treacherous Bharam, +against which his mother had warned him, but in vain. Still, +being a virtuous Mussulmaun, he would not complain against the +decrees of Heaven; and instead of lamentation uttered the +following verse of the sacred Koran: "There is no support or +refuge but from the Almighty, whose we are, and to whom we must +return. Deal gently with me, O my God, in the dictates of thy +omnipotence; and make me resigned under thy chastening, O Lord of +all being." + +Having finished the above prayer, Mazin turning humbly towards +his accursed betrayer, said in a supplicating tone, "What hast +thou done, my father? didst thou not promise me enjoyment and +pleasure?" The magician, after striking him, with a scowling and +malignant sneer, exclaimed, "Thou dog! son of a dog! my pleasure +is in thy destruction. Nine and thirty such ill-devoted wretches +as thyself have I already sacrificed, and thou shalt make the +fortieth victim to my enjoyment, unless thou wilt abjure thy +faith, and become, like me, a worshipper of the sacred fire, in +which case thou shalt be my son, and I will teach thee the art of +making gold." "Cursed be thou, thy religion, and thy art," +exclaimed the enraged Mazin: "God forbid that for the pleasures +of this world I should apostatize from our holy prophet, and give +up the glorious rewards reserved in certain store for his +faithful disciples. Thou mayest indeed destroy my body, but my +soul despises thy torments" "Vile dog!" roared out the now +furious sorcerer, "I will try thy constancy." He then called in +his slaves, who held Mazin on the floor of the cabin while their +abominable master beat him with a knotted whip till he was +covered with a gore of blood, but the resolute youth, instead of +complaining, uttered only prayers to Heaven for divine support +under his pangs, and strength of fortitude to acquire the glory +of martyrdom. At length the magician, exhausted by his cruel +exercise, desisted, and making his slaves load his unfortunate +victim with heavy fetters, chained him down with only a coarse +mat to lie upon in a dark closet, in which was placed some +stinking water and coarse bread, just sufficient to keep up his +miserable existence. Mazin's courage was not to be overcome He +washed his wounds, and comforted himself with the hope that if he +died he should enjoy the blisses of Paradise, or if Providence +had decreed his continuance in life, that the same Providence +would present a mode of relief from his present and future +afflictions. In this assurance he took a little of his wretched +fare, and in spite of the agony of his wounds fell asleep, but +only to awake to fresh misery In the morning he was again +persecuted by his cruel tormentor, who for three months daily +harassed him with blows, with revilings, and every sort of insult +that malice could invent or cruelty devise. + +Hitherto the wind had been fair, and the vessel had nearly +reached the desired haven, when suddenly it changed, and a most +tremendous storm arose The waves threatened to swallow up or dash +the vessel in pieces, so that all gave themselves over for lost. +At this crisis the sailors, who believed that the tempest was +sent by Heaven as a judgment for their suffering the unfortunate +Mazin to be so cruelly tormented, went in a body to the accursed +Bharam, and accused him of having brought down the wrath of God +upon the crew by his persecution of the young Mussulmaun; at the +same time threatening to cast him overboard if he did not +instantly release the youth from his confinement. To show the +seriousness of their resolves, the sailors seized the slaves who +had been the instruments of the magician's cruelty, and threw +them into the sea, which so alarmed the treacherous Bharam that +he immediately released Mazin from his chains, fell at his feet, +begging pardon for his hard usage, and promising if they escaped +the storm to conduct him safely to his own country, and fulfil +his promise of instructing him in the secret of making gold. +Wonderful to relate! But no sooner was Mazin freed from his +fetters than the violence of the tempest lessened, by degrees the +winds subsided, the waves abated their swell, and the sea no +longer threatened to overwhelm them: in a few hours all was calm +and security, and a prosperous gale enabled the shattered vessel +to resume her course. + +The sailors now regarding Mazin as one immediately befriended by +Heaven, treated him with the greatest respect and attention; and +the hypocritical magician pretending sorrow for his late +cruelties, strove to procure his forgiveness and good opinion by +every art of flattery and affected contrition; which had such an +effect on the ingenuous youth that he forgot his treachery, again +believed his fair promises and assurances that the torments he +had undergone had only been inflicted as trials of his constancy +and belief in the true religion, virtues necessary to be proved +before the grand secret of transmuting metals could be trusted to +his keeping. + +The remainder of the voyage was prosperous and happy, and at the +expiration of three months more the vessel anchored on the wished +for coast, which was rocky, and the beach strewed with pebbles of +every colour. The magician having given orders to the master of +the vessel to wait a month for their return, disembarked with +Mazin, and they proceeded together into the country. When they +had got out of sight of the ship the magician sat down, and +taking from his vestband a small drum, began to beat upon it with +two sticks, when instantly a whirlwind arose, and a thick column +of dust rolled towards them from the desert. Mazin was alarmed, +and began to repent having left the vessel; when the magician, +seeing his colour change, desired him to calm his apprehensions, +for which there was no cause, that he had only to obey his orders +and be happy. He had scarcely spoken when the wind ceased, the +dust dispersed, and three camels stood before them, one of which +was laden with water and provisions; the others were bridled and +very richly caparisoned. Bharam having mounted one, and, at his +desire, Mazin the other, they travelled without ceasing, except +to take the necessary refreshment and repose, for seven days and +nights successively over a wild and sandy desert. + +On the eighth morning they reached a beautifully fertile tract, +delightfully watered by clear streams; the ground verdant, shaded +by spreading trees laden with fruit, on whose branches various +birds warbled melodiously, and beneath them antelopes and other +forest animals sported unmolested. At the end of a thick avenue +rose to view a capacious dome of blue and green enamel, resting +upon four columns of solid gold, each pillar exceeding in value +the treasures of the sovereigns of Persia and Greece. They +approached the dome, stopped their camels and dismounted, and +turned the animals to graze. This splendid building was +surrounded by a delightful garden, in which the now happy Mazin +and the magician reposed themselves all that day and night. At +some distance from this enchanting spot appeared a stupendous +fabric, whose numerous turrets and lofty pinnacles glittered to +the eye, and denoted a palace of uncommon magnificence, so that +the curiosity of Mazin was raised, and he could not help +inquiring of his companion to whom such a superb edifice might +belong. The magician, rather roughly, desired him for the present +to ask no questions concerning a place which belonged to his most +bitter enemies, who were evil genii, and of whom at a proper time +he would give him the history. Mazin was silent, but from the +magician's manner he began to forbode some new treachery. + +In the morning Bharam beat his magical drum, and the three camels +appealed, when Mazin and his companion mounted, pursuing their +journey in the same manner as before for seven days, with a speed +more resembling flight than the pace of travel, for their camels +were supernatural. On the eighth morning the magician inquired of +Mazin what he saw on the horizon. "I behold," said he, "to +appearance, a range of thick black clouds extending from east to +west." "They are not clouds," replied Bharam, "but lofty +mountains, called the Jubbal al Sohaub, or mountains of clouds, +from their cloud-like appearance, on their summit lies the object +of our journey, which with thy assistance we shall soon obtain, +and return to our vessel more enriched than all the sovereigns of +the world, but thou must be sure to obey me in whatever I may +command." Mazin promised to do so, but his heart trembled within +him as he beheld the gloomy prospect before him, and recollected +the boast which the accursed magician had made of his having +sacrificed thirty-nine youthful victims on these mountains, and +also his threat on board the ship to make the fortieth offering +of himself. He repented of having trusted himself from the +vessel, but it was now too late to recede. He resigned himself to +the same Providence who had relieved his sufferings in his +voyage, and concealed, as well as he could, his uneasiness from +the magician, who now endeavoured to sooth and flatter him with +artful promises and caresses. + +For four days longer they pursued their route, when it was +stopped by the black mountains, which formed, as it were, a wall +inaccessible, for the precipices were perpendicular, as if +scarped by art, and their tremendous height cast a dark and +gloomy shade to a vast distance. They now dismounted, and turned +their camels to graze, when the magician took out of his package +three loaves and a sum of water, after which he lighted a fire; +then having beat his talismanic drum, the camels again appeared, +the smallest of which he killed, embowelled, and carefully flayed +off the skin, the inside of which he washed with water. Having +done thus, he addressed Mazin, saying, "My son, the task must now +be thine to crown our labours with success. Enter this skin, with +these loaves and this water bag for thy sustenance while thou +remainest on the summit of the mountain. Be not afraid, for no +harm can happen I will sew up the skin, leaving room enough for +the admission of air. By and by a roc will descend, and seizing +it in her talons carry thee easily through the air. When she +shall have alighted on the table-land of the mountain, rip open +the stitches of the skin with thy dagger, and the roc on seeing +thee will be instantly scared, and fly far away. Then arise, +gather as much as possible of a black dust which thou wilt find +thickly strewed on the ground; put it into this bag, and throw it +down to me, after which I will contrive an easy means for thy +descent, and when thou hast rejoined me we will return to our +vessel, and I will convey thee safely back to thy own country. +The dust, which has the quality of transmuting metals into gold, +we will share between us, and shall each have enough to rival all +the treasuries on earth." + +Mazin finding it in vain to oppose, allowed himself to be sewn up +in the camel's skin with the loaves and water, recommending +himself by mental prayer to the protection of Allah and his +prophet. The magician having finished his work retired to some +distance, when, as he had said, a monstrous roc, darting from a +craggy precipice, descended with the rapidity of lightning, +grasped the skin in her widely extended talons, and soaring +swifter than the eagle soon alighted on the table-land of the +mountain; when Mazin, feeling himself on the ground, ripped the +stitches of his dangerous enclosure, and the roc being alarmed, +uttered a loud scream and flew away. Mazin now arose, and walked +upon the surface of the mountain, which he found covered with +black dust; but he beheld also the skeletons of the young men +whom the accursed Bharam, after they had served his purpose, had +left to perish. His blood became chilled with horror at the view, +as he apprehended the same unhappy fate: he however filled his +bag with the black powder, and advanced to the edge of a +precipice, from which he beheld the magician eagerly looking +upwards to discover him. Mazin called out; and when the hypocrite +saw him, he began dancing and capering for joy, at the same time +exclaiming, "Welcome, welcome, my son! my best friend, beloved +child! all our dangers are now over, throw me down the bag." "I +will not," said Mazin, "but will give it thee when thou hast +conveyed me safely from this perilous summit." "That is not in my +power," answered Bharam, "till I shall have the bag: cast it +down, and I swear by the fire which I worship immediately to +procure thee a safe descent." Mazin, relying on his oath, and +seeing no other chance of escape, cast down the bag; which having +taken up, the accursed sorcerer mounted his camel and was +departing. The unhappy Mazin in agony called after him, saying, +"Surely thou wilt not forfeit thy oath, nor leave me to perish!" +"Perish thou must, Mussulmaun dog!" exclaimed the treacherous +magician, "that my secret may be kept, nor can thy boasted +prophet save thee from destruction; for around thee are mountains +impassable, and below a fathomless sea. I have obtained what I +wished, and leave thee to thy fate." Having said thus he speeded +onwards, and was soon out of sight. + +Mazin was now in an agony of despair, not a ray of hope comforted +his mind; he beat his bosom, threw himself on the ground amid the +mouldering skeletons of the former victims to the treachery of +the magician, and lay for some time in a state of insensibility. +At length the calls of hunger and thirst forced him back to a +sense of wretched existence; and the love of life, however +miserable, made him have recourse to his water and his loaves. +Being somewhat revived, religion came to his aid, and he began to +pray for resignation to submit to the decrees of Heaven, however +painful. He then walked to the edge of the mountain overhanging +the sea, which he observed to wash the base of the rock without +any beach, at sight of which a desperate chance of escape struck +his mind: this was, to throw himself from the precipice into the +ocean, in hopes, should he survive the fall and rise to the +surface, he might reach land. He commended himself to God, shut +his eyes, held in his breath, and giving a desperate spring, +plunged headlong into the dreadful abyss, which providentially +received him unhurt, and a friendly wave drove him on shore; +where, however, he remained some minutes in a lifeless stupor, +owing to the rapidity of his descent from the brain-sickening +precipice. + +When his senses returned Mazin looked wildly around him, at first +scarcely able to bear the light from the recollection of the +dizzy eminence from which he had plunged; and an uneasy interval +elapsed before he could persuade himself that the certainty of +death was past. Convinced at length of this, he prostrated +himself to the earth, and exclaimed, "In God alone is our refuge +and support! I thought I should have perished, but his providence +has sustained me." He then wept exceedingly, entreated +forgiveness of his offences, read several passages from the +Koran, which he had preserved in his vestband, repeated the whole +of his rosary, and besought the intercession of the prophet for +his deliverance from future dangers. After this he walked onwards +till evening, the fruits of the forest his food, his drink the +water of the streams, and his resting place the green turf. Such +was his progress, that after three days he reached the spot under +the mountain where he had been taken up by the roc in the camel's +skin. He now recognized the road he had come; and after measuring +back his steps for nine days, beheld on the last the superb +palace, concerning which he had inquired of the magician, who had +informed him it was inhabited by evil genii, his most bitter +enemies. + +For some time Mazin hesitated whether he should advance to the +gates of the palace; but considering that no greater calamity +could happen to him than he had already endured, he contemned +danger, and boldly advanced to a grand lodge built of white +marble exquisitely polished. He entered, and beheld on one of the +raised platforms which skirted the passage into the court two +beautiful damsels playing at the game of chess; one of whom on +beholding him exclaimed, "Surely, sister, this is the young man +who passed this way about a month ago with Bharam the magician?" +"I am he!" exclaimed Mazin, at the same time throwing himself at +her feet, "and entreat your hospitable protection." The lady, +raising him from the ground, said, "Stranger, you resemble so +much a once beloved brother, that I feel inclined to adopt thee +as such, if my sister will also agree to do so." The other lady +readily assented. They then embraced Mazin, seated him between +them, and requested to be informed of his adventures, of which he +gave them a true narration. + +When Mazin had concluded his story, the ladies expressed +compassion for his misfortunes, and the strongest resentment +against the accursed magician, whom they vowed to punish by a +tormenting death for having had the insolence to accuse them of +being evil genii. They then proceeded to acquaint him with the +cause of their residence in this secluded palace, saying, +"Brother, for as such we shall henceforward regard you, our +father is a most potent sultan of a race of good genii, who were +converted by Solomon, the son of David, to the true faith; we are +seven daughters by the same mother; but for some cause which we +do not know the sultan our father, being fearful of our becoming +connected with mankind, has placed us in this solitary spot. This +palace was erected by genii for our accommodation; the meadows +and forests around it are delightful, and we often amuse +ourselves with field sports, there being plenty of every sort of +game, as you must have observed. When we want horses or camels we +have only to beat a small magical drum, and they instantly attend +our call, ready caparisoned. Our five sisters are at present at +the chase, but will soon return. Set thy heart at rest, forget +thy misfortunes, which are now at an end, and thou shall live +with us in ease and pleasure." + +The five sisters soon returned, and Mazin's adventures being +recounted to them they also adopted him as their brother; and he +continued with these ladies, who strove to divert him all in +their power by repeated rounds of amusements: one day they +hunted, another hawked, another fished, and their indoor +pleasures were varied and delightful; so that Mazin soon +recovered his health, and was happy to the extent of his wishes. +A year had elapsed, when Mazin one day riding out for his +amusement to the enamelled dome supported on four golden columns, +perceived under it the accursed magician, and with him a youth, +whom, like himself, he had inveigled into his snares, and devoted +also to destruction. The rage of Mazin was kindled at the sight; +he drew his sabre, and rushing unperceived behind the sorcerer, +who was in the act of flaying a camel for the purposes already +described, seized him by his hair, and exclaimed, "Wretch! the +judgment of Heaven at length hath overtaken thee, and soon shall +thy impure soul be plunged into that fire thou hast blasphemously +adored." The magician struggled, but in vain. He then implored +for mercy and forgiveness; but Mazin, convinced by experience +that he deserved none, struck off his head at one blow. Then +informing the intended victim, who stood near gazing with +astonishment, of the wicked arts of the accursed Bharam, and of +his own narrow escape from almost certain destruction, he advised +the young man to remount his camel, and return to the spot where +he had disembarked from the vessel, which would safely convey him +back to his own country. The youth, having thanked him for his +deliverance, took his leave; and Mazin returned to the palace, +carrying with him the head of the magician as a trophy of his +victory. He was highly applauded for his prowess by the sisters, +who rejoiced in the destruction of so cruel an enemy to mankind. + +Many days had not elapsed after this event, when one morning +Mazin and the sisters sitting together in a gallery of the +palace, observed a thick cloud of dust rising from the desert and +approaching towards them. As it came nearer they perceived +through it a troop of horsemen; upon which the sisters, desiring +Mazin to retire into an inner chamber, went to the gateway to +inquire who the strangers might be. They were servants of the +genie sultan, father to the ladies, and sent by him to conduct +them to his presence, in order to attend the nuptials of a near +relation. Upon this summons the sisters prepared for the journey, +and at the end of three days departed, assuring Mazin that they +would return in a month. At taking leave they gave him the keys +of every apartment in the palace, telling him that he might open +every door except one, which to enter might be attended with +unpleasant consequences, and therefore had better be avoided. +Mazin promised to observe their caution; and for many days was so +well amused in examining the magnificent rooms and curiosities of +the palace, that he did not feel a wish to transgress till the +forbidden door alone remained unopened. Having then nothing to +divert him, he could not resist the impulse of curiosity, but +unlocked the door, which opened on a marble staircase by which he +ascended to the terraced roof of the palace, from whence a most +delightful prospect feasted his sight. On one side his eye was +arrested by an extensive garden, in the centre of which, under +shady trees, was a basin of clear water, lined with gems of every +colour and description. He resolved to visit this enchanting +object; and descending the staircase, explored his way through a +long arcade, which led him at length into the garden, in which he +diverted himself with the scenery it afforded for some time. He +then retired to an alcove on the margin of the basin, and sat +down; but had not rested many moments, when to his astonishment +he beheld descending from the sky a company of beautiful damsels, +whose robes of light green silk floating in the air seemed their +only support. Alarmed at such a preternatural appearance, he +retired to the end of the alcove, from whence he watched their +motions. They alighted on the brink of the water, and having +thrown off their robes, stood to the enraptured view of Mazin in +native loveliness. Never had he beheld such enchanting beauty; +but one even more exquisitely charming than the rest attracted +his gaze, and from the instant fixed the affections of his heart. +They now plunged into the basin, where for some time they amused +themselves by swimming, every now and then playfully dashing the +water over themselves and at each other. When satiated with +frolic they came out of the water, sat for some time on the +verdant margin, then dressed themselves, and adjusting their +robes to the air, soared aloft, and were soon far from the sight +of the enamoured Mazin, who followed them till his eyes could +stretch no farther; then despairing of ever again beholding the +object of his affections, he fainted on the grass, and it was +some time before he recovered his senses. He returned melancholy +to the palace, and spent the night in reposeless agitation. + +The following morning the seven sisters returned; and she who had +first welcomed him to their abode, and had ever since retained +for Mazin the purest affection, ran with eagerness to inquire +after his health. Great was her affliction on beholding him upon +his bed, pale, and apparently in a state of rapid decay. After +many kind questions, to which he returned no answers, she +entreated earnestly, by the vow of brotherly and sisterly +adoption which had past between them, that he would inform her of +the cause of his unhappy dejection; assuring him that she would +use every exertion to remove it, and gratify his wishes, be they +what they might, however difficult to be obtained. Mazin upon +this, in a feeble tone, related his adventure in the garden; and +declared that unless the beautiful (he supposed celestial) damsel +could be obtained for him he must die of grief. The sister bade +him be comforted, for in a short time his desires should be +satisfied, which revived his spirits, and he accompanied his kind +hostess to welcome home her sisters, who received him with their +usual hospitality, but were grieved and alarmed at the sad +alteration in his appearance, of which they inquired the reason, +and were informed that it was the effect of absence from his +generous patronesses. + +The next morning the sisters went upon a hunting excursion for +ten days, only one (his kindest friend) remained in the palace, +under pretence of attending Mazin, whose health, she said, was +too delicate to bear the exercise of the chase. When the others +were departed, she informed Mazin that the beautiful beings he +had seen in the garden were of a race of genie much more powerful +than her own, that they inhabited a country surrounded by seas +and deserts not to be approached by human exertion, that the +ladies he beheld were sisters to the queen of these genii, whose +subjects were entirely female, occasionally visited by male +genii, with whom they were in alliance for the sake of +population, and to whom all the males were sent away as soon as +born. She further told him, that these females had the power, +from their silken robes, of soaring through the air with a flight +an hundred times swifter than that of any bird, that they were +fond of recreating in verdant spots, and bathing in the clearest +waters, and that the garden he had seen them in was a favourite +place of their resort, so that they would probably soon visit it +again. "Possibly," continued she, "they may recreate themselves +there to-day; we will be on the watch, and if they appear, you +must fix your eye on your favourite, mark where she places her +robes, and while they are in the water seize and conceal them, +for deprived of these she cannot fly away, and you may make her +your prisoner. Bring her to the palace, and endeavour by +tenderness and endearing attention to gain her affection and +consent to marriage; but remember when she is in your power to +keep her robes from her, for should she regain possession of them +she would certainly return to the Flying Islands, and you would +see her no more." + +Mazin and his adopted sister now repaired to the garden, and +seated themselves in the alcove, nor had they been there long +when the fair genii appeared as before, descended on the margin +of the basin, and all having undressed, each laying her robes by +themselves, rushed playfully into the water, in which they began +to swim, dive, and besprinkle playfully each other. Mazin, whose +eager eye had ardently watched his beloved, swiftly, but +cautiously, snatching up the robes of his mistress, conveyed them +to the alcove unobserved by the fair bathers; who, when they had +sufficiently amused themselves, quitted the water, and ascending +the bank, began to dress; but how can we describe the distressful +confusion of the unhappy genie whose robes had been stolen? Big +tears rolled down her beautiful cheeks, she beat her bosom, tore +her hair, and uttered loud shrieks, while her sisters, instead of +consoling her, were concerned only for their own safety, and +dressing themselves with confused haste, bade her farewell, +mounted into the air, and disappeared. On their departure, Mazin +and his adopted sister approached, and saluting the disconsolate +genie endeavoured to console her, but for the present in vain, +her mind being intent only on the sad captivity she thought +awaited her, and the loss of her native country and relations. +They led her gently to the palace, and Mazin, retiring +respectfully, left her to the care of his adopted sister, who by +a thousand endearments and attentions so gained upon her, that in +two days the genie began to recover her spirits, and consented to +receive Mazin as her husband, when the ladies should return from +the chase. On their arrival at the palace they were informed by +their sisters of what had happened, and introduced to the fair +stranger; who, diverted by their company and attentions, now +scarcely regretted her captivity. Preparations were made for the +nuptials, and in a short time Mazin was made happy in the +possession of his beloved genie. A round of festivities succeeded +their marriage, and the seven sisters strove with each other who +should by invention of new amusements make their residence among +them most delightful to the happy pair Mazin, however, now began +to think of his mother and his native city with fond regret, and +at length begged leave of his kind patronesses to return home, to +which request they, from admiration of his filial love, though +unwilling to part, consented, and a day was fixed for his +departure. The time being arrived, the sisters beat their magical +drum, when several camels appeared at the gates of the palace +heavily laden with the richest goods, a large sum of money, +valuable jewels, and refreshments for the journey, led by proper +attendants. One camel carried a splendid litter for the +conveyance of his wife, and another was richly caparisoned for +the use of Mazin, who, having taken an affectionate leave of his +generous benefactresses, whom he promised to revisit at some +future time, departed, and pursued the route back towards the sea +shore, where he had disembarked with the magician. On the journey +nothing remarkable occurred, and on their arrival at the coast +they found a vessel ready to receive them, when the wind proving +fair, a short time carried them safely to Bussorah, where Mazin +had the satisfaction of finding his mother alive, though greatly +wasted with constant grief and lamentation for his loss. To +describe the joy of their meeting is impossible, for never was +there more tender affection between parent and child than +subsisted between Mazin and his mother. She seemed to gain new +life from his recovery, and again to grow young. The fair genie, +who was now in the way of being a mother, appeared perfectly +contented in her situation, and Mazin, so unexpectedly restored +to his country, was happy in the possession of all he wished; for +the generous sisters had bestowed such wealth upon him, that, in +addition to the domestic felicity he enjoyed, he was now one of +the richest persons in all Bussorah. + +Three years had rolled away in undisturbed happiness, during +which the fair genie had borne him two sons, when Mazin thought +it grateful to perform his promise to the seven sisters, the +benevolent foundresses of his good fortune. Having accordingly +made preparations for his journey, he committed his wife's native +robes to the care of his mother, giving her the key of a secret +recess in which he had lodged them, but with a strict charge not +to let the genie put them on, lest an irresistible impulse might +inspire her to fly away to her own country; for though in general +she had seemed contented, he had heard her now and then express a +wish to be again with her own friends and species. The mother +promised obedience, and Mazin having taken an affectionate leave +of her, his wife and children, with assurances of speedy return, +embarked on board a vessel and pursued his voyage, which was +uncommonly prosperous. On his landing he found camels waiting his +arrival on the beach, for the genie ladies, by magic arts, knew +of his coming, and had stationed them for his conveyance to their +palace, which he reached in safety, and was received with the +most affectionate welcomes and hospitality. + +Some time after the departure of Mazin, his wife requested her +mother-in-law's permission to amuse herself at a public bath, and +the old lady willingly accompanied her and the children to the +most celebrated hummaum in the city, which was frequented by the +ladies and those of the chief personages of the court, the caliph +Haroon al Rusheed then happening to be at Bussorah. When they +reached the bath there were then in it some of the principal +female slaves, attendants of Zobeide, who, on the entrance of +Mazin's wife, were struck with her uncommon beauty, and instantly +collecting round her, rapturously gazed upon her as she was +undressing. + +The slaves of Zobeide did not cease to admire Mazin's wife till +she left the hummaum, and even followed her till she entered her +own house, when dusk had begun to gloom, and they became +apprehensive of their mistress's being displeased at their long +absence, and so it happened. + +Upon entering into her presence, Zobeide exclaimed, "Where have +ye loitered, and what has been the cause of your unusually long +stay at the hummaum?" Upon which they looked confusedly at each +other, and remained silent. The sultana then said in anger, +"Instantly inform me of the cause of your delay!" when they +related the wonderful beauty of Mazin's wife, and dwelt so much +upon her charms, that Zobeide was overcome by curiosity to behold +them. On the following day she sent for the mother of Mazin, who +obeyed the summons with fear and trembling, wondering what could +have made the caliph's consort desirous of seeing a person of her +inferior rank. + +Mazin's mother prostrated herself, and kissed the feet of the +sultana, who graciously raising her, said, "Am Mazin, our wish is +that you introduce to me your son's wife, of whose beauty I have +heard such a description, that I long to behold her." + +When the mother of Mazin heard these words, her heart sunk within +her, she trembled, but dared not refuse the command of Zobeide, +and she said, "To hear is to obey!" after which she took leave, +with the usual ceremony of prostration before the throne of the +sultana. + +When the mother of Mazin left the princess Zobeide she returned +towards her own house; and when she had reached it, entered to +her son's wife, and said, "Our sultana Zobeide hath invited thee +to an entertainment." The wife of Mazin was delighted, instantly +rose up, arrayed herself in the richest apparel she was mistress +of, and dressed her two children in their choicest garments and +ornaments Then with them, the mother of her husband, and a black +slave, she proceeded, till they reached the palace of the +princess Zobeide, which they entered, and found her sitting in +impatient expectation. They kissed the ground be fore her, and +prayed for her prosperity. + +When the sultana Zobeide beheld the wife of Mazin her senses were +confounded, her heart fluttered, she was astonished at her +beauty, elegance, graceful stature, and blooming complexion, and +exclaimed, "Gracious heaven! Where could such a form as this have +been created?" Then she seated her guests, and ordered a +collation to be brought in, which was done immediately, when they +ate and were satisfied, but Zobeide could not keep her eyes from +the wife of Mazin of Bussorah. She kissed her, and questioned her +concerning what had befallen herself and her husband. Her +astonishment was redoubled on the relation of their adventures. + +The wife of Mazin then said, "My princess, if you are thus +surprised, though you have not seen me in my native robes, how +would you be delighted at my appearance in them! If, therefore, +you wish to gratify your curiosity by beholding a miracle, you +must command the mother of my husband to bring my country dress." +Upon this Zobeide commanded the mother of Mazin to fetch the +flying robes, and as she dared not disobey the sultana of the +caliph, she went home, and speedily returned with them. Zobeide +took them into her hands, examined them, and was surprised at +their fashion and texture. At length she gave them to the wife of +Mazin. + +When the wife of Mazin had received the robes, she unfolded them, +and going into the open court of the palace, arrayed herself in +them, then taking her children in her arms, mounted with them +suddenly into the air. When she had ascended to about the height +of sixty feet, she called out to the mother of her husband, +saying, "Give my adieu, dear mother, to my lord, and tell him, +should ardent love for me affect him he may come to me in the +islands of Waak al Waak." After this speech she soared towards +the clouds, till she was hidden from their eyes, and speeded to +her own country. + +When the mother of Mazin beheld her in the air, she beat her +cheeks, scattered dust upon her head, and cried aloud to the +princess Zobeide, "This is thy mischief." Zobeide was not able to +answer or reprove her boldness from the excess of her sorrow and +regret, which made her repent, when repentance could not avail. +The old lady returned in despair to her own habitation. + +Thus it happened to the persons above mentioned, but how was it +with the affairs of Mazin? He did not cease travelling for some +time, till he arrived at the palace of the seven sisters, and +paid his respects. They were rejoiced at his arrival, and +inquired after his wife, when he informed them she was well, and +that God had blessed him with two children, both sons, which +added to their satisfaction. He remained with them for some time, +after which he entreated their permission to depart. They took a +tender leave of him, when he bade them farewell, and returned +towards his own country; nor did he halt till he arrived in +safety at Bussorah. When he entered his house he found his mother +alone, mournfully weeping and lamenting what had happened in his +absence. Seeing her in this state, he inquired the cause, upon +which she informed him of all that had occurred, from the +beginning to the conclusion. + +When Mazin had heard the unwelcome intelligence, he cried out in +an agony of distress for the loss of his wife and children, fell +fainting to the ground, and forgot his own existence. His mother, +on beholding his condition, beat her cheeks, and sprinkled water +upon his face till he came to himself, when he wept and said to +his mother, "Inform me what my wife may have spoken on her +departure." She repeated her farewell words: upon hearing which +his distress and ardent longing for his wife and children was +redoubled. He remained mournfully at home for the space of ten +days, after which he resolved upon the journey to the islands of +Waak al Waak, distant from Bussorah one hundred and fifty years +of travel. + +Mazin departed from his mother after he had taken leave and +entreated her prayers for his success, but the aged matron was so +affected that she ordered her tomb to be prepared, and did +nothing but weep and lament night and day for her son, who did +not halt till he had reached the palace of the seven sisters. +When they saw him they were surprised, and said to one another, +"There must be some urgent cause for his returning so speedily." +They saluted him, and inquired after his affairs: upon which he +informed them of the desertion of his wife, what she had said at +going away, and of his resolves to travel to the islands of Waak +al Waak. The seven ladies replied, "This expedition is impossible +to be accomplished either by thee or any of thy race; for these +islands are distant a hundred and fifty years' journey, so that +thou canst not live to reach them." Mazin exclaimed, "My +attempting it, however, is incumbent upon me, though I may perish +on the road: if God has decreed my reunion with my wife I shall +meet her again; but if not, I shall die and be received into the +mercy of the Almighty." The sisters did not cease to importune +him to lay aside the journey, but it was impossible for him to +obey them or remain at ease; upon which their grief for his +situation increased. They knew that the distance was such as he +could never overcome by human aid, or rejoin his wife, but they +respected his ardent love for her and his children. + +On this account they consulted with one another how to assist him +on the journey. He remained with them a month, but unable to +repose or enjoy their entertainments. The sisters had two uncles, +one named Abd al Kuddoos, and the other Abd al Sulleeb, who lived +at three months distance from them, to whom they wrote in +recommendation of Mazin as follows. + +"The bearer is our friend Mazin of Bussorah. If you can direct +him how to reach the islands of Waak al Waak, assist him; but if +not, prevent him from proceeding, lest he plunge himself into +destruction. At present he will not attend to our advice or +reproofs, from excess of love to his wife and children, but +through you there may finally occur to him safety and success." + +When they had sealed this letter they gave it to Mazin, and +bestowed also upon him, of water and provisions, what would +suffice for three months' consumption, laden upon camels, and a +steed for his conveyance, upon which he took leave of them with +many thanks, fully resolved to pursue his journey to the islands +of Waak al Waak. + +With much pain and difficulty he pursued his journey, nor had he +any pleasure either in eating or drinking during the three months +of his pilgrimage. At length he reached a verdant pasturage, in +which was a variety of flowers, flocks of sheep, and cattle +feeding. It was indeed a paradise upon earth. In one part of it +he perceived a pleasant eminence on which were buildings: he +advanced to them, and entered a court. Within it he beheld a +venerable looking personage, his beard flowing to his middle, +whom he saluted; when the sage returned his compliments, welcomed +him with respectful demeanour, and congratulated him on his +arrival. He seated him, and laid before him a collation, of which +they both ate till they were satisfied. + +Mazin lodged with him that night, and in the morning the sage +inquired of him his situation, and the reason of his coming to +such a sequestered spot. + +Mazin informed him; and, behold! this personage was Abd al +Kuddoos; who, when he heard his guest mention particulars of his +brother's children, redoubled his attentions to him, and said, +"Did they give you any letter?" Mazin replied, "Yes." He eagerly +exclaimed, "Give it to me." He gave it him, when he opened it, +read it to himself, and considered the contents word byword. + +Abd al Kuddoos gazed earnestly at Mazin; reflected on his +adventures, at which he was astonished; and how he had plunged +himself into danger and difficulty in such a wild pursuit. He +then said to him, "My son, my advice is, that thou return by the +way which thou hast come, and no longer vex thy soul on account +of impossibilities, for this business thou canst not accomplish. +I will write to the daughters of my brother what shall make thee +happy with them, and restore thy peace. Return then to them, and +perplex not thyself farther, for between this spot and the +islands of Waak al Waak is the distance of a hundred and fifty +years' journey. On the way also are numerous perils, for in it +are the abodes of genii, the haunts of wild beasts, and monstrous +serpents, and some parts also where food cannot be had or thirst +be gratified. Have compassion then, my son, upon thyself, and +rush not on destruction." + +Abd al Kuddoos continued to dissuade him from his resolution +during three days, but he would not hear advice or reproof. On +the third he prepared to depart, being sufficiently refreshed; +upon which the old man, seeing his steadiness, arose, kindled a +fire, cast into it some perfumes, and uttered incantations, to +Mazin unintelligible; when suddenly appeared a genie, in stature +forty cubits; he was one of the subdued spirits of our lord +Solomon. He muttered and growled, saying, "For what, my lord, +hast thou summoned me here? shall I tear up this eminence by the +roots, and hurl it beyond the mountains of Kaaf?" + +Abd al Kuddoos replied, "God be merciful to thee; I have occasion +for thee, and request that thou wilt accomplish my wish in one +day:" upon which the genie answered, "To hear is to obey." + +Abd al Kuddoos then said to the genie, "Take up this young man, +and convey him to my brother Abd al Sullecb." He consented, +though the distance was a common journey of seventy years. The +genie advanced, seized Mazin, and placing him upon his shoulders, +soared with him through the air from morning till sunset, when he +descended before Abd al Sulleeb, paid his respects, and informed +him of the commands of his brother Abd al Kuddoos. Upon this he +greeted Mazin, who presented him the letter from the daughters of +his brother, which he opened and read. When he had examined the +contents, he was astonished at the circumstances which had +befallen Mazin, his arrival with him, and his resolve to +penetrate to the islands of Waak al Waak. He then said to him, +"My son, I advise that thou vex not thyself with these +difficulties and dangers, for thou canst never attain thy object, +or reach these islands." + +Mazin now began to despair, and at the remembrance of his wife +and children to weep bitterly, insomuch that he fainted, which, +when Abd al Sulleeb beheld, his heart sympathized with his +unhappy condition. He perceived that he would not return from his +pursuit, or be controlled, and therefore thought it best to +assist his progress towards the islands. Going into another +apartment, he kindled a fire, over which he sprinkled some +perfumes, and uttered incantations; when, lo! ten genii presented +themselves before him, and said, "Inform us, my lord, what thou +desirest, and we will bring it thee in an instant." He replied, +"May God be gracious unto you!" and related to them the story of +Maxin, his wife, and children. + +When the ten genii had heard the narration, they exclaimed, "This +affair is wonderful and miraculous; however, we will take and +convey him safely over the mountains and deserts, to the extent +of our country and dominion, and leave him there, but cannot +promise further assistance, as we dare not pass a step beyond our +own territories, for the land belongs to others. In it are +innumerable horrors, and we dread the inhabitants." Mazin having +heard what they said, exclaimed, "I accept your offer with +gratitude." + +The ten genii now took up Mazin, soared with him through the air +for a night and day, till they came to the limits of their +territories, and then set him down in a country called the land +of Kafoor, took, their leaves, and vanished from his sight. He +walked onwards, and did not neglect to employ his tongue in +prayer, beseeching from God deliverance and the attainment of his +wishes. Often would he exclaim, "O God, deliverer from bondage, +who canst guide in safety over mountains, who feedest the wild +beasts of the forest, who decreest life and death, thou canst +grant me if thou choosest relief from all my distress, and free +me from all my sorrows." + +In this manner did he travel onwards during ten days; on the last +of which he beheld three persons contending with each other, each +man trying to kill his fellow. He was astonished at their +conduit, but advanced towards them. Upon his approach they +desisted from combat, and one and all exclaimed, "We will be +judged before his young man, and whoever contradicts his opinion +shall be deemed in the wrong." To this they agreed, and coming up +to Mazin, demanded from him a just arbitration in their dispute. +They then displayed before him a cap, a small copper drum, and a +wooden ball, saying, "We are three brothers, by the same father +and mother, who are both received into the mercy of God, leaving +behind them these articles. They are three, and we are three; but +a dispute hath fallen out among us respecting their allotment, as +each of us says, 'I will have the cap.' Our contention made us +proceed to blows, but now we are desirous that thou shouldst +arbitrate between us, and allot an article to each of us as thou +shall judge best, when we will rest satisfied with thy decision, +but should either contradict it he shall be adjuged an offender." + +When Mazin heard the above he was surprised, and said to himself, +"These articles are so paltry and of such trifling value as not +to be worth an arbitration; for surely this shabby cap, the drum, +and the wooden ball, cannot be worth altogether more than half a +deenar; but I will inquire farther about them." He then said, "My +brethren, wherein lies the value of these three things about +which you were contending, for to me they appear of very little +worth." They replied, "Dear uncle, each of them has a property +worth treasuries of wealth, and to each of them belongs a tale so +wonderful, that wert thou to write it on a tablet of adamant it +would remain an example for those who will be admonished." + +Mazin then requested that they would relate to him the stories of +the three articles, when they said, "The eldest brother shall +first deliver the account of one, its properties, what can be +gained from them, and we will not conceal any thing from thee." + +"This cap," said the elder brother, "is called the cap of +invisibility, by which, whoever possesseth it may become +sovereign of the world. When he puts it on, he may enter where he +pleases, for none can perceive him, either genii or men, so that +he may convey away whatever he chooses, unseen, in security. He +may enter the cabinets of kings and statesmen, and hear all they +converse upon respecting political intrigues. Does he covet +wealth, he may visit the royal treasuries, and plunder them at +his pleasure; or does he wish for revenge, he can kill his enemy +without being detected. In short, he may act as he pleases +without fear of discovery." + +Mazin now said to himself, "This cap can become nobody but me, to +whom it will be most advantageous in the object of my expedition. +Perhaps it may conduct me to my wife and children, and I may +obtain from its possession all I wish. It is certainly one of the +wonders of the world and rarities of the age, not to be found +among the riches of kings of the present day." When he had +ruminated thus, he said, "I am acquainted with the properties of +the cap, what are those of the drum?" + +The second brother began, saying, "Whoever has this drum in his +possession, should he be involved in a difficult situation, let +him take it out of its case, and with the sticks gently beat upon +the characters engraven on the copper; when, if his mind be +collected and his courage firm, there will appear to him +wonderful matters. The virtue of it consists in the words +inscribed upon it, which were written by our lord Solomon Bin +David in talismanic characters, each of which has control over +certain spirits and princes of the genii, and a power that cannot +be described in speech. Hence, whoever is master of this drum may +become superior to all the monarchs of the present day, for, on +his beating it in the manner already described, when he is +pressed for help, all the princes of the genii, with their sons, +will appear also their troops and followers, ready to obey his +commands. Whatever he may order them to execute they will perform +by virtue of the talisman of our lord Solomon Bin David." + +When Mazin of Bussorah had heard the above, he said to himself, +"This drum is fitting only for me, as I have much more need of it +than the brothers. It will protect me from all evil in the +islands of Waak al Waak, should I reach them, and meet with my +wife and children. It is true, if I take only the cap I may be +able to enter all places, but this drum will keep injury from me, +and with it I shall be secure from all enemies." After this, he +said, "I have been informed of the virtues of the cap, and the +properties of the drum, there now only remains the account of the +wooden ball, that I may give judgment between you, therefore let +the third brother speak." He answered, "To hear is to obey." + +The third brother said, "My dear uncle, whoever possesses this +ball will find in it wonderful properties, for it brings distant +parts near, and makes near distant, it shortens long journeys, and +lengthens short ones If any person wish to perform one of two +hundred years in two days, let him take it from its case, then +lay it upon the ground and mention what place he desires to go, +it will instantly be in motion, and rush over the earth like the +blast of the stormy gale. He must then follow it till he arrives +at the place desired, which he will have the power to do with +ease." + +When the youth had concluded his description of the virtue of the +wooden ball, Mazin resolved within himself to take this also from +the brothers, and said, "If your wish be that I should arbitrate +between you, I must first prove the virtues of these three +articles, and afterwards let each take that which may fall to him +by decision." The three brothers exclaimed, "We have heard, and +we consent; act as thou thinkest best, and may God protect thee +in thy undertakings!" Mazin then put on the cap, placed the drum +under his vestband, took up the ball and placed it on the ground, +when it speeded before him swiftly as the gale. He followed it +till it came to the gate of a building which it entered, and +Mazin also went in with it. The brothers ran till they were +fatigued, and cried out, "Thou hast sufficiently tried them;" but +in vain, for by this time there was between him and them the +distance of ten years' journey. Mazin now rested, took the drum +in his hands, rubbed his fingers over the talismanic characters, +hesitated whether he should strike them with the sticks, then +labored lightly upon them, when, lo! a voice exclaimed, "Mazin, +thou hast gained thy desires. + +"Thou wilt not, however," continued the voice, "arrive at thy +object till after much trouble, but take care of the ball in this +spot, for thou art at present in the land of the evil genii." +Upon this, Mazin took up the ball and concealed it in his +clothes; but he was overcome with astonishment at hearing words +without seeing the speaker, and exclaimed, "Who art thou, my +lord?" "I am," replied the voice, "one of the slaves of the +characters which thou seest engraved upon the drum, and +unremittingly in attendance; but the other servants will not +appear except the drum be beaten loudly, when three hundred and +sixty chiefs will attend thy commands, each of whom has under his +authority ten thousand genii, and every individual of them +numerous followers." + +Mazin now inquired the distance of the islands of Waak al Waak; +to which the voice replied, "Three years' journey:" upon which he +struck the ball before him, and followed it. He next arrived in a +region infested by serpents, dragons, and ravenous beasts, in the +mountains of which were mines of copper. He now again tabored +gently upon the drum, when the voice exclaimed, "I am ready to +obey thy commands." + +"Inform me," said Mazin, "what is the name of this country?" "It +is called," answered the voice, "the Land of Dragons and Ravenous +Animals. Be careful then of thyself, and make no delay, nor +regard fatigue, for these mountains are not to be passed without +a chance of trouble from the inhabitants, who are genii, and in +their caves are furious wild beasts." Upon this he struck the +ball afresh, and followed it unceasingly, till at length he +reached the sea shore, and perceived the islands of Waak al Waak +at a distance, whose mountains appeared of a fiery red, like the +sky gilded by the beams of the setting sun. When he beheld them +he was struck with awe and dread; but recovering, he said to +himself, "Why should I be afraid? since God has conducted me +hither, he will protect me; or, if I die, I shall be relieved +from my troubles, and be received into the mercy of God." He then +gathered some fruits, which he ate, drank some water, and having +performed his devotions, laid himself down to sleep, nor did he +awake till the morning. + +In the morning Mazin had recourse to his drum, which he rubbed +gently, when the voice inquired his commands. "How am I," said +he, "to pass this sea, and enter the islands?" "That is not to be +done," replied the voice, "without the assistance of a sage who +resides in a cell on yonder mountains, distant from hence a day's +journey, but the ball will conduct thee there in half an hour. +When you reach his abode, knock softly at the door, when he will +appear, and inquire whence you come, and what you want. On +entering he will receive thee kindly, and desire thee to relate +thy adventures from beginning to end. Conceal nothing from him, +for he alone can assist thee in passing the sea." + +Mazin then struck the ball, and followed it till he arrived at +the abode of the hermit, the gate of which he found locked He +knocked, when a voice from within said, "Who is at the gate?" "A +guest," replied Mazin upon which the sage arose and opened the +door, admitted him, and entertained him kindly for a whole night +and day, after which Mazin ventured to inquire how he might pass +the sea The sage replied, "What occasions thy searching after +such an object?" Mazin answered, "My lord, I intend to enter the +islands, and with that view have I travelled far distant from my +own country." When the sage heard this, he stood up before him, +took a book, opened it, and read in it to himself for some time, +every now and then casting a look of astonishment upon Mazin. At +length he raised his head and said, "Heavens! what troubles, +disasters, and afflictions in exile have been decreed to this +youth in the search of his object!" Upon this Mazin exclaimed, +"Wherefore, my lord, did you look at the book and then at me so +earnestly?" The sage replied, "My son, I would instruct thee how +to reach the islands, since such is thy desire, but thou canst +not succeed in thy desires till after much labour and +inconvenience. However, at present relate to me thy adventures +from first to last" Mazin rejoined, "My story, my lord, is such a +surprising one, that were it engraven on tablets of adamant, it +would be an example for such as would take warning." + +When he had related his story from beginning to end, the sage +exclaimed, "God willing thou wilt attain thy wishes:" upon which +Mazin inquired concerning the sea surrounding the islands, and +how he could overcome such an impediment to his progress; when +the sage answered, "By God's permission, in the morning we will +repair to the mountains, and I will shew thee the wonders of the +seas." + +When God permitted morning to dawn the hermit arose, took Mazin +with him, and they ascended the mountains, till they reached a +structure resembling a fortress, which they entered, and +proceeded into the inmost court, in which was an immense colossal +statue of brass, hollowed into pipes, having in the midst of it a +reservoir lined with marble, the work of magicians. When Mazin +beheld this he was astonished, and began to tremble with fear at +the vastness of the statue, and what miraculous power it might +contain. The hermit now kindled a fire, threw into it some +perfumes, and muttered some unintelligible words, when suddenly +dark clouds arose, from which burst out eddies of tempestuous +wind, lightnings, claps of thunder, groans, and frightful noises, +and in the midst of the reservoir appeared boiling waves, for it +was near the ocean surrounding the islands. The hermit did not +cease to utter his incantations, until the hurricane and noises +had subsided by his authority, for he was more powerful than any +of the magicians, and had command over the rebellious genii. He +now said to Mazin, "Go out, and look towards the ocean +surrounding the islands." + +Mazin repaired to the summit of the mountain, and looked towards +the sea, but could not discover the smallest trace of its +existence: upon which he was astonished at the miraculous power +of the hermit. He returned to him, exclaiming, "I can behold no +remains of the ocean, and the islands appear joined to the main +land;" when the sage said, "My son, place thy reliance on God and +pursue thy object," after which he vanished from sight. + +Mazin now proceeded into the islands, and did not stop till he +had reached a verdant spot watered by clear rivulets, and shaded +by lofty trees. It was now sunrise, and among the wonders which +he beheld was a tree like the weeping willow, on which hung, by +way of fruit, beautiful damsels, who exclaimed, "Praised be God +our creator, and former of the islands of Waak al Waak." They +then dropped from the tree and expired. At sight of this prodigy +his senses were confounded, and he exclaimed, "By heavens, this +is miraculously surprising!" When he had recovered himself, he +roamed through the groves, and admired the contrivances of the +Almighty till sunset, when he sat down to rest. + +He had not sat long when there approached towards him a +masculinely looking old woman of disagreeable countenance, at +sight of whom Mazin was alarmed. The matron guessing that he was +in fear of her, said to him, "What is thy name, what are thy +wants? art thou of this country? Inform me; be not afraid or +apprehensive, for I will request of God that I may be the means +of forwarding thy wishes." On hearing these words the heart of +Mazin was encouraged, and he rerelated to her his adventures from +first to last. When she had heard them, she knew that he must be +husband to the sister of her mistress, who was queen of the +islands of Waak al Waak, and said, "Thy object is a difficult +one, but I will assist thee all in my power." + +The old woman now conducted Mazin through by-paths to the capital +of the island, and led him unperceived in the darkness of night, +when the inhabitants had ceased to pass through the streets, to +her own house. She then set before him refreshments, and having +eaten and drunk till he was satisfied, he praised God for his +arrival; when the matron informed him concerning his wife, that +she had endured great troubles and afflictions since her +separation, and repented sincerely of her flight. Upon hearing +this, Mazin wept bitterly, and fainted with anguish. When revived +by the exertions of the old woman, she comforted him by promises +of speedy assistance to complete his wishes, and left him to his +repose. + +Next morning the old woman desiring Mazin to wait patiently for +her return, repaired to the palace, where she found the queen and +her sisters in consultation concerning the wife of Mazin, and +saying, "This wretch hath espoused a man, by whom she has +children, but now she is returned, we will put her to death after +divers tortures." Upon the entrance of the old lady they arose, +saluted her with great respect, and seated her, for she had been +their nurse. When she had rested a little, she said, "Were you +not conversing about your unfortunate sister? but can ye reverse +the decrees of God?" "Dear nurse," replied they, "no one can +avoid the will of heaven, and had she wedded one of our own +nature there would have been no disgrace, but she has married a +human being of Bussorah, and has children by him, so that our +species will despise us, and tauntingly say, 'Your sister is a +harlot.' Her death is therefore not to be avoided." The nurse +rejoined, "If you put her to death your scandal will be greater +than hers, for she was wedded lawfully, and her offspring is +legitimate; but I wish to see her." The eldest sister answered, +"She is now confined in a subterraneous dungeon;" upon which the +nurse requested permission to visit her, which was granted, and +one of the sisters attended to conduct her to the prison. + +The nurse, on her arrival at the prison, found the wife of Mazin +in great distress from the cruelty of her sisters. Her children +were playing about her, but very pallid, from the closeness of +their confinement. On the entrance of the nurse she stood up, +made her obeisance, and began to weep, saying, "My dear nurse, I +have been long in this dungeon, and know not what in the end may +be my fate." The old woman kissed her cheeks, and said, "My dear +daughter, God will bring thee relief, perchance on this very +day." + +When the wife of Mazin heard this, she said, "Good heavens! your +words, my dear nurse, recall a gleam of comfort that last night +struck across my mind from a voice, which said, 'Be comforted, O +wife of Mazin, for thy deliverance is near.'" Upon this the old +woman replied, "Thou shalt indeed be comforted, for thy husband +is at my abode, and will speedily release thee." The unfortunate +prisoner, overcome with joy, fainted away, but was soon restored +by the nurse's sprinkling water upon her face, when she opened +her eyes and said, "I conjure thee by heaven, my dear nurse, +inform me if thou speakest truth, or dissemblest." "I not only +speak truth," answered the nurse, "but by God's help thou shalt +meet thy husband this day." After this she left her. + +The nurse, upon her return home, inquired of Mazin if he had +skill to take his wife away, provided he was admitted into the +dungeon at night. He replied, "Yes." When night was set in, she +conducted him to the spot where she was confined, left him near +the gate, and went her way. He then put on his cap of +invisibility, and remained unperceived all night by any one. +Early in the morning the queen, his wife's eldest sister, +advanced, opened the gate of the prison, and entered, when he +followed unseen behind her, and seated himself in a corner of the +apartment. The queen went up to her sister, and beat her cruelly +with a whip, while her children wept around her, till the blood +appeared upon her body, when she left her hanging by her hair +from a pillar, went out, and locked the door of the dungeon. +Mazin now arose, unloosed his wife's hair, and pulling off the +cap, appeared before her, when she exclaimed, "From whence didst +thou come?" They then embraced each other, and he said. "Ah, why +didst thou act thus, leave me in such affliction, and plunge +thyself into such distress, which, indeed, thy conduct hath +almost deserved?" "It is true," replied she; "but what is past is +past, and reproach will not avail, unless thus canst effect our +escape:" upon which he exclaimed, "Does thy inclination really +lead thee to accompany me to my own country?" She answered, + +"Yes; do with me what thou choosest." + +They remained in endearment with their children until evening, +when the keeper of the dungeon approaching, Mazin put on his cap +of invisibility. The keeper having set down the provisions for +the night, retired into a recess of the dungeon and fell asleep; +when Mazin and his family sat down and refreshed themselves. +Perceiving the keeper asleep, Mazin tried the door and found it +unlocked; upon which, he, with his wife and children, left the +prison, and travelled as quickly as possible all night. When the +queen, in the morning, was informed of her sister's escape she +was enraged, and made incantations, on which seven thousand genii +attended, with whom she marched out in pursuit, resolved to cut +the fugitives in pieces. + +Mazin, looking behind him, perceived a cloud of dust, and soon +appeared the forces of his wife's sister, who cried out on seeing +him, with dreadful howls, "Where will ye go, ye wretches, ye +accursed? where can ye hide yourselves?" Upon this Mazin took out +his drum, and beat it violently, when, lo! there appeared before +him legions of genii, in number more than could be reckoned, and +they fought with the armies of the queen, who was taken prisoner, +with her principal attendants. + +When the wife of Mazin beheld her sister in this distress her +compassion was moved towards her, and she said to her husband, +"Hurt not my sister, nor use her ill, for she is my elder:" upon +which he treated her respectfully, and commanded tents to be +pitched for her and her court. + +Peace being established, the sisters took an affectionate leave, +and Mazin, with his family, departed for the residence of Abd al +Sulleeb, which they speedily reached with the assistance of the +genii, and the directing ball. The old man received him kindly, +and inquired his adventures, when he related them to him; at +which he was surprised, especially at the account of the cap, the +drum, and the ball; of which last Mazin begged his acceptance, +being now near home, and having no farther occasion for its use. +Abd al Sulleeb was much pleased, and entertained him +magnificently for three days, when Mazin wishing to depart, the +old man presented him with rich gifts, and dismissed him. + +Mazin was continuing his route, when suddenly a band of a hundred +banditti appeared, resolved to plunder and put him and his +companions to death, with which design they kept advancing. Mazin +called out to them, "Brother Arabs, let the covenant of God be +between you and me, keep at a distance from me." When they heard +this they increased their insolence, surrounded him, and supposed +they should easily seize all that he had; but especially when +they beheld his wife, and the beauty she was endowed with, they +said one to another, "Let us put him to death, and not suffer him +to live." Each man resolved within himself, saying, "I will seize +this damsel, and not take the plunder." + +When Mazin saw that they were bent upon attacking him, to seize +his wife and plunder his effects, he took out his drum and beat +upon it in a slight manner, when, behold! ten genii appeared +before him, requiring his commands. He replied, "I wish the +dispersion of yonder horsemen;" upon which one of the ten +advanced among the hundred banditti, and uttered such a +tremendous yell as made the mountains reverberate the sound. +Immediately as he sent forth the yell, the banditti, in alarm, +dispersed themselves among the rocks, when such as fell from +their horses' backs fled on foot; so that they lost their +reputation, and were ridiculed among the chiefs of the Abbasside +tribes. Mazin now pursued his journey, and did not halt till he +had reached the abode of Abd al Kuddoos, who advanced to meet him +and saluted him, but was astonished when he beheld his company, +and the wealth he had obtained. Mazin related what had befallen +him, of dangers, and hunger, and thirst; his safe arrival in the +islands of Waak al Waak; the deliverance of his wife from prison, +and the defeat of the army sent to oppose his return. He +mentioned also the reconciliation between the sisters of his +wife, and whatever had happened to him from first to last. + +Abd al Kuddoos was greatly astonished at these adventures, and +said to Mazin of Bussorah, "Truly, my son, these events are most +surprising, and can have never occurred to any but thyself." +Mazin remained three days to repose himself, and was treated with +hospitality and respect until the fourth, when he resolved to +continue his journey, and took leave. He proceeded towards his +own country, and did not halt on the way till he arrived with the +seven sisters, the owners of the palace, who had so much +befriended him. + +When Mazin of Bussorah arrived near the palace of the seven +sisters, they came out to meet him, saluted him and his wife, and +conducted them within; but they were astonished at his return, +and at first could scarcely believe his success, wondering that +he had not perished on the road, or been torn in pieces by the +wild beasts of the desert; for they had regarded it as impossible +that he should ever reach the islands of Waak al Waak. + +When they were seated, they requested him to relate to them all +that had befallen him, which he did from first to last, and they +were more than ever astonished at his uncommon adventures. After +this they introduced a collation, and spread the cloth, when they +ate till they were satisfied, and then wrote a letter and +dispatched it to the mother of Mazin, congratulating her on the +health of her son, and his safe return with his wife and +children. + +Mazin remained with the ladies a month, enjoying himself in +feasting and amusements, after which he begged permission to +depart to his own country, for his heart was anxious for his +mother. They dismissed him, and he travelled unceasingly till he +arrived at Bussorah. He entered the city at sunset, and proceeded +to his own house, when his mother came out, saluted him, and +embraced him. She had erected her tomb in the court of her house, +and had wept night and day till she became blind, but when the +letter arrived from the sisters, from the rapture of joy her +sight returned unto her again. She beheld the children of her +son, embraced them, and that night was to her as an eed or +festival. + +When God had caused the morning to dawn, the chief personages of +Bussorah visited Mazin to congratulate him on his return, and the +principal ladies came to his mother, and rejoiced with her on the +safety of her son. At length intelligence of it reached the +caliph Haroon al Rusheed, who sent for Mazin to his presence. +Having entered the audience chamber, he made the usual obeisance, +when the caliph returned his salute, and commanded him to sit. +When he was seated, the caliph demanded that he should relate the +whole of what had befallen him, to which he answered, "To hear is +to obey." + +Mazin then recited his adventures from the time the fire-worshipper +who had stolen him from his mother by his stratagems, the mode of his +coming to the palace of the seven ladies, the manner in which he +obtained his wife, her flight from the palace of the empress Zobeide, +his journey to the islands of Waak al Waak, also the dangers and +difficulties he had encountered from first to last. The caliph was +astonished, and said, "The substance of these adventures must not be +lost or concealed, but shall be recorded in writing." He then +commanded an amanuensis to attend, and seated Mazin of Bussorah by +him, until he had taken down his adventures from beginning to end. + + + + + STORY OF THE SULTAN, THE DERVISH, AND THE + BARBER'S SON. + + + +In the capital of a sultan named Rammaud lived a barber, who had +a son growing up to manhood, possessing great accomplishments of +mind and person, and whose wit and humour drew numerous customers +to his shop. One day a venerable dervish entering it, sat down, +and calling for a looking glass, adjusted his beard and whiskers, +at the same time asking many questions of the young man; after +which he laid down a sherif, rose up, and departed. The next day +he came again, and for several days following, always finishing +his visit by leaving a piece of gold upon the looking-glass, to +the great satisfaction of the barber, who from his other +customers never usually received more than sonic coppers of +little value; but though he liked the gold, his suspicions were +raised against the generous donor, supposing him to be a +necromancer, who had some evil design against his son, whom, +therefore, he cautioned to be upon his guard. The visits of the +dervish were continued as usual for some time; when one day he +found the barber's son alone in the shop, and was informed that +his father had gone to divert himself with viewing some +experiments which the sultan was making of the mixture of various +metals, being an adept in chemistry, and eager in search of the +philosopher's stone. The dervish now invited the young man to +accompany him to the spot where the experiments were making, and +on their arrival they saw a vast furnace, into which the sultan +and his attendants cast pieces of metal of various sorts. The +dervish having taken a lump of ore from his wallet threw it into +the furnace; then addressing the young barber, said, "I must for +the present bid you farewell, as I have a journey to take; but if +the sultan should inquire after me, let him know I am to be found +in a certain city, and will attend his summons." Having said +this, the dervish presented the barber's son with a purse of +gold, took his leave, and the youth returned home. Great was the +surprise of the sultan, when the metals in the furnace were all +melted, to find them converted into a mass of solid gold, which +proved, on assay, to be of the purest quality. Every one was +questioned as to what he had cast into the furnace, when there +appeared no reason to suppose the transmutation could have been +effected by such an accidental mixture of metals. At length it +was remarked, that a dervish, accompanying the barber's son, had +cast in a lump of ore, and immediately disappeared. Upon this the +sultan summoned the youth to his presence, and inquiring after +his companion, was informed of the place of his residence, and of +what, on his departure, he had said to him. The sultan was +overjoyed at the welcome intelligence, and dispatched the young +man, with an honourable attendance, to conduct the venerable +dervish to his presence, where being arrived, he was received +with the most distinguishing attention, and the barber's son was +promoted to high office. After some days, the sultan requested +the dervish to instruct him in the transmutation of metals, which +he readily did, as well as in many other occult mysteries; which +so gratified his royal patron, that he trusted the administration +of government to his care. This disgusted the ministers and +courtiers, who could not bear to be controlled by a stranger, and +therefore resolved to effect his ruin. By degrees they persuaded +their credulous master that the dervish was a magician, who would +in time possess himself of his throne, and the sultan, alarmed, +resolved to put him to death. With this intention, calling him to +the presence, he accused him of sorcery, and commanded an +executioner to strike off his head. "Forbear awhile," exclaimed +the dervish, "and let me live till I have shown you the most +wonderful specimen of my art." To this the sultan consented, when +the dervish, with chalk, drew a circle of considerable extent +round the sultan and his attendants, then stepping into the +middle of it, he drew a small circle round himself, and said, +"Now seize me if you can;" and immediately disappeared from +sight. At the same instant, the sultan and his courtiers found +themselves assaulted by invisible agents, who, tearing off their +robes, whipped them with scourges till the blood flowed in +streams from their lacerated backs. At length the punishment +ceased, but the mortification of the sultan did not end here, for +all the gold which the dervish had transmuted returned to its +original metals. Thus, by his unjust credulity, was a weak prince +punished for his ungrateful folly. The barber and his son also +were not to be found, so that the sultan could gain no +intelligence of the dervish, and he and his courtiers became the +laughingstock of the populace for years after their merited +chastisement. + + + + + ADVENTURES OF ALEEFA, DAUGHTER OF + MHEREJAUN, SULTAN OF HIND, AND EUSUFF, SON + OF SOHUL, SULTAN OF SIND. + + + +Mherejaun, sultan of Hind, was many years without any progeny, +and immersed in melancholy at the thought of his kingdom's +passing to another family. One evening, while indulging his +gloomy thoughts, he dropped into a doze, from which he was roused +by a voice exclaiming, "Sultan, thy wife this night shall +conceive. If she bears a son, he will increase the glory of thy +house; but if a daughter, she will occasion thee disgrace and +misfortune." In due time the favourite sultana was delivered of a +daughter, to the great mortification of the parents, who would +have destroyed her had not her infant smiles diverted their +anger. She was brought up in the strictest privacy, and at the +end of twelve years the sultan had her conveyed to a strong +citadel erected in the middle of a deep lake, hoping in such a +confinement to prevent her from fulfilling the prediction which +had been made concerning her. Nothing could excel the +magnificence of her abode, where she was left only with female +attendants of the highest accomplishments, but no male was +allowed to approach even the borders of the lake, except when +supplies were conveyed for the use of its fair inhabitants, who +were then restricted to their apartments. The gate of the citadel +was entrusted to the care of an old lady, the princess's nurse. +For three years the fair Aleefa lived happy in her splendid +prison, but the decree of fate was not to be overcome, and an +event predestined by heaven overturned the cautious project of +sultan Mherejaun. + +Eusuff, a dissipated young prince, son to the sultan of Sind, +having offended his father, fled from his court, and with a few +attendants reached the borders of the lake, in his way to seek an +asylum in the territories of Mherejaun. Curious to know who +inhabited the citadel in the midst of it, he swam over the lake, +and landed at the gate, which he found shut, but no one answered +his loudest call for admission. Upon this he wrote a note, +requesting compassion to a helpless stranger, and having fixed it +to an arrow, shot it over the battlements. It luckily for him +fell at the feet of the princess, then walking in one of the +courts of her palace. She prevailed upon her nurse to open the +gate, and at sight of Eusuff fell in love with him, as he did +with her. He was admitted, and the tenderest interviews took +place between them. Joy and pleasure prevailed in the citadel, +while the prince's attendants remained, expecting his return, on +the banks of the lake. + +After some time, sultan Sohul wishing to be reconciled to his +son, and having learnt the route he had taken, dispatched his +nephew named Yiah to assure him of forgiveness, and invite him to +return to Sind. Yiah arriving at the lake, was informed by +Eusuff's attendants that the prince had entered the citadel, +since which they had not seen or heard anything of him. Yiah, +upon this, penned a note expressive of the sultan's forgiveness, +and his wish to see the prince, which he fixed to an arrow and +shot it into the palace, in the garden of which it fell, as +Eusuff and Aleefa were walking for their amusement. The prince, +on reading the note, overcome with joy at the intelligence of his +father's forgiveness of his errors, resolved to return home and +pay his duty to his parents. He communicated his design to the +princess, who was plunged into the deepest sorrow at the thought +of his departure, but he comforted her by assurances of his +speedy return, declaring that nothing but filial duty could have +torn him from her, even for a moment. She now implored him to to +take her with him, but Eusuff prudently represented that such a +step could only disgrace her fame and enrage her father, who, on +discovery of her flight, would invade the kingdom of Sind with +his powerful armies, and a scene of unnecessary bloodshed would +ensue. On the contrary, it they waited patiently, sultan +Mherejaun might be prevailed upon to consent to their union; but, +in the mean time, he would visit her often, while their meetings +might, through the fidelity of their mutual attendants, be kept +secret. Aleefa, though unwilling, was obliged to acknowledge the +justice of his reasoning, and consented to his departure; but on +his taking leave, with tears and embraces entreated him not to be +long absent, which he promised, and with truth, for his love was +sincere, and it was with difficulty he submitted to the call of +duty to a forgiving parent. + +Eusuff having swam the lake with his bow and quiver upon his +head, as before, rejoined his companions, who rejoiced to see +him. He was received by his cousin Yiah with transports of +affection, and informed of what had happened since his departure +from court; after which the prince related his love adventure +with the fair Aleefa, at the same time requesting his secrecy, +and that he would charge the same on his attendants, as to his +having been in the citadel, which he should earnestly beg also of +his companions to observe. After a night's repose the two princes +marched towards Sind, and when within a day's distance from the +capital, dispatched a courier to give notice of their approach. +Sultan Sohul, overcome with joy at the recovery of his son, +having commanded the city to be ornamented and splendid +entertainments to be made for his triumphal entry, with his whole +court in their most magnificent array advanced to meet him. The +prince, on seeing his father's train, dismounted, fell on his +face, then running up, eagerly embraced the stirrup of the old +sultan, who threw himself upon his neck in a transport of joy, +and wept over him with tears of affectionate rapture. A horse +sumptuously caparisoned was now brought for the prince's +mounting, and the father and son rode side by side into the city, +amid the acclamations of all ranks of people; while, as they +proceeded, basins full of silver and gold, coined for the +occasion, were showered amongst the assembled crowds in the +streets. It is impossible to describe the tender interview +between the prince and the queen his mother, whose heart had been +nearly broken on the flight of her son, or the glad transports of +Eusuff's own ladies, who were in number three wives and forty +concubines. Suffice it to say, that all was joy and pleasure in +the palace, except in the breast of Eusuff; who mingled with the +satisfaction of return to his family an ardent desire to meet +again the beautiful Aleefa, so that the caresses of his women +gave him no pleasure; and when he retired to his apartment, he +did not, as was usual, call any of them to his presence, but +passed the night alone, thinking of his beloved. Morning invited +him to new scenes of festivity, prepared by his happy parents, +who little suspected how soon they were again to lose their son. + +Eusuff having sacrificed a few days (to him long as the eve of +dissolution) to his sense of duty, could no longer restrain his +impatience, but with a faithful slave named Hullaul, mounted on a +favourite courser behind him, left the palace undiscovered in the +darkness of night, and speeded with the swiftness of the gale +towards the citadel of Aleefa. Being arrived on the banks of the +lake, he secured his saddle and bridle among some bushes, and was +carried with his attendant safely through the water by his noble +steed. Unbounded was the joy of the princess at again meeting her +faithful lover, nor was his rapture less than hers. Having +committed Hullaul to the care of the ladies of Aleefa, they +retired to their apartment. Thirty days rolled on almost +unperceived by Eusuff, who forgot his parents, his family, and +country, in the delights of love. + +On the thirtieth evening, as Eusuff and Aleefa were viewing the +beautiful prospect from the terrace of the palace, they perceived +a boat sailing towards it, which, as it drew nearer, the princess +knew to belong to her father the sultan Mherejaun; upon which she +requested her lover to keep himself concealed from view, while +she received the persons in the vessel. Eusuff accordingly +withdrew into a chamber, the lattice of which looked upon the +lake; but how can we express his indignant surprise, and furious +jealousy, when he beheld landing from the boat two handsome young +men, into the arms of one of whom Aleefa threw herself with eager +transport, and after mutual embraces they withdrew together into +the palace. Without considering that his supposed rival might be +a near relation to the princess, as he in fact was, being her +first cousin, who had been brought up with her till her +confinement to the lake; Eusuff suffered himself to be overcome +by unworthy suspicion, and resolved to quit for ever a faithless +mistress. Having written an angry letter upraiding her with +falsehood, and bidding her farewell, he with his attendant +Hullaul mounted his courser; then delivering his note to one of +the females, to be given to the princess, he swam over the lake +and speeded rapidly to his own country, where he was once more +joyfully received by his parents and family; and in order to +forget the charms of Aleefa, he indulged himself in mirth and +pleasure with his lately forsaken ladies, who, delighted with the +long-wished-for return of his affection, strove with each ether +who should please him best. + +The unsuspecting Aleefa was engaged with her cousin Sohaul and +Ali Bin Ibrahim, a faithful eunuch who was his attendant, asking +a thousand questions and listening to the news of her father's +court, when Eusuff's letter was put into her hands. Rising up, +she withdrew into a closet, opened it, and was much vexed at its +ungrateful contents; but knowing herself innocent, and trusting +that her lover would return when convinced of his mistake, she +composed her mind as firmly as she, could till the departure of +her cousin, who after some days took leave and returned to the +capital of Mherejaun, leaving behind him the eunuch, to the great +satisfaction of the princess, who hoped to make him the mediator +between her and her beloved. Nor was she mistaken. When unfolding +to him the whole of her adventures with Eusuff, he agreed to be +the bearer of a letter, and explain to him the cause of his +needless suspicion. Having swam the lake with the fair Aleefa's +packet wrapped in his clothes upon his head, the faithful Ah in +twenty days reached the city of Sind, and demanding an audience +in private, which was readily granted, delivered his commission +to the prince. Eusuff, whose anger was now calmed, and who had +already begun to feel uneasy at absence from the still reigning +favourite of his heart, on perusing her letter was overcome with +joy. He listened eagerly to the account of his fancied rival by +the eloquent Ali Bin Ibrohim, to whom he expressed his conviction +of her constancy, his own sorrow for his unreasonable desertion +of her, and his intention of departing to visit her the next +night, till when he desired the eunuch to repose himself after +his fatigue. Ali Bin Ibrahim was then lodged, by the prince's +orders, in one of the most splendid apartments of the palace, and +respectfully waited upon by the domestics of his court. The night +following, Eusuff having ordered his favourite Hullaul to make +preparations, departed from Sind as before, with the eunuch +mounted on a second courser. They in a few days reached the +borders of the lake, swam over, and to the great joy of the once +more happy Aleefa arrived at the citadel. The recollection of the +pains of absence added a zest to the transports of reunion, and +the lovers were, if possible, more delighted with each other than +before their separation. The faithful Ali Bin Ibrahim was now +dismissed with invaluable presents of precious stones, and +returned to the court of Mherejaun, the time for his stay at the +citadel of the lake being expired. On his arrival, the sultan, +anxious for intelligence of his daughter's health, took him into +his closet, and while he was questioning him, by some accident +the eunuch's turban unfortunately falling off, the precious +stones, which, with a summary of the adventures of Eusuff and +Aleefa, and his own embassy to Sind, were wrapped in the folds, +tumbled upon the floor. The sultan knew the jewels, and examining +the turban, to make farther discoveries, found the paper, which +he eagerly read; and furious was his wrath, when from the +contents it appeared that all his caution to guard against the +decrees of heaven had been vain, that the princess had been +seduced, and his house dishonoured. He sternly inquired of the +trembling Ali if Eusuff was yet with his daughter, and was +answered in the affirmative, when he immediately gave orders for +vessels to be prepared for his departure, hoping to take him +prisoner, and at the same time commanded his army to march along +the banks of the lake and encamp opposite the citadel. The +unfortunate eunuch was thrown into a dungeon and loaded with +heavy chains, after he had been bastinadoed almost to death; but +still faithful to the lovers, he prevailed upon his gaoler by a +large bribe during the night to permit him to dispatch a note by +a trusty messenger to the princess, apprising her of the +misfortune which had happened, in hopes that she would have time +to escape with Eusuff towards his own country before her father's +arrival. Fortunately for the lovers, this information reached +them the next morning, when they consulted what measures to +pursue, and it was agreed, that instead of both quitting the +citadel, only Eusuff and Hullaul should return to Sind, as the +princess was unequal to such a rapid journey, but that in order +to ensure her safety, the slaves should, on the sultan's arrival, +assure him that she had gone off with her lover, when he would +either return home or pursue the prince with his army; who, +however, mounted as he was on so swift a courser, could not be +overtaken. It was also settled that Eusuff, on his arrival in his +own country, should send an embassy to Mherejaun, declaring his +marriage with Aleefa, and requesting pardon, and leave to pay his +duty as his son-in-law. This stratagem had in part its effect, +but no precaution could ward off the fulfilment of the prediction +at the princess's birth, which was that she should occasion the +disgrace and death of her father. + +Mherejaun armed at the citadel a few hours after Eusuff's escape, +and was informed by her attendants that she had also accompanied +him in his flight; upon which the enraged sultan, hurried on by +fate, without stopping to search the palace in which his daughter +was concealed, hastened to join his troops on the banks of the +lake, and with a vast army pursued the Sindian prince, who, +however, reached his capital in safety. On his arrival, having +informed his father of his adventures, the old sultan, eager to +gratify his son, approved of his additional marriage with the +fair Aleefa, and dispatched an embassy to Mherejaun, who by this +time was in the territory of Sind, laying it waste with fire and +sword, no troops scarcely being opposed to his sudden invasion. +He received the ambassador with mortifying haughtiness, bidding +him return to his master, and inform him that he never would +forgive the seduction of his daughter, in revenge for which he +had taken a solemn oath to overturn the kingdom of Sind, raze the +capital, and feast his eyes with the blood of the old sultan and +his son. On receipt of this ungracious reply to his proposals, +the sultan and Eusuff had no alternative but to oppose so +inveterate a foe. They collected their troops, by whom they were +much beloved, and marched to meet the enemy, whom, after an +obstinate battle, they defeated, and Mherejaun was slain in the +action. It is impossible to resist the decrees of heaven. From +God we came, and to God we must return. + +Eusuff, after the action, behaved with the greatest humility to +the conquered, and had the body of the unfortunate Mherejaun +embalmed and laid in a splendid litter, in which it was conducted +by a numerous escort, in respectful solemnity, to the capital of +Hind, and deposited with funeral pomp, becoming the rank of the +deceased, in a magnificent mausoleum, which had been erected by +himself, as is customary among the sovereigns of Asia. The +prince, at the same time, dispatched letters of condolence to the +mother of Aleefa, lamenting the fate of Mherejaun, whom he had +been, much against his will, necessitated to oppose in battle, +and expressing his ardent love for her daughter, a marriage with +whom was his highest hope, as it was his first wish to console +the mother of his beloved in her misfortunes. + +The sultana, who had received intelligence of the decisive +victory and the death of her husband, and who expected, instead +of such conduct, to see the victor besieging her capital, felt +some alleviation of her sorrow in the prospect of saving her +people from destruction, by consenting to an union between Eusuff +and Aleefa. Her answer accordingly was favourable, upon which the +prince of Sind repaired to the lake, and conducting his willing +bride to the capital of Hind, at the expiration of the stated +time of mourning for Mherejaun, their nuptials were celebrated +with all possible magnificence, amid the united acclamations of +the subjects, who readily acknowledged his authority, and had no +cause to repent of their submission to his yoke. His next care +was to inform the caliph Mamoon, who was then commander of the +faithful at Bagdad, of the events which had happened, +accompanying his petition with a great sum of money, and +offerings of all the rarities the countries of Hind and Sind +afforded; among which were ten beautiful slaves, highly +accomplished in singing, dancing, and a talent for poetry. They +recited extempore verses before the caliph, but the subject of +each was so expressive of their wish to return to their beloved +sovereign, and delivered in so affecting a manner, that Mamoon, +though delighted with their wit and beauty, sacrificed his own +pleasure to their feelings, and sent them back to Eusuff by the +officer who carried the edict, confirming him in his dominions, +where the prince of Sind and the fair Aleefa continued long, amid +a numerous progeny, to live the protectors of their happy +subjects. + + + + + ADVENTURES OF THE THREE PRINCES, SONS OF + THE SULTAN OF CHINA. + + + +A sultaness of China being seized with an alarming illness was +given over by the physicians, who declared her case incurable by +any other means than the water of life, which they feared it was +next to impossible to obtain before nature would be exhausted; +the country in which, if anywhere, it was to be found, being so +very distant. Such, however, was the affection of the sultaness's +three sons, that in hopes of saving their mother they resolved to +go in search of the precious medicine, and departed immediately +in the route pointed out by the physicians. After travelling +without success to their inquiries through divers countries, they +agreed to separate, in hopes that one of them at least might be +fortunate enough to procure the wished-for miraculous liquid, and +return home in time to save their mother. Having taken an +affectionate farewell, each pursued his journey alone. The +eldest prince, after a fatiguing walk (for the brothers had +thought it prudent to lay aside their dignity, and as safest to +disguise themselves in mean habits) over a wild country, arrived +at last within sight of a large city, inhabited by blasphemous +Jews, near which, in a superb synagogue, he laid himself down on +a carpet to repose, being quite exhausted with toil and hunger. +He had not rested long, when a Jew rabbi entering the building, +the prince begged for the love of God a little refreshment; but +the wicked infidel, who hated true believers, instead of +relieving, cruelly put him to death with his sabre, and wrapping +the corpse in a mat, threw it into a corner of the synagogue. By +ill fortune, on the day following the second prince arrived, and +was treated in the same manner by the barbarous Jew, and on the +next came also the youngest brother to the same place, where he +was met by the base assassin, who would have killed him also, had +not the extraordinary beauty of the young prince struck his +covetous mind with the idea of making him a slave, and selling +him for a large sum of money. Speaking therefore to him in a kind +manner he brought him refreshments, and inquired if he was +willing to be his servant, and employ himself in cleaning the +synagogue and lighting the lamps; to which the prince, being in +an exhausted condition, seemingly assented, seeing no other means +of present support, but secretly resolved to escape when +recovered from his fatigue. The Jew now took him to his house in +the city, and showed him, apparently, the same tenderness as he +used towards his own children. The next day the prince repaired +to his allotted task of cleaning the synagogue, where, to his +grief and horror, he presently discovered the bodies of his +unfortunate brothers. While he lamented their unhappy fate with +showers of tears, the recollection of his own perilous situation, +in the power of their murderer, filled his mind with terror; but +after the agonies of thought were over, the natural courage of a +princely heart rose in his bosom, and he meditated how to revenge +the death of his brothers on the savage infidel. An opportunity +happened that same night. The prince having composed his mind, +finished his work, and when the Jew arrived to examine it, +dissembled so well, that no appearance of his inward melancholy +was displayed. The Jew applauded his diligence, and taking him +home, made him sit down to supper with himself and family, +consisting of a wife and two young lads. It being the middle of +summer, and the weather sultry, they retired to sleep on the open +terrace of the house, which was very lofty. In the dead of night, +when the Jew and his family were fast locked in the arms of +slumber, the prince, who had purposely kept himself awake, seized +the sabre of the treacherous infidel, and with a dexterous blow +struck off his head; then snatching up the two children, hurled +them headlong from the terrace, so that their brains were dashed +out on the stone pavement of the court below. He then uplifted +the sabre to destroy the Jew's wife, but the thought that she +might be of use to him withheld his hand. He awoke her gently, +commanded her to make no noise, and follow him down stairs, +where, by degrees, he informed her of his adventures, the +discovery he had made of the murder of his brothers, and his +revenge on her treacherous husband and ill-fated children, whom, +however, he would not have destroyed had he not been apprehensive +of their cries alarming the neighbourhood. The Moosulmaun woman, +for such she secretly was, did not regard the death of the wicked +Jew, who had married her against her will, and often used her +with great harshness, and her sorrows for the children were +softened by the salvation of her own life. She also felt +sentiments of tenderness towards the prince, whose injuries in +the murder of his unfortunate brothers had compelled him to +revenge, and felt herself obliged to his mercy in letting her +live. She now informed him that in the Jew's laboratory were many +valuable medicines, and among them the very water of life he was +in search of; which intelligence was most gratifying to the +prince, who offered to take the woman under his protection, and +she willingly consented to accompany him to a country inhabited +by true believers. Having packed up the medicines, with some +valuable jewels, and put them, with various refreshments and +necessaries, on two camels, they mounted and left the city +undiscovered, nor did any accident occur on their journey; but on +reaching the capital of China, the prince found that his father +was dead, while his mother, contrary to expectation, lingered in +painful existence. The ministers, who had with difficulty, in +hopes of the three brothers' arrival, kept the next relations of +the throne from disputing their right to ascend it, were rejoiced +at his return; and on being informed of the untimely end of the +two elder princes, immediately proclaimed him sultan. His first +care was to administer comfort and relief to his afflicted +mother, on whom the water of life had an instantaneous effect; +his next, to regulate the affairs of his government, which he did +with such ability, justice, and moderation, that he became +endeared to his subjects, and an example to other sovereigns. + +As the sultan, some time after his accession, was one day amusing +himself in the chase, he saw a venerable Arab, accompanied by his +daughter, travelling on horseback. By accident the young female's +veil being blown aside, displayed such beauty to the eyes of the +sultan, as instantly fascinated his heart, and made him wish to +have her for his sultana. He immediately made offers to her +father of his alliance; but great was his mortification and +surprise when the Arab rejected them, saying, "That he had sworn +not to give his daughter to any one who was not master of some +useful trade, by which a livelihood might be earned." "Father," +replied the sultan, "what occasion is there that I should learn a +mean occupation, when I have the wealth of a kingdom at my +command?" "Because," rejoined the Arab, "such are the +vicissitudes of the world, that you may lose your kingdom and +starve, if not able to work in some way for your living." The +sultan, unlike some princes, who would have seized the lady and +punished the Arab for his freedom, felt the force of his remark, +applauded his wisdom, and requested that he would not betroth her +to another, as he was resolved to make himself worthy of becoming +his son-in-law by learning some handicraft, till when he hoped +they would accept of an abode near the palace. To this the old +man readily consented; and in a short time the sultan, eager to +possess his bride, became such an adept in the handicraft of +making ornamental mats for sofas and cushions of cane and reeds, +that the Arab agreed to the nuptials, which were celebrated with +all possible splendour and rejoicing, while the subjects admired +more than ever the justice and moderation of their sovereign; so +true is it, that, unless in depraved states, a good prince makes +a good people. + +Some years rolled on in uninterrupted felicity to the sultan and +his beloved partner. It was the custom of the former frequently +to visit in the disguise of a dervish the various quarters of the +city, by which means he learnt the opinions of the people, and +inspected the conduct of the police. One day in an excursion of +this sort he passed by a cook's shop, and being hungry, stepped +in to take some refreshment. He was, with seeming respect, +conducted to a back room spread with flowered carpeting, over +which was a covering of muslin transparently fine. Pulling off +his slippers, he entered the room and sat down upon a neat +musnud, but to his surprise and terror it instantly sunk under +him, and he found himself at the bottom of a dark vault, where by +a glimmering light he could discern several naked bodies of +unfortunate persons who had been murdered, and presently +appeared, descending from a narrow staircase, a black slave of +savage countenance, who, brandishing a huge cimeter, cried out, +"Wretch, prepare thyself to die!" The sultan was alarmed, but his +presence of mind did not forsake him. "What good," said he, "will +my death do you or your employers? I have nothing about me but +the humble habit I wear; but if you spare my life, I possess an +art that will produce your employers considerable wealth." Upon +this, the slave going to the master of the house informed him of +what the supposed dervish had said, when the treacherous cook +came to inquire after the promised riches. "Give me only some +reeds and canes, varnished of different colours," said the +sultan, "and I will make a mat, which if you carry to the palace +and present to the vizier, he will purchase it for a thousand +pieces of gold." The desired articles were furnished, and the +sultan setting to work, in a few days finished a mat, in which he +ingeniously contrived to plait in flowery characters, known only +to himself and his vizier, the account of his situation. When +finished, he gave it to his treacherous host, who admired the +beauty of the workmanship, and not doubting of the reward, +carried it to the palace, where he demanded admission, saying he +had a curiosity to offer for sale. The vizier, who was then +giving audience to petitioners, commanded him to be brought in; +but what was his astonishment when the mat was unfolded, to see +pourtrayed upon it the imminent danger of the sultan, whom he +supposed to be in his haram, and whose absence the sultana had, +in order to prevent confusion, commanded to be kept secret, +hoping for his speedy return. The vizier instantly summoning his +guards seized the villanous cook, and proceeding to his house, +released the sultan from his confinement. The house was razed to +the ground, and the abominable owner, with his guilty family, put +to death. The sultan exultingly felt the use of having learnt a +useful art, which had been the means of saving his life. + + + + + STORY OF THE GOOD VIZIER UNJUSTLY + IMPRISONED. + + + +A certain vizier, though perfectly loyal and of the strictest +integrity, having been falsely accused by his enemies, was, +without due examination of the charges brought against him, +thrown into prison, where, by orders from the sultan, he was +confined to a gloomy dungeon, and allowed only bread and water +for his daily food. In this wretched abode he lay for seven +years, at the expiration of which, the sultan his master, who was +in the habit of walking about the city in disguise to amuse +himself, chanced to pass by the house of his injured minister, +dressed as a dervish. To his surprise he saw it open, and a crowd +of domestics busy in cleaning the apartments, and preparing for +the reception of the owner, who, they said, had commanded them by +a messenger from the prison to put things in order, as he should +that day be restored to the sultan's favour, and return home. The +sultan, who, so far from intending to release the unfortunate +vizier, had almost erased the remembrance of him from his mind, +was astonished at the report of the domestics, but thought his +long confinement might possibly have disturbed the brain of his +prisoner, who in his madness might have fancied his deliverance +to be at hand. He resolved however to go and visit the prison +disguised as he was, and see the vizier. Having purchased a +quantity of bread and cakes, he proceeded to the gaol, and +requested, under pretence of fulfilling a vow he had made to feed +the prisoners, to be admitted, and allowed to distribute his +charity among them. The gaoler granted his request, and permitted +him to visit the different cells. At length he came to that of +the vizier, who was employed earnestly at his devotions, which on +the entrance of the supposed dervish he suspended, and inquired +his business. "I come," said he, "for though unknown to you I +have always prayed for your welfare, to congratulate you on your +approaching deliverance, which I understand you have announced to +your domestics, but fear without foundation, not having heard of +any orders for the purpose from the sultan." "That may be true, +charitable dervish," said the vizier, "but depend upon it before +night I shall be released and restored to office." "I wish it may +be so," replied the sultan; "but upon what ground do you build an +expectation, the gratification of which appears to me so +improbable?" "Be seated, good dervish, and I will tell you," +rejoined the vizier, and began as follows: "Know then, my friend, +experience has convinced me that the height of prosperity is +always quickly succeeded by adverse fortune, and the depth of +affliction by sudden relief. When I was in office, beloved by the +people for my lenient administration, and distinguished by the +sultan, whose honour and advantage were the constant objects of +my care, and for whose welfare I have never ceased to pray even +in this gloomy dungeon, I was one evening taking the air upon the +river in a splendid barge with some favourite companions. As we +were drinking coffee, the cup I held in my hand, which was made +of a single emerald of immense value, and which I highly prized, +slipped from it and fell into the water; upon which I ordered the +barge to be stopped, and sent for a diver, to whom I promised an +ample reward should he recover the cup. He undressed, and desired +me to point out the place at which it fell; when I, having in my +hand a rich diamond ring, heedlessly, in a fit of absence, threw +it into that part of the river. While I was exclaiming against my +own stupidity, the diver made a plunge towards where I had cast +the ring, and in less than two minutes reappeared with the +coffee-cup in his hand, when to my great surprise within it I +found also my ring. I rewarded him liberally, and was exulting in +the recovery of my jewels, when it suddenly struck my mind, that +such unusual good fortune must speedily be followed by some +disaster. This reflection made me melancholy, and I returned home +with a foreboding sadness, nor without cause, for that very night +my enemies accused me falsely of treason to the sultan, who +believed the charge, and next morning I was hurried to this +gloomy cell, where I have now remained seven years with only +bread and water for my support. God, however, has given me +resignation to his decrees, and this day an accident occurred +which makes me confident of release before night, and restoration +to the sultan's favour, which, as I have always done, I will +endeavour to deserve. You must know, venerable dervish, that this +morning I felt an unconquerable longing to taste a bit of flesh, +and earnestly entreated my keeper, giving him at the same time a +piece of gold, to indulge my wish. The man, softened by the +present, brought me a stew, on which I prepared to make a +delicious meal; but while, according to custom before eating, I +was performing my ablutions, guess my mortification, when a huge +rat running from his hole leaped into the dish which was placed +upon the floor. I was near fainting with agony at the sight, and +could not refrain from tears; but at length recovering from the +poignancy of disappointment, the rays of comfort darted upon my +mind, and I reflected that as disgrace and imprisonment had +instantaneously followed the fortunate recovery of my cup and +ring, so this mortification, a greater than which could not have +happened, would be immediately succeeded by returning prosperity. +In this conviction I prevailed on the gaoler to order my +domestics to make ready my house and expect my return." + +The disguised sultan, who, while the vizier was speaking, felt +every word impress him more and more with the conviction of his +innocence, had much difficulty to support his assumed character; +but not choosing his visit to the prison should be known at +present, he restrained his feelings, and when the minister had +finished took his leave, saying, he hoped his presage would be +fulfilled. He then returned undiscovered to the palace, and +entering his cabinet, resumed his usual habit; after which he +issued orders for the release of the vizier, sending him a robe +of honour and splendid attendants to escort him to court, at the +same time condemning to confiscation and imprisonment his +malicious accusers. On his arrival, the sultan received the +vizier with the most gracious distinction; and having presented +him with the canopy of state, the seal and the inkstand set with +rich jewels, the insignia of office, conducted him to a private +chamber, where falling upon his neck he embraced him, and +requesting him to forget past oppression, informed him of his +disguised visit to the prison; after which he dismissed him to +his own palace. + + + + + STORY OF THE LADY OF CAIRO AND HER FOUR + GALLANTS. + + + +A virtuous lady of Cairo, who seldom left her house but upon +urgent business, one day returning from the bath, passed by the +tribunal of the cauzee just as it was breaking up, when the +magistrate perceived her, and struck with her dignity and +elegance of gait, from which he judged of her beauty, called her +to him, and in a soft whisper expressed his desire of a private +interview. The lady being resolved to punish him for his unworthy +conduct, seemingly consented, and desired him to repair to her +house that evening, which he gladly promised. She then pursued +her route homewards, but was on the way accosted by three other +men, who made her similar proposals, all which she accepted, and +fixed that evening for receiving their visits. The first of these +gallants was the customs tax-collector of Cairo, the second the +chief of the butchers, and the third a rich merchant. + +When the lady returned to her house she informed her husband of +what had happened, and begged him to permit her to execute a +stratagem that she had formed to punish their insolence, which +would not only afford himself and her much laughable amusement, +but solid advantage, as doubtless the lovers would each bring +with him a handsome present. The husband, who knew he could trust +the virtue of his wife, readily consented, and the lady having +prepared a handsome entertainment, adorned herself in her richest +apparel, and seated herself to receive her guests. Evening had +just shut in, when the venerable cauzee having finished his +sunset devotions, impatiently repaired first to his mistress and +knocked at the door, which the lady opened and led him upstairs, +where he presented her with a rosary of valuable pearl; after +which she made him undress, and in place of his robes put on a +loose vest of yellow muslin, and a parti-coloured cap, her +husband all the while looking at them through the door of a +closet, and ready to burst his sides with laughter as he beheld +the tender grimaces of the enamoured magistrate. The happiness of +the venerable gallant was however soon changed to frightful +alarm, for he had scarcely sat down and begun to partake of some +refreshment, when a loud rap was heard at the door; upon which +the lady starting up in well-affected terror, cried out, +"Mahummud protect us! for this is my husband's knock, and if he +finds you here, he will put us both to death." The cauzee's heart +sank within him, and he became more dead than alive; but the lady +somewhat revived him by thrusting him into her bed-chamber, +desiring him to remain still, as possibly a way might be found +for his escape. He gladly retired, secretly vowing that if spared +from his present threatening distress, Satan should no more tempt +him to make love or break the sacred law. + +The lady having disposed of the cauzee, hastened to the door, where +she found the expecting tax-collector, who brought with him, as a +present, a set of jewels. She shewed him upstairs, took off his rich +clothes, and made him put on a crimson vest, and a green cap with +black spots. He had scarcely sat down when the door again resounded, +and she played over the same game as she had done with the cauzee, who +on his also entering the bed-chamber was somewhat pleased at seeing a +brother magistrate in the same ridiculous plight with himself. The +venerable lovers condoled by signs with each other, but dared not +speak for fear of discovery. The chief of the butchers, on his +arrival, was next ushered up stairs, and his present received, then +made to undress and put on a blue vest with a scarlet cap, ornamented +with sea shells and bits of tinsel; but he had scarce time to finish, +when a fourth loud rap was heard at the door, the scene of alarm was +renewed, and the frightened gallant hurried into the room to keep +company with his rivals. Now appeared the respectable merchant, who +presented the cunning lady with several rich veils, pieces of silk, +and embroidered muslins, after which he was asked to undress and +enrobe himself in a sky coloured vest and a cap striped with red and +white; which he had hardly put on when a thundering knock at the gate +put an end to his transports, and the wife pretending great alarm, as +it was her husband's rap, forced him into the bed-chamber, where, to +his surprise he discovered three of his intimate acquaintance. + +The husband, who had left his hiding place and knocked at the +door, now entered, and after saluting his wife, sat down, when +having partaken of the refreshments provided for the gallants, +the happy couple entered into conversation loud enough to be +overheard by the wretched inamorati, who were quaking for fear of +discovery. "Light of my eyes," said the husband, "didst thou meet +with any thing amusing to-day in thy visit to the bath? and if +so, divert me with an account of it." "I did, indeed," said the +lady, "for I met with four antic creatures, whom" (at hearing +this the unfortunate lovers gave themselves over for lost) "I had +a great inclination to bring home with me" (here they recovered a +little from their alarm) "to divert us, but fearful of your +displeasure I did not; however, if agreeable, we can send for +them to-morrow." The frighted gallants now indulged some hope of +escape through the kindness of their cunning mistress, and began +to breathe a little freer, but very short was the suspension of +their fears. "I am sorry thou didst not bring them," said the +husband, "because business will to-morrow call me from home, and +I shall be absent for some days." Upon this, the lady laughing, +said, "Well, then, you must know that in fact I have brought +them, and was diverting myself with them when you came in, but +fearful you might suspect something wrong I hurried them into our +bed-chamber, in order to conceal them till I had tried your +temper, hoping, should you not be in good humour, to find some +means of letting them out undiscovered." It is impossible to +describe the alarm into which the wretched gallants were now +plunged, especially when the husband commanded his wife to bring +them out one by one, saying, "Let each entertain us with a dance +and then recite a story, but if they do not please me, I will +strike off their heads." "Heaven protect us," said the cauzee, +"how can men of our gravity dance? but there is no resisting the +decrees of fate, nor do I see any chance of escape from this +artful baggage and her savage husband but by performing as well +as we can." His companions were of the same opinion, and mustered +what courage they could to act as they should be ordered. + +The wife now entered the chamber, and putting a tambourine into +the cauzee's hands, led him out and began to play a merry tune +upon her lute, to which the affrighted magistrate danced with a +thousand antics and grimaces like an old baboon, beating time +with the tambourine, to the great delight of the husband, who +every now and then jeeringly cried out, "Really wife, if I did +not know this fellow was a buffoon, I should take him for our +cauzee; but God forgive me, I know our worthy magistrate is +either at his devotions, or employed in investigating cases for +to-morrow's decision." Upon this the cauzee danced with redoubled +vigour, and more ridiculous gestures, in hopes of evading +discovery. At length he was overpowered by such unusual exercise; +but the husband had no mercy upon his sufferings, and made him +continue capering by threatening the bastinado, till the tired +judge was exhausted, and fainted upon the floor in a bath of +perspiration, when they held him up, and pouring a goblet of wine +down his throat it somewhat revived him. He was now suffered to +breathe a little, and something given him to eat, which, with a +second cup of liquor, recovered his strength. The husband now +demanded his story; and the cauzee, assuming the gesture of a +coffee-house droll, began as follows. + + + + + The Cauzee's Story. + + + +A young tailor, whose shop was opposite the house of an officer, +was so attracted from his work by the appearance of a beautiful +young lady, his wife, in her balcony, that he became desperately +in love, and would sit whole days waiting her coming, and when +she showed herself make signs of his passion. For some time his +ridiculous action diverted her, but at length she grew tired of +the farce she had kept up by answering his signals, and of the +interruption it gave to her taking the fresh air, so that she +resolved to punish him for his presumption, and oblige him to +quit his stall. Having laid her plan, one day when her husband +was gone out for a few hours she dispatched a female slave to +invite the tailor to drink coffee. To express the rapture of the +happy snip is impossible. He fell at the feet of the slave, which +he kissed as the welcome messengers of good tidings, gave her a +piece of gold, and uttered some nonsensical verses that he had +composed in praise of his beloved; then dressing himself in his +best habit, he folded his turban in the most tasty manner, and +curled his mustachios to the greatest advantage, after which he +hastened exultingly to the lady's house, and was admitted to her +presence. She sat upon a rich musnud, and gracefully lifting up +her veil welcomed the tailor, who was so overcome that he had +nearly fainted away with excess of rapture. She desired him to be +seated, but such was his bashfulness that he would not approach +farther than the corner of the carpet. Coffee was brought in, and +a cup presented him; but not being used to such magnificence and +form, and his eyes, also, being staringly fixed on the beauties +of the lady, instead of carrying the cup to his mouth, he hit his +nose and overthrew the liquid upon his vest. The lady smiled, and +ordered him another cup; but while he was endeavouring to drink +it with a little more composure, a loud knock was heard at the +door, and she starting up, cried out with great agitation, "Good +heavens! this is my husband's knock; if he finds us together he +will sacrifice us to his fury!" The poor tailor, in terror, fell +flat upon the carpet, when the lady and her slave threw some cold +water upon his face, and when a little recovered hurried him away +to a chamber, into which they forced him, and desired him to +remain quiet, as the only means of saving his life. Here he +remained quivering and trembling, more alive than dead, but +perfectly cured of his love, and vowing never again to look up at +a balcony. + +When the tailor was disposed of, the lady again sat down upon her +stool, and ordered her slave to open the gate. Upon her husband's +entering the room he was surprised at beholding things set out +for an entertainment, and inquired who had been with her; when +she replied tartly, "A lover." "And where is he now?" angrily +replied the officer. "In yonder chamber, and if you please you +may sacrifice him to your fury, and myself afterwards." The +officer demanded the key, which she gave him; but while this was +passing, the agony of the unfortunate tailor was worse than +death; he fully expecting every moment to have his head struck +off: in short, he was in a most pitiable condition. The officer +went to the door, and had put the key into the lock, when his +wife burst suddenly into a fit of laughter: upon which he +exclaimed angrily, "Who do you laugh at?" "Why, at yourself, to +be sure, my wise lord," replied the lady; "for who but yourself +could suppose a woman serious when she told him where to find out +a concealed lover? I wanted to discover how far jealousy would +carry you, and invented this trick for the purpose," The officer, +upon this, was struck with admiration of his wife's pleasantry +and his own credulity, which so tickled his fancy that he laughed +immoderately, begged pardon for his foolish conduct, and they +spent the evening cheerfully together; after which, the husband +going to the bath, his wife charitably released the almost dead +tailor, and reproving him for his impertinence, declared if he +ever again looked up at her balcony she would contrive his death. +The tailor, perfectly cured of love for his superior in life, +made the most abject submission, thanked her for his deliverance, +hurried home, prayed heartily for his escape, and the very next +day took care to move from so dangerous a neighbourhood. + +The husband and wife were highly diverted with the cauzee's story, +and after another dance permitted him to depart, and get home as +well as he could in his ridiculous habit. How he got there, and +what excuse he was able to make for so unmagisterial an +appearance, we are not informed; but strange whispers went about +the city, and the cauzee's dance became the favourite one or the +strolling drolls, whom he had often the mortification of seeing +taking him off as he passed to and from the tribunal, and not +unfrequently in causes of adultery the evidences and culprits +would laugh in his face. He, however, never again suffered Satan +to tempt him, and was scarcely able to look at a strange woman, +so great was his fear of being led astray. + +When the cauzee was gone, the lady, repairing to the apartment, +brought out the grave tax-collector, whom her husband addressed +by name, saying, "Venerable sir, how long have you turned droll? +can you favour me with a dance?" The tax-collector made no reply, +but began capering, nor was he permitted to stop till quite +tired. He was then allowed to sit, some refreshment was given +him, and when revived he was desired to tell a story: knowing +resistance vain, he complied. After having finished he was +dismissed, and the other gallants were brought in and treated in +a like manner. + + + + + STORY OF THE MERCHANT, HIS DAUGHTER, AND + THE PRINCE OF EERAUK. + + + +A certain rich merchant was constantly repining, because +Providence had not added to his numerous blessings that of a +child to inherit his vast wealth. This want destroyed the power +of affluence to make him happy, and he importuned heaven with +unceasing prayers. At length one evening, just as he had +concluded his devotions, he heard a voice, saying, "Thy request +has been heard, and thou wilt have a daughter, but she will give +thee much uneasiness in her fourteenth year by an amour with the +prince of Eerauk, and remember there is no avoiding the decrees +of fate." + +The merchant's wife that same night conceived, and at the usual +time brought forth a daughter, who grew up an exquisite beauty. +No pains were spared in her education, so that at thirteen she +became most accomplished, and the fame of her charms and +perfections was spread throughout the city. The merchant enjoyed +the graces of his child, but at the same time his heart was heavy +with anxiety for her fate, whenever he called to mind the +prediction concerning her; so that at length he determined to +consult a celebrated dervish, his friend, on the possible means +of averting the fulfilment of the prophecy. The dervish gave him +but little hopes of being able to counteract the will of heaven, +but advised him to carry the beautiful maiden to a sequestered +mansion, situated among unfrequented mountains surrounding it on +all sides, and the only entrance to which was by a dark cavern +hewn out of the solid rock, which might be safely guarded by a +few faithful domestics. "Here," said the dervish, "your daughter +may pass the predicted year, and if any human care can avail she +may be thus saved from the threatened dishonour; but it is in +vain for man to fight against the arms of heaven, therefore +prepare thy mind for resignation to its decrees." + +The merchant followed the advice of his friend, and having made +the necessary preparations, accompanied by him, and attended by +some white and black slaves of both sexes, arrived, after a +month's journey, with his daughter, at the desired mansion; in +which having placed her, he, after a day's repose, took his +departure homewards with the dervish. Ample stores of all +necessaries for her accommodation had been laid in, and slaves +male and female were left for her attendance and protection. Not +many days, had elapsed when an incident occurred, clearly proving +the emptiness of human caution against the predestination of +fate. The prince of Eerauk being upon a hunting excursion outrode +his attendants, and missing his way, reached the gate of the +cavern leading to the mansion, which was guarded by two black +slaves, who seeing a stranger, cried out to him to withdraw. He +stopped his horse, and in a supplicating tone requested +protection and refreshment for the night, as he had wandered from +the road, and was almost exhausted from weariness and want of +food. The slaves were moved by the representation of his +distress, as well as awed by his noble appearance, and +apprehending no danger from a single person, conducted him +through the cavern, into the beautiful valley, in which stood the +mansion. They then informed their mistress of his arrival, who +commanded him to be introduced into an apartment, in which an +elegant entertainment was provided, where she gave him the most +hospitable reception. To become known to each other was to love; +nor was it long ere the prediction respecting the merchant's +daughter proved fully verified. Some months passed in mutual +happiness; when the prince, becoming anxious to return to his +friends, took leave of his mistress, promising when he had seen +his family to visit her again, and make her his wife. + +On his way he met the merchant, who was coming to see his +daughter. Halting at the same spot they fell into conversation, +in which each inquired after the other's situation, and the +prince, little aware to whom he was speaking, related his late +adventure. The merchant, convinced that all his caution had been +vain, concealed his uneasiness, resolved to take his daughter +home, make the best of what had happened, and never again to +struggle against fate. On his arrival at the cavern he found his +daughter unwell; and before they reached their own abode she was +delivered of a male infant, who, to save her credit, was left +exposed in a small tent with a sum of money laid under its +pillow, in hopes that the first passenger would take the child +under his care. It so happened, that a caravan passing by, the +leader of it, on examining the tent and seeing the infant, took +it up, and having no children adopted it as his own. The prince +of Eerauk having seen his parents, again repaired to visit his +beautiful mistress, and on his journey to the cavern once more +met the merchant, who, at his daughter's request, was travelling +towards Eerauk to acquaint him with her situation. The prince, +overjoyed, accompanied the merchant home, married the young lady, +and with her parents returned to his dominions. Their exposed +son, after long inquiry, was discovered, and liberal rewards +bestowed on the leader of the caravan, who at his own request was +permitted to reside in the palace of Eerauk, and superintend the +education of his adopted son. + + + + + ADVENTURES OF THE CAUZEE, HIS WIFE, &c. + + + +In the capital of Bagdad there was formerly a cauzee, who filled +the seat of justice with the purest integrity, and who by his +example in private life gave force to the strictness of his +public decrees. After some years spent in this honourable post, +he became anxious to make the pilgrimage to Mecca; and having +obtained permission of the caliph, departed on his pious journey, +leaving his wife, a beautiful woman, under the protection of his +brother, who promised to respect her as his daughter. The cauzee, +however, had not long left home, when the brother, instigated by +passion, made love to his sister-in-law, which she rejected with +scorn; being, however, unwilling to expose so near a relative to +her husband, she endeavoured to divert him from his purpose by +argument on the heinousness of his intended crime, but in vain. +The abominable wretch, instead of repenting, a gain and again +offered his love, and at last threatened, if she would not accept +his love, to accuse her of adultery, and bring upon her the +punishment of the law. This threat having no effect, the +atrocious villain suborned evidences to swear that they had seen +her in the act of infidelity, and she was sentenced to receive +one hundred strokes with a knotted whip, and be banished from the +city. Having endured this disgraceful punishment, the unhappy +lady was led through Bagdad by the public executioner, amid the +taunts and scorns of the populace; after which she was thrust oat +of the gates and left to shift for herself. Relying on +Providence, and without complaining of its decrees, she resolved +to travel to Mecca, in hopes of meeting her husband, and clearing +her defamed character to him, whose opinion alone she valued. +When advanced some days on her journey she entered a city, and +perceived a great crowd of people following the executioner, who +led a young man by a rope tied about his neck. Inquiring the +crime of the culprit, she was informed that he owed a hundred +deenars, which being unable to pay, he was sentenced to be hung, +such being the punishment of insolvent debtors in that city. The +cauzee's wife, moved with compassion, immediately tendered the +sum, being nearly all she had, when the young man was released, +and falling upon his knees before her, vowed to dedicate his life +to her service. She related to him her intention of making the +pilgrimage to Mecca, upon which the young man requested to +accompany and protect her, to which she consented. They set out +on their journey; but had not proceeded many days, when the youth +forgot his obligations, and giving way to impulse, insulted his +benefactress by offering her his love. The unfortunate lady +reasoned with him on the ingratitude of his conduct, and the +youth seemed to be convinced and repentant, but revenge rankled +in his heart. Some days after this they reached the sea-shore, +where the young man perceiving a ship, made a signal to speak +with it, and the master letting down his boat sent it to land; +upon which the young man going on board the vessel, informed the +master that he had for sale a handsome female slave, for whom he +asked a thousand deenars. The master, who had been used to +purchase slaves upon that coast, went on shore, and looking at +the cauzee's wife, paid the money to the wicked young man, who +went his way, and the lady was carried on board the ship, +supposing that her companion had taken the opportunity of easing +her fatigue, by procuring her a passage to some sea-port near +Mecca: but her persecution was not to end here. In the evening +she was insulted by attentions of the master of the vessel, who +being surprised at her coolness, informed her that he had +purchased her as his slave for a thousand deenars. The +unfortunate lady told him that she was a free woman, but this had +no effect on the brutish sailor, who finding tenderness +ineffectual proceeded to force and blows in order to reduce her +to submit to his authority. Her strength was almost exhausted, +when suddenly the ship struck upon a rock, the master was hurried +upon deck, and in a few moments the vessel went to pieces. +Providentially the virtuous wife laying hold of a plank was +wafted to the shore, after being for several hours buffeted by +the waves. Having recovered her senses she walked inland, and +found a pleasant country abounding in fruits and clear streams, +which satisfied her hunger and thirst. On the second day she +arrived at a magnificent city, and on entering it was conducted +to the sultan, who inquiring her story, she informed him that she +was a woman devoted to a religious life, and was proceeding on +the pilgrimage to Mecca, when her vessel was shipwrecked on his +coast, and whether any of the crew had escaped she knew not, as +she had seen none of them since her being cast ashore on a plank; +but as now the hopes of her reaching the sacred house were cut +off, if the sultan would allot her a small hut, and a trifling +pittance for her support, she would spend the remainder of her +days in prayers for the prosperity of himself and his subjects. + +The sultan, who was truly devout, and pitied the misfortune of +the lady, gladly acceded to her request, and allotted a pleasant +garden-house near his palace for her residence, at which he often +visited her, and conversed with her on religious topics, to his +great edification and comfort, for she was sensibly pious. Not +long after her arrival, several refractory vassals who had for +years withheld their usual tribute, and against whom the good +sultan, unwilling to shed blood, though his treasury much felt +the defalcation, had not sent a force to compel payment, +unexpectedly sent in their arrears; submissively begged pardon +for their late disobedience, and promised in future to be loyal +in their duty. The sultan, who attributed this fortunate event to +the successful prayers of his virtuous guest, mentioned his +opinion to his courtiers in full divan, and they to their +dependents. As, according to the proverb, the sheep always follow +their leader, so it was in the present instance. All ranks of +people on every emergency flocked to beg the prayers and counsel +of the sultan's favourite devotee; and such was their efficacy, +that her clients every day became more numerous, nor were they +ungrateful; so that in a short time the offerings made to her +amounted in value to an incalculable sum. Her reputation was not +confined to the kingdom of her protector, but spread gradually +abroad through all the countries in the possession of true +believers, who came from all parts of Asia to solicit her +prayers. Her residence was enlarged to a vast extent, in which +she supported great numbers of destitute persons, as well as +entertained the crowds of poor people who came in pilgrimage to +so holy a personage as she was now esteemed. But we must now +return to her pious husband. + +The good cauzee having finished the ceremonies of his pilgrimage +at Mecca, where he resided one year, and visited all the holy +spots around, returned to Bagdad: but dreadful was his agony and +grief when informed that his wife had played the harlot, and that +his brother, unable to bear the disgrace of his family, had left +the city, and had not been heard of since. This sad intelligence +had such an effect upon his mind, that he resolved to give up +worldly concerns, and adopt the life of a wandering religious, to +move from place to place, from country to country, and visit the +devotees celebrated for sanctity in each. For two years he +travelled through various kingdoms, and at length hearing of his +wife's fame, though he little supposed the much-talked-of female +saint stood in that relation to himself, he resolved to pay his +respects to so holy a personage. With this view he journeyed +towards the capital of the sultan her protector, hoping to +receive benefit from her pious conversation and prayers. + +The cauzee on his way overtook his treacherous brother, who, +repenting of his wicked life, had turned mendicant, and was going +to confess his sins, and ask the prayers for absolution of the +far-famed religious woman. Time and alteration of dress, for they +were both habited as dervishes, caused the brothers not to know +each other. As fellow travellers they entered into conversation; +and finding they were both bound the same way, agreed to continue +their journey together. They had not proceeded many days when +they came up with a driver of camels, who informed them that he +was upon the same errand as themselves, having been guilty of a +horrid crime, the reflection upon which tormented his conscience, +and made life miserable; that he was going to confess his sins to +the pious devotee, and consult her on whatever penance could +atone for his villany, of which he had heartily repented, and +hoped to obtain the mercy of heaven by a sincere reformation of +life. The crime of this wretch was no less than murder; the +circumstances of which we forgot to detail in its proper place. +The cauzee's wife immediately after her expulsion from Bagdad, +and before she had met the young man who sold her for a slave, +had taken shelter in the hut of a camel breeder, whose wife owed +her great obligations, and who received her with true hospitality +and kindness; consoling her in her misfortunes, dressing her +wounds, and insisting on her stay till she should be fully +recovered of the painful effects of her unjust and disgraceful +punishment; and in this she was seconded by the honest husband. +With this humble couple, who had an infant son, she remained some +time, and was recovering her spirits and beauty when the wicked +camel breeder, first mentioned, arrived on a visit to her host; +and being struck with her beauty made love to her, which she +mildly but firmly rejected, informing him that she was a married +woman. Blinded by passion, the wretch pressed his addresses +repeatedly, but in vain; till at length, irritated by refusal, he +changed his love into furious anger, and resolved to revenge his +disappointed lust by her death. With this view he armed himself +with a poniard; and about midnight, when the family were asleep, +stole into the chamber where she reposed, and close by her the +infant son of her generous host. The villain being in the dark +made a random stroke, not knowing of the infant, and instead of +stabbing the object of his revenge, plunged his weapon into the +bosom of the child, who uttered loud screams; upon which the +assassin, fearful of detection, ran away, and escaped from the +house. The cauzee's wife awaking in a fright, alarmed her unhappy +hosts, who, striking a light, came to her assistance; but how can +we describe their agonizing affliction when they beheld their +beloved child expiring, and their unfortunate guest, who had +swooned away, bathed in the infant's blood. From such a scene we +turn away, as the pen is incapable of description. The unhappy +lady at length revived, but their darling boy was gone for ever. +Some days after this tragical event she began her pilgrimage, +and, as above stated, reached the city where she released the +young man from his cruel creditors, and was shortly afterwards +ungratefully sold by him as a slave. But to return to the good +cauzee and his wicked companions. + +They had not travelled far when they overtook a young man, who +saluted them, and inquired their course; of which being informed, +he begged to join in company, saying, that he also was going to +pay his respects to the celebrated religious, in hopes that by +her prayers he might obtain pardon of God for a most flagitious +ingratitude; the remorse for which had rendered him a burthen to +himself ever since the commission of the crime. The four pilgrims +pursued their journey, and a few days afterwards overtook the +master of a vessel, who told them he had some time back suffered +shipwreck; since which he had undergone the severest distress, +and was now going to request the aid of the far-famed woman, +whose charities and miraculous prayers had been noised abroad +through all countries. The companions then invited him to join +them, and they proceeded on the pilgrimage together, till at +length they reached the capital of the good sultan who protected +the cauzee's wife. + +The five pilgrims having entered the city, repaired immediately +to the abode of the respected devotee; the courts of which were +crowded with petitioners from all parts, so that they could with +difficulty gain admission. Some of her domestics seeing they were +strangers newly arrived, and seemingly fatigued, kindly invited +them, into an apartment, and to repose themselves while they +informed their mistress of their arrival; which having done, they +brought word that she would see them when the crowd was +dispersed, and hear their petitions at her leisure. Refreshments +were then brought in, of which they were desired to partake, and +the pilgrims having make their ablutions, sat down to eat, all +the while admiring and praising the hospitality of their pious +hostess; who, unperceived by them, was examining their persons +and features through the lattice of a balcony, at one end of the +hall. Her heart beat with joyful rapture when she beheld her long +lost husband, whose absence she had never ceased to deplore, but +scarcely expected ever to meet him again; and great was her +surprise to find him in company with his treacherous brother, her +infamous intending assassin, her ungrateful betrayer the young +man, and the master of the vessel to whom he had sold her as a +slave. It was with difficulty she restrained her feelings; but +not choosing to discover herself till she should hear their +adventures, she withdrew into her chamber, and being relieved by +tears prostrated herself on the earth, and offered up +thanksgivings to the protector of the just, who had rewarded her +patience under affliction by succeeding blessings, and at length +restored to her the partner of her heart. Having finished her +devotions, she sent to the sultan requesting him to send her a +confidential officer, who might witness the relations of five +visitors whom she was going to examine. On his arrival she placed +him where he could listen unseen; and covering herself with a +veil, sat down on her stool to receive the pilgrims, who being +admitted, bowed their foreheads to the ground; when requesting +them to arise, she addressed them as follows: "You are welcome, +brethren, to my humble abode, to my counsel and my prayers, +which, by God's mercy, have sometimes relieved the repentant +sinner; but as it is impossible I can give advice without hearing +a case, or pray without knowing the wants of him who entreats me, +you must relate your histories with the strictest truth, for +equivocation, evasion, or concealment, will prevent my being of +any service; and this you may depend upon, that the prayers of a +liar tend only to his own destruction." Having said this, she +ordered the cauzee to remain, but the other four to withdraw; as +she should, to spare their shame before each other, hear their +cases separately. The good cauzee having no sins to confess +related his pilgrimage to Mecca; the supposed infidelity of his +wife; and his consequent resolve to spend his days in visiting +sacred places and holy personages, among whom she stood so +famous, that to hear her edifying conversation, and entreat the +benefit of her prayers for his unhappy wife, was the object of +his having travelled to her sacred abode. When he had finished +his narrative the lady dismissed him to another chamber, and +heard one by one the confessions of his companions; who not +daring to conceal any thing, related their cruel conduct towards +herself, as above-mentioned; but little suspecting that they were +acknowledging their guilt to the intended victim of their evil +passions. After this the cauzee's wife commanded the officer to +conduct all five to the sultan, and inform him of what he had +heard them confess. The sultan, enraged at the wicked behaviour +of the cauzee's brother, the camel-driver, the young man, and the +master of the vessel, condemned them to death; and the +executioner was preparing to put the sentence in force, when the +lady arriving at the presence demanded their pardon; and to his +unspeakable joy discovered herself to her delighted husband. The +sultan complying with her request, dismissed the criminals; but +prevailed on the cauzee to remain at his court, where for the +remainder of his life this upright judge filled the high office +of chief magistrate with honour to himself, and satisfaction to +all who had causes tried before him; while he and his faithful +partner continued striking examples of virtue and conjugal +felicity. The sultan was unbounded in his favour towards them, +and would often pass whole evenings in their company in friendly +conversation, which generally turned upon the vicissitudes of +life, and the goodness of Providence in relieving the sufferings +of the faithful, by divine interposition, at the very instant +when ready to sink under them and overwhelmed with calamity. "I +myself," said the sultan, "am an example of the protection of +heaven, as you, my friends, will learn from my adventures." He +then began as follows. + + + + + The Sultan's Story of Himself. + + + +Though now seated on a throne, I was not born to such exalted +rank, but am the son of a rich merchant in a country far distant +from this which I now govern. My father brought me up to his own +profession; and by instruction and example encouraged me to be +virtuous, diligent, and honest. Soon after I had attained to the +age of manhood death snatched away this valuable parent, who in +his last moments gave me instructions for my future conduct; but +particularly requested that nothing might ever prevail upon me to +take an oath, though ever so just or necessary to my concerns. I +assured him it would not: soon after which he breathed his last, +leaving me, my mother, and sister in sincere grief for his loss. +After the funeral I examined his property, and found myself in +possession of a vast sum of money, besides an ample stock in +trade, two-thirds of which I immediately paid to my mother and +sister, who retired to a house which they purchased for +themselves. Many weeks had not elapsed when a merchant set up a +claim on my father's estate for a sum of money equal to nearly +the whole that I possessed: I asked him for his bond, but he had +none, yet swore solemnly to the justice of his demand. I had no +doubt of the falsity of his oath, but as I had promised never to +swear, I could not disprove it by mine, and therefore was obliged +to pay the money, which I did entirely from my own share, not +choosing to distress my mother and sister by lessening theirs. +After this, other unjust demands were preferred, and I paid them, +rather than falsify my promise to my father, though by so doing I +became reduced to the most abject poverty, as still I would not +trouble my mother. At length I resolved to quit my native city, +and seek for subsistence in a distant country as clerk to a +merchant, or in any other way that might offer. I accordingly set +out alone, and had travelled some days, when in passing over a +sandy desert I met a venerable looking personage dressed in +white, who kindly accosting me, inquired the object of my +journey: upon which I related my story. The old man blessed me, +highly praised the steadfastness of my adherence to the promise I +had made to a dying father; and said, "My son, be not dismayed, +thy virtuous conduct has been approved by our holy prophet, who +has interceded for thee at the throne of bounty: follow me, and +reap the reward of thy sufferings." I did as he desired; and we, +after some time, reached this city, which was then wholly +depopulated, and even this palace in a state of decay. On our +entrance my venerable guide bade me welcome, saying, "Here heaven +has decreed thee to reign, and thou wilt soon become a powerful +sultan." He then conducted me to the palace, and we descended +from one of the apartments into a vault, where to my astonishment +I beheld vast heaps of gold and silver ingots, large bags of +coins of the same metals, and several rich chests filled with +jewels of inestimable value, of all which he saluted me master. I +was overcome with astonishment; but said, "Of what use is all +this wealth in a depopulated city? and how can I be a sultan +without subjects?" The old man smiled, and said, "Have patience, +my son; this evening a numerous caravan will arrive here composed +of emigrants, who are in search of a settlement, and they will +elect thee their sovereign." His words proved true; the caravan +arrived, when the old man invited them to inhabit the city; his +offer was gladly accepted, and by his direction they declared me +their sultan. My protector remained with me a whole year, during +which he gave me instructions how to govern, and I became what I +am. Heaven has prospered my endeavours to do good: the fame of my +liberality, justice, and clemency soon spread abroad; the city +was soon filled by industrious inhabitants, who repaired the +decayed buildings, and erected new ones. The country round became +well cultivated, and our port was filled with vessels from every +quarter. I shortly after sent for my family, for I had left +behind me a wife and two sons; and you may guess from your own +joy at meeting after long separation what must have been mine on +such an occasion. My venerable patron, at the expiration of the +year, one day thus addressed me: "My son, as my mission is +completed I must now leave you; but be not alarmed, for provided +thou continuest to act as thou hast begun, we shall meet again. +Know that I am the prophet Khizzer, and was sent by heaven to +protect thee. Mayest thou deserve its blessings!" Having said +this he embraced me in his arms, and then vanished, how I know +not, from my sight. For some time I continued rapt in +astonishment and wonder, which at length gave place to +reverential awe and gratitude to heaven; by degrees I recovered +myself, and bowed down with fervent devotion. I have endeavoured +to follow the admonitions of my holy adviser. It is unnecessary +to say more; you see my state and the happiness I enjoy. + + + + + CONCLUSION. + + + +The sultan of the Indies could not but admire the prodigious and +inexhaustible memory of the sultaness his wife, who had +entertained him so many nights with such a variety of interesting +stories. + +A thousand and one nights had passed away in these innocent +amusements, which contributed so much towards removing the +sultan's unhappy prejudice against the fidelity of women. His +temper was softened. He was convinced of the merit and great +wisdom of the sultaness Scheherazade. He remembered with what +courage she had offered to be his wife, without fearing the death +to which she knew she exposed herself, as so many sultanesses had +suffered within her knowledge. + +These considerations, and the many other good qualities he knew +her to possess, induced him at last to forgive her. "I see, +lovely Scheherazade," said he, "that you can never be at a loss +for these little stories, which have so long diverted me. You +have appeased my anger. I freely renounce the law I had imposed +on myself. I restore your sex to my favourable opinion, and will +have you to be regarded as the deliverer of the many damsels I +had resolved to sacrifice to my unjust resentment." + +The sultaness cast herself at his feet, and embraced them +tenderly with all the marks of the most lively and perfect +gratitude. + +The grand vizier was the first who learned this agreeable +intelligence from the sultan's own mouth. It was instantly +carried to the city, towns, and provinces; and gained the sultan, +and the lovely Scheherazade his consort, universal applause, and +the blessings of all the people of the extensive empire of the +Indies. + + + + +End of Volume 4. + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Arabian Nights Entertainments +Complete, by Anonymous + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ARABIAN NIGHTS COMPLETE *** + +***** This file should be named 5668.txt or 5668.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/5/6/6/5668/ + +Produced by J. C. 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