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diff --git a/old/62868-h/62868-h.htm b/old/62868-h/62868-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 7a7ec36..0000000 --- a/old/62868-h/62868-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3374 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Oriental Tales, by Various. - </title> - - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - -<style type="text/css"> - -a { - text-decoration: none; -} - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -h1,h2 { - text-align: center; - clear: both; -} - -h2.nobreak { - page-break-before: avoid; -} - -hr { - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - clear: both; - width: 65%; - margin-left: 17.5%; - margin-right: 17.5%; -} - -div.chapter { - page-break-before: always; -} - -p { - margin-top: 0.5em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: 0.5em; - text-indent: 1em; -} - -.caption { - text-align: center; - font-size: 120%; - text-indent: 0em; -} - -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -.larger { - font-size: 150%; -} - -.pagenum { - position: absolute; - right: 4%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - font-style: normal; -} - -.poetry-container { - text-align: center; - margin: 1em; -} - -.poetry { - display: inline-block; - text-align: left; -} - -.poetry .stanza { - margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em; -} - -.poetry .verse { - padding-left: 3em; -} - -.poetry .indent0 { - text-indent: -3em; -} - -.smaller { - font-size: 80%; -} - -.titlepage { - text-align: center; - margin-top: 3em; - text-indent: 0em; - line-height: 1.8em; -} - -@media handheld { - -img { - max-width: 100%; - width: auto; - height: auto; -} - -.poetry { - display: block; - margin-left: 1.5em; -} -} - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Oriental tales, for the entertainment of -youth, by Anonymous - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Oriental tales, for the entertainment of youth - Selected from the most eminent English writers - -Author: Anonymous - -Release Date: August 6, 2020 [EBook #62868] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ORIENTAL TALES FOR ENTERTAINMENT OF YOUTH *** - - - - -Produced by Charlene Taylor and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_1"></a>[1]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 475px;"> - -<p class="caption">FRONTISPIECE</p> - -<img src="images/frontispiece.jpg" width="475" height="600" alt="" /> - -<p>“A certain Cham of Tartary going a progress with -his nobles, was met by a Dervise, who cried with a loud -voice,”—“Whoever will give me a hundred pieces of -gold, I will give him a piece of advice.”——<a href="#Page_13">Page 13.</a>]</p> - -</div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_2"></a>[2]</span></p> - -<p class="titlepage"><span class="larger">ORIENTAL TALES,</span><br /> -<span class="smaller">FOR THE</span><br /> -<i>ENTERTAINMENT OF YOUTH</i>:<br /> -<span class="smaller">SELECTED FROM THE</span><br /> -MOST EMINENT ENGLISH WRITERS.</p> - -<p class="titlepage"><span class="smaller"><i>LONDON</i>:</span><br /> -PRINTED AND SOLD BY R. HARRILD,<br /> -<span class="smaller"><i>No. 20, Great Eastcheap</i>.</span><br /> -1814</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_3"></a>[3]</span></p> - -<h1>ORIENTAL TALES.</h1> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 100px;"> -<img src="images/line.jpg" width="100" height="15" alt="" /> -</div> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE MERCHANT AND HIS SONS.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>A certain merchant had two sons, the -eldest of whom was of so bad a disposition as to -behave with great hatred and ill-nature towards -the younger, who was of a temper more mild and -gentle. It happened that the old gentleman, after -having acquired a large estate by his trade, -left it by his will to his eldest son, together with -all his ships and stock in merchandize, desiring -him to continue in the business, and support his -brother.</p> - -<p>The father was no sooner dead than the elder<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_4"></a>[4]</span> -began to shew his ill-will to his brother. He -desired him to leave his house, and, without giving -him any thing for his support, turned him -loose into the wide world. The young man was -much dejected with this treatment; but, considering -that in his father’s life-time he had acquired -some knowledge of business, he applied -to a neighbouring merchant, offering to serve -him in the way of trade.</p> - -<p>The merchant received him into his house, and -finding from long experience that he was prudent, -virtuous, and diligent in his business, gave -him his daughter and only child in marriage, -and, when he died, bequeathed to him his whole -fortune. The young man, after the death of -his father-in-law, retired with his wife into a -distant part of the country, where he purchased -a fine estate, with a splendid dwelling; and -there he lived with great credit and reputation.</p> - -<p>The elder brother, after the father’s death, for -some time had great success in trade. At length, -however, a violent storm tore to pieces many of -his ships, which were coming home richly laden. -About the same time some persons failing, who<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_5"></a>[5]</span> -had much of their money in his hands, he was -reduced to great want. To complete his misfortunes, -the little which he had left at home was -consumed by a sudden fire, which burnt his -house, and every thing in it; so that he was -brought into a state of beggary.</p> - -<p>In this forlorn condition, he had no other resource -to keep himself from starving than to -wander up and down the country, imploring the -assistance of well-disposed persons. It happened -one day, that having travelled many miles, -and obtained but little relief, he saw a gentleman -walking in the fields, not far from a fine seat. -To this gentleman he addressed himself, and -having laid before him his misfortunes and his -present necessitous condition, he earnestly entreated -him to grant him some assistance. The -gentleman, who happened to be no other than -his own brother, did not at first know him; but -after some discourse with him, he perceived who -he was. At first, however, he did not make it -appear that he had any knowledge of him, but -brought him home, and ordered his servants to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_6"></a>[6]</span> -take care of him, and furnish him for that night -with lodgings and victuals.</p> - -<p>In the mean time he resolved to discover himself -to his brother next morning, and offer him a -constant habitation in his house, after he had -got the consent of his wife to the proposal. Accordingly, -next morning, he ordered the poor -man to be sent for. When he was come into -his presence, he asked if he knew him. -The poor man answered, he did not. I am, -said he, bursting into tears, your only brother! -and immediately fell on his neck, and embraced -him with great tenderness. The elder, quite -astonished at this accident, fell to the ground, -and began to make many excuses, and to beg -pardon for his former cruel behaviour. To -whom the other answered, “Brother, let us forget -those things; I heartily forgive you all that -is past; you need not range up and down the -world; you shall be welcome to live with me.” -He readily accepted the proposal, and they lived -together with great comfort and happiness till -death.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_7"></a>[7]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">STORY OF MENCIUS.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>As Mencius, the philosopher, was travelling -in pursuit of wisdom, night overtook him at the -foot of a gloomy mountain, remote from the habitations -of men. Here, as he was straying, -(while rain and thunder conspired to make solitude -still more hideous) he perceived a hermit’s -cell, and approaching, asked for shelter. “Enter,” -cries the hermit in a severe tone; “men -deserve not to be obliged; but it would be imitating -their ingratitude to treat them as they deserve. -Come in: examples of vice may sometimes -strengthen us in the ways of virtue.”</p> - -<p>After a frugal meal, which consisted of roots -and tea, Mencius could not repress his curiosity -to know why the hermit had retired from mankind, -whose actions taught the truest lessons of -wisdom. “Mention not the name of man,” -cried the hermit with indignation; “here let me -live retired from a base ungrateful world; here, -in the forest I shall find no flatterers. The lion -is an open enemy, and the dog a faithful friend; -but man, base man, can poison the bowl, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_8"></a>[8]</span> -smile when he presents it.” “You have then -been used ill by mankind?” interrupted the philosopher -drily. “Yes,” replied the hermit; -“on mankind I have exhausted my whole fortune; -and this staff, that cup, and those roots, -are all that I have in return.”—“Did you bestow -your fortune among them, or did you only -lend it?” returned Mencius. “I bestowed it, -undoubtedly,” replied the other; “for where -were the merit of being a money lender?”—“Did -they ever own that they received your benefits?” -still adds the philosopher. “A thousand -times,” cries the hermit; “they every day loaded -me with professions of gratitude for favours -received, and solicitations for future ones.”—“If, -then, (says Mencius smiling) you did not -lend your fortune in order to have it returned, -it is injustice to accuse them of ingratitude; -they owned themselves obliged; you expected -no more; and they certainly earn a favour who -stoop to acknowledge the obligation.”—The hermit -was struck with the reply; and, surveying -his guest with emotion, “I have heard of the -great Mencius, and thou certainly art the man.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_9"></a>[9]</span> -I am now fourscore years old, but still a child in -wisdom; take me back to the world, and educate -me as one of the most ignorant, and youngest, -of thy disciples.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF SCHACABAC.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>Schacabac being reduced to great poverty, and -having eat nothing for two days together, made -a visit to a noble Barmecide, in Persia, who was -very hospitable, but withal a great humourist.—The -Barmecide was sitting at his table, that -seemed ready covered for an entertainment. -Upon hearing Schacabac’s complaint, he desired -him to sit down and fall on. He then gave him -an empty plate, and asked him how he liked his -rice-soup. Schacabac, who was a man of wit, -and resolved to comply with the Barmecide in -all his humours, told him it was admirable, and -at the same time, in imitation of the other, lifted -up the empty spoon to his mouth with great -pleasure. The Barmecide then asked him if he -ever saw whiter bread? Schacabac, who saw<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_10"></a>[10]</span> -neither bread nor meat, If I did not like it, you -may be sure, says he, I should not eat so heartily -of it. You oblige me mightily, replied the -Barmecide, pray let me help you to this leg of -goose. Schacabac reached out his plate, and received -nothing on it with great chearfulness. -As he was eating very heartily of this imaginary -goose, and crying up the sauce to the skies, the -Barmecide desired him to keep a corner of his -stomach for a roasted lamb, fed with pistachio-nuts, -and after having called for it, as though it -had really been served up, Here is a dish, says -he, that you will see at nobody’s table but my -own. Schacabac was wonderfully delighted -with the taste of it, which is like nothing, says -he, I ever eat before. Several other nice dishes -were served up in idea, which both of them -commended, and feasted on after the same manner. -This was followed by an invisible desert, -no part of which delighted Schacabac so much -as a certain lozenge, which the Barmecide told -him was a sweet-meat of his own invention. -Schacabac at length, being courteously reproached -by the Barmecide, that he had no stomach<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_11"></a>[11]</span>, -and that he eat nothing, and at the same time -being tired with moving his jaws up and down -to no purpose, desired to be excused, for that -really he was so full that he could not eat a bit -more. Come, then, says the Barmecide, the -cloth shall be removed, and you shall taste of my -wines, which I may say, without vanity, are the -best in Persia. He then filled both their glasses -out of an empty decanter. Schacabac would -have excused himself from drinking so much at -once, because he said he was a little quarrelsome -in his liquor; however, being prest to it, he pretended -to take it off, having before-hand praised -the colour, and afterwards the flavour. Being -plied with two or three other imaginary bumpers -of different wines equally delicious, and a -little vexed with this fantastic treat, he pretended -to grow fluttered, and gave the Barmecide a -good box on the ear; but immediately recovering -himself, Sir, says he, I beg ten thousand pardons, -but I told you before, that it was my misfortune -to be quarrelsome in my drink. The -Barmecide could not but smile at the humour of -his guest, and instead of being angry with him,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_12"></a>[12]</span> -I find, says he, thou art a complaisant fellow, and -deservest to be entertained in my house. Since -thou canst accommodate thyself to my humour, -we will now eat together in good earnest. Upon -which calling for his supper, the rice-soup, the -goose, the pistachio-lamb, the several other nice -dishes, with the desert, the lozenges, and all the -variety of Persian wines, were served up successively -one after another; and Schacabac was -feasted, in reality, with those very things which -he had before been entertained within imagination.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">HAMET AND RASCHID.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>When the plains of India were burnt up by -a long continuance of drought, Hamet and Raschid, -two neighbouring shepherds, faint with -thirst, stood at the common boundary of their -grounds, with their flocks and herds panting -round them, and in extremity of distress prayed -for water. On a sudden the air was becalmed, -the birds ceased to chirp, and the flocks to bleat.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_13"></a>[13]</span> -They turned their eyes every way, and saw a being -of mighty stature advancing through the valley, -whom they knew upon his nearer approach -to be the Genius of Distribution. In one hand -he held the sheaves of plenty, and in the other, -the sabre of destruction. The shepherds stood -trembling, and would have retired before him; -but he called to them with a voice gentle as the -breeze that plays in the evening among the spices -of Sabæa: “Fly not from your benefactor, children -of the dust! I am come to offer you gifts, -which only your own folly can make vain. You -here pray for water, and water I will bestow; -let me know with how much you will be satisfied: -speak not rashly; consider, that of whatever -can be enjoyed by the body, excess is no -less dangerous than scarcity. When you remember -the pain of thirst, do not forget the danger -of suffocation. Now, Hamet, tell me your -request.”</p> - -<p>“O Being, kind and beneficent,” says Hamet, -“let thine eye pardon my confusion. I entreat -a little brook, which in summer shall never be -dry, and in winter never overflow.” “It is<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_14"></a>[14]</span> -granted,” replies the Genius; and immediately -he opened the ground with his sabre, and a fountain -bubbling up under their feet, scattered its -rills over the meadows; the flowers renewed -their fragrance, the trees spread a greener foilage, -and the flocks and herds quenched their -thirst.</p> - -<p>Then turning to Raschid, the Genius invited -him likewise to offer his petition. “I request,” -says Raschid, “that thou wilt turn the Ganges -through my grounds, with all his waters, and all -their inhabitants.” Hamet was struck with the -greatness of his neighbour’s sentiments, and secretly -repined in his heart, that he had not made -the same petition before him; when the Genius -spoke, “Rash man, be not insatiable! remember, -to thee that is nothing which thou canst not -use; and how are thy wants greater than the -wants of Hamet?” Raschid repeated his desire, -and pleased himself with the mean appearance -that Hamet would make in the presence of the -proprietor of the Ganges. The Genius then retired -towards the river, and the two shepherds -stood waiting the event. As Raschid was looking<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_15"></a>[15]</span> -with contempt upon his neighbour, on a -sudden was heard the roar of torrents, and they -found by the mighty stream that the mounds of -the Ganges were broken. The flood rolled forward -into the lands of Raschid, his plantations -were torn up, his flocks overwhelmed, he was -swept away before it, and a crocodile devoured -him.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE CHAM AND THE DERVISE.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>A certain Cham of Tartary going a progress -with his nobles, was met by a Dervise, who -cried with a loud voice, <i>whoever will give me a -hundred pieces of gold, I will give him a piece of -advice</i>. The Cham ordered him the sum: upon -which the Dervise said, <i>begin nothing of which -thou hast not well considered the end</i>.</p> - -<p>The courtiers upon hearing this plain sentence, -smiled, and said with a sneer, “The dervise -is well paid for his maxim.” But the king -was so well satisfied with the answer, that he ordered -it to be written in golden letters in several<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_16"></a>[16]</span> -places of his palace, and engraved on all his -plate. Not long after, the king’s surgeon was -bribed to kill him with a poisoned lancet at the -time he let him blood. One day, when the -king’s arm was bound, and the fatal lancet in -the surgeon’s hand, he read on the bason, <i>begin -nothing of which thou hast not well considered the -end</i>. He immediately started, and let the lancet -fall out of his hand. The king observed his -confusion, and enquired the reason: the surgeon -fell prostrate, confessed the whole affair, and -was pardoned, and the conspirators died. The -Cham, turning to his courtiers who heard the -advice with contempt, told them, “that counsel -could not be too much valued, which had saved -a king’s life.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF OMAR.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>Omar, the hermit of the mountain Aubukabis, -which rises on the east of Mecca, and overlooks -the city, found one evening a man sitting -pensive and alone, within a few paces of his cell.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_17"></a>[17]</span> -Omar regarded him with attention, and perceived -that his looks were wild and haggard, and -that his body was feeble and emaciated: the -man also seemed to gaze stedfastly on Omar; -but such was the abstraction of his mind, that -his eye did not immediately take cognizance of -its object. In the moment of recollection he -started as from a dream, he covered his face in -confusion, and bowed himself to the ground.—“Son -of affliction,” said Omar, “who art thou, -and what is thy distress?” “My name,” replied -the stranger, “is Hassan, and I am a native of -this city: the Angel of adversity has laid his -hand upon me; and the wretch whom thine eye -compassionates, thou canst not deliver.” “To -deliver thee,” said Omar, “belongs to Him only, -from whom we should receive with humility both -good and evil; yet hide not thy life from me; -for the burthen which I cannot remove, I may at -least enable thee to sustain.” Hassan fixed his -eyes upon the ground, and remained some time -silent; then fetching a deep sigh, he looked up -at the hermit, and thus complied with his request.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_18"></a>[18]</span></p> - -<p>It is now six years since our mighty lord the -Calif Almalic, whose memory be blessed, first -came privately to worship in the temple of the -holy city. The blessings which he petitioned of -the Prophet, as the Prophet’s vicegerent, he was -diligent to dispense; in the intervals of his devotion, -therefore, he went about the city, relieving -distress, and restraining oppression: the widow -smiled under his protection, and the weakness -of age and infancy was sustained by his -bounty. I, who dreaded no evil but sickness, -and expected no good beyond the reward of my -labour, was singing at my work, when Almalic -entered my dwelling. He looked round with a -smile of complacency; perceiving that though it -was mean, it was neat, and that though I was -poor, I appeared to be content. As his habit -was that of a pilgrim, I hastened to receive him -with such hospitality as was in my power; and -my cheerfulness was rather increased than restrained -by his presence. After he had accepted -some coffee, he asked me many questions; -and though by my answers I always endeavoured -to excite him to mirth, yet I perceived that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_19"></a>[19]</span> -he grew thoughtful, and eyed me with a placid -but fixed attention. I suspected that he had -some knowledge of me, and therefore inquired -his country and his name. “Hassan,” said he, -“I have raised thy curiosity, and it shall be satisfied: -he who now talks with thee is Almalic, -the sovereign of the faithful, whose seat is the -throne of Medina, and whose commission is from -above.” These words struck me dumb with -astonishment, though I had some doubt of their -truth: but Almalic, throwing back his garment, -discovered the peculiarity of his vest, and put -the royal signet upon his finger. I then started -up, and was about to prostrate myself before him, -but he prevented me: “Hassan,” said he, “forbear; -thou art greater than I, and from thee I -have at once derived humility and wisdom.” I -answered, “Mock not thy servant, who is but as -a worm before thee; life and death are in thy -hand, and happiness and misery are the daughters -of thy will.” “Hassan,” he replied, “I -can no otherwise give life or happiness than by -not taking them away: thou art thyself beyond -the reach of my bounty, and possessed of felicity<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_20"></a>[20]</span> -which I can neither communicate nor obtain.—My -influence over others fills my bosom with -perpetual solicitude and anxiety; and yet my -influence over others extends only to their vices, -whether I would reward or punish. By the bow-string, -I can repress violence and fraud; and by -the delegation of my power, I can transfer the -insatiable wishes of avarice and ambition from -one object to another; but with respect to virtue, -I am impotent: if I could reward it, I would -reward it in thee. Thou art content, and hast -therefore neither avarice nor ambition: to exalt -thee, would destroy the simplicity of thy life, and -diminish that happiness which I have no power -either to increase or continue.” He then rose -up, and, commanding me not to disclose his secret, -departed.</p> - -<p>As soon as I recovered from the confusion and -astonishment in which the Calif left me, I began -to regret that my behaviour had intercepted his -bounty; and accused of folly, that cheerfulness -which was the concomitant of poverty and labour. -I now repined at the obscurity of my station, -which my former insensibility had perpetuated:<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_21"></a>[21]</span> -I neglected my labour, because I despised -the reward; I spent the day in idleness, forming -romantic projects to recover the advantages -which I had lost; and at night, instead of losing -myself in that sweet and refreshing sleep, from -which I used to rise with new health, cheerfulness, -and vigour, I dreamt of splendid habits -and a numerous retinue, of gardens, palaces, -eunuchs, and women, and waked only to regret -the illusions that had vanished. My health was -at length impaired by the inquietude of my mind; -I sold all my moveables for subsistence: and reserved -only a mattrass, upon which I sometimes -lay from one night to another.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF OMAR.<br /> -<span class="smaller">(CONCLUDED.)</span></h2> - -</div> - -<p>In the first moon of the following year, the -Calif came again to Mecca, with the same secrecy, -and for the same purposes. He was willing<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_22"></a>[22]</span> -once more to see the man, whom he considered -as deriving felicity from himself. But he found -me, not singing at my work, ruddy with health, -and vivid with cheerfulness; but pale and dejected, -sitting on the ground, and chewing -opium, which contributed to substitute the phantoms -of imagination for the realities of greatness. -He entered with a kind of joyful impatience in -his countenance, which, the moment he beheld -me, was changed to a mixture of wonder and -pity. I had often wished for another opportunity -to address the Calif; yet I was confounded -at his presence, and throwing myself at his feet, -I laid my hand upon my head, and was speechless. -“Hassan,” said he, “what canst thou have -lost, whose wealth was the labour of thy own -hand; and what can have made thee sad, the -spring of whose joy was in thy own bosom?—What -evil has befallen thee? Speak, and if I can -remove it, thou art happy.” I was now encouraged -to look up, and I replied, “Let my Lord -forgive the presumption of his servant, who rather -than utter a falsehood, would be dumb for -ever. I am become wretched by the loss of that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_23"></a>[23]</span> -which I never possessed: thou hast raised wishes -which indeed I am not worthy thou shouldst satisfy: -but why should it be thought, that he who -was happy in obscurity and indigence, would -not have been rendered more happy by eminence -and wealth?”</p> - -<p>When I had finished this speech, Almalic stood -some moments in suspense, and I continued -prostrate before him. “Hassan,” said he, “I -perceive, not with indignation but regret, that I -mistook thy character; I now discover avarice -and ambition in thy heart, which lay torpid only -because their objects were too remote to rouse -them. I cannot, therefore, invest thee with authority, -because I would not subject my people -to oppression; and because I would not be compelled -to punish thee for crimes which I first enabled -thee to commit.</p> - -<p>“But as I have taken from thee that which I -cannot restore, I will at least gratify the wishes -that I excited, lest thy heart accuse me of injustice, -and thou continue still a stranger to thyself. -Arise, therefore, and follow me.” I sprung from -the ground as it were with the wing of an eagle;<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_24"></a>[24]</span> -I kissed the hem of his garment in an extasy of -gratitude and joy; and when I went from my -house, my heart leaped as if it had escaped from -the den of a lion. I followed Almalic to the caravansary -in which he lodged; and after he had -fulfilled his vows, he took me with him to Medina. -He gave me an apartment in the seraglio; -I was attended by his own servants; my provisions -were sent from his own table; and I received -every week a sum from his treasury, which -exceeded the most romantic of my expectations. -But I soon discovered, that no dainty was so -tasteful, as the food to which labour procured an -appetite; no slumbers so sweet as those which -weariness invited; and no time so well enjoyed, -as that in which diligence is expecting its reward. -I remembered these enjoyments with regret; -and while I was sighing in the midst of -superfluities, which though they encumbered -life, yet I could not give up, they were suddenly -taken away.</p> - -<p>Almalic, in the midst of the glory of his kingdom, -and in the full vigour of his life, expired -suddenly in the bath; such, thou knowest, was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_25"></a>[25]</span> -the destiny which the Almighty had written upon -his head.</p> - -<p>His son Aububeker, who succeeded to the -throne, was incensed against me, by some who -regarded me at once with contempt and envy: -he suddenly withdrew my pension, and commanded -that I should be expelled the palace; a -command which my enemies executed with so -much rigour, that within twelve hours I found -myself in the streets of Medina, indigent and -friendless, exposed to hunger and derision, with -all the habits of luxury, and all the sensibility of -pride. O! let not thy heart despise me, thou -whom experience hast not taught, that it is misery -to lose that which it is not happiness to possess. -O! that for me, this lesson had not been -written on the tablets of Providence! I have travelled -from Medina to Mecca: but I cannot fly -from myself. How different are the states in -which I have been placed! The remembrance of -both is bitter; for the pleasures of neither can -return. Hassan, having thus ended his story, -smote his hands together, and looking upwards, -burst into tears.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_26"></a>[26]</span></p> - -<p>Omar, having waited till this agony was past, -went to him, and taking him by the hand, “My -son,” said he, “more is yet in thy power than -Almalic could give, or Aububeker take away. -The lesson of thy life the Prophet has in mercy -appointed me to explain.</p> - -<p>“Thou wast once content with poverty and -labour, only because they were become habitual, -and ease and affluence were placed beyond thy -hope; for when ease and affluence approached -thee, thou wast content with poverty and labour -no more. That which then became the object, -was also the bound of thy hope; and he, whose -utmost hope is disappointed, must inevitably be -wretched. If thy supreme desire had been the -delights of Paradise, and thou hadst believed that -by the tenor of thy life these delights had been -secured, as more could not have been given thee, -thou wouldst not have regretted that less was not -offered. The content which was once enjoyed -was but the lethargy of the soul; and the distress -which is now suffered, will but quicken it to action. -Depart, therefore, and be thankful for all -things: put thy trust in Him, who alone can<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_27"></a>[27]</span> -gratify the wish of reason, and satisfy the soul -with good: fix thy hope upon that portion, in -comparison of which the world is as the drop of -the bucket, and the dust of the balance. Return, -my son, to thy labour; thy food shall be again -tasteful, and thy rest shall be sweet: to thy content -also will be added stability, when it depends -not upon that which is possessed upon earth, -but upon that which is expected in Heaven.”</p> - -<p>Hassan, upon whose mind the Angel of instruction -impressed the counsel of Omar, hastened -to prostrate himself in the temple of the Prophet. -Peace dawned upon his mind like the radiance -of the morning: he returned to his labour -with cheerfulness; his devotion became fervent -and habitual: and the latter days of Hassan were -happier than the first.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">STORY OF A DERVISE.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>A Dervise, travelling through Tartary, went -into the king’s palace by mistake, as thinking it<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_28"></a>[28]</span> -to be a public inn, or caravansary. Having -looked about him for some time, he entered into -a long gallery, where he laid down his wallet, -and spread his carpet, in order to repose himself -upon it, after the manner of the eastern nations.</p> - -<p>He had not been long in this posture before he -was discovered by some of the guards, who asked -him what was his business in that place? The -dervise told them that he intended to take up his -night’s lodging in that caravansary. The guards -told him, in a very angry manner, that the house -he was in was not a caravansary, but the king’s -palace. It happened that the king himself passed -through the gallery during this debate; and, -smiling at the mistake of the dervise, asked him -how he could possibly be so dull as not to distinguish -a palace from a caravansary.</p> - -<p>Sir, says the dervise, give me leave to ask your -majesty a question or two. Who were the persons -that lodged in this house when it was first -built? The king replied, his ancestors. And -who, says the dervise, was the last person that -lodged here? The king replied, his father. And -who is it, says the dervise, that lodges here at<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_29"></a>[29]</span> -present? The king told him that it was himself. -And who, says the dervise, will be here after -you? The king answered, the young prince his -son. “Ah, Sir,” said the dervise, “a house that -changes its inhabitants so often, and receives such -a perpetual succession of guests, is not a palace, -but a caravansary.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">OMAR’S PLAN OF LIFE.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>Omar, the son of Hassan, had passed seventy-five -years in honour and prosperity. The favour -of three successive califs had filled his house -with gold and silver; and whenever he appeared, -the benedictions of the people proclaimed his -passage.</p> - -<p>Terrestrial happiness is of short continuance. -The brightness of the flame is wasting its fuel; -the fragrant flower is passing away in its own -odours. The vigour of Omar began to fail, the -curls of beauty fell from his head, strength departed -from his hands, and agility from his feet.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_30"></a>[30]</span> -He gave back to the calif the keys of trust, and -the seals of secrecy; and sought no other pleasure -for the remains of life than the converse of -the wise, and the gratitude of the good.</p> - -<p>The powers of his mind were yet unimpaired. -His chamber was filled by visitants, eager to catch -the dictates of experience, and officious to pay -the tribute of admiration. Caled, the son of the -viceroy of Egypt, entered every day early, and -retired late. He was beautiful and eloquent; -Omar admired his wit and loved his docility. -Tell me, said Caled, thou to whose voice nations -have listened, and whose wisdom is known to the -extremities of Asia, tell me how I may resemble -Omar the prudent. The arts by which you have -gained power and preserved it, are to you no -longer necessary or useful; impart to me the secret -of your conduct, and teach me the plan upon -which your wisdom has built your fortune.</p> - -<p>Young man, said Omar, it is of little use to -form plans of life. When I took my first survey -of the world, in my twentieth year, having considered -the various conditions of mankind, in the -hour of solicitude, I said thus to myself, leaning<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_31"></a>[31]</span> -against a cedar which spread its branches over -my head: Seventy years are allowed to man; I -have yet fifty remaining: ten years I will allot -to the attainment of knowledge, and ten I will -pass in foreign countries; I shall be learned, and -therefore shall be honoured; every city will shout -at my arrival, and every student will solicit my -friendship. Twenty years thus passed will store -my mind with images which I shall be busy -through the rest of my life in combining and -comparing. I shall revel in inexhaustible accumulations -of intellectual riches; I shall find new -pleasures for every moment, and shall never -more be weary of myself. I will, however, not -deviate too far from the beaten track of life, but -will try what can be found in female delicacy. I -will marry a wife beautiful as the Houries, and -wise as Zobeide; with her I will live twenty -years within the suburbs of Bagdat, in every -pleasure that wealth can purchase, and fancy can -invent. I will then retire to a rural dwelling, -pass my last days in obscurity and contemplation, -and lie silently down on the bed of death. -Through my life it shall be my settled resolution,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_32"></a>[32]</span> -that I will never depend upon the smile of princes; -that I will never stand exposed to the artifices -of courts: I will never pant for public honours, -nor disturb my quiet with affairs of state. -Such was my scheme of life, which I impressed -indelibly upon my memory.</p> - -<p>The first part of my ensuing time was to be -spent in search of knowledge; and I know not -how I was diverted from my design. I had no -visible impediments without, nor any ungovernable -passions within. I regarded knowledge as -the highest honour and the most engaging pleasure; -yet day stole upon day, and month glided -after month, till I found that seven years of the -first ten had vanished, and left nothing behind -them. I now postponed my purpose of travelling; -for why should I go abroad while so much -remained to be learned at home? I immured -myself for four years, and studied the laws of the -empire. The fame of my skill reached the -judges; I was found able to speak upon doubtful -questions, and was commanded to stand at -the footstool of the calif. I was heard with attention,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_33"></a>[33]</span> -I was consulted with confidence, and the -love of praise fastened on my heart.</p> - -<p>I still wished to see distant countries, listened -with rapture to the relations of travellers, and -resolved some time to ask my dismission, that I -might feast my soul with novelty; but my presence -was always necessary, and the stream of -business hurried me along. Sometimes I was -afraid lest I should be charged with ingratitude; -but I still proposed to travel, and therefore would -not confine myself by marriage.</p> - -<p>In my fiftieth year I began to suspect that the -time of travelling was past, and thought it best -to lay hold on the felicity yet in my power, and -indulge myself in domestic pleasures. But at -fifty no man easily finds a woman beautiful as -the Houries, and wise as Zobeide. I inquired -and rejected, consulted and deliberated, till the -sixty-second year made me ashamed of gazing -upon girls. I had now nothing left but retirement, -and for retirement I never found a time, -till disease forced me from public employment.</p> - -<p>Such was my scheme, and such has been its -consequence. With an insatiable thirst for knowledge,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_34"></a>[34]</span> -I trifled away the years of improvement; -with a restless desire of seeing different countries, -I have always resided in the same city; -with the highest expectation of connubial felicity, -I have lived unmarried; and with unalterable -resolutions of contemplative retirement, -I am going to die within the walls of Bagdat.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE BASKET MAKER.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>In the midst of that vast ocean, commonly -called the South-Sea, lie the islands of Solomon. -In the centre of these lies one not only distant -from the rest, which are immensely scattered -round it, but also larger beyond proportion. -An ancestor of the prince, who now reigns absolute -in this central island, has, through a long -descent of ages, entailed the name of Solomon’s -Islands on the whole, by the effect of that wisdom -wherewith he polished the manners of his -people.</p> - -<p>A descendant of one of the great men of this -happy island, becoming a gentleman to so improved<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_35"></a>[35]</span> -a degree as to despise the good qualities -which had originally ennobled his family, -thought of nothing but how to support and distinguish -his dignity by the pride of an ignorant -mind, and a disposition abandoned to pleasure. -He had a house on the sea-side, where he spent -great part of his time in hunting and fishing; -but found himself at a loss in pursuit of those -important diversions, by means of a long slip of -marsh land, overgrown with high reeds, that -lay between his house and the sea. Resolving, -at length, that it became not a man of his quality -to submit to a restraint in his pleasures, for -the ease and convenience of an obstinate mechanic; -and having often endeavoured, in vain, -to buy out the owner, who was an honest poor -basket-maker, and whose livelihood depended on -working up the flags of those reeds, in a manner -peculiar to himself, the gentleman took advantage -of a very high wind, and commanded his -servants to burn down the barrier.</p> - -<p>The basket-maker, who saw himself undone, -complained of the oppression in terms more -suited to his sense of the injury, than the respect<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_36"></a>[36]</span> -due to the rank of the offender; and the reward -this imprudence procured him, was the additional -injustice of blows and reproaches, and all -kinds of insult and indignity.</p> - -<p>There was but one way to a remedy, and he -took it: for going to the capital, with the marks -of his hard usage upon him, he threw himself at -the feet of the king, and procured a citation for -his oppressor’s appearance; who, confessing the -charge, proceeded to justify his behaviour by -the poor man’s unmindfulness of the submission -due from the vulgar to gentlemen of rank and -distinction.</p> - -<p>“But pray,” replied the king, “what distinction -of rank had the grand-father of your -father, when, being a cleaver of wood in the -palace of my ancestors, he was raised from -among those vulgar you speak of with such contempt, -in reward for an instance he gave of his -courage and loyalty in defence of his master? -Yet his distinction was nobler than yours: it -was the distinction of soul, not of birth; the -superiority of worth, not of fortune! I am -sorry I have a gentleman in my kingdom who<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_37"></a>[37]</span> -is base enough to be ignorant that ease and distinction -of fortune were bestowed on him but to -this end, that, being at rest from all cares of providing -for himself, he might apply his heart, -head, and hand, for the public advantage of -others.”</p> - -<p>Here the king, discontinuing his speech, fixed -an eye of indignation on a sullen resentment of -mien which he observed in the haughty offender, -who muttered out his dislike of the encouragement -this way of thinking must give to the -commonality, who, he said, were to be considered -as persons of no consequence, in comparison -of men who were born to be honoured. -“Where reflection is wanting,” replied the -king, with a smile of disdain, “men must find -their defects in the pain of their sufferings. -Yanhuma,” added he, turning to a captain of -his gallies, “strip the injured and the injurer; -and, conveying them to one of the most barbarous -and remote of the islands, set them -ashore in the night, and leave them both to their -fortune.”</p> - -<p>The place in which they were landed was a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_38"></a>[38]</span> -marsh; under cover of those flags the gentleman -was in hopes of concealing himself, and giving -the slip to his companion, whom he thought it a -disgrace to be found with: but the lights in the -galley having giving an alarm to the savages, a -considerable body of them came down, and discovered -in the morning the two strangers in their -hiding-place. Setting up a dismal yell, they -surrounded them; and advancing nearer and -nearer with a kind of clubs, seemed determined -to dispatch them, without sense of hospitality -or mercy.</p> - -<p>Here the gentleman began to discover that -the superiority of his blood was imaginary; for -between the consciousness of shame and cold, -under the nakedness he had never been used to; -a fear of the event from the fierceness of the -savages approach; and the want of an idea -whereby to soften or divert their asperity, he -fell behind the poor sharer of his calamity, and -with an unsinewed, apprehensive, unmanly -sneakingness of mien, gave up the post of honour, -and made a leader of the very man whom -he had thought it a disgrace to consider as a -companion.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_39"></a>[39]</span></p> - -<p>The basket-maker on the contrary, to whom -the poverty of his condition had made nakedness -habitual, to whom a life of pain and mortification -represented death as not dreadful, and -whose remembrance of his skill in arts, of which -these savages were ignorant, gave him hopes of -becoming safe, from demonstrating that he could -be useful, moved with bolder and more open -freedom; and having plucked a handful of the -flags, sat down without emotion, and making -signs that he would shew them something worthy -of their attention, fell to work with smiles -and noddings; while the savages drew near, and -gazed with expectation of the consequence.</p> - -<p>It was not long before he had wreathed a -kind of coronet of pretty workmanship; and -rising with respect and fearfulness, approached -the savage who appeared the chief, and placed -it gently on his head; whose figure, under this -new ornament, so charmed and struck his followers, -that they all threw down their clubs, and -formed a dance of welcome and congratulation -round the author of so prized a favour.</p> - -<p>There was not one but shewed the marks of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_40"></a>[40]</span> -his impatience to be as fine as the captain: so -the poor basket-maker had his hands full of employment: -and the savages, observing one quite -idle, while the other was so busy in their service, -took up arms in behalf of natural justice, -and began to lay on arguments in favour of their -purpose.</p> - -<p>The basket-maker’s pity now effaced the remembrance -of his sufferings; so he arose and -rescued his oppressor, by making signs that he was -ignorant of the art; but might, if they thought -fit, be usefully employed in waiting on the -work, and fetching flags to his supply, as fast -as he should want them.</p> - -<p>This proposition luckily fell in with a desire -the savages expressed to keep themselves at leisure, -that they might crowd round, and mark -the progress of a work they took such pleasure -in. They left the gentleman therefore to his -duty in the basket-maker’s service; and considered -him, from that time forward, as one who -was, and ought to be treated as inferior to their -benefactor.</p> - -<p>Men, women, and children, from all corners<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_41"></a>[41]</span> -of the island, came in droves for coronets; and, -setting the gentleman to work to gather boughs -and poles, made a fine hut to lodge the basket-maker; -and brought down daily from the country -such provisions as they lived upon themselves, -taking care to offer the imagined servant -nothing till his master had done eating.</p> - -<p>Three months reflection, in this mortified -condition, gave a new and just turn to our gentleman’s -improved ideas; insomuch that, lying -weeping and awake one night, he thus confessed -his sentiments in favour of the basket-maker. -“I have been to blame, and wanted judgment to -distinguish between accident and excellence. -When I should have measured nature, I but -looked to vanity. The preference which fortune -gives, is empty and imaginary; and I perceive, -too late, that only things of use are naturally -honourable. I am ashamed, when I compare -my malice, to remember your humanity; -but if the gods should please to call me to a repossession -of my rank and happiness, I would -divide all with you, in atonement for my justly -punished arrogance.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_42"></a>[42]</span></p> - -<p>He promised, and performed his promise: -for the king, soon after, sent the captain who -had landed them with presents to the savages, -and ordered him to bring both back again. -And it continues to this day a custom in that -island, to degrade all gentlemen who cannot -give a better reason for their pride, than they -were born to do nothing: and the word for -this due punishment is, send him to the basket-maker.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF ALMET.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>Almet, the dervise, who watched the sacred -lamp in the sepulchre of the Prophet, as he one -day rose up from the devotions of the morning, -which he had performed at the gate of the temple, -with his body turned towards the east, and -his forehead on the earth, saw before him a man -in splendid apparel, attended by a long retinue, -who gazed stedfastly at him, with a look of -mournful complacence, and seemed desirous to -speak, but unwilling to offend.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_43"></a>[43]</span></p> - -<p>The Dervise, after a short silence, advanced, -and saluting him with the calm dignity which -independence confers upon humility, requested -that he would reveal his purpose.</p> - -<p>“Almet,” said the stranger, “thou seest before -thee a man whom the hand of prosperity -has overwhelmed with wretchedness. Whatever -I once desired as the means of happiness, I now -possess; but I am not yet happy, and therefore -I despair. I regret the lapse of time, because it -glides away without enjoyment; and as I expect -nothing in the future but the vanities of the past, -I do not wish that the future should arrive. -Yet I tremble lest it should be cut off; and my -heart sinks when I anticipate the moment in -which eternity shall close over the vacuity of my -life, like the sea upon the path of a ship, and -leave no traces of my existence more durable -than the furrow which remains after the waves -have united. If in the treasures of thy wisdom -there is any precept to obtain felicity, vouchsafe -it to me: for this purpose am I come; a purpose -which yet I feared to reveal, lest, like all -the former, it should be disappointed.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_44"></a>[44]</span></p> - -<p>Almet listened, with looks of astonishment -and pity, to this complaint of a being, in whom -reason was known to be a pledge of immortality; -but the serenity of his countenance soon returned; -and stretching out his hand towards -heaven, “Stranger,” said he, “the knowledge -which I have received from the Prophet, I will -communicate to thee.</p> - -<p>“As I was sitting one evening at the porch -of the temple, pensive and alone, mine eye wandered -among the multitude that was scattered -before me; and while I remarked the weariness -and solicitude which was visible in every countenance, -I was suddenly struck with a sense of -their condition. ‘Wretched mortals,’ said I, -‘to what purpose are you busy? Do the linens -of Egypt, and the silks of Persia, bestow felicity -on those who wear them, equal to the wretchedness -of yonder slaves, whom I see leading the -camels that bring them? Is the fineness of the -texture, or the splendour of the tints, regarded -with delight by those to whom custom has rendered -them familiar? or can the power of habit -render others insensible of pain, who live only<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_45"></a>[45]</span> -to traverse the desart; a scene of dreadful uniformity, -where a barren level is bounded only -by the horizon; where no change of prospect, -or variety of images, relieves the traveller from a -sense of toil and danger, of whirlwinds which -in a moment may bury him in the sand, and of -thirst, which the wealthy have given half their -possessions to allay? Do those on whom hereditary -diamonds sparkle with unregarded lustre, -gain from the possession what is lost by the -wretch who seeks them in the mine; who lives -excluded from the common bounties of nature; -to whom even the vicissitude of day and night -is not known; who sighs in perpetual darkness, -and whose life is one alternative of insensibility -and labour? If those are not happy who possess, -in proportion as those are wretched who -bestow, how vain a dream is the life of man! -and if there is, indeed, such difference in the -value of existence, how shall we acquit of partiality -the hand by which this difference has -been made?”</p> - -<p>While my thoughts thus multiplied, and my -heart burned within me, I became sensible of a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_46"></a>[46]</span> -sudden influence from above. The streets and -the crowds of Mecca disappeared; I found myself -sitting on the declivity of a mountain, and -perceived at my right hand an angel, whom I -knew to be Azoran, the minister of reproof. -When I saw him I was afraid. I cast mine eye -upon the ground, and was about to deprecate -his anger, when he commanded me to be silent. -“Almet,” said he, “thou has devoted thy life -to meditation, that thy counsel might deliver -ignorance from the mazes of error, and deter -presumption from the precipice of guilt; but -the book of nature thou hast read without understanding: -it is again open before thee: -look up, consider it, and be wise.”</p> - -<p>I looked up, and beheld an inclosure, beautiful -as the gardens of Paradise, but of a small -extent. Through the middle there was a green -walk; at the end a wild desart; and beyond, -impenetrable darkness. The walk was shaded -with trees of every kind, that were covered at -once with blossoms and fruit; innumerable -birds were singing in the branches; the grass -was intermingled with flowers, which impregnated<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_47"></a>[47]</span> -the breeze with fragrance, and painted -the path with beauty; on one side flowed a -gentle, transparent stream, which was just heard -to murmur over the golden sands that sparkled -at the bottom; and on the other were walks and -bowers, fountains, grottoes, and cascades, which -diversified the scene with endless variety, but -did not conceal the bounds.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF ALMET,<br /> -<span class="smaller">CONCLUDED.</span></h2> - -</div> - -<p>While I was gazing in a transport of delight -and wonder on this enchanting spot, I perceived -a man stealing along the walk with a thoughtful -and deliberate pace; his eyes were fixed upon -the earth, and his arms crossed on his bosom; he -sometimes started, as if a sudden pang had -seized him; his countenance expressed solicitude -and terror; he looked round with a sigh, and -having gazed a moment on the desart that lay -before him, he seemed as if he wished to stop,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_48"></a>[48]</span> -but was impelled forwards by some invisible -power; his features however soon settled again -in a calm melancholy; his eye was again fixed -on the ground; and he went on as before, with -apparent reluctance, but without emotion. I -was struck with his appearance; and turning -hastily to the angel, was about to enquire what -could produce such infelicity in a being surrounded -with every object that could gratify -every sense; but he prevented my request: -“The book of nature,” said he, “is before thee; -look up, consider it, and be wise.” I looked, -and beheld a valley between two mountains that -were craggy and barren; on the path there was -no verdure, and the mountains afforded no -shade; the sun burned in the zenith, and every -spring was dried up; but the valley terminated -in a country that was pleasant and fertile, shaded -with woods, and adorned with buildings. At a -second view, I discovered a man in this valley, -meagre indeed and naked, but his countenance -was cheerful, and his deportment active; he -kept his eye fixed upon the country before him, -and looked as if he would have run, but that he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_49"></a>[49]</span> -was restrained, as the other had been impelled, -by some secret influence: sometimes, indeed, I -perceived a sudden impression of pain, and -sometimes he stepped short, as if his foot was -pierced by the asperities of the way; but the -sprightliness of his countenance instantly returned, -and he pressed forward without appearance -of repining or complaint.</p> - -<p>I turned again towards the angel, impatient -to enquire from what secret source happiness -was derived, in a situation so different from that -in which it might have been expected: but he -again prevented my requested: “Almet,” said -he, “remember what thou hast seen, and let -this memorial be written upon the tablets of thy -heart. Remember, Almet, that the world in -which thou art placed, is but the road to another; -and that happiness depends not upon the -path, but the end; the value of this period of -thy existence is fixed by hope and fear. The -wretch who wished to linger in the garden, -who looked round upon its limits with terror, -was destitute of hope, and was perpetually tormented -by the dread of losing that which yet<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_50"></a>[50]</span> -he did not enjoy; the song of the birds had been -repeated till it was not heard, and the flowers -had so often recurred, that their beauty was not -seen; the river glided by unnoticed; and he -feared to lift his eye to the prospect, lest he -should behold the waste that circumscribed it. -But he that toiled through the valley was happy, -because he looked forward with hope. Thus to -the sojourner upon earth it is of little moment -whether the path he treads be strewed with -flowers or with thorns, if he perceives himself to -approach these regions, in comparison of which -the thorns and the flowers of this wilderness -lose their distinction, and are both alike impotent -to give pleasure or pain.</p> - -<p>“What then has Eternal Wisdom unequally -distributed? That which can make every station -happy, and without which every station must be -wretched, is acquired by virtue, and virtue is -possible to all. Remember, Almet, the vision -which thou hast seen; and let my words -be written on the tablet of thy heart, that thou -mayest direct the wanderer to happiness, and -justify God to men.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_51"></a>[51]</span></p> - -<p>While the voice of Azoran was yet sounding -in my ear, the prospect vanished from before -me, and I found myself again sitting at the -porch of the temple. The sun was gone down, -the multitude was retired to rest, and the solemn -quiet of midnight concurred with the resolution -of my doubts to complete the tranquillity -of my mind.</p> - -<p>Such, my son, was the vision which the Prophet -vouchsafed me, not for my sake only, but -for thine. Thou hast sought felicity in temporal -things; and, therefore, thou art disappointed. -Let not instruction be lost upon thee, -as the seal of Mahomet in the well of Aris: -but go thy way, let thy flock clothe the naked, -and thy table feed the hungry; deliver the poor -from oppression, and let thy conversation be -Above. Thus shalt thou “rejoice in Hope,” -and look forward to the end of life as the consummation -of thy felicity.</p> - -<p>Almet, in whose breast devotion kindled as -he spake, returned into the temple, and the -stranger departed in peace.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_52"></a>[52]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF GELALEDDIN OF BASSORA.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>In the time when Bassora was considered as -the school of Asia, and flourished by the reputation -of its professors, and the confluence of -its students, among the students that listened -round the chair of Albumazar was Gelaleddin, -a native of Taurus, in Persia, a young man, -amiable in his manners, and beautiful in his -form, of boundless curiosity, incessant diligence, -and irresistible genius, of quick apprehension -and tenacious memory, accurate without narrowness, -and eager for novelty without inconstancy.</p> - -<p>No sooner did Gelaleddin appear at Bassora, -than his virtues and abilities raised him to distinction. -He passed from class to class rather -admired than envied by those whom the rapidity -of his progress left behind; he was consulted -by his fellow-students as an oraculous -guide, and admitted as a competent auditor to -the conference of the sages.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_53"></a>[53]</span></p> - -<p>After a few years, having passed through all -the exercises of probation, Gelaleddin was invited -to a professor’s seat, and intreated to increase -the splendour of Bassora. Gelaleddin -affected to deliberate on the proposal, with which, -before he considered it, he resolved to comply; -and next morning retired to a garden planted -for the recreation of the students, and entering -a solitary walk, began to meditate upon his -future life.</p> - -<p>“If I am thus eminent,” said he, “in the -regions of literature, I shall be yet more conspicuous -in any other place: If I should now devote -myself to study and retirement, I must pass -my life in silence, unacquainted with the delights -of wealth, the influence of power, the -pomp of greatness, and the charms of elegance, -with all that man envies and desires, with all that -keeps the world in motion, by the hope of gaining -or the fear of losing it. I will, therefore, -depart to Tauris, where the Persian monarch -resides in all the splendour of absolute dominion: -my reputation will fly before me, my arrival -will be congratulated by my kinsmen and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_54"></a>[54]</span> -friends; I shall see the eyes of those who predicted -my greatness sparkling with exultation, -and the faces of those that once despised me -clouded with envy, or counterfeiting kindness -by artificial smiles. I will show my wisdom by -my discourse, and my moderation by my silence; -I will instruct the modest with easy gentleness, -and repress the ostentatious by seasonable superciliousness. -My apartments will be crowded by -the inquisite and the vain, by those that honour -and those that rival me; my name will soon -reach the court; I shall stand before the throne -of the emperor; the judges of the law will confess -my wisdom, and the nobles will contend to -heap gifts upon me. If I shall find that my -merit, like that of others, excites malignity, or -feel myself tottering on the seat of elevation, I -may at last retire to academical obscurity, and -become, in my lowest state, a professor of -Bassora.”</p> - -<p>Having thus settled his determination, he -declared to his friends his design of visiting -Tauris, and saw with more pleasure than he -ventured to express, the regret with which he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_55"></a>[55]</span> -was dismissed. He could not bear to delay the -honours to which he was destined, and therefore -hastened away, and in a short time entered -the capital of Persia. He was immediately immersed -in the crowd, and passed unobserved to -his father’s house. He entered, and was received, -though not unkindly, yet without any -excess of fondness, or exclamations of rapture. -His father had, in his absence, suffered many -losses, and Gelaleddin was considered as an -additional burthen to a fallen family.</p> - -<p>When he recovered from his surprise, he began -to display his acquisitions, and practised -all the arts of narration and disquisition; but -the poor have no leisure to be pleased with -eloquence; they heard his arguments without -reflection, and his pleasantries without a smile. -He then applied himself singly to his brothers -and sisters, but found them all chained down -by invariable attention to their own fortunes, -and insensible of any other excellence than that -which could bring some remedy for indigence.</p> - -<p>It was now known in the neighbourhood that -Gelaleddin was returned, and he sat for some<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_56"></a>[56]</span> -days in expectation that the learned would visit -him for consultation, or the great for entertainment. -But who would be pleased or instructed -in the mansions of poverty? He then frequented -places of public resort, and endeavoured -to attract notice by the copiousness of his talk. -The sprightly were silenced, and went away to -censure in some other place his arrogance and -his pedantry; and the dull listened quietly for a -while, and then wondered why any man should -take pains to obtain so much knowledge which -would never do him good.</p> - -<p>He next solicited the viziers for employment, -not doubting but his service would be eagerly -accepted. He was told by one, that there was -no vacancy in his office; by another, that his -merit was above any patronage but that of the -emperor; by a third, that he would not forget -him; and by the chief vizier, that he did not -think, literature of any great use in public business. -He was sometimes admitted to their -tables, where he exerted his wit and diffused his -knowledge; but he observed, that where, by<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_57"></a>[57]</span> -endeavour or accident, he had remarkably excelled, -he was seldom invited a second time.</p> - -<p>He now returned to Bassora, wearied and disgusted, -but confident of resuming his former -rank, and revelling again in satiety of praise. -But he who had been neglected at Tauris, was -not much regarded at Bassora; he was considered -as a fugitive, who returned only because -he could live in no other place; his companions -found that they had formerly over-rated his -abilities, and he lived long without notice or -esteem.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">STORY OF ORTOGRUL OF BASRA.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>As Ortogrul of Basra was one day wandering -along the streets of Bagdat, musing on the varieties -of merchandize which the shops offered to -his view, and observing the different occupations -which busied the multitudes on every side, he -was awakened from the tranquility of meditation -by a crowd that obstructed his passage. He -raised his eyes, and saw the chief vizier, who<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_58"></a>[58]</span> -having returned from the divan, was entering -his palace.</p> - -<p>Ortogrul mingled with the attendants, and -being supposed to have some petition for the -vizier, was permitted to enter. He surveyed -the spaciousness of the apartments, admired the -walks hung with golden tapestry, and the floors -covered with silken carpets, and despised the -simple neatness of his own little habitation.</p> - -<p>Surely, said he to himself, this palace is that -seat of happiness where pleasure succeeds to -pleasure, and discontent and sorrow can have no -admission. Whatever nature has provided for -the delight of sense, is here spread forth to be -enjoyed. What can mortals hope or imagine -which the master of this palace has not obtained. -The dishes of luxury cover his table, -the voice of harmony lulls him in his bowers; -he breathes the fragrance of the groves of Java, -and sleeps upon the down of the cygnets of -the Ganges. He speaks, and his mandate is -obeyed; he wishes, and his wish is gratified; all -whom he sees obey him; and all whom he hears -flatter him. How different, Ortogrul, is thy<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_59"></a>[59]</span> -condition, who art doomed to the perpetual torments -of unsatisfied desire, and who hast no -amusement in thy power that can withhold -thee from thy own reflections! They tell -thee that thou art wise, but what does wisdom -avail with poverty? None will flatter the poor, -and the wise have very little power of flattering -themselves. That man is surely the most -wretched of the sons of wretchedness who lives -with his own faults and follies always before -him, and who has none to reconcile him to himself -by praise and veneration. I have long -sought content, and have not found it; I will -from this moment endeavour to be rich.</p> - -<p>Full of his new resolution, he shut himself in -his chamber for six months, to deliberate how -he should grow rich; he sometimes proposed to -offer himself as a counsellor to one of the kings -of India, and sometimes resolved to dig for -diamonds in the mines of Golconda. One day, -after some hours passed in violent fluctuation of -opinion, sleep insensibly seized him in his chair; -he dreamed that he was ranging a desart country, -in search of some one that might teach him<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_60"></a>[60]</span> -to grow rich! and as he stood on the top of a -hill shaded with cypress, in doubt whither to -direct his steps, his father appeared on a sudden -standing before him. “Ortogrul,” said the old -man, “I know thy perplexity; listen to thy -father, turn thine eye on the opposite mountain.” -Ortogrul looked, and saw a torrent -tumbling down the rocks, roaring with the noise -of thunder, and scattering its foam on the impending -woods. “Now,” said his father, -“behold the valley that lies between the -hills.” Ortogrul looked, and espied a little well, -out of which issued a small rivulet. “Tell me -now,” said his father, “dost thou wish for sudden -affluence, that may pour upon thee like the -mountain torrent, or for a slow and gradual increase, -resembling the rill gliding from the -well?” “Let me be quickly rich,” said Ortogrul; -“let the golden stream be quick and violent.” -“Look round thee,” said his father, -“once again.” Ortogrul looked, and perceived -the channel of the torrent dry and dusty; but -following the rivulet from the well, he traced it -to a wide lake, which the supply, slow and constant,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_61"></a>[61]</span> -kept always full. He waked, and determined -to grow rich by silent profit, and persevering -industry.</p> - -<p>Having sold his patrimony, he engaged in -merchandize, and in twenty years purchased -lands, on which he raised a house, equal in -sumptuousness to that of the vizier, to which he -invited all the ministers of pleasure, expecting -to enjoy all the felicity which he imagined riches -able to afford. Leisure soon made him weary -of himself, and he longed to be persuaded that -he was great and happy. He was courteous -and liberal; he gave all that approached him -hopes of pleasing him, and all who should please -him hopes of being rewarded. Every art of -praise was tried, and every source of adulatory -fiction was exhausted. Ortogrul heard his flatters -without delight, because he found himself -unable to believe them. His own heart told -him its frailties, his own understanding reproached -him with his faults. “How long,” -said he, with a deep sigh, “have I been labouring -in vain to amass wealth, which at last is useless.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_62"></a>[62]</span> -Let no man hereafter wish to be rich, -who is already too wise to be flattered.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF ALNASCHAR.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>It is a precept oftentimes inculcated, that -we should not entertain an hope of any thing -in life which lies at a great distance from us. -The shortness and uncertainty of our time -here, makes such a kind of hope unreasonable -and absurd. The grave lies unseen between -us and the object which we reach after: where -one man lives to enjoy the good he has in -view, ten thousand are cut off in the pursuit -of it.</p> - -<p>Men of warm imaginations and towering -thoughts are apt to overlook the goods of fortune -which are near them, for something that -glitters in the sight at a distance; to neglect -solid and substantial happiness, for what is -showy and superficial; and to contemn that -good that lies within their reach, for that -which they are not capable of attaining. Hope<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_63"></a>[63]</span> -calculates its schemes for a long and durable -life; presses forward to imaginary points of -bliss; and grasps at impossibilities; and consequently -very often insnares men into beggary, -ruin, and dishonour.</p> - -<p>What I have here said, may serve as a -moral to an Arabian fable, which I find translated -into French by Monsieur Galland. The -fable has in it such a wild, but natural symplicity, -that I question not but my reader will be -as much pleased with it as I have been, and -that he will consider himself, if he reflects on -the several amusements of hope which have -sometimes passed in his mind, as a near relation -to the Persian Glass-man.</p> - -<p>Alnaschar, says the fable, was a very idle -fellow, that never would set his hand to any -business during his father’s life. When his -father died, he left him to the value of an -hundred drachmas in Persian money. Alnaschar, -in order to make the best of it, laid it -out in glasses, bottles, and the finest earthenware. -These he piled up in a large open -basket, and having made choice of a very little<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_64"></a>[64]</span> -shop, placed the basket at his feet, and leaned -his back upon the wall, in expectation of customers. -As he sat in this posture, with his -eyes upon the basket, he fell into a most amusing -train of thought, and was overheard by -one of his neighbours, as he talked to himself -in the following manner:</p> - -<p>“This basket,” says he, “cost me, at the -wholesale merchant’s, an hundred drachmas, -which is all I have in the world. I shall -quickly make two hundred of it, by selling it -in retail. These two hundred drachmas will -in a very little while rise to four hundred, -which of course will amount in time to four -thousand. Four thousand drachmas cannot -fail of making eight thousand. As soon as by -this means I am master of ten thousand, I will -lay aside my trade of a glass-man, and turn -jeweller. I shall then deal in diamonds, -pearls, and all sorts of rich stones. When I -have got together as much wealth as I can -well desire, I will make a purchase of the -finest house I can find, with lands, slaves, -eunuchs, and horses. I shall then begin to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_65"></a>[65]</span> -enjoy myself, and make a noise in the world. -I will not, however, stop there, but still continue -my traffic, until I have got together an -hundred thousand drachmas. When I have -thus made myself master of an hundred thousand -drachmas, I shall naturally set myself on -the footing of a prince, and will demand the -grand vizier’s daughter in marriage, after having -represented to that minister the information -which I have received of the beauty, wit, discretion, -and other high qualities which his -daughter possesses. I will let him know at -the same time, that it is my intention to make -him a present of a thousand pieces of gold, on -our marriage night. As soon as I have married -the grand vizier’s daughter, I will buy her -twelve black eunuchs, the youngest and best -that can be bought for money. I must afterwards -make my father-in-law a visit, with a -great train of equipage. And when I am -placed at his right hand, which he will do of -course, if it be only to honour his daughter, I -will give him the thousand pieces of gold -which I promised him, and afterwards, to his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_66"></a>[66]</span> -great surprise, will present him with another -purse of the same value, with some short -speech, as, ‘Sir, you see I am a man of my -word; I always give more than I promise.’</p> - -<p>“When I have brought the princess to my -house, I shall take a particular care to breed -her in a due respect to me, before I give the -reins to love and dalliance. To this end I -shall confine her to her own apartment, make -her a short visit, and talk but little to her. -Her women will represent to me that she is -inconsolable by reason of my unkindness, and -beg me, with tears, to caress her, and let her -sit down by me; but I shall still remain inexorable, -and will turn my back upon her all the -first night. Her mother will then come and -bring her daughter to me, as I am seated upon -my sofa. The daughter, with tears in her -eyes, will fling herself at my feet, and beg of -me to receive her into my favour. Then will -I, to imprint in her a thorough veneration for -my person, draw up my legs and spurn her -from me with my foot, in such a manner that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_67"></a>[67]</span> -she shall fall down several paces from the -sofa.”</p> - -<p>Alnaschar was entirely swallowed up in this -chimerical vision, and could not forbear acting -with his foot what he had in his thoughts; so -that unluckily striking his basket of brittle -ware, which was the foundation of all his -grandeur, he kicked his glasses to a great distance -from him into the street, and broke them -into ten thousand pieces.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF CARAZAN.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>Carazan, the merchant of Bagdat, was -eminent throughout all the East for his avarice -and his wealth: his origin was obscure, as that -of the spark, which by the collision of steel and -adamant, is struck out of darkness; and the patient -labour of persevering diligence alone had -made him rich. It was remembered, that when -he was indigent, he was thought to be generous; -and he was still acknowledged to be inexorably<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_68"></a>[68]</span> -just. But whether in his dealings with men he -discovered a perfidy which tempted him to put -his trust in gold, or whether in proportion as he -accumulated wealth he discovered his own importance -to increase, Carazan prized it more as -he used it less; he gradually lost the inclination -to do good, as he acquired the power; and as -the hand of time scattered snow upon his head, -the freezing influence extended to his bosom.</p> - -<p>But though the door of Carazan was never -opened by hospitality, nor his hand by compassion, -yet fear led him constantly to the mosque -at the stated hours of prayer; he performed all -the rites of devotion with the most scrupulous -punctuality, and had thrice paid his vows at the -temple of the Prophet. That devotion which -arises from the love of God, and necessarily includes -the love of man, as it connects gratitude -with beneficence, and exalts that which was moral -to divine, confers new dignity upon goodness, -and is the object not only of affection but of reverence. -On the contrary, the devotion of the -selfish, whether it be thought to avert the punishment -which every one wishes to be inflicted,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_69"></a>[69]</span> -or to insure it by the complication of hypocrisy -with guilt, never fails to excite indignation and -abhorrence. Carazan, therefore, when he had -locked his door, and turning round with a look -of circumspective suspicion proceeded to the -mosque, was followed by every eye with silent -malignity: the poor suspended their supplication -when he passed by; and though he was known -by every man, no one saluted him.</p> - -<p>Such had long been the life of Carazan, and -such was the character which he had acquired, -when notice was given by proclamation, that he -was removed to a magnificent building in the -centre of the city, that his table should be spread -for the public, and that the stranger should be -welcome to his bed, the multitude soon rushed -like a torrent to his door, where they beheld him -distributing bread to the hungry, and apparel to -the naked, his eye softened with compassion, and -his cheek glowing with delight. Every one -gazed with astonishment at the prodigy; and -the murmur of innumerable voices increasing like -the sound of approaching thunder, Carazan -beckoned with his hand; attention suspended<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_70"></a>[70]</span> -the tumult in a moment, and he thus gratified -the curiosity which had procured him audience.</p> - -<p>To him who touches the mountains and they -smoke, the Almighty and the Most Merciful, be -everlasting honour! he has ordained sleep to be -the minister of instruction, and his visions have -reproved me in the night. As I was sitting alone -in my Haram, with my lamp burning before me, -computing the product of my merchandize, and -exulting in the increase of my wealth, I fell into -a deep sleep, and the hand of him who dwells -in the third heaven was upon me. I beheld the -angel of death coming forward like a whirlwind, -and he smote me before I could deprecate the -blow. At the same moment I felt myself lifted -from the ground, and transported with astonishing -rapidity through the regions of the air.—The -earth was contracted to an atom beneath; -and the stars glowed round me with a lustre that -obscured the sun. The gate of Paradise was -new in sight; and I was intercepted by a sudden -brightness which no human eye could behold: -the irrevocable sentence was now to be -pronounced; my day of probation was past: and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_71"></a>[71]</span> -from the evil of my life nothing could be taken -away, nor could any thing be added to the good. -When I reflected that my lot for eternity was -cast, which not all the powers of nature could -reverse, my confidence totally forsook me; and -while I stood trembling and silent, covered with -confusion, and chilled with horror, I was thus -addressed by the radiance that flamed before -me:—</p> - -<p>“Carazan, thy worship has not been accepted, -because it was not prompted by love of God: -neither can thy righteousness be rewarded, because -it was not produced by love of man: for -thy own sake only hast thou rendered to every -man his due; and thou hast approached the Almighty -only for thyself. Thou hast not looked -up with gratitude, nor around thee with kindness. -Around thee, thou hast indeed beheld -vice and folly; but if vice and folly could justify -thy parsimony, would they not condemn the -bounty of heaven? If not upon the foolish and -the vicious, where shall the sun diffuse his light, -or the clouds distil the dew? Where shall the -lips of the spring breathe fragrance, or the hand<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_72"></a>[72]</span> -of autumn diffuse plenty? Remember, Carazan, -that thou hast shut compassion from thine heart, -and grasped thy treasures with a hand of iron: -thou hast lived for thyself; and, therefore, henceforth -for ever thou shalt subsist alone. From -the light of heaven, and from the society of all -beings shalt thou be driven; solitude shall protract -the lingering hours of eternity, and darkness -aggravate the horrors of despair.” At this -moment I was driven by some secret and irresistible -power through the glowing system of -creation, and passed innumerable worlds in a -moment. As I approached the verge of nature, I -perceived the shadows of total and boundless -vacuity deepen before me, a dreadful region of -eternal silence, solitude, and darkness! Unutterable -horror seized me at the prospect, and this -exclamation burst from me with all the vehemence -of desire: “O! that I had been doomed for ever -to the common receptacle of impenitence and -guilt! there society would have alleviated the -torment of despair, and the rage of fire could not -have excluded the comfort of light. Or, if I had -been condemned to reside in a comet, that would<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_73"></a>[73]</span> -return but once in a thousand years to their regions -of light and life; the hope of these periods, -however distant, would cheer men in the dread -interval of cold and darkness, and the vicissitude -would divide eternity into time.” While this -thought passed over my mind, I lost sight of the -remotest star, and the last glimmering of light was -quenched in utter darkness. The agonies of despair -every moment increased, as every moment augmented -my distance from the last habitable world. -I reflected with intolerable anguish, that when ten -thousand thousand years had carried me beyond -the reach of all but that power who fills infinitude, -I should still look forward into an immense abyss -of darkness, through which I should still drive -without succour and without society, farther and -farther still, for ever and for ever. I then stretched -out my hand towards the regions of existence, -with an emotion that awaked me. Thus have I -been taught to estimate society, like every other -blessing, by its loss. My heart is warmed to liberality; -and I am zealous to communicate the -happiness which I feel, to those from whom it is<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_74"></a>[74]</span> -derived; for the society of one wretch, whom in -the pride of prosperity I would have spurned -from my door, would, in the dreadful solitude to -which I was condemned, have been more highly -prized than the gold of Afric, or the gems of -Golconda.</p> - -<p>At this reflection upon his dream, Carazan became -suddenly silent, and looked upward in ecstacy -of gratitude and devotion. The multitude -were struck at once with the precept and example; -and the Caliph, to whom the event was related, -that he might be liberal beyond the power -of gold, commanded it to be recorded for the benefit -of posterity.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF ALMAMOULIN.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>In the reign of Jenghiz Khan, conqueror of -the East, in the city of Samarcand, lived Nouradin -the merchant, renowned throughout all the -regions of India for the extent of his commerce, -and the integrity of his dealings. His warehouses<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_75"></a>[75]</span> -were filled with all the commodities of the -remotest nations; every rarity of nature, every -curiosity of art, whatever was useful, hastened -to his hand. The streets were crowded with his -carriages; the sea was covered with his ships; -the streams of Oxus were wearied with conveyance, -and every breeze of the sky wafted wealth -to Nouradin.</p> - -<p>At length Nouradin felt himself seized with a -slow malady; he called to him Almamoulin, his -only son; and, dismissing his attendants, “My -son,” says he, “behold here the weakness and -fragility of man; look backward a few days, thy -father was great and happy. Now, Almamoulin, -look upon me withering and prostrate; look -upon me, and attend. My purpose was, after ten -months more spent in commerce, to have withdrawn -my wealth to a safer country; to have -given seven years to delight and festivity, and -the remaining part of my days to solitude and repentence; -but the hand of death is upon me; I -am now leaving the produce of my toil, which it -must be thy business to enjoy with wisdom.”—The -thought of leaving his wealth, filled Nouradin<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_76"></a>[76]</span> -with such grief, that he fell into convulsions, -became delirious, and expired.</p> - -<p>Almamoulin, who loved his father, was touched -a while with honest sorrow, and sat two hours -in profound meditation, without perusing the paper -which he held in his hand. He then retired -to his own chamber, as overborn with affliction, -and there read the inventory of his new possessions, -which swelled his heart with such transports, -that he no longer lamented his father’s -death.</p> - -<p>He was now sufficiently composed to order a -funeral of modest magnificence, suitable at once -to the rank of Nouradin’s profession, and the reputation -of his wealth. The two next nights he -spent in visiting the tower and the caverns, and -found the treasures greater to his eye than to his -imagination.</p> - -<p>Almamoulin had been bred to the practice of -exact frugality, and had often looked with envy -on the finery and expences of other young men: -he therefore believed, that happiness was now in -his power, since he could obtain all of which he<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_77"></a>[77]</span> -had hitherto been accustomed to regret the -want.</p> - -<p>He immediately procured a splendid equipage, -dressed his servants in rich embroidery, and covered -his horses with golden caparisons. He -showered down silver on the populace, and suffered -their acclamations to swell him with insolence. -The nobles saw him with anger, the wise -men of the state combined against him, the leaders -of armies threatened his destruction. Almamoulin -was informed of his danger: he put on -the robe of mourning in the presence of his enemies, -and appeased them with gold, and gems, -and supplication.</p> - -<p>He then sought to strengthen himself, by an -alliance with the princes of Tartary, and offered -the price of kingdoms for a wife of noble birth. -His suit was generally rejected, and his presents -refused; but a princess of Astracan once condescended -to admit him to her presence. She received -him sitting on a throne, attired in the robe -of royalty, and shining with the jewels of Golconda; -command sparkled in her eyes, and dignity -towered on her forehead. Almamoulin approached<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_78"></a>[78]</span> -and trembled. She saw his confusion, -and disdained him: How, says she, dares the -wretch hope my obedience, who thus shrinks at -my glance? Retire, and enjoy thy riches in sordid -ostentation; thou wast born to be wealthy, -but never canst be great.</p> - -<p>He then contracted his desires to more private -and domestic pleasures. He built palaces, he -laid out gardens, he changed the face of the -land, he transplanted forests, he levelled mountains, -opened prospects into distant regions, poured -fountains from the tops of turrets, and rolled -rivers through new channels.</p> - -<p>These amusements pleased him for a time; but -languor and weariness soon invaded him.</p> - -<p>He therefore returned to Samarcand, and set -open his doors to those whom idleness sends out -in search of pleasure. His tables were always -covered with delicacies; wines of every vintage -sparkled in his bowels, and his lamps scattered -perfumes. The sound of the flute, and the voice -of the singer, chased away sadness; every hour -was crowded with pleasure; and the day ended -and began with feasts and dances, and revelry<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_79"></a>[79]</span> -and merriment. Almamoulin cried out, “I have -at last found the use of riches: I am surrounded -by companions, who view my greatness without -envy; and I enjoy at once the raptures of popularity, -and the safety of an obscure station.—What -trouble can he feel, whom all are studious -to please, that they may be repaid with pleasure? -What danger can he dread, to whom every man -is a friend?”</p> - -<p>Such were the thoughts of Almamoulin, as he -looked down from a gallery upon the gay assembly, -regaling at his expence; but in the midst of -this soliloquy, an officer of justice entered the -house, and in the form of legal citation, summoned -Almamoulin to appear before the emperor. The -guests stood awhile aghast, then stole imperceptibly -away, and he was led off without a single -voice to witness his integrity. He now found -one of his most frequent visitors accusing him of -treason, in hopes of sharing his confiscation; -yet, unpatronized, and unsupported, he cleared -himself by the openness of innocence, and the -consistence of truth; he was dismissed with honour, -and his accuser perished in prison.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_80"></a>[80]</span></p> - -<p>Almamoulin now perceived with how little -reason he had hoped for justice or fidelity from -those who live only to gratify their senses; and -being now weary with vain experiments upon -life, and fruitless researches after felicity, he had -recourse to a sage, who, after spending his youth -in travel and observation, had retired from all -human cares, to a small habitation, on the banks -of Oxus, where he conversed only with such as -solicited his counsel. “Brother,” said the philosopher, -“thou hast suffered thy reason to be -deluded by idle hopes, and fallacious appearances. -Having long looked with desire upon -riches, thou hast taught thyself to think them -more valuable than nature designed them, and -to expect from them what, as experience has now -taught thee, they cannot give. That they do -not confer wisdom, thou mayest be convinced -by considering at how dear a price they tempted -thee, upon thy first entrance into the world, to -purchase the empty sound of vulgar acclamation. -That they cannot bestow fortitude or magnanimity, -that man may be certain, who stood trembling -at Astracan before a being not naturally<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_81"></a>[81]</span> -superior to himself. That they will not supply -unexhausted pleasure, the recollection of forsaken -palaces, and neglected gardens, will easily inform -thee. That they rarely purchase friends, thou -didst soon discover, when thou wert left to stand -thy trial uncountenanced and alone. Yet think not -riches useless; there are purposes to which a wise -man may be delighted to apply them: they may, -by a rational distribution to those who want -them, ease the pains of helpless disease, still the -throbs of restless anxiety, relieve innocence from -oppression, and raise imbecility to chearfulness -and vigour. This they will enable thee to perform, -and this will afford the only happiness ordained -for our present state, the confidence of divine -favour, and the hope of future reward.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF BOZALDAB.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>Bozaldab, Calif of Egypt, had dwelt securely -for many years in the silken pavilions of pleasure, -and had every morning anointed his head with<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_82"></a>[82]</span> -the oil of gladness, when his only son Aboram, -for whom he had crowded his treasuries with -gold, extended his dominions with conquests, -and secured them with impregnable fortresses, -was suddenly wounded, as he was hunting, with -an arrow from an unknown hand, and expired in -the field.</p> - -<p>Bozaldab, in the distraction of grief and despair, -refused to return to his palace, and retired -to the gloomiest grotto in the neighbouring -mountain: he there rolled himself on the dust, -tore away the hairs of his hoary beard, and dashed -the cup of consolation that Patience offered -him to the ground. He suffered not his minstrels -to approach his presence; but listened to -the melancholy birds of midnight, that flit -through the solitary vaults and echoing chambers -of the Pyramids. “Can that God be benevolent,” -he cried, “who thus wounds the soul, as -from an ambush, with unexpected sorrows, and -crushes his creatures in a moment with irremediable -calamity? Ye lying Imans, prate to us no -more of the justness and the kindness of an all-directing -and all-loving Providence! He, whom<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_83"></a>[83]</span> -ye pretend reigns in heaven, is so far from protecting -the sons of men, that he perpetually delights -to blast the sweetest flowerets in the garden -of Hope; and like a malignant giant to beat -down the strongest towers of happiness with the -iron mace of his anger. If this Being possessed -the goodness and the power with which flattering -priests have invested him, he would doubtless be -inclined and enabled to banish those evils which -render the world a dungeon of distress, a vale of -vanity and woe.—I will continue in it no longer!”</p> - -<p>At that moment he furiously raised his hand, -which Despair had armed with a dagger, to -strike deep into his bosom; when suddenly thick -flashes of lightning shot through the cavern, and -a being of more than human beauty and magnitude, -arrayed in azure robes, crowned with amaranth, -and waving a branch of palm in his right -hand, arrested the arm of the trembling and astonished -Calif, and said with a majestic smile, -“Follow me to the top of this mountain.”</p> - -<p>“Look from hence,” said the awful conductor; -“I am Caloc, the Angel of Peace; Look from -hence into the valley.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_84"></a>[84]</span></p> - -<p>Bozaldab opened his eyes and beheld a barren, -a sultry, and solitary island, in the midst of which -sat a pale, meagre, and ghastly figure: it was a -merchant just perishing with famine, and lamenting -that he could find neither wild berries, -nor a single spring in this forlorn and uninhabited -desert; and begging the protection of heaven -against the tigers that would now certainly destroy -him, since he had consumed the last fuel -he had collected to make nightly fires to affright -them. He then cast a casket of jewels on the -sand, as trifles of no use; and crept, feeble and -trembling, to an eminence, where he was accustomed -to sit to watch the setting sun, and to give -signal to any ship that might haply approach the -island.</p> - -<p>“Inhabitant of heaven,” cried Bozaldab, “suffer -not this wretch to perish by the fury of wild -beasts!”</p> - -<p>“Peace,” said the angel, “and observe.”</p> - -<p>He looked again, and behold a vessel arrived -at the desolate isle. What words can paint the -rapture of the starving merchant, when the captain -offered to transport him to his native country,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_85"></a>[85]</span> -if he would reward him with half the jewels of -his casket? No sooner had this pityless commander -received the stipulated sum, than he held a -consultation with his crew, and they agreed to -seize the remaining jewels, and leave the unhappy -exile in the same helpless and lamentable -condition in which they discovered him. He -wept and trembled, intreated and implored in -vain.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF BOZALDAB.<br /> -<span class="smaller">(CONCLUDED.)</span></h2> - -</div> - -<p>“Will Heaven permit such injustice to be -practised?” exclaimed Bozaldab. “Look -again,” said the angel, “and behold the very -ship in which, short-sighted as thou art, thou -wishedst the merchant might embark, dashed in -pieces on a rock: dost thou not hear the cries of -the sinking sailors? Presume not to direct the -Governor of the Universe in his disposal of -events. The man whom thou hast pitied shall<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_86"></a>[86]</span> -be taken from this dreary solitude, but not by -the method thou wouldst prescribe. His vice -was avarice, by which he became not only abominable, -but wretched; he fancied some mighty -charm in wealth, which, like the wand of Abdiel, -would gratify every wish and obviate every -fear. This wealth he has now been taught not -only to despise but abhor: he cast his jewels upon -the sand, and confessed them to be useless; -he offered part of them to the mariners, and perceived -them to be pernicious: he has now learnt, -that they are useful or vain, good or evil, only by -the situation and temper of the possessor. Happy -is he whom distress has taught wisdom! But -turn thine eyes to another and more interesting -scene.”</p> - -<p>The Calif instantly beheld a magnificent palace, -adorned with the statues of his ancestors -wrought in jasper; the ivory doors of which, -turning on hinges of the gold of Golconda, discovered -a throne of diamonds, surrounded with -the Rajas of fifty nations, and with ambassadors -in various habits, and of different complexions; -on which sat Aboram, the much-lamented son of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_87"></a>[87]</span> -Bozaldab, and by his side a princess fairer than -a Houri.</p> - -<p>“Gracious Alla!—it is my son,” cried the Calif—“O -let me hold him to my heart!” “Thou -canst not grasp an unsubstantial vision,” replied -the angel: “I have now shewn thee what would -have been the destiny of thy son, had he continued -longer on the earth.” “And why,” returned -Bozaldab, “was he not permitted to continue? -Why was not I suffered to be a witness -of so much felicity and power?” “Consider the -sequel,” replied he that dwells in the fifth heaven. -Bozaldab looked earnestly, and saw the -countenance of his son, on which he had been -used to behold the placid simplicity and the vivid -blushes of health, now distorted with rage, and -now fixed in the insensibility of drunkenness: it -was again animated with disdain, it became pale -with apprehension, and appeared to be withered -by intemperance; his hands were stained with -blood, and he trembled by turns with fury and -terror. The palace so lately shining with oriental -pomp, changed suddenly into the cell of a -dungeon, where his son lay stretched out on the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_88"></a>[88]</span> -cold pavement, gagged and bound, with his eyes -put out. Soon after he perceived the favourite -Sultana, who before was seated by his side, enter -with a bowl of poison, which she compelled Aboram -to drink, and afterwards married the successor -to his throne.</p> - -<p>“Happy,” said Caloc, “is he whom Providence -has by the angel of death snatched from -guilt! from whom that power is withheld, which, -if he had possessed, would have accumulated upon -himself yet greater misery than it could bring -upon others.”</p> - -<p>“It is enough,” cried Bozaldab; “I adore -the inscrutable schemes of omniscience!—From -what dreadful evil has my son been rescued by a -death, which I rashly bewailed as unfortunate -and premature; a death of innocence and peace, -which has blessed his memory upon earth, and -transmitted his spirit to the skies!”</p> - -<p>“Cast away the dagger,” replied the heavenly -messenger, “which thou wast preparing to -plunge into thine own heart. Exchange complaint -for silence, and doubt for adoration. Can -a mortal look down, without giddiness and stupifaction,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_89"></a>[89]</span> -in the vast abyss of Eternal Wisdom? -Can a mind that sees not infinitely, perfectly -comprehend any thing among an infinity of objects -mutually relative? Can the channels, which -thou commandest to be cut to receive the annual -inundations of the Nile, contain the waters of -the ocean? Remember, that perfect happiness -cannot be conferred on a creature; for perfect -happiness is an attribute as incommunicable as -perfect power and eternity.”</p> - -<p>The Angel, while he was speaking thus, -stretched out his pinions to fly back to the Empyreum; -and the flutter of his wings was like the -rushing of a cataract.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE STORY OF OBIDAH.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>Obidah, the son of Abensina, left the -caravansera early in the morning, and pursued -his journey through the plains of Indostan. He -was fresh and vigourous with rest; he was animated -with hope; he was incited by desire; he -walked swiftly forward over the vallies, and saw<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_90"></a>[90]</span> -the hills gradually rising before him. As he -passed along, his ears were delighted with the -morning song of the bird of Paradise; he was -fanned by the last flutters of the sinking breeze, -and sprinkled with dew by groves of spices: he -sometimes contemplated the towering height of -the oak, monarch of the hills; and sometimes -caught the gentle fragrance of the primrose, -eldest daughter of the spring: all his senses were -gratified, and all care was banished from his -heart.</p> - -<p>Thus he went on till the sun approached his -meridian, and the increasing heat preyed upon -his strength; he then looked round about him -for some more commodious path. He saw, on -his right hand, a grove that seemed to wave its -shades as a sign of invitation; he entered it, and -found the coolness and verdure irresistibly pleasant. -He did not however, forget whither he -was travelling, but found a narrow way, bordered -with flowers, which appeared to have the -same direction with the main road, and was -pleased that, by this happy experiment, he had -found means to unite pleasure with business, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_91"></a>[91]</span> -gain the rewards of diligence without suffering -its fatigues. He therefore still continued to walk -for a time, without the least remission of his ardour, -except that he was sometimes tempted to -stop by the music of the birds, whom the heat -had assembled in the shade, and sometimes -amused himself with plucking the flowers that -covered the banks on either side, or the fruits -that hung upon the branches. At last the green -path began to decline from its first tendency, -and to wind among hills and thickets, cooled -with fountains, and murmuring with waterfalls. -Here Obidah paused for a time, and began to -consider whether it were longer safe to forsake -the known and common track; but remembering -that the heat was now in its greatest violence, -and that the plain was dusty and uneven, -he resolved to pursue the new path, which he -supposed only to make a few meanders, in compliance -with the varieties of the ground, and to -end at last in the common road.</p> - -<p>Having thus calmed his solicitude, he renewed -his pace, though he suspected that he was not -gaining ground. This uneasiness of his mind<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_92"></a>[92]</span> -inclined him to lay hold on every new object, -and give way to every sensation that might -sooth and divert him. He listened to every -echo, he mounted every hill for a fresh prospect, -he turned aside to every cascade, and pleased -himself with tracing the course of a gentle river -that rolled among the trees, and watered a large -region with innumerable circumvolutions. In -these amusements the hours passed away unaccounted, -his deviations had perplexed his memory, -and he knew not towards what point to -travel. He stood pensive and confused, afraid -to go forward lest he should go wrong, yet conscious -that the time of loitering was now past. -While he was thus tortured with uncertainty, -the sky was overspread with clouds, the day -vanished from before him, and a sudden tempest -gathered round his head. He was now roused -by his danger to a quick and painful remembrance -of his folly; he now saw how happiness -is lost when ease is consulted; he lamented the -unmanly impatience that prompted him to seek -shelter in the grove, and despised the petty -curiosity that led him on from trifle to trifle.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_93"></a>[93]</span> -While he was thus reflecting, the air grew -blacker, and a clap of thunder broke his meditation.</p> - -<p>He now resolved to do what remained yet in -his power, to tread back the ground which he -had passed, and try to find some issue where the -wood might open into the plain. He prostrated -himself on the ground, and commended his life -to the Lord of Nature. He rose with confidence -and tranquillity, and pressed on with his -sabre in hand, for the beasts of the desart were -in motion, and on every hand were mingled -howls of rage and fear, and savage expiration; -all the horrors of darkness and solitude surrounded -him; the winds roared in the woods, -and the torrents tumbled from the hills.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Work’d into sudden rage by wint’ry show’rs,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Down the steep hill the roaring torrent pours;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The mountain shepherd hears the distant noise.</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>Thus forlorn and distressed, he wandered -through the wild, without knowing whither he -was going, or whether he was every moment<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_94"></a>[94]</span> -drawing nearer to safety or to destruction. At -length not fear but labour began to overcome -him; his breath grew short, and his knees trembled, -and he was on the point of lying down in -resignation to his fate, when he beheld through -the branches the glimmer of a taper. He -advanced towards the light, and finding that it -proceeded from the cottage of a hermit, he -called humbly at the door, and obtained admission. -The old man set before him such provisions -as he had collected for himself, on which -Obidah fed with eagerness and gratitude.</p> - -<p>When the repast was over, “Tell me,” said -the hermit, “by what chance thou hast been -brought hither; I have been now twenty years -an inhabitant of the wilderness, in which I never -saw a man before.” Obidah then related the -occurrences of his journey, without any concealment -or palliation.</p> - -<p>“Son,” said the hermit, “let the errors and -follies, the dangers and escapes, of this day, sink -deep into thy heart. Remember, my son, that -human life is the journey of a day: we rise in -the morning of youth, full of vigour, and full of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_95"></a>[95]</span> -expectation; we set forward with spirit and -hope, with gaiety and with diligence, and travel -on awhile in the strait road of piety towards the -mansions of rest. In a short time we remit our -fervour, and endeavour to find some mitigation -of our duty, and some more easy means of obtaining -the same end. We then relax our vigour, -and resolve no longer to be terrified with crimes -at a distance, but rely upon our own constancy, -and venture to approach what we resolve never -to touch. We thus enter the bowers of ease, -and repose in the shades of security. Here the -heart softens, and vigilance subsides; we are -then willing to inquire whether another advance -cannot be made, and whether we may not at -least turn our eyes upon the gardens of pleasure. -We approach them with scruple and hesitation; -we enter them, but enter timorous and trembling, -and always hope to pass through them -without losing the road of virtue, which we, for -awhile, keep in our sight, and to which we propose -to return. But temptation succeeds temptation, -and one compliance prepares us for another; -we in time lose the happiness of innocence,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_96"></a>[96]</span> -and solace our disquiet with sensual gratifications. -By degrees we let fall the remembrance -of our original intention, and quit the -only adequate object of rational desire. We -entangle ourselves in business, immerge ourselves -in luxury, and rove through the labyrinths -of inconstancy, till the darkness of old age -begins to invade us, and disease and anxiety obstruct -our way. We then look back upon our -lives with horror, with sorrow, with repentance; -and wish, but too often vainly wish, that we had -not forsaken the ways of virtue. Happy are -they, my son, who shall learn from thy example -not to despair, but shall remember, that though -the day is past, and their strength is wasted, -there yet remains one effort to be made; that -reformation is never hopeless, nor sincere endeavours -ever unassisted; that the wanderer may at -length return after all his errors, and that he -who implores strength and courage from above, -shall find danger and difficulty give way before -him. Go now, my son, to thy repose, commit -thyself to the care of Omnipotence, and when -the morning calls again to toil, begin anew thy -journey and thy life.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_97"></a>[97]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">INGRATITUDE PUNISHED.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>A Dervise, venerable by his age, fell ill in -the house of a woman who had been long a widow, -and lived in extreme poverty in the suburbs -of Balsora. He was so touched with the -care and zeal with which she had assisted him, -that at his departure he said to her, “I have remarked -that you have wherewith to subsist -alone, but that you have not subsistence enough -to share it with your only son, the young Abdallah. -If you will trust him to my care, I will endeavour -to acknowledge, in his person, the obligations -I have to you for your care of me.” The -good woman received this proposal with joy; and -the Dervise departed with the young man, advertising -her, that they must perform a journey -which would last nearly two years. As they -travelled he kept him in affluence, gave him excellent -instructions, cured him of a dangerous -disease with which he was attacked; in fine, he -took the same care of him as if he had been his -own son. Abdallah a hundred times testified his -gratitude to him for all his bounties; but the old<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_98"></a>[98]</span> -man always answered, “My son, it is by actions -that gratitude is proved; we shall see in a proper -time and place, whether you are so grateful -as you pretend.”</p> - -<p>One day, as they continued their travels, they -found themselves in a solitary place, and the -Dervise said to Abdallah, “My son, we are now -at the end of our journey; I shall employ my -prayers to obtain from Heaven, that the earth -may open and make an entrance wide enough to -permit thee to descend into a place where thou -wilt find one of the greatest treasures that the -earth incloses into her bowels. Hast thou courage -to descend into this subterraneous vault?” -continued he. Abdallah swore to him, he might -depend upon his obedience and zeal. Then the -Dervise lighted a small fire, into which he cast a -perfume; he read and prayed for some moments, -after which the earth opened, and the Dervise -said to him—“Thou mayest now enter, my dear -Abdallah, remember that it is in thy power to do -me a great service; and that this is, perhaps, the -only opportunity thou canst ever have of testifying -to me that thou art not ungrateful: Do not -let thyself be dazzled by all the riches thou wilt<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_99"></a>[99]</span> -find there; think only of seizing upon an iron -candlestick with twelve branches, which thou -wilt find close to a door; that is absolutely necessary -to me; come up immediately, and bring -it to me.” Abdallah promised every thing, and -descended boldly into the vault. But forgetting -what had been expressly recommended to him, -whilst he was filling his vest and bosom with -gold and jewels, which this subterraneous vault -inclosed in prodigious heaps, the opening by -which he entered closed of itself. He had, however, -presence of mind enough to seize on the -iron candlestick, which the Dervise had so strongly -recommended to him; and though the situation -he was in was very terrible, he did not abandon -himself to despair; and thinking only in what -manner he should get out of a place which might -become his grave, he apprehended that the vault -had closed only because he had not followed the -order of the Dervise; he recalled to his memory -the care and goodness he had loaded him with; -reproached himself with his ingratitude, and finished -his meditation by humbling himself before -God. At length, after much pains and inquietude,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_100"></a>[100]</span> -he was fortunate enough to find a narrow -passage which led him out of this obscure -cave; though it was not till he had followed it a -considerable way, that he perceived a small opening -covered with briars and thorns, through -which he returned to the light of the sun. He -looked on all sides, to see if he could perceive the -Dervise, but in vain; he designed to deliver him -the iron candlestick he so much wished for, and -formed a design of quitting him, being rich -enough with what he had taken out of the cavern, -to live in affluence without his assistance.</p> - -<p>Not perceiving the Dervise, nor remembering -any of the places through which he had passed, -he went on as fortune had directed him, and was -extremely astonished to find himself opposite to -his mother’s house, which he imagined he was at -a great distance from him. She immediately enquired -after the holy Dervise. Abdallah told -her frankly what had happened to him, and the -danger he had run to satisfy his unreasonable desires; -he afterwards shewed her the riches with -which he was loaded. His mother concluded, -upon the sight of them, that the Dervise only designed -to make trial of his courage and obedience,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_101"></a>[101]</span> -and that they ought to make use of the -happiness which fortune had presented to them; -adding, that doubtless such was the intention of -the holy Dervise. Whilst they contemplated -upon these treasures with avidity; whilst they -were dazzled with the lustre of them, and formed -a thousand projects in consequence of them, -they all vanished away before their eyes. It -was then that Abdallah sincerely reproached -himself for his ingratitude and disobedience; -and, perceiving that the iron candlestick had resisted -the enchantment, or rather the just punishment -which those deserve who do not execute -what they promise, he said, prostrating himself, -“What happened to me is just; I have lost -what I had no design to restore, and the candlestick -which I intended to deliver to the Dervise, -remains with me: It is a proof that it rightly belongs -to him, and that the rest was unjustly acquired.” -As he finished these words, he placed -the candlestick in the midst of their little house.</p> - -<p>When the night was come, without reflecting -upon it, he placed the light in the candlestick. -Immediately they saw a Dervise appear, who -turned round for an hour, and disappeared, after<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_102"></a>[102]</span> -having thrown them an asper. The candlestick -had twelve branches. Abdallah, who was meditating -all the day upon what he had seen -the night before, was willing to know what would -happen the next night, if he put a light in each -of them; he did so, and twelve Dervises appeared -that instant; they turned round also for an -hour, and each threw an asper as they disappeared. -He repeated every day the same ceremony, -which had always the same success; but -he could never make it succeed more than once -in twenty-four hours. This trifling sum was -enough to make his mother and himself subsist -tolerably: there was a time when they would -have desired no more to be happy; but it was -not considerable enough to change their fortune: -it is always dangerous for the imagination to be -fixed upon the idea of riches. The sight of what -he believed he should possess; the projects he -had formed for the employment of it; all these -things had left such profound traces in the mind -of Abdallah, that nothing could efface them. -Therefore, seeing the small advantage he drew -from the candlestick, he resolved to carry it back -to the Dervise, in hopes that he might obtain<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_103"></a>[103]</span> -of him the treasure he had seen, or at least find -again the riches which had vanished from their -sight, by restoring to him a thing for which he -testified so earnest a desire. He was so fortunate -as to remember his name, and that of the city -where he inhabited. He departed, therefore, immediately -for Magrebi, carrying with him his -candlestick, which he lighted every night, and -by that means furnished himself with what was -necessary on the road, without being obliged to -implore the assistance and compassion of the -faithful. When he arrived at Magrebi, his first -care was to enquire in what house, or in what -convent, Abounadar lodged; he was so well -known that every body told him his habitation. -He repaired thither directly, and found fifty porters -who kept the gate of his house, having each -a staff with a head of gold in their hands: the -court of this palace was filled with slaves and -domestics; in fine, the residence of a prince -could not expose to view greater magnificence. -Abdallah, struck with astonishment and admiration, -feared to proceed. Certainly, thought he, -I either explained myself wrong, or those to -whom I addressed myself designed to make a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_104"></a>[104]</span> -jest of me, because I was a stranger: this is not -the habitation of a Dervise, it is that of a king. -He was in this embarrassment when a man approached -him, and said to him, “Abdallah, thou -art welcome; my master, Abounadar, has long -expected thee.” He then conducted him to an -agreeable and magnificent pavilion, where the -Dervise was seated. Abdallah, struck with the -riches which he beheld on all sides, would have -prostrated himself at his feet, but Abounadar -prevented him, and interrupted him when he -would have made a merit of the candlestick, -which he presented to him. “Thou art but an -ungrateful wretch,” said he to him: “Dost thou -imagine that thou canst impose upon me? I am not -ignorant of any one of thy thoughts; and if thou -hadst known the value of this candlestick, thou -would never have brought it to me: I will make -thee sensible of its true use.” Immediately he -placed a light in each of its branches; and when -the twelve Dervises had turned round for some -time, Abounadar gave each of them a blow with -a cane, and in a moment they were converted -into twelve sequins, diamonds, and other precious -stones. “This,” said he, “is the proper<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_105"></a>[105]</span> -use to be made of this marvellous candlestick. -As to me, I never desired it, but to place it in -my cabinet, as a talisman composed by a sage -whom I revere, and am pleased to expose sometimes -to those who come to visit me: and to -prove to thee,” added he, “that curiosity was -the only occasion of my search for it; here are -keys of my magazines, open them, and thou -shalt judge of my riches: thou shalt tell me -whether the most insatiable miser would not be -satisfied with them.” Abdallah obeyed him, and -examined twelve magazines of great extent, so -full of all manner of riches, that he could not -distinguish what merited his admiration most; -they all deserved it, and produced new desires. -The regret of having restored the candlestick, -and that of not having found out the use of it, -pierced the heart of Abdallah. Abounadar -seemed not to perceive it; on the contrary, he -loaded him with caresses, kept him some days -in the house, and commanded him to be treated -as himself. When he was at the eve of the -day which he had fixed for his departure, he said -to him, “Abdallah, my son, I believe by what -has happened to thee, thou art corrected of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_106"></a>[106]</span> -frightful vice of ingratitude; however, I owe thee -a mark of my affection, for having undertaken so -long a journey, with a view of bringing me the -thing I had desired: thou may’st depart, I shall -detain thee no longer. Thou shalt find to-morrow, -at the gate of my palace, one of my horses -to carry thee; I make thee a present of it, as well -as of a slave, who shall conduct thee to thy house; -and two camels loaded with gold and jewels, -which thou shalt choose thyself out of my treasures.” -Abdallah said to him all that a heart sensible -to avarice could express when its passion -was satisfied, and went to lie down till the morning -arrived, which was fixed for his departure.</p> - -<p>During the night he was still agitated, without -being able to think of any thing but the -candlestick and what it produced. “I had it,” -said he, “so long in my power; Abounadar, -without me, had never been the possessor of it: -what risks did I not run in the subterraneous -vault? Why does he now possess this treasure of -treasures? Because I had the probity, or rather -the folly, to bring it back to him; he profits by -my labour, and the danger I have incurred in so -long a journey. And what does he give me in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_107"></a>[107]</span> -return? Two camels loaded with gold and -jewels; in one moment the candlestick will furnish -him with ten times as much. It is Abounadar -who is ungrateful: what wrong shall I do -him in taking this candlestick? None, certainly, -for he is rich: and what do I possess?” These -ideas determined him, at length, to make all possible -attempts to seize upon the candlestick. -The thing was not difficult, Abounadar having -trusted him with the keys of the magazines. He -knew where the candlestick was placed; he -seized upon it, hid it in the bottom of one of the -sacks, which he filled with pieces of gold and -other riches which he was allowed to take, and -loaded it, as well as the rest, upon his camels. -He had no other eagerness now than for his -departure; and after having hastily bid adieu to -the generous Abounadar, he delivered him his -keys, and departed with his horse, and slave, -and two camels.</p> - -<p>When he was some days journey from Balsora, -he sold his slave, resolving not to have a -witness of his former poverty, nor of the source -of his present riches. He bought another, and -arrived without any obstacle at his mother’s, -whom he would scarcely look upon, so much -was he taken up with his treasure. His first -care was to place the loads of his camels, and the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_108"></a>[108]</span> -candlestick, in the most private part of the -house; and, in his impatience to feed his eyes, -with his great opulence, he placed lights immediately -in the candlestick: the twelve Dervises -appearing, he gave each of them a blow with a -cane with all his strength, lest he should be -failing in the laws of the talisman: but he had -not remarked, that Abounadar, when he struck -them, had the cane in his left hand. Abdallah, -by a natural motion, made use of his right; and -the Dervises, instead of becoming heaps of -riches, immediately drew from beneath their -robes each a formidable club, with which they -struck him almost dead, and disappeared, carrying -with them all his treasures, the camels, the -horse, the slave, and the candlestick.</p> - -<p>Thus was Abdallah punished by poverty, and -almost by death, for his unreasonable ambition, -which perhaps might have been pardonable, if -it had not been accompanied by an ingratitude -as wicked as it was audacious, since he had not -so much as the resource of being able to conceal -his perfidies from the too piercing eyes of his -benefactor.</p> - -<p class="titlepage">FINIS.</p> - -<p class="titlepage smaller">Harrild, Printer, Eastcheap.</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Oriental tales, for the entertainment -of youth, by Anonymous - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ORIENTAL TALES FOR ENTERTAINMENT OF YOUTH *** - -***** This file should be named 62868-h.htm or 62868-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/2/8/6/62868/ - -Produced by Charlene Taylor and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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